Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Banks’<br />
borrowings<br />
from CBN<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hit N23trn<br />
by year end<br />
Taraba police killing:<br />
Army captain<br />
engaged welder <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
remove cuffs <strong>on</strong><br />
Wadume<br />
9<br />
IPOB's attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu,<br />
5<br />
warning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Igbo<br />
leaders —KANU<br />
Catholic<br />
Bishops<br />
decry 17<br />
insecurity<br />
in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
VOL. 26: NO. 63877<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
STORY<br />
ON PAGE<br />
8<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>N2.53bn</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>43</strong> <strong>ministers</strong><br />
•Each minister <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get N58.766m<br />
•Earns N11.652m a year<br />
•Severance pay, furniture allowance N12.158m<br />
ODIGIE-OYEGUN @ 80<br />
Breakdown of <strong>ministers</strong>'<br />
current salary, emoluments<br />
•Annual basic salary (Minister) —N2,026, 400<br />
•Annual basic Salary (Minister of State) —N1, 800,000<br />
•Estacode Allowance —$900 per night<br />
•Duty Tour Allowance— N35,000 per night<br />
•Utilities (Teleph<strong>on</strong>e, electricity, water) —N607, 920<br />
•Vehicle fueling, Maintenance Allowance —N1,519,800<br />
•Domestic Staff Allowance— N1,519,800<br />
•Pers<strong>on</strong>al Assistant Allowance —N506,600<br />
•Newspaper Allowance— N303,960<br />
•Accommodati<strong>on</strong> Allowance— N4,052,800<br />
•Furniture Allowance —N 6,079,200<br />
•Leave Allowance —N202,640<br />
•Severance pay —N6,079,200<br />
•Entertainment Allowance— N607,920<br />
•M<strong>on</strong>i<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ring Allowance— N303,960<br />
•Mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Vehicle Loan— N8,105,600<br />
Again, 8<br />
killed,<br />
LG boss,<br />
m<strong>on</strong>arch’s,<br />
others'<br />
houses<br />
razed in<br />
Og<strong>on</strong>i 7<br />
Mr & Mrs<br />
From left: Governor’s Forum Chairman and Ekiti<br />
State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; APC Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the<br />
Celebrant, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; Mrs Oyegun,<br />
Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Former Governor<br />
of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba; SGF, Boss<br />
Mustapha and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi<br />
Akeredolu, chatting during the 80th Birthday<br />
celebrati<strong>on</strong> of Chief Oyegun, former Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Chairman of All Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress (APC) in<br />
Abuja, yesterday. Pho<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>: Gbemiga Olamikan.<br />
COLUMNISTS<br />
SOBOWALE<br />
NASU, SSANU<br />
begin strike <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day,<br />
say it’ll be <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
29<br />
8<br />
NNPC selects 15<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sortia for oil<br />
sale, products<br />
10 purchase deal 8<br />
HENRY BOYO 30 OWEI 31<br />
$16bn Power Project:<br />
SERAP backs EFCC’s probe<br />
of Obasanjo’s govt, others
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
2 – Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 3
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
4 – Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019—5<br />
POCKET CARTOON<br />
the Federal Government<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned the attack,<br />
describing it as an<br />
embarrassment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
country.<br />
ELUMELU IN RWANDA— Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc and<br />
Founder, The T<strong>on</strong>y Elumelu Foundati<strong>on</strong>, Mr. T<strong>on</strong>y Elumelu and President of<br />
Rwanda, Mr. Paul Kagame (Right), during a courtesy visit by Elumelu <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
President Kagame at the Presidential Palace in Kigali <strong>on</strong> Friday. President<br />
Kagame was in Abuja during the just held T<strong>on</strong>y Elumelu Foundati<strong>on</strong> Forum.<br />
IPOB's attack <strong>on</strong> Ekweremadu,<br />
warning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Igbo leaders —KANU<br />
By Henry Umoru,<br />
Vincent Ujumadu,<br />
Levinus<br />
Nwabughiogu &<br />
Dirisu Yakubu<br />
A BUJA—Nnamdi<br />
Kanu, Leader of<br />
the Indigenous People of<br />
Biafra, IPOB, insisted,<br />
yesterday, that the attack<br />
<strong>on</strong> the former Deputy<br />
Senate President,<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ike<br />
Ekweremadu, in<br />
Nuremberg, Germany,<br />
was a ‘courageous act’<br />
and ‘polite warning.’<br />
Reacting in his official<br />
Twitter handle, Kanu<br />
said: “The courageous<br />
act by IPOB at Nürnberg,<br />
Germany, is a polite<br />
warning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> those<br />
engaged in selling our<br />
collective interest <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Fulani caliphate. Nwodo<br />
(Ohanaeze Ndigbo<br />
president, Nnia Nwodo),<br />
Igbo governors are<br />
warned.”<br />
Meanwhile, str<strong>on</strong>g<br />
reacti<strong>on</strong>s, yesterday, trailed<br />
the attack <strong>on</strong> the former<br />
Deputy Senate President,<br />
with the Federal<br />
Government and House of<br />
Representatives describing<br />
the development as an<br />
embarrassment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
The House went further<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say it was c<strong>on</strong>templating<br />
a legislati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> protect<br />
politically exposed<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns abroad.<br />
Similarly, the Senate<br />
President, Ahmad Lawan;<br />
his deputy, Ovie Omo-<br />
Agege; Peoples Democratic<br />
Party, PDP, South East<br />
Professi<strong>on</strong>als Forum of All<br />
Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress,<br />
APC; Senate Chief Whip,<br />
Orji Uzor Kalu, and Senate<br />
Minority Leader,<br />
Enyinnaya Abaribe, also<br />
described the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu as not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
shameful but also<br />
unedifying of the Igbo race.<br />
Reacting through the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns In Diaspora<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>, NIDCOM,<br />
It’s shameful — FG<br />
In a statement in Abuja,<br />
the Chairman of<br />
NIDCOM, Mrs AbiKe<br />
Dabiri-Erewa, said: “It is<br />
also shamefully pathetic<br />
that an event, which was<br />
nobly put <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether by the<br />
Ndi-Igbo community whose<br />
members make up the<br />
majority of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns living<br />
in Germany, ended up in<br />
such a disgraceful<br />
manner.”<br />
She noted that the event<br />
was <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide a forum for<br />
the ‘Diasporans’ and<br />
various stakeholders <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
network and facilitate a<br />
better cooperati<strong>on</strong> between<br />
German and <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
businesses, disclosing that<br />
some of the culprits who<br />
perpetrated the act had<br />
been apprehended.<br />
Dabiri-Erewa called <strong>on</strong><br />
the German government<br />
and law enforcement<br />
agencies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that<br />
there were c<strong>on</strong>sequences<br />
for the acti<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
culprits.<br />
She also appealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be of good<br />
behavior wherever they<br />
found themselves, saying<br />
such unruly incidents<br />
tarnish the image of the<br />
country.<br />
House of Reps<br />
Committee reacts<br />
In its reacti<strong>on</strong>, the House<br />
of Representatives said it<br />
was c<strong>on</strong>templating a<br />
legislati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> protect<br />
politically exposed people<br />
abroad.<br />
Chairman of the House<br />
Committee <strong>on</strong> Foreign<br />
Affairs, Yusuf Buba Yakub,<br />
who made the disclosure in<br />
a statement he pers<strong>on</strong>ally<br />
signed yesterday, hinted<br />
that the House up<strong>on</strong><br />
resumpti<strong>on</strong> in September,<br />
would thoroughly<br />
investigate the matter.<br />
He urged the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Ambassador <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Germany,<br />
Yusuf Maitama Tugger, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
immediately probe the<br />
issue, with a view <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
bringing the perpetra<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
book.<br />
The statement read: “I, as<br />
most c<strong>on</strong>cerned <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
and others across the globe,<br />
have followed with utmost<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cern and worry the<br />
treatment meted out <strong>on</strong><br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ike Ekweremadu<br />
in far away Nuremberg,<br />
Germany, where he had,<br />
<strong>on</strong> the invitati<strong>on</strong> of his<br />
people, g<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> attend the<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>d Igbo Cultural<br />
Festival of Iri Ji (New Yam<br />
festival) in that part of<br />
Europe as a distinguished<br />
guest of h<strong>on</strong>our.<br />
“Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu,<br />
an accomplished scholar in<br />
the legal professi<strong>on</strong> and<br />
political leader of high<br />
standing in society, is <strong>on</strong>e<br />
of our l<strong>on</strong>gest serving<br />
sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, who had also in<br />
the last 12 years until June<br />
this year, held sway as the<br />
Deputy President of the<br />
Senate.<br />
‘’Before joining the<br />
Senate, he was also<br />
Secretary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Enugu State<br />
Government and had<br />
before then served in<br />
various capacities in that<br />
state.<br />
“Given the high<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>ality profile and the<br />
public service record which<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu<br />
parades, it is unthinkable<br />
that any individual or<br />
group anywhere in the<br />
world, let al<strong>on</strong>e his very<br />
own people in the<br />
Diaspora, who ought <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
know better, should<br />
c<strong>on</strong>template and carry out<br />
the despicable public act<br />
of shame that was brought<br />
up<strong>on</strong> a well-respected<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al leader of<br />
Sen.Ekweremadu’s stature<br />
before the glare of the entire<br />
global community in<br />
Germany.<br />
“I, therefore, in very<br />
str<strong>on</strong>g terms, c<strong>on</strong>demn in<br />
its entirety the acti<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
group of Igbo people,<br />
alleged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be members of<br />
the outlawed IPOB, that<br />
had attacked Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ike<br />
Ekweremadu in<br />
Nuremberg, Germany <strong>on</strong><br />
Saturday, August 17.<br />
‘’I also wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> join other<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns and leaders <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
call <strong>on</strong> the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Ambassador <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Germany,<br />
Amb.Yusuf Maitama<br />
Tugger, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make good his<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> page 41<br />
By Bose Adelaja, Olayinka La<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>na,<br />
Chiamaka Uba<br />
Restricti<strong>on</strong> of forex for food importati<strong>on</strong> (3)<br />
It’s really important <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
promote locally made<br />
commodities and as well<br />
provide sustainable markets<br />
for <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n goods via<br />
genuine govt interventi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
It would encourage local<br />
producti<strong>on</strong> and boost<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy but there should be<br />
home grown soluti<strong>on</strong> tailored<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards promoting locally<br />
made goods.<br />
Hopefully, the acti<strong>on</strong> would<br />
be accompanied by genuine<br />
development and not mere<br />
cosmetic and populist policy.<br />
- Ayuba Quadri<br />
Public Affairs analyst<br />
I<br />
thinks it’s a good<br />
m o v e<br />
by Mr. President, but<br />
there is the need for<br />
more investments in the<br />
agricultural sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
boost local food<br />
producti<strong>on</strong>. There<br />
should be structure in<br />
place <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> support 'made in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>', they should<br />
also set up a policy that<br />
would be favorable for<br />
manufacturing industries<br />
in the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> thrive.<br />
-Jimmy Shola<br />
Mediaprenuer.<br />
The ban <strong>on</strong> forex for<br />
importing food stuff is<br />
shortsighted. It is<br />
obvious that this will<br />
encourage black market.<br />
Imported foodstuff is a<br />
necessity, therefore<br />
policies that make supply<br />
of these goods difficult<br />
will <strong>on</strong>ly increase the<br />
cost of goods for the<br />
comm<strong>on</strong> man.<br />
-Showole Tolulope<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tent Developer<br />
While this is a good<br />
initiative as<br />
regards the effect it<br />
would have <strong>on</strong> local food<br />
producti<strong>on</strong> and sales, I<br />
also believe things like<br />
this should be gradual<br />
as local producers might<br />
not be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet up<br />
with demand as opposed<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> if it had been gradual<br />
where they would have<br />
time <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> prepare and be<br />
able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet demands.<br />
-Olusanya Orewa<br />
Corps member<br />
I<br />
str<strong>on</strong>gly support Mr.<br />
President <strong>on</strong> this bold<br />
step. This will improve<br />
local food producti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Why import food that can<br />
be produced locally?<br />
Government should<br />
support farmers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
produce more food.<br />
If the Agric sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered, the ec<strong>on</strong>omy<br />
will be a little bit stable.<br />
-Jayeoba Blessing Funmilayo<br />
Entrepreneur<br />
The idea will help <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
grow locally made food<br />
by reducing importati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
hence growing the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy which is <strong>on</strong>e of<br />
the things <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> needs<br />
now. On the other hand, it<br />
is disturbing because it<br />
leaves us with the questi<strong>on</strong><br />
of how independent the<br />
Central Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> is?<br />
That bank is supposed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
run without interference.<br />
-Philomena Ogburie<br />
Analyst
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
6—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
Many injured as Hausa, Yoruba clash in Lagos<br />
By Evelyn Usman,<br />
Olasukanmi Ak<strong>on</strong>i &<br />
M<strong>on</strong>suru Olowoopejo<br />
L AGOS—PANDEMONIUM<br />
broke out yesterday, at Ilepo<br />
Market, Oke-Odo, al<strong>on</strong>g Lagos-<br />
Abeokuta Expressway, following<br />
a clash between Hausa and<br />
Yoruba traders.<br />
Although no life was lost,<br />
several pers<strong>on</strong>s were severely<br />
injured, while goods worth<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>s of Naira were destroyed<br />
and some makeshift shops burnt<br />
in the incident, with different<br />
accounts as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> how trouble started.<br />
A versi<strong>on</strong> of the account said<br />
fight broke out Saturday night<br />
between some suspected cultists<br />
and Hausa scavengers around<br />
the dump site, when <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
parties tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> molest the other.<br />
It reportedly c<strong>on</strong>tinued yesterday,<br />
as <strong>on</strong>e of the parties was said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
have overpowered the other.<br />
Another account had it that<br />
some Hausa youths attempted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ex<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rt some Yoruba scavengers<br />
around the dump site, claiming<br />
that the area bel<strong>on</strong>gs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them<br />
(Hausa), a claim that led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> verbal<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>tati<strong>on</strong>, which degenerated<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> violence.<br />
One of the Hausa <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ma<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sellers,<br />
Tanko Mohammed, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld<br />
Vanguard : “I came out here this<br />
morning (yesterday) <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell, when<br />
some Awawa boys came from<br />
nowhere and started destroying<br />
our wares.<br />
“Over 20 baskets of <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ma<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>es<br />
were destroyed. While every<strong>on</strong>e<br />
was running, I remained in my<br />
shop <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> know what was<br />
happening. They came with<br />
cutlasses and sticks, attacking<br />
any<strong>on</strong>e at sight. They said some<br />
of our people beat <strong>on</strong>e of theirs.<br />
But how is that my business, when<br />
the pers<strong>on</strong> in questi<strong>on</strong> is neither<br />
my brother nor sales boy?”<br />
Another Yoruba trader, who<br />
simply gave her name as Iya<br />
Modinat, said: “These people<br />
(Hausa) have taken over the<br />
whole place, claiming it is theirs.<br />
They have dominated the dump<br />
site, depriving other people space<br />
there.<br />
“They had c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>tati<strong>on</strong> with<br />
<strong>on</strong>e Yoruba boy yesterday<br />
(Saturday) and before you knew<br />
it, all of them came out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fight<br />
with the pers<strong>on</strong>. His people<br />
(Yoruba boys) came <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his rescue.<br />
Also yesterday, there was fight<br />
at the food stuff secti<strong>on</strong>. But I<br />
cannot say if that was what<br />
caused<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day’s<br />
(yesterday)fight.”<br />
Police s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry<br />
However, the Police said the<br />
trouble started between Hausa<br />
scavengers and some social<br />
miscreants otherwise known as<br />
Area boys, adding that five<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s had been arrested in<br />
c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong> with the fracas.<br />
Spokesman for the Lagos<br />
State Police Command, DSP<br />
Elkana Bala, said: “Yesterday,<br />
at about 10a.m., <strong>on</strong>e Alhaji<br />
Adekunle Habib of Ilepo Market<br />
reported at Oke Odo Police<br />
Stati<strong>on</strong> that there was a<br />
vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews<br />
•Awawa Boys attacked us—Tanko, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ma<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>es seller<br />
•Hausa ’re claiming it's their land—Iya Modinat<br />
•Hausa scavenger, Area Boy fight started crisis—Police<br />
Scene of the clash in pictures.<br />
PHOTOS: Joe Akin<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>la, Pho<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r.<br />
misunderstanding between <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Hausa scavenger and an area<br />
boy from Yoruba ethnic group.<br />
“The area boy, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
him, was carrying some goods<br />
<strong>on</strong> his head when he was<br />
pushed by the Hausa boy in<br />
error. The goods fell down.<br />
“Arguments ensued between<br />
the two parties, which led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
exchange of blows. Friends of<br />
the two parties joined in the<br />
fight and other miscreants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok<br />
advantage of the moment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
steal and loot. They blocked<br />
Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.<br />
“What started as a fight<br />
between two miscreants almost<br />
snowballed in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ethnic crisis, if<br />
not for the timely interventi<strong>on</strong><br />
of the Police. Police teams from<br />
Oke-Odo Divisi<strong>on</strong> were the<br />
initial resp<strong>on</strong>ders. The<br />
Command sent reinforcements<br />
from the Operati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Department, Rapid Resp<strong>on</strong>se<br />
Squads, Task Force, Tactical<br />
Units and Police Mobile Force.<br />
“Divisi<strong>on</strong>s within the Area<br />
Command equally sent<br />
reinforcements. The situati<strong>on</strong><br />
was brought under c<strong>on</strong>trol and<br />
traffic cleared. No death was<br />
recorded, but four pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
sustained various degrees of<br />
injuries and are receiving<br />
medical attenti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“Five suspects, namely<br />
Kabiru Mohammed, Kabiru<br />
Adamu, Bashiru Mohammed,<br />
Saliu Madu and Yusuf Amuda,<br />
were arrested in c<strong>on</strong>necti<strong>on</strong><br />
with the breach of peace.<br />
Normalcy has been res<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>red<br />
and patrols are <strong>on</strong>going in the<br />
affected areas. Suspects will be<br />
charged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> court.”<br />
Govt orders probe<br />
Meanwhile, Governor<br />
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos<br />
State has expressed the<br />
commitment of his<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> peaceful coexistence<br />
of all ethnic groups in<br />
the state without any fear.<br />
Reacting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the crisis, Sanwo-<br />
Olu, in a statement through his<br />
Deputy Chief Press Secretary,<br />
Gboyega Akosile, stated that<br />
“we received the news with<br />
sadness. I must say that we<br />
found it very strange because<br />
Lagos is a peaceful state, where<br />
every ethnic nati<strong>on</strong>ality cohabits<br />
without rancour. The<br />
NEWS HOTLINES<br />
018773962,<br />
08052867058<br />
clash is quite strange.”<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him, the security<br />
arm was immediately activated<br />
and within a few hours, the<br />
clash was quelled.<br />
He said: “As I speak, normalcy<br />
has returned <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the affected<br />
areas and residents are going<br />
about their lawful business.<br />
“I need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reiterate that<br />
security of lives and properties<br />
of Lagosians remain <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
cardinal points of my<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>. I, therefore,<br />
assure every citizen of their<br />
safety while enjoining them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
go about their business lawfully.<br />
“Finally, government will<br />
investigate the remote and<br />
immediate cause of the civil<br />
disturbance with the view <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
forestalling future occurrence.”
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019—7<br />
vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews<br />
Man docked for stealing DPO’s ph<strong>on</strong>e<br />
By Onozure Dania<br />
LAGOS—A 22-year-old man,<br />
Taofeek Salau, who allegedly<br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>le the ph<strong>on</strong>e of Mushin<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Police Officer, Ayodele<br />
Arogbo, valued at N140,000, has<br />
been arraigned before a Lagos<br />
Magistrate’s Court sitting in<br />
Mushin.<br />
The defendant is facing a threecount<br />
charge of c<strong>on</strong>spiracy,<br />
breach of peace and theft.<br />
Salau and others still at large,<br />
committed the alleged offence <strong>on</strong><br />
January 31 at 1pm at Ojuwoye<br />
Market Juncti<strong>on</strong>, Isolo Road,<br />
Mushin, area of Lagos, while the<br />
By Egufe Yafugborhi<br />
PORT HARCOURT—NO<br />
fewer than eight pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
were again feared killed and<br />
houses, including home of<br />
Khana Local Government<br />
Chairman, Lahteh Loolo and a<br />
wing of the palace of HRH T. W.<br />
Baridam, Gben-Neme Bangha,<br />
razed as bandits struck at Opouku<br />
and Bangha communities in<br />
Og<strong>on</strong>iland, Rivers State,<br />
yesterday.<br />
The bandits, it was learned,<br />
struck in the wee hours of<br />
yesterday, in same fashi<strong>on</strong> they<br />
did barely a week ago when<br />
homes of facti<strong>on</strong>al President of<br />
Movement for Survival of Og<strong>on</strong>i<br />
People, MOSOP, Legborsi<br />
Pyaghbara, that of the m<strong>on</strong>arch<br />
of Kaaba, Chief M. S. K. Nule,<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g others, were burnt.<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>er of Police, Rivers<br />
Command, Mustapha Dandaura,<br />
who c<strong>on</strong>firmed the incident, said<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly three pers<strong>on</strong>s were c<strong>on</strong>firmed<br />
killed, while also c<strong>on</strong>firming that<br />
two suspects had been arrested<br />
by his men.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him, “some<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s are spreading rumours<br />
of 16 pers<strong>on</strong>s killed. It is not 16,<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly three were killed. And we<br />
have arrested two of them (the<br />
killers) through the DPO Bori.<br />
One was <strong>on</strong> camouflage. It’s<br />
cultists’ activities, not community<br />
disagreement.”<br />
Community sources claimed six<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s were killed in Opouku,<br />
where home of the Khana council<br />
boss was burnt, while two pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
were reportedly felled by the<br />
intermittent shooting bandits at<br />
Bangha.<br />
Several fear-stricken residents<br />
were said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have deserted both<br />
communities.<br />
Recall that MOSOP had, last<br />
Thursday, raised the alarm over<br />
the spate of cult-related violence<br />
and killings in some communities<br />
in Og<strong>on</strong>iland.<br />
Mr. Sunny Zorvah, Publicity<br />
Secretary of the organisati<strong>on</strong><br />
raised the c<strong>on</strong>cern in a statement<br />
in Port Harcourt.<br />
Zorvah said the crises, which<br />
started in Okwale community <strong>on</strong><br />
Tuesday, degenerated and spread<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> two other communities, Taabaa<br />
DPO was <strong>on</strong> crowd c<strong>on</strong>trol duty<br />
during a presidential electi<strong>on</strong><br />
campaign by All Progressive<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gress, APC, led by Vice<br />
President Yemi Osinbajo, and<br />
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, now<br />
governor of Lagos State.<br />
Sources said after Salau and his<br />
gang members succeeded in<br />
stealing the ph<strong>on</strong>e, he sold the<br />
ph<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a receiver of s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len<br />
goods for N35,000.<br />
Police prosecu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Inspec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r A.<br />
Edet, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld the court that the<br />
defendant also c<strong>on</strong>ducted himself<br />
in a manner likely <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cause breach<br />
of peace.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him, the offence<br />
and Nyokuru, all in Nyokhana<br />
district in Khana Local<br />
Government Area of the state.<br />
Zorvah called <strong>on</strong> the Police and<br />
the special joint military task<br />
forces <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> quickly wade in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
situati<strong>on</strong>, fish out the perpetra<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
is punishable under Secti<strong>on</strong>s 411,<br />
168 (d) and 287 of the criminal<br />
law of Lagos State 2015.<br />
However, the defendant<br />
pleaded not guilty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> counts <strong>on</strong>e<br />
and two and guilty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> count three<br />
of the charge.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sequently, Magistrate W. A.<br />
Salami granted the defendant bail<br />
in the sum of N100,000, with two<br />
sureties in like sum.<br />
He said the sureties must show<br />
evidence of tax payment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Lagos<br />
State government and have their<br />
addresses verified.<br />
The case was adjourned till<br />
Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 29 for menti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
8 killed, LG boss, m<strong>on</strong>arch’s<br />
houses burnt in Og<strong>on</strong>i<br />
By Daud Olatunji<br />
ABEOKUTA—OGUN State<br />
Police Command has<br />
arrested a Bible study teacher,<br />
Blessing Ozor, for being in<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>dy of a boy, Joshua Joseph,<br />
who went missing two years ago.<br />
The seven-year-old boy went<br />
missing in Ijebu-Ode area of the<br />
state and was allegedly sold <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Ozor for N1 milli<strong>on</strong> in Anambra<br />
State in 2018.<br />
The boy, however, regained his<br />
freedom in 2019 after he had been<br />
renamed Chisom in Ozor’s<br />
house.<br />
It was gathered that Joseph’s<br />
abduc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs met their waterloo after<br />
two of the three-member<br />
syndicate, Rita and Angela, were<br />
arrested and remanded in the<br />
correcti<strong>on</strong>al home in Edo and<br />
Ondo states for kidnappingrelated<br />
offence.<br />
They c<strong>on</strong>fessed, during the<br />
investigati<strong>on</strong>, of Joseph’s<br />
whereabouts.<br />
Ozor claimed innocence of the<br />
crime, saying she adopted the<br />
child for N1 milli<strong>on</strong> from <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Ifeoma Joy, a level 13 civil servant<br />
in Anambra State.<br />
During the handing over of the<br />
boy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his parent, Police Public<br />
Relati<strong>on</strong>s Officer in the state,<br />
Abimbola Oyeyemi, said Joy sold<br />
the child <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ozor based <strong>on</strong> forged<br />
documents.<br />
He said: “Joy works in the<br />
Ministry of Women Affairs in<br />
Anambra State, a leverage she<br />
used in selling off children<br />
kidnapped by her other members<br />
of the syndicate, Rita and Angela.<br />
“In the cause of looking for<br />
her, she got transfered <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> four<br />
local government areas within<br />
<strong>on</strong>e m<strong>on</strong>th <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> evade arrest.<br />
”Our findings have shown that<br />
eight children have been s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len<br />
by this syndicate in Ogun State<br />
and bring them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> justice.<br />
He also appealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> traditi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
rulers, opini<strong>on</strong> leaders and other<br />
stakeholders in the area <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> put<br />
their differences aside and work<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards enhancing peace and<br />
security in the area.<br />
Boy s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len 2 years ago found with<br />
Bible study teacher, renamed<br />
and four have been recovered.<br />
One of the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len children was<br />
found when the people who<br />
adopted him saw the boy’s<br />
picture <strong>on</strong> the pages of<br />
newspapers and returned him.”<br />
However, Joy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld journalists:<br />
“I never did such a thing. I know<br />
the woman that brought this boy<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a worker at Peace<br />
Sisters Home.<br />
“So when my sister in<br />
fellowship came up with an idea<br />
of adopting a baby, I called her<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help us get a baby boy and I<br />
gave Rita my sister’s particulars.<br />
When she finished with the<br />
particulars she came with this<br />
boy. I never knew the boy<br />
was s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len.”<br />
Explaining her part, Ozor said:<br />
“I am just a victim of<br />
circumstances by my foolishness.<br />
I went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a sister in our<br />
fellowship that adopted a child<br />
before, because I have two<br />
daughters already. But I had a<br />
feeling for a s<strong>on</strong>; my last daughter<br />
is 24 years old.<br />
“I went through her because<br />
they had adopted before. They led<br />
me <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> this woman, Joy. I believed<br />
that everything was okay because<br />
she made me believe that she<br />
runs a peace sisters home. I was<br />
asked <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bring a passport and<br />
other documents for the adopti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
and I gave them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> her .<br />
“I gave her N150,000 for<br />
processing of the papers. The day<br />
she gave me the boy, there was a<br />
denouncement paper. That was<br />
the first paper she gave me and<br />
then collected her remaining<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey, N900, 000.<br />
“Joy processed other papers,<br />
which I believed until were<br />
genuine, and gave them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> me.<br />
That was why I <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok the boy home<br />
and started taking care of him<br />
from March 3, 2018, and I<br />
enrolled him in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a nice school.”<br />
... with Emma'nKen (08163121378)<br />
Just for the records, Nedu was<br />
STANDING, while Yaw was SEATING<br />
as they discussed the em... em..<br />
that put Teckno in Police wahala<br />
That's educati<strong>on</strong><br />
standard passing away<br />
Aunty Rita, oga will get a cook<br />
from THAT South-South <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wn
8—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
FACTS BEHIND THE STATE ECONOMY: From left, Mr. Kayode Falowo, Group Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r/CEO, Greenwich Trust Limited; Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck Exchange, NSE; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo,<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council President, NSE; Erelu Angela Adebayo, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council Member, NSE;<br />
and Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, during the Closing G<strong>on</strong>g Cerem<strong>on</strong>y in commemorati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
Facts Behind the State Ec<strong>on</strong>omy presentati<strong>on</strong> at the exchange, in Lagos.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>N2.53bn</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> <strong>43</strong><br />
<strong>ministers</strong><br />
By Clifford<br />
Ndujihe &Vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Young<br />
EXCEPT there is a salary<br />
cut or their number is<br />
reduced, the welfare of the<br />
<strong>43</strong> ministerial nominees,<br />
who will be sworn-in <strong>on</strong><br />
Wednesday, will cost<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s tax payers at least<br />
N2.53 billi<strong>on</strong> in the next four<br />
years.<br />
This means each minister<br />
will get at least N58.766<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> in four years.<br />
The figure will be much<br />
higher, if estacode and<br />
allowances for foreign and<br />
local duty trips were added.<br />
Ministers currently are<br />
entitled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> estacode<br />
allowance of $900 per night<br />
and duty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ur allowance of<br />
N35,000 per night. And this<br />
excludes a refundable<br />
vehicle loan of N8.106<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Each of the <strong>ministers</strong> is<br />
entitled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a furniture<br />
allowance of N6.079 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
and severance package of<br />
N6.079 milli<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>talling<br />
N12.158 milli<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
furniture allowance will be<br />
paid shortly after their<br />
swearing in.<br />
The figure is in tandem with<br />
what immediate past<br />
<strong>ministers</strong> earned going by<br />
their c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s of service as<br />
unveiled by former Secretary<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Government of the<br />
Federati<strong>on</strong>, Babachir Lawal,<br />
before they were sworn-in in<br />
November 2015.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s of service, a<br />
minister will earn<br />
N2,026,400 as annual basic<br />
salary while a Minister of<br />
State will get N1.8 milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Other highlights of the<br />
emoluments include:<br />
Estacode Allowance ($900<br />
per night); Utilities<br />
Allowance (Teleph<strong>on</strong>e/<br />
Electricity/ Water) –30 per<br />
cent of Annual Basic Salary<br />
(N607,920); Domestic Staff<br />
Allowance, 75 per cent of<br />
Annual Basic Salary,<br />
N1,519,800; Newspaper<br />
Allowance, 15 per cent of<br />
Annual Basic Salary,<br />
N303,960; Duty Tour<br />
•Each minister <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get N58.766m<br />
•Earns N11.652m a year<br />
•Severance pay, furniture allowance N12.158m<br />
Allowance, N35,000 per<br />
night; Furniture Allowance,<br />
300 per cent of basic salary,<br />
N6,079,200; Severance<br />
Allowance, 300 per cent of<br />
annual basic salary,<br />
N6,079,200;<br />
Others<br />
are<br />
Accommodati<strong>on</strong> Allowance,<br />
200 per cent of annual basic<br />
salary, N4,052,800; Mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Vehicle Fuelling<br />
Maintenance Allowance, 75<br />
per cent of Annual Basic<br />
Salary, N1,519,800; Leave<br />
Allowance, 10 per cent of<br />
basic salary, N202,640;<br />
Pers<strong>on</strong>al Assistant<br />
Allowance, 25 per cent of<br />
Basic Salary, N506,600;<br />
Entertainment Allowance,<br />
N607,920; M<strong>on</strong>i<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ring<br />
Allowance, N303,960; and<br />
Mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Vehicle Loan,<br />
N8,105,600.<br />
The severance package is<br />
payable after full tenure of<br />
office with government. The<br />
allowance will be pro-rated<br />
after a minimum of two years<br />
in office.<br />
Each of the <strong>ministers</strong> is also<br />
entitled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N6,079,200 as<br />
furniture allowance, which is<br />
paid <strong>on</strong>ce in four years. If<br />
any of the <strong>ministers</strong> desires,<br />
he or she is also entitled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
N8105,600 as mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r vehicle<br />
allowance. However, the<br />
mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r vehicle allowance is a<br />
loan repayable by the end of<br />
the tenure of the minister.<br />
Labour reacts<br />
Reacting, General<br />
Secretary of Nati<strong>on</strong>al Uni<strong>on</strong><br />
of Textile, Garment and<br />
Tailoring Workers of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
NUTGTWN, Issa Aremu,<br />
fualted the huge am<strong>on</strong>g the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong> would be <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing <strong>on</strong><br />
its <strong>ministers</strong>.<br />
He said: “What is good for<br />
the <strong>ministers</strong> and even the<br />
leader of Islamic Movement<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, IMN, Ibraheem<br />
El-Zakzaky, is even more<br />
desirable for working people.<br />
Worker need living wages <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o<br />
not just minimum wage.”<br />
NNPC selects 15 c<strong>on</strong>sortia for oil<br />
sale, products purchase deal<br />
By Michael Eboh<br />
THE <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Petroleum Corporati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
NNPC, yesterday, said 15<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sortia, made up of 35<br />
foreign and indigenous<br />
companies, have emerged<br />
winners of its 2019/2020<br />
Direct Sale Direct Purchase,<br />
DSDP, arrangement.<br />
In a statement in Abuja,<br />
Group General Manager,<br />
Group Public Affairs<br />
Divisi<strong>on</strong> of the NNPC, Mr.<br />
Ndu Ughamadu, said the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tract with the c<strong>on</strong>sortia/<br />
companies was expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
last for <strong>on</strong>e year, effective<br />
Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 1, 2019 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
September 30, 2020.<br />
Ughamadu declared that<br />
this was in line with the<br />
avowed commitment of the<br />
NNPC <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> transparency and<br />
accountability in all its<br />
activities as committed by<br />
the new Group Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of the corporati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Mallam Mele Kyari.<br />
Under the DSDP<br />
arrangement, Ughamadu<br />
noted that the 15 c<strong>on</strong>sortia<br />
shall over the c<strong>on</strong>tract<br />
period, offtake crude oil<br />
and in return, deliver<br />
corresp<strong>on</strong>ding petroleum<br />
products of equivalent<br />
value <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> NNPC, subject <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the terms of the agreement.<br />
He stated that the tender<br />
process comprised<br />
technical and commercial<br />
bid submissi<strong>on</strong> respectively,<br />
evaluati<strong>on</strong> and shortlisting,<br />
then commercial<br />
negotiati<strong>on</strong>s with<br />
prequalified companies<br />
and engagement of the<br />
successful c<strong>on</strong>sortia/<br />
companies by the NNPC.<br />
He listed the successful<br />
companies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> include BP<br />
Oil Internati<strong>on</strong>al Limited/<br />
AYM Shafa Limited; Vi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>l<br />
SA/Cals<strong>on</strong>-Hys<strong>on</strong>; TOTSA<br />
Total Oil Trading SA/Total<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Plc; Gunvor<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al B.V./AY<br />
Maikifi Oil & Gas<br />
Company Limited;<br />
Trafigura PTE Limited/A. A.<br />
Rano <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Limited;<br />
CEPSA S.A.U./Oando Plc;<br />
and Mocoh SA/Mocoh<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Limited.<br />
Others are Litasco SA/<br />
Brittania-U <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Limited/Freepoint<br />
Commodities; MRS Oil &<br />
Gas Company Limited;<br />
Sahara Energy Resource<br />
Limited; B<strong>on</strong>o Energy<br />
Limited/Eterna Plc/Arkleen<br />
Oil & Gas Limited/Amaz<strong>on</strong><br />
Energy; and Matrix<br />
Energy Limited/Petratlantic<br />
Energy Limited/UTM<br />
Offshore Limited/Levene<br />
Energy Development<br />
Limited.<br />
Also shortlisted are<br />
Mercuria Energy Trading<br />
SA/ Barbedos Oil & Gas<br />
Services Limited/Rainoil<br />
Limited/Petrogas Energy;<br />
Asian Oil & Gas PTE<br />
Limited/ Eyrie Energy<br />
Limited/ Masters Energy<br />
Oil & Gas Limited/Casiva<br />
Limited; and Duke Oil<br />
Company Incorporated.<br />
Ughamadu said: “In his<br />
take-over note July 8, 2019,<br />
the newly appointed<br />
NNPC GMD, Kyari, had<br />
promised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> open NNPC<br />
books <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> public scrutiny,<br />
saying as a publicly owned<br />
company, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
deserve <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> know about the<br />
operati<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
Corporati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“He reiterated his<br />
management team’s<br />
commitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
transparency and<br />
accountability when he had<br />
a maiden <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wn hall<br />
engagement with the staff<br />
of the corporati<strong>on</strong> where he<br />
launched the team’s policy<br />
directi<strong>on</strong>, tagged<br />
Transparency,<br />
Accountability, Performance<br />
and Excellence, TAPE.<br />
NASU, SSANU begin<br />
strike <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, say it’ll be<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
By Johnbosco<br />
Agbakwuru<br />
ABUJA—<br />
NONteaching<br />
staff uni<strong>on</strong>s in<br />
universities have directed all<br />
branches and members <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
comply with the proposed<br />
strike that commences <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day,<br />
declaring that it would be<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal and comprehensive.<br />
The two uni<strong>on</strong>s, N<strong>on</strong><br />
Academic Staff Uni<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Universities and Associated<br />
Instituti<strong>on</strong>s, NASU and<br />
Senior Staff Associati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Universities,<br />
SSANU, said within the<br />
period, there would be no<br />
form of c<strong>on</strong>cessi<strong>on</strong> or internal<br />
arrangement with<br />
management.<br />
A circular, entitled,<br />
“Directive <strong>on</strong> a five-day<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al strike,”signed by the<br />
President of SSANU and<br />
Chairman of Joint Acti<strong>on</strong><br />
Committee, JAC, of the<br />
uni<strong>on</strong>s, Comrade Sams<strong>on</strong><br />
Ugwoke, and General-<br />
Secretary of NASU,<br />
Comrade Peters Adeyemi,<br />
said any member or branch<br />
that defaulted would be<br />
sancti<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
The statement read:<br />
“Following the expirati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the 14-day ultimatum given<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Federal Government<br />
and its failure <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> show firm<br />
commitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
resolving the following<br />
issues, payment of Earned<br />
Allowances, University Staff<br />
Schools matter (and)<br />
Renegotiati<strong>on</strong> of 2009<br />
Agreements, you are,<br />
hereby, directed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> embark<br />
<strong>on</strong> a five-day strike effective<br />
from M<strong>on</strong>day, August 19 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Friday, August 23, 2019.<br />
“Be informed that the strike<br />
is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal and comprehensive<br />
for the five days. No form of<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cessi<strong>on</strong> or internal<br />
arrangement should be<br />
made with managements,<br />
while all members must be<br />
directed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stay away from<br />
their duty posts.<br />
“Kindly recall the decisi<strong>on</strong><br />
of the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Executive<br />
Council of the two uni<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the effect that branches that<br />
default in compliance should<br />
be sancti<strong>on</strong>ed."<br />
Osinbajo restates FG’s<br />
commitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lift 100m<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns out of poverty<br />
By Naomi Uzor<br />
VICE President Yemi<br />
Osinbajo, weekend,<br />
restated that the primary<br />
objective of the Federal<br />
Government was <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lift 100<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns out of<br />
poverty.<br />
Disclosing this at an event<br />
organised by African<br />
Venture Philanthropic<br />
Alliance, AVPA, and IBAN,<br />
tagged “African Policy Road<br />
Show: Building Robust<br />
Policies for Increased Social<br />
Investment & Inclusive<br />
Business,” Osinbajo said lifting<br />
100 milli<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
out of poverty was possible<br />
but noted that it required<br />
human capital, res<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>red<br />
growth, inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, and micro<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic policies, am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
others.<br />
Osinbajo, who was<br />
represented by his Special<br />
Adviser, Ambassador<br />
Adeyemi Dipeolu, said since<br />
the incepti<strong>on</strong> of the Buhari’s<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>, there had<br />
been a reducti<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
inequality gap with the<br />
eradicati<strong>on</strong> of malnutriti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
the country, with the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
School Feeding<br />
Programmes.<br />
He noted that the school<br />
feeding programme of the<br />
government had provided<br />
jobs for over 106,000 cooks<br />
in 53,000 schools nati<strong>on</strong>wide.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him, the<br />
Micro, Small and Medium<br />
Enterprises, MSMEs, is<br />
geared <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards improving<br />
the lives of the people.<br />
Daily Trust invites nominati<strong>on</strong> for<br />
African of the Year 2019 Award<br />
AN<br />
independent<br />
newspaper in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, DAILY TRUST,<br />
has called for nominati<strong>on</strong><br />
of<br />
exemplary<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>alities for the<br />
coveted African of the<br />
Year 2019. Nominati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
are open from August 19,<br />
2019, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 18, 2019.<br />
In a statement,<br />
weekend, CEO/Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r-in-<br />
Chief of Media Trust<br />
Limited, publishers<br />
ofDAILY TRUST, Mr.<br />
Mannir Dan-Ali, said ideal<br />
nominees should be ordinary<br />
Africans who have<br />
made extra-ordinary c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> humanity in<br />
any field from any part of<br />
the c<strong>on</strong>tinent.<br />
Dan-Ali disclosed that<br />
the award c<strong>on</strong>sists of three<br />
comp<strong>on</strong>ents, namely, a<br />
permanent plaque, a<br />
certificate of merit and a<br />
cash reward in aid of the<br />
awardee or his/her chosen<br />
charity project.<br />
Valid entries for the 2019<br />
award will be for works,<br />
events or activities undertaken<br />
by the nominee between<br />
Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 1, 2018and<br />
September 30, 2019 and<br />
nominati<strong>on</strong>s are <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
made <strong>on</strong>line at<br />
award.dailytrust.com.<br />
The eventual winner<br />
will be selected by a<br />
seven-member prize committee<br />
chaired by Mr.<br />
Festus Mogae, former<br />
President of Botswana.
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 9<br />
MOU: From left, Head, Business Development, Internati<strong>on</strong>al Technology and Innovative<br />
Soluti<strong>on</strong>s Ltd, INTECH, Kemepade Sammy; acting Executive Secretary, Lagos State<br />
Employment Trust Fund, LSETF, Teju Abisoye; Chief Strategist, Global Performance Index<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al, GPI, George Ashiru, and Head, Start-ups, Lagos Innovates, Tosin Faniro-<br />
Dada, during the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, signing cerem<strong>on</strong>y between LSETF<br />
and INTECH <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide innovative soluti<strong>on</strong>s for tech-driven start-ups, in Lagos.<br />
TARABA POLICE KILLINGS:<br />
Army captain engaged welder<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> remove police cuffs —Findings<br />
By Emma<br />
Nnadozie, Crime<br />
Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r & Ifeanyi<br />
Okolie<br />
FRESH<br />
facts<br />
revealed, yesterday,<br />
that the Army captain<br />
fingered in the killing of<br />
three police officers<br />
attached <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Inspec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r-<br />
General of Police<br />
Intelligence Resp<strong>on</strong>se<br />
HEALTH TIPS<br />
By Sola Ogundipe<br />
Relief for <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>othache<br />
You’ve got a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>othache?<br />
See your dentist. In the<br />
meantime, you can get<br />
short-term relief.<br />
Until you can get <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
dentist, <strong>on</strong>e of the best<br />
things you can do is swish<br />
warm, salty water around<br />
in your mouth. A good mix<br />
is 1/2 teaspo<strong>on</strong> table salt <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
a cup of water. Spit it out,<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t swallow it. You can<br />
also gently floss around the<br />
sore <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oth <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> remove any bits<br />
of food that may be stuck.<br />
Use a pain reliever. If your<br />
face is swollen, put an ice<br />
pack <strong>on</strong> your cheek. It may<br />
help ease the pain,<br />
especially if you’ve chipped<br />
your chopper or knocked it<br />
loose. Swelling could also<br />
mean you have an abscess,<br />
a sac of pus deep in the<br />
roots of your <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oth. This can<br />
cause serious infecti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
your jaw and other teeth.<br />
Signs include fever and red<br />
gums.<br />
Team, IRT, and the<br />
subsequent release of<br />
suspected kidnap<br />
kingpin, Alhaji Hamisu<br />
Wadume, in Ibi, Taraba<br />
State, threatened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deal<br />
with police officers<br />
attached <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ibi police<br />
stati<strong>on</strong> for not<br />
cooperating with him.<br />
It was also gathered<br />
that <strong>on</strong>ly two police<br />
officers, including <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Put some ice in your<br />
hand, <strong>on</strong> the same side of<br />
the body as your sore <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oth.<br />
Rub the ice in the space<br />
between your thumb and<br />
forefinger for few minutes,<br />
or until the area turns<br />
numb. Ice s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ps pain<br />
signals <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> your brain.<br />
Clove oil is natural<br />
remedy that numbs the<br />
pain. Rub it directly <strong>on</strong> the<br />
sore area, or soak a cot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
ball and dab it against the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oth and gums. It may be<br />
as effective as benzocaine,<br />
the numbing ingredient in<br />
over-the-counter <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>othache<br />
gels.<br />
When you crush <strong>on</strong>e of<br />
these cloves, you release<br />
allicin, an oily liquid and<br />
natural disease fighter. It<br />
willl likelyl ease the ache<br />
but you can try chewing a<br />
piece of garlic, or placing<br />
chopped bits <strong>on</strong> your <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oth.<br />
It’s safe, except, of course,<br />
for your breath.<br />
Assistant Superinterdent<br />
of Police, ASP, A<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong>na<br />
Iorbee, the DCO, Ibi<br />
Police Stati<strong>on</strong>, who is<br />
also a Tiv from Benue<br />
State and the Crime<br />
Officer, Ibi Police Stati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Inspec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Aliyu, are in<br />
police cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>dy at the<br />
Force Headquarters,<br />
Abuja.<br />
They are said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have<br />
made useful statements<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> investiga<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs. Sources<br />
further <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld Vanguard<br />
that the officers are<br />
being investigated over<br />
what happened after the<br />
killing of the police<br />
officers and not before.<br />
Army captain<br />
engaged welder<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> remove police<br />
cuffs<br />
Reliable sources <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld<br />
Vanguard that<br />
immediately the<br />
suspected kidnap<br />
kingpin was rescued<br />
from the policemen, who<br />
arrested him, the Army<br />
captain <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his<br />
base from where he<br />
called his friend who is<br />
the Divisi<strong>on</strong>al Police<br />
Officer, DPO, in-charge<br />
of Ibi Police stati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sources,<br />
immediately the police<br />
officer, who was <strong>on</strong> leave<br />
arrived, the Army<br />
captain <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact the police stati<strong>on</strong><br />
so that keys <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the hand<br />
and leg cuffs used in<br />
arresting the kidnap<br />
kingpin could be<br />
produced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> unchain<br />
him.<br />
Unfortunately, sources<br />
said, efforts by the DCO<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tact his men failed<br />
and the captain directed<br />
him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> engage a welder<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> remove the cuffs,<br />
which they succeeded<br />
after which he <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok the<br />
suspect <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his house.<br />
It was gathered that<br />
after that, the Army<br />
captain called the stati<strong>on</strong><br />
officer at Ibi police<br />
stati<strong>on</strong>, demanding that<br />
all evidence relating <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the policemen from IRT<br />
be erased in the stati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Vanguard learned that<br />
the Inspec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r initially<br />
hesitated in carrying out<br />
the captain’s directives<br />
until he threatened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
deal with him.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sequently, he<br />
reluctantly tampered<br />
with the records by<br />
tearing the page where<br />
the IRT team officially<br />
recorded their presence<br />
<strong>on</strong> official duty in Ibi.<br />
However, sources said<br />
they were oblivious of<br />
the fact that records were<br />
still intact in other police<br />
diaries.<br />
Vanguard also learned<br />
that the Army captain, in his<br />
resolve <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> obliterate every<br />
evidence that would expose<br />
the raw deal, nearly killed<br />
the badly wounded police<br />
officers after they were<br />
rescued and taken <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ibi<br />
police stati<strong>on</strong> but for the<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong> of other senior<br />
police officers and soldiers,<br />
who reminded him that<br />
their survival was recorded<br />
<strong>on</strong> video by villagers that<br />
thr<strong>on</strong>ged the scene of the<br />
shooting.<br />
OYEGUN @ 80: D<strong>on</strong>’t die<br />
without joining APC,<br />
Osinbajo tells PDP<br />
•It's wishful invitati<strong>on</strong>, PDP replies<br />
•As Oyegun calls for merit-based<br />
appointments<br />
By Omeiza Ajayi,<br />
Dirisu Kadiri &<br />
Ezra Ukanwa<br />
ABUJA— VICE President<br />
Yemi Osinbajo has called<br />
<strong>on</strong> leaders of the oppositi<strong>on</strong><br />
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make a decisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> join the<br />
ruling All Progressives<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gress, APC, at least before<br />
they die.<br />
Speaking at an elaborate<br />
dinner <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> round off activities<br />
commemorating the 80th<br />
birthday celebrati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
pi<strong>on</strong>eer Nati<strong>on</strong>al Chairman of<br />
APC, Chief John Oyegun, the<br />
vice president also paid<br />
glowing tributes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the former<br />
party leader.<br />
He said: “Let me tell the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry<br />
of a politician who was a l<strong>on</strong>g<br />
time, life Republican politician<br />
in the US. He was lying down<br />
<strong>on</strong> his sick bed and was about<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> die and he said ‘I want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
change my party, I want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
become a Democrat so that<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>morrow it will be announced<br />
that a Democrat died not a<br />
Republican’.<br />
"You can see that we<br />
politicians are very faithful and<br />
very loyal, indeed. I can <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
ask our friends in the PDP <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
also ensure that they cross<br />
over before they die. It is time<br />
for them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cross over."<br />
Turning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Chief Oyegun,<br />
the vice president said: “You<br />
always find him <strong>on</strong> the right<br />
side of his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry, as a founding<br />
member of Alliance for<br />
Democracy AD, member of<br />
NADECO and secretary of<br />
those abroad, founding<br />
member of APC and the first<br />
chairman, the <strong>on</strong>e who led our<br />
party <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> that his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ric vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
unseat the ruling party.<br />
“The sec<strong>on</strong>d reas<strong>on</strong> for my<br />
admirati<strong>on</strong> is that somehow,<br />
he manages <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be so deep in<br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n politics and yet<br />
he doesn’t even look like a<br />
politician or sound like <strong>on</strong>e.<br />
He always sounds like a fine,<br />
well-read, well-spoken<br />
gentleman dragged in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
politics by some rascals but he<br />
is an unassuming politician<br />
and an astute strategist.<br />
“There is this particular<br />
attribute of being in politics<br />
without being a politician. I<br />
would like <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be like Professor<br />
(Ibrahim) Gambari when I<br />
grow up. I would like <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
like that. You know aside from<br />
lawyers, I think there is no<br />
group of people who are<br />
maligned like politicians.<br />
‘’Every time that you come<br />
across the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n politician,<br />
there is always <strong>on</strong>e way or the<br />
other that we are maligned but<br />
people like Chief Oyegun<br />
have shown that politicians<br />
can be loyal, faithful, dusting<br />
men and women."<br />
It's wishful<br />
invitati<strong>on</strong>, PDP<br />
replies<br />
But reacting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Osinbajo’s<br />
tirade, yesterday, PDP in a<br />
statement by Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Publicity Secretary, Kola<br />
Ologb<strong>on</strong>diyan, said:<br />
“Professor Osinbajo cannot<br />
comprehend the drumbeats<br />
playing across the nati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Only that can account for his<br />
wishful invitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our party<br />
members <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> decamp <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
failed APC.<br />
"<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns are looking<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ward the judiciary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> return<br />
our party’s s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len presidential<br />
mandate for the nati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
come out of the woods, which<br />
the APC and Buhari’s<br />
Presidency have plunged her."<br />
God has been kind<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> me—Oyegun<br />
Addressing the gathering,<br />
Oyegun said: “At 80, I feel<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tally satisfied, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tally happy<br />
that God has been kind <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> me.<br />
In fact, God has been partial<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards me, I d<strong>on</strong>’t know what<br />
I did right. Because in my <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
80 years, there is nothing I<br />
truly set my eyes up<strong>on</strong> that I<br />
did not accomplish.<br />
‘’I have enjoyed length of<br />
days. I have enjoyed<br />
absolutely good health. I have<br />
worked and interacted with<br />
some of the nicest people in<br />
this country.<br />
“I was privileged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be part<br />
of forming APC. The fight for<br />
the coming <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s oppositi<strong>on</strong> parties<br />
has been l<strong>on</strong>g jettis<strong>on</strong>ed before<br />
the advent of the APC. I have<br />
every reas<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be thankful <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
God. I have every reas<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be thankful <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> all of you who<br />
played <strong>on</strong>e role or the other<br />
in making my life such a<br />
pleasant <strong>on</strong>e."<br />
...calls for merit-based<br />
appointments<br />
Chief Oyegun <strong>on</strong> his part,<br />
expressed hope in the new<br />
crop of <strong>ministers</strong> assembled<br />
by President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari, describing them as the<br />
foundati<strong>on</strong> for <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s greatness.<br />
He, however, called <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Federal Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make<br />
merit a priority in appointing<br />
people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> positi<strong>on</strong>s of<br />
authority.<br />
He said: “I want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
emphasize merit. Up till now,<br />
we have practised the<br />
doctrine of balancing and all<br />
of that, which is very good at<br />
the time it was put in place.<br />
Fortunately <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, I doubt that<br />
there is any corner of this<br />
country that does not have<br />
highly qualified <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
and the time has come for<br />
merit <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> become the sole<br />
determinant of positi<strong>on</strong>ing<br />
and placing people.<br />
“Sec<strong>on</strong>d, we embarked <strong>on</strong><br />
the war against corrupti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
That is good and it has <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
permanently featured. It is<br />
something that has <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> perforate<br />
thorough the state level <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> local<br />
government level. It should<br />
not be left for President Buhari<br />
al<strong>on</strong>e as if it is <strong>on</strong>e unusual<br />
man there who wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fight<br />
everybody."
10 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
$16BN POWER PROJECT:<br />
SERAP backs EFCC’s probe<br />
of Obasanjo’s govt, others<br />
By Olasunkanmi<br />
Ak<strong>on</strong>i<br />
LAGOS—THE Socio-<br />
Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Rights and<br />
Accountability Project,<br />
SERAP, yesterday, backed<br />
the Ec<strong>on</strong>omic and<br />
Financial Crimes<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>, EFCC, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
probe the administrati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
former President Olusegun<br />
Obasanjo’s $16 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
power project and<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>s of past<br />
heads of state as well as<br />
other high-ranking public<br />
officials.<br />
The group said it was an<br />
opportunity for the EFCC,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> show that former Heads<br />
of State and other highranking<br />
public officials are<br />
not immune from<br />
investigati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
prosecuti<strong>on</strong> for allegati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of grand corrupti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
A statement by SERAP’s<br />
Deputy Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Mr.<br />
Kolawole Oluwadare, who<br />
described the move as<br />
timely, said: “This probe is<br />
something, which SERAP<br />
has c<strong>on</strong>sistently called for.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns have for far <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o<br />
l<strong>on</strong>g been denied justice<br />
and the opportunity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the bot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>m of why they<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay the price for<br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong> in the electricity<br />
sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r—staying in<br />
darkness, but still made <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
pay crazy electricity bills.”<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reports, the<br />
EFCC had begun the probe<br />
of the $16 billi<strong>on</strong> power<br />
project of the<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> of former<br />
President Obasanjo. While<br />
Direct police, navy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> publish<br />
names of all detainees,<br />
Falana tells FG<br />
Lrights AGOS—HUMAN<br />
lawyer, Mr.<br />
Femi Falana, SAN,<br />
yesterday, asked the<br />
Federal Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
direct all security<br />
agencies in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
publish the names of all<br />
detainees and their places<br />
of detenti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
He also asked that the<br />
police and other security<br />
forces be prohibited from<br />
subjecting <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
any form of<br />
incommunicado<br />
detenti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Falana<br />
had<br />
threatened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sue the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Human Rights<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>, NHRC, for<br />
failing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sancti<strong>on</strong> the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n navy for the<br />
“illegal detenti<strong>on</strong> of 67<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s.”<br />
In a statement, he said<br />
family members of most of<br />
the detainees feel they had<br />
been abducted and killed<br />
by hardened kidnappers<br />
since they were arrested<br />
by armed and masked<br />
naval officials.<br />
He cited the case of <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Miss Grace Inyang as a<br />
“pathetic” <strong>on</strong>e whom he<br />
alleged has been in<br />
detenti<strong>on</strong> for about 295<br />
days without being <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld<br />
some put the exact cost of<br />
the project at $16 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
others say it is $13.8 billi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Key c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs and about<br />
18 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p public officers<br />
allegedly involved in the<br />
power project scam during<br />
the<br />
Obasanjo<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>, and those of<br />
former Presidents Umaru<br />
Yar’Adua and Goodluck<br />
J<strong>on</strong>athan may also be<br />
arrested.<br />
SERAP said: “The probe<br />
is timely, especially coming<br />
at a time of citizens’<br />
frustrati<strong>on</strong>s at persistent<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s of corrupti<strong>on</strong><br />
and the impacts <strong>on</strong> their<br />
human<br />
rights.<br />
Investigating allegati<strong>on</strong>s of<br />
grand corrupti<strong>on</strong> and<br />
prosecuting former heads<br />
of state and other highranking<br />
officials where<br />
such allegati<strong>on</strong>s show<br />
relevant and sufficient<br />
admissible evidence would<br />
address the grave travesty<br />
that has for many years<br />
occurred in the power<br />
sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r.<br />
“The EFCC should<br />
urgently invite any<strong>on</strong>e<br />
suspected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be involved for<br />
questi<strong>on</strong>ing. The agency<br />
should also expand the<br />
probe <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cover the alleged<br />
squandering of a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal of<br />
N11 trilli<strong>on</strong> in the power<br />
sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r between 1999 and<br />
2015, and the unresolved<br />
case of the reported<br />
missing $12.4 billi<strong>on</strong> oil<br />
windfall, allegedly spent<br />
between 1988 and 1993<br />
by the government of<br />
former Military President,<br />
Gen.<br />
Babangida.”<br />
Ibrahim<br />
the criminal offence she<br />
committed or allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tact her relatives.<br />
Falana said: “Last week,<br />
we submitted a petiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Human<br />
Rights Commissi<strong>on</strong><br />
wherein we complained<br />
about the illegal and<br />
prol<strong>on</strong>ged detenti<strong>on</strong> of 67<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns by the<br />
authorities of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Navy.<br />
“Following the<br />
publicati<strong>on</strong> of the c<strong>on</strong>tents<br />
of the said petiti<strong>on</strong> by the<br />
media, a number of the<br />
family members and<br />
friends of the majority of<br />
the detainees have<br />
reached out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us.<br />
“Since the detainees<br />
were arrested by armed<br />
and masked naval<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>nel in mufti<br />
without any warrant of<br />
arrest and incarcerated<br />
incommunicado it was<br />
thought by many family<br />
members that the<br />
detainees had been<br />
abducted and killed by<br />
hardened kidnappers.<br />
“The most pathetic case<br />
is that of Ms. Grace<br />
Inyang who was arrested<br />
in Port Harcourt, Rivers<br />
State by masked naval<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>nel <strong>on</strong> Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber<br />
27, 2018."<br />
BIRTHDAY: From left; Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu;<br />
celebrant, Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Anth<strong>on</strong>y Adefuye; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and officiating Ministers during the<br />
75th birthday thanksgiving service of Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Adefuye at the St. Denis Catholic Church, Akoka, Lagos, yesterday..<br />
2019 PRESIDENTIAL POLL: Why Atiku was<br />
not declared winner, INEC tells tribunal<br />
By Ikechukwu<br />
Nnochiri<br />
A Independent<br />
BUJA—THE<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>, INEC, has<br />
revealed before the<br />
Presidential Electi<strong>on</strong><br />
Petiti<strong>on</strong> Tribunal sitting in<br />
Abuja, why candidate of the<br />
Peoples Democratic Party,<br />
PDP, Alhaji Atiku<br />
Abubakar, was not declared<br />
the winner of the last<br />
presidential electi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral body said it<br />
was satisfied that Atiku did<br />
not secure a majority of<br />
lawful votes during the<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>, even as it denied<br />
the allegati<strong>on</strong> that votes<br />
were illegally awarded <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
All Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress,<br />
APC, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari was re-elected for a<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>d term.<br />
In a final written address<br />
it filed before the Justice<br />
Mohammed Garba-led<br />
five-member panel<br />
tribunal, INEC, through its<br />
team of lawyers led by Mr.<br />
Yunus Usman, SAN,<br />
sought the dismissal of the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong> Atiku and PDP<br />
lodged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> query the<br />
outcome of the February 23<br />
Presidential electi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
insisting that the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> justify why a fresh<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> should be<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducted.<br />
It <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld the tribunal that<br />
from collated results of the<br />
presidential electi<strong>on</strong> that<br />
was announced <strong>on</strong><br />
February 27, President<br />
Buhari, scored the majority<br />
of lawful votes cast and got<br />
not less than <strong>on</strong>e quarter<br />
in each of at least two-thirds<br />
in the 36 states of the<br />
Federati<strong>on</strong> and the Federal<br />
Capital Terri<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry, FCT.<br />
INEC maintained that<br />
Atiku’s claim that it<br />
unlawfully awarded votes<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Buhari in some states, is<br />
a criminal allegati<strong>on</strong>, ought<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be proved bey<strong>on</strong>d a<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>able doubt.<br />
It said: “We refer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
•Says PDP failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> challenge Buhari's eligibility in court<br />
relevant paragraphs of the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong> where the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>ers made the<br />
sundry allegati<strong>on</strong>s of<br />
deliberate wr<strong>on</strong>g entry/<br />
falsificati<strong>on</strong> of electi<strong>on</strong><br />
results by the 1st<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>dent.<br />
“It can be gleaned that<br />
nothing c<strong>on</strong>crete or specific<br />
has been offered by the<br />
Petiti<strong>on</strong>ers in this regard.<br />
“For example, the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>ers pleaded wr<strong>on</strong>g<br />
and deliberate entry of<br />
wr<strong>on</strong>g results by the 1st<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>dent in 11 states of<br />
the country, namely: Borno,<br />
Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe,<br />
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano,<br />
Katsina, Kebbi, Niger and<br />
the Zamfara States.<br />
“Thereafter, the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>ers proceeded <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
break down the allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
State by State.<br />
“However, a cursory<br />
appraisal of paragraph<br />
155(4) of the petiti<strong>on</strong><br />
dealing with this allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
of ‘posting wr<strong>on</strong>g results’ <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the n<strong>on</strong>-existent 1st<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>dent’s server and<br />
not the wr<strong>on</strong>gful entry of<br />
the results in the physical/<br />
manual Form EC8 series.<br />
PDP's failure <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call<br />
witnesses<br />
“The most as<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nishing<br />
part is that the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call witnesses who<br />
were at the various Units <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
observe these various<br />
alleged anomalies.<br />
“We submit that<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s bordering <strong>on</strong><br />
alleged wr<strong>on</strong>g entry/<br />
falsificati<strong>on</strong> of electi<strong>on</strong> result<br />
are criminal and must be<br />
proved bey<strong>on</strong>d a reas<strong>on</strong>able<br />
doubt.<br />
“Furthermore, under<br />
secti<strong>on</strong> 150(1) of the<br />
Evidence Act, the results<br />
declared by the 1st<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>dent enjoy a<br />
presumpti<strong>on</strong> of regularity.<br />
Accordingly, the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
herein are duty-bound <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
rebut this presumpti<strong>on</strong> with<br />
credible evidence.”<br />
On Atiku’s allegati<strong>on</strong> that<br />
cancellati<strong>on</strong> of electi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok<br />
place in 4,171 polling units<br />
across the country with a<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal of 2, 906,384 registered<br />
voters affected, INEC,<br />
argued that he failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> by<br />
way of credible evidence,<br />
show how the number of<br />
votes canceled affected the<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Proving every allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
It said: “We submit that it<br />
is trite law that not <strong>on</strong>ly is<br />
the petiti<strong>on</strong>er duty-bound <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
prove every allegati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
n<strong>on</strong>-compliance; he is also<br />
expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> prove that such<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-compliance<br />
substantially affected the<br />
result of the electi<strong>on</strong>. See<br />
BUHARI V OBASANJO<br />
(supra), NYESOM WIKE V<br />
DAKUKU &ORS (supra).<br />
“We humbly submit from<br />
the foregoing that the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>ers have failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
prove the allegati<strong>on</strong> of n<strong>on</strong>compliance<br />
with the<br />
Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral Act, and indeed<br />
every other allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tained in the petiti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The petiti<strong>on</strong>, therefore, lacks<br />
merit and should be thrown<br />
out <strong>on</strong> this point and this<br />
h<strong>on</strong>ourable court is urged<br />
so <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do.<br />
“In the instant petiti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers called 62<br />
witnesses in proof of their<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>. Only 5 were<br />
polling agents, while 5 were<br />
Assistant Presiding Officers,<br />
who incidentally had no<br />
problem with the c<strong>on</strong>duct of<br />
the electi<strong>on</strong> but <strong>on</strong>ly came<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> assert that they<br />
transmitted the electi<strong>on</strong><br />
result <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a fictitious and n<strong>on</strong>existent<br />
server.<br />
“The rest of the witnesses<br />
called are Ward, Local<br />
Government, State or<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Collati<strong>on</strong> Agents.<br />
And the petiti<strong>on</strong>er aims <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
use them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> prove<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s of n<strong>on</strong>compliance<br />
with the<br />
Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral Act during the<br />
Presidential Electi<strong>on</strong>s in 36<br />
States of the Federati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
the FCT Abuja. What a<br />
missi<strong>on</strong> impossible.”<br />
It faulted the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
for failing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call Polling<br />
Agents <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> testify before the<br />
tribunal, noting that<br />
alleged improper<br />
accreditati<strong>on</strong>, n<strong>on</strong>authenticati<strong>on</strong><br />
of results,<br />
over-voting, inflati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
deflating of votes and<br />
wr<strong>on</strong>g entries in Form<br />
EC8A, n<strong>on</strong>-counting of<br />
ballot papers, n<strong>on</strong>announcement<br />
of scores of<br />
candidates and alterati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
results, “undoubtedly<br />
occurred at the Polling Units<br />
or voting points and may<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly be observed at the<br />
respecting Polling Units<br />
where the infracti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
supposedly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok place.<br />
“The eyes of the parties<br />
and candidates in an<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> at the Polling Unit<br />
are their respective agents<br />
and voters who were<br />
present <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cast their votes.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sequently, in calling<br />
witnesses in proof of these<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s, these classes of<br />
individuals are<br />
indispensable.<br />
“Taking a rati<strong>on</strong>al,<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>able and critical<br />
examinati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
assessment of the evidence<br />
placed before this h<strong>on</strong>orable<br />
court, <strong>on</strong>e cannot but<br />
submit most humbly that<br />
the elements of the<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s of corrupt<br />
practices against the 1st,<br />
2nd, and 3rd Resp<strong>on</strong>dents<br />
have not been proved at all<br />
talk less of proof bey<strong>on</strong>d a<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>able doubt.”<br />
INEC argued that the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong>ers, by claiming<br />
that they defeated President<br />
Buhari with over 1.6m<br />
votes based <strong>on</strong> data they<br />
obtained “from a strange<br />
w e b s i t e<br />
called www.factsd<strong>on</strong>tlieng.com”,<br />
merely attempted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> send<br />
the tribunal <strong>on</strong> “a voyage<br />
of speculati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
discovery without<br />
supporting their case with<br />
relevant evidence.”
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 11<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
COMMISSIONING: From right — Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Fatgbems Group, Alhaji Hassan Gbemisola, Immediate<br />
past Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Prince Suraj Adekunbi, Chief of Staff <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ogun State Governor,<br />
Alhaji Shuaib Salis, Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, Mother of the Day, Alhaja Ramota Gbemisola,<br />
Chairman Fatgbems Group, Alhaji Kabir Gbemisola and the Aare Baroyin of Egba Land, High Chief Lai Labode<br />
at the official commissi<strong>on</strong>ing of Fatgbems Petroleum New Mega Retail Stati<strong>on</strong> in Abeokuta, Ogun State.<br />
Violence erupts in Ondo community<br />
over upgrade of m<strong>on</strong>arch<br />
•Approval was d<strong>on</strong>e 12 years ago — Govt<br />
By Dayo Johns<strong>on</strong><br />
A<br />
K U R E —<br />
VIOLENCE<br />
broke out at the weekend<br />
in Abo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> community in Ilaje<br />
council area of Ondo State<br />
over the upgrading of a<br />
m<strong>on</strong>arch, the Alaboyo of<br />
Aboti, Oba Behiah Idiogbe<br />
by the Ondo state<br />
government.<br />
Vanguard gathered that<br />
residents of the community<br />
have fled the area as youths<br />
went <strong>on</strong> rampage <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> protest<br />
the upgrade.<br />
It was also gathered that<br />
the upgrading led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
burning of houses and<br />
government projects.<br />
The rampaging youths in<br />
the community have been<br />
protesting the m<strong>on</strong>arch’s<br />
upgrade, who they<br />
alleged, is not an indigene<br />
of the community.<br />
They threatened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> blow<br />
up the bridge linking the<br />
community <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> other parts of<br />
the state if the decisi<strong>on</strong> is<br />
not reversed by the state<br />
government.<br />
The State Executive<br />
Council had announced<br />
the upgrade of Chief<br />
Beniah Adeola Idiogbe<br />
from Oloja of Abo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Alabo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> of Abo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>firming the violence,<br />
the lawyer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Abo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
community, Mr. Idowu<br />
Mafimisebi, said the<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> of late<br />
Olusegun Agagu in 2007<br />
err<strong>on</strong>eously announced the<br />
approval of Idiogbe as the<br />
Alabo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> which led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
bloody crisis and the death<br />
of some pers<strong>on</strong>s, while<br />
houses were razed in the<br />
community.<br />
In a statement <strong>on</strong> behalf<br />
of the community,<br />
Mafimisebi alleged that<br />
many indigenes of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wn have fled when the<br />
announcement was made.<br />
The statement reads: “It<br />
is an anathema that a<br />
government led by a Senior<br />
Advocate of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, SAN,<br />
had <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>w the line of<br />
wr<strong>on</strong>gful decisi<strong>on</strong> of a<br />
previous government made<br />
12 years ago which was<br />
reversed c<strong>on</strong>sequently after<br />
loss of lives and properties.<br />
“ A l t h o u g h<br />
corresp<strong>on</strong>dences have<br />
been sent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the present<br />
government through a<br />
letter dated July 8 and<br />
another <strong>on</strong>e <strong>on</strong> August 14<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the effect that selecti<strong>on</strong><br />
have been d<strong>on</strong>e for our<br />
client, while the<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>er for local<br />
government and<br />
Chieftaincy affairs,<br />
At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-General and Ilaje<br />
local government chairman<br />
affirmed that the selecti<strong>on</strong><br />
of Prince Oyetayo Ofoaye<br />
was d<strong>on</strong>e in accordance<br />
with the Chieftaincy law of<br />
Ondo State.<br />
“The Amapetu of Mahin<br />
who has been restrained by<br />
Ilaje District Council and a<br />
court of competent<br />
jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> since 1957 from<br />
meddling with Abo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> land<br />
not being a community<br />
under him cannot make a<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> an Oloja over such<br />
a community, and it is<br />
therefore impossible <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
upgrade a pers<strong>on</strong> made an<br />
Oloja through an<br />
incompetent authority.”<br />
Approval was d<strong>on</strong>e 12<br />
years ago — Govt<br />
But in his reacti<strong>on</strong>, the<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>er for<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong>, D<strong>on</strong>ald Ojogo<br />
said the request for the<br />
upgrade had been<br />
approved by the State<br />
Executive Council 12 years<br />
ago, adding that the<br />
present government came<br />
in and decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> effect the<br />
upgrade.<br />
Ojogo said: “The process<br />
is what we met <strong>on</strong> ground<br />
and government felt justice<br />
must be served. It is not a<br />
fresh process; the State<br />
Executive Council gave<br />
approval for Alabo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
elevati<strong>on</strong> since 2007 but<br />
was not effected by<br />
previous administrati<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
Bill <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> empower AIB investigate road, rail, marine accidents before<br />
Senate — COMMISSIONER<br />
L AGOS—THE<br />
A c c i d e n t<br />
Investigati<strong>on</strong> Bureau, AIB,<br />
yesterday, disclosed that a<br />
bill <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> empower the bureau<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> investigate rail, road and<br />
marine accidents and<br />
serious incidents is<br />
currently before the Senate.<br />
AIB’s Commissi<strong>on</strong>er, Mr.<br />
Akin Olateru, c<strong>on</strong>firmed the<br />
development <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> newsmen<br />
in Lagos.<br />
Olateru noted that the<br />
Federal Executive Council<br />
had approved its<br />
proposal for the new draft<br />
bill of AIB, adding that<br />
the bill was <strong>on</strong> the table<br />
at the upper chamber<br />
before the Senate went <strong>on</strong><br />
recess.<br />
He said: “We are<br />
currently working <strong>on</strong> the<br />
possibility and the approval<br />
by the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Assembly<br />
of AIB going multimodal in<br />
our operati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
“Going multimodal<br />
means we are not just<br />
going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be investigating air<br />
accidents al<strong>on</strong>e but we will<br />
Obasanjo warns Ogun<br />
m<strong>on</strong>archs against<br />
bickering, rivalry<br />
By Daud Olatunji<br />
A F BEOKUTA—<br />
O R M E R<br />
President Olusegun<br />
Obasanjo, yesterday,<br />
warned traditi<strong>on</strong>al rulers<br />
in Ogun State <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> steer<br />
clear of age-l<strong>on</strong>g bickering<br />
and rivalry am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
themselves for the sake of<br />
peace and development in<br />
the state.<br />
The former president<br />
stated this at the cor<strong>on</strong>ati<strong>on</strong><br />
cerem<strong>on</strong>y of Agura of<br />
Gbaguraland, Oba Saburee<br />
Bakre in Abeokuta.<br />
He adm<strong>on</strong>ished the new<br />
m<strong>on</strong>arch not join old issues<br />
with Alake and other Obas<br />
in that land.<br />
He asked Agura deploy<br />
his wealth of experience <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
further unite Obas in the<br />
land as peace and unity are<br />
mostly needed in the<br />
country at this trying<br />
period.<br />
He said: “D<strong>on</strong>’t listen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
bad advisers <strong>on</strong> Agura,<br />
ensure that every<strong>on</strong>e comes<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether so that they can be<br />
development in Egbaland.<br />
All of you should work<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> achieve<br />
development. You all need<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> support government for<br />
socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
2020: Ondo Deputy gov denies plan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> join PDP<br />
By Dayo Johns<strong>on</strong><br />
A Deputy KURE—THE<br />
Governor of<br />
Ondo State, Mr. Agboola<br />
Ajayi, weekend, denied<br />
plans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> dump the All<br />
Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress,<br />
APC, for the People’s<br />
Democratic Party, PDP, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>test the 2020<br />
governorship electi<strong>on</strong><br />
against Governor Rotimi<br />
Akeredolu.<br />
Ajayi, in a statement in<br />
be investigating rail, marine<br />
and road accidents.<br />
“We will be joining other<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>s around the world<br />
who operate the multimodal<br />
system.<br />
“Hopefully, before the<br />
end of this year, this bill<br />
will be passed and that will<br />
make AIB <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p nati<strong>on</strong>s that operate<br />
multimodal system.”<br />
Akure, said he remained “as<br />
the Deputy Governor and<br />
loyal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his boss, Akeredolu.<br />
This is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say emphatically<br />
that H<strong>on</strong> Agboola Ajayi has<br />
no intenti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test<br />
against his boss.”<br />
The statement by his<br />
Deputy Chief Press<br />
Secretary, Baba<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pe<br />
Okeowo said: “He was<br />
chosen as the Deputy<br />
Governor at the benevolent<br />
of Governor Akeredolu.<br />
“The Deputy Governor is<br />
By Adeola Badru<br />
I<br />
B A D A N —<br />
CHAIRMAN of the<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> of Local<br />
Governments of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
ALGON, in Oyo State, Mr.<br />
Ayodeji Abass-Aleshiloye<br />
has accused Governor Seyi<br />
Makinde of borrowing<br />
over N1 billi<strong>on</strong> m<strong>on</strong>thly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
pay council workers since<br />
June.<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>ding <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the June<br />
1 deadline for governors by<br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Financial<br />
Intelligence Unit, NFIU, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
allow councils access funds<br />
from the federati<strong>on</strong> account<br />
without interference,<br />
Abass-Aleshinloye said: “I<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t think they have been<br />
following it. In the State/<br />
Councils Joint Account, no<br />
transacti<strong>on</strong> should occur<br />
without the primary owner<br />
which is the democratically<br />
elected officials.”<br />
He said: “I believe no<br />
transacti<strong>on</strong> has occurred in<br />
the State Joint Allocati<strong>on</strong><br />
unperturbed by this<br />
sp<strong>on</strong>sored s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry and the<br />
<strong>on</strong>es before it as these are<br />
the handiwork of attenti<strong>on</strong><br />
and job seekers. These<br />
funny characters are well<br />
known within the political<br />
circle in the Ondo State.<br />
“This is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say that this is a<br />
blatant falsehood as H<strong>on</strong><br />
Agboola Ajayi remains a<br />
b<strong>on</strong>afide member of the APC<br />
and has no plan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> dump<br />
the party for any rival<br />
political party.''<br />
development. You must all<br />
join hands <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure community<br />
development because your<br />
support will help<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> develop the<br />
state.”<br />
He also urged the new<br />
m<strong>on</strong>arch <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work<br />
tirelessly and assiduously<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> move Gbagura and<br />
Egbaland forward in the<br />
comity of <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wns and cities<br />
in the state.<br />
He said: “I c<strong>on</strong>gratulate<br />
you for the success of <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day,<br />
you will be l<strong>on</strong>g <strong>on</strong> the<br />
thr<strong>on</strong>e and your reign will<br />
be the beginning of new<br />
things in Gbaguraland.<br />
“Kabiyesi, you have a lot<br />
of work <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do in<br />
Gbaguraland and Abeokuta<br />
as a whole. Our traditi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
rulers are not united and<br />
you do not have bad<br />
baggage because as you<br />
are coming, your hands are<br />
pure, you must ensure that<br />
everything about you is<br />
pure.<br />
“Kabiyesi, d<strong>on</strong>’t let<br />
anybody tell you that they<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t do it this way, if you<br />
want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that your<br />
reign brings peace and<br />
development <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Gbagura, you may have<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> act out of the box.''<br />
Makinde borrows over N1bn<br />
m<strong>on</strong>thly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay LG salaries,<br />
Oyo ALGON boss alleges<br />
•There’s no iota of truth — Govt<br />
Committee otherwise called<br />
JAC since we left office<br />
because they refused <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
recognise chairmen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work<br />
with; there is no way even<br />
if that m<strong>on</strong>ey goes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
councils, they can’t have<br />
access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> it.”<br />
On how salaries have<br />
been paid till date,<br />
Alesinloye said: “I learned<br />
they have been borrowing<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay because they<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t want anything<br />
negative <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> happen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> their<br />
government.”<br />
“So, they have been<br />
rallying round <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> source for<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay local<br />
government workers.<br />
“There is no way they can<br />
access the m<strong>on</strong>ey coming<br />
from Abuja <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> local<br />
governments for now. We<br />
have written letters <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
banks and I am sure the<br />
banks have not been<br />
h<strong>on</strong>ouring their cheques.<br />
They (Oyo government)<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t have access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey.”<br />
It’s not true — Oyo govt<br />
Resp<strong>on</strong>ding <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong>s, the Chief Press<br />
Secretary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Governor<br />
Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa<br />
said there was no iota of<br />
truth in the claim by<br />
Alesinloye, adding that the<br />
NFIU had been dragged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
court.<br />
Adisa said: “The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Governors Forum <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok that<br />
matter <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> court. As far as the<br />
matter is in court, the status<br />
quo remains. Each state<br />
can now design how it<br />
manages its local<br />
governments.”
12—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
REMITA CUP<br />
TOURNEY—<br />
From left:<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Quest<br />
Thorpe, Mr.<br />
Seun Badejo;<br />
COO,<br />
MediaVisi<strong>on</strong><br />
Limited, Mr.<br />
Jimmy<br />
Sogbesan; ED,<br />
SystemSpecs,<br />
owners of<br />
Remita, Mr.<br />
Deremi Atanda,<br />
and<br />
Tournament<br />
Ambassador,<br />
Remita<br />
Corporate<br />
Champi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Cup (RC3), Mr.<br />
Peter Rufai, at<br />
the opening<br />
cerem<strong>on</strong>y of<br />
2019 RC3, in<br />
Lagos,<br />
yesterday.<br />
Curb herdsmen menace now, Okowa<br />
•Warns against irregular migrati<strong>on</strong>, child-trafficking<br />
tells FG<br />
By Festus Ah<strong>on</strong><br />
& Theresa<br />
Ugbobu<br />
ASABA—WORRIED by<br />
the havoc being wrecked<br />
by the ravaging killer<br />
herdsmen in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of<br />
Delta State, weekend, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld<br />
the Federal Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
take urgent strident<br />
measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> curb the<br />
menace.<br />
Okowa, who spoke at the<br />
21st Ogwa Ika and 17th Ika<br />
Ka Mma Annual Lecture<br />
Series organised by Onu Ika<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> at Abavo, Ika South<br />
Local Government Area of<br />
the state, decried the<br />
protracted clashes between<br />
herdsmen and farmers in the<br />
country.<br />
He said his administrati<strong>on</strong><br />
was doing its best <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> check<br />
the havoc being wrecked by<br />
herdsmen <strong>on</strong> famers in the<br />
state through interface with<br />
critical stakeholders.<br />
Lamenting that his efforts<br />
had been restrained by his<br />
limited c<strong>on</strong>trol of security<br />
apparatus, Okowa frowned<br />
at the frequent loss of lives<br />
from herdsmen attack <strong>on</strong><br />
defenceless farmers and<br />
other <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns.<br />
Insisting that the Federal<br />
Government must curb the<br />
menace, the governor<br />
urged the Federal<br />
Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> tell <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
the steps it had taken <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stem<br />
the ugly trend.<br />
Warns against<br />
irregular<br />
migrati<strong>on</strong>, child<br />
trafficking<br />
Okowa also charged<br />
parents and caregivers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
live up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> their resp<strong>on</strong>sibility<br />
by warning their children<br />
and wards against irregular<br />
migrati<strong>on</strong> in a bid <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> seek<br />
greener pastures in foreign<br />
countries.<br />
Frowning at the increase<br />
in child-trafficking cases, he<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> restrain their<br />
children from embarking <strong>on</strong><br />
such dangerous journeys.<br />
Okowa c<strong>on</strong>demned the<br />
situati<strong>on</strong> where parents<br />
mount undue pressure <strong>on</strong><br />
their children and wards <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
embark <strong>on</strong> journeys <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Europe through the desert,<br />
lamenting that the lives of<br />
many promising <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
had been lost in the process.<br />
He commended Onu Ika<br />
for organising the annual<br />
essay competiti<strong>on</strong> for<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary schools in<br />
Ikaland, enjoined the people<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> encourage government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
carry out development<br />
projects through the<br />
d<strong>on</strong>ati<strong>on</strong> of land.<br />
Speaking earlier, the<br />
Head, Collective<br />
Leadership, Onu Ika<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Mr Daniel Usifor,<br />
said: “For three c<strong>on</strong>secutive<br />
years, Onu Ika has<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sistently forewarned of<br />
the devastating influx of<br />
these deadly herdsmen in<br />
our communities."<br />
Og<strong>on</strong>i clean-up: ERA insists <strong>on</strong> establishment of<br />
$100bn Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> Fund for N-Delta<br />
A<br />
B<br />
By Johnbosco<br />
Agbakwuru<br />
U J A —<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
Rights Acti<strong>on</strong>/Friends of the<br />
Earth <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, ERA/FoEN<br />
has, insisted that the Federal<br />
Government should establish<br />
$100 billi<strong>on</strong> Rehabilitati<strong>on</strong><br />
Fund for Niger Delta because<br />
of the envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
polluti<strong>on</strong> in the area.<br />
The group also decried that<br />
eight years after the United<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>s Envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
Programme, UNEP,<br />
submitted its report <strong>on</strong><br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Assessment of<br />
Og<strong>on</strong>iland <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Federal<br />
Government for the clean-up<br />
of Og<strong>on</strong>iland, government<br />
had allegedly engaged<br />
inexperienced c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
who lack the expertise <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> carry<br />
out the exercise.<br />
Executive Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of ERA/<br />
FoEN, Dr. Godwin Ojo, at an<br />
interacti<strong>on</strong> with Vanguard in<br />
Abuja, said Hydrocarb<strong>on</strong><br />
Polluti<strong>on</strong> Res<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rati<strong>on</strong> Project,<br />
HYPREP, had deviated from<br />
the UNEP recommendati<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
adding that HPPREP lacked<br />
the capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> undertake the<br />
clean-up and remediati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Calling <strong>on</strong> the Federal<br />
Government and Shell<br />
Petroleum Development<br />
Company <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure speedy<br />
recovery of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
and sources of livelihood of<br />
the Og<strong>on</strong>i people, Ojo said<br />
there was fundamental<br />
deviati<strong>on</strong> by HYPREP from<br />
UNEP clean-up<br />
recommendati<strong>on</strong>s in terms of<br />
process and c<strong>on</strong>tent, which<br />
had made the process unsure,<br />
tentative and suspect despite<br />
the fact that some clean-up<br />
had started.<br />
He said: “Eight years after<br />
the release of the UNEP<br />
Assessment <strong>on</strong> Og<strong>on</strong>iland,<br />
the Envir<strong>on</strong>mental Rights<br />
Acti<strong>on</strong>/Friends of the Earth<br />
has decried the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
government lip-service <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
clean-up and lack of clarity in<br />
the process after four years of<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari administrati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“At the incepti<strong>on</strong> of this<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> in 2015,<br />
President Buhari also<br />
promised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> implement the<br />
report <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the letter and went<br />
forward <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> even pledge $10<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> as take off grant.<br />
Although $177 milli<strong>on</strong> had<br />
been released for the cleanup<br />
since 2018, HYPREP lacks<br />
the capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g> as has<br />
no feasible workplan for the<br />
funds received."<br />
Uwelu market fire: Group<br />
lampo<strong>on</strong>s Obaseki over fire<br />
fighting service<br />
By Alemma Aliu<br />
BENIN CITY—FEW<br />
days after mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r spare<br />
part sellers at Uwelu market<br />
in Edo State lost milli<strong>on</strong>s of<br />
naira wotth of goods <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
midnight fire, a group,<br />
Coaliti<strong>on</strong> for Good<br />
Governance and Ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
Justice in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, CGGEJ,<br />
yesterday, said the inability<br />
of the Governor Goodwin<br />
Obaseki administrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
equip the state’s fire service<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tributed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the huge loss<br />
suffered by the traders<br />
A statement by the group’s<br />
Country Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, John<br />
Mayaki, said it was<br />
embarrassing that the state<br />
government would wait for<br />
such a m<strong>on</strong>umental disaster<br />
before thinking of how <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
revamp the state fire service<br />
It will be recalled that the<br />
state Commissi<strong>on</strong>er for Youth<br />
and Special Duties, Damian<br />
Lawani, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ur of fire<br />
fighting stati<strong>on</strong>s and<br />
equipment for <strong>on</strong> the spot<br />
assessment of fire stati<strong>on</strong>s and<br />
admitted that there were<br />
faulty vehicles and outdated<br />
fire fighting equipment.<br />
He had said: “The process<br />
of fixing the fire vehicles is<br />
<strong>on</strong>going and will be<br />
completed within the shortest<br />
possible time. The Edo State<br />
Fire Service Stati<strong>on</strong>s will be<br />
armed with the necessary<br />
working <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ols especially as<br />
we approach the dry seas<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
But Mayaki said Lawani's<br />
statement was a sign of the<br />
insensitivity of the Obaseki<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the welfare<br />
of the people.<br />
He said “The fact that this<br />
inspecti<strong>on</strong> that is at least three<br />
years late and is coming after<br />
no fewer than five major fire<br />
outbreaks in Benin City and<br />
bey<strong>on</strong>d that claimed lives and<br />
property, is described by the<br />
government as 'proactive' is<br />
not <strong>on</strong>ly comically silly, but<br />
an insult <strong>on</strong> the sensibilities<br />
of all well-thinking citizens of<br />
Edo State."<br />
Bayelsa 2019: APC chieftain<br />
calls <strong>on</strong> EFCC <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> probe former<br />
C-River REC<br />
By Emmaneul<br />
Una<br />
C Progressives<br />
ALABAR—All<br />
C<strong>on</strong>gress, APC, chieftain<br />
and former chairman of Inter<br />
Party Advisory Council,<br />
IPAC, in Cross River State,<br />
Mr Godie Akpama, has lent<br />
his voice <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> calls for<br />
Ec<strong>on</strong>omic and Financial<br />
Crimes Commissi<strong>on</strong>, EFCC,<br />
and Independent Corrupt<br />
Practices Commissi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
ICPC, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> probe former<br />
Resident Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>er in the state,<br />
Dr Frankland Briyai, <strong>on</strong><br />
what he called his<br />
c<strong>on</strong>troversial resignati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Akpama in a statement,<br />
weekend, said investigating<br />
the activities of Briyai would<br />
determine if he corruptly<br />
enriched himself while<br />
functi<strong>on</strong>ing as Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>er and wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
use such proceeds <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
manipulate the<br />
governorship electi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
Bayelsa State in his favour.<br />
He said: “Briyai is a man<br />
Diri Vs Daumiebi: A-Court<br />
orders Bayelsa electi<strong>on</strong><br />
tribunal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> re-try<br />
By Emem Idio<br />
Y Court ENAGOA—THE<br />
of Appeal sitting<br />
in Abuja has directed the<br />
Bayelsa State Electi<strong>on</strong><br />
Petiti<strong>on</strong> Tribunal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
immediately resume trial <strong>on</strong><br />
the petiti<strong>on</strong> by All<br />
Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress,<br />
APC, and its candidate for<br />
Bayelsa Central sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rial<br />
district in the 2019 general<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>, Mr. Festus<br />
Daumiebi.<br />
It will be recalled that the<br />
APC candidate petiti<strong>on</strong> had<br />
earlier been dismissed by<br />
the tribunal <strong>on</strong> technical<br />
grounds.<br />
Dissatisfied with the ruling<br />
whose activities as REC in<br />
Cross River State are well<br />
known and so I join the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al chairman of the<br />
Peoples Democratic Party,<br />
PDP, Prince Uche Sec<strong>on</strong>dus,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call for his probe <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid<br />
setting a dangerous<br />
precedent for other elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
officials <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> follow.<br />
“This is a man who<br />
excluded APC from the last<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> in the state and now<br />
he wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test electi<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> its platform, apparently<br />
he seeks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hide his activities<br />
against the party.<br />
"He is telling us that he is<br />
under pressure from his<br />
people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test the<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>, hence his<br />
declarati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test under<br />
APC and if I may ask, where<br />
were his people when he<br />
announced the results for the<br />
House of Representatives<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> in favour of PDP with<br />
just 9,000 votes out of 150,000<br />
voters and Etung did not<br />
vote?"<br />
When c<strong>on</strong>tacted, Briyai<br />
said he has rights like any<br />
other <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test for<br />
any elective positi<strong>on</strong> under<br />
any party of his choice.<br />
Youths urged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> embrace hard<br />
work, shun get rich quick<br />
syndrome<br />
By Jimi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ta<br />
Onoyume<br />
WFederal ARRI—PROVOST,<br />
College of<br />
Educati<strong>on</strong> (Technical),<br />
Asaba, Delta State, Dr<br />
Josephine Okeakwa, has<br />
enjoined youths <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> shun<br />
cultism and the unhealthy<br />
drive <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get rich quickly by<br />
all means.<br />
Okeakwa at an event <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
commemorate the 2019<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Youth Day<br />
organised by Asaba<br />
Development Uni<strong>on</strong><br />
Worldwide, said the get rich<br />
quick syndrome had not<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e those who indulged in<br />
it any good.<br />
Dr Amos Obi, a<br />
representative of United<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>s and member of the<br />
Global Innova<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs for<br />
Sustainable Development<br />
Goals, SDG 4, who also spoke<br />
at the event said 150 youths<br />
from Asaba would be trained<br />
in various skill acquisiti<strong>on</strong><br />
programme for free by the<br />
United Nati<strong>on</strong>s in<br />
collaborati<strong>on</strong> with<br />
philanthropists of Asaba<br />
origin.<br />
He said they would be<br />
trained in various areas<br />
ranging from revoluti<strong>on</strong>ised<br />
digital transformative<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>, film producti<strong>on</strong>/<br />
acting, computer<br />
appreciati<strong>on</strong>/engineering, at<br />
the Asaba vocati<strong>on</strong>al centre.<br />
“Transforming Educati<strong>on</strong>"is<br />
the theme of this year’s<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Youth Day and<br />
for educati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be accessible,<br />
affordable and inclusive even<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the handicapped, there<br />
should be a paradigm shift<br />
from the c<strong>on</strong>venti<strong>on</strong>al<br />
classroom teaching <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> digital<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> where people can<br />
learn, work and earn a living<br />
simultaneously from the<br />
comfort of their homes."<br />
of the tribunal, APC and its<br />
candidate appealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
Court of Appeal, praying it<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> set aside the ruling of the<br />
tribunal and mandate it <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> retry<br />
the petiti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> its merits.<br />
Delivering judgment <strong>on</strong><br />
the appeal <strong>on</strong> Friday, the<br />
Court of Appeal held that the<br />
purported technical grounds<br />
up<strong>on</strong> which the petiti<strong>on</strong>ers/<br />
appellants petiti<strong>on</strong> was<br />
dismissed at the tribunal<br />
were unknown <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> law and<br />
therefore, directed the<br />
tribunal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> resume trial <strong>on</strong> the<br />
petiti<strong>on</strong> of Daumiebi with<br />
immediate effect and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>clude it within the<br />
stipulated time by the<br />
Elec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral Act.
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 13<br />
TIV/JUKUN CRISIS: A<br />
disgrace, shame <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
two-sister ethnic groups<br />
—Mdzough U Tiv<br />
By Peter Duru<br />
M AKURDI—<br />
UMBRELLA<br />
body of the Tiv tribe in<br />
the country, the<br />
Mdzough U Tiv, MUT,<br />
has expressed sadness<br />
over the lingering<br />
c<strong>on</strong>flict between the Tivs<br />
and Jukuns in Taraba<br />
State, describing it as a<br />
disgrace and shame <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the l<strong>on</strong>g standing<br />
relati<strong>on</strong>ship between the<br />
two neighbouring ethnic<br />
groups.<br />
President General of<br />
MUT Chief Edward<br />
Ujege and Secretary<br />
General, B<strong>on</strong>iface<br />
Ukende, in a statement<br />
in Makurdi regretted<br />
that “the c<strong>on</strong>flict which<br />
started m<strong>on</strong>ths back in<br />
Abinse, Guma Local<br />
Government, LGA, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Ukum LGA all of Benue<br />
State has extended in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Taraba State. This c<strong>on</strong>flict<br />
is unnecessary, uncalled<br />
for and a disgrace <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
l<strong>on</strong>gstanding cordial<br />
relati<strong>on</strong>ship between the<br />
two ethnic groups who<br />
have lived peacefully<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether in the past as<br />
brothers and sisters.<br />
These c<strong>on</strong>flicts are<br />
enemies of the progress<br />
which our people clearly<br />
need in this hour of<br />
numerous external<br />
challenges in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
“MUT hereby calls <strong>on</strong><br />
all parties <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> immediately<br />
cease hostility and<br />
embrace peace.<br />
Furthermore we call <strong>on</strong><br />
the traditi<strong>on</strong>al rulers <strong>on</strong><br />
both divide <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> wade in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the crisis and direct their<br />
subjects <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> maintain<br />
peace so that our people<br />
can resume their normal<br />
farming now that we<br />
have rains. To the<br />
government of Taraba<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
By Demola<br />
Akinyemi<br />
WINNERS—From left: Winner of Mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rcycle, Kamilu Audu; Deputy Regi<strong>on</strong>al Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Lagos/<br />
Ogun, Dangote Cement Plc., Desm<strong>on</strong>d Aregbesola; Head, Route <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Market, Dangote Cement<br />
Plc., Olukayode Akin-Bamidele; star prize winner, Godwin Godday; Regi<strong>on</strong>al Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r,<br />
Lagos/Ogun, Dangote Cement Plc., Tunde Mabogunje, and winner of Tricycle, Akin<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ye<br />
Oluwagbemiga, during prizes’ presentati<strong>on</strong> in Ikorodu, Lagos State, weekend.<br />
Kwara govt begs flood pr<strong>on</strong>e<br />
communities <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> relocate<br />
ILORIN—THE Kwara<br />
State Government has<br />
appealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> residents of the<br />
state <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> heed the recent<br />
flood alerts which predicted<br />
heavy flooding in parts of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, following the<br />
steady rise in water levels<br />
in River Niger.<br />
Permanent Secretary in<br />
the Ministry of<br />
Envir<strong>on</strong>ment, Amosa<br />
Isiaka Al-Amin, said at a<br />
briefing, yesterday, in<br />
Ilorin, that Governor<br />
AbdulRahman<br />
AbdulRazaq, had directed<br />
that proper enlightenment<br />
be d<strong>on</strong>e and other<br />
preventive steps taken <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure Kwarans did not fall<br />
victims of flooding.<br />
He said, “Kwara State<br />
falls within this axis and<br />
this administrati<strong>on</strong> felt<br />
compelled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> officially alert<br />
the people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> this<br />
development and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> appeal<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Kwarans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cooperate<br />
with the state government<br />
<strong>on</strong> the various measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
mitigate the effects of what<br />
is often a combinati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
natural phenomen<strong>on</strong>,<br />
human activities and failure<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> heed warnings. The<br />
Kwara State Government<br />
led by Governor<br />
AbdulRahman<br />
AbdulRazaq, hereby<br />
appeals <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> communities<br />
located in and near flood<br />
plains and other vulnerable<br />
areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> relocate <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> safer<br />
locati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
“Identified communities<br />
in Edu local government<br />
areas such as Iyeluwa,<br />
Belle Gbako, Liptata,<br />
Edogi, Chewuru are<br />
specifically advised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
relocate <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> safer places for<br />
Reps probe alleged employment<br />
racketeering in Fed govt agencies<br />
By Demola<br />
Akinyemi<br />
ILORIN—HOUSE of<br />
Representatives has set<br />
up an Ad-hoc committee <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
investigate alleged<br />
employment racketeering<br />
by government officials in<br />
federal parastatals,<br />
ministries ,departments<br />
and other agencies where<br />
less privileged and<br />
unemployed <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns are<br />
allegedly denied<br />
opportunities <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> secure<br />
employments.<br />
Am<strong>on</strong>g the affected<br />
MDAs include Cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms,<br />
Civil defence corps, Federal<br />
Roads Safety Corps, FRSC,<br />
Immigrati<strong>on</strong> and Pris<strong>on</strong>s<br />
service .<br />
A member of the ad-hoc<br />
committee , representing<br />
Ilorin East/Ilorin South<br />
Federal c<strong>on</strong>stituency<br />
Abdulganiyu Olododo,<br />
gave the hint in Ilorin,<br />
and Benue State, we<br />
want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> appeal that the<br />
governors mobilize<br />
sufficient security <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>trol the crisis and<br />
find a lasting soluti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
it.<br />
“In additi<strong>on</strong>, for l<strong>on</strong>g<br />
lasting peace <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> prevail,<br />
it is our candid advice<br />
that the Tiv community<br />
whose ances<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs had<br />
lived in Taraba State time<br />
immemorial be<br />
recognised and<br />
integrated in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
traditi<strong>on</strong>al ruling<br />
authority of the state and<br />
they should also be<br />
accorded all rights as<br />
enshrined in the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
Kwara State, after d<strong>on</strong>ating<br />
N200,000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards the<br />
completi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
installati<strong>on</strong> of transformer<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the people of Were/<br />
Idigba/Idi-Ogede<br />
Akerebiata community in<br />
Ilorin East local<br />
government area of the<br />
state.<br />
The people of the<br />
community have been in<br />
darkness for the past few<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a faulty<br />
transformer in the area<br />
d<strong>on</strong>ated <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them by last<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Olododo said: “The<br />
members of House of<br />
Representatives are<br />
disturbed by the trends of<br />
alleged malpractices and,<br />
therefore, set up an ad-hoc<br />
committee <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> investigate<br />
the allegati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> correct the<br />
trend in the overall benefits<br />
of unemployed <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns.<br />
We have already started<br />
working and the<br />
revelati<strong>on</strong>s are mind<br />
boggling. Any<strong>on</strong>e found<br />
guilty would be made <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
face the full wrath of the law.<br />
The essence of governance<br />
is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make life bearable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the youths and not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
compound their problems.<br />
The administrati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari believes in good<br />
governance and would not<br />
be part of any move <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> add<br />
problems <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the people of<br />
the country, especially the<br />
teeming unemployed<br />
youths.”<br />
On the financial support<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the installati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
transformer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Were/<br />
Idigba/Idi-Ogede<br />
community, the lawmaker<br />
said the support was his<br />
promise made during his<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>eering campaign <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the community during the<br />
last general electi<strong>on</strong>s in the<br />
state.<br />
a while. Communities in<br />
Jebba and Bacita are also<br />
urged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take this very<br />
seriously for safety reas<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
Farming al<strong>on</strong>g riverine<br />
areas should be<br />
discouraged for now.<br />
Resettlement centres<br />
located at Godiwaji in<br />
Patigi c<strong>on</strong>structed by the<br />
Federal Government could<br />
be a safer place during this<br />
period.<br />
“Residents of<br />
communities in Kwara<br />
Central like Isale Koko,<br />
Dum<strong>on</strong>, and Abata<br />
Sunkere, am<strong>on</strong>g others, are<br />
advised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> heed this<br />
warning. Government<br />
urges residents of the state<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid dumping of wastes<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> river channels or<br />
drains <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> allow for easy flow<br />
of water, while illegal<br />
structures al<strong>on</strong>g water<br />
ways should be<br />
demolished.”<br />
The government<br />
explained that flood<br />
incidents were often due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
intensity of rainfall and<br />
rains<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rm, blockage of<br />
drainage system, poor<br />
urban planning resulting in<br />
erecti<strong>on</strong> of structures within<br />
the flood plains and water<br />
ways, river flooding, as well<br />
as coastal flooding.<br />
He said while nobody<br />
could be blamed for the<br />
natural phenomena that<br />
might cause flooding,<br />
people had a resp<strong>on</strong>sibility<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid acti<strong>on</strong>s such as<br />
blockage of water ways and<br />
indiscriminate dumping of<br />
wastes which often worsens<br />
flooding and leads <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> loss<br />
of lives and property and<br />
humanitarian crisis.<br />
Al-Amin, informed that<br />
the ministry would <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day<br />
flag -off some corrective<br />
measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> clear Ilorin of<br />
indiscriminate dumping of<br />
waste and blockage of<br />
drains as part of the efforts<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ward off flooding.<br />
He added that the health<br />
officials of old had been<br />
returned <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the state and<br />
would be going from house<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> house <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ascertain<br />
residents' level of<br />
compliance.<br />
DANGOTE PROMO: 64-year-old<br />
bricklayer, 20-year-old artisan<br />
win cars in Ijebu-ode, Ikorodu<br />
TWO lucky <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns,<br />
including a 64-year-old<br />
bricklayer, Mr. Iyowun<br />
Ezekiel and 20-year-old<br />
artisan, Godwin Godday,<br />
have emerged the latest<br />
winners of star prize GAC<br />
Salo<strong>on</strong> cars in the <strong>on</strong>going<br />
Dangote Cement 'Bag of<br />
Goodies’ nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sumer promo.<br />
Elated Ezekiel, who is based<br />
in Ijebu-ode, Ogun State, and<br />
has been a bricklayer for over<br />
40 years, found his prizewinning<br />
scratch card in <strong>on</strong>e<br />
of the Dangote Cement<br />
promo bags he bought from<br />
a distribu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r in Ijebu-Mushin.<br />
On the other hand, Godday,<br />
who is the youngest winner of<br />
the star prize so far, found his<br />
winning scratch card in<br />
Ikorodu, Lagos.<br />
Both star prize winners were<br />
given the keys <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> their brand<br />
new cars by <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p Dangote<br />
Cement officials at different<br />
handing-over cerem<strong>on</strong>ies in<br />
Ijebu-ode and Ikorodu,<br />
al<strong>on</strong>gside 10 other lucky<br />
promo winners, who carted<br />
home various prizes,<br />
including a tricycle, a<br />
mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rcycle, eight<br />
refrigera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs and two<br />
televisi<strong>on</strong> sets, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
admirati<strong>on</strong> of other Dangote<br />
Cement c<strong>on</strong>sumers and<br />
distribu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs.<br />
While Mr. Akintaye<br />
Oluwagbemiga w<strong>on</strong> a<br />
tricycle, Mr. Kamilu Audu<br />
w<strong>on</strong> a mo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rcycle.<br />
Interestingly, Mr. Solom<strong>on</strong><br />
Dayo w<strong>on</strong> three out of the<br />
seven refrigera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs presented<br />
at the Ikorodu event, while<br />
Messrs. Ohemu Friday,<br />
Innocent Agbo-James,<br />
Ransome Watels and Kehinde<br />
Adeagbo went home with <strong>on</strong>e<br />
refrigera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r each.<br />
There was also the<br />
presentati<strong>on</strong> of televisi<strong>on</strong> sets<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Mr. Dare Olajide and Mr.<br />
Oluwadare Gbenga.<br />
Likewise, Mr. Imam Adebisi<br />
Abdulhakeem, who w<strong>on</strong> a<br />
refrigera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, collected his<br />
prize at the Ijebu-Ode venue.<br />
Handing over the car<br />
keys <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Ezekiel in Ijebu-<br />
Ode, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Sales<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Dangote Cement<br />
Plc., Mr. Adeyemi Fajobi,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld those gathered at the<br />
Local Government office<br />
that the cement promo is<br />
real and that there are many<br />
more choice prizes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
w<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Flood destroys 12,000 hectares of<br />
farmlands in Jigawa<br />
FLOOD has ravaged<br />
over 12,000 hectares of<br />
rice, cassava, sesame and<br />
guinea-corn farmlands in<br />
nine villages of<br />
Malammadori Local<br />
Government Area of Jigawa<br />
State.<br />
The Councillor<br />
representing Tashena<br />
Ward, Alhaji Yunusa<br />
Bulama, stated this in<br />
Malammadori <strong>on</strong> Sunday,<br />
when the lawmaker<br />
representing Kaugama/<br />
Malammadori Federal<br />
C<strong>on</strong>stituency, Alhaji Maki<br />
Yalleman, visited the area.<br />
Bulama said the flood,<br />
which hit the area <strong>on</strong> Friday,<br />
had affected Tashena,<br />
Kadumunbari, Hadyan,<br />
Azumu, Kadumantudu,<br />
Dowawa, Dososo, Allahyayi<br />
and Unguwar-Jamaare<br />
villages.
14 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
FG wanted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kill El-Zakzaky<br />
in India — IMN<br />
THE<br />
Islamic<br />
Movement in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(IMN) has alleged that the<br />
federal government<br />
intended <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kill Ibraheem<br />
El-Zakzaky in India ‘in the<br />
name of ‘medical<br />
treatment’.<br />
El-Zakzaky was returned<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the country after he<br />
refused <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be treated by<br />
doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs provided by the<br />
government.<br />
In a statement issued<br />
yesterday, Ibrahim Musa,<br />
spokesman of the<br />
movement, said the Islamic<br />
cleric did not plan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> seek<br />
asylum in India, c<strong>on</strong>trary<br />
an allegati<strong>on</strong> by the<br />
government.<br />
He said the allegati<strong>on</strong><br />
was a campaign of calumny<br />
against El-Zakzaky by the<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hide its<br />
‘’gross misc<strong>on</strong>duct in a<br />
foreign land”.<br />
‘’The Islamic movement<br />
further accused the federal<br />
government of<br />
mischievously going<br />
bey<strong>on</strong>d its role of<br />
supervisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the level of<br />
maliciously interfering in<br />
the medical process,<br />
:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews NEWS HOTLINES: 08052867023, 08052867058<br />
No going back <strong>on</strong> RUGA — GOV SULE<br />
•Says it's best opti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> end farmers, herders' c<strong>on</strong>flicts<br />
By David Odama<br />
LAbdullahi AFIA—GOVERNOR<br />
Sule of<br />
Death in attacks <strong>on</strong> Benue communities<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ll rises <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 9<br />
MPolice AKURDI—THE<br />
Command<br />
in Benue, yesterday said<br />
the death <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ll from<br />
Saturday’s gunmen<br />
attack <strong>on</strong> mourners in<br />
Katsina-Ala Local<br />
Government Area of the<br />
state had risen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> nine.<br />
The Police Public<br />
Relati<strong>on</strong>s Officer, DSP<br />
Catherine Anene, said in<br />
Makurdi that the police<br />
were still investigating<br />
the circumstances<br />
instructing <strong>on</strong> which<br />
doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs the Sheikh and his<br />
wife must see, while<br />
refusing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> allow them<br />
access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> their own doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs,<br />
which c<strong>on</strong>firms the<br />
allegati<strong>on</strong> that the<br />
government had wanted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
kill the Sheikh in the name<br />
of medical treatment, ‘’ he<br />
said.<br />
“Before efforts at<br />
resolving this impasse<br />
could be c<strong>on</strong>cluded, the<br />
Sheikh was brought back <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, since their evil<br />
schemes could not be<br />
executed. The government<br />
is now churning out<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tradic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry explanati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> blame the Sheikh for not<br />
allowing himself <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
killed in the name of<br />
medical treatment. The<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n government is<br />
also blackmailing the<br />
Sheikh that he sought for<br />
asylum in India just <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cover<br />
their own gross misc<strong>on</strong>duct<br />
in a foreign land.”<br />
Musa said El-Zakzaky<br />
was forced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> either accept<br />
the choice of being<br />
treated by unknown<br />
doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs or <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be returned<br />
home within two hours.<br />
surrounding the attack<br />
and its aftermath.<br />
Anene explained that<br />
four pers<strong>on</strong>s were killed<br />
at the burial of Tor Gbev<br />
Amaafu in T<strong>on</strong>gov while<br />
additi<strong>on</strong>al five were killed<br />
during reprisal attacks by<br />
Amaafu, Sati Agirigi and<br />
Ikurav Tiev communities.<br />
She said the killings were<br />
suspected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be the<br />
frequent clashes between<br />
Ikurav and Shitile people<br />
in the area in recent times.<br />
“The clash cut across<br />
three villages. There is no<br />
reas<strong>on</strong> for these attacks.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n, who swallowed 67<br />
wraps of cocaine jailed in UK<br />
THE<br />
Isleworth<br />
Crown court in the<br />
United Kingdom weekend<br />
sentenced Samuel<br />
Nwankwo, a 27-year-old<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n man, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> four years<br />
in pris<strong>on</strong> over drug<br />
trafficking.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Crown<br />
Prosecuti<strong>on</strong> Service, the<br />
principal public agency for<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducting criminal<br />
prosecuti<strong>on</strong>s in England<br />
and Wales, Nwankwo, who<br />
is a resident of Eastfield in<br />
Peterborough, ingested 67<br />
wraps of cocaine worth<br />
£82,210 in Brazil before<br />
boarding a flight <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> February 11.<br />
He also alleged that he<br />
had been visiting his wife<br />
and was short <strong>on</strong> annual<br />
leave.<br />
Nwankwo is said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have<br />
boarded Latam Airlines<br />
flight from Sao Paulo <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Heathrow airport where he<br />
was nabbed by security<br />
operatives at the terminal<br />
3.<br />
The c<strong>on</strong>vict, who had<br />
been in the South<br />
American country for five<br />
days, had no checked<br />
baggage but a body scan<br />
showed suspicious images<br />
in his s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mach.<br />
“A body scan at the airport<br />
revealed suspicious shapes<br />
inside Nwankwo. He was<br />
then taken <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a hospital for<br />
a CT scan where dozens of<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cealed packages were<br />
identified inside him,” the<br />
CPC reported.<br />
“He had previously<br />
pleaded guilty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e count<br />
of fraudulent evasi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
importati<strong>on</strong> of a prohibited<br />
Class A drug.”<br />
The drug found in<br />
Nwankwo was said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have<br />
an average purity of 77.1<br />
per cent.<br />
The judge, however,<br />
sentenced him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> four years<br />
in pris<strong>on</strong> and also ordered<br />
that the cocaine be<br />
destroyed.<br />
“Importing drugs by<br />
ingesti<strong>on</strong> is illegal and<br />
could lead <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lethal<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequences. Nwankwo<br />
was lucky <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be alive after<br />
taking such a high<br />
quantity of cocaine,”<br />
Cindy Fayefunmi, a<br />
crown prosecuti<strong>on</strong> service<br />
official, said.<br />
INDUCTION: From left: Mr. Bayo Olugbemi, 1st Vice President, CIBN; Mr. Magnus Nnoka, Risk<br />
Manager CRM - President, RIMAN; Mr. Usman Muhammad, CRM - Inductee; Mrs. Tokunbo Martins,<br />
CRM - Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, OFISD, CBN; Mr. Akinsow<strong>on</strong> Dawodu, FCIB - Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Citibank <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>;<br />
Mr. Aghogho Etakibuebu,CRM - Inductee; Dr. Greg. Jobome,CRM - E.D. Risk Mgt., Access Bank at<br />
Certified Risk Manager (CRM) Professi<strong>on</strong>al Certificati<strong>on</strong> 2019 Inducti<strong>on</strong> organised by Risk Management<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> (RIMAN) and The Chartered Institute of Bankers of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> (CIBN) in Lagos.<br />
Several peace meetings<br />
with the communities<br />
have yielded no positive<br />
results,” Anene said.<br />
An eyewitness said the<br />
gunmen who numbered<br />
more than 10 opened fire<br />
<strong>on</strong> the mourners killing<br />
and injuring several<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s in the process.<br />
The gunmen attacked<br />
the mourners in the early<br />
hours of Saturday as a<br />
result of which four<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s lost their lives <strong>on</strong><br />
the spot while several<br />
others sustained severe<br />
injuries.<br />
The area has witnessed<br />
serious criminal activities<br />
in the past four years.<br />
Nasarawa State has said<br />
there is no going back <strong>on</strong><br />
RUGA programme of the<br />
federal government in<br />
Nasarawa state, insisting<br />
that it remains the surest<br />
way <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> end farmers and<br />
herders clashes.<br />
Governor Sule, who<br />
spoke <strong>on</strong> a radio<br />
programme m<strong>on</strong>i<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>red in<br />
Lafia, did not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
advocate for regular<br />
meetings am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
governments of various<br />
states, he also note that<br />
supporting security<br />
agencies with required<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ols was the best opti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
saying “you know what,<br />
the <strong>on</strong>ly way <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> eliminate<br />
the problems of farmer/<br />
headers is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> separate<br />
them. You can’t say that<br />
farmers will live in the<br />
same place with the<br />
herders and have peace<br />
because they have no<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trol over the cattle and<br />
the cattle need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
people’s farms.<br />
“The best thing is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
have a separate place for<br />
them, so we embraced the<br />
idea of the Ruga project.<br />
We are aware it has been<br />
su<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed at the moment<br />
and we respect the fact<br />
that government has<br />
su<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed it until it is<br />
fully studied. But since we<br />
have already received the<br />
idea, there is a way we<br />
can talk <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the people.<br />
Though it has been<br />
su<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed at the federal<br />
level, let’s us at the state<br />
level find a way, even if<br />
we have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call it our own<br />
RUGA kind of<br />
arrangement, that is what<br />
we are trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do.<br />
“My positi<strong>on</strong> in the case<br />
of RUGA project is that let<br />
us go in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the root causes<br />
of the problems, same<br />
thing with the Almajiri<br />
system. We are trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
encourage them in such a<br />
way that instead of Almajiris<br />
becoming beggars and<br />
lacking what <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> eat; we<br />
want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take them away<br />
from the streets. We are<br />
looking at the Almajiri<br />
system different from the<br />
way they look at it. We want<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> find something for them<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do, educate them so they<br />
can be useful <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> themselves.<br />
When they are educated in<br />
the western educati<strong>on</strong>, they<br />
can go and acquire Islamic<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> which is meant<br />
for the Almajiri in the first<br />
place.”<br />
Regular meetings of<br />
various state governments,<br />
he said “The number <strong>on</strong>e<br />
formula is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be <strong>on</strong> the same<br />
page with everybody, let us<br />
understand that lack of<br />
peace in Benue is the same<br />
lack of peace in Nasarawa,<br />
Taraba. Whatever affects<br />
Nasarawa State the same<br />
thing will affect all other<br />
places in Plateau, Kaduna,<br />
Bauchi, Kwara, Niger and<br />
the federal capital.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 15
16—Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
VISIT: From left—<br />
Marketing Manager,<br />
Hero Lager Beer, Obum<br />
Okoli, Commissi<strong>on</strong>er<br />
for Youth, Anambra<br />
State, Mr. Afam<br />
Mbanefo and Senior<br />
Manager, Marketing,<br />
Viacom Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Media Networks Africa,<br />
Mr. D<strong>on</strong>atus Okpako,<br />
during the People’s<br />
Hero courtesy visit <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the Anambra State<br />
Ministry of Youth<br />
Empowerment and<br />
Creative Ec<strong>on</strong>omy in<br />
Awka.<br />
No ban, restricti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> importati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
food items —Presidency<br />
•Says importers can source for forex from n<strong>on</strong>-govt financial instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
By Johnbosco<br />
Agbakwuru<br />
ABUJA—THE Presi<br />
dency yesterday said<br />
that the Federal Government<br />
has neither banned<br />
nor restricted importati<strong>on</strong><br />
of food items in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
country.<br />
It also explained that<br />
the recent directive by<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Central Bank<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, CBN, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p<br />
providing foreign<br />
exchange for importati<strong>on</strong><br />
of food items did not mean<br />
a restricti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> importati<strong>on</strong><br />
of food items.<br />
A statement by the<br />
Senior Special Assistant <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the President <strong>on</strong> Media<br />
and Publicity, Mallam<br />
Garba Shehu, in Abuja<br />
further stated that any<br />
importers of food items<br />
that wished <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> source their<br />
forex from n<strong>on</strong>government<br />
financial<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s (and pay<br />
Cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms duty <strong>on</strong> those<br />
imports – increasing taxtake)<br />
were free <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do so.<br />
The Presidential<br />
spokesman was replying<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a report in Financial<br />
Times, which was a letter<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r with the<br />
titled, “Muhammadu<br />
Buhari sparks dismay<br />
over policy shift <strong>on</strong> food<br />
imports”, published <strong>on</strong><br />
August 15, 2019.<br />
Shehu wrote: “Your<br />
article, ‘Muhammadu<br />
Buhari sparks dismay<br />
over policy shift <strong>on</strong> food<br />
imports’ (August 15)<br />
suggests the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
government is restricting<br />
the import of agricultural<br />
products in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the country.<br />
“This is simply<br />
incorrect. To be absolutely<br />
clear, there is no ban or<br />
restricti<strong>on</strong> -<strong>on</strong> the<br />
importati<strong>on</strong> of food items<br />
whatsoever.<br />
“President Buhari has<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sistently worked<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards strengthening<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s own industrial<br />
and agricultural base. A<br />
recent decisi<strong>on</strong> sees the<br />
Central Bank maintain<br />
its reserves <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> put <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> use<br />
helping growth of<br />
domestic industry in 41<br />
product sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs rather<br />
than provide forex for the<br />
import of those products<br />
from overseas.<br />
“Should importers of<br />
these items wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
source their forex from<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-government<br />
financial instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
(and pay Cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms duty<br />
organizers, the event will<br />
bring <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether various<br />
stakeholders, intending<br />
off-takers and other<br />
interest groups in the Real<br />
Estate Industry <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
brains<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rm and proffer<br />
soluti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> various<br />
problems militating<br />
against the progressive<br />
and sustainable<br />
development of the<br />
industry.<br />
“It is also designed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
highlight the available<br />
incentives of the Real<br />
Estate Developers<br />
Associati<strong>on</strong> of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
which could be tapped <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
benefit all classes of the<br />
society.”<br />
They noted that South<br />
East regi<strong>on</strong> was<br />
strategically chosen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> host<br />
the summit, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> showcase<br />
the potentials of the<br />
<strong>on</strong> those imports –<br />
increasing tax-take,<br />
something the Financial<br />
Times has berated <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
for not achieving <strong>on</strong> many<br />
occasi<strong>on</strong>s) they are freely<br />
able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do so.<br />
Diversificati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
forex provisi<strong>on</strong><br />
“Diversificati<strong>on</strong> of forex<br />
provisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards the<br />
private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r and away<br />
from <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p-heavy<br />
government c<strong>on</strong>trol, a<br />
diversificati<strong>on</strong> of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
industrial base, and an<br />
increase in tax receipts –<br />
are all policies <strong>on</strong>e might<br />
expect the Financial Times<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> support.<br />
“Yet for reas<strong>on</strong>s not quite<br />
clear, the author and this<br />
newspaper seem <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> believe<br />
the President’s<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> seeks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>trol everything – and<br />
yet do so via policies that<br />
relinquish government<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trol. We look forward<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the next instalment of<br />
Mr. (Neil) Munshi’s<br />
bizarre and puzzling<br />
article series.”<br />
The Financial Times<br />
report was titled,<br />
“Muhammadu Buhari<br />
sparks dismay over policy<br />
Enugu gears up S-East Housing Summit<br />
By Elizabeth<br />
Uwandu<br />
ENUGU—REAL Estate<br />
Developers Associati<strong>on</strong><br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, REDAN, South-<br />
East z<strong>on</strong>e has c<strong>on</strong>cluded<br />
arrangements <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> host a<br />
major Housing Summit and<br />
Exhibiti<strong>on</strong>s next m<strong>on</strong>th.<br />
The Summit tagged<br />
Akulueuno 2019 - South<br />
East Housing Summit and<br />
Exhibiti<strong>on</strong>s will hold <strong>on</strong><br />
Wednesday, September 4,<br />
2019, at the Kobb Civic<br />
Center (Shoprite), Polo Park<br />
Mall, Enugu. The Summit<br />
packaged in collaborati<strong>on</strong><br />
with Goldspectra<br />
Communicati<strong>on</strong>s Network<br />
promises <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be very<br />
educative, enlightening<br />
and promoti<strong>on</strong>al in all<br />
ramificati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
housing industry in the z<strong>on</strong>e<br />
and explore the abundant<br />
investment opportunities<br />
available in the industry as<br />
well as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> properly guide<br />
genuine off-takers <strong>on</strong><br />
affordable housing schemes<br />
choices available <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them.<br />
The keynote speakers for<br />
the event are, Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Federal Mortgage<br />
Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> - Architect<br />
Ahmed Musa Dangiwa,<br />
Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Family<br />
Homes Fund -Mr Femi<br />
Adewale , Group Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Copen Group and<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al President of<br />
REDAN - Surveyor<br />
Ugochukwu Chime , the<br />
BOT Chairman of REDAN<br />
and former Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of Shelter Afrique,<br />
Nairobi - Prince Seyi<br />
Lufadeju.<br />
shift <strong>on</strong> food imports.<br />
Critics say <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
President’s move<br />
threatens <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> send prices<br />
skyrocketing.”<br />
It read: “<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
President Muhammadu<br />
Buhari is coming under<br />
fire after calling for the<br />
Central Bank <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p providing<br />
the foreign currency<br />
needed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay the<br />
country’s vast food import<br />
bill.<br />
“Mr Buhari this week<br />
“directed” the Central<br />
Bank <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cease providing<br />
dollars and other<br />
currencies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> importers as<br />
part of his efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> spur<br />
domestic agricultural<br />
producti<strong>on</strong> and attain “full<br />
food security” for Africa’s<br />
most populous nati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“But he drew criticism<br />
from ec<strong>on</strong>omists and<br />
analysts who said the<br />
move threatened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> send<br />
food prices skyrocketing<br />
and brought the central<br />
bank’s independence in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
questi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“ Since 2015 the central<br />
bank has enforced a<br />
c<strong>on</strong>troversial policy that<br />
denies foreign currency<br />
for dozens of imported<br />
products from cement <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>othpicks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> rice, but Mr<br />
Buhari’s call would<br />
represent a vast<br />
expansi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
prohibiti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“D<strong>on</strong>’t give a cent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
anybody <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> import food in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the country,” the President<br />
said, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
statement from his<br />
spokesman, who added<br />
that “the foreign reserve<br />
will be c<strong>on</strong>served and<br />
utilised strictly for<br />
diversificati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy, and not for<br />
UK faces food, fuel and drug<br />
shortages, says leaked document<br />
Britain will face shortages of fuel, food and<br />
medicine if it leaves the European Uni<strong>on</strong> without<br />
a transiti<strong>on</strong> deal, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> leaked official documents<br />
reported by the Sunday Times, but whose interpretati<strong>on</strong><br />
was c<strong>on</strong>tested by <strong>ministers</strong>.<br />
Setting out a visi<strong>on</strong> of jammed ports, public protests<br />
and widespread disrupti<strong>on</strong>, the Times said the forecasts<br />
compiled by the Cabinet Office set out the most likely<br />
aftershocks of a no-deal Brexit rather than the worst<br />
case scenarios.<br />
But Michael Gove, the minister in charge of coordinating<br />
no-deal preparati<strong>on</strong>s, challenged that, saying that<br />
the documents did set out a worst case scenario and<br />
that planning had been accelerated in the last three<br />
weeks.<br />
The Times said up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 85 percent of lorries using the<br />
main channel crossings “may not be ready” for French<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms, meaning disrupti<strong>on</strong> at ports would potentially<br />
last up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> three m<strong>on</strong>ths before the flow of traffic improves.<br />
US whiskey exporters struggle<br />
after year of EU tariffs<br />
When Europe’s tariffs <strong>on</strong> United States (US) whis<br />
key hit in June 2018, craft Distillery Mountain<br />
Laurel Spirits LLC lost 10 percent of its sales overnight<br />
as its European distribu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r simply s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pped buying its<br />
award-winning Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey.<br />
Foreign governments subject <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> U.S. President<br />
D<strong>on</strong>ald Trump’s trade tariffs have targeted American<br />
distilleries and their bourb<strong>on</strong> and rye whiskeys for retaliati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The industry fears new tariffs under c<strong>on</strong>siderati<strong>on</strong><br />
by the U.S. government could result in even<br />
higher tariffs <strong>on</strong> their products in Europe.<br />
“We went from a marginally profitable business <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
breaking even,” Mountain Laurel’s owner and chemical<br />
engineer-turned-distiller, Herman Mihalich, said<br />
while testing his latest batch of rye whiskey in the<br />
sleepy hamlet of Bris<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>l in southeast Pennsylvania.<br />
Airbnb records 30% growth rate in<br />
first-quarter <strong>on</strong> booking strength<br />
Airbnb Inc recorded $9.4 billi<strong>on</strong> in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal book<br />
ing value in the first quarter, up 31 percent<br />
from the year-ago quarter, a source familiar with<br />
the matter said penultimate week, a key number<br />
that could help pull in inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs as the home-sharing<br />
company plans its foray in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the public market.<br />
The San Francisco-based home rentals company<br />
booked 91 milli<strong>on</strong> nights <strong>on</strong> its platform in the quarter,<br />
leading <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the surge in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal booking value, which<br />
measures the transacti<strong>on</strong> dollars <strong>on</strong> its platform,<br />
the source said.<br />
Airbnb had about $3.5 billi<strong>on</strong> in cash <strong>on</strong> its balance<br />
sheet as of March 31, the source said. The<br />
company reported a 40 percent revenue growth rate<br />
in 2018 compared with the previous year, according<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the source.<br />
Airbnb is readying for a listing in the first half of<br />
2020, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Wall Street Journal, which<br />
first reported Airbnb’s first-quarter financials earlier<br />
in the day.<br />
PES up against the clock <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell<br />
Philadelphia refinery in cash crunch<br />
Finding a buyer for Philadelphia Energy So<br />
luti<strong>on</strong>s’ oil refinery has grown urgent as the<br />
bankrupt company’s funds dwindle and no signs<br />
emerge that it is winning a fight for insurance<br />
payouts after a June blaze at the plant, according<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> court documents and bankruptcy experts.<br />
Without access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the more than $1 billi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
insurance coverage, selling the refinery has become<br />
<strong>on</strong>e of the company’s <strong>on</strong>ly opti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> raise<br />
cash before being forced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> liquidate.<br />
At least three parties have potential proposals<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> buy the shut Philadelphia refinery, each with<br />
plans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reopen the 1,300-acre (5.3-square km)<br />
site with a mix of oil refining and alternative energy<br />
producti<strong>on</strong>, sources familiar with the plans<br />
said.<br />
Initial meetings are scheduled between the prospective<br />
buyers and a collecti<strong>on</strong> of vetters over<br />
the next several weeks, but it is unclear how l<strong>on</strong>g<br />
it would take for any official bid <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether,<br />
the sources said.<br />
PES was not available for comment <strong>on</strong> whether<br />
it had reviewed any of the proposals or how viable<br />
it c<strong>on</strong>sidered them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be.<br />
encouraging more<br />
dependence <strong>on</strong> foreign<br />
food import bills.<br />
“The Central Bank has<br />
not said whether it will follow<br />
the directive and did<br />
not resp<strong>on</strong>d <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a request for<br />
comment.<br />
‘’Analysts said that<br />
instead of inspiring a<br />
renaissance of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
agriculture, the foreign<br />
currency import ban would<br />
create food shortages, drive<br />
further smuggling, and<br />
send prices higher.” Some s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ries credited <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Reuters
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019—17<br />
MEDIATION: Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State (right); Commandant, 211 Regiment, Group Captain Phillip Bindul<br />
(middle); the state At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney General and Commissi<strong>on</strong>er for Justice, Ndukwe Nnawuchi (left), and others during the mediati<strong>on</strong> visit<br />
of the Governor <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Umuowa over the land dispute with the Nigera Air Force, weekend.<br />
Attack <strong>on</strong> Ekweremadu:<br />
MASSOB apologises, advocates<br />
coaliti<strong>on</strong> of pro-Biafra groups<br />
By Dennis Agbo<br />
MOVEMENT for the<br />
Actualisati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
Sovereign State of Biafra,<br />
MASSOB, has c<strong>on</strong>demned and<br />
appologised for Saturday’s<br />
“physical attack and disrespectful<br />
acti<strong>on</strong>s of some Igbo against<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ike Ekweremadu in<br />
Germany.”<br />
MASSOB said it c<strong>on</strong>firmed<br />
through the spokesman of the<br />
Indigenous People of Biafra,<br />
We w<strong>on</strong>’t z<strong>on</strong>e gov ticket<br />
for Anambra 2021— PDP<br />
By Dennis Agbo<br />
THE Peoples Democratic Party,<br />
PDP, has said it would not<br />
z<strong>on</strong>e the governorship ticket for<br />
the 2021 electi<strong>on</strong> in Anambra<br />
State.<br />
The party declared that its<br />
priority is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> identify a credible and<br />
sellable candidate that would<br />
secure vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry for it.<br />
This came <strong>on</strong> the heels of a<br />
recent request <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Governor Willie<br />
Obiano by some traditi<strong>on</strong>al rulers<br />
from the southern sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rial<br />
district of the state <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that<br />
their z<strong>on</strong>e produced the next<br />
governor.<br />
All Progressive Grand Alliance,<br />
APGA, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Chairman, Chief<br />
Vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Oye, had earlier in the year<br />
said the party z<strong>on</strong>ed governorship<br />
ticket <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Anambra South.<br />
Meanwhile, PDPNati<strong>on</strong>al Vice<br />
Chairman, South-East, Chief<br />
Austin Umahi, who made the<br />
party’s positi<strong>on</strong> known, said<br />
z<strong>on</strong>ing the governorship might be<br />
the internal affair of APGA, which<br />
had nothing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do with PDP.<br />
IPOB, Emma Powerful, that<br />
Ekweremadu’s attackers were<br />
members of IPOB in Germany.<br />
MASSOB is the premeir pro-<br />
Biafra group that, in 1999,<br />
resumed agitati<strong>on</strong> for res<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rati<strong>on</strong><br />
of Republic of Biafra. The defunct<br />
country was re-integrated in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> at the end of Civil War in<br />
1970.<br />
MASSOB spokesman, Samuel<br />
Edes<strong>on</strong>, in a statement,<br />
yesterday, said it was<br />
disheartening that some groups<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him, there is no<br />
way another party’s z<strong>on</strong>ing<br />
arrangement would apply <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> PDP.<br />
Addressing newsmen in<br />
Enugu, after PDP’s m<strong>on</strong>thly<br />
z<strong>on</strong>al meeting, at the weekend,<br />
he w<strong>on</strong>dered what ”the z<strong>on</strong>ing<br />
people” were talking about. He<br />
stated that PDP has not been in<br />
power in the state for a very l<strong>on</strong>g<br />
time, so it would go the wholehog<br />
of identifying the best<br />
candidate <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win the electi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“Anambra electi<strong>on</strong> is very<br />
cardinal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us; we wouldn’t allow<br />
what happened before <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> happen<br />
again <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us because we are<br />
determined and dogged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
recapture Anambra as a party,<br />
because the state bel<strong>on</strong>gs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> PDP,<br />
if not for sabotage and PHD (Pull<br />
Him Down) syndrome in<br />
Anambra State, which we have<br />
taken precauti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> nip in the bud<br />
this time around.<br />
“On the issue of z<strong>on</strong>ing, this<br />
is PDP not APGA. We are going<br />
for the best candidate,<br />
irrespective of where he comes<br />
from. If he likes, let him come<br />
have turned the n<strong>on</strong>-violent<br />
struggle for the actualisati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
Biafra in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> an abusive and<br />
systematic gestapo against the<br />
citizens of Biafra.<br />
It described the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu by IPOB as<br />
codemnable, noting that Igbo<br />
culture abhors disrespect for<br />
elders and pers<strong>on</strong>s in authority.<br />
The group said if actually<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu was<br />
sabotaging or had sabotaged<br />
Biafra struggle as alleged by<br />
from anywhere and let his<br />
brother act as the deputy. The<br />
most important thing is that PDP<br />
wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reclaim Anambra State<br />
because the state is very<br />
cardinal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the South-East.<br />
“There’s no way South-East<br />
Governors Forum would meet<br />
as PDP and Anambra State<br />
would be lacking. So the <strong>on</strong>us lies<br />
<strong>on</strong> us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get Anambra back <strong>on</strong> the<br />
stream for PDP.”<br />
By Vincent Ujumadu<br />
A WKA—GOVERNORSHIP<br />
candidate of Progressives<br />
People’s Alliance, PPA, in the 2017<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> in Anambra State, Mr.<br />
Godwin Ezeemo, has left the party<br />
with all the officials for Peoples<br />
Democratic Party, PDP.<br />
Apart from Ezeemo, the state<br />
Chairman of PPA, as well as other<br />
state and local government<br />
officials of the party also defected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> PDP.<br />
At a recepti<strong>on</strong> for the former PPA<br />
IPOB, the Nnamdi Kanu-led<br />
IPOB did not take meaningful<br />
and acceptable steps <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> draw the<br />
attenti<strong>on</strong> of Ekweremadu <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
alleged degradati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Edes<strong>on</strong> said: “MASSOB, as a<br />
leading figure of current Biafra<br />
agitati<strong>on</strong>, advise other pro-Biafra<br />
groups, including IPOB that<br />
Igbo political leaders, are not the<br />
major obstacle of our chances of<br />
achieving independence from<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> state.<br />
“The major hurdles militating<br />
against the freedom of Biafra<br />
people from <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> is n<strong>on</strong>cohesi<strong>on</strong><br />
and brotherhood am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
the leaders of pro-Biafra groups.<br />
“Ike Ekweremadu and other<br />
perceived and alleged enemies<br />
of Biafra are not our major<br />
obstacle against Biafra. IPOB can<br />
never actualise Biafra al<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
“MASSOB, LNC, BNC, BIM<br />
and others operating individually<br />
can’t achieve Biafra al<strong>on</strong>e. Biafra<br />
will be more achievable when a<br />
str<strong>on</strong>g coaliti<strong>on</strong> of MASSOB,<br />
IPOB, Lower Niger C<strong>on</strong>gress,<br />
BNC, BIM and others from Niger<br />
Delta regi<strong>on</strong>s are established<br />
under a collegiate leadership.”<br />
members in Awka by the<br />
Anambra State PDP leadership,<br />
Ezeemo also announced his<br />
intenti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test the 2021<br />
governorship electi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
platform of PDP, thus becoming<br />
the first aspirant <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make his<br />
ambiti<strong>on</strong> known <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the leadership<br />
of the party.<br />
He said: “From the situati<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
ground PDP has all it takes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
govern the state after a l<strong>on</strong>g wait.<br />
With my departure from PPA,<br />
there is nothing left in that party,<br />
as all those who made the party<br />
Catholic<br />
bishops decry<br />
insecurity in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
By Chidi Nkwopara<br />
CATHOLIC Bishops of the<br />
Owerri Ecclesiastical<br />
Province have decried the<br />
growing degree of insecurity<br />
in the country and urged<br />
Christians <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> watch and pray.<br />
The positi<strong>on</strong> of the bishops<br />
was made public in a ninepoint<br />
pas<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral statement they<br />
issued after their Sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
Plenary meeting of 2019 held<br />
at Sacred Heart Pas<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
Retreat Centre, Orlu.<br />
The statement by the<br />
Chairman and Secretary, Most<br />
Rev. Dr. Anth<strong>on</strong>y J. V. Obinna,<br />
Archbishop of Owerri, and<br />
Most Rev. Dr. Augustine T.<br />
Ukwuoma, respectively, was<br />
entitled Be str<strong>on</strong>g, fear not.<br />
They said: “Our people are<br />
currently undergoing<br />
unbearable threats from some<br />
of our political leaders and<br />
even from our security agents.<br />
The situati<strong>on</strong> has been<br />
compounded by the<br />
marauding so-called<br />
herdsmen and other bandits.”<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Catholic<br />
Bishops, the situati<strong>on</strong> has<br />
equally been compounded by<br />
government’s apparent silence<br />
over infringements at various<br />
levels and by shady land deals<br />
by certain community leaders.<br />
They added: “Every day, and<br />
across our states, we hear<br />
heartbreaking tales of<br />
kidnapping, raping, maiming,<br />
ex<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rting, land-grabbing,<br />
killing and destroying of<br />
people’s sources of livelihood.<br />
We c<strong>on</strong>tinue often <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hope in<br />
vain for our elected public<br />
officers and security agents <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
protect our citizens as expected<br />
and as enshrined in our<br />
C<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
They also opined that the<br />
unemployment situati<strong>on</strong> had<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinued <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cause great<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cern <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the society, as<br />
governments fail <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide<br />
jobs and fac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ries that they<br />
promised, noting “many<br />
youths now look more for quick<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey-making ventures, even<br />
at the cost of their lives, rather<br />
than pursue creative,<br />
innovative and gainful jobs.”<br />
Anambra PPA gov candidate, officials defect <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> PDP<br />
what it was in Anambra State also<br />
left with me.<br />
“Now that we have joined PDP,<br />
we want the leadership of the<br />
party <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> support whoever the<br />
people would select as their<br />
candidate for the forthcoming<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“I like transparency and I hope<br />
there will be transparency during<br />
PDP primaries. My decisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
join PDP was borne out of the fact<br />
that I need a bigger platform <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
enable me actualise my<br />
ambiti<strong>on</strong>.”
18 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
IN February 2019 just before the<br />
general electi<strong>on</strong>s, President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the<br />
All Progressives C<strong>on</strong>gress, APC,<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>ded <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> caustic criticisms of his<br />
first term by former President<br />
Olusegun Obasanjo by vowing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> probe<br />
how Obasanjo’s government allegedly<br />
spent $16bn <strong>on</strong> the power sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r.<br />
Addressing an APC rally in Yenagoa<br />
<strong>on</strong> his campaign <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ur of Bayelsa State,<br />
Buhari had declared: “The previous<br />
government had menti<strong>on</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> their<br />
own that they spent $16bn <strong>on</strong> power<br />
but you are better witnesses than myself.<br />
Where is the power?<br />
“Where is the m<strong>on</strong>ey? We will follow<br />
them, eventually God willing, we will<br />
catch them and get back our m<strong>on</strong>ey”.<br />
Former Vice President Atiku<br />
Abubakar and presidential candidate of<br />
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had<br />
in January this year also claimed that<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs were paid m<strong>on</strong>ies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provide power in the country which<br />
they never executed.<br />
Power sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r probe devoid of politics<br />
To achieve the same objective expressed<br />
by the President, the Socio-<br />
Ec<strong>on</strong>omic Rights and Accountability<br />
Programme, SERAP, having failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
get the Federal Ministry of Power <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
accede <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> its Freedom of Informati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
FOI, request <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> disclose details of how<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ies invested in the power sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r was<br />
spent, approached the Federal High<br />
Court in Lagos <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> force the Ministry <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
comply.<br />
SERAP obtained a judgement windfall<br />
when Justice Chuka Obiozor of the<br />
Federal High Court, Lagos, ordered<br />
the Federal Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> publish the<br />
names and other details of the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs who allegedly disappeared<br />
with m<strong>on</strong>ies paid without duly<br />
executing the jobs.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a SERAP statement,<br />
Justice Obiozor also ordered the Federal<br />
Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> publish <strong>on</strong> a dedicated<br />
website and widely circulate the<br />
“specific names and details about the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs and companies paid by<br />
each government, the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal amounts<br />
paid by each government and the objects<br />
for the payments; the level of<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of electricity projects;<br />
as well as specific locati<strong>on</strong>s of projects<br />
executed across the country by each<br />
government”.<br />
The Federal Government was also<br />
ordered <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> disclose if there is any<br />
<strong>on</strong>going investigati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
prosecuti<strong>on</strong> of erring c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs paid<br />
by government since 1999.<br />
While we commend SERAP for its patriotic<br />
advocacy for full disclosure <strong>on</strong><br />
these much-bandied allegati<strong>on</strong>s, we also<br />
give thumbs up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Justice Obiozor for<br />
granting SERAP’s request and issuing<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sequential orders.<br />
This is in tune with the anti-graft<br />
agenda of the President Buhari<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> which is highly<br />
applauded by <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns.<br />
We, therefore, see current indicati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
that the Buhari government is set <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
probe the power sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r expenditures as<br />
a step in the right directi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
However, this probe, which is the<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>d of its type (following the Ndudi<br />
Elumelu-led investigati<strong>on</strong>s instituted by<br />
the House of Representatives in 2009)<br />
must be carried out professi<strong>on</strong>ally, devoid<br />
of media trials and political witchhunt.<br />
Those resp<strong>on</strong>sible for keeping<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns in darkness and retarding our<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy should be exposed and<br />
punished.<br />
OPINION<br />
FG and dormancy of HIV/AIDS anti-discriminati<strong>on</strong> law<br />
By Hameed Oyegbade<br />
THE HIV/AIDS (anti-discriminati<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Act was enacted in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 2014,<br />
but has since remained dormant due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> n<strong>on</strong>implementati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Unfortunately, besides the<br />
psychological trauma and pains pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
living with HIV go through in the country,<br />
they also face various forms of<br />
discriminati<strong>on</strong> and inhumane treatment by<br />
fellow citizens. The HIV/AIDS (antidiscriminati<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Act, 2014, was enacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
discourage discriminati<strong>on</strong> against pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
living with HIV/AIDS, particularly at<br />
workplaces.<br />
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome,<br />
AIDS, is a chr<strong>on</strong>ic, potentially lifethreatening<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> caused by the Human<br />
Immunodeficiency Virus, HIV. By<br />
damaging immune system, HIV interferes<br />
with the body’s ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fight organisms<br />
that cause diseases. On this basis, many people<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sider it a death sentence. Many people<br />
have lost their jobs because of their HIV<br />
status, while many marriages have crashed<br />
<strong>on</strong> grounds of same. The worst part is that<br />
most pers<strong>on</strong>s who are HIV positive c<strong>on</strong>ceal<br />
their status while majority of pers<strong>on</strong>s are<br />
avoiding HIV test mainly because of social<br />
stigma and discriminati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Some pregnant women who are HIV<br />
positive avoid going for antenatal care so<br />
as not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be tested, thereby subjecting their<br />
lives and the lives of their unborn babies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
serious danger. In fact, this discriminati<strong>on</strong><br />
poses a threat <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> peaceful coexistence am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
members of the society, making compliance<br />
with the HIV/AIDS (anti-discriminati<strong>on</strong>) Act,<br />
2014, very difficult.<br />
It is absurd that the law that was enacted<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p this discriminati<strong>on</strong> has been dormant<br />
as if it doesn’t even exist. For instance,<br />
secti<strong>on</strong> 21 (1) of the HIV/AIDS (antidiscriminati<strong>on</strong>)<br />
Act, 2014, stipulates that an<br />
employer employing five or more pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
shall in c<strong>on</strong>sultati<strong>on</strong> with the employees or<br />
their representatives adopt a written<br />
workplace policy that is c<strong>on</strong>sistent with the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al HIV/AIDS workplace policy for<br />
the working envir<strong>on</strong>ment.<br />
Subsecti<strong>on</strong> 2 of the same secti<strong>on</strong> further<br />
states that the workplace policies shall be<br />
lodged with the Minister of Labour and<br />
Productivity, currently known as Minister<br />
of Labour and Employment, while secti<strong>on</strong><br />
24 (1) of the same Act imposes the duty of<br />
ensuring compliance and enforcement of<br />
the entire provisi<strong>on</strong>s of the Act <strong>on</strong> the<br />
At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-General of the Federati<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
HIV/AIDS anti-discriminati<strong>on</strong> Act 2014,<br />
therefore, specifically reposes the duty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure compliance with the entire HIV/<br />
AIDS (Anti-Discriminati<strong>on</strong>) Act, 2014,<br />
including secti<strong>on</strong> 21 (1) of the same Act <strong>on</strong><br />
the At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-General of the Federati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Now, <strong>on</strong>e is w<strong>on</strong>dering whether the office<br />
of At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-General of the Federati<strong>on</strong> is<br />
aware of this Act and why it has not<br />
performed its duty in ensuring the<br />
implementati<strong>on</strong> of the law and compliance<br />
by employers of labour in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>. Why is it<br />
always compulsory that our government<br />
officials and even the ministries and<br />
agencies must be pushed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> perform their<br />
statu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry roles? This is just worrisome!<br />
It is indeed worrisome that an Act which<br />
was enacted five years ago is yet <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
implemented and complied with. I am<br />
aware that Lawyers Alert <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, a n<strong>on</strong>profit<br />
human rights organisati<strong>on</strong> has approached<br />
a court <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> compel the At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-<br />
General of the Federati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> carry out its<br />
functi<strong>on</strong>s as provided in the HIV/AIDS<br />
(Anti-Discriminati<strong>on</strong>) Act, 2014.<br />
Lawyers Alert under its free legal<br />
assistance project for vulnerable groups is<br />
prosecuting several cases where pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
living with HIV were discriminated<br />
against and either denied employment<br />
even when qualified and able, or sacked<br />
It is indeed worrisome<br />
that an Act which was<br />
enacted five years ago is<br />
yet <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be implemented<br />
and complied with<br />
<strong>on</strong> account of their HIV status. Of course,<br />
dismissal of an employee over HIV status<br />
is a gross violati<strong>on</strong> of his or her human<br />
right <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work.<br />
Recently, Lawyers Alert got judgement in<br />
its favour in a matter where an employee<br />
was dismissed by his employer <strong>on</strong> the<br />
account of his HIV status. The matter was<br />
instituted at the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Industrial Court,<br />
Abuja divisi<strong>on</strong>. The court held that<br />
dismissing employees <strong>on</strong> the basis of HIV<br />
status is discrimina<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry and unlawful.<br />
Justice Agbakoba of the Abuja Industrial<br />
Court found that the HIV/AIDS (Anti-<br />
Discriminati<strong>on</strong>) Act, 2014, is equally<br />
applicable in the private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r and<br />
prohibits discriminati<strong>on</strong> against existing<br />
Send Opini<strong>on</strong>s & Letters <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>:<br />
opini<strong>on</strong>s1234@yahoo.com<br />
and prospective employees.<br />
Following an increase in cases of<br />
discriminati<strong>on</strong> against Pers<strong>on</strong>s Living with<br />
HIV in workplaces in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Lawyers Alert<br />
in its determinati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
justice for pers<strong>on</strong>s living with HIV and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure compliance with the HIV/AIDS (Anti-<br />
Discriminati<strong>on</strong>) Act, 2014, served a Freedom<br />
of Informati<strong>on</strong> request <strong>on</strong> the Minister for<br />
Labour and Employment, <strong>on</strong> November 2,<br />
2018, requesting the document c<strong>on</strong>taining a<br />
list of workplaces/ministries that have<br />
complied with the provisi<strong>on</strong>s of secti<strong>on</strong> 21<br />
(1) of the HIV/AIDS anti-discriminati<strong>on</strong> Act,<br />
2014, which requires employers of labour <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
adopt a written workplace policy and lodge<br />
same with the minister.<br />
Unfortunately, despite series of follow-ups<br />
<strong>on</strong> the FOI by Lawyers Alert for over three<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths, there was no document at all<br />
c<strong>on</strong>taining such informati<strong>on</strong> with the Minister<br />
of Labour and Employment.<br />
While awaiting the outcome of Lawyers<br />
Alert’s suit against the At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-General of<br />
the Federati<strong>on</strong> which is in the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Industrial Court - suit already menti<strong>on</strong>ed and<br />
adjourned <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 29, 2019 for Lawyers<br />
Alert <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> address the court <strong>on</strong> the issue of locus<br />
standi (<strong>on</strong> whether Lawyers Alert has any<br />
interest above that of the society for it <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
approach the court <strong>on</strong> the issue), it is<br />
worthwhile <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> indicated that if the At<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rney-<br />
General of the Federati<strong>on</strong> had carried out<br />
the duties as enshrined in the law and ensures<br />
compliance with HIV workplace policy by<br />
employers of labour, stigma and<br />
discriminati<strong>on</strong> against pers<strong>on</strong>s living with<br />
HIV in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> would cease and rights <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
work and access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> justice would be enhanced<br />
for pers<strong>on</strong>s living with HIV in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
•Oyegbade, a public affairs analyst, wrote from<br />
Osogbo, Osun State
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 —19<br />
Offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustain dumping of fixed income assets<br />
By Babajide Komolafe<br />
THE increasing selloff (dumping)<br />
of fixed income assets (b<strong>on</strong>ds and<br />
treasury bills) by offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs is<br />
expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> persist this week, even as<br />
the Debt Management Office, DMO,<br />
offers N145 billi<strong>on</strong> worth of FGN b<strong>on</strong>ds.<br />
Driven by weakening global ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s and fears of recessi<strong>on</strong> in some<br />
developed and emerging ec<strong>on</strong>omies, as<br />
well as anxiety over the directi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
crude oil prices, and implicati<strong>on</strong> for the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ec<strong>on</strong>omy especially the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>’s external reserves, offshore<br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs have been exiting the nati<strong>on</strong>’s<br />
fixed income market selling their<br />
treasury bills and FGN b<strong>on</strong>d holdings.<br />
•DMO offers N145bn<br />
•Naira stable as external reserve sheds<br />
$478m in 2wks<br />
This trend, which also triggered<br />
increased dollar demand in the<br />
Inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs and Exporters (I&E) window,<br />
persisted last week, causing b<strong>on</strong>d<br />
prices <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fall for the sec<strong>on</strong>d c<strong>on</strong>secutive<br />
week, with corresp<strong>on</strong>ding rise in<br />
yields, in the Over-the-counter (OTC)<br />
segment.<br />
C<strong>on</strong>sequently, five-year, 14.50 per cent<br />
FGN JUL 2021 b<strong>on</strong>d lost N1.58, while<br />
the yield rose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 14.16 percent<br />
from 13.21 percent the previous week.<br />
Similarly, the 10-year, 16.29 per cent<br />
FGN MAR 2027 debt lost N0.21 while<br />
the yield rose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 14.12 percent<br />
from14.08 percent. The 20-year, 16.25<br />
per cent FGN APR 2037 instrument also<br />
lost N0.82 while the yield rose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
4.46 percent from 14.35 percent.<br />
This trend, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> analysts at<br />
Zedcrest Capital Limited, is expected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> persist in the near time. They said:<br />
“The FGN B<strong>on</strong>d market resumed from<br />
the break <strong>on</strong> a firmly bearish note, as<br />
market players reacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the increasing<br />
selloffs by offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs in the<br />
Treasury Bills market. Selloffs within<br />
the market have been largely driven<br />
by weakening global ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
fundamentals and recessi<strong>on</strong>ary fears,<br />
given the current inversi<strong>on</strong> of the US<br />
and UK Treasury yield curves. We<br />
expect these risks off sentiments <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> impact <strong>on</strong> inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs’<br />
appetite for FGN B<strong>on</strong>ds in the near<br />
term.”<br />
Analysts at Vetiva Capital<br />
Management Limited also stated:<br />
“Evidenced by the c<strong>on</strong>tinued advances<br />
in yields in both the T-bills and b<strong>on</strong>d<br />
markets, inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs remain bearish <strong>on</strong><br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ec<strong>on</strong>omy. In additi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> page 20<br />
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
Banks’ borrowings from CBN<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hit N23tr by year end<br />
•To pay N15bn interest<br />
By Babajide Komolafe billi<strong>on</strong> from N7.5 billi<strong>on</strong> in 2018.<br />
Indicati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> this emerged from the<br />
THERE are indicati<strong>on</strong>s that CBN m<strong>on</strong>thly ec<strong>on</strong>omic reports<br />
banks borrowing from the covering January <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> May 2019, which<br />
Central Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, CBN, may<br />
hit N23.7 trilli<strong>on</strong> this year, with<br />
interest payment of N15 billi<strong>on</strong> going<br />
by the current thrust and impacts of<br />
the CBN m<strong>on</strong>etary measures. This<br />
represents 109 percent and 86<br />
percent increases against the N11.33<br />
trilli<strong>on</strong> and N8.4 billi<strong>on</strong> recorded in<br />
2018.<br />
The development would be fuelled<br />
by the apex bank’s c<strong>on</strong>tracti<strong>on</strong>ary<br />
m<strong>on</strong>etary policy stance in the face of<br />
the increasing pressure <strong>on</strong> the Naira<br />
in the Inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs and Exporters (I&E)<br />
window. The pressure in the I&E is<br />
being triggered by sharp decline in<br />
foreign portfolio inflows and<br />
increased dollar demand by foreign<br />
portfolio inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, FPIs, exiting the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>’s m<strong>on</strong>ey market.<br />
Furthermore, banks’ deposit<br />
placements with the CBN is expected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> drop by 31 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N14.3 trilli<strong>on</strong><br />
from N20.7 trilli<strong>on</strong> in 2018 with<br />
interest earned by the banks rising<br />
moderately by 2.69 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N7.23<br />
showed that banks’ borrowing from<br />
the CBN through the Standing<br />
Lending Facility (SLF) shot up by 109<br />
percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N10.99 trilli<strong>on</strong> for the five<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths period, from N5.27 trilli<strong>on</strong><br />
during the corresp<strong>on</strong>ding period<br />
(January <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> May) of 2018. Interest<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> Pg 20<br />
Banks lose N1.1trn <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
IFRS 9 rule <strong>on</strong> bad loans<br />
Ekiti eyes capital market<br />
Capital market can provide funds<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fund infrastructure<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bridge N3trn infrastructure gap<br />
22 22 — United Capital MD 28<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
20 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Banks’ borrowings from CBN <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hit N23tr by year end<br />
COVER<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinued from page 19<br />
paid by the banks also shot<br />
up by 86 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N7.32<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> during the five m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
period ending May 2019,<br />
from N3.94 trilli<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
corresp<strong>on</strong>ding period of<br />
2018.<br />
The CBN m<strong>on</strong>thly ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
reports also showed that<br />
banks’ deposit placement<br />
with the CBN through its<br />
Standing Deposit Facility<br />
(SDF) dropped by 31 percent<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N5.59 trilli<strong>on</strong> during the<br />
period under review from<br />
N8.1 trilli<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
corresp<strong>on</strong>ding period of 2018,<br />
while the interest earned by<br />
banks rose slightly by N2.85<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> from N2.69 billi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
the corresp<strong>on</strong>ding period of<br />
2018.<br />
The above trend is expected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> persist till the end of the<br />
year driven by two fac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs,<br />
namely, the recent reducti<strong>on</strong><br />
in the remunerable limit <strong>on</strong><br />
banks’ deposit placement<br />
through the SDF, and scarcity<br />
of funds in the interbank<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey market, due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
increased liquidity mop up by<br />
the CBN.<br />
The mop up, Financial<br />
Vanguard learnt, became<br />
compelling <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> address<br />
increasing pressure <strong>on</strong> the<br />
Naira due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sharp decline in<br />
foreign portfolio investment<br />
(FPI) inflows and increased<br />
dollar demand <strong>on</strong> the CBN.<br />
Pressure <strong>on</strong><br />
the Naira<br />
F i n a n c i a l<br />
Vanguard analysis showed<br />
that the Naira lost 0.7 percent<br />
or N2.87 against the<br />
dollar between July 1 and<br />
August 9 in the I&E window,<br />
where the indicative<br />
exchange rate rose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N363.57<br />
per dollar <strong>on</strong> August 9 from<br />
N360.57 per dollar <strong>on</strong> July 1.<br />
This is in sharp c<strong>on</strong>trast <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the relative stability of the<br />
currency in the first half of the<br />
year (H1’19) when the<br />
indicative exchange rate for<br />
the I&E hovered between<br />
N360 per dollar and N361 per<br />
dollar.<br />
F i n a n c i a l<br />
Vanguard analysis shows<br />
that FPI inflow in the I&E<br />
dropped by 28 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
$780 milli<strong>on</strong> in July, the<br />
lowest since December 2018.<br />
The figure was $1.09 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
in June 2019.<br />
The $780 milli<strong>on</strong> FPI inflow<br />
for July represented 60<br />
percent decline when<br />
compared with average<br />
m<strong>on</strong>thly inflow of $1.94<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> in H1’19.<br />
This development forced<br />
the CBN <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> intervene in the<br />
I&E window for the first time<br />
since April this year,<br />
injecting $540 milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Furthermore, the apex bank<br />
•Godwin Emefiele, CBN Governor<br />
increased liquidity mop up<br />
in the interbank m<strong>on</strong>ey<br />
market by 36 percent, as it<br />
sold N739 billi<strong>on</strong> worth of<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary market Treasury<br />
Bills, TBs, (Open Market<br />
Operati<strong>on</strong>s, OMO) in July,<br />
up from N476 billi<strong>on</strong> sold in<br />
June.<br />
This acti<strong>on</strong> resulted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> net<br />
outflow of N<strong>43</strong>8 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
through OMO bills from the<br />
interbank m<strong>on</strong>ey market in<br />
July, up from net outflow of<br />
N4 billi<strong>on</strong> in June.<br />
Analysts’ comments<br />
Financial analysts have<br />
been busy tracking these<br />
developments recently.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nnamdi<br />
Olisaeloka, a Fixed Income<br />
Analysts with Lagos based<br />
The trend of higher<br />
SDF may not<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue because of<br />
the huge liquidity<br />
in excess of<br />
N9.6trilli<strong>on</strong> that is<br />
coming <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the interbank<br />
market from<br />
August <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
December 2019 in<br />
form of maturities<br />
of government<br />
securities<br />
investment firm, Zedcrest<br />
Capital Limited, the<br />
development will be<br />
repeated in the remaining<br />
period of 2019, especially in<br />
the face of N9.6 trilli<strong>on</strong><br />
worth of TBs which will<br />
mature between August and<br />
December this year, hence<br />
increased borrowing by<br />
banks from the apex bank.<br />
He said: “We expect the<br />
trend of higher SLF figures<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> persist in the remaining<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths of 2019, as the CBN<br />
is expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> increase its<br />
spate of Open Market<br />
Operati<strong>on</strong>s (OMO) issuance<br />
and foreign exchange<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong>s in the interbank<br />
market, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> combat the higher<br />
OMO maturity profile in<br />
September <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> December 2019<br />
and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustain the stability of<br />
the naira, given the recent<br />
pressures from capital flow<br />
reversals by offshore<br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs.<br />
Banking system<br />
liquidity<br />
Also the CBN policy <strong>on</strong><br />
sterilizing excess funds of<br />
banks operating below its 60<br />
percent Loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Deposit<br />
(LDR) benchmark ratio,<br />
would also impact <strong>on</strong><br />
banking system liquidity and<br />
could pressure the SLF<br />
volumes higher.”<br />
However, Ayo Akinwunmi,<br />
Head of Research, FSDH<br />
Merchant Bank, though<br />
attributed the sharp increase<br />
in SLF <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> increase in banks’<br />
lending <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the ec<strong>on</strong>omy,<br />
argued that the trend might<br />
not persist in the remaining<br />
part of the year.<br />
He said: “I am aware that<br />
banks are expanding<br />
lending <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the real sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of<br />
the ec<strong>on</strong>omy and they are<br />
mobilising fund from various<br />
sources, including borrowing<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey from the Central Bank<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet the<br />
increasing lending<br />
requirements.<br />
“The trend of higher SDF<br />
may not c<strong>on</strong>tinue because of<br />
the huge liquidity in excess<br />
of N9.6 trilli<strong>on</strong> that is coming<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the inter-bank market from<br />
August <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> December 2019 in<br />
form of maturities of<br />
government securities.”<br />
Both analysts, however,<br />
agree that the sharp decline<br />
in SDF will persist for the<br />
remaining part of the year<br />
due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the decisi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
CBN <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reduced the<br />
remunerable limit <strong>on</strong> banks’<br />
deposit placement through<br />
the SDF <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N2 billi<strong>on</strong> per day<br />
from N7 billi<strong>on</strong> per day.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Olisaeloka,<br />
“The SDF figure is expected<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustain a decline as banks<br />
would prefer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> invest their<br />
surplus funds in short term<br />
treasury bills, given the<br />
decline in the remunerable<br />
SDF amount <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N2 billi<strong>on</strong> per<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
Akinwunmi <strong>on</strong> his part<br />
said: “Since the amount that<br />
will qualify for interest rate<br />
at the Standing Deposit<br />
Facility has dropped from N7.<br />
5 billi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N2 billi<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
face of an increase in<br />
minimum loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deposit<br />
ratio, less fund will be<br />
available for SDF.<br />
This is because banks are<br />
now required <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> channel more<br />
fund <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lending than before,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stimulate ec<strong>on</strong>omic growth<br />
in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.”
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 21<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustain dumping of fixed income assets<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> page 20<br />
volatile energy prices will<br />
increasingly weigh <strong>on</strong><br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs’ sentiment with<br />
regards <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the federal<br />
government’s ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
generate sufficient fiscal<br />
revenues. As such, we<br />
foresee a mixed sessi<strong>on</strong><br />
with a bearish tilt at the<br />
start of next week.”<br />
DMO <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> offer N145bn<br />
b<strong>on</strong>d<br />
Meanwhile the DMO<br />
will this week c<strong>on</strong>duct its<br />
m<strong>on</strong>thly b<strong>on</strong>d aucti<strong>on</strong> by<br />
offering N145 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
worth of FGN B<strong>on</strong>d. The<br />
aucti<strong>on</strong> comprise N40<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> worth of 5-year<br />
b<strong>on</strong>ds, N50 billi<strong>on</strong> worth<br />
of 10-year b<strong>on</strong>ds and N55<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> worth of 30-year<br />
b<strong>on</strong>ds.<br />
Analysts at Lagos based<br />
Cowry Asset<br />
Management Limited<br />
projected that the<br />
outcome of the aucti<strong>on</strong><br />
will be influenced by<br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs’ quest for yields<br />
higher than the inflati<strong>on</strong><br />
rate of 11.08 percent. “We<br />
expect the b<strong>on</strong>ds <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
issued at higher s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p<br />
rates as inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs’<br />
demand for positive real<br />
returns <strong>on</strong> fixed income<br />
assets intensify amid<br />
declining crude oil<br />
prices,” they said.<br />
This expectati<strong>on</strong><br />
follows results of the<br />
treasury bills aucti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
c<strong>on</strong>ducted by the CBN<br />
last week where the apex<br />
bank bowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
demand for higher rates,<br />
by raising the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p rates<br />
<strong>on</strong> the 182-Days and the<br />
364-Days bills offered in<br />
the primary market <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
11.35 percent and 12<br />
percent from 10.60<br />
percent and 11.18<br />
percent respectively from<br />
the previous aucti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Also due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> str<strong>on</strong>g<br />
appetite for higher yields,<br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs shunned the<br />
short dated TBs offered by<br />
the CBN in the sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
market aucti<strong>on</strong> c<strong>on</strong>ducted<br />
<strong>on</strong> Thursday.<br />
As a result, the 20<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> worth of 84-Days<br />
OMO bills offered by the<br />
CBN recorded N5.9<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> subscripti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
while the N30 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
worth of 175-Days OMO<br />
bills <strong>on</strong> offer recorded<br />
subscripti<strong>on</strong> of N3.7<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> indicating undersubscripti<strong>on</strong><br />
of 70<br />
percent and 87 percent<br />
respectively for the two<br />
instruments. However,<br />
the N100 billi<strong>on</strong> worth of<br />
364-Days bills recorded<br />
over subscripti<strong>on</strong> of 6.3<br />
percent as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
subscripti<strong>on</strong> s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od at<br />
N106.3 billi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
External reserve drops<br />
On the foreign<br />
exchange scene, the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>’s external reserve<br />
fell by $478 milli<strong>on</strong> in the<br />
first two weeks of August,<br />
thus maintaining<br />
the downward trend,<br />
which commenced in<br />
July.<br />
Data from the CBN<br />
showed that the external<br />
reserve fell <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> $44.425<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> August 15th,<br />
from $44.903 billi<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
July 31st.<br />
Driven by sharp decline<br />
in dollar supply from<br />
offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs as well<br />
as increased dollar sales<br />
by the CBN <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet<br />
increased demand by<br />
offshore inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs exiting<br />
the nati<strong>on</strong>’s fixed income,<br />
the reserves have been <strong>on</strong><br />
a downward trend since<br />
July 5thwhen it peaked at<br />
$45.149 billi<strong>on</strong>, following<br />
six m<strong>on</strong>ths steady rise<br />
which commenced <strong>on</strong><br />
February 28th, 2019.<br />
Naira stable<br />
However, Naira was<br />
relatively stable in the I&E<br />
window and in the<br />
parallel market last week.<br />
In the I&E window, the<br />
naira appreciated<br />
marginally by two kobo<br />
last week, the first time<br />
since July, as the<br />
indicative exchange rate<br />
for the window fell slightly<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N363.42 per dollar last<br />
week from N363.44 per<br />
dollar the previous week.<br />
But the naira<br />
depreciated by 10 kobo in<br />
the parallel market as the<br />
exchange rate for the<br />
market rose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N358.3 per<br />
dollar last week from<br />
N358.2 per dollar the<br />
previous week.
22 — Vanguard, MONDAY,AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Banks lose N1.1trn <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> IFRS 9 rule <strong>on</strong> bad loans<br />
By Babajide Komolafe<br />
THE banking industry lost<br />
N1.1 trilli<strong>on</strong> in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal<br />
assets as a result of compliance<br />
with the requirements of the<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Financial<br />
Reporting Standard (IFRS) 9<br />
<strong>on</strong> recogniti<strong>on</strong> of bad loans.<br />
Am<strong>on</strong>g others IFRS 9<br />
mandates that banks estimate<br />
and book an upfr<strong>on</strong>t, forwardlooking<br />
expected loss over the<br />
life of the any loan granted<br />
and m<strong>on</strong>i<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r for possible<br />
default. This resulted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
increase in provisi<strong>on</strong> for bad<br />
loans (impairment for credit<br />
losses) by banks.<br />
The above requirement,<br />
according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Agus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> & Co,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s leading bank rating<br />
firm, led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> loss of N1.1 trilli<strong>on</strong><br />
in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal assets by the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
banking industry in 2018.<br />
Agus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> & Co analyst, Ada<br />
Ufomadu, disclosed this while<br />
presenting the company’s<br />
report <strong>on</strong> the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Banking<br />
Industry.<br />
She said: “In 2018 the assets<br />
of the banking industry was<br />
about N33.3 trilli<strong>on</strong> and we<br />
think in 2019 growth will be<br />
driven largely by the fact a lot<br />
of banks are raising capital.<br />
In 2018 there was the IFRS<br />
9 accounting principle that<br />
was introduced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the banking<br />
industry and it had significant<br />
impact <strong>on</strong> capital. The<br />
industry lost about N1.1 trilli<strong>on</strong><br />
from banks’ capital. So what<br />
we are seeing now is that<br />
banks are trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recoup<br />
these losses, banks are raising<br />
Tier 2 capital. Some banks<br />
have come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the market <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
raise capital in form of Tier 2<br />
b<strong>on</strong>ds. So we think that will<br />
be a major driver of assets in<br />
2019.”<br />
Speaking <strong>on</strong> the company’s<br />
outlook for loan growth in 2019<br />
against the backdrop of the<br />
minimum Loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Deposit<br />
Ratio (LDR) of 60 percent<br />
recently ordered by the Central<br />
Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
CBN, Ufomadu said, “We<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t think that banks will<br />
lend more <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet the 60<br />
percent LDR because of the<br />
credit risk involved. As a bank,<br />
I d<strong>on</strong>’t think they will just start<br />
giving out loans because they<br />
are trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet with<br />
regula<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry requirement.<br />
“At Agus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> & Co, we believe<br />
that there might likely be an<br />
extensi<strong>on</strong> of the deadline for<br />
meeting the LDR. We see<br />
banks resp<strong>on</strong>ding by reducing<br />
their deposit base because that<br />
is an easy way <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> meet up with<br />
the LDR, and what this means<br />
is that since it is likely that<br />
banks will be rejecting some<br />
deposits, interest rate <strong>on</strong><br />
deposit will likely reduce, so<br />
interest expense for banks may<br />
reduce<br />
“Some people also believe<br />
that this might lead <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a pricing<br />
war, with competiti<strong>on</strong> for<br />
premium borrowers. That is<br />
according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a school of<br />
thought, but generally we<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t believe there will be a<br />
significant increase in the loan<br />
book of the banking industry.”<br />
On the company’s outlook<br />
for the exchange rate and<br />
government borrowing<br />
activities and its impact <strong>on</strong><br />
interest rate, she said: “We<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t think there will be naira<br />
devaluati<strong>on</strong> because crude oil<br />
price is still relatively high and<br />
the CBN is well equipped <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
defend the naira.<br />
“We see increase in<br />
government borrowing. We<br />
still believe that the crowding<br />
out effect which the CBN is<br />
trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid will occur. We<br />
believe that the private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
will be crowded out because<br />
the government will still need<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> borrow and that will have<br />
an impact <strong>on</strong> interest rate. So<br />
we think interest rate will<br />
remain high.”<br />
From left, Adesola Adeduntan, Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Limited;<br />
Kofo Akinkugbe,ManagingDirec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r,SecureID Limited and Seyi Oyefeso, Group Executive,<br />
Commercial Banking Group, First Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Limited during the bank’s delegati<strong>on</strong><br />
recent visit <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> SecureID Limited’s Smart Card Manufacturing plant in Lagos.<br />
CBN <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> disburse lower Naira denominati<strong>on</strong>s through<br />
microfinance banks<br />
THE Central Bank of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> (CBN) has<br />
released guidelines for the<br />
disbursement of lower<br />
denominati<strong>on</strong>s of the naira<br />
through microfinance banks<br />
(MFBs) across the country.<br />
A circular issued by the<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Currency Operati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
Department of the apex bank,<br />
Mrs. Patricia Eleje, indicated<br />
that all microfinance banks<br />
must have a composite risk<br />
rating (CRR) of above average<br />
in the most recent Risk Based<br />
Supervisi<strong>on</strong> (RBS) target<br />
examinati<strong>on</strong> before they are<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sidered for the scheme.<br />
This, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the CBN,<br />
was <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that <strong>on</strong>ly MfBs<br />
with good corporate<br />
governance practices take<br />
part.<br />
Meanwhile, the<br />
participating MfBs must be<br />
willing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accept a mixture of<br />
EDFIN Microfinance Bank,<br />
MfB, has signed a<br />
partnership agreement with the<br />
Sustainable Educati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
Enterprise Development, SEED, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
enhance quality of educati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
Lagos State.<br />
Speaking <strong>on</strong> the partnership,<br />
Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of SEED, Mrs<br />
Olarenwaju Olayitan, stated: “I am<br />
so glad <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be signing this first of a<br />
kind agreement. We are c<strong>on</strong>cerned<br />
about improving quality of<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>. The quality educati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
services is what we are bringing<br />
<strong>on</strong> board <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work with Edfin. So it<br />
new and other banknotes, and<br />
that the MfBs shall give 20<br />
percent of any withdrawal in<br />
lower denominati<strong>on</strong> notes<br />
MfBs shall<br />
give 20<br />
percent of any<br />
withdrawal in<br />
lower<br />
denominati<strong>on</strong><br />
notes subject<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a maximum<br />
of N50,000<br />
subject <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a maximum of<br />
N50,000.<br />
Where beneficiaries<br />
withdraw more than <strong>on</strong>ce in a<br />
Edfin MfB partners SEED<br />
is not just about finance, it is now<br />
finance plus support, its finance<br />
bey<strong>on</strong>d just m<strong>on</strong>ey, it is how the<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey is working for the schools<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve the quality and<br />
eventually learning.”<br />
Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of Edfin<br />
MfB, Mrs Bunmi Laws<strong>on</strong> stated:<br />
“Our c<strong>on</strong>centrati<strong>on</strong> is <strong>on</strong> affordable<br />
private schools that serve low<br />
income group and majority of them<br />
Lagosians. A study has shown that<br />
most families in Lagos State actually<br />
send their children <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> private<br />
schools as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> oppose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> public<br />
schools. You would see that the<br />
day, the circular said that<br />
disbursement will <strong>on</strong>ly apply<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e transacti<strong>on</strong> per day.<br />
Similarly, the MFBs are<br />
allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exchange notes<br />
subject <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a maximum<br />
of N50,000 for cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers with<br />
bank accounts and N10,000<br />
for cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers without bank<br />
accounts. In that situati<strong>on</strong>, the<br />
banks must not exchange for<br />
same beneficiaries more than<br />
<strong>on</strong>ce a week.<br />
Also, MFBs are <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> maintain<br />
a register of amounts received<br />
from the CBN through their<br />
corresp<strong>on</strong>dent commercial<br />
banks. The MFB must also<br />
maintain another register of<br />
the beneficiaries of the lower<br />
denominati<strong>on</strong> notes as well as<br />
ensure that withdrawal teller<br />
slips c<strong>on</strong>tain breakdown of the<br />
denominati<strong>on</strong> of the currency<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers with accounts.<br />
public schools are adequately<br />
handled by government across<br />
board. We need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see a general<br />
improvement in quality of<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>, we would, however,<br />
extend some of our services <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
public schools as well. We also have<br />
advocacies where we talk with<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that they are<br />
putting in place proper policies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
help improve the quality of<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> generally.”<br />
Also speaking <strong>on</strong> the uniqueness<br />
of Edfin’s focus, Laws<strong>on</strong> stated: “I<br />
have not yet come across any bank,<br />
microfinance or otherwise, that<br />
Ecobank<br />
engages new<br />
set of graduates<br />
in training<br />
E<br />
COBANK <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
through its training<br />
academy has commenced entry<br />
level development programme<br />
for new set of Graduate Trainees.<br />
A statement from the bank said<br />
the training programme is an<br />
intensive eight-week medley of<br />
learning interventi<strong>on</strong>s for fresh<br />
graduates.<br />
The first set of 67 trainees will<br />
graduate at the end of the m<strong>on</strong>th<br />
and will be absorbed in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
different roles in the bank.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Head,<br />
Human Resources, Ecobank<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, Gloria Byamugisha, the<br />
first set of trainees at the<br />
academy dem<strong>on</strong>strated a high<br />
level of commitment and<br />
orientati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards the banking<br />
professi<strong>on</strong>, noting that the<br />
training is essentially <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve<br />
the financial literacy of<br />
participants who may be coming<br />
from other disciplines, or who<br />
may have n<strong>on</strong>-financial and<br />
banking related academic<br />
backgrounds.<br />
She further explained that the<br />
training combines classroom, <strong>on</strong>the-job,<br />
book reading and acti<strong>on</strong><br />
learning models, which provides<br />
the participants with global<br />
exposure and ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> compete<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>ally.<br />
Commenting, Managing<br />
Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Ecobank <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
Patrick Akinwuntan said the<br />
training programme was in line<br />
with the transformati<strong>on</strong> agenda<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make the bank the most<br />
preferred financial instituti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
the country, noting the Ecobank<br />
will c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> head hunt for<br />
brilliant fresh graduates, train<br />
them <strong>on</strong> professi<strong>on</strong>alism and<br />
Ecobank culture and inject them<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> its workforce.<br />
He further explained that the<br />
various bank’s development<br />
programmes are part of its talent<br />
development strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tinue<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> churn out excellently trained<br />
banking professi<strong>on</strong>als at various<br />
levels of the industry <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> feed in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
her talent pipeline and the<br />
banking industry, stating that<br />
they are founded <strong>on</strong> global best<br />
practice that prepare the<br />
participants for banking careers<br />
in positi<strong>on</strong>s aligned with their<br />
potential, competencies and<br />
experience at the entry point of<br />
functi<strong>on</strong>al pre-managerial roles.<br />
does what Edfin do. We are the first<br />
specialized educati<strong>on</strong> finance<br />
bank in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>. We finance the<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> eco system, not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
schools, from pre primary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
university, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> school owners<br />
themselves, so they can expand<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“We also provide loans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> teachers<br />
and administrative staff, then<br />
vendors, organizati<strong>on</strong>s like SEED<br />
who supply services <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> schools, and<br />
then <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> parents and pupils who<br />
want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay for their children tuiti<strong>on</strong><br />
fees and all of that.”
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 23<br />
BANKING INTERVIEW<br />
BUSINESS LOAN & MORE:<br />
Access Bank offers<br />
collateral-free<br />
loans, business<br />
support <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> SMEs<br />
The Emerging Business Team of Access Bank<br />
led by Mrs. Ayo Olojede discusses how small and<br />
medium enterprises can get financial and other supports<br />
from Access Bank, especially business loan without<br />
collateral.<br />
Excerpt:<br />
CAN you briefly let us in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the offerings of the Access<br />
Bank Emerging Business<br />
propositi<strong>on</strong>?<br />
At Access Bank we are very<br />
passi<strong>on</strong>ate about supporting<br />
SMEs and our soluti<strong>on</strong> is a<br />
c<strong>on</strong>vergence of the ecosystem of<br />
offerings that is aligned with the<br />
challenges that SMEs face. What<br />
are those challenges? Challenges<br />
that bothering <strong>on</strong> business<br />
management practices, capacity<br />
building, marketing and selling<br />
of their products or services, and<br />
the icing for us is their access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
finance. We have designed our<br />
entire propositi<strong>on</strong> in such a way<br />
that when you are banking with<br />
us, everything that keeps you up<br />
at night, all of the pain points in<br />
running your business smoothly,<br />
we are able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> handle them for<br />
you. That is what our Emerging<br />
Business offering is all about.<br />
The latest SMEDAN (Small<br />
and Medium Enterprises<br />
Development Agency of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>) and NBS (Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Bureau of Statistics) reports<br />
noted that we now have over 41<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> businesses nati<strong>on</strong>wide, in<br />
the category of micro, small and<br />
medium enterprises, MSMEs;<br />
How does the bank cater for the<br />
banking needs of the different<br />
segments?<br />
At Access Bank, we first of all<br />
understand the diverseness of<br />
SMEs; with that we have<br />
dimensi<strong>on</strong>ed them based <strong>on</strong> their<br />
needs, their demography, their<br />
business turnover and sizes. We<br />
have specific products tailored <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
cater <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> each of the segment. We<br />
have what we call the growing<br />
business, the basic business and<br />
the established SME. For the<br />
growing business we know that<br />
some of them are not structured,<br />
they are unregistered; So we have<br />
partnered with law firms <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
register their businesses for them<br />
and also give them the<br />
opportunity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> run a business<br />
bank account. Another thing we<br />
do is that we help them with cost<br />
savings and we’ve categorise<br />
them as people who have<br />
turnover of between N50 and<br />
N180 milli<strong>on</strong>. Most times if they<br />
are going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> run their business<br />
based <strong>on</strong> that turnover, some of<br />
them will <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g> as high as<br />
N12,000 <strong>on</strong> CoT. But at Access<br />
Bank, we just have a fixed<br />
subscripti<strong>on</strong> fee of four thousand<br />
naira. So if you do the<br />
calculati<strong>on</strong>s, you will see that we<br />
are giving them up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 70% of cost<br />
savings so that they can channel<br />
their funds <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> other aspects of the<br />
business. We have the people we<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sider the established<br />
business. We also provide the<br />
opportunity of cost savings of up<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 85%. This is part of our strategy<br />
in the Emerging Business. We<br />
provide cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers the<br />
opportunity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> run their business,<br />
grow their business and support<br />
them through other innovative<br />
products. Like those in the import,<br />
they form queue and the batch<br />
FX where a cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mer can build<br />
up funds and make a bulk<br />
transfer if up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> $50,000. This is<br />
what we do at Access Bank <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
support our SMEs.<br />
You have positi<strong>on</strong>ed your<br />
product as providing more than<br />
banking soluti<strong>on</strong>s, what can you<br />
offer SMEs bey<strong>on</strong>d the regular<br />
banking services?<br />
It is about adding value <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers’ businesses because<br />
we want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help the businesses<br />
grow. We have realized that it is<br />
not just finance that these<br />
businesses need; They need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
build capacity. So we have a lot<br />
of initiatives tailored <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
building their capacity. We have<br />
a lot of trainings, we have<br />
seminars, workshops and we<br />
have partnered with a lot of<br />
industry specialist, both<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al and local and we’ve<br />
seen that this has been very<br />
helpful in helping their<br />
businesses grow. Apart from<br />
these we also have technological<br />
offerings for SMEs, because we<br />
realised that there is need for their<br />
businesses <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be efficient and<br />
effective. We thought; what other<br />
way can they achieve that than<br />
being in tune with technology?<br />
So we have different supports like<br />
website design that we offer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our<br />
Emerging Business cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers.<br />
We also have a business<br />
Ayo Olojede, Group Head,<br />
Emerging Business<br />
Chioma Ogwo, Head, N<strong>on</strong>-<br />
Financial Services<br />
management soluti<strong>on</strong> which we<br />
offer them. These packages are<br />
severely discounted.<br />
Access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> finance is widely<br />
regarded as the major challenge<br />
for most MSMEs in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
Generally, people talk<br />
about how access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
finance is the biggest<br />
challenge SMEs face<br />
with the growth of<br />
their businesses; but<br />
most of them have<br />
challenge of poor<br />
finance records<br />
what is Access Bank doing for<br />
small businesses in this regard?<br />
At the heart of what we do are<br />
our loan offerings for our<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers. We realised that it is<br />
simply not possible for business<br />
owners <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> scale up their business<br />
drawing funds from their pocket.<br />
As your business grows, you will<br />
need m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hire new<br />
employees, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> purchase new<br />
equipment and open new<br />
branches in other locati<strong>on</strong>s. So it<br />
is important that as a business<br />
owner you begin <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>sider the<br />
various financing opti<strong>on</strong>s that is<br />
available <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> you and how you can<br />
positi<strong>on</strong> yourself <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make sure you<br />
are able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> access that finance. Let<br />
me quickly talk about why banks<br />
say no <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> SMEs. Generally,<br />
Thelma Luke-Nwoye, Head,<br />
Liabilities Emerging Businesses<br />
people talk about how access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
finance is the biggest challenge<br />
SMEs face with the growth of<br />
their businesses. But most of<br />
them have challenge of poor<br />
finance records, misalignment<br />
with the cash flow, not knowing<br />
which porti<strong>on</strong> of sales proceed is<br />
their profit. Most of them also<br />
have challenges with collateral.<br />
What we have d<strong>on</strong>e at Access<br />
Bank is that we have invested in<br />
a specific lending assessment<br />
method that takes care of all of<br />
these challenges. As a result we<br />
are able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers who<br />
are new <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> borrowing and who<br />
have never taken our facilities<br />
before. With this we have been<br />
able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> assist SMEs who<br />
ordinarily would not have been<br />
able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> access finance. Our<br />
requirements are very relaxed.<br />
We have loans like MediLoan<br />
that is collateral-free. We also can<br />
ask for flexible collateral opti<strong>on</strong><br />
based <strong>on</strong> what you want and we<br />
leverage the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Collateral<br />
Registry <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> register such<br />
as asset. We have lending officers<br />
who will also engage you, and<br />
in the course of engaging with<br />
you, they help you through<br />
building up a balance sheet,<br />
financial statement and cash flow<br />
that adjust all of your household<br />
expenses - the reas<strong>on</strong> being that<br />
most SMEs have <strong>on</strong>e pocket,<br />
everything that they make goes<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e pocket. In the course of<br />
putting everything <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether, we<br />
will be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> differentiate what<br />
you are <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong> your<br />
household and what goes in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
your business and what amount<br />
of m<strong>on</strong>ey is free that you can<br />
reinvest in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> your business. On<br />
that basis, we determine your<br />
loan requirements. Whether you<br />
are a school owner, a health<br />
practiti<strong>on</strong>er or you are in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> IT, or<br />
any other business you can access<br />
up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N10 milli<strong>on</strong> without<br />
collateral. All of the value chain<br />
in the health sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r we are able<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> support and additi<strong>on</strong>ally<br />
provide advisory support<br />
through our partnership with<br />
Medical Credit Fund (MCF).<br />
They will help you as a doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r or<br />
pharmacists see your practice as<br />
a business.<br />
What do SMEs require in<br />
order <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> access a loan from your<br />
bank? Do I need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mer<br />
of the Bank?<br />
You d<strong>on</strong>’t need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have an<br />
account with us. We will first of<br />
all do a credit check <strong>on</strong> you <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
know your credit score. If it is<br />
clean, we will then proceed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
demand for your business<br />
records. If these two things are<br />
fine, you are close <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> qualifying<br />
for a loan. We are not looking for<br />
the things that banks generally<br />
require. But the good thing about<br />
us is that, if you d<strong>on</strong>’t have these<br />
things, we work with you <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help<br />
you achieve them all. But note<br />
that when you eventually qualify<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get the loan.<br />
Tell us about your specific loan<br />
offerings for SMEs in Health,<br />
Technology and Educati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
We have MediLoan for<br />
pharmacists, hospitals and<br />
diagnostic centres. This loan is<br />
available for different things like,<br />
working capital, equipment<br />
financing and expansi<strong>on</strong>. It is a<br />
very flexible loan, if you ask for<br />
three milli<strong>on</strong>; we w<strong>on</strong>’t ask you<br />
for any collateral at all. We can<br />
lend as much as three hundred<br />
and fifty milli<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> buy equipment<br />
because we know how expensive<br />
medical equipments are. Our<br />
partnership with Medical Credit<br />
Fund (MCF) allows us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> offer<br />
technical assistance <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers. Medical practiti<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
have a quality standard rating for<br />
operating. Our partnership with<br />
MCF allows them come in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our<br />
cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers’ facility and help them<br />
attain a high quality standard in<br />
healthcare.<br />
We also have a loan for schools.<br />
The loan is tailored for people who<br />
are in the business of running<br />
schools. The account for schools<br />
is called ‘The Diam<strong>on</strong>d School<br />
Advantage’, DSA. This account<br />
gives school owners the<br />
advantage of collateral free loan<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> buy equipment, renovate their<br />
schools and also working capital.<br />
We have the creative sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
loan. Through the CBN <strong>on</strong>lending<br />
initiative targeted at the<br />
Creative sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Access Bank<br />
supports businesses in the<br />
fashi<strong>on</strong> industry, IT, Movie and<br />
Music producti<strong>on</strong>. You can enjoy<br />
up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N500milli<strong>on</strong> at a<br />
discounted interest rate of 9% for<br />
repayment durati<strong>on</strong> of up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 10<br />
years.<br />
Access Bank is really passi<strong>on</strong>ate<br />
about growing the engine of the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy which SMEs represent.
24 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Ekiti eyes capital market <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fund infrastructure<br />
S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ries by Peter Egwuatu<br />
EKITI State Government<br />
has commenced moves <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
approach the capital market for<br />
funds that would enable it<br />
provide critical infrastructure.<br />
The Governor, Dr. Kayode<br />
Fayemi, who was at the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck Exchange,<br />
NSE, at the weekend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> brief<br />
capital market community <strong>on</strong><br />
the state’s ec<strong>on</strong>omy said: “We<br />
deemed it necessary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> visit the<br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck exchange <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> inform the<br />
market about the level of<br />
development and the projects<br />
we intend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> embark up<strong>on</strong>. We<br />
are also excited with the<br />
development in the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck<br />
exchange for providing and<br />
sustaining the channel of<br />
providing l<strong>on</strong>g term funds for<br />
development.”<br />
The governor, however,<br />
refused <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> disclose how much<br />
the State intend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> raise saying<br />
at the appropriate time the<br />
market and regula<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs would<br />
be notified.<br />
Speaking at the event <strong>on</strong><br />
“Investing in Ekiti: Facts<br />
behind the State ec<strong>on</strong>omy” he<br />
said: “We are revitalising the<br />
agricultural, manufacturing,<br />
mining, trade and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urism<br />
sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, which <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether account<br />
for 75 percent of the state’s<br />
gross domestic product (GDP).<br />
“We are establishing <strong>on</strong>es<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p<br />
investment promoti<strong>on</strong><br />
centre and enterprise z<strong>on</strong>e<br />
industrial clusters; widespread<br />
road c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
electrificati<strong>on</strong> and ICT<br />
infrastructure; as well as<br />
rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of Fountain<br />
Hotels and commencement of<br />
an Ekiti State Airport project.<br />
We have revitalised Ikogosi<br />
warm spring and the water is<br />
now <strong>on</strong> sale.<br />
“During my first term as<br />
Governor of Ekiti State we<br />
raised N20 billi<strong>on</strong> which was<br />
used in financing a number of<br />
projects including the Ikogosi<br />
warm spring redevelopment,<br />
the Ekiti Water Works<br />
INVESTORS’<br />
negative<br />
sentiment c<strong>on</strong>tinued in the<br />
equity market <strong>on</strong> the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck Exchange, NSE, despite the<br />
N0.30kobo interim dividend<br />
declared by Guaranty Trust Bank<br />
Plc.<br />
Reacting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> market downturn,<br />
analysts at Cowry Asset<br />
Management Limited said: “In this<br />
week, we expect the domestic<br />
bourse <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> close in red terri<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry amid<br />
persistent negative inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
sentiment; although we expect<br />
value inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take<br />
advantage of the low s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck prices<br />
and hold relatively l<strong>on</strong>g positi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
in order <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> benefit from the high<br />
yielding dividend returns.”<br />
Analysts at Afrinvest Research<br />
said: “Following the bearish<br />
performance last week, we expect<br />
sell pressures <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> dominate in the<br />
near-term given the generally<br />
negative mood and absence of<br />
catalyst <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> spur inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r interest.”<br />
Meanwhile, market analysis last<br />
week showed that the<br />
benchmark NSE All Share Index<br />
(ASI) shed 1.4 percent Week-<strong>on</strong>-<br />
Week, W-o-W, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> settle at 26,925.29<br />
points while Year-<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>-Date, YtD,<br />
loss worsened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> -14.3 percent.<br />
As a result, inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs lost<br />
N185.9billi<strong>on</strong> in value as market<br />
capitalisati<strong>on</strong> fell <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N13.1trilli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The bearish performance was<br />
largely due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sustained losses in<br />
Nestle (-10.0 percent), Stanbic<br />
IBTC (-3.8 percent) and Ecobank<br />
Transnati<strong>on</strong>al Incorporated, ETI (-<br />
4.8 percent). However, activity<br />
level strengthened as average<br />
eTransact <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>solidate expansi<strong>on</strong><br />
strategy with N7bn fresh capital<br />
c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>, as well as the<br />
refinancing of high-interest<br />
borrowings by the state. We<br />
have redeemed the m<strong>on</strong>ey we<br />
borrowed from the capital<br />
market.”<br />
In his own part, the Chief<br />
Executive Officer of the<br />
Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema<br />
commended the governor for<br />
Equity market: Inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs’ negative sentiment<br />
persists<br />
volume and value rose 12.1<br />
percent and 45.1 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
258.3milli<strong>on</strong> units and N3.5billi<strong>on</strong><br />
n respectively. The <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p traded<br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>cks by volume were Guaranty<br />
Trust Bank (228.1milli<strong>on</strong> units),<br />
SHAREHOLDERS of<br />
C<strong>on</strong>oil Plc have expressed<br />
optimism over a possible<br />
improvement in the company’s<br />
returns <strong>on</strong> investment, in line<br />
with its traditi<strong>on</strong> of delivering<br />
good dividend.<br />
In his address <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> shareholders<br />
at the 49th Annual General<br />
Meeting, AGM, of the company<br />
in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, the<br />
Transcorp (96.1milli<strong>on</strong> units) and<br />
Zenith Bank (91.9milli<strong>on</strong> units)<br />
while Guaranty Trust Bank<br />
(N5.9billi<strong>on</strong>), MTN (N1.9billi<strong>on</strong>)<br />
and Dangote Cement (N1.7 billi<strong>on</strong>)<br />
led by value.<br />
taking the bold step <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> visit the<br />
market.<br />
He said: “You have increased<br />
the proporti<strong>on</strong> of capital<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing in the 2019 budget <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
44 percent from 31 percent in<br />
2018; and channelled<br />
budgetary resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
pro-growth projects.<br />
At the NSE, we recognize that<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> build a sustainable ec<strong>on</strong>omy<br />
for the estimated 3.5 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
citizens of Ekiti State, supported<br />
by vibrant sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, both stateowned<br />
and private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
enterprises will require access<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> right-sized capital. We have<br />
been l<strong>on</strong>gstanding partners<br />
with Ekiti State in accessing<br />
such capital.”<br />
C<strong>on</strong>oil assures shareholders of improved returns<br />
Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga,<br />
stated that despite the challenges<br />
of a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ugh operating envir<strong>on</strong>ment<br />
in the downstream petroleum<br />
sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, C<strong>on</strong>oil c<strong>on</strong>tinued <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> record<br />
progress <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards delivering<br />
superior shareholder value.<br />
“Every segment of our business<br />
will c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> receive the desired<br />
attenti<strong>on</strong> with a view <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
maintaining world class levels of<br />
Fidelity Bank surpasses CBN’s<br />
60% LDR requirement<br />
By Emma Ujah,<br />
Abuja Bureau Chief<br />
FIDELITY Bank Plc has<br />
surpassed the 60 per<br />
cent Loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Deposit Ratio<br />
(LDR) requirement of the<br />
Central Bank of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
(CBN).<br />
The Regi<strong>on</strong>al Bank Head,<br />
Abuja Bank 1, Ms. Venessa<br />
Mordi, disclosed this at the<br />
just-c<strong>on</strong>cluded training<br />
programme for Small and<br />
Medium Enterprises (SMEs)<br />
opera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs in Abuja.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> her, the<br />
Fidelity Bank’s LDR ratio was<br />
already above 80 per cent and<br />
that it was made possible due<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the organisati<strong>on</strong> clear<br />
understands of the role of<br />
banks as financial<br />
intermediaries.<br />
She said, “We have achieved<br />
over 80 per cent in terms of Loan<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Deposit ratio. We believe that<br />
the business of banking is<br />
financial intermediati<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
job of banking is taking from the<br />
haves and giving it <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the havenots.<br />
So we have tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see<br />
where the needs are.<br />
Most of the loans we have<br />
given are in this sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, the<br />
SMEs.<br />
operating and capital discipline.<br />
We believe that the future holds a<br />
lot of promise for our shareholders,<br />
the company will surely reward<br />
them for their steadfastness and<br />
unwavering faith in its prospects,”<br />
Adenuga said. For the financial<br />
period ended December 31, 2018,<br />
C<strong>on</strong>oil profit before tax rose by<br />
11.4 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N2.6 billi<strong>on</strong> from<br />
N2.3 billi<strong>on</strong> in 2017, while profit<br />
after tax soared <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N1.8 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
from N1.6 billi<strong>on</strong>, representing<br />
13.8 percent increase. Turnover<br />
rose by 5.8 percent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N122 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
from N115 billi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
At the meeting, shareholders<br />
ratified a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal dividend cash<br />
payment of N1.4 billi<strong>on</strong>, which<br />
translates <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 200kobo for every<br />
50kobo share held.<br />
Adenuga attributed C<strong>on</strong>oil’s<br />
achievement in the financial year<br />
under review <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the commitment<br />
of the Board and management of<br />
the company <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deliver solid<br />
financial results, in spite of the<br />
enormous challenges that<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>ted opera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs in the<br />
downstream oil sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, including<br />
the prohibitive cost of procuring<br />
petroleum products.<br />
By Nkiruka Nnorom<br />
eTRANSACT Plc, an e-<br />
payment soluti<strong>on</strong> provider<br />
listed <strong>on</strong> the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck<br />
Exchange, NSE, has said that<br />
the proposed fresh capital<br />
raising of N7 billi<strong>on</strong> would help<br />
the company <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> move <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the next<br />
level of its expansi<strong>on</strong> drive,<br />
which started in 2018.<br />
The company also revealed<br />
that it processed over 400<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> data transacti<strong>on</strong>s valued<br />
at N30 trilli<strong>on</strong> in 2018.<br />
The Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r/CEO,<br />
Mr. Niyi Toluwalope, who<br />
disclosed these at a media<br />
parley in Lagos, said that the<br />
company is awaiting approval<br />
from the Securities and<br />
Exchange Commissi<strong>on</strong>, SEC,<br />
and the Central Bank of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, CBN, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> proceed with<br />
the offer, which he hoped would<br />
be c<strong>on</strong>cluded before the end of<br />
2019 financial year.<br />
The company had earlier in<br />
the year secured shareholders<br />
nod for the capital raising<br />
exercise.<br />
He said that the company has<br />
reviewed and streamlined its<br />
strategies since June 2018 when<br />
the new management assumed<br />
positi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> align with its future<br />
focus and the roles it plans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
play in the financial technology<br />
and electr<strong>on</strong>ic payment space.<br />
“The major use of the capital<br />
we plan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> raise is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> invest and<br />
expand our technology<br />
capability as well as our<br />
bandwidth and processing<br />
capabilities. It will also help us<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deepen our network security<br />
systems and human capital<br />
strategy. We believe that we are<br />
here for the l<strong>on</strong>g run and the<br />
injecti<strong>on</strong> of additi<strong>on</strong>al equity<br />
would enable the management<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> strategically maintain the<br />
company’s leading positi<strong>on</strong><br />
within the electr<strong>on</strong>ic payment<br />
industry” he stated.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 25
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
26 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 27
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
28 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
Will the last inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r <strong>on</strong> the NSE<br />
please put out the lights?<br />
Banks market capitalisati<strong>on</strong><br />
drops by N657bn —August 12,<br />
2019.<br />
Inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs lose N157.7bn as <strong>43</strong><br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>cks decline —August 13,<br />
2019.<br />
WHEN in 2016 the<br />
forecast of a c<strong>on</strong>tinuous<br />
decline in s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck prices was<br />
made, a friend asked me when<br />
it will end and a recovery gets<br />
underway. The answers<br />
provided were simple. The bad<br />
news for inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, whether in<br />
the capital market or elsewhere,<br />
will c<strong>on</strong>tinue as l<strong>on</strong>g as <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
has a Federal Government<br />
whose leaders d<strong>on</strong>’t understand<br />
how modern ec<strong>on</strong>omies work.<br />
The unceasing competiti<strong>on</strong><br />
am<strong>on</strong>g nati<strong>on</strong>s of the world for<br />
advantage will always work in<br />
favour of countries blessed with<br />
leaders with a great deal of<br />
know-how. <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
unfortunately, is stuck with<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic illiterates managing<br />
our fortunes for us. Furthermore<br />
every quarter that produces<br />
poor results will see us fall<br />
farther behind other nati<strong>on</strong>s and<br />
also make it more difficult <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
catch up.<br />
A deregulated capital market<br />
such as ours presents<br />
government and the governed<br />
an objective report card of what<br />
global inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs think of our<br />
performance. No senior special<br />
adviser <strong>on</strong> media or minister of<br />
mis-informati<strong>on</strong> can claim that<br />
we are doing very well <strong>on</strong> the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy when the trend<br />
remains downwards for almost<br />
27 m<strong>on</strong>ths. The reas<strong>on</strong>s are not<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o difficult <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> understand for<br />
those not wedded <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
government propaganda.<br />
Capital is a coward; it takes<br />
flight at the first serious sign of<br />
trouble. The first serious sign of<br />
trouble came in 2016 when the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy went in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a recessi<strong>on</strong><br />
for the first time in 38 years. The<br />
results were made available in<br />
the first quarter, Q1, of 2017.<br />
Inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs expected a vigorous<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>se from the Federal<br />
Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards str<strong>on</strong>g and<br />
quick recovery. What followed<br />
was not reassuring and induced<br />
pessimism about the Federal<br />
Government’s ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
understand and manage a<br />
complex ec<strong>on</strong>omy.<br />
To begin with the president<br />
had prol<strong>on</strong>ged health<br />
challenges - which led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a lot<br />
of ugly speculati<strong>on</strong>s about the<br />
captain of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ship of<br />
state. The vice president<br />
stepped in and filled some of<br />
the political vacuum created; but<br />
he failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take any significant<br />
measures <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accelerate<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic growth.<br />
Meanwhile, the 2017 budget<br />
was hostage <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> divisive politics.<br />
The leaders of the executive and<br />
legislative branches of<br />
government forgot (or never<br />
realised) that bad politics will<br />
drive out good m<strong>on</strong>ey from any<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy any time. Collectively,<br />
they behaved as if <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> was<br />
isolated from the globalisati<strong>on</strong><br />
of all markets.<br />
A friend in need is no friend<br />
of mine —American comedian.<br />
The budget was eventually<br />
passed in late May and signed<br />
in early June. By then, the more<br />
jittery foreign portfolio inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
had started <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> check out. They<br />
knew from experience about the<br />
verdict of his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry <strong>on</strong> such<br />
matters.<br />
A budget passed so late in the<br />
year and, with no growth<br />
stimulus of any sort, invariably<br />
results in low Gross Domestic<br />
Product, GDP, growth. They<br />
were absolutely correct. The<br />
year 2017 ended with 0.8 per<br />
cent growth - barely noticeable.<br />
With -1.4 recorded in the<br />
previous year, the cumulative for<br />
2016 and 2017 was still negative.<br />
Given the depressing results<br />
for the first two years, many<br />
presidents invariably dissolve<br />
the cabinet and attempt <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bring<br />
more experienced people in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accelerate<br />
development. Nothing like that<br />
happened. Individuals<br />
appointed <strong>on</strong> account of loyalty<br />
or <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay political debts were<br />
retained until the end. The<br />
<strong>ministers</strong> of the most important<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
LAPO MfB raises share capital <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N3.5bn<br />
By Providence Emmanuel<br />
LAPO Microfinance Bank,<br />
MfB, Limited has<br />
increased its authorised share<br />
capital by 75 per cent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N3.5<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> from N2 billi<strong>on</strong>. This was<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e by the creati<strong>on</strong> of three<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> additi<strong>on</strong>al ordinary<br />
shares of 50 kobo each, which<br />
ranks pari-passu in all respects<br />
with the existing ordinary<br />
shares.<br />
This was <strong>on</strong>e of the highlights<br />
of the bank’s eighth annual<br />
general meeting (AGM) held in<br />
Lagos <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> approve the financial<br />
results of the bank for the year<br />
ended December 2018.<br />
Speaking at the AGM,<br />
Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, LAPO MfB,<br />
Mr. Godwin Ehigiamusoe,<br />
disclosed that the bank<br />
disbursed N137 billi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> micro<br />
and small enterprises during the<br />
financial year, with target of<br />
N154 billi<strong>on</strong> in 2019.<br />
He, however, stressed that<br />
there is a need for every<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure that the loans that go <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the MfB segment of the society<br />
come cheaper than what it is<br />
now.<br />
He said: "Our shareholders’<br />
fund is in excess of N19 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
but the share capital is a<br />
different thing entirely and so,<br />
we are increasing it from N2<br />
billi<strong>on</strong> as it were <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N3.5 billi<strong>on</strong><br />
and that means we are<br />
increasing the number of our<br />
shares from four billi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> seven<br />
billi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
"The first step is for us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
obviously be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> open up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
private inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs especially<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>al inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs we believe<br />
can add value <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> LAPO in<br />
additi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bringing fund <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
LAPO. Value in terms of their<br />
experience in other jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
being able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bring value <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our<br />
operati<strong>on</strong>s and governance<br />
processes.<br />
"There is a huge gap between<br />
the demand for credit for people<br />
Foreign inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
take note of all<br />
these signs of a<br />
nati<strong>on</strong> in almost<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal disarray and<br />
they have rightly<br />
decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
withdraw <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> safer<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omies<br />
ministries from the standpoint<br />
of the ec<strong>on</strong>omy – power, works,<br />
transportati<strong>on</strong>, finance, internal<br />
affairs – became nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
embarrassments <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> everybody<br />
who could objectively assess<br />
their performance. They<br />
embarrassed everybody except<br />
the team manager who either<br />
did not know what a<br />
performance appraisal is all<br />
about or did not seem <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> care.<br />
But, foreign inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs with their<br />
funds locked up in the largest<br />
country in the dark c<strong>on</strong>tinent<br />
were not so forgiving.<br />
They noticed that the Lagos-<br />
Ibadan double-guage rail line<br />
which was promised before the<br />
end of 2017 was not anywhere<br />
near 20 per cent completi<strong>on</strong><br />
when the year ended. This is<br />
at the bot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>m end, that is, the<br />
owners of micro and small<br />
businesses. So as a<br />
microfinance bank committed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
supporting that end, our major<br />
operati<strong>on</strong> is providing credit,<br />
we prioritize giving loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> those<br />
businesses.<br />
"We are also regulated, so we<br />
can mobilize deposit, but our<br />
commitment right from when we<br />
were an NGO has been <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provide loan <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> owners of micro<br />
and small businesses. Our<br />
expectati<strong>on</strong>s are that we<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do what we do, first,<br />
is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure we meet the<br />
demand of our clients and<br />
potential clients for loan, and<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deliver<br />
some good returns in terms of<br />
financial performance."<br />
Ehigiamusoe said that<br />
business envir<strong>on</strong>ment in the<br />
financial year under focus was<br />
quite challenging not just for<br />
the MfBs but for most<br />
businesses in the country,<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 29<br />
August 2019 and the line is still<br />
far from being opened for<br />
business. The Chinese, who<br />
provided the loan for the rail<br />
line know that there is a time<br />
comp<strong>on</strong>ent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> any loan deal.<br />
With delay, interest payments<br />
mount. That was how we got<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the debt trap in the 1980s.<br />
We are back <strong>on</strong> familiar road <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
our detriment.<br />
They also noticed that we<br />
allowed the re-c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the busiest road in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> –<br />
Lagos-Sagamu-Ibadan – <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
drag <strong>on</strong> for ever. It has taken us<br />
all the years from Yar’Adua’s<br />
government in 2007 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> repair<br />
and expand a road which<br />
Gow<strong>on</strong>’s administrati<strong>on</strong><br />
delivered from virgin land in<br />
less than three years. It will still<br />
remain uncompleted by<br />
December this year.<br />
The paralysis of the nati<strong>on</strong>’s<br />
biggest ports for almost five<br />
years could <strong>on</strong>ly occur in a<br />
country which does not want<br />
foreign direct investment in<br />
large amounts.<br />
The Apapa gridlock, which<br />
has not been duplicated<br />
anywhere in the world, is a<br />
classic case study in How Not<br />
To Run A Government. The<br />
situati<strong>on</strong> not <strong>on</strong>ly slows down<br />
evacuati<strong>on</strong> of imported<br />
materials from the ports, it<br />
actively discourages exports.<br />
The impunity of the drivers of<br />
trucks and trailers is simply<br />
as<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nishing. Osinbajo, as<br />
acting President issued them an<br />
order <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> vacate in 72 hours. He<br />
was ignored; and the situati<strong>on</strong><br />
got worse.<br />
Two m<strong>on</strong>ths ago, the President<br />
issued the same “Quit Notice”.<br />
They are still there till <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day. No<br />
official of government has<br />
received a query for this slap in<br />
the face of the nati<strong>on</strong>’s highest<br />
c<strong>on</strong>stituted authority. Yet,<br />
saying: "The business<br />
envir<strong>on</strong>ment has been quite<br />
challenging especially for most<br />
businesses not just MfBs and<br />
despite that, we did our best <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure we deliver our usual<br />
Our expectati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
are that we<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do what<br />
we do, first, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure we meet the<br />
demand of our<br />
clients and potential<br />
clients for loan<br />
superior performance. It is for<br />
that reas<strong>on</strong> we were able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provide dividend for inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs.<br />
"What is important is that the<br />
bigger chunk of our profit after<br />
tax has been ploughed back in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the business and what is going<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> loses billi<strong>on</strong>s each day<br />
the trucks stay there.<br />
Foreign inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs take note of<br />
all these signs of a nati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
almost <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal disarray and they<br />
have rightly decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> withdraw<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> safer ec<strong>on</strong>omies. Obviously,<br />
the government of any country<br />
which can <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>lerate the atrocities<br />
we menti<strong>on</strong>ed above, as well as<br />
others left un<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uched, cannot<br />
possibly expect its ec<strong>on</strong>omy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
grow at six, seven or eight per<br />
cent as China, India and<br />
Ind<strong>on</strong>esia – the countries<br />
menti<strong>on</strong>ed <strong>on</strong> June 12 – had<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e for several years. Can<br />
any<strong>on</strong>e imagine China allowing<br />
truckers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> block a major road for<br />
two weeks - not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> talk of five<br />
years?<br />
Those still involved in the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n S<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck Exchange must<br />
be there now for other reas<strong>on</strong>s<br />
other than return <strong>on</strong> investment.<br />
The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ec<strong>on</strong>omy is<br />
heading for another low growth<br />
year. The firms listed <strong>on</strong> the NSE<br />
are struggling. Now, the Food<br />
and Beverage sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r will<br />
experience a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ugh time starting<br />
with those importing milk<br />
products as comp<strong>on</strong>ent of their<br />
manufacturing process.<br />
The collateral damage which<br />
the change of government policy<br />
will have <strong>on</strong> n<strong>on</strong>-food<br />
manufacturers (packaging<br />
materials, etc.) will be more<br />
profound than anybody can<br />
imagine at this time.<br />
Decline in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal capitalisati<strong>on</strong><br />
since January would have been<br />
alarming if not for new major<br />
listings like MTN. But, even with<br />
them, the future is bleak for<br />
inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs. The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy under current<br />
management cannot deliver the<br />
sort of robust growth which will<br />
halt the c<strong>on</strong>tinuous slide in share<br />
prices.<br />
MICROFINANCE<br />
back <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> shareholders is minimal<br />
and the fact that the number of<br />
shares in LAPO is small.<br />
"I str<strong>on</strong>gly believe that in spite<br />
of the challenges in the<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omy, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> has a big<br />
potential for MfBs in the sense<br />
that we have a very large<br />
populati<strong>on</strong> of people and these<br />
people are excepti<strong>on</strong>ally very<br />
enterprising, therefore there is<br />
need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see how we can support<br />
the sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r.<br />
“More importantly, it is the<br />
desire of every<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure that<br />
the loans <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> this segment of the<br />
society come cheaply or cheaper<br />
than what it is now. Some<br />
soluti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> that could be the<br />
need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have a refinancing<br />
structure or instituti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> that would be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provide low cost fund <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> MfBs<br />
who would then use such fund<br />
for <strong>on</strong> lending. The implicati<strong>on</strong><br />
therefore is that the ultimate<br />
user, the borrower would access<br />
cheaper loan than what they do<br />
now.”
30 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
(08052201997)<br />
THE Murtala<br />
M u h a m m e d<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Airport, which<br />
was commissi<strong>on</strong>ed over 40<br />
years ago, remained,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s premier gateway,<br />
until, the new Abuja,<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Airport was<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>ed this year.<br />
Regrettably, in retrospect,<br />
since, the MMIA was opened,<br />
there was no major attempt <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
refurbish and sustain smooth<br />
running operati<strong>on</strong>s at the<br />
earlier celebrated aviati<strong>on</strong><br />
facility.<br />
Presently, aviati<strong>on</strong> hubs in<br />
Cairo, Addis Ababa,<br />
Johannesburg, and lately<br />
Accra, have since showcased<br />
superior facilities that put the<br />
MMIA’s image <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> shame.<br />
Indeed, the excitement of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns returning home<br />
from foreign destinati<strong>on</strong>s, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
rejoin family and friends,<br />
often, quickly wears off after<br />
arrival at the MMIA, in Lagos!<br />
Admittedly, the process of<br />
disembarkati<strong>on</strong>, immigrati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
baggage discharge and<br />
Cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms, have lately, been<br />
largely streamlined,<br />
n<strong>on</strong>etheless, there is still a<br />
disturbing overhang of an<br />
untidy ambience, in service<br />
delivery, by the various port<br />
agencies.<br />
The challenges, actually<br />
begin the moment,<br />
passengers exit the Cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trolled area, and suddenly<br />
become c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>ted by a host<br />
of porters, taxi drivers and<br />
other myriad transport<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, who besiege<br />
travellers, as if <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> wrestle and<br />
divorce them from their<br />
luggage! Obviously, the<br />
product of such rude<br />
engagement may have<br />
become of c<strong>on</strong>cern, as warning<br />
posters <strong>on</strong> billboards and<br />
structural pillars, carry the<br />
stern warning that<br />
unc<strong>on</strong>trolled rage of any<br />
passenger, within the arrival<br />
hall, will be severely dealt with<br />
by airport authorities.<br />
Furthermore, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the anguish<br />
of travellers, from<br />
FINANCIAL VANGUARD<br />
YOUNG entrepreneurs<br />
could overcome the<br />
challenges of starting and<br />
building their small businesses<br />
by diligent working <strong>on</strong> simple<br />
and creative ideas.<br />
Speaking <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Financial<br />
Vanguard, weekend, <strong>on</strong><br />
entrepreneurship development<br />
issues am<strong>on</strong>gst young<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns, managing direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r of<br />
Sweetkiwi, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>'s rising<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al yoghurt brand,<br />
Ehime Eigbe, said that even if<br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal visi<strong>on</strong> is not fully in<br />
place, a gradual executi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
MMIA: Passenger <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rture from arrival hall<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> car park!<br />
destinati<strong>on</strong>s, with much colder<br />
climate, it is not unusual for<br />
the air-c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> system, in<br />
the airport, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fail for extended<br />
periods. Sadly, the disjointed<br />
array of several, roughly<br />
fabricated commercial kiosks,<br />
in the arrival hall, is often<br />
reminiscent of similar<br />
degraded retail outlets and<br />
mini-supermarkets, in dingy<br />
shopping precincts, in several<br />
unserviced locati<strong>on</strong>s, in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s cities.<br />
Notably, also, the horrid<br />
spectacle of decay in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ilets<br />
and other c<strong>on</strong>veniences, may<br />
actually be str<strong>on</strong>g enough <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
encourage, <strong>on</strong>ly, desperately<br />
pressed travellers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
compulsively ease<br />
themselves. However, the<br />
preceding unnerving,<br />
experiences, are just the<br />
beginning of an exhaustive<br />
and depressing exercise, of<br />
transporting <strong>on</strong>e’s self and<br />
luggage from the arrival hall<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> either the open <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the skies<br />
pick-up point or the farther,<br />
more frustrating, car park exit.<br />
Notwithstanding,<br />
immediately outside the<br />
arrival hall, the traveller is<br />
forced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> weave his way with<br />
a rented, rickety luggage<br />
trolley, through a c<strong>on</strong>gregati<strong>on</strong><br />
of in-your-face taxi drivers,<br />
currency traders, porters and<br />
other n<strong>on</strong>-specific c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs!<br />
Sadly, the intense solicitati<strong>on</strong><br />
from these motley groups for<br />
business, persists bey<strong>on</strong>d the<br />
arrival hall through a bumpy<br />
walkway, for over 60 metres<br />
under the open skies, before<br />
the exit route weaves through<br />
another 100 metres or so of a<br />
five-six foot wide c<strong>on</strong>crete<br />
lane, with aluminum roofing<br />
and open side-netting, before<br />
reaching the first designated<br />
pick-up point, which is not<br />
also sheltered from the<br />
elements.<br />
Furthermore, bey<strong>on</strong>d the<br />
rowdy, shoving and pushing<br />
at the seeming jungle of a<br />
pick-up point, those travelers,<br />
proceeding <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the actual car<br />
park, must veer thereafter,<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> another heavily crowded<br />
lane, that runs for about 100<br />
metres, with their heavily<br />
laden trolleys and, ultimately,<br />
dash across a very busy airport<br />
access road with its stream of<br />
cars, heading <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the airport<br />
departure hall of the MMIA.<br />
Expectedly, if it rains at<br />
anytime, the discomfort <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> an<br />
already stressed, and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fused passenger with the<br />
burden of wobbling, heavy<br />
laden pushcarts, can best be<br />
imagined and not endured.<br />
Expectedly, the patience and<br />
equanimity of travelers are<br />
200 metres, or so from the<br />
arrival hall, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the car park! It<br />
is not clear why an<br />
intermediate pick-up point<br />
was carved out, when there is<br />
a fully furnished, multi-level<br />
modern car park! Ultimately,<br />
the pick-up point has already<br />
become an intermediate day<br />
and night market for a host of<br />
unlicensed foreign exchange<br />
hawkers, taxi drivers and a<br />
motley of <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uts, some of whom<br />
are mo<strong>on</strong>-lighting armed<br />
security officers, who are out<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make a quick buck; God<br />
help the poor passenger, if the<br />
clouds also decide <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> empty its<br />
burden of rain at anytime!<br />
Predictably, any excitement<br />
that a <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n traveller had<br />
of returning home, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> family<br />
and friends would most<br />
probably so<strong>on</strong> evaporate, with<br />
the prol<strong>on</strong>ged <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rture,<br />
endured before they accessed<br />
transport for the journey back<br />
home.<br />
Similarly, foreigners who are<br />
also compelled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exit the<br />
airport, with such distressing<br />
and oppressive exit<br />
procedure, may also w<strong>on</strong>der<br />
whether they have not made<br />
a mistake, for choosing<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> as their destinati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Indeed, unless these<br />
foreigners expect <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make<br />
substantial ‘booty’ from their<br />
visit, they may never choose<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> visit <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> ever again;<br />
furthermore, these visi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
may w<strong>on</strong>der whether <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
aviati<strong>on</strong> authorities have also<br />
g<strong>on</strong>e gaga, as they may find<br />
it, inexplicable that the ‘docile<br />
natives’, who have acquiesced<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> such involuntary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rture<br />
meted out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them, are still<br />
unable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make their rulers<br />
accountable or resp<strong>on</strong>sive.<br />
Invariably, the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rtuous<br />
process from the arrival hall,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the pick-up point, and<br />
thereafter <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the main car<br />
park, becomes greatly<br />
Young entrepreneurs counselled <strong>on</strong> building businesses from scratch<br />
business ideas could yield<br />
massive success with time, going<br />
by her experience.<br />
She stated: ''The truth is that in<br />
entrepreneurship and business<br />
development it is <strong>on</strong>e step at a<br />
time, you cannot envisi<strong>on</strong> all<br />
these things at <strong>on</strong>ce. You can<br />
think, Oh! I want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do this, those<br />
are dreams that you have for the<br />
business but as l<strong>on</strong>g as you just<br />
keep working <strong>on</strong> it there would<br />
be good results.''<br />
She explained that the<br />
entrepreneur could even get<br />
more valuable ideas from the<br />
Any<br />
excitement<br />
that a<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
traveller had<br />
of returning<br />
home, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
family and<br />
friends<br />
would most<br />
probably<br />
so<strong>on</strong><br />
evaporate<br />
seriously tested during the 60<br />
minutes or more, that it takes<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make the journey from the<br />
airport hall <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the pick-up<br />
point, where transport <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
destinati<strong>on</strong>s can be accessed,<br />
after still more waiting! The<br />
travellers pain is unfortunately<br />
compounded, if they, also,<br />
have the “misfortune” of heavy<br />
luggage, which must be<br />
hauled all the way, for about<br />
engagement with the cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers<br />
he never thought of, saying,<br />
''sometimes cus<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mers would<br />
give you your best ideas and that<br />
was how we c<strong>on</strong>tinued doing the<br />
event catering and that was what<br />
helped us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> afford the current<br />
locati<strong>on</strong> we are in now. You know,<br />
sometimes starting at the peak<br />
of the idea is not always the best.<br />
Find little ways in which you can<br />
start <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> build little by little and<br />
you would still get <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
destinati<strong>on</strong>.''<br />
Further narrating her<br />
experience which <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok the<br />
business from home <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the highbrow<br />
large Lekki, Lagos locati<strong>on</strong><br />
and now in Washing<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n DC,<br />
United States of America, Eigbe<br />
stated: ''We were always boot<br />
strapping, get a little m<strong>on</strong>ey from<br />
clients <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do some things, we<br />
were renting machines all the<br />
time from different people before<br />
we could even afford our own<br />
machine. We were just doing<br />
what we could with what we had.<br />
''I always tell people before you<br />
start looking for funding or<br />
any<strong>on</strong>e who is going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> give you<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey do what you can with<br />
amplified, if for whatever<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>, the traveller arrives at<br />
MMIA after dark; although<br />
the distance remains the<br />
same, the weary traveller<br />
invariably becomes<br />
apprehensive as they traverse<br />
this route, under a narrow,<br />
dimly lit corridor, with<br />
aluminum side-nettings,<br />
which is flanked <strong>on</strong> either<br />
side, by currency hawkers,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uts and transport c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs<br />
lurking in the shadows of<br />
darkness. Evidently, this daily<br />
spectacle, is an indescribable<br />
horrific experience, that does<br />
not do <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s image any<br />
good.<br />
In fact, the journey from the<br />
arrival hall <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the car park is<br />
probably reminiscent of a war<br />
z<strong>on</strong>e with besieged and<br />
helpless travelers, who must<br />
suffer and, still manage <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
smile, when family members<br />
and loved <strong>on</strong>es turn up, in the<br />
midst of the chaos, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> welcome<br />
<strong>on</strong>e of their own back home.<br />
Instructively, the simple<br />
process of moving from the<br />
airport arrival hall <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the car<br />
park, which may not exceed,<br />
say 15 minutes, in a<br />
neighbouring country, like<br />
Ghana, may in c<strong>on</strong>trast,<br />
regrettably, c<strong>on</strong>sume well over<br />
an hour at MMIA, with an<br />
inclusive heavy dose of pain<br />
and humiliati<strong>on</strong>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> boot.<br />
Admittedly, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns are<br />
expectant, that with the<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>ing of the l<strong>on</strong>g<br />
anticipated, new facility at<br />
MMIA, the challenges and<br />
pains listed above, would be<br />
erased, since the new terminal<br />
is just a pole away from a<br />
massive, four s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rey car park,<br />
which is already operati<strong>on</strong>al.<br />
Notwithstanding, the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> and delayed<br />
commissi<strong>on</strong>ing of the new<br />
facility should not be an<br />
excuse for the c<strong>on</strong>tinued<br />
abuse, stress and tears that<br />
both <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns and foreign<br />
visi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> endure<br />
whenever they enter our<br />
country through the MMIA!<br />
ECONOMY<br />
what you have first. That was<br />
what we did, we did what we<br />
could do with what we had and<br />
then people started seeing the<br />
potentials a bit more. People will<br />
start <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say okay they are trying<br />
they have d<strong>on</strong>e something even<br />
when they did not have anything<br />
and they will start <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> trust you a<br />
bit more.''<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> her, ''Sometimes,<br />
it is just about getting people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
buy in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> your visi<strong>on</strong>. Not<br />
every<strong>on</strong>e is going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a hard<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>. You know, we often think<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns are not nice, they do<br />
not like <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help people. But that<br />
is not true some people are nice.''
FG, El-Zakzaky premier in Bollywood<br />
INDIAN films from<br />
Bollywood were the<br />
mainstay of the movie industry in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> far outstripping the<br />
American Hollywood. That was<br />
l<strong>on</strong>g before the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Nollywood made its entrance.<br />
Those were the days of famous<br />
Indian ac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs like Dharmendra,<br />
Prem Chopra, Feroz Khan, Hema<br />
Malini, Helen, Shashi Kapoor<br />
and Rajesh Khanna who produced<br />
mega hits like Sholay, Love in<br />
Tokyo and Jugnu.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> was perhaps<br />
Bollywood’s largest internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
market, but I do not recall<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns playing roles in Indian<br />
films until last week when the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n government and its<br />
most famous detainee, Sheikh<br />
Ibraheem EL-Zakzaky, decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
enact a real life drama in India.<br />
The Buhari administrati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
El-Zakzaky have, for four years<br />
now, staged tragic live<br />
performances in various cities,<br />
including Zaria, Kaduna and<br />
Abuja in which about 400<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns have been killed.<br />
The drama in India would have<br />
been avoided if the government<br />
had obeyed at least three court<br />
orders, excluding that of the<br />
ECOWAS Court which had ruled<br />
over the past three years that El-<br />
Zakzaky be freed. Far back 2016,<br />
90<br />
Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the<br />
Federal High Court had ordered<br />
the Federal Government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> free<br />
the cleric and his wife, Zeenat, and<br />
pay them N50 milli<strong>on</strong>. Rather<br />
than obey the courts, government<br />
decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> play politics leading<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> endless drama producti<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
including the latest play <strong>on</strong> the<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al stage with India as<br />
locati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The prism from which I view the<br />
various films is that government<br />
is a judgement-deb<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r who is<br />
writing scripts and acting in them<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> present El-Zakzaky and his<br />
Shiite followers as stubborn<br />
terrorists who need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
perpetually locked up or<br />
proscribed. On the other hand, El-<br />
Zakzaky is a judgement-credi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
who should have been set free<br />
years ago rather than the comedy<br />
of taking him through courts of<br />
same jurisdicti<strong>on</strong> as if they are<br />
appellate courts.<br />
India was chosen as the setting<br />
of new movie for medical<br />
purposes. The cleric explains:<br />
“There is a bullet in Zeenat’s body<br />
and there is also the need for her<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get her two knee caps replaced<br />
am<strong>on</strong>gst other ailments. On my<br />
own part, there are also particles<br />
of bullets that were broken in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
pieces in my eyes, hands and<br />
thighs which have been pois<strong>on</strong>ous<br />
More of the centrifugal than the centripetal<br />
By Banji Ojewale<br />
THE theories of the physicists and<br />
mathematicians of the 17th century<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerning the dynamics of the moti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
objects best illustrate the c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n state of the 21st century. The two<br />
striking figures of the age - the English<br />
scientist, Isaac New<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n and the Dutch<br />
mathematician, Christian Huygens - led<br />
man in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> their complex findings in their<br />
study of the force that drives the movement<br />
of inanimate bodies, terrestrial,<br />
stra<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>spheric or i<strong>on</strong>ospheric.<br />
New<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n said the centripetal engine was<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sible for the push of an object <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
its centre or source or origin. All its energies<br />
willy-nilly would be c<strong>on</strong>centrated <strong>on</strong><br />
"seeking the centre," hence the term,<br />
centripetal, from two Latin words, centrum<br />
for centre, and petere, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> seek. Centripetal<br />
potency is the centre-searching capacity.<br />
There is yet another law that worked in a<br />
distinctly opposite fashi<strong>on</strong>, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
New<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n. He called it the centrifugal force,<br />
again from its Latin home, centrum (centre)<br />
and fugere (<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> flee). It simply means ‘centrefleeing.’<br />
The physicists who studied the<br />
principle said it entailed the ‘spinning or<br />
travelling’ at great speed of an object from<br />
its centre, the ‘tending away from<br />
centralisati<strong>on</strong>, as of authority.’<br />
Scientists who came after these pi<strong>on</strong>eers<br />
have arrived with the discovery that as<br />
powerful as the centrifugal force is, it "has<br />
no independent existence. It comes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> play<br />
with the acti<strong>on</strong> of the centripetal force."<br />
Today, social scientists borrow these<br />
principles from physics <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> gauge the mood<br />
of organised society. Man and his<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s are at the mercy of centrifugal<br />
and centripetal dynamics.<br />
It has been revealed, for instance, that "the<br />
divisi<strong>on</strong> of Europe in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> warring blocs<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> my body.” The government<br />
agreed both need specialised<br />
medical treatment which India<br />
offered.<br />
On a pers<strong>on</strong>al level, I feel pained<br />
that <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns would need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> India for medical treatment<br />
when in the 1960s and 1970s, our<br />
medical system was far ahead. In<br />
fact, the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n educati<strong>on</strong><br />
system was regarded as being so<br />
superior that degrees from India<br />
were officially classified as<br />
equivalent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our Advanced Level<br />
(A-Level) certificates. Well, that is<br />
the level of our degeneracy. Back<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the disgraceful drama in India.<br />
First, let us examine El-<br />
Zakzaky’s claims. He said he and<br />
his wife refused treatment<br />
because the Indian doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs that<br />
examined them in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> were<br />
A man with<br />
medical c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
who has been<br />
incarcerated for<br />
four years against<br />
court orders, can<br />
naturally seek some<br />
comfort<br />
produces ever-increasing centrifugal stress".<br />
H<strong>on</strong>g K<strong>on</strong>g at the moment is at its own<br />
phase of the centrifugal fever. Hundreds of<br />
thousands of its citizens no l<strong>on</strong>ger want<br />
anything with the ‘centre’ in China, as<br />
represented by their government in H<strong>on</strong>g<br />
K<strong>on</strong>g. Every insurrecti<strong>on</strong>, revolt or attempt<br />
at them or challenge <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the authority of the<br />
state is an expressi<strong>on</strong> of, or obedience <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
the centrifugal call.<br />
In <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, we seem <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be under the<br />
unyielding spell of the centrifugal curse. Our<br />
young men and women are fleeing the land<br />
for the proverbial greener pastures. The jobs<br />
and opportunities we promised them aren’t<br />
forthcoming. They believe they would be<br />
wasting their prime if they c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> build<br />
their hopes <strong>on</strong> those they c<strong>on</strong>sider selfish<br />
and avaricious leaders, who are<br />
accumulating the resources of the society<br />
for their families al<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> some analysts, those<br />
succumbing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the music of the modern Pied<br />
Piper and have found home away from home<br />
boast of statistics threatening <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> outnumber<br />
their hosts.<br />
Other cynics say our people out there are<br />
capable of forming more states outside<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bring the number close <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 50<br />
states. A significant number of the<br />
centrifugal exiles, however, insist they’ve cut<br />
all links with their motherland, given what<br />
they call the cruelty meted out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them by<br />
their leaders that moved these compatriots<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bow <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the irresistible pressure <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> flee.<br />
How about those refusing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be lured <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
go abroad? There is a reas<strong>on</strong>, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
those who claim they are faithful watchers<br />
of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n scene. They say those staying<br />
behind are <strong>on</strong>ly waiting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> understudy those<br />
in power as they ‘chop’ the nati<strong>on</strong>al cake, so<br />
they can outdo them later when they get the<br />
ba<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n. So, their decline of the overtures of<br />
the powerful wanderlust isn’t nati<strong>on</strong>alistic<br />
all excluded: “We then <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld them<br />
we w<strong>on</strong>’t allow any other doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
aside our trusted doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> attend<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us so that they d<strong>on</strong>’t do <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us<br />
what they couldn’t do with their<br />
bullets in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.”<br />
I think a patient having<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fidence in his doc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs is<br />
fundamental, especially when he<br />
fears that what was d<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> retired<br />
General Musa Yar’Adua in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, could also be d<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
him.<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dly, he complained: “All<br />
what we have seen here have<br />
shown us that there is no trust;<br />
they just brought us here for<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 31<br />
another detenti<strong>on</strong> …They didn’t<br />
even allow me <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the next<br />
room. I started asking myself, all<br />
these while I’ve been in detenti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
I’ve never seen this type. Even if<br />
I’m in the cell, they usually lock<br />
us up around 9 p.m. and open the<br />
cell around 7 a.m. and they allow<br />
us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go anywhere we want in the<br />
area we are.” If these claims were<br />
true, then he had every right <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
protest, more so when previous<br />
courts in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> had freed him.<br />
The psychological state of a 66-<br />
year-old man with pellets lodged<br />
in him for years, who has now lost<br />
an eye in detenti<strong>on</strong>, lost six s<strong>on</strong>s<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the bullets of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n state,<br />
whose home and centre of worship<br />
have been destroyed, and the<br />
organisati<strong>on</strong> he spent his youth<br />
building has been proscribed,<br />
needs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be properly managed.<br />
The Federal Government’s<br />
statement issued by the<br />
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of<br />
Informati<strong>on</strong> and Culture,<br />
Deac<strong>on</strong>ess Grace Isu Gekpe, did<br />
not do much justice <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> us as a<br />
country. The language needed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be civil; it was uncalled for<br />
describing the Sheikh as<br />
exhibiting “unruly behaviour”. It<br />
was also a shame that the Indian<br />
government refuted our<br />
government’s claim that:<br />
“Frustrated by his antics, the<br />
Indian authorities have expressed<br />
willingness <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> return him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> with immediate effect.”<br />
The Indian High Commissi<strong>on</strong><br />
in reacti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> this claim, simply<br />
tweeted: “There is no c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong><br />
or ultimatum by India.”<br />
Government’s substantive claims<br />
against El-Zakzaky in the India<br />
drama was that first: “He<br />
requested that his passport be<br />
handed over <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> him…”. What is<br />
the issue here? If the cleric wants<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> escape or seek political asylum,<br />
he does not need a passport.<br />
Why would <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
not want a return <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
past which powered<br />
phenomenal prosperity<br />
for the people?<br />
as they tend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> suggest. They are biding their<br />
time <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> shine in the culture of corrupti<strong>on</strong><br />
and treasury pillage in place. They<br />
understand the philosophy of the patient<br />
dog; it is waiting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> devour the fattest b<strong>on</strong>e.<br />
Read: <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bilk the society out of its seemingly<br />
bot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mless petrodollars.<br />
But the most incommoding or troubling<br />
aspect of the nati<strong>on</strong>al discourse at the<br />
moment is the takeover of the c<strong>on</strong>versati<strong>on</strong><br />
by centrifugal forces and the near<br />
disappearance of their centripetal<br />
counterparts. Most are calling for an<br />
outright abrogati<strong>on</strong> of the ties of our unity.<br />
This is frightening as it amounts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> going<br />
our separate ways, the way it was with the<br />
Soviet Uni<strong>on</strong> in the 1990s. Another centreshy<br />
demand is the request for restructuring,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reduce the powers of the centre.<br />
Some of our fellow countrymen and<br />
women want us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go back <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the pre and<br />
post-independence arrangement of<br />
regi<strong>on</strong>alism. They have romanticised that<br />
era. They refer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the great strides the vast<br />
Western <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok under a cohabitati<strong>on</strong><br />
with less federal watch and c<strong>on</strong>trol.<br />
Some European nati<strong>on</strong>s and Asian Tigers<br />
which are numbered am<strong>on</strong>g the 20 leading<br />
countries of the world <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day didn’t have<br />
some of the smart indices of development<br />
which the Western Regi<strong>on</strong> had. We’ve never<br />
had peace and real progress after the<br />
military abolished the system and turned a<br />
federati<strong>on</strong> in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a unitary set-up.<br />
Send Opini<strong>on</strong>s & Letters <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>:<br />
opini<strong>on</strong>s1234@yahoo.com<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dly, that: “In additi<strong>on</strong>, he<br />
demanded free movement and<br />
access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> visi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs of all kinds as<br />
well as requested <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
check in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a five-star hotel instead<br />
of being admitted in the hospital.”<br />
How can a man be c<strong>on</strong>fined <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
room or ward? Even a caged dog<br />
is allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stretch its legs or<br />
taken for walks.<br />
He should have been entitled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
visi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs provided they are<br />
screened. That he wanted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stay<br />
in a five-star hotel is his business<br />
so l<strong>on</strong>g as he did not ask the<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay. All that is<br />
necessary is arrangement with the<br />
hospital, and if the latter can<br />
cope. A man with medical<br />
c<strong>on</strong>diti<strong>on</strong>s who has been<br />
incarcerated for four years<br />
against court orders, can<br />
naturally seek some comfort.<br />
Government said this was<br />
denied because the “visa was<br />
issued <strong>on</strong> medical grounds and<br />
not for <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urism”. What logic! So<br />
if a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urist wants medical care,<br />
he would be denied? C<strong>on</strong>versely,<br />
why can’t a pers<strong>on</strong> seeking<br />
medical care also enjoy some<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urism? That may actually aid<br />
his recovery which should be the<br />
ultimate goal. Besides, what the<br />
cleric and other <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns who go<br />
abroad for better medical<br />
treatment are engaged in is<br />
medical <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urism. El-Zakzaky and<br />
his wife in India were <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>urists!<br />
Well, the Bollywood film has<br />
ended. We are back <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Nollywood.<br />
New films are likely unless the<br />
government wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> end these<br />
unnecessary distracti<strong>on</strong>s by<br />
engaging in dialogue. If<br />
government can engage in<br />
negotiati<strong>on</strong>s with the terrorist<br />
Boko Haram, then it also can with<br />
El-Zakzaky and his Islamic<br />
Movement of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> who unlike<br />
the former, do not carry arms.<br />
I d<strong>on</strong>’t think the problem is that we are<br />
inundated with more of a centrifugal<br />
cacoph<strong>on</strong>y than a centripetal noise. Where<br />
is the joy of having sepulchral peace in a<br />
stagnant ‘united’ nati<strong>on</strong>? Why would<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns not want a return <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the past which<br />
powered phenomenal prosperity for the<br />
people?<br />
Why would we not demand a system that<br />
would guarantee justice, peace, socioec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
progress and prosperity for our<br />
people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> enable us fulfil our destiny as the<br />
hub of the planet’s Black peoples.<br />
We need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accommodate these centredespising<br />
forces that would free us from the<br />
funereal vice of a system preventing<br />
unhindered socio-ec<strong>on</strong>omic march. That is<br />
the c<strong>on</strong>structive nature of the centrifugal<br />
forces. They enable a cathartic process that<br />
reduces the unwieldy weight of the centre. A<br />
balanced structure emerges where the states<br />
or regi<strong>on</strong>s with their independent police<br />
formati<strong>on</strong>s al<strong>on</strong>g with their MDAs and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>stituti<strong>on</strong>s are at liberty <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> dig deep in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
their natural and human resources for allround<br />
development.<br />
No limitati<strong>on</strong>s dictated by the centre. Nor<br />
is there any artificial requirement <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> slow<br />
down the speed of your race because other<br />
states are laggards.<br />
What obtains now is a killer atmosphere.<br />
A<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p it is an indolent centre breeding equally<br />
indolent outposts in its own image across<br />
the land. This machinery has turned us all<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> beggars in a land literally flowing with<br />
‘milk and h<strong>on</strong>ey’. It is a m<strong>on</strong>ster of<br />
government bureaucracy now challenged<br />
by the str<strong>on</strong>g currents of centre-defying<br />
outcry.<br />
Therefore, what we are witnessing, the<br />
uproarious call all over the land <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> unbundle<br />
the centre, is, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the scientists of<br />
the 17th century, a reacti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the inertia of<br />
the forces at the centre.<br />
•Ojewale, a public affairs analyst, wrote<br />
from Lagos<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
32 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 33
34 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
Bey<strong>on</strong>d aesthetics:<br />
The hype, hollowness<br />
of art aucti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
By Osa Amadi,<br />
Arts Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ihave never ceased <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
alarmed by what I call “the<br />
absurdity” that any<strong>on</strong>e could<br />
offer $450 milli<strong>on</strong> for just<br />
different colors of paint splashed<br />
<strong>on</strong> a piece of cloth called canvas;<br />
or an image of some human,<br />
animal or other objects carved out<br />
of a piece of wood or s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ne. Four<br />
hundred and fifty milli<strong>on</strong><br />
dollars! That’s Le<strong>on</strong>ardo da<br />
Vinci’s “Salva<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Mundi”<br />
(Saviour of the World) – bought<br />
for $450 milli<strong>on</strong> in November<br />
2017, shattering the record for<br />
the most expensive artwork ever<br />
sold.<br />
Before you dismiss me as <strong>on</strong>e<br />
without any sense of art, let me<br />
inform you that I am an artist in<br />
every sense of that word. Right<br />
from childhood, I had been<br />
called “Omenkari” which is a<br />
dialectical variati<strong>on</strong> of “Omenka”<br />
meaning “the artist”. I have<br />
always been carving, drawing,<br />
and creating beautiful things<br />
with my hands. At a certain<br />
stage in my life, I became<br />
enamoured with writing and has<br />
tried in that calling.<br />
Moreover, I had my first<br />
university degree in music art.<br />
While I was studying music at<br />
the Obafemi Awolowo University,<br />
I <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok electives from the<br />
Department of Fine Arts. So, if I<br />
fail <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see a commensurate value<br />
in a piece of painting sold for<br />
$450 milli<strong>on</strong>, it is not because<br />
of a lack of sense of art.<br />
Artworks are not al<strong>on</strong>e in my<br />
interrogati<strong>on</strong> of intrinsic values<br />
in objects. Gold, diam<strong>on</strong>ds, and<br />
other so-called precious s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nes<br />
highly valued by humans also<br />
come under my query. Bey<strong>on</strong>d<br />
being used in the making of<br />
stainless jewelry, of what intrinsic<br />
values are gold and diam<strong>on</strong>ds<br />
that they are sold at such<br />
exorbitant prices? Did any of the<br />
Pharaoh buried with heavy<br />
carats of gold ever return <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> life?<br />
Let me tell you a s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry of gold I<br />
read from the late Norman<br />
Vincent Peale’s Plus, the<br />
Magazine of Positive Thinking.<br />
I cannot remember all the details<br />
but I will make a rec<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Before men ever knew what<br />
was gold, a certain miner<br />
discovered a small gold deposit<br />
in his mining field and brought<br />
some nuggets home <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a small<br />
community where he lived. He<br />
approached some jewelry<br />
makers in the community and<br />
introduced the fine metals <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
them. The jewelry makers were<br />
fascinated seeing that the<br />
trinkets they made with the gold<br />
remained stainless and very<br />
malleable and easy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work <strong>on</strong><br />
for intricate designs in jewelry.<br />
Within a short time, demand<br />
for gold soared in the community<br />
and the miner became the richest<br />
man in the land because <strong>on</strong>ly he<br />
knew where <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get the gold. With<br />
time, abundant wealth<br />
bequeathed the miner power,<br />
and the power got in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his<br />
head and he became<br />
oppressive, ridding rough shod<br />
<strong>on</strong> every<strong>on</strong>e, including the<br />
leading elites of the<br />
community.<br />
People tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> follow the miner<br />
whenever he was going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work<br />
in efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> know the source of<br />
his gold nuggets but the miner<br />
was <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o crafty and discreet. He<br />
succeeded in keeping the source<br />
of the gold secret and his wealth<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinued <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> grow because all<br />
the women in the community<br />
demanded gold trinkets from<br />
jewelry makers now known as<br />
goldsmiths.<br />
One day, a hunter went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
mountain <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hunt and found that<br />
little pieces of rocks around the<br />
mountain were just like the <strong>on</strong>es<br />
the miner always brought back<br />
home as gold. Up<strong>on</strong> closer<br />
examinati<strong>on</strong>, he realized he was<br />
right and that the rock, of which<br />
the entire mountain was made,<br />
was the same as the little pieces<br />
he had picked. It downed <strong>on</strong><br />
him that he had discovered a<br />
mountain of gold!<br />
Excitedly he <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok as many<br />
pieces of the “rock” as he<br />
could carry and hurried home.<br />
He went straight <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
goldsmiths and showed him the<br />
pieces of “rocks”. “These are<br />
gold. From where did you get<br />
these large nuggets?” the<br />
goldsmith whispered <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
hunter in as<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nishment. “How<br />
much do you want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell<br />
them? I will buy all,” the<br />
goldsmith started, warming up<br />
for the bargain.<br />
“I d<strong>on</strong>’t want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell them. You<br />
can have them for free,” the<br />
hunter said and walked away,<br />
leaving the goldsmith’s mouth<br />
agape. The next day, the hunter<br />
rented a large cart pulled by two<br />
horses and went back <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
mountain. With a digger and a<br />
crowbar, he broke off large lumps<br />
of the gold and filled the cart and<br />
made the horses <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> drag it <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
village square. He heaped the<br />
gold <strong>on</strong> the ground and<br />
announced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> people who had<br />
gathered there <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help<br />
themselves while he returned <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the mountain for more gold.<br />
After several trips, people<br />
followed him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the mountain and<br />
before dusk that day there came<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be more gold in the community<br />
than any<strong>on</strong>e needed. People<br />
tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell their own gold but<br />
there was nobody <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> by it because<br />
every<strong>on</strong>e had gold. Suddenly,<br />
•Interchange (1955) by Willem de Ko<strong>on</strong>ing. Sold<br />
$300 milli<strong>on</strong>, <strong>on</strong>ly surpassed in November 2017<br />
by Salva<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Mundi.<br />
•Salva<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Mundi by Le<strong>on</strong>ardo Da Vinci (c. 1500) – $450<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>, the most expensive painting ever sold as of 2019.<br />
gold lost its value!<br />
From this s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry, we can see that<br />
what drove the value of gold in<br />
the community was its scarcity,<br />
rather than any intrinsic value.<br />
Bey<strong>on</strong>d aesthetics, artworks<br />
have become single multi-milli<strong>on</strong><br />
dollar notes for rich people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hold<br />
their m<strong>on</strong>ey while growing it. If<br />
we can imagine a single $450<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> note for instance,<br />
Le<strong>on</strong>ardo da Vinci’s “Salva<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Mundi” is that note. And it will<br />
never depreciate. Like landed<br />
property, that artwork, that single<br />
mega-denominated currency<br />
note, always appreciate.<br />
Valuable artworks that have<br />
entered the global art market<br />
(even some in the local market)<br />
have little or no hiding places.<br />
Even when they are s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len, they<br />
cannot be publicly aucti<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
without being identified or<br />
discovered. The last buyer of every<br />
•Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You<br />
Marry?) Oil painting from (1892) by Paul<br />
Gauguin. Sold $210 milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
artwork is always documented in<br />
the art market. So stealing a<br />
valuable piece of artwork is<br />
useless. The questi<strong>on</strong> is, where is<br />
the thief going <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sell it?<br />
Highly priced artworks are also<br />
insured against loss resulting from<br />
theft, fire, or other types of<br />
damage. These tight securities<br />
and ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> grow in value make<br />
artworks safe investment opti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
for the rich. An artwork aucti<strong>on</strong>ed<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day for a price will surely<br />
appreciate, double or even triple<br />
in price in the next few years. For<br />
instance, “Salva<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Mundi”,<br />
which was <strong>on</strong>ce part of Charles<br />
I’s Royal collecti<strong>on</strong>, was sold for<br />
just £45 in the 1950s, though it<br />
was mistaken for a copy.<br />
You may have often heard that<br />
paper m<strong>on</strong>ey or a country’s<br />
currency is <strong>on</strong>ly a receipt<br />
representing the gold in the bank<br />
with which that currency is<br />
backed. For a highly priced<br />
artwork, it is a representati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
the amount of m<strong>on</strong>ey the last buyer<br />
paid for it which is deposited in<br />
the bank or is in circulati<strong>on</strong> within<br />
the global ec<strong>on</strong>omic system.<br />
But the argument here is that<br />
bey<strong>on</strong>d their ornamental or<br />
decorative values, gold, diam<strong>on</strong>d,<br />
artworks, currencies have no<br />
intrinsic values. A piece of<br />
enriched Uranium has some<br />
intrinsic value because it can be<br />
employed in a nuclear reac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
where it is used in nuclear fissi<strong>on</strong><br />
(the endless bombardment of the<br />
nucleus of its a<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ms) <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> produce<br />
energy. Seeds of corn have<br />
intrinsic values <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o because they<br />
can be eaten by human or animals<br />
as food or planted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> produce more<br />
corns. Many plants and animals<br />
also have intrinsic values because<br />
they can be eaten as foods or<br />
harbour substances that can be<br />
used in medicines as active<br />
ingredients.<br />
Renowned art collec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Otunba<br />
Yemisi Syll<strong>on</strong> argues that the value<br />
of artworks is located in the fact<br />
they impinge <strong>on</strong> human minds<br />
providing aesthetic enjoyment<br />
when viewed. But so does the<br />
sight of a setting sun, a hibiscus<br />
flower, a beautiful woman, or a<br />
landscape of a panoramic golf<br />
course. Moreover, all these are<br />
live, while a work of art is lifeless.<br />
So, if the intrinsic values of<br />
artworks for which they are sold<br />
for hundreds of milli<strong>on</strong>s of dollars<br />
are in their ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> impinge <strong>on</strong><br />
our senses and provide us with<br />
aesthetic enjoyment, a live<br />
hibiscus flower cultivated <strong>on</strong> a<br />
potable flower vase which<br />
produces similar stimulus should<br />
also be sold for hundreds of<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>s of dollars. That a live<br />
hibiscus flower cannot be similarity<br />
valued is a proof that the issue is<br />
not provisi<strong>on</strong> of aesthetic<br />
enjoyment. The exorbitant value<br />
of an artwork is an arbitrarily<br />
ascribed value; it has nothing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
do with any intrinsic value.<br />
However, this art market culture<br />
and value system is now a well<br />
established <strong>on</strong>e of which little or<br />
nothing like the hunter’s<br />
discovery of a mountain of gold<br />
can run down their values. So, if<br />
you have m<strong>on</strong>ey, you had better<br />
go and buy a piece of artwork<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, for in few years, it can make<br />
you <strong>on</strong>e of the richest pers<strong>on</strong>s in<br />
the world.
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 35<br />
Women Societies, NCAC partner <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
fight cultural abuse<br />
In a bid <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stem the current tide of<br />
public display of nudity and<br />
immorality am<strong>on</strong>g youths in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council of Women<br />
Societies (NCWS) and the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Council for Arts and Culture have<br />
decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> embark <strong>on</strong> far-reaching<br />
youth sensitisati<strong>on</strong> initiatives.<br />
Both Councils met at the<br />
headquarters of NCAC in Abuja with<br />
a comm<strong>on</strong> resolve aimed at redirecting<br />
the drift <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> moral decadence especially<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g young women which they both<br />
agreed was getting out of hand.<br />
Speaking during the meeting<br />
attended by several media outfits, the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al President of the NCWS, Dr.<br />
Laraba Shoda who led members of her<br />
executive, c<strong>on</strong>demned the upsurge in<br />
public display of nudity citing the<br />
recent video spectacle of near-naked<br />
girls dancing in full public glare inside<br />
a transparent van in Lagos.<br />
She described another scenario<br />
where a young lady walked in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a mall<br />
completely naked lamenting such<br />
indecent behaviours by females<br />
particularly, negates the very essence<br />
of our culture which promotes the<br />
dignity of the African woman.<br />
Dr. Shoda said there was the need<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> create televisi<strong>on</strong> programs with<br />
good cultural c<strong>on</strong>tent unlike what<br />
obtains now just as she ex<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>lled<br />
NCAC for taking the lead in the<br />
campaign against the debasement of<br />
the African culture which according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
her promotes high moral values<br />
am<strong>on</strong>gst young women.<br />
On his part, the NCAC Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r-<br />
General, Otunba Segun Runsewe said<br />
the partnership of interest between the<br />
Women Societies and the NCAC will<br />
signal a new dawn in the crusade<br />
Otunba Segun Runsewe, D-G, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council for Arts & Culture (middle)<br />
with Dr. Mrs. Gloria Laraba Shoda, Nati<strong>on</strong>al President, Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council of<br />
Women Societies (NCWS) <strong>on</strong> his right; Comrade Safiya Ibrahim Ogah, <strong>on</strong> his<br />
left; Haji Binta lbrahim, PRO and Hadiza A. Ibeh during a courtesy visit <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
NCAC in Abuja.<br />
against cultural degenerati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
foreign erosi<strong>on</strong> of our culture.<br />
Runsewe was upbeat that with the<br />
NCWS speaking up and with the new<br />
found collaborati<strong>on</strong> with the NCAC,<br />
the time has come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> nip the menace<br />
in the bud in order <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avert another<br />
future crisis in the country.<br />
He informed <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns that his<br />
council is working <strong>on</strong> legislati<strong>on</strong> with<br />
the Nati<strong>on</strong>al Assembly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> curb the<br />
negative trend of public nudity while<br />
also packaging a culture friendly<br />
televisi<strong>on</strong> program <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> excite the youths<br />
with the hope of restablishing our<br />
esteemed cultural values of time past.<br />
The DG decorated the women with<br />
NCAC pinups thereby c<strong>on</strong>ferring <strong>on</strong><br />
them the status of cultural<br />
ambassadors of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
NCAC hosts 36 diplomats,<br />
sets new miles<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ne in cultural<br />
diplomacy<br />
The stage has been set again for yet<br />
another cultural watershed with the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Council for Arts and Culture<br />
playing host <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> no less than 36<br />
ambassadors, high commissi<strong>on</strong>ers<br />
and representatives of countries<br />
drawn from around the world <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a pre-<br />
Internati<strong>on</strong>al Arts and Crafts Expo<br />
dinner in Abuja.<br />
The assemblage of countries like<br />
South Africa, Iran, Cameroun, Spain,<br />
China, Sudan, Venezuela, USA and<br />
others from every c<strong>on</strong>tinent in the<br />
world at the pre-INAC dinner, was a<br />
deliberate attempt by NCAC <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> rewrite<br />
the culture narratives of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> as it<br />
prepares for a ground breaking 2019<br />
Expo.<br />
The NCAC pre-INAC dinner held at<br />
the Shera<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Hotels has become an<br />
annual prelude <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kick-starting the<br />
event in earnest, making it a most<br />
memorable <strong>on</strong>e especially for foreign<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>als.<br />
During the dinner, the Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r-<br />
General of NCAC, Otunba Segun<br />
Runsewe, giving his welcome address,<br />
thanked the various ambassadors and<br />
high commissi<strong>on</strong>ers for gracing the<br />
occasi<strong>on</strong>. He recalled that it was an<br />
improvement from the 22 countries that<br />
participated in the 2018 editi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
event.<br />
Runsewe said the essence of the<br />
dinner is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> provide a platform for<br />
diplomats <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> interact and unwind in<br />
an informal atmosphere in a bid <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
further cement the cordial relati<strong>on</strong>ship<br />
already existing between them and the<br />
host country, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Runsewe, the 3rd editi<strong>on</strong><br />
of INAC will dedicate an entire day <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
any country interested in entertaining<br />
the envoys, noting that last year<br />
witnessed phenomenal entertainment<br />
from countries like China, India and<br />
Bangladesh.<br />
After dinner, Otunba Runsewe<br />
presented souvenirs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the envoys,<br />
disclosing that plans are underway <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure this year’s Cultural Diplomacy<br />
Day for Peace slated for November 24th<br />
is marked <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> establish a cultural link<br />
am<strong>on</strong>gst nati<strong>on</strong>s with the aim of<br />
ensuring a comm<strong>on</strong> network of cultural<br />
identities.<br />
The dinner featured delicious<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n cuisine, sensati<strong>on</strong>al cultural<br />
presentati<strong>on</strong>s, group pho<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>s,<br />
exhibiti<strong>on</strong> of artistic masterpieces by<br />
c<strong>on</strong>temporary <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n artists, a<br />
display of vintage br<strong>on</strong>ze casts and<br />
other his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ric artefacts, courtesy of<br />
NCAC.<br />
Alibaba’s Adventure: Capturing the insurgency menace in literature<br />
By Chukwuma Ajakah<br />
Uche Dominic’s latest c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> children literature, Alibaba’s<br />
Adventure is written against the backdrop<br />
of c<strong>on</strong>tending socio-cultural, ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
and political issues. The s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry captures<br />
thorny c<strong>on</strong>temporary matters that require<br />
c<strong>on</strong>certed efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> address with a sense<br />
of urgency. The setting of Alibaba’s<br />
Adventure is present day <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Specifically, the author situates the events<br />
in Gwoza, Bornu State where insurgency<br />
and banditry seem <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be headquartered.<br />
Acti<strong>on</strong>s occur <strong>on</strong> familiar grounds such<br />
as the Sambisa Forest and Mandara<br />
Mountains.<br />
The plot revolves around Alibaba, a<br />
brilliant, but mischievous and<br />
adventurous primary 5 pupil of Gwoza<br />
Primary School. Alibaba is raised by his<br />
mother, Habibat because the father,<br />
Abubakar, had absc<strong>on</strong>ded <strong>on</strong> learning that<br />
he had got her pregnant. Alibaba’s<br />
Adventure tells the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry of school life in<br />
a semi-rustic society, adventure and<br />
mercurial rise from obscurity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fame.<br />
Alibaba and his mother live in a poor<br />
neighbourhood <strong>on</strong> the outskirts of the<br />
populous, but serene <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wn of Gwoza. He<br />
is known more for his rascality than his<br />
brilliance.<br />
Alibaba and his friends often get in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
trouble with teachers and parents<br />
due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the pranks they<br />
play. The trio is<br />
inclined <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> risky<br />
adventures. They take<br />
risky trips <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> caves and<br />
forests despite the<br />
warnings and<br />
punishments they<br />
receive. In additi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
A l i b a b a ’ s<br />
misdemeanor, his<br />
mother has another<br />
major headache: The<br />
persistent harassment<br />
of an amorous<br />
landlord. Through<br />
her petty trade, she<br />
strives <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay his high<br />
rent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avert evicti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Then, something else<br />
happens: A band of<br />
bandits strikes and<br />
kidnaps Aisha, the<br />
Emir’s daughter.<br />
The abduc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs demand a N2, 000,000<br />
ransom. The Emir declines <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay. Instead,<br />
he promises a reward of N5, 000,000 for<br />
any<strong>on</strong>e that brings useful informati<strong>on</strong> that<br />
will lead <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the rescue of Aisha.<br />
Expectedly, every<strong>on</strong>e gets interested in<br />
the expediti<strong>on</strong> with the prospect of<br />
becoming N5, 000,000 rich. One day,<br />
Alibaba stumbles <strong>on</strong> the<br />
kidnappers as he flees<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the forest <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid the<br />
cane of Mr. Ezekiel, the<br />
primary 6 teacher. This<br />
encounter with men of<br />
the underworld provokes<br />
a twist of fate that turns<br />
him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a celebrated hero.<br />
The book published by<br />
Revcom Books (2018)<br />
comes in a glossy cover<br />
design and picture<br />
illustrati<strong>on</strong>s that make it<br />
suitable for young readers.<br />
It is an 80 paged novella<br />
crafted in 10 brief, but<br />
engaging chapters. Each<br />
chapter captures a<br />
significant segment,<br />
beginning with the<br />
generati<strong>on</strong> of c<strong>on</strong>flict in<br />
chapter 1 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> its climax and<br />
eventual resoluti<strong>on</strong> in<br />
chapter 10. The cover page<br />
has the picture of Alibaba, Ahmed and<br />
Yusuf. Their posture and haggard<br />
dressing depict their poor background<br />
and obstinate stance.<br />
There is also a glossary of difficult words.<br />
The book is cast in the mold of s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rybooks<br />
by master craftsmen of children literature<br />
series like Onuora Nzekwu, the author<br />
of Eze Goes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> School, Eddie Iroh, writer<br />
of Without a Silver Spo<strong>on</strong> and the ic<strong>on</strong>ic<br />
wordsmith, Cyprian Ekwensi whose<br />
works include Drummer Boy and<br />
Samankwe and the Highway Robbers.<br />
The novella is primarily meant for junior<br />
readers in primary and sec<strong>on</strong>dary<br />
schools, but its message cuts across all<br />
age groups. Parents need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> read it for<br />
leisure and useful tips <strong>on</strong> parenting. It<br />
can also serve as a primer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> security<br />
agencies <strong>on</strong> intelligence gathering and<br />
crime busting.<br />
The s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry features fictive characters that<br />
represent diverse shades of people in the<br />
c<strong>on</strong>temporary society. The protag<strong>on</strong>ist,<br />
Alibaba, exemplifies thousands of<br />
youngsters raised in abject poverty,<br />
especially by single parents. His mother,<br />
Habibat, typifies the many women that<br />
resign <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fate after being ditched by their<br />
lovers.<br />
There is also Haruna, the trai<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rous<br />
brother-in-law <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Emir, who like<br />
Judas, betrays his benefac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r and tries <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
make quick m<strong>on</strong>ey by abducting his own<br />
niece. The novella portrays good people<br />
like the Emir and his amiable wife as easy<br />
victims <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> mischief makers.
36 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19 , 2019<br />
Morality and the state: The<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n experience (3)<br />
This is the third instalment of<br />
the c<strong>on</strong>vocati<strong>on</strong> lecture<br />
delivered by Prof. Sogolo at the<br />
2019 c<strong>on</strong>vocati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Academy of Letters,<br />
University of Lagos. The sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
part was published last Friday.<br />
By Godwin Sogolo<br />
IN a sense, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> has sunk<br />
f r o m<br />
the era described by Ekeh <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
low level of moral insensitivity, at<br />
both the civic and primordial<br />
publics. Today, it is <strong>on</strong>e’s own relative<br />
or cousin who would rape <strong>on</strong>e’s<br />
under-aged daughter; <strong>on</strong>e’s kinsmen<br />
who would arrange for <strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
kidnapped and negotiate a<br />
handsome ransom. It is a situati<strong>on</strong><br />
of anything goes and nothing evokes<br />
moral horror!<br />
In those days, elderly pers<strong>on</strong>s were<br />
accorded respect and given certain<br />
privileges. In the Western world, they<br />
are called “Senior Citizens” and<br />
allowed special provisi<strong>on</strong>s such as<br />
free transportati<strong>on</strong> and free medical<br />
care. Today, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n elderly pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
are <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld by the youths <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> hurry up<br />
and leave! In those days, when our<br />
children indulged in examinati<strong>on</strong><br />
malpractices, we chastised them;<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, parents and teachers c<strong>on</strong>nive,<br />
plot and direct students <strong>on</strong> how <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
carry out exam malpractices.<br />
That is the collapse of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
moral system. It is sad: it is tragic!<br />
What we have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day is selective<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>lerance of immorality, c<strong>on</strong>cessi<strong>on</strong><br />
and compromise. As against the old<br />
order, the new moral norm finds little<br />
or nothing wr<strong>on</strong>g in a situati<strong>on</strong>, for<br />
instance:<br />
•Where a c<strong>on</strong>victed sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r is<br />
allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> receive his<br />
salaries or even rewarded with an<br />
enhanced package;<br />
•Where state governors who have<br />
ended tenures of looting and<br />
PROF<br />
OF. GODWIN SOGOLO<br />
plundering, buy their way in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
upper chamber of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Legislature;<br />
•Where an official c<strong>on</strong>tract is<br />
drawn up with a budgetary provisi<strong>on</strong><br />
for “ransom payment” (an obvious<br />
invitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kidnappers), and<br />
•Where the Police Force itself<br />
officially organises and pays ransom<br />
for the release of a kidnapped police<br />
officer.<br />
In those days, the payment of<br />
ransom, if ever, was d<strong>on</strong>e in secret<br />
and anybody found <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have d<strong>on</strong>e so,<br />
was severely rebuked as<br />
encouraging criminality. Today,<br />
ransom payments are d<strong>on</strong>e almost<br />
openly and sometimes even publicly<br />
declared. Increasingly, violence,<br />
insecurity and brutality are<br />
becoming the norm rather than the<br />
excepti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Failure in governance<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s moral crisis is a clear<br />
manifestati<strong>on</strong> of the social distance<br />
existing between the individual and<br />
the state, the origin of which is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>nected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the failure in<br />
governance, manifested in an<br />
ineffective educati<strong>on</strong>al system that<br />
is incapable of inculcating in our<br />
youths sound moral values. These<br />
failures raise the important issue of<br />
loyalty, and perhaps also the<br />
questi<strong>on</strong> of legitimacy, as perceived<br />
by the individuals and the various<br />
sub-groups in post-col<strong>on</strong>ial <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
It is a situati<strong>on</strong> in which the moral<br />
and political authorities of the State<br />
have been weakened.<br />
The dis<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rti<strong>on</strong>s have been further<br />
worsened by the inability of the state<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fulfill its obligati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the citizens.<br />
Loyalty is a reciprocal attitude. So,<br />
it is either w<strong>on</strong> or lost <strong>on</strong> the basis of<br />
mutual exchange. Today, the<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n state<br />
have been virtually taken over by the<br />
primordial communities. The<br />
communities take care of the<br />
members’ welfare needs, including<br />
the problems of birth and death; they<br />
c<strong>on</strong>struct roads, bridges and other<br />
infrastructure through self-help;<br />
build schools, hospitals, medical<br />
clinics and even provide financial<br />
support for their members<br />
in times of special needs.<br />
As the state becomes more<br />
irresp<strong>on</strong>sible, and as it<br />
increasingly aband<strong>on</strong>s its<br />
civic resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities, so is its<br />
moral authority weakened.<br />
Indeed, this is a violati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
by the state, of its<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tractual obligati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the citizens and no such state<br />
has the legitimate right <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
expect the loyalty of the<br />
people. As the loss of the state<br />
translates in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the gain of the<br />
primordial unit, ethnicity c<strong>on</strong>tinues<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> grow as a powerful force in the<br />
moral c<strong>on</strong>sciousness of the people.<br />
A major failure of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
state is in the scant attenti<strong>on</strong> it pays<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> its resp<strong>on</strong>sibility of educating the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n youth, a resp<strong>on</strong>sibility that<br />
is being gradually transferred by the<br />
state <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r. Today,<br />
despite an increase in the number of<br />
public educati<strong>on</strong>al instituti<strong>on</strong>s at all<br />
levels, private instituti<strong>on</strong>s have<br />
virtually rendered state instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
worthless in the provisi<strong>on</strong> of quality<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>. The effect <strong>on</strong> the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
middle class is catastrophic and<br />
overwhelming. An average family,<br />
with two-three children, is saddled<br />
with the task of having <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay<br />
milli<strong>on</strong>s of naira (far bey<strong>on</strong>d their<br />
meager earnings) as school fees.<br />
How some of them cope, especially<br />
civil servants, is a questi<strong>on</strong> that<br />
boggles the mind. What cannot be<br />
hidden are the frustrati<strong>on</strong>s of milli<strong>on</strong>s<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns who have been<br />
aband<strong>on</strong>ed by the state <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cater for<br />
themselves.<br />
The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n situati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
unfortunately replicated in much of<br />
Africa, is often ignored by some<br />
scholars in their eagerness <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> apply<br />
Western theoretical models in<br />
matters relating <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the individual,<br />
citizenship and the relati<strong>on</strong>ship<br />
between the state and civil society. It<br />
is a known fact that societies in the<br />
developed world already have an<br />
established model of the role of the<br />
individual in relati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the state.<br />
That relati<strong>on</strong>ship is defined mainly<br />
in terms of the meaning of<br />
citizenship.<br />
The citizen is perceived as an<br />
au<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nomous pers<strong>on</strong> who has<br />
willingly placed himself under<br />
certain implicit c<strong>on</strong>tractual<br />
obligati<strong>on</strong>s in the Hobbesian sense.<br />
Not <strong>on</strong>ly is the individual<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sciously aware of his rights, he<br />
expects and demands them from the<br />
state. The state, in return, accepts its<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sibilities <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the individual<br />
citizens. And, it is <strong>on</strong> this implicit<br />
compact that the Western<br />
differentiati<strong>on</strong> between state and<br />
civil society rests.<br />
The idea of civil society is as<br />
complex as any other social c<strong>on</strong>struct<br />
and I cannot veer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o far in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
area by way of attempting a<br />
definiti<strong>on</strong>. In any case, its meaning<br />
changes from <strong>on</strong>e scholar <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> another<br />
and from traditi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> traditi<strong>on</strong>. The<br />
most comm<strong>on</strong> understanding of civil<br />
society, however, is that it is a<br />
depoliticised, free and au<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nomous<br />
public sphere in which individuals<br />
and associati<strong>on</strong>s c<strong>on</strong>duct their<br />
affairs through the principle of social<br />
justice, unhindered by the state.<br />
Generally, the idea of civil society<br />
involves the presence of a moral<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sciousness, with individual rights<br />
taking priority over other<br />
obligati<strong>on</strong>s. There is, in additi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
another important comp<strong>on</strong>ent of<br />
civil society as unders<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od in Western<br />
literature, which Jean-Francois<br />
Bayart describes as its capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
“moderate the excesses of the state<br />
… in so far as it is in c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>tati<strong>on</strong><br />
with the state or more precisely, as<br />
the process by which society seeks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
breach and counteract the<br />
simultaneous <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>talisati<strong>on</strong> unleashed<br />
by the state”.<br />
In much of Africa, especially in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, the noti<strong>on</strong> of the individual<br />
as a citizen, with rights and<br />
privileges, in relati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the state is<br />
not <strong>on</strong>e that flows freely in people’s<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sciousness. Nor is the state<br />
perceived as an agent with<br />
obligati<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the individual. In most<br />
cases, the state is seen as the acquired<br />
property of powerful rulers, despite<br />
the pretentious romance with<br />
democratic instituti<strong>on</strong>s. The truth is<br />
that there is hardly any sense of<br />
obligati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the citizen, unless it<br />
becomes necessary as a means of<br />
holding <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> power.<br />
Herein lies the c<strong>on</strong>trast between<br />
the state as unders<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od in the Western<br />
world and the state as perceived in<br />
much of post-col<strong>on</strong>ial Africa. In the<br />
West, the state is the joint property of<br />
both the citizens and those in<br />
government. C<strong>on</strong>sider the protests by<br />
the Yellow Vests in France. Barring<br />
excepti<strong>on</strong>al cases such as the social<br />
unrest that erupted in the Sudan, the<br />
general percepti<strong>on</strong> has been that in<br />
Africa, the state bel<strong>on</strong>gs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the rulers.<br />
I have discussed these peculiar<br />
characteristics of African social<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s so as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> emphasise their<br />
his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rical origin. It must be admitted,<br />
however, that much as the effects of<br />
the past linger, the influence of<br />
c<strong>on</strong>temporary global trends <strong>on</strong><br />
Africa are also important. Like other<br />
human societies, c<strong>on</strong>temporary<br />
Africa c<strong>on</strong>tinues <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be influenced by<br />
social and political changes taking<br />
place all over the world. So, whether<br />
or not there are persistent social<br />
challenges, modern Africa cannot<br />
escape being a part of the global<br />
search for liberal democracy,<br />
equality, justice, freedom, human<br />
rights and the dignity of the human<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>. In fact, these qualities are<br />
highly cherished in Africa, although<br />
they were more prevalent in precol<strong>on</strong>ial<br />
Africa than <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day.<br />
Global developments have<br />
influenced the creati<strong>on</strong> of new social<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s in post-col<strong>on</strong>ial Africa<br />
such that those Western structures<br />
that permit the differentiati<strong>on</strong><br />
Barring<br />
excepti<strong>on</strong>al cases<br />
such as the social<br />
unrest that erupted<br />
in the Sudan, the<br />
general percepti<strong>on</strong><br />
has been that in<br />
Africa, the state<br />
bel<strong>on</strong>gs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
rulers<br />
between state and civil society are<br />
beginning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> sprout. Organisati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
such as the media, trade uni<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
student bodies, intellectual groups,<br />
religious bodies and professi<strong>on</strong>al<br />
associati<strong>on</strong>s are now parts of an<br />
emerging civil society prepared <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
“c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>t and moderate” the<br />
excesses of the state. As in other parts<br />
of the c<strong>on</strong>temporary world, these<br />
positive social developments should<br />
tap the reservoir of values that exist<br />
in the primordial realm of our<br />
society. In spite of this positive note,<br />
civil society in Africa is still in a severe<br />
crisis, as anybody familiar with the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n situati<strong>on</strong> can testify.<br />
Role of the Humanities<br />
Now, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> return <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the essence of<br />
moral educati<strong>on</strong>, as formulated by<br />
Pla<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> in The Republic, I believe that<br />
the moral gap between the people<br />
and the state in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> can <strong>on</strong>ly be<br />
bridged by a radical value reorientati<strong>on</strong><br />
in educati<strong>on</strong>. To say<br />
that morality can be acquired by<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> is also <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say that a<br />
people’s moral system, percepti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
and attitudes can be impacted<br />
positively or negatively. It goes with<br />
the basic understanding of the broad<br />
functi<strong>on</strong>s of educati<strong>on</strong>. There is the<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> that imparts knowledge,<br />
skills and vocati<strong>on</strong>al expertise – for<br />
instance, the natural sciences,<br />
engineering, medicine, law, etc.<br />
Then, there is the educati<strong>on</strong> that is<br />
devoted almost entirely <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> teaching<br />
the student the art of living; the<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> that nourishes the<br />
intellect, spirit and moral qualities<br />
of man; in short, the educati<strong>on</strong> that<br />
humanises.<br />
In the course of thinking about this<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pic, I had <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>sult the eminent<br />
scholar and playwright, Femi<br />
Osofisan, who, as far back as 1981,<br />
asked the questi<strong>on</strong> if, indeed, the<br />
humanities ever humanised.<br />
Osofisan’s answer, certainly, out of<br />
frustrati<strong>on</strong> with the c<strong>on</strong>duct of<br />
academics in public office at the<br />
time, was negative. He explained<br />
why the humanities had failed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
play this critical role. I agree with<br />
him. But, as we have tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> show in<br />
this discussi<strong>on</strong>, a great deal of the<br />
lapses in our system are traceable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
col<strong>on</strong>ial importati<strong>on</strong>s, including the<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>al system, some of which<br />
did not quite fit in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the existing precol<strong>on</strong>ial<br />
formati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
It is sad that a large percentage<br />
(over 60 per cent, UNESCO: 2018)<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n youths <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day have no<br />
access <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> educati<strong>on</strong> of any sort. For<br />
those with access, the dominant<br />
impressi<strong>on</strong> is that the quality of their<br />
educati<strong>on</strong> remains doubtful. Indeed,<br />
it is generally believed that most<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n educati<strong>on</strong>al instituti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
are beginning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> turn out <strong>on</strong>ly streetwise<br />
graduates who place a high<br />
premium <strong>on</strong> craftiness and<br />
manipulative skills, but are lacking<br />
in any sense of morality.<br />
Instead, they tend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
transacti<strong>on</strong>al in their dealings,<br />
almost seeing every social<br />
interacti<strong>on</strong> as a business deal, with<br />
the belief that morality itself is old<br />
fashi<strong>on</strong>ed(I have a younger<br />
colleague and friend who jokingly<br />
calls me old school and thinks that<br />
my views <strong>on</strong> morality are outdated.<br />
He would insist - and seriously<br />
sometimes - that moral dispositi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
such as kindness, generosity,<br />
sympathy and such other sentiments<br />
are manifestati<strong>on</strong>s of emoti<strong>on</strong>al<br />
weaknesses of pers<strong>on</strong>s unable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
withstand social pressures. He may<br />
have a point - there are pers<strong>on</strong>s<br />
incapable of c<strong>on</strong>trolling the flow of<br />
their moral sentiments. However,<br />
such a viewpoint is dangerous, not<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the well-being of society but<br />
also <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the survival of humanity). It<br />
is worth noting, however, that the<br />
transacti<strong>on</strong>al attitude <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> social<br />
relati<strong>on</strong>s is increasingly becoming<br />
a global phenomen<strong>on</strong>, especially at<br />
the internati<strong>on</strong>al level where some<br />
political leaders give priority <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic interests at the expense of<br />
human rights and such other moral<br />
values.<br />
So, it is factually incorrect <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say<br />
that moral apathy or the emerging<br />
trend of insensitivity am<strong>on</strong>g our<br />
youths is limited <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> or that it<br />
is an African peculiarity. The trend<br />
is universal and it is a growing<br />
behavioural character of young men<br />
and women everywhere. Still, that<br />
does not obviate the fact, as we have<br />
tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> show, that its peculiarities in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>stitute a threat <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the wellbeing,<br />
if not the survival of our<br />
society.<br />
In almost every educati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
system, certain disciplines in the<br />
humanities do not have as much<br />
appeal <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> candidates seeking<br />
admissi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> tertiary instituti<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
compared <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> professi<strong>on</strong>al/<br />
vocati<strong>on</strong>al courses such as medicine,<br />
engineering, law, accountancy,<br />
business studies, journalism, etc.<br />
Until recently, in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
philosophy, my own discipline, was<br />
<strong>on</strong>e of the highest rejects,<br />
understandably, because, unlike<br />
many others, it is neither linked <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
some specific jobs in the public or<br />
private sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, nor is it a teaching<br />
subject in the nati<strong>on</strong>’s primary and<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>dary schools.<br />
To be c<strong>on</strong>cluded
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19 , 2019 — 37<br />
Development in focus as<br />
Sanwo-Olu inaugurates cabinet<br />
By Gboyega Akosile<br />
IN fulfilling his electi<strong>on</strong>eering promise<br />
that his cabinet would be c<strong>on</strong>stituted<br />
within 100 days of his government, Lagos<br />
State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu,<br />
recently released the first batch of 25<br />
nominees <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> occupy cabinet-ranked<br />
positi<strong>on</strong>s in the state. The list shows an<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> that is ready <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> serve, given<br />
the pedigrees of nominees, most of whom<br />
are tested individuals with proven records<br />
of accomplishment of performance in their<br />
various fields of endeavour.<br />
Three weeks after, a new list c<strong>on</strong>sisting<br />
13 names of another set of tested and<br />
trusted individuals was released making<br />
the cabinet positi<strong>on</strong>s 38 in all. Expectedly,<br />
the two lists generated a lot of interest in<br />
the political circle as well as the public<br />
domain. Every Lagosian at home and in<br />
the diaspora is interested in who occupies<br />
what positi<strong>on</strong>. You cannot query their<br />
interest. First, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s<br />
government came in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> power, with an<br />
emphasis during electi<strong>on</strong>eering that<br />
inclusive governance would be the core<br />
of its administrati<strong>on</strong>. In additi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Lagosians see the enormous challenges<br />
that have c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>ted the State in the recent<br />
years and they know that <strong>on</strong>ly a focused,<br />
dedicated and forward-looking cabinet<br />
can help <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deliver Governor Sanwo-Olu’s<br />
campaign promises.<br />
Lagos has grown in leaps and bounds,<br />
with its populati<strong>on</strong> hitting almost 23<br />
milli<strong>on</strong> people and still counting. This<br />
naturally comes with its challenges;<br />
increase in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns of waste generated, rise<br />
in the number of patients at various<br />
government hospitals and primary health<br />
centres, more pressure <strong>on</strong> the existing<br />
infrastructure-roads, schools and housing<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g numerous social amenities being<br />
provided by government. Lagos, therefore,<br />
cannot be administered in 2019 using a<br />
1979 template.<br />
The state has undoubtedly benefitted<br />
from its populati<strong>on</strong> growth-more revenue<br />
generati<strong>on</strong>; physical development is<br />
recorded in different sec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs making it a<br />
state <strong>on</strong> the move. At the last count, Lagos<br />
is said <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have hit close <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N30 billi<strong>on</strong> mark<br />
every m<strong>on</strong>th in internally generated<br />
revenue (IGR), making it the most<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omically viable state in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> and<br />
fifth largest ec<strong>on</strong>omy in Africa. However,<br />
the State government has argued that this<br />
feat is still a far cry from what is required<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> run a megacity such as Lagos. For<br />
example, the budgetary allocati<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
police department in New York City<br />
is $5.6 billi<strong>on</strong>, when compared <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
budget of the entire Lagos state, which<br />
stands at $2.4 billi<strong>on</strong>; <strong>on</strong>e can safely<br />
c<strong>on</strong>clude that there is more <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be d<strong>on</strong>e by<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get the state running.<br />
Being the nati<strong>on</strong>’s ec<strong>on</strong>omic nervecentre,<br />
Lagos is a city <strong>on</strong> the move but<br />
with enormous challenges. Apart from<br />
poor state of arterial roads that complicate<br />
free flow of traffic, commuters <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
productive hours in chaotic gridlocks that<br />
are caused by failed secti<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> roads and<br />
disorganised traffic management. Many<br />
observers have opined that planning the<br />
best campaign strategies <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win the<br />
governorship electi<strong>on</strong> was not much of a<br />
challenge before Governor Sanwo-Olu, as<br />
his party, APC commanded large following<br />
and significant popularity in Lagos <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ensure his vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry. What they say will be<br />
the most testing hurdle waiting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
surmounted by him was the strategy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
deploy in solving the l<strong>on</strong>g-standing and<br />
emerging challenges facing the state.<br />
When Sanwo-Olu emerged as APC<br />
candidate, Lagos had literally become a<br />
dumpsite as heaps of municipal waste<br />
littered the streets. The state agency set<br />
up for waste disposal had been<br />
disengaged in a curious and c<strong>on</strong>troversial<br />
circumstance, leaving residents <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> resort<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> indiscriminate dumping of refuse,<br />
which became a daily eyesore, even <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the government of the day. The aesthetics<br />
of the envir<strong>on</strong>ment was affected. All of<br />
these brought down the pride of Lagos,<br />
despite its growing profile as a hub for<br />
commerce, technology and innovati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Sanwo-Olu’s campaign was premised<br />
<strong>on</strong> the need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> address these challenges,<br />
with the aim of proffering short and l<strong>on</strong>gterm<br />
soluti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them. Project<br />
T.H.E.M.E.S that became the thrust of his<br />
campaign slogan was formulated as an<br />
operati<strong>on</strong>al framework <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> solve these<br />
identified challenges and sustain the<br />
profile of Lagos as centre of excellence.<br />
Up<strong>on</strong> assumpti<strong>on</strong> of office as the 15th<br />
Governor of Lagos <strong>on</strong> May 29, 2019,<br />
Sanwo-Olu channelled his energy<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards a process of scouting for visi<strong>on</strong>ary<br />
individuals from various areas of human<br />
endeavour that will help him midwife his<br />
visi<strong>on</strong> and deliver <strong>on</strong> his campaign<br />
promises. He said, during the<br />
electi<strong>on</strong>eering that ‘‘as Lagosians, we can’t<br />
be like people who cannot solve their<br />
problems. Therefore, we must find<br />
soluti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> our problems because they are<br />
created by us’’.<br />
As <strong>on</strong>e who believes in harnessing the<br />
capabilities of homegrown professi<strong>on</strong>als,<br />
Sanwo-Olu assured Lagosians that his<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>ers and cabinet-ranked<br />
Special Advisers would be drawn from<br />
local pool of resources and will cut across<br />
acceptable demographics. Besides, he<br />
promised his cabinet would be c<strong>on</strong>stituted<br />
within 100 days <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> set the ball of<br />
governance rolling.<br />
In keeping the promise made <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Lagosians, Sanwo-Olu announced the<br />
names of members of his cabinet exactly<br />
47 days after his swearing-in. This is a<br />
rare feat for a governor serving his first<br />
term. The Governor said he unders<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od<br />
the challenges c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>ting the state,<br />
noting that the selecti<strong>on</strong> process was a<br />
painstaking and laborious exercise, which<br />
the Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s<br />
government came in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
power, with an emphasis<br />
during electi<strong>on</strong>eering that<br />
inclusive governance<br />
would be the core of its<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong><br />
aimed at introducing fresh ideas <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
governance. He said the team of<br />
professi<strong>on</strong>als and politicians would be<br />
serving Lagosians in line with his<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>’s visi<strong>on</strong> of delivering a<br />
smart city-state that will rank am<strong>on</strong>g the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p most liveable cities in the world.<br />
His words: “We <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok our time <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pick the<br />
best hands for the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ugh job Lagosians have<br />
elected us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do. The nominees for the<br />
twenty five (now thirty eight)<br />
Commissi<strong>on</strong>er and Special Adviser<br />
positi<strong>on</strong>s include women and men who<br />
have made their mark and at the zenith of<br />
their professi<strong>on</strong>al callings.” Tough job? Yes,<br />
the tasks ahead are expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be rigorous<br />
as Gov. Sanwo-Olu posited, given the<br />
challenges the state is c<strong>on</strong>fr<strong>on</strong>ted with and<br />
the expectati<strong>on</strong>s of the people based <strong>on</strong><br />
the c<strong>on</strong>fidence reposed in the<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Infusi<strong>on</strong> of technocracy and<br />
political know-how<br />
Being the centre of innovati<strong>on</strong>, Lagos<br />
has raised the bar of excellence with<br />
injecti<strong>on</strong> of fresh ideas and energy in<br />
governance. This traditi<strong>on</strong> has been<br />
sustained in the last 20 years, and the<br />
young administrati<strong>on</strong> of Sanwo-Olu<br />
appears <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>eing the path, if the profiles<br />
of his nominees are anything <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go by.<br />
Of the 38 cabinet members cleared for<br />
inaugurati<strong>on</strong> by the State House of<br />
Assembly are active politicians who are<br />
equally professi<strong>on</strong>als in various fields. The<br />
infusi<strong>on</strong> of politics and professi<strong>on</strong>alism is<br />
perhaps the unique selling point of the<br />
Sanwo-Olu Cabinet.<br />
•Gboyega Akosile is Deputy Chief Press<br />
Secretary <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Lagos State Governor,<br />
Babajide Sanwo-Olu<br />
Succour as FG strengthens<br />
diabetes care at PHCs<br />
Rainbow Specialist Hospital makes case for podiatry,<br />
diabetes foot services in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
By Sola Ogundipe<br />
TOWARDS<br />
stem<br />
ming the increasing<br />
incidence of diabetes in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, the Federal Ministry<br />
of Health is strengthening<br />
the primary<br />
healthcare system <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> include<br />
diabetes management<br />
with foot care - assessment<br />
and referral -<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the existing health<br />
care service at the primary<br />
healthcare level.<br />
At the 6th Annual Internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Diabetes, Podiatry<br />
& Diabetes Foot Care<br />
workshop organised by<br />
Rainbow Specialist Medical<br />
Centre, Lagos, the<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Desk Officer,<br />
Diabetes, Federal Ministry<br />
of Health, Dr. Alayo<br />
Sopekan who decried the<br />
burden of diabetes foot<br />
disease said its ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
burden was quite significant.<br />
“In <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, a large<br />
majority of people living<br />
with the disease have little<br />
or no knowledge of<br />
diabetes and its complicati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
It is estimated<br />
that the rate of foot ulcer<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g people living with<br />
diabetes is between 8.3<br />
percent and 19 percent in<br />
the different z<strong>on</strong>es of the<br />
country.<br />
“The rate of amputati<strong>on</strong><br />
was also estimated <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
as high as 53.2 percent in<br />
people with foot ulcer in<br />
some centres, thereby<br />
making diabetes foot the<br />
most comm<strong>on</strong> cause of<br />
n<strong>on</strong>-traumatic amputati<strong>on</strong><br />
in the lower extremities in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.”<br />
Sopekan, represented<br />
by an official of the ministry’s<br />
Diabetes Desk, Dr.<br />
Olanike Kehinde<br />
Akinkoye, however assured<br />
of Government’s<br />
commitment in providing<br />
leadership for preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
and c<strong>on</strong>trol of diabetes<br />
and other n<strong>on</strong>-communicable<br />
diseases through<br />
the Federal Ministry of<br />
Health “by strategically<br />
eliminating the risk fac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs,<br />
improving the management<br />
of these diseases<br />
as well as preventing<br />
their complicati<strong>on</strong>s. “<br />
Already the apex ministry<br />
had prepared the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Guideline for the<br />
Preventi<strong>on</strong>, C<strong>on</strong>trol and<br />
Management of Diabetes<br />
and currently carrying out<br />
a Diabetes Awareness and<br />
Care Project in the FCT<br />
and Imo State through<br />
support of the World Diabetes<br />
Foundati<strong>on</strong>, WDF.<br />
“These supports include<br />
capacity building at<br />
Pharmacists establish 24-hr<br />
centres <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> check drug,<br />
chemical abuse nati<strong>on</strong>wide<br />
By Chioma Obinna<br />
HOPE of survival<br />
has risen for <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
exposed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> un<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ward<br />
effects of drugs,<br />
substances of abuse and<br />
pois<strong>on</strong>s as the Pharmaceutical<br />
Society of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
PSN, upscaled its<br />
informati<strong>on</strong> centre <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a 24-<br />
hour Nati<strong>on</strong>al Drug &<br />
Pois<strong>on</strong>s Informati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Emergency Resp<strong>on</strong>se<br />
and Research Centre.<br />
To this end, an eights<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rey<br />
building estimated<br />
at N2.6 billi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> house<br />
all the centres is under<br />
c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
The Nati<strong>on</strong>al drug centre<br />
will, am<strong>on</strong>g other<br />
things, serve as a counselling,<br />
referral and when<br />
necessary, mobilise appropriate<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>se team<br />
for victims. It would also<br />
be a coordinating centre<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> resp<strong>on</strong>ses <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> suicide<br />
attempts, rehabilitati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
drug addicts and people<br />
injured by pois<strong>on</strong>s as well<br />
as serve as informati<strong>on</strong><br />
and research warehouse<br />
for re<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>oling pharmacy<br />
and pharmacists <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
greater relevance.<br />
At the unveiling of the<br />
project last week in Lagos,<br />
Chairman, Project<br />
Committee of the PSN,<br />
Dr John Nwaiwu said the<br />
Centre would also serve<br />
as part of preparing <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
for chemical and<br />
drug terrorism and other<br />
disease epidemics.<br />
Every State in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
would have a dedicated<br />
ph<strong>on</strong>e line and pers<strong>on</strong>nel<br />
Nwaiwu noted.<br />
“The pers<strong>on</strong>nel must be<br />
fluent in local language<br />
for wider coverage and<br />
effective communicati<strong>on</strong><br />
resp<strong>on</strong>se <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pois<strong>on</strong>ing issues,<br />
adverse drug reacti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
report, enquiries <strong>on</strong><br />
drug abuse use, suicide<br />
attempt calls and c<strong>on</strong>nects<br />
health professi<strong>on</strong>als<br />
in hospitals, community<br />
pharmacies and<br />
other healthcare facilities,<br />
as <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> availability of emergency<br />
drugs, orphan<br />
drugs, Red Cross, State<br />
emergency resp<strong>on</strong>se<br />
units, community pharmacists<br />
with hospitals<br />
and special care centres<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>wide am<strong>on</strong>g others.<br />
“The Centre will also<br />
serve as a training facility<br />
open <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> all healthcare<br />
professi<strong>on</strong>als and a window<br />
for internship programmes<br />
for pharmacy<br />
graduates etc.”<br />
the Primary Care level<br />
within the selected sites<br />
and medical outreaches.<br />
It is envisaged that the<br />
project would be scaled<br />
up.<br />
“More so, the Federal<br />
Ministry of Health in collaborati<strong>on</strong><br />
with n<strong>on</strong>health<br />
Ministries, Department<br />
and Agencies<br />
developed the 7-year<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>al Multisec<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ral<br />
Acti<strong>on</strong> Plan (NMSAP) for<br />
the preventi<strong>on</strong> and c<strong>on</strong>trol<br />
of NCDs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> serve as a<br />
strategic guide for the<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al resp<strong>on</strong>se <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
NCDs in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,”<br />
Akinkoye said.<br />
The Coordina<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r and<br />
Managing Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, Rainbow<br />
Specialist Medical<br />
Centre, Dr. Afokoghene<br />
Rita Isiavwe said the<br />
Medical Centre has, in<br />
the builtbeen building local<br />
capacity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> improve<br />
management and preventi<strong>on</strong><br />
of diabetes foot<br />
complicati<strong>on</strong>s and raise<br />
awareness <strong>on</strong> proper foot<br />
care in pers<strong>on</strong>s living<br />
with diabetes mellitus;<br />
through much needed<br />
trainings via regular interactive<br />
workshop sessi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Podiatry<br />
initiative, she said, had<br />
produced a documentary<br />
<strong>on</strong> diabetes foot while<br />
over 1000 local health<br />
care workers had been<br />
trained. Also, a certificati<strong>on</strong><br />
programme <strong>on</strong> diabetes<br />
foot care at Rainbow<br />
Specialist Medical Centre<br />
had been successfully<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>alised.<br />
“The theme for this<br />
year’s workshop - Building<br />
the Diabetes Foot<br />
First Resp<strong>on</strong>ders, is very<br />
relevant and important, as<br />
having a str<strong>on</strong>g diabetes<br />
foot care pro<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>col at the<br />
primary care level will<br />
save more diabetes limbs<br />
and lives by ensuring Primary<br />
health care workers<br />
are able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recognise the<br />
high risk diabetes foot and<br />
know how <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> promptly<br />
triage them, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reduce<br />
delays in getting appropriate<br />
foot care services,”<br />
Isiavwe said.<br />
In his remarks, the Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r,<br />
World Walk Foundati<strong>on</strong><br />
Jamaica Chapter,<br />
Dr. Owen Bernard declared<br />
that foot care was<br />
not minor, but often an<br />
expensive venture that<br />
requires team effort<br />
which should be multidisciplinary<br />
in approach.<br />
Unfortunately, there’s a<br />
dearth of podiatrists, the<br />
specialists who manage<br />
foot problems, worldwide.<br />
“It makes sense <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> train<br />
as many people as possible<br />
so that we can deal<br />
with the problem of foot<br />
care, especially at the<br />
PHC level. We need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g> moiré time and<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> prevent foot<br />
amputati<strong>on</strong>,” he stressed.
38 —Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
UK faces food, fuel shortages in no-deal<br />
Brexit<br />
WITH less than 75<br />
days until Britain<br />
is set <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exit the European<br />
Uni<strong>on</strong>, a government<br />
report leaked <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> The<br />
Sunday Times newspaper<br />
reveals the disastrous<br />
effects a no-deal Brexit<br />
would unleash <strong>on</strong> the<br />
country.<br />
The United Kingdom<br />
would likely face food,<br />
fuel and medicine shortages<br />
if it crashes out of<br />
the bloc without a transiti<strong>on</strong><br />
deal, according <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
forecasts compiled by the<br />
Cabinet Office under the<br />
code name “Operati<strong>on</strong><br />
Yellowhammer.”<br />
The dossier also predicts<br />
the introducti<strong>on</strong> of<br />
a hard border in Ireland,<br />
which has been a main<br />
sticking point in negotiati<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
and severe travel<br />
disrupti<strong>on</strong>s at UK ports<br />
that could last up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> three<br />
m<strong>on</strong>ths.<br />
Medical supplies coming<br />
from Europe will be<br />
“vulnerable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> severe extended<br />
delays,” and the<br />
availability of fresh food<br />
will be reduced, causing<br />
prices <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> rise, the newspaper<br />
reported.<br />
It added that the public<br />
and businesses remain<br />
largely unprepared for a<br />
no-deal Brexit, and that<br />
growing “EU exit fatigue”<br />
had hampered<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tingency planning.<br />
“This is not Project Fear<br />
— this is the most realistic<br />
assessment of what<br />
the public face with no<br />
deal,” a senior government<br />
source <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld the Sunday<br />
Times. “These are<br />
likely, basic, reas<strong>on</strong>able<br />
scenarios — not the worst<br />
case.”<br />
However Michael<br />
Gove, the British minister<br />
resp<strong>on</strong>sible for planning<br />
for a no-deal Brexit,<br />
said <strong>on</strong> Twitter that<br />
operati<strong>on</strong> Yellowhammer<br />
was indeed a “worst case<br />
scenario” and that “significant<br />
steps have been<br />
taken in the last three<br />
weeks” <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accelerate<br />
planning.<br />
A Downing Street<br />
spokespers<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld CNN<br />
“we will not comment <strong>on</strong><br />
leaked documents.”<br />
Some have disputed<br />
the accuracy of the report.<br />
The Government of<br />
Gibraltar — which is a<br />
British terri<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry <strong>on</strong><br />
Spain’s southern coast<br />
— <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld CNN the briefings<br />
were “out of date”<br />
and based <strong>on</strong> planning<br />
for “worst case scenarios”<br />
which it has “already dealt<br />
with.”<br />
The UK had been due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
leave the EU <strong>on</strong> March 29<br />
this year. But it was granted<br />
a new deadline of Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber<br />
31, after failing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
pass a withdrawal agree-<br />
63 killed in Kabur wedding blast<br />
Sudan oppositi<strong>on</strong> names members of sovereign<br />
council<br />
UK PM Boris Johns<strong>on</strong><br />
SUDAN’s oppositi<strong>on</strong><br />
coaliti<strong>on</strong> has named<br />
five people, including a<br />
woman, as civilian members<br />
of the country’s sovereign<br />
council <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be sworn in<br />
<strong>on</strong> M<strong>on</strong>day, a source within<br />
the coaliti<strong>on</strong> has said.<br />
A landmark power-sharing<br />
agreement signed <strong>on</strong><br />
Saturday paved the way for<br />
Sudan’s transiti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a civilian-led<br />
government and<br />
eventual general electi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The deal provides for a sovereign<br />
council as the highest<br />
authority in the country,<br />
but largely delegates executive<br />
powers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a cabinet of<br />
<strong>ministers</strong>, which is yet <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
formed.<br />
According <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the agreement,<br />
the oppositi<strong>on</strong> coaliti<strong>on</strong><br />
is allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> choose<br />
five members of the council<br />
and the military another<br />
five, with the two sides<br />
jointly choosing a civilian<br />
as an eleventh member.<br />
The Forces of Freedom<br />
and Change (FFC) chose<br />
Aisha Mousa, Siddig Tower,<br />
Mohamed Elfaki Suleiman,<br />
Hassan Sheikh Idris<br />
and Taha Othman<br />
Ishaq, a coaliti<strong>on</strong> source<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld Reuters news agency<br />
<strong>on</strong> Sunday.<br />
On Saturday, the Transiti<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Military Council’s<br />
(TMC) spokesman said its<br />
head Lieutenant General<br />
Abdel Fattah al-Burhan,<br />
his deputy General Mohamed<br />
Hamdan Dagalo<br />
and Lieutenant General<br />
AT least 63 people<br />
have been killed<br />
and scores wounded in an<br />
explosi<strong>on</strong> targeting a<br />
wedding in the Afghan<br />
capital, officials said <strong>on</strong><br />
Sunday, the deadliest attack<br />
in Kabul this year.<br />
The suicide blast<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok place <strong>on</strong> Saturday<br />
evening in the men’s recepti<strong>on</strong><br />
area of the Dubai<br />
City wedding hall in western<br />
Kabul, in a minority<br />
Shia neighbourhood,<br />
packed with people celebrating<br />
a marriage.<br />
Women and children<br />
were am<strong>on</strong>g the casualties,<br />
said Nasrat Rahimi,<br />
a spokesman for the interior<br />
ministry. The Islamic<br />
State of Iraq and the Levant<br />
(ISIL or ISIS) group<br />
claimed resp<strong>on</strong>sibility for<br />
the attack <strong>on</strong> Sunday.<br />
The blast came as the<br />
Taliban and the United<br />
States are trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> negotiate<br />
an agreement <strong>on</strong> the<br />
withdrawal of US forces in<br />
exchange for a Taliban<br />
commitment <strong>on</strong> security<br />
and peace talks with Afghanistan’s<br />
US-backed<br />
government.<br />
The Taliban denied any<br />
involvement, calling Saturday’s<br />
blast “forbidden<br />
and unjustifiable”, but<br />
Afghan President Ashraf<br />
Ghani, said that the group<br />
“cannot absolve themselves<br />
of blame, for they<br />
provide platform for terrorists”.<br />
In a series of tweets <strong>on</strong><br />
Sunday, Ghani str<strong>on</strong>gly<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned the “inhumane<br />
attack” and called<br />
for an “extraordinary security<br />
meeting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> review and<br />
prevent such security lapses”.<br />
The blast occurred near<br />
the stage where musicians<br />
were and “all the youths,<br />
children and all the people<br />
Yasser Al-Atta will serve as<br />
three of the five military<br />
members.<br />
The TMC is yet <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> announce<br />
the other two members<br />
of the sovereign coun-<br />
ment through Parliament.<br />
The deadlock in Westminster<br />
ultimately led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the resignati<strong>on</strong> of former<br />
Prime Minister Theresa<br />
May, paving the way for<br />
new leader Boris Johns<strong>on</strong><br />
who has vowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exit the<br />
bloc <strong>on</strong> Oc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ber 31 —<br />
even without a deal.<br />
who were there were<br />
killed,” witness Gul Mohammad<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld The Associated<br />
Press news agency.<br />
The groom, Mirwais<br />
Elmi, recalled greeting<br />
smiling guests in the afterno<strong>on</strong>,<br />
before seeing their<br />
bodies being carried out<br />
hours later.The attack<br />
“changed my happiness <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
sorrow”, the young man<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld local TV stati<strong>on</strong> Tolo<br />
News.<br />
“My family, my bride are<br />
in shock, they cannot even<br />
speak. My bride keeps<br />
fainting,” he said. “I lost my<br />
brother, I lost my friends, I<br />
lost my relatives. I will never<br />
see happiness in my life<br />
again.”<br />
In the aftermath of the attack,<br />
images from inside the<br />
hall showed blood-stained<br />
bodies <strong>on</strong> the ground al<strong>on</strong>g<br />
with pieces of flesh and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rn<br />
clothes, hats, sandals and<br />
bottles of mineral water.<br />
cil. Tens of thousands of<br />
people <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the streets of<br />
capital Khar<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>um <strong>on</strong> Saturday<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> celebrate the final<br />
signing of the powersharing<br />
deal.<br />
China records c<strong>on</strong>sistent drop<br />
in criminal cases<br />
CHINA says the<br />
number of criminal<br />
cases reported <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> and investigated<br />
by its police in<br />
the first half of the year<br />
has decreased by 6.7 per<br />
cent year-<strong>on</strong>-year after<br />
dropping for three c<strong>on</strong>secutive<br />
years.<br />
Police sources made<br />
this known at a nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
meeting <strong>on</strong> public security<br />
and social order,<br />
held in central China’s<br />
Wuhan City.<br />
The police said that<br />
eight kinds of serious<br />
violent crimes, such as<br />
intenti<strong>on</strong>al homicide,<br />
severe intenti<strong>on</strong>al injury,<br />
rape, and drug trafficking,<br />
declined by 11.1<br />
per cent year-<strong>on</strong>-year<br />
over the same period.<br />
Gibraltar rejects US request <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
detain Iranian ship<br />
GIBRALTAR has rejected a request by the US <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> again<br />
seize an Iranian tanker that it has been holding since<br />
July <strong>on</strong> suspici<strong>on</strong> of transporting oil <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Syria.<br />
The US made the last-minute request <strong>on</strong> Friday, a day after<br />
Gibraltar lifted its detenti<strong>on</strong> order against Grace 1. Gibraltar<br />
said it could not comply with Washing<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n’s request <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> issue a<br />
new detenti<strong>on</strong> order because US sancti<strong>on</strong>s against Iran did<br />
not apply in the EU.<br />
The Grace 1 is due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> leave Gibraltar later <strong>on</strong> Sunday, Iran’s<br />
UK envoy says.<br />
The ship with its crew of 29 - from India, Russia, Latvia and<br />
the Philippines - was seized with the help of British marines <strong>on</strong><br />
4 July, after the government of Gibraltar - a British terri<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry<br />
- suggested it was heading for Syria in breach of EU sancti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
The move sparked a diplomatic crisis between the UK and<br />
Iran, which has escalated over recent weeks and saw Iran<br />
seize a British-flagged and Swedish-owned oil tanker, Stena<br />
Impero, in the Gulf.<br />
The Gibraltar authorities freed the vessel <strong>on</strong> Thursday after<br />
receiving assurances from Iran that Grace 1 would not discharge<br />
its cargo in Syria.<br />
The US Justice Department then filed a request <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> detain the<br />
Grace 1 <strong>on</strong> the grounds that it had links <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Iran’s Islamic<br />
Revoluti<strong>on</strong>ary Guard Corps, which it has designated a terrorist<br />
group.<br />
Gibraltar, in a statement <strong>on</strong> Sunday, said it could not comply<br />
with the request. It said: “The EU sancti<strong>on</strong>s regime against<br />
Iran - which is applicable in Gibraltar - is much narrower<br />
than that applicable in the US.”<br />
There has been no resp<strong>on</strong>se yet from Washing<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n.<br />
Iran’s ambassador <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Britain, Hamid Baeidinejad, tweeted<br />
<strong>on</strong> Sunday that two specialist engineering teams were <strong>on</strong><br />
their way <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Gibraltar and said: “The ship is expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> depart<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>night.”<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n medical student<br />
killed in Ukraine<br />
THE family of Gbolade Ejemai, a 30-year-old, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n medical<br />
student, who was murdered in Kharkov, Ukraine, allegedly by <strong>on</strong>e<br />
Vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ria Popvrako, is crying out for justice.<br />
Up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> 150 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns living in the diaspora have been murdered across<br />
countries such as South Africa, United Arab Emirates, China and<br />
Ukraine, in the last three and half years.<br />
Ejemai, a final year medical student of Kharkov Internati<strong>on</strong>al Medical<br />
University, had lived in Ukraine for 10 years during which he had<br />
made an acquaintance of Popvrako.<br />
It was gathered that Popvrako, a 36-year-old Ukrainian mother of<br />
two, had planned with her father <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kill him. She had invited him over <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
her house <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have a discussi<strong>on</strong> – an invitati<strong>on</strong> the deceased had unsuspectingly<br />
h<strong>on</strong>oured.<br />
“At 10:22 am, I received a distress message from him,” his young<br />
widow, Vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ria Luganska, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld TheCable, in a ph<strong>on</strong>e interview. The<br />
message read – Trak<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rostroitelei 95, 188 apartment, call police! that<br />
there is a c<strong>on</strong>flict.<br />
“As I was trying <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do that, he called me again at 10:36 am, crying and<br />
saying that they had stabbed him.”<br />
Before Luganska could get there, she met an ambulance c<strong>on</strong>veying<br />
him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the hospital (City Clinical Hospital for Emergency and Emergency<br />
Medicine), where he later slipped in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> coma.<br />
Segun Ashade, a friend of the deceased, also <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld TheCable, in a ph<strong>on</strong>e<br />
chat, that the whole incident was master-minded and executed by the<br />
lady and her father.<br />
Ashade recounted that the deceased narrated his ordeal <strong>on</strong> hospital<br />
bed, three days after he came out from coma.<br />
“Gbolade said they had an argument in the room. (The girl’s father,<br />
Mr. Popravko was reportedly in the house as well <strong>on</strong> that day). In the heat<br />
of the argument, the lady’s father brought a knife with which the lady<br />
stabbed Gbolade in the s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>mach. He later heard them saying this is not<br />
enough <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> kill him, get something else! The father scuttled in and out of<br />
the room and returned with a hammer, and struck Gbolade <strong>on</strong> the head<br />
with it,” he said.<br />
White House says ‘no recessi<strong>on</strong> in<br />
sight’ despite market turmoil<br />
WHITE House officials pushed back <strong>on</strong> Sunday against<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerns that ec<strong>on</strong>omic growth may be faltering, saying<br />
they saw little risk of recessi<strong>on</strong> despite a volatile week <strong>on</strong><br />
global b<strong>on</strong>d markets, and insisting their trade war with China<br />
was doing no damage <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the United States.<br />
“There is no recessi<strong>on</strong> in sight,” White House Ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
Adviser, Larry Kudlow, said <strong>on</strong> Fox News Sunday. C<strong>on</strong>sumers<br />
are working. Their wages are rising. They are <str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ing and<br />
they are saving…I think we are in pretty good shape.”<br />
U.S. s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck markets tanked last week <strong>on</strong> recessi<strong>on</strong> fears with<br />
all three major U.S. indexes closing down about three per cent<br />
<strong>on</strong> Wednesday <strong>on</strong>ly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pair their losses by Friday due <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> expectati<strong>on</strong>s<br />
the European Central Bank might cut rates.<br />
For a brief time last week, b<strong>on</strong>d inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs also demanded a<br />
higher interest rate <strong>on</strong> two-year Treasury b<strong>on</strong>ds than for 10-<br />
year Treasury b<strong>on</strong>ds, often c<strong>on</strong>strued as a sign of lost faith in<br />
near-term ec<strong>on</strong>omic growth.<br />
However, Trade Adviser Peter Navarro <strong>on</strong> Sunday likewise<br />
dismissed last week’s warning signs, saying “good” ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
dynamics were encouraging inves<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> move m<strong>on</strong>ey <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the U.S.<br />
“We have the str<strong>on</strong>gest ec<strong>on</strong>omy in the world and m<strong>on</strong>ey is<br />
coming here for our s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ck market. It’s also coming here <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
chase yield in our b<strong>on</strong>d markets,” Navarro <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld ABC’s This<br />
Week.<br />
That sort “flight <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> safety” is typically driven by c<strong>on</strong>cerns of<br />
global ec<strong>on</strong>omic trouble – in this case, the possibility that the<br />
Trump administrati<strong>on</strong>’s tariff battle with China may dampen<br />
business investment and growth worldwide.<br />
The tariffs <strong>on</strong> Chinese goods, Navarro said, “are not hurting<br />
anybody here”.
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 39<br />
:Vanguard News<br />
Sanwo-Olu <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> swear in<br />
cabinet members <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>morrow<br />
OBI<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Jennifer Nneka Obi, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Mrs Jennifer Nneka<br />
Obi Nweke. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public<br />
please take note.<br />
ONWE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Onwe<br />
Chinenye Juliet, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Mrs Agboamaka-Obi<br />
Chinenye Juliet. All former<br />
documents remain valid. General<br />
public please take note.<br />
OGIGAI<br />
My correct name is Ogigai Polite<br />
Festus but was wr<strong>on</strong>gly captured<br />
and written as Ogigai Paul.<br />
Ogigai Polite Festus remains my<br />
correct name. All former<br />
documents remain valid.GTB<br />
Bank and General public please<br />
take note.<br />
AHIAIDU<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Ahiaidu Omenogo Catherine,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs.<br />
Ezeugo Omenogo Catherine.<br />
All documents bearing my<br />
former name remain valid.<br />
General public take note.<br />
AKINTUNDE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Akintunde Omo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>la Juliet,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs<br />
Taiwo Omo<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>la Juliet. All<br />
former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please<br />
take note.<br />
OKORE<br />
I, formerly known as Okore Mary<br />
Azuma, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known<br />
as Chris<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pher Mary Onuabuchi.<br />
All former documents remain<br />
valid. Sec<strong>on</strong>dary Educati<strong>on</strong><br />
Management Board Umuahia<br />
and general public take note.<br />
AJEMRONA<br />
I, formerly known as<br />
Ajemr<strong>on</strong>a Chris<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pher, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as<br />
Ajemr<strong>on</strong>a Destiny<br />
Oborakpororo henceforth. All<br />
former documents remain<br />
valid, general public take note.<br />
OTU<br />
I, formerly known as Otu<br />
Lynda Hajia henceforth, want<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Obi Lynda<br />
Hajia. All other documents<br />
remain valid. General public<br />
take note.<br />
OTOHAGWA OMETIE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Ometie Judith Roli, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Mrs J<strong>on</strong>es Judith<br />
Roli. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public,<br />
banks and all c<strong>on</strong>cern<br />
instituti<strong>on</strong>s should please take<br />
note.<br />
OGUERI<br />
I, formerly known as Ogueri Esther<br />
Egojuka, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as<br />
Nwaokeke Esther Ugo Egojuka. All<br />
former documents remain valid. Imo<br />
Broadcasting Corporati<strong>on</strong>, IBC,<br />
Owerri, Banks and the general public<br />
should please take note.<br />
AROWOKEYE<br />
This is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>firm that the name<br />
Segun Tosin Arowokeye and<br />
Olusegun Arokeye refer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e and<br />
same pers<strong>on</strong>, but now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Arowokeye Oluwasegun<br />
Tosin. All former documents remains<br />
valid, Keys<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ne bank and general<br />
public please take note.<br />
EMENENA<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Benedicta Orobosa Emenena,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs.<br />
Benedicta Orobosa Ewe<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
All former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please<br />
take note.<br />
AZARAEL<br />
I, formerly known as Azarael<br />
Marvis Adrian, Nzete Marvis<br />
and Nzete Marvis Adrian, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Nzete-<br />
Azarael Marvis Adrian. All<br />
former documents remain valid.<br />
Banks, Embassy and General<br />
public should please take note.<br />
MMEFU<br />
I, formerly known as Helen<br />
Chidima Mmefu, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Helen Chidima<br />
Ebikpolade. All former<br />
documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take<br />
note.<br />
ADEOYE<br />
This is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> notify the general<br />
public That Adeoye Ayomide<br />
Salako and Salako-Adeoye<br />
Ayomide David is the same<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>, but now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
addressed as Salako-Adeoye<br />
Ayomide David. All documents<br />
remain valid, general public<br />
should take note.<br />
AKINGBADE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Akingbade Jumoke Ejiro,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs.<br />
Emiko Jumoke. All former<br />
documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take<br />
note.<br />
NWEZE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Nweze<br />
Stephanie Chinyere, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Mrs. Chima-<br />
Ekumankama Stephanie<br />
Chinyere. All documents bearing<br />
former names remain valid. The<br />
general public should take note.<br />
AYIWE<br />
I, formerly known as Ayiwe<br />
Friday, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as<br />
Peter Ayiwe Elijah. All former<br />
documents remain valid. General<br />
public please take note.<br />
EJENAVI<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Ejenavi<br />
Ejiro Beauty, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Mrs Enahoro Ejiro<br />
Beauty. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public, banks<br />
and all c<strong>on</strong>cern instituti<strong>on</strong>s should<br />
please take note.<br />
OWEREGBULAM<br />
I, formerly known as Roselyn C.<br />
Oweregbulam, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Roselyn C. Daniels. All<br />
former documents remain valid.<br />
The general public should please<br />
take note.<br />
OKPEDE<br />
My name was wr<strong>on</strong>gly written as<br />
Okpede Ndidi, instead of my<br />
correct name, Opeke Esther<br />
Favour. All documents bearing<br />
my former name still remain valid.<br />
General public and all relevant<br />
authorities please take note.<br />
EMENENA<br />
I, formerly known as Dr. Miss<br />
Rukome Precious Emenena, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Dr. Mrs.<br />
Rukome Precious Madjemu. All<br />
former documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take note.<br />
ANDAFA<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Deinmy Gift Andafa, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs.<br />
Deinmy O’Neill. All former<br />
documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take<br />
note.<br />
ORIAKU<br />
I, formerly known as Oluchi<br />
Helen Oriaku, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Oluchi Helen Oriaku<br />
Jombo. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public<br />
please take note.<br />
ULOAKU<br />
This is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> certify that the names:<br />
Miss Emmanuel Josephine Uloaku,<br />
Miss Nworgu Josephine Uloaku and<br />
Mrs Ejike Josephine Uloaku refer<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e and the same pers<strong>on</strong> as Ejike<br />
Josephine Uloaku. All former<br />
documents remain valid. General<br />
public please take note.<br />
BABATUNDE<br />
I, formerly known as<br />
Babatunde Opeyemi Mary,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as<br />
Adediran, Opeyemi Mary. All<br />
former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please<br />
take note.<br />
ESHEMITAN<br />
I, formerly known as Mrs<br />
Eshemitan Marian, now wish<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Miss<br />
ELimhinogbe Marian. All<br />
former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please<br />
take note.<br />
UGAN<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Ugan Emily, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Mrs. Akinola Emily.<br />
All former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please<br />
take note.<br />
NKWO<br />
I, formerly known as Nkwo<br />
Benjamin Chiebuka, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Kenneth Benjamin<br />
Chiebuka. All former documents<br />
remain valid. The general public<br />
should please take note.<br />
EGBIVWIE<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Egbivwie Elohor Judith, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs Eboh<br />
Elohor Judith. All former<br />
documents remain valid. The<br />
general public should please take<br />
note.<br />
EBUBBE<br />
I, formerly known as<br />
Omejeenyinniy Edozie Ebubbe,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as<br />
Omejeenyinniy Edozie Ebubbe Jk<br />
Jaa. All former documents remain<br />
valid. General public please take<br />
note.<br />
DAWON<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Daw<strong>on</strong><br />
Abidemi Muinat, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
known as Mrs. Abioye Abidemi<br />
Muinat. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public<br />
please take note.<br />
OGIE<br />
I, formerly known and<br />
addressed as Ogie Godbless,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known and<br />
addressed as Anth<strong>on</strong>y<br />
Atahine Godbless. All former<br />
documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take<br />
note.<br />
SAGAY<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Sagay Rachael Oghenenyore,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs<br />
Rachael Levi Samuel. All<br />
former documents remain<br />
valid. General public take<br />
note.<br />
OPARA<br />
I, formerly known as Mrs<br />
Opara Ifeyinwa Anth<strong>on</strong>ia,<br />
now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Miss<br />
Eric Ifeyinwa Purit. All former<br />
documents remain valid.<br />
General public please take<br />
note.<br />
OGHO<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Ogho<br />
Ogheneru<strong>on</strong>ano Juliet, now wish<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs. Ireba<br />
Ogheneru<strong>on</strong>ano Juliet. All former<br />
documents remain valid. General<br />
public please take note.<br />
EDEHERI<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Edeheri Endurance, now wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be known as Mrs Igugu Festus<br />
Endurance. All former<br />
documents remain valid. General<br />
public please take note.<br />
ROWLAND<br />
I, formerly known as Miss Rowland<br />
Margaret Ikpokomi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p, now wish<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs Isah Rowland<br />
Margaret. All former documents<br />
remain valid. General public, banks<br />
and all c<strong>on</strong>cern instituti<strong>on</strong>s should<br />
please take note.<br />
NWOSU<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Nwosu Chidinma Cynthia, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs.<br />
Anyanwu Chidinma Cynthia.<br />
All former documents remain<br />
valid. The general public should<br />
please take note.<br />
UMWENI<br />
I, formerly known as Miss<br />
Ekhoowa Charity Umweni, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs<br />
Ekhoowa C. Sim<strong>on</strong> Okisak nee<br />
Umweni. All former documents<br />
remain valid. The general public<br />
should please take note.<br />
By Olasunkanmi<br />
Ak<strong>on</strong>i<br />
L<br />
A<br />
G O S —<br />
GOVERNOR<br />
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of<br />
Lagos State, yesterday, said<br />
he would inaugurate the<br />
State Executive Council<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>morrow after swearing-in<br />
of 38 Commissi<strong>on</strong>ers and<br />
Special Advisers-designate<br />
already cleared by the State<br />
House of Assembly.<br />
Sanwo-Olu stated this,<br />
weekend while receiving a<br />
body of retired <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p civil<br />
servants under the aegis of<br />
the Associati<strong>on</strong> of Lagos<br />
State Retired Heads of<br />
Service and Permanent<br />
Secretaries, ALARHOSPS.<br />
The Commissi<strong>on</strong>ers and<br />
Special Advisers are<br />
FOOD SECURITY: We need 374,000<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns of fish annually —LASG<br />
By M<strong>on</strong>suru<br />
Olowoopejo<br />
LAGOS—THE Lagos<br />
State Government,<br />
yesterday, disclosed that the<br />
fish c<strong>on</strong>sumpti<strong>on</strong> demand<br />
in the state has risen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
374,000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns annually.<br />
The Permanent Secretary,<br />
Ministry of Agriculture, Dr.<br />
Olayiwole Onasanya<br />
revealed the statistics at the<br />
closing cerem<strong>on</strong>y of the 15th<br />
Annual Executive Weekend<br />
Training <strong>on</strong> Investment<br />
Opportunities in Fish<br />
Farming organised by the<br />
State Government.<br />
Onasanya lamented that<br />
the demand for fish<br />
increases daily without any<br />
adequate increase in<br />
supply, saying, as the<br />
populati<strong>on</strong> increases, so the<br />
demand for fish also jumps.<br />
The Permanent Secretary<br />
noted that the state could<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly provide 155,262 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
per annum leaving it<br />
with a deficit of 218, 738<br />
THE founder of<br />
Fastrack Group of<br />
Schools, Festac Town,<br />
Lagos, Mrs. Adesuwa<br />
Obaseki has reiterated that<br />
the school is committed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
grooming world-class<br />
leaders that will be soluti<strong>on</strong><br />
providers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
and global issues.<br />
Speaking during the<br />
school’s 15th annual<br />
graduati<strong>on</strong>/prize giving<br />
and awards cerem<strong>on</strong>y in<br />
Lagos, Mrs. Obaseki noted<br />
that the school in<br />
collaborati<strong>on</strong><br />
SHECAN<br />
with<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
expected <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be sworn in by<br />
10 am at Adeyemi-Bero<br />
Hall, Alausa, Secretariat,<br />
Ikeja.<br />
Sanwo-Olu said the<br />
wheel of governance would<br />
be in full gear before the<br />
end of the week, in<br />
fulfillment of his campaign<br />
promise <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> inaugurate his<br />
cabinet within 90 days.<br />
He said: “We are<br />
swearing in all other<br />
complements of cabinet and<br />
also Permanent Secretaries<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have the engine of<br />
governance <strong>on</strong> full swing.<br />
At that point, we believe<br />
that all the campaign<br />
promises we made can<br />
come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reality and<br />
Lagosians can benefit more<br />
from the choice they made<br />
at the last electi<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns per annum.<br />
He said: “Lagos State<br />
with a populati<strong>on</strong> of<br />
22milli<strong>on</strong> people is<br />
structured <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have a fish<br />
demand of 374,000 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns per<br />
annum as against the<br />
current fish producti<strong>on</strong><br />
figure of 155,262 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns per<br />
annum.<br />
“The deficit in supply is<br />
being met through<br />
importati<strong>on</strong> which gulps<br />
enormous foreign exchange<br />
which the Federal Ministry<br />
of Agriculture has estimated<br />
at a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal sum of $1billi<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
To address the<br />
challenges, Onasanya said<br />
the state government has<br />
embarked <strong>on</strong> programmes<br />
and projects which include<br />
fish farm estates<br />
development; fish cage<br />
culture system; training/<br />
capacity building<br />
programmes; agricultural<br />
value chains empowerment<br />
and artisanal fisheries<br />
development,<br />
others.<br />
We’re committed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> grooming<br />
world-class leaders<br />
— MRS OBASEKI<br />
I, formerly known as Mrs<br />
Ogb<strong>on</strong>na Patience Daniel, now<br />
wish <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be known as Mrs<br />
Ogb<strong>on</strong>na Patience Ego. All<br />
documents bearing my former<br />
names remain valid. The general<br />
public should take note.<br />
am<strong>on</strong>g<br />
organised a leadership<br />
training program for girls,<br />
engagement of<br />
experienced and result<br />
oriented pers<strong>on</strong>nel,<br />
am<strong>on</strong>gst many other<br />
programmes.<br />
She said: “We can <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
keep improving as an<br />
organisati<strong>on</strong> shouldered<br />
with the resp<strong>on</strong>sibility of<br />
grooming the best of the<br />
best in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> trailblazers. As a<br />
people, it is the duty of you<br />
and I <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tribute our own<br />
little quota <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards making<br />
the community, our country<br />
and indeed the world a<br />
better, safer and more<br />
peaceful place <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> live in.<br />
“Our commitment is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
render functi<strong>on</strong>al,<br />
qualitative and globallyaccepted<br />
educati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
service. Our focus remains<br />
grooming world-class<br />
leaders who will be soluti<strong>on</strong><br />
providers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> envir<strong>on</strong>mental<br />
and global issues.’’
40 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
YOUR LUCK TODAY<br />
By Joshua Adeyemo Ph<strong>on</strong>e 08056180139<br />
LEO: You can make it a successful day with positive approach<br />
<strong>on</strong> your part. You will be in a better positi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
defuse tensi<strong>on</strong> within your working arena. Try <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be more<br />
ambitious.<br />
VIRGO; Yes! You’re not scared a bit even, when oppositi<strong>on</strong><br />
and/or competiti<strong>on</strong> come your way but, if you give in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
diplomatic approach, you’ll fare better <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day.<br />
LIBRA: Pressure that came your way suddenly will give<br />
way unexpectedly, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the betterment of your course.<br />
The more financially ambitious you are <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, the better<br />
for you. Be steadfast.<br />
SCORPIO: You sincerely believe in intelligent argument or<br />
discussi<strong>on</strong>. And if you allow your ability <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be diplomatic<br />
come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> play <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, you’ll be better for it. Enjoy your love<br />
life.<br />
L E I S U R E<br />
TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE<br />
“Aband<strong>on</strong> the idea that you will forever be<br />
the victim of the things that have happened<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> you. Choose <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r.” -Adam Smith-<br />
D<strong>on</strong>’t believe everything that your mind is telling<br />
you, especially if it’s negative and self-defeating.<br />
Many people hurt themselves because<br />
of such negative habits that pollutes the<br />
mindset. - Ella Randle -<br />
SAYINGS OF<br />
OUR PEOPLE<br />
Lack of m<strong>on</strong>ey is<br />
lack of friends; if<br />
you have m<strong>on</strong>ey<br />
at your disposal,<br />
every dog and<br />
goat will claim<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be related <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
you. ~ Yoruba<br />
SAGITTARIUS: You’ll tend <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> become both creative and<br />
persuasive <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the administrati<strong>on</strong> of others. Then those<br />
who’ve been resisting secret love may slip suddenly and<br />
become excited.<br />
CAPRICORN: Even if oppositi<strong>on</strong> persists, supports you are<br />
getting from the influential people will be enough <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see<br />
you through. Yet, the more cooperative you are the better.<br />
AQUARIUS: Your creativity quotient within your working<br />
arena will <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day be enhanced. You’ll be blamed if you keep<br />
official issues secrets from your challenges at work.<br />
PISCES: After a few tensi<strong>on</strong> soaked days, you’ll have the<br />
needed opportunity <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> look through windows of the world<br />
and have your way as well. Magnetic and/or magic days is<br />
predicted for lovers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day.<br />
ARIES: Even if you c<strong>on</strong>tinue <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> work under pressure via<br />
increased workload, you will have good results <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> show for<br />
your efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day. Be steadfast.<br />
TAURUS: Promise made <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> genuine pers<strong>on</strong>alities should<br />
be kept if not because of <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day but for better <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>morrow. Be<br />
reas<strong>on</strong>able and clean.<br />
GEMINI: Those of you willing <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> let go hard feelings at<br />
work are for a progressive day <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the betterment of your<br />
finances. Let go yesterday, move ahead.<br />
TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye”<br />
DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O. OLAIDE<br />
By Kola Fayemi<br />
CANCER: Once again, you’ll have the needed opportunity<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> assert yourself <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the administrati<strong>on</strong> of others. Both love<br />
and financial success can be yours with efforts. Reas<strong>on</strong> with<br />
your tried and trusted friends.<br />
ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING<br />
Send your date and place of birth <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Astr<br />
trological<br />
Counselling, P.M.B 100<br />
007, Apapa, Lagos<br />
WHAT’S MY HOROSCOPE?<br />
Dear Joshua,<br />
Kindly tell me how the planets lined up when I was<br />
born and the day of the week I was born but d<strong>on</strong>’t publish<br />
my date of birth.. Please tell me my full horoscope<br />
An<strong>on</strong>ymous, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Dear An<strong>on</strong>ymous,<br />
You were born <strong>on</strong> a Sunday.<br />
YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA<br />
Day of Birth = Sunday<br />
Sun Sign = Scorpio. Sun in Zero Degree of Scorpio<br />
Mo<strong>on</strong> Sign = Libra: Mo<strong>on</strong> in 5th Degree of Libra<br />
Mercury in 12th Degree of Scorpio<br />
Venus in Zero Degree of Sagittarius<br />
Mars in 1st Degree of Aquarius<br />
Jupiter in 29th Degree of Cancer<br />
Saturn in 10th Degree of Scorpio<br />
Uranus in 27th Degree of Cancer<br />
Neptune in 25th Degree of Libra<br />
Plu<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> in 26th Degree of Leo<br />
North Node in 8th Degree of Capricorn<br />
South Node in 8th Degree of Cancer<br />
No planet in earth spar sign, <strong>on</strong>e in available, two in<br />
fire, three in air, four in cardinal, fixed and water star<br />
signs hosted five planets each.<br />
PHYSICAL INFLUENCE = 50%<br />
NON-PHYSICAL INFLUENCE =50%<br />
PLANET AT HOME = NONE<br />
ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA<br />
You are both an intelligent and emoti<strong>on</strong>al pers<strong>on</strong>. And<br />
as there was planet at home when you were born, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o<br />
many ideas will always struggle for prominent place in<br />
your mind, thus decisi<strong>on</strong> making is difficult but most<br />
times, your intelligence comes <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the rescue. Certainly,<br />
you appear <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> other as a gentle pers<strong>on</strong> who can be mistaken<br />
for soft fellow but your inner-self is the pers<strong>on</strong>ality<br />
with a steel like will power.<br />
You are the c<strong>on</strong>sistent type who may find it difficult <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
change <strong>on</strong>ce you have made up your mind as indicated<br />
by distributi<strong>on</strong> of the planets as written out in paragraph<br />
two of this exercise.<br />
One major challenge you have been battling for a very<br />
l<strong>on</strong>g time is c<strong>on</strong>stant worries, some times, necessarily<br />
and the other time, uncalled for, as indicated by c<strong>on</strong>juncti<strong>on</strong><br />
Mercury and Saturn formed when you were born.<br />
Placement of your natal Sun (basic self head) and Mo<strong>on</strong><br />
(your sub-c<strong>on</strong>scious self) in Scorpio and Libra<br />
respectively are indicati<strong>on</strong>s of your being mainly Scorpio<br />
born pers<strong>on</strong> and partly in Libran. And that is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say basic<br />
characteristics of both Scorpio and Libra are highly pr<strong>on</strong>ounced<br />
in you. Then, you are spiritually gifted; if you<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t develop it is another thing.<br />
VIRGINIA<br />
HOME & ABROAD<br />
dadadekola@yahoo.com<br />
By Lawrence Akapa
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019—41<br />
HOMAGE—President Muhammadu Buhari (left), in a handshake with Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta,<br />
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Communicati<strong>on</strong>s Commissi<strong>on</strong> (NCC), when the EVC paid a<br />
Sallah homage <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the President in his Daura, Katsina, home at the just c<strong>on</strong>cluded Sallah recently.<br />
IPOB's attack <strong>on</strong> Ekweremadu,<br />
warning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Igbo leaders —KANU<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues from Page 5<br />
promise <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> investigate and<br />
bring <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> book every<strong>on</strong>e who<br />
was part of that dastardly<br />
assault <strong>on</strong> a serving<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al leader.<br />
“On my part, I promise <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
lead the House Committee<br />
<strong>on</strong> Foreign Affairs which I<br />
currently chair, and,<br />
indeed, other members of<br />
the House, who have since<br />
yesterday c<strong>on</strong>tinued <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> call<br />
in <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> express their<br />
indignati<strong>on</strong> against the act,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> move a moti<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong> the<br />
floor of the House and <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
call for broader<br />
investigati<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> the<br />
matter, with a view <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
decisively dealing with all<br />
those involved and seeking<br />
protecti<strong>on</strong> for the politicallyexposed<br />
pers<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> foreign<br />
trips and assignments in<br />
foreign jurisdicti<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
“While c<strong>on</strong>ceding that it<br />
is the right of any group or<br />
individual <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> protest against<br />
a perceived wr<strong>on</strong>g d<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
them in every democratic<br />
set-up like ours, it goes<br />
without saying that there is<br />
a limit <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the extent any<br />
protest can go.<br />
“It ceases <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a protest,<br />
for instance, when those<br />
involved in such a protest<br />
begin <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make attempts <strong>on</strong><br />
life or endanger the rights<br />
of others <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> peaceful and<br />
lawful assembly as we saw<br />
in the case at Nuremberg,<br />
Germany. As law-abiding<br />
people, we must have a<br />
recourse <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> civility and<br />
proper ways of doing<br />
things at all times.”<br />
It’s unnecessary<br />
— PDP<br />
Similarly, Peoples<br />
Democratic Party, PDP,<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu, saying it was<br />
unnecessary.<br />
PDP in a statement signed<br />
by its Nati<strong>on</strong>al Publicity<br />
Secretary, Kola<br />
Ologb<strong>on</strong>diyan, noted that<br />
the attack <strong>on</strong> the lawmaker<br />
was uncalled for,<br />
unprovoked and could not<br />
be justified under any<br />
guise whatsoever, adding<br />
that the development<br />
portrayed the nati<strong>on</strong> in bad<br />
light.<br />
The statement read: “The<br />
PDP charges the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
Ambassador <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Germany as<br />
well as the German<br />
government <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take<br />
appropriate decisive acti<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> the matter.”<br />
The party also urged the<br />
Federal Government,<br />
particularly the Nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
Assembly <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take urgent,<br />
comprehensive step <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
address issues leading <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
acts of resentment and<br />
agitati<strong>on</strong>s by <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
within and outside the<br />
country in the last four<br />
years.<br />
Not in Igbo<br />
character—S-East<br />
APC youths<br />
Reacting in a similar<br />
manner, the South East<br />
APC Young Progressives<br />
Forum said the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu by IPOB was<br />
not in the character of the<br />
Igbo.<br />
Leader of the group,<br />
Comrade Otimkpu<br />
Paschal, said it was against<br />
Igbo’s core values and<br />
respect for elders for IPOB<br />
members <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> treat<br />
Ekweremadu in a<br />
disdainful manner.<br />
He said: “This is barbaric<br />
and unacceptable. The<br />
incident was an<br />
embarrassment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Igbo<br />
nati<strong>on</strong> and the country at<br />
large.<br />
“It is also shamefully<br />
pathetic that an event,<br />
which was nobly put<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether by the Igbo<br />
community, whose<br />
members make up the<br />
majority of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns living<br />
in Germany, ended up in<br />
such a disgraceful manner.<br />
Obviously, this is not how<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> repay a man who has<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tributed his quota <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
nati<strong>on</strong>-building.<br />
“Irrespective of political<br />
affiliati<strong>on</strong>, Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Elweremadu is an<br />
outstanding leader in<br />
Enugu and <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> and an<br />
unpretentious Igbo leader.<br />
“We may not agree with<br />
him politically because of<br />
differences in parties, but<br />
this is the highest insult <strong>on</strong><br />
Igbo leaders. The last time,<br />
it was former Governor<br />
Rochas Okorocha at<br />
Chetham’s House,<br />
L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong>. Today, it is Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ike Ekweremadu.<br />
“It is most worrisome and<br />
even inc<strong>on</strong>ceivable that the<br />
attackers chose a great<br />
occasi<strong>on</strong> where our people<br />
were celebrating and<br />
showcasing our rich<br />
cultural heritage (the New<br />
Yam Festival) <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exhibit<br />
such unbecoming and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demnable c<strong>on</strong>duct in<br />
the name of agitati<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
Lawan, Omo-<br />
Agege react<br />
Also, the Senate<br />
president, Ahmad Lawan<br />
and his deputy, Ovie Omo-<br />
Agege, c<strong>on</strong>demned the<br />
attack, describing it as not<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly a dastardly exportati<strong>on</strong><br />
of irrati<strong>on</strong>ality, but also an<br />
aggressive internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
affr<strong>on</strong>t against the image of<br />
Igbo and <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
In Separate statements,<br />
yesterday, in Abuja, both<br />
Lawan and Omo-Agege<br />
called <strong>on</strong> the German<br />
authorities and <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Embassy in Germany <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
bring the masterminds <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
book.<br />
Lawan in a statement by<br />
his Special Adviser, Media,<br />
Ola Aw<strong>on</strong>iyi said: “It is<br />
incredibly absurd for<br />
anybody <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> blame the<br />
distinguished sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r for<br />
the violent criminal<br />
activities in his home base,<br />
the purported reas<strong>on</strong> cited<br />
by the mob for the<br />
bewildering attack.<br />
“Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu,<br />
like all his distinguished<br />
colleagues in the Ninth<br />
Assembly of the Senate, is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>cerned about the<br />
insecurity and other<br />
challenges in that area and<br />
other parts of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu has<br />
also been in the forefr<strong>on</strong>t of<br />
the patriotic efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> find<br />
lasting soluti<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
challenges.<br />
“The barbaric attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu at a<br />
forum <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> which he was<br />
invited <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tribute <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
charting a course for the<br />
progress and happiness of<br />
Ndigbo debases our values<br />
as civilised people. It is<br />
most reprehensible and<br />
should be c<strong>on</strong>demned by<br />
all right-thinking<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns.”<br />
The President of the<br />
Senate, who urged the<br />
German authorities <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
identify those involved in<br />
the despicable act so the law<br />
could take its course, called<br />
<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> always<br />
reflect deeply and broadly<br />
before embarking <strong>on</strong> a<br />
course of acti<strong>on</strong> and<br />
advised the youth <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
ventilate whatever<br />
grievances they had al<strong>on</strong>g<br />
lines prescribed by the law<br />
and recommended by<br />
reas<strong>on</strong> and democratic<br />
ethos.<br />
On his part, Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Omo- Agege in a statement<br />
by his Special, Media and<br />
Publicity, Yomi Odunuga,<br />
expressed shock over the<br />
undeserved assault and<br />
called <strong>on</strong> law enforcement<br />
agencies in Germany <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
investigate and bring <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
book all those involved in<br />
the vicious attack.<br />
He said: “Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ekweremadu h<strong>on</strong>oured the<br />
invitati<strong>on</strong> of patriotic Igbo<br />
in Germany who wanted<br />
him <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deliver a keynote<br />
address at the event<br />
organized <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> commemorate<br />
the New Yam Festival but<br />
some aggressively<br />
discourteous elements<br />
hijacked the effort <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
perpetrate a disgraceful<br />
assault that seeks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
deepen the portrayal of<br />
members of the<br />
Independent People of<br />
Biafra, IPOB, as enemies of<br />
democratic norms and<br />
values in which the<br />
majority must always have<br />
its way after the minority<br />
must have had its due say<br />
in all matters.<br />
“What they did is not <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
a violent assault against the<br />
good image of the Igbo<br />
race across the world but an<br />
aggressive attack against<br />
the traditi<strong>on</strong>al norms of a<br />
people known <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
hardworking and<br />
respectful of meaningful<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tributi<strong>on</strong>s by leaders<br />
such as Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ekweremadu.<br />
“Such disappointing<br />
physical abuse also grossly<br />
disregards Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ekweremadu’s democratic<br />
antecedents and his l<strong>on</strong>gstanding<br />
commitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the cause of his people.<br />
But, as he has said out of<br />
the usual largeness of his<br />
forgiving heart, these<br />
people know not what they<br />
do.<br />
“Such criminal attack,<br />
al<strong>on</strong>g with other anti-social<br />
attempt <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> accuse, c<strong>on</strong>demn<br />
and lynch any<strong>on</strong>e remains<br />
utterly c<strong>on</strong>demnable and<br />
illegal, notwithstanding<br />
whether it takes place <strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n or foreign soil as<br />
it is the easiest invitati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
anomie.”<br />
It’s uncivilised<br />
— Orji Kalu<br />
In his reacti<strong>on</strong>, Senate<br />
Chief Whip and former<br />
Abia State governor,<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Orji Uzor Kalu,<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demned in very<br />
str<strong>on</strong>g terms the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu.<br />
Kalu in a statement<br />
yesterday, described the<br />
acti<strong>on</strong> of the mob as<br />
uncivilized, unacceptable<br />
and barbaric, and urged<br />
Ndigbo <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> respect leaders<br />
at all levels.<br />
He also called <strong>on</strong> the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Embassy in<br />
Germany <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> urgently bring<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> book the masterminds of<br />
the ugly incident <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> serve<br />
as deterrent <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> others.<br />
He said: “After watching<br />
a viral video of the physical<br />
attack <strong>on</strong> former Deputy<br />
Senate President, Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
Ike Ekweramadu, I was not<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly disappointed but<br />
irritated and disturbed with<br />
the acti<strong>on</strong> of some members<br />
of IPOB.<br />
“The assault <strong>on</strong> the<br />
sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r is a slap <strong>on</strong> Igbo<br />
leaders regardless of age,<br />
party affiliati<strong>on</strong> and<br />
religi<strong>on</strong>. The perpetra<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs of<br />
the uncivilized act must<br />
face the wrath of the law.<br />
“Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweramadu is<br />
not <strong>on</strong>ly <strong>on</strong>e of the Igbo<br />
leaders but also a<br />
prominent <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n and as<br />
such should be accorded<br />
due respect by all and<br />
sundry at home and<br />
abroad.<br />
“For the South East <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
move forward, the people<br />
of the regi<strong>on</strong> must embrace<br />
dialogue as a way of<br />
resolving pertinent issues<br />
and eschew violence.’’<br />
It’s sacrilegious<br />
— Abaribe<br />
Reacting in a similar<br />
manner, Senate Minority<br />
Leader, Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Enyinnaya<br />
Abaribe, Peoples Democratic<br />
Party, PDP, Abia South,<br />
described the attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu as<br />
reprehensible and utterly<br />
sacrilegious.<br />
In a statement yesterday in<br />
Abuja, Abaribe said the attack<br />
smacks off of utter ignorance<br />
of the prevailing situati<strong>on</strong> at<br />
home with regards <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> what the<br />
leaders were doing in the<br />
circumstance.<br />
Abaribe said he and the<br />
entire minority caucus in the<br />
Senate were appalled by the<br />
very nauseating attack <strong>on</strong><br />
Ekweremadu.<br />
“We c<strong>on</strong>demn it. It is a<br />
brazen show of ingratitude <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
a man who has been in the<br />
forefr<strong>on</strong>t of the struggle for all<br />
that is good for the Igbo race.”<br />
A b a r i b e<br />
described Ekweremadu as<br />
<strong>on</strong>e who had given his all in<br />
standing for the Igbo race,<br />
particularly when “we stuck<br />
out our neck <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> arrange and<br />
stand for surety for the IPOB<br />
leader, Nnamdi Kanu.<br />
He said: “Obviously, this is<br />
not how <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> repay a man, an<br />
outstanding leader of men, an<br />
unpretentious Igbo leader<br />
who has given his all, even<br />
going as far as deploying his<br />
means <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> arrange for the bail<br />
of Nnamdi Kanu, not<br />
minding the repercussi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
his illustrious political career.<br />
“It is unfortunate. The<br />
perpetra<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs of the attack<br />
should know that as Igbo, we<br />
respect elders and reverence<br />
our leaders. The unwaranted<br />
attack is not the character of<br />
the Igbo. This is un-Igbo. It is<br />
most worrisome and even<br />
inc<strong>on</strong>ceivable that the<br />
attackers will choose an<br />
auspicious occasi<strong>on</strong> where<br />
our people are celebrating<br />
and showcasing our rich<br />
culture <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> exhibit such<br />
unbecoming and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>demnable c<strong>on</strong>duct in the<br />
name of agitati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
“No, that was not<br />
agitati<strong>on</strong>, no right thinking<br />
human will identify with<br />
such behaviour. Yes,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> is going through a<br />
horrendous phase, which is<br />
a fault line that her leaders,<br />
particularly we the Igbo<br />
leaders are engaging<br />
others <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> find a lasting<br />
soluti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
“Resorting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> mob<br />
mentality and venting the<br />
spleen <strong>on</strong> our leaders<br />
rather create a vacuum<br />
that will leave our people<br />
helpless and c<strong>on</strong>fused in<br />
the circumstance.”<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Abaribe noted<br />
that there were rules of<br />
engagement in the country<br />
when things go awry,<br />
adding that was the way<br />
"we should go at all<br />
times, until we reach an<br />
acceptable nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sensus in which<br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu will<br />
always play a major role.<br />
He appealed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Sena<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Ekweremadu<br />
not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be discouraged in<br />
any way, but rather be<br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ic and take it in its<br />
stride as the price often<br />
paid in leadership.
42—Vanguard, MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
By Alemma-Ozioruva<br />
Aliu<br />
Col<br />
Paul<br />
Osakpamwan Ogbebor,<br />
retd, is a businessman, a<br />
leader in the Niger Delta and<br />
founding member of the Pan<br />
Niger Delta Forum,<br />
PANDEF.<br />
He was a pi<strong>on</strong>eer cadet of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Defence Academy,<br />
NDA. Am<strong>on</strong>g the 61 cadets<br />
of Course 1, he was <strong>on</strong>e of<br />
the 34 that graduated and is<br />
<strong>on</strong>e of the four still alive<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day. In this interview, he<br />
shared his thoughts <strong>on</strong> the<br />
state of the nati<strong>on</strong> and the<br />
way forward for the country.<br />
Assessment of the President<br />
Muhammadu Buhari<br />
administrati<strong>on</strong> so far.<br />
It is <strong>on</strong>ly if you have military<br />
background or vast in military<br />
his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry that you will<br />
understand and know that<br />
Buhari has achieved so much.<br />
As at May 2015, Boko Haram<br />
insurgents were flying their<br />
flag in about 15 local<br />
government areas, meaning<br />
that they <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok over part of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>. As at May 15, 2015,<br />
26 states were unable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay<br />
salaries. As at May 2015, the<br />
Federal Government borrowed<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay salaries of April and May<br />
2015.<br />
To fight insurgency is more<br />
difficult than fighting a civil<br />
war. And the kind of<br />
insurgency we are fighting is<br />
not just an insurgency. We are<br />
fighting external invaders, that<br />
is, the problem <strong>on</strong> the ground.<br />
Insurgents are civilians that are<br />
mobilised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cause a revoluti<strong>on</strong><br />
and take over the existing<br />
government but that is not the<br />
aim in this case of Boko Haram.<br />
They are not out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take over<br />
the government.<br />
From intelligence reports, all<br />
they are doing is purely <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> gain<br />
grounds, harass <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns and<br />
then get logistics <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> finance and<br />
support whatever is their<br />
motive because till <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day we are<br />
not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld what their motives are.<br />
What are they fighting for?<br />
These are just strangers from<br />
North Africa, Syria and other<br />
places looking for where <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
settle.<br />
Such people are very difficult<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> deal with. They are fighting<br />
without an aim, yet they are<br />
coming in numbers. They are<br />
just coming <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the country <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
fight, what they are fighting for,<br />
we d<strong>on</strong>’t know.<br />
The militants in the Niger<br />
Delta said they want more of<br />
the resources exploited from<br />
their place. That is not what<br />
Boko Haram want. All they<br />
want is: <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> is very fertile,<br />
the borders are very porous so<br />
they want logistics as much as<br />
possible and again, they find<br />
that <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns are very<br />
vulnerable so they recruit<br />
young <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be used in<br />
other places. Those are the<br />
people we are fighting with.<br />
Can you imagine the resources<br />
we are commiting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> fight<br />
them? If we had put these<br />
resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> build <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
railways, electricity or other<br />
vital projects, we could have<br />
INSECURITY: FG wr<strong>on</strong>g <strong>on</strong><br />
Ruga— COL OGBEBOR<br />
HIGHLIGHTS<br />
•Fighting insurgency more difficult than a civil<br />
war<br />
•We're fighting external invaders<br />
•Lack of nati<strong>on</strong>al goal hampering <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s devt<br />
•One of our biggest problems is system failure<br />
•<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> not ready for anti-corrupti<strong>on</strong> war<br />
•Let’s declare six m<strong>on</strong>ths emergency <strong>on</strong><br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong><br />
covered all the cities.<br />
If you are not a military<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> you will not understand<br />
what Buhari has d<strong>on</strong>e since he<br />
came <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> power. At the time he<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok over in May 2015, we had<br />
<strong>on</strong>ly four Divisi<strong>on</strong>s of the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Army. Today, we have<br />
eight. We had two naval bases<br />
in Lagos and Calabar, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day we<br />
have four. We had <strong>on</strong>ly three<br />
Airforce bases in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day<br />
we have five.<br />
Can you calculate how much<br />
was spent <strong>on</strong> creating these<br />
bases? As wealthy as America<br />
is it will be difficult for them not<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> talk of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> that is<br />
struggling. We have deployed<br />
resources <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> strengthen our<br />
armed forces <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take<br />
care of these insurgents that I<br />
call invaders, so we have<br />
achieved a lot.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns forget so easily.<br />
Before May 2015, we were<br />
having suicide bombers from<br />
place <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> place, we were losing<br />
many people everyday but<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day it is no l<strong>on</strong>ger like that.<br />
In warfare, just like we say in<br />
Benin, when you beat a child,<br />
you leave that child <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cry. If<br />
you are slaughtering an<br />
animal, after cutting the neck,<br />
there is a reflex acti<strong>on</strong>; that is<br />
what we are having now. Boko<br />
Haram is no l<strong>on</strong>ger organised,<br />
you cannot say this is the local<br />
government they are now<br />
occupying. You cannot say this<br />
local government is closed<br />
down now and the ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
situati<strong>on</strong> is grounded. All the<br />
states of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> are<br />
functi<strong>on</strong>ing. There is fear of<br />
insecurity but now what we are<br />
having is a reflex acti<strong>on</strong>. In<br />
terms of security, Buhari has<br />
achieved a lot. I will score this<br />
government about 85 per cent<br />
Insurgents are<br />
civilians that are<br />
mobilised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cause a<br />
revoluti<strong>on</strong> and take<br />
over the existing<br />
government but that<br />
is not the aim in the<br />
case of Boko Haram.<br />
They are not out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
take over the<br />
government<br />
<strong>on</strong> security.<br />
He also said that he will fight<br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong>. In 2016, he was in<br />
South Africa and he addressed<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns where he said he<br />
wished this was a military<br />
government. You catch people<br />
red handed, they have s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>len<br />
so and so amount of m<strong>on</strong>ey,<br />
they didn’t say they didn’t steal<br />
and for three years nothing has<br />
happened <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them.<br />
You think of even people<br />
whose cases are in court, they<br />
went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>test electi<strong>on</strong> and<br />
w<strong>on</strong>. What kind of country is<br />
this? If you were the president,<br />
will you not be fainting? So I<br />
know Buhari very well, he<br />
could have fought it but the<br />
country is not ready for it, they<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t see the evil of corrupti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
There is a difference between<br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong> and stealing.<br />
Stealing is if I take your thing,<br />
I have deprived you as an<br />
individual but corrupti<strong>on</strong> is:<br />
something you gave <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> me <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
enhance this area that I live in,<br />
I will collect and put it in my<br />
pocket. By that I have deprived<br />
so many people -this<br />
generati<strong>on</strong> and future<br />
generati<strong>on</strong> of something <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
build <strong>on</strong>. That is corrupti<strong>on</strong> and<br />
that is why many developed<br />
countries fear it because it is<br />
worse than any offence you can<br />
commit anywhere.<br />
When you talk of corrupti<strong>on</strong>,<br />
my recipe is like what we did<br />
in the time of Yar’Adua when<br />
he declared six m<strong>on</strong>ths of<br />
emergency <strong>on</strong> the ec<strong>on</strong>omy. We<br />
should also declare six m<strong>on</strong>ths<br />
of emergency <strong>on</strong> corrupti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Give him a free space; let us<br />
set up special courts and clean<br />
the stable that is <strong>on</strong>ly when we<br />
can achieve something about<br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong> and start afresh.<br />
When you talk of the ec<strong>on</strong>omy,<br />
at the time Buhari <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok over, 26<br />
states were unable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pay<br />
salaries you know how much<br />
bailout was given <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> them.<br />
Fourteen local governments<br />
were flying external flag; you<br />
know how much was pumped<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> those <strong>on</strong>es? If the m<strong>on</strong>ey<br />
had been pumped in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ec<strong>on</strong>omy we could<br />
have been booming <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day.<br />
On insinuati<strong>on</strong> that age may<br />
have slowed Buhari down<br />
Government is a team work.<br />
When you talk of age, is he<br />
older than President Reagan<br />
when he was president of the<br />
USA? Look at the lady in<br />
Germany (Angel Merkel) is<br />
she not older than Buhari? So<br />
age is not the issue. The issue<br />
is the problems we are having<br />
<strong>on</strong> ground in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> -<br />
structural problems, we are<br />
having system failure.<br />
Bring people from the<br />
highest instituti<strong>on</strong>s, from<br />
performing countries <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>, they will fail because<br />
of system failure. People see<br />
what bel<strong>on</strong>g <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the nati<strong>on</strong> as<br />
individuals and take them and<br />
put in their pockets and that<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> will go and c<strong>on</strong>test<br />
electi<strong>on</strong> and win; you send that<br />
pers<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> court nothing<br />
happens. So, anybody ruling<br />
such people can become tired.<br />
How will you rate Buhari <strong>on</strong><br />
Niger Delta?<br />
When he <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok over, pipelines<br />
were being broken at will; he<br />
invited some of us <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ask what<br />
could be d<strong>on</strong>e. I, Paul Ogbebor,<br />
went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the riverine areas <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
mobilise and meet people and<br />
that was how we formed<br />
PANDEF (Pan Niger Delta<br />
Forum). We and all the people<br />
that were breaking pipes, came<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether, met him and<br />
articulated a 16-point agenda,<br />
he accepted the report.<br />
We were able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reduce the<br />
breakage of pipes and<br />
militancy by about 90 per cent,<br />
there is still something going<br />
<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day but it is minimal<br />
struggle. People say he is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>o<br />
old but look at what he has<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the Shi’ites. If he had<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e that <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a southerner, they<br />
would have accused him<br />
wr<strong>on</strong>gly. Some people say he<br />
wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Islamise <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> but<br />
some of these people are<br />
Muslims.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns have not still<br />
unders<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od what development<br />
is, they have not still imbibed<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>alism and it is not their<br />
fault, it is the fault of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
as a whole.<br />
As <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns, what do we<br />
wake <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards? There is no<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al goal. For instance,<br />
before 1960, all <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns woke<br />
up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say they wanted<br />
independence and they<br />
worked for it, they made<br />
sacrifices <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be independent<br />
and that was achieved. After<br />
then, unfortunately, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> war, all the resources<br />
of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> were<br />
commandeered <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards<br />
ending the war and getting<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be <strong>on</strong>e and that<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> page <strong>43</strong>
Vanguard, MONDAY AUGUST 19, 2019 — <strong>43</strong><br />
INSECURITY: FG wr<strong>on</strong>g <strong>on</strong> Ruga<br />
— COL OGBEBOR<br />
C<strong>on</strong>tinues <strong>on</strong> page 42<br />
became <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al goal.<br />
Thereafter, we have not had<br />
another nati<strong>on</strong>al goal that all<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns could be mobilised<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards. What we have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day<br />
is individual goals. <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
are the hardest workers in the<br />
world but <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards individual<br />
goals. So, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be able <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> harness<br />
the resources, the energy of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> should now<br />
be thinking of having a third<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al goal.<br />
Many countries have d<strong>on</strong>e it.<br />
I was in India in 1974 as<br />
Deputy Military Attaché. You<br />
will wake up and go <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a<br />
popular area like Tinubu<br />
Square in Lagos; between 4<br />
and 6 in the morning, you will<br />
find them loading dead bodies,<br />
people who died from cold and<br />
hunger overnight. And I<br />
asked: what can you do <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> save<br />
these people who are dying?<br />
They <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld me that if they put<br />
all the resources of India<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards saving these people,<br />
they could <strong>on</strong>ly save 10 per<br />
cent, so what they were doing<br />
was putting the resources of<br />
India <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards a nati<strong>on</strong>al goal<br />
so that that nati<strong>on</strong>al goal<br />
would be enhanced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> save the<br />
lives of the children of these<br />
people dying.<br />
And what nati<strong>on</strong>al goal did<br />
they go for? Technological<br />
development and <strong>on</strong> this, you<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t need <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have natural<br />
resources, all you need is<br />
manpower development and<br />
brain power. That is why the<br />
Indians <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day have come up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the level they are. Instead of<br />
being net importer, they are<br />
now exporters. When I was<br />
there, whenever <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
come <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recruit, you find them<br />
coming in milli<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
teachers and whatever you can<br />
think of here.<br />
Three years ago, I went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
India <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recruit, I couldn’t get<br />
anybody <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recruit because<br />
their ec<strong>on</strong>omy has surpassed<br />
that of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>. As at 1974, <strong>on</strong>e<br />
naira was an equivalent of 97<br />
British pounds and was higher<br />
than the Indian rupees but<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, <strong>on</strong>e naira is less than <strong>on</strong>e<br />
rupee so they have achieved a<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al goal. I think we should<br />
start building <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards a<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al goal.<br />
What is your opini<strong>on</strong> of<br />
interventi<strong>on</strong> agencies like the<br />
NDDC that seem not <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be<br />
meeting its target in terms of<br />
quality of their interventi<strong>on</strong>s?<br />
Like I said before, <strong>on</strong>e of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s biggest problem is<br />
system failure, this is part of the<br />
system failure.<br />
The most pitiable situati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> is that we are still using<br />
foreigners for our development<br />
and you ask questi<strong>on</strong>s they say<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns d<strong>on</strong>’t have the<br />
competence yet you have<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns as chairmen of local<br />
government areas, governors<br />
of states and president.<br />
If you d<strong>on</strong>’t break egg, will<br />
you eat omelette? Why not<br />
develop <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns?<br />
In 1965, the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Army<br />
built Jos <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Baro railway line<br />
extensi<strong>on</strong>.<br />
In 1974, I went <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Tanzania<br />
when they were building the<br />
Tarzan railway line from<br />
Tanzania <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Zambia, they used<br />
the military. As at <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, there<br />
is no officer of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Armed Forces that is not<br />
having a minimum of first<br />
degree, 80 per cent have<br />
Masters between 20 and 25<br />
per cent have Ph.D, what are<br />
they doing?<br />
Our pris<strong>on</strong>s are filled up,<br />
what are they doing? Bring<br />
these people out, mobilise<br />
them <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> build railways and<br />
other things. Railway is the<br />
easiest transport infrastructure,<br />
we d<strong>on</strong>’t have self c<strong>on</strong>fidence<br />
and that is why we are having<br />
system failure. We d<strong>on</strong>’t have<br />
c<strong>on</strong>fidence in ourselves. We<br />
have everything that is<br />
required here. It was slaves that<br />
built the underground tunnel,<br />
the railways in America, in<br />
Britain when technology was<br />
minimal. Now we have so many<br />
universities, we have our<br />
children everywhere, we<br />
should internalise these<br />
things.<br />
Look at Suez canal, how was<br />
it built? The British government<br />
refused, the then world powers<br />
didn’t want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> help Egypt build<br />
the Suez canal. What did Egypt<br />
do c<strong>on</strong>sidering the ec<strong>on</strong>omic<br />
and security importance of the<br />
canal? They got <strong>on</strong>e of their<br />
c<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs, enhanced it and<br />
gave it the c<strong>on</strong>tract and that is<br />
what Arab C<strong>on</strong>trac<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day.<br />
As at 1960, the Israelis found<br />
that 80 per cent of their<br />
c<strong>on</strong>structi<strong>on</strong> was d<strong>on</strong>e by<br />
foreigners, they s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>pped it by<br />
law and started their own and<br />
they started exporting their<br />
work. As at <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, we have over<br />
200 Israeli companies in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> al<strong>on</strong>e employing<br />
There is a difference<br />
between corrupti<strong>on</strong><br />
and stealing.<br />
Stealing is if I take<br />
your thing, I have<br />
deprived you as an<br />
individual but<br />
corrupti<strong>on</strong> is:<br />
something you gave<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> me <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> enhance this<br />
area that I live in, I<br />
will collect and put it<br />
in my pocket<br />
Israelis and bringing things<br />
manufactured there. <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns<br />
are highly educated, they are<br />
highly exposed, government<br />
should trust them, believe in<br />
them, let us s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p bringing<br />
foreigners <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bring<br />
development. Why build<br />
houses that you cannot live in,<br />
why drive <strong>on</strong> roads that you<br />
cannot build? Let <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns do<br />
it so that they can generate<br />
employment, and foreign<br />
exchange.<br />
What is your opini<strong>on</strong> <strong>on</strong><br />
Fulani herdsmen/farmers<br />
clashes and the c<strong>on</strong>troversial<br />
Ruga policy?<br />
We have been having Fulani<br />
in this country, I grew up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
meet them, I was in the North<br />
for many years as a cadet. We<br />
never thought of who is a<br />
Fulani, who is Hausa or a<br />
Christian or Muslim, we all<br />
saw ourselves as <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns. I<br />
think it is just politics. We are<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld that the people you call<br />
herdsmen <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day, they cover the<br />
whole of West Africa, if they are<br />
criminals; deal with them as<br />
criminals d<strong>on</strong>’t call them big<br />
names. Whether they are<br />
Muslims, religious fanatics or<br />
herdsmen, deal with them as<br />
criminals, d<strong>on</strong>’t politicise it.<br />
As for Ruga, I think the<br />
Federal Government is making<br />
a mistake. It is the fault of the<br />
Federal Government. When I<br />
was young, there were<br />
railways, cows were being<br />
brought by train, dropped in<br />
Osogbo and from there they are<br />
marched <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> different places.<br />
Can you imagine that <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day,<br />
Lagos al<strong>on</strong>e c<strong>on</strong>sumes 6,000<br />
cows everyday and 20,000<br />
goats and rams, do you know<br />
the logistics that will cost?<br />
Government is supposed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
provide the enabling logistics<br />
these are big time businesses.<br />
Many countries live by selling<br />
dairy products. These things<br />
we are politicising are<br />
ec<strong>on</strong>omic issues. How many<br />
cows are we c<strong>on</strong>suming in<br />
Benin, in Enugu, Kaduna and<br />
elsewhere? It should be<br />
organised. We used <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have<br />
native cows, encourage people<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> rare cows wherever they are<br />
so that we spare the Fulanis the<br />
stress of matching cows across<br />
the country.<br />
What we are having now is<br />
because the Federal<br />
Government did not plan ahead<br />
for our development. How do<br />
we move cows, goats other<br />
animals <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the stables?<br />
The problem we have is that<br />
there is no nati<strong>on</strong>alism. In my<br />
book, I recommended that<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n girls should go for<br />
compulsory two years nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
service in military training <strong>on</strong>ce<br />
they are 16 and boys <strong>on</strong>ce they<br />
are 18 years. The aim is <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> get<br />
everybody and give orientati<strong>on</strong><br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>wards a nati<strong>on</strong>al goal. All<br />
countries that are called<br />
industrilaised <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day started<br />
with regimentati<strong>on</strong>; nati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
service. General Yakubu Gow<strong>on</strong><br />
did very well by starting the<br />
NYSC; we should now make it<br />
nati<strong>on</strong>al service for everybody<br />
and not <strong>on</strong>ly for graduates.<br />
How do you view the call for<br />
revoluti<strong>on</strong> by Omoyele<br />
Sowore?<br />
First of all, Omoyele Sowore<br />
shot himself <strong>on</strong> the foot. If he<br />
had such things in his mind,<br />
he shouldn’t have c<strong>on</strong>tested<br />
for the presidential electi<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
He failed through the ballot; he<br />
wants <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> come in through the<br />
window.<br />
Sec<strong>on</strong>dly, what is the<br />
revoluti<strong>on</strong> about? We have<br />
heard of Mo Tse T<strong>on</strong>g, we have<br />
heard of other revoluti<strong>on</strong>aries<br />
but what is the objective of this<br />
<strong>on</strong>e, what is the goal? I<br />
watched some people <strong>on</strong><br />
televisi<strong>on</strong> the other day who<br />
said they wanted revoluti<strong>on</strong> but<br />
Sowore did not reach out <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
them so what is the revoluti<strong>on</strong><br />
about? Is revoluti<strong>on</strong> the <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
means of making a change? We<br />
d<strong>on</strong>’t need revoluti<strong>on</strong>; we have<br />
patterns that we can emulate.<br />
We can emulate India; we can<br />
emulate the Asian countries by<br />
educating our youths. When I<br />
was in elementary school in<br />
Benin here, we were thought<br />
how <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make stamps, tell<br />
s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ries, different hand works,<br />
but those things are not here<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>day. There is a saying that:<br />
teach the child what you want<br />
and he will grow up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> become<br />
that.<br />
How will you assess<br />
Governor Godwin Obaseki of<br />
Edo State and the crisis he has<br />
been having with his<br />
predecessor, Comrade Adams<br />
Oshiomhole?<br />
Obaseki looks highly exposed<br />
maybe because of his<br />
background. His grandfather<br />
was a very rich man, Gaius<br />
Obaseki. He was <strong>on</strong>e of the<br />
most educated Benin men and<br />
he was in business. He was an<br />
exporter and importer, he was<br />
also the Iyase of Benin, his own<br />
father was also highly read. His<br />
mother was a c<strong>on</strong>fidential<br />
secretary in the presidency for<br />
many years until she retired.<br />
So, the parental background is<br />
very str<strong>on</strong>g. He schooled here<br />
before he travelled out so he<br />
must have imbibed the culture<br />
of development. I think he is a<br />
man who is developmen<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>riented<br />
and also knows how<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> use m<strong>on</strong>ey properly.<br />
He is a thinker and a doer so<br />
I think he should be supported<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> finish his first four years and<br />
then maybe given another four<br />
years <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> solidify whatever he<br />
has started.<br />
I d<strong>on</strong>’t see why there should<br />
be any quarrel between them.<br />
When Oshiomhole was going<br />
he said Edo State does not<br />
have m<strong>on</strong>ey and wanted<br />
somebody that is prudent, he<br />
wanted somebody who will use<br />
whatever is there <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> develop the<br />
state and I think that is what<br />
Obaseki is doing.<br />
Maybe Oshiomhole wanted<br />
whoever is here <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be a<br />
surrogate but in the his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry of<br />
the world, those who impose<br />
surrogates have problems<br />
because the man they want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
be answering their name, a<br />
time will come when the man<br />
will say no.
PAGE 44 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
KELLOGG'S FAMILY FIESTA—From left: Omotayo Azeez-Abiodun, Public<br />
Relati<strong>on</strong>s Manager, Tolaram Group; Mrs. Jennifer Christian, resident of<br />
Alaka Estate, with her s<strong>on</strong>, Jayden Christian; Darling<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n Igabali, Area<br />
Marketing Manager, Kellogg's, and Mrs. Aisha Nawal, resident, during<br />
the Kellogg's Big Family Breakfast exercise at LSDPC Alaka Estate in<br />
Surulere, Lagos.<br />
THREE CROWNS MEET—From left: Pas<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r (Mrs.) Celestina Opara; Pas<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r (Mrs.)<br />
Gladys Oparah; Mr Akeem Audu, Brand Manager, Three Crowns; Bishop (Mrs.)<br />
Francisca Ezeugo, and Pas<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r (Mrs.) Patricia Ajaero, during the Three Crowns<br />
August meeting at Overcomers Christian Missi<strong>on</strong> worldwide in Owerri, Imo<br />
State.<br />
GOOD WOMEN CONFAB—A cross secti<strong>on</strong> of women at the 47th Good<br />
Women Annual C<strong>on</strong>ference of The Sacred Cherubim and Seraphim<br />
Church World Wide, in Ibadan, Oyo State.<br />
BADGANG FEAST—From left: Sergeant at Arms, The Bikers with Attitude<br />
and Determinati<strong>on</strong> Gang (BADGANG), Niyi Odukomaiya; Digital<br />
Marketing Executive, Dufil Prima Foods Plc., Miss Oriola Oluwadarasimi;<br />
Social Direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r, BMW Club, Linda Dominguez, and President, BADGANG,<br />
Segun Solanke, at the BADGANG Jollof & Palmie 3.0 event, supported<br />
by Indomie Relish, in Lagos.
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 45<br />
NFF mourns<br />
Oyuki Obaseki<br />
The <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Football<br />
Federati<strong>on</strong> has expressed<br />
shock over the death <strong>on</strong> the<br />
morning of yesterday, of a former<br />
Chairman of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Premier<br />
League and 2nd Vice President of<br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Football Federati<strong>on</strong>,<br />
Chief Oyuki Jacks<strong>on</strong> Obaseki.<br />
The 75 –year old breathed his<br />
last <strong>on</strong> Sunday in Benin City,<br />
having left his giant footprints in<br />
the sands of time with his extensive<br />
work, passi<strong>on</strong> and visi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> League’s elite divisi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
new heights. He was pi<strong>on</strong>eer<br />
chairman of the body<br />
known as Interim<br />
Management<br />
Committee<br />
which was<br />
inaugurated in<br />
February 2005,<br />
and which<br />
transmuted<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Premier<br />
League<br />
t h e<br />
following<br />
year.<br />
D’Tigress retain<br />
2019 Afrobasket<br />
women title<br />
By John Egbokhan<br />
D<br />
’Tigress have d<strong>on</strong>e again it.<br />
They have w<strong>on</strong> a back-<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>back<br />
FIBA Afrobasket Women<br />
Champi<strong>on</strong>ship title, beating<br />
hosts and record champi<strong>on</strong>s,<br />
Senegal 60-55 in the final of the<br />
2019 editi<strong>on</strong> played last night at<br />
the 15, 000 seater Dakar Arena.<br />
In the first quarter, Coach Otis<br />
Hughley started with regular<br />
starters, Vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ria Macaulay,<br />
Adaora El<strong>on</strong>u , Evelyn Akha<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r<br />
,Iify, Ibekwe and his selecti<strong>on</strong><br />
paid full dividend as the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns w<strong>on</strong> the opening<br />
quarter 14-10.<br />
The chants by the home crowd<br />
were not enough <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p a sailing<br />
ship It was not a high-scoring<br />
game but D’Tigress led by 4<br />
points after the opening 10<br />
minutes n<strong>on</strong>etheless.<br />
D’Tigress <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok the sec<strong>on</strong>d<br />
quarter 32-24. Ezinne Kalu was<br />
the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p performer for <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>,<br />
with 10 points while Lena Niang<br />
was the best performer for the<br />
hosts, posting six points. Just<br />
when it looked like the<br />
momentum was going Senegal’s<br />
way, D’Tigress made a spirited<br />
fightback in the<br />
Still at half time, A<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nye<br />
Nyingifaled with three assists,<br />
while Ndeye Sene was Senega;s<br />
leading player in terms of assists<br />
with two assists.<br />
D’Tigress ended the third<br />
quarter with an 11-point lead,<br />
4837 heading in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the last quarter<br />
of the Champi<strong>on</strong>ship match<br />
inside a packed Dakar Arena.<br />
Ezinne Kalu still the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p scorer<br />
with 12 points while Lena Niang<br />
of Senegal posted eight points<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p score for the hosts, who<br />
were playing catch-up <strong>on</strong> the<br />
rampaging <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n ladies.<br />
Evelyn Akha<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r led in rebounds,<br />
<strong>on</strong>e more than Senegalese As<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>u<br />
Tarore.<br />
In the final quarter, Senegal<br />
romped <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a 21-0 lead, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> take<br />
the lead from the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns, But<br />
with a three pointer, <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
reacted <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> lead 51-49 in a nerverending<br />
finale. The nerves were<br />
down inside the Dakar Arena as<br />
the Li<strong>on</strong>esses staged a big<br />
fightback <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> cut down <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
lead.<br />
Super Eagles midfielder,<br />
Wilfred Ndidi yesterday<br />
denied Frank Lampard a winning<br />
return <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Stamford Bridge after<br />
Chelsea were held <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a 1-1 draw by<br />
Leicester City. Mas<strong>on</strong> Mount<br />
scored his first Chelsea goal inside<br />
the first seven minutes <strong>on</strong> his first<br />
appearance at the Bridge.<br />
But Ndidi’s bullet header midway<br />
through the sec<strong>on</strong>d half rescued a<br />
deserved point for Brendan<br />
Rodgers’ side. On his Stamford<br />
Ukraine coach Andriy<br />
Shevchenko has called up<br />
twenty-four players for the<br />
upcoming European<br />
Champi<strong>on</strong>ship qualifier against<br />
Lithuania and friendly with threetime<br />
Africa champi<strong>on</strong>s <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Of the 24 players called up for<br />
preparati<strong>on</strong> and participati<strong>on</strong> in<br />
the games, three are <strong>on</strong> the books<br />
of British clubs including Andriy<br />
Yarmolenko (West Ham),<br />
Oleksandr Zinchenko<br />
(Manchester City) and Maryan<br />
Shved (Celtic).<br />
An analysis of the roster revealed<br />
that three goalkeepers, eight<br />
defenders, eleven midfielders and<br />
two strikers have been invited by<br />
manager Andriy Shevchenko.<br />
Yevhen Shakhov, Sergey<br />
Sidorchuk, Nikolay Shaparenko<br />
Chelsea 1 Leicester 1<br />
Ndidi’s thumping<br />
header leaves Blues<br />
winless under Lampard<br />
Bridge homecoming, Lampard was<br />
forced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make some <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ugh choices<br />
with his starting XI, dropping<br />
Mateo Kovacic and Tammy<br />
Abraham in favour of Christian<br />
Pulisic and Olivier Giroud.<br />
Despite playing 120 minutes<br />
against Liverpool in midweek, the<br />
Blues looked the sharper side as<br />
they came racing out of the blocks.<br />
Inside the first minute of play,<br />
Pedro could have opened the<br />
scoring after being set up by Giroud<br />
Ukraine coach names EPL<br />
stars for Eagles friendly<br />
and Artem Besedin have<br />
been placed <strong>on</strong><br />
standby.<br />
T h e<br />
Ukrainians<br />
will face<br />
Lithuania<br />
o n<br />
September<br />
7 in<br />
Vilnius<br />
and take<br />
<strong>on</strong> the<br />
Super<br />
Eagles<br />
in the<br />
first ever<br />
meeting between the<br />
two countries at the<br />
Dnipro Arena <strong>on</strong><br />
September 10.<br />
Rabat 2019: Team <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> good <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
go, Toriola, Gumel assure<br />
Team <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s captain at the<br />
12th African Games in<br />
Morocco, Segun Toriola said<br />
yesterday in Rabat that <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
athletes and officials were set <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
dazzle at the competiti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Toriola said he and his<br />
colleagues were in good shape and<br />
would do their best <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ensure<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> finished <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p of the Games.<br />
The Games scheduled for Aug.<br />
19 <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Aug. 31 had started<br />
unofficially <strong>on</strong> Friday, with some<br />
football games and beach<br />
volleyball.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> are aiming <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> better<br />
their sec<strong>on</strong>d positi<strong>on</strong> placing at<br />
the last editi<strong>on</strong> held in 2015 at<br />
C<strong>on</strong>go Brazzaville.<br />
“We are good <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go, because we<br />
have prepared very well. We will<br />
try our best <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win the games.<br />
“All is set with us because we have<br />
prepared well, and every <strong>on</strong>e of us<br />
is happy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be here,” Toriola said.<br />
Speaking also, Habu Gumel,<br />
President of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Olympic<br />
Committee (NOC), said Team<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s athletes had shown a lot<br />
of courage and commitment<br />
through their preparati<strong>on</strong>s.<br />
“We are c<strong>on</strong>fident that with such<br />
level of spirit, and coupled with the<br />
lot of training they have received,<br />
Team <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> will give us the<br />
required medals.<br />
place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State<br />
recently.<br />
A <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal of 16 athletes (6 females<br />
and 10 males) and 5 coaches, as<br />
well as 2 officials, will fly<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s flag in wrestling at the<br />
Games in three styles; Women<br />
Wrestling, Freestyle and Greco<br />
Roman, and the Olympic<br />
champi<strong>on</strong> believes their ‘best<br />
efforts’ will bring glory <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
country.<br />
“My charge <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the athletes and<br />
but the Spaniard hit a sweet volley<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the side netting.<br />
There was more <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> come and<br />
Chelsea were rampant. Mount and<br />
Pulisic were both denied by Kasper<br />
Schmeichel in the space of a few<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>ds as Leicester struggled <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
c<strong>on</strong>tain the Blues.<br />
But their resistance so<strong>on</strong> broke<br />
when Ndidi was caught dwelling<br />
<strong>on</strong> the ball by Mount. The young<br />
midfielder kept his balance and<br />
with his sec<strong>on</strong>d <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uch slid an effort<br />
bey<strong>on</strong>d Schmeichel.<br />
Just a minute later, Chelsea were<br />
almost in again when Mount’s<br />
shot was spilled by Schmeichel<br />
and Pulisic was denied by the<br />
Dane.<br />
Chelsea nearly doubled their<br />
advantage when Giroud’s<br />
clever backheel found<br />
N’Golo Kante steaming<br />
in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the box but a vital<br />
block from<br />
Christian Fuchs<br />
denied the<br />
Frenchman a<br />
certain goal.<br />
12th African Games: Igali charges wrestlers <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
give ‘best efforts’ in Morocco<br />
President of the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Wrestling Federati<strong>on</strong><br />
(NWF) H<strong>on</strong>. Daniel Igali has<br />
charged the country’s wrestlers<br />
and coaches <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the 12th African<br />
Games in Morocco <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> ‘give your<br />
best efforts’ when hostilities<br />
resume in the Northern African<br />
Nati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Igali gave this charge at the<br />
unveiling cerem<strong>on</strong>y of <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s<br />
wrestling team <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the quadrennial<br />
multi-sport event which <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok<br />
Estate agent wins<br />
Betway N50m<br />
Fortune has smiled <strong>on</strong> a Port<br />
Harcourt based Estate Agent<br />
Emeka Cephas who w<strong>on</strong> a<br />
whooping sum of N50m after<br />
staking with just N13,000.<br />
In a statement by the Marketing<br />
manager, Lere Awokoya, Emeka<br />
played a 10 game accumula<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
win this sum.<br />
He equally affirmed that this win<br />
is the sec<strong>on</strong>d biggest payout in<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>’s sports betting his<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry.<br />
“<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>ns appreciate our love<br />
of the game and commitment <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
prompt payment.”<br />
“Having been operati<strong>on</strong>al in the<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n market for almost two<br />
years, we are here for real. As a<br />
measure of our commitment, we<br />
will always keep our promise.”<br />
“We are a premium<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al brand, with fully<br />
localized operati<strong>on</strong>s in <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>.”<br />
The Betway WinBoost feature<br />
played a major role in Emeka’s<br />
fortune. He actually w<strong>on</strong> #40<br />
Milli<strong>on</strong> with <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal odds of 3,077,<br />
but the WinBoost fetched him an<br />
additi<strong>on</strong>al #10m, bringing his<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>tal win <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> N50m.<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the coaches is what we practice<br />
<strong>on</strong> the mat – <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go out and give<br />
your best effort. You can’t do better<br />
than that,” Igali, a Commissi<strong>on</strong>er<br />
Designate in Bayelsa State said.<br />
“Nobody can do better than their<br />
best effort <strong>on</strong> the mat.<br />
“If an athlete leaves the mat,<br />
and feels that they could have<br />
d<strong>on</strong>e more, they’ve cheated<br />
themselves. And that is our<br />
philosophy <strong>on</strong> the mat and that’s<br />
how we train".<br />
Sanusi<br />
charges<br />
Flying Eagles,<br />
Falc<strong>on</strong>ets <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
go for gold<br />
The General Secretary of<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Football<br />
Federati<strong>on</strong>, Dr. Mohammed<br />
Sanusi has challenged the U20<br />
boys’ and girls’ Nati<strong>on</strong>al Teams<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> go for gold medals in the<br />
football events of the <strong>on</strong>going<br />
12th All-Africa Games in Rabat,<br />
Morocco.<br />
Paul Aigbogun’s wards were<br />
forced <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a 1-1 draw by their<br />
counterparts from Burkina Faso<br />
in their opening match of the<br />
men’s football event <strong>on</strong> Friday,<br />
while Chris Danjuma’s<br />
Falc<strong>on</strong>ets <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok no pris<strong>on</strong>ers,<br />
hammering South Africa’s<br />
Basetsana 3-0 in their first<br />
match <strong>on</strong> Saturday.<br />
“I have c<strong>on</strong>fidence in the two<br />
teams that are in Morocco for<br />
the football events and I know<br />
they will do the country proud.<br />
The Falc<strong>on</strong>ets have shown their<br />
teeth right from the beginning<br />
while the Flying Eagles have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
rejig their strategy.<br />
“From available records,<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> has not w<strong>on</strong> gold medal<br />
in the men’s football event since<br />
1973 that we hosted the 2nd All-<br />
Africa Games in Lagos. It is a<br />
very l<strong>on</strong>g time and the Flying<br />
Eagles have <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> do make their<br />
best efforts <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win this this year,”<br />
said Sanusi.<br />
Aruna Quadri<br />
hits semifinal of<br />
Bulgaria Open<br />
Aruna Quadri stunned <strong>on</strong>e of<br />
the most decorated Japanese<br />
stars in table tennis <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> reach the<br />
semfinal round of the ITTF World<br />
Tour tagged Bulgaria Open.<br />
Being the last quarterfinal match<br />
in the men’s singles, the Bulgaria<br />
fans were treated <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> an exciting<br />
moment as there was an<br />
unbelievable scenes in<br />
Panagyurishte after the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n<br />
hero knocks Japanese no.4 seed Jun<br />
Mizutani in a seven-game thriller.<br />
The 2019 <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Open<br />
champi<strong>on</strong> expressed appreciati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
the Bulgarian fans for their<br />
unrelenting support during the<br />
encounter. Trailing 1-2 <strong>on</strong> games but<br />
Aruna Quadri is well known for his<br />
comebacks and his fighting spirit<br />
sh<strong>on</strong>e through <strong>on</strong> this occasi<strong>on</strong>,<br />
saving two game points in game four<br />
before going <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> recover from 4-9<br />
down <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win game five 11-9.<br />
Mizutani resp<strong>on</strong>ded well <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> claim<br />
game six, forcing a decider: 9-6<br />
down Mizutani<br />
up the fight,<br />
going <strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
hold two<br />
match point<br />
opportunities.<br />
refused <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> give<br />
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
K
46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
Coutinho in Munich <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> complete<br />
Bayern move<br />
Philippe Coutinho has arrived at<br />
Bayern Munich <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> complete his<br />
medical as he edges closer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
sealing his loan move from<br />
Barcel<strong>on</strong>a.<br />
The Brazilian midfielder has<br />
agreed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> join the Bundesliga<br />
champi<strong>on</strong>s <strong>on</strong> a seas<strong>on</strong>-l<strong>on</strong>g loan<br />
deal - with Bayern having the<br />
opti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make the deal permanent<br />
at the end of the campaign.<br />
Bayern sporting direc<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r Hasan<br />
Salihamidzic said <strong>on</strong> Friday: “I<br />
can c<strong>on</strong>firm that Karl-Heinz<br />
Rummenigge [Bayern chairman]<br />
and I have been in Barcel<strong>on</strong>a this<br />
week, agreeing with the player<br />
and the adviser.<br />
“We had very good talks and I<br />
want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> say thank you <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Barcel<strong>on</strong>a.<br />
“Medical check and signature and<br />
we are very happy <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> have w<strong>on</strong><br />
this player, it will be a <strong>on</strong>e-year<br />
loan deal with a call opti<strong>on</strong>.”<br />
He flew in a private jet <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Germany where he headed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />
Eriksen<br />
Eriksen wants<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> leave<br />
Tottenham for<br />
free<br />
C hristian<br />
Eriksen was<br />
<strong>on</strong>e of the players<br />
who looked likely <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
moving <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> pastures<br />
new this summer,<br />
with Real Madrid the most<br />
p r o b a b l e<br />
destinati<strong>on</strong>, although<br />
Manchester United were also a<br />
possibility at the end in case Paul<br />
Pogba moved <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Madrid.<br />
In the end the Danish player is<br />
staying in L<strong>on</strong>d<strong>on</strong> (and the<br />
Frenchman in Manchester). And<br />
the Tottenham man has decided<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> see out his c<strong>on</strong>tract, which<br />
finishes next summer, and leave<br />
for free, ensuring Spurs get<br />
nothing when he goes.<br />
Fury ridicules Joshua<br />
Tys<strong>on</strong> Fury has hit back at Anth<strong>on</strong>y<br />
Joshua after his rival ridiculed<br />
him for fighting Ot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Wallin. The<br />
Gypsy King takes <strong>on</strong> little-known<br />
Swedish fighter Wallin in Las Vegas<br />
in September in another tune-up<br />
fight ahead of his rematch with<br />
De<strong>on</strong>tay Wilder next year, but<br />
Joshua wasn’t impressed with the<br />
opp<strong>on</strong>ent selecti<strong>on</strong>. Joshua said he<br />
would never fight ‘lower-tier<br />
heavyweights’. After hearing the<br />
comments, Fury resp<strong>on</strong>ded by<br />
questi<strong>on</strong>ing the caliber of Andy Ruiz<br />
Jr – AJ’s next opp<strong>on</strong>ent. ‘What about<br />
Andy Ruiz then? Was he a <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p tier<br />
heavyweight when he fought him? He<br />
got knocked out by him,’ Fury <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ld<br />
Behind the Gloves.<br />
‘No he wasn’t, that’s the answer <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
that questi<strong>on</strong>. Nobody knew who<br />
club offices for his medical and<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tract documentati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Coutinho joins <strong>on</strong> loan for a<br />
seas<strong>on</strong>, until June 2020, for 20m<br />
euros and Bayern paying his<br />
salary. The German side can buy<br />
him for 120m euros at the end<br />
of the loan if they so<br />
wish.<br />
Chukwueze<br />
opens La Liga<br />
goal account<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> Internati<strong>on</strong>al Samuel Chukwueze was<br />
<strong>on</strong> target as Villarreal were held by Granada<br />
4-4 at the Estadio de la Cerámica in their La<br />
Liga opener <strong>on</strong> Saturday.<br />
Santi Cazorla drew the first blood from the spot before<br />
Granada leveled up through Fede Vico, who also<br />
c<strong>on</strong>verted from the penalty spot.<br />
Moi Gomez res<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>red the Yellow submarine’s lead, but<br />
the Visi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>rs were level again after evading Villarreal<br />
defender, Ruben Pena <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> put the ball in<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> his own net.<br />
Not l<strong>on</strong>g after the fourth goal of the match, Villarreal<br />
forward Gerard Moreno scored <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make it a <strong>on</strong>e goal lead.<br />
Chukwueze then followed up, opening his goal account for<br />
the seas<strong>on</strong> with a brilliant run after picking up the ball just<br />
past the half-way mark.<br />
The winger beat his markers, dribbling behind<br />
them before hitting a precise low shot, aimed<br />
for the bot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>m left corner and bey<strong>on</strong>d the<br />
goalkeeper’s reach.<br />
However Villarreal’s two goal lead was<br />
halved two minutes after Chukwueze’s goal.<br />
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Rober<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
Soldado from a fine header before An<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nio<br />
Puertas scored the equalize nine minutes<br />
before time.<br />
Despite this scenario being well<br />
known, the Mirror reports that<br />
Spurs have tried <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> change<br />
Eriksen’s mind, by making him an<br />
offer of over a milli<strong>on</strong> euros a<br />
year,despite being aware that<br />
there is little chance of changing<br />
his mind, because Eriksen is<br />
extremely hurt by the behaviour<br />
of club bosses who he feels<br />
prevented him from trying his luck<br />
at <strong>on</strong>e of Europe’s big clubs.<br />
Sources at the club say the<br />
reas<strong>on</strong> Eriksen didn’t leave<br />
this summer was because no<br />
formal offer was ever made<br />
for him. The Danish<br />
internati<strong>on</strong>al’s hope right now is<br />
that Tottenham understand he<br />
w<strong>on</strong>’t renew and will start last<br />
ditch negotiati<strong>on</strong>s with buying<br />
clubs in the remaining days of the<br />
transfer window <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> try and get<br />
something for him, although that<br />
would leave them with the the<br />
problem of being almost certainly<br />
unable <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> replace <strong>on</strong>e of their<br />
leading players for the seas<strong>on</strong><br />
ahead<br />
Andy Ruiz was. He was a two-week<br />
replacement opp<strong>on</strong>ent. ‘People <strong>on</strong>ly<br />
become somebody by getting an<br />
opportunity. This time last year<br />
Andy Ruiz was<br />
nobody, absolutely<br />
f****** nobody.<br />
‘Today he’s<br />
heavyweight<br />
champi<strong>on</strong> of the<br />
world. If he wasn’t Fury<br />
given the opportunity<br />
<strong>on</strong> two weeks notice<br />
then nobody would<br />
know his name.<br />
‘He c<strong>on</strong>tradicts<br />
himself quite a lot<br />
actually. AJ, you<br />
must think before you<br />
speak, you little<br />
p****.’<br />
Chukwueze<br />
Madrid <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> appeal against<br />
Modric’s red card<br />
Real Madrid have decided <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> file<br />
an appeal in attempt <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> avoid<br />
Luka Modric being su<str<strong>on</strong>g>spend</str<strong>on</strong>g>ed for<br />
the straight red card he was<br />
shown <strong>on</strong> Saturday against Celta<br />
Vigofor a challenge from behind<br />
<strong>on</strong> Denis Suárez.<br />
The referee’s match report states<br />
that the Real Madrid midfielder<br />
was sent off in the 56th minute for<br />
“striking the rival player’s achilles<br />
tend<strong>on</strong> area with his studs, with<br />
no possibility of getting the ball”.<br />
Real Madrid c<strong>on</strong>sider the referee’s<br />
versi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be incorrect as, in their<br />
Joshua<br />
De Bruyne c<strong>on</strong>fused by<br />
VAR handball rules<br />
Kevin De Bruyne admitted he was c<strong>on</strong>fused by the handball<br />
rules after Manchester City were denied a dramatic late<br />
winner against Tottenham by VAR.<br />
The Premier League champi<strong>on</strong>s thought they had snatched a<br />
3-2 vic<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ry in injury time at the Etihad Stadium <strong>on</strong> Saturday<br />
but Gabriel Jesus’ strike was disallowed <strong>on</strong> review for a<br />
handball by Aymeric Laporte.<br />
Replays showed the ball had brushed off the <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p of the<br />
City defender’s arm as a cross came in, which under<br />
new interpretati<strong>on</strong>s has <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> be penalised -<br />
regardless of whether the handball was<br />
deliberate or not - because it led <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> a goal.<br />
De Bruyne does not feel the rule is<br />
c<strong>on</strong>sistent because, had the ball hit a<br />
Tottenham player’s arm in the same<br />
manner instead of Laporte’s, play<br />
would have been allowed <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> c<strong>on</strong>tinue.<br />
“It is what it is,” the Belgian said of<br />
VAR. “If they want <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> make football<br />
better they should have it. But I<br />
think the <strong>on</strong>ly thing - the rules<br />
should be clear. If the ball had<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uched somebody of<br />
Tottenham’s arm it’s not a<br />
penalty, but if it <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>uched<br />
our arm it is not allowed.<br />
“It should go both ways<br />
in something like that.<br />
I d<strong>on</strong>’t understand that<br />
as a player. It makes it<br />
really c<strong>on</strong>fusing.”<br />
view, Modric was attempting <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
play the ball, and s<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>od <strong>on</strong> Suárez<br />
without meaning <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>.<br />
Modric is facing a suspensi<strong>on</strong> of<br />
<strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> three games for the red card.<br />
Article 123 of the disciplinary code<br />
in Spain c<strong>on</strong>cerning “violent<br />
play”, which would likely apply<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Modric, states that where a<br />
player is resp<strong>on</strong>sible for violent<br />
play involving risk <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> another<br />
player but which doesn’t lead <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
damaging c<strong>on</strong>sequences or injury,<br />
the suspensi<strong>on</strong> will be <strong>on</strong>e <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> three<br />
games, or up <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> <strong>on</strong>e m<strong>on</strong>th out.<br />
Sadio Mane has become just the<br />
sec<strong>on</strong>d player <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> score 20 goals<br />
(from Premier League players) in<br />
2019, following in the footsteps of<br />
Sergio Aguero.<br />
After his Uefa Super Cup heroics<br />
against Chelsea, Mane put the<br />
Reds ahead as Liverpool <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>ok the<br />
lead against Southamp<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>n in a tight<br />
c<strong>on</strong>test at St. Mary’s Stadium.<br />
The goal means the Senegalese has<br />
scored 20 times in all competiti<strong>on</strong>s<br />
in 2019, <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> stay <strong>on</strong> level terms with<br />
Manchester City’s Aguero who has<br />
achieved the same feat.<br />
It is an as<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>nishing level of<br />
Ehizibue,<br />
Collins make<br />
big impressi<strong>on</strong><br />
<strong>on</strong> Bundesliga<br />
debuts<br />
Three <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n players made<br />
their debuts in the German<br />
Bundesliga <strong>on</strong> the opening day<br />
of the 2019-2020 seas<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Munich-born <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g>n fullback<br />
Kingsley Ehizibue was in acti<strong>on</strong><br />
for 90 minutes as FC Cologne<br />
suffered a 2-1 loss <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> VfL<br />
Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen<br />
Arena.<br />
The 24-year-old signed a fouryear<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tract with FC Cologne<br />
in the off-seas<strong>on</strong>, which ended<br />
his stint with Dutch clubs.<br />
Ehizibue w<strong>on</strong> 89 percent of his<br />
challenges, clocked up a joint<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p speed of 34km/hour and<br />
completed 80 percent of his<br />
dribbles.<br />
At the BayArena (Leverkusen),<br />
Super Eagles first choice leftback<br />
Jamilu Collins lasted the<br />
entire durati<strong>on</strong> as Bundesliga<br />
newcomers SC Paderborn<br />
suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands<br />
of Bayer Leverkusen.<br />
Collins racked up a game-high<br />
seven intercepti<strong>on</strong>s over the<br />
course of ninety minutes and<br />
made two clearances and <strong>on</strong>e<br />
tackle.<br />
Liverpool loanee Taiwo Aw<strong>on</strong>iyi<br />
played the last five minutes of<br />
Mainz’s 3-0 loss <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Freiburg at<br />
the Schwarzwald-Stadi<strong>on</strong><br />
(Freiburg im Breisgau).<br />
The home team were 2-0 up<br />
thanks <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> goals from Lucas<br />
Holer and J<strong>on</strong>athan Schmid<br />
before the <str<strong>on</strong>g>Nigeria</str<strong>on</strong>g> internati<strong>on</strong>al<br />
came off the bench.<br />
Mane joins Aguero in exclusive goalscoring club<br />
durability from the 27-year-old<br />
who shows no signs of slowing<br />
down.<br />
Against Chelsea in Wednesday’s<br />
Super Cup, Mane became the first<br />
African <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> score a brace in the<br />
competiti<strong>on</strong>.<br />
He recorded 26 goals in 2018-19,<br />
landing the Premier League<br />
Golden Boot and the Champi<strong>on</strong>s<br />
League crown.<br />
Mane might be in c<strong>on</strong>tenti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
win the Ball<strong>on</strong> d’Or for the first<br />
time and he should be in the<br />
running the African Player of the<br />
Year prize.
C<br />
M<br />
Y<br />
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 — 47
Vanguard, MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019<br />
TODAY’S PUZZLE<br />
Sudoku<br />
FRIDAY’S ANSWER<br />
TODAY’S CROSSWORD<br />
QUICK CROSSWORD<br />
FRIDAY’S SOLUTION<br />
ACROSS<br />
1 Herb used in stuffing (4)<br />
3 Something that rouses <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g><br />
acti<strong>on</strong> (8)<br />
9 Bubble raised <strong>on</strong> the skin<br />
(7)<br />
10 Axe or Exe, for example<br />
(5)<br />
11 Broadcasting medium<br />
(5)<br />
12 Stick <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>gether (6)<br />
14 Floor covering (6)<br />
16 Festival in spring (6)<br />
19 Slow sentimental s<strong>on</strong>g<br />
(6)<br />
21 C<strong>on</strong>cede (5)<br />
24 Device for measuring<br />
spirits in a pub (5)<br />
25 C<strong>on</strong>cerned <strong>on</strong>ly with<br />
<strong>on</strong>e’s pers<strong>on</strong>al welfare (7)<br />
26 Close investigati<strong>on</strong> (8)<br />
27 Nautical unit of speed<br />
(4)<br />
DOWN<br />
1 Take away (8)<br />
2 Steady, dull and laborious<br />
routine (5)<br />
4 Three times (6)<br />
5 Merriment (5)<br />
6 Young hare (7)<br />
7 Nimble (4)<br />
8 In <strong>on</strong>e’s own house (2,4)<br />
13 Musical note (8)<br />
15 Heart of a nuclear power<br />
stati<strong>on</strong> (7)<br />
17 Heavenly spirits (6)<br />
18 More likely than others<br />
<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> win (4-2)<br />
20 Lawful (5)<br />
22 Arrange in line (5)<br />
23 Gaffer (4)<br />
How <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> Play Sudoku<br />
Place a number (1-9) in each blank cell. (No line can have two<br />
of the same number).<br />
Each row (nine lines from left <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> right), column, (also nine lines<br />
from <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>p <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> bot<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>m) and 3 X 3 block within a bold block (nine<br />
blocks) c<strong>on</strong>tains number from 1 through 9. This means that no<br />
number can appear twice in any block, column or row.<br />
No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtracti<strong>on</strong>, divisi<strong>on</strong> or<br />
multiplicati<strong>on</strong>, just plain logic and your imaginati<strong>on</strong>.<br />
Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri-Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Ph<strong>on</strong>e: Newsroom: 018773962. Deputy Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r: 01-4548355. Advert Hotline:<br />
08027767834; 01-4544821. Abuja office: 7, Dambata Close, Area 7, Garki, 09-2921024. Ikeja office: 73, Awolowo Way. V.I. Office: Murplus Plaza, 27, Sanusi Fafunwa Street. Asaba: 21, Anwai<br />
Road. Benin City: 4E, Arusa Street. Port Harcourt: 50, Ikwerre Road; Warri: 102, Efurun-Sapele Road. Advert: advertproducti<strong>on</strong>@yahoo.com; E-mail: edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r@vanguardngr.com,<br />
news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com. Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Edi<str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g>r: EZE ANABA. Ph<strong>on</strong>e: 01-4548355. All corresp<strong>on</strong>dence <str<strong>on</strong>g>to</str<strong>on</strong>g> P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.