25112019 - Fish out killers of Kogi PDP woman leader—BUHARI

C 

M 

Y 

K 

How 300 houses 

were demolished at 

night —KADUNA 

RESIDENTS 

•Say they threatened 

to shoot us 

13 

Amaechi targets 

April 2020 to 

complete 

Lagos-Ibadan 

railway 8 

Onyema’s 

indictment: 

America goes 

after law 9 

breakers, says 

Buhari’s aide 

Jonathan blasts 

lecturers rigging 

elections for 

politicians 

•Says they are bad examples 

to youths 

5 

VOL. 26: NO. 63947 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

Fish out killers of Kogi PDP 

woman leader—BUHARI 9 

‘We must learn to behave decently, whether during elections or at 

other times. No life should be taken wantonly under any guise...‘ 

CATHOLIC FAITHFUL PROCESSION... 

Christ The King —The retiring Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan clinches to his staff as the Women Affairs 

Minister, Dame Pauline Tallen (l) and other Knights carry a mobile canopy to protect the Cardinal during a procession to mark 

Christ The King (Copus Christie) at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral, Garki Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida. 

Nigeria’s external 

reserve falls to 22 months low 

37million 

Nigerians 

now have 

unique 

identity 

HATE SPEECH 

41 

—OSINBAJO 

COMMISSION BILL: 

Sponsor 

says death 

penalty’ll 

be 

amended to 

respect 

Nigerians’ 

wishes 8 

Mr & Mrs 

Yobe, Kogi APC 

chairmen deny 

calling for 

Oshiomhole’s 

sack 

14 

Senate moves 

to include 

constituency 

projects in 

annual budget 

41 

HATE SPEECH: 

Proponents of 

the bill will be 

killed first 

42 

—IKOKWU 

SOBOWALE 26 OWEI 29 

Buhari gives 

ministry 

marching orders 

to complete 

Ajaokuta Steel 

project 

8

2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 — 3

4— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019

C 

M 

Y 

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019—5 

POCKET CARTOON 

NNPC NATIONAL SCIENCE QUIZ COMPETITION —From left: Minister of State for Petroleum 

Resources, Timipre Sylva; Overall Winner of the 2019 NNPC National Science Quiz Competition, Ojo 

Olusegun from Ogun; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; and Group Managing Director of 

the NNPC, Mele Kyari, at the Grand Finale of the 2019 NNPC National Science Quiz Competition, in 

Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Jonathan blasts lecturers rigging 

elections for politicians 

By Anayo Okoli & 

Chinedu Adonu 

ENUGU— FORMER 

President, Dr. 

Goodluck Jonathan, has 

indicted some lecturers 

for rigging elections for 

politicians. 

Jonathan, who spoke at 

the convocation ceremony 

of Godfrey Okoye 

University, Enugu, also 

lamented that some of the 

nation’s universities had 

become breeding 

grounds for cultism 

which constitute a major 

obstacle to national 

development, civilization 

and social transformation. 

He said: “Over time, 

the place of the academia 

in our democratic 

process has become more 

pronounced, with more 

members taking the 

centre stage in election 

administration in the 

country. 

‘’In recent times, 

successive chairmen of 

the Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, 

have come from the ivory 

tower. 

“The involvement of 

the academia in our 

electoral process is 

premised on the 

assumption that 

academics are people of 

proven integrity who 

cannot be compromised. 

Many of them have 

actually been at the 

forefront of the 

campaign for 

transparency in 

elections and 

sustainability of 

democracy on the 

continent. 

“The involvement of 

the academia in the 

management of elections 

is, therefore, a good 

idea. However, our 

scholars should know 

that they bear the 

responsibility of 

justifying the trust 

placed on them by other 

members of the society 

in the management of 

elections. 

“Any member of the 

academia who 

compromises what he 

stands for, by getting 

involved in the 

manipulation of 

elections, betrays that 

trust. 

“It is instructive that 

while on election duty, 

these eggheads work 

with youths, especially 

members of the National 

Youth Service Corps, 

NYSC, who are usually 

deployed as ad-hoc staff 

on election days. 

“It is dangerous for 

members of the 

academia to get involved 

in election malpractices 

because of its wider 

implication for the future 

of our country. Once the 

youth corps members 

observe these lecturers 

and professors who they 

hold in high esteem 

attempt to change or 

falsify elections results, 

they might begin to see 

such criminality as the 

new norm in our country. 

“Let me use this 

opportunity to appeal to 

members of the 

academia that get 

recruited for election 

duties to do the right 

thing and not 

compromise their 

integrity, no matter the 

pressure on them. 

“In concluding, let me 

reiterate that for our own 

survival as a people, 

there is the urgent need 

for the overhaul of our 

educational system. If 

we must remain 

competitive as a nation, 

our universities should 

produce the kind of 

workforce that will make 

Nigeria economically 

viable. 

“Universities, as 

centres of learning, 

should not produce 

misguided graduates 

who behave like 

dangerous robots by 

getting involved in 

crimes. 

“Our universities 

should produce rational 

beings that will be able 

to distinguish between 

good and bad. It is the 

responsibility of the 

universities to create 

humanists, scientists 

and engineers with moral 

and ethical standing. 

They, in turn, will be the 

ones to build the robots 

that would power our 

industries and our 

economy, to make the 

lives of our citizens more 

meaningful.’’ 

On cultism 

On cultism, he said: 

“It is unfortunate that 

some universities are 

becoming breeding 

grounds for cultism; this 

is a major burden to 

civilization and social 

transformation. My 

happiness is that this 

university is not one of 

such, because of its 

strong moral base. 

“It is a sad 

development for our 

educational system that 

our students, lecturers, 

and other members of the 

university community 

can no longer move 

freely in campuses 

Continues on Page 41 

How should FG tackle hate speech? (3) 

By Bose Adelaja & 

Olayinka Latona 

Is hate speech really a 

problem? We live in a 

democratic state and freedom 

of speech is an integral 

element of such a 

state, regardless of government 

opinion on the issue. 

If the government does the 

right things and the system 

is functional, will hate 

speech hold any relevance? 

The best way to 

tackle the problem is for 

government to provide the 

basic necessities for the 

citizens. 

—Jimmy Shola, 

Mediaprenuer 

I 

acknowledge the ac 

tion of the FG towards 

the issue of hate speech 

but I believe that the best 

way to tackle it is by addressing 

the root cause. In 

trying to solve the problem 

of hate speech, government 

should not deprive 

the citizen of their 

right to freedom of 

speech. Hate speech is a 

menace to democratic 

values and peace which 

need to be tackled collectively. 

—Mr. Sam. Gbadegesin. 

Blogger. 

In dealing with the issue 

of hate speech, the federal 

government should educate 

the masses on the difference 

between hate 

speech and criticism. Hate 

speech words should be 

censored in all the media 

just like other sensitive 

words are also censored. I 

believe that death penalty 

for a propagator of hate 

speech is too harsh. A lesser 

punishment can be prescribed 

for the offence. 

—Yetunde Olanipekun, 

Entrepreneurial 

Instead of issuing a 

threat bill, our government 

should learn from the 

British government which, 

three months ago, announced 

plans to call a 

summit of social media 

companies to discuss what 

they can do to fight online 

misinformation. Stakeholders 

in the media 

should put in place measures 

to check hate speech 

on their platforms. 

—Abdulwahab Tajudeen, 

Media Practitioner. 

In my opinion I will say 

the federal government 

can tackle the challenges of 

hate speech by propagating 

law that states the punishment 

that will be melted out 

to the propagators of hate 

speech and such laws must 

be strictly enforced without 

any bias. I however believe 

that death penalty should 

be appropriate punishment 

for hate speech. I recommend 

other lesser punishment. 

Mrs Jones Temitope, 

Teacher 

Idon’t support death sen 

tence for those who are involved 

in hate speech. Other 

measures of punishment like 

jail term or strict fine can be 

given to the offenders. However, 

our government should 

make life meaningful for the 

masses and reasonable criticism 

should not be taken for 

hate speech. If the proposed 

law is not abuse, I believe it 

will go a long way in tackling 

hate speech. 

Mr. Balogun David, 

Interior Decorator.

6—Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

Woman kills 2-day-old granddaughter over hatred for son-in-law 

POLICE in Ogun State have 

arrested a 42-year-old 

woman, Temitope Akinola, for 

allegedly killing her two-day-old 

granddaughter by poisoning. 

Mrs Akinola of Isote area of 

Shagamu, Ogun State, allegedly 

fed the infant an insecticide. 

Police spokesperson in the state, 

Abimbola Oyeyemi, yesterday, 

said Mrs Akinola was arrested 

Unidentified 

man commits 

suicide in 

Ebonyi, police 

recover body 

By Charles Otu 

A FIKPO—THE 

decomposing body of 

a yet-to-be-identified middleaged 

man, who allegedly 

committed suicide, has been 

recovered by the Ebonyi State 

Police Command. 

The incident, according to 

sources, happened in 

Achiagu community, 

Umuoghara in Ezza North 

Local Government Area of 

Ebonyi State. 

Police Public Relations 

Officer in the State, ASP 

Loveth Odah, confirmed the 

incident on the telephone, 

saying one Mr. Orugbala had 

alerted the Achiagu Police 

Station of the incident. 

According to the PPRO, 

“the man informed our men 

that his children, who had 

gone into a nearby bush to 

fetch firewood, discovered a 

decomposing dead body of a 

man hanging from a tree in 

the bush, which they 

suspected was a case of 

suicide.” 

She said as a good citizen, 

the man has since Friday 

reported the case to the 

police, but the victim was yet 

to be identified by anyone at 

press time. 

According to the police 

spokesperson, information 

gathered from the Division, 

only one person had called 

yesterday morning, asking 

questions about the case. 

Odah said: “Any 

information on anyone, who 

knows or who is close to 

anyone that is being 

searched for by the family 

should go to the station for 

possible identification and 

collection of the corpse 

because the body has already 

decomposed.” 

Odah advised members of 

the public against committing 

suicide as, according to her, 

“there is no condition that is 

permanent.” 

“People should not resort to 

suicide because of any given 

situation, because it is a 

condemnable act even by 

God; people should talk to 

their parents and loved 

ones,” she admonished. 

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

following information received by 

the police in Shagamu Division 

on the death of the child. 

He said the suspect was the 

only person with the child, while 

the baby’s mother went to take 

her bath. The mother returned and 

met the lifeless body of the baby. 

“Upon the information, the 

DPO Shagamu Division, SP Okiki 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

& Esther Onyegbula 

LAGOS State Police Command 

is currently investigating the 

circumstances that led to the death 

of Sunday Usenobong, a 50-yearold 

man, who fell inside a melting 

pot, while operating a machine. 

It was learned that on 

November 22, at 3:30p.m., 

Sunday Usenobong, a staff of 

Landcraft Industry Nig. Ltd., 

located at Odogunyan Industrial 

Estate, Ikorodu, fell inside a 

melting hot pot, while operating 

the company’s machine. He died 

on the spot. 

Confirming the incident, 

spokesperson for Lagos State 

Police Command, DSP Bala 

Elkana, explained that homicide 

detectives have visited the scene 

to ascertain the circumstances 

By Chinonso Alozie 

OWERRI—A 43-year-old 

man, Emmanuel Obioma, 

who allegedly defrauded a lady 

in the United States of America, 

USA, of N821,000 purportedly for 

his release from kidnappers, has 

been arrested by police operatives 

in Imo State. 

Two other persons, Iheanacho 

Amanda Francisca Ugochi, aged 

22, and Agbo Samuel, 42, were 

arrested alongside Emmanuel 

Agunbiade, detailed his 

detectives to the scene, where the 

killer-grandmother was promptly 

arrested,” Mr. Oyeyemi said. 

He said on interrogation, the 

suspect admitted to killing the 

baby because she did not like her 

daughter getting married to the 

father of the baby. 

The police said the suspect 

surrounding the incident. 

He added that “the corpse was 

evacuated to a public morgue for 

autopsy. An investigation is 

ongoing.” 

In a related development, a 35- 

year-old machine operator, 

Olatunde Femi, who got his head 

stuck while operating one of the 

processing machines at Multipak 

Nigeria Limited located at Plot 

F28, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, 

Lagos, reportedly died on the 

spot. 

Detectives visited the scene and 

the corpse was evacuated to a 

public morgue for autopsy. 

Meanwhile, Lagos State 

government has sealed off the 

premises of Multipak Nigeria 

Limited for violation of safety 

rules and regulation as well as a 

complete lack of safety 

management system. 

confessed further that when she 

discovered that her daughter was 

pregnant, she made an attempt 

to terminate the pregnancy, but 

her pastor warned her not to do 

so. 

She allegedly said she decided 

to wait for the baby to be delivered 

before carrying out her intention. 

“She explained further that she 

poisoned the baby with a deadly 

insecticide,” Mr Oyeyemi said. 

The officer said the corpse of the 

baby had been deposited at 

Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching 

Hospital mortuary for autopsy, 

while the suspect has been 

transferred to the homicide 

section of the State Criminal 

Investigation and Intelligence 

50-yr-old operator falls into melting 

pot, another stuck in machine 

Man defrauds US-based woman in fake kidnap scheme 

From left— Agbo Samuel, Emmanuel Obioma, Iheanacho Francisca Amanda, paraded by the Imo Police Command 

Obioma. 

In a statement, yesterday, the 

state Police Public Relation 

Officer, PPRO, Orlando Ikeokwu, 

said before their arrest, Obioma 

had lied he had an accident in 

which he demanded money from 

his victim, said to be living in the 

US, to treat himself. 

Ikeokwu said: “On November 

2, operatives of Special Anti- 

Robbery Squad, SARS, acting on 

credible intelligence report, 

arrested the above-mentioned 

The state government, through 

the state safety commission, shut 

the production company, 

following the death of Mr. Femi 

Olatunde. 

Director-General, Lagos State 

Safety Commission, Lanre 

Mojola, stressed that Governor 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s 

administration has laid emphasis 

on safety of lives and properties 

of its citizenry, hence the 

declaration of zero tolerance on 

factories and private organisations 

that violate health and safety rules 

and regulation. 

Mojola added that 

investigation was also ongoing 

with regards to safety infractions 

at another steel factory in 

Odonguyan, Ikorodu. 

His words: “If they are found 

wanting after the investigation, 

the factory will be sealed and 

suspects for the above offence. 

“Emmanuel Obioma initiated a 

relationship with one Ugo 

Emeka, who lives in the United 

States of America, claiming he 

lives in the US as well. 

“He installed a software which 

ensured that a foreign number 

appears on the lady’s phone 

each time he called. 

“Having succeeded in making 

her believe he lives in the US, he 

then informed her that he was 

travelling to Nigeria. On 

prosecuted fully in line with the 

extant laws.” 

Swimmer drowns in 

National Stadium pool 

Also, the police have confirmed 

the death of a 26-year-old man 

identified as Sodiq Yusuf, who 

drowned while swimming at the 

National Stadium, Surulere. 

Confirming the incident, the 

spokesperson of Lagos State 

Police Command, DSP Bala 

Elkana, said a team of policemen 

was mobilised to the scene after 

the police received a distress call. 

He said: “The victim was 

rescued and rushed to Randle 

General Hospital, Surulere, 

where he later died. 

“The corpse was deposited at 

the Mainland General Hospital, 

Yaba, morgue for autopsy. An 

investigation is ongoing.” 

‘arriving’ Nigeria, he claimed he 

had an accident in which two 

people lost their lives. 

“He demanded financial 

assistance for his treatment as a 

result of which she sent him 

N821,000 on two instalments. 

“Furthermore, on October 17, he 

raised the false alarm of being 

kidnapped, while returning to 

Owerri from Kogi State, and he 

demanded N1,000,000, which he 

said was the amount due for 

ransom, hence the arrest.”


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

It’s the devil, says man that raped 

6-yr-old girl with N20 in Niger 

By Wole Mosadomi 

MINNA—A 35-year-old 

man, Sa’adu Hussaini, 

who lured a six-year-old girl with 

N20 and raped her in New 

Market area in Minna, Niger 

State capital, has attributed his 

action to the devil. 

It was gathered that the suspect 

of the same address with the 

minor had lured her victim with 

N20 to his room and forcefully had 

sex with her. 

It was further gathered that the 

suspect had been engaged in the 

NIGERIANS were provided 

free skills acquisition classes 

at the just-concluded 

International Arts and Crafts 

Exposition, INAC, organised by 

the National Council for Arts and 

Culture in Abuja . 

The Director- General, National 

Council for Arts and Culture, 

Otunba Segun Runsewe, noted 

that the training programme was 

a side event to compliment the 

expo with the theme” Networking 

Nigerian Crafts to the world “ 

Runsewe said that it was 

imperative for a plan B either in 

craft and other skills as a means 

habit for a long time, until 

nemesis eventually caught up 

with him last week. 

He was said to have been 

enticing different minors in the 

area to his room with items like 

sweet, groundnuts and cash 

before having canal knowledge 

of them. 

When he was caught, the 

suspect, an artisan, admitted to 

the crime but blamed the devil for 

pushing him to the crime. 

He confessed that “I have been 

engaged in the crime with 

different minors. But it is the work 

Culture agency provides free skills training 

to earn additional income either 

as an employee or worker. 

According to Runsewe, the 

programme is billed for the 

purpose of training people to start 

their own businesses with little 

funds and make them 

independent. 

“I am elated that everyone 

involved have come out in their 

numbers to make this training a 

success as well as the zeal of the 

participants to learn many skills. 

“ I believe that this programme 

will help empower them, and 

take the ones that believe there is 

no hope out of the streets, to have 

of the devil. 

“I know this last one is really a 

minor. But I don’t know what 

pushed me to have sex with her 

because I can’t imagine myself 

having sex with a six-year-old 

girl. 

“It is an abomination and I 

know it is against my religion, but 

the devil pushed me to it.” 

The state Police Public Relations 

Officer, DSP Muhammad 

Abubakar, said since the suspect 

had already confessed to the crime 

during interrogation, he would 

soon be charged to court. 

3 arrested for robbing petrol dealer in Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson 

AKURE—THREE suspected 

robbers have been arrested 

by the police in Ondo State for 

robbing a petrol dealer in Erufo 

community, Ilaje council area of 

the state. 

The suspects include Bibowei 

Zeblon 34, Daniel Peretti, 33, and 

Julius Ekunjumi, 32. 

Police image-maker, Femi 

Joseph, said the trio allegedly 

robbed one petrol dealer, Yedo 

Blessing, and his manager, 

Omotehinse Igbekele, of an 

undisclosed huge sum of money. 

Joseph said: “After receiving a 

distressing call, immediately the 

police swung into action and this 

led to the arrest of the three 

suspects. 

“The following exhibits were 

recovered from them: two 

motorcycles, a mask, a ring and 

hand band, while part of the 

stolen money was recovered and 

the suspects are helping the 

detectives on how to track the 

other fleeing suspects” 

Joseph added that the suspects 

will be charged to court after the 

completion of the investigation. 

According to him, “we are still 

after the fleeing members of the 

gang and I want to assure the 

general public that they would 

soon be arrested.” 

One-way driver kills 

2 in Anambra 

Anambra State Command of 

the Federal Road Safety Corps, 

FRSC, yesterday, confirmed 

that two pedestrians died in a 

fatal crash involving a vehicle 

driving against traffic on Awka- 

Onitsha Road in Anambra. 

Sector Commander, Andrew 

Kumapayi, disclosed in Awka 

that the accident occurred at 

about 12.37p.m. 

Kumapayi explained that the 

driver of a blue Mercedes-Benz 

truck with registration number 

NSH 521 ZF, suspected to be 

drunk, was plying one-way 

when he knocked down and 

killed two passers-by. 

He said: “The truck driver, 

who was suspected to be drunk, 

hit the pedestrians while plying 

one-way. 

“Our officials have taken the 

OGUN Traffic Compliance and 

Enforcement Corps, TRACE, 

yesterday, said one person died, 

while two others sustained 

injuries in a road accident that 

occurred at Onihale area, near 

Owode-Ijako, on the Lagos- 

Abeokuta Expressway. 

Mrs Temitope Oseni, the 

TRACE Unit Commander, 

Owode-Ijako, disclosed in Ota, 

Ogun, that the accident occurred 

at about 6.15a.m., Sunday. 

She explained that a truck, with 

no registration number, heading 

to Sango-Ota from Abeokuta, lost 

control when the tyre burst. 

Oseni said the vehicle 

somersaulted twice, resulting in 

the death of the motorboy, while 

the driver and one other sustained 

injuries. 

deceased to the morgue, while 

the truck has been towed by the 

police officers from Ogidi to 

ensure the free flow of traffic in 

the area.” 

The Sector Commander 

expressed sadness at the event 

and called for the prosecution 

of the truck driver. 

Kumapayi advised drivers to 

drive cautiously and desist from 

plying one-way as well as avoid 

drunk driving. 

According to him, thousands 

of people had died or suffered 

from physical disabilities due to 

drunk driving, adding that 

“drivers need to discipline 

themselves.” 

One dead, 2 injured in Lagos, 

Abeokuta Expressway accident 

Oseni explained that the 

motorboy was trying to jump out 

of the vehicle when he hit his 

head on the road, which resulted 

in his death. 

“The corpse of the victim has 

been taken for burial by the 

family members, while the 

survivors are receiving 

treatment in an disclosed 

hospital in Ifo, Ogun State,” she 

added. 

The TRACE Unit Commander 

said the vehicle had been towed 

to Ifo Police Station to ease 

traffic flow in the area. 

She advised motorists to 

ensure that their vehicles were 

properly maintained and desist 

from the use of used tyres to avoid 

unnecessary loss of lives and 

properties. 

a future for tomorrow. 

“It is an impact that is 

worthwhile at this time,” he said. 

The Director-General, however, 

emphasized the need for 

Nigerians to believe in 

themselves, strive for the best and 

encourage each other by 

patronising locally produced 

materials to help boost the 

country’s economy. 

There were courses ranging 

from bead making, waste to 

wealth, fashion, soap making, 

photography, tailoring among 

others, set up in different 

canopies with large attendance. 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

The politician be like: Fools, leave me 

alone. Who told you I want a divorce? 

If you call them clowns, 

you die by hanging! 

This madam no dey respect ancestors 

See those whitish things leaving 

Ortiz's head, Wilder just 

punched 10 years out of his life

8 — Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 


Amaechi targets April 2020 

to complete 

Lagos - Ibadan railway 

•Insists on November ending for test run 

I BADAN—MINISTER 

of Transportation, 

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, 

has stated that the Lagos- 

Ibadan Railway project will 

be completed in April 2020. 

This is even as he 

reassured that test-run of 

the train would commence 

by the end of November 

2019. 

Amaechi reiterated that 

with the pace at which the 

Contractors are currently 

working, he was optimistic 

that the completion period 

will be achieved. 

The Minister gave the 

hint Saturday after 

inspecting the project site 

in Ibadan, the Oyo State 

Capital. 

He said: “We are no 

longer giving ourselves the 

time, the contractors are the 

ones giving us time. By 

April next year we should 

be out of this place. There 

is huge improvement 

compared to the last time 

we were here. 

‘’The contractors have 

assured us that by the 20th 

of December this year, the 

laying of tracks would have 

gotten to Ibadan Station. 

This means that the focus 

will no longer be on the 

tracks but on the completion 

of the stations, 

communication and 

signalling and once we 

achieve all that, it means 

we are out of Ibadan. 

“They are eager to 

complete the Stations but 

the constraint at the moment 

is that the equipment 

have not arrived from 

China, and our argument 

is that they should get 

some things from Nigeria. 

They are expecting 

pipes and other things 

and they requested that we 

should give them one or 

two months to complete the 

stations. 

‘’They equally wanted to 

import glasses and doors 

from China but we have to 

put pressure on them to buy 

those glasses and doors in 

Nigeria in other to quicken 

the time with which they 

would install.” 

The Minister noted that 

completion of the Lagosend 

of the project was a 

huge task as construction of 

new flyovers and over head 

bridges were progressing 

steadily. 

“It is a big problem. We 

are dealing with urban 

renewal. We are building 

new flyovers, we are also 

building over head bridges 

and under passes, we are 

dealing with pipes and lots 

more. 

‘’We pray not to 

experience these 

challenges in Ibadan to 

Kano segment of the 

project. Don’t forget that 

there are two contracts here. 

The first is Ebute-Metta to 

Ibadan, then, I came up with 

the idea of extending the 

project to the seaport, which 

is a bit challenging.'' 

Hate Speech Commission Bill: 

Sen Abdullahi bows to critics 

•Says death penalty’ll be amended to 

respect Nigerians’ wishes 

By Henry Umoru 

A BUJA—DEPUTY 

Chief Whip of the 

Senate, Senator Aliyu 

Abdullahi, All Progressives 

Congress, APC, Niger 

North has bowed to 

pressure from critics on his 

bill to establish a 

commission for the 

prohibition of hate 

speeches. 

According to him, the 

death penalty proposed for 

anyone found culpable of 

hate speech that leads to 

the death of another will be 

amended by the Senate 

when the bill is subjected 

to legislative input by the 

National Assembly. 

In a statement yesterday 

in Abuja, Senator 

Abdullahi noted that the 

bill would undergo some 

fine-tuning to ensure that 

the clauses contained in its 

provisions to be passed into 

law reflected the views of 

Nigerians. 

He said the Senate would 

welcome contributions and 

inputs by critics and 

supporters of the bill, as 

these would go a long way 

towards giving Nigerians 

the much awaited law to 

address the disturbing 

trend of hate speech. 

Senator Abdullahi, 

who noted that hate 

speech had led to the 

death of many and was 

a major factor behind 

depression and suicide 

in Nigeria, said: “We 

have followed closely 

arguments for and 

against the hate speech 

bill and seen the reason 

some kicked against it. 

He said: “Given the high 

respect which we have for 

Nigerians, we will make 

amendment to the death 

penalty aspect that most 

Nigerians objected to, so 

that a bill that meets their 

expectations is passed into 

law. 

“Clearly from the 

conversations, Nigerians 

agree that we have a 

problem in the society 

today as a result of hate 

speech which has fueled so 

many killings and violence, 

and is responsible for cases 

of depression and 

suicides.” 

Citing a World Health 

Organization report, 

Abdullahi disclosed that 

Nigeria, which is the 

seventh-largest country in 

the world, had Africa’s 

highest rate of depression 

and ranks fifth in the world 

frequency of suicide. 

AMAECHI INSPECTING LAGOS - IBADAN RAIL LINE: Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon. 

Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on inspection tour of the Lagos-Ibadan Rail line. 

Commercialisation of creative industry’ll 

reduce dependence on oil — FG 

•Vows to remove bottlenecks to growth of industry 

•Injects N50bn into industry 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

THE 

Federal 

Government has said 

the 

proposed 

commercialization of the 

creative industry will 

reduce the nation’s 

dependence on oil, rebrand 

the country internationally 

and boost its Gross 

Domestic Product, GDP. 

The government also said 

its main priority in 2020 was 

to ensure the successful 


sector to create jobs, reduce 

crime and be a major 

source of foreign 

exchange. 

The Minister of 

Information and Culture, 

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, 

who disclosed this at the 

2019 All Africa Music 

Awards, AFRIMA, early 

yesterday morning, vowed 

that the federal 

government would do 

everything possible to 

remove all impediments to 

the growth of the creative 

Industry, as part of the 

ongoing efforts to 

encourage the growth of 

the sector. 

He said: “As we head into 

2020, the successful 


creative industry is our 

number one priority. It will 

create jobs, reduce crime, 

be a major source of foreign 

exchange and thereby 

reduce our dependence on 

oil, re-brand our country 

internationally and boost 

our GDP. 

“So, we in government 

are tackling all 

impediments to the 

industry. We are making 

cheaper and longer term 

financing available for the 

industry, especially for 

infrastructural projects, 

such as concert halls across 

the six geo-political zones 

of the country, as recently 

announced by the 

governor of the Central 

Bank of Nigeria.” 


government is providing 

the necessary framework 

through the Office of the 

Attorney General of the 

Federation to ensure that 

listeners of music pay for it. 

He said internet data 

must be cheaper, adding 

that owners of content must 

make more money from the 

use of their works. 

“The other big issue for 

commercialization is the 

digital economy, data must 

be cheaper and owners of 

content must make more 

money from the use of their 

works. I am sure you have 

been following the 

announcements by my 

colleague, the Minister of 

Communications, on 

this,” he added. 

He further revealed that 

the government was 

cleaning up the advertising 

industry and making sure 

Buhari gives ministry marching orders 

to complete Ajaokuta steel project 

A BUJA—THE 

Minister of Mines 

and Steel Development, 

Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, 

said yesterday that 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari has given marching 

orders to his ministry to 

complete Ajaokuta Steel 

project. 

Adegbite disclosed this in 

Abuja during an interactive 

session with newsmen on 

the proposed Nigerian solid 

minerals downstream 

workshop scheduled to hold 

December 2. 

The minister, who spoke 

through his Special Adviser 

on Special Duty, Mr Sunny 

Ekozin, said the ministry 

had been working ’round 

the clock to actualise the 

presidential directives. 

“For the past three 

months, we have been 

doing everything possible 

to ensure we make 

progress and we are happy 

to let the nation know that 

the president has given us 

full backing in this 

assignment. 

“The support given by the 

president includes political 

backing to ensure that 

Ajaokuta works and by the 

grace of God it will work 

soon,” he said. 

The minister also said 

part of the directives by 

Buhari was for the sector to 

solve long intractable 

problems bedeviling the 

solid minerals and to ensure 

Nigeria relied on the sector 

to diversify its economy. 

He said after articulating 

the problems for the past 

three months, the 

administration was on the 

path to harness the potential 

that abound in the minerals 

sector for the benefit of the 

people in the country. 

Adegbite explained that 

one of the steps taken was 

the current process of 

developing the Nigerian 

Downstream Mineral Policy. 


policy is first of its kind in 

the history of the country. 

“The downstream mineral 

policy will trigger the nation 

with a clear diversification 

blue print in a sustainable 

manner, especially for the 

revamping of Ajaokuta steel 

company. 

“And also effective 

harnessing of the abundant 

minerals endowment 

spread across the 36 

states and the Federal 

proper measurement of 

content existed and were 

collated, stressing that this 

measure had the potential 

to add at least N50 billion 

annually to the creative 

sector. 

The Minister, however, 

congratulated the 

organizers of AFRIMA for 

another successful hosting 

of the prestigious awards 

and for the role they had 

been playing in the 

explosion, development 

and the success of African 

music. 

In his remarks, Executive 

Producer of AFRIMA, Mr. 

Mike Dada, said the 

organization was using 

culture and art as a platform 

to change the narratives of 

unemployment, extreme 

poverty and homelessness 

on the continent. 

He applauded the 

Minister for providing the 

needed support, which 

enabled them to 

successfully host this 

year’s AFRIMA. 

Capital Territory (FCT). 

“As part of the process 

leading to the revamping 

of the entire solid minerals 

sector, we are sensitising 

key stakeholders, 

especially large investors of 

this novel initiative for the 

development of solid 

mineral downstream value 

chains. 

“This will help to create 

massive jobs, wealth and 

industrialisation. 

Adegbite added that the 

ministry was determined 

and committed to ensuring 

that the president’s 

mandate was realised 

within the next three 

years,’’ he said. 

He said the present 

government would stem 

the exports of jobs and 

wealth by unwittingly 

exporting 35 million of 

unprocessed mineral 

products annually.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 — 9 

Buhari orders security to fish out 

killers of Kogi PDP Woman Leader 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A 

B U J A — 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu has 

ordered security 

agencies to fish out those 

behind the murder of 

Mrs. Achejuh Abuh, 

Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP Woman 

leader in Kogi State. 

Buhari said the 

‘evildoers’ must be 

brought to justice, 

irrespective of whatever 

allegiances they held. 

The President in a 

statement by his Special 

Adviser on Media and 

Publicity, Chief Femi 

BIRTHDAY: From left: Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Former First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. 

Olufunke Amosun; Celebrant's husband, Mr. Tayo Ayeni and wife, Mrs. Adetutu Ayeni, First Lady of Ogun State, 

Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun and Senior Pastor, Trinity Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, during the church service to 

mark the 50th birthday of Mrs Ayeni held at the Anglican Church of Nativity, Parkview, Ikoyi Lagos yesterday. 

HEALTH TIPS 

By Sola Ogundipe 

Women's health 

HEALTHY 

habits 

are the best way to 

avoid disease, prolong 

your life, and live more 

happily. Heart disease is a 

leading cause of death for 

women. Exercise is one of 

the best ways to prevent 

heart disease and keep 

your heart strong. It’s also 

beneficial for your mental 

and bone health. 

Aim for 30 minutes of 

movement at least four 

days per week. Aerobic, or 

cardio, exercise is best. Mix 

routines up and keep your 

exercise plans exciting by 

trying different activities. 

Invite a friend to join you 

for accountability and 

encouragement. 

Cardio alone isn’t 

enough for optimal health 

and fitness. You should 

combine it with some type 

of strength training. 

Strength training builds 

muscle, boosts metabolism, 

and helps you maintain 

stronger bones. This is 

especially important in 

postmenopausal women. 

•Describes act as criminality 

Adesina, in Abuja 

yesterday, said he was 

expecting scrupulous 

investigation into the 

heinous murder of Mrs. 

Abuh, who was a 

member of Wada/Aro 

campaign council in the 

just concluded 

gubernatorial election in 

Kogi State. 

The statement read: 

“The President decries 

whatever could spur 

anyone to take the life of 

another human being, 

particularly a woman, 

who was burnt to death 

in her home in the most 

gruesome manner. 

Additionally, a balanced 

diet is a cornerstone of 

weight loss. Carrying 

around extra weight can 

increase your risk of several 

conditions, including 

cancer, diabetes, and heart 

disease. Aging is part of 

growing older and wiser, 

but that doesn’t mean you 

have to take the inevitable 

aches and pains lying 

down. 

For women, healthy aging 

depends largely on healthy 

living. Much of what you 

can do to be healthy today 

will prevent you from 

feeling beyond your years 

tomorrow. 

That includes eating a 

healthy diet, staying active, 

and having regular health 

screenings. 

You can also help slow 

aging by learning to 

manage stress and cope 

with mental health issues 

that will naturally arise 

throughout your life. 

Aging isn’t just how your 

body feels, however. It’s 

also how it looks. 

“President Buhari 

charges all security 

agencies involved in the 

investigation to do a 

thorough and expeditious 

job on the matter, so that 

justice could be served 

without fear or favour. 

“We must learn to 

behave decently, 

whether during elections 

or at other times. No life 

should be taken 

wantonly under any 

guise, and the fact that 

this reprehensible act 

occurred two days after 

voting shows primitive 

behaviour, which should 

not be accepted in a 

2023 PRESIDENCY: North’ll vote 

only one candidate, irrespective of 

political party — AG ACF CHAIR 

By David Odama 

L AFIA—ACTING 

Chairman of Arewa 

Consultative Forum, ACF, 

Alhaji Musa Liman 

Kwande, said yesterday 

that only a single candidate 

of northern extraction will 

be voted for in 2023 

presidential election, 

irrespective of political 

party. 

Kwande, who told 

journalists in Lafia, 

Nasarawa State, that tested 

and trusted Northerners 

would be allowed to contest 

for any political office with 

candidates from other 

parts of the country, added 

that people should only give 

their votes to candidate 

of their choice. 

“I am expressing my 

opinion as a full-fledged 

Northerner and a citizen 

of Nigeria and not as 

ACF. Nigeria is our 

country, we must unite 

and develop, it despite 

differences in 

geographical locations. 

‘’We should not relent in 

the pursuit of growth and 

decent society.” 

He sympathized with the 

family of the deceased, 

vowing that the law would 

catch up with the culprits, 

and that justice would be 

done. 

Buhari said any 

descent to barbarism, as 

was visited on the PDP 

Woman Leader, had 

gone out of the realm of 

politics, describing it as 

pure criminality and 

bestiality. 

“Such evildoers must 

be brought to justice, 

irrespective of whatever 

allegiances they hold,” 

the President stated. 

development as we are 

blessed with gifted people 

and many resources, as 

only Nigerians would take 

the country to greater 

heights,” Kwande 

declared. 

He described the ACF 

and Northern Elders 

Forum, NEF, as pressure 

groups striving for the 

development of northern 

Nigeria in particular and 

Nigeria in general, in the 

same manner Afenifere, 

Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and 

others in the South-South 

region. 

Kwande, who is the 

Baraden (generalismo) of 

Lafia, however, 

admonished northerners 

to develop the region by 

voting for people who 

were pro-development 

and not those who were 

self-centered. 

The acting ACF 

chairman called on 

Nigerians to embrace 

peace and dialogue and 

denounce violence, 

saying it was against 

democratic norms and a 

threat to the federation. 

ONYEMA’S INDICTMENT: 

America goes after law 

breakers, says Buhari’s aide 

P 

ERSONAL assistant 

to President 

Muhammadu Buhari on 

Social Media, Lauretta 

Onochie, has said the 

United States laws were 

targeted at those who flout 

them. 

Reacting to the indictment 

of Allen Onyema, Chief 

Executive Officer of Air 

Peace, Onochie said the 

American government only 

goes after law breakers. 

On Friday, the United 

States Department of 

Justice announced that 

Onyema had been indicted 

for money laundering. 

The US authorities, which 

have reportedly issued 

warrant for Onyema’s 

arrest, said he used several 

fraudulent letters of credit 

to American banks and 

initiated wire transfers to 

the tune of $44.9 million 

between 2010 and 2018. 

The Nigerian 

businessman has since 

denied the allegation, 

saying he is ready to clear 

his name. 

In a series of tweets 

yesterday, Onochie asked 

Onyema to go “and face 

his accusers.” 

She lamented the manner 

in which funds meant for 

the Niger Delta amnesty 

programme were allegedly 

diverted into private 

pockets. 

Onochie tweeted: 

‘’Onyema had worked as a 

consultant to the 

presidential amnesty 

programme when Kingsley 

Kuku was special adviser to 

ex-President Goodluck 

Jonathan on Niger Delta 

affairs. 

“I do not understand 

what President Buhari has 

to do with Mr. Onyema of 

Air Peace being indicted 

and charged in the USA. 

According to our attorneygeneral, 

the Federal 

Government has not even 

been informed of the 

situation. 

“American laws go after 

those who break them. 

What a man sows… How 

much has Nigeria invested 

in the Niger Delta amnesty 

programme, NDDC and 13 

per cent derivation funds? 

All, mostly in a black hole. 

“Do we know the extent 

of poverty, ignorance and 

disease in the Niger Delta? 

Please let America too help 

us see how Niger Delta 

underdeveloped Niger 

Delta. 

‘’Those of us from the 

Niger Delta who are the 

direct beneficiaries of the 

suffering that emanated 

from the looting of our 

wealth will tackle them. It 

is our war that is being 

fought. Laws, Nigerian or 

American go after those 

who break them; so we must 

mind our business. QED! 

We are smarter now than 

ever before. 

‘’Gradually, the scales of 

tribalism, religious affinity 

and political loyalty are 

falling off our eyes and 

being replaced by 

Nigerianism. Nigerians are 

not keen on tales by 

moonlight. Let him return 

to America to face his 

accusers.” 

Don’t surrender your independence, 

PDP counsels NASS 

•Urges lawmakers to insist on oversight 

functions 

By Dirisu Yakubu 

A P BUJA—THE 

e o p l e s 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

has advised the 

leadership of the Senate 

to resist any forms of 

intimidation from the 

Executive to surrender its 

independence and pass 

bills and requests without 

statutory legislative 

scrutiny and oversights. 

The party in a statement 

yesterday said its position 

is predicated on the blanket 

comment credited to the 

Senate President, Senator 

Ahmed Lawan, that “any 

request from President 

Muhammadu Buhari to the 

National Assembly is good 

for the nation, even without 

subjecting such requests to 

statutory legislative 

scrutiny.” 

The PDP described such 

stance as “unconstitutional 

and unacceptable as it 

amounts to relinquishing 

statutory powers of checks 

and balances of the 

National Assembly.” 

The statement signed by 

its spokesman, Kola 

Ologbondiyan read: “The 

statement by the Senate 

President has heavily 

detracted from the 

expected independence of 

the legislature. It is fast 

eroding the confidence 

Nigerians have on the 

Senate and the National 

Assembly, as true 

representatives of the 

people at the national level. 

“The party notes that 

even if the Senate 

leadership believes in the 

import of any request or bill 

from the President, the 1999 

Constitution (as amended) 

requires the legislature to 

pass such through its 

statutory checks and 

balances processes to 

ensure that the content and 

intent are in tandem with 

overall national interest. 

“Such legislative checks 

are enshrined in the 

constitution to curtail the 

excesses of the executive as 

well as create room for 

democratic tenet of citizens’ 

participation through their 

elected representatives. 

“Anything to the contrary 

is a direct suspension of our 

constitution, enthronement 

of dictatorship and a 

sidestepping of the 

legislative powers, 

which is capable of 

destroying the institution of 

the National Assembly.''

10 — VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

SOWORE: SERAP petitions AU over 

harassment of sureties, Falana 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

LAGOS — THE Socio- 

Economic Rights and 

Accountability Project, 

SERAP, yesterday, 

petitioned the African 

Commission, AU, on 

Human and Peoples’ 

Rights on the need to 

urgently intervene and 

put pressure on the 

Federal Government and 

its agents to immediately 

end harassment of 

detained journalist and 

activist, Messrs. Omoyele 

Sowore and Olawale 

Bakare, their sureties and 

lawyers, particularly, Mr. 

Femi Falana, SAN. 

The organisation 

claimed that the sureties 

and Falana were been 

harassed simply for 

defending their clients’ 

rights. 

In a petition, dated 

November 22, 2019 by 

SERAP’s Deputy Director, 

Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare 

to Chairperson of the 

Commission and 

members, Mrs. Soyata 

Maiga, SERAP said: 

“Nigeria’s State Security 

Service, SSS, has stated 

that it would not release 

the activists until it is 

allowed to vet sureties that 

have already been 

verified by the court, 

implicitly harassing the 

sureties apparently with 

the aim of pushing them 

to disown the detained 

activists. 

“Similarly, a group of 

apparently sponsored 

protesters calling 

themselves as the Save 

Nigeria Movement, 

asked Femi Falana to 

‘stop intimidating security 

L Gatekeepers, 

AGOS—THE 

a 

biographical work 

featuring 20 Nigerian 

editors, columnists and 

media leaders, entitled: 

'Nigerian Journalism: 160 

Years of Advancing 

Accountability, Promoting 

the Public Interest' and 

'Speaking Truth to 

Power', are set for public 

presentation on Tuesday, 

December 17, 2019, by 11 

am in Lagos. 

The two books, published 

by Posterity Media, will be 

presented at the Lagos 

Oriental Hotel, Lekki. 

The editors featured in the 

books include former MD/ 

Editor-in-Chief, The SUN, 

Mr. Mike Awoyinfa; Editorin-Chief, 

Gaskia Media 

Limited, Mr. Dare 

Babarinsa; Chairman, 

THISDAY Editorial Board, 

Mr. 

Olusegun 

Adeniyi; immediate past 

editor, THE NATION, Mr. 

Gbenga Omotoso; Editor, 

Vanguard, Mr. Eze Anaba; 

Editor, Daily Independent, 

Mr. Don Okere; Editor, 

Tribune, Mr. Debo 

Abdulai; Publisher/Editorin-Chief, 

City People, Mr. 

Seye Kehinde; Editor-in- 

agencies. 

“The harassment of 

detained activists for 

demanding strict 

compliance with court 

orders, and then their 

sureties as well as lawyers 

who come to their defence, 

shows a steady slide away 

from the rule of law and 

underscores the urgent 

need for the Commission 

to insist on the restoration 

of respect for human 

rights in Nigeria.” 

SERAP insisted that: 

“The harassment is 

emblematic of a broader 

pattern of official threats 

to and harassment of 

Nigerian civil society. We 

are concerned that rather 

than releasing Sowore 

and Bakare as ordered by 

the court, the Nigerian 

authorities are now 

implicitly intimidating the 

activists, sureties, and 

lawyers, particularly Femi 

Falana.” 

The letter copied to Mr. 

Diego GARCÍA-SAYÁN, 

UN Special Rapporteur 

on the independence of 

judges and lawyers, reads 

in part: “Apparently 

sponsored attacks, 

harassment and 

intimidation of sureties 

and lawyers for doing 

their independent duties 

undermine and erode the 

integrity of the legal 

profession, access to 

justice, Nigerians’ 

confidence in the courts, 

and make a mockery of the 

entire justice system.” 

"SERAP condemns the 

use of apparently 

sponsored protesters to 

harass and intimidate 

Sowore and Bakare’s 

lawyers particularly Femi 

Falana." 

Books to celebrate editors, 160 

years of Nigerian Journalism for 

launch in Lagos Chief, YES International 

Magazine, Mr. Azuh 

Arinze, and Editor, 

Sunday Telegraph, Mrs. 

Juliet Bumah, among 

others. 

In a statement by 

Founder/CEO of Posterity 

Media, Mr. O’Femi 

Kolawole, Governor 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of 

Lagos State would be the 

Chief Host and Special 

Guest of Honour, while 

former Governor of Ogun 

State, Chief Olusegun 

Osoba, will chair the event. 

Kolawole said: “Editors, 

journalists and Nigerian 

media practitioners 

generally deserve strong 

commendation for their 

service to our nation, 

despite the challenging 

environment they operate 

in. 

"However, beyond the 

accolades, this historic 

project of commemorating 

160 years of Nigerian 

journalism is to further 

inspire the media as the 

fourth estate of the realm, 

to do a better job of 

advocating good 

governance for the 

betterment of all citizens, 

while also consistently holding 

public officials to account for their 

stewardship.” 

IPPIS ENROLMENT: ASUU on its own 

—CONUA, SSANU, NASU 

existing 

....As ASUU directs members to shun enrolment 

By Ola Ajayi, 

Adesina Wahab, 

Shina Abukakar & 

Elizabeth Uwandu 

LAGOS—AS 

the 

enrolment of workers 

in federal universities into 

the Federal Government’s 

Integrated Personnel and 

Payroll Information 

System, IPPIS, kicks off 

across the country today, 

the Congress of 

University Academics, 

CONUA, Senior Staff 

Association of Nigerian 

Universities, SSANU, and 

the Non-Academic Staff 

Union, NASU, have 

resolved to be part of the 

IPPIS scheme. 

But the Academic Staff 

Union of Universities, 

ASUU, again directed all 

its members across the 

country to ignore a 

circular intended to be 

used for their enrollment 

today. 

The Federal 

Government had enrolled 

its workers in other sectors 

into the new pay system, 

leaving the university 

workers due to the 

opposition raised by 

ASUU. 

We’ll mobilise for the 

exercise— SSANU 

Throwing his weight 

behind the IPPIS, the 

National President of 

SSANU, who is also the 

Chairman of the Joint 

Action Committee, JAC, 

set up by SSANU and 

NASU, Comrade Samson 

Ugwoke, told Vanguard 

that the unions would 

fully mobilise for the 

exercise. 

Speaking on the 

position of ASUU on the 

issue, a member of the 

National Executive 

Council of the union, Dr. 

Dele Ashiru, said ASUU 

would never be part of a 

system which credibility 

had been tainted from the 

start, adding that his 

members would not be 

part of the enrollment. 

However, Ugwoke, who 

said non-teaching staff 

were in support of the 

exercise, said it would 

check corruption and 

cleanse the system. 

He said: “We are in 

support of the enrollment 

of our members into the 

system. It will check 

corruption and cleanse 

the system. Those 

concerns being raised 

regarding Sabbatical, 

Earned Allowances, 

Check off Dues, 

Cooperative Dues etc are 

being taken care of. 

“Those opposed to the 

system are the ones 

benefitting from the 

sleaze being perpetrated. 

Now, most of the federal 

universities are hiring 

hundreds of workers to 

cover up the loopholes 

that the IPPIS will 

expose.” 

CONUA backs IPPIS 

Also, the National 

Steering Committee of 

CONUA held a meeting, 

on Saturday, where it 

passed some resolutions 

on the IPPIS issue. 

The resolutions were 

endorsed by the National 

Coordinator and National 

Publicity Coordinator, Dr. 

Niyi Sunmonu and Dr 

Ernest Nwoke 

respectively. 

The resolutions read: 

“That CONUA members 

are in full support of every 

policy and effort of 

government to reform the 

Nigerian Public Financial 

System, with a view to 

combating corruption and 

sanitizing our educational 

system. 

“That the IPPIS, being 

one of such efforts, is 

welcome by CONUA in 

the light of government’s 

assurance on 

accommodating the 

peculiarities of the 

academia. 

“That CONUA notes the 

Federal Government’s 

promise to address any 

other issue that may arise, 

through the desk offices to 

be placed in the Bursary 

unit of each university. 

“That, in view of the 

foregoing, CONUA 

implores members to 

enroll on the IPPIS 

platform with a strong 

belief that government 

would reciprocate our 

good faith.” 

We won’t join IPPIS 

—ASUU 

On its part, the 

leadership of ASUU has 

directed all its members 

across the country to 

ignore a circular intended 

to be used for their 

enrollment today. 

The academic union 

leaders advised their 

followers to disregard the 

purported circular from 

the office of the 

Accountant General of the 

Federation to enroll 

academic staff. 

The Chairman, 

Academic Staff Union of 

Universities, University of 

Ibadan chapter, Professor 

Deji Omole, said this on 

behalf of the union. 

ASUU stated that the 

same Accountant General 

of the Federation had 

challenged the union to 

develop a template that 

would accommodate the 

peculiarities of academic 

staff and present same to 

it 

ȦSUU, therefore, 

instructed its members not 

to submit themselves for 

the enrollment “into slave 

plan of the Accountant 

General whose office 

stinks with corruption.” 

The ASUU boss said no 

ASUU member should 

appear before the 

Accountant General team 

until further directive of 

the union. 

According to him, while 

ASUU supports the fight 

against corruption, it will 

resist attempt by 

SEMINAR: Director 

General of Nigerian 

M a r i t i m e 

Administration and 

Safety Agency, 

NIMASA, Dr Dakuku 

Peterside (right) with 

Portugal Minister Of 

Defence, Joao 

Titterington Cravinho at 

a seminar hosted in 

Lisbon where Dr 

Peterside was keynote 

speaker on Maritime 

security in the Gulf of 

Guinea. 

government to trample on 

University 

Autonomy Act. 

He, however, described 

it as a scam and offered to 

design a template that 

will accommodate 

university peculiarities. 

Omole said: “This is to 

remind you that the 

union’s position on IPPIS 

has not changed. Pending 

the resolution of the 

matter evidence, of which 

shall be communicated to 

all members of our Union, 

no member of the union 

is to enlist on the 

platform. 

“NEC position on the 

matter has not been 

reviewed. Therefore, no 

ASUU member should fill 

the form or submit their 

bio-data before any team. 

“We are not slaves that 

can be subjected to routine 

humiliation from the office 

of the accountant general. 

No nation has ever 

developed or survived 

through the humiliation of 

her intellectuals. United 

we bargain, divided we 

beg.” 

Also corroborating 

Omole, Chairman of the 

University of Lagos, 

UNILAG, chapter of 

ASUU, Dr. Ashiru, said 

the union members would 

not join the IPPIS train. 

Ashiru said: “Our 

position remains 

unchanged. We won’t be 

part of a system which 

credibility is tainted. We 

will resist any attempt to 

railroad our members into 

something that is not 

protective of their interest 

or the interest of the 

society at large. 

“It is unfortunate that in 

a democratic setting, 

some people want to use 

draconian method to get 

others do what is not 

right.” 

When told that his union 

may be the only one 

opposing the introduction 

of the new system, he 

said: “We are the most 

critical union in the 

academic system and if 

there are no students and 

lecturers, there won’t be 

university.”


VISIT: Kano State 

G o v e r n o r , 

A b d u l a h i 

Ganduje (left) 

with 

All 

Progressives 

C o n g r e s s 

National Leader, 

Asiwaju Bola 

Tinubu, when the 

governor paid a 

courtesy call on 

A s i w a j u , 

y e s t e r d a y 

evening, at his 

Bourdillon, Ikoyi 

residence, in 

Lagos. 

:Vanguard 

News 

Stay away from drugs, truancy, 

Gbajabiamila tasks students 

By Gabriel Olawale 

LAGOS—SPEAKER of 

the House of 

Representatives, Mr. 

Femi Gbajabiamila, 

yesterday, warned 

students to avoid regrets 

in the future by staying 

away from hard drugs 

and truancy in school 

saying the need to take 

education seriously 

cannot 

be 

overemphasized. 

7-YEAR LEGAL TUSSLE: S’Court strips 

Iralepo, Osolo monarchs of titles 


A seven KURE—AFTER 

years of a 

legal battle over their 

status, the Supreme 

Court has stopped two 

community heads in 

Akure, Ondo State, the 

Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba 

Olu Ojo and the Osolo of 

Isolo, Oba Kayode 

Oluwatuyi, from parading 

themselves as traditional 

Gbajabiamila said this 

during a Health and 

Education initiative for 

students in Surulere 1 

Federal Constituency, 

organized by some of his 

aides and other 

professionals, under the 

aegis of the Gbaja 

Professional Volunteer 

Network, GPVN in 

Lagos. 

The Speaker, who 

promised to continue to 

give back to society, said 

...declares Deji of Akureland as supreme 

rulers in Akureland. 

Justice Chima Nweze, 

while delivering 

judgment, said: “The 

Court agreed with the 

decision of the lower court 

to dismiss the suit for lack 

of merit. 

“The court gave lengthy 

consideration to the effect 

of the application to 

dismiss the appeal for 

failure to file the 

appellant brief. 

Army calls for collaboration among 

agencies to tackle insecurity 


A Nigerian 

KURE—THE 

Army, 

weekend, urged other 

security agencies in the 

country to synergize with 

it to tackle insecurity and 

build national security. 

The General Officer 

Commanding 2 Division, 

Ibadan, Maj. Gen. 

Anthony Omozoje, said 

this during his visit to the 

Crocodile Smile IV Camp 

in Okitipupa area of 

Ondo State. 

Omozoje said: “It is 

quite clear that when we 

synergise together, we 

deliver better on our 

various 

core 

responsibility because we 

are all players in the 

security spectrum but with 

each of us having a 

particular sector to take 

care of. 

“So, when we 

synergize, we are better 

off to cover the spectrum 

across the nation. That is 

why all security 

paramilitary agencies 

should join hands with 

the Nigerian Army. 

“This is to ensure that 

criminality, cultism, 

kidnapping and militancy 

is curtailed in the 

country. ” 

Omozoje, therefore, 

charged the participants 

to maintain the lesson 

they have learned since 

the commencement of the 

exercise in the state. 

The GOC also called on 

participants to ensure 

that law-abiding citizens 

go about their businesses 

and have freedom of 

movement without fear 

throughout the exercise in 

the area. 

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

it is only a healthy and 

educated society that can 

make a country great. 

Gbajabiamila said: 

“Now, when I go round to 

teach children, I always 

make sure I address 

certain things, away from 

academics. 

“There are certain 

things that are important 

in education beyond 

classroom education. The 

issue of drugs that has 

permeated our society 

“An appeal dismissed by 

the Court of Appeal for 

failure to file appellants 

brief of argument is final 

and such appeal cannot 

be revived by Court of 

Appeal, as it amounts to 

a dismissal on the merit. 

“I find this appeal 

unmeritorious. It is for 

these and more elaborate, 

reasons in the leading 

judgement that I hold that 

this appeal should be 

dismissed.” 

The Aralepo of Isikan 

and Osolo of Isolo had 

approached the Supreme 

Court challenging the 

ruling of the Appeal Court 

over their status and for 

re-enlistment of their case 

by the apex after its 

dismissal in 2015. 

Deji of Akure calls 

for calm 

Reacting to the verdict, 

the Deji of Akure, Oba 

Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, 

urged the people and 

traditional heads of every 

quarter to see the outcome 

of the ruling as a step 

towards restoring the 

desired peace and unity 

in the land. 

Oba Aladelusi, however, 

promised to be committed 

to a united Akure of his 

dream. 

He said: “It is equally 

important to state that the 

two have been adequately 

informed of this new 

development through a 

separate letter. 

today is something I never 

hesitate to talk to the 

children about. 

“Drugs, being out of 

school, cultism and so on, 

those things take you 

nowhere and they take 

you nowhere fast. 

“So it is important that 

we continue to imbibe this 

culture of going to school 

regularly, staying away 

from drugs, beware of 

teenage pregnancy, 

beware of cultism. 

“And I tell my students 

when I go to teach them, 

that my being with them 

alone, I want to be fulfilled 

that If only I can change 

the life of just one student, 

I will be fulfilled. 

"So I want you to take it 

seriously that education is 

not for the sake of 

education. It is for the 

sake of progressive life 

and I want to advise we 

take it seriously.” 

While appreciating the 

Gbaja Professional 

Volunteer Network for the 

initiative, Gbajabiamila 

commended the health 

and educational 

organizations that 

contributed their 

resources to make the 

programme a success. 

Over 10,000 students 

benefited from medical 

checks and educational 

materials at the wellattended 

programme. 

GRIDLOCK: Task Force 

gets clampdown order on 

traffic law offenders in Mile 

2, FESTAC, Igando, others 

PDP, ESIEC trade words over use of driver’s 

license for LG poll 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

APeoples DO-EKITI—THE 

Democratic 

Party in Ekiti State and the 

State Independent 

Electoral Commission, 

SIEC, yesterday, 

engaged in a war of 

words over a statement 

that those without voters’ 

cards would be allowed to 

vote with driver’s license 

in the December 7 Local 

Government election. 

The PDP maintained 

that any law made by the 

SIEC that runs contrary to 

the Electoral Act and 

constitution of the country 

will be resisted by the 

party and rejected by the 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

LAGOS—THE Lagos 

State Commissioner 

of Police, Hakeem 

Odumosu, has ordered 

operatives of the State 

Environmental and 

Special Offences 

Agency, Special Task 

Force, to intensify 

enforcement of traffic 

and environmental laws 

on all violators, 

especially those 

impeding the free flow 

of traffic across the state. 

Chairman of the 

agency, Chief 

Superintendent of 

Police, CSP, Olayinka 

Egbeyemi, who disclosed 

this yesterday, said the 

measure had become 

expedient, in view of 

flagrant disregard to 

traffic 

and 

environmental laws by 

motorists and motorcycle 

riders in the state. 

He said this was the 

task force’s way of 

sanitising the 

environment and 

ensuring free flow of 

traffic for all road users, 

especially at Yuletide 

period, when there is 

high influx of both 

people. 

In a statement by the 

PDP Publicity Secretary in 

the State, Mr. Jackson 

Adebayo, the party 

alleged that the governor 

and his agents at the 

SIEC have resulted in 

obnoxious steps after 

realizing that the election 

will not be a usual game 

as they thought at the 

beginning. 

Adebayo said: “The 

Governor and his SIEC 

should do the State good 

if he could just accept the 

fact that the State belongs 

to all but not only his 

party, the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, where its 

own constitution can be 

twisted to fit into some 

human and vehicular 

activities, coupled with 

ongoing road 

rehabilitation projects. 

Egbeyemi explained that 

the directive also 

empowered the agency to 

clear all illegal traders, 

abandoned vehicles, road 

side mechanics, 

miscreants, commercial 

motorcyclists, popularly 

called “okada” and other 

activities constituting 

environmental nuisance in 

the state. 

‘’The directive is to be 

jointly enforced with Lagos 

State Environmental 

Sanitation Corps, 

LAGESC, and the Lagos 

State Neighbourhood 

Safety Corps. 

‘’Areas to be covered 

during the enforcement 

operations include Igando, 

Ikorodu, Ajah, Mile 2, 

Obalende, Oyingbo, 

Dopemu, Iyana-Ipaja, 

Agege, Ojota, Idimu, Yaba, 

Ikate-Elegushi, Apple 

Junction (Festac), Bogije 

area and Mushin,’’ he said. 

Egbeyemi noted that with 

many ongoing road 

projects, there was an 

urgent need to control 

traffic for motorists by 

clearing all obstructions on 

Lagos roads. 

Our achievements in one year 

superb —Oyetola 

By Shina Abubakar 

O 

S O G B O — 

GOVERNOR 

Gboyega Oyetola of Osun 

State, yesterday, 

described 

his 

administration’s 

achievement within a year 

in office as superb. 

Governor Oyetola 

disclosed this at a special 

Church Thanksgiving 

Service to Mark his 1st 

Year in Office held at St. 

Benedict Catholic 

Cathedral Church, Popo, 

Osogbo. 

Speaking through his 

Deputy, Benedict Alabi, 

the governor said that his 

administration has 

worked assiduously in the 

last one year to make life 

meaningful and abundant 

to the people of the state. 

Oyetola said: “This is 

the anniversary of the 

faithfulness of God in the 

life of our administration, 

in the last one year, we 

have worked assiduously 

to ensure that our lives are 

better than before. 

“We thank God for the 

journey so far in the last 

one year and we remain 

committed to doing things 

that will change the face 

of the state and our lives 

as a people for better.” 

People’s desires. 

“There is no ambiguity 

in Local Government 

election as the 

government wants to be 

presenting it now, hence 

it is advisable for the SIEC 

to follow only what’s 

obtainable in the general 

elections rather than 

taking some illegitimate 

short cut to bar other 

party’s candidates from 

contesting in the 

election. 

“The idea of using other 

ID cards rather than 

voter’s card is a 

deliberate arrangement to 

rig the forthcoming Local 

Government election 

which would not be 

accepted under any 

guise.


:Vanguard 

News 

Ijaw youths ask Bayelsa gov-elect to 

*As Niger Delta group advises him to learn 

form unity govt from mistakes of past leaders 

Buhari has kept his promise to Niger 

Delta people — Dokubo 

COORDINATOR of the 

Presidential Amnesty 

Programme, Prof. Charles 

Dokubo, yesterday said President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

had kept to promises made 

to the people of Niger Delta 

towards the enhancement of 

peace and human capital 

development in the region. 

He gave assurance that 

efforts would be intensified 

to explore employment opportunities, 

avenues for self 

employment and massive 

engagement of beneficiaries 

of the Amnesty Programme. 

Dokubo spoke on Sunday 

at Okochiri, Okirika Local 

Government of Rivers State 

on the sidelines of a colourful 

ceremony to mark the 

second coronation anniversary 

of HRM King Ateke 

Michael Tom, the Amanyanabo 

of Okochiri Kingdom, 

Okirika. 

He noted that the mandate 

of the Presidential Amnesty 

Programme was not only to 

train and empower enlisted 

beneficiaries, but to deepen 

peace in the Niger Delta region 

through human capital 

development. 

According to him, “If you 

think my major interest is 

empowerment of beneficiaries 

of the Amnesty Programme, 

that is just a bit of 

my mandate. My major 

work is to maintain peace 

and security in the Niger 

Delta as well as to enhance 

human capital development. 

Empowerment is part 

of human capital development. 

I was here for empowerment 

about two months 

ago, to empower those that 

had been trained by King 

Ateke Tom. 

“This is a celebration of 

what he has done; not only 

celebrating the second anniversary 

of his becoming a 

king, but also the fact that 

in collaboration with him, 

we have empowered people 

in the community he belongs. 

King Ateke Tom has 

been very instrumental to 

maintaining of peace and 

security in the Niger Delta; 

his camp is a peaceful camp 

and those he trained are being 

empowered. They don’t 

look at any other person; 

they know that they will get 

whatever they deserve, and 

that is why it is so important 

empowering a king in the 


CORONATION — Senior Principal officers of the Niger Delta Amnesty office and Prof Charles Dokubo, Presidential 

Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme in a group picture with His Royal Majesty King Ateke Michael Tom JP, 

Sekuro of Niger Delta, Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, Okrika, Rivers State, at the 2nd Coronation Anniversary 

celebration of King Ateke Tom in Okrika yesterday. 

By Emma Amaize & By 

Samuel Oyadongha 

YENAGOA — IJAW 

Youth Council, IYC, 

has urged the Bayelsa 

Governor-elect, David 

Lyon, to form a unity government 

and immediately 

begin the process of reconciliation. 

This came as Niger Delta 

Peace Initiative and 

Development, NDPiD, 

called on Chief Lyon, to 

learn from the mistakes of 

the past leaders, saying 

no governor is more powerful 

and more patriotic 

than the electorate. 

President of IYC, Pereotubo 

Oweilaemi, in a 

statement, yesterday said, 

“With Bayelsa gubernatorial 

election over and a 

winner having emerged, 

IYC is reiterating its earlier 

call for a unity government. 

The incoming 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, government 

should compose its government 

without border. 

By that we mean, it 

should incorporate the 

opposition parties in the 

incoming Bayelsa State 

executive committee. 

“The governor-elect, 

Chief David Lyon, should 

also commence the process 

of reconciliation immediately 

to ensure that 

Bayelsa State is peaceful. 

Peace in Bayelsa State 

means peace in Ijaw land. 

The governor should 

strive to reconcile with all 

aggrieved persons for 

peace and development 

of the state and the Ijaw 

nation. 

“The governor by his 

position is the leader of all 

Bayelsans and by extension 

the Ijaw nation. He, 

therefore, should carry 

everybody along notwithstanding 

political leanings. 

For sometimes now, 

Ijaw nation is missing in 

action in the liberation 

struggle due to the fact 

that our foremost sociocultural 

organizations are 

engulfed in leadership 

crisis. 

“The incoming governor 

should have the polarization 

and the leadership 

melees in the Ijaw National 

Congress, INC, and 

Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, 

in mind and thereby take 

a non-partisan step to resolve 

all pending issues.” 

Meanwhile NDPiD 

President, Annah Buseri, 

Niger Delta”. 

Dokubo commended President 

Buhari for his conviction 

on the Presidential Amnesty 

Programme as a vehicle 

to transform the Niger 

Delta region, expressing optimism 

that beneficiaries of 

the programme would become 

change agents not 

only for the Niger Delta, but 

across the country and globally. 

“We’ve done a lot of training. 

I was here recently for 

the graduation ceremony of 

our beneficiaries trained in 

oil and gas. The Niger Delta 

environment is most populated 

with oil and gas facilities; 

what we do is to empower 

our youths so that our 

people also will be qualified 

to compete and have the 

competitive edge with the 

basic technology in Niger 

Delta. 

"I strongly believe that because 

our people feel the 

positive impact of the Federal 

Government’s outreach, 

the promises kept, they are 

very happy. If we keep to 

promises, which President 

Buhari has done, there will 

be sustainable peace in the 

Niger Delta”. 

in a chat with Vanguard, 

also urged Bayelsans to 

put aside their political 

differences and unite to 

confront issues facing 

Ijaw Nation and its people. 

She said among others, 

“The Governor-Elect’s 

victory at the poll, should 

always serve as a reminder 

to him that no governor 

is more powerful, allknowing, 

all-knowledgeable 

and more patriotic 

than the electorate. The 

governor should be seen 

as the servant of the people 

always and be wary of 

elders, chiefs, political 

advisers, godfathers who 

always think about their 

personal interests, instead 

of the citizens they serve. 

“Lyon should disassociate 

himself and his government 

from persons 

who by association, or 

have played roles that 

contributed to the failure 

of previous governors 

and their governments. 

He should not use his 

office as a place to promote 

his clan and nepo- 

Delta promises continuous 

partnership with OPS for 

economic devt 

Delta State Government 

has promised to 

strengthen its partnership 

with Organised Private Sector, 

OPS, in harnessing the 

economic potential of its citizens. 

Commissioner for Economic 

Planning, Dr. Barry 

Gbe made this known in 

Asaba, during the presentation 

of ‘Unsung Heroes 

Award’ to five distinguished 

Deltans who impacted positively 

on the lives of others 

and their immediate communities 

in the state through 

humanitarian services. 

Represented by his Special 

Adviser, Dr. Alex Igoro, the 

Commissioner commended 

the organisers of the event, 

a Non-Governmental Organisation 

NGO, known as 

Delta Economic Summit 

Group, DESG, for the initiative, 

just as he challenged 

the awardees to work harder 

towards impacting on 

their various communities. 

While describing the 

award as a catalyst both on 

the part of the recipients and 

the state government to 

continue to do more in impacting 

positively on the 

lives of the people, particularly 

those at the grassroots, 

the Commissioner called 

on other private institutions 

to take a cue from the DESG 

in rewarding diligence and 

selfless services among distinguished 

individuals in the 

state. 

“Certainly, government 

cannot do it all alone, we 

need the cooperation and 

sustained support of individuals 

and cooperate institutions 

in driving the vision of 

the state government in impacting 

positively on the 

lives of the people,” the 

Commissioner concluded. 

I built a university because I strongly 

believe in Nigeria's unity — Clark 

By Festus Ahon 

ASABA — Former Fed 

eral Commissioner of 

Information and leader of 

the Ijaw nation, Chief E. K. 

Ckark, weekend said he established 

the Edwin Clark 

University for children from 

different parts of the country 

to live together as one, 

because he strongly believed 

in the unity of Nigeria. 

Speaking during the maiden 

convocation of the Edwin 

Clark University Kiagbodo, 

Burutu Local Government 

Area, Delta State, Clark said 

his aim of setting up the university 

was to unite Nigerians 

irrespective of tribe and 

religion. 

He charged the pioneer 

graduating students of the 

Institution to be of good 

BUHARI TO FARMERS: 

We neglected agriculture, 

but we’re wiser now 

By Davies Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT: 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari weekend said 

the nation had neglected 

agriculture in the time past, 

but stated that the Federal 

Government was now wiser 

to make investments in the 

sector. The president spoke 

through a video clip played 

at the 23rd Farmers’ Day 

Celebration tagged: ‘Farm 

and Fortune’ at the Nigerian 

Agip Oil Company, 

NAOC-Green River Project 

(GRP) Plant Propagation 

Centre(PPC) Obie, in Ogba/ 

Ebema/Ndoni Local Government 

Area of Rivers 

State. 

He said: “I commend the 

Nigerian Agip Oil Company 

for their efforts in repositioning 

Agriculture. I urge 

others to emulate the examples 

set. I urge you the farmers 

to make good use of the 

investment made by the 

company. We want to make 

farming our bedrock. We neglected 

farming in the time 

past, but we are wiser now 

as a nation. We will also take 

character and Ambassadors, 

noting that education 

was not a product but a 

transformative process. 

According to him: “It is the 

vision of the institution to recover 

the lost core values of 

integrity, respect, obedience, 

service, love and care which 

has become a global challenge. 

"The institution has diligently 

committed itself to its 

guiding principle as clearly 

defined in its vision, mission 

and philosophy to impacting 

on students not only for 

campus living, but also for 

life." 

He said, since inception in 

2015, the Edwin Clark University 

had enjoyed a proud 

record of successes and 

achievements both in academic, 

spiritual and infrastructural 

developments. 

precautions of bad harvest. 

“Agriculture is a veritable 

tool for economic recovery. 

It engenders better living 

standard and ensures food 

security. Agriculture will 

improve food security and 

provide jobs. Farmers are 

our authentic healers now 

and years ahead.” 

Meanwhile, the General 

Manager District, Tiani 

Alessandro, promised that 

NAOC would continue to 

build sustainable projects 

and development to its host 

communities. He said: “Eni 

will continue to build sustainability 

into all its activities, 

focusing on the development 

of people and reorganizing 

the great opportunities 

embedded in the 

Green River Project. 

As a company, we will continue 

to pride ourselves with 

the Green River Project 

(GRP) being one of our company’s 

most impactful 

projects as an integrated 

programme of agricultural 

entrepreneurial development, 

created to promote a 

path of autonomous development 

in the Niger Delta. 

Chief Clark restated his 

resolve to pursue excellence 

in all facets of life concerning 

the total formation of 

excellent young men and 

women who would take the 

nation to a greater heights, 

thanking God for keeping 

him alive to see the first set 

of graduands. 

On his part, the Vice Chancellor 

of the Institution, Prof. 

Timothy Olagbemiro expressed 

gratitude to God and 

to the proprietor of the institution 

whom he described 

as a man with great love for 

education. 

Olagbemiro said one of 

the challenges of University 

Education in Nigeria, was 

the dearth of quality teaching 

staff, lamenting that the 

younger generation had 

aversion for academics as 

profession.


:Vanguard 

News 


MEDIA BRIEFING: From left—Country Lead, Sustainability and Stakeholder Management, 

International Breweries, Temitope Oguntokun; Director, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Otunba Michael 

Daramola; Chairman, International Breweries Foundation, Peter Bamkole, and Company Secretary, 

International Breweries, Muyiwa Ayojimi, at the Media Briefing, organised by the brewery on 

'Kickstart Entrepreneurial Initiative', in Lagos. Photo: JOE AKINTOLA, Photo Editor. 

FG abolishes catchment areas in 

Federal univarsities’ admissions 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THE 

F e d e r a l 

Government, weekend, 

said it had abolished the 

policy of catchment areas 

in admission of new 

students into Federal 

Government owned 

universities and 

threatened sanction 

against universities that 

contravened this 

decision from 2020. 

P r e s i d e n t 


stated this at the 45th 

convocation ceremony of 

the University of Benin, 

UNIBEN, in Edo State. 

Represented by the 

Deputy Executive 

Secretary, National 

Universities 

Commission, NUC, 

Suleiman Yusuf, the 

President directed all 

federal universities to 

ensure that every local 

government in all states 

and all geopolitical 

zones were represented 

in their admission of new 

students. 

He said: “If you look at 

the demographics of the 

various Nigerian 

universities, it reveals a 

preponderance of over 

localisation and over 

indigenization with only 

a few universities, 

including those owned 

by the Federal 

Government, having a 

semblance of national 

institutions in terms of 

the national spread of 

their staff and students' 

population. 

“Universities should be 

more broadminded, less 

parochial and eschew 

over indigenization. 

Government hereby 

directs all federal 

universities to ensure 

that henceforth every 

local government, all 

states and all 

geopolitical zones are 

represented in their 

admission of new 

entrance. Accordingly, I 

have directed the Joint 

Admission and 

Matriculation Board, and 

NUC to ensure 

compliance commencing 

from the 2020 admission 

season. 

“In addition, NUC and 

JAMB have been 

directed to thereafter 

carry out a 

comprehensive student 

audits to ascertain 

compliance and of 

course you can be 

assured that government 

Reps summon Perm Sec, others over 

closure of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria roads 

•Want completed section of Abuja-Kaduna road open to motorists 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu & 

Tordue Salem 

ABUJA—HOUSE of 

Representatives 

Committee on Works, 

has summoned the 

Permanent Secretary of 

the Ministry of Works 

and Housing, the 

director (Highways) 

construction, as well as 

Julius Berger Plc to brief 

it on the status of the 

ongoing works on the 

Abuja-Kaduna, Zaria- 

Kano road projects. 

The Committee also 

asked Julius Berger to 

as a matter of public 

necessity open already 

the completed section of 

the Abuja-Kaduna 

express way to motorists 

to ease vehicular 

movement. 

In a statement by the 

leadership of the 

committee chaired by 

Abubakat Kabir Abubakar 

in Abuja, yesterday, it 

informed that the need 

for the explanations had 

become necessary 

following a barrage of 

complaints by well 

meaning Nigerians 

using the roads. 

According to the 

statement “The ongoing 

rehabilitation and 

dualization of the Abuja- 

Kaduma highway is 

causing untold hardship 

to motorists and other 

road users plying that 

road. The partial closure 

of some sections have 

caused enormous 

financial and labour time 

losses due to road traffic 

congestion and long 

hours spent on the road. 

It has been observed that 

the quality of life of those 

commuting on that has 

started to decline. A 

journey that normally 

takes 4 hours now takes 

at least 9 hours to 

complete. 

“We call on the 

construction company 

working on the road to 

expedite action on the 

project so as to complete 

it on time. They should 

immediately open up 

closed sections of the 

road they have 

completed to motorists 

so as to reduce the long 

hours spent travelling 

on the road. 

"We also call on relevant 

authorities such as the 

Federal Road Safety 

Corps and the Nigeria 

police force to provide 

adequate security and 

ensure that motorists 

drive within the 

maximum speed limit of 

50 km per hour as 

prescribed by the 

National Raid Traffic 

Regulations, 2012 as the 

maximum limit allowed 

at construction zones. They 

should ensure that motorists 

observe lane discipline and 

avoid driving against traffic.” 

will not hesitate to apply 

sanctions against erring 

institutions. 

“Government expects 

university managers to 

do a lot more with less, 

given the economical 

reality confronting us as 

a nation today. These call 

for innovative and 

t r a n s p a r e n t 

management practices. 

Funding is not just about 

the quantum of fund 

disbursed to 

universities, it also 

includes the judicious 

management of available 

funds to ensure that we 

get more mileage on 

whatever funds are 

expended.” 

Speaking, outgoing 

Vice Chancellor of 

UNIBEN, Prof Faraday 

Orumwense, said 

academic activities in the 

institution had taken a 

giant leap since he 

became VC, disclosing 

that the NUC gave full 

accreditation to the 

school’s educational 

programmes. 

According to him, a 

significant part of 

intellectual footprints of 

his administration was 

the attraction of the 

Centre of Excellence in 

Reproductive Health 

Initiative, CERHI, a World 

Bank assisted project. 

As part of the convocation 

ceremony, the University 

conferred on one of its former 

Vice Chancellors, Prof. 

Emmanuel Nwanze, with the 

title of Professor Emeritus . 

Others conferred with 

Professor Emeritus of the 

institution were Prof. Esosa 

Bob Osaze and Prof. John 

Oamen Igene. 

Prof. Nwanze became the 

first recipient of the title of 

Professor Emeritus from the 

Faculty of Life Sciences. 

A total 100 students 

graduated with First Class 

honours while 273 were 

awarded Doctorate degree, 

PhD, out of 10,198 graduands 

that were awarded various 

diplomas and degrees. 

‘They threatened to shoot us’, 

Kaduna residents narrate how 

300 houses were demolished 

by KASUPDA 

K 

A D U N A — 

TENSION has 

gripped some resident of 

Kaduna metropolis, 

following the destruction 

of over 300 houses by the 

Kaduna State Urban 

Planning Development 

Agency, KASUPDA. 

Some of the destroyed 

houses were still under 

construction, while others 

had been completed and 

were being occupied. 

Addressing journalists, 

yesterday, Yusuf Zomo, a 

landlord, who spoke on 

behalf of the affected 

persons, said officials of 

KASUPDA stormed the 

communities around 12 

midnight, Friday, and 

went about 'demolishing' 

houses without any prior 

notice. 

Findings showed that 

most of the houses were 

partially destroyed, while 

in some cases fences were 

pulled down. 

Zomo said personnel of 

KASUPDA, accompanied 

by armed security agents, 

arrived the communities 

with bulldozers and went 

from place to place, 

"demolishing over 300 

houses.” 

He listed the affected 

communities as Baban 

Saura, Anguwan Waziri, 

Karji, Tsohon Kamanz and 

Angwan Maigyero, all 

located along Yakowa 

road in Kaduna. 

“Initially, they said they 

didn’t want to see 

containers on the road 

and owners of containers 

complied with the 

directive,” he said. 

“At about 12 midnight, 

on Friday, when 

everybody was sleeping, 

they (KASUPDA) moved 

in with caterpillars and 

bulldozers. They were 

accompanied by armed 

security men, who 

threatened to shoot 

anyone who came close to 

them. 

“People were sleeping 

in their homes when they 

heard that houses being 

pulled down, and they 

had to run. If you don’t 

run out, they will pull 

down the house on you. 

People were shouting and 

running around 

helplessly. 

“If this is a government 

of the people and they 

claim that the land 

belongs to them, why 

didn’t they come in the 

day time and talk to us 

and tell us their 

intentions? 

“Up till this moment we 

don’t know what is their 

reason for pulling down 

our houses. We are crying 

out to the world to hear 

what the government of 

Kaduna state have done 

to us. Is Governor Nasir 

el-Rufai aware of this or 

not? We are not fighting, 

we cannot fight them… 

But we are the ones who 

voted them to power. If 

there are no people, there 

is no government. They 

should have come in the 

day time and seek 

audience with us so that 

we can discuss and 

understand ourselves.” 

Reacting to the 

demolition, Ismaila Dikko 

managing director of 

KASUPDA, said the 

houses were built 

illegally. 

He said despite several 

warning, people refused 

to stop building in the 

area. 

Dikko said since 2012 

the agency issued “stop 

work notices” to those 

who built on the land but 

they ignored this. 

“The area is part of the 

eastern sector gazetted in 

1994 with an order that 

doesn’t allowed 

development without 

planning permission and 

statutory rights of 

occupancy,” he said. 

“Ask if they have any 

permits before 

development and our ‘X 

mark‘ and painting have 

been all over their 

properties advising them 

to stop. 

“We have issued stop 

work notices since 2012 

but they went ahead to 

build illegally, this is not 

acceptable.The area has 

its plan, with schools, 

cemeteries, markets, 

police station, hospital, 

etc, but they decided to 

build without regards.”


KOGI ELECTION BOYCOTT: 

You can’t postpone your 

doomsday, APC tells PDP 


By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA—THE 

All 

Progressives 

Congress APC, has lashed 

out at Peoples Democratic 

Party PDP, over the latter’s 

decision to boycott the 

November 30 

Supplementary Election for 

Kogi West Senatorial 

District, saying the attempt 

by the opposition to 

postpone its doomsday for 

the second time was a silly 

joke. 

APC in a statement by its 

National Publicity 

Secretary, Mallam Lanre 

Issa-Onilu, said it was on 

the verge of winning the 

elections during the first 

round and so no amount of 

propaganda or fake news 

could change it. 

The statement reads; 

“Senator Dino Melaye did 

not win the 2019 National 

Assembly election for the 

Kogi West Senatorial 

district, the Appeal Court 

affirmed just that. Again, 

the Kogi electorate resisted 

and frustrated Dino 

Melaye and the Peoples 

Democratic Party PDP plan 

to, again, rig the November 

16 rerun election for the 

Senatorial seat. No level of 

propaganda and fake news 

can change these hard 

facts. The Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission INEC has 

fixed November 30 for the 

Senatorial supplementary 

election in Kogi West 

district. The PDP has 

predictably gone to town 

with the usual lamentations 

on the forthcoming 

supplementary election. 

PDP has even threatened 

to boycott the election. Who 

is fooling who? 

“Nobody is fooled by 

PDP’s statement boycotting 

the supplementary 

election. The All 

Progressives Congress 

APC will not drop its guard 

in our quest to get a clear 

majority of the remaining 

votes in the affected units. 

Why should the 

supplementary election be 

cancelled as being 

demanded by PDP? Is it 

because PDP has already 

lost the election? 

“As the wide margin of 

valid votes from the 

November 16 exercise 

show, it is clear that Dino 

Melaye and PDP have lost 

the election. PDP’s 

doomsday will surely not be 

postponed a second time. 

Come November 30, the 

APC candidate, Senator 

Smart Adeyemi will reclaim 

his earlier stolen mandate. 

“How many times does 

PDP need to be reminded 

that APC has not and will 

not copy PDP’s inglorious 

tactics of using state 

institutions, particularly 

INEC, the judiciary and 

security agencies to 

manipulate 

the 

electioneering process? 

The business of the 

National Assembly is a 

serious one, equally meant 

for serious and patrioticminded 

persons. The Kogi 

electorate have decidedly 

rejected individuals who 

sacrificed national interest 

to achieve their selfish 

political agend.” 

DINNER: From left, Dr. Olusegun Osunkeye, Chairman Emeritus; Mr. Babatunde Savage, Chairman, 

International Chamber of Commerce Nigeria, (ICCN); Mr. Ehia Erhaboh, Chief Transformation Officer 

Interswitch Group Limited; Guest Speaker, Dr. Raymond Ihyembe; Vice Chairman, ICCN, Mrs. Omolara 

Akanji, Vice Chairman, ICCN Banking Commission, and Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, (SAN), Former Minister 

of Foreign Affairs, during the annual dinner and dance night of ICCN, themed; ''Make Technology Work 

for All'', held on Friday at Civil Center Victoria Island Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi 

Yobe, Kogi APC Chairmen deny 

calling for Oshiomhole’s sack 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

A Chairmen BUJA—STATE 

of the 

ruling All Progressives 

Congress APC in Yobe and 

Kogi states have denied 

reports alleging that the 

Forum of APC state 

Chairmen along with some 

members of the National 

Executive Committee, 

NEC, had called for the 

sack of the party’s National 

Chairman, Comrade 

Adams Oshiomhole. 

They specifically 

dissociated themselves 

from reports linking them 

with the group of 

aggrieved chairmen and 

NEC members of the party 

who called on Oshiomhole 

to resign. 

The group had in a briefing 

Friday called on Oshiomhole 

to resign as national 

chairman of the party, 

blaming him for the current 

crisis in the party. 

In separate statements 

issued yesterday Adamu 

Achilare, the chairman of 

APC in Yobe, his counterpart 

from Kogi, Abdullahi 

Bello, denied being part of 

the group that met at Immaculate 

Hotel in Abuja, 

after the APC NEC meeting 

to demand for Oshiomhole’s 

resignation. 

Achilare wondered why 

the group would include 

his name and forge his 

signature without his 

NSITF SCAM ALLEGATION: We won’t 

compromise investigations — ICPC 

•No fraud of N2.3bn in NSITF — MGT 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A Independent 

BUJA—THE 

Corrupt Practices and other 

related Offences 

Commission, ICPC, has 

said it will not compromise 

on the investigation of the 

alleged N2.3 billion scam at 

the Nigeria Social Insurance 

Trust Fund, NSITF. 

Some of the management 

staff of NSITF were accused 

of spending N2. 

294,161,025 without the 

approval of the board and 

the supervisory ministry 

which is the Ministry of 

Labour and Employment. 

Vanguard investigations 

revealed that the ICPC invited 

four top management 

staff of the fund to appear 

before it to answer questions 

over alleged financial infractions. 

According to the letter, the 

officers were told to come 

with a lawyer, a Justice of 

the Peace, a staff of the Legai 

Aid Council or any individual 

of their choice. 

But the management of 

the Fund has denied existence 

of any scam. 

A statement by the management 

yesterday read, 

“There is no fraud in NSITF. 

What ICPC is investigating 

is Duty Tour Allowance 

(DTA) of the management 

staff which has been responded 

to appropriately. 

“This present management 

is committed to transparency 

and accountability 

of its business. Recall that 

in our bid to enthrone transparency 

of our procurement 

system, we approached the 

Bureau of Public Procurement 

(BPP) to give us procurement 

supports. 

“Concerning the training, 

it was budgeted for in our 

2018 and 2019 procurement 

plans. The process 

was advertised in 

national dailies, the bids 

were competed for, opened 

publicly, evaluated and 

By Emma Amaize 

Wagitators ARRI—FORMER 

in Niger 

Delta, under the auspices 

of Iduwini Volunteer 

Fighters, IVF, have warned 

that they may return to 

the creeks if President 


failed to stop the Minister 

of Niger Delta, Senator 

Godswill Akpabio, from 

sustaining the alleged 

awarded.'' 

The training was done in 

15 states of the federation 

that involved over 4,000 of 

our staff. 

“ The states where training 

was done included Lagos, 

Abuja, Port Harcourt, 

Enugu, Ibadan, Ilorin, Yola, 

Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, 

Owerri, Maiduguri, Akure, 

Asaba, Uyo, Minna among 

other cities. We also have 

pictorial evidence of all the 

training. 

“The training was conducted 

within two years 

period. Apart from pictures 

and other evidences, relevant 

approvals were 

gotten before the projects 

were executed. 

consent, noting that he had 

remained solidly behind 

the position of APC Northeast 

state chairmen in support 

of the party’s national 

chairman, adding that he 

has nothing against Oshiomhole 

that would warrant 

him to join the calls for him 

to resign. 

“I must align myself with 

the position of North East 

APC chairmen. I did not 

attend any meeting with the 

other group and do not 

know why they decided to 

forge my signature. I have 

no reasons to demand for 

the resignation of our party 

chairman because he has 

led the party very well with 

results so far” he noted. 

On his part, Abdullahi 

Bello who also distanced 

himself from the meeting 

and its resolutions said; “I, 

Abdullahi Bello, Chairman 

APC in Kogi State 

wholeheartedly 

disassociate myself from 

the list purportedly for the 

removal of Comrade 

Adams Oshiomhole as the 

national chairman of our 

great party, APC. I will not 

also hesitate to take any 

legal action against the 

masterminds of the 

purported list” 

Chairman of the Forum 

of APC state chairmen, 

Bukar Dalori had earlier 

issued a statement 

insisting that the forum 

never met to demand for 

Oshiomhole’s resignation. 

NDDC: Ex-agitators write Buhari, threaten to 

return to the creeks if… 

charade foisted on the 

Niger 

Delta 

D e v e l o p m e n t 

Commission, NDDC. 

The ex-agitators in a 

letter to President 

Muhammadu Buhari, 

said, “As critical 

stakeholders in the 

Niger Delta peace 

process, the only thing 

that can return our troops 

to the creeks is the type 

of impunity being perpetuated 

by your Minister 

of Niger Delta Affairs 

without any control from 

the government of the 

day.” 

They said, “While we 

look forward to your 

early resolution of this 

impending avoidable 

crisis, we want to say 

that our present peaceful 

disposition should not be 

taken for weakness, as 

we are still capable of 

striking when we are 

pushed to the wall.”


Conference on witchcraft: 

UNN succumbs to pressure, 

changes topic 

By Ikechukwu Odu 

N 

S U K K A — 

FOLLOWING 

agitations over the decision 

of University of Nigeria, 

Nsukka, UNN, to hold an 

international conference on 

witchcraft, the institution 

has succumbed to pressure 

and accepted to change the 

topic for the conference. 

Professor B. I. C. Ijomah 

Centre for Policy Studies 

and Research, UNN, had 

earlier proposed to 

discuss Witchcraft: 

Meaning, Factors and 

Practices, which many 

took as promotion of 

sorcery in an institution 

that is supposed to be 

devoted to the pursuit of 

academic excellence. 

The decision to change 

the topic followed the 

outright condemnation by 

the institution’s students 

and Christian Association 

of Nigeria, CAN, who 

organised a protest, 

weekend to decry the 

development. 

Meanwhile, in a 

statement by the Public 

Relations Officer of the 

school, Okwun Omeaku, 

the management has 

made a U-turn over her 

initial choice of topic but 

insisted that the 

conference will hold. 

The statement read in 

part: “This is to inform the 

university community in 

particular and the general 

public that the Vice- 

Chancellor, Professor 

Charles Igwe, has 

directed that the topic for 

the inter-disciplinary and 

international seminar by 

B. I. C. Ijeoma Centre for 

Research, scheduled for 

November 26 be instantly 

dropped forthwith. 

“This is in response to 

the yearnings of the public 

that have erroneously 

misconstrued the ideas 

behind the choice of topic 

and a true demonstration 

of a management with a 

listening ear. Other 

aspects of the programme 

will run their full course.” 

INSURANCE FORUM: From left—Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Gus Wiggle; keynote speaker, 

Dr. Sarafadeen Raji; CEO, Almond Productions Limited, Faith Ughwode; MD/CEO, FBN General Insurance 

Ltd., Mr. Bode Opadokun, and ED, Zygosis Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Adebayo Kolade, at the 2019 Insurance 

Consumers' Forum in Lagos. 

Soludo heads Anambra 50-year devt plan c'ttee 

By Vincent Ujumadu 

A WKA—GOVERNOR 

Willie Obiano of 

Anambra State has 

inaugurated the Anambra 

State Vision 2070 

Development Plan 

Committee headed by the 

former governor of the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, Professor 

Chukwuma Soludo. 

The committee, which has 

nine months to complete its 

By Anayo Okoli 

E NUGU—EBONYI 

State government has 

rejected a national poverty 

index credited to the 

National Bureau of 

Statistics, NBS, listing the 

state as the seventh poorest 

in Nigeria in 2019, 

describing it as fake. 

The government 

dismissed the report as 

“fake and fallacious, 

fraudulent, malicious and 

mendacious” meant to 

deceive gullible members 

of the public. 


Commissioner for 

assignment, was charged to 

craft a 50-year 

development plan that 

would move the state’s 

economy forward. 

Obiano urged the 

committee to evolve a 

vision and mission 

statement for Anambra 

State, identify specific 

sectors that the state should 

focus on, develop 

measurement frameworks 

and determine critical 

milestones and success 

factors. 

Chairman of the 

committee, Professor 

Soludo expressed delight 

and commitment of 

members towards giving 

Anambra people the best 

and promised to work hard 

to ensure an expansive 

participatory process that 

would create a sense of 

ownership of the plan by 

Anambra people. 

Members of the 

committee are Secretary to 

‘Ebonyi's position on NBS poverty index's fake’ 

Information and State 

Orientation, Orji Orji, “the 

report is non-existent, illconceived 

and illogically 

concocted to deceive 

members of the public as it 

has no traces or contemplations 

by any official or 

institution of the National 

Bureau of Statistics. 

“This report, which is in 

circulation in many media 

platforms is fake and 

fallacious. The report is 

fraudulent, malicious and 

mendacious, and 

deliberately orchestrated to 

brainwash gullible 

members of the public and 

beat their imaginations as 

to the actual impact of the 

modest achievements of 

the Divine Mandate 

administration of Governor 

Umahi to the living 

standard of the people. 

“We speak authoritatively 

that should the National 

Bureau of Statistics, NBS, 

conduct a nationwide 

economic impact analysis 

by state jurisdictions, 

Ebonyi State shall be their 

model of good governance 

and economic development 

in Nigeria, as already 

proclaimed by different 

internationally acclaimed 

leadership performance 

assessment organisations.” 

the State Government, 

Professor Solo 

Chukwulobelu; Chief of 

Staff to the Governor, Chief 

Primus Odili; Attorney- 

General, Dr. Uju Nwogu; 

Commissioner for Basic 

Education, Professor Kate 

Omenugha; Commissioner 

for Finance, Mr. Ifeatu 

Onejeme; Commissioner 

for Economic Planning, 

Mr. Mark Okoye, and 

Commissioner for 

Information and Public 

Enlightenment, Mr. Don 

Adinuba. 

Others are Mr. Patrick 

Okigbo, Mr. Chris Okoye, 

Mr. Ben Akabueze, Capt. 

Iheanacho Ebubeogu, John 

Okakpu, retired DIG Val 

Ntomchukwu, Mr. 

Valentine Ozigbo, Chief 

Chudi Offodile and Dr. 

Ikem Odumodu. 

The rest are Prof. Enis 

Idemobi, Prof. Uche 

Amazigo, Mr. Emeka Eze, 

Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), 

Mr. Mac Atasie, Amb. 

Emma Okafor, Chief Tony 

Onyima, Senator Ikechukwu 

Obiorah, Air Vice 

Marshal Ben Chiobi, Mazi 

Chike Nwegbe, Mrs Uche 

Onwuamaegbu-Ugwu and 

Chief Uche Nworah. 

Ugwuanyi’s multi-partisan 

approach to governance 

commendable—Jonathan 

FORMER President of 

Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck 

Jonathan, has expressed 

delight at the leadership 

style of Governor Ifeanyi 

Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, 

in fostering peace and 

unity among the political 

class irrespective of party 

differences. 

Ex-President Jonathan, 

who described Governor 

Ugwunayi as a man of 

peace, said the governor’s 

disposition in relating with 

members of the opposition 

political parties, after 

winning the election, was 

commendable and the best 

approach to governance. 

Speaking when the 

governor treated him to a 

dinner at the Government 

House, Enugu, after 

delivering the lecture at 

the 10th anniversary 

celebration and sixth and 

seventh convocation 

ceremonies of Godfrey 

Okoye University, Enugu, 

yesterday, Jonathan 

stressed Ugwuanyi’s 

inclusive governance style 

is a rare feat other leaders 

should emulate to move 

their constituencies 

forward. 

Jonathan said: “If you 

are the governor of a state, 

you must treat all the 

citizens equally, 

irrespective of their 

political persuasions, 

otherwise you are not a 

good governor.” 

While urging members 

of Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, in the state to 

continue to encourage the 

governor in his peace 

initiatives, the former 

President maintained that 

“we need peace and unity 

if we want rapid 

development.” 

The ex-President, who 

expressed happiness over 

U g w u a n y i ’ s 

unprecedented 

performance during the 

last election, stated that the 

governor scored higher 

percentage of votes in his 

second term election than 

in the first term, thanking 

God that PDP made the 

right choice in 2015. 

According to him, “in 

most cases as presidents 

and governors, their 

second term election is 

tougher because when 

you are coming for the 

first term, there is so 

much enthusiasm, so 

much hope by the 

people. But it is almost 

difficult to meet the 

needs of the people. 

“So in your second term 

election, you may win but 

with less votes. But he 

(Ugwuanyi) even won 

with higher votes than in 

the first election. Today 

(yesterday) when we 

went to the university, the 

community leader spoke 

about him as a man of 

peace and from all the 

information I have got 

since I came, they are not 

flattering but making the 

correct statement. 

“I am happy when I 

listened to the President- 

General of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo that in 

U g w u a n y i ’ s 

administration, he has 

seen no difference 

between APC and PDP 

or any other party. 

“That is commendable 

and I always tell people, 

when you become the 

President or governor or 

chairman, you are not a 

governor of your party, 

but the governor of your 

state. So I looked back to 

when we all wanted him 

and I thank God we made 

the right choice.” 

In their separate 

remarks, the President- 

General of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, Chief Nnia 

Nwodo, and Chairman, 

Enugu State Council of 

Traditional Rulers, HRH 

Igwe Lawrence 

Agubuzu, welcomed the 

former President to the 

state and appreciated 

him for his contributions 

towards the 

development of the 

country as well as his 

kind disposition to the 

people of the South-East 

geo-political zone when 

he was in office. 

Also present at the 

event were the Chairman, 

House Committee 

on Aviation, Nnoli Nnaji 

and the State Chairman 

of PDP, Augustine 

Nnamani, among others.


AWARD: From left— 

CEO, Ladybird 

Communications Ltd, Mrs. 

Bunmi Oke; CEO, Nitro 

121, Mr. Lampe Omoyele; 

Sustainability and 

Community Affairs 

Manager, Nigerian 

Bottling Company, NBC 

Ltd, Ms. Ifeoma Okoye 

and Corporate 

Communications 

Manager, NBC, Ms. 

Olatomiwa Akande during 

the presentation of Best 

Company in Education 

award to the NBC, at the 

13th edition of Social 

Enterprise Report Awards, 

SERAS, CSR Award 

ceremony in Lagos. Photo: 

Akeem Salau. 

Edo RTEAN backs Obaseki for 2nd term 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THE 

leadership and 

members of Edo state 

Roads Transport Employers 

Association of Nigeria, 

RTEAN, yesterday pledged 

support for Governor 

Godwin Obaseki's second 

term ambition saying he has 

performed to deserve 

another term. 

Addressing a rally of its 

members in Benin City, 

chairman of the association, 

Pastor Sunny Erahon 

condemned what he 

termed deliberate attempt 

by some persons to 

jeopardise the functions of 

the State House of Assembly 

and lingering attempts to 

deny Governor Obaseki 

and his deputy, Philip 

Shaibu, a second term in 

office. 

Comrade Erhahon 

queried why Obaseki's reelection 

bid should become 

a subject of debate and 

political bickering when 

former Governors in the 

state had second terms 

without wrangling. 

His words: "It is our 

conviction that the duo of 

Governor Obaseki and 

Shaibu have brought 

significant changes to Edo 

State especially in the areas 

of infrastructural 

development, human 

capital development, peace 

and good governance. 

"There is peace and sanity 

in the state. Workers and 

pensioners are being paid 

their monthly salaries and 

entitlements as at when 

due. 

"Communities are living 

in peace and property 

developers have been freed 

from the obnoxious activities 

of the so-called CDA. 

Investors are leveraging on 

the new economic climate 

in the state and many more 

good things are 

happening. 

"We say no to 

godfatherism, we say no to 

political bickering, we say 

no to thuggery and pull him 

down syndrome." 

Daily Trust Agric 

conference 

begins 

tomorrow 

ABUJA—THE third 

edition of the Daily 

Trust Agric Conference and 

Exhibition will commence 

on Tuesday, November 26, 

2019, at the Federal Palace 

Hotel, Victoria Island, 

Lagos, the company said in 

a press statement, 

yesterday. 

The statement signed by 

Ahmed Shekarau, General 

Manager, Business & 

Strategy, said the conference, 

with the theme “Repositioning 

Rice, Sugar and Dairy Production 

for Optimal Yield, is expected to 

be declared open by the Minister 

of Agriculture and Natural 

Resources, Alhaji Muhammad 

Sabo Nanono, and is aimed at 

tackling critical issues along the 

rice, sugar and dairy value chains, 

with the view of increasing 

output. 

It said further that renowned 

businessman, Mr. Emmanuel 

Ijewere, who is a Co-chairman of 

the Nigeria Agribusiness Group 

(NABG), is expected to chair the 

event at which critical 

stakeholders like the Executive 

Secretary/CEO of the National 

Sugar Development Council 

(NSDC), Dr. Latif Busari and the 

Executive Director/CEO, 

National Animal Production 

Research Institute (NAPRI), 

Zaria, Prof. C.A.M Lokpini would 

examine issues that are vital to 

the growth of the value chains 

highlighted. 

The statement listed the 

financial institutions that have 

confirmed participation in the 

two-day conference to include 

First Bank of Nigeria, FBN, 

Limited, Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, 

Fidelity Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc, 

and Jaiz Bank Plc, adding that 

development finance institutions 

like the Nigeria Incentive-Based 

Risk Sharing System for 

Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) 

Plc and the Bank of Agriculture 

(BOA) are also confirmed 

participants. 

Israeli exports to hit record of 

$114 bn in 2019 

Israel’s exports, a key economic growth driver, are 

expected to grow to a record $114 billion in 2019 

from $109 billion last year, government data showed 

yesterday. 

According to the Central Bureau and Statistics and 

Economy Ministry, Israeli goods and services exports 

stood at $84 billion over the first nine months of the 

year, up 4.6 percent from January-September 2018. 

The Economy Ministry said the increase this year 

stems mostly from a nearly 12 percent rise in services 

exports, with growth led by the high tech sector such 

as software, computing and research and development 

services. 

The gain in services has more than offset weakness 

in goods exports, which have been hurt this year by 

slowing global trade, a weak diamond market, and a 

strong shekel currency. Exports comprise around 

30percent of Israel’s economic activity. 

Amazon to open store on China’s 

Pinduoduo marketplace tomorrow 

Amazon.com Incorporated will open a store on 

Chinese e-commerce platform Pinduoduo 

tomorrow, a source familiar with the matter said, in a 

sign of how the U.S. firm’s China strategy is evolving 

after it shut its own online store in the country. 

Amazon closed its Chinese marketplace in July, 

having found it difficult to gain traction in the face of 

intense competition from entrenched, home-grown 

rivals like Alibaba Group Holding’s Tmall marketplace 

and JD.com. 

It said at the time it would increase its focus on 

selling goods from abroad to Chinese buyers via its 

global platform. It also has a Kindle store on Tmall. 

Alibaba and JD.com have traditionally dominated 

China’s e-commerce market but that status quo was 

recently disrupted by four-year-old Pinduoduo, which 

is popular with China’s lower-tier city residents. 

Novartis nears deal to buy US biotech 

firm Medicines Coy for $7bn 

Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG is nearing an 

agreement to acquire United States (US) 

biotechnology firm. The Medicines Co about $7 billion, 

the Wall Street Journal reported last week. 

The deal, in which Novartis has agreed to pay $85 a 

share, could be announced this weekend, the Journal 

reported, citing people familiar with the matter. 

Going by a fully diluted share count, the agreement 

is worth about $10 billion, according to the report. 

Novartis declined to comment. The Medicines Co 

did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday. 

The deal could broaden the Swiss drugmaker’s 

cabinet of heart medicines and shore up growth 

threatened by patent expirations. 

Novartis has been hunting for a $5 billion acquisition 

in the United States, two banking sources told Reuters 

earlier this week without identifying a target. 

Moghalu speaks on potential 

of Nigerian youths 

Prof Kingsley Moghalu is to speak on the potential of 

the Nigeria youth at the kickstart initiative, a social 

investment platform of International Breweries Plc as 

beneficiaries are unveiled. Director, Legal and Corporate 

Affairs, Otunba Michael Daramola, said the company is 

honoured to have Prof. Kingsley Moghalu deliver the 

Keynote Address on the theme for the day: ‘Harnessing the 

Potential of the Youth for National Development through 

Innovation, Employability and Social Investment’. 

“We are extremely happy that we have finally been able 

to conclude this process. We now have our beneficiaries 

whom we have trained and will continue to mentor into the 

foreseeable future. “As a responsible corporate citizen, we 

will continue to strive to support the country in its quest to 

attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 

(SDGs), in particular Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic 

Growth.” 

He added that the beneficiaries of the fourth edition of 

International Breweries Plc Kick start presented their 

business plans in areas such as agriculture, circular 

packaging, climate action, crafts, fashion, education, 

healthcare, ICT, manufacturing, among others. 

These categories were also selected in alignment with 

the nation’s Economic Growth Recovery Plan (EGRP). 

The Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Foundation, 

Mr Peter Bamkole revealed this during a media briefing to 

update the public on the process of the year’s edition which 

was launched on June 21, 2019. 

He stated that Kicktart is targeted at providing youths 

aged 18 and 35 with decent employment opportunities while 

encouraging them to proffer solutions to the nation’s 

challenges through entrepreneurship. 

Some stories credited to Reuters

C 

M 

Y 

K 

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 —17


NIGERIA’s presidents since the 

return of democracy in 1999 have 

tended to model themselves as chief 

salesmen of the nation. 

Former President Olusegun 

Obasanjo and his incumbent 

counterpart, Muhammadu Buhari, 

justified their numerous foreign trips 

on the need to secure credit, debt 

relief, foreign investors and arms to economy. At an event organised by the 

tackle our security challenges. Centre for Chinese Studies, Abuja on 

Many Nigerians believe that these November 2, 2019, with the theme: 

elaborate presidential junkets are “Dialogue on China’s Governance 

unnecessary and wasteful. They assert Experience and the Opportunities of 

that all the country needs to achieve the Nigeria-China Cooperation”, a 

the same objectives, and possibly Chinese university teacher, Luo 

more, is for our leaders to stay at Jianbo, said: “China investors have 

home and do the right things. worries about Nigeria and Africa over 

Once investors see we are doing the instability, terrorism and policy 

right things they will come. Investors inconsistency, sometimes due to 

are always hunting for fertile grounds change of government”. 

for their investments, which Nigeria Perhaps out of courtesy, he 

can be if the right things are done. refrained from naming the biggest 

A number of Chinese experts came monsters – corruption and ethnoreligious 

to Abuja to tell us to our face, some 

considerations in making 

of the factors hindering the influx of crucial developmental decisions. 

Chinese investors to the Nigerian Jianbo also pointed out: “Nigeria must 

China tells it to our face 

first build national solidarity to foster 

national consensus to create a new 

identity for Nigerians. Nigeria must 

get rid of rancorous and vicious 

political competition. Nigeria needs a 

benign and orderly competition and 

not vicious competition. It must 

promote unity and create a 

relationship between freedom and 

order”. 

This says it all. It is not just foreign 

investors that our chaotic and corrupt 

system keeps at bay, it is also 

responsible for our inability to unlock 

our uncommon endowments and 

potentials which are so obvious and 

yet so out of our reach. 

Nigeria has held numerous confabs 

and constitutional talks even before 

independence. Between 1960 when we 

secured our independence from 

colonial Britain and 2014 we held, at 

least, seven constitutional 

conferences, wrote five constitutions 

(1963, 1979, 1989, 1996 and 1999) and 

experienced many coups, all in the 

search for the elusive national 

consensus, solidarity and common 

national vision. 

Today, the national questions of who 

is a Nigerian, and what is the basis 

for our unity have remained 

unanswered. 

Every effort to get the correct answer 

(including the drive for restructuring) 

is firmly thwarted by those who feel 

that the current chaotic order which 

favours their sectional interest must 

be sustained. 

Today, some foreigners are made to 

feel more Nigerian than indigenous 

Nigerians. 

As long as this situation persists 

Nigeria will remain poor, backward, 

destitute, unstable and violence-prone. 

Why our elections may still be dirty 

By ADEWALE KUPOLUYI 

PRELIMINARY reports from the last 

gubernatorial polls in Bayelsa and 

Kogi states show that the elections were 

generally marred by massive violence, 

rigging, and vote-buying. 

This development is a sad reminder that 

our electoral process may not be improving 

despite efforts being made by the electoral 

management body and other stakeholders 

to ensure that votes count and that credible 

leaders emerge in the country. 

The issue of electoral violence and 

malpractice has become a recurring 

decimal in the nation. The truth is that 

politicians are not solely responsible for this. 

Political parties, law enforcement agents, 

and the electorate have a share in the blame. 

The way we see politics in our country is 

not only do-or-die, but it has also been taken 

as a full-time profession that should be given 

all it takes to get into power. Politics is not 

seen as an avenue to get into public office 

and render selfless service to one’s 

fatherland. 

The Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, had stated that despite 

efforts by the commission and political 

parties to promote peaceful elections, 

including several engagements with 

stakeholders and signing of peace accords, 

reports were indicating that the process was 

in several places compromised and that 

politicians stock-piled arms. 

Over 31,000 policemen and 87 gunboats 

were deployed to prevent violence in Bayelsa 

State alone, as police helicopters hovered 

over the capital while soldiers and anti-riot 

police mounted roadblocks at major points. 

In Kogi, a total of 35,200 policemen were 

deployed to protect the 1.5 million 

registered voters. The leading candidates in 

Bayelsa were David Lyon of the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, and Douye Diri, 

a former senator of Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, while in Kogi, incumbent 

Governor Yahaya Bello of APC was seeking 

re-election against Musa Wada of PDP and 

22 other candidates. In both states, INEC 

has declared APC candidates winners while 

the Kogi West senatorial election is 

inconclusive. 

Counting the losses, an official of a 

popular radio station was allegedly shot 

dead and many were injured during an 

attack on a political rally in Bayelsa; and in 

Kogi, a campaign office was completely 

razed. Not only that; two persons were 

reportedly killed by stray bullets at the 

Adankolo polling unit in Lokoja. 

Electoral materials were hijacked in two 

wards in Odu and Community High School 

in Ayingba. There were reports that two 

people were feared killed in the Abocho 

community as sporadic shootings took 

place in Emewe Okapada, Ajiyolo 

communities, and the Egume Police Station 

Polling Unit in Dekina. 

It was learned that some masked armed 

men stormed the Aikpele-Ajaka Polling 

Unit. A PDP chieftain and women leader of 

the Wada/Aro Governorship Campaign 

Council, Mrs. Acheju Abuh of Ochadamu 

Ward was reportedly burnt alive by some 

thugs suspected to be supporters of APC, who 

locked her in and set fire to her house after 

spraying it with petrol. 

Thugs paraded the streets, fully armed 

without restrictions. There were ballot 

snatching and abduction of INEC officials 

in the Lokoja Club House, Ajayi Crowther 

OPINION 

Memorial College, Barrack area, and 

Takete, just to mention a few. 

Another major source of worry is the level 

of poverty in the land. This seems to be the 

most crucial factor that is aiding the malaise. 

It is common knowledge that many 

Nigerians live below the poverty line and 

cannot resist falling for electoral offences. 

Politicians and political leaders, who are 

largely responsible for the plight of the 

nation, would explore the same economic 

situation in the country to make the 

electorate sell their votes by inducing them 

with money. For them, politics is a huge 

To move away from dirty 

politics, INEC should 

intensify efforts at educating 

and enlightening the people 

on the dangers of vote-buying, 

electoral violence, and 

malpractice 

investment for a bountiful harvest. 

If nothing serious is done to nip this 

cankerworm in the bud, we are likely to see 

more of such rot in our polity. By next year, 

more gubernatorial elections would be held 

in states like Edo and Ondo. Tension is 

already building up in these states between 

the incumbents and their godfathers. The 

year 2023 is not too far a period for the 

general elections. Already, politicians have 

started campaigning using various 

platforms, groups, and structures. 

To move away from dirty politics, INEC 

should intensify efforts at educating and 

enlightening the people on the dangers of 

vote-buying, electoral violence, and 

malpractice. The National Orientation 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

Agency, NOA, should be more impactful in 

imbibing the right attitudinal change on 

Nigerians. The much-awaited electoral 

offences commission should be made 

operational while politicians found 

engaging in these acts should be sanctioned 

appropriately to serve as a deterrent to 

others. 

We should be able to vote without 

declaring any public holiday. The amended 

electoral bill should be passed into law to 

make use of technology part of our electoral 

process. This will discourage manual voting 

and collation that breed avoidable rigging, 

fraud, and violence. 

Political parties should allow internal 

democracy to take roots in their operations, 

while proper orientation should be given to 

aspirants on the need to appreciate the real 

essence of patriotism, nationalism, and 

public service. 

The high rate of unemployment requires 

quick intervention by the government and 

non-state actors. Apart from financial 

inducement, many youths and young 

persons are used as thugs. After elections, 

many of them are dumped and to survive, 

they are left to venture into all manners of 

crime. 

More importantly, decent, hardworking 

and committed Nigerians with enviable 

track-records and pedigree should venture 

into politics in the interest of our dear 

country. The non-challant attitude by fine 

men and women, not to participate in 

Nigerian politics, has been the nation’s 

albatross. This lukewarm disposition and 

apathy should stop for our politics to become 

better, more attractive, orderly, and less 

violent. 

•Kupoluyi, a social commentator, wrote from 

the Federal University of Agriculture, 

Abeokuta

By Babajide Komolafe 

TREASURY executives are 

bracing up for a Central 

Bank of Nigeria’s Open Market 

Operation, OMO, directed 

at excess liquidity mop-up. 

The money market had recorded 

a huge rise in market 

liquidity triggered by inflow of 

N896.78 billion into the banking 

system last week. The inflow 

comprised N546.78 billion 

being part of the statutory 

allocation released by the Federation 

Accounts Allocation 

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 —19 

N896bn inflow triggers speculation on excess liquidity mop-up 

•Bond prices to maintain upward trend 

Committee, FAAC, last week, 

and N350 billion from matured 

OMO bills. 

While there was outflow of 

N157.9 billion through the 

FGN bond auction conducted 

by the Debt Management Office, 

DMO, the absence of 

OMO bills sale by the apex 

bank during the week caused 

market liquidity to rise and 

close the week at N779 billion. 

Market liquidity had dropped 

to N39 billion last Tuesday. 

The huge liquidity overhang 

also triggered a sharp fall in 

cost of funds with average short 

term cost of funds falling by 950 

basis points (bpts). Data from 

FMDQ showed that interest 

rate on Collateralised (Open 

Buy Back, OBB), lending 

fell by 936 bpts to 3.7 percent 

last week, from 13.07 percent 

the previous week. 

Similarly, interest rate on 

overnight lending dropped by 

964 bpts to 4.43 percent last 

week, from 14.07 percent in the 

previous week. 

Analysts expect the excess liquidity 

in the interbank market 

to worsen this week due to 

inflow of N561.3 billion from 

maturing TBs. The expected 

inflow comprise N208.6 billion 

worth of maturing Nigeria 

Treasury Bills (NTBs), and 

N352.7 billion worth of maturing 

OMO bills. 

While projecting that the resulting 

excess liquidity will 

lead to further moderation in 

cost of funds, analysts, however, 

project that the CBN 

will sell OMO TBs to mop up 

part of the excess liquidity. 

Analysts at Lagos based Afrinvest 

Securities said: “In the 

coming week, maturities worth 

N561.3 billion will hit the system 

and as a result we expect 

money market rates to trend 

lower. However, we believe the 

CBN will continue with its liquidity 

mop-up via OMO 

sales.” 

Speaking in the same vein, 

analysts at Lagos based Cowry 

Asset Management Company 

said: “With anticipated financial 

liquidity ease in the money 

market and the effect of the 

recently disbursed N702 billion 

by the Federation Account Allocation 

Committee (FAAC), we 

expect Nigeria Interbank Of 

Continues on page 21 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

Nigeria’s external reserve 

falls to 22 months low 

•Compounds MPC dilemma over rising inflation 


NIGERIA’s 

external 

reserves fell to $39.9 

billion last week, the lowest in 

22 months. This development 

compounds the policy 

dilemma that will 

confront members of the 

Monetary Policy Committee, 

MPC, of the Central Bank of 

Nigeria, CBN, as they tackle 

the challenges of inflationary 

pressures in their meeting 

holding in Abuja today and 

tomorrow. 

Data from the CBN shows 

that the latest figure is the 

lowest since December 2017. 

The reserves had been on 

the downward trend since July 

5, 2019 due to a combination 

of three factors, namely, low 

crude oil price, foreign 

portfolio investors, FPIs, 

exiting the nation’s fixed 

income market, and increased 

dollar sales by the CBN in 

order to meet dollar demand 

by the exiting FPIs while 

maintaining exchange rate 

stability. 

As a result, the reserves fell 

by $5.1 billion or 11 percent, 

to $39.969 on Thursday 

November 21, from $45.069 

billion on Friday, July 5. 

This is in sharp contrast to 

the performance in the first 

half of the year (H1’19), when 

the external reserves rose by 

4.5 percent to $45.069 billion 

as at June 30 from $43.116 

billion as at December 31, 

2019. 

Analysts, however, opined 

that the downward trend in the 

external reserves will persist 

through the first half of 2020 

(H1’2020), though at a 

moderate pace. “We do not yet 

see an end to the declining 

Continues on page 20 

CAPITAL MARKET 

CBN’s fixed income policy 

boosts investors’ value by over 

N197bn 

P.23 

MICRO-FINANCE 

Ehigiamusoe steps down as 

LAPO MD 

P.26 

MICRO ECONOMIC UPDATE 

Non-oil sector picks up amid lingering 

structural weaknesses – CardinalStone 

Report 

P.27 

C 

M 

Y 

K


FINANCIAL VANGUARD 

Nigeria’s external reserves falls to 22 months low 

COVER 

Continues from page 19 

trend in the external 

reserves”, said, Victor Ofili, an 

analyst with Cowry Asset 

Management Limited. 

“In fact, we could see 

sustained decline in external 

reserves if we consider factors 

which influence inflows and 

outflows of dollars to and from 

the economy. This is also 

compounded by decline in 

interest rates which so far 

yields negative real returns on 

investments. This could be 

reversed if interest rates rise 

in order to boost the supply of 

foreign portfolio inflows 

(supply side). So we believe 

this trend could continue up 

until H1 2020 unless we see 

more external revenue 

sources.” 

On his part, Wale Olusi, 

Head of Research at United 

Capital Limited, also 

projected that the decline in 

external reserves will persist. 

He, however, noted that recent 

policy measures by the CBN 

will help moderate the pace of 

decline and keep the reserves 

above $35 billion in 2020, 

which can support over eight 

months of imports. 

He stated: “We think pressure 

on the external reserves will 

persist so long as the CBN 

maintains its resolve to keep the 

naira relatively stable via 

periodic intervention in the 

currency market. Notably, the 

sharp drop in the size of the 

dollar reserves observed since 

July 2019 is linked to 

downward pressure on oil 

prices and slower inflow of 

foreign portfolio investment. 

Looking forward, the argument 

for a reversal of this trend is 

weak. Hence, pressure on the 

external reserves may persist. 

“Give or take, we expect the 

stock of Nigeria’s external 

reserves to stay buoyant in 2020 

given the CBN unorthodox 

monetary policy stance which 

creates a window for Open 

Market Operations, OMO, 

sales to FPIs at a more attractive 

rate compared to local debt 

market. While the trajectory of 

the dollar reserves may 

continue southwards, the net 

impact of the CBN’s stance as 

well as oil proceed should keep 

the reserves well above $35 

billion, which can support over 

eight months of import, by year 

end.” 

Also projecting a moderation 

in further decline in the 

external reserves, Saheed 

Bashir, Head of Research at 

Meristem Securities Limited, 

said, “The development in the 

OMO market, now exclusive to 

foreign investors, should 

sustain forex liquidity. The 

decision by the CBN to 

participate in the secondary 

OMO market should create 

liquidity and assuage concerns 

by foreign portfolio investors in 

that segment of the money 

market. 

“There are also maturing 

OMO instruments due to 

mature before the end of the 

year and rates are attractive 

enough to prevent capital flow 

reversals and maintain 

liquidity. Hence, further drops 

in the external reserves should 

be modest.” 

The analysts, however, 

stressed that a surge in crude 

oil prices and in crude oil 

output by Nigeria, coupled with 

sudden influx of foreign 

investors, as well as less 

intervention by the CBN can 

reverse the downward trend of 

the external reserves. 

MPC dilemma 

However, the outlook for the 

external reserves vis-a-vis the 

11 percent decline so far in 

H2’19, adds to the list of the 

macroeconomic challenges to 

be considered by members of 

the MPC as their last meeting 

of the year kick-starts this 

morning . 

But for the third quarter 2019 

bounce back, economic growth 

has been weak since the 

nation’s recovery from 

recession in 2017. This was 

compounded by two 

consecutive quarterly decline 

in GDP growth from 2.38 

percent in Q4’18, to 2.1 percent 

in Q1’19 and down again to 

1.94 percent in Q2’19, until the 

2;3 percent record was turned 

out for Q3’19. 

On the other hand, the 

inflation rate, which moderated 

by 42 percentage points to 

11.02 percent in August from 

11.44 percent in January, rose 

for the second consecutive 

months in October to 11.6 

percent, the highest level in 17 

months, since May 

2018, driven by increases in 

food prices occasioned by the 

ongoing closure of the nation’s 

land borders. 

At the last meeting in 

September, the 13 members of 

the MPC unanimously voted 

to retain the Monetary Policy 

Rate, MPR, at 14 percent. The 

Committee ignored the 

imperative to raise the MPR, 

compelled by the double digit 

inflation rate and decline in 

external reserves, saying, “the 

Committee was of the view that 

doing so in the midst of a fragile 

growth outlook would increase 

the cost of credit, and further 

contract investment and 

constrain output growth.” 

The MPC also decided 

However, the 

outlook for the 

external reserves visa-vis 

the 11 percent 

decline so far in 

H2’19, adds to the 

list of the 

macroeconomic 

challenges 

against lowering the MPR 

saying this could lead to 

increased system liquidity and 

interest rate moderation 

resulting to exchange rate 

pressures. 

But analysts at Financial 

Derivatives Company, FDC, 

and Wale Olusi of United 

Capital opined that the 

worsening condition of the 

external reserves and inflation 

rate will make it difficult for the 

MPC to arrive at a decision on 

the MPR at the end of today’s 

meeting. 

According to Olusi, “We think 

the MPC is going to be a 

difficult one. Members will 

have to choose between 

tightening policy stance in the 

face of new pressure on general 

price level amid border closure 

and massive OMO maturities 

in the weeks ahead; or hold on 

to status quo in favor the apex 

bank’s determination to 

stimulate private sector credit 

growth as well accelerate 

output growth.” 

Continuing he said, “Clearly, 

the MPC will be concerned 

about the pass through effect 

of the recent decision of the 

CBN to stop OMO bills sales 

to Non Bank/ local investors. 

Certainly, this will mount 

upward pressure on inflation 

rate and demand for 

forex, with a negative impact 

on reserves. As such, the MPC 

will be caught between two 

stools! Maintain status quo or 

tighten to check creeping 

inflation which is fuelled by 

border closure” 

Making a similar projection, 

analysts at FDC said: “The 

spike in the headline inflation 

at a time of falling external 

reserves puts the MPC on the 

spot at the upcoming meeting, 

especially with the imminent 

wage-induced inflation.” 

Status quo may prevail — 

Analysts 

But, in spite of the policy 

dilemma, most analysts opined 

that the MPC will still maintain 

the status quo at the end of its 

meeting tomorrow. 

According to Chinwe Egwim, 

a Macroeconomic and Fixed 

Income analyst with FBNQuest 

Merchant Bank, “The latest 

personal statements of the 

MPC are thinner in substance 

than usual. They also broadly 

adopt the same mindset since 

the verdict of the committee was 

unanimous. Put very succinctly 

by one member: ‘he may have 

wanted to ease due to the trend 

in inflation and the wish to 

encourage growth and 

employment but decided 

otherwise to underpin 

reserves, profit from 

‘normalization’ by the Fed and 

others, and hedge against 

vulnerable oil prices.’ The 

statements tell us to expect no 

change from the MPC again 

next week.” 

Explaining why the 

MPC may choose to retain its 

policy rate, Saheed Bashir of 

Meristem Securities Limited, 

said: “We expect the decline in 

reserves and two month climb 

in inflation rate to dominate the 

Monetary Policy Committee 

(MPC) meeting holding next 

(this) week. The Committee 

will consider the $40 billion as 

healthy and will not be 

bothered so much. However, 

the recent uptick in inflation 

rate should be worrisome. At 

11.60 percent, it is the highest 

since May 2018. However, this 

type of inflation is cost-push, 

reflecting the impact of the 

border closure on food supply 

and monetary policy is illequipped 

to address this. 

“So given the pro-growth 

outlook of the Committee, we 

expect the MPC to encourage 

an increase in local supply and 

hold the MPR.” 

Also citing the pro growth 

posture of the MPC, Victor 

Ofili projected that the MPC 

will not adjust the MPR. He 

said: “We do not see a material 

change in policy rates for as 

long as the monetary authority 

remains aligned with the fiscal 

authority’s objectives of 

increasing economic growth 

even if it comes at the expense 

of investors getting negative 

real returns which speak to the 

rising inflation rate.”



N896bn inflow triggers speculation on excess liquidity mop up 

fered Rate (NIBOR) to 

decline.” 

Bond prices to maintain 

upward trend 

Meanwhile, bond prices 

are expected to maintain 

their upward trend 

this week, driven by increased 

demand by local 

investors seeking investment 

alternative following 

their exclusion from 

OMO sales by the CBN. 

Last week, prices of 

most FGN bonds traded 

at the over-the counter 

(OTC) segment rose amid 

sustained demand pressure. 

The five-year, 14.50 

per cent FGN JUL 2021 

paper rose by N0.32, 

while the yield dropped 

to 11.29 percent from 

11.53 percent. Also the 

seven-year, 13.53 per 

cent FGN MAR 2025 

note gained N0.89 while 

the yield dropped to 

12.05 percent from 12.28 

percent. In the same vein, 

the 20-year, 16.25 per 

cent FGN APR 2037 debt 

gained N1.91 while the 

yield dropped 12.81 

percent from 13.04 percent. 

However, the 10- 

year, 16.29 per cent FGN 

MAR 2027 bond moderated 

by N0.92 while its 

corresponding yield rose 

to 12.54 percent from 

12.37 percent. 

This trend, according to 

analysts at Cowry Assets, 

will persist this week, 

helped by the increased 

system liquidity. 

“In the new week, 

against the backdrop of 

boost in financial system 

liquidity, we expect FGN 

bond prices to rise (with 

corresponding decline in 

yields) amid expected 

buy pressure at the OTC 

market”, they said. 

Reinforcing this projection, 

analysts at Afrinvest 

said: “Given that the 

bonds market has become 

the ‘go-to’ market 

for local investors following 

the restriction of local 

corporates and individuals 

from participating 

in OMO auctions, we 

expect bullish sentiment 

to be sustained in the domestic 

market.” 

Naira continues mixed 

performance in FX markets 

On the foreign exchange 

scene, the naira 

recorded mixed performance 

for the second consecutive 

week in the Investors 

and Exporters 

(I&E) window and in the 

parallel market. 

While the naira depreciated 

by six kobo in the 

I&E window, it appreciated 

in the parallel market 

by 30 kobo. 

Data from FMDQ 

showed that the I&E indicative 

exchange 

rate rose to N362.64 per 

dollar last week from 

N362.58 per dollar the 

previous week, indicating 

six kobo depreciation for 

the naira. 


naijabdcs.com, the exchange 

rate platform of 

the Association of Bureaux 

De Change Operators 

of Nigeria (AB- 

CON), the parallel market 

exchange rate 

dropped to N358 per 

dollar last week from 

N358.3 per dollar the 

previous week, indicating 

30 kobo appreciation 

for the naira.



From left: Mr. Soji Apampa, CEO, Convention & Business Integrity; Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, 

First lady of Ogun state; Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, FirstBank; Dr. Zainab Shinkafi A. 

Bagudu, First Lady of Kebbi State; Prof. Mehta Kandarp, Senior Lecturer, IESE, Business 

School, Barcelona at the FirstGem third year anniversary conference held in Lagos. 

CBN commences intervention to resuscitate 

cassava production 


CENTRAL Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, has announced 

measures to resuscitate cassava 

production in the country. 

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin 

Emefiele, announced the 

measures in Abuja while 

speaking at a meeting with State 

Governors of Cassava 

Producing States and the 

signing of the Memorandum of 

Understanding between 

Cassava Growers Association 

and Large Scale Cassava 

Processors. 

Emefiele said the apex bank’s 

intervention is aimed at 

addressing the challenges 

bedevilling the cassava industry 

in spite of huge investment and 

government initiatives in the 

past. 

Stressing that the intervention 

is based on the complete value 

chain approach, Emefiele said: 

“This will involve support to the 

Nigeria Cassava Growers 

Association at the production 

level under the ‘Anchor 

Borrowers’ Programme (ABP) 

and support to Large Scale 

Cassava Processors under the 

CACS and DCRR programmes. 

In addition to the above 

measures, Emefiele said that 

CBN is also holding 

consultations with the 

International Institute for 

Tropical Agriculture (IITA), 

Ibadan and the National Root 

Crops Research Institute, 

Umudike, with the aim of 

encouraging adoption 

of improved varieties and 

practices that would guarantee 

better yield, better processing 

efficiency, increased profit and 

improved standard of living for 

our farmers. 

He said: “We place a high 

premium on cassava because the 

commodity can generally be 

used for different uses along the 

value 11 chain. The value chain 

HERITAGE Bank Plc 

celebrated International 

Men’s Day 2019 themed: 

“Making a difference for Men 

and Boys”, with event held at 

every Experience Centres - ECs 

(branches) of the bank across the 

country. 

The bank in a statement said: 

“To help chart a path that will 

champion gender parity in 

grand style, the male staff had 

engaging activities which 

include a men’s bonding/ 

mentorship session with various 

appealing subject of discussions 

in the ECs, where the senior 

colleagues initiated the talks 

alongside other male staff 

contributed freely to break into 

the parity ice; pry into how to 

excel in their homes, career, 

mental health, politics, family, 

has enormous potential for 

employing over two million 

people in Nigeria if well 

harnessed, due to the diverse 

secondary products that it offers. 

Some of the products include 

highlighting the potentials of the 

industry. 

Emefiele said: “Increasing 

cassava production is a necessity 

as starch, glucose, sorbitol and 

other products currently being 

imported proffers no future for 

the nation in the long-term, in 

view of the fact that Nigeria 

imports cassava derivatives 

valued at over $600m annually. 

“Permit me to share with you 

the gap and potential demand 

that exists in our cassava value 

chain: Demand for High Quality 

Cassava Flour (HQCF) in bread, 

biscuits and snacks is above 

500,000t annually while supply 

is below 15,000t; demand for 

cassava starch is above 300,000t 

annually while supply is below 

10,000t; demand for cassavabased 

constituents in sugar 

syrup is above 350,000t annually 

while supply is almost 

nonexistent; potential demand 

for ethanol in Nigeria as a fuel 

for cooking, to power vehicles 

(E10), and other industrial uses 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

UNITY Bank has given 

N1 million to 

Youth Corps members in the 

Lagos State National Youth 

Service Orientation Camp, 

who emerged winners in the 

maiden edition of its 

Corpreneurship challenge. 

The money was in the sum 

of N500,000 for first position, 

N300,000 and N200,000 for 

second and third positions 

Heritage Bank celebrates 

International Men’s Day 

FirstBank partners CFA Society 

on 2019 Ethics Challenge 

FIRST Bank of Nigeria 

Limited has partnered 

with the CFA Society Nigeria to 

host its annual flagship event, 

the Ethics Challenge. 

The Ethics Challenge was 

designed to increase students’ 

awareness of the ethical 

dilemmas and issues they may 

face when they enter the 

investment management 

industry. At the Ethics 

Challenge, students are given 

an ethics case study to analyze, 

evaluate, recommend and 

present to a panel of judges. 

According to CFA Society 

Nigeria President, Mr. Banji 

Fehintola, “The annual Ethics 

Challenge embodies CFA 

Society Nigeria’s mission to 

promote the highest standards 

exceeds one billion litres, while 

production is nearly zero.” 

To reverse this trend, Emefiele 

said the CBN is seeking a 

blueprint that would facilitate the 

production of cassava in the 

country. 

of ethics in our investment and 

financial services industry. It 

touches on many of CFA 

Institute’s Future of Finance six 

areas of focus which include: 

Transparency and Fairness, 

Regulation and Enforcement, 

and Safeguarding the System. 

It also promotes ethical 

awareness and fosters a healthy 

investment industry that works 

for the ultimate benefit of 

society. Through our 

collaboration with First Bank of 

Nigeria Limited to run this 

competition annually, we will 

continue to invest in our 

university students and we 

hope to build the commitment 

of our future professionals to 

operate according to sound 

ethical principles”. 

Expressing her delight on 

FirstBank’s support and 

participation in the CFA Ethics 

Challenge, the Group Head, 

Marketing & Corporate 

Communications, First Bank of 

Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani- 

Mumuney said, “through our 

125 years of existence, we at 

FirstBank pride ourselves in 

being exemplary in ensuring 

that global best practices are 

upheld through our adherence 

to ethical standards across our 

organizational practices and 

activities.” 

Unity Bank dolls out N1m to winners 

of Corpreneurship challenge 

education, sports and other 

endeavours of life. Also, as part 

of the activities are a themed 

dressing for the men (Club 

Jerseys or Polo Shirts on Jeans 

or Beige Chinos) and a 

celebration of the men by their 

female colleagues.” 

FBNQuest 

Merchant 

Bank, the investment 

banking and asset 

management business of FBN 

Holdings Plc, has been 

approved by the Nigeria 

Customs Service as the first 

designated merchant bank in 

Nigeria authorised for the 

collection of customs duties 

and taxes. 

respectively. 

According to the bank, the 

word ‘Corpreneurship’ is 

derived from the words 

‘corper’ 

and 

‘entrepreneurship’ and the 

challenge is a novel 

entrepreneurship 

development initiative of the 

bank aimed at promoting the 

entrepreneurial capabilities of 

Youth Corp members during 

their one year compulsory 

service to the nation. 

Speaking at the 

event, Fafunwa Akinmade, 

Group Head, Retail & Small 

Medium Enterprises, Unity 

Bank, said that 75 participants 

registered for the challenge 

and submitted their business 

plans out of which 10 

contestants made it to the final. 

He said: “It is a programme 

that was drawn up by Unity 

Bank. We sat down and looked 

at what we can do to add value 

to the youth market in the 

NYSC. Corpreneurship is a 

business competition going on 

in four areas. This one is Lagos 

and there is Abuja, Edo and 

Ogun as well. 

“What happens is that in 

each of the camps we invited 

the corpers to write their 

business plans and to defend 

it. So the top ten business 

plans, we picked the best three 

at an independent panel of 

judges and the winner has just 

won a business grant of 

N500,000. The second person 

won N200,000 and the third 

person won N300,000. 

“So that money is going to 

be disbursed into their 

accounts before the end of 

business today and there is 

going to be a direct touch with 

our branch and regional 

managers so that the way we 

are going to help them 

manage the money, advise 

them by giving them business 

advice.” 

FBNQuest gets approval to collect customs duties 

The bank in a statement said 

this development validates its 

reputation for excellent service 

delivery and efficient 

processing of international 

transactions through its trade 

services platform. 

It stated: “The joint 

agreement with the Nigeria 

Customs, and the full 

integration process with the 

bank’s payment application 

system will ensure that 

businesses now have access 

to further enhanced 

turnaround for Form M 

customs duty related 

transactions, end-to-end 

import processes, as well as 

shipping document 

endorsement, delivery and 

collection.”


CBN’s fixed income policy boosts investors’ value 

by over N197bn 

By Peter Egwuatu & 

Nkiruka Nnorom 

STOCKBROKERS and 

stakeholders have 

stated that the upsurge 

currently experienced in the 

stock market was as a result of 

a drift in investment by the banks, 

Pension Funds Administrators, 

PFAs and other high net worth 

investors following the Central 

Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s fixed 

income policy released recently. 

Consequently the market 

capitalisation(investors’ worth) 

increased by over N197 billion 

from N12.830 trillion since the 

policy was introduced on October 

23, 2019 to close at N13.027 

trillion last Friday. 

The stockbrokers who confided 

in Vanguard stated that drift by 

banks, PFAs and other high 

networth investors to the Nigeria 

equity market was attributed to 

the recent CBN’s policy on fixed 

income securities that barred non 

banks, individuals or 

cooperates from participating in 

Open Market Operation, OMO. 

Some stakeholders stated that 

the upsurge may not be sustained 

except there is significant 

improvement in the 

macroeconomic environment. 

Chairman of the Chartered 

Institute of Stockbrokers, CIS 

2019Annual Conference 

Organising Committee, 

Abiola Adekoya, said: “The 

policy action taken by the CBN 

has contributed in boosting the 

stock market as banks, PFAs and 

other high net worth investors 

have boosted the market by over 

70 percent in recent times. The 

restriction of key corporates, such 

as PFAs and Insurance 

companies, from participation in 

OMO has likely free up excess 

investable cash for allocation to 

assets beyond fixed income 

alternatives. 

“We, therefore, see legroom for 

some flows into fundamentally 

strong equity names as treasury 

yields moderate. The potential for 

capital gains in fundamentally 

sound counters further enhances 

the appeal of the equity market.” 

Chairman of New Dimension 

Shareholders Association of 

Nigeria, Mr. Patrick said: “The 

upsurge in the equity market may 

not be sustainable except there 

is significant improvement in the 

macroeconomic 

environment that would 

enhance purchasing power. 

“Meanwhile, analysts were also 

of the view that the performance 

of the market last week was a 

reaction to a limited outlet for 

investments given recent CBN’s 

policy directives limiting 

domestic participation in the 

market. 

“As the effects of the CBN’s 

recent policies in the fixed income 

space continue to reverberate 

across the capital markets, 

investors flocked to the equities 

market in search of yield and 

drove the domestic bourse to its 

largest weekly gain since the 

week of August 23, 2019,” said 

analysts at Cordros Capital. 

According to them, the market 

may continue to benefit over the 

short-term, especially in the face 

By Peter Egwuatu 

THE five year 

transformation plan 

embarked upon by Nigerian 

Aviation Handling Company, 

NAHCO, Plc may have started 

yielding results as the company 

recorded a Profit Before Tax of 

N973.1 million for the third 

quarter 2019, Q3’19, 

representing a growth of 33.1 

percent or N241.3 million above 

N731 million in Q3’18. 

The company posted a gross 

revenue of N7.38 billion for the 

nine month period which ended 

September 30, 2019, Q3’19, 

representing a two percent 

growth from N7.252 billion in 

Q3’18. 

Profit After Tax which stood at 

N782 million for the nine-month 

period compared favourably 

with the N601.31 billion 

Economy growth: Okereke-Onyiuke advises involvement 

of stockbrokers in policy formulation, investment drive 


THE Chartered Institute 

of Stockbrokers, CIS, 

has called for the inclusion of 

chartered stockbrokers in 

policy formulation and 

investment drive for the 

country. 

The former Director General 

of the Nigerian Stock 

Exchange, NSE, Prof. Ndi 

Okereke Onyiuke, stated this 

at the ongoing 23rd Annual 

Conference of Chartered 

Institute of Stock Brokers, CIS 

in Lagos. 

She said: “For the country to 

attract the needed foreign and 

local investment there is need 

to involve the chartered 

stockbrokers who have vast 

knowledge in securities and 

investment dealings and have 

the technical skills to woo 

investors into our market and 

economy in general.” 

Onyiuke, who was the 

Director General of the NSE 

for 12 years before her 

retirement said: “For the 

economy to achieve its 

desired growth capital market 

must be taken serious in the 

policy formulation as money 

market alone cannot grow the 

economy, rather capital 

market is key as it is used as 

a vehicle for wealth creation.” 

She said: “Capital market is 

more needed in the economic 

transformation of any county. 


of lower yields in the fixed income 

market. 

Corroborating, Lilian 

Olubi, Chief Executive Officer, 

EFG Hermes Nigeria, opined that 

the directive may likely continue 

to have a positive impact on the 

equities market, saying that: 

“corporate organisations like 

pension managers would need 

to divert more funds into equities 

market investments. We intend to 

see more bite into the equities 

market, henceforth, as a result of 

this.” 

On sectors, the banking and 

industrial goods sector rose 6.8 

percent and 3.2 percent 

respectively, while the consumer 

goods sector appreciated by 2.6 

percent. Conversely, the oil 

and gas and insurance sector 

declined by 1.8 percent and 

0.6 percent respectively. 

Transformation plan boosts NAHCO’s Q3 

performance 

So the Federal Government 

needs to interact with the 

stockbrokers for investment 

opportunities. The money 

market cannot grow the 

economy alone as the capital 

market is more needed 

because it is used as a vehicle 

for wealth creation. It is in the 

best interest of government for 

it to go with stockbrokers 

during road shows abroad to 

attract foreign investors. 

“Government must go with 

financial experts that know 

how to convince investors to 

invest in our market. In the 

United States and other 

developed countries, stock 

market professionals are key 

to their policy formulation.” 

recorded for the same period in 

Q3’18, representing a 30 

percent increase. 

The Board had appointed a 

new management early this 

year, which embarked on a fiveyear 

transformation plan 

continuing the massive 

upgrade of the company’s 

equipment, warehouses and 

other facilities at the airports. 

Commenting on the results, 

Red Star to raise N1.3bn via rights 

issue 


RED Star Express Plc is in 

the stock market to raise 

N1.3 billion fresh capital by way 

of Rights Issue to existing 

shareholders. The company is 

offering 336,855,291 ordinary 

shares of 50 Kobo each at N4 

on the basis of four new 

ordinary shares for every seven 

shares held as at August 2019. 

The offer opened on Monday, 

November 11,2019. 

Speaking on the Rights issue 

at the Nigerian Stock 

Exchange, NSE weekend, the 

Group Managing Director of 

Red Star Express Plc, Dr Sola 

Obabori, disclosed that the 

additional capital is to 

accentuate the growth 

potentials already put in place. 

He said the additional capital 

would be deployed to finance 

Mrs. Olatokunbo Fagbemi, 

Group Managing Director/ 

CEO, NAHCO, said: “NAHCO 

is in a good place. Apart from 

being the industry leader in 

ground handling in West Africa, 

we are also providing 

leadership in supporting our 

partners, the cargo agents, in 

the important skills of packaging 

for export.” 

the expansion of the company’s 

current operations, the 

deployment of modern 

technology and improvement of 

its working capital. 

“This move underlines our 

ambition to maintain the 

expansion activities undertaken 

in the last few years. After 

opening international offices in 

Niger Republic, Burkina Faso 

and Benin Republic, we have 

established new business lines 

in the agricultural and 

technological sectors of the 

economy. This Right Issue 

represents the next logical step 

in this regard. With this 

additional capital, we will be 

able to ensure considerable 

growth in the company, making 

it more profitable and in a 

position to continue fulfilling the 

promise of providing superior 

returns,” he added. 

CSEC DG bags fellow as 15 professors, 

215 others emerge stockbrokers 


The Chartered Institute of 

Stockbrokers (CIS) at the 

weekend named the Acting Director 

General, Securities and 

Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms 

Mary Uduk and CIS’ Registrar 

and Chief Executive, Mr Adedeji 

Ajayi, fellows while 230 newly 

qualified stockbrokers, the single 

largest in the Institute’s history 

were inducted as Associate Members. 

Besides, 15 university Professors, 

other lecturers, some top 

civil servants, the Managing Director, 

Central Securities Clearing 

System Plc, Mr Jalo Waziri, and 

General Manager, Nigerian 

Stock Exchange, Mr Bola Adeeko, 

made the list of latest Securities 

Dealers at the colourful 

investiture and induction ceremony 

which marked the end of the 

Institute’s 23rd annual conference 

in Lagos. 

Addressing the newly qualified 

stockbrokers at the investiture 

and induction ceremony which 

marked the end of the Institute’s 

23rd annual conference at the 

weekend in Lagos, the President, 

Mr Dapo Adekoje who congratulated 

both the new fellows and 

associates urged them to uphold the 

tenets of integrity and professionalism 

in order to be good 

ambassadors of the Institute. 

Adekoje explained that membership 

of some university dons would 

upscale the Institute’s research 

base as many of them had done 

several researches on the capital 

market. According to him, the 

development would enhance 

teaching of Capital Market Studies 

in the tertiary institution as 

envisioned by the Institute’s Governing 

Council. 

“For our friends joining us for the 

first time, the Chartered Institute of 

Stockbrokers was established by 

law, specifically Act 105 of 1992 

(Laws of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria) and given clear mandates 

to determine the standard of 

knowledge required to practice as 

a core professional in the Securities 

and Investment industry in Nigeria.





Fools rush where angels fear to tread—Alexander Pope, 1688-1744, 

VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p 62. 

HUNDREDS of thousands of Nigerian fools and angels were rushed out on 

the Treasury Bills market early this month. Most are still in shock regarding 

what to do with the funds that will be released to them any time soon. A few have 

acted hastily instead of pre-meditatively when they suddenly found funds they 

had invested for years in this 

safe haven on their laps without 

a clue about what to do with the 

bundle. 

No FG under any Nigerian 

The news that the Central leader had racked up such a 

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has dismal record of negative 

ordered that Treasury Bills, TBs, variances with respect to 

should no longer be sold to revenues budgeted and actual 

private investors in their collection. 

personal capacity caught In no single year since 2015 

virtually all of us by surprise. till now had this government 

The CBN must be commended collected up to 70 per cent of 

for its ability to prevent leakage the revenue estimates presented 

of the sensitive policy change in the budget. Predictably, 

and hopefully for achieving a projects and programmes had 

level playing field for all been consistently underfunded. 

The annual budget had 

stakeholders. Whether or not it 

will achieve the objective of stopped being a ritual. It is now 

bringing down interest rates and a bloody joke. It must be 

stimulate investment by the regarded as one of the wonders 

private sector remain to be seen. of the world today that 

The reason for scepticism is not, Nigerians are actually paying 

however, hard to discover. lawmakers in the National 

When it was revealed a few Assembly, NASS, to waste 

days after that the Federal everybody’s time considering 

Government had generated N3 Appropriation Bills which 

trillion deficit in just eight should be thrown into the 

months of this year, even a nearest trash can. That 

Level 100 Economics student at Nigerians are suffering so much 

any university must know that and still smiling must be 

the CBN, as the Federal another mystery to unravel 

Government’s lender of last about the Nigerian character. 

resort must have exhausted a For every folly of their 

great deal of its ability to provide [leaders] the [Nigerian people] 

funds through Ways and feel the lash —Horace, 65-8BC. 

Means. The CBN is desperate; VBQ p 61. 

the Federal Government more Everywhere one looks, the 

so, at the moment. 

evidence of deterioration is 

Again, the causes of their evident. To cover up their 

problems are not obscure to failures, Ministers have now 

financial experts. The FG, like taken to telling their “fellow 

any economic entity, must countrymen” outright 

attempt at all times to maintain 

a strong balance sheet. Revenue 

and expenditure must be closely 

aligned; otherwise unpleasant 

consequences arise. For the 

Buhari administration the 

unwanted economic 

repercussions of failing to 

generate the revenue to fund its 

budget are beginning to show. 


By Providence Emmanuel 

THE pioneer Managing 

Director/ Chief Executive 

Officer, LAPO Microfinance Bank 

Limited, Dr. Godwin 

Ehigiamusoe, has stepped down. 

Consequently, the board of 

directors has announced the 

nomination of Mrs. Cynthia 

Ikponmwosa, as the Managing 

Director designate subject to the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN’s 

approval. 

Ikponmwosa who holds a 

Master of Arts degree in 

Corporate Governance, from the 

University of Hertfordshire, 

England and attended several 

senior management development 

programmes, led the LAPO 

Corporate Secretariat and was 

recently the Executive Director, 

Corporate Services. 

LAPO MfB started as a non- 

Before you jump from Treasury Bills to Stocks 

lies.“There is no hunger in 

Nigeria” according to the first. 

“Nigerian roads are not that 

bad” added the second. How a 

country can develop with such 

barefaced falsehood dished out 

as official statement is yet 

another puzzle. 

Just as surprising was the 

report that some investors are 

moving from Treasury Bills to 

the Stock Market. That is simply 

silly - unless the investors plan 

to ruin themselves financially. 

The Nigerian Stock Exchange 

is certainly not the new 

destination for anyone who 

worked hard for the money 

previously invested in 

government securities. The 

evidence is quite clear. Remove 

the capitalisation of the stocks 

which were listed after 2017, 

and that includes some jumbo 

ones like telecommunications, 

and you will discover that the 

NSE has lost close to 30 per cent 

Ehigiamusoe steps down as LAPO MD 

profit entity at Ogwashi-Uku in 

present day Delta State in 1987 

and was formally incorporated as 

a non-profit, non-governmental 

organization (NGO) with the 

Corporate Affairs Commission in 

1993 

The bank obtained approval 

•Ehigiamusoe 

With four straight 

years of abysmal 

economic performance 

to its record, the FGN 

has already put up a 

sign to portfolio 

investment managers 

reading “enter at your 

own peril 

of its value from 2016 till today. 

Despite the new listings, the 

capital market is set to record 

another negative year in 2019. 

So, why would anyone in his 

right senses want to jump from 

Treasury Bills, which admittedly, 

offers good returns to one which 

will most likely provide negative 

returns on investment? 

Each time I read about the 

“dividend” being paid to 

shareholders in most Nigerian 

companies, I am reminded of 

that quip by Mark Twain, 1835- 

1910. “Hain’t we got all the 

fools in town on our side? And 

ain’t that a big enough majority 

from the CBN to operate as a 

regulated State MfB in 2010 and 

by 2012 it obtained another 

approval from the apex regulator, 

CBN to operate as a National MfB 

The bank which celebrated one 

million client base and one billion 

dollars cumulative disbursement 

Ikponmwosa 

in any town?” (VBQ p 63). 

The Nigerian Stock Exchange 

was the darling of the global 

investment community until 

2008/9 when the combination of 

Banking Consolidation and 

later Banking Crisis took the 

shine off it. Since then it had 

been clattering downhill like an 

old wagon train with occasional 

bumps up which unwary 

investors regard as the sign of 

possible recovery. Unfortunately, 

hope for a turnaround any time 

soon is like looking at a mirage. 

It will not occur and become 

sustainable as long as the 

Nigerian economy remains in 

the sick bay. For quick reference, 

permit me to repeat once again 

the depressing facts of the 

Nigerian economy which serves 

as the background for all capital 

market activities. 

With four straight years of 

abysmal economic performance 

to its record, the FGN has 

already put up a sign to portfolio 

investment managers reading 

“enter at your own peril”. Most 

Nigerians might not know, but 

professional managers know 

too well that when a government 

fails consistently in fulfilling its 

revenue and expenditure 

estimates the private sector is 

imperilled. They also realise 

that aggregate demand for 

goods and services will decline 

and profits will be hard to make. 

Unlike many large economies, 

the Nigerian private sector is 

dependent on governments 

(Federal, State and Local) 

expenditure. These 

expenditures are in turn greatly 

influenced by the revenue 

generated. It is a foregone 

conclusion that the FG will once 

in 2013 made history as the first 

MfB in Nigeria to raise funds 

from the Capital Market through 

Bond Issuance in 2018. 

Speaking at a media briefing in 

Lagos, Chairman, Board of 

Director, LAPO MfB, Chief Ede 

Osayande, said that the new MD 

is a foundation member of the 

LAPO story in its commitment and 

economic empowerment of the 

members of low-income 

households. 

He added that the board has 

absolute confidence in her 

capacity to build on the 

accomplishments of the bank, 

stressing that she would be offered 

all the necessary support needed 

to deliver value to all 

stakeholders. 

In his remark, Ehigiamusoe said 

that Ikponmwosa joined the LAPO 

NGO, the precursor of the bank 

in 2001 as a senior programme 

officer and has played several key 

roles within the group. He 

explained that she provided 

leadership for the transformation 

again fail to collect revenues 

promised in the 2019 and 2020 

budgets. Even a glance at the 

Mid-Term Expenditure 

Framework revenue forecast 

reveals the same basic flaw in 

the budgeting process. Every 

budget until 2022 is founded on 

the unrealistic assumption that 

Nigeria will export 2.3 million 

barrels of crude oil per day 

when Nigeria as a member of 

the Organisation of Petroleum 

Exporting Countries, OPEC, is 

now committed to 1.8 million 

barrels per day quota. The 

largest percentage of the 

unfavourable variance in 

revenue generated is 

accounted for by this one item – 

which will not soon stop 

plaguing our economy. 

Furthermore, the Ministries, 

Departments and Agencies, 

MDAs, apparently take the 

budget revenues allocated to 

them as a joke. No officer gets 

penalised for failure to collect 

what is expected from the 

agency. Meanwhile, they spend 

all their recurrent expenditure 

and wait for the FG to go and 

borrow to make up the deficit. 

Only Nigerians can fail to 

recognise an FGN which has 

totally failed in performing one 

of its basic functions. 

There are other reasons why 

the NSE should not be the first 

port of call for Nigerians forced 

to exit the Treasury Bills market. 

But, a word is always sufficient 

for the wise. 

LAST LINE. Giving advice is 

always dangerous. I know. But, 

until the situation in the 

financial markets become 

clearer, those forced to exit TBs 

are advised to seek advice 

before proceeding. It is easy to 

lose money in a turbulent 

market. Good luck. 

MICRO-FINANCE 

of LAPO into a regulated MfB 

between 2008 and 2010, saying: 

“She has been a part of LAPO 

story. We strongly believe and have 

confidence in her ability to take 

microfinance bank to a higher 

level by building on the 

achievement that we have 

recorded in the past years.” 

LAPO MfB is a pro-poor 

financial institution committed to 

the social and economic 

empowerment of low-income 

households through provision of 

access to responsive financial 

services on a sustainable basis. 

The Institution was established in 

the late 1980s as a nongovernmental 

organization, 

NGO, by Ehigiamusoe in 

response to the effects of the 

implementation of the Structural 

Adjustment Programme, SAP, in 

1986. 

Over 

the 

years, LAPO MfB has emerged 

as a leading institution delivering 

a range of financial services to 

over a million people in Nigeria.


Non-oil sector picks up amid lingering structural 

weaknesses — CardinalStone Report 

DESPITE the lingering 

structural weakness 

and the weak purchasing 

power, the non-oil sector of the 

economy recorded expansion 

in the third quarter (Q3) ended 

September 30. 

The Gross Domestic Product, 

GDP, figures released by the 

National Bureau of Statistics, 

NBS, showed that the sector 

grew by 1.85 percent driven 

by growth in agriculture, 

manufacturing and telecommunication 

sectors. 

GDP expands by 2.28 per 

cent YoY in Q3’19 

According to the NBS, Nigeria’s 

economy grew by 2.28 

percent Year-on-Year (YoY) in 

Q3’19 compared to a revised 

growth of 2.12 percent YoY in 

Q2’19 and a 1.81 percent YoY 

growth in Q3’18. The performance 

was supported by a 

rebound in the non-oil sector 

(1.85% YoY) as well as continued 

growth in the oil sector 

(6.49% YoY). 

Breakdowns indicate that 

the rebound in non-oil sector 

was supported by growth in 

agriculture, telecommunication 

and manufacturing sectors. 

Elsewhere, the sustained 

resurgence of the oil sector 

continues to reflect higher oil 

production amid fewer disruptions 

to oil infrastructure. 

Non-oil sector grows as 

manufacturing, agriculture 

sectors rebound 

Despite broad weakness in 

purchasing power and slow 

wage growth, the non-oil sector 

grew by 1.85 percent YoY 

in Q3’19, outperforming 

Q2’19 by 20bps. We attribute 

the slight non-oil recovery to 

expansions in agriculture, 

manufacturing and telecommunication 

sectors, which offset 

a second consecutive contraction 

in trade GDP. 

Precisely, the agriculture 

sector, which constitutes about 

29 percent of GDP, grew by 

2.28 percent YoY in Q3’19 following 

the slow growth recorded 

in the previous quarter 

(1.79% YoY) owing to security 

concerns. 

The rebound in Q3’19 may 

be linked to better security 

outcomes in food producing 

regions as well as boost in local 

production following improved 

border enforcement. 

However, we note that the 

The border 

enforcements may 

have simultaneously 

dragged trade GDP 

lower in the period, 

given that a 

significant portion of 

goods resale originate 

from the borders 

by 1.10 percent YoY in Q3’19 

(versus -0.13% YoY in Q2’19). 

We, however, note that the 

border enforcements may 

have simultaneously dragged 

trade GDP lower in the period, 

given that a significant 

portion of goods resale originate 

from the borders. Elsewhere, 

although we have not 

seen a repeat of the double 

digit telecommunication’s sector 

growth witnessed in 2018 

due to waning base effect, the 

sector was powered to a strong 

single digit growth of 9.0 per 

cent YoY in Q3’19 on robust 

increase in subscriber base. 

Reduced supply disruptions 

and Egina’s production boost 

Oil GDP 

Oil production averaged 

2.04 mbpd (+5.0% YoY) in 

Q3’19 compared to a revised 

production of 2.02 mbpd for 

Q2’19. We retain the view that 

the ongoing oil production 

recovery is supported by a 

gradual ramp up in Egina oil 

field but note that waning 

base effect is likely to cap 

scope for significantly greatsector’s 

growth remains lower 

than the historical eight 

year average of 3.7 percent 

YoY. Similarly, the impact of 

border closures may have also 

been favourable to the manufacturing 

sector, which grew 


Macro-Economic Update 

FSDH Research Macroeconomic Statistics and Projections 

er growth acceleration from 

current levels. Elsewhere, 

non-oil GDP is likely to continue 

experiencing low single 

digit growth in coming quarters 

on constrained consumer 

discretionary income, weak 

trade, and negative shortterm 

impact of new fiscal, 

monetary, and trade policy 

adjustments. We, therefore, 

slightly revise our GDP 

growth expectation to 2.2 per 

cent YoY in 2019E (vs. 2.3% 

YoY previously). 

While we continue to track 

developments on the GDP 

front, the negative pass 

through of recent lackluster 

growth on equities is likely to 

be masked by the burgeoning 

system liquidity stoked by the 

OMO ban on domestic individuals 

and non-bank institutions. 

For context, Nigeria’s 

equity market has appreciated 

by c.2.4 per cent since the 

restriction was introduced 

amidst a tamer than required 

economic growth and weaker 

balance of payment position. 

For us, this pattern could subsist, 

alongside occasional 

profit taking activities, until 

the release of Q1’19 results.



Send Opinions & Letters to: 

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Homage to Emperor Yahaya 

Bello: Long may you reign 

I 

WAS tempted before the 

November 16, gubernatorial 

elections in Kogi State to suggest 

that incumbent Governor Yahaya 

Bello should simply be given a 

second term as elections were 

unnecessary. This would have saved 

us the enormous funds wasted in the 

elections. Those killed before, during 

and after the elections, might still 

have been alive. Those maimed and 

scarred for life, buildings burnt and 

property destroyed might have been 

averted. 

I did not need to be a prophet to 

know that Bello would be returned 

to power with an overwhelming 

majority irrespective of what the 

voters decided. This is because what 

the voters would decide had already 

been decided for them by the staccato 

of gun fire, armed rogue policemen, 

a colluding electoral system and a 

Federal Government that was at 

best, indifferent. 

The story of Natasha Akpoti, the 

candidate of the Social Democratic 

Party, SDP, should have taught that 

the elections were unnecessary. First 

she was banned and then reinstated 

by the courts. Then she was endlessly 

90 

harassed, her party secretariat burnt 

down and when she dared show her 

face at a meeting of candidates, the 

Inspector General of Police, the 

Independent National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, and other 

stakeholders, she was attacked and 

her aide injured. 

Akpoti, going by the series of 

attacks on her, must have seriously 

irritated the armed thugs but I must 

say she is lucky to be alive. Another 

lady, Mrs. Acheju Abuh, the Women 

Leader of the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, was not as lucky. Two days 

after the elections, celebrating thugs 

set her residence at Ochadamu, in 

the Ofu Local Government ablaze. 

As the flames consumed her, the 

thugs shot sporadically to prevent 

locals from coming to her rescue. 

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi 

Makinde, is another person that can 

attest to the awesome fire power of 

the Kogi thugs and rogue security 

men. He was the chairman of the 

PDP Kogi State Campaign Council 

and was there to campaign for his 

party. Despite being aware that he 

had armed security men, the hooded 

thugs in police uniform staged an 

audacious armed attack on him at 

his Suitorial Hotels, Stadium Road, 

Lokoja at about 12.50pm. Shooting 

sporadically, the attackers scaled the 

fence and attempted to break into 

the hotel rooms, but the governor’s 

security operatives were able to repel 

them. 

Many people felt that a governor 

like Bello who was owing workers 

salaries, seems to be above the law, 

is associated with violence and who 

cannot deliver the dividends of 

democracy has no business seeking 

a second term. But the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, APC, thought 

otherwise. Two days before the 

elections, Kaduna State Governor 

Nasir El-Rufai who was chairman 

of APC Campaign Council for Kogi 

The Kogi elections 

teach us that what 

matters is not the 

ballot, but the bullet; 

it is not a matter of 

those who count the 

votes deciding 

everything 

State Governorship elections, knelt 

down publicly to beg voters to forgive 

Bello for his transgressions. After all 

if a student fails, he should be allowed 

to repeat; so Bello needed to repeat 

as governor. 

However, the Emperor showed that 

he did not need the votes. His women 

supporters in a video that went viral 

sang: “Who is saying Yahaya Bello 

will not be governor? What are you 

saying? What are you talking about? 

Dem go hear ta ta ta ta ta ta ta! 

(mimicking the sound of the AK 47 

rifle) meaning that those who reject 

Bello will face the bullets. Bello told 

his political opponents as a matter 

of fact: “It is APC that will win the 

elections” and warned: “We come in 

peace, but we mean serious 

business…Walahi! Walahi! Monkey 

go go market, e no go return.” 

My friend and brother, Maximus 

Uzoatu, the god of poetry in 

reviewing the historic Kogi elections 

wrote: “Now I agree with them, 

Nigeria has moved to Next Level: 

Democracy Without Elections”. For 

once since we met as teenagers in 

the University of Ife, I disagree with 

him. Who told Maxim that elections 

are part of democracy? In the most 

popular definition of democracy as: 

“The government of the people, by 

the people for the people” nowhere 

does election occur. Nowhere is it 

stated that for there to be democracy, 

there must be elections. 

The Kogi elections teach us that 

what matters is not the ballot, but 

the bullet. It is not a matter of those 

who count the votes deciding 

everything. No! Both those who cast 

the votes and those who count them 

are not as powerful as the armed 

thugs. One beautiful lesson the Kogi 

elections have taught us is that there 

can be a seamless synergy amongst 

the real and fake security officers, 

the armed thugs who snatch ballot 

boxes and thumb print, and the 

electoral officers who announce 

results of phantom elections. 

Kogi State is an example of a polity 

that invests heavily in violence rather 

than the economy; in thugs, not the 

people. As for the people; they do not 

matter in the scheme of things. 

Reminds me of a Swahili saying of 

dispossessed and disempowered 

people: “Our work is just to clap; we 

don’t even know why we are 

clapping.” So whatever they are told, 

they clap. 

While picking up his certificate 

from the INEC which confirmed his 

victory, Bello was quite 

magnanimous in advising the losers 

to challenge his victory in court. He 

could have asked them to meet him 

on the battle fields of Kogi where he 

knows he has unmatched fire power. 

Well-meaning Nigerians have 

already congratulated the Emperor 

for his well-deserved victory. 

I was quite touched by President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s well thought 

out congratulatory message to 

Bello. It read: “Congratulations to 

Governor Yahaya Bello on his reelection. 

It was a race well run and a 

victory well won. I urge him to see 

his renewed mandate as another 

opportunity to build on the 

foundations already laid towards 

improving the lives of the people of 

Kogi State.” Surely, Bello’s legacy is 

a worthy one to be built on not just 

for the future of Kogi State, but the 

entire country. I also join in 

congratulating him for seizing a 

constitutional second term. I wish 

him a 21-gun victory salute worthy 

of an emperor in a democracy. 

His Excellency Yahaya Bello is an 

invention of our convoluted political 

system; he is a fearsome man-child 

any political father will be proud of 

and has become so powerful that 

even those who invented him, may 

no longer be able stop him. Given 

his awesome fire power in the battle 

field of electoral battles, pugilistic 

style of leadership and unique sense 

of governance, I do not see His 

Excellency completing his second 

term; rather, I see him moving up to 

the next level to succeed the man he 

calls his political father, as President 

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 

in 2023. 

Buhari, rule of law and fight against corruption 

By KOLAWOLE OLANIYAN 

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari’s 

administation's record on the rule of law 

is chilling. Since assuming power on May 29, 

2015, the president has evinced a stunning 

disregard for the rule of law and human rights. 

He has ignored Nigerian judges on at least 40 

occasions, and seems to be getting away with 

it. The fight against corruption has been an 

important facet of his rhetoric but his persistent 

disobedience of court orders, disdain for 

Nigerian judges and flagrant violations of 

human rights puts into question his 

commitment to actually ending corruption. 

It’s hard to overstate the significance of this 

disregard of court orders not just for the 

operation of the rule of law but also for the 

effective respect for constitutional and 

international human rights, such as freedom 

of expression, peaceful assembly, association 

and access to information. Yet, the president is 

carrying on, irrespective of human rights and 

the rule of law. 

Any time the courts have told the president's 

government to do something it doesn’t like, it 

has always refused to obey it. Even his attorney 

general, Abukabar Malami, SAN, once said 

the rule of law is what the authorities determine 

it to be. To be clear: it is only an independent 

and impartial tribunal that has the authority 

to correct any perceived errors of law of lower 

courts, not the attorney general. 

Court orders that are yet to be complied with 

include those obtained by human rights lawyer 

and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, 

particularly the judgment by Nigerian courts 

ordering the release of Islamic Movement of 

Nigeria leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky 

and his wife, Zeenah, from unlawful detention. 

Similarly, the government’s Department of 

State Service, DSS, continues to arbitrarily 

detain activists Omoyele Sowore and Olawale 

Bakare who called a national protest, in spite 

of court orders that they should be released on 

bail having met their bail conditions. This 

prompted Mr. Falana to tell the government 

to “stop subjecting Nigeria to ridicule.” 

Other high-profile judgments the authorities 

are refusing to obey include at least four 

judgments obtained by the anti-corruption and 

human rights group, Socio-Economic Rights 

and Accountability Project, SERAP. The first is 

the judgment by Justice Hadiza Rabiu Shagari 

ordering the government to tell Nigerians 

about the stolen assets it allegedly recovered, 

with details of the amounts recovered. 

The second judgment, by Justice 

Mohammed Idris, ordered the government to 

publish details on the spending of stolen funds 

recovered by successive governments since the 

return of democracy in 1999, while the third 

judgment, by Justice Chuka Austine Obiozor 

ordered the immediate release of details of 

payments of billions of naira to all defaulting 

and allegedly corrupt electricity contractors 

and companies since 1999. 

The fourth judgment, by Justice Mohammed 

Idris [as he then was], ordered the president to 

prosecute senior lawmakers suspected of 

padding and stealing N481 billion from the 

2016 budget. The court also ordered Buhari to 

“direct the publication of the report of 

investigations by security and anti-corruption 

bodies into the alleged padding of the 2016 

budget.” 

Despite the clarity of these orders and 

judgments, the government continues to 

disobey them, with almost absolute impunity. 

Yet, the rule of law means respecting and 

protecting the human rights of everyone. 

Without the possibility of judicial protection 

and strict obedience to court orders, the means 

by which an individual can complain of an 

abuse of governmental power will be illusory, 

and human rights will remain a fiction. 

The government is already in contempt of 

court regarding these cases but it is not even 

pretending to be seeking to appeal the orders 

and judgments, even though that in itself 

wouldn’t be a reason for disobeying them. The 

government always has explanations on why 

it should not obey lawful court orders, 

seemingly replacing binding legal decisions 

with the vagaries of politics, and obeying the 

decisions whenever they suit it. 

This disdainful arrogance for the courts and 

our constitutional jurisprudence wasn’t even 

normalized during periods of military 

dictatorship in Nigeria. The public perception 

seems to be that the government will only obey 

court orders if it gets what it wants. Yet, it should 

never be right for the government to obey the 

court as a matter of grace. The president has 

to obey the courts as a matter of necessity. 

If Nigeria is ever going to comply with its 

international human rights obligations and 

commitments, the government has to begin to 

show respect for Nigerian judges. The courts 

shouldn’t be treated as the enemy; the judicial 

process is by far the most effective method of 

upholding the rights of the individual against 

public bodies. The government cannot run to 

court to obtain detention orders or other 

favourable decisions only for it to turn around 

If Nigeria is ever going to 

comply with its international 

human rights obligations and 

commitments, the government 

has to begin to show respect 

for Nigerian judges 

to ignore the orders of the same court. 

Former US President Harry S Truman 

famously adorned his oval office desk with a 

sign that read: “The Buck Stops Here.” This 

sign was Truman’s own way of saying that he 

would accept personal responsibility for the 

decisions he made and for the consequences 

of those decisions. No more excuses: the buck 

stops with the president, because he’s the one 

with a legal duty to see that his government 

operates within the rule of law, and consistent 

with Nigeria’s constitution and international 

human rights obligations. 

Indeed, of all the people who have a critical 

duty to obey court orders, it is the executive. If 

the government continues to disobey court 

orders, the means to hold the executive to 

account will be blocked, and there will be no 

means of ensuring that human rights and the 

rule of law prevail. Buhari’s example is already 

having corrosive consequences across several 

of Nigeria’s 36 states, with state governors using 

the judicial process to target journalists and 

human rights defenders, and also disobeying 

court orders. This is the case, for example, in 

Cross River State where publisher of online 

news outlet CrossRiverWatch, Agba Jalingo, is 

arbitrarily detained and facing unfair trial 

simply for reporting allegations of corruption 

involving the governor. 

In Kaduna State, human rights defender 

Chidi Odinkalu is facing bogus charges of 

“injurious falsehood and incitement”, simply 

for exercising his right to freedom of expression. 

But the implications of failure to obey court 

orders are much wider, as the National 

Assembly is also using President Buhari’s 

example to pass repressive laws, the most 

recent being the “Hate speech bill”, which 

prescribes death by hanging for alleged hate 

speech. 

However, many people see this as an 

extension of the government’s push to restrict 

the right to freedom of expression and media 

freedom, as the minister of information is 

already pushing to “regulate the social media.” 

If the president is truly committed to fighting 

corruption and protecting individuals against 

unlawful action by his government, security 

agents (or other public bodies) and private 

actors, he must immediately begin to obey all 

court orders, respect human rights. 

He must ask recalcitrant state governors and 

the National Assembly to comply with 

Nigeria’s constitution and international 

obligations. Until this happens, we as 

Nigerians must raise our voices and tell the 

President loud and clear that he will not get 

away with disrespecting human rights, the rule 

of law, and treating our courts with contempt. 

•Dr. Olaniyan, is the author of Corruption 

and Human Rights Law in Africa and a Legal 

Adviser at Amnesty International’s 

secretariat in London. 

C 

M 

Y




YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

CAPRICORN: Challenges of yesterday will today bring you 

good opportunities along your career/business lines to the betterment 

of your finances seek supporters of powerful ones. 

AQUARIUS: Think of the best way to improve on your working 

pattern in order to enhance your career prospects if you listen to 

your creative self, things will work out fine for you. Be more loving. 

PISCES: Success is boldly printed on your cards today. Think of 

both immediate and far future while you are savouring goodies 

offered you but mother nature. 

ARIES: You should not have it tough while trying to win the 

needed supports of others. Take good advice from some of your 

friends who are creatively gifted. 

TAURUS: Your creativity ...... is enhanced today and if you demonstrating 

this within your working arena, you’ll earn success and 

consolidate on your recent progress. 

GEMINI: As mercury goes on backward motion, it is important 

you don’t take things for granted. Watch carefully what you agree 

to do. But this is a good day for lovers. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“Life is constantly evolving. Think about how far 

you’ve come. You’re not the same person you were a 

year ago, a month ago, or even yesterday. 

—“-Take Heart Quotes- 

Life isn’t about a single moment of great triumph and 

attainment. It’s about the trials and errors but more 

significantly the decision to get it right with actions 

that yields a greater understanding of being better than 

our previous self. —Ella Randle- 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

He who 

loves the 

vase loves 

also what is 

inside. ~ 

African 

proverb 

By Kola Fayemi 

CANCER: Better than yesterday. Others will be willing to give 

you the needed co-operation both at home and within your working 

arena. This is a good day for lovers. 

LEO: Those of you who are more enterprising will have much to 

show for your efforts. The more cooperative you are the better for 

you. Don’t neglect love. 

VIRGO: Mercury on backward motion; therefore you will need 

to re-examine both your personal ideas and advice given to you by 

other people. Be family minded. 

LIBRA: Provided you don’t allow others to mislead you, things 

will not go wrong. The more willing you are to take the initiative 

the better for you. Take your love life more seriously. 

SCORPIO: This is your day. Although you will need to be as 

secretive as you can, your success will attract others’ attention to 

you to the betterment of your cause. Be ambitious. 

SAGITTARIUS: People who more influential than you will be 

willing to support your cause but you will need to make the necessary 

move. The more self assertive you are the better. 

ASTROLOGICAL ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

COUNSELLING 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O.OLAIDE 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

WOULD I SUCCEED? 

Dear Joshua, 

I don’t want you to publish my data. However, I 

want to know how the planets lined up when I was 

born. 

And which day of the week was I born, would I 

record success in life because many eyes are on 

me? When would my success coming? 

Obi, Lagos. 

Dear Obi, 

You were born on a Jupiter ruled day - Thursday. 

You’ll succeeded earlier than you think. 

Your Horoscope Data 

DAY OF BIRTH: 

SUN SIGN = PISCES: SUN IN 25TH DEGREE 

OF PISCES 

MOON SIGN: PISCES: MOON IN 21ST DEGREE 

OF PISCES 

MERCURY IN 28TH DEGREE OF AQUARIUS 

VENUS IN 28TH DEGREE OF ARIES 

MARS IN 7TH DEGREE OF CANCER 

JUPITER IN ZERO DEGREE OF AQUARIUS 

SATURN IN 27TH DEGREE OF CAPRICORN 

URANUS IN 22ND DEGREE OF LEO 

NEPTUNE IN 11TH DECREE OF SCORPIO 

PLUTO IN 6TH DEGREE OF VIRGO 

NORTH NODE IN 6TH DEGREE OF PISCES 

CARDINAL AND MUTABLE STAR SIGN HOSTED 

THREE PLANETS EACH, FIXED AND WATER FOUR 

EACH, FIRE EARTH AND AIR HOSTED TWO EACH. 

PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 40% 

NON-PUSHFUL INFLUENCE = 60% 

HIGHLY HIGHLIGHTED STAR SIGN = 

AQUARIUS 

FINAL DISPOSITOR = SATURN 

ANALYSIS OF THE HOROSCOPE DATA 

Saturn as the final dispositor-the most influential 

planet at home when you were born, pointed to you 

as an ambitious person who must have a well developed 

career. You are throughly a disciplined person 

with higher degree of leadership quality in yourself. 

Although, you can be emotional, you are stable and 

reliable. Less than 50 per cent of pushful influence in 

you is an indication of your being an amiable person. 

Both your natal sun/moon in Pisces and Aquarius 

are indications of characteristic of star signs are 

highly pronounced in your innerself Having your 

hands on public pulse will always bring you unexpected 

success and fulfilment. 

Around your 33rd birthday an endless cycle of great 

success and achievements will start for you. Oil-petrol 

chemicals will feature in your life when the predicted 

great cycle gets started for you so also fishing or fish 

farming. 

VIRGINIA 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa


Professional practice: 

Group threatens to sue NIESV over libellous publication 

Stories by 

Kingsley Adegboye 

Against the backdrop 

of an advertorial 

publication in one of the 

national dailies on 

November 19, 2019, by the 

Nigerian Institution of 

Estate Surveyors and 

Valuers NIESV, notifying 

the general public that three 

of its members- Messrs 

Enitan Olusola Solomon, a 

fellow of NIESV, Fabiyi 

Isaac Adewale and Bello 

Muhammed Faisal, had 

been expelled from the 

institution for registering 

an alternate professional 

body known as the Society 

for Professional Valuation 

SPV, which NIESV said 

amounted to misconduct, 

and inimical to the over all 

interest of NIESV, the three 

members purportedly 

expelled who are members 

of board of trustees of the 

Society for Professional 

Valuation, have threatened 

to sue NIESV over the 

publication which they 

claimed was libellous, 

defamatory and malicious. 

Addressing the media at 

the weekend over the 

publication, the Chairman, 

Board of Trustees, the 

Society for Professional 

Valuation, Enitan Olusola 

Solomon, called for 

immediate retraction of the 

publication by NIESV and 

the media organisation that 

published the advertorial or 

else, they may be forced to 

go legal. 

According to Enitan of 

Sola Enitan & Co. a firm of 

estate surveyors and 

valuers, “We have not 

breached any aspect of the 

nation’s constitution by 

From 

inception, 

property World 

Africa Network PWAN 

Homes, has never left 

anyone in doubt about its 

innovative and leadership 

prowess in the business of 

helping prospective home 

owners to own property 

with ease. 

To this end, the company 

is rolling out a new regime 

of incentives for the benefit 

of our esteemed 

stakeholders, associates 

and property prospectors 

as a special end of year 

package. 

Prominent among the 

incentives, is a unique 

From left: MD/CEO, RevolutionPlus Property Ltd, Bamidele Onalaja, star actress and newly unveiled 

brand ambassador, Omoni Oboli and Executive Director, RevolutionPlus Property, Mrs. Tolu Onalaja 

during the launching of RevolutionPlus Chrismas promo and the unveiling of Omoni Oboli as the company’s 

brand ambassador. 

forming an alternate 

professional body. Section 

40 of the 1999 constitution 

of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria provides among 

others things that: Every 

person is free to assemble 

freely and associate with 

other persons and in 

particular he may form or 

belong to any political 

party, trade union or any 

other association for the 

protection of his interest”. 

Lamenting the expulsion 

of the three of them from 

NIESV, Enitan noted that 

the Society for Professional 

Valuation has taken notice 

of series of electronic and 

print advertorials of 

politically motivated 

defamation, witch hunting 

and vindictiveness against 

its numerous members and 

its board of trustees by 

Nigerian Institution of 


Valuers NIESV. 

“The said publication 

maligned and sought to 

destroy the personal and 

professional character as 

well as reputation of Enitan 

Olusola Solomon, Fabiyi 

Isaac Adewale and Bello 

Muhammed Faisal our 

trustees. We wish to say 

that our trustees hold a 

glorious, rewarding future 

for professional valuation in 

Nigeria in the interest of 

the general public, by 

providing trust and 

excellence in professional 

valuation service. “Our 

trustees are of implicitly 

good professionals 

personally, academically 

and occupationally putting 

professional ethics and 

high integrity above all 

which has brought a 

variance of ideology with 

NIESV council 

membership.” 

He alleged that the 

bubble burst because they 

insisted on strict adherence 

to constitution of NIESV 

while conducting its affairs 

R evolutionPlus 

Property 

Development Company 

Ltd, a Lagos-based real 

estate firm championing 

affordable housing for all 

classes of people in the 

society, has launched 

Christmas promo called 

Xmas Extravaganza, as a 

way of encouraging 

prospective home owners 

to subscribe to its housing 

projects located in Ibeju- 

Lekki, Abijo GRA, Lekki, 

Lagos, Agbowa-Ikorodu, 

Mowe-Ofada, Shimawa, 

Ogun state, Oke Mekun 

Town, Elebu, Ibadan and 

Sabon-Lugbe, Abuja. 

Also, in boosting the 

Real estate firm creates opportunity for subscribers 

to own homes at zero cost 

chance for some lucky 

people to own their own 

property at zero cost. The 

total package would be 

unveiled at PWAN’s 

property exhibition and 

promo gifts slated for 

November 29 –December 

1, at its Okun Ado, Lekki, 

corporate headquarters. 

Speaking at a seminar 

ahead of the group’s 

promo and exhibition, 

Onwumere, reiterated that 

PWAN is more than ever 

committed to making home 

ownership effortless as 

possible. And for every 

unemployed person 

beyond 18 years of age, 

who is not doing real estate 

marketing, Onwumere 

said, such person is losing 

out. He said: “But a huge 

opportunity is still open to 

such persons and they 

should avail themselves a 

chance to partake in the 

exhibition. 

The Managing Director, 

PWAN Group, Dr Afam 

Okonkwo, said “There will 

also be raffle draws for 

several plots of land by 

some of the companies, 

which make it possible for 

some people to get their 

own property at zero cost.” 

“We are also not in a 

hurry to relinquish our 

such as elections into its 

offices, cessation of 

relentless, pervasive 

covered up frauds and 

stoppage of conversion of 

assets within the 

organization to personal 

use. 

Enitan therefore, urged 

members of general public 

to disregard its entirety, the 

malicious, defamatory, illconceived 

and 

unconscionable politically 

motivated publication of 

the Nigerian Institution of 


Valuers, because there is 

no iota of truth as 

contained in the 

publication nor any 

misconduct ever committed 

professionally by the three 

of them who are trustees of 

the Society for Professional 

Valuation throughout their 

professional career 

spanning over several 

decades. 

Real estate firm launches Xmas 

promo, unveils Brand Ambassador 

leadership and innovative 

roles in the bourgeoning 

real sector”. This was the 

assertion at the gathering 

of stakeholders in Nigeria’s 

real estate market who 

appraised PWAN’s 

contributions to the 

sprawling real estate 

market sector in the country 

recently. 

According to him, PWAN 

and its over 16 subsidiaries 

has over 40,000 

independent marketers, 

doing business in over 11 

states in Nigeria. “We are 

running this business as 

an empowerment 

organization. 

image of the company, the 

management of the firm 

unveiled a renowned 

Nollywood actress and 

producer, Mrs. Omoni 

Oboli,as the company’s 

latest Brand Ambassador 

last week in Lagos. 

Speaking on the promo, 

the Managing Director 

and Chief Executive 

Officer of the firm that 

commenced operations five 

years ago with housing 

projects spanning across 

Lagos, Ogun, Oyo and 

Abuja, Mr. Bamidele 

Onalaja, said the idea 

behind the promo is to 

provide affordable homes 

for prospective home 

seekers across the country. 

Onalaja who disclosed 

that his firm has provided 

5,000 housing units to 

Nigerians already, and 

hoping to deliver 10,000 

next year, said “We roll out 

promos during festivals 

such as Christmas and 

Sallah. This Xmas 

Extravaganza runs 

between November 15, 

2019 and January 15, 2020”. 

According to him, “With 

N25,000 initial deposit for 

a plot of land in any of our 

housing schemes located at 

various areas in Lekki, 

Ibeju-Lekki, Agbowa, 

Lagos, Shimawa and 

Mowe-Ofada, Ogun state, 

Ibadan, Oyo state and 

Abuja, a subscriber will get 

some of the items for the 

promo such as generating 

sets, 50kg rice, smart TV, 

goat, hampers, pressing 

iron, set of cooking pots and 

VIP ticket to Revplus Mega 

party. 

“Also, in the spirit of the 

season, the promo is saying 

that any prospective 

subscriber that subscribes 

for five plots in any of our 

sites will get one free plot 

of land in addition to 50kg 

bag of rice, two chikens and 

hamper”, RevolutionPlus 

boss said, emphasising that 

shelter is one of the three 

basic needs of man. 

Onalaja who noted that it 

is only government that can 

provide affordable housing 

because of challenges 

confronting private 

developers, said “Our effort 

is to help bridge the 

housing gap in the country. 

We try as much as possible 

to make housing affordable 

to Nigerians by providing 

flexible payment plan of 

instalments. 

In his remarks while 

unveiling Omoni Oboli as 

the company’s latest Brand 

Ambassador, Onalaja said 

his company decided to 

make a choice as its latest 

brand ambassador because 

of impeccable track record. 

“She is scandal free, she 

will bring her wealth of 

experience to the company. 

We want to work with her 

on permanent basis 

because she someone that 

pursues excellence”, 

Onalaja said.


OSA MBONU-AMADI 

08070524223 

osaamadi@yahoo.com 

INTERNATIONAL ARTS & CRAFTS EXPO 2019 

Imperatives of creativity & 

product design in networking 

Nigerian arts, crafts 

Otunba Segun Runsewe (left) and Mrs. Franca Aiyetan, Director, Public Affairs, National 

Broadcasting Commission. PHOTO: Osa Amadi. 

B 

eing a keynote address 

by PROFESSOR JERRY 

BUHARI, Department of 

Fine Art, Ahmadu Bello University 

Zaria, at the Investment Forum 

of the 2019 International Arts And 

Crafts (INAC) Expo, organised by 

the National Council for Arts and 

Culture, Abuja, on Thursday 21 

November 2019. It encapsulates 

the total essence of INAC and 

qualifies as a roadmap for getting 

Nigeria to be technologically selfreliant. 

Enjoy this scholarly paper 

couched in elegant prose: 

Definition of terms 

Imperatives: This is a very strong 

word that is a darling of many 

speeches whether economic, 

religious, political or any discipline 

for that matter. Imperative (an 

adjective), is defined by The New 

Webster’s Dictionary of the English 

Language as, “which must at all 

costs be obeyed or which cannot in 

any way be ignored”. The word 

imperative can be seen as a 

command, a need, and a necessity. 

So, if you find the tone of my paper 

carrying strong adjectives, I am 

merely trying to deliver on the 

assignment the NCAC has given 

me. You are for example asking me 

to make a judgmental declaration 

on the kernel issues of the topic. As 

a scholar, I would like to understand 

the topic to mean that you want me 

to address how we can connect 

creativity and product design to 

bring about the investment 

potentials or its realisation in 

Nigeria’s arts and crafts. 

Creativity: We do not need to 

define creativity; we also do not need 

to ask if we have creative people in 

Nigeria or in the Arts and Craft 

industry. We do, and there are 

several examples to show, thanks 

to all the vibrant art programmes 

and activities in our annual cultural 

calendar. The social media that we 

have today is broadcasting these 

most effectively. 

Gone are the days when creativity 

was viewed as relating to art alone. 

Today, every discipline 

acknowledges the importance of 

creativity in any form of problemsolving 

or any form of national 

development. 

The critical question is why we 

have not, or has been slow in 

effectively harnessing these 

creative energies into some very 

coordinated structure for 

development? We can advance 

many reasons and excuses, but 

these will not take us there. In 

my humble opinion this is and 

should be part of the mandate of 

the NCAC; working with similar 

agencies of government, the 

private sector, groups and 

individuals on very specific 

measurable projects. The 

international forum today with 

over thirty international 

participants and many agencies 

of governments and incredible 

innovative initiatives of 

individual entrepreneurs 

demonstrates NCAC’s drive to 

change the narrative of our story. 

The vision and mission 

statement and annual 

programmes and activities of 

NCAC have well captured these 

salient points. Your just 

concluded annual festival shows 

how you have expanded the 

festival beyond the previous ones, 

although certain aspects continue 

to generate debate as to their 

meaning and relevance. These 

would need periodic review and 

evaluation as you make progress. 

It is always important that 

organisations such as the NCAC 

should hold management and 

stakeholders meetings 

periodically to perform a 

postmortem of the year’s activities 

to determine areas of weakness 

and progress and as a way of 

charting the course for the coming 

year or years. 

The NCAC should be the hub 

of promoting the Arts and Crafts 

of Nigeria. You can walk the talk 

by ensuring that the interior 

We have often 

downgraded the 

importance of 

exhibition and 

museums as 

platforms and 

arenas for the 

advancement of 

our arts and craft 

and by implication 

our cultural 

heritage 

decor of your offices, dress code and 

other forms of performances exude 

our arts and crafts. 

Product design 

What is product design? This is 

a rather specialised phrase and 

would require some definition. I say 

this because sometime in the mid 

1970s and to be precise, 1977, I 

guess it must have been the Federal 

Government, through the Federal 

Ministry of Education, that tasked 

its universities to identify some 

departments in Nigerian 

Universities to articulate a Master 

plan that could reorient their 

academic programmes to meet the 

technological aspirations of the 

country. So, the Department of Fine 

Art, Ahmadu Bello University, for 

example, was specifically identified 

to be among the programmes to 

lead an industrial design curricula 

transformation. As a result, graphic 

design, textile design, ceramics 

and glass design were amputated 

from the programme to form the 

department of Industrial design. 

Subsequently, Federal Universities 

of Technologies were established 

across the country to further drive 

this vision. I will leave all of us to 

review the performance of these 

Prof Jerry Buhari at the International Arts & Crafts Expo 

2019 Photo: Osa Amadi 

institutions in answering whether 

or not we can say that prototype 

products have emerged from these 

universities that we are using as 

made in Nigeria. What has the 

Federal Government done with 

these models? Am I saying that 

these institutions have not done 

well? No. Far from it! I am saying 

that their products, if any, are yet 

to be seen visibly functioning in 

the drive towards technological 

advancement. I am also aware 

that the National Universities 

Commission has a periodic 

programme where exhibitions of 

innovations and awards are given 

for inventions and designs. But 

again we ask: what strategic line 

of actions is taken to advance these 

great innovations? We are still 

talking. 

But I must say this. In A.B.U. 

and other federal universities of 

technology where I was privileged 

to visit on National Universities 

Commission Accreditation 

exercise from 1993 to date, I 

humbly submit that most of what 

comes out are products that 

require refinement and finishing. 

Where good and promising 

designs and products are made, 

they end up in the corner of a 

building till the next exhibition. 

Even the universities have little 

value in their great product. If they 

do, they have no befitting edifice/ 

s for them to inspire more or further 

development. We have often 

downgraded the importance of 

exhibition and museums as 

platforms and arenas for the 

advancement of our arts and craft 

and by implication our cultural 

heritage. 

Show me the quality of your 

exhibition and the edifices you 

keep them and I can tell you how 

important this means to you. 

In 2007 I was a visiting scholar 

to Savannah College of Art and 

Design. The President gave me 

the full status of a University Visitor; 

we call them Vice Chancellor 

here. This means I was given the 

highest protocol, audience, 

meetings with faculties, delivered 

a lecture and interacted with the 

students of Fine art and Industrial 

design. From my experience, I 

can say with some level of 

knowledge that we are not 

anywhere close to running an 

industrial design programme that 

is capable of products of 

international standard. Before the 

visit to Savannah College of Art 

and Design, I have visited 

universities in Japan, as a Fellow 

and Germany in 2001 and 1992 

respectively. I must note you that 

we are yet to have a programme 

that would deliver product design. 

Somebody would say but NUC has 

promoted the exhibition of 

innovative designs and products 

from some of these universities, I 

proceed to ask the question, so 

what? What have we done with 

these designs and the prototypes? 

You see, one of the ways you 

know a serious country is when it 

has museums that house products 

of its human endeavours. These 

are places where we can always 

return to for education, inspiration 

and road mapping as we chart our 

way to a better country or nation. 

But what do we find, demolition 

of historical cultural heritage, 

antiquities, looting of cultural 

treasures, and sometimes 

executive dashing away of 

antiquities, etc.? 

Networking 

I see Networking Nigerian Arts 

and Crafts across our borders as 

identifying partners, sponsors and 

consumers of these creative 

endeavours to build our cultural 

heritage, tourism, economic 

advancement and national 

integration. I am convinced that 

this INAC has all it takes to set the 

stage for the exploration of 

possibilities that we can only 

imagine the great gains that will 

reveal. 

Networking requires the 

establishment of a coordinating 

structure informed by some policy 

backed by implementation 

strategies. NCAC has the 

opportunity and in fact, it is her 

mandate to generate this network. 

In addition to annual festivals, 

competitions and exhibitions, what 

else can we do to improve on 

existing structures? 

Networking is synergy; it holds 

the secret of progress or 

development for any nation. We 

have a high deficiency of that in 

our country. The clean broom 

continues on page 42

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 —35 

OSA MBONU-AMADI 

08070524223 

osaamadi@yahoo.com 

R-L: Joshua Wang of Startimes; David Zhang, Startimes C.E.O; Mr. Wang Gui Pin of the 

Chinese Embassy; Otunba Segun Runsewe, D.G, NCAC; and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, 

former D.G, National Sports Commission during Chinese Day @ 2019 INAC. PHOTO: Osa 

Amadi. 

Imperatives of creativity and product 

design in networking Nigerian arts and 

crafts 

continued from page 41 

philosophy in governance destroys almost 

everything in governance and leave behind 

abandoned projects. 

Nigerian Arts and Craft 

Nigerian arts and crafts came from a very 

rich traditional and cultural history. Sadly, 

this enviable world heritage that we possess 

is more highly valued by foreigners than 

Nigerians themselves. Yet from time to time 

we cry about colonial plundering of our 

artifacts and make noise that they should 

be repatriated. But we hardly walk the talk, 

do we? 

Consider the state of the artifacts that are 

still in our possession, the value we place 

on them can directly be related to the budget 

allocated to the organs that manage and 

preserve them. The value can also be 

determined by the way we as a people treat 

and handle the works. Most of what we have 

managed to keep or that the colonial masters 

have left behind for us have been plundered, 

ironically by us. Furthermore, the value of a 

country’s arts and craft is driven, propagated 

or promoted by the leadership of that 

country. 

Somebody aptly observed that, “leaders 

are brand influencers”. Sadly here under 

our very nose, we have watched how, as if 

the colonial plundering of our artifacts is 

not enough, as if the plundering of these 

treasures by us the managers is also not 

enough, a former president “dashed” some 

of these works to a French government. 

Haba!! 

Let us all note that the maker of a product 

significantly determines the value of 

anything, or the holder. If the maker places 

important value on it, it will be so taken. If 

he or she does not, it is very unlikely that 

others will. This is a perceptual matter and 

it is a key thing in product reception. 

The commercial value of /in our arts and 

craft. 

Do our arts and crafts have any 

commercial value? We have seen that 

historically they have. If that were not the 

case, we would not have produced them in 

the first place. Secondly, if they do not, 

foreigners who do not even know what they 

are will not plunder them or acquire them 

as a souvenir to take back home. Thirdly, if 

they do not have any value they will not be 

objects of theft till date. 

So, the critical question that we may wish 

to advance at this point is how can we make 

our products commercially viable? To address 

this question requires a well-articulated 

marketing strategy that is driven by a 

complete reorientation of both we the people, 

as it said in the preamble declaration of our 

constitution. But perhaps more significantly 

the advancement of any national product 

should be the business of the political 

leadership of that country, leading by 

example, followed closely with the private 

sector. It also involves a leadership driven 

by every individual in that country. In 

Nigeria, we have very brilliant young men 

and women who are investment experts, 

some are even organised in groups; if only 

we can set aside the “Nigerian factor” and 

employ a square peg in its right place, 

irrespective of political considerations, 

imagine where we would be. 

The role of packaging and presentation 

The advancements of Arts and crafts are 

about functionality, finishing, packaging and 

presentation 

I have observed that when it comes to these 

four letters, FF P & P, in our built industry 

we rely on our neighbours, Ghanaians, 

Cameroonians and Benin Republic. For 

example, the Nigerian masons have almost 

vanished from the built industry. I observe 

that we are rather clumsy and take things 

for granted when it comes to the finishing, 

packaging and presentation of our arts and 

craft. The art of packaging has become very 

elaborate, professional and sophisticated. 

We cannot continue to package our arts and 

craft in the same way we use to in the 1970s. 

Packaging requires professional finishing 

of product in the first place. A product 

requires a container that is suitable and 

appropriate. Then there is the question of 

how the product is presented or displayed. 

The value of a 

country’s arts 

and craft is 

driven, 

propagated or 

promoted by 

the leadership 

of that country 

This is very important and determines the 

export value of any work. Consider why 

rather shamefully Nigeria at one point in 

time was obsessed with China and Dubai 

furniture. The attraction was on finishing, 

packaging and presentation. The furniture 

is a fraud. Sadly some offices still patronize 

them. The colonial mentality is still very 

much alive. What we need are orientation 

programme that is capable of healing 

colonial mentality virus and its consumerist 

tendencies. 

The value of talk 

We have come to realise that flowery words 

or oratory spoken through a microphone in 

a situation such as this is not enough. We 

must be seen to proceed by making clear 

declarations and time-based commitments 

to deliver on these speeches. They must be 

backed by realistic implementation 

Li Na (right and playing the stringed musical instrument called guzheng) and Ma Chen 

(left, playing a woodwind instrument called dizi), all of the Embassy of Peoples Republic of 

China, performing an instrumental song, TAOHUA NUO, meaning “The promise of peach 

flower”, during Chinese Day @ the 2019 INAC in Abuja. PHOTO: Osa Amadi. 

Otunba Segun Runsewe (right) with a foreign participant in front of the Kuwait booth @ 

the 2019 INAC, Abuja. PHOTO: Osa Amadi. 

strategies. This would be the way forward. 

Talk is cheap; action is different. 

Investment in the Creative Industry 

The role of government in the promotion 

of arts and craft cannot be over-emphasised. 

Imagine the establishment of friendly laws, 

infrastructure and perhaps above all, 

government’s patronage of the arts and craft. 

This is given attention by the current 

government, but it must be sustained beyond 

this government. 

Cultural inferiority complex is still one of 

the major hindrances to the development 

of arts and craft in Nigeria. 

Colonial hang-over and blame shifting has 

become easy and convenient strategies 

used, even by scholars to justify or excuse 

our failures for nation-building or failure to 

make progress in self-determination and 

self-development. 

To promote arts and craft in Nigeria we 

need to return to the elementary economics 

of demand and supply. If we buy more of 

our arts and craft, especially, if the 

government and the private sector drive the 

consumption of our arts and craft, you can 

imagine the economic boost that will be 

generated in the industry. We need an 

orientation programme that can heal our 

obsession for imported goods, create and 

promote love for country and by implication 

patriotism. 

Let us start with our personal lives. 

Conclusion 

Let us conclude by putting this address 

within the context of Investment. 

First, I must immediately confess my 

deficiency in the discipline of investment. I 

am a simple artist and teacher and not in 

the business of turning art into money. So, 

kindly forgive me if you find my 

engagement with this aspect of the paper 

rather shallow. So when we speak of 

investment I make reference not only of the 

potentials of art in developing our economy, 

I say we can see this already happening. 

This event is situated under the umbrella 

of investment. Who have we invited? What 

is the role of NCAC? How potent is NCAC 

is driving this laudable initiative? What is 

the relationship of NCAC with other 

related parastatals? Does the NCAC 

have a database of the finest and 

representative arts and craft groups and 

individuals in the country? Do we have a 

workshop programme that can improve 

their craft, packaging, and promotion? 

Does NCAC have an audience with the 

various organs of government that can 

encourage patronage of made in Nigeria 

arts and crafts? 

2019 International Arts and Craft Expo 

means we have had many of this type of 

Expo before the one of today. What visible 

gain/s or progress have we made so far? 

We need to take stock of how far we have 

come. Let me conclude by returning to 

the point that I made, which is that the 

value you place in your product is what 

others will place on it. 

Bash the Woodman, was or is a furniture 

maker, a graduate from a London college 

where he studied furniture making. He 

arrived in Nigeria with his merger savings 

but with sophisticated machines for 

making first class wood furniture. At the 

height of his practice most regional banks 

in northern Nigeria patronised him. 

One day the National Assembly 

committee responsible for procuring 

furniture commissioned him to make 

furniture for them. He took a loan from a 

bank and invested all that he had saved 

to execute the contract. Somewhere 

midway the Committee terminated his 

contract and rendered him bankrupt. I am 

told the Committee opted to import the 

furniture. 

Imagine all our federal Government 

offices adorned with made in Nigeria 

furniture and interior decor? Imagine if 

most of what we wear is sown in Nigeria. 

Imagine if we patronise made in Nigeria 

goods? 

Imagine if the National Orientation 

Agency decides to mobilise Nigeria in a 

mother of all campaigns for Use Made in 

Nigeria (UMIN), just imagine what 

investment, what pride? What national 

patriotism/ what nation we can build.


Agbekoya bemoans state of 

agriculture in S’West 

....Gives 21 days ultimatum on blueprint 

By Dapo 

Akinrefon 

L 

A G O S — 

THEAgbekoya 

Farmers Association in 

the South West has 

bemoaned the state of 

agriculture in the region 

just as it issued a 21days 

ultimatum to the 

Southwest Governors to 

come up with a blueprint 

on their states’ 

Agricultural 

Transformation 

Programme. 

The President of 

Agbekoya, Chief 

Kamorudeen Okikiola, 

expressed worry that 

agriculture, which used to 

be the mainstay of the 

economy of Southwest 

and Nigeria, has been 

experiencing a systematic 

decline in the last 30 

years in the hands of 

Southwest Governors. 

He said: “It is 

unfortunate that those, 

who have prided 

themselves as the political 

heirs of Awolowo and the 

Awo ideology have failed 

to carry on the governance 

pattern that would extend 

Awolowo’s Agricultural 

MEGA SALES PROMO: Mikano rewards customers 

L AGOS—MIKANO 

International Limited, 

recognized as a leading 

Power Solution provider 

and the preferred partner 

in the electrical, lighting, 

mechanical, steel 

fabrication and general 

construction industries, 

has reached a milestone 

and is proud to announce 

the winner(s) of its 2018 

'Mega Sales Promo' at the 

grand-finale and raffledraw, 

held on October 31, 

2019 at its Corporate 

Head Office on Acme 

Road in Ogba, Ikeja, 

Lagos. 

Each participating 

customer at the Promo, 

which was part of the 

many lined up activities 

marking the company’s 

25th Anniversary 

celebration in 2018, had 

been initially rewarded 

with instant vouchers, 

ranging from N20,000- 

N200,000 for a shopping 

sprey from selected 

shopping malls nationwide, 

while receiving 

raffle-draw tickets that 

automatically qualified 

them for winning the 

promo's star prize and 

many other fabulous 

consolation prizes. 

The lucky winner of the 

star prize in the promo, a 

50kva Mikano YORC 

generator, turned out to be 

one of Mikano loyal 

customers, Inlaks 

Computers Ltd. 

The consolations prizes, 

Intel Core 13 and 15.6 

Inches Laptops, 10 

Mikano vouchers worth 

N2,500,000, 43" LED TV 

sets, cool-links 1-year 

satellite internet 

subscription, amongst 

legacy to the six 

Southwestern states of 

Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, 

Lagos and Osun states. 

We must not forget in a 

hurry how the 

government of late chief 

Awolowo made 

Agriculture the pivot of 

Southwestern region 

economy and how he 

successfully organized 

farmers into functional 

cooperative movements, 

especially around the 

cocoa farmers’ marketing 

cooperative.” 

Besides, he lamented 

that agriculture has been 

others, went to other lucky 

customers from different 

geographical zones like 

Abuja, Port-Harcourt, 

Kano, Mina, Gombe, Owerri. 

As rewarding her 

esteemed custumers has 

become her yearly 

culture, Mikano 

International Limited is 

currently finalising plans 

to kick-off the 2019/20 

promo, which is planned 

to be much bigger. The 

star prize of this new promo is 

likely to be a luxurious Sedan 

car; assembled by Mikano. 

To ensure product quality 

service delivery, Mikano has set 

up a state of the art automobile 

assembling plant in her multiuse 

8 warehouses, occupying 

a 120,000sqrm space along the 

Lagos Ibadan express way; 

“The Karamey Industrial City” 

over-politicized by the 

Southwest state 

governors, to the extent 

that Agbekoya farmers, 

whom late Obafemi 

Awolowo used to build the 

economic foundation of 

the region, hardly now get 

assistance from state 

governments in the area 

of loans and other 

agricultural machinery for 

land clearing and 

harvesting. 

He said: “Farmers are 

also contending with poor 

rural roads through which 

farm produce and 

foodstuffs are conveyed 

from farms to the markets. 

Okikiola, however, 

warned that Agbekoya 

Farmers “will no longer 

fold their arms watching 

the systematic decline of 

the agricultural sector to 

continue. We have written 

two letters to the 

SouthWest governors in 

the last four years on the 

state of agriculture in the 

SouthWest, without any 

response from them. 

Given this, we are giving 

21 days ultimatum to the 

six SouthWestern 

governors, during which 

we are expecting them to 

respond to our letters and 

also come out with a 

blueprint on their 

states’Agricultural 

Transformation 

Programme. 

If nothing is done, 

Agbekoya and the coalition 

of farmers Association in the 

SouthWest, will stage public 

rallies to protest the declining 

state of agriculture in the sixstate 

capitals of the 

SouthWest.” 

ANAMBRA FIRE DISASTERS: 

Lets be readier than the 

raids —Annie-okonkwo 

AWKA—AGAINST the 

backdrop of incessant 

fire outbreaks in Anambra 

State, with grave costs to 

life, limbs and property, a 

duty led citizen of the state, 

Mr. Uche Annie-Okonkwo, 

has called on the 

government and the people 

of the state to rise together 

and halt the malady, 

through a firm prevention 

mechanics than reaction. 

"Yes, fire outbreaks can be 

sporadic and spontaneous, 

deliberate or not, but they 

are certainly not 

unforeseeable. If it is a 

foreseeable disaster, we 

should be readier for the 

menace, through a more 

robust curtailment and 

containment capacity than 

reactive tokens and broad 

lamentations," he 

counselled. 

Driving home his point, 

the youth empowerment 

crusader and critical voice 

for the young generation 

stated that, considering the 

costs of funds, the burdens 

of doing business, the time 

span of savings for business 

start ups and our peculiar 

dependents ratio to every 

breadwinner, the 

preventable agony of 

seeing your livelihood go 

up in flames in minutes 

makes the economics of 

prevention far cheaper and 

compelling than the 

quicksand palliatives, most 

times unfulfilled, poorly 

administered, or even 

abandoned, as memories 

grow thin. Which is really 

why I'm saying this now 

than earlier to help keep the 

issues alive because the 

agonies still subsist. 

"I, therefore, call on the 

government of Anambra 

State, as responsive as I 

believe they are to, as a 

matter of developmental 

necessity, arrest and 

prevent any further 

situation as witnessed 

lately and, by so doing, 

restore confidence to our 

striving businesses and 

businessmen. 

"This they can do by 

taking data compliant 

inventory of major towns in 

our state with deposits of 

economic activities and 

wealth creation, and 

effectually planting a 

network of ready to go fire 

stations around them. 

"That way, enabled and 

prioritized our fire fighters 

as first responders will, 

within a max of five 

minutes, match to the 

distress centers to actually 

overwhelm the fires than 

being tamed by same 

helplessness as the victims, 

a situation that unfairly 

compromise them to public 

rage as villains, than 

deserved gallantry. 

"I feel sad as every other 

person, when confronted 

with the constant picture of fire 

fighters arriving late to the scenes.


38— VANGUARD, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

Bloomberg joins race for 2020 US 

presidency 

A HYPER-INDUSTRI 

OUS billionaire, a threeterm 

mayor of New York and a 

climate change activist, Michael 

Bloomberg is now eyeing 

one last prize: the US presidency. 

The 77-year-old giant of the 

financial world officially announced 

that he was joining 

the race for the 2020 Democratic 

nomination Sunday, but he has 

some catching up to do. 

He becomes the 18th candidate 

in the pack that includes 

three others in their 70s, plus a 

fellow billionaire, Tom Steyer. 

Bloomberg will count on leveraging 

his fortune — Forbes 

ranks him as the 15th richest 

person in the world currently 

— to make up ground on the 

favorites. 

They included fierce Wall 

Street critics Bernie Sanders 

and Elizabeth Warren, both of 

whom he sees as “extremists.” 

Bloomberg will be working 

for a long-awaited chance to take 

on fellow New York tycoon 

Donald Trump, with whom 

then-mayor Bloomberg often 

rubbed shoulders at social 

events, occasionally even offering 

words of praise, before turning 

his back when Trump entered 

politics. 

“I’m a New Yorker, and I 

know a con when I see one,” 

he said dismissively of Trump 

during the 2016 presidential 

Actor Jon Voight dances to music before being awarded the National Medal 

of Arts by U.S. President Donald Trump inside the East Room of the White 

House. REUTERS/Tom Brenner 

campaign. 

Bloomberg had toyed with 

the idea of running as an independent, 

before finally — fearful 

of dividing Democratic voters 

— throwing his support 

behind Hillary Clinton. 

In March, Bloomberg said 

he would not run this time 

around and could do more 

good by supporting the eventual 

nominee than by taking on 

the “incompetent” Trump. 

But he has changed his 

mind. 

As a successful businessman 

who shuns political labels, 

economically conservative but 

liberal on gay rights and abortion, 

he has grown increasingly 

worried by left-wingers 

Warren and Sanders running 

Joe Biden close. 

But can Bloomberg win 

over Democratic voters? 

He points to his successes 

as an executive who helped 

revitalize post-9/11 New York, 

his advocacy and financial 

support for gun control and 

his work on climate change. 

Bloomberg has been a special 

UN envoy for climate action 

since 2014 and has 

helped several US states, 

counties and cities finance 

emissions-reducing projects. 

The divorced father of two 

daughters has joined other billionaires 

in signing the socalled 

Giving Pledge, which 

commits them to contribute 

more than half their wealth to 

good causes. 

He supports cultural organizations, 

advocates against 

smoking and vaping and last 

year donated $1.8 billion to 

his alma mater Johns Hopkins 

University to help poorer 

students pay tuition. 

Johnson unveils manifesto for Brexit 

Britain 

PRIME Minister Boris 

Johnson pledged 

Sunday to take Britain out 

of the EU by January 31 

then set about reinvigorating 

public services, as he 

launched his Conservative 

Party’s general election 

manifesto. 

Having taken over a minority 

administration in 

July and been unable to 

speed his EU divorce deal 

through parliament, 

Johnson is seeking a majority 

at the December 12 

snap election — called in a 

bid to break the Brexit logjam. 

Johnson said his “sensible, 

moderate, tax-cutting” 

agenda would help reunite 

Britain after three years of 

acrimony following the 

2016 referendum vote to 

leave the European Union. 

“We’re now, as you know, 

less than three weeks away 

from the most critical election 

in modern memory,” 

said Johnson as he unveiled 

the manifesto in Telford, 

west-central England. 

“The choice has never 

been starker. 

“Get Brexit done and we 

can restore confidence and 

certainty to businesses and 

families. 

“Get Brexit done and we 

can focus our hearts and 

our minds on the priorities 

of the British people. 

“It is time to unleash the 

potential of the whole country 

and to forge a new Britain.” 

Johnson is promising to 

bring back his Brexit deal 

to parliament before December 

25 if the centreright 

Conservatives are returned 

to power. 

“We can then get the 

whole thing completed in a 

matter of days if not weeks, 

and we’re out by January 

31,” he said. 

The main plank of the 

Conservative manifesto is 

the Brexit deal Johnson negotiated 

with Brussels in 

October. 

He insists the deal will allow 

Britain to regain control 

over its laws, money and 

immigration policy. 

Johnson’s chief rival, leftwing 

Labour leader Jeremy 

Corbyn, wants to renegotiate 

a new, softer Brexit agreement 

within three months 

and then put that to a referendum 

alongside the option 

of remaining in the EU by 

the end of June. Corbyn 

himself would stay neutral 

during the process. 

“He used to be indecisive 

— now he’s not so sure,” 

Johnson said, in a dig at the 

veteran socialist. 

Britain Elects poll aggregator 

puts the Conservatives on 

42 percent, ahead of the Labour 

main opposition on 29 

percent, the anti-Brexit Liberal 

Democrats on 15 percent, 

the Brexit Party on six percent 

and the Greens on three percent. 

Despite the poll lead, 

Johnson has his weak spots, 

especially given the years of 

austerity imposed by Conservative 

governments since 

2010. 

He promises to end the 

years of reining in the budget 

deficit by pumping billions of 

pounds into public services. 

Pope urges abolition of nuclear 

weapons 

POPE Francis yester 

day railed against 

atomic weapons, the nuclear 

deterrent, and the 

growing arms trade, as he 

paid tribute to the victims 

of the “unspeakable horror” 

of the Nagasaki bomb. 

In a highly symbolic visit 

to the Japanese city devastated 

by the nuclear attack 

in August 1945, Francis 

said nuclear weapons 

were “not the answer” to 

a desire for security, peace, 

and stability. 

“Indeed they seem always 

to thwart it,” he said. 

At least 74,000 people 

died from the atomic bomb 

unleashed on the city in 

western Japan — just 

three days after the world’s 

first nuclear attack hit Hiroshima 

and killed at least 

140,000. 

“This place makes us 

deeply aware of the pain 

and horror that we human 

beings are capable of inflicting 

upon one another,” 

said the sombre pontiff on 

the first full day of his Japan 

trip. 

Hundreds of people in 

white waterproofs sat in 

torrential rain to hear the 

pope’s speech, next to the 

emblematic photo of a 

young boy carrying his 

dead baby brother on his 

back in the aftermath of the 

attack. 

He laid a wreath of white 

flowers and prayed silently, 

unprotected from the 

lashing downpour. Francis 

took aim at what he 

called the “perverse dichotomy” 

of nuclear deterrence, 

saying that peace is 

incompatible with the 

“fear of mutual destruction 

or the threat of total annihilation.” 

This marked a break with 

past pontiffs — in a 1982 

UN speech, Pope John 

Paul II had described nuclear 

deterrence as a necessary 

evil. 

The 82-year-old Francis 

also hit out at the “money 

that is squandered and the 

fortune made” in the arms 

trade, describing it as an 

“affront crying out to Heaven” 

in a world where “millions 

of children are living 

in inhumane conditions.” 

US Navy defies Trump, proceeds 

in effort to expel SEAL 

THE US Navy will proceed in its effort to oust a mem 

ber of its elite SEAL commando unit, an official said 

Saturday, defying the wishes of President Donald Trump. 

Edward Gallagher had been accused of war crimes in 

a high-profile case but was found guilty only of a lesser 

offense. On November 15, Trump reversed the demotion 

handed down to the 40-year-old under his conviction. 

The Navy this week launched a procedure under which 

a peer review board could strip him and three other members 

of his unit of their Trident pins — effectively booting 

them from the SEALs. 

A rankled Trump declared on Twitter on Thursday that 

“The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy 

Seal Eddie Gallagher’s Trident Pin.” 

On Saturday, however, a senior Pentagon official who 

requested anonymity in order to speak freely said the 

“peer review board is proceeding.” 

Whether Gallagher can remain in the unit or not will 

be determined by a panel of Navy SEAL officers that is 

set to convene in December. 

The move came as multiple US news outlets reported 

that Navy Secretary Richard Spencer had threatened to 

resign over the affair, a claim he sharply denied. 

“Contrary to popular belief, I am still here. I did not 

threaten to resign,” Spencer said, speaking at a forum in 

Halifax, Canada. 

The US Navy chief said he did not consider Trump’s 

tweet to be a formal order. 

“I need a formal order to act,” Spencer told reporters 

on the sidelines of the forum. According to the US Constitution, 

the president is the commander-in-chief of the 

country’s armed forces. 

Gallagher, a 15-year Navy SEAL, had been accused in 

the stabbing death of a wounded Islamic State prisoner 

in Iraq in 2017, attempted murder of other civilians and 

obstruction of justice. 

In July, he was acquitted of charges related to those 

accusations, but was convicted of a lesser charge — posing 

with the slain fighter’s body in a group picture with 

other SEALs. 

As a result, he was demoted one rank, from chief petty 

officer to petty officer first class. Gallagher’s case had 

been championed by Fox News, which the president follows 

closely. 

Plane crash kills 23 in DR 

Congo 

TWENTY-three bodies were recovered on Sunday af 

ter a small plane crashed on takeoff into a densely 

populated area of Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 

rescue workers said. 

“We are up to 23 bodies now,” Goma rescue service coordinator 

Joseph Makundi told AFP. Goma airport official Richard 

Mangolopa told AFP no survivors were expected 

from the disaster. 

The Dornier-228 aircraft had been headed for Beni, 350 

kilometres (220 miles) north of Goma when it went down in 

a residential area near the airport in the east of the country. 

“There were 17 passengers on board and two crew members. 

It took off around 9-9.10 am (0700 GMT),” Busy Bee 

airline staff member Heritier Said Mamadou said. 

Busy Bee, a recent company, has three planes serving 

routes in North Kivu province. One of the company’s maintenance 

workers at the site quoted by news site actualite.cd 

blamed a “technical problem”. The number of casualties on 

the ground was not yet known. 

Philippine leader sacks drugs 

tsar after 18 days 

P 

HILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday fired 

his chief political rival from the role of “drugs tsar”, 

accusing her of embarrassing the country by trying to draw 

undue international attention to his war on drugs. 

Leni Robredo, who is also vice president and was elected 

separately to Duterte, accepted the role on Nov. 6, against 

advice of her allies, who said it was a trap designed to discredit 

her. 

Robredo has angered Duterte by criticizing what she called 

“senseless killings” during a crackdown on drugs that caused 

international alarm, due to the thousands of mostly urban 

poor killed in what police said were drugs busts that turned 

into shootouts. 

Duterte’s lawyer and spokesman, Salvador Panelo, in a statement 

said Robredo had overreached by seeking classified 

information, and by meeting with foreign entities opposed to 

Duterte’s crackdown. 

“The vice president resorted to unduly baiting international 

attention,” Panelo said, adding that she had met United 

Nations and U.S. embassy officials who “know little or none 

at all about our situation, other than their own bias or unsubstantiated 

prejudgment.” 

He said her pursuit of confidential law enforcement information 

could not be regarded as being free from malice or 

manipulation. 

“Essentially, what the vice president has done is to embarrass 

our country,” Panelo added. Robredo’s spokesman said 

she would make a statement on Monday. 

Human rights groups have accused the police of systematic 

executions and cover-ups. The government has rejected that.



NASI 

I, formerly known as Nasi 

Goodluck, now wish to be 

known as Nasi Dummene 

Goodluck. All former 

documents remain valid. 

General public please take 

note. 

AKINGBADE 

I, formerly known as 

Akingbade Motunrayo Abike, 

now wish to be known as 

Oyeniyi Motunrayo Abike. All 

former documents remain 

valid. General public please 

take note. 

EKWEVUGBE 

I, formerly known as Miss 

Ekwevugbe Emeterele 

Monica, now wish to be 

known as Mrs. Aren Emeterele 

Monica. All former documents 

remain valid. General public 

please take note. 

NWAMBA 

I, formerly known and 

addressed as Miss Nwamba 

Christabel Ekeoma, now wish 

to be known and addressed as 

Mrs. Ugwu Christabel 

Ekeoma. All former 



note. 

OGHENEBROZE 

I bear Avwenagha Sophia in 

my BVN, but now wish to add 

Oghenebroze to my BVN. I 

now wish to be known as 

Avwenagha Oghenebroze 

Sophia. All documents remain 

valid. General public take 

note. 

NWASOKWU 


Nwasokwu Ifeoma Favour, 

now wish to be known as Mrs 

Obinna Ifeoma Favour. All 


valid. General public should 


ABIDDE 


Abidde Zidiegha, now wish to 

be known as Mrs. Zidiegha 

Ofume. All former documents 



AKUCHI 

I, formerly known as Akuchi 

Victor Amaechi, now wish to 

be known as Onyemaechi 

Victor Chidi. All former 



note. 

ONOVOSA 


Mamus Onovosa, now wish to 

be known as Mrs Mamus 

Megbele. All former 



note. 

IHEDIOHA 

I, formerly known as 

Miss Ihedioha Imelda 

Chinyere, now wish to be 

known as Mrs. Ibe Imelda 

Chinyere. All former 



note. 

OKONJI 

MONICA 

CYNTHIA 

I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Monica I, formerly known as Miss 

Dorathy Chiamaka Okonji, Augustine Afangideh, now wish Onyeyiriuche Nneoma 

now wish to be known as Mrs. 

Onyeka Cynthia, now wish to 

to be known as Ndipmong 

be known as Mrs. Offorma 

Dorathy Chiamaka Nwanga. Augustine Afangideh. All 

Nneoma Onyeka . All former 

All former documents remain former documents remain documents remain valid. 

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

take note. 

take note. 

note. 

IBUKUN 

BENBELLA 

CHRISTOPHER 

I, formerly known as Miss This is to confirm that the names I, formerly known as 

Olayinka Ibukun Ogundare, Abasiekong Benbella Itata and Okwufulueze Christopher 

now wish to be known as Mrs. Abasiekong Ben Itata belong to Udoka, now wish to be known 

one and same person, but now 

Olayinka Ademidun Adepoju. 

as Dadson Chrisevergreen 

wish to be known and addressed 

All former documents remain 

Udoka. All former documents 

as Abasiekong Ben Itata. All 

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

take note. 

General public please take note. please take note. 

HITLER 

AGU 

ODO 

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

Hitler Oghogho Rose, now 

addressed as Miss Agu Ujunwa addressed as Miss Odo Linda 

Justina, now wish to be known Uzo now wish to be known 

wish to be known as Mrs. Pere 

and addressed as Mrs. Eze and addressed as Mrs. Amara 

Oghogho Rose. All former Ujunwa Justina. All former Uzoma Linda. All former 

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

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

note. 

note. 

note. 

OLAKANLE ISMAILA BECKY 

My name was wrongly written as I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

Olakanle Ibrahim Omobolaji addressed as Ismaila Musa, addressed as Barnabas Becky 

instead of Olakanye Ibrahim now wish to be known and Muntas, now wish to be known 

Mobolaji which is my correct name, 

addressed as Sumaila Musa. All 

and addressed as Rebecca 

that the correction of name is due to 

Barnabas Muntas. All former 

my bank verification number (BVN) . former documents remain 


All former documents remain valid. valid. General public please 


Banks, General public please take take note. 

note. 

note. 

OGOCHUKWU ENEGIDE EZUMEZU 

ORJI 

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

addressed as Anochi addressed as Ezumezu Joy Nwamaka Orji, now wish to be 

Ogochukwu Ben, now wish to Anwili, now wish to be known known as Mrs Sally Nwamaka 

be known and addressed as and addressed as Benard Joy Orji- Nwankwo. All former 

Anochi Christian. All former 

Anwili. All former documents documents remain valid. 

documents remain valid. First 

remain valid. General public General public should please 

Bank Plc and general public 



take note. 

JECINTA 

RHODA 

GAFAR 

My name was wrongly written I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

as Jecinta Awuja, instead of 

addressed as Rhoda Elekwa, addressed as Alimot Shadia 

now wish to be known and 

Juliet Awuja, which is my 

Gafar, now wish to be known 

addressed as Linda Elekwa 

correct name. All former Onyeka. All former 

and addressed as Aare Alimot 

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

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

note. 

note. 


TORERE 

MOSURO 

EKUNODE 

I, formerly known as Orotoma I, formerly known and I, formerly known and 

Blessing, now wish to be addressed Miss Mosuro Aishat addressed Miss Omolara Grace 

Oluwabusola, now wish to be Ekunode, now wish to be 

known as Mrs. Torere 

known and addressed as Mrs. known and addressed as Mrs. 

Orotoma Blessing. All former Yusuf Aishat Oluwabusola. All Omolara Grace Ige. All former 

documents remain valid. former documents remain documents remain valid. 

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

note. 

take note. 

note. 

OGUNODE 

EZE 

BROWNING 

I, formerly known as Miss Eze I, formerly known as Miss Gift 


Oluchukwu Gladys, now wish 

Ayebaesin Browning, now wish 

Ogunode Tola Christiana , now 

to be known as Mrs. Gift Isaac 

to be known as Mrs. Reuben 

wish to be known as Mrs. Ilori 

Eyedoude. All documents 

Oluchukwu Gladys. All former 

Tola Christiana. All former 

bearing my former name still 

documents remain valid. remain valid. General public, 



General public please take and all relevant authorities 

note. 

note. 


NWAFOR 

GBONESO OG 

OBILOR 

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


Chidimma Esther Nwafor, now Mabel Omagbanuwaje Gboneso, 

Obilor 

Constance 

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

Chinemerem, now wish to be 

Chidimma Esther Obinozie. All Mabel Omagbanuwaje Kpiasi. 

known as Mrs Uzoma 

former documents remain All former documents remain 

Constance Chinemerem. All 

valid. General public please valid. General public please take 


take note. 

note. 

valid. General public take note. 

IHEKA 

EKOBE 

UFUOMA 


I, formerly known as Miss I, formerly known as Okotie 

Ekobe Andris Eyewumi Emmanuel, now wish to be 

Iheka Chikodili Edith, now 

Newname, now wish to be known as Okotie Emmanuel 

wish to be known as Miss 

known as Mrs Onyema Andris Ufuoma. All former documents 

Ebubeogu Chikodili Edith. All Oghenebrorhen. All former 

remain valid. Banks, authority 

former documents remain documents remain valid. 

valid. General public please 

concerned and general public 


take note. 

note. 

take note. 

Lafarge Africa launches 

Ember ‘Buy & Win’ 

consumer promo 

IN line with its 

commitment to 

sustainably create value and 

impact the lives of its loyal 

customers, Lafarge Africa 

Plc has announced the 

launch of its Ember ‘Buy & 

Win’ consumer promo. 

The promo, which started 

in October and will run till 

the end of December, was 

launched to show 

appreciation to loyal 

customers and also change 

the dynamics of 

promotions in Nigeria. 

In a statement in Lagos, 

Gbenga Onimowo, the 

company’s Commercial 

Director said: ‘We are truly 

excited at this promo 

aimed at rewarding our 

valued customers and 

thanking them for their 

unwavering support in 

ensuring that our range of 

cement products remains 

the first choice for 

construction purposes 

across the country. The 

promo process is very 

simple and transparent. 

Buy any trade brand of 

Lafarge cement bag, find 

a scratch card inside, what 

you find when you scratch 

the card is what you win 

instantly. It is unique, it 

allows more Nigerians to 

participate and be instant 

FairMoney out with ‘No Excuses’ 

campaign 

FAIRMONEY, 

the 

mobile bank for 

emerging markets, said its 

running the ‘No Excuses’ 

campaign to encourage 

individuals and small 

businesses to take 

advantage of its loan 

offering of N1,500 to 

N150,000. 

Explaining the idea 

ORUMA 


Oruma Patience , now wish to 

be known as Mrs. Emiko 

Patience. All former 



note. 

OBI 


Ugoma Precious Obi, now wish 

to be known as Mrs Mone 

Precious Ugoma. All former 



note. 

ASAGBA 


Asagba Beatrice, now wish to 

be known as Mrs. Ogadje 

Beatrice. All former documents 



AROJEDON 

I, formerly known as Arojedon 

Promise, now wish to be known 

as Mrs. Mayor Promise. All 


valid. General public please take 

note. 

:Vanguard News 

winners. 

‘Our customers are at the 

heart of what we do; 

without them, the 

commercial cycle is 

incomplete and our ability 

to remain in business 

becomes impossible. To 

grow our business, we are 

committed to constantly 

create value in terms of 

quality product and 

service, and continuously 

explore sustainable ways 

to impact their lives 

positively.'' 

The promo, which will 

run across the South East 

and South West regions of 

Nigeria is approved by 

Consumer Protection 

Council (CPC) and 

National Lottery 

Regulatory Commission 

(NLRC) and Lagos State 

Lottery Board (LSLB). 

Explaining the objective 

of the promo, the Trade 

Marketing Manager- 

Western Operations, Itune 

John-Eze said, The Ember 

“Buy & Win” consumer 

promo is our way of 

thanking our esteemed 

consumers for their loyalty 

and patronage over the 

past months. She added 

that the promo is available 

to all Lafarge trade brands 

-Classic and Supaset. 

behind the ‘No Excuses’ 

campaign, Head of Direct 

Marketing, FairMoney, 

Seun Oratokhai, said: 

“From our research we 

learnt that most individuals 

and small business owners 

in need of a quick loan first 

approach their family and 

friends, or a commercial 

bank. Unfortunately, they 

may get a long list of 

excuses such as ‘I wish you 

asked yesterday,’ ‘I 

borrowed what I am 

spending,’ and so on. 

Many of them also struggle 

to meet the requirements of 

commercial banks, such as 

collateral 

and 

documentation. 

“Our guarantee to 

prospective borrowers is 

that, if they satisfy the 

eligibility criteria, there 

are ‘No Excuses’ in 

securing a loan from 

FairMoney. We are also 

not asking for any 

documents or collateral. 

All FairMoney requires 

are a few personal details, 

the customer’s BVN and 

bank details. 

“Securing a loan with 

FairMoney is easy and can 

be done in a few quick 

steps. Firstly, the applicant 

must download the 

FairMoney app from the 

Google Playstore. The 

applicant can sign up using 

their telephone number 

and answer a few questions 

to get a loan in only five 

minutes. Funds are 

disbursed instantly and, 

depending on the loan 

offer, can be repaid in one, 

two or three instalments 

easily within the app. 

Repayment options include 

ATM, USSD and debit card.

C 

M 

Y 

K 


Jonathan blasts 

lecturers rigging 

elections for 

politicians 

Continues from page 5 

without fear. In our days, 

students didn’t have to 

bother about their safety 

while on campus at any 

time of day. This is no 

longer the case. 

“No nation can develop 

if it does not find answers 

to such an unfortunate 

state of affairs in an 

environment where we 

groom our future leaders. 

It is apt to say that 

character which is 

manifested in the virtues 

of honesty, integrity and 

courage, is the strength 

of education. A society 

profits more when the 

recipients of knowledge 

are led by these traits to 

positively influence their 

environment.’’ 

In his speech, entitled 

“the academia, good 

governance and nation 

building”, Jonathan 

noted the importance of 

the academia in nation 

building and urged them 

to be dedicated and 

discharge their duty 

diligently. 

“I always feel excited 

whenever I am asked to 

share my thoughts on 

issues pertaining to 

nation-building and good 

governance. This is 

consistent with my 

personal philosophy of 

promoting credible 

elections and peaceful 

transfer of power in the 

interest of peace and 

development in Africa. 

“In most countries, the 

academia plays a pivotal 

role in nation building 

and good governance. 

This is because as a 

critical segment of the 

society, the academia is a 

community of persons 

within the education 

sector who are engaged 

in intellectual tasks such 

as research, teaching 

and other relevant 

activities that advance 

the course of human 

knowledge and 

development. The 

university is a place 

where new concepts are 

formulated. 

“By its special position, 

the academia is mostly 

responsible for the 

training and grooming of 

members of every 

society’s workforce, to 

such an extent that most 

professions depend and 

rely on their wisdom, 

standards and practices 

to function effectively. 

“It is this pivotal role 

that has placed members 

of the academia in the 

pole position as torchbearers 

towards good 

governance and nation 

building. 

‘’In Nigeria, across 

different fields and 

disciplines, the task for 

the academia is to 

leverage this special 

position and become key 

drivers in the nation’s 

journey towards 

stability and prosperity. 

‘’They can do this 

through transformative 

academic curricula, 

innovations, 

development theories 

and ethical solutions 

that will transform our 

society and sharpen the 

course of our national 

life.’’ 

He advised the 

students “to go forth and 

show the light of the 

knowledge that you 

acquired in the past 

years, as you prime 

yourself for the task of 

national service and 

nation building. 

“I am also charging 

you that your ambition 

should not be limited to 

your nation alone. You 

should aspire to play big 

on the global stage. The 

seed of greatness and 

sufficiency has been 

planted in you. You have 

been watered on the soil 

of success. Now it is left 

for you to ensure that 

the seed not only 

germinates in you but 

also grows to bear good 

fruits. 

“As you go to the 

larger society to aspire 

to live your dreams, do 

not expect that life will 

be so easy. It will not be 

out of place to face 

challenges on some 

fronts. I must caution 

that some of you will be 

tempted to despair by 

conflicting realities. It is 

only through the 

strength of your 

character and faith in 

God that you will 

triumph over the 

challenges of life. 

“The solutions to the 

troubles of our land are 

with many of you seated 

here. So do not hesitate 

to offer yourself as an 

agent of transformation. 

One thing is clear: 

opportunities abound in 

the midst of adversity. To 

the un-discerning, 

difficulties are moments 

to despair but to the 

courageous and 

enlightened, it is an 

opportunity to excel.’’ 

37million Nigerians now have unique identity —OSINBAJO 

By Olawale Gabriel 

VICE 

President 

Yemi Osinbajo has 

restated the federal 

government’s 

commitment to financial 

inclusion, delivery of 

social programmes to 

the remotest parts of the 

country, and creation of 

more effective e- 

commerce opportunities. 

Speaking during the 

graduation ceremony of 

the Senior Executive 

Course 41 of 2019, 

National Institute For 

Policy And Strategic 

Studies, NIPSS, 

weekend, Osinbajo said 

to actualize this desire, 

government had 

successfully registered 

more than 37 million 

Nigerians. 

He said: “In 2015, we 

began to harmonize 

existing databases of 

government bodies. So 

far, the harmonization 

process has increased 

the records of Nigerians 

in the central identity 

database from 7 million 

to more than 37 million. 

“We are adopting an 

approach similar to the 

Indian Aadhaar model, 

aiming to provide all 

Nigerians with a unique 

identity by leveraging 

the existing enrolment 

facilities of Government 

Agencies such as the 

Immigration, the 

Federal Road Safety 

Commission, INEC, 

CBN (through BVN 

registration) and 

enforcing this enrolment 

of Nigerians for the 

National Identification 

Number (NIN) so that 

we have accurate and 

up-to-date information 

UNIVERSITY ANNIVERSARY —From left: Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Prof. 

Christian Anieke; former President Goodluck Jonathan; and Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, 

during the 10th anniversary celebration of the university in Enugu on Saturday. Photo: NAN. 

on our citizens.” 

Osinbajo disclosed that 

the N-Power programme, 

which remained the 

largest post-tertiary 

employment and skills 

development exercise in 

Africa, was a tribute to 

the effective use of 

locally built and 

deployed technology 

platform which enabled 

government to screen 

and test millions of 

applicants, engage and 

train 500,000 young men 

and women. 

“These young men and 

women are assisting 

with the shortfall of 

teachers in primary 

schools across every 

Local Government Area 

in the country, as well as 

providing agriculture 

extension services and 

public health services. 

"Their training and 

instructions have been 

largely technologydriven 

either through 

materials contained in 

their hand-held devices 

or materials available on 

the digital platform 

available for their use. 

“Our administration 

had to envision the future 

with a dose of 

imagination and 

innovation. We know that 

to thrive, our country 

needs the fusion of 

creative minds and 

creative enterprises on a 

scale that would make 

significant national and 

global impression. And 

that’s why N-Power 

Creative was conceived," 

he said. 

Osinbajo urged the 

NIPSS to focus its 

subsequent studies on 

Senate moves to include constituency 

projects in annual budget 

By Henry Umoru 

A Senate BUJA—THE 

has begun 

moves to ensure that 

constituency projects 

initiated by federal 

lawmakers were included 

in the nation’s yearly 

budget as presented by 

the President to the 

National Assembly. 

Against this backdrop, 

the Senate has introduced 

a new bill that seeks to 

ensure that specific 

portion of the federal 

annual budget was 

devoted to the 

constituencies for the 

purpose of infrastructure 

development, wealth 

creation and the fight 

against poverty at the 

constituency level. 

The new bill, titled 

“Constituency Projects( 

Budgetary Provisions) 

Bill, 2019(SB170), is 

sponsored by the Deputy 

Chairman, Senate 

Committee on 

Appropriations, Senator 

Stella Oduah, Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Anambra North, and was 

read the first time at the 

hallowed Chamber. 

According to Oduah, as 

from the commencement 

of the Act, there shall be 

a provision for 

constituency projects in 

the annual budget of the 

federation by a minimum 

of 20 per cent. 

She said the number of 

projects to be included in 

the constituency projects 

submission form shall be 

a minimum of five and a 

maximum of 20 for every 

constituency in each 

financial year, adding 

that a joint project might 

be constructed for the 

benefit of two or more of 

the 

members’ 

constituencies subject to 

the approval of the 

National Assembly in 

those constituencies. 

On the object and 

purpose of the Act, 

Senator Oduah in the 

document obtained by 

Vanguard, said: “The 

provisions of this Act shall 

apply, as more specifically 

provided for in the Act, 

and shall ensure that 

specific portion of the 

federal annual budget is 

devoted to the 

constituencies for 

purposes of infrastructure 

development, wealth 

creation and the fight 

against poverty at the 

constituency level. 

“The list of proposed 

constituency projects to be 

covered by this Act shall 

be submitted by the 

member of the National 

Assembly representing 

that constituency. The 

member shall submit the 

project proposal to the 

Appropriation Committee 

for input into the budget. 

“The list of projects shall 

be submitted on Standard 

Constituency Projects 

submission form set out in 

the Schedule to this Bill. 

All Projects to every 

Constituency shall be 

listed in the form together 

with the amount allocated 

the need to attain some 

level of understanding 

of how to implement and 

get things done. 

He said: “NIPSS must 

graduate from “thinktank” 

to “do-tank”. Once 

we are able to do that, 

we are on our way. The 

problem of Nigeria has 

never been a shortage of 

ideas, there is no policy 

that has never been 

thought of, but the 

problem has always been 

implementation." 

to such project. For every 

project listed in the form 

there shall be attached a 

Standard Project 

Description Form set out 

in the Schedule to this 

Act.” 

The senator, who noted 

in the new bill that the 

project must be 

community-based, said: 

“Projects under this Act 

shall be community-based 

in order to ensure that the 

prospective benefits are 

available to a widespread 

cross- section of the 

inhabitants of a particular 

area. 

“Any funding under this 

Act shall be for a complete 

project or a defined 

phase of a project and 

may include the 

acquisition of land and 

buildings. 

“All Projects shall be 

projects as defined under 

this Act and may include 

costs related to studies, 

planning and design or 

other technical input for 

the project, but shall not 

include recurrent costs of 

a facility."


By Clifford Ndujihe & 

Chiebuka Ndujihe 

AS a lawyer with over 50 

years at the bar, what is 

your take on the hate 

speech bill being 

considered by the Senate? 

It is not the first time it is 

being introduced. It was 

introduced in the 8th Assembly 

it was shot down and has now 

been brought back in the 9th 

Assembly. It is a bill that is 

dead on arrival because these 

are abnormalities. Even the 

people who are promoting it 

should be the first to be killed 

or hanged. You have to define 

what is hate speech, describe 

when it was made, who takes 

the decision and who kills and 

so on. Those who are 

promoting hate speech bill 

have been guilty of hate speech 

in the last 10 years. They 

should be killed first. There are 

things you tell a child and the 

child will look at you and say 

how can you be telling me this 

when you are guilty of it, you 

are not a good teacher. 

The bill is very retrogressive 

and the rest of the world is 

laughing at us, that is why 

Nigeria is almost a failed state. 

His take on the closure of 

land borders by the Federal 

Government 

The land borders of Nigeria 

have not been totally closed, 

only a section has been closed, 

you can say from Badagry up 

to the East have been closed 

which are adjacent to other 

West Africa countries but from 

there you go up to Niger the 

borders are very open. Trailers, 

vehicles bring in rice, and some 

of these vehicles are controlled 

by some para-military and 

police vehicles. We have seen 

the videos. Some of those 

videos are true. 

When you look at it, it’s an 

albatross and therefore causes 

more friction between Nigeria 

and neighbouring countries. 

Why do we sign the agreement 

on African free trade and all 

that, when we cannot even 

implement the terms? If there 

is problem between Nigerian 

officials and those of 

neighbouring countries, we 

should have made efforts first 

to resolve it in a civilized 

manner and then implement it 

in accordance with the treaties 

that have been documented 

and signed. If people on the 

other side are cheating us, we 

print it out and show them that 

they are actually cheating us, 

they cannot deny it. A situation 

where you close borders, 

Yoruba in the East cannot 

communicate with Yoruba in the 

West because of this artificial 

boundary created by the 

colonialists, is wrong. They 

cannot visit their kindred, they 

cannot even purchase food, 

agricultural produce and so 

on. 

At the president’s home town, 

Daura, the border is open. You 

see petroleum tankers moving 

in and out. Is that smuggling? 

It’s not, it’s free entry. You go 

through the border and nobody 

asks you who are you? Where 

are your documents? This is 

one of the things making 

HATE SPEECH: 

Proponents of the bill'll 

be killed first — IKOKWU 

ELDER Statesman, lawyer, and Second Republic Politician, 

Chief Guy Ikokwu, 83, in this interview shares his thoughts 

on the state of the nation and the way forward. He warned 

that the level of hunger in Nigeria is scary, the country 

already in state of anarchy and urgent measures must be 

taken to pull the country from the precipice. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

•Hate Speech Bill is dead on arrival 

•Proponents of hate speech guilty of proposed law 

•Why Nigerians are frustrated 

•Level of hunger in Nigeria is scary 

•Nigeria already in state of anarchy 

•Why Nigeria can’t afford to fail 

•How FG set Lagos back 

•Why Supreme Court verdict on presidential poll is raising 

dust 

Nigeria a failed nation and a 

failed state. 

On the state of the nation 

and controversies trailing the 

Kogi and Bayelsa 

governorship elections 

The problem we have in 

Nigeria is how to advance our 

democracy, and democratic 

excellence is not something 

that just comes once; it is a 

developmental process, and it 

takes time. You learn from your 

experience and improve on it. 

Many Nigerians today are 

still disappointed because the 

experience of our performances 

in the recent past, in the last 

20 years has not elevated our 

status as a country that is 

progressing. 

Our experience in politics in 

Nigeria today is not a 

sustainable one. Nigeria is 

believed to be the largest 

country in Africa and we did 

not make it so, God made it so. 

We don’t even know our 

population; it’s all a result of 

guess work, guessmatics. 

Some say 160 million, some say 

180 million and some say 200 

million. 

The decay 

Look at Nigeria with all the 

universities that we have; there 

was a time we had only three 

universities but we had more 

intellectual progress at that 

time than today when we have 

more than 70 universities 

littering everywhere. In those 

days when we had three or four 

universities and three or four 

hospitals, people from Asia, 

Saudi Arabia, etc. were coming 

to Nigeria for medicals, 

medical tourism, to get cured, 

but it is no longer so today 

instead Nigerians are the ones 

going out for medical tourism. 

There was a time when we 

used to have very colourful 

dances, cultural displays, 

carnivals, which attracted a lot 

of tourists from abroad like 

the Durbar, like what we have 

in the riverine areas. They 

were colourful. 

Today, there are many 

countries that their GDP is 

almost 10% richer through 

tourism because when 

foreigners come to their 

country, they come with foreign 

exchange. 

Nigerians ‘re frustrated 

These things are very akin to 

the democratic process, 

electoral process and so on and 

most Nigerians today have 

become frustrated that we are 

not making progress; that 

Nigeria is no longer the 

shining light of West Africa or 

Africa. It is so much that you 

find people in South Africa, like 

late Nelson Mandela 

regretting, he had been in 

Nigeria and without Nigeria 

they (South Africa) would not 

have been liberated from the 

yolk of apartheid. 

Nigerians today are 

frustrated because internally 

we are not making progress. 

Talking about elections, most 

Nigerians will rather not vote 

because the voting process is 

not clean, and transparent. If 

it were credible, there would 

not be problem. 

In advanced countries, you 

can go online and vote, you 

can finish the election in half a 

day. There are even areas you 

have early voting. There are 

countries that have diaspora 

voting. It has not been possible 

to extend this to Nigerians 

abroad. So, when you talk of 

election, Nigerians in the 

Diaspora are frustrated. The 

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, 

tells us that Nigerians in 

Diaspora are sending more 

than 20 billion dollars to the 

Nigerian economy, and what 

do they get for it? Not much. 

So, elections are just a cause 

for frustration for our people. 

People do not expect much from 

it. To return to the time of 

progress, the path of 

sustainability where we give 

more than we take from the 

system, we have to change the 

governance system of Nigeria. 

We have to go back to what our 

founding fathers called true 

federalism. 

True federalism means a 

federal structure where you 

have a heterogeneous group of 

people. Why should a 

heterogeneous group be ruled 

today in a dictatorial manner? 

And then you change the 

constitution of the country to 

unitary constitution. There is 

no such thing in 

jurisprudence, political or 

legal, as unitary federalism. 

At a meeting of no fewer than 

12,000 lawyers we had a month 

ago in Lagos, I asked a 

question: ‘Can you please 

define for us the meaning of 

unitary federalism?’ Nobody 

could answer, everybody was 

laughing. The present Chief 

Justice of Nigeria was there, 

the Attorney General of Nigeria 

was there, everybody was just 

laughing. 

So why can’t you do the 

simple things first, and do the 

other things later? That is why 

we say education, education, 

and education. The best thing 

you can give to Nigeria is high 

quality education. The next 

thing you have to give to 

Nigeria is liberal democratic 

system, where different 

cultures will be raised and 

optimized, where there would 

be freedom of speech, freedom 

of movement, and rule of law. 

If you devolve the powers that 

are now heavily weighted on 

the federal government to the 

states, to the people, who are 

the origin of sovereignty, the 

people will now take things up 

to another level. 

Once you do that, you will 

find out that to be the president 

of Nigeria is no longer a door-die 

affair. A situation where 

you go to an election and you 

see what happened in Kogi, 

can you imagine how many 

people were killed and still 

being killed? Look at the lady 

(PDP Woman leader) that was 

just killed the other day. Her 

house was burnt by young 

boys, thugs you call them, but 

these thugs did not originate 

themselves, people hired them, 

and gave them money, and 

guns. 

Continues on page


Proponents of Hate 

Speech Bill'll be killed 

first — IKOKWU 

Continued from page 42 

These are issues that if not 

properly handled with reorientation 

will pull Nigeria 

down. Let me say it as a matter 

of fact, Nigeria is already 

down, Nigeria is gradually 

becoming a failed state. The last 

four budgets of Nigeria failed 

on arrival and the present 2019 

budget has already failed. 

How? 

You cannot sustain a budget 

based on borrowed money, 

where the country is owing 

more money abroad than 

internally generated fund, the 

World Bank and IMF from 

whom we borrow have told us. 

So why don’t we listen? 

So, what Nigeria needs 

immediately is good 

leadership. Good leadership 

means a good governance 

situation; good governance 

situation means the rule of law 

and rule of law is such that is 

against dictatorship and 

dictatorial tendencies. People 

must have their say but the 

majority will have their way but 

you can’t just form a majority 

without allowing people to 

identify where they are whether 

they are for minus or for plus,. 

These are the issues for 

Nigeria, but it is so frustrating 

that today there is a state of 

anarchy in Nigeria whether we 

like it or not. The 

unemployment situation in 

Nigeria is very scary. The 

hunger in Nigeria is too much, 

the cost of living is such that it 

is no longer affordable for the 

ordinary Nigerian. 

Is the world wrong when they 

tell us from statistics that 

Nigeria has become the 

poverty capital of the world? 

Those who live in abject 

poverty are about 87%, so 

industries cannot thrive when 

there are crooks embedded 

inside, even families cannot 

progress when the children are 

bereft of the basic necessities 

of life. 

They say a hungry man is an 

angry man. Nigerians today 

are hungry so they are angry. 

When there is anger in the land, 

there is a lot of criminality. 

When there is criminality in the 

land, there will be instability. 

Now, the leadership is 

comatose, absolutely comatose, 

and a leadership that is 

absolutely comatose whether in 

the family or society or 

otherwise cannot elevate the 

people from their current 

hardship. That is why Nigeria 

has become the laughing stock 

in West Africa 

Today, when you tell a young 

Nigerian that a few decades 

ago the Nigerian money was 

more sustainable than the 

dollar, he would say no. There 

was a time when the Nigerian 

naira or the pound as it was 

called then was higher than 

the US dollar, you could go to 

London with only 20 pounds, 

but now you need a million. 

We are supposed to be the 

leading lights. When our 

people are made election 

monitors in South Africa, and 

other places they see that 

election is done in one day, the 

results are released the same 

day, latest the next morning, 

the elections are credible and 

they use modern means of 

calculating electronically. How 

can a country like Nigeria 

where we have more 

telephones, electronic devices 

and on the average more 

people on the internet than 

any other African country not 

conduct a credible election by 

just going and voting? 

After voting at a polling booth 

where you know the result, 

what is the problem of 

transmitting it with modern 

gadgets to a central station, 

where in a matter of one or two 

hours you get the whole 

result? Why do we deceive 

ourselves?How can you go to 

an election where you were 

hoping that things would be 

done electronically and then 

you refuse to sign it, and yet 

we spent billions of dollars to 

get that system into Nigeria? 

On dependence on crude oil 

In the next two decades 

nobody is going to be talking 

of oil. The way things are 

moving now, Nigeria will soon 

become the dumping ground 

for diesel and petrol vehicles 

because other countries are 

now advancing into electric 

cars, battery-powered. Why 

can’t we advance ourselves? 

Even in places like Uganda, 

there are about three 

companies there now, they take 

old vehicles, remove the 

engines and install their 

electronic battery and it works. 

So, Nigeria will soon become 

a dumping ground for these 

old vehicles. If we are futuristic, 

we have the capacity to, in the 

next eight years, turn all the 

petroleum powered engines to 

battery. We have the intellectual 

capacity to do so but we are not 

doing what we can for the 

future generation. 

If we do not do that, we are 

doomed and if we are doomed, 

Nigeria is a failed country. If 

Nigeria becomes a failed 

country, woe becomes the fate 

of Africa and the Black race. 

So, in Nigeria, let’s put our 

thinking caps on. If we are able 

to put our thinking caps on, 

Nigeria will become an 

epitome of the Black race. 

Let me say it 

as a matter of 

fact, Nigeria 

is already 

down, 

Nigeria is 

gradually 

becoming a 

failed state 

Are you saying that e- 

voting would have 

improved the Bayelsa and 

Kogi polls? 

Kogi and Bayelsa are part of 

the Nigerian democracy 

revolution. If you look at the 

Bayelsa poll, there are issues, 

the former president is not even 

recognized in his own local 

government or senatorial 

district, because of the 

Nigerian factor he had to move 

up to Abuja and to talk to his 

adversaries. 

When you analyse Governor 

Seriake Dickson and the 

person he gave the mandate, 

you will find that they have 

maternal relationship, these are 

not the things that will elevate 

any democratic system. And 

then you go to Kogi, how can 

you return a governor that is 

owing the citizens 30 months 

salary? 

So, the leadership in Nigeria, 

the system in Nigeria has not 

given the Nigerian people the 

capacity to excel from their 

present intolerable 

subjugation and now we are 

close to absolute anarchy and 

total unrest. Is it when we start 

killing ourselves and human 

meat becomes cheaper than 

cow, that we will realize that 

we are human beings? 

His take on the Supreme 

Court ruling on the 2019 

presidential election 

Looking at what happened to 

the presidential election in 

Nigeria and the Supreme 

Court judgement, some 

lawyers argue that under the 

laws that the Supreme Court 

judgement must be rendered 

and given 60 days from when 

the petition got to the court of 

appeal, but the one they did 

was 64 days. 

This means the judgement 

and the reasons by each of the 

seven judges did not come in 

tandem with the prescribed 

rules. Does it render it as 

nullity? This is an issue 

trending among lawyers, and 

there are cases to support it. 

So, if you get to this position, 

who will now interpret the 

rules, is it another Supreme 

Court or is it a lower court? Can 

you now go back to Supreme 

Court to set another panel 

judges to look at it? If the new 

panel of said the judgement of 

the first panel is a nullity, then 

what happens? It means we 

don’t have a government. It 

means we did not have an 

election, you have no result so 

we go back to a new 

presidential election. 

You see that the situation in 

Nigeria is intellectually 

morbid. It becomes so 

argumentative, 

On the way forward and 

advice to Nigerians 

We are at the precipice. We 

as Nigerians should not take 

the wrong step forward now 

because we are at the 

precipice. Any wrong step at 

the precipice will lead to a free 

fall and a free fall is injurious. 

We have to gradually, carefully 

and meticulously move away 

from the precipice and I will 

keep saying this, we have to 

realize ancient realities that 

keep us together. 

The realities that keep us 

together are one that we are a 

heterogeneous people, 

different languages, different 

cultures, different religions, 

different standard of living, 

different education, different 

lifestyles and once that is done 

and we recognize it, then we 

can now see the binding factors 

that will make us an entity to 

move forward. 

You can have six or seven 

children in the family but you 

can’t say that the six children 

are one, they have different 

intelligence capacity, different 

health status, different 

personalities; once you 

recognize it, as a parent 

children that have deficiencies 

you bring them up. These are 

things that are recognisable. 

If you turn a blind eye and 

do not recognize the inherent 

deficiencies in the nation, you 

are wasting your time. It has 

happened in other countries, 

Nigeria will break up by itself, 

not by any ordained structures. 

Soviet Union broke up, Europe 

broke up, Asia broke up even 

India broke up 

If we do not learn from history 

what happened in these 

countries, how can we say we 

are exceptional that what 

happened there will not 

happen here? It is a fallacy, you 

cannot live a life of fallacy, that 

is the problem we have now. 

What will happen will happen, 

how it happens will not be too 

different from what happened 

elsewhere, especially when 

you have common factors. 

In Ethiopia, they use Chinese 

technocrats to build their trains, 

fast trains and in two years they 

have developed and built them. 

In Nigeria, the same 

contractors are still doing it 

after 10 years. Some like the 

one in Rivers State has been 

abandoned; the one in Lagos 

here is supposed to run from 

Badagry to Lagos, but only the 

section from Mile 2 is being 

done, you now have about eight 

Chinese workers with some 

Nigerians putting rods and 

doing cement work. 

It is a job that should have 

been finished within three 

years, but it has already run a 

decade and the cost is times 

four if not more. 

How FG set Lagos back 

The current leadership in 

Nigeria cancelled what would 

have been a modern rail system 

in Lagos State during the 

administration of Alhaji Lateef 

Jakande as governor. The 

consultancy was done, I know 

the company that did it, I was 

their legal adviser, 

Dalhandasal. They had done 

it, everything, the capital work 

signed and they were to get on 

with the work but the current 

president when he came as a 

military head of state, said it 

should be cancelled. But we 

had paid all the consultancy 

fees and so on, you can’t ask 

the consultant to refund. 

These are the things that have 

drawn us back, that we cannot 

have a progressive quantum 

leap. In the past three or four 

decades we have not had a 

quantum leap, it’s as simple as 

that. You cannot keep betraying 

the fact, so instead of growing 

we are retrogressing, and 

when you retrogress so much 

after sometime you become a 

failed nation. It is already a 

failed state because we are the 

poverty capital of the world. 

These are things we have to 

look at and we are just hoping 

that by our deliberate actions, 

we can liberate ourselves and 

our people from this comatose 

situation. To say the situation 

is not comatose is a lie and you 

don’t need a lie detector.

44— Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

MEDIA BRIEFING: From left, On-Trade Manager, Ekulo Group of Companies, 

Tagbo Helen; Supervisor, Adesuwa Henry; GM, Southern Sun, Ikoyi, 

Mark Loxley; Administration Manager, DISTELL Wine & Spirit Nigeria Limited, 

Steve Eyanimo, and DGM, Southern Sun Ikoyi, Cliff Shiridzinodya, at 

the Media briefing for the upcoming Southern Sun Ikoyi 8th Annual Good 

Day, held in Lagos. 

MEETING: Enugu State Commissioner for Police, Ahmad Abdurrahman, 

flanked by other heads of security agencies in the state after meeting with 

them over the security and safety of the people of the state especially during 

the yuletide and New Year periods. 

BREAKFAST: From left — Mrs. Temitope Tomori, Tutor, Youngold Montessori 

Schools; Mr. Sunday Oyegun, Tutor, Youngold Montessori Schools; Toyin 

Popoola-Dania, Category Development and Activation Manager, PZ Wilmar 

Ltd.; Mrs. Oluwateye Olatunji, Director of Studies, Youngold Montessori 

Schools; and Miss Folaranmi Kikiowo, HOD, Youngold Montessori Schools; 

during the Mamador Breakfast school activation at Youngold Montessori 

Schools, Lagos. 

editor@yahoo.com 

Border closure and our 

failed sea port 

Any government seriously 

interested in steering genuine 

importers away from the porous and 

ungoverned land borders must tackle 

the situation at the sea port head on 

because the situation at the nations 

major sea ports, especially Lagos port 

is a disgrace. Assessment to terminal 

delivery order takes several stages, 

the scanners that could have made 

things faster, cheaper and more 

transparent have all broken down 

and those profiting from the 

breakdown appear not to be in any 

hurry to fix them. The nightmare that 

awaits the importers along Apapa- 

Oshodi expressway is worrisome; The 

federal government should open 

other sea ports across the country 

and put in policies that will revive our 

corrupt system and lost glory. 

Barr Emeka writes from FCT, Abuja 

State should have just one 

senator 

Former governor Rocha’s Okorocha 

has really earned my respect with a 

recent comment he made on the floor 

of the Senate; saying that Nigeria 

does not need more than one senator 

per state to function. Yes, I honestly 

concur with him! It is an insensitive 

person who will claim not to know that 

one of the major problems facing 

Nigeria is the high cost of running 

governments at all levels. It is clear 

that Nigeria cannot survive our 

current cost of running governments, 

we dont need over forty ministers at 

the federal level neither do we need 

to have the two arms of the national 

assemblies. What we are wasting all 

in the name of governance is 

mindboggling; if Nigeria must survive 

we must find a way to reduce the 

current high cost of governance before 

our nation sinks. 

Bazakey 08114219960 

APC’s administration has fails 

Nigerians with their policies 

APC’s led government has 

disappointed Nigerians, fuel scarcity, 

no electricity, Fulani herdsmen 

killing innocent citizens, anger and 

frustration is everywhere! Where is 

Nigeria heading to with the 

magnitude of problems and 

challenges confronting the entire 

landscape. 

Barr Anthony Obi 0806009586 

FG should appoint 

presidential 

advisory 

committee 

against 

smuggling 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

should please appoint presidential 

advisory committee on smuggling 

since the Nigerian Custom Service, 

NCS, has failed. NCS is not doing 

enough to stop smuggling in Nigerian 

borders, especially in the area of rice 

smuggling which is seriously 

affecting local farmers and industries 

negatively! 

The Federal Government and 

Nigerians must fight economic 

saboteurs vigorously for the next 

level to succeed. Nigerians are now 

in the next level, therefore, President 

Buhari should do the needful to end 

smuggling activities in Nigeria to 

protect local farmers and industries. 

Usman Hassan, from Katsina 

State, 2348131822223 

Proscription of Shi’ites sect 

This is a blatant violation of human 

rights of the Shiites in Nigeria because 

on different occasions the courts have 

ordered that El- Zakzaky and his wife 

should be released, but the 

government in its usual fashion has 

refused to obey the verdict of the 

courts. 

These have constituted a source of 

provocation to the Shiites which 

results in several protests demanding 

the release of El- Zakzaky and 

generating extra judicial killings by 

the government and the sect. 

Romanus 

08024209181 

Ndehigwo, 

Boko Harams activities and 

Nigerian soldiers 

It is highly regrettable that Boko 

Haram fighters are still killing 

Nigerian soldiers for fun despite the 

claim by the federal government that 

they have been defeated or perhaps 

seriously degraded. The recent 

killings of some of our gallant soldiers 

and the complete overrun of their 

military base by the Boko Haram sect 

has really proved that we are not 

winning this war at all! President 

Buhari must sit up and source for the 

right military hardware for our 

soldiers to be able to withstand the 

seeming superior firepower of the Boko 

Haram. Empty propaganda cannot 

defeat the Boko Haram, this idea of 

allowing the sect to sack our military 

bases all the time and carting away our 

military equipment and weapons 

should be stopped if we really want to 

win the war against the Boko Haram! 

Mr President should seek external 

assistance now that it is becoming 

clearer by the day that Boko Haram is 

still very much active. 

Bazakey 2348114219960 

Still on Border closure 

It is a welcome development following 

the federal government decision to 

shut Nigeria’s borders over rice 

smuggling activities; Kudos to Chief 

Audu Ogbeh’s decision, it is really 

commendable. Nigerian must be 

protected medically and Nigerians 

farmers should be encouraged for 

desired results. If Nigerians farmers 

are being encourage and empower , I 

believe they can feed these nation,but 

it is unfortunate that smugglers and 

their collaborators are sabotaging 

this effort. There should be provisions 

for the masses since the Federal 

Government has chosen to shut the 

nation’s borders. 

Alh Hassan 08131822223 

SAYINGS OF OUR ELDERS 

Challenges are what makes life interesting, overcoming 

them is what makes life meaningful 

From Onyeka Ruth 

CAREER DAY: Staff and some volunteers of the Special Foundation with the 

Vice Principal (Special Duties) of Lagos City Senior College at the just concluded 

Career Day sessions with the students recently. 

Send us your Sayings of Our Elders. They must be African sayings or 

proverbs. Biblical or English proverbs are unacceptable. Address 

your sayings to: wwwsimade@yahoo.co.uk


Sheffield Utd, Man Utd 

share six goals in 

Bramall Lane thriller 

When Ole Gunnar 

Solskjaer felt the 

cold steel of 

Sheffield United at his 

throat he would have settled 

for a point. 

Manchester United were 

2-0 down with 18 minutes 

to play and had been 

dominated for long periods 

in the game. 

Bramall Lane resounded 

to a gleeful chorus of: 

‘There’s only one United’ 

and then Solskjaer’s team 

hit back with three goals in 

seven minutes. 

Teenagers Brandon 

Williams and Mason 

Greenwood levelled to 

make it 2-2 and Marcus 

Rashford put them in front. 

It seemed they would 

escape with a win they 

barely deserved. 

Then Sheffield United 

pounced in the final seconds 

with a goal from substitute 

Ollie McBurnie which 

required a great deal of 

scrutiny from the video 

assistant referee. 

Manchester United 

defenders claimed the ball 

had bounced onto 

McBurnie’s arm but the 

goal was allowed to stand. 

Chris Wilder’s team 

salvaged a point and they 

deserved it because for most 

of the game they had more 

cohesion then the visitors.Ye 

Having already taken 

points this season from 

Arsenal, Chelsea and 

Tottenham, the Blades were 

quickly into their rhythm, 

dominating in midfield and 

creating early chances. 

David de Gea produced a 

wonderful double save to 

keep them at bay. First, low 

to his right after John 

Lundstram caught a volley 

sweetly from a cross by 

Fleck. 

Then, from a reflex stop 

to parry a header by David 

McGoldrick as the Blades 

kept the pressure on. 

These early flourishes 

lifted the home crowd as 

they detected frailties in the 

visiting team and roared in 

the hope of a penalty for 

holding by Harry Maguire 

on Lys Mousset. 

Manchester United 

captain Maguire was 

afforded a warm pre-match 

reception on this return to 

the club where he started his 

professional career. 

The welcome did not last 

as the Blades hustled the 

visitors into mistakes. 

Mousset proved too strong 

for Jones as they contested 

a ball in the penalty area. 

Jones went to ground hoping 

for a foul but Mousset cut a 

pass into the path of 

Lundstram. 

De Gea stuck out a foot to 

deny Lundstram but the 

rebound hit Fleck on the 

knee and bounced into net, 

his second of the season. 

Manchester United had 

failed to keep a clean sheet 

for the 12th consecutive 

away game in the league for 

the first time since 1985-86. 

Inter striker Lautaro 

Martinez has admitted 

that Antonio Conte’s 

recent comments on how his 

players should carry out sexual 

intercourse made him laugh, but 

backed up his coach in asserting 

that players should not be 

overexerting themselves outside 

of football. 

Conte recently stated in an 

interview that his players should 

be putting in minimal effort 

when making love to their 

partners in order to preserve 

their energy and ensure a full 

recovery for game days. 

“I advise my players to have 

sex for short periods, with the 

minimum of effort and use 

positions where they are under 

their partners,” the Nerazzurri 

boss said. “And preferably with 

their wives, because then you 

don’t have to put in an 

exceptional performance.” 

Asked whether the former 

Chelsea boss’ comments had 

made him laugh, the centreforward 

told DAZN: “Yes! We 

have to continue working hard 

in training. When we’re at 

home, though, we have to rest... 

just like he says!” 

Martinez was speaking after 

netting the opening goal as 

Inter recorded a convincing 3-0 

win over Torino on Saturday, with 

strike partner Romelu Lukaku 

also getting on the scoresheet. 

Much has been said about 

Lukaku’s technical skills and 

Fleck was rewarded for his 

determination to make up 

the yardage and be in front 

of goal in case anything 

came back into play. 

Solskjaer was entitled to 

accuse some of his players 

of not tracking back with the 

same desire. 

Sheffield United’s first 

half display bristled with 

spirit and the sixth-sense 

awareness 

and 

understanding of what they 

were trying to do. 

Solskjaer watched Fred 

and Andreas Pereira 

overpowered in midfield 

where they were without 

Paul Pogba, Scott 

McTominay and Nemanja 

Matic. 

Martinez supports Conte’s sex advice 

•Martinez 

ability to thrive at a top club after 

an ill-fated spell with Manchester 

United, but the Belgian has hit the 

ground running since swapping 

the Premier League for Serie A. 

Martinez, meanwhile, believes 

that his own good form is purely 

down to having more games and 

a chance to show his true 

qualities, while adding that his 

partnership with Lukaku is also 

benefiting from having time to 

absorb and complement each 

other’s style. 

After making his 

home debut in 

Nigeria’s win over Benin, 

Joe Aribo was back in a 

Rangers shirt as he 

helped the Gers to a 3-1 

victory over Hamilton 

Academical yesterday. 

With Celtic winning on 

Saturday, the pressure 

was on Joe Aribo and his 

teammates to pick up the 

maximum points against 

a side that have won just 

twice in the Scottish top 

flight this season. 

And they did just start 

although it was not as 

easy as the scoreline 

suggests. Steven 

Gerrard’s side got off to a 

perfect start as Ryan Jack 

put them ahead in the 

seventh minute. 

However, the lead will 

not last long as Lewis 

Smith put Hamilton back 

on levelled terms in the 

14th minute. But Rangers 

were determined to take 

away the three points from 

New Douglas Park. 

Two minutes from halftime, 

former Liverpool 

Plateau United 

continued their 

bright start to the 

Nigerian Professional 

Football League (NPFL) 

season with a convincing 3- 

1 away triumph at Delta 

Force. 

Still basking in the 

euphoria of their 1-1 draw at 

Nasarawa United, the Josbased 

outfit conceded first 

after Kazie Enyinnaya 

converted 

his 38thminute 

penalty. 

Aribo helps Rangers 

to victory as Gers go 

level with Celtic 

winger, Ryan Kent scored 

the winner with a brilliant 

hit that found the top corner. 

Kent then ensured the 

points were safe as he 

scored his second and 

Rangers third of the game 

in the 90th minute. Super 

Eagles midfielder, Joe 

Aribo was on for 77 

minutes before he was 

taken off for Steven Davis. 

With the win, Rangers 

remain second, level on 

points with Celtic who 

lead the table due to their 

superior goal difference. 

Up next for Joe Aribo and 

his Rangers side is an 

Europa League encounter 

against Swiss side, 

Feyenoord on Thursday. 

NPFL Wrap: Akwa Starlets stun Rangers, 

MFM crumble at Abia Warriors 

However, they levelled 

matter six minutes later 

through Uche Onwuasoanya 

before Michael Ibeh and 

Ibrahim Mustapha’s secondhalf 

goals secured maximum 

points. They remain at the 

summit of the NPFL log with 

13 points after five outings. 

However, they levelled 

matter six minutes later 

through 

Uche 

Onwuasoanya before 

Michael Ibeh and Ibrahim 

Mustapha’s second-half 

goals secured maximum 

points. They remain at the 

BRITAIN’S richest man 

revealed he will not buy 

Manchester United as 

the club have “lost the plot”. 

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who grew up 

supporting the Red Devils, is 

worth a whopping £20billion. 

The 67-year-old could buy any 

British club that he desires 

thanks to his multi-national 

chemicals company, Ineos. 

He forked out £91m to 

purchase Ligue 1 Nice in August 

after he took over Swiss second 

division side Lausanne in 2017. 

And he has considered the 

possibility of taking over clubs 

including Chelsea, Newcastle 

and Leeds. 

But the billionaire has 

revealed why he has no interest 

in taking over boyhood club 

Manchester United. 

He said: “They are in quite a 

big pickle as a business. 

“They haven’t got the manager 

selection right, haven’t bought 

well. 

“They have been the dumb 

money, which you see with 

players like Fred. 

“We won’t look elsewhere until 

we have had a good run here [at 

Nice]. 

“We need to find out how to be 

successful before you ever want 

to write a big cheque. It’s quite 

difficult.” 

Ratcliffe, who was born in 

Oldham, has explained how the 

•Aribo 

summit of the NPFL log 

with 13 points after five 

outings. 

At the Nnamdi Azikwe 

Stadium, former champions 

Enugu Rangers were 

shocked 2-0 by league 

newcomers Akwa Starlets. 

The Flying Antelopes were 

hoping to return to winning 

ways following their 2-1 

defeat at Rivers United, 

however, they fell at home 

to first-half goals from Femi 

Ajayi and Isaac George. 

Thanks to that win, Akwa 

Starlets have secured their 

first victory away from 

home this term. 

Britain’s richest man refuses to 

buy Man Utd 

•Jim 

club have spiralled out of control 

since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. 

He added: “United have spent an 

immense amount since Ferguson 

left and been poor, to put it mildly. 

Shockingly poor, to be honest. 

“We have a different approach 

here at [at Nice] to be moderately 

intelligent about it. Try to do it more 

grass roots, trying to locate young 

talent. 

“Some clubs seem to have an 

ability to do that, Southampton, 

Lille. United have done it really 

poorly. They have the lost plot there 

somehow.


WILD THING! 

Wilder KOs Ortiz after 

major scare to equal 

Muhammad Ali’s feat 

DEONTAY WILDER setup 

a rematch with 

Tyson Fury after delivering 

another explosive knockout 

for his highlight reel against 

Luis Ortiz. 

The WBC champion had 

lost every round to the 

challenger before flattening 

the veteran with a straight 

right at the end of the 

seventh that secured him 10 

successful defences and tied 

him with Muhammad Ali. 

Wilder was handing over 

rounds generously, letting 

Ortiz ping him with jabs and 

dictate where in the fight 

was taken. 

The Sky Sports pundits 

were unable to hand the 

Alabama giant a single 

round until they went past 

the midway point. 

Ironically the seventh 

Ancelotti too 

expensive as 

replacement for 

Pochettino 

Carlo Ancelotti was priced 

out of a move to take 

over at Tottenham due to the 

compensation it would have 

needed to get him. 

The former Chelsea boss was 

one of the names in the frame 

to replace Mauricio Pochettino 

after he was sacked on 

Tuesday following five-and-ahalf 

years in charge. 

Ancelotti would have 

required a hefty pay-out for 

Napoli to sanction his exit and 

the club opted to go for free 

agent Jose Mourinho instead. 

Ancelotti, 60, is enduring a 

miserable campaign in Naples 

with the club still feeling the 

impact of the squad mutiny 

against angry owner Aurelio 

De Laurentiis after they opted 

out of a training retreat. 

The Italian has had to 

shoulder much of the 

blame from his 

chairman and the 

unrest between 

the owner and 

the squad 

continues 

to gather 

pace, with 

form in 

Serie A 

not helping 

lift the mood. 

round was the session in 

which Ortiz seriously 

wobbled Wilder in March 

2018, when the 6ft 7in 

Tuscaloosa ace had to cling 

on for dear life. 

This time, however, the 

roles were reversed. Ortiz 

was once again boxing 

nicely on the back foot and 

the southpaw appeared to 

parry a left-handed jab from 

Wilder and prepare for a 

counter. 

But before the 40-year-old 

Cuban got anywhere close 

to firing back, Wilder 

landed a savage right hand 

that rendered him utterly 

senseless. 

The champ said: “With 

Ortiz, you see why everyone 

has avoided him, I had to 

play with him and calculate. 

I had to measure him. 

Arsenal board 

start process of 

Emery’s successor 

Arsenal have started 

the process of 

replacing 

beleaguered manager 

Unai Emery amid 

growing dissension 

at boardroom level. 

The pressure on the 

under-fire Gunners boss 

has intensified following 

Saturday’s 2-2 home draw 

against Southampton - who 

are second from bottom in 

the Premier League. 

Alexandre Lacazette’s 

injury time leveller saved 

Arsenal’s from an 

embarrassing loss - but it 

still didn’t prevent a major 

supporter backlash against 

Emery, who has been told 

the team must improve or 

he’ll face the sack. 

The club’s hierarchy are 

prepared to give Emery 

longer to prove he can 

transform Arsenal’s fortunes 

- but the process of 

identifying Emery’s longterm 

replacement has 

started. 

Head of football Raul 

Sanllehi and technical 

director Edu are keen to give 

the Spaniard an opportunity 

to improve results - however, 

there are other members of 

AJ promises ‘iconic’ 

rematch with Ruiz Jr as he 

lands in Saudi Arabia 

Anthony Joshua landed 

safely in Saudi Arabia 

ahead of his rematch with 

Andy Ruiz Jr on December 7 

and the Briton is promising 

to produce a performance to 

remember when the pair 

enter the ring. 

Joshua, who was handed 

his first professional defeat 

by Ruiz Jr earlier this year at 

Madison Square Garden in 

New York, is fighting in a bid 

to reclaim the WBA, IBF, 

WBO and IBO belts and set 

up a unification fight in 2020 

within the club’s hierarchy 

who believe Emery should 

be relieved of his duties. 

with WBC champion 

Deontay Wilder. 

The 30-year-old was all 

smiles on arrival with his 

entourage as he was met by 

some fans and attention now 

turns to avenging defeat 

with a performance that 

boxing fans will speak of for 

years to come. 

With four of the five 

heavyweight division belts 

on the line and Joshua’s 

credibility at stake, there is a 

lot of pressure on the 

Watford-born fighter ahead 

of the rematch. 

But Joshua appears 

relaxed despite the pressure 

and was in high spirits as he 

arrived at King Khalid 

Airport in Riyadh. 

Enugu police hold monthly jog/walk exercise 

By Emma Nnadozie 

The Enugu state command 

of the Nigeria police force 

last Saturday conducted its 

monthly jog/walk exercise and 

with the theme jog/walk for 

life and agility. 

The exercise began at about 

0700hrs with all the 

participants drawn from 

amongst police, sister security 

agencies and other relevant 

stakeholders jog/walk through 

major streets and roads within 

Enugu metropolis. 

Addressing participants on 

behalf of the Enugu state 

commissioner of police, 

Ahmad Abdurrahmam, the 

Enugu state police command 

sports officer and 

spokesperson Sp Ebere 

Amaraizu welcomed 

participants and 

maintained that the 

activity is used to foster 

and maintain steady 

relationship between 

the police and its 

various publics since 

sports is a unifying 

factor.He further 

maintained that sports 

Wilder’s 

brother suffers 

brutal KO on 

the undercard 

The Wilder family’s 

knockout power has not 

yet extended to younger 

sibling Marsellos after he 

was beaten by TKO on the 

undercard to Deontay 

Wilder-Luis Ortiz on 

Saturday night. 

The cruiserweight 

appeared to be in control of 

his contest with Dustin Long 

before being unexpectedly 

caught by a left hand, 

sending him to the canvas 

for the second knockout 

defeat of his career. 

Wilder was out cold 

momentarily and the fight 

was immediately waved off 

by the referee. 

Rangers replace 

Surugede with 

Okpala 

C 

oach Benedict Ugwu has 

become the first casualty 

in the ongoing Nigeria 

Professional Football League 

(NPFL) after Rangers football 

club asked him and the entire 

coaching crew to step aside 

following a 0-2 defeat the team 

suffered in the hands of newly 

promoted Akwa Starlets at the 

Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium in 

Enugu. 

Before the latest loss, 

Rangers had lost another at 

home and away already after 

just four weeks the NPFL 

kicked off. In place of Ugwu 

and his crew, we gathered that 

former Nigeria international 

and former head coach of the 

club Sylvanus Okpala has 

been contacted to take over the 

club immediately. 

Rangers are languishing in 

the 15th position on the league 

standings having lost three 

matches, won one and drawn 

one. The club is representing 

Nigeria in the CAF 

Confederation Cup. 

promotes discipline in man as 

well as mental alertness and 

continual health of mind and 

body and charged participants 

to ensure they maintain a life 

of regular training and 

physical exercises.


CAF Player of the Year: 

Osimhen, Ndidi, 

Ighalo in the running 

•Osimhen 

Wilfred Ndidi is 

delighted to 

have marked his 

100th Premier League 

appearance in Leicester 

City's 2-0 victory over 

Brighton and Hove Albion. 

The 22-year-old, who 

moved to England from 

Genk in 2017, was in action 

from start to finish as 

Brendan Rodgers' side 

cruised to victory at the 

Amex Stadium. 

Second-half goals from 

Ayoze Perez and Jamie 

Vardy extended Leicester 

City's winning run across 

all competitions to six 

matches. 

Since his arrival from 

Belgium, the Super Eagles 

midfielder has established 

himself as a regular player 

at the King Power Stadium 

and he joins Nwankwo 

Kanu, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, 

Alex Iwobi, Joseph Yobo, 

Victor Moses and John Obi 

Mikel in the exclusive list 

of Nigerians who have 

reached the century mark in 

the Premier League. 

At the end of Saturday's 

•Chukwueze YPOTY 

•Oshoala Women’s POTY 

•Ndidi •Ighalo •Chukwueze 

Three past and present 

Super Eagles players 

have been nominated for 

the prestigious Confederation of 

African Football African Player 

of the Year. 

CAF announced the shortlist 

yesterday, with 2019 AFCON 

Golden Boot winner Odion 

Ighalo, Lille's Victor Osimhen 

and Leicester City's Wilfred 

Ndidi making the cut. 

Three Super Falcons players 

in the shape of Asisat Oshoala, 

goalkeeper Chiamaka 

Nnadozie and Uchenna Kanu 

are among the ten female 

footballers in the running for 

African Women’s Player of the 

Year. 

The Super Eagles of Nigeria may 

have started their AFCON 2021 

qualifying campaign on a 

perfect note-winning their first two 

matches, but they could be without a 

manager by the time the series resume 

next year. 

And that’s because the Nigerian 

Football Federation (NFF) have failed 

to act swiftly over Gernot Rohr’s 

contract renewal. The contract of the 

team’s technical adviser expires in six 

months with no renewal offer on the 

table yet. 

Although he would love to extend 

his contract, the former Bordeaux 

manager revealed he has been 

approached by other Federations and 

Osimhen has been nominated 

for another category, the African 

Youth Player of the Year, and he is 

battling Villarreal's Samuel 

Chukwueze and fourteen other 

promising African players for the 

award. 

Nigeria Head Coach Gernot 

Rohr has made the shortlist for 

African Men’s Coach of the Year, 

while former Super Falcons coach 

Thomas Dennerby is among the 

six nominees for African Women’s 

Coach of the Year. 

The Super Eagles and Super 

Falcons have been nominated for 

the African Men’s National Team 

of the Year and African Women’s 

National Team of the Year 

respectively. 

Rohr threatens to walk away from Eagles 

would start talking to them if NFF 

fails to offer him a new deal before 

January. 

“I’m ready to discuss as I have 

other federations who want me but 

I tell them that my priority is to 

discuss with the NFF. 

“But after January 1, I’ll be free to 

sign where I want. So I think the 

next step is to wait to see what NFF 

is doing.” 

Rohr was appointed as Super 

Eagles manager in 2016 and has 

overseen qualifications for two major 

events with a game to spare, while 

he also led the team to a third place 

finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of 

Nations in Egypt. 

Ndidi marks 100th EPL appearance with Leicester victory 

game, Ndidi expressed 

excitement with his 

defensive contribution that 

helped the team keep a 

clean sheet and pick all 

three points on the road. 

NFF close to getting 

Ebere Eze play for Nigeria 

All things being equal, 

Queens Park Rangers 

(QPR) midfielder could be 

donning the green and 

white jersey of the Super 

Eagles after the Nigeria 

Football President, Amaju 

Pinnick held talks with 

him on Saturday. 

Known for his 

mesmerizing dribbling 

skills and ability to take on 

players one-on-one, Ebere 

Eze has become one of the 

most enterprising 

youngsters in the English 

Championship. 

Eze who has represented 

England at the U-20 and 

U-21 levels, once trained 

with the Super Eagles. And 

with the growing fears that 

Nigeria could lose him to 

the Three Lions of England 

just like Tammy Abraham 

•Ebere Eze 

and Fikayo Tomori, the 

NFF have taken a step in 

ensuring that Eze plays for 

the Super Eagles. 

In a statement in the 

official twitter handle of 

the NFF, it was confirmed 

that talks have been held 

between the football body 

and Eze. 

Three past and 

present Super 

Eagles players 

have been nominated for 

the prestigious 

Confederation of African 

Football African Player of 

the Year. 

CAF announced the 

shortlist yesterday, with 

2019 AFCON Golden Boot 

winner Odion Ighalo, 

Lille’s Victor Osimhen and 

Leicester City’s Wilfred 

Ndidi making the cut. 

Three Super Falcons 

players in the shape of 

Asisat Oshoala, 

goalkeeper Chiamaka 

Nnadozie and Uchenna 

Kanu are among the ten 

Achraf 

Hakimi 

(Morocco & Borussia 

Dortmund) 

André Onana (Cameroon 

& Ajax) 

Baghdad Bounedjah 

(Algeria & Al-Sadd) 

Carolus Andriamatsinoro 

(Madagascar & Al Adalah) 

•Salah 

By Jacob Ajom 

he serene Lakowe 

Tcommunity in Ibeju 

Lekki area of Lagos was 

brought to life at the 

weekend when the 8th 

Southern Sun Ikoyi annual 

golf tournament ran to a 

close at the Lakowe Lakes 

and Golf Resorts. 

Adewemimo Sumonu 

and Funke Majekudunmi 

emerged winners in the 

Men’s and Ladies 

categories respectively. For 

the duo, it was a befitting 

end to their heroics on the 

course which paraded over 

70 golfers from across the 

Lagos business community. 

The final of the stable ford 

styled tournament was the 

climax of a series of weeklong 

activities 

commemorating the 10th 

anniversary of Southern Sun 

Ikoyi. There were also 

winners in various other 

categories which included 

nearest to the pin and the 

longest drive hole for both 

male and female with various 

Salah aims for 3rd 

African Player of the 

Year award in a row 

•Mane 

female footballers in the 

running for African 

Women’s Player of the Year. 

Osimhen has been 

nominated for another 

category, the African Youth 

Player of the Year, and he is 

battling Villarreal’s Samuel 

Chukwueze and fourteen 

other promising African 

players for the award. 

Nigeria Head Coach 

Gernot Rohr has made the 

30-man shortlist in full 

•Rohr 

Denis Onyango (Uganda & 

Mamelodi Sundowns) 

Eric Maxim Choupo- 

Moting (Cameroon & Paris 

Saint-Germain) 

Ferjani Sassi (Tunisia & 

Zamalek) 

Hakim Ziyech (Morocco 

& Ajax) 

Idrissa Gueye (Senegal & 

Paris Saint-Germain) 

Ismail Bennacer (Algeria & 

AC Milan) 

Jordan Ayew (Ghana & 

Crystal Palace) 

Kalidou Koulibaly 

(Senegal & Napoli) 

Kodjo Fo Doh Laba (Togo 

& Al Ain) 

Mahmoud Hassan 

‘Trezeguet’ (Egypt & Aston 

Villa) 

Mbwana Samatta 

(Tanzania & Genk) 

Mohamed Salah (Egypt & 

Liverpool) 

Sumonu, Majekodunmi win 

Southern Sun Ikoyi golf tourney 

•Aubameyang 

shortlist for African Men’s 

Coach of the Year, while 

former Super Falcons coach 

Thomas Dennerby is among 

the six nominees for African 

Women’s Coach of the Year. 

The Super Eagles and 

Super Falcons have been 

nominated for the African 

Men’s National Team of the 

Year and African Women’s 

National Team of the Year 

respectively. 

Moussa Marega (Mali & 

Porto) 

Naby Keita (Guinea & 

Liverpool) 

Nicolas Pepe (Ivory Coast 

& Arsenal) 

Odion Ighalo (Nigeria & 

Shanghai Shenhua) 

Percy Tau (South Africa & 

Club Brugge) 

Pierre-Emerick 

Aubameyang (Gabon & 

Arsenal) 

Riyad Mahrez (Algeria & 

Manchester City) 

Sadio Mane (Senegal & 

Liverpool) 

Taha Yassine Khenissi 

(Tunisia & Esperance) 

Thomas Teye Partey 

(Ghana & Atletico Madrid) 

Victor Osimhen (Nigeria & 

Lille) 

Wilfred Ndidi (Nigeria & 

Leicester City) 

Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast 

& Crystal Palace) 

Youcef Belaili (Algeria & 

Ahli Jeddah) 

Unstoppable! Mikel, Nwakaeme 

power Trabz to Super Liga summit 

Former Super Eagles 

captain John Mikel 

Obi made a fine return to the 

starting lineup – after a spell 

premium and mouthwatering 

prizes courtesy of the 

premium sponsors and 

Southern Sun Ikoyi, 

The General Manager 

Southern Sun Ikoyi, Mark 

Loxley was full of 

admiration for the golfers 

who, he observed, gave 

spectators an unforgetable 

toournament through their 

scintillating performances. 

He said they raised the 

stakes with their competitive 

displays. 

Loxley expressed 

appreciation to the 

numerous sponsors, guests 

and the media for taking out 

time to participate at this 

year’s tournament despite 

the long drive and their busy 

schedules, whilst reiterating 

the hotel’s continued 

commitment to promoting 

golf as a sporting activity 

within the thriving Lagos 

business community. 

“Today was a fun outing 

complemented by the fine 

weather and excellent display 

of sportsmanship by the 

competing athletes,” he said. 

on the sidelines due to injury 

– and delivered a dominating 

display in the middle of the 

park on Saturday as the 

Black Sea Storm claimed a 

convincing 3-0 win over 

Ankaragucu. 

It would be recalled that the 

former Chelsea midfielder, 

Mikel announced his 

international retirement 

immediately after the 2019 

AFCON tournament after 

leading the Super Eagles to a 

third place finish. 

However, it is his 

compatriot, Anthony 

Nwakaeme who earned 

much of the plaudits after 

grabbing an assist and a goal 

in the win that fired 

Trabzonspor to the Turkish 

Super Lig summit. 

Alexander Sorloth’s 

opener had handed Unal 

Karaman’s team a deserved 

first half lead before the 

Nwakaeme’s second half 

show began. 

Shortly after the interval, 

the Nigeria forward showed 

his trickery on the ball when 

he provided the assist for 

Yusuf Sari’s goal which 

doubled the visitors’ lead at 

Eryaman Stadium. 

Yet, Nwakaeme was not 

finished and with minutes 

before the hour mark, the 30- 

year-old smashed home the 

goal his performance clearly 

merited, his third strike in his 

12th league outing this 

season.

Vanguard, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2019 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

How to Play Sudoku 

ACROSS 

1 Leaf vegetable (7) 

5 Floribundas, hybrid teas, 

etc. (5) 

8 Carmen, for example (5) 

9 Gin and vermouth 

cocktail (7) 

10 Result (7) 

11 In music, slow and 

dignified (5) 

12 Terminate (6) 

14 Almost unconscious 

state (6) 

18 Steady, sober (5) 

20 Accelerate (5,2) 

22 Dorset resort (7) 

23 Fleshy parts of ears (5) 

24 Furious (5) 

25 Opposer of technology (7) 

DOWN 

1 Behave ostentatiously (4,3) 

2 Incompetent (5) 

3 Perplexed (2,1,4) 

4 Picnic basket (6) 

5 Of the country (5) 

6 Rider's footrest (7) 

7 Irish county (5) 

13 North American falls (7) 

15 Increased threefold (7) 

16 Quick sharp reply (7) 

17 Also (2,4) 

18 Japanese cold rice dish (5) 

19 Male duck (5) 

21 One of the United Arab 

Emirates (5) 

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

of the same number). 

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

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

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

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

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

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

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

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

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

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

25112019 - Fish out killers of Kogi PDP woman leader—BUHARI

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