02012020 - What Buhari must do differently this year — AFENIFERE, AREWA YOUTHS, OHANAEZE, PANDEF

Late Olusola 

Saraki did 

not pay for 

revoked land 

— KWARA GOVT 

35 

Ganduje pegs 

minimum wage 

at N30,600 for 

workers in Kano 

13 

I&E Forex 

window records 

$626bn 

turnover in 

2019 

NBA slams FG, 

says it grossly 

assaulted rule 

of law in 2019 

19 8 

Foreign reserves drop by 10.4% to $38.78bn in 2019 

16 

VOL. 27: NO. 63975 THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

Insight into 2020, by Fasan, Agbakoba, Sobowale, Lakemfa 

29 

Nigeria is 

sclerotic; 

only radical 

reforms can 

stem 

deepening 

decline 

Investments 

will not come 

into Nigeria 

from foreign or 

domestic 

business unless 

the courts are 

seen to work 

What can we 

expect from the 

N10trn 2020 

budget? Very 

little that help 

solve our worst 

and most urgent 

problems 

Outlook 

for Nigeria 

in 2020 is 

unimaginative 

brinkmanship 

for a 

country on 

the brink 

What Buhari must do differently 

this year — AFENIFERE, AREWA YOUTHS, OHANAEZE, PANDEF 

•Buhari can better the economy, security- Ohanaeze, ADF, ASETU 

•Declare emergency on security, economy —Arewa Youths 

5 

•Reorganize top hierarchy of armed forces – PANDEF 

•He sounds like a broken record—Afenifere, CAN 

NEW YEAR SERVICE... 

Fuel scarcity 

looms as 

NUPENG 

issues a 

7-day strike 

notice 14 

Mr & Mrs 

The Anglican Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Rt.Rev'd Timothy Yahaya (2nd left) at the New year service of the Cathedral of St. 

Michael Church, Kaduna, yesterday. PHOTO: Olu Ajayi. 

GAMBO DORI 17 IKECHUKWU AMAECHI 17 

C 

M 

Y 

K

2— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020—3

4— Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

2023: S’West‘ll harmonise over 

Presidency —APC chieftain 

By Dapo 

Akinrefon 

LAGOS—A chieftain of 

the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Lagos 

State, Chief Lanre Razak, 

has said that people of the 

south-west would resolve 

all the misunderstandings 

among them and 

harmonize to clinch the 

2023 presidential slot for 

the region. 

Razak, in a chat with 

newsmen in Lagos, noted 

that there is no region 

that does not have crisis, 

but assured that, APC has 

an effective crisis 

resolution mechanism to 

handle any situation, 

reminding that the party 

has waded through 

several crises successfully 

in the past. 

He said: “We are talking 

of acquisition of power; it 

is never served as food in 

the restaurant. People 

struggle and work to get 

what they need. We are 

aware of what you are 

saying and I can assure 

you that we have sufficient 

crisis management 

mechanisms that the 

leadership of the party will 

deploy at the appropriate 

time. What you consider 

as crisis may be our 

strength to get the things 

done at the end of the 

day.” 

Besides, he said: “We 

have a lot of armchair 

critics who do not see 

anything good in 

whatever Tinubu does. 

Mention any state that 

has stable governance and 

continuous development 

like Lagos. This is 

because Tinubu has been 

playing the role of a 

leader, such that after his 

tenure as governor, he 

laid a standard structure 

for the state to continue to 

grow and develop. 

“He is a wonderful man 

that is naturally gifted in 

human capital 

development. Look at the 

political terrain in Nigeria 

today, you will hardly find 

the likes of Tinubu 

around. Those he worked 

hard to develop are now 

giving back to the 

country. 

“Those who know what 

Tinubu means for Nigeria 

have continued to defend 

him, letting others 

understand that Tinubu is 

naturally gifted and he is 

impacting knowledge and 

ability on others. 

“So, what Nigeria needs 

is the best material for the 

job and for the best 

material to succeed 

Buhari, Tinubu still 

stands shoulder tall than 

most of the people we are 

canvassing. With due 

regard and respect to our 

brother, Vice President 

Yemi Osinbajo, he is a 

lawyer of fine reputation, 

but nobody would have 

known him in the political 

circle if Tinubu had not 

found and built him. 

“What Nigerians often 

say is that leadership is 

the bane of our 

development. If we then 

found a good leader with 

all the quality to deliver, 

then let’s put religion out 

of it. We need to talk of 

how we can have a 

country where there is 

peace, development and 

a p p r o p r i a t e 

infrastructure.” 

GREATER LAGOS FIESTA: From left—Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and 

Culture, Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku; Special Adviser to the Governor, CBD, Prince Olanrewaju 

Elegushi; Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Lola Akande; Chief Whip of 

the State's House of Assembly, Rotimi Abiru; Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Sanni Eshilokun; Governor 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and Commissioner for Home Affairs, 

Pharm. (Mrs.) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, during the Greater Lagos Fiesta, at the Eko Atlantic City, 

Victoria Island, Tuesday. 

PROPHECIES: What Nigerians 

should expect in 2020 —Clerics 

By Sam Eyoboka & 

Olayinka Latona 

L AGOS—NOTABLE 

clerics including 

General Overseer of the 

Redeemed Christian 

Church of God, RCCG, 

Pastor Enoch Adeboye; 

Founder/Senior Pastor of 

the Word of Life Bible 

Church, Warri, Pastor Ayo 

Oritsejafor; Founder of the 

Living Faith Church also 

known as Winners 

Chapel, Bishop David 

Oyedepo and the General 

Overseer of Mountain of 

Fire and Miracles 

Ministries, MFM, 

Worldwide, Dr. Daniel 

Olukoya, in their New 

Year prophecies, urged 

Nigerians to brace up for 

the unexpected in 2020. 

In his declaration at the 

crossover night service of 

the church held at the 

three by three-kilometer 

auditorium at the 

Redemption Camp along 

Lagos-Ibadan 

Expressway, Pastor 

Adeboye said the year 

2020 will be a year of 

many battles and many 

victories for Christians, 

especially for members of 

the RCCG. 

On the international 

scene, he said there will 

be changes in the 

governments of many 

nations of the world. 

Some of the changes, 

according to him, will be 

peaceful while some will 

be violent. 

Bringing the Year 2020 

prophecy home to 

members of the church, 

Adeboye said individual 

believers especially 

members of the RCCG 

will experience many 

battles and at the same 

•...many battles, many victories —Adeboye 

•It's a year of power shift, says Oritsejafor 

•A year of breaking limits, says Oyedepo 

•Nigerian leaders‘ll be shifted away —Olukoya 

time many victories. 

He also urged 

members of the church to 

place their trust solely in 

God, stressing that only 

absolute trust in God can 

guarantee victory for 

people in the battle of 

life. 

Besides, he said unless 

the church prays hard, 

there will be a series of 

earthquakes and 

volcanic eruptions in 

unlikely quarters in the 

year 2020. 

“But if we can pray God 

will avert all these 

natural disasters,” he 

noted. 

He said, as usual, the 

church will embark on its 

yearly fast which will 

begin on January 11, 

stating that he wanted 

the people to “enjoy” 

themselves. 

2020, a year 

of power shift 

—Oritsejafor 

Also, the immediate 

past National President 

of the Christian 

Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, Pastor Oritsejafor 

has declared that 2020 

would be a year of power 

shift for all committed 

and devoted Christians. 

In a 12-point prophetic 

declaration at the crossover 

night in the 

headquarters of the Word 

of Life Bible Church in 

Warri, Oritsejafor urged 

Christians to be prayerful 

this year. 

Declaring the year as 

the year of ‘I have got the 

power’, Oritsejafor 

urged Christians not to 

be complacent because 

the enemy as a cunning 

one may arrange several 

pitfalls before the 

children of God and 

unless they (children of 

God) are alive to their 

responsibilities they may 

fall prey. 

He said: “I can tell you 

that in my own time, 

about 50 years ago, there 

were no cocaine or 

heroin but we were 

taking some substances 

which, of course, were as 

dangerous as the things 

you have today until I got 

saved at a similar 

meeting like this. 

“I enjoin you to save 

yourselves from 

calamitous destruction 

through drug addiction 

and reconcile yourselves 

with God Who has 

declared this year a year 

of power shift so that you 

can join a generation of 

redeemed persons that 

will benefit from the 

release of divine power.” 

2020, year of 

breaking limits, 

says Oyedepo 

On his part, Bishop 

Oyedepo assured 

Nigerians that 2020 

would be a year of 

breaking limits. 

Oyedepo gave the 

prophecy during the 

2019 cross-over night at 

the church’s 

headquarters in Ota, 

Ogun State, stating that 

the bible was made up of 

limit breakers. 

While assuring that 

Nigerians would break 

limits in all their 

endeavours, the cleric 

said: “The Bible is full of 

limit breakers. God has 

ordained to get you on 

the list of limit breaking 

saints. I receive this 

prophetic word and I 

declare with my mouth 

that. 

Nigerian leaders‘ll 

be shifted away 

—Olukoya 

For Dr. Olukoya of the 

MFM, many Nigerian 

leaders will be shifted 

away in the New Year, 

noting that 2020 is a year 

where disobedience to 

God will yield a terrible 

result that no 

deliverance will be able 

to reverse. 

In his 2020 ‘prophesy 

window’, released 

during the cross-over 

vigil, Olukoya charged 

Nigerians to pray, 

warning that the year 

would be messy and 

confusing to all. 

He said: “It is a year of 

unbelievable answers to 

prayers; mark my words, 

it is a year of uncommon 

testimonies. It is a year 

of ‘it can only be God’ 

testimonies. 

“It is a year where many 

captives will totally 

divorce their chains. This 

year, many families shall 

climb to new heights of 

victories. It is a year when 

the saints must be well 

sensitive to heavenly 

frequencies. Food 

supplies from the 

kingdom of Herod shall 

be cut off.” 

Also, Olukoya said: “It 

is a year when you 

cannot hold onto unforgiveness. 

Unforgiveness 

will make 

you miss out on what God 

wants to do in your life 

this year. All things that 

many have planted and 

watered in the past years 

will now begin to yield, 

blossom and produce 

fruits. 

“More than any other 

year, the enemy plans to 

release the dog spirit; 

strange sexual perversion, 

strange sexual urges, to 

destroy so many 

destinies,” he said noting 

that it is a year where the 

misuse of the two organs 

in your body will yield 

disastrous consequences; 

your tongue and your 

sexual organs.

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

END OF YEAR CLOSING GONG —From left: Brand Manager, The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); 

Joseph Ogbeide; Head, Broker Dealer Regulation, NSE; Olufemi Shobanjo; Elsie Okpocha; Divisional 

Head, Shared Services, NSE; Bola Adeeko; Ace Comedian, Bright Okpocha (aka Basket mouth); Talent 

Manager; Ann Obaseki; Head, Market Operations, NSE; Kenneth Nwafor; and Head, State Owned 

Enterprise Listings, NSE; Opeoluwa Adesanya, at the End of Year Closing Gong Ceremony in Lagos. 

Photo: Akeem salau. 

What Buhari must do differently this year 

— AFENIFERE, AREWA YOUTHS, OHANAEZE, PANDEF 

By Emma, Amaize, Soni Daniel, Anayo 

Okoli, Dapo Akinrefon, Dirisu Yakubu, 

Luminous Jannamike, Naomi Uzor 

ABUJA—Reactions, 

yesterday, trailed 

President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s 

New Year address, where 

he reiterated his resolve to 

withdraw from any political 

contest after his tenure in 

2023. 

The President had also 

noted that his government 

will be guided by the rule 

of law, saying “our actions 

at all times will be 

governed by the rule of law. 

At the same time, we shall 

look always to engage with 

all well-meaning leaders 

and citizens of goodwill to 

promote dialogue, 

partnership and 

understanding.” 

Picking holes with some 

of the claims in the address, 

Afenifere, Ohanaeze, 

Arewa Consultative Forum, 

PAN Niger Delta Forum, 

PANDEF, the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

Christian Association of 

Nigeria, CAN, among 

others urged the Federal 

Government to do more to 

address the challenges 

plaguing the country, 

rather than self praise. 

Also, the groups advised 

the President on what he 

needs to do differently this 

year to address the 

challenges of insecurity and 

the economy. 

Meanwhile, the Lagos 

Chamber of Commerce 

and Industry, LCCI, has 

stated the need for the 

Federal Government to 

come up with practical 

strategies to promote 

economic inclusion in the 

Nigerian economy. 

He sounds like a broken 

record—Afenifere 

Reacting to the 

nationwide broadcast, the 

pan-Yoruba socio-political 

organization, Afenifere, 

said the president was 

sounding like a broken 

record, noting that what 

Buhari should do 

differently is to restructure 

the country and ensure true 

federalism. 

Afenifere’s National 

Publicity Secretary, Mr. 

Yinka Odumakin said: “He 

is sounding like a broken 

record. He has been 

making promises all the 

time but this government 

needs to get down to 

business. When they begin 

to do what they are 

supposed to do, they don’t 

need to make promises 

because people will see 

what they are doing.” 

On boosting the 

economy, he said: “We 

have said it and we are 

repeating it, there is no way 

out except they restructure 

this country. To have a 

productive economy, the 

government must look at 

solid minerals, agriculture. 

Do you know that Niger 

State alone is bigger than 

the Netherland? 

Netherland is the fourth 

largest export of agriculture 

in the whole world. 

“What are we doing with 

land in Niger State? We 

must become a productive 

economy. Instead of 

borrowing money, we can 

generate enough resources 

from this country. The only 

way we can become a 

prosperous country is to 

practice true federalism and 

allow every part of the 

country to process their 

resources.” 

On insecurity, Odumakin 

said: “The whole idea of 

central security should be 

decentralized and allow 

each state to have their 

police. Even as it is now, 

the victory recorded by the 

military has been mostly 

aided by the civilian Joint 

Task Force. They are more 

effective. 

“They should stop all the 

propaganda on Boko 

Haram when it is still intact. 

Tell no lies claiming victory. 

They should sit down and 

work and it should be less 

propaganda, let the work 

they are doing speak for 

themselves and not just 

making a proclamation.” 

Shun ethnic chauvinism, 

exhibit open mind in his 

appointments — 

Ohanaeze 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo on its 

part, called on President 

Buhari to shun ethnic 

chauvinism and exhibit 

open mind in his 

appointments in order to 

get the nation back on good 

track. 

Speaking through its 

Publicity Secretary, Prince 

Uche Achi-Ogbaga, the 

Igbo apex social cultural 

body said if the President 

could look beyond Fulani/ 

Islamic divide to tackle the 

problems, Nigeria would 

be better for it. 

“The problem of 

insecurity and the nosediving 

economy are 

interrelated and the 

common denominator is 

ethnic chauvinism. If he 

could look beyond the 

Fulani/Islamic divide to 

bring the security and 

economic experts from any 

part of the country, the story 

will be different. 

“The security apparatus is 

left in the hands of a 

particular ethnic group. So, 

when security chiefs meet, 

be it the police, military and 

other paramilitary agencies, 

it is one ethnic group of the 

country that gather to x-ray 

the security challenges and 

it becomes difficult for them 

not to be prejudiced, 

wittingly or unwittingly, in 

their decisions. 

“It is the same with the 

economy. You do not play 

ethnic politics with the 

economy of a country. Note 

that if the government is 

able to fix security, economy 

and education every other 

thing will fall in line,” he 

said. 

In its part, Alaigbo 

Development Foundation, 

ADF, a South-East based 

group, through its 

spokesperson, Chief Abi 

Onyike, tasked the 

President to overhaul the 

nation’s security 

architecture if the desired 

result is to be realized. 

“PMB should overhaul 

the nation’s security 

architecture. He should 

remedy the lopsided 

appointment of service 

chiefs by ensuring that there 

is federal character in the 

appointments. This will 

boost loyalty of the troops. 

“On the economy, he 

should revisit the exchange 

rate of the Naira and open 

up the closed borders. 

PMB should hire new 

Continues on Page 41 

By Bose Adelaja & 

Olayinka Latona 

On expectations from federal, state government in 2020 (2) 

Government should 

help the needy and 

assist Nigerians that are 

suffering. Honestly, I am 

tired of the situation in 

this country, life without 

job, promotion, good 

roads, food and good 

things of life. These 

terrible situations should 

be looked into in other to 

make life better for 

citizens. 

-Stephen Nwebonyi, 

Trader 

Lagos 

State 

government should 

create alternative roads 

and rehabilitate the 

existing ones so as to 

minimise gridlock and 

solve transportation 

challenges while the 

federal government 

should concentrate on 

empowerment of the 

youths to tackle the rate 

of unemployment in the 

country. 

Lekan Abdulazeez, 

Apprentice 

Both the state and 

f e d e r a l 

governments should find 

solution to the problem of 

youth unemployment. 

Lagos State should 

attach police officers to 

LASTMA to reduce 

assault of LASTMA 

officials on the road. The 

Federal Road Safety 

Corps should be given 

extra moral lectures 

concerning their area of 

jurisdiction. 

-Prayer Oyebola, 

Artisan 

It is my humble 

submission that the 

government both at state 

and federal level should 

revitalize the 

importance of education. 

This can only be done if 

adequate measures are 

taken to ensure that 

some certain positions 

in the society are left for 

the educated and not 

through favoritism. 

- Uche Ekwunife, Law 

Student 

Both governments 

should take 

development to the rural 

areas as it appears that 

the government is far 

from these areas. The 

government should 

improve 

the 

transportation sector so 

that fares can be 

affordable to residents. If 

these are put in place, 

business and other things 

will improve. 

-Michael Da-Silver, 

Student 

My expectation is 

t h a t 

f e d e r a l 

government would 

scrap the proposed 

Value Added Tax as it 

will bring hardship on 

people. Increasing tax 

without creating an 

enabling environment 

for people to increase 

their source of income is 

bad policy. Also, the 

war on social media 

should be reviewed. 

-Ojosayo Olayinka,

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

CORRIGENDUM 

Police looking 

for Teddy 

Weyinmi 

Murphy- 

Akpieyi, not 

his father, 

Sir. Murphy 

Atsepoyi- 

Akpieyi 

MY attention has 

been drawn to a 

Vanguard newspaper 

publication on Page 7 of 

Wednesday, December 

11, 2019. It is in relation 

to a business transaction 

between the parties 

mentioned in the stated 

charge No. A/34/2013. 

One DSP Lazarus from 

Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, 

visited my former 

residence at 3, Murphy 

Atsepoyi Cresent, 

Ogudu, G.R.A, 

sometimes in 2013 and 

claimed he was looking 

for one TEDDY Murphy 

Atsepoyi, who gave my 

address as his contact. 

I made a statement at 

the Special Fraud Unit of 

the Police at Milverton, 

Ikoyi, that Teddy 

Weyinmi, my son, an 

adult of 33 years old then, 

does not reside in my 

house. 

I did not know what 

business he is involved in 

until later at the police 

station, where I was told 

it was about buying and 

selling of petroleum 

products. I called Teddy 

at Oniru Estate on the 

phone and he voluntarily 

came from his Oniru 

residence and was 

arrested by DSP Lazarus 

and his team. 

I was later informed 

that he was granted bail 

and that is all I knew 

about this matter until the 

Vanguard publication of 

December 11, 2019, 

where it was stated that 

he Teddy had jumped 

bail and is declared 

wanted. 

There are eight (8) 

children out of which are 

lawyers, medical doctor, 

economist, accountant, 

professional project 

managers, etc, and they 

all bear “MURPHY- 

AKPIEYI” as SURNAME, 

including the blackleg, 

whose name is “TEDDY 

ORISEWEYINMI 

MURPHY-AKPIEYI”. 

It is only the head of 

the family (father) who 

answer “MURPHY”, 

“ATSEPOYI-AKPIEYI.” 

Naira Marley negotiating out of court 

settlement over alleged car theft 

By Onozure Dania 

LAGOS — A music artist, 

Adeyemi Fashola, popularly 

known as Naira Marley, is negotiating 

an out-of-court settlement 

in the alleged car theft case 

filed against him and three others 

by the Police. 

It was gathered that talks between 

Marley's lawyer and 

lawyers representing the complainant 

in the case, Mr 

Adelekan Ademola, are at an 

advanced stage. 

It was also gathered that the 

charges against the four defendants 

may be dropped at 

the next hearing of the case 

on January 14, 2020. 

Marley's two brothers, Idris 

Fashola, 18; Babatunde Fashola, 

24; and their cousin, Kunle 

Obere, 22, are facing a fourcount 

charge of conspiracy, 

stealing, assault and obstructing 

the police from arresting 

Marley. 

They were arraigned by the 

Police on December 16, before 

Chief Magistrate Tajudeen 

Elias of a Tinubu Chief Magistrates’ 

Court in Lagos, but 

Marley, the fourth defendant, 

was absent. 

The court granted the trio 

N500,000 bail each with two 

sureties each in like sum. 

Magistrate Elias had ordered 

the Investigative Police 

Officer (IPO) to produce Marley 

in court on December 31, 

2019, so he can take his plea. 

Following his failure to honour 

the court date and pleas 

for another chance by his counsel, 

Mr Awokulehin Ayodeji, 

Mr Elias threatened to order 

the artiste's arrest if he doesn’t 

show up on the next adjourned 

date of January 14. 

Mr Ayodeji, who spoke to 

Vanguard afterwards, said settlement 

talks were ongoing. 

"We hope that an agreement 

will be reached before the next 

adjourned date," he said. 

According to the lawyer, the 

Police were not against a 

peaceful resolution of the matter. 

Ayodeji said: "The police 

have no problem with an out 

of court settlement." 

Earlier during their arraignment 

on December 16, an Assistant 

Superintendent of Police 

(ASP) Edet Okoi told the 

Fire razes home of Borno physician 

AN early morning fire, yes 

terday, burnt down the 

Maiduguri home of a popular 

medical doctor in Borno State, 

Olugbenga Aina. 

Mr Aina is a senior medical 

doctor in the Borno state Hospital 

Management Board. 

The fire which started at about 

9 a.m. could not be put out until 

the entire three-bedroom apartment 

was razed down. 

ABUJA —THE Nigerian Air 

Force,last night,said its Air 

Task Team,ATF attached to Operation 

Lafiya Dole, in the North 

East,killed many Boko Haram 

terrorists at Abulam in Sambisa 

area of Borno State. 

The service, in a statement by 

its spokesman, Air Commodore 

Ibikunle Daramola,said some 

structures in the terrorists’ camp 

at Abulam were also destroyed 

in the air strikes conducted 

Tuesday, by the air troops. 

It explained that,”The mission 

was executed to mark the 

commencement of Operation 

It was gathered that all members 

of Mr Aina’s family were not 

hurt, but they lost belongings, including 

critical documents in the 

fire. 

At the time of the incident, Mr 

Aina was 85km away in Bama 

where he is providing humanitarian 

services to thousands of 

displaced persons living in the 

town. 

“We still cannot explain what 

court that the defendants committed 

the offence on December 

15, at Eko Hotel Roundabout, 

Victoria Island, Lagos. 

Okoi alleged that Marley's 

brothers and cousins, while in 

a motorcade with Marley, stole 

a Toyota Camry vehicle with 

number plates FEE 120 AA 

valued at N1.8 million and an 

iPhone X5 worth N330,000 belonging 

to Mr. Ademola. 

The court heard that the 

three defendants and others at 

large assaulted the complainant 

by beating him up. 

Okoi alleged that the second 

defendant, Babatunde Fashola, 

and others at large obstructed 

the police while performing 

their lawful duty and prevented 

them from arresting 

Marley. 

He said: “One of the vehicles 

in the musician’s motorcade 

hit the complainant’s vehicle 

from the back while he 

was throwing out money from 

his vehicle to his fans. 

”When the complainant 

came down from the vehicle to 

inspect the damage, Obere 

entered the complainant’s 

Camry and drove it off with 

the motorcade. Ademola reported 

to the police and the 

The Maiduguri home of popular Dr. Olugbenga Aina, gutted by fire 

Rattle Snake 2, an Air Interdiction 

Operation aimed at taking 

out some identified insurgent 

camps and logistics facilities in 

order to further unhinge the terrorists’ 

centre of gravity and 

diminish their fighting capability.” 

The statement read in full:” 

Several Boko Haram Terrorists 

(BHTs) have been neutralized 

and some structures in their 

camp at Abulam in the Sambisa 

Forest area of Borno State have 

been destroyed in air strikes 

conducted December 31, 2019, 

by the Air Task Force (ATF) of 

happened that led to the fire. But 

everything in there, including 

documents, is gone,” one of his 

sons said. 

Fire fighters arrived 15 minutes 

after the fire started and stopped 

the fire from spreading to adjoining 

buildings, but nothing was 

saved in the burnt house. 

The physician was on his way 

back from Bama at the time of filing 

this report. 

vehicle was tracked to where 

it was parked at Jakande Crescent, 

Oniru in Lagos. 

“When the police arrived at 

the location in the company of 

the complainant, Naira Marley 

and his boys started beating 

the complainant. 

"A group of boys obstructed 

the police from arresting the 

musician but they were able to 

apprehend the three defendants." 

He said the offences committed 

is punishable under Sections 

112,172, 287 and 411 of 

the Criminal Law of Lagos 

State, 2015. 

Air Force kills Boko Haram 

terrorists in Sambisa Forest raid 

Operation Lafiya Dole. 

“The mission was executed to 

mark the commencement of Operation 

Rattle Snake 2, an Air 

Interdiction Operation aimed at 

taking out some identified insurgent 

camps and logistics facilities 

in order to further unhinge 

the terrorists’ centre of 

gravity and diminish their 

fighting capability. 

“ Abullam was selected for attack 

on Day One of the Operation 

based on credible intelligence 

reports indicating that the 

terrorists had resumed using 

the once abandoned settlement 

as a staging point from where 

they launch attacks against our 

ground troops’ locations. 

“Accordingly, the ATF detailed 

its attack aircraft, supported by 

an Intelligence, Surveillance 

and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, 

to attack designated compounds 

within the settlement. 

“The jets took turns to engage 

the target in successive passes 

leading to the destruction of 

some of the structures as well 

as the killing of several terrorists.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 —7 

Auto crash kills one on Ijebu Ode-Ore Expressway 

FEDERAL Road Safety 

Corps(FRSC) Command 

in Ogun, yesterday, confirmed 

the death of one person following 

an auto crash around J3, 

on Ijebu Ode-Ore Expressway. 

Mr Clement Oladele, the 

state FRSC Sector Commander, 

who disclosed this in Ota, 

said that the lone accident happened 

at about 11.25 pm on 

Tuesday. 

He explained that a Toyota 

Sienna Bus, with number 

plates: FKJ 453XW, was on a 

high speed when its tyres 

burst and in the process lost 

control and somersaulted into 

the bush. 

He said that nine persons - 

five male adults, three female 

adults and a female child, 

were involved in the accident. 

“The corpse of the female victim 

has been deposited at the 

mortuary of General Hospital, 

Ijebu Ode, while two of the 

survivors are also receiving 

treatment at the same hospital. 

“The third survivor who is a 

child was taken to Ise Oluwa 

Clinic J3 by a good samaritan 

before the arrival of FRSC rescue 

team,” he said. 

The sector commander admonished 

motorists to desist 

from using imported used tyres 

and also ensure that they 

check the expiring date on the 

tyres before purchasing them 

to avoid unnecessary loss of 

lives and property on the highway. 

Police bust burglary syndicate, 

nab 2 suspects in Aba 

By Ugochukwu Alaribe 

UMUAHIA—A burglary 

syndicate alleged to be 

behind the breaking of 

warehouses, stores and 

supermarkets in Aba, Abia 

State, has been smashed by the 

police in the city. 

Vanguard gathered that a team 

of crack detectives led by the 

Divisional Police Officer, DPO, 

SP Alphonsus Ayang, arrested 

two persons suspected to be the 

ring leaders of the gang. 

The suspects, whose names 

were given as Nkemakolam Ibe, 

46, and Uche Mathias, 45, were 

nabbed while burgling a 

warehouse in Aba with three 

members of the gang, now at 

large. 

Police sources said the gang 

had broken into three 

warehouses located at Pound 

Road by East Street, Jubilee 

Road by Mosque Street and 

also at Jubilee Road by 

George’s Street, where they 

carted away assorted textile 

materials, foreign wines and 

energy drinks worth millions of 

naira. 

It was further gathered that 

the police team also raided two 

of the gang’s safe houses at 

Umule Road and Factory Road, 

where stolen textile materials, 

wines and energy drinks were 

kept and stored for further 

distribution to their numerous 

buyers, said to be outside the 

state. 

The team also recovered two 

vehicles, a Toyota SUV and a 

Peugeot J5 van, as well as one 

industrial cutter used by the 

gang for breaking into 

warehouses. 

Contacted, Abia State 

Commissioner of Police, Mr. 

Ene Okon, who confirmed the 

arrest of the men, said they will 

be arraigned in court soon. 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

... and you have nothing else. 

And your home is far. 

And you have arthritis 

On to the next one 

Fun seekers at the Igando Fun Park during the New Year celebration in Lagos, yesterday. 

NAN PHPTO. 

Popular Ikwerre Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, experiences respite during the New 

Year holiday, yesterday. PHOTO: Nwankpa Chijioke. 

And you walked. That's a 

miracle, as they could 

have stolen your legs

8—Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

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

BRIEFING: From left: Director, Justice Peace Development Commission, JPDC, Rev, Fr. Raymond 

Anohefo; Director, Directorate of Social Communication, Rev. Fr. Anthony Godonu; Archbishop of 

Catholic Church, Lagos, Archbishop Alfred Martins; President, SIGNIS, Archbishop of Lagos, 

Lady Neata Nwosu; Member of LACC, Very Rev. Fr. Mike Umoh, and Administrator of Catholic, 

Very Rev. Marcellius Teko, during the media interaction for World Peace Day at Holy Cross Cathedral, 

Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Akeem Salau. 

New year message: NBA slams FG, says 

it grossly assaulted rule of law in 2019 

•Warns against executive misbehaviour, high-handedness 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—The Nigerian 

Bar Association, NBA, 

has decried what it termed as 

horrifying assault on the rule 

of law by the Federal 

Government in 2019. 

The NBA, the umbrella 

body of legal practitioners in 

the country, in a new year 

message, its National 

President, Mr. Paul Usoro, 

SAN, noted that rule of law 

in Nigeria was persistently 

assaulted and lay prostrate, 

a situation it blamed on 

“executive misbehaviour and 

high-handedness.” 

It warned that it would be 

impossible for peace and 

justice to reign in any country 

that continues to pay lip 

service to the rule of law. 

The legal body said it noted 

that 2019, “marked the year 

that removal of public officers 

through nebulous and 

reprehensible ex-parte orders 

of the Code of Conduct 

Tribunal, CCT, gradually 

became the norm in our 

national life. 

Assault on rule 

of law 

“It started with the removal 

of erstwhile Chief Justice of 

Nigeria, Justice Walter 

Onnoghen, through a 

purported CCT ex-parte 

order in the first quarter of 

2019 and, towards the end of 

the year, this abnormality was 

repeated with the removal 

from office of the acting 

Registrar-General of the 

Corporate Affairs 

Commission, Lady Azuka 

Azinge, through a 

questionable ex-parte order. 

“This is one 'innovation' in 

our national life that does not 

bode well for the security of 

tenure of our public officers. 

Economic growth can only be 

attained in an atmosphere of 

predictability and certainty. 

“This new practice of 

tripping and removing our 

public officers through 

contrived CCT ex-parte 

orders corrodes confidence in 

the system. It not only assaults 

our collective sensibilities 

when CCT ex-parte orders 

are used to ease out public 

officers but erodes due 

process, a fundamental plank 

of the rule of law. 

“This is as disingenuous as 

the other unacceptable 

practice of tarring public 

officers to provide purported 

justification for their removal. 

That practice has been 

extended to private sector 

professionals including legal 

practitioners with potentially 

deleterious impact on wealthcreation 

capabilities. 

“2019 was the year our 

courtroom was invaded by 

officials of Department of 

State Service, DSS, in an 

attempt to re-arrest a 

defendant who had been 

granted bail by the court and 

was released by the 

department only the previous 

day. 

“This was a horrifying 

assault on the rule of law and 

the sacred sanctum of our 

courts and judicial processes. 

It is somewhat reassuring 

that, in the dying days of 2019 

and at the instance of the 

Attorney-General of the 

Federation and Minister of 

Justice, Abubakar Malami, 

SAN, both Omoyele Sowore 

and Sambo Dasuki were 

finally released from 

confinement by DSS, after 

being detained for prolonged 

periods against the orders of 

courts. 

“It is our hope that in 2020, 

we will build on this new 

resolve by government and 

ensure that court orders are 

obeyed across board by our 

state officials and agencies. In 

2019, our judicial officers and 

our courts continued to be 

disparaged, blackmailed and 

intimidated by state officials. 

Lawyers and the legal 

profession were not spared. 

“Lawyers and retired 

judicial officers were 

prosecuted, hauled before 

law enforcement agencies 

and detained solely on 

account of their professional 

services to clients. 

“Some lawyers were 

brutalised by law 

enforcement agents while 

carrying out their professional 

duties. Law was weaponized 

against lawyers and judicial 

officers and some of our 

judicial officers were 

kidnapped and assaulted by 

criminal elements, in an 

unabated assault on the rule 

of law and, in particular, the 

twin independence of the 

judiciary and the legal 

profession. 

“These assaults not only 

erode the rule of law, they 

diminish us in the comity of 

nations and puts our 

democracy and economic 

growth at risk. It endangers 

all of us in multiple ways. 

“We demand that officials 

of state imbibe international 

best practices and join the 

NBA in protecting and 

promoting the rule of law 

through, amongst others, the 

preservation, fostering and 

protection of the 

independence of our 

judiciary, judicial officers and 

the independence of the legal 

profession.” 

Gridlock: FCT to automate access, tolling 

processes at Wuse Market 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

ABUJA—The Federal 

Capital Territory 

Administration, FCTA, has 

disclosed its resolve to deploy 

technology in the 

management of parking and 

traffic services around the 

Wuse Market as a way of 

easing the persistent gridlock 

on the axis. 

The measures were 

announced by the managers 

of the market, Abuja Markets 

Management Limited, 

AMML, yesterday, in a letter 

addressed to the FCT 

Ministerial Task Team on 

Traffic Free Flow. 

The market managers were 

responding to an earlier letter 

from the Ministerial Task 

Team on Traffic by its 

Chairman, Mr Ikharo Attah, 

urging them to take a bold 

and speedy step to address 

the menace. 

Managing Director of 

AMML, Abubakar Faruk, 

said they were already on the 

verge of totally eliminating the 

traffic gridlock even before the 

request from the task team 

was made. 

In the letter, AMML said: 

“We are aware of the status 

of Wuse Market as the 

shopping destination of 

choice in the FCT and the 

expected traffic challenge that 

comes with it. As a leading 

facility management 

company in the country, we 

could not have folded our 

arms and allowed this very 

key service delivery issue to 

linger.” 

The market managers said 

they had in the past applied 

various manual traffic 

management approaches 

even in collaboration with 

some relevant agencies but 

regretted that the pressure 

did not work. 

FG assures workers of 

continued commitment to 

welfare 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government has 

commended Nigerians, 

especially workers, for their 

resilience and support for 

government’s effort at rebuilding 

the nation, assuring 

them of continued 

commitment to their welfare 

in the new year. 

Minister of Labour and 

Employment, Senator Chris 

Ngige, in a new year 

message to the nation’s 

workforce said the 

understanding showed by 

workers over the challenges 

the Federal Government 

faced in repositioning the 

economy and sanitising the 

polity since 2015 was 

commendable, adding that 

the Federal Government has 

in appreciation made 

enormous sacrifices to protect 

the workers and secure their 

future. 

The minister in the 

message by his Special 

Adviser Media, 

Nwachukwu Obidiwe, said: 

“The workforce we inherited 

in 2015 was one seriously 

demoralised by decade long 

unpaid salaries and 

allowances, a restive 

workforce with simmering 

agitations and perennial 

threats of strike. It was a 

workforce challenged down 

by private sector 

retrenchments and varying 

unfair labour practices. 

“But the Federal 

Government did not only 

clear these arrears of salaries 

and allowances in a record 

time, the president out of 

compassion, granted a 

bailout fund to the states to 

enable them clear theirs, and 

further gave an express 

directive that no worker 

serving in the federal civil or 

public service should be 

retrenched, the foreboding 

economic down turn that 

resulted in recession 

notwithstanding. 

“Having restored stability 

to the federal civil and public 

service, we moved decisively 

into the private sector and 

defused raging gale of 

retrenchment in the oil and 

gas, construction and the 

financial sectors of the 

economy through a 

ventilated social dialogue 

that saved millions of jobs 

that were already put on the 

line. 

“Notwithstanding teething 

problems, we initiated, 

consummated and 

implemented in record time, 

the New National Minimum 

Wage and its consequential 

adjustment and set up a five 

man presidential committee 

on salaries and wages with 

prospects of a general wage 

review and a pivotal focus on 

re-evaluation of service to 

synchronize work and 

earnings with productivity as 

denominator.” 

CEN tasks Buhari on subsidy 

removal, revenue mobilisation 

By Dirisu 

Yakubu 

ABUJA—INSTITUTE of 

Chartered Economists of 

Nigeria, ICEN, has called on 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari to embark on key 

structural reforms to revamp 

the economy to tackle 

infrastructural challenges in 

the country in the new year. 

The institute also wants the 

Presidency to muster the will 

to do away with subsidy on 

petroleum to position the 

economy for optimal 

performance. 

In a new year address, 

President of the institute, 

Professor Ejiofor Chinedum, 

expressed optimism that the 

9th National Assembly would 

give legislative nod to the 

institute’s chartered bill for 

assent by President Buhari in 

2020. 

According to him, 

“Government has the 

opportunity to accelerate the 

pace of structural reforms to 

build an institutional and 

policy framework capable of 

managing the volatility of the 

oil sector and supporting the 

sustained growth of the nonoil 

economy. 

"Bold reforms that could 

have significant impact on 

the economy’s trajectory are 

the removal of subsidy, 

elimination of forex and trade 

restrictions, greater transparency 

and predictability of 

monetary policy and increased 

domestic revenue 

mobilisation. Such reforms 

would help raise living 

standards of low-income 

groups while increasing 

spending on much needed 

public services. 

“President Buhari has 

identified fighting corruption, 

increased security, tackling 

unemployment, diversifying 

the economy, enhancing 

climate change, and boosting 

the living standards of 

Nigerians as main policy 

priorities his government 

seeks to continue to pursue 

in his second term up till 2023. 

“Though since 2015, 

economic growth remains 

muted, growth averaged 1.9 

per cent in 2018 and 

remained stable at two per 

cent in the first half of 2019. 

Domestic demand remains 

constrained by stagnating 

private consumption in the 

context of high inflation (11 

per cent in the first half of 

2019). 

"On the production side, 

growth in 2019 was primarily 

driven by services, 

particularly telecoms. 

Agricultural growth remains 

below potential due to 

continued insurgency in the 

North East and farmerherdsmen 

conflicts."

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020—9 


LECTURE: From left, Chief Akinwande Delano (SAN); former Secretary-General 

ofCommonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; launcher, Mr Fola Adeola; representative of 

the chief launcher, Archbishop Kehinde Stephen; Chairman on the occasion, Chief Olusegun 

Obasanjo; Chief Folake Solanke; and guest lecturer, Prof Toyin Falola, during the Isaac 

Delano Foundation 40th memorial anniversary lecture, public presentation and book launch, 

in Lagos. 

Give Nigerians good roads as new year 

gift, Rep tells Buhari 

By Levinus 

Nwabughiogu 

A Minority BUJA—Deputy 

Leader of the 

House of Representatives, 

Mr. Toby Okechukwu, has 

urged President 

Muhammadu Buhari-led 

Federal Government to give 

Nigerians good roads as a 

sign of good governance in 

2020. 

Expressing his concern 

over the country’s decrepit 

road infrastructure, the 

lawmaker asked the 

Presidency to support 

National Assembly’s effort to 

provide lasting solutions to 

the country's challenges in 

the new year. 

Okechukwu observed that 

HEALTH TIPS 

By Sola Ogundipe 

Avoid unhealthy habits 

Fats consumed should be 

less than 30 percent of your 

total energy intake to help 

prevent unhealthy weight 

gain and Noncommunicable 

diseases. 

There are different types of 

fats, but unsaturated fats are 

preferable over saturated fats 

and trans-fats. You should 

reduce saturated fats to less 

than 10 per cent of total 

energy intake and reduce 

trans-fats to less than 1 

percent of total energy 

intake. Overall, replace both 

saturated fats and trans-fats 

with unsaturated fats. 

The preferable unsaturated 

fats are found in fish, 

avocado and nuts, and in 

sunflower, soybean, canola 

and olive oils; saturated fats 

are found in fatty meat, 

butter, palm and coconut oil, 

cream, cheese, ghee and 

lard; and trans-fats are found 

in baked and fried foods, and 

pre-packaged snacks and 

foods, such as frozen pizza, 

cookies, biscuits, and cooking 

oils and spreads. 

the ugly state of Nigerian 

roads could only change if the 

nation also changed her 

approach to good governance 

and funding, adding that 

experience over the years 

had shown that road needs 

could not be met through 

annual budgetary provisions. 

He noted that the annual 

budgets for roads were not 

only very marginal when 

compared to the challenges 

on ground but were also 

never substantially released. 

He said: “Finding lasting 

solutions to the poor state of 

Nigerian roads should take 

pre-eminence in 2020 

because Nigerians deserve 

good roads to meet their socioeconomic 

needs. 

“Therefore, the House of 

Avoid the harmful use of 

alcohol. There is no safe level 

for drinking alcohol. 

Consuming alcohol can lead 

to health problems such as 

mental and behavioural 

disorders, including alcohol 

dependence, liver cirrhosis, 

some cancers, and heart 

diseases, as well as injuries 

resulting from violence and 

road clashes and collisions. 

Don’t smoke. Smoking 

tobacco causes lung disease, 

heart disease, and stroke. 

Tobacco kills not only direct 

smokers but even nonsmokers 

through secondhand 

exposure. Currently, 

most adults who smoke 

tobacco are interested or 

plan to quit. 

If you are currently a 

smoker, it’s not too late to 

quit. Once you do, you will 

experience immediate and 

long-term health benefits. If 

you are not a smoker, stay 

that way. Do not start 

smoking and fight for your 

right to breathe tobaccosmoke-free 

air. 

Representatives passed the 

National Roads Fund Bill and 

Federal Roads Bill as 

permanent solution to the 

poor road infrastructure. 

“While the National Road 

Fund Bill will establish a 

National Roads Fund to 

provide predictable and 

sustainable funding for road 

maintenance in order to 

promote the sustainable 

development and 

management of the nation’s 

road network, the Federal 

Roads Bill will establish an 

agency to govern and 

manage the nation’s federal 

roads network. 

“Although both bills did not 

receive presidential assent in 

the 8th National Assembly, 

we reintroduced and passed 

them in the current House of 

Representatives, just before 

the Christmas break, as they 

remain the real panacea to 

our road challenges. 

“In doing so, we addressed 

the concerns raised by the 

President in the 8th NASS. 

So, it is our hope that the 

Presidency will partner the 

National Assembly to ensure 

that the bills are passed and 

signed into law this time to 

change the face of our roads." 

NNPC records N13bn 

trading surplus 

By Mike Eboh 

NIGERIAN National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, yesterday, said it 

posted a trading surplus of 

N13.23 billion in its October 

2019 financial performance, 

representing an increase of 

54 per cent when compared 

with the N8.59 billion surplus 

posted in September 2019. 

In a statement in Abuja on 

its October 2019 Monthly 

Financial and Operations 

Report, MFOR, NNPC 

disclosed that performance 

for the month reflected the 

sustained streak of positive 

results in its operations. 

According to the NNPC, to 

underline the increasing 

fortunes of the corporation in 

recent times, the September 

2019 trading surplus of N8.59 

billion in turn indicated a 

significant increase of 65 per 

cent compared to the N5.20 

billion surplus posted in 

August 2019, even as that 

beat the N4.26 billion surplus 

posted in July 2019, reflecting 

an increase of 22 per cent. 

The NNPC attributed the 

increase in its trading surplus 

in October to improved 

trading surplus posted by its 

flagship upstream subsidiary, 

the Nigerian Petroleum 

Development Company, 

NPDC. 

The NNPC further declared 

total crude oil and gas 

export sales of $483.25 million 

in October 2019; which 

is an increase of 35.77 percentage 

point, compared to 

the previous month. 

According to the NNPC, 

this implies that in the month 

under review, crude oil export 

sales contributed $396.94 

million, about 82.14 per cent 

of its dollar transactions, 

compared with $267.97 

million contribution in 

September 2019, even as 

export gas sales for the month 

amounted to $86.32 million. 

Overall, the NNPC stated 

that October 2018 to October 

2019 crude oil and gas 

transactions indicated that 

crude oil and gas worth $5.49 

billion was exported. 

It added that in the 

downstream sector, to ensure 

sustained Premium Motor 

Spirit, PMS, supply and 

effective distribution across 

the country, 1.16 billion litres 

of PMS, translating to 37.30 

million liters per day, were 

supplied for the month. 

NNPC stated that it had 

continued to diligently 

monitor the daily stock of 

PMS, in order to achieve 

smooth distribution of 

petroleum products and zero 

fuel queues nationwide. 

DISCOs to stop cash payment 

for electricity bills March 31 

THE 

Federal 

Government has 

ordered Electricity 

Distribution Companies, 

DISCOs, to adopt 

electronic platforms for the 

payment of energy bills 

across the country. 

Nigerian Electricity 

Regulatory Commission, 

NERC, said the move was 

to reduce the aggregate 

technical, commercial and 

collection losses the 

DISCOs are battling with. 

The commission asked 

the DISCOs to leverage on 

available banking 

channels approved by the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, to ensure prudence 

in the utilisation of market 

funds. 

While the power firms 

have till January 31 to 

migrate industrial and 

commercial customers to 

their cashless electronic 

platforms, they have till 

March 31 to move 

residential customers to 

pay their bills only on the 

platforms. 

It said: “The Federal 

Government issued a 

policy directive that 

requires the mandatory 

transition of certain 

classes of end-use 

customers of DISCOs 

from direct cash 

settlement of bills to 

cashless settlement 

platforms in order to 

reduce collection 

leakages/losses and 

improve overall revenue 

assurance in NES. 

“The commission notes 

that this policy directive 

complies with EPSRA and 

the laws of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria and 

furthers the objective of 

improving transparency 

in NESI by introducing 

greater clarity on 

collections from end-use 

customers and prudence 

in the utilisation of market 

funds. 

“Without prejudice to the 

provisions of section 10 of 

the Cash Collection 

Regulation, all DISCOs 

shall transit to cashless 

settlement platforms for 

the billing/collection of R3 

class of residential 

customers by March 31, 

2020. 

“Provide customers with 

appropriate bank account 

details and other 

approved channels for 

receiving/processing 

payments such as mobile 

money, electronic wallets 

etc. 

“All DISCOs shall 

ensure full accountability 

of energy flow with the 

installation of appropriate 

metering infrastructure 

that is integrated with the 

CMS of all industrial, 

commercial and R3 class 

of residential customers 

by December 31, 2020.” 

The commission also 

asked the DISCOs to 

publish details of 

customer service/contact 

centres to promptly 

address electronic 

payment enquiries along 

with stipulated timelines 

for addressing customer 

complaints. 

Buratai visits troops in 

Madagali, MOPOL 

training centre 

By Kingsley 

Omonobi 

ABUJA 

—IN 

continuation of 

operational visits to the 

North-East theatre of 

operations, the Chief of 

Army Staff, Lt Gen TY 

Buratai, has visited the 

Nigerian Police Force 

Training College at 

Limankara-Gwoza. 

He undertook the visit 

to 144 Task Force 

Battalion in Madagali on 

his way to Gwoza town 

for the historic Nigerian 

Army Social Activities, 

WASA, and Medal 

Parade 2019. 

Recall that the college 

is one of the critical 

institutions overran by 

the Boko Haram terrorists 

during the peak of their 

nefarious activities in 

Borno State in August 

2014. 

The Limankara village, 

where the college is 

located and indeed the 

entire Gwoza LGA, was 

under the control of the 

terrorists for months 

before the troops of 

Nigerian Army 

recaptured the area in 

2015. 

Buratai was on his way 

to Gwoza from 23 

Brigade, Yola State 

where he commissioned 

some projects as part of 

his operations visit to the 

North-East theatre of 

operations. 

During the visit, it was 

observed that normalcy 

had since returned to the 

town with the residents 

chanting in excitement 

while the rebuilding 

works at the college have 

reached advanced 

stages of completion. 

The Chief of Army Staff 

was conducted round the 

college by the Police 

officers in the college.


Osun governor’s wife 

welcomes baby of the 

year 

By Shina Abubakar 

O SOGBO—WIFE 

of Osun State 

Governor, Kafayat Oyetola, 

yesterday, welcomed 

the first baby of 

the year. 

The baby, according to 

the state hospital officials, 

was delivered at 

exactly 1 am on 

Wednesday to Mr. and 

Mrs. Adewale Abass 

and weighed 3.4kg. 

While presenting cash 

and baby care gifts to 

the parents, Mrs. Oyetola 

admonished nursing 

mothers to breastfeed 

their babies exclusively 

for the first six 

months. 

She said: “First babies 

are a rare gift from God 

A KURE—THE 

Chairman House 

Committee on Niger 

Delta Development 

Commission, NDDC, 

Mr. Olubunmi Tunji- 

Ojo, yesterday, appointment 

220 persons 

as Special Advisers, 

Special Assistants and 

Personal Assistants. 

Tunji-Ojo, who represents 

Akoko North 

East/North West Federal 

Constituency, said 

the appointment cuts 

across all the 300 units 

and 23 wards of the 

Constituency. 

In a statement by his 

Special Adviser on 

New Media, Alao Babatunde, 

the lawmaker 

urged the new apand 

should be adequately 

taken care of. 

As mothers, you 

should all endeavour 

to exclusively feed 

your babies with 

breast milk for the 

first six months of 

their lives. 

“Besides, you 

should also live a 

hygienic life and imbibe 

the same culture 

in your children. 

“Your children are a 

rare gift from God 

and must not be neglected; 

take care of 

them as a way of appreciating 

God for his 

mercy towards you.” 

The governor’s wife 

also donated gifts to 

other women in the 

hospital and their babies 

as a New Year 

gift. 

Rep member appoints 

221 aides, empowers 

constituents in Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson 

pointees to be committed 

to delivering 

exemplary governance 

to the people. 

Tunji-Ojo said: “In 

my avowed commitment 

to better serve 

the good people of 

Akoko North East/ 

North West Federal 

Constituency as 

well as the mandate 

area, I am pleased 

to announce the appointment 

of the 

under listed. 

“The appointment, 

which is an addition 

to the appointments 

earlier announced, 

is in consideration 

of their commitment 

and dedication to 

adding value to the 

Constituency and 

the mandate area.” 

SECURITY BRIEFING: From right—Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, 

Moyo Onigbanjo; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo- 

Olu; state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu; Commander, 651 Base Services Group, 

Ikeja, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Makinde; Director, Department of Security Service, DSS, Abdulfatai 

Sanusi, and Brigade Commander, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Army Cantonment, Brigadier-General Etsu 

Ndagi, during the briefing of Government House correspondents, shortly after the State Security 

Council meeting at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, Tuesday. 

VISITS TO RELAXATION SPOTS: I’m on 

medical check-up, not admission —FAYOSE 

L AGOS—FORMER 

governor of Ekiti 

State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, 

yesterday, said he is 

currently enjoying his 

life, warning those attacking 

him over the 

newly released pictures 

to mind their business. 

The former governor, 

who had earlier vowed to 

remain a pain to his “haters” 

if they do not repent 

in 2020, asked those who 

are not happy about his 

latest moves to “hug 

transformer.” 

Fayose told those, who 

are complaining about 

his choice of relaxation 

spot, while on a trip on 

his health that he was on 

2020: Clerics preach religious tolerance 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

L AGOS—RELIGIOUS 

leaders in Lagos, 

yesterday, came together 

to pray for continuous 

harmonious relationship 

and success among the 

Executive, Legislative 

and Judiciary arms of 

government in Lagos in 

the interest of the public. 

The clerics, particularly, 

offered prayers for the 

family of Governor 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu of 

Lagos State, his cabinet 

and Lagos State as a 

whole during a special 

prayer session made up of 

several clerics from 

various denominations, 

drawn across the state. 

Prayers were led by two 

Special Advisers to the 

Governor on Religious 

Matters at the State 

House, Marina, Lagos. 

Speaking on the 

significance of the 

occasion, the S.A on 

Religious Matters 

(Muslim), Jebe Ahmed, 

...pray for success in Lagos 

said the State Government 

decided to utilise the year 

to commit the progress of 

the State to the hands of 

God, expressing optimism 

that with Governor Sanwo- 

Olu in the saddle as 

helmsman, the state is 

certain to grow in leaps 

and bounds. 

Ahmed said: “The 

presence of Allah is 

needed in running any 

administration. 

Everything starts and 

ends with God. The 

Governor has 

demonstrated that we 

must put God first in 

everything we do in our 

lives. 

“The Governor was at 

the Mosque and he 

charged us to live in 

harmony, respect the rule 

of law and do what is 

needful at all times. 

Prayers were said for all 

residents of Lagos. 

Prayers were recited to 

God to guide the Governor 

and members of his Exco 

medical checkup, not admission. 

“These haters, when I 

was on their case, they 

were crying. Now I am on 

my lane, enjoying my 

life, they are still crying 

and sucking,” he tweeted. 

“Expect more so you 

can cry more. I’m on medical 

check-up, not admission. 

Celebrating New 

Year is my right. Haters 

can hug transformers. 

Happy New Year.” 

He wondered how far 

his “haters” would go in 

their plots against him. 

“In this year 2020, God 

will give you victory over 

oppression that has inflicted 

your life with 

hunger, sufferings and 

wants. He will take you 

to the greatest height of 

success,” Fayose had 

earlier written. 

“He will return Nigeria 

to the path of peace, 

progress and unity. Happy 

New Year. 

“Once again, happy 

New Year to everyone, 

particularly my haters 

politically or otherwise. 

How far can you go in 

your machinations? Nowhere. 

“Remember “He that is 

blessed of God cannot be 

cursed.” I will remain 

your headache in 2020 if 

you don’t repent.” 

as they lead the State.” 

Ahmed stated that the 

State government was 

working on several 

programmes, noting that 

the Government 

intended to boost the 

religious tolerance 

among residents. 

During the session 

tagged: ‘Prayer For The 

First Family, Lagos 

State’s clerics committed 

the Governor; the 

Deputy Governor, Dr. 

Obafemi Hamzat; 

members of State 

Executive Council; the 

Judiciary; members of 

the State House of 

Assembly and Lagos 

State in God’s hands. 

In his remarks, the 

Special Adviser on 

Religious Matters 

(Christian), Reverend 

Bukola Adeleke, said 

they were working with 

the Commissioner for 

Home Affairs, Mrs. 

Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, 

to ensure residents 

Fayose, who is being 

prosecuted by the Economic 

and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, for alleged money 

laundering, told a federal 

high court in Lagos 

court that he was sick. 

On December 7, the 

court permitted him to 

travel abroad for medical 

treatment. 

However, a picture of 

him relaxing on a 

beach abroad has surfaced 

online. He was also 

spotted dancing 

salsa on a cruise ship 

with a lady. 

Some Nigerians have 

accused him of deceiving 

the court. 

respect other’s religious 

views. 

Adeleke said: “We are 

here to pray for the first 

family in Lagos and of 

course, to commit the 

State into the hands of 

God. The Bible tells us 

that we must lay 

everything in God’s 

hands, which is why we 

are here for the sole 

purpose of praying for 

Lagos. We prayed for Mr. 

Governor and committed 

his activities and plans 

for Lagos State into God’s 

hands. We believe that 

God Almighty has 

answered our prayers. 

“We have a lot of plans 

for religious tolerance in 

Lagos. We are working 

with Akinbile-Yusuf to 

ensure that Lagosians 

tolerate and respect the 

religious views of others. 

We want the peace we 

have been enjoying in 

Lagos to continue and 

the way to achieve that 

is to continuously respect 

other’s religion.”


:Vanguard 

News 

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

ONDO 2020: We’ll consolidate 

on successes in 2019 — APC 

NEW YEAR SERVICE: From left: Adebola Ojofeitimi, Provost, of the Cathedral Church of Christ 

Marina, Olusegun Ajayi, Registrar, Anglican communion of Lagos, Humpherey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, 

Diocesan Bishop of Lagos and Gbenga Bello, Assistant Anglican communion, Diocese of Lagos, during the new 

year service, held at Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. Photo: Kehinde Shonola 

MINIMUM WAGE: We’re willing to pay but... 

— OYETOLA •No agreement yet with Ondo govt — NLC 

By Dayo Johnson & 

Shina Abubakar 

O 

S O G B O — 

GOVERNOR 

Gboyega Oyetola of Osun 

State, yesterday, said his 

administration is willing to 

pay the new minimum 

wage but the state would 

have to double its Internally 

Generated Revenue to 

meet the funding. 

This came as the Nigeria 

Labour Congress, NLC, in 

Ondo State said that the 

organised labour was yet to 

reach an agreement with 

the state government over 

the implementation of the 

N30000 minimum wage. 

Governor Oyetola said 

this while inaugurating a 

committee to work out the 

modalities for the 

implementation of the 

minimum wage for all 

workers in the state in his 

office. 

He also assured that 

nothing would make him 

discontinue payment of full 

workers’ salaries as at when 

due, adding that the workers’ 

welfare is very important 

to his administration. 

Oyetola urged the committee 

to ensure that it arrived 

at a reasonable 

amount of increment that 

would not be capable of 

stopping the government 

from paying salaries as at 

when due. 

He said: “I thank the 

leadership of labour for 

their level of cooperation in 

the last one year. You made 

my transition from Chief of 

Staff to Governor very 

simple. The welfare of 

workers is very important 

to me. That’s why we pay 

their salaries promptly and 

in full. 

“We are committed to 

paying the new minimum 

wage. But we need to now 

double up our IGR. It is very 

important to collectively 

drive the IGR because it is 

the only source for payment 

of the minimum wage. 

“Thank God we’ve spent 

one year without rancour, 

no strike. We’ll work 

together to have a safe 

landing that will be 

acceptable to the two 

parties. I’m delighted to 

see this committee being 

inaugurated.” 

In his reaction, the 

Chairman, Joint 

Negotiation Council, JNC, 

Comrade Bayo Adejumo, 

assured that the labour 

leaders would cooperate 

with the government to 

avoid a “war-war type” of 

negotiation. 

“Our amiable Governor is 

not new to labour and he is 

not new to negotiation. He 

has been handling labour 

matters in the last nine 

years, particularly in the 

area of negotiation. We 

enjoyed good support and 

disposition from him. This 

accounts for the kind of 

rapport we have with him. 

It also accounts for the 

support we gave to his 

candidature. 

“Today we are happy that 

ALLEGED HERDSMEN INVASION: Stop spreading 

fake news, Fayemi warns Ekiti residents 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

A GOVERNOR 

DO-EKITI— 

Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti 

State, yesterday, urged 

community leaders and 

groups not to be used to 

cause unnecessary tension 

that can trigger a tribal crisis 

in the state. 

He said the goal of his 

administration is to ensure 

that Ekiti remains one of the 

safest places to live, work 

and conduct business in 

Nigeria. 

Referring to the 

allegation that Fulani 

herders were planning to 

occupy some community in 

the state for cattle grazing, 

Fayemi said the primary 

duty of every responsible 

government is the security 

of lives and property of its 

citizenry, which he said his 

administration is 

determined to discharge 

with every sense of 

responsibility. 

The leaders of Orin Ekiti 

community, in Ido/Osi local 

government, had late last 

year accused Fulani 

herdsmen of destroying 

crops worth over N50 

million hoisting of the flag 

to forcefully take over 2,500 

acres of land at a section of 

the town for grazing. 

Fayemi, in his New 

year’s message to the 

people of the state, in a 

statewide broadcast in Ado 

Ekiti, said: “I have 

personally kept a close 

watch on the security 

situation within and 

around Ekiti State, and I 

can assure you that as a 

government, we are 

leaving no stone unturned 

to ensure safety of lives and 

property in our dear State. 

Ekiti remains one of the 

safest places to live, work 

and conduct business in 

Nigeria.” 

His words: “The fact 

remains, however, that 

criminality cannot be 

eradicated even as we are 

working meticulously at 

reducing it to the barest 

minimum in Ekiti State, 

and the evidence is there 

for all to see and 

acknowledge that we are 

making steady progress.'' 

we have no regret supporting 

his emergence. Most of 

the agreements we entered 

during the time are being 

implemented now by his 

administration. 

“While commending you 

for prompt payment of 

salaries in full, we assure 

you that this negotiation will 

not be a war war type. We 

will apply scientific 

negotiation in a very 

conducive manner. We 

have absolute confidence in 

your leadership,” Adejumo 

said. 

No agreement yet with 

Ondo govt—NLC 

Meanwhile, Chairman of 

the Ondo NLC council, 

Comrade Sunday Adeleye- 

Oluwole in a New Year 

message to the entire 

workforce said that “it is 

instructive to note that, 

Ondo State government set 

up negotiation team in 

November 2019 and up till 

now, the negotiation was 

ongoing. 

Adeleye-Oluwole 

pointed out that no 

compromise has been 

reached with the 

government on an 

agreeable new salary table 

over the minimum wage for 

Ondo state workers. 

He, however, said that 

“the present administration 

has kept faith with our 

salaries on a monthly and 

regular basis.” 


AKURE—AHEAD of 

this year’s 

governorship election in 

Ondo State, the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, in the state, 

yesterday, assured all 

members of its intention to 

consolidate on successes in 

2019 noting that the 

coming election meant so 

much to it politically. 

The party’s Publicity 

Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, 

said this in a New Year 

message to party members 

across the 18 council areas 

of the state. 

Kalejaye, therefore, 

urged party members to 

remain disciplined, 

focused and committed to 

its programmes to achieve 

electoral victory. 

Kalejaye said: “It is 

pertinent to assure them 

that the chapter is on 

course, and inextricably 

committed to justice and 

fairness to all. 

“The chapter is 

particularly appreciative of 

its leader and Governor 

Rotimi Akeredolu for all the 

assistance received in 2019. 

“We assure him of the 

party’s consistent support 

in his crave for an 

industrialised state. 

“We applaud all members 

of the APC in the state for 

their understanding and 

good conduct at all times 

and wish to hint on more 

benefits of the party- loyalty 

in due course. 

“We need to remind 

ourselves that 2020 means 

so much to us politically. 

We must remain 

disciplined, focused and 

committed to our 

programmes to achieve 

electoral victory.” 

Abiodun promises more 

purposeful leadership 

By James Ogunnaike 

A GOVERNOR BEOKUTA— 

Dapo 

Abiodun of Ogun State, 

yesterday, reiterated the 

commitment of his 

government to continue 

providing purposeful 

leadership that would 

further engender even 

development of the state 

and as well have a positive 

impact on the entire people 

of the state. 

Abiodun, in his New Year 

broadcast, said his 

government is committed to 

ensuring that the individual 

prosperity of the citizens is 

manifested and the status of 

our dear State is enhanced 

in the comity of States in the 

Nigeria Federation. 

He said: “We will 

continue to be methodical, 

strategic, structured and 

deliberate in all that we do. 

And, we will continue to 

engage our citizens and all 

stakeholders in matters that 

affect them. We have started 

seeing the positive results 

of these. We have received 

recognitions and awards 

from local and international 

organisations for our modest 

efforts. 

“The Federal Ministry of 

Communications and 

Digital Economy adjudged 

our State as the Best State 

in ICT Infrastructure 

Development and Internet 

Penetration in the country 

this year. Our state was also 

adjudged second in ICT 

Human Capital 

Development by the same 

federal Ministry. 

“As a new Administration, 

we cannot afford to rest on 

our oars. Going forward, 

more attention will be on 

Financial Transparency, 

Accountability, Due 

Process, Efficiency and Cost 

Management, and this has 

engendered the Medium- 

Term Expenditure 

Framework, MTEF. 

“As the new year births, it 

is my prayer that the Year 

2020 brings us better 

tidings, more prosperity 

and fulfillment in our 

individual and collective 

endeavours. I am 

convinced that this is a Year 

of hope; a year when Ogun 

State will take its rightful 

place in the comity of 

States. I do not doubt that 

as a government we are 

headed in a positive 

direction- towards 

improved conditions of 

living for each of us and 

further development for our 

dear state.” 

OSUN NEW YEAR PARTY: Thugs force governor to leave event abruptly 

•It wasn’t an attack — Oyetola’s aide 

By Shina Abubakar 

O crossover 

SOGBO—THE 

party 

organised by the Osun 

State Government to usher 

in the year 2020 ended on 

a sad note as thugs invaded 

the venue and disrupted 

the event. 

The event, which was 

held at the Freedom Park 

in Osogbo, started on a 

sound note with residents 

attending the show 

massively and different 

local musicians thrilling the 

audience. 

At exactly 12:00 am, the 

New Year light was shot and 

spectacular lightning in the 

sky thrilled the audience 

into the year. 

After the fireworks 

display came to an end, 

Governor Adegboyega 

Oyetola mounted the stage 

and addressed the 

gathering of a better year 

and a prosperous 2020. 

After his address, the star 

artist of the night, Qdot was 

called onto the stage for his 

performance and few 

minutes after at about 1 am 

some gangs stormed the 

venue wielding different 

types of weapons, 

including cutlass, matches 

and clubs. 

Vanguard gathered that 

the thugs, who had fully 

mobilised themselves to the 

venue, started pelting 

stones at the dignitaries. 

A fun seeker at the venue, 

Miss Abimbola Adewole, 

told Vanguard that the 

disruption was carefully 

planned because the 

venue was peaceful until 

the miscreants took over. 

She said: “As the thugs 

began to throw stones 

around, first targeting 

the dignitaries, the 

Governor’s entourage 

left and everyone began 

to scamper for safety. 

Some of us ran towards 

the police station but we 

were asked to go 

somewhere else.” 

It wasn’t an attack 

— Oyetola’s aide 

However, Oyetola’s Chief 

Press Secretary, Ismail 

Omipidan, said it was not 

an attack on the governor, 

but a fight between two 

groups outside the venue. 

He added that the 

governor was not forced to 

leave the venue, but went 

to attend a prayer 

programme at another 

venue, saying if he was 

attacked, he would not 

have attended another 

event same day.


Don seeks technological solution 

to Nigeria challenges 

By Godfrey 

Bivbere 

LAGOS—A don, Pro 

fessor Sulaiman Adekola 

has called for the use 

of science and technology 

to solve some of the challenges 

plaguing the country, 

for the benefit of the citizenry. 

Adekola postulated that 

the use of technology can 

go a long way in addressing 

the root cause of the 

challenges confronting 

Nigerians in the various 

sectors of the economy. 

The professor, who spoke 

in Lagos at the 20th postgraduation 

anniversary of 

the University of Lagos 

engineering set, UL- 

ESSET of 1999, saying 

"since there are many 

breakthroughs that have 

been discovered by scientists 

across the globe, especially 

in the area of electrical 

and electronic engineering, 

government at all 

levels, particularly at the 

centre, should leverage on 

them to meet the yearnings 

and aspirations of the 

citizenry." 

Also speaking at the 

event, the Dean of Engineering, 

University of Lagos, 

UNILAG, Funso 

Falade enjoined the engineering 

set ULESSET of 

1999 to do everything in 

their power to ensure the 

sustainable development of 

their Alma mater in the 

years ahead. 

President of ULESSET of 

1999, Khalil Akinboboye, 

who was newly elected, 

expressed delight in the 

confidence his former 

classmates reposed in him 

by nominating him to lead 

the association in the next 

two years. 

Akinboboye reiterated 

the determination of his 

former classmates to give 

back to their Alma mater, 

especially the Faculty of 

Engineering which they 

regarded as the foundation 

that prepared them for their 

present positions in live. 

He called for the support 

and co-operation of all 

members of the association 

to ensure that the aims and 

objectives they set for themselves 

are actualised for the 

benefit of those coming 

behind them in the engineering 

profession. 

Rivers gov’s wife welcomes 

New Year babies 

PORT HARCOURT— 

THE Wife of the Rivers 

State Governor, Justice 

Eberechi Nyesom-Wike 

yesterday welcomed three 

New Year babies at the Rivers 

State University Teaching 

Hospital in Port Harcourt. 

The first New Year baby, 

Ijeoma Sandra was born to 

the family of Sergeant and 

Mrs Destiny Ijeoma at 

1.04am on New Year Day. 

She weighed 3.1kg at birth. 

The second and third 

babies were also born at the 

Rivers State University 

Teaching Hospital in Port 

Harcourt. 

Baby Ezekiel Hart Agatha, 

born at 6:28am to the 

family of Mr and Mrs 

Ezekiel Hart Nathaniel 

weighed 3.1kg at birth, 

while baby Innocent Siya 

born to the family of Mr. 

and Mrs Batubo Innocent 

weighed 2.7 kg at birth. 

All three girls are from 

Rivers State. 

Justice Nyesom-Wike 

extended gifts and cash to 

the New Year babies and 

their parents. She prayed 

for God’s protection and 

blessing for the New Year 

babies and their families. 

She said: “Rivers State is 

going to be greater. This 

will be the least place that 

we will find ourselves. We 

will have more things to 

celebrate in Rivers State. 

“I want to encourage our 

parents to hold fast unto 

God, knowing that God 

will give them the Grace to 

carry out their responsibilities.“ 

The wife of the Rivers 

State governor also extended 

gifts and cash to 

other mothers at the maternity 

ward of the Rivers 

State University Teaching 

Hospital. 

Speaking, Justice Eberechi 

Nyesom-Wike thanked 

God that the women delivered 

without complications. 

She said that this 

marks the beginning of a 

year, in which mothers 

would enjoy safe delivery. 

Ewuare calls for fasting, prayers 

for Edo, Nigeria’s political class 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THE 

Oba of Benin Omo 

n’Oba n’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, 

Ewuare II, has 

called on Nigerians to begin 

2020 with fasting, 

prayers and sacrifices for 

peace to be restored 

among politicians in Edo 

State and Nigeria in general, 

believing that the new 

year will be better than previous 

years. 

VATLAD TO BUHARI: Continue as minister, probe 

upstream petroleum sector 

By Emma Amaize 

A SABA—NATIONAL 

President of Vanguard 

for Transparent Leadership 

and Democracy, VATLAD, 

Mr. Emmanuel Igbini, yesterday, 

asked President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

engage internationally reputable 

forensic audit companies 

to carry out all-inclusive 

investigations into 

all direct and indirect activities 

in the upstream petroleum 

sector of the country. 

Igbini, in a statement 

APC urges Emmanuel to focus on governance 

in 2020 

By Chioma 

Onuegbu 

NEW YEAR BABY—Wife of Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike (right), 

and the joyful mother of the New Year Baby, Mrs. Destiny Ijeoma, welcoming new baby, Ijeoma, at 

the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, yesterday. 

UYO—THE All Pro 

gressives Congress, 

APC, Akwa Ibom State 

chapter, has called on the 

state governor, Mr Udom 

Emmanuel, to focus on 

governance in 2020 to fulfill 

his electioneering promises 

to the people. 

The state Publicity Secretary 

of APC, Mr Nkereuwem 

Enyongekere, who 

made the call yesterday in 

a New Year message, 

stressed that as the political 

year 2019 was over, it is 

now time for the citizens to 

demand for the governance 

they desire. 

His words, “We in APC 

will continue to remain resolute 

in defending the 

rights of the downtrodden 

masses of this state until 

they are able to reap the 

dividends of democracy. In 

fact, it is a year that all, irrespective 

of political persuasions 

should wake up 

to demand for better services 

from government of governor 

Udom Emmanuel. 

We must all rise to hold 

State and Local Governments 

accountable for their 

actions and inactions. 

“Time for politics is over 

this is the time for governance. 

Henceforth, those 

writing and advocating for 

APC should queue into this 

new agenda of interest in 

chaperoning the government 

to focus on governance 

that will impact positively 

on overall development 

of our State.” 

Enyongekere implored 

the state government to 

volunteer information on 

why it had not commenced 

the payment of the new 

minimum wage yet and 

why students’ scholarship 

and bursaries had been 

suspended for the past five 


He equally implored 

government to explain why 

teachers/Local government 

staff/civil servants gratuities 

and promotion arrears 

were being withheld till 

now and how the industrialisation 

programme and 

Ibom Air project had so far 

impacted on the employment 

rate in the state among others. 

“Providing answers and information 

to the above issues and 

projects will allow for public participation, 

inclusion and cohesion 

in government." 

A statement by his Acting 

Chief Press Secretary, 

CPS, Victor Ogiemwanre, 

yesterday said the Oba 

expressed confidence that 

in the years ahead, “Nigeria’s 

political economy 

would improve for the better,” 

and enjoined Nigerians 

to eschew corruption 

and be nationalistic and 

patriotic in attitude and orientation 

to build a virile 

nation. 

While urging the people 

to always be their brother’s 

keeper, and desist from 

hatred, sentiment and all 

forms of inhumanity to 

man, Oba Ewuare II cautioned 

youths against social 

vices like cultism, kidnapping, 

criminality, and 

advised them to always 

engage in meaningful ventures. 

“The Oba of Benin 

also appealed to government 

at all levels to be honest, 

transparent and accountable 

in order to ensure 

a good service delivery 

to our society. The nation’s 

leaders should do 

everything possible to ameliorate 

the current hardship 

faced by the people by improving 

on the economy, 

electricity and roads as well 

as basic social infrastructure 

that will facilitate job 

creation for the millions of 

unemployed youths in the 

country”, the statement 

added. 

objecting to the recent demand 

of the Trade Union 

Congress of Nigeria, TUC, 

that President Buhari 

should relinquish the position 

of Minister of Petroleum, 

said, “The investigations 

should include cases 

of unlawful terminations of 

employment of Nigerians, 

who opposed the economic 

and financial crimes in 

this sector. We, therefore, 

strongly object to this TUC’s 

demand on President Buhari 

to relinquish the Position 

of Minister of Petroleum 

Resources. Instead, 

we renew our advice that 

he should continue to retain 

this position, which is 

in line with section 5 of the 

1999 Nigerian Constitution, 

as amended. It vests 

the executive powers of the 

Federation on the President 

of Nigeria to be exercised 

directly by him or 

through the Vice President 

or Ministers as he so decides.” 

He said the rising cases 

of employment of qualified 

and professional Nigerians 

on casual and contract basis 

by multinational oil companies 

should be investigated, 

noting that “such 

employment are in gross 

violation of labour laws of 

Nigeria and expose Nigerian 

workers as slaves in 

their home country, Nigeria.” 

Pointing out that Buhari 

had plugged many existing 

loopholes for looting 

and embezzlement in the 

oil and gas sector, Igbini 

noted, “I and few patriotic 

labour leaders in the multinational 

oil companies, 

who dared to confront 

these looters in order to 

stop their unpatriotic and 

criminal acts were unlawfully 

sacked from our legitimate 

employment till date. 

All these economic and financial 

crimes were perpetrated 

during the periods 

Nigeria had technocrats 

and oil and gas professionals 

appointed as substantive 

Ministers of Petroleum 

Resources. 

“During these same periods, 

our crude oil refineries 

witnessed monumental 

misappropriation of 

funds and maladministration 

which led to their 

eventual total collapse. 

These periods were before 

President Buhari was 

sworn in as President on 

May 29, 2015.



CELEBRATION: Fun seekers at Ikorodu Fun Park during the new year celebration, in 

Lagos, yesterday. Photo: NAN 

Northern govs reiterate resolve to tackle 

2020 is full of prospects and 

illiteracy, insecurity opportunities for 

By Therese 

Nanlong 

JOS—GOVERNORS in 

the Northern States of 

Nigeria yesterday 

reiterated their collective 

commitment to reverse the 

trend of poverty, illiteracy 

and insecurity ravaging the 

region and ensure good 

governance in the region. 

The Chairman of 

Northern Governors’ 

Forum and Governor of 

Plateau State, Simon 

Lalong gave the assurance 

in a New Year message, 

stressing that together, the 

body would continue to 

peer review one another 

and also benchmark targets 

for regional development 

plans that would engender 

peaceful coexistence and 

people oriented 

programmes. 

Lalong in a statement by 

his Director of Press and 

Public Affairs, Makut 

Macham, said: “The 

Northern Governors Forum 

rejoices with Nigerians on 

the celebration of a new year 

2020, urging for collective 

resolve to build a Nigeria 

that is more united, 

prosperous and equitable. 

From the record of 

achievements last year, 

Nigerians to again work for 

the upliftment of the 

country by supporting 

governments at all levels to 

carry out development 

initiatives that will 

strengthen the economy 

and its people. 

“All that is required is for 

all to demonstrate patriotism 

and genuine commitment 

to making the desired 

sacrifices that are needed 

to build a nation that is self 

sufficient and strong 

enough to provide 

opportunities for its people 

to flourish. Insecurity 

remains a major challenge 

that both the government 

and citizens must 

Ganduje pegs minimum wage at 

N30,600 for workers in Kano 

By Abdulmumin 

Murtala 

K ANO—GOVERNOR 

Abdullahi Ganduje of 

Kano State, has 

commenced the payment of 

N30,600 minimum wage to 

workers in the state in 

fulfillment of a promise to 

adopt the new wage regime 

in the state. 

The payment started in 

December 2019. 

The new salary scale 

officially commenced from 

April 2019 when the new 

Minimum Wage Act was 

signed into law by 


Buhari as well as the 

agreement reached 

between the state 

government and the Joint 

Public Service Negotiations 

Council, JPSNC. 

Consequently, the 

government will pay eight 

months arrears to the 

workers. 

Some workers who spoke 

to Vanguard on the 

development, thanked the 

governor for fulfilling his 

promise. 

“I am a health worker 

under the state government 

and I am impressed that the 

governor has been able to 

commence the payment of 

the N30,000 basic salary 

system with an increase of 

N600 even though it is 

supposed to be from April 

2019. This is highly 

encouraging when 

compared to other states. 

We don’t know now 

whether they will pay 

arrears or not. We also hope 

he fulfills the promise he 

made for free and 

compulsory education as 

well” Bashir Yusuf, a 

government health worker 

stated. 

Speaking on the new 

development, 

Commissioner for 

Information and Internal 

Affairs Malam 

Muhammad Garba said 

“Governor Abdullahi Ganduje 

has, right from the commencement 

of negotiation between the 

federal government and organized 

labour, indicated his administration’s 

readiness to pay the restructured 

minimum wage. 

collaborate at ensuring that 

it is tackled holistically in 

order to overcome criminals 

who are bent on 

unleashing terror and 

sorrow on Nigerians. The 

Northern Governors Forum 

remains committed to 

carrying out robust 

initiatives towards targeting 

poverty, illiteracy, diseases 

and insecurity that are 

plaguing many parts of the 

region in particular, and the 

nation as a whole. 

“The Governors of the 

Northern Region will 

continue to peer review one 

another and also 

benchmark targets for 

regional development 

plans that will engender 

peaceful coexistence and 

people oriented 

programmes. We shall 

continue to work closely 

with the Federal 

Government under the 

leadership of His 

Excellency President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

GCFR to create synergy 

that is critical to achieving 

meaningful development 

of the Northern Region 

and the nation at large.” 

Katsina govt, labour agree to commence 

minimum wage implementation January 

KATSINA— KATSINA 

State Government and 

the organized labour in the 

state have reached 

agreement on the payment 

of the new national 

minimum wage with its 

consequential adjustments 

to public workers in the 

state. 

Mustapha Inuwa, 

Secretary to the state 

government, and state 

Nigeria Labour Congress, 

NLC, Chairman, Hussaini 

Hamisu, reached the 

agreement, according to the 

statement they signed in 

Katsina. 

Both officials said the 

implementation of the new 

minimum wage and 

consequential adjustments 

of salaries would 

commence January, 2020. 

According to them, the 

increase represents the 

following percentages for 

Harmonised Public Service 

Salary (HAPSS) structure: 

GL 01: 60 per cent, GL 02: 

60.98 per cent, GL 03: 62. 

Per cent and GL 04: 60.59, 

per cent. 

Others are: GL 05: 60.61 

per cent, GL 06: 32.63 per 

cent, GL 07: 13.2 per cent 

GL 08-9: 10 per cent, GL 

10-14: 8 per cent and GL 

15-17: 4 per cent. 

Labour issues 4 key demands to 

boost textile sector 

By Victor Young 

K 

A D U N A — 

NATIONAL Union 

of Textile, Garment and 

Tailoring Workers of 

Nigeria, NUTGTWN, 

yesterday in Kaduna 

issued a four key demand 

to the Federal Government 

to consolidate the revival of 

the textile and garment 

sector in 2020. 

The union in a New Year 

message to members by its 

General Secretary and Vice 

President of Industrial 

Global Union, African 

Region, Issa Aremu, 

greeted members in the 

industry and informal 

sector as well as friends and 

comrades in fraternal 

unions in the Nigeria 

Labour Congress, NLC, 

and IndustriALL Global 

Union. 

Among others, the union 

demanded that the 

government does the 

following in this year 2020, 

to consolidate the gains and 

boost the sector. “Massive 

patronage of locally 

produced textiles by 

Ministries Departments 

and Agencies, MDAs. 

David Mark wants FG to avail 

Nigerians with 2020 roadmap 

By Peter Duru 

M AKURDI— 

F O R M E R 

President of the Senate, 

Senator David Mark, has 

urged the federal 

government to provide a 

defined road map for 

citizens to follow in the year 

2020. 

He said the road map is 

imperative since 

government was akin to a 

role model and pathfinder 

to which citizens should 

ordinarily emulate. 

Mark in a New Year 

goodwill message to 

Nigerians by his Media 

Adviser, Paul Mumeh, 

They also agreed to form 

a committee involving 

labour to assist the state 

government in 

rejuvenating revenue drive 

to boost Internally 

Generated Revenue (IGR). 

According to them, NLC 

would partner with the state 

government to improve 

efficiency and productivity 

in the local government 

general administration. 

Labour pledged to 

inculcate the culture of hard 

work, honesty and 

productivity in the state, 

local governments and the 

local education authority 

workers. 

Establishment of the Ministry 

of Textile as it has been 

done in India, China and 

Pakistan. The objective of 

the proposed Ministry 

would be regular 

upgrading of the textile 

value chain, improve on 

labour productivity, 

maximize value-addition 

and formulate strategies 

and programmes to enable 

the textile sector to meet the 

challenges to attain global 

competitiveness. 

“Combat Smuggling and 

Counterfeiting of textile 

products:- The fiscal 

authorities must try and 

compliment the 

commendable efforts of the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, monetary and 

development financing 

measures. The Customs 

Service 

has 

recorded some achievements 

in combating smuggling. 

But more should be done. 

Customs Service should 

come out with the new 

creative measures that 

must include consistent 

raids of the warehouses of 

smugglers in Kano, Lagos, 

Kaduna and other cities of 

the Federation." 

however implored Nigerians 

to reignite the indomitable 

spirit they were 

known for in order to 

overcome the current socioeconomic 

and political 

challenges. 

He tasked governments 

at all levels to make 

conscious and deliberate 

efforts towards addressing 

the issues of unemployment 

as well as the unabating 

insecurity situation so that 

Nigeria could work again.


By Victor Young & 

Jimitota Onoyume 

NIGERIA may be 

face scarcity of 

petroleum products early in 

the New Year as Nigeria 

Union of Petroleum and 

Natural Gas Workers, 

NUPENG, yesterday 

issued a seven-day strike 

notice to Chevron Nigeria 

Limited, CNL, to reinstate 

its members sacked over 

union membership failing 

which members would 

down tools and begin a 

nationwide strike. 

It was alleged that CNL, 

through its Contractor, 

Cordeau Nigeria Limited 

sacked all its 32 workers for 

insisting on being 

NUPENG members. 

Yesterday, aggrieved 

workers and union officials 

stormed and barricaded 

some Chevron facilities in 

Warri, especially its clinic at 

Ejeba, Off NPA Express 

Road, Warri. 

However, NUPENG, in a 

statement by its President 

and General Secretary, 

Prince Williams Akporeha 

and Afolabi Olawale, said 

among others that it was 

frustrated and “grossly 

disappointed about the 

directive of Chevron 

Nigeria Limited to its 

Contractor, Cordeau 

Nigeria Limited to sack all 

its 32 workers for insisting 

on being NUPENG 

members. This obnoxious 

act of Chevron and its 

employment contractor 

which was viciously carried 

:Vanguard 

News 

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

Fuel scarcity looms in new year 

...As NUPENG issues 7-day strike notice over sack of members by Chevron 

out at the twilight of 2019 

was in bad fate and an 

affront to workers’ rights 

and also labour relations 

between workers and 

employers, codified in 

national and international 

labour and employment 

law. 

For Chevron to act 

contrary to the existing 

provisions of the law, 

legitimacy and legality is 

what we cannot 

understand. We would 

do everything within our 

powers constitutionally 

to protect the rights and 

the interests of our 

affected members some 

of whom are already 

hospitalized as a result 

of the shock they got 

from their purported 

sack by their employer 

few hours before year 

2020. 

We are still surprised 

that despite previous 

agreements and existing 

understanding on other 

separate matters between 

the union and Chevron 

Nigeria Limited, 

orchestrated by Nigerian 

National Petroleum 

Corporation, NNPC, 

National Petroleum 

Investment Management 

Services, NAPIMS, the 

Ministry of Labour and 

Employment, and other 

stakeholders in the 

industry, Chevron could 

still embark on such 

unthinkable, inhuman, 

retrogressive and anti 

labour infractions without 

consultations and not also 

minding the attendant 

negative implications this 

will have on the country 

socio-economically. 

NUPENG is vehemently 

opposed to this unpatriotic 

and uncivilized move in 

view of our commitment to 

the protection of jobs of our 

members and considering 

the high level of 

unemployment in the 

country which is directly 

responsible for the 

increasing cases of 

insecurity, deviant 

behaviours among our 

youths and other tensed 

and challenging situations 

in Nigeria. 

In view of this 

heartbreaking which is 

currently posing a huge 

threat to the nation’s 

industrial peace and 

harmony as well as socioeconomic 

activities of the 

citizenry, the union is 

however using this 

medium to reach out to the 

management of Chevron to 

recall to work all the sacked 

workers forthwith. 

Make our country attractive to investors, become 

a strong economy, Saraki urges Nigerians 

FORMER 

Senate 

President, Dr. 

Abubakar Saraki has 

congratulated Nigerians 

on the commencement of 

the New Year 2020 which 

also signifies the turn of 

a new decade and urged 

them to work to make the 

country more conducive for 

investments and building 

of a strong economy. 

Saraki, in a statement 

by his Special Adviser 

(Media and Publicity), 

Yusuph Olaniyonu, 

stated that “We have a lot 

to thank God for despite 

all the challenges we 

faced as a country in the 

year that just ended, our 

country remains one. We 

as citizens need to just 

rededicate ourselves to 

concentrating on issues 

that will unite us, help our 

country to realize its 

enormous potentials, be 

law abiding and pray for 

our leaders. 

“At this point, I enjoin all 

Nigerians to pray for our 

soldiers and other security 

agents who are battling to 

maintain peace in the 

North-east zone and other 

troubled parts of the 

country. We should pray to 

1ST BABIES OF THE YEAR 2020 

Consequent on the above 

demand and having taken 

us for granted, NUPENG 

hereby puts all our 

members on red alert 

should Chevron Nigeria 

Limited and its contractor 

fail to honour or comply 

with our demand within the 

next seven days, we would 

also not hesitate to take all 

necessary legal options 

available to us; including 

nationwide industrial 

actions and demonstrations 

to press home our 

legitimate and urgent 

request. 

The National leadership 

God to bless their efforts, 

protect them and give us 

victory. 

“We must all focus on how 

to make our country the goto 

place for investors from 

within and outside so that 

we can build a very strong 

economy and one that will 

be able to gainfully 

accommodate and create 

wealth for our growing 

population of youths. This 

is because the new decade 

will be about the youths. 

Our ability to gainfully 

harness their energy will 

determine whether that 

section of our population 

of NUPENG is equally not 

unaware that the Warri 

Zonal Council of our union 

had picketed the facility of 

the affected workers. We 

would like to put it on 

record that we empathize 

with them and share in 

their worries, agonies, 

regrets and grief, and we 

painfully say we would not 

retreat until the needful is 

done in their overall 

interest, but urge them to 

remain law abiding, 

calm and civil. For a fact, 

this is not a New Year gift 

anyone could ever wish for 

even his worst enemy.” 

will be an asset or liability. 

“Our focus in this new 

year should be to ensure 

that by the end of the new 

decade that began today, 

we can say now our 

economy is strong, robust 

enough to utilize the 

energy of our youths and 

transform our various 

mineral resources into 

wealth for the citizenry and 

the country. 

“ It is my prayer that we 

will all have a very 

successful year in 2020 and 

that God should fully 

restore peace and 

prosperity in our 

country. Happy New Year 

to all Nigerians.” 

Ogun State governor's wife, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun with the first babies of the Year (middle), mother 

of baby boy, Mrs. Kemi Osungbure (left), Wife of the Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Mrs. 

Bolanle Oluomo (2nd left), Mother of baby girl, Mrs. Shade Akindele (right), Mrs Kikelomo Enahoro, 

Deputy Director, Nursing Services of OOUTH (2nd Left) while Mrs. Abiodun donated cash and gifts to 

the babies at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Ogun State. 

(TOP RIGHT) First baby of the year 

in Oyo State, Baby Adedokun Foluso 

born by 1:08 am at University College 

Hospital, UCH, Ibadan. 

(LEFT): Wife of Delta State Governor 

and founder O5 Initiative, Dame Edith 

Okowa welcoming a baby born at the 

Federal Medical Centre Asaba to the 

family of Mr. and Mrs. Fidelis 

Onwuma as the first baby of 2020. 

(RIGHT): Osun first lady Mrs 

Kafayat Oyetola carrying the first 

baby of Year 2020 born at 1:am with 

the parents, Mr and Mrs Adewale 

Abass at the State Hospital 

Asubiaro Osogbo, Osun State.


Mbazulike Amaechi’s 

kinsmen honoured 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

N NEWI—TEN 

kinsmen of first 

Republic Aviation 

Minister, Chief 

Mbazulike Amaechi, 

including the Chief 

Medical Director of 

Nnamdi Azikiwe 

University Teaching 

Hospital,NAUTH, Nnewi, 

Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, 

were yesterday honoured 

by Ukpor community in 

Nnewi South Local 

Government Area, 

Anambra State. 

According to the 

President General of 

Ukpor Improvement 

Union, UIU, Mr 

Emmanuel Nwachukwu, 

the fifteen personalities 

honoured, have 

distinguished themselves 

in their professions, 

businesses, public service, 

academia and on the 

international stage. 

Other Ukpor sons and 

daughters honoured by 

the community were, 

Bishop Goddy Okafor, Dr 

Henry Nkemadu, Dr 

Irene Ochem, Mrs Chizor 

Malize, Okwudili Igweka, 

Uzozie Zenco Oragwa, 

Celestine Emokai, Chika 

Arinze, Greg Okafor, Sir 

Simeon Arazu, Prince 

Clem Okoli, Mike Ireka 

and Prince Gozie Arinze. 

According to Mr. 

Nwachukwu, the fifteen 

sons and daughters of 

Ukpor honoured are 

breaking new grounds in 

their chosen endeavours 

and have brought pride to 

the community by leaving 

distinguished marks on 

their chosen areas of 

endeavours. 

In his welcome address 

at the occasion which held 

at St Mary’s School field, 

Ukpor, Mr. Nwachukwu 

said the “Ukpor Special 

Award” bestowed on them 

started in 2017 with the 

recognition of Major Gen. 

Ben Ahanotu who was the 

chairman of the 2018 

edition. 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

AWKA—THE Okija 

in-Home Club, an elite 

club made up of graduates 

in Okija, Anambra State, 

has empowered 23 

graduates by exposing 

them to ICT training that 

would enable them become 

self employed. 

The beneficiaries, who 

were drawn from the 

various villages in the 

community, showcased 

their ICT knowledge 

“No doubt, there are so 

many sons and 

daughters of Ukpor who 

have blazed the trail and 

are qualified for 

recognition but every 

one cannot be given the 

award at the same time. 

“My administration is 

passionately committed 

to protecting the 

common interests of Ndi 

Ukpor. Such interests 

include those of the 

oldest villages, the 

privileged Umunnas, 

the strongest and the 

most ancient and richest 

in royalty and the 

newest, the non 

indigenes of our town 

who live and do business 

here.” 

Chief Nwachukwu, 

enumerated some of his 

achievements since 

assumption of office as 

“restoration of electricity 

to the community and 

restoration to life, all 

vandalized transformers 

and in the process , 

reversing the 

problematic bulk 

prepaid metering which 

created huge billing 

challenges to the people. 

“As Ukpor is growing 

from being a village 

through semi urban to 

an urban area, so are the 

daily needs of it’s 

residents. We have as a 

result, created Ukpor 

daily market so that 

those among us who 

want to make profession 

out of trading can do that 

effectively and efficiently. 

“We also want to create 

opportunities for our 

farmers and craftsmen to 

have a place they can 

take their wares every 

day to sell instead of 

waiting for the next turn 

of four days as was the 

case. 

“We are pleased to 

announce that over forty 

million Naira of the 

Anambra State 

government’s choose 

your project 

initiative(CYP) has been 

invested in Afor Ukpor." 

during the club’s annual 

symposium at the Legacy 

University, Okija. 

They majored in various 

areas of ICT, including 

website development and, 

according to the facilitator 

of the programme, Mrs. 

Vivian Onwuatuelo, the 

graduates had been 

properly equipped for self 

employment. 

According to her, the 

expectation was that more 

graduates would be trained 

to ensure that more youths 

were given opportunity for 

Nigerians to face harder 

times in 2020 —Mbaka 

By Chinedu Adonu 

E NUGU—SPIRITUAL 

Director of Adoration 

Ministry, Enugu, Nigeria, 

AMEN, Fr Ejike Mbaka, 

during his 2019 passover 

By Chidi 

Nkwopara 

O WERRI—THE 

leadership of Biafra 

Independence 

Movement, BIM, has 

announced the formation 

of an internal 

government, as well as 

adopted Igbo, Efik, Ijaw, 

Ibibio and pidgin English 

as their lingua franca. 

This development was 

made public in a 

statement signed by the 

Biafran Director of 

Information, Elder Chris 

Mocha and made 

available to Vanguard in 

Owerri. 

“The founder of Biafra 

Independence 

self employment. 

An official of the club, Dr. 

John Erinne, an Engineer, 

said during the unveiling 

of the ICT graduates at 

Okija that in addition to 

the training programme, 

the In-Home Club, 

founded in the 1970s, has 

been paying the WAEC 

fees for all final year 

students of Okija 

Grammar School and 

Union Secondary School 

in the town and has been 

organizing tuition for 

JAMB candidates as a 

ministration, disclosed that 

there would be more hard 

times for Nigerians in 2020. 

He also prophesied that 

the 2019 APC governorship 

candidate for Imo State, 

Senator Hope Uzodinma 

Movement, BIM, and the 

Movement for 

Actualization of Sovereign 

State of Biafra, MASSOB, 

Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, 

has announced the 

formation of Biafra’s 

internal government”, 

Mocha said. 

Biafran Director of 

Information, who also 

doubles as Chief 

Uwazuruike’s Media 

Assistant, said some 

appointments were 

announced last Monday. 

Those who were 

appointed, according to 

the statement, were Chief 

Solomon Ordu Chukwu, 

an Ikwere man from 

Rivers State, as Eze 

Obodo, President of New 

Okija empowers 23 youths with ICT training 

SERVICE: Thanksgiving celebration during the New Year Eucharistic service at Archbishop Vining 

Memorial Church Cathedral, GRA, Ikeja, yesterday. PHOTO: Lamidi Bamidele. 

Uwazuruike sets up 

‘internal government’ 

means of fighting school 

dropout among students. 

Erinne said: “Our focus is 

on the development of 

Okija and to intervene in 

critical areas that would 

benefit the youths so as to 

be useful members of the 

society. 

“The In-Home Club has 

consistently been 

organizing this annual 

symposium during which 

it identifies areas of need 

for the people of Okija 

and intervene in such 

areas.” 

would take over the 

governance of Imo State 

from the incumbent 

governor, Chief Emeka 

Ihedioha. 

While maintaining that 

all the prophesies in 

Biafran Nation. 

“Uwazuruike also 

appointed Chief Lambert 

Obikaizu as Oje Ozi 

Obodo, Prime Minister; 

Chief Vincent Iloh as 

OmeUdo Obodo, Chief 

Justice; Chief Micheal 

Ijeomah as Oka-Iwu, 

Speaker of Biafran Parliament 

and Ulo Atumatu, 

Members of Parliament,” 

Mocha said. 

Continuing, the Director 

of Information explained 

that the new nation, 

which still exists under 

Nigeria, will remain nonviolent 

and has adopted 

Igbo, Efik, Ibibio, Ijaw 

and pidgin English as the 

official languages of the 

Biafran people. 

“In Biafra, we are no 

longer going to use 

English language. We 

are not Englishmen. 

Biafra shall be one of 

those countries in the 

world that will speak 

their Indigenous 

languages,” Mocha 

said. 

He further disclosed 

that Chief Uwazuruike 

has instructed that from 

January 1, 2020, English 

Language shall no 

longer be spoken during 

interviews on Voice of 

Biafra International, 

VOBI, radio, television 

or newspapers. 

Adoration Ground have 

come to pass, he disclosed 

that he did not know how 

the revelation would 

manifest. 

He warned those who 

would not be satisfied with 

the message not to come 

after him, stressing that 

such action would attract 

the wrath of the Holy Spirit 

upon such individuals or 

groups. 

According to him: “Many 

things are going to happen 

in Nigeria this 2020 that 

will shock countrymen and 

countrywomen; but all 

would be to God’s glory. 

“In spite of the hard 

things that would 

happen this 2020, there 

is hope. In Imo State, 

there is hope. Hope, 

hope, hope … hope in 

Imo State! 

“Imo people have 

suffered but God is 

raising a new hope that 

would be an agent of 

salvation for them. 

“He’s coming with a 

new flag to restore the 

dignity of that noble 

land; a new leadership 

that will break barriers 

and there would be joy in 

the land of Imo. Lift your 

candles as I bless Hope 

Uzodinma; and I empower 

him to spiritually to take 

over. How, I do not know. 

“Please, if you heard that 

there would be a new 

government in Imo and 

you don’t like the message; 

if I say hope, you can say 

hopeless but do not fight 

me. 

“I am saying this in 

respect of those who may 

want to come after me 

because of the message.If 

you do that, the God of 

Moses, Elijah and Elisha 

will deal with you. I am 

only a messenger of God.”

16 — Vanguard THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

Tejuoso, Benson, Okoli, others honoured 

by Nigerian-British Business Forum 

SENATOR Lanre Teju 

oso was among eight 

Nigerians honoured recently 

by the Nigerian 

Achievers Awards Institute, 

the licensor of the 

Nigerian-British Awards, 

an initiative headed by 

Prince Afolabi Andu. 

At a ceremony held at 

the Hilton Paddington, 

London, Andu, who is 

also the President of the 

Nigerian-British Business 

Forum, commended 

the eight recipients for 

their various contributions 

to both the corporate 

world and humanity 

while urging them to continue 

to strive for greater 

success in all their endeavours. 

Andu used the occasion 

to unveil the Nigerian 

Achievers Compendium 

assault 

By Chinonso Alozie 

OWERRI — THE 

Imo state governor, 

Emeka Ihedioha, yesterday 

said that plans have 

been concluded to establish 

referral centers for people 

sexually abused. 

The governor spoke in 

Owerri as part of his new 

year broadcast message on 

his 2020 agenda. 

He said among other 

things, that the state will 

domesticate Violence 

Against Persons (Prohibition) 

Act in Imo. He also 

disclosed that he will lead 

the campaign against stigmatization 

of people living 

with HIV/AIDS. 

The governor reminded 

the people of the state of 

his plans to invest four billion 

in the upgrading of the 

four technical colleges in 

the state. 

Ihedioha's message on 

other areas that "The path 

of the just, the Bible says, 

is like the shining light, 

that shineth brighter and 

brighter unto a perfect day. 

This shall be the path of the 

Rebuild Imo journey. 

"Proper planning is 

based on empirical projections 

and prudent management 

of funds is vital 

for meaningful development. 

A viable budget is 

the basis for fiscal responsibility. 

On the 27th of December 

2019, I signed into 

law the Imo 2020 Appropriation 

Bill signalling that 

the fiscal year will begin 

today, 1st of January 2020 

as envisaged. We will keep 

faith with this instrument. 

"We shall intensify our 

efforts in our promotion of 

investment and industrialization 

to bolster economic 

development in the State 

and create jobs. The Bu- 

2020, a publication proposed 

to project Nigerians 

embarking on great 

feats in Diaspora. 

Senator Tejuoso expressed 

gratitude to the 

award organisers and Nigerians 

for finding him 

worthy of the honour as 

he pledged to continue 

to serve his people and 

Nigeria with all the resources 

available to him 

and in different platforms 

and positions that 

he finds himself. 

Also honoured alongside 

Senator Tejuoso, 

Chairman of the 8th Senate 

Committee on Health, 

was Mrs. Juliet Benson, 

a Nigerian-born lawyer 

and principal partner with 

JB Solicitors (UK) and Dr. 

Joe Okoli, founder of the 

Abuja Graduate School. 

AWARD: Mrs. Juliet Benson, a Nigerian-born lawyer 

and principal partner with JB Solicitors, UK, one of 

those honoured by the Nigerian Achievers Awards 

Institute, receiving her award from Major-General 

Akinkumi Akintunde (rtd) in London. 

2020: Imo to have referral center against sexual 

reau of Trade and Investment 

is currently conducting 

a verification process of 

Local and foreign companies 

that are ready to invest 

in Imo State. It is also 

developing specialized 

market clusters across the 

State to create competitive 

advantages for the improvement 

of business climate 

in the State. 

"We shall work to leverage 

our strategic position 

as the confluence state in 

the old Eastern Region, to 

transform into the preferred 

tourist and conference destination 

in the region. Consequently, 

works are ongoing 

to partner with our rich 

hospitality industry to harness 

our potentials. In like 

manner, the Ahiajoku Lectures 

is back, revived and 

shall get better in the coming 

years. Similarly, our 

tourist resorts like the Oguta 

Lake Resort would be 

upgraded this year. 

"Government shall pay 

adequate attention to ensuring 

access to basic necessities 

of life and protection 

for vulnerable groups, 

including People Living 

with Disabilities." 

He sounded serious on 

the issue of fight against 

any form of sexual abuse 

pointing out that "We shall 

work to domesticate the 

Violence Against Persons 

(Prohibition) Act in Imo. We 

are also looking at working 

with development partners 

and civil society 

groups to establish Sexual 

Assault Referral Centres 

(SARC). "You would recall 

that in my inaugural address, 

I specifically declared 

technical and vocational 

education (TVET) as 

a major pillar of our educational 

transformation programme." 

On his plans for technical 

education in the state, 

Ihedioha said: "To this effect, 

we are investing more 

than N4Billion (Four Billion 

Naira) in the reconstruction, 

physical upgrade 

and curriculum improvement 

at the four premier 

technical colleges in the 

State. We have set a target 

for ourselves to have over 

70 percent of these TVET 

graduates to get jobs, be 

self-employed, or advance 

to tertiary institutions for 

Higher National Diplomas 

or Degrees. 

"Information Technology 

(IT) is like they say, the 

new “Oil “. Imo is leading 

the way in technological 

development with a view 

to making the State an IT 

hub. We have facilitated IT 

Tech Incubation centres, 

trained our women & 

youths, and are attracting 

the big names in Tech such 

as Google, MTN etc. in 

partnership as well as operations. 

"As the new decade beckons 

and the march to the 

4th Industrial Revolution 

nears, the teaching of Artificial 

Intelligence (AI), 

Machine Learning and 

Data Science would constitute 

a core of the curriculum 

of our schools. This 

is pursuant to our stated 

policy of inculcating in our 

young ones globally competitive 

skills and preparing 

them for the 21st century 

workforce. We reaffirm 

that we will continue to 

deploy ICT in our governance 

processes. 

"Information Technology 

will also be the platform 

that we will use to sanitize 

our previously abused land 

administration and allocation 

system. "The newly 

constituted Land Use Allocation 

Committee 

(LUAC) will work within a 

framework of a digitalized 

geographic information 

system that we are in the 

process of procuring. This 

will further provide geospatial 

data for agricultural, 

environmental and 

transportation challenges.? 

DPR seals 5 petrol stations 

in Enugu 

By Anayo Okoli 

ENUGU — THE De 

partment of Petroleum 

Resources, DPR, 

Enugu Field Office, has 

been sealed off five petrol 

stations in Enugu, for various 

offences. 

According to the Head, 

Gas Monitoring and Regulation 

of DPR, Mr. Linus 

Ikegbunam, the action followed 

a routine monitoring 

of the activities of the petrol 

marketers in the state carried 

out by his team, Monday. 

The exercise, he said, 

randomly took them to over 

18 petrol stations with five 

of them caught engaging 

in illegal and sanctioned. 

He explained that while 

one of the affected petrol 

stations was operating 

without license, four others 

were closed down due to 

under-dispensing of petroleum 

products. 

Ikegbunam condemned a 

situation where petroleum 

marketers would adjust their 

pump price in order to cheat 

the public and described 

such act as fraudulent. 

According to him, the 

petrol stations would remain 

closed until their owners pay 

the necessary fines for the infraction, 

as well as re-adjust 

their pumps to the approved 

price. 

Foreign reserves drop by 

10.4% in 2019 

THE 

Nigerian 

Bureau of 

Statistics, NBS says 

8,487,698 passengers 

passed through 

Nigerian air space 

in Q1 and Q2 of 

2019. 

In its quarterly Air 

Transportation Data 

report for Q1, Q2 

2019 released on its 

website, the bureau 

said of the 

8.4million passengers, 

4,002,528 passed 

through the air 

space in the first 

quarter of 2019, a 

3.87% year-on-year 

growth from the 

same quarter of 

2018; and 4,485,170 

in the second 

quarter of 2019, a 

year-on-year growth 

of 6.82% from the 

same quarter in 2018. 

The report 

indicates that the 

first two quarters of 

2019 saw diverse 

performance in the 

various items that 

make up airport 

transportation in 

Nigeria. 

Consequently, it 

said there was 12.06% 

NIGERIA’s foreign 

reserves dropped 

by $4.46 billion or 10.4 

percent to $38.61 billion 

in November 2019 from 

the $43.07 billion recorded 

in January 2019, a 

data obtained from Central 

Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, has revealed. 

According to the data, 

Nigeria’s foreign reserves 

have kept a downward 

trend since June 

2019, when it dropped 

from the $45 billion mark 

in July, to reach the 40 

billion mark. It slided 

further pass the $40 billion 

mark later in November 

and currently 

stands at $38.61 billion. 

Meanwhile, the CBN 

recently disclosed that 

Nigeria’s dependence 

on crude oil for more 

than 60 percent of fiscal 

revenue and over 90 percent 

of forex earnings 

implied that the country’s 

revenue and forex 

supply was exposed to 

shocks from the international 

oil market. 

It added that these 

shocks were transmitted 

to the Nigerian economy 

as manufacturers and 

traders who required forex 

for purchase of necessary 

raw materials were 

faced with deteriorating 

supplies. 

“With the drop in forex 

inflows, the exchange rate 

at the parallel market rose 

from about N200/$ in August 

2015 to N525/$ in February 

2017. Inflation also 

rose from 9.6 per cent in 

January 2016 to over 18.7 

percent in January 2017. 

“Our external reserves 

fell from about $31bn in 

April 2015 to $23bn in October 

2016, and activities in 

the industrial sector witnessed 

a lull as manufacturers 

struggled to get access 

to key inputs needed 

in the production process,” 

said Godwin Emefiele, 

CBN Governor. 

“The introduction of the 

Investor & Exporter, I&E 

window, along with improvement 

in domestic 

production of goods, has 

helped shore up our external 

reserves. 

Transactions have 

reached over $55billion 

since the inception of the 

window and our foreign 

exchange reserves has risen 

to $42billion in September 

2019 from $23billion in 

October 2019,” he added. 

8.4m passengers passed 

through Nigerian Airports in 

Q1, Q2 2019 

By Emmanuel 

Elebeke 

growth in passengers 

for Q2 2019 when 

compared to Q1 2019 

numbers. 

According to the 

NBS, a total aircraft 

traffic within the 

period declined yearon-year 

for Q1 (- 

1.04%) & and 

increased for Q2 

(2.60%), when 

compared to the 

corresponding quarter 

in 2018. 

It however, pointed 

out that aircraft traffic 

in the first half of 

2019, totalled 138,464, 

a 100.61% growth 

from total aircrafts 

recorded in the same 

period last year. 

“The total number of 

passengers who 

passed through 

Nigerian airports 

reached 4,002,528 in 

the first quarter of 

2019, a 3.87% year-onyear 

growth from the 

same quarter of 2018; 

and 4,485,170 in the 

second quarter of 

2019, a year-on-year 

growth of 6.82% from 

the same quarter in 

2018. 

“Consequently, there 

was 12.06% growth in 

passengers for Q2 

2019 when compared 

to Q1 2019 numbers."

In 2020, Glo leads the way 

TO many Nigerians, 2019 was 

not a year they shall look back 

with undiluted pleasure just like the 

British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, 

moaned on November 24, 1992. It 

was their own annus horribilis 

(horrible year), just like 1992 was for 

the Queen. And despite protestations 

in certain quarters to the contrary, 

Nigerians knew because they were 

worse for it. 

Worse, the World Bank in its latest 

Nigeria Economic Update predicted 

that poverty rate in the country could 

become worse, with up to 30 million 

more people falling into the extreme 

poverty trap in the next 10 years, 

unless Federal Government policy 

reforms engender robust 

productivity and inclusive growth. 

Yet, in a sense, the same 2019 was, 

indeed, an annus mirabilis (wonderful 

year) for some entities in the country. 

A horribly wonderful year will be 

oxymoron, no doubt. But that is one 

of the contradictions that underpins 

our essence which confounds many. 

While Nigeria, our dear country, is 

grossly underperforming, the 

gigantic exploits of the private sector 

players on the global stage is 

overwhelming. 

Globacom Limited, Nigerian 

multinational telecommunications 

company, is one of such. For the Mike 

Adenuga-led telecom giants, 2019 

was, indeed, a glorious year. I have 

decided, as part of my New Year 

resolutions, not to open Nigeria’s 

book of lamentations so early in the 

day, but instead, look at the country’s 

shining stars in the global firmament 

- achievements many Nigerians are 

unfortunately not aware of. 

To cap what was truly an 

Takeaways from the NDIC/Editors forum 

THE event took place on Thursday 

penultimate week in the Legend Hotel 

situated within the precincts of the Murtala 

Muhammed Airport, Lagos. The Forum 

coming just a few weeks after the Nigerian 

Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, had 

celebrated its 30th anniversary provided a 

good opportunity to raise the veil over many 

issues that might seem opaque to the reading 

public. Banking and financial matters are 

things that affect our readers, day in day out 

and any opportunity meeting face to face with 

one of the main regulators is a chance to grab 

some answers to some recurring questions. 

Actually one thing that could be conceded 

to the management of the NDIC is that in the 

past few years they have been indefatigable 

on hitting the road to engage with and explain 

issues to a variety of stakeholders. They have 

just had a sensitisation workshop with the 

judges of states and FCT high courts. 

They have had this kind of engagement with 

them for some years now and it always 

provided an opportunity to explain emerging 

issues to the judiciary and seek their 

cooperation as arbiters, thus ensuring speedy 

resolution of disputes that usually came before 

them. Penultimate Thursday was the turn of 

media. 

It was inevitable that the Forum would start 

with an overview of the 30 years of NDIC. 

This we got in ample proportions from Dr. S. 

A. Oluyemi, NDIC’s Director of 

Communication and Public Affairs 

Department, who chronicled the life of the 

corporation from its birth in 1989. The NDIC, 

he told us, arrived on the scene at the right 

time as a child of necessity. In the late 1980s 

the Nigerian economy was being deregulated 

and a key aspect was also the liberalisation of 

banking licences. 

NDIC arrived on the scene via Act 22 of 

1988 (now repealed and replaced with NDIC 

Act no 16 of 2006), working closely with the 

Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to effectively 

cover and supervise the banks so as to protect 

outstanding year, Glo emerged the 

telecom global brand of the year at 

the 2019 World Branding Awards 

held at the Kensington Palace, 

London, late last year. This is not an 

easy feat considering that the annual 

World Branding Awards is the 

premier awards programme of the 

World Branding Forum, a registered 

global non-profit organisation set up 

to advance the standards, skills and 

education of the branding 

community for the good of the 

industry and consumers. 

Besides, over 230,000 consumers 

participated in the poll conducted 

to decide winners and more than 

4,500 brands from 57 countries were 

nominated for awards in multiple 

categories. Of these, only 351 brands 

from 49 countries were declared as 

winners - 81 brands from 16 

countries were awarded in New York 

and 270 winners from 33 countries 

got their awards in London from a 

selection process based on a unique 

system of awarding points on three 

criteria - brand evaluation, 30 per 

cent; public online voting, 30 per cent 

and market research, 40 per cent. 

To appreciate how huge this was, 

it is necessary to emphasise that 

global brands such as Cadbury, 

Carlsberg, Nokia, DHL, Adidas, 

Ferrari, Rolex, Sportify, Japan 

Airlines, Shell, Apple, Netflix, 

Aurora and other top brands from 

the United States of America, Spain, 

the United Kingdom, Kuwait, 

Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, 

Pakistan, India, Mexico, competed 

and won awards in different 

categories. 

And guess what? Globacom came 

home with the ultimate crown. Mr. 

Peter Pek, Chief Executive Officer of 

depositors’ monies and help forestall systemic 

failures. 

It was effectively midwifed by the CBN – the 

first and second managing directors were staff 

of the CBN and also for the three first years of 

operation the CBN governor served as 

chairman of the NDIC board of directors. 

Many of the staff came from the CBN, others 

from other Federal establishments. Over the 

years the corporation has been able to 

maintain a highly motivated and well-trained 

staff to keep up with the changing 

circumstances of effectively covering and 

supervising the ever increasing number of 

banks. 

How does NIDC find 

the money to pay off 

depositors when a bank 

fails? 

The NDIC in its 30 years of operation 

weathered many storms starting with the 

massive bank failures of the 1990s, followed 

in the years of the millennium the issues that 

arose from the bank consolidation exercises. 

All were resolved satisfactorily and lessons 

learnt made the NDIC look for solutions that 

further improved its operations. The NDIC Act 

was repealed and replaced twice to reflect 

changing circumstances and is even today 

before the National Assembly for further 

improvements. 

The second presentation by Mrs. O. O. 

Adeyinka, Deputy Director, Bank Examination 

Department, consolidated on Dr. Oluyemi’s 

presentation though emphasising on the 

emerging issues in the regulation and 

supervision of banks in the country. As our 

banks grew over time with changing capital 

base, owners and shareholders, the NDIC, 

among other regulators, had to change ways 

of regulation and coverage. Mrs Adeyinka 

explained how and why at a stage the NDIC 

takes over banks overnight and why it always 

had to be done surreptitiously. 

the World Branding Forum, WBF, 

reiterated at the presentation 

ceremony that the award to 

Globacom came "following a 

rigorous assessment, evaluation and 

judging process … after rigorous 

global research, valuation and 

voting”. But this feat is hardly 

surprising. Glo hit the ground 

running when it launched in 2003 

and has since then made its primary 

constituency, Nigeria, a lot better. 

Before its debut, Nigerians were told 

that per second billing was 

impossible. But for the telecom 

giant, that claim was a non sequitur 

and it proved it within months, thus 

forcing other telecom companies to 

dismount their high horses. 

That was the beginning of the 

revolution Glo pioneered in the 

industry. Since then, it has been on a 

roller-coaster introducing several 

unique products and services that 

have transformed the lives of the over 

50 million subscribers on its 

It is perhaps in the 

area of sports 

development that 

Glo has invested the 

most 

network. In 16 years, Glo through 

deft policy transparency and 

predictability - adopting global best 

practices, massive investments in 

infrastructure and heavy investment 

in corporate social responsibility, has 

continued to exhibit remarkable 

commitment to improving the lives 

of Nigerians by orchestrating 

innovations, quality service delivery 

and unequalled benefits to its 

subscribers. 

The London award is proof that 

even the global community has 

taken notice, the major reason it has 

become a global brand. Glo not only 

offers subscribers best value for 

money by introducing innovative 

products and services aimed at 

improving their lives and 

empowering them, it intervenes 

directly in every segment of the 

society – entertainment, sports, arts 


Dr. Kabir S. Katata, 

Deputy Director 

Research, Policy and 

International 

Relations Department, 

talked about the 

exciting world of 

technology as it rapidly 

affects finance. The 

adoption of new 

technology in Nigerian banks has advanced 

so much that many operations that are taken 

for granted now could not be contemplated a 

few years ago. The sad takeaway from his 

presentation was the realization that most of 

the applications used in our banking 

operations are developed and built elsewhere 

particularly India and China but deployed 

widely here. We are yet to develop the capacity 

to build them ourselves. And this is a 

multibillion dollar business which our local 

investors must key into for the overall industry 

to grow. 

Many questions came up after these 

presentations and I am sure readers have 

harboured these queries in their minds too. 

Why did Diamond Bank become Access Bank? 

Who named Skye Bank, Polaris? Why is it that 

the change is always done in a clandestine 

manner? How does NIDC find the money to 

pay off depositors when a bank fails? The 

questions just poured out. Fortunately, the 

NDIC management staff among us were 

always ready to shed light on these, and other 

queries that arose. 

Actually one of the most nagging questions 

had been the one associated with the bridge 

banks that took over some troubled banks 

recently. Bridge banking is one of the most 

visible and enduring successes of the regulators 

in the past few years as one the most effective 

resolutions applied to terminal bank failures 

and yet it seems to be one of the most 

misunderstood even by those who should know. 

A bridge bank is a shell entity that NDIC is 

allowed by law to incorporate and keep under 

wraps to be used to take over a dying bank 

that had been wrecked by bad loans and or 

and culture, education, media and 

poverty alleviation. Amazingly, 

some of these exploits go beyond the 

shores of Nigeria and other African 

countries are direct beneficiaries. 

For instance, over the years, 

Globacom has supported the movie 

industry in Nigeria (Nollywood) and 

Ghana (Ghollywood) with many of 

the actors and actresses in both 

countries chosen as Glo 

Ambassadors, thus projecting the 

continent in a refreshing light 

through African movies. The 

company has always been 

associated with the development of 

the Nigerian music industry with the 

sponsorship of music shows such as 

Rock ‘n’ Rule, GloNaija Sings, Laffta 

Fest and the world’s number one 

music singing talent reality TV show, 

X Factor, which berthed in Africa for 

the first time in 2013. 

One area where Globacom has 

connected with its subscribers and 

Nigerians generally is loyaltyreward 

promos such as Glo 

Overload, Glo Allawee, Text 4 

Millions, Made for Life, Recharge 

to Stardom, 180 cars in 180 days, 

Glo CAF Award promo and the ongoing 

Recharge and Win Big 

popularly known as My Own Don 

Beta, through which different types 

of empowerment prizes have been 

won across the country. 

Over the years, it has engaged in 

the revitalisation and sponsorship of 

strategic national cultures through 

the Glo Heritage Series by 

partnering with several 

communities across the country on 

the sponsorship of major festivals 

and promotion of cultures and 

traditions such as Ojude Oba in Ijebu- 

Ode and Ofala in Onitsha. 

Glo has equally initiated a number 

of private sector-led poverty 

eradication initiatives in several 

states across the country, including 

the empowerment of unemployed 

youths to establish commercial call 

centres, working in partnership with 

several states across the country and 

some public sector development 

agencies, including the National 

Poverty Eradication Programme, 

NAPEP, and the Niger Delta 

Development Commission, NDDC. 

In 2012, it donated N500 million to 

support post-flood disaster 

management effort by the Bayelsa 

State Government. 

It is perhaps in the area of sports 

development that Glo has invested 

the most. For many years it 

sponsored the Nigerian and 

Ghanaian national teams and both 

countries premier leagues, signed a 

sponsorship agreement with the 

Nigeria Football Federation worth 

N2 billion in 2011, which conferred 

on it the prestigious status of official 

telecommunications partner of the 

Nigeria Football Federation and 

major sponsor of the Nigerian 

national teams, sponsored the 

Nigerian League from 2003 to 2010 

seasons and returned three years 

later in 2013 when a new N1.9 billion 

agreement was signed lasting up to 

2016, thus laying the foundation of 

the present-day Nigeria League. 

On the continental level, 

Globacom sponsored the annual 

Glo-CAF Awards which celebrates 

the best of African football from 

2005 to 2016, a period in which the 

profile of the awards rose from a 

continental event to a globally 

recognised event on the sporting 

world calendar. But Glo has not 

limited its interest to soccer alone. 

There are the sponsorship of the Glo 

Golf Tour West Africa with total prize 

money of over N62m, sponsorship 

of the Football Supporters’ Clubs of 

both Nigeria and Ghana, and 

investment in the Lagos Marathon, 

which has drawn over the years the 

core of elite marathoners from all 

over the World, especially the topranked 

runners from Ethiopia, 

Kenya and other east African 

countries. 

The sponsorship of the broadcast 

rights of the English Premier League 

live matches on frontline pay TV, 

DSTV starting from the 2013/2014 

season and still running in the 2019/ 

2020 season is the axiomatic icing 

on the cake, which has helped 

tremendously in enriching the 

knowledge of football fans in the 

country. 

bad management by the owners. This is done 

with the best intentions to safeguard deposits 

of hapless citizens and jobs of the bank workers 

and more crucially avoid systemic failures in 

the industry. 

The regulators would take over the bank in 

what would look like a cloak and dagger 

operation in the dead of the night and in the 

morning the public would only see the new 

name of the bank along with a new 

management and board of directors. However, 

when one entered the banking hall one would 

be surprised to find the same faces attending 

to him. The work in the bank would seem to go 

on seamlessly even though for all practical 

purposes the bank was bankrupt. What had 

happened at night in the bank was that the 

regulators have taken over the liabilities of 

the bank, including the bad loans and shored 

up its capital base, allowing smooth and 

continuous transactions. 

Eventually and with better management 

under the eagle eyes of the CBN and NDIC, 

the new managers would turn the bank around 

and sell it to whoever would make the best bid. 

Those who run the bank aground would be 

prosecuted and government would recoup its 

money from the sales of the newly rejuvenated 

bank. Readers will agree with me that this is a 

win-win situation. This is what the banking 

sector has been experiencing since when the 

first batch of bridge banks were rolled out, i.e. 

Mainstream Bank to take over Afri Bank, 

Keystone Bank to take over Bank PHB and 

Enterprise Bank to take over Spring Bank. 

Lately Skye Bank which suffered the same fate 

became Polaris Bank overnight. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


IT is gladdening to know that the 

Federal Government has decided to 

monitor and verify constituency 

projects before paying contractors. It 

is shocking that such a mechanism was 

not put in place in when the idea was 

conceived and only had to be done 

after the nation lost over a trillion 

naira in the past ten years, if President 

Muhammadu Buhari’s figure is 

anything to go by. 

That the Federal Government 

quickly moved to create this 

accountability mechanism after 

lamenting the scandalous wastages on 

the constituency projects of the 

National Assembly is very 

commendable. We hope they go 

beyond mere monitoring before 

payment. The projects should be 

audited to bring those who embezzled 

their funds to book. 

We, however, call on the Office of 

the Secretary to the Government of 

the Federation and the Federal 

Ministry for Special Duties to 

Constituent project monitoring team 

harmonise their evaluation teams. 

They should invite other stakeholders 

like the mass media, Labour, 

community leaders and civil society 

groups to join in the effort to avoid 

leaving the task to civil servants alone 

for obvious reasons. 

A special task force of the Economic 

and Financial Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt 

Practices Commission, ICPC, should 

also be on standby to ensure that all 

monies set aside for the constituency 

projects are put to judicious use. 

As a strong pro-true federalism 

newspaper, we do not believe that the 

Legislative Arm of government should 

be involved in the constituency 

projects issue. Most of these projects, 

such as boreholes, drainages, repair 

of damaged amenities, rural roads 

and others, are the jobs of the State 

and Local Government tiers. 

Full autonomy for the States and 

Local Governments should enable 

them to take care of these issues and 

leave members of the Federal 

Legislature to concentrate on their 

core duties of law making, checks and 

balances and representation. 

However, while we struggle to wean 

the nation from its subsisting ugly 

military past, we have a duty to ensure 

that monies spent to take Federal 

presence to the grassroots and give 

lawmakers extra relevance to the 

people are rightfully committed to that 

purpose. 

One of our grounds for rejecting the 

constituency project idea was that the 

Federal Government lacked the 

structure to monitor projects in the 

469 Senatorial and Federal 

Constituencies nationwide. 

The creation of the monitoring 

mechanism will fill the erstwhile void 

if they apply themselves diligently to 

the job. 

In our view, the two chambers of the 

National Assembly should also create 

their respective Committees on 

Constituency Projects to liaise with the 

monitors from the Executive branch 

in carrying out this assignment. 

They should constantly inform the 

public on progress being made and 

the level of budget support these 

projects are getting from the 

Executive. That way, the constituency 

projects idea can be justified. 

OPINION 

China and Africa in 2020 and beyond 

By CHARLES ONUNAIJU 

The extraordinary rise of China is 

unprecedented in world history and the 

biggest geopolitical development of the 

first two decades of the 21st century; it is 

likely to continue to be so for decades to 

come — Retd. Gen. David Petraeus, U.S Army 

ONE of China’s foremost and strategic 

thinkers, Zheng Bijian, coined the 

phrase of “peaceful rise” to describe the 

exponential growth of modern China 

following reforms and opening-up to the 

outside world in the early 1980s and 1990s. 

The phrase was later modified to “peaceful 

development” since a “rise” implied that 

someone else is on the “fall”. 

However, whether it is “rise of China” as 

used by the US former Army General, Mr. 

David Petraeus or the contemporary 

“peaceful development”, one thing that is 

clear is that the former director of US intelligence 

service, CIA, was not exaggerating 

when he observed that China’s development 

“is unprecedented in world history and the 

biggest geopolitical development of the first 

two decades of the 21st century”. 

The past 19 years of the 21st century has 

been epochal for China as its enigmatic 

breakout to popular universal consciousness, 

continue to hold and grow. Also, the 

pragmatic phase of Africa-China cooperation 

at the turn of the 21st century, with the 

founding of the Forum on China-Africa 

Cooperation, FOCAC, in 2000, opened a 

fresh vista in international relations to a fact 

that practical cooperation and a partnership 

founded on the historic five principles 

of peaceful co-existence can bring more tangible 

benefits than construction of alliances. 

China and Africa have elevated cooperation 

to a new paradigm of international relations. 

Still a work in progress, the first 20 years 

of the 21st century has demonstrated that 

nations and regions with considerably different 

social systems and paths of development 

can actually build a consensus on the 

pragmatic contents of their cooperation and 

drive a process of consultation and engagement 

through institutionalised dialogue 

mechanism. This feature of 21st century international 

diplomacy is a particular contribution 

of China and Africa to the emerging 

multi-polar global order and is also 

highly commended to the major powers relations. 

Beyond the consultative framework 

of China-Africa cooperation, the practical 

and tangible outcomes in fixing the important 

issues of Africa’s development has been 

clearly and sufficiently documented. Africa’s 

surging profile on the international platform 

owes a lot to the re-discovered momentum 

of internal regeneration but has 

benefited enormously from the strategic 

comprehensive cooperation with China enabling 

the two sides to tap considerably from 

their respective comparative advantages. 

China-Africa relation in the first quarter 

of the 21st century has provided a pivotal 

paradigm to redefine international relations 

away from conflicts to consultations and 

cooperation, giving humanity an 

opportunity to construct a community of 

shared future and even destiny. The idea of 

a shared future for all humanity has found a 

practical roadmap of international cooperation, 

underpinned by elaborate infrastructure 

connectivity, unimpeded trade, 

deepening financial integration and people 

to people cooperation among countries in 

the international system. 

Extensive consultations, joint contribution 

and shared benefits would characterise the 

emerging framework of international 

cooperation of the “Silk Road Economic 

Belt” and the 21st century maritime Silk 

Road” initiated by the Peoples Republic of 

China but now owned by the world. Since 

the Belt and Road Initiative was announced 

about six years ago in 2013, the world has 

considerably changed. Across Asia and 

through to Europe and Africa, either with 

rail tracks, port renovations, highways, air 

links, or fiber optics laid across vast oceans 

to the Americas, travel time, business cost 

are considerably being reduced, generating 

more robust and inclusive economic activities 

that are taking down unemployment 

and generally brightening up the human 

China and Africa have 

elevated cooperation to a 

new paradigm of 

international relations 

prospects. 

According to a recent study, “an evaluation 

of the Belt and Road Initiative by the 

World Bank provides a sense of the astonishing 

scale and impact of the programme. 

Shipment times would fall by an average of 

almost 12 per cent in countries that are part 

of the initiative, while trade costs would fall 

more than 10 per cent. The figures are so 

large that they would have an impact on 

global trade, bringing down shipment times 

and aggregate trade costs by as much as 2.5 

per cent for the world economy as a whole.” 

At the 2018 summit of the Forum of 

China-Africa cooperation held in Beijing, 

more than two dozens of African countries 

signed the memorandum to jointly participate 

in the construction of the Belt and Road 

Initiative, vowing along with China, to bring 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

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on board, the deep historical cooperation 

between the two sides to energise the Belt 

and Road Initiative, and add its innovative 

vigour to the already productive mechanism 

of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, 

FOCAC. 

The Belt and Road Initiative whose key 

component of infrastructure connectivity 

has found a solid resonance in Africa, has 

already affected the economic outlook of 

the region. A study by an international management 

consortium, the Mckinsey & Company, 

in 2017 found that the famed Africa’s 

potentials are being systematically translated 

to reality like no other time in history 

as a result of China-Africa cooperation. 

The past two decades of the 21st century 

have demonstrated enormous creative 

vitality in the cooperation between the two 

sides, and drawing strength from the 

pragmatic cooperation would open new 

vistas offering more opportunities to both 

sides. Despite lingering uncertainties about 

some misuses in the international arena, the 

certainty of China-Africa cooperation would 

continue to illuminate the paths and 

inevitably brighten the prospects of the 

human condition. 

Beijing has categorically immersed 

herself in the world, linking her national 

prospects to the immense possibilities of the 

humankind, inevitably and robustly 

engaging the world in the firm 

understanding that the path to her 

sustainable prosperity would be more 

creatively paved by a prosperous world that 

is at peace with itself. 

•Onunaiju is Research Director, Centre 

for China Studies, Utako, Abuja.

I&E forex window records $62bn 

turnover in 2019 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

The volume of dollars 

traded (turnover) in the 

Investors and Exporters (I&E) 

window of the foreign 

exchange market rose by four 

per cent, year on year (y/y), 

to $62.37 billion last year from 

$59.75 billion in 2018. 

Meanwhile, the naira 

depreciated slightly by 51 kobo 

in the I&E window in 2019, 

as the indicative exchange 

rate for the window rose to 

N364.51 per dollar on 31st of 

December 2019 from N364 per 

dollar on December 31st 2018. 

Vanguard analysis of 

monthly turnover in the I&E 

window showed that 

turnover dropped by 22 

percent in January 2019 to 

$3.84 billion from $4.95 billion 

in December 2018. 

In February 2019, turnover 

rose by 138 percent to $9.13 

billion (highest turnover 

recorded in the year) from 

where it declined by 22 

percent to $7.5 billion in 

March and by 39 percent to 

$4.6 billion in April. 

The turnover continued its 

downward trend in May as it 

fell by 11 percent to $4.1 

billion and by another 29 

percent to $2.9 billion in June. 

However, turnover ticked up 

in June by 30 percent to $4.12 

billion and by 70 percent to $7 

billion in August, before falling 

by 37 percent to $4.4 billion in 

September and down again by 

five percent to $4.2 billion in 

October. 

In November, turnover in 

the I&E rose by 26 percent to 

$5.3 billion and remained 

stable at $5.3 billion in 

December. 

Financial Vanguard analysis 

of weekly turnover in the 

window in December showed 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$ 132.55 5.25 

$2,484.00 79.00 

13.53 0.09 

$12.18 -0.04 

$68.16 0.00 

$61.72 0.04 

306 306.5 307 

403.92 404.58 405.24 

343.6992 344.2608 344.8224 

316.4426 316.9597 317.4767 

2.8185 2.8231 2.8277 

0.4979 0.5079 0.5179 

420.862 421.5497 422.2374 

43.9608 44.0331 44.1054 

81.5609 81.6941 81.8274 

421.5320 422.2192 422.9082 

45.9908 46.066 46.1411 

21.7843 21.8199 21.8555 

CBN Exchange rate as at 1/1/2020 

that $1.3 billion was traded in 

the first week of the month. 

Turnover rose by 17 percent to 

$1.52 billion in the second 

week and down by 25 percent 

to $1.14 billion in the third 

week. 

The turnover fell in the fourth 

week by 25 percent to 


$857.83 million and down 

by another 85 percent to 

$128.87 million in the first two 

days of the fifth week of 

December. 

From left, Ope Adeoye, Trustee of Open Technology Foundation, Yvonne Alozie, Programs 

Manager, Open Technology Foundation, Stanley Jacob, Head Consumer Distributions, Ecobank/ 

Chairman- Committee of e-Business Industry Heads (CeBIH), Abumere Igboa - Chief 

Information Security Officer, Stanbic IBTC, Olayinka Oni, Chief Digital Officer, Sterling Bank 

Plc and Oluremi Tinuolu-Gabriel, Head, e-Business, Unity Bank Plc at the 2019 retreat of 

Committee of Head of E-Business Heads (CeBIH) held in Abeokuta Ogun State. 

NSE reviews major equities market indices 

for 2019 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Nigerian Stock 

Exchange (NSE), has 

announced the results of its 

annual full year market index 

review for major equities 

indices on the Exchange. 

The indices include: NSE 30, 

NSE Lotus Islamic, NSE 

Pension , Corporate 

Governance Index, Afrinvest 

Bank Value Index, Afrinvest 

Dividend Yield Index, 

Meristem Growth 

Index, Meristem 

Value Index; and the 

five Sectoral indices 

of the Exchange - 

NSE Banking, NSE 

Insurance, NSE 

Industrial, NSE 

Consumer Goods 

and NSE Oil & Gas. 

The review has led 

to the entry and exit 

of major companies 

from several indices 

which will when the 

market opens today. 

According to a 

statement from the 

Exchange yesterday, 

the incoming and 

exiting companies in 

the various indices 

are as follows: for 

NSE 30 Index , the 

incoming companies 

include - CCNN Plc, 

FCMB Plc and 

MTN Nigeria Plc, 

while exiting 

companies include ; 

Forte Oil Plc, Oando 

Plc and PZ Industries Plc. 

NSE Lotus Islamic Index: the 

incoming companies include 

MTN Nigeria Plc, and Forte 

Oil Plc while exiting 

companies are Glaxo 

Smithkline Plc, CAP Plc and 

Presco Plc. 

NSE Pension Index: the 

incoming company is MTN 

Nigeria Plc while exiting 

companies is Glaxo Smithkline 

Plc. 

Corporate Governance 

Index: the incoming company 

is MTN Nigeria Plc while none 

exited. 

Meristem Growth Index: the 

incoming companies are 

Cadbury Nigeria Plc, CAP Plc, 

Dangote Cement Plc, ETI, 

May & Baker, UAC-Properties, 

Wapic Insurance Plc and 

Zenith Bank Plc while the 

companies that exited are 

Access Bank Plc, Dangote 

Sugar and Flour Mills Plc 

Meristem Value Index : the 

incoming companies are 

CCNN Plc, Conoil Plc, 

Custodian Insurance Plc, Forte 

Oil Plc, Glaxo Smithkline Plc, 

NAHCO Plc and NASCON. 

The Exchange explained that 

the indices were developed to 

allow investors to follow market 

movements and properly 

manage investment portfolios. 

Designed using the market 

capitalization methodology, the 

indices are rebalanced on a 

semi-annual basis on the first 

business day in January and in 

July. 

SEC extends C & I Leasing N3.2 bn rights issue 

to Jan. 13 

By Peter Egwuatu 

The Securities and Exchange 

Commission, SEC has 

extended the closure of C& I 

Leasing N3.2billion Rights Issue 

to January 13, 2020. 

The Rights Issue which opened 

November 18, 2019 was earlier 

scheduled to close on 27th of 

December 2019. 

The SEC in a statement made 

available to Vanguard stated: “We 

refer to your submission dated 17th 

December, 2019 on the request for 

extension of offer period. The 

Commission having reviewed 

your request has granted a ten 

working days extension from the 

closing date of the offer. The offer 

will now close on Monday, 13th 

January 2020.” 

C & I Leasing had explained 

that non shareholders of the 

Company can partake in its 

ongoing N3.2 billion Rights 

Issue. The Company has also 

assured shareholders that it 

would continue to explore new 

business opportunities, especially 

in the marine, fleet, and 

outsourcing to boost its revenue 

base and increase shareholders’ 

value. Speaking with journalists, 

the Managing Director of the 

company, Andrew Otike-Odibi, 

said: “The Rights is tradable and 

therefore open to non-existing 

shareholders, who are willing to 

buy shares in the company.” 

Keystone Bank 

partners 

Medplus to 

promote healthy 

living among 

women 

In furtherance of its 

commitment to empower, 

enhance and promote healthy 

living amongst Nigerian 

women, Keystone Bank 

Limited has announced its 

partnership with Medplus 

Pharmacy, Nigeria’s leading 

health and beauty retailer to 

offer its ‘Pink Network’ card 

holders who purchase health 

and beauty products from the 

pharmacy, a discount ranging 

from five to 10 percent. 

A statement by the lender 

said it is partnering with 

the health and beauty 

company to proffer solutions 

to the challenge posed in 

accessing quality, genuine 

healthcare and beauty 

products in Nigeria. 

The bank further explained 

that the partnership would 

see its female customers with 

a Keystone Bank Pink debit 

card get 10 percent 

discount off all drug 

purchases and five percent 

discount off non-drug 

purchases in any Medplus 

Pharmacy nationwide. 

Commenting on the 

partnership, Keystone Bank 

executive director, Adeyemi 

Odusanya, stated: “Women’s 

health needs differ at every 

life stage, from puberty to 

pregnancy, menopause and 

overall wellbeing. Women are 

also very conscious of their 

beauty and self-care, hence 

the growth of the beauty 

industry. 

“However, finding access to 

quality healthcare and beauty 

products can sometimes be a 

challenge; either they have 

to battle with the cost or the 

fear of counterfeit products 

which have infiltrated the 

market. 

“And to solve this 

predicament, Keystone Bank 

is partnering with the 

renowned pharmacy, 

Medplus through its PINK 

Initiative for women, giving 

them access to quality health 

and beauty products at a 

discount.” 

Continuing he said: “A 

comparison of the current market 

price of C&I Leasing, which 

stood at N7.30 on September 

12th 2019, and the Offer price of 

N6.00 for the Rights, shows that 

the Rights are being issued at a 

discount of N1.73. Not only is the 

C&I Leasing Rights presenting 

a better offer in terms of pricing, 

it is also rewarding in terms of 

the number of shares that existing 

shareholders are getting. 

Subscribing to the C&I Leasing 

Rights Offer will entail that a 

shareholder will be paying N24 

for 4 additional shares that are 

worth N29.2 in the market, which 

is a gain of N1.3 per share. It 

means the C&I Leasing Rights 

Offer makes more economic 

sense.”

20 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 — 21


UBA staff give 

back through 

Each One, 

Teach One 

Initiative 

L-R: Mother of the Author, Ifeoma Mbonu; Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu ; Author of Father’s Will, Munachi Mbonu ; President Frot 

Group and Publisher of the book, Frank Momoh; Member, Board of Trustees, Anyiam-Osigwe Foundation, George Anyiam-Osigwe ; Principal Partner, 

J&G Attorney, Norrison Quakers, and Deputy Commissioner of Police & Commander Inspector General Response Team (IRT) Abba Kyari, at the launch 

of Munachi’s book titled: ‘‘Father’s Will’’, in Lagos 

Notable developments in 

education sector in 2019 

By Adesina Wahab 

THE education sector in the 

country in 2019 did not fare better 

than any time as in the past. If it is 

about funding, no tier of government 

allocated up to half of the 

internationally accepted benchmark 

of 26 percent of budgetary allocations 

to the sector, leaving inadequate 

funding of the sector as a continuous 

matter for discussion. 

However, a number of 

developments and happenings in 

the sector, through policy formulations 

and decisions, affected the sector in 

the year and many of them would 

still have effects on the sector for years 

to come unless modified or stopped. 

Some of the policies and 

developments would be highlighted. 

Registration of teachers 

The Federal Government, through 

the Teachers Registration Council of 

Nigeria, TRCN, gave December 31, 

2019 as the deadline for teachers in 

the country to be certified and 

registered. Teachers in private and 

public primary and secondary schools 

are included. The main problem with 

the exercise is lack of database for 

knowing how many teachers we 

have in the country and then knowing 

how many are qualified. 

The fear of people about the exercise 

and its workability, is expressed by 

the National President, Association 

of Nursery and Primary Education 

Instructors in Nigeria. ANPIEN, Mr. 

Sunday Fowowe, who said the 

deadline and the exercise might not 

work. Fowowe, a Lecturer at the 

Adeniran Ogunsanya College of 

Education, Otto/Ijanikin, said that 

there were not enough arrangements 

put in place to cushion the effects of a 

mass sack of unqualified teachers. 

" Apart from that, do we have 

accurate data base of teachers in the 

country, both in public and private 

schools? The data of teachers in 

public schools can easily be gotten 

from teaching service commission, 

SUBEB among others, but what about 

private schools. The truth, however, 

is that teachers in private schools are 

more than those in public schools. 

How many primary and secondary 

schools are governments at all levels 

setting up? In those days, local 

councils did set up primary schools 

but not now," he said. 

However, the Registrar of TRCN, 

Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, as at press time, 

insisted that the deadline would not 

be shifted. The council has only got 

figures of number of teachers in only 

six states of the federation. 

University workers' earned 

allowances brouhaha 

Mid 2019, the university community 

in the country, especially Federal 

Government-owned universities, 

experienced industrial disharmony 

courtesy of the fight between 

academic and non-teaching staff over 

the payment of Earned Allowances. 

Initially, both sides took on the 

government to make it pay the 

allowances, but when funds were 

released, the story changed. The 

Federal Government reportedly gave 

the N100 billion to the Academic Staff 

Union of Universities, ASUU, which 

allegedly took about 80 percent and 

left the remainder for the Senior Staff 

Association of Nigerian Universities, 

SSANU, the Non-Academic Staff 

Union, NASU and the National 

Association of Technological Staff, 

NATS. 

The non-teaching staff formed a 

Joint Acton Committee to get a better 

deal on the issue. They embarked 

on a warning strike over it too. The 

matter is still being kept in view. 

Formation of CONUA 

Still in mid 2019, a breakaway 

group from ASUU emerged, it was 

the Congress of University 

Academics, CONUA, with Dr Niyi 

Sunmonu of the Obafemi Awolowo 

University, Ile Ife, Osun State as the 

National Co-ordinator. It took off with 

presence in five universities, which 

cut across state and federal 

universities, and by the end of the 

year, increased its presence to seven 

universities. 

On the formation of CONUA, 

Sunmonu said ASUU has lost focus 

and is being run like a fiefdom by 

some people. He accused the 

leadership of ASUU of feeding fat 

on the sweat of members. Many see 

the coming of CONUA as the start 

of the end of the spirit of oneness 

among lecturers in the ivory towers. 

Enrolment of university 

workers on IPPIS 

In 2007, the Federal Government 

started the enrolment of its workers 

on the Integrated Personnel and 

Payroll Information System, IPPIS. 

However, university workers, 

teaching and non-teaching initially 

opposed the idea. Their main grouse 

then was that it would erode the 

autonomy being enjoyed by the 

varsities. With the bad blood 

generated over the disbursement of 

Earned Allowances among teaching 

and non-teaching staff, when the FG 

insisted in October that they should 

all enrol, ASUU became a lone 

opposition to the policy. 

Gladly, SSANU, NASU, CONUA 

and NATS agreed to the policy. 

The consistent cries by the National 

President of ASUU, Prof. Biodun 

Ogunyemi, and his team that IPPIS 

would do more harm than good to 

the system did not change the minds 

of other unions to support the fight. 

Now, President Muhammadu 

Buhari has said from December 

2019, any federal worker not 

enrolled would no longer receive 

salary. ASUU said it has developed 

an alternative to IPPIS, but the FG 

is yet to budge, while ASUU is 

threatening strike. 

Abolition of Catchment Areas 

Policy in university admission 

During the recent convocation 

of the University of Benin, 

UNIBEN, President Buhari, in his 

message, said the catchment areas 

policy in university admission 

would stop as from next year. He 

said the policy has turned some 

universities to local schools, not 

being federal in nature. Before the 

announcement, universities admit 

students on the criteria of merit, 

Catchment Areas and 

educationally less developed 

states. The merit criterion is one 

in which 45 percent of applicants 

are taken in, catchment area for 

35 percent of admission seekers 

and 20 percent for educationally 

less developed states. 

The fear about the President's 

pronouncement is that on which 

of the two remaining criteria will 

the 35 percent catchment areas 

policy be spread. 

No doubt, some of these 

developments will influence what 

happens in the sector in the new 

year, as they were left hanging in 

2019. 

By Mary Obaebor 

UBA Foundation, the corporate 

social responsibility arm of the 

United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC, 

recently held the 2019 edition of its 

annual Each One, Teach One initiative, 

hosting a huge impact day in Nigeria 

and across all its subsidiaries in 

Africa. 

The Each One, Teach One initiative 

is part of UBA Foundation’s activities 

where the bank’s staff members give 

their time and skills to the communities 

around them. 

All across the continent, staff of the 

pan- African bank were seen within 

their communities, teaching and 

assisting the less privileged, especially 

students and people living with 

disabilities. 

The Executive Director, Lagos and 

West Bank, Marketing, Mr. Ayoku 

Liadi, who represented UBA’s Group 

Managing Director, and the 

Chairman of UBA Foundation, Mr. 

Kennedy Uzoka, at the event in Lagos, 

expressed his excitement over the 

initiative, adding that as a corporate 

entity, UBA, through its Foundation 

decided to give back as a family, 

starting by imparting knowledge and 

skills on students and participants. 

Liadi said, “Our goal with this 

initiative which is in its second year, is 

to help the under privileged and young 

children learn vocational skills that will 

assist them along the path to financial 

freedom as they start businesses of their 

own. We have therefore, created a 

platform to encourage people who 

have various skills and talents to pass 

these on to the younger generation." 

Liadi also seized the opportunity to 

give the participants a short lecture 

about financial literacy, noting that it 

was important for students to embrace 

the culture of being financially 

cautious from a tender age. 

Students from Modupe Cole 

Memorial Childcare and Treatment 

Home; Standard Hallmark College, 

Mushin; Child Life-Line, Lagos and 

Moyin Rainbow Foundation, Lagos; 

were some of the students who 

participated in the event. 

The Chief Executive Officer, UBA 

Foundation, Mrs. Bola Atta, stated that 

it was aimed at helping to impact lives 

positively and in a very meaningful 

way. 

She added that the initiative, which 

held simultaneously in 20 countries 

across Africa, was being driven by UBA 

staff members who were very happy to 

give back to the society. 

“At UBA Foundation, we are 

constantly being asked by other staff 

members how they can help. A lot of 

people are genuinely interested in 

doing good. With the Each One Teach 

One initiative, you don’t need a huge 

sum of money, you just need to give of 

your time and talent to at least one 

other person. It is simple. It is effective 

and the impact is great, imagine how 

many people across 20 countries in 

Africa benefited today from someone 

just taking a little time to help them 

acquire new skills or hone old ones. 

There is something really gratifying 

about giving back. It helps the 

communities and helps you grow as 

an individual.’ Said At ta. 

Thousands of UBA staff members 

across Africa voluntarily committed 

their time to teaching youths various


•Vice-Chancellor Mountain Top University Professor Elijah Adebowale Ayolabi (left); Wife of the Chancellor 

Dr Shade and her husband Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo- 

Olu and representative of the Governor Ogun State,Mr Olatokunbo Talabi during the convocation ceremony at 

the University Multi-purpose Hall,Prayer City, Ogun State. 

OAU honours Caritas Communications CEO 

By Cynthia Alo 

THE Chief Executive Officer 

of Caritas Communications, 

Adedayo Ojo, has been conferred 

with an Award of Special 

Recognition, by the Faculty of 

Education, Obafemi Awolowo 

University, Ile-Ife. 

The award which was presented 

at the 2019 professional induction 

of graduating students in the 

Faculty of Education, Obafemi 

Awolowo University, was in 

recognition of Ojo’s contributions 

to the development of the Faculty 

of Education at the school and for 

Don stresses need for elimination of 

gender discrimination in workplace 

By James Ogunnaike 

APROFESSOR of Counselling 

Psychology, Tai Solarin 

University of Education, TASUED, Prof. 

Eunice Modupe Hassan, has 

advocated constant training for top 

management of companies and 

organizations to educate them on the 

need to eliminate gender 

discrimination, saying this will 

contribute to national productivity and 

economic growth in the country. 

Hassan gave the charge while 

delivering the 5th inaugural lecture of 

the university in Ijagun Ijebu-Ode, Ogun 

State. 

Speaking on "Counselling for 

Harmony in Workplace: Resolving 

Gender Discrimination Issues in the 

World of Work" , Prof Hassan said, "It 

is important to remove barriers to the 

full and give equal participation in the 

workforce. There is need for access to 

all occupations and industries, 

including leadership roles, regardless 

Continues from page 28 

Ogunyemi, and his team that IPPIS 

would do more harm than good to the 

system did not change the minds of 

other unions to support the fight. 

Now, President Muhammadu 

Buhari has said from December 2019, 

any federal worker not enrolled would 

no longer receive salary. ASUU said it 

has developed an alternative to IPPIS, 

but the FG is yet to budge, while ASUU 

is threatening strike. 

Abolition of Catchment Areas 

Policy in university admission 

During the recent convocation of the 

University of Benin, UNIBEN, 

President Buhari, in his message, said 

the catchment areas policy in 

university admission would stop as 

from next year. He said the policy has 

his commitment to improving the 

lot of youths across the country. 

“This award is for me, an 

encouraging pat on the back and 

coming from such an illustrious 

citadel of learning, with which I 

share a strong bond, makes it even 

more endearing. I feel highly 

honoured to have been selected for 

my modest efforts and passion to 

see that the emerging generation 

has a strong foothold to keep this 

country on the right path.’’ he said 

at the award presentation. 

He encouraged the graduating 

students to be good ambassadors 

of gender and elimination of 

discrimination on the basis of gender, 

particularly in relation to family and 

caring responsibilities. 

She opined that " the consequences 

of this phenomenon can be grievous, 

this discrimination if not controlled, can 

further penalise some women who dare 

to sum up courage to speak against it". 

She called on government to 

"consider additional anti 

discrimination legislation that will 

entrench the principle of equality and 

expand constitutional provisions to 

create equal opportunities for both 

sexes. 

"Workplace counselling should be 

given to women that are dis chanted 

and discouraged because of gender 

discrimination so as to motivate them 

for better productivity." 

"Involve gender budgeting in the 

administration of organizational set up. 

This is to ensure that the allocation of 

resources and funds takes place in a 

gender sensitive manner. 

Devts in education sector in 2019 

turned some universities to local 

schools, not being federal in nature. 

Before the announcement, universities 

admit students on the criteria of merit, 

Catchment Areas and educationally 

less developed states. The merit 

criterion is one in which 45 percent of 

applicants are taken in, catchment 

area for 35 percent of admission 

seekers and 20 percent for 

educationally less developed states. 

The fear about the President's 

pronouncement is that on which of the 

two remaining criteria will the 35 

percent catchment areas policy be 

spread. 

No doubt, some of these 

developments will influence what 

happens in the sector in the new year, 

as they were left hanging in 2019. 

of the university and of the 

country. 

“As you embark on another phase 

of your journey in life, hold fast to 

the tenets that you have acquired 

from this school and remember 

that you have a responsibility to 

protect your good name and that 

of this prestigious university.” 

In his welcome address, the 

Dean, Faculty of Education, 

Obafemi Awolowo University, 

Professor M.A. Adeleke, expressed 

gratitude to Ojo for his long 

standing support to the Faculty 

and his commitment to the 

development of education in 

Nigeria. 

“Mr. Adedayo Ojo has made 

significant contributions to the 

growth of our Faculty, including 

the donation of many computer 

systems that formed the backbone 

of what today, constitutes the 

Faculty of Education e-library.” 

Ojo is the Founder and CEO of 

Caritas Communications, and he 

is an accomplished public affairs 

professional of over 30 years. 

He is also the author of a groundbreaking 

and thought provoking 

leadership book – “Public 

Relations: Thoughts & Deeds”. 

NB PLC inaugurates eight classrooms 

at Eva Adelaja Girls Secondary School 

OFAB doles out N1.3m buffer to 

indigent students 

By Ebunoluwa Sessou 

FOUNDER of a non-governmental 

organisation, Olawuyi Folarin Alao 

Beneficient foundation (OFAB), Mr 

Olawuyi Also, has called on 

government to create enabling 

environment for human capital 

development, saying poverty has no 

place where potential abounds 

Alao made this assertion, while 

giving a 10-year buffer of N1.3m to 

indigent students of Olivet Baptist 

High 

School, Oyo, who are eligible for the 

West African Examinations Council, 

WAEC )and the National 

Examinations Council, NEXO, 

exams. 

The official presentation of the 

cheque was made by the OFAB team 

at the school's National Old Student's 

Association 2019 Annual General 

Meeting and Reunion. 

Alao said the gesture was informed 

by the need to immortalise his 

deceased wife, Mrs. Olubukola Alao, 

who was once a student of the school. 

"We are here to ask the school to help 

us identify such students who though 

brilliant need support financially for 

the next ten years at the Junior and 

Senior WAEC exams. We have done 

By Adesina Wahab management of Nigerian 

N 

Breweries PLC for contributing its 

IGERIAN Breweries quota towards the development of 

PLC has inaugurated a education in the state. 

block of eight classrooms and Adefisayo stated that the 

conveniences at Eva Adelaja Girls Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led 

Secondary Grammar School, administration acknowledged the 

Bariga, Lagos as part of its significant and complementary 

commitment to improving the roles being played by the 

quality of education in the country. organisation to improving the 

Speaking at the commissioning standard of education in the state. 

ceremony, the Managing Director, “We are quite excited about what 

Nigerian Breweries PLC, Mr. Jordi you have done in providing these 

Borrut Bel, represented by the facilities which we believe would 

Corporate Communications go a long way to improve learning 

Manager, Mr. Patrick Olowokere, in the school. Without any doubt, I 

commended the Lagos State can say that your organisation has 

Ministry of Education for offering been of immense support to the 

the necessary approval and growth of education in Lagos state. 

support towards the success of the We are aware of other 

project. 

interventions in education which 

He noted that the renovated you have made both in the past and 

facilities provided through the present”, she added. 

Nigerian Breweries-Felix She therefore charged the 

Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund management of the school to 

was aimed at providing a ensure that the facilities were 

conducive learning environment adequately maintained, while 

for pupils and improving the tasking other corporate 

quality of teaching in line with organisations to take a cue from 

Nigerian Breweries’ corporate Nigerian Breweries PLC by 

philosophy of Winning with lending their support to provide 

Nigeria. 

educational infrastructure or 

According to Bel, the make other necessary interventions 

organisation was deeply in education in the state. 

committed to making the much “I do not have any doubt that the 

needed intervention in the outcome of this renovation would 

education sector which would soon manifest. This is because Eva 

consequently result in the overall Adelaja Girls Secondary School is 

development of the students and one of the best schools in our 

teachers in Nigeria. 

constituency”, she stated. 

“As a responsible corporate Also speaking, the Permanent 

citizen, our interests in Lagos State Secretary/Tutor General, Education 

and Nigeria as a whole goes District 4, Mrs. Are-Adegbite Lola 

beyond the pursuit of business or applauded Nigerian Breweries PLC 

profiteering. We believe that the for providing the much needed 

right investment in the education facilities that would enhance the 

of our children will secure a bright performance and quality of 

future for our nation. We are teaching in the school. 

resolutely committed to 

supporting the development of the 

NGO lauds 

sector going into the future”, Bel 

stated. 

Sanwo-Olu’s efforts 

In her remarks, the in making Lagos a 

Commissioner of Education, 

Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade cleaner environment 

Adefisayo, represented by the Chief DIRECTOR and Convener of 

Whip, Lagos State House of the Ideal One, a Non- 

Assembly, Mr. Oriola Gbolahan, Government Organization, NGO, 

expressed deep appreciation to the Mr. Nwozuru, has commended 

Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos for 

his concerted efforts in making Lagos 

a cleaner environment. 

Addressing newsmen at a special 

the calculation and even added the Christmas party organized for 

inflationary probability of the cost. tender age children at Ijeh Barracks, 

"This project is my late wife's passion Obalende, Mr Nwozuru said: "we at 

as well as mine,I have been a product the Ideal One are trying to 

of benevolence of others too. complement government’s effort in 

"By the time the ten-year period ensuring we live in a safe and clean 

lapses, our younger child would be 16 environment. If you culture the 

and of age same goes for the older one young ones at a tender age, they 

they would then be able to guide me become responsible leaders 

on what to do differently by that time. tomorrow." He urged parents to 

"This is to honour her and to allow their children at tender age to 

appreciate God for how he has blessed be trained to become responsible 

me with such a wonderful woman. God leaders of tomorrow, stressing that 

used people for me so I would also the objective of the party was to make 

support future generations. 

the children of the area to feel the 

"I think it is important for us to impact of Christmas who might not 

identify that potential and not allow it know what Christmas was all about. 

to waste away on the altar of financial However, he noted that the major 

difficulties, poverty is relative, we must challenge is funding but above all 

not allow negativity take hold of their the other challenges include, nonsupportive 

attitude of parents who 

thoughts. Virtue of good moral 

standards is key regardless of religious believes that only their teenage 

affiliations, God sees this and often children can be trained for 

connects one with helpers, I am a living leadership positions not the one at 

testimony," he said. 

tender age. 

The school's Principal, Mrs Nwozuru noted that ‘in Ideal One, 

Olufunmilayo Awolola, said that she we have what we call OC, the only 

was amazed that OFAB chose to invest club which is a literacy club where 

in human beings rather than edifice children who cannot afford to go for 

as done by many others, stressing that extra lesson can be taking care of, 

though it takes years to yield, it has a adding that, “we have standby 

far reaching effect. 

lecturers to teach them once in a 

quarter or during Summer at no cost."


08052202308 (sms only) 

NLC prioritizes workers' welfare, good governance 

in 2020 •Demands end to hunger, unemployment, insecurity 

Stories by Victor Young 

NIGERIA Labour Con 

gress, NLC, on New Year 

eve, took stock of how workers 

fared in 2019 and 

commended Nigerian workers 

for their outstanding dedication, 

sense of duty and profound 

contributions to national 

growth and development. 

In its New Year message, 

NLC through its President, 

Ayuba Wabba, congratulated 

all workers, pensioners and 

other citizens in Nigeria and 

elsewhere with love, joy, hope 

and goodwill, urging them to 

hope for better outcomes for 

all in 2020. 

Wabba, informed that in the 

year 2020, NLC would with an 

uncommon sense of duty, 

among others, “mount a very 

robust campaign for the generation 

of mass jobs and for 

already existing jobs to be 

decent. To this end, the NLC 

is perfecting plans for a National 

Job Summit in 2020. We 

will get stakeholders: experts, 

policymakers, concerned 

demographics and workers on 

a roundtable to find answers 

and solutions to Nigeria’s burgeoning 

unemployment crisis. 

In the spirit of growing the 

economy and creating jobs, 

we urge our compatriots especially 

our elites to change 

our consumption habits. We 

must consume what we produce. 

We must patronize 

“Made in Nigeria”. 

“Nigerian workers under 

the leadership of the Nigeria 

Labour Congress will continue 

to work assiduously towards 

the promotion of national security, 

peace and unity. We 

will continue to put the 

needed weight on the things 

that unite us and hold in contempt 

the things that seek to 

divide us. We encourage our 

political leaders to exemplify 

the same by their utterances 

and conduct. By so doing, we 

would be laying an enduring 

foundation for national peace, 

unity, and development. 

“In 2020, we demand that 

government must prioritize 

the security of lives and property. 

Nigeria has seen enough 

bloodshed. While we commend 

the sacrifice and commitment 

of our soldiers and 

other security personnel in 

the war against terrorist insurgency 

and other violent crimes 

across Nigeria, we urge government 

to do all it takes to 

end the bloodletting and brigandage 

in different parts of 

the country. As we have always 

canvassed, the war 

against insecurity must be 

anchored on human security. 

We must feed hungry stomachs. 

We must create jobs to 

engage our youths. An idle 

mind is devil’s workshop.” 

Wabba recalled that “in the 

outgone year, Congress 

•From left: Former President of Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Bobboi Kaigama, 

President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, and President of United Labour Congress of Nigeria, 

ULC, Joe Ajaero, during a meeting over the new minimum wage, last year in Lagos. 

pressed for economic growth 

through the diversification of 

the national economy, improvement 

in our physical 

infrastructure and institutional 

reforms especially in 

the commanding heights of 

our socio-economic life. During 

our courtesy visit to President 

Muhammadu Buhari on 

March 7, 2019, we urged Mr. 

President to focus on job generation 

through the creation 

of the enabling environment 

for industrialization, economic 

diversification through agriculture 

and robust engagement 

with the social partners. 

We also called for the fixing of 

our refineries as the current 

importation of refined petroleum 

products is an unsustainable 

aberration. 

“2019 marked the consolidation 

of Nigeria’s presence and 

visibility in the international 

2019, a tough year for workers---TUC 

TWENTY-FOUR hours ago, 

Nigerian workers joined 

the rest of the world in euphoria 

of the year 2020. 

Umbrella body for senior 

workers in the country, Trade 

Union Congress of Nigeria, 

TUC, looked back into the 

outgone year and concluded 

that 2019 was a particularly 

tough year for workers in Nigeria. 

President of TUC, Quadri 

Olaleye, while welcoming 

workers to 2020, congratulated 

Nigerians for their bravery, 

resilience and loyalty to 

the country in the past 365 

day, notwithstanding the 

enormous challenges that confronted 

Nigerians. 

According to him, “evaluating 

critically the organized 

labour’s activities in the last 

one year you will agree with 

us that it has been a rough 

path. There were many industrial 

issues but we swallowed 

many bitter pills to save our 

ailing economy. Foremost 

among other issues were minimum 

wage and its consequential 

adjustment; unbridled 

sack of workers without redundancy 

negotiation, breach 

of collective agreement, 

casualisation, etc. It is important 

to state here that although 

this administration has enjoyed 

the co-operation of Nigerians, 

government at various 

levels have abused it, creating 

the impression that 

makes us feel we do not 

count. 

“We commend states that 

have commenced the payment 

of the new minimum wage. It 

will obviously serve as a motivation 

to the workers. We 

therefore call on governors 

that are yet to start payment 

to do so without delay. In as 

much as we would not want to 

disrupt economic activities we 

will still not compromise the 

welfare of our members. A 

stitch in time saves nine. 

“The country is in a dire 

strait security-wise. Thousands 

of innocent lives have 

been lost and some local government 

reportedly being occupied 

by the terrorists. Our 

able-bodied young men and 

women are now involved in 

kidnapping, robbery, 

cybercrime, ritual killing, prostitution, 

etc. We commend the 

security operatives, especially 

the foot soldiers in the military 

for staking their lives for the 

country. 

“The root cause of insecurity 

is joblessness. Over 90 per 

cent of those who are gainfully 

employed have no time for 

criminal activities. There are 

factors that encourage investment: 

security and obedience 

to the Rule of Law are part of 

them. Beyond that, government 

must create an enabling 

environment so that micro-economic 

activities can take place. 

Even in civilized economies 

the informal sector is not undermined 

because of their substantial 

contribution in economic 

activities. We must 

adopt these global best practices 

to save the country from 

her economic woes; and also 

secure the lives and properties 

of innocent citizens.” 

Olaleye while insisting 

that TUC would remain committed 

to its members, he 

pleaded with the government 

to address issues of cost of 

governance, rising debt profile 

among others. 

He said “The country’s debt 

profile is increasing at an 

alarming rate. International 

bodies, including the World 

Bank have severally warned 

on the danger of our ceaseless 

borrowing. Besides the $29.96 

billion loan which has gained 

the approval of the National 

Assembly, reports have it that 

the country has so far allegedly 

borrowed $1 billion from 

African Development Bank; $1 

billion Eurobond, with additional 

$500 million expected 

from Global Medium Term 

labour spheres. In addition to 

the International Labour Organisation, 

ILO, choice of Nigeria 

as the host of the Global 

Summit on Employment, the 

Nigeria Labour Congress 

hosted in Abuja the 6th African 

Meeting of Solidarity with 

Cuba from September 23 – 25, 

2019. This biennial conference 

drew delegates from different 

African countries and other 

continents. The Nigeria Labour 

Congress also hosted the 

4th Delegates Congress of the 

International Trade Union 

Confederation – Africa (ITUC- 

Africa) on 20th and 21st of 

November 2019. At the conference, 

a Nigerian, Comrade 

Joel Odigie was appointed the 

Deputy General Secretary of 

ITUC-Africa. 

“In spite of the foregoing 

milestones in the outgone 

year, there were also a number 

of challenges. Some states refused 

to set up negotiating 

committees to bargain with labour 

over consequential salary 

adjustment incident on the 

new national minimum wage. 

It is heartwarming, though, 

that some states are already 

implementing the new national 

minimum wage while many 

states are already negotiating on 

the consequential adjustment 

arising from the new national 

minimum wage. We await conclusions 

and immediate implementation. 

“Workers were also concerned 

about the diminishing space for 

institutionalized tripartite consultation 

among the social partners 

in Nigeria especially 

through the institutionalization 

of the National Labour Advisory 

Council, NLAC. Upon persistent 

advocacy by the Nigeria 

Labour Congress, the Minister 

of Labour and Employment, Dr 

Chris Ngige, promised to inaugurate 

the NLAC before the end 

of 2019. Unfortunately, this did 

not materialize in 2019. It is our 

expectation that the NLAC will 

be fully formalized in 2020.” 

Note Programme. 

“The N5.8 billion borrowed 

from China Exim Bank is 

hanging on the country’s 

neck. Over 30 per cent of the 

federal government’s revenue 

will be used for debt servicing. 

The question is how has these 

loans benefitted the ordinary 

masses of the country? How 

can we use as much as 

N2.7trillion to service debt and 

budget a paltry N2.4trillionn 

on expenditure? It is hard to 

come to terms with the position 

of the Information Minister, 

Mr. Lai Muhammed who 

told Nigerians that $84 billion 

loan is nothing to worry about. 

We are tempted to feel that 

politicians are not in tune with 

the plight of the masses. 

“We have three arms of government 

that are constitutionally 

at par: the Executive, Legislature 

and Judiciary. They 

are supposed to check themselves 

but that has not been 

the case. Our experience so far 

has been an unpleasant one. 

We felt robbed when the Senate 

and House of Representatives 

leadership at various 

times showed indifference to 

the loans and other excesses 

of the Federal Government. In 

the year 2020 we expect the 

allegiance of politicians and all 

Nigerians to be to the country 

and not individuals, even if in 

power. "

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 --- 25 

Abortion: 

The West, UN 

trying to 

decapitate Africa, 

claim stakeholders 

•...as pro-life activist says 

population not a problem 

By Elizabeth Uwandu 

Worried over the 

huge investment 

the West is putting 

into the campaign on 

abortion as a guise to 

fighting overpopulation, 

guest speakers at the 2019 

Catholic Men Organization, 

CMO, Lekki Deanery, 

Family Day celebration have 

called on Nigerians and the 

entire black race to protect 

their cultural heritage and 

value the family. 

Speaking at the event 

which had the presence of 

His Grace Rev., Archbishop 

of Lagos Metropolitan. 

Dr. Alfred Martins; Bishop 

of Oyo Diocese. His 

Lordship, Emmanuel Badejo 

and an international and 

strategist speaker, Ms 

Obianuju Ekeocha as guest 

speakers among other 

dignitaries; the coordinator, 

Lekki Deanery, CMO, Lekki , 

Mr. Kingsley Ekwem said 

that although no one has the 

right to condemn or judge 

anyone for his or her belief, 

the fact remained that there 

was a disruption in our 

cultural values which we 

must all stand up against. 

His words: “That an 

ideological war is raging 

against the future of our 

society, our family values, 

our children, indeed our 

faith, is no longer news. It is 

all over the place. Confused 

and strange gender theory; 

sexualization of children in 

all manner, forms and 

shapes; deconstruction of the 

age long institution of 

marriage; real attempts to 

normalize what is unnatural; 

and of course the 

glorification of the killing of 

the unborn child. All these, 

and many more, are ‘the 

other fruits’ coming from the 

same tree. 

“We should be concerned 

and visibly so about this 

moral crisis. All men and 

women of good will from any 

culture and faith that share 

our common human and 

family values should be. No 

one is excluded from this 

concern and from the need to 

struggle against this crisis. 

“We neither judge nor 

condemn anyone, God will. 

We only say the truth as 

ordained by God. However, 

we should stand up, speak 

the truth and make sure the 

sensitization to protect our 

family values are done by all 

irrespective of religion, 

gender or race. “Ekwem 

affirmed. 

On her part, the Pro-life 

Activist, Obianuju Ekeocha, 

in her lecture while 

reiterating that Nigeria does 

not have a population crisis, 

explained that the inability 

of the government to meet 

the masses' needs was one of 

the reasons that fueled the 

conscious war on African 

family structure through 

abortion ideology by Western 

countries and the United 

Nations. 

According to the founder, 

Culture Life Foundation: 

“The problem emanated from 

the United Nations (UN) a 

powerful organization that 

has now decided to side with 

the Western countries, some 

among whom have legalized 

abortion. And because they 

have, they are now forcing 

developing countries not for 

us to get to their level of 

education, development, or 

technology, but they want us 

to get on their level with 

abortion. 

“Statistically, more than $9 

Billion with the bill, every 

year is heading towards 

Africa, to force Africans to 

abort their babies. 

“They are putting a lot of 

money, pressure, trying to 

entice our women with 

feminism ideology; it’s a 

huge racket and they are 

making a whole lot of money 

out of it, and investing a lot 

of money into it. For them, 

it’s a business venture.” 

On the notion of preaching 

safe abortion, the social 

activist noted that: “On ‘Safe 

Abortion which is the new 

terminology for abortion 

among some Pro-life health 

centers in Nigeria, which 

abortion is illegal? she said, 

it is like saying ‘Safe 

Murder’. 

“Safe abortion is one of the 

most unbelievable terms, 

because it’s like saying safe 

murder. How can you make 

murder safe, or kidnapping 

or robbery safe? These are 

the most horrific things in 

life. You cannot make 

something that is objectively 

The direct destruction 

of so-called “useless 

lives,” already born or 

still in the womb, can 

in no wise be justified . 

The life of an innocent 

person is sacrosanct, 

and any direct attempt 

or aggression against 

it is a violation of one 

of the fundamental 

laws without which 

secure human society 

is impossible. Pope 

Pius XII, Allocution to 

Midwives, October 29, 

1951 

wrong safe or healthier. 

“Abortion is a destruction of 

a human life at the very early 

stages of life. So, they are 

just looking for a way to kill 

the unborn baby, while it’s 

still growing in the womb, 

while the mother is still 

alive. And I think there is 

nothing more horrific than 

this idea, that the youngest 

members of our society are 

people that, as I am 

speaking to you, are working 

on a daily basis to find out 

ways to make it easier to kill 

the child, while the child is 

still in the womb.” 

“Our population is not the 

problem, but the way 

Nigerians are settling in a 

few cities. There are only 

about 10 cities where people 

are living in a country as big 

as Nigeria. If you don’t live 

in Lagos, you live in Port 

Harcourt, Warri, Abuja, Aba, 

Onitsha, Benin, Uyo, and 

other couples of cities alike. 

“And I think what 

Nigerians should be talking 

about is how to get a proper 

development which is well 

distributed. When this 

happens, the exodus of 

people from the village to 

the few cities would cease as 

there are no more people in 

villages in Nigeria. “ She 

said. 

Speaking on the topic, 

Abortion: Your personal 

belief or the sanctity of life, 

Bishop Badejo who 

inundated his lecture with 

quotes from renowned 

persons gave the following 

insight. 

“The direct destruction of 

so-called “useless lives,” 

already born or still in the 

womb, can in no wise be 

justified . The life of an 

innocent person is 

sacrosanct, and any direct 

attempt or aggression 

against it is a violation of 

one of the fundamental laws 

without which secure human 

society is impossible. Pope 

Pius XII, Allocution to 

Midwives, October 29, 1951 

“If a person’s right to life is 

violated at the moment in 

which he is first conceived in 

his mother’s womb, an 

indirect blow is struck also at 

the whole of the moral order. 

Human life is precious 

because it is the gift of God, 

a God whose love is infinite; 

and when God gives life, it 

is forever 

Pope John Paul II: homily 

at the Capitol Mall in 

Washington, D.C., on 

October 7, 1979 

The effects of abortion? 

The Bishop of Oyo Diocese 

explained that abortion made 

a significant contribution for 

12 of the 15 disorders 

studied that included: 

anxiety disorders (panic 

disorder, panic attacks, 

agoraphobia, post-traumatic 

stress disorder), mood 

disorders (bipolar disorder, 

mania, major depression) 

and substance abuse 

disorders. 

He also noted that a 

survey of 5, 877 women 

found that women who had 

abortions were at higher risk 

for various mental health 

disorders. 

Listing some of the effects 

of abortion on based on 

Journal of Child Psychology 

and Psychiatry, 2006 as :” 

Young women who had 

abortions subsequently had 

higher rates of substance 

abuse, anxiety disorders, 

and suicidal behavior than 

women who had not had 

abortions, even after 

controlling for pre-existing 

conditions. 

Approximately 42percent 

of women with a history of 

abortion had experienced 

major depression in the last 

Continues on page

26 —Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

Start-up capital: 2,000 beneficiaries receive 

Sanwo-Olu’s N40M empowerment grant 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

Lagos State 

Governor, Mr. 

Babajide Sanwo- 

Olu has presented the 

sum of N40 million grant 

as start up capital for 

businesses to assist 2, 000 

residents, mainly youths 

and women. 

Sanwo-Olu, speaking at 

the presentation 

ceremony, organised by 

Office of the Civic 

Engagement, as part of 

activities for the “Civic 

Week, “ held at LTV 

Ground, Agindigbi, Ikeja, 

explained that the grant 

was basically to assist the 

beneficiaries who are 

entrepreneurs to improve 

the status of their 

businesses towards 

earning more profits and 

making them self reliant. 

Earlier, Special Adviser 

to the Governor on Civic 

Engagement, Princess 

Aderemi Adebowale, 

explained that the grant 

was part of the activities 

lined up for this year Civic 

Week designed by the 

Lagos State government 

through her office to 

engage residents, 

alongside the ‘Sanwo-Olu 

Cares’ initiative, a 

program to cater for 

downtrodden. 

She said: “Beneficiaries 

of the social welfare 

inclusive initiative would 

be encouraged to invest 

50 per cent of the grant 

received in a small-scale 

business. The office of 

Civic Engagement has 

partnered with some 

companies to assist our 

citizens to actualize these 

goals by planning and 

monitoring the growth of 

their small-scale 

business.” Adebowale 

added. 

The Special Adviser, said 

that aside from the 

empowerment initiative 

other activities that will 

inculcate social values in 

children and youth, 

serving as a guideline for 

achieving widespread civic 

engagement through 

planned programmes of 

action has been included 

in the event. 

“We aim at building a 

people-centered Lagos by 

adopting a variety of 

engaging activities as a 

channel to inspire 

individuals to be active 

participants in the process 

of nation-building. 

Engaging citizens remains 

our ultimate goal. We can 

Princess Aderemi Adebowale 

only improve Lagos 

through our collective 

effort.” 

Each of the selected 

beneficiaries, received the 

sum of N20,000 from the 

State Government to aid 

four years (nearly double the 

rate of women who had not 

been pregnant) and 35 % higher 

than those who carried to term. 

And the effects on men were 

grief and sadness; damaged 

sense of masculinity; rage and 

anger and physical and 

emotional abuse among others. 

The implication of the above 

according to the clergyman was 

that the children of women who 

had abortions have less 

supportive home environments 

and more behavioral problems 

than children of women without 

a history of abortion. 

This finding supports the view 

that abortion may negatively 

affect bonding with subsequent 

children, disturb mothering 

skills, and otherwise impact a 

woman’s psychological stability. 

And in the words of Mother 

Gov. Sanwo-Olu 

Abortion: How Westerners are trying to 

decapitate Africa – Stakeholders 

Continues on page 

them to achieve their goal 

of expanding the business 

to a stage of creating 

further employment. 

It was gathered that after 

another three months, 

Lagos State Government 

will evaluate progress 

made by each of the 2000 

beneficiaries and possibly 

offer advice. 

At the end of the 

exercise, those that had 

made progress in their 

business since collecting 

Teresa during her Nobel Prize 

acceptance lecture: September 17, 

1988 at Ottawa, Canada, “Every 

abortion kills two: the child and 

the conscience of the mother. The 

latter will never forget she, 

herself, has killed her own child. 

If you don’t want that child, I 

want it, give it to me! 

Bishop Badejo summarized his 

lecture noting that life entailed 

giving according to the induction 

of God. The first blessing in the 

Bible comes through sexual love - 

the blessing of children; Children 

are a God-planned part of sexual 

love, not an “accident” and we 

live in a culture that denies this 

part of sexuality 

Earlier in his speech, chairman 

of the occasion, Prof. Chris 

Ogbechie, noted that family which 

was the base of the society 

needed to be protected. 

He said, “The most important 

thing is love. The role of love and 

the first tranche will 

receive another N20,000; 

this evaluation process 

will again be repeated for 

the beneficiaries to 

ascertain progress made 

in their businesses and 

receive another tranche. 

enhancing that the family stays 

together. The family being the base 

of the society must be protected. 

“Once the family is destroyed, 

then society would be destroyed. 

The family is been attacked today. 

Things that would make family not 

to exist are now being pushed 

towards the family. 

“When you talk of abortion, you 

are actually killing a baby, killing an 

unborn child. And when you don’t 

have a child in the family, the family 

definitely is dying. Secondly, when 

you talk of same sex marriage; 

marriage is supposed to be between 

a man and a woman, hence a child 

most have a father and a mother. 

Once you then destroy that, you are 

also destroying the family. 

“If you have these issues 

threatening the family, the chances 

are that you are indirectly 

destroying the society. That’s the 

big message.”

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 --- 27 

Divorce can be 

reduced if... 

In this interview, a Charted Conciliator and Mediator, 

and Founder of a nonprofit making organization, 

Women for Peace and Unity Growth Initiative, WPUGI, 

Yemisi George, bares her mind on the worrisome trend of 

divorce and how it could be tackled. 

Excerpts: 

By Gabriel Ewepu 

It has become worrisome 

concerning the trend of divorce 

rate in Nigeria, especially 

among young couples. What do you 

think are the causes? 

There are many causes. The first and 

most important is that people marry 

for the wrong reasons. They confuse 

wedding ceremony, which is just an 

event lasting a few hours with 

marriage which is for the Long haul 

and indeed a life time. Many young 

people in a state of ecstasy see a 

beautiful woman or handsome man 

and equate the attraction for him or 

her with love. That is infatuation, a 

fleeting feeling that does not have 

any deep based. 

Some also marry for money, 

influence, societal status, and others. 

The inner person is what matters. 

Young people should not succumb to 

parental and or societal pressure. 

Parent should stop determining 

when who or how their children 

should marry. Courtship is important 

so that the two parties know each 

other well enough before venturing 

into marriage. The potential bride 

and groom should seek the face of 

the Supreme Being they believe in 

before taking such an important step. 

Don’t you think women are the 

partners who call for divorce as the 

last resort to solve their marital 

challenges than the men? 

Divorce can come from either party 

- man or woman. It depends on the 

threshold of tolerance of each party. 

But there are traditional methods of 

conflict transformation in the African 

society. The major one is mediation 

by elders and indeed trusted 

(contemporaries) all this methods of 

resolving marital conflicts should be 

explored before contemplating 

divorce. 

As an experienced chartered 

conciliator, what do you think are 

the implications of divorce and the 

impact to families and the society? 

The family is the smallest unit in 

the society, and divorce destabilizes 

the smallest unit. The reverberation 

of the instability at this level is felt in 

the society when the children are not 

properly catered for, they could 

Divorce can come from 

either party - man or 

woman. It depends on the 

threshold of tolerance of 

each party. But there are 

traditional methods of 

conflict transformation in 

the African society. The 

major one is mediation by 

elders and indeed trusted 

(contemporaries) all this 

methods of resolving 

marital conflicts should be 

explored before 

contemplating divorce. 

become deliquesce (drug addicts, 

teenage mothers, members of robbery 

gangs, prostitute, etc) the negative 

effects of divorce on the society are 

innumerable. 

Don’t you think the courts are not 

really proffering solutions to cases 

of divorce rather with their 

judgment encourage people to go 

on with divorce? 

When you go to court it is difficult 

to remain friends because there is a 

looser and a clear winner. That is the 

nature of litigation. But with 

mediation, you can have a win-win 

situation because the mediator is 

only a facilitator who allows the 

conflicting parties to come up with 

their own solution. Therefore 

‘collaborative divorce’ via mediation 

is preferable to outright divorce via 

litigation. 

How do you think the issue of 

divorce can be avoided as a 

professional? 

Communication is key in any 

marriage. Effective communication 

entails active listening, not listening 

in other to give a response. When 

•Yemisi George 

both parties practice active listening, 

they are able to empathize with each 

other and see each other’s point of 

view. That way they don’t need a 

third party as an interloper in their 

marriage, and so effective 

communication protects the sanctity 

of their marriage in such a way that 

they continue one day at a time 

improving on their marriage in other 

to make it sustainable. 

With the increasing rate of divorce 

in the country, does it mean 

Chartered Conciliators are not 

doing their job? 

Chartered Conciliators needs to be 

approached by the conflicting 

parties. Mediators and Conciliators 

are not permitted to advertise their 

services, therefore it may be 

necessary for institute that train 

mediators to make their existence 

better known to the general public. 

What can the Government and 

Civil Society Organisations 

including faith based organisations 

do to tackle it? 

Advocacy against it is important. 

Faith based organizations can use 

the relevant references from the Holy 

Books to dissuade parties from 

divorce. 

What is your advice to people who 

are into relationship that would lead 

to marriage so they won’t fall into 

same pit of divorce? 

They should try to have a decent 

period of courtship during which 

they try to understand each other as 

much as possible. They should not 

succumb to pressure from family, 

friends, associate and the society in 

general. They should seek the face of 

the Supreme Being they believe in 

before getting married. 

How many cases of divorce have 

you settled as chartered conciliator? 

I have just been inducted this year 

as a Chartered Mediator and 

Conciliator. But even before my 

induction I have successfully 

mediated a number of marital 

disputes that could have ended up in 

divorce. I am happy to tell you that 

all those couples are still living 

together peacefully under the same 

roof as husband and wife. 

Do you think cases of divorce can 

be reduced in Nigeria? 

Of course yes. The rate of divorce 

can be reduced. If couples marry for 

the right reasons, societal pressure is 

ignored and the parties seek the face 

of the Supreme Being they believe 

in.


japhdave@yahoo.com 

08066625505 

LIMCAF sets another record in art devt 

•••takes 12 winners to 2020 Dak’Art Biennale 

By Japhet Davidson 

ONE of the events that 

shaped the art space in 

Nigeria in 2019 was the Life 

in My City Art Festival 

(LIMCAF), an annual art festival 

that brings people from 

all parts of the country to the 

coal city state. 

The 2019 edition might have 

come and gone with winners 

in various categories carting 

home their cash monies and 

certificates. But one special 

feature of the festival which 

is arguably the longest running 

art festival in Nigeria is 

that twelve young winners six 

winners that emerged at the 

2019 Award Night including 

six winners from 2018 will be 

at Dak’art Senegal in 2020 

solely sponsored by 

LIMCAF’s Patron, the Ghanaborn 

Emeritus Professor El 

Anatsui, formally of the University 

of Nigeria Nsukka. 

By this, LIMCAF sets another 

record in the history of contemporary 

art development in 

Nigeria adding to the existing 

record of being the first 

private sector initiative to 

empower young artists beyond 

prize money through 

sponsorship to the Dak’Art 

Biennale in Senegal. 

The Dakar Biennale (or 

DAK’ART) is undoubtedly the 

most famous of all African 

based biennials. 

Since 1990, the Dak’Art has 

By Emmanuel Elebeke 

SENATOR Dino Melaye, 

the former Senator representing 

Kogi West Senatorial 

Zone can be described as a 

man of many parts. The outspoken 

senator who had running 

battles with various opposition 

parties recently decided 

to bring his political experience 

to bear and contribute 

his quota in the socio-economic 

reengineering of the 

country when he featured in 

a new home movie entitled 

Lemonade. 

Sen. Dino, who spoke at 

the premier of the movie in 

Abuja said he believed that 

everyone has a role to play 

and should be brought to bear, 

noting that the home video 

offered him unfettered access 

to share his political experience 

with the hope of entrenching 

good governance 

and accountability in our political 

system. 

He said he had so much 

confidence in the entertainment 

industry, being a very 

strong sector of our national 

life that could be valued more 

than oil and gas sector, hence 

the need to be given more attention 

by government. 

“I brought my political experience 

to bear and to say 

that in changing the society 

everyone should be involved 

in it. The message is that we 

must have a nation and a society 

where leaders must be 

responsible, where followers 

must ask questions, where 

every Nigerian must decide 

to either work in the light of 

our creative altruism or we 

*Angels among gods by Victor Olaoye 

been a platform for contemporary 

art with cultural roots in 

Africa and it is the dream of 

many African artists to be 

there. Though, many of them 

especially the established 

ones had found their way to 

the festival, it is not so for the 

upcoming ones. And these, the 

festival has provided for its 

winners as part of its mission 

of exposing young artists to 

the international community. 

As the 2020 Dakar Biennale 

draws closer, six winners led 

by the overall winner, Victor 

Olaoye , (Angels among 

gods), and other category winners, 

Samson Maduabuchi 

Ejiofor ,with “Headlines” that 

won the Best Sculpture/Instal- 

*She craves by Doris O. 

lation/Ceramics), Folashade 

Rashidat Fagorusi (winner of 

the Best Textile Art category 

with the work, “Hello”) and 

Toritseju Favour Clarke (who 

*Ecstasy Within by Idowu 

won the Best Graphics/ Multimedia/Digital 

Art prize category 

with the work, “Inverse”). 

Others are Doris 

Onyinye Chukwuma, whose 

work “She Craves” won her 

*Hello by Folashade Rashidat 

the Justice Aniagolu Prize for 

Originality, and Emmanuel 

Dare Idowu, who won the Dr 

Pius Okigbo Prize for Technical 

Proficiency with his 

work “Ecstasy Within”. 

I will only act in movies to correct societal ills --- Sen. 

Dino 

perish in the darkness of destructive 

selfishness.” 

Dino urged that government 

must focus her energy 

in building the entertainment 

industry, encourage the entertainment 

industry, create enabling 

environment and laws 

that will promote entertainment. 

“In American the quantum 

of the GDP that the entertainment 

takes is more than the 

budget of the federal republic 

of Nigeria. So the federal 

government must actually restrategize 

and refocus her 

energy on the entertainment 

industry, it is a big catch for 

us,” he added. 

When asked to identify his 

real calling between acting 

and politics based on the role 

he played, the former law 

maker, said, he was born both. 

“It wasn’t a true life story 

but I can say it also juxtaposed 

my position about a just and 

egalitarian society, having a 

society where equity, justice 

and egalitarianism become the 

order of the day. 

“I have always acted, I was 

the best national actor during 

my NYSC days and I just feel 

anyway t send a message to 

Nigerians, anyway to ameliorate 

our problems, anyway to 

get Nigeria out of the cocoon 

will be a very strong way to 

correct the ills in the society 

and I believe that entertainment 

industry is one of the 

*Sen. 

D i n o 

Melaye 

a n d 

Idoko 

during 

the premiere 

*Headlines by Maduabuchi S Ejiofor. 

strongest weapons that we 

can use to ameliorate our 

problems in this country.” 

On whether he would continue 

to take up acting role in 

future, he said, he will only 

act in movies that have a reflection 

of correcting societal 

ills or encouraging leaders to 

do the right things. 

“Any movie you see me in 

must speak or talk a story 

about rebuilding a new society, 

about energizing Nigerians 

to come out of their cocoon, 

to speak the truth to 

power. So in any way through 

music, through movies to help 

build a better society I will be 

willing to participate and I am 

doing this probono.” 

For him, ‘everyone is a political 

animal, politics is not a 

profession, it is not a means 

to livelihood, it is a means of 

changing your society, it is a 

means of correcting the ills of 

the society, it is a medium of 

contributing your quota to 

national development.’ 

The Script Writer and movie 

producer, Joy Idoko said 

she was motivated into producing 

the movie because it 

has always been a lifelong 

dream to go into film making, 

not just a film maker but 

*Inverse by Toritseju F. Clarke 

wanted to use her contents or 

films to speak the truth to 

people. 

In a society where reading 

culture is being eroded, 

Idoko said she intends to use 

the movie so dear to her heart 

to inspire people to go all out 

to realise their dreams in life 

despite all odds, especially 

those from the home front. 

The movie, which was premiered 

on Wednesday, December 

11, 2019 at the 

Transcorp Hilton Hotel in 

Abuja, was produced by 

100% Joy Media Productions 

and shot in the nation’s capital.


2020s: Nigeria is sclerotic, 

only radical reforms can 

stem deepening decline 

By Olu Fasan 

NIGERIA, like the rest of 

the world, enters a new 

decade this new year, 

2020; it’s the decade of the 

twenties!How Nigeria starts the 

new decade, that is, how it performs 

this year, will tell us how it 

might end it in 2029. But the 

omens are not good. Truth is, the 

preceding decade, from 2010 to 

2019, was an utterly wasted one; 

indeed, a lost decade for Nigeria! 

Yet, nothing in the behaviour or 

the mindset of Nigeria’s leaders 

suggests they are willing to stop 

the institutional sclerosis that has 

gripped this country and stunted 

its progress. It is therefore very 

unlikely that Nigeria will finish 

the new decade better than it did 

the last! 

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not 

in our stars, but in ourselves, that 

we are underlings”, Cassius famously 

told his friend, Brutus, in 

Julius Caesar. Similarly, the 

cause of Nigeria’s acute underdevelopment 

lies not in anything 

else but the abject incompetence 

and lack of vision of those running 

the country, and their unwillingness 

to spearhead the radical 

institutional and structural reforms 

it badly needs to make 

progress. Sadly, this sclerosis and 

the decline it produces are likely 

to continue and even get worse 

this year. But why? 

Well, before we consider why 

that might be so, why the sclerosis 

and the rot might persist, let’s 

first recall some of the experiences 

of the last decade, because 

that will give us clues on where 

things are likely to be heading 

this year and, possibly, in the 

years ahead this decade. 

Nigeria: 2010 to 2019 

Nigeria started 2010 with a sick 

president, who later died in office. 

After a protracted illness and 

prolonged medical treatment 

abroad, President Umaru Musa 

Yar’Adua, who was sworn in on 

May 29, 2007, died in office on 

May 5, 2010. Following his death, 

his deputy, Vice President 

Goodluck Jonathan,assumed office 

as president to complete his 

late boss’s term. But this being 

Nigeria, Jonathan faced intense 

political pressure from those who 

questioned his right, even though 

constitutionally guaranteed, to 

complete Yar’Adua’s term. In 

2011, however, Jonathan secured 

his own legitimacy when he won 

election as president. 

Goodluck Jonathan: 2010 to 

2015 

But what did Jonathan do with 

his mandate? Well, to his credit, 

he formed a government consisting 

of some of Nigeria’s internationally-acclaimed 

technocrats, 

including Dr Ngozi Okonjo- 

Iweala, former managing director 

of the World Bank, and Dr 

Akinwunmi Adesina, who later 

became president of the African 

Development Bank. Jonathan 

can claim some credit for a fairly 

good management of the 

economy, which grew at an average 

of 6 per cent annually between 

2010 and early 2015 when 

he left office. But it was a jobless 

growth, with unemployment, particularly 

youth unemployment, 

stubbornly high. Furthermore, the 

failure to save for the raining day, 

to create buffers for the economy, 

came home to roost when world 

oil prices suffered a steep fall in 

mid-2014, affecting government 

revenues. 

However, President Jonathan’s 

most notable failurewas his rudderless 

leadership. Hewas a 

By Olisa Agbakoba 

THIS year, 2020, will be a 

very crucial one to watch as 

the economic advisory team deepen 

work on transforming Nigeria’s 

huge needs for money infrastructure, 

schools, hospitals and 

lay the foundation for welfare to 

beleaguered Nigerians. 

To succeed, it will be necessary 

for President Buhari to lead from 

the front in what Nigerians hope 

will be a new deal for the Nation. 

Central to the success of all of this 

is peace and stability as this is the 

basic building block in successful 

leadership. I look forward therefore 

to respect for the rule of law, 

judicial independence and robust 

legislative action by the National 

Assembly. 

We need to manage our political 

and economic affairs more 

carefully. The policy of massive 

borrowing by the Federal Gocernment 

must translate to the benefit 

of Nigeria. How we want to 

manage our federal structure will 

be crucial. There are so many 

models of federalism and it re- 

•Agbakoba 

mains to be seen whether the 

present model of a strong centre 

had worked or restructuring to the 

1963 model a better option. Federating 

units are successful when 

the model allows them space to 

operate at their unit level and this 

has influenced the call by many 

to adopt the 1963 constitution as 

our model of federalism. 

I agree entirely but a middle 

approach is also to consider what 

I call cooperative federalism 

which is a half-way model between 

unitary federalism and the 

The President’ll lead from the front 

1963 model. Ultimately the success 

of a nation depends on the 

quality of politics and our 

politicians,as no matter the quality 

of these processes, it is the 

maturity of our politicians that ultimately 

count. I hope therefore 

that 2020 will usher in a period of 

mature politics; otherwise we are 

unlikely to succeed. 

Vital to all this will be the role of 

the media, civil society institutions, 

and Labour. These institutions 

have a strong role to play in 

political pluralism moderation, 

fairness, tolerance and good behaviour. 

I will keenly look out for 

a much better space allowed by 

government to social media to 

operate without fear or favour and 

in a climate of free space. Nigeria 

can be, like the late great Elijah 

Cummins would say: 'we can be 

better than this.' 

Nigeria has all it takes to be a 

great country but this will require 

that government develops a 

stronger strategy to fight corruption. 

I give some marks to government 

on this but more can get 

•Fasan 

Can transformational 

change 

happen this year? 

The answer is no. 

President Buhari 

simply has no 

appetite for radical 

reforms. 

What’s more, Nigeria 

is under an 

elite capture 

try. But history will be kind to him 

for the way he handled the 2015 

presidential election,conceding 

defeat to General Buhari and 

even calling to congratulate him. 

That gesture, unprecedented in 

Nigeria, helped to avert a conflagration, 

for which he will always 

be commended! 

Muhammadu Buhari: 2015 to 

2019 

General Muhammadu Buhari 

was elected president in 2015 after 

three failed attempts.Colin 

Freeman, chief foreign correspondent 

ofThe Telegraph, a 

Londonbroadsheet, wrote in the 

newspaper in May 2015 that: “In 

the eyes of many Nigerians, General 

Muhammadu Buhari is just 

the kind of politician that the 

country should have moved on 

from years ago.”He was right. 

But, given the appalling situation 

under Jonathan, “many Nigeri- 

done. Our judicial process is so 

antiquated that massive overhaul 

will be required to regain public 

confidence. Investments will not 

come into Nigeria from foreign or 

domestic business unless the 

courts are seen to work. Speed of 

justice is key to development; so 

the Chief Justice of Nigeria must 

undertake a surgery of judicial 

procedures. 

Cost of governance has been a 

long standing issue. The Federal 

Government must deal with this 

in 2020 in a big way by implementing 

the Orosanye report and 

limiting the size of Government 

to release money to the capital and 

welfare needs of Nigerians. Ultimately, 

government is about people, 

so in 2020 we need to see 

government provide employment. 

My hopes for 2020 is simple— 

we want a government that cares 

about people, builds up capacity 

by attracting investments, builds 

up the capacity of small businesses 

so that in December of 2020, 

we can all look back and say ‘what 

a great year!’ 

hopelessly weak, laidback and 

ineffectual leader.In her book, 

Fighting Corruption Is Dangerous, 

Dr Okonjo-Iweala recalls that 

when she first met President 

Jonathan to discuss her appointment 

as his Finance Minister, “he 

kept saying he did not know economics”. 

Fair enough; he was 

being truthful. But it’s difficult to 

escape the feeling that hewas out 

of his depth; that he was so overwhelmed 

by the intellectual demand 

of the office that he abdicated 

leadership, allowing some 

of his ministers to run wild! 

Jonathan’s blasé attitude to corruption, 

poverty and insecurity 

clearly betrayed his cluelessness. 

He famously said, for instance, 

that “stealing is not corruption”. 

On poverty, he was solividwhen 

the World Bank’sranked Nigeria 

among the five poorest nations. 

He angrily retorted: “If you talk 

about ownership of private jets, 

Nigeria will be among the first 10 

countries, yet they are saying that 

Nigeria is among the five poorest 

nations”.In other words, he 

was measuring Nigeria’s wealth 

and the wellbeing of its people 

by the number of the country’s 

billionaires and private jet owners. 

Even if he didn’t know 

economics,such ill-informed comments 

on corruption and 

povertywerebeneath a president. 

Then, what about insecurity? Well, 

a long-running Boko Haram insurgency 

that claimed over 13,000 

Nigerian lives, with more than 

200 girls taken captive, is not a 

good record for any president, or 

is it? 

So, the first five years of the last 

decade was, on the whole, 

wasted.Most Nigerians were certainly 

dissatisfied with the way 

President Jonathan ran the counans 

were willing to give Buhari a 

second chance”, as Freeman put 

it. So,riding the wave of popular 

anger against the Jonathan government, 

Buhari, a former military 

dictator, became president in 

2015. Butwhatdid he too do with 

his own mandate? 

Truth is, President Buhari’s rule 

from 2015 to 2019, the second half 

of the last decade, was utterly disappointing, 

an unmitigated failure. 

From political and economic 

governance to social cohesion and 

nation-building, President Buhari 

played Russian Roulette with Nigeria. 

Take the economy. Of course, 

Buhari inherited a struggling 

economyin 2015,due to falling oil 

prices, but he made a bad situation 

worse. He refused to form a 

cabinet in his first six months in 

office and pursued misguided 

economic policies that damaged 

investor confidence and caused 

capital flight.As a result, the 

economy fell into recession in 

2016, for the first time in 24 years, 

with a negative growth of minus 

1.5 per cent. Although growth 

later crept back to about 2 per 

cent, it’stoo anaemic to generate 

sufficient tax revenues, create jobs 

and reduce poverty, all of which 

depend on robust economic 

growth. 

What about political governance? 

Well, Buhari talked about 

national unity more thanany other 

Nigerian president, yet he did 

more to undermine it. A president 

who proudlysurrounds himself 

with a cabal from his tribe, and 

who fills virtually all critical national 

positions with people from 

his ethnic group, lacks credibility 

when he preaches unity. A president 

who, five years in power, 

refuses to takeany actionon political 

reforms ispaying lip service 

to political stability. A president, 

whoresponds to herdsmen’s 

rampant killings of innocent 

people from other ethnic 

groupsby proposingto establish 

cattle coloniesfor thekiller-herdsmen 

in the same communitiesthey 

are terrorising has a strange sense 

of social and ethnic cohesion. And 

what can we say about a president 

who abuses of human rights, 

disregards the rule of law and 

erodes free speech and free 

press? 

So, truth be told, President 

Buhariran the country appallingly 

badly from 2015 to 2019, the second 

half of the last century. He 

did not deserve re-election in 

2019, not with unemployment rising 

from 8.2% to 23% under him, 

not with youth unemployment rising 

from 3m to 13m (a 263% increase) 

under him, and, of course, 

not with Nigeria becoming the 

“poverty capital of the world” on 

his watch. What about the widespread 

insecurity and general 

maladministration? Yet, compared 

with his main opponent in last 

year’s election, former Vice President 

Atiku Abubakar, most voters 

still saw Buhari, the self-proclaimed 

champion of the poor, as 

epitomising personal integrity, 

even though, unlike Buhari,Atiku 

had radical programmes of political, 

economic and institutional 

reforms. 

Can Buhari stop the institutional 

sclerosis in 2020? 

The dictionary defines “sclerosis” 

as “excessive resistance to 

change.” Institutional sclerosis is 

Continues on Page 30


Four things to expect in 2020 

“I hold that man in the right who is most in league with the future.” — Henrik Ibsen, 1828-1906. VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS. 

•Sobowale 

The most urgent 

question now is: 

what can one 

expect from the 

N10 trillion budget 

whose implementation 

starts 

now? The short 

answer is: “very 

little that will help 

solve our worst 

and most urgent 

problems”. 

ing to recent disclosures. India 

did not relinquish the title of 

World Poverty Capital by allowing 

its Customs account to go unaudited 

even for one month. The 

difference is clear. But, then check 

the educational qualifications, as 

well as their experiences before 

becoming Prime Ministers, of all 

By Dele Sobowale 

AS one of those who fre 

quently berated our Governments 

for not executing their 

annual budgets from January to 

December in the past, it is a most 

remarkable development that the 

ruling party had used its majority 

in the National Assembly, 

NASS, to return the country to the 

former cycle. Never mind that 

close observers would have noticed 

that the achievement was 

mostly contrived. 

Many Ministers, Departmental 

and Agency heads were not 

called and their budget proposals 

were not closely examined. If 

budgets were padded, we would 

not know. In fact, the NASS itself 

included a budget for the renovation 

of its premises and structures 

whose size was astonishing 

to neutral observers. But, in the 

current environment of “scratch 

my back and I will scratch yours” 

existing between Buhari and Lawan, 

the President signed the 

budget together with the add-ons 

without objections. Gone were the 

empty threats to search for and 

punish those who padded budget 

Ṫhe most urgent question now 

is: what can one expect from the 

N10 trillion budget whose implementation 

starts now? The short 

answer is: “very little that will help 

solve our worst and most urgent 

problems”. So, we might as well 

start from there to examine the 

nearest future which includes the 

366 days of 2020. 

Those old enough would remember 

how in the early 1990s 

we were promised housing for all, 

employment, education and 

health services by 2000. When 

that was certain to fail, the false 

forecasters turned to VISION 

2020. According to the proponents 

of the idea, including Professors 

of Economics, Nigeria would by 

now be marching into the rank of 

the top twenty economies worldwide. 

We are certainly not. President 

Olusegun Obasanjo, ever 

wrong on important matters, 

signed the Millennium Development 

Goals, MDGs, committing 

Nigeria to achieving eight key 

development goals by 2015 along 

with other countries governed by 

more serious and patriotic people. 

We missed all the goals targeted 

by Nigerian governments 

– irrespective of who was Head 

of Government. 

Those of us who gazed at different 

crystal balls and pointed 

out why we were chasing shadows 

were ignored or even ridiculed. 

There was a lot of money 

to be made from false prophecy 

and economic saboteurs appointed 

to high office were eager to 

make them. As we start 2020 and 

now look backward at the missed 

goals and opportunities as well 

as look forward to the possibilities, 

the first thing that strikes one 

is a sense of despair. Those who 

promised in 2015 not to run government 

on the basis of “business 

as usual” had gone ahead and 

done just that. 

The accounts of the Nigerian 

Customs Service, an important 

revenue generator and spender, 

had never been audited accordthe 

Indian leaders. Nobody will 

dare aspire for the role with disputed 

GCE. So, we might as well 

start with education. 

“Numerous are the streams that 

lead to social [and economic] 

prosperity, but, all spring from the 

same source and that is good 

public (underlining mine) education. 

“ Gaspar Javellanos, 1744- 

1811. (VBQ p 46). 

What the Spanish philosopher 

told the world over 200 years ago 

is even more relevant today than 

in the nineteenth century. Despite 

the rapid increase in the 

establishment of private schools 

from nursery to tertiary globally, 

public schools still carry the heaviest 

load of educating the young 

ones, the civil and private workers 

of the future and the leaders 

as well. A honest look at the Nigerian 

public schools, again from 

primary to tertiary, would reveal 

that the spring is totally polluted. 

For the most part, the schools are 

so far behind global standards that 

the graduates cannot compete 

either as civil or private workers 

as the following examples will illustrate 

– one each from the public 

and private sectors. 

Go to the Birth and Death Registry 

of any County in America or 

its equivalent in Korea and ask 

for information about a grandfather 

dead more than ninety years 

and see the result. Go to any Local 

Government in Nigeria and 

request for a copy of your own 

birth certificate and again see the 

result. 

Open a bank account in any 

bank in Germany today with 1000 

dollars; then go away for five 

years. Open an account with the 

same 1000 dollars in any Nigerian 

bank; then go away for the 

same five years. When you return 

to the German bank the balance 

in your account would have gone 

up. Return to the Nigerian bank 

and it would have gone down. 

Globally, banks are in business to 

create wealth for, even the smallest, 

depositors. In Nigeria, banks 

are in business to fleece depositors. 

If you want to understand 

why, look at the education they 

receive and the governments running 

those countries. 

The springs of Nigerian society, 

meaning our educational institutions 

are totally polluted. 

JAMB is deploying all sorts of 

gadgets, drones included, to prevent 

utterly corrupt kids and their 

parents from cheating. Examiners 

and invigilators cannot be 

trusted to be neutral gatekeepers 

and marks can be bought. We end 

up with blockheads receiving 

First Class who are of no use to 

society. All these will probably not 

change in 2020. Consequently, 

those who should be leaders of 

tomorrow are already losers of 

today. Why? 

“The devil [still] finds work for 

idle hands.” 

Graduate unemployment is not 

unique to us, but, in Nigeria it 

has taken a dangerous dimension. 

In 2018, Nigerian schools, 

including technical institutes, 

nursing schools, College of Aviation, 

Schools of Catering and 

Hotel Management, Medical 

Laboratories, etc, sent about five 

million young people into the 

Nigerian job market already 

bursting at the seams with jobless 

graduates at all levels. 

Invariably, the answer to “what 

are you going to do after graduation?” 

is “I will look for work”. 

Frequently, they have no clue 

where and how to go about it and 

they are keenly aware that jobs 

are almost impossible to find. The 

stout-hearted and desperate ones 

go into crime full time. If he/she 

is computer literate, there is probably 

a Yahoo boy/girl walking 

around. Crime is the biggest employer 

of youths in Nigeria and 

that can only get worse in 2020 

given the absence of any massive 

job creation initiative in the budget. 

Satan will be working overtime 

with our kids in 2020 when another 

5 million enter the fray. 

The Nigerian Stock Exchange 

had received mention in each of 

the last three years. Investors, other 

than those who want to take 

over, were advised to stay out. The 

market would inevitably lose money. 

The same prediction was 

made in 2019. And, as gamblers 

try their luck on the last day tomorrow, 

the results are already 

known. Investors have in the aggregate 

again lost money. Only 

a few mega-listings made during 

the year kept the market capitalisation 

from plunging deeper than 

it did. There is little hope for investors 

in the capital market in 

2020. 

Get ready for VAT 

increase and toll gates 

“Even a broken down clock is 

right twice a day.” 

At last, the FG discovered that 

revenue generation was its primary 

problem. They are also probably 

just waking up to the fact that 

you cannot borrow for ever. They 

need more income very fast. Two 

sources have been identified – 

Value Added Tax, VAT, to increase 

it to 7.5 per cent and return of toll 

gates to Federal Highways. I support 

both. Both are consumption 

levies. If you don’t buy, you don’t 

pay. And Dangote’s trucks will 

pay for destroying the roads instead 

of passing the bills to the 

vast majority of Nigerians without 

cars or even cycles. 

I fully support the two proposals. 

The Age of Free Everything 

is over. 

NOTE: The books are available 

at CSS Bookshops, VAN- 

GUARD Abuja Office and MM2 

as well as GAT Aviation airports 

in Lagos. 

2020s: Nigeria is sclerotic, only radical reforms can stem deepening decline 

Continues from Page 29 

the worst thing that can happen 

to any country. This is because, 

as Daron Acemoglu and James 

Robinson argue in their book Why 

Nations Fail, the success or failure 

of any nationdependson the 

nature of its political, economic 

and social institutions. Everything 

is about incentives, and 

differencesin institutions will create 

differencesin the incentives 

for change. 

The stark truth is that Nigeria 

urgently needs political reform, 

indeed, restructuring, to create a 

new political and constitutional 

settlementto heal its ethnic tensions 

and induce political stability. 

Nigeria also needs structural 

reforms to transform its economy. 

And, of course, it needs to build 

its social institutions, including its 

educational system, human development, 

bureaucracy and 

state capacity, for social cohesion 

and progress. Sadly, President 

Buhari has absolutely no 

willingness to spearhead and 

build national consensus for 

such reforms. 

The imperatives for political 

and economic restructuring 

Take political reform. President 

Buhari once said that “True 

federalism is necessary at this 

juncture of our political and 

democratic evolution.”Great, 

but what did he mean by “true 

federalism”? And why, nearly 

five years in power, has he 

taken no initiative on political 

reform?His party, All 

Progressives Congress, set up 

the El-Rufai Committee on restructuring, 

but the Committee’s 

report has been gathering 

dust for nearly two years. The 

indications are that Buhari, who 

rejected the reports of all previous 

political conferences, has 

also rejected that of the El-Rufai 

Committee. 

Truth is, President Buhari will 

continue to ignore political reform 

this year, yet Nigeria will 

face political headwinds as ethnic 

tensions and agitations are 

mounting. But Buhari’sreflex 

response of threatening military 

action will not work; he will 

need to start talking the language 

of restructuring and 

bring Nigerians together to discuss 

how best to achieve it. 

Which leads us to the other 

equally urgent matter: economic 

reform. Nigeria’s 

economy is comatose. Foreign 

investors are shunning Nigeria; 

according to a recent UN report, 

foreign investment flow into 

Nigeria has dropped by 43 per 

cent. Oil revenue projection fell 

below target by 49% in the 2019 

budget due to instability in 

world oil prices; and non-oil 

exports are declining. What’s 

more, the Buhari government is 

accumulating massive foreign 

debt, which, as former President 

Olusegun Obasanjo 

pointed out recently rose from 

$10.32 billion in 2015 to 

$81.2billion in 2019. Is there 

any greater combination of circumstances 

for a perfect storm? 

And is there any greater imperative 

for radical economic 

reforms? 

Both the World Bank and the 

IMF have repeatedly called for 

structural economic reforms in 

Nigeria. Indeed, recently, in its 

Nigeria Economic Update, the 

World Bank warned that without 

such radical reforms, the 

number of Nigerians living in 

extreme poverty, currently 

about 90 million, would increase 

by 30 million by 2030 and that 

the country would then account 

for 25 per cent of total extreme 

poor population! 

The truth is that Nigeria 

needs an open and competitive 

economy that is attractive to foreign 

investors; it needs productive 

and trade capacities to become 

an export-driven 

economy. These are not possible 

with protectionist policies of 

import bans, border closures 

and foreign exchange restrictions. 

Sadly, instead of seeing the 

new African Continental Free 

Trade Area, AfCFTA,as an opportunity 

to trigger reforms, Nigeria 

sees it as a threat. President 

Buhari recently inaugurated a 

National Action Committee but 

asked it to ensure that AfCFTA 

reflects Nigeria’s “development 

plans”, which are based on import-substitution, 

and to protect 

the domestic market against “injurious 

practices”. That’s a defensive 

strategy; the focus should be 

on building Nigeria’s export competitiveness. 

Happy 2020, but don’t hold 

your breath on transformational 

reforms 

So, can transformational 

change happen this year? The 

answer is no. President Buhari 

simply has no appetite for radical 

reforms. What’s more, Nigeria 

is under an elite capture. 

Buhari once said”I belong to 

everybody, I belong to nobody”, 

but, in truth, he’s beholden to 



Unimaginative brinkmanship and a 

country on the brink: Nigeria in 2020 

By Owei Lakemfa 

THE year 2020 which 

commenced yesterday, 

holds a lot of promise for Nigeria 

despite the dark clouds 

cast on it by its leaders in the 

departed year. The year 2019 

had a lot of trying moments for 

the country. Even when might 

terrorized the basic rights of Nigerians, 

there were still quite a 

number of hands clapping on 

the sidelines. The 2019 elections 

that were expected to build on 

the significant gains of 2015, 

rather, dug the grave for those 

gains to be buried. Murder became 

an acceptable electoral 

tool especially as we moved into 

the Kogi State elections where 

people composed lyrics in 

praise of the centrality of the 

gun in electoral contests. 

The violence was so intoxicating 

that thugs marked the election 

victory with the roasting of 

Mrs. Salome Abuh, the Women 

Leader of the Peoples’ Democratic 

Party (PDP) right inside 

her home at Ochadamu, in the 

Ofo Local Government. Where 

else can a person be safe but in 

the home? 

More than a rubber stamp 

National Assembly 

There was the story told about 

the cock and the lion. The lion 

was ferocious and killed animals 

and birds at will. However, 

he avoided the cock because of 

the widely held belief in the 

animal kingdom that the cock’s 

comb was fire which would burn 

any animal that attacks it. The 

cock noticed that the lion 

avoided him, so he asked why. 

The lion explained it was afraid 

of the cock’s comb as he does 

not want to be burnt. The cock 

laughed and revealed that its 

comb was merely a fleshy 

growth or crown-like crest 

which is not harmful. It encouraged 

the frightened lion to 

touch its comb. The lion did, 

was not scalded as he feared, 

so it added the cock to its normal 

meal. 

This is the story of the National 

Assembly (NASS) and 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

who before May 2019 was complaining 

about the latter. He 

could not impose his will on the 

NASS under Senate President 

Bukola Saraki, and Speaker, 

Nuhu Dogara. But the new 

NASS leadership went out of 

their way to let President Buhari 

know that the NASS is not even 

a toothless bulldog, but a mere 

rubber-stamp assembly; so he 

has nothing to fear. 

President of the Senate, 

Ahmad Lawan, having seemingly 

failed through body language 

and continuous genuflecting 

to let President Buhari 

know that while he is the de jure 

leader of the NASS, President 

Buhari is the de facto leader 

of the country’s parliament. In 

November, when a delegation 

of the Presidential Advisory 

Committee Against Corruption 

•Lakemfa 

This outsourcing of 

terror is designed to 

deodorize the Buhari 

government as it 

carries out its 

programme of 

repressing the 

populace and 

bringing all 

institutions under its 

control. 

This is what Nobel 

Laureate, Professor 

Wole Soyinka would 

characterize as the 

‘Season Of Anomie’ 

a season, to quote 

Professor Niyi 

Osundare when 

‘Reason is Treason’ 

paid him a courtesy visit, Lawan 

told the executive body: 

“I want to assure you that any 

request that comes from Mr. 

President is a request that will 

make Nigeria a better place either 

in terms of appointments 

or legislation and the Senate 

will act expeditiously to ensure 

that we play our part in the confirmation 

or passing of legislation 

appropriately.” 

Not to be outdone, Speaker of 

the House of Representatives, 

Femi Gbajabiamila, at his endof-year 

party also assured President 

Buhari of his loyalty: “People, 

naysayers, critics and people 

from other parties have said 

the 9th National Assembly is a 

rubber-stamp to the executive. 

You know my reply when they 

say that to you? Tell them that 

you would rather have a rubber-stamp 

National Assembly 

that will bring progress than the 

one that is fighting the executive 

without progress… The 

people of Surulere Federal Constituency 

1 did not elect me to 

go and be fighting the executive….” 

The year 2020 will be defined 

by such groveling from the 

NASS, provided the Distinguished 

Senators and Honourable 

Members are not deprived 

of their stupendous allowances, 

‘constituency projects’ and ‘over 

sight functions’ 

Judiciary on its knees 

The judiciary was so battered 

in 2019 that foreign countries 

had to intervene, insisting that 

the executive respects the rule 

of law. Former Chief Justice of 

the country, Walter Nkanu 

Onnoghen was repeatedly harassed 

and intimidated. When 

he refused to surrender to the 

forces from the Presidential Palace, 

he was removed unconstitutionally 

and the National Judicial 

Council made to ratify 

both the unconstitutional removal 

and a handpicked replacement, 

Justice Tanko 

Muhammad. 

Justice Muhammad who 

should be contributing to the 

country’s jurisprudence, rule of 

law and guarding the independence 

of the judiciary, 

spends valuable time trying to 

portray himself as the champion 

of Sharia after swearing to uphold 

the secular constitution of 

the country. 

When he spoke at the 20th 

Annual Judges Conference at 

the Ahmadu Bello University 

(ABU) Zaria, he was advocating 

that Muslims impose their 

will on the rest of the country. 

He said: “As we all know, there 

are sections of the constitution 

that allow the implementation 

of Sharia personal law and 

apart from that, we cannot do 

more. However, we have the 

number to emend the constitution 

to suit our own position as 

Muslims." 

Given his predisposition, it is 

not surprising that despite the 

judiciary being battered ceaselessly 

by the executive, and 

even when the courts are invaded 

by armed agents of the 

executive, not even a whimper 

is heard from Justice 

Muhammad. 

The Executive shows every 

sign that it intends to continue 

stifling the judiciary. Even when 

on Christmas eve, it eventually 

released two political prisoners; 

Sambo Dasuki and 

Omoyele Sowore whom various 

courts had granted bail (in the 

case of Dasuki, since 2015) the 

executive announced that it did 

so on compassionate grounds. 

Attorney-General and Minister 

of Justice, Abubakar Malami, 

SAN, said the government has 

various options when a court 

ruling is made, implying that 

the executive can sit on appeal 

over any court judgement; a 

sane country would have sacked 

him immediately. Tragically, it 

is such recklessness, impunity 

and arrogance that is driving the 

Buhari administration. 

In 2020, there are likely to be 

more Nigerians who will lose 

faith in the ability of the judiciary 

to dispense justice. 

Suffocating taxes 

and loans 

In 2019, so much tax was 

uploaded on Nigerians including 

through the banks, that they 

seemed to be wading through 

a maze. Nigerians were buffeted 

with unreasonable, unsustainable, 

suffocating, provocative 

and uncollectable taxes. 

While Babatunde Fowler of the 

Federal Inland Revenue Service 

whose infamous legacy was 

to father many of these taxes 

has been booted out; the seeds 

he planted are still germinating 

and being watered by his successors. 

In 2010, Nigerians will 

grapple with more taxes and little 

governance. 

In the first quarter of the year, 

the country’s debt rose to $81.27 

billion with the government 

embarking on more borrowing, 

culminating in its November 26, 

request to the National Assembly 

for a $23 billion external 

borrowing. But for the Chinese 

railway projects which the Peoples’ 

Democratic Party (PDP) 

administration commenced, the 

ruling party, despite unsustainable 

borrowings, appropriating 

our oil income and imposing or 

increasing taxes like the VAT, 

would have had little to show 

in terms of development in the 

country. 

Basic freedom in 2020 

A government with no answer 

to the basic needs of the people 

has to fall back on repression. 

So, strenuous efforts will be 

made in 2020 to pass additional 

instruments of repression such 

as the Hate Speech and Social 

Media bills. Also, the hiring of 

thugs, touts and the lumpen 

proletariat to violently break up 

lawful and peaceful assemblies, 

or attack conscientious Nigerians, 

will be intensified in 2020. 

So street enforcers and 

conscienceless people who can 

organize violent people for hire, 

will be in good business. This 

outsourcing of terror is designed 

to deodorize the Buhari 

government as it carries out its 

programme of repressing the 

populace and bringing all institutions 

under its control. This 

is what Nobel Laureate, Professor 

Wole Soyinka would characterize 

as the ‘Season Of 

Anomie” a season, to quote 

Professor Niyi Osundare when 

“Reason is Treason” 

The state of politics 

Politics is the largest, most 

lucrative business in Nigeria. It 

is what overnight, transforms a 

pauper into a billionaire and a 

mediocre into “His Excellency.” 

It is also the highest paying job; 

where the practical minimum 

wage is N18,000 but a politician 

because he finds himself 

a Senator, can gross N14 Million 

monthly aside legitimate or 

illegitimate income from ‘oversight’ 

functions, ‘Constituency 

Projects’ and other perks his 

status as a distinguished lawmaker 

may attract. 

The political arena also has no 

standards with performance 

based more on how much 

propaganda machinery is deplored, 

the largesse distributed, 

the opponents pacified and the 

part of the state or country you 

come from, rather than on tangible 

or verifiable achievements, 

To crown it all, the qualification 

to run for office can be substituted 

by unverified claims into 

which the courts have ruled, the 

citizens cannot enquire. 

As for winning elections, in 

many places, it is not dependent 

on the voter or actual votes 

cast, but on a combination of 

other factors including the war 

chest available, on whose side 

the security forces lean, a compromised 

electoral system and 

of course, the firepower the contestant 

can deploy in the electoral 

battle field before, during 

and even after the elections. 

The ruling APC could not 

manage victory when it came its 

way in 2015. Things became so 

bad within the party that it had 

no candidates in the Zamfara 

and Rivers State 2019 elections. 

Its internal battles continue with 

the possibility of it re-enacting 

the Zamfara and Rivers Scenario 

in this year’s elections in 

Edo State 

Such internal battles are not 

confined to the APC. The open 

feud between two PDP governors, 

Nyesom Wike of Rivers 

State and Seriake Dickson of 

Bayelsa State is befuddling and 

bewildering. Wike says he rejects 

any peace moves by the 

party. This makes a lot of sense 

because besides over-size ego, 

there seems to be no issue in 

the so-called clash of the oil-rich 

governors; so what will the party’s 

intervention be based on? 

The tragedy is that both states 

produce the bulk of our oil 

which is being frittered away by 

an idle ruling class belching 

from both ears while the people 

suffer from neglect and unimaginable 

environmental degradation. 

The shape of 

politics to come 

The first point to be made is 

lack of principles in the leading 

political parties. Even when 

they present manifestoes and 

programmes to the electorate, 

they do not implement them. 

So, those documents might not 

be worth the paper on which 

they are printed. 

Secondly, almost all the leading 

politicians in the country are 

former coup plotters, beneficiaries 

of coups or genetic offspring 

of former military rulers. 

So, with them, there is no hope 

of a New Nigeria. 

Thirdly, while politics, not 

governance will dominate 2020 

towards the 2023 Presidential 

elections, it is promising not to 

be the old politics of just excluding 

the masses, but one of 

narrower exclusivity in which 

a faction of the ruling class, 

wants to exclude the other faction. 

Permit me to explain. The political 

class had since the Second 

Republic (1979-1983) 

evolved a system of 

inclusiveness in which it ensured 

that the ruling elites from 

major sections of the country 

are accommodated. There has 



Unimaginative brinkmanship 

and a country on the brink: 

Nigeria in 2020 


also been an unwritten rule 

amongst them that major offices 

like those of the President and 

Governor, will be rotated across 

the country or state. While the 

mass of Nigerians do not benefit 

from such arrangement as 

they are alienated from governance, 

this serves to ensure 

peace amongst the ruling class 

and gives sections of the country 

a sense of belonging. 

The approaching implosion, is 

that leading members of the 

Northern ruling class which 

produced President Buhari for 

two terms, want another term 

or two, at the first instance. 

How this will play out is not 

certain, but the first option for 

this faction, was to work for an 

unconstitutional Third Term, 

which President Buhari emphatically 

disowned in his New 

Year message. Since that has 

bottomed out, they will go for 

the ruling party producing another 

presidential candidate 

from amongst them. If they succeed 

in doing so, they are unlikely 

to pick the running mate 

from the East which seems to 

have been ostracized. Their 

pick is likely to be from the 

West, but it is unlikely such a 

candidate will come from the 

powerful Bola Tinubu political 

family that produced incumbent 

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. 

With such scenario, there is 

likely to be an implosion within 

the APC; those who will remain, 

those who will leave to align 

with other groups or parties, 

and those who will form a new 

party. 

The opposition PDP may also 

run its 2019 presidential candidate, 

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar 

who is likely to pick a running 

mate from the East assuring that 

region that he would spend a 

term and handover to a politician 

from that part of the country. 

The calculation is likely to 

be that Atiku from the North 

East, will win most of the votes 

from that region, garner votes 

from the North West that has 

produced Buhari, from the angry 

Middle Belt, marginalized 

South East and the rump of the 

APC in the South West. It is also 

not unlikely, that the desperate 

Northern faction which wants to 

retain power by any means necessary, 

will try to woo Atiku to 

return to the APC and be its 

presidential candidate. 

If the scenario of the Northern 

faction of the ruling class 

retaining the presidency were 

to play out, it is likely that the 

agitation for restructuring will 

largely transform to an agitation 

for separation. This will compound 

the inability of the ruling 

class to check Boko Haram 

in the North East, banditry in 

the North West and kidnapping 

in other parts of the country. 

The desperation to retain 

power in the North (excluding 

the North Central) is likely to 

dislocate the country; what the 

British colonialists put together; 

myopic politicians will try to put 

asunder. Unfortunately, patriotic 

voices are getting fainter, and 

those of centrifugal forces are 

getting louder. But the forces 

that want a united country 

based on social justice and the 

basic needs of the people including 

the right to food, clothing, 

shelter, healthcare and education, 

have no choice than to 

unite and fight on. 

They must realize that Nigeria 

is the hope of Africa; it is 

the only country on the continent 

that can help checkmate 

the recolonization of the continent 

by former colonial masters 

or colonization by advancing 

Arab land grabbers who are the 

Islamic State already fighting to 

take over Mali and are controlling 

the Boko Haram in Nigeria, 

Chad, Cameroun and Niger 

Republic. 

Immediate challenge 

of survival 

The immediate challenge of 

Nigeria is not development, 

mass unemployment, hunger or 

poverty, it is survival; how does 

a country that holds the best 

hope for the Blackman survive 

the insidious politics of 2023 

and beyond? 

For this, we must fight for 

genuine change, for social justice; 

the right of Nigerians to 

security and decent life. The 

enthronement of the rule of law, 

the release of all political hostages 

including the El-Zakzaky 

couple and the journalists Jones 

Abiri and Agba Jalingo. We 

must fight for the democratization 

of governance not its capture 

by a clique. 

Let me remind all those who 

play god, that they are nothing 

but actors because nobody can 

be God. As William Shakespeare 

said: "All the world's a 

stage and all the men and 

women are merely players: they 

have their exits and their entrances.” 

John Pepper Clark in 

his poem, Streamside exchange 

was more philosophical when 

he wrote that: “ Tide and market 

come and go” so shall all 

regimes and human beings. 

2020s: 

Nigeria is sclerotic, 

only radical 

reforms 

can stem 

deepening 

decline 


the cabal running his government 

and the country. They 

have vested interests and won’t 

allow radical political and economic 

reforms. So, expect no such 

reforms this year and the years 

ahead. But also expect Nigeria 

to sink deeper into political, economic 

and social decays! 

It’s grim, yes; but Happy New 

Year all the same! 

LAGOS 2020 BABIES: Sanwo-Olu 

welcomes Agede, Agbor, Kazeem, 

Momoh *As Agede arrives 12.01 a.m 

By Olasunkanmi Akoni 

& Juliet Umeh 

LAGOS—WIFE of Lagos 

State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke 

Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, received 

and presented gifts items to the 

first babies of the year in Ijede 

General Hospital, Agbowa 

General Hospital, Ketu-Ejirin 

General Hospital and Lagos 

Island Maternity Hospital. 

Baby Agede, a male, who 

weighed 2kg delivered at 

exactly 12.01a.m, by Mrs. 

Bukola Agede is the first baby 

of the year at Ijede General 

Hospital. 

Another baby, a female, who 

weighed 3.1kg delivered at 

12.07 am by Mrs. Beauty Agbor 

is the first baby of the year in 

Agbowa General Hospital. 

Also, baby Kazeem, a boy, who 

weighed 3kg and delivered at 

1.40 a.m. to the family of Mr. 

and Mrs. Kazeem is the first 

baby of the year at Ketu-Ejirin 

General Hospital while the first 

baby of the year at the Lagos 

Island Maternity Hospital is 

baby Momoh. 

The baby, a male who 

weighed 2.6kg was delivered at 

12.09 a.m by Mrs. Mary 

Momoh 

Sanwo-Olu, who was at the 

hospitals to celebrate with the 

new mothers on the arrival of 

their babies, said the birth of a 

child does not happen by 

chance but requires that the 

mothers take steps to ensure 

that they live a healthy life 

during pregnancy. 

She said: “Just as the birth of 

a healthy baby requires that the 

mother takes steps to ensure 

that she lives a healthy life 

whilst pregnant and gets skilled 

care during labour and delivery, 

we must also play our part to 

ensure that we live the kind of 

life that will promote our own 

welfare and the well-being of 

our society.” 

Also, Sanwo-Olu stated that 

the birth of a child is significant 

and symbolizes the assurance 

that human heritage and life 

force are carried on to the next 

generation. 

She said: “We are here not just 

The former Senate Minority 

Leader said that it will be a 

disservice to the party’s 

teeming members, who are 

yearning for good, focused and 

committed leadership, for 

anybody to contemplate what 

she called “imposed 

leadership” at this time against 

the wishes of teeming loyal 

party members. 

Olujimi and her estranged 

godfather, former Governor 

Ayodele Fayose, had been 

locked in protracted leadership 

battle in the state, which had 

created cleavages within the 

party. 

In a statement, Olujimi said: 

“As the Congress draws near, 

we must work together to install 

a strong, passionate, honest, 

vibrant, fair, loyal and 

committed party man, who will 

to celebrate new lives but also 

to seek opportunities to make a 

difference in the lives of the 

people who need our 

assistance. Bearing in mind 

always that our show of love, 

kindness and compassion is 

only an extension of gratitude 

to our maker for the same grace 

granted to us. 

Earlier, the Health, Prof. Akin 

Abayomi, noted that the first 

baby of the year remains a 

symbolic event as it shows that 

the first activity of the state 

government every year is seen 

to focus on health. 

Abayomi said: “Its 

significance is demonstrated by 

the priority visit of the wife of 

the Governor and the presence 

of important dignitaries, who 

could have been elsewhere on 

this great day but chose to 

spend their first few hours of 

the New Year in our public 

hospitals. They make it a duty 

to be here to rejoice with our 

mothers on the birth of their 

children and that, in itself, 

speaks volume.” 

PDP 'll reclaim Ekiti in 2022 — OLUJIMI 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

A DO-EKITI—THE 

lawmaker representing 

Ekiti South Senatorial District, 

Senator Biodun Olujimi, 

yesterday, declared that the best 

way for the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, in the state to 

become stronger ahead of the 

governorship election in 2022, 

is by adopting collegiate 

leadership, to fortify the party 

and bring sense of belonging 

to every member. 

She advised members of the 

PDP to elect State Working 

Committee, SWC, members that 

will unify the party at the 

coming Congress, to be able to 

wrest power from the All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

in the state in the 2022 

governorship poll. 

ZLP urges Makinde to review 2019 

coalition agreements 

*Says party abandoned, relegated 

By Adeola Badru 

I BADAN—THE 

governorship 

candidate of the Zenith 

Labour Party, ZLP, in the 2019 

election and former Secretary 

to the Oyo State Government, 

Chief Sharafadeen Alli, 

yesterday, said the party had 

been largely abandoned and 

relegated in the scheme of 

things especially political 

patronages, asking Governor 

Seyi Makinde to review the 

2019 political coalition 

agreement. 

Alli, in his New Year 

message to the leaders, said: 

“The Governor should seize 

this moment and do the 

needful. I wish him the best 

as he pilots the affairs of our 

state for the better.” 

His words: “A man’s word 

should also be his bond. The 

governor should go into 

retrospect and review our 2019 

political coalition agreement. 

Our party, the ZLP had been 

largely abandoned and 

relegated in the scheme of 

things especially political 

patronages. 

“The governor should seize 

this moment and do the 

needful. I wish him the best 

as he pilots the affairs of our 

State for the better.” 

unite and not divide us, as 

Chairman. 

“Our sole agenda will be Ekiti 

first, PDP next, any hidden 

agenda to perpetuate 

undemocratic and punitive 

tendencies in PDP will be 

resisted. 

“I urge that we all work 

together to restore the glory of 

our party because it is crystal 

clear that God will only install 

whom He pleases.” 

Speaking about her recent 

judicial victory, where she was 

installed as a Senator through 

the removal of APC candidate, 

Prince Dayo Adeyeye through 

litigation, Olujimi lauded the 

APC National Leader, Asiwaju 

Bola Tinubu, the Senate 

President, Senator Ahmad 

Lawan and Governor Kayode 

Fayemi for standing on the side 

of truth and justice in the 

litigation. 

She said: “I have been in the 

system long enough to know 

that anything is possible where 

there are ungodly people who 

don’t bat an eyelid in the quest 

to divert the truth. Therefore, I 

wish to commend Governor 

Fayemi, Asiwaju Tinubu, and 

Senator Lawan. I know your 

commitment to your party.” 

The lawmaker also expressed 

appreciation to former governor 

Fayose for tendering public 

apology over the former 

governor’s open campaign 

against her candidacy in the 

2019 election, saying it was rare 

for a man of Fayose’s standing 

to admit guilt under this 

circumstance. 

“To those who are bitter about 

the judgement for one reason 

or the other, please find it in 

your heart to accept that only 

God gives power. Your time will 

also come when your enemies 

will push you to greatness. I 

bear no grudge.”


Account for N219bn 

received from FAAC, 

APC tells Okowa 

By Perez Brisibe 

U Delta GHELLI—THE 

State chapter 

of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, has asked 

the state Governor, Senator 

Ifeanyi Okowa to account 

for the N214 billion 

received from the 

Federation Accounts 

Allocation Committee, 

FAAC from January to 

November, 2019. 

The party, while accusing 

the governor of embarking 

on what it described as 

“financial recklessness,” 

said the party was appalled 

by the level of financial 

indiscipline in the 

governance of the state. 

The party, in a statement 

by its Publicity Secretary, 

Sylvester Imonina, 

Tuesday, stated that the 

state received the highest 

federal monthly allocation 

between January and 

November 2019 besides 

hundreds of billions of naira 

received by the state 

government from excess 

crude account, ecological 

fund, Internally 

Generated Revenue, 

IGR, and other sources, 

yet it has no tangible 

landmark and/or 

productive projects to 

show for it compared to 

states like Rivers, Lagos 

Uduaghan not interested in 

NDDC board chair — IGBINI 

By Emma Amaize 

ADirector SABA—FORMER 

General of 

Delta State Direct Labour 

Agency, DLA, Mr 

Emmanuel Igbini, has 

explained that ex-governor 

of the state, Dr Emmanuel 

Uduaghan, was not 

interested in the 

chairmanship or any other 

appointment in the Niger 

Delta Development 

Commission, NDDC. 

Igbini, who is National 

President of Vanguard for 

Transparent Leadership 

and Democracy, VATLAD, 

said media report that 

Uduaghan might emerge 

the new NDDC chair was 

designed to blackmail the 

former governor and cause 

crisis among ethnic groups 

in Delta State. 

He said, “We want to 

state categorically that the 

immediate past Delta State 

governor (Uduaghan) is 

not at all, interested in 

being appointed Chairman 

of NDDC or any position 

in the governing Board of 

NDDC at this time when 

Delta State has an indigene 

(Mr Benard Okumagba) 

appointed as the 

substantive Managing 

Director of the Commission, 

waiting to be inaugurated 

by President Buhari at the 

appropriate time. 

“We were shocked that it 

was alleged that the 

Presidency may also be 

thinking of correcting some 

irregularities between the 

and Akwa Ibom that 

received far less amount. 

The party also accused 

the governor of awarding 

contracts to unknown 

companies without track 

records of good 

engineering works, saying, 

“Some of the companies/ 

firms are known for shoddy 

and half-baked projects. A 

serious minded 

government should not be 

seen patronizing such 

companies, except for 

ulterior motives. 

“Delta State is bleeding 

financially because of 

wanton appointments of 

political lackeys without 

specific mandates. or 

Okowa and his appointees 

are in competition as to who 

appoints the highest 

number of political aides. 

Presently, the Governor has 

more than three thousand 

aides without any assigned 

roles. 

“APC Delta State calls on 

Deltans and people of 

goodwill to double their 

efforts in asking questions 

and calling on Okowa to 

shun his present financial 

recklessness for low quality 

jobs and unprofitable 

political appointments. 

Cities and towns in Delta 

State cannot continue to 

remain in the current state 

of squalor.” 

Urohobos and Itsekiris in 

Delta State. Uduaghan is 

an Itsekiri man from 

Abigborodo in Warri North 

Local Government Area, 

while Okumagba is an 

Urhobo man from Okere in 

Warri South Local 

Government Area of the 

state. 

“They deliberately set out 

to create division and crisis 

between our peaceful and 

united people of Itsekiri 

and Urhobo of Delta State 

at time that vast majority of 

our people of oil and gasproducing 

nationalities of 

Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ijaw, Isoko 

and Ndokwa of Delta State 

are increasing more 

united in our appreciation 

of President Buhari for 

appointing Okumagba 

as Managing Director of 

NDDC. 

NEW YEAR DAY CHILDREN'S PARTY: Representative of the wife of the President, Mrs. Salamotu 

Gbajabiamila surrounded by children to cut the cake to commemorate the 2020 New Year Day Children's 

Party at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida. 

2020: A/Ibom APC seeks Nigerians' 

collaboration to achieve devt agenda 

By Chioma Onuegbu 

UYO—THE 

All 

Progressives 

Congress, APC in Akwa 

Ibom State has sought the 

collaboration of Nigerians 

to enable the party led by 


Buhari to achieve its 

development agenda. 

This is contained in a 

statement by the state party 

chairman, Mr. Ini Okopido 

entitled, “We shall continue 

to take brave and faithful 

steps.” 

The statement reads, “The 

foregone year was quite 

remarkable and memorable 

for us in the APC family and 

the country at large. 

“We share the 

commitment and passion 

which President Buhari-led 

APC Federal Government 

has approached 

governance and urge every 

Nigerian to invest his/her 

trust and future by 

collaborating with the 

government to achieve its 

development agenda. 

“The character of a 

political party is determined 

not by its numbers or who 

votes for it, but by its 

programmes and 

acceptability. 

“There is no doubt that 

APC and its progressive 

ideals anchored on massive 

infrastructural 

development and vigorous 

effort at tackling the 

country’s hitherto 

intractable socio-economic 

and security challenges has 

a special appeal for all 

Nigerians. 

“Many things happened 

last year as we took yet 

another brave step to join 

the progressive league. 

Notwithstanding the 

outcome, we remain 

undeterred knowing that 

we have the courage to 

continue to take brave and 

faithful steps in pursuit of 

the “New vision for our 

collective prosperity” as a 

people and state.” 

The party expressed 

gratitude to its leaders and 

elders in the state 

Olu of Warri, Orodje of Okpe pray for 

Gbagi over 2023 guber poll 

By Jimitota Onoyume 

WARRI—OLU 

of 

Warri, His Majesty 

Ogiame Ikenwoli and the 

Orodje of Okpe, His 

Majesty Orhue I, have 

conferred blessings on 

former Minister of State for 

Education, Chief Kenneth 

Gbagi as he guns for the 

2023 plum job of governor 

of Delta State in 2023. 

In their separate prayers 

when the governorship 

hopeful and chieftain of the 

Litigants complain about non-resumption 

of Industrial Court in Benin 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN 

CITY— 

LITIGANTS have 

been complaining about 

the non-resumption of 

sitting of the National 

Industrial Court of Nigeria 

in Benin City, Edo State, 

which was supposed to 

have started sitting on 

November 1, 2019. 

The court was donated by 

Edo State government 

which also promised to 

provide accommodation 

for the judge. 

It was gathered that the 

court located in part of Edo 

Hotels has Justice A. 

Adewemimo as the 

presiding judge. 

Vanguard gathered that 

the delay in the sitting of 

the Benin Centre of the 

Industrial Court is hinged 

on the alleged claim of nonprovision 

of residential 

quarters for Justice 

Adewemimo who was 

transferred from the Akure 

division 

As a result of the nonsitting 

of the court, cases 

which are mostly 

political from the recent 

suspensions and 

removal of council 

chairmen in Edo State 

and other industrial and 

political disputes between 

litigants in Delta State are 

not getting needed 

attention and this is 

causing anxiety amongst 

the litigants. 

Counsel to a litigant from 

Delta State yesterday, 

complained that his client 

is being denied of justice 

because of the delay in the 

sitting of the court. 

particularly the end of the 

year committee that 

ensured that members and 

supporters were not left as 

“orphans’ at Christmas and 

new year celebrations. 

It stressed that APC is a 

progressive party with 

good of the state and 

betterment of the people at 

heart adding, “We wish 

that there is room for 

constructive engagement 

between government and 

the opposition that goes 

beyond “settling political 

scores” and “advancing 

agenda that are petty and 

vindictive. 

“Akwa Ibom stands to 

benefit a lot should leaders 

embrace the call and 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, paid courtesy visits on 

them, they said if it was the 

wish of God that he 

emerges governor of the 

state, so be it. 

The monarchs said by 

virtue of their position as 

traditional rulers, they were 

father to any governorship 

aspirant, adding that all 

they do is offer prayers to 

those that visit them for 

blessings. 

Olu of Warri said he had 

heard so much about Gbagi, 

stressing that all were good 

things. 

While praying that God 

should grant the state good 

leaders at all times, the 

monarch said the state 

needed leaders that would 

develop all parts of the 

state without ethnic bias 

“You are welcome. I am 

very delighted to see my 

brother and friend, Chief 

Kenneth Gbagi. I have 

heard a lot about you 

even if we have not met. 

It is only good things I 

have heard about you. I 

appreciate all of you who 

came with my friend and 

brother. We are not 

politicians, all politicians 

belong to us. We pray for 

concept of a higher duty to 

the people tending 

economic growth and 

prosperity instead of petty 

bickering and tinkering. 

“As we learn from 

yesterday, live for today, 

and hope for tomorrow, I 

implore my fellow 

compatriots to reinvigorate 

their hope, and to remain 

resolute and undaunted in 

our quest for change in 

Akwa Ibom State. 

“Our hope is hinged on 

God and our walk into the 

future rooted in the wisdom 

and direction of Leaders 

and Elders of the party 

whose indefatigable 

support is beyond measure 

or quantification.” 

them. Those who came to 

book for your appointment 

are dear to me. They told 

me good things about you 

and I said I will see you 

today. My prayer is that 

God should give us leaders 

that will make positive 

changes in the lives of the 

people. 

“I will say God bless you, 

chart your path for you. If 

you are the one chosen by 

God, he should lift you, 

take you to greater heights. 

You are the first to come 

here to tell me you are 

going for governor 2023. 

The time is far away, 

sometimes early starters 

make difference. 

“I pray God should 

touch the heart of our 

leaders to make the 

difference in our lives. 

God should give us a 

leader that should 

develop the whole state not 

selective leaders,” he said. 

On his part, the Orodje 

of Okpe, who was the 

second monarch visited 

said, since he assumed the 

throne, he had not voted, 

adding that he had to ask 

that they move the poling 

unit around the palace 

away to maintain the 

neutrality of the palace in 

all elections.


Be patient, IPOB cautions 

members in New Year message 

ENUGU — PRO- 

GENITOR and one 

of the founders of Indigenous 

People of Biafra, 

IPOB, Mr. Emeka Emekesiri 

has cautioned the large 

followers of Biafra freedom 

fighters to be patient and 

to follow the due process of 

self-determination in the 

new year. 

Emekesiri in a new year 

message on behalf of the 

Supreme Council of Elders 

and the Customary Government 

of IPOB asked his 

people to ignore tissues of 

lies and propaganda by 

some conspicuous members 

and follow the legal 

rules of engagement in the 

re-actualistion of a sovereign 

state of Biafra, which 

he reminded that its process 

is already before a 

competent court of jurisdiction 

in Nigeria. 

Describing the year 2020 

as a year of national liberation 

and freedom, Emekesiri 

noted that the benefit of 

the legal methodology and 

political diplomacy in the 

struggle for self-determination 

cannot be over-emphasized. 

“Everything in life 

has a process,” he said. 

He gave posthumous 

New Year wishes to late four 

IPOB pillars- Brig Gen Joe 

Achuzia; Chief Barr Debe 

Odumegwu Ojukwu; Dr 

Dozie Ikedife and the 

chairman of IPOB Supreme 

Council of Elders, His Royal 

Majesty, Hon Justice Eze 

Ozobu, noting that the sages 

fought a good fight within 

seven years of establishment 

of IPOB. “These men 

fought the good fight and 

handed the baton to us to 

continue from where they 

stopped,” Emekesiri eulogized. 

On the IPOB agenda, 

Emekesiri said: “In the first 

seven years of our struggle 

by legal methodology from 

2012 to 2019, we made 

great impact and achieved 

great success in the struggle 

for our self-determination. 

The struggle by due 

process commenced with 

the publication of the 

book, Biafra or Nigerian 

Presidency- What the Ibos 

Want, published in 2012 

where the name, Indigenous 

People of Biafra, was 

created and used to sue 

the Nigerian Government 

in a representative capacity 

in the Suit No FHC/OW/ 

CS/102/2012 in the Federal 

High Court Owerri. The 

case was reconstituted in 

2013 as Suit No FHC/OW/ 

CS/192/2013 which was later 

transferred to Abuja. 

“We have entered a new 

year and cannot afford to 

continue with the mistakes 

of the past. Those who 

were promised by their 

leaders that Biafra would 

come in 2015 have seen 

that it was a lie. Those who 

were promised the Referendum 

for Biafran Independence 

in 2017 have 

seen that it was a lie. Those 

who were told that the United 

Nations and the European 

Parliament have recognised 

Biafra have seen 

that it was a lie. Everything 

has a process and we advise 

all the Biafrans to be 

patient and follow the due 

process of self-determination. 

“Unfortunately, we have 

observed that many Biafrans 

are impatient to follow the 

due process. They want 

Biafra today or tomorrow 

and will swallow all lies and 

deceptions in the name of 

Biafra. We have even heard 

that some Biafra groups 

have appointed or declared 

their Presidents of Biafra 

and the Ministers of the 

Republic of Biafra.” 

From left — Chancellor of the diocese, Justice Yinka Faji; Dean of the Cathedral, Ven. Feyi Ojelabi; his 

wife, Muyiwa; Bishop Johnson; his wife, Olabo; mother of the Vice President, Mrs. Bisi Osinbajo, and 

Deputy Chancellor, Justice Bukonla Adebiyi, after the New Year service at the Cathedral Church of St. Jude 

Ebute Meta, where the Anglican Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Rt. Rev Akinpelu Johnson. 

Abia 2023: Ndubuisi Kanu, Ihejirika, Madubuike 

make case for power shift 

By Anayo Okoli 

ENUGU—AHEAD of 

2023, key stakeholders 

from the Old Isuikwuato 

District of Abia State, have 

called for the governorship 

seat to be narrowed down 

to the district in line with 

the State’s Charter of Equity. 

They lamented that Old 

Isuikwuato District has 

been marginalized in power 

sharing formula of the 

state, saying that equity 

demands that it is the turn 

of the district to produce the 

next governor of the state. 

The stakeholders including 

former Chief of Army 

Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Azubuike 

(rtd.); former Lagos 

State Military Administrator, 

Admiral Ndubuisi 

Kanu (rtd.); former Minister 

for Health, Professor 

Ihechukwu Madubuike; 

Senator Emma Nwaka, the 

Chancellor of Gregory University 

Uturu, Professor 

Greg Ibe; the State Organizing 

Secretary of 

APC,“Chief Obi Aham; 

former Military Administrator 

of Cross River State, 

Navy Captain Chris Osondu 

(red.); former Chairman 

of Ummunneochi Local 

Government Area, Dr. Jasper 

Uche; and APC chieftain, 

Dr. Uzo Egbo, among 

others, resolved to collectively 

pursue the project 

with every legal weapon in 

their arsenal. 

The stakeholders who met 

under the auspices of Isuikwuato 

District Welfare Association, 

insisted that the 

principle of Abia Charter of 

Equity demands that the 

next governor of the state 

should come from the old 

Isuikwuato Division, comprising 

of Umunneochi 

and Isuikwuato councils. 

They argued that each 

political bloc in the four letter 

acronym "A-B-I-A" from 

where Abia state derives its 

name had produced a governor 

for the state except 

Isuikwuato. 

They explained that the 

three letters "A, B, A" representing 

old Afikpo, 

Bende and Aba divisions 

have produced the governors 

for the State remaining 

only the letter “I” (Isuikwuato), 

saying that it 

would amount to injustice, 

inequity and marginalization 

if Isuikwuato district is 

denied the opportunity in 

2023. 

The stakeholders agreed 

to drop political leaning in 

the pursuit of the project 

and appealed to “governorship 

aspirants from outside 

the district to drop their 

ambition in the spirit of equity, 

peace and brotherhood. 

A 6-point communique 

raised after the consultative 

meeting and signed by Dr. 

Jasper Uche and others 

said: “The people of Isiukwuato 

District (comprising 

Isuikwuato and Umunneochi 

councils) of Abia State 

are now poised to produce 

the next governor of Abia 

State in 2023, in line with 

the Abia Charter of Equity. 

“That without prejudice to 

other organizations working 

to actualize this noble 

objective including our revered 

traditional ruler, 

Isuikwuato District Welfare 

Association has been instituted 

and empowered to 

champion, galvanize and 

co-ordinate all efforts towards 

the realization of 

Abia State Governor of 

Isuikwuato District extraction 

in 2023. 

Police nab herdsman for 

allegedly raping 56-yr-old 

woman to death in Ebonyi 

•We're on ground—Police 

By Peter Okutu 

ABAKALIKI — 

EBONYI State Police 

command yesterday, 

stated that it has 

arrested a herdsman for 

allegedly raping a 56 

years old woman to 

death. 

Police spokesman in the 

state, Loveth Odah confirmed 

the incident. 

A source close to Vanguard 

in the community, 

claimed that the herdsman 

allegedly carried out the 

evil act on December, 28, 

2019 in Ufuezeraku, Ugwulangwu 

in Ohaozara local 

government area. 

Continuing, the Police 

mouth piece added that 

the suspect was arrested 

By Vincent 

Ujumadu 

AWKA—THE gover 

norship candidate 

of the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, in the 2017 

election in Anambra 

State, Mr. Oseloka Obaze 

has said that Nigerians 

suffered so much 

deprivation in 2019, hoping 

that 2020 would be a 

better year for them. 

In his new year message, 

Obaze accused the 

ruling All progressives 

Congress, APC, administration 

in the country of 

exhibiting inability to foster 

confidence required 

for a just and egalitarian 

society. 

His statement read: 

“Year 2019 was an extremely 

difficult and 

challenging year for Nigerians. 

No nation enjoys 

peace when her component 

parts are distressed 

and her people suffer 

deprivation. That is the 

present day reality for 

our country. 

“In 2020, Nigerians 

must continue to reflect 

on the underpinning values 

of our nationalism, 

which is being torn apart 

gradually. Nationhood is 

about inclusivity that 

elicits patriotism and loyalty. 

“The present leadership 

and ruling APC government 

has continued 

to exhibit the inability to 

be accommodating and 

to foster confidence 

on 29th December and 

will soon be charged to 

court. 

Odah gave the name 

of the victim as 56 years 

old Mrs Okereke, 

while the suspect's 

name is Isa. 

The spokesman noted 

that calm has been restored 

in the area as the 

Police Command deployed 

more officers to 

calm the people of the 

area down. 

Town Union chairman 

of the area, Mr Peter 

Obasi also confirmed 

the incident. 

Obasi appealed for 

peace from the community 

members while urging 

the Police to ensure 

that justice is done to 

the perpetrators. 

Nigerians suffered 

deprivation in 

2019—Obaze 

building measures required 

in a just and 

egalitarian society. 

“ It has shown its 

aversion to the rule of 

law by undermining 

the very constitutional 

principles and values 

that promote good 

governance and democracy. 

Nigerians are 

being denied the true 

values of democracy. 

Such leadership hubris 

needs to change. 

“As things stand, the 

workings of governance 

mechanisms in the 

three tiers of government 

mimic an operational 

model with systemic 

redundancy and 

intentional design deficiency. 

This should not 

be the case in our nation. 

The state of the 

nation calls for greater 

resiliency. 

“2020 is the year for 

Nigerians to reflect 

deeply on the state and 

wellbeing of the nation 

and begin to forge the 

national consensus required 

for keeping the 

country whole, by restructuring 

and thus 

averting any form of crisis 

that might prove inimical 

to our national 

security.” 

“Nigerians must continue 

to speak up 

against any form of injustice, 

impunity and 

governmental overreach 

as we continue to 

pray for Nigeria in distress.”


CROSS OVER 

NIGHT: 

Parishioners 

of Sacred 

Heart 

Catholic 

Church 

dancing 

during the 

crossover 

night service 

that ushered 

in year 2020 

in 

Gwagwalada, 

Abuja, 

yesterday. 

Photo: NAN. 


Late Olusola Saraki did not pay for 

revoked land —Kwara govt 

•Says land acquired by govt in 70s for state secretariat 

By Demola 

Akinyemi 

ILORIN—Kwara State 

government, yesterday, 

said the controversial land of 

the Second Republic Senate 

Leader, late Dr Abubakar 

Olusola Saraki, it revoked 

was neither paid for, saying 

there was no evidence of 

payment, even as it informed 

that no formal application 

was made in respect of the 

land. 

Director-General of the 

state’s Bureau of Lands, 

Ibrahim Salman, who said 

this in a statement in Ilorin 

also clarified that no Right of 

Occupancy was ever issued 

to Asa Investment through 

which the late politician 

acquired the land. 

The statement noted that 

the land was, consequently, 

acquired by the state 

government in the 70s in the 

overriding public interest and 

was designed to construct the 

Phase II of the state 

secretariat, which was indeed 

constructed but later 

abandoned at the 

superstructure level. 

It also disclosed that it was 

after the project was 

abandoned that Asa 

Investment took over the land 

to build what is now referred 

to as,”Ile Arugbo” by Dr 

Olusola Saraki,where the 

politician used to meet his 

supporters and also give food 

items to aged women. 

According to the statement, 

“the entire land was acquired 

in the 1970s for overriding 

public interest and same was 

initially designed to host the 

phase II of the state 

secretariat. The construction 

of the said state secretariat 

phase II was actually 

commenced and it was at 

superstructure level before 

same was abandoned. 

“The entire land was later 

redesigned in the 1980s for 

the construction of a civil 

service clinic, state secretariat 

and a parking lot for the clinic 

and state secretariat. 

“The clinic was, 

subsequently, constructed in 

1982, while the remaining 

plots of land were conceived 

for the expansion of the clinic 

into a full-fledged hospital. 

The dream of the state 

government was stalled 

when part of the land slated 

for the parking lot was 

spuriously allocated in 

principle to one Asa 

Investment for commercial 

purpose. 

"From available records, the 

allocation was not based on 

a formal application or 

application forms filled; there 

was no evidence of payment 

for the said allocation as 

stipulated in the letter of 

allocation in principle and 

consequently, no right of 

occupancy was ever issued 

to the company. 

“Furthermore, in flagrant 

abuse of the allocation terms, 

the company took possession 

of the land and constructed 

what is today known as Ile 

Arugbo on part of the land 

that was designed as parking 

lot and later conceived to host 

the expansion of the civil 

service clinic into a fullfledged 

hospital 

“Following a resolution of the 

Kwara State House of 

Assembly mandating him to 

revoke/withdraw the 

spurious allocation, Governor 

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq 

recently signed an instrument 

to reclaim the land on the 

ground that same was 

unlawfully allocated to a 

private company contrary to 

the public purpose of its 

acquisition and occupied in 

breach of the terms of 

allocation. 

“This (press) release is 

intended to state the facts on 

the land recently revoked/ 

withdrawn by the state 

government as contained in 

our records.” 

DESOPADEC to sanction contractors 

ever shoddy jobs 

By Perez Brisibe 

U GHELLI— 

Managing Director 

of Delta State Oil Producing 

Area Development 

C o m m i s s i o n , 

DESOPADEC, Chief Askia 

Ogieh, has asked 

community leaders in the 

oil producing areas of the 

state to report contractors 

who embark on shoddy jobs 

to the commission for 

sanctioning and possible 

termination of the contract. 

Askia in his new year 

message, yesterday, 

explained that the focus of 

the management board in 

the new year, would be on 

the tangibles and 

intangibles, saying: “We 

will be fully involved in the 

provision of healthcare 

facilities, educational and 

infrastructural 

development as well as 

socio-economic welfare of 

our people, throughout the 

year and in the coming 


“The year 2020 is unique 

as it marks the first full year 

into the new DESOPADEC 

management as well as the 

second term of Governor 

Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta 

State. 

“The new DESOPADEC 

leadership has committed 

itself to effecting a new 

approach in discharging its 

responsibilities. Our 

bottom-up approach, 

therefore, will be sustained 

as regular consultations 

and liaison with community 

leaders, youth and women 

groups will be the primary 

strategy in choosing the 

nature of projects to be 

executed in our 

communities. 

“At the risk of repeating 

myself, the era of 

management choosing and 

deciding projects for 

communities is gone. We 

have decided that 

communities must own and 

projects in their areas. 

“In effect, it behooves on 

the community leaders to 

report all noticeable shoddy 

jobs by our contractors to us 

for sanctions and possible 

determination. 

“We pledge to run a 

transparent and peopleoriented 

commission where 

we will be accountable at 

all times to all stakeholders. 

We urge you to continue to 

support the state 

government as the quest of 

building a stronger Delta, 

through the provision of 

infrastructural and human 

capital development 

programmes and projects, 

will guide our activities 

throughout the year.” 

FG to recruit additional N-Power beneficiaries in 

Jigawa 

By Aliyu 

Dangida 

D UTSE—THE 

F e d e r a l 

Government will recruit 

additional N-Power 

beneficiaries this year, 

the Jigawa State Social 

Investment Programme 

focal person, Mallam 

Bala Chamo, has 

disclosed. 

Chamo, who made this 

Idahosa to Oshiomhole: 

You're cause of Edo 

crisis, not victim 

By Ozioruva 

Aliu 

BENIN CITY —A 

chieftain of All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, in Edo State, Mr 

Charles Idahosa, 

yesterday, chided National 

Chairman of the party, Mr 

Adams Oshiomhole, over 

his call that his supporters 

should remember him in 

their prayers over the crisis 

rocking the party in the 

state. 

Idahosa said Oshiomhole 

should stop playing the 

victim card in the unfolding 

crisis rocking the party, 

which he said was across 

the country. 

He accused Oshiomhole 

of trying to extricate himself 

from the crisis but insisted 

that Oshiomhole was the 

cause of the crisis in the 

party and that he was trying 

to hoodwink Nigerians into 

thinking that he was being 

victimised. 

According to Idahosa, 

“Oshiomhole should spare 

us the drama of asking 

Nigerians to pray for him 

over the APC crisis. It is just 

a case of barefaced deceit, 

which is second nature to 

known to newsmen in 

Dutse, the Jigawa State 

capital, said the N-Power 

recruitment portal would 

be opened early this 

month, noting that the 

Federal Government had 

paid all the outstanding 

monthly allowance for 

the previous months to 

N-Power beneficiaries, 

while payment of 

December allowance will 

be made soon. 

him. It is public knowledge 

that he is the cause of the 

crisis in the party, at the 

national and state levels. 

“At the national level, the 

state governors are inching 

very close to removing him 

on account of his highhandedness, 

sabotage and 

tyrannical approach in the 

running the party. The 

APC is in more crisis than 

Oshiomhole met it. The 

party has lost grounds on 

account of the national 

chairman’s combative 

stance in running its affairs. 

“In Edo State, he is 

fighting dirty to entrench 

himself as a godfather, 

which he had in the past 

stood against. So, the pityparty 

is needless. We know 

him for who he is and his 

intentions are as clear as 

daylight.” 

The party chieftain noted 

that instead of calling for 

prayers, Oshiomhole 

should spare Nigerians the 

theatrics and honourably 

resign his position as the 

national chairman, so that 

a more temperate partyman 

can pilot the affairs of 

the party for the benefit of 

party members and 

Nigerians. 

Use your strength positively, 

Delta youths urged 

YOUTHS in Delta State 

have been charged to 

engage their strength 

positively and exploit the 

key development 

opportunities by the Delta 

State government to fulfill 

their dreams. 

Senior Special Assistant 

on Research and Youth 

Development to the Delta 

State Governor, Dr David 

Akpobolokemi, gave the 

advice in Okoloba, Bomadi 

Local Government Area, 

Delta State while speaking 

during the yuletide. 

Akpobolokemi said 

youths were endowed with 

rich potential and tasked 

them to discover those 

potential and use them for 

the benefit of themselves 

and the society, noting: 

“They are critical 

stakeholders in nationalbuilding.” 

According to him, “the 

present administration 

under the watch of Senator 

Ifeanyi Okowa has created 

youth development 

programmes that can 

change their fortunes for 

better if properly harnessed 

by them.” 

He also noted that "with 

humility, hardwork, 

education, prudent in time 

management, having 

foresight on what they 

want to do with the 

discovered potential and 

keying into available youth 

development platforms are 

all what they need to fulfill 

life expectancy. 

Akpobolokemi advised 

them to be conscious of their 

positions as leaders of 

tomorrow and work out 

positive modalities towards 

achieving the appropriate 

qualities expected of a great 

leader by expressing it in 

accordance with the rules 

of laws. 

Chamo announced that 

Governor Badaru 

Abubakar had approved 

the commencement of 

registration of 

vulnerable groups in 18 

additional local 

governments to benefit 

from the cash transfer 

programme. 

He expressed 

appreciation to the 

governor for approving 

more than N13 million to 

support the exercise in 

the state.


Udom: Driving unity in A’Ibom 

with Completion Agenda 

By Chris Umoette 

GOVERNOR Udom 

Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom 

State has, since settling 

into office for a second term, 

embarked on the process of 

healing wounds and uniting a state 

that was considerably fractured in 

the run-up to the March 16, 2019 

governorship election. The process 

has been as easy as building on the 

peace that reigned in the state from 

his first term, but which was 

threatened by drums of war that 

sounded in some quarters prior to 

the election. 

The governor has had little or no 

difficulty restoring the peace for 

which the state has traditionally 

been known due mainly to the 

numerous achievements he 

recorded in his first term, which 

won for him the belief, faith and 

trust of the people of the state as 

demonstrated by the massive 

support they gave him for his reelection. 

The people have seen practical 

proof of what a united and 

peaceful state could achieve based 

on the socio-economic 

development the governor wrought 

on the state in his first term. The 

aim of his current unity effort, 

therefore, is to make them buy into 

his vision of where he wants the 

state to be, long after has left the 

stage in 2023. That is to say that 

for him, the focus is on tomorrow, 

not just today. It is on the Akwa 

Ibom of the present and future 

generations. 

Governor Emmanuel is 

working on the theory that the 

state of his dream cannot become 

a reality without a strong 

foundation laid by peace and 

unity – a state whose indigenes 

would work with unanimity of 

purpose for the common good. 

He is therefore seeking to return 

the state to the era of its founding 

fathers when the unity that 

prevailed did not recognize 

dialect or sub-ethnicity. 

He reminded the people of the 

state in his second term inaugural 

speech of the founding fathers’ 

dream of “a state that was 

homogeneous in culture and 

contiguous in thoughts and 

language, the thread that linked 

this noble aspiration was the 

uplifting and inspiring belief that 

we are one people, united by the 

lone ingredient that has shaped 

all known societies: the need to 

live in a united, safe, secure and 

prosperous society where people 

are free to dream, dare and drive, 

where the circumstances of one’s 

birth or the axis of his or her 

geography will not limit the 

individual’s capacity to succeed”. 

It was the era when Ibibio State 

College (now Federal Polytechnic, 

Ukana), the premier postsecondary 

institution of the people 

at that time, was sited on Annang 

land, though it bore the name 

“Ibibio”. That was proof that there 

was no dichotomy between Ibibio 

and Annang. It is evidence of the 

unity that has prevailed in the state 

under the present governor and the 

people’s resolve to stand with him 

to build the state that in the last 

governorship election, his victory 

cut across all the 31 local 

government areas. It was a victory 

that saw all the sub-ethnic groups 

in the state speak with one voice. 

In his first term, Governor 

Emmanuel launched the Dakkada 

programme to sound a clarion call 

to the people of the state to rise to 

greatness by jettisoning 

mediocrity, ignorance and 

superstition. It was a call to unity 

and love for state and country, as 

well as a motivation for hard work 

and willingness to wake the lion 

that lies in every human being, for 

their personal socio-economic 

development and that of the state 

and nation at large. 

The success of Dakkada is 

evident in the fact that today, the 

average Akwa Ibomite feels a 

greater sense of motivation and 

encouragement to pursue his 

dream, taking a cue from 

indigenes of the state that have 

made tremendous successes in 

their chosen careers in diverse 

areas such as law, medicine, sports, 

academics, arts and 

entertainment, within and outside 

the country. The governor hopes to 

use the success of Dakkada to 

drive his current campaign for 

unity. 

Now, he is working on what he 

has christened Completion Agenda 

to open new frontiers to drive the level 

of development that has never been 

witnessed in the state. He is putting 

in place structures that will place the 

state’s socio-economic development 

on auto pilot to guarantee 

sustainable development for present 

and future generations of Akwa 

Ibomites. It is one programme that 

will cement the unity the governor 

has succeeded in restoring in the 

state after the election. 

The Agenda encompasses the eight 

key areas that will drive 

development of the state beyond the 

present and well into the future, 

namely, industrialization, aviation 

development, rural/riverine areas 

development and agriculture. Others 

are human capacity development, 

security, infrastructure, as well as 

small and medium enterprises. The 

areas have been carefully selected 

to enable the government to work 

on the twin objective of building the 

small but rich human resource the 

state is endowed with alongside 

development of its vast and 

scattered natural resources. This 

would usher into the state a new 

era that would put it not just on 

the national, but also on the 

continental and global maps of 

socio-economic and industrial 

development. 

Over the next three and half 

years, the government will build 

on the successes it has so far 

recorded in the rapidly improved 

health sector to have a healthy 

population that would spend less 

on healthcare but channel its 

energy into taking advantage of 

the numerous economic and 

industrial programmes at its 

disposal to improve its living 

standard. With huge spending on 

education including investment 

in ICT and backed by the free and 

compulsory education 

programme, it will be possible for 

the state to have the required 

manpower that would not only 

drive its industrial development 

into the future, but would also be 

equipped to be marketable 

internationally. 

A faithful implementation of the 

Completion Agenda will ensure 

that by the time Governor 

Emmanuel takes his final bow out 

of government on May 29, 2023, 

Akwa Ibom would have been 

poised for active participation in 

the Fourth Industrial Revolution 

that has since kicked off, with 

noticeable benefits on the quality 

lives of the people of the state. 

.Umoette, a legal practitioner, 

lives in Lagos. 

*NEW YEAR CHURCH SERVICE: From left — Proto-Presbyter, Methodist Church 

Nigeria (MCN), Very Rev. Jonathan Osin; Prelate of the MCN, His Eminence, Dr. Samuel 

Uche; his wife, Florence; and Prelate Chaplain, Jeremiah Shittu, during the New Year church 

service at the MCN in Lagos. 

2020: We’ll surmount our challenges, says 

Askia Ogieh, DESOPADEC Chief 

MANAGING Director of 

Delta State Oil Producing 

Areas Development Commission 

(DESOPA-DEC), Bashorun Askia 

Ogieh has said the agency is 

poised for greater accomplishments 

in the New Year, despite 

the peculiar challenges facing the 

oil producing communities. 

Bashorun Askia in a 2020 New 

Year message, said DESOPADEC 

as a major plank of the Stronger 

Delta mantra, “our focus in the 

year will be on the tangibles and 

intangibles, in providing for the 

needs of our people and meeting 

developmental aspirations of the 

various communities that form the 

oil producing areas of the State.” 

“We will be fully involved in the 

provision of healthcare facilities, 

educational and infrastructural 

development as well as socio-economic 

welfare of our people, 

throughout the year and in the 

coming years,” he said. 

Speaking further, Bashorun 

Askia said: “We intend to ensure 

Ihedioha commissions 

Ahiazu LG Secretariat 

By Chidi Nkwopara 

OWERRI — IMO State 

Governor, Chief Emeka 

Ihedioha, has reiterated his commitment 

towards ensuring the independence, 

efficiency viability, 

purposeful and vibrancy of the 

local government administration 

in the state. 

Governor Ihedioha stated this 

while commissioning an ultra 

modern 28-room Ahiazu Mbaise 

Local Government Secretariat 

complex. "When we pledged to 

work hard to realize, not just our 

goals, but the expectations of the 

people, we meant it. We knew, 

God being our helper, there was 

light at the end of the tunnel for 

Ndi Imo", Ihedioha said. 

According to the Governor, "the 

construction for the ultra modern 

complex with a 300 capacity hall, 

a conference hall, as well as 28 

office rooms, expected to accommodate 

staff of various units and 

departments in the council, commenced 

in August and was completed 

in December." 

While expressing delight that 

the efforts of his administration are 

already yielding positive results, 

the Governor also said: "In the last 

few months that we have been on 

the saddle, we have initiated a 

lot of new policies, legislations, 

and embarked on numerous capital 

and infrastructural projects. 

"From road rehabilitation, rural, 

urban and trunk, to stadium redevelopment, 

facilitating electrification, 

restoring water supply, 

etc, the task has been to begin the 

rejuvenation of the State, driven 

by set out policy, due process and 

transparency." 

Ihedioha also said that as a government, 

his administration has 

equally set-out to reform and thus 

re-energize local government administration 

in the state. "We first 

of all provided financial autonomy, 

through the direct release 

of their funds to them. We 

furthermore put in place operational 

guidelines to enable the 

state oversight their activities and 

ensure they are accountable to the 

people", Ihedioha said. 

Continuing, the Governor 

noted that the secretariat project, 

which is going on simultaneously 

in the 27 local council areas of the 

state, would provide suitable atmosphere 

for the workers, as well 

as guarantee optimum production. 

He noted that his administration 

will not only guarantee good 

place of work but will ensuire 

prompt payment of salaries and 

pension for workers in the state 

and stressed the need for adequate 

oversight of local government 

administration, irrespective 

if its autonomy. 

that every facet of the wellbeing 

of our mandate areas are captured 

and executed, in keeping with the 

overall developmental objectives 

of the Delta State Government.” 

While pleading for cooperation 

from stakeholders, Bashorun 

Askia said: “All these lofty projects 

earmarked for the year will be a 

mirage in the absence of peace 

and security. I am, therefore, 

pleading with all our traditional 

rulers, youth and community 

leaders to continue to maintain 

the peace in their various domains. 

We can only thrive and fasttrack 

development in an atmosphere 

of peace and tranquility. 

The DESOPADEC chief said the 

commission has committed itself 

to effecting a new approach in discharging 

its responsibilities, adding, 

“Our Bottom-Up approach 

will be sustained as regular consultations 

and liaison with community 

leaders, youth and women 

groups will be the primary strategy 

in choosing the nature of 

projects to be executed in our communities.” 

Bashorun Askia said the era of 

management choosing and deciding 

projects for communities, 

is in the past and said, “We have 

decided that communities must 

own and protect projects in their 

areas. In effect, it behoves on the 

community leaders to report all 

noticeable shoddy jobs by our contractors 

to us for sanctions and possible 

determination.” 

Bashorun Askia while reassuring 

staff of management’s readiness 

to ensure that their welfare 

is of utmost importance and that 

all due entitlements will be accorded 

them, pledged to run a 

transparent and people-oriented 

Commission, “where we will be 

accountable at all times to all 

stakeholders,” and urged for continued 

support for the state government 

“as the principle of building 

a Stronger Delta, through the 

provision of infrastructural and 

human capital development 

programmes and projects, will 

guide our activities throughout 

the year.”


INAUGURATION: From left — Head of Operations, Richway Microfinance 

Bank, Omolola Ola; Director, Studio 24, Ijomah Oputa; Director, Studio 24, Dr 

Vivien Oputa; another Director, Ulo Oputa; Ifeanyi Oputa and Managing 

Director/CEO, Richway Microfinance Bank, Adenrele Oni during the official 

inauguration of Studio 24 Outlet on Isaac John Ikeja, Lagos. 

AWARD: From right — Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos 

Chapter, Dr. Qasim Akinreti; Director, Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel 

Nigeria, Emeka Oparah and Chairperson of the Lagos State Chapter of the 

Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, Adeola Taibat Ekine, during the 

presentation of the NUJ award on Oparah at the Airtel HQ, Banana Island, 

Ikoyi, Lagos. 

COUPLES CONFERENCE: From Right — Marriage Counselor, Life Coach, 

Bro. Theophilus Akatugba; Zonal Superintendent, Foursquare Gospel Church, 

Magboro Zone, Revd. Tunji Abegunde; Conveners, Covenant Marriage 

Counselors: Pastor Shalom Okonmah, Pastor Joseph Okonmah; Pastor (Mrs) 

Toyin Abegunde, and Revd. Sunday Akugue, during the Couples Conference in 

Lagos. 

UNESCO: 

From left — 

Peniel Ajuka, 

General 

Manager, Media 

Panache; Seyi 

Awolowo, Brand 

Ambassador 

SeekMed; 

Nzube Roberts, 

Public Relations 

Consultant, 

Media Panache 

during the 

signing of Seyi 

Awolowo's 

endorsement 

deal with 

Seekmed — a 

telemedicine 

mobile 

application in 

Lagos.


By Washington Osifo 

THE recent dramatic 

p e r f o r m a n c e 

of the Professors that testified 

before the American House of 

Representatives Judicial 

Committee on what constituted 

impeachment offense as captured 

by the framers of the American 

constitution is instructive on how 

academicians could fundamentally 

differ genuinely or hide under the 

carapace of selective intellectual 

excursions to arrive at fraudulent 

intellectual conclusions! Mr 

Thoughts on the binding judicial precedent on vacant 

legislative seats — A rejoinder 

Emwanta’s opinion on Law and 

Human Rights column titled 

“Thoughts on the binding judicial 

precedent on vacant legislative 

seats”, published on Thursday 19th 

December 2019 particularly on 

page 28 of the Vangaurd newspaper, 

squarely fall in the latter category. 

He did a fantastic job of sophistry 

and must have misled not a few 

Nigerians on the question dealing 

with the power of a Speaker to 

unilaterally declare the seat of a 

member of the House vacant. 

Summed up, Emwanta contextually 

recalibrated the painstaking and 

excellent submissions of the best of 

our Supreme Court Justices, 

degenerate same to the oozing level 

of fraudulent intellectual 

masturbation and inane effusions. 

It is common knowledge that 

Hon.Frank Okiye, the selfacclaimed 

“Speaker” of the Edo 

State House of Assembly 

purportedly declared vacant the 

seats of the 14 Members-Elect ( 

one of which I am) of the Edo State 

House of Assembly, who are 

presently in a legal battle to redress 

the constitutional infractions 

surrounding the unlawful 

inauguration of the Edo State 

House of Assembly on the 17th of 

June 2019. In doing this , the Hon. 

Frank Okiye purportedly relied on 

the provision of Section 109 (f) of 

the Constitution of the Federal 

Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As 

amended). Whilst the propriety of 

the said inauguration of the Edo 

State House of Assembly and the 

purported election of the “Speaker” 

is pending in Suit NoB/80/OS/2019 

in Edo State High Court in Benin, 

the self acclaimed “Speaker” 

ignored the pending motion for 

Injunction restraining him from 

Continues on page 

08152060944 

2019 legal hurdles, cases 

that'll shape year 2020 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

YEAR 2019 was no doubt an 

eventful year for the judiciary. 

As customary in every election 

year, various election petition 

tribunals were constituted to settle 

disputes that arose from the last 

general elections. 

President of the Court of Appeal, 

Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, 

disclosed that the appellate court 

delivered a total of 4, 007 

judgements, even as it settled 805 

election related disputes in the year 

under review. 

Remarkable among the election 

disputes that were disposed of were 

four separate petitions that sought 

to nullify the re-election of 

President Muhammadu Buhari. 

Though most of the cases failed 

at the level of the Presidential 

Election Petition Tribunal, two of 

them found their way to the 

Supreme Court. 

The opposition Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, and its 

presidential candidate, Atiku 

Abubakar, had in a 66-ground of 

appeal they filed before the apex 

court, tried to set-aside the 

September 11 judgement of the 

Presidential Election Petition 

Tribunal that gave victory to 

President Buhari and his party, the 

All Progressives Congress, APC. 

Likewise, the Hope Democratic 

Party, PDP, and its own candidate, 

Chief Ambrose Owuru, also sought 

to void the outcome of the February 

23 presidential poll that was 

declared in Buhari’s favour. 

However, in separate verdicts on 

October 28 and 30, 2019, a sevenman 

panel of Justices headed by 

the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, 

Justice Tanko Muhammad, 

dismissed both appeals as lacking 

in merit, stressing that the litigants 

failed to establish why results of 

the presidential election should be 

nullified. 

The apex court equally validated 

judgements of various 

governorship election petition 

tribunals across the federation. 

It upheld election victories of most 

governors, including those of 

Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Oyo, Ebonyi, 

Kastina, Nasarawa, Lagos and 

Mohammed Tanko, Chief Justice 

of Nigeria 

Ogun States. 

Aside political matters, 2019 also 

saw the conclusion of hearing on 

some criminal cases that have 

dragged for years, as well as 

initiation of fresh ones. 

Among the prolonged trials that 

were concluded in the year under 

review, with judgements being 

awaited in the new year, include 

the money laundering charge 

involving the erstwhile National 

Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief 

Olisa Metuh. 

The Federal High Court sitting 

in Abuja had on November 26, fixed 

February 25, 2020, to deliver 

judgement on the case the 

Economic and Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, preferred 

against Metuh. 

Metuh is facing trial alongside 

his firm, Destra Investment Ltd, for 

allegedly receiving N400million 

from the Office of the National 

Security Adviser, ONSA, prior to 

the 2015 presidential election, 

without contract approval or 

execution. 

Trial Justice Okon Abang 

adjourned the matter for judgement 

after all the parties adopted their 

final briefs of argument. 

Whereas Metuh called 15 

witnesses to establish his 

Attorney-General of the Federation and 

Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami 

innocence to the charge, his firm 

called a lone witness to testify on 

its behalf. 

EFCC had in April 2016, closed 

its case after it produced a total of 

eight witnesses that testified against 

the defendants. 

Some of the old criminal cases 

that will shape the 2019 legal year, 

are still pending before different 

courts in the country. 

Prominent among such cases are 

the trial of former National Security 

Adviser, NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki, 

retd, and that of leader of the 

proscribed Indigenous People of 

Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. 

While Dasuki is answering to 

three separate money laundering 

and illegal possession of firearm 

charges before both the Federal 

High Court and the High Court of 

the Federal Capital Territory, the 

IPOB leader, Kanu, who is 

currently at large, is answering to 

treasonable felony charge the 

Federal Government preferred 

against him and other pro-Biafra 

agitators. 

Another major trial that will shape 

the legal space in the new year is 

the trial of pro-democracy activist 

and convener of the 

#RevolutionNow Protest, Omoyele 

Sowore. 

Sowore, who was the 

presidential candidate of African 

Action Congress, AAC, in the last 

general election and publisher of 

an online news outlet, Sahara 

Reporters, and his co-defendant, 

Olawale Bakare (aka Mandate), 

are currently answering to a sevencount 

treasonable felony charge FG 

entered against them. 

They were in the charge marked 

FHC/ ABJ/CR/235/2019, accused of 

conspiracy, money laundering, 

cyber-stalking and insulting 

President Buhari. 

The defendants pleaded not 

guilty to the charge, even as trial 

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu ordered 

their release on bail, a judicial 

directive the DSS temporarily 

obeyed for about 12 hours after they 

had spent over 124 days in 

detention. 

The agency re-arrested Sowore 

at the premises of the Federal High 

Court in Abuja, in a manner that 

drew flaks to it from both within and 

outside the country. 

In the wake of public outcry that 

trailed the action of the DSS, the 

Attorney-General of the Federation 

and Minister of Justice, Abubakar 

Malami, SAN, directed the security 

agency to hands-off the case and 

transfer the case-file to his office for 

review. 

Subsequently, Malami, on 

December 24, ordered the release 

of both Sowore and Dasuki from 

detention pending the hearing and 

determination of charges against 

them. 

While Dasuki spent over four 

years in detention from 2015 when 

he was arrested, Sowore spent 

about five months in custody of the 

DSS. 

Meantime, as 2020 legal circle 

kicks off, another criminal case that 

will surely dominate public space 

will be the trial of former Chairman 

of Pension Reform Task Team, 

Abdulrasheed Maina who is facing 

money laundering charge. 

Trial Justice Okon Abang had 

fixed January 13 for continuation 

of hearing on the money 

laundering charge the EFCC 

preferred against him. 

Other cases that will dominate the 

new year will include the trial of 

alleged culprits in controversial 

Process and Industrial 

Developments Limited (P&ID) gas 

supply and processing contract 

agreement that led to a $9.6billion 

liability judgement against 

Nigeria. 

Among those in the EFCC net 

are the former Director, Legal 

Services of the Ministry of 

Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Grace 

Taiga, who is already facing trial 

before an Abuja High Court sitting 

at Apo, as well as the former AGF, 

Mohammed Adoke, SAN, who is 

still in custody of the anti-graft 

agency. 

Justice Abang of the Federal High 

Court in Abuja had on December 

18, issued a bench warrant for the 

arrest of a British national, Adam 

Quinn, over his alleged 

involvement in the gas supply scam 

that is currently a subject of 

litigation between Nigeria and 

P&ID in the United Kingdom. 

EFCC alleged that the wanted 

Briton was one of the brains behind 

Process and Industrial 

Development Limited of British 

Virgin Island, which the court 

earlier convicted in charge No. 

FHC/ABJ/CR/230/20I9, after its 

Directors pleaded guilty to fraud 

allegations the Federal 

Government of Nigeria levelled 

against them. 

Quinn’s compatriot, James 

Nolan, who is answering to a 32- 

count amended criminal charge 

before the court, was earlier 

remanded in the Kuje custodial 

center. 

Justice Abang had fixed January 

20 for continuation of his trial. 

From all indications, there is no 

doubt that 2020 will be a busy year 

for the Nigerian judiciary.


Thoughts on the binding judicial precedent on 

vacant legislative seats — A rejoinder 

Continued from page 

taking further steps in the 

matter and proceeded to 

unlawfully and 

unconstitutionally declare our 

seats vacant. 

Presently, this latter 

constitutional infraction is 

being challenged at the 

Federal High Court. 

Therefore, what is mind 

boggling is the attempt by a 

self-acclaimed 

“Constitutional Lawyer” to 

justify this unlawful and 

unconstitutional act of the 

self-acclaimed “Speaker” in 

the media, whilst the suit 

From left: Mrs Ogechi Ihekweazu; her husband, the new Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 

SAN, Mr Chimezie Ihekweazu; Managing Partner/Head of Chamber, Punuka Solicitors, 

Lady Elizabeth Idigbe, and Principal Partner, Punuka Solicitors, Sir Anthony Idigbe, SAN 

during a dinner party organised in honour of the new SAN, Mr Ihekweazu, in Lagos. 

From left, Mr. Ralph Emereuwa; Mrs Chinenye Oragwu, and her husband, Mr. Nnamdi 

Oragwu, Partner, Punuka Slicitors at the event. 

EDITORIAL 

Innocent Anaba 

( Editor) 

Ikechukwu Nnochiri 

Henry Ojelu 

Onozure Dania 

Jane Ochewendoo 

challenging his action is 

pending in Court. We would 

have conveniently ignored 

the vituperation of this selfseeking 

academic but for his 

deliberate and/or 

m i s c h i e v o u s 

misinterpretation of the 

Supreme Court’s decision in 

the celebrated case of 

Hon.Mike Oloyo v Chief B.A. 

Alegbe ( 1983) All,NLR ,387- 

459. 

In his piece, Andrew 

A.Emwanta twisted the 

decision of the Apex Court 

to give the impression that 

the Court affirmed the power 

of a Speaker of a State House 

of Assembly to unilaterally 

declare the seat of an elected 

member of the House vacant. 

This is very far from the truth. 

This short piece is aimed at 

correcting this piece of 

deliberate misinformation by 

the media “Constitutional 

Lawyer” 

1.2 The Decision of the Apex 

Court: 

The facts surrounding this 

case are pretty well settled thus 

as a writer, I have no 

disagreement with its 

presentation, however, what I 

quarrel with is the 

misconstruing of the decision 

of the Court. 

The facts of the case 

reveal that, the Speaker 

(Chief B.A Alegbe) 

purported to have declared 

vacant the seat of 

Hon.Mike Oloyo when he 

wrote a letter dated the 

15th of September 1981 to 

Hon.Mike Oloyo wherein 

he stated as follows: 

“ (1) TAKE NOTICE 

therefore that your seat in 

this House of Assembly is 

declared vacant with effect 

from the 19th day of 

August 1981, for absenting 

yourself from the meetings 

of the House for 94 days 

“without just cause” 

(2) FURTHER TAKE 

NOTICE that you are 

henceforth no longer entitled 

to sit or vote in the House 

and/or take part in any of its 

proceedings including 

proceedings of all its 

committees 

(3) You should 

immediately hand over all 

the properties of the House 

which came to your 

possession since October 

2nd 1979 to the Clerk of the 

House”. 

It was this letter that 

formed the basis of 

Hon.Mike Oloyo’s suit at 

the High Court which held 

that the Speaker (Chief B.A 

Alegbe) lacked the powers 

to declare his seat vacant. 

The Court held that all the 

Speaker was enjoined to do 

by virtue of Section 103 (1) 

(f) of the 1979 Constitution 

(The precursor to Section 

109 (1) (f) of the 1999 

Constitution), was to indicate 

whether Hon.Mike Oloyo 

was absent from the seating 

of the House for more than 

1/3 of the total number of 

days the House sat in a 

legislative year and that the 

absence was without a 

“reasonable cause”. 

The Court held that the 

ultimate power of 

determining whether, 

Hon.Mike Oloyos seat had 

become vacant as a result of 

the aforesaid rested with the 

appropriate State High 

Court and not the Speaker 

of the House. It was this 

decision by the High Court 

that was taken to the Court 

of Appeal by Chief B.A 

Alegebe. 

The Court of Appeal 

allowed his appeal and set 

aside the judgment of the 

High Court. The Court of 

Appeal held that the 

Speaker, Chief B.A Alegbe 

had the constitutional right 

to declare Hon.Mike Oloyos 

seat vacant. 

However, on a further 

appeal by Hon.Mike Oloyo 

to the Supreme Court, the 

Apex Court allowed his 

appeal in part and affirmed 

the decision of the High 

Court. The Apex Court 

reiterated the point that the 

Speaker —Chief B.A Alegbe 

did not have the right/power 

to declare the seat of 

Hon.Mike Oloyo vacant, 

rather it was the then Bendel 

State High Court that had 

the requisite power to do 

so. 

In the leading judgment 

of Hon.Justice Fatai 

Williams, he held as follows: 

“Now going back to the 

case in hand, it is my view 

having regard to the words 

used in section 103 (1) (f) 

compared to section 237 of 

the Constitution which 

conferred jurisdiction on the 

competent High Court to 

declare the seat of a member 

of the State House of 

Assembly vacant, that there 

is nothing in the two sections 

which empowers the 

Speaker or the State House 

of Assembly to declare the 

Plaintiff/Appellants seat 

vacant. 

To hold otherwise would 

mean giving the Speaker or 

the House of Assembly as 

the case may be, the power 

which the Constitution 

specifically and in clear terms 

reserved for the competent 

High Court. 

The High Court must not 

be sacrificed on the alter of 

legislative expediency..” (See 

page 398 of the Law Report) 

Interestingly, this leading 

judgment received a 

concurrence from the other 

six Justices on the panel, 

namely Hon.Justice 

Sowewimo, Hon.Justice 

Otutu Obaseki, Hon.Justice 

Kayode Eso, Hon.Justice 

Nnamani, Hon. Justice Bello 

and Hon.Justice Uwais, 

though with varying 

emphasis and 

reconstruction. However, 

there was no dissenting 

judgment, therefore, one 

wonders where our learned 

friend got the “ratio” in this 

decision which he reeled out 

as affirming the powers of the 

Speaker of a State House of 

Assembly to unilaterally 

declare vacant, the seat of an 

elected member of the State 

House of Assembly, 

1.3 Conclusion: 

It is obvious that the author 

of the original article set out 

to do the bidding of his paymasters 

as he wont to do 

lately on all available mass 

media. That is to use his 

assumed expertise in law, 

pass off his untested status 

as a “Law Lecturer” and selfacclaimed 

“Constitutional 

Lawyer” to defend the 

constitutional infractions and 

breaches of the rule of law 

by the de facto “Speaker” of 

the Edo State House of 

Assembly and his Godfatherthe 

Governor of the State. 

He has carried this 

assignment too far, by 

deliberately and 

mischievously 

misrepresenting the decision 

of the Apex Court in Nigeria 

as if no other person had 

access to the law reports or 

are able to interpret the 

decisions therein. 

Our advice to him: He 

should concentrate on his 

teething academic career 

and stop playing 

mischievous politics with his 

“vantage” position as a “Law 

Lecturer” in the guise of 

interpreting the 

Constitution.. 

We acknowledge his 

constitutional right to play 

politics and/or to belong to a 

political party or a “faction” 

of a political party, what is 

wrong is for him to bandy his 

untested status as an 

objective “egg-head” to 

misinform the unsuspecting 

public, including, 

unfortunately, his innocent 

students. 

In any case, the current 

situation in Edo State House 

of Assembly should ordinarily 

beat the imagination of every 

enlightened mind. It is 

absolutely outside the 

provinces of common sense 

and rationality. The 

provisions of the constitution 

should assume a sacred 

status to a constitutional 

lawyer. In the eyes of the 

constitution, there is no 

House of Assembly in Edo 

State in so far as the 

inaugurated members are 

less than twenty four, the 

minimum condition 

prescribed by the Nigerian 

Constitution under Section 

91 of the 1999 Constitution 

of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria(as amended). In this 

direction, the action of any 

official of the so- called Edo 

State House of Assembly is


WHEN I started this 

column in November 

2018, the debut article was titled 

“Nigeria is stuck on a treadmill - 

going nowhere fast!” (Vanguard, 

November 15, 2018). One year 

later, Nigeria, regrettably, is still 

stuck in the rot. Several decades 

ago, the distinguished publisher of 

this newspaper, Sam Amuka-Pemu, 

a titan of journalism and one of 

Nigeria’s finest columnists of any 

generation, ran a famous column 

called Sad Sam. But today, 

columnists are sadder, more 

despondent, because of the 

country’s deepening decay, and as 

we see Nigeria’s leaders doing 

everything in their power to run the 

country aground. 

Truth is, Nigeria is a 

laughingstock worldwide. 

Whenever the country is discussed 

in any international forum, the air 

of melancholy is always so thick 

you could cut it with a knife. The 

question everyone asks is why 

Nigeria is so badly governed that 

it can’t fulfil its great potential. 

And, indeed, the country is 

punching well below its weight. 

Each time the BRICS countries – 

Brazil, Russia, India, China and 

South Africa – meet and they are 

referred to as the “five major 

emerging national economies”, I 

ask, why is Nigeria not among 

them; why South Africa, and not 

Nigeria? But the reality is that these 

are industrialising economies. And 

as Nigeria is only a crude-oil 

producer, it’s not deemed eligible 

to join the elite BRICS group! 

Yet, Nigeria always has an 

aspiration to be a great nation. But 

it’s just that: an aspiration. It has 

Nigeria plumbed the depths of 

misrule in 2019, never again! 

utterly failed to turn intentions into 

actions, let alone into results. For 

instance, Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 

set out the ambitions to be among 

top 20 economies by 2020, have 

GDP value of $900 billion and a 

GDP per capita of $4,000. We are 

now in 2020, but according to the 

IMF, Nigeria is currently 29th top 

economy in the world, with a GDP 

value of $446.54bn and GDP per 

capita of $2,222. Even its 29th 

position is not due to its industrial 

prowess or trading capacity as an 

exporter of manufactures. It’s 

based predominantly on crude oil! 

But why is Nigeria failing to fulfil 

its potential? Well, let’s face it, it’s 

because, thanks to poor leadership, 

this country is still grappling with 

rudimentary problems that no 

serious country, or one that aspires 

to be great, should be facing. For 

instance, nearly 60 years after 

independence, and twenty years of 

uninterrupted civil rule, Nigeria 

shouldn’t be struggling with basic 

issues like conducting smooth 

elections, pursuing sound 

economic policies, respecting the 

rule of law and resolving internal 

conflicts. Yet, last year, this country 

plumbed the depths of 

maladministration. Nigeria 

suffered retrogression in 2019! 

Take the general election. Who 

would have thought that a civilian 

president could remove the Chief 

Justice of the country in the middle 

of a presidential election 

campaign in which he was seeking 

re-election? But that was exactly 

what President Muhammadu 

Buhari did. Regardless of the 

merits of the suspension, doing it 

during a presidential election sent 

Natasha Akpoti: Heroine of the Kogi election 

By UGOCHUKWU EJINKEONYE 

AS I write now, I am not too sure that I 

will be able to readily remember the full 

name of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 

governorship candidate – the major opposition 

contestant in the November 16, 2019 

gubernatorial election in Kogi State. 

So, it should not be surprising that I probably 

wouldn’t have heard about Natasha Hadiza 

Akpoti, the intelligent and courageous young 

lady who flew the governorship flag of the 

Social Democratic Party, SDP, in that election 

if some fellows in the state’s murky political 

scene did not choose to attract undue attention 

to the state by stretching their desperation and 

crude politics to unimaginable extremes in 

their determination to run Natasha out of the 

governorship contest. 

Indeed, my interest in what happens in Kogi 

had been so badly depleted by the unedifying 

record of Governor Yahaya Bello whose most 

significant achievement in office appears to 

be his successful de-marketing of the very 

outstanding campaign undertaken by some 

young Nigerians to push for the greater 

participation of the younger generation in the 

leadership of this country. It is so demoralising 

that when anyone tries these days to applaud 

and strengthen the case of this laudable 

advocacy (whose delicious fruit was the signing 

into law of the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill by 

President Muhammadu Buhari on May 31, 

2018), the predictable retort usually fired back 

at one is: what of Yahaya Bello, is he not a 

young man? 

What is the guarantee that other young 

people would not only replicate his dismal 

record if they assumed leadership positions? It 

is as bad as that. 

It was very clear as the Kogi governorship 

election drew close that the ruling All 

Progressives Congress, APC, had become very 

apprehensive due to the unedifying 

performance of their governor in Kogi who 

owed public service workers several months 

salary. That’s what Bello had subjected poor 

civil servants (some old enough to father him) 

to in his state. Obviously, the governor’s rating 

had achieved such a very low descent that the 

Kaduna State governor and chairman of the 

APC Campaign Council for the Kogi election, 

Nasir el-Rufai, had to kneel down during the 

grand finale of the party’s governorship rally 

in Lokoja, two days to the election, to appeal to 

the people to forgive Bello. The wife of the 

president, Aisha Buhari, also joined her voice 

to beg Kogi people to forgive the governor and 

give him another chance. 

It was so saddening and very unsettling 

watching Natasha Akpoti’s interview on Arise 

TV shortly after the “bloody war” in Kogi that 

grossly diminished Nigeria in the comity of 

nations. It was most disappointing that Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu and his 'Independent' 

National Electoral Election, INEC, could stoop 

so low to lend a helping hand to the 

desperadoes in Kogi to execute their crude selfhelp 

designs to deny this young woman the 

opportunity to seek the mandate of Kogi 

people. 

Why was it so difficult to allow a levelplaying 

field so that the best candidate 

acceptable to the people could win, and those 

who lost would see clearly that they were 

rejected by the people and not shoved aside by 

the more violent and financially empowered 

co-contestant with the help of an electoral body 

that should have clearly underlined its 

neutrality? 

Unfortunately, INEC seems to have perfected 

the egregious act of bending the rules guiding 

its operations whenever it finds it expedient in 

order to achieve some unwholesome ends. The 

commission which had earlier declared that it 

lacked the powers to disqualify candidates (in 

agreement with a Supreme Court ruling 

of April 16, 2007, which clearly stated 

that: ”INEC has no constitutional power to 

disqualify a candidate from contesting elections 

without a valid order of a court”), suddenly 

assumed the powers to disqualify Natasha with 

the claim that her submission was “invalid” 

because her deputy (and not her) was below 

the legally stipulated age of 35 for those 

running for the office of the governor and 

deputy. 

And to clearly underline its partisan interest 

in the matter, INEC rejected the effort by the 

SDP to replace the under-age candidate 

Nigeria is still 

grappling with 

rudimentary problems 

that no serious 

country, or one that 

aspires to be great, 

should be facing 

though, at that time, the legally allowed 

substitution window was still open. It instead 

went ahead to disqualify Natasha from 

participating in the polls. 

It took the ruling of an Abuja High Court 

presided over by Justice Folashade Ogunbiyi- 

Giwa on November 7, 2019 to compel INEC 

to readmit her and her new running mate into 

the race. But by this time, the commission had 

succeeded in causing her to lose a lot of 

valuable time. She and her party had just a few 

days to campaign. 

And to further complicate her case, INEC 

excluded SDP’s name and logo from the result 

sheets claiming that it had instructed its officers 

to add them with pencils or biros, a directive 

the SDP had alleged was largely not adhered 

to by INEC officials, thereby placing the party 

at a very great disadvantage during the 

collation of results. 

By the way, where was INEC when the 

Zamfara State deputy governor, a 33-year-old 

illustrious young man, passed through the 

Where was INEC when the 

Zamfara State deputy 

governor, a 33-year-old young 

man, passed through the entire 

process and won the election 

with his governor? 

entire process and won the election with his 

governor? Other cases abound and INEC was 

able to realise that it lacked the powers to 

disqualify them; but in the case of Kogi SDP 

candidates, it suddenly assumed the powers 

and disqualified them. 

As the election drew close, the SDP secretariat 

was vandalised and destroyed. Natasha has 

continued to accuse the governor’s thugs of 

being responsible for the mayhem. And to 

demonstrate that these were “privileged 

anarchists”, they allegedly spent about two 

hours razing the house, without any 

intervention from the police whose station was 

only two metres away. There were also 

uniformed security men observing the 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

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a negative signal of abuse of 

incumbency. The election itself was 

tarnished by militarisation, 

violence, voter-intimidation and 

massive vote-buying. As the 

European Union Election 

Observer Mission, EOM, said in 

its final report, “Instances of the 

misuse of state resources and votebuying 

were evident.” The ability 

to conduct free, fair, transparent 

and peaceful elections is a basic 

indication that a country has come 

of age or destined for greatness. 

Nigeria failed that test! 

Last year, Nigeria also plumbed 

the depths on economic 

management. It is difficult to 

imagine that, in the 21st century, a 

country could ban all food imports. 

But Nigeria did. Yet, it is the 

“poverty capital of the world”, 

with half of its population living 

in extreme poverty; it is also one of 

the six countries where most of the 

world’s hungriest people live, 

according to a UN report. In 

October, Nigeria closed its land 

borders, with an announcement by 

the comptroller-general of 

customs that “All goods, for now, 

are banned from being exported 

or imported through our land 

borders”. Really, banning your own 

exports? A country that wants to 

be great wouldn’t commit such an 

act of economic and social selfharm. 

In 2019, insecurity and its poor 

handling by the government tested 

the fragile unity of this country. The 

rampant killings by herdsmen, 

which resulted in the murder of 

Olufunke Olakunrin, the daughter 

of Chief Reuben Fasoranti, the 

leader of Pan-Yoruba sociopolitical 

group, Afenifere, could 

easily have triggered inter-ethnic 

conflicts. The insensitive plan by 

the Buhari administration to 

appease the killer-herdsmen by 

establishing cattle colonies, or socalled 

rural grazing areas, RUGA, 

in the same Southern and Middle- 

Belt states which they were 

terrorising shows the inability of 

Nigeria, or its leaders, to resolve 

internal conflicts justly. Although 

President Buhari later suspended 

the RUGA plan after widespread 

outcries, no leader of a serious 

country would have floated such a 

fiendish idea in the first place. 

Of course, 2019 was also a year 

of human rights abuses, disregard 

for the rule of law, disobedience of 

court orders, suppression of free 

speech and erosion of media 

freedom. It’s hard to believe that, 

in today’s world, someone could 

be arrested and charged with 

treason simply for shouting 

“Revolution Now”, or that security 

operatives could invade a court to 

forcibly re-arrest someone that 

had been granted a bail by the 

court. But both happened in 

Nigeria in 2019! It took intense 

local agitation and particularly 

American super-power pressure to 

force President Buhari to release 

Omoyele Sowore and Sambo 

Dasuki in December. That’s not 

how leaders of country that wants 

to be great behave. 

In 2019, Nigeria reached the 

nadir of misrule. As the country 

starts not just a new year, but a new 

decade, one hopes, and prays, it 

doesn’t experience such low points 

again! 

Happy New Year everyone! 

destruction, but no one can say if they were 

“fake” or genuine policemen. 

Now, exactly what kind of election took place 

in Kogi? This is one election from which videos 

have emerged showing uniformed men 

shooting into the air, causing voters and 

electoral officers to take to their heels, vacating 

the places for thugs to take away the ballot 

boxes and stuff them with thumb-printed 

ballots. 

Sadly, despite the fact that over 35,000 

policemen were deployed in Kogi to ensure 

that the election was not disrupted by 

hoodlums, the Inspector General of Police 

could still tell us that “fake policemen” were 

able to overwhelm the thousands of genuine 

policemen on ground to manipulate the 

process. This is quite unbelievable. What is the 

hope for this country and her democracy 

then? 

Natasha has alleged that her ordeal was tied 

to the fact that she is from Ebiraland like 

Governor Bello and so was seen as a big threat 

to his reelection bid. According to her, some of 

the thugs had called her all sorts of ugly names 

in the Ebira language and accused her of trying 

to jeopardise the “Ebira chance.” She has also 

written to the Inspector General of Police 

alleging of plans by Governor Bello to 

terminate her life. 

It is difficult to imagine how this young lady 

was able to summon the courage to push ahead 

despite the monumental obstacles placed 

before her and the obvious dangers to her life 

in the clearly shark-infested waters of Kogi 

politics. But by daring where many other 

women (and even men) would have recoiled 

and retreated into their shells, she has indeed 

become another shining example to many 

women out there. With her unyielding resolve 

despite the risks and obstacles on her way, she 

is telling them that they can also dare and 

make a great impact in the otherwise maledominated 

political landscape of Nigeria. She 

is no doubt the heroine of the last Kogi 

governorship contest. One can only wish her 

well as she moves on to the next stage of her 

struggle: that is, the election tribunals. Other 

women also should be encouraged to always 

stand out and boldly seize the political space. 

•Ejinkeonye, a journalist and author, 

wrote via scruples2006@yahoo.com

hands to run the financial 

and economic sectors of 

Nigeria. 

Also, the National 

President, Association 

South East Town Unions, 

ASETU, Chief Emeka 

Diwe, said, Nigerians 

expect a better economy 

and well secured Nigeria 

in 2020. 

“First, we want to see a 

revamped and diversified 

economy in which the 

recent increment in VAT 

would lead to greater 

dividends to people, and 

local manufacturing aided 

by sound policy 

frameworks. 

“Again, we want the 

Federal Government to 

revisit the automotive 

policy of the past 

administration and to 

rethink its deal with 

Hyundai in order to protect 

Nigerian indigenous car 

makers. 

“The government should 

urgently address the 

various security challenges 

in the country. It must 

realise that the security of 

lives and property is its first 

mandate.” 

Declare emergency on 

security, economy 

—Arewa youths 

Northern youths on their 

part, called on President 

Buhari to declare a state of 

emergency on the security 

situation in the North and 

the nation’s economy. 

National President of the 

Arewa Consultative Youths 

Forum, Alhaji Yerima 

Shettima, while reacting to 

the New Year speech by 

Buhari, said that despite 

concerted efforts by the 

military to end the ravaging 

insurgency in the North, 

the security situation in the 

region was far from 

desirable and needed more 

strategic approach to 

contain the challenge. 

According to him, “it is 

only when people are alive 

and happy that there can 

be governance. What we 

have today in Nigeria in 

terms of security is really 

worrisome. 

“That is why we are 

asking for the total overhaul 

of the entire security 

apparatuses in the land 

with a view to bringing in 

other people with new 

vision, zeal and 

commitment to deal with the 

security challenges in the 

country,” he said. 

He also suggested the 

adoption of new economic 

strategies and measures to 

bail the nation out of its 

current state in order to 

bring in new investments 

revive the industrial sector 

and create jobs for teeming 

Nigerians. 

Reorganize top 

hierarchy of armed forces 

– PANDEF 

On its part, PAN Niger 

Delta Forum, PANDEF, the 

umbrella body of monarchs, 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

What Buhari must do differently 

this year 


leaders and stakholders of 

the coastal states of Niger 

Delta, has asked President 

Buhari to rejig the top 

hierarchy of the armed 

forces and bring in new 

hands with fresh ideas to 

tackle the mounting 

insecurity in the country. 

Deputy National 

Secretary of the regional 

body, Mr. Ken Robinson, 

told Vanguard, last night, 

“Buhari should also 

ensure that appointment of 

persons to such offices is 

not based on religious or 

sectional considerations, 

but on character and 

competence. 

“He needs to improve the 

weaponry and welfare of 

officers and men of the 

armed forces, the police 

and other security 

agencies, as well as 

provide adequate training 

and retraining to expand 

the capacities of personnel. 

“Nigeria urgently needs 

a massive economic 

stimulus. Our expectation 

in this regard, is that the 

newly constituted 

Presidential Economic 

Advisory Council, made 

up of persons of notable 

professional pedigrees, 

should be encouraged to 

carry out their assignments 

judiciously, while Mr. 

President would be 

applicably mindful of their 

contributions to improve 

the economy and the 

overall well being of the 

Nigerian people. 

“The President also 

needs to muster the 

political will and energy to 

increase spending in 

sectors, projects and 

programmes that would 

boost economic growth 

and create jobs. 

“In addition, he should 

correct the huge 

infrastructural deficit, 

especially the poor state of 

roads that impact heavily 

on the movement of goods 

and persons. 

“With a comatose 

economy, insecurity of lives 

and property at its peak 

across the country, high 

unemployment and gross 

infrastructural deficit, it 

may be difficult to be 

optimistic as the President 

wished in his New Year 

message to Nigerians. But 

as we begin the New Year, 

which is also the dawn of 

a new decade, there is 

opportunity for the 

President Buhari to correct 

the mistakes of the last four 

and half years. 

“PANDEF’s expectation 

is that President Buhari 

would do things differently 

in order to improve the 

nation’s security situation 

and the abysmal economy, 

with their ominous 

ramifications. 

“PANDEF therefore, 

urges President Buhari to 

tackle headlong the 

insecurity and criminality 

challenges in the country 

to strengthen the nation’s 

security, and guarantee the 

safety of lives and property 

of citizens. 

“There is an urgent need 

of change in strategy and 

approach, and this requires 

immediate overhaul of the 

nation’s security 

architecture and 

apparatus.” 

You have no option than 

to go in 2023, PDP tells 

Buhari 

The Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, has urged 

President Buhari to 

withdraw what it called his 

“unnecessary remark,” in 

his new year message about 

standing down in 2023, 

saying the President and 

the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, would 

have no other option than 

to exit office in 2023. 

The party described 

Buhari’s new year message 

as completely uninspiring, 

tasteless, repetitive, 

vacuous, saying it failed to 

“galvanize any form of hope 

for a despairing nation like 

ours.” 

In a statement signed by 

its spokesman, Kola 

Ologbondiyan, the party 

said President Buhari 

“should have the courage to 

issue a fresh new year 

message to show remorse 

for the corruption, 

incompetence and misrule 

of his administration as well 

as admonish the APC 

against “its crass insincerity, 

violence and divisive 

machinations that have 

brought so much pain, 

anguish and despondency 

to our nation.” 

“President Buhari should 

stop presenting a picture as 

if he has the option to 

continue in office beyond 

2023. 

“The PDP holds, in total 

submission to the letter and 

spirit of the 1999 

Constitution (as amended), 

that it is not an issue of 

“standing down” or not 

being “available” for future 

election, but a decided and 

inevitable position as 

contained in our 

constitution that he must 

quit office after two terms 

which will end in 2023. Mr. 

President, therefore, does 

not have any other choice 

before the law. 

“He should also be 

prepared to waste no time 

in signing the bill into law 

when retooled to meet 

current exigencies and 

passed by the current 

National Assembly. 

“President Buhari should 

also order the immediate 

prosecution of those who 

perpetrated violence in the 

2019 general election as 

well as the governorship 

elections in Ekiti, Osun, 

Bayelsa and Kogi States 

where thugs and 

compromised security 

agents were used to 

unleash mayhem and killed 

innocent compatriots who 

came out to perform their 

civic responsibility at the 

polls. 

“Mr. President should 

apologise for the violation of 

human rights, attacks on 



NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

08052867058 

New Year celebration —Children on New Year celebration, yesterday at 

Kings College, Ikoyi Lagos. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi. 

institutions of democracy, 

disobedience to court 

orders and constitutional 

violations under his 

administration as well as 

order an immediate 

investigation and 

prosecution of all those who 

played roles in these ugly 

episodes. 

Nothing spectacular in 

Buhari’s message - CAN 

On its part, Christian 

Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, has reacted to 

President Buhari’s New 

Year message to Nigerians, 

saying it was neither eyecatching 

nor impressive. 

Speaking in a chat with 

Vanguard, CAN’s Vice 

Chairman (Northern 

region), Rev. John Hayab, 

said: “It is unfortunate that 

New Year speeches by our 

political leaders have 

become objects of mockery 

and deceit. 

“We look forward to the 

2020s as new opportunities 

for the government to give 

some bite to its promises. 

Over the years, we have 

read and heard many new 

year messages that were 

never translated into 

actions. Our leaders have 

become so insincere with 

their speeches that the 

ordinary Nigerian finds 

nothing spectacular in 

them. 

“The President said he 

will be standing down from 

politics in 2023, but we 

consider 

that 

announcement as a 

political statement. He once 

told Nigerians that he won’t 

be running for President 

after 2011 poll, but he ran 

in 2015. President Buhari 

had also said he would do 

only one term in office but 

he is on a second term 

today. 

“So until he really shuns 

the ‘enemies’ of our nation, 

who are always urging him 

to recant his promises and 

actually stands down from 

politics in 2023, we won’t 

take him seriously on this 

matter. 

“If the Federal 

Government was sincere 

about the true state of 

insecurity in the country, it 

won’t be praising itself the 

way it has done in the 

President’s new year 

speech, because Nigerians 

are still feeling unsafe and 

live in fear of kidnapping, 

highway robbery, banditry, 

and herdsmen attacks. 

“We are all aware of the 

Christmas day killings and 

several other attacks by 

insurgents in the North 

East region. These clearly 

show that violent 

extremism and the 

networks that help finance 

and organise terror in the 

country are yet to be 

dismantled by the security 

agencies. 

“So, the government must 

first come clean and be 

honest about the true state 

of insecurity in the country 

before it lasting solution 

can be found and adopted 

for the good of all. 

“It was absurd for the 

President to have said 

government’s actions at all 

times have been governed 

by the rule of law. If that 

was the case, all the drama 

we witnessed about Sheikh 

El-Zakzaky, Col. Sambo 

Dasuki (retd), and 

Omoyele Sowore would 

have been unnecessary. 

“As we speak, there are 

many more unreported 

cases of human rights 

abuses perpetuated by 

government agencies but 

the President merely 

glossed over the issue as 

though all is well. The 

Federal Government is 

already failing in the area 

of providing room for wellmeaning 

citizens of 

goodwill to engage with it 

and promote dialogue, 

partnership and 

understanding. 

“Not all critics whether on 

social media mainstream 

media wish the 

government ill. We 

expected the President to 

assure Nigerians that the 

Federal Government will 

not in any form bridle their 

rights to freedom of speech 

and expression through the 

social media and hate 

speech bills. 

“The President 

celebrated the revolution in 

agriculture, particularly in 

rice production. But he 

failed to ask how many 

Nigerians had the 

resources to actually buy 

these locally grown agro 

produce? It shows clearly 

that some of his economic 

policies are not working 

and the results continue to 

show more clearly by the 

day. 

“We are not bothered 

about the closure of the 

land borders. In fact, we 

support the exercise. But 

we expected the President 

to tell Nigerians what 

specific measures were in 

place to check the security 

concerns, illegal migration, 

and smuggling activities 

linked with cross-border 

movements.” 

FG must take practical 


economic inclusion — 

LCCI 

The LCCI in its reaction 

to the President Buhari’s 

new year speech, said “The 

key things that government 

must focus on which 

include : to undertake 

urgent reforms of the oil 

and gas sector; to unlock the 

huge potentials in jobs, 

investment, revenue and 

forex earnings. Reform will 

also reduce the corruption 

and leakages in the sector; 

fix the problems at the 

nation’s ports in the area of 

ports infrastructure and 

equipment. Also fix the 

seemingly intractable 

problem of inefficient cargo 

processes at the ports; put 

in place urgent measures 

to attract private capital into 

infrastructure financing to 

address the huge deficit 

problem in infrastructure; 

fix productivity issues in the 

real sector of the economy, 

especially industrial 

production. 

“Others include commit 

more resources to roads 

and railway infrastructure; 

put in place a framework for 

faster resolution of 

commercial disputes; 

ensure more investment 

regulatory environment; 

come up with practical 


economic inclusion in the 

Nigerian economy; 

promote the institution of 

true federalism; promote an 

urgent review and 

restructuring of the power 

sector; urgently review 

automotive policy and 

ensure effective 

implementation of 

Presidential Executive 

orders.”


RIVERS APC CRISIS: Amaechi is 

focused, can’t be deterred – Nwuche 

By Davies Iheamnachor 

Hon. Nnamdi Nwuche is a 

chieftain of the All Progressives 

Congress, APC, in Rivers State, particularly, 

the leader of the party in 

Port Harcourt City Local Government 

Area. In this interview he spoke on 

the position of Hon. Igo Aguma stopping 

the congresses of the party and 

steps the party is taking to avoid a 

repeat of the setbacks the party had 

in the 2019 election in future polls. 

On Aguma’s comments that the 

party is not at peace to conduct congresses 

at the moment 

In as much as there needs to be 

peace in the party, which we know 

that peace is paramount, the question 

becomes, is he (Aguma) in the 

right place to suggest that? We have 

the national executives of the party, 

and I want to believe that they are 

working tirelessly to ensure that there 

is peace in the party generally, because 

it is not only in Rivers State 

that they are having problems. The 

National Working Committee of the 

party had set up a committee to 

ensure that there is peace in the 

party. So it is not in his position! 

What does the action mean to 

you? 

It is abnormal and not expected of 

him; especially, taking into consideration 

his close relationship with 

the leader of the party in the state 

and South-South. I want to say that 

there is no meeting in Lagos or Abuja 

that they (Aguma and Amaechi) 

don’t meet. So he has all opportunity 

to say as an advice on how the 

party can progress, there is nothing 

stopping him from making those 

suggestions, than coming to the 

open air. Of course, even an ordinary 

person who is not a politician 

can state clearly that it is an attack 

on the leader of the party. 

As the leader of the party in the 

LGA were you consulted on this? 

They say charity begins at home. 

If he has something that is border- 

ing him in terms of the position of 

the party in any way, he ought to 

have informed his home first, possibly 

call my attention. As a matter of 

fact, we are very close. You know 

people may associate the party at 

the local government level with that 

publication, taking into consideration 

how close we are. In fact, some 

are pointingfingers at me that I am 

aware of it. If he had called our attention 

to it we would have advised 

appropriately that there is no need 

going to the public to create unnecessary 

problems between the local 

government leaders and the leader 

of the party. 

Having in mind that the party 

does not have leadership at any of 

the levels in the state, how would 

Aguma have consulted? 

That is not correct. The party has 

leadership, what we do not have is 

executives. Executives are different 

from the leadership of the party. You 

should also be aware that there was 

care taker committee that was constituted 

which was part of his bases 

of going to court to say that the court 

should nullify that, that it is not the 

constitution of the party. 

Don’t you agree with Aguma 

when he said that the committee 

was one sided? 

Why does he believe that the committee 

is one-sided. He did not consult 

us for clarification. Having not 

consulted anybody there is no way 

I will say what he has done is right. 

What he has done is wrong for him 

to have taken the step of going to 

court. 

Aguma was with Amaechi when 

the fight with Sen. Magnus Abe was 

on, and suddenly he is picking 

up the fight, don’t you think that 

Amaechi should be in fear? 

It is so unfortunate that Igo 

Aguma would come up with what 

he did. Of course there is every 

tendency that there are still other 

persons with Amaechi that have 

issues. But, I know that Rt. Hon. 

•Nwuche 

Chbuike Rotimi Amaechi will 

not be deterred, because he has 

focus. The important thing is to 

achieve his focus. They say there 

is no problem without solution 

so, if somebody has created a 

problem, the next thing you do 

is to look for solution. The party 

must forge ahead, and those 

that believe in Rotimi Amaechi 

must also forge ahead. It is important 

that following a man in 

a cunning way is bad. If you are 

not with a man you come up 

boldly to say you are not with 

him, than to go and get something 

that you will tell members 

of the public. You have had Igo 

Aguma representing Amaechi’s 

group at different fora. Amaechi 

has committed so many things 

to Aguma, he has held several positions, 

committees. He is somebody 

that has been held in high esteem. 

What he has done is baffling. 

What is your advice to those who 

still believe in Amaechi? 

Our leader has been consistent believing 

in those that are his supporters, 

but some of his supporters have 

continued to disappoint him. My view 

is that, those of us who believe and 

who will continue to believe in him, 

we must be consistent and constant. 

Those of them who are still hiding 

under and waiting for one thing or 

the other before they will explode, it 

is high time they get themselves off 

the Amaechi group. 

There are speculations that 

Governor Nyesom Wike is planning 

to come to APC, if he defects, as 

leader of the party will you accept 

him? 

Chief Nyesom Wike is a politician 

and knows what he wants. If he 

wants to defect to APC we are there 

waiting for him. When he comes we 

begin to battle it out. If he thinks that 

leaving PDP for APC will be a safe 

ground, we are already there in APC 

waiting for him, when he comes we 

know the next line of action. We don’t 

know if that is part of what is promoting 

all these, we do not know. 

The point remains that as those who 

are on ground in APC we are ready 

to receive anybody that follows the 

right channel and does the proper 

thing. 

Is Amaechi not running the 

party as a one-man show? 

How? Amaechi has not been 

unfair to any member of the party. 

Every person has a right to 

contest for any position. All you 

need is to consult with the 

people. in 2023 we will succeed 

as a party with candidates for the 

elections. We have taken facts of 

what happened to us in 2019 and 

there must be corrective measures 

to ensure it doesn't repeat. we are 

learning lessons and more things 

are coming up but we will 

overcome them 

Aguma raised an issue that if that 

congress had held it would have 

been for a faction of the party and 

not for members? 

What is a faction? The caretaker 

committee set up, was it a faction? 

Was it Amaechi that set up the committee? 

Amaechi is the Minister for 

Transportation, does it mean that the 

national executives of the party do 

not have the right to do what they 

want to do. I don’t know if the congress 

would have been a factional 

congress. I know the party was to 

hold APC congresses in the state 

and it was for everybody, except you 

isolate yourself. It wouldn’t have 

been a factional congress. 

INSECURITY: Terrorism recognizes no religion – Adeyemi 

•CAN is simply speaking out of its sphere of responsibility 

•We intend to bring strong Christian values at the Apostolic fire conference 

•2019 a year of more controversies amplified by people 

By Olayinka Ajayi 

Pastor Seyi Adeyemi is the 

convener of the annual 

Apostolic Fire Conference and 

senior pastor of the Worship 

Centre in Oregun, Lagos. In this 

interview, he spoke on the 

persecution of Christians in 

Nigeria, and terrorism among 

others. 

On issues that shaped 2019 

It was a very challenging year 

economically. Security-wise we 

have never had it this challenging. 

We thank God that things had 

calmed down particularly in the 

Southern part of the country but in 

the northern part, there are still a 

lot of concern and it is one area we 

pray the governments will live up 

to their responsibility. Among 

Christians, 2019 was not an 

eventful year. It was more of 

controversies amplified by people 

to a large extent. But we thank God 

that the Church of God is moving 

on and the gate of hell will not and 

cannot prevail over it. 

On the controversy over 

Christian Association of Nigeria, 

CAN stand on Christians being 

the most persecuted in Nigeria 

The responsibility of CAN is to 

take care of the interest of 

Christians. And as far as the body 

is concerned, looking at the ordeal 

that took place in Northern Nigeria 

where Christians had to face a lot 

of challenges relating to the attacks 

of Boko haram, Islamic 

fundamentalists, CAN is simply 

speaking out of its sphere of 

responsibility. But speaking 

generally, I think the challenge is 

not peculiar to Christians alone. 

Terrorism does not recognize 

religion, its evil! And I think 

humanity should condemn this 

evil. 

On preparation ahead of the 4 th 

Apostolic Fire Conference with 

the theme: The Hope of Glory 

The Apostolic fire conference 

started in particularly 2017. The 

coming one billed for January 10 

and 11, 2020 will be the 4 th 

edition. Lots of preparation have 

•Adeyemi 

gone into it. We are expecting 

anointed speakers men and 

women of God. 

How impacting had past 

conferences been? 

Even the bible says we should 

never despise the day of small 

beginning. The most interesting 

thing about it is that we have seen 

growth in terms of impact and 

attendance. We believe the 

program would continue to gather 

momentum as the years go by. 

More importantly, the move of 

God in the program is what will 

advertise itself. Most importantly, 

we are asking Christians to be 

agent of change in Nigeria. When 

we Christians begin to focus our 

mind on things of eternal value, 

it will begin to sharpen our action. 

What participants should look 

forward to at the conference 

From the beginning the focus 

is to bring about change in 

discourse among Christians from 

what has been more terrestrial to 

that which is also celestial. Before 

now, discussion has revolved 

around leadership, success and 

prosperity. However, there are 

other key Christian values that we 

believe should begin to take 

centre stage in Christian discuss. 

These are what had informed the 

various themes in previous 

editions of the conference. Our 

first edition focus on the Holy 

Spirit, later we had a theme called 

the Tongue as a fire, the next one 

focused on eyes on eternity and 

beauty of holiness. This particular 

edition coming up in January 

2020 is looking forward to the 

Hope of his Glory. 

What we intend to do in this 

conference is to bring to the 

front burner issues that relate 

to strong Christian values. 

Things that will enhance our 

being ready for eternity. 

Building our spiritual strength 

and capability for Christ second 

coming. 

On speakers expected at the 

conference 

We have a number of 

speakers that would be of great 

impact. Among them is Apostle 

Dele Johnson, Dr. Ola Vincent 

Odulele, overseer of Basic Trust 

International Vine Christian 

Fellowship, in the United States 

of America. We are also 

expecting Rev. Dr. Abiodun 

Babalola of the Christ 

Ambassadors international 

Church Minnesota, also we 

will be having a female speaker, 

pastor Victor Ayodeji Amaso 

senior pastor of the firebrand 

Assembly Church in Lagos. It 

going to be a very powerful 

move of God at the beginning 

of the year. There couldn’t be a 

better way to start the new year 

without being part of what God 

is doing in the Worship Centre, 

Oregun, Lagos.


ONDO GUBER: PDP is 

practicing lazy opposition 

— Ojogo, Information Commissioner 

•Says Akeredolu’s projects ‘re 2020 campaign points 

MR. Donald Ojogo is the Information and Orientation 

Commissioner in Ondo State. In this interview, Ojogo speaks on 

the people’s expectations and government desires for 2020; he 

equally faulted claims of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 

state ahead of this year’s governorship election. Excerpts: 


THE governorship election is due this 

year, what should the people of Ondo 

state expect? 

The year 2020 is the year of so many 

expectations. It will be a year of expectation 

from the electorate and the people of Ondo 

state. It is also the year of desires on the 

part of the government because there are 

several things that are ongoing that should 

be taken to the destination of our minds. 

There are so many things that the 

government is trying to initiate in form of 

projects.2020 is promising on all sides. The 

first and most important thing we desire 

from God is a long life and peace for all to 

witness those good things in 2020. 

Reports have it that many ongoing 

projects will be inaugurated by governor 

Akeredolu this year. Is that not political 

or is it coincidental? 

Well, if you say it is coincidental, you 

are correct and if you say it is strategic on 

the part of the government to complete 

them as you have said yes we ought to 

have completed them before now because 

our desire was not just to keep them in 

abeyance, No. I don’t think so but if you 

say so, you might not be totally wrong. 

What is even wrong if we commission 

them and make them our campaign 

points? Fine, because one of the reasons 

this government came into power is to be 

able to bring development closer to the 

people and if there are one or two things 

that have been initiated by the 

government in form of projects and they 

are likely to be commissioned in an election 

year, so be it. 

It is a plus to any government to have 

tangible things to point out when it is the 

time to campaign. So we thank God that 

we have a lot of things to point out during 

our campaign period. 

The opposition PDP in the state is of 

the opinion that much should not be 

expected from your government because 

it has failed the people of Ondo State. 

Well, I never expected anybody in the 

PDP to say anything different from what 

you have said he reportedly said. I 

wouldn’t expect anybody to say anything 

different. 

The government that has within three 

years taken very courageous steps in terms 

of developmental initiatives that have 

surpassed the previous years of PDP 

government that was in place, how would 

PDP person commend. No right-thinking 

PDP man will clap for this government. 

That is the truth. 

So, if they are not clapping for us, we 

won’t be angry and we are not even taking 

it in any negative form. That is the duty of 

the opposition and if they are not saying 

that, who will say it? 

But the truth of the matter is that whoever 

is saying that, is just trying to echo the 

mindset of the frustrated minority. 

Whatever they are saying is the voice of 

the frustrated minority. 

The PDP spokesman was emphatic 

about the level of transparency of your 

government in the execution of projects. 

If he acknowledged the fact that projects 

are executed, that’s fair enough of him. 

But the other leg which, he intends to 

know much about if the projects executed 

are not transparently done, the books are 

there. 

Why do we have the ministries of 

•Ojogo 

Budget and finance? Let them go and 

verify. They can take maximum 

advantage and leverage on the freedom 

of information law. 

Let them come out with facts and figures. 

Our books are clean and transparent 

enough. This government is courageously 

accountable to the people. So if they feel 

some projects have been done, I salute 

their courage for saying that. 

The other leg where they feel there was 

no transparency or accountability in the 

course of the execution of those projects, 

it is left for them. 

We are serious in delivering good 

governance and we cannot add the 

burden of trying to get facts for the 

opposition. That cannot be added to the 

duties of the government. They must do 

that. They should not be lazy. 

Won’t governance be affected as 

governor Akeredolu will be so busy 

attending to more political engagements 

this year? 

We are serious in delivering 

good governance and we 

cannot add the burden of 

trying to get facts for the 

opposition, that cannot be 

added to the duties of the 

government. They must do 

that. They should not be lazy 

I can assure you that no government 

activities will be affected in any way. Since 

2016 that government came into place 

alongside major political activities in 2015 

and 2019, nothing was affected in 

governance and 2020 will not be different. 

The payment of salaries will not be affected 

in 2020. 

Governor Akeredolu prioritises the 

welfare of workers in the state and that 

resolve is strong and unwavering in him 

and we have all inculcated the belief that 

the welfare of workers is paramount. 

Politics cannot take the shine of the welfare 

of workers in the state. I can assure you 

that. 

Why plan to recompose NDDC board 

is against equity, justice — IGBINI 

By Victor Ajiromanus 

NATIONAL President of Vanguard 

for Transparent Leadership and 

Democracy, VATLAD, Comrade 

Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, in this 

interview, speaks on the implications 

of plans to recompose the 

board of Niger Delta Development 

Commission, NDDC, saying it 

would undermine the powers of the 

Senate. He particularly said that 

equity and justice demand that 

Delta State be allowed to serve its 

tenure having produced the recently 

confirmed Managing 

Director of the commission. 

Emmanuel, whose platform 

promotes good governance and 

environmental rights, also speaks 

on other issues concerning the 

leadership of the commission. 

•Igbini 

WHAT is your reaction to the state 

ment that President Muhammadu 

Buhari plans to recompose the Board 

of NDDC? 

The statement disappointed Nigerians, 

particularly those of us who are 

compatriots from the rich oil and gas 

producing states of the Niger Delta Region. 

First, if true, it sadly portrays 

President Buhari as being inconsistent 

with his decisions. Second, and very 

worrisome, it gives the impression that 

he is deliberately undermining the Senate 

on matters the Senate has constitutional 

powers over like the screening 

and confirmation of Board of NDDC. 

Don’t forget that the Senate had only 

few weeks ago carefully screened and 

confirmed members of this Board nominated 

by President Buhari. This is in 

addition to the fact that the Senate being 

aware of the looming crisis as a result 

of the inauguration of a parallel group 

called the 3-man Interim Management 

Committee for NDDC, directed that the 

confirmed members of the Board 

resume duty immediately and further 

stated its objection to the Interim Management 

Committee. 

These steps taken by the Senate are 

to ensure peace reigns. This is commendable 

of the Senate and within its 

constitutional powers and functions as 

stipulated in Section 4 of the 1999 Nigerian 

Constitution, as amended, to 

make law for peace and order of the federation 

and any part thereof. In 

essence what is the implication of this? 

The implication is that whenever the 

Senate of Nigeria or that of any constitutional 

democratic country of the world 

takes such decision on any issue of national 

importance, it must be taken very 

seriously and unconditionally executed 

by the President of the country because 

disregarding such is viewed as undermining 

the legislature and has serious 

consequences. This is the reason I am 

very worried that President Buhari is 

being misled now. I know that President 

Buhari means well for the people 

of our Niger Delta region as he consistently 

did when he was the Minister of 

Petroleum and Head of State. 

It is for this reason in 2015 and 2019 I 

advised him to retain the position of Petroleum 

Minister. I am also worried that 

those who are now misleading him on 

this matter are determined to destroy 

the cordial relationship now existing between 

him and the 9th National 

Assembly because they benefit most in 

crisis between both arms of government. 

We should remember also that Nigerians 

have continued to condemn this 9th 

National Assembly as mere rubber 

stamp and appendage of President 

Buhari which dares not object to any 

action taken by him even when he is 

wrong. Will it therefore be fair for anyone 

to mislead President Buhari in order 

to add more insult on our legislators? 

No. These legislators deserve respect 

from our President. 

Are you aware that the reason for the 

plan to recompose this Board is 

because Ondo State government is vehemently 

opposing the composition of 

this Board, claiming it is its turn to produce 

the Managing Director, not Delta 

State? 

I am not yet aware of this because my 

friend, Mr. Femi Adesina, did not state 

any reason in the statement he issued 

on this matter. But if this is the reason, 

then Ondo State Government is getting 

it wrong and misleading Mr. President. 

It is rightly the turn of Delta State as 

one of the major oil and gas producing 

states for over six decades now. 

The positions of Managing Director 

and the two Executive Directors of 

NDDC have been the exclusive preserve 

of the four major oil and gas producing 

member-states of NDDC, right from inception, 

and rightly so. But the NDDC 

I know that President 

Buhari means well for the 

people of our Niger Delta 

region as he consistently 

did when he was the Minister 

of Petroleum and 

Head of State 

Act states that the positions of Chairman 

and MD of the Board shall be rotated 

among the oil-producing states in 

alphabetical order and based on quantum 

of oil production, this makes it the 

turn of Delta state to produce Chairman 

while Ondo State produces the Managing 

Director. 

This is not exactly the correct and 

holistic interpretation of the NDDC Act. 

Ondo State Government is deliberately 

giving section 12 of the NDDC Act a 

very narrow and isolated interpretation 

in order to achieve its agenda. I 

say this with due respect. Don’t forget 

that the outgoing governor of Bayelsa 

State who started this whole protest 

against President Buhari’s nomination 

of members for this Board was reported 

to be demanding that it is the turn of 

his Bayelsa State to produce the Managing 

Director of NDDC.

44 — VANGUARD, THURSDAY , JANUARY 2, 2020 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

CAPRICORN (Dec 22 – Jan 19) It is important you pay 

good attention to happenings within your base of operation 

and watch carefully your reaction to the short coming of veterans 

around you. 

AQUARIUS (Jan 20 – Feb 18) Early part of the day can 

present to you opportunity to extend yesterday’s positive 

trends to the betterment of your financial prospects. Avoid 

gambling please. 

PISCES (Feb 19 – Mar 19) If you are unable to take the 

initiative during early hours of working period, you will need 

to tarry a while as better opportunities are ahead. Be very 

moderate. 

ARIES ( Mar 21 – Apr 19) Although some people around 

you may be grumbling for reason not known to you, it will be 

in your own interest not to give inn to their antics. Assert 

yourself. 

TAURUS ( Apr 20 – May 20) Good advice may come your 

way very early hours of working period. But if you’re not sure, 

wait till tomorrow which will prove more successful for you. 

GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Banking on the element of 

luck and gambling today are surest ways to run into avoidable 

trouble both financially and along your social life. Don’t 

trust too quickly. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel 

for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what 

we give.” – Edwin Arlington Robinson 

Make a gratitude list, let people know how thankful 

you are for their presence, and count your blessings for 

the small things. Put good energy out into the world in 

return for all you have been given. Gratitude can go 

a long way in reminding us that life involves more than 

our immediate surroundings and expands beyond our 

everyday. Ella Randle 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

Without a 

leader, black 

ants are 

confused. 

~Ugandan 

proverb 

By Kola Fayemi 

CANCER (June 21 – July 22) Your mood is not one of the 

best today. If you carelessly ignite embers of acrimony today, 

it would consume many good things tomorrow. Be more careful. 

LEO (Jul23 – Aug 22) Although you’re willing to improve 

on your working pattern today, others may unconsciously 

deny you much needed opportunity to succeed. Take your 

health seriously. 

VIRGO (Aug 23 – Sept 22) Blind trust and speculative 

approach on your part are capable of bringing avoidable disappointment. 

Romantic attractions at work are becoming 

stronger. 

LIBRA (Sept 23 – Oct 22) If it is within your power to delay 

important actions at work, you will have better results tomorrow. 

To ignore veterans within your base is to invite avoidable 

trouble. 

SCORPIO (Oct 23 – Nov 21) Unnecessary argument within 

your working arena may kick start wobbling and fumbling 

first working day of the year. Just be your secretive self. Be 

diplomatic. 

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 – Dec21) First working day of the 

year can be made interesting (the positive way) with your 

being receptive to good suggestion. Don’t ignore love and be 

moderate. 

ASTROLOGICAL ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

COUNSELLING 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” 

“HOT” 

By A.O.OLAIDE 

Send your date and place of birth to the Astr 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

Tell me about my finance 

and career line 

Dear Joshua, 

I am a lady around my middle age (please don’t publish both my 

birth data and names). Presently God places me in a management 

position along my career line. Yet I want to know more about my 

finance and career line as the future approaches. 

Thank you 

Anonymous, Lagos. 

VIRGINIA 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

Dear Anonymous, 

YOUR CAREER/BUSINESS LINE 

You are blessed already. Yes it is natural to seek knowledge I think 

what I should lay much emphasis on here is the importance placement 

of your natal Sun, Moon, Mercury and Venus in LEADERSH 

LEO. Unconsciously you have your fingers on the public pulse and 

you must become the ultimate to fully achieve what God designs 

you to be. And it is important to call your attention to some possible 

effects of Square aspect formed by your natal Sun, Moon in Leo and 

Spiritual Neptune in Scorpio on your career/business line This 

Square is a clear warning to beware of excessively aggressive people, 

thieves especially the fraudulent ones willing to steal your ideas 

(both physical and Spiritual thieves) and proclaim them to be the 

originator – the plagiarists) You will need to beware of whatever can 

place you at the mercy of those with fast fingers (such as thieves and 

fraudsters). You can go into many lines but most lucrative lines for 

you are COMMERCIAL HOUSING, HOTEL BUSINESS, FARM- 

ING, communication, POLITICS and OIL/GAS/PETROLEUM related. 

Check more than twice before going into partnership business. 

And if you must go into partnership make sure you are in the 

control of the purse and/or there is solid legal protection to your 

finance, even if you are not the real provider of take off money. As you 

were born when there was what is known in Astrological parlance as 

Grand Trine (that is most fortunate aspect) you can not be rightly be 

restricted to certain career and/or business line. 

YOUR FINANCE 

YOU WERE BORN WITH LUCKY AURA. And in Africa, particularly 

in Nigeria, if you say somebody is born lucky, if he or she has no 

money, people tend to laugh off the person’s luck. Thus, your own 

being born lucky comes with money. As Mercury (the indicator of 

mental focus lens (good ideas) and money related Venus conjoined 

in executive Leo, your personal ideas will bring good results, but 

mind you, you will need to aim higher not as a mediocre. 

As Lucky Jupiter was in exalted position with action Mars conjoined 

in home/housing, wealth related Cancer Star, when you 

were born, much of your money will be and/or should be invested in 

both landed and high brow housing properties to the betterment of 

your prospects. You will be very RICH and highly WEALTHY. The 

Grand Trine between Mars/lucky Jupiter in Cancer and Oil/Spiritual 

Neptune in most powerful Scorpio and discipline Saturn in Pisces 

once again pointed to Green Hand in your Star – that is God’s 

special favour. 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa

Swimmers wearing fancy dress costumes take part in the annual New Year’s Day Swim, in Saundersfoot, 

Wales, Britain January 1, 2020. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden 

US embassy attack: Protesters withdraw 

after standoff in Iraq 

Protesters who have 

b e e n 

demonstrating outside 

the US embassy in Iraq 

for a second day have 

withdrawn from the area 

after a tense standoff. 

On Tuesday, the 

embassy was attacked 

by a crowd angered by 

US air strikes targeting 

an Iran-backed militia. 

Clashes continued on 

Wednesday as 

demonstrators hurled 

stones while US forces 

fired tear gas. 

The hostilities came 

amid escalating tension 

between the US and 

Iran - the two main Iraqi 

government sponsors. 

Tuesday’s attack - 

which sparked a war of 

words between US 

President Donald 

Trump and Iran’s 

Supreme Leader 

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 

- had threatened to 

escalate, with the US 

defence secretary 

announcing the 

deployment of 

additional troops to the 

region. 

But by Wednesday 

Bushfires have killed 

at least eight 

people in south-eastern 

Australia since Monday, 

while two others remain 

unaccounted for. 

The latest fires, which 

raced towards the coast 

this week, have also 

destroyed more than 200 

homes. 

Seven people have 

been confirmed dead in 

New South Wales and 

one in Victoria. 

Conditions have eased 

slightly, and a major 

road that was closed in 

evening, the Iraqi 

government announced 

that all groups had 

withdrawn from the 

perimeter of the US 

embassy in Baghdad 

following an appeal for 

calm. 

A small group of 

protesters however 

began to set up a camp 

in front of a nearby hotel. 

President Trump has 

threatened Iran after 

blaming it for Tuesday’s 

attack, in which no US 

personnel were injured. 

Pope 

Francis 

apologised 

yesterday for his widelyviewed 

slap of a woman 

who had grabbed his 

hand as he greeted 

Catholic faithful on New 

Year’s Eve. 

The image of Francis 

slapping his way free 

from the clutches of the 

admirer was an instant 

hit on social media. A 

personal apology 

followed. 

Mr Trump tweeted that 

Iran “will pay a very big 

price” for any damage or 

loss of life. “This is not a 

warning, it is a threat,” 

he said. 

But Iran’s Supreme 

Leader Ayatollah Ali 

Khamenei responded by 

saying the US “can’t do 

a damn thing”. Anti- 

American sentiment was 

widespread in Iraq, he 

added 

Tehran has denied that 

it orchestrated the 

protests at the Baghdad 

embassy. 

The embassy is one of 

Pope Francis apologizes for slapping 

‘exuberant admirer’ 

“We lose patience 

many times,” Francis 

confessed. 

“It happens to me too. 

I apologise for the bad 

example given 

yesterday,” the head of 

the Catholic church said 

before celebrating Mass 

at the Vatican. 

Twitter enthusiasts 

commented with 

abandon on the pontiff’s 

prompt riposte to the 

woman. 

Australia fires: Death toll rises as blazes 

destroy 200 homes 

Victoria was reopened 

for two hours on 

Wednesday to allow 

people to leave. 

But many people 

remain in fire-hit areas. 

In one town, police 

dropped off 1.6 tonnes of 

drinking water by boat. 

Family members of 

Mick Roberts, a 67-yearold 

Victorian missing 

since Monday, confirmed 

that he had been found 

dead in his home in 

Buchan, East 

Gippsland. 

“Very sad day for us to 

(start) the year but we’re 

a bloody tight family and 

we will never forget our 

mate and my beautiful 

Uncle Mick,” his niece 

Leah Parson said on 

Facebook. 

The deaths bring the 

total fire-related fatalities 

across Australia this 

season to at least 18, 

with warnings this could 

rise further. 

Of the homes 

destroyed in this week’s 

blazes, 43 were in East 

Gippsland, Victoria, 

while another 176 were 

in New South Wales. 

VANGUARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 — 45 

the largest US 

diplomatic missions in 

the world and one of the 

most heavily guarded. 

Currently, there are 

about 5,000 US troops in 

Iraq involved in anti- 

Islamic State operations 

and training missions 

with the Iraqi security 

forces. 

The protests starkly 

illustrate the tenuous 

and difficult nature of the 

US relationship with 

Iraq. The question now 

is whether this 

relationship is tenable 

and, if so, for how long? 

Francis had greeted 

children before the 

Nativity scene on Saint 

Peter’s square and was 

turning away when the 

woman who had crossed 

herself then cried out 

something, pulled on 

his hand and almost 

caused him to fall. 

The 83-year-old pope 

grimaced before 

managing to break free 

by slapping her hand 

twice. 

He continued his tour, 

walking with some 

difficulty while 

maintaining a slightly 

greater distance from 

visitors, and gradually 

relaxed again as he 

came into contact with 

other children. 

Twitter comments were 

mostly supportive of the 

pontiff ’s instinctive 

reaction. 

“He is human.. being 

(sic) a Pope doesn’t 

make you immune to 

Pain or avoid Reaction to 

pain,” one typical 

comment read. 

In his first Mass of the 

New Year, the pontiff 

later denounced “all 

violence against 

women” as “a 

profanation of God, born 

of a woman.” 

Guinea-Bissau: Former PM 

Embalo wins presidential election 

Former Guinea-Bissau Prime Minister Umaro 

Cissoko Embalo has been elected president 

after winning a run-off vote against another exprime 

minister. 

The 47-year-old beat rival Domingos Simoes 

Pereira by about 54% to 46%, the electoral 

commission announced. 

Mr Pereira vowed to contest the result, alleging 

“electoral fraud”. 

Mr Embalo has said he wants to resolve political 

tensions in the West African country, which has 

seen nine coups or attempted coups since 1974. 

Incumbent President Jose Mario Vaz crashed out 

of the election in the first round in November. 

He was the first head of state to carry out his 

term without being either deposed or assassinated, 

but his tenure was marred by issues including 

political infighting and widespread allegations of 

corruption. 

His campaign team accused rivals of electoral 

fraud, but West African regional bloc Ecowas 

rejected the claims and warned that a military force 

was on standby to “re-establish order” in the event 

of a coup. 

Hong Kong kicks off 2020 

with fresh protests 

Hong Kong’s protesters have welcomed a new 

decade via a New Year’s Day rally, with tens 

of thousands joining a pro-democracy march. 

Though the gathering was largely peaceful, 

violence broke out in some areas and police fired 

tear gas. 

On New Year’s Eve, demonstrators had formed 

human chains that stretched for miles down busy 

shopping streets. 

More than six months after the protests began, 

they gathered for midnight countdowns by Victoria 

Harbour. 

Their chants included, “Ten! Nine! Liberate Hong 

Kong, revolution now!” 

In the lively Mong Kok market district, some set 

fire to barricades after dark and let off fireworks, 

disrupting traffic. 

Police used water cannon to clear Nathan Road in 

Mong Kok and fired tear gas and rubber bullets, 

the South China Morning Post reports. 

Some 40 parliamentarians and dignitaries from 18 

countries sent an open letter to Hong Kong’s leader 

Carrie Lam on New Year’s Eve, urging her to “seek 

genuine ways forward out of this crisis by 

addressing the grievances of Hong Kong people”. 

Ghosn met Lebanese 

president after fleeing Japan 

Fugitive former Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn 

met Lebanon’s president after his escape from 

Japan, where he was smuggled out of house arrest 

by a private security company, two sources close to 

Ghosn said yesterday. 

One of the sources said Ghosn was greeted warmly 

by President Michel Aoun on Monday after flying 

into Beirut via Istanbul and was now in a buoyant 

and combative mood and felt secure. 

In his meeting at the presidency, Ghosn thanked 

Aoun for the support he had given him and his wife 

Carole while he was in detention, the sources said. 

He now needs the protection and security of his 

government after fleeing Japan, they added. 

A media advisor to the president’s office denied 

the two men had met. 

Lebanese officials have said there would be no 

need to take legal measures against Ghosn because 

he entered the country legally on a French passport, 

although Ghosn’s French, Lebanese, and Brazilian 

passports are with lawyers in Japan. 

The French and Lebanese foreign ministries have 

said they were unaware of the circumstances of his 

journey. 

Netanyahu to seek parliamentary 

immunity in corruption cases 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said 

on Wednesday he would seek parliamentary 

immunity from prosecution in the three graft cases he 

faces, a move that could delay criminal proceedings 

against him for months. 

Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of 

bribery, fraud and breach of trust over allegations he 

granted state favors worth hundreds of millions of 

dollars to Israeli media barons in return for gifts and 

favorable coverage. 

He denies any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim 

of a witch hunt by the media and left to oust a popular 

right-wing leader. 

A trial cannot get under way once an immunity request 

is made, and Netanyahu announced the politically risky 

move in a speech on live television just four hours 

before a deadline for an application was to expire.


Tokyo 2020 celebrate 

start of Olympic year 

Tokyo 2020 have 

celebrated the start 

of the Olympic and 

Paralympic year in 

Japan. 

With Japan entering 

the New Year, Tokyo 

2020 tweeted an 

animation of the two 

mascots, Miraitowa and 

Someity, flying from 

space to the host country 

of the next Olympics. 

“Tokyo 2020 is 

coming,” the post said, 

adding, “This is our 

year...2020.” 

There was also a 

number of firework 

displays marking the 

New Year across Japan, 

including in host city 

Tokyo, while people 

visited temples and 

shrines across the 

country. 

Japanese New Year 

takes on added 

significance with the 

start of the Olympic and 

Paralympic Games fast 

approaching. 

It is now 205 days until 

the Olympics begin, 

with the Games 

scheduled for July 24 to 

August 9. 

The Paralympics will 

then take place from 

August 25 to September 

6. Organisers have 

faced a number 

of challenges 

this year, 

with the 

International 

Olympic 

Committee 

controversially 

deciding 

to move 

the 

marathon 

and race 

walk events 

more than 

800 kilometres 

to Sapporo due to 

concerns over rising 

heat. 

The swimming part of 

the Paratriathlon test 

event was also scrapped 

due to high E. coli levels 

in the water. 

Venues are on track to 

be completed on time, 

however, while the final 

budget for the Games of 

¥1.35 trillion (£9.5 

billion/$12.6 billion/ 

€11.4 billion) remained 

in line with the last two 

annual updates. 

Onana: I”ve not been 

signed because of the 

colour of my skin 

Ajax goalkeeper 

Andre Onana 

claims Europe’s top 

clubs haven’t signed 

him yet because of the 

colour of his skin, 

according to Marca. 

He says he spoke to a 

club following his 

appearance Europa 

League final in 2017, 

but was told their fans 

would not accept him 

as their keeper. ‘It is 

not easy for a black 

goalkeeper to reach the 

top,’ he said. ‘They 

decided not to sign me 

because a black 

goalkeeper would be 

difficult for their 

followers.’ 

‘It wasn’t because 

they didn’t think I was 

good enough. I 

consider it a 

compliment.’ 

Onana went on to 

discuss racism in 

football in general. 

‘Racism is there, I 

have to deal with it in 

almost every game 

away from home,’ he 

said. 

‘But I’m not talking 

about it, I’m proud to 

be black. I don’t see a 

difference between 

black and white... if 

you do, that’s your 

problem.’ 

Racism has been a 

big topic in football in 

2019, with calls for 

governing bodies to 

clamp down harsher on 

discriminatory 

behaviour. 

•Onana 

Wilder won’t last 

7 rounds against 

me, Joshua vows 

Nigerian-born British 

IBF/WBA/WBO 

heavyweight champion, 

Anthony Joshua has been 

speaking on the possibility of 

meeting the WBC Champion, 

Deontay Wilder after he 

stopped his Mexican 

conqueror, Andy Ruiz Jr in a 

rematch in Saudi Arabia last 

December. 

Joshua, who has a 23-1 

record with 22 of them 

coming in KOs is trying to 

rebuild his image in the eyes 

of the fans after the way he 

was blown out in 7 rounds by 

the chubby 268-lb Ruiz Jr. last 

June in New York. 

Speaking to 

@SkySportsBoxing, Joshua, 

29, said Wilder won’t make it 

to the 7th round against him, 

•Balotelli 

Balotelli 

crashes his car 

from New Year’s 

celebrations in 

nightclub 

Controversial striker Mario Balotelli 

was involved in a car crash at 5am 

while returning home from New Year’s 

celebrations at a nightclub in the Italian 

city of Brescia. 

According to Corriere della Sera, 

Balotelli’s new Fiat 500 Abarth ended up 

smashing into a gate of a bakery not far 

from his home after his friend, who was 

driving, made a wrong manoeuvre and 

clipped the kerb. 

Balotelli, 29, and his friend both 

emerged from the accident unscathed but 

the car suffered severe damage to its front 

axle. 

The former Manchester City and 

Liverpool striker, who now plays for his 

hometown club of Brescia, was returning 

home from celebrating the start of the 

New Year with friends in a city nightclub 

at the time of the crash. 

•AJ 

as he would fight the 

talented 6’73 American 

with a record 42-0-1 and 41 

Kos, in an exact opposite 

manner that he fought Ruiz 

Jr. on December 7. 

“He wouldn’t be there in 

the seventh round. I would 

go in to knock him out. This 

is a serious fight, I ain’t 

going to go in there to try 

and outbox him for 12 

rounds,” said Joshua to 

skysports.com. 

Joshua may be defending 

against either Kubrat Pulev 

or Oleksandr Usyk next in 

April or May but his 

promoter Eddie Hearn 

thinks it’ll be Pulev (28-1, 14 

KOs), who Joshua ends up 

fighting next. 

•Mbappe 

brothers 

R/Madrid plan sensational 

swoop for Mbappe’s 

13-year-old brother 

Real Madrid are 

interested in Paris 

Saint-Germain superstar 

Kylian Mbappe’s younger 

brother Ethan. 

Kylian has long been 

linked with a move to Los 

Blancos and boss 

Zinedine Zidane has not 

been shy in expressing 

his interest in the 

Frenchman. 

Ethan, 13, is being 

tipped to follow in the 

footsteps of his older 

brother, who at the age of 

just 21 has already 

become a phenomenal 

forward. 

Ethan impressed at the 

International Champions 

Cup Futures 

tournament last month, 

playing for PSG’s 

youth side in front of 

scouts from the Real 

Madrid set-up, say 

Diario AS. Real have 

long coveted older 

brother Kylian, and are 

reportedly lining up a 

summer move worth a 

staggering •300million 

(£254m). 

Mbappe has scored 

78 goals in 106 games 

for PSG and was the 

French league’s top 

scorer last campaign, 

netting 32 times. He 

also won the player of 

the season award. 

Lampard laments dropped 

points against Brighton 

Wenger backs Liverpool to go 

unbeaten 

Arsene Wenger believes 

Liverpool have the right 

mentality in their squad to go 

the whole season unbeaten. 

Wenger famously led 

Arsenal to an unbeaten 

season in 2003-04 on their 

way to the Premier League 

title. 

Liverpool have a strong 

chance of emulating that run 

this season as they are so far 

without defeat at the midway 

point of the 2019-20 

campaign. 

And legendary former 

Gunners boss, Wenger 

believes they might have what 

it takes to match the record 

he achieved 16 years ago. 

Chelsea manager Frank 

Lampard isn’t taking 

any comfort from the quality 

of Brighton’s equalizer in 

their English Premier 

League game yesterday. 

The Blues allowed a late 

overhead kick goal from 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh 

to start 2020 off with a 

1-1 draw at the Amex 

Stadium. 

That nullified Cesar 

Azpilicueta’s 10th 

minute goal, the only 

“big chance” created 

by the Blues all day. 

“We weren’t 

ruthless enough,” 

Lampard said. “We 

“You look at the number of goals 

they score and the number of goals 

they concede,” Wenger said on beIN 

Sports. “They are very 

good.” “They play 

intelligent football, 

their players make 

intelligent decisions 

on the pitch. 

“My experience 

when you play 

the whole 

season 

unbeaten is 

that they 

accumulated 

the belief that 

if they just 

continue to 

play they will 

win the game. 

got the goal and we had 

the possession. But we 

just didn’t kill the game 

off. We allowed them to 

stay in the game. In the 

end it was a wonder 

goal but we were lucky 

not to lose the game.” 

The loss fails to build 

on a 2-1 comeback win 

over Arsenal and means 

Chelsea still hasn’t won 

consecutive matches 

since late October 

defeats of Ajax and 

Burnley. 

Lampard says the 

Blues threw away two 

points due to 

sloppiness. 

•Wenger

Sports Minister 

rolls out new year 

plans for sports 

•Team Nigeria to make impact @ Tokyo Olympics 

•Promises more opportunities for Youths 

•Dare 

By Tony Ubani 

Athletics Federation of 

Nigeria officials are 

hopeful that the new season 

will produce good results and 

crisis free administration as 

they target a good outing at 

the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. 

Acting AFN president, 

Olamide George in looking 

ahead at the new season, 

submitted that the AFN 

board will strive to avoid the 

mistakes of 2019 and put 

round pegs in round holes. 

“The era of square pegs in 

round holes is over. The AFN 

will be governed by its 

constitution and 

international best practice. 

“It was the total disregard 

for this that made us objects 

of international ridicule 

right from the 

Commonwealth Games in 

the Gold Coast, Australia in 

2018 where we ran foul of an 

international freeze on 

change of allegiance to the 

embarrassment in Doha at 

the World Championships, 

when Blessing Okagbare and 

Divine Oduduru were 

initially disqualified from 

the championships just 

because somebody failed to 

discharge his responsibility,” 

said George. 

“We also saw how Oyesade 

With 205 days to the 

start of the 2020 

Tokyo Olympics, 

Sports Minister, Sunday 

Dare has promised that Team 

Nigeria would make the Olympics 

count as Nigeria 

would not be going there to 

make up the numbers. 

In his new year goodwill 

message, Dare promised a 

new lease of life for sports stating, 

‘’athletes will be exposed 

to the best training, competitions 

and camping possible. 

The process is already ongoing- 

and will be sustained”. 

The Minister said that the 

government will provide and 

open up more opportunities 

for employment, entrepreneurship 

and skills acquisition 

working with strategic 

implementation partners. 

‘’Earnest Work is ongoing to 

rejuvenate Sports development 

in all ramifications in 

Nigeria. It’s not a dash but a 

long distance race and we 

have started. We do not crave 

early applauds, rather we 

want to use this given opportunity 

to change the fundamentals 

of sports development’’, 

the Minister said. 

He said that the ministry 

will in 2020 monitor and ensure 

the completion of about 

20 mini-stadiums across the 

country just as the Imo-model 

of one mini-Stadium per Local 

government by each state 

will be marketed. 

AFN targets good results, 

trouble free 2020 season 

Olatoye was stripped of her 

African Games Shot Put 

gold Hammer throw bronze 

medals. We would never 

again allow these mistakes 

to happen.” 

George assured that the 

AFN has the athletes who 

can deliver podium 

appearances in Tokyo. ‘ 

“We will provide the 

administrative and technical 

capacity to help the athletes. 

Good enough we have a 

sports minister, Sunday 

Dare who is keen to provide 

support,” George explained. 

He added that the AFN will 

also revive the golden league 

and organise grassroots 

competitions to keep athletes 

busy throughout the year. 

•Ese 

Jack Grealish produced an influential 

performance as Aston Villa climbed out 

of the relegation zone after securing their 

second away win of the season with a 2-1 

victory at Burnley. 

Wesley, whose heel cost Grealish a 12thminute 

opener at Turf Moor after VAR controversially 

adjudged the striker to have been 

offside in the build-up, eventually gave Villa 

the lead with a much-needed goal after 27 

minutes. 

Grealish then got his goal, doubling his 

‘’Talks are ongoing concerning 

the renovation of the 

Obafemi Awolowo Stadium. 

Our goal is to deliver four 

FIFA standard pitches by the 

first quarter of 2020 by God’s 

grace’’, he promised. 

Babangida 

tasks NPFL 

players to 

break into 

Super Eagles 

ormer Super Eagles 

Fattacking midfielder, 

Tijani Babangida has urged 

Nigeria Professional 

Football League players to 

up their game if they hope 

to break into the Super 

Eagles squad. 

Super Eagles coach 

Coach Gernot Rohr has 

always argued that the 

home-based players in the 

league are not up to 

standard, hence his 

reluctance to invite them to 

the national team. 

“I think the players in the 

NPFL will have to convince 

Rohr they deserve a place in 

the Super Eagles,” said 

Babangida. 

“I think some of the best 

players in the local league 

have not proved their worth 

to merit an invite to the 

senior national side. 

“Rohr is the man in 

charge. He is the one who’s 

got to manage the situation 

effectively. 

“Though, we have to look 

at our league in order to 

encourage our players by 

including some of them who 

are performing optimally 

for more exposure.” 

n the past couple of 

Iweeks, Liverpool have 

been linked with Nigerian 

international Victor 

Osimhen and the latest 

reports seem intriguing. 

According to The Express, 

the European Champions 

are stepping up their interest 

to hire the services of the 21- 

year-old center forward. 

The renowned British 

news source have revealed 

that Jurgen Klopp is eager 

to sign the striker, who has 

been in impressive form for 

Lille in the current 

campaign. 

So far, in 16 Ligue 1 starts 

this term, the African 

forward has directly 

contributed in 14 goals (10 

goals and 4 assists). Overall, 

the youngster has netted 13 

goals in 24 appearances 

since joining the French club 

in the summer transfer 

window (Transfermarkt). 

Osimhen was voted as the 

African Young Player of the 


Klopp eager to sign 

£60million Osimhen 

•As he targets an all African attack 

of Salah, Mane and Osimhen 

Year in 2015 after 

helping Nigeria win 

the U-17 World Cup. In 

that competition, he 

won the Golden Boot 

award by scoring 10 

goals in just 7 

appearances for the 

Golden Eaglets. 

He made his senior 

international debut 

back in 2017 and so 

far, in 8 

appearances, the 

former Charleroi 

forward has 

scored 4 goals and 

provided 2 assists 

for the Super Eagles. 

His current contract with 

Lille will expire in 2024 and 

as far as his price tag is 

confirmed, a fee of around 

70 million euros 

(£60million) has been 

touted (RMC Sport). Club 

president Gerard Lopez is 

not looking to sell his prized 

asset in the winter transfer 

window. 

Arsenal beam searchlight on Aribo 

•Aribo 

Chelsea were punished 

for their sluggish 

start to 2020 as Brighton’s 

Alireza Jahanbakhsh scored 

a spectacular late bicycle-kick 

to claim a point on New Year’s 

Day. 

The visitors were ahead 

early on through captain 

Cesar Azpilicueta but failed to 

make their early dominance 

count, unable to find a way 

through Graham Potter’s well 

drilled Seagulls side, leaving 

manager Frank Lampard a 

frustrated figure throughout as 

the door was left open for their 

hosts. 

The Chelsea boss had 

abandoned his back three 

after 34 minutes in order to 

turn things around at Arsenal 

on Sunday, and threw it out 

completely here with Reece 

James recovering from an 

ankle injury ahead of schedule 

to come in at right-back, 

Southampton 1-0 Tottenham 

Burnley 1-2 Aston Villa 

Grealish inspires Villa to second away win 

side’s advantage four minutes before the break 

with a powerful strike into the top corner. 

Burnley, who were second best for long periods 

of the game, were handed a lifeline in the 

80th minute thanks to Chris Wood’s header, 

but Villa, who lost Wesley and Tom Heaton to 

nasty-looking injuries, held on to win what 

could be a crucial three points. 

Victory sees Dean Smith’s side move up to 

16th and above West Ham and Bournemouth 

ahead of their meeting at the London Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Burnley stay 13th, five points above 

the relegation places. 

English Premier League 

club Arsenal have 

reignited their interest in 

Glasgow Rangers 

midfielder Joe Aribo. 

The Gunners scout have 

watched the last six matches 

played by Rangers and has 

suggested that the Scottish 

Premiership side are more 

likely to be running the rule 

over Aribo than his 

teammate Glen Kamara, 

who used to play for Arsenal 

youth teams. 

The Nigeria international 

has started the last six games 

played by Rangers in all 

competitions - against 

Celtic (2), Young Boys, 

Motherwell, Hibernian and 

Kilmarnock FC - and 

contributed to four goals (1 

goal, 3 assists). 

Following an excellent 

season at Charlton Athletic, 

A liverpool source said, “We 

have two world class African 

wingers in the form of Salah 

and Mane in our offense. The 

arrival of Osimhen would 

allow Klopp to start an all 

African attack. 

“Nevertheless, for now, 

Firmino is our No.9 and the 

Brazilian international is 

irreplaceable at Anfield.' 

Aribo was on the radar of 

several Premier League 

clubs not limited to Arsenal 

and Manchester City, but 

was convinced by manager 

Steven Gerrard to make the 

move to Scotland last 

summer. 

The left-footed midfielder 

shares the same agent as 

Arsenal youth-teamers Tobi 

Omole, Folarin Balogun 

and Malcolm Ebiowei, as 

well as Hale End Academy 

products Alex Iwobi and 

Chuba Akpom, and this 

would give credence to 

suggestions that the 

Gunners are monitoring the 

Super Eagles star ahead of 

a possible swoop as from the 

January transfer window. 

Aribo is contracted to 

Glasgow Rangers until the 

end of the 2022-2023 

season. 

Brighton 1-1 Chelsea 

Blues drop points again 

shifting Azpilcueta to the left 

and Emerson to the bench. 

After their horror start at the 

Emirates, where Mikel 

Arteta’s side swarmed 

Chelsea from kick-off until the 

Danny Ings’ first-half 

goal was enough to 

hand Southampton a key 

Premier League win over 

Tottenham at St Mary’s on 

New Year’s Day. 

Ings scored his 13th 

League goal of the season 

after bamboozling Toby 

Alderweireld to hand 

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints 

a deserved lead. 

Spurs 

were 

disappointing on the day, 

and an injury for Harry 

Kane after the break - 

Jahanbakhsh 

change in shape, Lampard’s 

side were far more composed 

and patient on the south coast 

with Jorginho restored to 

midfield and looking to 

dictate proceedings 

Mourinho suffers New Year Day defeat 

immediately after seeing 

an effort correctly ruled out 

for offside following a VAR 

check - ensured a 

miserable day on the south 

coast for Jose Mourinho. 

A fully deserved three 

points for Southampton 

on New Year’s Day. This 

was a truly abject 

performance from 

Tottenham, and despite 

the upturn in terms of 

league position, Jose 

Mourinho still has a 

massive job on his hands.

Vanguard, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2020 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

ACROSS 

1. Tip 

5. Cheerful 

10. Axlike tool 

14. Back 

15. Cognizant 

16. Misled 

17. The climax of a drama 

19. Tardy 

20. Eastern Standard Time 

21. Light refractor 

22. Moon of Saturn 

23. Chevrotain 

25. Less friendly 

27. Favor 

28. Plymouth Colony leader 

31. Throw out 

34. Backbone of an animal 

35. Spelling contest 

36. Dagger 

37. Purple shade 

38. 365 days 

39. African antelope 

40. Carried 

41. Sail supports 

42. Searches 

44. Faerie 

45. Razz 

46. Support 

50. Raise 

52. 3-banded armadillo 

54. Australian bird 

55. God of love 

56. Tall building 

58. Hindu princess 

59. Eagle's nest 

60. Former Italian 

currency 

61. If not 

62. Put on clothes 

63. Bucolic 

DOWN 

1. Cambered 

2. Stop 

3. Not glossy 

4. Historic period 

5. Intense dislike 

6. Expect 

7. Overtake 

8. Crude 

9. Aye 

10. Joined 

11. Verbal attacks 

12. 6th Greek letter 

13. Biblical garden 

18. Divided 

22. Prong 

24. Torture device 

26. Walking stick 

28. Avoids 

29. Chair 

30. Not his 

31. Border 

32. Curse 

33. Volcanic explosions 

34. Custodian 

37. Eve's opposite 

38. Cheers 40. Match 

41. Of the cheekbone 

43. Famous dog 

44. Coerces 

46. Foundation 

47. Lukewarm 

48. Manicurist's board 

49. Not urban 

50. Not there 

51. By mouth 

53. Combustible pile 

56. Unhappy 

57. Anagram of "Ail" 

How to Play Sudoku 

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

same number). 

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

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

contains number from 1 through 9. This means that no number can 

appear twice in any block, column or row. 

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

multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination. 

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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, 

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.

02012020 - What Buhari must do differently this year — AFENIFERE, AREWA YOUTHS, OHANAEZE, PANDEF

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