22012020

40 

Convocation of 

sovereign national 

confab before the 

2023 general 

elections (2) 

UZODINMA VS IHEDIOHA: 

9 lawmakers 

defect to APC, 

15 

give reasons 

Pro-Amotekun rally 

rocks Akure, Ondo, 

Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta, 

Ibadan 

Nigeria, UK investors seal N153.4bn commercial deals 

5 

19 

VOL. 27: NO. 63988 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

Fury, as Boko Haram beheads 

CAN chair in Adamawa 

•Insurgents rejected N50m ransom 

•CAN declares 3-day prayers, fasting for Nigeria 

•Asks FG to end Boko Haram insurgents' wanton killings 

•Killing of CAN chairman cruel, provocative — Buhari 

IN SUPPORT OF AMOTEKUN... 

9 

Peaceful solidarity rally held by a coalition of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), OPC, Agbekoya (local hunters) and vigilante groups, in 

support of Operation Amotekun in Ado-Ekiti. Below: Supporters of Operation Amotekun rally outside Gani Fawehinmi Park, as police barricade the venue 

of Amotekun rally in Ojota, Lagos, yesterday. Photo: Bunmi Azeez. 

Governorship 

tussle: Supreme 

Court affirms 

Ortom, Fintiri as 

winners 

13 

Lassa fever 

kills two, others 

quarantined 

in Kano 7 

Mr & Mrs 

BUNMI 30 ROTIMI FASAN 31 

SEE 

INSIDE

2 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 — 3


vanguardnews 

@vanguardnews 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 — 5 

NEWS HOTLINES 

018773962, 

POCKET CARTOON 

@vanguardnews 08052867058 

take-off of the outfit. 

COURTESY CALL —Vice President Yemi Osinbajo welcoming the Secretary 

General, Developing 8 countries, Amb. Datóku Jaafar Ku Shaari, during a 

courtesy call on the Vice President at the State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: 

Abayomi Adeshida. 

Pro-Amotekun rally rocks Akure, 

Ondo, Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta, Ibadan 

*Police barricade rally venue in Lagos 

*Outfit begins operations in Oyo this week; uniforms, logistics 

ready 

*Self defence is Int’l Human Rights, guaranteed by Article 51 of 

the UN Charter —Atiku 

By Dayo Johnson, Olasunkanmi Akoni, 

Rotimi Ojomoyela & James Ogunnaike 

A 

K U R E — 

HUNDREDS of 

diverse Yoruba interest 

groups, yesterday, in 

Akure, Ondo State; Ado- 

Ekiti, Ekiti State; Ibadan, 

Oyo State; Osogbo, Osun 

State and Abeokuta, Ogun 

State, heeded the call by 

Yoruba World Congress, 

YWC, and rallied in 

support of Amotekun, the 

security outfit set up by the 

governments of the South- 

West to assist in providing 

security in the region. 

Meanwhile, the rally was 

aborted in Lagos, as the 

Police barricaded Gani 

Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, 

venue of the planned 

protest, preventing 

protesters from converging 

on the ground. 

Also, South West 

governors yesterday, 

insisted that the security 

outfit codenamed 

Amotekun has come to stay 

while all legal means will 

be deployed to achieve 

same without affecting the 

oneness of the country. 

This came as former Vice 

President, Alhaji Atiku 

Abubakar, while 

expressing support for 

Amotekun, insisted that no 

human power has the 

authority to criminalise the 

protection of human life, 

and no human ambition is 

worth the failure to speak 

in support of the people in 

order to remain in the good 

books of the oppressors of 

the people. 

Also, indication emerged 

yesterday that the newlylaunched 

Amotekun might 

begin operations in Oyo 

State this week. Vanguard 

was reliably informed that 

all logistics, including 

uniforms have been 

provided for the smooth 

Amotekun has come to 

stay —S’West govs 

Meanwhile, South West 

governors, yesterday, 

declared that the security 

outfit, Amotekun has come 

to stay, while all legal 

means would be deployed 

to achieve same without 

necessarily affecting the 

oneness of the country. 

Chairman of the South 

West Governors Forum, Mr 

Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, 

stated this in a statement by 

his Senior Special Assistant 

on Media and Publicity, 

Ojo Oyewamide in Akure, 

while reacting to the 

outburst of the National 

Secretary of Miyetti Allah, 

Saleh Alhassan against the 

S’West governors on a 

private television station, 

yesterday. 

Alhassan took a swipe at 

the launch of Amotekun by 

the governors and accused 

them of being ethnic 

irredentists and 

irresponsible. 

Akeredolu said: “The 

outburst of the Miyetti Allah 

scribe was live on national 

television. As usual, the 

issue was Amotekun. 

Rather than throw same 

stones the arrogant 

miscreant threw at the 

governors, we will rather 

put the blame on those 

internal collaborators 

whose parochial political 

pursuits have beclouded 

their sense of tomorrow. 

“Yes, the possibility of an 

outburst as such can only 

be seen when a serving 

senator because of his 

political ambition, would 

rather demonise Amotekun 

than support the scheme. 

“Is it not curious that it was 

shortly after a supposed 

Senator, whose immediate 

environment is the most 

affected by insecurity 

pummeled Amotekun that 

the Federal Attorney- 

General came out that 

same evening to issue a 

statement? 

“These are the internal 

collaborators whose vested 

interests have sold the 

South-West out. However, 

we must emphasize that 

our unity and cohesion as 

a nation are two cherished 

features that we can’t afford 

to undermine. 

“For the umpteenth time, 

Amotekun has come to stay 

and all legal means will be 

deployed to achieve same 

without necessarily 

affecting our oneness as a 

nation. Like others 

elsewhere, Amotekun 

remains complementary; 

it’s not a regional force,” he 

added. 

Self defence is int’l 

human rights, guaranteed 

by Article 51 of the UN 

Charter —Atiku 

Atiku in a post on his 

Facebook page, said: “As a 

nation, our police, armed 

forces and paramilitary 

bodies have shown great 

gallantry, patriotism and 

dedication to duty. They are 

our first line of defence 

against enemies of our 

nation and saboteurs 

within our midst. I laud, 

value and acknowledge 

them, which is why I 

awarded scholarships and 

gave other support to the 

children of some of our 

fallen heroes. 

“Having said that, I must 

add that the reality on the 

ground in Nigeria today is 

that our armed and 

paramilitary forces are 

overstretched. To deny this 

is to unpatriotically put 

their lives at risk. This we 

must not do. They deserve 

better from us. 

“To say that we do not 

need the services of those 

who are patriotic enough to 

voluntarily put their lives at 

risk to ensure the protection 

of the lives and property of 

Nigerians is to deny the 

obvious. 

“I salute groups like the 

Civilian Joint Task Force in 

the North-East, who 

provided and continue to 

provide an invaluable 

service to Nigeria and her 

peoples, at great cost to 

themselves, both in human 

lives and in productive 

hours, for which they are 

not well remunerated. 

Without their altruistic 

services, where would the 

war on terror be? 

“I also acknowledge and 

appreciate the work that 

hunters and vigilantes 

have done and are still 

doing to help boost security 

in states scattered across 

Nigeria, including in the 

North East and Zamfara, 

Jigawa and Taraba states, 

to mention a few. Not a few 

Nigerians are able to sleep 

with two eyes closed, 

because of the action of 

Continues on Page 41 

By Bose Adelaja & 

Olayinka Latona 

On protest over Supreme Court verdict on Imo guber election (2) 

I 

congratulate the 

winner for being 

favoured by the judgement. 

The initial report said he 

won the election but the 

opposition party wanted to 

rob him of the victory. 

Thank God that the truth 

has prevailed. My advice 

is that he should be 

committed to his job as 

governor because much is 

expected of him and he 

must not disappoint his 

followers. 

-Adegoke Olakiitan 

Presenter 

It is very glaring that 

Hope Uzodimma did 

not win the election but 

then, when power 

speaks, even the wrong 

get vindicated.In my 

opinion, there is no true 

democracy in this 

country and people 

really need to learn how 

to voice out and go 

against their tormentors 

so the protest is worth it. 

I believe the Supreme 

Court was biased 

-Adebayo Muheez 

Literally, 

there 

shouldn’t have been 

any need for a protest by the 

opposition, because both 

parties are birds of a feather. 

I am still perplexed on how 

a gubernatorial candidate 

who came fourth in an 

election overtook his 

counterparts with more 

votes and won. Let them 

continue to witch hunt 

themselves in any way and 

manner. 

- Olaide Oyewole 

Entrepreneur 

The protesters are 

calling on the 

international community and 

Nigerians with grave 

concern over the political 

development in Nigeria 

following Supreme Court’s 

Judicial Coup that overturned 

the electoral mandate of 

Emeka Ihedioha. However, 

I don’t think this Save the 

Judiciary Protest’ aimed at 

saving democracy can 

change anything. 

Goodnews H. Epelle 

Engineer. 

The Supreme Court 

has the final say but 

I believe the verdict was 

given based on facts. 

The party members 

should embrace the 

judgement and forge 

ahead to take the state to 

the next level so that 

peace can reign in the 

state. Also, APC and 

PDP are not the only 

political parties in 

Nigeria. 

-Sarah Olususi 

Newscaster 

I 

think the decision 

was 

largely 

influenced. The newly 

elected governor is of 

the APC. We thought 

Atiku was going to win 

because the country was 

in chaos. With the way 

things are going, the FG 

is going to capture the 

whole South-East. Since 

the judgement is by the 

apex court, the PDP 

should wait till next 

election. 

-Abiona Jumoke 

Student

6 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

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

Court convict 

yahoo boy for 

defrauding 

American of 

$200 

By Shina 

Abubakar 

OSOGBO— A Federal High 

Court sitting in Osogbo, 

Osun State has convicted a 21- 

year-old Internet fraudster, 

Arowolo Ariremako, for 

defrauding an American $200. 

The EFCC prosecutor, 

Oluwatoyin Owodunni, stated 

that Arowolo Ariremako 

defrauded his victim, simply 

identified as Gray, using a fake 

email account by posing as a 

woman. 

The offence, according to the 

prosecutor, contravened Section 

2(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud 

and other Related Offences Act 

2006. 

Ariremako pleaded guilty to 

the offence preferred against him 

by EFCC. 

The 21-page chat of the convict 

with his victim, as well as his 

confessional statement was 

tendered and admitted as 

exhibits. 

Counsel to the convict, Mr 

Abayomi Alawode, prayed the 

court to be lenient in sentencing 

his client, saying: “He is a very 

young and can still be useful to 

the nation. 

“My client had vowed that he 

would never engage in such 

crime and his mother has 

promised to ensure that he is 

properly taken care of and 

monitored.” 

The prosecutor also told the 

court that the convict had no 

criminal record and was of good 

conduct when he was with the 

EFCC. 

Baby, placenta 

found inside 

drainage in 

Lagos 

By Esther 

Onyegbula 

BARELY 24-hours after a 

young girl dumped her 

twin babies in a drainage in 

Rukpokwu Town, Elikpowodu 

community in Port Harcourt, 

Rivers State, another baby has 

been recovered from a drainage 

in Orile area of Lagos. 

The baby was found, 

yesterday, morning, by a 

woman at Shobodu Street, Orile 

area of Lagos State. 

It was learned that the woman 

raised an alarm which attracted 

people in the community. 

The placenta was still 

attached to the body of the baby. 

The remains of the baby, which 

had already turned green, was 

recovered by one of the female 

residents with a rake and put 

inside a black poly bag. 

According to a resident, Adisa 

Ridwan, who spoke with 

Vanguard at the scene, at about 

10:30 am today (Tuesday), we 

heard a lady screamed and 

pointed towards the gutter 

directly in front of her residence. 

"Many of us ran there and 

found out that a fetus with its 

placenta was what she had seen 

in the gutter.” 

I killed Odunukwe to take over his 

N900m property —Prime suspect 

By Evelyn Usman 

EMOTION ran high 

yesterday, at Ogombo forest, 

Ajah, Lagos, where the 

decomposing body of popular 

Abuja businessman, Chief 

Hyginus Odunukwe, was 

recovered, following a startling 

revelation by the prime suspect, 

Daniel Bob Ibeaji, on how the 

businessman was lured to his 

death. 

The suspect further revealed 

how he conspired with three 

others— Arinze Igwe, 26; 

Solomon Cletus, 30 and Israel 

Obigaremu, 35, to snuff life out 

of Odunukwe at Artican Beach 

Resort, in Ajah area of Lagos on 

December 1, 2019. 

Ibeaji, who claimed to have 

studied Medicine and Surgery in 

Edinburgh, the United Kingdom, 

disclosed that the deceased was 

first hit with an axe on the head, 

injected with an excess dose of a 

lethal injection that weakened 

him before he was strangled. 

Recall that the deceased, who 

was into estate development and 

gold mining, was approached by 

the prime suspect in respect of one 

of his buildings he displayed for 

sale, in Abuja. 

Late Odunukwe left his Ikoyi, 

Lagos abode on December 1, 

2019, having informed his family 

that he was going to meet the 

supposed buyer but he never 

returned home. 

His body, which was cut into 

pieces, was recovered by 

operatives of the Zonal 

Intervention Squad, ZIS, of the 

Zone 2 Command, last week, in 

a canal in Ogombo forest along 

Ajah road, while his 4-Runner 

SUV was tracked to Artican Beach 

Resort. 

Why I killed him 

—Ibeaji 

Explaining why the late 

businessman was murdered, 

Ibeaji, who was paraded by the 

Assistant Inspector General of 

Police in-charge of Zone 2, AIG 

Ahmed Iliyasu, at the canal 

where the victim’s body was 

recovered, said: “ I killed him 

because I wanted to take the 

property worth N900 million. 

“Lust for material things made 

me kill him. I met him last 

September in Abuja, through an 

advert for the sale of the property 

in question. Later, I called him 

on the phone to inform him that I 

was ready to make payment and 

he told me to come to Lagos. 

“That Sunday afternoon, when 

•Medical doctor, hotel staff, Uber driver among suspects 

•I was promised N2m— Accomplice 

The suspects 

The canal where victim’s remains were recovered. 

I was sure he was on his way to 

Artican Beach Resort, I instructed 

one of my boys to bring a bag for 

me. After he signed the 

documents of the building in 

question, in the garden, I told him 

to come inside the hotel room so 

as to give him the money. But 

when he came, I started shouting 

on him to hand the documents 

over to me but he insisted I must 

first pay. 

"At that point, one of my 

colleagues brought the bag 

containing some cash, as Chief 

bent down to check the money, I 

hit an axe on his head. We 

dragged him to the toilet, injected 

him with two doses of diazopan 

and he slept off. 

“I wanted to use the signed 

document to claim the property 

as mine and later sell it. Lust for 

money made me do this.” 

Other cases 

During preliminary 

investigation, he was discovered 

to have been arrested in 

connection with two other similar 

cases. 

One of them was in respect of 

the murder of a commissioner in 

Bayelsa State, one Honourable 

Depologa, whose remains were 

found along Abuja road. 

His murder, as gathered, 

occurred a week after his 

encounter with Ibeaji, at Ibeto 

Hotel, Abuja. 

Ibeaji, however, denied 

culpability in the death, when 

asked. Rather he said: “ I was only 

accused of being responsible for 

his. Yes, I met him at Ibeto Hotel 

in respect of a block of the flat, 

One feared dead as Shi'ite members clash with police 

in Abuja 

ONE person reportedly 

lost his life when 

policemen clashed with 

members of the Islamic 

Movement of Nigeria (IMN) 

in Abuja, yesterday. 

The incident occurred 

around Berger, a busy 

interchange in the nation’s 

capital. 

Trouble started after the 

IMN, who were marching 

from Utako, ran into some 

police officers at Berger. 

The protesters, who held 

banners with pictures of 

Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, IMN 

leader, were chanting: “Allah 

is great, Allah is great.” 

A witness disclosed that the 

protesters pelted the police 

officers who tried to disperse 

them with stones, forcing the 

security operatives to fire tear 

gas and later release bullets 

into the air. 

According to him, a passerby 

was hit by a stray bullet. 

“The police shot into the air. 

It was that bullet that hit the 

man on the head. Immediately 

the first shot was fired they all 

dispersed,” he said. 

IMN members have 

demanded the release of El- 

Zakzaky who has been in 

detention since December 

2015. 

which he intended to sell at 

Durumi, Abuja. We did not agree 

on the price as he rejected the 

N220 million offer I told him.” 

Asked where he would have 

raised the N220 million had the 

commissioner accepted his offer, 

he replied: “ I am a miner.” 

The second victim, according to 

the AIG, was that of one Jude 

Efule, a property developer in 

Abuja. 

Efulue, according to the AIG, 

“also swam into Bob’s net. He 

held him captive in an apartment 

and forced him to sign a prepared 

document transferring ownership 

of the victim’s property to him. 

"He also discovered that the 

victim had N9 million in his 

account. His plan was to kill Jude 

after sweeping his account. But 

with the help of neighbours, who 

called the police, Bob and his boys 

were apprehended and charged 

to court accordingly.” 

I was promised N2m 

One of his accomplices, 

Solomon Cletus, also confessed 

to have bagged the remains of 

Odunukwe after they confirmed 

that he was dead. 

He said: “ Ibeaji promised to 

pay me N2 million at the end of 

the deal. We were able to 

smuggle the body out of the hotel 

with the help of one of its staff, 

Arinze Igwe. He took us through 

the back door. 

“Thereafter, the body was kept 

inside a bag and with the help of 

one of the hotel staff, we smuggled 

the bag out of the hotel.” 

On his part, Israel Obigaremu, 

who claimed to be an Uber driver, 

said he had no hand in the 

murder of Odunukwe. He 

explained that “Arinze only 

brought the car to my house. He 

said it was his master’s, who 

travelled out of the country. He 

promised to come and pick it the 

next day. It was after my arrest 

that I discovered the owner of the 

car was murdered.” 

Iliyasu, therefore, urges 

Nigerians to be cautious of 

information they post on social 

media, alerting that criminals 

used such information to get their 

targets.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 —7 

Lassa fever kills two, others 

quarantined in Kano 

•Suspected cases not confirmed yet 

—Kano govt 

By Abdulmumin 

Murtala 

KANO—AT least two people 

have purportedly died of a 

disease suspected to be 

hemorrhagic fever, also known as 

Lassa Fever in the Aminu Kano 

Teaching Hospital while those that 

had contact with them are 

quarantined, a situation that has 

generated panic in the state. 

Anonymous sources at the 

hospital told Vanguard that a 

pregnant woman from Bauchi State, 

who was a carrier of the disease, 

underwent a caesarean session at 

the hospital about 20 days ago. 

“A House Officer that died recently 

assisted in the caesarian session. The 

late Dr Habib had contact with the 

patient in ICU. The SR that 

operated the patient is currently sick 

and has been isolated,”the source 

declared. 

The source also said steps were 

being taken to control the situation 

as the hospital is processing the 

procurement of antidotes. 

:Vanguard News 

“Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital 

is in the process of securing 

Ribavirin for all the primary contacts 

of the patient. Healthcare workers 

should be vigilant and cautious” the 

source added. 

More so, there was a statement 

by Nigerian Medical Association, 

NMA. to the staff of the hospital. 

Part of the statement read: “Dear 

colleagues, it is sad we’ve lost our 

colleagues within a week. Of note 

are the two cases of suspected Lassa 

fever (whose samples were taken 

to confirm the diagnosis). 

“While awaiting the results, there 

was an emergency meeting this 

evening for an harmonious effort 

between the Kano State MOH and 

AKTH. 

“The two sides have shown 

commitment so far; Suspected cases 

received IV Ribavrin and were 

transferred to Yargaya Isolation 

Centre; All primary contacts are to 

be on quarantine; Contact tracing 

will continue from tomorrow 

morning (all those identified should 

please comply, for early treatment). 

“More PPEs would be mobilised 

for moving of any suspected case, 

:@vanguardnews 

that may come up.” 

The statement also called for calm 

and precaution to be observed by 

all saying: “Meanwhile, we should 

remain calm and observe the proper 

precautionary measures in our 

workplaces. The issue is under 

control. 

Suspected cases not 

confirmed yet 

—Kano govt 

Meanwhile, Kano State Ministry 

of Health, yesterday, disclosed it had 

not confirmed suspected cases of 

Lassa fever reported at Aminu Kano 

Teaching Hospital. 

Alhaji Ismail Gwammaja, Public 

Relations Officer (PRO) of the 

ministry, said it was true that the 

ministry received the information 

about the suspected cases. 

He said although the cases were 

reported at the Aminu Kano 

Teaching Hospital, the state 

government has jurisdiction to 

disclose the facts on the issue. 

According to him, "blood samples 

of the affected persons have been 

sent to Lagos for diagnosis and will 

be readily available by Wednesday 

afternoon. 

“We are surely going to hold a 

news conference on the reception 

of the results tomorrow (today) in 

order to keep the public informed.” 

Navy rescues 28 kidnap victims in 

Kaduna •Arrests kidnappers, bandits, rustlers 

... with Emma'nKen (08163121378) 

Na so! I cannot come and die 

jobless 

The suspects 

By: Kingsley 

Omonobi 

ABUJA—TROOPS of Nigerian 

Navy serving at the Nigerian 

Navy School of Armament 

Technology, NNSAT, Kachi, 

Kaduna State have busted a 

kidnapping and armed robbery 

gang, who have been terrorising 

and kidnapping several citizens in 

Southern Kaduna, Benue and 

Niger states. 

The dare-devil gangs reportedly 

killed many of their victims, who 

were unable to pay the ransom, 

while also raping many female 

victims. 

In the operation, the Naval 

operatives rescued 28 kidnapped 

victims while arresting some of the 

suspected kidnappers and others 

involved in crimes of cattle rustling 

and banditry in Kaduna State and 

environs. 

The arrests of the kidnappers and 

rescue of the victims were 

confirmed by the Commandant of 

the Nigerian Navy School of 

Armament Technology, Kachia, 

Rear Admiral Tanko Yakubu Pani, 

who handed the suspects to the 

Department of State Service, DSS, 

in Kaduna, yesterday. 

According to Pani, “these 

criminals are responsible for various 

criminal activities such as 

kidnapping, armed banditry and 

cattle rustling in Kachia and other 

parts of the state. Various items were 

recovered from them, including 

weapons, motorbikes and military 

camouflage uniforms, amongst 

others, which they use for their 

operations. 

‘Some of the victims of the 

criminals that were unable to meet 

their demands were instantly killed 

while others were either maimed 

or injured. Also, some of the female 

victims were raped. 

“In line with the mandate of 

Operation Yaki, the Kaduna State 

Internal Security Operations, we, 

yesterday, handed over the 

criminals to Department of State 

Service, DSS, for profiling and 

further investigation. 

Gunmen abduct ex-commissioner's 

daughter in Jos 

By Marie-Therese 

Nanlong 

JOS —A yet-to-be-identified 

gunmen have again abducted 

a young lady said to be a daughter 

of a former Commissioner in 

Plateau State. 

The lady was reportedly 

kidnapped, yesterday, at the Kwata 

community of Zawan district in Jos 

South Local Government Area of 

the state. 

The State Police Public Relations 

Officer, DSP Mathias Tyopev, 

confirmed the incident but gave no 

details as he said: “Someone was 

abducted at Zawan, we got a call 

to that effect, the details would be 

made known in due course.” 

It was gathered that the abductors 

broke into the house and initially 

picked a boy but later returned the 

him and took the lady. 

Unconfirmed reports have it that 

ransom has been demanded by the 

abductors. 

Invite your family members to 

buy 

God of miracle has visited you



NEW INEC 

RECS: INEC 

Chairman, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu 

(middle); Newly 

appointed Resident 

Electoral Commissioners, 

Mr. Umar 

Mukhtar (right), 

and Dr. Johnson 

Ahlibo Sinikem 

after their swearing-in 

ceremony at 

the INEC headquarters 

in Abuja 

yesterday. Photo: 

Gbemiga Gbemiga 

Olamikan. 

Nigeria’ll continue to work with foreign 

partners to better economy — OSINBAJO 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

A F BUJA—THE 

e d e r a l 

Government will continue 

to collaborate with other 

countries with similar 

socio-economic objectives 

so as to increase economic 

opportunities for the 

collective citizens, Vice 

President Yemi Osinbajo, 

has said. 

The Vice President, gave 

the assurance, yesterday, 

when he received the 

Secretary General of the D- 

8 Organisation for 

Economic Cooperation, 

Ambassador Dato’ Ku 

Jaafar Ku Shaari, who paid 

him a courtesy visit at the 

Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

A statement by Senior 

Special Assistant to the 

President on Media and 

Publicity, Office of the Vice 

President, Laolu Akande, 

said that Shaari was in 

Nigeria as the Health and 

Social Protection 

Programme of the group is 

being established in the 

country. 

Osinbajo said, “I want to 

congratulate you on the 

signing of the partnership 

agreement for the Health 

and Social Protection 

Programme. This is 

important for us and for all 

D-8 countries. 

“We are all emerging 

economies, the whole 

question around health 

care, human capacity 

development is crucial for 

us, and I think it is 

appropriate that we devote 

the time and resources like 

we are currently doing.” 

On the focal areas of 

cooperation of the D-8, 

Osinbajo said, “We are 

hopeful that you will 

succeed in deepening 

the impact of the focal 

areas of trade, industry, 

energy and tourism, in 

all of our countries. We are 

happy that, working with 

the other countries, we can 

achieve our economic 

objectives. 

“So, we are certainly 

looking forward to 

working with the D-8. 

We are committed to the 

D-8 and expect that the 

forthcoming summit will 

expand the scope of work 

and deepen the 

achievements of the D-8.” 

RELEASE OF ABDUCTED AID WORKERS: 

UN concerned about other civilians 

abducted by Boko Haram 

By Victoria Ojeme 

A BUJA—UNITED 

Nations 

Humanitarian Coordinator 

in Nigeria, Mr Edward 

Kallon, has said that UN 

was relieved over the 

release of three aid workers 

recently abducted by armed 

groups in Borno State but 

expressed concern over the 

fate of other civilians in their 

custody. 

A statement by Eve 

Sabbagh, Head, Public 

Information, UN Office for 

Coordination of 

Humanitarian Affairs, 

OCHA, yesterday said, 

despite the encouraging 

news, the UN was gravely 

concerned about the lives 

of ACF‘s Grace Taku, 

abducted near Damasak in 

Federal civil service retirees demand harmonised, 

increased pensions 

By Joseph Erunke 

Afederal BUJA—RETIRED 

civil service 

workers under Defined 

Benefits Scheme, DBS, 

have appealed to the 

Federal Government to 

urgently harmonise and 

also raise their pensions. 

The retirees, who noted 

that government had, 

contrary to provisions of the 

Constitution, not reviewed 

their pensions since 2010, 

faulted the latter for not 

acting during recent 

implementation of 30 

percent minimum wage for 

workers. 

The retirees, under the 

aegis of Federal Civil 

Earlier in his remark, 

Ambassador Dato’ Ku 

Shaari, who thanked 

Nigeria for hosting the 

secretariat of the D-8 

Health and Social 

July 2019, and Alice 

Loksha, a nurse and a 

mother, abducted during 

an attack in Rann in March 

2018. 

The United Nations, UN, 

and its humanitarian 

partners call for their 

immediate and safe release. 

The three aid workers 

earlier released were 

abducted while travelling 

along the Maiduguri- 

Monguno Road on 

December 22, 2019. 

The aid workers and 

some other captives were 

freed on Wednesday last 

week by their captors. 

Kallon said that the UN 

and the humanitarian 

community were happy 

with the development, 

and expressed the hope 

that two other aid 

Service Pensioners, in a 

statement in Abuja, 

through their National 

Chairman, Sunday Omezi, 

said: “We appeal to the 

Federal Government to as 

a matter of urgency, 

harmonise our monthly 

pensions. 

“They harmonised 

military pensions in 

January, 2019. We expected 

the government to equally 

harmonise the pensions of 

civilians but they don’t want 

to harmonise ours. That is 

why we said they had taken 

us as second class citizens. 

“Also, in line with the 

Constitution, the Federal 

Government is supposed to 

be reviewing our monthly 

Protection Programme, said 

implementing 

programmes on health and 

poverty alleviation was key 

to the agenda of the 

organisation. 

workers still in captivity 

would be released soon. 

He said, “I am deeply 

relieved that some civilians, 

including three aid workers 

who were abducted by nonstate 

armed groups along 

the Maiduguri-Monguno 

Road on December 22, 

have been released. 

“The humanitarian 

community in Nigeria 

shares the joy of the 

families, friends and 

colleagues of these aid 

workers,” he said. 

The UN official described 

the aid workers as highly 

dedicated humanitarians 

working to provide lifesaving 

support to 

Nigerians affected by the 

crisis in the North-East. 

He expressed worry that 

such category of persons 

were targeted for abduction 

by gunmen. 

pensions every five years. 

“The last one they did was 

in 2010. We were due for 

another review in 2015 

which was not done. We are 

now in 2020 for another one 

but in 2019, workers’ 

salaries were increased and 

the constitution says they 

are supposed to review our 

monthly pensions every 

five years or whenever, 

workers’ salaries are 

increased but nothing is 

happening. 

“Workers’ salaries have 

been increased and they 

have started enjoying their 

new salaries but where is 

monthly pensions for 

pensioners? Now, it seems 

the Federal Government 

has taken pensioners as 

second class citizens.'' 

Nobody should own 

cooking gas cylinders, 

FG insists 

By Michael Eboh, 

Fortune Eromosele 

& Alice Ekpang 

ABUJA—THE Federal 

Government, 

yesterday, insisted that no 

consumer of cooking gas is 

allowed to own cylinders, 

stating that at the point of 

retail, consumers are 

expected to exchange their 

old cylinders for another 

one to be provided by 

retailers. 

Speaking during an 

inspection and 

enforcement campaign 

around the Federal Capital 

Territory, Zonal Operations 

Controller of the 

Department of Petroleum 

Resources, DPR, Abuja, 

Mr. Abubakar Buba, 

disclosed that the DPR had 

already commenced strict 

enforcement of its policy on 

cooking gas handling and 

sales and would continue 

to sanction defaulting 

retailers. 

During the enforcement 

campaign, Buba said the 

DPR closed down 22 illegal 

retail outlets and gas filling 

stations, while 22 illegal gas 

dealers were arrested. 

He said, “Nigerians, 

henceforth, should go to 

LPG refilling centre and 

refill their gases. They 

should not allow any 

roadside gas retailer, 

whether it is approved or 

not approved to carry their 

Itakpe-Warri rail line ready for 

inauguration, says Amaechi 

MINISTER 

of 

Transportation, Mr 

Rotimi Amaechi, has said 

that the Itakpe-Warri rail 

line has been completed. 

Amaechi disclosed this 

via Twitter, yesterday. 

The minister added that 

the completed rail project 

would be inaugurated by 

President Mohammadu 

Buhari. 

“The Itakpe-Warri rail 

line project is now complete 

and ready for 

commissioning. The 

@NGRPresident 

@MBuhari will do the 

honours,” he said. 

The Itakpe-Ajaokuta- 

Warri rail line has a length 

Buhari mourns Justice Wali 

A 

B U J A — 

PRESIDENT 

Muhammadu Buhari has 

condoled with Justices of 

the Supreme Court and 

National Judicial Council, 

NJC, over the passing of 

Justice Abubakar Wali, one 

of the pioneer legal 

practitioners from the 

North. 

The President in a 

statement by his Senior 

Special Assistant on Media 

and Publicity, Mallam 

Garba Shehu said, he 

joined Kano Emirate 

Council, family members, 

close associates and 

professional colleagues in 

cylinder and decant there, 

it is not acceptable, it is not 

good. 

“We are advising 

Nigerians to always go 

with their cylinders and 

exchange it for a full one, 

instead of refilling from a 

cylinder to a cylinder, it is 

not allowed. 

“And for the marketers, 

LPG marketers and 

retailers, I am advising 

them that this exercise is 

going to be continuous and 

I am advising them to 

always come to our office, 

either to get licence or 

regularise, we are always 

available for them. Our 

exercise is not to get them 

out of the market, let them 

come and make it legal.” 

Also speaking, Deputy 

Commandant of the Corps, 

FCT Command of 

NSCDC, Felix Ikwuegbu, 

said the corps was working 

with DPR to rid the country 

of illegal operators, noting 

that it would ensure that 

those arrested are 

arraigned immediately. 

He said: “What our office 

is doing is that we embark 

on regular raid in 

collaboration with DPR 

from time to time and that 

is why we solicit 

information from the public 

to enable us serve the 

public, particularly the FCT 

residents better. You can 

see we are looking at the 

security and the deceptive 

operations of these illegal 

gas operators.” 

of 276 km and links Warri 

in Delta State to Ajaokuta 

in Kogi State. 

The rail service has 12 

stations with two located 

between Itakpe, Ajaokuta 

and Warri. They include 

Itakpe; Eganiy; Adobe; 

Itogbo; Agenebode; Uromi; 

Egehen; Igbanke; Agbor; 

Abraka; Okpara and Ujewu 

stations. 

The line, which was 

started in 1987, was built to 

move iron ore from mines 

around Itakpe to the 

steelworks at Ajaokuta but 

was abandoned for many 

years before construction 

resumed during Buhari’s 

first term in office. 

mourning Justice Wali, who 

was the first Judge of 

Shari’a Court of Appeal 

from the North, after rising 

through the ranks, and 

later reaching the peak as 

Justice of the Supreme 

Court. 

President Buhari affirmed 

the worthy contributions of 

Justice Wali to the 

development of the country, 

starting out early in 1945 

after his primary school 

education, and ensuring 

delivery of sound judgment 

on landmark cases that 

had since become 

references in Nigeria’s 

judiciary.



CLOSING BELL AT NSE: From left; Gabriel Idahosa, Vice President, Lagos Chambers of Commerce 

and Industry (LCCI); Michael Olawale-Cole, Deputy President; Toki Mabogunje, President/Chairman 

of Council, LCCI; Olumide Bolumole, Head, Listing Business Division, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); 

Nike Akande, Past President, LCCI, and Muda Yusuf, Director General, LCCI during the ringing of the 

Closing Bell by the LCCI's President at the Exchange in Lagos yesterday. 

Fury, as Boko Haram beheads CAN chair 

in Adamawa 

By Sam Eyoboka, 

Umar Yusuf, Ben 

Agande, & Luminous 

Jannamike 

YOLA—THE vicious 

jihadist terrorist organisation, 

Islamic State’s 

West Africa Province, 

ISWAP, also known as Boko 

Haram sect has beheaded 

abducted Chairman of the 

Christian Association of 

Nigeria, CAN, in Michika 

Local Government Area of 

Adamawa State, Rev. Lawan 

Andimi. 

Ahmad Salkida, a Nigerian 

journalist, who is in 

self-exile in the United 

Arab Emirates after alleged 

death threats broke the 

news via Twitter yesterday, 

revealing that Andimi was 

executed by his abductors 

on Monday. 

Salkida, who has been 

reporting the activities of 

the insurgents since mid- 

2006, tweeted: “To break 

HEALTH TIPS 

By Sola Ogundipe 

Live long, live healthy 

For every one person who 

lives a long life of 

unhealthy choices, there 

are countless others who die 

prematurely because of 

them. No one is 

guaranteed a healthy life, 

but things like eating well, 

exercising, and not 

smoking can do a lot for 

you. 

Tap in to the power of 

food. Make smart choices. 

You need enough fuel to get 

through the day without 

loading up on extra 

calories. Start with fruits, 

vegetables, nuts, whole 

grains, and fat-free or lowfat 

dairy products. Avoid 

trans fats and empty 

calories like those in sugary 

drinks that don’t give you 

any nutrients. 

Cut back on sweets. If you 

really love chocolate, 

enjoy it in small amounts. 

Chocolate has some 

nutritional value but is also 

high in sugar and fat. 

•Insurgents rejected N50m ransom 

•CAN declares 3-day prayers, fasting for Nigeria 

•Asks FG to end Boko Haram insurgents' wanton killings 

•Killing of CAN Chairman Cruel, Provocative —Buhari 

Pass up drinks and food 

products with added sugar. 

The food label may not 

specifically say “added 

sugar, be on the lookout for 

ingredients such as corn 

syrup, fructose, highfructose 

corn syrup, and 

molasses. 

Plan meals ahead of time 

to ward off unhealthy 

temptations. Upgrade to 

healthier ingredients. For 

example, make an omelette 

with egg whites and 

vegetables, instead of piling 

on cheese and sausage. 

Serve yourself smaller 

portions. Slow down when 

you eat. You’ll give your body 

a chance to feel full. 

Make fitness a part of 

your daily life. A good goal 

is 150 minutes of moderate 

exercise each week. You 

can break that into five 

sessions if each session 

lasts for 30 minutes. Any 

activity that raises your 

heart rate counts. 

some news items can traumatise. 

I’m battling with 

one of such. Reverend 

Andimi, abducted by Boko- 

Haram was executed yesterday, 

(Monday). 

“Rev. Andimi was a 

church leader, a father to his 

children and the community 

he served. My condolences 

go to his family.” 

The terrorists had demanded 

for ransom of 2 

million Euros and were offered 

N50 million, which 

they rejected before beheading 

the cleric, Adamawa 

State Chairman of 

CAN, Reverend Father 

Dami Mamza told newsmen 

in Yola, yesterday 

while confirming the killing 

of Andimi. 

According to Reverend 

Mamza, negotiations were 

still going on with the insurgents 

last week when 

they stopped calling after 

the offer was made to them. 

He noted that the insurgents 

also called the wife 

of the slain Pastor that they 

would kill the husband on 

Saturday, but they delayed 

until Monday. 

The Adamawa CAN 

Chairman maintained that 

the video and picture of the 

killing was released 

through one Ahmad Salkida, 

a Boko Haram negotiator 

based in Dubai. 

Reverend Father Danmi 

Mamza stated that the gory 

picture of the killing was 

released to the President of 

the EYN Church, Reverend 

Daniel Mbaya. 

Recall that Andimi had 

cried for help from captivity, 

asking Governor Ahmadu 

Fintiri of Adamawa 

State, among others to rescue 

him. 

In a video obtained by 

Salkida, Andimi said the 

insurgents had not maltreated 

him since he was abducted. 

He said “I have never 

been discouraged because 

all conditions that one finds 

himself are in the hand of 

God. I am appealing to my 

colleagues, reverends, particularly 

my President, Reverend 

Joel Billy, who is a 

strong man, a man of compassion 

and man of love. 

He can do all his best to 

speak to our governor, 

Umaru Jibrilla (Fintiri) and 

other necessary agents for 

my release here. 

“These people have been 

doing well to me. They are 

feeding me with all that I 

want to eat. They provide a 

nice place for me to sleep, 

blanket and every need. 

So, I believe that they didn’t 

do anything wrong to me. I 

believe that He who made 

them to act in such a way is 

still alive and will make all 

arrangements, by the grace 

of God I will be together 

with my wife, children and 

colleagues. 

“If the opportunity has not 

been granted, maybe it is 

the will of God. I want all 

people close and far, colleagues 

to be patient. Don’t 

cry, don’t worry but thank 

God for everything,” Andimi 

said in the video before 

he was executed. 

CAN fumes 

Reacting to the killing, 

national leadership of CAN 

said his death and other 

captives in the hands of 

insurgents was a shame on 

the Federal Government. 

In a release by its Director, 

Legal and Public Affairs, 

Evang. Kwamkur 

Vondip, CAN said among 

others, “CAN deeply sympathises 

with the immediate 

family of Late Rev. Andimi, 

the President and members 

of Eklessiya Yan’uwa 

a Naijeriya (EYN) Church, 

the government of Adamawa 

State and the entire 

Church in the country. 

We recall sadly that Late 

Rev. Lawan Andimi while 

in captivity made a passionate 

appeal to the leadership 

of his church and the 

Federal Government to 

come to his rescue. 

“The Church did everything 

within her reach to 

secure the safe release of 

this pastor gentleman but 

it was not possible because 

they didn’t have the military 

power to do so. Just last 

Sunday, a clergyman, Rev 

Denis Bagauri was murdered 

by unknown gunmen 

in his residence at 

Mayo Belwa of Adamawa. 

“The Church views the 

unabated kidnappings, extortions 

and killings of 

Christians and innocent 

Nigerians as shameful to 

the government that each 

time boasts that it has conquered 

insurgency. It is 

saddening that each time 

the government comes out 

to claim the defeat of the 

insurgency; more killings of 

our people are committed. 

“In the light of the current 

developments and the 

circumstantial facts surrounding 

the prevailing 

upsurge of attacks against 

the church, it will be difficult 

for us to believe that the 

Federal Government under 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari is not colluding with 

the insurgents to exterminate 

Christians in Nigeria 

bearing in mind the very 

questionable leadership of 

the security sector that has 

been skewed towards a religion 

and region! Is that 

lopsidedness not a cover up 

for the operation of the insurgency? 

If not, why 

couldn’t the well equipped 

security agents of Nigeria 

get this man killed rescued? 

“While we call on Christians 

to be calm, we challenge 

the Federal Government 

led by President Buhari 

to be more proactive 

about effort to get rid of the 

continuous siege on Nigeria 

and end the wanton killings 

and destruction of lives 

and properties of Nigerians 

if the government is to be 

taken seriously. 

“We are once again calling 

on President Buhari to 

purge himself of the allegations 

of nepotism and 

religious favouritism by reconstituting 

the leadership 

of security outfits. The 

Federal Government is 

urged to ensure the release 

of the prisoner of faith, Leah 

Sharibu and hundreds of 

victims who are in the Boko 

Haram and ISWAP captivity 

before it is too late. A government 

that cannot protect 

the governed is a failed 

government. 

“We once again call on the 

International community 

and developed world like 

the US, the UK, Germany, 

Israel and others to please 

come to the aid of Nigeria, 

especially, the Nigerian 

Church so that we might 

not be eliminated one by 

one.” 

“Is the government sincere 

in fighting these terrorists 

or merely paying lip 

service to the war against 

the insurgency? Is there any 

hope that our security is 

guaranteed under this government? 

“Can the government tell 

us what they did since Rev. 

Andimì cried out to them for 

help? If the security agencies 

claim the terrorists are 

operating outside the country, 

why is it possible for 

these hoodlums to invade 

the country, kill, maim, burn 

and kidnap without any 

convincing checks on the 

part of the security agencies? 

“Since the government 

and its apologists are claiming 

the killings have no religious 

undertones, why 

are the terrorists and herdsmen 

targeting the predominantly 

Christian communities 

and Christian leaders? 

“We cannot lose hope on 

divine protection and the 

power of our Lord Jesus 

Christ to expose those behind 

the sponsorship of terrorism 

in Nigeria and to get 

Nigeria safe from the arms 

of the criminals. 

“We shall remain constant 

and not bow to the antics of 

terrorists and their sponsors. 

We know that very 

soon, God will unmask 

these ungodly and wicked 

elements amidst us and 

their collaborators. We urge 

all Christians to set three 

days apart this week to fast 

and pray for Nigeria.” 

A sad day for Nigeria 

Also, reacting, Kaduna 

State, CAN Chairman, Rev 

John Hayab, said the killing 

was a “sad day for the 

church in Nigeria.” 

Hayab told Vanguard that 

“The news of the killing of 

Rev Andimi by Boko Haram 

has added to 

sorrows,pains and suffering 

that the Church is facing 

in Northern Nigeria. 

This sad news is coming just 

a day after our dear President 

Buhari met with the 

British Prime Minister. 

“What other evidence do 

those in authorities in Nigeria 

want from us to convince 

them that our 

members,Pastors and fellow 

citizens are no longer 

safe? We have said condemnation 

of atrocities without 

any concrete action is not 

good enough” 

“The people living in the 

northern part of the country 

are living in fear of their 

lives because of the activities 

of the Boko Haram terrorists 

and other security 

challenges. How do you 

expect a person living in 

fear to do something meaningful 

for himself and his 

country? The killing of the 

cleric is another sad day for 

the Church in Nigeria and 

for the country at large especially 

for those who care 

and value human lives. 

Our condolences go to Rev 

Andimi’s wife, children and 

the church in Northern 

Nigeria.Let us not give up 

our salvation is near." 

Adamawa govt reacts 

Adamawa State government 

while reacting to the 

execution of Revend Andimi, 

described the killing as 

barbaric. 

Mr Solomon Kumanga, 

the Director General Media 

and Communications 

to Governor Ahmadu 

Fintiri, described the development 

as unfortunate after 

several arrangements 

were perfected for the release 

of the abducted cleric. 

Killing of CAN Chairman 

Cruel, Provocative 

—Buhari 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari has condemned the 

terrorist killing of Lawan 

Andimi, chairman of CAN, 

in Michika Local Government 

Area of Adamawa 

State, describing it as cruel, 

inhuman and deliberately 

provocative. 

President Buhari expressed 

sorrow that the terrorists 

went on to kill the 

religious leader while giving 

signals at the same of a 

willingness to set him free 

by releasing him to third 

parties. 

Buhari consoled the 

Christian community all 

over Nigeria, the government 

and people of Adamawa 

State and the Bishop’s 

family over the sad loss 

of the man of God and assured 

that terrorists will 

continue to pay a heavy 

price for their actions and 

would comprehensively be 

defeated by our determined 

armed forces.



Soyinka flays Balarabe Musa over 

Operation Amotekun 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

L AGOS—NOBEL 

Laureate, Prof. Wole 

Soyinka, has described 

statement by former 

Governor of Kaduna State, 

Balarabe Musa, over 

creation of Operation 

Amotekun security outfit in 

the South West region as a 

'recipe for tragedy'. 

Recall that governors in 

the South West region had 

established and 

inaugurated the security 

outfit to curb the menace of 

herdsmen attacks in their 

region. 

Musa had said that the 

main reason the leaders 

and governors of the 

Southwest region set up the 

new security outfit was to 

create Oduduwa Republic. 

Soyinka, in a statement he 

personally signed on 

Tuesday, said he wished 

Nigeria would avoid the 

blunder that could arise 

from such statement by 

Musa. 

His statement reads: 

“Balarabe is sadly, but I 

hope not tragically wrong. 

I invoke the tragic 

dimension here because 

the making of tragedy, 

especially for nations, 

often begins when fears 

are mistaken, or promoted 

as facts, and governments 

either by themselves, or 

together with interest 

groups, are enticed by 

fears into embarking on 

precipitate, irrational, and 

irreversible acts. 

“Such acts turn out in 

the end to be based on 

nothing but fears, 

sometimes generated by 

guilt over past injustices, 

such as inequitable 

dealing. 

“That is the basis of 

tragedy, towards which 

nations are propelled by 

a partial, or wrongful 

reading of socio-political 

realities and history." 

No outright ban on Okoda, tricycle 

operations yet —LASG 

By Olasunkanmi 

Akoni 

LAGOS—LAGOS State 

Government said it has 

not taken a definite action 

on the operations of 

commercial motorcycles 

(Okada) and tricycles, 

popularly called “Keke 

Marwa” on some routes 

across the state. 

Commissioner for 

Information and Strategy, 

Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, gave 

the clarification, yesterday, 

contrary to the news in 

circulation on the list of 

restricted areas, which went 

viral on the social media, 

purporting that the 

government had banned 

Okada and Keke Marwa 

AMOTEKUN: Stop harassing 

protesters, SERAP tells Police 

LAGOS—THE Socio- 

Economic Rights and 

Accountability Project, 

SERAP, has condemned the 

presence of armed men as 

Yoruba groups protest the 

Federal Government’s 

declaration of Amotekun as 

illegal. 

Members of the Yoruba 

socio-cultural group, the 

Odua Peoples’ Congress, 

OPC, and Yoruba World 

Congress, YWC, among 

others were taking part in 

yesterday’s rally when 

some men in uniform 

stopped them at Gani 

Fawehinmi park. 

SERAP in its reaction said 

that it is unlawful for police 

to stop the protesters. 

In a tweet on its official 

Twitter page, SERAP wrote: 

on some routes. 

“No such action has been 

taken, the list is false and 

unofficial. It should be 

disregarded. A definite 

position on the issue will 

soon be made public 

through the official media 

channels of the 

government,” Omotosho 

said. 

Omotoso, had, last week, 

told State House 

Correspondents after the 

Security Council Meeting 

held at the Lagos House, 

Ikeja on January 13 that the 

delay was informed by 

need for the Babajide 

Sanwo-Olu administration 

to achieve a generally 

accepted solution to what 

has been termed the okada 

menace. 

“It’s unlawful and unconstitutional 

for the police to 

stop Amotekun protesters or 

any protester for that matter. 

Rather than stopping 

peaceful protesters from 

exercising their constitutional 

right, Nigerian authorities 

should be protecting 

protesters from violent 

attacks by others. 

“Authorities should also 

take measures to address 

the root causes of protests 

and citizens’ socioeconomic 

and other related 

grievances. 

“Nigerian authorities must 

ensure that all protesters, 

including Amotekun protesters, 

can exercise their right to 

peaceful assembly. Authorities 

must ensure that protesters are 

not ill-treated and that the police 

are not using excessive force." 

VISIT—Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun (3rd left), in company of the Commissioner 

of Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, Dapo Okubadejo; Commissioner of Commerce, Mrs. 

Kikelomo Longe; Senior Special Assistant on Commerce, Ms. Sola Arobieke, and Special Assistant 

at the governor’s office, Debo Adeleke, during a working visit to Alvan Blanch's Manufacturing 

and Agri Processing, UK headquarters. The visit was facilitated by the Department for International 

Trade. 

ILORIN HOUSES: Saraki urges court to 

vacate EFCC’s forfeiture order 

By Innocent 

Anaba 

L AGOS—FORMER 

Senate President, Dr 

Bukola Saraki, has urged 

a Federal High Court sitting 

in Lagos to dismiss the 

suit by the Economic and 

Financial Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, praying for the 

permanent forfeiture of his 

Ilorin, Kwara State houses. 

Saraki, former governor of 

the state described the suit 

as an abuse of court processes 

and a move to scandalise 

him. 

He argued that it was a 

ploy by the EFCC to review 

the July 6, 2018 decision of 

the Supreme Court “discharging 

the applicant 

from culpability arising 

from the same money and 

houses which are the subject 

matter of this action.” 

The EFCC had, in the suit 

before Justice Rilwan 

Aikawa, claimed that the 

houses: Plots No. 10 and 

No. 11 Abdulkadir Road, 

GRA, Ilorin, Kwara State – 

were acquired with proceeds 

of unlawful activities 

allegedly perpetrated by 

Saraki while he was Kwara 

State governor between 

2003 and 2011. 

Justice Aikawa had on 

December 2, 2019 ordered 

the temporary forfeiture of 

the houses to the Federal 

Government. 

The judge adjourned for 

Saraki to appear before him 

to give reasons the houses 

should not be permanently 

forfeited to the Federal 

Government. 

In response, Saraki, 

through his lawyer, Kehinde 

Ogunwumiju, SAN, 

in a preliminary objection, 

challenging the territorial 

jurisdiction of the court to 

entertain the suit, argued 

that the new suit by the 

EFCC was an abuse of 

court processes because it 

was filed at a time when a 

suit on the same matter 

was still pending at the 

Federal High Court in Abuja. 

According to him, in the 

Abuja suit, trial judge, Justice 

Taiwo Taiwo had on 

May 14, 2019 made an order 

for parties to stay action 

on the subject matter 

pending the determination 

of an originating motion on 

notice. 

“Despite the pendency of 

the above-captioned suit, 

service of the originating 

processes and the subsistence 

of the aforesaid order 

of this court, the respondent 

surreptitiously commenced 

suit No.FHC/L/ 

CS/1867/2019 between the 

EFCC v Dr Bukola Saraki 

on October 14, 2019, in this 

court where it seeks orders 

aimed at neutralising the 

order of the Abuja division 

of this court,” he said. 

He said the new EFCC’s 

suit was meant to “irritate, 

annoy and scandalise” him 

and urged Justice Aikawa 

to dismiss it. 

INEC tasks FG on people living with 

‘Capturing of 

disabilities 

By Olayinka 

Ajayi 

L AGOS—THE 

Independent 

National Electoral 

Commission, INEC, has 

tasked the Federal 

Government on 

comprehensive policies to 

support persons living with 

disabilities, as it would help 

procure their data across 

Nigeria. 

Speaking during a one 

day strategic meeting in 

Lagos, yesterday, tagged 

Disaggregated Data of 

persons with Disabilities 

across Nigeria’ organized 

by the INEC in 

collaboration with the 

International Federation of 

Election System, IFES, the 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioner, Lagos State, 

Sam Olumekun, said: “We 

need comprehensive 

policies to support the need 

of those with disabilities. 

We often view those with 

disabilities through the 

lense of deficits as against 

their strength. 

“The United Nations, 

UN, believes that there is 

need to promote the right 

and well-being of persons 

with disabilities.’’ 

In the same vein, INEC 

Deputy Director on civil 

society organization, 

Dorothy Bello, reiterated 

the need for capturing 

disaggregated data of 

persons with disabilities 

saying, “the exclusion of 

certain groups in decision 

making not only creates 

more divide and 

potentially, and less 

peaceful society, but also 

limits the excluded group 

in protecting it’s own 

interests." 

CAN, MURIC TO BUHARI: Halt withdrawal of 

troops from Maiduguri-Damaturu highway 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

A BUJA—CHRISTIAN 

Association of Nigeria, 

CAN, and the Muslim 

Rights Concern, MURIC, 

have urged President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

stop the planned 

withdrawal of troops 

manning security 

checkpoints along 

Maiduguri - Damaturu 

highway. 

They argued that under 

no circumstance should 

civilians be further exposed 

to danger of Boko Haram 

attacks in the Northeast. 

The religious groups 

spoke against the backdrop 

of reports that soldiers had 

abandoned the road, after 

Governor Babagana Zulum 

of Borno State, cautioned 

them against extorting 

motorists. 

Speaking with Vanguard, 

CAN’s Director of Legal and 

Public Affairs, Evang. Kwamkur 

Vondip, said: “We appeal to 

President Buhari as the 

Commander-in-Chief of the 

Armed Forces to ensure soldiers 

are not withdrawn from the 

Maiduguri-Damaturu road. 

“We have visited the 

communities along that highway 

and have it on record that the 

people are still vulnerable to 

attacks from insurgents. We 

appeal to the military hierarchy 

not to take Governor Zulum’s 

word of caution as an excuse to 

abandon the people at a time the 

security of the Northeast is 

worsening by the day.” 

Similarly, MURIC Director, 

Prof. Ishaq Akintola, reminded 

the troops that the people were 

responsible for soldiers’ salaries 

through payment of taxes. 

“The civilians are the tax payers 

and revenue generators who 

make it possible for soldiers’ 

salaries to be paid and for military 

hardware to be purchased."

Vanguard, TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 — 11 


DESTRUCTION OF RICE FARM: 3 herdsmen 

docked in Ekiti 

By Rotimi 

Ojomoyela 

A DO-EKITI—THREE 

herdsmen were, 

yesterday, charged before 

an Ado Ekiti Chief 

Magistrate’s Court for 

unlawful destruction and 

malicious damage of a rice 

farm. The incident occurred 

on January 7, 2020 at 

Apinrin Alapaye Farm 

Ogun moves to resuscitate Olokola sea port project 

By James 

Ogunnaike 

A BEOKUTA—OGUN 

State Government has 

commenced arrangements 

to resuscitate the 

abandoned Olokola Sea 

Port project as part of moves 

to improve transportation. 

Oyo PDP disagrees with AGF on dissolution 

of LG caretaker chairmen 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—THE Oyo 

State Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, has chided the 

Attorney General of the 

Federation, Justice 

Abubakar Mallami, on his 

comment that Governor 

Seyi Makinde should 

dissolve the caretaker 

chairmen in the 33 local 

government areas of the 

state , saying it was 

unexpected of the number 

one legal officer of the 

federation. 

Rather than interfere in 

the internal affairs of Oyo 

State, the PDP said the AGF 

should be more concerned 

about alleged Federal 

Government’s various 

disregard for judicial 

pronouncements and lack 

of respect for rule of law. 

In the statement by its 

Settlement in Okemesi 

Ekiti, Ekiti West Local 

Government Area. 

The accused persons, 

Nafiu Mohammed (20), 

Mohammed Audu (20), 

Bumba Karba (17) and 

others at large grazed their 

cattle on the farm causing 

massive destruction to the 

produce. 

According to the police 

prosecutor, Inspector 

Ogun State Deputy 

Governor, Chief Mrs 

Yetunde Onanuga made 

this known when she led 

government delegation on 

a visit to the Managing 

Director of Nigeria Port 

Authority, NPA, Ms Hadiza 

Bala Usman at the Port 

Headquarters, Marina, 

Publicity Secretary, Engr 

Akeem Olatunji, the party 

stated: “Nigeria as a 

federation is governed by 

constitution not by a decree 

or fiat and it’s not 

anybody’s fault that the 

drafters of Nigerian 

Constitution put the 

control, legislation and 

supervision of the local 

governments under the 

By Dayo 

Johnson 

AKURE—ONDO State 

government, 

yesterday, lamented that 47 

percent of its 307,000 

hectares of forest reserves 

across the state have been 

encroached upon. 

Johnson Okunade, the 

accused persons damaged 

farm produce worth 

N4.5million belonging to 

the complainant, Mr. 

Olusola Sanni. 

He noted that the offences 

contravened Section 451 of 

the Criminal Code, Laws of 

Ekiti State, 2012. 

The accused persons 

pleaded not guilty to the 

charge preferred against 

them and their counsel, Mr. 

Busuyi Ayorinde, urged 

the court to grant the 

Lagos. 

Ms Hadiza Bala Usman 

commended the State 

Government for the move 

saying it was important to 

have cleared locations in 

terms of environmental 

issues, noting that Ondo 

State government had 

brought similar proposal 

purview of the state governments 

through the various 

state Houses of Assembly. 

“What the present 

Attorney General of the 

Federation, Malam 

Abubakar Malami, and his 

APC cohorts are trying to 

achieve is purely 2023 

political agenda similar to 

attempt by a legal luminary 

to stop Federal allocations 

meant for Lagos State 

through executive fiat." 

defendants bail, promising 

that they would not jump 

bail. 

The Chief Magistrate, 

Mr. Adesoji Adegboye, in 

his ruling granted the 

defendants bail in the sum 

of N500,000 with two 

sureties each in like sum. 

Meanwhile, the 

prosecutor asked the court 

for adjournment to enable 

him study the case file and 

present his witnesses. The 

magistrate adjourned the 

case until February 24 for 

hearing. 

PRESENTATION: From left—Camp Head, Kutara Tatara IDP Camp in Nasarawa State, Usman Adamu; 

First Lady of Nasarawa State, Hajia Salifat Sule; Project Manager, giving.ng, Mrs. Peju Ibekwe, 

and member, House of Reps, representing Karu/Keffi/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nassarawa 

State, Gaza Gbefwi, during the presentation of relief materials by giving.ng, to internally displaced 

persons in the camp, yesterday. 

and it is important to encourage 

collaboration between 

the two states. 

The Deputy Governor 

pointed out that the team’ 

s visit to the management 

of NPA was to seek expert 

advice and ensure synergy 

between Ogun State 

government and NPA 

before taking further steps. 

“The Olokola sea port is 

fantastic for Nigeria, even 

for our state and that is why 

we are very keen to attract 

investors to this project and 

to let them see how we can 

resuscitate it vis-a-vis in 

development further down 

the coast of Lagos and see 

how we can work through 

and what scale we can reintroduce 

to what it was in 

early 2000 when it was first 

envisaged,” she explained. 

FOREST RESERVES: Akeredolu raises task force to 

halt encroachment 

Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu said in Akure 

that about 138,000 hectares 

of government forest 

reserves had been 

encroached upon for 

farming in the state. 

He spoke through the 

Agriculture commissioner, 

Gboyega Adefarati, while 

inaugurating the newly reconstituted 

State Task Force 

on farmers in government 

forest reserve in the state. 

The governor said:”We 

have about 307,000 

hectares of forest reserves 

in Ondo State but 138,000 

hectares have been 

encroached upon by 

farmers. That is about 47 per 

cent of the reserve." 

Litigant faults Olubadan’s 

comments on traditional crisis 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—ONE of the 

litigants in a suit 

challenging the 

nullification of beaded 

crowns and coronets of 42 

promoted kings in Oyo 

State, Oba Ismaila Abioye 

Opeola, Oniroko of Iroko 

has punctured a comment 

credited to Oba Saliu 

Adetunji, Olubadan of 

Ibadanland, that the royal 

crisis was over. 

He said what Olubadan 

said did not reflect the truth 

of the matter. 

Oba Opeola also faulted 

the claims of Olubadan that 

all the promoted kings had 

dropped the insignia of 

office and reverted to their 

previous titles. 

The monarch said this 

while condemning what he 

described 

as 

embarrassment caused the 

Obas by one of the 

commissioners in the state 

who allegedly at an event 

at Igbo Elerin in Akinyele 

Local government directed 

that the compère not to 

dignify them by calling 

them kings. 

Calling on Governor Seyi 

Makinde to call his aides 

to order by distancing 

themselves from the royal 

tussle, he said there was no 

iota of truth in the claim by 

the highly revered Ibadan 

monarch, insisting that 

“none of us, the Royal 

Majesties (High Chiefs) or 

the Royal Highnesses 

(Baales) has dropped his 

crown and coronets” as he 

recalled that the consent 

judgement obtained by 

High Chief Rashidi Ladoja 

last November and which 

might have informed the 

claim and position of 

Olubadan “has currently 

become a subject of 

litigation as two separate 

suits are already filed in the State 

High Court challenging it”. 

Quoting the counsel to the 

Ibadan Obas, Kunle Sobaloju 

Esq., Oniroko said: “The consent 

judgement was obtained by 

concealment of salient facts by 

the parties to it and that it was 

obtained by fraud for failure to 

disclose to the court the interests 

of third parties, who are not parties 

to the suit and that the consent 

judgement did not represent the 

terms of settlement entered by 

the parties.” 

Describing the 

submission by Olubadan as 

a product of 

misinformation, Oba 

Abioye Opeola noted that 

the position of their counsel 

(Sobaloju) that since the 

Ibadan Obas had 

“submitted the issues in 

respect of their rights to 

wear beaded crown and 

coronet to the court for 

determination, unless the 

issues are determined one 

way or the other, none of 

the parties is allowed to do 

anything that will prejudice 

the hearing and 

determination of the issues 

before the court.” 

“It is settled law that once 

a court is seized of a matter, 

none of the parties has the 

right to take the law into his 

hands or to do anything that 

will prejudice the hearing 

of the case,” Oniroko 

quoted further. 

CERTIFICATE FORGERY: I’ve been 

vindicated, Adeleye, Abiodun’s 

Aide 

By James 

Ogunnaike 

A BEOKUTA—THE 

Special Adviser to the 

Ogun State Governor on 

Political Matters, Mr. 

Adeleye Adewale Adebiyi 

has described a publication 

by an online news medium 

as an attempt to tarnish his 

image and credibility. 

Adeleye, who said this 

while fielding questions 

from newsmen in Abeokuta 

disclosed that the concocted 

report was from his political 

opponents 

Adeleye, a one time 

Chairman of Remo North 

local government area of 

the state and member, 

Ogun State House of 

Assembly from 2015 to 2019, 

was alleged to have forged 

his academic credentials. 

Adebiyi said he 

attended Ode Remo 

Community High School 

and got a National 

Diploma from the Federal 

College of Freshwater 

Fisheries Technology, New 

Bussa, Niger State. 

He said: “As a council 

chairman, I was taken to Police 

and, after due investigation, I 

was vindicated. 

"When I was in the State 

House of Assembly, I was 

taking to Court and I was 

vindicated by Court again." 

A copy of the Court ruling 

made available to 

newsmen showed that a 

forgery suit against 

Adeleye was dismissed by 

a Federal High Court, 

Abeokuta in 2017 for lack 

of jurisdiction.


VISIT: Akwa Ibom State 

Governor , Mr Udom 

Emmanuel (right) and 

Chairman/Managing 

Director, Mobil 

Producing Nigeria 

Unlimited (MPN), Mr. 

Paul McGrath, during 

the Governor's visit to 

the operational Office 

of MPN at Qua Iboe 

Terminal , Ibeno LGA. 

By Davies 

Iheamnachor 

PORT HARCOURT— 

Z A A K P O R 

Community in Khana 

Local Government Area 

of Rivers State has 

declared to conduct mass 

burial for cultists killed 


Rivers community declares mass burial 

for slain cultists 

during 2019 cult wars in 

the area. 

This declaration was 

made by leaders of the 

community at a 

stakeholders meeting 

convened following 

reports that families 

were planning to 

commence the burial of 

their children, who were 

alleged to be cultists and 

killed during different 

cult wars in the area. 

The leaders of the 

community insisted at 

the meeting that no 

family would be allowed 

Edo 2020: Aspirants seek consensus 

candidate against Obaseki 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY — 

FOUR frontline 

aspirants of the All 

Progressives Congress, 

APC, namely Dr. Pius 

Odubu, Pastor Osagie Ize- 

Iyamu, Engr. Chris 

Ogiemwonyi and Major 

General Charles 

Airhiavbere (retd) have 

agreed to support one out 

of the four of them to 

contest with Governor 

Godwin Obaseki for the 

ticket of the party which 

primary election would be 

held before the end of the 

second quarter of 2020. 

Odubu was former 

Deputy Governor, Ize- 

Iyamu, former Secretary to 

State Government, SSG 

and the governorship 

candidate of the opposition 

Peoples Democratic Party in 

2016, Ogienmwonyi was 

former Minister of State for 

Works and one of the 

aspirants that lost to 

Obaseki in 2016, while 

Airhiavbere was the PDP 

governorship candidate in 

2012 that contested against 

Adams Oshiomhole for his 

second term and was also 

one of the aspirants that lost 

to Obaseki in 2016. 

Vanguard reliably 

gathered that the four have 

been holding strategic 

meetings with the latest 

slated for yesterday, while 

the first one held on 

Monday, lasted till 2a.m, 

on Tuesday. 

Vanguard gathered that 

the team took a common 

position seeing Obaseki as 

enemy to confront as a body 

considering the powers 

and influence he wields as 

a sitting governor. 

Three of them; Odubu, 

Ize-Iyamu and 

Ogienmwonyi are from the 

same local government 

area which is Orhionmwon 

Local Government Area, 

while Aihriavbere is from 

Oredo, the same Local 

Government with Obaseki. 

A source told Vanguard 

late yesterday that “The 

meeting is serious, they 

met Monday night till the 

early morning of Tuesday 

and they are going to meet 

this evening again. There 

target is straight; they want 

to present one person to 

face Obaseki and they have 

all agreed in principle that 

that is what they will do. 

“They have all agreed 

that they will subjugate 

their personal ambition 

and support one of them 

that would be agreed on. 

They are likely going to 

pool their resources 

together for this project. 

They said all of them 

should subordinate their 

ambition for the collective 

good of Edo people. They 

invited some other senior 

politicians and opinion 

leaders to be part of the 

consultations.” 

UYA ready for Urhobo epic movie, rolls out 

Urhobo historical calendar 

By Etop Ekanem 

THE URHOBO Youths 

Association, UYA, 

has concluded plans to 

hold an epic movie 

scheduled to be out very 

soon, just as it released 

the 2020 Urhobo 

historical calendar. 

National President of 

the association, Prince 

Pureheart Kpeji, who 

made the disclosure in 

Lagos, said preparations 

were at advanced stage 

for the movie to be out 

shortly. 

He said the movie, 

which encompasses every 

aspects of Urhobo culture, 

“is to promote the rich 

cultural heritage of the 

Urhobo ethnic 

nationalities. 

He said the cast and 

script were ready and 

would bring some 

experienced actors to help 

with the production of the 

movie to put the rich 

culture of Urhobo people 

in proper perspective. 

to celebrate any cultist 

member who was killed 

during the violent 

attacks that rocked the 

communities last year. 

They resolved that all 

the cultists who died as 

a result of the violent 

attacks must be brought 

from the mortuary and 

given mass burial on the 

same day. 

Speaking, Chief Gani 

Topba, urged the people 

to work with security 

agencies towards the 

total restoration of peace 

and security in the area. 

Also, Mr. Lucky Loblo, 

a community leader, 

called on those who fled 

the community during 

the cult related war to 

return and join hands in 

building and sustaining 

the relative peace been 

experienced in the area. 

Loblo disclosed that the 

community has set up 

committee that will take 

care of the affairs of the 

community, advising 

residents to support the 

committee in the interest 

of the community 

development. 

Edo crisis: Lawmaker 

backs Oshiomhole 

BENIN CITY — AN 

Edo State House of 

Assembly member-elect, 

representing Etsako East 

Local Government 

Constituency, Kingsley 

Ugaabi, has expressed 

support for the National 

Chairman of the All 


APC, Adams Oshiomhole, 

in the ongoing face off 

with the state governor, 

Godwin Obaseki. 

According to Ugaabi, 

the said purported 

suspension of the former 

governor by the APC state 

chapter “is a joke and 

huge insult.” 

In a statement, Ugaabi 

said the state chairman 

cannot unilaterally 

suspend Oshiomhole and 

asked party’s elders in the 

state to call the chairman 

to order. 

He said Oshiomhole 

was “democratically 

elected as national 

chairman of the party in 

one of the finest party 

national convention 

election and sworn in, in 

June 2018.” 

The lawmaker added 

that Oshiomhole is a 

political colossus whom all 

sons and daughters of Edo 

State is supposed to 

adore. 

“Oshiomhole is a former 

president of the Nigerian 

Labour Congress, with his 

outstanding records and 

commitment to the 

struggle of the welfare of 

Nigeria workers, a 

former governor of Edo 

State with great 

developmental strides as 

it borders on the red 

roofs revolution in 

schools and in the 

education sector, road 

infrastructure, health, 

human capital and 

capacity building/ 

development, 

liberalisation of the 

political atmosphere for 

upcoming political 

aspirants with ambition 

to freely contest and win 

elections without god 

fathers. 

Workers protest, tell firm 

to pay backlog of salaries 

By Festus Ahon 

ASABA — WORKERS 

of the Heritage 

Energy Operational 

Services Limited, have 

besieged the entrance of 

the Afiesere flow station, 

Ughelli North Local 

Government Area, Delta 

State, demanding the 

payment of their five 

months salary arrears and 

bonuses owed them by 

the oil company. 

The protesters who 

displayed placards which 

bore several inscriptions 

such as, “We need our 

salaries and bonuses, no 

more extension of IPSS. 

Heritage can pay N4 

million for a hired 

compressor but can’t pay 

our salaries.” 

They also lamented the 

non provision of Personnel 

Protective Equipment, 

PPE, for them by the 

company. 

Speaking to our 

Correspondent, one of the 

protesters, Mr. Alex 

Ekpakeje said: “IPSS was 

introduced 15 years ago 

and we no longer want it 

because under this 

arrangement, we are not 

being paid our salaries 

and bonuses as at when 

due. 

“We had a discussion 

with the company where 

they agreed to stop IPSS 

in December, but up till 

now they have not stopped 

it. IPSS must go and we 

want individual 

contractors. 

“We no longer want this 

problem of salary delay. 

Heritage pays N4 million 

a day for a hired 

compressor but is unable 

to pay our salaries.” 

Group okays Obaseki’s peace initiatives 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

BENIN — A group, 

Royal Ambassador 

Organization of Nigeria, 

has expressed support for 

Governor Godwin Obasekiled 

administration’s policies 

and programmes in Edo 

State, aimed at ensuring 

sustainable peace across 

the state. 

The Council Adviser, Mr. 

Charles Irikefe Uwhujorho, 

disclosed this during a 

courtesy visit to the 

governor in Benin 

yesterday. 

The Royal Ambassador 

Organization of Nigeria is 

an arm of the Nigeria 

Baptist Convention with the 

aim of working against 

killings, kidnappings, 

cultism and political unrest 

in Nigeria. 

Uwhujorho said the 

group had decided to show 

support for the state 

government’s campaign 

against cultism, thuggery, 

political unrest and other 

social vices, especially as 

the state prepares for the 

2020 gubernatorial election. 

A representative of the 

governor and Senior 

Special Assistant to the 

Governor on Religious 

Matters, Pastor Eghosa 

Omoruyi, said Governor 

Godwin Obaseki has 

demonstrated to be a man 

of peace, adding, “The 

governor stands for peace 

and preaches peace 

because without peace no 

meaningful development 

can take place. 

He urged members of the 

group to take the message 

to youths across the state on 

the need to be responsible 

and embrace peace. 

The State co-ordinator, 

Anti-Social Vices, Pastor 

Paul Arasomwan, said, “We 

are in Government House 

to lend our voice as Royal 

Ambassadors of Baptist 

Conference. Our aim is to 

preach peace and also tell 

our youths to shun 

violence, kidnapping and 

other social vices in our 

society. All we preach is 

peace. We are saying yes 

to peace.”


INDUCTION— 

President, Chairman 

of Council, Nigerian 

Institute of Public 

Relations, NIPR, 

Mallam Mukhtar 

Sirajo, FNIPR (left), 

congratulating 

Director, Public 

Affairs, Ministry of 

The Environment 

and 

Water 

Resources, Kunle 

Adeshina, member, 

NIPR (right). With 

them is Assistant 

Registrar, Kayode 

Yeku, during the 

induction of Lagos 

State Public Affairs 

officers into the 

NIPR. 


GOVERNORSHIP TUSSLE: Supreme Court 

affirms Ortom, Fintiri as winners 

A 

B 

By Okechukwu 

Nnochiri 

U J A — 

GOVERNORS of 

Benue and Adamawa 

states, Samuel Ortom and 

Ahmadu Fintri, heaved a 

sigh of relief, yesterday, as 

the Supreme Court, 

dismissed appeals that 

sought to nullify their 

elections. 

The apex court, in 

unanimous judgements by 

a seven-man panel of 

justices, held that the two 

governors who secured 

their victory on the platform 

of the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, were valid 

winners of governorship 

elections that held in their 

respective states on March 

9, 2019. 

It held that appeals that 

were brought against them 

by governorship 

candidates of the All 

Progressive Congress, 

APC, lacked merit. 

The apex court said it 

found no reason to disturb 

the concurrent decisions of 

both the Governorship 

Election Petition Tribunal 

and the Court of Appeal that 

earlier upheld elections of 

the two governors. 

Though the apex court 

panel was headed by 

Justice Olabode Rhodes- 

Vivour, it was Justice 

Sylvester Ngwuta that read 

the lead judgement in the 

Benue governorship 

dispute, while justice 

Mohammed Dattijo 

delivered the lead verdict 

in the Adamawa State 

gubernatorial tussle. 

While dismissing the 

appeal against governor 

Ortom, Justice Ngwuta, 

held that Emmanuel Jime 

of the APC failed to prove 

his allegation that the 

Benue State governorship 

election was marred by 

over-voting. 

Jime had through his 

counsel, Mr. Yusuf Alli, 

SAN, contended in his 

appeal marked SC/5110/19, 

that Ortom did not secure 

majority of lawful votes at 

the election. 

He told the court that 

disparity between the 

number of accredited voters 

recorded by the Smart Card 

Reader machines used for 

the conduct of the election, 

and the number of votes 

that were eventually 

recorded, rendered 

Ortom’s return invalid. 

He insisted that the 

number of accredited voters 

and the total votes did not 

tally. 

Alli, SAN, argued that his 

client was not required to 

produce witnesses from all 

the disputed polling units 

in the state since his case 

was not based on allegation 

of violence that would 

require evidence from 

eyewitnesses. 

“When the allegation is 

that election results are 

either not properly 

accounted for or not 

properly collated, it is not 

required that witnesses 

would be called from each 

polling unit”, he submitted. 

However, all the 

Respondents in the matter- 

Independent National 

Electoral Commission, 

Ortom and the PDP, prayed 

the court to dismiss the 

appeal which they said 

was not supported with 

any credible evidence. 

INEC’s lawyer, Uyi 

Igunma, described the 

appeal as diversionary, 

alleging that the appellants 

merely dumped documents 

on the tribunal. 

“The appellants relied 

heavily on the Smart Card 

Reader report, but that 

report was not legally 

tendered before the court. 

The issue of card reader 

has been settled by the 

tribunal and they did not 

even raise it at the court of 

appeal. From whichever 

angle we look at it, there is 

no evidence to support this 

appeal”, he added. 

Besides, INEC’s lawyer 

told the court that the 

appellants only called 59 

witnesses when they 

complained about election 

results from 626 polling 

units. 

“Even if the totality of 

their witnesses were to be 

believed they are 

insufficient to prove the 

allegations in the petition. 

“It still will not 

substantially affect the 

results of the election. It is 

merely academic”, INEC 

added. 

On his part, governor 

Ortom’s lawyer, Sebastine 

Hon, SAN, noted that the 

appellants placed heavy 

reliance on a Card Report 

that was struck out by the 

tribunal, in a bid to prove 

their allegation of overvoting. 

“This appeal is overwhelmingly 

dependent on the card reader." 

There'll be massive fight against corruption this 

year —EFCC •Moves to extradite 8 high profile looters for prosecution 

By Demola 

Akinyemi 

I LORIN—THE 

Economic and 

Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, 

yesterday said there would 

be massive fight against 

corruption in Nigeria this 

year, disclosing that the 

commission planned to 

extradite 18 identified high 

profile looters taking refuge 

outside Nigeria to face trial. 

The Acting Chairman of 

EFFC, Mr Ibrahim Magu 

who disclosed this in Ilorin, 

Kwara State, during a chat 

with newsmen, said ’The 

fight against corruption has 

just started, it is being 

renewed this year. It is 

going to be serious 

henceforth”. 

The EFCC Acting 

Chairman who was in 

Ilorin to assess facilities at 

the Ilorin Zonal office of the 

EFCC, said: ”We will 

extradite all looters hiding 

anywhere in the world. I 

think there are about 18 of 

them; I mean high profile 

looters.” 

Magu assured that no 

high profile individual 

involved in corruption 

would be shielded from 

prosecution, saying “all of 

them would be arraigned 

as soon as investigations 

are concluded. There is 

going to be massive fight 

against corruption this year. 

Part of President 

Muhammadu Buhari 

agenda on his visit to 

London is to seek support 

of international bodies in 

the extradition of looters 

hiding in foreign countries. 

I am going round the zonal 

offices to make sure 

everything is under control 

for effective performance 

and I always get in touch 

on daily basis." 

Magu said that there 

would be a massive protests 

against corruption on 

February 14, in 

Abubakar calls for synergy among 

Nigerians to tackle insecurity 

K ADUNA—FORMER 

Head of State, General 

Abdullsalam Abubakar 

(retd), yesterday, urged all 

Nigerians to join hands to 

eradicate the menace of 

insecurity currently 

bedeviling the country. 

Abubakar spoke at the 

Annual award dinner 

organized by Sir Ahmadu 

Bello Memorial 

Foundation in Kaduna, 

where he was the special 

guest of honour. 

He called on younger 

generation and present 

leaders to ensure that there 

is development, progress, 

equity and justice. 

“We will always pray for 

peace and I am appealing 

to all Nigerians to put all 

hands on deck to eradicate 

this menace of insecurity 

currently threatening the 

peace of the country. We 

should try as much as 

possible to give information 

and intelligence reports to 

the security agencies for 

timely action. 

“The late Sir Ahmadu 

Bello was all in all, he was 

a leader who ensured there 

was peace in the country 

and in northern Nigeria in 

particular. He was able to 

do this regardless of tribe 

or religious affiliations; he 

did what is right and carried 

collaboration with NYSC 

youth corps members 

across the federation. 

He informed that he was 

unperturbed about his 

status as an Acting 

Chairman that he was 

working even as he 

described the development 

as an act of God. 

According to him, ”I feel 

good as an acting 

chairman. I am performing 

so I am not worried.” 

On whether his better off as a 

Chairman than an Acting 

Chairman, he said: ‘’I don’t know. 

God appoints and God 

disappoint; when God says you 

will be there, whether you are 

confirmed or not it does not 

matter.” 

everybody along. He 

ensured that there was 

development across board,” 

he said. 

Abubakar assured 

continued support to the 

foundation to enable it 

realised its vision of 

encouraging those in 

power to emulate late Sir 

Ahmadu Bello, in actions 

and deeds. 

Abubakar congratulated 

the awardees, saying that 

they were all worthy to be 

honoured for their 

contributions to humanity. 

Alhaji Babangida 

Aliyu, Chairman, Board 

of Trustee of the 

foundation, said the 

awardees had 

c o n t r i b u t e d 

tremendously as 

individuals or through 

their organizations to 

the development of 

Northern Nigeria and 

Nigeria in general. 

“On behalf of all the 

awardees, I want to say a 

very big thank you and 

that we are humbled for 

counting us worthy and 

targeted for this great 

honour,” she said. 

The former first Lady 

charged the foundation 

not to relent on promoting 

the ideals of the late 

premier. 

Niger Assembly grants Bello 

approval for N25bn Sukuk bond 

MINNA—THE Niger 

State House of 

Assembly, yesterday, 

granted Governor 

Abubakar Bello approval to 

access a N25billion Sukuk 

bond. 

The lawmakers had asked 

the governor to provide the 

duration of the repayment 

plan and sought more 

information regarding 

some of the road projects 

to be embarked upon. 

In a response to their 

request through a letter 

read on the floor of the 

House by the Speaker, 

Alhaji Abdullahi Wuse, 

the governor noted that 

the tenure of the Sukuk 

bond was not more than 

seven years. 

The governor also gave 

a breakdown of the 

locations of the RAMP 

roads totaling 235.19km 

as requested by the 

lawmakers. 

The lawmakers 

thereafter unanimously 

gave the governor the 

green light to access the 

N25bn Sukuk bond 

through a voice vote 

without referring it to the 

relevant committee for 

further scrutiny as is the 

practice. 

The governor had, in a 

correspondence read at 

plenary on January 16, 

explained that the 

government intends to take 

the bond because of its 

commitment to the objective 

of transforming the state. 

According to the 

governor: “The 

government reviewed its 

capital intensive 

development projects and 

resolved in some high 

leveraged projects and 

high impactful visible 

projects."

14 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

THISDAY NEWSPAPER 25TH ANNIVERSARY/AWARDS 

THISDAY Newspaper, one of Nigeria's top newspapers celebrates 25 years of meritorious service to the 

people with Merit Awards to the most outstanding personalities in the country. The event held at the 

Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos attracted bigwigs in the country. Photos: AKEEM SALAU. 

•From left: Prince Nduka Obaigbena,Publisher, Thisday Newspaper; Kashim 

Ibrahim-Imam,Mrs. Sally Udo Udoma; John Legend and Senator Udo Udoma 

at the event. 

•From left: Mr Sam Amuka,Publisher, Vanguard Newspapers; Mallam Ismaila 

Isa Funtua, Chairman, Bulet International Construction Company and 

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former EFCC Chairman. 

•From left: Simon Kolawole, Publisher, The Cable; Mr Eze Anaba, Editor 

Vanguard Newspaper; Mr Gbenga Adefaye,GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard 

Newspapers; Mr Eniola Bello,Managing Director Thisday and Waziri 

Adio,Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative 

(NEITI). 

•From left: Alhaji Aliko Dangote;President, Dangote Group,Mele 

Kyari,Group Managing Director. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation 

NNPC,and Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary General, 

Commonwealth, during the presentation of Company of the Decade Award 

to Dangote Group. 

•From left: Mr Jim Ovia, Chairman; Mr. Ebenezer 

Onyeagwu,Group Managing Director/CEO 

and Dr. Temitope Fasoranti, Executive Director, all 

of Zenith Bank Plc. 

•Ms Hadiza Bala Usman,Managing Director, Nigerian 

Ports Authority, NPA, (Left) and Mr. Herbert Wigwe, 

GMD Access Bank Plc during the presentation of 

Bank of the Decade award to Access Bank. 

• Mr Kennedy Uzoka,GMD\CEO United Bank for Africa 

(left) and Mr. Bili Odum,Company Secretary, UBA. 

•From left: Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Afenifere leader; Mr 

Peter Obi, Former Anambra State Governor and his 

wife Margret, during the presentation of Governor of 

the Decade Award to Mr. Peter Obi. 

•From left: Adamu Mu'azu,Former PDP National 

Chairman; Faruk Saleh, Group CEO of Metro 

Capital Advisory Group (MCAG) and Femi Otedola, 

Founder, Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited. 

•From left: Akin Akinfenwa, Director/CEO Geregu 

Power Plc; Eyono Fatayi-Williams, General 

Manager, External Relations & Sustainable 

Development Nigeria, LNG, Limited and Ibrahim 

Magu, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, EFCC. 

•From left: Mr Alfred I. Okoigun, Founder/ 

Group Managing Director of ARCO Group Plc; 

Engr. Simbi K. Wabote, Executive Secretary, Nigerian 

Content Development and Monitoring Board 

(NCDMB) and Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Chairman 

BOT SESSP. 

From left:Abdul Imoyo,Head Media Relations, 

Access bank;Mr Ayo Aminu,Editor New Telegraph 

Newspaper and Mr Rahmon Nasir, 

•From left: Chief Mrs Tessa Egbe Ikimi; Lady 

Maiden Ibru, Publisher,The Guardian Newspaper 

and Mrs. Sally Udo Udoma.

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020—15 

AWARD: Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi (middle); assisted by his 

wife, Margaret (left), receiving Thisday award of the “Governor of the Decade,” from 

Chief Ayo Adebanjo (right) at Eko Hotel on Monday. 

Uzodinma vs Ihedioha: 9 lawmakers 

defect to APC, give reasons 

•Deputy Speaker resigns 

•As reactions continue on S-Court verdict 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—AS reactions 

continued to trail the 

judgment of the Supreme 

Court on Imo gubernatorial 

election, nine lawmakers of 

Imo State House of Assembly, 

yesterday, defected to All 


APC, to join the government 

of Senator Hope Uzodinma, 

increasing the number of 

APC lawmakers to 10. 

Deputy Speaker of the 

House, Okey Onyekanma of 

Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, also resigned his 

position as the deputy 

speaker of the House. He 

said his resignation was 

based on the political zoning 

formula in the state. 

The Speaker of the House, 

Chiji Collins, who had earlier 

defected fromAll Progressive 

Grand Alliance, APGA, to 

PDP to clinch the speaker’s 

position is yet to announce his 

defection. 

The member representing 

Ideato North state 

constituency, Arthur Egwim, 

who also defected from Action 

Alliance, AA, to APC, said 

he defected because there 

“is confusion and division in 

AA." 

Amarachi Iwuanyanwu 

representing Nwangele, 

who defected from PDP to 

APC said he had not been 

invited to critical meetings of 

his party. 

Chidebere Obulimba, 

representing Okigwe moved 

from PDP to APC "to move 

the state forward". 

Obinna Okwara, 

representing Nkwerre 

moved from AA to APC 

because “his constituency 

asked him to join APC.” 

Also, Paul Emeziem moved 

from APGA to APC because 

of the “crisis in APGA” , just 

as the member representing 

Orsu, Ekenne Nnomelu also 

moved from APGA to APC 

because “there is 

factionalisation in APGA.” 

Duru Onunaka, 

representing Ideato South, 

moved from AA to APC, 

claiming “there is division in 

AA” while Ngozi Obiefule 

representing Isu State 

constituency moved from AA 

to APC, saying: “There is 

unrest in her former party, 

AA”. 

Similarly, the member 

representing Ohaji/Egbema, 

Cyriacus Okoro, moved from 

PDP to APC, saying his 

defection was for personal 

reasons. 

After the defection 

announcement, the Attorney- 

General of Imo State, 

Cyprian Akaolisa, appointed 

by Governor Hope 

Uzodinma, was called in for 

screening and he was 

confirmed by the House of 

Assembly. 

Immediately after, the 

speaker adjourned the sitting 

till 28th of January 2020. 

Reactions over 

S-Court verdict 

Meantime, Imo State 

stakeholders, yesterday, 

continued to bare their minds 

on the verdict of the Supreme 

Court, that voided the 

government of Emeka 

Ihedioha (PDP) and upheld 

Senator Hope 

Uzodinma(APC) as the 

validly elected governor of 

Imo State. 

Many of the stakehoders, 

who spoke to Vanguard in 

Owerri said they were happy 

by the decision of the apex 

court, while others said there 

was nothing to rejoice about. 

For Mr Sam Anokam, a 

community leader in Ihiagwa 

community, Owerri West 

Local Government Area, 

Uzodinma should start work 

immediately and prove his 

readiness to change the state 

for better, adding that all of 

them that contested rigged 

the election. 

Anokam said: “Since 

independence, we are still 

craving for development. 

There is poverty in the land 

and people are running away 

to other countries looking for 

greener pastures. Those who 

are here are dying 

installmentally and 

businesses are not thriving. 

“We are praying that there 

will be a change in the system 

and our leaders must think 

for the betterment of this 

nation. 

“This Hope Uzodinma’s 

emergence is not a new thing 

in the politics of Nigeria. It is 

how you are able to strategise 

with your machinery. To tell 

you that they don’t rig is a 

lie. All of them rigged the 

election. It’s just how you are 

able to outrig the other 

person. So, let every fray 

nerves calm down, let us 

have peace. Ihedioha has 

introduced calmness in the 

state and it should be 

sustained.” 

He advised that 

“Uzodinma should look at 

the aspect of things Ihedioha 

has introduced and ensure 

that he continues. Uzodinma 

should bring in his own ideas 

that will help the masses. He 

should begin work now." 

A chieftain of the All 


APC, and former state 

secretary of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, Mr 

George Egu, argued that 

the Supreme court did 

the right thing 

Egu: said: “Yes, Ihedioha 

should not be declared the 

winner of the election. It’s 

wrong for INEC to declare 

Ihedioha winner. The 

Supreme Court did the right 

thing." 

Reacting also, former 

chairman of Imo State 

Traditional Rulers Council, 

Eze Cletus Ilomunanya, 

urged the governor to be 

magnanimous in victory. 

“He enjoined Imo people 

at home and in the Diaspora 

to join hands with the 

governor to ensure he 

succeeds as according to 

him, governance is team 

work." 

He said: “I have known 

Governor Uzodinma for 

many years. He is astute, 

tenacious and has the 

capacity to restore the lost 

glory of Imo. He is also kind 

hearted and charismatic and 

I'm sure he will run an all 

inclusive government.I 

implore well-meaning 

Imolites not to relent in 

offering useful advice that 

will help the governor." 

...S-Court shouldn't smear 

her image — Ohanaeze 

By Peter Okutu 

ABAKALIKI —THE 

apex Igbo socio-cultural 

organisation, Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, yesterday, stated 

that the kind of controversy 

the judgment on Imo 

governorship election 

evoked should make the 

Supreme Court have a 

rethink not to smear her 

credibility in the mud. 

In a statement in Abakaliki 

by Prince Uche Achi- 

Okpaga, National Publicity 

Secretary, Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo Worldwide, the 

organisation noted: 

“Ohanaeze is not disposed to 

be dragged into this raging 

controversy at this time. All 

we expect is that the 

Supreme Court should be 

relied upon as a court that 

respects the rule of law and 

not only dispenses justice but 

makes justice seem to have 

been done. 

“I have been inundated 

with calls and text messages 

on a media report credited to 

Uche Okwukwu, the 

estranged Secretary General 

of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to the 

effect that Ohanaeze 

supports Senator Hope 

Uzodinma of APC, who was 

recently declared as the 

governor of Imo State by the 

Supreme Court. 

500 Anambra youths benefit 

from foundation’s skill 

acquisition programme 

By Nwabueze 

Okonkwo 

ONITSHA— 

A 

charitable organisation 

under the aegis of Prince 

Tabansi Foundation, PTF, has 

commenced the training of no 

fewer than 500 unemployed 

youths from Anambra State 

on skill acquisition 

programmes which 

particularly focused on 

entrepreneurial ventures. 

The beneficiaries were 

drawn from the six 

component villages of Nri 

Kingdom in Anaocha Local 

Government Area of the state 

and are expected to be 

trained for three months by 

selected business experts. 

They would also be assisted 

with cash and other necessary 

starter packs as soon as their 

training programmes are 

over. 

Mrs. Uju Tabansi-Duru, 

chairman of the foundation, 

who disclosed this at the 

commissioning ceremony of 

a multi million naira 

“It is just very apt to say that 

Uche Okwukwu is gasping 

for media attention and finds 

Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a 

veritable 'okada' to quicken his 

velocity. 

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not 

and has not made any such 

statement. If at all such a story 

should be credited to 

Ohanaeze, it should also 

include Okwukwu’s status in 

Ohanaeze. 

"Recall that prior to the last 

presidential election, 

Okwukwu breached his 

duties and prostituted his 

office and powers, including 

usurping the powers and 

duties of the President- 

General as a result of which 

he was suspended 

indefinitely as Secretary 

General of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo. The fact that he was 

used and thrown away, like 

toilet tissue by his pay masters 

is a story for another day. 

“I, therefore, implore 

Okwukwu to steer clear of 

Ohanaeze, enjoy his 

indefinite suspension and as 

well, continue to lick his selfinflicted 

political wounds. 

“Any judgment of the apex 

court that evokes the kind of 

controversy this particular 

one has evoked should make 

the Supreme Court to have a 

rethink in order not to smear 

her credibility in the mud." 

children’s recreational 

facilities she donated to 

Nrijiofor Primary School, Nri, 

noted that "the essence of the 

training was to touch the lives 

of our teeming unemployed 

youths/less privileged ones 

in the society, as well as 

provide our children with 

playing facilities and 

educational materials." 

She further noted that the 

measure was part of efforts to 

immortalise their late father, 

Prince Reuben Tabansi. 

According to Mrs Tabansi- 

Duru, who was represented 

by the eldest son of the late 

father, Prince Oba Ikechukwu 

Tabansi, “We felt that this is a 

way of promoting our father’s 

life and tide by giving back 

to the society exactly what he 

had normally been giving 

them during his life time. 

“At this point, we also made 

provision for the training of 

not less than 500 youths on 

skill acquisition and we 

selected qualified persons 

each from the villages on 

educational scholarship 

scheme to tertiary level.” 

Enugu LGs polls: Commercial 

activities shut down in 

Nsukka for Omeje 

By Chinenyeh 

Ozor 

C activities 

OMMERCIAL 

were 

yesterday shut down in the 

university town of Nsukka in 

a solidarity rally for Patrick 

Omeje's emergence as 

People’s Democratic Party, 

PDP, flag-bearer of Nsukka 

local government council for 

the February 29 local 

government election across 

the 17 council areas of the 

state. 

Omeje was endorsed by 

PDP stakeholders in Nsukka 

for the second term in office 

after an emergency meeting 

of the party in respect to the 

council election, which 

sparked heightened tension 

in the university community, 

over who occupies the 

number one position of 

Nsukka local government 

council. 

In total support of PDP 

stakeholders of Nsukka Local 

Government Area, Enugu 

State, commercial and social 

activities were halted for 

several hours as traders, 

artisans, women groups, 

transport workers union, 

youth groups, women 

groups, motorcyclists and 

keke operators took to the 

streets of Nsukka and 

hinterlands dancing and 

chanting solidarity songs in 

support of the good works of 

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi 

in Enugu State and the 

achievements of Chief 

Omeje during his first tenure 

as the council chairman. 

The solidarity rally took the 

supporters from Nsukka 

urban to Eden Ani, Eha- 

Alumona and Opi 

communities with placards 

and T-shirts that read: 

“Thanks Gburugburu for the 

good works in Enugu”; 

"Omeje is the answer for 

Nsukka LGA”; "Gov. 

Ugwuanyi empowered 

youths”; and “Traders now 

smile'.


:Vanguard News :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnews 

PRESENTATION: 

From left— Speaker 

African Students Union 

Parliament, ASUP, Rt. 

Hon. Kewul Suleh; 

Founder/Chief Operating 

Officer, TAJBank, 

Mr. Hamid Joda and 

Co-founder/Chief 

Marketing Officer of 

the bank, Mr. Sherif Idi, 

during the presentation 

of Pan African Leadership 

Prize for Excellence 

award to Mr. Joda 

by ASUP in Abuja. 

Polls re-run: Akpabio on ballot as INEC reject 

substitution of candidates 

By Omezia Ajayi 

A 

B U J A — 

INDICATIONS 

emerged yesterday that the 



INEC, may have rejected 

the new candidate of the 

ruling All Progressives 

Congress APC for 

Saturday’s re-run elections 

in Akwa Ibom North-West 

senatorial district. 

Following the 

appointment of its 

candidate, Sen. Godswill 

Akpabio as Minister for 

Niger Delta Affairs, APC 

had last month forwarded 

a replacement to INEC for 

the re-run election slated for 

this Saturday. 

However, speaking, 

yesterday, in Abuja during 

the swearing in of two new 

Resident Electoral 

Commissioners RECs, Dr 

Alalibo Sinikiem Johnson 

from Bayelsa State and 

Umar Mukhtar Gajiram 

from Borno State, 

Chairman of the 

Commission, Prof. 

Mahmood Yakubu said, 

since the re-run elections 

are court-ordered exercises, 

political parties are barred 

by law from substituting 

their candidates. 

“On Saturday this week, 

elections will hold in 28 

constituencies spread 

across 11 States of the 

Federation. Six of these 

elections involve entire 

constituencies while 22 

elections will be held only 

in some polling units. In all 

the constituencies, the 

elections will be contested 

by the same political parties 

and candidates that 

participated in the 2019 

general election except 

where the elections were 

nullified on grounds of 

candidate disqualification. 

The two affected 

constituencies are Gamawa 

Federal Constituency in 

Bauchi State and Agwara 

State Constituency in Niger 

State where elections will be 

held without the candidates 

and parties that were 

declared winners in the 

general election. There will 

be no substitution of 

candidates as these are not 

Edo: Rep holds advocacy program on 

domestic violence for constituents 

By Ozioruva Aliu 

BENIN CITY—THE 

lawmaker representing 

Egor/Ikpobha-Okha 

federal constituency in the 

House of Representatives, 

Hon Jude Ise-Idehen 

yesterday advised 

members of his 

constituents against gender 

domestic violence even as 

he appealed for peaceful 

co-existence and urged 

them explore legitimate 

means of resolving differences 

rather than resorting 

to violence. 

bye-elections but court-ordered 

re-run elections and 

the period for nomination 

of candidates had lapsed 

since the end of 2018 in 

preparation for the 2019 

general election”, Yakubu 

said. 

INEC also announced its 

readiness for the 28 re-run 

elections which would take 

place across 11 states of the 

Federation. 

“I wish to assure 

Nigerians that the 

Commission is ready for the 

re-run elections. All 

sensitive and non-sensitive 

materials have been 

deployed to the States, 

stakeholders’ meetings 

have been held, security 

He stated this at a one 

day advocacy programme 

on women domestic violence 

which he facilitated 

through the Institute for 

Peace and Conflict Resolution 

for members of his constituents. 

Represented by Ernest 

Amadasun, Ise-Idehen 

said he was committed to 

giving representation that 

would make the 

constituency better than he 

met. 

On his part., the Director 

General of the Institute, Dr 

Bakut T. Bakut said the 

programme was apt as it is 

CRS: BeeBeeJump Solar takes clean 

environment campaign to Lagos park, others 

By Emmanuel 

Okogba 

LAGOS—AS part of its 

corporate social 

responsibility, 

BeeBeeJump International, 

makers of unique smart 

solar power, sanitized the 

Obalende motor park and 

its environs even as it called 

on Lagosians and 

Nigerians to always clean 

up and protect their 

environment. 

The clean-up which is the first 

of its kind for the company will 

extend to other parts of the state 

in partnership with relevant 

agencies of the Lagos State 

government. 

According to Efosa Aimiuwu, 

Brand Manager BeeBeeJump 

Solar, “the idea behind the 

campaign is to encourage a 

greener society, a cleaner 

environment, a better Lagos and 

a healthier environment. 

“We say health is wealth. If you 

are not healthy, you cannot go 

out and make a living for yourself 

and your family. That is why we 

are here today to clean up the 

environment here in Obalende 

and to also encourage everyone 

to focus on green energy and 

advocate for the culture of caring 

for our environment. 

“BeeBeeJump as the leading 

solar power company in Nigeria 

and an eco-friendly company decided 

to come out here today, as 

part of our contribution, as you 

can see with members of our staff 

to engage ourselves in 

community cleaning because we 

believe that health is wealth, we 

also believe in a clean Lagos State 

and want to encourage 

Government for their efforts in 

keeping Lagos clean.” 

BeeBeeJump Solar powers 

businesses, homes with a range 

of products for everyone and is 

an alternative for electricity and 

helps prevent pollution. Some of 

the products come with up to 5 

years warranty and gift items. 

arrangements are being finalised 

while training and 

posting of ad hoc staff as 

well as the configuration of 

Smart Card Readers are 

ongoing. Where the 

elections involve entire 

constituencies, National as 

well as some Resident 

Electoral Commissioners 

will be deployed”, the 

INEC boss stated. 

He said the Commission 

will work with security 

agencies to ensure 

adequate protection of 

election officials, accredited 

observers, the media and 

the processes generally 

against acts inimical to the 

conduct of peaceful and 

credible elections. 

coming at a time when 

there are multiplicity of 

incidences of women 

domestic violence across 

the country and lamented 

that the challenge of gender 

based violence was global 

and that it is a gross human 

rights violation. 

Represented by Okafor 

Gerald of the Directorate of 

Defence and Security 

Studies in the Institute, 

Bakut said there is an 

alarming global statistics of 

violence against women 

which showed that one in 

every three women has 

suffered one form of 

violence. 

He said there are several 

factors promoting this trend 

which he said included 

“Socially acceptable norms 

that promote gender 

inequality, poverty, gender 

discrimination, poor 

reporting and response 

mechanism among others.” 

He said that legal and 

institutional framework 

have been instituted both at 

the national and state levels 

to address the problem 

of gender based violence in 

Nigeria. 

In his lecture, Okafor 

recommended that women 

networks should be encouraged 

at the community levels to enable 

women learn new skills and talk 

about the issue of gender based 

violence. 

Halliburton takes $2.2bn charge on 

shale slump 

UNITES States (US) oilfield services firm Hallibur 

ton Corporation yesterday disclosed a $2.2 billion 

charge to earnings as weakening North American shale activity 

continued to hit the industry. 

The charge for asset impairments was centered on hydraulic 

fracturing and legacy drilling equipment units, and employee 

severance costs, the company said. Halliburton dismissed 

8% of its North American staff at mid-year, and later 

cut staff across several western U.S. states. 

U.S. producers are pulling back on drilling and completing 

wells, pressured by investor demands to focus on debt reduction 

and returns. 

Apple drops plan for encrypting backups 

after FBI complained 

APPLE Incorporated dropped plans to let iPhone us 

ers fully encrypt backups of their devices in the company’s 

iCloud service after the FBI complained that the move 

would harm investigations, six sources familiar with the matter 

told Reuters. 

The tech giant’s reversal, about two years ago, has not previously 

been reported. It shows how much Apple has been 

willing to help U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies, 

despite taking a harder line in high-profile legal disputes 

with the government and casting itself as a defender of 

its customers’ information. 

The long-running tug of war between investigators’ concerns 

about security and tech companies’ desire for user privacy 

moved back into the public spotlight last week, as U.S. 

Attorney General William Barr took the rare step of publicly 

calling on Apple to unlock two iPhones used by a Saudi Air 

Force officer who shot dead three Americans at a Pensacola, 

Florida naval base last month. 

African fintech Flutterwave gets $35m, 

partners with WorldPay 

AFRICA-focused fintech firm Flutterwave yesterday 

announced a $35 million fundraising round and partnerships 

with WorldPay and Visa as it targets expansion in 

northern and Francophone Africa. 

The startup, founded in 2016 by Nigerians and headquartered 

in San Francisco, specializes in individual and consumer 

transfers — one of several fintech firms aiming to 

facilitate and capitalize on Africa’s booming payments market. 

As part of the deal, Flutterwave will become the African 

payment provider for Worldpay’s clients worldwide, making 

the company the latest African fintech firm to attract global 

cash and big-name partnerships. While the agreement is not 

exclusive, it is WorldPay’s only partner on the continent. 

Uber tests feature allowing some California 

drivers to set fares 

UBER Technologies Inc on Tuesday said it is testing 

a feature that allows some drivers in California to set 

their own fares, hoping the change will help it show that its 

drivers are independent contractors rather than employees 

under state law. 

Uber drivers ferrying passengers from airports in Santa 

Barbara, Palm Springs and Sacramento can now charge up 

to five times the fare set by the company, Uber said. 

The company in a statement said it has made these and 

several other product changes to preserve flexible work for its 

drivers since California’s new law designed to improve working 

conditions in the gig economy went into effect this year. 

Wall Street rally pauses amid China virus outbreak, 

growth fears 

NITES States (US) stock indexes slipped yester 

day as worries about the fallout from a deadly virus 

outbreak in China and a gloomy growth outlook from the 

IMF paused a record-setting rally on Wall Street. 

The developments soured the mood for US investors returning 

from a long holiday weekend. Strong data, the signing 

of the Phase 1 U.S.-China trade deal and an upbeat start 

to fourth-quarter earnings season had sent the main indexes 

to fresh high last week. 

Chinese officials on Tuesday confirmed the new coronavirus 

outbreak took six lives and that it could spread between 

humans, stoking fears of a global pandemic and reviving 

memories of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)— 

another coronavirus outbreak that killed nearly 800 people in 

2002-03. 

With the virus spreading just ahead of the Chinese New 

Year holidays, travel stocks including Delta Air Lines Inc 

(DAL.N), United Airlines Holdings Inc (UAL.O) and American 

Airlines Group Inc (AAL.O) fell between 1.5 percent and 

2.6 percent. 

Stories credited to Reuters



WE are seriously perturbed by the 

lamentations of the Minister of 

Transportation, Hon. Chibuike 

Amaechi, who was recently on one of 

his monthly inspection tours of the 

Lagos-Ibadan section of the Lagos- 

Kano standard gauge railway project. 

He complained bitterly that the 

project being constructed by the China 

Civil Engineering Construction 

Company, CCECC, was suffering 

intolerable delays. The project, which 

is billed to go into full operation by 

April this year, ought to be completed 

this month but work had slowed down 

on the ten railway stations along the 

route. 

According to him: “The delay is 

becoming an embarrassment and I 

think we need to meet with the 

CCECC…The speed has reduced 

drastically at this time, we need to meet 

with the management of the CCECC”. 

Avoidable contract delay is one of 

the greatest reasons that Nigeria is far 

CCECC should not sabotage the 

Lagos-Ibadan railway 

behind in infrastructural development. 

Delay is often linked to corruption, 

ineptitude, lack of timely fund releases 

to contractors and policy inconsistency 

linked to regime changes. 

The Lagos-Kano standard gauge 

railway has no reason whatsoever to 

suffer from delays because the most 

important cause of such - regular fund 

release - has been tackled. 

The fund has been secured from 

China. The monthly inspections by the 

ministerial team mean the Federal 

Government is hands-on with this 

project. 

Moreover, the Chinese who are 

spearheading this contract have 

proved, even in the African continent, 

that they have the technological 

capacity to deliver such projects in 

astonishingly record times and at 

much lower costs than what we 

experience in Nigeria. 

For instance, the 780-kilometre 

Ethiopia - Djibouti railway project was 

conceived in 2007, flagged off in 2011 

and completed in 2017 at the cost of 

$4bn borrowed from China. 

In our own case, the Lagos - Kano 

railway project was conceived during 

the President Olusegun Obasanjo 

regime, but serious work on the 

Lagos - Ibadan section only became 

visible under the current regime with 

Hon. Amaechi in charge of its 

implementation. 

Almost five years on, we are still 

talking about the completion of the 156 

kilometres-long Lagos - Ibadan 

section. One wonders when the rest 

of the sections from Ibadan through 

Abuja to Kano will be completed at 

this pace of work. Why can’t we work 

to rebuild our battered country the way 

others do? 

Delay usually results in inflation of 

contract costs. Since we are doing this 

contract mainly with Chinese debt, the 

delay will mean an increase in the size 

of indebtedness by the time it is 

eventually completed. 

We call on Minister Amaechi to get 

to the bottom of the delay and make 

sure it never happens again. 

OPINION 

The boiling debate on Operation Amotekun 

By ADEWALE KUPOLUYI 

OPERATION Amotekun; hurriedly put 

together under the auspices of the 

Western Nigeria Security Network, WNSN, 

by state governors in the South-west, continues 

to elicit wide reactions from a cross-section of 

Nigerians at home and abroad. This should 

be expected because of the political and 

security implications of that decision, which 

has been described as creative, innovative, and 

timely, even though some critics, on the other 

hand, do not agree on its uniqueness. 

The truth is that many things are wrong with 

our dear country. Certain schools of thought 

would argue that this should be expected 

because of our stage or phase of development 

which other advanced nations had passed 

through. Divergent positions would strongly 

feel that the problem with our country is rather 

borne out of sheer bad governance. 

What appears to be the main difference 

between the two positions is that while the first 

cannot be influenced, meaning that nature 

would have to fully take its course, the second 

option can be self-determined in the sense that 

a responsible state and government are 

saddled with the constitutional responsibility 

of providing good governance to the people. 

Irrespective of the bane of Nigeria’s present 

conditions, recurring insecurity, poverty, acute 

unemployment, and political instability are 

arguably the features of the polity. There is 

hardly any part of the country that is safe. 

Terrible cases of kidnapping, abduction, rape, 

fraud, armed robbery, and other forms of crime 

and criminality have become the nation’s 

burden. 

The severity of this insecurity seems to have 

overwhelmed our security agencies that are 

bogged down by poor funding, inadequate 

equipment, and limited personnel. South-west 

states, just like other geopolitical zones, are at 

the receiving end of the insecurity problems. 

The Operation Amotekun initiative is 

certainly a timely defensive response to the 

litany of crime and criminality plaguing 

Yorubaland. This self-help gesture is quick 

interventions by state governors to enable them 

to act as real chief security officers of their 

respective jurisdictions. It is ridiculous for any 

state governor to parade himself as the chief 

security officer without justifying why state 

resources would still be committed to 

unaccountable security votes that have become 

a subject of public condemnation. 

Therefore, the action taken by the chief 

executives, though angrily taken, is still 

responsive, proactive and relevant, to protect 

the lives and property of their subjects because 

of the inability and failure of the central 

government to effectively discharge this 

constitutional 

obligation. 

The Amotekun initiative is supported on the 

premise that each segment of the Nigerian 

state has its peculiarity in terms of security 

landscape and topography, culture, language, 

and unique needs. 

This supports the much-clamoured 

community/state/local policing, which 

captures what Amotekun initiative attempts 

to achieve for the people. It is purely locallydriven 

by locales for the good of the locality. 

This arrangement is allowed under the 

subsisting federal constitution that we have. 

This is contrary to the belief in certain quarters 

that the task of protecting people’s lives and 

property is exclusively the duty of the national 

government. 

This is where there is a mix-up as national 

security covers both internal and external 

security (defence). The South-west states never 

clamoured for external security, what they had 

always strived for is internal security against 

intruders such as herdsmen, armed robbers, 

kidnappers, and other criminal elements 

killing, maiming and wreaking havoc. Hence, 

this is where the Attorney-General of the 

Federation erred by 

declaring Amotekun illegal by taking 

internal security for defence. On the point of 

law and jurisprudence, he is incompetent to 

make such declaration as only a court of 

competent jurisdiction can do so. For the legal 

status of Amotekun, either of the parties could 

approach the Supreme Court, to clear any 

doubt. 

As laudable as the Amotekun initiative is, 

the necessary legal framework was not 

properly put in place before the official launch. 

The Nigerian legal system frowns at any 

retroactive legislation and the operation 

Operation Amotekun initiative 

is a timely defensive response to 

the litany of crime and 

criminality plaguing Yorubaland 

should have been duly registered ab initio. In 

the ‘eyes’ of the law, the respective state houses 

of assembly should have enacted the enabling 

laws before Amotekun can be officially 

considered as a legal entity to carry on security 

business in Nigeria. It is trite to also aver that 

the operation of the body cannot be considered 

a regional body; rather, it can only operate as 

respective state security apparatus, even 

though the Yoruba nation cuts across the six 

states, and the Diaspora. 

Nigerians should not read unnecessary 

meanings into the operation of the new group. 

It is a communal attempt at tackling the series 

of security challenges facing our people. It is 

not a pre-meditated effort to exterminate a 

particular group of people, secede from the 

republic, or promote certain political agenda. 

It is also not a creation to compete with the 

existing security agencies or cause mayhem 

for the incumbent national government, but is 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

meant to complement security activities. The 

Federal Government has been accused of 

being biased in handling cases involving the 

herders because of the arrogance of the 

umbrella body; Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders 

Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) by 

repeatedly making inciting, provocative and 

inflammatory statements. 

To prove critics wrong, Yoruba leaders and 

South-west state governors should commit the 

activities of the new body into a written 

document that would spell out its modus 

operandi, sustainability, funding, and 

limitations. By this, they would not only let the 

world know that they are serious about what 

they are professing; it would afford them the 

opportunity to affirm that they are not out for 

any ulterior motive. To 

the Amotekun officers, they should not let the 

tasks given to them get into their heads. There 

is nothing special in what they are doing. It is 

simply a community service. It should not be 

used to settle personal scores or commit a crime 

to earn a living. 

Beyond the euphoria and anger of 

establishing the security outfit, the respective 

state governments should put strong 

administrative machinery in place to 

coordinate affairs of the new vigilante group 

that could be complex. It should not be reduced 

to primitive set-up. Though locally-centered, 

the use of technology should be embraced for 

effective service delivery in the areas of 

collaboration with other internal security 

agencies like the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria 

Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department 

of State Services, among others. It should not 

be operated like a guerrilla group or be 

misconstrued as a cultist or fetish group. We 

should remember that the South-west is made 

of people of different religions, sub-cultures, 

traditions, and political affiliations. It should 

operate strictly as a non-religious, apolitical 

and tribal-oriented force. 

•Kupoluyi wrote from the Federal University 

of Agriculture, Abeokuta

By Yinka Kolawole 

Nigerian and United King 

dom (UK) investors have 

sealed commercial deals worth 

more than N153.4 billion at the 

inaugural UK-Africa Investment 

Summit held yesterday in London. 

Disclosing this in a statement 

made available to Vanguard, 

the British Deputy High Commission 

in Lagos, said that the 

summit, which was designed 

to create lasting new partnerships 

that deliver more investment, 

jobs and growth, benefitting 

people and businesses 

across Nigeria and the UK, featured 

announcements of commercial, 

trade and investment 

deals. 

Specifically, the N153.4 billion 

deals were announced by Savannah 

(for gas asset); Low 

Energy Designs (for street lighting); 

Trilliant (for smart metering 

for Abuja DisCo); and Tex 

ATC (for airport control room 

towers). 

On trade and investment support, 

the Department for International 

Development (DFID) 

launched three major 

programmes that will benefit 

African countries, including Nigeria. 

These are: N13.1 billion Investment 

Promotion 

Programme for Nigeria and 

South Africa to stimulate Foreign 

Direct Investment (FDI) 

and facilitate technology and 

knowledge transfer; N17.5 billion 

Growth Gateway 

programme, offering trade and 

investment business support 

services across Africa; and N9.5 

billion Trade Connect 

programme to increase exports 

from Africa to the rest of the 

world through the provision of 

direct support and advice. 

Commenting, British High 

Commissioner Catriona Laing, 

who attended the Summit, 


Nigeria, UK investors seal N153.4bn 

commercial deals 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

SDR 

DANISH 

RAND 

$ 110.10 -2.05 

$2,822.00 25.00 

$14.53 0.08 

$65.01 -0.19 

$58.51 - 0.03 

305.95 306.45 306.95 

397.5208 398.1705 398.8201 

339.1456 339.6998 340.2541 

315.7053 316.2212 316.7372 

2.7761 2.7806 2.7851 

0.4989 0.5089 0.5189 

421.6407 422.3297 423.0188 

44.556 44.6293 44.7025 

81.5454 81.6786 81.8119 

422.3946 423.0849 423.7752 

45.3797 45.4539 45.528 

21.0514 21.0858 21.1202 

CBN Exchange rate as at 21/01/2020 

said: “Nigeria has already secured 

billions of naira worth of 

deals from the summit. With 

the launch of an exciting range 

of initiatives to help investors 

identify opportunities in Nigeria, 

I am confident much more 

will follow. ” 

Also speaking, Head of Department 

for International Development 

(DFID) in Nigeria, 

Chris Pycroft, said: “The private 

sector has a critical role to play 

in supporting Nigeria’s economic 

growth and in creating 

the jobs that Nigeria’s young 

and growing population need. 

The UK-Africa Investment Summit 

was an excellent opportunity 

for Nigeria to show off the 

wealth of opportunities it offers 

businesses, from agriculture to 

mining to tech.” 

From left: Second Vice President, Nigeria Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association 

(NLGPA), Ladi Falola; First Vice President, Engr. Duru Baylon; President, Nuhu 

Yakubu; Deputy President, Felix Ekundayo; Treasurer, Diton Oyekan and Deputy 

Treasurer, Damilola Oshodi, at the 2019 NLGPA Annual General Meeting in Lagos... 

yesterday. 

Investors’ confidence in Nigeria drops below 9yr 

average — ACCA survey 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

Investors’ confidence in 

Nigeria’s economy dropped 

below its nine years average according 

to a survey by the Association 

of Chartered Certified Accountants 

(ACCA) and Institute 

of Management Accountants 

(IMA). 

The association disclosed this 

yesterday in its latest Global 

Economic Conditions 

Survey (GECS) for 

Q4’19. 

The GECS is the largest 

regular economic survey 

of accountants 

around the world. It is 

based on major indicators 

of economic activity, and 

it provides valuable insight 

into the views of finance 

professionals on 

key variables, such as investment, 

employment 

and costs. 

The GECS for Q4’19 

shows that investors’ confidence 

index in Nigeria 

dropped to minus three 

(-3) index points in 

Q4’19, which is far below 

the 0.8 index points average 

for nine years from 

2011 to 2019. The survey 

showed that investors 

confidence index in Nigeria 

dropped to -7.6 index 

points in 2019 from 

20.1 index points in 2018. 

Commenting on the 

development, Head, ACCA Nigeria, 

Thomas Isibor, noted that 

the recent border closure aimed 

at mitigating smuggling has increased 

the country’s inflation 

rate which was 11.98 percent in 

December 2019. 

He further noted that double 

digit inflation will result in a low 

economic growth and Gross Domestic 

product (GDP) per capita. 

He said: “The World Bank expects 

Nigeria’s GDP growth to be 

maintained at around 2.0 percent 

in 2020. The economy remains 

heavily dependent on neither oil 

where neither prices nor output 

look likely to boost the economy 

this year. In addition, the closure 

of Nigeria’s land borders last year 

to reduce smuggling has pushed 

up inflation, especially in the food 

category. 

“Double-digit inflation means 

that tight monetary policy will continue 

to act as a moderating influence 

on economic growth, which 

will remain below the rate needed 

to increase GDP per capita.” 

In terms on investors’ confidence 

in the global economy, the survey 

stated, “Global economic confidence 

bounced back in Q4 2020, 

to around its level in mid-2019. 

The global poll of 2,560 accountants 

shows that all key regions 

reported a bounce in confidence 

and the most confident part of the 

global economy was again South 

Asia and the Middle East. 

NOIPolls shows further decline in well being of Nigerians 

By Udeme Akpan 

Nigerians experienced a fur 

ther decline in the well being 

in the fourth quarter of 2019, 

according to the NOIPolls Personal 

Well-Being report for Q4, 

2019. 

According to the report obtained 

by Vanguard, yesterday, 

the well-being recorded a marginal 

decrease of 0.7 point in Q4, 

2019 to stand at 60.6 points as 

against 61.3 points obtained in 

Q3, 2019. 

The report, stated: “The Personal 

Well-Being Index (PWBI) 

is determined by the satisfaction 

level of Nigerians on various 

components of their personal 

lives. Three of the seven factors 

that comprise the PWBI experienced 

an increase while the remaining 

four components experienced 

decrease in Q4, 2019. Personal 

security experienced the 

highest increase of 1.9 points to 

stand at 59.6 points in Q4, 2019 

from the 57.7 points obtained in 

Q3, 2019. Also, the achievement 

in life index experienced a 0.9 

point increase to stand at 49.3 

points in Q4, 2019 from 48.4 points 

in Q3, 2019.” 

It stated: “Additionally, a breakdown 

of the seven key indicators 

that comprise the PWBI showed 

that Nigerians are mostly satisfied 

with their Religion (84.4-points), 

Social interaction (74.2-points), 

Flutterwave 

completes 

$35m series 

B funding 

FLUTTERWAVE, a Nige 

rian-based payments technology 

company with operations 

in Africa, today announced 

that it has closed a 

$35m Series B funding from a 

consortium of strategic investors. 

The round was co-led by 

Greycroft & eVentures with 

additional participation from 

CRE Venture Capital, 

WorldPAYFIS, VISA, Green 

Visor and Endeavor. 

Flutterwave connects the African 

continent to the world at 

large by providing the easiest 

and most reliable payment solutions 

for businesses around 

the globe. To date, Flutterwave 

has processed 100 million 

transactions valued at over 

$5.4 billion globally for clients 

including Uber and 

Booking.com. 

"We're helping businesses in 

Africa and globally accept payment 

and to scale by being the 

payment technology that connects 

Africa to the world," says 

Flutterwave founder and Chief 

Executive Officer, Olugbenga 

Agboola. "We have built a technology 

infrastructure that is 

steadily being recognized as 

the bridge to connect the payment 

system. We are excited 

to be working with our newest 

commercial partners, Visa and 

FIS, and investors to build the 

dominant payments platform 

in Africa." 

With the latest round of funding, 

Flutterwave will continue 

to provide innovative solutions 

to businesses that want 

to facilitate payments 

seamlessly. The company's 

core offering provides a frictionless 

payment solution for 

merchants, banks, and consumers 

and simplifies how 

payments are made and accepted. 

The new funding will be used 

to support its expansion across 

Francophone and North Africa 

as part of its mission to connect 

Africa to the world as well 

as drive efforts to boost market 

share in existing markets. 

On the back of the latest round 

of funding, Flutterwave has 

signed commercial agreements 

with Visa and FIS. The 

agreement with FIS will allow 

the global financial technology 

provider to offer the 

Flutterwave solution as part of 

Worldpay from FIS payment 

solutions to its merchant clients 

in Africa. Flutterwave is 

a 2016 graduate of the FIS 

FinTech Accelerator program. 

Health (70.9-points) and Security 

(59.6-points) as they obtained 

points above average. However, 

the remaining indices remained 

below average which may suggest 

that Nigerians are not satisfied 

with these indicators; they 

include Achievement in Life 

(49.3-points), Standard of living 

(48.8-points) and Economic situation 

(38.9-points). 

“The survey shows that Nigerians 

are not satisfied with their 

personal economic situation as it 

is the lowest ranked indicator 

amongst all the seven indices. 

There is an urgent need for the 

government to improve the 

economy as this index may also 

directly or indirectly affect other




vicahiyoung@yahoo.com 

We're living in penury, Federal civil service 

pensioners lament 

•Demand harmonised, increased pensions 

By Joseph Erunke 

RETIRED federal civil serv 

ice workers under Defined 

Benefits Scheme, DBS, have 

appealed to the federal government 

not only to urgently 

harmonise their pensions but 

also raise their pensions upward. 

The retirees, who noted that 

government has contrary to 

provisions of the Constitution, 

not reviewed their pensions 

since 2010,faulted the latter 

for not acting during recent 

increase minimum wage for 

workers. 

The federal civil service 

retirees, under the aegis of 

Federal Civil Service Pensioners, 

in a statement 

through their National Chairman, 

Sunday Omezi, insisted 

that it was time government 

harmonised pensions of its 

retirees just as it did in the 

military in January, 2019. 

According to him:”We appeal 

to the federal government 

to urgently harmonise 

our monthly pensions. They 

have harmonised military 

pensions. Military pensions 

were harmonised in January, 

2019. We expected the government 

to equally harmonise 

the pensions of civilians. But 

they don’t want to harmonise 

ours! That is why we said they 

have taken us as second class 

citizens. 

“Also, in line with the Constitution 

of Federal Republic 

of Nigeria, the Federal Government 

is supposed to be reviewing 

our monthly pensions 

every five years. The 

last one they did was in 2010. 

We were due for another review 

in 2015 which was not 

done. We are now in 2020 for 

another one but in 2019, 

workers’ salaries were increased 

and the Constitution 

says they suppose to review 

our monthly pensions every 

five years or whenever workers’ 

salaries are increased but 

nothing is happening. 

“Workers’ salaries have been 

increased and they have 

started enjoying their new 

salaries but where are 

monthly pensions for pensioners? 

Now, it seems federal 

government has taken pensioners 

as second class 

citizens. 

Blast Labour 

He accused organized Labour 

for not doing enough for 

pensioners, saying “Nigerian 

Labour Congress, NLC’s agitation 

for increase in workers’ 

pay was approved to 30 percent 

recently. But unfortunately, 

we as pensioners were 

not considered along side. 

This is against the Constitution 

which says pension must 

be reviewed every five years 

or whenever there is review 

of workers’ salaries.” 

“The federal government 

has increased workers’ salaries, 

giving them 30 percent 

A cross section of 2015 disengaged Dockworkers (Tally Clerks and On-board ship Gangway Security men), during the 

payment of their terminal benefits in Lagos. 

minimum wage but we are 

still in our monthly pensions 

that were reviewed in 2010! 

Could you believe that some 

pensioners are receiving just 

N4, 000 every month? And the 

federal government has refused 

to harmonise our 

monthly pensions. This is just 

our plight. They are supposed 

to negotiate with 

stakeholders that are pensioners 

for a certain upward 

review of the pension but this 

we have not seen from them. 

“We are affiliated to the NLC 

and they told us during 

negotiations for 30 percent 

minimum wage that they 

were carrying our agitation 

along with their own. We expected 

NLC to carry our issue 

along as they were doing 

their own. But we don’t really 

know what happened along 

the line. 

We had written the federal 

government through the Secretary 

to the Government of 

the Federation. We have held 

several meetings with the 

National Assembly through 

our mother union during the 

8th Assembly,on these issues 

of harmonistion, review and 

marginalization. We again appeal 

to the government to 

look into our plight and review 

our pensions. 

N25,000 pension 

“We are looking at minimm 

of N25,000 increment in 

ormonthly pension. Why I 

said this is that once you 

retired as a civil servant, you 

must have spent 35 years in 

service and your total 

emolument which is 100 

percent will now be reduced 

to 80 percent in pension. We 

are appealing to the federal 

government led by President 

Muhammadu Buhari,to look 

into the plights of pensioners 

and give us our rights.” 

The union had earlier in a 

letter dated 10th December, 

written to the Secretary to the 

Government of the 

Federation,to express its concern 

over what it called “apparent 

delay in the review of 

pensions as it relates to Defined 

Benefits Scheme. 

Letter to FG 

A copy of the letter, by its 

National Secretary, Elder 

Christian Azunna,which was 

received by the Office of the 

Secretary to the Government 

of the Federation, on December 

17,2019,the union appealed 

to government to look 

CPS retirees get pension increase 

By Victor Young 

PENSIONERS in the coun 

try who have accumulated 

significant growth in their Retirement 

Savings Accounts, 

RSAs, under the Contributory 

Pension Scheme, CPS, are to 

have their monthly pensions reviewed 

upward. 

However, those that will benefit 

from the increase are CPS 

retirees between July 2007 and 

December 2017. 

The increase followed the 

National Pension Commission, 

PenCom, directive to Pension 

Fund Administrators, PFAs, to 

implement Pension enhancement 

for retirees on Programmed 

Withdrawal, PW, 

under the Contributory Pension 

Scheme, CPS. 

Recall that PenCom in statement 

explained that “the pension 

enhancement is for Contributory 

Pension Scheme, CPS, 

retirees who have accumulated 

significant growth in their Retirement 

Savings Accounts, 

RSAs, and had retired between 

into its issue. 

The letter read “It is rather 

regrettable to note that the issue 

of pension has persistently 

remained relegated, in 

spite of the prominence accorded 

it in the Constitution 

of the Federal Republic of 

Nigeria, Section 173,subsection 

(i)-(iv). 

“Instructively, the provisions 

of the Constitution 

stipulate that pension should 

be reviewed every five years, 

with or without salary review. 

This implies that in the event 

of simultaneous review, the 

negotiation process, including 

the variation, ought to be 

simultaneous as well. 

“It becomes excruciatingly 

painful that government 

would rather decide to 

polarize the process, as evidenced 

in the negotiations 

and release of the circular to 

the effect thereof, in utter 

disregard to the status. 

“The seeming indifference 

of government in this regard, 

doubtlessly resulted in the 

drag and fragmented implementation 

of the last increase 

of July, 2020,which equally 

caused the payment to drag 

for well over eight years, between 

July,2010 and 2018. 

This is a clear evidence of 

apathy in the administration 

of pension." 

July 2007 and December 2017. 

“ 

The statement reads in part 

“The National Pension Commission 

hereby informs the 

general public that all Pension 

Fund Administrators (PFAs) 

have been directed to implement 

the second edition of the 

pension enhancement exercise 

for retirees on Programmed 

Withdrawal mode of retirement. 

“The pension enhancement 

is for Contributory Pension 

Scheme, CPS, retirees who 

have accumulated significant 

growth in their Retirement 

Savings Accounts, RSAs, and 

had retired between July 2007 

and December 2017. 

“Accordingly, the retirees 

referred to above are by this 

notice advised to contact their 

respective Pension Fund Administrators, 

PFAs, to confirm 

their eligibility and complete 

requisite documentations.” 

Giving insight into Pension 

enhancement, Trustfund Pensions 

Limited, Regional Manager, 

Lagos, Obiora 

Ozoekwem, told Pension and 

You, that “Pension enhancement 

is basically a call for review 

of monthly pension payment 

for persons that their 

RSAs have had reasonable 

growth. 

The approval for pension 

review comes from the regulator 

and this particular review 

is meant for retirees who are 

still on programmed withdrawal 

and have been on pension 

from July 2007 to December 

2017. 

“So, persons who retired 

between January 2018 and now 

are not qualified for this current 

enhancement but will most 

likely qualify for the next 

tranche of review in the future 

once their RSAs record 

reasonable growth. 

“Again, the review period is 

not fixed for now but we are 

thinking that in no distant 

future that PenCom might fix a 

specific number of years for 

Pension reviews which will be 

adhered to by all PFAs.”


NITDA trains over 2000 Nigerians on IT skills 

By Emmanuel Elebeke 

THE National Information Tech 

nology Development Agency, 

NITDA, said it has trained over 2,000 

Nigerians for both masters and PhD 

programmes across the world. 

The Director of the agency, Mallam 

Kashifu Inuwa who revealed this in 

Abuja recently, said the agency was 

compelled to do so because it wants 

to bridge the digital gap through 

building capacity if Nigeria must fit 

into the global and competitive world. 

He said that was the reason for the 

establishment of the post Graduate 

Scholarship in the country. 

Inuwa, who spoke through the Director 

of Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. 

Gambo said after a careful review of 

trends in the country, the agency came 

to a conclusion that Nigerians cannot 

be left behind. 

He said: "We cannot afford as Nigerians 

to be left behind. For us to 

drive the digital economy, we need 

people with requisite capacity. And it 

is in realisation of this that the scholarship 

was initiated by NITDA.'' 

NITDA has been sponsoring Post 

Graduate students since 2010 but this 

time, it is partnering with FIRAT University, 

Turkey to have additional value 

in IT skill acquisition for the scholars. 

The scheme was considered necessary 

now after it was suspended for 

two years from 2016-2017. 

He said: "So far, we have trained 

over 2,000 Nigerians for both masters 

and PhD programmes across the 

world; majority of them study in UK. 

NITDA being the IT regulatory agency, 

there is need for us to build capacity 

because we live in a global and 

competitive world. 

NITDA has been sponsoring Post 

Graduate students since 2010 but this 

time, it is partnering with FIRAT University, 

Turkey to have additional value 

in IT skill acquisition for the scholars. 

On the choice of FIRAT University, 

he said: "We looked round the world 

and identify the area of interest and 

forged partnership with Turkey. This 

time around, we have to sign MoU 

with FIRAT University. 

The university in Turkey was selected 

among others due to its global recognition 

for excellence in IT and engineering. 

By Juliet Umeh 

Cybercriminals are now targeting 

retirement accounts, and 

there’s no guarantee it may be 

recovered. 

According to Senior Director of the 

Federal Consumer Programme for the 

United States Public Research Interest 

Group, Mr. Ed Mierzwinski, he said it’s 

an issue to be aware of as cyber attacks 

on retirement funds rise. 

Mierzwinski said: “Hackers are finding 

it’s getting harder to hack bank accounts, 

so they’re saying where else is 

there more money? So, they have started 

to discover 401(k) accounts and retirement 

funds.” 

A 401(k) accout is a retirement savings 

account that allows an employee 

to divert a portion of his or her salary 

into long-term investments. 

At a 2019 forum for institutions involved 

in retirement planning, industry 

expert Larry Goldbrum of Reliance 

Trust, said that while overall cyber fraud 

and account fraud was down, cyber 

fraud amounted to $14.7 billion in 2018; 

fraud in retirement accounts was rising, 

according to a report by the National 

Association of Plan Advisors. 

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Financial 

Services Information Sharing and 

Analysis Center, Steven Silberstein, said 

cybercriminals today are looking for any 

possible route into people’s financial 

transactions, and they are increasingly 

focusing their efforts outside financial 

institutions’ firewalls. 

Silberstein explained: “E-mail compromises, 

spear phishing and social 

profiling are some of the key tactics being 

used to target all types of assets, 

including retirement accounts.” 

He added that in spear phishing, cyber 

bandits send emails, purportedly 

from a known or trusted sender, in the 

hope of persuading potential victims to 

reveal confidential financial information. 

But, an Irish-domiciled global multinational 

risk management company, 

Willis Towers Watson has the view 

that over 80 percent of cyber frauds and 

crimes is probably preventable through 

common-sense practices and comprehensive 

information security training for 

operatives and staff. 

Director in the firm, John Norris advised 

that Trustee directors also have 

an individual role to play by adopting 

good practice. 

He said: “Generally, trustees should 

exercise caution and be able to spot signs 

of malicious software attempts and social 

engineering risks.” 

CYBER SECURITY: 

Why pensioners must 

guard accounts 

…Over 80% of crimes preventable 

Hackers are finding 

it’s getting harder to 

hack bank accounts, so 

they’re saying where 

else is there more 

money? So, they have 

started to discover 

401(k) accounts and 

retirement funds 

What is Nigeria doing? 

Pension management expert, MD of 

IEI-Anchor Pension Managers Limited, 

•Cyber Attack 

Mr. Glory Etaduovie, is of the view that 

ongoing data recapturing exercise of 

pension contributors and retirees by the 

Pension Fund Administrators, PFAs, 

nationwide is capable of protecting pension 

clients against cyber crimes and 

other fraudulent intents. 

Speaking recently on a paper titled: 

‘National Data Base Harmonisation and 

Pension Data Recapture,’ Etaduovie 

said that the National Pension Commission, 

PenCom has been upbeat about 

data recapture of its existing clients and 

the streamline of future contributors registrations 

in a move to have accurate 

database of its clients. 

He believes the exercise will get pension 

operators prepared for more international 

best business practices, standardisation 

and acceptability globally. 

Etaduovie said: “A correct database is 

thus inevitable. It would be a sad and 

embarrassing thing for a retiree and the 

pension industry to find out that through 

a stolen identity, there was no more 

funds left in the RSA account.” 

Tips to make hacking harder: 

*Protect your devices: Make sure any 

computer or device used to access accounts 

is protected by a firewall has 

current anti-virus and anti-spyware software. 

*Beware of fishy emails: Be wary of 

responding to opening attachments in 

or clicking on links in emails that ask 

for your financial information 

*Read your snail mail: Check paper 

statement from your mutual fund or 

money manager for accuracy and notify 

them promptly if there’s been unauthorised 

activity. 

C 

M 

Y 

K


Right of Way: FG warns states over price increment 

*Visits Chairman 

Govs Forum 

By Prince Osuagwu, Hi- 

Tech Editor 

THE federal government, FG 

has warned state governors 

not to go on with the rumoured 

increment of Right of Way, RoW 

charges , saying it would amount 

to breaching the 2013 RoW agreement 

between FG, States and the 

operators. 

Right of Way is the permission 

given to the operators by either 

the Federal, State or local government 

councils, to open the roads 

and lay fibre cables that carry internet 

traffic. 

FG made its feelings known 

through the Minister of Communications 

and digital Economy, Dr 

Ibrahim Pantami. 

According to Pantami, the Federal 

government is really dismayed 

at the decision. 

He said: “We received with dismay 

the decision of some states 

of the Federation to increase the 

Right of Way charges in disregard 

of the resolutions reached by the 

National Economic Council, 

NEC. 

Pantami, in the company of the 

Executive Vice Chairman of the 

Nigerian Communications Commission, 

NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, 

also at the weekend, held a 

meeting with the chairman of Nigeria 

governors Forum, and governor 

of Ekiti State, Fayemi Kayode 

in Abuja, to trash out grey areas 

in the issue which has undermined 

deployment of ubiquitous 

broadband in Nigeria. 

Recall that in 2013, National 

Economic Council, NEC set up a 

Committee comprising State Governors 

and Ministers to review the 

issues of multiple taxation in the 

telecommunications industry in 

Nigeria and its impact. 

The Committee, after extensive 

and wide-ranging consultations, 

resolved to harmonise the taxes 

applicable to broadband-related 

activities and streamlined the taxation 

management processes 

across the Federation. 

Specifically, to deepen broadband 

penetration for the social 

and economic development of the 

Country, the Committee agreed 

to the uniform Right of Way ,RoW, 

charge of N145.00 per linear 

meter of fibre. 

However, majority of the states 

have refuse to abide by that harmonisation 

but rather hike the 

prices as far as N6000 per linear 

metre of fibre. This has frustrated 

the operators who appeared to 

have abandoned investments, especially, 

in terrestrial fibre cable 

deployments. This has also resulted 

in Nigeria being one of the 

countries with lowest last mile 

broadband deployments in the 

world. 

Pantami reminded the governors 

that in October 2019, his ministry 

wrote to all the State Governors, 

drawing their attention to 

these resolutions and soliciting 

their support and collaboration 

towards the realisation of the National 

Digital Economy by fasttracking 

the deployment of broadband 

infrastructure for the provision 

of affordable internet services 

to underserved and unserved 

areas. 

He noted that “It is true that the 

From left: EVC, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Minister of 

Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami 

and Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigerian 

Governors Forum, Dr. Kayode Fayemi in a meeting over 

the RoW issues in Abuja recently. 

digital economy today is strategically 

dominating the world economy. 

Oxford Economics puts the 

current value of the digital economy 

at $11.5 trillion which is about 

16 percent of the world economy. 

“Furthermore, the World Economic 

Forum revealed that 60 percent 

of the global economy is expected 

to be digitised by 2022. With 

the renaming of the Federal Ministry 

of Communications to Federal 

Ministry of Communications 

and Digital Economy as well as 

the unveiling of the National Digital 

Economy Policy and Strategy 

by Mr President, we are on the 

path of realising the potentials of 

the digital economy. 

“It is, however, disheartening to 

hear that some States have decided 

to disregard these resolutions 

and have, in some cases, increased 

the RoW charges by over 

1,200 percent. This will no doubt 

impact negatively on the efforts 


IN three months and 

halfway through their programme, 

startups participating 

in the second season of 

the Facebook Accelerator Programme 

have raised over 

$500,000 from investments 

and grants. 

Within the same period, they 

have also sealed key partnerships 

and made progress towards 

creating unique products 

with world-class business 

processes. 

These results were recently 

revealed by Facebook and 

CcHUB, following its 2019 

programmes and training 

which took place to support 

and empower students and 

entrepreneurs, to build locally 

relevant solutions using 

advanced technologies. 

The programme took place 

at NG Hub, Facebook’s flagship 

Community Hub space in 

partnership with CcHUB. 

So far in the programme, the 

startups have been introduced 

to multiple venture capitalists 

and corporate executives and 

also matched with advisors 

within the CcHUB Global 

Advisory network. 

These startups and many 

more will be showcasing their 

products and solutions, aimed 

at tackling problems across 

being made by the Federal Government. 

It is established that 

there is a strong correlation between 

a country’s broadband 

penetration and its Gross Domestic 

Product, GDP.” 

Pantami quoted an ITU study 

on Africa which indicates that a 

10 percent broadband penetration 

would result in an increase of 2.5 

percent of GDP per capita. 

He said: “We are therefore calling 

on all State Governors, especially 

those that have made public 

their decisions to increase the 

RoW charges, to reconsider these 

decisions in the interest of Nigerians 

as well as for the socio-economic 

growth and development 

of the country. 

“We also draw their attention to 

the fact that these decisions, if implemented, 

will result in an increase 

in the costs of operations 

of the telecoms operators which 

will naturally be passed to the 

consumers,” he added. 

Facebook accelerator 

startups in Nigeria records 

$500,000 achievements 

multiple sectors, to corporate 

executives, multinationals 

and other potential partners 

during the annual Facebook 

Accelerator Programme Innovation 

Showcase week in February 

2020. 


In a bid to boost the digital 

economic team, President of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria, 

Muhammad Buhari has approved 

some changes at the Nigeria 

Communications Satellite, 

NIGCOMSAT, Ltd. 

The immediate past Managing 

Director, Chief Executive Officer, 

Galaxy Backbone Arc Yusuf 

Kazaure, has assumed the position 

of the Board Chairman. 

He takes over from Chief George 

Moghalu who is now the 

Managing Director, Chief 

Executive Officer of Nigerian 

Inland Water Ways, NIWA. 

Three new Executive Directors 

have also been appointed in an 

effort to strengthen and boost the 

vision of the company in line with 

the Digital Economy direction of 

the Hon. Minister of 

Communications and Digital 

Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Ali 

Pantami. 

Professor Ja’afaru Abdu 

VerifyMe’s new secured funds to unlock 

financial inclusion 


Identification verification and 

KYC Technology Company, 

VerifyMe Nigeria, said it has 

secured a Series A financing from 

Consonance Investment 

Managers to expand services. 

It said the funds will be used for 

strategic partnerships and also 

bring new digital identification 

verification products to market. 

The company Co-founder/CEO, 

Mr. Esigie Aguele, said the 

company is delighted to partner 

with Consonance Investment 

Managers in its mission to build 

Africa’s KYC infrastructure. 

Aguele said: “Digital services 

are a key catalyst for Africa’s 

economic growth and financial 

inclusion but they can only be 

unlocked if there’s a mechanism 

Bambale from the University of 

Kano is now the Executive Director, 

Technical. 

He is a Professor of Business and 

Entrepreneur at the Bayero 

University, Kano. Bambale holds a 

Doctor of Philosophy from the 

University of Utara, Malaysia. He 

replaced Kolawole Raji Kazeem. 

Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam is 

now the new Executive Director, 

Marketing and Business 

Development. 

to verify identity at scale. We strive 

to transform the digital landscape 

by providing businesses with 

KYC-as-a-service tools to verify 

their client identities.” 

According to him, VerifyMe, 

plans to expand adoption across 

Nigeria and grow revenue twentyfold 

over the next three years. He 

added that the fund will help 

unlock financial inclusion and 

intervention services in rural 

communities. 

Also, Managing Partner at 

Consonance Investment 

Managers, Mobolaji Adeoye, said 

authenticated identity is a critical 

foundation of digital commerce 

and financial services. He added 

that it’s the cornerstone of trust 

which is essential for 

collaboration in economies. 

CyberCLOUD platform attains VMware 

verified status 

…targets business transformation 


CYBERCLOUD Platform, the 

first indigenous VMware 

Cloud Service Provider in Sub-Saharan 

Africa recently got extra accolades, 

following the addition of 

the blue VMware Cloud Verified 

now added to its partnership. 

VMware Cloud Provider Program 

Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, 

Dave Funnell, who announced 

this new feat explained 

that “it means when you see the 

VMware Cloud Verified logo, you 

know you can easily access the full 

set of capabilities of VMware’s 

Cloud Infrastructure. Get the ultimate 

in cloud choice through flexible 

and interoperable infrastructure, 

from the data center to the 

FG reorganises NIGCOMSAT mtg, appoints 

Board Chairman, new EDs 

•Prof. Bambale 

cloud. Support all your apps – from 

existing to cloud-native to SaaS – 

across private, public and hybrid 

clouds using services displaying 

the VMware Cloud Verified logo.” 

The Head, Cybercloud Business, 

Miss. Laurel Onumonu, 

speaking with newsmen on what 

this development means for business, 

on the sideline of the Cybercloud’s 

Exhibition at the just concluded 

Zenith Tech Fair, in Lagos, 

said featuring the VMware Cloud 

Verified logo in any marketing campaigns 

and content signals to customers 

and prospects that foundational 

cloud technologies and services 

are based on VMware Cloud 

Infrastructure. VMware is the global 

leader in cloud infrastructure 

and digital workspace technology. 

2020 campaign: MTN flags off ‘Turn it Up’ for 

maximum opportunities 


Telecommunication Network, 

MTN Nigeria, recently, 

launched a thematic campaign for 

2020, tagged: 'Turn it Up' for 

Nigerians to take advantage of 

the varied opportunities around. 

The network service provider 

said the campaign was inspired 

by the company’s commitment 

to facilitating transformation, 

progress, and success in the new 

decade. 

It said the campaign seeks to 

encourage Nigerians to look 

within to live their brightest lives 

by taking advantage of the diverse 

opportunities around. 

Chief Marketing Officer, MTN 

Nigeria, Rahul De said: “We want 

Nigerians to excel and attain their 

dreams and aspirations. This 

campaign is about changing and 

improving the quality of lives, 

encouraging Nigerians to rethink 

and embrace a new approach that 

reflects the changing dynamics of 

the world around us. This is what 

drives us to continue investing and 

exploring opportunities for 

Nigerians.” 

•Dr Salaam 

A consummate politician, Dr. 

Salaam was a two-time speaker of 

the Osun State House of Assembly. 

He replaced Barr. Samson Osagie. 

Also appointed is Mr. Hadi 

Mohammed as the Executive 

Director, Finance and 

Administration. He holds a B.sc, 

Public Administration and M.sc, 

Business Administration. He 

replaced Mallam Mohammed 

Lema.

Nigeria’s economic policies 

need data analytics 

—Awosokanre, Hitachi 

Regional MD, West Africa 

Akinwale Awosokanre is an Information Technology, IT, expert 

with over two decades of experience. His wealth of experience 

spans around Business Development and Sales in the 

Telecommunications, Manufacturing and IT industries. 

His excellent managerial dexterity, in 2018, earned him a 

prestigious position as Regional Managing Director, West Africa 

of a multinational company of over 100 years of existence - 

Hitachi Vantara. 

In this interview, Awosokanre brought to bear his IT expertise 

on issues around data; how Nigerian government can generate 

more revenue from data management and governance. 

He also makes a strong case for using data analytics to reengineer 

some, if not all government policies, and challenged 

President Muhammadu Buhari to give a try and see. 

Excerpts: 


Data management is 

becoming an 

everyday issue. 

What’s your take on how 

best to manage data? 

Data management has become a 

key factor in growing today’s 

businesses and economies. So it 

is not surprising that it 

dominates discussions 

everywhere you go. 

The volume of data generated 

daily as every activity has almost 

become digital, also makes 

discussions around data a must. 

Business owners and 

government must know what 

data is and how to properly 

harness it. Government must not 

only be aware of data, it must be 

conscious of its security 

implications, as well as being 

fully knowledgeable about 

making money with it. That is 

where data management and 

governance come in. 

What’s actually the difference 

between data management and 

data governance? 

Data management is 

embedded in data governance. 

Data management means how 

people manipulate their data; 

moving it from one point to the 

other. 

Data governance is not only 

about manipulating but also 

about determining who has 

access to the data and to what 

extent they are allowed to. 

So, data governance includes 

generating data, securing data, 

regulating access to data, and, in 

some instances, disrupting data. 

For instance, if I generate data, I 

can set a 10-year data 

management policy and after 

that, disrupt both the data and 

policy. 

What I am trying to make out 

to you is that data governance is 

bigger than management. 

Management is just one part of 

data governance. 

The argument, that hosting 

local data offshore breaches 

national security; what’s your 

take? 

Well, in the technical sense, it 

does not breach national security, 

considering the amount of 

security awareness, worldwide, 

particularly in this digital era. 

Where you store your data is not 

restricted by geography but by 

the security you put into the 

system. Where data is stored does 

not actually matter but how it is 

stored. 

Personally, I don’t believe 

keeping data outside the country 

is a problem. What you need to 

know is the position of the 

National Information Technology 

Development Agency, NITDA, 

which governs data in Nigeria, 

on your action. 

You talked about data 

monetisation. If data is the new 

oil, like the saying now goes, 

how can the government tap into 

it? 

For the government, data 

should be everything; the more 

data you have about the citizenry, 

the easier it becomes to plan. For 

instance, if a government 

requires 20 doctors from a 

particular locality, the first step 

is to get accurate data of how 

many people residing in that 

locality. If there are 20, 000 

people in the locality, the 

government can decide to say, it 

will produce a doctor in every 

1000 people, to make up that 20 

doctors. The power of that 

planning is the data in its 

disposal. To take it further, the 

government can also plan its tax 

revenue generation from there 

by extracting how many of the 

people are working. So, if 5,000 

of them are working, it means 

the government knows its tax 

generation will be coming from 

that number and decides how to 

distribute the wealth created by 

5, 000 people among 20,000 

citizens. 

So, data allows planning, and 

from planning you are able to 

For the 

government, 

data should be 

everything; the 

more data you 

have about the 

citizenry, the 

easier it 

becomes to 

plan 

Foreign & Commonwealth 

Office, Honourable Andrew 

Stephenson MP; His 

Excellency Mr Fesseha 

Shawel Gebre, Ambassador 

of the Federal Democratic 

Republic of Ethiopia to Great 

Britain and Northern Ireland; 

Honorable Jeremy Lefroy, 

MP; Honorable Pauline 

Latham, OBE, MP, to 

mention a few. 

Also in Nigeria, VoguePay 

was honoured as fintech 

game changer at the Africa 

Digital Heroes Award 2019 

for her outstanding 

contribution to Africa’s 

Digital ecosystem. 

Organised by DigiVation 

network, the award 

celebrated VoguePay as being 

Nigeria’s foremost 

indigenous payment solution 

provider for its game 

changing service that is 

redefining service delivery in 


generate more revenue. So, as a 

government, data being the oil 

means making act of governance 

more reasonable and more 

coordinated. 

Some experts are 

controverting the 4th industrial 

revolution saying what we need 

is data revolution, how can we 

make clear distinction? 

Data revolution supersedes 

any other revolution. For 

me, data revolution is 

the future. If you 

take a country 

like Nigeria 

where we have 

every young 

man and 

w o m a n 

carrying a 

p h o n e 

including 

•Akinwale 

Awosokanre 

every new 

born child, by 

the time they 

are two to 

three years 

old, they are 

a l r e a d y 

playing with 

the iPad, what that tells me 

immediately is that the more 

people are empowered the more 

data it generates. The more data 

I generate, the more I am able to 

analyse those data and make 

more money. 

Companies like Hitachi that 

has been in this business for a 

while, how can you advise 

government to make data the 

mainstay of the economy? 

We are working with 

government, we are interested in 

working closely with different 

government agencies as may be 

required, to change the way 

governance is done in Nigeria. 

For us, aligning with the 

government is the primary 

responsibility. It is something 

we’ve done in the past and 

something we are still doing. We 

will guide government, we 

contribute to policy papers, and 

we contribute to directions to 

ensure that these things are 

done. 

Let’s have the full competence 

of Hitachi and how it has helped 

corporate organisations? 

Hitachi is 100 years old in 

operations, 50 years old in 

Information 

and 

VoguePay bags two payment 

solutions awards in UK, Nigeria 


In the space of one 

week, online 

payment provider, 

VoguePay, has won the 

coveted award of 

African Fintech 

Company of the Year at 

the British Award for 

African Development. 

The award recognises 

individuals and 

companies for their 

o u t s t a n d i n g 

achievements in the 

African communities in 

the United Kingdom, 

UK, or for their 

involvements in Africa. 

The award was 

presented by Mr. 

Pauline Latham, a UK 

member of Parliament. 

Other dignitaries at the 

event were the UK 

Minister of State at the 

the Fintech ecosystem. 

Speaking on the 

awards, CEO of 

VoguePay Michael 

Simeon, said that the 

two recognitions will 

serve as motivation to 

continue to provide 

businesses with a 

cheaper and safer 

international payments 

option. 

He added that the 

company is now 

expanding beyond 

being a payment 

processor to building a 

cross-border digital 

banking suite that will 

be launched soon. The 

fintech company 

launched in Nigeria in 

2012 is an innovative 

payment solutions that 

supports more than 

100,000 merchants 

globally. 

Communications Technology, 

ICT. All the top companies across 

the world work with Hitachi in 

one way or the other, without 

exception. We’ve helped many 

companies across the world 

reorganise their data 

management. We are going to 

continue to do it with new 

companies but the result is 

always going to be the same. The 

result will be that data will 

generate money for them; it will 

increase their productivity 

double digits. So for us it’s not 

an option, it is a way of life. 

If President Buhari were to 

engage Hitachi today, to use data 

analytics to revamp the country’s 

economy, what would be your 

approach? 

Our approach will be in four 

steps- how does government 

store their data in order to know 

what is happening. How do they 

enrich the data today? How can 

we activate the data to be able to 

make money and the last thing 

is – how can they start using the 

data they’ve generated to make 

more money? 

So, Hitachi will work with the 

government to generate more 

revenue, capture more data and 

make money from the data that 

they’ve generated. 

I will sit with the president to 

let him know the need for us to 

generate the right kind of data, 

the need for us to be able to store 

it and the need for us to be able 

to use it for planning. I will let 

him know the need for us to be 

able to use and generate more 

revenue and be able to use it at 

the same time to ensure that the 

future generation do not go 

through the problems that we are 

going through and to ensure that 

Buhari’s name is written in gold 

at the end of his tenure. 

What would be your advice to 

Nigerians on data management? 

Guide your data jealously, 

ensure you secure your data, 

keep data as it ought to be by 

using Hitachi product and 

ensure that at the end of the day 

you let Hitachi help you in 

monetising your data in order for 

you to benefit from the double 

digit profit that Hitachi Vantara 

is helping customers to generate. 

Michael Simeon - CEO, VoguePay 

with Mr. Pauline Latham, a UK 

Member of Parliament presenting 

award as African Fintech Company 

of the Year at the British Award for 

African Development recently.


ABULE-EGBA FIRE: 

Let’s co-operate to 

flush out vandals 

— KYARI 

By Udeme Akpan, 

Olasunkanmi Akoni, Ediri 

Ejoh & Esther Onyegbula 

THE Group Managing 

Director, Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), 

Mallam Mele Kyari, has decried 

the activities of vandals as 

pipeline vandalism hits 45, 347 

cases in the past 18 years. 

Mallam Kyari who harped on 

the latest incident in Abule Egba 

area of Lagos State on Sunday 

which claimed five lives and 

properties worth million of Naira, 

said: "We are having a syndicated 

approach to the pipeline 

challenge. First, there is the 

security aspect of it, over which 

we are getting the optimum 

support and cooperation of the 

entire security network 

spearheaded by the Chief of 

Defence Staff. This is working 

already. Another is at the level of 

the National Assembly which has 

stepped into this, with an Ad hoc 

Committee working on how to 

assist us to stem the menace of 

pipeline vandalism and crude oil 

theft." 

While answering questions on 

an NTA morning talk show: 

'Good morning Nigeria' in Abuja 

Monday, the NNPC GMD, 

regretted the recent incident in 

Lagos, saying it was perpetrated 

in an open arena, even as he 

urged Nigerians to always report 

miscreants who indulge in such 

nefarious activities to the security 

agencies. 

He said NNPC was 

collaborating with all security 

agencies in the country to curb 

the occurrences of pipeline 

vandalism across the country, 

adding that the Corporation 

plans were underway to deplore 

Horizontal Directional Drilling 

Technology (HDDT) as a check 

on the unwholesome incidences, 

Kyari explained that the 

Minister of State for Petroleum 

Resources, Timipre Sylva, was 

equally engaging stakeholders 

to bring everybody on the table 

to arrest the situation, adding that 

even President Muhammadu 

Buhari had taken the matter up 

as he considered it as of national 

urgency in order to guarantee 

energy security in the country. 

He said curtailing the spate of 

vandalism would also ensure 

that resources do not end up in 

the hands of wrong people to 

prevent collateral damage that 

might be apparent in the 

phenomenon. 

He stated that whenever 

incidences of crude oil or 

petroleum products spill 

happened in communities due to 

activities of vandals or age of the 

pipelines, the corporation as a 

routine, restored such lines, 

•Vandalism 

cases hit 45, 

347 in 18 yrs 

cleaned the environment and 

contained the likely effects of the 

leaks. 

The NNPC GMD informed that 

there was massive stealing of the 

country's crude and petroleum 

products as a result of a ready 

market for the illicit business, 

adding that collaboration with the 

security agencies could put a stop 

it. 

Mallam Kyari explained that 

the illegal activities of pipeline 

vandals have rendered most of 

NNPC depots inactive, 

necessitating long distance 

transportation of products, with 

its attendant heavy impacts on 

road infrastructure across the 

country. 

He averred that if NNPC 

depots were allowed to function 

as designed, the regular 

congestion of tankers at Apapa, 

Lagos, would be prevented, 

hinting that NNPC would not 

despair, but would continue to 

synergize with all relevant 

agencies and stakeholders across 

the country to find a lasting 

solution to the pipeline vandalism 

menace ravaging the nation's 

downstream infrastructure. 

Stakeholders' support 

The GMD who visited the 

scene of the incident, Monday 

also called for the support of 

traditional rulers and other 

stakeholders to curb oil theft and 

resulting incidents of pipeline 

fires. 

Kyari, who decried the health, 

environmental and other hazards 

caused by the vandals, especially 

the loss of lives, and sued for 

synergy of security agencies, 

traditional leaders, residents and 

all well-meaning Nigerians in 

curbing the ugly trend, expressed 

the readiness of the Corporation 

to work with security agencies 

and traditional leaders to 

demolish structures that are 

within the precinct of its Pipelines 

Right of Way (PROW) to reduce 

the incidences of pipeline 

infractions, insertions and curb 

petroleum products theft. 

Kyari appealed to the Oba of 

Lagos, His Royal Majesty, Oba 

RilwanAkiolu 1, to rally all the 

traditional leaders in the state to 

help secure the pipelines, 

stressingthat collective effort was 

required to curb the menace. 

On his part, Oba Akiolu 

pledged his support to organise 

other Obas in the state to fight 

pipeline vandals to a standstill. 

Speaking on behalf of all the 

security agencies in Lagos, Flag 

Officer, Western Naval 

Command, Rear Admiral 

OladeleDaji, noted that the 

Fire fighters battling with remains of some vehicles at the scene of the pipeline explosion, 

Ile Epo, Ekoro Road in Abule Egba of Lagos State on Monday. Photo: Joe Akintola, Photo 

Editor & Akeem Salau. 

Nigerian Navy and other security 

agencies working under 

"Operation Mesa" were scaling 

up their operations to ensure that 

pipelines across the nation were 

safe and secured and to avoid 

recurrence of pipeline fire. 

Investigation 

The Department of Petroleum 

Resources, DPR, said it has 

embarked on an investigation of 

the actual cause of the incident. 

We will have 

meetings with 

stakeholders, 

including 

chairmen of local 

governments in 

order to find 

lasting solution to 

the problem 

In a statement obtained by 

Vanguard, yesterday, DPR 

stated: "In line with our 

Regulatory oversight to the 

Nigerian oil and gas industry, as 

enshrined in the Petroleum Act 

Cap P10 LFN 2004, the DPR has 

commenced investigations with 

other relevant stakeholders into 

the incident. 

"We assure the public that the 

safety of all Nigerians is of 

paramount concern in the 

discharge of our Regulatory 

mandate for the oil and gas 

sector. A report on our inquest 

will be communicated when it is 

concluded." 

Similarly, the Lagos State Police 

Commissioner, Hakeen 

Odumosu has assured that no 

stone will be left unturned to 

bring the culprits of the incident 

to book. 

He said: "We are doing 

everything within our power to 

ensure that those who 

orchestrated this will not go 

unpunished. Also proactive 

measures, in line with IGP 

directive are being put in place 

to forestall a reccurrence. We are 

doing an investigation, that's an 

allegation but be rest assured 

that anybody that is directly or 

indirectly connected with it shall 

never go unpunished. We have 

started investigation, we have 

our men in plain clothes which 

are already getting the 

information and very soon, we'll 

address the public on people that 

we pick. When it happened at 

Idimu before, we knew how we 

got them arrested. We are going 

to use the same machinery. We 

are meeting with the landlord 

association; we are meeting with 

the technicians along this area 

and all stakeholders involved." 

Also, the Director General, 

Lagos State Emergency 

Management Agency, LASEMA, 

Dr Olufemi Oke-osanyintolu, 

said: "We will have meetings with 

stakeholders, including chairmen 

of local governments in order to 

find lasting solution to the 

problem." 

Solution 

However, the Lagos State 

Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi 

Hamzat on Tuesday, stressed the 

need for collaboration among the 

relevant stakeholders to end the 

incessant vandalism of pipelines 

in the state. 

Speaking during a visit to the 

scene of the Abule Egba pipeline 

explosion which occurred last 

Sunday, Hamzat, accompanied 

by some state officials, said such 

collaboration has become 

imperative, in view of loss of lives 

and property occasioned by the 

handiwork of vandals, whose 

activities had brought tears and 

sorrows to the people. 

According to him, Lagos State 

Government, the Nigerian 

National Petroleum Corporation 

(NNPC) and relevant security 

agencies must put in place, 

measures that would deter those 

criminals from perpetuating evil 

acts. 

Hamzat, who described the fire 

incident as "very unfortunate,' 

assured that government would 

fish out the perpetrators and 

punish them according to the 

laws of the land. 

While expressing his 

displeasure on act of vandalism, 

he called on the residents to be 

more vigilant by reporting any 

suspicious moves by vandals to 

the appropriate authorities. 

"Please, endeavour to call 

security people on any of free toll 

emergency numbers for 

appropriate response to forestall 

any form of vandalism of our 

infrastructure. We need the help 

of the community to provide 

information, the people doing 

these evil acts are not ghosts, they 

are human beings and can be 

caught.” 

We must apprehend them. We 

will work with security operatives 

to catch them and make 

examples," he said. 

While commiserating with 

those affected by the fire incident, 

he said the state government 

would meet with the families who 

are affected by the inferno and 

see what can be done to 

ameliorate their losses, adding 

that government will support the 

community in whatever they are 

doing to ensure safety of their 

lives and property. 

Briefing the Deputy Governor 

during the assessment, the 

Chairman, Agbado-Oke-Odo 

Local Council Development Area, 

Dr. Augustine Arogundade stated 

that the explosion was as a result 

of pipeline vandalism. 

He therefore called on NNPC 

to institute a task force to monitor 

and police the pipeline against 

vandalism. 

Also, the Director of Operations, 

Lagos State Emergency 

Management Authority, 

LASEMA, Engr. Olatunde 

Akinsanya, at the scene, stated 

that the agency had commenced 

holistic enumeration to ascertain 

the impact of the fire outbreak in 

collaboration with the Agbado- 

Oke-Odo LCDA to know the 

number of people and families 

displaced as well as properties 

lost. He added that the Director- 

General of LASEMA has 

directed the commencement of 

preparation to receive the 

displaced people at two of the 

relief camps in Igando and 

Agbowa.


Stories by Princewill 

Ekwujuru 

OPERATORS in the 

Pay TV industry are 

battling against declining 

trend in patronage driven 

by shift in consumer preferences 

to online streaming 

services and other internet 

based video services. 

While, there are three 

ways of receiving digital 

signals in the industry 

namely Digital Terrestrial 

Television (DTT), Direct 

to Home (DTH) and the 

multi-channels multi-point 

distribution system, today 

new threats are emerging 

in the market. 

The threats responsible 

for the declining patronage 

of Pay TV include highspeed 

broadband penetration, 

availability of multiple 

streaming services and 

adoption of online video 

services by customers. 

The other factors responsible 

for the shift in preference 

are satellite technology, 

sourced from specialized 

vendors and equipment 

manufacturers, setting 

up of infrastructure 

that requires expertise and 

heavy reliance on foreign 

sourced professionals to 

handle core of their operations, 

and internet television. 

Others are mobile devices 

penetration and 

huge number of consumers 

adapting to video 

streaming services. 

For these reasons, Pay 

TV providers like Multichoice 

Nigeria, owners 

of DSTV and Gotv, Star- 

Times, Metro digital, 

MyTv, Daarsat, Kwese 

and Joy TV are battling 

to remain relevant in the 

market. 

They are however 

fighting back with upgraded 

channels, fresh 

content and consumer 

centric names that resonate 

with consumers, for 

instance DSTV ‘Yanga’, 

‘Confam’ etc are offering 

a more enhanced viewing 

experience. 

Metro Digital, MyTV, 

JoyTV are also offering 

free video streaming services 

in order to remain 

contenders in the Pay TV 

and online streaming 

services. 

Some of them have 

also introduced handheld 

devices for consumers 

viewing convenience, 

by making improved 

package options available 

so that customers 

can choose a subscription 

plan that best 

fits their needs, budget 

and time. 

They have also resorted 

to battle for relevance 

by increasing their 

broadband penetration 

and accelerated the 

adoption of their online 

video services. 

Experts in the industry 

say the race for market 

share and increased subscriber 

base is getting 

contentious with multiple 

streaming services 

and adoption of online 

video services expected 

to surpass 1.1 billion 

subscribers worldwide by 

2024, with Nigeria contributing 

about 100million, 

this however, has 

necessitated the struggle 

for more subscriber base 

by the Pay TV operators 

in Nigeria. 

Rivalry 

Vanguard Companies 

& Markets (C&M) findings 

show that this development 

however compounds 

the intense rivalry 

among the Pay TV 

operators for viewership 

expansion and market 

share. 

Consequently, there 

is a price-battle 

among operators, poaching 

of staff by new entrants 

into the industry as 

expertise in the industry 

is not-readily available. 

The threat has also 

forced other operators to 

improve on staff welfare 

packages. 

Program content: 

The findings also 

showed there is an increase 

in the number of 

programme content like 

the English Premiership, 

Spanish La Liga, and 

Champions League competitions, 

other sports 

and programes. 

The right to air these 

league matches further 

boosted the dominance 

of DSTV, GOtv and Star- 

Times in the market. 

StarTimes, on its part 

secured the right to air 

the Europa league and 

other leagues matches. 

Price slash: In a bid to 

create value for their 

consumers, and to remain 

viable, the operators 

have sustained this 

process of creating and 

capturing value over 

time with price slash. 

This resulted in 

flexible payment for consumers 

as they can 

pay, depending on the 

number of days, and also 

the provision to pause 

their subscription. Previously, 

the pricing regimes 

were unfair to 

most customers, especially 

the working class who 

spent few hours in a 

day at home. 

Startimes with a 29 percent 

market share cameup 

with its pay-per-day 

pricing model. The comatose 

Kwese TV 

launched a daily subscription 

plan. 

Existing operators and 

some new entrants have 

introduced the Pay-perview 

pricing system, especially 

on Pop-Up channels. 

Some are offering 

free data for video 

streaming for instance 

TSTV when it entered 

the market. 

Consumers’ reaction 

Pay TV: Operators deploy 

measures to combat 

threats to patronage 

Of the numbers of subscribers 

that spoke to 

C&M, majority said they 

have adopted online video 

streaming because 

they are mostly not at 

home to watch what they 

paid for. 

Ajide Bababtunde, a 

consumer said: “I subscribe 

a lot to video 

streaming services because 

most times I am not 

at home to watch. I had 

to pay for a lesser bouquet 

to substitute for video 

streaming services on 

Consequently, 

there is a price-battle 

among operators, 

poaching of 

staff by new entrants 

into the industry 

as expertise 

in the industry is 

not-readily available 

Netflix or Youtube.” 

This was likewise the 

reaction of James Iroka, 

also a subscriber to video 

streaming services. 

“Video streaming service 

is a relief to me but now 

some of the pay TV service 

providers are joining 

the fray. 

Expert views 

Experts are saying that 

most people are of the 

opinion that for any operator 

to survive in the 

industry, attention must 

be paid to the drivers of 

the industry which are 

Pricing and Content, leveraging 

on Nigeria’s 

growing population to 

gain market and also revenue. 

According to Azubike 

Nnah, Director of operations, 

Matrix Marketing 

Research, “the increasing 

adoption of video 

streaming platforms 

are already creating significant 

challenges to traditional 

television services, 

with the pay TV fighting 

back to see overall increase 

in adoption of video 

streaming services in 

the next five years. 

He said: “2019 saw cable, 

satellite, and IPTV 

(Internet Protocol television), 

which is the delivery 

of television content 

over Internet Protocol 

(IP) networks rise. Unlike 

downloaded media, 

IPTV offers the ability to 

stream the source media 

continuously. 

The United States (US) 

market, he said lost more 

than 1.2 million subscribers 

in Q1 to Q3 2019, 

which will trigger growth 

in emerging markets like 

Nigeria according to 

Vent Services, because 

Pay TV operators are become 

multi-dimensional.” 

C&M observed that 

Pay TV providers in Nigeria 

have seen these 

developments, and are 

beginning to improve on 

their service delivery, 

with state-of-the-art 

service centers across 

the country, and significant 

increase in 

content and quality of 

programming. 

Another Industry Analyst 

at Vent Services, 

Ahmed Saris, said: 

“High-speed broadband 

penetration with the 

availability of multiple 

streaming services is 

driving the declining pay 

TV trend." 

"Increased broadband 

penetration is, in fact, accelerating 

the adoption of 

online video services 

across different regions. 

It is expected that the 

fixed broadband market 

will exceed one billion 

subscribers by the end of 

2019, with the impact of 

over-the-top (OTT) varying 

from region to region 

depending on price 

points, content choices, 

and stability of video delivery 

across different platforms."" 

He also points out that 

the integration of streaming 

services by pay TV operators 

is developing in 

the Nigeria pay TV market. 

Wuraola Olugbenga of 

Quotum Trends Venture 

said: “Threats to the survival 

of pay TV is the advent 

of Internet TV. Also, 

video streaming services 

pose a great threat to the 

Pay TV Industry. New entrant 

TSTV could have 

been a threat, they had a 

data bundle package that 

would have enabled customers’ 

stream videos and 

programs online. 

"The cost of startup is 

high as the equipments 

needed to commence operations 

are expensive 

and have to be imported. 

Also with the ease of doing-business 

policy in Nigeria, 

getting licensed to 

operate in the industry is 

simpler and more efficient. 

“With low cost for subscribers, 

most subscribers 

are driven by low cost, and 

can easily switch from one 

Pay TV Operator to another." 

To rebrand 

Nigeria, We 

need to 

change our 

mindset 

— Okupe 

The Founder and 

Board of Trustee 

member of the Mindshift 

Advocacy for Development 

Initiative, Mr. Joko Okupe 

has emphasised the need 

for a change of mindset 

among Nigerians at home 

and in the diasporas to enhance 

the development of 

the country. 

Okupe made this pronouncement 

at the official 

launch of the Mindshift 

Advocacy for Development 

Initiative in Lagos. The 

Lagos launch which held 

at the Quite Pools Inn and 

Residence located at Adeniyi 

Jones was strategically 

targeted at the youths. 

The event tagged Lagos 70 

saw the attendance of discerning, 

empowered and 

motivated youths and 

Young-at-heart Nigerians 

who trooped in to the venue 

to be part of the advocacy 

group. 

Various speakers made 

presentations at the event 

to inspire and activate a 

radical and positive 

change in the mindset of 

the young people present 

who would serve as Mindshift 

catalysts in the society. 

Brand 

Communicator 

emerges 

2019 PR 

Magazine 

Brand Communicator, a 

brands and marketing 

communications magazine, 

has emerged the PR Magazine 

of the Year for the third 

consecutive year at the 2019 

as its Senior Reporter Azeez 

Disu won the PR Journalist 

of the year. 

LaPRIGA was organised 

by the Lagos Chapter of the 

Nigerian Institute of Public 

Relations (NIPR) in Lagos. 

Reacting to the emergence, 

Chief Executive Officer, Awesome 

Communication, publisher 

of Brand Communicator, 

Joshua Ajayi, said 

the recognition for the third 

consecutive year 2017, 2018 

and 2019 is an honour and a 

testament to the consistency 

and value Brand Communicator 

provides the industry. 

“We are motivated and 

poised to do more and do 

better in the industry. We are 

happy and enthusiastic for 

the future. 

“I thank God for this award 

and I appreciate the Brand 

Communicator team, the 

best team in the world for this 

win. I also congratulate our 

Senior Reporter, Azeez Disu. 

One cannot ask for a better 

team.”


How huge protests 

enveloped 

South East over 

Supreme court 

judgment 

•Protesting women against Imo judgment 

By Anayo Okoli, Chinoso 

Alozie,Ugochukwu Alaribe 

& Peter Okutu“ 

ENUGU- LAST week 

Supreme Court judgment 

which sacked Emeka Ihedioha of 

PDP as governor and replaced 

him with Hope Uzodinma of 

APC rattled not only the people of 

Imo State but the South East, 

especially members of the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, and many 

others who have rejected the 

judgment. 

As expected, the Court decision 

sparked off huge protest mainly 

by PDP members and their 

supporters, demanding that the 

decision be reversed. 

In Imo State, thousands of 

women clad in black attire storm 

the streets of Owerri, the State 

capital, demanding the reversal 

of the judgment which they 

described as rape on democracy. 

Also, leaders and members of the 

PDP, members in the state staged 

protests, demanding the 

reinstatement of Emeka Ihedioha 

as the Governor as they regarded 

the Supreme Court judgment as 

great injustice to the people of Imo 

State and a slap on democracy. 

Among the chieftains of the party 

that led the demonstration were 

Emeka Ihedioha’s Chief of Staff, 

Chris Okewulonu; commissioner 

for Public Utilities, Chuma Nnaji; 

and PDP state woman leader, 

Maria Ude. 

In Abia State, the state chapter of 

the Peoples Democratic Party, also 

embarked on protest asking the 

Supreme Court to reverse its 

January 14, 2020 judgment which 

sacked Gov. Emeka Ihedioha 

from office and declared Senator 

Hope Uzodinma, as the elected 

governor of Imo state. 

The party described the judgment 

as an attempt to destroy democracy, 

THE TEAM 

SUPERVISING EDITOR: 

Chioma Gabriel, Lagos 

(08052201257) 

EDITOR 

Anayo Okoli, Enugu 

08034046839 

Vincent Ujumadu, Awka 

Chidi Nkwopara, Owerri 

Peter Okutu, Abakaliki 

Chimaobi Nwaiwu, 

Nnewi 

Nwabueze Okonkwo, 

Onitsha 

Ugochukwu Alaribe, Aba 

Denis Agbo, Enugu 

Chinoso Alozie, Owerri 

Chinenye Ozor, Nsukka 

Eric Ugbor, Aba 

Ikechukwu Odu: Nsukka 

stressing that it believes that the 

Supreme Court can reverse the 

erroneous verdict for the sake of 

posterity. 

Chairman of Abia PDP, Chief 

Johnson Onuigbo, who stated this 

while addressing PDP faithful 

during a protest march over the 

judgment, in Umuahia, explained 

that the PDP national office had 

mandated state chapters of the 

party to organize demonstrations 

to register their disgust at the 

pronouncement of the apex court. 

The party faithful who marched 

through Ikot Ekpene , School 

and Bende roads to the PDP 

secretariat at St. Finbarrs road, 

also displayed placards which 

read; “We cherish democracy 

passionately, judiciary, please 

don’t truncate it”; Can a government 

that doesn’t obey the rule of law 

allow justice to thrive?”; “Judiciary, 

stop being cowed by Gen. 

Muhammadu Buhari; “President 

Buhari, leave judiciary alone”, 

amongst others. 

He said despite the unfavorable 

ruling, the party still has faith in 

the court and urged the apex court 

to reverse the judgment. 

In his words, “We are not 

pleading, but demanding that 

justice must be done, injustice to 

one is injustice to all. It is not about 

Imo but our democracy.” 

An Igbo group, Alaigbo 

Development Foundation, ADF, 

condemned and rejected the 

judgment it as “a mindless assault 

on Democracy and Rule of Law 

which is its foundation”. 

Rising from a meeting of its 

Working Committee, weekend, 

Alaigbo Development Foundation 

said it arrived at its decision 

because it followed the 2019 

We are not 

pleading, but 

demanding 

that justice 

must be done, 

injustice to 

one is injustice 

to all. It is not 

about Imo but 

our democracy. 

governorship and other elections 

held in Imo State and the two 

subsequent rulings of the Election 

Tribunal and the Court of Appeal 

on the result of Governorship 

Election in Imo State in addition 

to a painstaking study and report 

of its Legal Bureau, all of which 

are at variance with the decision of 

the court. 

In a statement by the leadership, 

including Prof Uzodinma Nwala, 

the President, Prof Nath Aniekwu, 

the secretary, Bishop Obi Udezue 

Onubogu, BoT Chairman and 

Hon. Abia Onyike, the publicity 

secretary, ADF further described 

the Supreme Court judgment as 

“an arrogant assault on the 

fundamental right of Imo people 

to decide those to whom they give 

their mandate to preside over 

their political affairs for the next 

four years”. 

“ADF position is based on a 

number of factors surrounding 

the judgment, among which is 

the technical and substantive 

impossibility of a candidate who 

came fourth in the election with 

just only 96,45 votes to overtake 

every other candidate to defeat 

the number one candidate who 

scored 273, 404votes. And this 

is a candidate whose Party, the 

All Progressives Congress 

(APC) did not win any seat in 

the State House of Assembly 

Election held simultaneously 

with the Governorship in the 

2019 General 

Election. 

“What is more, the manner in 

which the Justice Tanko-led 

Supreme Court judges did their 

on- the-sport calculations and 

came to their conclusion is so 

bizarre that one wonders 

whether this is happening in a 

normal human society or in 

Alice’s Wonderland. 

“The Justice Tanko-led 

Supreme Court appears to be 

desperately keeping faith with 

the grand design for which 

Justice Tanko was brazenly 

fostered on the Nigerian 

Judiciary after Justice 

Onnoghen was hounded out of 

office. 

“Our people in Imo State and 

the entire Igbo nation should 

regard the removal of the 

legitimately elected Governor of 

Imo State as a great assault on the 

Regional solidarity of Alaigbo, 

especially now that Regional 

cohesion is vital to the defense and 

security of Alaigbo from the 

invaders. 

“To our brother, Senator Hope 

Uzodinma, the beneficiary of the 

Supreme Court Ruling which we, 

in ADF reject, we say to you that 

you should remember that Igbo 

blood is in your veins.” 

In Abakiliki, the Ebonyi State 

chapter of the People’s 

Democratic Party PDP, during a 

protest against the judgment, 

gave the Supreme Court of 

Nigeria 24 hours to reverse Imo 

judgment. 

The protest, which 

commenced from the state party 

Secretariat, terminated at the 

Federal High Court where the 

Chairman of the Party, 

Onyekachi Nwebonyi and 

Southeast Zonal Vice Chairman, 

Austin Umahi addressed the 

party faithful. 

Clad in all black attire, they 

carried placards with various 

inscriptions such as: “NJC must 

act now; Imo Guber case: 

Supreme Court must revisit 

judgement; Ihedioha must return 

as Imo State governor; Save 

Democracy in Nigeria; Judiciary 

is now the lost hope of the 

common man”, among others. 

According to the party 

chairman: “It is very unfortunate 

that our democracy has been 

murdered; it is very unfortunate 

that under the watch of the 

judiciary, our democracy is 

murdered. Our understanding is 

that judiciary is the last hope of 

the common man, but today it is 

the lost hope of the common 

man”. 

Also speaking, Austin Umahi, 

the party’s zonal chairman 

called on the National Judicial 

Council, NJC to intervene in 

the ruling of the Supreme 

Court. 

“For how long shall we 

continue in sin that grace may 

abound? And the Bible says, 

God forbid. We want and we are 

saying it very categorical that 

the judgment of the Supreme 

Court is a pervert judgment and 

must be reversed immediately, 

for the oneness of this nation and 

for the furtherance of democracy. 

They should reverse and 

reinstate the man that was 

elected by the Imolites and he is 

the RT. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha 

and not a man that was imported 

through the back door and 

imposed on the people of Imo 

State. 

“That judgment cannot stand. 

We are here as lovers of 

democracy. Judiciary, I want 

to pass information to you, it 

could be one person today, 

tomorrow; it could be your turn if 

you don’t resist this abnormality. 

If you don’t resist this 

abomination, and if you don’t 

resist this imperfection, one day, 

it will be your turn."


Tanker Fire Accident: 

Anambra govt pulls 

down unihabitable burnt 

buildings to forestall 

further loss of lives 

By Chimaobi Nwaiwu, 

Nnewi 

T 

he Anambra 

State, government 

weekend demolished 

unihabitable buildings gutted 

by tanker fire of October 16th 

2019 at Upper Iweka, which 

spread to Emodi and Amobi 

Streets, Ziks Avenue and part of 

Ochanja Central Market, all in 

Fegge, Onitsha South Local 

Government Area of the state. 

The demolition was to avoid 

more casualty, having lost over 

five traders in the fire incident 

and in fulfillment of the promise 

it made to assist the victims of 

the tanker fire accident to go back 

to business and to assist 

landlords of the affected 

buildings rebuild their houses. 

While the government assisted 

the affected traders and 

mobilized financial support from 

sympathizers and relations to go 

back into business, the Shopping 

Plaza owners had since the 

incident been battling to 

demolish the remaining part of 

their damaged building, 

evacuate the debris in 

preparation for rebuilding 

them. 

However, help came from the 

Anambra State Government, 

which through the Anambra 

State Physical Planning Board 

ANSPPB, in collaboration with 

the building owners mobilized 

a catapiller to pull down the 

buildings. 

Speaking with newsmen at 

the site of the demolition 

exercise, the Acting General 

Manager, of ANSPPB, Mr. 

Nwabufo Anene, said "we are 

here to demolish and remove the 

remaining part of the burnt 

buildings of 15th October 2019 

inferno, caused by fuel tanker 

•The tanker that caught fire late last year at Upper iweka, Onitsha 

that fell at Upper Iweka, which 

spread to this place and burnt 

people to death and destroyed 

buildings. 

"The exercise is to forestall 

further loss of life and to assist 

the building owners to evacuate 

the debris in preparation for 

rebuilding their houses. 

"As you can see, those 

buildings are no longer 

habitable, the government in 

collaboration with the landlords 

want to replan the whole place 

so that it will be accessible in 

the event of any future 

occurrence. 

"So, what was obtainable here 

before cannot be the same after 

the government intervention. 

Every property survey plan will 

be presented to determine the 

perimeter area before 

rebuilding. 

"We will monitor the rebuilding 

process to ensure adequate 

guideline that will enable the fire 

service to access buildings and 

the market at the back in the 

event of any future fire outbreak. 

"The landlords will bring out 

their survey plan, put up their 

building plan drawing, which we 

will inspect and monitor while 

the project is ongoing." 

The chairman of the 

Landlords Association of the 

affected victims and owner of 

No 23 Emodi Street Mr. 

Chinedu Okonkwo, thanked 

Governor Obiano for keeping 

to his promise of assisting the 

victims. 

He recalled that 24 Emodi 

Street building collapsed on 

December 26, 2019, but without 

any casualty, "and to forestall 

further danger to life and the 

environment, the government 

with the consent of the property 

owners mobilized to assist in 

pulling down other affected 

buildings that could collapse any 

moment. 

"This single act of the 

governor shows that he actually 

sympathized with us, just as he 

promised to help us, that he will 

help us to rebuild the Plazas 

and make it environmental 

friendly and a befitting place to 

do business. 

"What you see happening 

today is with the consent of the 

building owners. We are doing 

this thing together with the 

government and after today, 

each of individual property 

owners will be developing their 

building plan which will be 

submitted to the state 

government for approval. 

How I escaped death at Osisikankwu's community— AKOMA, 

ENYIMBA ECONOMIC CITY OFFICIAL 

•Communities voluntarily donated their lands for the EEC project — Abia govt 

•Youths attempted to disarm policemen — CP 

By Ugochukwu Alaribe 

U MUAHIA—THE 

leader of the Enyimba 

Economic City project, in Abia 

state, Mr. David Akoma, has 

narrated his ordeal on how he 

escaped death as his team 

which visited Ugwuati village 

in Ukwa West council, was 

attacked by youths of the area. 

Ugwuati is the home town 

of the late kidnap kingpin, 

Obioma Nwankwo, 

popularly as ‘Osisikankwu.’ 

Akoma told SEV that his 

team was invited by the 

village to survey portions of 

land earmarked for the 

Enyimba Economic city 

project, but were lured into 

the town hall where they were 

attacked by the youths. 

He explained that some 

youths armed with machetes 

and other dangerous 

weapons invaded the town 

hall and started beating him 

with bottles and machetes. 

The youth president of the 

community, identified as 

Nwakanma Ogbuji, tried to 

disarm a policeman and was 

shot dead in the melee. 

Akoma said Ogbuji’s death 

aggravated the situation as 

the youths smashed a bus 

belonging to the team. 

In his words, “We went 

there to survey the area. We 

mobilized a team to survey the 

land but when we arrived, 

what we saw was a different 

thing. We saw some people 

standing behind the town 

hall. I asked if they were 

ready for the exercise, they 

insisted that we come into the 

town hall; we told them we 

weren’t there for any briefing. 

I told them I was their brother, 

a native of Umuaka and would 

not deceive them and that the 

project will benefit the 

community. The government 

already said to us that 

whatever we are doing we 

should carry the community 

along, especially the rightful 

owners of the lands. 

“When we got in, 

everywhere was rowdy and 

the youths were shouting. The 

elders told us to address 

them; I reminded them that 

we weren’t there for any 

briefing. They insisted and I 

told them that they invited us 

for the land surveying and 

they asked who told us. They 

were delaying and within 20 

minutes, we saw some 

youths on motorcycles with 

machetes and other 

dangerous weapons. They 

were shouting, ‘where is he? 

You must die today". 

The mobile policemen knew 

something was up, and I had 

to move, knowing that they 

were after me. I knew I wasn’t 

safe, so I was praying. They 

started breaking bottles and 

other things. They used a 

bottle on my head and a 

machete on my hand, I was 

helpless, I ran into the bush 

and used the time to run and 

call people from there. I called 

the Chief of Staff to the 

Governor and others, and 

they sent a team of policemen 

who came to my rescue.” 

Communities voluntarily 

donated their lands for the EEC 

project — Abia govt 

Reacting to the incident, Abia 

State Commissioner for 

Information, Chief John Okiyi 

Kalu, who said that the matter 

is under Police investigation, 

explained that the local 

communities involved in the 

EEC project donated their 

lands voluntarily with proper 

agreements with the state 

government and own shares in 

the company. 

He said, “The government 

will take a position on the 

reported incidence after 

receiving the police 

investigation report but we 

regret the untimely loss of life 

of any citizen of Abia State and 

pray God to grant the family the 

fortitude to bear the loss. 

Youths attempted to disarm 

policemen — CP 

Contacted, Commissioner 

for Abia State, Mr. Ene Okon, 

said the youths attempted to 

disarm a policemen and the 

gun went off and hit one of 

them. He added that the 

youths also detained some of 

the EEC officials who were 

later rescued by the Police. 

"The state government wrote 

to us and asked us to bring 

some security to accompany 

Enyimba Economic City 

Committee to that place. 

"The policemen were sent as 

requested by the state 

government. If the community 

had a problem, they should 

have sorted it out among 

themselves. But my 

information is that, the 

community does not agree 

with themselves there. In the 

process, the youths now 

trooped out in numbers, 

attacked the police and 

abducted even members of the 

committee. 

•David Akoma with the injuries he 

sustained during the attack 

"They attacked policemen and 

some of them attempted to 

collect the rifles from the 

policemen. As they were 

struggling, the riffle fired and 

the bullet strayed and killed one 

of them while the other two 

persons were injured. When I 

was told, I had to send reenforcement 

to rescue three 

members of the committee that 

they abducted. They were 

rescued by the re-enforcement 

team I sent. 

"That's the extent the youths 

in the place can be lawless. If 

you have problem over land with 

the government, you don't need 

to attack people. You take it to 

the government and not to attack 

the police or the people sent to 

do whatever the government 

asked them to do. They were 

armed with machetes.”


He once dated my mum 

Dear Bunmi, 

IT certainly is a small world! 

My current boyfriend is over 

20 years older, but I love him 

a lot. He is young-at-heart 

and a good father to his two 

daughters from a previous 

marriage. When he 

mentioned 

the 

neighbourhood where he 

grew up, I told him my mother 

came from the same area. He 

asked what her maiden name 

was, and he was visibly 

embarrassed when I told him. 

He admitted he’d had a 

relationship with my mum, 

whilst they were growing up 

and that they had sex a few 

times. 

This has really shaken me 

badly. I don’t know if I can 

keep on seeing him with the 

possibility of both him and my 

mum meeting again after all 

these years. What if we 

What really is your problem here? 

You know there is an age gap and 

he’s obviously had other 

relationships over 20 years ago. 

There might be an awkward 

moment when he and your mum 

meet, but I’d advise you to 

concentrate on what you have 

now, not what happened in the 

past 

eventually get married? It’ll 

certainly be weird sleeping 

with a man who’d slept with 

my mum in the past! 

Jumai, by e-mail. 

Dear Jumai, 

Whether you keep on seeing 

this man will depend on how 

freaked out you and your man 

are. 

With so much ‘history’ 

between you, one or both of 

you may be reluctant to go on. 

Thank goodness you’re not 

deeply involved yet, and it 

shouldn’t be too hard to let the 

relationship go. 

But what really is your 

problem here? You know there 

is an age gap and he’s 

obviously had other 

relationships over 20 years 

ago. There might be an 

awkward moment when he 

and your mum meet, but I’d 

advise you to concentrate on 

what you have now, not what 

happened in the past. 

Wife and mistress currently pregnant 

Dear Bunmi, 

After a series of my wife’s 

miscarriages, I thought of 

trying for a child with one of 

my girlfriends. But for my 

philandering, my marriage 

could have been happier. My 

wife had caught me out a few 

times, but I always promised 

to change. When my current 

girlfriend told me she was 

pregnant, I was shocked 

because my wife was 

pregnant again, and we were 

hoping she’d carry it to full 

term. 

When I told my girlfriend my 

wife was pregnant, she was 

furious. She reminded me I 

told her my marriage was 

more or less over and 

encouraged her to have a 

child for me. When I got home 

a few days later, my wife was 

in tears. She’d had another 

miscarriage and was 

inconsolable. I gave way to 

tears too and, when I 

eventually told my girlfriend, 

she said we should both take 

a chance at being parents, 

since I didn’t love my wife. 

That the miscarriage was 

rather convenient. Now, I feel 

I have to support my current 

girlfriend, but how do I leave 

my wife when she’s so 

unhappy? 

Desmond, by e-mail. 

Dear Desmond, 

Your wife needs a lucky 

break; with her unhappy 

situation, she would be better 

off without you. 

She’s sad about the 

miscarriage now but she is 

better being free of you 

without the complication of a 

child, getting hurt by the fallout 

of your repeated cheating. 

When she’s stronger, tell 

your wife you have realised 

you would be better off apart. 

She ought to know that by 

now anyway. 

However, tell her about the 

separation plan; don’t tell her 

your mistress’s pregnant - 

that will be cruel. 

Your wife needs support and 

she should be encouraged to 

go for counselling and a 

thorough medical check-up. 

In the meantime, face up to 

your responsibility to your 

mistress and your unborn 

child and stop playing with 

people’s lives. 

She earns more, but I pay all the time 

Dear Bun mi, 

My girlfriend holds a 

managerial position in a fairly 

big company and earns more 

than I do, but she never puts 

her hand in her pocket to pay 

for anything we share 

together - either a meal or a 

drinks. She goes on and on 

about equal rights for women, 

but expect me to pay for 

everything! Most of the time, 

she doesn’t even say ‘thank 

you'. How can I get her to stop 

being such a free loader? 

Yusuf, by e-mail. 

Dear Yusuf, 

I totally sympathise with 

you, as there are lots of 

women these days who insist 

on buying rounds, even 

when they’re out with male 

friends. They also pay their 

way in a relationships. 

Your girlfriend is setting a 

bad example for the rest of us. 

It’s a bit annoying when 

women say they want gender 

equality, then pick and choose 

the bits they want to adopt. It’s 

especially not fair if she earns 

more than you do. Speak up 

now. Tell her if she’s a true 

feminist, it’s ridiculous to 

assume the man should 

always foot the bill. When 

next you go out, agree on 

what to spend and how much 

she will contribute towards the 

expense. 

His constant 'moans' are wearing 

me down 

Yemisi, by e-mail. 

Dear Bun mi, 

I’ve never seen such a 

control freak as my partner. 

We live together and he 

seems to have his own way of 

doing things. Whenever I’m 

in the kitchen, he’s always 

hovering around, telling me 

how to get better results, yet, 

refuses to cook. He lectures 

me on how to drive and 

argues all the time about my 

friends’ behaviours and mode 

of dressing. 

I love him a lot but his 

constant moans are wearing 

me down. How do I cope with 

this unusual problem? 

I doubt if he really fancies me 

Dear Bunmi, 

I am 16 and there’s this 19- 

year-old guy who has been 

sending me text messages 

informing me how much he 

loves me. He keeps on trying 

to convince me that I’m the 

only one who occupies his 

heart. When I told him that I 

don’t want him to be my 

boyfriend, he said he would 

always love me, even if I’d 

torn his heart out. 

Two days later, he phoned 

and told me he really loves 

me. I truly love this guy, but 

I’m not sure if he’s trying to 

deceive me. What should I do 

in such a situation? 

Roily, by e-mail. 

Dear Roily, 

So he’s professing his love 

for you, but why don’t you 

believe him? Perhaps, when 

you discover the answer to the 

question, you’ll know what to 

do. There could be several 

reasons why you don’t trust 

him. 

He might be insincere, and 

you can’t see the truth through 

all what he says. It could be 

that you’re just not ready to 

commit to such a relationship 

and it’s really your doubts that 

Mv girl’s too nice! 

Dear Bunmi, 

For four years, I’ve had a 

rewarding relationship with 

my partner and care for her a 

lot. But one thing really 

confuses me, she doesn’t get 

jealous at all. She lets me go 

out with my mates; go to late 

night parties alone, but never 

worries I might go off with 

other women. Is this normal? 

I’m beginning to wonder 

whether she really loves me. 

Lekan, by e-mail. 

Dear Lekan, 

I’m sure your partner loves 

you. In fact, she does more 

Dear Yemisi, 

Your problem is not as 

uncommon as you think. 

Fault-finders abound 

everywhere and one of the 

ways to deal with your man 

could be to simply disagree 

with everything he says. That, 

of course, means you should 

be ready to cope with the 

escalating arguments that 

would follow. This way, your 

man may realise you’re 

making a point about his 

criticisms and change. 

You could also decide to 

ignore him and simply let his 

fault-finding wash over you. 

There could be 

several reasons 

why you don’t trust 

him! But you need 

to realise where 

it’s coming from. 

When you get the 

answer, you’ll 

decide what to do. 

But only you can 

make that decision. 

are causing you to disbelieve 

him, rather than anything he 

did or said. That’s a real 

concern you should heed. But 

you need to realise where it’s 

coming from, or maybe a 

friend of yours who knows this 

boy puts some doubts in your 

head. Maybe she’s heard 

stories about him that she’s 

repeated. 

Could it be your parents had 

drummed it into your head 

not to trust boys, and that’s 

what is causing you to 

question his sincerity? So 

think about all of this and try 

to figure out why you feel the 

way you do. When you get the 

answer, may you’ll decide to 

keep pushing him away, or 

maybe you’ll let him get a 

little closer. But only you can 

make that decision. 

than that - she trusts you. 

She’s secure in the 

relationship and she knows 

you’re not going to stray. 

It’s a bit unusual this days 

and age, where men and 

women change partners at the 

drop of a hat, but I wouldn’t 

worry if I were you. Only, 

don’t abuse her loyalty. 

Don’t be tempted to have a 

fling, just to show you can, or 

to get her going. A 

relationship without any 

jealousy at all is rare and 

wonderful - so, count your 

blessings. 

Share your problems and release your 

burden. Write now to Dear Bunmi, 

Vanguard Newspapers, P.M.B 1007, 

Apapa, Lagos, or bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Amotekun and Malami’s dog 

in a manger way 

THE unitarist mind that is 

brought to the 

operationalisation of Nigeria’s 

federal structure is the reason why 

there would continue to be 

disagreement between the 

constituent states and whoever are 

the centrists running the “federal” 

government of Nigeria at any point 

in time. 

The very reasons that make a 

federal system of government 

workable and attractive are the 

same Nigerian federalists uphold to 

deny other Nigerians the gains of 

federalism. That was why Abubakar 

Malami, the Attorney General of the 

Federation and Minister of Justice, 

could so brazenly sit back in Abuja 

and declare illegal a security 

arrangement put in place by the 

governors of a beleaguered people 

in the face of Abuja’s failure. Had 

Abuja been up to par in playing its 

part, perhaps Nigerians in the southwest, 

as are others in other parts of 

the country, would not today be 

forced into a situation where they 

have to fight to assert their right of 

self-preservation following the 

inability of Abuja to protect them. 

Aside the cheek and arrogance of 

Malami’s purported proscription of 

Amotekun, the reasons advanced for 

the declaration are nonsensical. 

They are a specie of the tyrannically 

gratuitous attempts by a section of 

the Nigerian populace to stall 

development in other parts of the 

country and to impose a unitarist 

culture of mediocrity on every section. 

Do we need to tell these enemies of 

progress that federalism or unity 

should not be an excuse for failure? 

Why in a federal structure should 

any attempt by a state or a section of 

the country to assert their right to 

self-determination and to make 

progress that is for the good of their 

own people, be interpreted as an 

obtuse execution of a secessionist 

agenda? Why must every progressive 

move at a regional or state level 

receive the nod of the centre? Why 

should governors of the south-west 

states be required to get the 

imprimatur of Abuja before they 

could float a security outfit that is 

meant to complement the 

inadequate effort of Abuja? 

Where in the agenda of the 

promoters of Amotekun is it stated 

that the outfit is meant to target 

people from a part of the country or 

a prelude to creating a regional 

army? Why should somebody else’s 

fear determine other people’s reality 

or way of life? Indeed, the governors 

of the states promoting the outfit 

went out of their way to make clear 

that their effort was supplementary 

and subordinate to that of the 

national police. What further 

assurances can they provide? If there 

are genuine fears about the reasons 

for the establishment of Amotekun 

such could be addressed frontally 

without the foolish argument to stifle 

creative social engineering in 

statehood by sectionalists 

determined to hold others down to 

their level. 

In reality, there is nothing novel or 

even creative as such about 

Amotekun. Its establishment falls 

within the ambit of governance in a 

federal state system. There is no 

What Malami and 

others like him should 

be doing is helping the 

promoters of 

Amotekun to bring it 

in alignment with the 

extant laws - not seek 

to proscribe it outright 

reason why anybody, organisation 

or section of the populace, should 

lose their sleep over it. There is no 

point inventing the wheel. We can 

always learn from the example of 

others. And we have the example of 

America where the notion of 

securitisation even at the county (our 

local government) level to learn 

from. 

Declaring, as Malami did that the 

Nigerian constitution recognises 

only a central armed forces and 

police system to protect the territorial 

integrity of the country is at best a 

conflation of issues or a wilful 

demonstration of ignorance on his 

Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020—31 

Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

part. The mandate of Amotekun is 

clear. It does not purport to protect 

the territorial integrity of Nigeria or 

any of its constituent parts against 

citizens from other parts of the 

country. As many commentators 

have pointed out, organisations 

similar to Amotekun operate in other 

parts of the country including 

Malami’s Kano State where the 

Islamic Hisbah police has been 

known to tackle Nigeria’s regular 

police personnel. The civilian JTF 

in parts of the north-east is yet 

another case in point. In these 

different parts of the country there 

are non-Hausa-Fulani Nigerians 

who never complained that the 

system was rigged against them. 

They have minded and have 

continued to mind their own 

business for as long as they know 

their hands are clean. 

What prompted Malami into 

making his ill-advised statement 

illegalising Amotekun, a knee-jerk 

response of a bloated ego, is nothing 

but a fear of the unknown and an 

inflated sense of his own importance 

and that of others he represents. 

Their insistence on a rigidly centrist 

federalism where Abuja must always 

dictate the pace of development in 

other parts of the country is a 

nonstarter. It can only lead to the 

implosion of the country. It was the 

so-called federal government under 

Muhammadu Buhari that stopped 

the Lagos metroline project. It was 

another “federal” government under 

Olusegun Obasanjo that wrecked the 

Enrron Power Project in Lagos. The 

argument then, as now for 

Amotekun, is that such moves would 

either put Lagos (the Yoruba?) ahead 

or make it easy for the Yoruba to 

establish an Oduduwa State. Such 

stuff and nonsense! 

The fluke that Abuja is immune to 

the ailments that afflict other parts 

of the country is unacceptable. It is 

this mindset that informs the 

imposition of IPPIS as a payment 

system on universities (without 

prejudice to its other merits). It is the 

reason for JAMB which has now 

been supplanted by “post JAMB” 

requirements. These are all attempts 

to monitor and control the pace of 

development in other parts of the 

country. If Amotekun can be misused 

so are Nigeria’s armed and 

paramilitary forces being misused. 

Rather than pulling down the 

structures. Therefore, what Malami 

and others like him should be doing 

is helping the promoters of 

Amotekun to bring it in alignment 

with the extant laws- not seek to 

proscribe it outright. 

As for those pretending to oppose 

Amotekun because it is not backed 

by law, let them be reminded that 

the anti-open grazing regulations in 

Benue State passed through the 

Benue State’s House of Assembly. 

That did not make those opposed to 

the laws accept them. The problem 

with our system of governance is the 

deep distrust and mistrust of one 

another and, right now, 

Muhammadu Buhari’s disrespect of 

diversity in appointment and 

dealings with other parts of the 

country has only worsened the 

situation. 

Otherwise, Malami’s statement on 

Amotekun will not come across as 

the pronouncement of a Fulani man 

on the right of the Yoruba to selfpreservation. 

Had this government 

and its security structure been more 

inclusive, people would be more 

open to the “federalist” argument of 

Malami, Balarabe Musa and their 

co-travellers. The task before the 

promoters of Amotekun is to invest 

in its funding and personnel while 

making clear its mode of operations. 

Not kill it. 

In the eye of the storm: Magu and next level of anti-corruption war 

By LIVINGSTONE WECHIE 

FORMER Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, 

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in her seminal 

book, with the title: Fighting Corruption in 

Nigeria is Dangerous, captured the obstacles 

and dangers inherent in tackling corruption 

in the country. This assertion is premised on 

the corrosive nature of the scourge and the 

unscrupulous culture that sustains it among 

the Nigerian elite and the general public. 

The craze to occupy government office has 

been to appropriate the resources of the state 

for personal use. The scourge of corruption 

became so pervasive that there is hardly any 

facet of the Nigerian society that is not tainted 

by corruption. Corruption gave Nigeria a very 

bad name in the international community and 

probably defined official policies. Even at 

unofficial levels, corruption is ravaging the 

Nigerian system. 

When Ibrahim Magu was appointed acting 

Chairman of the Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, EFCC, he left no one in 

doubts as to his zeal to anchor the avowed 

anti-corruption war of President Muhamadu 

Buhari’s government, which is one of the major 

planks of the Buhari administration. Magu 

employed his expertise as a seasoned 

investigator; he mobilized a crack team of 

intelligent and resourceful staff and even 

external hands to wage the war. He was fearless 

as he was ruthless and remains so. 

Today, Magu has used the instruments of his 

office to investigate high profile personalities 

and some dubious companies doing illicit 

businesses in Nigeria. Many who felt 

threatened by this audacious move tried to use 

all means fair and foul to discredit him and 

the commission. They sponsored invidious 

articles on the pages of newspapers and even 

went secretly to dissuade him from 

investigating them, but he never budged. 

The results of his resolute action started 

pouring in immediately and some of the then 

alleged criminals arrested were taken to court 

where many of them pleaded guilty. Many of 

them have been jailed. Under his watch the 

Commission has secured conviction as the 

courts have jailed three former governors: Jolly 

Nyame of Taraba State, Joshua Dariye of 

Plateau State and recently Orji Uzor Kalu of 

Abia State. They are serving various jail 

sentences having been found guilty of 

embezzling public funds. More former 

governors are still having their cases in court, 

while others are under investigation. 

The EFCC in December 2019, liaised with 

the Interpol to secure the extradition of former 

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, 

Mohammed Adoke, to face prosecution for 

over $2 billion Malabu oil deal. The EFCC is 

also making strong effort to extradite the 

Magu definitely may not be 

the best Nigerian but his 

capacity and competence 

cannot be questioned 

justifiably 

former Minister of Petroleum Resources, 

Diezani Allison Madueke, from Britain to face 

corruption charges. 

Achievements of the commission in asset 

recovery between January 2018 and August 

2019 are amazing. During this period the 

commission secured more than 156 

convictions convictions and recovered N108 

billion within the same period, all to his credit. 

The commission also recovered 106,516,222; 

1,635,925 dollars; 629,193 pounds and 25,575 

euro. This is just to say the least. Generally 

more than 2,500 convictions have so far been 

secured by the Magu led EFCC as stated by 

him during his recent visit to the Port Harcourt 

zonal office of the Commission. 

The Magu-led EFCC has also embarked on 

massive seizure of ill-gotten properties in 

Abuja, Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria. 

It is instructive to recall that on Thursday, 

August 8, 2019, the commission handed over 

a 13-bedroom one-storey building and 

basement seized as proceeds of crime to the 

management of North East Development 

Commission, NEDC. 

A civil society organisation, Initiative for 

Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria 

had through its Secretary Abubakar Ibrahim, 

quite rightly observed that members of the 

eighth National Assembly refused to confirm 

Magu as the substantive chairman because 

they had ulterior motives. 

"The refusal by the eighth assembly to 

confirm the appointment of Ibrahim Magu 

without any concrete reason is due to the 

fearless nature with which the acting chairman 

is tackling corruption in Nigeria. It has sent 

quiver to the hearts of those who already have 

their hands soiled in corruption before coming 

to the National Assembly which has resulted 

to their outright refusal to confirm Magu as 

substantive chairman of the EFCC. 

“Several of the lawmakers facing financial 

crime charges in court in which majority of 

them were former governors who stole from 

their respective states as governor for eight 

years are now in the National Assembly 

fighting Magu’s confirmation because of his 

firmness and support for Mr. President, 

Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption 

stance,” the group said. 

Magu has also declared war on internet 

fraudsters popularly called “Yahoo boys”. 

Many of them have been jailed and their 

property confiscated. Magu has also set up 

schemes in Nigerian schools to educate the 

young one on the dangers of internet fraud 

trying to do moral rearmament. Those who 

have fought against the Magu led EFCC know 

that he is an impediment to their evil regime 

and tradition. 

Many people have shown indignation as to 

why President Buhari will continue to retain 

Magu even after the National Assembly refused 

to confirm him. But irrespective of their 

feelings, Buhari stood behind Magu because 

of his apparent demonstration of transparency 

and accountability in his functions and 

especially in managing recovered assets. 

The fact that Magu is the undisputed armour 

bearer of the President in the war against 

corruption makes his job more sensitive. Hence 

the need for Mr. President to transmit his name 

to the ninth National Assembly for 

confirmation as the substantive of the EFCC. 

This will protect the anti corruption legacy of 

the president from being eroded and the gains 

from crashing. 

It is expedient to note that the success so far 

recorded by this administration on the war 

against corruption hangs in the balance if effort 

is not put in to confirm Magu which by itself 

will keep the struggle free from the traps of 

nay sayers. 

Magu definitely may not be the best Nigerian 

but his capacity and competence cannot be 

questioned justifiably. All that stand against 

him hold nothing but hate and bias and not 

genuine concern of any form. Can anyone deny 

Magu the display of patriotic spirit and 

nationalism in his job? It will be difficult to do 

so in conscience and in truth. 

Although some argue that his tenure has 

lapsed, but the fact remains that he is not yet 

tenured being an acting chairman. Only a 

substantive chairman can be tenured 

according to the EFCC Act. This again leaves 

the National Assembly with the task to revisit 

and amend the EFCC Act with a view to 

inserting an express provision definining the 

terms and duration for an acting chairman 

for the anti graft body. To this extent you can 

not hold Magu's position against him or the 

President because the law does not provide 

expressly against the appointment of an acting 

chairman. 

Stakeholders in this war on corruption must 

see the need to lend every level of support to 

win this battle particularly the judiciary which 

is vested with powers to try and convict in 

keeping with the due process of our laws. The 

EFCC must not be left solely with the burden 

of the anti corruption fight. Both communities 

and civil society organisations including 

citizenship engagement must be fully activated 

to jointly ensure victory in this struggle so we 

can regain our dignity in the international 

plane for our national pride. 

•Wechie, Executive Director, The Integrity 

Friends For Truth and Peace Initiative, wrote 

from Abuja 

C 

M 

Y 

K

32 — VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

ARIES: The more self assertive you are the better but 

then it is important you don’t take things and people 

for granted. Be wise. 

TAURUS: ALTHOUGH there seem to be an air of 

understanding within your working arena today, tomorrow 

may turn the whole thing the other way. 

GEMINI: HERE is an exciting day that will climax 

tomorrow. After a long time, others will see how passionate 

you can be even in love. Don’t gamble, please. 

CANCER: IF your desire is to make money today, you 

will need to be less emotional and prepare for domestic 

challenges tomorrow. Enjoy your love life. 

LEO: GOOD relationship between the Moon and 

other Planets will bring you good opportunities. Be less 

argumentative and take your love life more seriously. 

VIRGO: THIS is your day when things will go according 

to your plans. Financial success indicated but 

if you wait till tomorrow, opposition’ll bring disappointment. 

L E I S U R E 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“You must take action now towards your goals. 

Start by prioritising what matters most in your 

life.” -Take Heart Quotes- 

Start by finding solutions to issues that needs to be 

addressed head on. It isn’t problems that define a 

person, but how one react and recovers from a setback. 

Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge 

what you’ve done. Take it one step at a time. - 

Ella Randle - 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

He who 

earns calamity, 

eats it 

with his family. 

~ African 

proverb 

By Kola Fayemi 

LIBRA: THE Moon encourages you to be as assertive 

as possible but you will need to expect certain level of 

opposition. Try to be more friendly. 

SCORPIO: HAPPENINGS within your working arena 

should be taken more seriously now or else, avoidable 

trouble would start tomorrow. Again, it’s important you 

are more practical about your health. Be more loving. 

SAGITTARIUS: EVEN, if friends and others are helpful 

and pledging loyalty today, they may be forced and 

get on your nerve tomorrow. Be graceful in your expression. 

CAPRICORN: WHATEVER can lead to avoidable 

trouble tomorrow, either at home or along your career/ 

business lines, should be well taken care of today. Be 

very open. 

AQUARIUS: YOUR best bet today is to seek important 

co-operation of influential people and that of your 

spouse/partner. The more legal conscious you are, the 

better for you. 

PISCES: IF others want you to conclude an important 

financial transactions that can possibly be done 

today, you’ll need to say no and go ahead as tomorrow 

may not be as conducive as today. 

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 

What’s my immediate 

future? 

Dear Joshua, 

I am interested in what you are doing. Please tell me what I should 

expect concerning my immediate future. Would I succeed in business? 

Babatunde, Lagos. 

Dear Babatunde, 

VIRGINIA 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

Few years back you have started a very longer (years) great cycle 

of success and happiness, and this year you will be moving closer to 

the peak of the said cycle. What are ahead of you between now and 

the month of March 2020. If you utilise those sub-periods and your 

lucky dates you would be successful. 

Similar to your immediate past (two week) period. Good opportunities 

to assert yourself will come your way but the Stars are 

saying tarry a while till your next period that will prove tremendously 

fortunate for you. 

That is not to say the business world have to be avoided but 

whatever will need higher degrees of positive luck should be delayed 

till next month when the heavens will smile broadly at you. 

During this period you will have more to gain if you take your 

younger subordinates seriously so also your personal new ideas on 

the best ways to successfully forge ahead in the business world, 

especially during the last two weeks of the period 

Ironically the same last two weeks called for carefulness while 

handling spiritual related issues, so also behind-the-scene-activities. 

Then a particular member of your opposite sex may be looking 

for a man she would like to lure into secret affairs; it is better for her 

to get such elsewhere so that one will not run into avoidable troubles. 

MONEY will come in where you expect it and from unexpected 

sources too. If there are times when element of luck is needed to 

succeed, this is one of such periods; actually British Astrologer will 

say go for sweepstakes (like lotteries, lotto, pool betting and the 

like) and truly you can win. With romantic Venus in your Star 

Sign, important matters-of-the-heart should be taken very seriously. 

Whatever your posture, nature will have it’s way and you will give in 

to enjoy your love life; members of your opposite sex will be willing 

to assist you now, either for romantic interest or otherwise. 

Yes all your new ideas you have recently been keeping to yourself 

can be executed and rightly expect success. There are more likely to 

be some form of controversies, especially during the last two weeks 

of the period but you just have to do away with sentiment and 

remain focused on the best way you can better your business cause 

because if you carve-in to emotion, unworthy competitors would 

painfully take advantage of your labour. God forbid!!! 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa



EXERCISE: Staff of BeeBeeJump Solar duirng the clean-up exercise of Obalende motor park and its 

environs at the weekend in Lagos. 

RNDA confused, don’t be distracted, 

PANDEF tells N’Deltans 

By Emma Amaize 

ASABA — PAN Niger 

Delta Forum, 

PANDEF, has urged the 

people of Niger Delta 

not to be distracted by the 

antics of a misguided 

group, Reformed Niger 

Delta Avengers, RNDA, 

which has formed the 

habit of making baseless 

statements against the 

regional body. 

Deputy National 

Secretary, PANDEF, Ken 

Robinson, reacting to the 

recent outburst by 

RNDA, dismissing the 

organisation, told 

Vanguard: “Those are 

people who do not have 

the interest of the region 

at heart and they are 

faceless people, we do 

not know them. 

“You may wish to note 

that this is not the first 

time the so-called 

Reformed Niger Delta 

Avengers would be 

issuing statement 

against PANDEF. It’s 

obvious they are fifth 

columnist planted by 

those who are trying to 

cause confusion in the 

region, for egocentric 

purposes. 

“PANDEF will not be 

disturbed by such 

statements from faceless 

groups, and we urge the 

public to disregard the 

bogus and baseless 

statement. The nation 

and the global 

community are abreast of 

the situation in the Niger 

Delta region and need 

not be told of PANDEF’s 

critical role. 

“It is needless to say 

that PANDEF is 

comprised of credible 

Alleged Terrorism: Court grants 

lecturer N10m bail in Calabar 

By Ike Uchechukwu 

CALABAR —A 

Federal High Court 

sitting in Calabar has 

granted bail to a lecturer, 

Mr. Joseph Odok and critic 

of Governor Ben Ayade of 

Cross River State after days 

in custody. 

In his ruling, the 

presiding judge, Justice 

Simon Amobeda said the 

defendant had shown 

“exceptional 

circumstances” to permit 

the court to exercise its 

discretion and admit him to 

bail.” 

The terms include; a bail 

bond valued at N10 million 

with two sureties in like 

sum. One of the sureties 

must be a civil servant with 

either the State or Federal 

Government on Grade 

Level 13 or above while the 

other must be a “close 

relative with a verifiable 

address,” Amobeda ruled. 

Also, both sureties are 

expected to depose to an 

affidavit and provide two 

passport photographs. 

The defense team was for 

the first time, comprised of 

more than one lawyer with 

E. E. Osim, Oliver Osang 

and Assam Assam junior 

who represented the Abuja 

branch of the Nigerian Bar 

Association all entering 

appearances. 

The matter was stood 

down for a few minutes 

after it was called due to the 

absence of the Prosecution 

Youths slam Bayelsa govt over 

silence on military invasion of 

Bilabiri communities 

By Emem Idio 

Y youths ENAGOA—IJAW 

under the 

umbrella of Mein National 

Youths Congress, MNYC, 

have flayed the Bayelsa 

State Government over its 

continued silence on the 

military invasion of 

Bilabiri Communities in 

Ekeremor Local 

Government Area, 

describing the 

government attitude as 

unfortunate. 

The youths in a 

statement in Yenagoa 

Enogie Throne: Igbanke community cries to Oba of Benin 

BENIN CITY—SOME 

concerned indigenes 

of Igbontor/Idumuiru 

Community in Igbanke, 

Orhionmwon Local 

Government Area of Edo 

State have appealed to 

Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku 

Akpokpolo, Oba Ewuare 

II to intervene in the 

usurpation of the Enogie 

throne and intimidation 

of Igbontor/Idumuiru 

indigenes by Messrs. 

Luke Illeh Omorodion 

and Moses Omorodion 

in their continued plan to 

cede them to Ika in Delta 

State. 

In a Save Our Soul, 

SOS, letter addressed to 

the monarch, the 

indigenes complained 

that the duo has illegally 

arrogated to themselves 

the title of Enogie and 

regent of Igbontor/ 

Idumuiru community. 

They alleged that Mr. 

Luke Illeh Omorodion 

goes around with a 

registered plate number 

of HRH ‘THE Enogie Of 

Igbontor’ with royal 

sword of Ada and Eben 

boldly written on them, 

and he is always on full 

Enogie regalia, among 

and selfless people from 

the ethnic nationalities of 

the region; people who 

have, over the years, 

contributed immensely to 

the development of their 

various communities, the 

region, and the country 

at large. 

“PANDEF shall remain 

committed to the pursuit 

of shared interests along 

with promoting 

understanding and 

peaceful co-existence 

amongst the various 

ethnic nationalities of the 

region.’’ 

Land dispute: Family drags Obasanjo’s brother, 

wife to court 

By Onozure Dania 

Ahead BEOKUTA—THE 

and principal 

members of Adogun 

Atele family have 

dragged Chief Abraham 

Akanle, younger brother 

to ex-President 

Olusegun Obasanjo and 

his wife, Taiwo Akanle 

before an Ogun State 

High Court for allegedly 

trespassing on their 

family land known as 

IIiwo family land, 

Sogunro village, Itele 

Awori in Ado Odo/ Ota 

Local Government area 

of the state. 

The claimants, 

Nurudeen Akapo, 

Sunday Owotolu, Chief 

Taoreed Dada, and 

Alhaji Monsuru Yusuf 

are seeking for an order 

restraining the 

defendants from further 

trespassing on the land 

in dispute. 

The claimants in suit by 

their lawyer, Olanrewaju 

Balogun prayed the 

court for an order 

directing the defendants 

their agents and privies 

to vacate the land in 

dispute. 

The family also sought 

for a declaration that the 

defendants act of 

packing, collecting 

laterite on the land in 

dispute amount to 

trespass, illegal and null 

and void. 

In a 41-page statement 

of claim, the claimants 

alleged that the 

defendants, acting under 

the disguise of 

protecting the ‘defective 

title of Chief Obasanjo’s 

land brought tipper 

operators to collect 

laterite on their family 

land. 

They stated that the 

defendants are strangers 

and not related to 

Adogun Atele family but 

are using the influence 

of former President, 

Obasanjo to harass and 

intimidate the claimant’s 

family members. 

The claimants alleged 

that the 1st defendant 

misrepresented Chief 

Obasanjo to harass and 

intimidate claimant’s 

family members should 

they complain about 

illegal collection of 

laterite on the disputed 

land. 

They claimants stated 

that they have obtained 

several court judgments 

over the land from which 

the former president 

allegedly bought from 

Ogungbemi Alagbeji 

family. 

The claimant stated that 

they did not execute the 

judgments because of the 

understanding that at the 

appropriate time, the 

former president will 

approach them for 

settlement. 

Therefore, the claimants 

prayed the court for a 

declaration that they are the 

persons entitled to the 

Statutory Right of 

Occupancy in respect of the 

parcel of land in dispute. 

many others. 

In the petition signed 

by the elders, including 

the Odionwere, the 

c o m m u n i t y 

acknowledged that the 

Enogie known by Oba 

Erediauwa presented to 

them with the full 

recommendation of Oba 

representative in 

Igbanke, Odunanoba of 

Benin Kingdom, Chief 

H. H. Omorodion were 

HRH late Jeremiah 

Omorodion and his son, 

HRH Lucky Omorodion. 

The petition stated, 

‘’Luke Ileh Omorodion 

has been employing all 

tactics to chase away 

HRH Lucky Omorodion, 

which unfortunately 

created this opportunity 

for him to usurp the 

position and parade 

himself as the Enogie. 

‘’The ugly situation 

they said has been 

reported to the 

Odunanoba of Benin 

Kingdom but no action 

has been taken until now; 

though he explained to 

them that they will take 

action that will be in the 

best interest of the 

community.’’ 

Counsel, Dennis 

Tarhemba. 

However, another 

prosecutor from the Cross 

River State Police 

command, C. I. Eze entered 

appearance for the 

prosecution. 

Amobeda held that bail 

pending trial remained a 

right enshrined in the 

constitution. 

Odok who arrived Court 

in company of two 

correctional officers 

sporting a blue jean, 

bathroom slippers and a 

black shirt with the 

inscription “Freedom 

Cometh By Struggle” was 

arrested at his Abuja 

residence on September 

26, 2019. 

Vanguard learned that 

he spent 26 days in Police 

custody before he was 

arraigned on October 22, 

2019 on two charges 

bordering on terrorism and 

cybercrime. 

He however, pleaded not 

guilty and was remanded 

at the Medium Security 

Custodial Center of the 

Nigerian Correctional 

Service where he has spent 

91 days so far. He risks a 

death sentence if convicted. 

The matter was adjourned 

until January 28 and 29 for 

trial. 

His wife had told 

journalists that his arrest 

was a plot hatched by the 

Cross River State 

government, an allegation, 

the state denied. 

yesterday, signed by the 

President, Kenewaremor 

Donbodigha, noted that 

the state government 

continued silence over 

the issue amounted to 

dereliction of 

responsibility on their 

part, noting that it was 

“irresponsible” for a 

state government to keep 

mute while it’s citizens 

were sacked from their 

ancestry homes by 

agents of the federal 

government. 

He said: “We the 

youths of Ijawland and 

particularly, the youths 

of Mein Clan are 

saddened by the recent 

military invasion of our 

ancestry land by military 

of the Federal Republic 

of Nigeria under the 

guise of searching for 

hoodlums and killers of 

some military personnel. 

“We are particularly 

vexed with the fact that 

since the military 

invasion, the Bayelsa 

State Government has not 

deemed it fit to condemn 

the military action, visit, 

or show concern with the 

people of the area who are 

innocent and are only 

suffering over the crimes 

they know nothing about.

34—Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 


CONFERENCE: From left, Chris Ubosi, Managing Director, Megalectrics Ltd; Dr. Okey 

Oramah, President, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank); Kojo Annan, Founder, Africa 

10 and Dr. Ken Onyeali Ikpe, Group CEO, Insight Redefini Group at the Creative Africa 

Exchange (CAX) Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Igbo leaders insist on rotational 

presidency •Advocate power shift in Anambra 

By Omeiza Ajayi 

& Gabriel Ewepu 

ABUJA— THE Igbo 

Leadership 

Development Foundation, a 

think-tank for promoting 

good governance, equity and 

conscientious leadership in 

the South East has made a 

case for rotational presidency 

beginning from 2023, saying 

it is now the turn of Igbo to 

produce the nation’s 

president. 

At a news conference, 

yesterday, in Abuja, the 

foundation equally advocated 

power shift in Anambra State 

ahead of its governorship 

election next year. 

Reading the group’s 

address, its Director, Public 

Affairs, Dr Law Mefor, said 

the attention of the foundation 

had been drawn to the 

unwholesome moves “by 

some politicians to truncate 

the beautiful rotation 

arrangement of governorship 

position in Anambra State.” 

He said: “The foundation 

is equally promoting the 

emergence of a Nigerian 

President of Igbo extraction 

in the 2023 general election. 

The simple reason is that the 

South-East is the only 

geopolitical zone in southern 

Nigeria that has not 

produced a president for the 

country in present democratic 

dispensation and the zone 

producing Nigeria’s 

president will no doubt usher 

in unity and healing in the 

land and end the lingering 

mistrust caused by the 

Nigeria civil war. 

“We, therefore, believe in 

rotation as a democratic 

process that will ensure 

political inclusivity and 

reduce the rancour associated 

with elections as well as cut 

down costs of electioneering 

by narrowing candidature to 

particular zones in each 

election circle..” 

Power shift in 

Anambra 

On Anambra State, the 

foundation said the argument 

of those who want the 

governorship contest to 

become an all comers’ affair 

is that the position has moved 

round the three senatorial 

zones in the state, and the 

chips, therefore, should fall 

where they may, starting from 

the 2021 governorship 

election in the state. 

“For the avoidance of doubt, 

their excellencies, Dr. 

Chinwoke Mbadinuju 

(Anambra South), Dr. Chris 

Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi 

(Anambra Central) and 

currently, Chief Willie Obiano 

(Anambra North) have all 

governed Anambra State in 

the order. 

"What equity demands now 

is for Anambra governor to 

come from Anambra South in 

2021, in the spirit of rotation 

through which the past and 

current governors of the state 

had emerged. Some 

politicians are fighting 

against it. 

“This argument against 

continued rotation of 

governors is warped and self 

serving. Those who propel it 

do not have the interest of 

Anambra State at heart. 

Anambra is the gateway to 

the South-East and blessed 

with abundant and 

uncommon human and 

material resources. It is very 

crucial that Anambra should 

get its acts right and show 

example to the rest of the 

South-East and the country 

at large. 

“Leaving governorship 

election as an all-comers affair 

in Anambra State, 

particularly, can only create 

wide latitude for confusion 

and conflict as well as incur 

much cost that could have 

gone into development of the 

State." 

Abia govt carpets Timi Frank over 

attack on Ikpeazu 

By Ugochukwu 

Alaribe 

UMUAHIA— ABIA 

State government has 

carpeted former Deputy 

Publicity Secretary of All 

Progressives Congress, APC, 

Chief Timi Frank, for 

attacking Governor Okezie 

Ikpeazu over his trip to 

London, where he 

accompanied President 

Muhammadu Buhari to the 

UK-African Investment. 

Frank had criticised the 

Abia State governor for 

travelling with Buhari when 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, was planning a 

nationwide protest over the 

sack of Chief Emeka 

Ihedioha as governor of Imo 

State. He stated that Ikpeazu 

left Nigeria when his party, 

the PDP, needed him at home. 

But in a swift reaction, 

Special Adviser, Media, to 

the governor, Mr. Enyinnaya 

Appolos, berated the former 

APC chieftain and charged 

him to "bury his face in 

shame," stressing that Frank, 

who is now a PDP member, 

spoke like a "job man," not like 

a party loyalist. 

He disclosed that the 

arrangement for the trip to the 

summit had long been 

concluded before the 

Supreme Court verdict that 

sacked Ihedioha. 

In his words: “It is difficult 

to place why a Timi Frank, 

who was anonymous and 

unable to deliver PDP even 

in his ward in Bayelsa State 

during the last presidential 

election, which PDP lost to 

APC, will try to vent his 

unguarded spleen on 

Governor Ikpeazu, who has 

remained a committed 

member of the PDP. 

“Ikpeazu is not just a 

member of the PDP in Ward 

7, in Obingwa LGA of Abia 

State, he is the leader of the 

party in the state and one of 

the national leaders of the 

party, a committed and 

trusted one at that. 

“The time for frontline party 

politics is over, the time we 

are in now, particularly for 

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu in 

Abia, is the time for 

governance." 

Minimum wage: We won't 

forfeit 14 months salary 

arrears —ABSUTH workers 

By Eric Ugbor 

ABA—ABIA 

State 

University Teaching 

Hospital, ABSUTH, staff 

have written to Governor 

Okezie Ikpeazu to convey 

their refusal to waive 14 

months salary arrears in 

order to receive the new 

minimum wage. 

ABSUTH workers, 

alongside Abia Polytechnic 

and College of Education 

Technical, Arochukwu have 

faced salary debt issues 

ranging from 10 months and 

above. 

The letter dated January 14, 

2020 and made available to 

Vanguard yesterday, was 

signed by the Joint Action 

Committee Secretary, Samuel 

Kalu and chairman, Inyama 

Sylvanus. 

The letter read: “Arising 

Hope Reality Movement 

lauds Uzodinma 

HOPE 

Reality 

Movement, HRM, has 

congratulated Governor 

Hope Uzodinma of Imo State 

over his victory at the 

Supreme court. 

In a statement by the 

convener of HRM, Mr. Obi 

Chikere, and secretary, Pastor 

Felix Ejere respectively in 

Owerri, the movement 

expressed joy that the 

wisdom and courage of the 

seven judges of the apex 

court prevailed in the face of 

the vociferous stance of the 

opposition and its supporters. 

HRM further commended 

Uzodinma, APC and their 

entire supporters for the 

maturity and patience they 

LandWey unveils top leading 

WeyRealtors 2019 

LANDWEY, one of 

Nigeria’s innovative and 

leading real estate firms in 

the New Lagos axis of Lagos, 

has unveiled top leading 

‘WeyRealtors’ of 2019. 

This is also as the real 

estate firm recorded an 

Uzodinma: APC'll expose how Ihedioha, PDP 

rigged Imo guber polls—Ebegbulem 

OWERRI—THE Chief 

Press Sectretary to the 

National Chairman of 

All Progressives Congress, 

APC, Adams Oshiomhole, 

Mr Simon Ebegbulem, 

yesterday, disclosed that the 

party will show the world how 

former governor Emeka 

Ihedioha and his Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

allegedly rigged the Imo 

State governorship election 

with a view to subverting the 

wish of the people of the state, 

who overwhelmingly voted 

for the governorship 

candidate of the APC, 

Governor Hope Uzodinma. 

Ebegbulem described the 

protest by PDP as attempt to 

deceive Nigerians and the 

international community on 

how they collaborated with 

some elements in 



INEC, to omit votes accrued 

to Uzodinma in their 

desperation to take over Imo 

State. 

He said: “But thanks to the 

wisdom of the Supreme Court 

judges, who saw the 

deliberate attempt to deny the 

people of Imo State the 

authentic governor they voted 

for and reclaimed our stolen 

mandate. 

“We have on record how the 

PDP in a hotel in Imo State, 

in collaboration with some 

INEC officials mandated 

their staff to deliberately omit 

results of the APC in both the 

governorship and House of 

Assembly elections so as to 

give impression that the APC 

is not on ground. 

"They recruited ad-hoc staff 

from Mbaise extraction and 

deployed them to different 

LGAs to manipulate the 

results. 

“In their desperation, INEC 

erroneously declared 

Ihedioha of the PDP winner 

when he failed to have the 

required 25 per cent spread 

in the 27 LGAs of Imo State. 

To tell you how wicked they 

are, they plotted it in a 

manner that they wrote the 

results and allotted 4th 

position to Senator Uzodinma 

thinking that will discourage 

him from pursuing his 

mandate in court. 

“And when they committed 

this fraud, APC believing in 

the rule of law, decided to go 

to court and never protested 

in the streets of Owerri." 

from a General Congress of 

Abia State University 

Teaching Hospital Joint 

Unions, held on Tuesday, 

January 14, 2020, the staff 

unanimously and 

vehemently refused to jump 

or skip any arrears of salaries 

in order to receive the 

N30,000 new minimum 

wage. 

“It could be recalled that the 

government is owing us 14 

months arrears of salaries 

from November 2018 to 

December 2019. There is no 

way we will accept to be paid 

January 2020 in the guise of 

the new minimum wage. 

“However, when this 

backlog of salaries is cleared, 

we will be happy to key into 

the consequential adjustment 

of the N30,000." new 

minimum wage.” 

exhibited in the face of what 

it described as bare-faced 

injustice typified by the 

exclusion of the results from 

the 388 polling units resulting 

in the initial loss of the March 

9, 2019 governorship polls by 

the APC governorship 

candidate. 

Obi, however, stated that 

currently, all that has 

changed to the political 

fortune of APC and Governor 

Hope Uzodinma, adding that 

it was obvious from the 

conduct of the poll in Imo 

State, which was fraught with 

irregularities, that a 

competent legal procedure 

would return a verdict of 

victory to APC and Hope 

Uzodinma. 

impressive financial year in 

2019, in no small measure 

owing to the potent 

versatility of its brand as well 

as the collective force of its 

accomplished realtors and 

brokers. 

The unveiling of the 

leading WeyRealtors of 2019 

celebrates the outstanding 

performance and tenacity of 

these driven realtors who 

rested on no oars, and who 

shone brilliantly in 2019. 

Top 10 leading individual 

realtors include Funke 

Kehinde, Efunwa Ngozi, 

Samuel Peter, Emmanuel 

Achilihu, Goodness Usman, 

Bolanle Ajakaiye, Onyinye 

Ugwueze, Eromosele Linda, 

John Abiodun Olaitan and 

Hassan Ismail. 

Top Realtor Groups for 

2019 include Billonaires 

Realtor Group (BRG), Real 

Estate Millionaires (REM) 

and Acheivers Business 

Network (ABN). 

“The race is on to the draft 

list for the unveiling of the 

‘Leading WeyRealtors of 

2020.’ We heartily anticipate 

the final cut for 2020 as we 

celebrate the brilliance of the 

WeyLeading Realtors of 

2019,” LandWey said in a 

statement.

Vanguard, JANUARY 22, 2020 — 35 


We'll use proportionate force 

during re-run, A’Ibom CP warns 

DONATION: From left; Akalaka Vony Obazei, Senior Commercial Advisor, Royal Danish Consulate 

General, Mrs Chinyere Muda-Sanusi, Managing Trustee, Heritage Homes Orphanage, Per Christensen, 

Royal Danish Consul General, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Founder/Chairman, B.O.T Heritage Homes 

Orphanage, Mr Olu-Victor Oyinloye and Mrs. Oluwakemi Oguntoyinbo, a social worker with the home. 

Court restrains El-Rufai from demolishing 

Durbar Hotel 

By Ben Agande 

K Kaduna 

ADUNA—A 

High 

Court has restrained the 

Kaduna State, Governor 

Nasir el-Rufai and agencies 

of the State Government 

from further demolishing 

and taking over of Durbar 

Hotel Plc. 

The order was consequent 

upon an exparte motion 

brought before the court by 

the Management of Durbar 

Utilise ICT for economic growth, Minister tells Hadejia people 

By Aliyu Dangida 

D Minister 

UTSE—THE 

of 

Communication and 

Digital Economy, Dr Isa 

Pantami, has urged the 

people of Hadejia in 

Jigawa to utilise 

I n f o r m a t i o n 

Communication 

Technology, ICT, for 

economic growth. 

Sir Aloku for burial 

SIR 

Ewhubare 

Benedict Ejele Aloku 

KSM, aged 54 years is 

Late Sir Aloku. 

Hotel Plc asking the court 

for an order of interim 

injunction restraining 

Governor el-Rufai and 

agencies of the state 

government from 

demolishing, taking over, 

or tampering with the 

property. 

The Kaduna State Urban 

Planning 

and 

Development Agency had 

pulled down a section of 

the Durbar hotel last week 

as part of its urban 

He spoke yesterday 

when he commissioned the 

Hadejia Community ICT 

Centre. 

He said the Hadejia ICT 

Centre was an intervention 

of the Federal Government 

through the National 

Information Technology 

Development Agency, 

NITDA, under the Federal 

Ministry 

of 

Communication and 

dead. There will be vigil 

mass at St. Mary Venney 

Catholic Church, DBS 

Road, Asaba by 5:00 pm on 

January 22. 

On January 24, 2020, 

Funeral mass holds at St. 

Charles Catholic Church, 

Iwhre-Okpe Oparabe by 

11:00 am, followed by 

Interment and 

entertainment of guests at 

his compound. 

Thanksgiving service is on 

Sunday, January 26, 2020 

at St. Charles Catholic 

Church, Iwhre Okpe 

Okparabe. 

renewal project. 

Ownership of the hotel 

has been a subject of 

litigation between the 

families of the late head of 

State, Sani Abacha and the 

Federal government. 

In a motion filed at the 

Kaduna High Court, 

Durbar Hotel sought an 

interim injunction 

restraining el-Rufai and 

agencies of the state 

government from further 

trespassing into the 

property pending the 

determination of the 

Motion on Notice. 

Digital Economy. 

According to him, the 

gesture was part of the 

efforts of President 

Muhammadu Buhari's 

administration to make 

people get the required 

knowledge and survive in 

the digital world. 

He said: “The Internet 

has changed our lives and 

the way we transact 

business with people 

91 students bag First Class as Bayelsa varsity holds 

5th combined convocation 

By Emem Idio 

Y Vice-Chancellor ENAGOA—THE 

of 

the Niger Delta University, 

Amassoma, Bayelsa State, 

Professor Samuel 

Edoumiekumo, has stated 

that 91 of the 15,811 

students of the institution 

would be graduating with 

First Class Bachelor 

Degree, while 244 would 

be graduating with Pass 

Degree as the institution 

holds her fifth combined 

convocation ceremony on 

Saturday. 

According to the 

institution’s VC, out of the 

15,811 graduating 

students, 619 graduates will 

be conferred with various 

post graduate degrees 

including Doctorate, 

Masters and Post 

Graduates Diplomas. 

Prof. Edoumiekumo, who 

stated this during a preconvocation 

press briefing 

at the university 

Conference Hall, 

Amassoma, yesterday, said 

the convocation will cover 

five sets of students who 

graduated between 2014/ 

2015 to 2018/2019 

academic sessions. 

The VC said the 

institution has recorded 

unprecedented 

achievements in academic 

and infrastructure since he 

came on board as the Vice 

Chancellor of the 

institution. 

Justice Hannatu Balogun 

of the State High Court in 

a ruling granted an order 

restraining the state 

government and its agents 

from “taking over the 

property in issue and from 

further tampering with 

same or trespassing into 

same or developing or 

assigning same pending 

the hearing and 

determination of the motion 

on notice.” 

The case has been 

adjourned to February 

4, 2020 for the motion 

on notice. 

anywhere in the world. 

Internet has boosted our 

economic prosperity and 

reduced the burden of our 

business men and women 

to travel oversea to waste 

money unnecessarily. One 

can stay in his room and 

access any type of goods or 

services through the 

Internet and buy.” 

On his part, Governor 

Muhd Abubakar of Jigawa 

State described the 

initiative as welcome 

development that would 

train the youth to become 

self reliant individuals. 

He also applauded the 

commitment of the minister 

of communications and 

digital economy for his 

foresight in choosing 

Hadejia to be one of the 

only three community IT 

centers across the country. 

In his address, the 

Director General, Kashif 

Inuwa, said the project was 

one of the NITDA’s 

intervention projects in 

Jigawa State. 

He added that the 

centre was designed, built 

and equipped with state 

of the art digital 

infrastructure for training 

the youths for the digital 

capacity to prepare them 

for the future work in the 

digital economy adding 

that it was in line with the 

federal government’s 

initiative and in fulfillment 

of President Buhari’s 

campaign promises to 

reform the economy. 

By Harris EmManuel 

U DETERMINED 

Y O — 

to curb alleged pervasive 

thuggery and 

hooliganism that dogged 

the 2019 polls in Essien 

Udim Council of Akwa 

Ibom State, the 

Commissioner of Police, 

Imohinimi Edgal has 

warned political thugs to 

steer clear of the area 

during the re-run poll on 

Saturday as security 

agencies would use 

‘proportionate force’ to 

checkmate security threats. 

He spoke yesterday 

during a stakeholders 

meeting for ahead of the 

rerun election in Essien 

Udim, which had in 

attendance traditional 

rulers, politicians, the 

youths, among others. 

Edgal stated that 

security agencies would 

not leave any stone 

unturned in their bid to 

ensure the election was 

devoid of violence, 

noting that security 

agencies would put 

several layers of security 

in place to enable voters 

exercise their franchise 

peacefully. 

Okoloba community tasks 

contractors on projects 

completion 

O 

K O L O B A 

Community 

Chairman, Mr Stephen 

Koki, has called on 

contractors handling 

projects in the area not to 

abandon such projects, as 

the projects are expected to 

impact positively on the 

lives of residents. 

Koki said every project 

approved by government 

and awarded to a contractor 

for particular community 

has the capacity of 

improving the living 

standard of people, noting 

that it is expedient that the 

projects be completed. 

The Chairman spoke in 

Okoloba Community, 

Bomadi Local Government 

Area, Delta State while 

appraising the state of the 

people and community on 

how to harness available 

Government opportunities 

for development, 

He specifically pleaded 

with the contractors incharge 

of yet to be 

completed Fore-shore Wall 

and the Concrete Jetty 

projects to expedite action 

and complete them. 

He said: “If there are 

payment issues 

responsible for the delay in 

completing those projects, 

government should try 

and make provision for 

the contractors to 

complete the projects, 

because their benefits 

are enormous. 

''I want to advise the 

three tiers of government to 

be more committed to rural 

development because the 

people living in rural areas 

have done enough and 

contributed much to the 

development and growth 

of the nation.'' 

Ochei celebrates Keyamo at 50 

DELTA State All 

Progressives 

Congress chieftain, Victor 

Ochei, has felicitated with 

the Minister of State for 

Labour and Employment, 

Chief Festus Keyamo SAN, 

on his 50th birthday. 

In his congratulatory 

letter to the Minister of 

State, Ochei, a former 

Speaker of Delta State 

House of Assembly, 

said: “I felicitate with 

you on your attainment 

of the golden age on 

earth, which by all 

ramifications is worth 

celebrating as you have 

continually impacted the 

He said, ‘’One thing that 

was mentioned in the 

Appeal Court judgment 

was the pervasive 

thuggery and hooliganism 

and that would not be the 

case in this election. The 

Police would use 

proportionate force to 

secure their electoral 

environment. 

‘’Any person who 

invades the polling units 

and cart away materials, I 

have ordered my men to 

use fire arms to get them 

disconnected and be 

arrested. Essien Udim has 

been classified as high risk 

environment. 

‘’What you people are 

doing as political class is 

unfair. Your children are in 

London and private schools 

and none of them is 

carrying cutlasses. Please 

don’t use the children of the 

masses, people you are 

expected to govern. Don’t 

put their lives at risk. 

‘’If you get a mandate 

and that mandate is 

characterized by blood, do 

you feel comfortable for that 

mandate? We want people 

to come to the polling 

units and vote. People 

must be allowed to cast 

their votes in peace.'' 

society positively within 

this span.” 

He observed that the 

minister had contributed 

immensely to the welfare 

of humanity, especially 

the down-trodden, 

through his exemplary 

traits of selflessness, 

love, patriotism, 

philanthropy and 

forthrightness. 

While wishing Keyamo a 

blissful golden anniversary, 

Ochei prayed God to avail 

him of robust health, 

wisdom and longevity to 

enable him chalk up more 

fruitful years to the benefit 

of mankind.


WITH HENRY OJELU 

midweekpersonality@gmail.com 

08111813061 (sms only) 

LAWAL DEMOLA 

From medical paractice to 

digital media wizkid 

Lawal Demola is a pharmacist by training but a digital media wizkid by interest. Since 

his switch in profession, the enthusiastic young man has leveraged new media to build 

a reputation for himself in the entertainment, lifestyle, business and corporate industry 

circle. Back in 2014, he successfully use digital media, in collaboration with international 

social media marketing agencies based in Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa, to create 

awareness for the Tiwa Savage brand, which led to her well deserved emergence as 

MTV's "Best Female Act' in 2016. He also played the role of Lead Digital Strategist for 

the 'Access Mavin Concert' while working for Mavin Records. In 20017, he founded his 

Digital Media Agency, which has now metamorphosed into an online driven public 

relations agency. With multiple accolades to his name, Demola is currently the Lead 

Digital Strategist for one of Nigeria's leading PR Agencies in Nigeria, BukiHQ. In this 

interview, he shares his experience in the digital media business and how he has 

successfully carved a niche for himself. 

How was growing up like 

for you? 

Education was a major 

challenge for me because I 

come from a family that was 

not financially buoyant enough 

to send four children to the 

university at once. It was a 

major challenge but God 

knows how to perfect his work. 

I managed to overcome those 

immediate difficulties and used 

it as added motivation for the 

achievement of my goals. 

Who would you say have had 

the most influence in your life 

and career? 

Without hesitation, my mother 

is my number one influencer. 

She was the right support 

system I needed to start as a 

child. By divine grace, I have 

also had the support of Mavin 

Honcho, Don Jazzy and Bizzle 

Osikoya, at my grooming stage 

in media and public relations. 

I also have a long list of other 

wonderful people who noticed 

my potential early and 

encouraged me. 

What are some of the projects 

you have embarked on? 

I recently launched a logistics 

company, Athen Delivery, which 

started with a goal of providing 

jobs for many 

young 

•Lawal 

Demola 

people. I'm also involved with 

the management of my online 

driven PR agency, Athen 

Media Credente. I also 

worked on the recently 

released "The Enemy I Know" 

movie, which hit cinemas 

sometime in October. I was one 

We're just a 

generation of 'now 

thinkers' and until 

we focus on the 

relevant things, it 

will be relatively 

impossible to align 

ourselves enough 

to actually become 

leaders. 

of those who worked on 

Burnaboy African Giant album. 

There were also many other 

major concerts, I nurtured to 

wrap up what has been an 

amazing 2019. 

What are some of the 

challenges you have faced in 

the industry? 

I would not like to refer to 

anything as a challenge 

because I see each one 

as a hurdle that must 

be crossed. The only 

problem that might 

arise is that every 

situation is 

unique, so you 

find yourself 

constantly 

figuring out 

new ways to 

solve new 

issues which I 

think is quite 

helpful in my 

growing career. 

Challenges don't 

stop but as you 

grow in business, 

you become more 

confident in your 

approach to solving 

issues. 

What would you say is the 

toughest decision you 

have ever made? 

One of the toughest 

decisions I have ever made 

was leaving my medical 

and pharmaceutical line to 

focus on a career in media 

and public relations; a 

completely opposite side 

many would say. It was a 

huge decision for me but I 

was sure it was something 

I loved to do. I knew I 

would face challenges but I 

was ready for the journey. I 

still look forward to 

investing in the 

pharmaceutical industry in 

the future, which would be 

my way of showing that I 

didn't completely 

abandon it. 

What is your 

definition of 

success? 

Success for 

me is waking 

up every day 

and getting 

better at what 

you love doing while being 

rewarded enough for doing it. 

It is the achievement of set 

goals and the satisfaction that 

comes from seeing that your 

effort wasn't a waste. 

Sometimes, I don't get how 

much I think I'm worth at the 

time, but the love for my job will 

not allow me put in less effort. 

When it is not financially 

beneficial it might be beneficial 

to my career. 

You also run a nongovernmental 

organisation. 

What is the inspiration behind 

it? 

The name of my Non 

Governmental Organisation is 

BAM Foundation, that is; 'Be 

A Messiah Foundation'. It is a 

one stop community to sow seed 

in the life of every child that 

needs support to achieve their 

educational goals. The NGO is 

focused on making education 

accessible in our society. It's a 

growing community and we 

hope to get more support as 

time goes on, in order to 

achieve our aim of spreading 

out wings and touching as 

many lives as we can. We 

•Lawal 

Demola 

definitely 

cannot do it all 

but I dare say 

we will try our 

every best. 

What are your guiding 

principles? 

They are quite simplistic in 

every sense; I have an idea of 

what I want, though sometimes 

things don't always pan out 

exactly the way you think. But 

a few positive signs here and 

there are always a push to keep 

charging forward. Honesty in 

delivery is one thing I'm 

passionate about. I only 

propose what I know I 'm 

capable of and when clients 

want the extraordinary, I make 

sure to provide that as much as 

possible. Every impossible 

request is sometimes an 

opportunity for you to attain a 

new limit that you never knew 

you could. 

Where do you think is the 

missing gap between the 

youths and leadership in 

Nigeria? 

As sorry as I am to say this, I 

think a lot of young people like 

me are not inspired. Even those 

that are, usually are inspired by 

the wrong things or people. A 

lot of us hardly pay attention to 

what is beneficial to our future. 

We're just a generation of "now 

thinkers" and until we focus on 

the relevant things, it will be 

relatively impossible to align 

ourselves enough to actually 

become leaders. True 

leadership cannot be handed 

to you. Most of the time, you 

have to take it. You have to 

control both sides of it 

and understand 

balance. This is 

something most of 

my generation 

know nothing 

about and are 

not passionate 

about learning. 

What do you 

t h i n k 

government 

can do 

differently to 

solve some of 

the challenges 

facing the 

country? 

We hear a lot of 

bad things about 

those in 

government, but 

have you realized 

that the people we 

expect to bring 

about change 

actually end up 

doing worse 

when they get to 

the top? You 

can't keep 

blaming people 

for their behavior 

if you also 

haven't tried to 

do better 

yourself. So, 

until we decided 

to change, one 

person at a time, 

that is when we'll 

have the boldness 

and moral right to 

demand what is 

ours from the 

government. The 

change is 

expected from 

each person 

from the bottom 

to the top. If the foundation 

is shaky then the edifice will 

not stand. The change is in 

you and me. 

What would you like to be 

remembered for? 

I want to be remembered for 

the remarkable impact I made 

on every single person I met. 

To leave a testimony on the lips 

of each human being I come in 

contact with. I believe more in 

building relationships than 

building riches because at 

every point in time a 

relationship of some sought is 

built and it is your duty to make 

it beneficial. 

Your advice for youths and 

entrepreneurs 

Focus! As simple as that word 

seems, it is lacking in a lot of 

us because it is quite difficult 

in practice. In the world today 

there are a lot of things taking 

your eyes off the goal and so it 

takes personal effort to actually 

take control of your life and the 

consequences of your actions. 

Let go of all distractions and 

focus on the important things.

Vanguard, WEDNSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020—37 

VISIT—Member representing Bomadi Constituency and Deputy Majority 

Leader of the Delta State House of Assembly, Engr. Oboro Preyor (right) 

and member representing Warri South West, Mr Emomotimi Guwor when 

the newly posted Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Mr. Hafiz 

Muhammed Inuwa paid a courtesy call on the State House of Assembly at 

the Assembly Complex, Asaba. 

EFInA welcomes funding from UK Aid 

…to initiate new phase of financial sector devt 

LONDON—EFInA has 

welcomed an additional 

funding commitment from 

UK Aid, part of a £320m 

package that will initiate an 

ambitious new phase of 

financial sector 

development across the 

continent. Announced 

ahead of the UK-Africa 

Investment Summit 

London, the package 

includes additional funding 

for nine existing Financial 

Sector Deepening 

Programmes, FSDs, and to 

set up and scale new FSDs 

in high-priority markets, 

including Ethiopia, Ghana, 

Sierra Leone and the West 

African Monetary Union. 

The new commitment, 

announced by Secretary of State 

Alok Sharma, represents the start 

of an important new approach to 

financial sector development in 

sub-Saharan Africa. The package 

from UK Aid recognises that a 

comprehensive, integrated 

approach to financial market 

development in Africa is required 

to realise the continent’s potential 

and help meet the United 

Nation’s global goals. 

The £320 million commitment 

provides funding for ambitious 

programmes that create financing 

solutions for the opportunities 

and challenges faced across 

Africa’s economies, from 

individual households and microenterprises 

to business and 

infrastructure investment. This 

means addressing the entire 

system of finance from savings 

groups to capital market 

development and operating more 

closely to the interface between 

finance and the real world. 

UK International 

Development Secretary Alok 

Sharma said: “Africa’s substantial 

investment potential is clear, with 

many African countries 

outstripping global economic 

growth in recent decades. The 

UK is already the top financial 

exchange for Africa’s businesses 

and we want investors to seize 

the exciting opportunities that 

Africa offers. ” 

The Chairman of EFInA’s 

Board, Segun Akerele, said: 

“EFInA’s catalytic and strategic 

collaboration with financial 

service regulators, operators and 

providers has contributed to 28 

million additional Nigerians 

accessing formal financial 

services since EFInA was 

established in late 2007 thereby 

reducing financial exclusion from 

52.5 per cent in 2008 to 36.8 per 

cent as of 2018." 

‘Regular 

screening 

saves lives 

from cervical 

cancer’ 

By Gabriel Olawale 

LAGOS—THE Medical 

Director of Encee 

Medical Centre, Victoria 

Island, Dr Nenoi Umeh has 

raised alert over increasing 

deaths from cervical cancer 

in Nigeria annually. 

Speaking on Cervical 

Cancer Awareness Month, 

Umeh described cervical 

cancer as the most common 

genital cancer and one of the 

leading causes of cancer death 

among the female population. 

“Cancer kills over 9,000 women 

every year in Nigeria while more 

than 75 per cent of patients are 

diagnosed at advanced stages 

leading to poor prospects of longterm 

survival and cure. This can 

be significantly reduced by 

vaccination and regular 

screening. 

“As in many cancers, women 

may have no signs or symptoms 

until it has progressed to a 

dangerous stage. Cervical cancer 

has a detectable precancerous 

stage which makes it treatable. 

This is why we encourage women 

to go for their routine screening 

to ensure early detection.” 

She stated that the risk of 

contracting HPV, which causes 

cervical cancer, can be increased 

by having many sexual partners, 

having sex at a young age, having 

other sexually transmitted 

infections , STIs, a weak immune 

system and smoking. 

“Asides screening, there are 

currently vaccines that protect 

against common cancer-causing 

types of human papillomavirus, 

HPV. These vaccines can prevent 

up to 90 per cent of cervical 

cancers. We provide vaccines and 

offer screenings at our facility. We 

are an outpatient-based facility 

focused on providing standard 

healthcare solutions in primary 

health care, women’s health and 

sexual health care," she said.

38— VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

SOLIDARIT 

ARITY RALLY FOR THE WESTERN NIGERIA SECURITY OUTFIT AMOTEKUN 

A pro Amotekun rally was held across South West States. Photos: Dare Fasube, Bunmi 

Azeez, Wunmi Akinola, Dayo Johnson, Shina Abubakar and Ehiabhi Emhonyon 

Ogun State Co-coordinator Amotekun with Mic addressing the 

gathering during the Protest in Abeokuta. Photo Wunmi Akinola. 

Amotekun rally in Ekiti State. 

A Policeman watches at the rally in Ojota, 

Lagos. 

A scene from the rally in Ojota, Lagos. 

Protesters at the rally in Ojota, Lagos. 

Yoruba World Congress in Osogbo leading solidarity rally for the 

Western Nigeria security outfit Amotekun. 

Rally in support of Amotekun in Akure, Ondo state. 

One of the leaders of the group dancing to drummers music at the 

solidarity rall in support of Amotekun in Ibadan. Photo Dare Fasube. 

Some of the pro Amotekun protesters at the rally in Ibadan. Photo 

Dare Fasube.


Tribute to my friend, Festus 

Keyamo @ 50 

By Louis Odion 

AS he hits the 

golden jubilee 

milestone (on January 

21), I couldn’t think of 

a better depiction of that 

biblical line, “a friend 

that sticks closer than a 

brother”. 

Sure, the story of his 

extraordinary climb 

from the bottom to the 

zenith of his chosen career 

- law - is now public 

knowledge. Without 

the proverbial silver 

spoon, without a godfather, 

Festus pulled 

himself uphill, earning 

the Senior Advocate of 

Nigeria (SAN) on account 

of winning a number 

of landmark cases 

that have undoubtedly 

extended the frontiers 

of jurisprudence in Nigeria. 

I was there when 

he decided 

*Festus Keyamo 

I was there when Festus 

started from Gani 

Fawehinmi’s Chambers 

about three decades 

ago. Back then, we 

would play boys’ pranks 

in his one-room apartment 

a stone’s throw 

away from the workplace 

on weekends. I 

was there at the founding 

of National Conscience 

Party (NCP). I 

was there when Festus 

decided. It was time to 

take a deep plunge into 

the world of uncertainty 

and left Gani at a 

tender age. 

I was there when he 

took a leap of faith in 

1995 by opening his 

own chambers in Anthony, 

Lagos. I was 

there as he started from 

the scratch. I witnessed 

him build, block by 

block, an enviable name 

through sheer hardwork, 

doggedness, fidelity 

to progressive 

values and fierce commitment 

to the pan-Nigerian 

cause. 

I was there through all 

his struggles for a better 

society, from military 

regimes to civilian governments; 

all the arrests, 

detentions, charges, 

trials and acquittals. 

All those periods, surely 

and steadily, Festus 

Overall, 

what easily 

marks him 

out in the 

crowd is the 

courage he 

summons in 

the defense 

or propagation 

of his 

convictions 

etched his way into the 

consciousness of Nigerians. 

Overall, what easily 

marks him out in the crowd 

is the courage he summons 

in the defense or 

propagation of his convictions. 

But professional life 

aside, one domain many 

may not yet be too acquainted 

about Festus is his character 

as a person. Beyond 

the public perception of a 

serious and difficult character, 

privately Festus likes 

to laugh, play and joke. He 

loves comedy. He doesn’t 

take himself so seriously as 

others do. He is perhaps, 

the thickest skin I have 

ever seen - once he is set 

on his course, nothing you 

throw at him bothers him 

or distracts him. 

We have been friends for 

almost three decades. With 

Festus in your corner, I can 

attest that you don’t need 

any army, even under fire. 

He is a true friend in all 

weather - fair or foul. He 

was the best-man at my 

wedding (the second being 

Segun Adeniyi). He 

has acted the part all 

through the years. 

Handled all my cases 

free of charge 

Over the last two decades, 

I have had my own 

fair share of court cases - 

whether professional or 

personal. Out of instinctive 

solidarity, Festus has handled 

all my cases free of 

charge, and won almost 

all. 

Indeed, he embodies loyalty 

in the true sense of the 

word. In all our years of 

intimate friendship, I can’t 

remember us ever quarreling, 

not even once. This is 

because Festus is never 

pretentious and is a true 

“Afenifere” at heart, never 

forgetting the son of who 

he is. On completion of 

his first mansion (Noah’s 

Ark) in Lagos some two decades 

ago, a room was allocated 

to me symbolically. 

When I built mine few 

years later, he was the coordinator 

at the housewarming. 

On the occasion of his 

golden jubilee, I know Festus’ 

sun is only just rising 

in the service of our fatherland. 

I wish him longevity, 

more wisdom, prosperity 

and robust health.


Convocation of sovereign national 

confab before the 2023 general 

elections (2) 

" 

1999 Constitution is 

our major problem”. 

TRUTH be told, Nigeria 

cannot afford the extension 

of the warped 

1999 Constitution and 

the attendant sufferings 

it has imposed on majority 

of Nigerians for another 

four years. The 

consequences can only 

be imagined. I would, 

therefore, like to personally 

appeal to President 

Buhari to follow up on 

what he began towards 

the end of last year by 

surprising Nigerians 

with a Bill to the National 

Assembly asking for 

the convocation of a Sovereign 

National Conference. 

There is an urgent need 

to replace the 1999 Constitution 

with a people’s 

constitution. But unfortunately 

this cannot be 

achieved by the present 

crop of legislators in the 

National Assembly being 

the major beneficiaries of 

the rot. Nigeria at the 

present moment is made 

up of 36 states and the 

Federal Capital Territory, 

Abuja. The idea of 

federalism which is practised 

in Nigeria today 

was taken or borrowed 

from the American and 

Australian models. In 

these jurisdictions, persons 

of divergent nationalities, 

races, creeds, ethnicities, 

etc., have been 

able to come together to 

co-exist under one political 

and national identity. 

The United States of 

America, for example, is 

made up of the Native 

Americans, Hispanics, 

African Americans, Latin 

Americans, English, 

French, Italian, Portuguese, 

Dutch, etc. Americans 

themselves proudly 

refer to the country as 

one created by immigrants. 

The country despite 

this wide diversity 

of its people has continued 

to flourish. This is so 

as the Constitution recognises 

the component 

units as the heart and 

soul of the union and 

does not necessarily concentrate 

power in the 

centre. 

In Nigeria, the reverse 

is the case as power is 

concentrated in the Federal 

Government of Nigeria. 

The Federal Government 

controls virtually 

all important means of 

revenue generation with 

the result that a large 

chunk of revenue generated 

from the vast resources 

of the country 

end up in the coffers of 

the Federal Government. 

The Federal Government, 

as provided by the 

Constitution then assumes 

the role of a big 

brother and decides 

what each State will get 

as its own share of the 

national revenue. 

The immediate impact 

of this is felt in the corruption 

that has pervaded 

our political class. 

Each state and local government 

receives what is 

known as monthly allocation 

from the Federal 

Government of Nigeria. 

The ongoing prosecution 

of some past office holders 

on account of misappropriation 

of funds from 

the monthly allocations 

of their state or local government 

shows that the 

A Sovereign 

National 

Conference 

will not have 

any 'no-go 

areas or nonnegotiable 

issues' 

said allocation is seen by 

politicians as a prime 

opportunity to corruptly 

enrich themselves. 

Nigeria also operates a 

bicameral legislative system 

comprising the Senate 

and the House of 

Representatives. At the 

state level, there are 36 

Houses of Assembly and 

774 local governments. 

The executive at the Federal 

level comprises of 

the President and a high 

number of ministers. At 

all levels, there are special 

advisers, personal 

assistants, secretary, orderlies, 

etc. Owing to 

constitutional require- 

ment that each state be 

represented on the federal 

cabinet, some ministries 

have two ministers 

assigned to them. 

Interestingly, the Federal 

cabinet in the United 

States of America consists 

of about 20 persons 

much less than the 

number in Nigeria. The 

states are also not left out 

as each state has an 

equally high number of 

commissioners. At the 

federal level, the judiciary 

consists of the Supreme 

Court, Court of 

Appeal, Federal High 

Court, and National Industrial 

Court. In addition 

each State has its 

own High Court comprising 

a Chief Judge and a 

number of High Court 

Judges. 

Mending 

a skyscraper 

The effect of the above 

is that the cost of running 

government in Nigeria 

is astronomically 

high. To maintain the status 

quo, what the legislators 

have been doing 

for some time is to 

amend, re-amend and 

further amend the extant 

1999 constitution. They 

should appreciate that 

no one can successfully 

mend a skyscraper 

which is devoid of pillars: 

such a skyscraper will 

simply fall like a house 

of cards. In the circumstance, 

what we need to 

solve the multiplicity of 

problems is the convocation 

of a Sovereign National 

Conference. 

What is Sovereign National 

Conference? A 

Sovereign National Conference 

is one convened 

to reconsider the country’s 

political future. It is 

designed to carry out political 

transformation, in 

other words, to chart a 

new course. It is appropriate 

where the economic, 

political and social 

structures seem incapable 

of solving the 

problems of the country 

as it is in Nigeria today 

so that instead of resorting 

to arms, a peaceful 

and orderly change can 

take place. The distinguishing 

word “sovereign” 

in a Sovereign 

National Conference, 

therefore, connotes that 

the body is not merely 

advisory or consultative. 

Rather, it is an Assembly 

of elected Representatives 

of the Nigerian people, 

backed by an enabling 

law, with the mandate 

and power to fundamentally 

restructure 

the political, economic, 

social and constitutional 

future of the country. 

A Sovereign National 

Conference will not have 

any “no-go areas or nonnegotiable 

issues”. Rather, 

it will have the broadest 

mandate to determine 

the political, economic, 

social, judicial, legislative 

and security structures 

of the Federation, 

which will include issues 

of state police, fiscal federalism; 

multi-religiosity; 

separation of powers, 

bicameral legislature or 

otherwise, salaries and 

emoluments of legislators, 

fundamental human 

rights; and fundamental 

objectives and 

directive principles governing 

the coming together 

of different parts 

of Nigeria as a Federation. 

The enabling law 

would ensure that the 

outcome of the Sovereign 

National Conference 

will receive the status 

of a draft Constitutional 

Reform Bill which 

will be passed by the 

National Assembly without 

any amendment. 

Representation 

and efficiency 

To ensure broad-based 

representation and efficiency, 

the Sovereign 

National Conference 

should be convened as 

follows: 

•Two to three delegates 

per state, elected on zero 

party basis. 

•Every ethnic group in 

Nigeria should be represented 

at the Sovereign 


•Representatives of accredited 

professional, 

religious and non-governmental 

bodies, who 

will be distinguished 

personalities with unimpeachable 

records. Such 

organizations will be proportionately 

represented, 

based on their numerical 

strength. 

•50-50 representation 

for both women and men. 

•At least 20 per cent 

representation of youths 

in the SNC. Here I adopt 

the African Union’s definition 

of youth, which is 

“every person between 

the ages of 15 and 35 

years”. 

•The Principal Officers 

(Chairman, Deputy 

Chairman and Secretary) 

of the Sovereign 

National Conference to 

be elected internally by 

its members during the 

inaugural sessions of the 

body. 

Conclusion: I repeat 

that our constitution is 

the greatest problem of 

Nigeria which is a country 

of nations. To get out 

of this quagmire and 

particularly as a follow 

up to his new mindset of 

closing Nigeria’s borders 

with Niger Republic 

and Benin Republic to 

save Nigeria’s economy 

from the influx of illegal 

importation of agricultural 

products and the 

release of the duo of Col. 

Dasuki and Omoyele 

Sowore from detention, I 

humbly appeal to President 

Buhari to immediately 

send a Bill to the 

National Assembly proposing 

the convocation 

of a Sovereign National 

Conference. 

No election before a 

new constitution: The 

proposed Sovereign National 

Conference must 

conclude its deliberations 

before any election. 

It follows, therefore, that 

there should be no election 

before the outcome 

of the proposed Sovereign 


The 2023 General 

Elections should be conducted 

using the new 

constitution which will 

be the outcome, indeed 

the product, of the Sovereign 


This is the way to go if 

we are to make it as a 

nation.

Continues from Page 5 

these bodies of dedicated 

and gallant countrymen. 

“But on the matter of 

internal security as a means 

of self-defence, I call on all 

and sundry to speak up. 

The right to self-defence, 

including the right to 

combat terror is guaranteed 

by international law, 

enshrined in Article 51 of 

the United Nations Charter, 

of which Nigeria is a 

signatory. 

Therefore, no human 

power has the authority to 

criminalize the protection of 

human life, and no human 

ambition is worth the failure 

to speak in support of the 

people in order to remain 

in favour with the 

oppressors of the people. 

Amotekun begins 

operations in Oyo this 

week 

Indication emerged, 

yesterday, that Amotekun 

will begin operations in 

Oyo State this week. 

Vanguard was informed 

that all logistics, including 

uniforms have been 

provided for the smooth 

take-off of the outfit. 

This was revealed during 

the solidarity walk staged 

for the outfit. 

Majority of leaders from 

the South West zone who 

assembled in Ibadan for the 

solidarity march vowed 

that “anybody who doesn’t 

want the outfit to stay 

doesn’t want Yoruba. If 

anybody doesn’t want 

Yoruba, it then means the 

person doesn’t want 

Nigeria.” 

While speaking at the 

Government House 

Arcade, Agodi, Ibadan on 

behalf of the leader of the 


Emeritus Professor 

Adebanji Akintoye, 

Evangelist Kunle 

Adesokan, insisted that 

thousands of security 

agents cannot stop the 

operation of the outfit. 

He said security issue is 

an environmental thing 

which the government 

Naira appreciates to N362.20 /$ in 

I&E window 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

THE naira yesterday appreciated to N362.20 per 

dollar in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) 

window. 

Data from FMDQ showed that the indicative 

exchange rate for the window dropped to N362.20 

per dollar yesterday from N362.38 per dollar on 

Monday, translating to 18 kobo appreciation of the 

naira. 

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded on the 

window yesterday rose by 18 percent to $181.99 

million from $154.85 million on Monday. 

Similarly, the naira yesterday appreciated by 50 

kobo in the parallel market. 

According to naijabdcs.com, the live exchange rate 

platform of the Association of Bureaux De Change 

Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), the parallel market 

exchange rate dropped to N360 per dollar from 

N360.5 per dollar on Monday, indicating 50 kobo 

appreciation of the naira 

vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Pro-Amotekun rally rocks Akure, 

Ondo, Ado-Ekiti, Abeokuta, Ibadan 

should treat as such as it is 

done all over the world. 

“Today, is another history 

in our lifetime. The 

gathering is just to prove 

that Amotekun has come to 

stay. No matter how intense 

the threat is, we are not 

going back on this security 

outfit,” he said. 

A leader of Agbekoya, 

Chief Olalere Ayalu, who 

was among those that 

fought during Agbekoya 

crisis between 1968 and 

1969 simply said: “We have 

begged God to give us 

strength and he has given 

us.” 

Abeokuta 

In Abeokuta, Ogun State, 

the protesters were armed 

with placards with various 

inscriptions such as 

‘Iberubojo Amotekun ti ba 

won”, “No Amotekun, No 

Hisbah”, “Every Yoruba is 

Amotekun”, “Amotekun 

Wole, Inira Dopin”, among 

others. 

The rally, which held at 

Panseke in Abeokuta, was 

monitored by policemen 

and other security agencies 

in the State. 

Addressing the 

protesters, Coordinator of 

Amotekun Solidarity Rally 

in Ogun State, Chief Jimoh 

Taofeek, said, the walk was 

to agitate for the recognition 

of the security outfit. 

He said: “We are here to 

reach out to the larger 

public. We want to tell the 

Federal Government and 

the entire Nigerian 

populace to know that we 

want Amotekun in South 

West. 

“If Hisbah can be in the 

northern states, if there can 

be Azaru, there can be 

Civilian JTF, if there can be 

Vigilance groups, some of 

them even carry arms, 

arrest even legitimate 

police officers and 

prosecute, so there is no 

reason why we should not 

consider Amotekun in 

South West. 

“I want to make it very 

clear that Amotekun is not 

to witch-hunt anybody. I 

think one of the major 

responsibilities of 

Amotekun is to protect the 

masses. The safety of lives 

and properties is the major 

responsibility of the 

government.” 

Also speaking, Chairman 

of Oodua United People’s 

Association, Ola Bello said: 

“Amotekun was launched 

to check the excesses of 

criminals in the region.” 

Akure 

In Ondo State, hundreds 

of diverse Yoruba interest 

groups, yesterday, 

thronged Akure, where 

they held a peaceful 

solidarity rally in support of 

Amotekun. 

Participants at the rally 

include members of the 


YWC, Yoruba People’s 

Congress, Federation of 

Yoruba Consciousness and 

Culture, youths from 

various tertiary institutions 

in the state, traders and 

artisans. 

They converged on the 

MKO Abiola Democracy 

Park, Akure around 11a.m., 

before marching round the 

state capital. The 

participants, who wore 

clothes with the inscription 

of Amotekun, stopped over 

at the palace of the 

prominent traditional ruler 

in the town, the Deji of 

Akure, Oba Aladelusi 

Aladetoyinbo before 

proceeding to the 

governors’ office. 

Oba Aladetoyinbo, while 

addressing the rally said 

that the people of the town 

are solidly behind the six 

south west governors on 

the formation of Amotekun. 

Speaking through his Chief 

of Staff, Toyin 

Aladetoyinbo, the monarch 

pointed out that “the 

people of Akure are in 

support of any process that 

would bring peace and 

cohesion to the South West 

region.” 

Ekiti — In Edo-Ekiti, 

Ekiti State, a crowd of 

hunters, students 

movements as well as 

members of Oodua 

People’s Congress, led 

other groups in solidarity 

rally with Amotekun. Other 

prominent groups involved 

in the rally were, 

Agbekoya, Yoruba Koya, 

members of Vigilance 

Group of Nigeria, Man ‘O 

War, Oodua Union and 

Ekiti Council of Elders. 

Security was provided for 

the procession which 

started at Fajuyi pavilion, 

at Fajuyi Park in Ado-Ekiti 

by the police and 

operatives of the 

Department of State 

Services. The long 

procession moved from the 

Fajuyi park through Okesa 

junction, Ojumose to the 

popular Erekesan market 

and Ijigbo area of Ado Ekiti 

capital city. 

Leaders of each group 

who took turn to address the 

crowd, lamented the state 

of insecurity in South West, 

saying Amotekun initiative 

has berthed permanently in 

the south West region and 


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ORTOM WINS—Supporters of Benue State Governor rejoicing over the 

declaration of Samuel Ortom as the winner of the 2019 governorship election 

in the state at the Supreme Court, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi 

Adeshida. 

that it was not formed to 

fight Fulani herdsmen, 

except the unruly and 

destructive ones. 

Senior Special Assistant 

to Governor Kayode 

Fayemi on Internal Security 

and former Speaker of the 

Ekiti State House of 

Assembly, Dele Olugbemi, 

said: “Amotekun is for easy 

identification of all visitors 

to Ekiti and South West. It 

is sad that the AGF made 

pronouncement over issue 

he knew nothing about. 

He spoke as if he was not 

aware of the level of 

insecurity in this zone. 

Some of these evil doers 

besieged even our towns, 

killed the people and 

destroyed everything in the 

farm. Amotekun will work 

in their localities and it is 

not about fighting 

anybody.” 

Osogbo 

Members of the Yoruba 

World Congress, YWC, 

thronged the streets of 

Osogbo, Osun State in 

solidarity with Amotekun. 

The groups which consist 

of Agbekoya, hunters 

guide and other 

stakeholders converged on 

the Nelson Mandela 

Freedom Park Osogbo at 

9:20a.m., before moving 

through major streets of the 

state capital. Security 

operatives, consisting of 

Police, Department of State 

Services, DSS, Civil 

Defense Corps were also 

visible in their numbers to 

ensure that the protest was 

not hijacked by hoodlums. 

The procession started at 

10:30a.m., led by the 

coordinator, Dr. Akin 

Adejumo and escorted by 

the security operatives. 

While the procession was 

on, solidarity songs were 

echoed by members, 

describing the South-West 

governors as heroes of the 

people. Addressing the 

gathering at Ola-Iya 

junction, Adejumo said, the 

walk is a form of awareness 

to sensitize the populace 

that Amotekun becomes a 

necessity because of the 

safety of the inhabitants of 

the region. 

He said the outfit was a 

spontaneous response to 

the the security situation in 

the region and the country 

as a whole. 

Lagos 

In Lagos, however, armed 

Policemen, yesterday 

morning, aborted the rally 

as they barricaded Gani 

Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, 

Lagos State, venue of the 

planned pro Amotekun 

protest, preventing 

protesters from converging 

on the ground. 

The security personnel, 

with no fewer than 30 

operational vehicles, 

included police officers, 

DSS personnel and other 

security operatives. A 

senior police officer, who 

spoke with Vanguard on 

anonymity, said: “We are 

acting based on an order 

that the rally must not hold, 

because it tends to disrupt 

the peaceful nature of a 

state like Lagos.” 

The placard carrying 

protesters, who stormed the 

venue as early as 9 a.m., 

were prevented from 

gaining entrance into the 

park forcing the protesters 

to retreat. Addressing 

journalists and other 

groups outside the park, 

George Akinola, Lagos 

State Coordinator of Yoruba 

World Congress, and 

Amotekun, insisted that 

despite all antagonism 

against the creation, 

“Operation Amotekun will 

stand.” 

Akinola said: “This is the 

voice of Amotekun. We have 

the rights to protect our lives 

and property. Yoruba race 

has been subjected to 

indiscriminate and 

annoying oppression in 

Nigeria and we will not 

allow it anymore. 

Fasanmi, Afenifere 

advocate amicable dispute 

resolution 

Meanwhile, National 

Leader of Afenifere, 

Senator Ayo Fasanmi has 

expressed support for the 

South-West Governors on 

Amotekun, seeking 

amicable resolution of the 

issues around the outfit. 

Fielding questions from 

journalists after the group’s 

meeting at his Osogbo 

residence, Pa Fasanmi said 

the general populace also 

owes a duty of help 

government ensure proper 

security by being vigilant in 

their various communities. 

“One of the main vital 

decisions we took is on the 

Amotekun, We are happy 

with what the governors 

have done, it is really on 

course. Security is very 

important to every nation. 

A situation in which people 

cannot keep with their two 

eyes close is not good for a 

nation, a situation whereby 

lives and property are not 

safe, is not good for a nation 

and our state governors 

have taken a step and we 

shall give them all the 

necessary support they 

need. 

“We also call on the public 

that internal vigilance is at 

the liberty. We must look out 

when we see strangers 

around the premises, you 

must alert the security 

people. The mere fact that 

the governors of the West 

can camp together and take 

a decision is good for 

Yoruba people, we stand 

united and firm; no 

shaking and we have the 

confidence that the 

outcome of the Amotekun 

outfit will benefit the 

people. 

“Nobody should 

politicise it. It is a clean 

outfit for securing lives and 

property. There is no 

politics in this. The Yorubas 

are coming together to 

ensure that lives and 

properties of the people are 

safe,” Fasanmi said. 

Enact laws for Amotekun 

now—Falana 

The governors in the 

South West zone launched 

the South West Security 

Network otherwise called 

“Operation Amotekun” in 

Ibadan, Oyo State on 

January 10, 2020. The 

Police authorities endorsed 

Amotekun while the 

Attorney-General of the 

Federation and Minister of 

Justice, Mr. Abubakar 

Malami, SAN, has 

questioned its legality. 

Even though I had cause 

to join issues with Mr. 

Malami over his legal 

opinion on the security 

outfit I was compelled to 

call on each of the South 

West governors to forward 

a bill to the house of 

assembly of each state for 

the formation of 

Amotekun. 

In the absence of an 

enabling legal instrument 

for the establishment, 

structure, functions, control, 

funding and operation of 

Amotekun various interest 

groups in the country have 

continued to express 

divergent views on the 

needless controversy that 

has trailed the official 

inauguration of the security 

outfit.


By Olayinka Ajayi 

ACTING National Chairman of 

the Social Democratic Party, 

SDP, lawyer, and a stalwart of 

Afenifere, Chief Supo Shonibare, has 

lampooned the Federal Government 

over the controversy trailing the issue 

of Amotekun, the security outfit set 

up by the South West 

Governors. 

The Federal 

Government has 

declared the 

security outfit as 

illegal, a move 

that elicited 

dust in the 

polity 

S a i d 

Shonibare: 

“Amotekun is a legitimate solution to 

enhancing the security architecture of 

the various South-West states 

participating in this most welcome 

approach to addressing the 

deteriorating state of insecurity in the 

various South West. 

“Marauding Herdsmen appear to 

have been targeting the South West as 

a profitable cash cow zone, which 

invent seem to have enabled the rise in 

kidnapping and killings-intended to 

instil fear on the citizenry to always 

elect to pay ransom. 

“Armed robbery and other forms of 

criminal acts have also put the life and 

property of the inhabitants on a cliff 

edge of fear and trepidation. The Police 

lack the resources and the manpower 

pool to meet all these security 

challenges. In order to stem the 

tendency of individuals to resort to selfhelp 

in protecting themselves and 

property with the attendant chaos and 

anarchy that may portend, the South 

West Governors in an act of patriotism, 

consistent with the constitutional 

responsibilities of being the Chief 

security Officer of their State, have 

sought a process to harness the right of 

self- defence enshrined in our being a 

National State, in a manner that 

clearly identifies those assisting in 

ensuring that anyone committing a 

crime or threatening or planning to 

do so is identified and handed over to 

the Police. The security architecture of 

any state transcends policing. 

“Policing and arraignment is 

actually the last stages in the security 

architecture of any settlement. This will 

necessarily require other participants 

assisting the monitoring, maintenance 

and intelligence gathering along the 

chain. One would have imagined that 

a federal entity dependent on 80-90 

S-West Governors 

don’t need permission 

to activate Amotekun 

—Shonibare 

•Shonibare 

funding of policing and security in 

some States, would gladly welcome 

It’s most mischievous 

and a really wild stretch 

to seek to extend that 

description to an 

unarmed civilian outfit 

carrying out continuing 

security vigilance and 

awareness consistent 

with the various action 

already embarked upon 

by South West 

Governors 

the efforts of the Governors in 

enhancing the security of their States. 

Amotekun outfit is not licensed to bear 

firearms. 

“The Joint Civilian/ Military Task 

Forces assisting the Military in parts 

of the North appear do bear arms. One 

welcomes any security architecture 

able to combat. Policing and Military 

are presently the function of the 

government of the Federation. 

“But security of life and property is 

not on the exclusive list. We are all 

enjoined to take legal actions capable 

of enhancing the security architecture 

and assisting the process of policing. 

It’s simply common sense. The 

Governors need not seek the 

permission of anyone to activate such 

an action to protect its citizens. The 

provisions the AG has cited is more 

relevant to the Hisbah alternate 

policing outfits and other armed 

militia. 

“It’s most mischievous and a really 

wild stretch to seek to extend that 

description to an unarmed civilian 

outfit carrying out continuing security 

vigilance and awareness consistent 

with the various action already 

embarked upon by South West 

Governors like provisions of funding 

the logistics for the police and 

installation of CCTV devices in several 

parts of the Zone. Or maybe the AG 

will also deem these to also illegal 

actions as they also compliment 

policing. As defective as our present 

constitution is, it’s framers still had the 

good sense not to include the AG in 

those constituting the members of the 

Police Council. It’s members are the 

President as Chairman, the 36 State 

Governors, the IG of Police and the 

Chairman of the Police Service 

Commission. The Council carries out 

functions incidental to administration 

& organization of the Police, but the 

powers of operation control , 

appointment, disciplinary and 

dismissal are excluded. 

“It will be interesting if we test the 

extent of the administrative functions 

of the Council in a Court of law as 

although the President is the Chairman 

of the Council, the States are the 

predominant members. The AG’s 

functions is restricted to enforcing 

perceived contravention of clear 

provisions of the law in a manner of 

general application and not a selective 

unsolicited counsel opinion ( which is 

at best what he has done), in a manner 

that is not helpful to enhancing the 

security architecture of the country. 

Marauding armed Herdsmen appear 

to have been targeting the South West 

as a profitable cash cow zone, which 

event seem to have enabled... 

‘’One welcomes any security 

architecture able to assist the Police 

and the Military overcome our state 

of insecurity. Or maybe the AG will 

also deem these to be also illegal 

actions as they also compliment 

policing.” 

APC CRISIS: Where Oshiomhole 

got it wrong — Idahosa 

•Why FG is uncomfortable with Amotekun 

Chief Charles Idahosa, former Commissioner for Information 

in Edo State, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, 

APC, and former political adviser to Comrade Adams 

Oshiomhole, in this chat spoke on Operation Amotekun, 

raging issues in the APC, and the way forward. 

HIS take on the comments of 

the APC National Vice 

Chairman (North East), Mustapha 

Salihu that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole 

can no longer preside over 

the affairs of the party as national 

chairman because he has been 

suspended in his home state of Edo 

The APC Vice-Chairman (North- 

East) was stating the obvious. As far 

as we are concerned in Edo APC, 

Oshiomhole is no longer the national 

chairman. The constitution is 

very clear in Article 21 on how members 

of the party can be dealt with 

but because of the ignorance of 

many of his followers, they think that 

once you become the national chairman 

of the party, you are above the 

law. First and foremost, irrespective 

of your position, you are a member 

of the party and as President Muhammadu 

Buhari said in his speech 

when the Caucus met: it is bottomup. 

You have to be relevant in your 

unit, ward, local government and 

state level before you can go to Abuja 

to claim big titles. 

Oshiomhole has no legitimacy. He 

has been suspended by his ward and 

the party leaders there. These leaders 

are not spirits, they came out 

openly to endorse his suspension. 

They are not hiding and have not 

denied saying so. However, he decided 

to ignore these leaders because 

he has never respected the party’s 

constitution. 

I keep reminding people that I 

worked with him for eight years as 

Political Adviser and when he was 

saying in a viral video that I am an 

institution, grassroots leader and a 

political general, he never knew this 

day will come. 

I agree with the Salihu Mustapha 

that Oshiomhole can no longer function 

as the national chairman. They 

are just postponing the evil day because 

at the end of the day, any action 

by him or any action he takes 

now as national chairman is null 

and void because it is an illegality. 

He knows this but he is pretending 

not to know. I only feel sorry for the 

APC because of the legal implication 

in the future. 

While you are demanding for his 

resignation, some of his supporters 

are saying Oshiomhole deserves 

praises for winning elections 

for the party in recent elections 

in Kogi, Bayelsa and lately in 

Imo State. How will you react to 

that? 

In medical psychiatry, there is 

what we call delusion of grandeur. I 

think Oshiomhole’s supporters are 

all deluded. When did Oshiomhole 

become the Supreme Court of Nigeria 

to have awarded judgement 

in favour of APC in Imo? In the first 

place, we lost the election hopelessly 

because of the infighting he had 

with Rochas Okorocha. Because of 

that, there was division as one picked 

*Charles Idahosa 

Uche Nwosu and the other picked 

Hope Uzodinma and that was how 

we went into the election. It was very 

clear because the constitution empowered 

Oshiomhole to sign the 

names of the candidates who are the 

winners of the primaries. That was 

why he signed for Uzodinma and 

Uche Nwosu had no choice than to 

go to another party, AA. There is no 

single APC member in the Imo State 

House of Assembly but PDP has 13 

Maybe the federal 

government has some 

information that ordinary 

Nigerians are not 

aware of. But I think we 

have security outfits that 

are set up in other parts 

of the country. 

and AA has eight members. All these 

votes are meant to be APC’s votes. 

When Oshiomhole’s supporters 

say things like we should respect him 

because he has been winning elections, 

they are wrong because he has 

nothing to do with the party’s success 

in Imo; in fact, he created the 

problem. When you talk about 

Bayelsa, you saw the problem we 

went through and we are still in 

court. As we speak, we don’t have 

any representation in Rivers State 

and it’s all because of Oshiomhole’s 

recklessness; the same thing in Zamfara 

where we won all the elections 

but because of non-compliance to 

primary rules, we lost everything to 

the PDP. 

Talking about Kogi, I am sure they 

were blind when the Vice-President 

knelt down begging the people of 

the state to vote for our governorship 

candidate. Have you seen an 

election so violent like the one in 

Kogi where a woman was locked 

up inside a room and set on fire? An 

election where policemen were 

shooting at voters from helicopters? 

At the end of the day, what did the 

IGP say? He said half of the policemen 

in Kogi and Bayelsa were fake. 

As governor and national chairman 

he did not win the presidential 

election in Edo. Won’t you win your 

state before going to win other peoples’ 

states? We taught Oshiomhole 

politics in Edo State. Was it not in 

court that he won the governorship? 

I contested the governorship primary 

with him under ACN in 2007 and 

he knows that he didn’t defeat me. 

Some key leaders of the party 

are strongly behind Oshiomhole, 

and don’t align with your position 

I feel so sorry for Asiwaju Bola 

Ahmed Tinubu, the national leader 

of our party. I am aware he is 

one of those giving Oshiomhole 

support. Oshiomhole will disappoint 

him seriously and he will not 

support his presidential ambition 

in 2023. Oshiomhole will disappoint 

him because his ambition is 

to become Vice-President. Oshiomhole’s 

ambition is to pair a northern 

candidate against the interest 

of Tinubu. All the support Tinubu 

is giving him as national chairman 

because of his 2023 presidential 

ambition is just a waste of time and 

he will soon see things for himself. 

On Operation Amotekun which 

has been described as illegal by 

the Federal Government? 

On issues that have legal implications, 

I try as much as possible to 

stay away from it because I am not 

a lawyer. But speaking as a layman, 

maybe the federal government has 

some information that ordinary 

Nigerians are not aware of. But I 

think we have security outfits that 

are set up in other parts of the country. 

For instance in Edo State, we 

have what is called ‘Operation Wabaizigan. 

I think the only difference 

is that most of these other agencies, 

especially the one we have in 

Edo State are working with the 

police. But this Amotekun, I understand 

they will be hunters and farmers 

, so I don’t know if they will be 

under the control of the police. If 

they are under the control of the 

police, that is fine but if they want to 

be on their own, I think that is what 

the federal government is not comfortable 

with.

Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts swears in senators during the procedural start of the 

Senate impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump in this frame grab from video shot in the 

Senate Chamber at the US Capitol [US Senate TV/Handout/Reuters] 

Battle lines drawn as Senate impeachment 

trial begins 

THE impeachment tri 

al of United States 

President Donald Trump 

began in earnest yesterday 

as Senate Republicans and 

Democrats remain divided 

over the law and important 

procedural issues. 

The first business to be 

addressed is a resolution on 

the rules that govern the trial. 

Late on Monday, Senate 

Majority Leader Mitch Mc- 

Connell presented his resolution, 

which would allow 

House managers, who work 

as prosecutors, up to 24 

hours over the course of two 

days to present their case. 

Trump’s defence team 

would have the same 

amount of time. The arguments 

would be followed by 

16 hours for questions and 

answers from senators and 

then four hours of debate. 

Democrats rejected the 

proposal, with Senate Minority 

Leader Chuck 

Schumer, calling it a “national 

disgrace”. 

“It’s clear Senator McConnell 

is hell-bent on making 

it much more difficult to 

get witnesses and documents 

and intent on rushing 

the trial through,” 

Schumer said on Monday 

“On something as important 

as impeachment, Senator 

McConnell’s resolution is 

nothing short of a national 

disgrace.” He promised to 

propose amendments to the 

resolution, but with Republicans 

holding a 53-47 majority, 

their preferred rules 

package is expected to 

pass. 

Trump was impeached by 

the House of Representatives 

last month for abuse of 

power related to his dealings 

with Ukraine and obstruction 

of Congress for refusing 

to participate in the impeachment 

inquiry. Trump 

has denied any wrongdoing 

and labelled the impeachment 

trial a “hoax”. He is in 

the Swiss city of Davos this 

week for an annual fourday 

gathering of the World 

Economic Forum. 

The president’s lawyers on 

Monday filed a memorandum, 

arguing the articles of 

impeachment should be rejected 

as “an affront to the 

Constitution and our democratic 

institutions”. 

“The Articles themselves 

- and the rigged process that 

brought them here - are a 

brazenly political act by 

House Democrats that must 

be rejected,” the lawyers 

said, adding that Trump did 

not break any laws in his 

dealings with Ukraine. 

House Democrats accuse 

Trump of abusing his power 

in office by orchestrating a 

pressure campaign to get 

Ukraine to investigate 

former Vice President Joe 

Biden, a leading Democratic 

political rival, as well as 

launch a probe into a debunked 

conspiracy theory 

that Ukraine, not Russia, 

meddled in the 2016 presidential 

elections. 

The House impeachment 

investigation centred on a 

whistle-blower complaint in 

which Trump asked Ukrainian 

President Volodymyr 

Zelenskyy for the investigation 

into Biden and his son, 

Hunter, who had served on 

the board of a Ukrainian gas 

company. 

At the time of the call, the 

Trump administration was 

withholding nearly $400m 

in congressional-approved 

military assistance to 

Ukraine. 

In a written response to 

the Senate on Monday, the 

House managers, led by 

Democrat Adam Schiff, said 

the arguments being made 

by Trump’s defence team are 

faulty. 

“President Trump maintains 

that the Senate cannot 


remove him even if the 

House proves every claim in 

the Articles of impeachment. 

That is a chilling assertion. 

It is also dead wrong,” the 

House managers said in an 

eight-page letter. 

“The Framers deliberately 

drafted a Constitution that 

allows the Senate to remove 

Presidents who, like President 

Trump, abuse their 

power to cheat in elections, 

betray our national security, 

and ignore checks and balances,” 

the letter said. 

Democrats are pushing 

Republicans to allow the 

Senate to call witnesses in 

the trial, including former 

National Security Adviser 

John Bolton and acting 

White House Chief of Staff 

Mick Mulvaney. 

Democrats may also seek 

testimony from Lev Parnas, 

a former associate of Trump 

lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who 

has provided House investigators 

with emails and texts 

showing the extent of Parnas’s 

role in the campaign 

to pressure Zelenskyy. 

Under McConnell’s rules 

proposal, the question of 

witnesses would not be addressed 

until after opening 

arguments and the question-answer 

session. 

The Senate trial is unlikely 

to lead to Trump’s removal, 

as no Republican senators 

have voiced support for 

convicting the president. 

A new CNN poll, conducted 

last week, suggested 

that 51 percent of Americans 

want the Senate to convict 

the president. About 45 

percent said they do not 

want to see the president removed 

from office. But public 

sentiment is sharply divided 

along partisan lines, 

with 89 percent of Democrats 

supporting a conviction, and 

89 percent of Republicans 

opposing it. 

Asia steps up defence after SARS virus kills six 

in China 

ASIAN countries yes 

terday ramped up 

measures to block the 

spread of a new virus as 

the death toll in China 

rose to six and the number 

of cases jumped to almost 

300, raising concerns in the 

middle of a major holiday 

travel rush. 

From Australia to Thailand 

and as far as Nepal, 

nations stepped up fever 

checks of passengers at airports 

to detect the SARSlike 

coronavirus, which first 

emerged in the central 

Chinese city of Wuhan. 

Fears of a bigger outbreak 

rose after a prominent 

expert from China’s 

National Health Commission 

confirmed late Monday 

that the virus can be 

passed between people. 

Authorities previously 

said there was no obvious 

evidence of person-to-person 

transmission and animals 

were suspected to be 

the source, as a seafood 

market where live animals 

were sold in Wuhan was 

identified as the centre of 

the outbreak. 

The confirmation of human 

transmission comes as 

hundreds of millions of 

people are crisscrossing 

China in packed buses, 

trains and planes this 

week to celebrate the Lunar 

New Year with relatives. 

South African Airways cancels flights in fight 

for survival 

SOUTH African Air 

ways (SAA) has canceled 

more than 20 domestic 

flights between its 

Johannesburg hub and 

Cape Town and Durban 

this week, and 10 international 

flights to and 

from Munich, the airline 

said on Tuesday, as it 

fights for its survival. 

SAA is running short of 

cash after the government 

failed to provide 2 

billion rand ($137 million) 

of emergency funding 

it promised when the 

airline entered a form of 

US, UK sign deal to protect 

Titanic wreck 

BRITAIN yesterday hailed a new treaty with the 

United States that seeks to protect the wreck of the 

Titanic from damage by explorers and tourists. 

The remains of the ship lie largely intact 2.5 miles 

(four kilometres) below the surface of the North Atlantic 

Ocean after it hit an iceberg in 1912. 

But there have been growing concerns about visitors 

taking artefacts, leaving rubbish and even placing 

plaques in memory of the 1,500 people who died. 

An international treaty to limit access was signed by 

Britain in 2003 but only ratified by the United States in 

November last year. 

During a visit to Belfast in Northern Ireland, where 

the Titanic was built, British maritime minister Nusrat 

Ghani said it was a “momentous agreement”. 

It meant the site “will be treated with the sensitivity 

and respect owed to the final resting place of more than 

1,500 lives”, she said, according to a government statement. 

“The UK will now work closely with the other North 

Atlantic States to bring even more protection to the wreck 

of the Titanic.” 

Built by Harland and Wolff, the Titanic was the largest 

and most luxurious passenger vessel of its time and 

described as “unsinkable”. 

Russia gets new government 

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin approved a new Rus 

sian government on Tuesday which he called a break 

with the past and included a new economy minister and 

first deputy prime minister, but many senior ministers 

stayed on. 

The government was formed less than a week after Putin 

unveiled a sweeping shake-up of the political system, 

which led to the resignation of Dmitry Medvedev as prime 

minister with his entire government. 

Putin went on to pick 53-year-old former tax chief Mikhail 

Mishustin, who has almost no political profile, as his new 

prime minister. 

Putin’s wider shake-up, which envisages changing the 

constitution, is seen as preparing the ground for 2024, 

when Putin, now 67, is obliged to leave the presidency 

after occupying the Kremlin or the prime minister’s job 

continuously since 1999. 

Iran MP offers reward for killing 

Trump, US calls it ‘ridiculous’ 

AN Iranian lawmaker offered a $3 million reward to 

anyone who killed U.S. President Donald Trump 

and said Iran could avoid threats if it had nuclear arms, 

ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday amid Tehran’s 

latest standoff with Washington. 

U.S. disarmament ambassador Robert Wood dismissed 

the reward as “ridiculous”, telling reporters in Geneva it 

showed the “terrorist underpinnings” of Iran’s establishment. 

Tensions have escalated since Trump in 2018 pulled 

the United States out of a multilateral 2015 agreement 

meant to contain Iran’s nuclear program, saying it was 

flawed, then reimposed heavy U.S. sanctions on Tehran. 

The standoff erupted into tit-for-tat military strikes earlier 

this month. 

“On behalf of the people of Kerman province, we will 

pay a $3 million reward in cash to whoever kills Trump,” 

lawmaker Ahmad Hamzeh told the 290-seat parliament, 

ISNA reported. 

bankruptcy protection last 

month. 

The state-owned airline 

said it was “consolidating 

flights to match capacity 

and demand” and would 

consider further schedule 

changes over the coming 

days. 

“These cancellations 

represent a responsible 

strategy to conserve 

cash,” SAA said in a statement, 

adding it was 

working to accommodate 

affected customers on other 

flights. 

SAA is one of several 

South African state entities, 

including power 

company Eskom, mired 

in financial crisis after 

nearly a decade of mismanagement. 

The state companies’ 

financial problems are 

seen as one of the biggest 

threats to Africa’s most 

industrialized economy 

and have helped push the 

country’s credit rating to 

the brink of junk status. 

SAA’s statement 

showed cancellations on 

the domestic and Munich 

routes started on Monday 

and lasted until Friday.


My resolve to survive enabled me beat 

breast cancer, says Atinuke Lawal 

. Says no Alternative Medicine can cure 

S 

cancer 

By Gabriel Olawale 

THE fight against 

cancer is often 

unpredictable. Some 

people live to tell the story, 

others are not so 

privileged. One of those 

that survived is Atinuke 

Lawal. When she was 

diagnosed with breast 

cancer in 2014, it was as 

if her life had ended. 

“I received the news 

with shock and denial,” 

she recalled during an 

encounter. “It was like a 

death sentence. I told the 

doctor it was not possible 

and wondered what I did 

to have breast cancer.” 

Atinuke tried several 

hospitals but the results 

were the same. It was the 

beginning of her 2-year 

ordeal with cancer and it 

came with so many 

different challenges. But 

for the determination to 

survive, she would have 

succumbed to the disease. 

Sharing her experience 

ahead of the World Cancer 

Day commemoration on 

the 4th of February, 

Atinuke said her only 

guilt was the failure to go 

for regular medical checkup. 

“I hardly fell sick. I just 

believed everything was 

normal. Actually I 

regarded cancer as white 

man disease.” 

She disclosed that her 

initial plan was to go for 

surgery abroad but 

couldn’t obtain a visa on 

time so she opted for local 

treatment. 

“After the surgery, I 

abandoned treatment 

because of the fearful 

things I heard about 

chemotherapy and 

radiotherapy. But a year 

later, the cancer returned 

and I was made to 

understand that I needed 

to submit myself for 

complete treatment.” 

While the treatment is 

ongoing, Atinuke said her 

survival strategy was the 

determination to 

overcome the cancer. 

“In the first place, 

anybody at any time can 

be diagnosed with 

cancer. So don’t think it is 

devil’s work or someone 

from your village that 

sent an arrow. It is a 

disease and with the right 

information and treatment 

you will overcome it. 

“People came to me with 

different advice, 

suggestions and stories 

that could make me lose 

hope. But my 

determination from the 

very beginning was that I 

would survive. It’s a 

phase that will definitely 

Ms. Atinuke Lawal. 

pass. It is just one of the 

health issues that with 

early detection and 

treatment you can 

survive. 

“My doctor used to tell 

me during treatment that 

when cancer comes, its 

aim is to take over your 

mind and the moment you 

allow that, surviving it 

will be very difficult. He 

also told me that when 

someone is ill the nerve 

begins to fail, but if you 

are able to keep your 

nerve up, you will be 

strong enough to fight the 

illness. 

“I applied my faith and 

strength to the treatment 

I received at the hospital. 

Most times, people go to 

see the wrong doctor or go 

to the Chemist for 

treatment, but the more 

you delay the worse it 

become. You need to see 

and oncologist 

immediately who will give 

you treatment options.” 

Cancer respects nobody 

and can come to anybody, 

Atinuke warned. 

“The thing is that when 

you first get the news, 

don’t let it break you. Look 

at it as a phase that will 

pass, be strong in your 

heart and let your mind 

be clear. Forget about the 

enemy that might send 

cancer as people uoften 

believe. 

“By the time your mind 

is strong, at every stage; 

you will be prepared and 

know what to do. During 

and after treatment you 

should watch your lifestyle, 

Anybody at any 

time can be 

diagnosed with 

cancer. It is a 

disease and 

with the right 

information and 

treatment you 

can overcome it 

although nobody really 

know the cause of cancer 

but there are some lifestyles 

that can trigger it.” 

She advised people to 

always go for regular checkup. 

“Most times for every 

kind of illness, early 

detection is key as it aids 

treatment. 

“In terms of medical 

treatment, we are not where 

we should be but we are 

making progress when 

compared to 2014 when I 

was diagnosed. That time, 

there was only one 

functional radiotherapy 

machine working in the 

whole of Nigeria and it was 

at the Lagos University 

Teaching Hospital where 

everyone from across the 

country that needed 

radiotherapy had to go.” 

Atinuke said that her 

experience during the 

treatment informed her 

decision to set up Atinuke 

Cancer Foundation to help 

in awareness creation, 

“with increase awareness 

from different stakeholders, 

government is now 

gradually investing in 

cancer treatment and 

capacity building. 

She cautioned people 

diagnosed with cancer and 

their relatives to be mindful 

of alternative medicine 

dealers claiming to have 

herbs or roots that can cure 

cancer. 

“There is no alternative 

medicine that can cure 

cancer and I have not seen 

anybody that was cured 

through alternative 

medicine. But I can count 

several people that have 

use chemotherapy in the 

past and are still alive. 

“Several alternative 

practitioners have come to 

me for partnership but I tell 

them if they have the cure 

they should present it to the 

Nigeria Institute of 

Medical Research or go to 

the hospital where there are 

a lot of people diagnosed 

with cancer to present their 

cure.” 

Only eHealth innovation can solve healthcare challenges in Lagos 

— SANWO-OLU 


LAGOS State Governor, 

Mr. Babajide Sanwo- 

Olu, Tuesday said for the 

state to be able to overcome 

its healthcare challenges 

and offer a quality care to 

the residents, it must be 

dependent on technology. 

Sanwo-Olu disclosed this at 

the opening ceremony of a 

three-day Technical 

Conference on e-Health by 

the state geared towards 

strengthening the Smart 

Health Information 

Platform, SHIP, in Victoria 

Island Lagos. 

The Governor who was 

represented by the Deputy 

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, 

described e-Health as the 

holistic and comprehensive 

delivery of health care 

services by electronic 

means through digital 

management of data 

resources on the supply 

and demand side. 

He said it is a virtual 

healthcare system 

supported by electronics, 

informatics and 

telecommunications. 

Sanwo-Olu said: 

“Digitalisation of health is 

having a profound effect on 

health delivery, enabling 

new models of care and 

shifting the focus of health 

systems toward speed, 

efficiency, security and 

transparency 

“Data is also a central pillar 

to modern healthcare 

systems in the age of 

technology and innovation. 

The medical knowledge 

economy is driven by big 

data, computational 

analysis, machine learning 

Cheap drug offers relief 

against treatment resistance 

in leukemia 

By Sola Ogundipe triapine. 

ACOMMON and 

inexpensive drug 

may offer relief 

against treatment 

resistance in patients 

with Acute Myeloid 

Leukemia, one of the 

most common forms of 

blood cancer. 

A new research from 

the Karolinska Institutet 

and SciLifeLab and 

published in the medical 

journal EMBO 

Molecular Medicine, 

gives insight into the 

plan by reseachers to 

launch a clinical study to 

test the new combination 

treatment in patients. 

Leukemia is a group of 

blood cancers that results 

in excess amounts of 

white blood cells. 

Acute Myelogenous 

Leukaemia occurs in 

children and adults but 

is the most common type 

of acute leukaemia in 

adults and the mortality 

rate is high especially in 

older patients. 

One of the most 

common drugs to treat 

AML is cytarabine (ara- 

C), a cytotoxic drug that 

interferes with DNA 

replication. However, 

many patients do not 

respond to the treatment 

and even have a 

significantly worse 

survival rate because of 

the inhibitoryeffect of an 

enzyme on cytarabine. 

In the study, the 

researchers tested the 

impact of more than 

33,000 different 

substances in leukemia 

cells treated with 

cytarabine and 

identified three different 

substances, so-called 

ribonucleotide reductase 

inhibitors (RNRi) - 

hydroxyurea, 

gemcitabine and 

and artificial intelligence 

tools to mine the rich source 

of data emanating from 

surveillance, planning, and 

management or 

personalized health data. 

“A crucial element to the 

data-centric nature of e- 

Health is the ability it gives 

governing bodies to enable 

them to accurately measure 

the impact of its policies and 

decision in real time,” 

Sanwo-Olu said. 

Speaking earlier, the 

Commissioner for Health, 

Prof. Akin Abayomi pointed 

Nikolas Herold, 

researcher at the 

Department of Women's 

and Children's Health at 

Karolinska Institutet in 

Sweden confirmed the 

positive effect of adding 

any of the three 

substances significantly 

in cell samples. 

"This was true for AML 

samples from both 

adults and children. In 

AML-mice, we also saw 

that the median survival 

was significantly 

prolonged when 

cytarabine was combined 

with an RNR-inhibitor." 

Hydroxyurea is an 

inexpensive drug that is 

used to treat blood 

diseases such as AML. 

However, it has not 

systematically been used 

in combination with 

cytarabine. 

Gemcitabine is a potent 

drug that is used to treat 

many different types of 

cancers, but it can be 

toxic if given repeatedly. 

Triapine is a drug 

currently undergoing 

clinical studies for 

cancer treatment. 

In animal studies, the 

combination therapies 

did not exhibit any 

excess side-effects 

beyond those already 

established in 

c y t a r a b i n e - 

treatments.The research 

group is now planning 

to move forward with a 

clinical study that will 

evaluate the effect of 

combining standard 

AML-treatment with 

hydroxyurea in recently 

diagnosed patients. 

The study will be 

conducted in 

collaboration with the 

Swedish AML-group 

and will begin recruiting 

patients within a few 

weeks. 

out that the conference 

would further strengthen 

the State's one healthcare 

record policy. 

He listed the advantages of 

SHIP to include precision 

medicine, accelerated 

human resource 

development, quality 

assurance, standardize 

exchange of information 

and optimize operating 

procedures adding that 

SHIP is in furtherance of 

the efforts to ensure efficient 

and effective healthcare 

delivery in Lagos State.

IFFHS: 

NPFL 

ranked 57th 

in the World 

The Nigeria Professional 

Football League has been 

ranked the 57th strongest national 

league in the world for 2019 by the 

International Federation of 

Football History & Statistics. 

Compared to its ranking the 

previous year, the NPFL has made 

remarkable progress as it 

occupied the 77th position in 2018. 

Eight African Leagues were 

included in the top 60; namely 

Tunisia (15), Morocco (17), Egypt 

(30), Angola (48), South Africa (50), 

Zambia (55), Nigeria (57) and 

The Super Eagles have 

suffered an Instagram 

hack just before they knew 

their fate for the 2022 Fifa 

World Cup qualifiers. 

The breach came as a shock 

to the three-time African 

champions who have over 

Algeria (58). 

The Nigeria Professional Football 

League tallied 346.5 points, 316 

less than the strongest league in 

Africa, Tunisian Ligue 

Professionnelle 1. 

Eagles' Instagram hacked 

Eez 

230,000 followers on the 

social media platform. 

Tuesday's hack saw all of the 

Super Eagles' content deleted 

and replaced with pictures 

from an unknown stylist and 

influencer based in Istanbul, 

Turkey. 

By John Egbokhan 

President of the Nigeria 

Football Federation (NFF), 

Amaju Pinnick has said the 

football-governing body would 

do everything to ensure that the 

Super Eagles have the best 

preparations in the run-up to the 

202 FIFA World Cup qualifying 

matches starting in October, 2020. 

The Super Eagles were yesterday 

drawn in Group C alongside Cape 

Verde, Central African Republic 

and Liberia, in what many 

consider a very easy group that 

has made many to tip the Eagles 

as the overwhelming favourites to 

progress into the final round of 


2022 World Cup Qualifiers: 

Eagles draw Cape 

Verde, CAR, Liberia 

*Play Liberia in October 

The Super Eagles were 

yesterday drawn in Group 

C of the penultimate round 

of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers 

for Africa at the brief ceremony 

which took place at the Ritz- 

Carlton hotel in Cairo, Egypt. 

The ceremony anchored by CAF's 

Nigeria Dirctor of Competitions, 

Samson Adamu saw the 40 teams 

remaining in the race being 

drawn into 10 groups of four, with 

Nigeria pairing Cape Verde 

ranked 78th on the current FIFA 

Ranking, Central African Republic 

ranked 109th and Liberia, the least 

ranked at 152nd. 

The winner of each of the 10 

groups will advance to the third 

and final round. The five winners 

of the home and away ties will 

represent Africa at the 2022 World 

Cup in Qatar. 

Of the 13 African countries 

which have competed at the World 

Cup in the past, Nigeria ranks 

second with 6 appearances behind 

leaders, Cameroon which have 7. 

Others are Morocco (5), Tunisia (5), 

Algeria (4), Ivory Coast (3), Egypt 

(3), Ghana (3), South Africa (3), 

Senegal (2), DR Congo (1), Togo 

(1) and Angola (1). 

Nigeria’s first game, coming up 

in October this year, will be 

against the Lone Star of Liberia, 

who reached this stage after 

shoving neighbours Sierra Leone 

in the first round. 

Pinnick: Eagles'll get best preparations to 

beat opponents 

Egyptian club 

registers 74- 

year-old player Man Utd target 

Egyptian Football Association 

(EFA) has announced the 

Osimhen to 

registration of what it believes is 

the oldest professional player in 

replace Rashford 

the world. 

Victor Osimhen has emerged as 

Third-tier club 6th October have a transfer target of English 

signed 74-year-old Eez Eldin Premier League side Manchester 

Bahder. 

United following the injury that 

No details were given of what will see top striker Marcus 

kind of deal Bahder signed with Rashford miss three months of the 

the club. 

season. 

He is an unknown in Egyptian Rashford is feared out for three 

footballing circles with no history months and in a bid to maintain 

of playing for any other their push to finish in the top four 

professional clubs. 

in the English Premier League, 

The EFA and Badher have invited 

coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his 

the Guinness Book of World 

sight fixed on another striker. 

Already the coach has talked about 

Records to come and watch him 

a short term option but that is 

play in a third-division match in a proving to be a difficult task and a 

bid to have his record as the oldest move for a striker who can compete 

professional player ratified. 

Ilaboya Cycling Circuit gets February date 

Chairman of Owan West Local 

Government Area of Edo 

State, Mr. Frank Ilaboya has set the 

ball roling towards a successful 

outing for Team Edo in the 

forthcoming National Sports 

Festival holding in the state from 

March 22 to April 1. 

This follows his acceptance to 

sponsor a Cycling Criterion Circuit 

billed to hold in Sabongida-Ora, 

headquarters of the Owan West 

Local Government Area of Edo state 

from February 21 to 23, 2020. 

Speaking recently, the former Edo 

State Football Association Chairman 

said that he decided to sponsor the 

race in order to prepare Team Edo 

well for the National Sports Festival. 

"I am aware that cycling has over 

16 gold medals and with adequate 

preparation of Team Edo cyclists, 

the qualifying campaign to Qatar 

2022. 

Many football followers expect 

the Super Eagles to qualify in 

style, from such a group, failure 

to do so should mean they might 

as well stop playing football. 

And speaking last night to 

Sports Vanguard, the NFF 

President expressed delight with 

the outcome of the draw, which 

he considered favourable but 

added that the body was going 

to offer the best of preparations 

to enhance the team's chances of 

progressing from the group 

without any hiccup. 

'''It is good that the draw has 

taken place and w e 

now know we 

would be 

with the 

forwards in the 

squad at the 

moment is 

now a 

priority. 

Osimhen fits 

the bill 

properly. 

According 

to the agent 

of the 

forward 

who has 

scored 

14 goals 

in all 

competitions 

in his first 

season at Lille, 

Manchester 

United are 

among teams 

that have posted 

NPFL 

Since the beginning of the new 

millennium, Nigeria have won 

the CAF Champions League on 

two occasions through Enyimba 

of Aba, with their last title 

coming in 2004. 

For the first time since 2009, the 

Premier League has been 

recognized as the strongest 

league in the world following the 

performances of Liverpool, 

Tottenham Hotspur and 

Manchester City in European 

competitions. 

In second place is Brazil's Serie 

A, followed by Spain's La Liga, 

Italian Serie A and Colombia's 

Categoría Primera A. 

Osimhen 

they can win between 12 and 14 

gold medals,' he said. 

The former Chairman of the Lagos 

state chapter of the Sports Writers 

Association of Nigeria, SWAN, 

added that “since the health 

benefits of riding bicycle either for 

leisure, transportation or sports is 

unquantifiable, bringing a 

criterion race to my local 

government will help create the 

needed awareness as well as give 

playing Cape Verde, Central 

African Republic and Liberia and 

from us at the federation, the work 

has already started as we would 

move quickly to ensure that all 

the things that will aid the team 

to excel are provided . 

''Qualifying for the World Cup in 

Qatar is a mandate that we must 

deliver and as long as we do our 

homework, a place in Qatar is 

within our reach. 

We would talk with the coach, 

Gernot Rohr to put heads together 

in order to map out a roadmap that 

will make Qatar 2022 realisable. 

One thing that we can assure is 

that the team would get all the 

support to achieve the target'', 

added Pinnick. 

By Jacob Ajom 

Preliminaries of the 

football event of the 2020 

Nigeria Oil and Gas 

Industry Games will kickoff 

Monday January 27 at the 

Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, 

Surulere, Lagos with the 

defending champions 

ExxonMobil taking on NLNG in 

the opening match. 

The match which has been 

slated to kick off at 8 am is 

expected to ignite fireworks as the 

two teams have been training 

hard for the game both consider 

as very crucial. 

African champions Algeria head 

Group A and will have two 

interesting games against the 

Etalons of Burkina Faso, with 

Niger Republic and Djibouti also 

in the pool. 

Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles head 

Group B which also has Zambia, 

Mauritania and Equatorial 

Guinea, but the presence of 

Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire in 

Group D makes that pool most 

interesting. They are joined by 

Mozambique and Malawi. 

Meanwhile, Group E looks the 

most evenly set, with Mali, 

Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda – 

none of which had been to the 

FIFA World Cup previously. 

Group G is also mouth-watering, 

as Ghana, quarter finalists at the 

only FIFA World Cup finals to have 

been hosted on African soil, face 

the country that hosted that finals 

in 2010, South Africa, as well as 

Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. 

Certainly, Group J is similarly 

something to savour, as 

Democratic Republic of Congo, 

Benin Republic and Madagascar 

are joined by Tanzania. 

Each of the 40 teams will play 

two matches each towards the end 

of this year, with the remaining 

four matches coming up next year. 

The third and final round of the 

qualifiers will see the 10 winners 

of the pools drawn into five 

explosive home-and-away fixtures 

that will produce Africa’s 

flagbearers in Qatar. Those 

knockout games come up in 

November 2021. 

The Groups 

Group A: Algeria, Burkina Faso, 

Niger, Djibouti 

Group B: Tunisia, Zambia, 

Mauritania, Equatorial Guinea 

Group C: Nigeria, Cape Verde, 

Central African Republic, Liberia 

Group D: Cameroon, Ivory Coast, 

Mozambique, Malawi 

Group E: Mali, Uganda, Kenya, 

Rwanda 

Group F: Egypt, Gabon, Libya, 

Angola 

Group G: Ghana, South Africa, 

Zimbabwe, Ethiopia 

Group H: Senegal, Congo, 

Namibia, Togo 

Group I : Morocco, Guinea, 

Guinea-Bissau, Sudan 

Group J : DR Congo, Benin, 

Madagascar, Tanzania 

NOGIG 2020 : Chevron begins defence of 

football title against NLNG 

Team Edo the added impetus to win 

well during the National Sports 

Festival”. 

The Secretary of Edo 2020 Local 

Organising Committee, Dr 

Emmanuel Igbinosa who expressed 

gratitude to Ilaboya for always 

identifying with cycling and Team 

Edo, said over 60 cyclists and 

officials will take part in the one 

day race. 

“It is a game we must win in order 

to set a perfect tone for the 

successful defence of our trophy 

and send a signal to other 

contestants that we are not going 

to let go what we already have,” a 

Chevron player, who craved 

anonymity said to our reporter. 

In the second match, PTI and 

SEPLAT will take the centre stage 

for what has been described as a 

match of wits. The two would be 

making a statement to other 

contenders as a good result for 

either of them could put them in a 

good stead to challenge for the 

title. 

The third encounter which kicks 

off after lunch features NCDMB 

against competition giants NNPC, 

while SHELL and TOTAL will 

renew their rivalry in the final 

game of Day 1. 

On Day 2, SEPLAT and DPR will 

open the day in a tricky tie that will 

kickstart their campaign while 

CHEVRON and NCDMB take to 

the pitch in the second match. In 

other matches, Eroton will take on 

SHELL while NAOC and NLNG 

will end the day in a late afternoon 

match.


Mbappe: Liverpool ‘like 

a machine’ right now 

Paris Saint-Germain 

forward Kylian 

Mbappe has likened 

runaway Premier League 

leaders Liverpool to “a 

machine” and expressed his 

awe at their ability to keep 

winning under pressure. 

Speaking with BBC Sport 

after launching his charity 

Inspired by Kylian Mbappe, 

the 21-year-old marvelled at 

the Reds’ run of form that 

has put them 16 points clear 

of second-placed 

Manchester City with a 

game in hand. 

“What Liverpool do in this 

moment is amazing,” 

Mbappe said. “They are 

like a machine, they have 

found a rhythm and are like 

‘we play again, we play 

again.’ 

“They have lost zero 

games. When you watch you 

think everything is easy but 

that is not easy. The guys 

are focused — they play 

games every three days and 

they win, win, win.” 

Despite opponents being 

able to identify ways to 

cause Liverpool problems, 

Mbappe is impressed with 

the way Klopp’s men find 

•Mbappe 

the strength to keep pushing 

on. 

“Now the problem is that 

everybody watches Liverpool, 

and everybody watches what 

we can do against them, so now 

they have to show they are 

strong again,” the France 

international said. “It is a 

very good team with a very 

good manager, though.” 

Mbappe has been 

regularly linked with a 

move to Real Madrid but 

when asked about a 

potential future switch, he 

said it was not the time to 

discuss his future. 

“Everyone talks about it,” 

he said. “When I was 

young, I talked about it too, 

but now I am a player and I 

know it is not the moment. 

“We are in January. It is 

the money time of the 

season. Imagine I answer 

your question and say 

something. Everybody will 

talk about it and it is not good 

for PSG. 

“Now I am with PSG and I 

am 100% with the club. I 

want to help the club grow 

this season, to win a lot of 

titles, so for me it is not good 

to talk about [my future].” 

CAS Appeal: Siasia begs 200,000 

Nigerians for N500 each 

Former Super 

Eagles coach, 

Samson Siasia 

has made an 

impassioned appeal to 

200, 000 Nigerians to 

donate N500 each in 

order for him to fund his 

appeal against FIFA ban 

at the Court of 

Arbitration for Sports in 

Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Siasia was banned last 

year for life from all 

football-related activities 

by FIFA over alleged 

bribery and match-fixing 

claim but he is set to 

launch an appeal at CAS 

in a bid to overturn the 

ban, which has put his 

career in jeopardy . 

And speaking in a prerecorded 

video posted on 

his facebook page, the 

1994 AFCON winner 

Siasia 

without the funds that 

his football career would 

be cut short abruptly. 

‘’Good day Nigerians, 

my name is Samson 

Siasia. I am coming to 

you at a very difficult 

moment of my life and 

career. I need to raise the 

sum of 250,000 euros. 

That is a lot of money. 

‘’I am appealing to all 

well-meaning Nigerians, 

the sports-loving 

Nigerians to come to my 

aid for me to use these 

funds to defend myself 

against FIFA. 

‘’We have this 

calculation that if 200,000 

people can give N500, 

then I believe that we 

could be able to reach 

our target.. I want to 

thank you as you do 

this,, God bless you’’, 

added Siasia. 

Aguero attracting transfer 

interest from Beckham’s Inter 

Miami 

M ANCHESTER 

CITY star Sergio 

Aguero is wanted by 

David Beckham’s Inter 

Miami in a stunning 

transfer swoop. 

The 31-year-old sealed his 

place as a Premier League 

legend last week after 

overtaking Thierry Henry’s 

goalscoring record. 

His current deal runs out in 

2021, and the Argentine forward 

is open to signing a fresh 

contract at the Etihad. 

But it is understood he would 

not be against a shock move to 

the MLS, with new franchise 

Miami showing interest. 

His young son Benjamin lives 

in his native country and a 

move to the United States 

would mean he is closer to 

home. 

Beckham’s new Miami 

team have made contact 

with Aguero and David 

Silva’s representatives in 

recent months. 

It also thought New York 

City have also shown 

interest, who are the sister 

club of City and have close 

ties with. 

Aguero has no desire to 

retire any time soon, and 

would also entertain a 

move back to boyhood 

club Independente one 

day. 

An Etihad insider said: 

“Sergio leaves when he 

decides. He is wedded to 

City. 

“As long as he is still 

scoring goals and playing 

regularly, he has no firm 

plans about when saying 

goodbye to Manchester. 

Danny Rose rows with Mourinho 

during training 

ottenham players were 

Treportedly unhappy 

with left-back Danny 

Rose after a 

training ground 

Barca eye Aubameyang 

B arcelona 

a January move 

are 

for Arsenal striker 

Pierre-Emerick 

Aubameyang as a 

replacement for Luis 

Suarez. 

The La Liga leaders will 

be without Suarez until 

May after the Uruguay 

international was forced to 

undergo surgery on a knee 

injury. 

Mundo Deportivo claims 

that new Barca boss Quique 

Setien is looking to 

•Aubameyang strengthen his frontline 

and is keen on Arsenal ace 

Aubameyang. 

Aubameyang has 

scored 16 times in 26 

appearances for the 

Gunners this term and 

is close friends with 

Barcelona pair Samuel 

Umtiti and Ousmane 

Dembele, having 

played with them at 

Borussia Dortmund. 

The Gabon international 

Manchester United 

have been 

charged by the 

Football Association (FA) 

for failing to control their 

players during their 2-0 

defeat to Premier League 

leaders Liverpool at 

Anfield on Sunday. 

Having gone ahead in 

the 14th minute through 

Virgil van Dijk’s header, 

Liverpool thought they 

had a second when 

•Aguero 

Roberto Firmino curled 

home soon after. 

However, the goal was 

subsequently disallowed 

following a VAR check, 

with Van Dijk having been 

deemed to foul United 

goalkeeper David De Gea 

prior to Firmino’s strike. 

Referee Craig Pawson 

did not initially blow up 

for a foul, with United’s 

players - including 

goalkeeper De Gea, who 

attempted to play down talk of a 

move away from the Emirates 

Stadium earlier this month, but 

rumours persist of the striker 

wanting a new challenge 

elsewhere. 

Chelsea put off by Cavani wage 

demands pics/cavani 

Chelsea’s pursuit of Edinson 

Cavani is at risk of being 

scuppered by the Paris Saint- 

Germain striker’s wage 

demands. 

Cavani has handed in a 

transfer request at the Parc des 

Princes after slipping down the 

pecking order following the 

arrival of Mauro Icardi last 

summer. 

Speaking on Monday, Chelsea 

boss Frank Lampard admitted 

he is a fan of Cavani and hinted 

his side are in the running to 

sign the Uruguay international. 

Despite being out of contract in 

less than six months’ time, PSG 

are believed to be holding out for 

a £15m fee for Cavani, who is 

also wanted by Atletico 

Madrid. 

Man Utd charged by FA 

after Liverpool defeat 

received a 

booking - 

gathering 

around the 

official to 

protest prior to 

the video 

review. 

The FA have 

now taken 

action against 

U n i t e d , 

charging the 

club with a 

breach of FA 

Rule E20(a). 

“It is alleged 

that the club 

failed to ensure 

its players 

conducted 

themselves in 

an orderly 

fashion during 

the 26th minute 

of the Premier 

League fixture 

a g a i n s t 

Liverpool on 

Sunday,” read a 

statement on 

the official FA 

Spokesperson 

twitter account. 

United have 

been given 

until Thursday 

to respond to 

the charge. 

S 

row with manager Jose 

Mourinho. 

The Spurs boss left Rose 

out of the team to play 

Watford and this 

seemingly left the 

England international 

visibly unhappy, 

according to the Daily 

Mail. 

The report explains 

Tottenham players were 

not happy with how Rose 

behaved towards the 

manager, with voices 

raised as the pair 

exchanged some strong 

words. 

However, the issue has 

been resolved, but it is 

certainly unhelpful for 

reports like this to be 

coming out during 

Tottenham’s poor run of 

form. 

“I don’t know what you 

mean by tension in the air, 

I don’t have any problem 

with him. He was not 

selected against Watford 

and Middlesbrough. 

•Agbo 

•Rose 

Deportivo La Coruna 

sign Uche Agbo 

panish Segunda División side 

Deportivo de La Coruña have 

announced the signing of Nigeria 

international Uche Agbo. 

The central midfielder cut short 

his loan spell with Sporting Braga 

in Portugal which was due to 

expire at the end of the 2019-2020 

season before joining Deportivo de 

La Coruña on loan for the 

remainder of the campaign. 

Uche passed a medical at the HM 

Modelo Hospital last week and has 

visited the facilities of the Sports 

City of Abegondo and the Abanca- 

Riazor Stadium to watch his new 

teammates in action. 

The 24-year-old wore the colours 

of Taraba, JUTH and Enyimba in 

his homeland before transferring 

to Udinese in 2013 following a 

successful trial and his other clubs 

in Europe include Granada, 

Watford and Rayo Vallecano. 

He was a member of the Nigeria 

squad to the 2013 FIFA U20 World 

Cup and was named to the 

country’s provisional roster for the 

senior World Cup five years later.


Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

THURSDAY’S SOLUTION 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

FRIDAY’S ANSWER 

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. 

Across 

1 Priam’s city (4) 

3 Air force unit (8) 

9 Doubter (anag.) (7) 

10 Exaggerated masculine (5) 

11 Illuminated (3,2) 

12 Rustic (anag.) (6) 

14 Former Spanish currency (6) 

16 Rivulet (6) 

19 Lasso (6) 

21 Power (5) 

24 Fold in fabric (5) 

25 Malady (7) 

26 So-so (8) 

27 Second-hand (4) 

Down 

1 “Barchester Tower”author (8) 

2 Group of eight performers (5) 

4 Slake, assuage (6) 

5 Let in (5) 

6 Hermit (7) 

7 Midday (7) 

8 Marionette (6) 

13 Copied (8) 

15 Bladderwrack, for example (7) 

17 Uproar (6) 

18 Finally (2,4) 

20 Bury (5) 

22 Conjecture (5) 

23 Electronic junk mail (4) 

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22012020

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