12112020 - #EndSARS PROMOTERS' ACCOUNTS: M-Belt, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, others blast Akeredolu

Unless President Trump 

takes a leaf out of 

Jonathan’s book, America 

lacks the moral authority 

to lecture anyone on 

democratic values 16 

We’re aware of 

attempt to 

weaken North 

before 2023 

— NORTHERN 

ELDERS 

8 

Fish out sponsors 

of Boko Haram, 

Senate tells FG 

•Army releaes list of 

86 most wanted 

terrorists 

7 

Buhari, Obasanjo, 

Jonathan, govs, 

Tinubu, others 

mourn as 

Balarabe Musa, 

ex-Kaduna gov, 

dies at 84 33 

NDIC, CBN battle safety issues in Nigeria’s fintech environment 

19 

VOL. 27: NO. 64204 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

#EndSARS PROMOTERS' ACCOUNTS: 

M-Belt, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, 

others blast Akeredolu 

•I see nothing wrong in freezing promoters’ accounts — Akeredolu 

•You can’t kill protests with terror, SMBLF tells Buhari 

•Freezing their accounts may trigger another protest – Ohanaeze 

•Treat issue with utmost care — PANDEF tells FG 

•Witch-hunt approach wrong — Concerned Professionals 

•NBA, CSOs blast Akeredolu, describe him as military apologist 

5 

UNILAG: 

I regret 

signing 

report, says 

Visitation 

Panel Chair, 

as Buhari 

reinstates 

VC 

12 

Naira 

depreciates 

to N467.5/$ 

in parallel 

market 

41 

Mr & Mrs 

COVID-19 TEST FOR NYSC MEMBERS —Members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, undergo Covid-19 

test at NYSC Camp Abuja as the camp reopened, yesterday. Photo: Gbemiga Olamikan. 

Boko Haram: Zulum 

approves 100 

motorcycles for Army’s 

remote operations 33 

Nigeria ratifies 

membership of AfCFTA, 

as agreement kicks-off 

Jan 1, 2021 

BABA AHMED 42 

SEE 

COLUMNISTS 17 

7 

Appointment of 

Judges: Court 

okays suit against 

Buhari 

8 

INSIDE

C 

M 

Y 

K 

2 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020

C 

M 

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Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 — 3

C 

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vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguardnews 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 — 5 

POCKET CARTOON 

EFCC’S 2021 BUDGET DEFENCE —From left: Deputy Chairman, 

House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, Umar Doka; 

Chairman of the Committee, Ibrahim Dutse; Clerk of the Committee, Mr 

Suleiman DanAlmajiri; another member of the committee, Umeoji Chukwuma 

Michael, during the EFCC’s 2021 budget defence before the committee at the 

National Assembly Complex in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN. 

Ohanaeze, Afenifere, NBA 

M-Belt, others blast Akeredolu 

By Anayo Okoli, 

Dapo Akinrefon, 

Henry Ojelu, Joseph 

Erunke, Chris 

Ochayi, Chioma 

Onuegbu, Gabriel 

Ewepu & Luminous 

Jannamike 

L 

A G O S — 

GOVERNOR 

Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo 

State, yesterday, received 

knocks for backing the 

freezing of #EndSARS 

promoters’ accounts and 

regulation of social media. 

Among those who 

tongue-lashed Akeredolu 

were Afenifere, Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, Pan-Niger Delta 

Forum, PANDEF, Middle- 

Belt Forum, Nigerian bar 

Association, NBA, and 

Civil Society Organisations, 

CSOs. 

Speaking on a day court 

granted bail to five 

#EndSARS protesters and 

a female journalist in 

Abuja, Governor Akeredolu 

backed freezing of bank 

accounts of #EndSARS 

promoters and asked 

asking those aggrieved to 

go to court and clear their 

names if they had nothing 

to hide. 

“Speaking very honestly, 

I don’t see anything wrong 

in it,” the governor who 

doubles as the chairman of 

the South-West Governors’ 

Forum, said yesterday on 

Channels Television’s 

Sunrise Daily. 

“If for instance, my 

account was frozen, what 

would I do? All I would do 

is go back to court to 

explain. Even politicians, 

their accounts are 

sometimes frozen. You 

have to go to court and 

explain. And at the end of 

the day, the court will say, 

‘leave the account. The 

account should be defrozen’ 

and you take your 

money back,” the governor 

said. 

Akeredolu, who also 

endorsed calls for 

regulation of social media, 

said the protesters must 

explain the flow of funds 

into their accounts. 

“If your account is frozen, 

you justify why the money 

was there. You come to 

explain to what use you 

have put this money. It will 

be explained, people will 

know and the accounts will 

be de-frozen,” Akeredolu 

said downplaying 

insinuations that the 

protesters were being 

charged for a treasonable 

offence. ‘’It is not a 

conclusion that those 

accounts were used for acts 

of treason.” 

Backing calls for the 


he said: “There must be 

gatekeepers. Yes, you want 

to publish any news you 

like, there must be 

gatekeepers using 

technology that will be able 

to, at least, sieve what is 

right and what is wrong.” 

He blamed fake news for 

the destruction of properties 

by hoodlums in the 

aftermath of the 

#EndSARS protests, 

adding that no government 

would allow fake news to 

take over the cyberspace. 

“When the hoodlums took 

over, a lot of fake news were 

fed to the public. People 

were reacting to it. It led to 

the destruction of properties 

in Lagos, Akure, 

everywhere. If we cannot 

be disciplined enough to 

be able to know that we 

don’t churn out news that 

can cause a lot of damage 

in the society, then the 

government itself must be 

proactive enough to find a 

way to control it.” 

Akeredolu’s posture 

elicited a sharp rebuke from 

some CSOs leaders, who 

described him as a military 

apologist, and urged 

Nigerians not to be shocked 

by the governor’s stance. 

CSOs blast 

Akeredolu, dismiss 

him as military 

apologist 

Peeved at Akeredolu’s 

stance, some CSOs, 

yesterday, blasted him. 

Convener, Coalition in 

Defence of Nigerian 

Democracy and 

Constitution, CDNDC, 

Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said: 

“Governor Akeredolu 

served a military 

administration as the 

Attorney-General in Ondo 

State, he was the closest 

apologist of the military, but 

sadly, this trait has not left 

him as an enabler of 

dictatorship and antidemocratic 

forces. 

“Nigerians should not be 

shocked by Akeredolu’s 

shameful support for the 

illegal freezing of the 

#EndSARS protestors’ 

bank account and the 

unconscionable call for the 


he has never been a prorule 

of law person to the 

heart, even as NBA 

President.’’ 

Executive Director, Civil 

Society Legislative 

Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, 

Auwal Rafsanjani, said: 

“This is a very shocking 

statement if truly the Ondo 

State Governor said that he 

sees nothing wrong in 

freezing accounts of 

#EndSARS protesters and 

also supporting regulation 

of social media. It is really 

surprising that this is 

coming from a 

constitutional lawyer. 

“Nigerians should be 

shocked because this is a 

lawyer and Senior 

Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, 

and he has made this kind 

of unbelievable comment 

and does not see anything 

wrong undermining and 

violating the fundamental 

human rights of Nigerians 

expressed through 

peaceful means to express 

their concerns and 

grievances. I think this is 

really sad and it is 

unfortunate because what 

goes up must come down. 

“We had a situation 

where current leaders at 

various levels, when 

maltreated by previous 

regimes came out to 

protest, mobilize resources 

to defend their course and 

nobody froze their 

accounts, intimidated and 

arrested them. Now they 

don’t want other people to 

genuinely, democratically, 

responsibly, constitutionally 

raise their concern. 

“This is really sad and this 

is not democracy, even 

during the military regimes 

Nigerians expressed their 

minds through peaceful 

protest. Protest is part of 

democratic culture in every 

part of the world.’’ 

The Country Director, 

Global Rights Nigeria, 

Abiodun Baiyewu, said: “I 

think we are in dire times 

and we must recognize 

that government is 

becoming so desperate and 

increasingly unreasonable. 

Akeredolu, a SAN, ought 

to understand better the 

rule of law and what a 

basically decent society 

should look like. 

Apparently, he would 

rather be aligned to 

draconian governance than 

walking a straight path.’’ 

President and Founder 

Peoples Movement for a 

New Nigeria, PMNN, 

Yahaya Ndu, said: “A bad 

workman always quarrels 

with his tools and the 

#EndSARS protests is, as 

far as I am concerned, a tool 

that can be turned to public 

good. 

“Why is it that it is easy 

for government to uncover 

and freeze accounts of 

supposed supporters of 

#EndSARS protests but the 

same government in five 

years has not uncovered 

and frozen the account of 

sponsors of Boko Haram?’’ 

“I see the EndSARS 

protests as an indication or 

Continues on Page 41 

By Cynthia Alo 

Clamp down on EndSARS protesters by FG 

Clamping down on 

EndSARS protesters 

bank account by Federal 

Government is another 

move to truncate democracy. 

Why should people’s accounts 

be frozen because 

they supported the dissolution 

of SARS which was a 

scourge to the society? This 

is appalling because in civilised 

climes, Government 

listens to the cries of their 

citizens. 

—- Felix Idise, 

Entrepreneur 

I 

totally condemn how 

bad eggs joined the protest 

to destroy properties. I’d 

love to plead with FG to relax 

its anger so as not to hurt 

those whose intention was 

to see the country move forward. 

Government should 

tamper justice with mercy 

and let go the idea of clamping 

down the bank account 

of peaceful protesters. 

—- Jude Bonnison, 

Media personality 

The punitive move by FG 

to clamp down on the account 

of EndSARS protesters 

is not only abhorrent but also 

ridicules what human right 

stands for. Sadly, this goes to 

reveal how tyrannical this 

present administration has 

grown and moved, rather than 

embracing the virtues of democracy. 

The move should be 

condemned and reversed immediately. 

—Joseph Ugwu, Civil 

Servant 

I 

think it’s a case of 

misplaced priority. 

We’re in a democratic 

government where people 

have a right to peacefully 

protest. What FG doesn’t 

know is that freezing 

people’s account will only 

shed more light to how bad 

this administration is. This 

government has the power 

to positively affect the 

Nation but they choose not 

to do so. 

—- Victor Awele, 

IT Consultant 

reezing of the bank 

Faccount of some 

EndSARS protesters is a 

medium to intimidate the 

youths. The #EndSARS 

protest was a peaceful protest 

carried without any hidden 

agenda but was hijacked by the 

bad people. If the authorities 

consider the #EndSARS 

movement to be illegal, then 

they should freeze everyone’s 

account. 

—- Okafor Chidera, 

Accountant 

The clamping down on 

the account EndSARS 

protesters is draconian and 

unacceptable. These 

individuals were just 

performing their basic 

fundamental right trying to get 

the government to look into 

issues they feel require urgent 

attention. It is a big blow to 

our democracy and the 

citizens of Nigeria. 

— A r i n z e c h i 

Chukwunonso, 

Journalist

6 — Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

Benue Health 

Commissioner 

dies after 

surgery 

By Peter Duru 

MAKURDI—THE Benue 

State Commissioner for 

Health and Human Services, Dr. 

Emmanuel Ikwulono, has died. 

Dr. Ikwulono died yesterday 

afternoon after spending three 

months as Commissioner. He 

was sworn in on August 5, 2020 

after his predecessor Dr. Sunday 

Ongbabo resigned his position 

as member of the State 

Executive Council. 

Though no formal statement 

has been issued by the family of 

the deceased, a Government 

House source confirmed that 

the commissioner died of 

complications at a Jos hospital 

after undergoing surgery for an 

undisclosed ailment. 

“He attended the last State 

Executive Council meeting last 

week and subsequently went for 

surgery operation. His death 

came as a rude shock this 

evening,” the source added. 

Meanwhile, it was gathered 

at the time of this report that 

Governor Samuel Ortom had 

been in shock after receiving the 

news of the sudden demise of 

the commissioner. 

Mob sets 2 

suspected robbers 

ablaze in Delta 

By Jimitota Onoyume 

A 

mob yesterday set two 

suspected armed robbers 

ablaze in Warri, Delta State. 

According to a source, a third 

suspect escaped, however. 

The source claimed the 

suspects, who operated in a 

tricycle snatched a handbag 

containing a huge sum of 

money from a teacher, shot and 

wounded her. 

The teacher was said to be 

currently receiving treatment at 

an undisclosed hospital. 

An eyewitness said, “After 

snatching the handbag, the 

assailants went to a bar in Ekpan 

where they ordered revellers to 

lie down and dispossessed them 

of their belongings. They were, 

however, chased after by some 

youths who caught up with 

them and set them ablaze at 

Refinery Junction. 

Public Relations Officer, 

PPRO, of the Delta Police 

Command, Onome 

Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the 

incident, saying “It is true that 

two suspected robbers were set 

ablaze at Refinery Junction.” 

By Bashir Bello 

KANO—KANO 

State 

Comptroller of Nigeria 

Prisons Service, NCS, Suleiman 

Suleiman, yesterday said 17 

inmates have sat for the West 

African Examinations Council, 

WAEC and National Examination 

Council, NECO external 

examinations in the state. 

Suleiman, who disclosed this 

while interacting with newsmen, 

said two of the inmates sat for the 

external exams in 2020, while 15 

others sat for the exams in 2019. 

Murder, corruption, others: Police dismiss 

2020, ranging from murder, 

10 officers in Lagos discreditable conducts, 

By Esther Onyegbula 

THE Lagos State Police 

Command has dismissed 

no fewer than 10 of its personnel 

for various offences ranging 

from murder, discreditable 

conduct, excessive use of power, 

corruption among others. 

The state Police Command 

Public Relations Officer, PPRO, 

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a 

statement yesterday titled 

“Lagos command kicks against 

indiscipline, dismisses 10 

personnel”, noted that some of 

the affected personnel were 

attached to Lagos State Police 

Command while others were 

serving at various police 

formations within Lagos State. 

According to the statement, 

“In its bid to promote discipline 

and core values of policing in 

Lagos State, the Police 

Command has tried 81 

personnel for various criminal 

and disciplinary offences that 

were committed between 

October 2019 and October 

excessive use of power, corrupt 

practices and negligence. 

“10 personnel were dismissed. 

In addition, 18 of the men were 

reduced in ranks and 29 were 

awarded N10 naira major 

entries and warning letters 

accordingly. Others were 

awarded extra fatigue while 16 

of the men were discharged and 

acquitted for want of evidence. 

“The personnel tried in the 

orderly room proceedings 

conducted at various locations 

in Lagos State included 45 

Inspectors. Similarly, some 

senior officers of the command 

FORCEFUL TAKE-OVER? Hawkers and traders block the road at Jakande Estate Gate in 

Ejigbo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State yesterday. 

Missing genitals: Curfew imposed 

on Benue community 

By Peter Duru 

M Chairman AKURDI—THE 

of Guma 

Local Government Area, LGA, of 

Benue State, Mr. Caleb Abba has 

imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew 

on Daudu following mounting 

tension in the town over missing 

male genitals. 

The Chairman yesterday said 

the curfew would run from 

8.00pm to 6:00am daily until the 

security situation in the town 

improves. 

He lamented that despite the 

intervention of Governor Samuel 

Ortom and other leaders of the 

community, the youths of Daudu 

were holding firm to their 

allegation of missing genitals and 

fanning the embers of crisis in the 

community. 

He said the youths had 

17 inmates write WAEC, NECO exams in Kano Prisons — Comptroller 

According to him, “In terms of 

education, we are collaborating 

with National Open University of 

Nigeria, NOUN. 10 inmates 

applied and are awaiting 

admission. Some of them are in 

the cadre of SSCE, so we allowed 

them to write their exams and go 

about their businesses after they 

are eventually discharged from 

our facilities. We have a staff school 

in Goron Dutse and they are 

writing exams. This year, two 

inmates sat for WAEC and 

NECO. Last year, 15 of them sat 

for WAEC and NECO. 

Monday stormed the Daudu 

Divisional Police Station and 

threatened to burn it down over 

another false alarm of missing 

genitals hence the urgent need 

for the curfew. 

According to him, “The reason 

we imposed the curfew is that the 

youths in Daudu community have 

raised the alarm and accused 

certain persons of removing their 

genitals; male and female organs. 

They went ahead to burn down 

the properties of those they 

suspected and even killed a 

pastor of the church whom they 

accused of being responsible. 

“We talked to them and pleaded 

with them to allow the law to take 

its cause. Even Governor Ortom 

went there himself to talk to them. 

But last Monday, the youths 

mobilized and went to Police 

station in Daudu, threatened to 

“We have tailoring, carpentry 

and welding workshops in the 

correctional facilities (Kano 

Central or Goron Dutse). 

“I was happy when I visited 

the facility and I saw the inmates 

sewing clothes to be sold. I was 

impressed. And that is why I am 

thinking of getting my wife 

engaged as the Chairperson of 

Correctional Officers Wives 

Association to liaise with the wife 

of the state governor to find a way 

of enhancing or promoting 

products from these inmates. 

“If you visit those two facilities 

burn it down, accusing one other 

man whom they beat to a state of 

unconsciousness, of removing 

someone’s genital organ. 

“So it became too much and it 

appeared they will cause more 

destruction if they are allowed 

to be moving about freely. That 

called for the imposition of 

curfew on the community, from 

8:00pm to 6:00am. It will last as 

long as they are not ready to 

rest.” 

The chairman explained that 

a commercial motorcycle 

operator popularly known as 

Okadaman had been arrested 

in connection with the Monday 

crisis which almost led to the 

burning down of the police 

station. 

“He was the Okadaman who 

raised the false alarm that he 

picked a passenger who touched 

him and his genital disappeared. 

He has been arrested for 

questioning,” he added. 

I mentioned earlier you will see 

that the relationship there is good. 

And where you don’t have crisis, 

it shows that the relationship 

between the inmates and staff is 

very good and cordial. 

“We appeal to the society not to 

reject the inmates. It is our belief 

that they are reformed. By the time 

they go back to the society, the 

society should not stigmatize 

them, provide them with job and 

allow our daughters to marry 

them. We should not reject them 

so that they will not go back to 

their old way of life.” 

have been queried for various 

disciplinary offences and the 

queries are being processed at 

the Force Headquarters Abuja for 

necessary action and 

punishments. The trials were 

instituted based on a series of 

complaints/allegations leveled 

against them.” 

Teacher, 29, 

arrested for 

kidnapping his 

8-year-old ex-pupil 

in Ogun 

By James Ogunnaike 

ABEOKUTA—A 29 year old 

teacher, Odugbesan Ayodele 

Samson, has been arrested by men 

of the Ogun State Police Command 

for kidnapping his eight years old 

former pupil (name withheld ). 

The command’s image maker, 

Abimbola Oyeyemi, who disclosed 

this to newsmen in a statement in 

Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, 

said the suspect committed the 

offence on the 4th of November, 

2020. 

Oyeyemi said the suspect was 

arrested following a complaint lodged 

at Ajuwon divisional headquarters 

by the mother of the victim, Fatimat 

Akeeb, who reported that her son 

went to school at Arifanla area of 

Akute but is yet to return at about 6pm. 

She said, she received a phone call 

from an unknown person who asked her 

to be ready to pay the sum of 200, 000 if 

she wishes to see her son alive. 

“She stated further that the caller told 

her that the boy was brought to him by 

somebody and he will not release him 

until the said amount is paid. 

“Upon the report, the DPO 

Ajuwon division, SP Andrew 

Akinseye directed his detectives to 

embark on technical and 

intelligence based investigation 

which led to the discovery of the 

suspect’s hideout.” 

Oyeyemi added that “In order not 

to harm the victim, the suspect was 

lured out with part payment of his 

demanded ransom and he was 

subsequently apprehended.'' 

He thereafter took the police 

detectives to where he kept the 

victim where he was rescued 

unhurt. 

“On interogation, he confessed 

committing the crime but blamed it 

on the devil.” 

Meanwhile, the State 

Commissioner of Police, Edward 

Awolowo Ajogun has ordered the 

immediate transfer of the suspect to 

anti kidnapping unit of the state 

criminal investigation and 

intelligence department for further 

investigation and prosecution. 

The suspect.


:Vanguard 

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FEC MEETING — From left: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; Vice 

President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari, during the virtual meeting of the Federal 

Executive Council, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday. Photo: NAN, 

Fish out sponsors of Boko Haram, Senate 

•Says no amnesty for insurgents, canvasses more 

tells FG 

capital funding for Army 

By Henry Umoru •Army releases list of 86 most wanted terrorists 

ABUJA — THE Senate war is on. The committee and 

yesterday asked the federal 

government to follow the on the same page on this.” 

I believe many Nigerians are 

example of United Arab Emirate, 

UAE, in fishing out spon- 

a repentant Boko Haram 

Ndume, who recalled how 

sors of Boko Haram in Nigeria 

for immediate prosecu- 

ambush that led to the death 

member was fingered in the 

tion. It also took a swipe at the of the Commander of 25 Task 

Nigerian Army over its amnesty 

for repentant Boko Haram Borno State, Col. D.C. Bako, 

Force Brigade in Damboa, 

terrorists who have engaged in September this year, maintained 

that the magnitude of 

in massive killing and wanton 

destruction of properties their atrocities doesn’t qualify 

them for amnesty. He also 

and called for a total jettisoning 

of the programme. recalled that in his village 

Speaking with journalists alone, 75 elderly Ulamas were 

yesterday in Abuja, shorty after 

the closed door meeting the terrorists in 2015. 

murdered in one instance by 

with the Chief of Army Staff, According to him, the purportedly 

repentant terrorist 

General Yusuf Buratai, for the 

defence of 2021 budget proposals, 

Chairman, Senate lating to the movement of the 

was giving information re- 

Committee on Army, Senator Army which led to the killing 

Mohammed Ali Ndume, of a General recently. 

APC, Borno South, noted that “They can be kept as prisoners 

of war. After that, you 

the UAE did a good job by jailing 

those sponsoring Boko profile them and charge those 

Haram, lamenting that the that are supposed to be 

pace of prosecution in Nigeria 

was too slow. 

that are victims of Boko 

charged to court and those 

He also declared that granting 

repentant Boko Haram scripted should be released,’’ 

Haram that were forcibly con- 

terrorists amnesty might be he said. It will be recalled that 

counterproductive to the war recently, six Nigerians were 

against terror. The call by the jailed after a Federal Appeal 

Upper Chamber for the unveiling 

and prosecution of 

Court in the UAE upheld their 

Boko Haram sponsors came 

a few days after six Nigerians 

were jailed in the United Arab 

Emirates for sponsoring Boko 

Haram. 

Ndume said: “We are very 

By Johnbosco 

grateful to the government of Agbakwuru 

UAE and we are still appealing 

to our government to bring BUJA — THE Federal 

A those directly or indirectly involved 

in Boko Haram activ- 

FEC, yesterday ratified Nige- 

Executive Council, 

ities to book immediately. ria’s membership of Africa 

“We disagree with the idea Continental Free Trade Area, 

of deradicalisation and reintegration 

of purported Boko of the agreement formally 

AfCFTA, as implementation 

Haram terrorists. The position 

of the executive is differ- 

The Council also approved 

takes-off on January 1, 2021. 

ent. We still maintain that you N62.7 billion for the construction 

of Kano-Dawakin-Tofa- 

can’t be pampering people 

while their victims are still suffering 

in IDP camps. 

Briefing State House corre- 

Gwarzo-Dariyo road in Kano. 

“We are still calling on the spondents at the end of the 

Nigerian government that 23rd virtual FEC meeting presided 

over by President Mu- 

those that are directly or indirectly 

involved in Boko hammadu Buhari at the 

Haram activities should be Council Chamber, Presidential 

Villa, Abuja, the Minis- 

brought to book and used as 

an example. I think we have ter of Information and Culture, 

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, 

not been up and doing on that. 

“I am in disagreement with said whereas implementation 

the government on the issue of the agreement was initially 

scheduled to commence in 

of deradicalising and reintegrating 

(Boko Haram repentants). 

I still maintain that you stalled by the spread of COV- 

July, this year, the plan was 

can’t be resettling people, ID-19. 

pampering them while the Alhaji Mohammed, who 

convictions for funding Boko 

Haram. 

The six, who were initially 

tried and convicted last year, 

following their arrest in 2017, 

include Surajo Abubakar 

Muhammad and Saleh Yusuf 

Adamu to life imprisonment. 

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, AbdurRahman 

Ado Musa, Bashir 

Ali Yusuf and Muhammad 

Ibrahim Isa were each given 

a ten-year sentence Speaking 

further, Ndume said: “Can 

you imagine that the Nigeria 

Army or the Nigerian government 

is saying that because 

these people have gone to repent, 

or they say they have their 

hands up, you bring them 

back and pamper them.’’ 

Meanwhile, the Senate 

Committee has promised to 

liaise with the executive arm 

of government on the need to 

ensure more funding for the 

Nigerian Army, especially 

capital vote, in view of its engagements 

across the country 

Ṡenator Ndume, who noted 

that the Army was being 

under-funded, in spite of its 

enormous responsibilities in 

protecting the nation, said the 

Army’s 2021 budget was 

briefed on behalf of the Minister 

of Industry, Trade and 

Investment, Otunba Niyi 

Adebayo, explained that the 

Council ratified Nigeria’s 

membership of AfCFTA in 

compliance with the instruction 

asking parties to the 

agreement to ratify their 

memberships latest December 

5 this year. 

He recalled that Nigeria 

signed the agreement on July 

7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger 

Republic, adding that by the 

ratification of its membership, 

Nigeria had beaten the 

ratification deadline. 

The minister said: “The 

Minister of Industry, Trade, 

and Investment presented a 

memo today (yesterday) asking 

the Federal Executive 

Council to ratify Nigeria’s 

membership of the African 

Continental Free Trade Area, 

AfCFTA, agreement. 

“You remember that on July 

7, 2019, Nigeria signed the 

AfCTA agreement in Niamey 

during the 12th Extraordinary 

Session of the Assembly 

grossly inadequate. 

He said: “The three arms of 

government are supposed to 

work hand in hand. We have 

engaged the Nigerian Army 

and we are going to engage 

the executive to make them 

understand that based on what 

we oversight, what they budgeted 

for the Army should be 

increased. 

Army releases list of 86 

most wanted terrorists 

Meanwhile, the Nigerian 

Army last night released a list 

of 86 persons wanted in connection 

with act of terrorism. 

Those on the list are alleged 

to be members of the Boko 

Haram sect. 

Among those on the list are 

Abubakar Shekau, leader of 

the Boko Haram sect, Abu 

Musa Al Barnawi, Modu Sulum, 

Malkam Umar, Bello 

Husba, Yan Kolo, Ibrahim 

Abu Maryam, Baka Kwasari, 

Bana Gonna, Mohammed 

Abu Maryam, Abu Imma, 

and Abu Dardda. The list was 

launched by Tukur Buratai, 

Chief of Army Staff, alongside 

Babagana Zulum, Governor 

of Borno State, at the Nigerian 

Army Super Camp, Chabbal 

in Konduga local government 

area of Borno. 

of the African Union, AU. 

“The effective date ought to 

have been July 2020, but as a 

result of the pandemic, it was 

postponed to the 1st of January 

2021, and all memberstates 

were given up to the 

5th of December to ratify the 

agreement. “That is precisely 

what Nigeria did today. The 

Federal Executive Council 

approved ratification of the 

membership of the African 

Continental Free Trade Area 

agreement. It was ratified and 

as such, we beat the deadline 

of the 5th of December. Effectively, 

we hope that by 1st 

of January 2021, the agreement 

will come into force.” 

Alhaji Mohammed also 

said that FEC approved a 

memorandum presented by 

the Minister of Aviation, Senator 

Hadi Sirika, for the approval 

of N470,263,037 for 

the procurement, installation, 

and commissioning of what 

he described as fully dimensional 

aerodrome and approach 

simulator at Lagos 

Airport. 

He said the contract will be 

$2.1bn Arms Fund: Dasuki 

got N5bn to prepare for 2015 

elections, witness tells court 

Nigeria ratifies membership of AfCFTA, as agreement 

kicks-off Jan 1, 2021 

executed by Messrs Intelligent 

Transportation System Limited 

which he described as an 

authorised representative of 

the original manufacturer, 

Messrs Teofex System of 

France. “The Minister of Aviation 

presented a memo in 

which he sought the approval 

of contract for the procurement, 

installation, and commissioning 

of fully dimensional 

aerodrome and approach 

simulator at Lagos 

Airport in favour of Messrs 

Intelligent Transportation 

System Limited who is an authorised 

representative of the 

original manufacturer, 

Messrs Teofex System of 

France for the sum of 

N470,263,037 with a completion 

period of six months. 

“The contract became necessary 

in view of the increase 

in the number of personnel 

who have been recruited and 

trained as air traffic controllers. 

It is important to us to 

ensure safety in all the 32 aerodromes 

of the country. That 

memo was also approved today,’’ 

he said. 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA — A star witness 

of the Economic and Financial 

Crimes Commission, 

EFCC, Mr. Adariko Micheal, 

yesterday told an Abuja High 

Court sitting at Maitama, 

how the Central Bank of Nigeria, 

CBN, released 

N5billion to former National 

Security Adviser, NSA, Col. 

Sambo Dasuki, retd., ahead 

of the 2015 Governorship and 

State Assembly elections. 

Michael, who is an investigating 

officer at the EFCC, 

said the money was transferred 

to Dasuki, from a Signatory 

Bonus Account operated 

by the apex bank. 

He testified as the first witness, 

PW-1, in the 32-count 

criminal charge the anti-graft 

agency preferred against the 

former NSA and three others 

alleged to have been involved 

in the illegal diversion of 

about $2.1billion arms fund. 

Other Defendants in the 

charge are former Executive 

Director of the Nigerian National 

Petroleum Corporation, 

NNPC, Aminu Baba- 

Kusa and two firms- Acacia 

Holding Limited and Reliance 

Referral Hospital Limited. 

EFCC alleged that the 

Defendants siphoned 

N32billion from accounts of 

office of the NSA, ONSA, operated 

with both the CBN and 

other financial institutions. 

It alleged that the fund, 

which was earmarked for the 

purchase of arms to fight insurgency, 

was also distributed 

to delegates that attended 

the Presidential Primary Election 

the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, held in Abuja, a 

process that saw the emergence 

of ex-President Goodluck 

Jonathan as the sole candidate 

of the party. 

Meanwhile, since 2015 

when Dasuki and his co-Defendants 

pleaded not guilty to 

the charge that borders on 

money laundering, fraud and 

breach of public trust, full 

blown trial could not commence 

in the case until last 

Monday when the prosecution 

called its first witness to 

open its case before the court. 

At the resumed proceedings 

yesterday, the PW-1, told the 

court that the Defendants received 

N5bn in two tranches, 

from the CBN. He said the 

money was wired into an account 

the ONSA operated 

with one of the new generation 

banks, on April 10, 2015, 

which was a day before the 

Governorship and State Assembly 

elections held. 

“From our investigation, we 

discovered that N5bn was 

debited from CBN Account 

No. 000000400225220, and 

credited to ONSA Account 

No. 1014199287 domiciled 

in the new generation bank. 

“The N5bn was taken from 

Signatory Bonus Account of 

the CBN and the purpose of 

the payment was for the office 

of the NSA to prepare for 

then forthcoming Gubernatorial/State 

Assembly elections 

in 2015”. 

On how the money was subsequently 

disbursed, the witness 

said: “My lord, as soon 

as the money entered the account, 

it was disbursed as follows 

“On April 16, 2015, there 

was an outflow of N27m to a 

company, Center for Regional 

Integration and Development 

Limited. 

“The same day, N400m was 

transferred to Jabbama Ada 

Global Nigeria Limited. 

“On April 17, 2015, there 

was a transfer of N70m to 

Continental Development 

and Relief Organization.” 

Same day, there was another 

transfer of N750m to Reliance 

Referral Hospital Limited’s 

Account in one of the old generation 

banks. “On the same 

April 17, 2015, there was a 

transfer of N650m to Acacia 

Holding Limited Account in 

another bank. “There was another 

transfer of N600m to 

Acacia Holding Limited Account 

in yet another bank. 

From the N5bn, Acasia 

Holdings Limited and Reliance 

Referral Hospital Limited, 

received N2bn, though 

Acasia had earlier received 

another N200m from ONSA 

on October 19, 2015. 

“From the calculation, 

Acacia and Reliance Referral 

Hospital Limited got a total 

sum of N2.2bn from the 

ONSA. Our Investigations, 

we found out that from the 

N2.2bn released to the two 

companies, the money was 

never used for the conduct of 

the Gubernatorial/State Assembly 

elections. “Neither 

was it also used to hire any 

mallam to pray for the purpose 

of the election. Rather, the 

money was used for other purposes 

that I told the court before”, 

the witness added. 

Besides, the witness, who 

was led in Evidence by 

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Rotimi 

Jacobs, SAN, told the court 

that investigations revealed 

that part of the N5bn was 

transferred into account of 

firms that later converted the 

funds into foreign currencies 

and handed to the Defendants. 

The PW-1, told the court that 

the 2nd Defendant, Baba- 

Kusa, volunteered an extrajudicial 

statement to the 

EFCC. About four of us witnessed 

the statement of the 

2nd Defendant. Other people 

in the investigating team that 

witnessed the statement of 

2nd Defendant included Halima 

Kazim, Kadiri Salihu, 

Jonsini Omar”, the witness 

told the court.


EFCC wants special 

anti-corruption courts 

for speedy trials 

By Tordue Salem 

A chairman BUJA—ACTING 

of the Economic 

and Financial Crimes 

Commission, EFCC, Mr. 

Mohammed Abba Umar, has 

urged the federal government to 

establish special anti-corruption 

courts for accelerated trial of graft 

cases. 

He made the call while 

defending the 2021 budget 

estimate and presenting the 

performance of 2020 budget 

before the House of 

Representatives Committee on 

Financial Crimes. 

He also disclosed that N29.861 

billion had been proposed for the 

2021 budget, made up of N24.407 

billion as personnel cost; N3.600 

billion for overhead; and N1.853 

billion as capital expenditure. 

While listing the challenges of 

the commission, Umar said: “We 

need to have special courts to try 

corruption cases. We also have 

lack of personnel and then issue 

of security of our personnel.” 

He explained that the planned 

recruitment of new staff in 2020 

:Vanguard News 

could not be carried out due to 

the outbreak of COVID-19. 

Umar informed the committee 

that of the N32.694 billion 

appropriated for the commission 

in 2020, N24.999 billion was 

personnel cost; N3.600bn 

overhead, while the capital 

component was N4.094 billion. 

He said as at the end of 

September 2020, only N25.136 

billion was released, representing 

76.88 percent. “Personnel cost, 

N21.398 billion, overhead cost, 

N2.100 billion and capital 

releases, N1.638 billion,’’ the 

EFCC acting chair explained. 

He said of the N25.136 billion 

released so far from the N32.694 

billion appropriation, N18.823 

billion, representing 74.88 

percent, had been fully utilised. 

He said: “N24.999 billion was 

appropriated as the commission’s 

personnel cost. Of this figure, the 

sum of N21.397 billion, 

representing 86 percent, has 

been released for payment of 

salary and allowances of staff on 

the commission’s payroll 

between January and 

September 2020. N17.603 billion 

has so far been utilized as at the 

end of September, 2020.'' 

We’re aware of attempts to 

weaken North before 2023 

—Northern Elders 

By Luminous 

Jannamike 

A 

B U J A —THE 

Northern Elders Forum, 

NEF, said yesterday it was aware 

of attempts by some politicians 

interested in contesting the 2023 

presidential election to weaken 

the North on many fronts in the 

aftermath of #EndSARS protest. 

The Forum also said it had 

credible information about a plan 

to force restructuring on the 

North, under the guise of ending 

the agitation against bad 

governance in the country. 

NEF’s Director, Publicity and 

Advocacy, Dr. Hakeem Baba- 

Ahmed, in a statement last night, 

said the North was capable of 

identifying and protecting its own 

interests, and would neither be 

blackmailed nor intimidated into 

accepting restructuring as a 

means to higher standards of 

justice, better security, and 

progress for all Nigerians. 

He said: “The Forum is aware 

of attempts to weaken the North 

by interests that believe that this 

is their only path to success in 2023 

elections. 

“These interests should know 

that the North will neither be 

blackmailed nor intimidated, and 

we are quite capable of identifying 

and protecting our own interests. 

“Some of these interests seek 

to exploit our plural nature and 

deepen what they see as divisions. 

They will fail because northerners 

know that what unites us is a lot 

stronger than what divides us. 

“Others create the impression 

that the North is opposed to the 

country being restructured along 

lines that will improve the quality 

of our union, ensure higher 

standards of justice, better security 

and progress for all Nigerians. 

“The North is ready to discuss 

all elements of our co-existence, 

but will not be stampeded into 

submitting to others who feel 

uncomfortable with a strong and 

united North, or blackmail us to 

adopt their versions of our future.” 

NEF also said it was 

disappointed that last week’s 

meeting in Kaduna by Northern 

Governors, high-level federal 

government officials and 

traditional rulers barely made 

mention of the insecurity of 

communities within the region. 

The elders said the focus of the 

meeting on the potential for abuse 

of social media platforms and the 

possibility of hoodlums hijacking 

the #EndSARS protest in many 

cities of the south was uncalled 

for. 

“That meeting missed a historic 

opportunity to acknowledge that 

northern communities are in dire 

need of improved security, and to 

give firm and specific assurances 

that our leaders care about 

northern lives and will take steps 

to protect us. 

“We took particular note of the 

pivotal roles of governors and 

traditional rulers at that meeting, 

leaders who are thoroughly 

familiar with daily assaults by 

insurgents, bandits and 

kidnappers on northerners. 

“These are leaders who should 

have understood the high hopes 

which northerners attached to a 

meeting of that nature in Kaduna, 

and they should understand that 

the impression left by that 

meeting and the frenzy of 

activities in parts of the south 

involving some northern leaders 

to show sympathy for damage 

from hoodlums leaves only one 

conclusion in the mind of 

northerners: northern lives do 

not matter,’’ Baba Ahmed said. 

The Forum noted the efforts of 

President Muhammadu Buhari 

to improve engagements with 

northern leaders, and hoped that 

these would not be public 

relations stunts in place of real 

efforts aimed at improving the 

security of the region. 

“The Forum advises the 

President and governors to 

engage a broad spectrum of 

leaders, elders and the young in 

the North to contribute to an 

appreciation of the dangers which 

our communities live with on a 

daily basis, and enlist them as 

partners in the search for 

solutions,” he added. 


APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES: Court okays 

suit against Buhari 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Abuja 

Division of the Federal 

High Court yesterday gave its 

nod to an Abuja-based lawyer, 

Mr. Oladimeji Ekengba, to 

apply for an order of mandamus 

to compel President 

Muhammadu Buhari to 

appoint all the 33 nominees 

recommended to him by the 

National Judicial Council, 

NJC, as judges of the High 

Court of the Federal Capital 

Territory, Abuja. 

The lawyer approached the 

court to query President Buhari’s 

decision to select only 11 

nominees and drop 21 others in 

the list the NJC forwarded to him 

in April for consideration. 

The Applicant, in an ex-parte 

motion he filed before the court, 

insisted that President Buhari 

was duty-bound to appoint all the 

33 nominees in line with the 

provisions of Section 256 (2) of 

the 1999 Constitution, as 

amended. 

He, therefore, applied for 

leave of the court to seek an order 

of mandamus to compel the 

President to appoint all the 

nominees as judges, in 

accordance with NJC’s 

recommendation. 

Aside from President Buhari, 

the Attorney-General of the 

Federation was also cited as a 

Respondent in the matter. 

Meanwhile, in a ruling 

yesterday, Justice Inyang Ekwo 

said he was satisfied that the 

application deserved to succeed. 

The court held that the 

Applicant placed sufficient 

materials before the court to 

warrant granting him the 

permission to pursue the suit 

against President Buhari. 

“I am satisfied that he has 

placed sufficient materials of 

persuasive value,” Justice Ekwo 

held. 

He, however, noted that 

granting the Applicant leave to 

take an action did not amount to 

deciding on the action itself. 

“I, therefore, grant leave to the 

applicant to seek an order of 

mandamus directing and/or 

compelling the 1st Respondent 

(the President) to act on the 

recommendation of the National 

Judicial Council by appointing 

thirty-three persons as 

Honourable Judges of the High 

Court of the Federal Capital 

Territory pursuant to Section 256 

(2) of the Constitution of the 

Federal Republic of Nigeria, 

1999,” Justice Ekwo added. 

MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE FOR SUSTAINABLE PEACE IN KOGI: From left: Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji 

Ado Ibrahim; Minister of State for FCT, Dr Ramatu Tijjani-Aliyu; Ohimegye Igu of Koton Karfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq 

Sani-Isakoto; Obaro of Kabba, Oba Solomon Owoniyi; and Commissioner of Police in Kogi, Mr Ede Ekpeji, 

during a ministerial dialogue for sustainable peace and progress in Kogi, yesterday. 

Protecting Amnesty International’s FG’s responsibility 

— UN, AKINTERINWA, OTHERS 

THE United Nations 

has asked the Federal 

Government to secure Amnesty 

International, saying it was the 

responsibility of governments to 

protect the body. 

The call came against the 

backdrop of threats issued last 

week to the international NGO 

to leave the country by a local 

NGO or face its wrath. 

Recall that an NGO, Centre for 

Africa Liberation and Socio- 

Economic Rights, had issued 

Amnesty International a quit 

notice, promising dire 

consequences for noncompliance, 

following the latter’s 

statement on shootings at 

#EndSARS protesters at Lekki 

Toll gate. 

Speaking through its Country 

Director, Ronald Kayanja, the 

United Nations said the only 

authority empowered to expel an 

NGO was the government, 

adding that the federal 

government has not done that. 

“People talk and I hear there 

was an NGO trying to expel 

Amnesty International from 

Nigeria but for me, what I was 

concerned about was 

government. The UN was 

formed to ensure international 

peace and security, so if there is 

anything that is trying to 

threaten peace around the world, 

the UN will be interested 

“That is why you hear we 

have peace keeping 

operations in Mali and 

Central African Republic. That 

is the reason for our existence.” 

Kayanja said protecting 

Amnesty International was the 

responsibility of the government 

of Nigeria, which has 

institutions and the capacity to 

deal with things like that. 

Reacting to the threat, 

international human rights 

lawyer, Kola Alapinni, 

corroborated the UN, saying an 

attack on Amnesty International 

in Nigeria would be going too far. 

“I can assure you that the 

government of Nigeria is perfectly 

capable of ensuring the safety of 

the staff of Amnesty 

International. They are also 

capable of ensuring there is no 

endangering of the lives of the 

staff. The Nigerian government 

would never stand aside and allow 

this to occur. 

‘’The security forces are capable 

of preventing this. As a matter of 

fact, I would have expected the 

security forces and responsible 

government agencies to have 

invited the conveners of such 

groups for questioning by now. 

That is where the attention of the 

press should be directed. What is 

government doing about this?” 

Alapinni, who has been in the 

forefront of fighting against 

human rights abuses, especially 

in the northern part of the 

country, said Amnesty 

International had always been 

vocal against various human 

rights abuses up North. 

“They have issued statements, 

they have been in the forefront of 

pushing things to the 

international media and letting 

them know of the gradual erosion 

of fundamental human rights by 

constant violations which are 

growing at an alarming rate,” he 

said. 

He said while there was no 

evidence that the government 

was in consonance with the 

group, it was lamentable that the 

latter has not issued any 

statements denouncing what the 

group said. 

“It is unfortunate that a civil 

society organization would be 

issuing threats. I don’t 

understand this current trend . 

The government ought to react, 

assuring Amnesty International 

of their safety and their welcome 

in Nigeria. I don’t think it is in the 

place of any CSO to issue such 

against a human rights 

organization.’’ 

Asked whether it was within 

the purview of Amnesty as an 

international organization to 

interfere in security matters 

within a sovereign state, Alapinni 

said: “That is what international 

human rights organizations do. 

Even the UN does that and many 

other groups as well, so I don’t 

understand the singling out of 

Amnesty. 

‘’That is what we need, the 

vigilance of civil society, both 

domestically and internationally. 

It has no basis in law. They are an 

international advocacy group and 

they are well within their right to 

draw the attention of the world to 

all these violations. I don’t see 

where they have gone wrong.” 

Also reacting, President, 

Women Arise and Centre for 

Change, Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin, 

said the offending Civil Society 

Organisation, a relatively 

unknown group, was most likely 

created by some fifth columnists 

to perpetrate such atrocities as 

seen in their threat against 

Amnesty International. 

“Those behind the group are 

committing a crime against our 

democracy and human rights, and 

it is sad that they seem to be 

enjoying some silent support from 

the government of the day who 

should ordinarily give protection 

to organisations like Amnesty 

International and others working 

for the advancement of democracy 

and human rights in our country. 

“It is a sad reminder of the 

Abacha days when government 

and its agents launched attacks 

on human rights and civil society 

groups. 

‘’It is sad that we are witnessing 

same under a democracy and we 

need to remind those behind 

these nefarious actions that the 

people have rights and freedom 

of expression is one of such 

fundamental rights,” she said. 

Also reacting, former Director- 

General of Nigerian Institute of 

International Affairs, NIIA, 

Professor Bola Akinterinwa, said 

there was the principle of freedom 

of association in a democracy. 

“When we talk of Amnesty 

International, the 

internationalization cannot be 

ignored. Citizens of Nigeria are 

members of Amnesty 

International. The implication is 

that if an authority comes out 

to say they should be sent 

away, what of the members 

who are Nigerians?

C 

M 

Y 

K 




#EndSARS protests: Oyetola lifts 

curfew in Osun 

By Shina Abubakar 

O 

S O G B O — 

GOVERNOR 

Adegboyega Oyetola of 

Osun State, yesterday, 

lifted the curfew imposed 

on the state, following the 

disruption of peace 

recently. 

This, according to the governor, 

was due to the compliance by 

residents, with the government’s 

effort to restore peace in the state. 

In a statement by the 

Commissioner for Information 

and Civic Orientation, Mrs. 

Funke Egbemode, citizens can 

now go about their businesses 

and other transactions beyond 

LAGOS—THE Assistant 

Inspector General of 

Police, Zone 2 Command, 

Mr. Ahmed Iliyasu, 

yesterday, urged officers of 

his command to return to 

their duties in Lagos and 

Ogun states. 

The AIG advised the police 

officers to put the past behind 

them in the spirit of nationhood 

and endeavor to address the 

negative perception of police 

officers and policing. 

Iliyasu said this at the Nigeria 

8pm, without any hindrance or 

restrictions, with effect from 

Wednesday, November 11. 

Egbemode said: “The 

government has once again 

observed the level of compliance 

to all directives aimed at restoring 

tranquility to our dear State, and 

hereby appreciates the citizens 

for their patience and 

understanding. The government 

also appreciates security agencies 

for their efforts in maintaining law 

and order in the State. 

“With effect from Wednesday, 

November 11, residents of the 

state are free to go about their 

businesses without any 

hindrance or restrictions, while 

security agencies continue to 

discharge their duties to forestall 

breakdown of law and order. 

....Return to work, AIG Iliyasu 

tasks police 

By Victor Arjiromanus 

Police Force, Zone 2 Onikan, 

during a workshop to motivate 

the police and boost community 

policing for quality service 

delivery. 

He said: “We must have a 

change of attitude to our duty 

and put the people at the centre 

point of our policing.” 

Also speaking, a security 

expert, Mr. Ona Ekhomu: “It was 

convenient for the hoodlums to 

attack the police, as the nearest 

representative of the 

government. When people are 

angry, they lash out at anything 

close by. It is a psychological 

compensational mechanism after 

which they feel better.” 


Vanguard Thanksgiving: Nigeria's glory, 

dignity'll be restored soon —Cleric 

By Olayinka Latona 

& Providence 

Adeyinka 

L AGOS—GENERAL 

Overseer of the Hope 

of Glory Christian Center, 

Apostle Patrick Oyemike, 

yesterday, expressed 

optimism that the glory and 

dignity of Nigeria would 

rise again, despite the 

economic challenges and 

other negative vices. 

He said this at the Endof-Year 

Thanksgiving and 

Praise Service, organized 

by Vanguard Media 

Christian Fellowship, 

tagged: ‘Let the Living 

Praise the Lord.’ 

Oyemike said he was 

hopeful that God would 

bless and prosper Nigeria, 

noting that God is 

concerned about the wellbeing 

of Nigerians. 

His words: “The lost glory 

and virtues of Nigeria will 

soon return and Nigerians 

shall be saved. I believe 

there is hope for us as a 

nation. There are some 

countries that have been 

written off but, today, they 

have bounced back. 

“I will say Nigeria is only 

going through her own 

season of challenges. This 

is our moment of national 

transformation and spiritual 

metamorphosis. We are 

metamorphosing into a 

better country. Nigeria is 

currently pregnant in a new 

nation.” 

The cleric, however, 

urged the Federal 

Government to take radical 

steps at easing the burden 

of Nigerians by providing 

necessary basic amenities. 

He said: “Those in the 

position of leadership 

should put Nigeria first; we 

do not have any other 

country than Nigeria. 

Necessary social amenities 

should be provided 

because it is very sad 

seeing the state of our 

roads, no adequate power 

supply, and other 

amenities.” 

Despite 

COVID-19, 

Vanguard is alive 

—Adefaye 

Earlier in his remarks, the 

General Manager, 

Publications, Vanguard 

Media Limited, Mr. 

Gbenga Adefaye, said 

despite the COVID-19 

pandemic that hit the 

country at the beginning of 

the year, the company is 

much alive. 

Adefaye said: “The year 

2020, in particular, has been 

a year like no other. Nobody 

knew this year would be 

like this in January. 

“I would tell you a 

practical experience, 

Vanguard newspaper has 

a flagship event which we 

call Man of the Year; it is 

more than for showcasing 

the place, it is for a 

representation of the brand. 

We have done everything 

this year to mobilise all 

resources including 

looking for money to 

borrow in form of a loan for 

the event. 

“12 hours to the takeoff, 

COVID-19 forced us to shut 

down and because of the 

COVID-19; we have not 

been able to retrace our 

steps. I will tell you one 

thing, COVID-19 or no 

COVID-19, Vanguard 

newspaper is here, 

Vanguard newspaper is 

alive and so, it is the same 

thing for all of you. 

“The message is, as it is 

usual with us here, we 

bring you a message of 

hope, there is hope for you, 

there is hope for me, there 

is hope for Vanguard 

newspaper. 

“I pray for all of you, we 

are optimistic, even if it 

remains only one 

newspaper standing in 

Nigeria, that paper would 

be Vanguard newspaper. 

With your commitment, 

support and with the help 

of God, our dreams will be 

realised.” 

Only the living 

can praise God 

–VMCF 

Coordinator 

In his welcome address, the 

Coordinator of VMCF, Elder Orisi 

Emmanuel, said that the theme 

of the year was driven by the 

situation of the country and 

happenings around the globe. 

Emmanuel said: “At the 

beginning of the year, people 

were filled with expectations but 

COVID-19 turned everything 

around. The reason for the theme 

is that it is a demand from God. 

As long as we are alive, it is 

obligatory for us to praise God 

because He is the giver of life. 

“Also, this year is like a year of 

universal attacks, thousands died 

aside the COVID-19 that 

destroyed lives, people died from 

accidents, stray bullets, 

kidnappings, among others. The 

grave which represents the dead 

cannot praise God, which is why 

we chose our theme: Let the 

Living Praise the Lord.” 

•See pictures on Page 

14 

Customs, NESREA differ over 

suspected toxic waste content 

By Godfrey Bivbere 

& Providence 

Adeyinka 

LAGOS—THE National 

Environmental 

Standards and Regulations 

Enforcement Agency, 

NESREA, and the Nigeria 

Customs Service, NCS, 

yesterday, disagreed over 

the content of a suspected 

toxic waste container 

abandoned at Berger Suya 

Bus stop, near Mile 2. 

While the NCS alleged 

that the content was 

carbide, meant for export, 

the NESREA, on its part, 

said it was a chemical 

substance known as 

'Sodium Hydrosulphite 

UN1384 IMDG Class 4.2- 

P.G II' that was imported 

into the country and cleared 

By Adesina Wahab 

O GBOMOSO— 

CHIEF Medical 

Director, Ladoke 

Akintola University of 

Technology, LAUTECH, 

Teaching Hospital, in 

Ogbomoso, Oyo State, 

Prof. Oladimeji Opadijo, 

yesterday, insisted that 

the Teaching Hospital is 

functioning maximally. 

Opadijo, in a statement, 

while reacting to a story, 

where it was inadvertently 

stated that the hospital was 

through a bonded terminal. 

Sodium Hydrosulphite is a 

Flammable Hydrogen Sulfide gas 

that may form with heating. 

Sodium Hydrosulfide reacts with 

Strong Acids such as 

Hydrochloric, Sulfuric and 

NITRIC acids; Moist Air and 

Moisture, to release flammable 

and toxic Hydrogen Sulfide Gas. 

While carbide is a binary 

compound of carbon with an 

element of lower or comparable 

electro-negativity. 

NESREA, in a statement by its 

Director, NESREA Lagos Liaison 

Office, Dr. Stephen Otitologbon, 

said: “On the 4th of November 

2020, the National 

Environmental Standards and 

Regulations Enforcement 

Agency NESREA, received 

information that a container 

suspected to be carrying toxic 

waste was abandoned at Berger 

Suya Bus stop, near Mile 2. 

“Officers of the Agency were 

dispatched to the location. 

Discussions were also held with 

the Nigerian Customs Service 

and the Nigerian Ports Authority. 

Information on the abandoned 

container was also requested 

from the shipping line CMA- 

CGM. 

“Investigations showed that 

the container was documented 

as carrying Sodium 

Hydrosulphite UN1384 IMDG 

Class 4.2- P.G. II which was 

manufactured in June 2020 and 

has June 2021 as the expiry date. 

“The container was loaded on 

a truck with the head removed 

and plate number removed. The 

consignment of 432 drums, 

weighing 23.155 tonnes was 

cleared from a bonded terminal, 

Joatlim Bonded Terminal where 

NESREA does not conduct a 

routine inspection." 

LAUTECH Teaching Hospital functioning 

maximally —CMD 

not functioning, stated that 

since its establishment over 

a decade ago, the hospital 

had never stopped 

functioning for a single day. 

The statement read: “The 

hospital, which has 

continued to expand in 

leaps and bounds, has 

been bringing smiles to the 

faces of varying categories 

of patients through 

unequalled medical 

services, and has been 

training students in various 

fields of medicine, 

including postgraduate 

studies.” 

The CMD, who stated 

that the human and 

material resources available 

at the hospital were second 

to none, advised that 

journalists should always 

double-check their stories 

before going to the press. 

The CMD reiterated that 

“LAUTECH Teaching 

Hospital, Ogbomoso 

functions independently of 

LAUTECH Teaching 

Hospital, Osogbo, Osun 

State and as such both 

should never be confused 

as one.”

C 

M 

Y 

K 


12 — Vanguard, , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

:Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: 

CONDOLENCE—Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State (right); son of late Mrs. Tola 

Oyediran (nee Awolowo), Olumide Oyediran (left), and the widower, Prof. Olukayode 

Oyediran, during the governor's condolence visit to the family, at their residence, in 

Ibadan, yesterday. 

UNILAG crisis: I regret signing report 

—Visitation Panel chair 

•ASUU, SSANU, NASU hail Ogundipe’s reinstatement 

•As Buhari dissolves Governing Council 

•Varsity postpones 2020/2021 Post-UTME screening 

By Adesina Wahab, 

Joseph Erunke & 

Elizabeth Osayande 

LAGOS—CHAIRMAN of the 

Special Visitation Panel set-up by the 

Federal Government to probe the 

activities of the University of Lagos, 

UNILAG, Prof. Tukur Saa’ad, yesterday, 

expressed regrets that he endorsed the 

report by the panel, which President 

Muhammadu Buhari relied upon to take 

some decisions on the crisis that rocked 

the university recently. 

This was contained in a letter dated 

October 7, 2020, sent to the Minister of 

Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, titled: 

‘Re: Submission of the report of the 

Visitation Panel on University of Lagos 

Crisis to Honourable Minister.’ 

Saa’ad, in the letter, argued that the 

report was one-sided and he could not 

have signed it, because doing so would 

have been a slap on the government’s 

face. 

The letter read: “When you read the 

Report, you will notice that it was onesided, 

so to speak. The option was for the 

Chairman to refuse to sign the report 

and that would have been a slap on the 

government’s face. 

“In any case, the issue is not that the 

report was false, but it contained halftruths, 

in order to protect one party and 

magnified the facts from the other party 

by pushing the blame on one side, 

omitting what could have balanced the 

report. But the content of the Report is, 

to a greater or lesser extent, valid.” 

He, however, alleged that some 

members of the panel were bent on saving 

Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, who was 

presented as a victim, following his sack 

by the Governing Council headed by 

Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN. 

He said: “Take the issue of splitting 

contracts, so that the figures would be 

within his approval limits in the 

renovation of his house and that of some 

Principal Officers, the evidence was clear. 

One contractor would be given four 

contracts on the same project on the 

same day; each package to be within VCs 

approval limit. A number of such cases 

were evident, but the only way the 

chairman could get that in the report 

was to compromise. 

“Contracts were packaged in a way that 

bordered on contract splitting, in order to 

keep them within approval limits. The 

recommendation was 'the VC should be 

cautioned against contract splitting. To 

me, this was enough for the Federal 

Government to reject this 

recommendation and subject the culprit 

to the consequences.” 

Appointing an Ag. 

VC 

On the side of the Pro-Chancellor, 

Babalakin, Saa’ad noted that it needed 

no elaboration, as he erred in removing 

Ogundipe and appointing an acting VC. 

He also described the recommendation 

that the Council be dissolved as 

controversial, saying he was never in 

support of that. 

Buhari dissolves 

Governing Council 

Meanwhile, the Academic Staff Union 

of Universities, ASUU; Senior Staff 

Association of Nigerian Universities, 

SSANU and the Non-Academic Staff 

Union, NASU, University of Lagos, 

UNILAG, yesterday, commended 

President Buhari for reinstating 

Ogundipe as the Vice-Chancellor of the 

university and the dissolution of the 

Governing Council of the institution. 

The decisions formed part of the 

recommendations of the Special 

Visitation Panel set up to probe the affairs 

of the university from 2017 to date which 

the President approved. 

The President, in a statement by the 

Director of Press in the Federal Ministry 

of Education, Mr. Ben Goong, said: “The 

Vice-Chancellor was not granted an 

opportunity to defend himself on the 

allegations upon which his removal was 

based. He should accordingly be reinstated.” 

The statement, entitled: ‘Re: Report of 

the Special Visitation Panel to the 

University of Lagos’, reads: “President 

Muhammadu Buhari and Visitor to the 

University of Lagos has approved the 

Report of the Special Visitation Panel to 

the University of Lagos. 

“The highlights of the findings and 

recommendations approved by Mr. 

President are as follows: The removal of 

Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe as the 

Vice-Chancellor did not follow due 

process. 

“The Vice-Chancellor was not granted 

an opportunity to defend himself on the 

allegations upon which his removal was 

based. He should accordingly be reinstated. 

“All allegations made against the Vice- 

Chancellor and the management of the 

university before and after the 

constitution of the Special Visitation 

Panel should be referred to regular 

Visitation Panel for a thorough 

investigation and necessary 

recommendations. 

“The process adopted by the Council 

in the appointment of Professor Omololu 

Soyombo as the Acting Vice-Chancellor 

of the university was inconsistent with 

the provisions of the law relating to the 

appointment of an Acting Vice- 

Chancellor. 

“The Governing Council should be 

dissolved. 

“Mr. President, after a careful review 

of the report has approved all the 

recommendations of the Panel. 

“Accordingly, Professor Oluwatoyin 

Ogundipe is hereby reinstated as the 

Vice-Chancellor of the University of 

Lagos. 

“The Governing Council of the 

University of Lagos Chaired by Dr. B. O. 

Babalakin is hereby dissolved. Mr. 

President hopes these steps will bring 

peace, stability, focus and direction to the 

University.” 

ASUU, SSANU, 

NASU hail Buhari 

Reacting to the development, the 

ASUU Chairman of UNILAG, Dr. Dele 

Ashiru said: “The decision will help 

restore the autonomy of the 

university. Also, it has put an end to 

tyranny, dictatorship, 

authoritarianism as witnessed in the 

university recently courtesy the 

actions of some members of the 

Governing Council.” 

Also, the acting Chairman of 

SSANU, Mr. Olusola Sowunmi, said 

what his union is concerned about is 

the smooth-running of the university 

and the welfare of staff and students 

being given priority. 

On its part, the NASU chairman of 

the institution, Kehinde Ajibade, said: 

“We call on the VC to give priority 

attention to the welfare of staff and 

students, as this was the main cause 

of the problem we are resolving now. 

He should also reconcile with all. 

There is no winner or loser.” 

UNILAG postpones 

2020/2021 Post- 

UTME screening 

Meanwhile, the institution has 

postponed the 2020/2021 post-UTME 

screening exercise scheduled to start 

from November 18 to the 30th of the 

same month. 

Chai! This life no balance at all! 

...So that witches no go use am 

travel go meeting! 

The unrepetant casanova!

C 

M 

Y 

K 



Vanguard Media Christian Fellowship 2020 End of Year Thanksgiving 

Christian Fellowship of Vanguard Media Newspaper, held End of Year Thanksgiving and Praise Service, at the company's 

headquarters, Kirikiri Avenue, Apapa, Lagos, yesterday. Photos: Bunmi Azeez. 

From left: Pastor Israel Akerele; Elder Emmanuel Orisi Emmanuel, 

Coordinator, Vanguard Media Fellowship; Pastor Patrick Ayomike, General 

Overseer, Hope of Glory Christian Centre, Guest Minister; Mr. Gbenga 

Adefaye, GM/Editor-in-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, and Mr. Innocent 

Nwanekwu, Assistant Admin Manager, Vanguard, during the event. 

From left: Pastor Samuel Iniyezor; Mr. Michael Osho, 

Accountant, Vanguard Newspapers; Mr. Hassan Balogun, Ag. 

Admin Manager, and Mr. Opeyemi Awotoye. 

From left: Mr. Samuel Ayutsede, Ms. Titi Jolaoso, Finacial Controller, 

Vanguard, and Adigwe Ikechukwu. 

From left: Edibo Abraham, Pastor Anthony Afolabi, Production Coordinator 

and Ajibade Akingbade, Printing Manager. 

From left: Onome Olotewo, Dupe Olotu, 

and Richard Igbirior. 

From left: Abayomi Afuye, Joladun 

Johnson, Soji Olawale, Asst. Production Manager 

and Bonny Asiebi 

Mr. Wale Oni (left) and Mr. Moses Komolafe. 

A cross section of Vanguard Staff. 

From left: Franca Ibezim, Joshua Udoyoh, 

and Ezennamlzie Martin. 

From left: Pastor Samuel Eghagbaifo, Engr. 

Badmus Jelili, and Pastor Olabamidele 

Omoloye.




WORKSHOP: Wife of 

Enugu State Governor, 

Mrs Monica 

Ugwuanyi (left) and 

UNICEF Chief Field 

Officer in Enugu, Dr. 

Conteh Ibrahim, 

during the workshop 

on Domestication of 

2016 Food and 

Nutrition Policy, held 

at Nike Lake Resort, 

Enugu, yesterday. 

Race for Ohanaeze presidency hots up 

in Imo •As Osuagwu declares interest 

By Chinonso 

Alozie 

OWERRI—THE strug 

gle to clasp the plum 

position of the presidentgeneral 

of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo Worldwide, has 

continued to cause ripples, 

as yesterday in Owerri, the 

former chairman of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo in Imo State, 

Professor Chidi Osuagwu, 

declared his interest to run 

for the position. 

Osuagwu who spoke to 

newsmen said he was coming 

to revive the Igbo race 

politically, culturally and 

spiritually. 

The position of the president-general, 

having been 

zoned to Imo State, has 

made the state a centre of 

attraction on who is likely 

to spearhead the Igbo affairs. 

Asked how he intends to 

revive the Igbo race, Osuagwu 

said: "As a new 

president general of Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo who has a 

very deep recognition and 

understanding that it is actually 

the people that lead, 

I shall work with every fibre 

of my being especially 

with all the huge talents we 

have, without unnecessary 

pre-occupations with the 

usual political correctness 

and trepidations of the past 

to revive our great Igbo race 

everywhere. 

"We shall seek to revive 

our people politically, culturally 

and spiritually while 

jealously guarding our very 

rich cultural heritage. We 

must articulate new and 

bold ideas as we make a 

paradigm shift away from 

some of the old Ohanaeze 

idiosyncrasies and compromise 

which has greatly constrained 

us and limited our 

ability to be both assertive 

and proactive when the 

moment and realities demand 

for such leadership." 

Professor Osuagwu 

warned that, "while we 

seek peace and cordial relationship 

with all people, 

Tension in Enugu community over leadership tussle 

we must not continue to 

thrive on unwarranted appeasement 

and being apologetic 

where we ought to 

be assertive and provide 

strong leadership. 

"As a people guided by 

ofo na ogu and the very 

basic and primordial basic 

life's principle of "live and 

let live," we are far from being 

aggressors from the historical 

context and relationship 

with our neighbours 

and others. It is still this 

hand of peaceful coexistence 

and mutual respect 

that I will pursue if elected." 

Alleged false information: Ex-gov Ohakim 

docked, secures N10m bail 

By Ikechukwu 

Nnochiri 

ABUJA—THE Inspector- 

General of Police, yesterday, 

arraigned the former 

governor of Imo State, Chief 

Ikedi Ohakim, before an 

Abuja High Court sitting at 

Maitama, for allegedly giving 

false information against 

one Chinyere Amuchienwa. 

By Chinedu Adonu 

ENUGU — THERE is seri 

ous tension in Onuogba- 

Nike Community in Enugu 

East Local Government Area 

of Enugu State over who becomes 

the next chairman of 

Onuogba-Nike Development 

Union. 

The current executive is being 

accused of thwarting the 

conduct of fresh election to 

usher in new executives after 

the expiration of their tenure 

in office 

It was also learnt that they 

were accused of killing a 15- 

year old girl, Chinagorom 

Anike who was shot dead on 

November 2nd, 2020 at her 

uncles compound, Chief 

Emeka Anike by some thugs 

loyal to the current leadership. 

But addressing Journalists, 

the leadership of Onuogba- 

Nike Development Union denied 

thwarting the conduct 

of election after expiration of 

its tenure. 

The leadership of the union 

led by Chief Emmanuel 

Uboshi and Chief Ngwu Onyekachi, 

Chairman and Secretary 

respectively, also said 

the leadership had no hand in 

the killing of 15-year-old girl, 

who was reported to have 

been hit by a stray bullet on 

Monday night of November 

2, 2020. 

It should be recalled that 

some media outlets had reported 

the death of a girl, identified 

as Chinagorom Anike 

who was allegedly shot dead 

when a group of thugs loyal 

to the development union 

chairman, Chief Emma 

Uboshi, invaded the compound 

of her uncle, Chief 

Emeka Anike. 

They denied the report, saying 

that the community had 

through its general council 

passed a vote of confidence on 

their leadership to continue 

their second term of four years 

in office. 

Chief Uboshi explained that 

his predecessor, Chief Emeka 

Anike, who resides in Lagos 

State on hearing the decision 

of the general council, opposed 

it and launched an opposition 

with some members 

of the community that the de- 

In the charge marked CR/ 

993/2020, the Police, alleged 

that Ohakim who was governor 

of Imo State from 2007 

to 2011, lied that the lady 

threatened him with a gun, 

and equally made a false 

claim that he had a plot of 

land for sale in Lagos State. 

He was alleged to have 

unlawfully dropped the 

name of the Minister of 

cision would not stand. 

He alleged that because of 

their pecuniary interest, they 

sued their leadership to court 

to revert the decision of the 

council which according to 

him is still pending. 

He said: "After several interventions, 

despite the fact that 

the matter is still in court, my 

leadership agreed to conduct 

election for peace to reign. 

The election was subsequently, 

fixed for March 28, 2020 

but was postponed two days 

to the election by our traditional 

ruler, Igwe Gabriel 

Oko, who said the postponement 

was based on state government's 

ban on social activities 

at wake of the coronavirus 

pandemic. 

"In August when the government 

lifted the ban on social 

activities, we approached the 

traditional ruler and Ministry 

of Rural Development and 

begged them to come and 

conduct the election. But our 

traditional ruler and Chief 

Anike said they will not accept 

the committee they had 

setup and ratified by the community 

to conduct the election." 

Works and Housing, Babatunde 

Raji Fashola, SAN, as 

owner of the purported land 

situated at Ikeja, Lagos State. 

Meanwhile, the former 

governor pleaded not guilty 

to the 3-count charge that 

was read to him before trial 

Justice Samira Bature. 

Ohakim, through his lawyer, 

Chief Ken Njemanze, 

SAN, urged the court to release 

him on bail, pending 

the hearing and determination 

of the case against him. 

Though Police lawyer, Mr. 

Stanley Nwodo, opposed 

the bail request, he was however 

overruled by Justice 

Bature who granted the Defendant 

bail to the tune of 

N10million with one surety 

in like sum. 

The court ordered that the 

surety must be a reputable 

person in the society with a 

verifiable address within the 

Federal Capital Territory. 

Police had urged the court 

to deny the former governor 

bail, alleging that he would 

interfere with some of its witnesses. 

It told the court that the 

Defendant repeatedly 

spurned several invitations, 

resulting to issuance of several 

warrants of arrest against 

him. 

Consequently, in his ruling, 

Justice Bature ordered 

the Defendant not to interfere 

with any of the prosecution 

witnesses, warning 

that such conduct will 

amount to the revocation of 

his bail. 

The case was subsequently 

adjourned till January 

25, 2021 for trial. 

Umahi: PDP mum over planned 

defection • Gov should 

By Dirisu Yakubu speak up, not party 

— PDP official 

ABUJA — FOLLOWING 

report of imminent defection 

of Ebonyi State governor, 

Dave Umahi from the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, to the 

ruling All Progressives Congress, 

APC, the main opposition 

party has refused to confirm 

or deny the report. 

Governor Umahi according 

to report has made up his 

mind to cross over to the APC 

which he believes will micro 

zone the 2023 Presidency to 

the South-East geo-political 

zone, with the PDP set to keep 

faith with the North as it did 

in 2019. 

He was said to have met 

with the party leadership led 

by the national chairman, 

Prince Uche Secondus at the 

Ebonyi Governor’s Lodge, 

Abuja, where he told them his 

intent to seek pasture anew. 

An official of the PDP who 

does not want his name in 

print confirmed to Vanguard 

that indeed, a meeting between 

Umahi and the National 

Working Committee of the 

party held, adding however 

that the PDP “will not make 

an official statement on the issue 

for now.” 

Asked if he was aware of 

Umahi’s readiness to leave the 

PDP, the source responded in 

the affirmative, stressing that 

“the party is handling the matter 

internally.” 

He continued: “It is a private 

matter which is why not much 

is in the public domain for 

now. I am neither authorized 

to speak on behalf of our chairman, 

Uche Secondus nor for 

our great party. What I can tell 

you is that Umahi’s plan to 

leave for the APC has a lot to 

do with the politics of 2023. 

You know that the South-East 

has been agitating for a shot 

at the Presidency in the next 

election. If the APC has given 

them a commitment, that can 

be a factor but our leaders are 

still talking to him. Nothing is 

certain yet.” 

Although he agreed with our 

correspondent that politics is 

a game of interest, the PDP official 

insisted that the party will 

not be forced into taking a decision 

just to assuage “the appetite 

of a fellow who has forgotten 

in a hurry where he is 

coming from.” 

According to him, “Ours is a 

party of rules, agreements and 

consultations. The party is yet 

to discuss 2023 Presidency but 

when it does, its position will 

remain sacrosanct. If for instance, 

we decide to allow the 

North to have a shot at it again 

in 2023, we shall stick with 

that. I can assure you that national 

interest will determine 

where we will go again and 

not the insatiable appetite of a 

fellow who has forgotten in a 

hurry where he is coming from. 

The PDP is bigger than any single 

individual, living or dead.” 

He called on the governor to 

address a press conference and 

tell the world why he is convinced 

that where he is heading 

would improve his lot and 

“that of his people in the next 

political epoch. If a party that 

promised to run Boko Haram 

aground in three months and 

failed is the same you are now 

putting your trust on, best of 

luck. 

“He has been many things 

here including deputy governor 

and governor on PDP 

platform. If suddenly, the PDP 

is no longer a party of choice, 

one can only wish him the 

best of luck,” he added. 

I've never been associated with 

violence all my life 

—Nsukka Catholic Bishop 

By Ikechukwu Odu 

NSUKKA—THE Catholic 

Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, 

Most Rev. Godfrey Igwebuike 

Onah, yesterday, said he 

has never been an agent of violence 

and cannot incite others 

to take laws into their hands. 

The Bishop in a holy mass at 

the St. Theresa's Catholic Cathedral, 

Nsukka, also called out 

on those accusing him of inciting 

youths in Nsukka to violence 

through his homilies to 

desist from the unfounded allegations. 

His comment came on the 

heels of a petition to the Inspector 

General of Police, IGP, 

Mohammed Adamu, and the 

Department of State Services, 

by the Nigerian Supreme Council 

for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), asking 

for the interrogation of the 

Bishop over hateful and inciting 

comments on the pulpit. 

While distancing himself 

from the allegation, the Bishop 

also said "Nigeria is so nervous 

now. Let everybody take 

bottles of oil of meekness, peacemaking, 

love and oil their 

Christian lives and resist the excitement 

to violence because it 

does not help anybody. 

"Parents should hold their 

children because some people 

are standing on the flanks to 

make Nsukka a violent place. 

Nsukka has been so peaceful 

that some people are no longer 

happy with it. Don't be a part of 

the evil plan to destroy Nsukka 

because Nsukka is for peace. 

The Catholic Diocese of Nsukka 

is for peace." 

While urging the congregation 

to be steadfast in prayers 

and life of charity to the lessprivileged 

in the society, he also 

enjoined the governments at all 

levels to embark on plans of 

nation-building and sustenance 

of peace and harmony 

in the country through justice 

and fair-play. 

He equally said: "Have we 

paid enough attention, for instance, 

to youths welfare, education, 

security, health sector 

and economy? We allowed all 

these things to decay. Bad governance 

is making crises to 

come from angles we don't expect. 

Despite the high budgetary 

allocations to defense and 

security in this country, we have 

all seen that it does not include 

the welfare of policemen.The 

people who are at the forefront 

everyday, saving us from all 

kinds of danger, have become 

criminals because of poor welfare. 

"Nobody expected the crises 

of coronavirus and EndSARS 

and the protests of young people 

in this country and around 

the world. Wise governments 

would have taken care of those 

little things that could provoke 

unrest. However, all hope is no 

lost because if we start today to 

make amends, it would go a 

long way."


Send Opinions & Letters to: 

opinions1234@yahoo.com 

IN 2015, the United States 

exerted unbearable pressure 

on Nigeria to ensure its presidential 

election did not descend into a 

much-feared existential crisis. It 

worked! Nigeria had an orderly 

transfer of power. But now, the 

same physician could not, it seems, 

heal herself! 

Last week, America convulsed as 

it held its presidential poll. For four 

agonising days, the US kept the 

world on tenterhooks amid wild 

allegations of massive electoral 

fraud. Even today, ten days after 

the poll, held on November 3, the 

situation remains febrile as the 

losing candidate refuses to make 

the customary concession speech. 

But as I watched the unfortunate 

events in the United States, I 

couldn’t help but remember 

Nigeria’s presidential election in 

2015 and how America’s active 

intervention helped ensure its 

success, averting a widely 

predicted post-election 

catastrophe. 

The history of Nigeria’s 2015 

presidential poll is incomplete 

without a prominent place for 

America’s role. In a statement in 

2015, President Muhammadu 

Buhari said: “I will never forget 

the role the US played in the 

stability of Nigeria.” He implied 

that had the US not “exerted 

pressure”, as he put it, things would 

have turned out differently! 

Of course, this was against the 

backdrop of a high-stakes election 

dogged by apocalyptic predictions 

of widespread post-election 

violence and possible 

disintegration of Nigeria. As many 

will recall, the election campaign 

was extremely divisive and 

polarising. President Goodluck 

US 2020 election: America fails 

the standards it set Nigeria 

Path to diminishing housing deficit in Lagos 

By OMOLARA OTUYEMI 

The current and projected future 

population of our State presents huge 

opportunities for investors in the housing 

sector and compelling need for urban 

renewal —Governor Sanwo-Olu 

LAGOS’ status as the economic, 

industrial and commercial hub of 

the country is partly responsible for the 

daily migration of people from various 

walks of life to the metropolis. A recent 

data states that about 25,000 people from 

across the world come into Lagos for 

various reasons on a daily basis. This, 

no doubt, is a factor in the city’s growing 

population. In-spite of its small 

landmass, Lagos is the most populated 

State in the country. 

One striking challenge of the State’s 

huge population is the availability of 

affordable housing. Clearly, the State’s 

sporadic growth has not been 

proportionate with the housing stock 

available to the residents. It is, therefore, 

in order to address the challenge that 

the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration 

took a larger part of his first 200 days in 

office to understudy the model that 

would meet the housing needs of the 

residents of the State. 

Having successfully completed the 

study, the government devised strategies 

to frontally address the State’s unique 

housing challenge. One of such was a 

resolve to ensure that none of the 

inherited housing projects from 

preceding administrations is abandoned. 

The goal is to build on their achievements 

and guarantee that the government’ 

investments on those projects are not 

wasted, as it used to be in time past. 

Some of the projects in this class include 

Jonathan’s supporters threatened 

to blow up oil installations if he 

lost. Buhari’s supporters vowed to 

make Nigeria ungovernable if he 

did not win. 

These were not empty threats. In 

2011, when Buhari lost to Jonathan 

in that year’s presidential race, 

nearly 900 people died in postelection 

violence in the North. And 

the Niger Delta militants had a 

history of blowing up oil and gas 

installations. So, the western world 

did not take the risks of postelection 

violence and Nigeria’s 

possible breakup lightly. They 

swung into action, led by the 

United States. 

The then US vice president, now 

president-elect, Joe Biden made 

many phone calls to Buhari and 

Jonathan urging them to ensure a 

free, fair and peaceful election. The 

US Secretary of State, John Kerry, 

visited Nigeria several times to 

talk to Buhari and Jonathan. And 

President Barack Obama himself 

addressed Nigerians directly via a 

broadcast, invoking the old civil 

war mantra: “To keep Nigeria one 

is a task that must be done!” In 

2015, Nigeria kept the world 

the Igando, Igbogbo, Sangotedo, Ajara, 

Egan-Igando, LASU main campus, Iba, 

Sangotedo and Epe Housing Schemes 

to mention but a few. 

Consequently, the LagosHoms, 

Igbogbo Scheme, with 360 home units 

comprising 120 1-bedroom, 120 2- 

bedroom and 120 3-bedroom 

apartments, was completed and 

commissioned by the Sanwo-Olu 

administration. Similarly, the Lagos 

State Affordable Public Housing Scheme, 

Topo, Badagry with 252 2-bedroom 

apartments, Courtland Villas, Behind 

Alhaji Femi Okunnu Estate, Igbohushu, 

Lekki with 120 units of 4-bedroom 

Maisonettes and Boys Quarters and the 

Lekki Apartments, Ikate-Eleguishi, 

Lekki were also completed and 

commissioned by the current 

administration. 

Perhaps, the most significant highlight 

of the Sanwo-Olu led administration in 

the housing sector, thus far, is in handing 

over of keys to 492 keys beneficiaries of 

its maiden rent-to-own housing scheme 

at the Lateef Kayode Jakande Housing 

Estate, Igando. The rent-to-own policy 

reflects the commitment of the 

government to reduce the housing deficit 

in the State. The initiative is part of the 

holistic plan to make housing affordable, 

and easy to get, especially for low income 

earners. 

Although the initiative predates the 

current administration, it has done a lot 

to modify its operation in order to meet 

current realities. Hence, the entry 

requirements, which used to be more 

stringent, have now been reduced to 

draw more people into the home 

ownership scheme. The rent-to-own 

scheme allows a first time house owner, 

who is a resident of the State, to pay 

awake. But the US held its feet to 

the fire and kept it on the straight 

and narrow! Take one example. 

When the final results of the 

presidential poll were not 

announced for three days, amid 

false claims by PDP apparatchiks 

that the party had won in 23 states, 

John Kerry and his UK 

counterpart, Phillip Hammond, 

issued a joint statement, warning 

Unless President 

Trump takes a leaf out 

of Jonathan’s book, 

America lacks the 

moral authority to 

lecture anyone on 

democratic values 

of “disturbing indications that the 

collation process may be subject 

to deliberate political 

interferences.” The statement 

probably forestalled some 

shenanigans. 

Then, there was President 

Jonathan’s historic concession. In 

her book Fighting Corruption is 

Dangerous, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- 

Iweala narrated how Jonathan 

conceded the election. She said 

that some politicians passionately 

urged him not to concede, citing 

“irregularities”, such as “underage 

voting in certain parts of the 

country.” But she and others 

advised the president to concede 

and do so before the results were 

announced. 

President Jonathan, who said 

nothing as “a heated argument 

ensued”, suddenly “got up and left 

the room.” Returning about 20 

minutes later, he said: “It is done. I 

have called President-elect Buhari 

and conceded!” He deservedly 

earned a legacy for that singular 

act! 

Of course, one consideration in 

Jonathan’s decision was to avoid 

bloodshed. As he always said, “my 

ambition is not worth the blood of 

a single Nigerian.” But truth be 

told, another consideration must 

be the realisation that if he refused 

to go, American pressure would hit 

him like a tonne of bricks. 

I said all the above in light of the 

bizarre situation in the US. 

President Donald Trump’s son, 

Donald Trump Jr, urged his father 

to “go to total war” over the 

election results. Joe Biden’s camp 

said that if President Trump refused 

to leave office after losing: “The 

US government is perfectly 

capable of escorting trespassers 

out the White House.” You would 

think this was Nigeria in 2015! But 

no, it is the United States of 

America today! 

But, in fairness to the US, this is 

about one man: Donald J Trump! 

Like Jonathan, President Trump is 

surrounded by hawks who allege 

widespread irregularities and 

want him to “fight on.” But unlike 

only five percent of the cost of the house, 

while the rest of the cost is spread over 

10 years on a monthly instalment at a 

rate not more than 33 percent of the 

individual’s income. 

The cheering development about the 

housing project is that it has a job 

creation component. Besides the main 

and sub-contractors, numerous artisans, 

labourers, suppliers and food vendors 

are also effectively engaged and earning 

a living from these projects. 

The second strategy evolved by the 

government to tackle the State’s housing 

deficit is the Public-Private-Partnership, 

PPP, model. The main aim of the PPP is 

to deliver high quality, cost efficient yet 

affordable housing in Lagos State. 

The PPP option involves the 

The main aim of the 

PPP is to deliver high 

quality, cost efficient yet 

affordable housing in 

Lagos State 

government providing lands for private 

investors at a subsidised rate, while the 

investors construct affordable housing 

units. Through this model, over 30 

private investors are in joint partnership 

with the government with a strong legal 

bond that upon completion of the 

housing project, the private investor 

would allocate to the State the agreed 

number of housing that is proportionate 

to the cost of land given to the investors 

by the government and a percentage of 

the profit. 

In the past, the PPP model had some 

challenges spanning from lack of 

transparency and inability to deliver. But 

the Sanwo-Olu administration is bent on 

making more residents house owners in 

the State through the model. Investors 

President Jonathan, Trump doesn’t 

have any sense of duty to concede 

to president-elect Biden or fully 

support a smooth transition of 

power. As someone put it, President 

Trump, who fired his defence 

secretary by tweet this week, is so 

angry he harbours a “burn it down 

on the way out” feeling, and willing 

to wreck the transition. 

Of course, President Trump has 

the right to challenge his defeat in 

the courts and has filed multiple 

cases. But as former President 

George W Bush said earlier this 

week, “The American people can 

have confidence that this election 

was fundamentally fair, its 

integrity will be upheld, and its 

outcome is clear.” 

World leaders believe so too, 

hence they have been 

congratulating president-elect Joe 

Biden. But Trump is apparently not 

for turning! 

To be sure, there is no legal 

requirement that a loser makes a 

concession speech, but every losing 

US presidential candidate has 

done so since 1896. With 71m votes 

(Biden has 75m), President 

Trump’s insistence that the 

election was “rigged” would 

inflame his electoral base. At the 

best of times, America is utterly 

divided along partisan lines. A 

genuine concession speech could 

at least assuage some of his restive 

supporters. 

All said, America’s decentralised 

political system and independent 

institutions can weather the 

Trumpian storm. But unless 

President Trump takes a leaf out 

of Jonathan’s book, America lacks 

the moral authority to lecture 

anyone on democratic values. 

Physician, heal thyself! 

and the government have duly played 

their part in making the provision of the 

housing scheme a reality by enforcing 

timeliness to ensure timely delivery, 

validation and inspection of the site to 

ensure it measures up with agreed 

specification. 

In order to encourage more residents 

of the State to embrace the mortgage 

fiancé option, the State government 

recently made the Lagos Building 

Investment Company, LBIC, a solitary 

mortgage provider to ease housing 

deficit in the State. The LBIC has made 

available over 20,000 mortgage homes 

across the State through the provision 

of friendly mortgage payment to 

prospective homeowners. 

Also, the government, in conjunction 

with Arctic Infrastructure and Heinrich 

Boll Stifung, has examined the prospect 

of the proposed Lagos State Affordable 

Housing Trust Fund in order to develop 

a financing mechanism that addresses 

the peculiar status of the State. This is 

aimed at strengthening the machinery 

for increasing the stock of homes in the 

State. 

Considering its efforts, thus far, the 

current administration is convinced that 

the total housing stock would have 

increased by December, 2020, to 3004 

housing units with the delivery of 

additional housing schemes comprising 

2268 units that are already completed. 

The journey to making Lagos a 21st 

century economy, no doubt, partly lies 

in its urban renewal programmes. 

Certainly, the ability of the Sanwo-Olu 

administration to offer Lagos residents 

access to environmentally friendly and 

affordable homes is a pathway to 

creating more economic opportunities to 

the citizenry. 

•Otuyemi is of the Ministry of 

Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja

Shadows and substance 

Those who bear the burdens of 

government should equally 

participate of its benefits—Thomas 

Jefferson,3rd US President 

IT will take a long while to close 

the chapters opened by events 

which appeared to be triggered by 

the #EndSARS protests. Not even the 

most meticulous and farsighted 

planner could have envisaged that 

the nation would be shaken to its 

foundations by a whole series of 

miscalculations and poor 

management that are still unfolding. 

The nation will pay dearly for these 

miscalculations and responses to 

them. The way we are going about 

it, the genuine grievances of citizens 

will retreat under a combination of 

poor perception of contexts and 

triggers by leadership, faulty 

responses by the Nigerian state and 

those who still think there is a cause 

to pursue, and adoption of the wrong 

strategies to achieve short and longterm 

objectives. 

Given the copious evidence that the 

#EndSARS campaign was a wellplanned, 

coordinated and funded 

uprising that fed-off a genuine 

grievance against elements of the 

Nigeria police, its management 

showed a shocking lack of awareness 

of the environment and an 

unforgiveable level of political 

sophistication. Unless the game plan 

was ultimately to dump hoodlums, 

criminals and irredentists on the lap 

of the Nigerian leadership and 

withdraw into comfortable middle 

class cocoons, it is difficult to identify 

what could have been achieved by a 

movement that was fueled by 

political goals well beyond the 

demand to scrap the infamous 

SARS, driven by a motley crowd of 

opportunists, and conducted by 

people who enjoyed exposure but 

were hamstrung by distrust or 

reluctance to accept leadership and 

show their hands. 

Lekki was an unplanned stop 

along an ill-fated journey for a good 

cause; for those who tagged along 

with their plans tucked away; for a 

Nigerian state that was caught in a 

state of traditional complacency 

over vital governance issues; and for 

those who dared to hope that some 

genuine public good could be 

salvaged out of a struggle that was 

lost from day one. 

The Nigerian leadership now 

deploys a shaky carrot-and-stick 

approach that will neither feed nor 

punish a nation which has been 

reminded of its scale of vulnerability. 

The founding interests have walked 

away, leaving behind a hashtag, and 

a cause that risks obliteration from 

a state which feels it has won the war 

and, therefore, the right to rename 

and reshape the enemy. It left behind 

old, shadowy players who may not 

have been on the guest list, but are 

now reaping a harvest. The Nigerian 

state now has ample space to address 

the original grievance as it deems 

fit, without the prying eyes of people 

and organisations who thought that 

ending SARS and reforming the 

police were major goals worth all 

the endeavour. 

It still has to meander between 

restoring basic policing as a vital 

instrument of governance (a tough 

task because the police had moved 

from villain to a deeply traumatised 

institution which had confronted a 

level of hostility it could not have 

known existed even among the 

criminal elements) on the one hand, 

and writing new rules for a police 

informed by the need for a strong 

This 

administration’s 

normal has never 

been good enough 

for this country 

arm, particularly in these postprotests 

period, on the other. It is 

squeezing the life out of the remnants 

of the protests by blocking its funds 

and stonewalling the investigations 

into what happened at Lekki. These 

are some of the elements of the stick 

being deployed by a leadership which 

will not win awards for thinking on 

its feet. They will buy it a bit more 

room for maneouvre, but they will 

only take the nation to a point where 

the leadership will believe it has 

restored normalcy. This 

administration’s normal has never 

been good enough for this country. 

The poor quality of the carrot will 

compound a shortsighted strategy 

which believes that dispersing the 

crowds, attempting to raise 

sentiments around dark, sinister 

political goals embedded in them, 

tinkering with the police and giving 

them a dream for better lives, and 

deploying an aggressive posture 

against leaders and young people 

will get government’s back off the 

wall. There are three elements in this 

carrot approach. The first is the 

cultivation of a sympathetic 

language that hints at an 

appreciation of the cause behind the 

protests against policing institutions 

and related matters. Given deepseated 

distrust between leaders and 

the vast majority of Nigerians, it will 

take the highest levels of transparent 

sincerity, imaginative and aggressive 

campaign to reform the police, and 

raising levels of accountability and 

sustained engagement of younger 

Nigerians by all governments to 

convince the population that 

appropriate lessons have been learnt. 

The track record of this 

administration does not give 

comfort that this can be achieved, 

but there has to be hope that it will 

recognise the historic nature of these 

moments and circumstances enough 

to change its traditional approach 

to complex governance issues. There 

is substance here that should not have 

shadows creating false images. 

The second is the imperative of the 

carrot approach is recognising the 

values of a good messenger. 

Governors and traditional rulers 

serving as first-line contacts to take 

down a very sensitive message will 

be at best problematic, and at worst 

a major blunder that could worsen 

the chances of engaging the real 

targets. Many governors will still be 

shaking from the trauma of the 

protests. The pillaging of 

warehouses by multitudes who felt 

no guilt from retrieving what they 

thought was theirs, but hidden by 

governors have worsened 

perceptions. Traditional rulers have 

very little traction with the general 

population. 

Nigerians know that this category 

Trump vs Biden: Georgia to recount votes by 

hand 

The secretary of state of Geor 

gia, a key battleground state 

where President-elect Joe Biden currently 

holds a slim lead of little more 

than 14,000 votes over President 

Donald Trump, has announced an 

audit of election results that will trigger 

a full hand recount of all ballots 

cast there. 

Brad Raffensperger, the secretary 

of state, said during a Wednesday 

news conference that he wants the 

process to begin by the end of this 

week. He said it will end by November 

20, the state’s deadline to certify 

its final vote count. 

“Mathematically, you actually 

have to do a full hand-by-hand recount 

of all because the margin is so 

close,” Raffensperger said. “We want 

to start this before the week is up.” 

Raffensperger, along with election 

officials across the country, has been 

the focus of ire from Trump and his 

allies in the aftermath of the election, 

which the Associated Press and other 

news agencies called in favour of 

Biden on Saturday. In the US, it is 

the norm for presidents to concede 

based on those projections. 

The Trump campaign has since 

launched a raft of lawsuits in pivotal 

states and plans to request recounts 

in others. However, with Biden currently 

holding 290 electoral votes 

without including Georgia’s 16 electoral 

votes, the Trump campaign 

would need to overturn results in several 

states concurrently to whittle 

Biden’s lead to under 270 electoral 

votes – the threshold for victory. 

On Wednesday, during a call with 

reporters, White House spokesman 

Tim Murtaugh offered an optimistic 

assessment of the recount: “With 

regard to whether we think these individual 

cases will turn the election, 

every time we take a step along this 

process we believe we are getting closer 

to our goal and that is the president 

winning these states and ultimately 

being re-elected.” 

A lawyer for Trump’s campaign 

hailed the recount as allowing “us 

to have individuals lay eyes on every 

piece of paper for a manual hand 

recount”. 

Biden, for his part, has called 

Trump’s refusal to concede and his 

obstruction of the presidential transition 

process “an embarrassment”. 

UK reaches grim milestone with more than 50,000 COVID deaths 

The United Kingdom 

reached a bleak milestone 

in its battle with coronavirus on 

Wednesday as the official death 

toll passed 50,000 casting a shadow 

on the positive news about the 

effectiveness of a potential vaccine. 

The death toll is higher than 

the other worst-affected countries 

in Europe and the number of 

people killed by coronavirus is 

only higher in the United States, 

Brazil, India and Mexico. 

Asked about the latest milestone, 

Prime Minister Boris 

Johnson said Britain is “not out 

of the woods yet” even as Pfizer 

this week announced that early 

data showed its experimental 

COVID-19 vaccine was more 

than 90% effective. 

“Every death is a tragedy and 

we mourn everybody who’s 

gone,” Johnson said. 

He has ordered England back 

into a month-long national lockdown 

amid concerns that a second 

wave of infections could overwhelm 

the health service. 

But Johnson has been criticised 

by political opponents for moving 

too slowly into both national lockdowns, 

for a shortage of personal 

protective equipment and for failing 

to protect the elderly in care 

homes. 

Early in the pandemic, the government’s 

chief scientific adviser, 

Patrick Vallance, had said that 

keeping the death toll below 20,000 

would be “a good outcome”. 

U.S election: Texas lieutenant governor to give 

$1m to anyone with evidence of voter fraud 

The lieutenant governor of 

Texas has offered up to $1m 

as a reward to anyone who can 

help expose fraud in the presidential 

election, amid a range 

of lawsuits filed by the Trump 

campaign. 

Addressing a news conference 

on Tuesday, Dan Patrick according 

to Independent.co.uk said 

anyone who comes forward with 

evidence of fraud that leads to 

an arrest and final conviction 

will be paid a minimum of 

$25,000. The money, Mr Patrick 

A further 22,950 people tested 

positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, 

up from 20,412 a day earlier. 

“Sadly the upward trend is likely 

to continue and it will be several 

weeks before any impact of the current 

measures - and the sacrifices 

we are all making – is seen and is 

reflected in the data,” Yvonne 

Doyle, Medical Director of Public 

Health England, said in a statement. 

said, would come from his own 

campaign funds. 

“I support President Trump’s 

efforts to identify voter fraud in 

the presidential election and his 

commitment to making sure that 

every legal vote is counted and 

every illegal vote is disqualified,” 

Mr Patrick said. 

“President Trump’s pursuit of 

voter fraud is not only essential 

to determine the outcome of this 

election, but it is also essential 

to maintain our democracy and 

restore faith in future elections.” 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020—17 

of leaders have long been consigned 

to virtual irrelevance by politicians 

whose tenuous hold on power makes 

them very suspicious of any form of 

competition. The fact that governors 

who have lived with poor, insecure 

populations and traditional rulers 

who have to ask for approval to 

breath will explain why the northern 

bit of the public relations sweep 

produced a communique that looked 

every inch as if it was manufactured 

in the Villa. It even had the traces of 

total ignorance over the reality of 

the scale of insecurity under which 

northerners live, or a mention of 

atrocities over northerners for being 

northerners. 

Eastern governors fighting a 

vicious turf war with IPOB used the 

gesture to play a game to tilt 

sympathy towards them. In the West, 

the region that had suffered the most 

damage in political and economic 

assets, the messenger made the 

message about himself, flagging a 

regional agenda as a panacea for 

peace. The presidency selected poor 

salesmen to market a very expensive 

merchandise. They will either sell it 

at their own prices, or convert it 

entirely into their own. 

The third element lies in real goals 

which can be achieved within a very 

limited time. Policies which reduce 

numbers of unemployed young 

people will be useful, but they are 

not what the federal government 

keeps mouthing as its flagship antipoverty 

programmes.State 

governments must also prioritize 

anti-poverty policies. The fight 

against insurgency in the North and 

IPOB in the South, banditry, rustling 

and kidnapping must be scaled up. 

Poverty and insecurity are tearing the 

country apart. They represent the 

real substance that should inform 

policy henceforth, or will keep 

challenging the Nigerian state that 

sends shadows after them. 

UK approves 

post-Brexit farm law 

prioritising 

environment 

T 

he British parliament approved 

a new agriculture law on 

Wednesday that will reward farmers 

for taking better care of the environment, 

as the country prepares to exit 

the European Union’s single market 

and customs union on Dec. 31. 

The National Farmers Union 

(NFU), which has long campaigned 

for food safety and animal welfare 

standards to be enshrined in UK law 

after Brexit, hailed the law as a “landmark 

moment” that will set out how 

Britain farms for generations to 

come. 

Under the law, farmers in England 

will receive public funds for ‘public 

goods’ such as better air and water 

quality, thriving wildlife, soil health, 

or measures to reduce flooding and 

tackle climate change, said the Department 

for Environment, Food and 

Rural Affairs (Defra). 

Further details will be announced 

in November, and the changes will 

be phased in over seven years, it added 

Ṗolicies may differ in Scotland and 

Wales, where devolved administrations 

control farm spending. Britain, 

which formally left the EU in January, 

continues to abide by the bloc’s 

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 

as part of transitional arrangements 

which end on Dec. 31. 

Its farmers currently receive 

around 3 billion pounds ($3.96 billion) 

a year in public funds under the 

CAP. For some farmers, this can represent 

up to 70% of their income. The 

British government, which has criticised 

CAP payments as poorly targeted 

and skewed towards helping 

bigger landowners, will gradually 

phase out direct payments to farmers 

in the move towards a system 

more closely linked to providing ‘public 

goods’.


THE Federal Government is giving 

conflicting and confusing signals in 

its reaction to the recent #EndSARS 

protests. If this is a “stick and carrot” 

approach to the handling of the 

protest and the ensuing burst of 

burning and looting, then it is being 

wrongly applied. 

Only on Sunday, November 1, 2020, 

President Muhammadu Buhari protests and the wanton marauding 

capitalised on the first Nigerian that ensued when hoodlums and 

National Youth Day celebration to soldiers were drafted to attack and 

invite the youth to a dialogue with the quell a protest demanding for a better 

Federal Government. 

police and governance. Government 

After acknowledging that citizens was responsible for the remote and 

have the right to protest, the president immediate triggers for the violence 

added: “Our government will not lift and should own up to the blame. 

a hand to stop or suppress you”, For the Federal Government to 

adding: “other forces and actors will come out, nine days after offering an 

seek to take over your protests that olive branch, to vow to deal with 

they may redirect them in ways you leaders of the protest is an 

did not intend and perhaps do not unfortunate volte-face and derailment 

agree with”. 

from some otherwise commendable 

The president’s own words made a steps it had already started taking to 

clear distinction between the peaceful, address the youths’ demands. 

organised and patriotic #EndSARS The seizure of the travel documents 

Unwise persecution of #EndSARS leaders 

of some of them (though returned 

shortly after by the Immigration 

Service), the freezing of their bank 

accounts, their arrest, detention and 

denial of legal assistance cannot help 

the situation. 

This is a mere recourse to the wellworn 

intimidation, harassment and 

persecution tactics perfected by our 

discredited military past. It never 

produces any useful result except to 

unwittingly turn the victims into 

heroes. 

These persecutory measures have 

now unmasked the #EndSARS 

leaders who had smartly remained 

anonymous. Their ordeal could give 

them the political capital they may 

need to win elections, having led a 

patriotic youth revolt against an 

oppressive system. 

It could be that the presidency has 

allowed the self-serving pressure 

mounted by a section of Northern 

leaders to put it on a war path instead 

of constructive engagement with the 

youth. 

We call on President Buhari to 

abandon this course of action and 

resume his conciliatory measures. He 

should, in particular, personally drive 

the N75 billion Youth Investment Fund 

to help lead enterprising young 

people out of poverty. He should be 

seen as paving the way for the youth 

to take control of the destiny of this 

country. 

After the Lekki Tollgate shootings, 

the persecution of the protest leaders 

can only draw more attention to the 

cases at the International Criminal 

Court, ICC. 

OPINION 

ENDSARS protests and Nigeria’s failure to attain greatness 

By FABIAN CHUKWUEMEKA 

NWORAH 

THERE is no doubt that the ENDSARS 

protests across Nigeria indicates the 

parlous state of affairs in the country. The wave 

of the protests and the gruesome revelations 

further indicate the volatility and weakness of 

the fabrics of the country and reasons for 

foreign investors disinterests in the Nigerian 

market. Where then can Nigeria go from here? 

Are there serious lessons to learn from the 

scenarios that played out vis-à-vis current and 

past events from other climes? 

Are we going to sit down and think that 

normalcy has returned once there are no more 

protests, burning and looting? Or are we going 

to see events of the dark Tuesday in Lagos and 

across the country as a mere part of the debacle 

or are we going to seize these as a golden 

opportunity to attain greatness? Whatever 

Nigeria decides to do will determine the kind 

of change we clamour for in this country. 

However, change can only come with 

change. According to President JFK Kennedy’s 

statement in 1963, "Change is the law of life. 

And those who look only to the past or present 

are certain to miss the future.” The 

government of the day has to realise that the 

internet era has given everyone freedom and 

opportunity for liberation from political 

bondage. The government must also realise 

that the era of impunity in governance is over 

and that people are ready for the optimum 

sacrifice to achieve their freedom and enjoy 

liberty. 

Government must also be aware that no one 

occupies a position of authority in perpetuity 

and, therefore, those saddled with government 

responsibility today must also be aware that 

there must be a day of reckoning. 

The ENDSARS protests is not all about 

police brutality so to say but about poor 

governance, economic and political decadence 

and abuse of social contract between Nigerian 

leaders and those governed. It is clear that the 

incidents of the last few weeks are just a tip of 

the iceberg of what could happen in the future 

if situations are not addressed properly. The 

government now has the privileged 

opportunity, to deal with the problems faced 

by the Nigerian state, in a carefully monitored 

and structured manner without allowing 

impending implosion that would characterise 

further failures on the part of the government. 

Devolution of powers into six 

regions with a weak central 

government will help to bring 

sanity in the polity and 

government closer to the people 

The government has an opportunity now to 

put things right to avoid avoidable incidents 

in the future. The government and all 

stakeholders must seize this opportunity to put 

the country on the path of restructuring as a 

tool for stabilisation of the country. 

Let the truth be told. Nigeria needs to be 

restructured urgently. Devolution of powers 

into six regions with a weak central 

government will help to bring sanity in the 

polity and government closer to the people. 

This will also enable the people to feel the 

benefits and positive impacts of government 

across the regions. In addition, devolution of 

powers will help to reduce the attraction to the 

central government while ensuring 

accountability in governance. Anything short 

of this is brewing anarchy and waiting for a 

day of reckoning. 

There is no doubt that enormous sacrifices 

were made in the past to keep Nigeria as a 

country resulting to loss of lives and properties. 

However, we have all seen that it was all efforts 

in vain. Sacrifices for “project Nigeria” never 

worked in the past, is not working today and 

will not work in the future. We cannot continue 

to delude ourselves to live in vain without 

vision. Nigeria cannot continue with these 

present arrangements. The state and her 

citizens cannot continue to wallow in abject 

poverty and frustrations in the midst of plenty. 

It is clear that the ENDSARS protest serves 

as a great opportunity for restructuring the 

country in a methodological, fair and equitable 

manner without leaving the exercise to be done 

via clandestine forces in our midst. Our team 

of experts and other like minds in Nigeria and 

across the world are willing and ready to 

proffer workable best solutions that would 

result to a win-win situation to all regions 

notwithstanding whether a particular region 

currently lays the golden eggs for Nigeria. 

Some schools of thought had earlier believed 

that restructuring would put some regions in a 

disadvantaged position than others but this is 

far from the truth. All the six regions of Nigeria 

are unique and abundantly blessed with 

human and material resources including oil 

and gas, gold, diamond, tin and others. All 

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opinions1234@yahoo.com 

that is required is the political will by each region 

to develop her resources. In the unlikely event 

that a region would need help, this must be part 

of the issues that must be put into consideration 

during the negotiation of the restructuring 

process. 

In the modern world we live in today, fair 

competition is the father of creativity and 

innovation for the common good of all 

mankind. You cannot continue to drag 

everybody down because you feel you cannot 

swim well, rather with strategic planning you 

can create a conducive environment for 

everyone to swim along. This is the potential 

we see in a restructured Nigeria where 

everyone has the opportunity for growth and 

success. 

A restructured Nigeria where the youths 

aspire with vigour, sense of responsibility and 

optimism for the future to attain the United 

Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals 

and not a Nigeria where growth and success 

are deliberately stunted without any 

reasonable justification rather than myopic, 

primordial and ethnic jingoist considerations. 

We need to learn from the experiences of our 

colonial masters, the United Kingdom with a 

population of about 67 million people. 

They realised the issues associated with 

diverse culture and need for peaceful coexistence. 

As a result, they decided that the best 

option for them lies in having four nations in 

the United Kingdom for peaceful coexistence 

and better economic development. As such, 

the UK is a devolved country made up of four 

nations with each having a separate 

government under a central government. 

Continues online:www.vanguardngr.com 

•Nworah (Odum), senior partner at 

Rockstone Law Solicitors in UK, wrote 

via lawlawfb@yahoo.com

Vanguard,THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 — 19 

NIPC grants pioneer 

status to 6 

companies 

By Nkiruka Nnorom 

ECONOMY 

NDIC, CBN battle safety issues in Nigeria’s 

fintech environment 

By Babajide Komolafe 

MONEY MARKET 

THE Nigeria Deposit Insurance 

Corporation (NDIC) yesterday 

said it will adopt financial technology 

(fintech) solutions and tools to 

modernize its data collection and 

analysis processes amidst emerging 

safety issues surrounding application 

of technology in the nation’s financial 

system. 

Managing Director/Chief Executive 

Officer, NDIC, Ibrahim Umaru, 

disclosed this while delivering the 

keynote address at the seminar for 

Finance Correspondents and Business 

Editors in Kaduna. 

Noting that there is increasing 

evidence that Fintech innovations 

have many advantages for businesses 

and customers, including 

enhancing market competition and 

financial inclusion, Umaru said that 

NDIC has some concerns about 

fintechs. 

He however added that in spite of 

these concerns the Corporation will 

leverage on fintech tools to 

modernise its data collection and 

analysis. 

He said: “Financial system instability 

increases the volatility of asset 

prices and investor behaviour, leading 

to deteriorating credit conditions, 

increased costs to firms and households 

and potentially the collapse 

of the payment system. There is increasing 

evidence that Fintech innovations 

have many advantages for 

businesses and customers. The 

World Economic Forum, 2017, suggests 

Fintech is “disruptive”,“revo- 

lutionary”, and armed with “digital 

weapons”, that will “tear down” traditional 

financial institutions.” 

According to him, though, 

“Fintech will enhance market competition 

and financial inclusion, however, 

the increasing sophistication 

and proliferation of technology in 

banking operations also ushered in 

CURRENCY BUYING SELLING 

US DOLLAR 

POUNDS 

EURO 

FRANC 

YEN 

CFA 

WAUA 

RENMINBI 

RIYAL 

RAND 

109.25 +1.95 

2,384.00 +51.00 

14.48 -0.20 

44.47 +0.85 

42.71 +0.62 

379 379.5 380 

502.7435 503.4068 504.07 

446.083 446.6715 447.26 

412.8091 413.3537 413.8983 

3.5934 3.5982 3.6029 

0.6631 0.6731 0.6831 

537.4794 538.1885 538.8976 

57.2222 57.2981 57.3741 

101.0505 101.1838 101.3171 

24.2064 24.2384 24.2703 

CBN Exchange rate as at 11/11/2020 

COURT HEARING: From left-- Barr Wilson Michangelo, Barr Mojishola Okeya, Barr Moshood 

Adeyemi and Divisional Head, Litigation , Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr Bello 

Gwamba appearing in court over a dud cheque given to an investor by Midland Capital Market 

Limited at the FCT High Court Maitama in Abuja. 

unintended consequences like 

operational and legal risks, as 

well as the security of consumer 

personal data. The recent experiences 

of technology giants 

selling consumer data without 

consent or authority is a cause 

for concern.” 

Umaru disclosed that managing 

the risks associated with 

emerging technology without stifling 

innovation has become a 

major theme amongst regulators 

and policy makers. 

Consequently, he stated: “In 

Nigeria for instance, the Central 

Bank recently released a draft 

framework for regulatory sand- 

Stock market defies economic downturn as 

investors rake N1.2trn 

By Peter Egwuatu 

CAPITAL MARKET 

THE Nigerian stock mar 

ket continued its gaining 

streak defying the prevailing 

economic down turn 

with the investors 

gaining N1.2 trillion 

in the first three 

trading days of this 

week. 

One of the market 

indicators, market 

capitalization, which 

represents the value 

of all stocks in the 

market, rose 7.3 per 

cent to close yesterday 

at N17.383 trillion 

against N16.206 

trillion recorded last 

Friday. 

Similarly, the Nigerian 

Stock Exchange, 

NSE All 

Share Index, ASI, 

went up by 7.3 per 

cent or 2,252.19 

points to close at 

33,268.36 points 

from 31,016.17 

points. 

Financial analysts 

have stated that 

some of the corporate 

results released 

for the third quarter, Q3’20, 

many be the driver of the 

current bullish trend. 

Analysts at InvestData Limited 

said : “Looking at the 

numbers released so far, it 

seems that corporate performance 

has remain resilient 

in the face of the lingering 

economic downturn and 

challenges, making earnings 

that have come better than 

expected to give investors 

insight into how they should 

position ahead of year-end 

and the 2021 corporate actions. 

“In repositioning your 

portfolio to take advantage 

of new opportunities in the 

market, your investment 

goals and strategies will 

guide you as per entry and 

exit strategies to avoid being 

trapped in any position. 

Dividend yields above 7.5% 

should be the target of investors 

at this time.” 

Meanwhile, analysis of 

trading on Wednesday 

shows that investors gained 

N234 billion with market 

capitalisation moving to 

N17.4 trillion reaching the 

highest this year. 

Consequently, the stock 

market major benchmark, 

NSE ASI advanced 1.9 per 

box operations to encourage innovation, 

especially for Startups. 

The NDIC equally established 

an ‘Innovation and Fintech 

Unit’ to drive its agenda for 

emerging technology and provide 

solutions to improve the 

safety of depositors and the banking 

system.” 

cent to close at 33,268.36 

points on the back of gains 

in MTN Nigeria (2.4 per 

cent), Nigerian Breweries 

(9.5 per cent ) and BUA Cement 

(2.4 percent ). 

Year-to-Date, YtD, return 

improved to 23.9 per cent. 

Meanwhile, activity level 

surged as volume and value 

traded increased by 48.3 per 

cent and 17.0 per cent to 

858.2million units and 

N9.1billion respectively. 

The most traded stocks by 

volume were First Bank 

Nigeria Holding, FBNH 

(145.1million units), 

Transcorp (126.3million 

units) and Zenith Bank 

(60.8million units) while Zenith 

Bank (N1.5billion), 

Guaranty Trust Bank 

(N1.2billion and Dangote 

Cement (N1.1billion) led 

by value. 

Performance remained 

positive for all the six indices 

monitored. The Banking 

and Consumer Goods indices 

advanced 4.1per cent and 2.6 

per cent respectively to lead 

the gainers, buoyed by price 

appreciation in Zenith Bank 

(4.5 per cent), Guaranty Trust 

Bank (2.9 per cent), and Nigerian 

Breweries (9.5 percent). 

THE Nigeria Investment Pro 

motion Commission (NIPC) 

has announced addition of six companies 

with N175.28 billion investment 

value to the pioneer status industries 

for the third quarter (Q3) 

ended September 2020. 

Pioneer Status Incentive (PSI) is a 

tax holiday provided under the Industrial 

Development (Income Tax 

Relief) Act, that grants qualifying 

industries/products relief from the 

payment of corporate income tax 

for an initial period of three years, 

renewable for one or two additional 

years. 

The companies are Savannah 

Sugar Company Limited with 

N7.78 billion investment, which was 

granted tax exempt to manufacture 

sugar, Daily Need Industries Limited 

with N4.91 billion investment 

value. Daily Need Industries was 

granted the tax incentive for manufacture 

of Hemoglobin with vitamin 

B12 syrub, cough syrup, 

paracetamol syrup and tablet, 

declopfenac tablet, sulfadoxine, 

amoxicillin, coloxacillin capsules 

and penicillin ointment. 

Tribute Lifestyle Global Concept 

Limited, an e-commerce player 

with N121 million investment, was 

granted Pioneer Status Incentive 

(PSI) for sales done predominantly 

or exclusively online; Kalambaina 

Cement Company with N107.54 

billion investment value got PSI for 

manufacturing of cement, while 

Wells Hosa Greenhouse Farms and 

Honeywell Flour Mills Nigeria Plc 

with N5.47 billion and N49.45 billion 

investment value were granted 

PSI for Crop production and manufacturing 

of Wheat (pasta – macaroni, 

spaghetti and sorghum) respectively. 

The report shows that three companies 

- Pan Africa Towers Limited, 

Aarti Rolling Mills Limited and 

Princess Medi-Clinics Nigeria Limited 

- were granted approval-in-principle 

for colocation/infrastrure hosting 

and sharing facility, manufacture 

of cold-rolled flat rolled products 

of steel and for construction and 

operation of non-residential buildings 

(specialised hospital). 

Kaduna Inland dry 

port woos more 

partners 

ECONOMY 

THE Kaduna Inland Dry Port 

has said it is committed to ensuring 

efficient and improved service 

delivery as well as wooing more 

partners in 2021. 

Speaking to the News Agency of 

Nigeria, NAN, in Kaduna State on 

Wednesday, the Port Manager, Mr. 

Rotimi Hassan, said, “We want to 

put the setbacks caused by COVID- 

19 pandemic behind us and 

strategize to ensure economic activities 

pick up beginning from next year. 

“We want to create the necessary 

awareness and publicity on our services, 

so that people can use this 

place as their final port for exports 

from the northern part of the country. 

“In the northern part of the country, 

there are so many exporting activities 

like the export of ginger, tiger 

nuts, sesame seeds, many other cash 

crops and solid minerals,” he said. 

In his concluding remarks, Mr. 

Hassan implored the Federal Government 

to expedite the rehabilitation 

of existing rail lines across the 

country and expand them so as to 

decongest the roads. 

The recent assurance by the Port 

Manager is imperative, especially 

with regards to the diversification of 

the economy, which is one of the cardinal 

policy thrusts of the present 

regime.

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GAC Motor's NFF's official partner 

THE Nigeria Football 

Federation (NFF), the 

governing body of Nigerian 

football has announced the 

nation’s fastest-growing 

automobile company and 

Fortune 500 automaker, GAC 

Motor, as its official automobile 

partner in Nigeria. 

The momentous signing 

ceremony was held at the GAC 

Headquarters in Victoria Island, 

Lagos on Tuesday, November 10, 

2020. 

NFF President, Mr Amaju 

Pinnick, said: “We are thrilled to 

extend our partnerships with 

GAC as our exclusive automobile 

partner,” while exchanging 

pleasantries with Chief Diana 

Chen, Chairman of CIG Motors, 

(authorized distributor of GAC 

Motor in Africa). 

Commenting on the two 

organisations' shared philosophy 

and passion for the beautiful 

game of football, Pinnick said: 

“After our long hard deliberations, 

NFF is confident that GAC is our 

ideal partner because of their longstanding 

history of premium 

partnerships and support tied to 

youth development in Nigeria. 

''Following previous partnerships 

with Lagos City Marathon, the 

Asaba Marathon, the AMVCA, 

The Voice, and much more, this 

partnership is a pivotal step 

towards deepening an alreadyexisting 

relationship between the 

brand and the sports industry. With 

a progressive commitment to 

developing wholesome interests in 

Nigeria’s socio-economic sectors, 

the GAC’s patronage of the sport 

loved by Nigerians is a welcome 

gesture. 

Also speaking at the event, Chief 

Diana Chen, Chairman CIG 

Motors, said: “Football has always 

been a reckoning power for uniting 

all interests and differences of 

Nigerians, over time, bringing 

together the old and young from 

all walks of life - united in the spirit 

of true sportsmanship that knows 

no tribe, religion or gender. The 

pride, honour and the spirit of 

unity forged by the game of 

football, the sport will always 

have a special place in the hearts 

of Nigeria - and this matters to 

us too. 

''Sport remains a unifying force 

in Nigeria, bringing together 

Nigerians from all walks of lifeunited 

in the spirit of true 

sportsmanship that knows no 

tribe, religion or gender and plays 

a critical role in the growth and 

unity of Nigerians. 

''For over six years, GAC Motor 

has been at the forefront of 

championing the course for the 

sports and entertainment 

industries in Nigeria - providing 

opportunities and supporting the 

dreams of Nigerians. 

''The GAC Motor, NFF 

partnership is the biggest 

sporting collaboration by an 

automobile sector and continues 

to hold promise for the future of 

Nigerian sports.'' 

CIG MOTORS AND NFF PARTNERSHIP: (Back row) Chief Diana Chen, 

Chairman, CIG Motors (left) and Mr Amaju Pinnick, NFF President watching 

the signing done by Mr Jubril Arogundade, General Manager, Commercial- 

CIG Motors (left) and Dr Mohammed Sanusi, General Secretary, NFF. 

BRIEFING: From left; Mr. Bello Sanni, Marketing Manager, Honda Place; Mr. 

Fegho Umunubo, CEO, XM Solution; Mr. Deepark Daryanani, Sales Director, Honda 

Place; Mr. Banji Oyeleye, Acting GM, Providence Hotel by Mantis; Mr. Remi Adams, 

Manager, Sales Marketing & Logistics and Tolu Ashiru, Territory Lead for South 

West, Enyo Retail and Supply at a press briefing for Honda/Providence partnership. 

LAUNCH: Managing Director of Gionee in Nigeria, Mr. Benneth 

Ekechukwu (1st right) and other staff of the company during the official 

launch of Gionee M12 in Lagos.

FG's action threat to tribunal witnesses 

— Pedro, SAN 

Lawal Pedro, SAN is a former Permanent Secretary, 

Ministry of Justice and Solicitor-General of Lagos 

State. In this interview, he speaks on the threat by federal 

government to go after the promoters of EndSARS 

protest across the country and the implication of such 

action. He also gave insight into the challenges before 

the various panels investigating cases of human 

right abuse by the disbanded SARS operatives. 

By Henry Ojelu 

What do you make of the 

recent threat by federal government 

to go after promoters 

of EndSARS? 

I am sure the government 

would make an excuse by saying 

they are not against promoters 

of lawful protest. The 

EndSARS protest as admitted 

by government is lawful and 

that is why they have acceded 

to the request forward by the 

protesters. I do not see any 

justification for going after the 

promoters of the protest. However 

if government has information 

that the promoters are 

the people that sponsored the 

hoodlums that hijacked the 

protest to launch violent attacks 

and destruction of private 

and public properties in 

Lagos and other parts of the 

country, then the government 

will be justified in going after 

those promoters that it suspects 

engaged in those illegal 

activities. 

By Onozure Dania 

John Odubela, SAN gives perspective 

on how FG should handle End- 

SARS promoters and protesters 

“I think the Federal Government 

needs to have a rethink on some of the 

steps that are being taken that can provoke 

the re-emergence of this group. You 

will recollect that the protests were well 

organized and non-violent until it was 

hijacked by those who became violent 

and started looting private shops, businesses 

and destroying government and 

private properties which all meaning 

Nigerians condemned. But I think the 

protesters of the EndSARS were very 

civil and at the time they presented their 

demands to the government, the government 

promised to look into their demands. 

“I think what the government needs 

to do is to engage them in discussions 

and see how some of their demands can 

#EndSARS Clampdown: 

But the various tribunals are 

already looking into some of 

these allegations? 

No, the tribunals are not 

looking into that aspect of the 

protest. The terms of reference 

of the various panels are limited 

in scope. My understanding 

is that the panels are to 

identify victims of abuse and 

extra-judicial killings by SARS 

officers, carry out inquiries in 

respect of complaints by members 

of the public, evaluate 

evidence provided and draw 

conclusions. They panel is 

also expected to make recommendations 

to government. So 

the role of the panels is limited. 

Government appears to be 

focusing more on going after 

perceived promoters of the 

protest instead of put motions 

in place to meet the demand 

of protesters. Is that a right 

priority? 

Like I said government has 

to be careful and differentiate 

between sponsors of Lekki 

protest, which they themselves 

have admitted is lawful, as 

against those they have evidence 

against that they actually 

promoted and sponsored 

those that engaged in vandalism. 

Unless federal government 

is able to show that these 

people were responsible or 

promoted the destruction of 

properties, then it is justified. 

But if it’s a blanket action, then 

it will be unlawful and unconstitutional 

for government to 

embark on such voyage. If 

government can identified that 

A or B, sponsored the burning 

of the High Court of Lagos, 

sponsored persons who 

burnt the NPA building, then 

it would be justified in taking 

these actions. But the government 

itself must be careful in 

dealing with this kind of matter. 

Those affected should not 

hesitate to go to court to enforce 

their rights. That is the 

way of the rule of law. The government 

has a responsibility 

and obligation to the generality 

of the people and the individuals 

too have their fundamental 

rights. If federal government 

cannot show that 

these people promoted destruction 

anywhere, then it has 

no business clamping down 

on their account. 

I believe this will also affect 

the tribunal sittings because 

people will now be afraid to 

give evidence. Some of them 

will reason that if government 

can go after their genuine 

be met and if there are mistakes made 

by them in the course of the protests the 

government can equally point them out 

to guide future occurrences. Because 

whether we like it or not the citizens have 

their rights to peaceful protests. The government 

is bound to protect and provide 

security for them in the course of the 

protests. What I still don’t understand 

is what the government wants to achieve 

when some of the promoters accounts 

are been frozen. 

“This in itself is a breach of the rights 

of such people except what the government 

is saying is that those accounts are 

suspect of some fraudulent activities and 

as such they want to investigate them. 

Even at that you can investigate without 

freezing such accounts. On the arrest 

of some promoters too I will believe 

it’s merely invitational so as to engage 

them except what the government is 

saying is that some crimes have been 

If federal government 

cannot show 

that these people 

promoted destruction 

anywhere, then 

it has no business 

clamping down on 

their accounts 

sponsors, then they are not 

safe. Their thinking would be 

‘'If people who have money 

and sponsored us against 

SARS, are being clamp down, 

what will happen to us in the 

next two to three weeks if we 

give evidence at the tribunal.” 

So I think the current government's 

decision to go after promoters 

of EndSARS will actually 

be counterproductive to 

the desired expectations from 

the tribunals. 

Without preempting the recommendations 

of the various 

tribunals, who do you think 

will bear the consequence of 

compensating victims of 


Lawal Pedro, SAN 

SARS brutality? 

That is the problem with the 

police architecture of our 

country. The name is Nigeria 

police; whether they put or 

remove force, the police is supposed 

to be the police of the 

federal government of Nigeria 

since we do not have state 

police. If in the course of duty, 

police commits an error, both 

the federal and the state government, 

could compensate 

the victims. We practice a federal 

police system, so for that 

reason, the first entity to be responsible 

is the federal government. 

In this case, it was 

at the mandate of the federal 

government that each of the 

states set up their panels, so 

there must be cooperation between 

the two otherwise victims 

will go uncompensated. 

What FG must do — Odubela, SAN 

committed by such people and for which 

the government can investigate and if 

established can prosecute. 

“So I believe we still require further 

details so as to know the true position 

and I believe the government owe the 

citizens such information because in the 

absence of such information coming 

from the government then people begin 

to carry false or fake news which are 

easily disseminated and could lead to 

unrest. On the on going probe panels I 

believe also that such details of arrest 

and the facts of the frozen of accounts 

can also be brought before the panels 

by those affected and I am sure appropriate 

decisions can be taking by the 

panels. So I am of the view that all parties 

need to calm down and allow the 

various panels to do their jobs and come 

out with appropriate recommendations 

that will prevent future occurrences of 

such. 

08152060944 

One of the youth representatives 

in the Lagos panel is 

currently a target of government 

clamp down. Would this 

affect the sitting of the panel? 

This is where sometimes I 

believe that government work 

at cross purpose. When the 

selection of youth representative 

for the Lagos panel was 

being done, nobody was aware 

that one of the persons selected 

would be a subject of investigation. 

I think the issue 

can easily be resolved and the 

person in question allowed to 

returning back to her role. Really 

if there are genuine protesters, 

those are the type of 

people that government 

should not go after. I believe 

that government must have 

done a blanket clampdown 

and when they finish investigation, 

they would let go of 

genuine protesters. The problem 

is with lack of investigation 

before carrying out action. 

Most people do not actually 

know how government operates 

and that is why government's 

actions are often misinterpreted. 

When things happen, 

government and police 

approach is to arrest everyone 

within the vicinity of the crime 

and then allow the suspects to 

prove their innocence. 

But is that not a wrong approach? 

I actually agree with you but 

I am only limiting the issue to 

our Nigerian factor where investigation 

commences with 

arrest. In Nigeria if you don’t 

like anyone, you just report 

that person to the police and 

he will be arrested. It is a Nigerian 

system which must be 

corrected. I am only telling 

you how the Nigerian security 

operatives operate. They 

just round everybody up and 

starting sifting them. That is a 

very wrong approach. 

Don’t you think that the 90 

days period within which the 

freeze order on EndSARS 

promoter’s account covers is 

improper? 

I don’t think the order was 

improper. The court simply 

said the order would last for 

90 days. The number of the 

days is actually irrelevant. The 

person who the order effects 

can actually go to the court to 

have the order set aside anytime. 

How optimists are you that 

the EndSARS tribunals will 

bring justice to victims of 

SARS brutality? 

I have faith in the various 

EnSARS tribunals. The point 

is, after recommendation, what 

happens? This is why the media 

must follow up and ensure 

that the recommendations are 

implemented. Once nobody is 

talking about the issue, the 

matter wll simply die. 

John Odubela, SAN 

C 

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08052202308 (sms only) 

#EndSARS: Nigeria won't emerge from 

employment implications soon — NECA 

Stories by Victor 

Ahiuma-Young 

MORE alarming details have 

continued to emerge on 

the negative consequences of 

looting, vandalism and burning of 

businesses by hoodlums who 

hijacked the #EndSARS protest 

to unleash mayhem on public and 

private facilities across Nigeria. 

One of the effects of the anarchy 

is its implication for job creation 

and job security, which the voice 

of business in the country; 

Nigeria Employers' Consultative 

Association, NECA, says will take 

a very long time for Nigeria to come 

out of the employment fallout of 

the destruction inflicted on 

businesses. 

Speaking on the implications for 

employment, President of NECA, 

Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, warned that the 

mayhem has compounded the 

nation's employment woe. 

Adeniyi had earlier informed 

that organized private sector, OPS, 

lost over N5 trillion to the looting 

and vandalism of businesses, 

lamented that some of the 

businesses were already having 

issues they were battling with 

before the looting and destruction 

and called for urgent government 

invention to checkmate the 

looming massive employment 

consequences of the #EndSARS 

protest crisis. 

He said "While the wanton 

destruction of properties and loss 

of lives were regrettable, the factors 

that led to the protest and 

eventual hijack by hooligans 

should not be lost on us as a people. 

Greater efforts should be made to 

promote creativity, innovation, 

technical and vocational skills 

development and enterprise 

competitiveness as a way out of 

the spiraling unemployment rate, 

poverty and social dysfunction that 

is bedeviling our nation. 

"There is no gainsaying that the 

recent events have deepened 

economic difficulties in the country, 

further increasing the risk of 

investment in the economy as well 

as lowering Nigeria's economic 

growth prospects according to the 

IMF. The Fund reiterated that the 

protest in the country is not just 

against police brutality, but also 

against unemployment and 

poverty. It further explained that 

the difficulties that came in the 

wake of the decline in oil prices in 

2015-16 in Nigeria have 

diminished the economic 

prospects in the country, and this 

dislocation has exerted pressure 

on standard of living, which fueled 

the protest. 

"Restoration of peace and order 

without which local and foreign 

investors will be deterred is now 

an immediate priority. . The 

Organised Private Sector of 

Nigeria (OPSN) is ready to work 

with all stakeholders in the private 

sector, government at all levels and 

other peace-loving Nigerians to 

restore peace and order. The 

proactive initiatives by the 

The Director General, NECA, Dr Timothy Olawale (left) and President, NECA, Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, at 

a briefing in Lagos on Tuesday. 

Governor of Lagos through wellthought 

out tax-breaks, grants 

and other financial assistance 

from other stakeholders, have 

increased the confidence of 

organized business that better 

days are ahead. 

"However, it is critical that 

further initiatives need to be 

urgently put in place to ensure a 

quick return to economic normalcy 

across the country. We 

therefore urge the Federal 

Government to, without delay; 

make public details of its 

planned support for the 

businesses that were affected. 

We recommend that deliberate 

bail-out funds for verified 

businesses affected by the 

NASSCO partners EU, ILO on social protection 

framework in Nigeria 

THE National Social Safety 

Nets Coordinating Office, 

NASSCO, in cooperation 

with the International Labour 

Organization, ILO, and the 

European Union is 

launching the project: 

"Strengthening and 

Expanding the National 

Social Registry (NSR) as a 

shock-responsive social 

protection system in Nigeria". 

Designed for an initial 

period of 12 months, the 

project brings a suite of 

technical support packages, 

funded by the European 

Union. The technical 

assistance to NASSCO and 

the Federal Ministry of 

Humanitarian Affairs, 

Disaster Management and 

Social Development is aimed 

at maximizing utilization and 

operability of Nigeria's 

National Social Register to 

reach vulnerable populations 

dealing with the economic 

effects of the Covid-19 

pandemic and situations 

requiring humanitarian 

assistance and social 

protection. 

The partnership between 

the Ministry, ILO and the EU 

comes at a crucial time in 

which Nigeria is taking large 

steps to fortify social protection. 

The economic impact of the 

pandemic has severed 

incomes and hurt businesses 

around the country, stretching 

social protection systems and 

mounting pressure on the 

government to come up with 

temporary income support. It 

has further emphasized the 

urgent need to have a 

comprehensive database in 

place to coordinate and 

harmonize all social protection 

interventions of federal, state 

and development partners. 

Strengthening the NSR is the 

central feature of this project. 

Currently, Nigeria's National 

Social Register (NSR) holds 4 

million poor and vulnerable 

households nationwide and 

provides a gateway for the poor 

to access basic income support. 

The NSR links to the Unified 

Register of Beneficiaries (URB) 

with records of internally 

displaced persons and will 

soon host a large data subset 

PETROLEUM 

and 

Natural Gas Senior Staff 

Association of Nigeria 

PENGASSAN, yesterday 

said a meeting it held with 

the Federal Government to 

resolve members' 

grievances was 

inconclusive. 

The association's 

President, Mr Felix Osifo, in 

a statement, said the 

meeting was inconclusive 

because the government 

was yet to address some of 

PENGASSAN's demands. 

PENGASSAN had 

Monday embarked on an 

indefinite strike, following 

expiration of an earlier 

seven-day ultimatum given 

to the government to accede 

to its demands. 

crisis as well as other 

programmes and interventions 

aimed at supporting these 

businesses to get back to 

production and remain sustainable 

and competitive in the long run, 

be urgently initiated. 

"While the additional window of 

penalty and interest waiver for 

businesses by the Federal Inland 

in the form of a Rapid 

Response Register that will 

target 2 million urban 

households impacted Covid- 

19. Nonetheless, the database 

still shows gaps in coverage 

and a limited flexibility. These 

challenges need to be 

addressed in order for the NSR 

to live up to its potential as a 

main vehicle for immediate 

relief and longer-term income 

support. 

Strengthening and 

expanding the NSR with the 

support of this project will go 

a long way to ensure that the 

poor and vulnerable 

Nigerians are fully registered 

and improve their access to 

social protection benefits. A 

Strike: Our meeting with FG inconclusive 

—- PENGASSAN 

Both government and the 

association had been in 

protracted disagreement over 

the latter's directive on 

registration of its members on 

the Integrated Payroll and 

Personnel Information 

System, IPPIS. 

According to him, 

"PENGASSAN maintained 

that Petroleum Training 

Institute and Petroleum 

Product Pricing Regulatory 

Agency, must be paid using 

the harmonised template of 

2015. 

"This has already been 

used by the budget office, 

appropriated by the National 

Assembly and signed by 

President Muhammadu 

Buhari into law. 

"Also, that a high-powered 

Revenue Services is 

commendable, what businesses 

really need at this critical period is 

substantial tax relief to enable 

them stay afloat and also keep 

productive activities going. It is in 

our national interest to enable 

businesses surmount the 

challenges of rising 

unemployment. 

comprehensive database can 

inform the design of 

appropriate interventions that 

target poor and vulnerable 

households and make them 

more effective and efficient. 

A NSR with wide 

coverage could also help to 

generate the funding 

streams needed to realize 

the President's commitment 

of lifting 100 million people 

out of poverty. Finally, by 

strengthening linkages 

with the humanitarian and 

early recovery nexus, as 

well as health insurance, 

the NSR can grow to 

become the tool for rapid 

and comprehensive income 

support and access to basic 

services. 

committee, comprising 

Nigeria Union of Petroleum 

and Natural Gas workers 

and PENGASSAN 

Presidents, should be raised 

to settle the outstanding 

issues surrounding the 

IPPIS platform. 

"For the 22 months salary 

arrears, government agreed 

to pay 50 per cent and that 

the balance would be 

worked out after Federation 

Accounts Allocation 

Committee has met. 

"PENGASSAN has 

agreed, but insisted that 

there should be a definite 

date for payment of the 

balance,'' he said. 

According to Osifo, the 

Union however, is expecting 

to hear from the panel soon. 

Ibrahim 

leads 

SSANU new 

leadership 

By Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru 

MEMBERS of Senior 

Staff Association of 

Nigeria Universities, 

SSANU, have elected. 

Mohammed Ibrahim, as 

President of the association 

to run the affairs of SSANU 

for the next four years. 

In a keenly contested 

election on Tuesday during 

the 2nd Quadrennial 

National Delegates 

Conference held in Abuja, 

Ibrahim, who was a former 

branch Chairman of the 

union at Modibbo Adama 

University of Technology, 

MAUTECH, Yola, scored 

501 votes to defeat his 

opponent, Comrade 

Solomon Affa, who scored 

392 votes. 

Alfa was the immediate 

past Vice President 

representing North before 

the election. The position 

of the Deputy President was 

won by Dr. Leku Ador Laku 

from University of Calabar 

with 512 votes against his 

challenger who polled over 

390 votes. 

Other members of the 

National Administrative 

Council, NAC of SSANU 

are Audu Isa, Vice 

President, North East, 

Abdussobor Salaam, Vice 

President, West, Ken 

Njoku, Vice President, 

South East, Abdulmalik 

Yunus, Vice President 

North West, Azuma 

Chetan, Vice President 

South-South and 

Emmanuel Nyiyongo, Vice 

President, North Central. 

Others are Emmanuel 

Item, National Treasurer, 

M. J. Akanbi, National 

Financial Secretary, Jafar 

Bage known as 

Fundamental, National 

Public Relations Officer, 

Aliyu Adamu, National 

Internal Auditor, Agnes Nti, 

Women leader and 

Remilekun Sanni, Deputy 

Women leader. In his 

acceptance speech after 

being declared winner of 

the election by the 

Chairman of the Electoral 

Committee, Dr. Linus 

Akata, the new President, 

Comrade Ibrahim 

described his emergence as 

divinely ordained. 

Mohammed Ibrahim.




BIRTHDAY: From left—Dr. Dele Ashiru, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Lagos 

branch; Pa Fred Agbeyegbe, Poet and Play writer; Chief Ayo Opadokun, Chairman of the occasion; Comrade 

Linus Ezeala Okoroji, celebrant; his wife, Mercy and Mr Ndubuisi Ofondu representing Rear Admiral Ndubuisi 

Kanu (retd), during Comrade Linus Okoroji's 70th birthday anniversary lecture in Lagos, yesteday Photo: Lamidi 

Bamidele. 

Enugu govt commences measures to 

combat yellow fever 

ENUGU—ENUGU State 

government said it has 

commenced immediate 

mass vaccination for Yellow 

Fever in Ette and Umuopu 

communities in Igbo-Eze 

North Local Government 

Area of the state, after confirmation 

of the outbreak of 

the disease in the areas. 

The state government also 

stated that it has commenced 

the immediate fumigation of 

the affected communities 

against the mosquito vector 

with the appropriate chemicals 

as well as the “activation 

of the Enugu State Ministry 

of Health Emergency 

Operations Centre for Yellow 

Fever”. 

In a statement issued by 

the Commissioner for 

Health, Dr. Emmanuel Ikechukwu 

Obi, the state government 

disclosed that it has 

begun Active Case Surveillance 

to obtain necessary information 

on the epidemic 

for further decision making. 

A medical team from the 

State Ministry of Health, led 

by the Health Commissioner, 

Dr. Obi and officers of 

Enugu State Fire Service, 

also led by the Chief Fire Officer, 

Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, 

were in the affected communities 

yesterday, to commence 

vaccination and fumigation 

exercises, respectively. 

Dr. Obi added that the government 

has prepositioned 

General Hospital Ogrute 

Enugu-Ezike, commenced 

treatment with Ambulance 

Service for emergency and 

“constitution of the Enugu 

State Multi-Sectorial Technical 

Working Group for the 

Yellow Fever Epidemic”. 

The health commissioner 

pointed out that the state 

government has embarked 

on risk communication in the 

affected communities and 

has formally notified “the 

Federal Ministry of Health, 

Nigerian Centre for Disease 

Control (NCDC), National 

Primary Health Care Development 

Agency (NPHCDA), 

•Embarks on mass vaccination, 

fumigation of affected communities 

and the National Arbovirus 

and Vectors Research Centre 

for a sustained response 

since yellow fever has also 

been reported in other states 

in Nigeria”. 

Disclosing that the measures 

were in compliance 

with the directives of Governor 

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of 

Enugu State and in line with 

laid down guidelines to combat 

such epidemic, Dr. Obi 

said: “We thank the Traditional 

Rulers, Religious 

Leaders, Presidents General 

of Town Unions, other 

stakeholders and the good 

people of Enugu State who 

have in so many ways contributed 

to this expedited response 

to the epidemic in 

Enugu State”. 

He therefore advised the 

public that: “If you have been 

recently vaccinated against 

yellow fever, you do not 

need to be vaccinated again. 

Yellow fever is transmitted 

through mosquito bites, thus 

remove its breeding sites 

around you. If you are not 

feeling well, please visit a 

nearby hospital.” 

Obi sues for more investment, rejuvenation 

of STEM education in Nigeria 

VICE PRESIDENTIAL 

Candidate of the People’s 

Democratic Party, PDP, 

in 2019 elections, Mr Peter 

Obi, has called for more financial 

and intellectual investments 

in STEM education 

in the country with an 

appeal to the youths to take 

STEM learning and opportunities 

more seriously. 

Speaking in a message to 

commemorate World Science 

Day for Peace and Development, 

themed 'Science for 

and with Society' celebrated 

on November 10, Obi stated 

that STEM (Science, Technology, 

Engineering and 

Mathematics) education in 

Nigeria lacked the required 

Emmanuel Ezike, met with 

the chairman. 

He said that the empowerment 

would last for four 

years and would be actualized 

by having five thousand 

youths from each of 

the oil producing local government 

areas. 

The statement further explained 

that: "We have 

urged the youths not to engage 

themselves in any act 

of violence, hooliganism or 

allow themselves to be 

used as agents of destruction 

by anybody as the 

present government has 

good intentions for them 

.We have promised to return 

the past glory of the 

funding needed to drive 

scientific growth and development 

in the country. 

Obi opined that economic 

progress largely depends 

on innovation, invention, 

development and 

profusion of new technologies, 

which are borne out 

of scientific research. He argued, 

therefore, that STEM 

plays a direct role in driving 

economic progress, little wonder 

why STEM-oriented 

economies perform strongly 

on a wide range of economic 

indicators. 

“I agree with Vannevar 

Bush when he said ‘There 

must be a stream of new scientific 

knowledge to turn 

15,000 youths in oil communities to be empowered 

—ISOPADEC 

By Chinonso Alozie 

OWERRI—THE chair 

man of the Imo State 

Oil Producing Areas Development 

Commission, ISO- 

PADEC, yesterday, said 

that it has planned for the 

empowerment of 15,000 

(Fifteen thousand) youths 

of the oil communities. 

The chairman of the commission, 

Charles Orie, stated 

this through a statement 

by his Special Adviser on 

Media and Publicity, Damian 

Opara, when the Orlu 

Zonal Youth Movement, 

led by the coordinator, Mr 

oil producing areas that will 

guarantee peace, unity and 

sustainable developments 

of the areas. 

"Through our planned 

skill acquisition programme, 

creation of employment 

through agricultural 

programmes, youths 

empowerment of more 

15000 youths from the oil 

producing areas and the introduction 

of sustainable 

scholarship programmes 

for youths and other programmes, 

we shall help in 

taking most of the youths 

out of the streets. It will be 

five thousand from each of 

the oil local government areas 

for four years." 

the wheels of private and 

public enterprises. There 

must be plenty of men and 

women trained in science 

and technology, for upon 

them depend both the creation 

of new knowledge 

and its application to practical 

purposes’. Science and 

Technology are the main 

drivers of innovation and 

development which propels 

economic growth”, Obi 

said. 

He however lamented 

that Nigeria lags behind in 

the area of Science, Technology, 

Engineering and 

Mathematics, resulting 

from poverty, poor school 

funding, waning interest in 

STEM education from 

youths, poorly trained teachers 

and inadequate learning 

aids, among others. Obi said 

that ‘some Nigerian youths 

are largely uninspired to 

pursue their passion in 

STEM related fields, thereby 

leaving them unprepared 

for the opportunities and 

challenges of the 21st century 

world’. 

Obi called on the Federal 

Government to take necessary 

steps to reanimate STEM education 

in Nigeria, by way of 

better funding, provision of 

conducive environment for 

scientific research and development 

and employment 

of well-trained teachers 

in such areas. He said 

by so doing, Nigeria would 

be well positioned to scientific 

and technological advancements 

and drive the 

economy forward. 

Ebonyi NYSC camp offers 

free COVID-19 tests for corps 

members, officials 

By Peter Okutu 

ABAKALIKI—THE Na 

tional Youth Service 

Corps (NYSC) in Ebonyi 

State has opened its orientation 

camps for the Batch B 

Stream 1A with strict adherence 

to Covid-19 protocols. 

The Public Relations Officer 

of the corps in Ebonyi 

State, Ngozi Ukwuoma confirmed 

this to newsmen in 

Abakaliki. 

She said the Old MacGregor 

College Permanent Orientation 

camp in the state 

opened on Monday with 

free Covid-19 tests for all staff 

and prospective corps members. 

According to her, all camp 

officials including the State 

Coordinator, Mercy Bamai 

and all prospective corps 

members took the COVID 

19 tests before they were allowed 

into the camp. 

"All other Covid-19 safety 

protocols are strictly adhered 

to here on camp by the members 

of the camp 

community",she said. 

Mrs Bamai in her own reaction 

said that due to the 

Covid-19 protocol which stipulates 

social distancing, the 

number of prospective corps 

members deployed to the 

state is lower from what is 

used to be in the past. 

"We are expecting about 

650 prospective corps members 

unlike before when we 

used to have between 1000 

to 2000 corps members", she 

said. 

She said the situation also 

affected the registration process 

as it was staggered so 

as to maintain the safety protocols. 

"The registration which 

started on Monday is to last 

till Friday as we staggered it 

so as to maintain social distancing 

and to avoid crowding 

at any given time", she 

said. 

Anambra 2021: Labour Party'll 

unseat APGA —Nnoruka 

By Chimaobi 

Nwaiwu 

NNEWI—A Labour Party, 

LP, governorship aspirant 

in the November 2021 gubernatorial 

election in Anambra 

State, retired Group Captain 

Nnamdi Nnoruka, yesterday, 

said that the party is fully 

on ground to unseat the ruling 

All Progressive Grand Alliance, 

APGA, and take over 

the seat of power in Anambra 

State which the Peoples Democratic 

Party, PDP, and All Progressives 

Congress, APC, has 

not been able to do for almost 

twelve years. 

Addressing newsmen during 

an interactive section in Onitsha, 

Rtd. Group Captain 

Nnoruka, said that LP is the 

party that will bring the state 

out of the woods it presently 

found itself under the APGA 

government of Governor Willie 

Obiano. 

He said that the ward chapters 

of LP, have become active 

like never before, fully energized 

and are ready for the 

forthcoming gubernatorial 

election in the state. 

Imo lawmaker dumps APC for PDP 

By Chinonso Alozie 

OWERRI—A lawmaker 

representing Orlu state 

constituency at the Imo State 

House of Assembly, Paschal 

Okolie, yesterday, dumped 

the All Progressives Congress, 

APC, for the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP. 

This was contained in a 

letter he signed and addressed 

to the Speaker of the 

Imo State House of Assembly, 

Chiji Collins which was 

read on the floor of the 

House. 

His reasons for abandoning 

the APC for the PDP was 

not made known in the letter 

Ḣowever, Vanguard discovered 

that Okolie was one 

of those who had earlier 

"I am very happy that I am 

coming through the LP. Nationally 

speaking, the LP is the 

third largest party in Nigeria 

after Peoples Democratic Party, 

PDP, and All Progressives 

Congress, APC, and at the 

state level, it is erroneous to 

classify LP as one of the weak 

parties. 

"I used to be in PDP like 

many other people who had 

something to do with politics 

but over the years, PDP has 

shown itsself to be the most 

undemocratic party in Africa. 

Lack of internal democracy 

has been responsible for the 

party's inability since after the 

1999 and after the short tenure 

of Senator Chris Ngige to 

be able to install a government 

in Anambra State. 

"If you ask me, I will tell 

you that PDP is supposed to 

have installed the government 

in Anambra State, but because 

of lack of internal democracy, 

they have not been able to 

install the government and LP 

is set to do what PDP, APC and 

other parties have not been 

able to do for over twelve 

years in the state." 

dumped PDP, the platform 

on which they were formally 

elected and joined the 

APC. 

Vanguard was told that the 

recent drama may not be 

unconnected with his 2023 

political ambition of negotiating 

for a second term. 

Some of his loyalists said 

that his chances of clinching 

the ticket of APC for the 

House of Assembly would be 

doomed should he continue 

to remain in APC. 

They said: "We can't understand 

what is happening in 

APC, that is why we encouraged 

him to leave and join 

back the PDP. The second 

term ticket is not the only 

problem. There are other issues 

we can't tell you now."




AWARD: From right: Mrs. Edith Arinze, wife of the publisher, Yes International magazine, presenting the 

Outstanding Experiential Agency of the Year award won by Route 712 Agency to Omoniyi Olasunkanmi, Business 

Executive and Keke Kolawole Raji, Project/Operations Manager, both of Route 712 agency, during the the 2020 

Classic Africa Merit Award in Lagos. With them (left) is Sir Olawale Okunniyi, Director General, Nigeria 

Political Summit Group and Convener, National Consultative Front. 

It's unlawful for Zamfara to control gold 

—Okowa 

By Emma Amaize, 

Regional Editor, 

South-South, Festus 

Ahon & Perez 

Brisibe 

ASABA—GOVERNOR of 

Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi 

Okowa, yesterday said no 

law of the country permits Zamfara 

State Government to control 

and manage gold deposits 

in the state, noting the governors 

of South-South region will 

soon take up the matter with 

the Federal Government. 

Okowa, who spoke at his 

2020 quarterly media interaction 

in Asaba, the state capital, 

maintained that what Zamfara 

state government was doing 

was clearly an illegality, warning 

that if the matter was not 

properly addressed, South - 

South governors would have no 

option than to assume control 

of oil and gas in their states. 

The governor, who asserted 

that South-South governors 

believe in restructuring and resource 

control, hinted that governors 

of the oil- rich region, 

ministers, lawmakers and other 

stakeholders would meet, 

Friday, at Port-Harcourt, Rivers 

state, to deliberate and take 

position on the matter and other 

issues. 

He also applauded the efforts 

of the South-South Governors 

who he said though could do 

better, were already doing very 

well amidst the challenges they 

face in the development of their 

respective states. 

According to him, "South- 

South governors before now 

have been talking about the 

need for restructuring and need 

for resource control, obviously 

we are on that because we feel 

there is the need to restructure 

not only the country, but the 

management of resources. 

"But as at today, there are acts 

in the National Assembly that 

• S-South govs to take up matter with FG 

• Berates those questioning mgt of 13% derivation 

guide the issue of oil production 

and with the solid minerals, 

those are not covered in 

these acts and obviously, this is 

already a sore point in our nation's 

governance system and 

we hope to express this very 

strongly during the meeting 

taking place in Portharcourt on 

Friday. 

"We cannot apply laws in our 

nation to the point that it becomes 

discriminatory because 

if people are allowed to process 

for their solid minerals, they 

should also be allowed to do 

same for their oil. So we are 

going to be very hard and try to 

make our voice as strong as possible 

during the meeting. 

"I believe that at some point 

in time, these discriminatory 

tendencies will have to be revisited 

in our nation at some 

point in time." 

Speaking on the demands 

of oil bearing communities in 

the state to manage the 13 

percent derivation accrued to 

them, the governor said: "I 

think it's important that we put 

our energy in the right direction, 

because people have the 

wrong concepts on what needs 

to be done. 

"I'm not a lawyer, but I believe 

that the constitution is 

very straight forward on how 

derivation monies should be 

handled and who should handle 

it. 

"What we are doing as at today 

is to drive the process in the 

PIB where the oil bearing communities 

will have some leverages 

and be provided for in the 

law which allows them to have 

a percentage that will help them 

to strengthen the relationship 

between them and the oil companies. 

"This is because if every community 

rises and say they want 

to control their resources, Nigeria 

will eventually become a 

banana republic and their will 

be no control, hence no country 

or state. 

"Take a look at Delta State 

for instance, there are 20 or 21 

LGAs that are oil producing, if 

every community tries to control 

its own, am sure that the 

crisis and battles that will come 

out of it will be beyond our control. 

"Though people have their 

views and they have the rights 

to such views, it is for us to follow 

the constitutionality and 

the laws of the land at the moment. 

I believe that having voted 

governors and lawmakers, 

we should allow them manage 

these resources and if they are 

not doing enough, we can vote 

them out in the next four years. 

"Besides, it's not a question 

of I want to manage the 13 

percent, they ought to say they 

want to manage the 100 percent. 

What about the 87percent 

being shared among other 

States in the country? 

"You did not push for the 

87percent but it's the 13 percent 

coming to the state that 

#EndSARS: Man who lost truck demands 

N10m compensation 

By Gabriel 

Enogholase 

BENIN — A man who lost 

his truck to #EndSARS 

protest in Benin Mr. Pius Ebhodaghe 

has approached the 

Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry 

to seek financial compensation 

worth N10m from the 

state government. 

Speaking with Journalists 

yesterday in Benin through his 

counsel, chief Matthew Ukpebor 

after addressing the panelists, 

he said that his truck was 

mistaken by suspected hoodlums 

for government property 

who descended on it until it was 

burnt completely. 

He said, "They mistook it for 

Omoyibo donates N5m for procurement of drugs 

in Isoko South health centres 

By Ochuko Akuopha 

OLEH—CHIEF Executive 

Officer of Dantinajo Gold 

Resort Limited, Oleh, Daniel 

Omoyibo, has donated the sum 

of N5 million to Isoko South 

Local Government Area, Delta 

State, for the procurement of 

drugs for health centres in the 

council area. 

Omoyibo made the donation 

shortly after the Isoko South 

Legislative Arm presented him 

an award of recognition for his 

antecedents in development and 

philanthropic outreaches to the 

vulnerable and less privileged. 

Receiving the award, Omoyibo, 

expressed gratitude to the 

legislative arm for finding him 

worthy of the award and said 

the gesture would spur him to 

do more to promote growth and 

development across Isoko land. 

Earlier while presenting the 

award on behalf of his colleagues, 

Rt. Hon Andrew Odoh, 

noted that Omoyibo had distinguished 

himself in the service of 

humanity and putting smiles on 

the faces of the down trodden. 

He noted Omoyibo had contributed 

immensely in promoting 

peace andb unity 

you want to manage, it does 

not make sense. Unfortunately, 

people just want to be heard 

and noticed. 

"And by the time the governor's 

are talking on their own, 

you are getting a group of 

communities talking and 

those ones have a different 

view point. By the time this 

division is created, what then 

happens? They will say we are 

singing in different tones, that 

you do not have a collective 

voice on the managemnt of 

resources in your region. 

"And this will divert the attention 

of adequate restructuring 

of the country the way we 

ought to talk about it. So there 

is a lot of politics going on, 

but I believe the governors of 

the South-South are doing 

well enough and having visited 

most states in the country, I 

can affirm that the South- 

South governors are indeed 

doing very well amidst the 

challenges we have to manage." 

government property. Even 

when they were prevented by 

third parties not to burn it, they 

said that it is Edo State government 

name that is inscribed on 

its body and as such,it belongs 

to the Edo State government 

whereas it was a directive given 

to all the environmental managers 

like Mr. Pius Ebhodaghe 

who is assigned to zone 58, 

around Ikpoba Hill to inscribe 

the name of the government 

on it". 

He said his vehicle would 

not have been burnt if it was 

not bearing the name of the 

state government. Now that it 

has been destroyed, the bank 

is on his neck, asking him to 

Have confidence in our prosperity 

agenda, Diri tells Bayelsans 

By Samuel 

Oyadongha 

Y ENAGOA—BAYELSA 

State Governor, Senator 

Douye Diri has urged the 

people of the state to have 

implicit confidence in his 

administration's poverty alleviation 

scheme tagged 

"Diri Boost" to enhance the 

economic fortunes of the 

state. 

Diri, who made the call on 

Wednesday at the State Executive 

Council meeting in 

Yenagoa, stressed that the 

scheme is intended to enable 

the people create economic 

value out of the vast 

agricultural and commercial 

potentialities in the state. 

Represented by his Deputy, 

Senator Lawrence 

Ewhrudjakpo at the meeting, 

he urged Bayelsans to 

shun baseless rumours 

about the interventionist 

programme, noting that administrative 

bottlenecks 

were responsible for the 

delay in the kick-off of the 

Diri Boost Scheme. 

He called on those who 

applied for the Diri Boost 

Scheme to be patient as they 

would soon be engaged to 

transform the agricultural 

sector and better their lot. 

His words: "We want to 

DESIEC earmarks N1.47b for LG 

polls 

By Festus Ahon 

ASABA —DELTA State In 

dependent Electoral 

Commission, DESIEC has 

proposed N1,147,000,000 for 

the conduct of the forthcoming 

local government councils 

election in the state. 

The Chairman of the Commission, 

Chief Mike Ogbodu 

pay up the borrowed loan. 

"That is what informed their 

decision to set it on fire and 

watch it burn to ashes. He is 

therefore, a victim of the 

#EndSARS protest because if 

not for that, he has been operating 

for well over four years 

and parking his vehicle at the 

strategic location where he 

worked and suddenly because 

of this protest and the anger 

they have against the government 

and the police, they set 

it on fire. 

"That is why we have come 

here to ask the Panel to graciously 

look into it, recommend 

adequate compensation 

to him because he is the 

one that is in pain financially 

on the account of it. 

thank Bayelsans for their 

understanding and we are 

asking for more understanding 

and support. 

"Let us not give any attention 

to those rumours out 

there, Governor Diri means 

prosperity, and this government 

also means prosperity. 

"Nobody should be in 

doubt as to the determination 

of this government to 

pursue the prosperity agenda 

having had a good foundation 

from restoration. 

"The delay in the Diri 

Boost is as a result of administrative 

bottlenecks 

which are natural and as 

soon as they are cleared, 

Diri Boost will kick off." 

While emphasizing the 

need for the people to keep 

faith with his administration, 

Diri promised to leverage on 

the achievements of past administrations 

to bring prosperity 

to Bayelsans. 

He used the occasion to 

sympathize with those affected 

by this year's flood, 

saying government is taking 

steps to cushion the effect 

of the menace through 

the relevant ministries and 

agencies to identify with 

impacted communities 

across the state. 

who disclosed this while defending 

the 2021 budget proposal 

before the State House 

of Assembly Committee on Establishment, 

Ethics and Privileges, 

said the election would 

hold early next year. 

Ogbodu explained that 

N900 million was being proposed 

for the conduct of the elections, 

adding that N247 million 

was for related activities, including 

legal matters, post election 

seminars, trainings among 

others. 

Briefing the House Committee 

members on the activities 

of the Commission in the 2020 

fiscal year as well as its projections 

for 2021, he said the 

Commission was already putting 

measures in place towards 

achieving seamless local government 

election in the State. 

He stated that the Commission 

was already considering 

possible date early next year for 

the proposed local government 

election in the State, hence the 

proposed amount to be captured 

in the 2021 Appropriation 

law. 

While stating that N32.5 million 

limit given to the Commission 

to spend as capital expenditure 

for 2021 was inadequate, 

he stressed the need for 

it to be increased amongst 

other demands. 

Urhobo forum backs Ijaw for governorship 

A 

GROUP under the aus 

pices of Urhobo Ethnic 

Assurance Forum, UEAF, 

yesterday, backed the Ijaw 

nation for the 2023 Delta state 

governorship election. 

The group in a statement 

signed by Comrade Friday 

Omoisi said in the year 

1999 to 2007, when Ex- 

Governor, James Onanefe 

Ibori, contested and won 

his election on two consecutive 

tenures, the Ijaw nation 

stood strongly behind 

Delta central and gave 

them massive support. 

Omoisi, speaking further 

said in the year 2007 to 

2015, the Ijaw nation 

again stood firmly and 

gave their full supports for 

Delta South when the immediate 

past governor, Dr. 

Emmanuel Uduaghan contested 

for the governorship 

position. 

He said in 2015 to 2019, 

the Ijaw nation again in 

their usual way supported 

Delta North for the candidature 

of Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur 

Okowa, the present governor 

of Delta state. 

The statement reads, 

"Now that the Ijaw nation 

is warming up for the governorship 

of the state, it is 

expected that Urhobo nation 

reciprocate by giving 

massive support to the Ijaw 

nation.




BALARABE MUSA GOES HOME: From left; The Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque Sheikh 

Ahmed Mahmood Gunmi; Peoples Redemption Party, PRP National Chairman, Professor 

Sule Bello; Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Alhaji Adamu Fika, SSG to former Kaduna State 

governor, Alhaji Balarabe Lawal and former Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Ramalan Yero at 

the burial of Alhaji Balarabe Musa in Kaduna yesterday. Photos: Olu Ajayi. 

From left; Alhaji Sagir Balarabe Musa [son of the deceased]; 

Senator Shehu Sani and Mr Matamoki Tom Mayashi at the burial. 

Buhari, Jonathan, Obasanjo, govs, Tinubu, others mourn 

as Balarabe Musa dies at 84 

By Victor Ahiuma-Young, 

Henry Umoru, Johnbosco 

Agbakwuru, Omeiza Ajayi, 

Chris Ochayi, Peter Duru, 

By Abdulmumin Murtala, 

James Ogunnaike & 

Ibrahim HassanWuyo 

ELDER statesman and 

Second Republic Governor of old 

Kaduna State, Abdulkadir Bàlàrabe 

Musa, is dead. 

Musa, who died at age 84, was the 

National Leader of Peoples Redemption 

Party, PRP, and a highly-respected 

politician. 

One of his sons, Kallamu Balarabe- 

Musa, confirmed the death of the propeople 

former governor at his residence 

in Kaduna. 

He has since been buried in line with 

Islamic rites after funeral prayer at the 

Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna. 

Musa was born on August 21, 1936 in 

Kaya, Kaduna State. 

He studied at Zaria Middle School from 

1947 to 1952 and at the Institute of 

Administration, Zaria, 1952 to 1953. 

Musa, who was an accounts clerk and 

a school teacher, held various managerial 

positions related to accountancy from 

1960 to 1976, while studying at different 

colleges in London to gain additional 

qualifications. 

He was elected governor of the old 

Kaduna State in 1979 on the platform of 

the PRP, a party founded by late Mallam 

Aminu Kano. 

Buhari mourns 

Reacting to his death, President 

Muhammadu Buhari, expressed 

sadness, in a statement by his Senior 

Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, 

Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “President 

Buhari believes Alhaji Musa reflected 

the passion and vigour that heralded 

Nigeria’s independence, which steadily 

translated into activism for return to 

democracy at the height of military 

interregnum and has remained steadfast 

in the call for good and inclusive 

governance. 

“As the former governor goes home, 

the President affirms that he left a bold 

footprint on Nigeria’s democracy, and his 

role in promoting good governance and 

development will always be remembered 

and appreciated by posterity.” 

The President prayed that the almighty 

God will grant his soul eternal rest, and 

comfort his family, friends and associates. 

Jonathan condoles 

Also, former President Goodluck Ebele 

Jonathan in a condolence message to 

the government and people of Kaduna 

State, described Musa as a sincere 

politician who protected the interest of 

the people. 

The former President said: “Alhaji 

Balarabe Musa was a sincere and 

committed patriot and statesman who 

held fast to people-oriented progressive 

ideals throughout his political life. 

“As a democrat, Musa avoided 

convenient politics and was passionate 

and courageous about his views. He was 

a highly principled man who relentlessly 

pursued his beliefs, even at the risk of 

suffering personal and career setbacks.” 

He was a patriot — Obasanjo 

Similarly, former President, Olusegun 

Obasanjo, described late Musa as a 

patriot, whose death he received with 

deep shock. 

In a statement by his Special Assistant 

on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo 

said the late former governor, had 

unwavering belief in a greater Nigeria. 

“And, he accordingly gave the best of 

his remarkable talent and ability in 

DELSU student’s demise: Provost 

sues for calm 

OLEH—PROVOST 

of 

Delta State University Oleh 

Campus, Professor Ifoghale Amata, has 

appealed to students of the institution 

to remain calm over the death of Mr. 

Jeffery Omatsayi, a final year Law student 

who drowned in the swimming pool of a 

hotel in a nearby community. 

The provost who intervened in a 

planned protest by students of the 

institution, described the incident as 

shocking, saying that the circumstances 

surrounding the death of the student 

was unknown. 

Speaking to newsmen on the 

development, Amata stated that the 

students had embarked on a candle light 

procession to mourn their deceased 

colleague. He appealed to them to seek 

justice and avoid violence breakdown of 

law and order. 

Meanwhile, President of Student 

Union Government of the campus, 

Comrade O. Innocent expressed sadness 

at the incident and said aggrieved 

students of the institution want to know 

the cause of Omatseyi’s death at the 

hotel. 

He maintained that the statement 

from the hotel management and the 

police are conflicting, stressing that an 

“Ijaw boy” cannot die in a swimming 

pool of two feet. 

Innocent reiterated that justice 

must be allowed to prevail, 

emphasizing that the students want 

to know how their colleague died. 

pursuit of this goal,” Obasanjo said. 

“He brought renewed activism, verve 

and resourcefulness to bear on the 

nation’s polity,” Obasanjo disclosed. 

A principled politician 

— Senate President 

In the same vein, President of the 

Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan described 

him as a principled political leader who 

throughout his life consistently 

championed the cause of the masses. 

In a statement by his Special Adviser, 

Media, Ola Awoniyi, the President of the 

Senate said the former governor shunned 

material benefits and remained constant 

on the path of his convictions all through 

his long and illustrious political career. 

Kaduna proud of Musa, says El-Rufai 

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna 

State said his government was proud of 

the public service the second republic 

governor rendered to the state and its 

people.Expressing sadness over his 

demise, 

A statement made his available by 

Special Adviser on Media and 

Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, 

el-Rufai noted that “Alhaji Balarabe Musa 

will be remembered as a progressive 

politician who tried in his time as governor 

to expand the horizons of opportunity for 

ordinary people.” 

According to the governor, the 

deceased “made notable contributions to 

industrializing the state. As a leader, he 

demonstrated at the ballot box, the 

capacity of a political party devoted to the 

protection of the interest of ordinary 

people to acquire power democratically. 

As private citizen, he projected the 

qualities of principled politics, decency, 

integrity, consistency and commitment 

to improving the lives of our ‘talakawa’ in 

Kaduna State and Nigeria.” 

Musa’s death, a huge loss 

— Ortom 

On his part, Governor Samuel Ortom 

of Benue State, described his death as a 

huge loss to the country. 

Governor Ortom in a statement, by his 

Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, also 

described the deceased as a true patriot 

who made his views known on national 

issues in an unbiased manner and 

contributed in several other ways to 

nation building. 

Great loss for downtrodden 

— Ganduje 

Similarly, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje 

of Kano State, described the death of 

Balarabe Musa, as a great loss to Nigeria, 

democracy and the downtrodden. 

Ganduje in a condolence message, said 

“We received with shock and sadness, 

the news of the death of Malam Balarabe 

Musa, who passed away when Nigeria 

needed him the most.” 

Nigeria’s democracy, according to the 

governor “Was moulded by the likes of 

the former governor. Not only Nigerian 

democracy, Africa’s transition to 

democracy in the last decades, benefited 

immensely from Balarabe Musa’s indepth 

concern for the downtrodden 

ones.” 

ACF mourns 

For The Arewa Consultative Forum, 

ACF, its National Publicity Secretary, Mr 

Emmanuel Yawe, said: “Balarabe Musa 

was an active member of the Northern 

Elements Progressively Union. 

“In the second republic he again 

teamed up with his old comrades in 

NEPU and their leader, Malam Aminu 

Kano to form PRP, on whose ticket he 

was elected Kaduna State governor. 

Principled progressive politician 

— Tinubu 

Reacting, All Progressives Congress, 

APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola 

Tinubu, described him as principled and 

committed progressive politician. 

In a condolence message by his Media 

Office and signed by Mr. Tunde Rahman, 

Tinubu said: “The passing on Wednesday 

of Alhaji Balarabe Musa, is saddening. 

His demise is a blow to the progressives 

and all others committed to the sociopolitical 

development of the country. 

“Alhaji Musa was a statesman and a 

principled and committed progressive 

politician. He was very uncompromising. 

He stood unwaveringly by his 

convictions. Even at the height of his 

impeachment by the NPN-controlled 

Kaduna State House of Assembly in 

Boko Haram: Zulum approves 100 

motorcycles for army’s remote operations 

By Ndahi Marama 

M 

A I D U G U R I — 

GOVERNOR Babagana 

Zulum, yesterday approved the donation 

of 100 motorcycles for army’s remote 

operations in Borno, directing the 

Attorney General and Commissioner of 

Justice, Kaka Shehu Lawan to provide 

the motorcycles immediately. 

Zulum announced the intervention at 

a brief ceremony in Maiduguri attended 

by military commanding officers from 

Operation Lafiya Dole, leading the fight 

against Boko Haram. 

The Governor at the occasion, 

commissioned about 400 members of the 

Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, enlisted 

into the Nigerian Army’s supper camp 

strategy in the fight against insurgency 

in Borno. 

The 400 of CJTF are in the first 

batch of the recruitment while 

subsequent batches of the exercise 

will continue soon, it was 

announced. 

1981,he remained steadfast and refused 

to be cowed to betray his principles. 

A selfless leader-Textile workers 

Also reacting, National Union of 

Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers 

of Nigeria, NUTGTWN, expressed 

sadness over his death 

In a statement by its President, John 

Adaji and Acting Secretary, Ali Baba, the 

union said among others, said “ Alhaji 

Balarabe Musa stood for democracy and 

good governance. He also stood for a 

united, peaceful and prosperous 

Nigeria. He was a selfless leader with 

principle and remarkable integrity. 

“The Nigeria labour movement in 

particular will forever remember him as 

the first governor under PRP together 

with the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi of 

Kano State to implement the minimum 

wage in their states and to declare May- 

Day.” 

Exemplifies good principles in 

governance — Aremu 

Also reacting, Vice President of 

IndustriALL Global Union, Issa Aremu, 

in a condolence message, said among 

others ''He was also my political mentor 

as a budding progressive politician. 

Alhaji Balarabe in 2019 in Kaduna was 

the first to endorse my Labour Party (LP) 

candidature for Kwara State 

governorship (in his words “99 per cent, 

but would have been 100 % if you are 

contesting under PRP platform” 

“I bear posthumous witness that 

Nigeria, Africa and progressive world had 

lost an audacious principled selfless 

statesman.'' 

Zulum promised to continually support 

the Nigerian military, and volunteers 

including hunters, vigilantes and the 

CJTF, in sustained effort to attain peace 

and security. 

He said his administration was 

planning the reconstruction of more 

towns and villages, which he noted could 

not be possible without adequate 

security. 

Zulum reiterated his call on the 

insurgents hiding in Sambisa forest and 

bushes in the fringes of the Lake Chad 

to lay down their arms and surrender. 

According to him, “For those that 

are still in the bush, terrorizing 

innocent lives and destroying 

properties, I call upon all of them to 

surrender. You are killing your 

brothers and sisters, destroying your 

own infrastructures that were built 

using money generated through tax 

from your forefathers. Today we have 

all seen the level of devastation, 

nobody is been left, we are all 

affected in one way or another.”

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Nigerian female politicians 

laud Kamala Harris 

Mufuliat Fijabi, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian 

Women’s Trust Fund, NWTF 

By Ebunoluwa Sessou & Victoria Ojeme 

THERE are many 

lessons. It shows 

that the role of 

female candidates and 

voters are important in an 

election. Women mobilized 

to vote for Biden and 

Kamala. This Mobilization 

Taiwo Olukemi Oluga, of the All 

Progressive Congress (APC), Chairman, 

House of Committee on Women in 

Parliament, 

THE House of 

Representatives has 

proposed a gender 

parity policy for elective 

positions in the ongoing 

constitutional amendment 

helped a lot. Secondly, blacks 

voted 87 percent for Biden 

and Kamala. It is also 

instructive that people vote 

for many reasons because the 

election was keenly 

contested. 

It certainly shows that 

before the National 

Assembly. 

The new proposed 

amendment to the 

1999 Constitution will 

ensure that if the 

President is a male, the 

Vice President will be 

a female and vice 

versa. The amendment 

will have effect in all 

elective positions such 

the governorship 

election in the states. 

We are proposing a 

50-50 situation where 

we have a man as the 

President or the 

Governor, the Deputy 

or the Vice President 

should be a woman,” 

she said. 

“We want to get that 

into our constitution. 

Once we take the 

figure that we have as 

our advantage, we are 

not just going around 

advocating, we are not 

making noise , enough 

of the entire noise making. 

That is why we want to get it 

through legislative approach. 

Let’s constitutionalise it then 

we work towards it. 

It took the United States of 

America as civilised as they are 

there is light at the end of 

the tunnel. Female 

politicians globally should 

be hopeful and sustain the 

momentum. 

Yes Nigerian women have 

the qualities to be VP and 

President although 

the challenges are many to 

overcome: they include 

Funding, violence, cultural 

biases, stigmatization, and 

institutional factors of 

political parties 

As we know today, 

women are participating 

more actively in politics 

than ever before as a result 

of political reawakening 

and awareness. Some of the 

Challenges female 

politicians may likely 

encounter are Lack of 

resources, insufficient 

political strength and vision, 

stigmatization, political 

violence and many more 

which may scare the female 

politicians away. 

The playing field is not 

level as female 

politicians have to compete 

with male politicians who 

have money, networks and 

godfathers. However, 

women can’t afford to give 

up. The focus should be on 

affirmative action and 

greater participation and 

representation of women in 

governance 

over 200 years to get a 

woman, Kamala Harris in 

such an esteemed and high 

office. Nigeria’s will not be up 

to that in terms of the number 

of years for the country to 

achieve and produce the first 

female President or first 

female Governor. 

I give kudos to our Speaker, 

Femi Gbajabiamila and the 

leadership of the House for 

making all the women at this 

9th Assembly to be part of 

constitutional review 

committee that is ongoing. 

“I want to encourage all the 

women out there that it is our 

time and we are going to 

celebrate again. 

Nigerian women are not 

doing bad at all, we just need 

a little more projection, a 

little more push then we are 

up there. 

Politics in Nigeria has been 

dominated by the male folk. 

We are just coming out of this 

and we are going to get there. 

Gradually I believe we can do 

more by advocating. We 

should not limit ourselves. 

I am challenging all the 

youth to try and align 

themselves; you must be part 

of the system from the grass 

root. 

Pauline Tallen, Nigerian 

minister of Women Affairs 

KAMALA Harris made 

history as the first 

female, first black and 

first Asian-American US vicepresident-elect. 

Democratic 

presidential candidate Joe Biden 

chose the California senator as 

his running mate. 

Also, Esther Agbaje became 

the first Nigerian-American 

elected to the Minnesota 

legislature. She won by a 

landslide, scoring a total of 

17,396 votes, which represents 

74.7% of the total ballots cast. 

Americans have spoken and 

demonstrated the value women 

bring to 

governance as 

Kamara Harris 

emerges not just 

as the first woman 

but as the first 

black woman to be 

elected Vice 

President of 

America." 

She said their 

emergence is a 

further affirmation 

that it is the time 

for women to take 

their rightful place 

in all governance 

processes. 

As we celebrate 

this victory, let this 

be a wake up call to 

nations and 

particularly to 

women around 

the globe; that this 

is indeed a new 

dawn where only 

the participation 

of women in the global political 

space can change and shape 

the economies of Nations; 

including Nigeria. 

"In Nigeria, the victory of the 

35 years old Ms. Esther Agbaje 

as the first Nigerian-American 

in the Minnesota legislature is 

heartwarming and deserving 

of our celebration. 

Behalf of Nigerian Women 

and the girl-child, I see a 

renewed hope for women in 

the Nigerian political space . 

I am confident of better days 

ahead for the women and 

youth of this country," the 

Minister said in the statement 

issued today. 

Adefulire woos Nigerians’ 

support t on SGDs 

….As Okoli, Awosika, Ogunsola, Abayomi, Iluyomade 

sue for vigilance, unity in face of COVID-19 

L-R: Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Convener, 

Arise Women Conference, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, Senior Special Adviser to 

the President on Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, Mrs. Adejoke 

Adefulire during the just concluded Arise Women Conference in Lagos 

By Ebunoluwa Sessou 

SENIOR Special Adviser to 

the President on 

Sustainable Development 

Goals, SDGs, Mrs. Adejoke 

Adefulire has called for the 

support of Nigerians in achieving 

the SDGs by 2030. 

Adefulire who spoke with 

journalists during the 2020 

Arise Women Conference 

recently, reiterated that 

the universal call to action to end 

poverty, protect the planet as 

well as ensure all people enjoy 

peace and prosperity is crucial 

at a time like this. 

On her part, the Convener, 

Arise Women Conference, Dr. 

Siju Iluyomade promised that 

the organisation will not relent 

in the forefront of delivering on 

the 17 Sustainable 

Development Goals within its 

reach. 

According to her, the 

Conference is followed up with 

empowerment programmes 

and social amenities like 

hospitals, School buildings, IT 

Continues on page 39


UN launches Generation Equality 

Campaign in Nigeria 

Amina Mohammed 

By Victoria Ojeme 

ABUJA: The United 

Nations Deputy 

Secretary-General, 

Amina Mohammed has 

inaugurated the global 

Generation Equality 

Campaign in Abuja, Nigeria. 

The campaign is to raise 

awareness about the Agenda 

of the Beijing Platform for 

Adefulire woos Nigerians’ support t on SGDs 

….As Okoli, Awosika, Ogunsola, Abayomi, Iluyomade 

sue for vigilance, unity in face of COVID-19 

Continues from page 38 

centres and many more, in 

some parts of the country. 

This year’s edition saw notable 

personalities like the chairman 

of Access Bank Plc, Dr 

Ajoritsedere Awosika, Mrs Stella 

Okoli, CEO, Emzor 

Pharmaceutical, Professor, Akin 

Abayomi, Commissioner of 

Health, Lagos State, Tomi Coker 

Commissioner of Health Ogun 

State among many other notable 

individuals. 

According to her, this year’s 

Arise Women conference was 

also organised to applaud health 

workers who worked tirelessly 

to fight the novel coronavirus, 

COVID-19. 

Iluyomade who spoke on the 

theme, Deeply Rooted, #Staying 

Alive disclosed that the year 

2020 has been challenging and 

stormy. 

“Statistics as at October 22 had 

shown that an estimated 41.3 

million people had been infected 

with a lethal virus called COVID- 

19, killing 1.13 million people in 

the world”, she lamented. 

While applauding doctors, 

Action and foster intergenerational 

exchange and 

dialogue to empower a new 

generation of women’s rights 

activists. 

It demands equal pay, equal 

sharing of unpaid care and 

domestic work, an end to 

sexual harassment and all 

forms of violence against 

women and girls. 

According to the UN Deputy 

Chief, “Nigeria has made 

nurses, technicians as well as 

frontliners, who wore sheer 

courage to face the challenges, 

she also spoke on the religious 

persons who stood in the place 

of prayer day and night, pleading 

the cause of the masses before 

the Almighty God. 

Iluyomade stated that the 

foundation will continuously 

partner with different sectors in 

the quest to end poverty and 

other deprivations and demands 

strategic planning and impact 

from various other sectors. 

“There is an urgent need to 

improve healthcare delivery, 

education, infrastructural 

development, unemployment, 

gender inequality to spur 

economic growth, most 

especially amongst women. 

On health, she lamented 

millions of people die yearly of 

non-communicable, treatable 

conditions including 

cardiovascular disease, chronic 

respiratory disease, lack of 

immunization, malaria, cancer, 

diabetes. 

“We need to propel our 

country in the right direction, 

making use of the opportunity 

important strides in areas 

addressing critical concerns 

identified at the 1995 Beijing 

Declaration and Platform for 

Action.” 

The Beijing Declaration was 

a resolution adopted by the 

UN at the end of the Fourth 

World Conference on Women 

on 15th September 1995. The 

resolution was adopted to 

promulgate a set of principles 

The quality 

and level of 

our 

education is 

critical to the 

generational 

equality 

agenda 

concerning the equality of men 

and women. 

Mohammed commended the 

UN and its entities for Gender 

Equality and Women 

empowerment. She said the 

UN Women is boldly pushing 

the agenda on Sustainable 

Development Goals,SDGs 5 

which “is a prerequisite and 

enabler for a better world.” 

“The quality and level of our 

education is critical to the 

generational equality 

agenda. 

“Closing the gender parity 

gap in education, or at least 

70 per cent of girls in Nigeria 

in attendance is an important 

achievement; however, less 

than 10 per cent are receiving 

tertiary education. 

“It is after all, to this 

of both our trials and triumphs”, 

she added. 

On his part, Akin Abayomi, 

Commissioner for Health, Lagos 

State, appreciated the Arise 

Women team for their support 

during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

According to him, Lagos state 

is vulnerable due to the 

population density. 

He maintained that COVID-19 

is still on rampage, urging 

Lagosians not to relent as many 

countries are experiencing 

2 nd and 3 rd wave. 

According to him, Lagos state 

is trying its best to avoid 2 nd wave 

especially in the state and Nigeria 

in general 

His counterpart, Dr. Tomi 

Coker, Commissioner for Health, 

Ogun state, called on Nigerians 

to be cautious of their health as 

it is not only COVID-19 that is 

taking its toll on humanity. 

In her contribution, 

Chairperson, Access Bank Plc, 

Dr. Dere Awosika urged 

Nigerians to be rooted and seek 

the face of God for a better 

relationship. 

Also, Prof. Sade Ogunsola, 

Acting Vice Chancellor, 

UNILAG, called for a sober 

reflection on the nation. 

generation that we entrust the 

future of our commitments and 

future generations,” 

Mohammed said. 

She added that the 

importance of safe, inclusive 

and resilient communities has 

been made abundantly clear by 

the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She said that women have 

been on the medical frontlines, 

leading businesses, creating 

and providing critical 

palliatives and emergency 

support for vulnerable 

communities. 

She said: “it is 

commendable that 12 states 

across Nigeria have already 

signed the national action 

plans on the UN Security 

Council resolution 1325”. 

In his opening remarks, the 

UN Representative to Nigeria 

Edward Kallon called on 

Nigeria to find lasting 

solutions to issues that have to 

do with women and girls. 

According to Kallon, “the life 

of a woman is not 

interchangeable and they need 

to be protected.” 

Also speaking, the Minister 

of Women Affairs, Dame 

Pauline Tallen called on the 

UN Women to increase 

EXECUTIVE Secre 

tary, Lagos State 

House of Assembly 

Service Commission, LAHAS- 

COM, Ms. Abosede Adekoya 

Lambo has bagged the Lagos 

State Long Service Merit 

Award. 

Lambo has been in civil service 

for not less than 30 years. 

She and other Permanent 

Secretaries were awarded at 

the event held at Adeyemi 

Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja. 

The merit award, according 

to Lagos State Head of Service, 

Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola, 

was in furtherance of the 

conscious and deliberate celebration 

of diligence, commitment, 

hard work and loyalty, 

among public servants in 

the state as a way of expressing 

government’s apprecia- 

awareness and advocacy for 

an end to all forms gender 

inequalities in Nigeria. 

In her good will message, 

British High Commissioner to 

Nigeria, Catriona Laing 

expressed her sadness that 

Nigeria is being held back 

towards youth development. 

According to her “It is sad to 

see how much is being held 

back in Nigeria. We are here 

to ensure that Nigerian youths 

achieve their goals.” 

It takes many forms 

including stereotypes defining 

femininity and masculinity, 

men’s control of decisionmaking 

limiting women’s 

independence and male 

disrespect of women which 

may result in violence. 

Violence against women 

affects women’s physical, 

mental and reproductive 

health and families. 

The Generation Equality 

campaign aims for a world in 

which men and women are 

paid equally and there is 

equal participation in political 

life and in decision making in 

all areas of life. This can help 

break the cycle of genderbased 

violence. 

LAHASCOM ES bags Lagos 

long service merit award 

By Ebunoluwa Sessou 

Ms. Abosede Adekoya Lambo 

tion and gratitude to select 

members of its workforce. 

According to him, the 

award was basically to reward 

public servants who 

have meritoriously served 

the state in the last 30 years 

and above, adding that the 

gesture was aimed at further 

encouraging awardees and 

other staff to continue to do 

their best in the service of the 

state. 

His words: “My advice to all 

awardees is that you should 

not rest on your oars, but 

continue to exhibit high 

sense of responsibility, commitment 

to duty and unalloyed 

loyalty which today’s 

recognition and celebration 

have been designed to reward. 

“Accordingly, I enjoin all 

Public Servants in Lagos 

State to keep up the good attitude 

to work and continually 

perform your 

job to further the 

successful implementation 

of the 

T.H.E.M.E.S agenda 

of the present administration,” 

Muri- 

Okunola said. 

He however commended 

the State 

Governor, Mr Babajide 

Sanwo-Olu for 

upholding the 

award which 

marked the 14th 

edition this year, 

saying it was on 

record that the Governor 

had displayed 

strong commitment 

to welfare of the 

workforce in the 

state.

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018773962, 

08052867058 

IKPEAZU VISITS SANWO-OLU—From left: Abia State 

Commissioners: Kalu Uduma (Budget and Planning); Dr. Aham Uko 

(Finance); Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; Lagos State Governor, 

Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Head of Service, 

Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola; Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice, 

Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN) during a courtesy visit by the Abia State 

Governor at Lagos House, Alausa,, yesterday. 

Ohanaeze, Afenifere, NBA 

M-Belt, others blast Akeredolu 

Continues from Page 5 

rather a confirmation that 

there is something fundamentally 

dysfunctional in 

our governance mechanism. 

If we look earnestly, 

we can see that universities 

are still on strike. Medical 

workers are also on strike 

in some states. These 

should serve as pointers 

that we need to rework our 

governance mechanism 

and make them mass 

participatory and all 

inclusive so we can move 

forward together as one.’’ 

Akeredolu shouldn’t 

lend his voice to 

tyranny – Afenifere 

Reacting to Akeredolu’s 

position, the pan-Yoruba 

socio-political organization, 

Afenifere, warned the 

governor against throwing 

his weight behind tyranny. 

Afenifere’s National 

Publicity Secretary, Mr. 

Yinka Odumakin said: 

“The governor was a 

President of NBA, who 

should not lend his weight 

to tyranny. He is backing 

illegal freezing of 

constitutionally recognized 

protesters accounts while 

the Attorney General of the 

Federation, AGF, Mr. 

Malami is asking the 

United Arab Emirates, 

UAE, to give him records 

of trials of Nigerian Boko 

Haram funders in UAE so 

he can determine whether 

justice was done. I don’t 

think Mr. Governor with his 

pedigree would say 

indiscriminate freezing of 

accounts like a junta is an 

idea of justice. 

“We expect his 

(Akeredolu’s) media 

people to say he was not 

quoted correctly as we 

don’t see him as one of 

these fascist elements 

riding roughshod over the 

country.” 

M-Belt Forum 

berates Akeredolu 

The Middle Belt Forum, 

MBF, said that Governor 

Akeredolu was working 

against the Nigerian 

constitution for endorsing 

the ongoing prosecution of 

members of #EndSARS 

protesters and supporters 

by the Federal Government 

National President of the 

Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, in 

a telephone conversation 

with Vanguard in Abuja, 

described the governor’s 

position as very sad and 

tantamount to what 

obtained in autocratic 

environment. 

Naira depreciates to N467.5/ 

$ in parallel market 

By Elizabeth Adegbesan 

THE Naira, yesterday, depreciated to N467.5 per 

dollar 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 

rose to N467.5 per dollar from N463.5 per dollar on 

Tuesday , indicating four naira depreciation of the 

naira. 

Similarly, the naira yesterday depreciated by 16 kobo 

in the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window. Data 

from FMDQ showed that the indicative exchange rate 

for the window rose to N385.83 kobo per dollar from 

N385.67 per dollar on Tuesday, translating to 16 kobo 

depreciation of the naira. 

The volume of dollars (turnover) traded in the 

window rose by 46 percent to $205.05 million from 

$140.95 million on Tuesday. 

His words: “Is he 

(Akeredolu) saying they 

should be prosecuted? That 

is very sad. It is sad; it 

means he is not even a 

democrat. He is not living 

in democracy. He is living 

in authoritarian 

government and not 

democracy. 

“In a democracy, we have 

legitimate right to 

peacefully protest against 

the things that the 

government is doing that is 

not right. It is allowed in 

our constitution. Anybody 

going against the 

constitution of the country 

is going against our 

democracy, whether he is 

a governor or whoever he 

is.’’ 

Linking protesters 

with acts of terror 

won’t stand – NBA 

Publicity Secretary of the 

Nigerian Bar Association, 

NBA, Dr. Ralph Nduka, 

said though Akeredolu 

might have spoken from 

informed position, many 

Nigerians doubt the 

government and its' 

workers. 

“The Governor of Ondo 

State is cerebral. I believe 

that whenever he speaks he 

speaks from an informed 

position. But then, the 

average Nigerian finds it 

difficult to believe the 

government and those 

acting on its behalf. The 

timing of all these actions 

speak volumes. People 

protested peacefully 

(which the law allows), the 

government gave an 

impression that they’ve 

heard the complaints of the 

protesters, the protesters 

were skeptical and 

demanded that concrete 

steps be taken. 

‘’Up till date, nothing 

concrete has been set in 

motion to address their 

agitations, except to hound 

some visible protesters. 

Does it give an impression 

that our government 

actually listened to the 

issues raised by the 

protesters? Definitely not. 

The average observer will 

simply conclude that the 

government sees any 

raised voice as a dissident 

voice and thus will ensure 

that no voice speaks up 

against any wrong going 

on in the society. 

“This is sad. This 

unfortunately cannot be 

explained away. Nobody 

will buy any story linking 

the protesters with acts of 

terror.” 

Treat issue with 

utmost care, 

PANDEF tells FG 

The National Chairman 

of the Pan Niger Delta 

Forum, PANDEF, and 

former military 

administrator of Akwa Ibom 

State, Air Commodore 

Idongesit Nkanga, retd, 

advised the Federal 

Government to treat the 

#EndSARS protest issue 

with utmost care, 

regardless of what any 

governor or anybody says. 

Nkanga made the 

assertion yesterday while 

reacting to the statement by 

Ondo State governor, 

Rotimi Akeredolu, that 

there was nothing wrong in 

freezing the bank accounts 

of #EndSARS protesters. 

His words: “Let’s be very 

honest. Some of the 

governors cannot stand up 

for the rights of their people 

in this country. They stand 

up and say things that will 

fester their nest. Maybe 

they have something they 

are looking for from the 

central government or from 

the party in the centre, so 

they have to play down the 

issue at the detriment of 

their people. 

“And the destiny of this 

country I’m afraid is not in 

the hands of governors. If 

we leave it in the hands of 

the governors, we may 

have cause to lament. We 

don’t know how some of 

them got into power, so they 

have to play to the gallery 

sometimes. 

“My advice is for the 

Federal Government to 

make sure they treat this 

issue with utmost care. 

Those young men that 

protested stated their 

reason, so the Federal 

Government should make 

sure it does what is right, 

regardless of what a 

governor or anybody for that 

matter says, so we don’t 

have a second wave of the 

crisis." 

Court grants 5 Abuja 

# E n d S A R S 

protesters, female 

journalist bail 

Meanwhile, a Chief 

Magistrates’ Court in Wuse 

zone 2, Abuja, yesterday 

granted bail to five 

#EndSARS protesters who 

were arrested by security 

forces at the National 

Assembly as they were 

rounding off their protest 

demanding widespread 

governmental reforms. 

Also, granted bail was 

Oluwatosin Adeniji,a 

female journalist, who was 

covering the demonstration 

last Friday. 

The six are to appear in 

court on January 25, 2020 

for trial. 

The five male protesters 

were identified as Yaziru 

Bashiru, Abdulsalam 

Suberu, Kabiru Gazali, 

Paul Akinwunmi, and Davo 

Chomo. 

Chief Magistrate, 

Abdulrazak Eneye, 

granted the six youths bail 

after hearing the 

application by their 

counsel. 

Lawyer for the remanded 

six, Tope Akinyode, had 

presented an oral 

application, seeking the 

court to grant them bail. 

However, the magistrate 

in charge of their case 

decided to strike out the 

lawyer’s oral application for 

bail, demanding that they 

present a written request. 

In granting the six youths 

bail to the tune of N50,000 

each, Eneye stated that they 

must present six sureties. 

Last week, the court had 

remanded the five 

protesters and one 

journalist on “allegations of 

unlawful assembly and 

wanting to disburb societal 

peace.” 

You can’t kill 

#ENDSARS with 

terror, SMBLF tells 

Buhari 

The Southern and 

Middle Belt Leaders 

Forum, SMBLF, yesterday, 

tackled President 

Muhammadu Buhari over 

the clampdown on the 

EndSARS protesters, 

warning that the president 

cannot kill the protesters’ 

demands with terror. 

In a joint statement by 

Yinka Odumakin (South 

West), Chief Guy Ikokwu 

(South East), Senator 

Bassey Henshaw (South- 

South) and Dr Isuwa Dogo 

(Middle-Belt), the leaders 

also warned the Presidency 

that “Mafia means and 

state terror can’t give good 

outcome as we have gone 

past that stage.” 

The statement read: “We 

did not miss the projection 

when we interpreted 

President Buhari’s regrets 

of his accepting the 

#EndSARS demands 

quickly as being seen as a 

sign of weakness in his last 

broadcast as a declaration 

that he would bare his 

fangs and ruthlessly deal 

with the protesters after the 

unwarranted and wicked 

killings of some of them at 

Lekki Toll Gate and other 

places. 

“In a clear demonstration 

that the people except those 

who fawn around him have 

forfeited the confidence of 

his government, we have 

not missed all the divisive 

and repressive steps the 

Federal Government has 

taken so far after the dust 

settled. 

“Let us state clearly first 

that we are not in any way 

impressed by the belated 

and after-thought measure 

of sending some Kaduna 

delegates like the Chief of 

Staff and the IGP round the 

non-Arewa sections of the 

country with a script to 

manipulate support for the 

ruthless killings of our 

young people and the 

barbaric desire to clamp 

down on social media as we 

have seen in the 

communiques of the safaris 

to the South-East and 

South-West. We see the 

denial by Oyo Governor, 

Engr Seyi Makinde that 

the South-West did not 

canvass the clampdown on 

social media as a signal 

that the foot soldiers of the 

regime are deceiving 

themselves to colour the 

good points our people 

made at those sessions 

with the stinking 

propaganda of deluded 

colonial lords in Abuja. 

“If we had a proper 

government, what should 

be happening now is 

proper healing and 

ensuring we do not have 

to go through that route 

again. 

“But as if implementing 

the unreleased decisions of 

the sectional and divisive 

Kaduna meeting, we have 

seen the branding of the 

protesters with all kinds of 

odious propaganda the 

latest being the CBN 

Governor labeling them 

‘terrorists.’ He should have 

a proper definition of 

terrorism serving a 

government that was once 

accused of paying €3m to 

Boko Haram by WSJ and 

whose governors pose 

every now and then with 

bandits they are cuddling. 

“The various jail houses 

across the country are 

reportedly filled with 

detained #EndSARS 

protesters in a Gulag 

Archipelago style by the 

tyrannical use of state 

power that led to the crisis 

showing those who are the 

problem cannot bring 

solution. 

“There have been reports 

of preventing leaders and 

supporters of the protest 

from traveling and alleged 

seizures of their traveling 

documents and freezing of 

their bank accounts without 

court process at a time the 

Attorney General of the 

Federation is asking UAE 

authorities to give him the 

records of trials of six 

Nigerian Boko Haram 

funders convicted in that 

country by the highest 

court so he can certify 

whether justice was done 

or not. 

“We will be interested in 

knowing how money is 

wired to Boko Haram 

without the knowledge of 

our CBN. 

"We stand with all the 

innocent young Nigerians 

that the regime is 

persecuting without trial at 

this moment without 

flinching as our laws deem 

every accused person 

innocent until convicted by 

the law." 

Freezing their 

accounts may trigger 

another protest – 

Ohanaeze 

Indeed, Ohanaeze 

Ndigbo, specifically picked 

holes in the freezing of 

bank accounts of key 

members on the 

#EndSARS movement by 

the Federal Government. 

Ohanaeze warned that 

such action could trigger 

another protest no one 

knows how it would end. 

In a joint statement, 

Acting Secretary General of 

Ohanaeze, Prince Uche 

Achi-Ogbaga, and Emeka 

Attamah, Media Adviser to 

Continues on Page 43

42 — Vanguard, , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

UI: When selecting new VC pits academic 

against non-academic staff 

By Adesina Wahab & 

Deola Badru 

WHO becomes the next Vice 

Chancellor of the 

University of Ibadan, UI, has 

pitted academic against nonacademic 

staff in the premier 

university, with each side poised for 

war over the selection process. 

The faceoff started when nonacademic 

staff, that is members of 

the Senior Staff Association of 

Nigerian Universities, SSANU 

and those of the Non-Academic 

Staff Union, NASU, disrupted the 

process of selecting a new Vice 

Chancellor for the institution, as 

they accused the outgoing VC, 

Prof. Idowu Olayinka, of trying to 

impose a candidate of his choice 

on the institution. 

Specifically, the workers, who 

shut all gates leading to the 

university when members of the 

Governing Council were about to 

conclude their screening process 

and thereby disrupted the exercise, 

alleged that Olayinka is planinng 

to impose one of his deputies, Prof. 

Kayode Adebowale, on the 

institution. 

Adebowale is one of the six 

shortlisted candidates that were 

billed to meet the members of the 

Governing Council, so as to prune 

down the list of contenders to three, 

but the protest by the workers 

aborted the exercise. 

The SSANU Chairman, Mr. 

Wale Akinremi, who spoke on 

behalf of the workers, alleged that 

the outgoing VC had shown that 

he would try to impose his 

preferred candidate on the 

institution's workforce. 

Public 

property 

He said: "University of Ibadan is 

a public property we must protect, 

no matter how big you are. Those 

that are on the Council through 

election within, majority of them 

got there through manipulated 

and fraudulent electoral process. 

The whole of the workforce will 

never work with Prof. Adebowale. 

Let their agents tell them, the 

media should tell the Federal 

Government of Nigeria, they must 

cancel the process, we must restart. 

Prof Olayinka must handover to 

an Acting VC who is unbiased, 

who will be free, who will not 

manipulate the electoral process." 

Reacting to the incident, the 

Chairman of the Governing 

Council, Nde Joshua Waklek, said 

the Council would discharge its 

duties without fear or favour, 

adding that because of the 

development, the selection process 

had been put on hold. He added 

that the Council had no preferred 

candidate among the aspirants. 

He urged the unions to go about 

making their demands in legal 

and constitutional way. 

Describing the action of the nonacademic 

staff as unnecessary, the 

Senate of the university said their 

action did not represent the wishes 

and aspirations of the university. 

The Senate at a meeting 

attended by 188 members held 

inside the International 

Conference Centre, also 

lambasted the workers for their 

action. 

Prof. Oluyemisi Bsmigbose 

(SAN), who presented the 

resolutions of the Senate, said the 

actions of the workers was an 

embarrassment to the Council, 

adding that unions had no role to 

play in the appointment of Vice 

Chancellor. 

She declared that the Senate 

affirmed the process of the 

appointment of the Vice- 

Chancellor thus far, adding that it 

was in line with the extant laws. 

The Senate added that the 

process should continue and be 

concluded forthwith without any 

delay. Not only this, the Senate 

recommended normal university 

disciplinary procedures for the 

erring staff with immediate effect. 

Some members of the Senate 

were appointed to visit the 

Minister of Education with a copy 

of the resolution taken at the 

meeting. 

in their reply, the non-academic 

staff said members of the Senate 

that met were not the true reflection 

of the Senate of the institution. 

In a speech titled: "A Response to 

the So-called Senate Meeting 

Resolution of 4th November, 2020," 

the JAC Chairman, Mr. Wale 

Akinremi, who described the 

Senate meeting as a drama, said: 

"The meeting was a political 

meeting of Olayinka Peoples Party. 

Our Senate can never be a 

meddlesome interloper, petty and 

infantile." 

He described as empty, the threat 

by the Senate to discipline 

members of the unions found 

wanting in any way. 

He said: "You don’t stop someone 

that is free from a macabre dance 

in the market place. Their threat 

By Elizabeth Osayande 

WITH the economies around 

the world recovering from the 

effects of the outbreak of COVID-19 

pandemic, an expert has said there will 

be a shift to a learner-centered system 

that will marry continuous learning 

with technology at all levels in ways 

never seen before. 

This is because the COVID-19 pandemic 

has brought to the fore fault lines, 

particularly within the education space 

requiring educators, learners and parents 

alike to be aware of the realities 

that existed across the spectrum before 

the pandemic. 

Angela Nganga, Education Lead, 

Middle East & Africa Emerging Markets 

at Microsoft who revealed this at 

a recent event said: "Educators and 

institutions need to realise that the onesize-fits-all 

approach to education that 

existed for hundreds of years has to go 

through an ‘unprecedented shift’ from 

a culture of teaching to a culture of learning. 

The reality of it is that educators 

were and have also been placed into 

unfamiliar territory where more societal 

and technological factors to eas- 

is empty and shallow. It cannot fly 

or go anywhere. So, why do we 

have to dissipate energy on that?" 

"They do not have a right to sit 

on our matter in the first place. 

Senate is meant for purely 

academic matters. That was why 

we stated and answered them in 

parables that we do not belong to 

their class. We are non-teaching 

members of staff but they all know 

that we are well-read. Some of us 

attended better institutions than 

the majority of them. 

On the claim that the unions 

didn’t have a say in the selection of 

the VC, he said: “Is that not 

contrary to logic? You have a say 

as Nigerians? All Nigerians have 

a say in anything public. We do not 

say we will directly appoint a Vice- 

Chancellor, we didn’t say that 

either copiously or inadvertently. 

But we have the right to call the 

attention of the management to 

our observations. 

"What we made was an 

observation but because they have 

•The Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University, LASU, Prof. Olanrewaju 

Fagbohun, SAN (left) and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, TETfund, 

Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, during the visit of TETfund board 

members and directors to LASU. 

Technology will aid learner-centred education — Expert 

ing learners into the new normal needed 

to be explored – a first for many. 

"Governments, institutions and individuals 

began to band together, navigating 

the ‘unsettled zone’ where issues 

and questions involve getting access to 

the right technology, communication 

management and equity i.e. access to 

devices and connectivity – through to 

the ‘learning zone’, where issues include 

enabling continuous learning, provid- 

AN educationist, and principal 

of Lekki British School, Mr. 

Ben Greyling, has advocated for the 

adoption of total education concept 

in high school curriculum in the 

country. 

Mr. Greyling, who was speaking 

to newsmen in Lagos, stated that total 

education concept entails that high 

school curriculum should embrace 

both academic tutorials and skills 

acquisition side by side to prepare 

school leavers adequately and make 

them all-round complete products 

for the challenging world. 

issues with democratic tenets, they 

think that they can force things on 

everybody because they are used 

to bullying everybody and we will 

not fall for that." 

He also denied the accusations 

that the union members pelted 

members of the Council during the 

protest, noting that: "Let the 

Council member that was pelted 

come out to say it to our face." 

The six remaining contenders for 

the position are Prof. Femi 

Mimiko of the Obafemi Awolowo 

University, Ile Ife, Osun State. 

Others are Adebowale, a former 

DVC, Abideen Aderinto, Olusegun 

Ademowo, Olatunde Farombi and 

Babatunde Salako, all of whom 

are from the University of Ibadan. 

The list of aspirants would have 

been prunned down by the Waklekled 

panel which also had Sir Ben 

Okoronkwo, Dr (Ms) Uchena Uba 

who is representing the Federal 

Ministry of Education, Prof. 

Ezekiel Ayoola and Prof. Peter 

Olapegba. 

ing support to students who lack independent 

skills as well and providing 

support to parents of students as well. 

The global response we have seen within 

the spheres of education at all levels 

has demonstrated how technology can 

help transform how we teach and learn. 

This powerful shift to a learner-centered 

system will be amplified by technology 

and driven by education that is steeped 

in purpose and meaning." 

Northern Youth 

Parliament confers 

award on Ewenla 

NORTHERN Youth Parlia 

ment has conferred an award 

on the Chief Executive Officer of Ultimate 

Health Management Services, 

Chief Lekan Ewenla. The Speaker of 

the Northern Youth Parliament, Aminu 

Maiturare, said the award, ‘The Epitome 

of Hope of Northern Youth,” was 

conferred on Ewenla because of his love 

for the masses, the education of young 

ones and the unity of the country. 

He advised other elite to “take the 

unity of Nigeria to be sacrosanct irrespective 

of religion, ethics or regional 

differences. “I advise the youth to be 

tolerant of each other and embrace 

peace as the country needs us. We constitute 

70 per cent of the population of 

the country. We can even change the 

fate of the country. We can decide who 

can rule this country. But first we have 

to tolarate each other at any cost.” 

On his part, Ewenla advised youths 

to stand for the truth and shun any form 

of violence. He said the youth should 

continue to develop themselves and 

resist being used to foment trouble. 

We are preparing all 

round students 

— Principal, British 

Oasis Academy 

By Mary Obaebor 

THE Principal, British Oasis 

Academy, Abuja, Mr. James 

A. Olawale, has said the school's 

focus to prepare its students 

academically, morally and in arts 

and other extra curricular 

activities is to make the students 

citizens of the world who will be 

well-equipped for the challenges 

of the future. 

Olawale, who spoke on what the 

school has to offer, noted that 

education is more than sitting in 

a clasroom and being taught a 

particular subject. 

“The oasis is the water point in 

the desert. We need to be able to 

provide education services in this 

location and fertilize the lives of 

the young ones by way of 

preparing them for the future in a 

very expansive way. The school 

is a specially built up boarding 

system providing a world class 

education to students from year 7 

to 12 with a high level of pastoral 

support as well as academic 

excellence in a safe environment 

conducive for learning. 

"With the school’s passion of 

discovering and nurturing the 

hidden potential in every student 

in our care, learning goes beyond 

lessons. We offer a vast array of 

exciting activities and 

opportunities to help our students 

develop and become inquisitive. 

Our students are also encouraged 

to develop in a much broader 

sense through technology, ICT, 

music, arts, sports and other cocurricular 

activities. Above all, 

they are helped to imbibe good 

moral character, acquire social 

confidence and responsibility," he 

stressed. 

Educationist advocates total education concept in schools 

According to him, the essence of 

adopting the total education concept 

in our schools curriculum will create 

various options for our high school 

products in their further pursuits and 

engagements while integrating 

themselves in to the academic and 

economy ladder of the country. 

The LBS principal drew example 

from the British curriculum standard 

of the Lekki British school in Nigeria, 

which he explains, makes the 

provision of total education it’s core 

value in moulding their students to 

fit in to various aspects of human 

endeavour after graduation, and 

also guaranteeing a tradition of 

delivering excellent academic results 

year after year. 

Mr. Greyling, who commended 

the 100 per cent A-C grades recorded 

in this year IGCSEs by the final year 

students of the Lekki British School, 

even in this challenging year of 

COVID-19 pandemic, attributed 

their success to quality training by 

their well-grounded tutors, and the 

unique training techniques being 

adopted by the school under their 

total education concept approach.

Vanguard, , THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 — 43 

We followed due process before starting 

renovation works in our secretariat — LASU 

ASUU 

By Adesina Wahab 

THE Academic Staff 

Union of Universities, 

ASUU, Lagos State 

University, LASU, chapter 

has said it followed due 

process before starting 

renovation works in its 

secretariat, dismmising 

claims by some former union 

leaders that the current exco 

has no right to the facility. 

In a statement by the 

Chairman, Dr Ibrahim 

Bakare and the Secretary, Dr 

Sylvester Idowu, the union 

said a.dismissed member of 

staff had no right to meddle 

in the affairs of the union. 

It added that there was no 

forcible take over of the 

facility, as the current exco 

was duly elected and put in 

place by the congress of the 

union. 

"There are no factions in 

ASUU-LASU Branch. The 

Ibrahim Bakare-led exco of 

ASUU-LASU is the one 

known in LASU. It was 

inaugurated on the 24th 

January, 2020 after a keenly 

contested election under the 

auspices of the Prof Ishaq 

Akintola-led Caretaker 

Committee. 

"The signatory to the letter 

The Cable referred to ceased 

to be a staff of the university 

since September, 2019. Aside 

the fact that the tenure of the 

erstwhile exco lapsed in 

2018, the five members of the 

exco dismissed in 2017 and 

2019 were accused of the 

allegations that ranged from 

illegal alteration of students' 

exams scores to extortion of 

money from students and 

stealing of confidential 

documents. Their offences 

had nothing to do with union 

matters. 

"It was at the meeting of 

ASUU-LASU Congress of 

July, 2020 that the decision to 

renovate the union 

secretariat was taken, 

pending the take-off of a 

new one at the permanent 

site. Thus, the exco sought 

the approval of the V.C. 

Approval was given. We 

wrote the Security Unit of the 

university to seek its 

presence at the secretariat to 

take inventory of items there. 

The Security Unit requested 

the presence of the Legal 

Unit, the Works Dept; and 

the Multimedia Centre at the 

secretariat before we could 

commence renovation. 

"On Thursday, 5th November, 

2020, representatives of all 

the university organs and 

that of the DPO, Ojo 

converged on the secretariat 

to formally serve a sevenday 

notice to officials in the 

Oke-Odo Senior High School wins Lagos 

Debate Competition 

By Elizabeth Osayande 

OKE-ODO Senior High 

School, Alimosho has 

emerged the best school and 

champions in the grand finale 

of Year 2020 Lagos State 

Schools Debate (Season X) 

with 75 points beating Lagos 

State Senior Model College, 

Kankon, Badagry with 73 

points and Babs-Fafunwa 

Millennium Secondary 

School, Ojodu with 71 points 

for the second and third 

positions respectively. 

In the Junior category, 

Alimosho Junior Grammar 

School, Alimosho; Lagos State 

Model Junior College, 

Kankon and Lagos State 

Junior Model College, 

Igbokuta came first, second 

and third respectively. 

The Star Prize of the Primary 

Schools category went to Olisa 

Primary School, Mushin while 

the second and third prizes 

were won by African Church 

Primary School, Alimosho and 

Saint Agnes Primary School, 

Kosofe respectively. 

Speaking at the Virtual Grand 

Finale, Honourable 

Commissioner for Education, 

secretariat. The applcation 

letter for approval from exco 

and that of approval from the 

V.C's office were given the 

secretarial clerk and also 

pasted on the secretariat. At 

the expiration of the sevenday 

notice, the renovation 

would commence. 

"From the foregoing, ASUU- 

LASU Exco is rightfully 

carrying out the directive of 

congress in the collective 

interest of members and 

image-enhancement of our 

union when the renovation is 

completed. Even, in the 

event that the erstwhile exco 

wins its case against the 

university in the court of law, 

the fact remains that it 

joyfully returns to take over a 

befitting secretariat. So, why 

the attack on ASUU-LASU 

exco and the blackmail of the 

Vice Chancellor? 

"Our position as ASUU- 

LASU exco is that it is an 

abberration, an absurdity 

and very unacceptable for a 

dismissed staff to interfere in 

the affairs of the institution/ 

organisation from where he 

was dismissed until the court 

of competent jurisdiction 

rules otherwise, or else, his 

actions are prejudicial. This 

is the peak of impunity," the 

union said. 

•L-R: Miss Salam Hamdalat and Miss Anifowose Mary of Alimosho Junior Grammar 

School, Alimosho; winners (Junior School Category); Master Babalola David and Miss 

Alli Rokibat of Olisa Primary Schoo, Mushin; winners (Primary School category); Miss 

Enabulele Adebukola and Master Iyiola Abdul Rasaq of Oke Odo Senior High School, 

Alimosho; winners (Senior School category) during the awards presentation ceremony 

for the Year 2020 Lagos State School Debate Competition (Season X). 

Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, 

opined that the competition, 

"an initiative of the state 

government which is aimed at 

producing socially stable and 

self-reliant students that can 

easily integrate into the larger 

society is no doubt serving its 

purpose." 

Adefisayo enthused that the 

debate competition over the 

years had enabled students 

think critically, analyzing 

topical issues that concern 

them and their environment, 

adding that "this gives them 

an opportunity to express 

themselves and proffer 

solutions to situations 

affecting the nation and 

beyond." 

The commissioner further 

stressed that apart from 

cognitive skills taught in 

the classroom, the 

competition was an avenue 

for the children to explore 

public speaking which 

could boost their 

confidence, making them 

more assertive and most 

importantly, the debate 

enables them to read more 

and make research about 

various topics and trending 

issues. 

Earlier in her remarks, the 

Permanent Secretary, 

Ministry of Education, 

Mrs. Abosede Adelaja, 

while commending the 

teachers, said that 

irrespective of schools 

closure because of the 

Coronavirus pandemic, 

they devised means of 

grooming the students 

virtually for the 

competition, engaging 

them on how to make their 

salient points and convince 

the audience.“Learning 

should not just be only 

academic but creating an 

enabling environment 

where the child can display 

his/her skills and abilities 

is very germane,” she 

added. 

She therefore appreciated 

the Governor of Lagos 

State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo- 

Olu for always giving 

children the needed 

support in terms of 

provision of qualitative 

education so that they 

could achieve their dreams 

of becoming whatever they 

want to become in life. 


NEWS 

HOTLINES 

018773962, 

Ohanaeze, Afenifere, NBA M-Belt, 

others blast Akeredolu 


the President General, 

Chief Nnia Nwodo, the 

apex Igbo group said there 

was no need to freeze the 

accounts as their protest 

was legitimate. 

The statement read: 

“Protest is a legitimate 

weapon of complaint in a 

democracy. The right to 

protest any perceived 

negative action of 

government or organisation 

is upheld in the 

Constitution of the country. 

Mr. President admitted and 

confirmed that during the 

#EndSARS protest. In fact, 

President Buhari himself 

led many protests against 

former President Jonathan. 

“The #EndSARS protest 

was peaceful and 

legitimate until some 

hoodlums were sent in to 

disrupt it and make it 

violent. So, freezing the 

accounts of the alleged 

leaders of the protest is 

high-handed, ill-advised 

and unnecessarily 

vindictive. 

“Moreover, it has the 

capacity of triggering off 

another wave of protest, the 

end of which nobody can 

fathom. The frozen 

accounts should be released 

immediately to allow 

sleeping dogs lie. Some 

people are sponsoring 

Boko Haram, have they 

frozen their accounts? 

“The protesters were 

peaceful until some SUVs 

were seen in viral videos 

dropping hoodlums that 

started causing chaos. 

Have they fished out the 

people? Let this 

government be sincere to 

itself.” 

FG’s approach 

wrong – Concerned 

Professionals 

Also, Concerned 

Professionals in a joint 

statement by Dr. Muiz 

Banire, SAN; Dr. Isuwa 

Dogo; Femi Falana, SAN; 

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; 

Olutola Mobolurin; and 

Prof. Pat Utomi, said the 

#EndSARS campaign 

would have made the 

government adopt a more 

realistic approach to solving 

the problems confronting 

this country which led the 

youths to go on peaceful 

protests but the reverse is 

the case. 

‘’It is unfortunate that 

rather than developing 

trust in the youths that their 

complaints would be 

convincingly addressed as 

promised when the protests 

were on, the government 

has embarked on 

victimization and witchhunting 

of sponsors of the 

protests by seizing their 

passports, arresting and 

detaining them sometimes 

with spurious charges and 

freezing the accounts of the 

said sponsors. 

‘’Sad, the government 

that is not trusted by the 

people, which led to the 

elongation of the protests, 

is behaving in a way that 

further undermines the 

people’s trust in 

government. There is 

clearly a betrayal of trust 

and breach of good faith in 

the negotiation with the 

#EndSARS youths. It is the 

promise to look into the 

complaints of the youths 

that made many people 

counsel an end to the 

protests. The recent 

approach of the 

government is a 

reinforcement of the lack of 

trust the youths have about 

the government from the 

onset. 

‘’It is regrettable that 

some magistrates and 

judges are being used to 

deny citizens their 

fundamental rights of 

hearing and sanctioning 

illegality by denying bail for 

ordinarily bailable 

allegations and freezing 

orders of the Central Bank 

of Nigeria by way of ex 

parte application to freeze 

the accounts of the leaders 

of the protesters for six 

whole months! It is certain 

that the CBN lacks the locus 

to trigger such process in 

the context of these events 

in the first instance. The 

courts are being 

manipulated by those who 

feel threatened by the 

awakening of the youths. 

We expect the judiciary to 

appreciate the issues 

involved in the cases before 

them and be part of the 

social re-engineering of the 

Country, by treating cases 

in the pragmatic manner. 

We have seen all this 

before and we know where 

it will take us. A 

dictatorship is obviously 

being slowly but obdurately 

unwrapped. 

"We condemn the 

victimization efforts being 

visited on the EndSARS 

protesters in totality, urge 

maturity on the part of the 

government and stop the 

adoption of undemocratic 

and inhuman method in 

dealing with the aftermath 

of the #EndSARS protests. 

Protest is a constitutional 

and democratic right which 

cannot earn the kind of 

victimisation going on. 

"We, therefore, urge the 

government to implement 

the five-for-five accepted 

demands of the youths and 

engage them genuinely. 

No amount of intimidation 

or harassment will work as 

it will only exacerbate 

tensions in an otherwise 

fragile polity. 

"Fundamental human 

rights are universally 

cherished rights. The 

country, especially in its 

current economic strait 

should avoid becoming a 

pariah state as its youths 

are forced into exile as in 

the NADECO days. The 

news of the appearance of 

one of the activists of 

#EndSARS in Canada is 

ominous. Our youths must 

not be made exiles just for 

speaking up neither must 

they come to harm in the 

country. We cannot turn our 

youths into zombies. They 

are assets to us and they are 

the future we dream of and 

the hope of those who seek 

the lost glory we sought in 

our youth but dashed by the 

poor governance choices 

we made in the last 30 

years. We must give them 

a voice and a chance to 

recapture what we lost,’’ 

they added. 

No comments — Lai 

Mohammed 

Meanwhile, the Minister 

of Information and Culture, 

Alhaji Lai Muhammed, 

yesterday declined to 

comment on the alleged 

freezing of accounts 

belonging to some 

perceived actors in the 

peaceful #EndSARS 

protests by the Central Bank 

of Nigeria, CBN, saying he 

has been constrained to 

comment on the matter. 

Alhaji Mohammed said 

he was not competent to 

comment on the matter 

because the case against 

the perceived leaders 

pending in court. 

When asked whether the 

federal government was 

responsible for the 

measures taken against the 

#EndSARS protesters 

because of their roles in the 

protest during the media 

briefing at the end of the 

weekly Federal Executive 

Council, FEC, meeting, at 

the Presidential Villa, 

Abuja, the Minister said he 

could not talk on the issues 

because of the various 

panels of inquiry set up by 

state governments. 

He said: “I’m a bit 

constrained about 

addressing this issue 

because I know that various 

states have set up panels 

of inquiry to look into the 

entire #EndSARS protests 

with very defined terms of 

reference. 

“So, any attempt from me 

now to second guess or try 

to defend or proffer 

answers to any questions 

would be improper." 

Igbo group disowns 

Okeke over lawsuit 

Similarly, the Conference 

of Igbo Youth Professional 

Worldwide has dissociated 

itself from the action of Mr 

Kenechukwu Okeke over 

his lawsuit against the 

Senior Pastor of Daystar 

Christian Centre, Sam 

Adeyemi and 49 alleged 

promoters of the 

#EndSARS protests. 

The group with wide 

network across the world 

also disowned the 

acclaimed activist, saying 

he was not known in their 

fold or in the South-East 

geopolitical region. 

This was as it dissociated 

President Buhari from the 

action of Mr 

Okeke,alleging that he was 

being sponsored by those 

it described as “fifth 

columnists” to paint the 

president and his 

administration black in the 

eyes of the world.” 

To this end, the Igbo 

group, in a statement, 

yesterday, by its President 

General, Barr. Maduabuchi 

Nwodo,appealed to 

Nigerians to disregard the 

antics of Mr Okeke and his 

alleged sponsors.


•Another property burnt in Osun 

Fire outbreaks wreak 

havoc in Ondo, Oyo, Osun 

*No functional fire service vehicle in Ondo 

*Outbreaks, an annual occurrence in Oyo 

*Lives lost, property destroyed, over 172 fire outbreaks in Osun 

•Property burnt in Ondo 

By Dayo Johnson, Ola Ajayi 

& Shina Abubakar 

ONDO, Oyo, and Osun 

States have had their fair 

share of fire outbreaks, which 

has resulted in tales of woes. 

Goods and properties worth 

several millions of naira have 

been razed by different infernos 

in these states, no thanks to nonfunctional 

fire fighting vehicles. 

Unfortunately, owners of the 

affected properties watched 

helplessly as their life savings 

and investment went up in 

flames in their presence. 

Besides, some owners of the 

affected properties have had to 

start from scratch as a result of 

the losses incurred. 

No functional fire service 

vehicle in Ondo 

A month to the last 

governorship election in Ondo 

State, office of the Independent 

National Electoral Commission, 

INEC, in Akure was gutted by 

fire, destroying over 5141 card 

readers meant for the election 

and a section of the commission’s 

ICT. 

The fire, which started around 

8:55 pm, razed down the 

container where the card 

readers were stored. 

Officials of the fire service, 

who arrived later at the scene 

after about an hour, were 

helpless as their truck refused 

to work. 

A distress call had to be made 

to Fire Service at the Federal 

Airport Authority of Nigeria, 

FAAN, and the Federal Fire 

Service, in Ilesha, Osun State. 

They, however, arrived after 

the fire had wreaked havoc. 

The Police Commissioner, 

Bolaji Salami said investigations 

carried out on the INEC fire 

incident showed that it was 

caused by an “electrical surge 

from the air conditioners inside 

the containers housing the card 

readers.” 

Also, a few weeks ago, 

another midnight fire consumed 

four state government offices 

built of wooden structures over 

30 years ago. 

Vanguard gathered that the 

fire incident occurred at about 1 

am on a Sunday due to a power 

surge. 

An eyewitness account said 

that the fire destroyed many office 

gadgets, files and documents. 

The Permanent Secretary of 

SUBEB, Mr. Kayode Ogundele, 

who described the incident as 

unfortunate and devastating, 

said the fire had already 

wreaked havoc on the building 

before men of the fire services 

were alerted. 

Ogundele said: “The fire 

destroyed all the buildings 

because it was made of wood. It 

was completely burnt. We can’t 

lay our hands on anything. 

Everything in the office is 

gone.” 

Vanguard learned that the 

wooden structures were 

constructed in 1976. 

Again, last Sunday, another 

fire razed no fewer than 20 shops 

at Ijomu junction in Akure 

metropolis destroying goods 

worth almost N300 million. 

Victims lamented that they 

had just stocked their shops 

before the fire incident. 

A fashion dealer, Modupe 

Daramola, said she lost three 

industrial sewing and 

embroidery machines and four 

sewing machines to the fire. 

Daramola lamented that she 

lost a heavy-duty power 

generating set and a refrigerator 

to the inferno besides several 

fabrics belonging to her 

numerous customers. 

Vanguard gathered that it 

took the efforts of youths to put 

out the fire as the state fire service 

said they are incapacitated. 

A youth leader in the area, Sola 

Omorege, said: “It took our efforts 

to put out the fire, though we 

could not rescue any of the items 

in the complex. 

“The fire service in the state 

couldn’t help when they went to 

their office on a motorbike due 

to lack of functional equipment.” 

Speaking on the fire incident, 

the Edemo of Akure, Chief Folabi 

Fayehun said that he contacted 

the Akure fire service but they 

complained that they had no 

functional fire equipment and 

could not help. 

Fayehun said: “I think there’s 

a need for the government to 

have firefighting equipment on 

the ground because this is 

becoming a recurrent situation 

where people are losing 

multimillion naira worth of goods 

and property that’s hampering 

the economy of the state. 

“This is supposed to be a social 

service that government should 

render to the populace.” 

PDP chides Ondo govt 

Unfortunately, 

owners of the 

affected properties 

watched helplessly 

as their life 

savings and 

investment went 

up in flames in 

their presence 

•Ajimobi's wife had her supermarket razed down in Ibadan 

Meanwhile, the Peoples 

Democratic Party, PDP, in the 

state charged the state 

government to be alive to its 

responsibilities. 

Speaking with Vanguard, its 

Publicity Secretary, Kennedy 

Peretei, who empathised with 

the fire victims, stressed the 

need for government to curtail 

the incessant fire outbreak that 

has rendered many business 

owners helpless and bankrupt. 

Peretei said: “It is 

unacceptable while millions of 

investments are lost to fire 

outbreak daily when the 

government could have saved 

the situation if the state fire 

service was functional. 

“At a time majority of the 

victims are still grappling with 

the economic hardship inflicted 

by COVID-19, this inferno is 

one too many. 

“We call on Governor Rotimi 

Akeredolu to set up a panel of 

inquiry to find out the 

immediate and remote causes 

of this inferno with the hope of 

providing succour for the 

victims.” 

The Commissioner for Works, 

Mr. Saka Ogunleye could not 

be reached as several calls put 

across to him were not picked. 

Fire outbreaks, an annual 

occurrence in Oyo 

In Ibadan, fire outbreaks are 

a yearly occurrence. 

From the beginning of the dry 

season to the first three weeks 

of the rainy season, there are 

numerous fire incidents in the 

city. 

For over 10 years, there was 

hardly a year that fire would not 

wreak havoc though it might be 

minimal in some years. 

Major markets in the city that 

are noted for this are Bodija, 

Labaowo, Dugbe, Sango, 

Ogunpa, Gate Market, 

Aleshinloye, Eleyele, Sasa, 

Agbowo, Beere, Molete and 

many others. 

At Bodija markets, sections 

that have suffered fire incidents 

are Sawmill, textile section and 

grinding machines. Each time 

there is a fire outbreak, it leaves 

behind tears and heavy losses. 

2019 was a peculiar year as 

there were incidents of fire 

outbreaks in many places. The 

causes were either electricity 

sparks or carelessness by traders 

who did not switch off electrical 

appliances when they closed for 

the day. 

But last Sunday, a popular 

Bodija outlet of Grandex 

Supermarket owned by the wife 

of former Governor Abiola 

Ajimobi of Oyo State was gutted 

by fire. 

The fire incident, according to 

sources, started around 3 pm 

from the back office and later 

spread to the main stores. 

Quick responses by men of the 

Oyo State Fire Service, Federal 

Fire Service, the State Joint 

Security Task Force Team, 

Operation Burst prevented the 

fire from consuming the whole 

supermarket. 

Sympathisers, who were 

moved to tears, too joined to 

Continues on page 45

MYSTERY: How 11 people died 

of strange disease in Oyo 

By Ola Ajayi 

IBADAN—-FEAR 

has 

gripped several residents 

of Lagelu Local Government 

Area of Oyo State following 

the deaths of 11 people in two 

different villages in the council 

area. 

Though samples collected 

from the infected persons are 

yet to be released, information 

gathered from the residents 

claimed it was cholera. The 

disease was said to have 

started from Lagun Village in 

the local government. 

According to Sarumi Azeez, 

the symptoms appear like that 

of cholera. He said he was 

told that people infected were 

stooling and vomiting. 

Asides from the 11 people 

t h a t 

died, Vanguard gathered 

that six others were 

hospitalized. 

They died of infections—LG 

boss 

When Vanguard spoke with 

the Caretaker Chairman of the 

local government, Mr. Kelani 

Abdulahi Sola, he confirmed 

that 11 people have died so far. 

Contrary to a report that the 

victims died in the same place, 

he said, five people died 

previously at Lagun Village 

about three weeks ago and 

thereafter, six other people died 

at Ariku village. 

Sola said: “It is not right to 

say that the 11 people died in 

the same place. When the 

disease broke out previously at 

Lagun Village, six people died. 

It was about a week later that 

other five people died at Ariku. 

They died at different times 

and different places. 

“We thank God that those who 

were hospitalized have been 

discharged from the hospital. 

As of now, it appears the 

infection has subsided because 

we don’t have any new case.” 

“We should be grateful to the 

Oyo State Government led by 

Governor Seyi Makinde for his 

quick intervention that saved 

the ugly situation. 

“Also, the state House of 

Assembly too was of 

tremendous assistance to us in 

the local government. 

Fear grips surrounding 

villages 

As a result of the outbreak, 

people living in surrounding 

villages are now apprehensive 

about the strange disease. 

he villages in the same local 

government are Ajara, 

Opeodu, Apatere, Kuffi, 

Ogunbode, Ogo, Arulogun 

Ehin, Kelebe, Ejioku,Igbon, 

Ariku, Kajola, Gbena, Lagun, 

Lalupon, Ofa-Igbo, Ogunjana, 

EDITOR: Dayo Johnson (08033509763) 

Deputy Editor: Dapo Akinrefon 08023844928 

(sms only) 

CORRESPONDENTS: 

Ola Ajayi 

Ibadan 

Dare Fasube 

(Photo) 

Rotimi Ojomoyela 

Ekiti 

Adeola Badru 

Ibadan 

Shina Abubakar 

Osogbo 

James Ogunnaike 

Abeokuta 

•Lagelu LG in Oyo State where the strange illness claimed 

11 lives 

Olowode, Ogburo, Ogunremi, 

Ogunsina, Oyedeji, Olode, 

Kutayi, Sagbe and Pabiekun. 

Azeez, a farmer in Lalupon, 

said they are praying that the 

disease will not spread to their 

village. 

He said: “We heard about the 

issue and I feel so sorry for the 

bereaved families. We are afraid 

here too because it started from 

Lagun and then to Ariku which 

is not far away from us. But for 

now, we have not experienced 

anything like that.” 

A woman at Lagun pleaded 

with the state government to 

help the community repair the 

damaged borehole noting there 

is no potable drinking water for 

us. 

“We pray that God will help 

us stop the disease. Pls, tell the 

governor to help us with 

potable drinking water here. 

We have borehole but some if 

not all of them have spoilt and 

neglected.” 

Speaking on the issue, the 

Otun Olubadan, Chief Lekan 

Balogun, who is next in the 

hierarchy to the Olubadan of 

Ibadanland, Oba Saliu 

Adetunji said the community 

leader he installed had not 

briefed him about it. 

Chief Balogun, who is the 

traditional head of the local 

government, said the 

community leader was with 

him last Sunday and he didn’t 

say anything about it. 

He said: “Lagun is my home. 

It was founded by my great 

grandfather. I have installed 

five or six baales in the last 22 

years. The one there now is my 

cousin. He and his people 

came to me on Sunday but I 

didn’t hear anything like that.” 

When asked if there is potable 

drinking water there, he simply 

said they had been living in the 

community for ages and 

nothing of such happened. 

Results of samples collected 

not 

out—Health 

Commissioner 

The Oyo State Commissioner 

for Health, Dr. Bashiru Bello, 

who said the government has 

taken proactive steps to check 

the disease, said that it was not 

yet confirmed if it was cholera. 

Bello said: “The tests carried 

out on the affected persons are 

still premature and the samples 

collected have not confirmed 

the sickness to be cholera.” 

Besides, surveillance and 

health officers have been sent 

to the local government to take 

samples and assess the 

situation. 

Boreholes no longer 

functional 

Vanguard gathered from an 

impeccable source that most of 

the boreholes in the community 

are not functioning and this was 

confirmed from the statement 

made by the lawmaker 

representing Lagelu State 

Constituency, Mr. Akintunde 

Olajide, when he said, a 

preliminary investigation into 

the cause of the sickness 

revealed that it was largely due 

to lack of access to clean and 

potable water. 

He was, however, quick to 

add that he had ordered the 

immediate repair of three of the 

four boreholes in the 

communities to give them 

access to a hygienic water 

source. 


#EndSARS: Ekiti community to rebuild 

burnt police stations 

By Rotimi Ojomoyela 

ADO-EKITI—IKERE-Ekiti, 

the headquarters of Ikere Local 

Government Area of Ekiti State 

has resolved to rebuild and equip 

the three police stations set 

ablaze by irate youths of the town 

during the EndSARS protests. 

The resolution to rebuild the 

burnt stations was reached after 

series of meetings attended by 

the people of the town, including 

community leaders, youths and 

market women amongst others. 

Unidentified hoodlums had set 

ablaze the police stations and 

operational vehicles during the 

last nationwide EndSARS 

protests, at the end of the attacks, 

both the Area Command and 

Divisional police stations in the 

town were attacked. 

Fire outbreaks wreak 

havoc in Ondo, Oyo, Osun 


battle the raging inferno. 

Vanguard was informed that 

people, who were at 

Oshuntokun Junction, Bodija 

first, raised alarm and started 

trying to put out the fire. 

Some shop owners in the area 

came out with their fire 

extinguishers while some 

carried buckets of water to 

quench the fire. 

An eyewitness, Mr. Bamidele 

Osinowo said: “It started about 

3.p.m. When we heard shouts 

from the workers, I immediately 

called the Oyo State Fire 

Service. 

“Within 10 minutes they came 

with a bigger truck. We moved 

in to join them to bring 

extinguishers. Somebody from 

a bank brought one. Another 

person brought extinguishers 

from Afe Babalola Educational 

Centre, Bodija.” 

Leader of the Federal Fire 

Service, who spoke with 

newsmen, said electrical sparks 

and over-loading of electrical 

sockets triggered the fire. 

Speaking on fire outbreaks in 

the state since the dry season 

started, Director of the state fire 

services, Mr. Adewuyi 

Moshood said he couldn’t give 

the statistics offhand but 

advised people in the state to 

take precautionary measures to 

avoid fire outbreaks. 

He advised the public to 

ensure that all electrical 

appliances that are not in use 

should be switched off and 

removed from the socket. 

He also said parents should 

take care of children to ensure 

they don’t handle any electrical 

gadgets. 

For all those whose houses are 

surrounded by bush, he hinted 

that they should ensure they 

clear the bush around them so 

that fire will not destroy their 

property in case they set the 

bush on fire. 

Lives lost, property destroyed 

over 172 fire outbreaks in Osun 

In Osun State, over 171 fire 

outbreaks have occurred 

between December and 

November this year. 

Several towns including Ilesa, 

Ife, Osogbo, the state capital 

and Iwo, as well as other parts 

of the state have recorded fire 

outbreak within the reviewed 

period. In Osogbo alone, two 

persons died in Modakeke 

inferno, five persons were 

injured in different fire 

outbreaks in Osogbo, while 

Consequently, the Ekiti Police 

command withdrew its men from 

the community citing the burning 

of its three police stations, 

operational vehicles located in 

the town as reason for the action. 

The police authorities also 

demanded that the community 

fish out and arrest some of the 

hoodlums who perpetrated the 

act for prosecution, as condition 

for the policemen to return to the 

town. 

Rising from the meeting, the 

community, in a communiqué by 

the monarch of the town, Oba 

Adejimi Adu, mandated a retired 

Assistant Inspector General, AIG, 

who hails from the town to speed 

up the building of police post 

which was under construction 

sometimes ago. 

The community condemned the 

properties worth millions were 

destroyed during the period. 

Valuables, estimated over N20 

million, were destroyed during 

the inferno that gutted a 

shopping complex within the 

Nigeria Postal Service premise 

in Osogbo apart from the 

building which was not part of 

the valuables. 

Also during a fire outbreak at 

Ogo-Oluwa area of the state 

capital, three persons were 

seriously injured, while 

properties valued over N5 

million were destroyed. 

The single largest incident of 

fire outbreak in the state was the 

Atakumosa Central market 

inferno in Ilesa. 

Members of the market 

association disclosed that goods 

worth millions of naira were 

destroyed in the inferno were 

destroyed, urging the state 

government to assist in reducing 

the effect of the incident on their 

members. 

Fire rendered us helpless— 

Victims 

A victim at the Popo inferno, 

Lawal Sulaiman, a generating 

set merchant, said the fire, which 

razed about 15 shops destroyed 

properties worth millions of 

Naira and rendered victims 

helpless, as the government is 

not showing any signs of 

wanting to help. 

His words: “I sell generating 

sets and the fire razed the entire 

shop destroying everything 

therein. I don’t even know 

where to start. Although 

government officials came after 

the incident they did not show 

any commitment towards 

helping to re-establish us.”. 

Also, a late-night fire outbreak 

razed a sawmill at Oke-Omiru 

area of Ilesa in the state. 

Although there were no 

casualties in the incident, which 

lasted almost two hours, the fire 

razed a Church located within 

the sawmill and it took the 

prompt intervention of fire 

service operatives to curtail the 

inferno from affecting a truck 

loaded with planks. 

In Modakeke, six-story 

buildings were gutted by fire in 

killing a young girl, while 

another fire outbreak claimed 

the life of a helpless 

octogenarian. 

An eye witness, Jamiu 

Ganiyu, disclosed that the 

cause of the inferno could not 

be ascertained but it started 

around 5 pm. 

violence and its attendant wanton 

destruction of public property, 

vowing to cooperate with the 

police to arrest some of the 

hoodlums who burnt the police 

stations. 

According to the communiqué, 

the youths decided to henceforth 

resist and combat anyone or 

group wishing to destroy, 

vandalise any public or private 

property in Ikere Ekiti in future. 

It, however, urged the police to, 

as a matter of urgency, reverse 

its decision to withdraw 

policemen from the town in the 

best interest and wellbeing of the 

law abiding residents of the 

community. 

It urged the indigenes of the 

community, especially the youths 

to eschew violence and embrace 

peace as no town could have any 

meaningful development in the 

midst of violence.


YOUR LUCK TODAY 

By Joshua Adeyemo Phone 08056180139 

LIBRA: Whatever anybody says or does, you will have both your say and 

way. Venus and Jupiter may tempt some of you to embrace illicit (or secret) 

romance within your base of operation. 

SCORPIO: Venus and Jupiter at positive angles may tempt you to join 

some of your friends who are already onboard of merry making train. 

Watch your health. 

SAGITTARIUS: Minor financial success you record today can lead to 

something bigger and good in the near future; as good luck will smile at 

many and induce love of luxury, merry, making and romantic association. 

Genuine lovers will need to be on guard against deceit from new 

admirers. 

CAPRICORN: Both financial success and emotional satisfaction are 

closed to you than before. Those of you travelling because of maters-ofthe-heart 

are in for an exciting romantic day Those ambitious career-wise 

will succeed after few struggles. 

L E I S U R BE 

TAKE HEART — ELLA RANDLE 

“Accept that you are who you are and improve on 

the previous self.” — Take Heart quotes 

You don’t have to be something else to have worth 

or to be good enough. Who you are right now, is 

enough. 

People may not like you and that is okay because 

the point of self-love is that it doesn’t matter what 

other people think of you. What only matters is what 

you think of yourself. — Ella Randle 

SAYINGS OF 

OUR PEOPLE 

Love 

never gets 

lost it’s 

only kept. 

~ African 

proverb 

AQUARIUS: Many members of your opposite sex will go out of their 

ways to attract your romantic interest. This is the wrong time to engage on 

unnecessary argument. Been your lucky day you are expected to take 

good advantage today. 

PISCES: If you priority is love, much of it would come your way as 

desired. But here is a better day for more ambitious in the business world. 

Don’t allow anybody to deceive you over money. 

ARIES: Those of you with secret admirers within your working area 

will have the needed opportunities to make the needed moves. Resist the 

temptation to deceive others. 

TAURUS: Although matters-of-the-heart may give you cause to smile 

broadly, if care is not taken, you would cause friction that can’t help you r 

case at work. This is the wrong time for unnecessary scheming within your 

working arena. 

GEMINI: Those of your who are red-blooded for romance may have 

an exciting and satisfying day. Happenings within your social circles must 

be taken more seriously. 

TERROR MUDA in “Never say goodbye” 

By Kola Fayemi 

CANCER: Confrontation may come your way in the circle but the 

heavens are working favourably for you. Some doses of romance is not 

too much for you on a day like this. 

LEO: Provided you don’t allow your innate ability to be as diplomatic as 

necessary desert you, things work favourably for you to the betterment of 

your finances. 

DUDU in “ROLLING HOT” By A.O.OLAIDE 

VIRGO: Many of you will be in sentimental mood and exhibit strong 

romantic desire openly. But then, if care is not taken, you may be carried 

away to the detriment of your finances. Serious minded lovers are in for 

happy day. 

ASTROLOGICAL COUNSELLING 

ASTROLOGICAL our date and place of COUNSELLING 

birth to the Astr 

tr 

Send your dat 

trological 

Counselling, P.M.B 100 

007, Apapa, Lagos 

WHAT’S MY HOROSCOPE? 

Dear Joshua, 

I want you to give me my comprehensive horoscope, especially what 

my special gift is. Which day of the week was I born? Where were my 

natal planets and their meanings? Who am I? 

Kayode, Abuja 

Dear Kayode, 

There is no space for comprehensive horoscope but what you’ll have 

here -under is answer to your questions/ You were born on a Thursday 

and your special gift is LEADERSHIP quality. 

YOUR HOROSCOPE DATA 

Day Of Birth: Thursday 

Sun Sign: Virgo: Sun in 20th Degree of Virgo 

Moon Sign: PISCES: Moon on 10th Degree of Pisces 

Mercury in 16th Degree of Libra 

Venues in 5th Degree of Scorpio 

Mars in 13th Degree of Cancer 

Jupiter in 6th Degree of Pisces 

Saturn in 5th Degree of Aquarius 

Uranus in 2nd Degree of Virgo 

Neptune in 11th Degree of Scorpio 

Pluto in 10th Degree of Virgo 

North Node in 6th Degree of Leo 

South Node in 6th Degree of Aquarius 

Quality and Element 

Cardinal and air star signs hosted two planets each fixed and earth 

three each, no planet in fire while mutable and water star signs hosted 

five planets each. 

Push-full influence = 20% 

Non- push-full element = 80% 

Final dispositor = Lucky Jupiter 

General Analysis 

Just 20 per cent of push-full influence in your chart can deceptively 

present you to others as a soft (or even timid) person but practical Virgo 

that hosted nothing less than three heavenly bodies when you were 

born and Astrological aspects between Mercury (mental focus) and 

aggressive Mars in you r chart are pointers to the contrary. 

Yes! You are highly intelligent and your mind works the same way 

detective’s minds do. It is true, there are little contradictions between 

your inner self and your emotional being as indicated quality, water 

element and Virgo characteristics. 

One moment, you can be very emotional, exhibiting temper with 

stinging tongue but a few hour later you are amiable, easy going, 

friendly and compassionate. You are the adaptable type who will see 

changes as sources of good opportunities. 

LEADERSHIP quality is one of your greatest gifts from God. placement 

of your natal sun (basic-selfhood) and moon (your emotional 

being) in Virgo and Pisces respectively mean that characteristics of 

both Virgo and Pisces are highly pronounced in your inner-self. 

VIRGINIA 

dadadekola@yahoo.com 

HOME & ABROAD 

By Lawrence Akapa


AFCON 2022 QUALIFIERS: 

Sierra Leone coach: we’ll shock Nigerians 

Sierra Leone coach John Kiester 

has admitted that he will be 

facing a tough side in the Super 

Eagles but expressed confidence 

and determination to secure 

maximum points against the Super 

Eagles. 

“I want the nation to be positive 

about the outcome from the first 

leg,” he remarked during a press 

conference. “The team’s rebuilding 

process starts now, and I’ve put 

together some of the best players to 

upset the Nigerians,” he added. 

Major highlight of the squad was 

including USL Championship joint 

top scorer Augustus Williams who 

will be eyeing his international 

debut, besides Anderlecht striker 

Mustapha Bundu. 

CAF opens 

door for fans 

C 

onfederation of African 

Football has opened the door 

to fans participation in the Africa 

Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

This was one of the changes 

made in face of the Covid-19 

restrictions. 

Although Caf had ruled that no 

fans will be allowed into stadia for 

November games, nevertheless, 

there is a tweak should any host 

association’s government insists on 

having fans around. 

“All the matches must be played 

without spectators, however, 

should a host association’s 

government approve that matches 

can be played with spectators, the 

host federation must obtain prior 

approval from Caf,” it added. 

“The number of spectators shall 

not exceed 50% of the stadium 

capacity. These measures are 

effective and are valid only during 

the current context of global health 

crisis due to the Covid-19.” 

Other changes include the Afcon 

2022 qualification games, Caf 

Champions League and Caf 

Confederation Cup will have 

number of players increased by 10 

players as that will allow 

participating teams to replace any 

player who contracts the virus. 

Edo State 

test-runs VAR 

for Eagles, 

Leone Stars tie 

head of tomorrow's 2021 African 

ACup of Nations qualifier between 

the Super Eagles and Leone Stars at 

the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in 

Benin City, the Edo State 

government, yesterday, tested the 

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) 

technology, which would be used for 

the first time in a Nigerian stadium. 

The first of its kind in the country, 

the VAR technology at the 

Ogbemudia Stadium, which is the 

only one in Nigeria, is expected to 

limit and probably eliminate wrong 

calls by the match officials, as well 

as check players' excesses during the 

match between Nigeria and Sierra 

Leone. 

VAR is in use in Europe and America 

but has not yet found root in Africa. 

Its introduction elevates the 

Ogbemudia Stadium to another level 

of premium. 

During yesterday's test-run of the 

novel VAR technology in Nigeria, 

those inside the Samuel Ogbemudia 

Stadium, could not hide their palpable 

excitement when the engineers 

pressed the right buttons as the 

screen displayed, showing the 

replay version of an action on the 

pitch. 

•John Kiester 

Former AC Millan midfielder 

Rodney Strasser who now plays for 

Turun Palloseura, Randers forward 

Alhaji Kamara and 32-year-old 

Mohamed “Medo” Kamara return to 

the squad. Forward Kei Kamara (36) 

made a U-turn on his retirement from 

international football as was 

announced last November. 

FC Kallon’s goal machine Hassan 

Milla Sesay and teammate 

Emmanuel Samadia join China 

based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, 

US based Mustapha Dumbuya and 

Orebro SK left back Kevin Wright as 

they rejoin regular suspects as 

Skipper Umara Bangura and Iceland 

Based winger Kwame Quee. 

Sierra Leone trail Group L with a 

lone point following a 1-1 home 

draw with Lesotho and 1-0 away 

defeat to Benin. 

Friday (13 November) encounter 

will mark the fifteenth meeting 

between the two West African 

Nations in competitive and friendly 

internationals. Sierra Leone has won 

two, lost nine and drew three of their 

games with the Super Eagles of 

Nigeria. 

We’ll beat Sierra Leone home 

and away to qualify – Rohr 

They have become used to this trend 

of things under Franco-German 

trainer, Gernot Rohr in his four years 

and four months so far: earning 

tickets to major tournaments with 

matches to spare. And that is what 

the Super Eagles aim to continue in 

this international fixtures-corridor 

when they confront the Leone Stars 

of Sierra Leone in a quickfire double 

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying 

series in Benin City and Freetown. 

By lunch time yesterday, all 23 

invited players had arrived at the 

Eagles’ Eterno Hotel and Suites 

abode in Benin City, just before Sierra 

Leone’s 43-man contingent flew into 

town. The Leone Stars’ delegation 

had flown into Lagos aboard an 

ASKY airline flight from Freetown, 

before being lifted by a chartered 

flight to the Edo State capital. 

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, 

Man Utd in 

talks over 

Ronaldo 

return 

anchester United 

Mhave 

reportedly 

contacted Cristiano 

Ronaldo with the view to resigning 

the Portugal 

international during next 

summer’s transfer window. 

The 35-year-old’s existing deal 

with Juventus is due to run 

until June 2022, but the Italian 

champions are allegedly keen 

to offload the attacker next 

summer to reduce the wage 

bill. 

Paris Saint-Germain 

have been strongly 

linked with the 

forward, but 

according to FOX 

Sports journalist 

Christian Martin, 

United are in talks with 

the Portuguese over a 

return, and Juve would be 

prepared to negotiate with the 20-time 

English champions. 

“Our sources in Manchester and 

Porto confirm that Manchester United 

tempted Cristiano Ronaldo with a 

return to the club for next season. The 

Portuguese star is considering it. 

Juventus will negotiate a deal if 

Ronaldo asks for it,” Martin posted on 

Twitter. 

Ronaldo turned out for United 

between 2003 and 2009, scoring 118 

goals in 292 appearances, winning 

three Premier League titles, one FA 

Cup and one Champions League in 

the process. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has 

scored 71 times in 94 appearances for 

Juve since arriving from Real Madrid, 

including six goals in five outings in 

all competitions this term. 

•Eagles in training 

who superintended Nigeria’s 

qualification for the 2018 FIFA World 

Cup finals with a match to spare from 

a hard-as-nails pool that included 

Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, and 

also led the Eagles to earn a 2019 

AFCON ticket ahead of the final day 

of the qualifiers, said on Wednesday 

that he is expecting his wards to 

conform to style and taste. 

“We do not in any way underrate 

the Sierra Leoneans that we 

play over two legs within these 

four days, but we have our 

focus and 

•Ron 

Eagles face Covid-19 tests 

ahead of Sierra Leone clash 

Nigeria senior national team 

players will be tested for 

Covid-19 before taking on Sierra 

Leone in Friday’s Africa Cup of 

Nations qualifier. 

The three-time African 

champions face the Leone Stars, 

who are in dire need of a win in 

order to revive their Cameroon 

2022 ambitions. 

Before locking horns with the 

West Africans, however, players 

and coaches of the Super Eagles 

will be subjected to the 

assessment on Wednesday 

afternoon. 

Few hours after that, Gernot 

Rohr’s side will have their second 

training session by 17:00 (West 

African Time) at newly renovated 

Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. 

Having faced reigning African 

champions Algeria and Tunisia in 

friendly games, Rohr’s men are in 

good shape to face the Leone Stars. 

Their last appearance at Afcon 

was in Egypt 2019 where they 

finished third having recorded a 

1-0 win over the Carthage Eagles 

in the bronze medal match. 

John Keister’s men sit at the 

base of Group L with one point 

following a stuttering start to the 

qualifying campaign, having 

recorded a draw against Lesotho 

and defeat to Benin Republic. 

Sierra Leone are hoping to make 

their third appearance in the 

biennial African football 

showpiece. They last featured at 

the 1996 edition staged in South 

Africa. There, they crashed out of 

the group stage after one win and 

two defeats. 

The reverse fixture takes place 

at the National Stadium Freetown 

on Tuesday, November 17 with 

victory for Nigeria guaranteeing 

them a place in the 2022 Afcon. 

The 33rd edition of the biennial 

tournament was due to begin in 

Cameroon on January 9, 2021, but 

has now been pushed to January 

Wike Pre-Season tourney: 

MFM, Abia Warriors in crunch game 

...as Sirawoo applauds tourney 

I 

objective for the matches. We want 

to win both games so we can have 

the ticket and be able to be little more 

relaxed for the final games. You know 

that next year, we also have the World 

Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better 

to get the AFCON job behind us 

now. 

“I am excited by the spirit of the 

players and their sense of dedication 

and commitment. We have not played 

a competitive match in a year, but 

they look very ready and good to go. 

Our mission is the six points in these 

two matches.” 

With the maximum six points from 

their first two matches of the 

campaign, three ahead of secondplaced 

Benin Republic who 

square up to Lesotho, the Eagles 

will be sure of a spot in the Draw 

for the finals in Cameroon if they 

earn all the points at stake against 

t is going to be a winner takes all game in the 

match between MFM of Lagos and Abia 

Warriors at the ongoing Governor Wike Pre- 

Season Championships in Port Harcourt. 

MFM currently top the group with seven 

points from three games, same points as Bayelsa 

Ladipo calls for fans’ understanding 

over empty stadium 

President General Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo 

has called for fans’ understanding as the Super Eagles prepare to host 

Sierra~Leone tomorrow in the first leg of their double header Cameroon 

AFCON 2021 qualifiers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. 

Dr OLadip further appealed to football fans in the country not to be 

angry that they will not have the opportunity of being in the stadium to 

watch the match live. 

Early this week, the Confederation of African football (CAF), had ruled 

that in keeping with the COVID~19 guidelines fans, supporters club and 

sports writers will not be allowed into the stadium and Ladipo believes the 

decision was taken in the best interest of the fans so as not to have another 

spike in the pandemic especially now that the curve have been flattened in 

the country. 

the Leone Stars. 

A year ago, at the Godswill 

Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Eagles 

survived a scare as the Squirrels from 

Benin Republic scored to take the 

lead inside five minutes of kick off. 

Victor Osimhen levelled from the spot 

just before half time and winger 

Samuel Kalu slotted in the winner 

off a solo effort in the second period. 

Days later, the Eagles again fell 

behind against Lesotho’s Crocodiles 

in Maseru, before goals by Alex 

Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, and 

a brace by Osimhen put daylight 

between the Eagles and their hosts. 

Captain Ahmed Musa and his 

deputy, William Ekong sang similar 

tunes as Coach Rohr in previewing 

the two encounters with the Leone 

Stars, saying the players are hungry 

for victory in both games as they want 

to assure an early spot in Cameroon. 

United in second position but with a 

better goal difference and a game at 

hand. 

Abia Warriors however will need to 

get the total three points to be able to 

topple Bayelsa United in the group as 

anything less than a win will eliminate 

them from the competition. 

On Wednesday, Bayelsa United 

walkover Ndala FC as the non-league 

side failed to turn up for the early 

morning game. 

MFM will need to work on their 

discipline as they have gotten a red card 

in each of their three games played so 

far in the competition. 

Also on Wednesday, amateur side, 

Ottasolo FC of Lagos defeated 

Cynosure FC 1-0 to secured their first 

win of the tournament. 

Apart from MFM game against 

Warriors on Thursday, Cynosure FC will 

be looking forward to get something 

out of their game against host team, 

Rivers United while the final game of 

the day will see Akwa United taking 

on Ottasolo FC.


AFCON 2022 QUALIFIERS: 

Sierra Leone coach: we’ll shock Nigerians 

Sierra Leone coach John Kiester 

has admitted that he will be 

facing a tough side in the Super 

Eagles but expressed confidence 

and determination to secure 

maximum points against the Super 

Eagles. 

“I want the nation to be positive 

about the outcome from the first 

leg,” he remarked during a press 

conference. “The team’s rebuilding 

process starts now, and I’ve put 

together some of the best players to 

upset the Nigerians,” he added. 

Major highlight of the squad was 

including USL Championship joint 

top scorer Augustus Williams who 

will be eyeing his international 

debut, besides Anderlecht striker 

Mustapha Bundu. 

CAF opens 

door for fans 

C 

onfederation of African 

Football has opened the door 

to fans participation in the Africa 

Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

This was one of the changes 

made in face of the Covid-19 

restrictions. 

Although Caf had ruled that no 

fans will be allowed into stadia for 

November games, nevertheless, 

there is a tweak should any host 

association’s government insists on 

having fans around. 

“All the matches must be played 

without spectators, however, 

should a host association’s 

government approve that matches 

can be played with spectators, the 

host federation must obtain prior 

approval from Caf,” it added. 

“The number of spectators shall 

not exceed 50% of the stadium 

capacity. These measures are 

effective and are valid only during 

the current context of global health 

crisis due to the Covid-19.” 

Other changes include the Afcon 

2022 qualification games, Caf 

Champions League and Caf 

Confederation Cup will have 

number of players increased by 10 

players as that will allow 

participating teams to replace any 

player who contracts the virus. 

Edo State 

test-runs VAR 

for Eagles, 

Leone Stars tie 

head of tomorrow's 2021 African 

ACup of Nations qualifier between 

the Super Eagles and Leone Stars at 

the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in 

Benin City, the Edo State 

government, yesterday, tested the 

Video Assistant Referee (VAR) 

technology, which would be used for 

the first time in a Nigerian stadium. 

The first of its kind in the country, 

the VAR technology at the 

Ogbemudia Stadium, which is the 

only one in Nigeria, is expected to 

limit and probably eliminate wrong 

calls by the match officials, as well 

as check players' excesses during the 

match between Nigeria and Sierra 

Leone. 

VAR is in use in Europe and America 

but has not yet found root in Africa. 

Its introduction elevates the 

Ogbemudia Stadium to another level 

of premium. 

During yesterday's test-run of the 

novel VAR technology in Nigeria, 

those inside the Samuel Ogbemudia 

Stadium, could not hide their palpable 

excitement when the engineers 

pressed the right buttons as the 

screen displayed, showing the 

replay version of an action on the 

pitch. 

•John Kiester 

Former AC Millan midfielder 

Rodney Strasser who now plays for 

Turun Palloseura, Randers forward 

Alhaji Kamara and 32-year-old 

Mohamed “Medo” Kamara return to 

the squad. Forward Kei Kamara (36) 

made a U-turn on his retirement from 

international football as was 

announced last November. 

FC Kallon’s goal machine Hassan 

Milla Sesay and teammate 

Emmanuel Samadia join China 

based striker Mohamed Buya Turay, 

US based Mustapha Dumbuya and 

Orebro SK left back Kevin Wright as 

they rejoin regular suspects as 

Skipper Umara Bangura and Iceland 

Based winger Kwame Quee. 

Sierra Leone trail Group L with a 

lone point following a 1-1 home 

draw with Lesotho and 1-0 away 

defeat to Benin. 

Friday (13 November) encounter 

will mark the fifteenth meeting 

between the two West African 

Nations in competitive and friendly 

internationals. Sierra Leone has won 

two, lost nine and drew three of their 

games with the Super Eagles of 

Nigeria. 

We’ll beat Sierra Leone home 

and away to qualify – Rohr 

They have become used to this trend 

of things under Franco-German 

trainer, Gernot Rohr in his four years 

and four months so far: earning 

tickets to major tournaments with 

matches to spare. And that is what 

the Super Eagles aim to continue in 

this international fixtures-corridor 

when they confront the Leone Stars 

of Sierra Leone in a quickfire double 

Africa Cup of Nations qualifying 

series in Benin City and Freetown. 

By lunch time yesterday, all 23 

invited players had arrived at the 

Eagles’ Eterno Hotel and Suites 

abode in Benin City, just before Sierra 

Leone’s 43-man contingent flew into 

town. The Leone Stars’ delegation 

had flown into Lagos aboard an 

ASKY airline flight from Freetown, 

before being lifted by a chartered 

flight to the Edo State capital. 

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr, 

Man Utd in 

talks over 

Ronaldo 

return 

anchester United 

Mhave 

reportedly 

contacted Cristiano 

Ronaldo with the view to resigning 

the Portugal 

international during next 

summer’s transfer window. 

The 35-year-old’s existing deal 

with Juventus is due to run 

until June 2022, but the Italian 

champions are allegedly keen 

to offload the attacker next 

summer to reduce the wage 

bill. 

Paris Saint-Germain 

have been strongly 

linked with the 

forward, but 

according to FOX 

Sports journalist 

Christian Martin, 

United are in talks with 

the Portuguese over a 

return, and Juve would be 

prepared to negotiate with the 20-time 

English champions. 

“Our sources in Manchester and 

Porto confirm that Manchester United 

tempted Cristiano Ronaldo with a 

return to the club for next season. The 

Portuguese star is considering it. 

Juventus will negotiate a deal if 

Ronaldo asks for it,” Martin posted on 

Twitter. 

Ronaldo turned out for United 

between 2003 and 2009, scoring 118 

goals in 292 appearances, winning 

three Premier League titles, one FA 

Cup and one Champions League in 

the process. 

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has 

scored 71 times in 94 appearances for 

Juve since arriving from Real Madrid, 

including six goals in five outings in 

all competitions this term. 

•Eagles in training 

who superintended Nigeria’s 

qualification for the 2018 FIFA World 

Cup finals with a match to spare from 

a hard-as-nails pool that included 

Cameroon, Algeria and Zambia, and 

also led the Eagles to earn a 2019 

AFCON ticket ahead of the final day 

of the qualifiers, said on Wednesday 

that he is expecting his wards to 

conform to style and taste. 

“We do not in any way underrate 

the Sierra Leoneans that we 

play over two legs within these 

four days, but we have our 

focus and 

•Ron 

Eagles face Covid-19 tests 

ahead of Sierra Leone clash 

Nigeria senior national team 

players will be tested for 

Covid-19 before taking on Sierra 

Leone in Friday’s Africa Cup of 

Nations qualifier. 

The three-time African 

champions face the Leone Stars, 

who are in dire need of a win in 

order to revive their Cameroon 

2022 ambitions. 

Before locking horns with the 

West Africans, however, players 

and coaches of the Super Eagles 

will be subjected to the 

assessment on Wednesday 

afternoon. 

Few hours after that, Gernot 

Rohr’s side will have their second 

training session by 17:00 (West 

African Time) at newly renovated 

Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. 

Having faced reigning African 

champions Algeria and Tunisia in 

friendly games, Rohr’s men are in 

good shape to face the Leone Stars. 

Their last appearance at Afcon 

was in Egypt 2019 where they 

finished third having recorded a 

1-0 win over the Carthage Eagles 

in the bronze medal match. 

John Keister’s men sit at the 

base of Group L with one point 

following a stuttering start to the 

qualifying campaign, having 

recorded a draw against Lesotho 

and defeat to Benin Republic. 

Sierra Leone are hoping to make 

their third appearance in the 

biennial African football 

showpiece. They last featured at 

the 1996 edition staged in South 

Africa. There, they crashed out of 

the group stage after one win and 

two defeats. 

The reverse fixture takes place 

at the National Stadium Freetown 

on Tuesday, November 17 with 

victory for Nigeria guaranteeing 

them a place in the 2022 Afcon. 

The 33rd edition of the biennial 

tournament was due to begin in 

Cameroon on January 9, 2021, but 

has now been pushed to January 

Wike Pre-Season tourney: 

MFM, Abia Warriors in crunch game 

...as Sirawoo applauds tourney 

I 

objective for the matches. We want 

to win both games so we can have 

the ticket and be able to be little more 

relaxed for the final games. You know 

that next year, we also have the World 

Cup qualifiers to focus on. It is better 

to get the AFCON job behind us 

now. 

“I am excited by the spirit of the 

players and their sense of dedication 

and commitment. We have not played 

a competitive match in a year, but 

they look very ready and good to go. 

Our mission is the six points in these 

two matches.” 

With the maximum six points from 

their first two matches of the 

campaign, three ahead of secondplaced 

Benin Republic who 

square up to Lesotho, the Eagles 

will be sure of a spot in the Draw 

for the finals in Cameroon if they 

earn all the points at stake against 

t is going to be a winner takes all game in the 

match between MFM of Lagos and Abia 

Warriors at the ongoing Governor Wike Pre- 

Season Championships in Port Harcourt. 

MFM currently top the group with seven 

points from three games, same points as Bayelsa 

Ladipo calls for fans’ understanding 

over empty stadium 

President General Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo 

has called for fans’ understanding as the Super Eagles prepare to host 

Sierra~Leone tomorrow in the first leg of their double header Cameroon 

AFCON 2021 qualifiers at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City. 

Dr OLadip further appealed to football fans in the country not to be 

angry that they will not have the opportunity of being in the stadium to 

watch the match live. 

Early this week, the Confederation of African football (CAF), had ruled 

that in keeping with the COVID~19 guidelines fans, supporters club and 

sports writers will not be allowed into the stadium and Ladipo believes the 

decision was taken in the best interest of the fans so as not to have another 

spike in the pandemic especially now that the curve have been flattened in 

the country. 

the Leone Stars. 

A year ago, at the Godswill 

Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Eagles 

survived a scare as the Squirrels from 

Benin Republic scored to take the 

lead inside five minutes of kick off. 

Victor Osimhen levelled from the spot 

just before half time and winger 

Samuel Kalu slotted in the winner 

off a solo effort in the second period. 

Days later, the Eagles again fell 

behind against Lesotho’s Crocodiles 

in Maseru, before goals by Alex 

Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, and 

a brace by Osimhen put daylight 

between the Eagles and their hosts. 

Captain Ahmed Musa and his 

deputy, William Ekong sang similar 

tunes as Coach Rohr in previewing 

the two encounters with the Leone 

Stars, saying the players are hungry 

for victory in both games as they want 

to assure an early spot in Cameroon. 

United in second position but with a 

better goal difference and a game at 

hand. 

Abia Warriors however will need to 

get the total three points to be able to 

topple Bayelsa United in the group as 

anything less than a win will eliminate 

them from the competition. 

On Wednesday, Bayelsa United 

walkover Ndala FC as the non-league 

side failed to turn up for the early 

morning game. 

MFM will need to work on their 

discipline as they have gotten a red card 

in each of their three games played so 

far in the competition. 

Also on Wednesday, amateur side, 

Ottasolo FC of Lagos defeated 

Cynosure FC 1-0 to secured their first 

win of the tournament. 

Apart from MFM game against 

Warriors on Thursday, Cynosure FC will 

be looking forward to get something 

out of their game against host team, 

Rivers United while the final game of 

the day will see Akwa United taking 

on Ottasolo FC.

C 

M 

Y 

K 

Vanguard, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2020 

QUICK CROSSWORD 

TODAY’S CROSSWORD 

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION 

TODAY’S PUZZLE 

Sudoku 

YESTERDAY’S ANSWER 

ACROSS 

1 Joke (4) 

3 Slaughter (8) 

9 Precious stone (7) 

10 Aroma (5) 

11 Fold (5) 

12 Tinned (6) 

14 Wealthier (6) 

14 Vast desert of North Africa (6) 

19 Male goose (6) 

21 Copious, abundant (5) 

24 Once more (5) 

25 Mean, medium (7) 

26 Helped (8) 

27 Solid fuel (4) 

DOWN 

1 Riding-breeches (8) 

2 In reserve (5) 

4 Kidnap (6) 

5 Contempt (5) 

6 Acute intestinal infection (7) 

7 Republic of Ireland (4) 

8 Container for liquid (6) 

13 Goodbye (8) 

15 Fancy neckwear (7) 

17 Proverbs (6) 

18 Covered walk with shops (6) 

20 Ridges of sand (5) 

22 Keyboard instrument (5) 

23 Volcanic matter (4) 

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. 

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

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

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

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

12112020 - #EndSARS PROMOTERS' ACCOUNTS: M-Belt, Ohanaeze, Afenifere, others blast Akeredolu

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