OBJ/PDP ELDERS TO JONATHAN: Sack Tukur, Baraje; hold new convention

...towards a better life for the people

N150VOL. 25: NO. 61964

ONLINE | www.vanguardngr.com

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013**

Mr & Mrs

Continues on page 6

•Ask him to produce a neutral chairman•Anenih, Akpabio to suggest deputy chairman•OBJ to select S-West officers, wants Ladoja as National Sec.•Jonathan likely to reject proposals•APC irrelevant in our crisis — Olisa Metuh

Sack Tukur, Baraje;hold new convention

COLUMNISTS:

•P.53

GUESTCOLUMNIST

GORDON

LES LEBA•P.44

•P.21

DELESOBOWALE

•P.36

OBJ/PDP ELDERS TO JONATHAN:

BY EMMANUELAZIKEN, POLITICAL

EDITOR

LAGOS—THE KawuBaraje and

Bamanga Tukur factionsof the Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP werelast night poised for a

Ozekhome may bereleased today •P.11

Palace chiefs askOlu of Warri torescind statement

•P.51

DINNER: President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by Vice President Namadi Sambo (L) and theNational Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, while the Chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, ChiefTony Anenih (R) watches during the Post-National Convention Dinner of the party at the BanquetHall, State House, Abuja, yesterday. Photo: Abayomi Adeshida.

•P.12

WhyforeigninvestorsshunNigeria— EU

Jonathan, Gordon Brown launchback-to-school campaign for 10.5m children

8

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POCKET CARTOON

TAKE HEARTBY ELLA RANDLE


LIFEWORDSBY PASTOR ITUAH

Sack Tukur, Baraje, PDPelders tell Jonathan

Continues from page 1

The acronyms of LOVE:L- listen(paying attention, comprehended listen-ing)O- observe (study one another)V- value (honour)E- embrace (acceptance)Life and Living is based on Love.

Beware of allowing a tactless word, a rebuttal,to obliterate the whole sky —Anaïs Nin

This story shared by Steve Goodier best illustratesthe principle of tactfulness, being nice to others eventhough it seems their behaviour deserves much lessfrom us. In reality, how a person treats you is theirconcern and how you react is up to you. Remember,that no one can make you feel inferior without yourconsent.

A well-to-do woman sipped tea with a youngerand not-so-well to do acquaintance on the verandaof her spacious mansion. “When my first child wasborn,” she said, “I decided to do something espe-cially nice for myself. So I built this exquisite home.”“Well, isn’t that nice,” said the other with a brightsmile.

“And on my 40th birthday I bought myself thatbeautiful antique Rolls Royce in the driveway. Why,I think it’s the most gorgeous automobile in theworld.” “Well, isn’t that nice,” said her friend.

“And for no reason at all, I decided I needed aspecial gift, so I acquired the most wonderful col-lection of ridiculously expensive art I only show tomy most cherished friends. I hope you can see itsomeday.” “Well, isn’t that nice,” came the pleas-ant response.

“Now tell me, what have you done for yourselflately?” she asked.“ I went to charm school.”“Charm school! What on earth for?” The youngerlady muttered silently to herself “So when I feellike saying, ‘Lady, who gives a rip?’ I smile andsay, ‘Well, isn’t that nice.’” How often is tact justhaving something you want to say and not sayingit?

long standoff, followingapparent efforts by the

Presidency to fight offproposals being articu-lated by the ChiefOlusegun Obasanjo-led

elders' committee.The elders committee

which met at the week-end following meetingswith the two factions, itwas learnt, had madesome proposals towardsresolution of the crisis inthe party. Among the rec-ommendations were dis-solution of the executivesof the Tukur and Baraje-led factions of the partyand the scheduling of afresh convention for theelection of a fresh andunited executive. Underthe arrangement it waslearnt the office of Na-tional Chairman will beconceded to PresidentGoodluck Jonathan;Deputy National Chair-man conceded to eitherthe Chairman, Board ofTrustees, BoT, Chief TonyAnenih, or GovernorGodswill Akpabio, Chair-man of the PDP Gover-nors Forum. Both Anenihand Akpabio are from theSouth-South where theoffice of Deputy NationalChairman is zoned to.

Obasanjo favoursLadoja asNationalSecretary

The office of NationalSecretary and other of-fices zoned to the South-West it was learnt, wouldbe conceded to PresidentObasanjo who, it waslearnt, was already set toshove his new-foundfriend, Senator Rasheed

Ladoja for the prime po-sition.

Proposal forAmaechi's return

Under the proposals,the Adamawa and RiversState executives of theparty that were put atabeyance on account ofthe lingering crises in theparty will be restored justas Governor RotimiAmaechi of Rivers Statewho was suspendedwould be reinstated uponexpiration of the 30-dayperiod as provided by theconstitution.

Meanwhile, the PDPNational Publicity Secre-tary, Chief Olisa Metuhhas fended off insinua-tions of a role by the op-position All ProgressivesCongress, APC in the cri-sis in the party. Metuh,in a session with news-men in Lagos, said theAPC is too insignificantand minuscule to be afactor in what he de-scribed as an intra-partydispute. He also put in arobust defence of Tukur'sleadership of the party,describing the NationalChairman as the kind ofelixir needed to managethe PDP at this time.

The Obasanjo panelincluded Anenih andformer military presi-dent, Gen. IbrahimBabangida.

The report is yet to bepresented to PresidentJonathan who is the

leader of the party.In proposing a fresh

convention, sources dis-closed that the Obasanjopanel was not unmindfulof the financial implica-tions of holding a newconvention but as it waslearnt, panellists weresaid to have affirmedthat “money should notbe a hindrance to doingthe right thing.”

Jonathan 2015

The panel report didnot touch on the sensi-tive matter of PresidentJonathan contesting an-other term in office. Van-guard learnt that thepanel decided not totouch the issue becauseof both parties' strongpositions on it.

However, there wereindications that Presi-dent Jonathan may notacquiesce to the propos-als as raised by theelders.

Presidency sources dis-closed that dissolvingthe Tukur executive andgoing with most of theother recommendationswould mean the Presi-dency losing its presentadvantages.

In an apparent effort tobolster its forces in theensuing battle, it waslearnt that three ad-hoccommittees were consti-tuted by the Presidentbefore he travelled toKenya last week to articu-late possible solutions tothe crisis.

The committees it waslearnt include Legal, Po-litical and Contact. Thecommittees are nowworking on ways ofquenching the crisis inthe party and to containthe Baraje forces. Presi-dency sources disclosedthat the committees are topropose their recommen-dations to the Presidenttomorrow.

The President, it waslearnt, was inclined to-wards a holistic solutionof the crisis to restore or-der in the party without

condoning indiscipline.In that direction, the

President it was under-stood, may not give in tothe demands of some ofthe governors that theEconomic and FinancialCrimes Commission,EFCC be pulled out frominvestigating somestates. Some of the sevengovernors aligned to theBaraje faction of theparty were alleged tohave bitterly complainedof being harassed by theEFCC purely on politicalgrounds.

We give noattention to APC

Meanwhile, the ChiefOlisa Metuh has dis-missed insinuations ofthe involvement of theAPC in the unfolding cri-sis in the ruling party.

Metuh in an interviewin Lagos said:

"The APC as currentlyconstituted has no capac-ity, no power to have anyinfluence whatsoever inthe challenges in theparty and they are of noconsequences whatso-ever and we do not payany attention to them.They have no power, noinfluence, no position, nocapacity to influence any-thing that is happeningin the party.

“The APC is insignifi-cant and they are unim-portant in the scheme ofthings. What is impor-tant to us as a party is toresolve with our brothersand to have a final reso-lution of this matter, to bein one accord and haveunity with our brothers sothat the PDP can con-tinue to rule. But the roleof APC is non-existent inthis matter. They are un-important, they are insig-nificant and of no effectand we do not pay atten-tion to the APC as a bodyand the individualstherein. They are of noconsequence whatso-ever.”

YOUTH SUMMIT—First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan being received on arrival at the SanJose Airport by Ambassador Zhiri Hydia, Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, for this year's Global YouthSummit on Internet Security holding in Costa-Rica.

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BABY FACTORY: Hairdresser, 3others nabbed in Enugu

Pregnant girl, baby recoveredBY TONY EDIKE

ENUGU — AN Enugu-b a s e d

female hairdresser,Ifeoma Obike, who allegedlycombined her business withthe illicit trade of baby factory,has been arrested by opera-tives of Anti Human Traffick-ing Unit of the Criminal In-vestigation Department ofEnugu State Police Command.

Ifeoma, who claimed to be anative of Oguta in Imo Stateand a popular hairstylist inNew Haven, Enugu, accord-ing to the police, allegedlytried to augment her earningsfrom her legitimate businessby engaging in the “baby forsale” trade which had beenthriving in many parts of theSouth-East for some time.

Ifeoma who claimed to havefive children out of wedlock,however, denied being in-volved in child trafficking butshe was found with a baby,which she claimed belongedto her sister in Lagos.

The police said she would betaken to Lagos to confirm herclaim though the operativesdoubted her because the babywas too tender to be cared for byany person other than hermother.

The state Police Public RelationsOfficer, PPRO, Mr. EbereAmaraizu, who announced thearrest of Ifeoma and three mem-bers of the syndicate, weekend,said the long arm of the lawcaught up with them last Thurs-day when men of the Anti Hu-man Trafficking squad, acting ona tip off, swooped on them.

He said: “On September 5,2013, the long arm of the law vis-ited Ifeoma as the operatives ofthe Anti Human Trafficking Unitof the state Criminal and Inves-tigation Department of theEnugu State police command,acting on information receivedthat Ifeoma combines the newlydiscovered lucrative business ofbaby factory with the saloon busi-ness, arrested her and someonewhom she identified as a would-be husband.

“The alleged fiancé, a patentmedicine dealer and self-ac-claimed doctor and the pregnantgirl, who was on the verge ofdelivery, Ujunwa, were appre-hended and are now being in-terrogated.”

He said Ifeoma had takenUjunwa into custody to enableher deliver her baby from anunwanted pregnancy with the in-tention of taking the baby, add-ing that they had agreed thatUjunwa would upon delivery besettled with N100,000 to forfeither baby.

My ordeal, byUjunwa

Ujunwa, who narrated her or-deal to the police, said she wasimpregnated by someone andhad wanted to abort the preg-nancy.

Confused about what to dowith the pregnancy, Ujunwawho hails from Ituku in AwguLocal Government Area of thestate, went to a patent medicinedealer identified as Obinna ofObofia Awkunanaw but residesin New Haven Extension,Enugu, to abort it but was ad-vised to keep the baby.

Before then, she had madeattempts to get rid of the baby tono avail.

“Obinna, however, linked

Ujunwa with Ifeoma who wouldtake care of her pregnancy andlater be given N100,000 afterdelivery to forfeit the baby whichIfeoma will at the appropriatetime, sell to couples desirous ofbaby,” the police spokesmansaid.

According to him, Ujunwa fur-ther disclosed that while she waswith Ifeoma, “the woman in-sisted that if her financial condi-tion dwindles, that the initialagreed amount of N100,000could be reduced to an amountthat she can afford.

“One of the accomplices, a na-tive of Ezeagu, who was alsoapprehended, denied being partof the syndicate. But he revealedthat there was a certain time apregnant girl was brought to himto be delivered of a baby, which

he carried out and later the babywas released to someone identi-fied as a sister to the girl and thathe also issued a receipt for thehospital expenses incurred.”

On his part, Obike fromIsiukwuato, Abia State, whomIfeoma described as her fiancé,revealed that he was yet to marryIfeoma even though they havefive children, whose whereaboutscould not be explained.

Obike, who claimed to be abusinessman dealing on wears,however, declined to give furtherdetails about the baby found inpossession of his allegedfiancée.

Amaraizu said that full investi-gations into the matter had al-ready commenced with a view toascertaining further details of theillicit activities of the syndicate.

Ujunwa (middle), Ifeoma (2nd right) with the baby and suspected members of the syndi-cate

Man stabslover todeath inBomadi

BY EMMA AMAIZE

WARRI — THERE waspandemonium in the riv-

erside Bomadi community,Bomad Local GovernmentArea, Delta State, weekend,when a jealous young manallegedly stabbed his girl-friend to death with a brokenbottle.

The killer-boyfriend, identi-fied as Lucky, who escapedbeing lynched by an irate mob,it was gathered, had a misun-derstanding with the girl overalleged fidelity.

The deceased, who, it wasgathered, did not take kindlyto his rebuke, walked out onLucky, but the furious boy-friend gave her several slaps.

A source said: “It was whenthe girl was trying to fight backthat the boy went for a bottleof beer, hit it on his head be-fore stabbing the girl. Whenhe saw that the girl was bleed-ing profusely, he attempted torun, but was apprehended byonlookers."

Vanguard gathered that thegirl's corpse had been depos-ited at Bomadi General Hos-pital.

Navy arrests Cameroonian, 9 Nigeriansover alleged crude oil theft

BY SAMUELOYADONGHA

YENAGOA —THE Nige-rian Navy has arrested a

Cameroonian and nine Nige-rians on board a vessel ladenwith diesel, suspected tohave been stolen on the At-lantic fringe of Brass in BrassLocal Government Area ofBayelsa State.

The suspects were inter-cepted, weekend, by opera-tives of the Forward Operat-ing Base, FOB, of the Nige-rian Navy known asFORMOSO.

According to the navy, thesuspects were apprehendedon board a vessel, MT

Pauline, loaded with over360,000 litres of diesel sus-pected to have been stolen.

The captain of the vessel, ac-cording to a statement by theCentral Naval Command, yes-terday, in Yenagoa, was un-able to tender relevant docu-ments, such as the NPA bun-kering permit, the certificateof registration with the jointtask force and the approval forthe movement of petroleumproduct by the naval head-quarters.

The statement by the Com-mand Operations Officer,Commodore EmmanuelEnemor, said: “On September6, 2013, at 8 am, a Naval pa-

trol team from the ForwardOperating Base, FORMOSO,intercepted and arrested MTPauline offshore Brass River inthe Brass council area ofBayelsa State.

" At the time of arrest, the ves-sel was loaded with over360,000 litres of diesel. Theship was arrested with 10 crewmembers made up of nine Ni-gerians and a Cameroonian.”

The arrest and many othersrecorded in the past, accord-ing to the statement, “is a cleardisplay of the determination ofthe Navy commands to eradi-cate oil theft, illegal bunker-ing and other illegalities in themaritime environment.”

Policeapprehendfive forrapingteenager,robbery

BY PETER DURU

MAKURDI — MEN ofthe Benue State Po-

lice Command have ar-rested a three-man gang,which allegedly kidnappedand raped a 15-year-old girlin Makurdi, the BenueState capital.

Also nabbed by the com-mand was a two-man rob-bery gang, which special-ised in dispossessing theirvictims of their Ipads andcomputers.

According to a statementby the Benue State PolicePublic Relations Officer,PPRO, Mr Daniel Ezeala,the police were “alerted bya man that his 15-year-oldcousin was last Friday re-peatedly raped by a four-man gang, which kid-napped her at 7:30pm.

“They abducted their vic-tim into a red Toyota Camryand drove her to Apir, in theoutskirts of Makurdi town,where they took turns tohave carnal knowledge ofher against her consent."

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Jonathan launches back-to-school campaign for 10.5mchildren

Security fears at Akanu Ibiam Int'l Airport

ENUGU—THERE are fearsthat Akanu Ibiam Interna-

tional Airport, Enugu, may be-come transit route for drug traf-fickers as screening machinesand other essential facilities thatwould enhance smooth operationwere yet to be provided at theairport, which commenced inter-national commercial flights onAugust 24.

However, the security issuesraised by some concerned usersof the airport, during the maidenflag-off of international flight op-eration, had been addressedwith the deployment of all thearmed forces required to main-tain security at the airport.

Officials of the airport saidsome vital security gadgetsneeded for thorough screeningof passengers were yet to be in-stalled at the airport.

The frequent arrests of traffick-ers at other international airportsin the country have been attrib-uted to the presence of suchscreening machines.

Ethiopian AirEthiopian Airlines kick-started

the international flight operation

from the airport after a symbolicceremony attended by a FederalGovernment delegation led bySecretary to the Government ofthe Federation, Chief Pius Anyimand personalities from the South-East. It has so far operated eightflights to and from the airport todifferent countries.

Vanguard reliably gathered thatsome key facilities needed forsmooth operation by the airlineswere still being expected.

The Traffic and Sales Managerof Ethiopian Airlines in Enugu,Mr. Theodros M’Silassie, toldVanguard that although theyhad maintained steady interna-tional flight operations sincethey arrived Enugu two weeksago, there were some basic fa-cilities still lacking at the airport.

Lacking, facilitiesHe particularly identified ab-

sence of conveyor belt as con-stituting a major impediment totheir operations and urged theauthorities to provide the nec-essary facilities that would en-hance their service delivery.

He, however, admitted that theairport environment was condu-cive for their operation, sayingthe airline had not encountered

any major problem since theybegan flight operations inEnugu.

The airline operates interna-tional flights to and fromAkanu Ibiam Airport on Mon-day, Wednesday, Friday andSaturday and has recordedimpressive patronage since itbegan operation in Enugu onAugust 24.

Vanguard gathered thatnight flight operation, whichwas suspended at the airportsince March 18, 2012, whenthe airport was shut for reha-bilitation, resumed recently asthe runway lights had beenfully installed and any aircraftcould land and take-off at anytime.

Armed Forceson ground

Nigeria Immigration Service,Nigeria Customs Service, Ni-geria Drug Law EnforcementAgency, Department of StateServices, Nigeria Air Forceand the Nigeria Police havedeployed their officials to han-dle the airport security and nosecurity breach had been re-corded either from the domes-tic or international wing since

they arrived the airport abouttwo weeks ago.

An official of Federal AirportsAuthority of Nigeria, FAAN,who spoke to Vanguard on con-dition of anonymity, said the air-port had taken off fully althoughrehabilitation works were still inprogress in some sections.

The official said: “AkanuIbiam (Enugu) is one of thebest airports in Nigeria todayand I can tell you that at theend of ongoing rehabilitation,we will have the most modernfacilities that you can find inany airport in the world.

“There is no cause for alarmbecause the Federal Govern-ment is determined to addressall the challenges we have atthe moment.”

When Vanguard visited theairport last Wednesday, sometop officials of FAAN from La-gos were seen inspecting facili-ties and taking inventories ofsome offices that were yet tobe equipped.

Enugu Airport Manager,Mr. Chuma Nwobi, could notbe reached for comments as hewas said to be conducting thevisiting FAAN officials roundthe airport to inspect facilitiesand ongoing projects.

BY TONY EDIKE

PRESIDENT GoodluckJonathan will, today, host the

world, with Gordon Brown,former British Prime Ministerand the United Nations SpecialEnvoy for Education in attend-ance, as Nigeria launches a cam-paign to return 10.5 million out-of-school children back to school.

It will be recalled that onThursday, Mr. Gordon Brownbrought two young women to-gether in an online video ex-change.

They are Ojonwa Miachi, anEconomics graduate fromBingham University in Karu,who is Nigeria’s National YouthAdvocate for Universal Educa-tion and the Millennium Devel-opment Goals; and MalalaYousafzai, the 16-year-old Paki-stani girl shot by the Taliban andhas also had to leave her coun-try.

Both are demanding what 57million girls and boys like themcannot have— the right to go toschool even in times of conflictand, as a result, both see them-selves at the centre of a 21st-cen-tury civil rights struggle.

This freedom fight— as Malalaand Ojonwa show— is now be-ing led not by familiar adultvoices but by young people them-selves.

Malala said: “Innocent girlsonly want to empower them-selves through education. Ob-taining education is every manand woman’s birthright and no

one is allowed to take away thisright from them.”

Ojonwa and Malala’s mis-sions— to get girls to school—arethe inspiration behind today’sAbuja summit, led by PresidentJonathan and Nigeria’s state gov-ernors.

The landmark event will bringcabinet ministers, state governorsand state education commission-ers together with global develop-ment partners to get Nigeria’s 10million out-of-school children intoeducation.

Event's missionToday’s event will discuss how

Nigeria can allocate new finan-cial support for school building,

teachers' recruitment, teacher-training and new technologywith tablets, phones and onlineschool courses.

This is part of a global initia-tive to get every boy and girl toschool by the end of 2015. Themovement will build a worldwhere for the first time no boyor girl is denied their right toeducation.

Leaders will assemble fromUSAID, Qatar’s Educate aChild, led by Sheikha Moza,from the Global Partnership forEducation, whose head is AliceAlbright, and from the globalbusiness community led by theGlobal Business Coalition forEducation.

Each will pledge additionalsupport.

The United Kingdom is alsoready to boost its help this yearwith a visit from the PermanentHead of Department for Inter-national Development, DFID.

Ojonwa, who spoke to Malalaon the video link about her fightfor education for girls in Nigeria,emphasised the scale of the up-hill struggle the country has toface. The aim is to move thecountry with the world’s largestpopulation of out-of-school chil-dren to universal education.

Out of schoolTen million children are yet to

go to school because of teach-

ers' shortage of nearly 1.3 mil-lion, and shortage of 1.2 millionclassrooms.

Child labour, child marriageand child trafficking preventthousands getting to school.

For those that do find ways toget their children into school,there is doubt as to the effective-ness of the courses.

Approximately, 52 percent ofyoung women, who completeprimary education, remain illit-erate. The large amount of illit-eracy is now an economic prob-lem and a social disaster, with thenumber of adults, who cannotread or write, up to 35 million.

Illiteracy is said to be standingbetween Nigeria and its de-served success as an economicpowerhouse of the world.

In the midst of the educationcrisis, President Jonathan saidgetting every child into schooland learning is feasible andachievable, and the key to Ni-geria's prosperity.

SolutionsIt was noted that what works

best were financial incentives,which must be fine-tuned to helpstate governments deliver;teacher training and professionaldevelopment, which must be ef-fectively taken to scale byleveraging technology.

The curriculum of all schoolsmust be strengthened to developliteracy and numeracy skills andfamilies must be supported in theirdemand for education throughconditional cash transfers.

These transfers, now being pio-neered in some states, can betaken up in all states and encour-age enrolment and attendanceparticularly of girls.

There should also be a delega-tion of business, educational andpolitical leaders working topresent financing options andconcrete proposals to support theimplementation of state plans.

They will also look at whatmore can be done to incentivisethe education, and leveraging upresources, including the use ofUniversal Basic Education Fundto provide central ministry incen-tives alongside investments fromUK, US, Educate a Child, theGlobal Partnership for Education,and specific offers from the busi-ness community through the Glo-bal Business Coalition for Edu-cation.

Nigerians sign petitionIt was noted that Nigeria was

calling for the education it needsfor the future.

Despite the violence againsteducation from extremist groups,in addition to the peaceful civilsociety movements that have oc-curred over the past few months,Nigerians are signing the peti-tion to support Jonathan’s com-mitment to education.

They are calling for safe schoolsfor all of Nigeria’s children andfor state level implementation ofplans for universal education.

SERVICE: From left— Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha;his wife, Ebere; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission, Dr. Osita Chidoka, andhis wife, Mrs. Chidoka, after a special thanksgiving service for Chidoka's family at theCathedral Church of The Advent, Gwarimpa, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: Abayomi Adeshida.

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Vanguard MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013—9

AWARD: From left,US Commercial Attaché, Rebecca Armand; US ConsulGeneral, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, and CEO, Al-Khezai Nigeria Ltd, Mr. KizitoAlakwe, during the presentation of US International Partner Awards 2013 toMr. Alakwe, in Lagos.

APC condemns closure ofnPDP secretariat

NUPENG delightedover Dangoterefinery

Lagos govtprobesstudents’ riotat Epe

BY OLASUNKANMIAKONI

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

LAGOS — NIGERIA Union of Petroleum andNatural Gas Workers, NUPENG, weekend,

expressed delight over the proposed N9billionDangote refinery/petro-chemical and fertilisercomplex expected to assume production in 2016.

NUPENG said the refinery would go a longway to ending the perennial scarcity of petro-leum products and put an end to the currentmassive importation of products.

While commending the President/Chief Execu-tive of Dangote Group of Companies, AlhajiAliko Dangote, for the project, the union calledon other private investors and the multinationaloil companies to take a cue from Dangote, espe-cially 18 firms that were granted licences to es-tablish refineries under Obasanjo regime andhave not made any move to live up to expecta-tions.

The Dangote Group and a consortium of localbanks and international investors, last Wednes-day, signed N9billion to build a refinery/petrol-chemical and fertiliser complex at the Olokola

BY OLASUNKANMIAKONI

ALL PROGRESS-IVES Congress,

APC, has condemned theseal-up of the secretariatof new Peoples Demo-cratic Party, nPDP, inAbuja, saying those be-hind the action must be“identified and jailed for“crass lawlessness andpalpable impunity.”

APC said: “Only Godknows what those whoorchestrated the sealingup of the secretariat ofthe new PDP will do tostifle the opposition ifthey could go to thisshameful length to get attheir dissenting mem-bers, even as ‘peace’ talkssupposedly continue be-tween them.”

The party in a statementby its Interim National Pub-licity Secretary, Alhaji LaiMohammed, yesterday,stated: ‘’The festering cri-sis in the PDP is not ourbusiness, but when the cri-sis leads to repression, dis-regard for court orders andconstitutional provisions,we cannot keep quiet be-cause those issues havegrave implications for ourdemocracy,’’

It described the sealingup of nPDP secretariat as athrowback to the nation’sdarkest era.

It argued that it con-firmed the fears being ex-pressed by the oppositionthat the JonathanAdministration,now beinghoisted by its own petard,would become increas-ingly intolerant and re-

pressive with the approachof the 2015 general elec-tions.

APC said: ‘’There is nodoubt that the rump of theruling PDP which has theears of President Jonathanis behind the sealing up ofthe new PDP secretariat, ina dangerous defiance of acourt order that the parties

must maintain the statusquo.

“The egregious nature ofthis action becomes evenclearer when viewedagainst the lies being ped-dled by the old PDP, thatthe sealing of the secre-tariat, which it instigated,has the imprimatur of thecourts.”

Gunmen kill 13Civilian JTF in Borno

THIRTEEN membersof the civilian JTF

were shot dead by sus-pected Boko Haram mili-tants in an early of yes-terday attack onBenesheikh in Kaga Lo-cal Government Area ofBorno State.

Benesheikh is about 75kilometres fromMaiduguri, the capital ofthe state.

One of survivorsMalam Zanna Fannamitold newsmen on his hos-pital bed at the Univer-sity of Maiduguri Teach-ing Hospital, UMTH, thatthe attack took placearound 12.30 a.m.

Fannami, a leader ofthe vigilance group, said17 persons were also in-jured in the attack.

“The whole thingstarted around 12.30 a.mas we were keeping vigilat the entrance of thetown.

“We heard an explosionnear a military check-point, but before we couldfind out what was goingon we began to hear spo-

radic gunshots,’’ he said.Fannami said the

group tried to repulse theattackers by fightingback.

He said: “Unknown tous, the attackers werehiding on top of trees allover the place. They suc-ceeded in killing 12 per-sons on the spot, whileanother person diedwhile receiving treatmentat the hospital.

“Seventeen otherpersons were also in-jured. But we did not giveup, as we kept fightingthem until we chasedthem away.

“We also killed four ofthe attackers as they fled.”

We got five pumpaction guns from them,’’he said.

Mohammed Abuwar,another survivor, cor-roborated Fannami’sclaim, saying the attack-ers came barefooted.

“They kept their vehi-cles faraway to avoidbeing detected beforeattacking us,’’ he said.

Liquefied NaturalGas, OKLNG, FreeTrade Zone,between Ogun andOndo states.

NUPENG in astatement throughits General Secre-tary, Isaac Aberare,said: “NUPENGcommends Niger-ia’s great entrepre-neur, Alhaji AlikoDangote for his ini-tiative and boldstep to establish thelargest refinery inthe country.

“The union ishappy with this de-velopment comingfrom the privatesector, because itwill go a long wayto end the peren-nial scarcity of pe-troleum productsand put an end tothe current massiveimportation of prod-ucts from abroad by2016, when therefinery comes onstream.

This is to notify the general public that MeelaTravels Limited, of No. 254, Agege MotorRoad, by Airport B/Stop, Ikeja Lagos, hasapplied to NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATIONAUTHORITY (NCAA) for Air TravelsOrganizers License (ATOL) for the services ofUmrah ,Hajj and other organized tours. Anyobjection should be forwarded within 28 daysof this publication.

Signed: Management

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given to the general public that the above namedAssociation is applying to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registrationunder Part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1 1990.

1. MR. BONIFACE NWATU2. HON. ADOKIYE O. HORSFALL3. MR. ENIEDI ESSIEN EKPE4. MR. OBASHE AKHABIGHIME OLORUNFEMI5. ANIKPEH NDIDI EBENEZER6. CHIEF OKECHUKWU DOMINIC ANOLUE7. MR. CHRISTIAN OKECHUKWU DURUJI8. MRS. JOY OKOLI9. MR. PATRICK OTOIDE

1. To promote unity and co-operation among its members.2. To ensure compliance to minimum standards of regulatory bodies.3. To ensure adherence to best manufacturing practices as specified by

regulatory bodies4. To inculcate in our members the need to maintain healthy environmentsuitable for food production.Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Maitama Abuja, within 28 daysof this publication.

THE TRUSTEES ARE:-

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

DAIRY AND FRUITDRINK MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA

PIUS EJIKEME OKAFOR ESQ.No.4 Central School Road, Onitsha, Anambra State,

Solicitor to the Association

PUBLIC NOTICE

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LAGOS — GOVERNOR Babatunde

Fashola of Lagos Statehas inaugurated a six-man panel of enquiryinto the students’ riot atthe Michael OtedolaCollege of Primary Edu-cation, Noforija, Epe onMonday, June, 17 2013,charging it to determinethe immediate, remote orother contributory causesof the protest.

The tribunal is chairedby Prof. IdowuSobowale, a one-timeCommissioner for Edu-cation in the state and anaccomplished educa-tionalist, journalist andversatile human re-source manager.

Other members in-clude, Professor FunkeLawal, a scholar of Dis-tance Learning; Dr.Moshood BabatundeLawal, an academic; Mr.Tajedeen Oshikoya, alegal practitioner; andMr. Ayodeji Adenekan,while Mr. SulaimonAjayi will serve as itssecretary.

Fashola, who was rep-resented by the AttorneyGeneral and Commis-sioner for Justice, Mr.Ade Ipaye, urged the tri-bunal to assess the rolesor degree of culpabilityof staff, students, policeand or anybody in theincident, evaluate theextent of damage andcasualties in the riot andrecommend appropriateamount to surcharge thestudents for the dam-ages.


RECEPTION: From left, Mrs. Tina Olumese, H R M, Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo (Alake ofEgbaland) with his Olori, and Guv’nor of The Coliseun Night Club, Ken Olumese, during ‘GrandHouse Reception,’ in honour of the Alake of Egbaland, weekend, at The Coliseum, Ikeja. Photo: SholaOyelese

EcobankdisbursesMDG funds tobeneficiariesin Ekiti viaMobileMoney

BY PETER EGWUATU

Ecobank Nigeria Lim-ited and the Ekiti State gov-ernment have commencedthe disbursement of fundsto over 2,250 residents ear-marked in the state as thefirst set of beneficiaries ofthe Federal GovernmentConditional Cash Transfer,CCT, Scheme.

The scheme is under theMillennium DevelopmentGoals, MDGs, project ofOffice of the Senior Spe-cial Assistant to the Presi-dent, OSSAP, on MDGs.

The intervention fundhas so far been successfullydisbursed to all the benefi-ciaries through cash trans-fers on the Ecobank Mo-bile Money platform.

Each of the beneficiariesreceived N5,000 which willbe paid monthly as grantfor the up-keep of theirfamilies while a lump sumof N100,000 will be paid tothem for start-up of smallagriculture business after12 months.

Activists, labour, journalists, lawyers move againstelectricity tariffs, petition UN

Why I teamed up withBaraje — Oyinlola

Obasanjo behind PDPcrisis, Kashamu alleges

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

OSOGBO — FORMER National Secretary ofPeoples Democratic Party, PDP, and National

Secretary of the new Peoples DemocraticParty,“nPDP, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, yester-day, explained why he parted way with NationalChairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to teamup with Alhaji Kawu Baraje.

He also disclosed how members of the faction beatthe security operatives to form new PDP at the ShehuMusa Yar’Adua International Conference Centre,Abuja.

A COALITION ofhuman rights ac-

tivists, labour, journalistsand lawyers have movedagainst the recent in-crease in electricity tariffsand petitioned Ms.Magdalena SepúlvedaCarmona, United NationsSpecial Rapporteur onExtreme Poverty and Hu-man Rights.

In the petition datedSeptember 6, 2013 thecoalition requested the

Special Rapporteur tosend “an urgent appealto the government ofPresident GoodluckJonathan to delay the in-creased fixed rate electric-ity tariffs until the gov-ernment is able to put inplace mechanisms to en-sure regular and uninter-rupted electricity supply,and to carry out the im-pact assessment of theincrease on people livingin extreme poverty.”

According to the coali-tion: “By introducingfixed rate electricity tar-iffs, the government iscomplicit in violating thehuman rights of peopleliving in poverty and un-dermining their personaldevelopment and pros-perity.

“We believe that it ispremature for the govern-ment to increase electric-ity tariff prior to takingeffective measures to

guarantee and ensureregular and uninter-rupted electricity supplyacross the country.”

The coalition also re-quested the Special Rap-porteur to visit the coun-try to “conduct an in-depth investigation intothe effects of the increasedelectricity tariff on peopleliving in poverty,” and tourge the government to“take all reasonablemeasures to protect, re-

spect and fulfil the rightsof people living in pov-erty and social exclusionacross the country.”

Signatories to the peti-tion are: Socio-EconomicRights and Accountabil-ity Project, SERAP; WoleSoyinka Centre for Inves-tigative Journalism,WSCIJ; Nigerian Unionof Journalists, NUJ, La-gos State Council; Nige-rian Labour Congress’NLC, Lagos State branch;Nigeria Bar Association,NBA, Ikeja branch; Na-tional Union of Food Bev-erage and Tobacco

Employees,NUFBTE;and Joint Action Front,JAF.

Others are: Women Ad-vocates Research andDocumentation Centre,WARDC; Women Em-powerment and Legal AidInitiative, WELA; Part-nership for Justice, PJ;Campaign for DemocraticWorkers, CDWR; Demo-cratic Socialist Move-ment, DSM; Civil SocietyNetwork Against Corrup-tion, CSNAC, and Edu-cation RightsCampaign,ERC.

Oyinlola, who spoke while addressing mem-bers of the nPDP loyal to him from all the 30local government areas of the state, at a rallyin Okuku, his home town, said his travails inthe PDP started in 2011 as a result of his loy-alty to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He recalled that the current crisis which po-larised the PDP started in 2010 when Presi-dent Goodluck Jonathan declared his intentionto contest the 2011 presidential election andperceived some serving governors as not be-ing supportive of his ambition.

ABEOKUTA — A Chieftain of the PeoplesDemocratic Party in Ogun State, Prince

Buruji Kashamu, has accused former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo of master-minding the on-going crisis in the ruling party at the nationallevel.

Kashamu in a statement, yesterday, inAbeokuta, described Obasanjo action as deceit-ful.

He said the actions of the “so-called seven ag-grieved governors and their collaborators” ex-plained better.

According to him: “The events leading to thecurrent storm in a tea cup are all too familiar towarrant a recount here. But true to my character,what I find unsettling and difficult to stomach isthe pretensions of some of our leaders who arenow masquerading as peace makers.”

“There is sufficient evidence that they were partand parcel of the gang up against the Presidencyand the leadership of the party.

“Let me state from the outset that while it istrue that former President Olusegun Obasanjo ismy adopted political father and I am one of hisfoot soldiers, it is also true that I have learnt fromhim the virtues of courage and how to speak thetruth to power, irrespective of whose ox is gored.”

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

Vanguard MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 11

Ozekhome: Kidnappers release Ugbome, may freehuman rights lawyer today

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM& GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN—THERE are in-dications that human

rights lawyer, Chief MikeOzekhome, SAN, who hasbeen in kidnappers’ den thesepast two weeks may regain hisfreedom today, following whatVanguard learnt were positivediscussions between the kid-nappers and the family.

Hopes of his imminent re-lease rose, following the kid-nappers’ release of the chief-tain of All Progressives Con-gress, APC, Mr. AthanasiusUgbome, who was abductedwith him. Ugbome regainedhis freedom at 1am, yesterday,less than 14 hours after theEdo State Commissioner ofPolice, Mr. Funso Adebanjoand his counterpart in DeltaState, Ikechukwu Aduba re-portedly mapped out strate-gies to secure the victims’ re-lease.

Though a private radio sta-tion monitored in Benin, hadreported that Ozekhome hadbeen released, Vanguard,however, learnt that the origi-

nal plan was to secure the re-lease of all those that were ab-ducted on the Benin-AuchiRoad, on August 23 on thesame day.

It was further learnt thatthere were disagreements be-tween the kidnappers and thefamily as regards the paymentof ransom.

While it can be confirmedthat Ugbome was released,yesterday, uncertainty contin-ues to surround that ofOzekhome, who, it was learntis hale and hearty. There wasjubilation in Benin City andhis Oviukwe community,when it was rumoured that hehad been released, but the ju-bilation was cut short whenresidents of Benin only sight-ed Ugbome while Ozekhomewas not with him.

Confirming Ugbome’s re-lease, his elder brother Pas-chal, in a short message, said:“Praise be to God, he has beenreleased.”

Sources at the Edo State Po-lice Command also confirmedthe release of Ugbome, add-ing: “We are also expecting

the release of Ozekhome anymoment from now. Like wesaid earlier, we want him re-leased unhurt and that we areworking on.”

Meanwhile, anxiety has con-tinued to mount in Iviukwe,

Agenebode, as members ofthe community continued theirfasting and prayers for therelease of their son.

Vanguard was informed thatdiscussions between the fam-ily and the kidnappers had

been fruitful and he may befreed today. The state CP, MrAdebanjo, when contacted,said: “This is a security mat-ter; that is all I can tell you.Like I said earlier, we willensure that all of them arefreed unhurt.”

....As Gani Chambers’ Alumni pleadfor Ozekhome’s release

THE Gani FawehinmiChambers Alumni

Association, GFCAA, hascalled on abductors ofChief Mike Ozekhome,SAN, to immediately re-lease him.

GFCAA, in a statementby Mr. Tayo Oyetibo,SAN; Mr. Rotimi Jacob,SAN and Adindu Ugwu-zor, in Lagos, said: “OnAugust 23, 2013, ChiefOzekhome, was kid-napped by some un-known persons. The ab-duction which took placeon the Benin/Auchi Roadmarked another sad de-velopment in the historyof security of lives andproperty in this country.

“It is now two weekssince his abduction andhe is still not releaseddespite pleas from wellmeaning Nigerians andhis family. GFCAA feelsconcerned about this un-fortunate situation. Whilstwe sympathise with theInspector-General of Po-lice, IG, and the relationsof the Police officers, whowere reported to havebeen killed by the abduc-tors, we call on the IG totake urgent steps towardsthe release of Ozekhome,in order to reassure Nige-rians of their safety wher-ever they may be in thecountry.

“We urge the abduc-tors to take into consid-eration thatOzekhome, who is aprominent member ofGFCAA, was a closeally of Chief Fawehin-mi, who lived and diedfor the masses of thiscountry. We draw theattention of the abduc-

tors to the fact that theSeptember 5, 2013marked the fourth an-niversary of the death ofthe late sage. It will bea great honour if the ab-ductors could please re-lease Ozekhome, as amark of respect for thememory of Chief Fawe-hinmi.”

Ozekhome doesn’t deserve hisordeal—Iviukwe Association

BY KINGSLEYOMONOBI

A B U J A — F O L -LOWING uncer-

tainty trailing hiswhereabouts, the Ivi-ukwe Community De-velopment Associationhas pleaded with ChiefMike Ozekhome ab-ductors to release him,noting that“Ozekhome, as an ad-vocate for the downtrodden and less privi-leged, did not deservesuch ordeal.”

President of the asso-ciation, Chief ThomasUgiah in a statement inAbuja, reminded theabductors thatOzekhome has been afearless fighter for therights of the massesand had taken manycases for the indigentat his own cost.

He said: “We appealto those that are holdinghim to release him, sothat he can rejoin hisfamily. Chief Ozekhomeis a God fearing andcompassionate human-ist, has always fought forthe underprivileged inthis country and doesnot deserve this ordeal.

“We will continue topray for Almighty God totouch the heart of hiskidnappers, so that theywill release him withoutfurther delay. Theyshould consider thetrauma which this inci-dent has caused hiswife, children and theentire community, andrelease him and hisdriver unhurt.

“This unfortunate inci-dent has thrown his fam-ily and the entire com-munity into distress.”

LAUNCHING: Wife of Cross River State Governor, Mrs. Obioma Liyel-Imoke (right),presenting a copy of Power Magazine, published by her NGO, Partnership OpportunitiesFor Women Empowerment Realisation, Power, to Dr. Michael Barry, author of The Forgive-ness Project, during the launch of her NGO in the United States.

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STRIKE: Information minister's statementcareless, says ASUU

BY ANAYO OKOLI

Nsukka youths protest imposition of candidates

U M U A H I A — T H EAcademic Staff Union

of Universities, ASUU, haslashed out at the InformationMinister, Labaran Maku, forsaying Nigeria would shutdown if the FederalGovernment conceded tothe demands of universityteachers.

ASUU described theminister’s statement as acareless utterance, andurged Nigerians to ignorehim.

The union in a statementby Zonal Coordinator,Calabar zone, Dr. CharlesOnonuju, said Maku wasignorant of the agreementbetween it and the FederalGovernment.

It asked Maku toapologise to Nigerians forsuch unguarded commentsand warned him to stopplaying politics with thefuture of the Nigerian child.

ASUU said: “Nigeriansshould ignore the carelessutterance by the Minister ofInformation that thecountry will shut down ifASUU’s demand is met. Itseems the minister has not

seen or read the 2009 ASUU/FG agreement.

“The country has notshut down with constant

government wastages andbillions of dollars beingstolen. The minister shouldapologise to Nigerians for

such unguarded commentsand stop playing politicswith the future of Nigerianchild.” BY KEN EHIGIATOR

Community petitionsGov Chime

...alleges imposition ofchairmanship candidate

THE people of Agbani inNkanu-West local

government area of EnuguState have petitionedGovernor Sullivan Chimeover plans by a top officialof Nkanu local council, Mr.Ekene Okenwa, to imposea candudate for theforthcoming council poll inthe state.

In the petition, the peoplesaid the official's action wascontrary to the directivegiven by the governor thatcandidates should not beimposed for the councilelection scheduled forNovember.

According to Agbanipeople, the council hasbeen bragging that he canuse his closeness to theChief of Staff to thegovernor to impose hisreplacement withouthindrances.

The people said in apetition to the governor:“Contrary to the clear andunambiguous instructionsyou gave that there wouldbe no imposition ofcandidates, what iscurrently playing out atAgbani ward of Nkanu-West, by virtue of forcefulimposition of a candidate

by the council official, isgross violation of yourdirectives.”

They alleged that thoughcandidates had sinceFriday, August 30, 2013,submitted EOI andnomination forms to theparty secretariat, the officialwas bent on having his wayby imposing hisreplacement.

The people also allegedthat the official had donenothing tangible for theircommunities in his four-year stay in office,wondering why he wantedto impose a replacement tocontinue with his record ofnon-performance.

They said: “Sir, much aswe are not against anyone’spolitical aspiration, we aresaying that the top councilofficial, having failedwoefully in his four yearsin power at Nkanu-West,can not transfer his failureto Agbani by imposing hisunknown first cousin on thepeople of Agbani.

“Agbani should beallowed to elect, select orappoint candidate of theirchoice. The official inquestion should leaveAgbani to chart theirpolitical future bythemselves."

BY CHINENYEHOZOR

NSUKKA—AS theNovember 2013 local

government electionapproaches in Enugu State,over 500 youths of thePeoples Democratic Party,PDP, in Enugu Northsenatorial district,yesterday, took to the streetsof Nsukka, to protestimposition of candidates.

According to the youths,such impositions arecontrary to democraticprinciples.

The first port of call of theyouths was Nsukka localgovernment secretariatwhere they were addressedby Paulinus Eze, PersonalAssistant to the local

government chairman onprojects.

Eze told the protesters thatthey were at a wrong placeand advised them tochannel their grievances tothe state PDP chairman atthe party secretariat as theissue was a party matter.

He commended theyouths for the peacefulmanner they conductedthemselves.

At the party secretariat,the youths brought activitiesto a halt, compellingchairman of PDP in the localgovernment area, ChiefAlpho.Nweze, to abandonurgent party matters toattend to them.

The protesters chantedderogatory songs againstChief Nweze, accusing

him of imposing candidateson the party.

Spokesperson of theprotesting youths, EzeagboIkenna, urged the party toprovide a level playingground for all contestants.

Ikenna said: “As youthsand future leaders, werefuse to align ourselveswith persons whoseunbridled inclination topolitical sycophancy andbigotry know no bounds.”

The youths, therefore,called for free and fairelection in November,assuring that they wouldcontinue to workassiduously to achievehitch free election.

However, Nweze deniedthe allegation, saying nosingle PDP official couldreturn a candidateunopposed.

According to him, thePDP is a family wherestakeholders are consultedbefore decisions are made.

He said PDP had thecapacity to handle itsinternal crisis.

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2015: North should forget presidency— SuleimanBy EMMA UJAH, Abuja

Bureau Chief

COORDINATOR of North- ern Emancipation Net-

work, Mal. Abdul-AzeezSuleiman, yesterday, advised theNorth to forget presidency in 2015.

Suleiman who spoke with news-men in Abuja, said that the North-ern political elite had deceivedordinary Northerners for too longfor their selfish benefits and thatthe game has changed.

He noted that the North hasheld the office of the Presidentlonger than any other region sinceindependence, but that ironicallyit remained the most backwardbecause the Northerners whoheld the nation’s highest office,worked only for their allies andtheir children, leaving the bulk ofthe Northern populace in abjectpoverty and under-development.

His words: “What we have to-day is a conscious North versusthe Northern political elite. Beforenow, wherever the elite decidedto go, the crowd followed them.But now, it is no longer the same.People have started thinking thatthey should not allow the elite topull them wherever they go. So,you can see even the politicalgame is being played by the elite.

“By virtue of my position one as ajournalist and coordinator of theNorthern Emancipation Network,I really have the opportunity ofmeeting some of these players todiscuss so many things and weagreed and disagreed. So, I amtalking to you from the point ofview of an insider. An insider whothey know is not in their squad(the elite). Those of us in theNorthern Emancipation Networkand our affiliates do not see thenecessity of the north insisting onthe presidency in 2015 or any timein the near future.

Holding ofcentral power

“Our reasons are that if holdingcentral power is the only key inthe success of a people then theNorth ought to have been the mostsuccessful region in Nigeria bynow! If that yardstick is true theIgbo nation ought to have beenthe most backward. Becausehistorically the Igbo nation has notin practical terms had power at thecentre. It only had Dr. NnamdiAzikiwe who was a ceremonialpresident and policies wereexecuted by the prime ministerthen. And the brief stint by Ironsi

in a tumultuous situation, he didnot have the time to do anythingeither for himself nor his people.The Igbo nation would have beenthe most backward now the re-

verse is the case. The North heldpower for the most part of Niger-ia’s existence as an independentnation yet we are the most back-ward.”

Suleiman said that the fivenorthern governors: MurtalaNyako, Adamawa; Sule Lamido,Jigawa; Babangida Aliyu,Niger; Aliyu Wamakko ofSokoto, and Musa Kwankwasoof Kano, are former PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo “boys” whoare acting a script by theirgodfather.

AS the crisis in the ruling Peo- ple’s Democratic Party es-

calates, a prominent Ijaw leader,Dr. Reuben Mietamuno Jaja, haspleaded with those movingagainst President GooluckJonathan to sheath their sword andgive the president and the Na-tional Chairman of the party,Bamanga Tukur, a chance to re-build Nigeria.

Jaja, who is the formerChairman, Ijaw Foundation, theapex organization for the Ijaw inthe Diaspora, noted with concernthe current attempt by someaggrieved PDP members to splitthe party and distract the Presidentfrom the transformation agenda hehas been championing for the goodof all Nigerians.

Jaja, who is also a one-timemember of the Board of the AfricanBusiness Roundtable (ABR),

PDP crisis: Give Jonathan, Tukur a chance —JajaBy SONI DANIEL, Regional

Editor, Northheaded by Tukur, expressed dis-may that despite the phenomenalachievements recorded by theJonathan administration in thevarious sectors of the nation’seconomy, his detractors withinand outside the party were stillbent on discrediting him and hisadministration for selfish politi-cal gains.

Stressing that Jonathan was notpart of those who created theseproblems, but was doing his bestto tackle them head on, Jaja said,“Critics need to step back, re-evaluate these phenomenalachievements by theadministration within so short atime. All that the Jonathanadministration needs at this pointin time, is the support of well-meaning Nigerians to enablehim to steer the course andcontinue with the transformationagenda and reform processes.

“Worthy of note is the achieve-

ments in the power sector. Thereis no administration in the his-tory of this country that has beenso focused on giving the peoplea stable power supply than theJonathan administration. Presi-dent Jonathan is doing his verybest. He deserves the support ofall Nigerians to continue with histransformation agenda. The cir-cumstances of operation are com-plex. My candid opinion is thatthis is one of the most sincereleaders the country has beenblessed with in recent history.

“As the first President from theNiger Delta, he should beallowed to exercise peacefullythe mandate freely given to himby all Nigerians, in appreciationof the fact that region has alwayssupported leaders from otherregions to lead the country atvarious times in our nationalpolitical history.”

CMYK


We won't compromise equity,fairness in nPDP —Saraki

FG worries over insecurity

Labour asks KWASIEC to releaseauthentic Offa re-run election results

BY PETER DURU

VISIT: From left: Governor Ramalan Yero of Kaduna State; Minister of Water Resources,Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe and Managing Director, Upper Niger Basin River Development Au-thority, Professor Paul Marley, during the Minister's visit to Galma Multipurpose Dam inKubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Photo:Olu Ajayi.

ABUJA—THE Minister of Information,

Labaran Maku, hascommended the Pan AfricanWriters Association, PAWA,for its plan to honour thelate literary icon, ChinuaAchebe in its forthcominginternational conference.

The Minister gave thecommendation, yesterday,when a delegation, led bythe Secretary-General of theAssociation, Atukwei Okai,visited him in Abuja.

The minister said Achebe

Maku lauds PAWA on Achebewas a source of inspiration tomany generations of Africanwriters and activists, sayingthat the literary giant was“worthy of any kind of hon-our.”

Maku said: “We are highlyelated to hear that Africanwriters have decided to de-vote the forthcoming interna-tional conference to ChinuaAchebe, one of Africa’s fore-most novelists.

“Achebe has inspired genera-tions of African writers to writewith confidence, to tell the Afri-can story from the African per-spective."

BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI

ILORIN—FORMER KwaraState governor and one of

the leaders of the breakawayNew Peoples DemocraticParty, “nPDP”, SenatorBukola Saraki, representingKwara central in the Senate,yesterday, insisted that thegroup would not compromiseon the principle of ‘fairnessand equity’ in the affairs ofthe party in the bid to settlethe ongoing logjam in the rul-ing party.

Saraki who spoke to news-men in Ilorin, also expressedconcern over alleged with-drawal of his security aidesby the Inspector General ofPolice, saying the FederalGovernment should be heldresponsible if any anythinghappened to him.

The former governor whosaid he was in Ilorin to briefhis followers on development

in the party, dismissed claimsby any group to the leadershipof the party in the state, argu-ing that it would be impossi-ble for any politician to use ‘thetactics of 1999’ to handle thepolitical strategy of 2013.

Saraki said: “My assuranceto all my people since I camefor this series of meeting withthe various levels of leadershipis that negotiations are stillongoing but we won’t compro-mise some fundamentals; wewon’t compromise on fairnessand equity.

"And what the people are tell-ing me is that they are with mewherever we go. Politics is allabout people, how many peo-ple are with you irrespective ofthe nomenclature or pressstatements? You can see all themembers of the House of As-sembly, the, Central WorkingCommottee, CWC, of the party,the executive of local govern-

ments etc are here with me."The politics of 2013 is dif-

ferent from that of 1999. Whatcould be done then cannot bedone now. Now you have tofight for the confidence of thepeople.”

On alleged withdrawal ofsecurity personnel attachedto him, his media aide, Mr.Bamikole Omishore, in astatement said the develop-ment was a breach of the lawand could only be linked withthe crisis in the PDP.

KADUNA—A VICEPresident of Nigeria

Labour Congress, NLC,and General Secretary ofthe National Union of Tex-tile, Garment and TailoringWorkers of Nigeria,NUTGTWN, weekendcalled on Kwara State In-dependent Electoral Com-mission, KWASIEC, toabide by it's rules and re-lease the alleged authenticresults of the re-run localgovernment election inOffa Local GovernmentArea.

In a statement, Aremucalled on the Governor ofKwara State, AlhajiAbdulfatah Ahmed to en-sure that the votes counted

in Offa council area withinthe context of local govern-ment autonomy.

The statement reads inpart: "We call on GovAbdulfatah Ahmed to makesure that the votes count inOffa LG within the contextof local government au-tonomy. It will be doublestandard for the governorto rightly champion thecause of justice and fairnesswithin the Peoples Demo-cratic Party, PDP, in Abujawhen injustice is being per-petrated or perceived to beencouraged by the samegovernor in Offa Local Gov-ernment. Equity and elec-toral justice are not divis-

ible."What is good for the ag-

grieved members of thenew PDP is even more de-sirable for the aggreivedpeople of Offa LocalGovernment Area of KwaraState.

“As a democratic move-ment, democracy is ameans as well as an endfor trade unions. Organ-ised labour has alwaysbeen at the vanguard of thestruggle for democracy es-pecially during the militarydictatorship and at a timeit was not fashionable to doso. Labour cannot thereforewatch while electoral injus-tice is being encouraged."

M AKURDI —PRESIDENT Goodluck

Jonathan has decried thelevel of insecurity in thecountry describing it as amajor source of worry for hisadministration and Nigeria’sallies.

He expressed concern overeasy access to firearms la-menting that “even peoplewith sinister motives are alsonow being trained on how touse arms.”

The President spoke yester-day at the opening ceremonyof the Second Plenary Ses-sion of the All Nigeria Catho-lic Bishops’ Conference heldin Otukpo, Benue State.

Represented by the SenatePresident, David Mark, thePresident condemned whathe termed the “recent utter-

ances by highly placed Nige-rians which if not checkedcould aggravate the securitychallenges facing the coun-try”

He reiterated the determi-nation of his administration tofrontally tackle the develop-mental challenges facing thecountry urging Nigerians torally round his government inits quest to better the lot of allNigerians.

In his speech, GovernorGabriel Suswam of BenueState called on Catholic Bish-ops in the country to condemnsame sex marriage as well aschild marriage in the country.

Earlier, the President ofCatholic Bishops of Nigeria,Most Rev Ignatius Kaigamacondemned the use of deathpenalty in Nigeria’s legal sys-tem.

BY EMMA ELEBEKE

OPINION

16 — Vanguard, MONDAY,SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

BY OLA LOOKMAN

Boko Haram: What is ComradeShehu Sani up to?

*Mr. Lookman , member YouthsAgainstDisaster Initiative, wrote from Abuja.

IF there is any good any Nigerian,irrespective of tribe, religion,

colour or political persuasion could do forthis country at this very moment is simplyto support genuine efforts towards haltinginsurgency and other nefarious activitiescapable of threatening our continuedexistence as a nation. Like other nations,Nigeria is not immune to insecurity. Nocountry presently can deny the fact that it isnot battling with one form of securitychallenge or the other. It is not peculiar toNigeria. The difference, however, is how anindividual nation handles its own.Interestingly, while citizens of othernations play key roles in ensuring theprotection of lives and property byvoluntarily supplying securityestablishments with vital information fornecessary actions, the reverse appears to bethe case in our own society. Citizens of suchnations have since realised that security iseveryone’s responsibility and not that ofgovernment alone.

It appears some individuals are yet toaccept the obvious fact that the dreadedIslamist group, Boko Haram, is not just anenemy of the government, but our commonenemy as a people. We have every cause tobe worried by the number of innocentNigerians we have so far lost in differentattacks orchestrated by the group. Isincerely do not expect anyone to becomfortable with the alarming state ofinsecurity in the country.

Recent revelations have shown that theBoko Haram group and its faceless

adherents are enemies of both Muslim andChristian faithful.

It is, therefore, shocking when Kadunabased civil rights activist, Comrade ShehuSani, blatantly faulted the Joint MilitaryTask Force’s claim that Boko Haramleader, Abubakar Shekau, may have diedduring a gun duel with the JTF. ComradeSani, who in the said press conference inKaduna challenged government to presentthe late Shekau’s corpse if at all governmentwants to be taken serious, picked holes ingovernment’s avowed determination totackle insecurity frontally.

His action is not just uncalled for, butrather an attempt to portray the Nigerianmilitary and the Federal Government asliars. The question is, what is ComradeSani out to achieve? Is it relevance orrecognition? One cannot but admit thatComrade Sani has indeed betrayed theconfidence many had reposed in him in theyears gone.

Expectedly, the flurry of condemnationsthat have greeted Comrade Sani’sunpatriotic disposition is an indicationthat most Nigerians are happy with whatthe government is doing to stamp outterrorism in the country.While rightthinking Nigerians have no problem withComrade Sani’s resolve to be heard,especially for his new found political partywhich he claimed he would use to contest

for the post of governor or senator, must heplay dirty politics to the detriment of oursecurity and innocent young civilianvolunteers who are assisting the military inapprehending the volunteers.

Many are rather disappointed by hisresolve to be a cog in our wheel of progress,especially in the fight against insurgency, adevelopment that has cost Nigeria bothhuman and material resources.

As part of deliberate effort to get to theroot of our security challenges,

the President Goodluck Jonathangovernment has indeed opened its doors toall Nigerians to contribute their quota. Thegovernment believes strongly in the factthat all Nigerians should be part ofrunning the affairs of the country. Alandmark move made a few months backwas the setting up of a Peace andReconciliatory Committee headed by theSpecial Duties Minister, Tanimu Turaki.The committee comprised of eminentNigerians cut across the length andbreadth of the country. You will recall thatgovernment had included Comrade Saniin the said committee, but shockingly, theComrade rejected his nomination forreasons that were not made public.Expectedly, many Nigerians, includingthis writer faulted Comrade Sani’s action.Many had expected him to offer his sound

thoughts as well as enrich the committee’sdeliberations by supplying them usefulinformation. Instead, he turned down theoffer. It never came to be so as he chose todistance himself from the committee.

Having distanced himself from thecommittee for reasons only known to him,we had expected him to allow thecommittee handle its assignment withoutdistraction. Comrade Sani’s present claimsare rather in bad taste. His presentstandpoint presents him more as one whois so pleased with Boko Haram’s continuedattacks on innocent Nigerians. This, nodoubt, is in sharp contrast with whatComrade Sani professes. A human rightscrusader cannot afford to watch anyhuman being, no matter how lowly placed,to be treated like an animal or being killedunjustly.

In sane societies, where much premiumis attached to human life, a life lost is seenas a fatal blow on humanity. We have everyreason to be worried. This mindlessbloodletting must be halted. This is simplynot the Nigeria that our founding fathersfought for with all they had to put in place.It is high time we stopped playing politicswith lives. It is not about the government ofthe day, it is about the innocent lives thatare being sent to early graves in differentparts of the country.

Since Comrade Sani had declined to bepart of those selected to bring the BokoHaram carnage to an end, he should notfrustrate genuine efforts to end insurgencyin Nigeria.

EVERYONE talks about accountability,demands it, makes an issue of its

importance to governance, but it must benoted that those who are being called toaccount, are the least interested in thematter. It is an endless tango.Former Education Minister, Mrs Oby

Ezekwesili has become a frequent caller foraccountability of national resources. She findsevery platform an opportunity to carry on thecrusade which could benefit the public.At the moment she concentrates on the

budget of the National Assembly, which atN150 billion in 2013, is about three per centof the federal budget. Her argument is thatthe money should be put into better use byeither making the legislature part time, orhave one chamber instead of the Senate andHouse of Representatives.We require a more stringent approach to

managing costs of governance. There is noproof that a single chamber for thelegislature would be less expensive than thecurrent practice. To address cost ofgovernance, a holistic approach thateliminates the wastes in government shouldbe used. Wastes are not limited to a

AccountabilityAccountabilityAccountabilityAccountabilityAccountabilityCrusadesCrusadesCrusadesCrusadesCrusades

particular arm of government.Mrs Ezekwesili riles the National

Assembly which came under publicumbrage again with the publications oversalaries of its members. The drawbackexpenditures of the legislature impose onthe economy appears in other forms like itsoversight functions. The consequences ofthe type of oversight the National Assemblyconducts are not obvious and costs of theinterruptions to the economy could be morethan N150 billion.It must be added that the work of the

National Assembly cannot becomprehensively evaluated in terms of theimmediate gains for Nigerians, but laws

that serve public interests readily translateto general improvements of the peoples’condition. How much should we pay for that?Where people tend to disagree with Mrs

Ezekwesili, and not necessarily side with theNational Assembly, is that she discusses thematter as if she was not once involved in agovernment that shunned accountability and laidthe foundations for the stupendous allowancesand appurtenances of office members of theNational Assembly gladly claim.The many commissions and agencies that

have been created in the past 14 years havekept escalating the cost of governance. Manyagencies simply duplicate functions ofexisting ones. Governments expend lots ofresources funding these agencies andresolving the endless conflicts in theiroperations.High cost of governance is more profound

than is obvious. It permeates regimes, itclogs implementation of projects. Its criticshave failed to state clear solutions to thechallenge.The issue is too critical to the future of

Nigeria that it cannot be relegated to blameshifting and blame sharing.

A1— Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

CMYK

A2 — Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — A3


Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — A5


VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013—A7

WHAT is the state ofaffairs of things in your

party?The present crisis rocking the

PDP has shown clearly that wedo not have credible oppositionparty in the country. There’s noviable opposition in Nigeriapolitics. Definitely we have issuesand few challenges. The issueshave been PDP and about PDP(and) so long as we are able toresolve our differences we willstill fight our interest on acommon front.

Whatever opposition (that isthere) is minimal andinsignificant and ineffectivewhatsoever.

What the crises has shown isthat there is no viable oppositionin Nigeria politics. They have noeffect on the political setting atthe national level except in somelocal government areas andstates.

We as a party because we’rebig, we had challenges in termsof interpretation of theconstitution, procedure to run theparty, ideas like people believingthis is what we should be doing.We appreciate that somecolleagues, governors wantinternal democracy. The NationalChairman is committed and theNWC are totally committed tointernal democracy in the party.

But it depends on descriptionof internal democracy. Internal

APC, too insignificant in our crisis — Metuh

CHIEF Olisa Metuh, the national publicity secretary of the Bamanga Tukur led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP spoke to newsmen at theweekend on the unfolding crisis in the PDP and efforts being made to resolve it. Frank, forceful and almost always forthright, Metuh who hashad a large role in reinvigorating the publicity machinery of the PDP affirmed that the party needs a formidable chairman in the like of AlhajiBamanga Tukur even as he was unapologetic on the party’s support for the Jonathan administration. Excerpts:

democracy and entrenching freeand fair mechanism does notmean complete opposition to theparty.

Don’t you think that it is amatter of honour for thepresident to abide by the allegedone term agreement he reachedwith governors?

Let us be honest. Is there anytape, any recording anywherewhere the president of Nigeria,Dr. Goodluck Jonathan while hewas campaigning ever said thathe would run for one term.

But he never denied it whenObasanjo said it?

Are you aware that the issue ofwhether he can run or not is incourt? There is a judicialinterpretation being awaited. Itwill go to Court of Appeal andSupreme Court.

Truncationof policies

So, why don’t you wait for thecourts of our land to give theirinterpretation? So for now, theissue is not on the cards.

For me assuming the presidentwas not even going to run, itwould have been completelyimpolitic for him to have said solast year, this year or two yearsago. He would have been a lame-duck president, nobody wouldhave obeyed him and his policieswould be truncated.

So, there is no way you comeon board and you start from your

not formally readmitted after hewas expelled in 2002?

Excuse me! You cannot just

us what they want and not thatTukur should go because he issupporting the president in theadministration of the country.Every president in the history ofthis country worked with hisparty’s national chairman. Whyshould Tukur ’s own be anexception?

Former presidents in thiscountry have worked with theirparty’s chairmen and theNational Working Committee ofthe party and the governors atthe state level are beingsupported by the State Chairmenand the state executivecommittees of the party.

Resolvingproblems

Why is it now that there is acondition that Tukur should go?Is it because of his support forPresident Jonathan’sadministration? It isundemocratic; it is unfair and un-political for anybody to give thatas a condition.

We should try and resolve ourproblems with things that aretenable, practicable and thingsthat we can achieve.

On Tukur’s membership, let usnot go into details whether Tukuris expelled as a member or not.Any member of our party, if he isvery much aware, wouldremember that in 2006 and 2007,we had the EkwuemeReconciliatory Panel that gaveblanket amnesty to all membersof this great party.

Whatever happened in thisparty pre-2006 and 2007, theEkwueme’s Panel pardonedeverybody and restored them to

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN,POLITICAL EDITOR

•Says Fashola can't be compared to PDP govs

•Metuh:There’s no viable oppositionin Nigeria politics

•Metuh: Those calling for Tukur's removal are being unfairfirst day and say you are notgoing to run.

So, let us leave Mr.President to make up hismind, come up with hisdecision before the issue ofthe interpretation of his owndecision can be given.

Why was Col. Oyinlolanot reinstated along withothers at the nationalconvention?

Oyinlola’s matter issubjudice and the partymerely stated that it wouldawait the decision of theCourt of Appeal. Oyinlolaappealed and because he isin court there was no waywe could take a decision.

But others...The truth is that Oyinlola

is my friend and I am one ofthose that believe thatOyinlola should have beennational secretary. He is acompetent man and he didvery well as national

secretary and administratively.I sympathise with him about

the fact that his own brothers, hisown people went to court againsthim and it had nothing to do withthe national secretariat. We hopeit is resolved but now that he issaying that he belongs to afaction it is another thing.

Before we resigned we held ameeting and we were told thatbecause of the INEC problemthat we should resign and comefor election at the nationalconvention and that they willencourage all of us to run andthat the people who do not makeit because of one thing or theother that they will try andcompensate them withappointments.

It has been claimed that yournational chairman, AlhajiBamanga Tukur is not amember of the party as he was

,

,

Why is it now that there is a condition thatTukur should go? Is it because of his supportfor President Jonathan’s administration? It isundemocratic; it is unfair and un-political foranybody to give that as a condition

come out and say BamangaTukur should go like that. Thereare mechanisms for achievingthat. You cannot say a nationalchairman of a ruling party shouldgo like that.

If you have anything againsthis person, you need to wait formid-term convention and yougive the man a vote of noconfidence by voting him out.

Those calling for his removalare being unfair. They should tell

their original positions prior tothat crisis.

Anybody that is knowledgeableabout history of our party and istruthful will stop talking aboutwhether Tukur was expelled inthe past or not.

I am not aware of it and it isimmaterial to me because all thathappened in the p arty beforesetting up Ekwueme’s Panel hadbeen overtaken by therecommendations of that panel.

CMYK

A8—VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

DESPITE assertions by thePDP hierarchy that it had

concluded its primaries andchosen Comrade Tony Nwoyeas its gubernatorial candidate,there are fears that the party is

Nwoye’s PDP ticket

facing increasing pressure toreverse the decision in favourof Senator Andy Uba.

The pressure from interestedparties it was learnt, followssuggestions from somesympathetic to Uba, that Nwoyeat 38, is too young to be agovernor. They are also

alleging that he may not havethe financial clout to fight thecontest.

However, those supportive ofNwoye are spoiling for a fightasserting that removing theticket from Nwoye to Uba couldspell the doom for the PDPgiven what they claim as thefact that Nwoye successfullyfought off money bags throughhis activism on ground to grabthe party’s ticket.

B I L L I O N A I R Ebusinessman, Chief

Ifeanyi Uba has said that heis motivated by the successother great businessmen inother lands made in thepolitical arena.

In his manifesto madeavailable to Vanguard, Ubalinks his political adventure tothe successes made byGovernor Nelson Rockefeller,the tenacity of NelsonMandela among others.

He said: “Some wonder whyI chose to run for Governor. Ibelieve that successfulbusinessmen and women canmake great leaders; one suchicon is Nelson Rockefeller,former Governor of New York.As governor, Rockefellervastly increased the state’srole in education,environmental protection,transportation, housing,healthcare, welfare and thearts. I am in the race to dothe same for Anambra.

“I am inspired by thetenacity, selflessness andstatesmanship of thelegendary Nelson Mandela,who put the public good aboveself.

"I am also inspired by thetransformative actions of HisHighness Sheikh MohammedBin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice

Ubah on his international motivations

•Nwoye


THE Coalition of CivilSociety Organizations on

Election Observation andMonitoring in Nigeria, whichmonitored the recentgovernorship primaries of AllProgressives Congress, APC,in Anambra State has saidthat its recommendation thatthe exercise be repeated wasdue to alleged anomalies itobserved during the exercise.

After the exercise that tookplace in all the 326 wards inthe state, with Senator ChrisNgige winning by a widemargin of 63255 votes againstGodwin Ezemo’s 9554 votes,the group said it could notendorse it because it lackedcredibility and fairness.

The group said: “If open

Why we called for rerun of APCprimary — Election observer

Supporters of Nwoye who aremostly youths are alsoaffirming that they have themajority of the votingpopulation who would comeout on that day to vote.

Some are alleging thatSenator Uba’s emergence asgovernorship candidate inAnambra State could becomepart of the deal that formerPresident Olusegun Obasanjocould extract from President

Arthur Eze blames Anambra PDP crisis on greed,selfishness

BILLIONAIRE businessman,Prince Arthur Eze, has said thatthe crisis that rocked theAnambra state chapter of thePDP was as a result of greedand selfishness by her leaders.

He vowed to put all in hisability to ensure that thescenario which, according to

BY TONY EDIKE

to protect and secure the lifeof the voters and alsocheckmate the snatching ofballot result sheets.

"We also noticed late or nonarrival of voting materials atsome polling units, as well as

him, weakened the party in thestate and made it impossiblefor it to retain power , does notrepeat itself, stressing that theprocess of rebuilding the partyhad begun.

Eze, who reaffirmed hissupport for the candidacy ofComrade Tony Nwoye as thePDP flag-bearer for theNovember 16 governorshipelection , said there was nogoing back in restoring thestate to PDP just as heexpressed confidence that theparty would take charge ofAnambra Government Housefrom February next year.

Speaking at Ukpo inDunukofia local governmentduring the presentation ofcampaign vehicles andmotorcycles to party wards overthe weekend, Eze stated thatthere was no going back in thechoice of Nwoye, who he said, has the capacity to lead thestate to the path of progressand prosperity.

He, therefore, asked membersof the party who are aggrievedover the conduct of the party’sgubernatorial primaries tothrow their support behindNwoye and wait for anotheropportunity in future.

He said, “There cannot betwo candidates at the sametime and going from one courtto another will not invalidate

the mandate given to Nwoye.Those who are going to courtare the ones that destroyedPDP in the state. They havehad their turn but now, it willno longer be so. We mustrestore this party to serve theinterest of our people; we mustshow that Anambra is for PDP.

The mistakes and bickering ofthe past have robbed us thechances of ruling the state. Weare no longer in support ofthese troubles by certainelements who feel they own theparty. It is either they fall in lineor they leave the party forgood”.

Jonathan to settle the ensuingcrisis rocking the foundationsof the PDP.

Party elders within andoutside the state are, however,calling for caution warning thatdislocating the ticket could beanother way of PDP losing thestate.


President and Prime Ministerof U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai.

In his instructive words:“Most people talk, we dothings. They plan, weachieve. They hesitate, we

move ahead. We are livingproof that when humanbeings have the courage andcommitment to transform adream into reality, there isnothing that can stop them.”

•Ubah

primaries should be heldwithout delegates as we sawduring APC’s 2nd September,2013 gubernatorial primaries,INEC should ensure thedeployment of securityofficials in all the polling units

BY VINCENT UJUMADUsnatching of result sheets.And even when some of thesnatched result sheets wererecovered by party officials,they were tampered with andmanipulated in favour of aparticular candidate,” thegroup said.

CHIEF Ugochukwu Okeke,one of the governorship

aspirants that participated in therecently -concluded PDPprimaries in Anambra has calledon stakeholders of the party toclose ranks and work for theupliftment and strengthening ofthe party, arguing that only aunited PDP could win theNovemebr 16 election inAnambra State.

In a statement in Awkaweekend, Okeke recalled that itwas party crisis that had beenresponsible for the inability ofPDP to produce the governor inthe state despite its love by thepeople and reminded the partyleaders that it is not late to charta winning course before theNovember election.

While enjoining the major

Only unity can make PDP win poll— Okeke

players in the current dispute toput personal interests aside andwork for the oneness andtogetherness of PDP, he observedthat it is necessary for the partyto produce the next governor odthe state so as to be in goodstanding before the 2015 generalelection.

He urged all party faithful inthe state to be loyal to thePresident Goodluck Jonathanand give him total and undilutedsupport needed to move thecountry to greater heights.

He insisted that Anambraneeds a good candidate thatwould serve and transform thestate, adding that the earlierthose fueling the crisis realizedthat their actions would only becounter productive, the better foreverybody.

Those words reflect thephilosophy behind mybusiness achievement anddrive my quest to makeAnambra great, again.”

•Eze

CMYK


5 foods you should not eatagain

WHEN you are trying toget healthy and lose

weight, there are certain foodsyou should avoid. Most ofthese food are obvious becausethey contain ingredientsknown to cause weight gain.There are some foods not as ob-vious and can be just as badfor you. These foods are a prob-lem because most people do notknow how to avoid them andtherefore consume them moreoften than they should. Hereare five such foods you shouldnever eat again.

White breadWhite bread is a local staple

but the truth is, it doesn’t haveany nutritional value. It con-tains a lot of sugar and isn’t asfilling as desired.

Substitute your white breadfor whole grain or whole wheatbread when possible. Also sub-stitute bread on your sand-wiches with lettuce leaves orwhole grain tortillas.

Fried FoodsMany people only associate

fried food with fast food restau-rants and do not realize they

Hospital offers free consultation,slashes treatment cost

AS part of its own contribution towards provision of affordable and

accessible healthcare to Nigerians,Primus International Super SpecialityHospital, Karu, Abuja is conducting aFree Consultation Health Camp sessionfor patients.

During the offer which takes placefrom September 10 -21, 2013, patientsare to enjoy reduced treatment cost formedical procedures such as joint re-placement, spinal problems, internalmedicine, diabetes and ENT. Others areprocedures in gynaecology, neuro-sur-gery, dental, ophthalmology, plasticsurgery and general surgery.

Patients seeking radiology and labo-ratory services will pay 30 percent lessthan normal while drugs purchasedfrom the pharmacy will cost 20 percentless. Surgical procedures are also ex-pected to attract very reasonablecharges during the camp period.

• L-R: Mr. Dennis Okoro, Director, MTN Foundation; Mrs.Mercy. B. Daudu, Director of Rehabilitation, Federal Ministryof Women Affairs and Social Development presenting a Cer-tificate in Tailoring to Miss Christiana Olowolagba and Ms.Nonny Ugboma, Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation duringthe graduation ceremony of the MTNF/FOTD Skills Acquisi-tion Project for persons witrecently.

For instance, use of the MagneticResonance Imaging, MRI, will attractcharges beginning from N50, 000 on-wards while use of the ComputerisedTomography, CT, scan will start fromN25, 000 onwards.

In a statement, spokesperson for thehealth facility, Umaru Jibia, said the de-cision behind the health camp initiativewas borne out of desire to make treat-ment available to all at affordable costespecially for those unable to travelabroad.

Jibia said not less than N2 million hadbeen committed towards provision oftreatment for the poor and needy dur-ing the health camp.

In the last three years, an estimated20,000 persons have benefitted from freeconsultation provided at the Free Campsconducted for traders and the generalcommunity at Wuse, Garki, Dei Dei, in-cluding churches and the NationalMosque, Abuja.

also consume them at home.Avoid frying any meal, con-sider baking or broiling in-stead. Fried foods are not nu-tritious and can cause bloodpressure and cholesterol lev-els to rise. They can also causeyou to gain weight needlessly.

Cream-based salad dress-ings

Salads can be very nutritiousbut can become unhealthywhen covered in cream-baseddressings that contain a lot offat and calories. There can bemore calories in your saladdressing than in the rest of yourentire salad.

Try oil-based salad dressingsinstead. They taste lighter, andhave less calories.

White riceRice is a common staple but

Using data from health surveys and military registries, a Universityof Essex researcher has found that the average height of European

menhas grown 4.3 inches from the early 1870s to 1980, according to a

newreport in the journal Oxford Economic Papers.Timothy Hatton, a professor of economics at Essex, said thedevelopment was probably the result of an overall improvement inpopulation health, particularly the drop in the infant mortality rate.“Increases in human stature are a key indicator of improvements in

theaverage health of populations,” Hatton said. “The evidence suggeststhat the improving disease environment, as reflected in the fall ininfant mortality, is the single most important factor driving theincrease in height. The link between infant mortality and height

hasalready been demonstrated by a number of studies.”While genetics are commonly thought to be the major determining

Hospital offers freeCERTAIN beers can be more hazardous to your health than others, new research has suggested.A small study published in the journal Substance Use &Misuse attributes alcohol-related injuries to some of the mostpopular beers on the open market.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimoreinterviewed 105 emergency room patients who had sufferedalcohol-related injuries. They waited to let them sober upand give proper consent first.

Of the top 20 varieties of alcohol consumed, 70 percentwere among the most favoured brands. Three of those fivebeers are malt liquors.

The research only showed a correlation (not causation).However, malt liquor has a higher alcohol content than otherbeers. The bottom line is this: Whenever you’re drinkingalcohol, consuming too much at once is dangerous. Andsince drunk driving—and even walking—can put your safetyat at risk, it’s smart to always arrange for a designated driveror call a taxi to get home at the end of the night.

Scientists declare beer ahazardous drink

the truth is, white rice can causeyour body to store fat when itdoesn’t need to. It also has nonutritional value. Local rice(Abakaliki) and brown rice isthe best option because it is fullof fibre, vitamins and nutrients.It will also keep you satisfiedlonger so you are less likely toovereat.

High fructose corn syrupHigh fructose corn syrup can

quickly cause you to gainweight and even make youhave cravings for more sugarand sugary foods. Overeatingsugary foods and foods that arehigh in fructose corn syrup caneven lead to diabetes and otherhealth problems. Avoid pro-cessed sugars and opt for freshfruits and berries.

• Say no to white bread.

• Clockwise from top: White rice, fried plantain, corn syrup, salad creamare not advised.

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE

CMYK


Aftermath of 2011 Bonga spill: 150 feareddead in Delta, Bayelsa

BY EMMA AMAIZE

MadamAmaizepasses on

Delta commissioner stabbed by PDP youths

MRS. EstherAmaize, a de-

vout Catholic, housewifeand mother of RegionalEditor, South-South,Vanguard Newspaper,Mr. Emma Amaize, isdead.

A statement by MrAmaize on behalf of thefamily, said Mrs.Amaize of Ogbe-Onihevillage, Akwukwu-Igbo,in Oshimili North LocalGovernment Area of Del-ta State died at the ageof 65.

She is survived by sev-en children, includingEmma, Grace, Chek-wube, Eziuno, Ifolo,Uju, Tobe and many oth-er relations.

Burial arrangementsare yet to be fixed.

Why foreign investors shun Nigeria, turn toGhana, by EU

BY EGUFE YAFUG-BORHI

PORT HARCOURT—THE European Union,

EU, has that said Nigeria’scry for sustained foreign di-rect investment would contin-ue to fall on deaf ears unlessthe country showed commit-ment to tackle the challengesof corruption and insecurity.

Head, Governance Pro-gramme of the EU delegation,Alan Mundaay, in Port Har-court, Rivers State, said thatthe collapsed foreign direct in-vestment in Nigeria was selfinflicted as no foreign inves-

tor would put his money inan environment that was notenabling.

Mundaay spoke to news-men on the presentation of thereport of the EU’s sponsoredTomorrow Is A New Day, a 21months project aimed at sup-porting community level con-flicting resolution and reinte-gration of ex-militants to pro-mote sustainable peace andstability in seven Niger Del-ta communities.

The EU chief, said: “Foreigninvestors will not come to Ni-geria to lose money. Theycome to make money. If thereare growing threats to manyNigerians themselves here,

why will any foreign compa-ny put money and the lives offoreign human capital at riskin Nigeria under the prevail-ing security situation?

“It is easier for foreign air-lines to work in Ghana in ne-glect of the far bigger Nigeri-an market because Ghana ismore enabling and even Ni-gerians are running awayfrom home to do business inGhana. Nigeria does not needto beg for foreign investment.People will come when theirinvestments are guaranteed.They will come without push-ing when corruption is effec-tively tackled and the justicesystem reliable.” Late Mrs. Amaize

WARRI—OVER 150 riv-erine dwellers have re-

portedly lost their lives andabout 5,000 presently sick inDelta and Bayelsa states be-cause of the alleged destructivechemical dispersants used toclean the controversial crudespill from the Bonga Oil Field,belonging to Shell Nigeria Ex-ploration and Production Com-pany, SNPECo, on December20, 2011.

Chairman/Coordinator ofNamed Itsekiri/Ijaw Communi-ties in Warri North, Warri South-West, Burutu and Ekeremor Lo-cal Government Areas in Deltaand Bayelsa states, Mr. Fran-cis Monday, told Vanguard,weekend that “The after effectsof the deadly pollutants thatwere used to disperse the spillare now telling on the peopleand the situation is quite dis-turbing, as many are dying instrange circumstances.

“Over 150 persons have diedand over 5,000 persons are nowsick, while over 1,000 havebeen treated for various illness-es in hospitals in the commu-nities in Delta and Bayelsastates affected by the SNEPCocrude oil spillage of December20.”

He gave the names of someof the deceased persons to in-clude Gowon Pessu, male, whodied stooling blood in Ugbege

community; Beatrice Am-orighoye, female, in Ogidig-ben, died of stomach pain andother scientific findings at St.Luis Hospital, Warri andThompson Mene, male in Elo-lo, near Ogidigben, who had abrief stroke and died whilecomplaining of stomach painin the village.

“Others are Tosan Nene,male, in Ugborodo, who diedat Warri General Hospital, com-plaining of severe headache

and other scientific findings;and Friday Ofoayon, male,from Ugborodo, died at BeninSpecialist Hospital and he com-plained of general body pains,but scientific findings showedmany things, including kid-ney/liver problems.”

Monday said that the com-munities drew attention of thestate government to the disas-ter, last week, through the rep-resentative of the Commission-er for Health, Mrs. JulieYoung, donated relief materi-

als to the impacted communi-ties, where people are still dy-ing.

In response to the request bythe communities for relief ma-terials, Delta State EmergencyManagement Agency, lastweek, donated 40 bags of rice,33 bags of garri, 200 cartons ofnoodles, 30 cartons of milk, 20cartons of sachet powder milk,20 cartons of sugar, 20 cartonsof tomato puree, 10 bags of salt,100 pieces of blankets, mosquitonets, mattresses, buckets andsleeping mats, to communitiesthrough their representatives.

BY FESTUS AHON

U G H E L L I — PA N D E -MONUIM broke out at

the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, secretariat in UghelliNorth Local Government Area,Delta State, following a protestover the list of the party execu-tives in Uwheru and Agbarhowards.

The state Commissioner forSecondary and Basic Educa-tion, Professor PartrickMuoboghare, was stabbed byaggrieved party youths fromUwheru, his home town, whoaccused him of manipulatingthe list of ward congresses heldlast year. Several other partymembers were injured in thefracas.

The aggrieved youths, whostormed the party secretariat inlarge numbers, disrupted theinauguration ceremony forhours, as party leaders and po-litical office holders in the arearan for safety. The youths de-stroyed plastic chairs and oth-er property belonging to theparty.

According to a source, Profes-sor Muoboghare was stabbedon his upper arm and abdo-men. He was rushed to UforHospital, Ughelli and later re-ferred to Oghara Teaching Hos-

pital for medical attention.The source, who is close to the

commissioner, saidMuoboghare was receivingmedical attention, adding that“he was stabbed by our Uwheruboys, who are opposed to theward list.”

Pleading anonymity, thesource said that the commis-sioner was placed on oxygen,Saturday, due to excessive

bleeding, which led to short-age of blood, adding that oneof the suspects was intercept-ed by them and handed overto the Police in Ughelli.

At press time, efforts werestill being made to reach theUghelli ‘A’ Divisional PoliceOfficer for comment. Howev-er, a senior police officer at-tached to the division con-firmed the arrest, saying “it

took the combined interventionof the police and Joint TaskForce, JTF soldiers to restorenormalcy after the ugly incident.

“The police is investigatingthe matter. One person in ourcustody has made useful con-fessions. I can assure you thatwe will get other members ofthe gang and they will all bemade to face the law. Nobodyis above the law.”

COMMISSIONING: From left: Prof. Akin Osibogun, Chief Medical Director, Lagos Uni-versity Teaching Hospital, LUTH; Dr. Patience Osinubi,Director, Hospital Services, Ministryof Health; Prof. Anthony Emeribe, Registrar/CEO,Medical Laboratory Science Council ofNigeria, at an event in Lagos. Photo: Biodun Ogunleye.

Owie backsclosure ofnPDPSecretariat

BY SIMONEBEGBULEM

BENIN—FORMERChief Whip of the

Senate, Senator Row-land Owie, has backedthe decision of the Policeto seal off the secretari-at of Alhaji AbubakarBaraje-led faction of Peo-ples Democratic Party,PDP, in Abuja.

He argued that ratherthan the aggrieved PDPmembers describingtheir organisation as annPDP, they should haveleft the party and formedanother political partyoutside the PDP, addingthat to adopt a name sim-ilar to that of the exist-ing party was cowardly.

Owie, who spoke toVanguard in Benin City,Edo State, however, ap-pealed to former VicePresident, Alhaji Abu-bakar Atiku and Gover-nor Sule Lamido not todestroy PDP, which theyall formed.

He said: “Some of usfounding members ofPDP, have passedthrough this same roadbefore. The truth is thatpolitical relationship isvoluntary. If one is tiredof a system, he can de-cide to leave the systemand go elsewhere.”

CMYK


Palace chiefs ask Olu of Warrito rescind statement

BY EMMA AMAIZE, RE-GIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH & EMMA ARUBI

Uduaghan intervenes to save monarch

WARRI—PALACE chiefsrose from a meeting in

Warri, Delta State, Sunday,asking the Olu of Warri,Ogiame Atuwatse II, to with-draw his controversial state-ment, last week, denouncinghis “Ogiame” traditional titlebecause it is purportedly as-sociated to a river goddess.

The chiefs handed over theorder to the monarch just asthe Governor, Dr. EmmanuelUduaghan, weekend, inter-vened in the feud between themonarch and his subjects.

In the past two days, someItsekiri youths have laid siegeto the palace of the monarchfor allegedly renouncing histraditional title of Ogiame ongrounds that it is associatedwith a sea goddess and alsodissociating himself fromsome of the kingdom’s age-long traditional practices,which he described as pagan-ism.

As tension builds up inWarri kingdom over the affair,security agencies have beenforced to beef up security,both at the palace and themonarch’s residence, whilethe governor cut short statematters in Asaba to personallymediate in the matter inWarr i .

The governor is not alone inthe peace moves. 37 membersof the royal family had earlierwaded into the matter. Van-guard learnt that when theymet with the monarch in hispalace, he stuck to his gun.They had to dissociate them-selves from his action.

Itsekiri woman leader, ChiefRita Lori-Ogbebor, had also metwith Olu of Warri on the mat-ter, but after their deliberation,she said there was no head-way yet.

Uduaghan relocates toWarri

On his part, GovernorUduaghan, abandoned otherstate matters to meet withsome of the contending par-ties, yesterday.

The youths who occupiedthe palace grounds said theydo not want to listen to anyemissary and asked the gov-ernor to come and addressthem himself.

A source said it was obviousto the governor when his em-issaries returned with themessage of the protesters that

37 members of royal family disown Atuwatse IIPastor Okoni urges Itsekiri to support Olu

A cross section of chiefs barricading the entrance to Olu ofWarri's palace.

Itsekiri masquerades joined in the protest.

the crisis of confidence be-tween the monarch and hissubjects could go out of handif not properly managed.

He, therefore, came and ad-dressed the youths, urgingthem to maintain peace, asgovernment would wade intothe matter and ensure the mat-ter was resolved amicably.

The governor implored themto allow the chiefs and eldersto look into the matter, saying

that dialogue was the onlyway out.

So far, his intervention hascalmed down frayed nerves, assome leaders urged him tomeet with all the parties andtalk to the Olu to be more dip-lomatic, while some hardlinersinsisted he should tell the mon-arch to resign.

The source said: “As I speakwith you now (time was about3.00 pm on Sunday), the gov-ernor is to meet with Itsekirichiefs at the residence of theIyatsere of Warri kingdom,Chief Gabriel Mabiaku overthe matter.

“After the meeting with thechiefs, he will meet with theyouths. But the meeting is yet tostart.”

An aide of the governor, whodid not know that his boss leftAsaba for Warri told Vanguard atabout 5.00pm, “I do not know theposition now, and it is only thegovernor that can speak to youon the matter. What I know is thatwe are expecting him in Warri to-morrow (today), but if you say hehad arrived quietly and is alreadymeeting with them, I do notknow.

"What I can tell you, however,is that the governor is particularabout his peace and securityagenda and he will do anythingpossible to ensure that the boat isnot rocked.”

Govt confirmsUduaghan's

intervention

Delta State Government, yes-terday, in a press statement alsoconfirmed that the governor haswaded into the internal crisis be-tween the monarch, OgiameAtuwatse II and his people.

“The Governor appealed tothe men, women and youths toremain calm and peaceful as ef-forts were on to ensure that rea-sons prevailed over the matter.”

the statement said. "Dr. Uduaghan who ad-

dressed them at the Olu ofWarri, Ogiame Atunwase II’spalace ground, assured thepeople that everything willcome back to normal soon as allefforts were been made to ad-dress their grievances.

“He informed them that hehas already discussed with Oluof Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II,chiefs and youths and all par-ties were willing to give peacea chance.

Governor thanksthe youths

“The Governor thanked theyouths for conducting them-selves in a peaceful mannerand urged them to remainpeaceful.

“The leader of the youths, Mr.Omolubi Newuwumi , had ap-pealed to the youths to listen tothe governor as he has come toensure that peace was main-tained in the kingdom.”

Pastor urges Itsekiri tosupport Olu

However, Pastor K. Okoni, ofPower Grace Ministries,Effurun, near Warri, urged theItsekiri sons and daughters whohave risen against their mon-arch because of his decision torenounce idolatry and other fet-ish practices to simmer down,as he was on the right track.

His words: “The Olu of Warrihas taken the right decision bygiving his life to Jesus Christand renouncing everythingthat has to do with idol wor-ship.

“All Christians in Itsekirilandshould stand by him and sup-port him in prayers. His fightis for the Lord’s people inItsekiriland, it is not for him-self alone, they should pray.This is the time to pray, theyshould pray ceaselessly for theLord to take control and speakto those who do not understandwhat the battle is all about.”

Olu should resign—Newuwumi

A royal blood of Iwere (Warri)kingdom, Prince OmolubiNewuwumi, who led the pro-testers on the siege to the pal-ace, told Vanguard, yesterday,“There is no going back on ourposition, it is either the Olu va-cates the position, resign or wewill force him to leave office.He cannot sit on the throne andabuse our tradition.”

He said leaders from over112 Itsekiri communities wouldform a congress to dethrone themonarch if he did not retracehis steps.

His words: “Yes, I am theleader of the protesters,Ogiame Atuwatse should with-draw his statement , he is notin the position to make a lawon our traditional beliefs andlet nobody deceive him, thereare protocols that must be fol-lowed before certain things canbe done.

“You must read what he saidabout the title of Ogiame be-ing synonymous with the god-dess of the sea. Let me tell you,there is nothing he can do aboutit, 75-80 per cent of Itsekiri peo-ple live within the sea environ-ment. They are things that arenatural to the sea, which hecannot change.

“Sometimes, you could seesome violent moves in the sea,it suggests something, maybea corpse refused to float orsomething happened, the godshave something to say in suchcases. When we do Umolokun,it is respect we give to the god-dess of the sea, it is our tradi-tion, he cannot change it.

“Nobody is stopping himfrom being a Christian, heshould vacate the stool and goand practice his Christianity butnot to tell us that we should no

longer sing the Itsekiri nationalanthem because he is a Chris-tian - is he the first Christian inWarri?

“If he says the tradition ofItsekiri people is making himungodly or unholy, he shouldleave it for us and go with hisholiness elsewhere. Does heknow that a two-year Itsekiri boycan recite our national anthemand that there is a bond that tiesus together when we sing it.

“As far as I am concerned, someof us now see him as a past Oluof Warri until he retraces his step.More than 50 per cent of thechiefs of Warri kingdom are withus in this battle that Olu mustgo if he does not come back tohis senses.”

Vanguard gathered that theOlu of Warri had sent emissar-ies to the protesting youths tomeet with him, but Newuwumisaid, “we are not ready to listento him as long as he is not readyto listen to us.

“We have taken over the pal-ace, it is our palace, he cannotdictate to us on our traditions. Ifhe is not ready to abide by them,he should go.”

How crisis started

Trouble started, last Wednesday,when the monarch allegedlyread out to a small crowd ofItsekiri people at his palace amessage that he had renouncedthe title of “Ogiame”, as it is as-sociated with a water deity andother gods.

He also said he was renounc-ing all pagan religious practicesof his ancestors till date and sub-mitted Warri Kingdom and itspeople to Jesus Christ, the Sonof the Living God, as a born againChristian.

As soon as the news spread toIteskiri towns and villages, an-ger was stirred against the mon-arch, who made it clear that hewas changing the Ogiame titleto a yet to be announced title.

Those against him said Warrikingdom has been synonymouswith the Ogiame title since 1480and it was wrong for the mon-arch to wake one day and up-turn history.

Protests

In a swift reaction, Itsekiriyouths from across Delta Statemobilized to the palace atAjamimogha to protest what they

Continues on page 52


Presidency goes toughon nPDP members

Members go undergroundMy life in danger — Baraje

BY HENRY UMORU

ABUJA — STRONG indications emerged,

yesterday, that members ofthe Alhaji Abubakar KawuBaraje-led new PeoplesDemocratic Party, nPDP,may have gone under-ground following plannedclamp down on them es-pecially those without im-munity.

This development is com-ing barely 24 hours after thePolice sealed off the Barajeoffice located on Plot3206A, 4, Oyi River Cres-cent, Maitama, Abuja.

Vanguard gathered, yes-terday, that besides theseven governors who be-long to the new PDP whohave immunity, othershave decided to hideagainst the backdrop thatthe closure of the faction’ssecretariat on Thursdaytook them unaware espe-cially following the Fridaymeeting convened byformer PresidentOlusegun Obasanjo andother elders of the party aspart of moves to end the lin-gering political quagmirein the PDP.

The meeting which tookplace, Friday, was held atthe Transcorp Hilton Hotel,Abuja, but was inconclu-sive, though there wereassurances from the eldersthat the two factions willonce again come togetheras one indivisible partymembers and ChiefObasanjo disclosed thatdiscussions and consulta-tions would continue.

Vanguard also gatheredthat as part of the punish-ment for the Baraje’sgroup, the board of theNigeria Railway Corpora-tion, NRC, which has theAlhaji Baraje as Chairman,will soon be dissolved andwill later be reconstitutedafter his name must havebeen removed.

Another problem con-fronting the new PDP is thesharp split and disagree-ment over the All Progres-sive Congress, APC andthe new Peoples Demo-cratic Movement, PDM.

A source told Vanguardthat while some membersof the new group want tomove to APC, majority ofthem want to identify withthe PDM because they do

not want to be identifiedwith the APC, thus furthercausing a big problem inthe new PDP.

It was also learnt that theAlhaji Bamanga Tukur-ledNational Working Commit-tee, NWC, was said to haveinfiltrated the new PDP,thereby causing the bick-ering.

My life in danger—Baraje

Meanwhile, Baraje whospoke to Vanguard, yester-day, said his life was in dan-ger following the with-drawal of his security per-sonnel and threat to hislife.

He said if anything hap-pens to him, Nigeriansand the world will knowwho to blame.

He said: “My securitypersonnel have been re-moved from my house andin Abuja and somebody ofmy social status needssuch.

"It is like when you hearthe cry of a witch at nightand a child dies the nextday, you will know whereto point the accusing fin-gers at."

termed sacrilegious andunacceptable action oftheir monarch.

They set up bonfires eve-rywhere, chorusing theItsekiri national anthem,which the monarch pro-hibited by his new order.

Comrade OmolubiNewuwumi, a prince ofWarri Kingdom, confirmedthat he was leading the“mutiny” against the mon-arch.

Vanguard learnt thatnight masquerades over-took the palace's surround-ing throughout Fridaynight such that the DPOin-charge of the “A” Divi-sion had to come and in-spect the place midnightto verify an allegation thatsome parts of the palacefence had been broken bythe protesting Itsekiriyouths, which turned outto be a false alarm.

Omolubi, however, saidthe youths were not out todestroy or cause any havocbut only to ensure that theculture was not bastard-

ized further and the name,Ogiame, retained as of old.

Royal family rejectsOlu’s stand

In the face of the tenseatmosphere, members ofthe ruling house of WarriKingdom, the Emikos,went into the palace to dis-cuss with the monarch, lastFriday.

The meeting was dead-locked as 37 members ofthe royal family came outwith a statement, dissoci-ating themselves from thedeclaration made by HMAtuwatse 11, the Olu ofWarri.

The statement read inpart: “That historicallywhen Prince Ginuwa leftBenin to become the firstmonarch at about 1480, itwas with the authority andblessing of his father (Olua,then Oba of Benin) to reignover the rivers, hence thetitle, OGIAME, meaningKing of the rivers.

“That the whole gamut ofhistory behind the Itsekirithrone is captured or en-

capsulated in the title,Ogiame.

"That the property in thetitle 'Ogiame' belongs tothe Itsekiri people whohave so addressed themonarch right from in-ception over 500 yearsago.

“We consider the his-tory/pedigree of theOgiame title as sure thatthe Itsekiri people holdit dear and sacrosanct tothe extent that it shouldnot be cancelled forwhatever reasons.”

Lori-Ogbebor,other chiefs meetOlu

Itsekiri chief and ama-zon, Mrs. Rita Lori-Ogbebor, led otherchiefs to consult withthe monarch for aboutthree hours only to comeback with no positive re-sult.

She promised thatthey would return forfurther consultation withthe hope of gaining somecompromise from theking.

Palace chiefs ask Olu of Warri torescind statement

Continues from page 51

CMYK


OPINIONBY BONAVENTURE MELAH

*Mr. Melah, a commentator on national issues, wrotefrom Abuja.

THE on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union ofUniversities, ASUU, has become a source of concern as

it has brought untold pain to parents and guardians whosechildren and wards are idling away when they are supposedto be in classrooms.

ASUU wants government to implement a 2009 JointAgreement it entered with government. Among other things,ASUU says university lecturers are being owed N80billionto which government did not dispute. The union also wants26 percent annual budgetary allocation to the educationsector out of which it wants 50 percent to be allocated touniversities.

Government on its side has released N30billion with apromise to pay the remaining in instalments. Thegovernment has in addition set aside N400billion forInfrastructural development in the universities out of whichit has released N100billion bringing to a total ofN130billion.

While making these offers, the Chairman of theUniversities Needs Implementation Committee, GovernorGabriel Suswam of Benue State assured ASUU ofgovernment’s determination to implement the content ofthe 2009 agreement and pleaded with the union to call offits strike. But ASUU’s president, Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, hassworn to continue until their demands are met. But there isa need for ASUU and its members to borrow a leaf fromteachers in Benue State and show some level ofunderstanding in dealing with this matter.

ASUU: Emulate Benue teachersASUU: Emulate Benue teachersASUU: Emulate Benue teachersASUU: Emulate Benue teachersASUU: Emulate Benue teachersNot too long ago, teachers in Benue State went on strike.

Their grouse was that the state government had notimplemented the N18,000 minimum wage approved bythe Federal Government. While negotiating with theteachers, government had reminded them that Benue hasover 29,000 teachers at the local government level alonemaking it one of the states with the highest number ofteachers in the country.

It also reminded the teachers that Governor Suswam wasamong the first governors to implement the 21.5 percentsalary increase before the minimum wage was introduced,a development that raised the salary of teachers in the statefrom grade level 7 and above to a minimum of N25,000 permonth. Even without the minimum wage, Benue teachersare still among the highest paid in the country. The stategovernment equally suggested that the teachers decidewhether they would want a reversal to the status quo beforethe implementation of the 21.5 percent so that it canimplement the N18,000 minimum wage or stick to theirexisting wage regime.

To address the matter, Suswam decided to set up acommittee comprising representatives of teachers and thosefrom government’s side. The committee was able to fashionout a mutually benefitting salary regime for the teachers inthe state. He immediately approved the implementation ofthe new structure from August 1, thereby bringing the crisisto a peaceful end, with the teachers happily back to theirclassrooms.

Now, while the Federal Government is battling to settlewith university teachers, medical doctors had gone onwarning strike which brought untold hardship to their fellowcitizens. They have again given another 21-day ultimatumto government. After the university teachers, it would be theturn of non- teaching staff of universities to begin their ownstrike; then nurses, followed by RATTAWU, Nigeria LabourCongress, TUC, all that.

Why should ASUU demand that 50 percent of budgetaryallocation to education sector go to universities? Who toldASUU that university education is the most important inany nation? How many Nigerians have the opportunity togo to university? What about primary education that isregarded all over the world as the basic education andtherefore the most important? How many universities dowe have when compared to hundreds of thousands ofprimary and secondary schools in the country? Let us keeppolitics aside and tell these guys the whole truth.

ASUU should go back to the table and listen to GovernorSuswam and his committee members. This is especially sobecause of Suswam’s track record as a lover of educationwho has achieved so much for the people of Benue State inthe last six years. This is because ASUU cannot have abetter mediator from Federal Government’s side in thepresent dispensation than Suswam who is highly regardedat the highest level of authority in the land.

TO get Nigeria’s 10 million out-of-school chil-

dren into school andlearning, today, alongside de-velopment partners, we willannounce millions of dollars ofinternational support in a jointeffort with President GoodluckJonathan and his state gover-nors.

When thepresident convenes the inau-gural education summit -bringing his cabinet ministers,state governors and state edu-cation commissioners togetherwith global partners - the in-ternational community willmake an unprecedented com-mitment, which will bolster the$250 million of Nigerian gov-ernment support with upwardsof $250 million of global fi-nance. This will be the first ofa series of practical steps to-

of a global initiative to get ev-ery boy and girl to school bythe end of 2015 with quality

USAID from Qatar’s Educatea Child, from the Global Part-nership for Education, fromthe business community rep-resented by the Global Busi-ness Coalition for Education,along with other global devel-opment partners, will be pre-pared to discuss how their con-tributions can best be lever-aged with federal and stateplans of action.

These leaders recognise Pres-ident Jonathan’s vision, andare standing by to give practi-cal support to the NigerianFederal Government and state

to read or write is worse still -with 52 per cent of youngwomen who complete primaryeducation remaining illiterate.

But with President Jonathanready to take action, we knowwhat must be done. Financialincentives must be fine-tunedto help state governments de-liver. Teacher training must beimproved by using new tech-nology. The curriculum of Is-lamic schools must be strength-ened to develop literacy andnumeracy skills. Families mustbe supported in sending theirchildren to school through con-

ditional cash transfers. Thesehave already been pioneeredin some states, and have beenparticularly successful in en-couraging the enrolment andattendance of girls.

Our delegation will put theirsupport behind the implemen-tation of state plans for educa-tion. We will look at what morecan be done by making betteruse of the Universal Basic Ed-ucation Fund to provide cen-tral ministry incentives along-side investments from the del-egation itself.

Central ministryincentives

Nigerians themselves arecalling for the education theircountry needs. In spite of the

wards the delivery of educa-tion.

These arrangements - to sup-port school building, recruit-ment and training of newteachers, and the implementa-tion of new innovative teach-ing via tablets, phones andonline school courses - are part

learning opportunities.Our aim is to build a world

where for the first time no boyor girl is denied the right toeducation. In this, the chal-lenges faced by Nigeria arereal and many – with 10.5 mil-lion primary school-age chil-dren not in education, Nige-

The challenges faced by Nigeria are realand many – with 10.5 million primaryschool-age children not in education, Nige-ria is home to the world’s largest out-of-school population

,,

governments in their reneweddrive to put Nigeria’s childreninto school.

Nigeria has a shortage ofnearly 1.3 million teachers. Ba-sic infrastructure is lacking andthere is a shortfall of up to 1.2million classrooms. Worse,each year there are fewer chil-dren in school due to childmarriages, gender and reli-gious biases, and sheer cost forpoorer families. For those thatdo find ways to get their chil-dren into school, learning canbe limited, if it happens at all.

The number of adults in Ni-geria who cannot read or writehas risen to 35 million, con-firming that illiteracy is a hugebarrier to the future success ofNigeria’s economy. The num-ber of girls who are left unable

violence and attacks oneducation from extrem-ist groups, nearly 20,000Nigerians have signedthe petition to supportPresident Jonathan’scommitment to educa-tion. Nigerians seek safeschools for their childrenand, seeing PresidentJonathan’s commitment,are now looking to stategovernors to put in placethe plans to deliverthem. The continuedmobilization of Nigeriancitizens in solidarity withthe global community,through petitions andletters of support, will becrucial in ensuring thatthe global communityand government follow

through on their promise ofeducation.

Education in Nigeria will berevived – not simply becausethe Federal government iscommitted to doing so, and thestate governments are receiv-ing the support they need fromthe international community,but because all the people ofNigeria – from civil society andyoung people, to business andfaith groups – are devotingtheir efforts and resources tomaking it a reality.

•Brown is a former Labourprime minister in UK

ria is home to theworld’s largest out-of-school population.

Today, leaders from•President Goodluck Jonathan

Map of Nigeria

Challenges of educating Nigeria'sout of school children

CMYK


CMYK

JUDGES are not called uponto apply their opinions of

sound policy so as to modify theplain meaning of constitutionalprovisions or statutory words. SeeNwangwu vs. Nzekwu (supra)at page 36, Lion Insurance vs.Tucker (supra), Aqua Ltd. vs.Ondo State Sports Council(supra) at page 622; Notes vs.Donaster AlmagamatedCollieries Lts. (1940) A.C. 1014at 1022.

In effect, the 1st and 2ndappellants are not in duty boundto give 30 days notice or onemonth’s notice as wronglyaverred by the petitioners inparagraphs 6(p) of the petitionor any notice at all. Equallyrelevant to fortify my view thatthe 1st and 2nd appellants arenot public officers as defined byS. 318(1) of the 1999 Constitutionare Sections 192(1), 193(1) and208(1), 2(a)(b)(c)(d) and (5) ofthe same Constitution. They readin that order as follows:

Business ofgovernment

“192(1) There shall be suchoffices of Commissioners of thegovernment of a state as may beestablished by the Governor ofthe State.”

“193 The Governor of a Statemay, in his discretion, assign tothe Deputy Governor or anyCommissioner of thegovernment of the stateresponsibility for any business ofthe government of that State,including the administration ofany department of government.”

“208(1) Power to appointpersons to hold or act in theoffices to which this sectionapplies and to remove personsso appointed from such officeshall vest in the Governor of theState.

(2) The offices to which thissection applies are, namely: a.Secretary to the Government of

shall be at the pleasure of theGovernor and shall cease whenthe governor ceases to holdoffice. Provided that where aperson has been appointed froma public service of the Federationor a State, he shall be entitled toreturn to the public service of theFederation or of the State whenthe Governor ceases to holdoffice.

It is apparent from the wordingof the forgoing provisions that the

318(1)(Supra).See also the case of Asogwa v.

Chukwu (2003) 4 NWLR (Pt. 811)540 at 546 where it was held,inter-alia, that the interpretationsin the two sections above aresaying the same thing, that is tosay, that the term public officershould only relate to the holderof the offices as reflected in S.318, Supra, being employeeswhose appointments enjoystatutory flavour because it is onlythose set of people who haveconditions of service and/or lettersof appointment stipulating howmany years they are to spend inservice, at what age they shouldretire, the number of months tobe given a notice either by theemployer to mention a fewconditions of service.

See also Governor, Ebonyi Statev. Isuama (2004) 6 NWLR (Pt.870) 511 at 528; Ojukwu v.Yar’dua (2008) 4 NWLR (Pt.1078) 435 where this court heldthat Governors andCommissioners appointed by

Akwa Ibom’s defence of unlawfulacts (2)

Akwa Ibom governor,Godswill Akpabio

VICTOR UKUTVICTOR UKUTVICTOR UKUTVICTOR UKUTVICTOR UKUTthe State b.Head of the CivilService of the State c. PermanentSecretary or other ChiefExecutives in any Ministry orDepartment of the Governmentof the State howsoeverdesignated; and d. Any office onthe personal staff of the Governor.

(5) Any appointment madepursuant to paragraphs (a) and(d) of subsection (2) of this section

offices of the Chief of Staff beingthe head of the personal staff ofthe governor and thecommissioner of the state beingoffices respectively held in theerstwhile government of AbiaState by 1st and 2nd appellantsare political office holders whoseappointees among others, serveat the pleasure of the Governorof Abia State and accordingly notperson in the public service ofAbia State.

A judicial pronouncement wassuccinctly made in the case ofDada v. Adeyeye (2005) 6 NWLR(Pt. 920) 1 at 19-20; whileconsidering the provisions ofSection 182(1) (g) read togetherwith S. 318(1) of the 1999Constitution that the Governor ofa State, his Deputy, the Speakerand all other political officeholders are not in the publicservice of the State.

This Court expatiated that fromthe above definition, it is clear thatthe governor of a state is not inthe public service of the Statewithin the meaning of S.

them (the Governor) are notpublic officers who should resigntheir positions before contestingin an election.

It follows from the foregoinganalysis by the Court that UmanaO. Umana was not obliged totender a resignation beforeembarking on his politicalintention or campaign (if any) forthe Office of the Akwa Ibom StateGovernor in the 2015 elections.

Assuming without concedingthat Umana O. Umana was apublic servant, he was onlyobliged to tender a resignation30 days before the date fixed byINEC for the election into theoffice of the Governor of AkwaIbom State.

As a matter of fact, since UmanaO. Umana was not a publicservant, he could contest theelection for the office of governorwhile still retaining the office ofthe SSG without any resignationas stated by the Court of Appealin the case of Orji vs Ugechucku(Supra)

, ,Judges are not called upon to apply theiropinions of sound policy so as to modifythe plain meaning of constitutionalprovisions or statutory words

Continues from Friday edition

Vanguard, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013— 55

BESIDES, we poachedneither their clients nor

their staff. On the contrary, westrove to engage them in jointaudits during the course of whichinformation, documentation andprocesses as well as technicalexpertise were shared freely andin utmost confidentiality. Beyondthat, whenever we hostedexperts from our internationalnetwork we would invite ourprofessional colleagues toparticipate in the knowledgesharing.

Indeed, I must emphasize thatit was not only KPMG butvirtually all the other leadingfirms - Coopers & Lybrand (nowpart ofPricewaterhouseCoopers),Pannell Fitzpatrick; ArthurYoung Osindero (now Ernst &Young); Deloitte; ArthurAnderson; Akintola Williams,etc., that were engaged in thecollective effort to emphasize thedrive for professional excellence.

Emergency rule (forchartered accountants) (2)

of our audit work. We were alsomindful that the standards towhich we aspired would needto be cascaded down to themedium and small firms - rightdown to sole practitioners.Indeed, we were committed toensuring that there was spacefor both the big and the smallfirms to thrive, withoutcompromising their integrity.

Therefore, it was a severe andpainful jolt when under theMilitary Government ofGeneral Ibrahim BadamasiBabangida, the FederalGovernment of Nigeriapromulgated the ANAN decreeon August 25, 1993 (by Decree76 of 1993) which totallyundermined ICAN’s authorityand pre-eminence as regardsthe training of accountants.Hitherto, the regulating aspectof accountancy had been theexclusive function/domain ofICAN. Suddenly, the militaryhad outmaneouvered us.

It did not stop there. The realshocker was yet to come!!Prince Bola Ajibola, who was

Map of Akwa Ibom State

To be concluded

BY BASHORUN JK RANDLE

J.K. RANDLEJ.K. RANDLEJ.K. RANDLEJ.K. RANDLEJ.K. RANDLE

Babangida’s Minister of Justiceand Attorney-General of theFederation, was guest ofhonour at one of our dinerswhen he rose to speak, only todeliver a bombshell. Accordingto the Minister, there werecomplaints that some charteredaccountants were in the habitof signing two different sets ofaccounts for the same client (forthe same period).

Fraudulentactivities

Hence, in order to check suchfraudulent activities whichwere aimed at denying theGovernment of much neededrevenue and duties, the reportof auditors would henceforth beco-signed by lawyers!! TheMinister’s allegation took us bysurprise because for those of usin the big firms it wasinconceivable that we wouldever engage in suchmalpractices or fraudulentactivities.

Unfortunately, waters becamemurkier when several Nigerianbanks collapsed andallegations of complicity by theirauditors were all over themedia. Equally damagingwere allegations that somebanks and other financialinstitutions kept different setsof books - one for the auditorsand regulators and another onefor the promoters/proprietors ofthe banks. It was a lethalweapon which the militarygovernment of General SaniAbacha deployed with brutalforce to consign bankers,accountants, lawyers, anddebtors into detention.

Ruthless competition andunsavoury rivalry weresubjugated to the higherresponsibility of ensuring thatthe quality of our work wouldpass muster when subjected tointernational scrutiny. Withoutbeing unduly sentimental, wesaw ourselves as friends andcolleagues with a common bond- as custodians of public trust andprofessional integrity.

Consequently, we constitutedthe “Big Eight” Committee whichconsisted of the eight largestaccountancy firms in Nigeriawith the clear objective ofupholding the highest standardsof our profession - in terms ofethics, technical expertise,training and professionalconduct as the lightening rod forreinforcing the Institute ofChartered Accountants ofNigeria.

It is a measure of the mutualrespect and trust that prevailedthat we not only met monthly (theparticipating firms took it in turnto host us), we carried out PeerReview amongst ourselveswhich entailed the swapping ofour clients files/audit conclusionsin an atmosphere ofconfidentiality.

Our common purpose was toensure consistency in the quality

To be concluded

,

,The Minister’s allegation took us by

surprise because for those of us in the bigfirms it was inconceivable that we wouldever engage in such malpractices orfraudulent activities

Umana Umana, former SSG

Continues from Friday edition

CMYK


Inter-partyadvisorycounciladvises PDPto settledifferences

BY CHRIS OCHAYI

Tension in Borno as govt moves todemolish churches, schools

BY CALEB AYANSINA

LAUNCH—From left: MTN's ambassadors, Mr. Kingsley Okonkwo (aka 'KCEE') and Mr.Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly called 'Don Jazzy'; Chief Marketing Officer, MTN, Mr.Larry Annetts and Chief Executive Officer, MTN, Mr. Michael Ikpoki, at the launch ofNigeria's first digital music app competition, MTN Songstar, weekend, at Golden Plaza,Falomo, Ikoyi.

CAN kicks, says it is the beginning of Islamization

ABUJA—THERE is tension inMaiduguri, the Borno State

capital, as the state government hasintensified efforts to demolish about25 churches and schools,Vanguard has learnt.

The proposed demolition, theChristian Association of Nigeria,CAN, told Vanguard mightheighten insecurity challengescreated by the Boko Haram.

The development has, therefore,continued to fuel speculations toIslamize the country, beginningfrom Northern Nigeria.

Vanguard reliably gathered that“the state government will embarkon the demolition any moment fromnow.”

Although there are conflictingfigures of the number of churchesand schools to be affected, sourcesconfirmed that it would be close to25.

The leadership of the ChristianAssociation of Nigeria, PentecostalFellowship of Nigeria and ownersof farmlands in the area had beenserved quit notices by the stategovernment, intimating them ofthe plan to acquire the structuresto construct 1,000 housing units.

A leaflet from the office of BornoState Ministry of Lands andSurvey, dated August 20, andsigned by one Musa Ummate (O/C Land Administration) on behalfof the commissioner, was obtainedby newsmen, yesterday, in Abuja.

The leaflet is entitled, “Notice ofacquisition and assessment/valuation of structures on proposedsite for 1,000 housing units alongGubio road.”

It read: “I am directed to refer toyou farmers and holders ofstructures on the proposed site forcaption matter above and regret toinform you that the executivegovernor has on the powerconferred on him by Section (2)bof the Land Use Act 1978 hasdirected through high poweredcommittee on Construction Ref. no:HPCC/2500/HE/S/TEC/1 to notifyyou of his intention to acquire yourfarmlands and assessment/valuation of the structures on theproposed site situated along Gubioroad, Maiduguri.

"The acquisition is necessary, inview of requirements of the landby the state government foroverriding public interest toconstruct housing estate.

“The affected farmers and holdersof structures are to take note andappear on site for the aboveexercise, please.”

However, investigation revealedthat the state government had noplan to develop any housingestate, but to destroy the churchesand over 20 private schools builtby the churches.

A source told Vanguard:“Over 20 churches and manyschools will be affected. Thelands on which the churcheswere built were bought fromfarmers and have the authorityand certificate of the DistrictHead in Maiduguri, popularlycalled Bulama. The land wasnot under the ministry when itwas bought.

"The Christians went for themeeting called by the governorand for several hours, thegovernor didn’t come out to seethem.

“It is always difficult forChristians to get a land inMaiduguri. Even after gettingthe land, the government won’tgive you Certificate ofOccupancy.

“They compensated BornoMuslims who are victims ofBoko Haram. But how manyChristians werecompensated?”

It's a ploy to persecuteChristians — CAN

Meanwhile, the ChristianAssociation of Nigeria, CAN,yesterday, said the demolitionwas another plot under theguise of public interest topersecute Christians in thestate, saying it would not takeit lightly.

The General Secretary ofCAN, Dr. Musa Asake, whoconfirmed the developmentwhen contacted, called onBorno State government tohave a rethink.

Dr. Asake said: “We have seenthe eviction notice from BornoState government. We are

Nigerians and there are otherplaces where the stategovernment can develop. Theareas being earmarked fordemolition are alreadydeveloped with churches andschools.

“We condemn the action andI think government should besensitive to what the Christiansin that state are going throughnot to come and add anotherproblem, through demolition.

“Christians have sufferedenough in Borno State. If thestate government wants todestroy churches and build anyhousing estate, no Christian willsee it as a sign of progress.”

Although, Asake disclosed

that they had not been able toauthenticate the source of the letter,he added “we are going to reachout to the state government to makesure that Christians don’t lose theirchurches and lands.

“But we have no reason to doubtthe source of the letter. We havesuffered enough in Borno State andenough of all these things whichare coming in another disguise.

"Borno State government shouldreconsider the decision to demolishchurches and property because inBorno State, there are many vastlands. They should do that insteadof going to these areas whereChristians have settled. We areasking the Borno State governmentnot to try it."

Okiro urges co-operation betweenPSC, Police Ministry

BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA—CHAIRMAN ofPolice Service Commission,

Mike Okiro, has said effectiveco-operation between the PoliceService Commission, PSC, andthe Ministry of Police Affairs willgive the Nigeria Police Force thedesired support in itsreformation bid.

Speaking during a visit to thePolice Affairs Minister, NavyCaptain Caleb Olubolade (rtd),Okiro reiterated that severaldeveloped nations had gonethrough similar securitychallenges Nigeria was goingthrough today, pointing out thatthe country could learn from

their experiences.He called on stakeholders in the

policing sector to redouble theirefforts towards the realization ofPresident Jonathan’sTransformational Agenda of theNigeria Police Force.

He promised the commission’scooperation with the Ministry ofPolice Affairs in bringing about thebest working environment forofficers and men of the NigeriaPolice Force to effectively secure thenation.

The minister, in appreciating thevisit, stated that the appointmentof Okiro was a thing of joy, addingthat he was in a position totransform the Police, having seenit all.

ABUJA—THE InterParty Advisory

Council, IPAC, weekend,charged leaders of theruling Peoples DemocraticParty, PDP, to sit down andiron their differences to savethe nation from goingthrough another round ofagony and distractions.

Chairman of IPAC, DrYinusa Tanko, who gave thecharge while addressingnewsmen in Abuja, saidlack of internal democracywas responsible for thecurrent crisis in the party.

Tanko, who is also theNational Chairman ofNational Conscience Party,NCP, charged politicalparties to focus on what thepopulace wanted ratherthan playing to the gallery.

He stated that it was timeleaders of political partiesentrenched internaldemocracy .

He also expressedconcern over the alarmraised by chairman ofIndependent NationalElectoral Commission,INEC, Professor AttahiruJega, that fifth columnistswere plotting his removal.

Tanko, who described thedevelopment as disturbing,noted that the claim couldnot be swept under thecarpet, stressing thatpolitical parties would arrestmove from any quarter todistract and cause instabilityin the commission.

He said there wasnothing so far to show thatJega was not meeting theexpectations of majority ofNigerians.

He warned against themedia playing into thehands of some politicianswho were averse to theconduct of credible andtransparent elections.

On the controversy thathas trailed moves to grantfinancial and politicalautonomy to localgovernment, Tanko urgedthe National Assembly toensure that autonomyformed part of the ongoingamendment of the 1999constitution.

Tanko also challengedState Houses of Assembly tosupport move to make themfinancial independent,arguing that the currentsituation where theassemblies were mereappendages of governorswas distasteful.

CMYK

V V V V Vanguardanguardanguardanguardanguard, MOND, MOND, MOND, MOND, MONDAAAAAYYYYY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 57, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 57, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 57, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 57, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 57

US Secretary of StateJohn Kerry has said

that the United Sattes andArab League foreign min-isters have agreed thatthe Syrian president’s al-leged use of chemicalweapons crossed a “glo-bal red line”.

Mr Kerry, speaking inParis, is in Europe tomuster support for actionagainst President Basharal-Assad.

“Assad’s deplorable useof chemical weaponscrosses an international,global red line,” he said.

Mr Assad has reported-ly again denied any linkto the attack.

In an interview for USbroadcaster CBS, to bebroadcast on Monday,Mr Assad also reported-ly “suggested that therewould be, among peoplethat are aligned with him,some kind of retaliation ifa strike was made”, CBSsaid.

Arab countries are di-vided on the question ofmilitary strikes on Syria.

The BBC’s HughSchofield reports fromParis that some like Sau-di Arabia and Qatar arein favour while others

Syria has crossed ‘global red line’ — Kerry

like Syria’s neighboursJordan and Lebanon arefar more cautious, worriedabout the conflict spread-ing across their borders.

The US accuses Mr As-sad’s forces of killing1,429 people in a saringas attack on 21 August.

Mr Assad’s govern-ment blames the attack onrebels fighting to over-throw him in the coun-

try’s two-and-a-half-yearcivil war, which hasclaimed some 100,000lives, according to UN

•Kerry

estimates.There are reports that

rebel forces have takencontrol of the historic

Christian town ofMaaloula, north of Dam-ascus.

Mr Kerry was speaking

SYRIAN PresidentBashar al-Assad has

denied that he was be-hind a chemical weaponsattack on the Syrian peo-ple and said evidencewas not conclusive thatthere had been such anattack, CBS reported.

“There has been no ev-idence that I used chem-ical weapons against myown people,” CBS onSunday quoted Assad assaying in an interviewconducted by CharlieRose in Damascus.

The US, along with oth-er Western and regionalcountries, accuse the As-sad regime of carrying out

Assad denies use of chemical weapona chemical attack in Dam-ascus suburbs on August21, killing hundreds ofpeople.

Speaking on the CBSSunday morning showFace the Nation, Rosesummarised the answersAssad gave in his firstinterview with an Ameri-can television network inthe last two years .

Rose said that the Syri-an president did not con-firm or deny that the re-gime has chemical weap-ons.

The US and France areseeking to build an inter-national coalition tolaunch military strikes

against Syria in responseto the alleged chemicalattack.

Member countries of theEuropean Union alsoblame the Syrian govern-ment for the attack said onSaturday that the worldshould wait for a reportfrom UN weapons in-spectors before any US-led military response.

In another media reporton Sunday, Germany’sBild am Sonntagpaper said Syrian gov-ernment forces mayhave used chemicalweapons without the per-sonal permission of As-sad.

at a news conference af-ter meeting Arab Leagueforeign ministers.

Referring to Mr As-sad’s regional allies inLebanon and Iran, MrKerry said: “It is clear thatif we don’t take action,the message to Hezbol-lah, Iran, Assad will bethat nobody cares thatyou have broken this 100-year-old standard.”

US Secretary of StateJohn Kerry has

met members of the ArabLeague in Paris to dis-cuss the crisis in Syriaand possible US-ledmilitary action againstthe country.

After more than twoyears of civil war, theUS is trying to drum upsupport for limited strikeson Syria in response to anapparen t chemica lweapons attack thatWashington blames onthe regime of PresidentBashar al-Assad.

However, in a joint newsconference with Qatariforeign minister, Kerryacknowledged on Sun-day that there is only apolitical solution to Syria’swar, not a military one.

Kerry also said that theUS is considering aFrench suggestion of pos-sibly bringing the Syriaissue back to the UN Se-curity Council after UNinspectors who investi-gated claims of chemicalweapons use have fin-ished their report.

He said PresidentBarack Obama had notyet made a decision onthe issue.

“Today we discussed thepossible deterring meth-ods that a number ofcountries have agreed onin the G20 meeting andthey will make their ownannouncements in thenext 24 hours” Kerry said.

US supportspolitical solution

•Assad

REBELS from theDemocratic Repub-

lic of Congo’s M23 move-ment have said they willresume peace talks withthe government, agree-ing to a demand fromleaders of Africa’s GreatLakes region.

Talks between the twosides were suspended inMay, and the agreementto reopen them follows arecent upsurge in vio-lence in the country,where Congolese troopsbacked by a special Unit-ed Nations forcelaunched a fresh assaultagainst the rebels late lastmonth.

“Our delegates are al-ready in Kampala. Theyare ready to negotiatewith Kinshasa immediate-ly as soon as the requesthas been passed on by themediator,” M23 leaderBertrand Bisimwa toldAFP news agency overtelephone.

The rebel leader said hehoped the talks wouldaddress the “deep-seatedcauses of the conflict” andthat Kinshasa would “re-ally get involved”.

The Congolese govern-ment cautiously wel-comed the M23’s an-nouncement.

Kabila, rebels to resume talks

•Kabila

TENS of thousands ofTunisians have tak-

en to the streets to renewtheir demands that the Is-lamist-led governmentstep down and end a po-litical deadlock threaten-ing the North Africancountry’s fledgling de-mocracy.

Saturday’s rally was thelargest protest since Tu-nisia’s crisis erupted overthe killing of an opposi-tion leader in July, in-creasing pressure on theruling Ennahda party tomake way for a caretakergovernment before pro-posed elections.

Waving red and whitenational flags and pic-tures of slain oppositionleader Mohamed Brah-mi, protesters packed

Tunisians protest against Islamist govt

streets around a buildingwhere a national assem-bly had been drafting anew constitution until itswork was suspended dueto unrest.

Protesters gathered atBab Saadoun, on the out-

skirts of Tunis, beforemarching to Bardosquare, the scene of reg-ular protests after the kill-ing of Brahmi.

Brahmi’s widow hadmade it clear that govern-ment representatives

would not be welcome atany of the ceremonies inmemory of her husband.She too called for the gov-ernment to go.

•A female protester on the street of Tunis yesterday.

A new governmentprepared to take con-

trol of Australia, with poli-cies to cut pledges in for-eign aid and to wind backgreenhouse gas reductionmeasures in an effort to bal-ance the nation’s books.

Prime Minister-elect TonyAbbott also plans to visitIndonesia soon in part todiscuss controversial plansto curb the number of asy-lum seekers reaching Aus-tralian shores in Indone-sian fishing boats.

Abbott’s conservative Lib-

eral party-led coalition wona crushing victory at elec-tions on Saturday againstthe centre-left Labor Party,which had ruled for sixyears, including during theturbulent global financialcrisis.

The Australian ElectoralCommission’s latest count-ing early on Sunday hadthe coalition likely to wina clear majority of 88 seatsin the 150-seat Houseof Representatives. Laborappeared likely to secure57.

Australia's new PM vows to cut aid

CMYK


Oil theft: Stakeholderadvises on way out

CHAIRMAN of Gladtrico International

Limited, Chief Eric Ebo-zele, weekend, advocatedcitadel fencing of areaswhere pipelines are locat-ed nationwide.

Ebozele who spoke tonewsmen in Abuja after re-ceiving an award of BestCitadel Fence SecurityWatchtower Constructionand Installation servicesCompany of the Year 2013noted that with the special-ized fencing, it would be-come impossible for oil van-dals to gain access to pipe-line sites in the country.

Giving a brief on what cit-adel fencing entails, Ebo-zele said the technologywhich his company was theexclusive agent in thecountry easily analysesthreats because it is a see-through device and hassmall opening (aperture)that it can deflect bulletsfired into it.

Ebozele who said he feltgreat and fulfilled concern-ing the award given to himby the Institute for Govern-ment Research and Lead-

ership Technology, notedthat his effort was being rec-ognized and shows that hehas to work harder andthere was dignity in labour.He cited the 1,200 permeter citadel fencingaround the Forcados termi-nal airstrip and the 1,500fencing in Shell Nigeria,Exploration and ProductionCompany (SNEPCO) Pin-nock Estate, Lekki, Lagosas some of the works hiscompany has executed.

Ebozele who stressedthat government shouldstop the neglect of host com-munities of oil exploration,said: “my heart bleeds eachtime I see the neglect ofmost host communities inthe country. These are com-munities lack access roads,potable water and otherbasic amenities to makethem feel a sense of be-longing. They deservemore than they are gettingnow as the communitiesthat produce the naturalresources that brings somuch wealth to the coun-try."

Mrs. Imoke tasks Africangovts on NGOs

THE Founder/BoardChair of Partnership

Opportunities for WomenEmpowerment Realization,POWER, Mrs. ObiomaLiyel-Imoke has called onheads of governments inAfrica to engage NGOsand other civil society or-ganizations as partners inthe development of theirrespective countries.

Presenting a keynote ad-dress at the Global Confer-ence of International Asso-ciation of African NGOs inRockville, Maryland, USA,Mrs. Liyel-Imoke also saidNGOs in Africa shouldmove from being mere con-duit for western aid andadvocates for policy changeto taking the lead in pro-viding practical solutions asa way of achieving sustain-able development and eco-nomic growth in Africa.

Mrs. Liyel-Imoke who isalso the wife of the Gover-nor of Cross River Statechallenged NGOs to weanthemselves from total de-pendence on Europe andAmerica for funding andrather, look inwards fortheir resource mobilization.That way, international do-nors, according to her,would not force their agen-da through the throats ofAfricans.

She described Africa as ametaphor for everythingthat is good, regretting,however, that the continent

has been bedeviled by allkinds of challenges includ-ing poverty, hunger, wars,famine, drought and HIV/AIDS.

Quoting the Vice Presi-dent, The World BankGroup Africa Region, Ma-khtar Diop, Mrs. Liyel-Im-oke said “although pover-ty is declining, Africa hasthe highest poverty rate inthe world, with 47.5 percentof the population living on$1.25 a day. They accountfor 30 percent of the world’spoor.”

Mrs. Liyel-Imoke saidher husband, the Governorof Cross River State in Ni-geria, consciously engagedNGOs and internationaldonor agencies as partnersin the development of thestate as a creative fundingoption in realization of thelimitation of oil as a majorrevenue earner.

In a presentation titled,“Educate A Rural Child”,the Wife of the Governor ofOyo State, Mrs. FlorenceAjimobi said there was awide gap in rural and ur-ban school children outputin Nigeria particularly inOyo State. Mrs. Ajimobi,who is the Founder of “Ac-cess to Basic Care” and ini-tiator of “Educate a RuralChild”, also emphasizedon the importance ofNGOs in providing servic-es to the most vulnerablesegment of the society.

VanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardVanguardCLASSIFIED

WILLIAMS JAJA—I,formerly known andaddressed as MissBlessing WilliamsJaja, now wish to beknown and addressedas Mrs. BlessingPaul-Nwaobilor. Allformer documentsremain valid. AbiaState UniversityUturu (ABSU) andgeneral public please take note.

EKEH—I, formerlyknown and addressed asMiss Josephine Ekeh,now wish to be knownand addressed as Mrs.Josephine Hassan. Allformer documentsremain valid. Generalpublic please takenote.

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OHUCHE—I, formerlyknown and addressedas Miss Ohuche NancyChibuzor, now wish tobe known andaddressed as Mrs.Onah Okpo NancyChibuzor. All formerdocuments remainvalid. General public please take note.

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CMYK


CMYK

60 — Vanguard, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

Why Tokyo won — Rogge2020 Olympic Games:

FOR Tokyo the darkclouds and thun-

derstorms over the Argen-tine capital skyline asheavy rains pounded onSaturday were nothingbut showers of blessings.

They sprinkled Olym-pic luck yet again for theJapanese who wereawarded the hostingrights for the Summer2020 games, the secondtime the high-tech Asiancapital will play host af-ter the 1964 edition.

The Prime MinisterShinzo Abe soothed thefears over worrisomeleaks of contaminatedwater at the Fukushimanuclear plant.

When Jacque Roggeannounced Tokyo as thewinners at 5:30pm localtime, it was confirmationthat ‘there was alwaysone winner’.

The IOC members keptfaith Tokyo’s experienceand stability as pointedout by Rogge who did nottake part in the vote.

“I feel Tokyo prevailed

on the basis of their ex-cellent bid and their ex-perience in the previousgames played a role tooin what they described asa safe pair of hands.

“Tokyo is honoured and

humbled by the Interna-tional Olympic Commit-tee’s decision to award usthe 2020 Olympic andParalympic Games.TheOlympic Family has putits faith in our great city

Wrestling wins Olympic vote

to deliver the memorableGames we have promised,and we will not let themdown,”said IOC Memberand President of both To-kyo 2020 and the Japa-nese Olympic CommitteeTsunekazu Takeda.

squash received 22.Nenad Lalovic of Ser-

bia, who took over aspresident of the Interna-tional Wrestling Federa-tion in February, said:“We made mistakes butwe decided to listen andlearn and those mistakeswill not happen again.

“We have modernisedour Federation, our con-stitution has becomemuch more democraticwith more women andathletes in the adminis-tration and with the ref-erees absolutely inde-pendent.”

The decision comesless than 24 hours afterTokyo were awarded the2020 Games at the ex-pense of Istanbul andMadrid.

WRESTLING haswon back its spot

as an Olympic sport andwill be contested at boththe 2020 and 2024Games.

In a vote take by Inter-national Olympic Com-mittee members in Bue-nos Aires yesterday,wrestling held off rivalssquash and baseball.

Wrestling had been anOlympic sport for morethan a hundred yearsuntil being droppedfrom its programme ear-lier in 2013.

However, wrestlingneeded just one round ofvoting to secure its spotin Japan for seven years’time, collecting 49 of the95 cast.

The joint bid by base-ball/softball was secondwith 24 votes while

BELGIAN TomSaintfiet position

as Malawi national foot-ball team coach is unten-able following his side’s0-2 loss to Nigeria at UJUsuene Stadium in Cal-abar in a 2014 WorldCup qualifying game onSaturday.

Saintfiet whose ap-pointment was ratifiedon July 2 by the FootballAssociation of Malawi(FAM) explained that hehad an “agreement tillmidnight on Saturday”with FAM.

The Belgian also re-vealed that his objectivewas to help qualify Ma-lawi for the World Cup2014 in Brazil, a feat hefailed to achieve.

“I don’t feel any pres-sure because (the Foot-ball Association of Ma-lawi) had an agreementtill midnight on Satur-day.”

“From Sunday morn-ing, I have no agree-ment with [FAM] andthat was clear so I am aprofessional coach andmy future? That we willsee in the coming weeksbut I am not worriedabout that,” he said.

Saintfiet said that in

Saintfiet quits after loss to Eaglesspite of the loss to Ni-geria, his players didwell and deserved to becommended.

“Actually, as a coach, Icame here to win thematch but Nigeria car-ried the day afterwards.

I wish Nigeria well inthe final qualifyingmatche and pray thatthey qualify for theWorld Cup’,’ he said.

The 40-year-old Saint-fiet, who has coached inAfrica with Namibia,Zimbabwe and Ethiopia,

said he volunteered hisservices to Malawi forfree.

FAM officials said thepreference is for EddieNg’onamo to continuethe role of the nationalcoach but they are ‘keep-ing an open mind’.

FRESH from soul-lifting progress

into the final eliminationround ofthe 2014 FIFA World Cupqualification series, Af-rican championsNigeria and African vicechampions BurkinaFaso clash in ahigh-profile internation-al friendly at the Ah-madu Bello Stadium,Kaduna on Tuesdayevening.

The Super Eagles didthe expected by seeingoff Malawi 2-0 in Cala-bar in one of the finalmatches of Africa’sgroup phase attrition onSaturday, meaning theyreach the 10-team finalbattle easily, consigningthe Flames to sevenpoints and second placein the pool.

Eagles, Etalons tango in KadunaOnly group winners

are eligible for the Drawin Cairo on Monday nextweek.

Despite being dockedpoints for fielding anineligible player earlierin the campaign, theEtalons picked up effi-ciently, winning in Ni-g e rand Congo-Brazzavillebefore pipping Gabon 1-

0 in Ouagadougou onSaturday to finish top oftheir pool.

Scenes of supremeglee took over the streetsof Ouagadougou andother major Burkinabecities on Saturday afternews filtered in that ri-vals Congo could onlydraw in Niamey, leavingthe Etalons to emergegroup winners.

Cameroun

the two teams met inJune.

Aurelien Chedjouheaded home the onlygoal of the match in thefirst half.

Chedjou scored threeminutes before the breakand the victory saw Cam-

Continues from BP eroon clinch top place inGroup I with 13 pointsfrom their six matches.

Libya finished fourpoints behind after arriv-ing in Yaounde needingto win the match to securea place in the final roundof qualifiers.

The Indomitable Lions

remain on course to ex-tend their World Cup fi-nals appearances to sev-en at Brazil 2014.

Other group winners toqualify for the two-leg-ged play-offs are Algeria,Burkina Faso, CapeVerde, Egypt, Ethiopia,Ghana, Ivory Coast, Ni-geria and Senegal.

The draw will take placein Cairo on 16 September.

It will be based on thelatest Fifa rankings to bereleased on Thursdayand will create five two-leg ties, with the winnersgoing to the finals in Bra-zil.

The decisive games willbe played in October andNovember.

THE Local Organising Committee (LOC) forthe 9th Obudu International Mountain Race

and the 5th African Mountain RunningChampionships has fixed Saturday November 23as date for the two-in-one race.

Nov 23 date for 2013 ObuduMountain Race

CMYK


CMYK


CMYK

Vanguard, MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 — 63

,,

Super Eagles versusCameroun, Senegal,Egypt? ...tough

…Cameroun any day is adanger to Nigeria. They

have our number

FOOTBALL will not seize to amaze me. Somecall it the beautiful game. Others believe it

is a “wicked game” like death, football has a mindof its own, it is no respecter of persons, class orpedigree.

Ask the Tunisians.Saturday evening, I sat at the impressive and

imposing Rades Stadium in the outskirt of Tuniswondering what could have been. After theirmatch against Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia werealready Group B qualifiers with a match to spare.Then came the faux pas by Equatorial Guineaand Cape Verde who in three matches were point-less were gifted three points and subsequent vic-tories against Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leo-ne took them just two points close to Tunisia.

Not to worry, the final match was to be held inTunis and with two superior points, all the Tuni-sians needed was to draw and that will be it. Buta draw was far from their minds. Tunisia, fourtime World Cup qualifiers who beat Cape Verde2-1 at away was very sure the Cape Verdians willbe taken for dinner.

No sooner had the match started that realitydawned. Like l ighting, counter attacks,goal….not once, but twice…..Two merited goalsin the first half and the damage had been done.Try as much as they did in the secondhalf…..there was no coming back…..Cape Verdehas eliminated giants Tunisia. An upset by allstandards.

A similar story was told in Durban where SouthAfrica rallied to trounce Botswana 4-1, but it wasa little too late. The Ethiopians rallied back froma goal down to beat hapless and homeless Cen-tral African Republic 2-1 in Congo to top thegroup and oust their more illustrious opponents.

At the time of writing this report, all the quali-fiers but one had been known. (The match pitch-ing Cameroun against Libya in Yaounde was yetto be played. But all those, including yours tru-ly, tipping the Indomitable Lions should not FOR-GET THE Cape Verde story…)

What this means is that pending the latest FIFA-Coca-Cola ranking that will be released onThursday, all those to be in the first hat for the

September 16 draw in Cairo have stood out. CoteD’Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria and CapeVerde…yes Cape Verde. At the last ranking, CapeVerde Nations Cup quarter finalists were lyingsixth behind Nigeria, but now with the elimina-tion of Mali, losers to Algeria in Group H, CapeVerde has sneaked into the top five.

Though the rankings sometimes defy mere mor-tals comprehension, let us assume this is the sce-nario, leaving the other hat for Ethiopia, Burki-na Faso, Egypt, Senegal and Cameroun (Whyam I underrating Lybya?)

Look at the above paragraph again and youwill agree that qualifying for this world cup willbe quite a challenge as we stand to draw eitherCameroun(!) Egypt or Senegal. Even Ethiopiawill not be easy. Ask Coach Keshi. You can alsoask Keshi whether he will prefer to face Burki-

na Faso again.Talking about preference, I have had readers

who are convinced that we can handle Egypteasily. That the North Africans have seized tobe a threat to the Super Eagles, while they dreadSenegal and Cameroun. What about those whodismiss Cameroun as a spent force? To this Ro-manus Ibe has a view “……….Cameroun any dayis a danger to Nigeria. They have our number.They have a way of rising to the occasion when-ever the foe is Nigeria and history can attest tothis. I prefer we avoid them, let them take theirwahala go”

One advantage that the seeded teams will haveis the luxury of playing their return leg at home.But does it matter? How much can you do afterlosing say 3-0 at away?

The fairy tale of Cape Verde and Ethiopia isbrought to the fore by the sixteen qualifiers forAfrican Nations Championship (CHAN) sched-uled for South Africa early January next year.The host on paper would have preferred namesdifferent from those listed. They are lucky tohave Nigeria….for the first time ….thanks toa Keshi policy of identifying with domesticbased players.

Others are host South Africa, Burkina Faso,Burundi, Congo Braza, Congo DR, Ethiopia,Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mo-rocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe andMozambique….dont ask me about former hostand Africa football power house Cote D’Ivoire.What about defending champions Tunisia?Egypt, Algeria, Cameroun, Zambia and Senegalamong others?

African football is taking a turn, perhaps forthe better, one in which traditional names arelosing power and fast too, that is why I am hap-py that we are not playing Cape Verde….why Imay not celebrate a f ix ture againstEthiopia….yes qualification for the World Cupis not moi moi. Wanting to be among the best,you must beat the best…..so, bring themon….WHOEVER…

See you next week

CMYK

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How to Play Sudoku

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

Each row (nine lines from left to right), column, (alsonine lines from top to bottom) and 3 X 3 block within abold block (nine blocks) contains number from 1through 9. This means that no number can appear twicein any block, column or row.

No mathematics is involved – no adding, subtraction, divisionor multiplication, just plain logic and your imagination.

YESTERYESTERYESTERYESTERYESTERDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSDAY'S ANSWERSTODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLETODAY'S PUZZLE

Sudoku

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTIONS

QUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORDQUICK CROSSWORD

VANGUARD, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 , 2013

ACROSS3 Test (5)9 Fat (6)10 Jammed (6)11 Deride (5)12 Intellect (4)15 Lake (4)17 Beer-mug (7)20 Defective (3)21 Premature (5)23 Vend (4)25 Lament (4)26 Paramour (5)28 Chop (3)30 Obedient (7)33 Soon (4)35 Roll (4)36 Match (5)38 Item (6)39 Surpass (6)40 Evade (5)

DOWN1 Representative (5)2 Started (5)3 Donkey (3)4 Obtain (6)5 Askew (4)6 Longing (3)7 Leered (5)8 Appended (5)13 Rowers (7)14 Art (5)16 Harmful (7)18 Challenged (5)19 Tree (3)22 Rustic (5)24 Fate (3)27 Corroded (6)28 Robust (5)29 Value (5)31 Lubricated (5)32 Scrutinize (5)34 Healthy (4)36 Strive (3)37 Hatchet (3)

ACROSS: 1, Despot 5, United 9, Whine10, Feeler 11, Debris 12, Doped 14, Meek17, War 18, Bare 20, Ended 22, Order 23,Tornado 24, React 26, Dated 29, Arch 30,Fee 32, Dire 33, Moral 35, Shiver 36,Settle 37, Agree 38, Denote 39, Drudge.

DOWN: 1, Slander 2, Seemed 3, Owed 4,Throw 5, Under 6, Need 7, Thread 8, Duster13, Pannier 15, Enter 16, Ketch 18, Broad 19,Refer 21, Dot 22, Odd 24, Raised 25, Action27, Tilted 28, Delete 30, Forge 31, Eased 33,Meat 34, Leer.

Saintfiet quits afterloss to Eagles

Cameroun claimsfinal place

Kenya 1 Namibia 0Cameroon 1 Libya 0Zimbabwe 1Mozambique 1Benin 2 Rwanda 0Togo 2 D.R Congo 1

RESULTS

Eagles, Etalons tangoin Kaduna — P.60

Nigeria

CameroonAlgeria

Burkina FasoCape Verde

EgyptEthiopia

GhanaIvory Coast

Senegal

10 Qualifiers Italy,Germany toqualifytomorrow if....

NO World Cup finals would be

complete without Italyand Germany on the castlist, and both nations willtake their places in nextyear’s Brazil showpiecewith victories tomorrow.

Four-times worldchampions Italy willqualify if they beat theCzech Republic in Turin,while Germany, biddingfor their 16th successiveappearance, can followsuit with a win over theFaroe Islands, though aSweden victory againstKazakhstan would delaythe Germans’ passage.

C A M E R O O Nclaimed the 10th

and final place in Africa’sfinal qualifying roundfor the 2014 World Cup

The Indomitable Lionsbeat Libya 1-0 in a win-ner-takes-all showdown

in Yaounde on Sunday.They went into the

match knowing a drawwould be good enoughthanks to Togo’s use ofa suspended player -Alexis Romao - whenContinues on Page 60

•Saintfiet

—Details inside

Mikel Obi (L) tries to dribblepast Malawian defenderDouglas Chirambo duringtheir World Cup qualifier inCalabar. Nigeria won 2-0.Photo: AFP.

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