Leadership news

TATTLES 37

January 2, 2015

TATTLES with Abisola Alawode

OUR EAR-ON-GROUND

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About That Worst Nigerian ‘Controversial’ Hit Songs Of 2014 MTV Base List

It is a known fact that some favourite version of that the careers of artistes like Nigerian musicians do not song. Darey went on to Banky W, Timi Dakolo, have a ‘genre’ of music. The lend his amazing vocals to Age Beeka, Waje, Ibiyemi, need to have that ‘club hit’ many songs that show the Omawumi, Etcetera (more or club banger has blurred endless possibilities of a soft rock though) and this the lines between the Nigerian who can do music reality hits you hard. The various genres of music without latching onto the Banky that was conceived for them. And what we in Mr matured Capable at has been Continuing withapparently, our tradition bandwagon of bringing ofobviously not getting all with Chris Ihidero feels the now call ‘Jollof’ music. aborted in of transition you articles chronicling the best hapthe disappointing inclusion the track to same.

Below a story he Before meinoftheira latest pop album. star with a dash penings of theisentertainment world inyou accuse ‘Shekini’ published recently. elitist pretensions, please of R&B. And Banky is 2014, TATTLES found this article written “It’s overcast Friday thata I am a 4. great fanby Seyi one Shay of theft Shaydee most brilliant

by Morakinyo Olugbiji and it isnote indeed Murda & afternoon with of ‘Jollof’ songwriters you will really good article. light and advocatePatoranking showers on ofmusic: I do notIf subscribe meet.even Timithough basically “It looksas likeIin drive the history Nigerian you listen to ever this song, it the streets Lagos. rate to of the notion featured that music sings and for Shaydee, government music, 2014 hasof the highest bad, Patoranking all Predictably, trafficchurned is must make sense, or that garbage music being out. From you will hear for most part the songhave is since his of albums watered down lyricsup that do not beginning to build and ‘She say sheI wan murder, heconcert wan it correlate, must be enduring. refused to he sellsay and to singinglook different songs on same beat, murder,okay she saypromoters he wan do won’t that thing drivers determined believe it is perfectly put ye’ him the state of thedestinations industry leavesfor much to songsDotowetin?

Oscar to get to their some have Murder a on who? their You bill.beAge Beeka be desired.the Belowlegendary are my top 10 picks ofequal Pistorius? before lifetime to that of has disappeared for about worst songs of the Lagos hit traffic ruins theyear rest2014. the average mosquito; 2 a decade now. Jeremiah 5. Shake Body

by Skales of their day. It’s been over weeks.

Gyang is also missing.

1.

Body by Black Magic ft Banky W Need I talk much about this that one?with You sef a week since we buried When I listen to Darey’s You suspect that The song has been ‘Sex’ has check out part of the lyrics na… ‘ OyaWaje my friend andnow boss, so edited.

I’m music and visualize him astounding voice, been with sombre ‘eh’ but theinrest shake body,IOyawould move body,Make still inreplaced a somewhat a of live performance, have lovedyouto be the lyrics is still as worse as the original. ring alarm o, Oya shake coupe mood. The song playing see concert halls, a stage, making body…Ah a different kind You can imagine my embarrassment the decale ma,Sagasige, Akilibre, Faro de ma, on the radio is jarring and a grand piano and an of music from what she’s first time I heard song on Channel Decale….decale, Krikata,Krikata,Krikata, disruptive of mythis reflective attentiveO.audience.

I see currently doing, even if You know how Naija artistes like to cover Krikata,Krikata,Krikata, mood, so I change the romantically lit smoky she’s excelling artistically. up sexual explicitness with slangs? This Krikata,Krikata,Pon pon, Somunto….sostation and happen upon cafés and a tight 6-man We have all been brazen artiste called Blackmagic didn’t munto, Kalopere, Kalopere, Kalopere’aware Now, Darey Art-Alade’s powerful band serenading of Omawumi’s vocal cover up anything. Lol. Though the song what’s all an that about? voice belting in outDecember ‘No Stars’,2013, enamoured was released I feel it’s clientele. I see dexterity for a while, but one of my favourite songs Darey first and 6.foremost I wonder if we will ever as good as being a 2014 song and should Shoki by Lil Kesh by him.

That’s when it hit as a balladeer, blessed get to experience be on this list to show you how bad the I hated this song for a very long time, the me: What have we done with a great voice and fullchoice rangebut of toher music industry has become and what however I had no likeabilities it after to this Darey?areMore thanto. using that voice to exploit through songs we don’tI your children listening people won’t stop playing it everywhere that, what have we done to his listener’s go. range of NBC have dance to. Etcetera Even the bantodid absolutely nothsingers capableByofKcee moving emotions, driving them has been reduced to 2. Ogaranya ft Davido ing to stop people from rocking this song us laughter, the reincarnation of the Now,emotionally, I’m sorry KCeesingers has to be from in this anger list a towhich had the artiste mostly screamwho didn’t ask us to dance from sadness ing to ‘Shoki joy and of thehowever Book of second time.

Personally, I’m kind of conAhhhauthor Shoki’. Davido but just to him. listen, reflect backistonot tears. disappointed I can afford me Lamentations: he currently fused about Maybe his music this time around for and awkward. allow ourselves to dream andaccepting see Darey that Maybe it’sbe his gesticulaspends his kind waking hours to feature in this of song. stirred? tions/dance steps in his videos,incostumes He ended up chanting this light, but present writing the rubbish about shoki what or tone of his singing his general along that withifthe everybody YBNL crew inelse the remix.

I first heard Darey voice sing or day reality suggests is doing fashion sense that is awkwardmusic and give Those are the words is live when an organization is to pay Darey’s bills wrongouringeneration the industry off an impression of his songs and fromprovide that him digesting and we whyspends over 70%his I belong to organized access to andwonder perhaps perspective.

I’m yetfor to place onlife, Darey of candidates the last private WAEC a tribute event his a afinger quality cannot failed sleeping time dreaming what is. Most of people I’ve asked and there is massive failure especially in late itfather, thethe great afford to dream like me. of being a musician again. have mixed reactions well. They really’ English with Language.

By my rough count, Art-Alade, at O’JaysasBar Nigeria is blessed I can’t remember the last can’t Ogaranyainhas a goodamazing mean- vocalists there who is a total 200I heard ‘Shoki aahh Shoki’ in and say.

Restaurant Yaba.

I of time new Ibiyemi ing; A rich person or something like that. this song!

On that night, he took suspect would have loved song, and let me tell you Some things are just wrong with part to of ballads, soul and this: Ibiyemi has the most on the great Francesca to stick the lyrics and Davido once again Dorobuccisoul-stirring

by Mavins All-stars Emmanuel (great soprano) R&Brubbut cannot7.because voice in this bished his own brand on this one.

This is probably the biggest hit of 2014. in a vocal context that left there isn’t a critical mass industry.

I should know.

Don Jazzy is a great producer nosang doubt,‘Do the audience spellbound. that can support that She wrote and 3. Shekini by Psquare but he and his artistes have a history The time I paidproverb kindwhich music. The brands see me’Dorobucci , the soundtrack There next is a popular Yoruba of churning outyou garbage. is attention to him was when that sponsor concerts and of my first short film, says that when a child is due for maturity, so meaningless some people began to Big he participated in the events are generally not Daddy.

She did it in he/she must put aside every childishness. doro-call it doro-occultic. Doro bloody. one Project Fame talent interested thatdorotake and all of us Where in the After many years andshow. despite their A-list in artistes .Doro Doro do do doro….doro.

His of Luther make songs that cannot studio that day still talk statusrendition in the industry couple with their I come from in Oyo state, Doro is that rubVandross’ ‘Dancethe with a stadium. the up experience. global experience, Psquareget duofans are to fillber device usedabout in drawing water from my Father’ remains my Look at the trajectory of Let’s not talk about Iyanya

PUBLiC DiSPLAY

“I signed autographs on manyare boobs” “Inhave a relationship, both parties relevant” –Sir Shina Peters – Actress Monalisa Chinda

a well. Unfortunately, this is a country where an artiste will just wake up early in the morning and find out that PHCN has brought back power supply, then out of joy he’ll dash straight to the studio to record a song about UP NEPA! He’ll call that an inspiration. Even Don Jazzy himself is yet to come out straight about the meaning of Doro, because the truth is that it andnoTiwa Savage. Or maybe we has meaning. should. Iyanya won a Singing contest a star from 8. In mybut bedbecame

by Wizkid rolling waist.

Tiwa was doing It’s beenhis long established that this song R&B before to Nigeria, by Wizkid is arelocating total rubbish, which like the others parades lyrics and verswhereon shethis haslist had to employ side es that ahave boob, flashnoofbusiness nipples whatsoever and long with one Americana legsanother. to assistThe hersong voicenainreal making Wonder sang.This And on top of all dis her a like pophestar. country matter weyits deybest ground, Wizkid believes swallows and spits them that amazing.

Hearthey him.don’t ’Oh anytime, out he in isshapes even they hear my song They say I’m amazing recognise. gan’ . truly amazing a small My Well, Dareyit’sconundrum is that made boy like him can make so much money more frustrating by the fact and with allmakes that lyrical hogwash. thatstardom when Darey songs like ‘Sisi eko’ and ‘Special fever’, 9. Story forI,thegreat Godsfan

by Olamide songs that of his Here is a song I wish would quickly go ballads, wish he wasn’t making, away. Beautiful rhythm, but this song he doesn’t fact, if in all glorifies rapedo andbadly. abuseIn of women other pop artistes were making its entirety. Story for the gods is all about those songs would said getting loadedIwith localhave aphrodisiac ‘great stuff!’

But I am a biased (Dongoyaro, Monkey Tail and Claro), then fan, one isn’t aconcerned going aheadwho to having forceful carnal with the realities has to knowledge of a lady.Darey The phrase ‘Story for face on a daily basis, the business the gods’ (means to refuse to listen, deaf vs. artistic ears etc.) decisions that he has to make to ensure that he finds a 10. space to operate industry Hakuna Mata in byan KCee thatsong largely supports only This is senseless from thepop word music.

I reallylike don’t I just go!

He started this care.

‘Five star music, a Darey Ewant money, Its Kceealbum labalo’.filled What with is ‘KCee Lobalo’? ballads.Is ‘Lobalo’ French or Spanish? In another song, he saidof‘Cecilia I fear part thatof athegeneration bum bum, cecilia bum bum, Shebi na your brilliant singer-songwriters bum cecilia bum’ . I don’t will bum, be washed away byknow the what’s with tidalCecilia’s wavesbum of bum the o. ‘flavour of Hmm, Guys what more canbeing I say? Bethe moment’ syndrome hold, your favourite music in 2014! currently enjoyed by pop music. I

Comedian Ushbebe recently bought a Mercedes Benz SUV ML 350 for himself as a Christmas gift. He made this known in a recent post on Instagram.

Congratulations to him.

Musician Praise Adejo Congratulat ions are popularly know n asinPraiz, order who for receNollywood ntly released actress Mercy Johnson his debu t albu m, has Okojie.

She recently gave revealed plans to emb ark birth to her second child, a on a tour that will see him baby Congratulat ions graceboy. stages in several Mercy! countries across Africa and Europe. ‘My label is trying to structure Comdule ediedate nne,sactre sche ss, for my Radi o TV pers concertand in Janu ary/onality, Heleuary n Paul recesee ntlyme Febr , it will open ed a mult i-mil touring some citie lion s in naira film Euro schope.” ol called Afric a and Helen Paul Theatre and Films Academy. The film acad ted in Ogba, Theremy e areloca unco nfirm ed Lago s, is said to be reports that Chelseaa and drea mr com e true the Supe Eagles midfifor elde r, med ia personal ity.

Mikel Obi is building a mini estate called Chelsea Estate in the Ajah/Badore new do deve ent area Davi islopm indeed of Lago s.

If this is inde going places! He was ed true, then cong ratul recently nominatedation in s are in orde r for Mike l. the ‘Best International

first lady ic’sKim mus line Base star ty TV reali If relea ntly n rece Saeoashia n can be sed Kard Saeon’.

Aming EP ‘Ismil t her debu ved, then belie to g rdin acco EP The edly causes wrinkles. alleg sseslaugh enco SaeoIndo e even smilmpa ‘See truly she who and t wha on occasion. Not too often she said also She is. es caus though because it can fans y man her s hope ld ear-o wrinkles the 34-y this herethro e to relatof ed post Westugh Kany wife EP. ter. on Twit

“Strive notis atogood be athing,. success, “Remember, hope ” but rather to be of value” TiP FOR TiP FOR –Albert Einstein THE TOP THE TOP —Stephen King

Call Bisola on 08126995258 Or e-mail at friday@leadership.ng

38

COLUMNS

January 2, 2015

guest column

Love Me, Love My Political Party My first year in secondary school was the year that I had my initiation into the world of Nigerian politics. My guardian was a notable politician in Kwara State, and our house was a hot bed of politicians and aspiring politicians. Every Sunday, in the living room downstairs, men would gather – a lot of yelling went down along with several bottles of different brands of beers. At the end of the meetings, money would be shared to the attendants, depending on their constituencies. It was the first time I heard that word. My young mind associated politics with money, shouting and alcohol. A few years later, the meetings got rowdier. My guardian was now the state chairman of his party, and with that position came loads of perks. With that, my impression was now well cast: Politics = Money = Clout. I knew nothing about what the party stood for. I had zero inclination as to their core beliefs, or what made them different from the other party.

Twenty odd years and more have passed, and as another cycle of election comes around, memories of my days in Ilorin come back to me. Party slogans and logos are being bandied around, and very little is known about their genuine sway. With the rate at which politicians are swapping parties, one wonders if they don’t have a problem moving from something they were passionate about to something they supposedly detested. Something like a vegetarian jumping ship to the meat-eaters club. Or a communist deciding to become socialist.

Of course nothing is cast in stone, but surely there has to be something profound to make you turn your back on something as important as your principles.

I have never really been politically inclined; neither have I been one to take a particular interest in the position of political parties. The closest I got to being curious about politics was living on the same street with my local government chairman.

The nuisance factor left a very bad taste in my mouth. One thing remained constant from the past – there were political head honchos, and there were the miscreants they surrounded themselves with. Money seemed to be the only unifying thing at the core of both. I wondered if it was the same abroad; but with such a limited perspective of how it works in the West, I am unable to form an opinion. The closest I’ve been to being informed in this area is from binge watching West Wing and The Good Wife.

From what the American movies tell us, political inclination can go a long way in determining

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whether a girl will be accepted by her boyfriend’s family. (Lord, if movies are anything to go by then people always find love in the New York subways, and Nigerian mothers in law are horrible beings.

We know these are not accurate representations of realities, but just go with me for a second). Picture this in a Nigerian home: Folashade brings Folarin home to dinner to meet her parents.

Daddy Folashade: So Folarin, tell me about yourself Folarin: I’m a Chartered Financial Analyst. I work for the HSBC in Geneva, but have been seconded to the Nigerian office to set up shop. My parents are from Omu-Aran but I was born in London.

Daddy Folashade: So are you PDP or APC? I’m really drawing blanks at imagining this conversation; simply because it’s not a common trend with us. So, who is to blame for our laissezfaire outlook to political associations? Personally, I believe that the polity doesn’t know enough about the values of the parties that we have. And when I say the ‘polity’, I don’t mean ‘Nigerians on Twitter’.

I mean Nigerians on the streets, in the banks, in Aba, in Ipokia. What does the yam trader in Gboko know about what APC stands for? What does the teacher in Ughelli know about the ethos on which PDP is founded and run?

2015 is a few days away, and the Nigerian elections are in a couple of months. We need to be more proactive about what we want for ourselves as a people. It is important that we do more than bandy the word ‘Change’ around – like it’s going out of season. That ‘change’ isn’t going to come by waving a broom around, or shaking a multicoloured umbrella. We, as a people, need to read more; ask pertinent and important questions; push for accountability – at every level of governance.

The poverty and lack of basic infrastructure/ amenities goes a long way to fostering how we’ve always been. Keep them poor. Keep them hungry.

Then throw them a bone and watch them scurry off to do our bidding – just 5k. No be person wey chop belleful go begin think to cause trouble?

You can’t fault that logic really; but if you think about it deeply… it should make you angry – angry enough to ask for a better life. It is not okay to be deprived into a state of political antipathy.

Think about it.

Peace, love & baby carrots.

Toodles!

— This post was written by Atoke

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Better lose a jest than a friend.

Why I Dislike PDA

Public Display Of Affection (PDA) or throwing confetti as a friend of mine has termed it, can be truly thrilling whether it’s done over social media or when the couple are together with another group of people, what with the incessant tweeting and ‘yadaing’ about how great your partner is, or how he or she is so perfect or how you couldn’t help loving him or her. It means everyone around you gets to know that you and your significant other have something special. They know you guys are in love. They get to share in your joys and your triumphs.

They get to witness first-hand how happy you guys are or how good you two are together. You get to be the butt of a lot of good-natured ribbing. You look like the perfect, idyllic couple. It’s great, really great. It adds spice to life, flavour to the humdrum and monotonous plodding that comes with everyday living.

So why then, do I dislike PDA? Well, one of the reasons I can give to this is the response given by a little girl in a movie I watched recently. The family had just lost their wife and mother. They were trying to cope with it, while opposite them their neighbours’ were having a wild, raucous party. The little girl turned to her father and complained with tears in her eyes: “Their happy is too loud. Why is their happy so loud?”

Of course, it would be unreasonable to assume that just because some people are in pain and hurting, the rest of the world should suffer with them. It would be very wrong. But the truth is sometimes, your happy might just be too loud.

I’m a firm believer in moderation in all things even good things. Sometimes you might need to tone down your PDA a bit in deference to those who are hurting around you, the heartbroken, the jilted, the divorced, those suffering abuse.

Some of them might not have obvious wounds to show you but they bleed internally. Why should you add to their distress with your thoughtless display?

Another reason is that like most things nowadays PDAs brings about competition. Sometimes, it gets a little unhealthy. Now people are trying to outdo themselves to see who can bring about the most ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ when they are in public. While that can be somewhat helpful in a relationship, so that your partner won’t be too laid back, it can be a source of frustration too.

Those advocating for the PDA thing suggest that public display reinforces self-esteem and convinces you of the depth of your significant other’s convictions. While that may be true and PDA might actually help, if you need PDA to always do that for you then the relationship might actually be heading for trouble.

PDA is not all bad though. Some say that expressing PDA periodically helps give an endorphin boost and though the movies have conditioned us to think that everything must always be done in a grand way, I beg to differ. The ‘wow’ factor can still exist without so much glitz and paparazzi. Just be creative.

So while you’re expressing your PDA always remember this; love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, or boastful. If you do this, you won’t go wrong.

This article was culled from The Daily Repast.com

— Egyptian proverb

flavour Weekend

January 2, 2015

'Miss Heritage Is Promoting Nigerian Cultural Values' Benedicta Akpana is the current Miss Heritage Nigeria 2014/2015. The model cum actress from Cross River State, and a graduate of microbiology from the University Of Abuja in this interview with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, speaks on what she intends to do as the new face of Heritage.

Inspiration

I love entertainment growing up as a young child; I love acting, and dancing.

Culturally I have been dancing since I was a kid. Dancing through from my primary school, secondary school going into pageantry it wasn’t really like a passion, acting is a passion but I love every aspect of entertainment that is good that projects a vision I love. I have done other pageantry like Face of Sofa where I emerged the second runner up in Abuja. Though I didn’t really fancy such pageantry, I went ahead for Miss Heritage Nigeria, it was an awesome experience, from the name I was motivated to go into the contest. While we were in camp, with all the things they taught us, the places we visited; we went to Badagry museum where I got to see the first Bible, the first Storey Building it was really good. For pageantry this is the end for me, after this, I will focus on acting.

What motivated you to still go ahead for pageantry after the demoralisation which usually comes with not emerging the overall winner of pageantry?

Well Face of Sofa was a like a stepping stone. This is a passion and when you have a passion you don’t give up. The challenges are stepping stones, you take advantage of them and make it better where you didn’t do well, why you didn’t do well and take it to your advantage and try to work harder next time. The fact that I didn’t win Face of Sofa was not to be the end of my dreams, it is something that I have been building and I needed to bring it alive like they say you cannot keep a dream inside of you, if you don’t bring it out nobody will see. After coming third, as the second runner up, I saw it as a challenge, I saw it like this was telling me that I still have something to offer, that I should go further and bring it out, don’t give up, this is not the end of the road. I went back, rebranded myself, try to see where I didn’t do well, why I didn’t do well, why I couldn’t win and I took it as a challenge upon myself and I said I can do this, I have to this.

You said you are a lover of entertainment and you know the terrain is very competitive. How do you hope to manage Miss Heritage?

Miss Heritage is a brand; it is different from every other pageant. Starting from our crown, my crown is different, it is beaded, if you see my crown you will

know that I am talking about Nigerian cultural heritage and I believe that as my crown signifies culture and its heritage, so will my lifestyle and my dressing, the way I eat, the places I go to and the things I do everything is going to be about Nigerian cultural heritage. The challenge is I know that going from one locality to another trying to learn about their culture, tradition and heritage is a challenge but I think I am equal to the task. For me to be here means that my organisers saw the potentials in me and I will not disappoint them, I have to deliver right now Nigerians are waiting to see me and I am here to deliver myself.

Pageantry in Nigeria sometimes is manipulated and winners are hooked up?

If winners were hooked up then I would have been hooked up right from Face of Sofa because I believe that I am beautiful enough to be chosen for anything but for me not to make Face of Sofa then, it means it wasn’t hooked up it was a challenge. You go through the challenges, you show them what you have got, what you’ve got is what they want then you are in for it. You are going to win definitely.

It is like going to a movie scene and they give you a script to write and you cannot deliver a role, no producer or director will want you to play that role. They will have to give it to someone that is better than you so it is the same thing everywhere.

You cannot sit and say something is being hooked up when you haven’t gone there to see for yourself. We were in camp for six days and I have colleagues who didn’t think that I wouldn’t even cross the next line but to my greatest surprise I am here today and it is a testimony. I don’t believe that what people sit at home and assume is what is really going down. If you go in there and see for yourself then you can be able to observe things and know the differences in the game.

You talked about your project. How do you intend to carry out these projects without sponsorship or is there any financial attachment to the title?

Going about my first project, my organisers are part of the team definitely; we are working on going to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism which is also going to be part of the sponsors and some private companies and business. I am talking about culture, so many people will love it, in fact Nigerian will love it because the western education has taken a major part of our youthful age where

we do not understand that we need to still go back and learn about our cultural heritage but if I bring up this dream and the ones to be materialised now, and let the people that are the front of the different walks of life and offices and I am talking about cultural heritage, I believe they will be willing to support and also support us. The ministry of culture and tourism is the major body and then other private investors are also coming to sponsor.

What do you hope to achieve at this level?

Before the end of my tenure I should be able to teach the young child their cultural values and tell them about the Nigerian cultural heritage. I am a young girl and might not be able to do all but majorly for the next eleven years I should be able to impact on a young child how to speak their language, how they should dress as a Nigerian child, you should be able to walk into a primary school and ask them what food they produce from their state or village and they proudly give you all the answers that is what I am hoping to achieve. To be able to impact Nigeria values on the younger generation.

Are your programmes only targeting to the children? How about the adults, what programmes do you have mapped out for them?

While I was growing up I used to hear them say children are the leaders of tomorrow, in as much as in Nigeria we do not believe so much in adult education I believe that if I can capture the young ones today, it is the bedrock for me for them to grow up with it and not depart from it and of course in the course of doing that, the older ones will be able to learn when they see me doing it and be encouraged. I believe that the younger generation are the ones I can actually change for a better tomorrow to know that there is something like this existing and tell them about the importance of knowing about your culture and heritage and the people that brought it into existence and not to totally abandon it even though we have been a part of the western world together they should still hold it in high esteem and value it.

How did you feel emerging the winner?

It was an awesome experience, there were challenges in fact when they called the first 15, and I didn’t even know I was

Cut your coat according to your cloth.

― African Proverb

Akpana

going to be among. They called 12 persons first and then the judges said they weren’t up to 15 and then they called my name after which they called out the first five.

Later we answered the questions, the winners were called; it was an awesome experience for me, and unforgettable one at that.

I believe that the younger generation are the ones I can actually change for a better tomorrow

40 FRIDAY EXTRA

January 2, 2015

titans

B

eautiful, sinister and canny, Marozia was a political harlot and powerful noblewoman who became senatrix and patrician of Rome, queen ofItaly and the mistress, murderess, mother and grandmother of popes. Hers was an astonishing career of depravity, greed, murder and ruthlessness that dominated the papacy for decades.

Marozia was born in 890, the daughter of Count Theophylact of Tusculum and his courtesan, Theodora, called a ‘shameless whore’ and ‘sole monarch of Rome’ by her enemies. Indeed both mother and her two daughters Marozia and another Theodora were infamous. As the English historian Edward Gibbon wrote: The influence of two prostitutes Marozia and Theodora was founded on their wealth and beauty, their political and amorous intrigues: the most strenuous of their lovers were rewarded with the Roman mitre and their reign may have suggested to darker ages the fable of a female pope.

The bastard son, the grand-son and greatgrandson of Marozia, a rare genealogy, were seated in the Chair of St Peter.

At fifteen Marozia became Pope Sergius IIl’s mistress, producing a bastard son, later Pope John XI. In 909 she married Alberic, marquess of Spoleto, producing another son, Alberic II. The senatrix of Rome was now the most powerful of a dominant aristocracy.

After Alberic I was killed, she became mistress of the reigning Pope John X, a tough and intelligent man, who resisted her control. (He had been a lover of her mother’s too.) He defeated the Saracens but Marozia came to hate him: she turned against him, marrying his enemy Guy of Tuscany. Together they conquered Rome, imprisoning the pope. Marozia had John X (914-928) strangled in the Castel Sant’Angelo and then seized power for herself, ruling through her puppet popes Leo VI and Stephen VIII before raising her own papal bastard to the throne of St Peter as John XI, aged twenty-one, in 931. Widowed again, Marozia married Hugh of Arles, king of Italy, with whom she ruled. (Hugh was already married; his wife conveniently died, another victim of Marozia no doubt.) The couple were overthrown by her son Duke Alberic II, who imprisoned his mother until her death. Alberic ruled Rome through four popes.

When the fourth resisted him, he was tortured to death. Alberic, on his own deathbed, demanded that his bastard son Octavian be made pope.

Reigning 955-964, Octavian, known as Pope John XII, grandson of Marozia, was the most shameful pontiff to lead the Christian Church, the antithesis of Christian virtues. He lived a private life of brazen immorality, turning the Vatican into a brothel. His behaviour was duplicitous, cruel and foolish - he and his grandmother personified the papal

of history

MAROZIA AND THE PAPAL PORNOCRACY c.890-932

... this monster without one single virtue to atone for his many vices.

The verdict of the bishops convened by Otto to try Pope John XlI, 963 ‘pornocracy’ of the first half of the tenth century. Fittingly, he finally brought about his own downfall through his insatiable depravity.

On 16 December 955, Octavian became the highest authority in the Christian Church, both the spiritual and temporal ruler of Rome at only eighteen years old, renaming himself John XII. Through his mother Alda of Vienne he was a descendant of Charlemagne, but he showed none of the virtues expected of a pope. His private life was a litany of sin. Disdaining the celibacy his position required, he was a rampant adulterer, fornicating with literally hundreds of women, including his father’s concubine Stephna The sacred Lateran Palace, once the abode of saints, became a whorehouse, in which lounged hundreds of prostitutes, ready to serve his sexual whims. John had incestuous relations with two of his sisters. Throughout his reign, John’s fortunes were interwoven with those of the German King Otto I the Great, a friend

of the Church to whom John appealed for help after suffering defeat in a war against Duke Pandulf of Capua, and then losing the Papal States to King Berengarius of Italy. Otto arrived in Italy with his powerful army, forcing Berengarius to back down. On reaching Rome in late January 962, Otto took an oath of allegiance to recognize John’s authority, and on 2 February 962 John crowned Otto Holy Roman Emperor, along with his wife, Queen Adelaide, whom he made empress.

This powerful alliance was of benefit to both John and Otto but each immediately set about struggling to dominate the other.

Shortly after Otto was crowned emperor, he issued his ‘Ottonian Privilege’, a treaty that promised to recognize the Pope’s claim to the bulk of central Italy in exchange for a pledge that all future popes would only be consecrated after they had sworn allegiance to the holy Roman emperor. However, when Otto left Rome on 14 February 962 to continue his war against King Berengarius, John - fearful of

Better to do well than to say well. ― Egyptian saying

Otto’s strength - began secret negotiations with Berengarius’ son Adalbert to rise up against him, and sent letters to other European rulers, encouraging them to do the same.

However German troops intercepted these letters, the plot was laid bare, and if John had any hopes of placating the furious Otto, these soon ended. After John received Adalbert in Rome with great ceremony, bishops and nobles sympathetic to the German king rebelled.

On 2 November 963, John was forced to flee Rome as Otto re-entered the city.

Whilst John hid in the mountains of Campania, Otto convened a panel of fifty bishops in St Peter’s Basilica, who compiled a list of political and personal charges against him. These ranged from sacrilege (swearing oaths and toasting the devil with wine) to adultery, perjury and even murder (he was accused of blinding his confessor, Benedict, leading to his death, and of castrating and murdering his cardinal subdeacon). The excesses of his private life had also led him into flagrant abuses of his office, including simony - bestowing bishoprics and other ecclesiastical titles in return for payments - in order to pay his extensive gambling debts.

On 4 December 963, the synod found John guilty and deposed him, replacing him with Pope Leo VIII. However, the new appointment was made without following proper canonical procedure and few regarded Leo as a legitimate replacement.

As Otto and Adalbert clashed on the battlefield again, a new revolt broke out in Rome, restoring John to the papacy, while Leo fled. Those who had betrayed John now suffered horrible vengeance. Cardinal Deacon John had his right hand cut off by the merciless pope while Bishop Otgar of Speyer was scourged; another official lost his nose and ears, many more were excommunicated. On 26 February 964, John repealed Otto’s decrees in a special synod and re-established his own authority as pope.

John’s position was still precarious and when Otto finally defeated Berengarius on the battlefield and started back for Rome, it seemed highly likely he would be deposed again. However, on 16 May 964, lustful to the last, John collapsed and died eight days after being caught in the act of adultery. Some say he was beaten up by the jealous husband; others that he was murdered; others again that the devil had claimed him as his own. Most believed he had been struck down by divine intervention or carnal exhaustion.

Pope John XII was a stain on the name of the Christian Church. It is said that monks prayed day and night for his death. ‘You are charged with such obscenities as would make us blush if you were a stage player,’ was Emperor Otto’s verdict, writing to him after convening a council of bishops to depose him, ‘It would require a whole day to enumerate them all.’

Culled from the book ‘Titans of History’

FRIDAY EXTRA 41

January 2, 2015

ultimate top list LESSER-KNOWN SERIAL KILLERS

1

PETER KURTEN In the summer of 1929, a fresh corpse was found nearly weekly in the German city of Dusseldorf. Most victims were young womenhorribly slashed or bludgeoned to death. Peter Kurten (the “Vampire of Dusseldorf”) prowled for victims at night-seeking sexual satisfaction by swallowing the blood of his victims as he cut their throats. For eighteen months Kurten was on a rampage. He ultimately killed over thirty people. He was executed by guillotine.

PETER SUTCLIFFE Peter Sutcliffe (the “Yorkshire Ripper”) began killing in 1975. He was to ultimately murder thirteen women and attempt to kill another seven. The survivors were left with such emotional scars that psychologists said they would never fully recover. He would usually knock his victims unconscious with a ball- peen hammer and then mutilate them with knives and sometimes a screwdriver.

In February 2009, Sutcliffe was declared “fit” to leave Broadmoor high-security prison. It is possible he will be released on “rehabilitation leave.”

2

3

LARRY EYLER Larry Eyler (the “Highway Killer”) began picking men up along highways when he was in his thirties. He would invite the men into his car under the guise of having consensual sex with a little light bondage. He would take the men to a secluded area, handcuff and brutally beat them. Most victims were found disemboweled with their pants pulled down.

Eyler was observed dumping eight trash bags found to contain the remains of a fifteen-year-old boy into a dumpster. Eyler was sentenced to die by lethal injection but he died of AIDS before he could be executed. In all, he murdered twenty-one men.

4

CARL PANZRAM After suffering years of torture, sexual abuse, and beatings, Carl Panzram became one of America’s most violent and hateful serial killers. He committed crimes in Europe, the United States, and South America. In 1920 he committed his first murderkilling sailors in New York he lured from a bar. He also raped and killed two small boys he beat to death with a rock. Speaking of his own life, Panzram said, “my only regret is that I wasn’t born dead or not at all.”

5

BOBBY JOE LONG Bobby Joe Long had an unusual childhood; until the age of thirteen he shared a bed with his mother and the two frequently traveled from the home of one relative to another. During that time, Bobby Joe suffered many head injuries, which are believed to have been accidental. Between 1980 and 1983, Long terrorized Miami, Ocala, and Fort Lauderdale where he would seek out housewives whose husbands were at work so he could bind and rape them. He strangled and shot at least nine victims, though authorities believe there was a tenth victim. He was sentenced to death for killing nine women and raping fifty.

Bobby Joe Long Peter Sutcliffe

6

DENNIS NILSEN Dennis Nilsen was a Scottish serial killer who lived in London. He is unique in that he does not fit the standard serial killer profile. Nilsen killed for friendship and company. He would invite a young man to his home and after sexual relations would kill him out of fear he would be left alone in the morning.

He would then leave the corpse in his apartment for days so he could place it in various poses (such as watching television or sleeping in bed) as if the body were his boyfriend. When a local plumber found bones and rotting flesh in the apartment’s sewerage system, Nilsen was arrested and ultimately sentenced to life in prison for murdering fifteen young men.

7

ARTHUR SHAWCROSS Arthur Shawcross (also known as the “Genesee River Killer”) started his killing rampage when he was fighting in the Vietnam War. He claimed to have murdered and eaten two young Vietnamese girls.

When he returned to the United States he murdered a ten-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl. He was arrested and went to jail for fifteen years for these crimes.

After his release he began murdering prostitutes (eleven in total). He was caught when the police saw him masturbating in his car near the spot where one victim had been found.

Carl Panzram

8

JOHN ROBINSON John Robinson was connected to the murders or disappearances of eleven women. A sadomasochist, Robinson would lure women through the Internet or personal ads to appease his sexual appetite. After sixteen years of killing and cashing in on the Social Security checks of his victims, Robinson was caught when two barrels, each containing a female body, were found on his Kansas property.

9

FRITZ HAARMANN Fritz Haarmann lived in Germany during a severe economic depression in 1918. He seduced a young runaway named Friedel Roth who had run away from home. Friends of Roth eventually led the police to Haarmann’s home. When they entered, they found Haarmann in bed with another young boy for which he was sentenced to nine months in prison. Unfortunately, the police did not search Haarmann’s house-if they had done so, they would have found Roth’s head stuffed behind the stove wrapped in newspaper. This was not known until Haarmann confessed five years later.

Peter Kurten

GERARD SCHAEFER Gerard Schaefer, a policeman, was convicted in 1973 of only two murders, but it is believed he was responsible for more than thirty killings in total. He was a sexual beast who would lure women off the roads with his police badge and eventually rape, torture, mutilate, and murder them. He would leave the women tied to trees while he went to work as a police officer. Parts of his victims’ bodies and clothing were found in a trunk in his mother’s attic.

10

Culled from the book ‘Ultimate top 10 list’

Between the devil and the deep (blue) sea.

— Chinese Proverb

42 FRIDAY EXTRA

January 2, 2015

big

qUESTIOnS & AnSWERS CROSSWORDS PUZZLE

How much bigger could super passenger jets become?

A Boeing 747 uses 7840kg of aviation fuel for the take-off, climb and descent portions of the flight and these account for about 250km. For journeys longer than that, the plane will use 10.1 kg for each additional kilometre under typical cruising conditions. So to fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh (530km) uses 10,668kg of fuel, which releases a little over 33 tonnes of CO2.

Whereas a Ford Mondeo 1.8 TOCi emits 151 g of CO2 per km and covers 650km to reach Edinburgh. That works out to be 98kg for a single

What's worse-putting petrol in a diesel engines or diesel in a petrol engine?

If you put diesel in a petrol engine, It’s cause knocking, which would eventually cause serious damage. As for diesel engines, they use the fuel itself as a lubricant. Using petrol would eventually cause wear on the engine and corrode seals. diesel engines are stronger than petrol ones, so on balance it’s probably worse to put diesel in a petrol engine.

ACROSS 1 nightshade family vegetable (6) 4 Irrational fear (6) 7 Garment like a bikini top (3) 8 Homeless or neglected child (4) 10 Manoeuvre in a game (4) 11 Extreme happiness (4) 12 Dull sound of impact (4) 13 Dove’s soft cry (3) 15 Make (a pullover) using

needles (4) 16 Go off target (4) 18 noise of a horn (4) 19 I Want to Hold _ Hand, classic Beatles song (4) 20 Get-up-and-go (3) 21 Watch out! (6) 22 Have a meal away from home (3,3) DOWN 1 Electricity supply (5) 2 Short thin branch (4) 3 Uninfluenced by

How many helium ballons would it take to lift a person?

Most expensive stretch of railway?

The density difference between helium and air at normal room temperature is approximately 1 kg per cubic metre, which means you would need 70m3 to lift a 70kg person - about 17,000 party balloons. You’d be better off using professional weather balloons, which come in different sizes.

In 1982, Californian Larry Waiters used 45 of them to lift him (inadvertently) into the flight path of oncoming aircraft, thus qualifying him for an honorary (because he didn’t die) Darwin award.

The Darwin award website says the balloons were 1.22m (4 feet) In diameter, but these only have a volume of 1m3 and 45 of them could not have lifted a heavy adult, It I that the balloons were a standard 1.83m (6 feet) in diameter; the total volume of 135m3 would have been more than enough to get him flying.

The world’s most expensive stretch of railway is the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (now High Speed 1), which connects the British end of the Channel Tunnel, in Folkestone, with London St Pancras. £5.3bn was spent on building this 108km (67m) stretch between 1988 and 1994.

The construction costs emerged during an investigation by the Commission for Integrated Transport.

cool fact !

personal feelings (9) 4 Ridiculous situation (9) 5 _ as brass, cheeky (4) 6 One of a number (3) 9 Wing of an army (5) 10 Child’s name for a cat (5) 14 Consumed by fire (5) 15 What Maisie _, Henry James novel (4) , 17 Unaccompanied performance (4) 18 Male non-neutered ferret (3)

The new York City subway system has atotal track distance of 1355km (842 miles)- that’s roughly the distance by road from land’s end to John o’ Groats. The total track distance includes 299km (186 miles) of track in yards and storage. It’s the most extensive underground rail system in the world.

Better to reign in hell, than serve in heaven. ― English Proverb

animal world

January 2, 2015

By Williams Orji

Crocodile Crocodiles (subfamily Crocodylinae) or true crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia.

Crocodylinae, in which all its members are considered true crocodiles, is classified as a biological subfamily. A broader sense of the term crocodile, Crocodylidae that includes Tomistoma, is not used in this article. The term crocodile here applies only to the species within the subfamily of Crocodylinae. The term is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes Tomistoma, the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), the gharials (family Gavialidae), and all other living and fossil Crocodylomorpha.

Although they appear to be similar to the untrained eye, crocodiles, alligators and the gharial belong to separate biological families. The gharial having a narrow snout is easier to distinguish, while morphological differences are more difficult to spot in crocodiles and alligators. The most obvious external differences are visible in the head with crocodiles having narrower and longer heads, with a more V-shaped than a U-shaped snout compared to alligators and caimans. Another obvious trait is the upper and lower jaws of the crocodiles are the same width, and teeth in the lower jaw fall along the edge or outside the upper jaw when the mouth is closed; therefore all teeth are visible unlike an alligator; which possesses small depressions in the upper jaw where the lower teeth fit into. Also when the crocodile’s mouth is closed, the large fourth tooth in the lower jaw fits into a con-

Snake

Snakes are elongated, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with several more joints than their lizard ancestors, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads with their highly mobile jaws. To accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes’ paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and most have only one functional lung. Some species retain a pelvic girdle with a pair of vestigial claws on either side of the cloaca.

Living snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica, and on most smaller land masses — exceptions include some large islands, such as Ireland and New Zealand, and many small islands of the Atlantic and central Pacific. Additionally, sea snakes are widespread throughout the Indian and

striction in the upper jaw. For hard-todistinguish specimens, the protruding tooth is the most reliable feature to define the family that the species belongs to. Crocodiles have more webbing on the toes of the hind feet and can better tolerate saltwater due to specialized salt glands for filtering out salt, which are present but non-functioning in alligators. Another trait that separates crocodiles from other crocodilians is

their much higher levels of aggression.

Crocodile size, morphology, behavior and ecology somewhat differs between species. However, they have many similarities in these areas as well. All crocodiles are semiaquatic and tend to congregate in freshwater habitats such as rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water and saltwater. They are carnivorous animals, feeding mostly on vertebrates such as

Pacific Oceans. More than 20 families are currently recognized, comprising about 500 genera and about 3,400 species. They range in size from the tiny, 10 cm-long thread snake to the Reticulated python of up to 6.95 meters (22.8 ft) in length. The fossil species Titanoboa cerrejonensis was 13 meters (43 ft) long.Snakes are thought to have evolved from either burrowing or aquatic lizards during the mid-Cretaceous period, and the earliest known fossils date to around 112 Ma ago. The diversity of modern snakes appeared during the Paleocene period (c 66 to 56 Ma ago). The oldest preserved descriptions of snakes can be found in the Brooklyn Papyrus.

Most species are nonvenomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Nonvenomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.

— Source: Wikipedia.Org Between the upper and nether millstone.

― Congolese Proverb

fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, and sometimes on invertebrates such as molluscs and crustaceans, depending on species and age. All crocodiles are tropical species that unlike alligators, are very sensitive to cold. They first separated from other crocodilians during the Eocene epoch, about 55 million years ago. Many species are at the risk of extinction, some being classified as critically endangered.

44

January 2, 2015

45

January 2, 2015

travelogue The Thrills And Frills Of Osun Osogbo Festival

T

he month of August is synonymous with festivals from Osun Osogbo to Sango to Igbo Ukwu New Yam festival highlighting the rich tapestry of Nigeria’s cultural diversity. Though Osun Osogbo festival said to be over 600 years had to contend with the Ebola Virus scare this year, it was not enough to keep, worshippers and tourists at bay as Omolola Itayemi discovered The belief that you can gauge the tempo of an event from your point of take-off was missing in this year’s Osun Osogbo festival.

Unlike the past editions, passengers taking off from Ojota inter-state bus park were not many as buses and cabs took time to fill up despite the fact that it was a day to the grand finale of the festival. Blame it on the directives from the government of Osun State asking tourists to keep away from this year’s festival to prevent the spread of Ebola Virus and you won’t be wrong.

The first indication that I was wrong was at the Osun Children’s Cultural Fiesta organised by Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) which took place on the eve of the grand final at the palace ground. I got in just in time to witness it.

There were competitions to encourage the children. They came in four categories - drumming, dancing, cultural fashion parade and Yoruba spelling and N200,000 was expended as prise money to the winners of the various competitions. The children came in numbers and participated with fervour.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo said it was necessary to include culture/tourism in the school curriculum to enable children grasps the basics of same as they grow.

Large Turnout at Osun Festiva In spite of the directives to foreigners to stay away, the turnout at the festival was huge. As early as 9pm on Friday, 22nd August, when the writer got to the palace of the Ataoja of Osogboland, HRM Oba Jimoh Olanpekun Larooye II and chief celebrant of the festival, the palace was already filled to the rafters. ‘Ese Yeye Osun’ is the common greeting here and it was on everybody’s lips. From worshippers dressed in white to tourists to members of the media, there was almost no place to stand.

The grand finale of 2014 Osun Osogbo Festival, which began with the Iwopopo, the traditional cleansing of the town, followed three days later by the lighting of the 500-year-old 16-point lamp called ‘Ina Olojumerindinlogun.’

Osun-Osogbo festival is less about merrymaking and more about the mind, heart and divinity of a people bonded by unique culture and history. For culture enthusiasts, the festival is like a pilgrimage and even with the directive from the state, we had enthusiasts from Brazil and USA. Dancing, singing, praise worshipping,

commerce and every other thing was going on at once. Even the pickpockets were hard at work as there were intermittent screams of ‘I can’t find my phone’. It wasn’t strange to see officers of the law dragging off a thief that had been nabbed. The correspondent from NTA, Oyinnaya Kalu Oka lost her phone to a thief, we caught him and apprehended him but he had been swift enough to give it to a comrade of his, showing off contents of his pocket knowing the phone wasn’t there.

The happenings at the palace ground however got to a climax when the Arugba (Votary Virgin) emerged from the inner sanctum of the palace. Frenzied scenes greeted her entrance into the groove; thousands participated in the visual spectacle of finger snapping, front to back motions over their heads to ward off bad luck as they prayed, perhaps refusing a curse or merely part of a trend.

As the Arugba and her entourage went from one side of the palace ground to another, the crowd filed after them, pushing and tugging with some screaming for help as they fell into the shallow gutter lining the sides of the palace walls. At this point, the fear of contacting the Ebola Virus was abated as physical contact could not be avoided.

Among the traditional activities that have lit the 2014 festivities is the Arugba’s Berth. Held on Tuesday, August 19, it was a day to celebrate the votary maidens, who have burnt the light of the festival these past five centuries of performance ladies, who devoted their teenage years to the service of the deity before they were released for marriage.

Arugba is the virgin maid who carries the famous calabash, which bears the propitiation materials to the Osun River.

To devotees of Osun, the Arugba is not just a virgin maid, but also a goddess on whom they cast all their problems as she carries the calabash to the Osun River. This singular responsibility makes the Arugba the second key individual in the festival after the Kabiyesi.

The mantle to carry the broad-rimmed calabash to the sacred Osun River this year still rests on little Miss Osuntomi Oyetunji, who took over the responsibility from former Miss Abolade Oyewale, who ferried the calabash for 10 years. Osuntomi is a direct daughter of the sitting Ataoja.

The long walk to the Osun grove wasn’t different as people took to different means to get there, from motorists to commercial motorcyclists. But unlike the palace where there were no medical facilities, the state government had anticipated a crowd of this size and had put in place medical facilities to screen the multitude before they are allowed into the Osun grove.

Speaking on behalf of Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the occasion, the Special Adviser to the Osun State governor, on Culture, Arts and Tourism, Mr. Ladi Soyode said: “We wanted to limit human contacts as well as prevent contaminating the river”.

He said despite the government’s warning,

Offering of sacriice

people still trooped out in large numbers to participate in the annual festival, which is over 600 years old. But the government had already preempted this outcome and made adequate plans to accommodate the multitude. One of such effort is by setting up a medical committee on Ebola virus whose responsibility was to safeguard tourists.”

I saw the media team handing gloves and mask to tourists and locales. Going by what the Chief Medical Officer of Ladoke Akintola University, Dr. Femi Fadiora said about 20 infrared thermometers and twoisolation centres were made available in case of Ebola Virus emergencies; it was quite comforting to see the medical team on site.

The Grove has numerous attractions.

From the custodian of Osun goddess showering blessings on visitors to monkeys roaming free in trees, it’s a life-time experience. Down by the river bank, there is a mass of devotees; filling plastic containers with water, having their fortunes told, washing their heads and faces in the river, or just loitering around.

There was a royal reception for sponsors and dignitaries (Oba of Osogbo and Director General NTDC and hordes of traditional rulers), which is preceded by the entrance of the Arugba (something of a virgin Mary figure) who carried the offering to the river.

Osunyemi Ataoju, a traditional believer who resides in USA and comes in every year for the festival said: “As a traditional believer, the significance of this festival to the people of Osogbo is that we are doing this in commemoration with the sacred pact we had with the Osun deity in those days. It is celebrated to mark the commemoration of events that led to the founding of Osogbo town and the renewal of ancestral bonds between the Osun goddess and the people of Osogbo. We do this every year from Nigeria and all over the world. It’s like celebrating Christmas and Ileeya. Look at me, I am 80 years old, do I look it? This is the work of Osun in my life.”

Mr. Ayo Olumoko, Managing Director, INFOGEM Ltd and Marketing Consultant of the Festival spoke about the festival and the impact of Ebola Virus scare: “I am

Between two stools one goes (falls) to the ground. ― Egyptian Proverb

happy that what we are doing here will be showcased all over the world and the shine will not be taken way from it.”

For Sally Mbanefo who is attending for the first time, “it’s a learning curve for me.

It is very, very interesting and my first exposure to this and any Nigerian cultural event and this is just amazing. I’m learning and asking questions from so many aspects of it.

Business Dulls This Year…

The festival has a business side to it and can be seen from the different brands mounting stands within the palace and across town with some giving out freebies.

Osun State under Rauf Aregbesola administration is one of the few states that has keyed into tourism as a tool of economic transformation and OsunOsogbo was a perfect opportunity for this.

However, this year’s edition must have been strongly felt by the locals who witnessed a lull in business activities.

Hotels and guest houses had unoccupied rooms by the grand finale which is not the norm. Sellers of white plastic cans used by worshippers for storing water from the sacred grove had lots unsold.

A drive round town after we left the grove showed little traffic on the road compared to the past where traffic on that same road used to be very high.

According to regulars, there had been physical facelift of facilities and rehabilitation of roads leading to Osun groove. Venue and security was greatly improved upon; a new platform where dignitaries sat and a bigger car park compared to what was obtained before.

— SOURCE: THISDAY online

Frenzied scenes greeted her entrance into the groove; thousands participated in the visual spectacle of finger snapping, front to back motions over their heads to ward off bad luck as they prayed, perhaps refusing a curse or merely part of a trend

46 FRIDAY SPECIAL/BOOKS & ARTS

January 2, 2015

With Chikelu Chinelo & Onukogu Kanayo Jubal

Volunteerism, Mentorship: A New Level Of Internship And CSR

A

s a young girl of ten, Margaret Ekpo, devoted a little of her pocket money in aiding a six-year-old boy in school; she traded money for pencils, exercise books and school uniforms to her protégé, never knowing that she was preparing herself for a greater task and passion, as business mentor and CEO of her NGO, Relate International. Today, that protégé is the only graduate of a family of thirteen. And being a retired legal practitioner, Mrs Margaret Ekpo is marching on in her passion to empower youths and women, in that order.

In a recent award organized by her NGO, Relate International, 14-yearold, SS2 student Titilola Akpan, was awarded a scholarship to finish her SS2 class, while a business development award went to a mother of two, Chidinma Onyeze and volunteer award went to Beta Chinkata.

According to Ekpo, the awards signify the importance of volunteerism and passion. She believes that there is a huge chasm between the school and the realities of the workplace, and a similar chasm between employees and productiveness – the absence of the processes of volunteerism and passion.

But the retired legal practitioner had found a way to breach the gap between a routine job, and productiveness, especially when her job coincides with her passion to empower people.

“Most Nigerians see civil service as way out of unemployment”. Most civil servants do not want to retire because

Center, Daughter, of Barr Margaret Ekpo and member of the Relate International, Barr and Yali Fellow, Mfon Ekpo

they have nothing to fall back on.”

Ekpo’s conviction follows that every one has a skill, to do something different from their job that is usually a source of passion. That passion that has kept her afloat brought the idea to practice legal profession in a different way.

“If you had something else doing aside from your job, you will feel urged to take that passion against the job to the next best level.”

Her organisation amongst other services such as business development, leadership mentorship, leadership empowerment, has embarked on promoting the processes of volunteerism in Nigeria. They also teach participants policies that are in place for their benefits. It is also engaged in the harder role of persuading companies to provide for volunteerism as part of their corporate social responsibility.

“Most Nigerians have no idea that they can walk into a company such as PZ, and request for a volunteer service, no fees paid to gain experience for greater job opportunities. They rather go looking for references. In my younger years, I had to work and i had to go look for it myself.”

The symbiotic relationship, she explains, “enables the companies to pick the best volunteers that will smoothly merge into the company’s system.”

However, she finds obstacles in the lack of medium scale businesses to incorporate volunteers and the bigger companies that view volunteerism as strange.

“In America, you see people get off work, join in volunteering service at the weekends to feed their passion and contribute to growth of their country. We should not expect government to em-

ploy everybody,” she averred.

In the light that, everyone cannot work for the government, she said government efforts are not adequate no matter how good it’s intention.

Volunteerism feeds passion, such that one has skills to work with when one is forced to leave a job or retires.

Youths, through volunteerisms in their areas of interest and passion, derive mentorship in real life workplace that prepares for future employment. Internships are not as lucrative as they used to be and companies have managed to skim their way out of expending profits, to the frustration undergraduates and fresh graduates that find themselves unguardedly skill-less from workplace reality. Every opening is meant for those with three, five to ten years experience.

With volunteerism, companies let their guard down, because they are making no expenses. It is ironic, however, that the very few organisations that do accept volunteers, often times, do not incorporate volunteers into the system only to go looking for older minds to fill jobs that would be better done by youths they had invested on.

“Government needs to put in place policies that ensure that companies’ corporate social responsibilities incorporate student volunteers annually to empower Nigerians; build leadership and mentorship relations,” urged Ekpo.

Chidinma Onyeze met Barrister Ekpo last year having applied for the position of a cook in her household.

She had to forgo the job because the pay was poor compared to her needs.

She revisited her, upon barrister’s further interest in her whereabouts. “I became a member of Relate International and solicited funds to start a catering business. At the initial stage she presented me N10, 000 to aid the business among others and that is how I started my own restaurant.”

Is Korea Culture Club A Purveyor Of Imperialism?

A few weeks before, the Korea Culture Club of Nigeria, a body of secondary school students in Abuja, under the auspices of the Korea Culture Centre Nigeria, KCCN, Abuja, united by their love of Korean culture, trend and tradition, debuted the first ever Korea\ Nigeria Love Day. A closer look at the audience’s response, the purpose of the fan club and the reality of the exchange in place puts our culture to lesser advantage.

The club launched in 2013 by public school students in the FCT, whose schools had participated in the varieties of programmes at the centre, hosts about eleven government schools, and over a hundred student members. The activities at the Love Day featured various K-Pop performances, Korean Traditional dance and Hanbok/Nigeria Fashion Show.

On the onset, the event placed side by side, Korea and Nigerian Traditional culture and contemporary music. The audience, majorly Nigerians, response to the performances differed.

The students sang word for word the lyrics of K-Pop group Tiny G, Missing You, SHINee’s Everybody, performed by various schools, hardcore hip-hop song, Ringa-Linga of Taeyang and Psy’s Gangnam style performed by one time winners of the K-Pop Dance Competition, The Elevators. Nigerian

Hip-hop artiste Skales’ shake body did collect an average amount of shout-outs but it was nothing compared to the screams and body gyrations their Korean counterpart induced. The cloth patterns, dance moves and facial gesticulations were eerily Korean. It was like watching groomed child versions of Korean idols.

Exceptions to creative infusion of both cultures came through single bursts of moves from the Nigerian artiste, MC Galaxy’s song Sekem in the K-Pop performances, and the similarities in a Korea mime drama, to traditional Nigerian practice where a princess transported on wooden seats atop young and able-bodied shoulders in white vests and wrapper-tied waists acquires the long sought flower of her desire. The rest reestablishes the audience preference for the foreign culture.

In the words of the secondary education board officials, the performances took a year round rehearsals to perfect, the students’ detailed introduction to each Korean culture and traditional performances such as the Ganggansule, traditional female dance, and the children folk song, Guseulbi, were testaments to global citizenship compared to the lackluster and uninteresting introduction of its Nigerian culture which marked a total absence of knowledge of history of

each tradition.

Although the world increasing global citizenship trends is necessary and admirable to promote peace, understanding and coexistence, but it should not be practiced to the detriment of our culture. The Korea Culture Center has many activities that encompass mutual cultural exchange and diplomacy but the basis of the Korea Culture Club is at most one-sided A look at the Korean Image Drawing Contest, is all about the children’s acquisition of more knowledge of Korean ideologists, emperors, culture shapers and shifters, nothing so far has focused on the Nigerian culture.

These students are at an age (based on psychologist Jean Piaget’s concrete operational to early formative operational stages of cognitive development) when information assimilation is mostly shaped by blind acceptance of what they see, more so in a world infiltrated by unchecked media imperialism and culture imperialism.

Culture imperialism practices are widespread through growing use of android, smart devices and relatively cheap internet services. The rest without access to such unhealthy channels find their way to foreign centers where they assimilate unbalanced information intake.

Taekwondo, another activity these stu-

dents enjoy - which draws similarity in the spirit of sportsmanship witnessed in the ‘Ogu na Mgba’, the local wrestling form, of the South-eastern part of Nigeria, is not explored. This has potentials of culminating to an annual sports event between both countries if the principles are further studied and broadened.

We love Korea, it stands for beauty, organisation, and above all adventure that many Nigerians cannot resist, but we must learn to ensure that the culture exchange happens at the same level. It is hardly the Koreans fault that this isn’t reciprocal. Why can’t we have the same schools club working on arts that depict Nigerian culture that will be exported to foreign countries? projects to task our teenagers more on emphasizing similarities or infusion of both cultures. Just like the Korea, Culture Partnership Initiative, CPI seems to do?

In such manner, we breed a generation of solution-oriented youths - youths that appreciate the uniqueness of African and Nigerian culture and not youngsters with illusive ideas of migrating to foreign climes in search of greener pastures. Not to sound too clichéd, this is a call to catch them young, intellectually and creatively. It is hoped that the center’s big project for the students next year will tread that part.

47

January 2, 2015

Who Makes The List Of The Right Candidates To Be Voted In 2015 General Elections

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48

January 2, 2015

Hauwa Booth WOMAN ON THE LOOSE

Ff:@ofastupidwoman: Read @ www.diaryofastupidwoman.com

Happy New Year

A Year In Review Kidnap Of The Chibok Girls The girls are still missing.

Megarice Cooperative Scoundrel Who can remember the scam of the year MEGARICE COOPERATIVE? Absolutely nothing has happened. Pastor Harry Agbenu Austin has basically made away with about N500m conservatively (five hundred million naira) of people’s money. No matter how well planned out a Ponzi Scheme will always fall through. That’s the ugliness of Nigeria; though he was hunted, hounded and in EFCC trap, all na......? WASH! Problem is Karma is a b*tch. If that doesn’t get him, there’s an afterlife. Either way, he will pay for it.

The Mystery Of Flight MH370 MH370 fell out of the sky or rather disappeared off the face of the earth. It is one mystery that I won’t have to read about but I was alive to follow it.

Despite all the rallying of countries and hours and hours of searching in various directions; nothing came up. Now nine months later and AsiaAir disappeared.

Thankfully it was found 48hours later. However, it brought back anguish and pain for the family members who have not had closure.

Ebola!

We narrowly missed being wiped out! I don’t think I’m exaggerating, seeing how Sierra Leone has been battling the spread. Nigeria even became a universal model as to ‘how not spread Ebola’. Pride for once even if the nature of the quick response has been questioned. Who cares? We all got saved anyway!

The Creation Of All Progressives Congress (APC) It is interesting to see what strange, odd, unbelievable bedfellows politics can bring together. One important lesson their being in bed with each other taught me is that given time your vehement negative opinion of a person can radically change positively! If there was anything that gave hope; that was it. In another word, CHANGE. ( you know..like the right to ‘change’ your opinion).

I would like to see where Pa Balarabe Musa is going with this.. Opposition to APC the opposition and to PDP the incumbent.

Dear reader, we are still here writing because of you. I would like to a say a huge, huge THANK YOU to every single reader. Thank you for your calls, messages, contributions, encouragement, constructive criticisms, criticisms and confusing ones. Thank you to those who responded and looked into issues raised; you’ve done what most businesses would benefit from if only they listen and listen well to their customersfodder for growth.

In return, I WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR (as shaky as that might be); New possibilities, new frontiers, new beginnings, new blessings (well with the amount of watch night and crossover services....) most importantly, I WISH YOU HAPPY VOTING. (Is ‘happy’ the right word?)

As Elections Approaches In six weeks time the Presidential elections will be held. It will be a historic one. For once men will heave a sigh of relief; they might have to buy gifts but at least they won’t be forced to dinner or an outing. However, the women will have a blast; their loving husbands will be lovingly tending to them at home on this love day! *i am deliberately ignoring what St. Valentine’s Day is really about. Nobody really wants to know. We quite prefer the Eros type of love indulgence to the Agape type love.* I was wondering between President GEJ and GMB which one will accept defeat maturely and if need be seek justice with dignity? This is actually a no brainer.

You never know with Politicians though. Quite a number of strange things have already happened. Let’s see who wins this.

Importation To Manufacturing But How? Well, everything seems to be happening at once; such a rude awakening for the otherwise spoilt Nigerian; fall of the naira, rise of the Forex; no money in circulation, depressed economy, rise in taxes.

Pause. This Luxury Goods tax thing.

I don’t have a yacht but somehow I and not the owner will be taxed. they find a way and dump it on us!.

Let’s face it, no high profile ‘alleged’ perpetrator of any murder has ever

WEEKEND

BiTES

IF YOU THINK LIFE HAS ROBBED YOU, IT IS ALWAYS AN INSIDE JOB

been caught and jailed. Is it catching the owner of a luxury item like a yacht or Jet that they will? As I was saying, NAHACO, the agents and customs have been caught up in a threesome that none likes!

Two elephants fought and shut down NAHACO. Now NAHACO Lagos Branch is overwhelmed and flights (imports) have been suspended so as to allow clearing of backlog. Advice has been

FEEDBACK: LET’S HEAR FROM YOU

given to find alternative routes.

This has exposed two things; we are an import country; this has to change. Two; businesses that are import dependent are in hot water. There’s barely a SWOT analysis for a purely import company. This has got to change. Well, so does the importation taste of Nigerians!!! Erhmmm....what do the regulators of the power industry have to say?

Hello reader, thank you for reading and spreading the word about this page. We are now ready for your feedback. Let’s hear your take. Constructive criticism and contributions will be published. Send thoughts to diaryofastupidwoman@gmail.com OR 08055241197 via TEXT ONLY. Don’t forget to include your name and location. Please bear with us if yours doesn’t make it onto the page.

FEATURE 49

January 2, 2015

By Chika Otuchikere

Some of the suspected criminals parraded by FCT command, recently

T

o a large extent, residents of the nation’s capital heaved a sigh of relief and beat their chest that they slept with their two eyes closed during the two-week-long 2014 Christmas and New Year, 2015 celebrations.

For operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT command of the Nigeria Police, however, they had sleepless nights ensuring that men and women of the underworld community, who make both capital gain and diabolical pleasure preying on innocent hardworking Nigerians, had a run for their money.

Also given the prominence of the FCT as the seat of power as well as the sheer recollection that, in the last three years, FCT residents have literally lived with their hearts in their mouths, under siege of the Boko Haram insurgents lurking in the dark to unleash their mayhem which usually leaves in its trail, death and destructions The FCT police command commissioner of Police, Ag. CP Wilson Inalegwu, few days to the turn of the new year paraded over 20 suspect and some of the booty they carted away from unsuspecting Nigerians during their onslaught.

At the last count, armed robbery, onechance suspects, car, motorcycle snatchers, cattle rustlers, child kidnappers, burglars and conspirators were paraded before FCT crime reporters as part of the command’s New Year activities.

Inalegwu admitted that the success was not without the invaluable contributions of vigilant FCT residents who promptly alerted the law enforcement agencies “May I first of all extend my greetings to all the residents of the Federal Capital Territory for the confidence reposed on the officers and men of the FCT Police Command through your collaboration and prompt release of information to us from your various localities. Indeed, your massive support to the Command within these 3 months of my stay as the FCT Commis-

FCT Police Combat Criminals Over Security At Yuletide sioner of Police has been very overwhelming.

“When I came on board, I assured the residents of the Territory of our preparedness to get the city clear of all forms of criminal elements.

“So far, our renewed efforts have yielded tremendous result as shown in most of our recent achievements. As the saying goes, “reward for hard work is more work”, the achievements we have recorded so far has ignited the personnel of the FCT Police Command into more work, which results, we are here to showcase” According to the police boss, the operatives recovered over 203 cattles from rustlers who operates from neighbouring states like Nasarawa, Niger and Kogi States, respectively.

He disclosed that there is an on-going collaboration with Traditional Chiefs, village Heads, and neighbouring states to ensure we put the menace of cattle rustling to an end.

In one of the incidents one David Richard Lar, an armed robber who escaped from Port-Harcourt Prison facility Rivers State was hibernating at Jikwoyi, Abuja, Detectives from the Division swung into action and arrested the said David. He however, confessed that he and five others were on their way to Abuja with a stolen Toyota Thundra, but got involved in an accident at Abaji on December 26 2014 Some bag and phone snatchers also ended in police net during the yuletide.

One Clement Markus, Dan Abu Mohammed, Tijani Musa, Shagari Ibrahim, Usama Umaru, Umar Abubakar, Usman Mo-

Other suspects with their loots

hammed, Abdullahi Haruna and Sadiq Idris were arrested by SARS patrol team at Mabushi flyover bridge while they were under the bridge to attack innocent passers-by or whoever parks his car due to mechanical fault. The robbers confessed in writing that they always snatch passerby phones, handbags and monies.

The CP gave some advice to Nigerians on how they could avoid becoming victims of hoodlums and suspected criminals, “My advice to Nigerians is: Always remain vigilant., continue to have confidence in the police, vehicle owners should avoid parking at isolated places when making calls as they might be followed by criminal elements.

Other are “any time they park their vehicles in a public places either to shop or

Every tub must stand on its own bottom. ― Cambodian proverb

The CP gave some advice to Nigerians on how they could avoid becoming victims of hoodlums and suspected criminals do any other thing, within intervals; they should always come out to check their vehicles., always check vehicles before boarding to avoid falling victim of one chance robbery, don`t be enticed with tempting business offers, as it may turn out to be fraudulent and pedestrians are advised to always make use of pedestrian bridges to avoid hit and run”.

50

January 2, 2015

Safiya M. Adamu Issues In Nationhood

feeyadem@yahoo.com

T

he word subsidy does not create confidence in anyone, not the policymaker or the target beneficiary. For the policy person it is a pain because it causes distortion in the economy, they argue. For the beneficiary, depending on who he or she is and in what context, it is an attempt by government to placate them over some perceived wrong or practice that must be concealed. This is particularly true in the Nigerian situation where some people feel that fuel subsidy is just an attempt to hand over Nigeria to a certain cabal. Pedestrian hmm?

Well yes, but remember that the average Nigerian does not trust the government.

But how much do we understand the concept of subsidy itself? A lot of people out there actually think pedestrian each time the issue comes up. Subsidy is government’s effort to get prices reduced for target persons, enterprise, or for the purpose of reducing cost for the generality of the populace by paying the difference in real price of the product that is fixed by the government. In the case of petrol or fuel as it is, the government pays the difference between the price of fuel in the pump and the actual cost of the product. This actually happens in the various sectors of the economy where for one reason or the other the government

Subsidy Withdrawal: How Appropriate?

deduces that there is need to make a particular product affordable to the people to ease the burden of economic crunch on the mass of people.

There are two sources from which fuel consumed in Nigeria is gotten, from the local refineries and imports. Nigeria, according to some sources, consumes about 294,000 barrels a day. Imported fuel accounts for about 200, 550 barrels out of this, while local refineries can only supply 93,450 barrels a day because the production capacity of our local refineries hovers around 21% leaving 79% idle.

Now the argument should include the question of what the government is doing about our local refineries given that experts tell us that at 66% of their full capacity they are capable of meeting or at least closing the requirement gap to the extent that whatever addition that may be required is insignificant. There are four government-owned refineries in this country and licenses have been granted to private individuals to build and run refineries, a combination of these efforts ought to cub the need to import fuel. At present the actual cost of getting and dispensing imported fuel at the pump is N138.19kobo per litre and this is how it goes and let us not forget that this was before the crash of price of crude; the cost of getting fuel to Nigerian ports is

Jonathan

N115.74k per liter, by the time its done with port charges it acquires additional N6.25k. The port charges are actually avoidable but the inefficiency at that point brings about this additional cost, which brings the price up to N121.99k per liter. The fuel is transferred from the ship to the deports around the port at the cost of N3.00k per liter taking the price further up to N124.99k. Then we add administrative charges of 15kobo per liter, bridging fund adds N3.95k, dealers and transporters margin comes to up to additional N1.75k and N2.75k per liter respectively. At the pump the stations add a general margin about N4.60k per liter bringing the final actual cost to N138.19k per liter. Official pump price is N97.00 that means that government subsidizes the difference of N41.19k.

Now with crashing crude oil prices at the international market the cost of petro

has come down world over, from where I stand, this implies that the cost of purchasing petrol abroad for importation to Nigeria will have dropped, bringing the cost well below what it is now.

Now that the government is giving serious thought to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy year (2015), how much has it prepared the mindset of the people and what has been done since 2011 to rectify the state of the refineries and ensure that private individuals who were given licenses to build and run refineries are actually set to do so? This will be the ideal time to withdraw subsidy given the slump in prices at the international scene because it means the price of fuel at pump should have come down anyway. But we know that in Nigeria this is not the case since unlike other countries pump price has not dropped.

If withdrawal of subsidy will result in increase of pump price then prices of all otherconsumables will definitely increase. The cost of transportation, housing, school fees, hospital bills will all increase and given that the general income of the people is grossly inadequate especially as more than half of the population live in poverty. This is why the decision to withdraw or not to withdraw subsidy actually rests with us the people.

Naerls forum National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, ABU Zaria Contact: Dr M.K Othman - 08065571637. mkothman@gmail.com

NAerlS, IAr, UNrbdA Organise 14Th National Irrigation And drainage Seminar

T

he National Irrigation and Drainage Seminar (NIDS) is a biannually event, which serves as a forum where stakeholders in irrigation subsector including scientists, extension workers, organized private sectors, farmers, other Irrigation and drainage professionals, practitioners and policy makers share knowledge and experiences and proffer recommendations for policy formulation on irrigation and drainage development in Nigeria.

Since inception in the 70s, the seminar held regularly until the 11th seminar in 1991 after which the regularity of the seminar could not be sustained.

The 12th did not hold until 1998, 13th 2007 and the 14th in 2014. This has been a source of concern to all stakeholders and is hoped to be corrected soon as the Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sera Ochekpe announced the resuscitation of the Nigerian National Committee on Irri-

gation and Drainage (NINCID) during her keynote address at the NISD seminar. NINCID plays a central role in organising the NIDS. Highlights of the 14th seminar were captured in the communiqué issued at the end of the seminar which reads as follows: COMMUNIQUE OF THE 14TH NATIONAL IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE SEMINAR The 14th National Irrigation and Drainage Seminar organised by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) and the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), both of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and hosted by Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (UNRBDA), held at Gidan Matasa, Minna, Niger State from 20th to 24th October, 2014. The theme of the seminar was “Advancing the Frontiers of Irrigation and Drainage for Agricultural

Transformation”.

The inaugural session was chaired by the Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture, Niger State, Prof. Mohammed Kuta Yahaya. His Excellency, the Chief Servant of Niger State Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu CON, the Chief Host, was represented by Alh. Abdulkarim Mazakuka, the State Commissioner for Water Resources. The Host, the Managing Director, UNRBDA, Prof. Paul S. Marley represented by Mal. Lawal Sarki, Executive Director, Finance & Admin delivered the welcome address while the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha represented by Prof. Hassan Zoaka, the Dean, Postgraduate School, ABU, Zaria delivered the Opening Remarks.

Other distinguished guests at the session included the out-going Chairman of Board of UNRBDA Hon. Sam Ode, Alhaji Suleiman A. Dada, District Head of Maikunkele who stood in for HRH, Alh Umar Farouk Bahago, the Emir of

Minna, and the Executive Directors of NAERLS and IAR Mal. Ismailu Y. Ilu and Prof. Ahmed M. Falaki respectively. The Keynote Address was delivered by the Hon. Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe who was represented by Engr. Dickson Ahagbuje.

The seminar was officially declared open by His Excellency, the Chief Servant of Niger State Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu CON. Goodwill messages were received from HRH, the Emir of Minna, the Chairman, UNRBDA Board and the AFAN Chairman, Niger State. The closing remark was made by the Executive Director, NAERLS. A total of 87 participants from 30 organizations including 5 Research Institutes, 5 Universities, 2 Polytechnics, 1 RBDA, 14 Federal and State Ministries and Parastatals and 3 farmer organizations attended the seminar. The seminar was concluded with a field trip to Tungan Kawo dam and irrigation project in Wushishi Local Government Area, Niger State.

politics National Assembly Siege Call it a siege or a lock-out, the National Assembly was taken over by armed security agents on November 20; ostensibly to prevent the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, from gaining access to the National Assembly and presiding over that day’s plenary. The plot failed.

The sign of things to come was evident early morning. By 7.am, a combined team of fully armed mobile policemen, riot police and hooded, guntotting operatives of the operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had enforced a blockade at the National Assembly.

The violent scenes (some comical) that played out that day went viral on the social media and the traditional press – local and international.

At exactly 10:50am, security operatives led by the commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, Wilson Inalegwu, blocked Tambuwal’s convoy from gaining access into the National Assembly premises.

A statement issued later by the force public relations officer, Ag. CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the Police was acting on an “intelligence report” of a likely invasion of the House of Representatives by hoodlums and thugs.

LEADERSHIP Friday reported that the House speaker was only accompanied by fellow legislators and his aides.

Curiously, at 10:21AM, the deputy speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, with his full official protocol and convoy was allowed access into the National Assembly unhindered.

At a point, Tambuwal came down from his official car, formally introduced himself to security operatives manning the locked gates and demanded to see the commanding officer.

“Gentlemen, my names are Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and I am the speaker of the House of Representatives. I am here as our constitution demands to go in and preside over the sitting of the House. Officers, I would like to know who the commanding officer is here.

“Can you identify me as the speaker of this House”, he asked. The police officers at the gate remained mute as the speaker made enquiries.

With no response, Tambuwal stepped back about five yards and stood in the sun surrounded by fellow lawmakers and aides.

After a thirty minutes wait, the speaker was tipped that a small gate was half open. He subsequently marched swiftly alongside a few lawmakers and muscled his way in before the police could realise.

Tambuwal was forced to walk into the chambers on foot.

The police quickly moved to close the entrance. Other lawmakers and political associates stranded outside were forced to scale the tall metal gate.

Comical video recordings showing the well-fed lawmakers and political aides

Tambuwal

January 2, 2015

Ihedioha

Reps Top Events Of 2014 In 2014, politicking arguably dominated activities in the House of Representatives over its core legislative functions. The development was typified by the gale of political party defections to the police assault on the National Assembly and the House speaker, amongst other notable developments. EDEGBE ODEMWINGIE reports the most important events of 2014. climbing the high gate thrilled many.

The lawmakers (mostly APC) were: The minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos), his deputy, Suleiman Abdulrahman Kawu (Kano), Bimbo Daramola (Ekiti), Samuel Adejare (Lagos) and a host of others.

The drama took a dangerous turn as Tambuwal and other lawmakers approached the National Assembly lobby, popularly call ‘White House’. It connects both chambers of the National Assembly – House and Senate.

The police, on sighting the speaker and his entourage, fired three tear gas canisters at them. The security operatives also went into the lobby and fired more tear gas canisters into the lobby.

Amidst the commotion caused by the teargas, Tambuwal’s aides rushed in

Not fewer than 200 House members reportedly endorsed the motion to impeach Jonathan, according to the House minority whip, Hon. Samson Osagie (Edo/APC)

and provided him with a handkerchief to cover his nostrils.

Unfortunately, two of his aides fainted on the impact of tear gas.

Others scampered off to safety as the speaker was guided into the chamber.

In the chamber, attempts by the Senate president, David Mark, who came in to intervene was met with hostility from House members.

Hon. Aliyu Gebi (Bauchi/APC) made a move for the Senate President but was quickly restrained. Another lawmaker, Abdulmalik Cheche (Niger/ APC) grabbed the Senate president by the shoulder and shook him vigorously.

Other lawmakers booed him and rained invectives, forcing the Senate president to leave the House chamber.

Afterwards, the House went into an executive session (close-door) where lawmakers blocked consideration of President Goodluck Jonathan’s request to extend emergency rule in the three North East states.

Tambuwal insisted that the request could not be considered in view of the fact that the National Assembly was ‘under siege’.

The Senate president thereafter ordered the shutting down of the National Assembly.

Impeachment Hoax

In the aftermath on the attack, APC House members began gathering signatures to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. The lawmakers listed “gross misconduct” and “several constitutional breaches” as grounds they were relying on to remove the president.

Not fewer than 200 House members reportedly endorsed the motion to impeach Jonathan, according to the House minority whip, Hon. Samson Osagie (Edo/APC). Again, the House minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos/APC), said the ‘authentic impeachment list’ of lawmakers plotting to remove Jonathan will be published ‘in due course’.

However, monitors in some quarters rubbished the impeachment move as a spur-of-the-moment plot after the failed November 20 move by the police to stop Tambuwal from entering the National Assembly.

Mass Failure To Scale Primaries The shocking defeat suffered by incumbent federal lawmakers in the National Assembly primaries was a ➔ continued on the next page

Adesuwa Tsan, Politics Editor

osunde.adesuwa@yahoo.com

52 FRIDAY politics

January 2, 2015

Reps Top Events Of 2014 ➔ CONTINUED FROM previous page

main talking point. According to a monitored report, over 150 members of the House (across political party lines) did not make it in the primaries.

A bulk of the lawmakers are from the PDP. A combination of political machinations by state governors, rotational arrangements and sundry reasons accounted for the failed return bids of the lawmakers.

Tambuwal’s Defection Speaker Tambuwal on October 28 officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the speaker, the defection was in line the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and followed developments in PDP in his home state, Sokoto.

Tambuwal announced his defection at the end of that day’s plenary.

He immediately adjourned plenary to December 3, a move monitors suggested was to thwart any likely move by the PDP dominated House to unseat him.

The national leadership of the PDP reacted to the defection of Tambuwal, stating that he should “do the needful” (vacate his seat) since he has joined the minority party in the lower chamber.

Tambuwal’s defection to the APC puts the opposition in the leadership of the House over a PDP dominated House (in term of numbers), a first since 1999.

Tambuwal had been a major contributor to the bashing his former PDP ilk, President Goodluck Jonathan, received from several highlevel quarters. Tambuwal had spoken of Jonathan’s “body language” as encouraging corruption, drawing applause from the APC while the president and the PDP got loathed.

In June this year, the political friction between the two parties attained an ugly dimension when security operatives stopped Tambuwal’s motorcade and searched his official car. Expectedly, accusing fingers were pointed in the direction of the presidency.

The speaker had no plans to be beaten in the game. He played the victim card effectively. In the aftermath, he attracted a bulk of the public sympathy.

The presidency went home with public scorn.

Threat To Life “As the number four citizen in the hierarchy of protocol in the country, the speaker is entitled to security protection by the security agencies, therefore we see the action of the acting inspector general of Police as not only contempt of the courts but a ploy to bring harm to the person of Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.”

Gbajabiamila

Tambuwal was reacting to the controversial withdrawal of his security details by the IGP, Sulaiman Abba, reportedly on the orders of the presidency. APC lawmakers described the action as ‘undemocratic’ and ‘incredulous’.

Stalled PIB Report In the House, a 21-day ultimatum issued for the submission of the report of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has since elapsed with no report to show.

On Tuesday, September 16, 2014, the House speaker, gave the Hon. Ishaka Bawa-led Adhoc committee on PIB the ultimatum.

On October 28, Bawa applied for and was again granted a one-week extension to present the PIB report.

That day, the House embarked on a recess.

The House spokesman, Zakari Mohammed, had earlier debunked reports that “unseen hands” were frustrating the presentation and possible passage of the revolutionary oil and gas legislation. His rebuttal came amidst a PIB cash-for-passage allegation that has filtered round the National Assembly.

He said: “We (House) don’t give credence to rumours. The PIB is a very sensitive legislation. A number of issues have come up with political and zonal connotations. There are no unseen hands stalling the presentation of the PIB report.

“The PIB is ready and just a matter of presentation. The PIB will change the workings of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector

Zakari

and also generate employment.”

December 18, for the umpteenth time, the House assured that the PIB will be passed before the end of the 7th Assembly.

House spokesman, at a briefing with newsmen, hinted that the PIB report will be considered when the House resumes from its recess on January 13.

Mohammed said: “The PIB will be on ground before we round off this assignment. The chairman of the House Adhoc Committee on PIB, Ishaka Bawa, told me that their work is concluded.

The leadership of the House believes that the PIB is one of the best legacies this assembly will be bequeathing Nigerians.”

Constitution Review The 71 proposed constitution amendments approved by the House bordered on legislative immunity, local government autonomy, state creation, indigeneship and citizenship, independent candidacy in elections, budgetary process, life pension for National Assembly heads, role for traditional rulers, amongst others.

On October 28, the chairman of the Conference of State Houses of Assembly, Hon. Sam Ikon, who is the speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly received the Constitution Review conference report at the National Assembly for concurrence.

The report has since been returned back to the National Assembly showing voting patterns from the 36 state assemblies on the proposed 71 amendments.

Every man is the architect of his own fortunes.

― Egyptian proverb

NNPC Jet probe December 18, the House signalled its intention to appeal an Abuja Federal High Court order setting aside a House invitation to the Petroleum minister, Deziani Alison-Madueke, to appear before it for allegedly hiring chartered jets for N10 billion.

Chairman of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, described the ruling as ‘sad’ and capable of setting a precedent for government appointees, ministries, departments and agencies to evade constitutionally-backed legislative summons.

He said: “The legislature is an arm of government with it constitutional responsibilities and functions which includes oversight of the executive.

An arm of government cannot stop another arm from performing its constitutional functions.

“There is a possibility of appeal and any statement from our side could affect our case. It is sad that this kind of development is happening.”

The minister and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had approached the court to stop the lawmakers from probing the allegation.

Delivering judgment, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that although the lawmakers had the power to summon the minister, they did not follow due process.

It was alleged that the petroleum minister has not only used the said chartered aircraft for official matters, but also for private trips. Proponents of the probe had also sensationally alleged unsettling costs of maintaining the said chartered aircrafts.

The NNPC has stated that the practice (hiring jets) is common and acceptable in the local and international business environment in which it operates. By law, nothing prohibits the NNPC from owning or chartering an aircraft, the state-run coy has submitted severally.

The PIB is a very sensitive legislation. A number of issues have come up with political and zonal connotations.

There are no unseen hands stalling the presentation of the PIB report

INTERVIEW 53

January 2, 2015

Why Pdm Will Take Over Taraba State –Dodo

Barrister Kabiru Dodo, the current national legal adviser of the Peoples Progressive Movement party (PDM) has picked the party’s ticket to run the governorship race for Taraba State. In this interview with Pembi DavidStephen, the former member of Taraba State House of Assembly speaks on his ambition to be the next governor of the State.

You are said to have picked the governorship ticket of Taraba State on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Movement party (PDM). This may come as a surprise to many watchers of the politics of your state; what would you say informed your decision?

I have decided to present myself to the people of Taraba to run for governorship under the platform of the PDM because I think I possess the requisite requirements to give qualitative, effective and effectual governance in the state given my background.

You may wish to note that I started from the scratch. What I mean by staring from the scratch is that although I have my bachelor’s degree in law I worked in the party secretariat way back in 2002 when I served as director planning and research under the defunct ANPP. I was given an appointment on the salary of N19, 000 monthly. In that office I have learned about the politics of the state as well as that of the nation. This is because that office is saddled with the responsibility of researching on how to win elections, how to get people to come into your party and how to get candidates to contest elections.

Also it teaches you how to go about intelligence which is required in every aspect of life. Secondly I was elected as the State Legal Adviser of the same party which also gave me the opportunity to know the legal dimensions of our day to day politics in the country and Taraba in particular. I also represented the party in court; in 2004 when there were local government elections I was the one that handled ANPP petitions filed for or against the party in the tribunal. I defended about 26 cases and that has given me an ample opportunity to know who politicians are and how they behave during voting and during trial. I was also elected to represent Jalingo 2 constituency in the Taraba State House of Assembly in 2007.

As a member I served in various committees that exposed my knowledge and experience at state, national and international levels. Among the committees I served on while in the state Assembly is that of Public Accounts as well as chairman of ad-hoc committee on federal agencies in the state.

That has broadened my base and made me to come closer to people and know the federal agencies in the state and Abuja. I was also appointed to serve as special adviser to Governor Danbaba Suntai on special duties which exposed me to know how the executive branch conducts its business. Currently, I am the national legal adviser of the PDM, a position I consider not only as added advantage but an advantage that would enable me serve the people of Taraba better if given the mandate to serve as their governor.

How would you reconcile your ambition

with the agitation for power shift to southern Taraba State especially having worked with Governor Suntai who was said to be disposed to that arrangement in 2015?

That arrangement doesn’t belong to me for now because I am not in PDP and I don’t think I should be part of PDP. Therefore, that arrangement is totally that of PDP and it is left for them to sort it out. I understand and appreciate the fact that zoning is enshrined in the various political parties’ constitutions and the need to respect it is very good . But where you want to resort to zoning you also must accept practice and conventions. What I mean by this is that it is the usual practice or policy of the PDP to adhere to continuity and if this is actually what they are supposed to do I think the zoning issue shouldn’t have come up because the person that was acting or is still acting is supposed to continue. However, I cannot do their bidding because I am neither their solicitor nor their advocate.

As far as I am concerned, Taraba State is Taraba; whether it is southern, northern or central Taraba. But I believe there are competent people in all the zones to manage the state.

You were also very close to Senator Aisha Alhassan, the APC governorship flag bearer who was at some point a member of the PDP; how would you reconcile your ambition with hers?

It is quite true that I am close to her even as at today; she is my sister. But you have made the point clear. She has left the PDP for APC nad as a loyal member of the party I must ensure that my party is equally competing The essence of registering a political party is not only to garner supporters and leave it like that but most importantly to contest elections. Therefore there is no even a dispute that calls for reconciliation because the point is clear; she is in APC while I am in PDM and we still relate like a brother and a sister. If it the will of God that she becomes the governor of Taraba she will and if it is the wish of God that I become the next governor I will. I don’t think my contest with her will in any way affect our relationship.

What is your relationship with the current acting governor of the State and what is his disposition to your aspiration to succeed him?

The acting governor of Taraba State is an associate, a brother and also a friend and that relationship is intact. The fact that I am in PDM and he is in PDP does not affect our personal relationship even though we have parted ways in terms of party affiliation. In fact, it was his project to bring me to PDP because several attempts were made by the governor then to see me in the

Dodo

fold of the PDP but I refused. So I can safely tell you that we still enjoy a cordial relationship and as a true and genuine democrat, I will harbor no grudge with him if he decides to support his party because he must be loyal to his party just as I am loyal to mine. I have informed him about my decision to run for the office of governor of Taraba under the platform of the PDM. Apart from Senator Aisha of the APC, You are going to be contending with the candidature of Darius Ishaku who has the backing of General TY Danjuma and by extension is perceived to have the presidency’s blessing. What gives you the conviction that you would coast to victory?

My first confidence is God because power comes from Him. The second confidence is people . I did not on my own come out to contest this election; it was as a result of consultations from people whom I did not know at the first instance having known my background and pedigree. Therefore, whether the presidency or any other person supports any candidature, is immaterial to me. What is material is what you have.

If the people of Taraba say we are ready to surrender our sovereignty because the presidency or other people are with this man then fine and good! But I think gone are the days when people are intimidated about the involvement of other people to support certain candidates. If General TY Danjuma decides to support anybody in PDP it is his right because first of all, he is a Nigerian and hails from Taraba State. He has the constitutional right to back any candidate of his choice just like the electorate too have their right to elect their choice. So, it is a matter of either succumbing to the pressure of the presidency or some individuals or doing the right thing.

The PDM is relatively new in Taraba State; do you think it has the necessary structures to sail you to victory?

Better go to bed supperless than rise in debt.

— Nigerian Proverb

Let me quickly clear one misunderstanding; the PDM as a political party may be new but the PDM as an association that works assiduously to ensure that democratic norms and structures are enshrined in this country is not new in Taraba State or in Niheria. I can safely tell you without fear of contradiction that once you are worth your salt and know who you are in PDP then you know what PDM stands for. We stand by this and challenge them if they say no. The structures that PDP has in Taraba State today are ninety percent belonging to PDM. Since the days of the SPD it is the same structures. PDM is just like a religion; no matter the party you belong, we meet. As far as I am concerned, structures are already on ground; we have got all the structures needed by the electoral act for the party to survive.

But you cannot say PDM is a new party.

There are so many prominent members of PDP who are members of PDM. When the chips are down they will vote for PDM because it is like a family affair.

What would you be doing differently if elected as the next governor of Taraba State?

My primary aim is to ensure that we provide good and qualitative governance. To institutionalize democratic norms and customs the way they are practiced elsewhere in the world. We will ensure that our people are provided the needed dividends of democracy. Basically we are going to look into areas of social policy which includes bettering the lives of the people in terms of giving them a sense of belonging. We are not interested in having so many ministries because we believe that government business should be streamlined so that the private sector can also come in. Our main priority would therefore is to provide good governance with social justice as our cardinal principle.

54

W men In Politics

January 2, 2015

ANALYSIS

INTERVIEWS

DISCOURSE

fice and that of the First Lady. The First Lady is the one who directly administers the affairs of the women and then dabbles into the affairs of the governors here and there. Those are the kind of things he said should be curtailed. But he did not say he would relegate the women to the kitchen. Part of what has lead this administration to what it is today is having illiterate in key position

This is General Buhari’s fourth attempt at the presidency. What makes you think he will come out victorious this time?

The number of times you attempt a certain thing does not really matter. It is the outcome that matters. General Buhari has proved that he stands for a cause to save Nigeria and he has always stood on the path of truth. Over and over again, the government being formed other than his has proved that they don’t have the interest of the country at heart. The masses have seen, we all have seen that the way forward is just to try this one man who has made a lot of sacrifices and has remained steadfast on the part of the downtrodden, and is ready to lead.

Are you saying we should expect nothing less than the 35% affirmative action we currently have in this government?

Absolutely! APC is ready to put the women in the front burner, and it is not only ready to do that, it is ready to uplift the women because what PDP is doing is like a white elephant project, whereby it picks women at the top and give them various appointments. If you go down to the grass roots, you will see the hunger. It is a make-belief up there, but what the APC government is going to do is with every sincerity of purpose and the passion to serve the women and uplift the gender.

The 35% affirmative action is a guarantee, cutting across the entire nation not the decorative white elephant projects we have now.

The country has a history of rigging elections. What makes you think the people’s vote will count this time?

The enthusiasm! You need to hear people this time around. We are all tired of maladministration, everything has gone wrong in this country. It has never happened before in the history of this nation that lives are being sniffed incessantly from people like chickens.

People watch their brothers and sisters die in pain. So that is what is different, we have realised that and Nigerians are saying woe unto that government that will see its citizens being murdered day in day out.

Children being rendered orphans in their own country, citizens being impoverished in the midst of plenty. A lot is different this time, I don’t only see the will of the people to cast their votes, I see the determination of the entire citizens to protect their in order to have the desired change that will move the country forward. So I believe God has a say in this, God is saying it is time to liberate the masses and I know it will be different.

How do you hope to use your office as Woman Leader to aid the party’s victory?

There are lots of programmes, but first and foremost, educating the women in the grass roots. Making them know their votes count.

Making them understand the strength of the vote. When you hold on to a woman in the house, you hold on to almost the entire household. We are going on a door-to-door crusade to enlighten the women that they must nurture Nigeria the way they nurture their babies.

How do you hope to get this campaign down to the grass roots?

We are already doing it. We are talking to them in the markets, on the streets, in the busses, and even in their homes. We knock on doors, we make them understand that they must see the light and exercise their franchise. We have six zonal women leaders, 37 state women leaders, my deputy, and we have anchors that are also moving across every nook and cranny of the country, ensuring that the masses own the party and the campaign. And it’s really working. It is not a jamboree kind of movement, because we have had responses from people across the nation so we know it is working.

Is it true that Buhari’s visit to IBB late last year was to invite him to join the APC?

Dr. Aliyu

‘We Will Uplift Women, Not Send Them To Kitchen’ Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, is the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). She was also a member of the Party’s merger committee. Before now, Dr. Aliyu, was the National Vice Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), she later became the National Womean Leader of the Party. She is also the President General of the Global Women & Youth Empowerment Strategy. In this interview with Hauwa MaHMud Madugu, She clarifies some misconceptions about the APC, amongst other issues.

Gen. Buhari said he plans to close down the office of the First Lady, if elected.

Reacting to that, the First Lady said the APC plans to relegate women to the kitchen. Could this be a misconception?

I will not say it is a misconception, it is a direct and calculated attempt by the First Lady to twist that statement so as to maneuver and get people to misunderstand the statement. Our presidential candidate never said he was going to push women to the kitchen. But the current power tussle between the First Lady and state gov-

ernors of the country has never occurred. was never like this. The incessant interception and interference of activities of the Office of the First Lady with that of the ministry of women affairs and other agencies, was the issue he was addressing. For instance you have a sitting governor and the first lady dictates to him what to do even when she knows nothing about governance. Also, the ministry of women affairs is almost unheard of in this government and this is because there is a form of overlapping between the of-

. A good name is sooner lost than won.

Gen. Babangida is a citizen and a respected one at that. So the political equations would be incomplete without talking to him. Gen. Buhari is just a Nigerian who wishes to govern this country with every sincerity of purpose. So the visit was not to beg him to join APC, but to plead with him to assist in developing Nigeria. Gen. Babangida was not the only one he visited, it is a mission across the country to visit every Nigerian of repute to see reasons why we must all put hands on deck to get it right. And he is still visiting other stakeholders. The APC leadership team has realised that a lot has gone wrong in all the systems/ sectors of the economy because they have all failed, we are near a total collapse. But no individual has a monopoly of that correction, so all hands must be on deck.

And I believe that for any citizen who feels he is an elder statesman in this nation and wants Nigeria to go back into the records of a good country with good governance, he must be willing to not only join the struggle, but own it.

There are insinuations that Gen. Buhari is passive and that even when he was Head of State, his Vice was the one in control of affairs. How true is this?

I have never seen it that way, but we are all entitled to our opinions. As passive as he might have been perceived, he recorded a huge success in all his administrations and all his administrations are still ones to reckon with. If that is what they claim, I would say whatever method he used that gave us such success, is most preferred and desired than the ones who claim to be active and do not perform. And celebration of mediocrity is the order of the day. Gen. Buhari is a very capable leader, there is no dispute about that. No doubt, he is the best for Nigeria and, indeed, incorruptible.

for the record

January 2, 2015

I’ Il Ensure Credible, Peaceful Polls In February – Jonathan Dear Great People of our nation, I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the New Year today. As we mark the beginning of this New Year, 2015, a new nation is being born. A new nation is being born because of the foundations we have all laid, working together for the good and progress of our dear fatherland.

I join you all in thanking God Almighty who has brought us this far, for continually bestowing His Grace upon us and for guiding our great nation safely through all the challenges of the past year.

This year, as in the year past, I reaffirm my commitment to work to ensure a secure future for our dear country and the generations yet unborn.

Last year, we celebrated our hundredth year of nationhood. The year brought us further progress, challenges and fresh opportunities.

We have contended with the normal challenges of nation-building and the unusual challenges of terrorism.

But we have continued to vigorously confront those who seek to destroy the bonds of unity that hold us together.

On this first day of the New Year, I want to pay special tribute to the gallant officers, men and women of our Armed Forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in our country and subregion.

I also commend all Nigerians who have remained vigilant and cooperative with our security agencies in the fight against the common enemy.

We are re-equipping and repositioning our armed forces to enhance their capacity to win the ongoing war against terror and insurgency.

Regrettably, terrorists have unleashed much pain and agony on our land. They have made widows of our mothers and sisters and orphans of our children.

They have shut down businesses, desecrated places of worship and brought untold hardship to both men and women. They have violated the culture and peaceful way of life in our country, which took generations to build.

They have destroyed countless schools and displaced people from their communities, driving them into exile.

I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed. As President, I feel the pain of all affected communities and families.

I hear their cries and share their sorrow and pain.

We will not forget; we will not look the other way. We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge.

Jonathan

We have done a lot of painstaking planning and work to resolve the current security challenge. We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated

We will bring justice to the savage terrorists known as Boko Haram. They will be defeated.

That is the solemn commitment I make today as President of the Federal Republic, and Commander-in-Chief of our Armed Forces.

By the Special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances.

The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.

Amongst other achievements, we have rehabilitated and expanded our rail transportation network, successfully privatized power generation and distribution, significantly reformed and increased local participation in our oil and gas industry, and improved nationwide access to potable water from 57% in 2010, to 70% at present.

We have also made significant progress in improving access to primary, secondary and tertiary education by building and equipping more schools, including special Almajiri schools, and establishing additional universities to ensure that each state of the nation now has at least one Federal University.

Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.

Recently, we launched the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) and the $100 million dollars Government and Donor Fund for Agriculture Finance in Nigeria (FAFIN) to fast-track the positive transformation of our agricultural sector.

The Youth Employment in Agriculture

Programme (YEAP) targets 750, 000 market-oriented young agricultural producers while the $100 million dollars Fund is to provide affordable long-term financing to support the development of small and medium agribusinesses in the country.

This is in addition to a N50 billion Farm Mechanization Support Fund set up by the Central Bank to establish 1,200 agricultural equipment-hiring enterprises.

Both funds will become fully operational this year. Policies and programmes such as these to boost agricultural production remain topmost on the agenda of this administration.

Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

The non-oil Sector which has grown by an average of 8% in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.

The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is ➔ CONTINUES ON ThE NExT pagE

for the record

January 2, 2015

I’ Il Ensure Credible, Peaceful Polls In February – Jonathan ➔ CONTINUED FROM the Previous page

targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy.

We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.

In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.

We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers.

We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen riskbased supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.

We are introducing a broad spectrum of financial instruments to boost sector-specific enterprise areas in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, and oil and gas to enhance our aggregate supply capacity, reduce poverty, promote job creation and increase the general well-being of our people.

These efforts and other measures being spearheaded by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are geared to ensure a secure future for Nigeria and create a much more prosperous country, where people live more peaceful and fulfilled lives.

Fellow countrymen and women, As we enter an election year, I assure you that our administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.

The coming campaigns and elections will not distract us from our ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of our people. And I urge all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.

The elections are very important for us as a country. Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.

I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.

Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch.

We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs.

This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.

I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.

I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders.

None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children. The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.

After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.

That will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.

All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.

Fellow Nigerians, I urge all of you to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism, to serve our fatherland

Jonathan

I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.

As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable.

We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward.

I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent. I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration.

We will continue to pray and offer hands of fellowship and assistance to our fellow Africans suffering from the Ebola Virus Disease. I urge all Nigerians to show compassion and contribute in whatever way we can to help our African brothers and sisters.

As we go into this New Year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of

our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world. Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed amongst all odds has been our strength.

With our collective prayers and efforts, we will grow our economy and our people will become wealthier.

Government will continue with programmes deliberately designed to create more jobs for our youth, to enable them contribute more to the growth and development of our nation.

Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations.

I wish you all a happy and fulfilling 2015.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Happy New Year, Nigeria!

I thank you all.

– Being the full text of the New Year broadcast by President Goodluck Jonathan on January 1, 2015

ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE

January 2, 2015

57

Ustaz Abubakr Siddeeq Muhammad Focus On Faith 08076760011 (sms only) www.abubakrsiddeeq.com, email: deedat@gmail.com

This piece which appeared on these pages on 19 and 26 of December, 2014, in parts 1 and 2 respectively, elicited a lot of (mostly online) responses. I had to edit some of them in line with the spirit that guided the writing of the article in the first place. I have, by dedicating today’s article to responses on the said topic, given my readers the opportunity of being the first to feature in this column in 2015. Enjoy:

language. It is not our official language.

So what the hell is it doing on our currency. It should be removed with a ‘strong’ law so that nobody will bring it back in 2019 when this govt would have rounded up. GEJ you are wonderful!

Muhammad Mukhtar Al-muharbi: I am Arab and I am Nigerian, I speak English, French and Arabic. Those who speak only one language cannot understand the issue involved here. The CBN has no genuine reason for removing the alphabets from the notes, especially where the Hausas have used them for many years in their transactions.

Oluwarotimi: Why should an article like this be started with a quranic verse? Just for the records, the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek not English. It was merely translated to English.

Fajana O: I served in the North and I know that what more than 90% of them could read was aljami; with it they are literate without (it) they are illiterate. I think its reasonable to let them be; let’s down play ethnic and faith sentiments younger Nigerians. Thanks.

Ishaq Ibrahim Abba Assalamu Alaikum.

Thank you so much Sir for this thoughtprovoking admonishment. May Allah increase you in knowledge.

Tatabu: most nigerian are too lazy to make research. the major problem is when a professor speaks people believe (what he said as) is final.

Comrade Akinloye Olusegun Oyen: I think it’s now a literary burden on the Ustaz to consult command of facts in the National Language Policy.

Misleading the unsuspecting polity isn’t literary.

Kana Ismail: This is indeed well written; unfortunately, because of the Nigerian laziness factor where people will rather rely on conjecture rather (than) find facts, simple minded charlatans like Soludo have it easy in spreading falsehood.

0803 639 50 64: Don’t forget that the eagle is the eagle of Saint John and it’s not by accident that ‘Nasr Minalia’ was used. It first appeared on the battle standard of Caliph Attahiru The First. I suggest we just leave things as they are.

0805 505 71 89: You also forgot to let the ignorant know that there exists 1000 Arabic words in (the) English Language. You are to also note that the hatred for Hausas is further demonstrated on the new 100 Naira note by placing Naira Daya last.

Alphabetically (it should be) Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba… Why the reverse order?

Faisal Saddiq: I love this article so much for its fairness and justice. It proves to be written with an open and unbiased mind. However, I only want to disagree with saying Arabic pre-dates Islam, at least in human

New naira note

Re: Removing The Arabic On Naira Notes existence, at least in human existence - being its meaning of monotheism that the first human being - Prophet Adam - practiced. Secondly, I also want to believe that the forced dressing we experience in work places is not Christian even though they are also not aware of it not (being) their(‘s). I see it western and not Christian. You may wish to do a little more findings on that please. May Allah reward you for such a wonderful writing and make you of blessed knowledge. Thank you.

Ayuba Usman: Interesting piece of an enlightened mind. If only we could be unbiased with the way we see, do, approach and say things.

Jibrin Hussein Jibrin: This is a good piece Sheik and I pray those that have deliberately refused to learn this important history will learn from your well summarised write up. Thank you sir Danjuma Garba: Islam is not Arabic and Arabic is not Islam. Arabic is not an official language or a local language.

In a federal setting, there is a need for common interest. The Arabic script removed from our notes does not invalidate the purpose of the note nor

does it add value to the notes.

Omanma Cherechi: Does it matter whether Arabic or English language is inscribed on the naira? What matters to me more is the value of the naira.

Religion or History is immaterial.

Sidiq Kayode Umar The question is why removing the Arabic word in the first instance. Then there must be a new motive under the watch of president Jonathan. ? He cannot mount the podium and tell the generality of Northern Muslim why CBN which is dominated by the OGAs who are mostly Christian decided to remove the Arabic inscription on the Nigerian Note. Anyway Nigerians deserve better explanations rather than rhetorics.

Grace Edeani: Arabic is not a Nigerian

This is a good piece Sheik and I pray those that have deliberately refused to learn this important history will learn from your well summarised write up.

A thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich. ― German proverb

Steve Dominic Evidence: Arabic and islam are interchangeably used among muslims in the North. If option is given between English and Arabic as a general study course in the institutions of high learning, majority will choose the latter in the North. I was born in Sokoto and taught the Quaran in Arabic even as a christian. So, I know very much about the link and the sentiment behind it, how the sides of a coin cannot be separated apart without affecting each other. The controversy behind close door is more than what is on the pages. It will never be understood in the spirit of one Nigeria when they seem to believe life is taken away from them.

Usman Zakariyya: Mind you Malam, the British government was then sincere and just but the present so called democratic government is deceitful and tyrannical.

Tennim Hassan: In as much as those who are supposed to raise objection when this myopic ideas of expunging the ajami from the currencies are not saying anything but kept mute for fear of their title or position, we will wake up one day with no such identity in any of the currency. Verily some reasons advanced on issues bounding on the North albeit Islam is out impulse and irrational sentimentality. Some out of mischief. Most of those representing the North now are not their for its people and heritage but what ever they grab to their selfish individual advantage.What we are having, are bunch of shameless booth lickers and gullible praise singers.

Umar Bashir Mohammed: Alhamdullilah, the piece is not only comprehensive and eloquent, but also presented with a very high degree of motivation. I am highly impressed.

Mallam, May Allah continue to broaden your knowledge and sustain your life to become a point of positive reference to our future generations. Jazzakhallah khairan.

Bello Yunus Thank you sir for this balanced analysis. It underlined the need for us to seek knowledge. It is only then we can be guided by objectivity and fairness in our comments.

LEADERSHIP FRIDAY

world news REPORTS AND ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL EVENTS AND ISSUES January 2, 2015

AirAsia QZ8501: More Bodies Recovered

Two more bodies have been recovered from the Java Sea as search operations continue for the remains of AirAsia Flight QZ8501, officials say.

The bodies, flown to an airbase in Borneo, bring to nine the total recovered. The funeral of one victim, a flight attendant, has been held.

However, bad weather has continued to hamper the search for wreckage.

The plane came down four days ago en route from Indonesia to Singapore with 162 people on board.

Skies brightened over the search area on Thursday but rough seas, which slowed salvage efforts, returned within hours.

Ships and planes are scouring the Java Sea off Borneo. Malaysia, Australia and Thailand are helping Indonesia with the search, while the US destroyer USS Sampson has been sent to the zone.

Divers are hoping to investigate a large object sighted by a rescue pilot which it is thought could be part of the airliner.

Naval officer Siahala Alamsyah said that bad weather and high seas on Wednesday night prevented a team of about 50 Indonesian navy divers from flying out to warships at the scene of the disaster.

Search teams are hoping to locate the fuselage of the plane on the seabed and find the plane’s “black box” recorders, which could provide clues about the cause of the crash.

– BBC

Egyptian Court Grants Jailed Al Jazeera Journalists Retrial Egypt’s highest court has accepted the appeal of three jailed journalists who work for Al Jazeera and granted them a retrial, the journalists’ lawyers said Thursday.

Peter Greste, Mohamed Fadel Fahmy and Baher Mohamed were convicted in June of supporting the banned Muslim Brotherhood.

Greste and Fahmy were sentenced to seven years in prison and Mohamed to 10 years.

The Muslim Brotherhood, a religious and political group, was banned in Egypt and labeled a terrorist organization after President Mohamed Morsy’s ouster in 2013. He was Egypt’s first democratically elected leader after the Arab Spring uprising.

TV cameras were not allowed in Thursday’s hearing in the Court of Cassation, and the incarcerated journalists were also absent from

Peter Greste, Bader Mohamed and Mohammed Fadel Fahmy pictured during a court appearance

the courtroom.

The men’s families were disappointed at the outcome. They had hoped the court would throw out the case and release them or at least free them on bail pending retrial, but they remain behind bars. The retrial date has not yet been set.

“This was not good as we hoped

for,” Lois Greste, mother of Australian journalist Peter Greste, told reporters at the court.

Lawyers for the three defendants asked the court for their release, but told reporters that the chances were slim. Fahmy’s lawyers asked for his deportation to Canada -he is Egyptian-Canadian -- taking advantage of a new law allowing a

president to deport defendants.

The judge overseeing the retrial will decide on their release, said Amr El-Deeb, a lawyer for Peter Greste and Mohamed.

Greste’s brother, Andrew Greste, said in a statement: “There were a lot of rumors flying around, but as we’ve learned in the past, this is not over until he’s out, and it looks like we have a long road ahead of us.”

Fahmy’s fiancee, Marwa Omara, said they planned to marry despite his incarceration.

“We will hold our wedding vows inside the prison,” she said. “I believe it’s a message to the whole world that Mohamed is innocent, and I believe in his innocence.

And it is a personal message to him that I love him and I know that he is innocent.

– CNN

Shanghai New Year Stampede Kills 36 A crush at New Year’s Eve celebrations in Shanghai has killed 36 people and injured some 47 others, Chinese officials say.

The crush happened in Chenyi Square in Shanghai’s historic Bund district overlooking the Huangpu river.

Thousands of people had gathered to see in 2015.

Social media reports suggest the stampede was triggered by people stopping to pick up fake money thrown from the balcony of a nightclub.

The Shanghai City government said the situation began to deteriorate at 23:35 local time (15:35 GMT) and that a “working group” had been set up to handle the incident.

Photos posted on social media showed people receiving first aid

on the road and large numbers of police securing the area.

Zuo Zhijian says the heavy crush of bodies around him on the Shanghai waterfront left him unable to move his legs.

“I also had someone grabbing my hair from the back, struggling and breathing heavily,” Zuo said. “A girl in front of me held me desperately and said, ‘Help me, help me, please.

I can’t make it anymore.’ There was also a girl completely motionless underneath.”

Zuo was one among many people caught up in the stampede on the Bund, an area along the Huangpu River in China’s most populous city that draws big crowds for New Year’s Eve festivities. He described his traumatic experience on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform on which he’s a verified user.

People linking hands to block the crowds and allow the injured to be treated in Shanghai, yesterday

The stampede, which began roughly 25 minutes before midnight, killed 36 people and injured 47 others, the Shanghai city government said. Many of the victims were female students, state media reported.

“I was surrounded by the sounds of girls crying and shouting for help with their last strain of effort, and of people fighting and throwing curses at each other,” said Zuo, who works in the media sector.

– BBC

Every one’s faults are not written in their foreheads.

— English proverb

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un Proposes Summit North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has offered to hold talks at the highest level with South Korea.

President Kim was giving his new year message broadcast on state television.

He said if Pyongyang’s conditions were met, he would even be prepared to hold a summit meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

South Korea said the move was “meaningful”, and talks should include “practical and frank discussions on all issues of mutual concern”.

“Our government hopes for dialogue between the South and North Korean authorities in the near future without limits on format,” said Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-jae, quoted by the South’s Yonhap news agency.

On Monday, Mr Ryoo had called for dialogue to resume on issues including reunions for families separated by the Korean War, adding that he hoped North Korea would respond positively.

He offered to meet in Seoul, Pyongyang or any other South or North Korean city agreed with North Korean officials.

In his address, Mr Kim said the “tragic” division of Korea could no longer be tolerable and acceptable.

“Depending on the mood and circumstances, there is no reason not to hold a high-level summit,” he said.

But later in his speech, Mr Kim condemned joint US-South Korean defence drills for deepening tensions on the peninsula.

“In a tense mood of such war-preparatory exercises, trust-based dialogue can’t be possible, and NorthSouth relations can’t move forward,” he said.

The BBC’s Kevin Kim in Seoul says it is unclear how likely a meeting between the two Korean presidents would be, given the tensions.

The North has previously seen the South’s unification plans as an attempt to take it over.

The last formal high-level talks were in February 2014, leading to rare reunions for Korean families separated for over 60 years since the end of 1950-53 Korean War. More talks planned in October were dropped after North Korea accused the South of not doing enough to stop activists sending anti-Northern leaflets across the border on balloons.

– BBC

analysis 59

January 2, 2015 1 Environment The world is warming, the seas are rising and the ice caps are melting.

Nothing new there. However, one key feature makes 2015 special when it comes to assessing the state of the planet. In winter, delegates will gather in Paris for talks organised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Most experts believe these talks represent our last chance to reach a binding international deal to ensure carbon emissions are curbed and global temperatures do not increase a catastrophic 2C above preindustrial levels in the near future. To achieve this goal, rich countries will have to provide about $100bn a year to help poor nations deal with the changes that lie ahead while also agreeing to tight, binding cuts in the greenhouse gas outputs from factories and cars. Most analysts believe this will be an arduous task, to say the least.

2 Foreign affairs In 2015 the US promise to “degrade and ultimately destroy” Islamic State will be tested against the group’s determination to expand its modern-day “caliphate”.

Isis’s attempts to administer areas under its control efficiently appear to be failing.

Many areas have only a few hours of electricity or running water a day, food costs are rising and the medical system is broken. There are reports of jihadis trying to shirk fighting. Air strikes by a US-led coalition have slowed the group’s lightning advance and the drop in crude oil prices will hit its own fuel smuggling and the income of regional backers. But Isis is a powerful force, uniting unlikely factions behind a well-funded leadership.

Crucifixions and stonings, sexual slavery, as well as the public killings of journalists and aid workers, have cowed enemies. It has a huge arsenal of captured weapons and hundreds of foreign jihadis are still streaming in to join every month.

3 Technology One of the big questions technology companies, including Apple, Samsung and Google, are asking is: why would anyone buy a smartwatch? All see fitness as one of the most convincing answers so far. The smartwatch – wrist-worn devices capable of running apps and connecting to the internet, usually via a paired smartphone – is a young category, but health has already emerged as one of its key selling points. Samsung’s Gear 2 and Gear Fit devices are good examples, capable of measuring their wearer’s steps and heart rate, and transmitting that data to a smartphone to provide feedback. Rival models from Sony, LG and Motorola have similar health features. In the spring , they’ll be joined by the Apple Watch, which will track general activity as well as harder workouts, feeding everything back to a health app on the owner’s iPhone.

4 Media The hope next year: that fewer journalists and their staff are killed in the line of duty. 2014, at the last count, meant 116 dead: in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Ukraine and all the usual, desultory suspects. 2015 can only get better. And

A group of friends started their New Year’s Eve celebrations in style on Dover Beach, Barbados

9 Events To Look Forward To In 2015 the devil in the bloody detail is that nobody seems to care very much. Soldiers are flown home for reverent burial. Police officers round the world honour lost comrades. But journalists just disappear, often slain with impunity because no one really cares about catching their murderers.

For the most part, the journalists who die are local men and women – community chroniclers, not international superstars. They are public servants, too.

They die trying to inform, to discover the facts that keep freedom alive. Maybe all journalism isn’t like this. Curl lips if you must. But too many brave men and women have died to tell you the truth: and, come 2015, enough is enough.

5 Science Physicists will be watching the Large Hadron Collider in Geneva in March when the particle smasher is set to return to action after a two-year closedown. Having turned it off and then turned it on again, scientists will be hoping the great device – which was used to discover the Higgs boson in 2013 – will be restored to even greater power.

Its beams of protons were smashed into each other at joint energies of 8 trillion electron volts (Tev) when the device closed for its upgrade. After its reboot, it should be possible to create collisions of up to 13 Tev. At this level, it is expected the LHC – a 27km tunnel under the

Jura mountains – will create a host of new particles that will help scientists at Cern unravel more of the mysteries of the structure of matter and the laws that govern the sub-atomic world. Robin McKie 6 Religion The big global religious story will be the continuation of last year’s titanic struggle for the soul of the Catholic church between Pope Francis and the Vatican. I don’t know where you should put your bets. If Francis wins, he and his reforming party will change the interpretation of the church’s hard line on divorce and remarriage. The words will remain, of course, more sacred than ever, but in practice divorced and remarried Catholics will be admitted to communion and their present marriages treated as valid and in need of nurturing.

If he loses, the church will maintain its logically perfect but wholly unworkable and dishonest theory of sexuality. The crucial battle will come in October, when bishops from around the world meet in the Vatican for a “synod on the family”.

This the second of a pair.

7 Space Tim Peake, 42, will become Britain’s first official astronaut when he flies on a Soyuz spacecraft to the international space station in November. Other space highlights will include the US

Every mother thinks her own gosling a swan. ― African proverb

New Horizon probe’s arrival at the dwarf planet Pluto in July. In addition, Europe’s Rosetta spacecraft will continue monitoring comet 67P as it makes its closest approach to the Sun in August when streamers of gas and dust will billow from its surface.

8 Sport The African Cup of Nations kick off in January in Equatorial Guinea amidst concerns about the Ebola scourge in West Africa. Rugby union’s eighth World Cup is being trailed as the biggest and the best, which does leave it open to the universal test of newsworthiness: as opposed to what? Everybody loves a financial projection, but so far the real success of the tournament has been the creation of a hostile working environment (as opposed to a genial viewing experience) in which some wonderfully weird things happen.

9 On screen The future and ramifications of The Interview, in which Seth Rogen and James Franco are sent to assassinate Kim Jong-un, can only be imagined and the off screen drama surrounding the flick will unfold fully in 2015. Comic book buffs have a lot to look forward to with the release of blockbuster movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Super/ Batman: Dawn of Justice.

– Guardian UK

60 Photo news

January 2, 2015

2015: How The World Ushered In The New Year

Fireworks explode over Big Ben and the London Eye in central London as 2015 is welcomed in the UK

Fireworks illuminate the sky above Munich in Germany to welcome 2015

Fireworks display ushers in 2015 with showers of light at the Sydney Harbour in Australia

A young girl doing celebratory splits on a beach at Half Moon Bay, California, USA

Over 1,000 people, waiting for fireworks to usher in 2015 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

Tens of thousands of Vietnamese took to their scooters and motorcycles blocking every street on New Year’s Eve in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

SOURCE: BBC

INTERVIEW /61

January 2, 2015

INEC Should Consider Peoples With Temporary Voters’ Card

Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State.

An outstanding lawyer and former commissioner of justice and attorney-general of the state, Abubakar, also a former INEC resident commissioner, in this interview with PAUL CHIAMA, speaks of how his experience in civil service will help in running the state, how Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) can avoid lapses in the coming general elections.

You have just emerged the APC gubernatorial candidate of Bauchi State. What strengths gave you this victory?

My strength came from the Almighty Allah because I relied heavily and whole-heartedly on the Almighty Allah and he ensured victory for me.

In whatever endeavour I embark on, I rely on Allah because we know, whatever religion you subscribe to, it is the Almighty God that gives power to whom he wishes at a time he wishes. So, my strength came from the Almighty Allah. He guided me into going to the grassroots and appealing to the people at the grassroots and ultimately, when the guidelines of APC came out, it was people from the grassroots that were to do the primary elections. So, it is from the Almighty Allah. Before joining politics, you were a career civil servant in Bauchi State.

How would your experience as a civil servant help in governance of the state?

It will help a great deal. Today, the economy of Bauchi State is virtually comatose.

We have read reports indicating that Bauchi State is one of the three most indebted states in Nigeria. The internally generated revenue in Bauchi State is almost non-existent. So, if you put these two phenomena side by side, it is huge debt portfolio and with this absence of internally generated revenue, you will now appreciate the fact that the state is virtually comatose.

So, for anybody to attempt to bring the state from this quagmire that it has found itself, you require an experienced person who has worked in government. You don’t need a learner because a learner will spend time trying to learn the rules.

I was appointed attorney-general (AG) of Bauchi State in October, 1990. So, this is what you require. The AG, by nature of that office, is involved in every facet of governance because whatever you do, you must first receive the advice of the office of the AG. As a result of that, I was involved in virtually everything in government and I know all the nooks and crannies of government. So, I think this will stand in a very good step, especially, considering the state in its dire status.

What was the most difficult decision you took as AG and Commissioner of Justice?

Well, being an AG, every day virtually came with its very difficult decisions. Don’t forget that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) works under the AG; so, the AG has

the final say. So, you are involved in taking decisions on life-and-death matters. In that case, I can say every decision was a very difficult decision. The only thing is that before venturing any oinion in the office of the AG, we would sit down and consider our opinion thoroughly before we venture because we knew that our decision could easily affect the life of a human being. So, as a result of that, I had very difficult decisions to take.

As at the time I was serving in a military government, armed robbers were executed by firing squad and the lot fell on me to prepare all the papers for the execution. I tell you, it was not an easy work to do. It was a very difficult task.

As a former resident INEC commissioner in Kogi and other States, what advice do you have for INEC to overcome lapses that may mar the conduct of a credible election in 2015?

First and foremost, one of the biggest challenges of INEC is the issue of logistics; logistics in terms of distribution of materials, both sensitive and otherwise, to the point where election is going to take place. For non-sensitive materials, usually they don’t pose any problems.

I believe we can improve in distribution of sensitive materials. We should do them on time. I’m recommending for INEC to do them on time. Sensitive materials like ballot papers and result sheets should be distributed early and taken to CBN vaults. There is virtually no state that does not have a CBN office. So, we should be able to make use of those vaults. In my time, we were doing that.

Again, the major area of problem is collation. By the time electoral officials leave the polling stations and go to ward collation centres, problems and magic begin to happen there. This is another area INEC will look at.

With the advent of technology, we should move towards eliminating some of these collation centres because if we use technology very well, we shall be able to transmit results from the polling units to the main collation centres.

This is one key area of problem. If INEC is able to address it, they will be able to reduce rigging in elections.

Don’t you think INEC need to consider those who could not get permanent voters card (PVC) and allow them to use the 2011 voters’ card?

We have had similar problems in the past. In 2002/2003 which was the first time we at-

Abubakar

tempted to do electronic voters registration in Nigeria, using the special forms called optical mark recognition (OMR) forms, the processing of the form became very cumbersome. So, a lot of the populous states were caught mid-way in 2003. They were unable to complete the processing of these forms.

As a result of that, their data was raw as at time of election. And there were pressures on INEC. So, we were forced on election day to go to the polling unit with both electronic and manual register so that somebody who has registered but his name is not in the electronic register, can be allowed to vote since the person had a temporary voter’s card. So, I’m suggesting to INEC that they should look seriously into this, otherwise, a lot of Nigerians will be disenfranchised and it is unconstitutional for them to be disenfranchised.

You are from Bauchi South, what advantage do you stand to enjoy given the area you come from?

The Bauchi South plays host to the capital of the state. In Bauchi South, we have the largest local government area in Nigeria in terms of land area, Toro local government.

It has a very large population. So, I have this advantage of numerical strength of the Bauchi South senatorial district.

What is your relationship with your people?

I enjoy a fantastic relationship with my people. I come from Jahun in Bauchi town. I come from the family of the Galadima of Bauchi. Historically, the Jahun people are Jahunu Fulanis who migrated from Jahun in Jigawa State but that was very long ago.

What is your judgement on the recent redeployment of resident INEC commissioners in the country?

I think it has become traditional to reshuffle resident electoral commissioners on the eve of elections. The argument here is that these commissioners have stayed in

Every why has a wherefore.

— Nigerian Proverb

the states where they superintend over for quite some time and a result of that, they may have become familiar with the political game players in those areas. So, it augurs well for transparency in the process for them to be removed at short notice and posted to other places.

Do you think the redeployment is too close to the election?

I think it is deliberate so that you don’t fall back on the same problem if you take them to their new states early. They may still become familiar with the political elements in the new states. That is the reason why it’s left till the last hour for them to be posted. So, I think it’s a good thing to redeploy them.

What chances do you think APC has against the PDP in winning governorship election in Bauchi State?

Let me remind you that the people of Bauchi are patently opposition politicians. They have done in 2007; they are poised to do it again in 2015...That is because all the indices for change are more prevalent now in Bauchi State nay in Nigeria than they were in 2007. So, if we did it in 2007, I see no reason why we cannot do it now that we have ample reasons to push out this clueless government in Nigeria. So, we have very bright chances.

Just like Gen Muhammadu Buhari was reported to have said, will you scrap the office of First Lady in Bauchi if you win gubernatorial election?

If you search through the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, you ‘ll never find the office of the First Lady. All Buhari was saying in effect is that we are going to run our government in strict compliance with the provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. So, for me, I will not have the office of the First Lady.

62 / PHOTO NEWS

January 2, 2015

Children having fun on a bouncing castle at the Millenium Park, during the New Year celebration in Abuja, yesterday.

A man being screened by a security man at the enterance to Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja, yesterday.

Cross-section of children at Oshodi Heritage Park having fun at Oshodi, Lagos, yesterday.

Fun seekers taking a rest at Wonderland Amusement Park in Abuja, yesterday.

Display of fireworks to herald the New Year 2015 amidst pomp and pageantry courtesy the Lagos State Government at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, yesterday. PHOTOs BY GBENGA OLAJOBI, OYEDELE OMOKAGBO, OGOH JOSEPH JANE OKEKE, GBENGA OLAJOBI

PHOTO NEWS /63

January 2, 2015

Some children having their faces painted in celebration of New Year at Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, yesterday.

Children having fun at the Millennium Park, Abuja, yesterday.

Children doing rock climbing at Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, yesterday.

Children riding on supper bikes at Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, yesterday.

Some fun seekers buying soft drinks at enterance to Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, yesterday. PHOTOs BY OYEDELE OMOKAGBO, OGOH JOSEPH, JANE OKEKE

64 NEWS NATIONAL

January 2, 2015

New Year Celebration: Wike Visits TB Patients, Rivers First Baby In 2015 *pledges priority attention to healthcare delivery By anayo onukwugha, port harcourt

Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that he would revive the ailing health sector of Rivers State to create more access to quality healthcare for the less-privileged citizens in all communities in the state.

The PDP governorship candidate spoke on New Year Day when he visited patients at the Multi-Drug Treatment Centre of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital.

He was accompanied by the deputy governorship candidate, Mrs Ipalibo Banigo, and Nigeria’s ambassador to South Korea, Ambassador Desmond Akawor.

The former minister of state for education also visited Hilton Hospital, Port Harcourt, where he met with the first baby of Rivers State in 2015.

He stated that maternal and infant healthcare will be strengthened to enhance safe delivery and survival of children.

Barrister Wike said that the less-privileged can only contribute to the development of Rivers State when they have access to qualitative medicare.

“The people of Rivers State should be rest assured that the provision of quality healthcare facilities will be one of the cornerstones of my administration beginning from May 29, 2015. We shall work strategically to improve primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities across the state.

“People can only contribute to the development of our state if they have sound health. We shall move away from the current situation in the state where several health facilities were destroyed and the people denied access to quality medicare”, he said.

He commended the management of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for catering for the welfare of the Tuberculosis patients.

The governorship candidate donated an undisclosed sum for the upkeep of the patients and declared that when he takes over governance, the state government would fully support the hospital to treat all Nigerians who access the facility.

In her comments, the Rivers State PDP deputy governorship candidate, Dr Banigo, prayed God to grant the patients recovery so that they can be re-integrated into the society for the development of the state.

The chief medical director of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Professor Aaron Ojule thanked the PDP governorship candidate and his team for laying emphasis on healthcare delivery.

He assured the candidate that the hospital will collaborate with him to ensure that majority of Rivers people have access to medicare.

Children of the Peace Sisters Abandoned Children’s Home, Osisioma, Aba, Abia State, during New Year celebrations at the orphanage yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Bayelsa Boat Owners Unveil Security Partnership With JTF

BY Osa Okhomina, Yenagoa

Boat owners and drivers in Bayelsa State yesterday unveiled a security partnership with the Joint Military Task Force code-named Operation Pulo Shield with the setting up of a Special Task Force to identify and assist security agents to arrest suspected sea pirates and illegal bunkerers in the state.

The partnership between the maritime workers under the aegis of the Maritime Workers Union (MWU) and the Joint Military Task Force will witness exchange of intelligence informa-

tion, engagement of unemployed youths by the task force and campaign in coastal communities against illicit arms dealing and other violent crimes.

The chairman of the Maritime Workers Union, Comrade Lloyd Sese, while speaking with newsmen in Yenagoa, said the partnership with the JTF and the setting up of the Maritime Task Force will commence in January with a call on the suspected youths involved in illicit activities along the waterways and creeks of the state to drop their arms and embrace the Special Task Force programme.

He said, “The programme would give youths the opportunity to help security operatives in the state to curb the activities of sea pirates and crude oil bunkerers that are crippling the economy of the state. I want to call on all the youths involved in sea piracy to drop their arms and work with security agents in the state to ensure safe maritime transportation. In this age, the society is free for everybody that wishes the good things of life to achieve them, so I want to call on them to drop their arms and leave the creeks and do something meaningful with their lives.”

Igbo Leaders Accuse Jonathan Of Neglect

By Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu

A coalition of South East groups yesterday accused President Goodluck Jonathan of taking Ndigbo for a ride.

Rising from their one-day meeting in Enugu, the groups, which met to review the political situation in the country as it affects the South East and the 2015 elections, insisted that they were yet to see genuine reasons why the zone should support President Jonathan for a second term.

Representatives of Igbo Leaders Council, Umuada Ala Igbo, Igbo Women Assembly, Igbo Students’ Association, Igbo Youth

Movement, South East Self Determination Coalition and Eastern Christian Council attended the meeting.

The groups queried those clamouring for Jonathan’s re-election to explain why railways, which is one of the president’s major achievements, is yet to work in the South East.

They also expressed dismay that the president failed in his promise of according the Akanu Ibiam Airport the right international status.

The coordinator of the South East Self Determination Coalition, Comrade Samuel Edeson, who spoke on behalf of the groups

said, “Mr President has failed to fulfill all the promises he made to the people of the South East despite the block of votes given to him by the people of the zone.

“He promised that by the first quarter of last year, cargo would be landing here in the South East from different parts of the world, but nothing has come out of it. Our people still pass through the rigours of travelling to Lagos to clear their goods”.

“If we also look at the railway, which is one sector this administration has given so much attention, no significant thing is happening in the South-East, unlike other zones where it is now an alternative means of transport.

Rep Rallies Support For Buhari, Ahmed

By Abdullahi Olesin, Ilorin

The member representing Asa/Ilorin West constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Moshood Mustapha has urged the people of Kwara State to vote en masse for the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in the February general elections.

He equally enjoined them to ensure the return of Kwara State governor, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed to Ilorin Government House by

voting massively for APC during the elections.

According to Mustapha, Buhari, being a disciplined person is endowed with the wherewithal to tackle the nation’s hydraheaded problems.

Mustapha spoke in Ilorin on the eve of the New Year when he distributed food items to selected members of the society.

Those that benefitted from the lawmaker’s largesse included the handicapped persons, non-indigenes resident in Ilorin, espe-

A good anvil does not fear the hammer.

Egyptian Proverb

cially the Igbo community.

Mustapha added that Buhari would not condone indiscipline and corruption from any quarters and as a result, will be in a position to channel the nation’s resources appropriately.

He said the need for Kwarans to re-elect Governor Ahmed arises from the fact that he has implemented people-oriented programmes and policies in the past three and a half years.

NEWS NATIONAL /65

January 2, 2015

Afenifere Accuses FG Of Mismanaging Nation’s Resources

By GEORGE OKOJIE, Lagos

Afenifere Renewal Group, a pan- Yoruba cultural and social-political organisation has blamed the current economic challenges bedeviling the nation on mismanagement of resources by the federal government.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the national chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group, Hon. Olawale Oshun said indicators showed that since 1999 when the country returned to democracy, the nation has failed to get its political and economic policies right.

Oshin, who expressed displeasure over the nation’s poor state of economy, said it was high time President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on the economy.

He said,” We are now faced with a depressing economic outlook because of dwindling revenues , corruption and heavily flawed and extravagant budget .

Worst still , divisive politics is now so pervasive that the concept of a free and fair election in 2015 is looking like a mirage. “ In the absence of socio- political and economic justice, nepotism and ethnocentrism have taken over as the emblem of our presidential politics. For instance it is difficult not to read meaning to the fact that under the current administration all economic agencies, Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN), Security and Exchange Commission , Federal Ministry of Finance, among others are headed by experts from one ethnic nationality.”

2015: Amosun Urges Electorate To Vote Credible Candidates

By Gbenga Adeboye, Abeokuta

As Nigeria inches towards this year’s general election, Ogun State governor, Ibikunle Amosun has urged Nigerian electorate to set aside their difference and vote for only credible candidates.

Amosun in a statement signed by the senior special assistant to the governor on media and publicity, Olufunmilayo Wakama, made and available to journalists in Abeokuta yesterday as Muslims celebrate the birth of Muhammed.

Wishing Muslims a rewarding celebration, Amosun urged politicians to conduct themselves in peaceful manner as the various political parties begin their campaigns in preparation for the general elections.

“I urge our people to vote in the right candidates at all levels, setting aside ethnic and religious sentiments. As for us in the All Progressives Congress (APC), we would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.” stated this the governor reiterated the need for continued prayers and peaceful coexistence as we approach the 2015 general elections.

“It is only in an atmosphere of peace that we can be joyous, therefore, we must learn to live in peace with one another. The life and teachings of the Holy Prophet typified peace, just as Islam is a religion of peace.”

Catholic members of St. Mary’s Women Fellowship jubilating at the 2015 New Year service (mass) at St. Mary Catholic Church at Bigi Village in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO BY NAN

Traffic Gridlock As Lagos Countdown Ends In Style

By SAMUEL ABULUDE, Lagos

There was serious traffic gridlock at the Ahmadu Bello Way and adjoining streets in Victoria Island, Lagos as the annual Lagos Countdown ended on an electrifying note.

The Lagos Countdown musical festival sponsored by Nigeria Breweries in its third year is a weeklong event that gives Lagosians and fun lovers the opportunity to felicitate and enjoy the yuletide un-

der the breezy atmosphere of the famous Bar Beach.

This year’s countdown lived up to expectations as many were seen at the venue as early as 8pm and more people in their cars found their way to the Bar Beach which housed the Eko Atlantic Project, causing a major traffic jam.

Many had to park their cars miles away from the venue as the heavy traffic envisaged by the organisers increased. De-

spite this, thousands of Lagos residents and tourists came and enjoyed good music from the likes of Iyanya, Kcee, Harrysong, Patonranking and TuFace Idibia.

Notable dignitaries that graced Lagos Countdown 2014 is the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial candidate, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode. The former Lagos State Auditor-General came with supporters to the event amidst applause from fun seekers.

NOA Tasks Nigerians On Unity, Peaceful Coexistence

BY SAM EGWU, Lokoja

Kogi State Directorate of National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians irrespective of religious or ethnic backgrounds to demonstrate absolute patriotism and commitment to the unity and peace of the country this year and beyond in view of the current socio-economic, political and security challenges bedeviling the nation.

In a press statement signed by the State Director of NOA, Chief Ibikunle Medubi and issued to newsmen in Lokoja yesterday , the agency observed that this year would task the patriotism of every Nigerian in view of the forth-

coming general elections with it attendant challenges.

According to the statement “The agency envisaged economic challenges with the recent global fall in oil prices, we urge Nigerians to work with and support the government to address these challenges to enable it move the country forward.”

The statement also reminded Nigerians that the challenges are part of nation building and national development, saying no country has ever attained development without facing one challenge or the other, stressing that what is important is the attitude of the citizens towards the challenges.

The agency appealed to political leaders in the country to demonstrate exemplary leadership in their actions and urged those seeking for elective positions to streamline their campaign on issues rather than embarking on character assassination or divisive campaign that will hit up the polity.

The statement also appealed to the electorate to come out and vote for credible candidates of their choice in the forthcoming general elections and charged voters to shun violence and electoral malpractices in all ramification stressing that it is only Nigerians who can keep the country together as a nation.

Killings: FG To Establish Military Formation In Southern Kaduna

BY MIDAT JOSEPH, Kaduna

Worried over the killings in Southern Kaduna communities, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday promised to establish a strong military base in Southern Kaduna with the aim of curtailing the activities of armed bandits in the area.

President Jonathan who spoke through vice president Namadi Sambo at the annual AFAN Cultural Festival, condemned the attacks and killings of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen.

Speaking on the February elections, Jonathan insisted that his administration would deliver a free, fair and credi-

A good anvil does not fear the hammer.

Egyptian Proverb

ble elections.

He said “Let me assure all Nigerians of the continuous protection of lives and properties. We shall defeat the evil of this insurgency and terrorists act.”

“The 2015 general elections shall be anchored on one man one vote, one woman one vote and one youth one vote.”

66 INTERVIEW

January 2, 2015

7th NASS Has Made Remarkable Progress – Adiele Mr. Ben Adiele is the executive director, Democracy Now Agenda. In this interview with paul chiama, he posits that despite some short comings in the 7th National Assembly, a remarkable progress has be made so far.

As the 7th National Assembly is set to mark its 3rd year of inauguration, how do you assess its performance?

By and large the 7th National Assembly has performed above average in the sense that there were populist sentiments shared by many federal legislators both in the House and Senate to actually enact laws, policies and take decisions that impact positively on the majority of Nigerians.

For instance, a lot of probes, investigative and public hearings were conducted in order to get to the root of the corruption and waste in the MDAs. Probes were conducted on the fuel subsidy regime, the capital markets collapse, the pension funds scam, the job racketeering, the Apo killings, the FRSC number plates, privatisation of government agencies, DANA plane crash, loans by states, breach of federal character provision amongst others.

These probes and investiga-

tive hearings signaled an activist and populist posture on the part of parliament to unravel the decay and corruption in the system with a view to righting and correcting them so that the country can more forward. Also the probes tended to put the MDAs on their toes and it was no longer business as usual, in fact in the words of one activist Hon. Member from Bauchi, Aliyu Gebi: ‘it is now business unusual’.

But in the light of the Farouk Lawan bribery saga and the bribery allegations trailing the Sen. Etok - led pension probe, some Nigerians are of the view that those probes are meant to pressure the MDAs to ‘settle’ the National Assembly members. What is your view?

Basically in any system you don’t except hundred percent perfection, there must always be a certain element of imperfection in the system as human nature is inherently imperfect. But you

money from one of the MDAs under his supervision. Therefore probes should go on but the leadership should closely monitor the conduct of the probe panel to check any undue excesses or misbehavior.

How do you assess the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives?

Adiele

don’t throw away the baby with the bath water. You cannot cancel probes and investigate hearings entirely because of the indiscretions of some NASS members.

The only thing is for the National Assembly leadership to signed zero tolerance for bribery, corruption and kickbacks for the members to sit up. For instance, in the last 6th Assembly, House Speaker, Dimeji Bankole wielded the big stick against some members including committee chairmen who were alleged to have engaged in corruption practices. A celebrated case involved a Committee Chairman whom Bankole removed from his position for allegedly collecting a huge sum of

Quite fantastic. For one the Senate President, Dr. David Mark has displayed a high degree of maturity, statesmanship, patriotism and tolerance for divergent opinions and interests. He leads by force of intellect and example and does not impose his views on others but by means of persuasion and conviction. He is extremely popular among his peers no matter which part of the political aisle they belong to. Senator Mark has provided stability and order in NASS which has also extended to the polity as a whole.

Can you ascribe the same attributes to the House Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal?

The House Speaker even though the manner of his election was some what controversial and left a sour taste in the mouth of the PDP leadership has managed to maintain an amiable relationship between the ruling and op-

position blocs in the House. He is quite popular among the members despite the fact that he has imposed stringent conditions on the relationship between the committees and the MDAs warning the members not to receive any form of funding from the MDA’s for any assignment whatsoever. Also his populist posture on many national issues where he sides with the masses has put him in good stead with a lot of Nigerians.

How do you assess the administrative structure headed by the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa?

Frankly, Alhaji Maikasuwa and his management team have introduced a lot of policy reforms that has raised staff productivity and morale to a remarkable level.

Staff salaries and allowances are paid as and when due and staff appointments and promotions are carried out in strict compliance with extant public service rules and regulations. For instance, favouritism, cronyism and sectionalism have been largely eliminated from the system while merit, competence, dedication to duty and exemplary performance now form the pivotal criteria for career advancement in the NASS bureaucratic system.

The Masari Mystique In Katsina

By Balarabe Usman Sani

If this question, “Is any political party capable of unseating the PDP from Katsina Government House,” were asked students of politics in 2003 and 2007; not one would have blinked before answering: “Absolutely none!”

Even in 2011 when the mood had begun to swing in favour of oppositional politics, not many were overly optimistic that any party would be strong enough to floor the ruling party, against the backdrop of the firm grip of the Yar’Adua political family, even in the face of General Muhammadu Buhari’s blooming fanatical followership at the grassroots.

With the 2015 elections by the corner and with very little change in the key political actors from 2011, there however seems to be such a dramatic swing in the mood and determination of Katsinawas, nay Nigerians, to effect change of party in power as to excite any close observer of Katsina politics. As easily as any political analyst can relate this profound disdain for the PDP to the dynamics of Buhari’s peaking appeal, what many will certainly not consider as immensely impactful is the Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari factor.

The convergence of the Buhari and Masari forces in Katsina politics has orchestrated a momen-

tum that even the most disinterested bystander is likely to never misread as having rattled PDP’s Governor Shema to lose his cool recently in his “crush-the-cockroach” comment, a reminder to ominous phrase that led to the Rwanda pogrom of recent memory. In Katsina politics, Masari has acquired an identity or mystique in a way as to demand deeper understanding beyond the mere political aspiration of an individual to what one can safely speculate as the values or gains that such an individual may bring on board.

First in the Masari mystique, as any political analyst who had closely watched him as Speaker of the House of Representatives would agree, is his profundity in not allowing power to “enter his head”; as is often expressed in Nigeria. Unlike the typical Nigerian political office holder, Masari remained the person he was before he became the fourth most powerful man in the country (constitutionally speaking) between 2007 and 2011. Throughout his tenure as Speaker, Masari remained calm, personable and unpresumptuous, in character, spirit and disposition. In other words, he personified Abraham Lincoln’s perception that “to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Masari’s humility and coolheaded approach in the utilisa-

tion of power, no doubt, derives from his working class background which has invariably moulded in him a philosophy that gives direction to his leadership. In adhering to this philosophy, Masari ensured that he was at all times guided by the ethos of morality, equity, fairness, social justice, transparency and accountability.

It is therefore understandable that as Speaker of the House of Representatives, as fractious as the House was then, he was able to carry along every shade of opinion and his tenure rancour-free. Even when he was confronted with an allegation of certificate forgery, this guiding philosophy enamoured him the more to friends and foes alike as he allowed the lower chamber to quickly put in place a transparent mechanism that showed that the allegations were fraudulent and dubious. Several years after this allegation was dismissed as the work of blackmailers, one of the contestants Masari vanquished at APC primaries to emerge as governorship candidate, Senator Kanti Bello, perhaps oblivious of the truth or clearly desperate to seek relevance, is raising the same issue. What a shame!

Beyond these fallacies and the malevolent nuances that come with our politics, are the core issues of governance facing Kat-

sina State which demand the attention of a man with the antecedents of Aminu Masari. Apart from his working class philosophy that would enable him to appreciate the work at hand, Masari has the presence of mind, the requisite political exposure and connection all of which make him the most prepared to take up the challenge of moving Katsina forward.

Indeed, Masari has demonstrated that he knows where to start to make an immediate impact in the political economy of his state, having isolated education, agriculture, health and water as sectors that are fundamental starting points for immediate intervention so as to make impact across the different demographic groups.

Masari had said recently that the education agenda that he is offering is one that will ensure that all appointive and elective public officers must send their children to public funded schools. On health, Masari is propounding a policy that bars public officers for seeking medical treatments beyond public health institutions in the state.

What this means for Katsina people is that Masari is someone who understands the dynamics of mass production, the foundation of which can only be rested on education and health for the workforce. Education and health can impact on virtually every aspect

of an economy. It has the capacity to change everything from the organisation of work to the nature of the social contract in a pseudocapitalist and rentier economy as ours. As he is often wont of saying, “no society can develop beyond the level of its literacy”.

Besides the attractiveness of Masari as a responsive and responsible person, his election into power in Katsina stands to not only deepen democracy in the state, but also engender the true spirit of equity and inclusiveness that the state historically needs. The former Speaker hails from Masari Town in Kafur Local Government, in what is politically described as Katsina South. Since the creation of Katsina, no other portion of the state, except Katsina Central, has produced the governor of the state. So essentially, what the Masari governorship candidacy symbolises in Katsina is a new dream that has the capacity to inspire all sons and daughters of Katsina to a height unimaginable.

As someone with great patience and listening ears, Rt. Honourable Aminu Bello Masari, Dallatun Katsina, is someone the people of Katsina can bank on, especially with Buhari as president to lead the change from Abuja.

— Sani, a public affairs commentator, wrote in from Kaduna.

opinion /67

January 2, 2015

Reclaiming Nigeria’s Future:Matters Arising (2)

by REV. JASON NWORAH

Miffed by all of these, I had cause to propose the following process and criteria of admission into our public and civil service with performance contract for public accountability to the federal government ahead of 2015 general election through the INEC chairman’s office on the 7th of February, 2014 with the performance contract submitted and received at both the office of the secretary to the government of the federation and head of service respectively on the 28Tth of January, 2014 but for obvious reasons nothing was done.

PROPOSED RULES OF ENGAGEMENT FOR ALL POLITICAL PARTIES 1. All political parties shall henceforth be made accomplices to any crimes of their elected candidates in our entire public services.

2. Any politicians caught donating public funds into his party’s campaign budget must be disqualified and the entire receiving party’s structure banned from the forth-coming and future elections with funds refunded back to government.

3. The donor of such funds will be prosecuted for corruption and jailed for life.

4. In addition to the screening of all political aspirants by security agencies ,Code of Conduct Bureau, ICPC, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and EFCC; all party leaderships have the responsibility of screening their candidates before internal party primaries elections to ensure that

they present to our nation only men and women of sound and trust-worthy character.

5. Party leaderships have the postelection responsibility of supervising the conducts of their candidates in our entire public services because any criminal indictment on their part will result to outright ban of their entire party structures from any future elections.

6. All election campaign budgets of all political parties must be clean clear funds of non-criminal origin attested as such by the written clearance from the central bank and the commercial banks of their dimiciliations and made public in both print and electronic media failure of which the indicted party will be banned from the forth coming and future elections with the indicted contributors prosecuted for corruption and jailed for life.

7. All political parties hence forth have the responsibility of investigating all their party members before admission because any criminal and/or immoral conducts breaching our election rules by any of their members not reported and made public by the party leadership disowning them accordingly will result in the ban of their entire party structure from our elections contests now and in the future.

I need not tell you why it did not receive attention yet we must teach our politicians in no uncertain terms that leadership and public service is all about us and not them if we hope to reclaim our futre because what we have now is

a situation where a few nigerians are colonising us afresh and abusing our commonwealth with arrogant impunit which must cease! performance contract specimen for all public and civil servants 1.i-----(first name)-----------(surname)--- pledge to Nigeria my country to be faithful, loyal and honest.

To serve Nigeria and the public with all my strength. To defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory at all times so help me God. 2. As a public/civil servant I commit to remain a person of proven integrity of character and responsibility throughout my tenure of service to my Nation, Nigerian people (Fellow citizens) and the general public.

3. I understand that a call to public/ civil service is a call to honour and pledge to conduct myself honourably while in active service.

4. I pledge to be duty bound to report to my duty post with a culture of punctuality at all times or be impeached / dismissed as applicable after a maximum of seven warnings.

5. I understand that my appointment or employment as applicable makes me the express servant and not master of the public whose taxes and commonwealth pay for my wages / allowances and as such will conduct myself in active duties with humility, politeness and possible speed in the discharge of my duties and responsibilities.

6. I understand that the public may

be stupid, temperamental, and ignorant which calls for my extreme patience, selfcontrol, tolerance and responsibility at all times.

7. I understand that as a public/civil servant I am a role model and should conduct both my public and private lives accordingly throughout my tenure of service.

8. I understand that public and civil service is a trust and not for personal enrichment and hereby pledge not use my office to overtly or covertly extort additional income or properties acquisition outside the approved statutory provisions of government.

9. I understand that Government must provide me with official transportation and logistics vehicle (cars, buses ,planes, ships , boats, trains etc)l for all public and civil servants. That on no account should I be found using any other transportation/ logistics facility while still in active duty.

10. I pledge to strictly restrict myself and my guests to the catering and entertainment facilities provided by my ministry, department or agency catering for our free lunch meant to encourage prompt resumption of duty after break times.

11. I understand that resumption time is 8 a.m. and closing time should not exceed 5p.m. unless otherwise required and approved for me with additional allowances. Any default on my part will lead to impeachment or dismissal as applicable after seven warnings. to be continued

sAlVAtION mObIlE fOrCE OUtrEACH

EZZA IZZO PrOgrEssIVE UNION, AbUJA brANCH

lOst HOPE rEgAINEr fAItH fOUNdAtION mINIstrY

The general public is hereby notified that the above named OUTREACH has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named UNION has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

The general public is hereby notified that the above named MINISTRY has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for Registration under part C of the Companies and Allied Matter Act 1990.

tHE trUstEEs ArE: 1.

Mr. John Ogboji 2.

Mr. Friday Ugama 3.

Mr. Matthew Nwafor 4.

Mr. Ezikel Nwankwo 5.

Mr. John Nweze 6.

Mr. Francis Chukwuma Obasi 7.

Elder Michael Nwabor 8.

Mr. Matthew Sunday Nneze 9.

Mr. Chukwuma Nwokporo 10.

Mr. Friday Nworie

tHE trUstEEs ArE: 1. OLAdAPO OLUWAFEMI GREATNESS. 2. OLAdAPO GREATNESS IFEOLUWA (MRS).

3. AdEJORO OLUWASHOLA 4. CHIdIEBERE MICHEAL 5. OLUdARE AZUMI 6. UEdOJOR THOMAS 7. OLOWOLAYEMO MAYOWA

tHE trUstEEs ArE: 1.

REV VICTOR EdE AGHEdO.CHAIRMAN 2.

EVANG MRS JECINTA MOdUPE AGHEdO 3.

PST FELIX OSAZUWA 4.

PST ANTHONY OLUSOLA FASHANU tHE AIms ANd ObJECtIVEs ArE 1. To PREACH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

SIGNEd: bArr sOlOmON AKHIgbE 08037257296

UFUOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as UfUOmA AdJErHOrE ANd AdJErHOrE UfUOmA NAtAsHA, now wish to be known and addressed as UfUOmA rICHArd. All former documents remain valid. The general public to please take note.

OLADOYIn

I fo r m e r l y k n o w n a s m I s s bAbAOYE PAtrICIA OlAdOYIN, now wish to be known as mrs AdEwAlE PAtrICIA OlAdOYIN. All former documents remain valid.

The general public to please take note.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

EJEHI

I, formerly known and addressed as OKHAE EJEHI, now wish to be known and addressed as ONUOHA EJEHI. All former documents remain valid.

Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and the General public should please take note.

rEgInA

I formerly known as AgNEs AmEH now wish to be known as rEgINA sAlIfU. All former documents remain valid. Saint Charles College Ankpa Kogi State, Nigeria Police Force and the general public to please take note.

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

ESTHEr

I formerly known as mIss AlI EstHEr now wish to be known as mrs AmANYI EstHEr. All former documents remain valid.

The general public to please take note.

ADAMU

I, formerly known and addressed as AdAmU IsAmAUrEEN sONNYE, now wish to be known and addressed as AdAmU IsA dAKO. All former documents remain valid. University of Abuja. Federal Character Commision The General public should please take note

PASCHALInE

I formerly known as AgAbA PAsCHAlINE ZHANANE, now wish to be known as gUmA PAsCHAlINE rAHAN. All former documents remain valid. General public to please take note.

Whereas the person / persons whose name is set out in the first column hereunder died intestate on the date and place in the said column. And whereas the parson(s) whose name and address is set out in the second column hereunder claimed the relationship of the said deceased and has applied to the above named court for the grant letters of Administration of the personal property. Notice is hereby given that the said letters of Administration be granted to such person (s) unless “NOTICE TO PROHIBIT’’ the grant thereof is filed in the probate registry of the above named court within twenty one (21) days from the date of publication. sCHEdUlE

Mrs. Ann Eloho Osiobe

department of Policy and Implementation Education Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory .

APPlICANts fOr grANt

dr. Stephen A. Osiobe and Ochuko O. Osiobe

Plot 113, Lugbe I, Cadastral Zone 07-07 Lugbe, Abuja, FCT. The widower and daughter of the said deceased.

dated at Abuja this 31st december, 2014.

SIGNEd bArr. HAfsAt sAdIQ FOR: PROBATE REGISTRAR

Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

― Russian Proverb

nnEnnA

I formerly known as OdII IrENE NNENNA, now wish to be known as ENEKwE IrENE NNENNA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

lEgAl NOtICE

dECEAsEd NAmE ANd AddrEss

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar General Corporate Affairs Commission (C.A.C) P.M.B 198, Plot 420, Tigris Crescent off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama Abuja within 28 days from the date of this publication.

IN tHE HIgH COUrt Of JUstICE Of tHE fEdErAl CAPItAl tErrItOrY, AbUJA

Who died on the 25th June, 2014.

1X1 SPACE FOR SALE

tHE AIms ANd ObJECtIVEs ArE 1. TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORd JESUS CHRIST.

SIGNEd: sECrEtArY

SIGNEd: C.C IZEKwE Esq

ABIgEAL

I formerly known as mIss AbIgEAl fUNmIlOlA ANIfOwOsE now wish to be known as mrs AbIgEAl fUNmIlOlA ObAtErU. All former documents remain valid. The general public to please take note.

tHE AIms ANd ObJECtIVEs ArE 1. To provide peace and unity among members 2. To foster mutual understanding and preserve the the good image of the members

3x2 SPACE FOR SALE

LEADERSHIP FRIDAY

sports news and analysis January 2, 2015

Foreign Exchange: Huge Sports Potentials Untapped – Gaiya

Gaiya

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

As the year 2015 sets in, a passionate appeal has been made to Nigerians to embrace sports as a potential foreign exchange earner, in view of the dwindling revenues accruing from petroleum exports.

Chairman House Committee on Sports, Hon Godfrey Gaiya made the appeal in a New Year message made available to LEADERSHIP Friday

Sports.

He said that if the right investment was channelled into sports, Nigeria could benefit both locally and internationally.

“I appeal to Nigerians to also make efforts at supporting our local clubs so that they can grow and in a few years’ time, become international brands to be courted by multinational companies for endorsements and

branding deals that will attract good money.

“Nigerians who are wealthy should invest in sports to empower our youths and to make them patriotic and love our country. An average Nigerian will tell you that his team is Arsenal or Chelsea. I’d rather wear a jersey of a local team like JZ United or Kano Pillars than that of those EPL teams,” he said.

Speaking further, he advocated a paradigm shift in sports affairs, to bring about gains to the entire sports industry in the country.

“If you meet sports lovers all over the country, all they argue and fight over is the EPL, La Liga, Ligue Un and others that do not contribute to our economy. They should rather talk about Kano Pillars or Enyimba. The way Nigerians fight over foreign teams, if we can just put in half of the zeal into our sports, we would be the envy of many nations,” he submitted.

Podolski Refutes Newspaper Claims Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has hit out at a leading British tabloid for suggesting that he had ‘stormed out of training’ this week.

The Mirror ran a story that claimed Podolski, who has been linked with a January move to Inter Milan, had left training early on Wednesday after becoming ‘fed up’ with his situation at the club.

The Germany international has featured sparingly this season, but he insists he is committed to the London club despite a lack of regular playing time.

The 29-year-old took to social media to voice his Podolski disappointment at the club. recent report, while also He said: “I try not to professing his love for the comment on stories I

see in the papers but when I see something that questions my commitment & love for the club then I must speak up!

“Here ‘The Mirror’ have tried to make a story out of nothing. I find it incredible that newspapers are allowed to print pure lies to get people’s attention.

“In order to ‘storm’ off the pitch you have to actually be on the pitch in the first place, I spent the whole session inside with medical staff. It seems it is ‘The Mirror’ who stormed to the keyboard too quickly.

“Nevertheless I wish ‘The Mirror’ a Happy New Year and more luck with correct headlines in the future. COYG.”

Tevez

Tevez Won’t Extend Juve Deal Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that he has no intention of extending his current deal with the Turin club.

The Argentine joined the club from Manchester City back in 2013 and his contract only expires in June 2016.

And while he intends to see out the remainder of his deal, he will not be looking to stay at the

club beyond next season, with a return to Boca Juniors possibly on the agenda.

“My intention is to fulfil this contract, like I have already said and everybody has known this ever since I arrived at Juve,” he told Argentine website Ole. “I still have a year and a half to go and it’s difficult to walk away while

Paintsil Confirms He Will Play In Ghana Before Retirement Defender John Paintsil has confirmed he will return to play in Ghana before finally retiring from football.

The 33-year-old who plays for South African club Maritzburg United is considered to be in the twilight of his career.

Paintsil has gone on to have a successful football career both at club and international level since turning professional in 1999.

The former Fulham man has played in six Africa Cup of Nations finals with the Black Stars in a career which spans over a decade.

Paintsil now

Borrowed garments never fit well.

— Egyptian Proverbs

confirms he will play once more again in Ghana for one of his three favourite local clubs to transfer his vast experience to the next generation before hanging up his boots.

“I will definitely come back to play in Ghana,” he said on Metro TV’s KickOff show.

“I have three teams in my mind; Berekum Arsenals, Liberty Professionals and the third team, I will not mention.”

Paintsil play for Berekum Arsenals and Liberty Professionals before making his first tri abroad in 2002.

I’m playing so well.

“I’ve said that I want to honour my contract right to the end, but I have no intention of extending it because that is not what I feel like doing at this moment.”

Tevez has been in remarkable form this season and is the leading scorer in the Serie A with 10 goals in 15 games.

Premier League Results Yesterday’s Matches QPR 1-1 Swansea Newcastle 3-3 Burnley Hull City 2-0 Everton Man City 3- 2 Sunderland West Ham 1-1 West Brom Liverpool 2-2 Leicester City Aston Villa 0-0 Crystal Palace Southhampton 2-0 Arsenal

ROUND-UP /69

January 2, 2015

New Year Day EPL Falcao Scores Equalizer To End Stoke Game 1-1 Radamel Falcao scored the equaliser as Manchester United came from behind to begin 2015 with a 1-1 draw at in-form Stoke City.

Having ended 2014 in good form, both Stoke and Manchester United were looking to start 2015 with a bang but in the end they had to settle for a point each on a blustery lunchtime kick-off at the Britannia.

The hosts made a dream start as they caught the visitors napping from a corner inside two minutes. Peter Crouch flicked a header on and Ryan Shawcross arrived unmarked at the far post to score with a volley.

The Potters’ fine start continued as they pressed the rattled United defence into errors, but the visitors slowly grew into the contest with the midfield trio of Michael Carrick, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata be-

ginning to control possession.

Mame Biram Diouf did waste a fine chance having robbed Jonny Evans when chasing a hopeful punt up field and he was made to pay on 26 minutes.

Rooney’s corner from the left was glanced on by Carrick and Falcao got in front of his marker to touch home from close range. It was a third goal of the season for the Colombian, who performed well before being withdrawn on the hour mark.

The second half was a real battle of attrition as the ferocious wind swept down the pitch and combined with rain to make conditions horrendous for both sides.

Crouch used the wind to his advantage to glance a header against the post late on while the Stoke defence saw off a late United siege to claim a point.

Falcao

Southampton Boost Top-four Hopes, Beat Arsenal 2-0 Southampton boosted their Premier League top-four hopes with a deserved 2-0 victory at home to rivals Arsenal on New Year’s Day. The Saints made three changes, with James Ward-Prowse, Ryan Bertrand and Florin Gardos all starting, while the visitors drafted in Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers and Tomas Rosicky for Nacho Monreal, Mathieu Flamini and Danny Welbeck.

The hosts started brightly with Graziano Pelle flicking the post with a header from a Dusan Tadic cross and, shortly afterwards, Wojciech Szczesny had to turn the ball away from goal with his feet as Sadio Mane threatened.

The Gunners responded with Santi Cazorla shooting tamely at Fraser Forster when he should have done better, and that miss proved costly just past the half-hour mark when the Saints hit the front.

Mane beat Laurent Koscielny to a long pass forward and was

able to take the ball away from the advancing Szczesny, before lobbing the goalkeeper as he tried to recover his ground.

Mane then set up Ward-Prowse to force a good save from Szczesny, before injury forced the goalscorer out of the game.

The Gunners made a bright start to the second half, with Alexis Sanchez forcing Forster into a fine stop at the far post, but their hopes were all but dashed by another defensive howler.

Both Mathieu Debuchy and Szczesny failed to clear their lines and Tadic was left with an easy finish to double the lead 11 minutes after the restart.

Pelle then hit an upright from a Bertrand cross, before the same player was denied by a goal-line clearance from Debuchy, as the visitors came close to going under completely.

Arsenal huffed and puffed to try and get back into the game, but when the final whistle came, the hosts were good value for the three points.

Tottenham Stun Chelsea 5-3

By ONJEWU DICKSON, Abuja

Despite having more ball possession and shots at goal, log leaders, Chelsea fell 3-5 to Tottenham at White Hart Lane, London yesterday in the star EPL New Year Day match.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men roared back to stun the Blues and send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.

Harry Kane produced an attacking masterclass as a rampant Tottenham stunned Chelsea at White Hart Lane to send Manchester City to the top of the Premier League.

Diego Costa fired the Blues in front against the run of play on 18 minutes but goals from Kane, Danny Rose and Andros Townsend gave Spurs a convincing lead at half-time.

Kane made it 4-1 with a clinical finish on 52 minutes and despite Eden Hazard’s attempt to set up a nervy finale, Nacer Chadli struck 12 minutes from time to seal the win, though John Terry grabbed a consolation late on.

Chelsea had a total of 19 shots at goal, with only seven on target, while the hosts had 11 shots at goal, with eight on target, out of which five went past Chelsea goalkeeper.

Chelsea had 54 per cent of the possession, leaving Tottenham with only 46.

Tottenham had five corner kicks, while Chelsea got three.

The home team who did not want to take any chances conceded 14 fouls but Chelsea were more careful, conceding four less than their hosts.

Everton Suffer Fourth Straight Defeat Everton suffered a fourth straight defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

First half goals from Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic secured the result for Hull’s second home league win of the season.

For Everton, it is a fourth successive league defeat and sees the Toffees looking nervously over their shoulder going into the New Year after a truly miserable festive period.

The game started with controversy when Abel Hernandez looked to have been tripped in the penalty area only for referee Kevin Friend to give a free kick on the edge of the box.

That decision may have still been in the referee’s mind when he turned down Steven Naismith’s claims for a spot kick soon after when the Scot appeared to have been barged over by Gaston Ramirez.

Hull opened the scoring on 32 minutes when Liam Rosenior’s cross from the left was met by Elmohamady, the Egyptian rising above Leighton Baines at the far post and planting a header into the bottom corner.

Martinez

Brevity is the soul of wit.

— Egyptian Proverbs

That goal galvanised the Tigers who began to put sustained pressure on the Everton backline, the lively Hernandez seeing his effort well blocked and David Meyler shooting straight at Joel Robles.

Hull did double their advantage before the break though and it came from former Everton striker Jelavic.

The Everton backline stood still trying in vain to play offside as the Croatian ran onto Hernandez’s long pass before calmly lofting the ball over Robles.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez brought on Romelu Lukaku and Bryan Oviedo at half time and the Merseysiders did improve after the break.

Ross Barkley had their best chance of the half when he turned away from three players in the box but his fizzing shot was superbly blocked by Allan McGregor.

Everton’s hopes of getting back into the game were all but extinguished when defender Antolin Alcaraz was sent off for a second yellow card late on, with Hull holding on for their first league win at the KC Stadium for three months.

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January 2, 2015

Football’s Unmissable Dates In 2015

Diabate

Mali’s Diabate Ruled Out Of Nations Cup Mali striker Cheick Diabate requires a knee operation and will be out for four months, meaning he will miss his country’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations bid.

Diabate’s French club Bordeaux announced yesterday that the 26-year-old agreed to undergo surgery after a consultation with a specialist in Marseille last month, accepting that it was “essential for the successful continuation of his career”.

Bordeaux’s leading scorer this

season with eight league goals, Diabate, who stands at an imposing 1.94m, had been called up

by Mali for the Cup of Nations, which will be held in Equatorial Guinea from 17 January to 8 February.

However, he had been complaining of recurring problems with his knee for several months and Bordeaux’s confirmation that he will miss the next four months means he will not return until the closing weeks of the season.

Van Gaal Demands United Road Improvement Radamel Falcao’s third goal for the club earned United a point at a blustery Britannia Stadium after Ryan Shawcross had given the hosts an early lead.

The draw extended United’s unbeaten run to 10 games, although Van Gaal was far from satisfied.

“We won and had two draws [over the festive period],” he told Sky Sports. “We have to play better away from home.

“There is no difference between home and away, because the fans were very loud and fantastic.”

Van Gaal conceded, too, that is

Van Gaal

side would not have been worthy winners, with Stoke also hitting the post through Peter Crouch and seeing a clear handball in the United penalty area by Chris Smalling go unpunished.

He added: “I think it was a draw and we didn’t deserve more. They were closer to scoring another than us.

“I think we had a lot of time and space, but we didn’t see that.

We didn’t create much because our crossing was poor.

“We had the space and time to play football and we could have played better.”

Did you think that following the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, the pace of the global game would slow down? If so, you’d be wrong. Welcome to 2015, a new year packed with excitement and energy aplenty.

We have ahead of us 365 days full of football and, so you don’t lose your way among so many major happenings, FIFA.com brings you some of the highlights for you to note down in your diary.

Don’t put away the smart clothes you’ve been wearing over the holiday season just yet because, come Monday 12 January, you’ll need them to keep up with all the glitz and glamour of the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala in Zurich. Up for awards will be the finest performers of 2014, and you can keep a close eye on everything that goes on via FIFA.com’s extensive coverage.

January will also feature action in two major continental competitions, with the AFC Asian Cup to be held in Australia between the 9th and 31st of the month, as well as Equatorial Guinea’s hosting of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations between 17 January and 7 February. Quite a start to the year, and all this with many countries’ domestic league and cup action continuing at a relentless pace.

Nor must we forget continental club competitions, with the first to reach a conclusion the CONCACAF Champions League, whose kings will be

crowned on 29 April. The stakes are high for national teams too, particularly in the Old Continent, where nations are in the thick of an intriguing battle to qualify for the UEFA EURO 2016.

It will be May, however, until the next FIFA competition is held. That will take place in New Zealand, the world’s finest young starlets battling it out for glory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup between 30 May and 20 June. In the midst of that showpiece also comes the high-profile UEFA Champions League final, set to take place on 6 June at Berlin’s impressive Olympiastadion.

The tempo won’t let up there either. On the same day that fans of a European club giant celebrate continental glory, it will be a huge moment for the women’s game with the big kick-off of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Canada.

There the planet’s finest women’s footballers will strut their stuff until the champions are crowned on 5 July.

Next stop on our jet-set tour is Portugal, specifically Espinho, where the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will provide no shortage of thrills and spills between 8 and 19 July. And moving back to the 11-a-side men’s vintage, two huge continental competitions will also be jostling for focus around the same time: the Copa America in Chile (11 June-4 July) and the CON-

CACAF Gold Cup (7-26 July).

July is also poised to provide another pivotal moment on the 25th, when the Preliminary Draw for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ takes place, bringing the next edition of the World Cup that much closer.

And shortly after that will come the conclusion to the Copa Libertadores, the two-legged finale of which will be held on 29 July and 5 August.

A break before final flurry Time now surely to take a break from international and continental action, with the focus in August and September particularly in European climes - on the comings and goings in the transfer market and how all the new faces fare in the opening jousts of their clubs’ campaigns.

The break does not last for long, however, because 17 October to 8 November will bring all eyes back to Chile. Indeed, the Copa America hosts will soon welcome back more highquality action in the form of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, a competition that has proved a valuable shop window for countless fledgling professionals.

Putting a stylish full stop at the end of another intense year will be the next edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the revealing of the candidates for awards at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala 2015. After that, we’re back to the beginning again.

Hart Wary Of Caballero Threat Hart has firmly re-established himself as City boss Manuel Pellegrini’s first-choice keeper after a spell on the sidelines last season.

The England stopper has played in 18 of the Premier League champions’ 19 top-flight fixtures this term, and also started all six of their UEFA Champions League group games.

However, the 27-year-old knows he cannot let his standards slip with Caballero - a close-season signing

from Malaga - waiting in the wings.

“There is always a threat at this place - we wouldn’t be the club we are if we didn’t feel that people who weren’t performing in their position weren’t replaceable,” Hart told the Daily Mirror.

“I am replaceable, as everyone is, and you have to perform to high levels.

“Willy is a fantastic keeper and when he has stepped in he has done

well. He is a great person too.

“His work ethic and how he has been with me has been fantastic.

“We have a good relationship but if anyone is going to push me, it’s got to be me.”

Following a run of eight wins and two draws from their last 10 Premier League games, City sit just three points adrift of table-topping Chelsea before their New Year’s Day clash with Sunderland.

Hughes Frustrated By Penalty Denials Oliver failed to point to the spot in the second half of the New Year’s Day clash at the Britannia Stadium despite a clear Chris Smalling handball.

Hughes also felt Stoke should have been awarded a penalty for a foul on Geoff Cameron soon after.

“We had two penalties in our view not given,” he told Sky Sports after seeing Radamel Falcao cancel out Ryan Shawcross’ early opener.

“The obvious one was Peter Crouch. He headed towards goal and it’s an unnatural movement from Smalling.

“It’s a clear penalty and I have no idea why the referee hasn’t

given it when he is three or four yards away. He needs to be stronger.

“And when Pete has headed against the post, you can see Geoff Cameron is about to put it in and he gets taken out.”

Hughes felt an opportunity to convert a winner would have been just reward for Stoke’s performance.

He added: “We’re disappointed.

In terms of chances created, pressure and momentum, we were the team that was most likely to score.

“We have come up against a good team and I think on the day we were the better team. That shows how far we have come.”

Hughes

71

January 2, 2015

The Best Of Women’s Football In 2014 As another action-packed year draws to a close, 2014 will surely be remembered for records falling, intense emotions, eyecatching triumphs, thrilling qualifiers and a raft of newcomers securing a berth at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, along with various established big names.

Despite the success of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, the men’s game was not alone in capturing the imagination this year, as their female counterparts made plenty of headlines of their own.

In particular, the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada proved to be excellent appetisers ahead of next summer’s main event, with the global showcase looming ever closer over the horizon.

FIFA.com now casts a glance back over the all the thrills, spills and stand-out moments of the last 12 months – while wishing you the very best during the festive period.

Angerer makes history The year could hardly have started better for Nadine Angerer, with the German international picking up the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award in Zurich after topping the vote ahead of USA’s Abby Wambach and Brazil star Marta. Highly regarded in the game, Angerer was a worthy winner and became the first ever goalkeeper to triumph in the women’s category – as well as the oldest at 35 years of age. Her international coach Silvia Neid was honoured too, being crowned for a second time as FIFA World Coach of the Year for women’s football. “It’s a huge honour,” commented the Germany tactician.

Silverware for France France underlined their status as one of the favourites for Canada 2015 before they had even stamped their ticket, overcoming England 2-0 in the Cyprus Cup final to win the competition for the second time since 2012. Both sides went into the tournament eager to shine under new coaches, and it was Philippe Bergeroo’s charges who eventually came out on top, having downed Australia 3-2 and the Netherlands 3-0 during the group stage, although they also drew 1-1 with Scotland. As for England, they clinched their showpiece berth thanks to a trio of wins, seeing off Italy 2-0, Finland 3-0 and Canada 2-0.

Germany’s Algarve adventure France were not the only team to prosper, of course. While Les Bleues were turning heads in Cyprus, Germany continued their superb run of results in the Algarve Cup, and their 2014 vintage proved especially formidable.

Neid’s troops prevailed courtesy of four consecutive wins, scoring 12 goals and conceding just one as they sunk China PR, Iceland and Norway before a 3-0 final triumph against Japan, when Nadine Kessler, Anja Mittag and Dzsenifer Marozsan all hit the target. In contrast, USA struggled to find their rhythm and had to make do with seventh place after failing to win any of their three matches. That led to coach Tom Sermanni making way at the start of April, and Jill Ellis being

Falcons

charged with overseeing improvements.

Double double Wolfsburg’s successful defence of their UEFA Women’s Champions League crown owed more than a little to Martina Muller, who added the final twist in a breathtaking final against Swedish rivals Tyreso when she pounced ten minutes from time to seal a 4-3 win. That goal also secured Die Wölfinnen’s entry to a very exclusive club, as the team from Lower Saxony became only the third side to record back-to-back triumphs in the competition. Wolfsburg had plenty more to celebrate too, with coach Ralf Kellermann likewise steering them to a second consecutive domestic title – and, as in Europe, they were made to battle hard for their success. Wolfsburg went into their final fixture against Frankfurt lying second behind their opponents and needing victory to clinch the title, and more than 12,000 supporters were on hand to witness the hosts take a first-half lead via Verena Faisst. Frankfurt put themselves back in charge eight minutes from time, however, when Kozue Ando levelled the scores, but the drama was not over yet. In the final minute, and with Frankfurt so close to the finish line, Alexandra Popp wrenched the trophy back into Wolfsburg’s hands.

Domestic quests Titles were decided far and wide in 2014, and not least in France, where Lyon claimed their eighth successive Ligue 1 crown with one game to spare in the 2013/14 season. OL reigned supreme in the French Cup too, beating Paris SaintGermain 2-0 in a hard-fought showpiece in Le Mans. Elsewhere, Brescia savoured their first ever Italian championship win,

and Rosengard defended their title in Sweden, Marta and Co making sure of their triumph with two matches remaining. Over in the USA, meanwhile, the second season of the NWSL ended with Kansas City taking over from Portland Thorns as champions, the Kansas outfit edging Seattle Reign 2-1 in the decider.

Little Nadeshiko on top of the world It was not only the senior players wh o enjoyed a taste of glory this year, and at the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica, it was Japan who emerged as deserved victors. Relying on their traditional strengths, the Little Nadeshiko swept to the title by winning all their games and conceding just a single goal, signing off in style by beating Spain 2-0 in the final.

Germany’s vengeance Germany exited that tournament in the group stage, but it was a different story altogether at the U-20 Women’s World Cup. Two years after narrowly falling short in the showpiece, Maren Meinert’s side reclaimed the global title on Canadian soil, the European heavyweights overcoming every obstacle placed in their path thanks to their trademark attacking swagger. Germany were pushed hard along the way, edging epic games against France and USA most notably, before they rounded off their triumphant run against an impressive Nigeria team.

Old and new faces

Winning the World Cup is an unforgettable experience at any level, and the cream of women’s football will look to follow in the footsteps of Germany’s U-20s next summer and claim the ultimate prize in the senior game. The finals line-up is now complete after the qual-

The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.

Henry ford, founder and president of the Ford Motor Company

ifiers reached their climax this year, with the road to Canada 2015 featuring several dramatic encounters and games decided in added time or beyond the 90 regulation minutes. The high-quality fare gave spectators plenty to enjoy and also shone a spotlight on various new talents – including young forward Vivianne Miedema, whose play-off goals against Italy helped the Netherlands seal their finals spot. They will be one of 24 sides in the newly expanded tournament, making their first appearance along with fellow newcomers Ecuador, Switzerland, Spain, Costa Rica, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand. Numerous old regulars will be back too, with Germany, France, England and Sweden winning all ten of their qualifiers while racking up 200 goals between them. In Asia, meanwhile, Japan evoked memories of triumphs past by emerging victorious at the 2014 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Outstanding longevity USA defender Christie Rampone won her 300th international cap when her side came up against Mexico in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship. In doing so, she became only the second player to reach that staggering milestone after former team-mate Kristine Lilly. Rampone is not about to hang up her boots yet either, and next year the three-time Olympic champion will dispute her fifth Women’s World Cup. Candidates await their fate Named as Best Women’s Player in Europe after clinching the double with Wolfsburg, Nadine Kessler is now waiting to learn whether she will add the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year award to her collection. The Germany midfielder is a candidate for the prestigious honour along with USA’s Abby Wambach and Marta of Brazil, while Ralf Kellermann (Wolfsburg), Maren Meinert (Germany U20s) and Norio Sasaki (Japan) have all been shortlisted in the coach’s category. The women’s game is also represented in the FIFA Puskás Award, which singles out the best goal of the year. Not content with having beaten the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Diego Costa to the final list of three contenders, Irish international Stephanie Roche could yet become the first woman to walk away with the prize.

Glitz and glamour in Ottawa The year climaxed just as it began in the world of women’s football – with a dash of elegance. All eyes were on Ottawa at the start of December as the Canadian Museum of History hosted the Final Draw for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, which will take place between 6 June and 5 July. The 24 participants and fans of the women’s game can now look forward to some mouth-watering contests, including a rematch between UEFA Women’s EURO 2013 finalists Germany and Norway in Group B and Sweden coach Pia Sundhage coming up against former employers USA in Group D.

AMUSEMENT PARK

i haven’t clawed my way to the top of the food chain just to eat vegetables

— Charles Jarvis

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY c

www.leadership.ng

NIGERIA'S FIRST FRIDAY NEWSPAPER

No. 85

azu@leadership.ng Twitter: @azuishiekwene

I

t’s foolish to argue with a man who says God said.

You take it or leave it.

At this time of the year, persons who claim they have seen the future by some divine connection inundate the public with predictions of what is going to happen in the new year.

Even outside the realm of faith, predictions can be hazardous. There’s hardly any effective way of keeping predictors honest. A student of Leon Trotsky, one of the leaders of the Russian revolution, once said of him that the proof of his farsightedness is that none of his predictions had come true yet.

Yet, since the future is the only bargain store where hope is the currency, we can hardly resist looking in.

I’ve been doing that in the last few days, but unlike in the previous years, I started this year by looking at how much of the divine predictions made on the eve of 2013 actually came true in 2014. A certain Prophet Babatunde Ayodele of a Lagos-based evangelical church, who claimed he predicted the Bellview and Sosoliso plane crashes in 2005, was at it again in December 2013.

Among other things, he predicted that there would be a massive surge in oil prices in 2014, a devastating sea surge in Lagos and deterioration in the health of First Lady Patience Jonathan, almost unto death.

By the time of writing this piece, just about 12 hours before New Year’s Eve, none of the three predictions had come true.

In fact, the year was closing with record lows in oil prices, beach parties at the shores of Lagos waterfronts and a First Lady in robust health and set to claim the prize of ghastliest public commentator of the year.

But to be fair to the prophet, he was on point on the removal of the PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, who was already in purgatory when the prediction was made, the oil workers’ strike and the catastrophic warfare between former president Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan.

For 2015, two predictions have struck me so far. They are the one by Pastor J.T. Kalejaiye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the one by Primate Olabayo, founder of the Lagos-based Evangelical Church of Yahweh.

First, Kalejaiye. In his column in the Sun last week, Mike Awoyinfa quoted Kalejaiye as saying there would be a “pleasant surprise in 2015.” He reportedly told the congregation to “go and mark my words.”

Kalejaiye lamented the level of corruption in the country and asked whether it made sense to play the religious, ethnic or crony card in the face of the suffering in the land.

The key thing he said was surprise, which has sparked off a huge debate in cybernistan about what he really meant.

Most think Kalejaiye is pro-Buhari/Osinbajo, especially because the APC vice presidential candidate is a senior pastor in Redeemed

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02.01.15

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Predictions: The Good, The Bad And The Ghastly

Church. They insist that the “pleasant surprise” means Buhari/Osinbajo will win the February 14 presidential poll.

My advice to both sides is neither to get mad nor complacent. Anyone who follows these things closely must understand by now that the first rule of divine prediction is to leave enough room for manoeuvre. The prediction must be pointed enough for you to get the credit when it goes right and vague enough allow for deniability when it goes wrong.

By the same token that some have claimed Kalejaiye was speaking of an upset, if it doesn’t happen, it might also be safely argued that Jonathan’s survival, in spite of the tough odds against him, will also be a pleasant surprise.

You only need to read the last part of Awoyinfa’s column where Kalejaiye was apparently speaking of Governor Kashim Shettima letting the Chibok girls go ahead with their exams in spite of an alleged warning to the contrary, to get the point.

He was for APC and against it at the same time.

Yet there’s obviously one prophet who doesn’t mind hanging out to dry. Primate Olabayo is not a stranger to controversy. He predicted

Prediction must be pointed enough for you to get the credit when it goes right and vague enough allow for deniability when it goes wrong that Al Gore would win the US election in 2005 only for George Bush to emerge. In 2010 he prophesied that the tide of the post-election crisis in 2011 would sweep Jonathan away.

The violence, which didn’t need a prophet to happen, occurred and over 1,000 lives were lost.

And Jonathan?

He transformed from a lamb to a lion, and very much in charge.

Olabayo is at it again. He has, among other things, predicted that there might not be elections next year, and that even if elections are held, there would be a stalemate. According to him, the seat of the president is not vacant; in other words, expect Jonathan to win. The talk of whether or not there would be elections next year or the chances of the elections ending in a stalemate are not exclusive matters of divine visitation.

It’s being spoken about in the

ivory towers and discussed in beer parlours. Was that not the whole point of Bolaji Akinyemi’s open letter to Jonathan and Buhari in which he asked them to sign a pact of restraint?

If we’ll have to listen to Olabayo - for foretelling beer parlour common wisdom then he either has to get a fresh anointing or we enlist him in the book of fake prophets.

And in case he thinks we’ll forget this gaffe as we have the previous ones, we’ll wait to see the result of the governorship election in Lagos which he said would be won by the PDP. Except if the hosts of heaven have been enfranchised and are under divine instruction to line up behind Bode George and Jimi Agbaje, I don’t know how this would come about.

The structures in Lagos, from the ward level up, are so firmly in the hands of the APC that any prediction of their displacement can only be a joke. But Olabayo might respond that in God’s book, there are numerous examples of the triumph of the weak over the strong. Only a fool will argue with a man who says God said.

We’ll see. February 28 is not a century away.

GHANA MUST GO Jonathan’s performance in transport sector unprecedented

— PDP

Especially with more okadas on the roads!

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