Sun 24 Feb 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

S U N D A Y

E D I T I O N BUSINESS 42

COVER 51

NEWSPEOPLE 18

2015:

Ali Mazrui

Those Eyeing President Jonathan’s Job

Picking On Leadership Holes In Deficit In Africa Budget 2013

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,477

www.ngrguardiannews.com

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), introducing his aides to visiting Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff, on her arrival at the State House in Abuja… yesterday.

PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

Fire In Defence Headquarters From Madu Onuorah and Mathias Okwe, Abuja

Govt Tightens Security, Dismisses Terrorist Connection

HE Federal Government is T investigating the cause of yesterday’s inferno at the

cause of the inferno, which engulfed two rooms of the staff clinic at the back of the building located along the Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Area 10, Garki Abuja, had begun. The fire incident, which started around 11pm Friday night, was successfully put out with the assistance of men of the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service at about 11.30pm.

Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Abuja. The fire broke out in one of the buildings at the premises of the ‘Ship House,” which ‘holds’ the administrative base of the nation’s security. Sources in the Ministry said investigations to unravel the

The incident caused two hours of power outage in the Garki District, which threw the area including the Central Business District into darkness. At midnight on Friday night when The Guardian arrived the Ship House area, three fire fighting ambulances, Fire Service personnel and some troops of the Nigerian Armed

Forces were seen at the entrance of the Ministry headquarters, reviewing the operation and apparently discussing the incident. Security was beefed up in and around the Ship House complex and adjoining streets, as stern looking and gun-wielding military personnel conducted quick searches on vehicles heading to the Bolingo

N300

Hotel Junction, by the building. Further down the road at the intersection of the Independence Way, leading to the Central Business District and the Federal Secretariat, adjacent the NNPC Mega Station, a patrol van from the Wuse Police Division effectively blocked the road. By that time of the night, they CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Clinton Warns Of ‘Horrible’ Impact Of Climate Change • Wants Nigeria To Reforest, Produce Ethanol By Marcel Mbamalu, News Editor ORMER President of the FhasUnited States, Bill Clinton, urged the Federal Government to evolve “green” policies that would help the economy depend less on “oil or diesel.” In an exclusive interview with The Guardian after Thursday’s ceremony marking the reclamation of five million square metres of land for the Eko Atlantic City project, Clinton warned African governments of “horrible” implications of paying lip service to global campaign against climate change, saying, “we are going to pay the horrible price if we don’t do something about climate change.” He, therefore, urged poor CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Senior Fellow and Director, Centre for Leadership in Journalism, Pan-African University, Richard Ikiebe (left), Executive Director, Apostles in The Market Place (AiMP), Pastor John Enelamah, Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa, Adeyemi Dipeolu; former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo with Special Guest of Honour and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, during the Annual Partners Dinner of the AiMP, in Lagos... on Thursday.

National Chairman of Labour Party, Dan Nwayanwu (left), former Minister of External Affairs/Guest Lecturer, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Pro-Chancellor, Pan-African University/Chairman of the occasion, Dr Christopher Kolade, Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, and his wife, Olukemi, at Governor Mimiko’s 2nd term Inauguration Lecture, titled: ‘Leadership, Democracy and Development: A Paradigm Relationship,’ at the Cultural Centre, Akure... yesterday.

National Building: Individuals Can Make Difference, Says Akinyemi From Niyi Bello, Akure tree,” they say, “cannot “A make a forest.” But a one-time Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, says individual leaders with strong character can change the course of societies. He listed past heroes who, by sheer personal determination, revised status quo, charted new path and left worthy legacies in both local and international scenes. The professor of International Relations made the observation yesterday during his public lecture at Olusegun Mimiko’s inauguration as second-term governor of Ondo State Governor. He listed Martin Luther King Jnr, Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain, Mao Tse Tung of China, Lee Kwan Yew of Singapore, General Park Chung-Hee of South Korea and Chief Obafemi Awolowo as some few individuals, who proved that a “strong man” can change the course of a society for the benefit of all. “Each of the Asian leaders inherited a rundown and impoverished nation but through sheer forceful personality transformed their countries into the prosperous tigers. “Coming to home front, we all swear by the name of Obafemi Awolowo, at least in this part of the country. The greatest political insult one can hurl at an opponent is to call him an anti-Awoist. And the greatest accolade one can be draped with is to be called an Awoist. “Yet we all seem to forget that Awolowo was the Premier of the Western Region for only five years during which he seized a basically peasant economy by the scruff of its neck, introduced free education, free health, first ring road in Africa, first television station in the continent... a string of firsts still unmatched in

these days of petrol dollars. Even the charlatans in or out of office who are busy looting public treasuries lay claim to the Awolowo heritage,” continued Akinyemi, who spoke on Leadership, Democracy And Development: A Paradigm Relationship. The Former minister charged leaders to learn for examples “successful mod-

els” in their decision-making processes and implementation. He observed that Nigerian leaders at independence had no “collective vision” of the kind of country they wanted to build. He said: “If truth be spoken, there was no collective faith in the Nigerian project. Each of the premiers with his

political associates had a vision for his own region. But there was no vision for the whole country. There were no goals around which a consensus was built. “Only three years after independence, whatever system existed was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the Western Regional Government. From then,

politics of development was replaced by that of looting.” The political scholar charged the elite must to “make a conscious effort” to build a consensus, which he said, should emerge through thorough negotiation as well as compromises. “The system to be put in place should not reflect temporary advantages secured

through temporary monopoly of power. We must find a way to build a nation where no man or woman is oppressed or marginalized; where there is hope for everyone; where everyone through hard work, honesty and integrity will have opportunity to achieve his dreams,” he advised.

Why US Is Interested In Safety Of African Waters, By Military Chief From Odita Sunday, Douala, Cameroon AFETY of the maritime enviSof ronment for smooth sailing merchant vessels has prompted United States of America’s interest in this year’s international sea exercise tagged ‘Exercise Obangame Express,’ hosted by the Republic of Cameroon. USA, a major sponsor of the programme, is leading fifteen other countries from Africa and Europe in the sea exercise billed to end on March 1, 2013. The goal of the exercise, according to US authorities, is to improve maritime safety and security in the Gulf of Guinea. According to the Director of the operation, Captain David Rollo, a former Defence Adviser to the American Embassy in Nigeria, the exercise is aimed at improving the abilities of the Navies of the world to stamp

out criminality at the sea. “The objective of the whole exercise is to improve communications among the navies and also improve our abilities to work together. It is also aimed at improving our abilities to intercept illicit vessels. Communication has always remain an issue in world military, we would keep improving on communications.” He lauded the Nigerian navy for taking the exercise seriously and deploying three of its craft for the operation. According to him, “We are proud of the Nigerian Navy for deploying two of their vessels and the maritime patrol aircraft of the Nigerian Airforce for the exercise. We have Nigerians here in the exercise and instructors for the boarding operations. Nigerian navy has been very professional, very competent and very much original

leader.” “My expectation is to be able to have a successful exercise and be able to bring everybody back safely unhurt. The biggest success is when you

take people to sea and you bring them back safely. That is what we have always prayed for.” Rollo added. The US Military Chief urged world Navies to do away with

the belief that piracy is only a major issue in the water of Somalia. According to him, “It is a growing threat for other areas of Africa.”

Governor Babatunde Fashola (right); the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Manko (left) decorating the Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Hakeem Odumosu who was recently promoted from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), at the Lagos House, Ikeja… Friday.

Clinton Wants Nigeria To Reforest, Produce Ethanol CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 African countries to earn “carbon credits” through reforestation and sustainable agriculture. The former US president said he would like to see Nigeria increase its sugar production “and produce ethanol like the Brazilians, and not drive on oil or diesel. “If you allow me,” he said, “I would have every poor African area earning carbon

credits by reforestation and sustainable agriculture.” President Clinton noted that global insured losses in the last 20 years – as a result of extreme weather conditions — had been tripled. He also stated that the problem could be “far bigger” when Africa and other poor countries with poor insurance history for “this sort of damage” is taken into con-

sideration. He observed that it would be dangerous for African governments to play down on the global fight against climate change, saying, however, that Nigeria’s efforts at reclaiming the land and building the barrier was the proper thing to do. “Nobody can reverse the effects of what has already been done; so, it’s better to mit-

igate it. Reclaiming the land and building this barrier is an environmentally responsible way to mitigate it,” he said. “I will like to see that Nigeria increases its sugar production and produce ethanol like the Brazilians and not drive around on oil or diesel... sustainable agriculture. And I think over the long run we are going to pay the horrible price

Govt Tightens Security At Defence Headquarters CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 were turning traffic back to Area 10, apparently to prevent any arsonist from escaping. Immediately the fire outbreak was brought to the notice of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Olusola Obada, she visited the scene of the incident. A source said: “Yes, investigations has started to find out the cause of the fire incident. Two

rooms in the staff clinic were affected. We need to know what happened, the extent of the damage to the small building or medical items there. And we need to ensure such fire do not reoccur again. “This much was conveyed by the Minister when she visited with top officials of the Ministry. But we have to first find out what happened.” Another source ruled out a terrorist attack, saying, “look,

there should be no insinuation as to the cause. Investigations would unravel that. But I can tell you it is no terrorist attack as some mischievous minds may be saying. “The fire outbreak occurred at the small building housing the clinic at the back of the main building. The fire did not affect the two ship-shaped main building of the Ministry Headquarters,” the source stressed.

if we don’t do some of climate change.” Stressing that every part of the world should increasingly come to grips with these climate changes, President Clinton said he had spent most his life trying to reduce climate change threat, “and trying to find economically beneficial ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; but some of those stuffs are already happening.” Still on the Eko Atlantic, Lagos State Government had successfully reclaimed bogus land and built a wall, that, “based on everything we now know, will all prevent serious flooding and destruction of the environment for decades to come.” The 42nd President of the United States had attended the Lagos event in the company of President Goodluck Jonathan and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, where he made an elaborate speech on the importance of the Eko Atlantic City project.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

NEWS

Nigeria, Brazil Sign MoU On Cooperation

Gunmen Kill Five, Injure Seven

To Set Up Bi-national Commission, Partner On Defence, Security, Others From Madu Onuorah, Abuja RESIDENT Jonathan and his visiting Brazilian counterpart, Dilma Rousseff, yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) setting up the Nigeria-Brazil Bi-national Commission to boost trade and economic activities and strengthen ties between the two nations. The agreement was signed at a closed-door session between both leaders at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. They also called for urgent reform of the UN Security Council to make it more democratic and reflective of changes in the international architecture. “The main thing that will interest you is that we signed an MoU that will lead to setting up of a Bi-national Commission; that is a body that will be meeting from time to time to see in which areas the countries will be interacting. The Vice Presidents of both countries will seat on

the commission, which will be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Jonathan told a joint press conference addressed by both leaders after two hours of talks. He said the commission’s work would cover agriculture and food security, petroleum, power, bio-fuel, trade and investment, mining, education, aviation, infrastructure management, finance and culture. “These are areas (where) we believe that if we work together, we will use them to leverage on the economy of our people, improve the lot of unemployed young men and women and make sure that Nigerians and Brazilians are happy people,” he said. President Jonathan said the bi-national commission would also encourage the private sectors of both countries to work together, especially in the area of inter-investment. The host President said the two countries would also ex-

ABUJA plore opportunities provided by the Africa and South America (ASA) Summit. They described as a welcome development the ongoing effort to reform the UN, saying the reform would better equip the global organisation to meet the current chal-

lenges in the maintenance of international peace and security. In furtherance of their “friendly relations and cooperation”, the two countries exchanged information about their candidates for various international posts and agreed to support each other. Nigeria is a candidate for

GOMBE election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period of 2014-2015, while Brazilian Roberto Azevedo is a candidate for the post of DirectorGeneral of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Presidents Jonathan and Rousseff also agreed to actively collaborate in other sectors including agricul-

FG Explains Outages In FCT, To ‘Restore Power Today’ From Emeka Anuforo HE outages witnessed by electricity consumers in Abuja is due to the evaluation and inspection of the Shiroro Electricity Dam, preparatory to possible maintenance work, the Federal Government said yesterday. Going by assurances of the Presidency, power supply to the nation’s capital should be restored today. The Shiroro Hydroelectricity Dam in Niger State, the Presidential Task Force on Power, said, was shut down as a compulsory measure to ensure a

FCT safe working environment for technicians and evaluators. To facilitate the process, the Presidential Task Force on Power (PTFP) at the weekend met with Abuja regional operators, the Abuja Disco CEO, Ganiyu Umar, and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria, Olusola Akinniranye, to discuss the development and how to prevent a fire brigade approach in the future. Chairman of the Task Force, Beks Dagogo-Jack, who

presided at the meeting, stressed the need to hasten the process to restore steady power supply the Federal Capital Territory. He regretted that Abuja residents have been experiencing electricity load sharing as a result of the plant’s shut down for a long postponed maintenance evaluation. He confirmed that the development lead to the loss of 130 megawatts from February 12, 2013, causing power supply in the city to be affected predominantly during the hours of 8am and 5pm.

From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri USPECTED Boko Haram gunmen shot dead five residents and injured seven others at the Bagadaza area of Gombe metropolis on Friday. The attackers, according to an eyewitness, arrived at about 4pm on two motorcycles and fired shots at over a dozen people as they played poker. The eyewitness said the operation bears semblance with recent attacks by Boko Haram gunmen in the state, which left several persons dead and others injured, and without any of the suspects apprehended by the police. “The gunmen fired sporadically to scare us. Then they attacked the people. They had been playing cards under the tree. They killed five of them. The rest sustained various degrees of injury. They were rushed to a hospital for treatment. The bodies of the five are still lying on the ground. Residents refused attempt by the police to have them taken to a mortuary,” he said. A police officer said: “We pleaded with them to allow us carry the bodies. But the residents insisted the Governor or Commissioner of Police had to be present before the bodies could be moved.”

100 Luxury Buses For Commuters OYO HE Oyo State Government will provide 100 new luxury buses to ease transportation problem in the state, said Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The governor made disclosure while addressing executives and members of three transport unions - the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) in Ibadan at the weekend. This move, he said, would mark the beginning of gradual replacement of all rickety commercial vehicles currently plying the roads with new ones under the state mass transit scheme. Ajimobi said a committee, comprising the transport unions and representatives of the state government, would be constituted to work out modalities. He appealed to members of the unions to cooperate with government in its urban renewal programme, urging them not to allow politicians to use them to foment trouble or work against the administration. In his remark, state Chairman of NURTW, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde, commended the leadership quality of Ajimobi, which he said is responsible for peace in the state. He pledged the support of his members to the administration in the maintenance of peace and a clean environment. In separate remarks, Mr. Kehinde Adeyemo of RTEAN and Mr. Bayo Adekunle of NARTO assured the governor of cooperation and support of their members.

Gov. Peter Obi (left), during a visit to Chief Emeka Anyaoku (right) at Obosi, Anambra State…yesterday.

Court Fixes March 1 For Hearing On AIC, FAAN Suit Akinyemi Tasks Judiciary On Anti-corruption From Niyi Bello (Akure) and Joseph Onyekwere (Lagos) HE Federal High Court, Lagos, said it would hear arguments on the preliminary objection filed by AIC Nigeria Limited challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain a suit filed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) against the firm on March 1. FAAN, through its motion on notice, filed on its behalf on January 22, 2013 by Chijioke Okoli, had sought to restrain AIC, the firm that won a bid to build a $220 million five star hotel at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos from occupying the parcel of land allocated. Meanwhile, Former External Affairs Minister, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, yesterday tasked the Nigerian Judiciary to rise up to the duty of curtailing corruption.

Akinyemi spoke in Akure, Ondo State, during a lecture he delivered to mark the second term inauguration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, which holds today. He noted that the judicial system has mellowed down on the way it handles corruption under President Jonathan’s administration. The Emeritus Professor, who said he knew he “was stepping on toes”, said Nigerian judges now look at corruption cases in perspectives that favour the accused, especially in the way they grant bail and interlocutory injunctions. At the last sitting, counsel to AIC, Professor A. B. Kasunmu, raised a notice of preliminary objection against the motion. The objection was brought, pursuant to the inherent jurisdiction of the court. In it, the defendant is seeking an order of the court

LAGOS striking out the suit on the ground that the court lacks jurisdiction to entertain the action. The matter is before Justice Mohammed Idris. The firm also prayed the court to strike out the suit on the ground that it is an abuse of sourt process, taking cognisance of similar suit pending before the court. The defendants prayed the court: “In the alternative, even if (which is not admitted) this honourable court has the jurisdiction to entertain the plaintiffs claim, the action should be struck out being an abuse of the process of this honourable court, having regard to the reliefs being sought in this case and the reliefs being sought in suit No. FHC/L/CS/1058/2010 and the pending applications in the said suit, particularly, application dated January 26, 2012 and January 11, 2013.” According to the firm’s

counter affidavit to the motion on notice, the land in dispute is the subject matter of arbitration between the parties, which was handled by late Justice Kayode Eso. Deposed to by Abiodun Taiwo, a litigation officer in the chambers of A.B. Kasunmu, the defendants averred that although the arbitrator found favour of AIC Limited on all issues of law and fact raised before him, and awarded the sum of $48, 124, 000 as damages for breach against FAAN, “the arbitrator cannot order specific performance of the contract between the parties, which was in turn based on the ground that the arbitrator would have no power to supervise the enforcement of such an order.” He swore that the property in dispute was leased to AIC Limited for a period of 50 years by Deed of Lease dated February 17, 1998, adding that AIC Limited commenced op-

eration in respect of the Hotel Project on the site that FAAN threatened to take over. “That AIC Limited has not only been in continued and undisturbed possession of the land since 1998; it has also fenced the land round and has structures on the land for its security staff and port cabins for building materials and equipment,” he said. FAAN had filed another suit to set aside the award of the contract in which the firm beat four other bidders in on March 3, 1997, as a result of FAAN’s open invitation. AIC and the aviation agency had been embroiled in bitter acrimony over the plan by the former to execute a concession it won in 1996 to build a multi-billion dollar, Flightpath Hotels and Resorts, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and three other airports, namely, Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt.

4 NEWS

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

NEWS HIV: Female Injection Drug Users At Higher Risk, Says Study By Chukwuma Muanya EMALE injection drug users (IDUs) in Nigeria have higher risk of contracting the dreaded Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) than their male counterparts. A study by researchers at Population Council Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and their United States counterparts at the University of California, San Diego, found that high risk sexual lifestyle, coupled with high risk injecting behaviour, will continue to propagate HIV transmission between IDUs and between IDUs and the general

population, unless appropriate prevention services are in place. The researchers include: George Eluwa, Steffanie A. Strathdeeb, Samson B. Adebayo, Babatunde Ahonsia and Sylvia B. Adebajoa. The researchers found that IDUs are a hidden population and female IDUs are doubly so. They wrote: “High HIV prevalence in females is indeed a cause for alarm, which necessitates further research on female IDUs. Determinants of injecting risk behaviours and the sexual dynamics of IDUs also need to be explored to inform programme and policies for IDUs.”

NATIONAL “Furthermore, the size of IDUs in Nigeria also needs to be estimated through evidence-based methodologies such as capture-recapture. Finally, efforts should be made to include integrated programmes for IDUs at the national and state levels to enable a more coordinated HIV prevention, treatment and care programme in Nigeria.” The study titled: ‘A profile on HIV prevalence and risk behaviours among injecting drug users in Nigeria: Should we be alarmed?’ was published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence. Also, a recent a systematic review and meta-analysis on

mortality among people who inject drugs by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that people who do so have a much higher risk of death than those who do not. The review published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation concluded: “Major causes of death in this group are often poorly specified, but death from drug overdose is common, as is AIDS-related mortality in settings with a high prevalence of HIV infection. HIV positive people who inject drugs have higher mortality not just from HIV-related causes but also from drug overdose. “Mortality varies by participant- and study-level characteristics, which suggests that

multiple factors contribute to the higher risk of death observed in people who inject drugs. Many of these factors are probably modifiable, since certain predominant causes of death account for most of the mortality observed in this group.” The Nigerian study is the first study to use respondentdriven sampling (RDS) to provide relatively unbiased estimates of HIV and risk behaviours among IDUs in Nigeria. It is an improvement of the 2007 Integrated Biologic and Behavioural Surveillance (IBBS) Survey and provides state level analysis of HIV prevalence and injecting risk behaviors.

Nigeria Gets Nod On $50m Fund To Boost Renewable Energy By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE Climate Investment T Funds (CIF) has announced an agreement to provide Nigeria with US $50m to support an African Development Bank-supported programme of financial intermediation for renewable energy and energy efficiency through local banks. It forms part of the country’s national Investment Plan en-

dorsed by the CIF in 2010. The money, being provided under the CIF’s Clean Technology Fund (CTF), is designated to stimulate alternative and efficient ways to generate electricity and reduce dependence on energy sources, which contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The fund will be used to stimulate investment in downstream opportunities that would lead to greater energy

NATIONAL efficiency through a range of technologies, including industrial energy efficiency investments, renewable energy, renewable-based hybrid systems, cleaner fuels and combustion processes. The CTF money will complement support provided through the AfDB private sector window, to help the country address energy efficiency

in critical sectors such as power, agribusiness, transport, telecommunications, and education, by targeting local financial institutions to invest and support shift to clean, efficient and affordable energy in the sectors. The work to improve energy efficiency and increase use of renewables is in line with the country’s national policy framework, designed to lead the nation to an ambitious set of energy goals, including rural energy scale-up and actions, to ensure energy efficiency through a combination of regulations and incentives at the national scale.

Established in 2008 as one of the largest fast-tracked climate financing instruments in the world, the US $7.6b CIF provides developing countries with grants, concessional loans, risk mitigation instruments, and equity that leverage significant financing from the private sector, Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and other sources. Five MDBs – the AfDB, Asian Development Bank (ADB), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and World Bank Group (WBG) – implement CIF-funded projects and programmes.

Govt To Implement Traditional Medicine Policy, Incorporate Herbals In Curricula From Emeka Anuforo, Abuja HE Federal Government has stepped up efforts at implementing provisions of the Traditional Medicine Policy launched in 2007. Nigeria has also commenced implementation of a 2011 WHO/ African Health Ministers resolution, which proposed the integration of traditional medicine into the curricula of medical schools in Africa. Last week, the Federal Government constituted four committees to move the country towards the dual objectives. They are: Committee on Curriculum Development for the Training of Herbal Medical Practitioners at Medical Schools; Committee on Herbal Products Promotion and Export; Committee on National Prescription Policy; and Committee on Education and Training of Paramedics for Nigeria Healthcare System. The committees are to be chaired by Prof. Frank Chinedu; Director General, Nigerian Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD), Prof. Karniyus Gamaniel; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Fatima Bamidele and Chief Medical Director (CMD), University

NATIONAL Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge. They were charged with the task of increasing local capacity in traditional medicine in line with modern trends. Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who commissioned the committees, described traditional medicine as potent therapy that would be up scaled to international standards. He said: “The two herbal committees have become necessary as a result of the increasing demand for herbal medicines worldwide and the need to achieve the objectives and goals of the Traditional Medicine Policy (2007). Herbal medicine is the main component of the traditional system of medicine. It constitutes about 60 per cent of traditional medicine and its use for thousands of years has made a significant contribution to human health. “Despite the rapid expansion and development of conventional medicines, a large number of Nigerians still utilise herbal medicines. In addition, available evidence indicates that some herbal therapies are efficacious and have been the source of many orthodox medicines in use.”

State’s Water Scheme To Gulp N9b

DELTA From Nkechi Onyedika, Asaba ELTA State Government D is to spend about N9b on rehabilitation and expansion of its water scheme in Effurun. State Commissioner for Water Resources Development, Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen, disclosed this when the National Good Governance Tour team visited the project site. He said the scheme is one of the star projects of the state government conceived before the advent of the present administration. He noted that the scheme would provide water on a regional basis to four Local Government Areas, which include Warri South and Uvwie L.G.As, and that under Phase 2 of the project, Udu and Ughelli South Local Government Areas would be covered. Oghenechovwen explained that the water treatment plant has a daily treated water production capacity of 68,000 cubic meters and that each of the 17 boreholes can produce about 170 cubic meters of water per h o u r . The commissioner informed that the population of the local governments represent over 50 per cent of the entire urban population in Delta State. According to him, the project consists of various components, which include a 45-meter high Water Reservoir Tower, with capacity to hold 633,000 gallons of water and two 1,500 KVA generators, which can be stepped up to 1,750 KVA. He further disclosed that the sum of N2.5b out of the about N9b earmarked for the project is yet to be spent. The commissioner said though water can be pumped to some of the areas, rehabilitation is being done on some pipes to reticulate water to the communities. The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, noted that Warri is a major urban area within Delta State and Nigeria, adding that most economic activities in the country depend on what happens in Warri. He, therefore, urged the contractor to speed up completion of the project, emphasising the importance of water in driving economic, industrial and domestic activities. After inspection of the St. Patrick College, Asaba, Maku expressed confidence in the ability of Missions to run public schools, which they once managed.

Nigerian Academy Of Letters Holds 2013 Lecture

NATIONAL HE Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL) will hold its 2013 lecture 11.00am on Thursday, March 7, 2013, at the National University Commission auditorium, Maitama District, Abuja. Titled, ‘Nigeria’s First Century: Critical Pluses and Minuses’, it will be delivered by Prof. Emeritus Tekena Tamuno (D. Litt. London).

ThE GUARDIAN, Sunday February 24, 2013

NEWS

NEWS Maku Expresses Disappointment With Contractor On East-West Road Denies Accepting Money From Governors

NATIONAL From Nkechi Onyedika, Asaba hE Federal Government T has expressed disappointment with the slow pace of

Former Attorney General of Ogun State, Akinolu Osinbajo (left); former Attorney General of Lagos State, Yemi Osinbajo; and eldest son of the family, Femi Osinbajo at the 80th birthday ceremony of their mother, Mrs. Olubisi Osinbajo, at the Cathedral of St. Jude, Ebutte Meta, in Lagos...at the weekend.

Disparity In Freight Charges Killing Eastern Ports – ANLCA RIVERS From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt hE Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has canvassed the abolition of disparity in freight charges in Lagos and Eastern ports. The senior special assistant to ANLCA president, Obi Chima, made this known during the customs joint stakeholders meeting held at Onne Port, Rivers State. he attributed the issue of low volume of container importation being experienced in the entire eastern ports, particularly Port harcourt, to the high freight charges not obtainable to Lagos ports. he, therefore, called on the federal government to reverse the policy to save ports in the east. “Considering the distance between Port harcourt, Onitsha and Aba, importers should naturally use Port harcourt port, but the high freight charges is pushing people to Lagos, because every importer wants to make gain. Government should address this and save the eastern ports from collapse,” he said.

Atiku Tasks Government On Development ORMER Vice President, Atiku Fvernment Abubakar, has called on goat all levels to make necessary investments that would lift the citizens out of poverty. he gave the charge at

NATIONAL the Annual Rotary Foundation Fundraising Dinner/Dance in Lagos, at the weekend. While stressing the need for

good neighbourliness through philanthropy, Atiku said the various tiers of government should not abandon their responsibilities to the governed. According to him, the

Five Killed In Violent Riot From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo hERE is no respite yet to citizens in some parts of the north as five persons were, again, hacked to death in a still raging mayhem in Wukari Local Government Council of Taraba State. The crisis, which started in the early hours of yesterday, was reportedly sparked of by some youths during an early morning football training session, which took place in one of the football pitches located in the town. It was gathered that several houses, worship centres, as well as business outfits were razed by the irate youths, who

TARABA were said to be well armed. An eyewitness said the crisis started when one of the youths, during the training session, shot one of his colleagues because of a minor argument. A retaliation to the shooting sparked off a free-for-all fight, which subsequently degenerated into a religious crises that was still raging as at the time of filing this report. It was gathered that security operatives have not been drafted to the battlefield from Jalingo, the state capital, to bring the situation under control. Daniel Ishaya Gani, represen-

ting the constituency at the state house of Assembly, described the incident as unfortunate. Gani, who is also the house Deputy Majority Leader and chairm a n , house Committee on Information, called on the warring parties to give peace a chance. Amos Olaoye, spokesperson to the state police command, told The Guardian that the police have done its part by dispatching armed anti-riot squad to the area, as well as neighbouring Benue and Plateau states, and the nearby local councils, comprising Ibi, Takum, Gasssol and Donga towns.

primary source of sustenance for the less privileged is government. “That is the job of government. Philanthropy can only support but cannot replace the state. It is only the state that has the capacity, scale, reach and the coordination to lift a large number of people out of poverty and provide them with life-sustaining amenities. “That is why it is important for government, especially in a developing country such as ours with enormous infrastructural, educational and welfare deficits, to have a rethink about development and social provisioning. «We must make the necessary investments to fix our power sector, roads, railways, air/sea ports, and facilities in our educational institutions. That is why our governments need to make massive investments in infrastructure to generate employment for millions of our citizens and spur economic activities,” he said.

Northern Governors Urged To Evolve Agricultural Roadmap From Abba Anwar, Kano CALL has been made to the A northern Nigerian governors to evolve a solid agricultural roadmap to entrench and enhance agricultural development of the north. The call was made by the Kano State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, hajiya Baraka Sani, last week. Addressing journalists in Kano, Sani said the mainstay of the northern economy, which is agriculture, should

• Agreement To Establish Kano Economic City Project Signed have a unified policy that will confront the problens in the sector. For her, the future destination for world food is Africa. She declared: “We must have an agricultural development plan, just like the federal government’s economic roadmap. The northern states need to work together to explore their comparative advantage.” In a related development, a

KANO concession agreement, through Public Private Partnership initiative, has been signed between the Kano State government and a private investor, Integrated Development and Investment Services Ltd (IDIS), for the establishment of Kano Economic City (KANAWA) Project. The project, under a build, own and operate arrange-

ment, when completed would have the following facilities: 15,000 shops, warehouses, expansive trailer parks for 400 trucks and parking lots for 2,000 small vehicles, a 5-star hotel, motel, shopping malls, banks, clinics, police stations, fire service stations, residential estates, bus park, four petrol stations, restaurants, and places of worship. Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, the

chairman, Board of Directors of IDIS and a former Minister of Power, Mines and Steel, disclosed this last week, at the signing agreement that took place at the conference room of Kano State Ministry for Justice. Dalhatu assured that the company would do everything possible at its disposal to see that the first part of the project is ready for commissioning by Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso in the next two years.

work at the Section ‘C’ end of the East-West Road being handled by Setraco Construction Nigeria Ltd. Speaking when the National Good Governance Tour team visited the Trans Warri/Ode Itsekiri Road/Bridges project in Warri, being handled by the same contractor, the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, accused the contractor of performing below expectation. Accusing the firm of negligence, the minister said, “your complaints cannot be security, because there are other companies working on the road. We have seen significant progress in the work by RCC, but there is no activity at your sections. The minister wondered how the contract, awarded to Setraco since 2007, at the cost of N27 billion, with a completion date of 2010, had covered only five kilometres, after the expiration of the deadline. Meanwhile, as criticisms continue to trail the National Good Governance tour, Maku said the tour was a demonstration of government’s commitment to ensure that contracts awarded are executed for the benefit of Nigerians. he dismissed reports that the tour, which had visited 14 states of the federation, have not collected money from any governor of the states visited. “We have visited CPC, APGA and PDP states and none of the governors we have visited would tell you that I, Labaran Maku, or any person in my ministry, has written him to bring money.” “We have been reading all sorts of stories. I have decided not to make any comment because I don’t want our attention to be distracted, but I know that no good programme would go without criticism,” he said.

Upgrade Of Kano Airport Impressive – MD FAAN KANO From Abba Anwar, Kano ALLAM Aminu Kano InM ternational Airport (MAKIA) can now be ranked among other world-class airports in the country. This was the view of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, during a working tour to evaluate the upgrading project at the airport, last week. “This is a trigger of accelerated economic growth. Malam Aminu Kano airport is indeed one of the most assertive, progressive and world-class airports in the country,” he noted. According to Uriesi, the agency is putting in place necessary facilities at the airports to meet international standard. ‘For Kano airport, we are going to build a 5-Star hotel, standard car park and a filling station.’

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile Co-ordinated By: Tope Templer Olaiya

RIVERS:

Playing Politics With N3b Rivmall Shopping Complex From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt T was an idea whose time had fully come when former governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omehia, settled for a shopping mall befitting the oil-rich capital of Port Harcourt. Sadly, the International Rivmall Shopping Complex, awarded by Omehia, before the governor was sacked from office by the Supreme Court on October 25, 2007, has since become a legacy project six years after. In the five months he was in the saddle, the governor had also gone ahead to initiate the rebuilding of Mile One market and reconstruct eleme and eliozu flyover bridges. The idea for the shopping mall project was to improve the level of commerce in the state, as well as provide job opportunities for the teeming youths. The project was reportedly awarded to a contractor, Mr. Patrick Sule Ugboma, at the cost of N3 billion, with N2.5 billion of the project sum released by the state government. Ugboma, it was gathered, built the Rivers State House of Assembly, valued at N4.5 billion, and the Judiciary complex at the cost of N3 billion, during former governor, Peter Odili’s administration. With this pedigree, the contractor moved to site and work began in earnest on the shopping mall. By the time Omehia left office for the incumbent, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the project was nearing 80 percent completion. Six years after, the high hopes that the multi-national business facility would be delivered seems dashed. Activities on the projects have not only stalled, but reptiles and weeds have taken over the abandoned structure.

IvING reasons for abandoning the project, Amaechi, who G last year fielded questions from journalists at a breakfast meeting, alleged that the cost of the shopping complex, located at Aba Road, opposite the office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was inflated. He disclosed

that N2.5 billion of the N3 billion project cost released by Omehia was enough to complete the entire project. Amaechi lamented that despite the whopping amount paid, the contractor was still pestering his administration for more money. He, however, promised to sort out the issues with the contractor and ensure the execution of the project and its utilization, which he noted would provide jobs for the citizens. One year after the hopes were raised, no significant changes were observed at the site of the project when The Guardian visited last week. It was gathered that a South African firm requested to be allowed to complete the project and thereafter run it, a proposal that was denied. A senior civil servant with the state Ministry of Health said the project is jinxed because in Nigeria, politicians rarely complete projects started by their predecessors. According to him, “if they finish such projects, the glory will go to its initiators.” He lamented that such attitude impedes development and affects the growth of the economy. “Giving excuses that the money awarded for the project was too much is no longer tenable. What is important is for the project, which has

‘

It is unreasonable to award contracts to please friends, but the question of abandonment is not in the interest of the people. What needs to be done is for government to bring an independent procurement expert to value the contract, which would justify its real cost or re-negotiate if necessary.

’

reached an advanced stage, to be completed in record time.” But the director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Anyakwe Nsirimovu, argued that state funds ought to be spent judiciously to improve the lives of the people. The human rights lawyer pointed out that contracts should not be inflated or awarded to please friends. While noting that it was unwise to abandon a project, which has gulped N2.5 billion, he said government should have investigated the contract to ascertain if it was inflated and subsequently re-negotiate with the contractor to ensure its execution. “It is unreasonable to award contracts to please friends, but the question of abandonment is not in the interest of the people. What needs to be done is for government to bring an independent procurement expert to value the contract, which would justify its real cost or re-negotiate if necessary.” HeRe is, however, a feeling of resentment among resiT dents over the stalled project. A university don with the department of Sociology in University of Port Harcourt, Dr. Sofiri Peterside, attributed the ugly development to a lack of understanding of governance without bitterness. He explained that government is an institution, which implies that projects started by previous governments ought to be continued and executed by the present administration. “Continuity remains the substratum of government. If projects have been awarded and paid for, current government should be committed to completing it because if that project is completed, it would have added to job creation and improvement of lives of the people,” he said. Also irked are some jobless youths, who expressed sadness over the abandoned project. An artisan, emeka Uzonna, said it was annoying that the present administration is not doing enough to provide enabling environment for its teeming graduates.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

THe GUArDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

CITYFILe

LAGOS: Public School Teachers Turn Food venBy Abraham Oladipupo rOm a battle of wits, it has grown into a public spat, with both parties spoiling for a showdown. This is what public education has been turned to, where school teachers on government’s payroll have abandoned the primary responsibility of teaching to wrestle with food vendors for the attention of pupils. The scene of this brewing development is at Orile Iganmu, Olodi Apapa, Ojo and Agbara areas of Lagos State. For affected food vendors, who situate their wares around the schools complex, the situation has warranted taking their case to the court of public opinion. In unison, they are lamenting the loss of patronage to the teachers, who have dropped their chalk and now get busy moving coolers of rice, beans and pots of stew. To make matters worse, buying lunch meal from their teachers have been made mandatory for the students, which is a double jeopardy for pupils, who come to school with lunch packs, or whose mothers are food vendors. Ironically, the situation is not a one-off, as it seems to be a new pastime for teachers, locked in the rat race to make ends meet. This trend is so strategically conceptualized among some of the teachers that in a bid to avoid conflict of interests, the days of the week and meal varieties have been duly allocated among those interested in the budding trade. While some teachers sell only rice, others trade in beans, eba, indomie, yam, snacks and other delicacies. Depending on the number of interested parties, a zoning formula is further adopted with some days of the week assigned to ‘mama Put’ teachers, all in the bid to lockout the food vendors, who line the walls of the schools.

Ome of the schools The Guardian visited include Iganmu SSenior High School, Orile; Cardoso High School, Badia; Agboju Secondary School and Ilogbo Primary and Secondary School, both in Ojo; Imoye High School, mile Two; and randle Secondary School, Apapa. In some of the schools, a measure of latitude is allowed for pupils to choose between their teachers and other food vendors, while others place strict mandate on the students, with a stiff penalty for defaulters. One of the food vendors beside a school at Olodi-Apapa, who simply identified herself as madam Kikelomo, said the teachers are not playing fair. “Nobody is against them bringing

their food to sell because competition is the name of the game, but they should not make it mandatory for students to buy from them, with threats of failing them if they do otherwise. “If their food is too sweet and the pupils, including my children who attend the school decide not to buy from me, no problem. It’s a free world. What is bad is not allowing the stu-

dents to make their choice of where they want to spend their money,” she said. “I am relatively young here. So, I can’t debunk or confirm the story but some of my co-vendors told me the situation had persisted for long. The teachers bring food, snacks and other edibles, which they stock in their staff rooms and offices. “Sometimes, they take their wares to the class and sell to students before break time. By the time the students are on break, there is no money left on them,” said a food vendor at Ilogbo Primary School, Ojo. Another food vendor told The Guardian that the practice is widespread with the connivance of local government officials. “Who would dare to report this to the local government when madam (referring to one of the teachers) is still alive. It is only the Lagos State government that can come to our rescue.” OWever, one of the vice Principals in Ilogbo debunked H the allegations, accusing the food vendors of being economical with the truth. He, however, confirmed that the teachers have a venture, which oversees their business interests. “We have what we call Teacher’s venture. The venture employs those who operate business interests for the teachers. There is no teacher that officially sells food in this school. What we have are those employed by the teachers’ venture and co-operatives. No individual teacher sells food in this school. The teachers only share proceeds from the venture at the end of the year.” When confronted that some students confirmed the story, the vP refused vehemently. “No, you have no right to talk to the students because they don’t know the true picture. What I just told you is the authentic information.” He added that what the food vendors need to do, instead of complaining, is to improve on the quality of their food, as this may account for why students no longer patronize them. “Some of us don’t eat their food due to its low quality. I don’t eat their food as a person, I just take snacks.”

DRY PORT: Food vendors outside a public secondary school waiting endlessly for pupils to patronise their wares.

rivmall Shopping Complex, Six Years After project that has gulped N2.5 billion already. The lawyer questioned the rationale behind the re-construction of the dilapidated super-board complex near the Government House into a modern shopping complex, with giant billboard erected across the city, while a multi-national business outfit that is over 70 percent completed is left unattended. “I learnt that a South African company asked to be allowed to complete the project and run it, a request the state government did not heed. The money involved is rivers people money and does not belong to an individual. If government feels the venture was hyped, there are several ways to address it and still execute the project,” eliekima noted. efforts to speak with the state ComFFOrTS to speak with the project initiator, Celestine Omehia, was fu- missioner for Works, victor Giadom, were not successful. His phones rang tile, as his phones rang without response, but his lawyer, Chief Somina severally without response, and text messages sent requesting to know if eliekima, in a telephone interview, there were plans to commence work on said it was senseless to abandon a

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Narrating his experience, he said: “I have three brothers, who are graduates but have no jobs. I did not go to school, yet I am the one feeding them. It’s so sad that in this country, there are no plans for the growing generation, particularly products of our ideas’ bakery, which are the universities.” Investigations carried out revealed that among major projects initiated by Omehia, Amaechi has completed the first phase of the mile One market and the reconstruction of eleme flyover. Traders have moved into the new market while opening of the eleme flyover has reduced the gridlock at eleme junction.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

CITYFILE

Living In Lagos Without Stress By Tope Templer Olaiya, Assistant Lagos-City Editor IVING in Lagos can be as stressful as living in a war zone; the weather is constantly humid, traffic is hellish, living conditions are horrid, the government doesn’t give a shit, and in the last few days, Lagosians might have had a taste of what hell jmay look like with the midday intense heat. For most residents, it couldn’t have been worse with last year’s ban on commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, from plying some roads in the state. The enforcement of the ban, which began in October, turned violent when okada operators took to the streets to protest indiscriminate arrest of their members and subsequent seizure of their motorcycles. They, in the process, destroyed public facilities, including BRT buses. This, however, angered the state government, warranting a heavy clampdown on the defaulters by policemen, even on inner-city streets, not included in the official restriction notice. All these have made life miserable for Lagosians. At every bus-stop, commuters are seen stranded, while some were left with no option than to take a long trek to their destinations. Even car owners are not spared. The ban has witnessed an increase in the number of vehicles on the roads, as those who rarely use their cars, for fear of being held up in traffic and missing business engagements, have no option than to put their cars on the road and spend hours in traffic. The worries do not end there, as every person behind the wheels are weary of policemen and other law enforcement agents in several shades of uniforms, prowling the streets to enforce the Lagos Traffic Law, which among other regulations, banned eating while driving, making phone calls, and driving against the traffic, with many of the oneway streets unmarked. All these are enough to stress out even the calmest soul, and sometimes most people who are stressed out don’t even know it until it’s too late. No wonder then CNN’s Christiane Amanpour called Lagos the third unlivable city in the world after Harare in Zimbabwe and Dhaka in Bangladesh.

CCORDING to health experts, constant A stress puts one’s health at risk. If the mind and body are constantly on edge because of excessive stress, one may face serious health problems. But it is an irony of sorts that the city of Lagos, which prides itself as the centre of excellence and commercial capital of Nige-

THIS IS LAGOS: Chaotic scene at Lagos-Abeokuta expressway ria, still attracts visitors in their hundreds daily. by the environment. A stress expert, Dr. Noble Oguguo, however, “In the journey through life, the environment disagrees that living in Lagos induces a special throws challenges at us and make demands on kind of stress on any individual. In his words, us. The inability to meet up with the challenge “it is a function of mindset. The same environ- and the individual caves in under pressure is ment that poses a challenge to an individual what exposes him to distress. On the other could well be an opportunity to another be- hand, the demand on an individual that will cause a lot depends on the individual’s disposi- make him mobilize resources – time, talent, tion. What is a problem for one person could be treasure, skill, good health, intelligence, conturned to an opportunity for another.” ceptual ability, family and social network – to He noted that the environment generally confront the challenge successfully is Eustress.” throws up challenges, whether in the city or in Oguguo, author of Executive Stress Managea village, but a lot depends on the coping skills ment: A Strategic Approach To Stress Without Disof the individual. “The basic difference between tress, listed the causes of stress to include self an individual with good coping skills and the (health, debt, low self-esteem), family, work, unother with poor coping skills is the disposition realistic targets and inability to meet expectaof the mind and the understanding of the con- tions, while the health problems of stress are text and content of the challenges thrown up high-blood pressure, damage to blood vessels,

heart attack, diabetes and poor performance. N some coping strategies, the stress exO pert advised people to avoid unnecessary stressors like learning to say no, expressing feelings instead of bottling them up, accepting the things one cannot change, be willing to compromise, making time for fun and relaxation and adopting a healthy lifestyle. “People often ask me how they can maintain a healthy lifestyle and I say it’s simple: exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, reduce caffeine and sugar, avoid alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, and get enough sleep,” he said. Oguguo can be reached on hospbizmgners@yahoo.com 08023153888

How Mansard Insurance Helped Recover My Car — Joseph Benjamin Itamaga Community Comes Alive With Medical Outreach By Daniel Anazia OLLYWOOD actor, Joseph Benjamin, has applauded Mansard Insurance Plc, for helping to recover his stolen car. The Toyota Camry 2007 Model, which was stolen at gunpoint last Sunday evening by armed robbers in Magodo, Lagos, was recovered by the insurance firm after news of the robbery went viral on social media and battled for prominence on blog sites. Though the MTN Project Fame co-host was in Aberdeen, Scotland for the screening of the

Joseph Benjamin on set.

movie, Tango With Me, at the time of the robbery, his friend was said to be in the car. When contacted, Joe said the incident happened around 7pm. “I had just returned to London from Aberdeen for a photo shoot, when my friend called and was hysterical on the phone. She said my car had been snatched in Magodo and was crying her heart out. I had to calm her down and assure her that there was no problem. Immediately, I called my insurance company, Mansard (for-

mer Guaranty Trust Assurance Plc) and informed them of the theft. And they told me not to panic that the car would be recovered in no time.” Joe said while he did not doubt his insurers, he felt the urge to broadcast the news on blackberry, just in case anybody saw it around. “I also put out my London phone numbers for anybody with information that could lead to the recovery of the car.” The car, according Joseph, was recovered in Ipaja, a suburb of Lagos in less than 15 minutes after it was stolen. “I was shocked when about 15 minutes later, a staff of Mansard called me to say the car had been found in Ipaja and that they had demobilised it. The caller even said that the police was on their way to pick it. I didn’t believe it until my friend went to confirm that it was indeed true! I never knew insurance was like that o,” he said. He concluded by saying he was happy no life was lost in the incident, while urging Nigerians to embrace comprehensive insurance policy. “I thank God for everything and Mansard Insurance for their efforts. Honestly, without the insurance, my car would have been gone for good. I enjoin people to endeavour to insure their cars, not just any insurance, but com-

T started four years ago and today, Paincare Outreach, a welfare programme of a Lagos-based pharmaceutical company, Greenlife, has become a monthly initiative, which gives back to the public through free medical campaigns. The February 2013 edition recorded a massive turnout of residents in Itamaga, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, and was held in partnership with the Redeemed Christian Church of God, House of Jubilation parish, where bags of rice, noodles and medicines were freely given out. There were over 100 volunteers involved in the project, which included doctors, nurses and pharmacists.” Peter Nwosu, managing director of the company, said the programme was designed

mainly to minister to the spiritual and material needs of the people. “We want to touch lives and make people know that the Lord loves them without discrimination.” Pastor Gbenga Olukoya, the Assistant Pastor in charge of Lagos Province 33, was full of appreciation for the project initiator, Peter Nwosu, for his kind gesture. One of the beneficiaries of the outreach, Alhaji Mouka Lawal, also thanked the organizers for bringing the project to the community. Nwosu said he was born without the proverbial silver spoon, but endured hardship to rise to his present position. This, he said, is the reason why he has remained faithful to the community of the needy where he once belonged.

From left: CEO of Greenlife Pharmaceuticals and Chairman of Paincare Outreach, Peter Nwosu; recipient of the outreach programme, Mrs. Oladunni Adenike; and Pastor Steve Akindara, an oﬃcial of Paincare.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

CITYFILE

Rivers Residents Laud End To Fuel From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt FTER months of long queues and fighting in filling stations due to scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) known as petrol, normalcy has returned to fuel outlets in Rivers State. A visit to some stations across the state revealed availability of petroleum products. Most of the marketers were seen idle, beckoning on motorists to come and buy fuel, which was completely strange some months ago when people spent between four to six hours in filling stations just to get fuel. The Guardian findings showed that most of the major and independent marketers were now selling PMS for N97 per litre. In the bid to, however, ensure the availability of the product at the government approved price and check product adulteration, which often results in the breakdown of vehicles, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) recently embarked on a surveillance exercise in Rivers, where over 30 outlets were sealed for engaging in sharp practices. While most residents are pleased with the availability of petroleum products without much hassles, they, however, reasoned that only functional refineries in the country would solve the perennial problem of fuel scarcity, especially during festive periods.

A lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt, who was at the Total filling station in Rumukpoku, Obio-Akpor local government area, Ovet Ekajunwa, said the availability of PMS was necessary for the rapid development of the country. The university don argued that the fluctuations experienced in the availability of petroleum products would be tackled if the nation’s re-

fineries were put in place. “During the civil war, ex-Biafran leader, late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, used a mobile refinery to fight the war. So, to build a refinery across the country will not take up to one year, we have the resources to do that,” he said. DPR Chief Petroleum Inspector Officer, Downstream, Mr. Jerome Udegbunam, confirmed that the

A filling station in Port Harcourt devoid of long queues.

availability of PMS in the state was as a result of an increase in supply. He said the agency is doing its best to stop sharp practices by petroleum marketers. “DPR has been on a routine exercise to ensure that the products gets to the consumers. Right now, we are experiencing a lot of importation, so there is an increase in supply,” he said.

Firm Marks Five, Engage Nigerian Consumers On The Next Big Things HE world changes at an increasingly rapid T rate and companies continue to seek new ways of reaching out to consumers in order to

move their products and gain upper hand in a globalized economy. What are the next ‘Big Things’ in engaging the Nigerian consumer was the question a marketing colloquium at the Lagos Business School (LBS) sought to provide answers to last week. Organised by the LBS Alumni Association in partnership with Proximity Communications as part of the 5th year anniversary celebration of the rapidly growing company, the seminar with the theme Engaging the Nigerian Consumer: The Next Big Things had heavyweight speakers in the Nigerian marketing communications space. Moderated by Idy Enang, the former Managing Director of Samsung Nigeria, the speakers included Austin Ufomba, current Marketing and Innovation Director of Guinness Nigeria, a post he previously held at Coca-Cola Nigeria; Kachi Onubogu, the Commercial Director of Promasidor Nigeria, and Enitan Denloye, the Brand and Communications Director at Etisalat Nigeria. In setting the ball rolling, Rotimi Olaniyan, the Managing Director of Proximity Communications, articulated the reason behind the colloquium. Reminding the audience of the importance of brand building, he noted that brands are the ultimate social construction and their success is largely measured by the ways they are communicated to and engaged by consumers. In ending, Olaniyan charged the speakers to throw light on a number of key questions that address the central issue of engaging the Nigerian consumer in the post-modern age that we live in. These include the next areas of focus, the challenges faced by brand owners, and the opportunities arising from the digital age. True to the words of the Director of the LBS Alumni, Henry Onukwuba, the evening proved a fully enlightening and rewarding one for attendees. Little wonder that part of the discussion at the post seminar dinner was about the der severe deterioration as a result of the activi- next edition of the marketing colloquium and ties of articulated vehicles and trucks by sand the need to make it a regular feature of the LBS diggers in Epe, Temu, Ketu and Ikorodu. The activities of these vehicles have a negative impact on the road network, to the extent that Council Inaugurates New Area community leaders had on severe occasions Office, Market Hall sought ways of restricting them from plying the routes. HAIRMAN of Ejigbo Local Council Develop“However, we could not carry out the threat ment Area in Lagos State, Kehinde Bamigbebecause they are also Nigerians going about tan, has been commended for making their legitimate businesses,” said Alhaji Ibrahim government at the grassroots easily accessible Ahmed, a community leader in Epe, who com- to the people, through the provision of public mended the efforts of LSPWC, which he de- utilities. The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademorin scribed as their saviour. Similar words of appreciation came for the Kuye, gave the commendation recently, when agency by Ketu-Ejinrin residents, who had for he visited the council to commission the new long, suffered what they described as “untold Jakande Area office and market hall. hardship” on the road, as a result of potholes Kuye, who had earlier flagged off the distribution of free school uniform to 8,000 pupils in and craters. According to the chairman of one of the trans- the council area, said the giant strides made by port unions, Epe to Ikorodu is a journey of less Bamigbetan and other councils chairmen in Lathan 45 minutes, “unfortunately, we end up gos State has justified the creation and existence spending about two hours. Besides, the condi- of the additional 37 councils in the state. tion of the road is taking its toll on our vehicles, The commissioner added that the creation of resulting in a weakened shock absorber, dam- the area office would enable people residing in aged exhaust pipes and burst tyres. But with the Jakande Estate to find it easy to relate with the intervention of the LSPWC, we are now heave a council, without necessarily travelling to the council secretariat, particularly when it comes sigh of relief,” Mukaila Raheem said. The LSPWC boss, however, lamented the con- to payment of their rates and levies. stant vandalisation of manholes and gratings Kuye also commended the council chairman on the road. “The vandals have been constitut- for providing a market hall for traders in the to meet and discuss on issues bothering on ing nuisance to the activities of the agency, area their activities. He urged the traders to make the which is why we are replacing the cast iron ma- best use of the hall, which is at the back of the terial to recycled plastic material, made out of new area office, by contributing to the economic composite resin fibre. growth of the council. “This initiative has actually worked well since The traders, led by the Iyaloja of Jakande Estate its introduction, because of its zero market market, Mrs. Adebiyi, showered encomiums on value. This is unlike the previous ones that Bamigbetan for providing the hall for them. could be converted to other uses,” he noted.

Agency Promises Quality Work, Regular Road Maintenance By Tunde Alao N the bid to extend its road maintenance activities to all parts of the state, the Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC) has concluded plans to establish two new asphalt production plants. The plants, to be located in Imota, a suburb in Ikorodu, and Badagry, is part of the current administration’s plan to make materials for road maintenance readily available. Besides, there is collaboration between the agency and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), which would entail LSPWC selling asphalt to the federal agency at dis-

counted rate, a move that will see it respond effectively to road maintenance needs, especially federal roads in Lagos. According to the chairman of LSPWC, Gbenga Akintola, the corporation rehabilitated 705 roads in the state last year and there are plans to repair 1,000 this year. “We plan to fix 100 manholes, 250 gratings and construction of drains in 17 locations in nine local government areas. Between January 1, 2013 and now, we have maintained over 190 roads.” The plan of action for the year has started to yield results, especially along the Ikorodu-Imota and Ito-Ikin-Epe axis. These routes have been un-

Lagos Orders Removal Of Commercial Vehicles Under Ojuelegba Bridge By Kamal Tayo Oropo HE Lagos State government at the weekend ordered the removal of commercial vehicles operating under the bridge located at a Lagos suburb, Ojuelegba, just as it appealed to residents to ensure a flood-free Lagos in 2013 by cleaning their drainage channels. The state government also stressed that efforts are in top gear to complete dredging and construction of drainages channels across the state, warning residents to desist from erecting structures on drainage channels. Speaking after monitoring the monthly environmental sanitation exercise at Surulere Local Government, the State Commis-

sioner for Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, who bemoaned the unkempt state of the popular bridge premises, said the state would landscape the premises and beautify it. The commissioner said he had directed the General Manager of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) to beautify the place, saying it is totally illegal to turn the place to a park. Bello, who reeled out plans by his ministry to sustain the tempo of flood-free Lagos, urged residents to collaborate with the state government to ensure the state do not record lasting flood in 2013. On NIMET prediction of heavy rainfall in some states and the consequent flooding, Bello said though Lagos was not among the

likely affected states in the forecast, it is leaving no stone unturned to curtail flooding. “Yes, we know about the forecast, but I can tell you that the state recorded success in last year’s effort to curtail flooding. Of course there were cases of fast flooding. “There may be flooding if it rains continuously for three days due to our geographical location as coastal a area, but I can assure Lagosians that it would subside after few minutes because all the strategies to curtail flood are being put in place.” The environmental sanitation monitoring also cleared some makeshift structures under bridges and arrested some motorists who flouted the movement restriction order.

THe GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

FOReIGNNeWS

‘Many Die’ In Ifoghas Mountain Battle MALI HIRTeeN Chadian soldiers and T 65 Islamist insurgents have been killed in heavy fighting in a remote part of northern Mali, Chad’s military says. It says Friday’s clashes occurred in the Ifoghas mountains, where many militants are believed to be hiding. Last month France led an operation to help oust Islamists who seized the vast northern region of Mali in 2012. The US military says it has deployed surveillance drones in Niger to gather information on

the Islamist militants. The intelligence collected by a 100strong contingent of US personnel from across the border is being shared with French troops in Mali, who are assisting thousands of troops from African states. Islamist rebels are believed to have retreated to the Ifoghas mountains a desert area in the Kidal region near the border with Algeria - after being forced from northern population centres in recent weeks. In a statement issued late on Friday, the Chadian army said it had “destroyed five vehicles and killed 65 jihadists”, adding that 13 of its soldiers had been killed and anoth-

er five wounded. earlier this month, some 1,800 Chadian soldiers began patrolling the city of Kidal. Chad has pledged to send 2,000

troops to Mali as part of the African-led mission. Fighting between Islamist insurgents and Malian troops - backed by French soldiers - also continued

in the central city of Gao. On Thursday, the coalition said it had recaptured the city hall, which had been seized by militants a day earlier.

Nuclear Waste Tanks ‘Leaking’ UNITED STATES IX underground storage tanks at a SWashington nuclear site in the US state of are leaking, authorities say. Governor Jay Inslee described the situation at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation as “disturbing news”. But he stressed that there was no current risk to human health. Nearly 200 ageing containers hold millions of litres of radioactive waste left from decades of plutonium production for nuclear weapons.

“There is no immediate or nearterm health risk associated with these newly discovered leaks, which are more than five miles (8km) from the Columbia River,” Mr Inslee said in a statement. “But nonetheless this is disturbing news for all Washingtonians,” he added. Last week, a leak was reported in one of the storage tanks. Officials said it was leaking at a rate of up 300 gallons (1,136 litres) per year. They said that tests had not detected higher radiation levels near the tanks.

Royal Inaki Faces Corruption Probe He King of Spain’s son-in-law SPAIN T has been questioned by a judge in Mallorca over a growing corruption scandal that has embarrassed the royal family. Inaki Urdangarin, the Duke of Palma, is suspected of misusing millions of euros in public funds that were given to a charitable foundation he ran. The duke has denied wrongdoing and has not been charged with any crime. It is the second time he has been questioned. A crowd of protesters jeered as he arrived at the court in Palma. The session was held behind closed doors, but Spanish media reports say the duke read a statement distancing King Juan Carlos from the corruption scandal.

The royal house “had no opinion, did not advise and did not authorise” any of his activities at the nonprofit Noos institute, he is reported to have told the investigating judge and prosecutors. “On the contrary, when the accusations arose, the palace recommended I stop any activity not considered appropriate to my institutional status, which I did,” he is reported to have added. Inaki Urdangarin, 45, a former Olympic handball player, is married to King Juan Carlos’s second child, Princess Cristina. He was suspended from official royal engagements in December last year.

Indian family members of M.Vijaya Prasad, who was badly injured in a recent blast, cry outside a hospital in Hyderabad… yesterday. India's government was accused of major intelligence failures after twin bicycle bombings killed 16 people, as it emerged police were warned months ago of a possible attack at the site. PHOTO: AFP

Opposition SNC Pulls Out Of Talks He opposition Syrian National T Coalition (SNC) has pulled out of a series of international meetings in protest at what it said was the “shameful” failure to stop violence. The SNC said it had decided not to attend a meeting of the Friends of Syria Grouping in Rome next month. It was also turning down invitations for talks in Washington and Moscow.

SYRIA A statement singled out Russia for supporting and supplying weapons to President Bashar al-Assad. “The international silence on the crimes committed every day against our people amounts to participating in two years of killings,” the SNC said. “The Russian leadership especially bears moral and political responsibility for supplying the regime with weapons,” it added.

POPE RESIGNATION

The decision to boycott international diplomatic meetings in Syria effectively torpedoes the initiative launched by SNC leader Moaz alKhatib, the BBC reports. Three weeks ago he announced that he was ready to meet Syrian government representatives to discuss an end to the violence. The initiative was strongly backed by international powers including Russia and he was invited to Washington and Moscow. Now those visits will not take place.

By Kamal Tayo Oropo (with agency reports)

Vatican Attacks Pope Resignation ‘Gossip’ … As Alleged Cross-Dressing Priest Sex Ring Persists He Vatican’s chief spokesperson has, for the umpteenth time, criticised the media for reporting “misinformation” about the Church. Father Federico Lombardi, according to the BBC, said some were trying to profit from a time of disorientation in the Catholic Church to spread “gossip” and “slander”. Father Lombardi made the comments in an editorial on the Vatican radio website. Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, the first by a pope in nearly 600 years, takes effect next Thursday. His decision surprised many within the Church. There have been recent articles in the Italian and international media suggesting intrigue and corruption in the Church. An unconfirmed report in one of Italy’s biggest newspapers, La Repubblica, suggested that the Pope had resigned shortly after being presented with a dossier detailing a network of Vatican priests, “united by sexual orientation” who were being blackmailed. Without giving credence to such allegations or addressing the report specifically, the Vatican spokesman said those putting themselves in positions of judgement had no authority to do so. “Whoever has money, sex and power at the forefront of their mind sees the world through these parameters and cannot see beyond, even when looking at the Church,” he said. “Their view cannot look to the heights or go in-depth to understand the spiritual dimensions and motivations of existence,” he added. Of all the rumors floating around about just why Pope Benedict XVI is hanging up his camauro, one has taken on a life of its own. According to several well-placed vaticanisti—or Vatican experts—in Rome, Benedict is resigning after being handed a secret red-covered dossier that included details about a network of gay priests who work inside the Vatican, but who play in secular Rome.

The priests, it seems, are allegedly being blackmailed by a network of male prostitutes who worked at a sauna in Rome’s Quarto Miglio district, a health spa in the city center, and a private residence once entrusted to a prominent archbishop. The evidence reportedly includes compromising photos and videos of the prelates—sometimes caught on film in drag, and, in some cases, caught “in the act.” Revelations about the alleged network are the basis of a 300page report supposedly delivered to Benedict on December 17 by Cardinals Julian Herranz, Joseph Tomko, and Salvatore De Giorgi. According to reports, it was on that day that Benedict XVI decided once and for all to retire, after toying with the idea for months. He reportedly closed the dossier and locked it away in the pontifical apartment safe to be handed to his successor to deal with. According to reports originally printed by La Repubblica newspaper and the newsweekly Panorama (and followed up across the gamut of the Italian media), the crimes the cardinals uncovered involved breaking the commandments “Thou shalt not steal” and “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” the latter of which has been used in Vatican-speak to also refer to homosexual relations instead of the traditional reference to infidelity. The Pope’s former butler Paolo Gabriele was convicted and later pardoned for stealing documents from his office. Referring to the upcoming conclave, during which the next leader of the Catholic Church will be chosen, Father Lombardi also suggested that the media was exerting “unacceptable pressure to condition the vote of one or other member of the college of cardinals”. This is probably directed towards attempts by the American media to dissuade US cardinals alleged to have covered up clerical sexual abuse scandals from travelling to take part in the vote. Later last night, the Pope held a farewell meeting with the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

Meanwhile, it is believed that the sleuthing cardinals ran a parallel investigation to the Vatican tribunal’s criminal case against the butler, but theirs was far more covert and focused not on the mechanics of the Vatileaks, but on who within the Roman Curia might be the brains behind them. And, according to the leaked reports, what the “007 Priests” found went far beyond the pope’s private desk. “What’s coming out is very detailed Xray of the Roman Curia that does not spare even the closest collaborators of the Pope,” wrote respected Vatican expert Ignazio Ingrao in Panorama. “The Pope was no stranger to the intrigues, but he probably did not know that under his pontificate there was such a complex network and such intricate chains of personal interests and unmentionable relationships.” The existence of a gay-priest network outside the fortified walls of Vatican City is hardly news, and many are wondering if it is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg of sex scandals. In 2010, investigative journalist Carmello Abbate went undercover with a hidden camera to write a shocking exposé called “Good Nights Out for Gay Priests”. Abbate caught the priests on hidden camera dirty dancing at private parties and engaging in sex acts with male escorts on church property. He also caught them emerging from dark bedrooms just in time to celebrate mass. In one postcoital scene, a priest parades around seminaked, wearing only his clerical vestments. “This is not about homosexuality,” Abbate told The Daily Beast when he published the exposé. “This is about private vices and public virtues. This is about serious hypocrisy in the Catholic Church.” Because so much of the secret lives of gay priests is actually not so secret thanks to Abbate’s exposé and subsequent book, Sex and the Vatican, many are wondering what else could be hidden in the alleged red-covered dossier. Vatican elite have also been loosely tied to a number of other secular scandals during Benedict’s tenure, including the ultra-tawdry affair between former Lazio governor Piero Marrazzo and several transvestite prostitutes, including one named “Brenda” who was found burned to death in 2009.

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013 | 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook Varsities And Quality Admissions By Ndukaeze Nwabueze DMISSION into Federal Universities in Nigeria today is based on a three-legged formula of 45 per cent by Merit, 35 per cent by Catchment and 20 per cent by Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS). This formula is wrong on all sides. What it translates into is that if an academic department is allocated a quota of 100 candidates by the National Universities Commission (NUC), only 45 out of that number will come by merit. As many as 35 will be by originating from states contiguous to the University’s location while 20 will be decided on a basis that will ensure even educational development among the federating states and nationalities in the country. The implication of this admission principle is ominous. Regretfully, a higher proportion of the students is admitted on the basis of ascriptive criteria rather than achieved performance or individual ability. This is hard to rationalize in a nation’s university system that is bedeviled by declining standards, examination malpractices and global non-competitiveness. The 20 per cent of ELDS is as officially claimed to encourage educationally backward states to catch-up with the rest. The ELDS states are mainly the 19 Northern States. The tragedy of this principle is that it has no way of encouraging candidates of Northern origin to apply, let alone being considered for admission in universities located in the southern part of the country. The experience is that over the years, Northern candidates do not come forward to avail themselves of this reservation. The rational thing often done by admission authorities is to share the 20 per cent between ‘merit’ and ‘catchment’ and other considerations and thereby sacrifice quality for state of origin by increasing the overall proportion to be admitted by discretional and criteria other than merit. This compromise discriminates further against meritocracy while favouring candidates that hail from the states contiguous to the university and officially designated as within the catchment area of the University. Even if the candidates from educationally disadvantaged states were to be coming forward to claim their reserved quota, that would be possible only through denying some more qualified nationals of the chances, which they are entitled to by merit. Some will argue that this is a price that we all collectively must be prepared to pay in an unevenly developed multicultural society in order to garner mutual inclusiveness and social integration. But this means dropping the admission cut-off point so low and sometimes ridiculously low in relative terms to accommodate the ‘disabled’ candidates. The question that begs for answer borders on the immorality, the injustice and inequality among and between classes of nationals and the impact this has on patriotic feeling given the inevitable sense of alienation and relative deprivation by candidates who suffer reversed discrimination from educationally well-off states. For example, before the advent of postJAMB when admissible minimum JAMB score by University of Lagos was 200 points an ELDS candidate with that score would be admitted while his counterpart from non-ELDS states with a score of as high as of 250 may not make it into the admission list. That is if the merit cut-off for admission into the programme is above 250 points. The argument against this is the same

CONversation

against the Federal Character principle and ethnic and regional balancing which politicizes choice, valorizes mediocrity and treats merit with disdain. Without any further argument, time has come now to call for immediate abrogation and unconditional discontinuation of this admission criterion particularly as there is a Federal University in every state of the federation at present. Comparatively, between ELDS and catchment, the latter is the more totally injurious admission policy. It has weak arguments in its favour. Some say it is to give the immediate and surrounding communities a feeling of ownership, involvement, or identification and belonging with the university. This literally translates to local representation of the dominant contiguous ethnic, religious and political groups in the university studentship. This might be viewed as some kind of policy of indigenisation of the university against a covert background aim to enthrone clannishness. Where a preponderant number of students in a university hails from the immediate geographically contiguous districts the result is localisation and upstaging of sub-national and regional identity and loyalty. The policy encourages inbreeding and possible subversion of national integration. Other possible effects are atomization and insulation of the university as well as its products and programmes from the rest of Nigeria and the world. By limiting the space for open competitiveness, catchment affects a university’s cosmopolitan vision and the mission to become a nationally and globally respected centre of intellectual excellence and distinction. By this being repeated in all federal universities across the country, a counter-current national culture of insular universities is being foisted on the country. Already the non-global competitiveness and opaque cosmopolitan standing of Nigeria universities is a matter of general concern. The current national admission policy generally and the catchment principle in particular is a hidden source of lowering of standards and by working against academic distinction and diminishing cosmopolitanism, stands against global university best practices. A typical illustration of the application of these admission principles will bring home the concern herein expressed. Take as example, the University of Lagos 2012/2013 UTME admission list published in The Guardian Newspaper on Friday, August 17, 2012 pp. 19-26 and 55-62. I choose to illustrate with this example because it is published and is in the public domain. Although it is not the entire admission list (as subsequent supplementary lists will follow but may not have the three cardinal principles applied as in that first list) for the year, it is safer to work with it. Secondly, I know UNILAG well as the University of First Choice and the nation’s pride where admission procedure is open, transparent and rule-based. Here, NUC and JAMB regulations are strictly applied and where other considerations are to be applied a form is issued, minimum standards are stipulated, contest is open and those that satisfy the conditions are shortlisted while those that do not are left out no matter who their sponsor might be. There is no underhand or cash-and-carry or mystery admission list at the University of Lagos. But I want you the reader to see what applying existing official admission rules has turned this University into and then you can imagine what obtains in universities where these rules are applied in conjunction

Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai with bribery, corruption and gross abuse of due process. In the said UNILAG list, of 3,769 candidates admitted into 79 Departments and Programmes, 2,807 or 74.3433 per cent are of Yoruba extraction mainly from the six States of Ekiti, Lagos, Osun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. This is as astonishing as it is revealing in a country comprised of 374 ethno-linguistic groups (Otite, 1991). You may say that this is a typical example of the localisation or insulation effect of the ‘catchment’ principle. That ethnically skewed admission proportion cannot arise from merit, performance or candidate capacity as there is no existing study that proves such ethnic pattern of distribution of IQ among Nigerian ethnic nationalities. It is my belief that it is the catchment principle that produces that effect. This is a concern that the Federal Government should take a second look at. I challenge the NUC and JAMB to do ethnic profiling of admission in all federally funded universities in the country. If carried out in good conscience, the Federal Government will realise that by its existing admission policy it is shooting itself on the foot because rather than creating opportunity for peoples to come together, Nigerian universities are atomizing and distancing the peoples. However, let me sound some notes of caution in interpreting this result. One, these figures were obtained through diligent physical name count of the admission list. There can be counting error. For instance, we are aware that people from related states such as Kwara, Kogi and Edo also bear Yoruba names in part or whole. As these do not fall into the catchment states, Yoruba names from these states though counted cannot be attributable to catchment and this might be a source of error. Two, distinguishing Yoruba from others was based simply on names particularly surnames. We expect some errors to arise here through this

approach as some candidates bore all English names while some others bore all Arabic/Islamic names and their ethnic status therefore hard to place. Three, I am not blaming the authorities of the University of Lagos. The University merely applied the existing official rules as handed to it and has to defend this list in Abuja where it will be verified to see that the authorities adhered to stipulated standards. Thus, it is not a problem limited to UNILAG or to the Yoruba ethnic nationality. For instance, in UNIBEN the list will be skewed in favour of Edo/Delta area, in UNIPORT, the South- South States, in ABU, the North-West States, in UNILORIN and UNIJOS, the Middle-Belt States, in UNIMAID, the North-East States, in UNN or UNIZIK, South-Eastern States, etc. The failure involved here is not a localized one. It is a nation-wide miscarriage of official policy in a country beset with secessionist sub-nationalist tendencies, serious centripetal religious agitations and vibrant ethnic-based consciousness and actions. If the Federal Government cares, this investigation should be carried out in all Federal Universities. I bet that Nigerians will be dumbfounded at the level of localization of Federal Universities by the application of the catchment principle. This problem if viewed within a wider context reveals some more disturbing dimensions. Universities from medieval times take pride in being cosmopolitan, that is, their academic staff, students, administrators and knowledge-base being sourced from all over the world without restriction to place, creed, race, ethnic or catchment area. This makes a university a true global citizen because knowledge is a universal commodity. The university and knowledge defy boundaries of all sorts and take pride in being unlimited in any way. That is the liberal cerebral foundation of the university in which is located operational autonomy and academic freedom. Universities do not take pride in being a trough for local people, projecting local ideas, interests and ideologies. In fact, local problems are better ventilated if tackled in an environment in which experts are drawn from a diversity of racial, ethnic, sectarian, ideological and intellectual traditions. Universities come out better if their mission is toward heterogenization of knowledge, teachers and students rather than homogenization. As long as Nigerian universities strive for localization, for that long will they remain globally irrelevant and insignificant. To worsen the tendency introduced by catchment, the faculties of most Nigerian universities are populated by Nigerian lecturers, increasingly from the universities’ catchment district. In my undergraduate years in the mid-1970s at Ibadan, there were South African, Caribbean, Indian, Ghanaian, Italian, Canadian, American and European lectures, all coming in with different cultures, attitudes, ideologies, social values and beliefs. The environment was electrifying; seminars were informative, rich and extensive in content. Today the foreigners are gone. Not only do we have a preponderance of Nigerians teaching Nigerians, lecturers are increasingly drawn from districts surrounding the university. Thus, in addition to catching students from the local environment teachers are sourced locally thereby consolidating and exacerbating the problem of in-breeding. Regrettably, self-cloning and self-reproduction are unhealthy intellectual cultures in a rapidly globalizing world. *Dr. Nwabueze is Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Lagos.

By Obe Ess

TheGuardian

12| Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial Adamu Fika Report And The Need For Action W

HEN the Adamu Fika Committee on the Review of the Reform Process in the Public Service submitted its report to the Federal Government recently, it was only natural and appropriate for Nigerians to scoff. The nation’s archives, afterall, are brimming with such reports on planned reforms. And not only has there been no reform of anything, many reports’ contact with the light of day ended on the days they were submitted. The contents of the Adamu Fika Report, however, have far-reaching implications for the polity far beyond its primary focus on the inequitable compensation package for Permanent Secretaries and Directors. The revelations have brought up, yet again, the unpardonable irony of our rich country with poor citizenry. As far back as 2007, the Federal Government felt there was need to ensure that the compensation for public servants should not place them at a financial disadvantage in a society where they would have to acquire goods and services alongside others in the private sector. Therefore, the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission drew up the package, and introduced the policy of monetization (another Nigerian coinage for the English vocabulary), The Fika Panel has revealed to the nation that while the Gross Amount for Salaries and Allowances had risen to 1.126 Trillion, allowances alone gulped 1.03 Trillion of this sum. Why was there a stretched-out Reform Process? In 2009, the Yar’Adua administration implemented the Oronsaye report on tenure of Permanent Secretaries and Directors. As a result, some directors and Permanent Secretaries were retired for having completed the statutory number of years in their positions. The disparity in entry to Directorate Cadre from States’ Civil Service led to those coming from the states, attaining the number of years without having reached the retirement age. Many were unhappy with the Yar’Adua administration’s bold action and they protested. This was the background to the fact that the tenure issue was a bone of contention within the membership of the Fika Committee. That all was not well with the Fika Committee was revealed at the submission of the Report, in which the Chairman called on Government to discipline the Secretary for “taking actions that were not in line with extant regulations of the Public Service and violating the code of the Service demanding evident neutrality.” He was alleged to have handed a Minority Report to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, without due authorization. This in addition to the resignation of the Vice Chairperson Mrs. Francesca Yetunde Emmanuel who, like Fika, was a seasoned Civil Servant and the first female Permanent Secretary in Nigeria. Notwithstanding the interplay of countervailing motives of the drammatis personae, the Fika Report posts hard lessons for the country, declaring strongly that “It is certainly not morally defensible by any criteria of social justice that such a huge amount of public funds is consumed by 0.013 percentage of the total populace,” Although it dealt mostly with the compensation and tenure of Permanent Secretaries and Directors, its findings reiterated the ugly spectacle of unsustainable costs of governance at all levels. Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi once courageously called for the elimination of duplicated functions at the three tiers of government to save costs. Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Ngozi OkonjhoIweala was once also once vociferous on the unhealthy financial profile in which the nation expends 73 per cent of GDP on Recurrent Expenditure. As a result, there is little left for our primary goal of development. In a world where progress in Information and Communications Technology has reduced paperwork, Nigeria is wasting money on personnel instead of building institutions. The Fika Committee must be commended for the boldness of its revelations, in which it identified politicization of the Public Service as resulting in patronage replacing the merit system inherited at Independence. It noted that the present crop of civil servants have abandoned the best traditions and core values of Public Service. “The only thing they care about is lining their pockets. They have sacrificed the ethos of service at the altar of self interest.” These are serious indictments that cannot be ignored. All over the world, the most brilliant men and women work in Public Service. This was also the case in Nigeria. Until now, when the very few best and the brightest are crowded out by the mammoth population of the undesirable in the service. The Committee recommended that, as a matter of urgency, the President, should convene a Conference on “Restoration of The Merit System.” Participation is to involve the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, The Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Leaders of all Political Parties, which have elected representatives in the National Assembly. The hope is that they will come up with a Reformed Public service in which all employees would be treated with justice while the numerous salary groupings will be collapsed into one, to eliminate the present system in which the Permanent Secretaries and the Directors have a compensation package way above all other cadres. However, on the composition of “stakeholders” listed for a Conference on the recommendations, what is the justification for including the leadership of political parties, given the fickle-mindedness of the present practitioners and their ever shifting alliances? Have the political parties demonstrated any commitment to development, other than expediency and their quest for power? There is no need for another gathering of strange bedfellows. In its report, the Fika Committee identified an “infinitesimal minority,” and, by invoking the universal requirement for fairness and equity, it inadvertently but happily stoked a serious point for our nation to ponder. We are seen (rightly) as a rich country in which a few have cornered the wealth of the nation while the vast majority wallow in abject poverty. The European Union and the United States of America and the European Union have even expressed dismay at what they described as the “wastage” of Nigeria’s oil wealth. President Jonathan was present at the World Economic Forum in Davos when British Prime Minister David Cameron spoke openly about this anomaly. All over the world, it is being stated that there is no excuse for poverty in Nigeria. What is required, therefore, is the political will to act and act fast! The Reform of the Public Service at all tiers is an emergency that demands passion and the President must act now!

LETTER

He Promised Nothing, Gave Everything IR: At the beginning of his SXVIpontificate, Pope Benedict made a plea – “...pray for

lives facing God and doing everything for Him: he accepted his election as Pope facing God and he resigns still facing me, pray for me, pray for God.) me...” I think it is good to He never once answers back — examine our consciences to see how many of us did pray like his Master “abused and illtreated” — by those who do not for him and how intensely understand his role; he bears it did we do so? On his part, I think that he all and continues doing his duty to the best of his ability. has given everything he For instance, he came to Africa could — love and understanding for everyone, even twice (Cameroon and Angola and last year to Republic of for those who persistently Benin); he went to many councriticised him and went as tries to pasture the flock of far as to suggest that he be Christ and challenged the apprehended in the United Kingdom during his visit to youth on World Youth Days beatify John Henry Cardinal (WYD) to live holy lives. He Newman. (Benedict XVI, just wrote on Hope (Encyclical Spe Salvi), on Charity (Encyclical like the man he went to Deus Caritas est) and on doing England to beatify, is also very conscious of ‘this being the truth with Charity (Veritate always alone with God’ — “in facientes in caritate), etc, all of the thought of two, and two which are consistent with his only absolute and luminous- way of acting. ly self-evident beings, myself Joseph Ratzinger being a reserved person by nature — and my Creator.” Thus he

who would prefer to write books to instruct everyone rather than stand before them endlessly — sacrificed his natural inclination and stepped out to address millions — seeing in them souls who needed to be brought to Christ. He became like his Master — “all things to all men”. Retiring to a monastery, I am sure he will continue praying and sacrificing himself for the Church and the world to help cast out the ‘prince of this world’ who is holding many in the world in his grip (though they do not seem to know it) and who can only be ‘cast out by prayer and fasting’. Pope Benedict, we are grateful for the example of courage, humility, selflessness, generous self-giving. We know that you love and want the best for the Church and will continue to support her.

Emma Ebun Olu, Lagos.

Humanity Has Misplaced Happiness IR: It is spreading, with Sconsiders great force, an ethic that valid a double standard for many areas of human existence. For the same reason has emerged a mentality that accepts that the end justifies the means and that everything is legitimate provided it will be valid to enjoy a happiness beyond measure. But one can never justify the means just because the end is sublime. The output of this situation will depend on us to be united to the author of all things, so that, by the exercise of our free will, we can recognise or deny the greatness he deserves. This builds the chiaroscuro of the free will, the personal freedom. Humanity has lost, has misplaced happiness, the joy of life, because it has refused to

give up its freedom. Moreover, the truth that hovers like a mantra to free will, make us free because freedom reaches its genuine sense when acting in the service of truth. The dilemma is that either we are children of God or prisoners of pride, of eroticism, of this tormented narcissism in which so many mortals seem to be struggling. Furthermore, freedom carries a great responsibility that straightens life, our whole existence. A man without freedom is like “clouds without rain, blown hither and thither by the winds, autumn trees, unfruitful, twice dead, uprooted”. Where there is no intimacy with the Deity, there is a personal emptiness and in that dark, silent abyss,

everything is oppression. Augustine of Hippo wrote that wonderful hymn to freedom: God “who made you without your consent does not justify you without your consent”. Therefore, free will and donation are not facing each other. On the contrary, they protect each other. Freedom can only be given to another by an impulse of love. A freedom without any climax, with no objective standard, no obligation, is debauchery. Pierre Joseph Proudhon (pictured), French political theorist, son of a bartender and a humble peasant, said that freedom has “the charm of the Revolution without which the work is torture and life a long death”. Clemente Ferrer,

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday February 24, 2013

NEWSFEATURE

AJAYI FARM...

The Tragedy Of A Lost Vision By Geoff Iyatse

F men were to choose where to be born, Ajayi Farm would definitely be the least of places Endurance would want to begin life. But she is but one among multitude of infants that roam the strip of land between Murtala Mohamed Airport, and Agege Motorway day and night. Indeed, Endurance and her peers cope without basic amenities such as stable power supply, good roads, quality education and affordable healthcare like most Nigerian children. They live in an environment many Nigerians, would wish does not exist. From the gate of Ajayi Farm through the mechanic workshop section down to the fruit market that is cut off by Murtala Mohammed Airport parameter fence, are imageries (and sometimes realities) of a farm settlement. But unlike a typical farm, the natural vibes grapples with environmental abuses that leave a visitor disgusted. Every square metre of the neighbourhood cuts a picture of piggery even though its closest contact with the hoofed mammal may be only a makeshift buka where pork is served. And this is where Endurance has spent her four years of existence on earth. Ajayi Farm has the character of prison life except that the residents here are as free as birds. The shacks (if where its residents lay their heads at nights could be so described) are poorly covered thereby exposing both old and young people to mosquitoes and midnight cold albeit even amid more serious threats. Little or nothing shields the women against co-habiting touts who harass innocent citizens day and night. Residents all draw in from the acrid reek of assorted drugs (including cannabis), rotten fruits, and human wastes that dot everywhere. And they all suffer the ominous sounds of aircrafts, noise pollution that threatens good hearing. Endurance has confronted these hazards in the heavily polluted environment since she drew her first breath. Like her name, she has to endure, and perhaps pray chance and time would take her elsewhere some day. But you dream and pray for a better life because you know one exists. Does Endurance

know of any life outside the confine of the hamlet she has learnt to cherish? She might have heard Lagos State capital city is Ikeja where (unknown to her) she lives. She might have also heard at her equally decrepit elementary school that the country is blessed with beautiful cities such as Maitama in Abuja or New Ikoyi in Lagos where children like her live in Mosaic-tiled castles with their parents. Maybe she just grimaced in disbelief like we all did the first time we heard about Dubai wonder. How could little Endurance know of life outside her ‘home’? While other children go on vacation, or at least sightseeing, with parents, the Ajayi Farm’s kids are sealed off by terrifying expressway and secured airport, leaving them with no option but to wander around their hovels, market square and schools only known to them and their teachers. On a tour, the multi-billion-naira land constantly flashes pictures of self-inflicted pains, sorrow, misery, frustration and raw poverty. You would see laundered clothes hung on huts; occupants are either preparing their

The sight of the improvised houses constructed with mainly nylon, sacks and allied materials are as repulsive as the neighborhood is frightening. As sun heats up the landscape, the ground gleams with grease, which has changed the soil texture. The market, operated by fruit vendors who were evacuated from Oshodi in the wake of the 2009 demolition, is itself a sprawling rot.

meals, dishing or resting in the shacks you would rather not enter for a five-minute rest. “Be careful so that the nylon will not catch fire o,” the reporter engaged a resident who was struggling to light a student-size stove. The lady (maybe in her late 30s), who crouched behind shred sacks, seemed to screen the ‘intruder’ before she answered: “e no go happen abeg. Abeg no pray bad luck prayer for me o.” The sight of the improvised houses constructed with mainly nylon, sacks and allied materials are as repulsive as the neighborhood is frightening. As sun heats up the landscape, the ground gleams with grease, which has changed the soil texture. The market, operated by fruit vendors who were evacuated from Oshodi in the wake of the 2009 demolition, is itself a

sprawling rot. Interestingly, the putrid sore in the belly of Ajayi Farm is concealed by a stretch of spare part marketers along Oshodi–Agege Motorway. Few meters into the compound are a horde of auto technicians who were attracted to the compound by easy access to auto parts. Over the years, they have contributed to the degradation of the environment. Still deeper in the bosom of the farm is a large open market wrestling with raw culture of abuse. Following the dislocation of Oshodi fruit/vegetable merchants years ago, some of the women who could raise fund went to Ajayi descendants to solicit for space. Four years after the fruit business made its way into the famous farm, the initial space leased for the purpose has doubled. And heaps of decayed oranges is growing by the day. Sell-

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday February 24, 2013

NEWSFEATURE

... Imageries Of Pains, Poverty ers and buyers urinate in open places while they share a lone toilet for N50 fee per entry. Mechanics and the clients also mill on the poorly constructed toilet that stands in the centre of the market where oranges, pineapples and bananas are sold at both wholesale and retail. It was gathered that retailers visit the market from different parts of Lagos to replenish stock. This makes the question of the sanitary condition of the market arena even more significant. Buck-passing might have been the major reason the community has remained the way it. The market women and mechanics claim they regularly pay some fees for its development to the Ajayi children who never fulfill their promises. But a descendant of the famous farmer, who preferred to be addressed as Ajayi said the management, has no business with the heaps of garbage at the market square. Ajayi’s response further cast cloud on any hope that the market will be sanitised anytime soon. Sola Adeyemi, a mechanic operating in the area, said the shanty experienced phenomenal growth when the Oshodi market women moved in. Ajayi Farm harboured about 338 independent auto technicians (in addition to apprentices) before the displaced Oshodi market traders moved into the place. Speaking further on the evolution of the Ajayi Farm shanty, Adeyemi said: “The environment was quite neat when only the mechanics were the tenants. But as soon as the market women came, the place gradually changed. Many of the women sleep here with their children. The huts you see everywhere are occupied by people; some of whom were born here and don’t even know how the other parts of Lagos look like.” Ajayi Farm, despite its environmental retardation, is a valuable asset to owners. It brings rent revenue and that to the landowners is far more important than making the place hygienically safe for habitation. “Those who own the place don’t care as long as rents are paid,” noted one resident adding “they make a lot of money from here but they don’t use it to maintain the place. He continued: “Everybody you see around here pays rent; I pay N13, 500 every four months just as every other person. Any month you don’t pay, you are kicked out. Even the women who sleep here pay the spaces they occupy.” Another source said the fruit traders secured the market space for N28 million. That is just a small portion of the rent realised from Ajayi Farm. The spare part dealers also pay through their nose to secure and sustain the shop spaces. Many occupants must have relocated as soon the Ajayi community began to suffer terrible abuse. A large building constructed by Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM) has been abandoned by the church. It is now occupied by airport taxi operators, who The Guardian learnt paid three million naira to secure tenancy right. A Chinese-owned auto pipe manufacturing company is also closed but a church — The Solution Ground Liberation Ministries — has moved into the property. Another factory that was into plastic manufacturing in its heyday has also closed shop. Many attribute the closure of the hitherto buoyant companies to the smutty nature of the place. When The Guardian visited recently, over two dozen young boys whose contemporaries would still be in universities and colleges were loitering around some shacks erected at the market. They would occasionally show up at the market holding between their fingers rolls of sustances believed to be marijuana. You could feel the drippings of sweat of frustration and horror from their faces. They are lords of the market! Expectedly, the women would nervously watch the beastlylooking fellows serve themselves from their wares. But some of the market women spend their nights in the same environment with the boys they dread in the daytime. Fatima relocated from the northern part of the country to Alagbado, a surburb of Lagos, few years ago. But since last December, the Kano-born factory worker has been living in a single-room apartment with her Okada-rider boyfriend and three other motorcyclists. The location the three-room bungalow Fatima squats in relation to the portion Endurance and several other kids sleep and play is comparable to the relationship between Park View Estate (in Ikoyi) and Oshodi. Fatima’s depressing tale about her daily experience could draw tears from the eyes of the most hard hearted. If there are life-made stoic, Fatima is one. Though a Kano indigene, the 22-year old grew up in Otukpo, Benue State, amid eight order siblings and poor parents who could not see any of the children beyond secondary school. She has witnessed violent killings in the north; she has experienced other sad moments. But life in Ajayi Farm seems to be her first encounter with raw misery. “Here you pay to use toilet. When there is public power, we

Ajayi, who initially wondered why the condition of the place should be public concern when it is a personal property, said he has issued order to the market women to quit if they would not evacuate the heaps of debris in the market, stressing it was not his business to carry out the evacuation. What concerns my business with removal of the waste? Anyway, that is why you call them perishable item. If you harvest pineapples, they start decaying after four or five days. That is the problem. I really feel for the women because everything has to do with money. buy a bucket of water for N10 but the price doubles when there isn’t. Sometimes when you are lucky, you can get free water from the mosque. If I say life is unbearable for me, what will a one-day old baby born into the environment say? Mine is even better because I still go into a covered room lock the door and sleep. “Out there are infants who sleep in the shanties with their mothers. Their mothers don’t know what you call blanket or warmer. And they expose their children to cold every night,” narrated Fatima. It was really difficult to hold back tears as the young lady narrated her encounters. “Gaskiya! When you are here,” she continued, “you just have to tolerate anything including Indian hemps smokers because they smoke everywhere. You know they (marijuana smokers) like quiet places. Maybe that is the reason some even come from outside to join those who stay here to smoke. Everybody, including infants, smoke Cannabis because we all inhale it.” Indeed, consumption of cannabis has created a thriving business for a number of residents. At the community, you hear code names such as Yellow and Shakespeare. Yellow, as learnt, was recently picked up by the Police for trading on the illegal drugs. He spent seven months after which he returned to continue his ‘business’. The fate of Shakespeare, another peddler of the substance, remains a mystery, as there was no police raid (a regular occurrence in the area) the day he disappeared. Sources said at least five other persons deal in Cannabis in Ajayi Farm. They wonder why the Police have not been able to curtain the situation. Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it was gathered, invaded the place some weeks ago. Ajayi Farm lacks basic infrastructure that makes modern so-

ciety habitable — absence of drainages, refuse disposal system and access roads. A member of the Ajayis said building a drainage system was “his top-most priority” and that it would cost about N3.5 million. Ajayi, who initially wondered why the condition of the place should be public concern when it is a personal property, said he has issued order to the market women to quit if they would not evacuate the heaps of debris in the market, stressing it was not his business to carry out the evacuation. “What concerns my business with removal of the waste? Anyway, that is why you call them perishable item. If you harvest pineapples, they start decaying after four or five days. That is the problem. I really feel for the women because everything has to do with money. The other time they evacuated them, they spent about N480, 000. “Now they will need about 15 tipper loads of sand to fill the road before they can remove the garbage. But I have told them to leave; they have to remove the garbage before I can negotiate with them,” he said while struggling to light a stick of cigarette as the conversation lasted, disclosed. The entire stretch of drainage running down from Shogunle to Magoro Bus Stop must have also compounded the challenge faced by the Ajayis. The channel is blocked causing water to overflow the property. Auto marketers along the stretch also suffer the misfortune whenever it rains. Many societies have devised different means of dealing with slum situations. In some cases, slum areas are redeveloped and proper settlement built. China has demonstrated the effectiveness of this option in slum control. The poor conditions that make an area classifiable as slum could be addressed one after the other. This option is most adopted by countries with limited resources. But Bayo Onajole, a professor in Community Health, said the best option for Lagos State is to relocate dwellers of Ajayi Farm. He warned that upgrading its infrastructure would amount to encouraging illegal settlement, which the Fashola administration has battled to address in the past six years. Onajole, also head of Department of Community Health, University of Lagos, noted: “The problem in that kind of environment could be physical, social or biological. When waste is not properly disposed, it could breed agents that can transmit diseases. That is not limited to people who live in the environment but can also affect those who live nearby. This is because there can be contamination of sources of water and the food items purchased from those areas. Microorganisms that cause infections will find it easy to breed in the environment” The professor noted that the sound of plane and exposure to the elements would have several impacts, including sleeplessness on the children. Depending on the amount of decibel of noise they are exposed to, children raised in that kind of environment might develop deafness in future, Onajole revealed. Indeed, Ajayi Farm desires some state intervention, at least, to keep in check the mushrooming shacks. The Lagos State’s Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello, was reached for comment on the government’s intention concerning the community but there was no reply to several text messages sent to his mobile telephone line.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE

NEWSPEOPLE

UNILAG Award Confirms My Selfless Service To The Nation ––– AFE BABALOLA The University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently celebrated its 50years anniversary of academic prowess. The climax of the epoch event was the conferment of Doctorate degrees (Honoris causa) on the first visitor to the university and the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, its former Pro-Chancellors, Arthur Mbanefo and Afe Babalola (SAN). Babalola was accompanied to receive the award by well-wishers, including the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the Osile of Oke Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho and eminent personalities from Ekiti State. Afe Babalola, founder, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) spoke with MUYIWA ADEYEMI (Head South West Bureau), on how much he treasures the award. He also spoke on the falling quality of education in Nigeria and proffered solutions. On the award by UNILAG T’S an award that has a great significance for me. First, it’s an acknowledgement of the service, which I rendered to the University. It’s therefore, one that makes me happy indeed. When, in 2007, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe announced the dissolution of governing council of universities, I still had two years left of my tenure as the Pro-Chancellor. The said dissolution brought with it, some measure of ill feelings. I felt people on the other side (not government) could easily interpret the dissolution as a sign of displeasure by government at our activities. It could be said that the decision came about, owing to our inability to perform the tasks required of us. There were some, who felt that the dissolution should be challenged in Court. I was, however, of the view that since I was rendering free services to the government, I could not force the government to continue to accept the said free services. I therefore, set my sight on the establishment of my university with a view to actualising and putting in place the vision, which I had conceptualised for university education in Nigeria. The award is one that delights my heart because it has assuaged all the ill feelings that I harboured as a result of the unfair and unjust manner in which the governing council was dissolved by the government. The award confirms all time that we actually served the nation to the best of our ability. On achievements as Pro-Chancellor With the support of members of the governing council and principal officers of the university, including the vice chancellor, I was able to record numerous achievements. For one, I ensured that punctuality became the norm for staff and students alike. It started with the members of the council itself, who before my coming on board did not attach much importance to punctuality. We were also able to stamp out corruption starting with the Korea Outreach incidence to examination malpractices. Cultism was also an area in which we were able to bring about change in orientation. We also cultivated an active parent/teachers relationship through the parents’ teachers association. I constructed a full sized auditorium in the University. The establishment of Endowment Fund is another achievement worthy of mention. I realised that most leading Universities world over, including Yale, Harvard and Princeton all had strong endowments funds. The funds, which we put in place continued to generate funds for the university. As a result of these achievements and more, I was twice named the best Pro chancellor in Nigeria. The university was also recognised as the best in the country, whilst the then Vice

Chancellor, Prof. Oye Ibidapo was recognised as the best Vice Chancellor. On interactions with Nigerian universities My interaction with tertiary education in Nigeria dates back several decades. I recalled that about 1975 or thereabout, I was invited by the then Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Tamuno to speak at an end of the year party of the University. In the course of my speech, I advocated the establishment of a faculty of law in the university. At that time, the University did not offer a degree programme in Law despite the fact that it had been established as far back as 1946. Obviously, the then colonial government was not interested in providing facilities for the training of legal practitioners in Nigeria. A year after my speech, the university established the faculty of law. I also supported the efforts of the university by some other means including road construction to the faculty building. In the early 80s, I was also at the forefront of a move for the establishment of a Federal University of Technology in Ado-Ekiti. However, owing to political consideration, the University was established in Akure, the capital of

the old Ondo State. I was not deterred by this development and was eventually able to get the Federal Government to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti. I was able to put up several buildings on the site of the institution with my own funds. I also made contributions to the University of Ado-Ekiti, including the building of an auditorium for its faculty of Law in order to aid the said faculty to become fully accredited by the Council of Legal Education. On the poor rating of Nigerian universities in Africa The reason can be simply stated to be the poor quality of education in the country. I referred to quality and not standard. The National Universities Commission (NUC), which is the body statutorily empowered to lay down the minimum standard for tertiary education in Nigeria is doing a fantastic job. The standard laid down by the commission is comparable with standards anywhere in the world. The problem here is that of low quality, which is primarily as a result of poor or inadequate funding of the educational sector. I have addressed this issue on several occasions and I will continue to insist that

The standard laid down by the commission is comparable with standards anywhere in the world. The problem here is that of low quality, which is primarily as a result of poor or inadequate funding of the educational sector. I have addressed this issue on several occasions and I will continue to insist that until the government accords education a pride of place in their budgetary planning and allocation the issue of low quality will continue to persist.

until the government accords education a pride of place in their budgetary planning and allocation the issue of low quality will continue to persist. There is also the problem of leadership, which affects not only the country as a whole but also the educational sector. Thus, in addition to funding, a solution must be found to leadership crisis and issues, which also affects the quality of education in Nigeria. I must also mention the civil service orientation of most workers in the educational sector. In this part of the world, not much attention or regard is giving to government work. Most public servants including university workers lack what I will describe as “private business entrepreneurship approach.” On outstanding qualities of Afe Babalola University The first factor, which sets ABUAD apart from others, is the premium, which we place on leadership. The emphasis at ABUAD is on production of graduates sound not only in learning but also in character. We want to produce Nigerians, who would provide the much needed leadership skills, which the country needs to fulfill its potential in line with the dreams of its founding fathers. ABUAD is a classic example of what a university should be. The university itself is located in a conducive environment. We have put in place structures and equipments, which rank amongst the best anywhere in the world. ABUAD was the first to deplore interactive board in the country. At ABUAD, the emphasis is on productivity. Remuneration and career growth of the lecturers are based on how productive they are and not on how many years they have spent on a particular rank or cadre. As a matter of fact, our students are encouraged to evaluate their lecturers just as the lecturers themselves evaluate the students. On ABUAD’s research breakthroughs This school has recorded research breakthroughs in Sciences and Medicine. As a result of this development, the University’s Director of Research, Prof. B. A. Osho was awarded the 2012 Prize for Technological Innovation in Oil and Gas by the International Institute for Training, Research and Economic Development. In a similar manner, the Acting Provost of the College of Medicine, Dr. Sanya also received the National Productivity Order of Merit Award for Excellence in Medicine. On perception that establishing a university is a lucrative business I know from experience that establishing a university is capital intensive, it’s a serious business. ABUAD in particular is modeled after non-profit oriented universities, such as Harvard, Cambridge, Stanford and Yale, which rank among the best in the world. ABUAD is not designed to make profit. On the contrary, I still expend huge amount of money in my quest to continually develop the university. So, I know that any university, which has quality education as its goal cannot be regarded as a lucrative business or run for the purpose of making profit. On Federal Government and support for private universities In reality, aside putting in place legislation to aid the establishment of private university, government has done little or nothing to support them. However, I feel the government can support private university by providing grants for research. Such research will obviously benefit the government irrespective of the fact that it came about through a private university. Furthermore, the Federal Government can also ensure that grants from the Education Trust Fund are extended to private universities. Some months back, Vice President Namadi Sambo confirmed that the government was working on an amendment bill to the law to allow for such grants to be made to private universities from the Education Trust Fund (ETF). However, nothing further has been heard about this. On his passion for Education As a child, I had absolutely no interest in education. My only aspiration in life was to remain on the farm and live out my entire life as a farmer. It was only when I got to standard four that I began to develop an interest in education. By that time, I realised that education could open up a whole new world for me. By the time I got to standard five, I was the best in most subjects in my class. I can say that it was at that mo-

THE GUArDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

18 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

NEWSPEOPLE

Mazrui@80: Why Africa Hardly ‘Produce’ Good Leaders • Says Chinese Incursion Driven By Economic, Not Colonialist, Interest Born on February 24,1933, in Mombasa, Kenya, academic and political writer on African, Islamic studies and North-South relations, Ali Al’amin Mazrui, turns 80 today. An Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities and Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York, the renowned Kenyan scholar and thought leader has traversed for several decades delivering lectures on contemporary issues in Africa. At the Second Arc. Goddy Jidenma Public Lecture held in Lagos last year, Mazrui had spoken on “Democracy and the Politics of Petroleum: Comparative African perspectives,” and reflected on Nigeria’s sociopolitical challenges as well as possible solutions. In an exclusive interview in Lagos, he had recalled his several personal encounters with the late Publisher of The Guardian, Chief Alex Ibru, and relived his experience, 20 years ago, when, according to him, he was invited, as guest speaker, to The Guardian’s Annual Lecture: “I still remember the occasion, because it was very well publicised at the time, by, not just The Guardian, but by other newspapers at the time. “The topic, which was chosen by The Guardian, was quite controversial. It was “The Black Woman and the Problem of Gender. I tried hard to accept it, but I said the chair of the occasion must be a woman, and the guest of honour, other than the speaker, should also be a woman. “ And, in my opening speech, I said: “Now, the world awaits The Guardian to nominate a woman to speak on the black man. The content of my speech was also controversial and was widely publicised elsewhere and debated on the authorisation of The Guardian.” Those were Prof. Mazrui’s recollections last year when he was Guest Speaker for the Goddy Jidenma Foundation (GJF) in Lagos. During one of his visits to Nigeria, trustee of the GJF, PROFESSOR PAT UTOMI, also engaged the erudite historian and Islamic scholar on contemporary African issues as well as his journey in life. Excerpts: It has been more than 50 years of the African Experience and the ‘Wind of Change’ as Harold Macmillan called it has blown over the continent. Shortly after the Independence, the coups came, wars and then Afro-pessimism. Why do you think expectations were burned out? ArOLD Macmillan gave that speech in South Africa about the wind of change blowing over the continent. Kwame Nkrumah gave a speech to the General Assembly and said it was more than a wind but a hurricane of change blowing. It turned out that Nkrumah’s imagery of a hurricane, more destructive was vindicated than Harold Macmillan’s wind of change, because in reality the changes were painful. Some of the painful changes were caused by Nkrumah’s own behaviour. As the first Head of State in Sub-Saharan Africa he had great responsibility to set precedence and some of the ways in which he handled his responsibilities set precedence for other African countries. He was one of the early victims of a military coup. Nkrumah was overthrown on the February 24, which is my birthday. I had received a radio as birthday gift and as I listened, I heard the news that Nkrumah had been overthrown and I nearly threw the radio away. It was real bad news. Most of these things have led to Afro-pessimism – people feeling that all those high hopes were for nothing because democracy was decaying to one-party state, military coups, now and again, there is civil war -generally bad news. Now the continent is again in optimistic mood. Now 50

years or so later, things appear to be beginning to be different. While there is still a hurricane blowing, there is also a positive wind coming up and that may be Africa’s hope for the future. We have African talents all over the world living in the Diaspora. Why does it seem difficult to get the best people to provide leadership on the continent? The best people are out there but problems are bigger than the pool of Leadership. Why do Nigerians do better abroad than they do at home? You have to be extremely lucky to get good quality leaders in Africa. Most of the time, we are not successful in doing that. Occasionally, we produce the Julius Nyerere type of Leader, a story of talents and, fortunately for himself, also had a country that fulfilled the pre-conditions in followership. People like Nyerere and Nelson Mandela are few and far inbetween. In the African countries, we should choose our leaders carefully. What you see is that even with elections, people do not have real choices. We don’t have real choices because people are poor right, left and centre. We still need a good deal of help from our population to demand the type of talent required for political leadership. The educated middle-class, which could provide leadership just don’t feel energized or that the risks are worth it and they exit rather than raise their voice. That is very true. Most times, they are not allowed enough freedom in their own countries. Kenya had three Presidents who made life difficult for people like me. Two of them — President Kenyatta and Moi — may have had achievements in many

areas but did not encourage intellectuals. So many of us left the country and went abroad. During the time of the two Presidents, I couldn’t lecture in Kenyan universities. I was allowed to go in and out but was not allowed to give lectures. It took the vision of President Kibaki to change that. He invited me to be the Chancellor in one of the public universities and gave me one of the highest national awards. Is reversal of the ‘Diaspora Effect’ in Africa possible; what will be the impact if it happens? People invest more in their countries now than they did before. They send resources home, buy land, buy houses at home and establish businesses. I wanted to be a Kenyan all my life but I could not because Kenya did not permit dual citizenship. We had to wait till when Kenya, for the first time, adopted a new Constitution that permitted dual citizenship. It was an impediment but now people will do more for their own country and still combine it with the new lives they have abroad. What do you think are the current dominant external influences and how are these influences shaping Africa’s future? The issue of language; the issue of religion — Christianise or Islamise large scale other cultures or societies? Then, there is technology penetration. We are not yet leaders in technology. We are learning from others and imitating in technology. So, the external factors are still very strong. How do you think Chinese engagement will affect Africa? They are seen as the superpower of tomorrow. There is little doubt about that. I don’t buy the idea of them becoming the new empire. It is not likely that they will re-colonize us or establish classes where we have to learn Chinese or establish temples where there were mosques or churches. They will try to be influential. None of what happened with Europe, where they allowed their religion and educational system to take over, will happen. Their influence will be mainly economic. They are going to try and be effective economically in Africa and try to benefit from our resources. We have to be sure we handle our relationship with them in a way that reduces exploitation. The Indians are also in the running. My wife and I were in India in 2008 and the Prime Minister of India was seeing me in 48 hours and I was just a Visiting Professor but he knew me from my old Oxford days. He knew that, sooner or later, Indians needed to cultivate the friendship of not just African politicians but African thinkers and intellectuals and contribute to better relations between India and Africa. Why is it difficult for us to reach out to our pre-colonial history and draw the kind of strength that Asians seem to draw from their old days of glory? It is important for Africans to be aware of what have been possible to achieve in the past. The current decay is what is working against it. Taking pride in ancestral achievements is not just a vanity but could be an inspiration or additional reasons for pushing ourselves forward instead of converting us to a laughing stock of the rest of the world. What is your verdict on the generations and years of Independence? I think, bringing about of the Independence was a great achievement. But we, sometimes, forget and we take it so much for granted. European empires had to end but they didn’t have to end when they did. They could have lasted another 100 years. They ended because most Africans were fighting for freedom and against colonialism. They ended because many Africans opposed them. So, that is the biggest achievement of Africans in my lifetime.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 19

NEWSPEOPLE Under the auspices of the Goddy Jidenma Foundation (GJF), one of its trustees and Founder of the CP-Africa, Nmachi Jidenma, held a chat with Prof Ali Mazrui, during which the prolific and respected thought leader in African and Islamic affairs, shared his views on Africa and its place in the world. Excerpts:

term, the ‘Yellow pearl’, which the Europeans invented when they were afraid of an alliance between Japan and China. I am not yet worried about Chinese intentions. I think they genuinely want to trade with Africa and buy some of our resources, especially energy resources. There is Totalism, from position of external powers, to control Africa, one is referring to the scramble that came immediately before the colonization that led to the partitioning of Africa into different countries for different European powers like the Great Britain, Belgium, France, Portugal, among others. On becoming an academic and thought leader It is a story of second chance, which may be relevant, especially for young people whose first opportunities were wasted for some reasons. When I was growing up, there was what was called, ‘Cambridge School Certificate.’ You went to school in the British colony and at the end of your secondary education, you took the Cambridge School Certificate Examination and that determined what else happened to you. For those of us, who are in East Africa, if you finish your Cambridge School Certificate and you got either a first class or second class upper, then you went to the equivalent of a university. There was an institution in Uganda called Makerere University. It was the first universitylevel institution in English speaking East Africa. So, all English-speaking young people from Tanganyika, Zanzibar, Kenya and British Somaliland aspired to get into Makerere University. I messed up with the first opportunity and nearly failed. I got a third grade, which was a little short of fail but still got a certificate. Under normal circumstance (during the post-colonial period) that would have been it – you got a minor job, either as a clerk in a bank or as a primary school teacher etcetera. I was not satisfied with that prospect. I kept on applying for scholarship because the Makerere University i wouldn’t have me as a student because I wasn’t qualified. So, I applied for Indian, Pakistani possibilities. I tried British and American universities. My fate seemed almost sealed that I would never have a chance to go further. I had a job, which I ac-

The beginning E belong to a generation, which cut across both the period under colonialism and the period immediately after colonialism. I was born and grew up in a British colony. Up to age of 21, I was in Kenya and then after that, I went to Great Britain for my studies. So, since then we have seen the post-colonial period unfold. For many African countries, this is about the period when they are celebrating their 50th Anniversary. So for my generation, we got very interested in political issues. My generation was probably extra- political in experience. In my own case, I was working initially on the possibility of becoming a lawyer rather than a political scientist but then things changed and I became increasingly fascinated by Africa as a subject of study and not simply Africa as a continent of my birth. That enchantment or romance that you mentioned still continues in spite of disappointments about how my own generation performed during those 50 years of Independence where the post-colonial generation, went wrong. The worst performance of the post-colonial generation was with the inherited power. At the time, (of Independence), it was absolutely euphoric. We were all very excited about the idea of our continent consisting of sovereign countries trying to formulate their own place in world affairs and then we started witnessing missteps; governments, leaders taking the wrong direction. It was fairly bad for a while in the sense that governments became increasingly dictatorial. The military intervened in some African countries and took over power. Other African countries pretended that you could outlaw rival political parties and still be democratic. We had one- party system, which excluded other parties. We experimented with the wrong things for a while. But then, I am glad that I have lived long enough to see the beginning of change as many countries which were previously under dictatorship are slightly more transparent. My own country, Kenya, which was a one-party state and then the neighbouring Tanzania, another oneparty state, are no longer one-party states. Uganda too used to be a subject of military coups. Then, we had just ended the Colonial rule throughout continent. Hopefully, it has stabilised. When I was born, it was inconceivable that European powers would no longer be controlling Africa on a day-to-day basis. I lived to see Independence from one African country after another-decolonization. I saw the end of political apartheid in South Africa. Then, many people thought it won’t happen for a long time. I remember predicting that it would happen in the 20th Century. I was contradicted by people who said that apartheid would be there long after the 20th Century has ended. They were wrong and I was right. At least, political apartheid collapsed in the 1990s although some would say that economic apartheid- inequality in income and ownership through races- has not ended yet. Specifically, for some countries, which were under French rule, have been under the influence of the French Government. Political independence has been won but economic independence has been very elusive to some extent, because we are not economically sufficiently strong and autonomous. We are subject to influence by external powers. There is situation of new powerful countries, which are not within Africa. When I was growing up, the United States was a powerful country but not a major factor in African affairs. Then, Africa was overwhelmingly a European sphere of influence. But since then, European presence has declined considerably while the United States has increased its presence not just economically but also militarily. They have one form of military presence or another in several African countries, some overt and some, not so obvious. Then, there is the new factor of China. China was an ally against colonial rule and provided weapons for African liberation movements in Southern Africa. Now, the Chinese are playing a slightly different role. They are much more fascinated by African resources, especially energy resources. They are trying their best to be friends of Africa but in exchange for privileges within Africa. Some people say the Chinese are a new colonial power. Sometimes, people use the old Mazrui

cepted initially without pay until there was a vacancy. I was a teenager in a newly established technology school in Mombasa, Kenya, which was a child of the imagination of the British Governor, who felt sorry for Muslims and wanted them to catch up with the 20th Century. He persuaded the British Government and others to put in money and established the school and hired engineers from Britain to come and teach in the school. I was neither a student nor a teacher. I was not qualified for either but they hired me as a minor clerk and later on, as a boarding supervisor. I was in charge of residential arrangement for the students. I was a teenager when it happened, so, I was more or less the same age as the students. So, one day, the Governor of Kenya (an equivalent of today’s President of Kenya), the highest British ranking officer came to the school. It was a Muslim event to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed. None of the teachers was a Muslim; all of them were English. The Governor, of course, was an English man. I was supposed to give a minor speech for the celebration of the Birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. I didn’t realise the speech was to change my life forever. I gave the speech with the Governor, teachers and everybody in attendance. The next day, my boss, who was an Englishman, called me and said: “‘You made an impression on the Governor. He said that he has never seen a speech on the subject better done ‘and he wants to see you.” I went to see the Governor. It was a big deal in the British colony to have an audience with the Governor, who was the highest representative of the British Monarchy. So, I went to see him (Philip Mitchell) and he asked me about my aspirations. I told him that I wanted to go for further studies to study Law. He dismissed it because Colonial Governments didn’t like Africans to become lawyers then because they became political agitators. He said, ‘No! Look at India-every politician there is a Lawyer and every lawyer is a politician. There is no professional pride (in Law).” It was totally untrue but was only the colonial position. After this meeting, the next time I applied for admission to the Kenyan Colonial Government, instead of receiving the usual negative reply,

Mazrui: My Journey, My Life, My Africa

after looking at my pass grade, they actually invited me to be interviewed — an academic type of interview. They wanted to find out my potential as a student. I left Mombasa, which was my hometown for Nairobi, the capital of the country, to be interviewed. What made me believe that it was the Governor that made this difference was the fact that I was interviewed by the Director of Education who was the highest-level official entrusted with colonial education and his Deputy. Similarly, they dismissed the notion of becoming a lawyer. I also wanted to do Journalism as an alternative though they didn’t mind much, they said that the best journalists within the British system got a good degree not from school of Journalism but in Social Studies, Arts and then learnt the job of journalism while practising it. It seemed they changed their mind about my potential and sent me to Britain to complete my secondary education. They gave me an extra two years to compensate for the poor grade. If you don’t succeed, try again. I tried again and again. By the time the second chance came, the British Colonial Authority decided that this young man has potentials; so, they sent me off to England to be polished off. Sometimes, most people try the second chance and it doesn’t work and they get discouraged. What made you persevere? Competitive spirit. A playmate, who, I thought, was not brighter than me gained admission to Makerere University. Others got scholarships to go to England, America and so on. I never thought they were brighter. I said, if they could do it, why couldn’t I ? The youthful talent was there, which had been wasted by underestimating the importance of examinations in the first phase. When the Kenyan Colonial Authority gave me the opportunity to re-enter secondary education, I knew that I was not going to take any chances with the second opportunity. I had to be sure I did well enough to move on. Once I got the first degree, it was easy because I did so well that I didn’t need government scholarship to study in Columbia University, after study at the University of Manchester. I got scholarship to Columbia University from the Rockefeller Foundation and Fellowship to Oxford University. They paid for everything; tuition, living expense and pocket money. The rest is history. If you were a lawyer, do you think you would have become a politician? A rather good question, yeah. As you know, I became an academic…I had my moment of serving as an interim Dean of Law in the University of Makerere, Uganda. I became temporarily Dean and hired Lawyers to become part of a new Law school. It was in an academic role rather than a legal role and creatively helped to produce a Law School of a University. I produced a son who is a Lawyer and a professor of Law at the University of Virginia. He compensates for his dad’s inability to enter the profession. On a life-long career as a African Scholar. In colonial Kenya, I practised writing for magazines about African affairs. I used to write features in the newspaper called Mombasa Times. I wrote for local magazines in Kiswahili Language. I used to write short stories for broadcast on radios. There were a lot of radio stations that were interested in my stories. It turned out a good training. All that time, I didn’t know I was going to use communication in an academic setting. I also got invitations to do radio talk. I did short stories in my mother tongue, Swahili. It was fairly popular that time in my hometown. I tried not to use jargons and had a large audience that understood me. I was invited by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for radio talks. The BBC had and has a very prestigious radio talk, Reith Lectures, which was named after the founding DirectorGeneral of BBC. Once every year, the BBC invited somebody notable to give six radio lectures. It was broadcast worldwide and each lecture ran for half an hour. So, I was a Reith lecturer for the BBC. It was one of the milestones in my career because we reached millions of people. Reith Lectures stood out at that time much more so than now that they are in competition with others. The BBC was sufficiently impressed with my radio talks and they asked me if I would do the TV equivalent. By that time I had moved to the United States and I told them we could talk about it. They came to the University of Michigan where I was and we negotiated for 8-hour an episode, which I entitled, “The Africans’-A Triple Heritage,” The radio Reith talk title was agreed to by all. Before African Heritage, a decade before, we couldn’t make up our mind what to call it. One day during a telephone conversation, I used the expression, ‘ …In the African Condition of today…’ and he interjected, ‘That’s it! That was how we came about “African Condition” as the title of my Reith Lectures. Most of my TV and Radio lectures have books to accompany them. Most fortunately, they are available in prints and electronic modes.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

20 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

KALEIDOSCOPE

Founder, FATE Foundation, Mr. Fola Adeola (2nd left), Publisher, The Guardian, Mrs. Maiden Ibru, Mr. Ufot Ekaete and other dignitaries at one the foundation’s events By Bisi Alabi Williams IGERIA’S unemployment statistics has been unimpressive, given that every year, thousands of young students graduate in various disciplines from the universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. Figures from the National Bureau of Statistics show that about 70 per cent of recent graduates, who reside in urban areas, are unemployed, and a significant percentage of these graduates have entrepreneurial aspirations, attempting to be self-employed but only a few succeeded. The result is that the vast majority, who have limited entrepreneurial skills, networks and financing end up being frustrated, discouraged and jobless. It is claimed that Nigeria’s economy experiences an annual six per cent GDP growth in the last three years and an average per capita income of under $300. Yet, half of the country’s population lives below $1 per day, under a weak local currency and high inflation. In spite of having a young and highly ambitious population, many small businesses never reach critical mass and have been unable to effectively compete in the global arena. This disturbing development has continually become a major source of concern, not only to government, but other stakeholders in the education, labour and public-spirited individuals. Observing this societal challenge, and wanting to provide a solution inspired Fola Adeola, founder and pioneer managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank to establish the FATE Foundation, with support from a group of Nigerians that included Asue Ighodalo, Bayo Adeola, Bode Agusto, Bumni Lawson, Chima Onyekwere, Faysal El-Khalil, Gbolade Osibodu, Gabi Williams, Ifueko Omogui-Okauuru, Kathryn Hoomkwap, Ndidi Nwuneli, Stella Okoli, Chief Taiwo Taiwo, the late Tayo Aderinokun and Tutu Sholeye. This non-profit, private sector-led foundation was created in March 2000, not only to help businesses into world-class brands, but also to tackle the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the country. Part of its objective was to foster wealth creation through promotion of business and entrepreneurial development among Nigerian youths, with the aim of fostering the establishment and growth of over 1,000 businesses by 2005 and 5,000 businesses by 2015. These businesses were expected to lead to creation of employment for at least 50,000 Nigerians by 2015. But by 2005, it had surpassed its 1,000 target by growing 1,806 businesses. Exceeding its first target, it reviewed its 2015 goal based on the success story. With its growing impact, other well-meaning Nigerians joined the board of the foundation as directors when it was celebrating the progress of the first mark in 2005. They include Sola Adeeyo, Mohammad Ahmad, Bola Adesola, Habiba Balogun, Sola David-Borha, Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede, Olarenwaju Olusola, Oye Hassan-Odukale, Chris Nonyelum Okeke,

FATE Foundation’s 12 Years Of Manpower Development Mallam Kabiru Abdulahi Yusuf, Lady Maiden Ibru, Justice Binta Nyako and Osayi Alile Oruene. So far, the foundation has graduated 3,077 entrepreneurs from the FATE Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme and the FATE Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme; trained 28,175 persons at the half-day workshops and special workshops at the end of 2012; and reached out to over 60,160 youths on the subject of entrepreneurship. From records, The Guardian learnt that in the last 12 years, Fate foundation has provided quality entrepreneurial education through a wide range of programmes and services that impacted positively the lives of those who had the privilege of going through the organisation. It has committed itself to encouraging wealth creation among aspiring entrepreneurs and business-minded individuals, rather than wealth acquisition. This in turn has helped to improve the quality of life and the creation of jobs in the society. The foundation has worked with, and continues to partner with a wide range of institutions and organisations, both local and international and has received tremendous support from public-spirited individuals. On how it has inspired so much creativity and hope, a member of the board said, “the visionary board of directors has focused their time, energy and resources towards the continuous growth and development of the foundation. These have contributed immensely to its success through their steadfast and tireless support, and they possess a worthy share of the impact and acclaim that we have achieved thus far.” In January 2012, the foundation joined the Youth Business International (YBI), a group of initiatives in 34 countries working to support young entrepreneurs in business. YBI Chief Executive, Andrew Devenport, described the move thus; “YBI is very excited to add such a progressive organisation to its network, especially one working in an area of acute need. Nigeria is an example of a country that can benefit from highly targeted and proven systems of enterprise support.” Since it set out, the organisation has continually supported people with unusual needs and those who have potential to achieve success in business. They are made to undergo training on specific areas of need. One such peculiar, but inspiring case is that of the Igwe twins: Titus and Tobais Igwe,

Model Entrepreneur Award presented to a distinguished entrepreneur in Nigeria; FATE Alumni Model Entrepreneur Award presented to a FATE-trained entrepreneur of distinction; FATE Outstanding Volunteer Award presented to dedicated individuals, who help entrepreneurs, and finally, FATE SME Journalist Award presented to a reporter who promotes and upholds the spirit of entrepreneurship. Notable past winners of FATE awards include; Aliko Dangote, Group President of Dangote Group of Companies; Tokunbo Talabi, CEO, Superflux International; Cosmas Maduka, President, Coscharis Group; Ibukun Awosika, CEO, Sokao Chairs; and John Momoh, CEO, Channels Television. According to the founder of the foundation, “The impetus behind FATE stemmed from a strong concern for the high level of unemployment and poverty in the country. It has committed itself to assisting young Nigerians to establishing and growing successful businesses by equipping them with the tools, skills, networks and financing required for this task. “In the last 12 years, it has also graduated 2,500 entrepreneurs from the FATE Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme and Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme, with over 65 percent of these entrepreneurs fully employed by their businesses and employing an average of seven staff each. “Thus, making a difference in their different little ways. And this is what FATE celebrates.” Udeme Ufot, the advertising maverick, was the recipient of the 2012 FATE Model Entrepreneur Award. Ufot is renowned for his creativity. During the award presentation, he narrated how he struggled, failed and continO reward excellence, FATE has organised series of ceremonies, which featured sever- ued striving for 25 years until he succeeded because he wanted fame, fun and fortune. He al award presentations to outstanding indigraciously acknowledged how in all his years viduals whose contributions and achievements were deemed to be above average each of doing business, his special love for advertising and his determination to succeed kept year. The foundation also holds graduation him well focused. ceremonies for participants of its business Some of the other 2012 awardees were: programmes. This annual celebration and entrepreneurial Saheed Kekere-Ekun, who got the FATE Alumni Model Entrepreneur for pioneering awards ceremony was initiated in 2001 to small chops such as samosa, buns and arrest the dearth of role models in the sausage rolls in Lagos, Nigeria and Bisi Alabi Nigerian society. The award also serves as a Williams of The Guardian, for emerging winplatform of rewarding distinguished entrepreneurs who have demonstrated qualities of ner of the 2012 FATE SME Journalist Award. hard work and tenacity and had built success- She was honoured for her resilience and selfless dedication to covering women/business ful businesses in spite of challenging busiissues in the SMEs industry and for promotness environment. They are showcased as ing and upholding the spirit of entrepreneurFATE’s role models and ambassadors. ship in the country. These award categories include: the FATE

who were given scholarship to attend the Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme (AEP) of the foundation. These young dynamic twins had since graduated and moved on to become entrepreneurs. They have an establishment known as the Speedmeals Mobile Kitchen, which got nominated for the United Nations Sukama Africa Award 2011, Leap Africa Award 2011, The Future Awards 2012, as well as the Entrepreneur of the Year 2012. They also got the Osun State Role Model Award 2012 and the grand prize of Samsung West Africa Hope For The Future Award, all from the N3 million turnover that their company made within the first year of establishment. The 25 - year - old twin entrepreneurs were listed as sixth Africa’s brightest young minds by The Bridge Leadership Foundation, nominated by African Award for Entrepreneurship (AAE) as Outstanding Small and Growing Business in Africa 2012. They are currently working in partnership with the Cross River State Government to train and empower 500 unemployed youths in the state on basic culinary skills. These young achievers would forever be indebted to FATE for bringing them to the limelight. Their story is just one of the many success stories of people who had contact with the foundation. The foundation provides four core services to her target audience, namely: FATE Aspiring Entrepreneurs Programme (AEP), FATE Emerging Entrepreneurs Programme (EEP), The FATE Short Entrepreneurial Courses and the FATE Alumni Business And Support Services.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 21

KALEIDOSCOPE

Tosin, Playing Africa Agric Ambassador In Berlin By Fabian Odum

OUNG graduates should stand up and do something. Entrepreneurship is a definite path out of unemployment. Personally, I don’t claim to be a great success but have taken significant steps. If you are educated to university level, appreciate your value and realise that you are better off than many of the youths in terms of your exposure and knowledge. “Agriculture is under-served, which is to say that the competition you are to face is much lower than if, you were to go into oil and gas or some other more popular sector. “If you cannot find a job, start a business while you are searching for that job and agriculture fits in,” counseled Tosin Odunfa in a chat with The Guardian last week. Tosin, a bubbly youth with higher education epaulettes from two continents: America and Europe, having bagged a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at Howard University (2008) and a master’s in Business Administration from University of Northampton in the UK (2012), is the company’s 2013 Africa Ambassador. Tosin runs TeraOlive, an upwardly mobile firm in Ikeja, Lagos involved in Social Media Strategy, Internet advertising and handles audiovisual briefs. But he would not let go of his convictions that going back to the land presents immense opportunities in an economy that has left youths of his generation with hope hanging in the balance. The youthful Nigerian Africa Ambassador for AGCO, a Berlin based international agriculture company which organised a food summit late January, was passionate about young people waving bye to unemployment by going back to farm and allied businesses. He returned from Germany a few weeks ago from an assignment that puts him in the position to make a clarion call to them to consider doing the business of agriculture. For too long, Africa has been dogged by unpalatable stories of food shortages, hunger, and consequent trail of diseases. Lately, the picture being painted by African leaders, multilateral agencies, and international organisations, which offer a hand and also angle for chunks of business deals in that sector, is becoming brighter by the day. Coincidentally, as the Nigerian government labours to bring real transformation in the agriculture sector, the German company’s

“Y

summit was in tandem with Nigeria’s local agriculture goal just weeks before World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering at Davos, Switzerland. So, Nigeria was not left out of the activities there and keyed into that window. AGCO believes that a veritable change agent that would leave enduring impact are the youths of the continent. Therefore to connect with the Africa audience and prospects, AGCO went in search of a suitable candidate to best portray the expected impact of youths in agriculture in the continent. This open contest and selection produced the Ogun State born AGCO’s Africa Ambassador. The TeraOlive Director says, “Africa undoubtedly, has the largest ratio of young to old people in the world; young people are an extremely important demographic in the continent and it is a phenomenon that is being given attention by AGCO on its part. And that is one of the reasons I am the 2013 AGCO Africa Ambassador. “With what I am doing, young people would not continue to go with the impression that you cannot be ‘cool’ or ‘sexy’ as a farmer. It is time to think agriculture and you don’t have to leave the rural area to make money. With this venture of AGCO, you don’t have to leave your profession to engage in agriculture. “Now, you can be a lawyer, chemical engineer, banker, computer or an artiste and be involved in agriculture.” Definitely, the Berlin event was high profile considering the array of World leaders that were there. From Africa came former Nigeria’s president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Ghana’s former leader, John Kuffour among others from different parts of the continent while former German Chancellor, Prof. Horst Kohler, AGCO’s President and Chairman, Prof. Martin Richenhagen and a host of top leaders from around the world took to the podium at different times. Tosin embraces the fact is that the leading drivers of the agric-forum are quite gone past their middle years, therefore strategic positioning requires that youths be attracted and encouraged to do business with and in agriculture. Role as AGCO Africa Ambassador “My role as AGCO Agric Ambassador is not as an agriculture specialist, but more for the media role. In reality, my educa-

tional background is what had made me who I am; now my interests go beyond engineering, they are broad. “For me to do business with AGCO, there is need to have a good grasp of the issues and being able to express or present them logically without ambiguity and my background helps me to do that.” Tosin said: “I have a lot of interest in agriculture, read a lot of articles on the subject and pay attention to them. I am also a media personality and have experience in radio and television and hosts live events. In many ways, this background and agric only played up what was natural and the things acquired.” Tango With AGCO In October 2012, the second AGCO Africa Ambassador contest came to his knowledge through the Internet. He applied online. In spite of the number of applications, he was certain, he would fit into the job (assignment), and he was indeed selected in the end. The Assignment Not to misapply his role for AGCO, Tosin said, “I am not the face of the organisation but would represent it at various events as planned by the German based multinational concern.” Having left the January 21 event that held in Berlin, Germany, his itinerary would see him in Johannesburg, South Africa in March 2013 where the company would be opening a farm machinery parts manufacturing plant. This is part of a one-year commitment with AGCO. However, somewhere in Tosin’s mind, he nurses a continuing relationship like a marketer who loves to make repeat calls where prospects have turned good. Agric hardware This company is likely to place third largest agricultural technology company in the world – tractors, harvester, combined harvest, and virtually anything that has to do with the development of the farm and processing farm produce, he says quite enthusiastically. This service covers both crops and livestock and, really poised to continued to feed the world. When Tosin mentioned Massey Ferguson, Challenger etc, they do not fail to register in the mind of farmers and stakeholder in the agric business sector as they are household names. More than ever before, Africa is increasingly becoming the beautiful bride in the sense that the potentials of deployment of equipment, technology and exploiting the food production potentials and marketing are playing up in a more positive manner. And Tosin would emphasise that AGCO is not just making entry to the continent. “It has had a long relationship with Africa; it is not new to the continent and vice versa! “It is becoming clearer that Africa holds a vital key to the food security of the world in the future, and the firm already knows this. And AGCO has committed significant funds and manpower to empower African farmers to play this role in a win-win situation.” Farming, like climate change activists argue, should be done in a sustainable way and the company has this as an underlying philosophy in today’s environmentally–challenged world. AGCO want to be a partner to farmers consumers and down the entire value-chain to ensure food security for Africa and the world, Tosin says. Presence in South Africa, Nigeria “As an image driver for the company and model for African youths to see Agriculture differently from what it had been in the past – drudgery, backward, not mobile, or smart for this age group – I see great optimism that agriculture is fast adorning the toga of ‘the game changer and this is the time for youths to take the plunge.” In Zambia, he tells of the existence of a model farm where the firm has committed a lot of resources. Here farmers are educated (some kind of empowerment) to get improved yield from AGCO No youth or investor would shy away from the subject of financing of his agriculture business else the dream would remain on paper. But Tosin reveals that the Zambian model, which he claims is quite a big project, has access to all these factors in mind. The model farm, like it has in Algeria, is a platform for the company to reach out holistically to the farmers. While keeping a tab on President Jonathan’s agriculture transformation agenda, the entry of private sector firms would give a lot fillip and stir the youth in the direction that holds so much in terms of employment generation. It would do a lot of good if AGCO would replicate exactly what it has done in Zambia here but much as Tosin believes the company has great plans for Nigeria; but he would not place a finger on whether or not it will be exactly as done in Southern Africa. To rub in the fact that AGCO is committed to doing things in Nigeria, Tosin reveals states like Enugu and Ekiti are already in talks with it and the present minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akin Adesina, is in touch with AGCO and the nation expects much from the relationship. These days when reality shows are being employed as market drivers of ideas in the arts, culture, and business, it could also be a tool in agriculture as being muted. But Tosin had not given this a thought, though he sees the possibility of using this tool. Lapses in Education The AGCO ambassador is glad to observe small changes like in the results of WASCE, NECO, which can translate to bigger things, though he thinks the universities of Agriculture should play greater and more practical role in the transformation of the agriculture sector in Nigeria. Speaking as a Nigerian youth, not necessarily in his official capacity, Tosin said, “A lot more need to be done to improve our society by becoming involved with governance from outside as leaders cannot do the governing all alone.” Youths, he counsels, should be involved more than before if proper changes are to be expected. Background Growing up with University of Ibadan botany and microbiology professor-father and a mother, who believes in backyard farming, sparked his enthusiasm in agriculture early in life. In secondary school, too, he embraced agricultural science. He read a lot of foreign books even if some were like fiction but as for education in the university, there was nothing like agriculture.

THE GUArDIAN, sunday, February 24, 2013

22 sUNDAYMAGAZINE

HEAlTH DIET & HEALTH

beeconservation@yahoo.com BY TUNDE FABUNMI

Why Younger Nigerians Are Dying Of stroke (2) and how? Unlike other spheres of life, the women particularly the urban elite. Funerals, wed- mones coupled with other systemic disorders trigger type 2 diabetes and hypertension — two major pattern of eating and lifestyles to live dings and other social engagements are purely causes of stroke. healthier, longer life, is immortal. We feast of fried foods especially meat and fish. Frying must eat the same way the early men ate is the “civilised” way of preparing foods irrespective Besides depleting essential hormones, fried foods also cause accumulation of fats, which impair in order to promote health and healing, of damage it has done to their chemistry and comblood circulation that often precipitate insulin rebecause there is only one model of man position. sistance that make type 2 diabetes incurable with since creation. God designed the physiolBut what is the connection between fried foods drugs. According to J.C Alexander, PhD, University ogy of man and the foods to make it work and stroke? Indulgence in fried foods depletes key efficiently in perfect health. This was why hormones like DHEA and testosterone, which help of Guelph, Ontario Canada, “people who eat a lot of fried foods are particularly vulnerable to circuladrugs were not part of God’s creations. the body maintain normal blood pressure and tion problems because frying allows oxidation of rather, God put drugs in foods, and foods blood sugar levels among other critical functions. fats to take place faster”. in drugs. As a matter of fact, pernicious level of these horIn other words, foods and drugs are inseparable. To do otherwise is tantamount to saying 12 is different from a dozen, which modern man does by consuming processed foods and drinks and rely on drugs and surgery for health and healing. The result is awful. Globally, modern By Marcel Mbamalu “The simple truth of the matter moderate coffee drinking can reman contends with diseases alien to nature, because human body is not strucBODY of researchers, Ignite is while an excess of anything is duce lower risk of symptomatic galltured for a lot of foods and drinks being scientific Committee, is work- never good, in moderation, cof- stones in woman, and protect consumed daily. ing to resolve the conflicting fee can actually be good for you. against symptomatic gallbladder For instance, frying foods is the rule signals that often trail discussions “Here are 10 health benefits from disease in men. The Harvard researchers suggested that the caffeine rather than exception for most Nigerian coffee consumption. The local re- your coffee drinking pleasure. searchers generally argue that the • Coffee may protect against in coffee is responsible for the gallHealth And Your Mind stone effect, perhaps because it trigbenefits of coffee drinking far out- heart disease. weigh perceived negative effects Coffee isn’t just your liquid wake- gers gallbladder contractions that attributable to the caffeine con- up call in the morning. It is actu- may discourage stone formation. ally full of powerful antioxidants • Coffee promotes regular digestent. Individuals, who are sensitive to called flavonoids, which help to tion. the stimulating effect of caffeine, prevent lDl cholesterol (the kind Have you ever noticed that you often have the option of drinking decaf- that’s bad for your heart) from ox- make a trip to the restroom in the feinated coffee to enjoy the good idizing and causing heart dis- morning, soon after drinking your cup or two (or three or four) of cofmoments and health benefits of ease. • Coffee may lower the risk of fee? That’s no coincidence. Coffee accoffee,” according to research FelBy Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan not necessarily suggest spiritual develop- low at the Nigerian Institute of stroke. Probably related to the tually clears you out! Medical research (NIrM), lower risk of heart disease, is a • Coffee reduces the risk of some s I rounded up in the last article, the ment or the truth of faith. Much more may be required to make for Bartholomew Brai, PhD. lower risk of stroke associated cancers. bible said ‘My people perish because adequate knowledge and the truth of this In the same vein, Olusegun- with drinking coffee. This is espe- Drinking coffee regularly actually reof lack of knowledge’ and I went is what I have just made reference to. It Joseph, a lagos-based medical ex- cially important for women, who duces your risk of getting colon canahead to add that in all practicality, the pert and researcher, observed that have a higher risk of having a cer by about a quarter. In addition, it knowledge that people lack and which is may still be open to debate but I will like to believe it authoritatively at this point in a lot of global research had been stroke. According to studies, also makes you less likely to develop making them to perish is the knowledge conducted on the effect of coffee women who drink a couple cups liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. about the true understanding of faith. The my own life that the spiritual development for any man is to realise in himself with most of the result being posi- of coffee a day reduce their risk by • Coffee helps you burn fat. knowledge about faith to the practical the power of faith. It is the common and Because coffee is a diuretic, many about 20 percent. tive. psychologist is a knowledge that is truly ultimate goal for all of humanity. The A research highlighted in a ses- • Coffee reduces the risk of de- people avoid it before they work out. entailed in the true development of the knowledge of this demands that it should sion report that was published by veloping type 2 diabetes. Coffee You might want to rethink that aphuman being. It is really about a conscientious effort at be removed from all religious and cultural the Institute for scientific Infor- drinkers who consume a lot of proach. Coffee has been shown to contaminations such as is affecting our mation on Coffee (IsIC), a not-for- coffee – about six or more cups help your body burn fat while you the diligent development of the human common superior understanding of what profit organisation devoted to the every day – are more than a third exercise aiding in weight loss. It also personality, and because this truth has faith is in our lives and its ultimate goal in study and disclosure of science re- less likely to develop type 2 dia- enhances performance by minimiznever been an essential part of the trainthe wellbeing of mankind. lated to coffee and health, also ob- betes, which occurs when the ing the effects of fatigue. ing of the human being right from his We have got to a point in human evoluserves that drinking three to four body becomes resistant to its • Coffee is actually good for your youth, the meaning of faith has been left tion such that rather than be talking of cups of coffee per day may help to own insulin. In addition to the teeth to float at random to suit the interpretathe issue of faith in terms of spiritual deantioxidants in coffee, which Everyone knows that one of the cons prevent type 2 diabetes. tion of anybody. Perhaps the sad part of velopment, which instinctively takes us An update and key findings of the help prevent tissue damage to of drinking coffee is a stained smile, the issue we are discussing is in the fact that religion for a very long time has been back to how to interpret from the perspec- research as, presented during a the body, coffee also contains but coffee can also have a positive eftive of how our religion sees it or accordsession at the 2012 World Congress minerals that help the body to fect on teeth. According to a 2009 arleft to be the custodian of how the coning to how our pastor, Imam or whatever on Prevention of Diabetes and Its use insulin effectively. ticle published in the Wall street cept of faith is interpreted. And much as Complications (WCPD) outlines • Coffee protects the brain Journal, people who drink coffee are religion could have been commended for explains it, its practical meaning and understanding is better appreciated when the epidemiological evidence link- against Alzheimer’s and Parkin- less likely to have cavities. roasted keeping the topic of faith alive for everying coffee consumption to dia- son’s diseases. Coffee has also coffee beans have antibacterial efbody, the parochial interpretations it has we all begin to realise that it has more to been subjected to, according to the mode do with our individual development, ori- betes prevention, among others. been shown to have a positive effects against microorganisms like entation and mindset. Dr. Pilar riobó serván, a speaker fect on the brain, and can im- streptococcus, which play a hand in of operations of different religions, also For the concept of faith to be successful in at the WCPD session, who serves as prove short-term memory. causing tooth decay. makes religion the bane of the underthe life of anybody, it has to be made clear Associate Chief of Endocrinology According to studies published • Coffee can help prevent/stop standing of the true concept of faith. so, when Prophet Hosea in the bible said, that it has a lot to do with a diligent devel- and Nutrition at the Jiménez Díaz- in The Journal of the American headaches opment of the mental and emotional ori- Capio Hospital of Madrid con- Medical Association, caffeine is a Have you ever wondered why caf‘My people perish because of lack of cludes: “A dose-dependent inverse cognitive stimulant that actually feine is one of the main ingredients knowledge’, he was aware of the fact that entation of the individual. This probably association between coffee drink- boosts brain functioning. Moder- in migraine medication like Exhe was talking to the Israelites who at that explains why Jesus said ‘what defiles the man is within him and not without. It is a ing and total mortality has been ate to heavy coffee drinkers re- cedrin Migraine? WebMD explains point in time, were supposed to be the call to be personally aware of your mental demonstrated in general popula- duce their risks of developing that blood vessels increase in size leading custodians of the word of God and emotional orientation. That may tion and it persists among diabet- dementia by about 65 per cent! during a migraine— caffeine works among mankind; but not withstanding ics. Although more research on the • Coffee reduces risk of sympto- to decrease the size of blood vessels that, they were apparently perishing. This make or mar your understanding of before they can affect nerves in the effect of coffee in health is yet matic gallstone disease is clearly suggesting the truth that know- knowledge, which is the truth of being. needed, current information sug- studies by the Harvard school of brain. so, drinking coffee in the early ing the bible or the Koran or any spiritual This is what faith is all about. gests that coffee is not as bad as Public Health have shown that stages of a headache can help minibook from the beginning to the end, does Ayo-Vaughan, a psychologist, lives in Lagos. mize the severity later on.” previously considered! NFOrTUNATElY, the end to human and financial losses associated with stroke is not in sight. It will possibly get worse. Why? Modern man zeros his mind on drugs and surgery for solutions to health challenges. Yet, drugs and surgery contribute only 10 per cent to human health while diet and lifestyles, which are within the control of individuals, account for 90 per cent positively or negatively. Invariably, our health status is determined by what we eat and how we live. Therefore, for Nigerians to put stroke at bay, the searchlight must be on our diet and lifestyles. Dr. larry B. Goldstein of the Duke University stroke Center put it best. “People who eat healthful diet and follow healthy lifestyles, have about 80 per cent reduction in the risk of stroke. There is nothing we do medically that is associated with an 80 per cent reduction in the risk of stroke.” However, many Nigerians particularly the urban dwellers literally invite stroke by what they eat and how they live. Why

Doctors list Benefits Of ‘Moderate’ Coffee Consumption

Truth In The Dynamics Of Faith (4)

A lesson From African Traditional Healthcare By Moji Solanke

EAlTHCArE in Africa in the early days of the twentieth century, at a time when the influence of the missionaries to Africa was not widespread, had a definite dimension to it that was not physical. The doctors or herbalists of those days believed that symptoms of ill-health were attributable, in some way, to the patient’s way of life, or their way of thinking – enmity, an unresolved quarrel, lingering hatred, unforgiveness, a sinful nature or some mysterious incident in the past. local people treated ailments with herbs, as well as incantations, divinations and libations. Portents and omens, restitution and reparation played a big part in the belief of both the cause and cure of disease. Today, in the twenty first century, traces of these traditional beliefs still remain in the approach to healthcare in Africa, even though the western way of thinking regarding treatment and healing sickness pervades healthcare policies in practically every country on the continent. Many erudite scholars and people of learning and culture still attribute, not only ill-health, but also ill-fortune, to un-

foreseen, spiritual or mysterious elements, which, they believe, influence their physical experience and wellbeing. Even some men and women of the cloth also trace the root cause of certain health problems directly to witchcraft, pacts with the devil, fear, sin or plain ignorance. What is the point here? Before we snort derisively at the ignorance of such beliefs and practices, wisdom cautions the need to consider the larger picture. Do not these African traditional practices of long ago, in some way hint at the overlooked mental nature of health? Many people, when faced with situations that have brought on extreme excitement, either in the form of danger or joy, have later stated, often with surprise, that at such moments, they ceased to feel the aches and pains that had seemed so prevalent and intrusive before. Physiology explains this as a rush of adrenaline, and yet, in some cases, this rush does not always produce the same effect. Healing through spiritual means, specifically Christian science healing, is definitely not African traditional healthcare. It is deeply rooted in Christianity. However, it continues to prove, with nu-

merous and indisputable cases of healing, that paying attention to the mental state of a patient, (removing fear from thought for example), brings a definite improvement in the physical condition. It must be mentioned that this system of healing is not a haphazard, hit-or-miss, superstitious wish for healing. Healing comes from gaining, in a Christianly practical way, a better understanding of God and man. The system can be learned by studying the Bible, as well as the Christian science textbook, science and health with key to the scriptures, written by Mary Baker Eddy. This raises a few questions for further thought. Must we relegate the mental nature of health to the slightly embarrassing background of unorthodoxy, or confine it to the dustbin of irrelevance, simply because it is not physical? Are there no lessons to be learned from the traditional African model of health care, despite the modern advances in medical and religious thought? Does the mental not play some part, (and dare we say an active part), in health and healing?

m_asolanke@hotmail.com

THe GUArDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAy MAGAZINe

CAMPUS

UNILAG Programmers Blaze Trail In Social Networking By David Ibemere He decision by identical twins, Chika and Chidi Nwaogu, from the University of Lagos, to develop a social code book on ladies and gentlemen, known as LAGBooK in a classroom in April, 2010, where students of the university meet to share experience, has today grown to become one of the fastest growing social website with 920,000 users from all over the world. Forging ahead with their initiative, the twin brothers have entered into partnership with Versamel Limited, a United Kingdom registered internet company that will take over the operations of the social networking site and its sister websites, Jamaa and Befondit. This, according to the programmers, is a

milestone achievement after its recent partnership with research In Motion (Blackberry) Nigeria, which will further their quest to connect millions of young people in Africa and beyond on a single platform a reality. An excited Chidi, currently studying in Japur, India, for his Masters degree, said Jamaa, which will be launched soon, would be a foremost social blogging community that will feature some exciting utilities for bloggers to share their articles with Jamaa users. The site offers bloggers a link back to their blog, thus creating traffic for bloggers who use Jamaa. Quality articles from bloggers will also be featured on the Jamaa homepage. “Jamaa is to be the fully-moderated hyper-local hub for Africans. Bloggers

are to share about their cities with focus on entrepreneurship, politics, sports, entertainment, education, technology and similar topics. The site is expected to become Africa’s number one web resource for recent happenings in the continent and will be launched in South Africa, egypt, Kenya, and Ghana,” he said. The second social networking site, Befondit, will be a secured crowd-funding website that will aid local entrepreneurs, musicians, and project founders to raise funds for their projects and yield profit for those who funded their projects. “In a continent like Africa, Befondit is a must need, as most African-based projects are shut down few months after due to little or no funding to fuel its growth. Befondit is here to solve this rising problem in Africa,” Chidi boasted. The brothers say that the idea for LAGBooK originated when they both wondered what faculty a girl they saw on campus might belong to. Chidi believed she was not a science student, and Chika believed she was. The two argued and adjourned the argument. A few months later, Chidi brainstormed an idea to settle the argument while having lunch at a canteen in his hall of residence, eni Njoku Hall. He suggested they create a social network for students of the University of Lagos, which would require students to register with their matriculation numbers, and supply upon registration, their course of study, faculty, department, mode of entry, year of entry and other details. The basic idea was to create a social platform where students of their university could unwind, connect with one another and share their daily experience. Students created a social circle that mimicked their social activities in school. Over 3,000 students registered within two months of run, including the girl whose information they wanted. They recognised her with her profile picture. Chidi was wrong, Chika was right. She was a science student.

The programmer twins, Chika and Chidi

Indomie Announces 5th Nutrition Scholarship Award By Abraham Oladipupo

VC Charges Pioneer Students On Anti-social Behaviours

UFIL Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has announced the commencement of the 2013 Indomie National Post-graduate Nutrition Scholarship Awards. The scholarship was instituted in 2009 for students studying Nutrition and Dietetics at Masters’ degree level, with the aim of encouraging the training of high-level manpower in the country. According to the Public relations Manager of the firm, Tope Ashiwaju, the scheme was initiated to address the wide knowledge gap in Nutrition and Dietetics. He stated that the company is collaborating with select Nigerian universities in the training and empowerment of high-level professionals, who will in turn produce a significant number of highly-trained nutritionists. On the eligibility for the scholarship, Ashiwaju said, “it is open to Nigerian students qualified for admission to MSC programme in Nutrition and Dietetics in the country. Awards will be made to qualified students from the six geopolitical zone of the federation, including the FCT.” Coordinator of the programme, Prof. Babatunde Oguntona, urged eligible candidates to take full advantage of the scheme, which he said would prepare them for expertise in the field of Nutrition and Dietetics.

From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia reGOry University, Uturu, in Abia State, has warned its fresh students, addressed as scholars, to shun all form of indecent dressing and anti-social behaviours. reading the riot act last week while welcoming the pioneer students of the institution, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Juliet elu, said the thrust of the varsity’s programmes would be the production of scholars cum entrepreneurs. Claiming that the private university is different from others, elu said: “it shall not be expected of the graduates of this university to be wanting in the world of work. Our scholars would be groomed to make the difference with exemplary performance.” She added that Gregory University aspires to be a teaching and researchbased university, focused on education for work and the marketplace. “It is our expectations that this

university will compete with the rest of the world by churning out graduates with the ability to produce and consume knowledge that is science-intensive and technologically innovative. “The uniqueness of our school is the way we integrate the components of our mission, which is ‘Knowledge for Tomorrow.’ We want to produce students that will be responsive to the demands of a

competitive and dynamic global economy,” she said. The Vice Chancellor consequently charged the students to apply themselves productively to their academic endeavours. Her words: “It is important that you acquire the attitude, skills and character that will enable you find fulfillment and accomplishment in a world that is increasingly competi-

Prof. Juliet Elu, Vice Chancellor of Gregory University

Oboh, Queen Tourism of Edo State and student of Benson Idahosa University

BIU Student emerges Tourism Queen Of edo By Nosakhare Uwadiae WeNTy two-year old 100Level Accountancy student of Benson Idahosa University, Joan Oboh, has emerged Queen Tourism of edo State 2012. The elated beauty queen, who hails from Igueben Local Government Area of edo State, said her emergence was the handiwork of God and testimony of her passion for modeling. “I am fulfilled being the new Queen Tourism, I am really excited. My passion, fate and

God scaled me through. The competition was stiff as hundreds of young ladies from different tertiary institutions in the country participated in the pageant, which makes it beautiful wearing this crown,” she said. Queen Tourism pageantry is organised by ereek entertainment Foundation, which is aimed at boosting the cultural heritage of edo State and giving succour to the needy. Oboh said her one-year tenure would afford her the opportunity to raise more talents in fashion and modeling.

Owerri Poly Matriculates 4,000 Students By Nwachukwu Chukwuemeka Ver 4,000 students of the Federal Polytechnic, Owerri, took their matriculation oath last Wednesday. The ceremony began at exactly 11:45am with a procession of the matriculating students, followed VC Charges Pioneer Students On Anti-social Behaviours by the heads of department, deans of the various faculties and the governing council of the institution. In her address, rector of the polytechnic, Dr. (Mrs.) Celestina Njoku, admonished parents to invest more in their children if they aspire to reap richly in the nearest future. She advised the students to face their studies squarely and shun all illicit acts that could end their stay in the institution. A parent, Mr. Peter Onuoha, tasked the school management on the provision of a conducive learning environment for the grooming of future leaders. He advised the students to be hardworking, which he said is the watchword for academic excellence. A physically-challenged student, Oguguo Chinonso, who gave an address on behalf of the matriculating students, was presented with a scholarship, while all the female students in the department of electrical engineering, Agriculture engineering and Civil engineering were given N20,000 each.

WISeCrACKS A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power. Brian Tracy Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned. Buddha Great minds have purpose, others have wishes. Washington Irving each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem. Henry Kissinger

Let us know Every week, LIFE CAMPUS reports on events in students’ communities across the country. You can contribute by sending stories, gossips, reports on events and your pictures for Campus Faces to us at: templer2k2@yahoo.com or guardianlife2005@yahoo. com

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN,Sunday, February 24, 2013 24

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Adeoye College Inter-house Sports

Emerald House with the trophy

FTER a keen competition and display of remarkable skills, Emerald House won the trophy at this year’s Adeoye International College Sports competition held at the premises of the school in Ota, Ogun State. Aside the elegant showcasing of colours with a spectacular march-past to the admiration of parents, teachers and sport lovers, the winning House scored 229 points to

clinch the first position at the third interhouse sports competition. Ruby House trailed closely in the second position with 220 points. Sapphire House was third with 139 points, while Diamond House came fourth with 129 points. Mr. Kolawole Fabiyi, the school’s Sport Director said inter-house sport competition is very vital, as education is not all about the

academics alone. To him, sports competition is all about mental exertion, physical as well as spiritual development. “We are committed to breeding total children capable of holding their own both in academics and sports any where they may find themselves.” Joke Adigun, Executive Director of the school said the purpose of the competition is to bring out the spirit of sportsmanship in the

THESAURUS

Crevice a) gap b) hole c) corner d) top

Cheeky a) fat b) oily c) rude d) dull

Rancour a) fight b) resentment c) do d) anger

Lethal a) fabric b) deadly c) surface d) sour

Poignant a) sharp b) raise c) moving d) dole

Debilitating a) fitting b) slimming c) incapacitating d) bathing

Ruthless a) name b) cruel c) dash d) risk

Harangue a) berate b) taste c) play d) beat

Niche a) carve b) cut c) place) flower

Porous a) absorbent b) soft c) wet d) paint

students. Aside from the academics, he said, students must also be trained in sports. She explained that the inter house sports, which featured 100, 200 and 400 meters race will help develop the students’ psychomotor. “I believe that taking part in it will not only help the students to be physically fit but also sound in mind”. Eze Bode, one of the best athletes in the competition said his excellent performance was as a result of adequate training and preparations provided by the school. He promised to combine sports with academics for a prospect future. Invited schools include Covenant University Secondary School, Fountain College and Faith Academy. —Oluwakemi Ajani —

Solutions To Brain Teaser (18) POWERFUL

SLENDER

STRANGE

RAPID

MODERN

FEEBLE

CURIOUS

ORDER

Children of Onyx (Yellow) House in a march past at the beginning of 2013 Lagooz school Sports Festival on Thursday at the Agege Stadium, Lagos

COMPILED BY KIKELOLA OYEBOLA

(You can contact us on events for this page through: e-mail: jideoojo@yahoo.com , 08035818924)

Sunday, February 24 , 2013 25

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Lafete Seeking Fortune @ The Wheatbaker BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR N Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa’s Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Irunmale, Aramada is the enigmatic, weird character, who blows hot and cold, depending on the people around him. But Quinton Fortune is not such a character. Probably, he was, as a footballer, when he was plagued by series of injuries, which prevented him from receiving Premiership medals for three seasons, despite playing in three Premiership winning teams (1999–2000, 2000–01 and 2002–03). Fortune never played the required 10 games to earn a winner’s medal, making 6, 7 and 9 appearances respectively. But never worry; Fortune is now a flush with new ideas. Don’t blame him for that. Recently, he was in Nigeria, from February 7 to 10, to be precise. On Friday, February 8, fans of Manchester United were fortunate to spend an evening with the former striker courtesy of DHL. Don’t forget, the company is the official logistics partner and training kit sponsor of United. Fortune was on hand at The Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, to sign autographs and memorabilia and to discuss what has made Man U a success. Commenting on this landmark event, the Managing Director, DHL Express Nigeria, Mr. Randy Buday, said: “Quinton Fortune’s visit to Nigeria provides us with a unique platform to showcase DHL’s involvement with Manchester United to our key customers and staff locally. It was a fantastic opportunity for people to meet Fortune, and discuss the club’s popularity and success within Africa and globally. The passion and enthusiasm of United’s fans is celebrated around the world, and Nigeria is no different.” Events lined up to host the football also included a friendly football match as well as appearances on selected TV sport shows. There was a characteristic note of intimate conversation, as we chatted this evening before he began to sign autographs.

As we stood in a far corner drinking, with people streaming in and out of the venue, he was very excited. Suddenly, I asked him, how it felt to be out of football? “I’m enjoying myself,” Fortune admits. He nods his heads, walking gently to where Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, former Super Eagles coach stood, to say hello. Anything for now? “I still go to training at Manchester United every day. If I stayed at home it would have affected me. I’ve played football since the age of four, so, I don’t know what to do,” he snaps. He continues, “I want to keep fit and the other part is I’m doing my coaching badges.” What are his interests and hobbies away from football? “I don’t think of anything else other than football. It’s been like that my whole life. I watch a lot of football on the TV. I’m also motivated to read, whenever I have the time.” His greatest career regrets? “All the injuries,” he breathes. “They were frustrating. When I was at United I had quite a lot.” His feeling after Mali defeated South Africa at the AFCON 2013? “I was very sad because, as I thought, that was our best game in the tournament. We started slowly in the group stages, but against Mali, we performed very well. But in the penalties, we were just not there,” he says. For somebody with coaching ambitions, include managing his country, South Africa, how does he perceive of treatment meted to indigenous coaches? “What matters is for the coach to bring professional mentality, which many of the indigenous coaches are lacking,” he says. “Let us look at Stephen Keshi, he showed a lot of professionalism because he played football. This is what he has brought to the table as a coach.”

HOMEFRONT

/28

Fortune, currently taking his coaching badges, says it is his “dream” to manage South Africa. “However, now, I want to gain as much knowledge and information as I can while I’m at United. Then I will try to get work in this country and move up the ladder.” Is there any possibility that Africa will win the World Cup in the next 20 years? “Yes. From what I’ve seen, we will win the World Cup in 20 years time. The more African players are in Europe, the better for our national teams,” he says. According to Fortune, “the best way we can compete with the likes of Brazil is to have players with such professional mentality.” He, however, adds a proviso: “Our Federations should be more organised. The Federations need to sort themselves out. And there must be adequate preparation on the part of our teams.” ORN on May 21, 1977, the former footballer represented a number of European clubs B including Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Bolton Wanderers. Fortune earned 53 caps for South Africa, including playing in the 1998 and the 2002 World Cups. He most recently played for Doncaster Rovers, but failed to earn an extension to his contract when it expired in January 2010. Fortune left South Africa at the age of 14 and moved to England where he played for the Tottenham Hotspur junior team (whilst attending Forest School), but never made a senior appearance for the club. After having trouble obtaining a work permit, Fortune moved to Spain, where he played for Atlético Madrid. Fortune worked as a model for an antidomestic violence group called Tender as part of their Don’t Kick Off campaign. This campaign ran through the 2010 FIFA World Cup to stop men from using football as an excuse for violence against women.

IJ Valerie dazzles at ALL THAT JAZZ 36 Valentine Rave ARTS

/39

At Agbarha-Otor, Onobrakpeya blends Art, Communication ALL THAT JAZZ

The Thunderous Drums Of Art Blakey

Fortune with Coach Onigbinde at the event

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

26 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

LAFETE Nigerian, American artistes to grace Corporate Nigeria Investors Forum HE Broadway Ballroom, New York Hotel vant Nigeria Professional Bodies and T Marriot Marquis, Broadway, New York is set to Government Decision makers in a parley host Corporate Nigeria Stakeholders & Investors Forum from April 29 to 30, 2013. The Chief host of the forum is Prof. Ade Adefuye, the Ambassador/Head of Mission of the Embassy of Nigeria to United States, Washington DC ably supported by the Consul General of Nigeria High Commission in New York, Mr. Habib Baba Abu. The Investors’ forum is in a fusion of partnership with top professional bodies in Nigeria such as Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Institute of Directors (IOD), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce (NACC). In a statement, the forum organisers said it was initiated to open the country up for more business opportunities. Objectives of the forum, the statement said, include investors taking “advantage of Nigeria’s high populace to increase national per capital income; to create enabling environment in policies, processes with a gathering of policy makers and potential investors under one negotiating roof; to increase international capital flows to Nigeria; to reposition Nigeria as giant in terms of size, investments, infrastructure etc; to attract foreign investment into Nigeria by showcasing our positive values and attractive investment opportunities; to provide a roundtable for dissemination of reliable relevant information on Nigeria’s various sectors and; a high level networking forum with a convergence of the rele-

with foreign investors from various countries across the world.” Guest speakers are Arc. T.C. Awagu, President: Institute of Directors & Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce, Inspector General of Police, MD. Abubakar on impact of Security on Investment; Mr. Olusegun Aganga; Hon. Abike Dabiri- Erewa, chairman, House Committee on Diaspora matters, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, industry leaders in entertainment, banking, trade, diplomatic relations and Nigerians in the Diaspora, to mention a few. Professor Adefuye will give the welcome address. There will be a grand gala nite on the second day where top Nigerian artistes will perform to the delight of summit participants and Nigerians residing in USA in the elaborate 7-star theatre of Hotel Marriot with special appearance from at least two top Hollywood stars to honour the event. On ground in Nigeria to market the twoday event after several trips to event venue are Kemi Otegbade-led Heartlink, Dr. Ayodeji Fred Mafikuyomi, MD, Unicorn Holdings Ltd, Yinka Ogundimu, Ola Okpeseyi with support from the advisory board members such as Engr. Dideolu Falobi of Kresta Laurel, Chief Olusola Dada, Arc. Femi Majekodunmi and others. Not less than five state governments are expected to showcase investment opportunities in their various states.

EbonyLife TV lift for Nigerian entrepreneurs NTREPRENEURS in Nigeria can now actualize international broadcast. E their various business visions and goals more It is a unique opportunity for limited discerneasily through greater increase in their brand or ing entrepreneurs across the entire continent

who have a business turnover of between N10 million to N150 million a year and who desire to grow their business by advertising on TV, but who may have a limited budget to advertise through the medium. The Xcel proposition enables entrepreneurs invest an agreed minimal amount per month for spot Advertisments on the EbonyLife TV Channel. This plan is designed to help deliver increase in the visibility of their products or brands, with the attendant result being an expansion in their customer base, revenue and profitability and customer loyalty. “EbonyLife XCEL is an initiative for Small and Medium businesses in Nigeria who have built their companies from the ground up and are successfully creating significant and powerful brands that can stand shoulder to shoulder with their foreign counterparts,” said Head, Business Development and Strategy of the Media Company, Abolade Durojaiye. She said, “these indigenous companies would benefit greatly from exposure on our various media platforms, and that is why we are presenting them with unprecedented access at a discounted rate.” Durojaiye continued, “the initiative offers the production of a 30 second TV commercial and 100 advertising spots to run for a 13 week period during our advertising belts.” According to her, “this offer is unprecedented and we are confident that the exposure companies would receive will help expand their business and strengthen their brands. We are able to sustain this introductory offer because we made a decision in support of small and medium businesses; to celebrate the launch of the TV Channel with only 100 XCEL partners.” CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, reinforcing this position, said: “It is important to start to grow our indigenous, tried and tested brands into becoming international brands. For the first time ever, we offer growing brands a Pan African Head, Business Development, Media and Entertainment platform to stand shoulder to shoulder with the City Africa, Abolade Durojaiye biggest and best brands globally, at an affordable product awareness made possible by highly discounted advertising opportunities through EbonyLife Xcel. Xcel is the EbonyLife TV enterprise building package that empowers small and medium size enterprises, by helping them put their products and services in the faces of millions of customers Pan African wide via the DStv platform. In addition, the package also includes the TV channel working with XCEL Business Entrepreneurs on the conceptualisation and production of quality camera-ready TV Commercials for their businesses for

Ankara… The Christ Way BY DANIEL ANAZIA T was a fusion of music, comedy, gospel and fashion recently, as Glory Christian Ministries (GCM) held its Ankara Night at the Gloryland Dome, Odo-Olowu, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos. Organised by the youth arm of the church, the event, fifth in the series, had members of the congregation and guests resplendently dressed in various cuts and colours of the ankara fabric. It was indeed an all comers’ affairs with older audiences gracing the occaNew York working team with Consul General, Habib Baba Habu sion. Fast rising comedienne, Ebinyo was certainly in her elements as she held the audience reeling in laughter with her jokes. Also the company, said, “this fourth edition of adding spice to the evening were Holy Face, XCITEMENTS rented the air at the Milethe Scratch and Win promo is the biggest One Market, Port Harcourt, Rivers State an upcoming comedian and On-Air radio of all, with a mega winner assured of N5 recently, when Mrs. Christaben Frank-Hart personality and comedian, MC Ajebo. million.” emerged winner of N1 million in the 2013 On the objective of the event, Pastor Ben He revealed that his company is comScratch and Win a Million Naira promo of So Chiadika, resident pastor, Glory Christian mitted to the cause of transforming lives Klin and Good Mama detergent. Centre, Odo-Olowu, said, it was conceived to of winners, most especially, the lucky Mrs. Frank-Hart couldn’t believe her eyes celebrate Jesus Christ as well as Nigeria’s rich and was filled with total shock at the presen- recipient of N5 million. cultural heritage. “The promotion is targeted at rewarding tation of the N1 million cheque by Mr. Tarek “When people ask why use ankara to propaDarwiche, a So-Klin management represen- loyal customers for their patronage, and gate Christ, our reply is, Why not? Ankara is a also, to empower more consumers availtative. popular fabric that is distinctively Nigeria able. She expressed her profound gratitude to and here in our Ministry, we celebrate our Eko Supreme Resources Nigeria Limited culture and tradition the same way we celethe organisation for availing her of such a has consistently embarked on this exergroundbreaking opportunity. Apart from brate Jesus Christ. That was why we decided cise, yearly. The promo will run till May 31, to reach people through it,” he stated. Frank-Hart, 10 other lucky winners went when 45 winners would have emerged home with the sum of N25,000 each. Describing the event as a creative way of across the country. Mr. Alan Orvin, another representative of worshiping God, Chidiaka says, “there were other preachers before Jesus Christ but Jesus stood out because of the creative ways he used in passing his message. Back in his day, Jesus used parables to spice his teachings. So, we decided to borrow a leaf by being creative in our declaration that Jesus is Lord. This is our own way of worshipping God. If we succeed in passing the right message to the people then our work here is done.” He added, “Ankara Night is a prelude to the official dedication of our newly completed ultra-modern worship facility — The Gloryland Dome. This is like a dressing rehearsal for our forthcoming 21st summit and anniversary, which holds from March 6 to 10. It’s going to be fabulous.” Mrs. Christaben Frank-Hart with her cheque Beyond comedy, there was also, a scintillat-

ing dance choreography from dance group, Blaze and soul-inspiring music from gospel acts including Blaze, Liza C, Rosemary Ayoko, Acho and others, which kept the audience on the edge of their seats. Female saxophonist, P-Sax, shone like a star on the night, as she held everyone with her dexterity on the saxophone, taking the audience through medleys of gospel music with her performance.

Scratch and Win with So Klin

Blaze performing at the event

Lisa at the event

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 27

MOVIEDOM

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI

shaibu70@yahoo.com

Around and about Nollywood...

ibinabo with-veterans, Chika Okpalla aka Chief Zebrudaya (left) and actor Roy De Nani Nnena & Friends Valentine Show, which held When AGN president, Ibinabo on Sunday, February 17 at the National Fiberesima, met Moviedom veterans Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. Over 6,000 kids and adults were entertained by Papa Ajasco & NE of the things Ibinabo Fiberesima Company, N-Stars, Seyi Law, DJ Zeez, MC promised members of the Actors Guild Prince, Big Mickey and others. of Nigeria (AGN) to do if elected president is According to Yinka Olukunga (Nnena), host to reconcile warring factions of the guild. of the show, “The Nnena & Friends Valentine Now in the saddle, IB, as she is simply called, Show once again achieved its set objectives of has taken steps to reposition the guild. providing avenue for kids and youths to recently, she organised a forum for enjoy family-friendly entertainment with Nollywood veterans in the South East, where their peers during the Valentine season. We over 20 popular Nigerian actors with several are already concluding preparations for the years of acting experiences attended. Held Nnena & Friends Easter Show and the details in Owerri, Imo State, on February 9, at De would be released shortly, but until then, Tweeters Lounge, the event saw every one of watch out for the broadcast of the Valentine them pour out his or her mind, at the same Show on wapTV on StarTimes Channel 222 time, assuring the AGN president that they and other TV stations across the country.” The are ready to work with her. While rita Nnena & Friends Easter Show would hold on Edochie listed lack of unity among memSunday, March 31 at the National Theatre, bers, as one reason she has detached herself Iganmu, Lagos. from the guild. She also pointed out that there’s lack of accountability by past administrations. Chika Okpala, popularly known as Chief Zebrudaya, on his part, lauded Ibinabo’s administration and described the forum as a step in the right direction. rita said most states chapter heads do not give proper account of the levies and dues they collect from members. However, she and NFC, Censors Board mournEsiri other actors in attendance have resolved to return, and also, woo other members to support the Ibinabo-led administration. The HE Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has president, who literary broke down in tears joined other fans of Nollywood to mourn when the aged actors all welcomed her with the late Chief Justus Esiri, Officer of the Order a standing ovation, disclosed that she called for the forum to solicit support of the veterans in Nollywood for a better guild. “I’m overwhelmed by this response. I still can’t believe you all left your various homes to be part of this forum at such a short notice. My decision to call for this meeting was to seek your support, to tell you that you all matter to the guild and to hear your pains, your discomfort and everything you would love to be done right,” she said. She continued, “we have put in place several things for every member of our guild, but how can members benefit all these when we can’t locate them or they have refused to be members of because of one reason or the other? I can tell you that with this turn out, I believe AGN would return to its days of glory.” Ibinabo also stressed the need for old and new members of the guild to re-validate their membership online via the guild’s website, www.actorsguildnigeria.org. This, according to the president, will help the guild build its member database and curb the widely complained mismanagement of funds. The actress and ex-beauty queen also disclosed that insurance policies, health plans, vacation plans and others have been secured by her administration for members. Chika Okpala, Fabian Adibe, Tom Njemanze, rita Tony Edochie, Ikechukwu Ezenago, Stan Amadi, Samson Obidinne, Ifeanyi Odikaesieme, Chris Nkulor, Chinwe Owoh, Vitalis Ndubuisi, Salome Okeke, Cynthia Okereke, Ikwuegbu Stella and remy Ohajianya were some of the members in attendance.

Words on marble for the late Esiri (19422013)

Spectacular valentine show from Nnenna and Friends

ALE Adenuga Productions’ Nnena & Friends brand has started 2013 in a big way with the recently concluded

Olukunga

of the Niger (OON). Managing Director of NFC, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, described the passing away of the actor as painful and irreplaceable. “The legendary actor was a great influence to all television and movie lovers, who carved an enviable niche for himself in the Nigerian motion picture industry, as a ‘character actor’, skillful and always at his best on the screen,” he said. Mr. Adesanya, said the good works of the late Esiri would continue to resonate for a long time, as one of the nation’s finest actors dating back to the 80s, when he played the lead role in the now rested Village Headmaster. Also the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has commiserated with the family of Mr. Esiri and to the entire motion picture industry. Acting Director General of the Board, Mrs. Patricia Bala described the late actor as one of the most talented and respectful members of the movie industry in Nigeria. According to Bala: “He was such a positive role model and inspiration to the industry. Death is always a time of great sorrow and on behalf of everyone at the NFVCB, I commiserate with the family.’’

Ibinabo Fiberisima, president, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)

heartfelt condolences to the family of veteran actor Justus Esiri, who died on Tuesday. Odeabatu described the actor as an “excellent actor and gentleman.” The Ojez boss recalled that the late actor was honoured by Ojez Entertainment forum last year. “When he came to receive the O’jez award, he was such an excellent gentleman from the way he carried himself ... the nation and, indeed, the entertainment industry have lost a rare gem,” Odobeatu said.

Emem Ema, artiste manager, singer NCLE Justus was an icon and I had U opportunity to work closely with him last year. It was an experience I will be forever grateful for, as I was able to tap into his wealth of wisdom and learn as much as I could about what we now know as Nollywood. I wish I could have spent more time or perhaps, tapped into it earlier. However, I am consoled in the fact that I came in contact and learnt from a true thespian and icon of our time. My prayers and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.’’

Chioma Akpotha, award winner

E will miss him in AGN. He was like a OrDs have failed me! His voice keeps W father to us, always supporting us. W ringing in my head...’Chioma you Words cannot describe how I feel right now. have to dig deeper if you want to be differHe was a pillar to me from my early acting days to my campaign, election and till he died, he was always there for me. Uncle Esiri was a complete gentleman, a disciplinarian, responsible and caring. father He made me believe in myself and I thank God for his intervention in my life. I will never forget his smile, which were very genuine and large always.”

O’jez mourns Justus Esiri HAIRMAN of Ojez Entertainment Limited, CChief Joseph Odobeatu, has expressed

ent from the rest!’ I can’t believe he is gone. He would correct in his unique voice with a grin that gently transforms into a hearty laugh! O dear, I can’t believe he is gone. Many times a daddy, he was to me. The actors’ actor, the veterans veteran, rest In Peace!’’

Andy Amenechi, president Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) E was an enigma, a creative spirit of H such diverse talents that kept you in awe. Uncle Justus was a mentor, whose advice was priceless, even when it hurts. He was a true father, whose extra ordinarily large heart endeared him to all. Good night Uncle, may your shadow never grow less.’’

Nliam, singer, soundtrack specialist E was an icon and a legend; he came, he H saw, he conquered and now, has gracefully bowed out. I believe he will continue his acting in heaven. I was fortunate to work with him on the set of Assassins Practice, a movie directed by UK-based, Andy Ukoh. On set, we had a very tight schedule because most of the crew and some of those who came from the UK had to go back to meet other commitment, but Uncle Justus’ passion, presence, professionalism and patience, helped us a great deal. I looked forward to working with him again, but alas, God has called him home.”

O’jez fetes Super Eagles celebrity restaurant, O’Jez will today, TtheHE February 24, hold a special session for reigning African champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria. The event is its monthly award series tagged O’jez Entertainment Awards. Scheduled to begin at 7pm, the show will witness the presence of entertainment practitioners, celebrities and sports aficionados such as president general of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Club, Dr. rafiu Ladipo, coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, and others. “O’jez Entertainment Forum Award has declared today as Super Eagles Nite. It will be a night of music, comedy and dance in honour of the Nigerian nationalteam. Super Eagles made Nigerians proud earlier this month when they won the Cup of Nations, 19 years after the last victory in Tunisia. MC Shakara, Elenu and Elder O have been billed to thrill guests while veteran highlife musician, Fatai rolling Dollars will be on stage as well as pop and r&B singer, Francis Sky (MON). Nollywood star, Charles Inojie, as usual is compere.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

28 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

SOMEWHEREELSE

HOMEFRONT

BY CHUKS NWANNE

Amber Rose, Wiz Khalifa Welcome Baby Boy

mber Rose and Wiz Khalifa are now proud A parents of a baby boy. The model gave birth to son Sebastian Taylor Thomaz Thursday, February 21, after announcing she was expecting at the 2012 MTV VMAs. The Black & Yellow hitmaker confirmed the news, taking to Twitter to write: “Happy Birthday Sebastian “The Bash” Taylor Thomaz!!! Everyone welcome this perfect young man into the world.” Rose has since posted a pic of Wiz holding his newborn son on Instagram, accompanied with the caption: “Best daddy ever.... Up with the baby so Muva can go back to sleep. Pal Rihanna has since congratulated the couple on their new arrival, tweeting a snap of herself with Amber at the Grammy Awards and writing: “Congratulations to my fam @mistercap and @muvarosebud!!! Welcome baby Bash! You’re born in an exquisite month #babypisces.”

Ashley Cole ‘Dumps Valleys Girl Anna’

ngland football star, Ashley Cole is reportE ed to have ended his relationship with a cast member of MTV’s The Valleys. The Chelsea defender had been dating Anna Kelle in recent weeks, but the Daily Star claims that he has given her the red card because he thinks she sold stories to the press. According to report, the duo met via Twitter and had been spotted smooching while out on the town in London. But a source told the paper; “Ashley has ended their relationship. He is livid and thinks girls should go out and earn their own money instead of constantly trying to make cash out of him. Everyone he dates wants to be the next Cheryl Cole. He’s really fed up and just wants a normal girl to settle down with. He wants to concentrate on his football career.” It was reported, Ashley had harboured hopes for the relationship with glamour model Anna. “Ashley and Anna definitely had a connection, but over the weekend Ashley blasted off saying he’s fed up with these kind of girls selling stories on him. He’s sworn off glamour-type girls”, the source stated.

Kim Not Leaving Keeping Up With The Kardashians

im Kardashian has shed some light on K her reality TV show future, stating she has no plans to leave Keeping Up With The Kardashians yet. Rumours that the socialite was planning to bow out of the show emerged following her interview with DuJour magazine, where she is said to have claimed that the ninth series of the programme will be her last. She is quoted telling the publication: “I think there’s always an evolution of, you know, what you want to do in life. I’m ready to be a little less open about some things, like my relationships. I’m realising everyone doesn’t need to know everything. I’m shifting my priorities.”

Rihanna Spends Birthday With Chris Brown

ihanna proved her romance with Chris R Brown still going strong, spending her 25th birthday with the R&B bad boy in Hawaii. Despite reports suggesting the duo may have split, RiRi took to Instagram on Wednesday, February 20, to share a snap of herself sitting on Breezy’s lap, showing off her assets in a bikini and fishnet skirt. Chris wearing dark sunglasses, sports a stern expression, while the Bajan Babe playfully pokes her tongue out at the camera. RiRi wrote: “Pour it up pour it up! #birthdaybehavior.” The couple was later seen taking a romantic stroll by the water, with Brown taking the Umbrella singer by the hand and leading her on their walk.

From Left, the Brand Manager Veleta Fruit Wine, Chioma Alonge; popular actress, Monalisa Chinda; Head of Marketing, Intercontinental Distillers, Innocent Oboh and Nollywood producer, Chico Ejiro; at the Veleta Valentine Fiesta held at Oriental Hotel, Lagos on February 14. Lagos’ school choir. She began her voice training and writing lyrics when she was nine years, and a member of her church’s children choir. IJ Valerie has performed in many shows within Lagos, and she has received variT was, indeed, difficult not to feel loved, as Intercontinental Distillers Limited (IDL) made every guest at the Ball Room of the ous awards for her excellent performances. A senior secondary school (SSS) 1 student and a science major, she Oriental Hotel, Lekki, feel the romance of the Valentine. is not just a talented artiste, but also an evangelist whose songs Held on February 14, the event, which was tagged, The Love address social vices. With her music, she raises money to assist indiFiesta, was organised by Chico Ejiro Initiative in collaboration gent children. with Intercontinental Distillers Limited and Nollywood. IJ Valerie said the scripture (the Bible) inspired her. “I attend daily Starting with a red carpet event, the feast saw guests and masses, where I stay at Iba, a suburb of Lagos.” artistes write love messages to their loved one on the Veleta Wall According to her, she studies the scripture daily, and when the of Love mounted at the entrance hall. priest encouraged everybody to evangelise, she decided to do her Aside from the generous treat of Veleta fruit wine and Teezers, own through music. “I am trying to tell the people, especially, young guests had ND Vibes band serenade them with old and new skool girls, to live their lives for Christ.” music. It was also an opportunity for guests to mingle and netHer mother said, “Be an example for others to follow, this is what work. inspired the hit track.” The gathering also had Nollywood practitioners such as Charles The video of the album, which was directed by highly talented Novia, Sunny McDonwell, Emeka Ossai, Monalisa Chinda, Tony filmmaker, Muyiwa Bikersteth, is due for release soon. Umez and others in attendance. While the duo of Mandy and Segun Arinze were compere. Seyi Shay rendered her hit song Loving Your Way while the star performer of the night, Tiwa Savage, set the hall on fire with her mellifluous voice and titillating dance steps. Commenting on the event, the marketing director of Intercontinental Distillers Limited, Mr. Innocent Oboh, praised Nollywood for its giant strides. Oboh said his company believes in the “true spirit of Nigeria, and is dedicated to strengthening every aspect of its economy, especially Nollywood.” Advising lovers, Oboh said, “listen to yourselves, open your hearts to yourselves, for in your hearts lie the treasure.” After his address, it was couples’ game that raised the bar of fun higher, as four of them, all Nollywood acts —Tony Umez, Fidelis Duker, Ejike Asiegbu and Mr Olumah and their wives —were put on the hot seat to tell how much they know of themselves. The Umez couple did amazingly well as they answered all their questions correctly, proving that they indeed knew each other.

A velitefully teezing Valentine

Nawab debuts with Binu Binu IP-Hop act and songwriter, Nawab, has released the video of H his hit single, Binu Binu. The video is directed by Gambit, one of Nigeria’s emerging music video directors, who has created exciting visuals for Dipp, Yemi Alade and others. With a fusion of unique and different rap style, the video is matched with a catchy and infectious hook, as Nawab rides the bass-heavy musical backdrop with a braggadocios flow and heavy wordplay that will leave listeners hitting the replay button. With clear visuals, creativity and originality, Gambit Pictures has step up the game in music video directing with the hit single.

IJ Valerie dazzles at Valentine Rave FTER what has been described as a brilliant performance durA ing the two-day special Valentine show titled, Valentine Rave, Ijeoma Valerie Ineh, popularly known as IJ Valerie, is set to release the video of her debut album, Please The Lord. The album, which was released in 2011, and is still making waves and inspiring youths, features hits such as Save Me O Lord, Jesus Save me, God Answers Prayers, I Believe In God, As A Child, I Want To Grow and Obey My Parents, Jesus the King of Kings, E Go (Money), and Please The Lord, from which the album got its title. For teeming fans of the songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist,and evangelist, Ij Valerie’s music is a veritable medium of reaching out to the youths. Born in Lagos, the teenager, who hails from Delta State, began her musical career at a very early age. Her over-whelming potential are better seen than imagined. She is naturally gifted and multi-talented in various areas of the creative arts, namely dance, song writing, singing and playing the piano and bass guitar. She discovered her talent in music at age seven, while a member of Christobel Junior Academy, Ojo,

I J Valerie

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

MIMIKO – Making Ondo State “A Place of Pride” LECTIONS in Nigeria are characterized by flaunting of campaign promises and manifestoes by quarantined individualists. Recurrently, after elections what we-experience is total abandonment of such sweet promises, and eventual looting of the public treasury? Manifestoes now become an instrument of deception and mesmerisation of the masses in this part of the world. However, the campaign manifestoes and promises are veritable tools at the disposal of the masses to evaluate the ideology and performance of a candidate seeking political offices. In Ondo State, it is a different ball game entirely, we see a man that had proven, in his first term, to be a man that honour his words. The incumbent Governor on assumption of office in year 2009 made a solemn declaration to work for the good people of the sunshine state. The administration of Governor Olusegun Mimiko popular called ‘Iroko’ has not failed the people of Ondo state. To revive the spirit of dignity of labour among the people, the administration came up with a mantra known as “Ise L’ogun Ise, Ise Takun Takun, Ibukun Repete” meaning that hard work is the antidote to success. Examining the Caring Heart agenda of Mimiko-led administration in the area of agricultural development, the Governor’s philosophy was aimed at expanding the productive capacity of farmers and farm lands. To actualize this agenda, he launched the Agricultural-Inputs Subsidy Program to increase the capacity and output of farmers in the state. Also, he launched Agricultural villages at Ore, Epe and Akungba Akoko where no fewer than 2000 youths have been engaged to practice modern agriculture. The tremendous turn around witnessed in the education sector in Ondo state is best to none. This is evident in the achievements recorded in the last four years of his administration. Three years ago, Mimiko’s government came up with a novel idea: the Caring Heart Mega School Initiative to bridge the gap between the children of the rich and the poor. Each of the school has state-of- the-art equipment including science laboratories, modern library, computer room, music room, an art gallery, a sick bay, a multi purpose hall, bore holes, among others. It is a clear departure from the past. The mega primary schools, according to Dr Mimiko are to enable the children of less privileged families access quality education once restricted to the children of the rich. Another educational policy of the Mimiko administration was the introduction of the free school shuttle buses to convey pupils and students to school and take them home when they close from school. This has brought relief to parents especially the less privileged who struggle to pay their children’s transport fare which has also served as major motivation for students to attend school punctually as they are elated with the development. Not only that the students Bursary was increased from N5,000 to N10,000 and regular scholarship from N24,000 to N100,000. according to the Commissioner of Education, Barr Remi Olatubora, the scholarship review was made to provoke quest for competitiveness in academic performance among the students while the Bursary scheme is open to every student of Ondo State origin in tertiary institutions regardless of their level or academic performance. Besides the Bursary and scholarship given to students, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko students pay lesser school fees compare to what is obtain in other Universities. To boost the morale of teachers in the state, they were paid the 27.5 percent of the new Teacher’s salary structure while teachers promptly undergo training programmes and are adequately promoted. In a bid to actualize the Community-Driven, City and Coastal Region Renewal and General Development Initiatives, the Governor had embarked on and executed quanta of massive face-lifting projects starting from the Akure City down to the interiors of Ondo State. Such renewal projects include but not limited to dualisation of popular roads like Oba Adesida Road, Fiwasaye Road, dualization of roads across the state with street lights in all the major towns in the state, building of ultra-modern car parks, International auto market, mechanic village,

fountain and dew spewing roundabouts and general beautification of urban cities. Mimiko’s administration had executed the construction of a lot of Caring Heart Neighbourhood Markets to decongest major streets in the state thus giving Ondo State a face lift. These markets are built for the convenience of both the market women and their customers aimed at taking the most vulnerable of our population, the women and their children away from the scorching sun. Otunba Nicholas Tofowomo, the State Commissioner of Transport said that the present administration in Ondo State had changed the orientation of drivers by renovating the motor parks in the state and providing brand new buses and taxis for inter and intra-city services while providing them with adequate road safety education and enlightenment at regular intervals. According to the state chairman of Labour Party, Chief Olu Ogidan, “the people of Ondo state are lucky to have Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as the Governor of the state because he is a leader who listen to his people and consult widely before embarking on people oriented projects in the state. He implement projects that are of greater importance to the people. He visits communities and interacts with community leaders to find out what are needed in such communities before embarking on those projects. Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is a gentleman, hardworking Governor, good life crusader and a man with a caring heart for his people. He is man who prepared himself long ago and has programmed his mind for governance and leadership.” Chief Ogidan further stated that “Dr. Mimiko is somebody who was a civil servant, commissioner, secretary to the state government, and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria before he decided to serve his people as the Executive Governor of the Sunshine state.” Prince AbdulAzeez Oluboyo who is the State Commissioner of Natural Resources explained that his ministry was able to score 70% performance rating in terms of internally generated revenue for the state in line with the target set by His Excellency. The administration of Dr. Olusegun has been building forest reserves across the state with a view to generate more revenue for the state. According to the commissioner, Our forest reserves alone can generate enough revenue for the state and that is one of the cardinal agenda of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration.” Prince Oluboyo also thanked the people of Ondo State both at home and in the Diaspora for voting and returning Dr. Olusegun Mimiko for second term. Similarly, the Majority Leader in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dayo Akinsoyinu described “the peace and progress in Ondo state as God given. In his words, “the leadership qualities and style of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has brought about the peaceful coexistence, steady progress and general development in the state, on which platform the second term administration and project is anchored . Mr. Governor is a force to reckon with when it comes to good leadership and governance in all ramifications.” According to Hon. Akinsoyinu “Dr. Mimiko has enjoyed smooth and cordial relationship with the legislators during the last four years and we are prepare to work in harmony with him so long as he remain the People’s Governor and while he continue to provide and execute people-oriented and community projects and programmes in the state. It is a fact that the People of Ondo state never witnessed general development of this magnitude in the history of the state since it was created in 1976. The cordiality that exists between the executive and legislative arms of government is a testimony of a strong synergy that is in place

Dr. Olusegun Abdulrahman Mimiko Executive Governor Of Ondo State

and working in Ondo State which is a manifestation of the Caring Heart Agenda of the Dr. Mimiko led administration. The two arms of government in the state have demonstrated cooperative federalism as propounded by K. C Wheare, the famous proponent of the approach.” On his own, Hon. Oyebo Aladetan, who is the Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman, House Committee of Information and Orientation described Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’s administration as a revolution that has brought about tremendous and positive change in Ondo State with the implementation of Caring Heart Programmes of Dr. Mimiko in all the sectors of the state which has endear Mr. Governor to the heart of every citizen of Ondo state including members of the State House of Assembly. The heath performance index of Mimiko-led government is on the high ratings. The innovation of Abiye Safe Motherhood Programmes to reduce drastically the child and maternal mortality rate in the state had won the Governor International recognition of World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank. Worthy of note is the adoption of the Abiye programme as a template to combat child and maternal mortality in Africa by the European Union ambassador . Also, the Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centres, Mother and Child Hospitals, etc built across the state and equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities is litmus test to Mimiko’s leadership prowess. Besides, the commitment of the present administration in Ondo State in the area of sports has led to the excellent performance of the Sunshine Stars Football Club. Government’s initiatives in sports Development is not just as a tool for winning laurel but as a platform for character and leadership development especially in schools. This initiative in the area of sports development had also earned the Governor - The Sports Brand Nigeria Award. Mimiko Administration also won for the state it’s first ever National Female Football honours when the Sunshine Queens won the National Women League in 2011, the first by any state in the South West. Ondo State under the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led administration has to a reasonable extent brought significant change to the culture and tourism sector of the state. There are a lot of high profile tourist sites, cultural and historical attractions in the state which include Idanre Hills, Ebomi Lake Centre, Owo Museum, Coast Creeks and Canals among others. Mare Festival was introduced basically to promote the tourism potentials of the state by making the town of Idanre glaring on the global map. The influx of people into the state during the period of the Festival boost the state’s socio-cultural, economic and tourism sector of the state. The state government in the past years has entered into partnership with the private sector to provide qualitative and affordable housing to the people of Ondo State. The government is playing its part by providing basic infrastructure such as access road to development sites. The resolves of the government is already yielding results as 3,500 housing units are completed at Oba-Ile and Oda Road in Akure. Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the last four years has truly demonstrated that leadership entails the wise use of power to initiate and sustain action which had transformed the Ondo state for the benefit of the citizenry. The citizens have never had it so good and like Oliver Twist, Ondo state people are craving for more as their performing Governor take an Oath of Office as his second term is been officially inaugurated today which marks the beginning of another four years of consolidation of his administration’s achievements during the first term as the Governor prepares to work for the good people of the state with a view to making the Sunshine State A Place of Pride for all the entire people of Ondo State.

Alhaji Ali Olanusi Deputy Governor, Ondo State

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 35

Language on parade By adidi uyo

CLIFF is the last place where people should be dancing because of the stark and present danger of falling off it and crashing down unto the rocks deep down below in the ocean. But that is not the case with us Nigerians and our FISCCAL cliff. Everyday you read our newspapers you see Nigerians dancing on this cliff, singing one tone or another about things bestriding the nation such as Frivolity, Insecurity, Selfishness, Corruption, Constitution, Avarice, and Leadership, for these are the matters that have been captured by the acronym, FISCCAL. If we may begin with the first matter, how much frivolity is there in in our land, and how do Nigerians dance on it, I mean, what do they have to say about it? To be sure, “frivolous” is a word that we may use to describe a thing, event, or person. A frivolous thing or event is one that is of little value or importance, something trivial. A frivolous person is one whose conduct is silly or not properly serious or sensible. You may not know the person who uttered these words, but I am sure you know what he is talking about when he says: “A mind-boggling fiscal misappropriation — N4bn, no less — is being attempted in your names — openly, in an attempt to institutionalise an illegality through a debasement of the democratic process.”

Dancing On Our FISCCAL Cliff The statement is contained in a news story in The Punch of February 15, 2013, with the headline: “Budget for First Ladies Mission House illegal — Soyinka.” According to the newspaper, Prof. Wole Soyinka made the statement in a Valentine Day speech addressed to members of an organisation, Women Arise for Change Initiative, who staged a protest march to the Lagos State Government House, Alausa. The women were protesting the budgeting of N4bn for the construction of the African First Ladies Mission (AFLM) House in Abuja. Without disputing the reference to the allocation by our venerable professor as an “illegality,” some readers who wished to dance on the matter reacted in a manner that painted the government as unserious or insensible, that is, frivolous. Writes the first reader, Tolani: “I am beginning to think that our leaders think we are fools…. We must rise and stop this nonsense. Madam GEJ you better sit in the kitchen and cook for your husband. We do not have any contract with you, madam, and do not waste our money.” Sule, another reader, comments: “Why not spend the money building schools in Nigeria or a research centre for technol-

Mark Ward, Chairman/Managing director, exxonMobil Companies in nigeria (left), dr alirio parra, Board Member, CWC group Limited; Mario gabriel Budebo, former undersecretary for Hydrocarbons, republic of Mexico, at the Leading Light Session at the ongoing nigeria oil and gas Conference and exhibitions in abuja.

ogy and the likes?” And methinks Omokaro, yet another reader, canalises the frivolity that the allocation is by writing: “Average Nigerians are in hell while Jonathan’s government is spending lavishly on irrelevant things….” On quite a different edifice, The Guardian, in its editorial of December 28, 2012, writes: “Against the background of widespread poverty in the land and the need to reduce the cost of governance, President Goodluck Jonathan’s government’s decision to spend billions of naira on the building of an official residence for the Vice President is most inappropriate and insensitive.” Of course, the litmus test for frivolity in this case is the question: “Of what value is this building to Nigerians?” Correct me if I am wrong in likening this matter to the riddle of the chicken and the egg: Is it frivolity that begets profligacy, or is it profligacy that begets frivolity? Or, to go back to the word we started with: “Is it illegality that begets either profligacy or frivolity?” Beats me, whichever way I try to look at the matter! Next, we shall see how Nigerians dance on the “I” in our FISCCAL cliff: Insecurity.

Managing director, dKK, nigeria, Mrs Temitope Jemerigbe (left), Special guest of Honour,, ali Baba and Md/Ceo Sundry Foods Limited, ebele enunwa at the commissioning of Coral Blue Seafood restaurant in Lagos

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

36 ARTS

ARTS

THE READING NATION

The ANA Lagos I Loved (2) By Omohan Ebhodaghe LL sorts of people, the aspiring writer, the littleA known poet, university lecturers, a medical doctor, students from secondary schools, civil servants and journalists — all joined in our meetings. Products of the universities of Ibadan, Ife, Nigeria at Nsukka and Lagos dominated the scene. And, although, as it could turn out to be, most of the people in the gathering of like minds would not make it to the professional stage. In spite of this fact, we were happy just being together. We also held the meetings briefly at the house of Dr Tolu Ajayi, a medical doctor who had lived in the United Kingdom for some eleven years or so before returning back home. Over there, at his place, we started off with an anthology of literary short stories and poems entitled, Twenty Nigerian Writers: Portraits, ANA, Lagos, 1993, co-edited by myself and the gangling poet and academic, Dr Victor Ayedun-Aluma, as publicity secretary and general secretary, respectively. Some copies of the book, I later hawked on the streets of Lagos and quite a number of people bought copies, including students, lecturers and other workers. Dr Andy Thomas, a one-time assistant director, Education, of the British Council, got a copy. We later moved to the house of Mr. Eddie Adenirokun, our next vice-chairman when the novelist, Mrs. Bunmi Oyinsan, was the chairperson. Adenirokun was once an editor, a past president of the Nigerian Volley Ball association, and a patron of the arts, a poet and a businessman. At Eric Moore close, on Eric Moore road, Surulere, we had a lively monthly reading with light refreshments to round off our meetings. Each month, as it were, I looked forward to being at the meeting. Together with Ayedun-Aluma, as at that time a lecturer at the Mass Communication department of the University of Lagos, and a doctoral candidate at the University of Ibadan, we would trek the long distance between Abule Oja, close to the gates of the University of Lagos to Eric Moore close in Surulere. On one occasion, Dr. Reuben Abati of the editorial board of The Guardian Newspapers (now President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman), Mr. Afam Akeh, then the literary editor of the Daily Times Newspaper, Victor and myself made the long journey on foot, walking through streets and roads from Eric Moore close to the gates of the University of Lagos where we parted company for that eventful day. Most of the times when we do meet, Victor and I would often talk for hours about literary matters, both local and foreign. He would visit me at my place while I do not fail to contact him at his own house. I remember that, through him, I first got to know about and actually read the works of the Guardian (UK) newspaper award-winner, Dambudzo Marechera, from Zimbabwe and the Polish-born American citizen and Nobel Prize winner, Isaac Bashevis Singer. I later reviewed the short story collection The House Of Hunger by Dambudzo Marechera for the Nigerian Guardian Newspapers. A final year student from the University of Ilorin, Kwara state, was to pay me a surprise visit at my place. As such fictional works are hard to find in the country, he had come all the way from Ilorin, he had said, so as to get hold of a copy of the collection of stories that was published by Heinemann African Writers Series in Oxford, United Kingdom. It was part of his dissertation, he said. He had visited the office of The Guardian Newspapers in Lagos, from where he traced me. As that particular copy of the book of short stories did not belong to me, I directed him to the department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, where Victor, the owner of the book, was a lecturer. I never heard from him again. OGETHER with Victor, and as part of our leisure time, T we heard about the novelist Kazuo Ishiguro and his Booker Prize. We rejoiced with Mr. Ishiguro, yet we did not know who the man was. Victor would switch on his portable short wave radio and we would listen in to Meridian books and other arts programmes on the BBC World Service. Earlier, as an individually separate experience, we had held that Chinua Acbebe was amongst the six shortlisted candidates in the year of his entering the Booker Prize draw with his novel, Anthills Of The Savannah, in 1987, thus becoming the first Nigerian but third African to be so nominated. The novel Moon Tiger by the British authoress Penelope Lively was to win the award that year. We waited. We could do better, we agreed. And then, in 1991, Ben Okri was not only shortlisted so as to equal Chinua Achebe, as it were, but actually won the award with his magic realism novel of some 500 pages long The Famished Road. Thus, he became the first Nigerian to actually do so, and although he was the first black African, he was nonetheless the third African. Mr. Chris Joslin of the British Council gave me the news of Okri’s success as I waited at the receptionist

Ebhodaghe office of the British Council, Lagos. Two white South Africans, Nadine Gordimer (a female) and J M Coetzee (a male) had previously won the prize in 1974 with The Conservationist and 1983 with Times of Michael K, respectively. Professor J. M. Coetzee of the then University of Cape Town in South Africa was to win it again in 1999 with Disgrace. But, well, yet again, we compared notes. South Africa had in 1991 won the Nobel Prize once, the Booker Prize thrice, the Commonwealth Prize once and other prizes. Nigeria had won one Nobel Prize, as the first African nation to do so in 1986, one Booker Prize, three Commonwealth Prizes in prose and in poetry categories and other prizes. In 1988, Egypt had also won the Nobel Prize once and as well as other prizes. Thus, in the African continent of some 52 nations or so, Nigeria was second in literature matters behind South Africa, just as it was in politics when Nelson Mandela came to power and Nigeria slipped back to the second place following the June 12 1993 annulment of election results. Egypt came third in that order. So, we listened to the BBC World Service radio. And when I got back to my residence, if I am not switched on to the weekly book reading programme on Ogun state radio or the Lagos-based Ray Power Radio so as to listen in to all sorts of local and foreign music, I am on to the BBC World Service as well. As with Victor, I would listen in to the foreign service programmes. Or read some of my books. Victor does too. He had a large stock of books, of both fiction and non-fiction, at home and in his office. And at his office, I do recall one sober moment when, on reflection, Victor said that he had thought all along that when a person becomes a writer or a poet, that people, students, members of staff and the general public alike, would automatically mug him or her, invade the office, ask for autographs and so on and so forth as was the case with top musicians or film stars. But, located in Nigeria, it was never to be so in his case. It was like the Christians of nowadays who claimed that once saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and all that stuff that such converts always remained saved; in a way, it was accepting the fact that once a poem or a fictional work has been written, that was it.

Thereafter, that one has become a writer to be celebrated. It is not so nowadays. In the Nigeria of the 1960s and early 1970s, it used to be that publishers looked out for potential writers and headhunted them as it were. OTH local and foreign lecturers were out to grab a budding B writer so as to get materials for their articles and essay meant for promotion purposes. Postgraduate and undergraduate students alike sought such writers out for their final year long essays. The novelist, professor and a former state commissioner of education in his home state (Rivers), Captain Elechi Amadi, made mention of that in his book, Sun Set at Biafra. A publisher visited him while he was in prison, he said. Unlike the fruitful experiences of our past and immediate predecessors, who were of the oil boom era, one has to work very hard if that one wants to be in the news nowadays and so be celebrated. Nonetheless, we aimed for high culture of the African sensibility and not the elitism of the western world. We celebrated the artist in our midst. In our own way, we celebrated the putative canons of our fatherland. As it were, we feasted in Ojo Ladipo theatre, Hubert Ogunde’s theatre, the cast of the television series Hotel de Jordan from Edo state, Bini folk dancers, the incantations of the music maestro Umobuare Igberaese, who was also a bard from Esan, the Asono and Ijeleghe dance groups from Esan more than we did Picasso, the grand opera houses or Beethoven concerts via the short wave radio. We did so without Victor and myself being accused of ethnocentrism or gender bias in great books, arts and music coming from Nigeria and elsewhere. At first, I read foreign literatures, but I became more and more involved in studying African literature. Victor, who studied linguistics for his first degree, but who later on read journalism at the postgraduate level for his postgraduate degrees, concentrated more on foreign literatures. Somehow, he was kind of standing out as being more of a Eurocentric while I was more and more of an Afrocentric sort of person. During my undergraduate student days and shortly afterwards, the biggest literary find in novels has been for me The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born by the Ghanaian writer Ayi Kwei Armah: unlike other books, I read that novel more than five times. TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNMDAY MAGAZINE 37

THE READING NATION

ARTSVILLE

Sogolo’s Social Commentaries In Print BY TOYIN AKINOSHO

Nigeria Yesterday Today: An Anthology of Social Commentaries; Godwin Sogolo; Safari Books Ltd; Ibadan; 2012

Clark Returns To Ibadan HE poet J. P. Clark spoke up on the allegations of his T reclusiveness and distancing from his audience at a reading in Ibadan a fortnight ago. “Being an activist does-

By Eghosa E. Osaghae HERE is a genre of writing that Nigerians T have learnt over the years to take seriously. It is one that can be described as public-minded — some would add populist — analyses in newspapers and magazines. Public-minded analyses are typically found in regular columns and features that bear the imprint of their authors after whom, it is now the fashion to say, they are branded. Such analyses often combine elements of responsibility, enlightenment, activism, entertainment and sophistication, with some demonstrating the logic and systemization usually associated with academic journal writing. They are also quite capable of simplifying the most difficult subjects in readable, digestible and light-hearted ways, which is a major factor in their ever-growing popularity. The effects of these writings are self-evidently tremendous, and have ranged from thought and debate provocation, to public agenda setting and devoted followership and discipleship. They also include the extensive use of the articles by scholars, researchers and students as veritable references. However, although public-minded writings have grown in importance and have been buoyed by the regularity of essays in the branded columns, the writings have fleeting memories and a tendency to disappear into the recesses of forgetfulness as issues analysed change from week to week. Only those who create archives of newspaper cuttings can manage to extend the relevance of the articles beyond the week, but even the archivists themselves would acknowledge the difficulty in keeping up with this. And yet, as social commentaries, weekly and regular essays have common threads, continuities and timeless relevance that unfortunately get diminished in scattered collections that terminate with every passing week. This is where the book under review, Nigeria Yesterday Today: An Anthology of Social Commentaries, by Professor Godwin Sogolo, marks a new and welcome chapter in the annals of public-minded writing. It is a collection of 203 articles written by Sogolo and published in The Guardian, the flagship of the (liberal) press in Nigeria, between July 28, 1986 and September 9, 1991. In possible anticipation of how to evaluate the impact of the articles in the manner of feedback and effects discussed earlier, the book also has a very thoughtful section on selected rejoinders and letters elicited by Sogolo’s articles. The content of the twenty-four articles in this section and the caliber of their authors bear eloquent testimony to the seriousness with which his articles were taken by the attentive public. While some, like Professor Godwin Emerole who corrected his postulation that garri, palm wine and groundnut were cancer-causing agents disagreed strongly with his views, most applauded his courage, insightfulness and prescriptions, though I find it remarkable that for all critical and non-sparing analysis of politics, governance and the economy, and even of the persons of the military president, governors, ministers, traditional rulers and other high ups, there were no official rejoinders, disclaimers and dismissals. Perhaps the author has chosen to hide these from the public, thereby depriving us of a good measure of the impact of public writing on governance and politics, but if not, could it be taken as a suggestion or indication that those in government either do not read these essays or if they do, that they really do not care what they say? This is an interesting point to ponder given that the country was governed by the military in the period covered by the essays. The 203 articles in this book address virtually all the important and controversial issues that Nigeria and Nigerians had to grapple with between 1986 and 1991, including articles that reviewed the state of the nation in October celebrations of independence and in December/January reviews of the passing year and prognoses of the New Year. The issues tackled ranged from those of the economy (remember these were the years of SAP), religion, rising violence, education, corruption, police, football (the national opium), military professionalism and rule and labour, to campus cultism, road safety, national cohesion, leadership, peacekeeping, political transi-

tion, women’s issues (including the paradigm of Margaret Thatcher), smoking, ethics and values, development, environmental remediation, and judicial integrity. In between, and as they evolved, Sogolo also analyzed a few global issues that had bearings on Africa’s state and future development, including South Africa’s transition and the Mandela magic and Samuel Doe’s fall in Liberia. The topicality and appropriateness of the issues are indicative of the presence of mind and acute sense of responsibility that Professor Sogolo had as a social commentator and public-minded analyst. But it was more the lucidity and self-consciousness on display in the articles that defined the Sogolo phenomenon as a Guardian writer. They reflected the quintessential philosopher, teacher and academic analyst in Sogolo, working hard successfully to credible objectivity and general understanding amongst readers of different ilk. Unlike some social commentators who turn their fault-finding lights only on “others”, Sogolo’s incisive – and pungent attacks – did not spare his own primary constituency of the academia, as in the interrogation of non-professing professors, the crack in UNIBEN, the vice of a chancellor, and the critique of WAZOBIA balancing acts in the institution of the national merit award. Another remarkable element in the various articles is the profound general knowledge displayed in various subjects, but most notably political economy and economics, as attested to by discussions of SAP economics, including SFEM, privatization and poverty reduction, as well as the data deficits and gaps in budgeting and economic planning. It must truly be that philosophy is an allencompassing discipline, which is probably why one of the rejoinders makes a case for the philosopher-king in Nigeria, never mind that Aristotle considered politics and not philosophy to be the master science! The third characteristic of the articles in this book is that although they address disparate issues, they have points of convergence and mutual reinforcement that make them a readable whole. A major factor here is the emphasis on a few recurring or ‘frame-working’ issues, notably, police, religion, violence, education, university sector, military governance and political transition, corruption, in several articles. The other factor is that Sogolo’s thoughts were consistent, well-rounded and interconnected, something that the arrangement of the articles in chronological order does not quite articulate. Perhaps an arrangement of the articles into sections of related articles would have brought this aspect of the book into bolder relief, but that is an editorial matter for another day. The final attribute of the articles, which

shows its great scholarly value, is the contemporariness and timelessness of (the analyses in) the different articles. Social commentaries almost by definition are time-bound and soon become dated, but this is not the case with most of the articles in this collection. Although written over 22-26 years ago, they are as relevant and topical today as they were then, a point made by Professor Sogolo himself in the narration of the making of this book. Indeed, not only have the issues analyzed remained relevant, they seem to have come full cycle, unraveling in magnitudes that were unimaginable in the 1980s. Take the issue of terrorism and religious violence for example. In his analysis of the Maitatsine riots in 1986, Sogolo postulated that religious mobilization even in its most extreme form was not likely to reach the levels of violence and terrorism in Pakistan, India and Northern Ireland, but was sure that except proactive measures were taken, the blessing that Nigeria enjoyed at the time could not be guaranteed. Similarly, at the rate the military was militarizing civil society in the late 1980s, Sogolo was sure that violence was going to become more endemic in the country’s sociopolitical landscape. How true these have turned out to be! In sum, it can be said, the continuing relevance of Sogolo’s analyses is largely to be attributed to the analytical prowess that led to valid conclusions and predictions rather than the fact that the more things have changed in Nigeria, the more they have remained the same!! In closing, let me return to the importance of this book that I only hinted at in my introduction. It is that those who enjoyed the lucid analysis of Sogolo’s Guardian writings now have the opportunity to refresh their readings in one single volume. This is particularly crucial for today’s leaders in the executive and legislature especially, who need to have the background to many of the problems that now set our country apart and behind. Similarly, scholars, researchers, politicians and public intellectuals now have a reference volume that liberates them from the burden of newspaper cuttings. I congratulate Professor Sogolo and the publishers for this great contribution to the consolidation of the genre of public-minded writing (I expect others to follow suit) and highly recommend it to the reading and attentive publics. Prof. Eghosa E. Osaghae is the Vice Chancellor, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State

n’t make you a poet, it doesn’t validate your art,” Clark, the first African born professor of English Language told a gathering of over 60 people, on the open courtyard of the Alliance Francaise. The occasion was a reading and discussion around J. P. Clark, A Voyage, a travelogue-style biography written by the playwright Femi Osofisan. Clark said he was interested in his art and would rather leave politics to politicians and activism to activists. The response was to a question by Yomi Layinka, COO at the Oyo State Broadcasting Corporation, wondering if it wasn’t a mark of “your distancing from your audience,” that the 79-year-old poet has relocated from Lagos to his country home Kiagbodo, in the creeks at the heart of the Niger Delta Basin. “People sometimes ask, is he still alive?” Layinka suggested. Clark said: “I have seen the world, travelled many places and the world has seen quite a bit of me”. Noting that he didn’t have to live in the metropolis to be close to his audience, Clark cited the enthusiastic welcome given him by pupils of a secondary school he visited in Ibadan earlier in the day, as proof that a good work of art lives on through appreciation by generations. “They created their own different interpretations of (his famous, 19 word poem) Ibadan, in visuals, in stories. They exhibited them.” He was obviously touched. In a sense, the reading was a home coming, a return of sorts, for Clark, who honed his skills as a writer in the rustic city from the late 50s to early 60s. Among his peers in Ibadan were the poet Chris Okigbo, the playwright Wole Soyinka and the novelist Chinua Achebe and others. Organised by Bookcraft, the book’s publisher, the occasion itself came across as quite unusual, starting quite late (close to 7pm) in a poorly lit open space. But most of the crowd, including such usual suspects as Ayo Banjo (Emeritus professor), Harvard scholar Biodun Jeyifo, Caine Prize award winning writer Rotimi Babatunde, PEN (Nigeria) President Tade Ipadeola, Publisher and Bookseller Kunle Mosuro, sculptor and installation artist Peju Layiwola and her husband, as well as the recently outgone C.E.O. of Evans Publishers Gbenro Adegbola and his wife Funke, herself the President of the Alliance Francaise in Ibadan, stayed for most of the three hours. Clark, who appeared particularly elated, gushed that the biography was quite inventive. “Femi (Osofisan) has invented a new style of writing,” he declared.

Gbadamosi: Early Plans For The Art Patron At 70 ASHEED Gbadamosi, playwright and art collector, R enjoys throwing “arty parties”. Now that he will be 70 in December, he has a really good excuse to get the arthouse crowd together for an afternoon of performances, exhibitions and conversations around culture production. He hasn’t exactly said what he plans to do, before December 7, 2013, but the past is the key to the present. On his 50th birthday in 1993, guests were feted to a performance of his play Behold My Redeemer, a light, romantic take on mental illness, which he says was inspired by the works of the psychiatrist Theo Lambo at Aro in Abeokuta. The play was directed by the irreverent Ola Rotimi(professor), at the auditorium of the Nigerian Law School on Victoria Island in Lagos. The audience then moved out to a lavishly catered lunch on the lawns of the school, after the production. Every Easter weekend since 2008, Gbadamosi has hosted hundreds of artists, critics, culture enthusiasts and art students to The Grillo Pavillion Annual, a morningafternoon-evening round of lecture, lunch and artists forum at his country home in Ikorodu, in the northernmost fringe of Greater Lagos. This December, however, he will not be the only one celebrating his own arrival. The Committee For Relevant Art (CORA) has lined up a special discussion panel, around the theme of Old Lagos Stories, dedicated to the author of Echoes From The Lagoon, the first performed play on the Civil War from a Lagos perspective, at the 15th edition of the Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF), coming up in mid November.

Crowded Weekend Of Love weekend will go down as one of the most eventful L2013.AST on the Culture Calendar of the city of Lagos. Mark it, for Before rounding up last Sunday with the production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute Opera by the Muson Choir at the Muson Centre in Onikan, a concert by the Beautiful Nubia and The Roots Renaissance Band in Ikeja, site specific performances of four Nigerian plays, each at the Presidential Suite, Car Park, Petanque Area, and Casa Chianti Restaurant — all at the Eko Hotels and Suites, and Darey Art Alade’s Love Like A Movie Concert at the Hotel’s Convention Centre, the weekend had featured, beginning from Friday, Bank W’s R&BW: The Grand Love Concert at the Civic Centre. On Saturday, there was a Writers’ Gig at Patabah Bookstore in Surulere, starting at 3pm, around the same time those (above mentioned) four plays kicked off at the various venues in Eko Hotel, all produced under the auspices of the British Council’s Lagos Theatre Festival. The plays include Wole Oguntokun’s The Waiting Room, Ola Rotimi’s Grip Am, Bode Asiyanbi’s Shattered and Inua Ellams’ The 14th Tale. Saturday also featured Valentines with Maxwell, a pricey (N25,000 a seat), night long event headlined by the American R&B singer Maxwell, which also starred Yinka Davies, Bez Idakula, Black Magic and Omawunmi. Compiled by staff of Festac News Staff Agency

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

38 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

ARTSExtra

Rhythms, Blues of Anioma Cultural Festival at 10 By Gregory Austin Nwakunor HE images are cool. Striking similar. The camera glides towards a row of young men and women, the upward mobile, so to say. They are draped in white wrapper. Some are even made into dresses and gowns. No leg barring runway trend that has eaten up the red carpet values. In another scene, some local peasants dance and celebrate in the white apparel. Excitements are taped in to their faces. In the next few weeks, this excitement will warp Anioma land, as sons and daughters will step out in style with all the accoutrement of splendour and royalty in this traditional white attire, akwa-ocha. Sometimes called Otogwu, akwa-Ocha, is Anioma, Dela State people’s best friend. Not only does this traditional attire never go out of style, it lends touch to the event, whether burial, wedding or festive occasion. It’s the perfect traditional garment that will re-colour the landscape when the 10th anniversary of Anioma Cultural Festival holds. The festival, a symphony of dance, music, fashion and creative arts of historical values of Anioma people from the nine local councils of Delta North Senatorial Districts, which began 10 years ago, has helped reawaken the people’s consciousness to their cultural values. The festival, an initiative of Organisation For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), has remained true to its original objective, which is to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of Anioma nation. Scheduled for the Holy Week of Easter — March 28 to April 1 — this year’s festival is themed, Celebrating the Heart and Soul of Anioma. This is in recognition of the need for Anioma people to fully appreciate the importance of togetherness in relations to the signs of the time. Activities lined up under the campaign, Viva Anioma for progress, include: Homage to Anioma Monarchs, Stakeholders engagement, Essay Competition for Secondary Schools, 10th Anniversary Lecture, Anniversary Gala/Awards, Dance parade/competition, Music performance, Wrestling Challenge, Raffle draw, Thanksgiving Service and Royal Banquet among others. To celebrate the cultural feast, friends, culture enthusiasts, corporate organisations and stakeholders with collective shared sense of value in the promotion of Nigeria’s arts and culture for national development are welcome. Only recently, a meeting of stakeholders was held at the Orchid Hotels, Asaba, Delta State to fine tune preparation and ensure a hitch free celebration. The meeting, which attracted over 300 delegates representing the four dialectical groups in Anioma nation, were full of enthusiasm and determination for a seamless celebration. Kester Ifeadi, President of OFAAC, at the stakeholders’ forum, said that the organisation was committed to Anioma cause, and as such, this edition will be better than previous ones. He called on all good spirited sons and daughters of the land to come together in unity of purpose to achieve their dream. Ifeadi noted that the yearly fiesta, which was started 10 years ago as an intervention strategy to check the continued adulteration of Anioma’s cultural values, has become an important historical milestone in the life of the people and OFAAC. “And as culture and arts are an essential element of education, just like other meaningful activities, they are all keys that unlock profound human understanding and accomplishment. Ten years of cultural revival is a landmark event, therefore, the celebration of this festival is more of an assessment of the past and a consolidation on gains for greater performance,” Ifeadi declared. When The Guardian visited some of the towns and groups competing, there was palpable excitement in the air. Different dance groups, traditional wrestlers and other performing arts groups were engaged in last minutes rehearsals so as to make it to the grand finale of the festival, which peaks on Easter Monday April 1 at the Arcade Ground, Asaba, Delta State. “Now that Asaba International Airport is firmly in place, coupled with world class hotels and other facilities in Asaba, visitors

and tourists are sure to have a fun filled experience at the cultural festival,” one of the organisers said. The energetic and creative dance style of Anioma people, which fires passion and spontaneity, drawing attention towards the dance art, coupled with the striking charisma, distinguished charm and stunning appearance of dancers in their immaculate traditional dress of Akwa-Ocha, is a gold mine for exploration and exportation. N show at this year’s feast are the award O winning Agwuba-royal dance, Occupational dance, Egwu-Ajah - maiden dance, Uloko dance, Egwu Ohuhu, Olingba dance, Amala and contemporary dance among other arts performed by well costumed men and women, both young and old. It is also noteworthy that the Igbanke community in Edo State will make appearance with their dance group in solidarity with their kith and kin in Anioma land. Their performance at last year’s eventwas a sight to behold, as they proved through their dance style that they were really Anioma people. This drew emotions from all that they have been culturally shutout from their original roots. Over the years, the festival has enjoyed the support of the venerated royal monarchs of Anioma, representatives of government –federal and state, corporate organisations Grand Oak Ltd makers of Seaman’s Royale, MTN Nigeria, West African Food Seasoning, 911 Energy drink, Brian Munro Ltd., and Orchid Hotels, Asaba. According to the event consultant, the anniversary celebration would be thrilling, as bigger corporate sponsors are lined up on how best to leverage their brand for brand equity of their organisations at the Anioma cultural festival. “Our focus is to showcase the unique culture of the Anioma people, enrich Anioma, Delta and Nigeria’s cultural life by promoting cultural diversity, and to foster harmony and friendship among people with different cultural background. We’re known for our peaceful disposition, cleanliness and industry, sometimes our contributions to national and international development are overlooked. Therefore as a people we have to celebrate who we are and what binds us together,” said Paddy Ugboh, Executive Vice President, OFAAC. T the centre of policy stabilizations is A OFAAC’s seven-member board of trustees made up of Chief Newton Jibunoh, Chief Philip Asiodu, Sir Fortune Ebie, Prof. Pat Utomi, Arc. Kester Ifeadi and Mr. Emeka Nmadu. The board, which was constituted in 2007, has Chief Newton Jibunoh as chairman. The cultural festival, which is the flagship event of OFAAC, is a precursor to series of activities. There’s a public lecture designed as a strategic resourceful integrationist effort with focus on cultural and national development. It aims to promote an awareness of strategic national issue and provide a platform to generate ideas for good governance and national rebirth. The first in the series of Anioma Annual Lecture, conceived to further the aspirations of the people was birthed in 2005, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan Lagos. The lecture has as its theme, Anioma Culture: The Past, The Present and The Future. The speaker at the lecture was Chief Jibunoh, a renowned environmentalist, desert warrior and former chairman, Costain West Africa. The late Chief Segun Olusola, former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, chaired the lecture. The second in the series was also held in MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, in 2006, with the theme, Integration of Indigenous Architecture in contemporary Housing Development in Nigeria. Sir S.P.O. Fortune Ebie, former managing director of Federal Housing Authority, delivered the lecture. Chief Ernest A.O. Shonekan, GCFR, CBE, former Head of Interim National Government of Nigeria chaired it. In fulfilment of the yearning desire to create a sense of natural identity, OFAAC also engages in research and documentation of material and non-material culture. One of the bye products of this publication is the Anioma Essence Magazine, an all gloss magazine with well researched articles on Anioma/Nigeria culture with refreshing interviews from erudite scholars and stakeholders. In addition to the magazine, compilation DVD of Anioma cultural activities are pro-

duced as a permanent record of the unique cultural heritage for future reference. FAAC, saddled with the onerous task of bringO ing together sons and daughters for re-socialisation, but also helps boost small-scale businesses within the communities for poverty reduction by year 2015. OFAAC’s micro credit scheme is aimed at empowering the poor and less privileged in the area. The scheme, according to Arc. Ifeadi is an important milestone in the organisation’s poverty reduction drive, which he said is consistent with Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of United Nations’s desire to eradicate extreme poverty by the year 2015. Ifeadi said the microcredit loan scheme, which was started four years ago, in partnership with

Afribank, now Mainstream Bank, has helped in no small measure in the growth of rural businesses, engaging hitherto some idle individuals, with improved income generating activities of the people for poverty reduction. He said that the target was to reach about 10,000 beneficiaries within the next three years. Over all the projects has helped all involved understand the complex economic, social and cultural dynamics of development in indigenous communities in the area. It is therefore on this premise that the people of Anioma have made elaborate plan to rollout drums come Easter period in celebration of the cultural festival. It’s sure

SUNDAYMAGAZINE 39

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

ART At Agbarha-Otor, Onobrakpeya blends Art, Communication BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE S artists and resource persons converge A on Agbarha-Otor, Delta State in what has become a yearly pilgrimage to the Harmattan Workshop, informal art education and exchange would be the focus of discussion and experimentation. The 15th edition of Bruce Onobrakpeya-led gathering, quite of note, is holding few months after informal art education dominated the celebration of another art icon, the late Ben Enwonwu. That the theme of this year’s Enwonwu lecture centred on Art and Communication makes tis year’s workshop richer, as the founder, quite instructive, in his over 50 years old career, has combined his passion for writing with printmaking to promote his art. In three sessions — February 17 to March 2; March 3 to 15 and August Retreat —the 15th edition will cover areas such as Painting, Printmaking, Metal Construction, Wood Sculpture, Stone Carving, Mixed Media, Textiles, Leather Craft, Jewelry, Drawing and Photography. The last Ben Enwonwu Distinguished Lecture Series, tagged, Informal Art Education Through Workshops: Lessons From The Harmattan Workshops where Onobakpeya was a guest lecturer, offered a clear insight into what it takes to sustain the workshop. Great minds, it has been said, think alike, so, Onobrakpeya was actually inspired by Enwonwu’s attitude towards informal art education. “Indeed, he (Enwonwu) was truly a mentor and a man whose influence on me remains till today. Through his mentoring, I came to

realise the importance and power of ‘apprenticeship’ in the lives of young protégés,” the master printmaker says. He recalls that fresh from art school in 1962, “I had the privilege of working with Enwonwu in his studio, located on Cameron Street, Ikoyi. From this experience, I resolved to learn further under other masters in both studio and workshop environments.” Other influences and inspirations on Onobrakpeya’s Harmattan Wokshop initiative include the Mbari Mbayo and Ori Olokun experiences. Aside from passing the culture of mentoring to artists in technical terms, Onobrakpeya recently showed that artists should also be taught how to manage their own affairs. Two years ago, he handed over the directorship of the yearly event to Sam Ovraiti.

when he realised that his studio could not accommodate all the applicants for intern.

VRAITI says that the decision to choose O him as director is based on the fact that the chairman (Onobrakpeya) wanted to get somebody else to handle the affairs of the workshop. And the process of selection, he discloses was not an interview kind, which could have led to sentiment over competence. “No! It was a straight appointment for an independent person.” Onobrakpeya, who had set up a foundation in his name to carry out his mentorship and other art advocacy projects, recalls his early years, saying that as soon as he was able to bear the cost, he started accepting interns in his studio in 1972. “I had students on industrial attachment as well as artist-in-residence scholars writing dissertations for their degrees and working in my studio.” In fact, the concept of Harmattan Workshop emerged

BY BENSON?IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

All That Jazz

The Thunderous Drums Of Art Blakey XPERIENCE has shown that when the drummer, whether E in a jazz or rock setting heads a musical aggregation, there is usually the tendency to dominate the ensemble almost to the point of subjugating their efforts under his control. Take the case of Britain’s top rock drummer, Ginger Baker who, in the 70s, challenged the late Elvin Jones to a drum duel, for example. He obeyed the rules and conformed to the collective decisions of the group, Cream, in terms of playing along with the demands of arrangements. He had to because he owed it a duty to his other co-individualists such as bass player, Jack Bruce and guitarist Eric Clapton. But as soon as he went his separate way to form the group, Ginger Baker and Salt, he began to allow his drums to dictate the direction in which the music should go. Billy Cobham used to be one of my favourite drummers. He had a way of developing rhythmic patterns to suit the moods of every song. He also had a special knack for varying the

intensity of his patterns as if African drumming influenced him. My only quarrel with Cobham was that he was so busy he would not allow the other members of the group to give expression to their contributions. It was difficult to know that underneath the explosive drumming was a competent pianobass-guitar format. Elvin Jones sounded rather disciplined within the context of the John Coltrane Quartet. He provided intricate drumming to the ensemble sound and was able to sustain a steady pattern to swing the band as well as compliment the efforts of John Coltrane while immersed in those interminable solos that some critics referred to as “sheets of sound”. But listening to the album he recorded on his own before his untimely death, it sounded more like a drum ensemble. Ali, who took over from Elvin Jones, played exactly RASHIED by the rules, watching his master, John Coltrane and also

listening critically to his saxophone – to make sure that his drumming did not play out of rhythm. But when Coltrane died and Rashied formed his own group, not only did he over- stretch his drum solos, even within the context of the ensembles, he almost drowned every one with the intensity of the sound. Veteran Roy Haynes did not fare better, but perhaps the most remarkable of them all was Art Blakey of the celebrated Jazz Messengers. And he knew it. He did it on purpose; and he achieved his objective, turning what was perceived as a misdeed to a virtue. Despite the unparalleled reputation and great respect Art Blakey earned from the jazz world both as a leader and fine musician, one of the criticisms leveled against him was that his drumming was too loud. He was also accused of dictating to, rather than accompanying his soloists, overshadowing them and forcing them into his patterns. Of this, Blakey replied his critics saying, “I play the way I feel and try to get my message across. If the horn man knows who he is and has something to say, he’ll make himself heard.” Naturally, some musicians were at odds with this theory, one of them being Benny Golson, the great saxophonist who composed the classic, I remember Clifford, a ballad he dedicated to the late great trumpet player, Clifford Brown. At the time that Golson was musical director of the Messengers, the group was quite highly regarded, but Golson’s conception was not entirely to Blakey’s taste. Golson would come with arrangements that were good and acceptable to Blakey; and would tell Blakey when and where to use sticks, brushes and cymbals - in keeping with the volume and intensity demanded by the arrangement. This was the approach that earned the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) the reputation it enjoyed with pianist John Lewis as the group’s musical director, a situation which vibraharpist Milt Jackson was not quite comfortable with. Of course, Art Blakey refused to comply!

RT Blakey was justified. He wanted to be free to express A himself the way he felt at any point in time. Besides, The Jazz Messengers was different from MJQ in many ways: The

Messengers was a semi- big band noted for nurturing almost all the horn men on the scene at the time —particularly in the area of perfecting their improvisational techniques and solo opportunities; MJQ was a combo with a different configuration. Besides, the philosophy of the Messengers was different: Whereas the MJQ was noted for the quiet conflict it created with the soft sound, The Messengers were out to compel their audiences to listen. Art Blakey claimed that The Messengers were communicators and believed that if members of the audience failed to shake their heads, pat their feet, snap their fingers or shake whatever else they loved to shake while on stage, it meant that they were not communicating. It was to achieve this objective that he exploded with the “drum thunder;” and swung the Messengers with a compelling force from one pattern to another, unrestrained, uninhibited and uncontrolled. This was the philosophy that fired the imagination of the numerous horn men that played with Art Blakey. They considered his drumming a perfect force of nature, a kinetic energy and one of the most powerful natural resources of the jazz world!

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24,

40 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

SOCIETY Events

Birthdays • The Nigerian-Spanish Association (NISPA), will hold her first Bi-monthly Business Luncheon meeting on Wednesday, February 27, at The Metropolitan Club, Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 12pm. The objectives include the promotion of business, friendship, cultural integration, tourism and mutual understanding between

ALI, Senator (Dr) Ahmadu, administrator, politician and former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be 77 on Friday, March 1, 2013. Born on March 1, 1936 at Gbobe near Lokoja, Kogi State, he was educated at the Nigerian College of Arts between 1955 and 1957 before moving over to University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan from 1957 to 1963. He was also at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland and the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. He was formally a Federal Commissioner for Education between 1973-76 and the former National Chairman of the PDP. ADEBOYE, Pastor Enoch Adejare, former university teacher and General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), will be 71 on Saturday, March 2, 2013. He was born on March 2, 1942 at Ifewara, Osun State and started his elementary education in the state. He later crowned his laurel with Ph.D. Degree in Applied Mathematics (Hydrodynamics); he was a senior lecturer in University of Lagos, when he received the divine call of God to work in His Vineyard. He had a

Ali

Adeboye

strict Christian upbringing that was engineered by a church going culture, which was the prevalent style of Christianity of those days.

Building Project, Ijebu North Local Government, Ijebu-Igbo between 1996 and 1997 and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007 for the Ijebu North/East/Ogun Waterside constituency. He was elected a Senator for the Ogun East Constituency in 2007 and was appointed to Committees on Niger Delta, Interior Affairs, Commerce and Capital Markets till the end of his tenure in 2011.

MUSTAPHA, Senator Ramoni Olalekan, administrator and politician will be 53 tomorrow, Monday, February 25, 2013. Born on February 25, 1960, he has a Diploma in Public Health from the Ogun State College of Health Technology. He was Chairman of the Ogun State Task Force on

Nigerian and Spanish members. The Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, Alvaro Castillo Aguilar will be the Special Guest/Guest Speaker. The Consul General of Spain, Ms Carolina de Manueles Alvarez and the Economic Counsellor and Head of the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain, Pablo Martinez Segrelles will also be in attendance.

Mr Tony Nwanze and his wife, Regina Nwanze during their marriage ceremony at Barapa, Apapa Road... last week

Otunba Mojibayo Olagunju, Governor-General, High Society Club of Nigeria (right) and wife were recently installed the Are Tayese and Yeye Are Tayese of Ikejaland.The couple with Otunba Taofeek Oyesiji and his wife and another well wisher at the event.

General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Authority, Mr. Benedict Olawunmi Kehinde and his daughter, Oluwatomisin, during her wedding ceremony in the USA.

Mr. Seinde Faden, assisted by his wife, Ebuu cut his 50th Birthday cake last Sunday, at their Ikoyi residence in Lagos.

CSP Austines Akika (left), Mrs. Eunice Adebayo, Mrs. Christiana Akika, Brenda and Tunji Adebayo (couple) and Mr. Oludayo Adebayo during the wedding ceremony of Mr and Mrs. Tunji Adebayo... last month

Elder Benjamin Uduebholo 80th Birthday Ceremony: Dr. David Odi, Senior Pastor, Agape Worship Centre, Ojodu, Berger, Lagos (left), 4th is the celebrant, members of his family and well-wishers during the cutting of his birthday cake.

Deputy Country Senior Partner, PwC, Uyi Akpata, Accountant General, Lagos State, David Sunmoni, Managing Consultant, Brandsmith Consulting, Akin Ambode and Global Public Finance/Accounting Partner, PwC, Patrice Schumesch at the conference on Global Accounting and Financial Reporting by Governments held in Brussels, Belgium.

• Igbimo URE Ekiti (IUE), a body of Ekiti State indigenes, will host the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi to a motivational dinner at Harbour Point, 4, Wilmot Point Close, off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday, February 28, at 6pm. The group will x-ray the governor score card and highlight areas of critical needs in the state.

Chairman of Bariga Local Council Development Area, Hakeem Sulaimon (right) presentsthe 2013 Appropriation Bill to the leader of the legislative house, Bakare Olusola in Lagos... on Tuesday

Ramesh Biswal left, President, Hindu Mandir Foundation, Lagos, Dr Deep Mirani, Narayan Bhai Patel and Sarat Shoo during the foundation laying ceremony of Lord Jagannath Temple in Lagos. PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

You can send your pictures, birthday events and reports to: jideoojo@yahoo.com

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013 41

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

IbruCentre Co-ordinated By: Chris Irekamba & Femi Alabi Onikeku

Matchmaking: Can Clerics Be Trusted? By Bisi Alabi Williams, Chris Irekamba and Isaac Taiwo EMBERS of The Renewed Church (aka M Heaven’s Chapel) know that their revered General Overseer has one other daughter besides the three his wife bore. That is Janet. She isn’t a part of the family because the man of God sipped waters from strange pots; Pastor Emeka had only propped her up from childhood through stages of education, providing fatherly counsel, finance and spiritual succour. At 25 and a graduate, Janet has blossomed into a tall, fair-skinned portrait of beauty, brains and Christian dedication- the desire of many of the church’s eligible bachelors. Daddy Emeka, as the G.O is popularly known, is aware. After intense prayers and rumination, he concludes that a certain Brother Collins would make the perfect match for the young lady, and proceeds to actualise the revelation. Should Janet trust his sacred intuition? Has the Shepherd gone a step beyond his clerical boundaries? That spiritual instructors wield huge influence over their members is stating the obvious, especially in the context of religion as it is practised in Nigeria. The ‘anointed-servant-of-God’ image is often one that commands real fear of divine backlash should commandments be disobeyed or questioned. Elderly and respectable persons in reported cases have often had to withstand public humiliations in the form of corporal punishment ordered by clerics. And in worst-case scenarios, some men have lost their wives to the scheming of supposed pastors. Broach the subject of marital success, failure and the role of clerics in matchmaking, and you could have material enough for a century’s-long narrative or endless nights of Nollywood entertainment. It would, however, be needful to say truth that while the life story of some worshippers ironically fared worse upon contact with some religious men, that of others has witnessed proven transformation, with testimonies accompanying. Recently, the Unification Church in South Korea (Moonies) held its traditional mass wedding with 3,500 couples saying, ‘I do’. Sky News reports: ‘But 400 of the latest church members to be married had chosen to be paired off a few days before at an “engagement ceremony” presided by Mr. Moon’s widow. “Yeah, I was pretty nervous,” admitted Jin Davidson, a 21-year-old student from the United

States, whose Australian father and Japanese mother were matched by Mr. Moon. “Then all of a sudden she popped up in front of me, and I said okay,” Mr. Davidson said of his Japanese bride-to-be, Kotona Shimizu, also 21. “We struggle a little to communicate right now, as I speak no Japanese at all, and she only speaks a little English, but we see it as an exciting challenge and proof of our faith,” he said.’ The Church, of course, has been accused of brainwashing its followers. ‘In some cultures, the role of the matchmaker was and is quite professionalised. The Ashkenazi Jewish shadchan, or the Hindu astrologer, were often thought to be essential advisors and also helped in finding right spouses as they had links and a relation of good faith with the families. In cultures where arranged marriages were the rule, the astrologer often claimed that the stars sanctified matches that both parents approved of, making it quite difficult for the possibly-hesitant children to easily object – and also making it easy for the astrologer to collect his fee. Some matchmakers have also employed tarot divination (wikipedia).’ “God is the matchmaker,” says Rev. Akinkuolie Olusola of Overflowing Life Ministry, Ayobo, Lagos. “He still leads his children to His will for their lives even today. It is, therefore, wrong for a cleric under any guise to usurp the position of God in the marital life of His children.” Olusola notes that marriage is full of challenges, temptations and adversities, which could make couples flee to the matchmaker. “Which cleric can reasonably help in times of serious adversities in marriage but God? The cleric is himself compassed with his similar challenges,” he says, adding: “Marriages by matchmaking members of a church are doomed to fail.” In his submission, Chairman of the Baptist Pastors Fellowship, Lagos State, Rev. Kehinde Babarinde, says the story of Genesis 24 does not advise anyone to play God’s role as choice maker. “The spiritual, legal and aesthetic taste of individuals should be respected. These should not be seen as sign of backsliding. After all no G.O or marriage committee has the monopoly of God’s will.” There are risks involved, says Presiding Bishop of Vineyard Christian Ministries Inc, John Osa-Oni. “A party might come back and say, ‘I didn’t want this man or I didn’t want this woman. The tendency is for that marriage to break up or end in the divorce court. As long as they stay in that

church and in that commitment, I think there won’t be much problem. But when they have to step out and embrace new ideals of freedom… For that reason, I think there are more risks than there are benefits. Men of God should allow people to make their choice.” The cleric also raised health concerns, warning that people who are genetically incompatible

could end up being paired. “The tendency of having crisis in the home is extremely high. It is true that God can heal, but if the person has not been healed before getting married and you want to bring children into the world… I think it’s risky. For me, I think there are more risks than benefits,” he said.

A section of 3,500 couples who tied the knot at a mass wedding by the Unification Church (Moonies) in South Korea... recently.

PHOTOS: SKY NEWS

...Hurray! We made it!

Theological, Ethical Impropriety Of Pairing By Maurice Izunwa HERE is no better way to begin this serious reflection except with an ancient joke. The first matchmaker was God but He did not find it easy at all. He created Adam and gave Eve to him as a wife without effective consultation. When Adam ate the forbidden fruit and upon Gods interrogation he answered, “the woman you gave me gave to me to eat and I did”. In this way Adam threw back the responsibility for his fall to God. From that day, God swore never to give any person a wife or husband again. If you want one find one, bring him or her and I will bless both of you. Marriage is by an ancient definition a voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. This definition offered by Lord Penzance in the case of Hyde V. Hyde, has a Christian influence, inspiration and ancestry. Little wonder, the legal expert began by asserting, “Marriage understood in Christendom is...” What is in issue regarding matchmaking is the question of voluntariety of marriage and ipso facto, the question of consent. Marriage would be adjudged really voluntary if it is free from all forms of internal, external, psychological and more importantly, spiritual coercion or determinism. It is a human event to be entered into in a human way requiring: awareness, willing and deliberate consent by way of commitment. It is negated by duress of any form or kind. Without this freedom to choose ones partner by oneself and in a human way, consent is lacking and once consent is defective, marriage is void for it in both canonical and civil jurisprudence.

Note that consent is false when it is secured by parental pressure, it is all the more false when it is secured by a ‘quasi-spiritual authority pretending to be speaking on behalf of God, albeit not’. Such is nothing but undue influence. One thing certain is that God does not contradict Himself and what he has enabled men to do themselves by the provision of rational capacity and ecstasy of emotion, he will not turn round to usurp by divine revelation and indulgence. Human reason, feelings, emotions, passions, memories and imaginations are more than sufficient equipment for human interaction and choice of partners in marriage. The enterprise of “pair-bonding” is indeed outside the jurisdiction and competence of pastors (men of God). Pastors ought to be religious leaders: shepherding, teaching and perhaps sanctifying the people. When therefore, ‘men of God’ degenerate into matchmaking, they make undue incursions into the sacred premises of the freedom of their adherents, only to abuse and destroy the sanctity of human volition. This is both blasphemous and criminal. Without doubt such a sudden adventure into the secure office of human choice is an epiphany of neo- paganism by way of divinatory practices. Human freedom to choose is very sacred to the point of exclusivity. It the foundation of and indeed gives dignity to all human actions. As it were, humans are not automatons to be telecommanded like robots, remote-controlled by God like electronics. Where this to happen, no merit would be invested on human actions thereof. God is very mindful of this that He respects human freedom to its limits. Thus He does not force man to do righteous acts, though that is what he desires of man and of course, is also what accords the supreme good of man in beatitude. From my experience as a lawyer and a priest who has worked closely with the marriage tribunal in my province, I can outright observe without fear of contradiction and being conservative with ratio, that quite over 75 per cent of failed marriages were those in which a third party operated to ‘pair- bond’ the spouses. The culprits are almost always the parents, and pastors, but pastors more, because, their supposedly spiritual authority make people vulnerable to their tendentious advice and caprice. With due respect to honest ‘men of God’, note that most pastors

who go into matchmaking are those interested in making money. Plato would call them shopkeepers of spiritual wares. You can be sure that many are becoming their victims today. Precisely, as not interested in the happiness of their clients, they deceive them into a groundless nuptial ceremony. In this way, pastors or the so-called ‘men of God’ destroy freedoms in matchmaking because of either ego (money) or ego (pride) or both. Lured by the love of money, they do exactly what the modern man wants namely, promise of false security in everything, including marriages. More seriously, marriage is both a contract and a covenant. As a contract, the meeting of two minds (consensus and idem) on the issues of lifelong commitment is non negotiable. They must meet, interact, experience compatibility and agree to bind themselves; otherwise the marriage is void and thus will fail. Marriage is also a covenant, one that is made not with God but with the other party to the marriage. Precisely as that, the two persons entering into a covenant must agree on their terms of covenant before God. It is not a journey through a blind alley. Thus the principle is no voluntary and free choice, no contract, and no covenant. Parties marry themselves, not God, not the pastor either. And since marriage is a covenant of love, the two parties to be marriageable, must inevitably love each other, not by a ‘spiritual kind of love’ but by love experienced in a human way. They achieve this love neither by prophesy nor by revelation but by inter -subjectivity in friendship within the limits of decency and purity. Thus any sort of nebulous spiritual calculus by which parties are matched/ paired in marriage is doomed to mediate or immediate irretrievable breakdown. The reason being that the substance of human love in a human way has been suppressed by a kind of false spiritual substance in a superstitious pair bonding. This writer observes that God must be capricious if he will join two incompatible persons through the direct agency of His pastors, only to watch the parties destroy themselves and the marriage collapse. Compatibility is a function of love and voluntary acceptance of one another. No quantum of spiritual oracle can replace that needed inter-personal experience and choice.

The Ibru Centre is under the trusteeship of the Trinity Foundation Charity trust founded for the promotion of spiritual growth

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

Sunday School Divine Healing (II) Memory Verse: “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18:32 Bible Passage: Ezekiel 18:25-32

Introduction AST week, we established a clear link between sin and sickness. We will show today that sickness, in this context, goes beyond diseases in our bodies. All-round wholeness Holiness guarantees mental and emotional health. (Jm. 1:5) God has made provision for our emotional wholeness and a sound,

...With Pastor Enoch Adeboye powerful, love-filled mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) Sickness is not part of His plan for mankind. In fact, His design is that as we spend more time with Him in complete obedience, our strength, physically and mentally, will be continuously renewed. (Isa. 40:28-31) The key is being in His will and in complete obedience at all times. (Exo. 15:26) Caleb, at 80, said, ‘I was 40 when Joshua sent me... the Lord kept me alive, as He said, this 45 years. And I am still as strong as I was when sent 40 years ago. As my strength was then, so it is now. (Jos. 14:7-14) Repent and be healed Our God has no pleasure in the death of sinners. All He requires

is genuine repentance. (Eze. 18:31-32; 2 Pet. 3:9) The unrepentant cannot prosper since curses normally trail sins. The repentant will receive mercy. (Pro. 28:13) He can only help those who admit they need help. (Jn. 9:40-41) It does not matter how vile your sins may be, if you come to Him in genuine repentance, He would not reject you. He would help, (Jn. 6:37; Isa. 1:18) Conclusion God wants us to be whole - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. In fact, He does not want us to be sick. First, we need to repent and be cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb and then all round healings can be ours for the asking.

Key To Overcoming Raging Spirits (II) By Seyi Ogunorunyinka N Mark 9:17-24, Jesus cast out a demon from a boy, who had Itherbeen disturbed by the spirit since his childhood. The boy’s fadid not tire of taking his child everywhere, looking for a

Coordinator, Soccerfest, Pastor Adeolu Adeyemo (left); Pastor Niyi Akenzua of Trinity House; Deputy President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN)and recipient of the Sports Icon of the Year 2012 award, Rev. (Mrs.) Mercy Ezekiel; Rev. (Mrs.) Roselyn Oduyemi; Ex-Eagles player, Monday Odiaka and musician, Sammy Okposo, at the Real Soccerfest Award Night in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Lessons On Pope Benedict XVI’s Resignation By Msgr. Gabriel Osu ‘I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of St. Peter.’ (Pope Benedict XVI) HAT the Supreme Pontiff and Head of the Roman Catholic T Church, worldwide, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI would resign from his esteemed office on February 28, 2013, is no longer news. In fact, the past week has seen the media, local and international, inundated with news, reports and analysis on the resignation and what it holds for Catholics and Christians. Understandably, the Pope’s action has elicited so much interest because of the strategic nature of his office, Apart from being the head of over 1 billion Catholic faithful, the Pope, believed by Catholics to be the successor of the first Pope, St. Peter, is also Head of State of the Vatican City (the smallest sovereign nation on earth). This makes him a world leader in the secular sense. In the days and weeks to come, all eyes would be on the Vatican City. There, at the Sistine Chapel, over 100 Cardinals, all under the age of 80, would gather to elect a new Pope. Can a Pope resign? The previous Pope, Blessed John Paul II, died in active service. He was known to be sick for many years, and despite his ill health, he still managed to carry out his duties to the end. Pope Benedict XVI took over in 2005 at the advanced age of 78. By the time he made public his intention to resign, he was 86. At that point, and considering his very rigorous schedule, which includes meetings, travelling, personal audiences and unending protocols, which leaves little or no room for quiet time, it is understandable that the German-born scholar chose this period to dedicate the remainder of his life to prayer and quiet contemplation. He has done his best. I believe strongly that the Pope acted in humility and love for the Church. His decision to ‘renounce’ his esteemed position, on realising his declining physical ability, is in conformity with Canon Law, and in obedience to the dictates of his conscience. Throwing more light on basis for the Pope’s resignation, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, explained: “We do not have this sort of event happening everyday. But at the same time, we know that the Code of Canon Law promulgated in 1983, makes provision for the resignation of the Pope, if he becomes incapacitated or, as with Benedict XVI, if he believes he is no longer able to effectively carry out his official functions as head of the Roman Catholic Church due to a decline in his physical ability. “This is not the first time that a Pope would resign. In fact, we have had not less than three who resigned, including Pope Celestine V in 1294 and Pope Gregory XII in 1415. Pope Benedict XVI was not forced into taking that decision. Like he said in his own words, he acted with ‘full freedom,’ being conscious of the deep spiritual implication of his action... By his decision, the Holy Father has acted gallantly and as

such we must commend and respect his decision.” From the above, and considering that we are a people bedevilled by a strong culture of sit-tight leadership, there is so much to learn from the Pope’s resignation. Here is a man who is not obsessed with worldly power and pomp, like so many of us are. We see in him a man who is humble enough to admit that he is no longer physically able to meet up with the daily rigour his office requires. In him, we learn what it means to be selfless, to look beyond one’s personal gains, and focus more on the bigger picture for the overall benefit of all. It shows us, once again, that no one is indispensable. I wish that sit-tight leaders in Africa and other parts of the world would borrow a leaf from this exemplary action. Also, the orderly manner that the Church has so far conducted itself since February 12, and the organised way it is going about electing a new Pope, shows the high level of discipline associated with her. There is nothing like power tussle or litigation. There is an institutionalised chain of command. At the end of it all, whoever emerges Pope, through the aid of the Holy Spirit, would unanimously be accepted by all and sundry. We should not be saddened by the Pope’s resignation. Rather, we should see it as an act of God, as a sign of the divine presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church. He sees beyond the obvious and plans ahead of the future for the good of His people. Though the Church may be passing through trying times, especially in Europe, the Bible has told us that the gate of hell would never prevail against her. Our prayer should be that God in His infinite wisdom would select for us a good and worthy successor, who would move the Church to greater heights, to the glory of His name. Amen.

Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu is the Director, Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos

solution to the problem. It must have been very traumatic; he must have been subjected to reproach and insult. But despite this garment of shame, he never gave up; he continued to believe, and his faith was rewarded. It is very dangerous to say that you are tired and would no longer fight against your problems. If you give up, it means that you are ready to carry those burdens for the rest of your life. You must never be tired of praying and crying to God for deliverance. Mark 9:23-24 states, “Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately, the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” As soon as he did, Jesus moved into action and the boy was delivered. Whatever you are going through, the solution is: never shift focus from Jesus. The problems mean nothing to God. He has the solution to every riddle. There are different medical institutions for various medical issues you may encounter. If you have problems with your eyes, you see an ophthalmologist; if you have broken bones, you visit an orthopaedic surgeon; and if you are pregnant, you see a gynaecologist. So also it is with things of God. In order to solve the problems you are passing through right now, you might need to be in a place of power and prayer. You must reside in such place until you receive breakthrough. And even after that, you must not leave the place but stay and maintain your miracle because raging spirits will not give up easily. The demon-possessed boy did nothing to suffer the way he did. He was attacked because there was something in his life worth contesting. The enemy has stolen many things from people’s lives without their knowledge. But no matter what, the enemy does not have the last say over your life. We need to be like the father of the boy and believe that we will be healed, and it will be done. Raging spirits react angrily when they are chased; they are resistant to command. They are also threatening and boastful. The moment someone begins to put himself in the position of God, saying that without him, you will not achieve anything, you must look such in the eye and declare, “I rebuke the spirit that is talking through you.” You must do this in all circumstances, no matter who it is, even if it is a parent. Raging spirits usually talk through people that are close to you and whose words you cannot reject. That is why you need to have the spirit of discernment and recognise who it is that is speaking to you at all times. Once you recognise a raging spirit, you have to be violent in your rebuttal of their words. A Christian is supposed to be very humble. But at the same time, he or she must not be stupid. Every Christian needs to know his or her rights as a child of God; else the enemy will turn them into a piece of rag. Christianity is a call unto separation from evil. You must, therefore, separate yourself from anyone who is evil. You can do a lot for people, even without seeing them. Your prayers can travel distances and when the person has changed, the spirit of God will minister to you that the spirit has changed. Many are using their legs to walk into evil everyday, thereby compounding their problems. The wicked can only be saved by God. Your deeds will never save them. Instead, pray. Do not walk into the den of the enemy. Pastor Seyi Ogunorunyinka is the General Overseer, The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos, pastorseyiogunorunyinka@gmail.com

NASFAT Inaugurates Igbogbo Chapter By Oluwakemi Ajani HE Igbogbo chapter of Nasrul Lahi-L-Fatih Society Of T Nigeria (NASFAT) in Ikorodu, Lagos State, was inaugurated, recently. The forum, according to Chief Missioner of the chapter, Alhaji Ahmed Olawale, is a coming together of all Muslims in Bayeku, Epe and Igbogbo.

Olawale noted that in the next one year, the chapter would build a mosque and an Arabic school for the benefit of members and the residents in the area. The Chief Missioner used the occasion to urge youths to abstain from vices that could ridicule Islam and society. He also stressed the need to empower youths in skill acquisition, saying no society can function effectively without the contribution of its youths.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

IBRUCENTRE Springs Of Wisdom By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

Path To Joy In The Family HAT is the ideal family? How can one build such a family? W The Bible provides the answer. It describes such a family as one that fears the Lord, and is free from worry and anxiety,

Vicar-General, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Very Rev. Msgr. Gabriel Osu and others during a conference of Catholic Church Directors of Social Communications in Lagos... recently.

By Ernest Onuoha HE Church of Nigeria (Anglican ComT munion) has, in fulfilment of constitutional provisions, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, elected new Bishops. They are: Ven. J. O. Odedeji (Lagos West Diocese), Very Rev. Simeon O. Borokini (Akure Diocese) and Ven. Geoffrey Okoroafor (Egbu Diocese). It follows proper retirement notices by their predecessors: Rt Rev. Peter Adebiyi (Lagos West Diocese), Rt Rev. Michael Ipinmoye (Akure Diocese) and Rt Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Iheagwam (Egbu Diocese). The election was held on January 11, 2013 during the Episcopal Synod at St Peter’s Chapel, Ibru Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. With thanks to God for the peaceful exercise, their consecration comes up today at the Cathedral of St Jude Ebutte Meta, Lagos, Lagos Mainland Diocese. The Primate, Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, and his brother Archbishops and Bishops are expected to be in attendance. Section 43 of the constitution of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), as amended in 2002, stipulates: “In the event of the translation or retirement of a Bishop, there shall be elected, a successor not later than three months before the translation or retirement of the serving Bishop; and he shall be known as co-adjutor Bishop. The successor or co-adjutor Bishop shall within the three months of election, before assumption of office, understudy the outgoing Bishop.”

Anglican Church Consecrates Three New Bishops Today The consecration is significant in several ways: first, it falls at Lent. Jesus, our Chief Shepherd, in Matt. 26 v 36-44, spent time in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane and frequently requested that God’s will be done in the onerous task to save humanity. For Jesus, the work was not to be approached carnally but with seriousness. The implication is that for anyone to succeed as a Bishop, such must value prayer. In Matt 4:1-2, Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. This was to enable Him mortify the flesh and strengthen the spirit for the work of saving perishing humanity. This is a call to the new Bishops to ensure the paraphernalia of office does not weigh them down; they should make out time to draw from the Source of life, if they desire to be faithful to their calling and the flock of Christ. Again, the consecration is taking place four days before the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, leaves office. The Pope had said: ‘After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry... For this reason and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter...’ This implies that those who engage in the

work of shepherding the flock must know their limitations and not play god. Furthermore, and most importantly too, the consecration coincides with the inauguration of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), which was founded on the feast of St Mathias February 24, 1979. Ever since, the church has had four Primates who have helped to sustain the tradition of apostolic succession. They are: Most Rev. Timothy Olufosoye (late), Most Rev. Joseph Adetiloye (late), Most Rev. Peter Akinola and the current Primate Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh. It is to such a rich and historical church that these new under-shepherds have been enlisted to make contributions to the business of saving souls. They are blessed to have a cloud of witnesses supporting and encouraging them to succeed in their ministerial work. As we rejoice with our new Bishops today, we wish them a successful tenure, trusting that the Lord, who has chosen them, will enable them to perform. Congratulations, my Lord Bishops! Ven. Ernest Onuoha, Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, www.ibrucentre.org

Fasting Without Ceasing

itual discipline. It is tantamount to living a ‘fasted life’ though this is not equivalent to a life without joy. Often, it means refusing to go with the popular or general flow By Moji Anjorin Solanke and all that war against Spirit (God) and of thought. It means choosing to have the spiritual power’. To do this, the Biblical inNE of the instructions on prayer given junction in I John 4:1 needs to be obeyed. It ‘mind of Christ’ - letting God govern every in the Bible in I Thessalonians 5:17 is states: ‘try the spirits whether they are of God: thought and action. This, more often than straightforward. It says: ‘Pray without ceas- because many false prophets are gone out into not, may involve a struggle, just as abing’. Many Christians find that, in order to the world’. It goes on to assure in verse 4 that staining from eating for a period, such as at least begin to really obey this instruction, ‘greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the Lent requires discipline and staying power; but the blessings that derive from the concept of prayer must transcend the world’. Bible scholars and respected Bible kneeling down and hand clasping that is commentaries inform that the word, ‘spir- this spiritual exercise, are enormous. The commonly portrayed in pictures. Praying its’, refers to doctrines and teachings, which daily decision to fast from the evidence of the material senses - to let God define the must be a way of life, a way of thinking. In- define the thoughts man entertains. right view, the spiritual view, of every situterestingly, Jesus, in Matthew 17:21 admon- Proverbs 4:23 also urges that the heart (or ishes his disciples to pray and fast, if they thoughts) be guarded diligently, for out of ation - can be made now. This is the Chriswould do the works that he did. This work it, all the actions that determine the course tian Science way of fasting. Borrowing from the Bible, it just might be described included instantaneous healing, among of man’s life and experience issue forth. as fasting without ceasing. other marvelous works. Unlike Paul in his In Science and Health with key to the Scripletter to the Thessalonians, however, Christ tures, page 392, Eddy writes: ‘Stand porter at Moji Anjorin Solanke is of the Christian Science ComJesus did not give the specifics for fasting. the door of thought.’ Christian Science encour- mittee on Publication, Nigeria West, Nonetheless, it is on record that he fasted ages the need to constantly guard thought, NigeriaWest@compub.org for 40 days. It is also on record that he de- refusing entry to sinful, evil and unhealthy fended his disciples when they were acthoughts. This takes study, practice and spircused by the scribes and Pharisees of not fasting, like the disciples of John the Baptist Prophet S. K. Abiara (Luke 5:33-35). He added that there would be By a need for them to fast only when he ceased O matter the happenings around you, to be physically present with them. the word of God says: “Arise, shine for In Christian Science, as with any Christian your light has come...” (Isaiah 60:1-8) You are ductive, till the denomination, everyone is encouraged to commanded, by the word of God, to arise desired miracle happens. strive and follow Christ Jesus as closely as from the dust of mourning, suffering, bar- The Israelites they can, through deep and daily study of renness, poverty, joblessness, homelesswere in Babythe Bible, as well as by living practical Chris- ness, marital crises, sickness, debt, series lonian captivity tian lives, obeying Jesus’ instructions and of disappointment and failure. but God told doing the Christly works that he said his What else does the Bible recommend them not to be true followers would do. In Christian Science, after rising? You are to shine. Shining idle: “Build fasting is as much a Christian duty as is houses and dwell praying. But it is not limited strictly to the refers to a newly acquired spiritual light and understanding. Though your hearts in them; plant abstinence of food, drink and other fleshly pleasures, nor limited only to a particular were once full of darkness due to what you gardens and eat their fruit...” (Jer. 29:5-6) season. Rather, like prayer, it is a way of life, were going through, you have to deterTherefore, what you are passing a constant attitude, or state of thought. This mine to receive light from the Lord, and your behaviour should show it! When this is backed by Scripture. The Bible quotes through cannot serve as an excuse for light is within you, it produces only what idleness in the things of God. You are exGod as saying to the Israelites in Isaiah 58, that the fasting acceptable to Him, which is good, right and true. This would be pos- pected to continue to make exploits for yields results, is more than abstinence; it in- sible because of the glory of God on you. the kingdom of God and patiently wait cludes loosing bands of wickedness, undo- The glory of the Lord is not merely the on Him for a change. Shekinah or ‘cloud of glory’, that rested on ing heavy burdens, freeing from Until you rise from a dejected state, oppression, breaking yokes and giving gen- the Ark; it refers to the actual personal glory and light will not emerge. Alpresence of the Lord (Jeremiah 3:16, 17). Let though, thick darkness is in the offing in erously to the needy. me say here that no matter how thick the the world, light and God’s glory on His In an article published in the New York Times of May 1,1901, the founder of the Chris- darkness is, God does not want you to sit people is more real. The value of light is tian Science church, Mary Baker Eddy, wrote in complacency. He wants you to be occu- best appreciated in darkness. I am glad that fasting must ‘silence appetites, passion pied, doing something positive and proto announce to you that this is your time

Arise And Shine

problem and oppression, captivity and calamity, disease and death, familiar spirits and famine, hostility and hatred, iniquity and infirmity. When God raises up an individual or a family and favours it with the blessing of freedom and fulfillment of His promises, what a great privilege that is! When the Bible declares: “Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD”, it leaves the decision to us all to become candidates for the blessings that follow, the joy that is bestowed on those who fear the Lord and come under His control. Upon those that know the Lord, believe in Him, love Him, obey His word, there are great blessings, whether as individuals or as families. However, there is need for proper explanation of what it means to be free as a family. Such deeper elaboration is just as important and necessary as a doctor’s diagnosis of a medical condition before prescribing a remedy to the patient. So, what are the problems families are wrestling with today? When a member of a family has a spirit of infirmity for a long time, the implication is that he or she becomes the centre of attention rather than the centre of activity. Instead of providing for the needs of other members of the family, the family finance is channelled into taking care of that person’s health. In fact, his or her health becomes a priority. Also, when forces of darkness are battling with a family in unrelenting attacks, when they mount a brick-wall of resistance against the family, sometimes it brings the family under spiritual bondage. This might lead to difficulty in having children or in raising them. Sometimes, the attack or manipulation manifests in the form of wrong marriage, or unequal yoke, with its attendant consequences. Others include the burden of polygamy and backsliding. These burdens, in turn, sometimes lead to hypertension, worry and anxiety, guilt and condemnation, sexually transmitted diseases and even death and eternity in hell, if there is no repentance. Sometimes too, it gets worse as couples conspire to go astray together, to sin against God, and inadvertently bring judgment upon themselves and their families, except they repent. Among other causes of problems in families include, frequent quarreling, heavy indebtedness, infidelity, envy and jealousy, hatred, joblessness, poverty, unforgiving spirit, sickness, unbelief, domestic violence, worldliness, etc. Breakthrough for the family starts when you take the right steps by repenting or turning away from all known sins, and restituting to others, including your partners, for wrongs done. One king in the Bible got his family into deep trouble when he snatched another man’s wife. This singular action brought the curse of barrenness, calamity, sickness, demonic oppression and heavy yoke upon his family. Therein lies a clear warning to all adulterers, adulteresses, husband or wife-snatchers, philanderers, cultists and idol worshippers and other sinners. By continuing in sinful indulgences and licentious lifestyle, you may be bringing on yourself and your family such problems as progress in life, denial of promotion at work, ill-luck in business transactions, poverty, calamities, sickness and mysterious deaths. A family begins to experience a breakthrough when it renounces hidden things of dishonesty, when it throws away the totems of idolatry, when it burns or gets rid of the regalia and instruments of secret cults, when immoral relationships with strange men and women other than one’s spouse are broken, when cases of bribery and corruption are dealt with, when stolen items are restored to their original owners; when all moves to file for divorce are put on hold because the Lord hates divorce. “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” A family begins to experience breakthrough and peace when offences are freely forgiven, because where there are bitterness, resentment, grudges and unforgiving spirit, there will be all kinds of devilish work, as couples engage in a do-or-die battle to advance their selfish ends. In such situations, they are often unmindful that everyone caught in-between their battle becomes a victim. But God’s blessings begin to flow when every member of the family goes to the Lord to ask for and receive forgiveness for their sins; when couples make the Lord their trust; when they dissociate from all divisive tendencies; when they make the Lord their strength. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful ... he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” The family that wants to experience the blessings of God must remain undefiled in every way. When there is readiness to live righteously, when Christ is allowed to rule and reign, when there is determination to live according to the word of the Lord, the family will be blessed on earth and will have the hope of making it to heaven.

References: Psalm 128:1-6; 144:11-15; Luke 13:16; Acts 8:23; Hebrews 12:15,16; Nehemiah 13:23,24,26; Jeremiah 8:4-6,9-12; Acts 5:1-10; Hebrews 13:4; Genesis 20:7,18,7-9,14; 21:9-14; Matthew 1:19,20; Malachi 2:14-16; Matthew 19:3-6; Romans 7:2,3; Matthew 18:21,22; Ephesians 4:31; Matthew 5:3-12; Psalm 32:1; 40:4; 84:5,7,12; 1:1-3; 119:1-3; 128:1-3; 112:1-8. (All scriptures are from Kings James Version).

to shine. Arise from your despondent state and look unto Jesus Christ, who is greater and mightier than your problem. The good news is that your light has come but it takes rising from that confused state for the light to function. I can see you rising, by the help of the Almighty God, to shine and declare His glory, in Jesus’ mighty name.

skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

At Church Dedication, Okoh Tasks Christians On Sacrifice By Chris Irekamba ICTORIA Abimbola Onafowokan Memorial V Anglican Church (VAOMAC), Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, was dedicated last Tuesday, with admonition by Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh, that Christians emulate the sacrificial life of Jesus Christ. The 250-seat edifice was built by 88-year-old, Prince (Dr.) Adedapo Onafowokan, in memory of his late wife and Iya Ijo of Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Sagamu, Mrs. Victoria Abimbola Onafowokan. “Many people no longer give sacrificially, like Jesus Christ. We have learnt to gather and cheat others, and even call it a miracle. The Christian Church must restore and recover the spirit of sacrifice,” Okoh said. The Primate expressed “profound gratitude to the donor, who had thought it fit, under the inspiration of God, to do what has been done here,” and praised the “quality of the building (and) “the quality of the finishing and all that have been committed to it.” He said: “We congratulate you (Prince Onafowokan) and all of you who associated with him for having courage to deny the world and commit so much money to the building of the house of God. It is almost out of tune with our generation where money and pleasure count very much. We thank God for your life and the life of the members of your family, who encouraged you to go ahead.” He prayed: “As you have given the best, may God Almighty give to you, your children and generations yet unborn, the very best in the name of Jesus.” Speaking on the significance of the dedication service, Primate Okoh noted: “Dedication is to make holy; it is to set apart a place for the worship and service of God.” He therefore, enjoined the new Vicar, Rev. Canon Tolu Akinwande, and members of the church to keep the facility consecrated. “With this dedication,” the Primate said, “there is a change of ownership, and the building has become the colony of Jesus Christ. There is nobody who can lay claim to this place; for this is the house of God. It is not the house of the

Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas D. Okoh (centre) and Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Olusina Fape, during the dedication of Victoria Abimbola Onafowokan Memorial Anglican Church (VAOMAC), Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State… last week. PHOTO: CHRIS IREKAMBA

Bishop; it is not the house of even the donor, because it is a special house that is set apart. He went on: “Nobody in Ikenne or anywhere around can, therefore, decide that the next disco dance will take place in the auditorium of Victoria Memorial Church. It’s been dedicated and set apart from all other types of uses and it’s separated unto the worship and service of God only.” On why he put up the structure, Prince Onafowokan said: “It was because of the way my wife died. Her death reminds me that I will surrender whatever I have. It reminds me that the

By Julian Ejikeme Okechukwu HRIST Jesus took flesh and became Man. He stripped Himself C of ultimate power and glory etc. He became an ordinary human being, weak, to the extent that he accepted to die. He was buried but he resurrected on the third day with ALL powers in heaven given to him by God, and ALL powers on earth and under the earth. How and when did the Son of Man get this dominion power? There are two instances where the Lord Jesus received power as a human being. We will consider, first, how He received authority over the earth. God gave Adam dominion over the earth and creation. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. And God blessed them, and God said unto them… have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Ps.115:16; Gen.1:28) But by subtlety and lies, Satan stole the authority immediately Adam and Eve obeyed him in sin. The Devil bragged about this before the Lord Jesus as he tempted Him. “And the Devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto

same could happen to me. So, whatever I have, I should use it to serve God. I decided to give everything. I’m 88-years-old. What do I need money for? When she was alive, she was everything to me. Since we married, I never bought any dress for myself. For instance, up till now, it’s the dress she sewed for me that I’m wearing. She was everything and life without her can never be the same.” The Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Olusina Fape, shed light on the inspiring story of the donor: “He sold the house in which he lived with mama for many years. The proceeds

Christ Jesus: The Ultimate In Power me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.” (Lk.4:5,6) So, by robbery and deceit, authority over the earth, over the life of men, death etc., fell into the hands of the Devil. The Devil is a thief. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (Jn.10:10a). He arrested the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, and killed Him unjustly by crucifixion. And he was caught: “If a man shall steal… a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore… four sheep for a sheep” (Ex.22:1cf; Jn.1:29,36) The Lord Jesus humbled Himself unto unjust death. He committed no sin, though He carried all humanity’s sins. The Devil’s wicked assumption that he could steal, kill and destroy failed. Satan unduly mocked the human race as he boasted before Job (see Job 4:12-5:7). It was by the mouth of Eliphaz: “They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them” (Job 4:20; 5:4) On the Cross, the Lord Jesus got dominion power over the earth

New Cathedral At Ubomiri

A section of the cathedral of Jesus, Mary & Joseph Catholic Church, in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.

HE cathedral of Jesus, Mary T & Joseph Catholic Church, in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State was dedicated, recently. A son of the community, multi-millionaire businessman, Leo Stan Ekeh, who is

also chairman of Zinox Technologies, built the church in celebration of God’s faithfulness to his life. The officiating priest and Archbishop of Owerri, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, drew comparison between Ekeh’s

were committed to building this church. The only house he has in Ikenne has been turned to a vicarage. As I speak, papa has no building of his. He lives in a rented apartment. He said there is no better way to live but serve God with one’s resources.” Other items donated by the octogenarian include a new Toyota car, a generating set and a bus for the choir. In attendance were Dean/Archbishop, Province of Lagos and Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Most Rev. Adebayo Akinde; Bishop of Remo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Michael Olusina; Bishops from various dioceses and traditional rulers, among others.

gesture and the Biblical story of Nehemiah. He commended Ekeh’s for building a befitting edifice for God. “It is something inspired by the spirit of God. Not everybody who has the means builds for God. Some

would never think of it,” he said. Dignitaries at the event included Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, senators, members of the House of Representatives, captains of industry, and others. Rev. Obinna urged leaders to imbibe the fear of God in discharge of their duties, saying that God would hold them accountable. “Whatever your position in office, you must use the resources allocated to you for the good of the people, not for personal enrichment,” he said. “I love God and will never hesitate to do anything in the service of God and humanity. I built this church as a mark of God’s special love and mercy towards me. I am grateful to God because He has seen me through the valleys and mountains of life,” Ekeh said.

immediately He said, ‘It is finished’ and breathed His last. He secured this power and its appurtenances as spoil from the Devil. Satan had to restore. But there was no way he could. His restitution should be four for killing one Lamb of God. He ought to have brought four human beings like Jesus. Of course, the calibre of the Man Jesus was and is only one in all heaven and earth. It was one trouble too many for the Devil. Again, the Law recommended that he should surrender all in his possession in lieu of his murderous theft: “Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.” (Prov. 6:30,31) So, Satan lost his angelic authority, power and all things. In a moment, all things slipped out of his treacherous hands. After he surrendered us, his captives, and all other things, he could not make full restitution. And the Law took its course “…for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft.” (Ex.22:3b) As no one could buy the Devil, he and his fallen angels became slaves of the Man Jesus ‘ad infinitum’. “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:15) Among the things Christ recovered from Satan as penalty for the damages are: Authority over the earth, which he stole by subtlety (see Gen.1:28); all the captives in his custody, both lawful and unlawful captives (see Is.49:24-26); authority over human beings (Jn.8:36); authority over the angels. (Christ, the Head of human beings, became also the Head of all angels: holy and fallen together. “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” -Col. 2:10; authority over the fallen angelic host: “I …have the keys of hell and of death” (Rev 1:18). The keys show His eternal universal dominion over the realms under the earth too. The Lord Jesus, as a human being has authority over hell and death; all humanity and everything in Satan’s domain became Christ’s personal property and more, etc. Besides, Satan’s empty kingdom was destroyed totally by God’s judgment borne on flying scroll perpetually orbiting the earth (Zech.5:1-4). Christ rightly declared: “…All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Mt. 28:18) Only the Almighty can claim this. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Ultimate in Power. And this maximum power is available to whosoever wills. It is time to obtain it. Let us secure the franchise to use this authority through His Name, through faith in His Name. Whoever ignores it shall stumble. As He said, “Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Lk.20:18) We must avoid this.

Okechukwu writes from Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

IBRUCENTRE

Mr. Oriyomi Emmanuel (left); Adoo of Idoo, Oba Liasu Ogunmola; Lady Evangelist Abosede Alabi; President, Return To Your Creator Outreach Mission (RETYOCOM), Prophet Adebunmi Isaac Alabi; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola and Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin, during the N5bn fundraising of RETOYOCOM at Idoo, Egbedore Local Government, Osun State.

Our Common Rituals: Lenten Season, Ramadhan By Josiah Idowu-Fearon S in previous articles, this piece is written for those who wish to see Nigerians united, in spite of their religious differences. It is the hope of the writer that, reading this piece will open up discussions between those who profess these two faiths (Islam and Christianity) and, eventually, result in deep respect for each other’s faith practices and lead to a more irenic relationship. Last Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) Christians all over this country joined millions of others all over the world to begin a 40-day fasting period called Lenten Season. The Muslim equivalent of this religious duty is Ramadhan. Are there similarities in their observance, do they have similar expectations during and after the periods, and could faithfulness to the expectations bring about individual transformation, unity among Nigerian Christians and Muslims, leading to development, especially in the Northern parts of the country? In the Christian liturgical calendar, Lent is the penitential period of 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Traditional Christian observances of Lent include fasting and penitence, both in preparation for Easter and as a way of spiritually “joining” Jesus with the fasting and meditation he did in the wilderness. For early Christians and Eastern Orthodox Christians today, the rules of fasting are strict: just one meal a day, in the evening, and no meat, fish, eggs, or butter is permitted.

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are required to be strict fasting days for Roman Catholics. Penance, however, is still observed and marked by alms giving, devoting time to prayer and Bible reading, and other forms of religious study. In the Anglican communion, Lent and Fridays are set aside as days of fasting and abstinence, however, individual Anglicans are free to determine for themselves what particular measures of abstinence they will follow in the observance of these days, though certain parishes and dioceses are more encouraging of fasting than others. While in Kaduna diocese for example, everyone is encouraged to fast all through the Lenten season, in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney its people are discouraged from fasting during Lent. During the early days of the Church, this period was also one in which those who wanted to become Christians prepared for their baptismal rites.

Christianity and most Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. Fasting also includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, abstaining from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing, fighting, and having lustful thoughts. Therefore, fasting strengthens control of impulses and helps develop good behaviour. Particularly during the Lenten season and the sacred month of Ramadhan, believers strive to purify body and soul and increase their taqwa (good deeds and God-consciousness). This purification of body and soul harmonises the inner and outer spheres of an individual. Christians and Muslims, who take part in the observance of these seasons, aim to improve their body by reducing food intake and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. Over-indulgence in food is discouraged and eating only enough to silence the pain of hunger is encouraged. On a moral level, believers strive to attain the most virtuous characteristics and apply them to their daily situations. They try to show compassion, generousness and mercy to others, exercise patience, and control their anger. In essence, by observing these important seasons and the religious duties prescribed, Christians and Muslims are trying to improve what they believe to be good moral character and habits.

Days of Lent Calculating the days of Lent varies between Western churches (Protestants, Catholics, Anglicans) and Eastern (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, eastern-rite churches affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church). In Western churches, Sundays are skipped when counting, because Sundays commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In the Catholic Church, the official end of Lent occurs on Holy Thursday with the mass of the Lord’s Supper. These details are presented here to inform our readers that in the Christian faith, this annual ritual, unlike the Muslim equivalent is not an obligation, as we shall see from the Muslim ritual equivalent in Islam. However, it would be educative to note some of the common practices between the two faith traditions.

Fasting is the soul of prayer; mercy is the lifeblood of fasting. Let no one try to separate them; they cannot be separated. If you have only one of them or not all together, you have nothing. So if you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others you open God’s ear to yourself (St. Peter Chrysologus, c. 400450, Bishop of Revenna).

Lent and Ash Wednesday Where do the ashes come in on Ash Wednesday? It was traditional in ancient times for people engaged in special times of fasting, prayer, repentance, or remorse to rub ashes on their foreheads as an outward symbol of what they are experiencing internally. This custom entered Christianity through Judaism, and Christians today may apply ashes on their foreheads to mark the beginning of Lent. Ideally, one should use ashes from the burning of palm fronds from the previous year’s Easter celebrations.

Ramadhan In Islam, this season is the prescribed period when every Muslim is expected to faithfully observe the Fourth Pillar of Islam. This observance involves fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, which is probably the most notable time for fasting among Muslims. In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice, from fajr (dawn), until the maghrib (dusk). Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking (including water), and engaging in sexual activity. They are also encouraged to temper negative emotions such as anger and addiction. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times, a Muslim draws closer to God by abandoning bodily pleasures, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of their faith and their devotion to God all the more evident. The Qur’an states that fasting was prescribed for those before them - the Jews and Christians- (Baqarah: 183-185) and that by fasting a Muslim gains taqwa, which can be described in one word as ‘God-consciousness’.

Our appeal Over 80 per cent of Nigerians belong to one or the other of these two religious traditions with such excellent common rituals. If we are so blessed with such rich religious practices, it becomes incumbent on Christians and Muslims to live out these rich religious disciplines. We challenge Christians and Muslims in this country to become humble and begin to respect each other’s religious traditions, which, as shown above, have a lot in common. It has been observed that there has been a significant increase in the goodwill messages sent to the Christian community when the Lenten season took-off on Ash Wednesday. The message from His Eminence, The Sultan of Sokoto, the Spiritual Head of the Muslim Umma in Nigeria should not go unnoticed. We do hope that the discipline of this Lenten Season will continue to play out as we pray for one another, study our Bible with the determination to live it out and go out of our way to show mercy to those around us who are suffering.

Lent and fasting today In Western Christendom today, the strictest fasting rules were eliminated in the Roman Catholic Church in 1966. Only

Similar teachings on the main event (fasting) of the two seasons A significant number of Christians within mainstream

Idowu-Fearon is the Diocesan Bishop of Kaduna (Anglican Communion).

Origins of Lent The name, ‘lent’, is a Germanic word originally used to refer to the spring season. Over time, it replaced the Latin ‘quadragesima’, which means ‘forty days’. Lent lasts 40 days because, according to Biblical accounts, Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days of fasting, meditation and reflection before beginning his ministry (Lk.4:1-12). In Western Christendom, as well as in Africa, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday; for Eastern Orthodox Churches, it is called ‘Great Lent’ and begins on Clean Monday (one of my uncles, though an Anglican, follows this tradition).

TheGuardian

46 Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Focus On Job Creation, Economist Charges Nigeria By Geoff Iyatse ITI Group Africa Economist, david Cowan, C said Nigerian economy stands a chance of being a major beneficiary of investment capital pulling out of America and Europe. He, however, said the growth can only make impact on the majority if the country, like other African states, pays more attention to job creation. The economist, who said he has been studying Africa’s growth trend in the past 25 years, said Nigeria stands a better chance of reaping offshore investment this year as more capital leaves quivering American and European economies for safer markets. He spoke at a two-day conference of Eurofinance (a part of The Economist Group) held in Lagos last week. Cowan painted a gloomy picture of what he considered uncertain global economy and concluded that the Eurozone crisis could continue till 2014. Yet, he said, solving the Eurozone debt crisis would not “necessarily end the lingering economic crisis.” The Citi economist also forecast a stiffer currency war that could hit “the Japanese Yen” harder than other legal tenders. Continued stagnated oil production, stable price of crude coupled with diversified economy, according to the speaker, will increase demand for naira and fuel the pressure on the currency that “slowed down in 2010 and 2011 but peaked in 2012.” He continued: “The path for inflation is more uncertain. Inflation is much more stable in Nigeria but it may not fall to a single digit in the next fear years. Inflation, in long-term view, may remain at 13 per cent.” The good news about the country’s inflationary trend, he noted, is the “easing of the volatility era.” Cowan pointed out that the inflation of Anglophone West African countries such as Nigeria and Ghana is far higher than that of their Francophone counterparts because of “the difference in their political structures.” Infrastructure development, he said, is a valuable measure with which the government could effectively fight inflation. Still, Cowan does not expect relevant authorities including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)

Bulls Persist In Stock Market By Godfrey Okpugie

to pay excessive focus to controlling inflation. He told The Guardian, in an interview, that “job creation” should be top priority of developing countries, including Nigeria. He noted that boom and burst circle in one region would continue to affect other markets, as it has become the reality of “global integration.” What individual countries could do, he suggested, is to adopt proactive measures including aggressive foreign reserve building to withstand any shock from foreign economy. The concern is that the kind of growth Cowan predicted hardly translates to better living standard for masses. The economic analyst argued that the supposed

ber of countries; political climates have also stabilised. Today, you have gadgets nobody could dream of before the last 10 years. There is assurance among investors that there is market for consumer goods in Africa,” he noted. Yet, Cowan urged Nigeria to pay more attention to industrial revolution, which he considered the “missing link” in the evolving economic order. He described as unfortunate the fact that the phenomenal growth is driven by sectors such as financial system and telecommunications with the least impact on job creation. To create massive jobs needed to transform the economic wellbeing of the majority, he advised, Nigeria must invest in industrial development.

President, the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr. Agele Alufohai (left); Executive Director, Nigerite Limited, Toyin Gbede; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu; President, Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), Chuks Omeife; Executive Secretary, the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board (LASTVEB), Olawumi Gasper; and CEO, MCS Consulting, Mr. Afolabi Imoukhuede at the unveiling of SkillUp, a programme aimed at developing artisans, organised by LASTVEB & MCS Consulting in Lagos.

Maritime Administration Agency To Repair 21 Vessels

HE NSE All-Share Index appreciated by 636.63 T By Moses Ebosele points or 1.91 per cent to close on Friday, February 22, at 33,895.08, and the market capiS part of plans to boost local partalisation rose also by 1.91 per cent to close at A ticipation in the N10.846 trillion. maritime sector, the Nigerian The NSE 30 went up by 1.41 per cent, consumer goods inched up by 0.78 per cent and banking by 0.12 per cent. Others, which also appreciated, include oil/gas by 2.16 per cent and Lotus II, which rose by 3.48 per cent. However, Insurance index depreciated by 6.54 per cent. On the whole, the week recorded a turnover of 2.482 billion shares worth N22.815 billion in 32,471 deals. This was in contrast to a total of 4.249 billion shares valued at N23.177 billion that exchanged hands in the preceding week in 39,391 deals. As is usually the case, financial services sector was the most active during the week, contributing 69.14 per cent to the weekly total equity turnover volume, in 1.716 billion shares valued at N13.684 billion, which exchanged hands by investors in 18,961 deals.

gains of “better economy” are wiped by increase spending culture of households. He said expanded consumption caused by technological advancement has increased expenditure of individuals — a trend he said has weakened the over-all economic wellbeing of the people. According to him, African economy has experienced “strong growth” in the past 10 years. He said the country’s seven per cent growth within the period is far better than its historical averages. He noted that many other African countries have witnessed similar growth trend. “Economic policies have improved in a num-

Maritime Administration and SafetyAgency (NIMASA) is to finance the repair of 21 vessels belonging to indigenous shipping companies. Meanwhile, director-General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, has appealed to institutions of higher learning across the country to give adequate priority to entrepreneurship training. Akpobolokemi who spoke at the weekend in Lagos explained that entrepreneurship plays crucial role in the economic development of the country. He explained that the 41 students form part of the agency’s first batch, adding that they would be

on their way to the United Kingdom later this year for a three year further studies. At the end of the programme, Akpobolokemi advised the students to use their knowledge to “transform the country.” The 21 vessels shortlisted for repairs

are AG butler Nigeria, Japaul Oil and maritime Limited, Morlap, Shipping, Jevkom Oil and Gas, and Niger delta Shipping. Others are Peacegate Oil and Gas, Rangk, Peace gate Oil and Gas, Rangk and Lenimar Ocean Trawlers

Limited, Phenix Associates Limited, dLB Marine Services Limited Seabulk Offshore, West Africa Offshore, Miden systems Limited, Pramara Shipping, Kotram, Intergreted Services Limited and Integrated Services Limited.

Fosad Embarks On Reconsolidation drive OSAd Consulting Limited has It stated: “Our strategy revolves Fdeepen embarked on series of activities to around enabling our clients continits operations and increase market share. It recently created a business development unit as part of the plan to overhaul the operation. In a release, the company said it is becoming more dynamic to remain competitive. Part of this, the statement said, is that the company is partnering with professionals with the right expertise and experience.

ue delivering value to their stakeholders. “Our vision is to achieve the strategy of a one-stop shop that provides a full range of business support services to clients. We value our worth with excellence, quality service, integrity, professionalism and partnership.” Fosad is a business support services firm with strong presence in human

resource consulting, expatriate and allied services. It started as human resource service provider in 1999. But it has expanded to other areas of interest with constant growth of clients. Its human resource operation specialises in outsourcing, recruitment/selection, learning/development, verification service and payroll management. It has specialists who handle different ranges of services.

West Africa Remains Oil, Gas destination, Says Seplat Boss ANAGING director of Seplat Petroleum 208 Trillion Cubic Feet Of Gas In Cumulative Reserves M development Company Austin Avuru, has Taking a broad view, Avuru noted that oil and Nigeria and Angola while noting that it is a “trend described the West Africa as a prime petroleum province in the world. The respected petroleum industry expert made the submission in London in a paper he presented at the International Petroleum Week 2013 organised by the Energy Institute. To buttress his point, Avuru pointed to the fact that “Africa’s contribution to world reserves has increased from 7.0 per cent in 1995 to 8 per cent in 2011 with estimated 2.8 percent of world oil (68 billion barrels) in Sub-Saharan Africa and 44 billion barrels of those in the Gulf of Guinea.” He also highlighted growing reserves in Libya,

likely to continue with new discoveries announced in Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Mozambique, and Uganda in 2011.” Highlighting the strategic position of the continent in the global petroleum game, Avuru noted that West African countries, like Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’ Ivoire, Cameroun, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Chad, have cumulative oil reserves of over 60 billion barrels of oil and over 208 trillion cubic feet of gas making them a key resource base for oil and gas exploration with potential for significant spikes in reserves.

gas activity on the continent extends from Mauritania to Angola with Nigeria and Angola accounting for the lion share, an impressive 80 percent of the total sub-region’s reserves as at January 2012. New production countries have also joined the big players following the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in Chad, Ghana, Cote d’ivoire, Liberia, Mauritania. As if to dispel the cynicism of naysayers, Avuru noted that the potential for growth remains high while explaining that latest findings indicate that

future growth would come from West Africa because since 2007, the sub-region has seen more success in exploration than other regions of the world – making it attractive for investment with the transform Margin, deepwater West Africa, and offshore East Africa as core areas currently attracting most exploration interest. Avuru informed the gathering that since the Jubilee discovery in 2007, companies are exploring other parts of region (Ghana to Mauritania), looking for analogous Cretaceous turbidite prospects with Offshore explorations in Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire look promising, making them high potential investment destinations beyond Nigeria and Angola.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday February 24, 2013

BUSINESSCOVER

The Burden Of Budget Approval

Picking Holes In The Budget The implementation of the 2013 budget is held back almost a quarter into the new year as the Executive and the Legislature fail to agree on who has the final say on the document. And the real loser is the anaemic economy, which is further denied the tonic of government patronage. By Geoff Iyatse HE executive fights to assert its authority. The lawmakers also insist on “the right” to carry out their constitutional responsibility. And the controversy over budget passage continues while the two camps maintain their separate positions. Interestingly, either arm might have, inadvertently, enlarged the basis of budget debate. The debate must have, in turn, created fresh crises of thoughts among legal experts and economists. Yesterday, Chuks Nwachukwu of Indemnity Partners faulted the federal lawmakers’ approach to the debate process. He expressed worry that the approach has reduced Appropriation Bill, which should have a distinct status, to private member bill, where the parliament can exercise the freedom to freely reduce or increase figures. The lawyer said the lawmakers can only reduce estimates contained in the Appropriation Bill but not add to it. He argued that the spirit of legislative debate as it relates to budget is to achieve cost-effective spending, and that it does not contemplate increase on estimates passed to it by the executive aim. According to him, while the National Assembly is not expected to add to original figures or introduce new items to the appropriation document, like the executive reportedly alleged in the case of constituency projects, the legislators can review oil benchmark “because even a layman can fault an unreasonably low benchmark.” Nwachukwu continued: “Assuming you benchmark oil price at $40 while the prevailing price is $140, anybody can fault it. That aspect can be subjected to public debate. But the same right cannot be exercised to the extent of introducing new items or increasing expenditure”

N the contrary, Chairman of the Nigerian O Bar Association (NBA), Warri Branch, Dr. Ayuba Jiwa, said lawmakers have not, so far, dabbled into the responsibilities of the executive. He noted what they have done is in line with their constitutional duties. He argued: “Budget is a law that is different from an administrative process. It is an act of the parliament that should be subjected to rigorous debate and amendment. It does not matter its origin, it is expected to be scrutinised. Whatever the executive presents to the legislature are suggestions.” Unlike the other line of argument, Jiwa, who is also Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Bar Journal, said the law does not give lopsided power as many think when they say lawmakers can only remove from budget proposal. He argued that where there is provision for power to remove, there is equal authority to increase. The legal expert said the law would not have required the executive to forward Appropriation Bill to the legislature for passage if it does not contemplate adequate room for review of the estimates. Recently, the legislature hinted that it could commence the process of vetoing the Appropriation Bill if the President continues to delay assent. If that option is taken, Jiwa noted, the executive might decide to disregard implementation of the law. This, he said, is a common practice all over the world. “It will still be a law but it will not be implemented. The Appropriation Law, if the legislature vetoes it, could be disregarded. There are many laws that fall into such trap. A certain law that has existed for over 50 years makes it criminal for anybody to cause breeding of mosquitoes in his premises. Nobody has been prosecuted on the basis of the law, yet it remains a legal statute until it is repealed. “There is nothing you can do about an executive that ignores a law dully passed by the parliament. You cannot charge the executive for contempt because it refuses to enforce a law,” he noted. There is also huge concern about the continued impasse over provision for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). As that lingers, the fate of the Commission as it concerns funding hangs on the balance. And if it is not resolved, Jiwa said, capital

Jonathan

market regulation could be put in abeyance unless the executive decides to move resources from another budget head to fund SEC. HE National Assembly had assed the 2013 Appropriation Bill without a provision for SEC, an action traced to the running battle between the parliament and the Com-

Anybody who suggests the National Assembly should merely approve a budget proposal prepared by the executive is living in fools’ paradise and dream world. The National Assembly has a duty to scrutinise every aspect of the budget and knock out areas it feels are wasteful, block leakages and include items it feels the executive has overlooked.The lawmakers must do everything in national interest. It is not expected that they will include what they call constituency projects, which translate to money meant for their pockets. The National Assembly and the executive should strive to make a budget that is lean on recurrent expenditure but heavy on capital projects

mission’s Director General, Ms Arunma Oteh. Speaking With The Guardian from London yesterday, Chief Mike Ozekhome, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the parliament is constitutionally empowered to make input into Appropriation Bill when it deems necessary. The power, he said, includes that of “removal and addition” as long as it is done in public interest. His words: “The National Assembly is given power to oversee budget matters. In order words, the executive prepares budget and sends to the legislature. The spirit and the letter of the Constitution makes it clear that the National Assembly is not supposed to be mere rubber stamp because it has equal responsibility as a stakeholder in the national project. “Anybody who suggests the National Assembly should merely approve a budget proposal prepared by the executive is living in fools’ paradise and dream world. The National Assembly has a duty to scrutinise every aspect of the budget and knock out areas it feels are wasteful, block leakages and include items it feels the executive has overlooked. “The lawmakers must do everything in national interest. It is not expected that they will include what they call constituency projects, which translate to money meant for their pockets. The National Assembly and the executive should strive to make a budget that is lean on recurrent expenditure but heavy on capital projects.” He condemned the perennial heavy allocations to recurrent expenditure, stressing: “The country can never advance” if the trend continues.

ERHAPS, unreasonably huge recurrent P outlay is one area many economists find most disturbing in the entire budget saga. A leading economist, Henry Boyo, rhetorically asked during a chat last Friday how the 2013 Budget would actually affect Nigerians if it were passed into law immediately. He asked: “Does it affect you in anyway? Have you seen any difference in recent times even thought they have been implementing budgets? The answer is no. If there is truth, it is that the people don’t feel the impacts of budget. If by February the budget is not passed, what is strange about that? We used to have budget passed in April and May.” Boyo, who has been overtly critical about what he describes as lack of commitment on the part of the government to grow the economy, does not believe Nigerians have a stake in the budget they worry so much about. “What is the big deal in the capital budget that we worry about?” he asked, adding “the capital budget is just about N1.5 trillion, which translates to meager $9 billion even when we need about $100 billion for adequate power alone.” This, he explained, make makes the N1.5 trillion capital budget is meaningless and unworthy the kind of attention Nigerians are giving it. “Why are we ringing bell as if the world will end tomorrow if the budget is not passed when the amount in question is insignificant. The recurrent expenditure will be spent anyway as long as the amount does not exceed what was spent last.” He observed that advocacy groups, includ-

CONTINUED ON PAGE 48

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday February 24, 2013

BUSINESSCOVER

MTEF, Tool For New Budget Process CONTINUED FFROM PAGE 47 ing the media, do not recognise the fact that the real sector is what the economy needs to move on. Unfortunately, he said, prevailing business environment cannot grow the real sector the economy needs to remain afloat. “The media should tell people the truth instead of joining the frivolities around budget. The N1.5 trillion capital budget is insignificant. The economy can do without it. Why are the media focusing on the issue rather than paying attention to a budget that cannot make any difference in the economy? “The government does not employ people but the real sector does. The government cannot create industries but the private sector does. This should be the fundamental issue, not budget. And unless there is an enabling environment where low interest rate and low inflation are guaranteed, there cannot be serious impact. Until that becomes the direction of discussion, the media are only deceiving the people. We are focusing on the wrong issues.” According to Boyo, the government can only create an enabling environment that drives buoyant private sector. This, he said, will happen when the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) stops creating excess liquidity that instigates high rate of inflation. HE unending debate on budget has T cast doubt on claims that the country has, indeed, adopted the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) in its budgeting. MTEF is a critical section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which the government admits it subscribes to. MTEF implies preparing a budget in a form of a development plan of between two and five years. That means the government should have a multi-year budget ready for approval at a time. The country’s Fiscal Responsibility Act says the budget should be prepared in three-yearly format. That means if the base year is 2012, the country should have budget of this year, 2013 and 2014 ready. The budgets are expected to be approved under MTEF format, meaning that 2011 and 2014 budgets prepared in MTEF format should have been approved by the National Assembly with benchmarks clearly spelled. Economists say the format has the capacity of eliminating the sort of debates the national budgets have raised in recent years. Unfortunately, MTEF has remained at the level of mere policy statement as successive appropriations have not conformed to the MTEF pattern. Also, Executive Chairman of the Society for Analytical Economics, Nigeria (SAEN), Dr. Godwin Owoh, does not see any correlation between the stipulation of MTEF and the country’s budgeting culture. While the government regularly claims to have adopted the principle, Owoh says it either lacks proper understanding of the framework as recommended by the World Bank or deliberately ignores it. “Nigeria has not started budgetary system that is based on MTEF. What we are doing is not MTEF. South Africa started MTEF in 1994 and achieved tremendous success in 1998. Ghana is the next best African country in MTEF implementation. Countries like Malawi are also doing well in it.” Owoh faulted the 2013 Appropriation Bill for contradicting Section 11 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates the government to incorporate MTEF as a tool for planning the country’s budget as well as other economic programmes.

“What you then do is to send the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), which contains the changes you want to make in the 2013 budget, for instance, to the parliament for approval. This is done not later than three monthsbefore the presentation of the budget. The approved document is then used to effect changes in the Appropriation Bill that can be passed by the National Assembly within a week.” Owoh challenged the government to show a three-year MTEF that has been duly approved by the National Assembly if it claims to have incorporated the framework as directed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act. According to Owoh, the adoption of MTEF will lead to fiscal stability and prevent the consequences of yearly dispute over budget, as that will only come up once in three years when oil benchmarking and related issues are expected to be settled. He said: “Another advantage of MTEF is that it clearly specifies priority sectors of the economy. You cannot just take me by surprise just this month that the priority sectors for this year are agriculture, defence and education. That should have been clarified three years earlier in line with MTEF. You will know the priority sectors by the volume of allocations and the quality of programmes/projects that accompany them. “Interestingly, MTEF focuses on the ‘how’ and the ‘why’. It de-emphasises monetary allocations as basis for achieving economic efficiency. It explains why certain investments are made in certain Senate President, Mark areas such that budgetary allocations get to where they should. The emphasis is on efficiency.” Owoh, who consults for several development organisations, observed that budgeting requires the highest level of competence in operational public sector accounting, a skill, he said, is currently lacking in the Ministry of Finance. HILE he suggesting a total overhaul W of the budgeting institutions, he called for the elimination of the Budget Office. He said the office is a mere duplication of the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance, which he said should be reinvigorated for better performance. Owoh also noted that the endless debates would continue until MTEF is adopted. He dismissed the establishment of oil benchmark as unnecessary. “Rather, you should establish benchmark for expenditures, then follow the Constitution’s position on how the revenues of the federation should be treated. All incomes should go to the consolidated revenue fund. By the time you accommodate Joint Venture and other expenditures in oil sector investment, put the balance in the consolidated fund. Then agree on the ratio that will go into the Sovereign Wealth Investment Fund (SWF) directly. The idea of Excess Crude Account (ECA) is illegality. It makes it difficult to control the flow of funds.” According to Owoh, Nigerians cannot do otherwise but give the National Assembly chance to carry its constitutional responsibility even if they believe the personalities that compose the hallowed chambers lack the strength of character to do a credible job. Last week, Citi Group Africa Economist, David Cowan, also raised argument similar to that of Boyo. He said Nigerians should worry more about the quality of public spending than when budget is passed. He noted that the appropriation is largely recurrent, which leaves little for projects that have impacts on the economic wellbeing of the country. Speaker, Tambuwal

The GUArDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

BUSINeSSAGrO

Agric Ministry Commissions One-stop Shop By Fabian Odum NOTher one-stop-shopA input centre has been commissioned at Iseyin, Oyo State, by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote in continuation of the plan reach all parts of the country. The Minister of State for Agriculture and rural Development, Alhaji Bukar Tijani commissioned the first, of 80 such centres, at Wushishi in December 2012. Under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) the federal government established the network to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of agricultural inputs, as well as serve as singular access point for inputs and market for small-scale farmers. The initiative is meant to ensure access to agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, agrochemical, quality seeds, livestock feeds, veterinary drugs, tractor hire and extension services. According to Dr. Olukayode Oyeleye, the Special Assistant

to the Minister of Agriculture, the commissioning is in fulfillment of the recommendation of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) that at least five of such agro-input centres be constructed in each state to facilitate adequate food production and food security in 2012. Going further, and closer to the grassroots, the National Council on Agriculture (NCA), during it’s last meeting, considered the construction of one agro-input centre in each of the local governments of the federation. These centres are, therefore, a medium-scale value chain infrastructure designed and constructed to provide adequate access to affordable agricultural inputs. The objectives are to support organised farmer groups and out-growers network of agro-input dealers that would support the agricultural production capacity of Nigerian rural farmers, provide access to small-scale storage and processing facilities and, ultimately, access to physical and virtual markets.

Some of the tractors at the premises of the Strategic Grains Reserve, Iwo Road, Ibadan yet to be put to use during the Flood victims relief programme. Meanwhile, farmers contiue to face challenges of tilling their land under heavy manual labour.

Nigeria Pledges $15m For IFAD, Congratulates re-elected President IGerIA has pledged $15 million for the 9th replenishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) at the 36th Governing Council Meeting of the Fund, held last week, at the IFAD headquarters, rome, Italy. Minister of Agriculture and rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina announced the pledge on behalf of President Jonathan and the Federal Government of Nigeria. Congratulating the IFAD President on his re-election, Adesina noted “the Government of the Federal republic of Nigeria lauds the member states and the Governing Council for their strong support for the re-election of Dr. Kanayo Nwanze, following his nomination by Nigeria.” he described the Council’s “positive response to” Nigeria’s request for support for the reelection of Dr. Nwanze as “highly appreciated.” “Your reforms on human resources and financial management have transformed IFAD into, perhaps the most efficiently-run International Development Finance Institution in the world. You successfully negotiated IFAD 9 replenishment and the member states showed their confidence in you by pledging 25 per cent more than the IFAD 8 replenishment. You increased the co-financing of projects by member states by 140 per cent to a total of 1.6 billion dollars. IFAD’s disbursement under your watch rose to a record 457.6 million dollars. You made IFAD friendly to its member states, by expanding country presence to 40 country offices,” Adesina observed. The Minister described Dr. Nwanze’s re-election as a testimony to his “remarkable leadership in shaping, managing and driving the affairs of this noble institution over the past four years.” This he did as he “set out

with a vision, to reduce poverty and expand income opportunities for the world’s farmers and rural population through agricultural development.” Adesina unfolded the plans, achievements and on-going efforts of the government of Nigeria, under the agricultural transformation agenda under the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. According to him, “Nigeria launched a major agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2012.” The government has a goal “to add 20 Million MT of food to the domestic food supply by 2015 and to create 3.5 million jobs.” he added that the government is “also driving import substitution by accelerating production and value addition of local food staples, to reduce dependence on food imports, and turn Nigeria into a net exporter of food.” The transformational efforts of the government, he said, “ended the approach of treating

agriculture as a development programme” as we “now treat agriculture as a business to generate wealth for millions of our people.” The Minister listed several notable achievements recorded in the past one year, including the “first ever database of farmers in the country, which has allowed us to know our customers – the farmers.” he noted “We started with 4.2 million farmers in 2012 and will expand this to 9.2 million farmers by 2013.” he recounted how the four decades of corruption in the fertiliser sector was ended within 90 days, “by taking the government out of the procurement and distribution of fertilisers and seeds” and how “farmers received subsidised seeds and fertiliser vouchers on their mobile phones - or electronic or e-wallets- which they use just like cash to buy inputs directly from the agro-dealers.”

Nigeria Seeks Afreximbank Financing For Agricultural Business … Minister Sees Significant Revenue Potential In Cassava Chips Export By Kamal Tayo Oropo he African export-Import T Bank (Afreximbank) should target financing to support agricultural businesses in Nigeria to boost exports and make African products more competitive in the global market, the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture and rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said in Cairo on Friday. Speaking at a meeting at the Afreximbank headquarters to discuss opportunities in the Nigerian agricultural sector, Dr. Adesina said that Nigeria was interested in an ongoing partnership with the Bank toward a government-enabled private sector-led development of agricultural business in Nigeria and was seeking financing for the

country’s cassava chips exporters. According to the Minister, a network of 15 to 20 Nigerian cassava chip firms intend to export their produce to China in 2013 and will require up to 40 million dollars in financing. Nigeria was implementing an agricultural transformation agenda and wanted Afreximbank to come in and participate across the value chain, he said. he identified some of the areas where opportunities existed to include the cassava export sector, the cocoa sector and the rice sector, among others. The Government was establishing staple crop processing zones across the country to drive concentrated investments from the private sector, he said. An initial 14 sites for anchor zones had already been identified along with five value chains, including rice, cassava, fisheries, horticulture and sorghum. earlier, Afreximbank President

Jean-Louis ekra said that the by carrying out more local processing of their agricultural products before export, African countries added more value and created jobs at home. Afreximbank already had a programme in place under which it was supporting increased processing of cocoa beans in Africa prior to their export to factories abroad, he said. Through that programme, known as the African Cocoa Initiative, the Bank was enabling Africans benefit more from the 80 per cent of world cocoa, which they produced. The Bank would cooperate with Nigeria in order to move forward on some of the projects being implemented by the government to change the face of agriculture in Nigeria, continued Mr. ekra. It would also look at the broader areas of the agricultural business, such as infrastructure, cold chain, product processing, etc.

Agriculture Facts

Obiajuru Igborgbor and Victoria Obianuju, executives of Novus Agro, Lagos-based company at a media briefing on the use of mobile phones to keep Nigerian farmers up to date on produce prices in various markets recently

• Agriculture is the single largest employer in the world, providing livelihoods for 40 per cent of today’s global population. It is the largest source of income and jobs for poor rural households. • 500 million small farms worldwide, most still relying rain-fed agriculture, provide up to 80 percent of food consumed in most of the developing world. Investing in smallholder women and men is an important way to increase food security and nutrition for the poorest, as well as food production for local and global markets. • Since the 1900s, some 75 per

cent of crop diversity has been lost from farmers’ fields. Better use of agricultural biodiversity can contribute to more nutritious diets, enhanced livelihoods for farming communities, and more resilient and sustainable farming systems. • 1.3 billion people have no access to electricity worldwide most of which live in rural areas of the developing world. energy poverty in many regions is a fundamental barrier to reducing hunger and ensuring that the world can produce enough food to meet future demand. (Source: United Nations)

50 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

KALEIDOSCOPE An emerging trend in Nigeria’s education system appears to have put the power of knowledge in the hands of the rich, who can afford to pay the right price for the right quality. But James Hope College, which resumes full academic activities in September 2013, says it is set to change things through its scholarship programmes. Founded by Jim Ovia, former Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc and (now) Chairman of Visafone as well as the Youth Empowerment and ICT Foundation the purpose built co-educational private secondary school, comfortably sits on 38 acres of land in Agbor, Delta State. The former banker, in an exclusive chat with MARCEL MBAMALU in his Victoria Island office on Friday, among other revelations, says he will be extremely honoured to invite students to enjoy the benefits of an education in such a serene environment at Agbor. Excerpts: James Hope, by your description, looks elitist; so, why do you have to site it in Agbor, instead of Abuja or Lagos, for example? AMES Hope College is not a school for the rich, but a full school that could give opportunities to those, who do not have the resources to afford quality education. They would be allowed to enjoy some scholarship programmes. This means that a little boy or girl from a less-privileged home can join those, who have the resources in a high standard education in James Hope College. The students will be given scholarships to study in the school, if they are brilliant. At least, about 30 to 35 per cent of the students will have one form of scholarship or the other; it’s either full scholarship or partial scholarship. Some of the scholarships will be sponsored by the Jim Ovia Foundation, through Youth Empowerment and ICT Foundation programme. Already, we have a similar programme, where a number of underprivileged students are benefiting in Nigerian universities. Now that we have built James Hope College, opportunities will be given to underprivileged students, who are bright to pass the scholarship examination. The most important thing here remains that the school is located in a serene environment at Agbor, and parents would be happy to send their children to enjoy boarding facilities in such an institution. The serenity of that environment is also, one of the reasons that made us build the school there. What budget is the Ovia Foundation looking at for this scholarship? Presently, we fund and support 100 university students every year under this Foundation. This we have been doing for the past 10 years. It means that we have already trained, at least, 1000 students in various Nigerian universities. Having built a secondary school now, we will continue to groom the younger ones, who will then aspire to go to institutions of higher learning. Perhaps, the important thing we have done is to have Nigerian and British education curricula; we have a combination of both. Therefore, students, who aspire to do well in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will now pursue Nigerian curriculum and those, who want to travel abroad would then pursue British education curriculum. Targets for students and teachers We will be able to attract very qualified Nigerian teachers and expatriates. So we are not limited to Nigerian teachers; neither are we limited to a particular skill. And where we could not access enough teachers locally, we will be able to attract

Jim Ovia: James Hope College

Ready To Demystify Teaching, Learning Obstacles foreign teachers in addition. On admission targets, how many students does the school have the capacity to take off with? Usually, if the number of students in the class is minimal, it allows that teacher to focus on the students. So, we are talking about the ration of 20 to one. And being the first year, JSSI, we may have 20 students in each arm of two classes, and then grow gradually. What about boarding arrangements? It is expected that the parents send their children to the boarding school. The standard should not be anything less than what they enjoy at home. In terms of the necessary infrastructure and basic amenities, it should be an environment where every boy or girl will be happy to be. Efforts like the James Hope’s point to obvious gaps in Nigeria’s education system; what are the realities in the country that may have given rise to this kind of initiative? First of all, all over the world, the gov-

ernment cannot really fund education alone. It does not happen in the US or the UK. So, we do not expect the Nigerian government to fund education alone. It’s practically impossible. The private sector has to come on board and play its role. That is why some of us are giving special attention and opportunity through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Would you say it’s all part of efforts to reduce heavy traffic of Nigerian children going abroad to study due to low standards at home? Culture is very important and the Nigerian culture is the culture that makes us what we are. We are very emotional people. It’s always good to have our children have their formal or initial education here in the country. And if we can encourage them, through good education in the country, then, it’s the best to allow them to be trained here. If we need to bring in expatriates, we can also attract them to join very good Nigerian teachers educate our chil-

dren. It is good to have them blend with these expatriates to be able to bring up our children. We cannot do it alone; we have to learn from those with global experience. We are starting with the first year, JSSI, and we will grow from there. What challenges did you encounter in the process of setting up this institution? I will say that various government agencies were very supportive. They were very happy that we decided to build a school of such standards. I want to seize this opportunity to thank government agencies at the local, state and federal levels for giving us the approval that we needed. Where do you see the college in the next 10 Nigeria? Academically, we should be able to produce the crop of children, who, after passing through this school, should be able to pass any standard examination and most difficult standard examination to get into any university within and outside the country. How did you come about the name, James Hope? Esperanza, Spanish word for ‘Hope;’ the ‘James’ being my first name. Apart from giving hope to the people, in August 2010, when some miners were trapped underground in Chile, the wife of one of the trapped miners was pregnant and about to put to bed a baby girl. Somehow, they could communicate through intercom/video and the trapped husband of the pregnant lady was asked to give his baby girl a name, in the event that he was not able to come back alive, and he came up with a Spanish name, ‘Esperanza,’ meaning ‘hope’. That inspired me a lot. If those trapped under the ground for weeks could have hope to come out alive, then, people of poverty and ravaged community or greatly deprived should also have hope. It appears that you also want to use the school as a platform for giving to charity; at what stage in one’s life should he really begin to give back to society? There is no particular age before a man starts thinking of working for the society. But I can recommend that, when a man begins to feel that he is abundantly blessed by God, he should begin to think about giving back to society. If God blesses you at 20, then begin to think about that. 25, 40 and 50 year and above; people are blessed at different stages, and that is

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013 | 51

Cover Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Prototype 2015 campaign vehicle allegedly belonging to Lamide/Amaechi team

2015: Early Clues To The Heat Ahead The question is no longer if the North will stay aside for Goodluck Jonathan to have a full measure of eight years. It is who among the tribe of Nothern Presidential hopefuls will square up to assume the tenancy of Aso Rock come 2015. By Alabi Williams, Deputy Editor RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has repeatedly pleaded with those who confront him with issues of 2015 to spare him the temptation of abandoning the reason he was elected in 2011, to take a hasty plunge into the murky and tempestuous waters of second term. According to him, any decision he takes is likely to be misconstrued by mischief-makers in and out of government. That was a clever response to enquiries about what he would do next at the time luck shined on him in May 2010, when former President Yar’Adua passed on. Jonathan became president and based on the perception that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had a zoning arrangement in place, spin-doctors were eager to know what would happen, should Jonathan decide to run in 2011. So, he cleverly parried that sensitive question and it made good sense to do so then. Shortly after the 2011 elections, Jonathan was again to make that plea, after emerging victorious in a tough and life-threatening electioneering process. That election actually consumed many innocent persons. But he put it in a different format when he suggested the idea of a single term of say six, seven years for president and governors. Having survived those breakneck-elections, Jonathan wondered whether it would not make more sense, to have an elected executive spend a reasonable length of time post election, without having to worry about another election. That way, performance would be enhanced and there would be full concentration. He imagined, perhaps innocently, that a single term would give an incumbent some breather, to sit down and work without fears of an impending election. That proposal was greeted by angry reactions from a cross section of the populace, particularly from the opposition groups. The understanding a good number of persons had was that the man was plotting another term for himself. Since then, the noise about 2015 has been getting louder, causing a huge distraction, the very opposite of what the President apparently had in mind. President Jonathan’s political calculations do not seem to take into full view those of other stakeholders, either within the PDP or across the entire polity. The fact that the President has a job to do, from which he does not want to be distracted does not mean that those who do not have similar commitments should not plan their political life. The situation is further compounded by the PDP, whose vacuous position on rotational presidency does not give Jonathan the confidence to make clear pronouncements on 2015. Besides, there are at least two lawsuits challenging him and the PDP over his eligibility to run in 2015. So,

it is clear why Jonathan is prevaricating. But does that mean other vibrant and eager candidates should not venture? No, of course! Just that those who venture should be very clear and determined, regarding what they want, so that they do not miss the bull’s eye at the end of the day. Not surprisingly, the camp that seems set to pose early challenge to Jonathan on the stormy issue of where the next president comes from is his own party. That was also the position in 2011, when some northern elders were bent on retaining the Presidency after Yar’Adua’s death. They coalesced into a very strong and intimidating click, capable as it were, to cause a quake. But it was the camp of governors, particularly those from the North who won the day for Jonathan. They operated in one accord and neutralized the northern elders. As at last week, three governors have demonstrated in words and actions how they want the next presidential race to be fought. Coming from the camp of governors, this race to 2015 should give Jonathan something to worry about. Those who have risen early may eventually not be the ones; some actually may be looking for visibility and trying to secure bargaining edge, but certainly, you do not joke with governors. They always spring surprises, good or bad. The Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliu and his counterparts from Jigawa and Rivers, Sule Lamido and Rotimi Amaechi have given some clues regarding their thoughts on 2015. Aliu and Lamido have boldly shown that they are interested and have been making statements. Amaechi has not, but he has been spotted as one who has the potential to pair with an eventual candidate from the North. He is rumoured to be working in the background with Lamido. Babangida Aliyu was reported to have said that President Jonathan, in the heat of the 2011 political horse-trading, reached an agreement with leaders of the PDP and its governors that

he would serve only a single term. Aliyu is one politician who has the tendency to swashbuckle, engage in voluble verbiage and he commands attention. He does not shy from expressing himself; the man talks so freely, especially as the mouthpiece of the 19 governors of Northern States, of which he is chairman. But whether he means what he says is another thing, especially as there are traces of double-speak in the positions he champions. For instance, after the governors of the 36 states agreed that the federal police should decentralize into state police, Aliyu and his 19 governors went behind to reverse that position. But that is not the point here. What is on the bill is 2015. Even though Jonathan is yet to announce an intention for 2015, it was as if Babangida Aliyu could no longer contain himself, but had to let out a party secret in a recent radio chat in Abuja. Why couldn’t he wait for the President to show interest, before challenging him with the alleged pact? Perhaps, the President could have forgotten, so it is better to put it on record, and early too. It was like a bombshell, coming from the man who speaks on behalf of the Northern Governors’ Forum. Hear him; “I recall that at the time he (Jonathan) was going to declare for the 2011 election, all the PDP governors were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. And I recall that some of us said that, given the circumstances of the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and given the PDP zoning arrangement, it was expected that the North was to produce the president for a given number of years. “I recall that at that discussion, it was agreed that Jonathan would serve only one term of four years and we all signed the agreement. Even when Jonathan went to Kampala, in Uganda, he also said he was going to serve a single term. “For now, President Jonathan has not declared a second term ambition and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from

President Jonathan’s political calculations do not seem to take into full view those of other stakeholders, either within the PDP or across the entire polity. The fact that the President has a job to do, from which he does not want to be distracted does not mean that those who do not have similar commitments should not plan their political life. The situation is further compounded by the PDP, whose vacuous position on rotational presidency does not give Jonathan the confidence to make clear pronouncements on 2015

the campaign. “I think we are all gentlemen enough; so when the time comes, we will all come together and see what is the right thing to do.” If Jonathan did not tell anybody that he wants to run for second term, why go public with an agreement among ‘gentlemen’ that had not been breached? Babangida Aliu has also not publicly announced that he wants to take over Aso Rock come 2015, but he has posed a challenge on behalf of the North, that 2015 should be reserved for the zone. Should he succeed to convince Jonathan and the PDP to leave the party’s ticket for the zone, the Babangida Aliu is too visible and too imposing to be ignored. No doubt, the man has an ambition, but whether it is over-vaulting is a matter to be settled at a later date. The man is from the Northcentral zone and there are two other zones in the North to contend with. Sule Lamido has been speculated to be working out an arrangement with Amaechi and that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has a liking for the two. Even though Lamido has also not openly declared, work is believed to be going underground, and loyalists are believed to be working round the clock, strategizing on campaigns and materials. But the man said he would rather prefer to go into retirement after doing eight years as governor. That, in political terms, is all a show of modesty. Politicians hardly retire. Does Lamido have the clout and temperament of a president; is he visible and nationalistic enough and how sincere is his Talakawa ideology, to give Nigerians the better life they urgently desire? Too early to hazard any guess! As for Amaechi, the man has said he has no thoughts yet for 2015. He wants to complete a number of projects that are dear to his mind. But why does it appear as if himself and Jonathan do not operate on the same page, in spite of their Niger Delta connection? Amaechi is the chairman of the Governors’ Forum and some of the critical positions he argues may not be his private ideas. He speaks for the entire forum on issues of illegal deduction of states’ money and the decision to foist a Sovereign Wealth Fund on states by the federal government without any rigorous debate. These may appear confrontational, but they are constitutional issues. Be that as it may, the face-off between the two may have been there all along. Remember that some South-south governors did not appreciate Jonathan deeply enough when he was an ‘ordinary’ Vice President. They allegedly treated him with contempt. Hopefully, 2015 will resolve all that and give the country the leadership that will truly transform.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

52 |

COVER

CLUES AND SHAPES OF 2015

Amaechi, An unlikely Candidate For 2015 By Kelvin Ebiri IVERS State governor and chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Chibuike Amaechi, has become the talk of the town regarding his cloaked presidential ambition come 2015. Amaechi’s initial reluctance to repudiate this rife speculation and the recent abrupt appearance of campaign posters of a joint ticket of himself and his Jigawa State counterpart, Governor Sule Lamido, has further fueled this speculation that is now resonating with many meanings and interpretations. Though famous English dramatist, William Shakespeare has aptly asserted that: “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face,” Amaechi has tried to defuse the tension by denying he is not going to be one of the presidential contenders in 2015. In a recent chat with journalists in Houston, Texas United States, the governor who has this idiosyncrasy of being blunt, had lamented that he is being victimized as a result of the rumour surrounding his purported political aspiration. “The assignment I have for now is to govern Rivers State and if any other person thinks this man has ambition, it is that person’s business. So if that is the reason for which Rivers State is being denied of everything, too bad. I have said it that they don’t like Rivers State. If they like Rivers State, they should show us evidence that they like Rivers State. Everything that comes to Rivers State they have taken away,” said Amaechi. Speculation of Amaechi’s purported presidential ambition is not new. It will be recalled that just before the 2011 PDP presidential primaries, there was similar allegation that he was nursing ambition to be vice presidential candidate to former governor of Kwara State, now Senator Oluola Saraki. Prior to the 2011 presidential primaries, some associates of the president had seen Amaechi as a threat. In their reckoning, if centripetal forces in the PDP thwart Jonathan’s ambition to secure the party’s presidential ticket, they might try to pacify the South-South geopolitical zone with vice presidential slot, and the most likely beneficiary was going to be Amaechi. Already, a seed of mistrust that goes back to 2010 when late president Umaru Yar’Adua was critically ill had been sown. During that period of tumult, confusion and near constitutional crisis, when then Vice President Jonathan was prevented from assuming the status of an acting president, the president’s supporters had accused Amaechi of being indifferent to the raging debate them. Courtiers were said to have capitalized on this scenario to fill Jonathan’s ears with stories of Amaechi’s ambition, disloyalty and untrustworthiness.

OWEVER, pior to the PDP presidential primaries of 2011, Amaechi who had for the last five years been amongst the most important persons in the party closed ranks with the president and worked assiduously for his election. But the emergence of Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum reignited the distrust that existed before the 2011 general election. Amaechi’s acceptance to chair the forum has been interpreted as part of Amaechi’s flirtation with a presidential ambition come 2015 and this seems to have made Jonathan’s camp cranky. The Governors’ Forum chairmanship, which gives Amaechi a lot of clout, was the muchawaited green signal for those who see him as having cloaked ambition. It is believed that since governors play a critical role in the emergence of presidential candidates, his position as the chairman of the forum gives him that strategic political depth required to win the backing of critical stakeholders in the polity. Those who think that Amaechi wants to be president also point to the fact the Governors Forum, which he leads has had tough relations with president Jonathan. The forum has challenged the presidency on the issue of Sovereign National Wealth Fund and is currently at loggerheads with the federal government on the issue of legality of the excess crude fund. Supporters of the president think Amaechi, as one of the most valuable governors from the same geopolitical zone as the president ought to have minimized any possible friction between the forum and Jonathan. Another issue that has fueled Amaechi’s

Amaechi alleged presidential ambition is the intense politicking and game of brinkmanship that himself and his colleagues were indulged in during the last election of members of the PDP national executive council. The governors had thwarted the president’s perceived attempt to hijack the PDP machinery. While the president’s man emerged as the party’s chairman, the governors were able to produce the secretary and national deputy vice chairman of the party, who is the governor’s ally. This is one other real reason why the presidency does not seem to trust him. But Amaechi’s close associates dating back to his days at the University of Port Harcourt, noted that though the governor likes to wield power and relishes political visibility, as an astute politician, he appreciates that in the treacherous and murky waters of Nigerian politics, that the most grievous sin that any politician can commit in Nigeria, is open ambition, which is distracting and possibly destructive to a governor. Neither Jonathan nor Governor Amaechi has signaled any plans for the 2015 election, but a divide has emerged. The two prominent Niger Delta politicians have engaged in a war by proxy. The recent outburst of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe, over Amaechi’s comment on the shameful East-West Road, is a lucid example. Orubebe, who was visibly angry that Amaechi had suggested several months ago that the Niger Delta governors should be allowed to takeover the construction of the deplorable East-West road owned by the federal government, accused him of disrespecting the president and frittering Rivers

money away to bribe a cross spectrum of Nigerians in a bid to oil his presidential ambition. The publicity secretary, Rivers State PDP, George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, in response defended the Amaechi administration against allegations of improper utilisation of Rivers State resources, stating that Amaechi had not only embarked on visible projects, but had saved about N38 billion so far through the monthly compulsory state savings. “Those savings expected to climb further by the time Governor Amaechi leaves office, are for possible rainy days. So, Governor Amaechi is not only working for today, but saving for tomorrow,” said UkwuomaNwogba. Ukwuoma-Nwogba explained that the party in the state endorsed the way Amaechi’s media team professionally handled the controversy generated by the Orubebe comments, avowing that Governor Amaechi and the PDP would remain focused despite what it termed antics adopted by enemies of Rivers state to pervert development and enthrone god-fatherism and mediocrity. Senator Magnus Abe, who represents Rivers South East Senatorial District, said by bringing in the president’s name, Orubebe may have gained some power points by identifying himself as the minister who takes on the President’s perceived enemies. “The basis for the persecution of Amaechi as an enemy of President Jonathan is that he allegedly wants to be Vice President. I am sure that anybody who knows the history of Nigeria understands that those who want to be vice president do not behave like

Speculation of Amaechi’s purported presidential ambition is not new. It will be recalled that just before the 2011 PDP presidential primaries, there was similar allegation that he was nursing ambition to be vice presidential candidate to former governor of Kwara State, now Senator Oluola Saraki.

Governor Amaechi. They do not freely voice their opinion on sensitive issues because they know that potential presidential candidates are unlikely to pick a vice president who has his own views on national issues. A governor with an eye on the vice presidency is more likely to ingratiate himself with the President, sponsor media attacks on potential opponents, declare early interest in the Senate as a red herring in a bid to remove themselves from the line of fire, while accumulating dubious awards,” said Abe. Amaechi has meanwhile denied allegation that his relationship with the president has gone sour. In fact, he has described President Jonathan, as a good man who is rather surrounded by bad lieutenants. “It is not that the president is bad, the president is absolutely a good man, but those people around the president continue to give that impression, they fan the ember of hatred and dislike because that is how they will succeed and make their money, that is how they will be relevance and unfortunately the president has not seen that. He needs to see that.” “For the President I owe him a lot of respect and regard, he is a very good person. I have told him personally that for him, I see him as a very good person, the problem I have is that some of his lieutenants need to able to account for what they are doing in different ministries. “For any man to ascend to that office he must have passed through a lot of challenges, for him to overcome those challenges and become president, it makes him qualified. I do respect the president and I challenge anybody that says I disrespect the president to show me evidence of disrespect. I don’t think having a contrary view amounts to disrespect. So the president as a father must be ready to accept contrary views,” he said. Another person in this war of proxy is the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, a former ally of the governor. A faction of the PDP in Rivers State loyal to Wike is in court, seeking to dissolve the state party executive led by reclusive Mr. Godspower Ake. If the case before the Supreme Court to determine whether Amaechi’s tenure started on May 29 or October 26, 2007 fails to favour the governor, the minister’s faction will work to thwart Amaechi’s bid to have a significant input in the state party machinery. Amaechi’s frosty relations with Wike who was his chief of staff and director general of his election campaign organisaton, stems from both men’s perceived senatorial ambition for the Rivers East senatorial slot in 2015. Wike, whose Obio-Akpor local government area produces the highest number of votes in the senatorial district had indicated his interest to contest as a senator in 2011, but was prevailed on by Amaechi to allow Senator George Sekibo continue. This didn’t go down with Wike. The subsequent nomination of Wike as a minister and the appointment of his archrival in the person of Mr. Tony Okocha as a chief of staff is perceived by the minister as a deliberate ploy by the governor who he presumed to have outmaneuvered him, to whittle down his influence. As Chief of Staff, Wike was very powerful and influential in Amaechi’s government. The potential collision between them is gripping the political world of Rivers. But even if taken for granted that Amaechi has a presidential ambition, his ability to cobble together a coalition of governors and other critical stakeholders of the party to wrest the leadership of the PDP from the grip of President Jonathan, whose ability to impose his will on his party is unlimited, will be an herculean task. Besides that, even Amaechi and any keen observer of the Nigerian mucky political terrain will know that one of the biggest hurdle on Amaechi’s path is the PDP zoning formula. The SouthSouth had produced the vice presidential candidate in 2007 and presidential candidate in 2011 respectively. Amaechi is a man who likes to determine his own destiny, and knows he faces a series of variables beyond his own control. The complexity of Nigerian politics is different from that of Rivers, where the governor has held sway. In a situation where President Jonathan decides not to seek reelection, which is a rare probability, Amaechi knows that it would be very difficult to convince the party’s high command to nominate someone from the South-South as a presidential or vice presidential candidate. Instead, the South East geopolitical zone is likely going to produce the next PDP vice presidential candidate, if the party zones the presidential slot to the North.

COVER CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013 53

Opinion A New Patience Jonathan? N the interest of full disclosure, let me first recall that I have inconvenienced the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, in the past. I commented on two incidents in 2006 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it had twice seized vast funds from her: the first the sum of N104 million; and the second, $13.5 million. Mrs. Jonathan did not like my writing about this subject, and as she became one of the world’s most powerful women, she took out an advertorial in the Nigerian press, threatening to sue me. Last Sunday, Mrs. Jonathan was not breathing fire. At a thanksgiving church service, reports say she testified to the fragility of the human body, telling worshippers of her neardeath experience in the months of September and October 2012. During that time, it was common knowledge that she was out of the country, but the seat of federal power at her husband’s command did not say where she was. It was widely reported she was in poor health, but the presidency provided no official confirmation. Whatever appeared in the press about the First Lady was met with denials and rebuttals. Mrs. Jonathan returned to Nigeria in the middle of October, having been away for about six weeks. As soon as she set foot on Nigerian soil, she tried to fortify those denials. She was never ill, she said, had never heard of the hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany, to which intrepid Citizen Reporters had traced her. She had never had surgery. Then came last Sunday, February 17, 2013, when she painted with her own tongue a harrowing picture of sickness, agony, and confrontation with death. She had indeed had eight or nine surgeries in one month, Mrs. Jonathan said, and spent seven days in what sounded like a coma. At a point, her condition was so bad that her expensive doctors even gave up on her. “It was God himself in His infinite mercy that

said I will return to Nigeria,” she said. “God woke me up after seven days.” Every Christian knows that you do not wield the name of God in vain. When she said that God restored her to life, you could hear a collective “Amen!” sweep through Nigeria. I want Mrs. Jonathan to know that I was responsible for one of those Amens, and many before then. Her life is sacred before God and before man, and nobody has any right to challenge it. A new kind of clarity seems to have visited Mrs. Jonathan lately because in her testimony in that church, she demonstrated an unexpected perspective of time and chance. “I will [from now on] be doing things that will touch the lives of the less privileged,” she said. “God gave me a second chance because I reached there (that is, actually died). He knew I had not completed the assignments He gave me that was why I was sent back.” I welcome Mrs. Jonathan back, with joy, from the Pearly Gates, and thank her for the recognition she has accorded to God for her good fortune. Now what? The First Lady followed up her appearance at the Aso Rock Chapel with a celebration of epic proportions valued at half a billion Naira, attended by the nation’s high and mighty. The question is how she implements her pledge to do things to improve the lives of the less-privileged, for which she considers her life on earth has been extended. Nigeria is a land of hypocrites; a country where the less-privileged people are despised. My experience as a journalist and commentator in the last 30 years has convinced me of a certain wickedness of heart in Nigeria’s rich and powerful. Perhaps because most of the wealth and power is often stolen, begged or borrowed, those who have it seem to hold in contempt those who are not as ruthless. Their lifestyle becomes one of lying, cheating and stealing, and the people they exploit the most are the less-privileged.

Perhaps this is Mrs. Jonathan’s mission: to bridge the gap between those who have and those who lack; between those who are overfed and those who are starving; between those who are dying and those who do not need to die. Last Sunday morning, Mrs. Jonathan threw shame to the winds and talked candidly about her life-changing ordeal, of doctors giving up apparently because she was thought to be beyond help. Perhaps it is Mrs. Jonathan’s destiny now to remind Nigeria that there are thousands of people every day who need help for a variety of conditions, from hunger to health. Why? The answer is that Nigeria is the greediest nation on earth. Add that greed to our corruption and it is easy to see why economic plans and budgets and public projects are never implemented. That is why we lack roads and hospitals and good schools. Rather than build roads, we buy jets. Rather than build hospitals, we go to Europe. That is why we put merit next, not first. That is why we worship the wealthy, not the just. We honour the looters and ignore the diligent. We praise the loud not the humble. We ignore the planting season, and wait for the harvest. That is how shame of being labeled the “lessprivileged,” which in Nigeria means “disposable,” has arisen. It is fascinating that these are the elements Mrs. Jonathan now says she wants to help. I can assure Mrs. Jonathan, at the risk of being sued, that I do not believe her. When she and her husband left Bayelsa State, it was with a lot of allegations, and events since then have not improved their image. Reporting on the April 2007 election, the Council on Foreign Relations in New York referred to Mrs. Jonathan as the “greediest person in Bayelsa State,” and a woman of great cruelty. In June 2006, NIDDEMCOW, the Niger Development Monitoring and Corporate Watch, begged the

EFCC to publish its report on Mrs. Jonathan. The Commission did not. Add to those concerns Mrs. Jonathan’s money-laundering encounters with the EFCC, which have never been transparently discharged, and it is clear her new pledge will come under exceedingly close monitoring. But even in an era of heavy political posturing and false promises, she deserves a chance to prove that she is serious. Where political office-holders have failed, there are a thousand ways she can leave behind a special reputation as an achiever. She can provide a lifeline to millions of Nigerian women and children who have no access to fancy hospitals; or access to education, technical training; she can disburse opportunity by the trailer load. And if she wants help in this direction, it is right there in the thousands of top Nigerians who were at her party at the weekend. Yet we must be clear: if Mrs. Jonathan truly wants to bless Nigeria with her second crack at relevance, she must remember that the constitution does not recognize her office as a legal person. Motivated by the engine of her gratitude to God, she must deploy the power of her will and her own imagination and hands. If she proves to be genuine, this I promise: whatever I am, and my own two hands.

All I Hear Is Redemption Song By Leonard Shilgba EADING through an article by one professor, May AkaboguCollins, entitled “A Nigerian Spring Long Overdue”, I am constrained to write this open letter to all Nigerians in the diaspora. I was one of you but I have returned home, and I have no regrets. It was in 2005 when I had a long discussion (or should I call it a debate?) with a friend, who was then residing in Germany, about my decision to return and take a teaching job at the newly established American University of Nigeria (AUN). He did not conceal his anger at my decision, even as he assured me, “I give you just six months, and you will regret your decision to go back to Nigeria.” I have been teaching (both African and non-African students) at the AUN since January 2006 and I have no regrets. Akabogu-Collins, a visiting professor at the American Business School, Paris, wrote how he was ashamed to disclose to his students on his first day in class, that he was a Nigerian; rather, he confessed that he told them he was an American! He also related how a planned family union with his aged mother and family members in Nigeria was called off to the chagrin of his daughter in the U.S. only because of the news of insecurity of life in Nigeria. He concluded by asking who would lead Nigeria in a mass uprising, which he thinks is the best way to rescue Nigeria. I am at a loss here. If a scholar is ashamed of his Nigerian roots, he has no message for the youth. Mr. Akabogu-Collins left Nigeria for the U.S. in 1980 after his first degree at the University of Ibadan, and,

according to him, he has stayed back since. You may have a second nationality (US, UK, Australia, etc.), but you remain at best second-rate when the chips are down. A mistake some Nigerians make is to blame everyone else but themselves for Nigeria’s problems. A nation cannot develop beyond the intellectual reasoning of her intellectuals. Who should build Nigeria for you to come and enjoy? Nigerians who are ashamed of any association with Nigeria cannot build. There is no African student that completes a semester with me who would bear the inglorious sense of shame for being an African. How can we even start solving the country’s problems when we are too ashamed to be called Nigerians? We quarrel about poor governance in Nigeria. But we must not tolerate obscenities against Nigeria anywhere we are. A man can only accept shame as a choice. We must tell the story, for our glory is in our story — the Nigerian story. We must create a system that works for us. Some of us have called for a sovereign national conference, where we shall talk at the table of brotherhood to ensure three things — justice to all constituent parts of Nigeria, fiscal independence to the regions, and removal of waste in our governance systems. Ours is work in progress. But I would not join foreigners to take up stones against Nigeria. The electorate is becoming more enlightened. They are beginning to understand the powers they have, and this makes electoral fraud more difficult to commit. In some states, good governance practices are being established, and this shall continue. The grand designs of

You may have a second nationality (US, UK, Australia, etc.), but you remain at best second-rate when the chips are down. A mistake some Nigerians make is to blame everyone else but themselves for Nigeria’s problems. A nation cannot develop beyond the intellectual reasoning of her intellectuals. Who should build Nigeria for you to come and enjoy? Nigerians who are ashamed of any association with Nigeria cannot build. impunity we observe at the federal level and in some states of the federation have come under the lens. Unlike in the past, Nigerians are reacting to weird and fraudulent budget proposals, questioning dubious expenditures of government, and putting a lot of pressure on government officials to explain their conduct in office. More transparency means growing confidence that we shall eventually have good governance, by which I mean public conduct that guarantees the most good to the majority of people. Nigeria has had issues of insecurity, nonetheless the, news from home should not make you to think the worst about the country. Every country has its challenges at certain periods in history. Ours is not enough reason for citizens to be ashamed of their country. Nigerian professors in the Diaspora should in large numbers start taking up visiting positions in the universities. This is one way to help. In terms of conditions of service, Nigerian professors are living very comfortable lives comparable to the standard of living of their counterparts in more prosperous economies. If Nigerian professors in the Diaspora can organize themselves and come in their hundreds to teach undergraduate and graduate students, supervise graduate theses and projects, and contribute to

university governance through committees, they would be inspiring confidence in their country. I visit my hometown freely without any police escorts, and I am a public commentator who says some things that obviously don’t sit well with public officials. I should think that hiring police protection only draws unnecessary attention. You cannot fully explain the joys of interacting with the local people until you have experienced it. Do you care for your community people or better still, do they perceive you care for their welfare? I think sometimes we are too conscious of our self-importance or status. We are simply Nigerians; that remains the truth. If you have got lost in the Diaspora and have cut off all interactions with your local society, how should they react when you suddenly appear with police escort? One, it is an insult on them. And even if they should ordinarily ignore you, they would not. Two, you should be inspired to return at least for a season, like the biblical Nehemiah, and help take off the reproach of Nigeria that you have so much heard about. Come build these broken walls. Be proud that the same Nigeria has produced you. Some of you got a leg up with Nigeria’s petrodollars that enabled you to have cheap but qualitative university education. You left and refused to come back. You owe

Nigeria. Some of you left your university jobs on study leave with pay. Return and pay your debt. Public universities have some of the best students you can find anywhere in the world. It is not easy to get admission into a public university in Nigeria due to high demand and intense competition for the few available spaces, and that is partly why not a few students are forced to study abroad. We have what they call “The American education.” We can create the Nigerian education that prepares the student to be aware of his or her nation — her challenges, position in Africa and the world, history, and prospects. Professors at home and in the Diaspora can collaborate on this. We must be adaptive but not conformist. Expressions such as “collapsed Nigerian university system”, “unemployable Nigerian graduates”, “halfbaked Ph.ds in Nigerian universities” are too general and not specific. We have fallen for this. Even the federal government is carried away by this and has instituted in the 21st century a scholarship programme to assist 100 graduates with firstclass degrees every year to study in the “top 10 universities” in the world. In spite of our acclaimed education, we have failed to discern the global politics in education. We must build and can build the “best” system of education desired, and cut down on huge capital flight and invest the savings on education at home. •Shilgba is an Associate Professor of Mathematics with the American University of Nigeria and Founder/Overseer of the Bible Clinic Ministries. He also serves as the chairman of the Middle Belt Alliance.

TheGuardian

54 | Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Nigerian Languages, The New Bride By Olugboyega Adebanjo EBRUARY 21, the International Mother Language Day, provided an opportunity to take a critical look at our languages as Nigerians. Because of the second fiddle nature Nigerian languages have assumed in our own society, it is pertinent to ask: Who is Killing Nigerian languages — foreigners or the language owners? Incidentally, Nigerian languages have enjoyed a wide range of support from the Occident, the U.S in particular. One such support is from Wycliffe, a US-based organisation — established since 1942 to translate the Bible into every language spoken in the world. Giant strides have been made by the organisation as it has completed 700 translations. Currently, it supports languages spoken in 90 countries, including Nigeria. In keeping with its vision, Wycliffe has deployed human, financial, special-designed software and other resources to build orthographies for hitherto non-written languages, educate native speakers to read and write their languages, build glossaries in these languages while preserving the histories and cultures of language owners, etc. Unknown minority languages spoken by 10,000 and 1,000,000 speakers now have written documents, thus preventing the languages from extinction. Pertaining to Nigeria, some ongoing and finished bible translations, which are due to the effort of the Wycliffe teams and native speakers of the languages include: Ezaa, Ikwo and Izii languages of the Abakaliki cluster (spoken in Ebonyi State: Abakaliki, Ezza, Ohaozara, and Ishielu LGAs); Benue State: Okpokwu LGA), Alago (a first language spoken in Nassarawa State: Awe and Lafia LGAs), Dadiya (a first language spoken in Gombe State: Balanga LGA; Taraba State: Karim Lamido LGA and Adamawa state: Numan LGA, Huba (a first language spoken in Adamawa state: Hong, Maiha, Gombi, and Mubi LGAs), Hyam (a first language spoken in Kaduna: Kachia and Jema’s LGAs), Ichen or Etkywan (a first language spoken in Taraba State: Takum, Sardauna, Bali, and part of Wukari LGAs). Other languages are Irigwe (a first language spoken in Plateau state: Bassa and Barakin Ladi LGAs; Kaduna state: Saminaka LGA), Jenjo or Dza (a first language spoken in Taraba state: Karim Lamido LGA, and Adamawa state: some areas in Numan LGA); Lokaa (a first language spoken in Cross River State - Obubra LGA); Maya or Bali (a first language spoken in Adamawa State — some areas in Numan LGA); Mbula or Mbula-bwazza (a first language spoken in Adamawa — Numan, Guyuk, Song, Demsa LGAs); Ninzo (a first language spoken in Kaduna State — Jema’a LGA; Nassarawa State — Akwanga LGA.); Tera (a first language spoken in Gombe State — YamaltuDeba LGA and Borno state - Kwayakusar LGA); Tula (a first language spoken in Gombe state, Kaltungo LGA), and Tyap (a first language spoken in Kaduna state — Kachia, Saminaka, and Jema’a LGAs). Through this effort, these native languages, histories, and cultures are thereby given the much-needed identities and distinctions. United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is another occidental organization that has shown the immense value of (Nigerian) languages and cultures as export commodities through an initiative known as Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA). Through this initiative, on a yearly basis, Hausa and Yoruba native speakers with English, Language Arts or combined honours background (or undergraduates in any of the disciplines) are recruited as teaching assistants to

JAW JAW By Didi Onu

Minister of Culture and Tourism, Edem Duke teach their languages and cultures to American students in U.S universities and colleges. I challenge anyone to tell me what else we can teach Americans but our languages. Indeed, it is doubtful if Nigerians (even as undergraduates) can be recruited to teach Americans in any human endeavour other than our languages. This shows the export commodity power of these languages — Hausa and Yoruba — if only we see them as such. If there are no Nigerian manufactured goods to be exported, and there are no Nigerian innovations to sell to the world, our languages and cultures can be our economic exchange with the Occident and Orient. Dr. Uwe Seibert of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, University of Jos, in his work Nigerian Languages Listed according to States reports that Holma (a language spoken in north of Sorau of Adamawa State); Bete and Fali of Baissa (languages spoken in Takun LGA and Falinga Pleateau region of Taraba State) are dying out. Lere, Shau and Ziriya (languages spoken in Toro LGA of Bauchi State) and Sheni (a language spoken in Saminaka LGA) are near extinction. Ajawa, Gamo-Ningi, Kubi and Mawa (languages once spoken in Bauchi state) and Jigwa state’s Auyokawa and Teshenawa are now extinct. This would be on a geometric progression as postulated by the Endangered Languages Project. The joint project, which is overseen by Google and other language-oriented partners projects that “7,000 languages are at risk of disappearing in the next 100 years.” To avert the further loss of a people and their world, history and cultural heritage, their understanding and testimonial of the world and the loss of scientific, botanical and medical knowledge – the direct consequences of language extinction – Endangered Languages Project puts up a website with a list of threatened, near extinction and endangered languages. These include Nigerian languages for native speakers and language savers cum preservers to submit samples of written texts, audio and video files of conversations in these languages to the site as a way of preserving their letters, syllables, words, vocabularies and sentences. Dozens of Nigerian languages listed on the site are classified as vulnerable (any language spoken by less than 20,000 speakers), threatened (a language spoken by less than 10,000 speakers), endangered (any language spoken

by less than 5,000 speakers) and severely endangered (a language spoken by less than 1,000 speakers). Some of these languages include Dulbu (a language spoken in southeast of Bauchi LGA of Bauchi State); Hasha (a language spoken in Akwanga LGA of Nassarawa state); Kami (a language spoken in Lapai LGA of Niger state); Kulung (a language spoken in Karim Lamido and Wukari LGAs of Taraba state); Labir (a language spoken in Bauchi and Alkaleri LGAs of Bauchi state); Mak (a language spoken in Karim Lamido LGA of Taraba state); and Shiki (a language spoken in Bauchi LGA of Bauchi state). Dulbu is severely endangered as it had just 100 native speakers as at 1993. Hasha, as at 1999 had 3,000 speakers, but the number of native speakers is currently put at 400. Kami had just 5,000 speakers as at 1992. Kulung and Labir had 15,000 and 13,000 native speakers worldwide as at 1973 and 2006 respectively. Mak is being spoken by 5,690, and Shiki by 1,000 native speakers. The onus is on the linguistic world, linguistic-inclined individuals and native speakers of the languages to take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by endangeredlanguages.com to save minority Nigerian languages from the danger of extinction. Whereas a Nigerian language with just 100 speakers caught the attention of the world — and the world is seeking its survival — authorities in Nigeria through the Federal Ministry of Education have made Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba optional subjects for senior secondary school students. If we juxtapose this policy with the aforementioned support and contribution of the Occident to the development of Nigerian languages, it is best termed as anti-language, anti-people, anti-culture, anti-race, anti-history, anti-wisdom, and Anti-God. A glimpse into the world of two of these languages would enlighten government authorities on their international value. Today, Hausa is the language used to reach West Africans in the international media on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) since March 13, 1957; just as on Radio France Internationale, China Radio International, Voice of Russia, Voice of America, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and Deutsche Welle, Germany. Live commentary of premiership is aired in Hausa on BBC. About a year ago, as reported on Voice of America, Jimmy Wales, the co-founder of Wikipedia, said Yoruba is the most popular African language on the site with 29,000 pages, followed by Swahili — a dominant language in East Africa — with 23,000 pages. The least we can do as a nation is to support the new bride status our languages are enjoying in the international arena through adequate learning and teaching all through primary and secondary schools as a necessary foundation for those who will study any of the humanity courses in higher institutions, and more importantly, to prepare them for the international space. It is only wise for government to eat humble pie and reverse its decision on our languages. It is only in Nigeria that languages are written with outright neglect for their tones and special characters. The loose remark of some government officials that writing Nigerian languages with their tones and special characters impede free-flow reading and understanding is laughable. If this is true, it shows we are miles apart from the reality of our languages. And that is why the three Nigerian languages taught in secondary school at the moment

should be made compulsory all through so as to ensure that every Nigerian can read and write one of them. Nonetheless, the remark is a statement of an ignoramus because pronunciations, meanings and understandings are hinged on these inherent features – tones and special characters – of the languages. And if we are Africans and Nigerians, these inherent features are inherent in us. It is sad that there is hardly any advertiser in Nigeria that takes cognizance of these inherent features, especially in print, when advertising to Nigerians. They (the advertisers) are quick to say the inherent features are not compatible with computer. It is a reality of the dark ages – but not in this century. I have heard of parents who forbid their children from speaking their mother tongues, but restrict them to English. Unfortunately, the inherent features of African language in us (Africans and Nigerians) would not make us pronounce a single word of English with stress. Nigerians speak in tongues, but not our ‘mother tongues’. They have just one taboo — their languages. They seek knowledge but in another man’s tongue. While they are bread-full, their languages are starving. They are living but with dead languages. They are teachers of another man’s language but brutish and foolish about theirs. They have lost culture and seem to be without history because their languages are secondary. Their languages are a burden to them. Their languages are the languages of the old and ageing. They are alien to their languages. They will dot the i’s and cross the t’s of another man’s language, but are lackadaisical about theirs. The death of a language is not only the loss of a generation, but a world. All human souls lost since creation cannot equate the loss of a language because it takes a language to tell the story of their death. Nelson Mandela, in my opinion the wisest man in Africa, once said, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nigerians, speak the language of the heart! On the International Mother Language Day, more than a bird’s eye view on the number of Nigerian languages might be an interesting thing way to educate Nigerians on their number of languages. In Dr. Uwe Seibert’s work, the total number of Nigerian languages spoken as first languages is 646. Some of these languages, majority of which are minority languages, are enumerated by states as follows: Abia (Igbo); Adamawa: Bacama/Bata (Bwatiye), Bura-Pabir, Fulfulde, Huba (Kilba), Longuda, Mumuye Samba Daka etc. Anambra: Igala, Igbo and Aduge. Akwa Ibom: Anaang, Ibibio, Ebughu, Efai, Enwang, Ika, Itu mbon uzo, etc. Bauchi: Bole, Bada, Ciwogai, Daza, Fulfulde, Hausa, Geruma, etc. Bayelsa: Biseni, Ekpeye, Ijo, Izon, Kugbo, etc. Benue: Agatu, Basa, Idoma, Igede, Kukele, Tiv, etc. Borno: Afade, Arabic, Dera, Gude, Kanuri, Marghi, Shuwa, etc. Cross River: Abanyom, Bokyi, Doko-Uyanga, Efik Ejagham, Igede, Leyigha, Yala, etc. Delta State: Eruwa, Igbo, Igala, Isekiri, Izon, Urhobo, etc. Ebonyi: Izi-ezaa-ikwo-mgbo, Kukele, Legbo etc. Edo: Ebira, Edo, Esan, Ghotuo, Okpamheri, Yekhee, etc. •Adebanjo is Lead Translator at XML Language Services Ltd., Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

| 55

CLUES AND SHAPES OF 2015

COVER

Babangida Aliyu: Extrovert Governor

And His Love For Spotlight By Samson Ezea

IGERIANS, who are conversant with the activities of the Niger State governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, since he assumed office as governor in 2007, would not be surprised with his last week disclosure of the alleged one-term agreement between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and President Goodluck Jonathan in 2010 ahead of 2011 general election. According to Aliyu, President Jonathan reached an agreement in 2011 with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and governors to serve only one term as president. He said the rumoured interest of Jonathan in seeking a second term in 2015 should be taken as a mere speculation. Aliyu said, “I recall that at the time he was going to declare for the 2011 election, all the PDP governors were brought together to ensure that we were all in the same frame of mind. “And I recall that some of us said given the circumstances of the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and given the PDP zoning arrangement, it was expected that the North was to produce the president for a given number of years. “I recall that at that discussion, it was agreed that Jonathan would serve only one term of four years and we all signed the agreement. Even when Jonathan went to Kampala, in Uganda, he also said he was going to serve a single term. “For now, President Jonathan has not declared a second term ambition and we must not be speculating based on those who are benefiting from the campaign. “I think we are all gentlemen enough so when the time comes, we will all come together and see what is the right thing to do.” Aliyu restated his support for the merger of four opposition parties under the platform of All Progress Congress (APC), saying it will engender a situation where strong parties will challenge one another. According to the governor, “I pray for the success of the merger because I want a situation where we will have parties that will challenge one another properly, so that we don’t take it for granted that because you have been winning elections you can do as you wish. There is a purpose for elections. There is a purpose for setting up government. You set up government for the competence and efficiency of running an administration. “You don’t set up government so that a group of people can enjoy, to the detriment of the majority of the people. So for me, the success of the merger will look like what is happening in developed countries, where one party does it for a period of time and another party does it for another period of time. “We should encourage a situation where our party becomes rational and very organised and where our party has democracy within because that is the foundation of a democracy of a nation. “A situation where a party is allowed to handpick candidates and put them up for elections should not be encouraged.” On his rumoured ambition to run for president in 2015, Aliyu said; “If it was the will of God for him to contest, God Himself would create the proper avenue for him to do so. But I have not said to anybody that this or that is what I want to do in 2015. We will cross the bridge when we get to it.’ Known for his outspokenness, especially on national issues, where most of his colleagues dare not speak for some selfish political reasons, Aliyu had made his positions and that of his northern colleagues known on several national issues without minding whose ox is gored. His recent outburst on President Jonathan’s one term agreement has put President Jonathan once more on the spotlight, ahead 2015 general election. It could be recalled, that a similar challenge was posed against President’s ambition in 2011, when it was alleged that he was part of the PDP caucus meeting, where an agreement on rotation of power between the North and South for two terms of eight years was

Police to be deleted. Section 215(2) states: “The Nigeria Police Force shall be under the command of the Inspector-General of Police and any contingents of the Nigeria Police Force stationed in a State shall, subject to the authority of the Inspector-General of Police, be under the command of the Commissioner of Police of that State.” Whatever the Northern governor’s meant by that dubious position, it shows how much Aliyu could double-speak, when it suits him and the interests he stands for. On the debate over the continued relevance of the immunity clause, as contained in section 308, the northern governors also resolved that the immunity clause as enshrined in Section 308(3) be maintained and the provision of the Constitution that provides for two terms of four years for President and Governors be maintained.” Another example of double-speak. While emphasizing that the rotation of political offices among geo-political zones was an essential tool to addressing political exigencies, the northern governors, however, insisted that the six geo-political zones should not be enshrined in the constitution. The communiqué added that the number of justices at the Supreme Court should be limited to 12, while the National Assembly could determine the number of judges at the Court of Appeal. They also said the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice should not be separated. But they agreed that the office of Accountant General of the Federation be split. The governors from the 19 northern states said there should be an office of Accountant General of the Government of the Federation, which they said, “would handle accounts of the federal government only.” They also called for the creation of the office of Comptroller of the Federation that would handle revenue accruing to the Federation Account. Muazu They also called for a revisit of the issue of onshore and offshore dichotomy, resolving to On many occasions, Aliyu hides behind the powerful position of chairman of the meet with Speakers of northern states’ housNorthern Governors’ Forum to rally his colleagues against any national issue they feel es of assembly and members of the National to further deliberate on the prodid not meet their peculiar interests. After it was publicly announced that the Nigeria Assembly posed Constitution Review. Governors’ Forum had agreed to the creation of state police, to address the embar- Clearly, the Northern rassing level of insecurity bedeviling the country, especially in the Northern part, Aliyu Governors’ Forum, as championed by their Babangida Aliu, is a conservative and after the Senate Retreat on Constitutional Review in Asaba, Delta State, rallied his leader, reactionary force, to counter whatever that is Northern colleagues to push a contrary position against the creation of state police, pro-reform and progressive. Whether the apparently, after considering the implication a decentralized police system could Niger State governor is really calling the shots, or whether he is only delivering a have on the North’s historical advantages in a ‘unitary federal system’ northern agenda imposed on him will unveil soon as the road to 2015 becomes clear. allegedly signed, which Jonathan and others The group particularly wants the aspect that Babangida Aliu at home obligates commissioners of police to take promptly denied. CONTINUED ON PAGE 57 On many occasions, Aliyu hides behind the directives from the Inspector-General of powerful position of chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum to rally his colleagues against any national issue they feel did not meet their peculiar interests. After it was publicly announced that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum had agreed to the creation of state police, to address the embarrassing level of insecurity bedeviling the country, especially in the Northern part, Aliyu after the Senate Retreat on Constitutional Review in Asaba, Delta State, rallied his Northern colleagues to push a contrary position against the creation of the state police, apparently, after considering the implication a decentralized police system could have on the North’s historical advantages in a ‘unitary federal system’. After the meeting of the Northern Governors Forum at Niger State Government Lodge Abuja, Aliyu called for some reforms that would ensure that the governors are able to exercise ample control over the commissioners of police in their states. According to a communiqué issued by the Forum at the end of the meeting presided over Aliyu, “The forum was not in support of the creation of state police. It, however, resolved to prevail on the federal government to embark on police reform that will assist the states in control and management of police affairs, and further emphasis on the sound philosophy for modern policing by Former president Obasanjo and former PDP chairman Ahmadu Ali, in a secret chat at a previous PDP national convention amending the provision of section 215.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

56 |

COVER

CLUES AND SHAPES OF 2015

From John Akubo, Dutse

S 2015 inches closer, the jostle for the nation’s presidency has become more interesting, going by the clandestine moves of some of the gladiators eyeing the exalted office. While some in the North have declared outright their ambition, others have preferred nocturnal moves, with suggestive body languages. Though the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan has refused to come out openly to declare his intention to contest the poll, his body language and utterances are indicative of the fact that he may join the race at the most auspicious time. The clamour for power to return to the North has raised the chances of some governors from the region, who would be completing their second tenure in office by 2015. The most prominent of the governors already eyeing the plum job is the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, whose purported ambition has enjoyed more publicity because of the rumored endorsement of his aspiration by former President Obansanjo. Other northern Governors who would likely jostle for the Presidency include; Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda; Kano State Governor, Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso and his Katsina State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema. That Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State is interested in flying the PDP ticket come 2015 is no longer in contention, the only issue is that he is yet to declare his ambition publicly. Even though during an interactive session with journalists after his victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, he said he would prefer to retire to Bamaina, his village, truth is that you never can tell with politicians. He had said: “What do I want in life? I am 63years old and I have no ambition whatsoever. When I finish I will return to my village in 2015.” However, going by recent events, the former foreign affairs minister, especially the sighting of campaign vehicles that were adorned with the Lamido/Ameachi joint ticket logo in Kaduna and Dutse, and the calls from many quarters for the Governor to throw his hat in the ring, it is only a matter of time, for that declaration to take place. Reports linking the initial speculation to former president Obasanjo had set the ball rolling, even after the former President denied the endorsement, notable Nigerians have equally declared their support for the purported ambition. The Bauchi State Governor, Isah Yuguda, who himself is said to be eyeing the plum job recently declared that he was solidly in support of Lamido for the Presidency, because he is an elder brother. The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adamu Sarawa had used the occasion of the presentation of the 2013 appropriation bill to equally drum support for the governor, citing many other notable Nigerians who had called on Lamido to join the race. The Speaker said; “We heard the comments of former and present political leaders and traditional rulers praying to make him the president in 2015. We in the House of Assembly are 100 percent in support.” The stakes were raised higher when PDP supporters gathered at the Secretariat, Dutse during a stakeholders’ meeting recently. The meeting was hijacked and turned into a rally of sort, with everyone pouring encomiums on the Governor, for his numerous achievements and their wish for him to be the next president. The House of Representatives member representing Dutse Kiyawa Federal Constituency, Mustapha Habib, who spoke on behalf of the ten members from Jigawa, said they were solidly behind the call for Lamido to go for the presidency. He said they were convinced that Lamido is the right person to take Nigeria to greater height. He said they were in full support of the State House of Assembly’s earlier declaration of support for the same cause. Senator Danaldi Sankara, who spoke on behalf of the senators also prayed for Governor Lamido to succeed in the quest, observing however, that it was too early to start the campaign. The association of Local Government workers was not left out, as they also declared 100 percent support for the Lamido’s ambition because of his achievement and effective leadership that has taken Jigawa out of the woods. Governor Lamido in his response, however, prayed to God to give Nigeria the best president who will salvage the country no matter his background.

Lamido

Myth And Realities Of There are also serious concerns for Lamido’s much-touted integrity, especially with his eldest son, Aminu Lamido having been in the news for allegations of currency trafficking. There are fears that that would not enhance his chances and that ‘enemies’ could capitalize on that to frustrate the man. Already, that arrest of his son at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has been linked to his opponents, trying to get at the Governor for his temerity to nurse the ambition to challenge a sitting President. He said the PDP’s ideal was the delivery of the dividend of democracy to the grassroots, such that when the opposition refuses to acknowledge the achievement, their family members will tackle them on the obvious fact that PDP has delivered. In what seemed like an afterthought, in a related event, Lamido slammed all those who have been urging him to contest the Presidency in 2015, saying they should save their energy because the PDP has the discipline and political vision to choose the president according to its rules. The Governor made the statement when the national leadership of Arewa Youth Forum paid him a courtesy call. He said, “People have been asking me to run for the Presidency and I made it very clear that I am coming from a very clear political background, where fear is not part of our own culture, we fear nobody in what we believe in, we are humble and modest. “By our culture, we don’t clamour for position and because I am a party man, I am PDP and my party knows what is called Nigeria, because we are very responsible people. Wherever you go the PDP leadership is very concerned about Nigeria, we believe in Nigeria, we work for Nigeria.” He said no matter what people may say, the party will give Nigeria the best president. “To me, it is the system which will produce him not your wishes. We have reached the age of census, a stage where we unite and look at issues, the national interest, security, wellbeing and because we are responsible, we are more than willing to settle our differences and bury our pride and then work for Nigeria,” he said. He said for him, the next Nigerian president is already in place, adding that they are only waiting for God, who alone knows who he is. He said the important thing is for the President to be a Nigerian President who will be a Nigerian for Nigerians; who will bring prosperity, peace and stability. He said the president can be Yoruba, Ibo, Christian, pagan or Fulani, but he should be a

Nigerian, who will be there for the country because Nigeria is for all of us. Going into memory lane, he said the PDP has remained what it is since 1998 without changing its nomenclature; and has laid the ground rules, which have made it possible for every Nigerian to aspire to the highest office in the land. Pledging his loyalty to his party, Lamido said it is the only party that has the exposure and experience to govern Nigeria for now, saying the party transcends religious or ethnic coloration. But to say the man has not been planning and laying the groundwork for his ambition to become a reality would be an understatement. In Jigawa, Lamido has been busy with guided tours of his projects, taking round notable personalities. In the last two years, he has exploited every available opportunity to invite special guests to inaugurate completed projects. The list of visitors is long, from elder statesmen to colleague governors, who had visited Jigawa to commission projects executed under Lamido. Amaechi, the chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the late Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, Shehu Shema of Katsina State and others had taken their turns to visit the state to inaugurate completed projects. Former military President Ibrahim Babangida, under whose administration Jigawa was created 21 years ago, was guest of honor at the 21st anniversary of the state, during which he inaugurated some projects including roads. President Jonathan also visited recently, to commission projects like the state Secretariat, the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Bamaina Academy for the gifted, and the laying of the foundation stone for Dutse Airport. Jonathan described Jigawa as a future destination for business and investment, as he rated most of the projects first-class. The icing

on the cake was when Governor Amaechi commissioned the College of Nursing and Midwifery in Birni Kudu. All the visitors testified to Lamido’s outstanding performance and credit him with being an asset in terms of replicating his exploits in the state at the national level. Challenges to His Ambition HE major challenge to Lamido’s chances would have been the issue of his Secondary School Certificate, which the ACN took him on at the Tribunal, but they were unable to substantiate their allegation that his certificate was forged. The Governor was given a clean bill of health in that regard, up to the Supreme Court. However, the former national President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Muhammad Sani Zoro has said Nigeria cannot retrogress on the issue of academic credentials of its prospective leaders. Zoro, who was the CPC candidate for the Gumel/Gagarawa/suletankarkar/MaigatarFed eral Constituency of Jigawa State in 2011 has been very critical of the Lamido administration. He took on the Governor this time in a frontal manner, vowing that the opposition in the state will not rest until they expose Lamido as a shallow politician, ‘who is not fit to lead any sane society, talk more of his ambition to become the President of this country.’ “I have said it before, that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua governed this country with a Master’s degree and the current President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has a doctorate degree and Nigeria is progressing in the educational sector that the thinking of Nigeria going backward to pick a president whose secondary school education is in doubt is something that we cannot really imagine. It is sinful to contemplate that. That era is gone and it can never happen again.” Zoro did not stop at that, he said; “I can tell you without any equivocation that Lamido is a mere mercenary politician, who is out to sabotage the aspiration of northerners, especially Muhammadu Buhari, as well as Atiku Abubakar in the 2015 presidential contest.” He pointed out that just before 2011 election, “Lamido had threatened that it was either a northern President or nothing else, but after the EFCC allegedly invited his son for questioning, and three of his commissioners were drilled by the EFCC, Lamido on his own surrendered to the forces of Goodluck Jonathan and came out without shame to recant and

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

| 57

COVER

CLUES AND SHAPES OF 2015

Tukur

Lamido’s Presidential Ambition he became the champion of the campaign for the Jonathan presidency. But in a swift reaction, the Jigawa PDP chairman, Alhaji Salisu Mamuda dismissed Sani Zoro as a frustrated politician who could not even win his polling booth. According to him, “Lamido has all the experience, patriotism to bail the country out of the present mess, more than any other person in the country. Mamuda said; “Lamido is a grassroots politician with vast political experience and historical background on political history, spanning over four decades, which include his being a member of the House of Representatives in 1979, National Secretary social democratic Party (SDP), state chairman of the party and above all, he was a former foreign affairs minister. “With Governor Ameachi as his running mate, it will be a perfect combination because the Rivers State Governor has also proved himself as an asset and a true nationalist, who is committed to the course of the common man.” On the issue of educational status of the Governor, he said, “even those that alleged that Lamido forged his WAEC certificate failed to prove themselves in court. Some of them came out and publicly apologized for telling lies against the Governor. They were pathological liars.” He said Fulata, the erstwhile ACN chairman is not a politician, adding that all what he said against the Governor were mere blackmail. The chairman said Lamido could not have intimidated Fulata who went to beg for forgiveness for all the lies secretly, but the Governor insisted it has to be in the open court. “We cannot stop any opposition member from expressing his view, but whatever they may say cannot deter the Governor from achieving what has been destined him for,” he said. On the issue of Lamido/Ameachi, ticket and their campaign vehicles spotted in some states, the Jigawa PDP chairman declared that the state chapter of the party had no hand in them. NOTHER major issue for the Governor is, if the incumbent president decides to run, whether Lamido will be able to withstand the financial muscle of a sitting President and how he would deal with the incumbency factor. There are also serious concerns for Lamido’s much-touted integrity, especially with his eldest son, Aminu Lamido having

been in the news for allegations of currency trafficking. There are fears that that would not enhance his chances and that ‘enemies’ could capitalize on that to frustrate the man. Already, that arrest of his son at Murtala Muhammed International Airport has been linked to his opponents, trying to get at the Governor for his temerity to nurse the ambition to challenge a sitting President. Yet, it is on record that in 2011, after the initial opposition from Lamido against the candidacy of President Jonathan, the same Lamido almost laid down his life to ensure that Jonathan won that election, in the midst of accusation from his kinsmen that he is sup-

porting a Christian against Buhari, a northerner and a Muslim. However, Lamido struggled hard to convince them of the need to separate politics from religion and tribal sentiments. Lamido was born on 30 August 1948 in Bamaina, Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa State. He entered politics as a member of the left-of-center People’s Redemption Party (PRP) in the Nigerian Second Republic. He became National Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, during Nigeria’s Third Republic, when he was criticised for his poor handling of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. When the military ruler, General Sani Abacha

announced his plans to transmute into a civilian president, Lamido was a founding member of the Social Progressive Party (SPP), and was national Secretary of the new party. He was imprisoned in1998 by Abacha, for criticizing his plan to perpetuate himself in office. After Abacha’s death in June 1998, General Abdulsalami Abubakar announced a revised transition strategy and new parties were formed. Lamido joined the PDP and contested to be Governor of Jigawa in 1999, but lost to ANPP’s Saminu Turaki. However, in April 2007, Lamido contested and won the governorship election. He was inaugurated into office on May 29, 2007. Lamido ran successfully for reelection on April 26 2011. He polled 676,307 votes, with Badaru Abubakar of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) coming a distant second with 343,177 votes.

Babangida Aliyu:

Extrovert Governor’s Love For Spotlight CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55 AT home, he cuts the swagger of a reformer, a no-nonsense administrator. He took on the title of chief-servant, giving the impression that he could also be humble. It could be recalled that soon after he was sworn in as governor in 2007, he established up a Debt Verification Committee, to look into a flood of claims for unpaid bills for the contracts awarded by his predecessor, Abdulkadir Kure. The committee reported widespread misappropriations of the state’s resources. During the December 2008 symposium on poverty eradication in Northern states, Aliyu said the traditional rulers, particularly in the Northern region were “corrupt, support corruption and have lost the respect and moral authority to correct their subjects.” Also speaking in October 2009 at the convention of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Aliyu said that over 90 percent of Nigerian politicians have criminal intentions, spending huge amounts to gain office for their own benefit rather than to

serve the public. The chief-servant or Talba as addressed by admirers and wellwishers, Aliyu has neither denied his presidential ambition nor made a categorical statement to affirm, rather, he has pretended to be on the fence and keep Nigerians guessing. But whichever way one might look at it, he is one northern politician to watch in 2015, because he appears to be enjoying every moment he has spent in the klieg lights. But not too many people know that the man has come a long way, as a politician. In 1983, he was elected to the National House of Representatives for Chanchaga Federal Constituency, towards the end of the short-lived Second Republic. Since coming to occupy the seat of governor of the state, he has attempted to create an enabling environment, where both indigene and non-indigenes could cohabit without usual suspicion and rancor. This to him is to give people opportunity to give their best in the development of the state. Another area his government has scored above expectations apart from some infrastructural

facilities that were on ground in the state is the disbandment of a local religion sect called “Darulsalam”. The sect, which had operated in the state for 15 years received the sledge hammer of the governor who does not want the re-enactment of what happened in some northern states following the upsurge of Boko Haram sect. Born in Minna, Niger State on November 12, 1955, Aliyu attended the College of Arts & Arabic Studies in Sokoto, graduating in 1974. In 1977, he obtained the Nigeria Certificate in Education from the College of Education, Sokoto. After the mandatory one-year national Youth Service, in 1978 he became a teacher at Government Teachers’ College, Minna. He later went to Bayero University Kano where he obtained a BA in Education in 1983. He went on to the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States in 1985, gaining a PhD in Public Policy and Strategic Studies in 1989. He joined the Federal Public Service as Acting Chief Political Affairs Officer in May, 1990. He

subsequently held posts in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation and the National Council on InterGovernmental Relations. From 1996 until April 1999, he was Director (Maritime Services) in the Ministry of Transportation. In 1999 he was appointed Federal Permanent Secretary and Chief Operating/Accounting Officer, and later served in a number of senior positions in different Federal civil service departments until 2007, when he reentered politics. He was elected governor of Niger State in April 2007 on the PDP platform. His primary election was challenged by Jibrin Bala Alhassan, a rival candidate for the PDP ticket, but the suit was rejected by the Federal High Court in Abuja in December 2007. He was reelected for a second term in 2011 on PDP platform. Surely, the man is rugged and has a bullish outlook that could assist him when maters get rough. He does not have any deficit, regarding academic qualifications.

58 |

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

COVER EXTRA

2015: JOSTLE IN THE STATES

PLATEAU: Jang Shops For Loyal Successor From Isa Abdulsalami, Jos

IKE most states that are looking forward to having new governors in 2015, political under-currents have started in Plateau although governorship election is still two years away. But a peep into how the race to 2015 elections will look like and what is likely to inform Governor Jonah Jang’s choice of a successor presents an interesting picture. In 2002 when the race for the office of governor in 2003 began, Plateau politics was like one family affair, because there was no strong opposition against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Political leaders then were Chief Solomon Lar, national chairman of the PDP; Alhaji Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu, the Deputy Senate President; and Chief Joshua Dariye, the governor. Other key political stakeholders were Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun (a former governor), Senator Venmak Dangin, Hon. Damishi Sango; Air Commodore Jonah Jang, Mrs. Pauline Tallen and John Akson. But problem started emerging when Governor Dariye and Senator Mantu could not see eye to eye. Mantu craved for maximum power, as he wanted to continue to represent Plateau North Central. This did not go down well with Dariye whose plan was to become a senator after his eight-year tenure as governor. Before their problem, the duo had manipulated political offices in their favour against the interest of some stakeholders in the PDP. Because of this development, factions in the PDP became inevitable. Sango, Dangin, Tapgun and others went to the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) while Jang, Prof. Dakum Shown and others went to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), leaving Mantu, Dariye and Lar hold on to the PDP. When the 2003 election was eventually conducted and results announced, PDP won with a margin of less than 70,000 votes. This snowballed into a serious political controversy. While Dariye was the PDP governorship candidate, Jang represented the ANPP, which accused the PDP of rigging the election in its favour. The matter went to the election tribunal and was decided in favour of the PDP, which also got the verdict at the Court of Appeal. Mantu and Dariye rejoiced over the victory. Sango of the AD, who came third in the race, refused to concede his support to either the PDP or ANPP. But after the election and litigation ended, crisis among the political gladiators deepened. Mantu maintained the political leadership and control of politics in the state because he brought in Dariye. Other aggrieved party heavyweights, including Jang, Sango, Shown, and Alexander Kebang were angry with Mantu for joining forces to rig them out. They nursed these grievances to the end of that tenure. When preparations for 2007 drew near, Mantu fell apart with Dariye because he wanted to be senator for a third time, as against Dariye’s ambition for the Senate. In order to fight Dariye, Mantu went for reconciliation with those who abandoned the PDP for other parties. That was how he succeeded in bringing in Jang, Sango, Dangin, Shown, Kebang, Sylvanus Lot, Jethro Akum and others into the PDP fold. With the maximum power he had in the state politics, Mantu seemed to tell them that the hand that was used to rig them out in 2003 would also be used to bring them back, as a payback for various positions in 2007. These forces were to fight Dariye as the incumbent governor. Before this time, problems reared their heads in the Mantu group during the primaries for 2007 governorship election. While some of the members preferred either Sango or Michael Botmang (the deputy governor who held the forte as governor when Dariye was impeached), the other faction preferred Jang. This group believed that the electorate would welcome the candidature of Jang, who had made a name during the 2003 governorship election in which he came second. But at this juncture, Mantu did not play the role of a political father to reconcile the groups. Even during the primaries, he dumped the Jang/Tallen camp and supported the Sango/Botmang group. This further deepened the crack in his party. Fortunately, Jang won the primaries with a simple majority against Sango/Botmang group. This introduced another regime of hatred between Jang and Mantu. Jang lost confidence in him as a political godfather. Mantu did not get Jang’s support for his thirdterm bid for the senate. Instead, Jang supported

Lar

Mantu

Jang

Thus, the governor incurred the wrath of Mantu, Sango, Sylvanus Lot, Dangin, and Tapgun, who was his campaign director in 2007. Mantu’s group has also joined forces with Abuja politicians to launch a parallel PDP. (PDP 1 the main PDP and PDP 2, who believe that they were abandoned when Jang became governor and their plan was to replace him in 2011. Major Satty Gogwim, a dark horse, who won the election against Mantu. When Jang was elected governor in 2007, PDP national leadership reconciled those who had run away from the party and came back to the fold, as PDP was expected to be one family. But rather than consolidate on the gains of that reconciliation, Governor Jang decided to bring in people who never played any role in his emergence as governor. For example, he brought people like Bulus Daren, Danjuma Maina, Gyang Pwajok, Prof. Lombin and a host of others, abandoning his very loyal members who constituted the Jang organisation. Thus, the governor incurred the wrath of Mantu, Sango, Sylvanus Lot, Dangin, and Tapgun, who was his campaign director in 2007. Mantu’s group has also joined forces with Abuja politicians to launch a parallel PDP. (PDP 1 the main PDP and PDP 2, who believe that they were abandoned when Jang became governor and their plan was to replace him in 2011. HEN he ended his first tenure, and he wanted a second term in 2011, Jang went into an alliance with some of the Dariye henchmen like Danjuma Maina, Alexander Molwus (Dariye’s powerful and loyal Chief of Staff). The Labour Party (LP) was formed to dislodge Jang in 2011. But there was a crack in LP and Jang took advantage of the crack in the opposition and had to himself the likes of Tapgun, John Alkali, Lar and Sango. That was what gave him a landslide victory in 2011 as a result of absence of a strong opposition. But in forming his cabinet, Jang put aside the structure of the Jang Organisation (a group that worked and saw him through his victory) and recruited the best hands from the University of Jos. Among such recruits are Prof. Shedrack Best (SSG), Gyang Pwajok (Chief of Staff), Dr. Paul Wai (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs), Chris Kwaja (Research and Statistics), Dr. Pewuna, Mrs. Maina, Mrs. Olivia Dazyam and others. These were never politicians. As it is now, Jang does not have any structure in order to plant his successor in 2015, as it is generally believed that when the man you work for wins, you will be taken along. In the search for a faithful successor to the governor, a beneficiary of the administration

said only a serving senator is found capable of being a deputy governor in 2015, while nobody has been found suitable and faithful to occupy the governor’s seat. It was gathered that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, who was allegedly penciled down as the likely successor to the governor, has lost grip of his constituency due to a personality clash with the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) for the soul of the constituency. The Speaker reportedly discussed the matter with the governor but the governor allegedly told him to go and work for it. This has dispelled the rumours, that the governor anointed him. The SSG, too, it was gathered, has made some surreptitious efforts to win the confidence and support of the governor, so as to be considered in 2015 as his possible successor. The Speaker and the SSG are from the same local government council of the state, but the latter has taken advantage of his office, to influence appointments of his constituents into key positions in order to win more support and sympathy. While some respondents say the state chairman of the PDP is better placed to step in as governor in 2015, others argue that the man, having spent his political career in Abuja, may not have the expected clout and popularity in his constituency. According to one of the analysts, “There is also fear that he romances with the Abuja politicians, some of whom are opposed to the Governor Jang. So, the confidence is divided.” Respondents also say that one of the governor’s commissioners from the southern zone would have been all right for the post of governor but that that he is politically inexperienced. Another group suggests a serving senator, who is a right hand man of the governor. The senator has been in the same political group with the governor for almost a decade (since 2003). “But in recent times, the senator has been in support of a new state to be carved out from the present Plateau, a proposition the governor does not support. “So, the governor has lost confidence in his loyalty,” one respondent argued. Another factor that may inhibit Jang’s bid to get a loyalist to succeed him is the crisis within the party both at the state and national levels. During a visit by the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Reconciliation Committee to Plateau, it advised aggrieved members, who went to other parties to return to the PDP. The governor is said to

Dariye insist that the door of the party to such decampees should remain shut for being political mavericks. The state PDP only welcomed Damishi Sango. Dariye, Mantu, Dangin and others have remained silent, causing a great worry to the governor, as he does not know what is in their minds towards 2015. Meanwhile, the problem between the governor and the 24 lawmakers during the 2013 budget presentation is far to be over. The party has been in a running battle with the House of Assembly. An insider told The Guardian that the party is planning to suspend four members of the House, who were elected on the platform of the PDP, over their disloyalty to the leader of the party. The four, according to the source, are sympathetic to the opposition parties in the House. But those penciled down to be suspended have accused the party of partiality, as eight of them stayed away during the budget presentation, wondering why only four of them are slated for persecution. With this reality, the governor will have a grip of the structure only when he is able to reconcile the House and the party. So, this is the dilemma that the governor faces in his bid to have a loyal and faithful successor.

| 59

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

COVER EXTRA

2015: JOSTLE IN THE STATES From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan

LTHOUGH 2015 is still two years away, political activities have picked up in Oyo State, as gladiators battled themselves to clinch their parties’ ticket. While Governor Abiola Ajimobi has not formally declared his interest for a second shot at the Agodi Government House, his foot soldiers and supporters have been drumming up support for him. Some ACN leaders, drawn from the 11 local government councils in Ibadanland, had, on December 17, 2012, adopted Ajimobi as the sole candidate of the party for the 2015 gubernatorial election. The party chieftains cited his unique achievements, among others, in pursuing their case for an unprecedented second term for the clean-conscious governor. Prominent among the Ajimobi associates at the meeting were the State Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Adebisi Busari and party chairmen in the 11 local governments in Ibadan. In moving for the adoption of Ajimobi for a second term, Busari faulted the popular Ibadan slogan that ‘no governor serves twice in the state.’ He said that the slogan only applies to the traditional institution in the city because every family is entitled to the throne. So, it is impossible for any family to produce two kings in a succession. He asserted that it was in the party’s constitution that its governors, who have spent the first tenure, would be presented for a second term. But some aggrieved chieftains within the ACN have risen against the governor’s adoption for 2015. A serving senator, who contested the party’s governorship ticket with Senator Ajimobi in 2011 and another strong pillar of the party are reportedly nursing gubernatorial ambition and have risen stoutly against Ajimobi’s endorsement. Speaking through a group, known as Peoples Progressive Front, the ACN leaders distanced themselves from those who picked Ajimobi as the party’s sole candidate for the governorship election. To them, the call was premature and uncalled for. While unconfirmed reports indicated that there was a gentleman’s agreement, at the adoption of Ajimobi prior to the 2011 election, that he would only spend four years in office, and allow another person take the mantle of leadership. But Busari faulted the claim, saying it was the tradition of the progressive parties such as the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and the Alliance of Democracy (AD) from which the ACN metamorphosed, to present incumbents for a second term. Since the crisis broke out, several reconciliatory meetings had been held by the ACN to pacify the aggrieved leaders as the buildup to the 2015 polls gain momentum. It is

OYO: Intra-party Struggles Begin

Ajimobi

Akinjide

Immediate past Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin is said to be eyeing the governorship ticket under the PDP. But he was recently arrested by the Police in the state, The PDP for allegedly sponsoring violence through WHILE the ACN battles its internal wrangling, the embattled erstwhile chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is also confronted with a similar scenario. The party (NURTW), Alhaji Lateef Akinsola (aka Tokyo). is factionalised along two divides: there is the The gubernatorial contest may again pitch Folarin against the Minister of State for Alao-Akala-Folarin faction and Jumoke Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jumoke Akinjide-Taofeek Arapaja faction, with each Akinjide. During the 2011 party primaries, having its parallel state executive. The division is connected with 2015 and the Akinjide defeated Folarin to clinch the Oyo Central senatorial district ticket although need to actualise individual ambition. yet unclear if the interested governorship candidates have agreed to let go their ambition.

she eventually lost the election to Senator Ayoade Adeseun of the ACN. Individual interests have made it impossible to resolve the lingering intra-party feud rocking the Oyo PDP since it lost its position in the last general elections. Another aspirant to watch out for in 2015 is former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, who is enmeshed in a cold war with his age-long associate and erstwhile commissioner for Local Government, Senator Hosea Agboola, incumbent Deputy Chief Whip in the Senate. Ayoola, who represents Oyo North, is said to be opposed to his erstwhile boss’ plan to contest the senatorial slot in 2015. Sources said Agboola is being positioned to run as deputy governor to whoever emerges as the party flagbearer, while Alao-Akala takes over at the National Assembly. So, the duo is at loggerheads and none of them is willing to shift ground for the other. Accord Party CALL it the ‘rave of the moment.’ The influx of politicians from the PDP and the ruling ACN to this party has heightened political activities in the state. Although it could not be ascertained whether the party leader, and former Governor Rashidi Ladoja would re-contest the gubernatorial poll in 2015 or field a younger candidate, the Accord Party (AP), formed barely three months to the general election in 2011, has metamorphosed from a relatively unknown body to a formidable opposition party that cannot be ignored. During the last elections, the AP won four House of Representatives seats and seven in the state House of Assembly. At the last count, many top PDP chieftains, who served with Alao-Akala in the last administration, have pitched their tents with the AP and most of them are eyeing elective offices. Prominent among these decampees are Demola Ojo, the immediate past chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, who was the Director General of Alao-Akala’s campaign organisation, and former Secretary to the State Government, Ayodele Adigun as well as members of the state executive council in the last administration. Adigun, a close ally of Ladoja, left for the PDP in the wake of the 2011 poll but returned shortly after Alao-Akala failed to actualise his second term bid. He is said to be nursing a political ambition but the position cannot be ascertained at the moment. The same goes for the former ALGON boss, who had to step down for Senator Kamoru Adedibu in the last general election for the Oyo South senatorial district. As activities in the various political parties are gaining momentum, it is expected that things would begin to take shape as the months roll by.

BENUE: Secret Meetings, Display Of Aspirants’ Posters Take Centre Stage From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi

HE race to the Government House in Makurdi in 2013 in Benue State seems to have kick off, as secret meetings and anonymous display of aspirants’ posters at strategic locations across the state dominating the scene. Most of the people frequently mentioned for the governorship contest are former or serving ministers, commissioners and permanent secretaries. They include the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Steven Lawani; former Minister of Justice, Chief Mike Aondoakaa; Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro; former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Samuel Odeh; and Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom; Mostly visible with posters and mobilisation of follows are Chief Lawani, Mr. Aondoakaa and a Super Permanent Secretary, Andy Owouku, in fact, has his office prominently standing by Katsina-Ala Street in Makurdi. The deputy governor has been quick disown the posters linked to him, describing those behind the pasting as sadistic and mischievous, and a campaign of calumny to distract him from collaborating with his boss to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state. However, given the opportunity, “he will hurriedly jump in as governor;

hence, he had contested the position against candidate Suswam in 2007. Moreover, having come from the Idoma tribe by extraction, it has been the desire of his people to rule the state to no avail. But the Tiv people, whose population is twice that Idoma, appears not ready, for now, to allow the state power to move to other minority ethnic groups, unless, of course, the Senate President, David Mark, intervenes by ensuring that more states are created in the country. In Otukpo recently, Mark, without mincing words, stated that Apa State would soon be a reality, with Otukpo as capital. In the same zone with the deputy governor is Mr. Odeh, another Idoma man eyeing the state’s most exalted seat. Ode is, however, said to be relying on his links with the Tiv, his maternal route, to break the jinx of long time marginalisation of his ethnic group. But he is facing the onerous task of convincing his Idoma people, who want a full-blooded Idoma man, to occupy the seat. The simple illustration on ground is that an unwritten agreement in 1999 was for Zone B of the state to produce the governorship, and this brought Chief George Akume on board, succeeding his mentor, Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu of Zone A, while Zone C was expected to have its slot in 2007. The permutation then was that the previous democratic experiment had produced the late Aper Aku, as governor between 1979 and 1983

from Zone A. Still, there is evidence in the state that the political arrangement and rotation of the governorship now revolves around the four lineages that made up the Tiv nation: Jemgba, Jeichira, Sankara, and Minda, which can best be group under the Ichongo and Ipuusu. That is to say the struggle is still between a segment of Zones A and B jostling to produce the next governor of the state. While Zone A is insisting that military incursion in the polity did not allow them to complete their ‘mandatory’ two terms in office; Zone B is claiming strong marginalisation of their area in the Tiv political scheme of affairs. The people of Zone A are against a situation where Zone B will have control of the highest traditional ruler in the state and at the same time control the state by having a governor. But the Minda people view this excuse as a mere gimmick to continue to marginalise them, insisting that the influence wielded by a paramount ruler cannot be equated to that of a governor. The Tiv paramount ruler, HRH, Dr. Akawe Torkula, hails from the Minda axis, a section of Zone B that is likely to capture the number one seat of the state. In truth, the Minda people had long been denied the opportunity to be in power or have developmental projects distribution in their area. Hence, they are gathering weight in

Suswan human and resources, to ensure that power rotates to the area in 2015. Consequently, more than 20 persons, who have signified their interest for the governorship race, are from the Minda axis. Yet, it would serve them better if they engage in wide consultation with stakeholders in and outside Minda, to come

out with a candidate that will stand the rigour of political process. For now, as the clock ticks towards the 2015 general elections in Benue State, the game has assumed an interesting dimension, as players are quietly outsmarting themselves in the political calculation before the sitting Governor Suswam.

60 |

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

POLITICS

MERGER TALKS

Chief Supo Shonibare is a chieftain of the Yoruba Pan socio-political group, Afenifere. He played a major role in the efforts by a number of political parties to form a mega party towards the 2011 general elections. That effort did not yield much, as the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP), which came out of it did not fly. In this interview with ABIODUN FANORO, he speaks on the proposed mergers by major opposition political parties, and what they must do to succeed. How do you see plans by a number of frontline opposition parties to float a mega party? T is good for democracy, for groups with a common ideological pursuit and identical policies to come together under a larger umbrella in order to present an alternative form of governance or an alternative policy to the Nigerian people, as against the predatory administration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The PDP itself is a conglomeration of businessmen and predatory politicians. The present arrangement, where political parties are being merged and the merger is presented to Nigerians as a viable alternative to the PDP, in my mind, is a ruse and attempt to fool the people twice. I’m not so sure this attempt to bring everybody who is not PDP on board, in order to present an alternative to the Nigerian people, is the right solution that would lead the country away from the imminent disaster it is currently heading to. I don’t think that this arrangement being put together, where all politicians including the wolves, are being put together, could deliver to Nigerians a truly principled and honest government they are hungry for. Truly, the people are yearning for a change, but many of those seen in this arrangement are certainly birds of the same feather with those in the PDP. Those on the merger say they are progressives, then, I think there is the need to differentiate between progressives and social democrats. Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Alhaji Aminu Kano were social democrats. Some people who intend to maintain the status quo now begin to think along the line of liberal conservatism and are now describing themselves as progressives. That is why you find a fluid movement between the PDP and some members of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I think we should distinguish between those who are left of conservatism, who formed a chunk in PDP and the ACN, and those who are truly social democrats. How do we distinguish between the progressives and social democrats? We have people in government who do not believe in free education, free and qualitative healthcare, affordable housing for all, provision of basic necessities of life for the people without asking them to pay, no matter how benevolent they appear, they are not social democrats. They are simply progressives by name. How would you classify some of those people who today are leaders of the ACN, but who at that time wanted the late Head of State, Sani Abacha to rule for ever, they didn’t want democracy. So, how could such people begin to become the arrowheads of a genuine struggle that

Shonibare

SHONIBARE: APC Is A Mischievous Blend Of Wolves And Sheep would produce genuine alternative that would liberate the people of Nigeria from the PDP detention camp? These people do not fit into the old label of progressivism. Is it not possible for this group of people to be ‘born again’ politically, as you perhaps have in General Muhammadu Buhari? Buhari was a soldier and Head of State. There was nothing he did as a Military Head of State that anybody could say was against the evolution of an egalitarian society. He combated corruption, though his critics say he was selective, I still believe, that was a good beginning. He probably remains the only Nigerian past leader whose modest assets could be traced to his earnings when he was in office. Out of government he lives by example, by not living an ostentations lifestyle. As a matter of fact, if any one within the group – All Progressives Congress – has integrity, it is Buhari. So APC may not be the solution?

As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between the PDP and some of these political parties in the merger. What is the difference between All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and the PDP? How could they, in the name of providing an alternative, you bring parties with different ideologies together; what kind of arrangement is that? It is another conspiracy to cheat the people. Many people in the merger today would comfortably be in the PDP if they were not where they are now. The whole arrangement is nothing but a presentation of PDP team B. There is no ideological difference between them and the PDP. To me this assemblage appears like PDP’S ‘Second eleven’. Then what is the alternative if APC is not? Well, it may please you to know that Afenifere is in serious consultations with groups and individuals that we know are not yet tainted by the corruption in which the PDP government and those in power since 1999 are swimming, with the view to forming

a coalition that would transform into a truly mega party, capable of delivering Nigerians from this quagmire. This mega party would be largely made up of young and dynamic individuals who are hungry to save the Nigerian ship from sinking. The truth is that those in power since 1999 are no longer trusted by the Nigerian people. So, we probably have to go in a different direction than having affinity with those who have governed us without dividend and leaving us poorer and hopeless. Afenifere is beginning consultations across the country’s six geo-political zones; in all these areas we are talking to young men and women who have not participated in this reckless looting of the Nigerian treasury. Looking at what we intend to do and what this latest attempt is, there must be a clear difference between the two. The change would not come, if you were presenting PDP ‘Team B’ to the Nigerian people. The people would not be persuaded by such gimmicks. As I said before, most of these people could have been in the PDP, if the PDP was ready to accommodate them. Who are these groups and individuals that may come under Afenifere inspired merger? We have decided not let the cat out of the bag until we have concluded consultations. It would simply be un-fair to the people, the group and our strategic plan to do that. We don’t want to put the cat before the horse. But what I can tell you for now is that there is a deliberate attempt to target young people, young people who have succeeded in their various callings. We urge the Nigerian people to be patient, as soon as all arrangements are completed, we would present this option to them. We would now see, which the Nigerian people would prefer, between what is being paraded now and what we would serve them. But APC governors say they are going to implement free education at all levels, still don’t you believe them? If they have exhibited such egalitarian policies in the states under their control, one would have found such announcement believable. Point to any ACN state that implements free education or free healthcare programme at all levels. Tell me their housing programme for the masses. Tell me any state that is being controlled by APGA, ANPP or Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) that implements any of the above. The taste of the pudding is in the eating. But the same Afenifere in 2010 engaged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other conservative elements with the hope of forming a mega party, but now APC is not good enough? What we intended to do then was not to form an ideologically based party, but it was just an attempt to have a party of national unity. At that, we thought it was urgently necessary to have a party of national unity to save the situation, which we long foresaw. We long foresaw the failure of governance staring all of us in the face today. That was what we intended to save through a national unity party that was not necessarily ideologically based. Afenifere went into it because we have been accused always of not being flexible and receptive to other considerations. So we bent backwards to go into that experiment with other groups and individuals with whom we share no ideological affinity.

MUSA: There Are Inherent Contradictions Within APC Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former governor of old Kaduna State and leader of opposition political parties, told SAXONE AKHAINE that the merger proposal by opposition parties that produced the All Progressives Congress (APC) will do well if the parties are able to resolve their internal contradictions. How will you describe the politics of mergers and alliances in the country? HEhistory of mergers and alliances in the country could not be said to be successful or even encouraging, except in the case of Babangida’s two party system, that is the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and National Republican Party (NRC), which were imposed by the government, and which made it possible for opposing political parties to come together under SDP and NRC. Now, the result of that which one could not call an alliance, but rather, a merger was that SDP won the presidential election of 1993. But, because of the weakness of the leadership of the SDP, the government of the day was able to annul the election. And the opposition did not do anything, but supported that annulment. Now, we hope that the

present attempt of APC would achieve more than what SDP achieved. We hope they would unite, up to the end and when the 2015 Presidential election comes they should sustain and protect it. At the moment, of course we know that APC alone cannot face the PDP because of the inherent contradictions within APC itself and the immense power and authority of the PDP. These political parties that are in the front line of the APC merger may not be able to face the PDP simply because they too control 10 states governments. The APC members ought to be realistic enough to open the discussion for mergers and alliances, so that other political parties can participate. I think the possibility of our success in the 2015 polls is brighter. My prayer now is that the enthusiasm of this merger should be sustained till 2015 and that they should be able to protect any positive outcome after the election, unlike what happened during the NRC and SDP days. What was responsible for failure of past alliances? Most of those involved then did not talk of merger. The one that attracted some level of judgment was that done within the SDP. I think it was the first merger in the history of Nigerian politics. Before that merger, there were only democratic alliances, for instance, the UPGA of the

colonial times and the First Republic against CPC. and the PPA of the Second Republic. Can you compare the alliances in a parNow, the alliance of UPGA also succeed- liamentary system to what obtains in a ed at creating political level-playing presidential democracy? ground, in the sense that they mobi- In the first place, I don’t believe there is lized their members to forge unity even any democracy in Nigeria. What we are though there was rigging. practicing today has nothing to do During the Second Republic, we can say with democracy; it has to do with civilalso that democratic alliances succeeded because the NPP, PRP, and GNPP actually won governorship elections, because of the democratic alliances. They also succeeded because those political parties, the NPP, GNPP and the PRP wouldn’t have won if they had not gone into an alliance. Obviously, they won’t have won the states they won. Now, after the Second Republic, I don’t think there has been any successful merger before the coming of APC. But, the attempt at alliances was not successful because, for example, the alliances in 1999 didn’t take place. In 2003, there was a weak alliance that was not as strong as expected. In 2007, there was a written alliance in favour of ANPP, which failed because of the subversive activities of the ANPP, even though the presidency was contested with the alliance. But in 2011, the worst was demonstrated when the opposition parties signed a written alliance. In spite of the existence of the written alliance, PDP messed up the whole thing, as a result some members of the alliance connived to vote for PDP Shonibare

ian rule as opposed to military rule. And there is absence of democratic aspiration in the way and manner the country is governed. Now, there is no difference between the parliamentary system and the presidential system, essentially in the way and manner they are practiced in Nigeria. There is no difference as far as democratic aspirations or democracy are concerned under a parliamentary or presidential system. What we can have for now is democratic aspiration, and eventually democracy if we are serious about it. But, where democracy is rooted, we can have a parliamentary system, in which the executive is a member and conducts activities with more flexibility. Were there ideological differences between the first three parties we had in 1998/1999 and those we now have? In 1998, when political parties were registered and later in 1999, when fullblown politics was in place, I don’t think there was much difference among the political parties. The only political parties with ideological differences from the rest were PRP and NAP, which tended to believe in the socialist reconstruction of Nigeria, but they were not registered to contest the 1999 elections. All the other parties, those that were registered and those that were not registered to contest the elections were capitalist parties, of neocolonial dependent variety.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, February 24, 2013

SUNDAYMAGAZINE

KALEIDOSCOPE

How Soya Beans Macronutrients Slow Down Degenerative Diseases –- NNEJI Bartholomew Nneji, a nutrition expert and Managing Director of Golden Effect Ventures (Nig) spoke with CHIJIOKE IREMEKA on the importance of Soya milk and soya-based foods in combating degenerative diseases that are prevalent among Nigerians and other Africans. What informed this renewed interest in using Soya milk to fight degenerative diseases? OYA milk is natural and does not have any side effects. The discovery of several macronutrients in soya beans capable of slowing down the progression of diabetes, prostate cancer and delaying menopausal symptoms in women over 40 has led to high demand for soya-based products in the country. Soya beans are among the oldest vegetables in the eastern countries and have been cultivated in China for over 3,000 years. They contain proteins, carbohydrates and fats required for healthy living. It’s the only plant food that contains complete proteins and other nutrients such as vitamins, calcium, folic acid and iron in the amount needed for human health and development. Soya bean is therefore a balanced diet, which is the most important requirement for healthy living. Good nutrition helps to reduce the risk of getting a number of diseases out of the system, ranging from diabetes, malnutrition to heart-related diseases. Soya’s culinary versatility and exceptional health benefits are a relatively recent phenomenon in the West, whereas in the east (China) that realisation has existed for thousands of years. How does Soya milk reduce cholesterol in the body and prevent stroke? A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition investigated the effects of soya protein and soya isoflavones on blood pressure as well as cholesterol levels in 61 middle-aged men with high risk of developing coronary heart disease. Some contain soya protein and soya isoflavones, while the other contain olive oil. Five weeks later, half of the men that consumed diets containing, at least, 20 grams of soya protein and 80 milligrams of soya isoflavones each day were examined to establish the effects on their blood pressure, cholesterol levels and urinary excretion of isoflavones and then compared to those, who were given a placebo diet containing olive oil. Then, men that consumed soya in their diets were found to have reductions in both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Their total blood cholesterol significantly lowered as well, while the control group that consumed soyafree diets, containing olive oil also experienced an increase in their HDL cholesterol levels, their blood pressure was not affected, nor did their levels of LDL (potentially harmful) cholesterol dropped. The researchers concluded that daily intake of at least 20 grams of soya protein in golden boy soya milk, including 80 mg of isoflavones for a minimum of five weeks would be effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in high-risk, middle-aged men. How does Soya milk stabilise blood sugar to prevent diabetes? Soya milk is highly beneficial to diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes. The protein in soya beans and other legumes is excellent for diabetic patients, who have problems consuming animal sources of protein. The protein and fiber in soya beans prevent high blood sugar levels and help to keep it under control. Some diabetics have discovered that the effect of soya beans and other legumes in monitoring their blood sugar levels is quite much. Diabetic patients are susceptible to atherosclerosis and heart disease, which is the number one killer of persons with diabetes. Keeping cholesterol levels low with golden boy soya milk may be useful for prevention of heart problems. In addition, soya beans has been shown to lower high triglyceride levels, which tend to be

high in diabetic patients. High triglyceride levels are another factor that increases the risk of diabetics having heart disease. On soya milk powder Soya beans is natural milk and does not have any deposit in the body. A sachet of powdered soya milk is more affordable, when compared with liquid ones on sale. So, golden boy soya milk powder is an innovation in health nutrition, which is high in calcium, low in saturated fat and cholesterol free. Daily consumption of the soya milk and other forms of soya products reduces the risk of breast, colon, rectal, stomach, prostrate and lung cancers. Soya bean proteins do not interfere with kidney function; hence, prevents kidney failure; risk of heart attack and enhance good blood flow to the heart, which prevents stroke. Soya bean helps women to maintain hormonal balance, thereby eliminating the symptoms of Menopause. It regulates menstrual cycle particularly in pre-menopausal women. Women in Japan and China typically have fewer hot flushes during menopause than their Western counterparts. This observation led to research into dietary differences, including the fact that Asian women tend to

have soya-rich diets, while Western women have meat-rich diets. Prostate Cancer is common among men over 40 years; does soya milk provide protection against the scourge too? The incidence of prostate cancer is much lower in Asian than Western world, and soya foods is one important reason according to a research published in Cancer Epidemiological Biomarkers and Prevention. A nine-year Japanese study involving 43,509 men ranging in ages from 45 to 74 years discovered that those, who ate more of soya food and miso, had a significantly lower risk of localised prostate cancer. Among the men who were older than 60, the protective effect was stronger. Men, whose diets provided the most genistein had a 48 per cent, reduced risk of localised prostate. Similarly, men consuming the most daidzein and soya foods showed 50 per cent and 48 per cent reduced risks of localized prostate cancer respectively, compared to men consuming the least daidzein and soya foods. In fact, with soya milk and four slices of soya linseed bread per day, women are sure of reduction in the rate of menopausal

‘Soya milk is natural and does not have any side effects. The discovery of several macronutrients in soya beans capable of slowing down the progression of diabetes, prostate cancer and delaying menopausal symptoms in women over 40 has led to high demand for soya-based products in the country’

Nneji

stage. Operating in Nigerian business environment may not come without confrontations, what are your major challenges? Finance sector is no long friendly to the manufacturing sector in the country. They want readymade businessmen in oil and gas industry. This is the reason for low innovation in Nigeria. Also, there is no hope with the current interest rate at which banks give out loans. I nearly lost a 40-feet container, full of golden boy, trying to get money from the bank. They would give you all the impression that they give you loan but after series of useful and useless questions, they would do nothing. There is no encouragement for the manufacturing sector. When are we going to be self-reliant? How do we intend to create jobs for the people? But when it comes to the oil sector, banks will give money quickly. There should be a product promotion council in the country with the primary responsibility of moving round to know the products that are essential to the masses and make them available. If the government is interested in collecting taxes, it should be interested in knowing the sources of the taxes and promote them. Government needs to develop programmes that enable small businesses I the country thrive. Doing business in Nigeria is not an easy task. Fear of failure due to the environmental pressures and demands are parts of the problems facing every businessman in the country. There is also issue of power supply, which is not encouraging. Cost of distribution is equally high. There is no form of incentive, rather government collect multiple taxes. It’s the duty of the government to reduce the risk of Nigeria being consumer nation. The only thing the government is interested in, is religion and politics.

TheGuardian

62 Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sports Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Oscar Pistorius: Another Talent In Reverse Gear By Eno-Abasi Sunday with additional agency reports

IGHT from birth, Oscar Carl Lennard Pistorius has had a fierce battle with life. But just as it appeared he had conquered the vicissitudes that life brought his way, he is now stuck in an even greater battle- a battle, which if he loses, may see him spend the rest of his life in jail. More than that, he is faced with a life-long battle to conquer his conscience if indeed, he actually shot and killed his girl friend of barely four months, Reeva Steenkamp, for whom he has been charged for her murder. Like the great Islamic scholar Othman Dan Fodio who said, “Conscience is an open wound; only truth can heal it,” Reeva’s father, Barry Steenkamp, has declared that Pistorius will have to live with his conscience over the killing of his daughter if it didn’t happen the way he claimed it did. The older Steenkamp was speaking a day after the Paralympic champion was freed on bail pending his trial after he admitted shooting Miss. Steenkamp, 29 in his toilet. Pistorius has denied murder insisting that she was mistaken for an intruder. But Steenkamp told Beeld newspaper, “If it didn’t happen the way he said it did, he must suffer and he will suffer. It does not matter how much money he has and how good his legal team is, he will have to live with his conscience... but if he speaks the truth, I can perhaps some day forgive him.” However, with the pre-meditated murder allegation hanging on his neck, banned steroid drugs found in his residence as well as allegations of domestic violence linked to him, the career of the world famous South African “Blade Runner” appears to be teetering on the brink. Born 26 years ago into a prominent family in Pretoria without fibulas, the outer of the bones that run between the knee and the ankle, his parents, Sheila and Henke, grappled with information, complied with doctors’ advice, and at 11 months, his legs were amputated below the knee. By the time he arrived at Constantina Kloof Primary School aged five, Pistorius had been walking on his rigid glass fibre prosthetic legs for almost four years. Usually he ran. “Between the classroom and the fields there were two sets of stairs,” said Tessa Shellard, who taught Pistorius Mathematics and Physical Education. “I used to cringe because he would always run down. I closed my eyes waiting for him to fall. But he never did. His legs would chafe and give him enormous blisters on his stumps but he did rugby, cricket, football and absolutely everything else. “He wasn’t quick at all because of his heavy legs but in inter-house athletics, Oscar would do the sprints every year knowing full well he would come last,” said Shellard. His can-do attitude made him popular with classmates. During annual triathlons, one friend would carry him on his back while carrying his legs. When it came to the swimming, he threw his legs on to the side of the pool and dived straight in. At cycling, he would do 20km stretches as a 12-year-old without complaint. At 13, Pistorius began boarding at Pretoria Boys School. “During the admissions interview I had concerns about how a legless boy would fare with the rough and tumble of a school of 1500 teenagers,” said Bill Shroeder, headteacher of the school until 2009. “All his mother could say was, ‘Of course he’ll cope’. That was how she brought him up, to be completely normal. Pistorius went down in school folklore when, during a rugby match, a player from the opposite team tackled him. “His legs came off in the boy’s arms,” said Shroeder. “But he carried on running over the line, I think the other kid still has nightmares. Within months he was an icon,’ said Shroeder. “My biggest challenge was keeping a teenager who was the envy of every kid on the straight and narrow.” While still in high school, he showed up at a famous gym, the Jannie Brooks’s garage gym in Pretoria, South Africa, with a group of friends looking to get fitter. He boxed, skipped and did press-ups until he threw up. It

was six months before Brooks realised he had no legs. “He was just one of the bunch, doing everything at the same pace as everybody else,” he said. Tragedy struck for Pistorius when his mother, Sheila died following an allergic reaction to treatment for suspected malaria when he was 15. Pistorius threw himself into sport but suffered a knee injury playing rugby in 2003. He did athletics as a form of rehabilitation at the University of Pretoria. Less than a year later, he lit up the Athens Paralympics aged 17, winning gold in the 200m and bronze in the 100m in the T44 class, which also includes single below-the-knee amputees. As Pistorius’ love for sports continued to grow in leaps and bounds, he participated in the 2011 World Championships in Athletics, where he became the first amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Pistorius became the first double leg amputee to participate in the Olympics when he entered the men’s 400 metres and 4 × 400 metres relay races. At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Pistorius won gold medals in the men’s 400 metre race and in the 4 × 100 metres relay, setting world records in both events. He also took silver in the 200 metres race, having set a world record in the semifinal. Over time, Pistorius’ contributions to sports development in South Africa have not gone unnoticed. In 2006, he was conferred the Order of Ikhamanga in Bronze (OIB) by the President of South Africa for outstanding achievement in sports. On December 9, 2007, Pistorius was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award, which is conferred for outstanding courage and achievement in the face of adversity. In May 2008, Pistorius made the “Time 100”, theTime magazine’s annual list of the world’s most influential people, appearing third in the “Heroes & Pioneers” section. In February 2012 he was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability and on August 22, 2012, he was honoured with the unveiling of a large mural depicting his achievements in the town of Gemona, Italy. On September 9, 2012, Pistorius was shortlisted by the IPC for the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award as a competitor “who is fair, honest and is uncompromising in his or her values and prioritises the promotion of the Paralympic Movement above personal recognition”. Pistorius has sponsorship deals worth US$2 million a year with Össur, BT, Nike, Oakley and Thierry Mugler. Nike has so far suspended its contract with Pistorius. The company’s now infamous advertisement showed 26-year-old Pistorius powering out of a set of sprinting blocks, wearing his prosthetic blades, alongside the words “I Am The Bullet In The Chamber”. According to Nike posted on its website this week, “We believe Oscar Pistorius should be afforded due process and we will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Nike said On Monday, eyewear maker Oakley also suspended its contract with the South African icon. French fashion house, Thierry Mugler, however, became the latest high-profile sponsor to distance itself from Pistorius as the Paralympian fights murder charges. The company has announced the immediate and complete withdrawal of all products featuring Pistorius including its “A*men Pure Shot” fragrance, which was launched as a special edition to mark last year’s London Paralympics. In addition, Thierry Mugler has removed all point-ofsale advertising featuring Pistorius, and deleted all references to the athlete from its website. A Thierry Mugler spokesperson said: “Out of respect and sympathy to the families involved in this tragic case, Thierry Mugler Parfums has removed all campaigns featuring Oscar

THE GUARDIAN Sunday, February 24, 2013

SPORTS EUROPEAN ROUND-OFF

Mancini Attacks Wenger ANCHESTER City, boss Roberto Mancini has launched a stinging attack on Arsene Wenger, after the Frenchman suggested that the Italian’s willingness to publicly criticise his players is the key difference between the pair. The Arsenal boss has always publicly defended his players, in stark contrast to Mancini who has criticized his players in front of the media on occasion this season. However, the Italian believes his willingness to motivate his players through the press symbolizes a will to win that is inherently lacking at the Emirates Stadium. “I’m not Arsene Wenger. We’re different. I want to win,” Mancini told The Guardian. “I think every player should be strong enough to take his responsibility and, like this, you can improve. “You don’t improve if you have a manager saying ‘ah, don’t worry, you made a mistake but it doesn’t matter’.” Mancini also suggested that continuity is the key to a club’s success, citing the example of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and questioning Chelsea’s decision to sack Carlo Ancelotti in 2011. |For me, Carlo Ancelotti was the strange one.” he said. “Carlo is one of the best managers in the world for me. He won the league and the FA Cup and then they sacked him. “It’s difficult for a club that change every year, every two years. Sir Alex Ferguson’s a totally different situation because he

MAN CITY started to work for United in a different time. Now he’s like a seat in the stadium, the grass on the pitch. He’s part of United.” When speaking about his own role, the 48-year-old stated his desire to continue working in the Premier League, describing it as the place “every manager wants to be”.

“I want to continue my work,” he stated. “I always wanted to work in England. I have a good feeling here. There might not be 100 restaurants but I have no problem with it. I like to go out on my bike. That’s when I do my thinking. Two or three hours on the roads. That’s when you get time and you can think without problems.

Klopp Changes Style For Gladbach DORTMUND “I do have alternatives,” said Klopp, not wanting to reveal anything more. Reus underlined his own goalscoring prowess with a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt and Klopp would not have any qualms about fielding him in such an advanced position as he prepares to return to Monchengladbach for the first time since switching allegiances in the summer. Reus scored 18 goals for the Foals last season, contributing in a big way to their qualifying for a place in the Europa League. Their European campaign

ended on Thursday, however, following a 2-0 defeat at Lazio. Now, their attention turns to qualifying for the competition once again next term after getting a taste for the big midweek nights. “Everybody wants to be involved in experiences like this,” captain Martin Stranzl said. “Of course we aim to get back into Europe. “Borussia Dortmund at the weekend is going to be very difficult, but if you want to play in Europe, then you’ve got to win games like this.” Patrick Herrmann is suspended, meaning coach Lucien Favre will not be able to start with the three-man attack he deployed in Rome.

Ferguson Slams ‘Ridiculous’ Agent Fees MAN UTD ANCHESTER United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson has slammed agent financial demands as “ridiculous” and has called for clubs to make the fees visible to the public. The Scot says that the existence of transfer windows in the game has created an opportunity for agents to maximize their chances of making money through transfer dealings, and has even hinted he would like to see such representative leave the game altogether. “I think most clubs have to make it transparent,” Ferguson told reporters. “Individually? I don’t know how we could apply that. I don’t see it doing any harm. It might highlight to the public how ridiculous it can be for some agents to make the money they do. But I don’t think that will ever change.” The Premier League recently released the spending of all 20 current top-flight clubs between October 2011 and September 2012, with United placed eighth with 3,681,580 pounds. Manchester City topped the rankings with 10,537,982 pounds. Ferguson, though, does not see fees reducing in the near future, let alone eradicated completely.

Mancini

Joaquin Aims To Beat Old Club ALAGA winger, Joaquin hopes the team can return to top form against Real Betis today after the disappointment of their Champions League display in Portugal this week. Los Boquerones still have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals given they only trail 1-0 with the home leg to come, but it was the performance that frustrated the squad. Today, Malaga turn their attentions back to the Primera Division and trying to use the Andalusian derby to boost their credentials as the main challengers to the top three. Joaquin, who started his career with Betis, told www.malagacf.com: “We didn’t see the Malaga we’re used to seeing on the pitch on Tuesday. “Porto were very strong, aggressive and maintained a tight defence, which made it difficult for us to keep hold of the ball. “However, despite the fact they dominated possession, they didn’t create very many opportunities to score, and only got the one goal, which was actually offside. “We can’t undermine the importance of the league as it’s the key to every other

HE absence of his only two strikers due to suspension has forced Borussia Dortmund coach, Jurgen Klopp into a change of style for today’s Bundesliga trip to Borussia Monchengladbach. Robert Lewandowski serves the second of a three-game ban while Julian Schieber’s red card last weekend means he too misses the short trip across North-Rhine Westphalia. Klopp is therefore set to copy an experiment already tested by Germany coach Joachim Low and play without an out-and-out striker, but with two advanced midfielders in the form of Marco Reus and Mario Gotze, who have scored 18 goals between them this season.

MALAGA competition. “It’s a long road but we’re performing well in league games and we’re concentrating on returning to winning ways and playing great football, as we’ve shown in recent matches. “A victory would put us nine points ahead of a direct rival and, although there’s still a

Joaquin

long way to go, away wins are always important. We’ve had a good run of results in away games and have been performing well.” Betis are also well in the race for European football next season but need to rediscover the form that saw them beat Real Madrid in November after a run of one point from four games.

Reus

No New Coach For Giallorossi OMA have moved to quell rumours a highprofile head coach is being lined up after the club reached a preliminary agreement over a multi-million euro investment. The Giallorossi board entrusted the care of the first team to Aurelio Andreazzoli in the wake of Zdenek Zeman’s dismissal but that looked set to change following Friday night’s revelation. A statement on Roma’s official website confirmed the club had reached a preliminary agreement with Sheikh Adnan Adel Aref al Qaddumi al Shtewi and his company, NEEP Roma Holding, to enter the club “directly or indirectly”. The Perugia-based Sheikh, originally from Qatar, owns two oil companies and could invest up to 100million euros as Roma look to build a new stadium outside of the city. Names including Massimiliano Allegri, Andrea Stramaccioni and Laurent Blanc were immediately

ROMA linked with Andreazzoli’s job but the club responded promptly to media reports through their official Twitter feed. “AS Roma would like to dismiss the rumours suggesting they are in talks to appoint a new coach next season,” a statement read. “Aurelio Andreazzoli is the Roma coach and there is every reason to believe he will continue in that role for the coming seasons.” Injured duo Leandro Castan and Mattia Destro join suspended striker Francesco Totti on the sidelines at Atalanta, who are searching for a second win in 10 outings having lost 2-1 at Torino last weekend. Nerazzurri goalkeeper, Andrea Consigli told the Corriere dello Sport: “We didn’t cover ourselves in glory against Torino. “We had a terrible first half in which we had a bad attitude and did the opposite of what the coach told us to do.

TheGuardian

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Manchester United midfielders, Michael Carrick (left) and Nani (right) challenge Queens Park Rangers’ forward Bobby Zamora during the English Premier League match at Loftus Road in London yesterday. Manchester United won 2-0

PHOTO: AFP

Man United Beat QPR, Go 15 Points Clear ANCHESTER United moved 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 win over bottom side Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road. Brazilian full-back Rafael put United ahead with a powerful drive on 23 minutes after his compatriot, Julio Cesar had saved from Robin van Persie. United lost top scorer Van Persie with a hip injury but Ryan Giggs made sure of victory with a good strike 10 minutes from time and then hit the bar soon after. Santi Cazorla spared Arsenal further frustration after two defeats in the past week by

netting a late winner in a 2-1 victory over struggling Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium. The Spaniard tucked home his second goal of the game to make it 2-1 five minutes from time to ease some of the pressure on manager Arsene Wenger. Cazorla’s opening goal in the sixth minute had been cancelled out in the 68th minute as Villa broke from deep and Andreas Weimann fired a shot through Wojciech Szczesny’s grasp from 25 yards. Wigan moved out of the bottom three and leapfrogged Reading with a convincing 30 win over the 10-man Royals

in their relegation battle at the Madejski Stadium. Roberto Martinez’s men were second best early on but came to life in the last minute of the first half as Arouna Kone struck twice. Maynor Figueroa grabbed the third early in the second period and things got even worse for the hosts when Pavel Pogrebnyak was sent off for a bad challenge on Figueroa. Romelu Lukaku claimed both goals as West Brom overcame Sunderland 2-1 at The Hawthorns. Moments after having a goal disallowed, the Belgian struck from the spot in the 35th

minute after Craig Gardner was penalised for handling a cross from Liam Ridgewell. Lukaku’s second came in freak circumstances after he broke into the box and Simon Mignolet’s attempted clearance cannoned off him into the net. Stephane Sessegnon pulled one back 11 minutes from time and James McClean went close to grabbing a lastgasp equaliser but the Baggies held on. Norwich staged a late fightback to beat Everton 2-1 with goals from Kai Kamara and Grant Holt in the final six minutes at Carrow Road. Leon Osman headed Everton

Flying Eagles Land In Tunisia IGERIA Under 20 team, the Flying Eagles, arrived Tunisia on Saturday for a 17-day training camp ahead of next month’s African Youth Championship in next-door Algeria. The squad of 38 players and officials touched down at 1.30pm local time, which is the same time as Nigeria, on board Egypt Air from Cairo, where they played two

warm-up games against hosts and another AYCbound team Egypt. They won the first game 3-1 on Wednesday, before they were held to a 0-0 draw by the home team in the second game on Friday. The flight from Cairo lasted about three and a half hours and officials from the Nigerian embassy in Tunisia warmly welcomed the squad

on arrival at the Aeroport Carthage Tunis. The team has since booked into the expansive, five-star El Moored Hotel in Samarth on the outskirts of the capital city of Tunis. The facility is well known to host top sports teams from across the world and it will be an ideal location for the Nigeria U20s to concentrate and fine tune their strategies

for the defence of the AYC title they won in South Africa two years ago. Local temperature was put at a chilly 19 degrees centigrade by the time the Flying Eagles landed, but it further dropped due to a light drizzle, which some team members described as “showers of blessings”. The team will begin full training today, officials said.

Published by Guardian Newspapers Limited, Rutam House, Isolo, Lagos Tel: 4489600, 2798269, 2798270, 07098147948, 07098147951 Fax: 4489712; Advert Hotline Lagos: 7736351, Abuja: 07098513445 All correspondence to Guardian Newspapers Limited, P.M.B. 1217, Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria. (ISSN NO 0189-5125) Editor: E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com ABRAHAM OBOMEYOMA OGBODO • A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation ••ABC

ahead six minutes before halftime from a Leighton Baines cross. But the Canaries dealt Everton’s Champions League hopes a blow as they fought to the end and were rewarded when Kamara headed in after a corner and Holt swept in from close range. Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov

struck a stunning volley as Fulham beat Stoke 1-0 in the day’s early kick-off. The Bulgarian hooked a shot from a clearance into the top corner to put the hosts in front in first-half injury time at Craven Cottage. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer denied Stoke a point when he saved a second-half penalty from Jonathan Walters.

Adeleye Joins Russian Club IGERIA international Dele Adeleye has joined Russian club Kuban Krasnodar on a three-year deal, the club have announced. The 24-year-old defender last featured for Tavriya Simferopol in Ukraine. Kuban once paid wages of Sani Kaita, his former teammate at Tavriya Simferopol.

Former youth and Olympic international Adeleye has played for Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam as well as Metallurg Donetsk in Ukraine. The former Shooting Stars central defender has also played eight games for Nigeria as a full international and was on the squad to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Results Premiership Fulham 1- 0 Stoke City Arsenal 2- 1 Aston Villa Norwich C 2- 1 Everton QPR 0- 2 Manchester Utd Reading 0- 3Wigan West Brom 2- 1 Sunderland Bundesliga Augsburg 2-1 Hoffenheim Bayern Munich 6- 1 Bremen Hannover 5-1 Hamburg Mainz 1- 1 Wolfsburg Stuttgart 1-1 Nurnberg