Sun 14 July 2013

S U N D A Y

E D I T I O N

COVER 26

NEWSPEOLE 49

IBRUCENTRE 37

BUSINESS 42

SouthSouth/Eastern Ports As Wasting Assets

Afe Babalola: 50 Years @ The Bar

Church Programmes: Impact On Members

The Road To China May Be Fraught With Hidden Hurdles

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,617

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N300

Scandalous Scoreline:

Gombe Wants Thorough NFF Investigation, Threatens Legal Action

By Eno-Abasi Sunday OT done with disbanding N his football club, Babayaro FC in the wake of the scandalous 67-0 loss to the Police Machine Team, proprietor of the side and former chairman of Gombe United FC, Shuaibu Gara Gombe, has threatened to institute a legal action against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), should they handle the matter with kid gloves or attempt any cover up.

Apart from the ongoing investigation launched into the matter by the NFF, Gombe a former chairman of the Gombe State Football Association says he was also embarking investigating the matter privately and would promptly sue the authorities if he has any reason to believe that any anyone involved in the show of shame would be spared the wrath of the law in the matter that has attracted the attention of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Deputy British High Commissioner, Mr. Peter Carter (left); Member, House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri Erewa; and Prof. Biodun Jeyifo, at the 5th Wole Soyinka Media Lecture Series, held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos… yesterday.

Abiola Family Rejects Verdict On Al-Mustapha, Shofolahan

By Joseph Onyekwere, Tunde Akinola (Lagos) and Leo Sobechi (Abakaliki) IxED reactions, yesterM day, trailed the acquittal of late General Sani Abacha’s Chief Security Officer (CSO), Major Hamza Al Mustapha, and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan of the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in Lagos.

Lawyers also considered the legal implication of the Friday’s Judgment, saying that Lagos State has three

• Lagos To Appeal Judgment In 90 Days • ‘Kudirat Initiative’ Disappointed With Verdict months within which to appeal the decision.

While the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND) expressed “shock and disappointment” over the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, immediate past Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),

Anthony Agbo, actually congratulated Al Mustapha on his release from detention.

The appeal court, on Friday, overturned the judgment of the High Court of Lagos State, which had convicted Al Mustapha and Shofolahan, sentencing them to death by hanging.

Relying on the judgment issued by Hon. Justice

Mojisola Dada of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere Lagos, on January 30, 2012, which found both men guilty of the offences of conspiracy to murder Alhaja Abiola, contrary to 324 and 319 of the Criminal Code of Lagos State, KIND, in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Amy Oyekunle, faulted the

decision of the Appeal Court.

The statement titled: “Is This The Face of Justice in Nigeria,?” argued that “the finding and the reasoning of the High Court Judge was that the evidence of Barnabas Jabila (a.k.a Sgt. Rogers) and that of Muhammed Abdul (a.k.a Katako), the two prosecution witnesses, was credible, reliable, sufficient and believable, and that the court could safely convict Major Hamza Al Mustpaha and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan on

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 3

Controversy Over Al-Bashir’s Visit To Nigeria SONOLA OLUMHENSE

Sonala Returns To The Guardian

TheGuardian

2 | Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

KIND Flays Al-Mustapha’s Acquittal CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 that evidence, regardless of the fact that during cross examination and re-examination, the two witnesses retracted their earlier given testimony and recanted. The Court found that retraction as an after-thought.”

According to KIND: “Barnabas Jabila and Muhammed Abdul had, at the early stage of the trial testified that they were directed

to murder Alhaja Abiola,

by Major Al Mustapha; that they were given information on her movements by Alhaji Sofolahan; and that they, respectively, shot and killed Alhaji Kudirat Abiola and drove the Peugeot 504 Car, which they used in trailing her car and bolting away, after killing her at the Cargo Vision Area of the Lagos end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, by the Toll Gate.

“The court found that it was cogently, compellingly and

irresistibly proved beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution that Major Al Mustapha was the person who procured Barnabas Jabila, the ‘Force striker’, to eliminate Alhaja Abiola by direct instruction, handing over of the murder weapon, the UZI SMG with 9mm rounds with which she was assassinated in broad daylight on the streets of Lagos and who provided ‘the logistics’ for their movement from Abuja to Lagos by flight, their accommodation at his Lagos official residence at Dodan Barracks and linked them up with their contact person and facilitator, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan,” the statement said.

KIND noted that Friday’s judgment of Hon. Justice Amina A. Augie (the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal’s Panel), Hon. Justice Rita N. Pemu, and Hon. Justice Fatima O. Akinbami, reversing the judgment of Hon. Justice Mojisola Dada, has now discarded that Court’s findings and rejected the Court’s reasoning.

The Group said it is informed that the grounds of the Court of Appeal’s decision included the contradiction in the testimony of the Prosecution Witnesses, the non-corroboration of their testimony, being co-accomplices; the non-adducing of medical evidence (including non-tendering of autopsy and ballistician report), the non-investigation of the crime by the Nigeria Police Force, which it is argued has the sole power to investigate the crime, “instead of the hybrid Special Investigation Panel (SIP) and the non-calling of the Police to give evidence.

According to the statement, KIND intends to obtain the judgment and commission a team of legal experts to study it in detail, with a view to determining whether a civil action is advisable at this point. “ KIND respectfully acknowledges but vehemently disagrees with the Judgment of the Court of Appeal.

“True, the Prosecution Witnesses recanted and alleged that they were tutored to frame up the accused person. The question is, why was their recantation more believable than their initial and original testimony? Could Sgt Rogers, who was not put on trial, have killed Alhaja Abiola on his own, without having been directed to do so; or was his confession a lie also?’

KIND said that with the reversal, “the Nigerian Judiciary has now exonerated persons that were brought to trial for the gruesome acts of murders and attempted murders that took place during the Abacha regime (before now, the persons tried for the attempted assassinations of Alex Ibru and Pa Abraham Adesanya had been set free, Muhammed Abacha, General Ishaya Bamaiyi, and the Police Officers, Alhaji Danbaba, and Rabo Lawal). Also, the men who were herded into Court for the assassination of Pa Alfred Rewane were released, for want of evidence,” KIND said.

The group also noted that the Nigerian Judiciary was unable to resolve the issue of who murdered, in December 2002, Chief Bola Ige, a sitting Attorney General of the Federation and the husband of the then serving Justice of the Court of Appeal, Late Justice Atinuke Omobonike Ige. “Is it that the Nigerian Judiciary is incapable of resolving cases of political murders and assassinations, or that the Nigerian state lacks the competence, capability or will to prosecute cases of political murders?” KIND queried.

But, in a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, at the weekend, Agbo contended that the acquittal of Al Mustapha should bring to a close all recollections about the dark days of Nigeria’s past political history, noting that the former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Abacha, was merely doing his job as a loyal officer.

While calling for an end to the culture of hate mongering that stirs up strife in the country, Agbo added: “I wish to con-

gratulate Colonel Hamza Al Mustapha and his immediate family on his recent freedom from the protracted trial in the Courts.

“The young man has suffered as if he was the sole catalyst of the June 12 saga. There could be other people that could have done much more deeds than he did but they did not pass through what he suffered in the last 15 years. He was only a loyal servant to a head of state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I congratulate him.”

Agbo said the central issue that prompted his message is that “the events of that era should be put behind us as a nation; let us embrace full complete and comprehensive reconciliation and have mutual love for one another.”

He expressed the hope that Al Mustapha’s freedom should open up “the great door for national healing and put behind the events of our dark era” even as he thanked God for sparing the life of the soldier so that he could live to help in fashioning a better and secure Nigeria through his varied experiences.

Former president of the NBA, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, said the State could appeal the decision within 90 days if they are not satisfied with the judgment.

“In all criminal cases, the prosecution has the duty of establishing the guilt of an accused person beyond reasonable doubt. In this particular instance, the prosecution has the right to appeal the judgment to the Supreme Court if it is not satisfied with what the appellate court has decided”, he stated.

According to him, the three Justices who sat on the appeal are all respected and respectable. “I have no reservation about the integrity of each of them. While the killing or cold murder of Kudirat Abiola will eternally hunt and eventually sniff life out of the perpetrator(s), Judges are only expected to give judgments according to law and established facts and no more”, he declared.

Also, a Lagos based lawyer, Chris Okeke, said the ques-

tion of time and the implication of their release has answers in the Constitution, statute & case law. “This is a criminal trial. If Lagos State government appeals to the Supreme Court, the appeal will run its normal course.

The Court of Appeal judgment cannot be stayed; it takes immediate effect. The men will have to come from wherever they are and choose until the appeal is determined. “Where the Supreme Court sets aside the decision of the Court of Appeal, it will start running from that date. I will add a caveat here by saying that prosecution and all the appeals flowing from it is not for the purpose of persecution. It is not to be done at all cost”, he declared.

Another lawyer, Theophilus Akanwa, said the Court of Appeal did what it considered right having been approached by the appellant.

He said: “The respondent — Lagos State — has an opportunity to approach the Supreme Court within 90 days from the date of delivery of the judgment to set aside the Court of Appeal’s judgment.

While the Court of Appeal judgment subsist, especially without any order staying same, Al-Mustapha has his total freedom. His going home is in compliance with the Court of Appeal judgment and until same is set aside.”

Al Mustapha

NFF Risks Court Action Over Ban On Football Clubs CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 world’s football governing body, FIFA. In a mind-boggling show of shame never previously witnessed in the history of Nigerian football, Plateau United Feeders manufactured a 79-0 victory over Akurba FC while Police Machine FC demolished Babayaro FC 67-0.

All teams were involved in promotion play-offs in which the winners would qualify to play in the lowest tier of Nigeria domestic League, Nigeria Nationwide League Division 3.

Consequently, the NFF placed an indefinite suspension on all the four clubs involved in the sham play-offs after Chairman of the NFF

Organising Committee, Mike Umeh, who is also 1st Vice President of the NFF, directed so, pending further sanctions on all involved.

“It is unacceptable. This is a scandal of huge proportions.

The four teams involved are suspended immediately and indefinitely, pending further sanctions. We will investigate this matter thoroughly and get to the bottom of it,” Umeh stated.

FIFA, which said on Friday in a statement to CNN that it has been monitoring the development, maintained that, “The matter is firstly the responsibility of the Nigerian Football (Federation)…

Therefore FIFA is currently monitoring the situation and waiting for action taken by the Nigerian (federation).”

Speaking to The Guardian in an interview yesterday, Gombe said, “I do not want to pre-empt the NFF panel, but wait and hear what they will come up with before releasing my findings. And if the football authorities fail to do anything serious about this shameful situation, then I will institute criminal proceedings against them in a law court. ” Asked if he would suggest that football authorities in the country prosecute those involved in these sort of cases in civil courts, he retorted, “Why not? This is happening in our society, so the fact that you are part of the football family does not insulate you from prosecution in a regular court. If you commit any criminal offence in football, you should be investigated and brought to justice. That is

why I said what the NFF should do is to take the report of the investigation to the police authorities and ask for prosecution of the actors.

“The only thing that would give me happiness and consolation as far as this mess is concerned is to see some people go to jail. When this happens, it will be enough deterrent to others, who may be planning any such thing because the kind of negative publicity this thing has generated all over the world is unprecedented and I have never seen a thing like this before. In fact, Nigeria winning the African Nations Cup after 19 years did not get this volume of publicity. This is really painful to me because I have been chairman of my state FA, chairman of Gombe United FC, match commissioner and club owner and I have never seen this kind of thing.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

NEWS Armed Robbery: Police Fault Army’s Claim On Nabbed Inspector BAYELSA From Willie Etim, Yenagoa UTHORITIES of the Bayelsa A State Police Command, yesterday, faulted 4 Brigade of the

Vice President Namadi Sambo (middle) presenting a certificate to Maj. Bio Yiro Gildas of the Republic of Benin, as Commandant, AVM. Eko Osim looks on during the graduation ceremony of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Senior Course 35 in Jaji, Kaduna State… on Friday.

PHOTO: NAN

Controversy Trails Al-Bashir’s Visit To Nigeria From Laolu Akande, New York RESIDENT Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan’s planned visit to Abuja for the HIV/AIDS international conference starting tomorrow may put Nigeria in the eye of the storm as a result of his indictment by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

This news broke the same day UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, in reference to the recent Yobe attack on a school, cited Nigeria as being among countries where children are being killed for embracing education.

Ban spoke on Friday at the UN office in New York at a Youth Assembly session held to honour Malala Yousafzai, the survivor Pakistani girl, who was shot in the head by the Taliban for attending school, last year.

The news about Omar ElBashir’s trip to Abuja first came through the Sudanese media on Friday night that Bashir, indicted by the ICC since 2009, would be among the over 30 African Heads of State at the international conference.

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Besides, Western news media, like the Washington Post and the Associated Press, have also started focusing on the news by yesterday morning.

At about the same time, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, had briefed the Nigerian press that over 30 African Heads of State would be participating at the conference.

She attributed the expected large turnout of African leaders to what she said is Nigeria’s rising significance in the world.

However, Onwuliri was not reported to have specifically listed the names of the heads of state and presidents expected at the meeting, nor was she reported to have specifically mentioned the name of the controversial Sudanese president.

But some countries have welcomed the Sudanese President, including Kenya, Chad and Djibouti.

An African Union’s decision not to cooperate with the ICC is what some African diplomats allude to in advocating Al-Bashir’s visit to some

INTERNATIONAL African countries. But, as a signatory to the ICC, Nigeria and several other African countries are expected, under their treaty obligations, to actually arrest the Sudanese President if he sets foot on their soil.

In an email interaction with a top presidency official over the weekend, it was confirmed that the Sudanese President might even have a sideline meeting with President Jonathan.

According to the source, “Presidents Jonathan and Omar Al-Bashir have always met on the sidelines of meetings to discuss the Sudanese situation and other issues.

Another meeting between them can be expected.”

Human Rights Watch (HRW), a global human rights organisation headquartered in New York expressed serious concern about the possibility.

HRW’s Associate Director, Elise Keppler, said if Bashir is allowed this visit, “it would

be a new low for Nigeria.”

“Al-Bashir is a fugitive charged with heinous crimes committed in Darfur and he belongs in custody,” Keppler stated.

She recalled that before this attempt by Bashir to visit Nigeria, “many other African states have made clear he will not be welcomed, or avoided his visits, including South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Uganda. Nigeria should side with victims and arrest or bar entry to Al-Bashir.”

Indeed Zambia, Central African Republic, and Uganda canceled plans to welcome Bashir at the last minute, and Kenya did not allow a second visit.

As for South Africa and Botswana, both nations told the Sudanese President clearly that he would not be welcomed on their soils.

Meanwhile, UN SecretaryGeneral said in New York on Friday, “Governments and partners around the world have made important progress in education. UNESCO and UNICEF have helped lead the support of

the UN family.

But he added that there is still “much work to do… 57 million children are not in school. We have to bring all 57 million people to school by the end of 2015. That is our strong commitment at the United Nations.”

Referencing Nigeria’s recent terrorist killings in Yobe, the UN Secretary-General said, “as we have tragically seen in several countries around the world – most recently in Nigeria – where children were attacked by terrorists at school, schools must be a safe haven, a safe place, for all children – girls and boys– and their teachers who have been targeted in schools. This is an unacceptable situation.”

Continuing, Secretary-General Ban stated, “They have been threatened, they have been assaulted. They have been killed. We cannot let this happen again. No child should have to die for going to school. Nowhere should teachers fear to teach or children fear to learn. Together, we can change this picture.”

Yobe School Killings: Buhari, Muslim Body, Want New Strategy On Insecurity From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief) and Njadvara Musa (Damaturu)

Govt To Relocate Students Military Dispatches Fact-finding Team

ORMER Head of State, GenF(rtd)eral Mohammadu Buhari and the Muslim group,

gress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 election, and the leadership of JNI, condemned the attack, saying it highlights need for the authorities to do more at ensuring the safety of citizens.

In a statement signed by CPC National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, Buhari said the killings have jolted Nigerians into realising how huge the problem of insecurity is in the country.

“This is the time to appraise the effectiveness of the current security system with a

Jamaátu Nasril Islam (JNI), have questioned the efficacy of the state of emergency declared by the federal government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States, and called for a strategic overhaul in combating insecurity.

Their comments follow the recent killing of at least 29 Secondary School students and a teacher in Yobe State.

Buhari, who was the Presidential candidate of the Con-

KADUNA view to optimising to proactively combating the menace.

It is preposterous to deploy the same method all the time and expect different results.

There is the need to take another look at the effectiveness of the disruption of telecommunication services in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa,” Buhari said.

He also noted: “Usually, the lock-down strategy should not be prolonged and must

be preceded by unassailable intelligence gathering. This is the way security agencies can be on top of the situation.”

The JNI also picked holes in the effectiveness of the emergency rule and appealed to the federal government to restore the use of telephone communication in the affected states. This, it said, would enhance ability to prompt an alert in the event of an emergency.

The Yobe State government, meanwhile, has said it will relocate students of Government Secondary School Mamudo, which was attacked by suspected Boko Haram gunmen, last week, to

a new boarding school built by the Gaidam administration.

About 29 students and a teacher were killed when gunmen attacked their hostels at about 3am.

The Commissioner for Education, Alhaji Mohammed Alamin, disclosed this on Friday while briefing Governor Ibrahim Gaidam on measures taken to protect the lives of the surviving students and teachers.

He said: “A committee will soon be set up to look at Secondary education and propose ways to better protect staff and students and improve teaching and learning.”

Nigerian Army in Benin over the arrest and subsequent parading of a Police Inspector, Nanagha Aduomeni, on alleged involvement in armed robbery at the Bomadi Area of Delta State.

Officers of the Brigade had on Thursday paraded an Inspector attached to the A Department of the Police Division, Yenagoa, for allegedly mounting a roadblock and dispossessing road users of cash and valuables.

The Bayelsa Police Commissioner, Mr. Tonye Ebitibituwa, said the purported arrest of the Inspector by the military is a lie and that the refusal of the Brigade to respect information made available on the mental status of the arrested police officer threatens synergy between the sister forces.

The Commissioner, in a statement issued, yesterday, and signed by spokesman of the Command, Mr. Alex Akhigbe, described the action of the army as malicious and provocative.

“The said Inspector was never arrested by the military.

Rather, he walked to their checkpoint and told them he was an armed robber.

“The Inspector is a psychiatric patient posted to Police Medical Unit by the retired Commissioner of Police, Kingsley Omire, for proper attention.

He walked to the military checkpoint without arms and no one was seen with him,” the statement said.

The Police Command said that though family members informed it about the purported arrest, attempts by the police to notify the military of the mental status of the man failed.

“A letter written and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bello Ahmed, to the military, through Inspector Aselemi Oyaghiri, for the release of the arrested Inspector for proper medical attention failed.

“Also a letter addressed to the CP, Delta State and the Area Commander, Ughelli dated July 1, 2013, detailing ASP Ngiaga Odieari and Inspector Aselemi was also written for his release. It is unfortunate and regrettable that in spite of the step taken by the command and the correspondence between it and the military on the mental state of the Inspector, they still went ahead to parade him as an armed robbery suspect.”

ONDO Anglican Old Students IgbaraOke Meet July 20 MEETING of the 1972-76 set A of Anglican Grammar School, Igbara-Oke will hold on July 20, 2013. The venue is the residence of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Owolabi at Plot 5 Block XX1, D. O. Fagunwa Street, Ijapo Estate, Akure. According to the secretary, Mr. Rufus Adu, the meeting promises to be a great reunion for the old students.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

4 NEWS

NEWS The Next Titan Climaxes Today

LAGOS

By Daniel Anazia HE Next Titan, an entrepreT neurial reality show, climaxes today at the Oriental

Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson (left); representative of Ogun State Governor, Bimbo Ashiru, and the celebrant, Prof. Theophilus Oladapo Ogunlesi, during his 90th birthday thanksgiving service at St Pauls’ Cathedral, Makun Sagamu, Ogun State… at the weekend.

PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

UN, Lagos, Parley On Curbing Adolescent Pregnancy

By Tunde Alao OCUS has been drawn to the increase in adolescent pregnancies in developing countries, especially, Nigeria where the trend is said to surpass other African countries.

This was the highpoint at an event packaged by the Lagos State Ministry of Budget and Planning, in conjunction with the United Nations, to mark World Population Day, last week.

At the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, Lagos, experts observed that adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, but also one that affects development.

The Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNIFPA), Dr. Babatunde Oshotimehin, examined the effects of under-aged pregnancy on population, wellbeing of teenage mothers and how the practice hinders national development.

He noted that about 16 million girls, aged between 15-19 years, are victims of early pregnancy in developing countries, with many of them open to complications.

He said breaking the cycle of adolescent pregnancy requires commitment from nations, communities and individuals in developed and developing counties.

“With the right skills and opportunities, they can invest in themselves, in their families and their communities. However, early pregnancy jeopardises the rights, health, education and potentials of far too many adolescent girls, robbing them of a better future,” Osotimehin said.

He added that young girls must be provided with ageappropriate comprehensive sexual education to develop the knowledge and skills they need to protect their lives.

In his lecture titled, “Population and the Environment: Lagos Perspective”, Dr. John

F

Lekan Oyelara of the Department of Sociology, University of Lagos (UNILAG), lamented the increase in adolescent pregnancy and its effects on population.

While emphasising the symbiotic relationship between population and environment, Oyelara said the population in Lagos has stretched available infrastructure, like education, health, housing, waste management, water and power supply, and above all, land.

He said there is need to address the increase in “child mothers”, warning that population will continue to grow

LAGOS if the trend is not addressed.

He noted that population and the environment are inseparable entities: “By implication, the duo can be said to have both a parasitic and symbiotic relationship, if viewed in the context of Lagos State. Population and the environment can therefore be seen as inseparable Siamese-twins, as they go together and are organically related.”

Examining the magnitude of the problem, Head, UNFPA’s Lagos Office, Dr. Omolaso Omosehin, re-

marked that adolescent girls and young women face high level of morbidity and death as a result of unsafe abortion.

He revealed that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to have the highest adolescent birth rate with limited access to and use of contraception.

“In developing countries, 22 per cent of adolescents girls who are married or in union use contraceptives, compared with 61 per cent of married girls and women aged between 15-49,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Adebayo So-

tade (represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Folasade Fasheun), said to address the issue of adolescent pregnancy, it is desirable that a comprehensive database of all forms of abuses towards the girl child be generated for evidence-based plans and programmes.

“Strategic and early investments in adolescent girls’ education, health, and livelihoods, along with protection of their human rights can have huge positive impact on their lives, including decreasing pregnancy that poses risk to their health,” he said.

Presidency Guns For Stiffer Anti-tobacco Bill From Emeka Anuforo (Abuja) and Kamal Tayo Oropo (Lagos)

World’s Population Benefits From Control Measure

IGERIA is placing tobacco control legislation high on its agenda, if assurances by the Presidency are anything to go by.

President Jonathan said in Abuja, yesterday, that a revised anti-tobacco bill that provides tougher control on use is ready for legislative action. According to him, the Attorney General of the Federation has concluded work on the bill, while the Federal Executive Council would soon give a final approval for onward presentation to the National Assembly. He also gave the assurance of ample political will to ensure the bill becomes law.

Data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) shows that over 6 million people die each year from health conditions associated with the use of tobacco. Experts have also warned that if the trend continues, consumption would kill over 8 million people each year, by the year 2030.

Jonathan’s message comes as Nigeria, yesterday, re-

leased what is seen as the first Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) conducted by any African country. GATS is the global standard for monitoring adult tobacco use and tracking tobacco control indicators. Findings from the GATS survey are expected to provide up to date information on prevalence of tobacco use in Nigeria.

A copy of the report procured by The Guardian shows that 4.7 million Nigerian adults aged 15 years or older used tobacco products (in 2012). An estimated 2.7 million adults who worked indoors had been exposed to secondhand smoke in their workplaces, while 5.2 million adults in Nigeria were said to be exposed to secondhand smoke at home.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said: “If you smoke, chew or sniff tobacco or engage in all of them, please quit! Your doctor and health providers can help you break the habit. If you don’t use tobacco, don’t start. I appeal to

N

ABUJA health professionals to help their smoking patients quit, and be role models who promote tobacco-free lifestyles.”

He added: “On my part, I promise that I would do all in my power to ensure that the revised but stiffer antitobacco bill which will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council becomes l a w .

“I am filled with pride as I address you on this occasion when Nigeria officially releases her Global Adult Tobacco Survey result to the public. As a nation, we have successfully conducted the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). This success could not have been achieved but for the excellent roles of various stakeholders who provided maximum support and commitment at every phase of the GATS project that resulted in this huge success.

Meanwhile, at 2.3 billion, the number of people worldwide covered by at least one life-saving measure to limit

tobacco use has more than doubled in the last five years. According to a WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic 2013, the number of people covered by bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, the focus of this year’s report, increased by almost 400 million people residing mainly in low and middle-income countries.

Furthermore, the report shows that 3 billion people are now covered by national anti-tobacco campaigns. As a result, hundreds of millions of nonsmokers are less likely to start.

However, the report notes that to achieve the globally agreed target of a 30 per cent reduction of tobacco use by 2025, more countries have to implement comprehensive tobacco control programmes.

World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Representative to Nigeria, Dr Rui Gama Vaz, stressed that though about 6 million people die from tobacco use annually, more than 600,000 people are exposed to second-hand smoke.

Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the last three finalists urged to launch their personal business.

Irogbama Ogbeifun, one of the final contenders, who stands to win N5 million, a brand new car and business support, wants to pioneer innovation in hair care products and enhance beauty and confidence among women.

She plans to make her brainchild, Hairven, a leading hair care brand in Africa and the world.

Speaking in Lagos during the launch, the Massachusetts-trained Psychologist and Masters Degree holder in Public Health and Health Promotion, said, “Hairven is my business idea and my baby.

We are into manufacturing of hair care products that primarily care and maintain human hair extensions with innovative styling for natural hair.

“The human hair industry in Nigeria is extensive and there is a high demand and supply network. There is a gap in the industry for products that care for hair extension, and this we are poised to fill through our range of Hairven products.

“The uniqueness of these products is that they are targeted at black natural hair, which is uncommon in the hair industry, especially in the area of products that care for hair extension,” she said.

Husband Kills Wife Over Breastfeeding EDO From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

HE police in Edo State, T yesterday, confirmed the arrest of a young man, Endurance Enadeba, alleged to have killed his wife, Osarumwense, over a row on when to breast-feed their barely one-week-old twins.

The couple were, Friday night, preparing for their twins’ naming ceremony, expected to have held today. But the woman was killed after an argument on when the woman should feed the babies ensued. Endurance allegedly hit his wife on the head with an object, resulting in her death.

An eyewitness said the husband had asked the wife to breastfeed the babies who had been crying but the woman allegedly insisted that she would first visit the lavatory to urinate. The husband was said to have followed the woman to the spot where a fracas ensued.

The father of the deceased, who gave his name as Eghenayayore, was seen weeping and cursing profusely over the corpse.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

NEWS

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NEWS

African Leaders To Reverse Impact Of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria • Meet In Abuja To Close Gaps On Treatment, Prevention • NEC To Consider Fresh Intervention On Malaria From Emeka Anuforo, Wole Oyebode (Abuja) and Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) FRICAN leaders, at the weekend, met in Abuja to commence a week-long highlevel meeting that is expected to work out a more proactive action on universal access to protection and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

They are also taking advantage of the meeting to ex-

A

change views on overcoming country/regional challenges in the fight against the diseases.

At a special session of the Permanent Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, different countries admitted that despite successes recorded in some parts of the continent, a lot still needs to be done.

Permanent Representatives

INTERNATIONAL met, yesterday, to review the working documents to be presented to the Executive Council and subsequently to the Summit for considerat i o n .

Chairperson of the Permanent Representatives Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Ambassador Kongit Sinegior-

gis, who addressed the meeting, said: “We all agree that encouraging achievements have been registered over the past decade in our fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in Africa. No doubt, this was made possible through the join efforts of governments, development partners and communities.

Some countries in Africa have indeed performed better towards achieving the

Obi Intensifies Fight Against Crime Presents 250 Security Vehicles, Cheques Worth N250m their population.

From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka ANAMBRA Speaking during the presOVERNOR Peter Obi, yesG terday, intensified the fight against crime in Anam-

bra State by presenting 250 patrol vehicles fitted with sophisticated security gadgets to 177 communities, markets and registered vigilance groups in Anambra State.

The ceremony, held at Ek-

wueme Square, Awka, was graced by heads of security agencies, traditional rulers, presidents-general, market leaders, government officials and stakeholders in the state.

While each community received a vehicle each, others received more, depending on

entation, the governor said the vehicles would be restricted to target communities, specifically for security purposes. He also warned that they must not be used to provide escort to politicians, or for non-security related activities.

The governor also presented

cheques worth over N250 million to all the towns in the state, where no town received less than N1.3 million to pay for 10 vigilante staff per town and for refuelling of the vehicles for a year.

He recalled that the administration had purchased over 300 vehicles for security agencies and assisted communities in various ways, including building of roads in barracks.

health-related MDGs, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. These success stories should, therefore, inspire other African countries that are lagging behind to scale up their efforts in the coming years.

“In spite of these achievements, however, we recognise that there is still a number of challenges in our endeavours to achieve the objectives set in the Abuja call for action and health-related MDGs. In this regards, I wish to note the gaps that still exist particularly in terms of access to HIV prevention, treatment, social protection, care and support, resource mobilisation, as well as in strengthening the systems of service delivery, sustainable financing, governance and leadership.”

Also, the National Economic Council (NEC) will, this week, consider and possibly approve a new intervention plan to boost the anti-malaria programme in Nigeria.

Former Acting Vice Channcellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Professor Sofola Olusoga (left); Awardee’s parent, Mr and Mrs Ebung Umo; 2012/2013 Best Graduating Student, Dowen College, Lagos, David Umo; Cedric Green; and Chairman, Board of Governors, Dowen College, Dr Olumide Philip, during the college’s Valedictory and Award Ceremony in Lagos… last week.

PHOTO: OSENI YUSUF

Mimiko Disburses N62m-housing Loans To Workers ONDO NDO State Governor, Dr O Olusegun Mimiko, on Friday, disbursed N62 million loans to the state’s civil servants under the state’s Staff Housing Loans Scheme.

The governor said the gesture was part of his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare and efforts to reposition the public service for better service delivery.

While presenting cheques to the beneficiaries, Mimiko said the loans would be re-paid in 15 years at three per cent interest rate.

A press state said the governor promised that his administration would continue to implement the loan scheme.

He said the morale of the state’s workers was very low in 2009 when he came to power because they could not access the kind of financial assistance the new administration is giving them.

According to the governor, repayment would be drawn from monthly salaries of beneficiaries.

Ogun Versity Denies Fee Increase Report

OGUN

By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi HE Olabisi Onabanjo UniT versity has said that it has not increased tuition fees as captured by newspaper report.

In a statement signed by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Saburi Adejimi Adesanya, the school described the report as unbalanced.

The VC clarified: “The May 20, 2013 demonstration was against the decision of the Senate to ban unregistered students from taking the 2012/2013 first semester examination…”

He disclosed that the Ogun State Government later intervened and appealed to the Senate and the National University Commission (NUC) for pardon, stating that affected students have since paid their fees and duly registered.

In 2008, he said, students entered into an agreement with the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration to raise the fee to between N50,000 and N150,000 with a provision that it would increase by 20 per cent yearly.

“This means that by 2011 the fee should have been between 85,000 and 260,000. However, the condition for 20 per cent yearly increase was immediately waived for all students, meaning that the fees had remained stagnant since 2008.”

Crisis In Edo/Delta IPMAN As Parallel Leaders Emerge From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HERE is impending T scarcity of petroleum products in Edo and Delta states, as the Midwest Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is enmeshed in fresh leadership crisis. At the weekend, two sets of executive committee emerged.

EDO Apart from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Total and AP, other petroleum product suppliers in the two states are members of IPMAN. Hence, there are fears that the crisis may cripple loading of products from the NNPC depots in Warri, Delta

State and Benin City, Edo state.

Some members of the zonal office who called for the dissolution of Chief Solomon Ogbewe-led Caretaker Committee elected have Silvanus Idanwekhai as Chairman.

Public Relations Officer, Benin Depot of IPMAN, Fred Ufua, said the election was consequent upon the expiration of Ogbewe’s executive.

But a separate zonal meeting conveyed by the National Vice President and the National Secretary of the body, Chinedu Okorokwo and Danladi Pasali, in Benin City tendered a letter duly signed by the National President, Aminu Abdulkadir re-affirming the appointment of Ogbewe as acting Chairman of the zone.

The letter urged members to

comply with the directive of the National Executive Council in line with the constitution.

“When there is a vacancy it is constitutionally binding on NEC not to leave the vacuum. So, they appointed an acting chairman or acting person in that capacity to act pending the conduct of election,’’ stated the letter.

Speaking on the issue yesterday, National Adviser of IPMAN, Ogbeide Konkon, said the national secretariat’s support for the leadership of Ogbewe was to checkmate activities of touts at Benin depot.

Konkon said several litigations have for 20 years prevented any officer of the zone from emerging as national president of the association.

TheGuardian

6 Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cityfile

Commuters wait for buses at Nyanyan, a suburb of Abuja.

PHOTOS: ITUNU AJAYI

Transportation Policy

Abuja Residents Bemoan Agony From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja ITH residents experiencing daily trauma at moving around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), it is ever more apparent that the new transportation policy of the capital’s administration was not well thought out before implementation.

One only needs to go to the Federal Secretariat, at about 5pm, and bus stations within and outside the FCT, early in the morning, to know that the hyped high capacity buses are not meeting the yawning expectations of the city’s population; frustrated residents have to wait almost endlessly for the buses to appear and take them to work or bring them back home.

The resultant pain being faced by the residents has made some to weigh the possibility of an intervention by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

When on Monday, June 3, the FCT administration made good its vow to withdraw mini buses operated by private individuals from the city centre, majority of the people who had to go to their places of work were subjected to the hardship of having to wait endlessly at bus stops. Some had to walk to their offices.

All through the week, a sea of people was seen in the mornings and after closing hours at bus stops waiting.

Some private car owners have also begun brisk business by picking persons headed for their route at a fee. Fare in the city has, since, tripled, as people scramble for the few available vehicles.

Before the June 3 deadline, the Special Assistant on Media to the FCT Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, had told residents that his boss had put all necessary arrangements in place for take-off of the new policy.

Ogbuenyi gave the assurance to residents that the high capacity buses were more than ready to assume operations from the regular mini buses or ‘Araba’. But on Monday, with no capacity buses in sight, he blamed Nigerians of being too inpatient.

When it was apparent that Ogbuenyi’s boss wasn’t ready, as announced, he said on Friday June 7 - after five working days of residents being subjected to forced walking exercises- that everything has been put in place to receive the high capacity buses, adding that the stress people were going through was already easing up.

The inconsistency of the FCT administration has made some residents mull the idea of a Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) intervention. The cost of moving around the city, they noted, has become exorbitant with residents having to rely on single-passenger taxis (popularly known as ‘drop’) to get around.

The FCT argued that the high capacity buses are cheaper than their banned Araba counterpart. Granted, they charge N50 while Araba charges N100, but the gain made by commuters is immediately lost when they reach the city centre where the minimum fare charged by taxis is N200. For a distance where Araba charged N70, residents now have to pay between N200 and N300.

Many argue that the problem affects more people on the pay roll of the government, and that the NLC could do more than just intervene only on issues that affect fuel price increase or

W

.Mull NLC Intervention

wages.

The Guardian went to town to sample the pulse of residents.

“The idea of this transport policy is not okay. People get stranded when they are going to work or coming back. The ElRufai buses are not enough. This is really affecting people, especially those who have to be at their offices early. We want something to be done about it. The NLC should intervene, because it has not been easy at all,” said Wilson, a resident.

On his part, Nwangwu, a nurse at Garki Hospital, said: “Labour should wade in. People cannot get to their offices on time. And there is traffic jam. You’ll find bus stops packed with people but with no buses in sight. This makes people turn up late to work. The NLC should step in and do something.”

Mrs. Florence, however, thinks, “though it is stressful, I believe that with time, people will get used to the issue of ‘Araba’ being withdrawn from the roads. If government has not done what it is supposed to do and people are finding it difficult to go to their work places and return home, then that is very bad.”

According to Afolabi Ayodele Joel, “though I am not used to ‘Araba’, one thing I notice is that these long buses waste time.

When you are coming from Nyanyan to Area 1 with ‘Araba’, you can make the trip within 20 to 25 minutes. But with these long buses, you may end up spending an hour. The government might not use ‘Araba’ but buses, like Hyundai, the kind that plies Gwagwalada road; those green ones… if they can allow those, they are more decent. They don’t drive like the ‘Araba’ people.”

Femi Oluwaseun faulted the government but expressed pessimism about an NLC involvement. He said: “The problem is that all our sectors are corrupt. It would have been good if Labour intervenes. But before you know it, some people would take some bribe and then the agitation would die down.

“Look at the fuel subsidy crisis; Labour was all over the place, and after a while, everything went down. No Nigerian can say he or she knew what happened. We should stand and fight for our rights. We don’t have leaders to fight for us. It is good that Labour intervenes. But they need to stand firm. Nobody should bribe them until we accomplish our mission.”

Talatu Usman told The Guardian: “I think the government should provide more buses, so that people will not be stranded. The number of buses we have is not enough. I stay in Lugbe but have to come to town every day to work. I observed that those staying in Lugbe are better placed than those in places, like Kubwa, because we don’t have much stress. Another thing is that fares have doubled.

“Labour should come in and compel government to provide more buses to ease the movement of people. The big buses are good; you seat more com- Talatu Ikenna

fortably in them than in ‘Araba.’ But more needs to be on the roads.”

Ezekiel Michael noted: “If you look at the city now, it is so cool and beautiful, but the problem we have is that the El-Rufai buses are not enough. Someone that is supposed to resume work at 8am would not get to the office until 10. If you want to go from your office to another place, it is even more difficult.

“Another problem, I see, is security breach. Both painted and unpainted taxis now carry people; this can make kidnapping thrive in Abuja. They operated at low key before, but now they are all over the place. There is nobody monitoring their activities. The fares are high and people have to move around, so they join the unpainted taxis, which is very risky. If government really wants to sanitise the transport system in Abuja, let them control the unpainted taxis; let them provide more buses.”

Ikenna said: “I think what is happening is a move in the right direction. There should be standards in operations. There’s no safety in those ‘Araba’ buses; no one monitors or controls them. People could even catch diseases in them. What government needs to do is make sure there are enough buses and manpower for the job, so that every part of the FCT would be covered. Government can even train and incorporate some of the ‘Araba’ drivers, so that they would not be unemployed. Operations should be done in two or more shifts, so that at night, people would not be stranded and those doing the job too would not be fagged out.”

Bridget said: “I think the ‘Araba’ people are not nice. But the government buses are not enough, so effort should be made to ensure we have enough of them to meet the need of the people. The intervention of Labour might add more stress to the existing issue. And even if they want to intervene, they should advise the government to put more buses on the road, not call for a strike action.”

Abigail said: “I think Labour should come in, because this thing is going to cause people a lot of trouble. Even these El-Rufai buses do not work till the time ‘Araba’ people do. Some of them close at around 6pm with the excuse that they are tired.

But up till 11pm, ‘Araba’ is still on the road. Because this is supervised by the government, the drivers do the job and close whenever they wish.”

Other residents, who also spoke, said they want the NLC to prevail on the Presidency to call the FCT minister to order. They say policies he has introduced to the capital lack a human face.

Bridget

Florence

Wilson

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14 2013

7

CITYFILE An Apt Coinage For Same Sex Marriage

By Adidi Uyo LANGUAGE ON PARADE OINAGES, or more technically, neologisms, are one way by C which a language grows its vocabulary. In the beginning there was man and woman, pure and simple. Going by the

Participants at the free medical programme. (Inset: Dr. Niel Johnson, head of the US-based medical team.)

When Medical Help Came The Way Of Zion Pepe Community From Niyi Bello, Akure T was a rare opportunity for residents of Zion Pepe, a sprawlIoning fishing community located along the Atlantic coastline the far south-western tip of Ondo State, last weekend, when scores of the mainly indigent fishing population had the benefit of medical treatment packaged by concerned indigenes in collaboration with a United State of America (USA)-based medical team.

Hundreds of people drawn from the community, as well as outlying ones, such as Agerige, Araromi, Ipepe, Ereke, and as far as Igbokoda, headquarters of Ilaje local council of the state, benefited from the free services.

The initiative involved free treatment of malaria, which is endemic in the place, because of the presence of large pools of stagnant waters in its upland mangrove vegetation; provision of drugs for its prevention; as well as free screening for hypertension and attendant ailments.

A collaborative effort between a Lagos-based industrialist, Raphael Danilola and the duo of Niel Johnson and Tolulope Adeyemi, both medical doctors from the American State of North Carolina, the initiative brought medical care to the doorsteps of the indigenes, a rarity in that part of the state.

The community is part of the hundreds of such that make up the Ilaje sub-ethnic grouping of the larger Yoruba nation and the only area in the South West that is oil producing.

Despite sitting atop vast reserves of hydro-carbon that produces the black gold that oils the machinery of national economy, the area, spanning some 800 kilometers of coastline, has been walloping in abject poverty and the negative effects of oil exploration activities, particularly from the myriads of platforms located offshore.

Because of the lack of adequate government presence in these far-flung areas, which depend on fishing activities as economic mainstay, the lot of providing for the basic needs of the population, in most cases, fall on wealthy citizens of the communities.

Danilola, an indigene who is also the Managing Director of Danilux Chemical Industries, said the idea to organise the medical mission came through his experience during a recent trip to the US.

CITY SHOTS

According to him, his proposition to his American hosts that a team be raised to assist the people of his community back home with medical services, was well received by the Americans who said a trip could be undertaken as part of global assistance to Third World countries.

The Johnson team was joined in Nigeria by a support staff of eight personnel, including Dr. Adolfus Loto from Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), who led the local medical team.

Because of the difficult terrain of the area, an advance team had arrived earlier and embarked on massive publicity campaign, distributing flyers and employing traditional mode of spreading information through town criers and the leadership of the Cherubim and Seraphim Zion Church, the major religious movement in the area.

For a whole day, the medical team was busy attending to an unending queue of beneficiaries, some of whom had been screened earlier; checking blood pressure, cholesterol level and blood sugar level; and providing drugs to assist those who were down with malaria.

Those whose situations could not be treated by the scope of the health services were referred to medical facilities outside the state, while one of the patients would be flown abroad for comprehensive medical attention.

Speaking during the exercise, Danilola, who is a member of Ilaje League of Professionals, said the intervention was to assist both the state and local government in providing succour for the indigent population, many of who cannot afford even money to purchase needed drugs.

Other members of the league, whom he said contributed to the success of the programme, are: Benson Ogunderu, Rev. Odolo Sola, Orimoloye Janta, Ayejuni Godwin and Femi Danilola.

He regretted that health facilities are not made available to most of the rural communities in the country, saying wellmeaning individuals should assist government in making health facilities available to the people at the grassroots.

“We have to give back to the communities that produced us by impacting into the lives of the aged people through provision of free medical treatment.

“The exercise is going to be a continuous one. Although we have spent millions of naira packaging this, we are already putting structures and funding machinery in place to ensure sustainability because we cannot afford to put a stop now that we have seen how enthusiastic our people are about it,” he said.

About 2,000 people, mostly women, children and the aged, benefited from the exercise.

Bible, to be exact, Leviticus Chapter 18, Verse 22, man was not to sleep with man as he did with woman. As the pass puts it: “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

Whereas the joining of a man to a woman, a practice approved by the Holy book, added a new, distinct word to language, the practice which it refers to as an abomination did not, for from Genesis to Revelation, the only special word that is used to describe it is “deviation.” In Romans Chapter 1, Verse 26 - 27, “vile affections” is another phrase used in the Bible with regard to men or women “burning in their lust for one another.” Nothing more!

However, we all know the brand new word that came into being with regard to the joining of man to woman. Until a couple of days ago, I had not really bothered to find out its etymology, so I was pleasantly surprised to know that the word marry comes from the Latin maritus, meaning “husband,” and is ultimately traceable or related to the Sanskrit word, maryo, meaning “man.” This, to be sure, is a very good demonstration of the linguistic phenomenon which we had referred to in our last voyage on the language train as symbolic assimilation, something which the English language does best, and one reason it is the wealthiest, most dynamic, and most popular language.

But so far the English language does not have an apt word for referring to the emergent phenomenon of man joining to another man, or woman joining to another woman, to wit: same sex marriage. The term, “same sex marriage” may be an addition to the vocabulary of sociology, as such, but by themselves, the words “same,” “sex,” and “marriage” add nothing to the English vocabulary. Even when taken as a lexical locution, there is really nothing unique about them.

And that is the basis for the challenge of inventing a word that is strikingly different and aptly captures the SSM phenomenon. There must something about the two words that feature in this type of relationship from which we can invent a name that is fit and proper, methinks. So, let’s examine the two words involved, “gay” and “lesbian,” to see what they have for us.

One dictionary offers the following as the meanings of the adjective “gay”: “joyous and lively; merry; lighthearted.” Of course, the adjective also means “homosexual,” which literally means “human beings of the same sex.” Whereas gay is homosexuality between men, “lesbian” is homosexuality between women. But there is more to lesbian that can be of use in inventing a fit and proper term for the relationship.

The word is related to Lesbos, a Greek island in the Aegean, off the coast of Asia Minor. Lesbian comes from the Latin, Lesbius, which refers to Lesbos and its people, especially. Sappho, a lyric poet of Lesbos, and his followers, recognised for their brand of eroticism or homosexuality.

Can you see any connection between the etymology and meaning of lesbian and the meaning of gay? Well, if you ask me, I will say just this: What is eroticism if not gaiety, and what is gaiety if not merriment?

You see, the primary purpose of marriage, as the Bible and tradition have it, is procreation: “Go ye and multiply.” Sex for pleasure, which is the essence of eroticism, is oriented elsewhere. It places no premium on procreation. Some may even say it is averse to procreation. People who go into same sex marriage know, for sure, that they are not in it for procreation.

Whenever they engage in sex, it is essentially for joy. It is , so to say, to make merry.

And that brings us to the heart of the brand new word for same sex marriage. This is marriage which values being merry. As you know, coinages, or neologisms, are combinations of two words in form and meaning. If you combine the first four letters of merry, that is, “merr-“, and the last four letters of marriage, that is, “-iage,” you have a brand new word that aptly captures the phenomenon of same sex marriage: merriage.

You must have heard some people pronounce “marriage” as MERRIAGE, haven’t you? I know of many people who do. Most people in the part of the world where I have sojourned these many years, and many people three countries west of our country, Nigeria, if you put your ears to the ground, pronounce marriage as…MERRIAGE. Lighthearted but weighty matter, you bet!

Workshop On Renewable Energy To Hold In Lagos, Imo US-based company, All Power Labs (APL), in partnership rocycles Ltd, Mr. Ernest Onyenze, “the initiative is the key that A with Envirocycles Nigeria Ltd and Bioenergy Nigeria Ltd, will unlock a robust transformational change in the social has concluded plans to demonstrate a pioneering technology

Group Head, Administration, Chi Limited, Michael Onagbola (left); Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chi Foundation, Oluranti Odubogun; Onilekki of Lekki land, Oba Liasim Olumuyiwa and Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Authority, Ogidan Mukandasi Olaitan, at the commissioning of a borehole donated by Chi Foundation to Lekki village.

for making renewable energy from biomass (waste).

The free presentations and workshops will hold in Lagos and Imo States to demonstrate a new, commercially available source of energy generation, based on biomass gasification The 20kw Power Pallet makes energy anywhere there is available biomass, such as nutshells, wood chips, and coconut husks, using gasification (a process of turning biomass, such as palm kernel shells, into electricity, for as little as $.05 per kilowatt hour).

According to the founder and President, Bioenergy and Envi-

economic landscape of Nigeria. The value chain will impact positively on the poor and the unemployed youths. The programme is tailor-made for cooperative institutions, hospitals, SMEs, organised artisans, who not only require power, but cheap and competitive power that will bring cost of production low.”

He said the demonstrations would hold on July 16, 2013 at the ETF Hall, Imo Polythechnic, Owerri from 10am-5pm; and on July 18, 2013 at Tafawa Balewa Square Club Arcade (Multipurpose Hall), Lagos from 10am-5pm.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

8

CITYFILE

Mpape: Abuja’s Seedy Settlement Takes Own Census •Residents Mark Anniversary Of Eviction Threat With Solemn Service

A section of Mpape community. (Inset: Enumerators and a display of census figures)

By Aloysius Omo Stark Contrast On The Hilltop ERCHING atop a hill within view of the exotic tree-lined boulevards of highbrow Maitama District, Mpape is a stark contrast to the opulence of Abuja. In Nigeria’s capital, everything seems contrived to make it abundantly clear that this is the city of the big man. Expressways across which pedestrian bridges are only being built as an afterthought, daily cause the deaths of many who put their lives at risk by dashing across.

Mpape attempts to defy this order of the big man. The settlement, which plays hosts to the pool of the workforce of cooks, nannies and the other “drawers of water and hewers of wood” servicing the homes of the rich in comfy places, like Maitama and Asokoro, presents the first timer with what poet, Derek Walcot describes as a “visual surprise.” It is akin to the biblical city “set upon a hill, that cannot be hidden.”

The proximity of Mpape to parts of the city belonging to the overlords of Abuja is somewhat responsible for the travails of the residents of the settlement. For some time now, the community has been under siege; the authorities think the place is an eyesore that should not exist anywhere near the capital. Left to the powers that be, the settlement should have no place in the elitist conception of Abuja, as the capital of the world’s most populous black nation.

So as it stands, the sword of Damocles has continued to dangle over Mpape. The community is still in existence due to the sheer tenacity of its residents. It is the inexhaustible supply of defiance and resistance that has given Mpape residents the right to breathe some air, after the authorities backed off from an earlier threat to raze the area. Just when the bulldozers were revving in preparation for a blitz that would have brought down the homes of hundreds of thousands of defenseless citizens, an outpouring of tears, and condemnation forced the authorities to call off what would have been a punitive expedition.

Nonetheless, for many Mpape’s coming to terms with what would have been if government had gone ahead with its planned eviction, has left them in a state of trauma. Residents recall how they woke up on the morning of July 6, 2012, to unbelievable reality of gangs of officials marking their buildings with red paint in preparation for the bulldozers to move in. The move was greeted by an outcry and a court action. Things have since been left hanging in the tentative state in which they are now.

Marking One Year Since The Threat T a solemn service on Sunday, July 6, residents marked the first anniversary of the threat to evict them. The songs they sang sounded like dirges, just as they prayed in voices that betrayed their vulnerabilities as a people. For Mpape residents, the grotesque reality on the ground is one of a people who still wake up daily to be confronted by the red markings of the demolition squad. The markings are a perpetual reminder of the planned leveling of their homes. A number of residents complained bitterly about the psychological trauma they have to contend with whenever they catch a glimpse of the markings.

Others narrated how scores of residents are still battling with high blood pressure as well as depression, all allegedly caused by their reaction to the threat by the authorities to render them homeless. Yet, they expressed their determination to soldier on in the quest for justice.

Interim Chairman of the Mpape Residents Development Association, Pastor Marcus Olutamole, stressed that the people of the community have been in high spirits, in spite of the traumatic experiences of last year. He said the community decided to give thanks to the almighty, and further seek his face because God had nullified the machinations of those who wanted to render defenseless and ordinary citizens homeless.

He said: “Today, July 6, makes it one year since they came to mark our buildings for demolition; but in marking this anniversary, we are rejoicing that right now, the aim has been can-

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A

celled by God. In God we stand and the totality of our hopes is on the Almighty, so we are happy that we are still in Mpape up till this day.

“In marking this anniversary, we didn’t do anything flamboyant. We just presented ourselves in the presence of God to give him thanks because He sustained us up till this time, so we prayed and encouraged ourselves, and we have the full belief that God will exonerate us.”

Leaving Nothing To Chance OWEVER, in spite of the lull in the battle, and what seems a momentary ceasefire from the authorities, Mpape residents are leaving nothing to chance. With support from various civil society groups, the community recently embarked on an exercise to enumerate all the structures in the area. Beyond the solidarity of having groups interested in fair treatment of the inhabitants of marginalised communities visit them to offer support; stakeholders noted that Mpape residents would have their case strengthened if there was a scientifically verifiable count of structures and the population.

It was this herculean task that the civil society groups led by the Lagos based Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC), attempted to carry out recently. Other groups that made the trip to enumerate the community included the Slum Dwellers International (SDI), the Lagos Marginalised Communities Forum (LAMCOFOR), as well as community organisations from Makoko and Badia. The process involved getting accurate data about the number of structures, as well as doing a head count of residents living in them.

The 16-man team along with youths of the communities made the rounds, counting and marking structures. The enumeration team explained that a map was used to divide a target community into zones, and the subsequent tallying of structures was done in order to obtain a total number.

“Tallying gives each structure its unique numbers for easy identification and counting after which a questionnaire is administered for data to be generated on residents living in each of the enumerated structure.” This tedious and painstaking process will then be completed when the data collected is mined and analysed, such that information generated would provide an accurate picture of the reality of the community.

Nine zones in Mpape were identified during the enumeration.

They are Eneje, Berger quarry, Gwari village, Mashafa, Ajegunle, Crushed Rock, GRA, Labamba and Arab Zone. These zones were then divided into clusters for effective counting.

After this, the volunteers set out to begin work in different clusters. The tallying exercise lasted all through the duration of the trip with each group returning at the end of the day, to input number of structures tallied. Olutamole, the Interim Chairman of the Mpape Residents Development Association, commended the civil society groups for their supportive disposition and for doing everything humanly possible to ensure that the people of the area were not unjustly evicted, and their lands taken over by the rich.

He argued that in making the case for the demolition, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had wrongly claimed that there were only 10,288 houses in the community.

Olutamole argued forcefully that the figure grossly fell short of the actual number in the community, especially as preliminary results from the enumeration by the civil society groups showed that there were over 30,000 buildings in the area.

“The FCDA gave the figure of the total number of houses they marked to be 10,288. But when these people came, we discovered we had over 30,000 houses alone. So with this counting, we now have a full technical assurance that this is actually the number of houses. From what the FCDA gave and what we now have from the counting, you can do your deductions, and you will see the blunders (made by those who were bent on demolishing structures in the community).

“So we are happy about this enumeration because their counting is generally accurate. They have done a tremendous work

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that is highly commendable. Now, we have a correct figure to make our case. The next process is to know the number of people that are living in Mpape. If we have over 30,000 houses, you can imagine the number of people living in these houses. That tells you that there are many people in Mpape here, and we know.”

He continued: “With this counting, we will be able to know how many million people live in Mpape because I am now sure our population will be in millions, not thousands. This is the population that government wants to displace like animals. Even when you are rearing animals, and you want to transfer them from one place to another, you must have ways of going about it; talk less of human beings. So SERAC has done a wonderful work here by starting this process to give us the technical evidence. Through their findings, we can now prove our case worldwide.”

‘Threat To Evict Us Has Caused Economic Meltdown’ LTHOUGH the truce called by the authorities is still subsisting, Mpape residents allege that the threat to sack them has precipitated a severe economic meltdown with an attendant impact on rent, as well as other economic activities. Olutamole gave a glimpse of the situation, noting that the threat of demolition has worsened the perennial youth unemployment in the community.

“We and the FCDA have all maintained the status quo. But let me tell you, economically, everything has gone down so drastically. It is by God’s grace that people are feeding because nobody wants to invest now. If you talk of the rent, where people used to pay advance of one year, the most anyone now pays is three months, some even pay just one month, just to keep the house warming.

“So the Mpape economy and business have gone down. And for employment, you know that these things are interwoven; once the economy of a town is down, it will affect employment. In this private school I run, before the threat to demolish, I had about 500 students, now we are just about 180. That has affected me because I must maintain the teachers, but since the money to maintain them is not forthcoming, you can see the difference, and that has affected me financially. The same is applicable to others.”

One of the women in the community, who currently holds sway as secretary of the Mpape Residents Development Association, Mrs. Philomena Swithnes, lamented that women and children have also been adversely affected by the downturn in the Mpape economy, as a result of the move to evict residents.

“If I were to make a demand from government, I will let them know that we are all human beings. The President that is there now also came from a village. Nobody came from heaven that is why a degree of egalitarianism has to be observed because we are all equal before God. “You should not use your position to oppress, depress and suppress people. So my demand, which is also my right, is that they should upgrade Mpape. So let them provide all reasonable infrastructure to sustain our lives. The President was the one telling us about fresh air, but instead of that, what we have been seeing in Mpape is hot air, so he should try and make the air fresh for Mpape people,” she said.

RIVING out of Mpape through its bumpy dirt roads and seeing seedy shelters swarming with scores of bodies, one could not help but imagine how different the fortune of this settlement would have been if it had some of the basic amenities that made places, like Maitama and Asokoro, tick. With only one rickety and makeshift health centre and without any source of potable water, except boreholes dug through community efforts, the area cuts the picture of an abandoned stretch.

This is apparently why residents of the settlement did everything possible to let the reporter realise that most of the groundnuts, vegetables and other food items consumed in palatial mansions of Maitama, Asokoro, and Wuse, come from the fields tilled in Mpape. Whether the powers that be will put this into consideration, listen to the cries of the people and let them be, is another matter altogether.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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CITyFILE From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE barricading of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of T Rivers State, despite a court order on the police to vacate the premises, is assuming a new twist.

Earlier, businessmen and women had decried the closure, saying it affected trade. But fresh investigations reveal that motorists, shop owners and virtually all the petty traders in the council are heaving a sigh of relief, citing sour experiences at the hands of touts who harassed them and extorted illegal monies daily.

Although they were obviously not pleased with the blatant disobedience of the court order by the state’s Police Commissioner, Mr. Mbu Joesph Mbu, they were, however, delighted that the situation has stopped the unwholesome activities of extortionists.

Enquiries revealed that the touts, who worked for different revenue agencies, forcefully collected amounts ranging between N5,000 and N60,000 from their victims. Their counterparts, who operated at the market, collected N200 from traders, daily.

It was also gathered that the touts operated in morning, afternoon and evening shifts.

A commercial bus driver, Mr. Monday Akpan who plies Rumukpoku /Igwuruta / Mile Three, said he spent a lot of money to ‘settle’ the touts at bus stops between Igwuruta to Mile Three.

According to him, persons involved in collecting these monies made handsome returns, which were never accounted for.

A private motorist, Mrs. Chioma Onuoha, said: “I am usually afraid of plying routes within Obio/Akpor due to the activities of touts whose behaviours are near insane.”

She said the touts forcibly collected N40,000 from her, last year, alleging that she had committed a traffic offence.

“What hurt me most was that the boys, numbering about seven, jumped into my car and seized my key. I screamed for help, but no one came to my aid, for fear they could be beaten up by the mad boys.

“And after they had collected the money, they shared it among themselves, right in my presence. I felt so hurt because I struggled for weeks to get the money. It was a day I will never forget,” Onuoha said.

Similarly, shop owners, along Romokoro and Igwuruta, said they paid N4,000 per year and N200 daily to different groups of collectors, who “often issued fake receipts”.

One of the traders, Mrs. Margaret Brown, said several complaints had been made to the council and relevant authorities about the ugly trend, adding that checkmating the illegality had proved very difficult to stop.

Miss Udoak Faith, who owns a saloon in Omachi, Rumuodmanya, said: “With the situation (closure) of Obio/Akpor Council, we now have peace. The daily harassment by groups who called themselves tax and revenue collectors has been put on hold; we can now do our businesses with relaxed minds. Prior

Headquarters of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, still under a police barricade.

Obio/Akpor Local Council

Why Some Traders Are Counting Gains Amid Closure to this time, while working in your shop, your heart would be beating, because they could come at any time to hijack your goods.”

On his part, Obinna Chinello, a shop owner at Rumukpoku, lamented that despite the multiplicity of fees collections, legal and illegal, no tangible developmental project was carried out in the council, except the International Market, built by the suspended Chairman, Mr. Timothy Nsirim, and which was now overgrown with weeds.

He explained that the state and federal governments executed most of the projects in the council because Obio/Akpor is located at the centre of Port Harcourt city.

Speaking to The Guardian, traders in Romokoro/ Slaughter Market and Rumuokwuta, among others, expressed joy over the cessation of operation by the touts. They, however, prayed that when the council is re-opened, persons in charge would ensure that illegal activities and harassments stopped.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the Council, Mr. Chikoudi Dike, has urged people not to rejoice at the il-

Collapsed Building: Rescue Team Pulls Out Three Dead, Eight Others

legal closure of the council.

He explained that the continued barricading of Obio/Akpor council by the police, despite a court order, does not augur well for the people’s welfare.

Dike disclosed that he has dissolved all standing committees in the council, a set up, which often results in multiplicity of levies. He gave the assurance that his administration will not tolerate touting.

“Part of our problem in Obio/Akpor is that those in authority see the council as a farmland; they monopolise the council, as if it is their father’s property. The council belongs to all of us, and whatever resources accrue legally to the council, I will ensure that same return to the people through developmental projects,” he said.

Dike disclosed that he recently purchased about 30 transformers for various communities who had been without electricity. He added that he is embarking on a tour to communities to get first hand information on what people need.

“To further stop touting, I have ordered a stop to cash payment, because those touts are encouraged when one pays cash.

They can easily share it. But when you pay directly into the council’s account, they will be discouraged from continuing their illegal activities.

“The barricading of Obio/Akpor is sad; we do not want to take the laws into our hands. But we appeal to the relevant authorities to tell the police to obey the court order because Nigeria is guided by law.”

Efforts to reach suspended Chairman, Timothy Nsirim, for comments was unsuccessful, as his phones rang without re-

able to rescue five children alive. A baby was found dead.”

According to him, “Those five children who were rescued have been taken to the 44 Military Reference Hospital for treatment. They were very weak. Our team of officials and other security operatives are still battling to see if we can rescue more people.“ Elder sister to the mother of one of the rescued children, Hajiya Fatima, said the surviving children were pulled out at around 12.45am. The bodies of the dead were recovered at the early hours and had been deposited at the mortuary.

She said: “It is a very sad and painful experience for us as a family, especially with the loss of three of our family members in the tragedy.

But we still thank God that three survived.

Their mother, who is currently receiving treatment at Jowako Hospital, along Jos Road, is responding to treatment. She has a broken leg.”

Speaking on when the burial of the deceased would hold, Fatima said she could not ascertain when the bodies would be committed to earth because the Kaduna State government is coordinating matters.

A four-day-old baby was also rescued alive from the rubbles.

The Chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, Alhaji Suleiman Samaila, noted that while disasters could sometimes be unavoidable, this incident was man-made, because the building had showed serious signs of decay.

“The Kaduna State Government will sanction owners of property who do not meet safety standards,” Samaila said.

The North Must Have The Presidency In 2015, Or…

Sympathisers console the father of a baby trapped underneath the rubbles of the collapsed building in Kaduna... on Thursday.

From Saxone Akhaine (Northern Bureau Chief) and Bashir Bello, Kaduna

ESCUE operations continued yesterday, to R save the lives of people trapped under a three-storey building that collapsed in Kaduna on Thursday About eight persons were pulled out alive from the ruins of the old edifice. Three others were confirmed dead, following the incident, which occurred near Kaduna Central Market.

The deceased: Suleiman Kamarudeen, Maryam Kamarudeen and Quodir Kamarudeen, were children of Alhaji Ka-

marudeen Titilayo, elder son to the owner of the collapsed structure.

Three survivors: Taiye Kamarudeen, Kehinde Kamarudeen and Idowu Kamarudeen, were rescued alive and are receiving treatments at the emergency unit of 44 Armed Forces Military Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Abubakar Adamu, told The Guardian in a telephone interview yesterday: “It is now 4am, and we are still searching and evacuating people from the collapsed building. We have been

choice than running back to his own village, had to blend in this well policed State, where no one knew him as hoodlum.

But to survive, he needed some minor skirmishes here and there. Fortuitously, a poor widow’s beer parlour provided him with the much needed relief; the young sly criminal would go there every evening to harass the poor widow for, at least, one free bottle of beer.

“Hey Madam, give me one bottle of Star there or…,” he would threaten.

Worried by this daily loss of a costly bottle, the woman sought help and was advised to “leverage the Bakassi Boys.”

So, that fateful evening, the guy arrived STORy was told of a run-away hoodlum, again as usual ‘landlord’: “Give me one bottle who just sneaked back to his Southeast vil- of Star there or…” lage during the dreadful years of the machete“OR WHAT?,” a deep coarse voice responded wielding Bakassi boys. The boys, during the firmly from behind the poor widow’s Bar. “Or time of “Dr. Chinwe” as Governor, held sway, what, Mr. Man,” the voice repeated, manifestsetting armed robbers on their heels or knees. ing a massive frame of an armed “ninja.” “Or Even the innocent walked with caution, bewhat, I’m asking you, Mr. Man?” “Or fanta, not cause the boys’ charms could (and did) miss Chilled one please,” our toughened criminal targets sometimes, you know. muttered apologetically. And that was how By mistaken identity or mis-reading, some their “fellow” poor widow regained her freenatives were, in fact, alleged to have gone the dom from that day. way of their ancestors.

So, the North now says it is ready to negotiate Escaping from the long arms of the law, the Presidency for 2015 after all these harasstherefore, the Lagos criminal, who though had ments from the “Bokoko.” No, having paid heard so much about the awesome power of their dues, they must, of necessity, have the the Southeast Bakassi Boys but had no other Presidency in 2015…Or…BOKOKO.

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday July 14, 2013

Backlash Abraham Ogbodo

08055328079 (Sms only) abogbodo@yahoo.com

Party Discipline And The Rivers Crisis HE resultant smoke in the Rivers crisis has T grown far larger than the fire itself. Many of the fire fighters, who have chosen to descend onto the arena to contain the raging inferno, are entangled by the smoke. They are not pushing beyond the smokescreen to reach the fire. The dominant story in town is that the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi is at cross paths with the Presidency for choosing, against the scheme of things in Nigeria, to protect his little space against the consuming desires of an imperial President.

Like a piece of Nazist propaganda, the story has been persistent and consistent and so, it has been taken for the whole truth. Worse still, the Presidency does not know how to give its own compelling account, to effectively puncture the bogus story that is making the rounds. The more President Goodluck Jonathan tries to remove himself, the more he gets linked with the issues in Rivers State. If he says he has no hands in the things happening to Amaechi, the people instantly call him a liar. Yet, his silence seems even louder than his speech. Anything he does and says or does not do and say counts equally against him in the court of public opinion, where he is standing trial for impatience, intolerance and lacking in other vital attributes for democratic engagement. Put differently, the President is being tried for acts capable of derailing this hard-earned democracy.

The jury is swayed by the sheer vehemence and loudness of the arguments. And so, Governor Amaechi, who is in the ring with the President, is having the upper hand, because he is crying out louder. It is a highly organised confusion in which any strong point against Amaechi is drowned in the resultant noise. The popular position, which has proved difficult to upturn is that President Jonathan is using proxies who include his wife, Dame Patience, Minister of State for Education, Nysome Wike, the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Joseph Mbu and even Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State to cause an innocent governor sleepless nights in Port Har-

AST week, president Jonathan and federal Lto government’s economic team went to China sign a number of bilateral agreements, a move, which if followed diligently could yield positive growth and development for the Nigerian economy and that of China. Global practices require that countries enter into partnership in trade and share ideas for mutual their benefit.

Sometimes, agreements could involve more than two countries, in which case, multilateral commitments would be expected from the signatory countries.

It is a good thing that government is reaching out to China, a country that has become the toast of the world, having survived the hopelessness of centuries before, to become an economic giant of the 21st century. That feat was not achieved without some sacrifice. Fifty years ago, China was not reckoned with in global economy; she was an isolated country, especially, having imposed upon herself the communist ideology, which required that she looked far left while the ‘correct’ world looked rightwards.

Geographically, China was far removed from Western influences, particularly the technology that spurred Western civilization and industrialization. But she was not threatened. Painstakingly, China managed to ‘steal’ some technology from the West, which she processed locally, even to the envy of the West. With a large working population and the determination to survive, she has built an economy that is now ranked second to that of the United States.

China has displaced countries of Europe and has amassed huge foreign reserves and surplus cache of funds to invest abroad.

Today, China, which did not participate in the ‘Scramble for Africa’ (1880-1900) is now all over Africa. Scholars of Africa who propounded theories of neo-colonialism will be wondering what has happened again to Africa. But that is the reality.

This narrative will try to also look at Nigeria and to explain why she is where she has been, so that younger population who are not offered any explanation by government will not be misled into thinking that the Chinese are magicians and we are spectators and consumers of finished products. We have consumed that of Europe and America, now we are being dragged to china.

Where was Nigeria 50 years ago? She was a promising country with a good future, great leaders, good endowments, in terms of population and natural resources. Nigeria had good links with the West, unlike China and had all the opportunities to transfer relevant technology

court. All the arguments add up to cast Amaechi as the perfect victim in this unending Dracula-like melodrama in Rivers State.

The acts that have built up the drama to this crescendo are not hidden. One is that Jonathan is overreacting to the rumoured ambition of Rotimi Amaechi to pair with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to gun for the PDP ticket in the 2015 presidential election. There is also the accusation that President Jonathan caused some 300 oil wells to be moved from Rivers State to Bayelsa State in order to reward Governor Seriake Dickson for his loyalty and punish Amaechi for his recalcitrance.

But the breath-taking build-up to the election of a new chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the outcome of the election, more than anything else, sharply lifted the drama to the combustible point that was witnessed last Tuesday at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Again in the boisterous post-mortem that followed the Port Harcourt performance, Jonathan, who was in China in the Far East with a colony of ministers, governors and aides in pursuit of foreign investment for Nigeria was dragged into the fray. Even when his handlers explained that linking the President with what happened was “mischievous” nobody wanted to listen. Dr Reuben Abati said; “We are constrained to state once again that there is absolutely no factual basis for suggestions that some of the politicians involved in the current dispute are acting at the behest of the President.”

Not too many people were convinced. They include no other than Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka who, on Thursday, addressed a press conference tagged: Presidential Emergency: A People Under Siege,to condemn “President Jonathan’s indifference to the political imbroglio (in Rivers State).” Mr Femi Falana, who was at the press briefing, also dropped a few sour lines in condemnation of President Jonathan. Prof Pat Utomi, Prof Itse Sagay and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar reportedly lambasted the President for working assiduously to abort the Fourth Repub-

lic. Atiku, even likened the development to the July 10, 2003 adoption of Dr. Chris Ngige in Awka by gangsters who wanted to force his resignation as governor of Anambra State. It is a striking simile because the Port Harcourt battles were fought on Tuesday, July 9 and Wednesday, July 10.

What has Amaechi done? This is the question on everybody’s lip, yet none is ready to probe deeper for good answers beyond lip-service explanations.

Amaechi is not a good party man, pure and simple. He has committed no other sin. This should remain the singular argument of the Presidency and same should be repeatedly reinforced to make it sink among the people. All other explanations will amount to beating about the bush and creating a participatory role for the President in a duel where he is designated an umpire.

Amaechi had his way against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the matter of his annulled candidature in the 2007 governorship election in Rivers State. In a watershed judgment, the Supreme on October 26, 2007 ruled that Ameachi was the rightful PDP candidate in that election and that, since elections were won by parties and not individuals, Amaechi, being the actual PDP flag bearer should be sworn-in to replace Celestine Omehia as governor of Rivers State. Thus, Amaechi became governor in 2007, in spite of the PDP. This was enough to breed in him great contempt for a party that clearly worked against his ascendance on the power ladder, even as a feeling of invincibility started welling up in him. He had become Amaechi, the conqueror of the PDP, the largest political party in Africa.

Although no good reason was adduced by the PDP for annulling Amaechi’s candidacy in 2007, it remained a party decision and the PDP would have felt bruised when the Supreme Court enthroned Amaechi. The party suffered another ego bruise when the House moved against it and elected Aminu Tambuwal from the Northwest geo-political zone as Speaker, as against Mulikat Akande-Adeola from the Southwest to whom the PDP had assigned the slot.

The underlying argument is that Jonathan himself is a product of party rascality. The proponents say the President, against the party understanding to leave the Presidency with the North for eight years, secured the PDP ticket and contested and won the 2011 presidential election following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adu. In a way, neither Amaechi nor Jonathan has blame in the Rivers crisis. The whole blame is on the head of the PDP, which cannot keep its family members in check. Gradually, it has become heroic for members of the PDP to go against its directives. Discipline has become such a scarce

SUNDAY NARRATIVE Alabi Williams williams.alabi@ngrguardiannews.com 08116759790 (Sms only)

No Free Lunch In China from Europe and America and she made great efforts. China was the last place Nigeria would consider going to seek assistance some 50 years ago, because she had better prospects than China.

Apart from that, China as a communist country was a no go area from the West and their allies.

Also, China did not have anything good to attract Nigeria. She was a poor country with a huge, peasant population.

When Nigeria was coming of age, she signed a number of agreements with European countries for the purpose of acquiring technology. Take the automobile industry for instance, by 1969, under the youthful leadership of Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria formalised plans to establish automobile assemblies in the country. Sixteen reputable automobile manufacturing companies around the world were invited to establish assembly plants.

Peugeot Automobile of France, Volkswagen, Steyr Daimler, Mercedes Benz and Leyland all established plants in various parts of the country. In Kaduna, Peugeot (PAN) was a household name because of the huge employment opportunity it provided, directly for workers. Indirectly, Peugeot was the customer of hundreds of Nigerian companies, which manufactured parts locally for Peugeot.

Just imagine the multiplier effect and the growth in the system, real growth and not what is bandied all over the place by government of today.

In Lagos, Volkswagen was doing the same thing, providing jobs and stimulating the local industry for parts suppliers. In Bauchi, Steyr was a household name, building tractors for agricultural purposes. Steyr Nigeria had capacity to produce trucks to service all the needs of farm-loving Nigerians.

In Enugu, ANAMMCO, which produced Mercedes trucks and transport vehicles, was equally a household name, giving jobs to many directly and for parts suppliers.

In Ibadan, there was Leyland and it was the same beautiful story of an economy that was on the part of growth. There was also NTM in Kano.

If memory does not fail Nigerians, there was a vision, there was a government and there were great ideas to take this country to great heights. But that vision got obfuscated. There was no fiscal discipline and good corporate governance to stay focused and insist on rules of development.

It was about the same time countries like South Korea, China, India and Brazil were also establishing automobile assembly plants, making mistakes, taking lessons, applying discipline and one by one, their automobile companies came of age. And guess what, Nigeria began to import from these countries with which she started. Kia vehicles, Tata and the Marcoplo buses were now being imported from Korea, India and Brazil.

Nigeria refused to acquire or transfer appropriate automobile technology. When the cost of FBUs (Fully Built Units) of new vehicles became prohibitive after the collapse of the Second Republic and the era of Structural Adjustment (SPA) a new lexicon was developed in the automobile industry of Nigeria – Tokunbo, which is the nickname for second hand vehicles that are now on the roads for more than thirty years.

Why did the automobile vision of Nigeria die so miserably? Successive governments lacked the discipline to adhere strictly by the terms of bilateral agreements or technical agreements signed with technical partners. Government’s counterpart funding was not forthcoming, the discipline was also not there because politicians squandered the integrity of the entire process. The partners got frustrated and they left.

At the time they were leaving, China had opened up sufficiently to accommodate them. Labour in China was relatively cheap and the discipline was there. Nigerian governments do not honour agreements with partners so easily. That is why this government must watch it. The Chinese may not have patience for our attitude to such things. Or when they do, they serve you the counterfeit of what you ask for.

If the automobile vision was such a painful loss, what about the cotton farms in the North that fed

virtue in the fold. For instance, when the NGF chairmanship was looking like a contest of supremacy between President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi, the party prevailed on Amaechi not to contest so that the PDP, like a Sicilian Mafia family, can remain one and together. Amaechi followed his mind as he had always done and contested. He won but he has not been able to function because there are now two forums. Earlier, the party had appealed in vain to Amaechi to recall the sacked chairman of Obio/Akpor local government, Mr. Timothy Nsirim.

These were the instances of disobedience of party positions cited in suspending Governor Amaechi from the party. But the grand jury has been conspiratorially silent on these. The jury is also not seeing through the layers to the subtext. I am talking of the role of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in all of this. The ACN has suddenly become more interested in the political wellbeing of PDP governors and legislators than the PDP itself. Yet, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the man who owns the ACN is not too known to offer free lunch packs. There are attached strings and I dare say that the opposition is offering to help the PDP weaken itself against 2015.

The PDP has a responsibility to apply lawful means to protect itself against the antics of the opposition. If a governor becomes the weak link, there shouldn’t be any qualms cutting him off.

The Bible recommends amputation if the limb becomes the entry point of the devil into the body. This, to me is the wider picture. Intra-party politics is not so much about democracy in action as it is about the discipline to defend a collective position. It is either you are in and be abiding or out and be free. The ACN, which is today posturing as a defender of free speech cannot allow one Governor Babatunde Fashola or whoever, to stand eyeball to eyeball with the Asiwaju in a supremacy contest.

When the national executive of the African National Congress (ANC) decided to recall Thabo Mbeki ahead the expiration of his tenure as South Africa’s president over allegation of misuse of power against his arch-rival, Jacob Zuma, who later succeeded him as president, there were no arguments. A spokesman man only came on air to say; “the president has obliged and will step down after all the constitutional requirements have been met.”

Even in the US where democracy has the most esoteric interpretations, the party is supreme. The Democratic Party had rallied around President Bill Clinton to forestall his impeachment in 1998.

It cannot be different here and this is the point that should preached vigorously, by the presidency.

the textile companies? The textile industry was a booming economy in the 70s and 80s. Again, nearly every household in Kano and Kaduna had an encounter with textile companies, either as direct employees or suppliers of one item or the other. Industrial estates in Kaduna North were exciting places for job seekers. There were jobs, no matter what cadre and companies ran different segments (shift), in order to meet with market demands. That was the kind of economic growth ordinary people were used to, getting jobs and companies producing night and day.

The textile companies have disappeared and what you now have are Chinese textiles, so tight fitting you could hardly raise your hands when you wear them. The Chinese do not carry around too much flesh and they are naturally of pint size and that helps them to be prudent with their textile demands. That is what they have foisted on the Nigerian market. And you will search endlessly to get a quality cotton shirt, because they give to our market what our merchants ask for.

When you talk of quality control, the federal government must insist on the very best, not low or sub standard quality, like the fake drugs that come from Chinese companies. Incidentally, while our government was in China last week, high-level talks were ongoing in Washington, United States, between US and China. Secretary of State John Kerry was to participate at the opening, but his wife, Teresa took ill, so he returned to Boston to be with her, while Deputy Secretary of States, Williams Burns co-hosted the meeting with Treasury Secretary Jack Lew. Those who said Jonathan went to China to spite the US missed the point. In local parlance, we say the back tyre of a vehicle has no way of overtaking the front tyre. That is how far the US had gone ahead of the rest of the world. They have engaged China more than the rest of the world and are now at the point of demanding for more space for US companies operating under China’s protective laws. That is what Nigeria should be doing too, not going to China like a beggar.

Now, are we comfortable with this business environment, which we are asking foreign investors to come participate in? The other time, the president and his team left South Africa hurriedly, unable to conclude a business visit to Namibia because of an upsurge in crime rates.

Even though the president was not summoned to return home last week, the situation in Rivers State would send any interested foreign investor back home. In a situation like this, only dare-devil adventurers like the Chinese would agree to come here because it is inexplicable that adult politicians would just wake up and continue to heat the polity for no serious reason. It’s as if they

TheGuardian

Sunday, July 14, 2013 | 11

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Outlook Abiola, June 12 And The Paschal Question

By Dare Babarinsa N July 7, 1998, they brought Chief Moshood Abiola home in a body bag. That was not what we expected, but that was what we got. The they was the military junta led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Abubakar had become head of the junta following the sudden death of his boss, General Sani Abacha on June 7, 1998. Excited Nigerians, rejoicing at the sudden death of the tyrant, had dubbed the event miracle ‘98. Abubakar, a suave and morose military officer, went ahead to brighten the political space, but then inexplicably delayed in freeing Abiola, the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, who had become Abacha’s most famous prisoner. Also detained like Abiola were scores of political and military leaders including General Olusegun Obasanjo, and Beko Ransome-Kuti, the physician chairman of Campaign for Democracy, CD. Obasanjo’s erstwhile deputy, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua had also died in Abacha’s prison.

Abubakar freed many of our leaders and colleagues who were in the gulag including the likes of Chief Bola Ige, first elected governor of old Oyo State, Alhaji Lam Adesina, who was destined to become the next elected governor of Oyo State, Dr Ransome-Kuti, Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, the publisher of TSM magazine, George Mba of TELL, Ben Charles-Obi, Kunle Ajibade of the TheNews and many others, but not the great man, Moshood Abiola.

We called a meeting of the Idile Oodua, the leading underground group during the fight against Abacha, at Onyx Plaza, Ikeja, to deliberate on developments. We were all enthusiastic that Abiola would soon be released and then we would insist on an immediate exit of the military. We resolved that Abubakar must be compelled to hand over power to the President-presumptive. We expected Abiola to form an all-inclusive national government. We were in high spirit.

“What if Abiola too should die like Abacha?”

The question had been posed by Prince Paschal Adeleke Idowu, a man of steel built in elegant form. He was a management staff of Royal Exchange Assurance Plc and one of the most steadfast and bravest patriots of The Resistance.

Heavy silence fell on our meeting. This was followed by an animated debate. Our conclusion: Abiola cannot die in detention. Our country, our people and history were waiting for him.

The following week, we held a meeting in the Ibadan home of Chief Bola Ige, the deputy leader of Afenifere, who had just returned triumphantly from Makurdi Prisons in Benue State. Ige was the chairman of Alpha, where I served as the secretary. It was composed mostly of leaders and representatives of different groups. Ige explained to us that Ababakar appeared to be an Omoluabi who may be willing to distance himself from the evil ways of his predecessor. He said the leadership of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba political and cultural movement, was in constant touch with the new junta. He was sure Abiola would be released “within days!”

“What if Abiola dies?” we gingerly posed the Paschal Question? There was again an animated

O

CONversation

debate. The meeting’s conclusion: Abiola dare not die in detention!

Few days later, they brought Abiola home from Abuja in a body bag.

Senator Abraham Adesanya, the leader of Afenifere, was inconsolable after the death of Abiola. “Where did we go wrong?” He would ask again and again. “We must have made errors!”

He would end his lamentation with his famous prayer: Ki Olorun ma k’odi aimose siwa. (May God not turn our efforts into errors).

Could the June 12 story have ended in a different way with Abiola coming home in triumph?

Some of the old men who led the battle for June 12 are still with us. The June 12 war was waged while the Commander-in-Chief was in captivity.

The turning point for us was the November night in 1993 when Abiola visited Abacha in Lagos. We saw the gray footage on national television. It sent a confusing signal and we did not really know how to respond. After that meeting some of Abiola’s top men including the Vicepresident elect, Babagana Kingibe and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the former Action governor of Lagos State, were appointed ministers. Some months later, I met a sober Abiola in his Ikeja home. On the rise to his first floor sitting room were still the large pictures of Abiola and his “friends” like Babangida and Abacha. He was getting discouraging signals from the Abacha camp. The new military ruler did not appoint civilian deputy-governors for states as he had earlier promised. Kingibe, the vice-presidentpresumptive, was now enjoying his new pedestal as the Minister of Internal Affairs. He was thoroughly disappointed, but nonetheless, in a defiant mood. It was to be our last meeting.

While Abiola was in detention, the June 12 struggle was led by the last brigade of the Awoist vanguard, those intrepid warriors who dedicated their lives to the ideals of freedom and justice; Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, Senator Adesanya, Chief Alfred Rewane, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Chief Bola Ige, Senator Jonathan Odebiyi, Archdeacon Emmanuel Alayande, Dr. N.F. Aina, Otunba Solanke Onasanya, Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu, Senator Cornelius Adebayo, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Chief Ayo Opadokun and many others. They were hardy men, tested by fire, forged in the furnace of adversity, unblinking in their stare at danger and unshakable in their faith about the rightness of their cause. They believe that the spirit of Awolowo was still guiding them and they would want to confirm that by what they called the Awo Credo. Let me give only three illustrations.

In 1994, I had gone to the Ikeja GRA home of Pa Alfred Rewane in the company of Funminiyi Afuye. Rewane was an ebullient old man, full of humour and good grace. A very successful and wealthy businessman, he had served as Awolowo private secretary during the golden era of the 1950s. Late 1998, it was clear that Chief Ige was eyeing the Presidency. The Metropolitan Club, Lagos, had invited him to come and deliver a speech, which we expected would signify his intention to the Nigerian public. The death of Abiola had cleared the road to that possibility. Originally, Ige had said if Chief Enahoro, the

leader of the opposition National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, was interested in the Presidency, then he would not run. (“Nobody understands Nigeria better than Tony,” said Ige.) Indeed, Ige had asked Professor Wole Soyinka to sound out Enahoro on this. Enahoro had declined, insisting that Nigerians needed to agree on a post-military era Constitution first before we decide on who will be President.

With the coast almost clear for him, some of us; his younger friends; felt Ige should open a campaign office.

“Our leader would not like that,” he said. That was more than 11 years after the death of Awolowo. Ige said he needed to wait for the decision of Afenifere. Those were the era of believers. We now have politics without belief and religion without godliness.

Now 2015 beckons and there is a lot of tactical movements in Yorubaland, especially among leaders of the two main political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN (or its newly adopted name, APC). It is disturbing that Yoruba political leaders are behaving as if Yorubaland is an island unto itself, unrelated to the larger political alchemy of the larger Nigerian state. We only need to reflect on contemporary Nigerian history to know that this trend of parallel operations among our leaders have always worked against our people.

Yet at this point again, we are confronted with the Pascal Question. Though our leaders may differ in tactical approach to national politics, there is the need to have a set of unanimous strategic objectives. As events unfold, we need to think of options that would serve the best interest of Nigeria and the Yoruba people. Like during the Resistance, I am convinced if our leaders have been prepared for the Paschal Question, the situation may have been different. Then we were not prepared to think of the dark twist of history. It is this lack of strategic thinking that has plaqued Yoruba politics and it is again casting a negative influence on national affairs.

In 2011, the PDP had zoned the speakership of the House of Representatives to the South-

west. The party had zeroed in on Honourable Mulikat Akande Adeola from Oyo State to get the job.

However, a rebel faction of the PDP defied the party leadership and elected Waziri Aminu Tambuwal instead. They got this done with the critical support of the representatives of the Southwest in the House of Representatives who are mostly members of the ACN. It is not clear what strategic objective or goals those leaders of the ACN wanted to achieve by ensuring that the leadership of the National Assembly comes from only the Northern part of Nigeria, while Yorubaland is left high and dry. What was the purpose of this tactical blunder: freedom or slavery? Good or evil? Think of cutting your nose to spite your face!

Last month, the June 12 anniversary was celebrated with fan-fare in many state capitals of the Southwest. Even to underscore the importance of that day, Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information, joined us in Lagos to pay tribute to Abiola. If Abiola was this important to our democracy that we continue to mark the anniversary of his voided victory, why was there so much outcry when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan decided to honour him with the re-naming of the University of Lagos? If the truth must be told, the June 12 celebration had a tinge of hypocrisy to it.

How many books and documentaries have been commissioned on the life of the great man by those who claimed to love Abiola? (We thank God for Wale Osun, whose June 12: Clapping With One Hand provides a brilliant insight). How many of those who have been propelled to power by Abiola’s heroic sacrifice have bothered about his immediate and extended (and extensive) family?

Where are the thousands of men and women who enjoyed Abiola’s scholarships to further and complete their education? Where are the members of the army of supplicants and beneficiaries who daily throng Abiola’s Ikeja palace? How many of these men and women who benefitted so much from Abiola’s expansive munificence have bothered to find out how the wives and children are coping since the passage of the man in 1998? The truth is that our collective memory is poor and our sense of history is worse. There is a chilling reality that the Nigerian people, especially the youths, do not fully appreciate the enormity of Abiola’s sacrifice and the centrality of that sacrifice to the current democratic dispensation.

Had Abiola taken a different route and not plunge into politics, may be the history of our great country may have been different. Most likely he would have built his own university and if he likes, named it after himself. I hope those men and women of power who profess to love Abiola would follow the example of President Jonathan and take time to remember his profound sacrifice and the debilitating impact of this sacrifice on his immediate family.

As we remember Abiola, we should also not forget why he died. One great tribute we could pay him is for the true leaders of our people never to be caught off-guard again so that they can understand the imperative of elite consensus in reaching for and achieving collective strategic goals. This elite consensus is necessary to preserve the legacy of democracy and justice that Abiola died for. Remember the Paschal Question!

Babarinsa, journalist and author, is the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Gaskia Limited.

ByMedia Obe Ess

TheGuardian

12 | Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Editorial Jail Term And A Driver On The Phone PRISON sentence for anyone accosted using a phone while driving a vehicle? That is the recommendation of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on the basis that fines are not achieving the necessary deterrent effect, thus making prosecution the next option to effect attitudinal change amongst motorists. Certainly, some Nigerians are bad citizens as far as obeying rules and regulations are concerned, even when those are supposed to protect their lives. Hence, the drastic measures being proposed by the FRSC to save lives can be understood.

From its inception, the Federal Road Safety Corps has made a priority of public enlightenment; stressing the factors of road safety (or road accidents) to be the road, the vehicle and the driver. The key element in the matrix, however, is the human person. It is said that the human being consists of body, mind and soul. Cicero once observed that the mind of each man is the primal source of the activity of the person, the hearth of his thoughts, the determinant of his focus, the invisible origin of all that the body carries out visibly. The mind is innately magnetic. Once a thought is planted therein, a flood of associated thoughts would be generated. This poses the challenge of focus on a specific issue. The training of the mind to focus, eliminating all else, is, therefore, a major goal of education, for achieving success in any undertaking.

Concentration is an absolute requirement for safe driving because there is so much competing for the attention of the human mind. In the principles of defensive driving, the driver must get the total picture: what is in front of him, what is behind him, what is beside him.

He must also, like an aircraft pilot, check the dashboard; to ensure that all systems are functioning well. This is sufficient material to occupy the human mind and make driving an exciting experience.

Using the phone while driving is not only dangerous to the driverphone user but to the other road users too. Of all the potential distractions, the conversation while driving takes the prime focus of the driver away from driving and what is happening around him to the object or subject of his discussion. The hand-held phone detracts from effective handling of the steering wheel or the gear knob.

Studies in the United States have revealed that the hands-free phone use poses even greater risk, because the converser tends to get carried away in the false comfort that he was not holding the phone, further diminishing attention.

Thus, the concern of the FRSC is justified. So much is being said about carnage on Nigerian roads. Too many lives have been lost and destinies avoidably altered for the worse. The efforts to improve safety have been largely ineffective because of cultural factors of apathy and fatalism among road users. Many vehicle operators have a presumed protection from occult practices or faith-based assurances that have etched an erroneous attitude of “it can’t happen to me.”

Recognising this challenge at inception, the founding FRSC governing council of Wole Soyinka, Kalu Uka, with Corps Marshal/Chief Executive Olu Agunloye, and others, took off with the Public Enlightenment Campaign against “Road Accident Immunity Deficiency Syndrome (RAIDS).” It must be said that, comprehensive and laudable as this and many subsequent efforts have been, it has been a Herculean task to achieve attitudinal change on the part of Nigerians.

While the exasperation of the FRSC resulting in its proposal to adopt aggressive enforcement methods, including prison term for short duration can be appreciated; the need to decongest prisons nationwide and the challenge of defining offences that deserve incarceration must be considered. The FRSC has done well in all its years of existence but there is a need to re-affirm and enforce the Founding Ethics. In 1988, the first set of trainee marshals were Youth Corps members, recruited in the hope that their idealism would form a bulwark against corruption. Happily, some of those founding corpsmen are still in the FRSC and have risen through the ranks to command positions nationwide. In such hands, it is hoped that the agency would do the necessary job of re-emphasising its focus fairly well.

The FRSC must, therefore, continue to focus on Public enlightenment and Driver retraining, to allay the concern of the public that FRSC itself has become a moneymaking agency in which the operatives are said to be more concerned about attaining revenue targets.

With such a laser focus on enlightenment and enforcement of the rules as they are, an attitudinal change would occur and there would be no need for the jail term idea.

A

LETTERS

Same Sex Marriage Prohibition IR: In the three decades of Sspecial the fight over homosexual rights, pro-family activists have learned a stern and painful lesson — that the battle always eventually arrives at the doorsteps of those who do their best to avoid it.

This is not unjust or unfair.

It is simply the way the world works. Evil is insatiable; no matter how much ground it conquers, no matter how many millions of lives it ruins or destroys, it will aggressively continue to spread.

It will only be appeased when it completely dominates or exterminates the good. The only way to keep evil out of our nations, out of our cities, out of our villages and out of our very souls is to constantly and energetically resist it.

If we fail to fight, we will have only ourselves to blame as evil pollutes and corrupts every aspect of our lives. The longer we wait to take concrete action, the harder the fight will be. As the same sex union agenda inexorably progresses at the moment, in some countries, adoption agencies are being forced by law to give children to homosexual “couples;” pastors are being jailed for preaching against sodomy; those who oppose homosexual “marriages” are losing their jobs and their livelihoods; and in some nations it is illegal to publicly say anything at all unfavourable about homosexuality.

The time to speak out is now — while it is still legal to do so! If the same sex union bill is allowed to progress beyond the censorship stage to the coercion stage, it will be too late.

We will be forced to attend “gay pride” parades, as some have been compelled to do in Canada and Scotland. We will be forced to applaud homosexuality, as many

school children and college students are now required to do.

We will be forced to undergo homosexual-led brainwashing, as many government employees have been obliged to do in the United States.

The cost of speaking out will be much, much higher if the same gender marriage bill progresses much further.

•Emmanuel Afunwa.

Enugu, Enugu State.

Image Issues In Foreign Policy IR: Professor Akin Oyebode’s chunk of her citizens also in mass Sof May exposition in The Guardian ignorance, poverty and pauperi27, 2013 in which he elu- sation in spite of their level of cidated the abysmal Nigeria’s foreign policy is incisive and instructive. The article has further explicitly exposed the ineptitude and inefficiency of government in both domestic and international affairs.

Nigeria has suffered and also has been abused by its rulers from the inception of nationhood. The country is like a wife who endures a continuous domestic violence from her husband with no respite. But one characteristic of her endurance is the resilience and unwavering hope for her children’s better tomorrow.

Nigeria should by now be competing favourably with the developed nations in the international sphere considering her remarkable strategic position, human capital and natural endowments.

Leadership is the bane of Nigeria’s existence and the

education.

The deletion of Nigeria from the itinerary of President Barack Obama of the United States in his much-publicised forthcoming state visits to Africa is not a good omen for the country. Nigeria has played enviable roles in security and socio-political emancipation of Africa. The country should reengineer itself, put its house in order and ensure adequate security for its citizens for the world to take her serious. Its political leadership should also realise that they cannot deceive in this age of globalisation.

Nigeria’s socio-economic and political problems do not defy any solutions, all we need is a contextual leader with vision who will be transformational and transactional in his/ her governing approach to tackling mundane problems.

•Yahaya Balogun, Arizona, USA.

13

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday July 14, 2013

NEWSFEATURE

When NYSC Orientation Camps Turn Reprimand Centres

By Gbenga Akinfenwa, Kayla Grage and Ikechukwu Onyewuchi Youth obey the clarion call Let us lift our nation high Under the sun or in the rain With dedication, and selflessness Nigeria is ours, Nigeria we serve.

HIS first stanza of the National Youths Service T Corps (NYSC) anthem has become a string tactically used to ensure Corps members’ total compliance with the guiding rules of the scheme, and yielding to all forms of unpleasant experiences during and after the three weeks orientation exercise across the country.

The tales of alleged brutality and inhuman treatment meted to corps members by officiating military personnel and security officials in some orientation camps are becoming scary. To some, the camps are gradually turning into an emerging reprimand centre where the military men can easily vent their anger on the innocent corpers at will.

No doubt, the presence of the military and paramilitary officials is inevitable as the orientation exercise is a form of paramilitary training, which involves drilling, physical exercises like jogging, discipline and parade skills, but with the rising spate of alleged brutality, abuse and inhuman treatment on Corps members, one needs to ask the rationale behind this and if brutality has become a part of the once adored scheme.

The essence of the military and the para-military men on Orientation Camps from the onset is to ensure discipline by ensuring that corps members adhere strictly to the rules and regulations, total compliance to camp rules and to ensure safety of both the corps members and the NYSC officials.

As spelt out in the NYSC rules, the military personnel under the Camp Commandant, are incharge of regimental discipline on camps. They are also the instructors in military drills and parade. The Police head and his personnel cordinate the security on the camp, in liaison with other arms of the camp administration.

Of recent, reported cases of assault, maltreatment and other acts violating rights of corps members is on the rise in various camps. Those

A corps member going through one of the drilling sessions

who had passed through the scheme told The Guardian that the act is not new, it has been on for a very long and nothing was done to address it.

From North to South and South to the West, cases of military high- handedness is becoming rampant that if not nipped in the bud, might hinder the purpose of the scheme to materialise.

At the last orientation exercise in Ondo State, the camp activities in Ikare-Akoko camp was abruptly closed due to protest by corpers against alleged human right abuses by the Camp Commandant, Lt. A.I Ose. He was alleged to have ordered corpers to lie down flat in their white clothes, to squat, frog jump and repeat punishment. He was almost lynched by the aggrieved corpers.

One of the worst abuse cases on corps members’ brutality was recorded last March in Anambra State Camp, where the Camp Commandant, Captain S.O Beke allegedly beat a female corps member, Miss Mercy Okpithe to the extent that she became crippled.

A Batch C corps member and a 2011 graduate of Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University who is a member of the Dance Troupe was invited with other group members to the camp to teach the new corps members how to dance when the incident happened. It was just a mere argument between her and the commandant that resulted in the maltreatment. She was diagnosed with dislocation of Coccyx, a small triangular bone at the base of the Spinal column. At present, she would need to be flown abroad for surgery.

Few months ago, a picture was circulated on the Internet of corps members that were abused in Nassarawa State, where they were allegedly punished for resuming late to camp. They were asked to frog jump with their boxes and bags on their heads in the scorching sun, after a long journey from their homes. The picture was tagged “the biggest human right abuse ever.”

Several cases of injustice and human right abuse in Orientation Camps have been handled with levity by government. Many corps members have tales of woe to tell based on their unpleasant experiences in the hands of overzealous military officials ranging from

slapping, beating, frog jump, kneeling to and other forms of punishments in the name of discipline. Another aspect is the alleged sexual assault on female corps members. The burden in many hearts is whether it is a crime to serve one’s fatherland.

One of the Camp Commandants in the Eastern part of the country, who doesn’t want his name mentioned told The Guardian on phone that they always punish corpers.

He stated that based on their job to discipline corps members, anyone who flouts the rules or disobey are always punished to frog jump, carry heavy loads or humiliate them by asking them to wear their shorts on their khaki trousers. One would be quick to ask when this became part of their assignment in the camps.

The Lagos State Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Adenike Adeyemi, who spoke on behalf of NYSC, said there is nothing like brutality or inhuman treatment of corps members in camps. She noted that they are dealing with intelligent and vibrant men and women, adding that it is not stated in the NYSC byelaw for them to punish anybody.

Adeyemi, who was corroborated by the Assistant Director/Academic and Public Relations Officer of the state, Mrs. Belinda Faniyi, said they only ensure discipline and discipline is not brutality. She noted that the discipline is for them to know the right thing to do and doing it at the right time.

“Know what is right, prioritise matters and do it at the right place and at the right time.

Drills make a man disciplined, and in a positive form, it gets a man to act wisely. In military, events are timed and are adhered to strictly. NYSC does not approve of brutality.

A Constitutional Lawyer and Human Right Activist, Malachy Ugwumadu condemns the act in its entirety. He stated that one of the guaranteed fundamental human right is a right to personal dignity and right against torture, which are express Constitutional provisions contained under the fundamental right provision of the Constitution, which means that in effect that every Nigerian has the fundamental right not to be tortured, not to be subjected to inhuman treatment for the respect of his personal dignity.

He stressed that there are rights that can be

derogated from in some circumstances, i.e. circumstances that the rights could be offended, a circumstances that would be clearly defined by law and pronounced by competent Court not by whims or caprices of soldiers, who are running amok.

“In effect, no such action is permissible under the law, no such person either military, police or law enforcement agent has the right to infringe on any Nigerian’s constitutional right, no less a member of the NYSC,” he stated.

A psychologist and lecturer at the University of Lagos, Bankole Fagbohungbe also decried the act stating that such assaults leave victims devastated with deep hatred for the men in uniform. Fagbohungbe said the soldiers, because of their regimented and ordered training, are likely to come hard on youth corpers, who will not want to obey instructions and orders.

“The soldiers want to train these people the way they themselves were trained. They must have become used to it and to them, unless training is conducted with force, it will not be effective. So, they resort to being highhanded,” he said.

On the psychological effect of brutality on corpers, he said it is likely that the victim develops either of two things; hates anything military, even the symbols and hate it forever, or makes up his mind to become an officer.

According to him: “When an issue becomes part of one’s behavioural repertoire, it becomes part of one’s behaviour. For such an experience, the person’s hatred for men in uniform is fixed. When such a person, in future, is in a position to take a decision on a military situation, we know what position he is going to take.

“If it is the other side, we have seen people, many of who join the police or the army so that they can acquire power and instead of using it to serve the nation, they are using it to serve their own selfish ends. This does not bring about the desired cordial relation among people and within the society. The society is like a system; every component must work together in harmony. If there is no cordial relationship between us, then you expect any negative behaviour.”

14

THE GUARDIAN, sunday, July 14, 2013

HEALTH

‘Animal To Human Disease Transmission Needs strict Control’

By Kehinde Olatunji xPERTs have said the need to control transmission of diseases from animal to humans should not be taken lightly.

They argued that Bovine Tuberculosis, rabies and other deadly diseases are transmitted from animals to humans, hence there is need for collaboration between the medical and veterinary practitioners to promote public health in the country.

Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Professor Temitope Alonge, who dropped the hint recently at the round table session of the second annual conference and One Health exposition of the Cenre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses (CCP), University of Ibadan, said that One Health basically implies that both the medical and veterinary practitioners and social scientists are aiming for one common goal of ensuring that people are not only free from diseases, but also enjoy sound health mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

According to Alonge, there’s need to actively promote the institutionalisation of One Health in Nigeria, adding that to have translational research in medicals, there is need for collaboration.

“We need to collaborate with our colleagues and actually embrace One Health till it becomes a big force in Nigeria,” he said.

He stated further that “With the advent of One Health, we will wipe off this mental block and be able to focus appropriately. I also want to believe that the domain of One Health, which is one of the things preached should not be restricted to Veterinary Medicine alone.

“If it is left open and you bring us as part and parcel, then we can

E

progress and do well. Don’t forget in Nigeria, like everything else, we have what we call inertia: reluctance to start and reluctance to stop. If we can get them on board we probably will not be able to get them to stop”.

Also, speaking at the round table, Dr Modupe Oshinubi urged the sector to see itself as one complements each other rather than competing.

President of the Association of Nigerian scientists, Professor O. Tomori, said the members of the public have to be sensitised about the need to prevent infections from animals to humans either through contact with pets or actual consumption.

“I think it is not only viruses these animals transmit, they also transmit bacteria diseases between hu-

mans and animals and I think it is important to say that we are not doing well in this country as far as control is concerned.

“The first thing is to realise that man is not living alone in this world. He is living with animals and other things in his environment and everything around affects the health of man, his food, his nutrition and his wellbeing.

“Zoonoses are the diseases that are ordinarily animal diseases and then because of our relationship with them, people have pets, eat animals and then get in contact with the diseases of these animals.

“In the first place, people should be taught how do we get these diseases, then we train them how to prevent getting them and other diseases, that is when we make progress. In the world for exam-

ple, we build a new road in a place which has never been touched or you are putting a new construction there, animals that exist in those places, which normally will have their diseases, change their environment. For example, monkeys that have yellow fever.

“One other last one I think we should look into is that of Lassa fever occurring in this country almost every dry season. This is a disease that is found in rodents.

Normally, these rodents will not come to your house, but during the dry season when there is no food for them, especially in the northern part, these rodents also come seeking for food and in the process, they defecate, urinate and through those urination and defecation, we share the virus of Lassa,” Professor Tomori said.

The Value Of Thought And spiritual Healing maybe it is time to pause and consider for a moment, the value of pausing to consider. The N the mental environment where thought book on spiritual healing titled science and alone reigns supreme, ideas that change the world spring up for good or ill. Music and poetry Health with key to the scriptures, by Mary Baker come together in thought to become hymns, and Eddy opens with the statement ‘The time for solutions to the most complex of activities must thinkers has come.’ And indeed it has, at least for anyone who desires to rely on God for healhave their start in thought. Reasoning, analysis, even accuracy all attest to the value of thought. It ing. such an individual must be willing to realise the importance and value of spiritual is easy to appreciate a well-designed house, a thinking. well-dressed individual, a well written book, a When we are alone with God, in the sincerity successful business venture, or a finely sculpted of the Biblical closet, with the doors to materialcar. All originated with a good thought well exeity firmly shut, the holy communion that recuted. Concerning the health of man, it is obvisults in healing transcends words, and rests in ous that, despite the articulate volubility of the secret place of the Most High. Humanly, this impressive oratorical prayer, spiritual healing takes place in the quiet stillness of thought, when has been called meditation, or contemplation, and when this fervent mental activity is based an individual ‘knows in their body that they are on and backed by the Christ, it is prayer that healed of a plague’. This ‘knowing’ is a certainty, heals. The added value of thought is that it is a an acknowledgment, a thought. universal activity readily available to the young The value of thought has however long been and the old, whether in the quiet stillness of a overlooked, for the more obvious busyness of earning a living, and being seen to do so. The visi- deserted beach, or amid the noise and commobility of running around smartly in a hurried bid tion of a traffic jam. And this is why anyone can pray – listen for the healing ideas that God is alto accomplish an important task, has so often ways giving, even throughout the busyness of consigned the quieter thinkers to the shade; yet

By Moji Solanke

I

the human day.

It is never too late or too early to gain a deeper appreciation of the value of thought, and learn how spiritual thinking impacts positively on health. The little child can be taught the discipline of sitting still for a while, being quiet and consciously thinking good thoughts about God and man. The very busy executive can begin to better appreciate the value of thinking about God and realising His uplifting, healing presence as a spiritual reality, even while on the go. Then he too just might find himself agreeing with Eddy when she writes about this mental, spiritual activity giving ‘cultured scholars and business men an ability to exceed their ordinary capacities’.

As we go about our daily activities, let us, without breaking step, take a moment to mentally pause and think about God and His goodness, then let us watch, again mentally, for the blessings that must certainly flow, in the useful spiritual ideas that are able to meet, not only every pressing human need, but also improve or maintain good health.

PRACTICAL PSYCHOLOGY Consequences Of Marital Violence (1)

By Dr. Passy Amaraegbu

HE statistics from the developed westT ern world is that one out of every four women is a victim of marital violence.

However, three out of every four persons (75 per cent of the population) know personally those who have experienced marital violence. The questions now are why are such known cases not reported to our law enforcement agents? Do we have any unit or department in our country that handles marital or spousal abuse? Do we view such abuses as serious, sensitive and dangerous?

We in Africa live in a culture that naturally oppresses the weak and less privileged. We have many negative stereotypes for the female folk for instance; we see them as part of men’s property or possession. They are to be seen and not heard.

They are necessary evils men have to put up with. They are useful for the purposes of satisfying male sexual needs and for breeding children. All these negative African worldviews about women fester marital or spousal violence.

The next set of questions are; what are the prices and pains of this dastard behaviour? What are the costs and calamities? Who bears the consequences of spousal abuse? Or what are the gains and profits that accrue from this social malaise?

Let us illustrate with a story. Jenny (not her real name) is a graduate and an exceptional beautiful lady. Dare her businessman husband recently decreed that she should stop working in the bank and become a full time housewife. Jenny reluctantly accepted.

However, her husband is yet worried over her because their home has become the centre of attraction for many young people. Jenny’s sanguine nature, combined with her beauty, intelligence and compassion for people makes her a celebrity anytime and anywhere. On many occasions this Jenny’s attractive nature has caused misunderstanding between her and her husband. Recently, it has degenerated into marital assaults.

Dare is accusing Jenny of infidelity. The consequences of this spousal abuse are immense.

First, Jenny has lost every respect she has for her husband. The couple has become strange bedfellows as well as enemies.

Their love has gone sour. All the plans they made and dreams they nurtured for the family have been truncated. They now live as cat and dog.

Next, Jenny’s health has begun to fail her. At 27, she is diagnosed to be suffering from high blood pressure. Also, a terrible skin disease has descended upon her back and lower abdomen. Typically, such psychosomatic disorders may be common features among those who are experiencing extreme anxiety and panic. similar psychopathological manifestations or symptoms include, depression, feelings of worthlessness and inferiority and in extreme cases occurrence of suicidal thoughts. The financial consequences of marital abuse are so much that the American Domestic Violence Resource centre noted that it exceeded $ 5.8 billion annually.

HEALTH & YOUR MIND

Mind And The Kingdom Of Heaven (8)

By Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan s I was saying in the last article, Jesus A made reference to the fact that creatures like birds and plants do not struggle to get their needs in life but the evidence is there that God is sustaining them the way that appears God is not sustaining man.

According to Jesus man is in the process of struggling for his daily needs because he is of little faith. As I tried to point out in the last article, what this statement suggests is the

fact that there is something that binds God and all these creatures together in a form of pact that help these creatures to get their needs and which man is still starkly ignorant off. That something in the form of a pact between God and all the other creatures that help them to get their benefits without any hassle could be akin to faith.

Obviously if Jesus could say that man is still struggling in this world to get his needs in the ways that other creatures don’t because man is of little faith, the implication of this statement is that the key thing that binds

other creatures to God to get their regular needs with ease is in the form of faith.

Jesus did not tell us that this faith exhibited by other creatures is in the form of a religion or worship.

But the truth is obvious to everybody that they enjoy the protection and the blessings of God over and above human beings who will want to impress you that they know much about faith and when you ask them to prove it, they come out with their different religions and modes of worship to gratify themselves in the face of sorrows

and destitutions that Jesus refers to and which apparently their so called understanding of the truth of faith cannot help them to manage. But certainly, the statement of Jesus suggests that these unfortunate conditions can be ameliorated just as God is ameliorating it for creatures like birds and plants but with the caveat that man must make the serious effort to evaluate his genuine understanding of the meaning of faith.

• Babatunde Ayo-vaughan, a Psychologist lives in Lagos

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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Sunday, July 14, 2013

SPOTLIGHT

COVER P/26

South-South/ Eastern Ports As Wasting Assets

NEWSFEATURE

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Afe Babalola (SAN)...

50 Years At The Bar BUSINESS Going To China Should Be A Well Thought-Out Venture

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P/19

Teaching Entrepreneurial Skills In School

SPECIAL REPORTS P/20 Vanishing Family Businesses

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SPOTLIGHT With parents, who laid a solid foundation of love, hard work, discipline and purpose for their children, it was easy for Barbara Kanu to build a good and successful life for herself.

The CEO of Paper Style, a stationery and gifts company recently told BISI ALABI WILLIAMS that since it is not possible for the government to provide employment for all, individuals need to find a way to start a business of their own, no matter how small.

ER growing up was a blend of work H (study) and play. Being academics, Barbara’s parents went all out to encourage their kids to excel in their educational pursuits. They were intent on ensuring their children had a balance in life even though education was the first priority.

As a young girl, Barbara’s dreams were tall.

She wanted to be famous and desired a good family at the same time. She also longed to strike a perfect balance in life. She looked up to famous, successful women, especially celebrities and desired to be like them. And deep within her, she felt she could even do better than them if she worked hard.

Barbara was the third child. She grew up in Benin City in a close-knit family although her parents are from Delta State.

Her dad, a focused, go-getter was also a disciplinarian, who never believed in failure or impossibility. “It was almost impossible to discourage him from doing anything he set his mind on. No one could talk him out of his decisions. My mum is also a very intelligent woman, who had a photographic memory.

Just studying or going through a process once is enough for her to remember its details,” she says.

With this wonderful combination, Barbara inherited such traits as dedication, commitment and ‘a never-giving-up attitude’ from her loving parents. And all this, she believes, has helped in no small measure to shape her life. She intends passing these on to her kids.

While on campus, she was able to catch a glimpse of the life awaiting her. During her third year on the campus, she had worked in the business development unit of a technology company where she acquired a lot of knowledge. And because she was a quick learner and was able to produce outstanding results, the firm decided to retain her after working for three months.

This unique arrangement allowed her work for the company while still in school. She, therefore, had to device a way to enable her cope with the tight schedule. So, she worked part-time in the company after lectures during school session and full–time during the holidays. She excelled in her job and in no time was able to run her own project, which she equally did in a remarkable way.

“That project honed my leadership and customer relations skills. If I didn’t have this opportunity in my University days, I would probably have been sitting and waiting for an ‘ideal’ job from Shell or Mobil. Engaging my abilities on the part-time job while also making a living for myself helped in so many ways,” she says.

But that was the beginning of good things to come, as she was invited shortly after to create a students online portal. “That was my most outstanding achievement,” she recalls.

“The company wanted to create an online space where students could get relevant information about the different tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The platform enables Nigerian students interact and exchange views, a kind of electronic pal. The idea was for me to give it a fresh and creative feel. That experience was a beautiful one for me.”

Although she was fresh from school, she gathered experienced developers and re-

Kanu

‘There Is Need To Teach Entrepreneurial Skills In School To Empower Youths’ searchers and together, they built the project to To Barbara, Paper Style is Nigeria’s next gencompletion. Through this, another opportunity eration company that offers unique, dewas given her to further showcase her leadersigned stationeries, cards and gifts ship skills.

After graduation, she worked briefly as a business analyst before getting another job as an administration/human resource officer. She did this for a year before proceeding to the British Council to further her career. After two years here, the desire to move on and achieve greater things in life prompted her to resign.

Because she wanted so much out of life, the longing for a path that would lead to her many goals became intense. This must have paved way for her meeting with Mrs. Bukky George of HealthPlus Ltd., a working relationship that brought out the entrepreneur in her. All this helped to prepare her for the establishment of her company, Paper Style.

The fair is for professionals, entrepreneurs and executives involved with sales and marketing, business development and brand management, as well as public relations and communication, events management and purchasing and procurement among others.

handpicked from top stationers in Europe and America. The company was established out of her passion for stationery.

“It is the top destination for discerning individuals and organisations looking for new, unique gifts, cards and stationery. We stock a variety of pens, pencils, journals, notebooks, notepads, block pads, sticky notes, diaries, pen pots, weekly planners, address books and pads in a unique and unconventional way”.

So, gone are the days when people are restricted to only the stationery available in the neighbourhood shops and bookstores.

She wonders why many Nigerians wouldn’t throw in a greeting card to go with their wonderful gift items. “They are meant to complement the gifts and this is why we stock high quality, interesting greeting cards for birthdays, festive occasions, anniversaries, St. Valentine’s Day or any occasion worth celebrating.”

She believes that President Jonathan’s transformation agenda is good if properly implemented. “Nigerian youths with great ideas wanting to go into business but who have no start-up capital should have access to seed capital and other sources of cheap funding to enable them develop their enterprises. For entrepreneurship to take a stronghold in the country, it needs to be included in the school curriculum from secondary level where students can be taught entrepreneurial skills.

“There is a limit to how many jobs government can directly provide. With a conducive business environment, private enterprise will thrive and many more jobs will be created.

Today, the cost of doing business in Nigeria is very high. The cost of financing is equally high. The basic infrastructure such as power, transport, communication, etc. must be available and affordable, “ she says.

Barbara is, however, worried that a lot of the youths want to make money but are not ready to work hard for it. This, she says, must be urgently addressed. “From the family unit, parents need to let children know that nothing good comes easy, no cutting corners. And it is this belief that they can get to the end without paying their dues that is pushing them to migrate to so-called ‘greener pastures’.

Barbara holds a diploma in computer engineering and another in events management with public relations from Fitzwilliam Institute, London. She also holds a degree from the University of Benin and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from EDC an arm of the Pan African University, Lagos.

Recently, the Institute of Customer Service (ICS), UK honoured her with a Communications Award in recognition of her achievements and commitment in ensuring that projects are undertaken as smoothly as possible. Through the award, she is empowered to train others in the delivery of excellent Customer Service.

Barbara is currently working towards hosting a gift and stationery fair, the first of its kind in Lagos. The event, holding at Eko Hotel and Suites, is taking place in September and will provide a platform for marketing, networking, knowledge building, forming strategic alliances and business relationships.

But this is not all. The programme will also be laced with glamour and splendour while bringing together under one umbrella over 40 top grossing industry businesses and a large number of enthusiastic businessminded men and women.

“They are dealers, consumers and producers of exciting corporate gifts, quality stationery and, unique office furniture, office equipment and print industry. Paper Style Ltd. is organising LGSF in collaboration with Brandsense Communications. The theme of this maiden edition is: Gifts and Stationery Trends.

“Gifts go a long way in sustaining goodwill and increasing returns on investment. In the same vein, stationery is very important in the operations of every office. Showcasing premium and corporate gifts, stationery and other office related products creates an avenue of bonding between buyers and sellers as firsthand experience are given to products and services offered by the seller”. The exhibition is expected to provide a good avenue for buyers, sellers, products and services in a most compelling way that drives sales and builds lasting business relationship. The exhibition will also create a forum for strong brand building, increased customer relations’ management, forging sales lead and the realisation of other business objectives.

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SPECIAL REPORT

Vanishing Family Businesses: Mole In Nigeria’s Private Investment

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor OR some minutes, Akeem Oyebola was at FFadeyi. his ancestral home in Shiro Street, He was jubilant and ecstatic. He was filled with emotions. For 25 years, he had not been home. He was 23 years when he left the country for the US. Now in his late 40s, he was happy about the rapid development in the neighbourhood. He was with the old and young, extolling virtues of dedication and honesty, which were the ideals when he was growing up in Fadeyi.

What drew tears from his eyes was when he asked of the big, white building on the other side of Ikorodu Road and no one said anything.

Suddenly, someone whispered as if conspiratorial, “government pulled down the place.”

“Pulled down?” he asked.

“Yes, there was problem and the government had to come in.”

He stood frozen for some minutes, thereafter; he started wondering why would Bobby’s children allow such a legacy to die.

Bernard Olabinjo Benson, popularly known as Bobby Benson, who died on Saturday May 14, 1983, established the Caban Bamboo, a popular nightclub later converted into the Hotel Bobby. He had several wives, and 10 children.

When the deadly teeth of Lagos State government bulldozers tore down the walls of the once famous hotel, residents in the area had something to cheer about.

For them, it was relief from the frequent harassment by hoodlums, who became unauthorised tenants in the place.

The abandoned hotel, over-night, became a hideout for criminals - not just hoodlums Abiola but real armed robbers.

Odutola

HERE, however, seems to be a saner, but T definitely not better scenario: The Ajayi Memorial Hospital on Apapa Road, Ebute Metta (West), Lagos.

Though the once sprawling hospital has turned to a residential apartment, the members of Ajayi family have been magnanimous enough to spare Apapa Road residents the agony of seeing the hospital, which metamorphosed from a small clinic on Franklin Street, Ebute Metta, to the hospital it was before the proprietor passed on in 1981.

ND right opposite the Sabo Market, Yaba, A Lagos, is the vast property of former West African Pilot, completely wasted and abandoned. The building is part of a long forgotten colonial heritage. Like the West Africa Pilot, all of the late Nnamdi Azikiwe’s business concerns have become extinct — ACB and African Insurance Company.

LONG old Abeokuta Road, near Akongba A Housing Estate, Ijebu Ode, are two giant moribund industries namely Adeola Odutola Industries Plc and Odutola Foods Industries. The two firms, not too far from each other, were once thriving business entities, where cycle tyres and assorted biscuits were produced and distributed nationwide in big trucks. This was in those days when Chief Timothy Adeola Odutola (Ogbeni Oja) was alive and active.

By early 1950s, Odutola had developed his business activities, establishing tyre retreading, rubber compounding and other allied rubber industries.

As one of the pioneers of the drive towards Nigeria’s industrialisation, he extended his investment interest to the production of rubber goods, and started the manufacturing of bicycle tyres and tubes in 1967.

His fleet of companies included Odutola Nigerian Industries Limited Manufacturers of bicycle tyres and tubes in Ijebu-Ode, Odutola Tyresoles Company Limited with factories in Ibadan, Kano and Onitsha - re-threading automotive tyres,

Ojukwu Odutola Tyre & Rubber Company Limited - factories in Ibadan for Rubber compounding, Adeola Farms - growing of rubber and oil palm, Odutola Food Industries Limited Manufacturing assorted biscuits and, Odutola Stores Limited - Department Stores.

ENRY Oloyede Fajemirokun was a promiH nent Nigerian businessman and one of the country’s dynamic indigenous entrepreneurs who promoted West Africa’s economic integration.

He started business in the 1950s by exporting hides and skin, rubber, coffee and shea nuts. In

Fajemirokun the 1960s, he started a massive importation of cement from Egypt and Poland.

He established Henry Stephens Shipping company with three lines namely: IleOluji Line, Ifewara Line and D.F Fajemirokun Line, the company was a pioneer in the Nigerian maritime industry and was one of the first Nigerian companies to own an interest in a shipping line.

At the time of his death in March 1978, his investment spanned a whole spectrum of ventures from insurance, engineering to shipping. Today, they are no

more.

IR Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu was an Sman. extremely successful Nigerian businessWhile at John Holt, he noticed the severe strain lack of adequate transportation had on Eastern textile traders. He resigned from John Holt in 1934 to start a transport business with one second-hand truck that later grew into a vast transport enterprise.

The transport company had, at the time of his death in 1966, spread its activities into CONTINUED ON PAGE 21

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SPECIAL REPORT

... Mole In Private Investment CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 the Department of Business Administration and Management Technology, Lagos State University, Ojo, note that entrepreneurs running family businesses should recognise succession problems can constitute a great threat to the sustenance of the business and constitute a clog in the economic development of Nigeria.

According to them, “the rivalry between the siblings and spouses that follows the demise of polygamous entrepreneurs coupled with a variety of cultural laws guiding inheritance in Nigeria does not make for an objective selection of the best material as successor. Where a competent CEO material exists, he may not put in his best to revamp or manage the family business. After all, it can later be taken from him by the elders and shared to the other children.”

They argue that it might be difficult to see a competent man from another tribe assume executive management of the business founded by another tribe.

They say, “the Extended Family System also creates severe pressures for the successors and the family business as cultural values and customary laws operational in Nigeria give them a claim to the properties of the entrepreneur. The extended family, which includes uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and cousins, could also be deemed survivors to the estate of the enterprise founder. In fact, the founder’s choice of a successor may be reversed or the enterprise fragmented upon his or her death as a result of fierce posthumous antagonism within the family members. This is a great threat to the sustainability of the familyowned business.”

The experts say, the way out is for entrepreneur to craft a succession plan early enough. “The plan must reflect a true management succession. No such plan works without being people-and market-focused.

The founder must, choose the best person to succeed him as the family business will neither benefit anyone nor the society if an incompetent family member runs the business down,” they note.

Investment analysts say a lot of Nigerianowned big businesses have found it very difficult to divorce themselves from the influences of the immediate and extended families of its founder.

As a result of this, there’s always the tendency to extend tribalism and nepotism into the company.

In his The Gospel of Wealth (1889), Andrew Carnegie argues against wasteful use of capital in the form of extravagance, irresponsible spending or self-indulgence. As a result, the wealthy should administer their riches responsibly and not in a way that encourages “the slothful, the drunkard, the unworthy.”

Carnegie based his philosophy on the observation that the heirs of large fortunes frequently squandered them in riotous living rather than nurturing and growing them.

According to Jacob J.Okwudiri, founder of Integral Global Media Network Limited (IGMNL), “the drive and motivation of the owners is lacking in the lives of (the would be) benefactor(s).”

He also says, “unresolved legal suits after the death of the founder contribute to death of the business.”

Okwudiri reveals, “it is a painful experience to watch one’s family business die. The struggles and gains of years gone by are left to rot away. It leads to a lot of economic loss to the family of the founder.”

But these collapses have been driven down not just by incompetence and family squabbles, recession and regulation also contribute.

Okwudiri figures lack of mentee, lack of interest, change in technology, extended family interest, lack of capital for renovation; drive to get rich quick and unhealthy government policies as also responsible for some of these failures.

He pointed out that as long as the desired stability needed to develop an economy is

Abiola Bookshop... waiting for attention not there; it will be increasingly difficult to do business in Nigeria.

According to investment analyst, a lot of manufacturing companies are closing down because of import problems, raw materials, power and capital.

In the words of Richard Branson, chairman of Virgin Atlantic, “Nigeria is one of the worst places to invest.”

According to him, Virgin’s ill-fated attempts at setting up a new airline in Africa, in conjunction with Nigerian government, are better imagined.

“We put together a very good airline-the first airline in West Africa that was ever IOSA/IATA operational safety audit accredited but unfortunately it got tied down to the politics of the country… we led the airlines for 11years… we fought daily battle against government agents who wanted to daily make fortune from us, politicians who saw the government 49 pr cent as a meal to seek for all kinds of favour… watchdogs (regulatory body) that didn’t know what to do and persistently asking for bribes at any point...

Nigeria people are generally nice but the politicians are very insane… that may be irony because the people make up the politi-

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO cians… but those politicians are selfish…we did make N3billion for the Federal Government of Nigeria during the joint venture… realising that the government didn’t bring nothing to the table/partnership except dubious debts by the previous carrier, Nigeria Airways. The Joint Venture should have been the biggest African carrier by now if the partnership was allowed to grow, but the politicians killed it. Nigeria is a country we shall never consider to doing business again.”

The spectre of failed business is hurting Nigerians. It has gradually etched into the psyche of investors, discomfortingly. In the last decade, the number of thriving businesses has shrunk, unemployment has soared and thousands of small firms have failed. As a result of high cost of production, the manufacturing capacity utilisation remains on the down side, most businesses groan under intense pain due to overhead cost incurred in providing alternative infrastructure such as power.

The manufacturing sector is further bogged down by massive decline in capacity utilisation resulting from high exchange rate of the Naira and congestion at the ports.

A total of 834 manufacturing companies closed shop in 2009 as a result of their inability to continue to cope with the challenges posed by the harsh operating environment in Nigeria.

According to a survey carried out as part of its membership operational audit in January 2010 by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, the 834 figure represents the cumulative aggregate of firms that shut down their operations in 2009 across the country.

In the same vein, the nation’s paint industrY has collapsed because of inadequate capital, frequent breakdown of machines, incompetent employees, lack of access to distribution channels, delay of payment by the distributors, lack of support from the government and high number of paint producers and weak infrastructure, especially that of power.

But it’s not all doom and gloom for local businesses. With Tribune Newspapers, still waxing strong, 26 years after the sage, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo’s demise, perhaps, there’s hope for family businesses.

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SPECIAL REPORT

... Vanishing Family Businesses CONTINUED FROM PAGE 20 construction and other areas, growing into a multi-million-naira group and employing thousands of workers. Today, nobody hears anything about the late Ojukwu’s investment except his houses in Falomo, Ebute Metta and Apapa.

MR. Joao Essan da Rocha, (a merchant who came from Brazil) popularly known as Baba Olomi, who had his office in Water House on Kakawa Street (opposite Union Bank) was said to have owned and operated the Iju water works that served the entire Lagos in the 20s before it was taken over by the state government. He was described as the richest Nigerian then.

According to reports, Da Rocha laid pipes from Iju to Lagos Island, Yaba, Ebute-Metta and other communities in the state where there were high demands for pipe borne water. Until it was taken over by the state government, the colonial administration was paying Da Rocha for the supply of water to the state.

HE late Hamzat Adebowale founded T Adebowale Stores as a retail outlet in Lagos. Taking advantage of Federal Government’s industrial policies later on, Adebowale incorporated Adebowale Electrical Industries Limited as a manufacturing concern.

The move marked a turning point in his career from a businessman to a manufacturer, especially in 1975, when the young company rolled out its first set of locally manufactured electrical/electronic products, opening branches in Ibadan, Kano and Lagos.

Following the death of Adebowale few years ago, his estate, which comprises his vast business empire, is no longer what it used to be.

HE late business mogul and politician, Chief Moshood Abiola, was a widely acclaimed businessman, with interests cutting across manufacturing, aviation, construction, publishing, oil and gas, school, agriculture, to mention just a few.

Today, Abiola’s businesses, including Concord Press, Berec Batteries, Summit Oil, Radio Communication of Nigeria (RCN), Concord Publishing Limited, Abiola Bookshop, Concorde Airline are in shambles.

T

HE list of once thriving business is T long. The tide seems not to have ebbed. If you are between 40 and above, you are sure to remember one failed enterprise: Okada Airline, Igbinedion Motors and Crown Merchant Bank.

The number of airlines that have gone under include Okada, Triax, Oriental, Sosoliso, Nigeria Airways, Aviation Development Company (ADC), Afrijet, Bellview, Capital, Harco, Harka, Al Barka, Spaceworld, Dasab, Chrome, Flash, Hamza Air, Slok, EAS, Wings Aviation and a number of charter operators.

In May, following the inability of Northern State Governors Forum (NSGF) to address the problems of the moribund New Nigerian Newspapers (NNN), Kaduna, one of the legacies bequeathed by the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, the newspaper finally folded up.

Like the Kaduna Textile Limited (KTL) before it, the newspaper company closed shop as result of bankruptcy and nonpayment of the backlog of workers’ salaries. KTL was forcefully closed down over 10 years ago following the non-payment of workers’ salaries.

These stories are not unusual. They are familiar, but sad stories that have coloured the Nigerian business narrative. A lot of Nigerian business empires don’t outlive their founders. Only very few have lasted over 50 years — Tribune Newspapers, Flour Mills and Aero Contractor standout. They still manage

Rear view of Lagos City College, one of the legacies of the late Chief (Dr. ) Nnamdi Azikiwe (The Great Zik of Africa) to make sound ripple in national consciousness.

And now the paradox: Foreign investments in the country have thrived and continue to exist.

In fact, in many developed countries and some developing countries including South Africa, it is easy to find businesses that are over decades or centuries old and have grown and expanded beyond what their founders envisaged.

Good examples are brands such as Coca-cola, Disney, Ford Motors, General Electric, Wal-Mart and even Shoprite, which have their branches rooted in Nigeria and most African countries.

The Royal Niger Company was a mercantile company chartered by the British government in the 19th century. It was formed in 1879 as the United African Company and renamed to National African Company in 1881 and to Royal Niger Company in 1886.

The company existed for a comparatively short time (1879–1900), and was instrumental in the formation of Colonial Nigeria, as it enabled the British Empire to establish control over the lower Niger against the German competition led by Bismarck during the 1890s.

In 1900, the company-controlled territories became the Southern Nigeria Protectorate, which was in turn united with the Northern Nigeria Protectorate to form the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria in 1914 (which eventually gained independence within the same borders as the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1960).

The company changed its name to The Niger Company Ltd., and in 1929, became part of the United Africa Company. The United Africa Company came under the control of Unilever in 1930s and continued to exist as a subsidiary of Unilever until 1987, when it was absorbed into the parent company.

According to a report published by the Bank of Korea on May 14, 2008, while investigating 41 countries, it was discovered that there were 5,586 companies older than 200 years.

From these, 3,146 are located in Japan, 837 in Germany, 222 in the Netherlands and 196 in France. 89.4 per cent of the companies with more than 100 years of history are businesses employing fewer than 300 people.

A nationwide Japanese survey counted more than 21,000 companies older than 100 years as

from September 30, 2009.

Until 2006, KongM Gumi, a Japanese construction firm, which was founded in 578, was the oldest. Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan, another Japanese firm that is into hotel business, is the second. It was established in 705. Hoshi Ryokan Japan (Hotel), 717-8 is third. Koman Japan (Hotel), which came in 1717, follows.

Short and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have been known to be the bulwark for employment generation and technological development in any country, but the SMEs in Nigeria have not performed very well, and hence, have not played the expected vital and vibrant role in the economic growth and development of Nigeria.

Statistics have shown that in Nigeria today, at least seven out of every 10 businesses fail within a year after start-up and half of the rest of them fail within three years of operation.

While looking at some of the reasons for failures of such indigenous businesses, Dr. Ade Oyedijo, an Associate Professor and Head of Department, Business Administration and Management Technology, Lagos State University, Ojo, lists factors such as intestate, family crisis (polygamy), management misfit, unfavourable business environment, sudden changes in government policy (capitalisation), and owner’s children diverting into other businesses among other issues as been responsible.

According to Oyedijo, “a lot of Nigerianowned big businesses find it difficult to dissociate themselves from the influences of the immediate and extended families of their founders. This is common among businessmen who are polygamous.”

He says, “once a Nigerian business is successful, family members — brothers, sisters, cousins, niece, nephews and even in-laws — will begin to flock round the business, looking for their own piece of the pie; whether they qualified or not in any way, they vie for positions in the company, which they often get.”

The scholar and business consultant says, “for a man with more than one wife, and very successful in business, deciding among the

PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO children of his wives, who takes over the running of the company when he dies, or perhaps, retires would be difficult. And when they die without drawing up a will, it is more difficult. Even for those with heirs, a lot of private situations have led to all sorts of disagreements among them, especially if they are from different mothers, so, at the end of the day, the company collapses.”

He adds, “I have seen cases where businesses of some notable names in this country die natural death due to family crisis. So, the same cultural reason why people die intestate is the same reason many successful business owners don’t consider succession. Let me say that due to cultural ties, most Nigerian business entrepreneurs find it difficult in enforcing a system purely based on merit; else people in the village will accuse them of not wanting to help family members.”

Oyedijo says, “yes, it is the desire of every parent to see their children take over from them, but such children would simply not want to work in their parent’s company, and when they eventually work, they divert the business resources, especially finance into other business when their founder is still alive.”

This brings to bear the issue of ‘Management Misfit’, which is another key issue why most businesses in Nigeria don’t continue even after the death of their founders. “Most Nigerian and indeed black African business owners find it difficult to share the real secrets of their success to outsiders. And most times, they want to groom their own children to take over the business but as often the case, many of their children don’t necessarily possess the business acumen like their parents. And once the business is handed over to them upon the death of their parent(s), they run it down,” Oyedijo explains.

In their paper, Entrepreneurial Succession Problems In Nigeria’s Family Businesses: A Threat To Sustainability published in European Scientific Journal (vol. 8, No.7), Ogundele, O.J.K., Idris, A. A and Ahmed-Ogundipe, K. A of CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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SPECIAL REPORT

‘Why Nigerian-Owned Businesses Don’t Outlive their Owners’ over the running of the company when he dies, or run it down. perhaps, retire would be difficult. And when they die But most of these children are trained in the Ivy intestate, it is more difficult. Even for those with heirs,League Colleges around the world?

Grooming successors is not about anointing a lot of private situations have led to all sorts of dissomeone to take over from you, it involves teachagreements among the heirs, especially if they are from different mothers, so, at the end of the day, the ing and mentoring that person to be able to manage that business like you did. It is also not about company collapses.

As a business management consultant, I have seen training them in Ivy League colleges around the T has been observed that most Nigeriancases where businesses of some notable names in thisworld or they having an MBA or Ph.D. When you owned businesses don’t outlive their country die natural death due to family crisis. So, the set up a business, you know what you do and confounders, why is this so? same cultural reason why people die intestate is the tinue to do to make that business successful. You A lot of reasons are responsible for this, same reason many successful business owners don’t passed through many challenges, which helped paramount being owners dying intestate, consider succession. Let me say that due to cultural to broaden your experience, making you a better thus, leaving the family in crisis because of ties, most Nigerian business entrepreneur find it diffi-manager and entrepreneur. You need to share succession, management misfit, cult in enforcing a system purely based on merit; else these with your would be successor in order for unfavourable business environment, sudpeople in the village will accuse them of not wanting that business to be sustained. Educational qualification alone does not in any way equal business den changes in government policy (capital- to help family members. isation), owner’s children diverting into Some prefer their children to succeed them instead ofsuccess. other businesses. perceived strangers. Do you think this helps business There is also the problem of ability, because it takes a lot of planning to pass on a vision to The intestate is a situation where founder development and sustainability? of the business dies without a will. Many Yes, most Nigerian business owners wish to get their another person. Vision transferring is one of the successful businessmen often fail to prechildren succeed them, but such children may simplydifficult tasks in business succession. You can pass on hardwork and other concrete qualities, pare their will. As an owner and founder, not want to work in their parents’ company, and there is always the assumption that they when they eventually work, they divert the business but how do you pass on vision? You have to convince and coach the person, make him or her will be there, forever; so, they don’t see any resources, especially finance into other business agree with you in terms of how you see the world reason to plan for succession. And when when their founder is still alive. they are compelled to do so, either as a This brings to bear the issue of ‘Management Misfit’, and the future of the business. This takes time result of death or disability, the company which is another key issue why most businesses in and painstaking efforts.

In more developed societies, big business owngoes under.

Nigeria don’t continue even after the death of their ers always have an eye out for people within their Another factor is the family ties and crisis. founders. Most Nigerian and indeed black African investments, perhaps among the managers, that A lot of Nigerian-owned big businesses find business owners find it difficult to share the real it difficult to dissociate themselves from the secrets of their success to outsiders. And most times, have rare leadership skills. They keep these peoinfluences of the immediate and extended they want to groom their own children to take over ple close, make their stay in the company a comfamilies of their founders. This is common the business but as often the case, many of their chil- fortable one and begin a systematic grooming among businessmen who are polygamous. dren don’t necessarily possess the business acumen process without the employee in question even Also, for a man with more than one wife, like their parents. And once the business is handed knowing that he or she is being groomed.

For Nigerian owned businesses, once an and very successful in business, deciding over to them upon the death of their parent(s), they among the children of his wives, who takes

Dr. Ade Oyedijo, an Associate Professor and Head of Department, Business Administration and Management Technology, Lagos State University, Ojo, tells DANIEL ANAZIA some of the factors responsible for failures of indigenous family businesses in the country.

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employee, who is not from the owner’s family begins to exhibit strong leadership skills, both the owner and his family members, as well as other ‘hangers on’, who feel threatened by those qualities, start conspiring to put such employee in his or her place.

Another critical factor is unfavourable government environment and sudden changes in government policies, such as capitalisation. Most indigenous companies are either dead or moribund due to unpatriotic abuse of government policies that have genuinely been put in place to ginger non-oil exports through Export Expansion Grant (EEG).

The primary purpose of governance is job creation. Every focused government in the world utilises a cocktail of tools to grow jobs and through it minimise poverty and misery of citizens. One of such tool is the national budget; Nigerian governments since 1970 have, unfortunately, utilised budgets only to run its large and inefficient bureaucracy, with little or nothing to show for infrastructure and job creation.

Another issue is the frivolous lifestyle of some the business founders, which often makes them, not think beyond the present. It has been argued that once a business starts making money, the owners start buying exotic cars and engage in other frivolities, instead of investing in infrastructure such as people, processes and technology that will take the business to the next level. The effect is that the businesses gradually lose profitability and ability to compete well with other businesses. Others say some company founders do not want to take others along; in other words, they don’t want to groom successors.

Taming The Problem Of Investment In Nigeria

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor VER the years, government has had to introO duce new regulations to boost the economy and also save the local industry. The intervening decades, in fact, have seen the passage of numerous regulations to improve business ventures. In 1972, the government issued an indigenisation decree, the first of a number of Nigerian Enterprises Promotion decrees, that barred aliens from investing in specified enterprises and reserved participation in certain trades to Nigerians.

At the time, about 70 per cent of commercial firms operating in Nigeria, were foreign-owned.

By 1975, the Federal Government had bought over 60 per cent of the equity in marketing operations of the major oil companies in Nigeria, but full nationalisation was rejected as a means of furthering its program of indigenisation.

Famade, Oyeleke Oyedele, in a study carried out in May 2009, titled Industrial Policies and incentives in Nigeria overtime: 1960 till date, noted that in a bid to strengthen the economy, the Federal Government had promulgated: The Nigerian Indigenisation Policy (1972).

“The transfer of ownership and control to Nigerians in respect of those enterprises formally, wholly or mainly owned and controlled by foreigners as a way of fostering widespread ownership of enterprises among Nigerian citizens.

This decree created opportunities for Nigerian indigenous businessmen, as well as encouraged foreign businessmen and investors to move from the unsophisticated area of economy to the areas where large investments were more needed,” Oyedele reveals.

He explained that the indigenisation policy was later amended, and replaced by the Nigerian Enterprises promotion Act, in 1977. This Act gave birth to the indigenisation policy of 1977. The 1972 contained II schedules, while the 1977 act contained III schedules. Schedule I of 1977 contained 40 enterprises, schedule II contained 57 and schedule III contained 39. In 1981, to be pre-

cise, the number of enterprises in each schedule was revised. By this, schedule I had 36 enterprises, schedule II, 576 enterprises and schedule III, 456 enterprises respectively.

However, the turning point came with the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP, 1986) by the regime of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. It aimed at promoting investment, stimulating non-oil exports and providing a base for private sector-led development, promoting efficiency of Nigeria’s industrial sector, privatisation and commercialisation of the economy toward the promotion of industrial efficiency, developing and utilising local technology by encouraging accelerated development and use of local raw materials and intermediate inputs, rather than depend on imported ones.

With the return to civilian democracy, Nigeria has further upped the ante in terms of improving investment environment, not only to attract investors —foreign and indigenous— but also preserve investment.

Some of the problems identified by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government on assumption of office as hindrances to the flow of investment include unsteady power supply, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment inconsistent and unfriendly investment policies and legislatures, poor infrastructure, ports conment promotion agencies (IPAs) or similar govgestion, corruption, financial crimes and others. ernment institutions.

Nigeria is committed to achieving a wide range The Nigerian Investment Promotion of ambitious objectives involving poverty reduc- Commission (NIPC) was created specifically for tion, education, gender equality, health, the envi- this purpose. Furthermore, NIPC also has the ronment, and international development coopresponsibility to ensure the realisation of the eration. maximum benefits of the policies of liberalisaFrom 2003 to 2007, Nigeria attempted to imple- tion and deregulation of the national economent an economic reform program called the my.

National Economic Empowerment Development The programme addressed basic deficiencies Strategy (NEEDS). The purpose of the NEEDS was such as the lack of freshwater for household to raise the country’s standard of living through use and irrigation, unreliable power supplies, a variety of reforms, including macroeconomic decaying infrastructure, impediments to pristability, deregulation, liberalisation, privatisavate enterprise and corruption. tion, transparency and accountability.

The government hoped that the NEEDS The increasing efforts of developing economies would create seven million new jobs, diversify to attract and stimulate investment, over the the economy, boost non-energy exports, years, have led to the establishment of investincrease industrial capacity utilisation, and

improve agricultural productivity. A related initiative on the state level is the State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS).

The Nigerian government, no doubts, over the years, has carried reform programmes that are centerpiece of development, but like companies with roots at home; they have failed the needed solution.

Companies interested in long-term investment and joint ventures, especially those that use locally available raw materials, will find opportunities in large national market.

However, to improve prospects for success, potential investors must educate themselves extensively on local conditions and business practices, establish a local presence, and choose their partners carefully.

TheGuardian

24 THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Junior Guardian Sunshine Sammy’s World Of Words Sunshine Sammy loves to learn new words. And Sammy will be happy if you participate in his game by sending 10 additional words starting with the letter B. Bray; Bosom; Bask; Broiler Beseech; Bounty; Braille Betrayal; Banter; Bouncing —By Foluso Braimoh Lilyville School, Ikeja, Lagos.

Issues Child Abuse This means maltreating children or molesting them. This story is about a girl called Kemmyo (name adapted). She was a 12-old who was very pretty and studious. Kemmyo was an only child and lived with her parents and their 30-year old driver.

One sunny morning, Kemmyo wanted to visit her best friend and her parents instructed the driver to take her there. On the way, the driver stopped abruptly. She was just asking if they had run out of gas when he manhandled and raped her! In the school, her grades became poor. The teacher made some discrete enquiries and found out what happened. The wicked driver was arrested and jailed for his deeds! I am not sure he has been released, or if he will rot there but the lesson is that one can never be too careful. It’s better not to take chances. I mean she could have contracted AIDS innocently.

Or do you think castrating the driver could have been a better option?

By Tireni Oluwasina 8 Blue, Corona School, Gbagada

Manners A teacher was asking his students a question: “Why is it that many of today’s children don’t have manners?”

A student raised his hand and replied: “It is because they were not around when manna was eaten by the Israelites in the wilderness.”

Thesaurus Kindle a) encourage b) raise c) love d) pack Raze a) run b) name c) destroy d) drop Cacophony a) shout b) disharmony c) black d) nut Bespoke a) personalised b) said c) whispered d) called Tarnish a) change b) paint c) blemish d) rust Gulf a) bay b) deep c) hill d) drink Caprice a) impulse b) shame c) count d) juice Creepy a) shift b) sinister c) roll d) lonely Kowtow a) knock b) catch c) be conventional d) hold Zeal a) dodge b) enthusiasm c) ability d) dull

A cross section of pupils of the Great Blossom Academy, Asaba, during a visit to the Diamond Bank office as part of their Children’s Day celebration on May 27, 2013.

POEMS Oh! Sweet Moon

Reading Development Initiative Celebrates Children

What a glorious thing!

The handiwork of a Super Being I look out of my window What do I see?

The Wise Old Man An old man was once traveling in a bus. When the conductor was collecting everyone’s fare, the old man could not find his wallet.

He asked: “Who took my wallet?” He was ignored until he told them that what happened in 1945 would repeat itself. Then everyone became scared.

So, the man, who took the wallet, returned it to the old man. At the end of the journey, a young girl approached the old man and said: “Sir, I’m a history student. So, I’d like to know what happened in 1945.”

The old man giggled as he replied: “Do you really want to know? I trekked!”

Wise Words Getting Organised Nothing is ever achieved without a realistic plan and dedication. Perhaps you’ve been thinking of how to be more organized in your dayto-day activities, especially as it concerns academic works and studies. Well, you have to start by taking the first step, which is identifying precisely what it is you want to achieve and how best to go about it.

If it has to do with your studies, then you have to allocate certain time for the various subjects you want to treat each day.

At home after school, make sure you have enough rest after eating and maybe a cool shower in the case of a hot day. Observe your siesta, it is good for the body. But ensure you stick to the time given to

I see the moon So beautiful!

What a fantastic view?

treat the subjects and rest.

Do not spend too much time or time allocated for something else on a particular activity. This is the beginning of disorganisation, which you don’t want anyway. Note that you have to give priority to difficult subjects though.

Always do your homework each day after returning from school. Don’t carry over homework from the previous day. Also make sure you copy all your notes neatly and don’t miss anything. Approach your teacher(s) for clarification on things you don’t fully understand.

With order, dedication and focus, you’ll soon discover that you have become better organised.

The moon is so nice Giving light when it is night time I have never seen anything to be compared With it!

—By David Nabei Yr. 5 Heartfield Foundation School, Surulere

Events Kids Camp To Develop Skills And Talents

LG Donates Home Appliances To SOS Children Village

O help Nigerian kids unearth their innate talS part of its effort to give back to the less T ents, the Activate Youth Camp has concluded Aprivileged in the society, LG Electronics, a arrangement to organise a seven-day residential leading electronics and home appliances re-

personal development programme for students in junior secondary school 1 to senior secondary school 2.

The team leader of the group, Mrs. Kikelomo Omooba, who is also the Managing Partner, Annie’s Place, said the programme is focused on building support networks for the participants through friendship, trust, self-belief, self-respect, motivation and a positive attitude. According to her, the participants will develop and harness methods, tools and skills to overcome the challenges encountered by today’s youth.

The camping starts on July 28 and ends on August 3 at Supreme Education Foundation Schools, Magodo.

“The lineup of skill acquisitions at the camp include life skills, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, etiquette, communication, vision, goal setting, problem solving skills, domestic arts (cooking, home and self management), entrepreneurial skills and handcraft among others. These activities have been carefully selected to reinforce a solid foundation for the participants in practical and engaging ways.

“During the seven days, the students will participate in team building activities. The Camp, which is targeted towards children in public schools but not limited to them, will also challenge students physically, mentally and emotionally on individual basis throughout the programme. It will provide its participants with a supportive environment to grow and develop, as all participants learn and benth Staff and pupils of Madonna Catholic Nursery/Primary School, Ojodu, Lagos on a visit to Ghana, as part of the school’s 10 efit in their own unique way.” anniversary slated for July 27, 2013.

—Kayla Grage COMPILeD By KIKeLOLA OyeBOLA (you can contact us on events for this page through: e-mail: jideoojo@yahoo.com

cently visited SOS Children’s Village Isolo to donate various LG products.

The MD of LG, Mr. Mohammed Fouani said that it’s part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CRS) to put smiles on the faces of less privileged children as a way of supporting their dreams and aspirations.

He said that children are the leaders of tomorrow and there is the need to ensure that they are able to live comfortably and meaningfully.

“Children deserve to be given all the love and care. As a leading global brand, we are committed to making a real difference in improving society and helping helpless children in the communities we operate. I believe the items donated will make their lives enjoyable as well as ameliorate the distress they face in the home.”

Receiving the items on behalf of the SOS Children’s Village, the Director, Mr. Benjamin Buraimoh thanked LG electronics for the kind gesture saying that the items would go along way in improving the living conditions of the children.

He urged other corporate bodies and individuals to emulate the gesture by responding to the needs of disadvantaged children.

Among the products donated were LG Antimosquito air conditioners, refrigerators, microwaves and washing machine among others.

—Oluwakemi Ajani

25

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

CAMPUS Aluta Continua...

Students protesting in Lagos last week over prolonged Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) strike, which has paralysed academic activities in tertiary institutions nationwide.

2013 Imagine Cup: Microsoft Announces Winners FTER four days of showcasing creative ideas, innovation and passion in technology by 309 intelligent technology students from 71 countries, the global software giant, Microsoft, at the historic Alexandrinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Thursday, announced the worldwide Imagine Cup winners with more than $1 million in cash and prizes going to the student teams.

At the 11th annual Microsoft Imagine Cup, the world’s premier competition for students, Team LifeSaver, which was developed by four students from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ilefe (OAU) and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, despite their good outing did not scale through in the award categories.

Team Nigeria had developed an application called CardioLife, which helps prevent heart attacks by monitoring heart readings on the fly via the Microsoft Windows Phone. It also provides a rehabilitation programme for stroke patients using the Kinect sensor.

At the award ceremony attended by more than 800 students, judges, awards partners, Russian dignitaries and members of the media from

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around the world, it was a celebration of ideas brought to life through technology and teamwork.

The wining projects in the three major competition categories including Innovation, Games and World Citizenship include: First Place $50,000 prize, Team Colinked, United Kingdom; Second Place $10,000 prize, Team DORA, Slovenia; and Third Place $5,000 prize, Team MYRA, Thailand.

Team Code 8 from Uganda made Africa proud in the Women’s Empowerment Award category for creating projects that best address issues impacting women globally.

“For the past 11 years, Imagine Cup has been a place of inspiration and innovation for students around the world,” Steve Guggenheimer, corporate vice president at Microsoft said, adding that: “The students participating in this competition demonstrate the very best in innovation from their home countries and together are creating new apps, innovations and services that will change the way the world works, interacts and learns. We are incredibly proud of the finalists who competed this year and stand in awe of the projects and technology they brought forth Nigerian representatives at the Imagine Cup competition during this exciting week.”

ESUT Graduates First Ph.D Education Minister Commissions Oloyede Elected Candidates In Mass Communication Projects At Federal Poly, Nekede Fellow Of Nigerian Academy Of Letters

By Okechukwu Chukwuma ISTORY was made on June 19, 2013, when the Mass Communication department of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) graduated its first set of Ph.D candidates. The department produced its first Ph.D graduate since it was established in 1985.

After a thorough drilling of the two Ph.D candidates by the external examiner, Prof.

Kate Omenugha, they were finally pronounced academic doctors, to the jubilation of colleagues, family members and students.

One of the Ph.D graduates, Dr. Hilary Chidi Ozoh, who was Head of Department between 1998 and 2001, expressed gratitude to God and the lecturers for making his dream of becoming an academic doctor a reality.

“I am very grateful to God, the external examiner and my lecturers for making this journey to end

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fruitfully. They have made my dreams come true. I am indeed overwhelmed with joy and I promise to be a worthy ambassador of this great department.”

Dr. Richard Amadi, who graduated with Ozoh was delight for successfully ending the programme. He thanked the external examiner, his academic father, Prof. Ike Ndolo, and his academic brother, Dr. Sunny Udeze, while promising to fly the flag of the department everywhere he goes.

Speaking on the feat recorded after 28 years, the Head of Department, Mrs. Clementina Obiageli Okafor, was overjoyed to have accomplished this during her tenure as the department head. “I feel very happy that the department is producing its first set of Ph.D graduates in my tenure as the HOD. I thank God for the two new academic doctors and I wish them well in their

By Chijioke Iremeka HE Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’I, while commissioning 12 completed projects at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Imo State, has commended the Rector and management team of the institution for its massive infrastructural development.

The commissioning was held recently during the 17th convocation ceremony of the institution for the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 academic session. Welcoming members of the newly inaugurated Governing Council of the polytechnic headed by Dr. Ado Yusuf, the minister urged them to work hard to surpass the records of their predecessors.

Rufa’I described 2013 as the year of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), noting that TVET is the only part

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of the education system that can equip individuals with the skills and competence to support the diverse sectors of the nation’s economy.

She described polytechnics as one of the key agents in the development of TVET, adding that great attention would be paid to the development and rehabilitation of infrastructures across polytechnics in the country.

The minister charged tertiary institutions in the country to ensure the integration of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in teaching, learning and administration to enhance service delivery.

She expressed satisfaction that the graduands’ certificates were ready for collection during the convocation, saying that this is in line with global practices and the ministry’s new policy of ‘no certificates, no convocation.’

HE immediate past ViceChancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq O. Oloyede, has been admitted to the fellowship of the Nigerian Academy of Letters (NAL).

According to a letter signed by the secretary of NAL, Prof. Dele Layiwola, Oloyede was elected into the body last month by the college of fellows in recognition of his contributions to scholarship.

The investiture of the new fellow will take place on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos.

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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

26 | THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

Cover Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Eastern Port Operation As Wasting Assets

Port Harcourt port

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor NCIENT civilisations from Egypt to Greece and China enjoyed the benefits of their proximity to waterways. In the modern era, many countries have also raked in money from their ports. And that can be imagined with Republic of Benin, which depends solely on the revenues generated from it.

If, however, there’s a rich, undeveloped port system, it is that of Nigeria. It is trailing far behind the rest of the world in terms of revenue generation. Mind you, this is based on its potentials.

The wealth of Nigeria is being lost and squandered by the failure of government to manage the port resources very well.

From statistical records, about 70 per cent of containerised and other general imports into West Africa end up in Nigeria. But less than 20 per cent of such goods enter through Nigerian ports as a result of multiple charges among other constraints.

In the early 1960s, Nigerian ports were the more attractive destinations for businesses around the West and Central African region.

Goods going to Niger, Chad and even beyond usually pass through the Nigerian ports. Not any more.

Apart from the bureaucratic bottlenecks that importers witness at the ports during cargo clearance, absence of quality cargo handling equipment in some terminals, which add up to the cost of doing business, the nation’s ports also suffered from increasing inefficiency, which resulted in long turnaround times for ships, high container dwell time, increased insecurity of cargoes, corrupt practices and excessive shipping charges.

Shipping cost in Nigeria is 40 per cent, whereas in Europe it is five per cent, including handling cost. The transportation element in Nigeria is 11.5 per cent of the cost of goods. The other 28.5 per cent comes in as a result of double handling, where more than one agency or contractor is doing one job.

The ports, considered to be the second highest revenue earners for the economy after oil and gas, were running at a loss such that Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), which until now was highly centralised and responsible for both regulatory and operational functions of the ports, sought for financial support from the Federal Government to carry out majority of its capital investments.

This situation left the government with just a simple choice: Reforms. The intervention, it is hoped, will lead to the annulment of chaos in the system. This is, perhaps, a manifestation of government’s intention to put the economy, which has become tanked, back on track. Thus, in 2006, the former President Olusegun Obasanjo administration, through its conces-

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sioning programme, transformed the nation’s seaports from being state enterprise-controlled to private sector driven, handing over cargo handling operations functions of NPA to the port concessionaires while the agency assumed the supervisory duties.

So, when the idea of concessioning Nigerian ports came, there was an outpour of emotions: Hues and cries from those who were exploiting the system. Even prayer sessions for the intention to end up bland bureaucratic statement, which next administration will nudge forward.

The idea, the Federal Government said, was to encourage massive investments in port infrastructure and facilities, enthrone efficient operations, reduce cargo dwell time, improve vessel turnaround time and reduce cost of doing business.

Though, good experiment, anyway. It has not been quite easy afterall to translate to efficiency.

Concessioning doesn’t suggest that everything has been working effectively and efficiently.

Efficacy has been the challenge in the last six years.

Till date, the cost of clearing one container from Nigerian ports is still very high due to some level of inefficiency. As a result, Nigerian importers prefer to take delivery of their consignments from ports in the neighbouring countries where it is faster and cheaper to clear goods.

Despite having over eight functional seaports, Nigerian ports are still the most under-utilised and haunted by underperformance. Cargo clearance yet to improve to 48 hours targeted by the Federal Government. While it takes two days to clear goods at the Cotonou ports, three days in Lome, Togo and about four days in Accra, Ghana until the new port reforms, it will require upward of 38 days to clear a container.

As a result of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda, a Ports Reforms Committee was set up to drive the reforms and reduce the cost of doing business in Nigeria especially by the private sector.

Led by Prof. Sylvester Monye, Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Evaluation, and under the supervision of the Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the committee, drawn from the public and private sector, was tasked with sanitising the ports and making them more productive and efficient. Top on the reforms include reducing the number of agencies operating at the ports, developing operational guidelines for shipping line operators, ensuring a 24 hours shift of some of the agencies that need to be working round the clock to make the ports work efficiently, developing a regulatory body for port operation, and working on the high cost of demurrage.

Industry analysts, have, however, put some of the problems on government’s doorstep. They

say government is not taking advantage of the Eastern Operations, as it should. But more attention is focused on Lagos ports’ response to loads of protests, anger and frustrations of importers.

The Nigerian seaports are divided into Western Operations with headquarters at Apapa comprising the following ports: Apapa Port Complex, Tin Can Island Port, Ro-Ro Port, Container Terminal and Inland Container Depot.

Eastern Operations with headquarters at Port Harcourt comprising the following ports: Port Harcourt Port, Federal Lighter Terminal, Federal Ocean Terminal, Calabar Port, Warri Port, Sapele Port, Koko Port and Burutu Port.

Of these seaports, only the Lagos port can be accessed easily, bigger boats cannot access the Warri, Port Harcourt and Calabar seaports because they need to be dredged. The Warri and Koko ports have large piles of mud that can make a ship run aground.

Inside sources acknowledge that most ships operating around the Delta ports complain that the volume of mud at the entrance to the ports disturbs the smooth sail in the area, “and the mud is capable of causing serious damage to the ships operating at the ports.

That is why all those 7-meters vessels cannot easily pass there.”

The main activities around the ports in Delta State are on oil and gas. Liner vessels that carry vehicles cannot come to the ports here because they are wide. Availability of oil and gas decide ship traffic here.

Apart from the mud and poor dredging, most of the infrastructures at the ports are decaying because of under utilisation, following non-patronage by foreign vessels. Link roads within the ports are described as death traps, with several potholes obstructing free movement of trucks within the port.

According to competent sources, vessels also shun Warri New Port due to operators’ high charges. “The shipping companies shun the place (Warri New Port) due to high stevedoring charges while importers dread the terminal too as a result of high handling and demurrage charges,” the source said.

The situation in Port Harcourt ports is not different either. With all available facilities, no lively maritime activities are going on in the ports. There are three major ports in the area, which if well harnessed, would not only churn out billions into the coffers of state and Federal Government, but would also create jobs for the teeming unemployed in the area.

The assumption follows that goods imported through these ports would have had reduced prices, unlike those that come in through the ports in Lagos and beyond.

But importers from the east, who should

patronise these ports for reasons of proximity, shun them for the ports in Lagos and even Cotonou in Benin Republic, due to obnoxious government policies.

According to sources close to The Guardian, high cost of duty and illegal collection of fees at the gate, the non-implementation of uniform duty payment by customs across board unlike the western ports, and yearly upgrading of customs revenue targets by the federal government at the expense of the citizenry, form part of the problems importers face in the eastern ports.

Other factors such as freight differential, cleavage of foreign operators with carrier against indigenous operators, expansion of ports facilities and infrastructure such as the dilapidated access roads have resulted to the near abandonment of eastern ports by port users.

The under-utilisation of the ports has created a big gap between the economy of the eastern states and that of the west. The development has also contributed to the high level of unemployment among the youths of the region, loss of revenue by governments of eastern states, capital flight among others. A situation, which importers and exporters from the region are not comfortable with.

The questions industry watchers have asked are: Why is it that a country seeking to come out of economic doldrums has refused to develop its second highest revenue earner? Is government more interested in getting oil from the region and nothing else?

To get to know the real importance of Delta and Rivers states have hosted and pleaded with importers to stop shunning the ports.

There are several reasons why making the Eastern Operations work looks like a good idea. It will help in the effort at fixing the economy. It will also create employment in a region noted for restiveness. It is very clear who will benefit from the above scenario: Nigeria.

The priority now should be for government to start cleaning up its dirt in that operation.

Revamping the entire structure and making the place attractive so that Nigeria can become preferred destination.

The need to dredge the port has been discussed for years and is urgently needed, considering the amount that is loss to neighbouring ports because of congestion and the noncompliance with the 48-hour turnaround.

The strongest argument is that whenever an importer is comfortable with the services available, the urge to consider alternative route would be defeated. If all these would help the economy, so be them. At least, they would take Nigerians away from their ports of pains.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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COVER From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin (Port Harcourt) HOUGH seaport has been driving force for T trade and growth in the country, this national asset in Port Harcourt has remained painfully neglected.

While the people of the Niger Delta region have been preoccupied with failing East-West Road, seaports across the region have been hit hard by lack of investment in key infrastructure, particularly that of Port Harcourt.

It will be recalled that the discovery of coal in commercial quantity in Enugu had spurred the British colonialists to consider building of ports in the then Eastern region of the country. In their bid to export coal to Europe, Britain built the Port Harcourt Wharf, and in 1913, Lord Frederick Lugard opened the place. Today, this port is a mere shadow of itself.

Right from 1913, until most recently, the port had played crucial role in the growth of manufacturing and petroleum sector, which are dependent for sale of their finished products by sea.

The Port Harcourt port, on its part, has experienced years of neglect, resulting in a rapidly deteriorating waterborne trade infrastructure investment that is now having severe impact on economic conditions in Rivers State, and indeed, South Eastern part of the country.

A licensed customs agent, Mr. Clifford Eze, told The Guardian that the Port Harcourt port not only lacks critical facilities, the place is in dire need of more than a cosmetic facelift, which government has been doing over the years.

According to him, in recent times, the Federal Government has not invested heavily in the development and upgrading quayside facilities, communication links and other services.

He observed that investments in connecting land and waterside infrastructure are key to effectively handle increased cargo volumes. He lamented that government, over the years, has not deemed it appropriate to revive the vital railway line from the North through the Eastern parts of the country to the port.

Port Harcourt Port A Shadow Of Itself According to him, this lack of foresight also created inefficiencies in moving cargo to and from port, thus, causing time delays, cost increases, reduced competitiveness of the port.

“People of this region have always been preoccupied with government upgrading infrastructure such as roads, bridges, power and so on. But they forget that the ports are vital components of the country’s trade, and tend to be neglected when it comes to paying for repairs and upgrades,” said Eze. A maritime worker, Mr. Princewill Elliot, told The Guardian that government must make funding for dredging of the Port Harcourt port a high priority. According to him, ship sizes continue to get larger, requiring ongoing modernisation of port and navigation channels.

Another issue that has crippled activities at port is astronomical high cost of shipping; most importers have abandoned Port Harcourt port for Lagos, which is far cheaper for importation of goods.

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Area 3 Onne, recently accused the Federal Government of deliberately crippling activities at the Eastern ports following the introduction of discriminatory freight charges between Lagos and other ports 10 years ago.

ANLCA chairman, Prestige Ossy Ossy, had told the House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise led by its Deputy

charge some fees that are not more necessarily legal and that increase the cost of importation to Rivers State. So you will be surprised that people in Aba, in Port Harcourt import from Lagos other than Port Harcourt,” he said.

He continued: “Ordinarily you should expect people from Anambra, Imo, Abia to import through Port Harcourt, but instead of importing through Port Harcourt, they do it through Lagos. So, we will be glad if you can either investigate or find a way to appeal to those who colChairman, Kingsley Chinda, that it cost three lect those monies to please try and pity the Rivers people because the more importations times more to clear goods in the Eastern that take place here the more jobs we are able to ports than in Lagos. He explained that until create and the more businesses that are able to 10 years ago, the freight charges between flow. If they can reduce the unnecessary cost Lagos and eastern ports were the same.

Ossy Ossy observed that the prevailing dis- that are not necessarily legal, then we will be happy because the same cost, legal cost that are parity appears to be a deliberate attempt to collected in Lagos are the same cost that can be kill the eastern ports. To this end, he urged the lawmakers to push for the reversal of the collected here but the difference is the non-legal cost that increase the cost of importation to policy in order to boost economic activities Rivers State. It is important we look at that”. and create jobs in the Eastern port areas.

A customs clearing agent, Mr. Nnamdi Emeka, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi told The Guardian that until recent times, the had also raised same concern when shipping industry had played significant role in the Senate Finance Committee led by its the development of the old Eastern region and Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, paid him a subsequently Rivers State economy. courtesy visit at Government House, Port He said the reason for the Eastern Ports been Harcourt.

Concerned that that Port Harcourt has lost under-utilised, had been the issue of freight rate and the other being the shallowness of the Port its economical vibrancy, the governor had Harcourt port, which needs dredging. appealed to the Federal lawmakers to According to him, however, certain governaddress the issue of seaports in Nigeria. He questioned why is it too expensive to import ment policies forbid the importation of goods such as textiles and pharmaceutical products through Port Harcourt compared to somewhere like Lagos. He urged the senators to try for instance from being imported through the to stop the collection of some charges by fed- Port Harcourt port has made it unattractive to importers. eral government agencies at the Port “Since the creation of Port Harcourt, its port Harcourt seaport that increases the cost of and waterways have served as a vital economic exports and imports compared to the Lagos lifeline by bringing goods and services to people port where it is cheaper. around the world and by delivering prosperity “We have a problem in the Port Harcourt to country. This port has facilitated trade and Seaport. I hear Onne is extremely expensive to import or export any item whatsoever and commerce, created jobs, help secure Nigeria’s the same to the Port Harcourt seaport that is victory during the Biafran war. Unfortunately, just nearby here, popularly called NPA. I hear the Federal Government has killed this port through some irrational policies,” he said. of the Federal Government agencies, try to

‘Government Killed Delta Ports’ The comatose state of Delta ports often touch president of the Delta Shippers Association and former Chairman of the Warri Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Augustin Egbegbadia. He didn’t mince words when he told CHIDO OKAFOR in Warri that the ports were rotting away because government neglected them.

HAT is your assessment of the present state of Delta W ports?

Delta State has four ports – Forcados, Burutu, Koko and Warri. When I was growing up, there were a lot of activities in Forcados and Burutu ports. Palm produce and other agricultural products were exported through these ports. With the coming of marketing boards, these two ports went into oblivion. After a long while, the Delta State government tried to put up a ‘dry dock’ facility in Burutu, where vessels were maintained; I don’t know if that facility is still running or gone comatose. I cannot tell you why. I want to believe that it is not running well, otherwise, people will have seen and heard about its operation. That is for Forcados and Burutu ports. Nothing is happening there and these are natural ports that government does not need to spend money on.

They are just there by the sea unlike the inland ports. If you go to Europe, you will see small ports that are doing very well because of their locations, like in Holland.

Now coming to the other two ports — Koko and Warri — everybody knew how relevant Koko port was during the era of the late Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. We knew the emphasis the Federal Government placed on the port when the then Finance Minister, late Chief Festus OkotiEboh, decided it should be a major port for cement import.

As a result of massive cement importation, shoe factories and others were established in Koko; however, I don’t think they took off. That was a project that would have been a major money-spinner for this state. Koko has a natural harbour; the water is deep and any size of vessel can come in, but then again, government played down on it. There is nothing happening at the port apart from one fishing company that was bringing in fish from there, but I hear the fishing company too has closed shop. Koko was the same place where Total built an asphalt plant, but how advantageous that port is to the asphalt plant now, I don’t know. I don’t know why these ports are abandoned.

I have seen all the ports in this country; Warri port is one of the best in terms of facilities. It is a modern port. In Warri, we have some of the best air and seaports, in this country, but it is still the only airport where big planes are not allowed to fly. Warri is the only oil city in the world that has no international airport. During the cement armada, the

Federal Government pumped in money and expanded the port, but today, the facility is lying idle. Even the Tincan Port is far depreciating compared to the Warri ports. But in spite of all these facilities, nothing is happening at the Warri port.

This was a port that was handling a lot of vessels at a time, but today, they just come in trickles. You will understand what we are talking when you go out of this country, and as an importer and wants to ship things to Warri, if you met any shipping agent or shipping company, they will tell you Warri is not in the world shipping map, they will tell you it used to be a vibrant port, but today, it is a no-go-area. Even if you decide to charter a whole vessel, they will tell you they are not coming, so, we are forced to use other ports like the Lagos or Port Harcourt ports, and using Port Harcourt port, we have constraints, it’s only Onne port that is okay, but again, they call it an oil port, so, you pay through your nose. I think government actions and inactions killed the Delta ports.

Is that why the Delta ports are almost non- operational or comatose, to use your word?

They are not working because the government neglected them. Government abandoned them. For Burutu and Forcados ports, as far as government is concerned, they don’t exist. It is only now that the Delta State government wants to turn Koko ports to EPZ (export processing zone). Even that EPZ thing is not sailing …I don’t know, government bottlenecks and bureaucracy seems to stall things; if it were private sector thing, by now that port would have started functioning.

What happens is that government would take one step forward and 10 steps backward. We don’t know if that EPZ thing will come on stream before the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration leaves office.

Do you share the view in some quarters that the Ijaw-Itsekiri petty wars affected growth of the Delta ports?

No, I don’t think so. Before the Ijaw–Itsekiri crisis were the ports working? What killed Warri port was multi-faced. For instance, you clear your cargo between here and Eku or Sapele on the way to Benin to the North, you have over twenty roads blocks by customs, police and Egbegbadia others, and everybody wants money.

People started complaining. When my containers come in from Lagos, you don’t experience any problem on the way until you get to Okada. Others will check your papers and say go, but once you enter the former Bendel axis, custom officers who will insist on checking everything will accost you.

The dredging of the Escravos Bar is also essential. If a vessel of say 18 metres draft is coming from Europe, and the vessel gets here, and the Escravos Bar is as shallow as five or six metres draft, if it is high tide, it gets to maybe seven to eight metres, how do you want such vessel to come into Warri port? It will run aground. So, what do they do? They anchor at Escravos and then they send flat belly vessels to do transshipment.

Who foots those extra bills? What about the risks involved? Meanwhile, it would not take more than one hour to cruise from Escravos to Warri if the Escravos Bar was dredged. So, these are the things that killed Warri ports not the Ijaw –Itsekiri crisis.

The minister of transport was in Warri last year and there was mild celebration that the Warri port was back to live as equipment for the Escravos Gas To Liquid (EGTL) project came through the port.

See, government thinks in terms of revenue – the revenue that they claimed the Warri port generated was it actually the Warri port that generated it or Escravos jetty? There is a jetty in Escravos where the vessels berth and all the things are offloaded straight, but the revenue is charged to Warri Ports because Escravos is under Warri. It is not as if those vessels came to Warri ports and revenues were collected there, no. When it comes to such events government would cleverly leave out the organized private sector, because they know that if they bring us in, we’ll ask questions and we’ll tell them what the facts are.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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COVER

South-South And Its Wasting Coastal Assets

By David Ogah ABOUT 90 per cent of Nigeria’s Coastline of 853 kilometres is in the Coastal Communities of the South-South sub-region. This strategic location placed the region at an economic advantage over others due to its potential contribution to economic growth. The region ought to be a hub of Maritime activities because of this strategic location.

But the ports in the area have become comatose as they operate under low capacity due to lack of patronage by providers and consumers of shipping services.

Their under-utilisation becomes palpable when compared with activities at the Lagos seaports.

Warri Port, for instance, received only 6.8 million tons of cargo last year, while Calabar port had 1.7 million tons compared with over 21 million tons of cargo throughput in Apapa Port.

While The TinCan Island Port received 15.1 million tons of cargo last year, the Port Harcourt ports cargo throughput was 5.6 million tons.

During the first quarter of the year, the port of Warri, despite the destination point for goods meant for the construction of Escravous Gas to Liquid (EGTL) plant, received only 1.9 million tons of goods, compared with 5.1 million tons at Apapa and 3.7 million tons at Tin Can Island. Cargo throughput at Calabar Port during the same period was 345 metric tons, Port Harcourt, 1.4 million, and Onne Port, 7.7 million metric tons.

Because of the ugly situation, the ports have hitherto failed to support all development efforts in the region in order to create jobs for the teaming youths.

Stakeholders, who spoke on the matter a few days ago, gave reasons for the trend as they enumerated some natural factors militating against port development in the region.

Lucky Amiwero thinks that the ports were built on the basis of political decision without considering the availability of cargo for the ships to lift from the ports.

President of Council for Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents and a Koko indigene, said for Warri port to develop to the extent of creating jobs and to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta region, the government would need to establish a free trade zone with good incentives in order to attract investors to the area.

According to him, if manufacturing firms are attracted to the zone, there will be commercial activities that will generate goods for export, adding that in that way vessel owners will be encouraged to deploy their vessels to the ports.

“There is nothing anybody can do now to develop the ports in the Niger Delta, although they are under utilised. These ports were built without the consideration of the availability of cargoes. The cargo we are talking about cannot be generated by the government. The only thing they can do to develop the ports for employment generation and to develop the area is to attract direct foreign investment to the area by establishing specialised free trade zone in the cities where the ports are located.

On Sapele and Koko ports, Amiwero said they should be remodeled and converted to fishing ports.

“The Sapele port has the Nana creek, which is not navigable. It can be converted to a fishing port so that fishing vessels can use it. The government can encourage the development of a fishing husbandry within the port to serve as a fishing hub in the area and to make the port active to generate employment According to Captain Solomon Omotesho, the ports, especially those outside Lagos, cannot be fully utilised because of the centralised system of ports administration in the country.

According to the Master Mariner, the ports could only operate at full capacity when they become autonomous for competitiveness.

“The ports are not fully utilised because they

are being controlled from the centre. The youth restiveness made ship owners to abandon Warri Port, which used to be the bedrock of maritime activities. They all pulled out when they could no longer cope with what was going on. Initially, Warri Port was notable for export, especially of timber and kernel, but all those are gone now.

The Ajaokuta and Aladja Steel plant, which ought to sustain the port with the export of steel products are now moribund.”

The Master Mariner also attributed the non-utilisation of the Eastern ports to the low draft of their navigational channels, which he said are not more than seven metres deep, adding that the low draft of the Channel constituted a natural limitation for the port to function optimally.

Calabar Port, he said was strategically located to serve some parts of the Eastern and Northern States, adding that it was the only port in the country with good access road.

“Calabar port has its own limitation too in terms of draft, even if the draft is okay, what kind of cargoes that you want to export from the port? The management should go out and market the port. The port has a disadvantage because of its distance. A ship coming from United Kingdom, for instance, will not want to go there because of the distance. Even when they come, they should be able to take something back. No port should be idle.

You only need to face competition. These ports are not competitive enough because nobody is doing marketing for them,” he said.

Former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Chief Adebayo Sarumi said the outer ports, especially calabar and Warri Ports, cannot survive on commercial basis because of their location. He said there was need to remodel them and turn then to specilised ports so that they can contribute to economic advancement of the region in terms of job creation.

According to Sarumi, who rose through the ranks to become the helmsman of the authority before he retired voluntarily few years ago, the ports location was motivated by political reasons, adding that Calabar port ought to have been located at Ibaka in Akwa Ibom state because of the good channel in the area. “ Their location then was wrong, so they cannot succeed as commercial ports”, he said, adding that Ibaka could have been the “ideal location because Calabar port is too far inland”.

Also on Calabar port, Sarumi who was once the port manager, said the channel linking it with the sea is “lazy” and not suitable for navigation because of its wandering and meandering nature. “ Calabar is too far inland. It has no good channel. There is always the wandering and meandering of vessels on top of lazy river, so what you have is a channel that is not good for navigation, a channel on very tired river where rate of siltation is extremely high. The configuration of the channel is too poor for shipping”, he said.

Sarumi, said Calabar as a city is not a commercial area and it is not generating enough traffic just as its catchment areas in the extreme North Eastern state of Adamawa, Bornu and the host of others.

“Before the oil prospecting in Nigeria, Aba was known for its industrialsation and commercialization. The road to the hinterland, from Calabar are bad. The Ikon bridge is another limitation to the port”, he said. The bridge is an obstacle to smooth navigation because of its low level to the waiters.

To make the port viable, he suggested that it should be remodeled and used for another purpose, instead of its present use as a commercial port.

“The port should be changed to a special port specifically designed for a purpose and to be owned by operators in the private sector. It is also possible for the port to become the first tourism port in Nigeria. In that way, it can receive cruise vessels, which is deficient in Nigeria. Calabar is

becoming a haven for tourism. Calabar and Warri port has the same configuration. The people are polite, entertaining and accommodating, and with what Donald Duku did, if Calabar port can be modified to receive cruise ships, activities will pick because owners of cruise vessels have been looking for way to come to Africa.

According to him, the remodeling of the port was inevitable because most of the industries like Oku-Iboku, ASCON and many others that are supposed to attract vessel traffic, even in the face of poor channel, have all gone underground.

“If ASCON and Oku-Iboku came up they way that was expected, with the export processing zone and the coming of General Electric to that area, they could have generated the required traffic, so it can only be re-designed as a special port,” he said.

Speaking on Warri Port, Sarumi said the port, just like Calabar port, also was suffering from locational hazard, shallow draft, “lazy river” and poor configuration of the channel, that have combined to make it unviable.

The port, he said was at the onset owned

by Niger- Benue Transport Company (NBTC) and used mostly by UAC, Royal Niger Company and others to receive finished goods from Europe and to lift raw materials like timber, oil kernel etc from Nigeria “ Historically, the Warri, port was established as a river port by the Niger- Benue Transport company. They were the ones operating at Warri port which was meant to lift raw materials from Nigeria in exchange of finished products from Europe. In 1974/75 there was congestion in Lagos and Port Harcourt ports as a result of import of cement and when the ports could no longer cope, the military came up with the a decision to acquire the Warri and Calabar ports to decongest the existing ports. They then built new ports in those areas with little or no consideration for their suitability”.

On Koko port, Sarumi blamed civil servant for the collapse of the once vibrant port, saying the port was established for the export of rubber, but later turned to fishing port with the establishment of National fishing company in the area. “ It was booming them, but civil servants ran it aground, he said as he could not attribute the death of the port to some national factors as Warri and Calabar ports.

Concluding therefore, he said: “unless you sell these ports totally to the private sector, not concessioning, the ports cannot function well. The Government should be able to assist the private sector with the dredging of the channels. They could be turned to fishing ports or modify them for the reception of cruise vessels”.

The chairman of shipping Association of Nigeria, an umbrella body for foreign shipping companies operating in Nigeria, Val Osifoh, said on Thursday that beside all other natural factors that acts as limitation for the ports to function optimally , cargo offer in the is low as shippers always insist they want to receive their items in Lagos “The port that ships go is determined by cargo owners. Shippers are very conscious of where they get good services. The shipping companies are liner services and cargo offering should be assured before they go to a particular place. Even people from where the ports are located prefer their cargoes to come to Lagos because they are sure of good services.

For the ports to be commercially viable, he recommended autonomous status for them to be competitive. Like chief Sarumi, he suggested that the ports should be redesigned as special ports.

“In United states, the port are autonomous, hence they have been able to market themselves. Some of the ports can be turned to special ports, after all Port Harcourt port was used to export Cocoa, coal and other products in the early days.

Umar

Omotesho

Sarumi

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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COVER

Inadequate Industrial Base, Bane Of Eastern Ports — Experts

By Moses Ebosele TAKEHOLDERS in the maritime sector have attributed the SDelta sorry state of Port operations and facilities in Cross Rivers, and Rivers States, otherwise called Easter Ports to inadequate industrial base, poor infrastructure and political interference.

Specifically, they argued that, for any port to attract the required patronage, it must have in place “ready market” coupled with required infrastructure.

For example, the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Amiwero, and an economist, Matthew R. Otoide, explained that Lagos Ports, identified as Western Ports, attracts huge patronage because of the industrial layouts in Lagos State and its environs.

Besides, ports in Lagos boast of the best infrastructure, developed over the years due to huge patronage occasioned by the concession agenda put together by the administration of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006.

Indeed, the Minister of Transport, Idris Umar, disclosed recently that between 2006 and March 2013, private operators also identified as concessionaires deployed not less than $925million (N148billion) for terminal development and purchase of cargo handling equipment.

Details of the transaction made available by the Minister revealed that the concessionaires invested $475 million (N76 billion) on acquisition of cargo handling equipment and $450 million (N72 billion) on terminal development.

Although the Eastern Ports Terminals were also concessioned to private operators, their operations, according to experts, are on the low side due to poor infrastructure and inadequate patronage.

Otoide said: “The major problem confronting ports in Delta, Cross Rivers, Rivers States is lack of patronage. People talk of under-funding and poor infrastructure. I don’t believe in that assumption. With the market in place, other things will naturally follow. ” He also blamed the development on what he identified as proliferation of Ports within the zone. “This idea of creating ports in almost all the states in the zone is not the best. The market is very, very limited. So, what’s the point in having port facilities in all the states in the zone? The state governments could come together to develop one or two ports. That is the way forward for now.”

Amiwero, who also spoke with The Guardian explained that the movement of ships are not dictated by executive fiat, adding that market forces play crucial rule.

Making reference to the proposed deep sea ports in the zone, Amiwero said: ““Deep Sea Ports are transit points. What

is the reason for developing a Deep Sea Port in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta States. We (Nigeria) must do things professionally and not politically. There are critical factors to consider when developing a port. Deep Sea Port is expensive to maintain. A port must be competitive. We have enough ports already. Most of the ports are not viable. Let’s develop our roads and rail network.”

Speaking during the 2013 Ministerial briefing in Abuja recently, Umar said: “In 2006, the Federal Government of Nigeria carried out comprehensive port reforms that made NPA (Nigerian Port Authority) the Landlord and Technical regulator. Government delineated the ports into terminals and concessioned them to private operators. Terminal operators are now responsible for all aspects of cargo handling and terminal upgrading under the concession agreement.

“As a result of the reforms, the overall efficiency in the ports has been steadily improving, and there is appreciable increase in infrastructure provision and maintenance by both the Federal Government and the concessionaires”, Umar added.

Umar, who spoke on sundry issues, said the Federal Government is improving the depth of Nigerian Waterways to accommodate larger capacity vessels.

He said: “There is continuous dredging and maintenance of the channels through established Channel Management Companies (Lagos Channel Management Company, Bonny Channel Management Company Limited and recently established Calabar Channel Management Company Limited) to deepen the channels and the berth areas.

“Lagos Channel depth by 2010 was about 10 metres but now 13.5metres-14 metres while the quay side was nine metres in 2010 but now 12.5 metres, Bonny NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) was 11 metres in 2010 but is 9.5metres now. Efforts are now intensified to deepen it to allow for bigger vessels to call.

“Rehabilitation process is in progress for the Consultancy Services for Rehabilitation of Breakwaters at Escravos and the dredging of the Warri, Sapele and Koko channels up to the proposed Deep sea port at Ogidigbe”, said Uma. He said the Federal Government is currently making efforts to develop Deep Sea Ports in partnership with the private sector at Lekki and Badagry in Lagos, Ibaka in Akwa Ibom, Ogidigbe in Delta, Olokola in Ogun and Ondo as well as Agge in Bayelsa State.

“The current policy of port development is on equity participation of 20 per cent Federal Government, 20 per cent host state and 60 per cent private sector.

“A memo will soon be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to seek council’s approval for the development of Lekki deep sea port, Lagos state through Public Private

Amiwero Partnership for concession period of 45 years in favour of Messrs Eurochem Technologies Corporation Limited and the Lagos free trade Zone Company in the sum of $1.4billion.

“Steering and project Development Committees for the Construction of Ibaka and Badagry Deep Sea Ports through Public Private Partnership have also been inaugurated.

“Considerable progress has been recorded resulting in the appointment of Transaction Adviser for the Ibaka Deep Sea Port by the Akwa Ibom State Government, who has submitted Initial Due Diligence Report and a draft outline Business Case (OBS) to the Project Steering and Development Committee in line with ICRC Act 2005”, Umar said.

The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, recently appealed to the Federal Government to facilitate the dredging of Calabar Port as part of measure to boost economic activities in the zone.

He bemoaned the dormant state of Calabar Port, adding that the port was originally created with Warri and Koko Ports to help the nation cope with congestion problem at Lagos Ports.

The Obong lamented that the Calabar Port had suffered a number of setbacks in the past, arising from the failed attempt to dredge the Port’s shallow channel.

Giving details of the concessioned programme recently, NPA’s General Manager in charge of Public Affairs, Capt.

Iheanacho Ebubeogu, said the policy was to ensure that Nigerian ports were re-engineered to compete favorably with other ports of the world.

South-South And Its Wasting Coastal Assets The government should also build inland dry port in the catchment’s area of these port where goods can transferred to as soon as they are discharged to encourage importers from the areas to patronize the ports” Others who spoke with The Guardian on the need to develop the Eastern ports in Warri, Calabar and Port Harcourt enumerated other factors which the government should tackle in order to revive the ports and to bring them to the level of the good old days. They said, although, these factors are peculiar to each of the ports , they have contributed to their under-utilization as those factors have rendered them unattractive to ship owners who have hitherto been reluctant to deploy their vessels on the routes.

According to them, series of attempt by the government and management of the Nigerian Ports Authority to boost economic activities at these outer ports failed to yield the desire result as ship owners and shippers continued to develop cold feet towards them in favour of the Lagos Port where perennial congestion continued to cause nightmare to cargo owners. “ In 2009, the government announced

attractive package for importers and shipping companies that were willing to make these port a destination for their goods and vessels in Nigeria. These incentives came in the form of waiver on demurrage on goods and reduction of levies for shipping companies for using the ports facilities. Former managing director of the NPA, Mallam Abdul Salam, said creating new incentives would be a better option to make the ports viable than compelling shipping companies and cargo owners to divert their ship and imported items to outer ports because of legal and economic implication of such action.”

In a telephone conversation, Mr. Omoikeroda Mathew, a Port Harcourt based shipping consultant, said youth restiveness, combined with the activities of the local pilots, which, until last two years, scared ship owners and captains from Warri port contributed in no small measure to the present state of the ports.

“These local pilots were once NPA employee who after retirement went back home to operate illegally by hijacking pilotage services from their former employer.

They positioned themselves strategically at Escravous to violently hijacked vessels for

pilotage services for a fee from the fair-way bouy to Bennet Island and thereafter into Warri Port and Koko Port anchorage. The illegal operations by the local pilots made ship captains and ship owners to avoid Warri Port for fear of attack.

Although the Nigerian Port Authority had since solved the insecurity problem, by organizing the local pilot into Association recognized by the government to render pilotage services in the area, ship owners and Ship Captains are yet to believe that the problem was over. They continued to stay away from Warri Port as usual. The pilots are being monitored by the government through the NPA, which now share proceed from their activities at an agreed percentage in order to bring lasting peace to the area”.

To Ejanavwho Godfrey, a clearing agent based in Lagos, one other problem, which the government has not been able to solve is the poor draft of the Warri Channel, which for many years remained at nine metres.

“At that draft, only very small vessels can navigate into the port as no vessel from far East, America, Europe and other continents can navigate directly into the port, The

Calabar and Port Harcourt ports are suffering the same fate. The Calabar Port Channel is only about eight metres draft, the same as the Port Harcourt Channel, which is only navigable up to Bonny because of continuous capital and maintenance dredging in order to accommodate LNG vessels. So the government will need to dredge the channels for bigger ships to be able to navigate into the port” Although, several attempts were made in the past to dredge the Calabar Port, with billions of Naira, no result was recorded. The government is making another attempt to dredge the channel by floating a dedicated company to manage it through capital and constant maintenance dredging. The birth of the firm is now immersed in controversy as the NPA board chairman, Chief Anthony Anenih has petitioned the NPA management alleging irregularities in the firm’s establishment.

Before the latest move to get the channel navigable, government had in 2006 awarded the dredging contract for the channel in another attempt to raise the draft from the present seven metres to 12 metres. The contract was awarded to two foreign firms at a total cost of N9 billion ($56 million).

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THE GuARDIAn, Sunday, July 14, 2013

LAFETE

At Pageant, NTDC Boss, Mbanefo, Redefines Beauty

BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR RS. Sally Mbanefo is not a woman of many words, but that of many actions.

Since she assumed office as the Director General/ Chief Executive of nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (nTDC), she has focused her attention on giving the corporation a new lease of life.

Apart from the recent launch of Fascinating Nigeria Project, last weekend, she was at the Daily Times Miss nigeria Beauty Pageant in Lagos.

At the pageant, the nTDC boss redefined beauty in four cardinal artistic context: Truth, Plenty, Good and Beauty itself.

According to her, “every society has four pursuits: first is Truth, which is the scientific pursuit; second is Plenty, which is the economic search for goods and services; the third is Good, which is the search for justice and ethics; and finally, Beauty itself, which is the search for recreation.”

Of all these, she said, “the least understood is beauty, which deals with aesthetics,” adding, “beauty is what inspires the other three pursuits.”

She also said, “beauty is orchestrated by the artists, as we have with the contestants at the pageant.”

She continued, “beauty queens reflect the divine inspiration for man to pursue the truth, good and plenty.”

According to the nigerian tourism boss, “these nigerian beauty queens are inspired to search for the truth, the good and the plenty about nigeria’s cultural diversity and tell the world that nigeria is worth taking a second look at.”

At the Miss nigeria beauty contest, Ezinne Akudo, 22, clinched the crown beating 32 other contestants to take home the star prize of a new car and a trip to California, uSA as well as a cash prize of n3 million.

Earlier, Mbanefo had implored the contestants at the pageant and indeed all such pageants in the country to reflect what is good, plenty and truth about the virtues that the decent people all over the world exhibit every day. Only then, according to her, can they be true ambassadors of nigeria.

On assumption of office, Mbanefo pointed out that transformation of domestic tourism would receive high priority under her leader-

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ship at nTDC. She also said that nigerians would have opportunity to play greater role in displaying the nation’s beauty to the whole world.

In her early meetings with the management and staff of the corporation, she outlined her focus to be development of the local content, as she believes that before “we can successfully sell nigerian tourism brand

to the outside world, we must address the domestic market potentials, secure the buyin and confidence of nigerians in the sector and get nigerians to be proud of their tourism heritage and industry.”

She added, “the development of the domestic tourism would also entail other core mandates which includes job creation, poverty alleviation and revenue generation.”

The critical focus, according to her, “would be on development of the Tourism Value Chain across the country to realise the objectives for which the Corporation was set up as well as meeting the core mandate of the supervising ministry of tourism to actualize the transformation agenda of the Federal Government.”

Mbanefo DG (NTDC); Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho, former DG (NTDC) and Mrs. Rea-Omoh Deputy Director, Special Duties at the Fascinating Nigeria Project launch… recently

Fun, excitement rock golf tourney AST weekend, the IBB Golf and Country LQualifiers Club hosted the northern Regional of the MTn World Golfers

spirit within,” Iweanoge stated.

The regional championships started with the Eastern qualifiers held at the Port Harcourt Golf Course, Rivers State, recently. Golf-legend figure, HRH, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, the traditional ruler of Twon Brass, Rivers State, participated in the championship that took off after an impressive cocktail party.

At the Western regional qualifier which was held in the second week of June, 2013, Engr Christopher Obije, an Engineer won the championship again for the second time.

With the successful completion of the regional tournaments, all is now set for the national finals, where nigeria’s five representives to the expanded world final in Durban, South Africa, in October, will emerge in uyo in September.

Championship.

The event, which was the concluding part of the regional qualifiers, brought seasoned golfers from different golf clubs across the country.

The pre-tournament cocktail party, which was held at the cosy club house, provided the much-needed opportunity for players and high networth guests to interact and network.

As the interactions went on, there were plenty to drink and eat. The best of Naija music rented the air.

One outstanding moment of the championship was the ‘gala night’, which would go down in history as one of the city’s best nights.

The gala was anchored by Global Golf’s Senior Manager, Sales, North, MTN, Amina Usman, South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Louis Lulu Obinna Duru and MC Tripp White, who dished Mungune and Captain, IBB Golf Club, Debo Olateju at the gala night of the MTN WGC held at Bolingo Hotel, Abuja out rib-craking jokes. again since she was not. This eventually It was held at the popular Bolingo Hotel, lead to her demise.”

Abuja. In its characteristic manner, drinks She added, “we are reminded of our hisranging from wines, beer and champagne tory, culture and language, the students were available in abundance. can discover their gift of public speaking Flavia namakula, a ugandan, was the star BY IJEOMA OPARA FunSETAn Aniwura, the famed Iyalode of Director, Folasade Adefisayo, noted that as and being able to act in front of an audiperformer at the qualifiers. She surprised ence so I think learning in and outside Ibadan’s tale was dramatised recently by part of their just concluded 20th annivereveryone after she returned in the best gross students of Corona Secondary School, Agbara. sary celebrations, it was presented with lit- the classroom is a great way to go.” score of 79 to book her passage into the The school’s drama teacher, Pauline The play presentation was aimed at bringing tle or no audience, and since it had great national final, billed for Ibom Golf Club, uyo, back the values, norms and traditions of Jerome, noted that it is appalling that lessons to tell as regards history, it was in September. most children of this generation cannot ancient times to the modern world. necessary for a replay.

The General Manager, Business speak their local dialect.

Set in a traditional African environment, the While speaking on character of the play Development, MTn, Richard Iweanoge, who play saw the cast dressed in tye and dye cloth- and values students should learn, she said, She noted, “over 140 years ago, there also plays golf, congratulated the winners was a woman that kicked against any ing, adored with local beads, to depict the “Efunsetan Aniwura was an Iyalode of and encouraged them to keep giving their form of domination by the western Yoruba background that it is made from.

Ibadan, Iyalodes are high ranking female world and so it’s time for the children of best whenever they are on the golf course.

With 12 scenes, it had the students perform chiefs in the town who were very influen“MTn will continue to support initiatives with so much vigour and passion, as they tial and were part of building the city. She this generation to know that before the Thatchers of this world among other that will bring out the best out of every indi- went about the stage bringing back to life, the was a very good woman, and then, there great men and women we have come to was a turning point, which was the lost of vidual. We believe that everyone has the ‘can times of Efunsetan Aniwura. idolise, we Africans are a people with a Describing the play as a great lesson, which her only daughter after which she swore do spirit’, therefore all must go to great root and history.” that no one would be happy around her lenghts to activate and put to use the innate others should see, Corona Secondary School

Efunsetan Aniwura on Corona stage E

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

LAFETE All-Stars Concert: Profile Of A Trendsetter he potential of a single idea or conT cept influencing or enhancing social experience can be amazing. In this respect, history is full of extraordinary corporate imperatives and concepts that have raised the bar with regard to human existence and helped to empower a new set of people to link up the stubborn chains of time commonly referred to as change. Change, of course, is the reason why humanity has survived the consistent projection of doom that keeps rearing its head every decade.

Naming some of the world’s transformative concepts will require space but it is common knowledge that from the days of the battles of the gladiators in Rome, to the present confederations or bodies that host global sports and entertainment events, the world has been propelled by trends.

Trends, to a large extent, literally refer to ‘veering in a new direction’. As all roads, irrespective of how long, must end, it takes the determination of a most unusual group of people to veer in that ‘new direction’ and begin a new journey that will surely blaze a trail for others to follow. Whereas this is global, Nigeria, with a fascinating number of people and a large youth population who possess extraordinary talent and the determination to explore, becomes an interesting example.

As President Barack Obama rightly said recently in his address to a fully packed hall of African youths at the University of Johannesburg in Soweto, South Africa, one of the challenges of the 21st

century is how to keep the youths con- their passions, in the face of delightful sistently driven by improving their theatrics put up by Nigeria’s A-list hip‘quality of the imagination’ and hop artistes that comprised many of ‘appetite for adventure’.

Project Fame’s graduates, who are now Here, in Nigeria, one corporate institu- music superstars. tion that has been in the fore-front of The world stood still for Wizkid, that drive is MTN. The telecommunica- Iyanya, Chidinma, Praiz, KCEE, on one tions company, which has proved its night, while simultaneously calling for leadership, in both operational and attention. Such attention needs not be transformational initiatives, has been restricted. The global audience, who are consistently deploying its arsenal of separated by a long corridor of time and strategies and finance towards inspir- space from Lagos and Calabar, where ing a new set of people with a whole the concerts took place, must partake in new set of experience to dream more the testimonial of Nigeria’s most proand reach further into the realm of pos- ductive, youth-centric music academy sibility. That is trending with an cum reality show: the MTN Project Fame admirable sense of responsibility.

West Africa. So, terms were clear.

Recently, MTN opened a new vista, in Being an industry leader, with a record social media engagement. At the MTN of surmounting challenges and succeedProject Fame’s All-Stars concert, in Lagos ing where others had merely tried, MTN and Calabar, the youthful audience was threw all its human and technological thrilled at the new ways of spicing up capacity behind hosting a local event social engagement, by taking an event with content for millions of eye-balls, in beyond its spatial setting and helping almost all the countries of the world. It the whole world to connect to a most was seamlessly accomplished. The feedentertaining live experience via twitter, back was massive and positive. A trend Youtube, Facebook and Instagram. To was established; a new generation of every participant, numbering 27 million youths was provided the platform to people, in 150 countries worldwide, it connect with their passion on the social was like throwing an online party. And media as well as given lessons reaching that was it, an online party or concert, further into possibility. as it suits description.

A few years earlier, what MTN achieved, For those in attendance at the concert on a single night, with the Project Fame venues, the experience was elevating.

All-Stars concert would have seemed Live before them was a giant LED screen improbable for those who love statistics that kept updates of their tweets and and anathema for the literary gurus, but images by the second. The quest to be all that was laid to rest in the face of the acknowledged was well visible and telecommunications company’s ‘can-do’ youths found a new way to connect to spirit.

Wizkid and Chidinma

When celebrities Gathered For EMC Open Mic Gig T was a roll call of celebrities from the Iend, Nigerian entertainment industry last weekas the Sam Onyekwelume-led Entertainment Management Company (EMC) threw a gig in honour of the co-founder of TRACE, Olivier Laouchez, who is visiting the country, and also, to unveil its new office in Lagos.

EMC is the representative of Trace Urban, Trace Sports and FAB Media in Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa. .

According to Sam, EMC is in the business of provide winning platforms for Nigeria’s creative industry to reach the international community, thus, the company has developed a strong relationship with those in the Nigerian entertainment circle. “Our platforms provide excellent opportunities for creative minds to fully maximise the merchandise value of their creative works. TRACE Urban for instance, is the first international platform to feature Nigerian music,” he said.

“We play Nigerian music in heavy rotation across the globe and Naija artistes such as P Square, Iyanya and Flavour for instance are currently number one in terms of requests in the Caribbean because of the level of exposure TRACE give to them across the world.”

He also explained that such international exposure has created the high level of demand

Ufuoma Ejenobor and a friend

for Nigerian acts abroad and talented Nigerian entertainers are already cashing in on this phenomenon.

As Nigerian artistes gain increased recognition across the world, there will be increase in foreign investment in them. He noted that EMC is determined to transform the entertainment industry in Nigeria by making the industry a major contributor to the economy.

“Africans are very creative people,” he said. “The rest of the world is looking up to us to bring freshness to the global entertain- Steve Ayorinde, DJ Jimmy Jatt. Sam Onyekwelume, a guest, Ramsey Nouah and Kunle Afolayan ment scene. To do this successfully, we need indigenous entertainment companies that are willing to introduce international practices and exposure to the local industry; and that is what EMC stands for.”

He added that the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry requires the effort of both the artists and those behind the scene including directors, producers, choreographers and others.

The star studded house warming party provided an opportunity for all such major players in the industry to mix.

The gig attracted clebrities in entertainment and media industry such as Ramsey Nouah, Kunle Afolayan, Ufuoma Ejenobor, Yvonne Ekwere and DJ Jimmy Jatt, who provided music for the event.

Yvonne Ekwere and a guest

THE gUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

SUNDAYMAgAZINE 35

LAFETE

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI

shaibu70@yahoo.com

Around and about Nollywood...

Fund raising for Igbo Nollywood Centre HE Igbo Film Forum, a socio-cultural T organisation charged with the mandate of promoting, preserving and propagating Igbo culture, using Nollywood as a veritable medium, has concluded plans to hold the first Ndigbo in Nollywood New Yam Festival and the launching of N50 million fund raising campaign for the establishment of Igbo in Nollywood Cultural Centre. Led by Chief (Dr) Harris Chuma, who is popularly known as Ogene Ndigbo, the forum, in a statement signed by him, said the event is scheduled for September 28 in Lagos.

Regarded as the Eze Omenani Igbo Na Nollywood because of his campaign to revive movie production in Igbo language, justifies the need for a centre: “Nollywood has registered its presence on the world stage with an assertiveness that cannot be ignored. Central to its evolutionary process is the initiative taken by producer of Igbo extraction in pioneering the industry. In Nollywood, other ethnicities are using the medium to promote language, preserve and propagate their cultures while the Igbo, who are among the pioneers, are unrepentantly silent and playing deaf to their language and culture, which is being eroded.” He added: “We need to arrest this very ugly situation urgently. The sure way of ensuring the survival of Igbo language is to produce more of films in our dialects, and also, active promotion of Igbo cultural heritage’’. The forum can be reached at igbocouncil@gmail.com

Of Good Report is opening film for 34th Durban Filmfest

Ngubane at a local tavern. An illicit affair follows their mutual attraction.

There’s just one problem: the beauty queen is one of Parker’s pupils in his English class and just 16 years old. Six months later, he moves on to another job. The festival and the opening night film comes courtesy The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZuluNatal), The National Film and video Foundation, Suncoast CineCentre and Spier Films. However the 34th Durban International Film Festival is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) with support from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and video Foundation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, City of Durban, german Embassy, goethe Institut, Industrial Development Corporation, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture, and a range of other valued partners. Further film festival information can be sourced at www.durbanfilmfest.co.za Chuma

FIvE-O-FIvE With Wole Ojo Façade, the new movie by Adekunle Adejuyigbe (No Dash), starring AMBO star and lead actor of Tunde Kelani’s Maami, Wole Ojo, was premiered on July 12 at the Silverbird Galleria, Lagos.

The movie features the likes of Kenny Bankole, Nomoreloss and Chukwudi Orji. Moviedom caught up with Ojo and he shares his experience and more…

XT Qubeka’s 104 minutes feature, J34AHMIL Of Good Report, is the opening film of the S Facade your first work this year that th Durban International Film Festival.

I will be premiered or released?

The film feast holds from July 18 to 28. Of Yes, it is my first job to be premiered Good Report will show at the Suncoast Cinecentre at 7pm. Over 150 films have been programmed to show at the 10-day long festival, which will also feature the popular Durban Filmmart. Of good Report, a South African feature tells the sombre tale of a small-town high-school teacher with a penchant for young girls. An intriguing and passionate South African homage to classic film noir, Of good Report is the third feature from Qubeka and it is promoted as a hypnotically engaging journey into the soul of a mentally troubled man. Parker Sithole’s troubles start when he meets the stunning Nolitha

this year, though it was shot last year. I have some other jobs waiting in the wings and I’m sure they will also take their turns soon. But this is the first to be premiered.

What was the experience like on the set?

It was a wonderful experience. It was a project that the producers took to heart; hence, a lot of details went into the making. It also had a different feel as I was working with No Dash for the first time.

Façade is tight. It is not a cultural movie.

It is a film that centres on the life of a young man and his ordeals. Moviegoers have to see it to find out what he went

greenlife Boss Unveils Birthday Plans

By Chuks Nwanne N July 18, the Executive Chairman of greenlife Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Dr. Obiora Anthony Chukwuka, will clock 50.

As part of activities to celebrate his golden jubilee, the Anambra State native has unveiled a series of events aimed at giving back to the society .

Speaking at a media briefing to herald the celebrations, Chukwuka noted that the birthday is an opportunity to thank god for his mercies and blessing, as well a platform to reach out to the less privileged.

“After much reflection on my life journey these past 50 years, I and members of my family deemed it necessary to celebrate in some remarkable manner. The events of my 50th birthday revolve primarily around appreciating god for blessing my family beyond our wildest imagination. It will also afford me further opportunity to give back to the society by showing love and affection to less privileged members of the society just as god did to me,” he said.

Unveiling the programme of activities, the chairman of the organising committee Derrick Osondu, informed that, on Tuesday, July 16, the celebrant with family and friends would pay a visit to the So-Said Orphanage, Okota, Isolo, Heart of gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere and Regina Mundi Home for the Elderly, Mushin.

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On July 18, a mass will be celebrated at the Catholic Church of the Resurrection, Magodo Phase 2 gRA in honour of Chukwuka, after which a visit would be paid to the Heritage Home Orphanage, Anthony village and Modupe Cole Memorial Child Care And Treatment School, Akoka.

“On Saturday, July 20, Chukwuka will host guests to a grand dinner at the Eko Hotel and Suites, victoria Island, Lagos. The event promises to a great evening to unwind and socialize. There will also be lots of fun and entertainment. One of the highpoints will be the formal presentation of Dr. Chukwuka’s biography, The Man: Obiorah Anthony Chukwuka,” Osondu said.

The celebration will be rounded off with a thanksgiving mass at the Catholic Church of the Resurrection, Magodo, starting from 10am, with a reception scheduled after mass.

“I have looked forward to my golden Jubilee as a time for me to take a retrospective look at my life journey so far. It is for me a period for deep personal reflections with the consciousness that I became what I am today through the providence of god Almighty. My life story is one that replete with many divine interventions; being lifted from grass to grace and coming from nothingness into great abundance,” the philanthropist said.

through. It starts screening immediately after this premiere.

So, what next are you working on?

I’m currently on set, but I worked on a movie titled, Lust, which was supposed to be premiered early this month, but was moved forward. I am sure it will be premiered before the end of the month or early next month. Then Valour, which I also did, will premiere in September as I am told.

Did you return to reshoot Maami?

No, I didn’t. Unfortunately, my character was not involved in any of the new scenes.

So, I was not part of it. Uncle Tunde Kelani is a perfectionist. I have no doubt that what will come out eventually will be a greater version of an already great work.

But generally how is your career progressing?

Well... It is moving on fine and I am not complaining, though I won’t deny the fact that I feel it can be better. The joy of any actor is to be on call, all the time. But I am confident that things will improve with the current rejuvenation that Nollywood is going through. The advantage I have is that I am trained stage director, but I also plan to direct films in the near future. I am also a producer and screenwriter and I have a couple of projects I am working on.

Award for Decorkote

By Chika Onwukwe AvINg met the expected standards for the Nigerian market and the regulatory body, Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS), Decork Products Limited, the makers of Decorkote paints recently got the MANCAP Certificate and Logo by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria SON for its various brands of paints.

At the award presentation ceremony held recently at Amaebu Ebenator, Imo State, Joseph Ikemefuna Odumodu, Director general, SON, represented by Makwe M.C, State Head, SON, said, “ with the award the company can display MANCAP Logo on any of its products.”

The SON helmsman stated that owing to the on-going reforms embarked by government to improve standard of life, the agency has resolved never to relent efforts in maintaining standard of goods produced in the country. It is in pursuance of this goal that the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP), Mark of quality NIS Logo were introduced to be pasted on products with the approved standard.

Odumodu emphasized the council’s commitment to the standardization policy as part of the strategy for ensuring and promoting the competitiveness of made-in-Nigeria products in both local and international markets. He stressed that MANCAP is aimed

H

at ensuring that all locally manufactured products conform to the relevant Nigeria industrial standards before such products are presented for sale in the Nigerian market or exported.

Odumodu informed that the scheme is also tailored at protecting consumers from locally manufactured sub-standard and unsafe products, which do not meet the minimum required industrial standards.

He commended Decork products for satisfying the stringent conditions for MANCAP certification and appreciates the commitment of the entire staff in meeting the policy directives of the SON, urging the company to use the certificate and logo to maximum advantage.

Ngozi Ihekaire, CEO, Decork Products, commended SON for giving the business such honour, saying that it will serve as a moral boaster to the Decork family.

“I have no doubt that based on our combined effort we can successfully execute the goals we have set for the company” she said.

Stan Dara, representing Orsu State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly urged the state government to support Decork products as a way of creating employment for the people and developing the State, adding Imo State cannot survive without industries.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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All That Jazz

BY BENSON IDONIJE benidoni@yahoo.com

‘If We Kill The Planet, There Ain’t No Other’

ARTSVILLE

BY TOYIN AKINOSHO

Attack On America’s White House, Twice MERICANS have fallen into the habit of invading the White House, in A their movies. And Nigerians love watching the terror. The most popular films in Lagos Cinemas in the last 45 days have –arguably-been the White House Attack movies: Olympus Has Fallen and White House Down.

In either case, the screening rooms have been packed at the Silverbird Cinemas on Victoria Island, in the Genesis Cinema at the Palms in Lekki, and at the new movie house in Surulere. The theme: imagine what could happen if anyone seriously implemented a move on the most fortified piece of real estate on the planet. What could be the motive? And could he/she succeed? For the creators of these large-body count -flicks, the answer to the first is obvious: there are millions out there who want to see the America empire crouch on its knees; its symbol of authority disgraced. The second question is answered, by the producers, with a clear “No”. The two movies play into the Obamaesque reality: a black man at the helm. The president is a white man in Olympus Has Fallen, but the man who runs the presidency for most of the proceedings is the black Speaker of The House(played by Morgan Freeman), who is sworn in to act while the president is in bondage. In White House Down, the President is a black man: Jamie Foxx. In both cases too, it is one security man, clearly unwanted by the supervisory authority, who saves the President. In Olympus, a disgraced former Presidential guard finds himself trapped inside the White House in the wake of a terrorist attack and, using his inside knowledge, he works with national security to rescue the President from his kidnappers. In White House Down, the man who saves the King does not even have the papers yet to become a Presidential Guard. He has been told he wasn’t qualified enough and on this day he just happens to be on tour of the White House with his young daughter, when a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders show up to take over the government. In neither movie is the terror attack from the Middle East, although Olympus Has Fallen comes close; a guy like Kim Jong un, North Korea’s baby president, might get ideas, though in this particular case it is one “patriotic” Korean who feels so awful about how America undermines his homeland and has enough inside knowledge to do awful things. The motive for the attack in White House Down is the more intriguing; it is Americans themselves plotting to destroy their own democracy; it plays to the extreme bickering between the two dominant political parties.

Filmmakers Warm Up For Fagunwa Confab

Sonny Rollins HE rains are here again in full blast.

T So far, no incident of devastating proportion has been recorded even though some people are still vulnerable and apprehensive of impending danger. This time last year, the rains came in torrents, causing unprecedented floods which displaced thousands of Nigerians from their homes — who are still grappling with the wider ramifications of the disaster. Like the series of natural disasters, which continue to wreak havoc globally, this is being blamed on climate change, a seemingly abiding phenomenon which jazz musicians (known for drawing inspiration from nature) have continued to dismiss as selfinflicted.

Scientists are still debating the exact causes of climate change and are coming up with all kinds of unsubstantiated evidences, but one thing that is not in dispute is the strain being placed on the earth’s resources by a variety of factors. The rising sea level and a global population of over seven billion are major causes of concern along with vegetation depletion and pollution.

Like several musicians, the British trumpeter Byron Wallen is also convinced that our current ecological woes have roots in human folly saying, “I think that everything that’s been happening is a situation of cause and effect. Every action has a reaction: “It’s almost like we are creating an artificial world that doesn’t match up with the natural so in a way the world has to balance itself out and that’s what we‘re seeing with all these earthquakes… It’s about regaining balance.

What the earth is saying in effect is ‘you can’t forget me’ and that has to be our priority.” The trumpeter chose to convey this explicitly on his 1998 album, Earth Roots, a plea for mankind to re - assess his treatment of nature.

This was not an isolated protest.

Scanning jazz and black music throughout history, we can see that Earth Roots fits into a wider canon of ecology-themed work. In 1991, the British vocalist Cleveland Watkiss wrote an intensely moving song called

The River in which he made his despair with our water resources abundantly clear. “As we wallow in our own pollution do we ever ask why? As we reach out for a solution do we watch nature die? Don’t you let the river run dry; we need it to cleanse our souls.”

Taking up the charge with great vigour was saxophonist Sonny Rollins who made the self explanatory Global Warming in 1998: “Live light on the planet sister and brother because if we kill it, there ain’t no other,” warned the saxophone colossus on the C D sleeve – while Henry Texier recorded Mad Nomads, a brilliant work addressing the displacement of indigenous peoples, an important component of Earth Roots. In the 1980s, the likes of Charlie Haden wrote Song for the Whales and called for protection of the species by international law while Paul Winter recorded Missa Gaia, a mass in celebration of Mother Earth.

Perhaps the most iconic examples of musical wake up calls to save the planet were cut in the 70s. Take David Axelrod’s Earth Rot, James Brown’s Mutha’s Nature and of course Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology).

The singer’s lines “Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury” were a chilling prologue to disasters such as the Amoco Cadiz oil spill. This last piece was featured on What’s Going On, a great album of the 70s and a plea for social justice and political integrity that was spiritually inspired by the redemptive, humanitarian sound of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme.

The sea has often stirred the imagination of creative minds involved in all spheres of art, especially jazz where Pharaoh Sanders, one of John Coltrane’s famous disciples has demonstrated particular affection for water, its vastness, its power, the awe it can inspire. “The thing about the ocean is it can be very peaceful; then, all of a sudden, it can change, says Pharoah Sanders. “ I don’t know how another person might feel but I get a lot of energy being out there by the water and I try to put this in my music. I try to

express it in my music. That’s why we need to protect the water; we don’t have to put trash in it”.

The Creator Has A Master Plan, in many ways Pharoah’s signature piece, is a declaration of faith, an ecumenical praise song. It’s not just about mankind; it addresses his place in the wider world. “I feel like the Creator comes first and He is the Creator of all things, not just man but the environment, the earth, the planets, the universe,” Sanders contends. “ So when I played The Creator Has A Master Plan, I wasn’t just talking about people, I was talking about people in the world, on the earth, out there in nature or in manmade shelters. They are part of a system of animals, plants and vegetation. That’s all got to work together.”

Pharoah Sander’s playing depends on your sensibility. There is certainly something volcanic about his upper register work on the tenor saxophone — much of which he exhibited profusely at Eko Hotel in Lagos when he visited Nigeria in 1983.

Fierce and forceful, his high notes almost reach for the skies, sounding like animal sounds and human grunts. His bass movements are as progressive as ever but the notes are oceanic in their depth.

Interestingly, Alice Coltrane once said that the interesting characteristic she could hear in the sound of Sanders’ mentor, her late husband John, was thunder. In any case, the elements and the environment exert a powerful hold on the imagination because they provide us with imagery that can illuminate the complexities of the human condition.

There are many powers that can impede the harmony of the Creator’s master plan. Commerce is a prevalent one. When Joni Mitchel told us that “they paved paradise and put up a parking lot” in ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ a prophetic 1971 protest song, she pin pointed a ruthlessness in man’s treatment of the environment that has since spiralled to

month to go for the Conference on Daniel Fagunwa. And two of IingsT’stheatocountry’s leading filmmakers are jostling to utilize the proceedmake a statement. Tunde Kelani is hoping to screen a short, 15 minute movie, shot from a script adapted from one of the novels of the late bard. Femi Odugbemi is lining up his crew to use the conference as a peg for a documentary on the author, who was his uncle. The Fagunwa conference, to be held in Akure from August 8 to 10, is the idea of several people who happened to be interested in the work of the author who pioneered the Yoruba language novel. Fagunwa died in 1963, so the gathering is commemorating 50 years after his death. There is a study group comprising Professors Adeleke Adeeko, Tejumola Olaniyan, Olufemi Taiwo, Olakunle George, Sola Olorunyomi, Gbemisola Adeoti, Kunle Ajibade and myself. There is also an Organizing Committee made up of the Nigeria-based folks and which includes Diwura Fagunwa, the writer’s daughter. Fagunwa wrote his fist novel, Ogboju Ose Ninu Igbo Irumale, in 1938, to enter a literary contest of the Nigerian education ministry. It is widely considered the first novel written in the Yoruba Language and one of the first to be written in any African Language.Wole Soyinka translated the book into English in 1968 as The Forest of A Thousand Daemons, first published by Random House.

Fagunwa’s later works include Igbo Olodumare(The Forest of God, 1949), Ireke Onibudo (1949), Irinkerindo ninu Igbo Elegbeje (Expedition to the Mount of Thought, 1954), and Adiitu Olodumare (1961). The conference website says that the hosts of the event are: The Fagunwa Study Group, Ondo State Government, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation(CBAAC) AND Cntre For Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU).

It’s The Soyinka Season HARVEST With Soyinka, a play comprising skits from seven plays of A Wole Soyinka, continues its month long run at TerraKulture this evening. Staged twice every Sunday of July 2013, it is one of several events

in Lagos marking the 79th birthday of the 1986 Nobel Laureate for Literature. A Harvest is directed by Ken Uphopho, and produced by his production company PAWS (Performing Arts Workshop and Studio).

Uphopho used to be an actor in Wole Oguntokun’s Renegade Theatre/Laspapi Productions, which created the Wole Soyinka Season several years ago, with a month long series of the Laureate’s plays every July. By running Harvest at the same venue on the same dates, it would seem that Mr. Uphopho has upstaged his former boss. But Oguntokun himself has pitched his tent elsewhere, to celebrate his idol. Yesterday at the Muson Centre, he delivered the premiere of his new play Eniogun (based on the autobiographical works of Wole Soyinka). The play will run again today, at Muson Centre, at 3pm and 6pm. Yesterday, again, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, the Havard scholar Biodun Jeyifo delivered the 5th yearly Media Lecture Series of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism. His subject was The Freedom of Information Act and the Dictatorship of Corruption and Mediocrity. The last one week has featured the fourth edition of the Open Door Series Project WS, organised by Z Mirage, featuring an international essay competition for senior secondary school students and the presentation of Memoirs of the Future, a compilation of winning entries in the earlier competitions. The Open Door Series Project WS is a platform for interna-

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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By Chris Irekamba, Omiko Awa, Isaac Taiwo and Oluwakemi Ajani HE Bible, in Matthew 5:13-14, states that ChrisT tians are the salt and light of the earth. It is in keeping to this divine assertion, that different churches — Orthodox, Pentecostal — have through their programmes and activities, make their impacts felt in the society, especially the communities, where they operate.

As part of its efforts at salting the earth and illuminating the nooks and crannies of the areas, where it is operating, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Apapa Family, provided streetlights in seven communities in the Mushin Local Council of Lagos State, as well as fed over 50,000 people during its recent yearly EXCEL programme.

Highly commended, RCCG, however, is not the only church in this gospel of touching lives.

Many churches, in order to impact on their members and the society, have planned their programmes to reflect the needs of the people and solve some noticeable problems in the society.

Some of these programmes, which could be held on weekly, monthly or yearly basis, according to the needs of the people in the church, range from business conferences, skill acquisition workshops, family seminar, widow’s empowerment to parenting, dance/praise concerts, seminars for the singles and unmarried, and even sex education.

The list is endless.

Speaking on the effect of these programmes on members, some clerics maintained that they have acted as catalysts for change in the community where they operate.

According to Apostle Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship Kure of Nigeria (PFN), “my church lays emphasis on the youths, orphans, rejected and dejected in the society.

“We accommodate, train and make them to be responsible and responsive citizens who could fend for themselves and contribute to the betterment of their immediate community. For instance, we have a craft school that has churned out a lot of artisans in the village, where we have our church. These artisans now depend on the skills they have acquired from the craft school.

They do not only produce and sell their products, but have begun to contribute their quota to the development of the place through the various small scale businesses they run.

“Besides, these group of people were, before now, the street urchins and people regarded as never-do-wells; but we have been able to reform and make them acceptable to the society loans are usually interest free.”

He continued, “We have a hospital through through our programmes.”

Lauding the impacts his church programmes which we render assistance to those who have on the communities, Kure said, “for the pos- cannot afford the cost of their treatment. itive effect the church is having on the commu- This service is not limited to the urban areas nity, different traditional rulers and their chiefs alone, because we have a robust rural have come to thank me for turning their sub- health outreach programme for people in jects, especially youths away from crime to more the villages. The benefits of these programmes include making the recipient to fruitful ventures.”

Kure, who is also the General Overseer of Throne- have faith in God and attend Church servroom Trust Mission, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, re- ices.

With these programmes, the people are vealed that his church has, since the beginning of the year, awarded scholarships to 20 indigent more committed to things of the Lord and youths, and as well, given out soft loans that run contribute generously towards any Church into several millions of Naira to people to start project.

“Another good thing about these prosmall-scale businesses.

“We gave them full scholarship to study in any of grammes is that they have helped to bring the universities in the country, including the the family together, which means happiSchool of Aviation, Zaria. We have also given out ness and better care for children and their loans that run into several millions of Naira to parents, as well as making people to turn different people to enable them start up small- away from occultism and immoral acts. It scale businesses or support existing ones. has also contributed to renewing members Presently, we are giving out loans to eight differ- faith in God and to live a holy life style,” he said. ent people every week,” he intoned.

According to the Media and Public RelaIn his submission on church programmes, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese, who is also tions Officer, Methodist Church Nigeria, the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria Rev. Oladapo Daramola, his Church ob(CAN), and Enugu State Pilgrims Welfare Board, serves special days such as Easter, ChristRev. Emmanuel Charwoman, said, “we hold a lot mas, Lent, All Saints’ Day, Pentecost, Trinity of beneficial programmes for our members, Day and others, like Father’s and Mother’s which include ‘Men Christian Fellowship,’ where Day, Widow’s Day and Founder’s Day, which we have family talk; workshops on how to be a many Christians do not know of.

He said, “we celebrate some of these days good father and ‘Weekend for Couples,’ where we enlighten spinsters and bachelors on how to and they have impacted on our membermake right choices in marriage. In addition, we ship because of what they represent. On Faprepare retirees and those who dread old age to ther’s and Mother’s Day, we celebrate fatherhood and motherhood, paternal and face their advanced age without fear.”

“The Pro-chancellor of Renaissance University, maternal bonds, and the influence of both said: “We encourage the unemployed and create parents in the society. Men and women self-dependable jobs. We equip people, espe- make sacrifices everyday in their place of cially the unemployed with skills that would work, in their role as husbands and wives make him or her an employer of labour instead and fathers and mothers, for their families, of being the employed. We have youth empow- friends, communities and Nation.

“Father’s and Mother’s Days provide averment programme through which we empower both the youths and the widows. We also enues for members to appreciate and celegive those we have equipped with skills some brate the men and women who have soft loans to start small-scale businesses. These contributed immensely to the good of the

Daramola

Church Prgrammes…

The Effects On Members society. While Widow’s Day allows the church to specially remember widows, who often happen to be the most vulnerable in the society.

“Frankly, the impact of these celebrations in the lives of our members, and Christians generally are immeasurable, considering the fact that the focus is on appreciating people for who they are and not about their social, class or financial status. We live in a world where we hardly have the time to appreciate others, especially the ‘ordinary people’ in the society. But these special days allow us to celebrate one another, make others feel special, loved and wanted; the impact, especially from a psychological standpoint is far reaching.

“Imagine the joy that radiates through people when they are made to know how loved and appreciative we are to them.

Such moments are everlasting and cannot be purchased even with gold. The arguments of some have always been that we are supposed to show love on a daily basis, and so, we don’t need to mark out special days for such purpose. But I have always said there is no harm in emphasising and reiterating ones love, appreciation, admiration and adoration for people on days designated to further celebrate people, especially when they deserve it. They are spiritually uplifting and bring smiles to people’s face, which lightens them up and heals even the brokenhearted,” he stressed.

Apart from the normal daily Mass, which follows the liturgical format in all its churches across the globe, the Catholic Church also organise series of programmes that aim at enhancing the spiritual growth and development of its members.

Speaking to The Guardian, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, said: “Every January 1, for instance, is the World Day of Peace while a day is usually set aside as World Communications Day. There are also days set aside as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Singles Day

with the Archbishop, Children’s Day with the Archbishop and others. Here in the Archdiocese of Lagos, for instance, like other dioceses and archdioceses, we also organise spiritual retreats, novenas, priestly recollections, workshops and seminars for the faithful. At the moment, all over the world, the Catholic Church is celebrating what is called the Year of Faith. During this period, there are series of programmes lined up for the clergy and faithful, which aim at deepening their faith in God. Some of these include: National Eucharistic/Pastoral Congress, Priestly Retreats, quiz and art competitions, Marian devotions, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Archbishop’s meeting with various societies/organisations, ecumenical services and others.

“These programmes are essentially meant to deepen the faith of the faithful, to give them a better understanding of the word of God, thereby enhancing their overall spiritual growth and development,” he pointed out.

The General Overseer of His Praise Deliverance Chapel, Ogudu, Lagos, Pastor Oluwagbenga Ajadi, noted that the church’s family programme held every Thursday, has helped to change the mindset of members on how to manage their resources and how to seek for a good job.

“Most of the women that lack business ideas learn how to use various ideas in the Bible to set up their own small scale firms, aside from learning business ethics. Today, many of them are financially independent through what they’ve learnt here while youths among them have also learnt to trust God without being dubious in business. We also teach them how to be good citizens in the society and as well to be friendly to their fellow human beings, which we have started seeing the effect here.

“We hold Praises programme every second day of the month and the youths attend in their numbers. They know the impact the event is making in their lives, so, instead of going to the clubs, they come to the house of God. Through the programme some of them have become singers and dancers; in fact, because of this, we have set up a dancing/drama group to help them showcase their talents. This has really helped our youths to channel their talents to something positive and to shun wayward life style,” he quipped.

Commenting on some of the out-of-the-church programme, Ajadi, said, “when we visit orphanages, we go with our members to show them that they need to care for others, especially the less privileged in the society.”

Evangelist Timothy Olaniyi, Parish Pastor of Christ Apostolic Church Mountain Of Mercy, revealed that the prayers his church organises for pregnant women every Monday from 8am to 10am helps them to have a safe delivery and also clears their minds of any fear of death.”

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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Sunday School Mission (1)

... With Pastor Enoch Adeboye

Memory Verse: “And the gospel must be published among all nations,” Mark 13:10.

now the duty of the Church to carry this good news of salvation all over the world, Mk. 13:10, Isa.49:6, 2 Cor. 5:19. In the beginning, because of the continuous sinful nature of man, Bible Passage: Isaiah 54:1-3.

God had to disperse humanity to the very ends of the world Introduction and into different tribes, languages, kindred and peoples, The word ‘Missions’ has many connotations depending on Gen.3:9-17, 6:5-8, 11:5-7. God the everlasting Father also immethe context. We will be studying the word in a clear, well dediately put in place a new plan to reconcile the whole world fined and technical sense today. to Himself, Gen. 12:1-3, Mt. 1:17, Jn. 3:17. This is the heartbeat of Definition God. Missions, in our context, mean the programme and assignInvolvement ment to rescue and restore lost souls as well as to reconcile God expects every true child of His to be involved in misstrangers to the common wealth of Christ, Luke. 24:47; Acts sion work, Jn.17:18, Mk. 16:15-20. The salvation of all men on 1:8. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, has paid earth is something very dear to God. For instance, God was the ultimate price of salvation for every kindred, tongue, deeply concerned over the thousands of people, who could people and nation of the world Jn. 3:16, Phil. 2:2-11, Rev. 5:9. It is

By Gabriel Osu AST week, history was once more made in the Catholic Lneeded Church following Pope Francis approval of the miracle to canonize Pope John Paul II and waiving Vatican rules to honour Pope John XXIII. The candidates have rightly been described as two of the 20th century’s most influential Popes; having closely identified with the Second Vatican Council, the 1962-65 meetings that brought the Catholic Church into modern times.

Pope Francis approved a decree that a Costa Rican woman’s inexplicable cure of a deadly brain aneurism was the ‘miracle’ needed to canonize John Paul. More significantly, he decided that John XXIII, who convened Vatican II, could be declared a saint even without a second miracle attributed to his intercession. Pope John XXIII would go down in history as the Pope, who declared open the Vatican II, a year before his death in

not discern between good and evil in the city of Nineveh, Jonah 4:10-11. God expects us to also be deeply concerned about every unsaved soul, tribe, kindred and nation of the earth, Lk. 15:3-7. He expects us to apply ourselves diligently to the all-important assignment of missions. It is not the exclusive preserve of people we often refer to as ‘missionaries.’

Conclusion It is God’s earnest desire to see every man, kindred, tribe, nation of the earth saved. God gave His best, Jesus Christ to save the whole world. Every true child of God should be able to give his best also for the work of saving the nations of the earth by the grace and to the glory of God, 1Jn. 3:16.

A Tale Of Two Popes And The Sainthood 1963, and also opened the church to people of other faiths and allowed for Mass to be celebrated in the languages of the faithful, rather than Latin.

Saints are those, who follow Jesus Christ and live their lives according to his teaching. The news of the Pope’s decision to canonize Pope John Paul 11, threw the Catholic world into a frenzy of joy. Here was a Pope (John Paul 11), who is well loved and whose influence throughout his 27 year pontificate has continued unabated to move the world towards the path of religious peace, tolerance and ecumenism. He revolutionised the papacy, traveling the world and inspiring a generation of young Catholics to be excited about their faith. He was the first

Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Director of Missions, Lagos Province 1, Pastor Samuel Bode Olaniyan (seated third right) flanked by some members of his mission field and Pastors from RCCG LP1, at a recent buffet in Lagos to raise fund for mission fields in Honduras, Central America.

Polish pope and the first non-Italian in 455 years — a legacy that continued with the German-born Benedict XVI and Argentine Francis.

Benedict put John Paul on the fast track for possible sainthood, when he dispensed with the traditional five-year waiting period and allowed the beatification process to begin weeks after his John Paul’s death. Benedict was responding to chants of Santo Subito or ‘Sainthood Immediately,’ which erupted during John Paul’s funeral.

All things being equal, before the end of the year, the two men would be canonized, presumably December 8, which falls on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, a major feast day for the church that honours Mary, to whom both saintly popes were particularly devoted. It is instructive to remember that Pope John Paul II, who first visited Nigerian in1982, came once more in the year 2008 and carried out the beatification of our own Fr. Cyprian Iwene Tansi in Onitsha.

Basically, there are four steps leading to the Catholic sainthood. The person must have died for five years (Pope John Paul II waived this requirement in Mother Teresa’s case.) When the subject arises that a person should be considered for Sainthood, a Bishop is placed in charge of the initial investigation of the person’s life. If it is determined that the candidate is deemed worthy of further consideration, the Vatican grants a Nihil Obstat. This is a Latin phrase that means ‘nothing hinders.’ Henceforth, the candidate is called a ‘Servant of God.’ Secondly, the Church Official, a Postulator, who coordinates the process and serves as an advocate, must prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues. This is achieved through the collection of documents and testimonies that are collected and presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. When a candidate is approved, he/she earns the title of ‘Venerable.’

Thirdly, to be beatified and recognized as a ‘Blessed,’ one miracle acquired through the candidate’s intercession is required in addition to recognition of heroic virtue (or martyrdom in the case of a martyr).

Finally, canonization requires a second miracle after beatification, though a Pope may waive these requirements. (A miracle is not required prior to a martyr’s beatification, but one is required before his/her canonization.) Once this second miracle has been received through the candidate’s intercession, the Pope declares the person a ‘Saint.’

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

God Is Light And Has No Darkness

By S.K. Abiara IGHT represents what is Lreliable. good, pure, true, holy and Darkness represents what is sinful and evil. Therefore, if ‘God is light’ it means He is good. He is perfectly holy and true, and can guide us out of the darkness of sin.

Light is also related to truth in that light exposes whatever exists, whether it is good or bad. In the dark, good and evil look alike; in the light, they can be clearly distinguished. Just as darkness cannot exist in the presence of light, sin cannot exist in the presence of a holy God. To claim that we belong

to Him, but then go out and live for ourselves is hypocrisy.

“This is the message he has given to us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all,” I Jn. 1:5.

He alone can never die, and he lives in light, so brilliant that no human can approach Him. No one has ever seen Him, nor ever will. To Him be honour and power forever, Amen. I Tim.6:16 6:16. God alone is not subject to death. Dwelling in the light, which no man can approach and that light is unapproachable by creatures, unless God, Himself, admits them to it. It is unapproachable because of its tremendous brightness. If a person cannot stare at

seen and read in Genesis 1:3.

Then God said, “let there be light and there was light.”

This phrase, which occurs so repeatedly in the account of creation means: willed, decreed, appointed, and the determining will of God was followed in every instance by an immediate result. God’s authority and sovereignty are demonstrated by the response to His command (Isaiah 55:11). God is the Father of the sun, which is a small lights and lives in light. Light part of creation, how much is the representative of the less can mortal man look glory of the invisible God on the inexpressible glory (Matthew 17:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). of God (Psalms104:2; 1 John Jesus is the light of the world 1:5). and while on earth, he reEverything about God is flected the Father’s light. light. He created light as Jesus said to the people, “I am

the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t stumble in the dark, because you will have the light that leads to life,” Jn. 8:12. God through one of His prophets said in Isaiah 45:7, “I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness.

I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.”

God is ruler over light and darkness, over good times and bad times. Our lives are sprinkled with both types of experiences, and both are needed for us to grow spiritually. God’s word is a light. “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for

my path,” Ps. 119:105. To walk safely in the woods at night you need a light, so, you don’t trip over tree roots or fall into holes. In this life, we walk through a dark forest of evil. But the Bible can be our light to show us the way ahead so we don’t stumble. It reveals the entangling roots of false values and philosophies. Study the Bible so you will be able to see your way clearly enough to stay on the right path.

Prophet Abiara, General Evangelist, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC). skabiaraofciem@yahoo.co.uk

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

IBRUCENTRE Emphasis On Grassroots, True Federalism Will Bring Peace And Economic Development For Nigeria, Says Martins The Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins will on July 21, host a summit of old students of St. Theresa Catholic Minor Seminary, Oke-Are Ibadan, his alma mater, under the aegis of Oke-Are Seminary Old Boys Association of Nigeria (OSOBAN). The gathering, which hopes to attract different people across the country, including the priests and laity, to deliberate on ways to uplift the school, will also serve as avenue to raise fund to develop the school. In this interview with ISAAC TAIWO and TOYOSI AJAYI, His Lordship looks back at his seminary years, the significance of the summit and some national issues. Excerpts: OW many years did you spend in the seminary?

H I spent seven years in St. Theresa; though a seminary, the school offered the best of secondary education. However, it just happened that during our school days, some of the boys opted out from becoming priests, which is the reason you have among our old students priests and non-priests. The common bond we shared while in the school, irrespective of whether one is ordained a priest or not is what that is bringing us together.

What was it like being in the Seminary then?

The seminary was a very happy place to be. We were all young boys and then there was no Junior or Senior Secondary.

Though, there was no cause to call anybody senior, because we were supposed to be brothers; nonetheless there was respect for your seniors and constituted authority. There was no room for unjust punishment by the more senior students on the younger ones. It is a seminary and there were rules and regulations that everyone had to obey.

Were you involved in any sport while in school?

Yes of cause, sport was a major part of life in the seminary. We also did our share of manual labour, and during either of these periods, you dared not stay back in the dormitory while others were either engaged in manual work or on the field of play. Everybody took to one sporting activity or the other, but for me, it was basketball.

What challenges were students faced at this time?

The challenges were not different from any faced by young boys everywhere. Just ensure you study hard and pass your examinations; keep the rules and ensure you do not get into bad company.

When were you ordained a priest, Bishop of Abeokuta and Archbishop of Lagos?

I was ordained a Priest in 1982 along with seven others and in 1998 I was ordained Bishop of Abeokuta. I became an Archbishop of Lagos on May 25, 2012.

What is the relevance of OSOBAN? OSOBAN is the umbrella body that unites all those who passed through the four walls of St. Theresa. It serves as a platform to deliberate on how the old students can contribute to the continued growth and development of their alma mater.

The school is the cradle from where everyone of us got to wherever we are today, and it is for this reason that we should be interested in the school’s development either in terms of awarding scholarships or endowment that will go towards infrastructural development or provision of sporting facilities.

We need to complete the construction of some of our buildings and this involves a huge sum of money. So, we had to tax

ourselves and as well invited friends to support us too.

Why are you hosting the Lagos branch of the association?

It is come together to exchanging ideas and see ways to tackle the issues at hand. We are inviting people who may not be members of OSOBAN, but who share our ideals and owe gratitude to our alma mater and are ready to assist us in any way they can.

What’s your view of same sex marriage?

Well the Catholic Church has taken a position towards the socalled same sex marriage. We don’t call it marriage because it’s not one. We have marriage by concept, by nature and by general acceptance, which is the relationship formed in the coming together of a man and a woman. Therefore, if people of same sex come together, then it may be termed some form of cohabitation, but not marriage.

What is the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) like?

The Catholic Church is active and fully committed to God. We are also one of the founding members of CAN and therefore committed to its growth and objectives. If, however, there is reason to disagree, we are always willing to sit down and reach an understanding, especially when we feel the objectives for which CAN was founded were being sidelined.

Looking at Nigeria today, what are your views about governance?

There are many problems, which range from insecurity, unemployment, education and others; they are so varied. We have consistently over the years lacked the leadership required for the kind of growth Nigeria needs. We have had more of the leaders, who are interested in their personal welfares to the detriment of the general good of the people. This is why we must harmonise interests and ask for a true Federal structure that would reflect the real concept of a true federalism. We need to emphasise on the grassroots and return the Federalism we practiced before the Military distorted everything. This will go a long way in returning peace and economic development in Nigeria.

Archbishop Martins

Connect To The Ultimate Power Of Christ Jesus grace. To believe is to connect to him spiritually, Jn.20:31, 3; JESUS, the last Adam, is a vast Jn.1:2. Christ’s rising from the living real estate; the spiritual dead settled all controversies. residence of ultimate power.

‘And without controversy The resurrection power of great is the mystery of godliChrist Jesus is the ultimate ness…’1Tim.3:16. Everything power in heaven and in the about you attracts greatness whole cosmos. The human when connected to the resurrace is richly and immeasurrected Lord and His power. ably blessed by the death, and The spiritual might of a man resurrection of Jesus Christ. is directly proportional to his This is the power that quells connectedness with the Lord all forms of trouble and turbu- Jesus. He makes his power lence, filling His domain with available, so that, all glory calmness. shall return to Him, the As the Lord Jesus declared, source of all things. Your spiri‘but ye shall receive power, tual strength and prowess is after that the Holy Ghost is contingent on the dividend of come upon you…’Acts 1:8. To whom you are connected to. receive, you must personally By connecting to the living connect to the source to bene- power the Lord makes you a fit. When you believe in Christ, pillar in His House. ‘…Jeyou are automatically conhoshaphat stood and said, nected to Him, His lovingHear me… believe in the Lord kindness and His abundant your God, so shall ye be estabBy Julian Ejikeme Okechukwu

lished; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. …If ye will not believe … 2Chron.20:20; Is.7:9b.

Christ said, ‘I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing’ Jn.15:5. By connecting to the ultimate power we present ourselves for endowment of new abilities from the Spirit of Power. Our natural talents are enhanced and the spiritual gifts enable us to operate in higher dimension with the Lord. So, nothing is impossible to us because we believe.

Paul stated the spiritual reality of his present connection to the risen Lord and His awesome power. He experienced continually, the mighty working of the Lord, in himself, with anointing power, great grace and revelation, Col.1:29,

Acts 5:32. When you are connected to Christ you have the living witness of His suffering, death, burial, resurrection and His ultimate power.

Any one not connected to the Lord Jesus through faith will remain in the natural and spiritually blind. 1Cor.2:14.

The Lord calls, elects, justifies, empowers and glorifies the vessels He chooses according His will. When He commissioned Jesus, He anointed Him with power.

Acts 10:38. Beloved, get plugged to Jesus Christ, then will you be eminently imbued with the resurrection power.

Pastor Okechukwu of Christ Manifest Ministries writes from Lagos. christmanifest@gmail.com

Springs Of Wisdom

By PASTOR W.F KUMUYI

Danger Of Dabbling In Dark Powers ARK or satanic powers are, by nature, too dangerous to be D toyed with. Which is why anyone who is not just innocently afraid of evil spirits, or merely showing curiosity about satanic activities, but submits to being initiated into evil powers, is willfully disobeying God. Some seek to excuse their involvement in witchcraft, for instance, by signposting their supposed good intention. A woman accused of witchcraft may confess to her children that she does nothing evil with her dark powers, but rather seeks their prosperity. Some even draw a distinction between what they term black magic — which they say is evil and destructive; and white magic — which they extol as a tool for attracting prosperity and such other good things. In reality, there is nothing to be recommended about Satan, witchcraft or familiar spirits. They are all works of darkness; they are evil, and will be punished by God. A certain fearful and fiery repercussion awaits all those who possess, and operate by dark powers. The only escape route for them is to sincerely, completely turn away from their evil ways, plead with God for forgiveness and pardon for their past actions, and rest their confidence on the grace that God bestows through Jesus Christ, to help them live a new life.

The activities of those who operate by dark powers are captured in an instance in the New Testament, where “a certain man called Simon which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria.” Then, there was the story of a king in the Old Testament who sought to hire a man who turned out to be a false prophet, to curse or ‘bewitch’ the Israelites. The king pleaded with the man: “Come now, therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessed is blessed and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” He wanted a spell cast on the Israelites, because he felt threatened by their very presence. He “saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel. And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field.”

You see, witches and wizards do quite often curse, or cast a spell on hapless persons not for any wrong doing whatsoever, but to satisfy a wicked desire to stop such people from making progress in life, to weaken them, obstruct their dreams, and to defeat and destroy all their worthy aspirations. Examples of this can be seen in sometimes, inexplicable circumstances surrounding certain individuals and families. Members of a family, for instance, just cannot seem to make a headway in life: business stagnates, mature men and women are unable to get married, and those that are married cannot have children even when all medical tests have shown that the couples are medically sound. Other people are weakened through protracted illnesses or litigations that serve as a drain on their financial, mental and other resources. Evil forces often seek to weaken people so as to destroy their resistance to all machinations. Had the Israelites been cursed, it would have led to their defeat, which in turn will result in their complete destruction, extermination, and eventually, the disruption of God’s eternal plan both for the Jews and for the rest of mankind. A prostrate Israel will warrant no expense from their enemies to engage in a fight.

Such sly strategies are what Satan and all his cohorts operate by.

And our Lord Jesus Christ captured this sentiment well when he summarised the Devil’s agenda thus: “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” The Bible also reveals another realm of the operations of witchcraft when it spoke about “the multitude of the whoredoms of the well floured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms and families through her witchcrafts.” God here, associates whoredom or prostitution, immorality or adultery and fornication, with witchcraft. While immorality destroys character, witchcraft destroys lives. Both are agents of defilement and destruction.

In the case of the Israelites, God had expressly warned the prophet not to curse them because they were blessed. But the prophet succumbed to the inducements of the king who promised to promote him. Many people unwittingly subscribe to the vain promise of promotion, wealth, popularity or fame, which the devil deceitfully offers. For the prophet, the lure of sudden riches promised him by the king perverted his knowledge of God’s express commandment. Ironically, the Bible account shows that he did not receive what he was promised. But what he could not achieve through the power of darkness, he got through adulterous inducements. He advised the king to unleash his women on the men of Israel on the understanding that once they began to commit immorality God will turn away from them, allowing their enemies the chance to destroy them. That strategy worked, because Israel fell into the trap, resulting in the untimely death of twenty-four thousand of them. This calamity shows clearly that when witchcraft combines with fornication, adultery or any form of immorality, it leads to great destruction.

Little wonder then that witches and persons possessing familiar spirits tend to be very seductive by the way they dress, talk and wink their eyes, they entice and seduce unwary and naïve men and women. What witches find difficult to do by enchantments and divination, they easily achieve by moral defilements.

Christians need to be particularly careful because their adversary the Devil, like a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom to devour, those who would fall by his evil machinations. He would only succeed in his bid to kill, steal and destroy when you give him room, in this case, through any form of immorality.

Once the moral defence of an individual is removed, the Devil through his agents, begins the operation of all kinds of evil works. These come in different forms — sickness or disease, or demonic oppression.

References: Acts 8:9; Numbers 22:6, 2-4; John 10:10; Nahum 3:4; (All scriptures are from Kings James Version).

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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IBRUCENTRE

A Worthwhile Sacrifice (3)

By Seyi Ogunorunyinka

take off anytime they like will discover that they would not be able to leave the country. Invariably, it would be better for a NCE you are over 50 years, you should know that you have person to have made a worthwhile sacrifice, to deny his own spent more than half of your lifespan, and as such should flesh — that greed or selfishness —than corruptly enriching put your focus on heaven. If at over 50 or 60 years, you are still himself. Unfortunately, God said there would be no escape, as engaging in corrupt practises; not putting other people’s feelthe situation will be so sever that brotherly love will wax cold. ings into consideration, then, know you lack brotherly love.

If you look at the family, there is no brotherly love. If a wife or Sometime ago, the Lord told me that this nation is sitting on a husband has kidney problem, and you see either of them looktime bomb that could explode anytime and that it is the prayers of the brethren that is holding it. He further said that all ing for kidney all over the place, and none of them is willing to denote his/her own to the other, it is a sign that there is no the people who are engaged in corrupt practises and believe brotherly love. Nobody wants to sacrifice anything for anythat they would be saved because of the money they have body; people are just plain selfish. That is why the world is selfabroad would be shocked when result of their evil deeds will ish and a selfish nation can never move forward. fall on them. God said the whole thing would escalate within In many homes, people are selfish; there is no worthwhile three days. sacrifice. Parents do not want to make any sacrifice for their The crisis will be triggered off by just one thing, and a lot of children, and children do not want to do the same for their people would wonder why Nigerians that has endured incesparents. How therefore can there be thanksgiving? Thanksgivsant power outages and unavailability or poor supply of other ing can only come when there is peace. The result of selfishnecessities of life, are just waking up to the reality of the situaness is always tragedy and God does not associate with selfish tion. They will be shocked as to why the ‘small thing’ had caused so much trouble. However, God did not tell me what the people. If you want the song of thanksgiving to go on continually in your home, you must practise a worthwhile sacrifice. ‘small thing’ would be.

What is a worthwhile sacrifice? It is something that is worth The first day it will happen, everybody will run home, hoping doing; something that you need to do. God sacrificed His only that by next day, the situation will be brought under control and people begin to go about their normal businesses. The Lord Son for our lives. God had to do it so that the works of His hand says that by the next day, it will be worse than the previous day would not be destroyed. and by the third day, even planes will not be able to land and people will not be able to drive out. The situation will be so bad Pastor Ogunorunyinka, General Overseer, The Promisedland Restoration Ministries, Surulere, Lagos. and uncontrollable that all manner of people will take over. pastorseyiogunorunyinka@gmail.com So, even those who thought that they have money and could

O

Assembly Of Faithful Church Holds Festival HE Assembly of Faithful Church T (Worldwide) started its yearly prayer festival, last Sunday. The

Chairman of the Executive Board, God’s Kingdom Society (GKS), Brother Godwin Ifeacho (right) and his Vice, Brother Felix Adedokun in a warm handshake at the end of the opening session of the GKS Ministers’ yearly Conference 2013 in Warri, Delta State.

highlight of the festival is a 21-day fasting and prayer for the nation, families and friends.

With the theme, My Cup Runneth Over, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Israel Olufemi Ibironke, said, “God has been very faithful to his members both at home and in the Diaspora. We have testimonies to attest to what God is doing in our lives, especially in the fulfillment of His promises.

Ibironke said the festival will feature pastors from other churches, teaching of the word of God and prayers, while the Thanksgiving service holds on the last day, Sunday, July 28 at 10am in the church auditorium.

Sun, Moon And Stars

By Gabriel Agbo “The sun and moon grew dark, and the stars no longer shine...Then the Lord will pity his people and be indignant for the honour of his land! He will reply, ‘Look! I am sending you grain and wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your needs. You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations.” Joel 2: 10, 18-19.

EMEMBER, we started the year by declaring it as a year of R restoration. And on it, we had a message of five parts titled 2011: A Year of Restoration, published in our various columns. The

and arrows of the enemy, living in sin and ignorance are some of the reasons our sun, moon and stars will never shine. Ignorance here, is not knowing what God has in stock for us and how to get them. This is why the word of God said that the entrance of His word would always bring light and understanding. And rightly applying that understanding will always produce deliverance, breakthroughs, miracles and others.

Grain, Wine, Oil As you are reading this message, know that total restoration is already taking place in your life. God’s face will shine upon you again! Like Jesus, your star will arise again and lead people that God has prepared to bless and lift you in life. Some will even come from unexpected quarters, the ‘eastern lands’. The unbelievers will come. The godly too. Everything that God made will favour you from today, in Jesus’ name! The Lord will have mercy upon you once again. See how Joel puts it, “Look! I am sending you grain and wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy your need.

You will no longer be an object of mockery among the surrounding nations… the pastures will be green again.”

Look at that - grain, wine and oil. And each of these represents a section of the blessing that is coming your way. Grain is talking about plenty to eat. Food shall be surplus. You shall not have to do ungodly things to eat. God will bless what you do. And wine talks about happiness, joy, celebration. You cannot have these without being in good health and things going well for you.

God will make all around you go well, so you can celebrate.

There are some of us (even families) that for a very long time have been in pains, sorrow, tears, disappointment and others.

But from today, I command celebration into your life, in the name of Jesus - Amen! Then, oil is the presence of God. The grace that will help you to fulfill His will in life. Any part of your life that has been held down shall be oiled today. I pray for your sun, moon and star to shine again from today, in the name of Jesus Amen!

testimonies are rushing in. God’s word does not fail. But there are still others that should also read today’s message, so they would join in this flow of divine restoration. They are in darkness. They are starving. They are unhappy and also lack the grace that comes with the presence of God. This is their chance to also be restored.

Look at the above bible text again. The sun and the moon grew dark, and the stars no longer shine! These were elements that were once bright and favorable. They were put in place to bless us, but all of a sudden, they grew dark and stopped shining. This is exactly what some of us are going through. Our once bright light has not only dimmed, but has totally gone out. We don’t even understand how we got into this situation, less coming out of it. It seems there is no hope. Now, the sun represents our day.

The moon our night and the stars our destiny. How? In Genesis, God told us at creation that the sun will rule the day, and the moon will rule the night. The Psalmist also told us that the sun shall not smite us by the day nor the moon by night. Then the stars, we saw how Jesus’ star lead the wise men from the eastern lands to where He was born. We also saw the stars of Joseph’s brothers bow down to him. And Job went further to call some of these elements by name – Orion and Pleiades. Sure, these are entities put in place by God to influence the affairs and destinies of men. So, when they go off for any person or people, the conseRev. Agbo is of the Assemblies of God Nigeria. quences are always terrible, even disastrous. gabrielagbo@yahoo.com However, it must be noted that several factors such as attacks

Living Waters

By Pastor Lazarus Muoka

Except We Repent Luke 13: 1-5 says, “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices… I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

ELOVED after proper examination of the physical and spirB itual life of our nation, I have come to a conclusion that except we repent and return to God, the Almighty, the wishes and prophecies of our enemies shall come to pass in the life of every citizen of this country. Whether we like it or not the spiritual temperature of the world vis-à-vis our nation, Nigeria, is at its low ebb and if we don’t make haste to address it, now, we would all perish. The hue and cry of the citizens, the economic crush, the political quagmire and the ethnic strife cannot be abated except we repent. Repentance is the only way to save us from perishing hereafter.

I still plead with our leaders to discern the handwriting on the wall or take notice of the ominous crowd that have already gathered against the nation and immediately call for a day, when the whole nation will gather to confess and denounce our sins.

This will enable us avoid the wrath of God, which the high rate of evil in the country may attract.

This generation has provoked God more than any other generation. From the record time till date, it is very clear that the people of this generation have perpetrated so much evil than any other generation, and thus begging for the anger of God to come upon them. The increasing level of abomination in the country is so frightening that even devil, himself, acknowledges that the nation is evil. Everyday innocent blood are shed in hundreds; robbery, kidnapping, rapes, abortion, fornication and adultery are the order of the day. Homosexual, cultism, lesbians, abortion and prostitution are not excluded. Membership of secret cults are no longer secret, as even our youths openly claim to belong to them; yet our leaders are doing nothing to stop the wrong. Truly something needs to be done now or never.

During the time of Noah, God destroyed the people because they rejected His instructions. Also, Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed when they immersed themselves in evil. But the Scripture says that the people of Nineveh were spared because they repented and made atonement for their sins, after hearing the warning of God from the mouth of Jonah. So, for this generation, particularly Nigeria, to escape from the imminent danger of total destruction by God; they should urgently set aside a day of repentance, otherwise that which they fear most will come upon them. The ethnic, economic and political crises, which are as a result of increase in crime, will continue to deteriorate until we repent from our sins. A stitch in time saves nine.

RCCG Raises Fund For Foreign Mission

By Omiko Awa EMBERS of the Redeemed Christian Church of God M (RCCG), Province 1, Mission Field Project, last week, held a buffet with a select audience of entrepreneurs, professional groups and ministers of the gospel in Lagos to raise money for its four parishes spread across three of the 18 provinces of the Republic of Honduras in Central America.

Speaking on the topic, War Against Wasters, Pastor Joel Oke highlighted the importance of the project, saying there are a lot of people languishing in the Streets as a result of the evil mechanisation of some evildoers and going on mission field would not only liberate this group of people, but show people how to fulfill their destiny and lead a better lifestyle.

Oke called on Christians to be up to the challenge of mission field as Satan is seriously ravaging the world, making the people not to believe in God. “Wasters are everywhere, in government, our homes, schools and any place you could interact with people. And it is for this, we have to rise to stop them, by bringing them to Jesus Christ, so that they may not die in their wickedness,” he said.

Expressing delight at the outcome of the meeting, Pastor Rachael Odesola, wife of the Pastor-in-Charge of Province 1, said, “mission is the heartbeat of God and since we now know the importance of the project, the minds of the people are set to do something tangible, even if they cannot go there, at least they can use their resources for those that will go.

“This meeting will make a difference in Province 1, because most of our mission fields are in places, where we are either yet to have a building or in some uncompleted buildings and with this many of the ongoing or suspended projects will be completed apart from helping to meet missioners needs in terms of salaries and other upkeeps,” she said.

THe GUARDiAn, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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iBRUCenTRe

By Ernest Onuoha S people interact in a setting like the A Church, they are bound, knowingly or unknowingly, to fall into conflict situations. This was strengthened by Tella, Awoyele and Alani (1991) when they observed that: ‘where two or more persons interact for a longer time, conflict is inevitable.’

According to Rensis and Jane (1976), conflict is defined as: ‘the active striving for one’s own preferred outcome, which if attained, precludes the attainment by others of their own preferred outcome, thereby producing hostility.’

Understandably, therefore, every individual encounters at least two or three disputes, either at home, work, social outings or even when we sleep in our bedroom without talking to anyone. We must, therefore, admit that ‘conflict is an unavoidable concomitant of choices and decisions. The problem, then, is not to court the frustrations of seeking to remove inevitability, but rather , trying to keep conflicts in bounds; in time, expenses, efficacy and humaneness’ (Adapted from Zartman, 1997, pg. 197). The engineer is not afraid of friction that is why oil must be present for lubrication purposes. it has been argued and rightly too that sometimes conflict may arise as a result of people’s style of administration, greed and insatiable nature of human beings involved, insubordination to constituted authority, power tussle,

From The Rector Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor

Building Conflict Firewalls in Church pride and arrogance (a feeling of self sufficiency) among others. The Church of God should not allow herself to be distracted. After all, her mission should be to prepare people and make them candidates for heaven. Any attempt to derail her should be resisted.

Consequently, some of the ways the Church can build firewalls against conflict now include: to spend more time in prayers and the study of the word of God, encourage team work, ensure that there is delegation of duty and recognition of people’s gifting and potentialities, emphasize mutual respect — one to another because respect they say ‘is reciprocal.’ Also, it is good to encourage the use of ratio, especially when there are things to be shared to avoid heating the polity, and then

practical steps should be taken to satisfy people’s needs, Abraham Maslow’s great theory of motivation is a sine qua non to this.

Again, contentious issues should not be allowed to get off hand, but dialogue should be encouraged. People should also learn that there are some issues that are best handled by neglect or silence or at worst; we can confront the problem because sometimes, escapism may not be a good solution. Added to the above, regular communication should be put in place to avoid misunderstanding of any type as when they are not handled properly may degenerate into a conflict situation. St Paul will add that: ‘love is an essential ingredient in human dynamic relationships,’ his treatise on I Corinthian 13v4-8 is highly instructive.

The likely positive effects of conflict on the Church include: it increases burden for prayer, it exposes a sore point on a lingering issue(s) and when ably resolved, could enhance growth and spirituality.

On the other hand too, the negative effect of conflict on the Church regrettably includes: slows down progress and spiritual growth, if unresolved, sometimes may lead to litigation and worst still may involve physical or bodily harm. We pray God to help His church rise above every conflict situation. ven. ernest Onuoha Rector, ibru international ecumenical Retreat Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.

Www.ibrucentre.Org

Apostle Madubuko To Host The 11th edition Of Azusa Conference He yearly Azusa ConferT ence of the Revival Assembly Church comes up on

Deacons Joel Olawale (left), Kehinde Joseph, Rev. and Mrs. Segun Taiwo, Chancellor, Diocese of Ife, Professor Gabriel Olawoyin, Chief Bisi Omidiora, Bishop of Ife, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, Mrs. Folashade Odubogun, Rev. and Mrs. Johnson Kayode and others, during the Trinity Ordination of Deacons and Priests of the Diocese of Ife, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Oke Ola, Ipetumodu.

nigeria’s Leaders, Cause Of nation’s Woes, Says Atere

By Chris Irekamba iSHOP of the Diocese of B Awori (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev. Johnson Akin Atere, has attributed the nation’s growing poverty, increasing unemployment level, corruption, precarious security situation and infrastructural decay to the nation’s leaders at the three tiers of government.

Atere, who made this remark, last weekend, during the presentation of the Bishop’s charge at the third session of the first Synod of the Diocese of Awori with the theme, We Will Serve The Lord,’ which was held at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Sango Ota, Ogun State, stressed that it was disheartening that over 52 years of independence and 13 years into the present democratic dispensation, nigerians have not enjoyed the dividends of nationhood and democracy.

He said the inability of government to find a lasting solutions to the decadence in the nation’s universities, endless orgy of misrule, thievery, impurity, exploitation by callous and insane elite, general state of insecurity, perilous state of

infrastructure and abysmal failure of electricity generation have shown how dysfunctional the country has been.

The cleric noted that the persistent high unemployment level in the country has resulted to anti-social behaviours such as militancy, prostitution, armed robbery, terrorism and kidnapping. He appealed to the Federal Government to pursue a more sustainable approach to job creation by creating enabling environment for private sector to invest and grow.

Speaking on the recent attacks by Boko Haram, the Bishop condemned the president for failing to rise to the challenges of Boko Haram insurgency, saying a situation where the nation have produced a terrorist organisation that is second only to those in Afghanistan is a big shame to the country’s security operatives.

Atere added that the sect’s insurgency on the nation is a gruesome indicator that something has gone wrong with the nigerian nation, noting that since the nigerian civil war of 1967-1970, no challenge has been as centrifugal and

foreboding as the Boko Haram insurgency. He appealed to the Federal Government to develop a nationally coordinated security infrastructure to engage terrorists, prosecute members of the terror groups already arrested, do everything to cut off the sources of funding of the groups, put tight measures in place and map out pre-emptive measures at where they could cause more mayhem and stop the influx of sophisticated arms, which were coming in through Mali, nigeria Republic and Libya into the country.

On the nation’s health sector, the Bishop urged government to address the problems facing the system such as policy

inconsistency, declining professionalism, weak coordination, integration and implementation of health policies, infrastructural decay, undue politicisation of the sector and inadequate budgetary provision.

Commending the efforts of the Government at inviting private investors to build independent power plants, thereby bringing improvement to the sector and as well create employment opportunities, Atere urged the Federal Government to be sincere and transparent with the promise to attain 10,000 megawatts by December 2014.

Divine Power Pentecostal Chapel Holds Laugh Nights ivine Power Pentecostal D Chapel inc. (a.k.a True Shepherd Assembly), Mechanic village, off Oslo Way, behind Aswani Market, isolo, Lagos will on July 18 and 19 hold a concert titled, Nights Of Great Laugh. The show, which will feature dance, drama and comedy has Praise icon and

the 12 Can Praise Crew as guest artiste. Also billed to perform are Benjy D Joke, Mog, MC Shakara, Makati, Luckchild and others. The show, which holds from 5.30pm to 8pm on Thursday and 10pm till dawn on Friday promises to be thrilling.

Gladys Dark, a strong woman of God from U.S.A; Micah Stampley, another Thursday, July 25. The fourAmerica’s finest great worday event is expected to end shiper from U.S.A; Dr. victor on Sunday, July 28, at the Okorie of Rhema Ministry in Church Headquarters, Cocoa Maryland and the host himRoad, Ogba, ikeja, Lagos. The self, will be there to bless the founder and General Overseer people of God. of the Church, Apostle The event will start with Anselm Madubuko, who is early morning worship also the host and convener of from 6am – 8am; while the the conference has assured conference continues each participants of God’s readiday in the evening from ness to do a new thing in the 6pm to 8pm. Gospel artistes life of His people. expected to perform at the According to him, there will event include popular be a ministers’ conference for gospel carnival-Azusa Praise men of God in ministry and Jamz, Keffee, nathaniel this year’s revival conference Bassy, iroko, Tunde Akiwill parade prominent minis- nokun, Frank edward, Seun ters of the gospel from within Bankole; and Kenyan gospel and outside of the country. star emmy Kosgie, among Among them are Prophetess others.

Adefarasin Tasks nigerians On Service For national Reformation

By Gbenga Akinfenwa n his bid to foster Church imation unity and national Reforin the country, the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin has enjoined nigerians to take humanity service a priority, in order to achieve a purposeful life.

The Pastor made this known at a confab, which was held at the Rock Cathedral, Lekki for religious and market place leaders.

Speaking on the title, ‘Serving With A Greater Purpose’, Adefarasin, said, “Before Jesus started washing the feet of his disciples, he set aside his garment, which symbolise setting aside of agenda. For you to serve God, you must lay aside your agenda.

“Selfish people do not serve God or their communities.

They do things for their own comfort. There is no occupation or work that exempts us from serving God. Some put their trust in uncertain riches, but riches they do not know fly like eagles. everything we get on earth is for

the purpose of serving God on earth.”

According to the cleric, “receiving gives a level of joy, giving gives more joy than money can buy, adding that life is much more than paying bills, enjoying life because seeking purpose would attract more stuff to a person, who had dedicated his life to serving others.

“Laying aside your garment may be the most challenging thing to do, but when you do it, it attracts value.

The Bible says it is blessed to give than to receive. Some people get married because of what they can get and not what they can give, selfish parents would give birth to selfish children who cannot serve.

“Get your children to serve, if they don’t, they will be poor because service always attract money and provision. nigeria has not trained people to serve, but to eat.

Supper is over, the time to lay aside our agenda and serve others is now,” he said.

TheGuardian

42 Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Business Too Many Hurdles On Path Of China-Nigeria Relations

By Marcel Mbamalu IGERIA and China last week dominated the airwaves when both made a public show of their love affair once again. “Decorated” in the full regalia of public and private-sector-laced officialdom, President Goodluck Jonathan hit Beijing Wednesday with his portfolio.

Expectedly, the Asian country received his ‘intimidating’ entourage with all the necessary fanfare. Again, the long ceremonies culminated in one big document — the communiqué — the content of which is not really far from public expectations.

All in all, President Jonathan presided over “the signing of five agreements to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations” between both countries. Specifically, the deals include: the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development, a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project, a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Nigeria and China, an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries and an Agreement for the Prevention of the Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said the agreements were signed following far-reaching bilateral talks between the two leaders and their delegations.

The visit had the Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, and other business leaders, including Folorunso Alakija, Femi Otedola and Oba Otudeko, representing Nigeria’s business interests, thus emphasising President Jonathan’s commitment to leveraging the private sector to drive both development and trade and investment links between China and Africa.

Speaking at the investment forum, which attracted over 700 potential investors, their Nigerian counterparts and several governors as well as the Ministers for Trade and Investment, Aviation and Power, President Jonathan said: “Nigeria today is like China 20 years ago – it is entering into a high growth phase. The economy is suitable for private sector involvement; we offer the best incentives and we have put the right structures in place to reduce the cost of entry into Nigeria. All of this is to encourage private sector participation in Nigeria.”

That China has more than passing interest in the oil-rich Africa’s most populous nation is not in doubt; what has been the major concern, instead, is whether, or not, Nigeria is prepared to make the best of the relationship economy-wise.

No doubt, Nigeria, with its over 160 million people, has got what China needs very badly — crude oil, a very big market and the attendant cheap labour. But, having squandered its many years of oil proceeds through misrule and corruption, it is also in dire need of new avenues to create jobs and engage its angry youths. With over a billion population and good money, China, on the other hand, is looking for more areas of engagement for its people and would give everything for new friendships.

Until recently, China’s relationship has been a purely mercantile transaction between business elites and politicians, with politics, culture and migration apparently in the mix. But this affair has undergone radical change, providing little or no chance for both sides to even have time to observe its infancy. In Africa generally, official figures show that trade has, indeed, exploded: Every three years since 2000, China-Africa trade has doubled.

It hit $107 billion in 2008, eclipsing the United States as the continent’s biggest trading partner.

It, however, fell to $90 billion in 2009 due to global recession; but this drop peters into insignificance when compared with the collapse of USAfrica trade in the same period.

From extractive industries to energy; from transport and infrastructure to telecoms; and from manufacturing to Agriculture or raw materials, China holds sway, out-competing the West in every sense of the word. Its economic and commercial connections have reached every corner of the continent: oil and gas, mining for metals, coal, iron ore, power plants, grids, wind energy, roads,

N

Jonathan Arrives Beijing

Elumelu Advocates Africapitalism ports, railways, sports stadia, hotels, housing estates, shopping malls, village shops, among others.

Apart from South Africa — China’s trampoline into the wider continent, Nigeria shares a major chunk of these activities; so, last week’s deal became an effort to provide a clearer blueprint for an old relationship that has been running “as the spirit leads.”

For instance, Chinese investments in Africa hit $32.3 billion in August 2010 and rose by as much as 30 percent in 2011/2012. Yet, according to the OECD, trade between China and Nigeria reached nearly $18 billion in 2010, almost ten times more than just a decade ago.

But opinions converge around the fact that this relationship has generally remained completely lop-sided, with China single-mindedly pursuing its interests and running rings around venal governments.

Whether this allegation holds water outside the weakest and post-conflict African states, however, remains unconfirmed. The DRC, Guinea and Niger, for instance may be fertile grounds for China’s cherry picking on the continent, but the bargain is really becoming tougher than it used to be in almost everywhere else, Nigeria inclusive.

There is no sign that Angola and Sudan, which became China’s closest African economic partners in recent years because of oil exports, would allow sentiments to interfere with business, as both countries want bigger production shares and more local content.

The Asian new giant had had (and, per-

inroad China has made in the economy, Nigeria, as giant producer, has managed to keep its distance by limiting it to relatively minor role in oil and gas. For the first time, a Chinese oil firm was dragged to court for controversially winning oil blocks during the regime of late President Yar Adua.

China is specifically ready to spend big in Nigeria and ready to run rings around African governments. The Asian country expects to leverage its own huge spending in Africa to learn fast on how to compete in more mature and hard-nosed markets.

However, this strategy appears to be getting very expensive for China acting alone. Would the future, therefore, be more about partnerships between Chinese state enterprises, who are learning the capitalist ropes, and Western multinationals entrenched in Africa but wary of costs? Is the telecoms deal between Huwei and MTN a precursor to this model?

China is already using South Africa, which appears to be in a pole position to put all the bits together, as a launching pad for this model.

Already, as the continent’s most-developed economy, South Africa is also used by global companies as trampoline into the continent.

Unfolding events also point to the fact that it (South Africa) has overtaken Angola as China’s biggest trade partner, with trade rising 56.1 percent in the first half of 2010, compared with the same period in 2009, reaching $10.8 billion. Also, half of China’s FDI in Africa goes to South Africa.

haps, still has) a field day in Nigeria’s energy sector, infrastructure, construction and, most recently, hospitality sectors. Its incursion saw the light of the day following the reintroduction of democracy in 1999, with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as civilian head of government.

Riding on the back of home government support, Chinese companies won oil blocks, secured contracts in construction and railway projects and enjoyed consolidated grip on strategic sectors of economic growth.

That was to change when the late President Yar Adua took the reins of power and halted some of the contracts, including proposed modern railway projects.

Energy challenges notwithstanding, Chinese firms made an inroad into manufacturing, provided self-sourced power for production and created jobs in a manner that was also considered very controversial. There was high immigration rate of Chinese citizens who thronged the Murtala Muhammed International Airport to provide labour that eludes the Nigerian casual workers in most of the companies.

Over the last 12 years, or so, China’s demand for oil (estimated by the IEA in 2010) to rise by another 27 percent by 2015, has remained insatiable. Thus, the famous China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) will continue to be in the forefront of this drive in Africa and latin America.

A Call For Private Sector-driven Approach African oil has become the object of China’s ONSEqUENTlY, ONSEqUENTlY the captains of industry and hunt largely because other sources were eiprivate sector leaders on the China trip ther taped up by western interests or were called for a private sector-driven approach to unreliable. But oil producers on the contiNigeria-China relations. nent are becoming cannier and cannier by the day. It is instructive that not minding the CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

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BUSINESS

The Making Of The New ‘Colonialist’

By Geoff Iyatse EFOrE mid-1950s, the relationship between China and African was as wide as the geographical space that divides the two locations. Then, colonialism had already brought African region in close contact with Europe (and its American allies).

But the 1956 China–Egypt path marked the beginning of the new order that would permanently redefine the Sino–Africa economic relations.

In 1963, China, though still relatively underdeveloped, took a major step that has come to stay as a milestone in the country’s relations with Africa. Between the end of 1963 and the beginning of 1964, late Chinese Premier, Zhou Enlai, visited 10 African countries.

Though the Chinese leader did not extend his tour to Nigeria, his reaction to suggestion that he changed plan to visit Ghana on account of foiled assassination attempt on President Kwame Nkrumah resonated in the entire continent that was, incidentally, struggling to put behind the trauma of colonialism and its promoters. Considering the instability, many people suggested Enlai suspended his propsed visit to Ghana.

But the premier insisted on going ahead with the trip, saying: “the more difficulties they have the more China should support them.”

Modern Chinese-African relations started in the 1980s. Since then, it has withstood the test of changing global dynamics and continued on a strong momentum. In May 1996, the then Chinese President, Jiang Zemin, visited to Africa during which he offered a five-point proposal on advancing friendly relations of “lasting stability and comprehensive cooperation” between his country and the Continent. The points were sincere friendship, equal treatment, unity/cooperation, common development and embracing the future.

At the inception of the 21st century, Africa

B

and China intended to build a closer tie. Subsequently, a new type of partnership featuring long-term stability, equality and mutual benefit was drafted at the first ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing. To push this further, China issued its first African Policy Paper in 2006, announcing its intention to develop a new sort of “strategic partnership” with Africa that would centre on economic win-win cooperation among others.

At the November FOCAC Summit, the Chinese and African leaders agreed on the establishment of the “strategic partnership.” And in July 2012, the fifth ministerial conference of FOCAC was held in Beijing with a view to deepening the “new” China-Africa strategic partnership.

Today, the two sides are actively following up on major steps of the conference, particularly as regards investment and financing.

At least 50 African countries, at state level, have entered into significant bilateral relations with the Chinese government. Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) signed have given the Asian tiger, like many of its neighbours, unfettered access into the bourgeoning African market.

Of course, Nigeria, which literature suggests had contact with the Chinese via Egypt, is a central component, and, perhaps, the major target in the Asia’s scramble for Africa, which is driven by economic interest. Previous Nigerian leaders 1974 visit China for one state’s business or the other.

But the context of modern debate, Obasanjo administration could be credited (or vilified) for opening the new vista of relationship. As a president-elect, Olusegun Obasanjo knew China was critical to his administration’s economic agenda. hence, in April 1999 while awaiting oat of office, he was in the Asian country to open discussion with its leaders. In August 2001, he was there again. And in 2005, he paid another visit during which Nigeria signed its own version of “strategic partnership.” The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Deng Boqing, disclosed that the relationship has wit-

ness tremendous growth since they entered the path.

ISTOrICALLy, Chinese leaders, who h measure their performance partly on the country’s trade performance outside its borders, returned most official visits their Nigerian counterparts made. Following Obasanjo’s last visit, President hu Jintao was in Nigeria in 2006 when he further laid out fourpoint proposal for the development of the countries’ bilateral relations. They were encapsulated in political, economic and cultural interests of both countries. The economic aspect clearly pointed out agriculture, energy, electricity, infrastructural construction, telecommunications and satellite technology as areas of concentration. Presumably, the countries have continued to build on them. The question, however, is whether Nigeria reaps real gains from the blueprint or it really goes beyond providing another leverage for the Chinese to continue the historical pillage by the West?

Late President Umaru Musa yar’Adua did follow up the Nigeria–China growing tie with an official visit to the world’s most populous country in February 2008. All these years, important MoUs bordering on economic cooperation and trade have been endorsed. And just last week President Goodluck Jonathan added to existing agreements. The President and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, singed five agreements to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations between the two countries.

Key among the MoUs, according to a presidential statement, are the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for

Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project and Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation. Obviously, the agreements will remove hurdles on trade between two countries and, perhaps, deepen penetration into Nigeria’s market by the Asian giant.

The infiltration of the Nigerian market by the power blocs of the Asia has reduced the control hitherto enjoyed by the West. And, indeed, the Asian tigers, led by China, offer increasing competition to the traditional trade partners – Europe and America – for the soul of the entire African economy where Nigeria serves as entering point.

While the value of trade between Nigeria and China has grown tremendously in recent years hitting $10.57 billion in 2012, what is disheartening to many observers is the disproportionate nature of the trade. For instance in 2010, the value of Nigeria’s export to the Asian country stood at paltry N216.5 billion whereas about N1.1 trillion was recorded in favour of the trade partner. The figure simply shows that Nigeria could only gain about 20 per cent of what China ranked from their trading.

The 2011 balance of trade was similar to that of the previous year. Nigeria’s import from China stood at about 1.46 trillion while the export (though rose sharply) was merely N392.8 billion. Nigeria, indeed, scampered from behind to tackle the trade imbalance last year.

Still, the deficit against the African country was over N276.5 billion.

In the first quarter of this year, the value of Nigeria’s imports from China was N265.35 billion compared to N61.87 billion export bills paid to Nigerian traders (including governments) in the same period. The figures reflect a deficit trade balance of N203.51 billion.

Meanwhile, much of the goods smuggled into the country (Nigeria), especially from the West African coast, reportedly come from the Asia. A lead consultant to the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), Dr. Ken Ife, once said the volume of the smuggled goods, which are not captured in official statistics, is much more than what is brought into the country through official routes.

If Chinese borders are not as porous as Nigeria’s or the Asians are not equally in desperate need of made-in-Nigeria goods like the other way round, it means the real deficit of the local economy is much more than what the official figures connote.

And, interestingly, the Asian country has beaten traditional partners to clinch Nigeria, the soul of African market. Last year, the Chinese N1.2 trillion exports to Nigeria surpassed that of the United States and the United Kingdom put together. While imports from the US stood at N766.2 trillion, that of the UK was N370.2 billion. If the smuggling argument, which seems to ‘favour’ the Asians, is factored into the statistics, the gap, perhaps, dwarfs the difference recorded by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

EANWhILE, the Chinese are not relenting; M at least, not now. In the first quarter of the year, it surpassed the US, the UK, Brazil, and India who were, until recently, Nigeria’s major trading partners. Imports from the four countries were N196.1 billion, N190.6 billion, N169.9 billion, and N114.0 billion respectively while those from China were valued N265.3 billion.

Supposing both Nigerian and Chinese bilateral trade performance continues in the same pace and trend, the former would have consumed goods worth N1.1 trillion from the later while exporting goods valued at N247.48 billion in return. With Nigeria struggling to export less 25 per cent of its import from China, positive strides made to bridge the gap last year would have been erased.

The first quarter figures from NBS further show that Asia, on regional basis, ranks first with N617.7 billion, representing 37.4 per cent of the total bills on Nigerian imported goods.

The region was followed by Europe with N537.1 billion or 32.5 per cent compared with the America’s 395.0 billion or 23.9 per cent.

Global economy tends towards closer acrossborder trade. In any case, trade relations are designed to be mutually beneficial. So, nobody is worried about the growth of economic relations between Nigeria and any other country, not even China. But, like in the case of South Africa, when a relationship becomes overtly disproportionate, people raise eyebrow.

Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Boqing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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BUSINESS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 Unfortunately, China does not play a lead role in the consumption of Nigerian goods.

Rather, its neighbouring India takes the lead followed by the United States. The Netherlands, Spain and Brazil are other top countries where Nigeria earns the foreign exchange it expend on the Nigeria – China asymmetrical trade relations.

China buys only one to two per cent of Nigeria’s total crude where the country derives its major earning. Yet, oil is the country’s major export to the Asian country. And the same China is second highest (behind the US) crude oil consumer. Many would expect that the bulk of Nigerian crude, even though it adds insignificant value to the real economy, would go to China in the spirit of the growing friendship. But the reality points to the other way.

“The relations is,” indeed, “lopsided,” partner at Indemnity Partners Law Firm, Chuks Nwachukwu, noted in a chat last week. He doubted if Nigeria is really getting any serious benefit from the “newfound friendship” the political leaders cherish so much.

He continued: “There is no doubt about the fact that China has become a major partner. But I really don’t know what we stand to gain from the relationship. Many people have noted that they are not transferring any value. Their presence does not uplift the economy since they bring cheap labour to compete with Nigerians for many jobs. They dump the country with sub-standard and inferior goods.”

The lawyer noted that Nigeria cannot conveniently relate with China and grows its local economy at the same time unless it establishes limits in clear terms.

“Unless we restrict them to sectors that do not have much impacts on job creation such as oil/gas, we are in for a big trouble,” he noted while suggesting that the country has to choose between growing local industries and allowing the Chinese unfettered access into the economy.

“If Chinese have has killed industries of developed countries how can an underdeveloped economy checkmate them? The US citizens are crying today that China has taken over their jobs. We should really be careful otherwise it would not turn out to our benefit. China has a huge population they want to ship away. And today Chinese towns are growing everywhere in Nigeria.

They don’t really care about the value they are going to add,” he said.

Nwachukwu said he expected the country to clearly spell out the rules of engagement with the Chinese instead of “pursuing selfish interests or other motives that compromise the wellbeing its citizenry.” China, he said, is a powerful trading partner no country can afford to do business with without articulating its purpose. He pointed that robust manufacturing sector of the Asian country as a huge advantage that should not be treated with levity.

On the MoUs previous signed with China, he said: “I don’t think these are well articulated. I see our people being influenced by other interest rather than what is in the interest of Nigerians. I don’t think it is necessary for the President to go about looking for investment. What the foreign bring sometimes is just the brand whereas they take every return because they claim to have the know-how. I have never heard President Barak Obama talked about Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) as option for reviving American economy. What he talks about is how many jobs the economy has created.

“Our leaders have pleasure for being see to be doing something. And that pleasure propels them to signing all manners of agreements to show that they are attracting development. What is best for Nigeria could, many times, be compromised by pleasure of being seen to be doing something, let a lone the issue of corruption. In many cases, civil servants don’t look at the projects on merit basis but on the basis of what they will gain from them.”

Nwachukwu also said the National Assembly ought to be taken into confidence concerning the MoUs. He also raised a question on what economic framework the agreements are factored into.

He suggested the institution of forum where contents of MoUs with foreign government are debated so that the people can be sure that they fit into the national agenda.

“For example, we want to create jobs. Is it now right for us to go into agreements that

MoUs And The Lopsided Nigeria-China Trade Relations will mean more Chinese coming into Nigeria to take up jobs that should have been reserved for the citizens?” he questioned.

Nwachukwu, noted that if the government fix infrastructure, local businessmen have capacity to drive the kind of investment the government seek abroad. He observed that its inability to address the challenge in the business environment is that major reason the government goes begging for investments that attract unbalanced conditions.

Across different sectors of the economy, Chinese companies loom large. China has set up several solely-owned companies or joint ventures in Nigeria that are actively involved in the construction, oil/gas, technology and services. The increased Chinese economic interests in Nigeria could be classified into two: private and public. According to information from the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Chinese private FDI is

composed of agro-allied industry, manufacturing and communications sectors. Some of the investments are joint ventures between Chinese and Nigerian investors while others are wholly foreign-owned by the Chinese or in partnership with other foreign investors.

CCORDING to Oxford Business Group A (OBG), China accounts for roughly 25 per cent of Nigeria’s inbound Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Its direct investment was said to have hit $6.1billion (N988.2 billion) at the end of 2011. And by OBG’s estimation, out if the $8.9 billion Nigeria was said to have benefited in terms FDI last year, China account for roughly $2.2 billion. This is apart from the Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) where a source said the Chinese are also active.

In building and construction, the China

Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has taken the centre stage, giving German Julius Berger Plc the fight of its life.

Nwachukwu, like many other concern Nigerians, complained that the quality of work of the company could not be guaranteed just as goods coming from its country of origin are not reliable. Despite the complaint, CCECC, maybe relying on cost advantage, seems to lead the new clubs of construction giants that are building ‘new Nigeria’.

The volume of Chinese businesses in Nigeria is even set to soar. About 300 investors of the Oriental country were said to have witnessed the signing of the recent MoUs. The value of trade which climbed from meager $2 billion in 2002 to over N13 billion in 10 years might also increase exponentially as poverty rate that fuels demand for ‘affordable’ goods from Asia worsen.

Yet, there is no clear indicator that Nigeria will also do better. Today, there are Nigerian businesses (even though they are scanty) in the United Kingdom; there are a few in the United States and South Africa. But not much is know about the business exploits of Nigerians living in Asian countries, including China, that has gradually won itself the latest

Finance Minister, Okonjo-Iweala.

Elumelu Calls For Private Sector-driven Approach CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42 Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African proprietary investment company, said the China-Africa relationship has historically been characterised by government-to-government engagement. However, Nigeria’s leadership – and increasingly that of a number of African countries – is embracing an Africapitalist approach where the private sector is leading transformative growth.

‘China’s presence in Africa is important, but we would like that involvement to be more inclusive of the private sector to ensure a sustainable development path for the continent.”

Elumelu’s call comes on the back of the Chinese government’s drive to minimize its role in its own economy and reform state owned enterprises (SOE), which are still

dominant. However, private sector companies are increasingly contributing to China’s overall GDP growth and the Chinese government is creating policies that will allow them to flourish.

“Globally, there is powerful evidence that the private sector is critical in driving a country’s economic growth and China is recognising that locally,” said Elumelu. “We hope President Jonathan’s state visit will mark the start of a private sector-driven approach to China-Africa bilateral relations. The onus is now on us as African business leaders to ensure that future engagements will call for, and unlock opportunities for the private sector.”

During the visit, Elumelu met with leading Chinese investors and business people to raise awareness of the numerous strategic projects under development in Nigeria and the opportunities for investment that they present.

Interestingly, Nigeria, at a point, touted the idea of holding some of its reserves in Chinese currency.

Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, last year, said he saw China’s Yuan becoming global reserve currency. He would, therefore, decrease Euro holdings to make way for the yuan. In what the apex bank governor termed currency swap, Beijig would also settle its Nigerian oil purchases in Yuan. The country, according to Sanusi, plans to reach a target of holding 10 percent of its foreign-exchange reserves in yuan “as soon as possible.”

But Abuja-based professor of Financial Accounting, Wilson Herbert, disagrees with this move. He wonders why Nigeria would contemplate keeping some of its dollar reserves in Yuan, when China has no plan in the foreseeable future to diversify its $3.2 trillion ‘packed in

US currency.”

Mr. Wilson also regrets the unequal trade and economic relation between China and Nigeria. Wondering why it has become almost impossible for Nigerian companies to invest in China, he noted that the success of Chinese investments in the country has failed to bring in, real value, technological advancement and job creation.

“China still operates a largely closed economy. China has an inhospitable property rights tradition that is both provocative and exclusive. The literatures that explain China’s economic and political systems are in Chinese. So, both from academic research and communications perspectives, there is a linguistic lacuna that obfuscates allocative efficiency and property rights. It is elementary that communication barriers create transactional disabilities.

These frictions cannot be cured by

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BUSINESSCOVER Chinese Loans: Fresh Controversy Over Health Of Local Banks

By Geoff Iyatse RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, during his last week’s visit to China got approval for $1.1 billion (N170.5 billion) low-interest loan to fund much-needed infrastructure. The loan will go into new airport terminals in four major cities, Abuja light rail line and roads. But there are questions on the necessity of such loans and, most important, the message it sends about ‘stabilised’ banks.

Concerns are now rife that, despite claims of successful banking reforms, credit to the manufacturing segment of the economy remains at low ebb.

A source close to the reforms said takeover of banks has thrown millions into the unemployment market, even as Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) and manufacturers, which now grapple with limited or lack of access to credit, lay off thousands of workers.

Wondering how many fresh graduates have been employed in the economy since the 2009 intervention, the source observed that the long queues at banks’ Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) depict operational hitches currently being experienced by the post-reform banks.

Nothing may be wrong with borrowing from foreign institutions, acknowledged Chuks Nwachukwu, a lawyer with vast knowledge in investment market. But he said China’s willingness to lend to Nigeria is a plus to the local economy, especially the balance of payment.

At least, he said, getting funds abroad is better than taking money there.

He, however, noted: “What will affect local banks is the interest you pay on the loans. That amounts to taking money abroad. Another thing is that the facilities are not given on charity basis. There are conditions attached to them that make them get much more than they invest. Equipment will come from the funding country, which means its industries will be busy back home creating massive employment while the investment destination gets little or noting.”

Former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu, said the most unfortunate thing about

P

• ‘Reforms’ Blamed For Poor Financing, Unemployment • Loans May End Up In Private Pockets, Says Unegbu the loan is that it could end up in private pockets. Even at the point of signing the loan, he said, civil servants are already scheming how to divert it to personal accounts.

“When you say the banks are doing well,” he continued: “You must not forget to ask about the source of the money. Some of them go to bond market to raise money.

How well the banks are doing should be checkmated against the performance of the economy, which is not palatable at the moment.

“Financial inclusion is still very far from the reality. If, say 70 per cent of the entire population are included in the financial system, we may not need to go abroad to borrow.

When you talk about banks, you are referring to few institutions whose concentration is in the urban centres. Nobody is talking about microfinance banks; they are not regarded as part of the economy, which is very dangerous.

“China is lending to Nigeria because it is competing with the United States and the United Kingdom for emerging markets. No developed economy goes to a place where there is no vested interest. Most times, when we borrow we don’t even negotiate properly. And we are so trapped that we don’t see the disaster areas.”

Citing the example of Murtala Mohammed Airport Terminal Two, which was developed

by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, the retired banker observed that Nigerian banks could fund most of the needs that take the government if the economy is properly run. He pointed out corruption, lack of foresight and poor political will as major challenge affecting government’s ability to source loans from local banks.

Unegbu noted that a well-developed bond market will give can serve as a better alter-

native to foreign loans, noting that its structure is not “attractive”. A focused leadership, he said, is required to re-focus the bond market and upgrade it to a state it can conveniently address domestic credit challenges.

Following Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s bank reconsolidation, the banks were strong enough to take up any funding need, whether in the private or public sector. And even recently, Etisalat Nigeria got a syndicated loan valued at $1.2 billion from a consortium of 13 banks to fund network expansion. The value of the loan is $0.1 billion bigger than what Jonathan travel to faraway Asia to negotiate.

Why, then, is the government finding it difficult to raise funds from banks operating under its regulation? A senior banker with a new generation bank said banks could raise the money if there is strong government’s guarantee that contractors handling the projects will pay. He said the only time banks have issue about releasing fund for public projects is when the government is taking the loan directly.

While government official regularly cite low interest rate to support the trip to foreign lands for loans, the banker said the loans could also be sourced locally if the government accept to take it in foreign currency as they do with foreign loans.

“If they want the loan in foreign currencies they can get it very cheap because the banks w i l l g e t

the loans in foreign currencies. In that case, the bank will use London interbank instead of Nigerian interbank. MTN, Etisalat and many other organisations got syndicated loans from local banks. Why won’t the government, if private organisations are getting?”

He observed that the only reason government shop for loans abroad is to ease the process of converting such funds to personal use without obvious traces.

But some elements within the industry insist that, despite the orchestrated campaign on the well being of Nigerian banks after the 2009 takeover and subseq u e n t reforms, s o m e Nigerian b a n k s remain weak as a result of too much regulation and intervention.

Why NNPC Failed To Contribute To Consolidated Funds, By Yakubu From Adamu Abuh, Abuja ROUP Managing Director of the G Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mr. Stanley Yakubu, last week, explained why the Corporation was unable to contribute to the Consolidated Revenue Fund between 2009 and 2011, saying that the activities of oil thieves was a major challenge.

In a submission to the House of Representatives Committee on Finance, he put the monetary cost of crude oil stolen in the period at N578 billion.

The NNPC boss claimed that the Corporation operated on a loss due to the devastating activities of vandals and oil thieves.

Represented by Group Executive Director (Finance and Accounts), who led a team of staff of the Corporation, Yakubu said NNPC also lost 11.7 million barrels of crude oil in the last three years.

This, he said, is different from a similar loss in the upstream pipelines of the oil industry.

He said: “We will not fail to call your attention to our peculiarities particularly to what is happening to our operations in the creeks and on land.

Our plights with pipelines on the ground and, of course, pipelines on the sea, the loss of crude oil, the loss of refined oil and the loss of gas whose quantum are frightening. We want to crave your indulgence to know that NNPC, compared to its contemporaries in other parts of the world, is not only managing business but also crises.

“The language that describes the oil theft rarely understates the gravity of the crime. It is a highly organised and syndicated crime; and it is done with much impunity. Although the government has engaged security agencies to combat the crime, the success

• Says Corporation Loses N578b To Oil Theft so far is so much underplayed by the quantum of loses.”

Giving reasons for cash challenges suffered by NNPC, he said: “The fact that we are integrated; the fact that we buy crude oil from government at international price and sell at regulated price and the fact that the PPA template does not capture NNPC product cost do not even capture the millions of dollars invested in the pipelines.

You would be surprised to know that even the Warri Refinery and some of the crude supplied to Kaduna Refinery are done through the use of ocean going vessels.

“NNPC has to hire big ocean vessels to transport crude to the Warri Refinery. And even the ocean going vessels you have to provide and pay for protection in ensuring that those products get to the refinery.”

He challenged the lawmakers to take a trip to the affected areas to see things for themselves.

Group Executive Director (Refining and Petrochemicals), Mr Anthony Ogbugbe, who said that Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries have a combined capacity to refine 450,000 barrels of crude oil per day, painted a picture of the nature of the oil theft. He said: “The real challenge we have had is that the crude supply pipelines as well as the product evacuation pipelines have been subjected to a lot of vandalism over the years.

“Losses of crude from Escravos – Warri in 2010, we loss 965,000 barrels, in 2011, we lost 1.2 million barrels, in 2012, we lost 1.2 million barrels. So just on that pipeline alone, we lost 6.4 million barrels within the last three years.

“The line between Warri and Kaduna

which supplies Kaduna Refinery, total loss amount to 2.1 million barrels of crude oil. For the line from SPDC facility in Ughelli up to Warri refinery, the loss over the 3 years has amounted to over 280,000 barrels of crude oil. For Bonny –Port Harcourt, the loss amounted to over 2.9 million barrels over the last three years.”

NNPC’s Coordinator for Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mr. Timothy Okon, spoke in the same vein, saying the activities of oil thieves had a costly effect on all the operational components of the Corporation.

“In the critical years from 2009 – 2011, we suffered losses and as a result, there were no surpluses for funds to be paid into the consolidated revenue fund. In 2009, loss was

close to N300 billion, in 2010, it was N111 billion, in 2011, it showed N26 billion positive but that is because we had booked subsidy which we have not yet claimed, and that is N193 billion and if you take this out, that is 2011 you would have the loss as well.”

A bewildered members of the Abdulmumini Jibrin led committee expressed doubt over the authenticity of the claim by the NNPC officials.

Jibrin thereby directed them to respond to several questions posed to them aimed at unearthing the truth in a week time.

The lawmakers had questioned the integrity of the report on the basis that it was internally computed by the NNPC without any input from external credible professional audit-

ing firm.

While expressing its readiness to employ the services of professionals to investigate the report presented by the NNPC, they pointed at inconsistent figures in the 10 percent Gross margin presented against the breakdown that overshot the 10 per cent by 1.17 per cent.

They also requested the NNPC officials to furnish it with details of its tax remittances and how it has been meeting its operational costs since it has always been operating at loss.

The further wondered if there was any reason for the existence of the NNPC if it is always operating at a loss.

The Committee wants the Corporation to account for what it does with the leftover of daily domestic crude allocation, in addition to how it gets funds for the repair of vandalised pipelines since there was no appropriation for such.

The Regional Sales Manager (West), Grand Oak Limited, Mr Femi Olayemi (left); Managing Director, Bukky Wine Stores, Mr Kehinde Ajoke; Brand Manager, Swagga, Mr. Amuwo Olayinka; and Area Sales Manager, Grand Oak Limited(Ibadan South), Mr Yomi Falowo, at the presentation of SDwagga Tricycles to distributpors in Ibadan… recently

THE gUArDIAn, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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BUSInESS

How e-Commerce Drives retail Sector,By Minister

By Ikechukwu Onyewuchi ITH reasonable advancement W in e-commerce, businesses can now leverage opportunities in the Internet to access global market to sell local brands to foreigners with the usual hurdles.

Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, said this on Friday in her keynote address at Jumai’s oneyear anniversary conference held in Lekki, Lagos.

The minister disclosed that ecommerce is poised for exponential growth, which is presently propelled by six per cent broadband penetration and 70 per cent penetration of telephony in the country.

Stating that most countries provide support for their indigenous brands, she said nigeria must not miss its opportunity to grow a vibrant e-commerce to further grow the already robust retail sector.

Johnson said: “If we get infrastructure right, there is sure way to growth. We need to grow the industry and pull down the negative perception about the country so that when it is time to compete with other brands we will not be pulled down by image issue.”

According to her, about 64 per cent of adults in nigeria are unbanked, and the payment infrastructure, which is mostly cashbased, does not help the industry.

There is need for greater awareness and infrastructure to get ecommerce right.

“The unbanked people in the economy are bankable. They are mostly of the informal sector and earn more than those in the formal sector. It is not that they are not bankable; they don’t just want own bank accounts. There is a trust-gap. These people are critical to the growth of e-commerce. The e-commerce industry cannot grow at the desired rate with the present cash based payment system, it needs to evolve into cashless system for more robust growth,” she said.

She said that government is working to bring down the price of internet connection as it has done with voice and SMS, to fast track the penetration of e-commerce, stating, “The data plans are

still very expensive. In as much nigerians would want to shop online, the current prices of data plans are still exorbitant. The n15,

000 monthly plans will most likely discourage customers who has an option to take a lift to a store to get the goods they need.”

She also decried the level of awareness among nigerians of the opportunities available on the Internet, stating that most people

Co-founder/Managing Director, Jumia.com, Tunde Kehinde (left); Minister for Communication Technology, Mrs Omobola Johnson; and Divisional Head (Transaction Banking), First City PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO Monument Bank Plc, Rolayo Akhigbe, at Jumia.com first Annual e-Commerce Conference at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos… Friday.

Firm Holds Seminar On Youth Émpowerment

By Kayla Grage and Ikechukwu Onyewuchi ETHEL Mendels nigeria Limited is B organising a business workshop, which holds on July 27 and August 3

at the University of Lagos.

According to Mr. Sheneni, who spoke on behalf of the organisers, the symposium is aimed at empowering unemployed nigerians to start up businesses,

penetrate the market and make appreciable profit.

He said: “The first symposium targets business owners and organisations. It is intended to teach them entrepreneurship and busi-

nigerian Plastic Maker To Showcase Products In germany

By Shaibu Hussein Following a 60-year tradition of presenting the foremost platform for the plastic industries, K returns this year to captivate the world’s attention. K 2013 will be staged in Dusseldorf, germany from October 16 to 23.

More than 3,000 businesses from across the world will convene at the world famous Messe Dusseldorf exhibition ground to showcase the latest developments in the industry and, more importantly, present the innovative paths that will shape the future to over 200 000 visitors.

The categories of products and process to be presented include

are still likely to use the Internet for social networking, while there are numerous activities that boost commerce and economic growth.

machinery and equipment, raw materials & auxiliaries and semifinished products, technical parts & reinforced plastics A statement from the organizers

indicated that nigeria’s presence has exhibitors themselves.

Sarsoli Industries, the first and traditionally been strong at K trade only manufacturer of Masterbatch fairs. This year, the trend continues with previous visitors to the fair now additives in nigeria is an example. migrating towards becoming

e-Payments Tops AITEC Conference MErgIng Markets Payments (EMP) featured at the E 2013 AITEC Banking and Mobile Banking West Africa Conference held at the Accra International Conference, ghana, last week.

Chairman EMP, Paul Edwards, said: “Just as African countries are dynamically changing and developing, so is the payment card industry. EMP is delighted to participate in AITEC 2013 as a platinum sponsor, particularly as the event offers a vibrant regional plat-

form to discuss trends and issues affecting the industry.

“As EMP continues to grow its business across Africa, we look forward to seizing similar opportunities to strengthen our ties with partners and industry leaders.”

Under the theme – Consolidating and Monetizing the Gains of Innovation – AITEC 2013 addressed key issues faced by the regional evolving e-payments sector.

ness development strategic planning. With this skill, the business planners will be able help entrepreneurs and re-brand their business technique to suit the global market.

He noted that the products to be showcased at the training are supplied directly from companies in different parts of the world and are made to meet the unique needs of nigerians.

Participants, according to him, will be trained on practical money making strategies and will be provided with how-to-do e-books that contains theoretical foundation needed to do business and become better entrepreneurs.

Stating that participants are open to options of either direct employment at the workshop or given the tools to grow their own businesses, he said there is already a market for the products, adding, “These products are bought by company executives, security personnel and many others.

AUC, ECA, AfDB Hold roundtable On Funding For Africa infrastructure and, in particular, through the AfDB’s Africa50 Fund. roundtable on Financing Africa’s According to the organisers, the competitiveTransformation is scheduled to take place in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, from July 19- ness of African firms is due lack of infrastructure, which has been in dire need of funding. The 20. Organised by the African Union AfDB’s Africa50 Fund is being hailed as an innovaCommission (AUC), the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the African tive vehicle to advance a number of key related Development Bank (AfDB), the meeting will areas, including Africa’s natural resources, internal savings, external support and capital marfocus on the challenge in funding Africa’s vision in the next 50 years. It will specifically kets to finance bankable, high-return, transforexplore opportunities for financing Africa’s mational regional infrastructure projects. In this

By Kamal Tayo Oropo

A

respect, the three prime Pan African institutions will therefore, meet in Tunis to rationalize approaches and foster synergies.

This roundtable will focus on innovative financing to support Africa’s own development efforts and define urgent priorities and actions. The priorities will be anchored on ongoing initiatives such as PIDA and other initiatives by the regional Economic Communities (rECs). The Africa50Fund was endorsed by the Board of governors of the African

Development Bank at the Annual Meetings held in Marrakech, Morocco, in May 2013.

The meeting will agree on modalities for accelerating Africa’s transformation and on measures to mobilize its own resources to support Africa’s development, building on on-going and planned initiatives by the regional Economic Communities (rECs) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) among others.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

47

BUSINESSAGRO

FMARD Introduces Staple Crop Processing Zone, Celebrates MDG 1 Score At Meet

By Fabian Odum th

HE 40 National Council on Agriculture T and Rural Development (NCARD), which held in Abeokuta, Ogun state recently did not end without the opportunity for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to blow its trumpet, at least, in the midst of supervising lieutenants from the 36 states of the federation and different government agencies that made a showing.

It was like a homecoming for the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and his Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, who both hail from Ogun state as State governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun was on hand to declare the meeting proper open.

But beyond that, the Agric minister had a number of things to cheer, not the least the good score made by the nation of attaining Millennium Development Goal (MDG 1), which is on reduction of hunger, ahead of the expected time. This point was well acknowledged by Mrs. Odusote, who said the Minister was quite elated at that evaluation by the world body.

As Adesina declared: “I was not appointed the Minister of food import but Minister of Agriculture and I will end this import of food,” he did not fail to reel out from the scorecard, what have been achieved so far in the past 20 months. They include cleaning up 40 years corruption in fertiliser distribution, Growth Enhancement Scheme in which every farmer gets seeds free of charge and E-wallet system in which government now use cellphones to reach farmers.

Others include registration of 10 million farm-

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, discussing with Professor Yuan Long Pin, rice breeding expert, on high-yielding rice varieties (7.5 metric tons per hectare) in Beijing on Thursday ers, development of value chains of staple crops, and working with CBN to recapitalise Bank of Agriculture (BoA) as well as creation of 460,000 jobs.

The forum had several technical sessions in which the various states exchanged ideas, compared notes and adopted resolutions to advance the cause of agri-business in the coun-

try.

A near silent but critical sector of that meeting, the practicing farmers, who came from far and near felt they needed to be heard and make relevant inputs at points, where they

Delta To Boost Grain Supply, Rice Farming Taking New Turn

By Bertram Nwannekanma

Minister, Stakeholders Canvass Youth-Centred Agric Policies Adesina stated that the nation’s large population of about 80 million youths AMENTING the huge sum holds the key to sweeping of about $11 billion spent transformation in the agriyearly on food importation, culture sector.

Minister for Agriculture and Adesina represented by Dr, Food Security, Akinwunmi Sotonye Anga, stressed that Adesina yesterday called for Nigeria had no business more youth centred policies spending huge foreign to be adopted transform the exchange on wheat, rice, sugnations’ agricultural sector. ar and fish every year as they The policies he explained could be produced locally. would be capable of revoluEarlier Chairman and organtionising the sector as well as isers of the event, 151 reduce the amount spent on Products Limited, Sam food importation and curb Ohuabunwa, said the only the unemployment margin. panacea is to achieve a Speaking alongside stakehunger-free Nigeria is holders at the food and bev- through an agricultural secerage, exhibition tagged, tor that drives income Foodbext West Africa, growth, accelerates achieveBy Tosin Fodeke

L

ment of food and nutritional security, generates employment and transforms Nigeria into a leading player in global food markets to grow wealth for millions of farmers.

He said, “Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate improved agricultural yields, however a lot still needs to be done in the areas of financing, seed provision and policy formulation.”

Also, collaborators in the event National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has again re-confirmed its commitment towards maintaining standards in the sector.

thought the policy pushers should let go the floor. Most of the time, it was not to be, unfortunately.

The next Council meeting is scheduled for Kano state in 2014.

N furtherance of the state’s Istate ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ vision, governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan has promised that high quality rice produced in the state will be available in the market in the next six months, other things being equal.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Misan Ukubeyinje, who disclosed this at Ebu in Oshimili North Local council, said the state government is deploying more resources and efforts towards harnessing the agricultural potential of the State According to Ukubeyinje, the vision is a strategy to leverage the revenue from oil to diversify the economy of the State to ensure that in the absence of oil, the state will remain

self-sufficient and able to cater for the needs of its people.”

Represented by the Acting Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Solomon Ashe Sajere, Ukubeyinje said the Ebu community has been selected alongside two other sites in Central and South Senatorial districts of the state for the mass production of rice.

He added that ecological factors like climate, landscape, fertility of land and optimum supply of water had made government to choose these places for the rice production project.

Ukubeyinje assured the community and Rice Growers Association (RGA) that the government would continue to provide the enabling environment and equipment as well as early maturing and

high-yielding seedlings to guarantee maximum production.

According to him, the government will equally supervise the project to ensure that standards are maintained in terms of production processes and produce handling to ensure the high quality seeds are produced in each of the farms.

Other areas earmarked for the rice project, the commissioner said include Ewu in Ughelli North and Jakpa in Warri North Local councils.

In his response on behalf of the Ebu Community, the traditional ruler, Chief Sunday Ofune and his counterpart for Ekpechor, Chief Solomon Achije, assured the government of their willingness and cooperation to assist government actualise the project.

Food Production Increase Not Enough

By Kamal Tayo Oropo new paper published by the journal Science A argues that to ensure sustainable food supplies for the earth’s growing population, poli-

Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital Ibadan, Prof. Temitope Alonge (left); President, Nigerian Academy Of Science, Prof. Oyewale Tomori and Dr. Idowu Cadmus at 2nd international conference organised by Centre for Control and Prevention of Zoonoses at the University of Ibadan last week. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

cymakers must focus on more than just food production.

The paper urges a rethink of the increasingly popular policy goal of “sustainable intensification”, which aims to produce more food per unit area in ways that exert less pressure on the environment.

While this is important, say the authors, it is too simple a definition, and it ignores other radical changes that are also required to tackle waste, improve governance and resilience, and reduce the resource-intensity of consumption.

“Sustainable intensification — as policymakers currently understand it— does not guarantee food security,” says co-author Dr Camilla Toulmin, director of the International Institute for Environment and Development.

“We need a new and more sophisticated definition; one that is clearer about what sustain-

able intensification can and cannot achieve, about how and where it should be implemented, and about how it will interact with other important areas of food policy.

The authors identify five areas of policymaking that national or international efforts to pursue sustainable intensification will affect: biodiversity and land-use; animal welfare; human nutrition; rural economies; and sustainable development.

“To feed the world’s growing population, we must do more than simply produce more food per unit area in ways that exert less pressure on the environment,” says Dr Toulmin. “We must also ensure that food is diverse and rich in micronutrients, and that we make the right choices when allocating land for farm production or biodiversity.”

“We must ensure that sustainable intensification contributes to other important goals for rural development, such as climate-resilient livelihoods for poor farmers, and we must revitalise agricultural extension services and use modern communications tools ensure that these farmers can participate.”

48

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

1970-76; Molusi College, Ijebu-Ode, 1976-81; Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, 1985-89, where he studied Law. He then went to the Law School, Victoria Island in 1990. He had his National Youth Service (NYSC) at the Shell Petroleum, where he discovered the need to venture into Labour outsourcing business, his profession really helped him, when he discovered that as a lawyer he could easily managed people, and founded DELOG outsourcing company with the help of his wife. He has spent over 20 years in the job now.

He was a Clerical Officer at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro before he gained admission to then University. He is married with children.

Birthdays SOBA, Olusegun, adminO istrator, politician and former executive governor of Ogun State clocks 72 tomorrow. He was born in Osogbo on July 15, 1941 and studied at the University of Lagos and Indiana University Bloomington. He joined the staff of the Daily Times in 1964 as a trainee reporter. Later, he became editor of The Times in 1968.

He later went to serve as deputy editor of Sunday Times and Daily Times before the 1975 equity purchase by the Federal government. In 1975, he served briefly as editor of The Daily Times for a few months after his promotion. He joined the Nigerian Herald and was there from 1976-78 before becoming the Managing Director of the Sketch Publishing Company.

He was the Managing Director of The Daily Times between 1984 and 1989. He stepped into politics after leaving Daily Times in 1989, a year earlier; he was a member of the Constituent Assembly. During the Third Republic, he contested and won the Ogun State governorship seat in 1991. In 1999, he was elected governor under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

He is at present one of the leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)

Osoba

ABRAHAM, Rev. Ayomide, Legal Practitioner, reformer, philanthropist and District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Sango-Ota was 54 on Monday, July 8, 2013. Born on July 8, 1959 in Aisegba Ekiti to a Catholic family, he had his my Primary Education at Cyprians Roman Catholic School, Aisegba Ekiti, from 1967-72; Secondary Education at Mary Immaculate Grammar School, Ado-Ekiti, 1973-77. He then, proceeded to a private school, Obokun GCE and ACCA Courses School, Ilesha, between 1978 and 1979 for his Advanced Studies. He gained admission to University of

Abraham

Lagos the following year, 1980 through Direct Entry to study Law and graduated in 1983. He attended the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, 1983/84. After his National Youth Service as Graduate Assistant Lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu Campus at the Law Faculty, he came to Lagos and started practicing with a private Law firm, Adebola Odu & Co, and was in the firm for five years. Around 1990, he ventured out to start his own Chamber A.O Abegunde & Co., where he was in active practice until about five, six years ago. For about 10 years now, he has engaged himself more of ministry

Ogundimu

work that has accounted for the 17 books he wrote between 1999 and now, apart from Daily Showers, a daily devotional that he has been writing since 2007, circulating in the United States, United Emirates, United Kingdom and other places.

He is presently the District Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Sango-District, Temidire, Sango, Ogun State, a position held in the last six years. He is married with wife and three Children.

Ogun State and started his education at the Christ Church Primary School, Ilaro,

OGUNDIMU, Barr. Dele, lawyer, pastor and Managing Director, DELOG outsourcing company is 50 today. He was born on July 14, 1963 in Ilaro,

•The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Turning Point Zonal Headquarters, Plot 152, Dutse Dawaki Road, Dutse Alhaji, Abuja

Compiled by Gbenga Akinfenwa gbengaherkin@yahoo.com

EVENTS •The 2013 Juvenile Harvest of St. John’s African Church, Arigbajo, Ogun State comes up today at the Church’s Auditorium, Lagos-Abeokuta road, Arigbajo, Ewekoro Local Government Area by 10am.

Ministering is Ven. E.B.A Gbadebo.

holds its 12th Year Anniversary and Church dedication from Thursday, July 25, 2013 with Divine Touch programme.

Night of His Encounter is billed to take place on Friday, July 26. This would be followed by Variety Night, which holds on Saturday 27, 2013 between 9am and 2pm. Thanksgiving will also take place on Sunday, July 28, 2013 by 11am.

Ministering are Pastor Kunle Osho, Pastor J.K. Olaade and Pastor Kunle Kunbi.

MD/CE0, Richmond Medicares, Dr 0lusegun Ajayi (left); Chairman, S0FUNIX Int’l Schools, Mr Sola 0ni; and Managing Partner, Abiola Alani and Co, Barrister, Abiola Alani during the Career Day of S0FUNIX Nursery and Pry School, Iroko Town, 0ta, 0gun State

Rev. Fr. Anthony Oriola (left); Anthony Cardinal Okogie; Rev. Sister Anthonia DA Silva; Rev Msgr. Gabriel Osu; and Rev. Fr Isidor S.J at the event at the 70th birthday anniversary of Anthonia

Secretary to Ogun State Governor, Barr. Taiwo Adeoluwa (left) and the CISCO Regional Manager Corporate Affairs, Alifie Hamid, during CISCO African Networking Academy Safari 2013 held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Sales Director, Africa and Middle East of Tokheim, Mr. Walter Sanchez cutting the tape to unveil the Tokheim Quantium 410T and 510T, digital screen fuel dispenser for fuel stations held at the office of MAZ Limited, Surulere, Lagos.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday July 14, 2013

| 49

NEWSPEOPLE

The Legend At The Bar:

By Tajudeen Kareem OR five decades, he has dedicated himself to Ftionhard work; more hard work with a determinato succeed and excel. Now a grand old man at 84, Aare Afe Babalola personifies a rare role model deep in self-discipline; one who brims with passion, the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to give back to humanity.

The legal luminary, unarguably one of the finest in this clime, is today marking his 50 years in legal practice. He has made huge fortunes legitimately, but he has chosen to stake all his earnings and work himself to near frenzy, striving to leave a legacy for humanity.

Come with me to Ado-Ekiti and see the breathtaking strides of one individual, who by sheer dint of hard work and determination, has become a colossus recognised at home and abroad.

A fitting testimony to his industry and diligence is the sprawling university built on 130 hectares of land on the outskirts of Ado-Ekiti. The Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, was constructed within eight months. It admitted its pioneer students, 240 of them, in January 2010. Now there are 3,500 students.

Quite imposing, fully air-conditioned with stateof-art facilities, the university has residence for all students and teachers. Presently, there are five college buildings equipped with modern teaching facilities including e-learning platform, electronic boards, virtual library and ICT centre with 300 desktop computers, all connected to the internet. The institution offers academic programs in Law, Social and Management Sciences, Sciences, Engineering, Education, Arts and Humanities, Agriculture, Medicine, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science and Geology. There are five huge hostels with about 4,000 bed spaces. The institution has a modern cafeteria, a 500-capacity auditorium, a virtual library and a sports complex. The latest addition is the College of Engineering, built on two-and-a-half acres, offering seven courses including mechatronics.

What is the secret for this fast pace of development? The answer is deeply rooted in the personae and vision of its founder.

After obtaining the primary six School Certificate, Babalola never had the benefit of attending an institution of higher learning. By private study he went ahead to earn two degrees in economics and law. At various times he was a pupil teacher, a secondary school teacher, vice principal, university lecturer and administrator. His record at the University of Lagos will remain indelible. As pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council between 2002 and 2007, Chief Babalola returned UNILAG to the part of sanity.

Aare Afe Babalola is man with a passion for excellence, humanitarian services, generosity and dedication to service without expectation of monetary reward or praises. He is a philanthropist and a revered Legal Icon; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Doctor of letters, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Commander of the Order of Niger, former Pro-Chan-

Tribute To Afe Babalola, Founder, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti

Afe Babalola cellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, former Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigeria Universities, Winner of the best ProChancellor award in 2005 and 2006, Winner of Queen Victoria Commemorative Award at Socrates Award of European Business Assembly in Oxford, UK and member of Rector of Europe.

In his autobiography, Impossibility Made Possible, Aare Babalola describes himself as a selfmade man who “is proud of the qualitative primary education” he had.

He is convinced that it was the high quality of instructions he received at the primary school that laid the foundation for his subsequent educational achievements. Chief Babalola has said it many times that he is quite unhappy that the same quality of education is no longer available in most educational institutions in the country.

To quote the legal icon, “this development and my experience of dwindling qualities on

standard of education in University of Lagos provided the urgent need to establish a first class university to serve as a benchmark for other universities.”

In fulfillment of the humanitarian philosophy of its founder, no fewer than 250 students of ABUAD are presently enjoying some form of bursary at the institution. All indigent and very brilliant students registered in the university are eligible for this rare gesture from a man who knows the value of education. Besides awarding full scholarship to brilliant students, loans and bursaries are available for the underprivileged and physically challenged students.

There is no gain-saying the fact that the new university is riding on the reputation of its founder to gain fast recognition at home and internationally. While presenting its license in November, 2009, the National Universities Commission described ABUAD as a “reference point”. To quote the Chairman, Screening Committee on Private Universities, Prof. Jibril Amin: “The Afe Babalola University has now become a reference point for

the NUC. They helped us to raise the quality bar for private universities. Those coming after Afe Babalola University will have a higher hurdle to scale.”

The European Business Assembly, in March, 2011, appointed Aare Babalola an honorary professor of International University and invited him to attend the Oxford Summit of Leaders. Its director general, Mr. John Netting, in a letter, said, “we are pleased to inform you that you have been awarded ‘Honorary Professorship of International University’. It will be a pleasure to highlight your remarkable reputation and successful professional achievements, which are shown by our research. For EBA and its National Committees, the determining factors for your nomination were: initiatives for education development in Nigeria, promoting of education amongst young people and active implementation of best international practices.

So how did this legend named Afe acquire his passion for education? The story began way back during the Second Republic. The legal icon had offered legal services to the Shagari Administration. His fee was in excess of N2 billion. Chief Babalola was willing to forget the legal fees due to him provided the Federal Government was ready to build a university in Ekitiland. After series of meetings the government agreed to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti.

For seven years from 2000, Aare Babalola was pro-chancellor at the University of Lagos. That was indeed the golden era of that institution. And that was where the man caught the bug, or so it seems.

Twice, in 2005 and 2006 he was named the best pro-chancellor in the country by the Federal Government, which, in a white paper issued in 2003 on the Visitation Panel to UNILAG, said, inter alia: “His leadership style was exemplary. The leadership style of his council was characterised by optimum time and resources utilisation and a good team system”.

Throughout his tenure at UNILAG, Chief Babalola paid his hotel bills and donated his sitting allowances to the university endowment fund. He donated a 500-seater lecture theatre to the institution and established a robust endowment scholarship system for indigent students.

A royal testimonial was offered recently on the acumen and tenacity of Aare Babalola by the paramount ruler of Ado-Ekiti. Receiving an accreditation team of the NUC in his palace, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti,Oba Rufus Adejugbe said: “Anything Aare Babalola does is always the best. He is hardworking and unassuming. He is not just a lover of the environment but also a lover of quality education. ABUAD is about the best in the whole of Africa. The rate of development is a miracle.”

The miracle at ABUAD is rooted in its philosophy; to reform education and to lead by example. The institution is no doubt destined for accolades like its founder, Aare Afe Babalola- the man with the Midas touch.

• Kareem, a journalist/consultant, lives in Abuja

Commission Is Positioned For Effective Service Delivery Oladele Bankole-Balogun, the Edo State Commissioner at the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), spoke to ALEMMA-OZIORUVA ALIU in Benin City on (NGF) his sojourn at the PCC and other issues.

How has it been for the one year you have spent in the Public Complaints Commission?

HE PCC was set up by a decree in 1975 to help alleviate and relieve the incidence of administrative injustice to the Nigerian people whether it be by the federal government, state government, local government or even limited liability companies in Nigeria. However, for over 13 years prior to when I got sworn in May last year, there hadn’t been a political leadership at the very top level to pilot the affairs of the commission so what you will find is that we are faced with enormous problems including infrastructural, finance, training problems, awareness problems, manpower capacity utilisation

T

problems. We were faced with myriad of problems but we thank God with the chief commission Rtd. Justice George Uloko have actually been able to distil all these problems and compartmentalise them to begin to reposition the commission to serve the Nigerian people so we have just finished one year of that and the Nigerian people especially my state, Edo will begin to see that the PCC is a key part to promoting social justice, good governance and the best administrative practice whether it be government agencies and limited liability corporations.

We have received about 600 complaints from Edo state alone in the last one year but some of them lack merit, some are really serious issues ranging from contractual matters, employment matters, non-payment of pensions, which is a major issue and then sheer administrative tyranny. I just want to thank my staff for doing a fantastic job with very little resources to try and bring succour to some of our people.

The issues are on-going matters that we don’t want prejudiced but a great deal of the issues we get are

related to people who have worked very hard for this nation for several years and they are finding accessing their pensions, having their pensions paid and all issues that have to do with verification and all sorts not unnecessary administrative bottlenecks are impeding some of these pensioners from enjoying their retirements. It is a very unpalatable situation but we are working hard with all relevant agencies to make sure that they find a better way of managing these distractions.

But there is fear that bureaucracy may stall the speed of your operations Bureaucracy will not affect our operations because this is a constitutional commission with great powers to investigate, to discipline and to sanction also but I can assure you that if we ever get to a point that an agency is getting recalcitrant, we will use the force of the constitutional backing of this Commission to ensure that the right thing is done so we must not be looked like any other government body or agency, it is a constitutional commission, guaranteed

Bankole Balogun under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowered by Section 315 and my message to Edo state and Nigeria is that this Commission will not shy away from social justice, equity and justice is attained constitutionally.

On the 14 years of democratic rule in Nigeria

We are certainly not where we should be, but we are in a better place than we were before 1999 and as you can see we are moving in leaps and bounds whether you are looking at this government at the national level or you are looking at various state governments that have done fantastically well at the state levels. I can point to state governments that have done very well, states like Akwa Ibom and Godswill Akpabio is a fantastic example of the leaps and bounds that our democracy has moved in.

Despite the brouhaha that has surrounded politics in Nigeria which is expected, you have to give credit to this government and the PDP for steering the ship of this nation these times. I think we are doing well I don’t think we have attained the full potential but even the United States of America haven’t yet attained its full potentials. We are talking of a growing democracy and I think if the transformation programme of this administration is allowed to come full circle, it will be another milestone in our polity but I think we are slowly and steadily doing the right thing.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

50 SUNDAYMAGAZINE

PERSPECTIVE

Ogunsola: From ‘Laptop’ Accounting To Chartered Audit Business • First-class Career Lady Moves To Close Skill Gaps Among Graduate Job Seekers

By Marcel Mbamalu MERICAN author and journalist, George A Horace Lorimer, succinctly captures the essence of wealth in his popular quote: “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.”

Forty-eight-year-old Mrs. Fola Ogunshola probably read those ‘Lorimer lines’ in her teens. She started small, very small, but now lays claim to wealth accruing from years of diligent hard work, 25 percent of which goes back to society through her pet projects in one very important sector — Education.

She’s got some good looks; and some good money, but that didn’t come by happenstance. Young Fola had to go through the rigours of life in poverty and penury, basically going through school with that burden.

The wanton lack, however, activated her potentials as she travelled through life to leave school in the mould of excellence and come out unscratched as one of the best in the revered Accounting profession. “I practically had to go on bean meals all through my university education, and didn’t even give a thought to the (then) popular idea of having a boy friend.” Little wonder then that the seasoned entrepreneur and “First-class Chartered Accountant would not be given to wasteful living. “I bought this necklace about 15 years ago; this dress is over 10 years old, Mrs. Ogunsola says, happily pointing at her neck and well-fitted Khaki gown.

But she isn’t through yet. She informs that the car packed outside the solitary office, — the only one she has “at the moment” — is only five years old and won’t be due for change until it would have served out the mandatory six-year lifespan.

The ebony black lady pontificates: “I don’t see any reason one would be using more than one car simply because he or she can afford it,” Boldly, the mother of two US-trained male graduates, tells The Guardian, at her up-country office in Lekki, that the value of money lies in its capacity to positively influence society for the good of future generations.

She is rather preoccupied with the more germane task of sorting out the issues with Nigeria’s education sector, where “fair is foul and foul is fair.”

Ogunsola passionately pushes against the current tide of unemployment, reaching out to institutions of higher learning with a view to closing what she refers to as the yawning skill gap in the country.

The chief executive officer of Finesse Consults, a financial/tax management and Information Technology (IT) outfit, chairs the Fola Ogunsola Foundation (FOF), through which she drives the Finishing School and Life-after Campus skill acquisition programmes for Nigerian students and graduate job seekers.

With assistance from the private sector, the FOF, which also pushes the Adopt-a-child campaign in higher institutions across the country (beginning with South West and Southeast schools), offers its services for free.

Ogunsola tells The Guardian that private sector operators, including Nigerians in the Diaspora, are already keyed into the Adopt-achild programme and are now carrying out due diligence on indigent children whose education they would fund in different universities and Polytechnics.

“I am trusting God that, in the next five years, whoever joins us every year for Life After Campus must be a different person. And they must be certificated; we give them free certificates too. What we intend to do is, once you attend it and you get a certificate, you

can come for finishing school.”

“You know we don’t give them all those skills; we give them the information that they require to be able to function and add value to the marketplace.

We cannot do an assessment, but you will know that we are talking about writing skills, communication skills, presentation skills, follow up, office decorum, and even up to personal packaging. These are the skills that you require.

“In the finishing school, we will package you so that when you are out, you will be able to talk and speak. For Example, you don’t bang the phone or end the call on anybody. That is all we do in the one-month finishing school. After that one, we will send you out to a place as an intern.”

Ogunsola did not just get pushed into the project by mere happenstance; having been an employer of labour since leaving school in the early 1990s, the Chartered Account had lived with concern over what, according to her, manifests in young graduates as dearth of requisite skills in communication — speaking, writing and “office mannerisms” — despite several years of “tutelage” in today’s educational system.

Soaked in tears, Ogunsola relives the good old days of hard work when Nigerian graduates would need no further training to fit into the work place. The story remains entirely different today.

This scenario, Ogunsola argues, makes the majority of today’s graduates unemployable.

However, she believes that the best time to face the challenge of graduate unemployment — which is an antecedent of the employability status — is now, especially as the country can no longer shy away from the deplorable situation. The educational system, family values, individual roles and several other factors, she says, have contributed in no small measure to what we have as products of today’s universi- issue of emties. ployability, which she described as “a reBaffling Statistics ality that cannot be Drawing attention to the fact that youths constirefuted.” tute a great chunk of Nigeria’s population, OgunShe regrets a situation where employers now sola stressed that universities, on an annual basis, hunt for old hands, some of who left the labour churn out over 250,000 graduates of different disci- market several years ago, while several others plines. Yet, what is taught in the classroom consti- seek applicants with foreign credentials and extutes less than 30 per cent of what is required to periences. make a meaningful impact in the marketplace. She ‘In a bid to make more impact, I conceived said: “The bulk of the products of our universities the idea of conducting free training seminar at have been found to be unemployable due to skill higher institutions, with the theme ‘Life After gap and ill-preparation for the real task ahead in the Campus’. The seminar was designed for final market place. This inevitably behoves graduates to year students since they are the ones to soon take extra step to ensure that they get befitting face the real life after college. The maiden ediplace to train, test and triumph after school. After tion took place in May 2012 at the University of all, of what use is paper (certificate) that cannot add Lagos where over 1200 students were in attenvalues both to the owner and at least the immediate dance. society?”

Ms. Ogunsola’s foray into the world of entreAccording to her, the employability status of preneurship was in 1993, when she incorpoNigerian graduates, in terms of basic skills and atti- rated her first business, although she had tude, extends the expectation gap between what started skeletally in November, 1991, with the these products have to offer and what the market- main activity of setting up accounting system place requires and ready to pay for. for small and medium-scale enterprises and She observes that the Marketplace, which is beother relatively bigger companies that were uncoming more demanding and volatile by the day, is able to hire Chartered Accountants. very transitory and so fickle that only appropriate “This was what I titled laptop Accounting, and capable (or at least trainable) hands can fit in meaning I won’t be in your office for eight on a sustainable basis. This becomes even clearer hours. What we do with Laptop Accounting is to when juxtaposed with the fact that only little succome to your office, do your review, write a recess can be achieved from “pressing buttons” to get port, then set up internal control systems and jobs; much more is required to keep it. appropriate accounting system based on availAs a Chartered Accountant and chartered tax prac- able funds and nature of the client’s business. titioner of about two decades of professional prac- Then, we will get a staff member, who has a tice in Nigeria and abroad, Ogunsola had faced minimum qualification of an OND or even tremendous challenges trying to cope with the crop School Certificate, trained. This is so because in of graduates being released into the Nigerian the early 1990’s, School Certificate holders were labour Market. She strongly argues that several like today’s graduates. studies and deliberations confirm her stand on the I became a chartered account in 1994. With

my accounting experience, of course, I did not qualify to review myself. So, I take my working paper to chartered accountants most times, one Mrs. Adedoyin, who is now a top chartered account. At other times, it could be chartered accountants whose names I can’t even remember now. They will take the files to them; they will read through the files, make amends. Of course, that will be a proper audit record. Then, they will finalise the audit, stamp and sign and seal. Because I am not qualified, I was not able to stamp.

“When I qualified, then I could, stamp, sign, and finish the job. I began to use the name Ogunsola and Ogunsola and co. Chartered Accountants. My husband was qualified, and I had other qualified people around, so we just came together to form the company and we started doing audit under Ogunsola and Co. Chartered Accountants.”

“In 2003, when I was in Victoria Island, I had about 16 staff members. I discovered that none of them could write my letters, even if they were all graduates. They couldn’t write a simple letter, talk less of a proposal. When you even write the letters, to get acknowledgement letters from clients through my staff members became another major hurdle. Sometimes I do these things myself. In fact, still do it.”

Now that Ogunsola appears to have scaled all the professional hurdles, she is coasting home with success part of which must go back to society, specifically the education system, to address the embarrassing skill gap among graduate job seekers.

How far Ogunsola can go with the all-important project will, more or less, depend on the level of support from government and private sector organisations. Already, signals are coming from a handful of stakeholders. But when is enough really enough?

Just a little more, says Dale Carnegie, the popular writer of motivational literature.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

51

POLITICS

KANO APC: Too Much Dissonance In The Merger Basket • Group Wants Tinubu To Broker Truce

By Abba Anwar, Kano

HE planned merger of opposition T political parties in the country did not come without concrete reasons.

The rugged posture and influence of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is intimidating enough. Many have argued that PDP being the ‘largest’ political party in Africa has all the necessary requirements to deal ruthlessly with individual opposition parties; therefore, the reasonable thing to do is to join hands and pull resources into one strong opposition basket.

Some are of the opinion that being the largest party in the continent does not necessarily mean the PDP has all it takes to wisely and coherently manage the opposition, either from within or from other quarters. Progressively, the PDP’s inherent contradictions are leading to different levels of dissent and the merging parties are supposed to position themselves to benefit maximally from this.

This is the expectation at the federal and state levels, but some states have inherited factional crisis, which the emerging APC infrastructure may not be able to resolve. One of such states is Kano, where the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) shot itself in the foot in the 2011 elections because the party failed grossly to adhere to principles of internal democracy.

The point to note here is the fact that, each state of the federation has its political peculiarities that required careful handling and engagement. There are actors on ground, who must be handled in consonance with the political realities on ground.

At the forefront of the merger plans are the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). There are others. It was largely believed that General Muhammadu Buhari, who was the Presidential candidate of the CPC in the 2011 Presidential election and Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State are the arrowheads that saw the necessity of their parties coming together.

In the 2011 general elections, CPC and ACN worked very hard to conclude arrangements to put heads together and see to the fall of the PDP, but towards the end of the talks, things fell apart. That period, the talk was more of political alliance, not merger. The alliance failed, the leaders remained apart and their supporters were significantly disappointed.

The aftermath of the 2011 elections made the opposition parties to sit back and rethink the future of democracy in the country as a whole and the relevance of their political parties.

That forced them to realise their miscalculations during that period.

In Kano State, almost all the political parties that merged (in principle) have their peculiar problems that are distinct, in a way, to them.

Buhari’s CPC is still in coma, as a result of the leadership crisis that engulfed it at formation. Malam Ibrahim Shekarau’s ANPP is suffering from the political defeat it suffered in the last general election, which saw the present governor of the state, Engineer Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, emerged

victorious to occupy the Kano Government House.

Sheakarau, who was presidential candidate of the ANPP in 2011, is still being accused of selective management of party members. During the last election, Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, former commissioner in Shekarau’s administration was a gubernatorial aspirant. Takai was said to be the favourite of the party and well supported by Shekarau, for the primary.

Before the primary election to elect a gubernatorial candidate for the party in 2011, many hopefuls were either scared away or were sabotaged.

The then deputy governor Abdullahi Tijjani Muhammad Gwarzo was prevailed upon to step down for Takai, an offer he rejected outright. He finally jumped over to ACN and contested under its platform. One retired Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Kankarofi was also among the few aspirants that stood their grounds and contested the primary election with the governor’s choice. The party was therefore partitioned before the 2011 guber election.

Buhari’s CPC had its problems when with the 2011 primary election. The party was formed a few months before the 2011 general election and still thought it possible and wise to contest for the elections, an idea many thought was premature and ill-advised. But because of political ‘overzealousness’ of elements within its membership, the party headed for elections with all the crises thrown up in the selection of party flag bearers for all elective posts.

Up to the very day of the governorship election, CPC members were confused over who was their gubernatorial candidate. Some party officials were prompting and promoting Brigadier General Lawan Ja’afar Isah (rtd) as the party’s flag bearer and others were chorusing Alhaji Mohammed Abacha.

On the other hand, ACN fielded the Gwarzo, the former deputy governor who decamped from the ANPP as candidate. When he cross-carpeted, he picked the ticket unopposed. He was able to cause some split, encroaching on votes that ordinarily would have been in favour of ANPP. An interesting scenario was created in Kano Government House then, where the Shekarau was in ANPP and his deputy was contesting under ACN. That was how they went into election.

A look at the emerging APC, with the carryover of unresolved issues from 2011 shows that the mega party may not have solution to the domination of PDP in the state. The intense struggle for power by governorship candidates of the three major parties is still going to resurface and that could render the merger null and void when it matters most.

Within ANPP for example, there are aspirants who think their becoming flag bearer is a do-or-die affair in the emerging political equation. In CPC, Ja’afaru Isah is still among the contenders for the Kano highest seat. He is seen more or less as the only choice for General Buhari. That alone is a pointer to the crisis waiting to cripple the APC. Barau I. Jibrin, a former member of the House of Representatives, Al-

haji Ibrahim Kankarofi, an experienced civil servant, who retired as permanent secretary, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya, a serving senator representing Kano South and Abdurrahman Kawu Sumaila, member of the House of Representatives, representing Sumaila and Takai federal constituency are the frontline contenders in ANPP. Ja’afar Isah and Mohammed Abacha are still floating in the CPC’s arrangement as potential hopefuls for Kano Government House. The merging parties are all in serious confrontation among one another. The former deputy governor’s ACN is relatively the most peaceful among all the merging parties. May be because the party is not deeply entrenched in the state.

An investigation by The Guardian showed that Barau I. Jibrin appears to have some edge. He was House committee chair on Appropriation during the Ghali Umar Na’Abba leadership of the House.

He was formerly of the PDP before he cross-carpeted to ANPP. Reports say it was him who initiated the idea of constituency project in the House. It is not clear how he would convince the leadership of the APC that he could deliver the votes and it is not clear if Gen. Buhari would lower his personal standards for Jibrin. Buhari is a political task master, very demanding.

There was a reported crisis between Shekarau and some of his confidants when he tried to make them understand that their backing for Takai could not hold water any longer. They are now plotting to look for a more saleable flag bearer.

The greatest problem facing the merging parties is distrust and it is raging across the parties, with the exception of ACN, to some extent. The mistrust has been there right from their old original parties. The CPC and ANPP had never been at peace base on the experiences of the 2011 general elections. It is hoped that their cat and mouse relationship will cease to give APC a good stead.

Of recent, State Secretary of ANPP, Hon. Rabi’u Bako was heard accusing Malam Shekarau of selective treatment in the formation of interim caretaker executive of the APC, both at the zonal and state levels. This tells a lot about the trouble ahead. If care is not taken, according to some opinion, APC may not perform creditably well because the party might work against itself.

Buhari’s popularity in the Kano political landscape could adversely be affected, if concrete arrangements are not applied to see to the immediate end of the crosscutting conflicts in the merging political parties and the major actors.

Alhaji Sa’idu AbdulHamid, the chairman of APC Youth Concern Forum posed this challenge, that; “Kano, being the bedrock of Northern politics needs the intervention of Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to come to the rescue of APC in the state. If the party is left with the political influence of Buhari and the so-called popularity of Shekarau, there will be no light at the end of the tunnel. Selfish interests should not be allowed to take the lead.”

Buhari

Tinubu

Ngige

Shekara

52 |

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

POLITICS

SENATOR PIUS EWHERIDO: Where Is The Uloho!

By Sunny Awhefeada th

UNDAY 30 June did not begin as an ominous Scurtains, day. However, by the time the day drew its it had become ominous and tragic as it went with Senator Pius Ewherido, who until that black Sunday represented the Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Senator Ewherido’s death is a devastating blow, which diminished all of humanity.

Ewherido to his Urhobo people was akin to an only palm fruit that must not be lost in the fire.

He was an Uloho (Iroko), which provided shelter and succor to all and sundry. To Deltans, he was a voice of courage with a regenerative vision. He carried with him a redemptive charisma for a people and state in search of new and alternative political possibilities. He was an apostle of a new value system.

Where now is Ewherido, who gave scholarship to over two hundred students? Where now is Ewherido, who gave jobs to the jobless? Where now is Ewherido who built roads and bridges, where the people had given up? Where now is Ewherido, who built schools and health centres in remote and almost forgotten parts of Urhoboland? Where now is Ewherido, who gave economic empowerment to two hundred women and numberless youth? Where now is Ewherido, who almost singlehandedly sponsored the project to get Urhobo language into WAEC/NECO examination syllabus? Where now is Ewherido, who brought light and water to places that had given up on electricity and pipeborne water? Where now is Ewherido, who mourned with the bereaved and danced with celebrants? Where now is Ewherido, who bestrode Delta State like a colossus? Where now is Ewherido, who in less than two years in the Senate sponsored four Bills and over ten motions, a feat some twenty Senators could not achieve in twelve years?

Born fifty years ago as Pius Akporokena Ewherido, he was popularly called Gogorogo. He attended primary and secondary schools in the defunct Bendel State, before going to read Philosophy at the Obafemi Awolowo University, IleIfe, where he finished as the best graduating student in his class. He later read Law at the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar. He burst on to the political stage in 1998 and for eight years he bestrode the Delta State Legislature like a colossus.

Senator Pius Ewherido was neither a run-off the mill politician, nor a political hustler. He never believed in the politics of the stomach.

Ewherido’s politics was motivated by ideals and not hunger, greed and personal aggrandizement. He was until his last days a refined politician who saw politics as a means of getting power for the good of the people. He was first an Urhobo, but he had dreamt of a pan-Delta platform through which he could have launched the state onto the path of progress. When he made a go at the governorship in 2006, he came up with a development blueprint that awed everybody who cared to study it. While the other contenders were busy mouthing promises and devising schemes, Ewherido toiled for many nights trying to evolve a blueprint that would have been the equivalent of a Marshall Plan for Delta State.

The intrigues, which robbed him of the governorship ticket during the primary election have now become common knowledge. After that fiasco, he retreated with uncommon dignity to Ewu and went back to his business. He took everything with philosophical calmn. He read books, worked on his farm, took time to think and reconfigured his political future.

His education in Philosophy came handy for him during this period. I remember spending many hours with him during which we discussed the politics of ancient Ewherido

Rome. At intervals he would dash into his wellstocked study and bring out one book after the other. We talked about the many troubles with Nigerian and the lackluster governance that became the lot of Delta State. He gave hints of attempts by the powers that be to woo him to the corridors of power and how he resisted each attempt. He talked about principles; he talked about a viable opposition platform and how the generality of Deltans will be disappointed were he to yield to the advances of those in power. He kept his cool and bid his time.

The opportune moment came with the October 2010 Supreme Court ruling, which ordered a re-run for the Delta State governorship election. An alliance between him and the leading opposition figure Chief Great Ogboru came to be. Ewherido proved to be a political game changer. He revived his intimidating political structures across the state and the result was the Ilalaja (pineapple revolution), which shook the Delta State to her very roots. Ewherido rode to the Senate on the crest of the Ilalaja wind of change. Although, a first timer in a Senate of political denizens, although he was a lone party Senator, Ewherido stood tall in tandem with his appellation gogorogo! Each time he spoke his voice and opinion were golden. He brought an uncommon intellectual insight into his legislative responsibilities while he was in the Senate. He was oratorical and spoke with the same courage the Roman Senators he studied in his Philosophy course spoke. He once told me that he painstakingly researched almost everything that came to the floor of the Senate.

It was not too long before the Urhobo people saw in him a redeemer figure. In a landscape full of wily, crafty and selfish politrickcians, Ewherido stood out to be counted as different. He soon became a beacon of hope and the Urhobo people and Deltans began investing their political hope in him. When he was first approached for the governorship race last year he did shrug it off. However, pressure upon pressure came and he yielded after he discovered that the party that he helped stabilized for a remarkable

outing in two elections in 2011 had suddenly become hostile and cannot even guarantee him a return ticket to the Senate.

He was one politician who put the people above every other consideration. It was for this that he became an unparalleled mobiliser of people. The fact that his moniker, Gogogoro, is well acknowledged in every home in Delta State attests to his rating in the public space. He always thought of the people. His ultimate vision was pan-Deltan.

His passing shook the State, but the loss is more telling on his immediate constituents, the Urhobo people. Folks who are old enough to know say that the tremor and cold occasioned by Ewherido’s death were only comparable to those of Chiefs Mukoro Mowoe and Samuel Jereton Mariere in 1948 and 1971 respectively. The Urhobo nation will now have to brace up to the anxiety of political orphanage as her political wagon has

plunged into a blind alley. The people are unsure of the present crop of politrickcians who are used to horse-trading.

However, as painful and as irreparable as the death of Ewherido is, the people should pray and be consoled that God will bring another who is greater than him and who will bring them succor. The gloom shall not be long.

Senator Ewherido, unknowingly consoled the Urhobo people about his imminent passing on. On the 27th of April 2013, he stood before his constituents to render a report of his twoyear sojourn in the Senate at UvwiamugheAgbarho. The event was attended by over twenty thousand people. He appealed to the celebratory crowd to join him in singing his favourite song: ‘‘Owan bruduu/ owawan ghogho/ fiki ri Jesu Olori oko/ Oke sua avwanre tu uleruru/ We ju udu owanwan toto’’. Translated into English the song reads: ‘‘Let not your heart be troubled/ You all should rejoice/ Because Jesus the Leader is in the boat/ He will lead us to the shore/ Let your heart be at rest.’’

Senator Ewherido did several encores and the crowd followed suit. Nobody had the inkling that he was giving his last address to the Urhobo people and telling them to remain strong and face the future without him with fortitude. He took his exit two months and three days later.

Senator Ewherido led a distinguished life.

He was distinguished not because he was a Senator, but because of the choices he made in life. He distinguished himself as a university scholar endowed with a formidable intellect, a philanthropist, a legislator and a lover of humanity in which he had faith. He was a profound thinker, a master strategist and a great mixer. He was a charismatic leader and his followership was intimidating.

He loved his wife and love of his life Doye, and their six children. Ewherido had consoled the Urhobo people and indeed all Deltans with the song referred to above. It is well. I am still unable to come to terms with his death, because we spoke on phone the Tuesday and Wednesday preceding his passage. And how difficult it is to say my farewell? I am shuddering with cold. Farewell Distinguished Senator Pius Akporokena Ewherido.

Farewell Gogorogo…It is well.

Akpokedefaooooo…..

Dr. Awhefeada teaches literature at the Delta State University, Abraka.

TheGuardian

Sunday, July 14, 2013 53

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Combating Politicians With Questions N general, human societies that use the ballot to select a leader or a representative, seek the most qualified.

They look for a dignified and respectable achiever who is dedicated to the best interests of the society. It is not an emotional decision, and the ideal is not always achievable. What is most dangerous and must be avoided, however, is the trap at the other end of the spectrum: empowering the weakest.

In this area, Nigerians continue to get it wrong. We enthrone the unmotivated, the compromised and the uncommitted, and then grumble about why nothing is going right. Sometimes, we do not even bother to get involved: we refuse to vote, or even to register to do so, only to complain about bad leadership.

Our irresponsibility demonstrates itself in our dilapidated institutions and glorified scam establishments, from government agencies to political parties. We would rather put an idiot in charge, especially if he is a relative, than someone whose abilities we know to be vastly superior. A man we know to be a thief arrives with a bribe and we greedily grab it and give him our support. He saunters into office and steals us blind, and we throw up our hands.

This is the soil in which our legislatures are planted and nourished, and it explains why the National Assembly has been in scandal mode since 1999 and has not changed. It is difficult to argue that the average federal legislator is interested in better legislation, or even legislation. The federal legislature, the world’s best paid, is not the world’s most patriotic or hardworking. It is the world’s best paid because its members simply help themselves to the money.

I

There is a word for that: robbery. But we do not call it that, especially when those involved are friends and relatives, or when we feel we can benefit. We worship them. We give them chieftaincy titles. We beg them to marry our daughter who has been jobless for five years in the first place partly on account of legislative irresponsibility.

What we know of the executive is even more alarming, especially since they are fewer, and have more ways of helping themselves to the money. Members of the executive branch do not ask, in the tradition of civil servants, “What is in for me?” They simply take it. They make very little attempt to disguise their brigandage as they build homes and buy bulletproof cars and private jets and travel the world. We give them a great big Robin Hood cheer, as if we were not their very victims.

The truth is that we are responsible for where we have found ourselves. That is why we do not need to be rescued. We can rescue ourselves if we wish.

The first step is that we must resolve to be “victims” no longer. Not to be hypocrites. Not to be cowards.

And then we must learn to stand up straight and use the powerful tool each of us is already armed with: the power to question.

We must summon the courage to ask questions of those who run our affairs.

Think about it: we are governed not by aliens. Not even by boys hiding inside starched khaki shirts pretending to be monsters. We are governed by people we know; people who, in principle, we sent out ourselves through the ballot box. We must be able to ask them what they are doing, and how.

The ability to ask questions is the most important weapon of a citizen in a democracy. It permits and challenges the citizen to

assert his place as the foundation of the political process by questioning an electoral candidate; by questioning the winner so he remembers he is responsible to those who elected him.

The citizen must question the official so he does not take his office for granted. He must question the official about the principles that govern his work. He must question him about the substance of his work. The dog in the hunt hunts for itself especially in Nigeria’s public life; in the end, the hunter must recover the kill for the hunter.

A question does not have to be cynical, insulting or rude. Indeed, the best questions are not; they are based on the simple understanding that the elected owes his position to those in whose name he says he speaks.

Actually, the office-holder usually understands this point very well; he just hopes that the electors do not so that he can present himself not as servant but as Master; not as a messenger but as all-knowing and allpowerful.

We have not just a right, but a responsibility, to question those who serve in our names, even if they rigged themselves into that position. A critical part of the problem we have in our hands is that some of us, when we see a man who holds power, become star-struck and mute, as if the man manufactured the power.

We tremble and stutter not in amazement at how well they are serving the common weal, but at simply how powerful they are.

Even journalists align with the applauding and immobilised party faithful, forgetting that while anyone can quote what a politician said, fewer can ask or report what he actually accomplished, if anything.

With that said, it is clear that election year

sonala.olumhense@gmail.com

2015 is critical for Nigeria. It is a chance to stand up, speak up, and take responsibility for doing the right thing. We can pay attention and seek workable solutions, or we can do what we have always done. You cannot present the clown as a prophet only to go home and then complain about how “bad” things are.

Things are not bad. We are, and that is what must stop. This is particularly important for Nigeria’s younger generations. We can begin to negotiate change that will benefit our future when we are courageous enough to ask questions of those who seek our permission to dominate us.

And we must remember we have the right to say NO, to get angry when they think they mislead. Democracy permits us to merge our outrage with the outrage of others who feel the same way as we do.

You die not when you speak up, but when you look away, in which case you die twice.

Deeper Life’s Moral Decency

By Victor Oshisada N the world today, there are diverse religious faithsCatholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, and others. Apart from these faiths, there are Atheism and Agnosticism. In practising religious faiths, and there are many of them as enumerated above, two types of practitioners or devotees exist. First, there are the practical devotees. Second, there are the theoretical ones. The first category really practises the doctrines wholeheartedly to the letter, whilst the second group merely theorises without actually practising the doctrines or rules.

In my candid opinion, it is not every devotee who is devout.

In every faith, there are the “Pharisees” who believe in outward show (hypocrites). Among Christians and Muslims, there are hypocrites (“Pharisees”). What is in focus is the Deeper Life Ministry. A little insight into the background of the religious organisation is necessary. From the outset, however, I must confess that I am a Church of Nigeria (Anglican) member, and not of Deeper Life. Therefore, the opinion hereby expressed is dispassionate. I am of the opinion that the Deeper Life Church is truly morally decent.

The Deeper Christian Life Ministry is as well known as Deeper Life Bible Church. Its Superintendent is Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi. It is Holiness — Pentecostal Church with emphasis on Holy Livings. According to records, the Church teaches the doctrines of Holiness and living practical Christian life. Its members are taught and are also expected to live holy lives, as born again for the Kingdom of Heaven. I may, however, add: “How holy lives are holy, needs to be explained”. Established in 1973, the church has wide national and expansive international spread in all the continents.

Recently, Deeper Life Ministry got into hot water, when it suspended the Superintendent’s second son from its fold. In far away Jamaica, its General-Superintendent, Pastor William Kumuyi’s second son, John Kumuyi, was reportedly suspended, because of the latter’s controversial wedding. Newspaper reports said: “The controversy was over John’s bride who flouted the church’s rules by using make-up and other flashy ensemble that accompanied wedding gown. The gown also had see-through sleeves. His bride, Love Odih, was accused of flouting the established doctrine of the church on conservative dressing”. Opinion must be expressed on available facts.

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Pastor William Kumuyi’s puritanical stance must be commended. By frowning at the son’s wedding misdemeanour, he is warning other members that similar behaviour cannot be tolerated from them anytime in future. William Kumuyi has done the right thing.

The reported Quote above needs to be analysed. First, the bride-groom, John Kumuyi, is the second son of the General-Superintendent, Pastor William Kumuyi. John ought to be familiar with the terrain where he is treading.

So, he must tread carefully. He must be aware of the church’s rules about wedding gown that there must not be make-up and flashy articles. It must remain opaque, devoid of see-through (transparent) sleeves. Much is expected from him as a beacon of light to guide other members.

Second, Pastor William Kumuyi, the father of the bridegroom, was reported to be absent from the wedding in Jamaica. Is it because of the “unholy” gown? If so, it is palpably clear that he was aware of the short-comings in the wedding ceremony, consequently, he decided to keep off, instead of witnessing what was clearly derogatory to his enviable episcopal status. The church overseer was reported to have expressed his displeasure with the “standard” of the wedding. In that situation, the couple might have been given the caveat before the wedding, which they might have flagrantly disobeyed. William Kumuyi’s absence could be a disapproval. If so, the General-Overseer deserves commendation. Nigerians doff their hats for him, as a no-nonsense father-in-law, who realises that Christians are the salts of the world and the light to show people in finding their ways.

Third, I learn from authoritative source that in Deeper Life Ministry, Marriage Committee (including a Woman Representative) is usually set up to examine every wedding gown to ensure its compliance with the accepted standard.

Also, the Committee interviews the prospective groom and bride (that is, the couple) to find out, for example, if parental consents are sought. The reading public like to know whether or not the wedding gown at issue was earlier submitted to the Marriage Committee to vet in Nigeria or Jamaica.

If it was vetted or screened, what was the Marriage Committee’s verdict? Approved or disapproved? If it was not submitted to it, why was it not? If it was submitted, screened and allegedly declared unacceptable, why was it used for the wedding? In my own opinion, the members of the Marriage Committee, if still extant, must not escape culpability, if found wanting, unless if in Nigeria, one type was recommended and accepted, whilst another type was adopted for use in Jamaica, as a trick to deceive. From my heart of heart, it is my considered opinion that the Ministry has set a good standard, which every member must follow. It is irrelevant whose horse is gored; it could be the son of the Superintendent or ordinary member. Once the rules are flouted, discipline ought to be effected.

This is why Pastor William Kumuyi’s puritanical stance must be commended. By frowning at the son’s wedding misdemeanour, he is warning other members that similar behaviour cannot be tolerated from them anytime in future. William Kumuyi has done the right thing. The church organisation has grown from University of Lagos campus of 15 members in 1973 to be a global one of millions in membership in 2013. As for the tendered apology, I have my reservation. Apostle Peter asked: “Master, you say that we must forgive. How many times shall we forgive? Our Lord Jesus replied: “Continue to forgive and forgive seventy times seven times” Much as I support Christ’s admonition as a good lesson in forgiveness, my suggestion is that William Kumuyi must never be patient for as long. The period of suspension can only be reduced. There must be punishment to deter future occurrence.

In the Holy Bible, almost identical behaviour is recorded. In 1 Samuel, Prophet Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas who made themselves vile, and Eli, their father – Prophet failed to restrain them. The Lord, speaking through young Samuel said: “Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that hear it shall tingle. In that day, I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end”. Thereafter, in an ensuing battle between Israel and Philistines, Israel was defeated by the latter and the Ark of the Lord was carried away as Prophet Eli’s two sons were slain. (1 Samuel, chapter 4, verses 1 to 12). May our Lord God forbid this similar tragedy befalling the Deeper Life Ministry, Pastor William Kumuyi, his family and the whole lot of Nigerians. Amen.

• Oshisada, a veteran journalist, lives at Ikorodu, Lagos.

TheGuardian

54 | Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Opinion Notes From My Cuban Experience

By Sylvester Akhaine OU left Lagos on an evening flight aboard Air France on the way to Cuba via Paris and you were overwhelmed by a riot of imagination of what to expect in the Caribbean island. Would you see Papa Fidel, the remains of the guerrilla sculptor, Ernesto Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos?

Would you see a new society free from the exploitative relations of our pseudo-capitalist society?

Would you see a workers society? How about your kinfolk who were shipped to work in the sugar and cotton plantations of the Americas as slaves?

Would you see them truly free? Would you be free to embrace the “winning carriage, skin tone and beauty” of the island on an even keel without the exchange of filthy lucre? What merchandise would be available in the malls to shop from? You stretched your imagination almost limitlessly.

On a second leg of a long flight from Paris or Amsterdam, you then arrived at Jose Marti International Airport without the allure of Heathrow in London or JFK in New York. You sought the razzmatazz of the fabled socialist republic. The immigrations officials appeared overwhelmed by a stream of tourists fascinated by the tropical weather of the island while fleeing from the deadly winters of the Alps and meadows of Europe. You could imagine that these visitors were a mix of genuine tourists and sprinkling of agents of Uncle Sam. For sure, the agents would not escape the data capturing tools of the dutiful Cuban immigration officers who took into their data bank the details of every alien on the soil of the Bayamese. You would not lose the sense of order, which the immigration officials brought to bear on the process of clearing the mammoth crowd of visitors. You noticed that they performed their duty, in a manner of speaking, with revolutionary precision.

Jetlagged, you were transported to your hotel room, Hotel Presidente, somewhere in New Havana. You noticed that all through the short journey to the hotel, there were no potholes on the well-paved highway and streets and no traffic gridlock. As you settled into your room on the fifth floor, you took an aerial view of Havana, old and new, a lovely tropical city on the Atlantic waters with skyscrapers. You passed them for five star hotels back home. You were wrong; they were all dwellings for the Cuban people. You inquired who planned this city and were told never mind, it was modeled in every way after Miami.

The jetlag was soothed by a night rest despite the difference in time zone to which you would later adjust. On your day one you ventured into the city and you got the shocker of your life. You could hardly see the pictures of the revolutionary legends, Fidel adorning the streets of Cuba conspicuous only in the Revolutionary Square, a pantheon that hosted the portraits of Che, Fidel Ruz Castro, Eduardo de Santos and Hugo Chavez. As a friend of the Cuban people, you visited Amistur for a brief tutorial on civics regarding the country of Immanuel Cespedes. The building, which housed Amistur had before the revolution belonged to a latifundia owner who forfeited it to the workers state. The next day you travelled to Santa Clara, the city, which had chosen Che as their son. You encountered all the relics of his eventful revolutionary life housed in a massive Museum. At Santa Clara you were amazed at the adoration of Che. His statue with his famous fatigue, haversack and a rifle announced the museum and some kilometers apart you also came across the armoured train with which Che joined the battle against Batista regime. As his son, Camilo Guevara observed in his

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JAW JAW By Didi Onu

Primary school in Havana preface to The Bolivian Diary, “Against their will, Che is transformed into a hardened symbol of resistance, a symbol of the fight for what is just, of passion, of the necessity of being fully human, multiplied infinitely in the ideals and weapons of those who struggle. This is what the front men and their omnipotent handlers fear.”

With the US blockade, described by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the Nobel laureate and author of One Hundred Years of Solitude, as one of the worst human right violations of the 20th century, you wondered how the small island had managed to survive. You were goaded to traverse Matanzas province, another wonder. Matanzas did appear as the food basket of the country. No wonder Freer Bridget wrote in Marie Claire a few years ago that for Cuba the future was orange. “Struggling Cubans would survive,” you blurted out in unveiled solidarity with the beleaguered children of Marti and Antonio Maceo.

If Matanzas was a spectacle, the May Day event was even more amazing, with leftists from the whole of Latin America and elsewhere in the world gathered in Havana to mark the workers day. You were driven to the revolutionary square to observe the parade as early as 4 am in the morning so that you would be able to stay at a vantage position to watch the events. May Day, was an all-city affair, everyone, old and young, including the military took part in the parade unarmed. You observed that it was the height of workers solidarity, a force for itself, ready to defend the revolution and simultaneously it dawned on you where the strength of the revolution laid. Since January 1959 when the July 26 Movement triumphed over Batista’s dictatorship, Cuba had retained its revolutionary mystique. What a contrast! On the same May Day, you learnt that in Seattle, USA, workers’ rights of association and expression were rudely assaulted by the police and that several peaceful protesters were wounded. You thought it ironic for a society that laid claim to being a land of freedom.

You would not be fair to your readers if you did not share a view on the organization of the Cuban

economy, which ran on the wheel of tourism. The tourist economy was anchored on the icons of the revolution. Sculptures, T-shirts, and hats with Jose Marti, Fidel, Che or Cienfuegos as the central motifs adorned the shopping centres. Soyinka observed in his Ibadan, The Pekelemes Years the dominance of Fidel in everything but with a caveat that, “the personality cult was not contrived, it was not a phenomenon that was carefully nurtured.

Cuba’s personality cult was very simply the force of Fidel Castro — his history, personality, will-power and oratorical intensity.” Over half a century of the revolution, you reasoned that the personality cult was not a cult but history of the Cuban people that transcended Fidel but embraced his comrades in arms and their forebears who built Cuban history of resistance.

Lonely in the confines of your hotel room, you sauntered into the cold airy Havana night; you encountered beautiful women with whom you made friends. You found them submissive, friendly and somewhat untamed by the revolution. You looked at these beautiful humans, the mulattoes and your transformed kindred snatched from Africa some five hundred years ago, they were a perfect sort. If Havana women were beautiful, what of the women of the Oriente province for whom Soyinka waxed lyrical. In his Ibadan, The Pekelemes Years, he captured insightfully aspect of the post-liberation Cuban society of the 1960s. He pointed up an emerging trend of the revolution.

Truly, the overthrown Batista government had regimented social life in Cuba, but a regimentation of thoughts was emerging “as the ‘second’ revolution—the Marxist one—fastened its hold on the society.” Even then he noted the laissez faire life in the Oriente province, especially Santiago de Cuba, ‘where the people walked and talked like thinking, not programmed, beings. The daily sociology of the Oriente was loose-limbed, spontaneous, and independent, a marked contrast to Habana.” “And the women of the Oriente had a winning carriage, skin tone and beauty,” that in a choice of place for exile, for him, it would be Santiago de Cuba, “or

nowhere else on earth!” Quite frankly, a narrative of Cuba would be incomplete without an account of the daily rhythm of life at the margins, aspects of which Julio Travieso Serrano accounted for in Raining Over Havana.

Seeing the modest achievement of the revolution, you wondered how Cuba managed to survive thus far in the belly of the beast; a beast roaring with the anger of a wounded lion. You recalled that on the eve of the revolution, Uncle Sam was Cuba’s biggest trading partner, accounting for about 60-70 percent of the country’s exports and import. The US relied on Cuban sugar and tobacco. But the Agrarian Reform law of the revolution marked the parting of ways.

The revolution expropriated the expropriators to aggrandize the landless farm families. For a country that had made Cuba a new colony of sorts through the Platt Amendment that emasculated Cuba’s sovereignty, it was too much to bear. Between 1959 and 1964, the US leadership imposed a crippling eternal economic blockade on the country. Fidel had retorted that “The people of Cuba will have to love their revolution more, because every new obstacle that’s placed in our path will mean that we’ll have to fight harder and make more sacrifices for it.” The following thoughts ran in your mind: “Cubans really are paying a price for independence: empty malls, old cars and horse drawn carts and hurricane-beaten homes in old Havana that reminded you of Isale Eko. Despite the insufficiency, the wheel of Cuba runs. Out of hardship, it has emerged a world health power despite emigration to the US of over 50 percent of its medical doctors shortly after the revolution.

Medicare is free for its people and so is education. The state provides jobs but not to satisfy the appetite of the petit bourgeois brats. With the blockade, Cuba would have been a realization of Robert Owens failed Utopia—a workers commune.”

Beyond the ideology that underpinned the revolutionary society, you ran into a horde of Osun delegates in the cities of Cuba; you became curious as to their mission -— a brigade of youths of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme who did voluntary agro work in Cuban farms and had a feel of the Cuban biotech in company of volunteers from over 50 countries. They were at the May Day parade in Havana. You remembered that Cuba was home to Yoruba culture.

Yamaya (Yemoja) was a singsong and both Havana and Matanzas harboured Yoruba cultural relics and deities. Truly, you saw the Cuban Babalawos wore hand beads. The helmsman at Osun, Ipinle Omoluabi, was enamoured of the Cuban example of a welfare state. The state must feed itself; the population must be educated with meals-on-wheel for the primary school pupils and Opon Imo for the secondary school students.

Home-bound, you had regrets you could not visit Santiago de Cuba and have a view of the Moncada Barracks which youthful Fidel with a band of volunteers attacked in the run-up to the struggles that wrought the Cuban revolution.

You missed out on Varadero beach, one of the showpieces of the Cuban tourist industry, despite your journey through the Matanzas province. Your mind raced to the waiting nightmare of Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris for the Lagos-bound journey and the Cuban reverie were taken over by the Nigerian blues—Boko Haram, kidnappers, power outage, government by committees and so on.

Dr. Akhaine is a visiting member of the Guardian Editorial Board.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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INTERVIEW Deacon Gamaliel Onosode is a renowned boardroom guru, having served in many boards, as chief executive or chairman. He had been pro-chancellor to two first generation universities and is at present the Pro-chancellor of Bowen University. In this encounter with GBENGA SALAU, Onosode, ever so humble, but self-assured discussed issues of good governance, corruption and what Nigerians must do to recover lost values.

Government is on a serious drive for foreign investment; what should we be doing to achieve result in that regard? think that the two most important factors that are slowing us down are the prevalent and endemic nature of corruption, as well as the inadequacy of basic infrastructure, particularly power.

If the story of corruption was somewhat different, incidence of corruption was somewhat different, if we do not have the unsatisfactory state of power supply, the Nigerian story would have been vastly different. But how does one sustain hope in a situation, which seems to have persisted for a very long time. I think the answer must be that the individual citizen should modify his expectations in terms of precise timing of actions that could make the difference.

What I mean is that, Nigerians must look less on what the neighbour, the other person is doing wrong and concentrate on doing as an individual what is not just good enough or not bad, but something that represents the product of excellence, refusing totally to join the multitude in doing evil, even if the multitude in that context happens to be a figment of one’s imagination; that it is not a lot of people that are playing a negative role in keeping Nigeria from flourishing to become the great nation it Onosode can be or ought to be, but the failure on the part of the individual to pursue excellence. And I believe that in this regard, Nigerian citizens who really care about the country must begin to exercise personal discipline and control that would make them as individuals, part of the solutions, rather than being content to be part of the problem.

Considering the amount of resources we have, human and material, some people feel that we should have leapfrogged into a developed nation by now; where are we getting it wrong?

My own theory is that, British colonial powers, left rather hurriedly, they left us in what I call the twilight zone and by that, I mean that, whereas colonial powers’ influence has weakened, it has left a hole in place where traditional taboos have a stronghold on us. Taboos that made being called a thief a very serious matter, the disgrace of which could persist for more than one generation. Yes, they waned down the stronghold powers of those traditional taboos, without our having in the main time bought into the values of the society that colonized us. go away; but now, if you do that, they will And so I find a correlation between the length throw away the skull. If you are more enlightof time the British was in India and in what was ened than that, you put the Bible on the wares; then called Gold Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, they will first steal the bible before stealing the which is directly related to the phenomenon I goods. This is the theory, which I believe just described. India has not yet had a military explains it. You could argue that it is just pure coup, the British stayed longest in India among coincidence that India, where the British the three countries I mentioned. Their stay in stayed for over hundred and something years Nigeria was the shortest and it was Nigeria that has never had a coup, practicing parliamentaught Ghana how to stage a coup. And if you tary democracy, in spite of their religious oblitake Ghana, which had had coups, you can see gations; Ghana, where they stayed much that the Ghanaians’ experience of coup has left longer than in Nigeria, they have used their Ghana a better disciplined country than coup to cleanse the society. I cannot say what Nigeria. There is nothing intrinsically wrong coups have left Nigeria with. There are those with Nigerians, anymore than wrong with who can argue that the intervention of the Indians or Ghanaians, but by the time the military in civil rule is part of the explanation British left India, the military had been with of the endemic nature of corruption and its them for such a long time that its professional pervasiveness. nature was recognised and respected. The solSo much for theory; therefore, the inference I diers, military officers saw themselves as profes- draw from all these in terms of the responsibilsionals, who had to be at the disposal of the ity of the individual citizens are not to give up civil authorities. on the country. We need more time in which As I said, their stay in Nigeria was shortest; we to restore sanity, that time will be shortest, if had not assimilated what we might call as many individuals as possible accept responWestern values. So, take the traditional days sibility for good behaviour, regardless of how when taboos were still strong, we were selling badly the neighbour may be misbehaving. In firewood and we put the wares by the road other words, each of us as Nigerian citizens sides, people who are passing by who need to must resolve not to join the multitude to do buy will drop the correct coins. The owner evil. Even if multitude in that context is a segmight put the skull of a monkey or a dog on ment of my imagination, in order words, it is those goods, people will just come, take what not a large number of people that are doing they want, put the right amount of money and what is wrong, but just one or two or three.

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PHOTO: CHARLES OKOLO

ONOSODE: Development Will Not Come Unless Individual Nigerians Imbibe Spirit Of Excellence Even if it is one or two that is doing what is wrong, I am insisting that you should not join the one to do what is wrong. Insist on doing what is right, respect the laws of the land, stand for what is ethically and morally right and be willing to pay a price for it.

Many would argue that the problem with Nigeria is leadership, but from your analysis, you seem to be saying the individual has more roles to play; are you saying the challenge is not that of leadership?

I am not saying that. What I am saying is that

We need more time in which to restore sanity, that time will be shortest, if as many individuals as possible accept responsibility for good behaviour, regardless of how badly the neighbour may be misbehaving. In other words, each of us as Nigerian citizens must resolve not to join the multitude to do evil

and this is where I defer from a lot of people, leadership is not a quality or a responsibility that is possessed or exercised in the highest rung of the society, leadership is a quality and a responsibility that is available to individuals at all the levels of society and ought to be exercised at all levels of society. For example, I have shared this at a number of fora already. Many years ago, one of my grandchildren, a girl, when she was barely three and half years old, on a Sunday afternoon, with a number of people in the house, we tend to have an open house, suddenly her voice rang out, ‘don’t touch the wall’. But what was she exercising, in my opinion, leadership. She was not elected to be a leader, appointed to be a leader; she was passing on leadership to those around. She saw an adult putting his hand on the wall. She exercised leadership and I think there is a saying that the people get the government they deserve. So, at the end of the day, it is the character of the individual that will determine the quality of those who offer themselves and get elected or appointed to positions of high responsibility. You will agree with me that the school prefect or class prefect in class one or two, is a young person by definition, the way he or she exercises authority could make a world of difference to those who passed through that class. I am told that by the age of five a person’s character is formed, which means that all those who have a responsibility for tending and bringing up children must act responsibly. The Bible says train up a child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. It follows that a person can exercise from the example I gave earlier, quality leadership at a very low level of society, even as a young person, to the extent that he or she can teach the much older person something that the older person does not know or is not practicing.

Theologically, I think it was Paul who told Timothy that ‘let no one despise your youth’.

Don’t comport yourself in such a way that people who are older and more experienced than you look down on you. You must have the knowledge, courage to share truth and insist on that by being persuasive and courageous enough, not only to declare the truth, but, to CONTINUED ON PAGE 56

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

56 |

INTERVIEW

Military Intervention Did Not was conceived in Nigeria, I was born in Nigeria, had my primary, secondary and tertiary educabe willing to pay a price, for standing for the tion in Nigeria. So I am hundred percent made truth. So there is no particular level of society at in Nigeria product, but during my time, educawhich leadership is not an essential requiretion, even at the primary stage had contact ment. And some years ago, there was a group with the international community, direct concalled Moral Rearmament, they use to sing a tact with global values through the missionarsong, it says, ‘if I point my finger at my neighies that were at work in Nigeria. In the infant bour, the other three points back at me’. So start department, I personally interacted with, and with yourself, I should start with myself. this is true for those of my generation, these Apart from the need for a re-evaluation of the missionaries from America and Europe. When I individual’s role in the society, what other sugwas in secondary school, over 50 percent of my gestions do you think will lead us to regain that teachers were non-Nigerians; they were British path to progress? and others. And of course, in the university, I Indirectly, I have mentioned an issue that I will studied Classics, nothing dramatically useful table as the answer to this question. And that is you might say. All my teachers, in my time that of education. Education etymologically were expatriates, they were British, German or means leading out. So, education therefore Australian. It was never decided by any implies bringing out what is an innate capacity, Nigerian government that it was time that because every one of us is made in the image of these expatriates should be barred from teachGod and after His own likeness. And the fear of ing in our institutions. They may be required to God is the beginning of knowledge, it is also the obtain a visa, if they are non-Nigerians, but beginning of wisdom, so man has been created they were not barred. Over time, they all left, and made by God, with a capacity to acquire for purely, practical economic reasons. The knowledge and express knowledge. remunerations that teachers used to be paid Secondly, to apply knowledge, which is what were good enough for them to maintain two wisdom is, in addressing perceived challenges homes, one here and another in their homeor problems. lands. There was a time that, among the most So, education also, looking from that root also highly paid people in the land was university means leading out of darkness or ignorance professors and vice chancellors. That had long into light and knowledge and wisdom. So when switched to a decay, so over time, for pure ecoJesus said you are the light of the world, it nomic reasons, the educational community, means I have light and that light should be particularly secondary and tertiary excluded made to shine, so it will dispel the darkness of expatriates and you can see how that rubbed my environment and open the eyes of those on the capacity to appropriate global values, who might in the mean time have been blind. which you might call Western values. Today, And again, this is implicit in the act of my three many of our universities cannot even boast of and half years old grandchild that I gave. Each being truly national in their outlook, let alone one of us is witness, whether you are conscious international or universal. They are increasingof it or not, we are witnessing. That is, we are ly becoming local things and that is not doing showing something to the world around us, the pursuit of excellence any good. We have even if our mouth is shut, not to talk about had to trade in meritocracy in order to install when our mouth is opened. That is from the way mediocrity. So, one of the areas in which the you comport yourself and the things you say, nation has to express a genuine concern for the including things you did not say, someone, quality of education, which has been grossly somewhere is either being led right or led eroded is by a much better funding of educaastray, but without you consciously declaring tion at all the levels, so that the share attracthat you are witness, we are in fact witnesses. tion, the purchasing power of money can open The question is, for whom are you witnessing, the door for non-Nigerians. It is not because for God or the devil. To what are you witnessing, non-Nigerians have something unique, no. is it to virtue or vices and you can see how that There are many Nigerians abroad teaching and comes together in what I called education, that doing all kinds of things, so they are not better is to say, both informal and formal education. than we are. But there is something in having The first teacher of a human being is the mothan international community, which is not suber, the next ought to be the father and adults generally, which form the third set. Education, whether it is nursery, primary, secondary or tertiary are organs through which the adult community formalize the impartation of instruction, for the infection of the younger generation with a keen awareness of what is right or productive, desirable to be known and therefore should be learnt, whether it is mathematics, science or geography.

But all that should be based on the consciousness that the mind of God should form the basis of instruction. All these things we teach must make the individuals who are subjected to the discipline of being taught or going through these institutions have the ability to discern between what is right and what is wrong. That, even more importantly and more critically, is what defines the creed of progress, the distinction between what is just good enough and what is very good. In other words, it is the inculcation of a commitment to the pursuit of excellence, so we need to look at education, the institutions that have been set up for these various stages of learning very seriously.

But education and the content of education, the purpose and philosophy of education must be clearly identified and promulgated so that those who passed through these various stages would graduate from them better equipped in terms of knowledge and wisdom, and for the betterment of the welfare and wellbeing of society.

Talking about the key role of education, over years no Nigerian university is among the best in Africa, and having been a pro-chancellor, how can the sector be revived?

Let me say by way of introduction to proffering definitive response to your question that in my recollection, no Nigerian government ever sat down and decided to erode the quality of education that is made available in our institutions. I CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55

Funding therefore goes beyond building more halls of residence, that is good, nothing wrong with that but rewarding those who teach in the universities and secondary schools, well enough for it to keep open the interest of non- Nigerians in offering their services so that there would be a two-way flow of quality personnel between Nigeria and other countries. That opening up will make it easier to insist on meritocracy, rather than being content to be a local champion ject to parochial and local taboos and therefore an atmosphere that is more conducive to be objective in our thinking.

Let me give you an example, when the International Schools were opened at Ibadan.

The schools were designed to serve an international community in Ibadan, but today, most universities with international schools, the Nigerian teachers see it as part of the condition of service. They see it as a means of having a better quality than schools out there in the larger society; that is sad. It means that it is making our academic less objective and less intellectual, because they will not be telling the truth, they do not see the truth.

In those days, when International School was set up in Ibadan, you could count the secondary schools in spite of the fact that Ibadan campus was far away from the town. But now, how many secondary schools can you count on each street?

Take Bowen University, where I am the prochancellor. In those days, in the whole of that neighbourhood, we had only one secondary school, but now before you enter the major road, I can see how many secondary schools you will walk or drive past. So how can we justify setting up something with dishonest designation as international schools?

Funding therefore goes beyond building more halls of residence. That is good, nothing wrong with that, but rewarding those who teach in the universities and secondary schools, well enough for it to keep open the interest of non- Nigerians in offering their services, so that there would be a two-way flow of quality personnel between Nigeria and other countries is more appropriate. That

opening up will make it easier to insist on meritocracy, rather than being content to be a local champion.

You talked about corruption and infrastructure as two major challenges, how do we get out of this?

You cannot cure these two things over night.

So, because corruption has become endemic, it will naturally take a bit of time, that is why, I have suggested that education is the point at which we ought to start, that will re-open the prospect of having a new generation of more correctly indoctrinated citizens to man our services, whether in the building of physical infrastructure or in the management of existing once. In other words, I am saying those who have been victims of the kind of education that has been available in the last twenty years, they are going to remain with us for a long time to come. Sadly, but that is the reality, you are not going to kill them. That negative impact hopefully, would gradually be reduced as a new generation of those who have been correctly indoctrinated in terms of quality and philosophy of the education they have begin to take over. It would not happen overnight, it would take sometime. Time is a non-renewable resource, time lost is lost forever, it does not matter how much harder we work. The best we can do is to work very hard so that we do not spend that much more time under that substandard behaviour and facilities. And that is very important that I will not join the multitude to do evil and you must not join the multitude to do evil.

Taking about corruption, you may think of those who steal millions and billions, but there are little things that add up to corruption that entrenched corruption. I am saying that little things that we do at the individual level, they all add up to present the big issues and problems.

So let our little act of correctness be put on the table, so that over time, we would have the critical mass of that right conduct and behaviour that will also transform our environment and make it more like what we would like to be and to have.

How can we promote good corporate governance in organisations, considering the many reports of abuses in corporate organisations?

I like the way new words and expressions are stringing up, though the words that make up the expression may not be new, and people think that they have discovered something that is new. The scripture said that there is nothing new under the sun. Corporate governance, good corporate governance because you can have bad corporate governance, but when people talk about corporate governance, they really mean good corporate governance and that can only be assured when there is a commitment to the spirit of the law or regulation as opposed to its letter. My appeal is that the individual must buy into the spirit of the rule of the law; that you may bring up your children in the fear and nurture of the Lord, so that they grow up, willing to pay a price for cherished principles, so that they will put the best interest of the society before their personal interest.

The longer the malady of corruption and greed lasts, the slightly longer it will take for a new order to emerge. In the case of Nigeria, it will emerge and the best contribution you and I can make is to act right, to speak right, and be willing to pay the price for doing so.

The banking industry is supposed to play a critical role for the nation to move forward, but that is not what we are having now, particularly for small and medium enterprises; why?

This concern is not new. It is in fact the concern

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THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

INTERVIEW

Leave Anything Good Behind that led to the establishment of specialized banking institutions over time to address this issue. But each time a more specialized institution is set up, within a very short time, it becomes evident that those who are benefiting from it are the larger end of the spectrum, rather than the medium and smaller end of the spectrum, for whom the specialized institutions were designed.

It means there is a fundamental problem. The problem as I see it is that entrepreneurship combines both the vision, capacity to technically translate an idea into a product or a service, with financial input being very much part of the area which that critical, constructive productive entrepreneurship expresses itself and encompasses it.

In the best of times, in the history of banking, it was seen as a service to industry and commerce.

The situation of the industry is not a Nigerian problem, but a global change and no wonder it has led to catastrophe at the global level.

Banking, instead of being seen as a service to business was now perceived as a business.

Whereas, in those early years, a banker was very proud and measured his own success by reference to those persons or businesses he has supported and helped to success. And that has resulted in the banking failure that we experienced globally. When banking sees itself as a business, then you are to have the sort of problem that we have had, not just in the financing of small and medium size enterprises, because the banker now sees itself as a business and does not see why his interest should be subservient to that of another business.

So much for the diagnoses, what is the solution? I think the solution is that government must concentrate on providing the basic infrastructure that would make it easier for the individual industry or entrepreneur to want to invest as much financial resources in creating a productive environment in which it can operate profitably. As you know, one of the problems of industry in Nigeria is that each industrial unit has to be in the power business, water business, road construction business and so on, in order to produce whatever it is producing. I am saying do not compel industries to invest in these infrastructures or operate in an environment that compels them to need more finance than would otherwise be required to put out the goods or the services that it has the skill to make available.

The popular saying now is that government has no reason to be in business, only the private sector should handle business. What then is the business of government?

Government cannot wash its hands completely from infrastructure, if government does no business, what is the business of government.

Therefore, I do not think that any country can solve any perceived problem by insisting that government must have nothing to do with business. That is not really our problem. The kind of business that government would get involved with must be such that it is business that the individual entrepreneur is not likely to handle effectively. Government should provide essentially the regulatory framework, the oversight capacity to ensure that there is adherence to rules and regulations that give every operator a fair chance of success. We need well-educated, honest individuals who can produce a government that performs optimally to the interest of the generality of our people.

Unemployment is a critical issue, if you are to make suggestions to tackle the challenge, what will it be?

It is a very difficult one. It is a problem no country will be able to solve completely because unemployment becomes an issue when the degree of unemployment presents itself as really a problem. I do not think that there would ever be a society in which on any given day, you can say that everybody who has the capacity, ability and skills to do some paid job or create an employment for themselves, are in fact, so engaged. In order words, full employment does not mean everybody who could possibly be working is working, it means those who are not working are negligible, that the rest of society can carry them without it creating any negative task on them. But the government can be creative. For example, think of how many people Lagos State is employing to clean our highways.

What informed the Lagos State Government; it is

Onosode

• I Wanted To Be President Because God Said So, But Men Stopped It not a single factor. Lagos State could say ‘oh!

We have so many unemployed, so how do we create employment?’ I do not think so. The Lagos State Government felt that our roads are not environmentally acceptable and there is a need to engage people to clean the roads as part of their normal day’s work. And I dare say that you can probably double the number of those cleaning the roads now and the roads will not come to say we are too clean.

What I’m saying is that opportunities of gainful employment is something that grows from the quality, the content of education and the natural endowment of a society and availability of finance to import inputs that are necessary to bring these two things together, knowledge/skill on the one hand, the perceived problem, that is the need to be met and the funding that will bring it together.

The content of education is very important.

When I went to the university, I did not see anything that directly equipped me to do a particular job, but the education I had gave me a philosophical, psychological intellectual preparation that equipped me to pick skills very quickly and to apply those skills to deliver service that was needed.

I am saying that if we invested more of our financial resources and did not allow the quantum to be eroded by corruption, automatically more opportunities will be created to those who are graduating from our schools.

And they will find it cheaper, in terms of capital to be injected into business; they will find out that the environment has been better equipped to enable someone with little capital to start up a business of his own. Hence it goes back to a more economic deployment of our resources, in our case, derived from natural resources that would make it easier and cheaper for people to go into business.

In the Niger Delta, there are claims that the attitude put up by oil companies in managing environmental issues in the region is not what they do elsewhere, why is it so?

It goes back to the same question of education and corruption; quality education on the part of those who run our affairs, who would have drawn attention to the problems being created, in an otherwise lawful exploitation of the natural resources.

Corruption, for those who have the technical knowledge, make them turn the other way and pretend that they do not see what is going on and a combination of the two produces a

I did want to be president, you are right. It was the only job that I applied for throughout my life. I have never applied for any job, whether full time or part time. But I did want to apply to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so I was a presidential aspirant, but I did not graduate to be a candidate. In order words, I was not allowed to submit my application to the people because I was stopped at the party level. But that act on my part of stepping into the political arena was not a wasted effort; after all, I acted in obedience to a divine call regretful reality of what you have just mentioned.

Where do we start? Do we start by drawing attention to the fact, but I hope that in the next few weeks, something would be done. I do not know whether you know, I was the chair of the Niger Delta Environmental Survey, our report had been available for over ten years, but we do not have the means of publishing it and producing it in a medium that will be available to all stakeholders. And I believe that we are coming close to the end of that unhappy chapter, to be able to make it available to the general public. It is back to this issue of corruption and ignorance feeding on each other and perpetuating a problem that could otherwise, either be nipped in the bud, or would have been contained much earlier, but, which I believe is being addressed now. In fact, one of the reasons why the NLNG project was conceived was because we wanted to utilize the gas that is flared, but of course the NLNG project does not depend on the gas that is flared, they just go straight for the gas resource, but there are those who can argue quite correctly that there is a penalty for flaring gas, but it is so minimal that it is not sufficient to serve as a deterrent.

But all that takes us back to the issue of corruption and not having the required skills; corruption that makes people turn the other way, instead of addressing the issue that is quite obvious.

You wanted to be president sometime ago.

Looking back, will you say those needs that prompted you have been addressed?

I did want to be president, you are right. It was the only job that I applied for throughout my life. I have never applied for any job, whether full time or part time. But I did want to apply to be President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and so I was a presidential aspirant, but I did not graduate to be a candidate. In order words, I was not allowed to submit my application to the people because I was stopped at the party level. But that act on my part of stepping into the political arena was not a wasted effort; after all, I acted in obedience to a divine call. And I hope you will agree with me, that it did serve a useful purpose.

I was not the first Christian to get into the political arena, but it was my getting into that arena that produced an important result.

First, my entry divided Nigerian Christendom into three; one group were excited, praise the Lord, a Daniel has come to judgment, because they believed that a new kind of person has come into the arena. Second group waived their hands in horror, and said oh God, another fallen angel and the third were undecided. It is my observation and no one has challenged it. In 1999, since that election, I have not heard, a minister of the gospel asking the faithful to stay off politics because it is dirty, and preaching what I have described as the abominable gospel, namely that good should steer clear of politics because it is dirty, so that the bad can have an unimpeded run, so that the good can have more times on their kneels asking God to deliver good governance through obviously bad people. That does not make sense, does it? That is why I called it the abominable gospel. I have not heard any minister of the gospel since 1999 preaching that good people should steer clear of politics. On the contrary, what they now do is either to go in themselves or look among themselves, among the faithful, and if they see someone God might be calling to play a role, a constructive, productive role in politics, they encourage the person to make himself available and to join in empowering him, because if you are the poorest of the poor, you cannot make a start because there are basic costs to be met. So people must rally round to give support and you must not spend any thing unworthily.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Jonathan In China: Looking At The Business For Nigeria

By Oghogho Obayuwana, Foreign Affairs Editor AST week’s visit to China by president Lhigh-powered Goodluck Jonathan who led a multi-sectoral delegation to the emergent soul of the Asian tigers was simply to wrap up the unfinished business of the two countries, having commenced strategic relations a little over eight years ago.

Of course, there is an element of real politick in it, that diplomatic term used to demonstrate underlining factors of exertions by leaders and nations. In this instance, the Nigerian leader needed to demonstrate that in a globalized world, benefits could accrue to nations outside the circles of their traditional allies. The international politics behind the timing of the visit further lends credence to this. The United States (US) president Barrack Obama had just concluded his second African nations tour without a look in, on Africa’s largest market.

Draw the other conclusions.

Sino-Nigerian diplomatic relations has now entered its 43rd year. Looking at the high points of the visit, which might translate, to gains in latter years, the five agreements signed would dominate discourses more than the symbolism of the visit, the meeting with the Nigerian community in China as well as the other understanding reached on the margins of bilateral meetings.

The bilateral agreements are meant to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations of both countries. Breaking them down, the components include; a framework agreement on Comprehensive Financial Cooperation in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project. There is also a new agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation, another on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries and yet another on the Prevention of Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

Of course, citizens would expect the Nigerian delegation to hold out the basket. Apart from the big talk between president Jonathan and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the Nigerian leader invited senior executives of many Chinese conglomerates to initiate fresh investments in Nigeria. What with moguls of Huawei Technologies Limited, China Great Wall Industries, ZTE Corporation and the State Grid Corporation of China being asked to look deeper at the Nigerian opportunities? Reports say other notable companies, which showed interest included NIC/SINOPEC/CGC Consortium, the China Railway Construction Corporation as well as the China Harbour Engineering Corporation.

Both sides of the table have something to talk over. Nigeria has now emerged as the third largest trade partner of China in Africa. By the end of last year, the trade volume between the two countries reached $ 10.57 billion, while China’s non-financial direct investment in Nigeria got up to $8.7 billion. So the conclusion of a $1.1 billion in low-interest loans to boost infrastructural development including hydropower was not eyebrow-raising. And despite internal security challenges, Nigeria remains the biggest destination of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) from China. And for the previous year (2011)’ the World Investment Report of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) put Nigeria as Africa’s biggest destination for FDI generally securing $8.92 billion of the FDI flow.

The Unfinished Business, Concluded?

THE infrastructural support from China is reaping directly from last year’s intense, but off camera moves by the Nigerian diplomatic machinery led by foreign affairs minister ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, which secured an understanding enabling the country to enjoy a proportional chunk of the $206 bil-

President Johnathan inspects s guard of honour in Beijing...last week

lion (about N32.96 trillion) infrastructural development fund being proposed then by the Chinese government for investment in Africa. It was one of those strings tied up on the margins of the 5th ministerial conference on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

The lump sum, which generated interests across the continent, was meant to cover economy-growing strides in the power, energy, agriculture as well as urban and rural development sectors. Latest investment data secured by the Guardian from an enquiry of the Chinese home government shows that Nigeria is China’s second biggest trading partner in Africa. While Chinese companies have by last year invested a total of $8.3 billion in the country, this is apart from being involved in engineering projects said to be worth $28.1 billion.

Did president Jonathan and his team, raise the matter of how ordinary Nigerians are benefitting from the statistic in Beinjing?

It has not emerged that there was any bilateral discussion on military assistance last week. But not too long ago, the Chinese “Military, Naval and Air Attache” in Nigeria (Military attaché) Senior Colonel Kang Honglin disclosed that China is looking forward to a naval collaboration with Nigeria to among others, arrest security challenges in the gulf of Guinea. He said he was confident that the military industrial complex in Nigeria would continue to support the Chinese collaboration.

Earlier in 2010, Nigeria and China also reached an understanding in Beijing to diligently implement agreement for investments and growth.

This move was interpreted then as something that has to do with a bowing to persistent pressure from economic experts as both countries decided to work for the quick reconstitution of their bi-national joint commission.

Nigeria seized the opportunity to push for a revisit of China’s immigration laws, touted to be in need of greater flexibility such that consular problems would not continue to be the main irritant of bilateral relations of both countries.

It also came at a time when Nigeria was reviewing and renegotiating several bilateral agreements with many countries, to reflect her economic diplomacy priorities. The agreements included Joint Commissions, Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (IPPAs), Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA), Avoidance of Double Taxation, Science and Technology, Agricultural Cooperation, Energy and Power, Solid Minerals, Education, Culture and Tourism. They were signed with several countries, such that included India, Turkey,

Switzerland, Belgium, Australia, Canada, the United Arabs Emirates and South Africa.

Today’s Staring Issues OF the many Nigerians that stream into China for business and other ends, about 400 of them are said to be in Chinese jails. This has become a major knotty issue in Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with China. There was an arrangement by Abuja and Beijing to bring back the offending citizens, taking advantage of a proviso in the Chinese law in this regard. But that has been stalled owing to the inability of the jailed to meet the financial requirement in the collaborative repatriation Programme.

There is also the issue of opening a consulate in Guangzhou, the Chinese city in a region reputed to have a very large Nigerian population (estimated at 30,000), who are now distressed by the long way up to Beijing to get the attention of the Nigerian embassy for routine consular issues. This case has always been made, last time in 2010, when Odein Ajumogobia was minister of foreign affairs. The Nigerian community had secured the ministerial promise for the establishment of a consulate, but their hope now appeared forlorn. Not wanting to give up, these Nigerians again spoke up during president Jonathan’s visit. The general consensus is that something has to be done on this lingering matter.

Then there is this vexatious issue of the extent of the involvement of Nigerians in the operations of Chinese companies, so that there can be indigenous ownership of the projects while a sustainable local participation is assured.

The Guardian threw this at the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Deng Boqing, who was able to say that “the Chinese government has been encouraging Chinese companies going abroad to localize their teams and to shoulder due social responsibilities.”

Ambassador Deng also stressed that, “most Chinese companies in Nigeria have been aware of the importance of localization ever since they came here been trying to integrate the local people into their projects. So far, Chinese companies in Nigeria have employed over 100,000 Nigerians, and a lot of Nigerian employees have been acknowledged for their contributions to Chinese companies here in Nigeria...Let me give you an example. Once I was invited to a prize-awarding ceremony held

by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, in honor of its employees who have been working in the company for over 10 years. What impressed me most is that, among the 10 employees getting the award, five of them are Nigerian natives and

by the time they had already been part of the management of the company. Localization is one of the secrets of CCECC’s success here in Nigeria.”

Disclosing that efforts have been intensified to discourage the importation of substandard products from China, ambassador Deng offered some hope on the mutual repatriation of willing Nigerians in Chinese jails saying: “Negotiations between relevant departments are underway. Personally, I sincerely hope that both sides could reach agreement as soon as possible.

But I should point out that this could be very complex, as it involves judicial procedures and calls for the cooperation and coordination among different ministries, for example, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice, etc.”

What Happens Next?

WHEN the presidential team returns, a concerned nation should ask what happened to the agreement signed in 2010 between China and the federal government for three crude oil refineries to be built in Nigeria. The three refineries are expected to be built in Bayelsa, Kogi and Lagos states, while a location has to be confirmed for the petrochemicals complex.

Nigeria remains the world’s eighth-largest crude oil exporter, but curiously continues the importation of end products like petrol (85percent of fuel needs). When it was signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), it was a $23bn deal.

Now, the two bodies were to jointly seek financing and credits from Chinese authorities and banks to not only erect three refineries but to also raise a ‘fuel complex’ in Nigeria. The project was expected to add 750,000 barrels per day of extra Nigerian refining capacity.

Would China help to stabilize Nigeria as the world’s 12th-largest oil producer and the eighthlargest oil exporter, or just go after her profits, as she is being accused of by the West, in the fleecing of the African continent?

In all these, it has to be borne in mind, what solid history China has in her path of negotiations with other countries. You always have to negotiate well with China. It is a strong country of hard and diligent negotiators. And after signing agreements and you sleep off as the Nigerian establishment has often been accused of doing, the Chinese would completely ‘take over’. No mistake can ever be made in this regard without emerging with terribly burnt fingers.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

59

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

OGUNSANWO: No Amount Of State Visits Will Make Us Change Internally Professor Alaba Ogunsanwo, former diplomat and political scientist teaches at the Department of Politics and International Studies, Lead City University, Ibadan, Oyo State. He told KAMAL TAYO OROPO that Nigeria needs to be more strategic in her bilateral relations, especially with Peoples Republic China.

Hsienien. Since then several Heads of State starting with General Yakubu Gowon have visited China. That Nigeria has not benefited much from these visits is a matter of choice. The original ideological incompatibility disappeared when China opened up to Western capital inflow in 1978 and gradually embraced market economy principles in controlled zones within the country. This was before the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.

Nigerian entrepreneurs did not join their brother capitalists in the West to take advantage of the open door policy of China at that

OW do you see President Jonathan’s visit to H China?

A state or official visit by any Head of State of a serious country is preferably preceded by comprehensive bilateral discussions and negotiations between officials of the two countries concerned. It is believed that President Goodluck Jonathan who arrived in Beijing on July 9, 2013, only embarked on the visit to China after a thorough preparation had been made.

I do not wish to raise issues with the report that he was received by an Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, which definitely does not accord with normal protocol practice for such visits.

What does Nigeria stand to benefit from this particular trip?

Nigeria/China relations go back several decades even before the two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 1971.

Finance Minister Festus Okoti-Eboh, bowing to leftist criticism to the effect that the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa government was unashamedly anti communist, decided to stop over in Beijing during a trip to the Far East in 1962, even though he pointedly rejected an offer of financial assistance to Nigeria made at that time by China’s Finance Minister Li Ogunsanwo

time perhaps because at this end our information on China was limited.

At the official level, the visit of Nigeria’s Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters Shehu Musa Yar Adua in 1978 raised hopes that our railway system would benefit from a strategic partnership with China on that front. But all turned out to be hollow as the follow-up action was almost always Nigeria’s Achilles hill, especially when no awoof is seen to be part of the package Right now, China has emerged the second largest economy in the world and the country’s companies are handling more than 50

Globalisation has enabled disciplined China to pull up over 500 million of their people from poverty.

Whether we wish to do the same depends on us. No amount of state visits will make us change internally. The staying power needed to see good policies germinate and blossom is lacking, even when we have the same party in power for a considerable period of time as we have had since 1999

per cent of construction work going on in Africa, our continent.

In view of this particular visit by President Jonathan, what is your major area of concern?

The Chinese President describes Globalisation as a win-win situation not a zero sum game as we still teach our students. It has enabled disciplined China to pull up over 500 million of their people from poverty. Whether we wish to do the same depends on us. No amount of state visits will make us change internally. The staying power needed to see good policies germinate and blossom is lacking even when we have the same party in power for a considerable period of time as we have had since 1999.

African leaders are angling for Chinese investments just as we cried for Foreign Direct Investments in the past and still do. The most important question is into what sectors are these investments being directed? To make us to continue to be exporters of Non-ValueAdded raw materials as we are now? Or exporters of manufactured products, which China has become, as it is now, the world’s growth engine.

Nigeria’s current situation is untenable, but do we want to get out of it? That China has Three Trillion Dollars in reserve may be enviable but it takes hard, hard work.

What should Nigeria and China put on the table during negotiations?

Nigeria can offer her crude oil and gas to a very energy hungry China that is looking for resources all over the world. China can bring in US Dollars and whatever else Nigeria asks for, such as technology. That Nigeria can absorb it essentially depends on what Nigeria wants. For example, China’s role in Nigeria’s infrastructure development: turning the country’s over abundant coal reserves to generate 10,000 Megawatts of electricity on a sustainable basis. However and from our track record, it is doubtful that we would do that.

CISLAC: Spreading Extractive Industries’ Transparency Across West Africa which included investors, parliamentarians, civil societies and regulators, narrated how the EITI policy was berth, its implementation in Nigeria, what the scenario was in Nigeria before the VERY African country is endowed with natural resources, which should provide necessary empowerment for develop- implementation and what it is now after the adoption of the EITI policy. He also spoke on the need for Benin to quickly embrace ment and wealth. But in spite of the huge natural resources, the EITI policy because the francophone country is still at the many citizens of Africa still live in poverty because revenue from resources are not transparently harvested and committed formative process of going into full natural resources extraction, especially crude oil. This to him will help the country avoid some to development. of the mistakes Nigeria made.

Immense natural resources are extracted but they do not According to Salaudeen, the fight for transparency in the translate into collective wealth because apart from the majority of the citizens living below the poverty line, the countries have extractive sector is a long and challenging one because there are multiple stakeholders in the sector who benefit from the opacity huge infrastructural deficit; a pointer that the revenue got that characterized it. He therefore urged CSOs and other stakefrom the extraction have not been judiciously used. The nonholders who believe in a transparent process to be persistent, prudent use is attributed to corruption, lack of planning and strategic and committed to the struggle by building capacity and misplaced priorities. Some however argued that if the contistrategic alliances, including mobilising citizens to get involved nent tackles corruption, all other things would fall in place. in the demand for accountability in the way their natural When the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) policy was developed, some African countries keyed into it, and resources are managed.

Painting the Nigeria scenario, he noted that Nigeria is a counNigeria was one of those that went on to domesticate the politry with rich natural resources though at present depends on oil cy, calling the Nigeria version, Nigeria Extractive Industries and gas as its main source of revenue. He observed that the secTransparency Initiative (NEITI). tor was opaque and riddled with corruption, as its activities and The implementation of the benchmark postulated by EITI in revenues were known only by a few government officials and oil Nigeria through the NEITI Act, has been commended and it is firms, which made calls for accountability cumbersome. aimed at promoting transparency in the extractive industry.

He however said that with the origin of the EITI in 2002 and And it is already looking beyond complying with the EITI benchmark to deepening the quality assurance mechanisms of Publish What You Pay movement, demands for openness and transparency has increased globally and Nigeria was not left out. the EITI process in Nigeria.

One organization, which played a critical role in the domesti- The Nigeria involvement led to the establishment of NEITI through an Act of Parliament in 2007. cation of the EITI policy in Nigeria, is Civil Society Legislative Salaudeen also listed the role CISLA played in ensuring the pasAdvocacy Centre (CISLAC). Wanting to carry the gospel of transsage of the NEITI and how it has engaged the implementation of parency in the extractive industry beyond the borders of Nigeria and help fellow neighbouring African countries to pro- the Act, through organising training for critical stakeholders to build capacity in order to better understand the Act and ensure mote transparency in the extractive industry, the way it has fundamental issues are critically looked at. done in Nigeria, CISLAC is crisscrossing some West African countries to provide these countries with the necessary tools to He further mentioned plans by his organisation to further strengthen the NEITI performance with a two-year programme better appreciate the need for transparency in the extractive aimed at providing capacity building for critical stakeholders. industry, using the EITI yardstick.

At the Benin Republic advocacy trip, which held recently, CIS- For him, the initial efforts put into passing the NEITI Act and monitoring the implementation has been yielding fruits, though LAC engaged critical stakeholders in the extractive industry, the drive must be continuous as there are still challenges to be pointing out to them why they must all joined hands to prosurmounted. mote transparency in the sector. The Head of the delegation, According to him, the effort has led to among other gains, Mr. Hashimu Salaudeen at every meeting with stakeholders,

By Gbenga Salau

E

increase oversight function by the legislature; improve media coverage, transparency and citizens awareness of extractive transparency issues; increase operationalisation of the NEITI Act, by the Secretariat, addition of solid mineral audits to oil and gas audit, commencement of fiscal allocation and Statutory disbursement audit.

To however further explore the opportunities, in moving forward, he suggested that deliberate capacity building in untapped aspects of the Extractive Sector, persistence in evidence based advocacy, knowledge acquisition by CSOs, building strategic Alliances within civil society and other relevant stakeholders, improving internal institutions and sustainable fundraising strategies and intensifying citizens mobilization to increase voices and pressure government to commitment and action.

A Beninios parliamentarian, Adam Bi, in one of the sessions, commended the initiative as it is good for his country to have an insight into what other countries, especially Nigeria has gone through as it would be a good guide for Benin and a rich experience to learn from. He also stated that the advocacy trip is also good for his country to have an insight to the transparency issues before his country starts exploration.

Mr. Awo Marcel, a staff of the Ministry of Petroleum research and Mines, after listening to the presentation said that Benin is ready and interested to put in place the necessary steps to implement the EITI benchmark through a cross-ministerial concept, including organising workshop across ministry for better understanding and appreciation of the issues.

During the advocacy with Civil Society groups, Mr. Roger Kpokpo, of Global Aids, said that the insight provided by CISLA representative has helped to expand his knowledge base on the need to ensure accountability in the extractive industry and why all stakeholders must be involved.

For Mr. Gandaho Ramleg, though there is a law in place, it did not clearly state the sharing of the revenue to positively affect the host communities. He however fears that there is danger because the seeming peace in his country is a product of pathological silence of the citizens to what is going on in the country, which could change when Benin begins full exploration of crude oil. He also revealed that many of the citizens are afraid of the exploration of crude oil because of the negative stories they have heard about Nigeria and Congo as a result of exploration.

THE GUARDIAN, Sunday, July 14, 2013

60

FOREIGNNEWS

Loose Rail Connector May Have Caused Paris Crash FRANCE HE train crash south of Paris T which left six people dead may have been caused by a fault in the rail tracks, says the state rail company.

SNCF said a metal bar connecting two rails had become detached close to Bretigny-surOrge station.

Transport Minister Frederic Cuvillier has praised the driver, saying his quick actions averted a worse accident.

Those killed were four men and two women, aged between 19 and 82. Thirty people were injured, eight seriously.

A minute’s silence was held yesterday across France’s train network to commemorate the

victims.

The train had just left Paris on Friday afternoon and was heading for Limoges when it derailed at Bretigny-sur-Orge at 17:14 (15:14 GMT) on Friday.

Transport routes were particularly busy at the time, as France began a long weekend for Bastille Day. Six carriages derailed as the train passed through the station at 137km/h (85mph). The train’s third and fourth carriages derailed first and the others followed. One mounted the station platform.

Giving its initial findings, SNCF management told reporters the connector had worked its way loose and become detached at points 200m outside Bretigny station.

“It moved into the centre of the switch and in this position it pre-

Pilgrims Warned Over Coronavirus SAUDI ARABIA EALTH officials in Saudi Arabia H have asked pilgrims visiting its holy sites to wear masks in crowded places to stop the spread of the MERS coronavirus.

A list of requirements issued by the health ministry also tells elderly people or those with chronic diseases to postpone their pilgrimage.

Thirty-eight people have died from the virus in Saudi Arabia.

Millions of Muslims from around the world are expected to take part in the Hajj this October.

Once a year, pilgrims make the journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and pray together before the Kaaba.

Muslims also travel to the site at other times, as well as visiting the Masjid Al-Nabawi, or Mosque of the

Prophet, in Medina.

Health officials urged people taking part to maintain personal hygiene standards, use a tissue when sneezing and coughing, and have the necessary vaccinations.

The MERS (Middle East respiratory-syndrome) coronavirus emerged in the Arabian peninsula in September 2012 and is part of a large family of viruses, which includes the common cold and Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome).

The World Health Organisation has so far confirmed of a total of 80 cases of infection, including 44 deaths worldwide.

Saudi Arabia introduced requirements for polio immunisation certificates in 2003 after fears of a resurgence of the virus.

vented the normal passage of the train’s wheels and it may have caused the derailment,” Pierre Izard, SNCF’s general manager for infrastructure, told reporters.

The inquiry is now expected to focus on how the piece of metal had become detached.

Checks are being carried out on some 5,000 similar connections across the whole of the rail network.

A crane has arrived on site to lift a carriage, which was left on its side.

Regional government head Michel Fuzeau said there was a

possibility that more bodies could be found underneath, but that there was “no hope of finding anyone wounded”.

Aside from SNCF, investigations are being conducted by judicial authorities and France’s BEA safety agency.

Evacuations Intensify As Typhoon Soulik Hits CHINA OME 300,000 people in eastShomes ern China have fled their as Typhoon Soulik moves inland amid warnings of floods and landslides, state media report.

Winds of 119 km/hour (74 mph) lashed the coastal Fujian Province, said China’s National Meteorological Centre.

Emergency response plans were being implemented, said Xinhua state media, after recent torrential rain reportedly left 200 peo-

ple dead or missing.

The typhoon earlier led to extensive flooding on the island of Taiwan.

So far one person is reported to have been killed on the island, while more than 8,500 people were evacuated from mountainous and other areas prone to landslides.

In Fujian and Zhejiang, another Chinese coastal province, flights and train services were cancelled and fishing boats called back to shore.

In Taiwan, a police officer was killed by falling bricks but other people suffered mostly light

injuries, including from fallen trees or being blown off their scooters.

The strong winds and heavy rain have caused electricity disruptions, a run on food and essential supplies in supermarkets, and uprooted trees and signs in some areas.

Soulik was the first typhoon to hit Taiwan this year and there had been fears of major damage because the island was the first place it made landfall, reports the BBC in the capital Taipei: Nearly 50,000 soldiers were put on standby.

Washington Castigates Moscow Over Snowden HE US has accused Russia of givT ing fugitive US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden a “propaganda platform”.

President Barack Obama called Vladimir Putin after Mr Snowden met human rights groups at a Moscow airport - his first appearance since fleeing there from Hong Kong three weeks ago.

UNITED STATES Mr Snowden has been charged with leaking classified US information.

He says he is seeking asylum in Russia to be able to travel to Latin America where he has been offered refuge.

But no request from Mr Snowden had arrived yet, the head of the Federal Migration Service, Konstantin Romodanovsky said on Saturday, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

The former CIA contractor has been stuck in the transit area of Sheremetyevo airport - reportedly staying at the airport’s Capsule Hotel - since arriving from Hong Kong on June 23.

Details of the phone conversation between the two presidents were not immediately available, but the White House confirmed the Snowden case would be discussed.

“Providing a propaganda platform for Mr Snowden runs counter to the Russian government’s previous declarations of Russia’s neutrality,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney ahead of the call.

“It’s also incompatible with Russian assurances that they do not want Mr Snowden to further damage US interests.”

The Kremlin’s position is that the fugitive can stay in Russia as long as he stops leaking secrets about US surveillance schemes.

“Mr Snowden could hypothetically stay in Russia if he first, completely stops the activities harming our American partners and USRussian relations and, second, if he asks for this himself,” said President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The American has sent requests for political asylum to at least 21 countries, most of which have turned down his request.

However, Bolivia, Nicaragua and Venezuela have indicated they could take him in.

But he is unable to leave the transit zone without asylum documents, a valid passport or a Russian visa - he reportedly has none of these documents.

And some European countries are likely to close their airspace to any plane suspected of carrying the fugitive.

Texas Senate Passes 20-Week Abortion Ban Bill EXAS legislators have passed a T contentious bill banning abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Ndaba Mandela (Center), grandson of former South African President Nelson Mandela, arrive… yesterday with two unidentified at the Medi Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria, where former South African President Nelson Mandela is hospitalised. Graca Machel, Mandela’s wife, said she was less anxious about her husband’s condition , five weeks after he was admitted to hospital. After visiting Mandela late on Thursday, July 11, President Jacob Zuma said he was "responding to treatment." Mandela was rushed to hospital on June 8 over a recurring lung infection.

PHOTO: AFP

a delaying speech known as a filibuster - in an attempt to run out the clock on the legislative session.

The legislation, which was debatThe following day, Mr Perry, a ed in the state Senate after passing Republican who opposes abortion, in the House, will also shut down called a special session to take up the most of the state’s abortion clinics. abortion bill and other legislation.

Republicans had moved quickly The filibuster drew nationwide to pass the bill after a Democratic attention and made Ms Davis a herosenator originally blocked it with ine of the US abortion rights movea marathon delaying speech. ment.

Governor Rick Perry has vowed to Anti-abortion and abortion rights sign the bill into law amid large protesters have rallied at the state protests. capitol in Austin in large numbers The Texas legislation mirrors a since the second special session series of state laws recently passed began. in Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, In addition to banning abortions Alabama, Kansas, Wisconsin and after 20 weeks of pregnancy, the bill Arizona. will require all abortion procedures The US Supreme Court legalised to be performed at a surgical centre, abortion nationwide in 1973, but and mandate all doctors performing about a dozen states have enacted abortions have admitting privileges laws in recent years limiting at a hospital within 30 miles (48km) access to the procedure. Some of of the clinic. that state legislation is tied up in Only six abortion clinics in Texas court battles. can be classified as surgical centres, The bill came near to passage last and all are in major metropolitan month but was blocked in the areas, according to the Texas state Senate when Senator Wendy Tribune.

Davis spoke for nearly 11 hours - in

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Sports Jersey Swap: A Ritual Fraught will souvenir of the game. What, however, appeared strange in the tourney, even though not totally so, was when players of the national team of Tahiti known as Toa Aito, gave out shell necklaces to their opponents including Nigeria’s Super Eagles (and their officials), in a show of goodwill and respect.

Players from the newest and youngest entrant into the FIFA Confederations Cup family, at the commencement of each of the three matches they played at the tourney, carefully removed their necklaces and lovingly placed them on the necks or hands of their counterparts after shaking their hands.

During football matches, opposing teams, no matter how feeble or ill prepared, are known to do everything within their powers (including employing varying shades of tricks) to subdue their opponents within regulation time.

With a scenario like this in sight, not a few spectators are amused when the same set of players, after the encounter, reach for each others sweat-soaked shirts in what many have come to describe as a show of goodwill, respect and affirmation of friendships.

In some cases, however, players who trade their tops, either know each other (perhaps are club teammates), did “battle” with each other on the same area of the pitch or were just close to each other as the centre referee ends the game. Some even walk across the pitch to do the exchange with a notable, famous rival they adore or one that catches their fancy.

To players who engage in this barter exercise, the received shirts serve as mementos or memorabilia of their careers. Others use them for a number of purposes including regifting, fund-raising and decorative purposes, while others wear the sweatdrenched garment as an ultimate sign of high regard for their opponents.

Legendary Brazilian footballer, Edson Arantes do Nascimento, better known as Pelé, along with legendary England captain, Bobby Moore, are credited with first bringing shirt-swapping to the public’s attention. This was at the end of their FIFA World Cup match on June 7, 1970.

Uruguay’s forward Luis Suarez But the first-ever recorded case of shirt swapping (right) exchanges jerseys with midhad happened 39 years earlier, when on May 14, 1931, the French team asked to keep the jerseys of their fielder John Obi Mikel at the end of English opponents in commemoration of their histhe FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil toric 5-2 victory at Colombes, France. After that, the 2013 Group B football match, at the tradition gained ascendancy starting with the 1954 Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, on FIFA World Cup in Switzerland.

June 20, 2013. Uruguay won 2-1.

According to fifa.com, on May 2, 1962, Benfica won PHOTO: AFP/VINCENZO PINTO their second European Cup in a row when they beat Real Madrid 5-3 at the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam. A young Portuguese player, Eusébio da Silva Ferreira better known as Eusebio, who scored two of his team’s goals, was hoisted aloft by fans at the end of the match, much to the Black Panther’s grass, but without grabbing the evasive ing or ballooning the ball away from the chagrin. Eusebio was to explain the reason later round leather. wide eight yards (7.32 m) Spanish goal post. thus: “I had (Alfredo) Di Stefano’s jersey in my shorts That night, many Nigerian football followers After the match, Alba who scored twice and I was afraid that someone would take it off me!” swapped his sweat-soaked shirt with went to bed gnashing their teeth and The Mozambique-born Portuguese legend manNigerian defender, Efe Ambrose, while recounting the losses that accrued to the country on account of the absence of mercu- Chelsea’s ace, Fernando Torres, exchanged his aged to keep the precious memento, but Leigh Walker was not so lucky. On 24 January 2004, nonrial Chelsea winger, Victor Moses and rugged with Brown Ideye. They were not the only league Scarborough played Chelsea at home in the players that swapped jerseys after that striker, Emmanuel Emenike.

English FA Cup. After the final whistle, the two goalrd Indeed Sunday, June 23 , was a day that aver- match. Others did. keepers exchanged jerseys, with Carlo Cudicini even Exchange of handshakes and tasseled penage Spanish player, Jordi Alba, made himself signing his with the message: “To Leigh, best of luck nants that bear teams’ badges as well as jera glittering star waltzing around the Super for the rest of the season”.

Eagles defence and ensuring that apart from sey swaps, as carried out all through the Once Walker got home, the story went on, “his recently concluded Confederations Cup are dazing the defenders, he also sent Nigeria’s mother found the shirt and since it was covered in not alien to football. They represent a goodsafest hands, Vincent Enyeama caressing the mud, gave it a good wash (removing the autograph) before poor Leigh had had the chance to frame it...

Leigh has since forgiven his mother her unfortunate mistake, but she still has pangs of guilt to this day. ‘I even thought of writing to Carlo to ask for a new signed jersey!’ she confessed according to fifa.com.

To date, it is on record that the North American Soccer League had a very brief existence, but it remains one league, where the highest amount of shirt swapping took place. This is because from 1975 to 1977 when (after spending 18 seasons at Santos in Brazil), Pelé signed for New York Cosmos.

Whilst there, everyone wanted to exchange jerseys with the legendary Brazilian. The craze became so widespread that the club had to give each of their opponents a shirt after every match.

IGERIA had just been bundled out of “Pelé was the main attraction,” said Gordon the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Bradley, one of the club’s coaches at the time.

Brazil after a 90-minute session with “Sometimes we had to take 25 or 30 shirts with us to current European and world champions, a match, otherwise, we’d never have got out of the Spain. In that encounter, Nigeria’s Super stadium alive.”

Eagles were at their wasteful best. Their Black Stars of Ghana players swapping jerseys with their counterparts from Bafana Bafana of South Africa Teams, both national and club, issue fresh kits for attackers played as if they were bogged down every tournament. This ensures that the practice of by unseen forces and did a great job divert-

Despite being bundled out of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil by the Spanish senior national football team, La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), the Super Eagles found time to share banters, pat and swap jerseys with their conquerors. ENO-ABASI SUNDAY, takes a look at the origin of jersey swap, its symbolism and how some players have made a fortune out of exchanged jerseys.

This 70-year-old practice carries immense social messages as well as dire health consequences that could be life threatening.

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THE GUARDIAN Sunday, July 14, 2013

With Meanings, Dangers jersey swap continues in an unfettered manner. For instance, American players, in most tournaments get new jerseys before every international game, which they end up trading on the field of play, give them to their kith and kin or even friends. Consequently, a long standing player may end up collecting hundreds of jerseys as mementos, which is the case with Jeff Agoos, an American international, who acquired over 400 jerseys in the course of a 14-year career.

Jersey swap has come to be part of international football practice that its refusal, especially by a high-profile footballer, elicits immense international reaction. One of the instances, where jersey swaps went awry was in 1966 when England defeated Argentina, 1-0, in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. That clash was so ill tempered that then England manager; Alf Ramsey described the Argentine players as animals.

On seeing one of his players swapping jersey with an Argentine, he bulldozed his way in and made away with the jersey. That display remained a sore point in the football relationship of both countries for a long time.

However, a later day ugly incident took place in 2008, when little known Tanzania’s Nadir Haroub swapped his top with legendary Cameroon star, Samuel Eto’o, after a World Cup qualifier. The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) shocked the player, who had gotten a high-end memento. They threatened to force him to pay for a replacement jersey because the Federation could not afford one.

They, however, backed down after a lot of fuss.

Also when Portugal faced Israel in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers match, the match ended up being a six-goal thriller with both teams scoring three goals apiece.

However, before the match, Cristiano Ronaldo posted a photo of himself along with his teammates at the Tel Aviv beach on his Facebook page. This action infuriated his Palestinian fans.

After the match, Ronaldo refused to exchange shirts with Israeli players and briskly walked off the pitch. The action further heightened

speculation about his support for Palestine because in November 2012, it was claimed that Ronaldo donated €1.5 million to Palestinian children in Gaza. This followed another supposed donation he made in 2011 to raising funds for schools in Gaza.

While scholars and analysts are of the opinion that among other things, exchange of jerseys strengthens social solidarity, affirm friendships as well as serve as a show of love and respect for rival teams, the evolution of football in the last 20 years or so, which has made footballers become as popular as rock and movie stars, has also played a role in making jersey swap a big deal.

This has created an atmosphere where the jerseys of players like multiple World Footballer of the Year award winner, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s star, Ronaldo, Argentine legend, Diego Maradona, former England star, David Beckham and Brazilian football legend, Pelé among others are much sought after.

One of the occasions, where an innocent jersey swap has fetched someone a fortune incidentally has to do with Pelé, one of the figures who has done so much for the sport. In fact, the yellow and green Brazil jersey, which Pelé, a former Brazilian sports minister wore in the 1970 World Cup was, in 2002 sold by the family of the ex-Italian international for a whooping $310,000.

Goalkeepers seldom exchange jerseys among themselves. But it was different when Spanish captain and goalkeeper, Victor Valdes swapped his with his Italian counterpart, Gianluigi Buffon after the later and his teammates were bundled out of contention for the ultimate diadem at the 2013 Confederations Cup. Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper, Joe Erico agrees with this saying, “Goalkeepers do not exchange jerseys as much as the outfield players do. Personally, I exchanged jersey with goalkeeper Farouk of Morocco during the 10th Nations Cup in Ethiopia, because jersey exchange has a lot of meanings attached to it.

It means an appreciation of your opponent as

Uruguay’s forward Edinson Cavani (left) and defender Diego Lugano walking off the pitch with shirts from their Nigerian counterparts after defeating the Super Eagles 2-1 in their FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group B football match, PHOTO: AFP/EITAN ABRAMOVICH

well as a way of showing respect to a rival.

“I must also say that because of lack of partnerships in those days, (that is what you now call sponsorship), we did not have a lot of jerseys and to spare, at least in this part of the world. Let me also say that apart from what you see on the field of play, further swap takes place in the changing rooms where the players go to pick up the pants and the hoses from those they exchanged shirts with on the pitch.

For BCC Lions of Gboko legend, Moses Kpakor, jersey exchange is the most important aspect of fair play as it gives the players the opportunity to tell their rival that it was all a game despite the pushing and shoving that took place on the pitch.

Kpakor, a Super Eagles man-marker under Clemence Westerhof, said the jersey exchange should also send a strong message to supporters of club-sides that whatever happened on the field of play, the footballers still respect themselves, so they should do same.”

Even though he has only one exchanged jersey in his coffers to this day, he said he does not regret, “because lack of sponsorship did not allow jersey exchange to happen frequently in my era as the NFA as the FA was then known, could not afford to pay for so many jerseys in a given competition. I can only remember exchanging a shirt with an Egyptian player in our second match in Algiers “90 after the coach gave us the go ahead to do so. I still have it till today and I know that just like I would have loved to have the jersey of Roger Milla of Cameroun or Rabah Madja of Algeria, there are so many others that would have loved to keep a Moses Kpakor jersey in their home as a sign of goodwill and friendship.”

From the afore stated, it is evident that there are a gamut of social benefits derivable from jersey swap. But beyond furthering economic partnerships, reinforcing social solidarity and most importantly affirming friendships, there is a not too good side to this exercise, as skin infections can be contracted when adorning someone else’s sweatdrenched shirts. This, however, affects mostly, those players who adorn swapped shirts without laundering them first.

According to a March 2007 report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, there is the likelihood that athletes who engage in contact sports like wrestling, rugby and football are exposed to the risk of contracting diseases. The report specifically suggested that sweat might be another way to pass on hepatitis B infection during contact sports.

In fact, the result of a research carried out by the Celal Bayar University, Turkey, lends credence to this claim on the one hand. And on the other hand, it showcases the risk run by footballers, who jump into other players’ sweat-soaked shirts without subjecting them to thorough laundering with detergent.

Hepatitis B virus attacks the liver and can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death.

The research team analysed blood and sweat samples from 70 Turkish male Olympic wrestlers for evidence of hepatitis B infection (HBV). The wrestlers, who were all aged between 18 and 30, were all asked about injuries, as blood-borne infection is a common route of transmission.

According to the article titled “Risk of Hepatitis B Infections in Olympic Wrestling,” the main purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and occult HBV infection (OC-HBV) in Turkish Olympic wrestlers.

The second purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between HBV DNA values in sweat and blood. As a result of the standard monoclonal antibody-based hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) detection, none of the Olympic wrestlers carried HBsAg in the study.

On the other hand, according to real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for serum HBV DNA detection in the study, 13 per cent of the wrestlers had OC-HBV infection. Eleven per cent of the participants had HBV DNA in their sweat.

In addition, there was a significant relationship between HBV DNA values in the blood and sweat of the wrestlers (r= 0,52, p<0.01).

So the results proposed that other than bleeding wounds and mucous membranes, sweating could be another way of transmitting the HBV infections in contact sports.

Dr. Colin Tidy, a general practitioner and medical author, in his article on, patient.co.uk, titled, “Viral skin infections and sport,” maintained that, “Sport increases the risk of transmission of dermatological infections generally. A number of features may predispose one to transmission.

He noted that profuse sweating may cause maceration of skin and provide a portal of entry for viruses and there may also be direct skin-toskin contact as in rugby, wrestling on other contact sports including football.

According to Akolawole Michael of Reality Specialist Clinic, Lagos, “Because of the nature of football, physical contacts like knocks, kicks, shoves cannot be ruled out. So when abrasions, wounds, scratches occur as a result of the knocks, kicks and shoves, they constitutes a health risk because viruses that are in the blood are capable of migrating to the fore where they form a colony. Body sweat may provide them with a medium to stay alive.

“So if an equally injured, scratched or bruised player puts on a sweat-soaked shirt of a carrier without properly laundering it, and there is sufficient contact between the soiled part of the shirt and his bruises, transmission of hepatitis could immediately take place because it is more than 100 per cent more infectious than HIV.” Dermatologist, Dr. Oladipo Ogunsanmi of Akinbolade Ogunsanmi Hospital, Lagos, though admits that skin infections can be transmitted through wearing sweat-soaked shirts of others, added that chances are not very high among international footballers. He explains why.

“Fungal diseases like scabies and other forms of skin infections can be contracted through jersey swaps, but it is unlikely that most international players can contract serious infections because most of them are so well taken care of by their clubs, who also invest a lot on their health.

“However, in most cases, they wear these swapped shirts out of sheer excitement of the moment, which should not be the case. So I would advise that they launder these clothes with detergents and bleach if possible before adorning them,” he added.

Eagles forward, Brown Ideye (right) spots a Spanish football team shirt while acknowledging cheers from supporters after Nigeria lost to Spain

TheGuardian

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Manchester United ‘s Danny Welbeck (left) battles for the ball with Apiwat Ngaolamh of the Singha All Star during an exhibition match at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok yesterday. Singha All Stars won 0-1.

PHOTO: AFP

8th IAAF World Youth Championship

Moyes Loses First Man Utd Game

Oduduru Hits 200m Final

AVID Moyes’ first game as D Manchester United manager ended in defeat as

From Gowon Akpodonor, Donetsk, Ukraine FRICA’S fastest youngster, A Ejowokoghene Divine Oduduru ran another personal best (21.13 sec) to move into the 200m final yesterday. He outran one of the tournament’s favourites, Chinese Zhe Li and Spanish sprinter, Daniel Mazon.

But it was a sad story for Team Nigeria in the girl’s 200m event, as the duo of Adewunmi Deborah Adewale and Oluwatobi Amusan failed in their semi final races. While Adewale finished sixth in the first semi final, Amusan was disqualified in the third semi final for stepping on the line.

The saddest moment for Team Nigeria yesterday was the disqualification of the girl’s medley relay team. The girls had earlier qualified to the final with a season best time of 2:08.28 seconds, a performance that was good enough to fetch the country at least a silver medal in today’s

final.

The boys’ medley relay team also qualified for the final in the morning session yesterday and Team Nigeria athletes and officials had left the Olympics Stadium for their hotel singing and dancing.

Midway into their journey, the technical information

Girls Medley Team Disqualified Adewale, Amusan Crash In 200m Semi department of the IAAF sent words across to AFN Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, informing him of the disqualification of the

girls relay medley team. One of the girls was said to have crossed the region before handing over the baton.

With the sad development,

Team Nigeria’s medal hope now rest on Oduduru and the boy’s medley relay team today.

A relaxed Oduduru told The Guardian yesterday that he would do his best to win at least a medal in today’s final and put smile on the face of Nigerians.

FIFA U 20: Ghana Sees Off Iraq To Finish Third HANA saw off the efforts G of Iraq to finish third at FIFA U-20 World Cup, winning 3-0 in what was ultimately a comfortable victory for the African side.

Ebenezer Assifuah moved a step closer to claiming the adidas Golden Boot with his sixth goal of Turkey 2013, with his goal sandwiched in between Joseph Attamah’s opener and Frank Acheampong’s second-half strike.

Having missed the chance

to play in the evening’s final in heart-breaking style – losing on penalties to Uruguay – Iraq began the game brightly. Third would eclipse their fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympics and they could have been a step closer to it on two occasions inside the first minute.

Firstly, Ammar Abdulhussein drew a save from Richard Ofori after charging down the left wing and firing across goal, before Mohaned Abdulraheem

broke down the same flank and cut back to Jawad Kadhim who shot narrowly wide.

Iraq dominated proceedings from then on, though troubling Ofori comparably little, until the game burst into life on the half hour mark. Assifuah had his first effort of the night, firing just wide from the corner of the box before, at the other end, skill from Kadhim led to Mahdi Kamil’s cross causing havoc in the area.

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Lawrence Lartey eventually got Abdulhussein’s shot clear.

Then came the opener, as Ghana took the lead against the run of play. Moses Odjer swung in a corner from the left and Joseph Attamah rose ahead of all others to head beyond Mohammed Hameed.

Ghana made it two with almost the last kick of the half when the ball broke kindly to Assifuah, beat the back-line with a sublime turn of pace and drilled sublimely into the far corner.

Iraq went close straight after the break, with Ali Faez’s free-kick from 25yards being beaten away by Ofori.

Teeratep Winothai scored the only goal for Singha All Stars in Bangkok.

No manager likes to lose, especially their first game for a new club, and in this instance, replacing a man who served for 26 years and won 13 Premier League titles.

But Moyes can take several positives from this first runout, as Adnan Januzaj in the first half and Wilfried Zaha - following his introduction in the second - impressed hugely.

With Robin van Persie among those set to link up tomorrow in Sydney, where United will spend a week in rather cooler temperatures, the Scot can at least start to feel the hard work has begun in earnest.

It was a rather understated opening, though. With conditions more stamina-sapping than at any stage since United arrived in Thailand on Thursday morning, the Red Devils wisely adopted a cautious approach to the first match of an eight-game preseason campaign building towards that Premier League opener at Swansea on August 17.

The one player with energy and incentive was 18-year-old Januzaj. Latest off that impressive Belgian production line, one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s last acts as United manager was to give Januzaj a squad number, and also a place on the bench for that emotional final game at West Brom.