The Nation May 18, 2014

Newspaper of the Year

N10b jet scandal: Speaker halts probe –Page 7

Lamido: Lantang Jonathan moves Generals to strengthen at war hold on PDP –Page 7

–Page 43

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Vol.08, No. 2842

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SUNDAY

N200.00

MAY 18, 2014

Jonathan: I don’t have to visit Chibok –Page 4

African leaders declare Britain sends Nigeria to refer Boko military advisers Haram to Security Council war on terrorism Arsenal win first trophy in nine years –Page 78

Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou (L), French President Francois Hollande (C) and Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan (R) at the African security summit to discuss the Boko Haram threat to regional stability, at the Elysee-Palace in Paris, yesterday.

Photo: AFP

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WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Troops, Boko Haram in fresh shootout on Damaturu-Maiduguri road UN special Rep meets Presidential panel

–Page 4

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

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CAPTURED

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Hit -and-run driver knocks down old woman By: Udemma Chukwuma

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N elderly woman who was crossing the CMS highway was yesterday knocked down by a hit-and-run driver.

The woman, whose identity was not immediately known, was crossing the highway at CMS in Lagos, carrying her goods on her head when a car on high speed knocked her down and left her to her fate. She was immediately surrounded by sympathisers who initially thought she was dead.

However, the woman who sells soft drinks in the CMS traffic gained consciousness about ten minutes later with her eyes swollen as sympathisers poured water on her.

According to an eyewitness who refused to reveal her identity, she lifted the old woman off the ground from her pool of blood.

Nyanya bombers and Ogar's Freudian slip

Happy re-union A man kisses his son, rescued on May 13, 2014 after an explosion in a coal mine in Manisa. About 157 miners were killed in a collapsed coal mine in the western Turkish city of Manisa. "At least 200-300 workers were working in the mine when an electric fault caused an explosion," the mayor of Soma, a district of Manisa, told private NTV television.

Photo: AFP

BAROMETER Boko Haram obliges sunday@thenationonlineng.net

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AST Monday, the Department of State Service (DSS) announced a breakthrough in the April 14, Nyanya, Abuja motor park bombings that embarrassed the Jonathan government about three weeks before the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Some 75 people had died in that bombing, and about 20 more lost their lives in a follow-up bombing in the same vicinity, both giving the impression that Abuja, Nigeria's capital, was under siege.

Boko Haram, the sect waging a fierce war against Nigeria, claimed responsibility. It then warned that its fighters had breached the security of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and was prepared to carry out more attacks on Abuja and oil installations.

Briefing newsmen on Monday, the spokesperson of the DSS, Marilyn Ogar, indicated that five suspects who already confessed to playing roles in the attacks had been arrested. One of the two masterminds of the attacks was to be arrested a few days later in Sudan where he took refuge. One is still wanted, even after N25m bounty had been placed on each of their heads. The breakthrough in investigations is indeed remarkable, and the DSS should feel justifiably proud of their achievements.

From their interactions with news-

men when they were paraded, the five suspects appeared very convincing in describing the roles they played in the bombings.

There is no reason to doubt them or the involvement of the two masterminds.

Had Ms Ogar, however, limited herself to merely narrating the DSS angle to the bombing case, it would have been an excellent day for the secret service and a great day for Nigeria's ability to rise up to major challenges, especially of insecurity. But while illustrating the bottlenecks they encountered in the case of one of the masterminds of the attacks, Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, a military deserter, Ms Ogar had said: “Ogwuche is a criminal who was earlier arrested in 2011, but was released on bail following pressures from human right activists who consistently accused the service of violating Ogwuche's rights by being locked up while under investigations.�

It was clear Ms Ogar had reservations about suspects' rights and the involvement of human rights groups when it comes to

security matters. Yet, there are provisions in Nigerian laws guiding the arrest and detention of suspects, especially how and why such suspects could be detained for much longer than the law ordinarily permits. Why did the service not avail itself of such provisions? Ms Ogar also went ahead to commit a Freudian slip with her impassioned plea to Nigerians to 'set aside their beliefs' (in order words, their opinions or convictions or suspicions) when security and public safety are in focus. But she was being disingenuous. Not only are there provisions that empower the service and other security agencies to detain a suspect for much longer than required by law, those provisions are nonetheless circumscribed by the need to present evidence proving that the suspects if let loose constitute a threat to peace and stability of the society.

If the DSS had satisfied the provisions, it does not seem they could easily have been forced to release Mr Ogwuche on bail. Ms Ogar uncharitably blames human rights activists, even alarmingly insinuating that the public must have implicit trust in the service to do whatsoever it pleases on security matters. Regrettably, the DSS must be told that even in the face of the gravest threat to the country, the society must still be governed by laws properly enacted and scrupulously adhered to. The alternative is to unwittingly empower the secret service to become a leviathan. This must never be countenanced. Ms Ogar shook with anger and missed a word or two while suggesting that the public should set aside their beliefs. No, the public must never entertain this heresy. Instead, let the secret service and all other law

enforcement agencies do their work diligently and present their investigations neat and tidy before a court, either in open or closed sessions, and fulfil the guidelines regarding the arrest and detention of suspects. There must be no shortcuts.

The public must also remember that in the early years of the Boko Haram revolt, neither the federal government nor the DSS was sure how to treat the sect's militants. Both the government and the secret service eventually agreed to experiment with a form of rendition used by the Americans in Afghanistan. This was why some suspects were released to either their parents or traditional rulers. It was a dubious process, and this writer and many others condemned it. But the government went ahead nonetheless. If human rights activists fought the prolonged detention of a suspect, it was because the DSS did not satisfy the courts that it needed to keep the suspects for much longer than the about 11 months Mr Ogwuche, for instance, was locked up. Ms Ogar's suggestion about what the disposition of human rights defenders should be to security matters is fraught with landmines. She gives the impression that the service could whimsically operate above the law. In any case, even if Mr Ogwuchi was admitted to bail in 2012, it did not preclude the service from putting him under close surveillance. If they didn't do so, they and Mr Ogwuche's surety, not human rights groups, are to blame. Let the law stand as it is, and let human rights activists not be discouraged from serving as the conscience of the society even in these trying times. It is the DSS that should fine-tune its processes.

Dame Patience on abducted girls' photos

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INCE 2009, the Boko Haram sect always wrong-footed the government every time the two clashed. It is hoped that with the coming of the foreign armada, the years of pussyfooting and confusion will finally come to an end. Recall that when the sect's former leader Mohammed Yusuf was extra-judicially murdered, he ended up looking like a victim, and the federal government a barbarous aggressor. Jump over many years of unremitting confusion and incompetence, and come smack into April 15, 2014. On that day over 200 girls were forcibly taken away by Boko Haram, and all President Jonathan could do was offer useless pleas to parents to cooperate with the government, in addition of course to his customary handwringing. No one was sure what kind of cooperation he had in mind, nor, as he put it, had anyone claimed responsibility. Promptly, Boko Haram issued a video message claiming responsibility for the abductions and mocking Nigeria's impotence.

Though the president never claimed the schoolgirls were not missing, he never acted as if they were.

His wife was, however, less bashful. In company with cheerleaders like Onyeka Onwenu, the songstress who has become adept at subordinating virtuoso to farce, and Kema Chikwe, PDP's ingratiating woman leader, Dame Patience requested for photos of the abducted girls if proof of their disappearance was to be credible. Promptly, again, Boko Haram obliged them by releasing a video of the girls in captivity. Now, what next would Dame and her hangers-on ask for?

The schoolgirls' DNA, perhaps; or maybe, too, proof of state of origin?

By ADEKUNLE ADE-ADELEYE

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

COLUMN

The Tragic Presidency

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IKE a badly damaged second hand tape, the Jonathan presidency is unraveling before our very eyes, reeling its way into a tangled mass of confusion. It is not a funny sight, more so since Goodluck Jonathan started out with an outpouring of genuine national good will. All that has disappeared now, leaving in its wake angry nationals and affronted citizens. Increasingly, Jonathan himself is looking like a tragic figure but without the elemental force of personality, the grand passions and the towering pathos of those titans of historical tragedy.

Of late, he has been showing some irritability and testy distemper which sit oddly with the carefully cultivated and calibrated image of a man of Olympian equanimity and profound self-possession. Manipulated by his own manipulations and by the mannequins of power and state marionettes surrounding him, he is beginning to imagine himself as a victim of some apocalyptic conspiracy on a national and international scale.

The past fortnight must have been a nightmare. History moves like a cattle rustler: silently, secretively and with much stealth. Six weeks ago, no one could have imagined Chibok and the Bring Back our Girls Campaign.

But now they are with us, and the venom and international outpouring of grief have exposed the septic un-

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IKE a trapeze artist of extraordinary facility, but more often like a motorised robot with a programmed destination, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has finally arrived at the pinnacle of power in Nigeria without fuss and with less fanfare. It is the stuff of tantalising fables. It is absolutely stunning. Even by the standards of political magic in post-colonial Africa, there seems to be an ultimate sorcerer’s apprentice at work here.

Less than twelve years ago, Nigeria’s new leader was a pliant and self-effacing lecturer in Fisheries in the provincial state of Bayelsa. But less than eleven years after he became deputy governor, a series of astonishing gravity-defying stunts has catapulted him to the highest office in the land. It is a dizzying rise, to say the least. With the possible exception of General Obasanjo, no other Nigerian political figure could be said to be more adept at being at the right place at the right time.

There have been persistent rumours that Goodluck’s name is also a talisman to that effect. Goodluck has been very lucky indeed. But it would be sheer folly and political imbecility to reduce this man’s spectacular ascendancy to sheer luck. In politics, opportunities are one thing, being able to profit maximally from them is another matter. Jonathan combines great guile with boyish coyness; grim survivalist instincts with a feigned cluelessness; calculating conviviality with wary alertness; and a meek and inoffensive demeanour with a ferocious focus on the bigger picture.

While the struggle for succession was on, Jonathan did not put a foot wrong or utter an inappropriate word. It was a chilling act of self-possession. It was probably not by happenstance that the former number two, like a lost kid, should wander back to his old seat on his first day in office as Acting President.

It was a drama of fetching humility.

The Acting President could have been acting. But it works. It cloaks Jonathan with an aura of child-like innocence even when the proverbial dagger is ready.

When a man is this lucky, it will be petulant and churlish to begrudge him his luck. But we hope that Goodluck is lucky for Nigeria and not for himself alone. The benevolent gods seem to have bestowed special favours on the fellow. They have

•Jonathan derbelly of the Jonathan presidency.

It is unlikely to survive the opprobrium. When all is quiet, it shall be said that at a time of grave national emergency, Jonathan dithered and dissimulated when he ought to have acted with swift expediency and compassion for the victims.

But let no one rejoice. This is a collective tragedy. It is a collective tragedy because Jonathan is a product of our collective imagination. In rooting for him, we plumbed for youth and national idealism at the expense of experience and granite integrity. It was a defining moment in our national his-

tory. For once, most Nigerians spoke with one voice, which was that there must be no ethnic bar or barrier preventing any Nigerian from aspiring to the highest office in the land. The Nigerian presidency is not the perpetual birthright of any religious cabal or ethnic conclave however self-regarding or self-perpetuating.

Yet as Shakespeare famously noted, youth is a stuff that will not endure. Neither is national idealism particularly when not leavened by pragmatic expediency. Jonathan may well be a mess.

But he is not just his own mess. He is our mess. We must bear this in mind as we contemplate the tragic mess of the Jonathan presidency. Going forward, we must focus on the ball and not be distracted by attractive but meretricious ephemerality. This is the only way to learn the correct lesson from the tragedy unfolding.

Jonathan’s die-hard apologists are wont to see an ethnic conspiracy in even the most innocuous of criticisms. But they have forgotten that the Jonathan presidency is itself a product of a grand pan-ethnic conspiracy. They

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nooping around With

Tatalo Alamu often point out that some people had vowed to make Nigeria ungovernable if a “foreigner” should come to power.

But no one can be forced to stumble unless such a person is already predisposed to wobbling. In any case, it is a reflection of Jonathan’s miserable gifts as a leader of a complex multi-ethnic nation if he is unable to hold together the pan-ethnic alliance that propel him to power in the first instance.

People make history but never under the circumstances of their choice.

But as usual, we may be looking for the wrong lesson in the right place. The presidency of any nation is a perpetual work in progress. A particular president needs not be a great person or a great president. It is in the nature of human folly and modern anxiety that we expect too much from a president without factoring into the equation the circumstances of presidential progeny.

If only when the time comes, and very soon, too, Jonathan will bid goodbye to the presidency with the same courtesy, civility and decorum with which he acceded in the first instance, his-

The Amazing Dr Jonathan…

cracked the palm kernel of good fortunes for him. The joke out there is that to be cursed with Goodluck as a deputy is not a laughing matter. It is not funny, and we hope that Goodluck does not turn out to be another curse on Nigeria.

Despite his valiant beginning, the omens are not very reassuring. The proclamation that brought Dr Goodluck Jonathan to office can be faulted on the grounds of constitutionality. It is a fudge. But it is a typically Nigerian fudge brimming with creative deviousness and anarchic brio.

There are whispers of a constitutional coup, if ever there could be such a daring oxymoron.

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ERALD Ford is the perfect president from nowhere; a classic political and constitutional conundrum, and a major tribute to the lateral and vertical mobility available to virtually all Americans irrespective of race, region or religion. Although he was born in Omaha, in an area where his paternal forebears had settled, he moved on to Grand Rapids as a toddler and returned there after military service and law school. It was from here that he won elections to the congress several times as a progressive conservative even while having his immediate family roots in Omaha. In America, where you live and pay taxes is more important than where you were born.

It is intriguing and interesting that Ford never returned to Grand Rapids after serving out his term as president. He relocated instead to Palm Springs, California. But his presidential library, which is usually a triumphant monument to the great homeboy, is split between two locations in Michigan State. It is this kind of cosmopolitan rootlessness which tears up rigid regional divisions and obliterates spatial distinctions based on autochthonous settlers’ syndrome which has made America a land of glorious opportunities and possibilities.

Yet there was a time in the not too distant past when this kind of spatial mobility was possible in Nigeria. But that was before primitive accumulation became the prevalent ethos among Nigeria’s failed post-independence political elite and zoning became a concomitant do or die affair. When nation-building fails and

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Rather than being summarily impeached for violating his constitutional oath, President Yar’Adua has been left off without as much as a slap on the wrist. Baring a biological coup d’etat, the Katsina nobleman may yet return to office in triumph. Rather than being put in trial for serial disinformation and treasonable forgery his core supporters are being left off the hook. No member of the disgraced and discredited federal executive council has deemed it fit to resign for collectively insulting our intelligence. And where a clear case of presidential abduction seems to have been established, the perpetrators are being asked to take a bow and de-

part.

The negative equilibrium which holds Nigeria together and which prevents a particular faction from gaining permanent ascendancy over the other factions is still very much in force. There is as yet no critical linkage between potent forces of civil society and equally progressive fractions of the state which could tip the balance in favour of a radical resolution of the Nigerian Question. Alas, as it was in the beginning, so has it been at the end of the beginning.

Just as it was the case during the June 12 crisis, the Abacha Inquisition and General Obasanjo’s Third Term fiasco, valiant and patriotic protest-

the project of modernity collapses, zoning is effective as a primitive truce among hunter-gatherers on a feeding frenzy. You chop, I chop, shikena.

But Gerald Ford was not even the man we thought he was. He had not always been Gerald Ford. He was born Leslie King Jr and was adopted by his stepfather shortly after his mother remarried a salesman called Gerald Ford. In a Nigeria without social and psychological safety nets, a man so critically hobbled at birth could not have gone very far. In later political life, if Gerald Ford had any faults, it was ironically his placid equanimity and calm composure.

If these endearing traits carried him to the presidency of the most powerful nation on earth, they could not guarantee him re-election or a permanent place in the heart of his robust and rambunctious countrymen. It was an odyssey of good luck and great fortunes, but it is no substitute for canniness and “cujones”. Let Jonathan note as the sharks menacingly take up position.

He was chosen as Vice President when Spiro Agnew, the artist of alliterative acrimony, went under in a scandal in 1973. When the gale of Watergate sank Richard Nixon in 1975, Gerald Ford stepped into the Oval Office, the only man to have achieved the feat of reaching the presidency from lowly congress.

Some people are even luckier than Goodluck Jonathan.

But luck can only carry one so far.

The backlash against Ford began al-

most immediately. His pre-emptive pardoning of Richard Nixon who many Americans consider to be a psychotic political criminal deserving a long spell in jail was viewed by many as an act of presidential racketeering unworthy of the highest office in the land. To compound his problems, Ford, a supreme athlete in his prime, began physically and intellectually stumbling in full public glare. Among his unpardonable gaffes was the flat assertion that Poland was a free country even as it reeled under the communist jackboot. It was a bridge too far for the boy from Grand Rapids.

When he was asked why he thought he was never an astonishing success as a politician despite having served in the White House, Gerald Ford replied that it was because he was disgustingly sane. In other words, bland sanity is no match for the quirky irrational genius of the exemplary politician. Among crazy people, abnormality is the template for normality.

In the end, to be lucky is not always to be fortunate. When people are catapulted beyond their competence, they always end up stranded in the middle of nowhere. Gerald Ford came from nowhere and ended up nowhere, so to say. But it is a rousing American story; a Gatsbyian extravaganza of orgiastic possibilities in a land of ceaseless self-invention. It is a stunning parable for Nigeria.

The President from nowhere

First published in 2010.

tory will give him a grudging applause. This is a glorious legacy that will survive the current appalling mess.

But if he were to plunge a country that he owes so much into a terminal civil war in a futile bid to hold on to power, he stands the chance of entering the history books as the worst ruler in Nigeria’s blighted history. Even a poor ruler must have a sense of an ending, or he may invite a terrible tragedy on himself and his nation. That end appears to be in sight for the tragic presidency of Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

This morning, in order to arrive at a correct perspective of what is going on, we publish excerpts from two old pieces which welcomed Jonathan’s ascendancy but which also foreshadowed its tragic trajectory. The one hailed his surefootedness in negotiating the political landmines while the other compared him with President Gerald Ford. Perhaps it will help Jonathan’s most rabid propagandists to regain their balance and sense of perspective. ers have protested and gone home while the power masters have once again pronounced. Everybody has done their duty to God and country.

The protesting class has protested while the ruling class has ruled. If one were to put this in a cruel formula, there is a neat division of labour out there and professional underdogs must not aspire to become top dogs. This feudalisation of modern Nigeria is still very much a work in progress.

Given this inauspicious background and his own insertion in the crucible of contending forces, it will be foolish to expect political miracles from Goodluck Jonathan. No man can be greater than the sum total of the contradictions that threw him up. Like the Shonekan interim contraption which strategically prevented back to back military rule while allowing the army to purge itself of contrary elements, the Jonathan interregnum is another holding device which allows the dominant faction of the ruling class to reorganise and to strategically reposition itself in time for elections next year, or this year as exigency and opportunism may dictate.

In the light of this, anybody expecting Jonathan to touch such incendiary materials as genuine electoral reforms, fiscal federalism, political restructuring etc is living in a fool’s paradise. If absentmindedness overwhelms him and he turns in the wrong direction, he will be met by a disobliging frown by those who have put him in the saddle. If a kind nudge is not enough, a rap in the knuckle will do. Or some non-elixir tea as a final solution.

But contrary opportunities do abound. The main problem is the very platform that has thrown up Jonathan. As a party, the PDP has so badly mismanaged the country, so serially bungled the sanctity and integrity of the electoral process that it cannot hope to win any free and fair election in this country for the foreseeable future. If it were to rely on its customary miscreant tactics, then we will be looking at another doctrine of necessity in the coming months. To appropriate the Greek gods, let no man count himself lucky until he has carried his luck to the grave. Good luck to Goodluck.

First published in April, 2010.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS CHIBOK ABDUCTION SAGA

I don't have to visit Chibok, says Jonathan P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Paris, France explained that it was not necessary for him to visit Chibok, Borno State.

He said that visiting the town would not lead to the release of the over 200 school girls abducted last month by Boko Haram from the Government Girls Secondary School,Chubok.

He said his main interest was to locate and rescue the girls.

He spoke at a press conference held at Elysee Palace,Paris at the close of the regional summit on security in Nigeria.

The President explained that he was not averse to visiting bomb explosion sites, as he had done so in the past.

He said, "These girls are not held in Chibok.

Sometime, people want the President to go to Chibok. If the President goes to Chibok today, it does not solve any problem.

"The problem facing the President and indeed the Nigerian Government is how

•African Leaders declare war on Boko Haram

to get these girls from wherever they are."

Jonathan said the service chiefs had since visited the area, adding that the emphasis now was on the rescue of the girls abducted over a month ago.

The President assured that the military were being trained to develop the necessary capacity to adequately deal with the terror threat.

He said that there were challenges in containing the insurgents because terrorism was a relatively new phenomenon in the country.

He defended the military saying allegation of misappropriation of funds against the military was exaggerated.

West African leaders at the meeting agreed to wage a total war against Boko Haram.

The USA,UK,EU and France all of which were represented at the meeting pledged their support.

"Today we've decided on a plan of regional and global

action that is medium and long term," French President François Hollande told reporters after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and other West African leaders as well as US,UK and EU delegations on plan to rescue the over 200 school girls abducted in Borno State by the sect last month.

The plan, Mr. Hollande said, calls for Western powers to cooperate with Nigeria and neighbouring countries in surveillance and patrols along Nigeria's borders.

Western powers with sophisticated intelligencegathering capabilities have also agreed to share some of their information with Nigeria, Mr. Hollande said without elaborating.

The summit also resolved to support " human rights and particularly the protection of girls who are victims of violence and forced marriage or threatened with slavery."

Accordingly Nigeria and its neighbours will "build analysis and response capabilities that

will contribute to enhancing the security of all populations and the rule of law in the areas affected by Boko Haram's terrorist acts," and will immediately proceed to • Implement coordinated patrols with the aim of combating Boko Haram and locating the missing school girls; •Establish a system to pool intelligence in order to support this operation; • Establish mechanisms for information exchange on trafficking of weapons and bolster measures to secure weapons stockpiles; and • Establish mechanisms for border surveillance.

At multilateral level, the summit agreed to establish an intelligence pooling unit and create a dedicated team to identify means of implementation and draw up, during a second phase, a regional counter-terrorism strategy in the framework of the Lake Chad Basin Commission.

President Jonathan said he was "totally committed" to

• Paris Summit on Security in Nigeria in session at the Elysee Palace in France, yesterday

Britain offers Nigeria military advisers

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RITAIN is offering to send advisers to help Nigeria's military structure its efforts to fight Boko Haram, Foreign Minister William Hague said yesterday shortly before the Paris summit to hammer out a strategy to tackle Boko Haram.

West African leaders met in the French capital to try to improve cooperation in their fight against the group which last month kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls and threatens to destabilize the wider region.

Outrage over the girls has prompted President Goodluck Jonathan, criticised at home for his government's slow response, to accept U.S., British and French intelligence help in the hunt for the girls.

"Nigerian security forces have not been well structured for this kind of thing and that has been shown by the problem getting worse," Hague told reporters ahead of the meeting.

"We can help with that which is why we are offering

to embed military advisers within the Nigerian headquarters."

U.S. officials have said the effort to retrieve the girls is now a top priority, but has been complicated by Nigeria's early reluctance to accept assistance, and U.S. rules banning aid to foreign forces that have committed human rights abuses.

"It is very important (Nigeria) upholds high standards of human rights and are well coordinated in their actions," Hague said. "Nigeria has the main responsibility and must be the leading nation in tackling this and that includes to mount an effective security response and improve development."

France, itself a target of Islamist militants for its military intervention against rebels in Mali, is bringing together Nigeria's neighbours Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin, and Western officials.

With about 6,000 troops op-

erating in either Mali to the northwest or the Central African Republic to the east, Paris has a major interest in preventing Nigeria's security deteriorating.

It fears Boko Haram could spread north into the Sahel, and beyond Cameroon into the Central African Republic.

French diplomats have ruled out any Western military operation but said they expected a regional plan to take shape for countering Boko Haram.

Nigeria has complained the far north of Cameroon is being used by Boko Haram militants to shelter from a Nigerian military offensive and to transport weapons, and has urged Cameroon to tighten border security.

"The first focus is about the girls, but that requires these countries work together particularly Cameroon and Nigeria who have not enjoyed strong, positive relations in recent years," Hague said.

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HE Defence Headquarters has massed more troops close to Sambisa Forest in Borno State in the build up to the planned rescue of the over 200 school girls abducted in the state last month by Boko Haram.

Though the military was silent on the actual figure, President Goodluck Jonathan said in Paris that about 20,000 had been sent to the NorthEast.

The troops have succeeded in creating a blockade to restrict the sect members to the forest.

It was gathered that troops were awaiting the outcome of the ongoing intelligence collaboration between Nigeria and the United States and other Allied Forces before their next line of action.

A top military source said: "So far, we have carried out massive deployment of troops to the fringes of Sambisa Forest in readiness for the rescue operation.

"The troops have laid siege to all routes leading to the for-

finding the schoolgirls who had been taken hostage by Boko Haram.

Chad's President Idriss Deby echoing the sentiments at the meeting said they were

all ready to wage war against Boko Haram.

"There is determination to tackle this situation head on ... to launch a war, a total war on Boko Haram," he said.

A follow up meeting will be hosted by UK next month.

Troops in fresh shoot out with Boko Haram in Borno •Insurgents killed, six soldiers injured

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OR about two hours yesterday, soldiers were locked in a fresh shootout with Boko Haram insurgents on the DamaturuBenishek-Maiduguri road.

Benishek was the scene of a massacre by Boko Haram in 2013.

Over 100 residents were killed in that attack.

An unknown number of insurgents were shot dead in yesterday’s encounter.

Six soldiers were wounded.

The Defence Headquarters has deployed more troops to the area to guarantee safe passage for travellers.

The insurgents had, at about noon yesterday, attempted to take-over the road.

Security agencies were contacted and troops were immediately drafted to the area.

What followed was a gun battle between the soldiers and the insurgent.

A reliable military source said: “Our troops engaged the Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday in fierce counterattacks. Some of the insurgents fell but only six soldiers were injured. The encounter lasted about two hours.

“The insurgents had planned to block access to Yobe State from Maiduguri but we foiled this bid. We are suspecting that these insurgents were trying to relocate to Yobe State which has remained calm for a while.

“You know the heat has been on the insurgents in Borno State where they have been restricted to Sambisa forest and

Stories from Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

some border towns with Cameroon. They are looking for safe ends to operate.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “I cannot give you the specific number of the insurgents that were killed because we are still mopping up the area. Six soldiers were however wounded.”

The claim could not be independently verified.

More troops have however been deployed in the axis to guarantee safe passage for travellers.

The source said: “Besides air patrol, troops are also on the trail of the fleeing insurgents.

Benishek-Damaturu route has been a major part where Boko Haram managed cells.

“It was from the same axis that the insurgents invaded the Air Force base in Maiduguri.

You can now see why we asked for the extension of the emergency rule.”

The Yobe State Government last week rejected the extension of Emergency Rule in the state by President Goodluck Jonathan.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Press Affairs and Information, Abdullahi Bego, said the state of emergency has not stopped the insurgents from carrying out attacks.

He said: “For instance, over the six months of emergency rule and later over the second, we have seen some of the worst attacks by Boko Haram in Yobe State.

Massive deployment of troops to Sambisa Forest begins

•2.17b people join #BringBackOurGirls campaign From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operations

est. It is a kind of blockade restricting the sect to the forest.

"Based on intelligence brief available to us from the military and foreign collaborators, we will soon rescue the girls.

The source added: "A lot of air surveillance is ongoing in Sambisa Forest area to locate where the girls are camped.

"The real mission is to rescue the girls alive. This is why we have not been able to engage in bombing of all parts of the forest."

About 2.17 billion people across the globe are said to have joined the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, according Cyberschuulnews.com.

The world's population as at May 17 was put at about

7,230,723,512.

Cyberschuulnews.com said: "One week after the whole wide world united in venting pent-up anger against Nigeria and its government, Google search picked up 2,170,000,000 hits for the #BringBackOurGirls, a social media campaign designed to build worldwide pressure to find school girls who were abducted in Nigeria.

"And that came 3 weeks after it looked like the abduction of 276 girls (the highest of the various figures: 234, 239, 274, 276, 'over 200') which authorities in Nigeria mindlessly used as the number of school girls abducted by Boko Haram remained unresolved.

"The sect had taunted the government with bombing, kidnapping, and threats over the internet with amazing helplessness as response of government and its might. "

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

5

CHIBOK ABDUCTION SAGA of emergency extended Boko Haram is West Africa’s toState give troops a chance, say reps Al-Qaeda, says Jonathan L P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that Boko Haram has become West Africa’s Al-Qaeda.

He told a news conference in Paris following a meeting of West African leaders that “Boko Haram is no longer a local terrorist group, it is operating clearly as an Al-Qaeda operation, it is an Al-Qaeda of West Africa.”

President Jonathan said the sect has killed over 12,000 people since it launched its terror attacks in the North.

“We have developed intelligence, which indicates clearly that global terrorist networks are deeply involved in the recent activities of Boko Haram, which has now turned into an integral part of the Al Qaeda network as the West African Branch. More

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and agency report

tellingly, the group runs an international network of training and incubation centres in such places as Gao and Kidal areas of Mali, the Diffa, Maradi and Maina Soro areas of Niger Republic, Maroua and Garoua areas of Republic of Cameroun, the Zango and Ridina quarters in Ndjamena, Chad, the RankyKotsy area of Sudan, and also some cells in the Central African Republic,” he said.

“The group is hostile to democracy; it uses every means to indoctrinate its members; its ultimate objective is to destabilize the country, and take over Nigeria in order to turn it into a base of operation in West Africa and the entire continent”.

He said the “reprehensible abduction of innocent school girls in Chibok, Borno State is another manifestation” of Boko Haram’s criminality.

Government, according to him, is “already making thorough intelligence efforts to identify their sponsors and their sources of funding and arms supply,” and declared: “We will not succumb to terrorists and their dangerous tactics. Terrorists will not be allowed to define who we are or instill fear in our people and cause destruction and mayhem.

“The abduction of young innocent school girls in Chibok represents a watershed, and a turning point, in the global terrorist war against human civilization. The escalation by the terrorists should not go unan-

swered by us. The world is entering a new stage and we must stand firm to protect our civilization.”

Cameroon President Paul Biya said yesterday’s summit prompted partnering countries “to take stronger measures to eradicate” Boko Haram “We’re here to declare war on Boko Haram,” Biya added.

French President Francois Hollande branded Boko Haram a bigger terror threat than first portrayed — beyond Nigeria and even Africa.

“Boko Haram is an organization that is linked to terrorism in Africa and whose will is to destabilize the north of Nigeria, certainly, and all the neighboring countries of Nigeria and beyond that region,” Hollande said.

AWMAKERS in the House of Representatives have said that, they voted for the extension of the State of Emergency so that the Nigerian troops may have a better chance.

The House which claims to feel the pains of Nigerians, have promised to do everything in its power to bring the girls back.

Member representing Degema/Bonny federal constituency Dr Sokonte Davies, said that unlike the popular belief, lawmakers are interested in the release of the girls which has prompted him joining the protesting group in Abuja.

Davies said this while addressing the group protesting for the release of the over 200 abducted girls of the Government Girls College, Chibok.

From: Grace Obike, Abuja

His words, "I always drove pass here and never knew the reason for the gathering until a friend brought me here. I did not intend saying anything until I heard some people in this gathering say that the lawmakers are not doing anything concerning the abducted girls.

"We extended the state of emergency so that our troops may have a better chance in their operations. Most of us that were not convinced in the beginning about the extension of the state of emergency, voted for it after the experts explained to us.

"The House of Representatives will do everything possible to bring back the girls, we will also approve the necessary funds to support them, I came here today to support you as a Nigerian."

Groups march in Dakar for abducted girls

M

EMBERS of some 20 civil society organisations in Senegal marched in Dakar yesterday to demand the release of the girls abducted on April 14 by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in northern Nigeria.

The protesters, dressed in red, numbering over 100, shouted: ``Release our sisters!

Release our daughters!'' hurled hostile slogans against Boko Haram, while many others carried banners on which were written ``#Bring Back Our Girls.''

A young Senegalese student, Seynabou Thiam, said she did not wish to be in the situation of the abducted girls ``because it is very difficult to get separated from our parents.''

She expressed the hope that the mobilisation would reap its fruits with the help of God.

Another student, Mouhamadou Bocoum, said that he was shocked by the abductions. ``War is not prosecuted by abducting children. I do not understand how we can convert Christians to Moslems by force, as announced by the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau,'' Bocoum stressed.

According to him, members of Boko Haram are criminals because abduction is a crime. ``They say they do it in the name of religion but Islam has never recommended abduction of children and to convert them by force'', he added.

Soukeyna Ndao, a member of the Association of Senegalese Jurists, regretted the weak mobilisation of African governments against the massive abduction of girl-students.

Nigeria to refer Boko Haram to Security Council

•Abia Women say no to abduction and kidnapping of children

There are economically-induced Boko Haram members, says Shettima

G

OVERNOR Kashim Shettima of Borno State yesterday said there are economicallyinduced Boko Haram members.

He also said military campaign alone cannot curtail the Boko Haram insurgency ravaging the nation.

He suggested a combination of military, sociopolitical, and economic solutions and that no solution can be effective without the others.

Shettima made the submissions at Ogbeh Farms in Kuje District of Abuja during a farewell session for 50 indigenes of the state going for training in India.

The farms is owned by former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

Ogbeh is an honorary adviser on Agriculture to Governor Shettima.

From: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Alhaji Isa Gusau, quoted the governor as saying: "The Borno Government has since discovered that in addition to misguided beliefs, Boko Haram insurgents have over the years been recruiting foot soldiers who they pay salaries as a result of joblessness, hopelessness and extreme poverty. This condition can be addressed with massive investment in agriculture.

"Besides those driven by spiritual motives, there is also the economically induced Boko Haram. This can be seen where some youths were paid as low as N5, 000 to burn schools and spy on our security men.

"So that goes to show that Boko Haram is not only

propelled by evil spiritual motive but also by economic motives".

The Governor said " Boko Haram can best be curtailed through a combination of Military socio-political and economic solutions, maintaining that none can be effective without the others," and pledged that the State will continue to support the military and volunteers as a coercive unit, focus must also be accorded to social reorientation to de-radicalize citizens as well as provide jobs for majority of them.

He said the candidates would undergo a three-week train-the-trainers course on irrigation equipment installation, effective utilization and maintenance after which they will train farmers across the state.

He said in addition to Indian irrigation equipment,

an American company from Nebraska State is installing 50 units of centre pivot and sprinkler irrigation equipment along Maiduguri -Konduga farm areas as a pilot program.

Four hundred units of such equipment from U.S, India and China are expected for installation across private farms in the state in order to "revolutionize agriculture and create millions of jobs so that Boko Haram wouldn't find easy recruits as they have been enjoying."

In his remarks, Ogbeh called on the trainees to heed to the lessons they will learn in India.

He praised governor for his steadfastness in developing knowledge based Agriculture in Borno State.

He said the opportunity provided by the governor was one that had become really revolutionary.

N

IGERIA is likely to refer the Islamist militant group Boko Haram to the United Nations Security Council for sanctions, a Western diplomatic source said yesterday in Paris on the sideline of the summit to curtail Boko Haram.

“Nigeria has agreed in principle to a draft resolution at the U.N. Security Council

to impose sanctions on Boko Haram,” the source said.

Nigeria, currently a member of the 15-country council, will have to make the request first before possible sanctions can be examined, the source said.

Until now, Abuja has been reticent about seeking help from the United Nations in its struggle with Boko Haram.

Africa's first ladies applaud world leaders' support

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HE African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) has lauded the support given by the world leaders and global institutions to Nigeria in the fight against insurgency.

The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and the president of the mission, expressed the appreciation in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday.

The statement said that Mrs. Jonathan noted the efforts of the international community at sending out a strong message; consistent with the objectives of the mission in promoting peace and stability.

According to the statement, the support of the world leaders is cardinal to ensuring the safe return of the girls abducted

from Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State.

It said Mrs. Jonathan noted that the entire world stood in solidarity with the government and the people of Nigeria against injustice and impunity. ``The mission will always uphold the commonly accepted global values that promote justice, stability and peace in all nations,'' it quoted her as saying.

According to the statement, the first lady reaffirms the total commitment of the mission to bringing back the abducted girls safe. ``We appeal to all political parties in Nigeria to rise above partisan interests and focus at this time on the national interest and the urgent task at hand to bring back our girls.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

CHIBOK ABDUCTION SAGA

S

OME members of the National Conference have called on the federal government to enter into negotiation with the insurgent Boko Haram group for the release of the abducted 200 girls from Chibok, Borno State.

The delegates opined that the pains of the mothers and Nigerians at large should not be overlooked while the negotiation would also provide the opportunity for government to have better understanding of the group’s grievances.

According to Gani Adams, National Coordinator of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) negotiating with the group would afford the government the opportunity to have an insight into the workings of the insurgent group and help in disarming it.

According to him, “Government should negotiate with Boko Haram because the lives of these girls is more important than anything at this point in time. Politics should not be brought into it and as we can see, the world powers are coming into it and giving their assistance.

“If we move fast, negotiate and succeed at it, there may be no need for the assistance of these foreign powers in the area of security anymore, remember we are a sovereign state and we should be seen managing our affairs as it best suit us.

“I think by negotiating with Boko Haram, government would be able, to know them

Confab delegates urge FG to negotiate with Boko Haram From: Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Dele Anofi, Abuja

more and have better understanding of the whole issues agitating their minds. This way, I believe this would even assist our intelligence system.”

On his part, Mike Ezekhome (SAN) warned that Nigerians should be cautious about politicising the issue, saying, “My position is that life is supreme and cannot be duplicated. The lives of these girls should not be trivialized on the altar of grandstanding or pride.

“This is a situation where the federal government should negotiate with Boko Haram for the release of those girls whose parents are traumatised and weeping daily. In life, it is about give and take; you win some and lose some. Even the United Nations recognises negotiation, arbitration as an instrument for achieving peace. All the World Wars finally ended at a table leading to world peace.

“Therefore, I don’t see anything fundamentally bad about negotiating with Boko Haram.

I don’t see that as a way of encouraging them to bomb more.

Rather, what we are saying is, for now, as a short term measure, these our daughters we

don’t want them dead, give them back to us alive and well.

“In other words, let government give them back few of their detainees, especially those we learnt are family members, who were not themselves caught on the street committing the crimes.

This is what I think government should do, they should not shy away from it, they should not see it as a loss of face. After all when the militants were devastating Nigeria, the late President Musa Yar’Adua set up the amnesty panel and negotiated with them which brought about peace at the end.”

He added, “Though the cause of the militants cannot be equated with that of the Boko

Haram but we should take a cue from that, that there are times when negotiation is very important.

“I think the federal government set up the Turaki panel to negotiate which the Boko Haram rejected. This should be an opportunity to negotiate not just the release of these girls but the causes of the insurgency in its entirety and how to bring about peace and tranquility in Nigeria.”

Also, Ambassador Hassan Adamu, who is the Wakili of Adamawa, said he is in support of negotiation but that government should give certain conditions to the insurgent group.

He said, “Government

should negotiate but when dealing with terrorism it is a complex and difficult situation but no government wants to yield to the demands of terrorists while sending a clear message that terrorism cannot win.

“I don’t like the idea of negotiating with terrorists, but I think what should be done while negotiating is that the group abide by the term of the agreement and the rule of law or decisive action be taken against them,” he said.

On her part, Mrs. Temitope Ajayi, a delegate representing the Nigerians in Diaspora said from a mother’s point of view and concern, government should negotiate.

She said: “For me and as a mother, my heart is bleeding. I am on my knees because I know that it is not easy to be a mother and I know all mothers around the world are appealing that these kids be released unharmed.

“Government should negotiate because they have made their demands; the government has to dialogue to see how the genuine ones could be accepted.

“We cannot continue to destroy ourselves and I see this as an opportunity to implore the President and support his wife, Dame Patience to negotiate with the Boko Haram and get our girls back. All the mothers of this world are saying to Boko Haram Don Allah, Don Anabi, yankuri.

Also, a pressure group, the National Unity Forum, at the National Conference yesterday lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the assistance offered from the international community to rescue the girls.

Nigeria’s neighbours have roles to play - UK Secretary

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I G E R I A ’ S neighbours, such as Chad and Cameroon, have “very important role” to play in the battle against the Islamist group, Boko Haram in Africa, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague, has said.

His comments came as

talks on the threat from Boko Haram - hosted by the French president – got underway yesterday in Paris.

Militants abducted more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State in April and released a video last Monday showing more than 100 of the girls and offering an exchange for prisoners.

Suspected Boko Haram rebels attack Chinese plant in Cameroon

S

USPECTED members of Boko Haram on Friday night attacked a Chinese plant in northern Cameroon near the town of Waza.

One person was injured in the attack while 10 others are yet to be accounted for.

Waza is 20 kilometres from the Nigerian border close to the Sambisa forest, the fortress of the Islamist sect.

The governor of Far North Province, Augustine Fonka Awa who confirmed the attack, gave no details.

Chinese state news agency Xinhua quoted Chi-

nese officials as saying unidentified assailants attacked the camp of a Chinese enterprise operating in Cameroon , injuring one person and leaving 10 unaccounted for.

Boko Haram has staged several attacks in northern Cameroon. Last month, it attacked a police post, killing two people. The rebels kidnapped a French family in February 2013.

West African leaders including Cameroun’s Paul Biya met yesterday in Paris to try to improve cooperation in their fight against Boko Haram.

•L-R- Representative of the President of Nigeria, Honurable Minister of Power,Professor Chinedu Nebo,President of the Synod/Primate of Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja Diocese,His Grace,Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh and wife,Mrs Okoh, during the first session of the Ninth Synod in Abuja

Abduction: UN Special Rep meets presidential committee T HE United Nations Secretary General Special Representative on the Abduction of the Chibok Schoolgirls, Ambassador Said Djinnit, has held consultations with the presidential fact-finding committee on the situation.

He pledged the support of the UN in the search for and rescue of the girls according to the spokesperson for the presidential committee, Mr. Kingsley Osadolor.

Djinnit, who is also the UN Secretary General Special Representative (Political) for West Africa, said that beyond the outrage and global condemnation of the abduction, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon, is interested in a support package to ensure the release of the schoolgirls, and to deal with the larger issues arising from the circumstances of the abduction.

He said: “We care about

Nigeria. We highly support the multi-dimensional approach of President Goodluck Jonathan in solving the problems in the North-East of the country.

“The people of Nigeria should be in full solidarity with the government in solving the current challenges.”

The UN is represented on the committee by Mr. Daouda Toure, head of the UN agencies in Nigeria.

Speaking at the meeting, the committee chairman, Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (retd), said the panel has already held a series of consultations with various contact persons, including security, defence, and intelligence agencies.

He welcomed the offer of the UN Special Representative to put the wide-ranging expertise and experience of the global body at the disposal of the panel.

Boko Haram: Every Nigerian’s headache- Primate Okoh

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IGERIANS have been urged to do less of blaming the federal government over the issue of insecurity in the country but strive to join forces with the government in tackling the challenges, especially the Boko Haram insurgents.

This advice was given by the Bishop of Abuja, Anglican Communion The Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh at the weekend, in one of the nine key points he highlighted on the state of

the nation while delivering the Presidential Address (Bishop Charge) at the Ninth Synod held at the Basilica of Grace, Gudu, Abuja.

Addressing delegates and other guests which included representatives of President Jonathan Goodluck, the Minister for Power Chinedu Nebo, Okoh lamented that a myriad of problems have taken away the peace of Nigeria with the activities of Boko Haram becoming the most incomprehen-

sible.

Others he mentioned are kidnappers, armed robbers, nomadic militia groups, militancy, ritual killers e.t.c.

He stated that with the north has been reduced to a shadow of its old self due to the grounding of commercial activities and halting of education, social and religious programmes, Nigeria is left with only two options.

“There are only two options open to all, including the spon-

sors or those who think that Bokom Haram activities indirectly promote their wishes and desires. One, Nigerians should rise up, cooperate and stop Boko Haram or two, Boko Haram will destroy the country, Christians, Muslims and unbelievers are at risk’’.

On the ongoing National Conference, the Archbishop reminded the delegates of the heavy burden they carry and the high expectations which many Nigerians have for the

CONFAB. Describing the conference as a great opportunity for Nigerians to speak frankly to one another about the past, present and the future, Bishop Okoh challenged the delegates to courageously discuss the knotty issues of recurrent religious riots and loss of lives and property.

On politics, particularly the 2014 and 2015 elections, he appealed to politicians to save the Nigerian state from anarchy and

disintegration, charging them to see politics as a project to ensure the survival of the Nigerian state without which there will be no platform for political activities.

The primate lauded the federal government over the decision to pursue the construction of the second Niger Bridge with a firm resolve as well as the improvement of the quality of roads and the prohibition of homosexual/lesbianism lifestyle even in the face of pressure from foreign countries.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

Lamido: Jonathan moves to tighten hold on PDP

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

T

HE camp of President Goodluck Jonathan is tightening its hold on the machinery of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of its response to moves by Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State to seek the party’s ticket for next year’s Presidential election.

After one of the several meetings held to evaluate Lamido’s interest in the race, the President’s men decided to scrutinise the party’s leaderships at local government and state levels across the country to ensure that the President has majority of his supporters in charge.

A former National Secretary of the party was appointed to head a 10man committee set-up by the President’s strategists to work closely with the party leadership on the scrutiny, a source said.

The committee was also mandated to pay particular attention to the North and South West in carrying out its assignment.

The job is already underway in some states where state Executive Committees are sifting through the political profiles of likely delegates at the grassroots level.

The Nation also learnt that the stakeholders resolved that the Jonathan camp should work harder at winning the minorities in the North to neutralise the influence of the core North.

A source familiar with the working of the group said:”The stakeholders’ meeting which had in attendance nearly all the members of the Board of Trustees (B.O.T), the National Working Committee (NWC), some Governors and prominent national assembly members, also resolved to have a team that will work hard at selling the Jonathan candidacy in the north, especially to minority northerners.

“The idea is to polarize the North by infiltrating the political circles in the minority groupings within the zones. To be seriously targeted are the North central states as well as Adamawa, Gombe, Borno, Taraba and Yobe states in the Northeastern part of the country.”

Supporters of the Jigawa governor are currently reaching out to party chieftains across the country to consult them on Lamido’s renewed presidential ambition. The Nation also learnt that the governor has personally informed some top party members of his resolve to vie for the presidential ticket of the PDP.

•R-L : Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun presenting the state plaque to the Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Richardson when the envoy visited him in his OkeMosan office, Abeokuta, yesterday.

N10b cash on jet: Speaker halts probe •Members split, discover plan to blackmail them DIRECTIVE from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, to the House Committee on Public Accounts to suspend the ongoing probe of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, has not gone down well with some of the members.

They want to defy him and continue with the assignment, The Nation has learnt.

The minister is accused of spending N10billion on chartered jet.

Speaker Tambuwal had asked that the probe be suspended in view of the current mood of the nation occasioned by the Chibok abductions.

The panel is said to have discovered alleged plan to blackmail its members on phantom bribery .

The Committee Chairman, Solomon Adeola, has sworn that neither he nor any member has compromised in any way.

The Nation gathered that the Speaker told the Panel members that the House would appear insensitive to the plight of the abducted school girls if it continued with the probe now.

It was learnt that apart from confiding in committee chairman and members, the Speaker also made his position known at the House plenary.

But some members of the committee were said to have disagreed with the position of the Speaker.

They alleged sell-out by some of their colleagues with a view to frustrating the probe.

They said since the court had clarified that it did not stop investigation into the chartered jet, there was no basis for suspending investigation temporarily.

A

FROM: Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

The development provoked tension with the committee chairman, Adeola, having to swear to those casting doubt on the integrity of the panelists that no one had compromised.

Adeola vowed to do a good job rather than compromising in any form.

A highly-placed source said: “The Speaker directed the committee to suspend investigation because of the pulse of the nation.

Tambuwal said there was no point heating up the polity with the probe at a time Nigerians are desirous of rescuing the abducted 276 girls.

“I think the Speaker was more concerned about the image of the House than the insinuations that he was trying to bow to pressure.

“To show that he had no ill-motive, the Speaker justified why the probe should be halted during a plenary in the week. So, what is this noise all about?”

A member of the committee said: “Some of us are suspicious because the search for the abducted girls has nothing to do with an investigation that was almost completed.

“We believe we should not bow to terrorists by grounding government activities either in the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

“We are insisting that we should continue the probe, even if it means quietly, and come up with our findings.

Or else, Nigerians will not know the truth and the personalities of some people are already painted in bad light.”

Another source in the committee said: “We had a little disagreement on Thursday on why the investigation should be suspended. But it is one of those things in leg-

islative business. We will resume at the appropriate time the House leadership deems fit.”

A third member of the committee expressed sadness that some people have started blackmailing members of the panel for respecting the Speaker’s directive.

The source added: “They have been levelling allegations against us for no just cause. They said some of us collected $3million, others $1.5million and $1million.

“In fact, some of us had been called by our relations and advisers to find out the truth or otherwise about the phantom bribery allegation.

“At a stage, some of us confronted the Chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Adeola, who almost shed tears. He swore in a hard manner that he has not compromised and will never do so.

“No one should preempt the outcome of the ongoing investigation. These blackmailers should not stampede the committee.

“We are aware that there is no legal inhibition but the Speaker’s advice is also timely. And the Speaker did not meet with the committee members secretly; he addressed the plenary on why the investigation should be suspended temporarily.”

Disturbed by the development, the Speaker on Friday spoke with some members of the committee that he was not trying to gag them.

He reportedly told them that the House would conclude the investigation “but the mood of the nation now is about how to rescue these innocent girls.”

The committee had on April 28 resumed investigation into the controversial Challenger 850 aircraft.

The Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC have gone to court on some issues relating to the probe.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

Editors to FG: Don’t play politics with security From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

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HENigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) yesterday advised the Federal Government not to further politicise the security challenges confronting the nation but collaborate with all Nigerians to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency.

The group spoke in Owerri, the Imo State capital during its Standing Committee meeting.

Its President, Femi Adesina, urged the Federal Government to step up actions to end the current security challenges in the country.

Adesina told journalists at the Government House that “the tardiness of the Federal Government in handling the abduction of the female students in Chibok was because it was blaming the All Progressives Congress (APC) instead of talking of rescuing the girls.”

In his response, Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha maintained that Nigerians should come together irrespective of political or religious inclination to fight terrorism.

Madagali massacre: Vigilance group did not hand over Boko Haram suspects to us, say Police

T

HE Adamawa State police command has debunked media reports that vigilance groups in Madagali Local Government Area handed over seven members of the Boko Haram to it after a massacre at the weekend, which claimed over 70 members of the sect.

The spokesman of the command, ASP Abubakar Othman, told our correspondent in a telephone interview that such killings did not take place anywhere in Adamawa.

According to him: “Borno

By Barnabas Manyam, Yola

and Adamawa share the same border. To the best of my knowledge, the incident did not take place in Madagali but in a village in Borno State close to Madagali.”

Also, men of 23 Armoured Brigade in Yola have relocated their operational headquarters to Madagali to track down fleeing insurgents after local security operatives laid an ambush on them.

The spokesman of the Brigade, Lt. Nuhu Jafar, told our

correspondent on the telephone that his men moved there to track down the insurgents.

“As I am talking to you now, the authorities of 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola are already in Madagali Local Government area of the state following the report we had that local security laid ambush on the outlawed group and killed over 70 members of them.

“Surely, we will return back to Yola, the state capital on Monday to give details of what really happened there.”

It was gathered that

members of a vigilante group in the town laid a siege and killed more than 70 Boko Haram members who came to purchase food items and handed over seven captured militants to the police.

There were reports that the vigilantes acted after they were tipped off by a local food vendor that the militants were coming to get supplies before heading out for a major operation to raid villages in the area.

The vigilant group mobilised, laid ambush and waited patiently for the

One dead, seven injured in Kano council polls

FG vows to sanction MDs of RBDA

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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From: Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

T

HE Federal Government has threatened to sanction errant boards of various River Basin Development Authorities that fail to abide by stipulated operational mandates.

The RBDA boards were inaugurated in May 2013 shortly after their reconstitution by the President in April.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe, stated that the boards had failed to pursue the mandate of their respective appointments as contained in the Act setting up the RBDA, the transformation agenda of the Federal Government and other extant policies and procedures.

She spoke at a retreat for RBDAs, boards and management organised by the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in Abuja.

Ochekpe said: “Some of the reports I have been receiving indicate that the modalities, rules and procedures in the exercise of the mandate of the boards are being interpreted differently from one RBDA to the other.

Ochekpe said several requests for urgent information on the operations of RBDAs required by the ministry and the Presidency were never responded to by the authorities as and when required.

“Any RBDA that delays on the return of information beyond the stipulated deadline must be sanctioned and any MD or ED who travels out of his constituency coverage without the knowledge of the minister, permanent secretary or chairman of the board of the authority must also be sanctioned.

“These sanctions could include suspension from office. I hope these directives are well taken, because sanctions will be applied whenever there is a default.”

militants, a source in the village disclosed.

The source added that as soon as the Islamist insurgents numbering more than 100 showed up in the village to pick up their favourite meals, the vigilantes attacked them, killing most of them in a hail of bullets.

Some of the villagers, who spoke to reporters, said that they believe soldiers have not done much to put an end to the activities of the sect’s members who unleash havoc on them at will.

“We feel that there are fundamental things wrong in the way our security agents are fighting the Boko Haram insurgents who terrorise us here.

“We are pushed to the wall and are not afraid to die because they are men like us.

And we are tired of folding our hands and allowing them to kill us, to kill our wives and to kill our children while the government is not doing anything about it,” one of them said.

•L-R: National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Garba Mohammed; National Publicity Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed; representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Garba Kakarfi and National President, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Asabe Baba-Nahaja, at the opening of NAWOJ National Delegates’ Conference in Badagry, Lagos ...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

‘Jonathan, most troubled President’

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O the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Dan Nwanyanwu, President Goodluck Jonathan is the most troubled leader the nation has ever had.

He pleaded with Nigerians to pray for Jonathan, saying “he has lost so much weight over Nigeria lately.”

Nwanyanwu, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, said the President never “had peace” since he was elected in 2011.

He lamented that he is shedding “much weight over security” challenges plaguing the nation.

He noted that while past leaders with all their respective shortcomings enjoyed relative peace while in office, the experience of Jonathan has been quite dif-

By Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

ferent.

Nwanyanwu said: “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. I really want you to pray for our President.

“Take a look at him on the television; he has lost so much weight due to the insecurity challenge confronting the country.

“Alhaji Shehu Shagari had peace; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo with all his troubles had peace; Umaru Yar’Adua had peace though he was ill.

“But President Jonathan has had no peace from inception. He has lost weight thinking about Nigeria. I urge you to pray for him.”

Nwanyanwu spoke during the inauguration of the LP State Secretariat on

Onikolobo road, Abeokuta, which was attended by former Governor Gbenga Daniel; Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Chief Sule Onabiyi and thousands of party faithful.

He said the Labour Party will work for the President in respect of the 2015 election and urged all party members to support Jonathan.

Also, the National Leader of the party, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, pledged to rally LP to work for Jonathan.

Mimiko, who noted that he was in Ogun State to reassure all LP loyalists that the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party has been resolved. He described the state governor, Senator Amosun’s infrastructural development projects as an elit-

ist urban renewal project aimed at inflicting pains on the poor masses.

Mimiko said, “Urban renewal is good because when the cities are renewed, it attracts businesses. But the whole essence of attracting businesses is to improve on the socio-economic lives of the people of the state.

“But if the concept of urban renewal is to destroy the means of the livelihood of the people, you destroy their generational heritage, then that renewal is not worth it. Urban renewal must not be at the expense of the masses. It is very good to renew our cities.”

Daniel, who is the state leader of LP, pledged that if the party wins the governorship election in the Gateway State, all workers sacked by Amosun would be reinstated.

Suspected ritualists kill octogenarian in Ondo

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NKNOWN people suspected to be ritualists have reportedly killed a woman identified as Mrs. Olu Omotayo in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The lifeless body of the woman was found in front of a converted shopping complex at the old garage area in the town a few days ago.

The victim’s head was said to have been smashed with stone, while her private part was shaved by her assailants leaving her

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

in a pool of blood.

Sources said the 80 year-old woman had converted a small shop close to the scene of the incident as her place of abode at night, an indication that her killers might have been keeping watch on her movement.

It was learnt that the deceased used to behave like a ‘lunatic’ but people close to her family fought the presumption, stressing

that she only behaved funny occasionally.

Shop owners within the vicinity revealed that the deceased was always with the ‘Holy Bible and church bell’ preaching the gospel.

A Bible, anointing oil and a bell were found at the shop the victim converted to her house close to the scene of the incident.

It was learnt that the land where the shopping complex was built belongs to her late father before it was sold out.

Mrs. Bola Orimoloye, who claimed to know the family members of the deceased, said the old woman had relations in Lagos State.

Orimoloye said the octogenarian was given a small apartment along PZ area, Isikan road in Akure to stay, but abandoned the place to live at the shopping complex where she was eventually murdered.

According to her, the deceased’s husband hailed from Akure and died 10 years ago.

ESTERDAY’S council poll in Kano State was characterised by pockets of violence, which left unspecified number of people injured.

The councils affected by violence include Kuru, Kuchi, Shanono, Tsanyawa and Bebeji.

In Kuru local government, a woman was shot dead when violence broke out while seven others were said to have sustained gunshot injuries.

Locals said the injured were admitted in hospitals.

Election materials disappeared before they got to their destination in these local government areas.

Political thugs, who engaged in free-for-all, destroyed election materials in most of the affected councils.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that violence erupted when some political thugs attempted to snatch ballot boxes.

Some people were reportedly seen invading polling units.

They were resisted by people and security personnel drafted to the units.

Confirming the incidences of violence in some local government areas, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso, said there was no cause for alarm as security agents were on top of the situation.

“From the report I’m receiving, I learnt that election materials were not supplied to some polling centres in time as well as cases of violence in some areas but no one was killed and our security operatives are on top of the situation,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, police crisis control units were said to have curtailed the violence in the affected areas.

However the exercise recorded a massive turn out in all the 44 local government areas of the state.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

Kuku: Niger Delta militants had no plan to destroy Nigeria

‘Why hypertension is rising’

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By Wale Adepoju

HE incidence of sudden deaths from pressure is rising because Nigerians do not monitor their blood pressure regularly.

The Managing Director, New Heights Pharmaceutical, Mr. Ogheneochuko Omaruaye, said this during the World Hypertension Day (WHD) in Lagos.

According to him, hypertension also known as high blood pressure (HBP) is on the rise across the world.

He said people can only be aware of it by checking their blood pressure.

Omaruaye recommended personal blood pressure monitor or regular visit to hospitals for people, especially adults above 25 years.

“There are kits such as Omron BP monitor, which is a Japanese technology clinically proven to give accurate reading of their blood pressure.

“It meets international standards, affordable and usually has a three-years warranty. When it is faulty within that period it can be repaired or even replaced,” he said.

The monitor, he said will help people to avoid stroke, sudden death and heart attack.

Regional manager, East, Mr. Felix Anyanwu, urged people to reduce their salt (sodium) intake because it raises blood pressure.

He said people should have a personal BP monitor at home to prevent hypotension (low blood pressure), which is equally deadly like hypertension.

He recommended regular exercise to regulate blood pressure.

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From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

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•L-R: Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Bishop of Diocese of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. James Olusola Odedeji and his wife, Mrs. Lydia Odedeji, at the 3rd season of the 5th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West held at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend.

PHOTO: OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL

Boko Haram threatens to invade schools in Makurdi •Police beef up security T HE Principal of Government College Makurdi, Mr. Godfrey Ugudu, yesterday said the school had received letter from Boko Haram sect threatening to attack the school.

Ugudu, who announced this at a news conference in Makurdi, added that the school received two letters which had the same content on May 14.

It is true that we saw two

By Uja Emmanuel

letters informing us of the intention of the sect to invade our school on Friday or Monday

by Boko Haram.

“The letters were dated May 14, 2014, stating that they were coming either of the two days to abduct our boys whom they would marry to

the secondary school girls abducted in Chibok.

“In the letter, we were asked to inform the Mount Saint Gabriel Secondary School opposite us to also get prepared as they promised to invade the place too.’’

He added: We immediately alerted the police and the Commissioner for Education. A report has been made to the governor on the issue.

“The two letters, which were written in pidgin English, were sighted inside one of the classrooms and the second one was slipped into the staff room.’’ he said.

The principal commended the government and security operatives in the state for their prompt response to the issue.

He said that everything had been done to ensure the safety of the school children,

adding that he had informed the Principal of Mount Saint Gabriel.

NAN reports that about 500 out of about 700 students of the college are living in the school while Mount Saint Gabriel is purely a boarding school.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Dan Ezeala, confirmed the report and assured that police were on top of the situation.

Meanwhile, armed policemen have been deployed to the school. The school has a students’ population of over 700.

A similar letter was said to have been sent to the neighbouring Mount Saint Gabriel’s Secondary School.

Asked whether he would shut down the school to prevent anything untoward, the principal declined, insisting that the existing security presence was enough to contain any external crisis.

Adeboye supports extension of emergency rule

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HE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has thrown his weight behind the proposed extension of emergency rule in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

Adeboye spoke with reporters at the special prayer and thanksgiving session for traders in Nigeria.

The service attracted thousands of traders, owners of small and medium scale enterprises and captains of industries.

According to him, the state of emergency rule in parts of the north should stay until members of the Boko Haram sect are arrested and their sponsors punished under the law.

Adeboye said that the ongoing insurgency in parts of the north, which he said has some backup within the system, must be addressed for victory in the war against terror.

The respected preacher, who spoke through his Special Assistant on Administration and Personnel, Pastor Johnson Odesola, said: “Our

By Adeola Ogunlade

problem in Nigeria is that there are people who don’t want to say the truth and I’m very positive that those fomenting the trouble have a back up within the system.”

Adeboye condemned the abduction of the Chibok girls.

He stressed: “There are many enemies within the system. Some people know where the children are and it looks like a calculated attempt to destabilise this current administration.

“It is high time we identified the perpetrators of the abducted girls in Chibok and let the law take its course so that others can learn.”

He also called for the removal of the immunity clause for executive political office holders.

Adeboye argued: “I support the immunity clause to be removed or reduced so that we will be able to allow the law to work and there will be no sacred cow.”

He challenged Nigerians to remain at peace with one another no matter their religious, tribe or language differences.

HE Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Amnesty, Kingsley Kuku, yesterday said armed youths who took up arms in the Niger Delta region against the federal government did not plan to destroy the country.

He said at Oporoza, Warri Delta State at the weekend.

Kuku clarified tthat he militants merely tried to draw attention of the federal government to the plight of the oil-bearing communities in the region.

According to him: “The struggle we initiated we didn’t intend to destroy the Nigerian nation. The intent was to draw the attention of government to communal land issues, justice in the area of environment, rights of our people for political space and equal opportunity.”

Speaking when President Goodluck Jonathan performed the formal groundbreaking ceremonies of the Nigeria Maritime University and NIMASA Shipyard and Dockyard in Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area, Kuku said the emergence of a Niger Deltan as president was the result of the agitation for better deal.

He said: “Today, we have a president you can’t talk about resource control anymore because for us the honest dividend that the Niger Delta struggle has brought is the office of the president.

“Today, Gbaramatu Kingdom, which experienced a military attack, is celebrating. This place where the president is sitting celebrating with us is particularly the place that was palace to the late Agadagba.”

The presidential adviser also described the Director General of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, as a product of the struggle, adding that he understood the need for manpower development for the Niger Delta.

“He has brought about this project, the first ever in West Africa. Maritime University is now situated in Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu kingdom.

“This is the benefit of appointing people who understand the plight of their people and who are products of the struggle.”

NGO urges girls to embrace ICT careers

By Everistus Onwuzurike

A

non-governmental organisation, Luqcom Informatics, has urged girls to take advantage of the career opportunities in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector to make life better for them.

The organisation made this known in Lagos during a programme tagged: Girls in ICT day 2014.

The representative from Chams Access, Funke Alomo, said girls stand to gain a lot from embracing a career in ICT. She presented a survey report of Information technology managers hiring top ten IT skills in demand.

Hajia Bamiro Jeelat spoke about lucrative fields like aeronautical engineering and robotics, which ICT has affected.

Another facilitator, Salam Mustapha, lamented that the ICT field is male-dominated, which has discouraged the influx of girls.

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Ekiti gets biggest duck farm in West Africa

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KITI State is set to be home to West Africa's biggest duck farm.

In a statement made available to The Nation, Fountain Ducks Farms Limited will occupy over 70 hectares of land, employ 300 direct workers and produce about 16, 000 ducklings per day.

The initiator of the project and Managing Director of the farm, Rev. Gabriel Ayorinde, said, "Fountain Duck Farms will be a fully integrated agribusiness which will manufacture required feed in-house, install its own hatchery, with capacity to make poultry farms from neighbouring states benefit from its services."

The investors, who recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Fountain Holdings Limited, are currently inspecting sites to determine a choice location for the duck farm.

Ayorinde also said the ducks that will be imported from the United States of America and Europe are choice species identified as the best quality for eggs and meat production which will improve protein intake of Ekiti people and others.

According to Ayorinde, duck meat also has high export value and potential to generate foreign exchange thereby boosting the revenue of the state and Nigeria.

Ogun FRSC sensitises fleet operators

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

NEWS

By Tosin Adesile

HE Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Ogun State Command has held a workshop for fleet operators in Ogun State to address various issues associated with running of their business and the havoc recorded as a result of noncompliance to necessary directives. The state FRSC Sector commander, Mr. Micheal Adedeji in an opening address at the event, accused the fleet operators of carry out their businesses without following laid down rules.

To ensure safety of fleet operators, Adedeji revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the merger of all fleet operators under a new scheme christened Road Safety Standardisation Scheme (RTSSS).

In his speech, the Divisional Police Officer of Ibara Police Station, who was represented by Mr. Kunle Sowo, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, reiterated the readiness of the police in securing lives and property of fleet operators.

He advised representatives of fleet operators at the event to desist from leaving an accident scene without following appropriate measures.

While speaking with The Nation, Adedeji said the need to update the skills of the fleet operators and safety managers necessitated the workshop.

Insecurity: Hold leaders responsible, ASUU urges Nigerians T

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has attributed the security challenges facing the country to Nigerian leaders' inability to provide responsible governance and quality education in the country.

National President of the union, Dr. Nasir Fagge, made this assertion in his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 18th national delegates conference (NDC) of ASUU held at the University of Ibadan.

The ASUU boss also called for the overhaul of the country's economic model, which he noted, "allows for

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

wholesale stealing under the guise of privatisation."

He stressed, "The political landscape is increasingly becoming intolerant and desperate; this is unhealthy for the polity. We believe that the Nigerian people are not being presented with sufficient options to choose from. The same crops of crooks are recycling themselves from one party to another to scramble for power.

"We cannot keep doing the

same thing and expect a different result. The ruling elites have systematically edged-out the people from governance equation. This crop of looters in garb of rulers pretending to be leaders cannot create the Nigeria of our dreams.

"We have a huge burden of responsibility to raise the consciousness of the people to demand for power through a legitimate and transparent electoral process."

According to him, the socio-economic inequalities

arising from the pervasive corruption in the country have bred all sorts of tendencies and subcultures alien to Nigeria.

The ASUU boss pondered: "Why is it that our rulers are not only taking us for granted, but are openly contemptuous of us? Why is it that none of the arms of government in the country gives a damn about corruption and recklessness in our land?

Speaking further, Fagge listed the menace of Boko Haram, armed robbery, kidnapping and militancy, tribal/religious conflicts and electoral malpractices as the major challenges facing the country.

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (3rd right); Head of Information Security Engineering, Dr. Jamal-Karaki (2nd right); Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje (2nd left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mrs. Nike Animashaun (middle) and the Coordinator of the Oracle Academy, Mr. Atif Chowhan (right), during the visit of Fashola and his team to Abu Dhabi Polytechnic Institute of Applied Technology in the United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

'10,000 children trafficked yearly in Nigeria'

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HE Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan (UI), Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, has disclosed that no fewer than 10,000 children get missing annually in Nigeria due to human trafficking trade.

Bamgbose disclosed this while delivering the 2nd Grace Foundation Lecture entitled 'Child Trafficking: Creating A Hopeless Future for the Future Leaders' held at the University of Ibadan.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

She noted that in Nigeria, trafficking in persons thrive as a lucrative business, a development she noted, has earned the country the status of a source, transit and destination point for women and children subjected to trafficking.

Speaking further, Bamgbose revealed that human trafficking is facilitated by low literacy level, poor living conditions, limited access to

social services, including weak social and economic status especially of women and children.

The university don added, "The dynamics of human trafficking in Nigeria are geographical in nature and include internal trafficking and cross-border trafficking. The trans-boundary quality of human trafficking has made it a global menace forcing international cooperation measures among countries of the world,

including Nigeria, which has acquired a reputation for being one of the leading African countries in human trafficking."

Advising parents to stop using their children as means of making money, Bamgbose further noted that government must come up with a holistic approach to curb the menace of child trafficking in the country in order to give the Nigerian child a new hope and a brighter future.

Osun sets up Peace Resolution Commission

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HE Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has inaugurated the Peace Resolution Commission of Inquiry for the state.

Noting that maintenance of peace and orderliness are the twin objectives of his administration; the governor added that the new commission will examine cases of abuses and breach of the peace in the state.

Quoting from Section 2, subsection 1 of Cap 29 of the

state law which empowered the establishment of the Commission, Aregbesola said the protection of life and property is a constitutional provision and responsibility of every government.

Aregbesola said, "It was clear to me on assumption of office that maintenance of law and order will remain the bulwark and cornerstone of my administration.

"I also communicated

this to my party members through series of warnings that anyone who runs contrary to the laws of the land would be met with adequate punishment. It is this maintenance of law and order that has brought absolute peace we are enjoying in the state today.

"The former InspectorGeneral of Police and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr. Mike Okiro attested to the fact that Osun

State is the most peaceful state in Nigeria when he visited us a few months ago.

"By submitting to the rule of law as citizens, the responsibility behoves on the government to guaranty rights to life, employment, residency and freedom of religion and the likes.

"We have taken proactive measures in the past to ensure this and we are more conscious now as we approach election months.

Yoruba secondary school competition ends in Ekiti

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HE maiden edition of a Yoruba creative writing competition organised for secondary school students in Ekiti State ended last week with the state finals held in AdoEkiti, the state capital.

Tagged Idije Aroko fun

awon Akeko, the competition was organised by Diaspora Media, a communication outfit with the objective of restoring interest in language, culture, and tradition of Yoruba.

Praising the initiative, the state Commissioner of Educa-

tion, Mr. Kehinde Ojo, said the competition was in line with the regional integration aspiration of the Southwest states to strengthen the study of Yoruba in schools especially at the foundation stage.

The CEO of Diaspora Media,

Mr. Dele Morakinyo, said a prize-giving ceremony will hold soon in Ado-Ekiti.

He also expressed hope that more schools and local governments would participate in the next edition slated to hold next year.

Why Nigeria is afflicted with resource curse-Bishop Ladigbolu From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

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ENOWNED clergy, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu, has proffered reasons why the country's resources have been a curse than a blessing for her people.

Speaking with newsmen in Oyo, Ladigbolu stated that his assertion should not be misconstrued as a damning attack on what he described as a "hated social formation, but the reality that patriotic Nigerians and friends of the country must first of all accept that there is a problem with Nigeria before devising ways of helping the country."

Pointing out that Nigeria's stunted growth cannot be explained against the backdrop of her rich resource base, Ladigbolu noted that the country will only achieve her full potentials if sincere and committed leaders are at the helm of affairs.

He said, "It is unfortunate that the country is confronted with vicious networks of criminality, violence and drugs feed on a disenfranchised population and an uncontrolled territory. In a period of unprecedented wealth and invention, Nigerians have continued to be locked into living lives of misery without a stake in their country or any certainty about or control over their future."

The clergy lamented that the hegemony of corruption has enveloped the country, adding, "Within the possibilities that liberal democracy has to offer, and based on the principles of another development, it would be a strong social democratic direction that could introduce capital punishment for corruption, for example, and set about to legislate against the vices that are distorting the country's development."

On the poverty question, Ladigbolu, a retired Archbishop of the Methodist Church, posited that "it is the most dreadful single problem confronting the country."

Alayande College of Education gets new Provost

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YO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has approved the appointment of Dr. Razak Adefabi as the new Provost of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo. A statement issued in Ibadan on Friday by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Solomon Olaniyonu, also approved new principal officers for the institution.

Adefabi holds a First Class Honours in Economics (Education) and a Doctorate degree in Economics, specialising in Developmental Economics from the University of Ibadan.

Other principal officers are Mr. Ojetunde Sunday as the new Deputy Provost, while Mr. Teslim Adediran and Mr. Opasina Lukman Adeniyi were appointed as the new Registrar and Bursar respectively.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014 Gunfire erupts in Mali's Kidal ahead of PM visit

After huge win, next Indian PM begins victory lap

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HOUSANDS of people welcomed India's next prime minister in the capital yesterday after he led his party to a resounding election victory, with Narendra Modi flashing a victory sign to his supporters and telling them that the win "has created a new confidence among people."

Results announced Friday from the weekslong polls showed that Modi and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party had won the most decisive election victory India has seen in three decades, sweeping the long-dominant Congress party from power.

Yesterday, Modi was greeted by roaring crowds outside the BJP's headquarters in the heart of New Delhi, where he met with the party's leadership to discuss forming a new government.

The headquarters were festooned with garlands made of marigold flowers and multicolored balloons. Supporters blew conch shells, which traditionally mark the start of most Hindu rituals. As Modi walked toward the office, he was showered with rose petals.

In a country where elections usually result in cacophony rather than a single roar, Modi pulled off a mandate of staggering proportions, leaving him unfettered to pursue the agenda of economic revival and development that propelled him to victory.

What remains to be seen is how quickly Modi, who has ruled the western state of Gujarat since 2001, can match the enormous expectations he has created in an electorate that is hungry for change.

Defence minister among 14 dead in Lao air force plane crash

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HE Defence Minister of Laos was among 14 people killed yesterday when an air force plane crashed, rescue teams said.

The rescue team said three people survived.

The Russian-made Antonov plane went down in the northeastern province of Xiangkhuang while the crash killed the Defence Minister, Duangchay Phichit, and some notable citizens.

Duangchay was also a deputy Prime Minister and member of the Politburo of the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party.

Sources named other victims as Public Security Minister, Thongban Saengaphon, Vientiane Mayor, Soukan Mahalat and party propaganda chief, Chuang Sombounkhan.

The three men were senior members of the communist party's central committee. ``The bodies will be brought back to Vientiane today, meanwhile three people survived the crash,’’ an Aviation Department official said.

The group was en route to a ceremony marking the 55th anniversary of the 2nd Battalion's victory over royalist forces.

Report says Laos has been under communist rule since 1975.

* Bangladeshi relatives gather beside bodies recovered from the sunken ferry on the River Meghna in Munshiganj district, some 50 kilometres south of Dhaka yesterday. Anguished relatives protested a decision to stop searching for bodies of passengers they feared were trapped inside a ferry that sunk in central Bangladesh leaving at least 54 dead, police said.

AFP PHOTO

Turkish mine rescue winds up as death toll rises to 301

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ESCUE workers began winding up their operations yesterday after finding the bodies of two more miners, believed to be the last remaining in the mine, bringing the death toll in Turkey's worst industrial disaster to 301, the energy minister said.

Earlier a new fire broke out in the mine, hindering the rescue teams. Taner Yildiz said it had been extinguished and two more dead workers found. He said the numbers added up with the missing persons' information provided by families.

"The newly discovered workers will be brought up and given back to their families. If there is no further demand to us and, the information we have backs that up, then we will have finished our search work," he said.

However, he said rescue teams would first conduct a final

search throughout the mine before making a decision on ending the operation, four days after an initial fire sent deadly carbon monoxide coursing through it.

The disaster triggered angry protests across Turkey, aimed at mine owners accused of ignoring safety for profit, and at Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government, seen as too close to industry bosses and insensitive in its reaction to the tragedy.

Erdogan has presided over a decade of rapid economic growth but worker safety standards have failed to keep pace, leaving Turkey with one of the world's worst industrial accident records.

The frustrations boiled over in Soma on Friday as riot police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse several thousand protesters.

Overnight, demonstrators clashes with police in the western port city of Izmir, some setting up makeshift barricades and throwing stones and fireworks aimed at the police, Hurriyet newspaper reported. Some 40 people were detained.

There were also protests in Istanbul. Some residents in the city banged pots and pans from their windows, an act which was a feature of last summer's nationwide anti-government unrest.

The police intervention in Soma could add to public anger towards Erdogan. He survived mass demonstrations and a corruption probe into his government over the past year to remain Turkey's dominant politician, but now risks alienating conservative, working-class voters that form his party's base.

There was wide media cov-

erage of footage apparently showing Erdogan slapping a man as locals jeered his entourage when he visited Soma this week. The man, Taner Kurucan, said Erdogan had slapped him and told Kanal D TV he was then beaten by the prime minister's bodyguards.

His adviser Yalcin Akdogan accused "gang members" of provoking Erdogan's team as he went to meet mourning families. Anger was intensified by a photograph of an Erdogan aide kicking a protester held down by police special forces.

A group of students at the Istanbul Technical University occupied the mining faculty on Friday evening in protest at links between the university and the company which operates the mine - Soma Holding, the private Dogan news agency reported.

Record Balkan floods claim at least 20 lives

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ENS of thousands fled their homes yesterday in Bosnia and Serbia, evacuated by boat or helicopter as rising waters surged into villages and towns. Authorities said the record flooding killed at least 20 people and the death toll could rise further.

Meteorologists say the flooding is the worst since records began 120 years ago and is due to a three-month amount of rain that fell on the region in just three days.

Goran Mihajlovic from Serbia's Weather Center told

The Associated Press that such a rainfall happens once in 100 years.

In the eastern Bosnian town of Bijeljina, some 10,000 people were being evacuated Saturday after the rain-swollen Sava River pushed through flood defenses.

Mayor Mico Micic appealed for help, saying "we need everything, we are under water."

Officials in Bosnia say 12 people died and more bodies could emerge as water recedes from the dozens of cities flooded in the past three days. In some places, floodwaters had reached

the second floor of people's homes and they had to be rescued by helicopter from their roofs.

In Serbia, which saw eight deaths, emergency crews and soldiers were using boats and helicopters to rescue thousands trapped in the town of Obrenovac, near Belgrade.

Officials said more than 15,000 people have been evacuated so far from the flood-hit regions, most of them finding shelter in schools and sports halls.

The flooding in Obrenovac is threatening the Nikola Tesla

power plant, Serbia's biggest.

Plant capacity had already been cut after a nearby coal mine was flooded.

The rain eased in some parts yesterday but Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic told a press conference that new flood wave on the Sava River will hit this evening.

"Our primary concern is to protect the power plant," said Vucic. "We are doing all we can."

Thousands of volunteers have responded to government's appeal to help build up flood defenses along the Sava.

UNFIRE erupted between the Malian army and Tuareg separatists (MNLA) in the northern city of Kidal yesterday as the prime minister embarked on a trip there, according to a resident and an MNLA spokesman.

Mali's new Prime Minister Moussa Mara will land shortly in the city for the first time since his appointment last month as he seeks to revive long-delayed peace talks with armed groups seeking autonomy for a region of northern Mali they call Azawad.

Mali, a vast landlocked former French colony of 16 million in West Africa, descended into turmoil when Islamist fighters took advantage of a 2012 Tuareg-led rebellion and seized control of the country's north.

French troops drove back the Islamists last year, elections were held and a U.N. peacekeeping mission is rolling out.

Mara said on his Twitter feed yesterday he planned to depart for Kidal via the city of Gao. "This morning the army opened fire on our barracks.

They were the first to fire and they aimed at our position and we responded," said MNLA spokesman Attaye Ag Mohamed in Kidal, speaking over occasional bursts of gunfire.

A military source in Kidal who asked not to be named said the army was firing in the air and not at the MNLA site.

"There is not a direct fighting between the two sides, although the situation could evolve," he said.

China arrests Xinjiang station bombing suspects

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HINESE police have arrested seven people suspected of involvement in the train station attack and bombing last month in the western city of Urumqi, statebacked newspaper Global Times reported yesterday.

Three people were killed, including the assailants, and 79 wounded in a bomb and knife attack on April 30 at a station in Urumqi, the capital of China's far-west Xinjiang region, as President Xi Jinping was wrapping up a visit to the area.

Global Times said police caught seven people at a farm in Changji city and identified them as including two brothers, a cousin and wife of one of the assailants who was killed.

The suspects remain under investigation, the paper said.

Xinjiang authorities earlier identified the assailant as Sedierding Shawuti, a 39-yearold man from Xayar county in Xinjiang's Aksu region. His name could identify him as possible member of the Muslim Uighur minority.

The government called the attackers "terrorists", a term it uses to describe Islamist militants and separatists in Xinjiang who have waged a sometimes violent campaign for an independent East Turkestan state.

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Ropo Sekoni

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Page 14

Femi Orebe Page 16

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Does the president need help?

I’m afraid, he is the only one that can help himself tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

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T is not in my character to react to people’s comments. But I found the comment by Jide Ajani of Vanguard titled “Goodluck Jonathan: A president in need of help” quite interesting. The beautiful piece was published in the May 11, 2014 edition of Vanguard. The piece was a recap of the Presidential Chat of May 4 and the dinner that followed.

It is not that Ajani said anything that we did not know. But the beauty in his writeup is that what he said was not based on conjecture or wild imaginations, but an account of what took place at the president’s residence. When, for instance, we say Nigeria’s rulers are surrounded by sycophants, we tend to see the sycophants as some ghosts that mill around the seat of power, ever ready to sing the praise of whoever is in charge. This ‘dance-on-weare-solidly-behind-you orchestra’ is as old as the country’s seat of power; perhaps older. I cannot recollect any government where they did not feature; interestingly, they almost always have the ears of those in power. This means that our rulers love being deceived or flattered. The sycophants last so long in government while those who say it as it is don’t.

Those who have worked closely with some of our political rulers, including presidents, governors and even local government chairmen know that this is one of their worst challenges. A former governor in the south-west had an information and strategy team when he became governor.

For the better part of his first term, this team functioned well and was able to help the government, which also made the job easy for the team by its initial impressive performance. But decline set in when political considerations and petty ego took over, with sycophants making the governor to see only what he wanted to see.

There is no doubt that it takes the grace of God for one to be able to maintain a cool head while occupying certain influential positions. One will indeed pity these rulers when you see the caliber of people deceiving them (the rulers) usually for what to eat and sometimes for inexplicable reasons when one realises that some of the sycophants are men and women of means and not those of straw. Even many of us who only have the privilege of managing a few hundreds of people sometimes become something else with the little powers in our hands.

Most of us saw the last presidential chat and we rated it poorly as usual; vintage President Jonathan. But, according to Ajani, the president’s handlers hailed the performance. Hear him: “At the end of the two-hour session, the coterie of staff and a few friends were all smiles. ‘Mr. President, well done’; ‘Mr. President, that was a good one’; ‘Mr. President, that was great”. Those were the comments from virtually everyone around. So, you needed to do a reality check: Were these guys referring to the same media chat that had just ended; a chat that saw Mr. President avoiding some questions and instead launching into a series of expeditions? But then, you were quickly reminded that by Mr. President’s own stand-

•President Jonathan

ards, this was one of the best performances”.

Now, to specifics, quoting Ajani again: “On the question of corruption and the NNPC, President Jonathan missed some points. He did not need to attempt to define corruption and its relationship with stealing. He did not also need to drag the legislature into it – by saying he smelt legislative dictatorship in the conduct of the activities of the House of Representatives; he also did not need to attempt to draw a parallel between corruption, inflated pump-head price of petrol and the popular rally of January 2012.

“On the need to curtail the excesses of petroleum products’ marketers who are selling beyond the official rate, President Jonathan sounded very distant. There is the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, statutorily mandated to monitor activities in the sector.

But Mr. President first embarked on a voyage of disbelief; that he finds it difficult to believe that the claim was true; and that Nigerians were responsible for the serial inhumanity against fellow Nigerians. Then suddenly, Mr. President remembered that there was DPR which, he admitted, should begin to do its job”.

This is what Mr. President’s aides were commending. Curiously, Ajani singled out presidential spokesman Reuben Abati and Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information, as being different from the pack. Well, I do not know whether he merely said this to humour them because, I may not know Maku well but the Abati I knew would have written volumes and volumes of negative things about the Jonathan presidency if he is not involved. I said I do not know if he is humouring the duo because Ajani spoke of Maku in the same piece thus: “Watching our Information Minister on CNN, shouting and attempting to use decibel to break down their microphone smacks of panic response. Yet, I can bet you, as indecorous as that action may be, there would be some people in the Villa who would say, ‘Well done, Mr. Minister,’ ‘You did well, Mr. Minister’.

“Even if they are deceiving someone and those deceiving the person pretend not to know they are deceiving him, the person being deceived ought to know when he is being flattered. If your handlers say you had a great performance today and the next day, the media and other opinion moulders condemn the very thing they said was a scintillating performance, then you should know something is wrong somewhere. The worst disservice many Nigerian rulers do to themselves is to see every criticism as being politically motivated”

Of course, we do not need Ajani to tell us that people who commended this kind of terrible media chat were jesters. I have no problem with the president surrounding himself with jesters, but they must be quality ones and not those who “cracked jokes that were at once dry and unproductive”, as Ajani puts it.. With this kind of jesters in the Villa, the president’s sense of judgment in recruiting his aides or even choosing those around him becomes questionable.

Even if they are deceiving someone and those deceiving the person pretend not to know they are deceiving him, the person being deceived ought to know when he is being flattered. If your handlers say you had a great performance today and the next day, the media and other opinion moulders condemn the very thing they said was a scintillating performance, then you should know something is wrong somewhere. The worst disservice many Nigerian rulers do to themselves is to see every criticism as being politically motivated. If, for instance, any news medium said the president did well during that chat, that medium would be shooting itself in the foot. If it persists along that line in its treatment of matters from or concerning the Jonathan presidency, it is only a matter of time for that medium to begin to rely on crutches from the seat of power instead of its own integrity and professionalism for survival, and consequently consign itself to history. President Jonathan would be naive to think that the media can do well by reporting that he is doing well when even the blind can see that he is not. The media mirror the society even as they set the agenda.

Matters are not helped by President Jonathan’s kith and kin in the Niger Delta who believe that their ‘son’ is being vilified because of where he comes from. I find this sickening because the president has not just ‘naturalised’ as a south-south indigene; we knew he was from there when he was massively voted in in 2011. If today the music has changed or is fast changing, it has nothing to do with where the president comes from; it is more of a function of a people who are disappointed that the man they invested a lot of hope in three years back does not have an idea of how to solve any of the country’s multifarious problems.

Then the president’s wife, Patience. We know that there is little we can do concerning what God has joined together. We also know that love is thicker than water; even if Mr President has not done full disclosure by giving us an idea of how madam performs at the home front, her marital and conjugal duties and all, but we know her meddlesomeness in governance is unhelpful to her husband and the country.

One thing that President Jonathan should understand is that he cannot be doing the same thing the same way and expect a different result. I do not know if it is not late in the day for him to retrace his steps because if the perception of his government must change, then he has to do away with many of those aides that have been giving him the wrong feedback about how Nigerians rate him and his government. I know political exigencies and even the fear of missing their melodious even if ultimately injurious tunes may not make that possible. But the ball is in his court. As they say, ‘heaven helps those who help themselves’.

Chibok: #Let’s educate our girls

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By Ellen Racketien

F to educate means to give ‘Intellectual’ and ‘Moral’ instructions to someone, usually a child, then it is the responsibility of the society in which such children live to ensure their future generation are indeed, well educated, as a strategic tool of sustaining their economic and social security, for generations unborn. Many years ago, the United States was seen as the bedrock of intellectual education and the beacon of business and economic literacy to the rest of the world.

The last decade has seen an obvious shift of that trend, eastwards as more of the current generation of youths and children are, for the first time, open to the same technology platform as their counterparts in the West, but particularly the United States. As telecommunications frontiers has opened up, broadband makes for instant video calls across thousands of miles and across oceans, while the lightning speed fingers of Asian and African kids means talking to, contacting, sharing music with, or writing programs with their friends and relatives civilizations away in the US and Europe are just seconds, greetings, and perhaps a smile away these days.

Young boys and girls are a ready army into this very exciting trend and phenomena.

They have become bolder than their parents’ generation, more inquisitive than their older siblings, and even more daring that those who led just barely 24 hours earlier.

One such child is a young Nigerian Girl – 11 Year Old Zuriel Oduwole. There is nothing special about her. She plays, has dreams, does house chores, runs errands for her parents, fights with her younger sister occasionally, rides her bicycle, plays video games, except that on the side, she bothers and interviews world leaders about the need to expand Girls Education in Africa, and also makes documentaries to tell her African story. Zuriel has met with and interviewed 1 in 6 of Africa’s Presidents and Prime Ministers, has been featured in global magazines like Forbes, and appeared on global TV networks like the BBC. She held a first Lady’s Colloquy last month in Nigeria to find practical solutions to the issue of Girls’ Education, and one day, hopes to be President.

There is nothing special about what Zuriel is doing, or perhaps maybe there is. But the definitive issue is she is educated and is still being educated, at age 11. That is what the girls in Chibok Secondary school were doing – getting an education, before they were taken away against their will. They were very much in line with what Zuriel is fighting for – the continued education of the African Girl Child.

Nigeria’s economy is for all practical purposes, in the hands of [2] women – the minister of finance, and the minister of petroleum.

They are both very educated, and they were once the ages of Zuriel, and the Chibok Girls.

They had dreams, and are perhaps living their dreams as key figures in the Nigerian Government.

Zuriel has now added more leaders to her list of very impressive interviewees, which now includes the Prime Minister of St Vincent & The Grenadines – The Honorable Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, and the Prime Minister of St Kitts & Nevis – The Right Honorable Dr. Denzil Douglas. She is making the case for educating the Girls in the Caribbean region, having a few months ago already sat down with the Prime Minister of Jamaica – The Right Honorable Portia Simpson Miller. But how can she hold court with world leaders and global business leaders such as Aliko Dangote whom she has also interviewed, if she was not educated.

Let’s Educate our Girls, lets release ALL of Nigeria’s potentials. There are many Zuriel’s out there, waiting to lift the country to its fullest potential. For the sake of the hurting parents and their families, lets secure the release of the Chibok school girls, so they can contribute to the full development of the emerging African brand, called Nigeria.

Racketien wrote from United States

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

COMMENT

How close is Nigeria to federalism? (3) If the South is to take care of environmental challenges resulting from oil and gas exploitation, why can the North not find solutions to the problem of diminishing land for cattle grazing in the North?

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E concluded last week's piece on the note that the North's desire to make the current Centralism the defining character of the Nigerian State encouraged it to present a position paper that views the North as the major shareholder of the Nigerian State while the former Eastern and Western regions are minor shareholders. We added that constructing Nigeria as a space occupied by main and minor owners is, more likely than not, capable of threatening the national unity that the North seems eager to sustain.

Just about every page of the 46-page paper on "Northern Nigeria: The Back Bone and Strength of Nigeria" is marked by inflation of the self (the North) and deflation of the other (the South). The major motifs celebrate the North as the sole financier of Nigeria as a whole and of the South in particular. This self-adulation makes it easy for the North to claim that Nigeria is using the demand for resource control to victimize it, in order not to show appreciation for what the paper called the willingness of the North to sacrifice its own interests for the development of Nigeria: "The North sacrifices in resources and human life to develop the oil industry, and protect the Niger Delta from total eclipsing by the protagonist of the Biafra contraption."

Claiming further that the contribution of petroleum to Nigeria's economy is exaggerated, the North wants the country to remember that its contribution to agriculture is more substantial than the funds allocated to the region from petroleum earnings. For example, it claims that the funds allocated to the region's largest state, Kano, come to an average of N462 per person per month and that

it is other self-generated "sources that provide the bulk of the revenue for sustenance than the revenue received from the Centre." If Kano is able to generate more revenue than what it takes from the Federation Account, perhaps, the North needs to re-examine its opposition to federalism. Most proponents of federalism base their argument on the premise that subnational governments are in a better position to bring development to citizens.

With respect to contributions to the economy of the country and of states, figures for 2005 available at the Federal Ministry of Finance demonstrate that no other activity brings as much to the Federation Account as petroleum: 88.1% of revenue to the Federation Account came from mineral resources during the first four months of 2005. If this figure is accurate, this shows that the contribution to the federation account is not exaggerated and counters the North's claim about "fallacious assumption that oil is the major contributor to the national income." The North also needs to examine some other points about federal allocation to states. For example, in November 2013 revenue allocation to the regions is as follows: North West N28,330.739.1; North East N21,366.583.3; North Central N25,935,033.7 with the North earning 56.9% while the South earns N132, 727,401.15 43.02% distributed as follows: SS N19,989.106.9, South East N16, 433.120.2; and South West N20, 672.818.3.

In addition, Local governments during the same month in 2013 received the following allocations: North West N34,269,981.8, North East N21,387,387.1, North Central N23,250,883 adding up to N78,908.252.6 2, or 54.9% in contrast to the following allocations to the South: South-South N21,684,502, South East N16,404.741.38, South West N26,856.234.4 with a total of

N64,945.477.98 or 45.1%. If these figures from the Federal Ministry of Finance are accurate, then the oil-producing areas are making substantial contribution to the development of the North in a way similar to the North's claim that it made substantial contributions to the development of the South between 1914 and 1946.

The North's desire for further strengthening of the current Centralist constitution, designed to provide additional advantages to the "owner of 80% of the country's land mass" appears to have forced the North to accommodate a lot of omissions and contradictions in its "Key Issues before the Northern Delegates to the 2014 National Conference." One of such omission is the North's claim that it helps the economy of the South by sending cattle to the region.

Was the North not paid for the cattle it sent to the South? When the North claims to have contributed cattle tax revenue to the federation account, it must have forgotten that it was the buyers of the cattle sent from the North to the South that paid such taxes, along with the cost of the cattle supplied to the region. A similar omission is the claim by the North that it supplies agricultural produce to the South, as if it gives such produce to the South free of charge.

One contradiction is the North's call for an immediate end to all forms of special initiatives for the South: Ministry of Niger Delta, NNDC, at the same time that the North calls for special assistance from the federal government for agriculture in the North. How is the call for special grazing corridors and reserves all over the federation for cattle farmers from the North devoid of special initiatives for the benefit of the North? If the South is to take care of environmental challenges result-

ing from oil and gas exploitation, why can the North not find solutions to the problem of diminishing land for cattle grazing in the North? Modern animal husbandry methods in other countries have put a stop to any form of nomadic cattle breeding.In addition, the claim by the North that the federal government has abandoned funding for agriculture in the North is not supported by what has been spent on agriculture as parastatals' expenditures so far in 2014: N17.166.3 million or 57% of total expenditure in contrast to N12.850.1 million or 42.8% in the South. The ratio of expenditures on water resources shows that N12.307.2 million or 62.9% of federal funds has been spent in the North while N7 million or 37.1% has been spent in the South.

The North's demand "that Traditional Rulers should be accorded specific responsibilities with commensurate delegated authority for security management" and for inclusion of "traditional institutions at national, state and local levels in the areas of religion, security, and immigration matters" assumes that Nigeria is no longer neither a secular State nor a Republic. Furthermore, by invoking the 1999 Constitution to support the North's claims, the region forgets that it is the flaws in the 1999 constitution that necessitate National Assembly's efforts to amend the constitution as well as the convening of the ongoing national conference

by President Jonathan.

For the sake of sustaining the country's unity, it is necessary for all the regions to avoid self-celebration and denigration of other regions in their position papers at a conference that is charged to find ways to enhance the country's unity and make it sustainable.

COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

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Lucky but shameless Convict Igbinedion runs his mouth because, by plea bargaining, he escaped rotting in gaol

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UCKY Igbinedion’s insulting crows in the media of late clearly shows the evil of legal technicality and the dysfunction of plea bargaining in the face of worsening sleaze and corruption.

Igbinedion, convict and best forgotten former governor of Edo State, has suddenly found his voice. He is no thief, he brazenly says in a new media campaign swing, simply because the state he allegedly raped was too poor to be stolen from!

Disingenuous, isn’t it?

But it is not Igbinedion’s fault. It is the fault of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). EFCC abandoned a 191-count charge of alleged sleaze to hastily settle for Igbinedion’s guilty plea for not declaring the cash in an account no: 4124013983110, with an unnamed new generation bank, contrary to the provision of Section 27 (3) of the EFCC Act 2008. In exchange, Igbinedion plea-bargained to forfeit the N3.5 million in that account.

So, by that stroke of what looked like legal legerdemain, Igbinedion escaped gaol on December 17, 2008, in Justice Abdul Kafarati’s court, even if the convict was a pitiful sight in the dock before the great escape.

Six years on, the convict has suddenly found his voice! In decent societies, even lucky outcasts should know when and how not to talk.

Igbinedion may have been lucky to escape the monumental gaol his alleged humongous sleaze, if proven, should have fetched him.

But he is still a convict. So, he should not delude himself that he could go on a media binge to say whatever he likes, within the ambit of the law.

That is the confine of spotless citizens, which Igbinedion is not.

Indeed, what Igbinedion said and how he said it were most insulting and unconscionable. Even

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S Ogun State prepares to host F FitsF second F F F FInF vestors Forum between 21st and 22nd May, 2014, I believe so strongly that there is need to give the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration a pat on the back for the manner it is going about fulfilling its avowed electoral promise of industrialisation and employment generation for residents.

The watchword of the state government is a picture of the fact that, ‘if you keep doing things the same way, you will keep getting the same result.’

Hence, its approach to governance in the last three years has brought about several laurels and awards both locally and internationally, including the fastest growing economy in Nigeria, the architect of the new Ogun as well as consecutively adjudged the most secured state in the country.

The provision of security of lives and properties, which is a duty of government, is paramount in changing the economic face of a state or nation.

Even President Goodluck Jonathan last year referred to Governor Ibikunle Amosun as ‘a hardworing governor’ at the inauguration of a mega company. He also once said Ogun is the only place he had visited most, not for fun fare, but for inauguration of

the matter of his conviction: if his motives were pure, why did he, like a petty criminal, try to hide that he had N3.5 million in an account in his name? Selective amnesia? Or petty but stupid lying?

And the scandalous evocation of the Zairean Mobutu in the local Edo economy! Like Mobutu, the monumental thief who loaned his country money from the trove he had looted from it, Lucky claimed he borrowed money from certain individuals to run his bankrupt state!

Are these individuals then richer than a state with monthly allocations from the Federation Account, aside from locally raised revenue? By the way, were these loans receipted? What interest rates were paid on them — or were they interestfree, coming from super-benevolent patriots to a failed and banana state? And how did the patriotic prodigal repay the debt, after eight useless years in office — or was there patriotic debt forgiveness?

Whatever direction, Igbinedion’s claims stink — and he ought to be thoroughly ashamed of himself.

Curiously enough, after Igbinedion’s tenure of infamy and the sorry bid of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to rig in a successor to

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

•Editor Festus Eriye •Deputy Editor Olayinka Oyegbile •Associate Editors Taiwo Ogundipe Sam Egburonu

•Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye

cover his notorious tracks collapsed, new Governor Adams Oshiomhole suddenly found the golden pot the prodigal Igbinedion could not find in eight years!

Now, how does the scion of Edo feel driving on the enhanced roads and other renewed infrastructure of Benin, his hometown — like some useless child who, with contempt, points at his ancestral home with his left index finger?

Indeed, the alleged sleaze from which Igbinedion is trying childish pranks to distance himself, simply because he escaped gaol, is not unlike what the Jewish would call chutzpah: a child commits parricide by killing both of his parents. Yet, he has the satanic nerves to plead with the court to please set him free, simply because he is an orphan!

It was clear to anyone that the Igbinedion gubernatorial era was a disaster. He neither had the temper nor the gravity to be a governor of legacy. Indeed, a tale made the round after his first term about his father, the Esama, reportedly pleading that even if his son had not done well — which was so clear he hadn’t — at least he should earn a chance for a re-sit, like a failed university student! It was probably an apocryphal tale. But it did capture the spirit of Lucky Igbinedion’s unlucky era of waste and purposelessness.

Of course, Igbinedion is well established in the infamous class of the PDP era in several states: Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo, Oyo, Osun — worthless governors who claimed there was no money to deliver services, only to be proved wrong by their immediate successors.

Between Igbinedion and Oshiomhole, the Edo people know who has raped and who has served them. Igbinedion should find other ways to exhibit his guilt complex, when his conscience tells him he should be in gaol. He should stop insulting the rest of us with his tales by the moonlight.

LETTERS

Industrialising Ogun State multi-national companies.

Speaking at the opening of the United States’ largest investment in Nigeria, Procter and Gamble, located at Agbara, Ogun State, which is expected to provide 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, President Jonathan affirmed that ‘Ogun is the most industrialised state in Nigeria.’

It is pleasant to note that this was the 43rd mega company to arrive the Gateway State in less than three years.

So, I’m not surprised that the up and doing Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Abimbola Ashiru, also pointed out that nineteen more companies had concluded arrangements to start business in the state this year.

It is no news that the current administration at inception held an investors’ forum to attract investors as well as breakfast meeting with investors with the governor in attendance and captains of industry while a routine visit to various companies across the state as a way of sustaining the good rapports is ongoing.

This year’s edition, as stated by the government, would be an avenue to show-

ancient Gateway State from the 19th Century to 21st Century.’’ These were the words of Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo during the opening of the state’s first flyover on 24th January, 2014.

Today, flyover is no longer strange to us in Ogun.

It has now berthed in Sagamu, Ijebu Ode Expressway, Ijebu-Ode town, Sapon and Itoku areas of Abeokuta while three are also being constructed on the 32km Sango-Akute-Ojodu road under construction. Road construction projects are also on-going in Ayetoro town, 107km Ilara-Ijoun-Oja/

case the comparative advantage the Gateway State has over others in Agriculture.

It is no news that Ogun is the highest producer of cassava in the country aside the fact that its soil is one of the best for cocoa, cotton, rubber and several other cash crops.

Investors from several parts of the country and beyond would converge on Abeokuta, the state capital, see the opportunities that abound in doing agricultural business in the Gate-

way State.

As a way of encouraging corporate organisations and individuals to keep up the tempo, a few days ago, the state government honoured faithful tax payers at both corporate and individual levels and assured that it will not relent in using taxes judiciously on laudable projects.

Apart from creating a secure, enabling environment for business to thrive, “the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration has aggressively transformed the

WENT through the papers and the interview granted to Evangelist Matthew Owojaiye struck me.

I saw in the papers that the principal said the data of the students were destroyed by the sect. I want to remind the principal as well as the entire globe certain cogent points.

I registered WAEC 2014 for my school and I will like the principal to remember that the validation list of all the candidates registered for this year’s WAEC examination is still currently on the website of WAEC. All the school needs to do is contact the exam officer who regis-

Still on the Chibok girls’ list

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tered to print out the validation list.

WAEC started her offline registration this year – software was used without the internet that stored all students’ data usually installed on a system to prevent errors. The list can be got from that offline CD too.

More so, all schools have submitted the duplicate of the photo album to the WAEC office nearest to them.

The school can contact WAEC for the photo album Furthermore, Tuesday 13th, May is CRS and some exams are still on, we can get

the names in batches.

Getting these names published will help us know those we are looking for and furthermore show the sincerity of the Nigerian government. Every wellmeaning Nigeria wants these girls back.

This politics is getting out of hand; the principal must do as his conscience leads.

Oni, Afolabi Ajibola English Language/Literature Teacher Debiruss College, LekkiEpe Express Way.

Odan-Tombolo, as well as Ilisan/Ago-Iwoye Road, Mowe-Ofada road, Magboro Road, Channels Television Road, among others.

These, no doubt, are strange feats to the state which used to be at the centre of uproar and crisis.

However, unemployment is one of the major problems bedevilling the Nigerian nation. And one lasting dividend of democracy that could be given to the man on the street is job opportunity.

Unfortunately, our practice in Nigeria is more of giving the masses fish to eat rather than teach them fishing. An idle man, they say, is the devil’s workshop.

The Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in The Report Nigeria 2013, Page 43, a publication of Oxford Business Group, pointed out that, ‘unemployment is at 23.9% with youth unemployment at around 37%. In the north-east of the country, where Boko Haram thrives, unemployment is worse, reaching 35% in Yobe and Adamawa.’

If concerted efforts are in place at all levels of government to engage people in productive service, our country would in no distant time become a ‘Mecca’ for all to visit.

Femi Onasanya Abeokuta, Ogun State

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COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Ekiti and Osun: Nigeria’s make or mar elections The fear today is that rigged elections in any part of the Yoruba homeland could provoke Yoruba reactions that could escalate into horribly wider conflicts beyond election protests

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T has been the unalterable position of this writer that the Jonathan presidency’s main pre occupation with the 2015 presidential election is now how to vitiate the votes of key opposition geo-political zones, where elections hold at all, because as things stand today, the arithmetic, going by the population of each zone, is a major source of concern to it. These include the North West where there are now increased waves of reciprocal mass killings between groups that have, like forever, lived together in peace; the North East which, no thanks to years of internal misrule, has played into their hands by birthing the ferocious Boko Haram and, of course, the South west, which must reckon as the greatest obstacle to Jonathan’s 2015 ambitions. To take care of the Southwest, not only has the presidency assembled the usual political outcasts in the region, it has successfully breached what was hitherto an impregnable regional elders’ redoubt with the result that men you could count on a few years back have completely sold out.

The above scenario, especially in the Southwest, has yielded circumstances so bewildering a very respectable, completely apolitical Yoruba Diasporan Think Tank, the OODUA FOUNDATION, whose members are drawn from academics and the professions, and residing in various countries across the globe but with its international headquarters in the state of Delaware, United States of America, has cried out to draw attention to the likely, very grave consequences of allowing

the holders of federal power assume that it is part of their prerogative to rig elections in any part of Nigeria.

Yoruba resistance to the federal acts of electoral fraud in the Yoruba homeland has produced some of the most serious uprisings in the history of independent Nigeria. Their epic threemonth uprising against the federally backed rigging of their Western Region’s election in October 1965 was responsible for destroying the first government of independent Nigeria and ushering in the first Nigerian military coup and military dictatorship. Because the Nigerian federal rulers, agencies and officials have continued, nevertheless, to disregard Yoruba cultural sensitivities in the matter of elections, they have, in the years since 1966, pushed the Yoruba into many other serious acts of resistance. The fear today is that rigged elections in any part of the Yoruba homeland could provoke Yoruba reactions that could escalate into horribly wider conflicts beyond election protests.

On aggregate, the Southwest is about the only peaceful area in Nigeria today. It’s well-known culture of religious tolerance, and openhanded hospitality to, and smooth inclusion of, foreigners into society, has for decades made the Southwest the destination of most Nigerians fleeing from their poorer, insecure, or conflict-rattled homelands. For decades, Nigeria has increasingly experienced conflicts, violence, high crimes, inter-ethnic and religious blood-letting in most of its regions.

These have reached a peak today, especially with the killings and devastation carried out by Boko Haram. More and more, the picture is that Nigeria lacks the capability to control these violent troubles.

Finally, we serve notice that we are hereby taking this important matter to

the attention of the most important members of the international community – in particular to the United Nations, the European Union, the African Union, and the Foreign Ministers of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, Japan and Canada”.

It is just as well that authentic Yoruba opinion molders, not some concentrated political outcasts and their newly acquired collaborators, have spoken. President Jonathan can, in all ‘innocence’, claim he knows nothing of all these shenanigans but we know their antics too well to be deceived all over again. We know, for instance, that those who announced their willingness to invest their billions in this looming ‘electoral heist’ are already, as has become the norm in the politics of their part of Yoruba land, in agreement with INEC and key security officials, to make available to them for use in the two elections, only those electoral officers and security agents who will be prepared to swear to oaths, probably lying naked in coffins, after which they will be handed huge bribes.

I would like to conclude by saying that given the circumstances in which the misuse of our security forces by the likes of the Minister of State for Defence has resulted in the United States, for instance, reportedly becoming rather reluctant to share intelligence with the entire Nigerian security architecture, it is hoped that the Commander-in-Chief will think twice before deploying our soldiers, especially, and policemen to unwholesome election duties in Ekiti and Osun states given the utmost certainty that such unedifying assignments will further compromise our military and bring our country to further ridicule in the international community. I think the Boko Haram war front is too bloody and sickening enough to dare open another with its ramifying consequences

The Kalabalge effect

is vengeance. The outcome of selfhelp is often chaos and anarchy, that of the law is a disciplined society.

Unfortunately, due to various failures across the board, Nigeria is moving into the uncertain sphere of self-help. When people began to forage around for their own electricity using all kinds of contraptions that spelt doom for the hearing of their neighbours and the breath in their own nostrils, the government kept mum and left them alone. Ditto for water. I bet you that seismologists cannot give Nigeria a clean bill of health now on account of the uncountable wells and boreholes that have been sunk irreverently across the land to provide water for the self. Yep, thanks to you and I, the ground under Nigeria is well and truly prepared for all kinds of quakes and tremors. As with electricity and water, so it is now with security. The people have taken to looking out for themselves, and the government should really be worried because it signifies a gradual descent to anarchy.

Anarchy is when there is a total loss of grip on governance. Then anything goes. I tell you, disorder is when the Kalabalge people can kill their attackers but the police dares not even approach the place to arrest them for murder. In the first place, those poor youths should not have had to soil their hands with such a heinous deed if the police or army did their work. In the second place, even the army is now helpless in that enclave for many reasons.

We should note two things. The Kalabalge people might need to vacate their village for a while for fear of a retaliatory attack by the bloodthirsty nihilists. The government also needs to bring things back under control before self-help takes over the streets or else no one will be able to predict where that might lead.

history repeat itself in the region. In its clarion call dated 4, May 2014 and titled DO NOT START VIOLENT CONFLICTS IN THE YORUBA SOUTHWEST OF NIGERIA, the group, in a powerful 1500-word statement that would have to be paraphrased here for lack of space, declared as follows: “We are alarmed by the trends that we see in the politics of our homeland in Nigeria. We discern a truculent resoluteness to foment very tangled violence in our homeland in southwestern Nigeria in the months ahead. We Yoruba are an ancient civilisation; we had lived for over a thousand years in well-organised kingdoms and cities before the coming of European colonialism at the end of the 19th century.

We command the cultural capability to change our rulers smoothly by conducting free and fair elections. In the decade before Nigeria’s independence, when the British overlords allowed all sections of Nigeria to elect their rulers, we ran free, fair and decent elections and became the pace-setter in the development of democratic politics in Nigeria. We became the first people in Africa to institute universal Free Education for our children, and the first people in Africa to make television available to our people. Our politicians are more than able to compete peacefully and responsibly at elections, to responsibly accept the outcomes of free and fair elections, and then to go on to give our people competent and accountable leadership and governance.

Since independence in 1960, we have constantly demanded that we be allowed to run the free and fair elec-

tions that the masses of our people desire. In resistance to the crudely and violently fraudulent elections that have become the dominant and abiding character of Nigerian politics, many of our youths lose their lives at every election. We want this kind of loss of lives at elections to end in our nation. In particular, we are desperate to ensure that, in the State elections that will come in our homeland between now and August, the machinery of federal power at the disposal of some powerful politicians will not be able to bring electoral fraud and its usual consequences over our homeland.

From various directions and sources, indications seem to be accumulating that the Yoruba homeland of southwestern Nigeria could be heading towards serious, cataclysmic, violence. This is easy to discern in the tortuous electoral politics being generated among the people, the worried looks among the people, their utterances, and their numerous writings in countless outlets.

The immediate backdrop to this picture is the approach of gubernatorial elections in two of the six Yoruba states of the Southwest in June and August 2014. The historic background is that the Southwest is the part of Nigeria where the common people have had, since the independence of Nigeria in 1960, to put up stiff, often violent, resistance to the brutal rigging of their elections by federal electoral agencies and officials, which acts of electoral fraud have often occasioned bloody conflicts, death and ruin.

Owners of an ancient political culture that was based on orderly selection of rulers, the Yoruba people of Southwest Nigeria have demonstrated uniquely high regards for free, fair and orderly elections in modern times. Unfortunately, they belong to a federal Nigeria in which

As with electricity and water, so it is now with security: the people have taken to looking out for themselves. This signifies a gradual descent to anarchy

R

EADER, these days, events appear to be tumbling over each other to be the first to break out. So, we heard about the soldiers who mutinied and shot at their commanding officer because that one somehow stood in the way of the soldiers’ remunerations for putting their lives literally on the firing line in defense of their country against the boko haram. Ha! As if we did not see that coming. Then, if you are a philistine like me, you’ll love the hearty news that came to break the clouds of despair and torpidity over our inability to bring back home the Chibok girls kidnapped about four weeks ago by the same ideologically vacuous boko haram. The village of Kalabalge dared to hold out against that gun-toting group because it was determined not to go down fighting.

Forewarned of an impending attack by the boko haram, the villagers gathered all the weapons of war they could muster, such as sticks, and resisted the insurgents, killing many among them. That really brought home the meaning of the phrase ‘to be forewarned is to be forearmed’.

Honestly, I learnt a few lessons from that Kalabalge story. First, it taught me that in any engagement, it is not the sophistication of my armoury that matters but the sophistication of my will power over the situation. This means essentially that I should cease to despair henceforth

when there is a coincidental emptiness in my pot and purse. With a great deal of will power, I can command a surprising effect greater than that of Kalabalge: I can get fish from my neighbour’s fishpond to jump into my pot by hook, crook or persuasion.

Have you ever tried to fish? Apart from the fact that you can sit for an entire day and catch nothing or a tiny thing, think about the cramps to your ol’ legs. Think about the time wasted.

Think about the time you sit there with all kinds of thoughts chasing each other around your head like little monsters on legs called children; think about all the deadlines you are failing to meet because you are on a fishing expedition, all the appointments you are failing to keep, the people you are failing to see as you sit there all alone… Ah, you realise, that is the life!

Let me tell you the story of one fish that failed to swallow the hook, line and sinker thing. One kind neighbor once brought me some big fish. As soon as the fish was being transferred to another container, it leapt out and found escape from the basket, slam dunk on the kitchen floor! To get the fish back became a life and life struggle between man and fish. The man attempted a trillion times to retrieve the slithery thing while bending down but the fish found it easier to slide off every-

where across the wet kitchen floor.

The crook! Eventually, the thirtyminute dance ended when it occurred to the man to cover the fish with a big cloth. Blinded, the poor thing stopped all struggles. It was downright lucky for my kitchen floor that he had his brain with him; the man that is, not the fish; and, on its part, when it was blindfolded, the fish was willing to be persuaded.

Secondly, the Kalabalge story taught me that you don’t have to grin and bear it, especially pain. Now look here, these boko haram fellows have been on a war path with the rest of the country over… nothing! Seriously! Worse, innocent people in the region are being killed while the warmongers are figuring out a good reason for killing them, and that’s just so unfair. Like someone said, if he is going to die, there must be a good reason: cancer is one powerful reason; diabetes is perhaps another very powerful reason if one is a little careless; so is hypertension, etc. What is definitely not a good reason to die is boko haram, for the entire lot does not make good sense. So, there is no more sitting, grinning and bearing it, according to these Kalabalge people.

Good for them, I say. If only that philosophy could be taught to the entire region as it has been taught to me. Now, no more will I grin and bear this constant cut in electricity. I will no longer moan and sit in sadness. I have decided to whip out my own weapon of mass resist-

ance in the shape of a thick, avenging stick of candle.

You would think here are the Kalabalge people and many others fighting for their lives, and there is my unholy self making jokes over their plight. No, not so. This is an attempt to celebrate what these people have done and hope others can do the same. However, we must sound a note of caution. Have you noticed the rate at which people are taking to self-help now? Whew, the thing is a wild fire now. Across different cities including mine, people are being lynched on suspicion of being kidnappers. All it takes is one cry of ‘Help, kidnapper’ and people’s anger foams and froths out quicker than you can say ‘Police’. It does not matter if the victim is a creditor come to collect his debt.

Before you know it, the victim is down, beaten to a pulp before being set ablaze by everyone in general and no one in particular. This is called self-help, and what a dangerous thing.

There has always been an antithetical relationship between selfhelp and the law. Where one works, the other cannot. Self-help derives its powers from exigencies whereas the law derives its powers from laid down procedures. Self-help considers the interest of the holding party only whereas the law takes the interest of every party into consideration. Whereas the motive of the law is supposed to be justice for everyone, the motive of self-help

COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

17

(65) On really bad days, electricity goes for only about five hours: ambiguous thoughts on an enclave of light in a sea of miasmic darkness

I

SWEAR it. For a very, very long time, I have been meaning to write about this experience that I share with neighbours at my part of Oke-Bola in Ibadan: we have electricity supply nearly all the time, day and night, day in and day out, from week to week and month to month.

And this has been going on for more than three years now. We are, you might say, an enclave of light in a sea of darkness that surrounds us once you get past an invisible line that separates us from Oke-Ado and other areas of the city along the Ijebu Bypass Road that leads out of Ibadan toward Lagos going by the old route that goes right through the city. It has been on my mind for a long time now to write about this experience in this column, but somehow, I have never got round to doing so until now.

I hesitate to say why I have not written about this experience even though I have been dying, metaphorically speaking, to write about it. I hesitate because I am frankly embarrassed by the reason. For the truth is that I have been somewhat superstitious, feeling rather irrationally that once I write publicly about it, then perhaps our great privilege in enjoying stable and regular power supply when other major areas and sections of the city are in darkness most of the time, will disappear.

When you live in a country where very few good things happen, a country where life, daily life is very hard, very challenging for nearly everyone rich and poor, if one good thing happens and keeps happening, you worry deep down that it can’t and won’t last. More pointedly, you worry that if you talk about the good thing happening consistently to you and your neighborhood, if you as it were broadcast it to the whole world, then it will be taken away from you.

Well, at last, I am writing about it now, superstition be damned! But getting rid of the superstition is easy, what of the myriad of other ambiguous feelings and thoughts that go with this unique privilege that I and my neighbours enjoy?

Before I get into this question, it is perhaps necessary to give some real-life context for the discussion.

You see, about six years ago, power supply in our neighborhood was as bad as anywhere else in Ibadan or in the country for that matter, with the exception of course of Aso Rock Villa and the Mansions of the Executive Governors of the states of the federation. The situation was so bad that I bought, at different times, three electricity generators. One was very large and could carry everything in my own small household and also keep the borehole that met our water needs running. The second generator was of medium scale and could keep all power-driven equipments and appliances working, with the exception of electric cookers and my microwave oven. The third and smallest generator was used to keep appliances like the fans, the radio and

•Ibadan in darkness

the television set running when NEPA struck, as it did all the time. On top of the three generators, I also invested in an inverter that was a sort of standby for the times when neither NEPA nor the generators were of any use. For sometimes, all the generators broke down from overuse.

Discovering this, I bought the inverter so that when NEPA and the generators colluded with one another and plunged my house into darkness and unbearable heat, I could turn to the saving grace of the stored power in the inverter.

That was about six years or so ago.

Things were so bad then in my neighborhood with power outages as in nearly all other neighborhoods in Ibadan and the country - that I even wrote about it in a series in this column which was then appearing in The Guardian on Sunday under a slightly different name. I wrote about it with some self-deprecating, selfdirected irony in investing so heavily in generators and an inverter just so as to have the basic necessities of life in the 21st century. In the series, I wrote that all that investment in generators and an inverter was made not just for ease and comfort but because in my line of work, I have to have power supply all the time. This is because I read, write and do research nearly all the time. I must keep up

with the state of knowledge in my fields of academic expertise and I must stay in touch with my students through the internet. This is true for all academics, at least the dedicated ones among them. And as a dedicated academic, when and if you’re prevented by power outages from doing your work, especially repeatedly and endlessly, you begin to, as the saying goes, “lose it”.

In that same series about six years ago, I also wrote that having three generators and an inverter constituted only a part of something much larger and more portentous that was gradually happening nearly everywhere in our country without anyone paying much attention to it and pondering its consequences. Simply stated, I said that nearly every household in the country was gradually turning into a municipality in itself and for itself: you generate and supply your own electricity; you supply your own water through boreholes; you provide your sanitation services by contracting the collection and disposal of your waste and garbage through private contractors. And you even supply your own safety and security needs by hiring night guards and watchmen. In my youth and up to my young adulthood when I taught at the Universities of Ibadan and Ife, all these were municipal services that

were met by public utilities and law and enforcement agencies. God bless the old PDW, the Public Works Department!

Erratic and inadequate power generation and supply was at the base of that extreme and compulsory atomization and privatization of municipal services in our country. The cost in value added production to the economy is incalculable. The cost in needless, avoidable lack of human comfort, safety and security is simply beyond calculation. For those among us who in the course of our professional lives travel a lot around the world, it is extremely burdensome to come back again and again to one’s country to find daily life under the bondage of erratic and inadequate power supply. The private power generators are at work nearly all the time and are contributing their own share to the excessive noise pollution that reigns in our country.

Night life, civilized, recreational night life in Ibadan has more or less disappeared. Not too long ago, Eddie and Bene Madunagu and I had cause to drive from one end of the city to another late at night because we had stayed too long in a visit to a friend.

As we rode through the city, we all fell silent, awed by the sense that we were travelling through a ghost city, everyone indoors, nearly every area

we passed through enveloped by a darkness that was so pristine, so miasmic that it felt as if we were back to the beginnings of time before creation. At last Bene broke the silence and asked me, “BJ, are we still in Ibadan”?

My neighborhood in Oke-Bola is in Ibadan and we are in a state of euphoria because we have power supply most of the time, and nearly round the clock. On the bad days, the really bad days, electricity goes for at most five to six hours. And this has been the case, the reality for about three years now. I think I speak for everybody in the neighborhood when I say that while we are very happy that we are enjoying this euphoric privilege of having constant and regular power supply most of the time, we are not sure how long it will last. To tell the truth, we are all doubtful that it will last.

In our country, hope and faith are not based on the assurances of the realities and amenities of 21st century civilization; they are based on the mantra that “God is in control, IJN”! In the face of the great uncertainties and hardships that the great majority of our peoples everywhere in the country face on a routine basis, hope and faith cannot be pinned on the performance of government and the utilities - unless and until people experience good performance as a constant, invariant reality.

So, I am sure that I will be hearing from some of my neighbours after this essay appears in print. I can well imagine what they will be saying to me. “Ah, Professor, why have you written about this matter in your column? Why are you drawing attention to us? You want them to come and take it away from us? Don’t you expect that other neighborhoods will protest and NEPA or PHCN will have to take it away so that they don’t appear to be practicing favoritism to one area and dishing out discrimination and deprivation to other areas?” Well, I am preparing myself for such queries from my neighbours. Good fortune – if our constant and regular power supply is indeed a happenstance of good fortune – should not be hoarded and kept to oneself, one’s community only; it should be shared by all and for the benefit of everybody. Every religious faith and every secular ethical system preaches that profoundly humanistic expression of generosity of spirit. Le there be light – to every neighborhood, every corner of the land.

Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

18

COMMENT

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Tragedy of massacre politics

W

E kneel and pray for the safe return of the over 230 schoolgirls recently abducted from Chibok, Borno State by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. We applaud the pledge by foreign nations to help find the girls and perhaps stop the Boko Haram menace. Our civil societies hold press conferences to pressure the government to rescue the girls.

Our politicians hurl empty broadsides at each other over the incident for political capital.

Sadly, much of this populist energy is a reductionism of Chibok, a catastrophe foretold.

Chibok is only a metaphor for our country’s long history of violence in the form of abductions, kidnappings and massacres. It is an allegory of the morbid harvests arising from political chicanery and corruption. To stop the bloody cycles of violence and win against terror, we must have the political will to stop corruption, organise citizens’ resistance and enforce laws to put paid to the bloodletting. But first we must do critical self-analysis.

Wikipedia lists 25 massacres in Nigeria since 1966. I think that is a conservative figure. Two of the massacres were in southern Nigeria and executed by soldiers on defenceless citizens. On October 7, 1966, Murtala Mohammed, who later became Nigeria’s military head of state, led federal troops to round up and shoot some 500 defenceless males in cold blood in Asaba, Delta State. On November 20, 1999, hundreds of men, women and children were massacred by soldiers on the orders of yet another head of state, General Olusegun Obasanjo, as retaliation for the alleged killing of some security agents by some Niger Delta militants. These are clear examples of how state power is perversely used on citizens.

The other 23 massacres are in northern Nigeria and executed not by soldiers but civilian religious zealots who routinely massacre southerners, particularly the Igbos and Christians, destroying homes, schools and churches for reasons as trifling as crises in foreign Islamic countries or allegations of blasphemy against Islam.

On 4th May 2014, Abubakar Shekau, the Boko Haram leader, proclaimed:

“I

AM going to marry out any woman who is twelve years old, and if she is younger, I will marry her out at the age of nine. I am the one who captured all those girls and will sell all of them. Slavery is allowed in my religion and I shall capture people and make them slaves. We are on our way to Abuja and we shall also visit the South. I am going to kill all the Imams and other Islamic clerics in Nigeria because they are not Muslims since they follow democracy and constitution. It is Allah that instructed us, until we soak the ground of Nigeria with Christian blood, and so-called Muslims contradicting Islam. We will kill and wonder what to do with their smelling corpses. This is a war against Christians and democracy and their constitution’’.

It is self-evident that Mr. Shekau is not only a dangerous, barbaric, sadistic, bestial, delusional, homicidal, misogynistic, paedophilic, psycopathic and sociopathic vampire and cold-blooded murderer all rolled into one but his words adequately reflect the sheer ruthlessness and callousness that has seized the Haramite mind.

There is no doubt in my mind that he is possessed by the most vicious and cruel demons and that he has a bloodlust that is second to none. Even Al Qaeda have condemned the latest atrocity committed by Boko Haram in Chibok.

Yet despite their sheer depravity they appear to have a few friends at home who insist on speaking for them. Permit me to give just one example.

The Northern Elders have said that the Federal Government ‘’should pay billions as ransom to Shekau and release all detained Boko Haram members’’ and that there must be ‘’no foreign forces in Nigeria”. They have also demanded that ‘’force should not be used’’ in securing the freedom of the abducted girls.

These demands are repugnant. It is the same people that did not want troops to be deployed to the area in the first place.

It is the same people that did not want a state of emergency to be declared in the north.

It is the same people that have been urging the government to negotiate with Boko Haram for the last three years.

It is the same people that have consistently asked that Boko Haram should be treated

By Ken Tadaferua

blown terrorism using guns, bombs and suicide bombers. He is believed to have the support of international terror cells.

Boko Haram has executed horrendous bestiality and war crimes. It operates with impunity and disdain for security forces in the northeast region and Abuja. From 2010 until today, Boko Haram has executed over 15 horrific massacres, murdering over 5000 innocents and still counting, razing down towns, villages, schools, churches, mosques, displacing thousands of people, robbing banks and businesses as well as raping and kidnapping girls and women.

This historical recount is to put the issue of massacres in perspective and to prod questions.

What has leadership including northern elites and elders done to stop the carnage? Why do fanatics find it easy to raise massive followership and raise armaments in the face of security operatives? In the decades of bloodletting, what deterrence structures have been put in place? Why have citizens from both the north and south not risen against massacres by both governments and religious extremists?

Several answers. The civil war and military rule have inured citizens to bloodshed.

Leadership itself engages in massacres and citizens sometimes even applaud the massacres.

Extreme poverty and deprivations among citizens that are caused by elite corruption and insensitivity have provided a huge army of young, hungry, uneducated and jobless youths to enlist willingly with religious extremists.

The northeast has the largest swath of the extreme poor and it is no surprise that it is the most violence-prone region.

Our leaders and elders treat massacres with shrugging indifference, after all they and their families are mostly immune from the blood and destruction. The presidency’s reaction is also inexplicably unhurried. It sets up investigative committees while thousands of citizens are being murdered. Like President

Shehu Shagari did with the Maitatsine in the 1980s, setting up the federal government commission of enquiry under the chairmanship of Justice Aniagolu so too has President Jonathan set up a committee of enquiry over Boko Haram.

Hours after the Boko Haram bombing of Nyanyan killed 74 people and injured 124 others, President Jonathan was at a political rally in Kano.Two weeks after the Chibok girls’ abduction the presidency offered no official statement. And it took nearly four weeks after the Chibok abduction before northern elders visited the president in Abuja to advice against use of force to get out the abducted girls and suggest two options to secure their freedom: Payment of ransom or release of some detained members of Boko Haram as swap for the girls.

Outrageous.

The Nigerian peoples have also, until now, played the role of impotent docility in the decades of bloodletting. We pray that the citizens’ protest marches across the country and the world in the “#Bring Back Our Girls” movement would change the strange citizens’ apathy over corruption, misrule, violence and oppression. Our leaders may also have to rethink their pact with the devil and galvanise the political will to stop corruption and callous indifference to the misery, ignorance and poverty of the greater majority of their people. The northern elders will particularly do well to find urgent options to the grinding poverty in the north by using state resources to provide education, jobs, opportunities and social amenities.

We must act now and fast. If not, Boko Haram may just be the small wave heralding the tsunami waves that may consume all including the ruling elite. Not only must we pray that the Chibok girls are rescued unharmed, we must stop the cycles of bloody violence through elite fairness to the people. A word is enough for the wise.

Boko Haram, Jonathan and Northern Elders

much to learn and I would be the last person to endorse what I consider to be his inexplicable restraint and obvious weakness in the fight against Boko Haram. Mr. President has failed to protect the lives and property of the Nigerian people and no responsible, self-respecting and rational human being, including those that consider themselves to be his friends, should shy away from telling him so.

We expect far better from him and if he fails to deliver he would not only have betrayed his mandate, violated his oath of office and let down the Nigerian people but he would also play right into the hands of his critics. These include the American Senator John Mcain, who told the world that ‘’no government exists in Nigeria’’ and Senator Hilary Clinton, who said that the Federal Government of Nigeria had ‘’squandered their oil wealth, allowed corruption to fester and now they are losing control of parts of their country.’’

These are timely admonitions from the Americans but they made their own fair share of blunders as well. For example one wonders why it took the Obama adminstration up until early this year to formally recognise Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation despite repeated calls to do so earlier by many prominent Nigerians including Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, the President of CAN. When Senator Clinton was Secretary of State, the State Department refused to label Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation even though they had butchered thousands of Nigerians. Perhaps if they had done so more lives would have been saved.

There is no doubt that our Government has handled this matter in an unacceptable manner but the Americans must carry their own fair share of the blame. For Jonathan, the words of Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje are instructive. On 9th May 2014 he wrote: ‘’we warned Jonathan. We called for action against Boko Haram and we screamed until our voices went hoarse. Now the people who advised him against taking strong action and called for dialogue, the very people that said it was caused by poverty, the very people that promised that traditional rulers would resolve the matter, the very people that encouraged him to vacillate and do nothing or little, are the ones mocking him.

Well that is why leaders must exercise leadership. The buck stops at his table. The credit or the failure goes to him. I hope he learns!’’

A word is enough for the wise.

The Kaduna riots of 2000, Jos riots of 2001, Miss World riots in Kaduna in 2002, Yelwa/ Kano riots of 2004, Mohammed cartoon riots in Maiduguri in 2006 and various Jos rampages have claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent citizens in the name of God. In 1980, Maitatsine, a virulent Islamic fundamentalists sect led by Muhammadu Marwa, a radical preacher from northern Cameroun, embarked on one of the bloodiest religious rampages in Nigeria’s history in Kano. Some 5000 people died; churches, mosques and homes were destroyed with thousands displaced. Marwa was killed in a confrontation with the police. His followers under his successor, Musa Makaniki, went on killing sprees near Maiduguri and in Kaduna in1982, killing over 3000 people.

Another 1000 were slaughtered in Yola with 60,000 made homeless. Hundreds more were murdered in Makaniki’s home state of Gombe. He was arrested in 2004 and was allegedly set free after several years by a judicial panel of enquiry for lack of evidence for complicity in the riots.

But Maitatsine was only to give way to a more virulent monster of religious extremism in the form of the Jamâ»atAhl as-Sunnah lid-da»wawal-Jihâd (The Congregation of the People of Tradition for Proselytism and Jihad) with the Hausa nickname of Boko Haram, meaning Western education is sinful. Mohammed Yusuf founded the group in Maiduguri, Borno State in 2002.

In 2009, Yusuf was arrested and killed in police custody following Boko Haram’s clash with security forces investigating allegations that the group was arming for attacks. That clash claimed over 700 lives. The police was accused of the extra-judicious killing of Yusuf whose successor, Abubakar Shekau, who has since exploded the group’s activities into full

By Femi Fani-Kayode

lightly and that they should be offered amnesty even though they have slaughtered no less than 10,000 innocent people in the last three years.

It is the same people that are suggesting that Boko Haram is actually a creation of the CIA, MOSSAD and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

It is one of these northern elders that referred to Boko Haram as ‘’freedom fighters’’ who are simply ‘’fighting for justice’’ only last year. It is another that said that members of Boko Haram ought to be treated ‘’in the same way as the Niger Delta militants’’ and that they should be rehabilitated, resettled and paid large sums of money only last year.

It is another that said that ‘’muslims should only vote for those that would protect their interests’’ and that he would see to it that ‘’sharia law is implemented and applied throughout the whole country’’ in 2001.

It is another that said that Nigeria was created by the British and granted independence by them in 1960 on the clear understanding that ‘’a northern muslim would always lead the country’’ in 1994. It is another that said that if the north does not have it’s way on the voting formula at the Constitutional Conference he would lead his people ‘’out of Nigeria and into the Camerouns’’ just over a month ago. It is another that said that they would make our country ‘’ungovernable’’ if a southerner was elected into power in 2011.

It is another that said, only a few weeks ago, that our country ‘’would burn’’ if Jonathan or any other southerner contests for the Presidential election in 2015. It is another that told us last year that ‘’poverty was the root cause of Boko Haram’’ and that the south was receiving too much money whilst the north was not receiving enough. How much more of this can we be expected to take?

Just three weeks after the Haramites have abducted almost 300 young school girls at Chibok, burnt down their school and kept

them as sex slaves, just a few days after they abducted eight more at Warabe Village, Borno state, just two weeks after two bombs went off in Nyanya, Abuja killing a total of 150 people between them and just three days after no less than 350 innocent people were slaughtered by the terrorists in Gamborou Ngala, a border town with the Camerouns, these northern elders are saying that force must not be used against them. This is unacceptable and their suggestion must be treated with the contempt that it deserves.

I do not know what it will take for the Nigerian people to accept the fact that Boko Haram is the greatest evil that our country has ever had to contend with and that there can be no dialogue with such demons. I do not know what it will take for these northern elders to accept the fact that evil is evil, that you must never negotiate with terrorists and that their ‘’gentle way’’ simply cannot work.

The truth is that until every single one of the Haramites is hunted down, brought to justice and despatched to hell there will be no peace in our country. We must also eliminate those who secretly encourage, fund and protect them.

I have always viewed those that suggest that Boko Haram should be treated with kid gloves with the utmost suspicion. It is either that we live in a secular state where the rule of law prevails, where beasts have no place and where murderous animals are treated like the savages that they are or we shall have no country at all.

All this talk about ‘’not using force’’ must stop because it is nonsensical, it is counter-productive and it presents a very real threat to our desire to continue to live as one nation. Those that abduct, rape, kill and enslave children do not deserve to live.

Those that say that ‘’force should not be used’’ should give up them their own daughters in exchange for our missing girls. After they have done that they can be as gentle as they like with Boko Haram.

In all this President Goodluck Jonathan has

19

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

2015: SUCCESSION BATTLES STATE BY STATE (2)

• Amosun

• Audu

• Wada • Aondoaka • Ngilari

• Udom

• Udoedehe

• Marwa

•Continued from last week IGERIA is once again entangled in the knotty issue of a fast approaching general election as the 2015 polls draw nearer by the day. Across the country, politicians and political parties are getting ready to slug it out for the available elective positions that will go up for grabs during the general elections.

Of the positions that will up for contest in 2015, the governorship seats at the various state levels are those that promise to throw up a lot of dust. From one state to the other, across the six geo-political zones of the country, aspirants, incumbents, regular contenders and new entrants

N

• Bankole

• Lawani

Prologue

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor alike have been criss-crossing the length and breadth of their respective states to announce their readiness to take up the jobs of ruling their states for the next four years post 2015.

Save for states like Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo and Edo that will not be voting to elect new governors next year, all other states of the federation are currently gripped by the fever of the looming gubernatorial elections.

Political alignments and realignments have become the order of the day in the past few months.

Tales of defecting politicians and political groups are all over the place

as gubernatorial aspirants search for the very best platforms upon which to fly their governorship kites. While some are leaving their parties, some others are moving into those parties being abandoned.

Political parties are also restrategising and repositioning their electioneering machineries; all in various bids to ensure that they put up good showings at the forthcoming gubernatorial contests. Stories of parties merging to form more formidable alliances, as well as the formation of outrightly new ones are parts of what we get to hear about daily as the 2015 date draws

nearer.

In some states, two-term governors who are not qualified to seek another term in office come 2015 are publicly endorsing zones or districts that would produce the next governors of their states in the name of zoning. In others, incumbent governors are getting the nods of the ruling parties to seek fresh terms.

But in all these states, there are determined aspirants vowing to topple the apple carts and prove pundits wrong.

Campaign stickers prepared by different support groups now adorn many vehicles in the states. Posters

and banners are also part of the media announcing the arrival of another era of political contests across the country. In some instances, billboards are even tell tale signs of what is trending in the country today politically. The streets of the various capital cities say it all.

Ask their supporters and they will tell you that the aspirations of their principals could not have come at more appropriate times; but their critics have different opinions about such aspirants. In this edition, our correspondents take cursory looks at how some states are faring as politicians prepare for the 2015 governorship elections.

•Continued on Page 20

20

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

POLITICS

Cross River: Uncertain race for Imoke’s job

•Ayade

•Odey

F

OLLOWING the refusal of Governor Liyel Imoke of the state to openly throw his weight behind a particular aspirant in the race for the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Cross Rivers State, and the subtle but determined resolve of the opposition in the state to work towards victory in the said election, political analysts say the electoral battle in the state appears shrouded in uncertainty.

Although Imoke has announced his support for the northern zone of the state to produce the next governor, he has remained silent on which of the numerous aspirants from the zone he would be backing. Not even his body language is suggestive of the slightest inclination towards the aspiration of any individual.

Speaking on the matter during a media parley recently, Imoke reminded his listeners that Cross River has three Senatorial Districts. “Two senatorial districts have produced by the grace of God, governors. One has not. Would it be fair for us not to allow the other senatorial district a governor? Will it be fair?

“This is a just a question of simple fairness. Just like we had president from the North, then, South West, now from South South, there is no big deal.

It is a natural sequence. That is why I support it openly. Some people have been asking ‘oga keep quiet over this matter. This is not how to do’. I say I don’t know how to deal with what is honest, sincere, correct and right.”

And in a move that suggests that the leadership of the party in the state may be thinking in the same direction as the Governor, the party recently deemphasised the position of the governor.

A cco r ding t o a r e le a s e b y t h e party, the Southern Senatorial District had Donald Duke as governor from May 1999 to May 2007 and at the moment; Imoke from the Central Senatorial District is in charge of affairs in the state. So, in its view, Imoke was right in stating his support for the emergence of his successor from the Northern Zone of the state.

Already, there is a fierce fight amongst chieftains of the PDP for the control of the party from the wards to state levels. But for the leadership provided by the governor, this development, party sources claim, would have plunged the PDP into a serious crises.

“The way some people are going about their aspirations, they care less if the party disintegrates. If not for the way Governor Liyel Imoke has being intervening to stall crises in the party, Cross Rivers PDP would by now be in the worst crises that is unimaginable,” a chieftain of the party told The Nation.

Aspirants who are currently jostling to fit the bill include Mr. Goddy Agba, the General Manager Crude, NNPC, Professor Ben Ayade, the Sena-

•Idagbo

•Agba

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

tor representing the Northern Senatorial District, Mr. John Odey, former Minster of Environment, Mr Larry Odey, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Mr. Fidel Egoro, Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Mr Tanko Ashong, Legal Adviser NEMA, Mr. Legor Idagbo, Commissioner for Works and Mr. Fidel Ugbo, the serving Secretary of National Planning Commission.

Odey, a former Acting Governor and now Speaker of the House of Assembly in Cross River State, had remained behind the scene until recently when he suddenly announced his interest in the governorship. Sources say he is counting on the very healthy relationship he enjoys with Imoke and some powerful PDP leaders at the national level, to work in his favour.

The Speaker, who represents Yala State Constituency in the state Assembly, said he is the most qualified aspirant for Imoke’s job. He is seeking to contest on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He said he is vying because, according to him, PDP caucus in the state has unanimously zoned the 2015 governorship slot to his zone, the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

Describing himself as the most qualified candidate, Odey told journalists recently: “I have been the acting governor of the state for three months when the Appeal Court nullified the mandate of Gov. Liyel Imoke in 2012. Haven’t been the acting governor, and currently serving as Speaker of Cross River State House of Assembly, I have the capacity, experience and pedigree to contest the 2015 in the state.

“I have been in the umbrella party for a long time now and at that level, I am not lacking any quality not to contest the polls’’, he said. On his agenda, Odey said: “My primary motivation for the race is to promote educational and economic development of the state and to serve the good people of Cross River with dignity, transparency, and accountability.

“Cross River is blessed with natural and human resources, with the support of all stakeholders; we can move the state to a greater height. The choice of the people matters most in politics, your opponents do not really matter, anyone who thinks he has something good to offer the people can as well run for the polls,’’ he said.

But pundits say it may not be an easy ride for the Speaker. According to watchers of the politics of the state, unless the Speaker gets the backing of the powerful blocs within the state, he is not much of a political heavyweight to go it all alone with or without some stakeholders.

“In spite of his pedigreee politically, Odey is not that strong to say he will be governor on his own merit. We know those who can say such in the politics of Cross Rivers state,” a party chieftain said.

Another aspirant willing to stake his money and popularity in the uncertain contest is Jeddy Agba, the outgoing General Manager Crude, NNPC. According to reliable sources, there is a lot of talk about the frenzy within his political camp.

Agba reportedly sent in his resignation letter to the management of the corporation few weeks back. His disengagement from NNPC according to insiders’ report, is expected to take effect in a couple of months. “He is resigning so as to concentrate all his energy on his governorship ambition,” a source said.

Sources in Calabar, the state capital said Agba is putting a lot of energy and resources into his campaign effort with regular visits to the state in recent weeks.

According to reports, the politician, hoping to take advantage of the zoning arrangement with the ruling party as announced by the Governor, is reaching out to party leaders and members across the divisions of the state.

“Agba is not taking the contest with kids glove. He appears to be ready for the political dog fight that is sure to trail the contest for the party’s ticket ahead of the 2015 general election. He is fast popularizing himself among the politicians. This is easy because he has a large political war chest and he is ray to use all available resources to see his ambition through.

As party leaders, we are open to all the aspirants and ready to listen to them all. That is what you are witnessing. The fact that Agba is going round the party leaders and telling them of his ambition is not enough for his people to claim that he has our endorsement. Even if he doles out money to politicians as they claim he is doing, the party will still allow the people to decide who they want,” a chieftain of the party said.

But in a move that many say may halt Agba’s aspiration, the Chairman of the

PDP in the state, Ntufam John Okon, said the NNPC topshot is not a member of the ruling party.

“Let me use this opportunity to make this clear that Gody Agba is not a member of our party. He is a civil servant and our party rules are there on how the number of years you spend before you can contest elections in our party. I just want this to be made clear because, you brought it. I have never said it before. So if anybody wants to do anything let him go ahead, All I am, saying is that don’t use the name of PDP. “You know they are some people who want to ruin other people’s chances, trying to make PDP disqualified them run to another party. We are too intelligent for that kind of game. We have not authorised anybody to start campaigning to protect the party because we are going to win. Those who are looking for tribunal should stay clear because they would not make us to be disqualified or enter any controversy. As for Jedy Agba, let us wait for him to resign and come. But as for now, I know he is not our member,” Reacting to reports that Agba claimed to be a card carrying member of the PDP, Ntufam said the membership card of the party is not too difficult to procure.

“PDP card is printed everywhere. If you want the PDP card you can pick it anywhere. You can go to a printing press and pick it but is that how you become a member of the party? Let him prove that he is a member. You must make sure the card is also incorporated in the register. Jedy Agba is not a member of the party. If he likes let him print 20 cards, he is not a member,” he reiterated.

In a related development, a group, Cross River State Youths Forum, (CRSYF) recently threatened to take legal action against Senator Ben Ayade, if he refuses to run as Governor of Cross River State in the 2015 governorship race. Sources however say Ayade is hoping to announce his aspiration soon.

The President of the group, Comrade Joseph Ishajie who made the disclosure during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar, berated politicians against making unguarded utterances that the old Ogoja (the North) has no credible candidate, neither do they ever speak in one voice in matters as this.

He said, “We the youths of Cross River are out to give our total support to Senator Ayade and urge him to hasten up and declare to run for the governorship seat zoned to his area. And if he fails to contest, we will compel him by mobilising over one million youths to his house at Obudu. Surely, when he sees such action, he would be forced to declare. It is on record that he has empowered the youths more than any of his predecessors. He has recommended youths for jobs, sent some abroad for training and given financial assistance running into millions of naira for entrepreneurship scheme,” Ishajie added.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

K

POLITICS

Kogi: Opposition squares up to PDP

OGI State governor, Idris Wada has a testy battle ahead. It is the battle to retain his seat and win reelection. Wada has fought a long way to come this far. First was the battle within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its governorship ticket. His challenger, Jibril Isah, popularly known as Echocho, won the initial ticket. But forces in the party led by immediate past governor, Ibrahim Idris, conducted a fresh primary won by Wada.

Echocho, rich and popular, was irked.

He took the case to court and fought tooth and nail. He pursued the case to the Supreme Court, which affirmed Wada’s candidacy on February 21. Though the governor won at the apex court, he has tougher battles ahead of his reelection bid in 2015.

His main challenge will be galvanising every PDP member to support his ambition. His victory in 2011 at the poll and the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his candidacy has fragmented the party. The PDP in Kogi today has so many disgruntled and disenchanted members.

The unending Echocho’s aura Leading the pack is Echocho, who won the January 9 2011 primary of the PDP at the Lokoja Township stadium. He was set to represent the party at the April 26, 2011 general election until the Appeal Court ruled that the tenure of five governors including Kogi had not expired. This forced the postponement of the gubernatorial election in the state and four others.

Rather than sticking with its elected candidate, the PDP went ahead to conduct a fresh primary on December 3 2011, where Wada emerged. Echocho is particularly bitter he was ditched for Wada after winning the initial primary.

Several reconciliation attempts from the National Secretariat of the PDP to assuage him have failed, fuelling talks that he might be bidding time to take his pound of flesh.

He is popular at the grassroots and said to be generous, but fiercely independent-minded. Sources said his independent streak was a major reason why the godfathers dumped him for Wada. But his influence in the party has remained unwavering. Many members keep flooding to his side, a development said to have been so because of Wada’s inability to ‘empower’ them.

Many party chieftains, it is learnt, are feeling alienated by Wada and have vowed to work against his second term

•Wada

•Audu

By Sunday Oguntola

bid. In contrast, they keep finding listening ears in Echocho and comforting shoulders from him. Aware of his unflinching supports within the PDP, the governor last February appealed to Echocho not to leave the party.

He called on him and other disgruntled members to work with him in moving the state forward.

The long judicial battle to affirm his candidacy, many said, has drained the governor’s armory. It also left the party bloodied and weakened. The perceived nonperformance has further compounded his many battles on the road to reelection.

Besides, sources said he has fallen out with his political godfather and predecessor, Ibrahim Idris. Without Idris’ support base and Echocho’s threat within the party, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Wada to wriggle his way in the PDP. APC’s house-cleaning While the PDP continues to battle with internal bickering, the All Progressive Congress (APC) keeps consolidating. The battle of wits that followed the merger of the former three parties has become a thing of the past in the party. Chieftains, stakeholders and members are closing ranks, determined to chase the PDP out of

power come 2015.

Former governor Abubakar Audu has jettisoned any governorship ambition, making it possible for a fresh breath of liberty to blow in the party. Audu, who confirmed this to reporters in his country home recently, said: “I have no ambition for 2015 or 2020, but I have ambition for the state to grow. I want to be a very relevant political leader to guide and support elected leaders to achieve good governance”.

He explained he remained in politics not to look for money or contest for elective positions, but to be the mouthpiece of the less privileged, saying that as a father, he must give everybody the opportunity to develop.

Dismissing any leadership tussle within APC in the state, Audu said: “As one of the founding fathers of APC, I am a natural leader of the party both at the state and national level and I am not contesting leadership of the party with anybody”.

The APC was factionalised with one group said to be loyal to Audu. The arrowhead of Audu’s powerful group is the interim Chairman of the Kogi APC, Mr. Haddy Ameto. The other faction was led by a chieftain, Mr. James Ochile with Alhaji Muhammed Kassim said to be the arrowhead. But the party has been undergoing realignment, leading to

2015: APC, PDP, LP battle in Ogun O

21

GUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has his work cut out in the battle to win a second term next year.

At the last count, about 10 aspirants cutting across three major political parties are interested in taking over from him come next year.

Amosun and the battle within APC In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some major stakeholders are allegedly working to scuttle the governor’s second term bid.

This development is a fall-out of the acrimonious ward, local government and state congress of the APC in which the governor’s loyalists had a clean sweep of party positions.

But another group loyal to a former governor of the state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, would have none of this. The group’s displeasure may have struck the right chord in the relevant quarters, as the national leadership of the APC has put on hold the inauguration of the Ogun State executive of the party, which was earlier scheduled to take place about two weeks ago.

Regardless of how the contentious issues are resolved between the two

By Remi Adelowo, Assistant Editor

groups fighting for the soul of the party, sources revealed that some stakeholders in the party are rooting for a fresh candidate to replace Amosun as the party’s 2015 governorship candidate.

A businessman, Mr. Remi Bakare, who was alleged to be Osoba’s preferred candidate in 2011 before the national leaders of the party settled for Amosun, has already indicated his intention to challenge Amosun for the APC ticket.

From Ogun Central like the incumbent governor, Bakare has reportedly told his associates that he is determined to go the whole hog in the race for the APC governorship ticket.

Another rumoured aspirant from Ogun Central in the APC is Mr. Fola Tajudeen Adeola, the pioneer Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, whose posters indicating his alleged intention to contest the governorship election in 2015 surfaced in some parts of Abeokuta, the state capital, mid last year.

Adeola, who is the former Vice Presidential candidate of the defunct

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and currently a member at the ongoing National Conference, has however not formally indicated his interest in the exalted seat.

Other aspirants in contention Abiodun Akinlade, the beautiful bride A third term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, has emerged as the most formidable aspirant from the Yewa axis that is yet to produce the governor since the creation of the State.

Elected into the National Assembly in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he was reelected in 2007 but defected to the defunct ACN in 2011 on which platform he contested again and won by a landslide.

In the last few months, Akinlade, who was allegedly chosen as the defunct ACN’s governorship candidate in 2011 before power brokers in the party later opted for Amosun, has been under intense pressure to vie for the position again.

The Nation reliably gathered that Akinlade has become a beautiful bride of sorts, as some Ogun APC leaders who

•Continued on Page 22

•Amosun

dismantling of splinter groups.

Speaking recently, Ameto said: “There is no faction again. I am the chairman of the party and I know that there is no faction. Whatever the kind of misgiving people may have, the congresses will settle it. That is for anybody who thinks that there are factions but to me, we do not have factions”.

This new-found synergy, observers say, will stand the party in good stead to displace Wada come 2015.

Thankfully, the governorship poll will take place several months after the State and National Assembly elections.

Mindful of this, sources said the APC has mandated his governorship aspirants to ensure victory at their wards and constituencies to stand them in good stead.

Feelers said Ochile is leading the party’s governorship race though many other candidates are expected to declare intention as the election draws closer. Some party chieftains, it was learnt, are also speaking with Echocho to consider working with the APC. Their thinking, it was argued, is with a formidable, popular candidate like him, it won’t be difficult to galvanise popular support for the APC. Ameto was in a confident mood when he spoke with reporters on APC’s chances. He said: “We are strategising and we are going to defeat PDP roundly at all levels in 2015. They cannot defeat us in any election because PDP has not recorded any achievement in this state.

“There were protests at the local government councils because of nonpayment of staff salaries. In a local council they even boxed themselves.

When APC comes on board, we would ensure that council funds are not tampered with”.

Kogi State PDP Chairman, Hassan Salau, dismissed such talks as empty threats. According to him: “Aside from the bond that the state government recently took to be used for infrastructural development, I do not think that the state is owing. APC cannot defeat PDP because APC is not organised. An ‘iroko’ tree is superior to a mahogany tree. PDP is an iroko tree’’.

For now, Wada seems to be facing high hurdles to his reelection. With a divided party, an estranged godfather and a united opposition, it is hard to see how he would work his way back to the State House.

22

POLITICS

U

NTIL the resignation of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on January 16, 2014, his eldest son, Awwal Tukur, was seen as the man to beat for the party’s 2015 governorship ticket.

But this initial calculation may have been altered following the recent defection of two chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa and Engr.

Marcus Gundiri, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following irreconcilable differences with the state governor, Murtala Nyako, over the control of APC structures in the North East state.

The refusal of the Deputy Governor, Bala James Ngilari, to join the APC alongside Nyako, has further upped the ante in the battle for the 2015 governorship ticket.

Gundiri, who posted an impressive showing at the 2011 governorship election, coming a close second to Nyako, cited his alleged exclusion and that of his supporters in the running of the APC as the main factor responsible for his defection to the PDP. But sources in the State aver that Gundiri’s governorship ambition and the realisation that Nyako may not support him largely informed his decision to join the PDP. The issue of ambition, sources said, may have also compelled Ngilari to stay put in the PDP. Powerful forces in the Presidency and the national headquarters of the PDP are alleged to have promised Ngilari the governorship ticket.

Who wins the PDP ticket?

Though his father may no longer be in charge of PDP, sources disclosed that Awwal, a former member of the House of Representatives has resolved to forge ahead with his governorship ambition.

A source told The Nation that the defection of Gundiri and Ngilari’s governorship ambition would not in any way threaten the younger Tukur’s chances at the PDP primaries.

The confidence in the younger Tukur’s camp may not be unconnected to a promise Alhaji Bamanga Tukur allegedly extracted from President Goodluck Jonathan to support his son’s 2015 governorship ambition.

Another factor working in Awwal Tukur’s favour, according to sources, is the control of the Adamawa PDP executive committee by people unquestionably loyal to his father.

Before Nyako’s defection to the APC, the state PDP had two factions, with one led by Alhaji Mijinyawa Kugama, which

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

Adamawa: Intrigues as Nyako battles PDP heavyweights

• Marwa

By Remi Adelowo, Assistant Editor

is loyal to the governor, while the other faction led by Chief Joel Madaki is loyal to Tukur.

According to a party member, there are fears that Ngilari, who is believed to have wormed his way into the good books of President Goodluck Jonathan, has allegedly vowed not to step down for Tukur or any other candidate.

Ngilari’s confidence of clinching the PDP ticket allegedly stems from positive feelers he has reportedly received from some close aides of the president that he is the anointed candidate of the powers that be.

With an alleged plan afoot to make Ngilari the PDP leader in Adamawa State, forces loyal to Bamanga Tukur are allegedly not disposed to embracing the deputy governor’s leadership.

How to handle Gundiri’s ambition is also another knotty issue agitating the minds of PDP leaders in the State and at the national level, as his decision to join the party was based on an alleged assurance he got that a level playing field will be provided for all governorship aspirants irrespective of their years in the party.

Gundiri, according to a source, believes

• Nyako

• Ngilari

he stands a good chance to emerge as the PDP flag bearer. In the 2011 governorship election, the then defunct ACN candidate polled 260,405 votes to emerge second behind Nyako who got 302, 986 votes.

The Marwa challenge The former Military Administrator of Lagos and Borno States recently defected to the PDP from APC in move that was not totally unexpected.

The retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army was one of the founding members of the APC in Adamawa State, but Governor Nyako’s defection to the party changed the equation, with the governor emerging as the new leader of the party in the State.

Marwa contested for the governorship seat in 2011 on the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) coming a distant third with 107, 564 votes.

The soft spoken Harvard Universitytrained soldier-turned politician, The, is still very much interested in the governorship and may throw his hat into the ring again.

While it remains unclear what promises Marwa allegedly extracted from PDP leaders before his defection to the party, what remains uncertain is the fact that the battle for the 2015 PDP

governorship ticket may create a bad blood when the battle is finally won and lost.

Who is Nyako’s anointed candidate?

In sharp contrast to the scenario playing out in the PDP on the governorship ticket, the situation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) still appears very hazy.

Up till this moment, no candidate has emerged as the frontrunner, even as there are unconfirmed speculations that the state governor, Murtala Nyako, is secretly backing a dark horse to succeed him.

Sometime ago, the governor’s eldest son, Abdulaziz, was propped up by some of the governor’s supporters and associates to run for the 2015, but the plan may have been jettisoned based on the likely ripples it might create in the party.

While the governor has kept his succession plan close to his chest, there are strong indications that another major stakeholder of the party in the State, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will certainly have a major say in who succeeds Nyako in 2015.

2015: APC, PDP, LP battle in Ogun •Continued from Page 21

are opposed to Amosun are urging him to contest the party’s governorship ticket.

The PDP and the Presidency are also allegedly dangling the offer of the party’s governorship ticket before Akinlade, but sources say the Chairman, Science and Technology Committee of the Lower House is taking his time before deciding his next move.

At a series of meeting convened by the national leaders of the Labour Party (LP), Akinlade last year, had allegedly been promised the governorship ticket of the party but the defection of the immediate past governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to LP from the PDP appears to have put that plan in jeopardy.

A grass root politician who enjoys a cult-like followership in Ogun West senatorial zone, Akinlade, who is married to an Abeokuta indigene, is perceived by the governor’s camp as a man that must be checkmated in the race for the Oke Mosan Government House in 2015.

The governor, it was gathered, is said to be uncomfortable that half of the members of the state House of Assembly are allegedly loyal to Akinlade. Since the contest for the ACN 2011 governorship ticket was decided, the governor’s relationship with the federal lawmaker has been frosty at best.

• Akinlade Sarafa Ishola The former Minister of Mines and Steel, according to reports, is currently putting structures in place to contest for the PDP governorship primary.

Ishola, who also served as the Secretary to the Ogun State Government during the first term of ex-Governor Daniel, is yet to publicly state his intention, but sources close

• Bakare to him say his declaration may happen sooner than later.

Dimeji Bankole No sooner was he discharged and acquitted of corruption charges by a Federal High Court in Abuja that certain forces in Ogun PDP began to call on the former Speaker of the House of Representatives to throw his hat into the governorship ring.

Though the former lawmaker is not averse to the idea, but he was reported to have told his supporters, that achieving unity in the party is an urgent task that must first be addressed.

Kayode Amusan A two term member of the House of Representatives, Kayode Amusan, has not hidden his intention to unseat Gov. Amosun in 2015.

But first, he has to win the PDP ticket.

Does he stand a chance? Not many stakeholders in the PDP rate him high.

His failed third attempt to return to the House of Representatives following his defeat to Olumide Osoba, eldest son of APC leader, Aremo Ousegun Osoba, is still fresh in the minds of many people in the State.

Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka He is a close political associate of exGovernor Daniel.

From the Yewa zone, Isiaka contested for the same seat in 2011 on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) and may get Daniel’s nod again, this time for the LP 2015 governorship ticket.

Sina Kawonise He is also a close ally of Daniel. From Ogun East senatorial zone, Kawonise, who served as Commissioner for Information under Daniel, is vying for the LP ticket with Isiaka.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

I

POLITICS

Lagos 2015: Fowler good to succeed Fashola, says group

MMEDIATE past boss of the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) Babatunde Williams Fowler, is being urged to throw his hat into the ring and contest the 2015 governorship election in the state on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The Lagos Development Advocacy Group, (LDAG), during a brief press conference to encourage the man whom they believe is the rightful candidate for the seat of power in Lagos, said Fowler has all it takes to continue the good works of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola According to Olayemi Olukunle, coordinator of the group, the search for competence, capability and character to sustain the state beyond federal allocation, has brought them in contact with Fowler, whom they believe will fit into the policy of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress, (APC). He also noted that although Mr. Fowler has not made his intention known, they believe that pressure from Lagosians and those who believe in his leadership abilities will ensure that he accepts the challenge and lead the state come 2015.

LDAG said, “The concern, agitation and scheming for a successor for our inexorable Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who is completing his second term in office in May 2015, is genuine and needs to be carefully engaged. As we all have observed in recent times, pundits, commentators and even faithful party members have engaged in several analysis and debates on what should qualify any true breed Lagosian for the exalted seat of the Lagos State Governor.

Some of the issues that kept coming up are senatorial zoning, religious affiliation and many other sectarian and primordial considerations deliberately orchestrated in favour of some individuals eyeing the seat.

“After rigorous, conscientious search and consideration amongst the prospective candidates and other public officers, we found Mr. Babatunde

• Fowler

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

Williams Fowler, BWF as the most qualified in this regard and hereby make a clarion call for him to join the race for the exalted position on the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC which he belongs to”.

The group added that Fowler being a Christian is another plus for him as this settles the ongoing agitation for a Christian Governor for the state in 2015.

“The next agenda for our great state should focus on how to look inward and be self-sustaining through creative and decent wealth creation. The great development architecture drawn by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for Lagos State being presently actualised must be sustained. This is premised on the concise need for leadership that has the capacity for wealth creation and ability to provide sustainable fund raising

opportunity that will support the ongoing massive development in the State. This is a clarion call to the indefatigable man of great candour, the brain behind the growing Internal Generating Revenue, IGR, of Lagos state, which now stands at over N15 billion monthly from the N700 million in 1999 .

“Only a man that has been at the driving seat of our prosperity can drive the State through this onerous development agenda for selfsustenance in view of the over dwindling and inconsistent revenue allocation from the Federal Government . We make bold to say that ‘managing is not as tasking as funds generation’ and as such, we found this gentleman’s credentials unsurpassed in the search for who occupies the exalted position at a time when the agenda is to make Lagos self-sustaining. This notable Lagosian also satisfies all the other considerations that titled in support of equity. He is a Christian and Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG) and on eligibility based on Senatorial zoning, BWF is eminently qualified to represent Lagos East on the basis of the ‘residencey rule’ which has been the applicable and normal practice in the politics of Lagos state from time immemorial.

“This rule has been applied many times in the past, example was in 1999 when our national leader Asiwaju was eligible to run for the office of the Governor of Lagos state from Lagos West and Senator Tokunbo Akuyomi too moved from Lagos Central senatorial District to West to book a second term in the Senate, Only recently the Speaker of Lagos state House of Assembly, Ikuforiji also in the second term ran from Lagos West.

“It is worthy to note that BWF has satisfied this residency rule having lived in Lagos East for well over 10 solid years, with strong affiliation and generous contributions towards the development of the community.

“All these and many more qualify him to represent the APC at the general elections come 2015”.

The National Conference: Participation to what end?

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HEN I was informed of my membership of the National Conference, alias Confab, two thoughts hit me: the constitutionality of the Conference and participation to what end?

The constitutionality of the conference has been justifiably questioned. We have elected Parliaments, both at the State and Federal levels constitutionally put together, so what qualifies the National Conference to sit over matters affecting the State.

This school of thought posits that the conference is illegal, without constitutional backing and therefore unnecessary.

I must say as a lawyer, I found this line of thought very persuasive from the legal point of view.

Question however is, is the National Conference all about law and legality?

Was it set up to resolve issues from a legal perspective?

That Nigeria is a country not defined in terms of values, nationality, nationhood and feelings of one people is not in doubt. We often have expressed and it is getting louder by the day, what Nigeria means to us, our family, ethnic groups, etc. is very disconnected terms fed by feelings of alienation. The raw truth is that we are a nation only in name, as our loyalty lies either with our various ethnic groups or some other affiliation but hardly with the entity known as Nigeria.

There is a need to talk. Nigeria must go back and redefine or renegotiate our values, nationhood, etc. and these cannot be achieved within the confines of the laws. This is probably why Nigerians have always clamored for a conference, a Sovereign National Conference, that will discuss all that is Nigeria, agree to agree or to disagree, but at least come

By Rommy Mom out with a feeling of being heard, or listened to. A sense of belonging or accommodation as the case maybe. This probably informs why the President in his Inaugural speech to the Conference spoke of decisions based on consensus.

The question of legality or legal backing for the Conference therefore, while it makes for a persuasive argument, in my opinion becomes shaky against the exigencies and the needs of the people that these laws were made for.

Even at that, a school of thought cites Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as coating the President with the powers to set up the National Conference.

Scholars have relied heavily on the (b) part of the law to justify the legality of the Conference by making the case that executive powers vested in the President by the Constitution, extend to matters of executing the Constitution, to all matters which the National Assembly, for the time being, has powers to legislate on. The National Conference is cited as one of these.

Notwithstanding the merits or demerits of either of these arguments, I am of the opinion that this is a matter that goes to the roots of our feelings of being together as a nation, one that Nigerians have long clamored for, and to that extent, making it happen for our people is the most important thing, if only to reflect deeply on our “union” as a nation.

Granted this is not a Sovereign National Conference, yet it is a conference that is put together to discuss EVERYTHING wrong with Nigeria

save for a break up. It is as close to a Sovereign National Conference, as a conference can be. The reason Nigerians have always demanded and prayed for a Sovereign National Conference is essentially to discuss most of the same issues now discussed: devolution of power, resource control, as well as mode and type of governance, in all terms, to be TOTAL and ACCEPTABLE to Nigerians.

This issue of term totally acceptable to Nigerians is the reason for the first real heated argument at the conference. The question of voting on recommendations was what percentage of votes would be required for an agreement on issues.

While some delegates favored the global standards of 2/3 as the acceptable percentage in settling an issue, most Delegates, including me, were for 75% or 3/4 of total delegates in coming to an agreement on decisions.

The thinking of most of us on the issue of 75% stems from the fact that if we are talking consensus, taking everybody along and enhancing the feeling of inclusiveness, then we should step to as near a position as possible of consensus. If we were to settle for 2/3 which the National Assembly uses in resolving issues, then we might as well leave these issues to the National Assembly! Our role is principally to jaw jaw in a unique way to provide the nation with recommendations which most Nigerians would identify with, and not just a small majority of Nigerians.

Of course in resolving the above issue, passions were raised and •Continued on Page 24

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Ekiti: Why Fayemi deserves victory

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N deciding to write this, I was fully conscious of the risk I ran. I knew many would query the professionalism of calling an election about one month ahead. Others would just say: “Ha. What do you expect”. Even those who do not know me would say, “no wonder, we knew all along where he was headed”.

It really does not matter what anyone thinks or says.

It is clear to me that the Ekiti election is too important to be ignored at this stage. I must point out that I am not even pretending to have the crystal ball here. Not in this piece. What I am doing here is explaining why no other person deserves to take up the task of serving as governor of the state.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi who has been in the saddle for four years deserves to continue because he has fulfilled his pledges to the people. Over and beyond the nuts and bolts, bread and butter, he promised to restore value and virtue to the state and its governance. This he has done and it is acknowledged by all wise and wonderful Ekiti people. He fought hard to retrieve his stolen mandate. For more than three years, he moved from one court room to another to prove his contention that he was the rightful winner of the people’s mandate. At last, he triumphed and was installed October 2010.

But, like the gentleman that he is, he was quick to put the struggle behind him by concentrating on the task at hand. Witch-hunt did not appeal to him. And, that succeeded in calming frayed nerves and putting an end to the orgy of violence that had seized the state and become the norm. At a point, it appeared more an illusion to imagine an Ekiti where violence was not the essence of governance. But, a focused Fayemi rolled up his sleeves and achieved what had been considered impossible.

Second, there is no Ekiti town or community yet to feel the impact of governance. Ekiti money has been spent on the people. The elderly have not been abandoned and left to the vagary of hunger. They are fed and made to feel like the human beings that they are.

Roads have been extended to every town and community and the people now contribute to budget making.

This is a development that all lovers of democracy in this country should not ignore. All other governments should be taught that there can be no rulers without the ruled.

Anyone who was in Ekiti before 2007 and by 2010 and has been away since would find it difficult to locate the old landmarks today. All thanks to the urban renewal programme of the Fayemi administration. What about the legacy projects- the Civic Centre, Pavilion, the ultra-modern Government House and the Funmi Olayinka Cancer Centre? It is simply unbelievable that Ekiti, with the paltry income available for recurrent and capital expenditure, could put up such structures in such a record time. Ekiti money has really worked for the people.

What about the schools? What about hospitals? Then, the economy. With Fayemi, the Ekiti economy is not stupid, neither is it dumb. The future is looking brighter than the past. Tourism is being positioned to generate enough to fund the Ekiti Project. Agriculture is being accorded the pride of place, and investors are being wooed into a state where a decent man rules, and decent institutions and processes are being put in place.

Unlike many observers and commentators, I have taken time to visit the renovated schools. The results could not be denied by anyone. At first misunderstood by teachers when he chose to reform the system, they have since seen Fayemi’s sincerity and keyed into the vision. He is now regarded as the messiah long awaited.

That is what selfless leadership does.

Another four years of Dr. Fayemi in office will do Ekiti a world of good. It would enable the man of history fully transform the state. He has promised to industrialise ekiti and supply potable water to all the people. He said it in 2007 and 2010 and did it. Now, he has said it again. He deserves our confidence.

Were I registered a voter in Ekiti State, there would be no prize guessing who would get my single vote.

Fayemi has earned it. The people would not only do well to resoundingly return him to office on June 21; they should do all in their power to frustrate those who may be planning to steal the votes. Those who once mismanaged the economy, elevated state violence to an ideology and have little to offer by ways of ideas and character have no business plying their trade in a state like Ekiti. They should be permanently cashiered and allowed enough time to answer to EFCC charges.

This is my vote, the only one that I am entitled to and I leave no one wondering what I think of the candidates. For me, it is Fayemi all the way.

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POLITICS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

Akwa Ibom 2015: Akpabio’s battles against mounting odds

S fresh crises appears to be tearing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State apart following mounting opposition to an alleged plot by Governor Godswill Akpabio to foist the current Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, on the party as its gubernatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections, observers of the politics of the state are of the opinion that the governor may be in for the political battle of his life.

Amidst growing disquiet within the party over the alleged gubernatorial ambition of the SSG, opposition parties in the state, led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) are closing ranks ahead of the 2015 general elections. Sources within the parties claim several meetings have been held under the auspices of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) to discuss how to dislodge the PDP from the government house in 2015.

And if the crisis within his party and the growing strength of the opposition is not enough problem, the festering face-off between the governor and the immediate past SSG, Umana Okon Umana, who was allegedly removed from office on the excuse that he caused distraction in governance by working towards his 2015 governorship aspiration, is another clog in the wheel of the ruling party.

Party sources said the leadership of the party is worried by the feud between the two erstwhile political allies as it is perceived as a dangerous development capable of adversely affecting the party at the next general elections. Several efforts to address the issue have proved abortive.

Another issue that is threatening the victory of Akpabio and his party in 2015 is the agitation for and against zoning. While the governor has openly expressed his preference for zoning, notable leaders of the party in the state are up in arms against the policy.

To underscore the seriousness of the threat posed by this agitations, a group of notable party chieftains led by Chief Don Etiebet, recently told the national leadership of the party that the ruling party may lose Akwa Ibom State in the 2015 general elections if the ongoing governorship zoning crisis is not quickly nipped.

The leaders said majority of the people of the state are kicking against the zoning arrangement favoured by the state leadership of the party. They also accused the party leadership in the state of implementing the script written by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Operating under the aegis of the PDP stakeholders/elders, the aggrieved chieftains said they will not accept the zoning arrangement as proposed. A member of the PDP stakeholders in the state who spoke with newsmen in Abuja, said the decision on zoning was unpopular in Akwa Ibom much as it was undemocratic.

According to them, the state governor did not carry members of the PDP along on the issue of zoning of the governorship slot in the state to Eket senatorial district. The allegations against Akpabio are contained in a petition filed by about 60 elders of the party before the national secretariat of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP Board of Trustees, saying the zoning should be stopped.

The stakeholders told the PDP national officials that the party runs the risk of experiencing a disastrous outing during the 2015 general elections if they fail to resolve the problem of factionalisation caused by the state governor in the party.

They alleged also that the state governor had been showing desperation to keep a stranglehold on PDP in the state, adding that Akpabio and his henchmen unilaterally relocated the PDP state secretariat to the private residence of one of his brothers, Barr Ibanga Akpabio from its original location at 149, Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo. The Nation learnt that moves by the opposition to unite and wrestle power from PDP started after Governor Rotimi Amaechi successfully reconciled Senator John

•Umana

•Udom

Udoedehe and Group said by his actions, the Captain Sam Ewang state governor has (rtd), the two arrowshown that he is not to heads of opposition be trusted to allow for a politics in the state. level playing in the poAnd to send signals litical battle to choose to the PDP that it would who flies the party’s not be business as usual banner in 2015. in 2015, a number of as“The current issue pirants are being touted which some of you have as possible APC candichosen to call a fresh cridates in the election. sis has to do with the Aside Udoedehe and glaring political activiEwang, there is Samuel ties of the current SSG Udonsek, a medical while still in office. doctor based in Port These are obvious camHarcourt, River State. paign activities showHe is from Eket Local casing his interest in the Government Area in 2015 governorship race.

Eket Senatorial District.

One would expect that He contested the goverhe would have been caunorship in 2003 and 2007 tioned by the Governor and lost. Again, he has or removed. declared his intention to We are saying this contest the governornot because we think it ship in 2015. is wrong for him to play •Udoedehe Although he repolitics while in office turned to the PDP rebut because we believe

By Dare Odufowokan, cently, party sources are there is a precedence.

Assistant Editor saying Udonsek, who You will recall that up had always been in the opposition party in till this moment, the only excuse given for the previous elections, my soon find his way back sudden sack of Umana Umana from office to to the APC where he may emerge as the candi- pave way for the emergence of Udom as SSG date. was that he distracted governance with his poAnother potential opposition candidate is litical activities.

Micheal Okpo Onofiok, a businessman from the The same government that said that is not Oron axis of the state. His aspiration may have only condoning same activities by the new SSG arisen from the sentiment in some quarters that but in fact, promoting them. To us, this is double it is the turn of the Oron nation to produce the standard and undemocratic. If Umana cannot next governor of the state. The Oron nation is stay in office as SSG and aspire to be governor, the third largest ethnic group in Akwa Ibom we think Udom shouldn’t do the same. With state and her people believe that it is the third this singular act, Governor Akpabio has shown leg of the tripod in the state. They believe that that he will not allow for a free and fair contest power sharing should be on that basis and not for the party’s gubernatorial ticket in 2015. on senatorial districts.

This is why we are calling on party elders to Although it has been widely rumored be- speak out against this undemocratic norm before now that the governor may have brought fore it is too late to tame these people,” Ekah Udom into his cabinet to prepare him as a suc- said. cessor, trouble started when some chieftains of It would be recalled that on July 31st, 2013, the party accused the SSG of campaigning to be Akpabio, administered oath of office on Udom elected as governor while still in office. as the new Secretary to the State Government The chieftains alleged that the governor is (SSG), to replace Umana, who was said to have working clandestinely with the leadership of officially resigned a day earlier, in order to purthe party in the state on a plot to endorse the sue his 2015 governorship ambition in the state. candidature of the SSG as the PDP governorship Udom, until the appointment was Executive Diflag bearer in the 2015 general election which rector of Zenith Bank Plc. they described as against internal democracy.

Before his announced voluntary resignation It was also alleged that while the governor from office, Umana and the Governor had beorchestrated the ouster of the immediate past ing at loggerhead over what sources claim was SSG, Umana Okon Umana, from office on the the former’s gubernatorial ambition. It was excuse that he caused distraction in governance claimed that the Governor, who before then had by working towards his 2015 governorship as- been in support of Umana’s ambition to sucpiration, he is looking the other way now as his ceed him had developed cold feet about the new SSG’s governorship campaign efforts project following his resolve to back someone grows bigger and bolder by the day. from Eket for the job.

Speaking on the crisis threatening to tear The development created bad blood bethe state chapter of the PDP apart, a chieftain of tween the two erstwhile friends and political the party, Edward Ekah, who is also the leader allies of many years. Soon, the bad blood grew of the Coalition for Good Governance (CCG), into rivalry that soon gave birth to altercations.

In no time, pressure was allegedly mounted on the former SSG to quit the administration or risk being thrown out. His governorship ambition was described as a distraction for the administration.

After weeks of holding out and vowing not to abandon his governorship ambition, even after the Governor reportedly nominated him as the Managing Director of the NDDC, Umana’s resignation was announced by the government and Udom, who hails from Eket district of the state, was appointed to replace him.

Administering the oath of office to the new SSG at the state banquet hall, Uyo, Akpabio noted that both Emmanuel and Umana posed intimidating credentials needed to run the state. He said the changes were in response of meeting the demands and challenges of the uncommon transformation of the state.

“Today as you witness the change in the office of the SSG of Akwa Ibom State, you must remember that change is part of life and to sustain the momentum of what we are doing,” he admonished. The governor praised the immediate past SSG for his meritorious service to the state, saying: “Mr Umana Okon Umana, goes down in history as the longest SSG in the state.”

“Umana, to me is a brother and not just a friend. He has displayed exceptional competence in the discharge of his official duties and contributed significantly right from the former regime of Obong Victor Attah to the present administration now name as a state of uncommon transformation.”

Noting the credentials of the new SSG, the governor said he would bring very strong skills in the discharge of his duties. He also charged the new SSG to avoid any form of distraction while still serving the people of the state in his current position.

But some party sources said hardly had Udom settled down in his new position before posters and flyers announcing his governorship ambition flooded the state. “Campaign offices and vehicles with heralding his ambition are also all over the state as we speak,” Ekah added.

Also, the governor has been accused of being personally involved in the ongoing struggle to ensure the emergence of Udom as the next governor of the oil-rich state in the 2015 .

According to a Edidiong Akpan, a chieftain of the party, “I heard that the Governor recently said he will spare no cash in ensuring that Udom becomes the governor in 2015.

I was told the governor made the declaration at the inauguration of a 31-member steering committee which he set up to coordinate the campaign of Udom Emmanuel across the state.

“By the inauguration of the Campaign Steering Committee, which membership is drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state, the governor as far as I am concerned, is telling us where his interest lies ahead of the 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

“Information reaching us indicates that governor Akpabio is bent on making Udom Emmanuel, who has been his long-time business partner, and whom he recently appointed as the Secretary to the AkwaIbom State Government (SSG), the governor of the state in 2015.

“However, I can tell you that the governor’s decisions have not gone down well with most of our leaders in the PDP. And I know that most other political stakeholders in the state are ready to confront the undemocratic plot with stiff rejection. This is why you can see that the governor is having a running battle with interested parties who feel that such an imposition may not augur well for the growth of the party in the state.

Recently, we formed a coalition in our resolve to resist the attempt of the governor to foist his stooge on the people. This is the reason for the current tension within the party.

If Ukpabio could sack Umana for having govrnorship ambition, we think he should not be supporting Udom to promote his own ambition with tax payers’ money,” Akpan said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

POLITICS

Benue guber: Battle for Suswam’s job hots up

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HO succeeds Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam? That is the question political stakeholders in the state are working towards unravelling? The race to that succession has kicked off with many intrigues and uncertainties. On the front burner is the agitation for power shift. There is also the supremacy contest between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), which is putting up impressive inroads in the state.

Can power really shift?

The agitations for power shift to the Idomadominated Benue-South district otherwise known as Zone C have become louder. Since the creation of the state in 38 years ago, the governorship position has never been occupied by any person of Idoma extraction. The tribe occupies nine local governments in the state with the Igede-speaking people as minority in the senatorial district.

All the governors have been from the Tiv group, which boasts of over 75 percent of the state’s population. Benue North-East produced Suswam, while Benue North Central had its shot with former governor, George Akume.

The first civilian governor, Aper Aku, was a Tiv while his deputy, Sule Iyaji, hailed from present day, Kogi State. They ruled from 1979 and 1983 Rev. Fr. Moses Adasu, also a Tiv, ruled the state from 1992 – 1993 before the republic was thwarted. His deputy, Yakubu Agada, hailed from Ogbadigbo in Zone C. Suswam’s deputy, Steven Lawani, is from the Idoma-dominated Zone C. The Idomas have been vociferously clamouring for power shift, saying they have never had the opportunity to rule the state. The agitation appears logical. Zone A senatorial district, which comprises Sankera, Jerchira and Kwande ancestral bloc produced Aku, Adasu, Akume and Suswam. But the Tiv of Zone B including Masev, Ihiarev, Nongov Development Association popularly known as (MINDA), asked to be allowed to complete the circle. MINDA occupies four council wards in Makurdi, Guma, Gwer west and Gwer east.

The Idoma nation seems to have no choice because it lacks the numerical strength to produce a governor. This ethnic configuration will certainly shape the outcome of the 2015 governorship poll in Benue. Second Republic Minister, Paul Unongo believes the Idoma can become governor provided there is enough negotiation.

He said: “There is no reason why Idomas’ can’t govern Benue State. It is not where you come from that matters but the heart. In my candid judgment, there is no problem that cannot be sorted out by fairness and discussion.

We inter-marry. So, it is possible for Idoma to become governor. I mean one who will not ridicule the Tiv people”.

Suswam’s senatorial ambition divides PDP Feelers indicate that Suswam’s ambition to represent Benue North-East in the Senate has further complicated the governorship race. The governor has to edge out former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade, to fulfill his ambition, a task that appears not only Herculean but also tough. Suswam will be aiming to defeat Gemade and also install his successor, two political battles of significant implications. He is therefore keeping his anointed candidate to his chest, a development that has thrown up the race wide open. In the PDP, the race is dividing the party with many aides of the governor also throwing their hearts

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•Jime

•Lawani

By Sunday Oguntola

it.

The APC is also posing serious challenges.

The party’s chieftains have closed ranks and resolved to push the PDP out of power. The party’s chieftains in the State led by Senate Minority leader, George Akume; Senator Daniel Saror, Gen. Indyar Garba and Usman Abubakar aka Young Alhaji, among others are determined to give the PDP a run for its money during the poll.

Observers say the party might just win the race based on its growing influence and the division within the PDP. MINDA’s aspirants strategise To actualise their plan, aspirants from the MINDA axis have formed the MINDA Governorship Aspirants (MGA). The group, insiders said, is established to pick a consensus candidate among them so as to improve their chances of bagging the governorship slot. They agreed to support whoever emerges from the group to protect the interests of the MINDA region.

Some candidates, who have indicated interest in the race from the MINDA’s axis include: Felix Atume immediate past registrar of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN); Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, Terhemem Tarzoor, Dr Ugim Aliegba and Chairman House Committee of FCT, Barrister Emmanuel Jime.

Others are: Commissioner for Lands and Survey, John Tondo; Permanent Secretary, Government House Administration Dr Tivlumun Nyitse and a university don, Prof. David Ker. From the Idoma-speaking axis, the aspirants are: Minister for Interior, Comrade Abah Moro;

Former Minister of State for Niger Delta, Hon. Sam Ode; the deputy governor, Chief Stephen Lawani; Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Dr Mathias Oyigeya; a board member of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Harris Ogbole.

There is also the former Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Micheal Kaase Aondoakaa and Director General of the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii though both are said to be weighing their option before joining the race.

Those who have declared their intentions are Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Alex Adum and the immediate past Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Pensions Board, Prince Andy Uwouku.

ASSESSING THE ASPIRANTS Chief Stephen Lawani The current deputy governor has never hidden his interest to succeed his principal. He has set up structures across the state to ensure that power shift to Zone C. He is chasing history and working hard to break the jinx. But can he? He is the leading light of the clamour for power shift, an Idoma-man that many Tiv will be comfortable with.

But observers believe Suswam will not support him for the race though they are close. Besides, he is from the minority axis without sufficient numerical strength. Also, no deputy has ever succeeded in taking over in the state, another jinx that Lawani will be hoping to break.

The political leader of the Idoma nation, Senate President, David Mark, is rumoured to be indisposed to his candidature. That is besides the

many hurdles he has to cross from fellow Idoma in the race. Will the PDP take a gamble on someone from the minority and give him its ticket?

Barrister Emmanuel Jime The former speaker is no pushover in the race. The two-time House of Representatives member increased his chances when he defected to the APC. He is from the MINDA’s axis, which many Tiv are willing to support.

The 52-year-old’s performances and contributions in the House have endeared him to the electorate. Many believe he has bright chances of winning the race, all things being equal.

Samuel Ode Many believe that if there is one man the governor supports, it is Ode. The former Minister of State for the Niger Delta was a Special Adviser to Suswam before he was appointed a minister. He served the governor diligently, leaving his marks on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs He is perceived as a grass root mobiliser and generous politician, a development that makes him hugely popular. But he is also from the Idoma axis, which might count against him such the politics of numerical strength come to play. But his mother a Tiv and he is more seen as a Tiv than an Idoma man.

Michael Aondoakaa Armed with a heavy war chest, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General’s posters emerged last year in major streets of Markudi. Though he denied knowledge of the posters, observers said it was to test the waters and sample public opinion.

Aondoakaa is seen as too detached and not a core politician. He is also not considered a grass root man. Besides, many people in the state believe he did not do much for them while serving as minister from 2007-2010 before he was sacked. It is difficult to see how the PDP will give him its ticket.

Dr Eugene Aliegba Many in the Government House are said to be disposed to the former Commissioner for Environment in Suswam’s cabinet. Aliegba is also believed to consider himself favoured.

Engr. Felix Atume The former registrar of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) is from the MINDA’s axis. He is said to be backed by the state PDP chairman, Dr. Agbo Emmanuel who is his engineer colleague.

Hingah Biem, The retired Permanent Secretary allegedly sponsored by the elder brother to the governor, Dr. Terkula Suswam.

Comrade Abba Moro The minister is reportedly the anointed candidate of Senator David Mark, a fellow Idoma.

It is being said that Mark saved him from being fired following the immigration recruitment tragedy because of the negative impact it will have on his governorship ambition.

But many believe he is not on ground and is merely backing on Mark to win the race for him.

The National Conference: Participation to what end?

•Continued from Page 23 abusive words exchanged etc. This to my mind merely exhibited the sincerity of purpose Delegates came with. You can hardly agree on such sensitive issues without passions being stirred especially if people are sincere in terms of emotions.

70% was eventually settled on.

There is also the thinking that the National Conference, will go nowhere in terms of the recommendations coming to fruition and also the unnerving but highly palpable suspicion that it has been put together to actualize a President-Jonathan agenda and nothing else.

Again these are all valid concerns. We have seen three past conferences of this nature with their recommendations purportedly chilling in the trash basket.

Why should this be any different? So why engage in it when it most probably will yield nothing?

Firstly, on the issue of a President Jonathan agenda. If the President truly has

an agenda, then he did not go about it smartly. It is extremely difficult to bring together 492 persons for three months, allow them set their rules and discuss everything for this period and imagine you can control the entire chain of events.

The delegates at the conference are being closely watched by Nigerians, putting some form of citizen pressure on us; the press is covering the entire proceedings live, with the dynamics of conversations and alliance building going on, some form of freedom is perceived; and believe me, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan cannot control this body for long, if at all he is controlling it.

If his thinking is to control and set an agenda, he might very well have opened up a Pandora’s box, over which he has no control.

This conference cannot be guided or controlled. History has shown this to be the case. Ask Obasanjo and his third term project, which he mistakenly threw to the parliament.

From that moment on, he lost control. I guess he regrets that to this day (or with the

benefit of hindsight, maybe not. Who is to say?).

Given the rather frosty relationship between the National Conference and the National Assembly, will the National Assembly be minded to allow the issue of a Referendum in the amended constitution see the light of the day? Even if the National parliament successfully inserts a clause on Referendum, can the state Parliaments come to the table to also agree on the same? Even if they all do, what about the issue of time?

Remember we have just about 9 months to the next elections.

The above are the challenges. Yet assuming these challenges are all successfully navigated, how will the resolutions and recommendations of the conference be tabled to Nigerians and by which body?

Be that as it may, my conviction and thoughts are that, with so much money being spent on the conference, with the conference being the most representative in the annals

of our nation, with citizens pressure and media attention, we may well come away with the most acceptable recommendations to Nigerians and it will be a huge shame to have all these wasted.

This is therefore appealing that we collectively lobby our Senators, Representatives and Assembly members to insert the clause on referendum in the amended constitution, for the possibility of eventually giving some teeth to the Conference’s resolutions.

It is my considered opinion that it is wiser and more probative to engage with and contribute to the Conference. Staying away owing to the assumed eventual failure or whatever other reasons may lead to regret if the conference’ resolutions eventually see the light of the day, and we failed to add some value or quality to it, though the opportunity was presented.

Mom, a Kaduna based lawyer is a delegate at the national Conference.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

ENTERTAINMENT

per reak’ ume

Continued from Page 52

‘I'm a

53

Yvonne Nelson set for Single & Married sequel

•Yvonne

Quilox may close down for Flavour, Okocha, Kanu, MI Ramadan boost Glo’s new campaign •Flavour

•MI

GOtv excites customers at forum

•Sophia Chikere

•Efe Obiomah

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

ETCETERA

56

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

POLITICKLE

A.D. 2015

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

Disclaimer: Persons, places and groups in the story are fictitious and bear no resemblance to actual persons, places or groups.

ON a hot January day one decade and a half into the 21st century, Luckless Patriot contemplated a risky jaunt into town from a commercial Naijerian city suburb. With the country reeling from yet another bout of fuel shortage marked by civil disorder and with national elections due for the next month, there could not have been a more combustible start to the year.

Wilting in the heat of the midday sun with an empty fuel container in hand, Mr Patriot muttered under his breath. “Hmmn, if I can only get four litres of fuel to power my generating set for the night, I shall be glad indeed.”

You see, our man was, in the ways of his neglected people, used to providing social services for himself. Daily, he stretched personal resources to put food on the table, access water via borehole facility and hire guards for private security – he would engage bodyguards to preempt kidnappers if he possessed the means, for decades of ruinous leadership had so compromised public security.

Keeping his rickety used car on the road, the children in school and their overworked mother out of hospital similarly engaged him. Four litres of Premium Motor Spirit, aka petrol, would go a long way indeed.

But someone else had a different idea. By the road sat the one many loved to knock, Chief Filchin’ Bureaucrat, and as he watched Patriot saunter past, a smirk on his face mirrored his thoughts. “There walks my excuse for siphoning funds.

Although the coffers are not yet empty, I’m getting there as banks and investment companies from Switzerland to Brazil attest. At the right moment, I’ll ambush Patriot with an umpteenth fuel subsidy withdrawal and dangle fantastic palliatives in his perplexed face. Oh, resourcefully despicable me!”

It didn’t matter that promised palliatives often went up in a smoke once Bureaucrat had his way or that, surrounded by poverty, government and party officials daily abused power and espoused corruption.

Yet, another party longed to profit from the situation. With the moniker B.H. standing for a more proper appellation, the Sahelian terrorist surpassed previous militants in irritant value and was fingered as a swift catalyst to dissolution of the modern Naijeria state but for political expediency. Still, B.H. more than once threatened extension of his dreadful practice on the more affluent south.

As he lurked in the shadows, it was difficult to gauge which informed his grouse most – economic inequality, religious fundamentalism or criminal tendency. He struggled to master the wish to let fly another I.E.D. (Improvised Explosive Device) just then. To himself he said: “I swear, if that Patriot what’shis-name keeps going and Bureaucrat deprives him of respite as usual, I shall bomb the latter and possibly maim the former!”

Despite criticism of his archaic methods, Hapless Agent loitered at one of his serially banned and unbanned roadblocks with penetrating resolve. “If Mr Patriot keeps going and Chief Bureaucrat exploits him, that bothersome B.H. will expose himself and I’ll pounce!”

Now, if you think this a long tale, I guarantee there’s more.

From certain quarters leaked breakaway plans with some already scheming flags and anthems for proposed nations. In town on some urgent business, a representative of such entity observed the goings-on and thought the whole affair opportune. “Wow,” said O. P. Cee Arewaa-Masb to himself, “if Mr Patriot keeps going and Chief Bureaucrat frustrates him, then that troublesome B.H. gives himself away and Agent manages to swoop, it might all just get out of hand and I would pursue my dream.”

No one, in circumstances rife with speculation, saw foreign power representative Polize Jankee prepare to set up base ashore. Long suspected to be a player in the likely spectacle of a Naijeria fallout, he preached arbitration.

Eventually, Patriot stepped into another fuel conundrum, Bureaucrat pulled the subsidy rug, B.H. hurled the I.E.D., Agent grabbed a couple of the rebels who sang meaningfully, and Arewaa-Masb lunged, but found the timing inappropriate. He tried to link the blunder to external influence but recalled that Jankee denied ulterior motive earlier.

But here’s the thing: playing dice with someone else’s methods and resources could not be the prerogative of any foreigner, even if he shapes to do so. Nor should the leader of a beleaguered nation so insinuate, for no country can ride on good luck forever; no, the initiative, as ever, lies with Patriot and his disillusioned ilk.

QUOTE

A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.

—Winston Churchill

Jokes Humour

A Second Opinion A DOCTOR and his wife are having a fight at the breakfast table. The husband gets up in a rage and says, “And you are no good in bed either,” and storms out of the house.

After sometime he regrets his action and decides to make amends. He calls home.

His wife comes to the phone after many rings and the irritated husband says, “What took you so long to answer the phone?”

“I was in bed.”

“In bed this early, doing what?”

“Getting a second opinion!”

Memory Effect TWO elderly gentlemen are playing cards on Saturday evening as they have done for the past 40 years.

Maxwell, the older, had been having problems remembering what cards were what, and usually needed help from his wife.

At the end of the card game Eddy said to Maxwell, “You did very good tonight. You didn’t need any help at all. Why is that?”

Maxwell replied, “Why, ever since my wife sent me to that memory school, I

haven’t had any problems at all.”

“Memory school? What memory school?”

Maxwell thought for a moment, “Oh, what’s that flower that’s red with thorns? A really pretty flower.”

“A rose?”

“Yeah, that’s it!” Maxwell turned to his wife and mumbled, “Hey, Rose! What’s the name of that memory school you sent me to?”

Dan’s Reason DAN married one of a pair of identical twins.

Less than a year later, he was in court filing for divorce.

“Tell the court why you want a divorce,” the judge said.

“Well, Your Honour,” Dan said, “every once in a while my sister-in-law would come over for a visit, and because she and my wife are identical twins, sometimes I’d end up making love to her by mistake.”

“Surely there must be some difference between the two women,” the judge said.

“Exactly, Your Honour,” said Dan, rather embarrassed. “That’s why I want the divorce.”

•Adapted from the Internet

G

Writer’s Fountain IVING your story far more readable and enjoyable. theme: The best stories in the world Imagine a story where a man climbs a have something in common – a great theme. mountain, alone and in bad weather, for They may also have great plots, but, for a example, and has to be rescued by helicopter. story to endure, theme matters. Plot is what Is that a story? No, it’s a news report. But happens. Theme is the reason. suppose the same man goes on that foolhardy A theme, in other words, is the meaning climb to prove to himself – and his girl – that of a story. We all look for meaning in life he is not a coward, and he succeeds. The world and for pattern in all things, including fiction. scorns him as a fool but his girl knows better.

But how do we power our stories with a Now the tale has meaning. Its theme might great theme? be: ‘A man can only find his life when he is A story with a theme that’s too direct prepared to lose it.’ Narrated well, that might becomes a policy or manifesto. A story where be a great story. a theme, grounded in some basic human Here are two ways to endow your story drive, works its way to the surface slowly with a strong theme: through incident, character and behaviour is Let’s say that you have written a story already.

Craft a plot in the usual way, Mosquito cost: complete with obstacles, setbacks, conflicts •Mosquito is Spanish for ‘little fly’. The and twists. Then look for the theme that’s word originated in the 16th century. already there.

•A mosquito can drink up to three times its Suppose you write a horror story about a weight in blood. young couple who honeymoon on a far-off •Mosquitoes feed mainly on fruit and plant island. The locals warn them it’s haunted. To nectar, but only the female bites humans. placate the ghosts, they must follow some She needs protein in the blood to help her bizarre ritual. They scoff. Weeks later, their eggs develop. Once she’s had her fill, she’ll bodies are discovered, and their faces rest for some days before laying her eggs. contorted with horror.

57

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

Page 58, 59

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Page 59

•Mali

Thousands of jobs may be lost in cement sector

HE Chemical and Non Metallic Product Senior Staff Association of Nigeria( CANMPSSAN), an affiliate of Trade Union Council (TUC), has warned the federal government that thousands of its members may lose their jobs in the cement sector if the government continues with its policy inconsistency Addressing newsmen , in Lagos, the president of the union , Comrade Mohammed Abdul Gafar, said the cement sub-sector is monopolising the entire industry, adding that any effort to ban the usage of 32.5 cement grade will lead to thousands of job loss because most of the factories will have to shut down.

"If the government comes out with a policy that 32.5

grade of cement should not be used, we will reject such policy.

"We as a labour union will support any effort that will stop the incidence of building collapses. We are prepared to partner with relevant governmental agencies to see that building collapses become a thing of the past. Loss of lives because of building collapses is not only disheartening but avoidable.," Mohammed said.

He said there are about 27 types of cement that exist all over the world and each type of cement supports different purposes.

His words: "We have 12.5,22.5,32.5,42.5,52.5,sulphate resistance cement, oil well, white cement and others. None of the cement is inferior to others. Cement has nothing to do with building collapses.

-- Page 53

Paint sector capacity utilisation drops to 20%

"Reasons for building collapses of poor application, site corruption-stealing and compromises, lack of use of professionals on site and so on.

"We believe a different agenda is being pursued to create monopoly and the likely consequences will be loss of jobs as a result of this action.

We believe it is an agenda to fight and eradicate unionism. " The action will have implication on current ongoing projects because the contractors will have to redesign the structure based on a single cement type, thereby increasing job loss and cost.

"There is need for choice in selection of materials for different applications in construction industry. " Some cement plants will have to be shutdown because

of need to upgrade, thereby bringing an increase in price.

"About two years is required typically to upgrade some of the cement plants to produce only one type with attendant consequencies.

Mohammed said, the standard should not be toyed with, adding that consumers can have choice between different types of cement.

He said the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) must rigidly ensured, that standards are met in chain of the construction industry. " Our union will not stand by and look without challenging any undue politicisation of this all important sector that will lead to loss of jobs as a result of inconsistent government policies," he said

‘Why noninterest banking should be encouraged'

Page 60

How far can GMO aid food production?

Nigeria woos investors

T

HE Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi, has called on foreign and local investors to consider the current scientific best practices, availability of land, and good climatic conditions as reasons to support and invest in agriculture in Nigeria.

Akinwumi made the call at a meeting organised by the ministry as part of the just concluded World Economic Forum in Abuja, where state governors and private sector industry leaders declared their support for, and readiness to implement the Staple Crops Processing Zones (SCPZ) scheme.

The scheme established by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development under the Transformation Agenda of the current administration is aimed at drastically reducing post-harvest food wastage as well as creating job opportunities that would develop the rural countryside.

It is also designed to boost food production and drastically reduce Nigeria's dependence on food import while creating business and job opportunities for investors. Today, the zones are located within 14 states or corridors to provide services and interventions to mitigate risks at every step of the value chain by linking players from inputs to end markets to streamline the process for investors.

The 14 states and corridors are Anambra/Enugu Bayelsa, Benue; Borno, Cross River, Kano Kogi, Kwara Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Taraba and Kebbi/Sokoto.

Adesina told participants that Nigeria has transformed from a largely agricultured one to where agribusiness will dictate the pace of economic activities.

He said that a tremendous transformation has taken place in the sector since the government launched the Agricultural Transformation Agenda in 2011, which set a target of adding 20 million metric tons of food to the domestic output, and about 75 percent (15.7 million metric tons) was achieved about by 2013.

Dr. Patrick Kormawa, Country Director for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Abuja, noted that Nigeria is reputed to be the largest producer of cassava, yam and food sorghum worldwide, at 54 million metric tons (MMT), 38 MMT and 6.9 MMT respectively, while the country places second and third globally in citrus and ground nut production.

Yet, according to him, processing remains rudimentary, with post-harvest losses for various commodities remaining high as these are associated with inability to meet market requirements.

Nigeria's merchandise trade stands at N5.2trn - NBS

N From left: Director-General NACCIMA, Dr, John Isemede , Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Mr Olusegun Awolowo, and Chairman Manufacturer Export Promotion Group, Mr Tunde Oyelola, during the one-day Capacity Workshop on Strategies for penetrating West African Market in Lagos.

PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

Lawyer urges NIMASA to enforce Carbotage Act

A

LAWYER, Mr Edoka Onyeke, yesterday urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to effectively enforce the Cabotage Act relating to the operations of foreign-flagged vessels.

He spoke after the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Friday, upheld the right of any ship owner in Nigeria to

By Joseph Jibueze challenge any violations of the Act. Justice Ibrahim Buba delivered the judgment in a suit by Polmaz Limited, represented by a former NIMASA Director-General Mr Temisan Omatseye, a lawyer.

Onyeke, who is the plaintiff's lawyer, said NIMASA must exercise its powers to ensure that foreign vessels do not operate in

Nigeria's waters without licence.

The plaintiff had urged the court to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) and Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to cancel all contracts with foreign flagged vessels operating in Nigeria's coastal waters without licence.

Polmaz said NNPC and PPMC engaged the vessels in

domestic coastal trade without requisite licenses being issued or any waivers granted to them as stipulate in the Act. It urged the court to determine whether Nigeria's shipping laws have not restricted foreign flagged vessels, or vessels not owned or built by Nigerians and registered in Nigeria from engaging in domestic coastal trade within the country's territorial waters.

ATIONAL Bureau of Statistics (NBS), has said that the total value of Nigeria's external merchandise trade stood at N5.2 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2013.

The figure is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by Dr Yemi Kale, the Statistician-General of the Federation.

The statement quoted Kale as saying the figure was N495.3 billion lower than the N5.6 trillion recorded in the previous quarter, representing an 8.8 per cent decline.

He noted that the observed change was as a result of decline in the value of imports and exports by 19.1 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively from the previous quarter.

"The value of imports declined from N2.1 trillion in the third quarter to N1.6 trillion in the fourth quarter, while the value of exports declined from N3.5 trillion to N3.5 trillion over the same period.

"The resulting trade balance of N1.7 trillion presented an increase of N302.2 billion or 20.3 per cent from the preceding quarter compared with the fourth quarter of the previous year.

The fourth quarter of the previous year revealed that the value of the nation's total merchandise trade declined by 28.2 per cent, or N2.1 trillion.''

The NBS boss said that total trade stood at N21.3 trillion in 2013, 24.3 per cent or N6.8 trillion lower than the N28.1 trillion recorded in 2012, as a result of decline in exports by 36.5 per cent.

He said the crude oil component of total exports stood at N2.9 trillion for the fourth quarter, while non-crude oil accounted for N495.2 billion.

He noted that the value of Nigeria's imports amounted to N1.6 trillion in the fourth quarter, representing a decline of N398.7 billion or 19.1 per cent from the N2.1 trillion recorded in the third quarter.

58

BUSINESS

Science is essential to improving human life. But its involvement in genetically enhancing food production is enmeshed in controversy, writes Joe Agbro Jr.

F

OOD is essential to man.

Having survived the Malthusian damnation that the human race would overrun resources - food, being one of them - in the 18th century, with the advent of industrial revolution, the agrarian revolution tottered on replacing old practices with new and efficient methods.

Farming became a race to get the most possible from either plant or animals. There had to be an efficient way to achieve that. It was a question of time before science set in.

Welcome to the world of genetic modification (GMO).

Applied to plants, the science behind GMO involves gene mutations to get desirable qualities from crops.

With a global population of over seven billion people and a shortage of food on the planet, there is an awning need to produce more food on limited arable land. According to livescience.com, in the United States of America, at least 90% of the soy, cotton, canola, corn, and sugar beets sold in the country are genetically engineered.

In 2012, about 17.3 million farmers grew GM crops in 28 countries. And 20 developing countries accounted for 52% of the total GM harvest that year. At the moment, about 16 African countries have adopted GMO farming.

And in December last year, the Director-General of National Biotechnological Development Agency, Prof. Solomon Bamidele, said Genetically Modified seeds were inevitable to ensuring global food security.

And despite global resistance against the GM seeds, the DG said the process was compatible with nature. ''We are not God," he said, "we are only using the knowledge God has given to us to make the world a better place."

Early this year, Jose Manuel Madero, the president and managing director of Monsanto, a United States bio-technology firm and the world's largest GMO manufacturer, said that if Nigeria adopts bio-technology, the country could earn additional $11.6 billion. According to Madero, the company is present in African countries and "in South Africa, 95 per cent of farmers are into biotech."

Any crop can be subjected to GMO but it is the commercially attractive ones like cotton, maize, rice, vegetable, and also cassava, that are usually enhanced. Aside from bountiful yields, qualities such as ability to include added nutrients, drought resistance, resistance to pests and diseases, and other beneficial traits are some reasons that make GMO crops desirable. However, these enhancements do not augur well with everyone.

How safe are GMOs?

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

How far can GMO aid foo That seems to be a knotty issue.

While scientists claim GMO foods are safe, to the anti-GMO activists, these foods, which were first commercialised in the mid-1990s, are just a no-go area. Not just for human consumption but also for environmental issues.

"Genetically modified foods have been linked to toxic and allergic reactions, sick, sterile and dead livestock, and damage to virtually every organ studied in lab animals," according to the Institute for Responsible Technology, a group of anti-GMO activists.

However, many scientific organisations believe the fearmongering that runs through discussions of GMO foods is more emotional than factual. "Indeed, the science is quite clear: crop improvement by the modern molecular techniques of biotechnology is safe," the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) said in a 2012 statement.

Monsanto and other global players in the biotech seed industry like Syngenta, DuPont, Bayer and CropScience toe this line.

"Since GM crops were first commercialised in 1996 … regulatory agencies in 59 countries have conducted extensive scientific reviews and affirmed the safety of GM crops with 2,497 approvals on 319 different GMO traits in 25 crops," according to a statement on the website for Monsanto, the world's largest manufacturer of GMOs. "The majority (1,129) of approvals on GM crops have been on the food safety of the product."

But, some Nigerians do not agree with this.

GMO controversies One of those spearheading the campaign against the introduction of GMO into the country is Gbadebo Viour-Rhodes, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology trained architect.

According to a report by Vivour-Rhodes: "In order to access a $300 million fund from the G8, the agriculture minister and the federal government are in the process of opening our country to genetically Modified foods and seeds."

And he is among those on a facebook group, Nigerians Against GMO. There is also a campaign on change.org towards the cause.

Next week, the group intends on going on a protest for their cause.

Condemning the GMO practice, Gbadebo Vivour-Rhode,s who trained as an architect at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, said, "all this information is out there. You don't need to be a farmer to understand when something negative is going to happen to your country.

"The umbrella that these GM people wrap the world in is that they want to help poor people that cannot eat. But, if you notice all the countries that these people are coming into, all of them are on the path of economic boom. They didn't go to Sudan. The only place that is poor is Ethiopia. That is the first thing that makes you question why.”

Also citing government's inability to fund subsistence farmers which he says produce the bulk of food eaten in the country. "Their farming is not mechanised," he said. "So, when

•Genetically modified maize is the most planted

a farmer plants on his farm, half of the things go bad while he is harvesting. So, before they (government) say they want to do GM, let our farmers get to a stage where our farmers are operating at maximum capacity. If at that point, Nigeria is not a net exporter of food, then we can be having a conversation about GM. But I assure you, our land is fertile. The people that need this GM thing are people that are living in land that is dead."

Another argument for pro-GM activist is that increasing population would need an increased production of food.

However, Vivour-Rhodes contends that "Global amount of food produced in the world today can feed an extra two billion people." There is excess amount of food being produced in this world. The people that cannot eat don't have money to eat. So, what they are trying to do is a quick-fix solution. But the real intent of these GM companies is to enslave.

"Now, imagine a company that is in control of your food supply.”

According to Rhodes-Vivour, GMO seeds kill the soil. "And you cannot take seeds from the plant," he said. "Which means that every year, go back and buy some more seeds. Normal agricultural

practice says that when you plant, the best crop that you get that year, you save and that is what you plant that year. In India, 250, 000 farmers committed suicide because they would go and buy these expensive seeds and the problem of these seeds is that they promise all these high yields but this doesn't always work. " The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) said the association was not aware of moves to introduce GMO seeds into the country.

"We hear but we have not been really informed about it," said AFAN's national president, Chief Femi Coker. "Until when the information comes from the minister and the association actually sits and sees the merits and demerits of it.

"We would want to listen to the advice of the minister of agriculture what he feels about it because our interest is not only personal, our interest is national.

What effects would it have on Nigerian agriculture? What as it done in other countries where it has been adopted. We don't want to rush into adopting anything that is not going to be of interest to Nigerian agriculture and Nigerian farmers. So, we would wait for the advice of the minister of agriculture and ministry of

agriculture before we adopt anything and recommend it to our farmers because once we adopt it and start to promote it, it means we are getting our farmers involved. And once our farmers take to it, it would affect Nigerian farmers because they trust us, they believe us, and they do what we say. And so, we have to be extra careful."

These criticisms have forced the minister of agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, to recently refute that the GMO crops were not in the country.

"What we have in Nigeria is biotechnologically improved crops to raise yields for farmers and not genetically modified crops as being speculated," the minister said.

Vivour-Rhodes, however, thinks the minister is being evasive. "It is his choice of words that he is using to describe what he is doing," he said. "If he is saying that it’s not happening at the moment it does not mean it will never come in.

"Our country is too fragile to be dealing with companies like Monsanto. Let us first build ourselves. Can these seeds regenerate themselves? Or are we going to be having to pay a corporation to get these seeds every year?"

Timeline of GMO 1982 - The first genetically modified plant was produced, using an antibiotic-resistant tobacco plant.

1987 - Plant Genetic Systems, Ghent, Belgium, founded by Marc Van Montagu and Jeff Schell, was the first company to develop genetically engineered (tobacco) plants with insect tolerance by expressing genes encoding for insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt).

1992 - China was the first country to allow commercialized transgenic plants, introducing a virus-resistant tobacco in 1992, which was withdrawn from the market in China in 1997.

1994 - The first genetically modified crop approved for sale in the U.S., was the FlavrSavr tomato, which had a longer shelf life, as it took longer to soften after ripening.

1994 - European Union approved tobacco engineered to be

resistant to the herbicide bromoxynil, making it the first commercially genetically engineered crop marketed in Europe.

1995 - Bt Potato was approved safe by the Environmental Protection Agency, making it the first pesticide producing crop to be approved in the USA. 2000 - With thes production of golden rice, scientists genetically modified food to increase its nutrient value for the first time.

BUSINESS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

d food production?

59

Paints sector capacity utilisation drops to 25%

M

ANUFACTURERS Association (PMA) recently said that capacity utilisation in the sector had dropped to 25 per cent.

The association's president, Mr Suleiman Tella, disclosed this in Lagos.

He said that the capacity utilisation dropped from 30 per cent in the last few years.

Tella said that the drop in the performance of the sector was due to adulteration of products as well as the high cost of doing business. He said the situation had rendered almost 50 per cent of the paint manufacturing companies moribund.

"The paint industry in Nigeria currently has an average annual turnover of N50 billion and this constitutes 25 per cent capacity utilisation. Our installed capacity, from about 100 active paint manufacturers in the country, is 200 million litres of paints, if all things are in place to an extent. Adulteration of our paint products is one of our major challenges and this is because the fine levied on offenders is too low," Tella said.

He said that paint manufacturers in the country had not been able to produce up to 50 per cent of the paint products consumed in the country due to insecurity and unstable power supply. According to him, this means that implementation of the local content policy has been problematic. The industrialist urged the federal government to create a more enabling environment for all manufacturers.

10 authors make longlist for Glo-sponsored Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature

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•Adesina

GMO seeds when planted do not breed viable seeds that can be planted again. And farmers have to buy them. There have also been claims by antagonists of GMO that opening Nigeria to such technology will damage the soil, produce varieties of resistant weeds and bacteria and also link it to cause cancer, obesity, and death of animals.

However, apart from just producing food, Vivour-Rhodes believes that the introduction of GMO crops in the country may be counter-productive.

"If anybody has experienced what good healthcare is, you'll know that Nigeria does not have good health care," he said. "So, you cannot now bring something that has its link with so many negative things such as cancer, sterility, sudden death - all these things that researchers have seen in France that are linked to eating GMO foods, you now want to bring them into the country. It doesn't make sense. And even if you want to do that, you'll spend 10 years to create the proper infrastructure to make sure you can monitor and understand on a bio-molecular level what these people are doing.

Not that you'll plant it and you don't know what is going on."

Engineer Yakubu Atar, the CEO and Managing Director of Da-Allgreen seeds, which is based in Zaria, Kaduna, does not support the introduction of GMO crops and shares Vivour-Rhodes' sentiments.

"In Europe, there are a lot of controversies that people are kicking against," he said. "So, the question is: With their level of education and exposure, why are they kicking against it. There must be something that is not known to the world very well. So, when you look at our level of education that is not up to theirs, you begin to ask, are we not going to run into problems with those kind of technology?

"By the time it is brought in, can

we separate them from our natural crops? And at the end of the day, would they not even subdue our natural crops? Now, if there is a long term problem, do we have the technology and the wherewithal to contain it like in America? So, in as much as it is good, we should look at the technology that is available to us?

"Don't mind that there are people in government who are advocating for high technology.

Some of them are surrogates of these companies."

It was reported last year that farmers at the Bakalori irrigation project in Mfara, Zamfara State suffered a heavy loss when they planted rice seedling given them

by Maslaha Seed Company.

According to the report, the rice germinated but failed to produce.

"We have never seen such a thing," said Alhaji Sahabi Mafara, a spokesman of the farmers, at that time.

"It was after a very long period that some of the rice started producing, but we could not get much from it."

But according to the Managing Director of Maslaha Seeds Company, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, whose company supplied the seeds free of charge to the farmers, the problem was environmental and had nothing to do with the foundation seeds given to the farmers. He said the planting of the seeds was done at the wrong time.

Other parties claim that such is the likelihood that could stem from biotechnology.

The foundation seeds which are procured from research institutions are meant to breed certified seeds which are what the farmer plant. In the case of Bakalori, the rice seedlings were meant to produce certified but this wasn't achievable.

But with a global value of US$13.2 billion in 2011, the biotech seed industry is significant. And it is no doubt seeking to extend its

presence.

Recently, Michael Frank, the vice-president, International Raw Crops and Vegetables, announced that over 40 hybrid seeds will be introduced into Nigeria, while the company MONSANTO would focus on maize, soybean, cotton and oilgrape seed. But bracing question ns about the safety of GMO food, he said biotechnology helps farmers farm efficiently and in an environmentally sustainable way.

He also said that as per embracing GMO foods, "that is a decision the people and government have to make."

An academic, Professor Dele Fapohunda, the founder and president of Safe Food and Feed Foundation, believes that more Nigerian scientists need to get on the debate on GMO. "I am not sure of the stand of Nigerian government, scientists and the business group on this," he said.

"And this loud silence, to me is scandalous, when one considers the high possibility of having these foods flooding Nigeria, when one considers porous boundaries and fairly lax regulations. I hope the Biosafety law will take care of this.

And the Chairman, Senate committee on science and technology, Prof. Robert Boroffice, expressed optimism in the signing, the Bio-Safety bill by President Goodluck Jonathan.

"I can speak authoritatively that Mr. President will be anxious to enact a Bio-safety law, when he gets the passed bill before him, for the interest of the country, he will sign," Boroffice had said. "So that Monsanto and other countries can come to Nigeria to assist us in boosting agricultural production not only in food but also in area of cotton, cowpea, maize, tomatoes."

Hence, the embrace of GMO in Nigeria, like in other countries, has pitted scientists against nonscientists, government against the governed, and the well-fed against the hungry.

EN African authors have made the long-list for the 2014 edition of the Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa. This year's award is the fifth edition and it coincides with the 80th birthday of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.

Authors listed for the fifth edition of the award sponsored by Nigeria's National Telecom Carrier, Globacom, are: Othuke Ominiaboha, Akin Bello, Soji Cole, Comfort Adesuwa Ero, Toyin Abiodun, Isaac Attah Ogezi, Moshood Oba, Mayowa Saja, Wumi Raji and Akin Adejumo.

The long list was made from a total of 163 entries submitted from 17 African countries in the genre of drama, which is the focus of the 2014 edition.

The shortlist will be announced by the judges of the prize in June 2014 and the ultimate winner is expected to announced and presented with his prize on July 5 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos.

The Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa is a biennial award for the best literary work produced by an African. It was established by the Lumina Foundation in 2005 and has since been serving as an African equivalent of the Nobel Prize, particularly in recognising and encouraging professional and personal excellence.

Entries were invited from authors of any published play or collection of plays by the same author of African descent, published within the last two years (that is, a play published between 2012 and 2013).

WISCAR appeals for release xxx of Chibok girls

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OMEN in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a not-for-profit organization that is committed to mentoring young, aspiring career women, continues to plead for the unconditional release of the school girls who were abducted and continue to be held by insurgents in Chibok, Borno State.

A statement issued by WISCAR states, "WISCAR shares in the widespread shock and horror at the abduction of innocent school girls.

The aim of WISCAR is to unleash the potential of womenfolk in Nigeria.

“WISCAR” therefore, laments that horrific incidents such as these are capable of eroding the gains that the country has recorded in the area of girl child education and empowerment of women."

In the statement, WISCAR also commends governments, individuals and groups from all over the world for the solidarity shown towards the girls and their families. It stated that "in order for the nation to develop to its' full potential, the talent of women must be unleashed.

“The global demonstration of revulsion at this incident and the calls for the unconditional release of the girls demonstrate a world united to protect basic values of humanity held dear across national boundaries.

WISCAR unreservedly lends its' voice to these hearts.”

Konga.com launches free delivery nationwide, new escrow service

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ONGA.com, Nigeria's largest online marketplace in celebration of its customers and recent recognition as the most innovative and impactful retail brand in Nigeria by the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry has introduced free delivery nationwide to all its customers for the month of May. Besides, the company is also launching a new escrow service that allows for secured and easy payments online without exposing customer ATM/ Debit Card details by ensuring that all payments are only made to sellers on its marketplace once delivery has been confirmed by the buyer.

The Konga Escrow system has been developed working with Nigeria's leading banks to provide 100% buyer protection, now customers can directly link their bank accounts to their Konga wallets, and carry out instant credit and debits to and from their bank accounts. With the Konga Escrow system, shoppers can also get amazing discounts and offers available to verified account holders on Konga.

Speaking about the two new offers for customers, Mayowa Adebayo, VP of Customer Experience, Konga.com said: "In continuous demonstration of our commitment to providing better shopping experiences and customer satisfaction, 2014 will be all about providing more value for Nigerians, and will be filled with many innovative offerings from us at Konga.”

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

BUSINESS

OU recently delivered a lecture on noninterest banking and Islamic Finance at the Bayero University, Kano. What was the thrust of your presentation?

The actual presentation was on leadership in business and academia. This was a precursor to the Islamic Banking conference that we sponsor, which is being held in Bayero University in partnership with Standard Bank. One of the things I talked about was the importance of us as a business to be involved in financial inclusion; to be sure that as many Nigerians as possible are banked. The second was to make sure that we offer the broadest range of financial services to all Nigerians, and that is the commitment that was given. In Standard Bank, are committed to making sure that Islamic Banking actually succeeds in Nigeria and grows from strength to strength.

Nigeria's Muslim population is estimated at half of the country's 160 million people, bringing it to over 200 million Muslims when the West African subregion is included. One would have expected that noninterest banking, which was introduced in the region, moreso in Nigeria, a couple of years ago, would have gained a significant attraction. But that does not appear to be the case. What could be responsible for the slow uptake of non-interest banking?

I think what is important is that we make sure that we do things right. The Central Bank did the right thing by laying down very clear ground rules, very clear regulatory standards and very clear criteria for approving any bank to do Islamic banking or non-interest banking. When the regulator did that, it allowed banks to then apply for getting the licence. And with God's help, we are one of the banks, the first bank to get the licence.

Getting the license was the first step; then you have to make sure that internally we have all the right processes in place. We have to setup the right structure to supervise in line with Islamic banking; you have to make sure that the products are approved by your board and then approved by the Central Bank. After that, we have then to consult religious leaders and other stakeholders in the Muslim community to give them a sense of what it is that we do.

Only then do you start to get to market or promote the product. Yes, it has taken time but I think it's the right thing because, now, more and more people know about it. As more and more people know about it, it then has a pull effect because people are saying this is something I want to do, it is in accord with my values, in accord with my faith and I trust that it is the right thing. It will grow and I think the setup process is the right ones.

Do you think enough has been done to generate awareness about the noninterest banking in Nigeria?

Specifically, what is Stanbic IBTC doing in creating awareness?

We are spending a lot of time with important scholars; we are spending a lot of time with universities; for example, the University in Katsina (the Katsina Muslim University)

Why non interest banking should be encouraged' Industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, SME have experienced set back due to lack of access to finance. Most complain that interest rates charged by banks make it difficult for them to access fund. Head, Personal and Business Banking, West Africa, Standard Bank, Mr Lincoln Mali, in this interview with Bukola Afolabi, gives reasons why non-interest banking should be encouraged and how it will enhance the economy. and the university named after the former President, Yar Adua University in Katsina, Bayero University, and Crescent University.

These are universities that we are starting to work with. We are also spending time with some of the religious institutions and other foundations to give them a sense about non-interest banking and then obviously in our branches already, we are starting to promote the product. In my travels in Bauchi, in Jos, in Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Abuja and so on, we are promoting non-interest banking and in other parts of the bank, even here in Lagos.

We are starting to create that awareness so that people understand what it is all about.

What people miss a lot about Islamic Banking is that there are fundamental principles and values associated with Islamic Banking. If those principles and values are not there and if those structures are not there, you can't call it Islamic Banking. We want to do it right and we will promote it based on Standard Bank's own integrity ethics, because in Standard Bank we wouldn't do something that is not ethically right or valuesbased. We have to get the promotion right. I am happy with the progress we have made so far.

Standard Bank, the parent company of Stanbic IBTC, launched Sharia-compliant banking in other African markets a long time ago. What has been the experience in markets like Tanzania and Ghana, and how have you applied such experience to drive uptake in Nigeria?

Our view is that each market is unique. We are trying to make sure that we use the uniqueness of Nigeria, because even within Nigeria, each region is unique; we are trying to make sure we use that. Some of the experience we gained from Tanzania and from other markets is relevant, but we try and always bring it back to what works in Nigeria, what works in this region and use it in line with what the Central Bank has approved and what is in line with our board's decision.

It is generally accepted that non-interest banking policies as well as legal and operational frameworks are well thought out and structured. Do you share this view? Are the policies adequate to spur growth of non-interest banking in Nigeria?

Absolutely. This is the actual key essence of Islamic Banking. You have to make sure that the structures are in place. You must make sure that the training is being done that each product has been approved by the board and has been approved by the Central Bank, only then can you market it. Those structures are in place, the products are now in place

•Mali

and again, we started with dayto-day products - which are Transactional Products. We are now getting into the learning products and as time goes on, we'll move to more high-end products. I am happy with the progress in the way we have gone up till now.

The development and issuance of Sharia-compliant products and services appear not to have kept pace with market expectations. The issuance of Islamic bonds has not attracted any traction.

I think it's making sure we take steps all the time. The Transactional Products are the first we have got right. We have got that right, they are working and we are growing that base, we are now moving into the learning products. The other investment type products like Bonds and things like that will come as time goes on.

Can you give us an insight into the kind of projects or the sectors of the economy that Islamic finance can help develop in Nigeria?

I think trade is fundamental. We have to use the trade environment as key.

Agriculture is very important.

For me, those two stand out.

The more people get to know about Islamic Banking, it can affect any industry, it can apply to any of the industries but the two main ones for me that are important are trade and agriculture. The third one, in a strange, way is tourism, but not tourism-in, tourism-out.

It's not tourism in the sense of tourism, but it's in relation to the faith. For instance, people

who go out to do the Hajj carry a lot of cash and that is not good for them. But we are now developing the right products, debit cards that somebody can have when they are going out to Hajj. Now, these products and their potential are some of the things that for us are exciting.

Apart from inadequate awareness campaigns to market non-interest banking in Nigeria, we understand that banks offering the service are also contending with management and manpower challenges. To what extent is this true?

I can't comment about other banks. At Stanbic IBTC, we have been fortunate to have a very good team of people in the NIB(non-interest banking) team; very good support from the Centre where we have a dedicated specialist who the bank hired as part of our regulatory approval, who sits in our head office, who is dedicated to Islamic Banking.

On the board we have got eminent scholars, and business people. We haven't had that problem. I can't comment about other banks, but what I know is that internally, we don't have that difficulty at all.

One of the key objectives in launching non-interest banking in Nigeria is to enhance financial inclusion in a country where about 70 percent of the population lack access to regular banking services and also to diversify the economy by developing alternative financial services. Has noninterest banking helped in any way to bridge the gap?

It has in the sense that there are people who hitherto were unbanked because they didn't feel that conventional banking was there for them. Those people are now seeing an alternative in non-interest banking. But as you can well imagine, the gap is too huge, it's still going to take time and the more awareness, the more people that take it and the more people that get involved, then financial inclusion will improve. I have known how it can move people into the financial environment and allow them to be part of a broader economy. That's something that I am quite passionate about.

Is non-interest banking also for non-Muslims?

Yes, although there are term differences. If you call something Islamic Banking, then yes-indeed, it's focused on people of the Islamic faith.

But non-interest banking is a general term where Muslims will find it appealing because of the fact that it deals with the issue of interest, which in Islam is forbidden; because it's not allowed to charge interest .But there are other faiths or religions who also want noninterest banking. We are working now with Catholic churches who want to work with us on non-interest banking. In that sense, it will incorporate people from other faiths. That is why we talk more of non-interest banking, because when we say noninterest banking, then it is somebody who then says that this suits my faith, my values or my religion. If it does, then somebody will do it. When sometimes you say Islamic Banking, it then becomes a challenge. If somebody doesn't think that he fully subscribes to Islam, then such a person will say - well, I opt out. But when you say non-interest banking, then such a person will say - I think it's all the things that I want. Catholics are starting to also want to use our non-interest banking solutions.

Back in June 2011 the Central Bank of Nigeria expressed the desire to make Nigeria a hub for Shariacompliant finance in Africa, competing with Senegal, Egypt and South Africa to gain a huge chunk of the $1 trillion Islamic finance industry. More than three years after, are there signs the country is close to this goal?

No, we are not close.

There is still a lot of work to be done. And I think the most important thing for us is, let's get Nigeria right in terms of non-interest banking and the rest will follow. Nigeria is such a significant country that it is inevitable what it will become but we have got to make sure that we've done everything right in order for that to happen.

Stanbic IBTC Bank is generally perceived as a conventional commercial bank. What expertise or experience does it have to offer non-interest banking which is based on principles of Islamic commercial jurisprudence?

The leadership team that looks after our non-interest banking are all highly qualified, well experienced bankers who subscribe to the values and principles that are needed in Non-Interest Banking. The Board that we have is also made up of eminent members. What we follow is also regulated by the Reserve Bank and the products we serve are also the products that are approved by the Central Bank. That is what is important. It is not necessary to setup a separate bank, it is not necessary to setup a separate business for this, as long as that part of the bank that deals with this is well regulated, well managed and approved by the Central Bank and supported by communities, then we are succeeding. The conference we are having in Kano with other eminent scholars and other banks from all over the world is starting to get access to that community; more and more people will know Standard Bank as a bank that is there for all Nigerians.

Islamic Finance is the fastest growing market in ethical finance with an annual average growth of between 10 and 20 percent.

According to one account, current global Islamic finance assets stand at $800 billion and are expected to hit $1.4 trillion by 2015. How would this projection shape the global financial industry as a whole, and Nigeria in particular?

In the next few years, you will see a huge growth in this environment. The scholars that are meeting in Kano come from different parts of the world - Turkey, Middle East, Malaysia, Indonesia, and so on. And some of them already have very well developed banks that are taking this to the next level, so that the more the growth, the more financial order it will change and I think for Nigeria as well; the fact that it is only three banks that have been approved by the Central Bank indicate that this is going to grow.

Despite being rated the fastest growing market in ethical finance and with the potential to transform economies, Nigerian banks have largely shunned the non-interest banking platform. Does that suggest that it is not profitable?

Not at all, four banks including one MFB are having the licence within the first two years of the new guidelines. Other financial institutions are showing interest. Every business has its own gestation period for profitability, ways of assessing the future potentials and opportunities. For us, we believe that NIB has a very bright future and Profitability potentials in Nigeria. We are providing end-to-end financial products and services and are complementing our offerings with NIB products and services not only for the potential profitability but also to increase the options and financial inclusion.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

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The fate of Fast Food joints

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• From left:L-R: Deputy Director, Cassava Value Chain, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Mr. Efuntoye Ademola Titus; Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola; Technical Adviser, Cassava Value Chain, Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Mrs. Adetunji Oluwatoyin; and Divisional Managing Director, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Dr. Nino Ozara, during a courtesy visit to Honeywell by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development team…in Lagos…on Thursday

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LIRS boss honoured

HE good works of transforming the internally generated revenue of Lagos State Internal Revenue Services (LIRS) by its executive chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, has not gone unnoticed as he was on Thursday honoured in a book presented in Lagos.

The book, The Rudiments of Taxation in Nigeria written by Olugbenga Obatola and published by ASCO publishers was presented to the public Mr. Lawal Pedro, the permanent secretary at the Lagos State ministry of justice, while speaking at the event, was full of praise for Fowler's works, saying he deserved the honour. Under

Stories by Joe Agbro Jr.

his watch, Lagos State has witnessed a tremendous increase in its internally generated revenues, surpassing all other states.

"Other states have come to learn about the Lagos State taxation model," he said.

Reviewing the book at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry venue of the event, Mrs. Bimpe Balogun praised it for covering the whole gamut of basic taxation practice in the country. "What I like most is that there are examples of different matters concerning taxation in Nigeria," she said.

The honouree, Fowler, was equally effusive about

the gesture recognising his contributions. He also bought copies of the book for all staff of LIRS and members of the Tax Club at University of Lagos and described the book as the "most complete book" on taxation in Nigeria.

"AT LIRS, we give staff training books on taxation to read," he said.

"And I have seen a lot of books on taxation in Nigeria, but this is the most complete book I have seen on taxation in Nigeria."

Fowler said he was glad that he would be leaving behind young professionals like the author to continue when he retires.

The author, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria who is

also a chartered accountant, works with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services.

He said he was inspired to write the book when he worked as a taxation lecturer and his students complained about under taxation.

"I gave them my notes, but they were too bulky," he said.

He then began writing the book in 2009.

The occasion which was chaired by Oba Ajibade Agoro, Ranodu of Imota, who was represented by his daughter, was attended by tax professionals and other personalities, amongst which were Dr. Abiola Sanni, and Alhaji M. L. Abubakar who represented the Joint Tax Board.

NEPC advocates market penetration of ECOWAS

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HE successful hosting of the recently concluded World Economic Forum (WEF) in Abuja has been viewed as testimony of Nigeria's global economic relevance.

This was the view expressed

by Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, the Director-General of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), at a capacity workshop on strategies for penetrating the West African market which held last

Thursday in Lagos.

According to Awolowo, it is extremely important to improve market access and inroad into the West African market.

"Providing effective strategies for our exporters to increase their abilities to expand into the West African market," he said, "is especially important at this moment, as Asian and European giants are also either seeking to make inroad into the market, or to consolidate their

dominance in the region."

Fifteen West African countries have constituted themselves into a bloc, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Awolowo said "Nigeria with a population of more than 167 million people is home to half of the population of the ECOWAS region."

Speaking on the essence of synergy between member countries in terms of trade, Awolowo reiterated that a solo

exhibition staged by NEPC at Lome, Togo in August 2013 "is yielding results and must be sustained in order to increase our output to the region."

Awolowo said that with over $28 billion coming into Africa, Nigeria stood to gain a lot.

"The total export of Nigerian non-oil export to West Africa in 2013 was $375, 338, 935," he said. "This definitely needs to be improved upon."

ANAN canvasses capacity building for accountants

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HE President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria , Sakirudeen Tunji Labode, has called for improved capacity building for accountants.

Speaking at ANAN's 32nd Annual General Meeting held in Abuja, he said the group organised trainings at different locations in the country on International Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act , among others.

He said the Governing Council of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has approved the

proposal to build Accounting Research Centres at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Labode said that work would soon commence in this regard, adding that a number of universities across the country had been identified to benefit from the donation of Research Centres.

The ANAN president said that in 2013, the group donated various professional textbooks and accounting laboratories to some universities and polytechnics. He explained that since he became the president one year ago, the association had chanelled a lot of resources to

technical capacity building of members.

According to him, ``we realised that one of the greatest legacies we could bequeath to our members is to empower them technically so that they can be useful, not only to themselves but to the association and the nation at large.''

He said: ``trainings were organised at different locations in the country on International Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act , among others.''

The ANAN President said that in the last 365 days he came

into office, he had kept faith with his pledge, adding that an appreciable number of the commitments, were, as of now, 100 percent achieved. He said the rest (commitments) were at various developmental levels and were vigorously being pursued.

Labode said that as part of the association's contributions to national discourse, it had embarked on a rigorous campaign against corruption in the polity. ``Immediately we came on board, we championed Whistle Blowing Campaign,'' the Accountant said.

Labode mentioned that ``the process of ANAN full membership of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is in full swing.''

ASTING my mind back on the years gone by, precisely in the early 90's, my siblings and I earnestly looked forward to weekends. Not only because they were days out of school but also because Saturdays were for visiting extended families and friends, also dedicated to attending functions such as weddings and birthdays were the so called "party jollof rice was served" . Sundays had a culture of giving every member a special treat. The meals were carefully chosen but oftentimes, lunch was eaten out, either at resort/recreational centres or at fast food joints.

I am sure those who belong to this generation and the older one would agree that as soup seasoning is synonymous to Maggi, Soda to Coke, so also were eateries to Mr. Biggs. A brand that became a household name and sweet rhymes in the mouth of young ones. It was popular for the difference it introduced to the idea of fast food joints and the attractive packages they had for kids on public holidays.

Getting children under control was as easy as informing the little one that he/she would be denied a trip to Mr Biggs if they do not behave themselves. That was how much it meant to us back then.

Whether the business was profitable was not in question as branches sprang up quickly in other locations of Lagos state where it started out and of course other states of the nation. Being a free and open market, competitors also rose quickly introducing brands like Sweet Sensation, Tasty Fried Chicken, Tantalizers, Chicken Republic, Tetrazzini. Foreign names like Nandos and KFC are also not left out to mention but a few.

The need for this service has gradually shifted from mere luxury treats to a make up for unavailable homemade meals due to the increase in number of working class wives, increase in the number of cars plying the roads and consequently a rise in the number of useful hours spent in road traffic. This has expanded the range of service offered from just eat-in to home/office/school delivery to cater for the varying needs of their growing clients.

Things have however changed dramatically, local food joints known popularly known as "mama put" have begun adding a touch of class to their service, improving the ambience, embracing payment technologies such as PoS to cater for all classes of people.

The then leading fast food joints are however losing it either to dilapidating structures and or decline in quality service.

Back in 2011, I met a certain young man who boasted of being a part of the team constituted to rebrand Mr. Biggs. What was obvious to many was at least the external refurbishment of their outlets, a slight alteration to the brand colour, and a new brand font.

Just like the rebranding campaign hosted and led by Prof. Dora Akunyili during her administration as the Minister of Information and Communication with the slogan "good people, great nation" which generated lots of awareness, negative comments and no obvious positive result if any. Organizations that offer service need to come to terms with the fact positive changes which will impact on the financial standing of the firm require a careful review of the organization's visions and missions. Often times, the vision gets lost over the years as employees are hired, fired and voluntarily retire. The mission on the other hand needs to be redefined to accommodate the frequent changes of a dynamic society.

Psychometric tests and analysis are to be conducted on to-be hires to ensure that upon induction, they exhale the organization's core values in carrying out their duties.

Way too early into this rebranding exercise, the Oba Akran outlet of Mr. Biggs was visited late in the year 2012 at about 7pm in the evening. I was in shock as it lacked similitude with the same eatery I craved to visit as a child. The security man at the door post appeared weak and worn already, looking shabby in the uniform, managing a few words of greeting to the customers who walked in. This was done in anticipation of tips from these customers on their way out as an obvious grin took over his face each time he was let down. The attendants took their time chatting away and delaying the few customers before them. A few tables were left unkempt and the available furniture visibly lacked basic care. The cleaners began placing chairs on tables, sending signals of closure to clients and a customer had to request that his food be packed as sweeping began while he was being attended to.They have a unique snack, tasty fiesta which many adults opt for. Subsequent visits to their outlets on the island and about three on the mainland has shown a decline in request as it was rarely available with one excuse or the other. There have been tales about Tasty Fried Chicken offering customers stale chicken, Sweet Sensation with not properly processed chicken, tantalizers like a living dead in the minds of people and Chicken republic with inconsistent service.

One begins to wonder if this line of business has become less profitable or what went wrong. The answer however is not farfetched,the business owners. Surprised I guess, but it is apparent that once the funds invested are recouped, a regular and impressive flow of income guaranteed, they neglect the virtues that built the brand to its enviable state. Less attention is given to the quality of staff hired. They are rather interested in making up the numbers needed to keep sales moving. The extra service offered to attract customers and keep them coming no longer seems to be a priority.

They begin to stay far away from the business when it needs them the most with increased clientele leaving them at the mercy of employees who are primarily interested in what they earn monthly.

Until Nigerianservice providers develop genuine passion for those they serve, customers would easily make the choice of walking away once they no longer enjoy the service or get value for their money.

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HEN Caverton Helicopters debuted and commenced intra-city shuttle in 2002, many people became aware of the brand. But at that time, only few people knew Caverton, founded by Aderemi Makanjuola, started as a family business in 1998 and were involved in marine services. Then, the dream of the company becoming great must have been what it was - a dream. But, to the founder, it was his dream.

And, come Tuesday, a layer of that dream would become a reality when the company gets listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

But, how did Caverton get to this stage?

"After decades in the banking sector, as with most things, there was a yearning for change," Makajuola, who previously worked as a banker, said. "The type of services within the oil and gas sector was a specific area of interest for me. I had a firsthand experience about the dearth of operators' assets in the service sector and felt that the opportunity that existed could allow for a longer-term business and so the journey began.

"As with most start-ups, the greatest challenge is proving that you have the competence and capability to sustain the business. In addition, I had chosen a capital-intensive line of service and so funding the capital expenses was going to be a challenge.

"But with a lot of determination armed with decades of banking experience I was able to present the business in such a way that the projected cash flows and the growth feasibility were able to convince leasing companies, technical partners and the banks to commit resources and funds to bring things to fruition."

The company started business as Caverton Marine, by "operating a fleet of LPG and petroleum tankers as well as supplying equipment to the Nigerian Ports Authority."

Currently with two major companies - Caverton Marines and Caverton Helicopters Caverton Group is reaching for new frontiers.

As a way of stamping its acceptance in the oil and gas sector, the company passed the Shell Audit in 2009, which Makanjuola said, "allowed us to qualify technically to tender for contracts and this opened the floodgate of opportunities.

"This was essentially because the Shell audit is considered one of the most tasking in the oil industry. As such, passing it was a vote of confidence that brought Caverton into reckoning with

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

BUSINESS

HREE winners of brand new Toyota Corolla cars have emerged at the third quarterly draw of the on-going FirstBank 'Big Splash Promo which took place last Thursday at the Constantial Hotel, Benin City the Edo State capital. The winners were Eseduo Francis of Makurdi Branch, Ezeanum Chinedu Maureen of Onitsha-Owerri branch and Dairo Adeola Olugbenga of Ikeja Industrial Estate branch.

Also, the savings promo which kicked off in July 2013 has been extended to December 2014 to create

Caverton and brand evolution

From starting out in the oil and gas services in 1998, Caverton has become a brand name in the oil and gas sector. On Tuesday, the company will make history in Nigeria by becoming the first indigenous oil and gas company to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. Ahead of that, Aderemi Makanjuola, Chairman and founder of the company addressed journalists. Joe Agbro Jr. reports our peers and other prospective clients."

Hence, following Shell's satisfaction, Caverton Marine has been awarded contracts from Shell UK (STASCO) while its vessels, MT Ashabi and MT Lolade have been engaged in transporting petroleum in West Africa.

In 2010, Caverton won the single largest contract ever awarded to an indigenous oil services firm. The contract was with Shell and it was valued at $648 million to run for five years plus two.

"We were to buy six helicopters to do the operation but it has been increased to seven with a fixed wing to enhance production," he said.

"Apart from Shell, we also have contracts with Total, Addax, COTCO (ExxonMobil) in Cameroun. These are the major ones that we are concentrating on. We also operate Lagos State government helicopters."

Proud of his achievements, Makanjuola, however, feels there is need to consolidate on the company's success. And following Seplat's recent listing on the stock market, he said: "Essentially, we felt that we were unwittingly made ambassadors for indigenous companies in the sector and that there was a need for us to demonstrate that indigenous companies with commitment and focus could achieve the same result as foreign competitors."

Makanjuola said the company has reached the level where it needs more capital to run its contracts and the decision to go public was agreed by the board of directors in 2008.

"We felt that given the significant opportunities in the market and our positioning, the use of debt-financing to fund our growth will be limiting and so we decided to carry out global case studies on companies with similar growth trajectories.

"We decided that the equity funding route will ultimately give the best return on capital.

So the journey to tapping into the Nigerian equity market began with our private placement in 2008 which

also to ensure that we are seen to have a proper corporate governance culture."

And Makanjuola sees prospects. "The big oil companies are selling up their assets and moving further offshore," he said. "So that in itself is creating opportunities for Nigerians to be able to participate. The more the opportunities for exploration, the more there will be opportunities for those of us in logistics. So we are gearing up for that. There will also be more opportunities offshore.

We are targeting that as well as part of our plans for the future."

To Makanjuola, apart from operating a young fleet of aircraft and marine vessels, the market and public should be interested in investing in Caverton because "we have a solid track record of operational growth, income growth and dividend history; we have a track record of safety and the highest possible international standards; and our company is representative of the indigenous oil and gas local content efforts and is a poster child for local content."

According to Makanjuola, Caverton's vision is to become the premier offshore support services company in Africa.

"We presently have enquiries from Morocco all the way down to Mozambique and we think it makes business sense to begin to work assiduously towards the goal," he said.

"Presently we have a nineyear contract with COTCO in Cameroun which we have been operating for the past two years. We have been invited to bid in Ghana; and we have also been invited to come for discussion in Congo. Why Africa? Well, because this is the area of specific demand today.

That said, we have also received enquiries from Malaysia and you never know, Africa might just be the beginning."

While there is the Cabotage Act and Local Content Act in place to ensure there is fair competition, Makanjuoula believes that competing with foreign firms brings out the best in his company.

"This cuts across from the conditions of service, training standards, aircraft comfort to investment in facilities that would complement our overall service offerings," he said.

He, however, said the laws do make give a free pass to contracts for Nigerian companies.

"Yes the laws and policy have helped and in a big way because when you bid for any contract one of the conditions is that your company must meet all local content requirements.

"However this doesn't stop on being Nigerian alone. As a company you must show capacity to train Nigerians and invest in Nigerian infrastructure. Plus the obvious ability to show technical competence which we have shown time and time again."

And Caverton Group which prides itself on training has over 700 employees with 603 being Nigerians. The company has trained 58 Nigerian pilots and 40 engineers and has also had over 50 Nigerian seafarers operating its vessels from cadet to chief engineers and even a captain.

"We currently are planning a training and recruitment programme for seafarers in conjunction with our partners RK Offshore of Singapore," he said. "This is to enable our national staff members imbibe global best practices. As at 2009 we had 160 staff members within the group. But we are now over 700 of which 603 or 86% are Nigerians.

"Some have been sent to Harvard, some to other training institutions to develop their managerial skills and we are also putting them in positions of responsibilities to sharpen their leadership skills.

When we started the contract with Shell, our first contract manager was a foreigner.

"But one and half years down the line, we got a Nigerian, Captain Josiah Choms, who is now the contract manager and doing such a fantastic job that Shell is very pleased with him and they (are) saying we should train more people for such positions."

The company has also reached out to educational institutions by donating a 500seat lecture theatre to the Federal University of Technology, Minna. It is also working "with the National College of Aviation Training, Zaria, Kaduna to ensure that when the students finish their Private Pilot Licence training they don't end up being air hostess or stewards instead of being pilots."

xxxx

• Makanjuola culminated in the imminent listing. The timing was determined by a combination of the prevailing market conditions and the company's current growth stage.

"I think that the oil and gas sector still has tremendous growth opportunities with enough capacity to enable the emergence of other technically sound indigenous companies, and with the right economic policies the possibilities are boundless."

Though Caverton started as a family business, the vision of its founder is that of creating a legacy business.

"That has always been the focus," said Makanjuola.

"My intention has always been to ensure that this company proves two things:

one, that Nigerians can establish companies that will propagate proper corporate governance; and two, that Nigerians can establish companies that will outlive them. So my concern has always been if companies in other places can be in existence for hundreds of years, why not Caverton?"

According to Makanjuola: "The listing by introduction is a precursor to our public offer which we expect should happen between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2015. We decided to list by introduction because we felt it would be expedient to ensure that the market is fully familiar with the company, its past and present performance prior to its fund-raising and

FirstBank extends Big Splash Promo ample opportunity for more customers to participate in the promo and stand a chance of winning the grand prize of a Terrace Duplex .

The draws supervised by representatives from the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Consumer Protection Council and KPMG Advisory Services also produced 120 winners of standing gas cookers, 120 winners refrigerators as well as 120 winners of N50, 000 cash.

Three hundred and sixty

winners are expected to emerge from the Big Splash promo from every bi-monthly draw while three lucky customers will drive home three brand new Toyota Corolla cars at every quarterly draw and one customer will win the grand finale prize of a completed four-bedroom terrace house in Lekki, Lagos.

According to, the Business Development Manager, FirstBank, Benin 2, Mr. Francis Amuta, the ongoing big splash promo draw is designed to reward

and appreciate the Bank's loyal customers who have continued to do business with us. "In celebration of our 120th anniversary," he said, "we are committed to rewarding our existing and prospective customers in a special way as well as delivering excellent services to our customers with innovative services and initiatives such as the Big Splash Promo."

The Acting Head, Consumer Banking, Mrs. Adebimpe Ihekuna, said that,

to qualify for the FirstBank Big Splash promo, the customer need to operate a savings account and maintain a sum of N10, 000.00 monthly balance of which should be maintained for a minimum of 30 days to qualify for the bimonthly draw. While fresh savings account holders will need to maintain the sum of N 10,000.00 monthly as balance in his or her account for 30 days to qualify for the bi-monthly draw.

For the quarterly and grand finale draws, account

holders need to maintain incremental balances of N20, 000.00 every month for three consecutive months to qualify for the semi-annual draw or maintain a balance of N60, 000.00 steadily over the quarter to qualify for the semi-annual draw.

Increasing one's savings account with the sum of N20, 000.00 every month for 10 consecutive months or a bullet minimum deposit of N200, 000.00 unbroken will qualify the account holder for the Grand Finale draw.

65

How SMEs can fare in oil and gas sector Page 66 THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

T

HE Nigerian I n d u s t r i a l R e v o l u t i o n Programme (NIRP) and National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) were created with the intention of helping the growth of small industries through provision of fund and technical know-how for small enterprises and thereby helping creates jobs for thousands of youths in the country.

At the inauguration of the agencies, President Jonathan had described them as 'the most ambitious and comprehensive road map that would transform the nation's industrial landscape as well as boost skills development, enhance job creation and conserve foreign exchange.'

According to the president, it was expected that by 2015, an estimated 5million direct and indirect jobs would have been created with focus on training of entrepreneurs through business development service, skills acquisition through access to finance.

"NIRP and NEDEP are targeted at transforming Nigerian businesses and changing the lives of the ordinary people. The programmes will accelerate inclusive growth and job creation, while stemming the drain on our foreign reserves caused by importing what we can produce locally. NEDEP has placed micro, small and medium enterprises at the centre of our national economic policy; our vision is to take this new model for national enterprise development to all the 774 local governments in our country. We will not only sustain the momentum of the NIRP and NEDEP programmes but we will also expand their impacts and reach,'' he had said.

It is noteworthy that this is not the first time that government has been placing emphasis on helping small scale industries.

The establishment of Bank of Industry (BOI) which is to be responsible for the financing of the industries as well as the establishment of Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to provide skills acquisition are signs of government's intention to improve the SMEs. For any country to achieve economic growth, Small and Medium Enterprises are seen as the most important sector of such economy. In Nigeria, SMEs currently represent 96% of the businesses in Nigeria and contribute 75% of the national employment statistics.

It is also estimated that

SMES: Examining the impact of NEDEP, NIRP in achieving job creation Three months after the inauguration of the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Programme (NIRP) and National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) on February 11, 2014, by President Goodluck Jonathan, stakeholders have expressed concerns over the success of the two agencies and how far their effects can be felt on the small and medium scale industries in Nigeria. Bukola Afolabi report

• Olagunju

out of the 17.2 million MSMEs in Nigeria, over 17 million are micro-enterprises.

However, questions have been raised on whether NIPR and NEDEP would perform better, taking into cognisance the performance of the BOI in which few if any, small industries have been able to access funds from the bank.

It is not an understatement that lack of funds has hindered the growth of SMEs in Nigeria, thus necessitating the creation of the two agencies by the government to breathe life to the industrial revolution agenda of the government.

To achieve its objective, NEDEP was placed under the coordination of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), with the hope that it would provide about 3.5million jobs.

But how can the SMEs truly feel the impact of the agencies.? "I think the president has shown more commitment to the growth of SMEs in Nigeria with the creation of the two agencies.

However, my fear stemmed from whether those manning the two agencies would

•Masari

allow the agencies to perform to its maximum capacity and the purpose for which they were formed," said Mr Seye Popoola, Director of Finance at Emmabel Paints Manufacturing Company.

He continued, " We cannot quickly assess their performances because it has not been long they were inaugurated by the government, but looking at various efforts in the past by government which have not yielded much positive result, one might begin to doubt the success of the two agencies."

He added: "It raised questions of whether there will be accessibility to more funds for small enterprises.

Would more infrastructures and technical know-how be provided to help SMEs? Going by the way things work in the country where several agencies were established to help develop some aspects of the economy but instead, money went into private hands, there are reasons to doubt the success of these ones."

Enumerating some of the challenges that could hinder the success of NEDEP, Mr Popoola said challenges such

• Longmas

as bureaucracy, lacks of funds and lip service to support the programme by state and local governments as well as corruption and favouritism.

Government also seems to be aware of such challenges.

Commenting on challenges that could affect the programme, Alhaji Bature Masari, the Director-General, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), had, in one of his comments, said that NEDEP was initiated to address some of the challenges confronting the growth of the sector.

"The entrepreneurship training/business development service component is being implemented on the platform of 'One Local Government; One Product'. The access to finance component is overseen by the Bank of Industry (BOI), while the skills acquisition programme is handled by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF)," he said.

He added: "The 'One Local Government; One Product' programme is guided by research that is based on the experiences of successful similar enterprise

development initiatives in Africa and Asia and pilot projects in Kano State and Niger,'' he said.

In his comments, Mr Olutola Ayobami, owner of Nexus Printing Company, said, "If the programme is going to be successful, it needs the support of everyone involved in it. This is because small industries are the highest employers of labour and without infrastructures and adequate financial assistance from government, the sector cannot grow. Right now, I have 80 staff on my payroll but you can imagine how more staff I would be able to employ if I have funds from the government to assist in expanding the company."

He further said that 'government can only eradicate poverty if it helps SMEs to grow and I hope that the new agencies, NEDEP and NIRP, would help to achieve that. If properly monitored, it has the capacity to create millions of jobs for Nigerians because many Nigerians would be independent and would reduce the craze for government or white collar jobs..

To achieve its objectives, Masari said SMEDAN recently carried out sensitisation and assessment programmes in 22 states, while plans are on the way to do same in the remaining 14 states of the federation, adding that "more than 2,500 out of 21,834 cooperative societies across the country and their business plans have been handed over to BOI for appraisal and eventual financing.

Not only that, Masari had also stated that apart from providing fund for small industries, SMEDAN would also help in the area of building the capacity of the various cooperative societies that benefited from NEDEP nationwide.

While stakeholders have expressed concerns over the survival of the agencies, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga, had also given assurance that the new programme would not go the way of the past ones, and urged the two agencies to ensure it forms 'inclusive structures, which involve other government agencies and the private sector, to ensure adequate policy synergy.'

As if woken from its slumber, report from the Bank of Industry, which was made available to the Ministry of Industry, indicated that the Bank, in the first quarter of the year, approved loan facilities valued at N25.322bn to 968 enterprises, 98% of which are small , medium and micro industries.

Other government agency that has given its support to the success of the two agencies is the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) which has expressed hope that 'both programmes will reduce drastically the mortality rates of small and mediumsized businesses in the country.'

According to the National President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, "We can see what is going on with the cement, fruit juice and present mining activities in Zamfara State by the Chinese, as well as the announcement by government that four foreign companies would soon begin the mining of gold and iron ore in Kebbi, Osun and Kogi just as more than 20 foreign companies from Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, China, Republic of Niger, India, South Africa and Ukraine had obtained exploration licences to carry out solid minerals' exploration across the country," he said.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

66 BUSINESS

seeks fresh Why Sterling Bank built capacity Ogun N2bn loan in SMEs sector S T

TERLING Bank said that the training organised for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector was designed to enhance managerial capacity of the SMEs operators in the country. The programme according to the bank would enable SMEs operators to have entrepreneurial qualities with a view to building sustainable business, due to the critical roles they play in the development of an economy.

The bank's executive director, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman said, "It is our view that for us to be able to support SMEs, the standard for

reporting and the day-to-day management of the organization needs to improve.

We are hoping that this seminar would achieve this objective.

"We are focused on people we have done business with for a while and we want to assist them to take their businesses to another level. The process for transforming SMEs to become bigger players and part of national growth does not start and end with finance. A huge part of it starts with education."

He is also of the opinion that the type of education provided

for SMEs needs to be improved.

"Nigeria still has a lot to do and a long way to go when it comes to our legal environment, the process of securing approvals and setting up businesses."

He assured that Sterling Bank will continue to invest in capacity building in the sector because the national economic development prospects of any country is hinged on the entrepreneurial energy of vibrant SMEs as most big business concerns grew from small scale players to become big icons.

He however said that the expected growth of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in the country would not be achieved unless there is an improvement in the quality of infrastructure in the country.

The bank's executive director explained that the training programme was designed to render business advisory services to SME operators in the country adding that the development would facilitate real growth in the economy as small businesses remain the catalyst for real economic development anywhere in the world.

Nigeria emerges third in FLP global ranking

A

WARD dedicated to Africa for her potentials in the new world' - Tay Nigeria has made history in London as Forever Living Products International celebrated its 2014 Global Rally in the UK capital.

Nigeria was ranked 3rd in the world among the 158 countries that Forever Living Products International is presently doing business. This is an improvement from the

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja 4th position Nigeria was ranked for two years running - 2012 and 2013.

With this ranking, Nigeria has also maintained the first position in sales in Africa, a position FLP Nigeria has held since 2010, as well as retaining the five top distributorship positions of the company in the continent. Considering the fact that FLP Nigeria has been in business in Nigeria for

only 13 years, this feat remains unprecedented in the history of the global multi level marketing company, according to sources.

Nigeria's No. 3 position was announced penultimate Saturday, at the presentation of Top 10 FLP Countries at the 2014 Global Rally which attracted 20,000 distributors and guests to the famed O2 Arena, London.

Presenting the award to FLP Nigeria/Benin's Country

Manager and Managing Director, Cornelius Tay, and his wife Caroline Olabisi Tay, FLP founder and Chairman, Rex Maughan, assisted by FLP President, Gregg Maughan commended the Nigerian company and the nation's distributors for their dedication, hard work and resilience that have enabled the country to outperform many older FLP countries in Europe, Asia South America and the USA/Canada.

HE Ogun State government said it was set to secure N2 billion loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank for the construction of affordable housing units at Idi Aba, Abeokuta.

Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi, disclosed this at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan.

Adejobi said securing such a loan had become imperative if the state government was to effectively address the problem of housing deficit confronting it.

The commissioner also listed among the achievements so far recorded by his ministry to include the construction of 18 bungalows at the OPIC Estate, Agbara; the ongoing construction of 5-kilometre residential and industrial grade roads at the OPIC Estate, Agbara; the near completion of 30units of two-bedroom terrace bungalows; the construction and development of Orange Valley Estate.

Adejobi, however, identified the problem of land speculators, popularly called "Omo Onile" as a major challenge confronting his ministry.

At a separate forum, Commissioner for Urban and Physical Planning, Mr. Gbenga Otenuga, disclosed that his ministry generated a total revenue of N2,846,762,109.87 billion from 2011 to date.

Otenuga also said over 1,420 illegal structures and shanties across the state had been demolished.

He explained that over 8000 illegal structures had been served with enforcement notices while his ministry registered and approved 25,737 and 10,970 building plans, respectively.

The commissioner added that about 135,721 applications had been received from property owners under the state government's Homeowners' Charter Programme.

Otenuga said 99,025 of these applications were currently undergoing processing.

In yet another briefing, the Special Adviser/Director General of the Bureau of Lands and Survey, Mr. Adewale Oshinowo, said with the deployment of the Geographical Information System (GIS) the operations of the bureau had been automated.

Oshinowo assured that the GIS would eradicate touting and other unwholesome activities.

He also expressed the determination of his bureau to tackle headlong the menace of land speculators.

The lands bureau boss said towards this end, the agency had commenced an audit which would expose the activities of land speculators and which the agency in collaboration with the government would effectively address.

Firm holds business clinic for SMEs

By Adediwura Aderibigbe

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• From left: District Governor 404B Nigeria, Mr. Gbola Adebisi (fourth right) supervising the donation of wheel chairs and glossary to Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital by Irawo Lions Club. With him are the president of the club, Mr. Sheu Bakare (sixth right); Mr. Ben Ebureme (third right); Mr. Peter Adelagun (second right); Mrs. Atinuke Motajo (seventh left) and other members of the club

How SMEs can fare in oil and gas sector

S

MALL and medium scale enterprises (SMES) wishing to play in the nation's oil and gas sector have been advised to do their homework and try to understand the intricate operations of the industry locally and globally before venturing into it. Audrey JoeEzigbo, author and co-founder, Falcon Petroleum Limited, who gave the advice on Fidelity SME Forum, a weekly radio programme by Fidelity Bank Plc, said though this may sound basic it is the truth.

Speaking on opportunities in the oil and gas sector and what it takes to build a successful partnership with a spouse, Ezigbo said the oil and gas industry is such a robust industry that most people just

miss it, pointing out that in the gas business, for instance, there is opportunity for producing, distributing or retailing either LNP, LPG or natural gas.

According to her, "there is opportunity in logistics and so many other aspects. The industry is not waiting for you; rather you are the one that is trying to carve a niche, so you owe it to yourself to do the research even beyond that specific field to understand the global industry. "There are lots of opportunities because it's a very robust industry. There's so much going on now with the gas revolution, gas to power development etc. It's just incredible."

Explaining how she was able to build the skill to establish success in the oil and

gas sector, she said: "In terms of my background, I didn't have any in oil and gas or petroleum engineering. I actually studied microbiology as first degree. However, my passion was in the financial sector. It just wasn't something that was interesting to my parents then. So once I finished, I immediately followed with the postgraduate degree and MBA. And everything I've done after that has been about business and finance. That was so because I had a childhood dream to set up and run a business and so it just made sense to me to go on and build up my skill in those areas.

"In terms of being able to operate successfully in the niche, the call for business is around gas as well as EPL.

Those are the two main stream lines. It's being a slow evolution into those two areas but what we have made sure we have done anywhere we found ourselves is to give the very best that we can. We have a very big picture of what Falcon can be and that is because we recognise that every single multinational we are looking at all started with one for three to four people and they certainly didn't have two heads. If they could it, we can do it too."

Disclosing that Falcon Petroleum would have been in business for 20 years in June this year, she said though it was slow at the beginning, they were focused on delivering quality service all round.�

BUSINESS training and entrepreneurship development company, Soar & Heritage (S&H), held the maiden edition of its training for Small and Medium Scale Enterprise (SMEs) last weekend in Lagos.

The event, tagged Business Clinic, held at the training centre of the company in Lagos and was well attended by entrepreneurs and prospective small business owners.

Experts that imparted their wealth of experience to the trainees at the workshop included executives of Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) and faculty members of Soar & Heritage -- some representatives of commercial banks in Nigeria were also in attendance.

Mr. Segun Akano, the MD of Upperlink Limited, a leading indigenous software/e-payment company in Lagos-set the ball rolling with a presentation titled 'Nurturing an SME to Growth in a Challenging Operating Environment'.

Mr Akano relayed how his company, which started as a cybercafĂŠ, was able to transform into what it is today. The company which, according to him, started about nine years ago, can now boast of over 70 staff members with office presence at major cities in Nigeria.

In his presentation, he urged "business owners must consistently ask questions on what problems their ventures are solving", if they must continue to be relevant in their industries.

He opined that "a debt-free mind is a depth-full mind."

Afterwards, the Faculty Director S&H, Sola Adeyiga, delivered a presentation tagged 'Business Strategies' during which he tutored the participants on how to analyse the attractiveness of their industries.

Adeyiga used strategies deployed by Southwest Airlines, a lading low-cost airline in America, as a case study for analysis.

He implored the participants to challenge the status-quo of your industries through value innovations.

Speaking on the importance of the training, Adeyiga said: "The idea behind this business clinic is to continually support SMEs in Nigeria in the area of providing education, training & information that will enhance their business management skills.

"For every entrepreneur who fails, 10 aspiring entrepreneurs have changed their minds. Thus, there should be mechanisms to support existing entrepreneurs to succeed so that aspiring ones can develop the courage to start their businesses also.''

Mr. Kayode Okanrende, Vice President, Industries at ASBON, said the association is positioned to support SMEs in diverse areas which include funding.

"We are in partnership with a couple of banks in Nigeria, including Bank of Industries and SMEs can easily access funding from these banks through ASBON," he revealed.

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SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

The Easterner Magazine hits the newsstands

How I carved a niche for myself in TV production T

Nigeria-born Wale Akinlabi is the Chief Executive Officer and owner of South Africa-based Planet Image Productions, producers of popular Good Morning Africa on DSTV. Having risen from a humble beginning in popular Lagos suburb, Akinlabi has certainly made a name for himself and conquered the television world with his production outfit. He shares his story with Adetutu Audu

H

OW did your journey into the television world begin?

I started from a small place in Ajegunle, I didn't know anything in television but I had an uncle who is a photographer and who also did video coverage at weddings. After my secondary school, he advised me to take interest in video recording as a career, having seen the potentials. He took me to a place in Boundary, Ajegunle and hooked me up with a man who ran electronics shop, where he sells camera and also operates a ministudio, where he rented cameras for wedding and general events' coverage. That was the time video recording was becoming popular, and I spent about two years there learning the rudiments. Then I met someone who intimated me with an opening at DBN. That was when they were about to start. Somehow, I was not selected, because they were looking for someone with an editing experience. The interviewer however took interest in me and connected me with a studio in Okota, Lagos, where I further developed myself.

Soon, I became popular within the home video and w e d d i n g coverage circle.

How did you get into t h e b i g league?

One day, I was flipping through the news paper and saw that G a l a x y Television was about to take off.

Of the 50 people that applied for the job, I was the only one that was employe d. There,

I learnt from the likes of Steve Ojo, the owner of Intrapad Studio, the first studio to started making TV commercials in Nigeria. He also worked with the likes of NTA and the evolving Nollywood then. I learnt about editing, animation; how to be a cameraman; how to produce; I learnt virtually everything from him. We later started Galaxy Television in Ibadan. From there I moved back to Lagos and joined an audio-visual studio called AVF. It is owned by STB McCann and I got to handle most of the commercials of STB McCann then. I worked with Femi Odugbemi and I can say that 90 percent of the commercials you saw on TV then, were produced by us. I later resigned and formed my own company, Planet Image Production.

I did animation and effect for Simi Opeodu.

Somehow I didn't want to do movies, since I had become used to advertising. I started doing commercials on my own; I worked with Pepsi, Indomie, Heineken and most of the Insight Communications jobs. They were trying to break away from the big studios like Even Ezra, Main Frame and others.

Besides I didn't charge as much as the big ones. I worked with my laptop and was ready go even to their office to execute their jobs. Whilst the big companies could be demanding as much as N5m, I was willing to take N500, 000 and get the job done. Mine was a one-man show: I was the cameraman, and I also did the editing. Around that time, I got a job with 24/7, a company that wanted to do a commercial on Seaman Schnapps and IGI Insurance and wanted to shoot it in South Africa. I went, did the job and met some friends with became my partners.

At what point d i d y o u c o n s i d e r relocating to S o u t h Africa?

When my company was working for Insight Communicatio ns, they sent u s t o South Afric a to

shoot the commercials. The first thing I noticed was that everything was working fine there. You could do a lot successfully in just four hours. There is uninterrupted power supply. After my third trip to the country, I made up my mind to stay back. I used to work then with an animation company, Mystery of Illusion; I connected with them and showed them what I could do. They were amazed, and we made a deal: get a job for them in Nigeria and get 40 percent share of the take plus and a work permit. At that point, the money was not even important; I just wanted to stay. So I got them IGI Insurance and Seaman Schnapps.

Later I realized that as a foreigner, you can work in their advertising agency for a long time and never make anything because of the clique. So I decided to look else where, I started creating programmes. My company started producing content for Africa Magic on DSTV in 2004 and ever since we have about 13 programmes on the channels which is now run on African Magic and African Magic plus. One of our biggest show is Good Morning Africa, it is a breakfast show produced by Planet Image production in South Africa.

Many people see Planet Image on the television everyday and they find it difficult to believe that I am the man behind it. Every time I travel and had course to meet people and I introduced myself, they are usually surprised. They are expecting to see a very huge person. On Africa Magic, they don't have anything religion, I developed a programme, Growing time, these are some of the Bible stories that we know, but they are in animation form. We have an Arab programme, which is called Design and lifestyle, we also have star zone, and it is the best programme I have featured on the channel. We have programme for Southern Africa which also include Uganda, we also have design and automobile, where we showcase the best of automobiles. Recently, we introduced a Yoruba programme, Agogo Ayo. I have 15 years experience in television production and 11 years as a professional on the job.

What are the challenges of starting business abroad?

When you are abroad, to start a company is very difficult if you don't know anybody, but Nigerian can survive under any circumstances because we have a resilient spirit. With my one laptop, I formed Planet Image, South Africa, which has since become a factor. With my one laptop, I would rent a camera, and could shoot 13 well-edited episodes within three days. I started with two staff, but right now we are about 16 because I supply contents to all Africa companies apart from DSTV. Any movie you see on DSTV from Cameroun or Uganda is from m e . D S T V started Africa Magic because of their Nigerian market, so when they realized they can get content from Southern A f r i c a n countries, they started Africa Magic plus too.

HE Easterner, a general interest monthly magazine, focusing on the eastern and southern Nigeria states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers State has debuted on the newsstands. The magazine is a brainchild of veteran journalist and publisher, Sir Lawrence Ukwu.

Announcing the birth of the magazine, recently in Abuja, the publisher went down memory lane, explaining that at Independence in I960, Nigeria had an administrative structure that premised on three regions, North, West and East. He said “this was the set-up till 1963 when a plebiscite was conducted which excised a new region known as mid-western region from the old western region. Four years later, May 27, 1967, the military regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) created twelve states by way of military decree. From then, Nigeria started witnessing avalanche of states creation to the thirty-six the country now has.”

On why he decided to float THE EASTERNER Magazine, Sir Ukwu stated that of the foremost three regions at independence, the old Eastern region lagged behind and greatly fragmented ranging from marginalization, singing in discordant tunes, lack of concrete approach to national issues, in-fighting and so on.

He also said “The region is the most vulnerable of all the other two regions and politically disadvantaged,” hence the need for a news medium like The Easterner.

The Easterner is therefore a general interest monthly magazine aimed at encouraging and drawing unity among the states of former Eastern region.

The maiden edition of The Easterner, currently on sale is an 84-page glossy colour magazine with very exciting and wellresearched reports on politics, health, the economy, ICT, trade and development, sports and fashion. It also has detailed report on the genesis of the Rivers crisis; triggered off by the dispute over ownership between Bayelsa and Rivers States of the Souk/Oluasiri Oil wells.

Former CNN correspondent Gina London to speak at Lagos Leadership seminar

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ETERAN CNN correspondent and Emmy award-winner Gina London will be visiting Lagos to provide a wide-range of communications training seminars and workshops come June 18, 19 and 20. London will be featuring at the Find Your Edge Communications And Leadership Summit to be held at the Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

The international communications consultant and journalist, is already looking forward to meeting with aspiring and practising Nigerian media practitioners and communicationists, especially now that the country is at the centre of international media spotlight. Like every other global citizen and media practitioner, London is not unaware of the attention the country has suddenly attracted due to the outrageous kidnap of over 200 girls in Chibok, Maiduguri, Nigeria by the dreaded Boko Haram sect, and is therefore upbeat to interact and share her experiences in handling such crisis situations.

As a former reporter who now trains professionals and politicians on how to work with the media and how to speak with purpose, Gina London says she is “looking forward to working with the participants at next month's Find Your Edge Leadership and Communications Summit …” and says it is “an opportunity to learn and develop communications skills and techniques that you can hone so you will be ready before a crisis hits.”

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EMI Adebayo is a well-known face and producer in the movie industry in Nigeria. Apart from being the son of Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello in the Yoruba genre of the industry) he started acting very early in life. Having appeared as one of the most surprising kid actors in Owo Blow, a Yoruba film that made its debut in the 1990s, he has successfully created his own niche as both a producer and an actor. With two degrees in Law, Adebayo has brought class and panacea to bear in the way he handles film productions that most of his peers now look up to him as their shining star and prodigy.

Even though he did not study Theatre, he admitted that he learnt the act at the feet of his old man whose pedigree as an actor is unparalleled. “Yes,” he began with the sort of confidence and enthusiasm common with actors who have cut their teeth in their profession, “it was passion, yes, passion, that drove me into the industry. Okay, I could only trace the passion probably to inheritance. I developed passion for Theatre because while growing up, my father taught us through the ways he used to do it. I have to do what dad does. But sincerely speaking, I also realized I had that passion, a very strong one for that matter, for the theatre.

“When you have passion for something, whether the thing is paying your bills or not, you are satisfied and comfortable that you are doing what gives you joy. Before I developed love for acting, I used to have love for Law. And because I wanted to pursue my love, I also wanted to follow my passion, I had to study law in addition to my passion. In other words, I did not want my passion for the art to stop me from becoming a lawyer. When I left Law school, I said ok can I now give a little chance to what I have passion for?”

So, he promptly began to devote more time to theatre matters. From thence, he plunged himself full time into the business of producing and acting at the same time.

Both in Ibadan where he is based and in Lagos where he is well-known, Adebayo has shown that indeed theatre has no barriers across age and class. “For now, it is more of entertainment than law. First of all, I am not a director; I have not directed any film before. I am first an actor and also better known as a producer. I am not even a writer. However, combining the two is not too difficult.

When I conceive an idea of passing a certain message to the society, I then call on a writer who puts it into a proper form. That way, we can have a perfect script,” he said.

With the role he played in Owo Blow at a very tender age, he believed then that the sky was his limit. It was one flick that truly exposed him to the tough terrain of the makebelieve business. “Any way,” he enthused, “anyone could have played that role that I played. However, I saw it as an opportunity to prove myself. I went for the audition and I was taken. As at that time, I was just happy playing that role. In truth, I was not looking at the compensatory or monetary aspect of it. For me it was time to show my passion and it was good I started with such a wonderful film.”

In an attempt to let the world realize that he wasn’t a mere gate-crasher into the industry, Femi gave his all into that film. Today, he can happily look back and say he has done his best as an actor. Nevertheless, between the time Owo Blow was produced and now, “I have grown as a professional.

But when you talk about the movie industry itself, it is like the tempo is gradually coming down. The level of production is going down. If you consider the standard of production of Owo Blow and what we have today, you’ll notice a total decline.”

Although, to him, the industry had got to a level where it has been recognized internationally, the decline has suddenly set in.

What an unfortunate situation. “For now, many people hide under the fact that funding is the root cause of our problem in the industry. For me, the main problem is the incapability of those people handling the

•Adebayo

How I nurtured passion for theatre With a modern theatre institute which he established in Ibadan to help nurture young artistes into reckoning, Femi Adebayo (son of Oga Bello) lawyer, producer, actor and entertainer, has obviously carved a niche for himself in the home video industry in Nigeria. He tells Edozie Udeze how his passion for the theatre and love for law have propelled him into limelight and the role his background has played to make him exceptionally different from others, among other issues issues they ought to handle well. When you do not get professionals to handle those areas, it becomes a problem. You have to allow professionals to be make-up artistes; you do not allow engineers to do it. You also have to have professional writers to write the scripts. And because you do not have them, then it has been affecting the standard. You cannot give what you do not have.

If you do not have knowledge of what you are giving, you probably give nonsense or nothing.”

For a professional to deliver and ensure that the standard is maintained and improved upon, of course he has to go for the necessary requisite training and exposure.

Adebayo believes that if more trained professional artistes are allowed to handle specific areas and also given enough time to justify the trust reposed in them, with time, the level of professionalism in the movie industry would grow. “So, I think the first thing we need do is to improve the capacity of those

people handling those areas. You see people who just come on set to play big roles when they have not acted before. Then, tell me how you’d make that person make sense to you and to viewers. How do you now handle medical issues, for instance, and convince a medical doctor who is not a fool, or a moron?” he asked.

As an alternative, there is the urgent need for the industry to begin in earnest by organizing workshops and seminars. “Through this way, we will learn more and improve if we really have to remain on this job. There should therefore be a synergy between Nigerian writers and the movie industry. There are also people who have got there and feel they know it all. There is need for them too to attend workshops from time to time to refresh their minds with what obtains in the industry. Even me with a master’s degree in law, I still attend classes and lessons in acting, not minding my level of exposure in the business. When we do this, we’ll have more

quality productions coming out of the industry and everybody will be the best for it.”

As a rounded figure in the movie industry, Adebayo is most disappointed because only a few practitioners have time these days to read. As artistes, there should be enough time for actors to read books written by sound authors some of which can even be adapted to stage or screen. “A lot of people do not want to read. And you know when you read books written by well-known authors, authors who have the grip of the society, you are better informed. For learned people who are in the industry, it is easier for them to pick these books, read through them to see issues relevant to the society.

But if you have half baked actors, how do they even show interest in these books or read to understand? When you’ve read these issues so well, it becomes easy for you to handle them when they come your way.”

To show his total commitment to the industry that has given him so much in life, Adebayo has equally set up an acting school in Ibadan where he currently trains young artistes in the proper way they should go.

“Ah, yes, to a reasonable extent. I have an impact on the society. And I received several calls about seven years ago from colleagues, people who know me very well in the industry. They insisted that they wanted to be like me, to be actors and actresses and what should I do to be of help? I was then pondering that you can’t just wake up one day and choose to be an actor. I said okay the little I can do is to have an institution where we can always to go to train and groom artistes.”

In order to make this dream materialize, he approached the Oyo State government for permission to register his school. “So in the process, what we intend to do is to employ artistes to teach the students the way they do it in the universities. When you are through with the training, you can present the certificate anywhere and it can be accepted. It is quite unfortunate that the bureaucracy in Nigeria, indeed in government has not given us full stamp to take off. We are however affiliated to many associations that are well-established now. We are affiliated to the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), we are also affiliated to other organizations and then we employed graduates of Theatre Arts who teach them speacialised courses. Most of them do not want to come in front of the camera. They want to go behind to do camera work, entertainment work and so on. We then issue certificate that the moment we are accredited, the certificate can be accepted anywhere,” he explained.

At the moment, he and others are working towards reviving travel theatre in Nigeria. “That was where theatre in Nigeria started from and by the grace of God soon enough, we’ll bring it back. We will also project those issues in English, local languages and pigin to pass the message across to a larger spectrum of the people.”

On the other hand, Adebayo is intent on doing research in the areas of traditional beliefs and worships in Nigeria. “This area has been so neglected in film productions and I want to revive it if I can,” he said. “I also have strong love for the maintenance of culture. I was brought up in it. This is why I love to do more of Yoruba movies to be able to bring back what our people believe in.”

In Jelili, one of his comedy flicks, Adebayo shows that the deep hilarious attitude of the people needed to be brought to the fore. So far, he has shown that traditional elements of the people matter a lot in making a film have strong impact on them. It was a film that also won him both local and international awards – and set him apart as one of the best at the moment.

Today because of his strides in the movie industry, Adebayo is no longer afraid to dare where angels fear to tread. “But I can’t rule out the fact that I rolled on my father’s fame to be where I am today,” he said with more conviction and gratitude.

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ARTS

NE Kingdom, One Monarch, a play written by Omo Uwaifo replicates part of Benin history and culture quite alright. For those who did not have the opportunity of studying the history of Binis in its epitome around 1750, this play gives a little glimpse into that period. It involves all the intrigues of culture, tradition, beliefs and the norms of the people. Benin is a place where tradition is not just strong and highly revered, the Binis are known for their high regard for their leaders and chiefs.

This is the story of Agboghidi, a traditional leader of his people whose son, Ogbe was stubborn enough not to heed the entreaties handed down to him by his father.

Agboghdi was an Enogie, a traditional leader somewhere on the fringes of Benin but had a son at his old age. Before the boy, Ogbe, was born, the divinities and the deities had warned that he should not go far off into the forests for hunting. Particularly, the forests of Igbaghon on the banks of the River was the most feared for him. But Ogbe was a young man full of youthful exuberance, not easily given to the counsel of elders. And so he set out to the Igbaghon river all alone, for hunting without the consent of either his mother or father.

A fatal move it turned out to be. There, the witches struck him deaf. His near senselessness now became the basis for the story, for this drama which is replicated in One Kingdom, One Monarch. It is a play that is rather rendered in prose form. Apart from the story itself which agitates your mind as you read through it, its presentation in drama form is below standard practice. The format and flow sound more of prose. As you read through it, you’re rather gripped by the fictional story of a people steeped in deep tradition. All the elements of stage movements, props, actions characteristics of a stage drama are not there.

This, indeed, is one of the very many ironies of play reading. It plays the whole episode in such a way as to show the direction a play can go. From the excerpts, it showed an abstract which is, of course, the best that the director could make out of the scene where Ogbe was found dumb and confused. The rigmarole in that scene goes to show perhaps that that scene may be the only actionpacked portion of the play. What is the real sense in telling a story without properly situating it to give all the dramatic effects, nuances and impressions necessary in a drama?

Drama is action packed in words, with movements that can equally bring out the beauty and the essence of the characters involved in the story.

However, where a writer has chosen to present a play in a prose form with long sentences, where the scenes are too wordy without appropriate action, then there is a problem. As a play, One Kingdom, One Monarch is too long. It is usually very boring to have a long play that could have been summarized in less space with few characters. When the dialogue is made to project issues that give no meaning to stage dramatisation, a lot of questions need to be asked. And, of course, in the normal tradition of drama, proper answers have to be proffered so as to make the play assume its proper place as one. The is-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

A play steeped in tradition Omo Uwaifo in his latest play, One Kingdom, One Monarch, reinforces salient traditional elements in Benin history and culture. Excerpts during the play reading session by the National Troupe of Nigeria last week shows that community theatre is still an issue in the society as Edozie Udeze reports

•Actors acting excerpts from One kingdom, One monarch

sue of the duplication of roles by many characters in the play calls for serious attention.

It was also good that the National Troupe of Nigeria, organizers of the play reading chose the person of Odia Ofeimun to preside over the session. His approach and style was novel. However, the reading which began many hours behind schedule was not courageous enough to tell the playwright that the opening of the play is flat, bereft of the traditional ideals.

When it was time for criticisms, almost everybody believed that it is purely a traditional Benin episode. But where would the props and some other salient elements of a drama fit in when it goes on stage proper?

It is a play in seven acts without part one.

Even though the actions began in earnest, there is part two, but there is no part one. At least, it was not indicated. This is why it appears there is a collapse of ideas at the beginning and that the playwright suddenly recovered from his frenzy as soon as Ogbe also managed to regain his own senses as from

part two. There is a little dramatic sense in stating that perhaps Ogbe’s idiosy seeped into the ideas of the early part of the play. But it all goes to depict the general belief that witchcraft has come to be part and parcel of many societies in these climes.

The role of Obo (diviners) in the traditional setting of a people; how they were able to handle the Ogbe situation when consulted, all point to the fact that Benin traditional norms long known for their efficacies still hold sway. There is total beauty in such a tradition so long as it does not inhibit people’s progress or limit their powers to be free from the mundane. When Ogbe finally became the Enogie, myriads of potent traditional tendencies played themselves out so brazenly. Moreover, it was clear he learnt the necessary lessons to be able to continue in the tradition of his predecessors. As an Enogie, his enigmatic poise and composure were indices of a man at home with his people. He understood his people wholesale.

And so beyond tradition, the play has to

be reviewed to make it a better issue on stage.

It has to be done because that is the central idea of play reading. Even though Uwaifo is a trained engineer who has written a couple of other books, his sense of play writing has to be made to be in conformity with the acceptable norm. “But let it not take long to get him to do that (page 66). And so let this be the shortest possible escape route to make this a formidable play both in content and otherwise. Let the songs which usually come in form of dirges be infused more into the play to stir the audience. Let the drums play so often to bring out the sorrows of those aroused by the many oddities in the lives of the people.

Born in 1932, Uwaifo is a prolific writer who even in retirement is waxing stronger as a writer. He said he wrote the play to fulfill an age long desire to depict a part of his people’s history. Ofeimun said it is a play that must be seen within the context of its history, while Martin Adaji of NTN described it as a play with deep traditional elements.

Bashorun preaches evolution through Waste E VOKING a sense of preserving the environment, lecturer and woodwork artist, Raqib Bashorun is currently on a quest to turn the fortunes of our degrading environment around with an exhibition aptly tagged Evolving through Waste. The artiste, touched by an indifference to wasteful lifestyles that Nigerians have come to be characterized with, says that he chose to embark on the journey to advance, through works produced, the gospel of cleansing all aspects of this cancerous attitude from our lives.

“Believe it or not, we waste just about everything in this country; spiritual, material, manpower, lives, energy, time, mind, money and words – the list in inexhaustible,” the artiste says.

Following a private viewing which took place on Friday, May 16 from 6 to 9pm at the Omenka Gallery in Ikoyi, the show opened to the public yesterday, Saturday, May 17 at the same centre.

Bashorun shows the stuff he is made of with the piece Black Gold. A 2013 work, the artiste uses aluminum, steel, wrought iron, plastic and wood as his medium while adorning it with glass to give it a glossy feel. While Nigeria is blessed with large deposits of crude, the land from which the

•Black Gold, 2013

•Bashorun

By Ovwe Medeme

unique resource emanates, sadly, is under debilitating environmental conditions.

Again, because oil is very expensive, useful, and valuable in our world, and because

the colour of oil is black, the term ‘Black Gold’, comes in as a convenient description.

However, as gold withstands the test of fire, so must crude pass through refinement to come out as the most valued petrol, diesel

or kerosene.

Bashorun’s piece, which takes on different appearances to different personalities, appropriately describes this process. The artist seems to be saying that in the waste that hampers the development of the environment lay prospects of wealth. Black Gold calls on the residents of this earth to take the extra pain to rid their environs of dirt.

However, he says, he doesn’t want to sound too predictable.

“At take off, I was not thinking of the popular expressions such as ‘waste to wealth’ or trash to treasure,’ rather, I saw waste in an artistic sense – as an ‘art form,’ and I sourced for some, which readily or through modifications, I could connect with the other forms I created myself in wood to further my mission. My approach to employing these objects was one of exploration, experimentation, commitment and passion,” Bashorun says.

As most of his contemporaries, Bashorun reconstructs pre-existing materials, reinterprets and ultimately repurposes them as recycled art. The creation of something positive from the inherent negativity of waste, and the reaction of surprise, the materials inevitably draw from the observer, are the key factors in Bashorun’s art.

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HEN was the last time you were on a crusade outreach?

The last time was in 2012, I think.

Why is that, considering you were called to be an evangelist?

We had to stop because the church building project was starting then. Crusades take a lot of funds and you cannot raise money then. You spend quite a lot to organise crusades but we needed to concentrate on the building project.

However, we held some little outreaches here and there since then. Now that the church building is completed, we are going back to the field.

When will that be?

We should hold one in October in Yewa. We are considering Ilaro and Iboro before we spread to other parts.

People say crusades have a way of slowing down evangelists. What has been your experience as a church leader?

Well, I will say yes and no because one has to be driven by vision. I agree coping with both can be tough but then that is where organisation comes to play.

I am a called evangelist. I started a church because God told me to have a base. He said every soldier has a barrack where they are trained and sent forth for impact. So, we run an evangelical church but what I have been able to do is to run both independently.

I have a crew and a team independent of the church. The church runs on its own. We have pastors and administrators running the church. So, one has been able to keep the balance and focus.

How has it been, raising funds for outreaches, considering it’s always easier for people to pay tithes and offering?

Let me say firstly that my crusades are not funded by the church. The church sometimes offer assistance but the bulk of our supporters is outside the church. Some of them are even general overseers, who believe in what I am doing.

Some of them are captains of industries who believe in my ministry.

My experience basically is that when God is involved, funding is never an issue.

Some of the people we evangelised have turned around to

‘God is using Boko Haram to purge us’ The Senior Pastor of Great Commission Bible Church Lagos, Rev Olu Johnson, believes the current insurgency has positive takeaways for Nigeria. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola

• Johnson support us. So, when God touches people, it becomes easier.

Apart from once or twice that we raised offering for our outreaches, we have ensured the church stays out of funding. The reason is crusade expenses are always huge. If you put it on a church, you will kill that church. That church has its commitments and financial needs too. It has to look after members and provide their needs.

You support churches

Avoid discouragement, ministers urged

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INISTERS and workers in The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Region 13 have been enjoined not to allow discouragement to lure them away in the course of rendering their service in God’s vineyard.

This was at the just- concluded ministers’ retreat of the church with the theme “Take heed thy self”.

The Pastor- in- charge of the region (PICR), Pastor James Dagunduro, stated that there were many areas where discouragement could occur in the course of serving the Lord.

He identified discouragement as one of the devices used by devil to destabilise ministers from forging forward in their services and ministry.

On the transfer of ministers and workers, which many believed to have caused frustration and discouragement, he urged them to be of good cheers.

According to Dagunduro: “Do not complain because you are being transfered to another parish. Transfer is for your own good; do not be angry.”

looking after members?

Of course, I do. You see many destitute, orphans and less-privileged in the church.

You have to support them; you can’t pretend not seeing them. There are widows, widowers and needy in church you must raise and teach to fish.

The church tries to support and even establishes small scale businesses for needy members. We offer educational supports and scholarships too.

T

Then, that is besides operational costs and overheads of the church as well as the needs to upgrade infrastructure. So, you can’t put crusade expenses on the same church again considering all these heavy commitments.

But if churches don’t support evangelism, what else do they exist for?

What I am saying is that holding crusades is not the only way to evangelise.

Churches must evangelise but it can’t be by crusades alone.

Some are on TV and radio and evangelise. But if you are into crusades like I am, it’s not advisable to put the costs on the church.

Many believe if churches are heavy on welfare, it can breed dependence and attract too many needy people. What do you say on this?

Well, those who say that might not have thought too deeply. I believe that God supplies the needs of the people.

If God sees that a church has to cater for more needs, he will provide more resources.

Then, we should not limit welfare to money alone.

Some people only need counselling, not handouts.

Some unemployed graduates have gadgets like plasma and washing machines in their rooms. But they have what they can dispose of to start businesses; such people don’t need money but direction.

So, you don’t just throw money at people. You need to know what they need. A jobless man does not need an AC or plasma TV. If he sells those things, he can start a business until he upgrades.

Churches who don’t want to help should remember that the poor will always be in the land and he who lends to the poor lends to the Lord. I remember some of our members came in destitute with bathroom slippers. Today, they are up there and even helping the less privileged.

So, we don’t know who can help out tomorrow. We have to overlook the dependence culture and empower people to move up.

It’s over a month since the Chibok girls were abducted without a trace. What does that say about the nation?

With what we have seen on the terrorism challenge, I think I won’t pass judgment at all. I think God is using this insurgency to reveal the real Nigeria. He is bringing us to the point where all our hidden agendas are now being

exposed. God is purging us.

You know when we came together, there was no negotiation.

Now, we have to make up our mind whether we want to remain together again. Many hidden things have been exposed by the insurgency. For example, we see that some of our military authorities have been compromised. There are infiltrators in their rank.

Also, some elements in the north are now learning to tolerate others. Muslims and Christians are coming together to fight a common enemy. Before, one group was happy the attacks were on the other but now no one is spared. Now, we run to mosques and churches for shelter.

We are learning to relate with love among one another, even though it is happening with much pains for us. After this Boko Haram issues are gone, I believe we will work better together. Nobody will kill anyone again in the name of defending one’s faith.

I feel that Nigeria will be stronger for it. I am sorry for these girls and I believe that God will bring them back.

We have learnt a lesson through this insurgency; that we must love each other by force. Muslims must love Christians and vice versa. We have to respect the faith of the other person. If you want someone to follow your faith, your good works and deeds will convince him. You don’t have to force or impose it on him.

So, God could be using Boko Haram to purge us?

You see God is not the author of evil but sometimes He allows it for His purpose.

Boko Haram is a devilish agenda but God can use that intention to better the country. I believe God loves Nigeria so much.

Can we ever get out of it?

My brother, we are already getting out of it. Boko Haram will become history in no time. We are seeing its end already. You see how villagers rose up and defended themselves against the insurgents. We are ready and everyone is ready to phase them out. Everyone is speaking against Boko Haram and we will get them out soonest.

xxx

NEWS

OLERANCE is the key to development and the growth of a country, President of the Ekankar religion in Nigeria, Prof.

Henry Alapiki, has said.

He urged Nigerians to have peace, love and respect for each other, having the love of service as key to spiritual freedom.

Alapiki spoke last weekend at this year’s ECK Regional Seminar at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos.

It was with the theme: Living the Spiritual Life, which was according to the organisers about bringing the

Ekankar preaches tolerance, love

By Nneka Nwaneri

message of spiritual freedom.

According to the president, the only religion in the world is the religion of the heart and love and God is love.

He added that Nigerians should love their neighbours as themselves to bring about peace and a mutual respect and understanding so that the country can experience development.

He urged that all should

show care and attention to the others so that we can pool resources to develop as that is the only way to live in harmony.

To him, such service is the key to spiritual freedom.

“Whatever is happening now is temporary and will come to pass; only when we are patient and be there standing shoulder to shoulder with the government, knowing God is behind all things,” Alapiki stated.

The president declined reporters any political com-

ments on the position of the religion on the unrest in the country.

Regional Vahana Team Leader for Nigeria, Momah Wilson, added that the seminar will teach its youth to serve, as a gift of love they can give to themselves, which will eventually radiate in the society.

He decried the fact that other religions have forgotten the key components of God, which is light and sound; the bedrock of the belief of the Ekankar sect.

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WORSHIP

Badejo seeks review of curriculum T

HE Wilson Badejo Foundation (WBF) has called on government to urgently review the nation’s education policies to eradicate poverty.

Its founder, Rev. Wilson Badejo, made the appeal while speaking with reporters on the forthcoming 7th edition of the group’s annual lecture in Lagos.

He said the basic panacea to poverty eradication in the country is functional educational system.

According to Badejo, functional educational system will help develop all the capacities in the individuals that will enable him control his environment and fulfill his possibilities in the society.

He said knowledge generated through education, es-

By Sunday Oguntola

pecially at the tertiary level, has become important for economic development and poverty eradication.

Badejo stated that the inability of government to bring about sustainable development in the education sector through adequate funding has led to the proliferation of illegal and substandard private institutions.

He lamented it has also led to migration of youth to Ghana and Republic of Benin in search of better education.

According to the former general overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church, some youths who cannot afford the high fees have remained frustrated, becoming tools in the hands of mischievous politi-

cians.

He pointed out the foundation has provided succour to several youths by giving them the means to acquire the required education.

Over 150 indigent brilliant students, Badejo added, have been given supports by the foundation.

Not less than thirty scholarships, he disclosed, would be given out to brilliant indigent students of various higher institutions at this year’s lecture.

The lecture holds on May 21 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island Lagos with the theme: Nigerian limited education access for the underprivileged and the escalation of the incidence of mass poverty: An initiative for positive change.

•From right: Mrs. Oluremi Ojo; Mrs Nsini Udonta; Mrs. Felix; Miss Asekun and Mrs. Chinneye Bakare with some of the Bibles offered to beneficiaries

Groups distribute Bible to women

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NON-governmental organisation, Bible For All Mission, in conjunction with Project Alert, has distributed about 200 copies of the Bible to women in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos State.

It also sensitised them on how to prevent violence from men and be of relevance in the society.

The event was part of activities of the NGO in assisting women in the society.

The theme was ‘inspiring change’.

Distributing the Bibles to women at the taxi park garage

By Olatunde Odebiyi

in Iju Ishaga round about, the Head sponsorship of Bible For All Mission, Mrs. Kome Felix, said the gesture was to enable women to study the Bible, fight violence and inspire change in their environment.

“The Bible is against all forms of violence and Jesus Christ models the power of non-violence.

“This is why we are distributing Bible today because we believe that its study would affect lives and also keep away violence.”

Programme officer, Project

Alert, Miss. Oluwatobi Asekun, noted that violence against women can only end if women voice out and take responsibilities in the society.

“We need more women representation and participation in business, religion, politics and general decision making.

“Beating of women, rape and abuses on women must come to an end. Our government can inspire change by passing into law equitable laws which will ensure women and girls can access justice when needed,” she said.

Methodist church preaches patriotism

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•Special Assistant to Governor Raji Fashola on Religion, Dr Sam Ogedengbe( 2nd left); Senior Pastor of Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry(CLAM), Pastor Wole Oladiyun(4th left); Founder, Christ The Ever Present Ministry(CTEM), Evangelist Elishamma Ideh and General Overseer, Jesus Liberation Squad(JLS), Apostle Dele Johnson leading a prayer rally for the abducted Chibok girls last week… in Lagos

IGERIANS have been charged to be patriotic and put the interest of the nation above other considerations.

Bishops of The Methodist Church of Nigeria stated this at the end of their 32nd council meeting at the Norcross Memorial Methodist Cathedral Otukpo, Benue State.

The council pleaded with all Nigerians to be tolerant of one another to ensure a peaceful co-existence.

By Adeola Ogunlade

It urged every citizen to avoid do-or-die politics, adopt all elements of righteousness such as love, honesty, transparency, probity and practice patriotism at all times.

It noted that kidnapping, armed robbery and the Boko Haram menace as well as child and other forms of human trafficking are alien to our culture.

The Bishops urged all Nigerians to close ranks and en-

sure that these obnoxious developments are tackled head long and brought to an end.

On the abducted school girls at Chibok, Borno State, the council stated that the federal government should seek the support of countries that have tackled terrorism such as Israel, United State of America and France.

It urged President Goodluck Jonathan to remain focused and refuse to be diverted in his programmes.

Christian women protest abduction of girls T Rosicrucian order calls for single religion

HE women wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kano State chapter last week protested the abduction of 237 female students in Chibok, Borno State.

They called on Boko Haram to release the girls, which they insisted were innocent of whatever the agitation of the insurgents could be.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘’Chibok girls are innocent, release them’, ‘we want our girls back’, ‘Listen to the voice of Women, We will continue to be in pain until they are released’, ‘what are the offence of Chibok girls?’

Most of the women could

not hide their emotion.

They cried and rolled on the ground, calling on the abductors to stop persecuting the innocent girls for no just cause.

Reading the protest letter at the state CAN’s secretariat, Kano, the chairperson, Mrs. Ann West, said: “As mothers, we are here to draw the attention of our President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the governor of Kano State , Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the entire global community on the callous abduction of the Chibok girls.

“We are demanding for

the immediate release of our girls to us, their mothers and in fact to their parents without further delay. We also demand that these wicked people, the abductors be brought to book.”

While handing over the letter to Bello, Mrs. West stated that they appreciate the efforts made so far by the government of the country and other numerous individuals.

Bello said: “We are in support of your crusade just as we have been and still feeling the pain of what happened.

“The abduction is condemnable in all ramifications. We are against the people who use religion as a cover up to commit evil in this country.”

sational skills, communication skills and managerial skills.”

He added that the training is packaged to “empower the pastoral and church office staff to succeed at operating an effective organisation that caters for the needs of the members and the community.”

Some of the subjects that will be treated, he explained, include personal effectiveness, data and file management, team work and workplace con-

flict management.

According to Oladimeji, churches and para-ministry organisations generate so much data that must be stored and organised properly for corporate success.

Oladimeji, who has over 20 years’ experience in church administration and management, is the lead facilitator.

The training holds from May 22-24 at CMC Training Centre, 26 Adeboye Solanke Street, off Allen Avenue Lagos.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Seminar on church office management

H

UNDREDS of church administrators and leaders will gather next week to learn and update skills on effective office management.

The three-day training tagged church office management is organised by Church Management Consult (CMC).

A statement by CMC’s Chief Responsibility Officer (CRO), Pastor Seyi Oladimeji, said: “Running a church takes more than a call or desire to help people. It takes organi-

T

HE Lagos zone of Rosicrucian order, AMORC, has called for one religion for global peace and integration.

It said this will reduce the religious tensions and crises across the globe.

The group stated this last week at a symposium with the theme one world religion: is it attainable?

The event is a continuation of AMORC’s serialised annual public seminars and symposia aimed at advancing the course of humanity’s progress through individual and group tolerance, national integration for world peace, security, stability and progress of mankind.

The Grand Administrator and Director Supreme Board of AMORC, Dr Kenneth Idiodi, said the basic doctrines of theology are

By TosinAdesile

the same in all religions.

He said: “If we all could appreciate this, there will be unification of all religions.

“But as we know, this is not so. We have many religions, each has its God. Each prophet, who professes to be divinely inspired and bequeathed their followers an ideal of God, obtained through direct communion.

The ideals clash.”

He added: “We are all living witnesses of the chaos and anarchy, the violence and terrorism prevalent in today’s world. Many government’s establishments, traditional institutions, education bodies and societies seem to be inept, inflexible, inefficient and corrupt.”

Other speakers included Associate Professor, Depart-

ment of Philosophy, University of Lagos, Dr. Douglas Anele; Professor Sophie Oluwole of the School of Communication, Lagos State University and Master interfaith Network Project, Mr. R.T B Akinbile.

They dwelt on the common boundaries in different religions as well as their origins.

Anele said the spiritual essence of main religions like Christianity and Islam in Nigeria has been so perverted that self-indulgent materialism is the dominant orientation nationwide.

“It is interesting to note that Nigerians are trooping to churches and mosques seeking divine solutions to mostly man-made problems, immorality in its diverse manifestation.”

Church holds founder’s day

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HE sixth founder’s day anniversary and thanksgiving service of the Cherubim &Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria Ona Iwa Mimo Oke Ayo, Oke Isegun hold from June 23-27.

It takes place at the auditorium 20, Jacob Street, Fadayi off Ikorodu Road, Lagos with the theme: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me.”

The grand finale is on Sunday June 29 th at Kajola Health Centre along

Ayonuga Street, Fadayi Lagos by 10am.

The host, Prophetess Abosede Akande, (a.k.a Ijero), assured that God will touch lives and change destinies at the event.

73

Crime The Nation on Sunday May 18, 2014

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HE leader of a dangerous four-man armed robbery gang, Ibrahim Sanni, 27, has confessed that what made him to become an armed robber was the poor salary his master and employer, a lawyer (name withheld), used to pay him.

He made this confession on Tuesday at Ikeja Lagos, while narrating his involvement in an armed robbery operation in which one of the gang members, Garko Musa, died during a hot exchange of fire with the police when he brought out a pistol from his pant and attempted to kill one of the operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command when they wanted to arrest him at Agege in Lagos.

The other members of the dreaded gang are the late Garko Musa, Mamman Nigli who is still at large and their operational driver, Hamza Ibrahim, 29.

The singing bird Narrating his involvement, the first suspect and leader and author of the crime, Sanni, said, “I am the one who planned and executed the armed robbery operation against my employer, one Barrister Uche, for consistently paying me a poor salary as his gateman and domestic servant.

“I worked for this barrister for good nine years, yet I could not save enough money to marry a woman. I had started the marriage rites with money from farming in my Mulite village, Damboa local government area of Borno State, a community sharing the same boundary with Chibok. I started working for Barrister Uche when he was residing at Lekki on a monthly salary of N12,000 only.

“After some years he relocated to Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi where he increased my salary to N18,000. He later increased my salary to N21,000 after threatening to quit because he refused to increase my salary after increasing the load of my work by adding washing of his clothes and sweeping the compound as parts of my duties.

“When I realised that the man did not want my progress was when I begged him to help me financially to marry my heart throb and he openly refused, telling me that he was not the one that would give me money to marry.

“I am still single. I planned to marry but I did not have enough money to go through the marriage process. I targeted N172,000 only. I gave my master (oga) the marriage expenses list and he promised to help me. At the end of the day, he gave me N10,000 only on a Christmas day when he wanted to travel to his village to celebrate Christmas, saying I should go and manage it because he was the one to sponsor my marriage.

“The one incident that made my brain to scatter was when one policeman went and married the woman I wanted to marry because I hadn't the money to meet up with the marriage expenses and I am still seeing my would-be wife being with the policeman in Lagos.

“Based on the type of merciless heart my master had, I tried to look for a better place to work but I could not find one, hence I decided to be managing the one I had hoping that God would change my level one day and provide a better wife for me in the near future.

“That was the situation I found myself when my friend, Mamman, now at large, started visiting me in my workplace (my master's house at Dolphin Estate) every day.

When I told him about my plight and what I could do to reduce my suffering, he (Mamman) said it was as simple and easy as ABC, adding, 'let me tell you, if you plan to kidnap your master (oga) who I see as a rich man, the ransom will be running into millions of naira and your marriage and farming problems would be solved once and for all, or, in the alternative, arrange an intelligent armed robbery gang to rob your master whom you know used to keep hard currencies like Euro, Pounds and US dollars in the house, including gold chains, laptops, golden wrist watches and other expensive moveable properties, all your problems would be solved,' and that was how my friend, Mamman, deceived me and lured me into the armed robbery gang that robbed my master.”

A traitor in the house On how the armed robbery was planned and executed, he said, “We were four, namely myself, my friend Mamman Negli, Garko

'Poor salary pushed me into armed robbery’

Police IG, Abubakar

Musa and Hamza Ibrahim. It was Mamman who brought Garko because he had a gun with which we would use to do the armed robbery operation, while Garko brought Hamza.

“On March 9, 2013, at about 9.30pm, I was in the compound when Mamman came in and came to my duty post and sat down. He later brought out his phone and called Garko to come in and he came in with a gun, an English pistol, and I was very happy because it boosted my morale. We stayed for over 30 minutes in the security post planning and waiting for my master to drive into the compound.

“When my master returned, I quickly went and opened the gate for him and he entered and parked his car. As he was walking into his house, Mamman and Garko followed him, tip toeing until they followed him inside.

“I was hearing them shouting at Barrister Uche thus: hands up, lie down or I will blow your silly head with this gun. Where did you keep the money? I mean the Euro, Pounds and US dollars. Where are the golden wrist watches you used to wear? Where are the gold chains, your laptops? Is this flat television set working? You stingy man, don't waste our time.

“To show my master that they meant business and were ready to carry out their threat to kill him, if he failed to comply with their instructions, they held him at the jugular and jerked him up and attempted to break his backbone before he told them where he kept the hard currencies like Euro, Pounds, US dollars, gold chains, gold watches. They also carried the man's flat television set, laptop and clippers and other expensive property and put them inside the man's vehicle and we drove off.

“Later, we went to Eko Hotel in Victoria Island to change the foreign currencies. After changing the money, Mamman did not tell me the total amount. He gave me N50,000 as my own share. The money we had was above N200,000. Garko's share was given to Hamza to take to him. Later, I ran to my village in Maiduguri. My village is Mulitu village in Demboa local government area, Borno State. I

By Ebele BONIFACE started farming when I got there.

“I was surprised when I saw my brother with some operatives of SARS enter my compound. He led them to the back of the house where I was eating. They approached me and asked me whether I was Ibrahim Sanni and I said yes. They gave me a handshake and told me that they were operatives of SARS and I urinated in my trouser immediately because I never expected operatives of SARS Lagos State Police Command to be in Borno State, near Chibok. I thought that they were the combined team that was in Borno for the Boko Haram problem. Anyway, they eventually carried me back to Lagos.

“My master (oga) was not owing me any month salary. My problem was that my salary per month was N21,000 which I have been receiving for the past nine years but it was not enough to meet up or solve my problems. I was expecting my employer to increase my monthly salary to N30,000 or N35,000. I told him about it two good times, yet he did not do anything about it.

“To worsen my plight, one policeman came and married off my would-be wife and they are living at Jakande round about Lekki, a suburb of Lagos. I am still seeing her and it breaks my heart anytime I see her.

“I was desperate to get enough money to look for another woman to marry who “Insha Allah” should be more beautiful than her to enable my mind to come down and forget that woman that left me because I was poor.”

The second suspect, Hamza Ibrahim, 29, from Pulka Village, Gwoza local government area, Borno State, said, “I am a private driver. I am married with a child. I did not follow them to the Barrister's house to rob him. I did not join them there at all. What happened was that Garko came from the same local government area with me and he knows that I am a driver.

“Around 9-9.30pm, that fateful day, I was at Lekki bus stop where my house is when he called me on phone to come to Abule Egba to

drive one Nissan Toyota Pajero jeep to Kara, after Ojodu Berger, Lagos.

“When I reached there and saw the jeep, I checked the fuel gauge and found out that the fuel would not lead us to the place and I also asked them about the vehicle particulars and they said they were not with the particulars.

“I met three of them, namely Sanni, Mamman and Garko in the car. I was weak inside me because I suspected that the car might have been stolen. I told them that as my body was, I would not be able to drive the vehicle to Borno State. I was ordered to turn under bridge and later parked at Kara where everybody came down. Garko carried the plasma TV set and shoes and we walked down. Garko was also wearing two golden wrist watches. I eventually parked the car.

“We left the car with Ibrahim. Garko also left, while I and Mamman went to Eko Hotel to collect our own shares. When Mamman contacted buyers, he sold the vehicle and gave me N70,000 to give Garko. I then called Garko that this is the money Mamman delivered and he said no problem I will come and meet you in the house in Ajah.

“He then called that he was in a bus stop for me to come and meet him there. When I met him there, I gave him the N70,000 and from it he gave me N20,000.”

On how he was arrested and how his arrest led to the death of Garko Musa, he said, “I was arrested through my senior brother who led SARS operatives to my house. When they met me, they asked me how they would get Garko.

I told them there would be no problem. I would get Garko for them. I promised to help them to get Garko. I was in a car with one SARS operative, and I was the one driving. I started controlling Garko on phone as a trusted friend.

“When I told him that I wanted to see him, he said he was coming to Ajah and he would branch to see me at Lekki but that he was still in Agege. I then told him that I had already launched another car and there was a passenger I wanted to carry to Agege (his side), and that if I dropped the passenger I would call him. He said if I come I should park at any bus stop and call him. I was driving while three policemen were in the car.

“When we got to Capito road, Agege, I parked and called him and he said he would come and meet me soon. Within this period, two SARS operatives came down and positioned themselves strategically while I drove few metres ahead to where I waited for Garko to come and meet me.

“When Garko came, the officer in the car that was acting like my passenger then came out and grabbed Garko by the trouser. Both of them started fighting, each trying to free himself from the grip of the other. When people around there and passers-by gathered to get a glimpse of what was going on, I drove the car away some metres from where they were fighting.

“When Garko realised that the SARS operative was trying to overpower him, he put his left hand inside his pant and brought out a pistol and fired the policeman, but his position, the way both were standing and holding themselves, made it difficult for Garko to get the SARS operative with his gun. The firing from Garko scared the crowd who dispersed immediately to avoid stray-bullet accident. It was the firing that alerted the other two policemen who rushed to the place. When Garko who was holding the pistol with his left hand as the only free hand, he shot at the two policemen but the two policemen then divided themselves. One came from the front, other came from the back.

“As the officer and Garko held each other, each trying to overpower the other, two others came closer one from the back and the other from the front. The one at the back fired Garko from the back and he fell down and the police he was struggling with collected his pistol.

“As they were thinking on how to carry Garko up, he unexpectedly got up by himself and grabbed the officer again biting him at the chest with all his strength which made one of the officers to fire him again until he slumped and died on the spot. They put his corpse inside the car booth and we drove back to SARS scorpion house at GRA, Ikeja. People were hailing us, saying “great SARS, the correct police, well done.”

74

Oddities The Nation on Sunday May 18, 2014

* Palace entrance

O

N the wall of one of the courtyards in the palace is a chain nailed on it, coiled round a small iron. It is called 'eghan', that is a strange or mysterious chain. Near the chain is a window leading into a secret room because there is no door leading into it while the window has never been opened, though it is made of wood.

This window, however, is unbreakable!

According to Oba Julius Okikiola Folagbade Adetifa III, the Alale of Idashen, Ondo State, "It is forbidden to touch the chain, whoever touches it will become paralysed. Such calamities had happened in the past, and it is well known all over the place.

So, no one touches it! The chain has been there for over 400 years and it is what Alale brought from Ile Ife. People come from all places to do research on it and they found out that it is true.”

A special drum, Oluseepe, is also positioned there. The leather drum must not beaten by just anybody; it is beaten during a burial only.

A beautiful staff wrapped with white cloth is also placed in a conspicuous place where one of the monarchs was buried; this staff can only be handled by the Oloris (Queens).Though it looks attractive, it is forbidden to be touched by any living man.

According to a legend, if any man touches it, he becomes impotent immediately. It has no antidote. No wonder every male runs away from it to avoid touching it and face the calamity.

Also in the compound are five trees, called the five strange trees - all the trees are touched only when it is time for yam festival. According to the monarch, "They are known in local parlance as atori, ogbagbayobo, akoko, and so forth." There is a padlocked sacred room with an iron-gate, although painted and attractive, but no woman must enter the room. Any woman who disregards it becomes barren for life!

Not only this, there is also a strange window without a door. Nobody can open the window.

Welcome to Alale palace at Idashen Quarters in Owo, the palace that houses antiquities. The palace is full of mystery and rich in culture and stories. Alale means owner of land. "We are the only ones that have the authority over this land. We own the land and nobody or neighbour quarrels with us over the land. There is no argument or dispute over the land here," the 80-year-old monarch, Julius Folagbade Adetifa III, the Alale of Idashen told The Nation.

The monarch doubles as the head of the community and Spiritual Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church. The Alale, who is the 35th Alale of Ulale, said the "Agwe fes-

* The mysterious chain

* HRH Alale

Royal house of mysteries

In his palace, many things are untouchable especially a mysterious chain, which if touched could lead to paralysis. Another is reputed to have the power to make a woman barren. The monarch who is a staunch Christian says these things are real and true. Taiwo Abiodun was there

* Strange staff tival is held every five years and it is the only popular and important one. It was held three years ago and we shall soon celebrate another one. When it is the time for the festival the mysterious chain unwinds itself gradually, especially in the month of June till July when it finishes unwinding, then the festival is ready to be observed, while those in charge of the festival would know and request for all what it requires and will then inform the community of the festival. After the festival, the chain would go back or recoil back to its former position until after five years for another festival," the monarch proudly announced.

According to him, the festival is held every five years while necessary rites are performed, some of rules to be observed and

* Strange window strictly adhered to are: no eating of leftover food or wearing any clothes worn the previous day. In a nut shell, new clothes are worn every day. There is also a stream where water is fetched for bathing daily and those fetching the water must not be met along the road to avoid calamity befalling those who meet them. According to the monarch, the festival, Agwe, brings peace, love and progress to the community.

What if not observed? The Oba was asked. "Then we are doomed; pestilence, war and bareness will occur," he replied.

"River Aisewen is popular in the community and it is worshipped every year.”

According to the monarch, the river cannot flow and must not flow to the other side. "It has been dredged several times but does not

PHOTOS: TAIWO ABIODUN

flow to the other side. If it flows, a calamity will occur," Alale added.

Forbidden to see a monarch's head Alale said no royal father must leave his head without a cover in the public; that's why on the head of Alale is to be found a skull cap tightly fitted. "I am a monarch and my head must not be seen without being covered, it is forbidden, that is why I don't leave my head open and again I am also a Baba Ijo whose head has been anointed with anointing oil. Whoever sees the skull of my head will be stricken by poverty.”

Roles as a traditional ruler and Baba Aladura "As a man of God and also a traditional ruler, I am doing both successfully. The NTA crew comes here always to have interview with me. Oba is a different thing from the work of God. You place God's work on your shoulder and handle or hold tradition in your hand. I have no juju but I believe fervently in God; I know what to say, I know a little invocation, but don't know more than that. I believe fervently in God. When it is also time for tradition, I also do, but most of them are handled by the town's chief priest.

"The sacred room has never been opened, and nobody dare try it. We believe there is a special ritual performed in the room to guard against destroying the town; so many things must have been done to guard against enemies in the town, it is a sacred room and a no-go area to everybody. I have never been tempted to break into the place to see what is there. There is a river here called Aisenwen, it does not flow, we call it the river that never flows. It is also good for healing; many have got healed. The water or river is worshipped, she was a goddess from another town, she got married to Alale, her taboos were broken and she ran into a clay pot and hid herself.”

Power of vision The royal father said, "I was born in June 1934, it was predicted that I would become an Oba and also a Church leader in 1954 but I never believed it because the two were believed to be opposite. I was once a tailor, a plumber, and a musician. I was told in my dream that I would work for God or else I would always be sick. About three or four people said they saw a crown and feathers on my head but I never believed it since I am an Aladura until years after, when it came to pass.

“When my father died in 1977, I was assisting for six years after the death of my father. We don't have an Adele or Regent but whoever is assisting becomes Adele until I became the king. I became Baba Aladura in 2002.They installed me as Oba in 1992.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 CHANGE OF NAME SHITTA-BEY

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Bola Olajumoke Pariola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bola Olajumoke Shitta-Bey. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

75

CHANGE CHANGE OF OF NAME NAME TAJUDEEN

IFIJEH

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Wasilat A. Priscilla Tajudeen, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. DadaAyemobola Wasilat A. Priscilla. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OTUNBA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adigun, Latifat Omolola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Idris Latifat Omolola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Ifijeh, Efe Lisa, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Efe Ehimare Wilfred Omole. All former documents remain valid. NYSC and general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Otunba Ishola Lazeze Omosanya, now wish to be known and addressed as Otunba Adesola Awonowo Omosanya Ajenowo. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

EZEBUIRO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Chinenye Bridget Ezebuiro, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chinenye Bridget Godswill K. Sunju Epelle.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ODUSANYA

I, formerly known and addressed as Odusanya, Monisola Taibat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akanni, Monisola Taibat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLADIGBO

ADIGUN

OGUBUIKE

I, formerly known and addressed as Ogubuike Chidinma Prudence, now wish to be known and addressed as Ihezie Chidinma Prudence. All former documents remain valid. WAEC, Abia State University (ABSU) and general public should please take note.

AKINYELE

I, formerly known and addressed as Akinyele, Aramide Rafiat, now wish to be known and addressed as Hassan, Aramide Rafiat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

RAFIU

I, formerly known and addressed as Rafiu, Adekunle Ibrahim, now wish to be known and addressed as Hassan, Adekunle Ibrahim. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

RAFIU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olutola Taiwo Oladigbo, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olutola Taiwo Adewusi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Rafiu, Abdulrafiu Babamide Obama, now wish to be known and addressed as Hassan, Abdulrafiu Babamide Obama. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

KORZERZER

YUSUF

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rachel Mngu-Suur Korzerzer, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rachel Mngu-Suur Lubem-Ukpo. All former documents remain valid.

Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi abd general public should please take note.

PEPPLE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Pepple, Data Florence, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ayetiran Pepple Data Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AJAYI

I, formerly known and addressed as Comfort Ajayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Comfort Odetunde. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ola, Ishola Folahanmi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Balogun, Folahanmi Cecilia. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DIBIANA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lauren Ezinneamaka Dibiana, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Lauren Ezinneamaka Osewezina. All former documents remain valid.

University of Benin, First Bank, UBA, Stanbic IBTC and general public should please take note.

ACHEBE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Achebe, Cynthia Ijebusoma, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Agusiy Nancy Nonyelum. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLAJIDE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Olajide, Mary Bisola, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwaseyi-Oye, Bisola. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OGUNDARE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Folashade Florence Ogundare, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Thomas Folashade Florence,. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ALAERE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Koroye Nowoghowmenma Alaere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Alaere Koroye Nwafor. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Mufutau Yusuf, now wish to be known and addressed as King Wells Olamide. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADISA

I, formerly known and addressed as Oluwadamilola Monisola Adisa, now wish to be known and addressed as Oluwadamilola Monisola Lawal. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NOIBI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Noibi Olaide Safurat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Salami, Olaide Safurat. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

DAKORU

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Stella Tutu Dakoru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Stella Tutu Jackson. All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

OPARAOCHA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oparaocha, Georgenia Iheakara Nneka, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Nwokorie Georgenia Iheakara. All former documents remain valid.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc. and general public should please take note.

OYEWO

I, formerly known and addressed as Oyewo, Omotolani Toheebat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rasaq-Alawode Omotolani Toheebat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DAREGO

CHANGE OF NAME ILESANMI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. JOSEPHINE OLUWABUNMI ILESANMI, now wish to be known as Mrs. JOSEPHINE OLUWABUNMI OLAWUYI. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME TINUBU

NWOKEDI

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS ELIZABETH MOFOLUWASO ABIOLA TINUBU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ELIZABETH MOFOLUWASO ABIOLA TINUBU – AFONJA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

EZEH

I, formerly known and addressed as ZAINAB GANA ISAH, now wish to be known and addressed as ZAINAB ISAH HARUNA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

ENWERE

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUCHI ROSEMARY EMENIKE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUCHI ROSEMARY ORUMWENSE. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss. NWOKEDI CHINYERE ANASTASIA, now wish to be known as Mrs. CHIBUEZE CHINYERE ANASTASIA. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezeh Martha Okwuchukwu Ekwutosi now wish to be known and adressed as Mrs. Orji Okwuchukwu Martha Ekwutosi. all former documents remain valid, ASPC Umuahia & general public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Enwere Daberechi Enyioma now wish to be known and adressed as Mrs. Ekwueme Daberechi Chikezie. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

ULOMA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Nwichi Love Uloma now wish to be known and adressed as Mrs Adeniji Love Uloma. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

HUOMA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Lilian C. Huoma now wish to be known and adressed as Mrs. Lilian C. Nnamdi Ogwuegbu. All former documents remain valid, the Judiciary Court of Appeal and general public should please take note.

OGUNMAKINDE

I formerly known and addressed as Ogunmakinde Adesola now wish to be known and addressed as MAKINDE ADESHOLA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EMU

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS IRENE BLESSING EMU, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ALUKO IRENE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public should pleace take note.

ISAH

EMENIKE

AJAO

I, formerly known and addressed as MR AJAO MICHAEL BAMIDELE, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. OLADIPUPO MICHAEL BAMIDELE. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

AJAO

I, formerly known and addressed as MRS AJAO OLUBUSOLA OLATOMIWA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLADIPUPO OLUBUSOLA OLATOMIWA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

MUSA

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. MUSA RABIATU BIANCA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. UMUKORO RABIATU BIANCA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DURU

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. DURU NONYE SANDRA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. MADUABUCHI NWAGU NONYE SANDRA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

NNADI

BILESANMI

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS. NNADI CHINWENDU KATE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. EGWUATU CHINWENDU KATE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONYEKABA

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ABIODUN AYOMIDE BANKSALONGE and ABIODUN AYOMIDE FALEGAN JOSEPH refers to one and the same person.

Now wish to be known and addressed as ABIODUN AYOMIDE BANKS-ALONGE. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS BILESANMI ARINOLA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OBISESAN IDOWU ARINOLA. All former document remain valid, and the general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onyekaba Chioma Irene, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amasiatu Chioma Irene Marie. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AWOBONA

I, formerly known and addressed as Awobona Omotunde Folorunsho, now wish to be known and addressed as Olubona Omotunde Folorunsho. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BAMGBOSE

I, formerly known and addressed as Bamgbose Johnson Kazeem, now wish to be known and addressed as Babatunde Johnson Kazeem. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

DANIEL

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, HARUNA SOIBI MAMMAN and SOIBI HARUNA BEREPIKI refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known and addressed as HARUNA SOIBI MAMMAN. All former documents remain valid.

General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I, ILERIOLUWA LIRON BANKSALONGE and ILERIOLUWA LIRON JOSEPH refers to one and the same person. Now wish to be known and addressed as ILERIOLUWA LIRON BANKSALONGE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AJAYI

I, formerly known and addressed as Comfort Ajayi, now wish to be known and addressed as Comfort Odetunde. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss. NNANABA NEMTU ASENITE DAREGO, now wish to be known as Mrs. NNANABA ROBINSON. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rita Daniel, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Rita Makume Madise-Wobo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SANDRA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miriam Eje Eru, now wish to be known and addressed as Miriam Eje Adepoju. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

IZUAGIE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adedara Fisayo Adetola, now wish to be known and addressed as Adebayo Fisayo Adetola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Olubusayo Fisayo Erinfolami, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olubusayo Fisayo Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKPEJI

ADEMUYIWA

I, formerly known and addressed as SANDRA AMARA CHIEMENA, now wish to be known as SYLVIA AMARA CHIEMENA. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as IKUROMO RITA IZUAGIE, now wish to be known as IKUROMO RITA BRUCE. All former documents remain valid General public please take.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME APEH CHRISTOPHER NNABUIKE, and OKECHUKWU CHRISTOPHER NNABUIKE, refers to one and the same person, now wish to be known as OKECHUKWU CHRISTOPHER NNABUIKE. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

ERU

ADETOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Akpeji Blessing Ometere, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Blessing Ometere Asegame.

All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

FALAYE

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

BOLARINWA

OJURI I,formerly known and addressed as Ojuri, Alaba Iranlowo now wish to be known and addressed as Ojurayo, Alaba Iranlowo. All former documents remain valid.

Servtrust Ltd, Prudential Guards Ltd, Financial Institutions, University of Lagos, Adekunle Ajasin University, Canadian , American,Nigeria government and general public should please take note.

MATULUKURO I formerly known and addressed as Matulukuro Jolaade Comfort now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ojurayo, Jolaade Comfort.

All former documents remain valid.

Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Nasarawa Institute of Strategic Management, Roding Health Care Ltd, Canadian, American,Nigeria government and general public should please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Bolarinwa, Rafiat Adeola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Areo, Rafiat Adeola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

SOBANKE

I formerly known and addressed as MISS SOBANKE, Esther Olubukola, Now wish to be known as MRS OLAYOOLE, Esther Olubukola. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

ADENUBI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Adenubi Mary Abisola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Salaudeen Mary Abisola. All former documents remain valid.

University of lbadan and general public should please take note.

AKOHIA

I formerly known and addressed as Akohia Emeke Segun now wish to be known and addressed as Luwoye Samson Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid.

University of lbadan and general public should please take note.

ERINFOLAMI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olubusayo Fisayo Erinfolami now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olubusayo Fisayo Johnson. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINNIMI

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS AKINNIMI BUSOLA HELEN now wish to be known and address as MRS ADETULE BUSOLA HELEN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ABIOLA

I,formerly known and addressed as MISS ABIOLA IYABODE REMI, Now wish to be known as MRS. ODEWUMI BEAUTY MARY. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

SOTOMIWA

I,formerly known and addressed as Miss Sotomiwa Flourence Oluyemisi, Now wish to be known as Mrs. Adebanwa Flourence Oluyemisi. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

OLOYEDE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Oloyede Oluwakemi Temitope, Now wish to be known as Mrs. Adeniran Oluwakemi Temitope. All former document remain valid. The general public take note.

POPOOLA

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Popoola Abosede, Now wish to be known as Mrs. Adeniran Abosede. All former document remain valid. LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Oshogbo and general public take note.

ADEBAYO

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Adebayo Abiodun Agnes, Now wish to be known as Mrs. Abifade Ayodele Abiodun. All former document remain valid.

NDLEA and general public take note.

AJEKIGBE

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ajekigbe Abosede Rebecca, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ajenifuja Abosede Rebecca.

All former document remain valid.

General public take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Alabi Disu Idris and Alabi Idris Anafe is same person now wish to be known as Alaby Ygmbi Idris Anvyingafe. All documents bearing the above names remain valid.

General public take note.

JACOB

I,formerly MISS FALAYE ELIZABETH OLUWASEUN now wish to be known as MRS DARAMOLA ELIZABETH OLUWASEUN all former document remain valid basic health centre ijan ekiti and general public take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Rose Ibifaka Jacob, now wish to be known as Mrs. Rose Ibifaka Blakk. All former document remain valid. General public take note.

ERINFOLAMI

I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Onuoha, Onyinyechi Gift, now wish to be known as Mrs. Okoroafor Jane Onyinyechi. All former document remain valid.

General public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Ademuyiwa Nurudeen Oluwaseun now wish to be known and addressed as Koleosho Nurudeen Oluwaseun. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ONUOHA

BOROBO

I, formerly known and addressed as Ebipamene Borobo, now wish to be known and addressed as Tammy-Ebipamene Africanus. All former documents remain valid.

The Niger Delta University, Corporate bodies and general public should please take note.

YUSUF

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Yusuf Rashidat Abimbola now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gambari Rasheedat Abimbola. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OLOKUN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Olokun Ola Olaotan Kafilat now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Maciver Olaotan Kafilat. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EZENWOSU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Ezenwosu Amara Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Orugbala Blessing Amara. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKINBAMIJO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Akinbamijo Olubukola Mofiyinfoluwa now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Gbenga-Faremi Olubukola Mofiyinfoluwa. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

BALOGUN

I formerly known and addressed as Olajide Adetayo Balogun now wish to be known and addressed as Olajide Adetayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OROGBEMI

I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Orogbemi Janet Ojuetimi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Olorungbemi Janet Ojuetimi. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADVERT: Simply produce your marriage certificate or sworn affidavit for a change of name publication, with just N4,500. The payment can be made through - FIRST BANK of Nigeria Plc. Account number - 2017220392 Account Name VINTAGE PRESS LIMITED Scan the details of your advert and teller to gbengaodejide @ y a h o o . c o m orthenation.advert @gmail.com.

For enquiry please contact: Gbenga on 08052720421, 08161675390, Emailgbengaodejide @yahoo.com or our offices nationwide.

Note this! Change of name is now published every Sundays, all materials should reach us two days before publication.

76

WORDSWORTH A

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

Flying Medview is a horror

EBERE WABARA

08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Test run’ not verb!

T

HE Guardian front and inside pages of May 12, 2014, preface this week’s edition with two headline howlers nurtured by juvenile sloppiness: “Stakeholders oppose AMCON’s deadline on (for) bank’s acquisition” “Govt test runs (sic) American building system in Kuje scheme” ‘Test run’ is a noun—not a phrasal verb! Just use ‘tests’, which is brief and concise. These Nigerian etymological creations vitiate contemporary English.

Usage note: Customs (plural)—The Customs and Excise (British: now Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs since 2005 when the department was merged with Inland Revenue). Also: US Customs Service just like Nigeria Customs Service which the incumbent Comptroller-General, Abdullahi Dikko Ande, has so revolutionized with a catalytic touch that you would think there had been no CG before him—the NCS now posts, unprecedentedly, N100bn revenue yearly! Britons apply plural verb (The Customs have seized….) while Americans use singular verb. The choice is yours!

For me, to the extent that it is a government AGENCY, I will support Americans on this for once! What do you constructively think?

DAILY Sun EDITORIAL of May 12, 2014, and other sections of the medium take over the baton from the erstwhile ‘flagship of Nigerian journalism’: “It is high time (also it is about time) all the contentious issues in SWF are (were) resolved now (sic) in the interest of the economy and the country.”

“Attempt by the APC to elect officials has led to cracks in its rank (ranks)” “There are intractable crisis (crises) between….”

“The demeanour of majority (a majority) of the contenders….”

“The compendium is the first single national publication that will feature all the custodian (the entire custodians) of Nigeria’s cultures….” (Full-page advertisement by Daily Trust) Let us move from Daily Trust to THISDAY of May 12, 2014, which circulated all manner of blunders: “Stop by the nearest Access Bank branch for our Cross Border Transfer (cross-bor-

der transfer) service.” (Fullpage advertisement) The next two faults are from THISDAY EDITORIAL of the above edition: “…the last thing the public needs (need) now is to rub salt in (into) their wounds.”

“Population, urbanisation driver (drivers) of investment into (in) Africa” “This is a cost effective (cost-effective) way of banking.”

“A hearty cheers” (Fullpage congratulatory advertisement by the Chrome Group) Why not ‘Hearty cheers? “…on the occasion of his Birthday Anniversary (sic).”

(Full-page advertisement by Mainland Oil & Gas Co. Ltd) ‘Birthday’ and ‘anniversary’ cannot co-exist because the former implies the yearly anniversary (celebration/marking/commemoration) of an epochal event (birth/discovery/wedding/memorial et al) in the life of an individual or an organisation. This faux pas keeps recurring daily! Is it that we do not read or are we just raucously careless?

We have ‘wedding anniversary’.

“Although sports betting have (has) been around for a long time….”

Finally from the Back Page of THISDAY under focus where a guest columnist offered readers just an executive takeaway: “Now that they have attained those standards, I hope they will not let it (them) drop again.”

The PUNCH of May 12, 2014, joins the languagepoverty club with the following inaccuracies: “I ran to the two of them and they would borrow (lend) the state money.”

“Glo Borrow (Lend) Me Credit” (Full-page advertisement by glo Unlimited) What is this schoolboy mixup of ‘borrow’ and ‘lend’?

“Risk averse (Riskaverse) Nigerian banks lag behind peers—Report” For the first time, let us welcome THISDAY Style to this stylish column. Its May 4 and 11, 2014, editions lacked grammatical etiquette on three occasions: “…my experiences here has (have) been a big part of my music. From the onset (outset), my music has (had) always been about me being a Nigerian.”

“Put your phone on silent (silence)”

From THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT Page Headline of May 11 comes the next boyish infraction: “Nigeria: Giant with a feet of clay” You mean nobody in the production team could detect this mistake? Get it right: ‘Nigeria: Giant with clay feet—not ‘a feet of clay’! “…Happy Birthday my sweetheart & congrats for (on/upon) being a Digital grandma.”

“Travel expert…said Nigeria needs (needed) a national or flag carrier with….”

The Guardian of April 25, 2014, nurtured some misunderstandings right from its front page: “The meeting, which started at about 12.10 p. m. at (in) the Council Chambers, was attended by….” No cloudiness about timing: exactitude is the word or clear guess game (at 12.10 p. m. or about 12.10 p. m.—if unsure). In formal writing, ‘at’ and ‘about’ cannot co-function when timing.

“Taraba CAN blames acting gov over (for) killings, aide disagrees” “Since August, I have been remitting money into (to) my husband’s account….”

“Chioma, you are not 50, you are 18 with 32 years (years’) experience” The Guardian Front Page of April 24 was conscienceless: “With this resolution, the committee said local councils will (would) no longer be a third tier….”

“Ejigbo commissions (inaugurates) fire service station, other projects” The Guardian Editorial of April 24, 2014, fumbled scandalously with five kindergarten mistakes: “What is absolutely incorrect is the celebration of same (the same) figures as some achievement in the face of Nigerians’ gnawing poverty.” “…which shows that majority (a/the majority) of Nigerians still live below the poverty line….” “…offering a competitive edge over other economies in (on) the continent….” “…the turnover shows a reap-off (rip-off) of consumers and low quality service in return.”

“The exercise is how to maximize those potentials (potential or potentialities).”

QUICK journey to Abuja on Wednesday, May 7, via Medview Airlines was a horrific experience that surely left me with post traumatic stress disorder. Since mental and psychological health are not areas we give much thought to in this part of the world, it is important that Nigerians, and the global community, get to read the story and not just marvel or create hashtags at how low we have sunk as a country. Especially these days that the world’s attention is focused on our country as we seek to bring back the Chibok girls, other silent killers are ravaging our souls leaving behind decimation that will need a long time to heal.

Actually, that was my second time on Medview ever since the airline commenced domestic operations in November 2012. It started with hajj operations in 2007 but my experience last September 17 when I flew its plane to Port Harcourt left a sour taste in my mouth. The 3pm flight of that day took off at 7pm, making me to miss an important dinner scheduled for that time. It was, however, gracious enough to offer angry passengers vouchers for food at a restaurant in the airport. Ever since, I steered clear of Medview like a plague until last week and certainly the leopard can never change its spots.

Our flight to Abuja took off as scheduled, 7am, and it was a smooth flight spiced with conversation between us and another passenger. Expectedly, Boko Haram, the World Economic Forum (WEF), Christianity, and inevitably that topic whenever a group of men discuss, sports, specifically in this case, football, were issues we debated and argued. We landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport and it appeared to be under siege with a plethora of gun-toting soldiers and policemen everywhere. This could not stop a Toyota SUV driving to the tarmac to pick one of us who arrived on the same flight. We proceeded straight to the city seeing an almost empty Abuja. Initially, we thought the closure of government offices for the WEF would affect our programme, but it was not so.

My friend and I felt it was a little bit early to go to airport for our return flight at 6:30pm after we finished our business and we did not want to disturb other friends in Abuja. Time was just around 1pm and I was glad that there would be enough time for me to read Jared Diamond’s The World Until Yesterday that was in my bag.

We got to the airport and presented our tickets at the Medview counter. That was when we should have been concerned as the gentleman who collected our tickets was reluctant in giving us boarding passes until another person, most likely a supervisor, told him to go ahead.

Old friends, same problems The alarm bells in my head went off when I discovered that the boarding pass read 8:30pm, with no explanation, no apology, and no information from any Medview staff.

Shortly after being screened, I saw an old friend and egbon, Dr. WoleOdutolu, whom I’ve not seen for years. He was excited to see me too, and he held my hands for some minutes as we sat down to catch up on a lot of issues. At this point, my friend

By Wale Fatade disappeared and left me with the doctor to continue our discussion.

Seeing someone after a long time is always an invitation to a long discussion and this was what happened. Odutolu and I kept on moving from one topic to another and, at a point, we changed location to get some drinks. With a bottle of Snapple in my hands, we continued our discussion on Nigeria and our home state, Osun. At this point, I saw Stephen Keshi, the Super Eagles coach, who just released a 30-man list for the World Cup in Brazil, with Victor Ikpeba afar and I felt like walking up to them to congratulate Keshi for including two names on that list. But that would be rude, so I continued my discussion with Dr. Odutolu.

Later, poet, former student activist, lawyer, professor, and now an aspirant to the House of Representatives, Ogaga Ifowodo, joined us but did not sit down. He was on another Medview flight billed to take off at 2:30pm but it was already over an hour as at then. “Oh boy, which kind country be dis?”

Ifowodo asked me in pidgin.

“I’ve been here for one hour now and nobody is saying anything on this flight. Why do we allow ourselves to be treated this way? Honestly, we must do something,” he added. Tired, he concluded, “Wale, let me go and find somewhere to crash as I don’t know when we are leaving.” He, however, reminded me to contribute to his campaign, as he does not have any godfather bankrolling him.

I should have joined in his lamentations. Selfishly, my thought was on the fact that my flight was 8:30 and Medview must have sorted things out by then, I erroneously assumed.

Shortly after, another colleague of Dr. Odutolu joined us and we continued our discussion.

Simon Kolawole of The Cable passed by too but not without accusing me of missing the launch of his new project.

“Thanks for coming, I saw you at our launch,” he said sarcastically. Odutolu’s flight was announced and he left me with his colleague whose knowledge of Ogun State politics dazzled me as we compared notes on the forthcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun States, the rift between Gov. Ibikunle Amosun and former Gov. Olusegun Osoba in Ogun State, and the 2015 presidential elections.

Waiting for Godot His flight too was announced and I stood up to stretch my legs again. That was when I knew that our wait would be long as Medview scheduled another flight for 4:30pm, meaning three flights were booked to fly to Lagos – 2:30, 4:30, and 6:30 based on tickets sold. Around 5pm, the 2:30 flight departed leaving two flights behind. As the flight was announced, some passengers on the other two joined and were politely turned back. Tempers started flying at this point. “Why did they sell tickets when there was no plane?” “Why are we like this?” These were some of the questions people asked. I still kept quiet because I could not imagine that there would be no flight for us at 8:30pm.

“Cool down,” I told myself.

Three hours were enough to arrange a plane that would take us to Lagos.

Keshi was one of those that were turned back as we were booked for flight VL2107.

Shaking hands with people around me, I congratulated him for including two players, Ramon Azeez and Sunday Mba, on the list. “Thank you, my oga,” he responded with smiles. To everybody, he responded the same way, “You know I have many ogas, all of you are my ogas.” The waiting continued till 8:30pm.

Our dilemma was growing, as there was no plane to convey us to Lagos. That was the first time Medview communicated to us, having kept us waiting.

“Attention please, passengers on flight VL 2107 please proceed to the Medview counter for light refreshment,” was the announcement when we thought it was a boarding announcement. I could not hold it any longer, and I walked up to a staff. “What exactly is happening to our flight,” I asked a man in blue shirt who had carefully concealed his identity card like other Medview staff. Suddenly, a man with a beard as long as that of Kongi though not as well kept as that of the playwright blurted, “Don’t answer him, please. If you answer his question, he would ask another one.” I was aghast and I really felt like slapping the old man even when I’m not giving to violence. “Please walk away from this place before I do something both of us will not like,” I shouted at him, and, wisely, he walked away.

“We had a delay in Lagos, it is raining now and that’s why there’s no plane available,” the Medview staff answered. He added that text messages were sent to passengers earlier that the flight has been rescheduled to 8:30pm which neither me nor my friend got. We continued waiting and that was when I discovered that the airport seats were not comfortable at all. Walking around to stretch my legs was the only way I could retain my sanity while others continually looked at the tarmac awaiting the plane’s arrival like passengers waiting for a BRT bus at the terminal.

Finally, some few minutes after 10pm, the plane landed. I never knew I would witness what happened thereafter again in Nigeria as passengers were jostling and shuffling to get to the boarding gate as two flights were combined. Mercifully, women with children were allowed to pass first. We took off at 10:50pm and my wife could not believe me when I told her. “Are you in Lagos now?” she asked, thinking we had landed. “No, we are just boarding,” I replied. We landed at 11:45pm and the only thing Medview offered were repeated apologies by the pilot and cabin crew. Nothing about compensation or damages but the temerity to add that “we look forward to welcoming you on board soonest.”

Tired and angry, I made my way to the taxi park and I vowed never to board Medview again and also to brief my lawyers. This cannot continue, I said within me, and surely Medview will hear from me again on this matter.

Fatade is a journalist in Lagos

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014

I

N 1979, three researchers at Pfizer, the pharmaceutical giant, came up with a synthetic cannabinoid-a drug that, in some ways, acts similarily to the active ingredient in marijuana. What the company did with this research, it won't say. But decades later, a designer drug marketed as "fake pot" began to emerge-first in Europe, later in America-that went on to be blamed for contributing to tens of thousands of trips to the emergency room. One of the five active substances in that "fake pot"also known as "Spice" or "K2"-was the synthetic cannabinoid first discovered at Pfizer.

There's no evidence that Pfizer had anything to do with the introduction or spread of Spice.

But the unearthing of Pfizer's little-known cannabinoid research does highlight the sometimesuncomfortable relationship between Big Pharma and the illicit drug trade.

And it also upends the popular origin myth of Spice, which usually begins with Clemson University Professor John W. Huffman.

The Los Angeles Times was one of the first to connect the dots between the Harvard graduate and the lethal designer drug marketed as "fake pot," Spice. In a 2011 article titled Scientists' Research Produces a Dangerous High, the paper essentially declared him the "reluctant creator of synthetic pot."

Which is only sort of true.

In the midst of a 1984 study to find treatments for HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and chemotherapy, Huffman did develop an extremely potent synthetic cannabinoid with a similar high to cannabis, which he named JWH-018 (after himself). In 2008, German scientists announced that it was one of five active substances in Spice, at that point a dangerous new designer drug sweeping Europe.

So when Spice began to emerge in the United States a few years later, the question on everyone's mind was the same: Who is responsible for this? All roads led to Huffman. "It bothers me that people are so stupid as to use this stuff," Huffman told WebMD in 2010. In an interview with ABC News one year later, Huffman's frustration was palpable. "They're playing Russian roulette," he said of the people using Spice recreationally. "I mean, it's just like taking a pistol with one bullet in it and spinning the chamber and holding it to your head and pulling the trigger."

But eclipsed by the infamy of this sole drug researcher, and missing in the hundreds of news articles about it since, was an inconvenient fact: his synthetic cannabinoid wasn't the only one found in Spiceand it wasn't the first one discovered, either.

Those distinctions belong to the largest research-based pharmaceutical company in the world: Pfizer.

The missing part of the story-the prequel, if you will-begins like this.

Less than three months after those German scientists-they were from the University Hospital Freiburg-landed on Hoffman's synthetic in November 2008, the same forensic toxicologists stumbled upon another culprit: an analogue of a synthetic cannabinoid called CP 47,497.

"The chemical aspect of Spice is unique and new‌ We have to not only establish that someone is

WORLD/COMMENTARY

How Pfizer helped make 'Spice,' the deadly fake pot A designer drug tied to deaths of thousands partially initiated in the labs of one of the world's biggest pharmaceutical companies.

trafficking something but we have to go undercover and get it so we can test it. Sometimes it's a game of whacka-mole."

This one, they learned, was created almost a decade earlier-in 1979, by Pfizer.

Made up of dried plants ranging from bay leaves to parsley, it's Spice's synthetic cannabinoids sprayed on top of the herbs that generate a high. As of this week, the DEA has discovered more than 400+ varieties of synthetic cannabinoids, making it nearly impossible to regulate. Buying "fake pot," then, is about as easy as picking up a coffee at the corner deli. Most often smoked, it can also be purchased in powder form (though rarely is).

Sold mostly at gas stations and smoke shops, it cons users into thinking its legal-and, inevitably then, safe.

But it's far from it. The synthetic cannabinoids sprayed on Spice can lead to severe psychosis, brain damage, strokes, or even death. Binding to the CB1 and CB2 receptor cells, the psychoactive designer drug invokes a similar high to that of naturally occurring cannabinoids (THC, the mind-altering compound found in marijuana). But while the psychoactive effects are similar, Spice can be anywhere from five to 10 times more potent. Its classification as an artificial form of marijuana is recklessly inaccurate, masking the identity of a synthetic drug that was never meant for human consumption.

And while the novelty of its recreational use means statistics on its negative effects are scant, high-profile news stories expose the grim reality of consuming a haphazard dose of unknown chemicals. In a story that's alarmingly representative of America's newest drug problem, over 100 people showed signs of overdosing from K2 in Dallas this April. The rash of overdoses, which occurred over a fiveday period, forced ER doctors to treat more than 40 people in less-than 48 hours.

By Abby Haglage The problem isn't localized to Texas-or even just to civilians. A new study by the University of Washington found that U.S. soldiers now prefer synthetic marijuana over natural weed 2:1.

In 2011 alone, there were nearly 39,000 trips to the emergency room for K2. The American Association of Poison Control Centers Poison centers received over 5,000 Spice-related calls in 2012, a number that had neared 7,000 in 2011.

The problem with Spice is the endless possibilities that come with synthetic cannabinoids, making it a constantly changing compound. Any attempts to ban it by the Drug Enforcement Agency are thwarted when the old synthetic is simply switched with a new one. "Spice is one of those drugs that if we do not get ahead of, and the American public doesn't recognize the dangers it could cause to its youth, it could have devastating effects much like heroin, much like meth," Eduardo Chavez, chief DEA agent told CBS news.

Back in 1982, Pfizer's scientists published their research on CP 47,497, which they tested on mice, rates, and male beagle dogs. The authors describe a simplified structure closely related to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol, the mindaltering ingredient in marijuana). "CP47,497 exerts analgesic, motor depressant, anticonvulsant and hypothermic effects," write the three doctors on the study-Lawrence S. Melvin, Jr., George Milne, and Albert Weissman (now deceased). In other words, the synthetic acts a whole lot like old-school weed. "[It] does not resemble standard antipsychotic, antidepressant, antianxiety or hypnotic drugs in simple drug interaction tests."

How this research made its way into a deadly drug three decades later is unknown. Media Relations Director at Pfizer, Dean Mastrojohn turned down

77

multiple requests from The Daily Beast for comment, citing difficulties with "looking back several decades."

Huffman understands the frustration of doing so more than most. "I'm sorry, but I've given a great many interviews on this topic," is the opener in his reply to me, which amounts to something like leave me alone. After six years of fielding questions and defending his integrity, he's sick of defending himself.

If the role of Pfizer had been recognized, maybe he wouldn't have had to do so alone.

The company may have received treatment much the same-if not worse-had their role been made public. That's not necessarily to say that they are responsible for the nearly 40,000 people who landed in an emergency room for Spice in 2011 alone. Hardly. The onus of this designer drug should rest on the people making millions off of it today-neither of whom are Pfizer or Hoffman.

But drug research often walks a fine line between medicine and recreation-making the history between drug abuse and big pharma closer than the latter would like to admit. Pfizer's connection to K2 would by no means be the first major drug to have roots in commercial enterprises. "Heroin" is considered by many to be a Bayer trademark; LSD was invented at Sandoz; Merck developed MDMA but never used it in humans.

But if Pfizer's role in this latest designer drug mess is known, it's only by a handful of people. The DEA is surprised to hear of their involvement, and says they cannot confirm it.

Glenn Duncan, executive director of New Jersey's Hunterdon Drug Awareness Program is one of the few I find who's aware of it. "My understanding is Pfizer played a small role in this‌they were one of the first to work with this class of compounds," he tells The Daily Beast in an email. In other words, Pfizer's men were three of the first to experiment with cannabinoids in 1979-further proven by the fact that actual receptors for those cannabinoids weren't discovered in the brain until the 1980s.

The batches of Spice, K2 on the open, legal market today most definitely do not contain Pfizer's synthetic cannabinoid, nor do they contain Huffman's. In March 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice placed the five most widely abused synthetic cannabinoids-including Huffman and Pfizer's-on its Schedule 1 List of banned substances.

The DEA is focusing on moving forward to try to curb the spead of Spice-not back at its origins. On May 7, 45 DEA agents armed with 200 search warrants launched a massive nationwide program to eradicate synthetic designer drugs like spice (called "Project Synergy.") In a matter of hours, the agents had confiscated hundreds of thousands of packets of synthetic drugs and over $20 million in cash. "The chemical aspect of Spice is unique and new," Rusty Payne, spokesperson for the DEA tells me.

"We have to not only establish that someone is trafficking something but we have to go undercover and get it so we can test it. Sometimes it's a game of whack-a-mole."

Source: Dailybeast.com

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SPORTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY

DAWN Games 2014 kicks off in Lagos

EXTRA

MAY 18, 2014

2015 Nations Cup: Malawi, Namibia begin with victories

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HE South-West Secondary Schools Games tagged DAWN Games 2014 got underway this weekend in Lagos with no fewer than 2, 000 athletes and officials already at the Games Village getting set for the tournament's events to begin.

All the contingents from the south-west states have arrived the NYSC Camp, Iyana Ipaja where they were checked in by the Accommodation Sub Committee, and were screened and accredited by the Technical/Games Service Sub Committee on Friday and Saturday.

At the Games Village, the athletes and their officials were seen making final preparation for the commencement of the championship on Sunday with Gymnastics and Football at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba and Agege Stadium respectively.

The Games Village is bubbling with tight security from the men of Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Army and steward to guarantee the safety of the athletes and officials.

The Games Village, a serene environment, is packaged to show the cultural heritage of the host, Lagos State.

The DAWN Games is a 12 sports tournament of Nigeria School Sports Federation, NSSF. The sports are Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Football, Gymnastics, Scrabble, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Taekwondo and Volleyball.

40 jostle for honours in Bishop Okonkwo tourney

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O fewer than 40 clubs will contest for the title of the 12th edition of the Bishop Mike Okwonkwo Football Championship in Lagos.

At the opening Ceremony of this year's edition, held at the Legacy Pitch inside the National Stadium Complex, The occassion was graced by football enthusiast in Lagos and its environs, with teams made up of Academies from Lagos, Shagamu in Ogun, and Ibadan in Oyo states, ready to fight for the top prizes.

The Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Ministries (TREM), Dr. Mike Okonkwo in whose honour the competition is instituted to mark his birthday was represented at the event by Deacon Folarin Jaiyeola, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Mike Okonkwo Educational & Youth Initiatives (MOEYI).

Also present was d General Manager of Fumman Agricultural Products, one of d supporters of d competition, Mr Mr. Lanre Popoola who also performed d kick-off.

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Lukas Podolski pours beer over Wenger after their FA Cup win

Arsenal fight back to win FA Cup A RSENAL ended their nine-year run without a trophy as they beat Hull City 3-2 after extra time to claim the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's last bit of silverware came back in 2005 when they beat Manchester United on penalties to claim this very same prize, but nearly a decade had passed

without a trophy before today's result which led to criticism of the Gunners boss.

Despite consistently bringing Champions League football to the North London club, small sections of the Arsenal fans had called for Wenger to vacate his post at the end of the season, but the Frenchman will be able to

Siasia: Mikel crucial to Nigeria W/Cup glory

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HELSEA midfielder John Mikel Obi, making his debut at the World Cup finals, will be crucial in determining how far Nigeria go in Brazil.

According to former Nigeria coach Samson Siasia, Mikel and forwards Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike will be the central players for the African champions.

"Mikel will be key for Nigeria, having played at the highest level for a top club like Chelsea for many years. Such an experience should count for something," he said.

But Siasia, who featured for Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup, said he was concerned that the 27-year-old Mikel and some of the Super Eagles' top stars had not been firstteam regulars at their clubs.

"The biggest problem (for

rest easy this evening after his side comfortably wrapped up victory at a packed out Wembley.

The 133rd FA Cup final exploded into life after just four minutes as Hull took the lead, sending Bruce, who won the trophy three times as a player, and the Tigers fans into delirium defender James Chester turning home a scuffed Tom Huddlestone volley.

And just moments later it was two, with Chester's central defensive partner Curtis Davies reacting quickest inside the six yard box, smashing past the floored Lukas Fabianski from the tightest of angles following a goalmouth scramble.

Arsenal halved the deficit

the team) is that most of the players did not play regularly for their various clubs and this cannot be good for the team," he said.

"What you can do when the players come together for the training camp for the World Cup would be mostly tactical RISTIANO Ronaldo and so I don't know how has pulled up injured in (coach Stephen) Keshi will go the warm up ahead of around this problem."

Former Nigeria striker Bene- Real Madrid's final La Liga dict Akwuegbu also said he game of the season against expected Mikel to play a big Espanyol. The Portuguese was role and described him as "the due to start the game, but has engine room of the Eagles' now been replaced in the by team-mate Isco. midfield".

The 29-year-old could now Mikel, who missed the last World Cup finals because of a be a doubt for the Champions knee injury, is a holding League final after being forced midfielder club at the English from the field prior to kick-off The injury forced Ronaldo Premier League side but is of Real Madrid's final La given a freer, more attacking out Liga game of the season against role for his country as Lazio Espanyol after pulling up youngster Ogenyi Onazi does injured in the warm-up. all the grafting alongside him.

soon after courtesy of a wonderful Santi Cazorla freekick the Spaniard wrongfooting Hull keeper Allan McGregor to find the top right-hand corner.

Hull looked to stifle the Arsenal attack in the second half and hold out for the win, but their hopes of claiming their first FA Cup took a hit as Laurent Koscielny equalised with 20 minutes remaining.

The Gunners continued to search for a winning goal in normal time, and, though it didn't come within the 90 minutes, their persistence paid off as Aaron Ramsey netted in the second half of extra-time to end Arsenal's nine years of hurt.

Ronaldo injured in warm-up

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The 29-year-old suffered a hamstring problem in the 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid on May 7 but was passed fit to take his place in the side this afternoon.

However, Ronaldo left the field shaking his head in disappointment after feeling discomfort during his pre-match preparations and has been replaced

by Isco in the starting line-up.

His participation in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid has now been thrown into doubt with the two sides set to go head-to-head in just seven days time.

ALAWI began their campaign to reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco with a 2-0 win over visiting Chad on Saturday.

In front of a capacity crowd in Blantyre Mhango tapped in from a rebound in the seventh minute after the Chad keeper Mbiramanji Dilla has tipped Joseph Kamwendo's free kick onto the post.

Mhango's second came with 21 minutes left on the clock with a solo effort that saw him go past the Chad defence before beating the advancing keeper.

Despite the loss Chad coach Emmanuel Tregoat was still confident his side can come back in N'Djamena in a fortnight.

"I think we can win [in a fortnight]- and we can win 2-0 or more perhaps, or penalties, it's not finished for us," he insisted.

While his opposite number Young Chimodzi added his side would not be trying to defend their two goal advantage.

"We will devise a plan for how we can approach the game - because what we need is to get a goal," he told BBC Sport.

"If we get a goal then we are safe and and that's what we are aiming for - not just to go there and defend and defend."

LAGOS JUNIOR LEAGUE

Surulere emerges Premier League champions

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HE 2013/2014 season of the Lagos Junior League (LJL) came to a close with an award night held at the Molade-Okoya Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium during the week, as the Surulere Sports City Football Club emerged winners of the Premier League category.

The LJL is a regulatory league for the U-20s, an initiative of the Lagos State Government to discover and develop young football talents for the future.

While Ojo Y.M.D. Babes nicked the second position in the three months league, the Ifako Ijaye FKJ United ended the season in the third position of the Premier League log.

However, the League one ended on a promising note with Orile Agege Football Club and Ibeju Lekki gaining promotion to feature in the elite division next season, having clinched the first and second spots respectively.

Egbe Idimu Football Club settled for the third position.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY MAY 18, 2014

Mario Balotelli's house burgled, Porsche stolen

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HIEVES have stolen Mario Balotelli's Porsche as well as gold and watches after breaking into the Italy and AC Milan forward's house.

Balotelli was out at dinner with his brother Enoch and came home to discover he had been burgled.

The car was later found abandoned.

Balotelli wrote Saturday on Twitter: ''I feel empty! No emotions ... But always fighting for the few people I love.

They deserve it.''

The incident comes shortly after someone tried to steal Balotelli's phone outside a nightclub, sparking a brawl as he chased the thief down.

SPORT EXTRA

Atletico stun Barcelona to

claim Spanish title A

TLETICO Madrid broke the Spanish duopoly as they came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou that made them La Liga champions.

Barcelona looked in charge early on as Alexis Sanchez scored a rocket in the 33rd minute - and with Atletico's star duo Diego Costa and Arda Turan both going off injured, there seemed little hope of a comeback.

But Diego Godin equalised four minutes after half-time, giving Atletico hope of claiming the point they needed to break the Barcelona-Real Madrid stranglehold on the Spanish title.

And Diego Simeone's men clung on - despite a tireless second-half onslaught from Barca to give Atletico their first title since 1996.

It marks the end of a nine-year strangehold that Spain's big two have held on the title, and is almost certain to spell the end of Tata Martino's spell as Barca manager as the side finished trophyless for the first time since 2008.

As for Atletico, they will turn their attention to the Champions League final against Real Madrid next week, which will give them a chance to prove themselves not just the best team in Spain, but the best in Europe.

Bordeaux admit Zidane interest

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ORDEAUX'S majority shareholder has admitted that Zinedine Zidane would be an 'incredible option' Zinedine Zidane, assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.The Ligue 1 outfit have been heavily linked with a move for the Real Madrid assistant, with several reports suggesting that they will approach the former midfielder with the chance to take his first managerial role.

And for the first time, someone at the club has conceded that the World Cupwinner is an option for them.

“What is a football club? A club is an entertainment company and if you have the best actor to run the show, you'll do it the best. Zidane would be incredible for us,” Nicolas de Tavernost told L'Express.

“There are many factors that can influence the decision, so we'll see if it happens. The option is open.

“If I said we hadn't thought about it, I would be lying.”

UEFA sanction won't impact plans

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ANCHESTER City insist UEFA sanctions limiting spending on transfers next season to £49million will not have a major impact on their campaign.

The sanctions also includes a salary freeze on their Champions League squad for the next two seasons.

City said in a statement they had agreed to limit their net spending on new players to 60million euro (£49million).

The statement said: "The club's expenditure on new players for the upcoming summer transfer window, on top of income from players it might sell, will be limited to 60m euros. This will have no material impact on the club's planned transfer activity."

City said there had been "a fundamental disagreement" over the interpretation of the FFP regulations on players purchased before 2010 but that it had "decided to enter into a compromise agreement with UEFA".

French club Paris St Germain were handed virtually identical sanctions as City, while the other clubs to have failed FFP were revealed as Galatasaray, Trabzonspor and Bursaspor from Turkey, Russian sides Zenit St Petersburg, Anzhi Makhachkala and Rubin Kazan, plus Levski Sofia from Bulgaria.

Atletico's Diego Godin (left) celebrates his goal against Barcelona

Okorowanta, Akinlotan, others plead with FG over unfulfiled promise A T least seven exinternationals have added their voices to the appeal innitiated by vicecaptain of Flying Eagles Class '83; Paul Okoku, for Nigeria Federal Government to redeem its 31 year-old promise of scholarships after the team qualified Nigeria for its first ever FIFA tournament in 1983.

The ex internationals are Raymond King, Tarila Okorowanta, Dahiru Sadi, Dehinde Akinlotan, Femi Olukanmi, Wahab Adeshina and Chibuzor Ehilegbu.

While King, Okorowanta and Sadi speak from their respective homes in Nigeria, the others based abroad are unanimous in calling on the Nigerian government to monetise the promised scholarship, it would go a long way in bringing smiles to their faces. interestingly the exinternationals are all members of the Flying Eagles Class of '83 and recalled the golden moments when the broke the jinx in Nigerian football. King said: "We were celebrated

By Taiwo Alimi

after that feat bacause we put Nigeria in the world map as the very first time that the country would be going to any FIFA organised competition."

Bayelsa based Okorowanta said they were all young and would have asked for money if they was to further our education. It is now 31 years and if that promise was reedemed at that point it would have affected us positively. We have colleagues who have died waiting for this and we beleive their family can benefit from its redemption."

United States based Dehinde Akinlotan while confirming Okorowanta's claim added: "Well let me say that Paul Okoku (Assistant Captain) is doing a good job on our behalf to remind the federal Government of what was promised the team. I believed that with God's help and with the help from the people of our great Nation (Nigeria) that knows what it takes for a country to participate in any

World Cup event would support our cause and the Federal Government would look into it and serves us (1983 flying Eagles) what is right and appropriate."

Olukanmi, a member of the team, who is now a medical doctor in the U.S added his voice to the campiagn. "I undersatnd that the Honourable Minister of Sports, Tamuno Danagogo has

shown great understanding for our course and I personally thank him becuase with people like him in charge of our sports, there is hope that the 31 year old promise will be redeemed. " It would be recalled that Okoku kicked off the campaign last September and many ex-internationals have added their voices to ensuring that their dream becomes a

Bale fires Real Madrid to win over Espanyol

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ARETH Bale scored and substitute Alvaro Morata notched a late double as Real Madrid warmed up for next weekend's Champions League final with a 3-1 win at home to Espanyol..4 hours ago Morata showed his predatory skills with two goals in the last five minutes while inbetween Pizzi pulled one back for Espanyol.

Real have 87 points, two fewer than leaders Atletico Madrid and one more than Barcelona who meet later in their final game of the season.

Cristiano Ronaldo, chasing the Golden Boot award, was injured in Real's prematch warmup and therefore ended the season as joint top league scorer in Europe with Liverpool's Luis Suarez on 31 goals.

The Portuguese did not want to take any risks ahead of the Champions League showdown with Atletico.

Van Gaal is 'too old' for Man United, claims Fowler

F

ORMER Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes Manchester United should be looking to a younger manager, such as Ryan Giggs, to replace David Moyes rather than the 62year-old Louis van Gaal.

The Netherlands coach is expected to be handed the task of returning United to the summit of English football after Moyes' turbulent stint in charge ended just nine months after it started.

Van Gaal has won league titles in Germany, Holland and Spain with clubs of the stature of Bayern Munich and Barcelona but Fowler thinks the Red Devils should be looking to the longer-term future.

"I don't know if Louis van Gaal is the right man for Man United," Fowler told talkSPORT. "He's had his time. It might sound silly but he's too old.

"You can't argue with his credentials and what he has achieved but they should have gone for a young, vibrant manager."

He added: "They should have just given the job to Ryan. It's one of the biggest jobs in football but Giggs knows the club, he knows what's expected and everything about the club.

"I'm not saying that as a Liverpool fan who thinks, 'let's get the young manager in and hope that he fails'. I want young British managers to do very well because it's good for British football as a whole.

Costa injured in Barcelona clash

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* Sports Minister Tamuno Danagogo (m) with ex-internationals Paul Okoku and Dahiru Sadi during a courtesy visit to the Minister

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IEGO Costa was forced off with a hamstring injury during the crunch final day La Liga game with Barcelona.

The 25-year-old started the match, but was replaced

by Adrian Lopez after just 15 minutes.

It is potentially very bad news for Atletico, with the Champions League final against Real Madrid in just seven days time, and for the Spanish international himself, who was set to lead the line for the reigning champions at the forthcoming World Cup.

QUOTABLE “It believe every sacrifice is worth making to get these girls released from wherever they are kept. I would advise the government to look at this reasonably and dispassionately even if they have to release Boko Haram prisoners depending on how reasonably such a demand is.”

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 8, NO. 2853

—Spokesperson of Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Professor Ango Abdullahi, advising the Federal Government to consider exchanging Boko Haram prisoners in detention for the over 200 girls abducted by the dreaded Islamist sect.

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N unwholesome impression has been created in many foreign capitals that Nigerian soldiers are afraid to engage Boko Haram militants in the ongoing war in the Northeast. While it is evident that our troops have retreated almost consistently in every engagement with the suicidal sect, it is hardly because they are afraid. They may have become complacent and enervated by years of peace, luxury and the easy privileges their uniforms undeservedly confer on them in the towns and cities of Nigeria, however, their unwillingness to fight may have nothing to do with any intrinsic cowardice. They may be reluctant to start a battle with the sect in the vast and impossible terrains of the Northeast, but that indolence may not be related to the harshness of the weather or the strangeness of the host cultures. The reason for their diffidence may in fact not be far from their instinctive abhorrence of the chaos and decay that have overwhelmed the federal government, not to say the corruption and chaos from which the military itself is not insulated. Why, they ask themselves, should anyone sacrifice his life for a country where oil, pension and power contracts thieves, among many others, are celebrated and canonised?

However, what is even more shocking about the past four weeks in particular is not the continuing decline of governance, something we already embraced with deep resignation, or the presidency’s lack of virtue and principles cruelly epitomised by both the Olusegun Obasanjo and Jonathan governments, but the poignant and unsparing vituperations against the person of Dr Jonathan by foreign media and governments. There is not one medium or foreign government that has not derided Dr Jonathan. They deplore his style, and they gape at his amazing lack of attention. They are bemused by his policies, which they describe as universally inept, and they are galled by his unimaginative responses to the creative destructiveness of militant organisations in Nigeria. While highly critical foreign governments are more tactful in deploring Dr Jonathan’s methods, the foreign media all but describe him as a manne-

2014 not a good year for Nigerian arms quin in power.

That Dr Jonathan has attracted universal opprobrium is not particularly surprising; after all, the Nigerian media, save a few writers inured to reality, have been merciless on the president. But the country had managed Dr Jonathan so gingerly over the years that he looked set to romp into the next polls quite as remorseless and unperturbed as ever. He would have secured the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party as an average and undistinguished incumbent, but nonetheless as a president. He would have gone on to campaign with the ordinary effusiveness of a politician gifted with an undeserving ticket, mouthing achievements that were hard to find, let alone feel. He would have, as usual, good-humouredly embraced and defended every electoral chicanery the more relentless and ruthless of his party apparatchiks could muster without the prickly restraint of his delicate conscience that has morphed over the years in the distorted milieu of his acquired theology.

But now if he runs, he will do so as a hostage to the money power around him. He will run not because he has anything to give, and campaign not because he has anything to say, but because to do otherwise would be unthink-

able and costly for his rapacious caucus. The reason for this drastic change of circumstances is the year 2014, and in particular, the past four weeks. If the reader will permit my adapting a Churchillian metaphor about French wines and military defeat, it is clear that 2014 is not a good year for Nigerian arms. Not only has Boko Haram punished us relentlessly and audaciously, it has masterminded the brazen kidnap of schoolgirls with all the dangerous and revolting connotations of sexual slavery.

The sect has demonstrated an astonishing capacity for evil, and more adeptness at infiltrating the Nigerian military. By reason of the activities of moles, the Nigerian camp is as open to the rebels as the rebel camp is closed to the Nigerian troops.

The Jonathan government celebrates what it describes as the restriction of Boko Haram to the Northeast instead of the sporadic attacks the sect was making some years back. But the sect has merely changed tactics by repudiating its previous tendency to overextend its operational matrices, while concentrating on a more manageable theatre of battle for maximum impact. In that self-imposed cocoon, Boko Haram has deployed more viciousness and inflicted

State of emergency is an overrated panacea

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EW expected President Jonathan not to seek an extension of the state of emergency he declared in the three north-eastern states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe a year ago. It was also always going to be difficult for the National Assembly to decline to support the measure, as indeed the House of Representatives has shown by voting in favour of the continuation of the drastic containment strategy. From all indications, and from their antecedents, neither the Jonathan government nor the National Assembly has at anytime in the past six or so years exhibited the courage or innovativeness needed to propound radical and unorthodox measures to combat serious national security challenges. They are unlikely to do so in the coming years without the deliberate and persuasive intervention of the electorate one way or the other.

Unfortunately, so far, the government, the public and the National Assembly have not really offered compelling reasons for either the vacation of the emergency proclamation in the Northeast or its continuation.

But consistent with my views over the past one year, I am unable to support the continuation of a state of emergency. Yes, it is true that what Dr Jonathan declared is state of emergency and not emergency rule, but given the experience so far, the proclamation has not curbed Boko Haram militancy nor ended the revolt. I had always known that due to the inability of the Jonathan government to understand the nature and course of the revolt, not to talk of the government’s incompetence in devising the right mix of policies and tactics to combat it, the objective of dealing with and terminating the revolt was going to be a tall order. Declaration of a state of emergency in the three states was simply a desperate

•Shettima

•Minimah

measure to deal with the burgeoning menace.

In the event, it proved to be a futile measure.

The war, I am persuaded, can be fought without declaring a state of emergency.

There have been consolatory talks and arguments about the emergency restricting the militants to a smaller area of operation, unlike in the beginning when the sect seemed to be spreading like wild fire all over the North. While this is true, it is also a fact, as argued in the preceding article, that the constriction of the revolt has not attenuated its social, economic and even political impact. Nor has it stanched the flow of blood nor repaired the damaged bonds and shredded fabric that knitted the society together for decades.

More importantly, the government erroneously believed that the mere declaration of emergency was capable of dealing with the menace and precluding the need for a proper and adequate understanding of the fundamentals of the revolt and the paradigms needed to reorder and remould the society. In addition, the ongoing demystification of the army in the Northeast, and the appalling show of tactical inadequacy, general disinterestedness of the officers and troops to engage the enemy, and insufficient display of patriotic spirit have all

combined to render counterinsurgency efforts ineffective, if not quite useless.

Until the army is reformed in all areas of operation, including intelligence and tactics, and competent officers and adequate logistics are deployed in the war effort, the extension of a state of emergency will avail nothing.

During his last media chat, Dr Jonathan argued that he needed the state of emergency to avoid litigations that could arise from the military taking extraordinary but litigable measures in the theatre of war. Well, those extraordinary measures cost the government huge support in the early part of the war and catalysed the insurgents’ recruitment efforts.

Though the army has improved its relations with the people, and generally avoided the brutal reputation that horrified the rest of the world, it has still been unable to deal the insurgency a death blow.

What the government needs are better tactics, less corruption in the procurement and supply of war materials, committed commanders, better and brilliant tactics, and a patriotic determination to fight the sect. But these will not come except the fighting troops can see a total cleansing of the government in Abuja and the entire bureaucracy to rid them of the larcenous and domineering ministers and aides who live big at the expense of the country while expecting soldiers to sacrifice their lives. If Abuja cannot show the patriotic glow consistent with the concept of national sacrifice, it would be hard to expect the war against Boko Haram to be accompanied with the determination and sacrifice expected from soldiers. More, inconsistent with the optimism of the public, neither the state of emergency, as promulgated, nor the foreign expeditionary forces will make the huge or permanent difference necessary to end the insurgency and secure lasting peace.

horrendous punishment on the civil society and to some extent the military marooned in their barracks. The consequence is that it is in fact the Nigerian troops that are overextended and demoralised, and are sometimes outgunned and outmanoeuvred.

Before the Chibok schoolgirls were abducted, there was little tactical wizardry on display by the Nigerian Army, and no remarkable battles won. According to some sources, the soldiers were running into ambushes wielding low-calibre and misfiring weapons, and were even allegedly shortpaid their allowances. The problem came to a head last week at Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri when some of the soldiers violently disobeyed orders, leaving commanders scrambling to determine whether the soldiers’ behaviour constituted mutiny or not.

Dr Jonathan has passively acquiesced to foreign military help from over five countries. Soon after it became obvious that external help had materialised, the president glibly declared that Boko Haram was on its way to defeat. He also tactlessly ruled out negotiations with the sect over the abducted girls when he should have left his options open. I loathe negotiating with terrorists, but considering the fact that world unanimity and support looked set to compel Boko Haram to let the girls go, the president ought to have been more circumspect. The president’s newfound vitality evoked a World War II scenario when allied powers managed to evacuate from French beaches hundreds of thousands of their troops entrapped by the advancing German Army. On that occasion, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, cautioned his exuberant countrymen that wars were not won by evacuations.

It is now common knowledge that Nigerian troops have no answer to Boko Haram.

It is not an enviable reputation to have. The foreign help Nigeria is receiving at the moment is essentially to rescue the schoolgirls.

But even if the help transmutes into a longer and larger effort to help contain the sect, it would still amount to merely dealing with the symptoms. Given the way Dr Jonathan has spoken and acted, an approach the world has roundly condemned as unimaginative and superficial, there is absolutely nothing to indicate he, his aides and military commanders understand what to do about the sect or any other militant group still hibernating. In terms of policy, the government is vacuous. In terms of fighting unconventional warfare, the effort has so far been shambolic.

And in terms of winning the confidence of the populace, the government’s repressive and insensitive approach to law enforcement has made its efforts appear dubious and desultory.

The challenges of the modern era, whether military, economic, societal or religious, require the highest form of intellectual appreciation of very complex and interconnected issues. The Jonathan government has not shown any iota of competence in that regard, nor have his cabinet and military shown the qualification and intuition necessary to tackle the challenges of the day. If he wins in 2015, is there hope that Dr Jonathan’s six years of impotence on the throne would abate in the next four years after 2015? I doubt. Indeed, it is highly unlikely.

There is no proof that Boko Haram or its independent splinter groups can be permanently defeated even with foreign help.

If Dr Jonathan had the requisite competence, and the Nigerian military deployed the right measures in the sect’s early years, Boko Haram would not have metamorphosed into the dragon it has become. Foreign troops will not help Nigeria beyond exercising the military option; and as everyone knows, military option alone, even if we were capable of delivering it with the expertise and ingenuity the times demand, will not resolve the increasing disposition of Nigerians to violent resistance to fundamental or state-inspired disequilibrium. The Nigerian civil war produced its heroes; so far the Boko Haram war has produced none. Indeed, it seems that in the end, only villains will be produced. But perhaps I exaggerate.

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