The Nation Oct 20, 2013 by The Nation

NEWS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Atiku, Aliyu, Nyako plot North’s strategy for 2015 F

ORMER Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governors Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger State were last Friday locked in a night-long meeting to strategise on the political fortune of the North ahead of the 2015 elections. The meeting held at the Yola residence of Atiku, came a few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja restrained the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the PDP from parading itself as the leadership of the party. The three politicians are key members of the Baraje’s

HE Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ yesterday reported the rescue of two kidnap victims in Delta State. The wife of Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a chartered security professional and President of Trans-World Security Company, who was kidnapped around Auchi, Edo State on Friday evening, was rescued in Sapele. Also, the younger brother of Chief Great Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), was

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

faction, which is fiercely opposed to a fresh ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. The meeting was said to have harped on the need to mobilise the North for the struggle ahead. Aliyu appeared to have given vent to this decision yesterday in Yola when he said it is imperative for the North to reclaim its leadership position in the country. The governor, who doubles as Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, spoke at the turbanning of Mr.

Daniel Bwala as the Talban Adamawa by the Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustapha. The North, he said, should rally behind the former vice president in the struggle. His words: “I want to articulate my earlier appeal in Sokoto where I urged you, former Vice President, to help us unify and unite northern brethren to ensure that we have one northern entity devoid of primordial sentiments and differences.” He also spoke on the proposed national conference and the crisis in PDP.

Aliyu said the North is all for the conference and will use it to address issues affecting its people. He expressed optimism that the talks will make Nigeria a better country for everyone. But he stressed that for the North to benefit from the conference, it will have to send its best eleven, because as he said, there is much at stake. He asked the 19 states in the North to select only those who understand the issues at stake and are able to get the best for their people. “The North is not afraid of the conference being planned by the Federal Government. We

country. He said the PDP crisis was caused by the undemocratic attitude of leaders who placed their personal interests above the collective interest of the nation. According to him: “Many people did not understand what transpired when seven of us said we want true democracy to prevail in the ruling party. “Whatever happens in PDP will surely affect Nigeria because it is the ruling party and following the drift in the party, we, the concerned members, felt that we must make sacrifices in order to restore equity, justice and fair play in the polity.”

caped with gunshot wounds, his wife was taken away in his vehicle. However, luck ran out for the criminals when they were accosted by men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele local government area of Delta State. The criminals were overpowered by the troops, forcing them to abandon a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility Vehicle and the victims. The arrest was made around the popular Eku Junction near Amukpe, raising speculation that the criminals were heading towards Kokori when the troops struck. After rescuing the victims, the soldiers launched a manhunt at about 3am, culminating in the arrest of one suspect and seizure of an AK-47 rifle. The BMW car was recovered when members of the gang reportedly made a spirited effort to pick-up their members who ran into the bush. Confirming the report, the Commanding Officer, 9 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Koko, Lt. Col FS Etim, said the gang member was arrested when his men engaged the kidnap suspect in a shootout. He said the criminals abandoned the suspect and the vehicle when his men closed in on them.

A security source close to the investigation that there was “strong evidence that the criminals are members of the Oniarah gang. “From the preliminary investigation, we are convinced that they are members of the same Kelvin gang and we are sure they were heading to Kokori area, which has become a notorious den of kidnappers when our men struck,” the source added. In a related development, troops of the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Effurun foiled an attempt to kidnap the brother of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) leader in the state. Ogboru was kidnapped by armed men in Osubi, Okpe local government area of the state and was about being whisked out of the state when troops of the JTF were alerted. The suspects had already sneaked the victim through a back road from Osubi to the Warri/Benin highway when the troops, acting on a tip-off, swooped on them and freed him on Friday night. The driver of the getaway cab used in the operation and another accomplice were arrested. There are being detained at the Effurun Barracks at the time of this report.

JTF troops rescue two kidnap victims •Arrest member of Kelvin’s gang From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt and Osagie Otabor, Benin City

freed at Effurun, last Friday after he was abducted in nearby Osubi, Okpe LGA. One of the kidnappers of Ekhomu’s wife, suspected to be a member of the gang led by

the notorious Kelvin Oniarah, was arrested in Sapele after a gun battle with troops of the 19 Battalion of the JTF. Two vehicles, a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility vehicle and a BMW salon car were recovered. Mrs. Ekhomu, her hus-

band and others were on their way to Irrua, Edo State for a social engagement when the gunmen struck around a notorious spot on the Auchi-Benin road where several persons including famous lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhoma, have been abducted lately. Although Mr. Ekhomu es-

•From left: President Goodluck Jonathan; Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; Group Managing Director, Energy Group, Jimoh Ibrahim; MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), James Olotu, at the commissioning of NIPP 500MW Omotosho 11 Power Station in Ondo State... yesterday

ROM President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday came a fresh appeal to the striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end their fourmonth- old action. “The collective destiny of tens of thousands of tomorrow’s leaders should not be held hostage to vagaries of labour disputes. As long as we are humans, as long as we are a developing society, this labour dispute must come up,” Jonathan said at the maiden convocation of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) and the inauguration of the university’s College of Engineering Complex. The three-storey college complex was named after the President. He said whatever may be the grievances of the lecturers, keeping students out of school for four months is an overkill and urged them to ponder on

should have nothing to fear because I believe strongly that Nigeria will come out of it a better country that it is today.” Aliyu added: “We should therefore embrace the National Conference and send in our first eleven team and avoid dealing with charlatans and people who cannot discuss the issues at stake and bring about the required peace and unity of this country.” On the PDP crisis, Aliyu said the group of seven governors is only interested in entrenching true democratic values in the party and ensuring unity and peace in the

Jonathan to ASUU: Temper anger with patriotism From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado- Ekiti and Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

the adverse effect of their action on the future of the youths. According to the President: “I always say that even in the developed societies ,we hear about labour dispute and there is no society, even the most developed, that has provided the facilities for every worker. “Our security services, the Police, the Armed Forces, Navy, Air Force and para-military, intelligence services are also operating in an environment that is not the best. “If all of us should go on long strike because our environment is not at its optimum, then definitely we can never get the Nigeria of our dream.” Responding to comments by Governor

•Students protest on Niger Bridge

Kayode Fayemi and the founder of the University, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) on federal roads and an airport in Ekiti State, the President promised to facilitate a meeting between the Aviation Minister and the Governor. He also said efforts will be made to ensure the release of a sum of N400 million, which has been set aside in the 2013 budget. Jonathan described ABUAD College of Engineering as “a masterpiece and a challenge to individuals, faithbased and nongovernmental organisations to join hands in building Nigeria that would be a pride of all.” The governor had appealed to the President to re-

deem the sum of N12 billion owed the state by the Federal Government on the renovation of federal roads in the State. According to Fayemi, Ekiti has only been paid N2 billion of the N14 billion spent on the roads. Aare Babalola said N60 billion has been invested in the institution and appealed to the Federal Government to support serious private universities, especially in the area of research. In another development, about 5000 undergraduates from different public universities, on Friday, disrupted economic activities at the Asaba end of the River Niger Bridge during a protest over ASUU strike. It was their second protest

since the strike began. A traffic grid lock stretching over 6 kilometers on the ever-busy Benin-Onitsha expressway ensued after angry students prevented them from leaving Delta State. Motorists had to make detours to avoid the students who were chanting solidarity songs. Tagged: “100 Days plus, ASUU’s Unending Strike”, the protesters were led by the National President of NANS, Comrade Yinka Gbadebo and his counterpart in the National Association of Polytechnics Students (NAPS), Comrade Salahadau Lukman. The unionists condemned their undue stay at home, wondering why ASUU was always using students to settle scores with the Federal Government. “Who will pay us for dis-

ruptions in our academic calendar? Our parents are tired, we too are also tired. Why are lecturers in state universities on strike against the FG? Is FG equally responsible for infrastructures in state universities? What are the real demands of ASUU,” they chorused. They denied that the protest was sponsored by the Federal Government and queried why ASUU was demanding for transfer of landed property via the union’s holdings. Hailing the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for offering over N40 billion to ASUU for the first time in the history of tertiary educations in Nigeria, the NANS president wondered why ASUU took the law into its hand and failed to seek redress in court. Gbadebo appealed to ASUU to receive the N40 billion dangled by the Federal Government and call off the strike for the sake of posterity.

News

Confab: PRONACO boss slumps, dies •Tinubu, Oodua groups mourn By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

O-FOUNDER of the Pro National Conference O r g a n i s a t i o n (PRONACO), Baba Oluwide Omojola, yesterday slumped and died in his hotel room in Akure, the Ondo State capital. It was learnt that Omojola slumped while preparing to leave for his base in Lagos after making a presentation on behalf of PRONACO in Akure before the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference. According to PRONACO, Baba Omojola, who lodged at De Johson Hotel, Akure where he suddenly collapsed, was immediately rushed to First Mercy Specialist Hospital, Gbogi Road in the town where he was later certified dead by one Dr. Akinluwa. Baba Omojola was at the forefront of the advocacy for the convocation of SNC and was one of the signatories to the communiqué of the National Political Summit held in Uyo between 2nd and 5th September 2013. The resolution of the summit specifically demanded for a Peoples National Conference for the country, among others. In his presentation before the Presidential Committee, Baba Omojola had insisted that the PRONACO’s draft Peoples Constitution adopted in 2007 under the leadership of the late Chief Anthony Enahoro should be the working document of the proposed National Conference. The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the death of Baba Omojola as sad and a depletion of the ranks of the relentless fighters for a just and free society. In a statement by his media team, he said: “Baba Omojola offered selfless service to our country. For nearly 50 years, he put in his best in the struggle to make Nigeria a better country that is well governed and one that meets the aspirations of all.” Tinubu recalled that he had during Baba Omojola’s 75th birthday called for the establishment of a foundation that would inculcate in youths the retention of good values and selfless service to the country and humanity. “We must celebrate him and hold him up as a model of selfless service and commitment. We must collectively rise up to immortalise this great and cerebral man, who invested his life in the service of humanity. ”Nothing better illustrates his selflessness and patriotic spirit that the fact that he died while on the assignment of making a presentation to the National Dialogue Advisory Panel in Akure. He died at his duty post a faithful servant.” The O’odua Liberation Movement (OLM) and the O’odua Nationalist Congress (ONAC) bemoaned the sudden death of Baba Omojola fondly referred to as the father of Yoruba self determination struggle. The groups, in a statement, said Omojola’s last assignment was in Akure where he took part in the Yoruba self determination groups’ demand for autonomy and the right of secession to be included in the Nigerian constitution. The groups said Omojola gave all he had to Yorubaland without asking for anything in return and died right on the field of his struggle for his own nationality.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Recuperating Suntai goes fishing

ECUPERATING Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State shook off officialdom yesterday. He drove out of Government House Jalingo to go fishing. The hunting ground was his fish pond located near the School of Nursing at Jalingo Bye-pass in the state capital. Suntai, wearing a grey sports suit, was accompanied by members of his family, security agents, friends, aides and newsmen. Among them were his wife, Hauwa; their twin children, his younger brother Babangida Suntai; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media and Publicity, Mr. Sylvanus Giwa, and Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Mijinyawa. His over one hour expedition, however, yielded no catch.

From: Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

The governor jokingly said the fish cheated on him. “Kifin sun chuche ni, dun sun liga su chi abichi,” he said in Hausa, meaning: “the fish cheated on me because they are already fed.” On arrival at the pond, Suntai asked the farm manager to give him the fish feeds, which he threw into the pond for the fish to show up. The farm manager also brought him a hook and line and an earthworm which he used as bait. The fish refused to go for the bait, sending the small audience into laughter. Hauwa intermittently teased her husband about his inability to make a catch. At a point, Hauwa herself almost fell into the pond after slipping at the edge of the

pond. Now it was the turn of the governor to tease her. He said: “If you fall into the water I will fish you out.” The governor’s failed effort made one of the security men laugh with Suntai telling him to return home if he could not be quiet. “Noise scares fish,” he said. Hauwa reminded him that the species of fish in that pond were brought from Indonesia when the governor travelled with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Suntai left the pond with a promise to return in a few days, this time to catch as many of the fish as possible. There were jubilations on the streets of Jalingo and other towns in the state when the video clip of the governor’s fishing expedition was aired on local television.

The governor’s health appeared to have improved significantly as he entered the red Range Rover Sports HSC, which conveyed him to the fish farm unaided. This was in contrast to last August when he was aided to disembark from the plane that conveyed him from the USA to Abuja. That scene sparked a flurry of political machinations in the state about his continued stay in office. The political class was sharply divided on the matter with one faction saying he was unfit to continue to rule the state while another insisted that he was able. A compromise was later reached to allow Deputy Governor Garba Umar to continue to act as governor until Suntai was medically fit to resume work.

•Talba Adamawa, Mr Daniel Bwala (centre), being turbaned by Lamido of Adamawa in Yola…yesterday. Sitting left is Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

Minister’s N225m cars: Falana says Fed Govt can’t punish whistleblowers

AGOS lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), declared yesterday that it would be wrong of the federal authorities to punish anyone for exposing the purchase of N225 million armoured vehicles for the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Reacting to threat by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu, to deal with the whistle blowers, Falana described the threat as the height of official insensitivity, arrogance and impunity. The senior advocate, in a statement, said that government has not learnt from a similar threat to sack the then police commissioner in charge of the Police College, Ikeja for allegedly allowing Channels Television to expose the rot at the institution. He said the minister and her cohorts should have been fired by President Jonathan. According to him: “Since Captain Akinkuotu has not been properly advised in the circumstance, he should be told that by virtue of section 39 of the Constitution, the citi-

zens of Nigeria, in and outside the public service, have the fundamental right to freedom of expression including the right to disseminate information on public affairs. “As far back as 1983, the provisions of the criminal code pertaining to sedition had been declared illegal and unconstitutional in Arthur Nwanlkwo v The State. In that historic case the late Olatawura JCA (as he then was) cautioned public officers thus: “Those who occupy sensitive posts must be prepared to face public criticisms in respect of their office so as to ensure that they are accountable to the electorate. “They should not be made to feel that they live in an Ivory Tower and therefore belong to a different class. They must develop thick skin and where possible plug their ears with cotton wool if they feel too sensitive or irascible. “They are within their constitutional rights to sue for defamation but they should not use the machinery of government to invoke criminal proceedings to gag their opponents as the freedom of speech guaranteed by our Constitution

will be meaningless.” The activist-lawyer added: “Indeed, in addition to the guaranteed freedom of expression access to official information has since been liberalised under the current political dispensation. “Thus by virtue of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 hoarding or hiding of information in the custody of the government has become a criminal offence. Incidentally, it was the Jonathan Administration which enacted the Freedom of Information Act. “Specifically, section 1 of the Act provides that the operation of the law shall be without prejudice to the Official Secrets Act. Therefore, gone are the days when public officials could be intimidated or sanctioned for leaking information designed to expose corruption and abuse of office.” He added that since the whistle blowers in this case are civil servants, they cannot be sanctioned for performing their patriotic duty. He called for the removal of the Aviation Minister and the NCAA management for “engaging in grave economic

crime and for exposing the federal government to ridicule.” Falana added that since the whistle blowers have not committed any offence known to law “they should ignore the provocative threats of Captain Akinkuotu. However, should they be identified, sacked and charged to court we shall defend them pro bono publico.” Akinkuotu, at a press conference on Friday, admitted the purchase of the vehicles but said they are operational vehicles for which provisions were made in the 2013 budget. The vehicles, according to him, are in the pool of the NCAA to convey the minister and foreign dignitaries during visitations to the country.

CORRECTION

HE Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Valerie Ebe, was erroneously referred to as Deputy Governor of Cross River State in the introduction of our interview with her on Page 40 yesterday. The error is regretted. Editor

Carnival as Ngige gets mass endorsement in Obosi

HE people of Obosi yesterday turned the arrival of Senator Chris Ngige, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), into a massive carnival of proportions. The carnival competed with the APC rally at the Holy Trinity Church, Onitsha on October 8 as males and females, young and old waved all manner of brooms to welcome Ngige. Ngige was in Obosi at the invitation of His Royal Majesty, Eze Chidubem Iweka III, Igwe Obosi, who was leading the ancient town of Chief Emeka Anyaoku in a ceremony marking this year’s new yam festival. However, on sighting Ngige, markets closed spontaneously, including the Afo Adike Market, while traders trooped out to welcome the man they described as a hero. The eruptions in the crowd, which became uncontrollable, grew wilder when Ngige reaffirmed his proposal to implement free education and make it work throughout Anambra State. On health, Ngige promised to refurbish the health facilities in the state and restore them to glory, lamenting that Amaku General Hospital, which has been trumpeted as refurbished and accredited, disappointingly does not have alternative source of electric power. He said “My administration will guarantee free medical care to ante-natal mothers and children between the ages of 0 and five because Anambra state has enough money to offer these services if only those in the saddle will be sincere.” The APC candidate urged Obosi people to vote decisively for him to silence those working hard to secure a third term in office while leaving the state undeveloped. He insisted: “Anambra state has grown beyond a state that can be ruled by proxy.” It took Ngige nearly two hours to depart the town as virtually everybody in the crowd tried to touch him.

Mark, Johnson, others for courier summit By Adeola Ogunlade

ENATE President David Mark; Minister for Communication, Mrs. Mobola Johnson, and the Chairman, Silverbird Group, Ben Bruce, will grace the third edition of the Nigerian Costal Summit organised by Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST). The summit holds on October 28 at Sheraton Hotel, Maryland, Lagos. The Head Manager, Courier Regulatory Department of NIPOST, Mr. Simon Emejie, stated this at a parley in Lagos. The summit with the emergent issues in Nigeria Courier Industry, will attract hundreds of courier operators, government agencies, lawmakers and corps marshals. Emejie said: “We want to work out modalities for legislative conformity of various legislation on courier operation with international treaties and conventions of the Universal Postal Union to which Nigeria is signatory.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

DP women leaders loyal to the seven aggrieved governors of the party may be in for a rough time. There are indications that the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, may get them removed from plum positions for alleged disloyalty. Sources said that already an evaluation of leaders of the various women organisations within the party has commenced nationwide. The exercise, The Nation learnt, also involves the positions of women leaders and their deputies in all the states and local government areas of the country. The idea is to scrutinise all women in leadership positions within the party and its various arms, groups and agencies with a view to establishing where their loyalty lies in view of the festering power tussle within the party. A party source said the instruction from "above" is that the exercise should be taken very seriously as the presidency is interested in the outcome. "The instruction is that the office of the party's Women Leader should evaluate the women in positions of leadership within the party nationwide and determine their allegiance in view of the ongoing crises within our party. "The screening exercise is on and we are making progress. The modality is to first get in all the names of who is who in our women organisations. "That is what we are still doing now. After that, we will examine their political affiliations and determine their

Protesting youths disrupt medical services at Ebonyi missionary hospital

GROUP of youths from Ohatekwe village in the Isieke community of Ebonyi yesterday disrupted medical services at the Mile 4 Missionary Hospital in the area. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the youths, numbering about 30, barricaded the hospital's entrance and prevented patients from entering. They also forced the hospital authorities to discharge admitted patients. The situation caused pandemoniums at the hospital as relations of patients were seen taking them away. Chibueze Egwu, the leader of the youths, told NAN that they took the action due to the failure of the hospital's authorities to abide by agreements. He said the hospital had an agreement over developmental issues with the community, which is located in the Ebonyi Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. ``But the hospital reneged on the agreement to release funds for the provision of basic amenities in the community such as water, electricity, among others. ``We are making these demands because the hospital is situated on our land. ``In addition, the hospital management had reneged on the agreement to reduce the cost of treatment incurred by indigenes and provide employment for us (the community's youths)," Egwu said.

News

PDP crisis: First Lady moves against G7 governors' loyalists By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

loyalties. "It is after that we will know what next. For now, I cannot tell you more than that," the source said. However, loyalists of the

new PDP leaders are alleging that the exercise is plot to ensure that all women leaders perceived to be loyal to the new PDP are screened out from their positions on flimsy excuses. A woman leader in Ogun State, who spoke on condition

of anonymity, said she has already been contacted from Abuja and told of the ongoing exercise. According to her, the idea allegedly emanated from the office of the First Lady. "We are already aware of what is going on and we are

prepared to face them. "Instructions were sent down to us during the week to compile names of all women officers within the party and the local governments in our state. "We have done that and sent the result to them. But we

â&#x20AC;˘All Progressives Congress(APC) gubernatorial candidate in Anambra State, Chris Ngige, addressing Igwe Chidubem Iwekain-council, masses and guests at Obiora festival in Obosi... yesterday

ORE facts e m e r g e d yesterday on how the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the presidency attempted to stop Aminu Tambuwal from becoming the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, revealed the pioneer chairman of the PDP and second republic governor of Plateau State, the late Solomon Lar, rebuffed attempts to stop the

hear they want to remove some people perceived to be loyal to the new PDP leaders. I don't know how true this is but it is all over the place," our source, a former local government boss, said. It was learnt that the move became necessary following rumours that some women leaders within the party were planning to publicly declare their support for the new PDP. Indications that there may actually be some truth in the rumours emerged last weekend when some prominent PDP women leaders from the north called on the warring factions within the party to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign in the interest of the masses. The women appealed to the Bamanga Tukur-led executive of the party to accommodate dissenting opinions and embrace the G7 governors as partners in progress. "The position of these women didn't go down well with the first lady. She feels it is wrong for them to feign neutrality in a matter between the president and some aggrieved governors. "This is why the need to sanitise the women wing of the party became important. The fear of the people up there is that if the women are allowed to be making unguarded statements in their capacity as PDP women leaders, it will not augur well for the party. "The plan now is to remove all those capable of allowing themselves to be used by the opposition should be removed from leadership positions and replaced by loyalists of the Bamanga Tukur PDP," the source said.

How Lar rebuffed attempt to stop Tambuwal, by Mantu From: Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja emergence of Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Mantu made the disclosure while receiving the Speaker at the Abuja's residence of the late Lar on behalf of the family last Friday.

Mantu, in a statement yesterday by Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Imam Imam, said: "There were moves to draft the late politician to persuade Tambuwal and his supporters in the House to jettison his interest to contest for the speakership

and support the PDP's decision that zoned the position to the South-West. "When you were elected as Speaker, I was with the late Lar when they came to this house telling him that you had violated the party's decision, and he should intervene and advise you to toe the line

of the party. "He not only expressed disappointment with the request but insisted that you did nothing wrong as it was democracy in action and vowed never to intervene. He later went to the Villa and asked them to allow the wish of the majority to prevail."

Amaechi must stop insulting Jonathan, wife - Rivers PDP

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State yesterday warned Governor Rotimi Amaechi to stop insulting President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience. The party accused Amaechi of resorting to cheap blackmail and mischief in his fight with the first couple. Chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Felix Obuah, labelled the governor's action as irresponsible and vowed that further insults on the president and his wife will no longer be tolerated. Obuah was reacting to the statement by the governor in Abuja last Friday to the effect that Dame Patience influenced the posting of the Rivers Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, in February, from the Oyo State Command. The NGF chairman also

â&#x20AC;˘Obuah, cohorts' outbursts are arrant nonsense - Govâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aide From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

insisted that Mbu must be redeployed for taking sides in the Rivers political crisis and behaving like a politician, while declaring that the national dialogue initiated by President Jonathan was a waste of time. Obuah said the party has had enough of Amaechi's penchant for insulting and dragging the names of President Jonathan and the First Lady, Dame (Dr.) Patience Jonathan, in the mud. "This untoward attitude of Amaechi, which has become his tradition, with no other aim than to lower the reputation and personality of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and son of the Niger Delta in the estimation of the rightthinking members of the

society, has continued to be fired and given undue impetus by Governor Amaechi and a few of his friends on this satanic mission, against all wise counsel and good conscience. "We wonder what Amaechi further intends to achieve by repeatedly maligning the president and his family and linking them to any predicament that befalls him." The party chieftain said the PDP is "not happy with this public opprobrium from Amaechi. We will no longer condone this irresponsible, irrational and malicious disrespect for our dear president and his wife, by a paranoid Amaechi." "It is regrettable that rather than admit that he is confused and has lost focus, Governor Amaechi deludes himself into believing that the only thing he can do to

gain back the confidence and trust of the disappointed Rivers people is to accuse President Jonathan of being responsible for his nonperformance." But responding to the PDP's statement, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, dismissed Obuah's outbursts as arrant nonsense. He said on phone that it was a statement of fact that the First Lady influenced the posting of Mbu Joseph Mbu to RiversSstate from Oyo State in February this year as Commissioner of Police, to do some dirty jobs, which his predecessor, Mohammed Indabawa, now in Oyo Command, refused to do. He insisted that at no point did the governor insult President Jonathan

and his wife. Okocha said: "Governor Amaechi was elected to serve the people of Rivers State. He has the mandate of Rivers people till 2015 by God's grace. Confusion and loss of focus exist in the imagination of Obuah and his confused supporters. "Rivers people know that Governor Amaechi has been performing well and delivering the dividends of democracy. The developmental strides of Governor Amaechi in Rivers State are unprecedented. No Rivers Governor has done one tenth of what Governor Amaechi has done. "Nothing good can come from the enemies of progress. Obuah and his cohorts have constituted themselves into enemies of the focused Amaechi's administration. They do not represent Rivers people."

News

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Ohanaeze to meet governors on confab

Abductors of Douglas’ sister reduce ransom to N10million

From: Chris Oji, Enugu

PEX Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is expected to present its stand on the National Conference to South East governors today. The South East governors are expected to meet with their South South counterparts in Enugu. Although the agenda of today’s meeting of the governors was not disclosed, a source hinted that it is not unconnected with the forthcoming National Conference. The two zones are expected to present a common and harmonised stand at the various sittings of the preconfab panel slated for in October 28 and 29 in the South East. At the end of the highest decision making organ of the Ohanaeze yesterday, the Irobi, no communique was read. But the deputy secretary general of the organisation, Chief Isaac Wonwu, who briefed reporters, said the Imino appraised the proposed National Conference as it affected Ndigbo. He said although the meeting was inconclusive, the stand of Ndigbo will be made public on Monday. A committee, he said, was set up towards proper articulation of Ohanaeze proposals. “We have a responsibility as a group. We also want to ensure that we properly consult wide and also get across to the respective governors and take a proper position,” Wonwu insisted.

40,000 soybean farmers to get seeds, fertilizers From: Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE Federal Government is to distribute improved seeds, fertilisers and other critical inputs to over 40,000 soybean farmers under the Growth Enhancement Support of 2013. The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, disclosed this yesterday at the two -day stakeholders’ workshop on Soybean Transformation Value Chain (STVC) in Ibadan. Odusote, who was represented by Dr Odukoya Adesegun, said government wants to assist farmers to increase their yields per hectare by offering them improved seeds of soybeans at 100 per cent subsidy. Odusote said: “Now the focus of government is to make agriculture a business that is profitable and sustainable. “That is why this forum is being put together to repackage the Soybean Transformation Agenda as a full-fledged value chain and come up with a list of priority interventions, budget and action plan that will move the soybean value chain forward.”

•L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, Prof. Sidi Osho; Founder, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola; President Goodluck Jonathan; wife of the founder, ABUAD, Mrs. Modupe Babalola, at the commissioning of the ultra-modern Faculty of Engineering Building of the University in Ado-Ekiti… yesterday.

Jonathan promises stable power in 2014

OWER supply will be stable before the end of 2014, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reassured Nigerians. He said the completion of the ongoing 10 Independent Power Projects (NIPP) spread across the country will make this become real. The President gave this assurance while commissioning the NIPP 500MW Omotosho II Power Station at Omotosho community in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo state. Jonathan noted that the 10 power plant stations when completed before the end of first quarters of 2014 will add 5280MW to the nation’s capacity. He said the projects were part of his administration’s effort in providing stable power supply. According to him” “My administration is committed to boost electricity supply in the country. Today, we are in Ondo State to commission Omotosho power plant that will also serves, the people of these areas and improve electricity supply in the country.” The President also explained why his administration privatised the power sector. He said it was to make the

•Inaugurates Omotosho plant From Damisi Ojo and Leke Akeredolu, Akure

sector more vibrant like the banking and telecommunication. He stressed that the just commissioned Omotosho power plant would also be handed over to private company to commence proper work. Jonathan added that the confidence the private sector has in his administration had made them to invest $3billion for the development of the nation’s power supply.

The President also disclosed that arraignments were under way to fund the electricity liability companies. On the agitation of workers of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), the President assured that they will soon be paid their allowances, urging them not to embark on any industrial action. The Minister of Power, Prof. Ositadinma Nebo, said the newly commissioned project will serve people of Ondo, Okitipupa,

No date yet for Lar’s burial,Hesays Jang stated that the burial

OPES that the remains of late Chief Solomon Lar will arrive from the United States of America (USA) were dashed at the weekend. A family source said the delay was because the graveyard where Lar is expected to be buried is not yet ready. The family elder said: “Though members of the family have all agreed that Chief Lar will be buried in his Langtang home, they have not chosen which part of his compound he will be buried.

From YUSUFU Aminu Idegu, JOS

“The family is expecting the arrival of the wife of Chief Lar from US today. “She will be the one who will identify which part of the compound he will be buried. “As soon as the site is known, the construction of the grave will commence immediately.” The Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, also declared that no date has been fixed for the arrival and burial of the first civilian governor of the state.

JTF, maritime workers trade words over extortion

ARITIME workers in Bayelsa State yesterday accused the Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Pulo Shield of extorting money from speedboat operators along the waterways. But JTF disagreed with the workers, describing the allegation as unfounded and untrue. The Maritime Workers Union (MWU) further accused the police of extortion and harassment of its members. The workers alleged that operatives of JTF and the police had made lives difficult for indigenes of coastal communities through extortion. They alleged that the security agents were forcibly collecting between N5,000 and N6,000 from them. MWU’s chairman, Mr. Lyod Sese, described the rising cases of extortion from boat operators by security personnel as alarming. He said the development was common along the waterways of Southern Ijaw, Nembe, Ogbia and Brass Local Government Areas. “If the boat operators refuse

Igbokoda, Ilu-titun, Akure and others thereby reducing the feeder pillers from Oshogbo in Osun State. Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, said his administration has embarked on a 30 megawatt power plant to supplement the newly commissioned power project. The governor added that the 30 MW when completed will serve the industrial sector of the state. He urged the President to quickly commence the transmission of the new power plant to the beneficiary communities.

From: Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

to pay, the boats are subtly delayed until compliance is effected,” he said. He listed Ogboibiri checkpoint in Southern Ijaw, Agip Oil flow-station at Brass and Nembe checkpoint manned by soldiers as “extortion point”. He said: “The duty of the soldiers is to protect oil facilities and installations but they have resorted to extorting money from boat operators along Apoi/Bassan and Yenagoa routes. “The soldiers and marine policemen accused boat operators of charges ranging from non-compliance with availability of first aid boxes, fire extinguisher and operation permits just to collect money from them”. But the Media Coordinator, JTF, Lt. Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the “JTF is a responsible outfit not cut out for such inglorious acts as alleged by the workers”. He said: “No doubt, we have our troops in the Niger Delta waterways. We have al-

ways said that anybody who finds our troops doing untoward things should report to us. “We learnt that the maritime workers want to increase their fares. If they want to do so, they should not blackmail our outfit to gain cheap publicity. “When members of the maritime workers paid a courtesy visit to our commander, they exchanged phone contacts. “We should expect that if there was any case of extortion, they should have reported to us. But spreading unfounded rumour is not accepted by us. He added: “We have given the leadership of the state maritime union the needed cooperation and we informed them that if they had a case of alleged indiscipline of soldiers, they should come forward with the name of the officer and the alleged misconduct. “We don’t tolerate indiscipline. Why should they attribute the extortion to soldiers? I don’t believe our men are involved. There are many other security agencies in the region’s waterways and creeks.”

has been put on hold until further notice. Lar died in the United States of America on October 9 at 90. Jang spoke yesterday while receiving his Nasarawa State counterpart, Tanko Almakura, who led a government’s delegation on condolence visit. He said: “I have agreed with the family of Baba Lar on the burial arrangements. I am expecting the wife, Ambassador Mary Lar, to arrive any moment from today and her arrival has to do with the burial plans.” On why the burial plan is on hold, Jang said: “Solomon Lar is not someone you will bury in a hurry. The federal government is interested. “The national executive of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is interested. The political associates and friends of Baba Lar are interested. So the burial of Chief Lar will be a national one.” He went on: “But the date of the burial has to be approved by the federal government. “There will be a national burial committee. Plateau and Nasarawa States will have a joint burial committee for Baba Lar. “I have been notified that Mr. President will travel out of the country by Monday and we have to wait until he comes back because whatever date agreed between me and the family will have to be at the convenience of Mr. President. “So, as it is, no date yet for burial. The planning committee will continue with the arrangement until Mr. President returns.”

AMILY of the Presidential Adviser on Re-

search, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas, and kidnappers of his sister, Auguster, intensified negotiations yesterday. Auguster was seized and whisked away to an unknown destination in the creeks by nine gunmen in army uniforms. Using a black speedboat, the kidnappers abducted her at the Ogbia waterside at about 8.45pm last Monday after shooting into the air. But four days after the keeping, the kidnappers contacted the woman’s husband at about 2am last Thursday to demand for a whooping N500million ransom. After failing to contact the presidential adviser, the bandits slashed the ransom to N17million on Friday. Fresh facts emerged yesterday that the kidnappers had reduced their ransom from N17million to N10million. It was learnt that the kidnappers reduced the ransom fee while negotiating with the husband of the victim, Mr. Azibayam Apaga. But the disturbed husband was said to have insisted he could only afford N3million. A family source said the abductors were calmer and gentler in their conversation with Apaga. “For the first time, the kidnappers calmed down in their conversation. They didn’t sound furious this time around. They simply asked that we should look for N10million. “But the woman’s husband begged them to collect N3million. He told them he could only afford N3million. “They asked him to increase the money to enable them free his wife,” the source who pleaded anonymity said. The source added: “With the way the conversation is going, we hope that our sister will be released on or before Monday.”

Pension reform has failed, says Dareng From: YUSUFU Aminu Idegu, Jos

HE Chairman Board of Trustee, First Bank of Nigeria Pensioners Association, Elder Bulus Dareng, yesterday pronounced the management of fraud in the country a failure. He said the welfare of pensioners across the nation has not improved despite the noise about reforms in the management of the fund. Dareng, who described management of pension fund by the federal government as poor, said pensioners must be involved in the management for the fund to succeed.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

News

'Pick delegates from ethnic nationalities'

Ikuforiji berates Jonathan over national confab

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

By Oziegbe Okoeki

GROUP, the Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that delegates to the proposed National Conference are drawn from various ethnic nationalities in the country. The group opined that in order to save time and tax payers' money, each geopolitical zone should hold its own conference and come up with their resolutions which will be taken to the National Conference for adoption. Besides, the group said the present 36-states structure in the country should be abolished. It also called for the structure and institutions of the government devolved into six regions. This was contained in the recommendation of ONAC to the National Conference and Dialogue Committee at the stakeholders' interactive session held at Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Friday. The recommendation was signed by 13 groups including the Oodua Nationalist Coalition, Oodua Selfdetermination Committee (OSDC), O'odua Liberation Movement (OLM), The Covenant Group (CG), Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), O'odua Students Alliance (OSA), Itsekiri Nationalist Coalition (INC), Yoruba Human Rights Research Centre (YHRRC), Yoruba Federalist Coalition (YFC), Apapo Oodua Koya (AOKOYA) and others. ONAC said each region should be empowered to create states or countries on its own, stressing that the SouthWest region be made up of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Yoruba speaking parts of Kogi, Edo and Itsekiri part of Delta State.

Protest over 'delay' in installing new Oluwo

HE people of Iwo under the auspices of Iwo Patriotic Forum are protesting the 'delay' in filling the vacant stool of Oluwo. At the weekend, about two hundred members of the Forum staged a peaceful protest round the ancient town, declaring that since the death of the former Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Ashiru Olatubosun Tadese last February, no process has been put in place to select a new Oba. While some rode in mini commercial buses, others trekked and carried placards to sensitise the passers-by and residents of their call to kingmakers to initiate a process to produce the next Oluwo. Leaders of the protesters, Mr. Dele Morakinyo, Alhaji Fatai Eji and Mr. Saheed Ademola, called on the kingmakers not to allow a repeat of the long years of interregnum before the installation of the immediate past Oluwo, Oba Asiru Tadese.

â&#x20AC;˘Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) (2nd left); former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left); first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande (2nd right) and wife, Alhaja Abimbola Jakande (right), during the Janazah prayer for the late APC chieftain, Alhaji Lateef Babatunde Odunsi, at the Wahab Folawiyo Central Mosque, Surulere, Lagos ... yesterday.

Release my husband's property, late justice's widow urges court

N Akure-based lawyer, Charles Titiloye at the weekend, urged the Grand Khadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, Ilorin to stop the Court from administering the estate of late Justice S. A. Olagunju, a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal. Speaking on behalf of the widow of the late Judge, Mrs. Christiana Olagunju and her daughter, Titiloye wondered why the Sharia Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, assumed jurisdiction over the admnistration of the estate of the late justice when they knew that the widow and daughter of the deceased judge are Christians and could be bound by Islamic

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

law of inheritance. The Sharia Court of Appeal had ruled that the widow and her daughter could not have a share in the estate, because they are not Muslims. Titiloye noted that late Justice Olagunju had a fruitful 30 years marriage with her Christian wife and daughter, adding that it would be a disservice to him if his wife and daughter were deprived of inheriting part of his estate based on religious consideration. He declared further, "That the late judge lived with and allowed his wife and daughter to be Christians shows that he does not want to be bound

by Sharia law. The activist condemned the involvement of the Sharia Court of Appeal in the matter contrary to Section 277(2) (e) of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as amended, which restricts the jurisdiction of Sharia courts to issues where all parties are Muslims. He contended that Section 38 of the Constitution guarantees the fundamental human rights of citizens to freedom of religion. Titiloye said the unjust treatment of the widow and daughter of late Justice Olagunju since July 2008 when the President of Court of Appeal referred the administration of the estate to the Sharia Court, Ilorin is

unacceptable to any law in Nigeria. Titiloye noted that the 74 years old widow of the late Olagunju and her daughter have been forced to relocate from her matrimonial home in Offa and return home to their relatives at Akure due to financial constraints. "The widow is facing a medical challenge, which has been left unattended to due to the interference of the Sharia Court of Appeal in the said Estate,"he said. He urged the Sharia Court of Appeal, Ilorin to withdraw forthwith from the administration of the estate and allow the matter to be handled by a High Court which has jurisdiction on the matter.

Aregbesola's education reform policy best for Osun-Abiara

HE General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, on Saturday said the current reforms in the education sector in Osun State is the best for the children of the state, just as he appealed to Christians to be patient with the state government over the on-going reclassification of public schools. The CAC evangelist made this call while speaking with journalists after a courtesy visit to Governor Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in Osogbo. He urged Christians in the state to always seek for clarification on issues that is not clear to them rather than be confrontational with government on its policies. Abiara charged Christians in the state to be patient and show understanding about Aregbesola's style of leadership which has changed the outlook of Osogbo to that which befits a state capital. He said, "I want to appeal to Christians in the state to be patient with the government. If one wants to be fair,

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Aregbesola means well for our children. When I saw the 'Opon-Imo', I was amazed because the tablet is a school on its own. "Our Christian brothers and sisters should be patient and should always ask for clarification on issues if it is not clear to us,"Abiara stressed. Abiara's visit came a day after the state government and

the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) agreed to work together after a meeting which saw both parties ironing out the grey areas on the school reform policy. Also speaking in support of the re-classification policy, a retired education planner, Dr. Modupe Fagbulu, praised the initiative for being well thought out. He recalled that the same policy was adopted in the

defunct Western Region when the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was Premier. Fagbulu noted that some schools in the state were not viable to operate alone, a dire situtatiobn which makes the merging of some schools for efficiency and optimal performance imperative. He maintained that the reclassification programme in Osun State is in order and should be replicated across the country.

Okowa assures of equitable distribution of projects

HE senator representing Delta North, Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured the people of Delta North of continued equitable distribution of constituency projects across the nine local government areas that make up the senatorial district. He gave the assurance Friday at Agbor, during an audience with the leadership of Agbor community, the apex sociocultural and political organisation of Agbor people in Ika South Local Government Area. Okowa maintained that he had carefully ensured that all projects he attracted so far to

By Remi Adelowo

the district were equitably distributed across the district. "I have tried to distribute projects across the nine local governments areas. For instance, roads projects were sited in Oshimili South, Ndokwa East, Ika North-East and Ika South, while water projects have been executed in some communities in Aniocha South, Ika South and Ndokwa East. There are also solarpowered street lights in such communities as Utagba-Uno, Ugiliamai, Agbor-Nta, Abavo, Ute-Ogbeje, Obomkpa among others," he explained.

He expressed worry over the delay in the execution of the Alihagu/Oki Road, which he said was supposed to be nearing completion of its first phase by now. He, however, promised to get in touch with the contractor to find out the cause of the delay. He informed the group that a road project had equally been awarded in Abavo, while efforts were on to push one road each in Ika South and Ika North-East for considerations, adding that, "for equity sake, I ensure that the road projects were equally distributed in Ikaland."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

HE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan for proposing a National Conference just 14 months to the next general elections. According to him, a conference of such magnitude will take time to organise and implement its resolutions. The Lagos speaker raised a few posers: "How do you bring the different groups in the country together under 14 months to a general election? When will the campaign for general election start and when are we starting the National Conference? Ikuforiji stressed that if the President was sincere, the National Conference should have held in the first year of his administration when there would have been enough time for him to address all the issues. He noted, "I think if the Presidency is really serious about it (National Conference), this should have been an agenda that should have come to the forefront right in the first year of his administration. "But with the crisis in the PDP and the level of distrust among citizens in his government and all his pronouncements before now, not many Nigerians will really take the President serious", Ikuforiji said. Ikuforiji warned that the National Conference should not be used as an excuse to delay the general elections or elongate the President's tenure.

Ondo community in row over 'Ogun' festival celebration From Damisi Ojo, Akure

GBAGI Akoko Town in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State is in crisis over the alleged refusal of its monarch to participate in the Ogun festival scheduled for next week. The traditional ruler, Oba Victor Obanla, has allegedly refused to take part in the 2012 edition of the festival, a development that has thrown the community into crisis and resulted to the chasing away of the monarch from the town for six days. The Arua of the town, who is also the second in command to the traditional ruler, Chief Paul Oguntimehin, has urged traditional rulers in the council area to prevail on Oba Adetona to participate in the festival. Another chief in the town, Alhaji Mohammed Obanla, has also advised the traditional ruler to bow to the will of the people. Obanla also disclosed that the action of the traditional ruler had set members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the town against the chiefs in the town. Efforts to speak with Oba Adetona proved abortive as he was said to be bereaved, but one of his aides said the traditional ruler's decision to shun the festival was due to his new faith as a born again Christian.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

News

Police arrest robbers who robbed The Sun in Onitsha From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

HE ring leader of a fourman robbery syndicate who stormed the circulation office of The Sun newspaper and other adjoining offices in the commercial city of Onitsha has been apprehended by the police. The suspect’s name was still undisclosed but he was apprehended in the Fegge area of Onitsha, near the Onitsha drugs market, while three of his gang members narrowly escaped arrest. They allegedly carted away cash estimated at over four hundred thousand naira only (N400,000). The four suspects operating on two motorbikes, stormed the one-storey building office of The Sun office at 57 Old Market Road, opposite Onitsha General Post Office, robbed three offices one after the other, including The Sun, Complete Sports and Canefield Investment Limited, a stock broker, and fled on their motorbikes.

Araraume, former deputy gov at war over landed property

ORMER Imo State Deputy Governor, Dame Ada Okwuonu, and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in the 2011 general elections in the state, are currently spoiling for war over a plot of land. The duo are laying claims to the piece of land located at Works Layout, a choice area in Owerri, the state capital. But the scramble for the property took a dangerous dimension at the weekend, when thugs, allegedly sponsored by the former deputy governor, stormed the disputed piece of land measuring about two plots and demolished the houses built by the former senator. When our reporter visited

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

the scene, residents of the demolished buildings recounted their ordeal in the hands of the thugs who were still at the site brandishing dangerous weapons. Addressing journalists at the land, a cousin of the lawmaker, Nze Chris Ekwueme, said that a bulldozer at the wee hours on Thursday, October 16, invaded the place and pulled down the structures, including a three-bedroom bungalow. Ekwueme, who claimed that the driver of the bulldozer was acting on the order of the former deputy governor, said the land was duly acquired by Araraume in 2002.

He further disclosed that on getting to the land after receiving a distress call from one of the tenants, he was held hostage by the thugs for four hours and later released when a man he identified as a lawyer instructed the thugs to let him go. Further narrating his ordeal, he said that he was later taken to zone 9, Umuahia by those he described as the agents of Okwuonu, where he was interrogated and asked to produce the documents to the land. According to him, they were in possession of the document of “Plot 16” which was the right document for the land while Okwuonu had the document of “Plot 19”.

Meanwhile, armed police men, who may have come at the instance of the senator, bundled two of the suspected thugs away, while they were still harassing the sacked occupants . However, in his reaction, Chief Press Secretary to the former deputy governor, Emperor Iweala, said they were aware that the land was allocated to Araraume in 2002 but was revoked by Achike Udenwa in 2009 when they failed to develop the land and re-allocated it to Okwuonu the same year. Iwuala maintained that ever since the re-alocation they have been making efforts to amicably resolve the matter to no avail.

Tax Appeal Tribunal takes awareness to Onitsha

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

T was cheering news for investors, traders and businessmen in the commercial city of Onitsha when the Secretary, Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT), South-East zone, Mrs Uche Ukuta, yesterday took the sensitisation on the workings of her office to the commercial city of Onitsha. Ukuta, who addressed members of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) during the 26th Annual General Meeting and Conference at Top Rank Hotels, Fegge, Onitsha, said , “We get appeals from the public on tax issues and Anambra has the highest and worst cases of tax abuses. We are here to inform you that there is law guiding taxation and that you don’t have to be a lawyer to know your right concerning the taxes you pay.” Responding, the President of ONICCIMA, Dr Tim Anosike, commended the Secretary of TAT. The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Robert Okonkwo, lamented the cases of multiple taxation in the state caused by touts but assured that the government was addressing the matter.

Chime reconstitutes Enugu Traditional Rulers Council

OV. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has reconstituted the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council to promote peace and security at the grassroots, an official said yesterday in Enugu. The state’s Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Emeka Abugu, said in a statement that the 57-member council now has Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu as its chairman. The statement said the council’s other principal members include Igwe Raymond Ezeh, who is the first deputy chairman and Igwe Julius Nnaji, who is the second deputy chairman.

Etiaba decries Anambra rape cases •As Obosi sets up committee From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

ORMER Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, has called on authorities concerned to arrest and prosecute those behind the dastardly act of raping to death the young girl named Chekwube Mbaka. Etiaba said that the rape of children remains a child abuse, as it can result in serious and long term psychological trauma on the victim(s). She spoke while receiving a delegation of the American based Non-Governmental Organisation, World Igbo Congress, Women and Family Affairs Committee, who paid a courtesy visit in her country home at Nnewi. In an effort to arrest the rapists of late Chekwube Mbaka, the traditional ruler of Obosi, His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, yesterday said the community has set up a committee to assist the police investigate the matter. Iweka, who spoke through the palace secretary, Nze Shadrack Okenwa, described the rape case as an aberration even as he hoped the committee will unravel the killers of the young girl. It would be recalled that the victim, late Chekwube Mbaka, was gang- raped to death at Odume Obosi by yet-to-be identified rapists numbering eight.

PDP will win Enugu local council polls, says Chime

•Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State (Left), with other chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday, at the flag-off of the party's campaign for Enugu North, South and East Local Government Areas, ahead the November 2 local council polls in the state. PHOTO: NAN

APC has not zoned presidency, says Anyim

R. Nyerere Anyim, South-East National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), has urged party supporters in the zone to disregard a recent report that the party has zoned its presidency and vice presidential tickets for the 2015 elections to the North and South-West

Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

zones respectively. Anyim, in a press release made available to journalists in Aba, Abia State, described the report as a deliberate attempt by unscrupulous elements to disturb the mind of Ndigbo that have already embraced APC as the only alternative platform to pro-

vide good governance, purposeful and visionary leadership in the zone and Nigeria at large. The South-East National Vice chairman said: “My attention has been drawn to a front page news story of Monday 14, 2013... captioned, “APC zones Vice-Presidency to South-West, with Tinubu

Ojukwu invokes father’s spirit for APGA

HUKWUEMEKA Ojukwu (Jnr) yesterday invoked the spirit of his late father, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, to help the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to clinch victory at the November elections. He said his presence shows that having taken over his father’s blessings , he has decreed that Dr. Winnie

Obiano is the winner of the election. He said the wish of his late father for a party with succession plan is being fulfilled as Governor Peter Obi is to hand over to Dr Willie Obiano. Ojukwu Jnr insisted that his late father is happy where ever he is today because a party for the voice of Ndigbo has been

established and appealed to all Ndigbo to join forces with Obi to ensure that APGA candidate is declared winner at the election on November 17. Also, a lawyer, Theodore Okonkwo, yesterday announced a donation of 40 billboards to the Willie Obiano Campaign Organisation. Okonkwo announced this yesterday during a rally by APGA at Onitsha.

ing will trail the 2013 Idemili Day Celebration on October 26. According to him, “We are working therefore to ensure that the proper person wins this election. We in Idemili are aware of the voting power of the two councils and we intend to galvanise and enlighten our people to make the best use of it. The two councils are strategically

situated to have a voice in who becomes governor in the state.” The high points of the annual event will be the launching of a N150 million fund for the building of a secretariat, a skill acquisition and finishing of school centre and the recognition of illustrious sons and daughters of Idemili who have excelled in different fields of endeavour.

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Nnewi

Anambra 2013: Idemili to drill governorship candidates

ZUKO Imeobi, a pressure group and sociocultural organisation of Idemili North and South Councils in Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, will hold a town hall meeting with the governorship candidates ahead of the November 16 election in Anambra State. According to the leader of the organisation, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, the town hall meet-

already shopping for nominee.” According to him, “The said news story, which clearly lacks essential ingredients of objective journalism, is nothing but the imagination of the reporter and his paymasters as it was solely fabricated to distort the mind of Ndigbo having embraced APC as a very credible and alternative platform capable of enthroning good governance, purposeful and visionary leadership in the country. “Such concocted news story is obviously a part of the orchestrated and diversionary ploy masterminded by some anti-democratic elements that have become jittery overnight after realising that Ndigbo have finally embraced the APC as the only party democratically entrenched to take over governance in Anambra on November 16 and the entire country,” the statement read in part. Anyim explained that the APC has not zoned any of its elective positions, including the presidency and vice presidential slots, to any part of the country, affirming that the issue of zoning has not been discussed by both the Interim National Working Committee and leaders of the party.

OV. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win the November 2 local council polls in the state. Chime made the assertion yesterday in Enugu at the start of the party’s campaign for Enugu North, South and East Local Government Areas. According to him, the outstanding performance of outgoing local council chairmen and councillors in the state will swing the poll to the party. “We are here to urge you to endorse our candidates. On November 2, there will just be a yes or no vote to formalise the coming in of these men and women as chairmen and deputies.”

Ebonyi gets 21 days ultimatum from college staff over tax From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

HE Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions ( JACTU), Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo, yesterday gave the state government a 21-day ultimatum to revert the new tax regime it imposed on her members. Rising from its congress which held at the college’s auditorium, the unions alleged that the college administration, since last month, imposed a new tax regime of between 500 and 800 percent increment on the staff, based on a directive from the state government despite protests from organised labour in the state.

NEWS REVIEW

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

â&#x20AC;˘Oshiomhole

T a time when both state and federal governments have sold their diplomatic offices in Lagos and relocated to the country's political capital, Abuja, the controversy generated by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole's administration's decision to sell the dilapidated Edo House in Lagos has left many wondering what the hullabaloo is all about. The outcry, coming from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), did not come as a surprise. Oshiomhole, on October 11, announced his administration's desire to sell the giant edifice "in ruins", in order to build a smaller liaison office, and then use the remainder of the proceeds to build a business park as well as a five-star hotel in Benin City that will directly create jobs in the state. In one of the interviews he granted, the governor explained how some tenants, who occupied the premises in the days of the PDP, did not pay rents and service charges, whereas the state government is obligated to service land use bills estimated at N60 million owed Lagos State Government. The PDP has since the announcement engaged in various activities to stop the proposed action, including 'sponsoring' some people to protest at the Plot 1225 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island premises, quoting varying figures as annual revenue generated by the state from the building. In the wake of the controversy, The Nation visited the premises and realised that the property was dilapidated. The gates have fallen out of shape such that plywoods were used to cover the porosity; the premises have become a garage for oil tankers which spill petroleum products, thereby defacing the compound, with most of the roofs and ceilings in a sorry state. It was learnt that it would cost the government an estimated N1 billion to renovate the property. The Nation also gathered from some of the tenants, most of who admitted that they haven't been paying their rent to the government because most of the liaison offices in the neighbourhood

Edo House: Bitter fight over a wasting edifice For years, the Edo House on Victoria Island has been laying waste. Instead of generating revenue, it is costing the government money. Precious Igbonwelundu writes on how Governor Adams Oshiomholeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid to address the situation has provoked a bitter fight. have been sold. They said they were made to believe that those who collected money from them were in charge of Edo House. It was gathered that a former governor's father for eight years collected rent from the property and paid them into his personal account. Throughout the period, it was learnt that no renovation or maintenance was done on the property, with the money collected not accounted for. Contrary to claims by critics of the planned sale that the state makes between N80 and N103 million per annum from the Edo House, it was gathered that not a kobo has gotten to the state coffers for some years now. While most of the sub tenants claimed they have religiously paid their rent to their 'masters', Edo Government has denied collecting rents from Kenneth Odongharan, who is the Managing Director of Fair Bond, and other PDP stalwarts occupying the house. Odongharan entered into a lease agreement with the state in 1993 but allegedly stopped paying rent in 2005. Aside the rent issue, The Nation gathered that some of the guest houses have been turned to chalets where fun seekers go for 'short time'. Having reneged in the lease agreement and not sanctioned by the PDP government, Oshiomhole's administration wrote several letters to

â&#x20AC;˘ Jadesimi

Odongharan to either keep to the terms of the agreement or vacate the premises, but he did not budge. Although the annual rental value of an office in the neighbourhood is N5.8 million, it was learnt that Odongharan, a Delta State indigene, who occupies more than 13 rooms, excluding the ones he has been subletting, last paid only N1million to the state in 2008. Unfortunately, the state adopted forceful eviction during the time of Wilson Osigwe as Director General, which prompted Odongharan to drag Edo government to court. Among his sub tenants are Funke Oyedekpe, who it was learnt, pays N140,000 per month to Odongharan for a self-contained apartment and a firm, Teqbridge, occupying two offices on the ground floor of the main building. Although, Odongharan denied sub letting some of the apartments, Oyedekpe, who was not around when The Nation visited, confirmed she has been paying rent to him. When contacted, Odongharan denied sub letting any part to other people and insisted that he was not owing the state. On allegations that he has not paid rent since 2005, Odongharan said he only stopped paying rent in 2009 when he dragged the government to court on a N250 million-suit following the damages of his properties and theft of his belongings during the forceful

eviction. But Oyedekpe said Odongharan (Fair Bond) collects N180, 000 per month from all his tenants and she paid the same amount in January when she came into the premises. Oyedekpe said her rent was reduced to N140, 000 the following month after she told him she was staying more than a month. She said she was, however, not satisfied, after she travelled for three months and returned only to see her apartment flooded. However, despite the PDP's protest against the sale of the property, the state government has insisted its decision is in the best interest of the Edo people. It said since the state already has a befitting liaison office in Abuja, there was no need to keep the massive structure in Lagos, especially since it would attract more expenditure for the state. The government believes that owing a five-star hotel with a conference room that can sit 1, 000 people will add more value to the state, especially with the strategic location of the state. According to the Commissioner of Information, Louis Odion, it is ironic and laughable that PDP, which looted the state blind for 10 years, is faulting the decision of the Oshiomhole administration aimed at upturning the legacy of waste.

"In line with our cost-cutting policy, we resolved that the Edo House in Lagos was grossly underutilised, resulting in monumental waste of tax-payers' money. "Worse still, a particular old tenant brought by the PDP to the house would not leave, brandishing dubious lease agreement approved by past PDP government. "To add insult to injury, this particular guy, who occupies more than half of the edifice, in turn sublets the property to other tenants. The last time he paid us rent was 2008. Guess what? He last paid a paltry N1m in 2008 and has not paid us a kobo since, even though he continues to collect rent from his sub tenants. "He also runs a hotel in another wing of the same building. You won't believe that this guy is not even from Edo State. "Meanwhile, they continue to run down the building mindlessly while entrapping us with endless litigations in Lagos courts. "Rather than resign to fate or lament, we resolved to act in the best interest of the good people of Edo by seeking to keep a more compact office in Lagos and put the said house in the market. In any case, Edo now has a big house in Abuja serving as our liaison office. "Consistent with our policy of transparency, the bidding process will, of course, follow the rigours of a competitive process. "Again, the good news is that the proceeds would partly be utilised to build a more compact structure in Lagos and the remainder repatriated back to Edo to build a business park on Mission Road in Benin as well as a five-star hotel in Benin. "So, you can clearly see that the joke is actually on the PDP which had perfected the culture of looting and waste. Our only sin is that Oshiomhole insists we must have an open bid. "In the past, the PDP sold all government houses and land in Benin GRA secretly to themselves. But we will not be distracted from safeguarding the interest of Edo people."

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

WORLD NEWS THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

â&#x20AC;˘ People look at burnt vehicles after a car bomb attack outside a military intelligence building that wounded four people yesterday in Egypt's canal city of Ismailia. The blast destroyed part of the military compound's wall and set fire to several cars in the area. AFP PHOTO

Italy court bans Berlusconi from public office for two years A Milan court ruled on Saturday that former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi should be barred from holding public office for two years following a conviction for tax fraud. However, since Berlusconi is a senator, the court's decision will have no immediate effect and his expulsion from the Senate will depend on a separate vote in the upper house of parliament, expected to take place next month. Saturday's ruling reflected the prosecution's request for a two-year ban. Berlusconi's lawyers, who said they would appeal the decision to

the supreme court, had asked for a one-year ban, the minimum under the law being applied in the Milan case. The maximum would have been three years. Italy's supreme court on August 1 definitively upheld a tax fraud conviction against the center-right leader, rejecting his final appeal against an earlier four-year jail sentence. The four-year sentence was commuted to one year, and, if the

Senate expels him, Berlusconi, 77, will spend the year either under house arrest or in community service. In the August 1 ruling, the supreme court confirmed the conviction but ordered a further judicial review of a ban on holding public office imposed for the same offence. The upper house's vote next month will effectively supersede the Milan court's decision because it will be based on a separate law,

Suicide bomber kills 16 in a Somali town

suicide bomber killed at least 16 people on Saturday in an attack on a cafe in a Somali town close to the Ethiopian border frequented by local and foreign soldiers fighting al Qaeda-linked rebels. Al Shabaab said it had carried out the bombing, in the town of Baladweyne, targeting troops participating in an African Union peacekeeping force fighting the Somali Islamist group. "A man with an explosives jacket entered unexpectedly in the tea shop where soldiers and civilians sat ... and blew himself up," said local elder Ahmed Nur, speaking from the scene of the blast. At least 16 people were killed and 33 wounded, local politician Dahir Amin Jesow told Reuters by telephone from Baladweyne. "The death toll may rise." Somali and African forces pushed Al Shabaab out of Baladweyne, about 210 miles north of Mogadishu, more than a year ago. But while the territory that al Shabaab controls has greatly dwindled over the past two years, it continues to control large rural areas and some towns and has ratcheted up guerrilla-style attacks. "Our main target was Ethiopian and Djibouti troops who invaded our country," said Al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab. He put the death toll at 25. There was no independent word on whether foreign soldiers were among the casualties. Horn of Africa analyst Rashid Abdi said: "Al Shabaab is sending a message that it has the will and the capacity to carry out these kinds

of attacks. They are also sending a message that they have huge geographic reach." Al Shabaab demonstrated the capacity to strike at far-away targets last month when its gunmen raided a shopping mall in Nairobi, hurling grenades and spraying bullets at shoppers as punishment for Kenya sending troops to Somalia. Pakistan polio outbreak puts global eradication at risk A Taliban ban on vaccination is exacerbating a serious polio outbreak in Pakistan, threatening to derail dramatic progress made this year towards wiping out the disease worldwide, health officials say. Health teams in Pakistan have been attacked repeatedly since the Taliban denounced vaccines as a Western plot to sterilize Muslims and imposed

bans on inoculation in June 2012. In North Waziristan, a region near the Afghan border that has been cordoned off by the Taliban, dozens of children, many under the age of two, have been crippled by the viral disease in the past six months. And there is evidence in tests conducted on sewage samples in some of the country's major cities that the polio virus is starting to spread beyond these isolated pockets and could soon spark fresh polio outbreaks in more densely populated areas. "We have entered a phase that we were all worried about and were afraid might happen," Elias Durry, head of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in Pakistan, told Reuters in a telephone interview.

which, if he is expelled, would ban Berlusconi from public office for six years. Losing his seat in the Senate would deprive Berlusconi, who is fighting a conviction for paying for sex with a minor among other legal cases, of his parliamentary immunity from arrest. A special Senate committee opened the way earlier this month for a motion to expel Berlusconi. The Senate is dominated by Berlusconi opponents from both the left and the anti-establishment 5Star Movement and is expected to vote to strip him of his seat. The decision over Berlusconi's future has been one of the most sensitive issues facing parliament. Center-left Prime Minister Enrico Letta's awkward coalition with Berlusconi's People of Freedom party almost fell when Berlusconi pulled his ministers out of the government last month. The stated reason for the break was a disagreement over tax policy, but the weeks of tension over his impending expulsion helped poison the climate in the broad leftright coalition. The August supreme court ruling involved inflated invoices at Berlusconi's Mediaset broadcasting empire and was the first definitive sentence he had received after dozens of previous trials on charges ranging from tax to sex offences. The billionaire has protested his innocence, accusing magistrates of persecuting him since his entry into politics 20 years ago.

Kenya's President Kenyatta 'excused most of ICC trial' K ENYAN President Uhuru Kenyatta need not attend all of his trial on charges of crimes against humanity, the International Criminal Court has said. He is only required to be present at certain key parts of the case, a majority of judges ruled. Mr Kenyatta has argued that attending the trial in The Hague would prevent him from governing the country. Both Mr Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto deny charges of organising violence after the 2007 election. There needs to be a balance between the legal process and his right to govern" Friday's ruling states that the

Kenyan president must be physically present during the opening and closing statements, hearings where victims "present their views and concerns in person," the verdict, and any other sessions determined by the court. The judges said that the exemption was granted "to accommodate the demanding functions of [Mr Kenyatta's] office as President of Kenya". The decision was by a majority vote as presiding judge Kuniko Ozaki did not agree with the other two judges. Last week, the African Union urged the UN Security Council to

delay Mr Kenyatta's trial, which is due to start on 12 November. African leaders accuse the ICC of unfairly targeting the continent; all the court's current cases are from Africa, and two serving presidents, Mr Kenyatta and Sudan's Omar al-Bashir, have been indicted. The ruling comes with conditions; if President Kenyatta violates those, the court could issue an arrest warrant. In granting the defence request, the judges made clear that their decision was designed to accommodate the demanding functions of his office as president of Kenya and not merely because he holds such a powerful position.

Syria: UN aid chief calls for urgent ceasefire in Moadamiyah

HE UN's humanitarian chief has called for an "immediate pause in hostilities" in Moadamiyah, a rebel-held suburb of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Valerie Amos said 3,000 people were evacuated last Sunday, but that the same number were trapped in the town amid continuing shelling and fighting. Thousands of people were in a similar situations in towns across the country, she said. The army has previously said rebel-held areas must surrender or starve. Also on Saturday, activists said at least 16 soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing and fighting at a checkpoint near the mainly-Christian area of Jaramana. State media blamed "terrorists" for the explosion but did not give details. Rebels control much of the countryside around Damascus but Jaramana - a Christian and Druze area mostly loyal to President Bashar al-Assad - is still held by the government. In a statement, Baroness Valerie Amos said was "extremely worried by the situation unfolding across Syria where ordinary women, children and men are facing horrific violence and brutality from all sides of the conflict". She said relief workers had been unable to access Moadamiyah for months, and that the ongoing conflict was preventing any rescue mission from going ahead. "I call on all parties to agree an immediate pause in hostilities in Moadamiyah to allow humanitarian agencies unhindered access to evacuate the remaining civilians and deliver life-saving treatment and supplies in areas where fighting and shelling is ongoing," she said. But she said this was not the only area of concern, citing Nubil, Zahra, old Aleppo town, old Homs town and Hassakeh as other places where people were in danger.

Mubarak trial resumes in closed session

retrial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resumed on Saturday in a closed-door session in which top security officials gave testimony, state television said. Mubarak, 85, was sentenced to life in prison last year for complicity in the killing of demonstrators in the uprising that toppled him in 2011, but an appeals court ordered a retrial. Mubarak was released from jail but is kept under house arrest in a military hospital in Maadi, a Cairo suburb. State television said that former intelligence chief Mourad Mowafy and the head of the national security authority, General Mostafa Abdel Naby, testified in Saturday's hearing. Last month the presiding judge imposed a media gag on the sessions' proceedings for reasons of national security.

World/Commenatry

HE course of recent events has again reveals that racism persists as a staple in the American political diet. The notion that the Obama presidency ushered in a post-racial harmony where skin color is irrelevant lies crumpled in brittle failure after having dashed headlong into the fortifications of mean reality. For over two weeks, Republicans shut down the federal government and threatened to cause America to default on its debt. The ostensible reason was their opposition to the health insurance reform known as Obamacare. The true cause of the obstinacy was something more visceral; it was a thing almost primitive in its dereliction to modernity and etiquette. Republicans hate the eponymous Obamacare with a passion usually reserved for foes in wartime. They detest the measure not so much because of the color of its provisions but because of the color of the man whose name it bears. After all, the bulk of the new law was authored years ago by conservative Republicans. The legislation, effective, is one of their own. Yet, Republicans are the greatest opponents of something they themselves previously had written. Their opposition is because of the man who now proposes the law. Once again, Republicans have shown they hate Obama not for what he is doing but because of the color he is. While Obama has been the obedient manservant of elite interests, the Republicans cannot see beyond his skin color. Although he seeks to be their man, they cannot help but see him as a boy who has forgotten his true and inferior place. They see him as they perceive most other Black men - as a crime waiting to happen, a belated slave insurrection in process. Thus, they hate him and everything he does, even when he serves them the very thing they ordered. Rarely, do I commend President Obama. I do so now. After five years of bowing and diffident bumbling attempting to gain approval from those who would rather evict him from the White House at the wrong end of a redhot pitchfork, the President stood his ground. When the Republicans closed the government by refusing to pass a budget unless he agreed to inter his health care plan, he told them to walk the plank. He refused to blink when they also threatened default on the public debt by not raising the government's artificial debt ceiling. Good for him. Overall, President Obama is too conservative politically and too cautious strategically to be a great leader. When the better path is a new or progressive one, he shuns that way. His inclinations would rather tread that road which others have walked before. Yet, the man is intelligent and has a nose the scent of impending disaster. He might not recognize the best worse of action; but, he is certainly aware when the worse approaches his portico. In 2009, he realized the economy was heading toward severe depression. Clearly wanting to avoid such a dank blot on his legacy, the man did just enough to avert disaster yet not enough to save the economy from its own excesses. The American economy did not collapse but it remains shaky and hard-pressed five years thereafter. On the present occasion, he realized the game the Republicans crafted was akin to inserting his head in the mouth of a firing cannon. He refused to follow their twisted logic; it would lead to nothing less than the failure of his presidency and a totally avoidable debacle for the American political economy. This combative state of affairs came to ferment because, every time they view Obama's black skin, Republican eyes turn to crimson anger. Reason flees when hatred mounts its frenetic steed. Off the racist conservatives go, galloping toward a tryst with witless disaster. Should they bring the entire country down, they care not. To them, a nation with a Black president is a nation not worth having. The battle over health insurance reform was a pretext masking the more intensely personal confrontation. The real targets of the Republican shutdown of government and the threat to default on the debt were Obama and the very idea of liberal government itself. After Obama won reelection, conservative politicians conspired, concocting a noxious plan to divest the President of any meaningful legacy. They vowed to fight tooth and nail against anything he did or proposed. So filled with venom are they, staunch Republicans would likely rebuff Obama even if his counteroffer were the identical mirror image of their initial policy offer.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

America and its debt showdown: Mad dash into lunacy Empires crumble because their latter sons know neither how to lead or be led.

â&#x20AC;˘Obama

BRIAN BROWNE

In part, they hope to so discredit the Obama presidency that the nation will reject the notion of another Black President for, at least, two generations. When they say they want to work with Obama, they don't have in mind the normal give-andtake of democratic governance. What they have in mind is more akin to how a vengeful hammer treats a recalcitrant nail. They seek to pound him into the woodwork. They see this as their holy secular mission. In the deepest chambers of their hearts where they speak the truth to themselves, they believe God intended America as a White nation. In effect, they see Providence as a founding member of the Ku Klux Klan. With this in mind, a Black president becomes an act of blasphemy; ousting him takes on the aspect of a religious crusade. Thus, the hard-core Republicans care little if their attempts against Obama appear clumsy or seem to backfire politically. They follow a calling higher than immediate political gain. They seek to return the nation back to its herrenvolk origins. Thus, the most racist wing of the Republican party, the Tea party, dared to shut down the government although the majority of Americans thought the act mean, if not insane. Just in case, they also have taken precautions that insulate them from political backlash. They have engineered and sculpted many congressional districts in a manner that only hard-line Republicans can win elections in these districts. Thus, their conservative radicalism will not drive them from office. Voters in this rapid districts will reward their racism with reelection and another stint in Washington to tear down the walls of liberal government friendly to racial and ethnic minorities and return it to its origin purpose as a bastion for White men. Conservative white men are now a minority report in American politics but Republican seek to revisit the day when all that mattered was the voice and vote of that group. America now lives in the second decade of the 21st century. These men would return her to the fifth decade of the 19th century, right before the nation warred against itself regarding that sticky little matter of slavery. The other objective of Republican brinksmanship is to dismantle the liberal portions of the American government. They detest the organs of government that provide social services to the old, the destitute, the sick, and the despondent.

They seek to disinter the bones of President Franklin Roosevelt, the author of the New Deal programs that established the social safety net for the people at the bottom of the economic totem. The Republicans want to cast Roosevelt and his New Deal into the darkest part of the deepest sea. Obama and Roosevelt are the Democratic presidents the Republicans most reviled. They hate Obama for who he is and despise Roosevelt for what he did. If they could torch the legacies of both in one fell swoop, the Republicans would have achieve their historic mission. Thus, they were willing to shun popular will to shut down government and even court debt default. They figured if their racist god is with them, then that skittish Black man standing against them would ultimately buckle and fold. Obama did not blink. He could not afford the weakness. He understood his political life and legacy hung in the balance. In the end, the Republicans caved on both points. They agreed to reopen government and to lift the debt ceiling. Obama won a decisive victory. He embarrassed and outflanked his foes or so a reasonable person might conclude. Herein, lies the future high jinks. Hardline Republicans are not reasonable. Having been struck to the marrow by the vocation of hatred, they are like lunatics wandering the marketplace, fanatics blind to but one thing. Normal political considerations are no guide to predicting their behavior. They will eagerly risk sinking the ship again if this tack brings them closer to their benighted grail. A careful reading of the deal struck with the Republicans shows that Obama won a major battle. But the outcome of the larger war remains cloaked in uncertainty. Under the deal, the budget and debt deadlines were merely pushed forward several months to give the two sides time to negotiate a plan to reduce government spending. In other words, this present deal merely brings Obama to the spot he occupied in late 2011m when he failed in negotiating a "grand bargain" with the Republicans. That time, the Republicans left him with egg on his face by rebuffing his overture although it favored their interests greatly. Ironically, Obama was saved by the refusal because there was nothing grand about bargain save its reliance on economic principles

that had been discredited by the recent recession. If enacted, the bargain would have helped the moneyed but been an injurious exchange for working class and poor Americans who comprise the bulk of the population. Under this initiative, President Obama proposed significant cuts to social services in pursuit of the counterproductive goal of balancing the federal budget. While Obama has gotten the better measure of the Republicans during this recent tempest, they also have his measure regarding how far he will bend on these fiscal matters. In 2011, he exposed a willingness to jettison chunks of the New Deal. In this, he walks in lockstep with the Republicans. Before, their racism blinded them to that fact. There is no reason to believe he will not bend again, if doing so will avert the twin disasters of a government shutdown and debt default. A shutdown and default are immediate calamities all will see and feel quickly; the whittling of the social safety architecture is a longer, more understated process impoverishing the people in gradual stages. Obama is susceptible to entering such an exchange for he is more adept at avoiding impending disaster than in navigation the country toward progressive, long-term economic policies and programs. I fear President Obama will see his recent victory over the Republicans not as a validation of the principle that he must combat their arch conservatism but as a validation of his gradual brand of the same economic and fiscal ideology. If so, his recent victory will be short-lived for he will quickly tender it in exchange for a longer-term strategic defeat of liberal and progressive principles. He would have won the recent war of nerves only to forfeit the ground won by surrendering to Republicans in the war of thoughts, the war of economic ideas. The notion that the federal budget should always be balanced or in surplus is inimical to sustained economic growth for America and the world. It is a simple matter of accounting. For government to enjoy a surplus inevitably means it attracts more revenue than it surrenders. This excess has to come from some place other than government. The surplus comes from the private sector. In other words, a government surplus requires the private sector collectively run a "fiscal deficit." The private sector must shrink accordingly. Instead of escorting in a period of economic growth and stability, there are few measure more certain to reduce growth or spur recession than this. Moreover, the American dollar is the world's reserve currency. This very status almost always requires America to run trade and fiscal deficits in order to keep the rest of the world supplied with enough dollars to lubricate global commerce. Attempting to run surpluses, yet stand as the reserve currency, is to seek contradictory objectives. It will be somewhat akin to reimposing the gold standard on global commerce. This will tend toward harmful deflation not handsome growth. Also the notion of a debt ceiling is a relic. The debt ceiling was created during World War I to curb war profiteering by merchants and industries converted from normal trade to fabricating and selling war materiel. This reason no longer exists as expenditure for war is no longer an extraordinary item. The American military expenditure has graduated from its ad-hoc nature during WW I to becoming one of the most complex, assiduously planned industrial endeavors known to mankind. Defense spending is now integral to the budget. War profiteering is no longer a special case to be held under close scrutiny. It is the norm; such spending is central to the institution of government and core to the American economy. It is no longer scrutinized but exalted. Also, the nation functioned under the gold standard at that time. Under the gold standard, deficits had to be resolved by a transfer from the nation's limited stock of gold to an eager, awaiting creditor. Today, deficits are

paid by the currency the government can readily print. To believe the American government can actually exhaust itself of the very currency it alone can print is to be believe in fables and useless canards. Lack of funds is something politicians say to deceive the people that government cannot afford to fund popular programs the politicians themselves dislike. American cannot run out of dollars any more than the ocean can be devoid of water. As the issuer of its own sovereign currency and a nation that pays all of its debts in that currency, America cannot go bankrupt unless it chooses to do so. Insolvency is not a problem. The nation can "print" a nearly inexhaustible supply of money. The more genuine problem is how to exercise the wisdom and discipline to know when to stop printing additional money because the marginal increase in money supply produces more inflation than it adds to real economic growth. Inflation, not insolvency, is the real barrier and concern. Thus, this crisis should have stoked debate exploring why a government that prints its own currency endures a system whereby it incurs additional debt to borrow the currency it prints. This issue was never raised during the crisis because establishment politicians, the orthodox media and the Money Power than finances the media and politics do not want ordinary people contemplating this question. If they understood the dimensions of the ruse played against them, the people might well demand such a refund as to shake the political economy to its elitist core. Government borrows its own money as part of an elaborate scheme to ensure profits to the biggest players in the financial system. These large financial houses hold most of the bonds government issues. These bonds are virtually risk free. Government has the unlimited ability to redeem them because government can issue currency to pay the debt obligation. Through this roundabout system where government borrows its own money, government guarantees sure profits to large bondholders. This is a form of corporate welfare dwarfing the welfare the poor and destitute obtain. Politicians dare not question the spendthrift welfare given to Money Power; yet they excoriate, as inflationary and wasteful, the welfare given to those so poor that they still find it hard to survive even with the benefit of this public assistance. Imagine the misery if they were to go it alone without the meager aid now given. In the end, the tussles over the government shutdown and debt default were distracting sideshows. A false morality play offering false choices between bad and worse has been presented to the people. All established politicians are co-conspirators in the subterfuge, some wittingly, most unwittingly. The debt default and government shutdown have been cast as villains that could wreck life as we know it. To avoid the villainy, "hard choices" must be made to curtail budget deficits by smiting social services to the working class and poor. Having once stared down the Republicans, Obama and establishment Democrats will tell the people that the coming deal is the best that can be had; sadly, the people will believe the lie and acquiesce in their own impoverishment. In so many ways, American democracy has cast mean incantations upon itself. No longer is it democracy of the people. It has regressed to being a democracy of the elite. The hard-line elite, the powerful Republicans, seek to blanch everything in sight. They seek a nation that once again resembles itself during a simpler, less complex time when the conservative White man stood supreme and none challenged that supremacy. The other elite, the powerful Democrats, believe in social justice but tempered with an economic doctrine so akin to the Republican's that the goal of social justice flees at the sight of a hardening economic reality. As such, the American people live a democracy that offers them a choice between bad and worse, sad and mean. The most depressing thing is the people know they have been had yet continue to seek rescue from the very people who have orchestrated the theft against them. Thus, beware of those who say they wish to bring the spirit of today's American democracy to your shores for that spirit is now a mercenary, venal ghost of its former self. 08060340825 (sms only)

COMMENT and ANALYSIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Talakawa Liberation Herald (35)

Jonathan’s SNC: a gathering of the Lekan elites, by the elites and for the elites? (2) Otufodunrin

BY BIODUN JEYIFO

READILY admit it: it is no easy task to link the urgent need to redefine relations between the centre and the geopolitical zones and states of the Nigerian federation toward equitable administrative and fiscal federalism with the equally urgent need to redistribute the wealth and resources of the country equitably between the few haves with the vast multitudes of the have-nots across the length and breadth of the country. Part of the difficulty lies in precisely the fact that, with few exceptions, the majority of the proponents of the SNC in Nigeria in the past few decades have not given much thought to the need to link the two. But there is another reason for this difficulty and it is this: everywhere in the world, it is always a daunting task to simultaneously fight for just and equitable distribution of wealth and resources between, on the one hand, the various parts of a nation and, on the other hand, between the few rich and the teeming masses of the poor and the dispossessed. And on this point, one of the great ironies - or perhaps tragedies - of the politics of just and equitable distribution of wealth and resources in the nation-states of the world is the fact that far too often, the poor and the disenfranchised themselves are successfully co-opted into service as foot soldiers of the struggles of political elites for equality and parity between the constituent or federating parts of nations. The postindependence history of Africa and other parts of the developing world is rife with the terrible consequences of this great misplacement of priorities and allegiances in which the poor and the dispossessed wage wars against one another at the behest of political elites whose one and only goal is to carve out ethnic or geopolitical fiefdoms for themselves. How does this general pattern apply to Nigeria and, more concretely, what is its relevance to the SNC? Even with its vast oil wealth, Nigeria is still a poor country and the struggle for sharing the nation’s resources equally between the geopolitical zones and ethnic groups of the country occupies a commanding space in the political imagination of our elites and their supporters, leaving little or no space for attention to the struggles of the poor and socially and politically marginalised across the length and breadth of the land. We know only too well the slogans, catchphrases and demands through which this fixation on sharing the nation’s wealth only among our elites are manipulatively framed by reference to the nation’s constituent parts. But just for the records, here are some of them: Whose turn is it to produce the next president? Why are appointments to key posts in the federal cabinet and directorships of major, lucrative parastatals so skewed in favour of particular zones and ethnic groups? Which zones of the country get the lion’s share of federal contracts? Ambassadors, heads of the different units of the armed services, the large entourage of favored elites that typically accompany the President on his countless foreign trips, cronies who get generous grants to make government-sponsored pilgrimages to Mecca and Jerusalem, Pro-Chancellors and Heads of Council of our universities – how well do they reflect the federal char-

•Map of Nigeria

acter of the nation? Why must responsibility for many public services and amenities like policing, education, health, licensing of companies, registering of patents, youth development, and sports and recreation be located at Abuja when they could be much better organized and dispensed at the state or local level? And again, let us state the most weighty and portentous of then all: Whose geopolitical and ethno-national turn is it to produce the next president? And when he is elected – so far, it has always been a “he” – will he use the vast concentration of power and authority in his office to the benefit of all parts of the country rather than just his own “people”, his own region? If the reader of this piece has noticed or suspected a note of sarcasm in my profile of these elements of the politics of ethnic and geopolitical manipulation among our elites, I readily admit that, yes, I am being somewhat sarcastic here. This is because I look around me and I observe that the only people who have really benefitted from the struggles for fair sharing of resources among all the parts of the country have been our elites, pure and simple. But having made this admission, I will be the first to also admit that no matter how much sarcasm one may make about how elites from different parts of the country manipulate struggles over the sharing of the nation’s wealth and resources between the constituent parts of the nation to their own benefit, this kind of politics will always be with us. I repeat: just as no nation in the world has transcended the politics of revenue sharing among all the demographic and geopolitical units of any given nation, so will we in our country always have to contend with this politics of equitable balance of forces between the parts within the whole. But then there arises the absolutely crucial question of the other side of the equation in the sharing of the wealth and resources of nations between the rulers and the ruled, the wealthy and the poor, the powerful and the powerless. The happy nations and societies of the world combine these two levels and forms of political struggles over the sharing of resources; the unhappy nations and societies keep them apart simply by substituting one for the other. In other words, in the more progressive and egalitarian nations of the world, simultaneously as every

“Like many others who have commented on this subject, I too wonder why Jonathan, who has steadfastly refused to consider, let alone talk of the necessity of the SNC for many years now, all of a sudden decided to spring this surprise on us all at precisely the moment of great weakness and total loss of sense of direction in his presidency. But I suggest that this is no reason to boycott the SNC, given a readiness to get out of the proceedings at the very first signs that Jonathan has his own agenda, his own secret reasons for convening the conference”

effort is made to cement equitable distribution of resources between different parts of a nation, strenuous efforts are also made to prevent wide gaps between the rich and the poor of all parts of the nation. Our own country is such a tragically unhappy and unstable land at the present time precisely because with regard to this principle that operates among all the nations of the world, we have for the most part kept rigidly apart the distribution of resources between the different parts of the country and the distribution of resources between the tiny minority that have too much and the vast majority that have far too little. If Jonathan’s SNC does in fact take place look, compatriot, for the conference to be dominated in composition and agenda by political elites whose primary, if not exclusive interest will be to redefine or redraw the lines of power and sovereignty between the centre and the states of the federation and between the different geopolitical zones and ethno-national communities of the country. Look for great attentiveness of the confreres to fiscal and administrative federalism. Look for talk of resource control and the principle of derivation. Look even for much talk around the idea of a rotational or collegiate presidency. There is nothing inherently wrong in having these themes or ideas robustly engaged at the coming SNC. Only let us not fool ourselves into believing that Jonathan’s SNC can have any iota of credibility or legitimacy if the terrible social and economic conditions of the great majority of Nigerians at the present time are excluded from the deliberations or are deferred to another day, another SNC of the future. There is no shortage of very knowledgeable, wise, just and patriotic individuals and civil society groups in our country that can ably represent these interests at the SNC. And also: workers, tradesmen and women, professional associations, youth organizations, pensioners representatives, all have able leaders and spokespersons aplenty that can present the experience and aspirations of the masses of ordinary Nigerians at the SNC. Their inclusion in the SNC of Jonathan would be about the only indicator, the only guarantee we have that the President is not thinking of convening a gathering of political elites, by the elites and for the elites. Like many others who have commented on this subject, I too wonder why Jonathan, who has steadfastly refused to consider, let alone talk of the necessity of the SNC for many years now, all of a sudden decided to spring this surprise on us all at precisely the moment of great weakness and total loss of sense of direction in his presidency. But I suggest that this is no reason to boycott the SNC, given a readiness to get out of the proceedings at the very first signs that Jonathan has his own agenda, his own secret reasons for convening the conference. Almost without exception, the Jonathan presidency has botched just about every opportunity that has come its way to rid the land of insecurity, mounting levels of poverty and immiseration, disunity, statist and non-statist violence and anxiety and fear around the coming elections of 2015. Perhaps, but only perhaps, this coming SNC may be his and our last chance to arrest the nation’s drift toward chaos, anarchy or worse. Biodun Jeyifo bjeyifo@fas.harvard.edu

Otufodunrin@thenationonlineng.net 08050498530 (SMS only)

Success and failure are predictable

ONCE heard a speaker whose name I can’t make a profound statement about success and failure being predictable. According to him, there is nothing like overnight success or failure. He said there is usually a build up to the climax of success or failure. It is common for people to say that they have always known that some people who excelled in various spheres of life would succeed based on what they knew about them. When people succeed, there is usually a track record of hard work, diligence and commitment to success by the person which may be known or unknown to those around him or her. Successful people are known to be outstanding and extraordinary. Giving an insight into the secret of his accomplishment, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo said he was always busy at his desk at night when some of his colleagues were busy carousing the streets for women of easy virtue. Conversely, when some people fail, it doesn’t come as a surprise to those who know them well for their lackadaisical attitude to life and whatever they are supposed to do. Failures are most times lazy people who treat their assignment with levity and take for granted what they should take seriously. When others are putting in their all to succeed, they depend on luck and chances which usually fail them. While there may be a few cases where some people are unlucky and the outcome of their result is not a true reflection of their true efforts. Generally, as the speaker noted, what you give is what you get. I was reminded about the above analysis by the speaker following the outcome of the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Awards held penultimate Saturday in South Africa . I am particularly thrilled by the victory of the Sunday Editor, Punch, Toyosi Ogunseye who I knew when she was still a student writing for The Sun newspaper. I also congratulate Tolu Ogunlesi who like Ogunseye is winning his second award at the prestigious competition. I vividly remember Ogunseye, applying for the Young Journalists Award in 2005 in which she was not among the top five. Years later, she returned in 2009 to emerge the first runner-up in the same award and has also won other major media awards and fellowships by dint of hard work and commitment to professional excellence. Ogunseye’s success in journalism and meteoric rise was indeed predictable, considering the passion she had brought to bear on her work from the very early stage of her career. I am not surprised she won the Environment Category. I am surprised she didn’t win the overall prize. Ogunlesi’s s versatility in writing for various local and international publications speaks volume of what it takes to be an award-winning journalist. I also congratulate Geoff Iyatse of The Guardian whose entry was highly commended by the judges. The trio join the distinguished list of Nigerian journalists like Declan Okpalaeke, Ibiba Don Pedro and Shola Oshunkeye who have won the overall prize in past years and others who have won in various categories. Congratulations Toyosi and Tolu for your well-deserved, predictable victory in the continental media award.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Comment & Analysis

Religion in age of social and moral crises O

NE of the most notable developments in religion in Nigeria since Islam and Christianity supplanted the indigenous systems of belief and worship is the transformation of the adopted exogenous faiths themselves. A particularly momentous phase of this transformation began in the last five or so decades, in the course of the socio-economic turbulence that has characterised much of the postcolonial era. Like most changes in the country since independence, the developments in religion have not been particularly positive, or done much to sustain the values and ideals of religion. For one thing, the country has lacked the political/ intellectual/clerical leadership capable of applying the essence of the adopted faiths to the practicalisation of a functional ideology or ethic. And even though the universities have done little to explore the ancestral religions for their philosophy and potential in spiritual and moral values, devotees of the dominant proselytising faiths have proved largely incapable of assimilating their adopted creeds’ basic ideals. These ideals themselves have subsequently all but disappeared into the maws of postcolonial adversities. Thus, what passes for religion today is little more than a compulsive recourse to vacuous, superstitious rituals, for evoking supernatural “breakthroughs” to prosperity. Practically devoid, if not contemptuous, of values or genuine spirituality, the most “successful” of the new churches are veritable commercial ventures. Besides, while posing as a salvationist institution, like politics with which it has become closely allied, religion has become a major component of the country’s fundamental problems. Ironically, the impetus for what grew to become an unconscionable “materialisation” (or despiritualisation) of religion began as a crusade for “holiness”. This mission was organised by university students in western Nigeria, who were members, in the early 1970s, of the then students’ Christian associations. The prayer and bible-reading groups eventually started a revival emphasising the fundamentals of Christian

By G.A. Akinola

belief and the need to be “born-again”. From the universities at Ibadan and Ile-Ife, the new movement gathered strength and spread to other parts of western Nigeria and the rest of the country, especially the large urban centres. Most significantly, it was individual members of this students movement that subsequently founded or reinforced what became the “Deeper Christian Life” and the “Living Faith” (a.k.a. Winners Chapel), the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) and other big charismatic Christian churches. Within the constraints of the experience and resources of its organisers, the Nigerian university students’ Christian awakening of the 1970s would compare favourably with the 18th Century evangelical revival in Europe, especially its Wesleyan manifestation in England. One might find the revival’s fundamentalist worldview and the fetishisation of the Bible medieval, but the spiritual aspirations appeared to have been genuine, while the idea of turning away from old ways, and of making restitution for moral infractions were taken seriously. However, the striving after “holiness” soon yielded to a harnessing of faith with crass materialism, with far-reaching adverse consequences for societal mores and values. Although the prosperity gospel was developed in the United States, the aggravation of socio-economic instability in Nigeria from the early 1980s made the new doctrine attractive as a magic-formula remedy to all problems, material or spiritual. Yet, what was generally being interpreted as spiritual issues and therefore amenable to prescribed rituals and faith, were basically existential and psychological problems arising from the failure of governance. This is why Pentecostalism has been truly described as a Third World phenomenon. The prosperity doctrine itself is simple enough: Believe in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Thereafter, since God can do all things (and there are scriptures aplenty to “prove” this), all that is needed is faith. Thus the prosperity gospel became the fountain of unlimited hope (some would say illusion) regardless of the

reality of ever-declining prospects of minimal survival for most people. This was the beginning of an explosion in the building of churches and mosques, many of them ramshackle structures. There was also a new class of clerics, the so-called pastors many of whom were produced outside the established mission churches. As long as these barely literate preachers could read the Bible and pay for half-an-hour air time on public television, they were in the business of making a living off the dissemination of pseudo-spiritual, often socially toxic, doctrines. The ensuing commercialisation of religion was a product of multiple factors, for example unemployment and growing destitution, which created clients of disoriented folk that needed the services of freelance “pastors” posing as diviners and undertaking “deliverance” from “demons”, “witches”, and other occult malevolent forces allegedly responsible for every imaginable distress. It was graduate charismatic pastors, like Oyedepo and Oyakhilome, who transformed evangelisation into big business, while the likes of Adeboye brought their neoChristian Pentecostal churches into increasing liaison with incumbent rulers. Meanwhile, the Pentecostal explosion had compelled the established churches to modify their mode of worship and to adopt some of the Pentecostal doctrines in order to survive. The influence of Pentecostalism on Islam has been no less profound. It is not far-fetched to see the rise of militancy within Muslim sects and the violent uprisings that began in northern Nigeria about the mid-1980s as reactions, at least in part, to the spread of neo-Christian influence. Among the factors which ultimately changed the face of religion in Nigeria was the predatory materialism of a bubble prosperity from an oil rentier economy. The crisis in this economy in the late 1970s, and from the early 1980s to the end of the millennium and beyond, was another factor. These crises fueled instability and engendered considerable hardships. Above all, one of the measures for safeguarding economic collapse, namely currency devaluation, under a “structural adjustment

programme”, evoked massive erosion of societal values unprecedented since colonial times. The socio-economic upheavals ultimately translated into social, psychological and medical problems which failure of governance practically put beyond anything but fitful amelioration. This was the background to the pretensions of religion as the panacea to every problem facing the country. Accordingly, a metaphysical explanation ascribing these problems to evil and other occult powers was put forward. Then, a comprehensive therapy consisting of “deliverance”, “exorcism”, and wishmaking a.k.a prayers) was introduced. These “ministrations” at “revivals” and “vigils” have gone on now for over four dacades. Yet, the problems, rather than ameliorate, have worsened. But the crowds at the vigils and religious houses have not abated, nor has the faithfuls’ hope diminished that, someday, the prophetic panaceas will, with prayers, materialise. In the meantime, the combination of faith in magical prosperity, which preachers have encouraged believers to crave and expect, in addition to increasing aggravation of socio-economic woes, has begotten what may, for want of a better term, be called a “popular religion” which has become a symbol of Nigeria’s identity, as well as an accessory to decadence and widespread corruption. Popular religion is a complex of conditioned attitudes, rituals, and beliefs, acknowledging the supernatural as a “power” resource to be invoked for magical success in all ventures, and for the solution of all imaginable problems. Essentially composed of beliefs, mythologies and rituals of Semitic provenance, it also displays basic traditional African elements, as well as imprints of contemporary socio-economic turmoil. However, the amalgam is neo-Christian in the garb it wears, in its doctrines, and in rhetoric. Popular religion is, nevertheless, not to be equated with Pentecostalism from which it has, admittedly, borrowed several elements. Indeed, popular religion owes a lot to popular Continued on page 18

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Comment & Analysis

A dialogue without power President Jonathan’s decision that the national conference will report to the National Assembly makes the whole affair a waste of time and money

ESS than a month after President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled his ambition to set sail on a national conference, his ambition has begun to unravel. He has said that the report of the national conference will be sent to the National Assembly for approval. This statement exposed the whole definition of the conference from the presidency’s point of view. He sees the national conference as a mere opportunity to dialogue without power. If the conference had a fundamental power to reenunciate its dreams, redefine its ethos and politics, restructure the nation and vouchsafe our past to a future rippling with clear vision, why would it report to the National Assembly? This has not only exposed President Jonathan’s parochial standpoint on the matter, but also clarified the contrast for those who have called for a sovereign national conference. The difference between both positions is now potent. For Jonathan, the conference will be an anaemic affair, even if full of debates, disagreements and the theatre of backslapping. It could debate the issue of state police, the cartography of revenue allocation, the furies of insecurity and the darkness cast over our education system. In the final analysis, the lawmakers will decide what they want and what to discard. Has the same National Assembly not been engaged in such parley across the country in the name of constitutional amendments? What results have emanated from them? According to the Jonathan agenda, once the conference has completed its work, the presidency would append its assent. For those calling for a national conference of the sovereign type, the issue is more sober. It entails a representation of people from all over the country, covering ethnicity, geography, class and tendencies. The result will not be subject to any special institution like the National Assembly, the presidency and it is above the power of the courts for any sort of adjudication. It is a sovereign in miniature having embodied the soul of the entire nation in trust.

READ this piece on the back page of a national daily of 17th Oct 2013 by Abimbola Adelakun and commend the writer’s informed views on many of the issues. I, however, have serious disagreement with the writer on some of the issues highlighted. The writer wrote “My preliminary assessment of the reclassification remedy masquerading as a revamp of the education sector is that it is meretricious, and does not demonstrate genuine commitment to resolving the problems of education …. Why do governors go for artificial restructuring while they neglect the real issues of funding, curriculum content development, continuous teacher retraining among others? “ The question is a valid question when asked generally. However, in the spirit of responsible intellectual discuss, I would have expected the writer to have made an effort to find out (through any sources) what Aregbesola’s government may have done/ or failed to do on these specific issues raised and then comment agreeing, disagreeing, or advising in relation to them. Otherwise how do you expect a thinking government to respond without restructuring

This means the sovereign body cannot be appointed as perfunctorily as President Jonathan has done. It is a matter of national survival and progress. If, as President Jonathan has declared, the conference representatives will not be hamstrung by any fetters, including the issue of the survival of the nation, why would they want any existing institution to decide on the wisdom or foolishness of their submissions? The conference, among other things, will discuss the essences of the presidency and the National Assembly. It will decide how the representatives are elected, what powers they should wield, what kind of funding they could amass, how they relate to the electorate and the limits of their swagger. As it regards the National Assembly, it will also have to deliberate whether we need a National Assembly, or whether we need a bi-camera or unicamera legislature, and the modes of representation and operation. In the sort of debate and powers without fetters, the sovereign national conference could decide that the way both institutions are constituted do not chime with the popular will. If that is the case, the National Assembly suffused with persons who might want to retain the status quo, may decide to assign the full report of the conference to a committee, and the process may end up restoring the status quo for the National Assembly. Not just that, other aspects of the report that today’s decrepit elite may oppose may become subjects of lobbying.

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

At the end, fundamental aspects of the report would have been either deleted or diluted, leaving for the presidency a corrupted version of the people’s will. The presidency, also aware of its interests, may do same. The people’s position would have been compromised, and the final copy a mockery of intense work done by the people’s representatives. But if the people have finished their work, what will be left? It will be subjected to a plebiscite, and the majority of the people will be asked to either endorse the document or reject this. From historical examples, such conferences often exercise tremendous power because they are a precursor to a fundamental change in the way things are run. Its existence necessarily curtails powers of all institutions as they pertain to the conference’s powers. No chief executive or legislature can assume powers over those of the conference. Those may be the nuances that are troubling President Jonathan and his fellow travellers. That accounts for their decision to subject the people’s will to a coterie of interested men and women. Other nations have passed through that process, whether it was the United States, Britain, France, Germany or even South Africa. It is not often a tea party. It offers an opportunity for unflattering introspection. Every tribe or region or class will spill its views with unvarnished candour, and the conference will have to distill every word or body through the rigour of debates and sundry other engagements. It is an opportunity for histories and cultures of different parts of the country to collide and align. That is why we have called a national conference a dialogue with power, not one as ritual. If we follow the pattern President Jonathan has set in motion, we cannot avoid the conclusion that it is another exercise in squander-mania and diversion. It is a rigmarole that will lead back to where we have always been. It is a dialogue without power.

LETTERS

Re: The Christians against Aregbesola to optimise resources, between for example a school with 15 teachers and 120 students population and another with 30 teachers and 600 students, both with dilapidated structures which are in such sorry state that even animals will complain being there. It is widely reported that Aregbesola’s government increased running cost of schools - given to principals to maintain schools - which he met at between N200 to N600 per month depending on the size of the school (Two hundred to six hundred Naira) to N400 per pupil per term implying a movement from N600 Naira per term to N40,000 (forty thousand) per term for a school with hundred pupils. It has also been reported that more than 2000 teachers have been retrained in collaboration with Osun State University in a continuous process of teacher re-training while substantial work has been done in terms of curriculum and provision of instructional materials including books, learning aids and

Opon Imo, the internationally acclaimed Tablet of Knowledge. Same government has been commended by UNICEF and several international agencies and won awards for providing nutritionally rich free meals to pupils in primary 1-4, provision of free school uniforms to about 750,000 students in public schools, increase in examination and running grants to schools and reduction in school fees in state-owned tertiary institutions. Going by the National Education Policy there is no secondary school as we used to know it in the 70s and 80s. Now what we have is the 9years Universal Basic Education – which enjoys financial support from the Federal Government - and 3 years Senior Secondary School which is entirely state funded. The 9years is further divided in Lagos and some states which have attempted to implement it properly as 6 years primary, 3 years Junior Secondary and

3 years Senior Secondary. The Junior and Senior Secondary Schools are run as distinct schools with different structures and administrative heads. Aregbesola’s government’s reclassification has not done anything to affect this 9years, 3-years structure and it is not the basis of any of the current complaints from CAN or any of the religious organisations. The current complaints are fallouts of the infrastructure upgrade and the need to maximise physical, human and financial resources. Has the writer checked the state of any of such schools before and the replacement structures constructed by Aregbesola’s government which necessitated the restructuring and reclassification before using words like meretricious or madcap to describe such efforts Must we in the name of demonstrating writing skill use such a word that if incor-

rect in usage portrays the user as not only unfair and discouraging of genuine efforts at nation building, but also as indecent? Osun Baptist Conference has a mixed-sex secondary school in Osogbo founded in year 2000 – Zion Baptist High School (in the premises of a school formerly called Newton Memorial ) but are against mixing boys and girls in government -owned school which name was retained as Baptist school. Same Baptist changed Baptist Boys High School in Iwo to Baptist High School to put girls there several years ago and it is still a mixed –sex school till today after government take over. So in Iwo the complaint is different from Osogbo, it is Hijab and not mixing of sexes. It is because we run a deceptive and lawless society that any group of people can claim ownership of whatever kind, on schools taken over 38 years ago through the instrumentality of the law which

they have not challenged in court. They have for all intent and purposes not contributed to further development of the schools and do not pay teachers or any of the workers in the schools. They have gone ahead to found and run new schools with permissions from government. In other places where people have respect for rules and laws and respect for the rights of other citizens, they will be prosecuted and fined for disrupting the peace. They will be held in very low esteem by the populace as liars and people working against the interest of the common man. But here religious leaders buy private jets without any other means of income beyond exploitation of the gullible and the society idolises them. If we must call a spade its name, CAN, Baptist, Muslims and any other so called religious organisations claiming ownership on the schools, are being economical with the truth and except society rises up irrespective of our faiths against the indefensible, the self emancipation desired to make positive changes in our lives will continue to be illusory. - Kola Omotunde-Young, Oke Fia, Osogbo

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Comment & Analysis

What quick way to abort a National Conference! Ropo Sekoni ropo.sekoni @thenationonlineng.net

RESIDENT Jonathan's most recent statement on the national conference he proposed about two weeks ago has almost thrown the idea back in the ocean of doubt that had characterised the efforts of those who tried the idea before him. More importantly, the president has himself applauded Senator Bola Tinubu as an infallible analyst of Nigerian party politics and as the prophet whose assessment of Jonathan's presidency must not be missed. The worrisome part of Jonathan's assurances to his visitors on the occasion of the just concluded Muslim festival is his taking back with the left hand what he offered with the right hand just two weeks ago. While several commentators on the announcement of a committee to work out modalities for a national conference "to provide a platform that will reinforce the ties that bind the country's many ethnic nationalities and ensure that Nigeria's immense diversity continues to be a source of strength and greatness," have, despite their awareness of the problems with governance of the country in the last four years, been pleading that the message be separated from the messenger, President Jonathan himself assured Nigerians on the last day of this year's Eid-El-Kabir that it is more appropriate to conflate the

Femi Orebe femi.orebe @thenationonlineng.net 08056504626 (sms only)

HEN I indicated last week that this Sunday's article will be a peep into Fayemi's 2nd term, some people must have wondered whether I am a Nostradamus or simply playing god. I answer no, to both charges as all I am going to do, like the typical student of society, is to critically interrogate events and trends and from them, draw justifiably valid conclusions. Writing in The Nation of Monday, October 14, 2013, Sam Omatseye, the paper's Editorial Board Chairman, observed as follows : 'When on 16, October 2010, governor Fayemi was sworn in, I wrote in this column about the high road ahead of him, and wondered how he was going to tackle a state so idealistic, yet so forlorn. Within a year and half, I drove through the streets of AdoEkiti, and witnessed a transformation at variance with what obtained while I left the city on the day of his swearing in: the streets narrow, unlit and dustladen, the houses discoloured, the brow of its inhabitants shorn of optimism, Ekiti did not seem, even with its new chaperon's good intentions, capable of the lift you see in its streets today'. Also writing on the same subject, 23 December, 2012, my brother, Tunde Fagbenle, said: 'over the years, even those little graces -earlier itemised had wilted and become virtually the stuff of distant memories. Ekiti land, with all its vaunted brains, had proved not immune to the malaise of a country gone to the dogs; the fate that befell her had befallen virtually the entire old West. Successive (PDP) governments had been preoccupied with the glamour and self-

That the definition of the political reality of Nigeria by the North is starkly different from that of the South indicates that the division in the country is very deep. message and the messenger. What an easy way for a ruling president to confirm the prescience of his opposition leader! But the emphasis today is not on President Jonathan's attempt to preempt a committee he set up only fifteen days ago nor to castigate him for quickly confirming Senator Tinubu's fears. He will not be the first president in recent times to make nonsense of his advisers. President Olusegun Obasanjo said when he was swearing in his Special Advisers a few years ago that he did not appoint them because he wanted to take their advice and that they should always remember that he was under no obligation to take their advice. The advisers still accepted to be sworn in, even when the person who appointed them told them upfront that the game was over. President Jonathan does not have the brusqueness of Obasanjo, but by announcing his intention to send the outcomes of the conference to the national assembly as part of items for amendment, he too has shown that he is ready to do the job of the committee whenever he chooses to do so. The purpose of today's piece is to let the president and his advisers know that opting to send the outcomes of the national conference to the legislators that have been talking about amending the 1999 Constitution for over two years is a quick way to abort the conference before its due date. It is necessary to discuss the implications of following President Jonathan's new route to "providing a platform to reinforce the ties that bind the country's many ethnic

nationalities and ensure that Nigeria's immense diversity continues to be a source of strength and greatness." To believe that the national assembly, as presently structured, can transform conference outcomes to amendments during the life of the current assembly is unrealistic. The assembly has not been able to agree on items that grew up within its chambers in over two years; it is not likely to be able to digest new constitutional provisions arrived at by a conference that may not include members of the national assembly. In addition, the national assembly itself is part of the problem that a national conference is to address, particularly the lop-sided nature of the House of Representatives in favour of the North, the site of the longest and loudest opposition to calls for sovereign national conference or a constitutional conference to craft a people's constitution. This approach is, as I said in a recent book: Federalism and the Yoruba Character, similar to attempting to cure drunkenness with more drunkenness. Nigerians have since its inception challenged the accurateness of the census upon which the proportional representation that created the current national assembly was made. Leaving the outcomes of the conference to the national assembly to ratify is making the conference to be dead on arrival, as people say in popular language. Given the vitriolic nature of opposition from the North to calls for sovereign national conference or constitutional conference, expecting the current national assembly to ratify any recommendations from

Jonathan's national conference is oversanguine. For example, some northern governors have been reported to refuse to send people from his state to any conference. Some leaders from the North have started singing war songs, to counter calls for national conference.Pundits from the North have argued that our constitution is not the problem and that it is the people that use the constitution that need to be upgraded. Just as President Jonathan was assuring his visitors that the final destination of the conference outcomes is the national assembly, the spokesman for the most authoritative socio-cultural organisation from the North Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said unapologetically: "The ACF does not believe that the problem with Nigeria is the structure of the country or the pattern of governanceâ&#x20AC;Ś.For now, we do not have any position to present to them [the Advisory Committee] because we did not ask for a conference in the first place." On the contrary, Ohaeneze Ndigbo has agreed to meet on Saturday to produce a position for the Committee's visit to the former Eastern Region while Chief Reuben Fasoranti'sAfenifere and the AfenifereRenewal Group have completed position papers to take to the Committee's first meeting in the former Western Region in Akure. That Nigeria is a divided country does not need the expertise of rocket scientists to decipher. Two of the three regions that agreed to go into one Nigeria at independence in 1960 are ready to send delegates to attend the preliminary fact-finding meeting of the Committee set up by President Jonathan with

spokespersons for federating units, the unity of which the proposed conference is designed to reinforce while the third region has already announced a boycott. Offering to send the outcomes of the conference to the national assembly on the same day that ACF indicated its intention not to be bothered by any zonal meeting in Jos or Minna, can possibly be interpreted to mean an attempt to assure the North that there is nothing to worry about. Everybody in the country knows that without any cooperation from northern members in the national assembly, there can be no two-thirds to alter one sentence in the current constitution, even after years of conference deliberations. That the definition of the political reality of Nigeria by the North is starkly different from that of the South indicates that the division in the country is very deep. And this situation should worry anyone that cares about Nigeria. The claim that President Jonathan has not suggested any NoGo areas is countered by his most recent decision to use the national assembly, a body that has, like the country's 774 local governments, grown out of decades of political redesigning of Nigeria by military dictators. Given the new confusion created by the president's latest decision, it is advisable for president Jonathan to let his advisory committee members give him some advice on how to proceed. Pre-empting the committee in any way is likely to dampen the spirit of the millions of Nigerians who want a platform to provide ideas that can reinforce the ties that bind Nigeria's ethnic nationalities together over the years and ensure that the country's immense diversity becomes a source of strength and greatness for the parts and the whole of the 'Federal Republic of Nigeria."

A peep into Fayemiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second term Kayode Fayemi's second term, built solely on the grace of God, and excellent performance is already assured opportunities of office. Lacking in depth, vision and commitment, governance was essentially cosmetic and nothing beyond how to share the monthly dole from Abuja between individual pockets and token gestures of attention to desolate infrastructure within the governor's very limited horizon'. What they failed to mention with every justified specificity is that from whichever direction you are entering Ekiti today, the minute you hit a smoothly paved road, and could sleep seamlessly if you are chauffeurdriven, you can be sure you are in Ekiti. Such is the amazing network of roads the administration has delivered in three years that you would not but marvel. To the chagrin of not a few, I have myself written so copiously about these achievements that many are beside themselves with rage but what do I care since these are self-evident things. I have written, ad nauseam too, that a scintilla of apology, I have not, on that score since the Holy Writ admonishes us to adore and seek the good of our little Jerusalem. Indeed, anyone in doubt about my adulation of an administration wholly in the service of Ekiti people should do what the journalist in Tunde Fagbenle did visit: to see that of a truth: FAYEMI IS TESTED AND TRUSTED, as was boldly captured on one of the signposts at the mammoth 3rd Anniversary Rally in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, 16, October, 2013 which, not even the very busy, highly regarded Ekiti icon, Aare Afe Babalola, a lover of good things, could afford to miss. Omatseye and Fagbenle's words above vividly capture the Ekiti experience until the inauguration of the Fayemi administration and, as the immortal Awo says, since the raison dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;etre of government is to work for the good and happiness of the greater majority of its citizenry, there

is not the faintest hope, that the good people of Ekiti will ever again elect to go back to those days of rudderlessness and outright profanity, of six governors in seven years - indeed, one was for a day. And because the Ekiti people have twice demonstrated, at elections, that they would see those Egyptians no more, it follows syllogically and realistically, that Fayemi's second term is, by the grace of God, already assured. But didn't I recently write on this page that power is not served ala carte, especially in Nigeria with the PDP's ever inventive rigging machine permanently at work? Without a doubt, that party, with its many lackeys and quislings, its Labour Party shadowy ally, and all, it will stop at nothing in its attempt to hang on to its induced minor irritation within the APC in the state , to attempt to rig the 2014 election in the manner of the Offa broad day robbery and the more recent macabre dance in the Edo Bye election where it was alleged security men fragrantly protected ballot box snatchers. Add to this, the story going the rounds in the entire Southwest today, that President Jonathan intends to make the Ekiti and Osun elections a staging post for his 2015 ambition and you know there can be no putting anything beyond a party that has been so thoroughly savaged in the Southwest. But they will need to think again. We have asked those of them who still bother to read to go read, or re-read, Dare Babarinsa's 'House of War' and to remember that Ekiti was an integral part of those historic days in Ondo state. Happily, they can boast of some key dramatis personae of that era among their leaders. It was also in circumstances such as this, that I told, then President Yar' Adua, when our own Yoruba men of power advised

him to inundate Ekiti with soldiers ahead the rerun election that, to ever successfully rig again in Ekiti, he would have to come accompanied with coffins since he would have to literally kill Ekitis to the last man. And that, incidentally, was at a time Ekiti people did not know Fayemi beyond his democracy activism and, therefore, a time when good governance, security of life and property, multi-sectoral development and care for the needy and the elderly among us, were mere dreams. That was also a time when, to savour a good road, you would have to take a trip to Fashola's Lagos state. But Fayemi we now know, in words and work, in commitment and focus, very much beyond description. We are well aware that the PDP is no lover of good things. To dispute this, they should point us to their worthwhile legacies, over an 8-year period, across the Southwest whose education they ran aground and left with a depleted and decaying infrastructure. Even with President Obasanjo in office, the Ibadan-Benin Road, which traverses major Southwest cities, was broken into two at Igbara-Oke and you were lucky if your car survived a journey. Week in, week out, at the end of his every Federal Executive Committee meeting, multi-billion naira contracts were announced for various irrigation projects in the North with none ever coming to the Southwest. So appalling was it that at AGBAJO YORUBA, a nascent PanYoruba Socio-Cultural organisation under the interim leadership of Lt. General Akinrinade, a rapid response team, headed by respected Professor Jide Osuntokun, was set up to decry the complete marginalisation of the Southwest. I laughed the other day when I saw them now head to Abuja, their tails

behind their backs, to confront the president with allegations of Southwest marginalisation. It is funny, a people who know nothing beyond self, as exemplified by their poster boys, Chief Bode George and Kashamu permanently being at each other's throat, think they can deceive Yoruba people again. Like their compatriots in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti people have seen the light and can no longer be deceived. Visit any of these states today and try to mentally picture what it was like a mere five years ago (minus Lagos). In Oyo all you remember is a skin-toning governor superintending over the dirtiest city in Africa. Visit today and see the Ajimobi wonder; the very reason some lazy bones are wimping over a bridge all, but a few, commend. Think of Ogun and what readily comes to mind is the Wale Adedayo's alleged experience. Osun was under a soldier who is today having his comeuppance, while in Ekiti it was one day one trouble. Every PDP wannabe governorship candidate in Ekiti or Osun should come back home and point to what he/she did for his community after so many years of Abuja derived opulence. Happily too, Baba has gone, and there can be no more 'fehingbepon' - impunity - or a rehash of any mama losing her Christian conscience. Ekiti will be too vigilant for them this time around as we, historically, do not fight unless you went out of your way to want to play us. It is then you see the lion in these genial people of honour. Those among them who would be tempted to play lackeys for the sake of 'oyele' (oil) money or appointments, should therefore think twice; as by the special grace of God, Kayode Fayemi's second term, built solely on the grace of God, and excellent performance, is already assured.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Tunji

Adegboyega tunjade@yahoo.co.uk 08054503906 (sms only)

USTICE Ayo Salami, former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) finally retired

from service on October 15. His case is one good example to show that the judiciary should not be in the hands of politicians, particularly when you have the kind of power mongers that are ruling the country today. All right-thinking Nigerians know that the discipline of judges starts and ends with the National Judicial Council (NJC). Unfortunately, the NJC at the time of the Salami crisis took the matter to President Goodluck Jonathan, who quickly seized the opportunity to exercise powers he obviously did not have, simply because it suited his partisan interest. At the risk of repeating myself, I dare say, without fear or favour, and without fear of contradiction that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not win the elections that it claimed it won in 2007 in the southwest. Those of 2003 were probably understandable; the people in charge of political leadership in the region committed political hara-kiri which made them lose the states, with the exception of Lagos, to the rampaging PDP. The saving grace for Lagos then was the political sagacity of the political leaders there, particularly the then Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who saw through the shenanigans of President Obasanjo and refused to flow with him.

Postscript, Unlimited! By

Oyinkan Medubi 07057012862 (SMS only) puchuckles7@gmail.com

HERE is a simple but strong dictum I believe in and it goes thus, 'when all else fails, eat.' Well, there must be an awful lot of failures around me for I suddenly find that my pair of bathroom scales has begun to tell lies again. (Sigh!) That's p-uspeak for saying that I seem to be gaining weight. But, you really cannot believe everything these scales tell you. It's a little like that joke about a grandmother who told her grandchild that when people die they turn to dust. Well, what does the child do but to look under her bed and conclude that people are dying there because it is full of dust? So, I now wonder, what failures can be causing me to take refuge in the traditional comfort that food provides? Actually, there is a long list. First, there's government's failure, then there's government's failure, and then there's more government's failure. Seriously, any average newspaper reader would have come to the conclusion that there is a great deal of government bashing in the

Comment & Analysis

An untainted judge Justice Salami retires with his head high However, as the leopard can never change its spot, the PDP that took over the south west after the 2003 election soon showed its true colour. To say that it did not know what to do with the power placed on its laps on a platter of gold in the election would be charitable because it knew what to do with it and in fact made a fetish of its misrule. It was not long for the politically sophisticated southwest people to realise that the PDP had no development blueprint for the region that used to be a pace setter in the country. Soon, the region began to witness the decadence for which the ruling party is notorious, a thing that made the Yoruba people swore to sack the PDP from the region. This they did with their feet and their votes in the 2007 election. Unfortunately, the PDP chieftains as usual, so enjoyed the government houses that they were not ready to leave the stage even after they had been voted out. That was an era when people who claimed they won governorship election lacked the courage to be sworn in in public, preferring instead, to do it in the confines of the government

house. What followed the electoral heist in the region were litigations upon litigations and Justice Salami's crime was that he was President of the Court of Appeal, the court that had the final say on governorship election petitions, going by the law at that time. Since virtually all the governorship elections in the region were rigged, save, again for Lagos, the PDP governments in the states one after the other, began to 'capitulate', with the election rogues in Ondo, Edo, Ekiti and Osun states sacked by the courts and the mandates reverted to the original owners. Although the PDP had been seething with rage over these monumental losses of a region it never won in that election, its anger was later to find expression in the crisis between the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloysius Katsina-Alu and Justice Salami, over the governorship election petition in far-away Sokoto State, which Justice Salami decided to look into, perhaps not knowing that the matter had deliberately been kept in the cooler by the powersthat-be who wanted it in the cooler, perhaps forever. That was

“But the point still has to be made though, that those who ensured that Justice Salami never returned to service from his so-called suspension will always come to their own comeuppance; it is only a matter of time. There is a spiritual dimension to some of these things and when the punishment begins, people will be feeling sorry for them.”

the beginning of his ordeal. It was on this matter that the deepseated hatred the ruling party had for him began to manifest, with one thing leading to the other until Justice Salami was suspended in 2011 by the NJC under the chairmanship of Justice Katsina-Alu. The man was never recalled; even after the NJC with which he had issues initially on the Sokoto matter had said he should be recalled. Thus, we had a situation whereby the government, for obviously partisan reasons, acted like an outsider that is weeping louder than the bereaved. The haste with which President Jonathan ratified the NJC’s decision to suspend Justice Salami is uncommon with his government and it left many tongues wagging. All these, for me, explain why we must ponder the Salami debacle, especially as the man had to retire from this unjust suspension foisted on him and the nation at large, by some infantile minds that would rather truth be put on the shelf for sale to whosoever may be willing to buy. It is a sad commentary on the way we easily allow serious matters to be swept under the carpet. I have always said that this is one of the things that successive governments in the country exploit. When the Salami matter started, many individuals and organisations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stood with the embattled PCA but the support soon waned, with time. This should not be so; unfortunately, it has always been so in Nigeria. It is Justice Salami today; we do not know who is next. It is particularly saddening

because this is happening to the judiciary, the last hope of the common man and at this crucial time in the life of our country. If the government, particularly they type we have today, can get away with this, then, this country is in trouble. With the way things are going, the courts will be so busy after the 2015 elections; we can be sure of this given the desperation that is manifesting even when the contest is yet to start. Justice Salami's experience is going to be at the back of the minds of many judges when electoral petitions involving the ruling party come before them after the elections. Of course, we know the likely consequences when people are denied their electoral choice. We know what to expect when the courts can no longer deliver justice. But the point still has to be made though, that those who ensured that Justice Salami never returned to service from his socalled suspension will always come to their own comeuppance; it is only a matter of time. There is a spiritual dimension to some of these things and when the punishment begins, people will be feeling sorry for them. Justice Salami should however, be proud of his service to the nation. He should be proud of the fact that he was able to hold his head high when many others would have lost theirs.

My error IN the rider to the main headline of my last week column, I wrote 'Once beaten, twice shy…' It should have read 'Once bitten, twice shy…' The error is regretted.

In search of food sufficiency It does not make sense to first kill the people in order to feed them sufficiently

press. True, but there is a reason for that; ya see, every blessed thing in this country is woven around the pleasures of the government. Ya want to breathe, beg the government; ya want to eat, tention. What was the government doing about food insufficiency? I learnt the answer in a village. Not too long ago, a complaint came from a village that some people had come asking, nay, telling the people that the government had asked them to take over their entire land to use for planting crops. Were they government officials? No, they were not. Well, we thought it was better to make sure, like; since the government is so powerful here. Well, if they were not officials of the government, what were they? As it turned out, they were from the government and they were not from the government. I suppose that makes me sound as dubious as the government. Apparently, in its drive for food sufficiency, the government had desired and secured the involvement of private entrepreneurs willing to invest in farming. This to me is a most excellent idea which I welcome with every breath I've got. I still believe that the best way to feed this country with its teeming population is to grow the food within, not bring it from without. For someone as related to the soil as I have been (in

more ways than one, obviously), I know it is not only possible, it is fairly easy to do. I also know that the best farmers in this world are not governments; they are individuals willing to bend their backs. But that is as good as it goes. It is not a good policy to ask private individuals looking for investment opportunities to go out and help themselves to people's lands in order to make profit for themselves. If that is what is really on ground, then it stinks for many reasons. Well, there is the fact that villagers are unschooled and unsuspecting people who rely entirely on the government to give them direction and also protect them. Here, however, is the government throwing them to the wolves that are not only devouring the lands but even the people. Now, how fair is that? It is possible though that the government did not ask the enterprising individuals to go around seizing people's lands. It might have asked them to negotiate. However, knowing how sensitive the matters of land can be, and how also very costly lands have become, your enterprising individuals may have found it easier to use federal muscle and might to ease their ways across the land. If indeed this is the case, then the government needs to be wise to the antics of its messen-

gers. It does not make sense to first kill the people in order to feed them sufficiently. Let's face it, the only insurance any helpless group of villagers has is the land. It is God-given, people protected and a sign of independence. This is why entire villages are ever so willing to go to war, fight to the last man or lose all. It is the only thing they have to hand over to their future generations; well, never mind if that future generation does not come. Now, should that generation eventually come, it too must be willing to protect the land in order to hand it over to the next... Honestly, I failed to understand it all before but I think with advancing age, I am getting a glimpse of the reason behind this protective custody that lands enjoy. It is a little like saving for the rainy day. True, most pieces of land just seem to sit out their days lazing under the rains, unused, untapped, unspoiled, and uncultivated; but consider, now that they are falling into private hands, whose progenies will they be handed over to: the private developer's or the villagers'? Then, where does this policy leave the professional, soil-grown, rural farmer who owns much of the land even if he cannot cultivate or farm it? Should he watch on as his land, handed down from many fathers along the line, goes into the

hands of his government's private partners? Seriously? Honestly, I think this is a good policy. I have always thought and said that the backbone to any technological drive is agriculture. It not only provides much of the raw materials, it provides the impetus, challenges and adrenalin to invent stuff. However, the policy needs to have been thought through before being implemented. There are just too many questions that need to be answered. I mean, are the village's lands leased, bought or acquired for this public-private partnership farming? At what point do they cease to be called the village's properties? More importantly, the immediate challenge of growing so much food at once is where to store the surplus. Does the country possess enough storage facilities that will not malfunction midseason while holding all our food? Now, how did I get to this point? Oh yes, I came out in search of the government's solution to obesity but I guess I need to comb through the gazettes to find that. Perhaps, I should just stop doubting the official's insincerity and accept that obesity is not a problem in this country; that fatness, along with the land, has been handed down from our forefathers.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Comment & Analysis

Jonathan’s national conference and the true believers

ERMIT me to begin this contribution with the words of Senator Femi Okorounmu who is the Chairman of the President’s Advisory Committee on the National Conference. In the February 12th edition of the National Mirror Newspaper, he said the following about President Goodluck Jonathan“Jonathan has betrayed the goodwill of the Yoruba. The man doesn’t seem to have a clue about anything. First, he has no clue about governance- it appears as if he does not even have any slightest idea of what he wants to do. He never thought of becoming President and what he would do as President. He was just talking of transformation and I don’t even think he knows the meaning of transformation. The man is just being pushed around everywhere and to anywhere. The only thing he understands is that he wants to make money and he is making a lot of it. And because he wants to make money, he cannot tell people not to make money when they are making their own. So a lot of people around him are making money and he cannot do anything.” This is quite an indictment and more so these words were spoken only seven months ago. Okorounmu is a man of honour. Anyone that knows anything about the struggle for the emancipation of the nationalities, restructuring and self-determination in Nigeria can testify to the fact that he is not only a much-loved and deeply courageous man but he is also one of those that has dedicated his entire life and distinguished political career to the noble cause of creating a new Nigeria where regional autonomy is established and where power is devolved from the centre. One wonders what made this distinguished elderstatesman change his mind, put his reputation on the line and accept to chair a committee that was set up by the very same man that he dismissed with such contempt only a few months ago. Yet the truth is that people do change their minds about others from time to time and I am prepared to give Okorounmu the benefit of the doubt for doing so. Yet in this matter we must be candid. The truth must be told and that truth is as follows. If any serious-minded person thinks that a ‘’national conference’’ that is not ‘’sovereign’’ and whose recommendations are subject to the will and caprices of the President and the National Assembly can make any difference in our country or bring any meaningful change then they are living in cuckoo land. Besides which nothing good can come from Jonathan and his PDP. The whole thing is an attempt to divert attention from their own shortcomings and dwindling fortunes and to divide the ranks of the opposition. For the last 20 years some of us have been calling for a national conference but we have always insisted that the resolutions of that conference must be ’’sovereign’’ and binding on all, that it must comprise of representatives from every nationality in the country (no matter how big or small) and that it must have, as it’s first item on the agenda, whether Nigeria should remain as one and, if so, under what terms. Anything short of this is fake. It is nothing more than a palliative. It is a ‘’made in China’’ copy of the original. If you take the ‘’sovereign’’ out of the ‘’national conference’’ it is like taking the ham out of a ham sandwich. All you will have left is a talk shop whose recommendations will eventually be tossed into the dustbin by both the Federal Government and the National Assembly. The almighty Federal Government of Nigeria is not about to give up it’s awesome authority and ability to control literally everything and everyone in our country by allowing devolution of power from the centre, resource control, autonomy for the regions, derivation as a principle for revenue allocation, the right of every nationality to self-determination and to seceed from the federation, the confirmation of the secularity of the state, the confirmation of the rights of all religious, gender and ethnic minori-

•Jonathan

By Femi Fani-Kayode

ties and all the other wholesome, progressive ideals that the true believers hold so dear. The PDP is simply incapable of delivering all these things and no PDP President, least of all one like Jonathan, would ever make such concessions. The PDP is a party of wily old dinosaurs and conservatives. When the time for a real conference comes it will not be by government fiat but as a consequence of a series of unpleasant, unforseeable and violent events that will compel us all to come to our senses, to come to the table and to once and for all sort out our differences or just go our separate ways. That is the bitter truth. It will never be given to us on a plate. Today, there are many within the corridors of power that have made their position clear and that have left no-one in any doubt about where they stand on this issue. One of them is Senator David Mark our amiable Senate President who recently said “I’ll crush the bid to add ‘sovereign’ to the National Conference’’. Many of us may disagree with Mark on this but at least he has the courage of his convictions and he is not one of those that relishes in double-speak and subtefuge. He has told us that he wants a conference but that he doesn’t want it to be ‘sovereign’. Good for him. My only prayer is that the Senate President himself doesn’t get ‘’crushed’’ in the process of trying to resist the ‘’sovereign’’ in the conference because when it’s time comes, no force on earth can successfully resist the people’s will, the forceful struggle for freedom and the right to self-determination. Permit me to end this contribution with the words of another man who was painfully honest about his intentions right from the start and who also had the courage of his convictions. In 2001, when pressed on the issue of the virtues of convening a sovereign national conference, President Olusegun Obasanjo said ‘’I cannot surrender the sovereignty that was given to me by the Nigerian people’’. Many of us found Obasanjo’s position on this issue unacceptable and downright repugnant. Yet one thing that we could not take from him was that he did not offer what he was not prepared to give. He went on to convene a national conference in 2005 but, like Jonathan’s one today, it was not sovereign and consequently it had little relevance or meaning. Many of us lampooned Obasanjo for outrightly rejecting the idea of a sovereign national confrence at the time and on March 18th 2001, I wrote the following words in a scathing essay for the

Comet Newspaper (which later transmuted into The Nation) titled ‘’President Olusegun Obasanjo, The National Question And The Imperatives Of A Sovereign National Conference’’. I wrote‘’As a direct consequence of the gradual degeneration of the Nigerian state, the passionate campaign and vigorous agitation for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is once again steadily gathering momentum. For even though we have a “democratically” elected government in power today, the fact remains that the, “National Question” is yet to be answered. And until we have searched our souls and settled some outstanding fundamental issues that still exist among our varous nationalities, until the brutal role of internal colonialism has been completely and irrevocably shattered, Nigeria cannot possibly prosper and neither can she achieve her full potentials. This is because there can be little doubt that the many problems that this country faces cannot be solved simply by the establishment of democracy, the provision of good government and the equitable distribution of ministerial portfolios. There is far more to it than that and anyone that seriously believes otherwise must have been living on another planet for the last 41 (forty-one) years. And with all due respect to President Obasanjo’s efforts, it is painfully obvious that a sovereign national conference remains the only permanent solution to the myriad of complex problems in this country. For example, when did we as a people ever agree to stay together as one? And even if we ever did, what were the terms of our union? Did the people of the South ever agree to become perpetual slaves to the Fulani ruling class and their military collaborators? And even though we have a southerner in power today, what happens in 2007 after Obasanjo goes? Or can he remain there forever? Will the hegemonic forces, at that point, not insist on taking the Presidency back to the core conservative north? And in the event of this happening will we not have come back to square one? And in any case when did the south ever agree to assume the role of a wealthy yet submissive and timid wife that has been systematically and consistently cheated, raped and sodomised by a domineering and arrogant northern husband?’’ Harsh words indeed but those days called for harsh words and extreeme measures. Needless to say, I wrote the essay one year before I met Obasanjo and after eight years of being radicalised by the annulement of the June 12th 1993 election of Chief MKO Abiola, five years of self-imposed exile in Ghana and six years of watching my people, the yoruba people of south-western Nigeria, being persecuted, tormented, butchered, jailed, tortured, driven into exile and humiliated by General Sani Abacha and his military junta. All that had a profound effect on me. These were the words of a man at war and to all intents and purposes, we are still at war in this country because nothing has really changed. The cry for a sovereign national conference is as legitimate today as it has ever been and until we have one Nigeria can never know peace. Those that have been seduced by Jonathan’s promise and charm offensive in this matter will soon learn that he is simply deceiving them. It is a poisoned chalice. At the end of the day, their greatest expectations, hopes and aspirations will be dashed and frustrated and they will be made to look like utter fools. A man that does not have the passion, strength and conviction to crush Boko Haram cannot possibly muster the necessary wherewithal or cultivate the strength of character to liberate the numerous ethnic nationalities that make up our country from the bondage, tyranny and oppression of an all-powerful centre. Some have said that the national conference is ‘’Jonathan’s gift to Nigeria’’. I strongly urge those that honestly believe that to remember the words of the Trojans- ‘’beware of the Greeks, especially when they bring gifts’’.

Religion in age of social and moral crises Continued from page 14

culture and worldview, and it is as much a cultural phenomenon as a development in religion. Besides, many who may be seen as being within the psychological ambit of popular religion usually belong to various other religious denominations. Muslim politicians consult reputedly powerful sooth-saying pastors, and Muslim women often attend Christian vigils. In general, the elastic fold of popular religion embraces members of the intellectual, bureaucratic and political elite, as well as workers, market women, shopkeepers and artisans – that is, people from all strata of society, especially those weighed down by deprivation, and by inability to meet basic everyday needs. Apart from deprivation and worldly cares, ambition could also push one into the mystical embrace of popular religion. It could predispose the well-to-do hustler to explore metaphysical avenues to advancement and power. The aspiring politician, the business executive, the avaricious bureaucrat and banker, and the advancement/power-craving academic – all are susceptible to the pretensions of mountebank “men-of-God” claiming to have the power to conjure “breakthroughs” via the agency of a God supposedly ever preoccupied with the interminable vanities of miserable mortals. The crux of the matter is that popular religion has developed a quasi Darwinian ethic in which the only recognised moral imperative is success and survival. Thus, just as every organism strives to survive by adapting so as to live by all means possible, the contemporary popular religious faithful equates morality with what it takes to “master his environment”, if need be by cannibalism, so as to achieve success/prosperity. This is why pious Nigerian rulers, in order to perpetuate themselves in office, appropriate and loot public resources, rig elections, and rid themselves of human obstacles, after which they proceed to the mosque or to the church in ecstasy, saying, “To God be the glory”, or “God is great”! “Civilization” and development, as well as other utility objectives that were part of the proselytising faiths’ mission in Nigeria, were supposed to be a prelude and foundation for the introduction of the putative higher social, moral and spiritual values of Islam and Christianity. Unlike today, “prosperity”, per se, was thus not the preoccupation of the new faiths. Similarly, the determination by the agents of Islam and Christianity to root out the indigenous religions was due to the assumption that the latter were lacking in the new faiths’ spiritual essence. What an irony, then, that these same adopted faiths have proved largely incapable of meeting postcolonial challenges without practically losing their values. The question thus arises: is the current devalued form of the adopted religions (that is, contemporary popular religion) the answer to the country’s problems, as is usually glibly claimed by Nigerian rulers and clerics? Obviously, the country’s problems are essentially socio-economic. They are, thus, ultimately, matters of governance and of competent, dedicated leadership. Religious institutions and leaders have neither the authority, nor the means to address socioeconomic problems, or to enforce compliance with social/legal regulations, norms, and values. Pretentions to such powers through any metaphysical agency on the part of “magicians”, charlatans, and influential pastors who are past masters of spiritual scams, have transformed much of contemporary religion into criminal enterprise. This would explain why corruption and crime are escalating with the explosion of religious houses advertising spurious powers to wipe out the ills of society. Dr Akinola contributed this piece from Ibadan.

POLITICS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

PDP crisis: Hurdles before G7 Governors

The group of seven aggrieved governors (G7) who are major promoters of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) may be inching closer towards bidding the ruling party goodbye. However, they have a few hurdles to cross, Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo report.

few days ago, the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, was his usual blunt self. Receiving a delegation of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by the party’s National Vice Chairman (North East), Umar Duhu, at his official residence in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Nyako dropped the hint that he, alongside his colleagues might soon dump the PDP for the ‘warm embrace of the APC because there is so much injustice in the PDP.’ Speaking through his Director of Press, the governor expressed his desire and those of his colleagues to join the opposition APC as “soon as the situation in the PDP becomes unbearable.” In the last few months since the crisis in the PDP blew open, speculations have been rife that the ‘rebel’ governors are contemplating joining the APC to further their political interests ahead the 2015 general elections. Sometime ago, one of the G7 governors, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State, played host to two national leaders of the APC in Kano, Chief Bisi Akande, the interim National Chairman and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Though the outcome of the meeting was not made public, sources disclosed that the visit may not be unconnected to ongoing attempts by APC leaders to woo leading lights of the nPDP to join the major opposition party. Nyako’s statement, informed sources contend, gave a clear signal that it was only a matter of time before the bulk of the nPDP members move to APC. The Nation gathered that inspite of the two meetings held so far between President Goodluck Jonathan and the G7 governors, restating their commitment to restoring peace in the PDP, recent actions of some forces loyal to the President that were targeted at the aggrieved governors, have made the quest for peace in the PDP appear seemingly a hopeless case.

The first was the sealing off of the temporary headquarters of the nPDP located at the Adamawa State Governor’s Lodge in the highbrow Asokoro area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had cited alleged contravention of the Abuja Masterplan as the main reason behind his action, even as critics fingered the Presidency as the brain behind FCTA’s decision. And in less than 24hours later, the FCTA allegedly revoked the sale of a property belonging to the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in the Maitama area of the FCT. Kwankwaso reportedly acquired the property sometime in 2004 during the sale of several Federal Government-owned properties to top government officials. This clampdown, according to sources, is just the beginning of several others that will follow in the next few months on the interests directly or indirectly linked to the G7 governors and other top members of the nPDP. Further investigations revealed that the Presidency is currently using the opportunity of the postponement of its reconciliatory talks with the G7 governors to compile an accurate dossier of the alleged business interests of members of nPDP with a view to wielding the big hammer on such interests, particularly those benefitting from government patronage. Another source, however, give a different view on the issue. He said, “The Presidency’s action (clampdown on nPDP) is a deliberate strategy to weaken the resolve of the G7 governors and their supporters before their next meeting. That way, the G7 governors will be negotiating from a position of weakness.” But from all indications, it appears the ‘rebel’ governors are not ready to chicken out in their battle against the President. However, sources say there is an alleged division among the governors over the propriety of moving

•Nyako

•Kwanwaso

•Amaechi

•Ahmed

to APC at this point in time. It was gathered that while Nyako, Kwankwaso and their Niger, Sokoto and Rivers States counterparts, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Aliyu Wammako and Rotimi Amaechi respectively are favourably disposed to pitching their political tents with APC, the game plan of the Kwara State helmsman, Abdulfatah Ahmed and the Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, are still unclear. Lamido, it would be recalled, had indicated his resolve to remain in PDP notwithstanding its seemingly intractable crisis, Ahmed’s decision, according to findings, is predicated on the final position taken by his political mentor and predeccessor, Senator Bukola Saraki. There are unconfirmed reports that Saraki was ready to strike a deal with the Presidency and the mainstream PDP in order to ward off the incessant assault on him by antigraft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police. A national daily had two weeks ago reported that the former Kwara State governor may be arraigned in court by the EFCC over his alleged role in the collapse of the defunct Societe Generale Bank and alleged financial malfeasance while in office as governor from 2003 to 2011. But a source close to Saraki dismissed reports of the serving sena-

tor allegedly pleading with the Presidency for a soft landing as hogwash. The source asked, “The EFCC and SFU have been investigating Saraki for months now, but have they found anything against him?” Then he added, “Saraki is too principled to beg anybody. Everyone knows that his travails with EFCC and SFU cannot be divorced from his politics.” NASS members wary of new platform Another major hurdle the G7 governors have to contend with is how to convince the entire members of the nPDP to embrace APC. This is coming against the backdrop of reports that some members of the faction in the Senate and the House of Representatives are prepared to sheath their swords and reintegrate themselves back into the mainstream PDP. These lawmakers, it was learnt, believe that their ambition to return to the National Assembly in 2015 can only be achieved if they remain with the PDP rather than ‘leave certainty for uncertainty’ by joining a new political platform. The Atiku dilemma The political interest of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, most especially his undisguised ambition to have another shot at the Presidency in 2015, is another source of concern for promoters of the nPDP.

Sources say the likelihood of Abubakar joining APC to realise his 2015 ambition is remote due to his alleged crisis of confidence with some APC leaders, with the newly registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) already being touted as a fall- back option for the ex-VP. Clash of interests in APC The G7 governors are also allegedly worried over how their interests and those of their supporters will be ‘adequately accomodated’ in the APC when they decide to join the party. Several posers will suffice here: In Adamawa State, how will the APC leaders reconcile the interests of foundation members like the former governorship candidate of the defunct CPC, Gen. Buba Marwa (retd) with Nyako’s? Can Shekarau, another national leader of APC, work in tandem with his political rival, Kwankwaso, in Kano State? Who will control the party structures in the state? Will Saraki be handed the control of the party in Kwara? And where does that leave Dele Belgore, the defunct ACN 2011 governorship candidate, who is still nursing an ambition to recontest for the exalted seat in 2015? How these posers are addressed satisfactorily will, no doubt, shape the colouration of political activities in the country in the next few weeks and months.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Politics ANAMBRA 2013

Politics of endorsement:

Obi of Onitsha factor

The emerging politics of endorsement in Anambra State has placed the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, as one of the most critical factors in the November 16 governorship election. Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, who digs into the background of the traditional ruler wonders if he can safeguard the neutrality of the ancient stool.

HE Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, is, no doubt, one of the most influential traditional rulers in the South-East geo-political zone and in Nigeria in general. In his state, Anambra, his political relevance, according to our investigations, is further punctuated not only by the awe in which the ancient throne is viewed in Onitsha and its environs but also because of the sheer population advantage the Onitsha commercial city presents. Igwe Achebe’s influence, we learnt, also derives from the wide connections he made in the corporate, political and social circles even before he ascended the throne. So, as the campaign for the November 16, 2013 governorship election gathers momentum, each of the leading candidates and their political parties are desperately jostling for his public endorsement and support. This, we learnt, has somehow put the traditional ruler and his council in a fix, as they allegedly dread over-politicisation of the ancient throne ahead of the governorship election. One of the elders of Onitsha, who confirmed that top state government officials and leaders of the contending political parties are piling up pressure on the traditional council of Onitsha, said in confidence that the matter has reached a stage that the council, even the Obi himself cannot but play a part in the decision for the next governor of the state. “Traditional elders, who as custodians of our culture and tradition and would have loved to remain neutral as fathers, are being •Achebe

Anambra indigenes in US hail Ubah B

ARELY one week after the public address to Anambra State indigenes in far away United States of America by Prince Willie Obiano, the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the November 16 governorship election, so much has happened in the camps of the two candidates. Strategic reports from Ubah’s group showed, for example, that the Labour Party’s candidate has won more supporters from Anambra State indigenes in the United States since then. “Many of our brothers and sisters in the states, who wrote off Ubah before are now coming to the Labour Party candidate to pledge their loyalty,” one of the reports said. Inside sources also said that the aboutturn is informed by the fact that after listening to Ubah’s address, they came to believe he has brighter chances in the forthcoming election than they thought before. It must be recalled that out of about 23 candidates contesting the gubernatorial election in Anambra State scheduled for November 16, 2013; only two ( Ubah and Obiano) appeared at the annual convention of Anambra State Association in United States of America (ASA-USA) which took place in Tampa, Florida from October 10, 2013 to October 12, 2013. The two candidates actually appeared and addressed the gathering on their vi-

By Bonaventure Ezekwena

sions, as well as responded to questions presented to them. It was intended to be an opportunity for the candidates to showcase their plans for the state, if elected into office. The Anambra State government sent a large contingent to the convention apparently to witness the ceremony in which the association gave an award to Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, during the convention. Obi also addressed the gathering on the achievements of his eight years in office. Immediately after his speech, Obiano and Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah squared up in a very hot debate. With information about the candidates in the public domain, it was supposed to be a no-contest between the super-banker and fiscal manager (Willie Obiano), and wealthy businessman, (Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah). Most of the people at the event confessed that lot of them, prior to the debate, did not give Ubah candidacy any form of chance. The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, took his time to do a wonderful introduction of his candidate, Chief Willie Obiano and his very impressive and intimidating financial and banking profile. The National Chairman of Labour Party, Barrister Dan Nwanyanwu, also did a fairly good job introducing his candidate, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, a businessman.

However, when the candidates were handed micro-phones to speak on issues facing Anambra State and its people and to respond to questions on their plans and policies towards solving those problems, the debate turned out to be a fight revealed many hidden truths as Ubah, contrary to some misconceptions, exhibited an impressive knowledge of the issues, the common-sense approach on plans, solutions and policies. His presentation, his composure, eye contact, emotional demeanour, appropriately well-measured gestures, delivery of points after points, common-sense solutions one after another were very impressive. He laid out his vision and plans for handling grave development issues facing the state: total transparency and accountability; reduction of crime, generation of power supply, clear plans to turn the state into an industrial hub, massive industrialisation (four factories in each local government areas) to create jobs and cut down crimes, creation of wealth; aggressive development of grassroots democracy through conduct of wards and local government elections; simplified credit loans for start-up, small businesses, massive investment in education, health, facilities and infrastructures: roads, water, sanitation, etc. He also laid out his numerous charity efforts helping the less privileged in the society through his foundation. He also addressed misinformation and

smear campaign against his education, businesses and partnership ventures with the Federal Government of Nigeria. At the end of the debate, Ubah came across not just as a shrewd and bold debater, but as a person that passionately believes in his ability to make a change. So, in a clever bid to help the APGA candidate during the debate, Governor Peter Obi, who was sitting amongst the audience in the hall, attempted to join the debate, arguing that Ubah made a false accusation about his government which he wants a chance to correct. But Ubah’s team strongly resisted the governor’s attempt to join the debate. Tempers flared up, Governor Peter Obi attempted to stage a walk-out, but was persuaded to stay on. From the debate, another revelation was that Ubah, notwithstanding preconceived impressions, if voted into power, may likely introduce innovative and courageous administrative changes. For example, he said, as a governor, he will leave his deputy to handle administrative and ceremonial functions, while he will concentrate on working to attract big industries and businesses which will create wealth and jobs in the state. With Ubah’s charisma and motivation, with just a little fine-tuning, and if his team could adopt American style campaign approach by taking his message directly to the masses back home, Ubah has an absolutely good chance at winning a free and fair elec-

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Politics

ANAMBRA 2013

•Ngige

dragged to come out in the open to endorse a political party or candidate. This is a hard knot to crack, but I can only tell you that even the Agbogidi, our father, His Majesty, is being pressured to take a stand in the public, but our gods are awake and will guide the throne,” he said guardedly. Politics of endorsement To confirm his political relevance in the forthcoming election, virtually all the candidates have made overtures to get Obi of Onitsha’s public endorsement. This had been ongoing even before the final emergence of the current candidates. The heat, we learnt, was felt more within the All Progressives Grand Alliance, where most of the heavyweights that contested during the primaries ran to the Obi of Onitsha for the traditional blessing. By then, it was alleged that the tradi-

•Ubah

tion in Anambra State, Nigeria. - Ezekwena, who led his organisation’s team to Tampa, Florida, the venue of the debate, is the Executive Director of Africans In America, Inc.

tional ruler held both the knife and the yam. So, before the news filtered out that the sudden resignation of the Obi of Onitsha as the Chairman of the Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers was as a result of alleged disagreement between him and Governor Peter Obi over the choice of the governorship candidate of APGA, the Obi of Onitsha’s council had laboured hard to disprove allegations of direct involvement in the politics of 2013 governorship election in Anambra. It was reported that the governor had asked the revered traditional ruler to help shop for an acceptable governorship candidate from Anambra North Senatorial District. But before the Igwe would get somebody, Obi had announced his choice. Insiders said Igwe Achebe felt slighted and decided to leave office as the chairman of traditional council. Although both the Obi of Onitsha and governor Obi had since denied this, the full

details of these reports, especially the reason for the resignation, is on record that it was after the reported resignation that visits to the Igwe for endorsement and open blessing peaked or at least became a public show. Added to it has been political intrigues, described by some as “cheap blackmail” by each of the major political parties. It is on record also that in most of the allegations and counter allegations, the name of the traditional stool and the person of the Agbogidi, have been roped in, thus exposing the dilemma the traditional stool and the Igwe are left to cope with. The peak The drama that has so far been built around the Obi of Onitsha in the ongoing political campaigns may be said to have peaked the upper weekend, when the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State, held its first campaign rally in Onitsha. Falling within the week of the Obi of Onitsha’s Ofala celebration, Senator Chris Ngige’s political opponents cried to high heavens that he had desecrated the land and disrespected the traditional ruler. It was consequently reported that Igwe Achebe had expressed surprise that the APC and its governorship candidate, Senator Ngige, could launch their governorship campaign in Onitsha the same day he was celebrating his Ofala festival despite the oneyear notice given to that effect. He was quoted in the reports as saying: “Today, a political party has chosen to launch its campaign for governorship in Onitsha at the same time the Ofala is going on despite the one-year notice we gave to them. If anybody defiles the land, the land shall defile the person.” Ngige was accused of holding the rally without taking permission from the Obi of Onitsha. But Hon Uche Okonkwo –Okom, former member, Anambra State House of Assem-

‘And the women endorse Obiano’

HE issue of endorsement continued during the week as the Women for National Rebirth unequivocally endorse the candidacy of Chief Willie Obiano of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). In an official statement, signed by Mrs. Barong Moffat, the group’s National Coordinator, and Mrs. Esther Dalang, the National Publicity Secretary, WNR said, “We have perused Willie Obiano’s 10point agenda, 4-Cs programme of Continue, Complete, Commission and Commencement of new projects vis-à-vis Governor Peter Obi’s gender friendly progressive governance and have no doubt that Obiano will exceed Obi’s achievements if he emerges governor in the forthcoming poll. The era of godfatherism, hooliganism, fascism and kidnapping of a sitting governor is over. It is a new dawn, Nigerian women are set to participate in politics and national leadership to achieve national rebirth that will put Nigeria on the path of rectitude and growth ahead of 2014 centenary celebration.” The group also took a stand in other national issues: “Women for National Rebirth demands for a Sovereign National Conference in place of President Goodluck Jonathan’s proposed national dialogue which resolutions will be ratified by the National Assembly. It is obvious that the National Assembly is not gender friendly and cannot be trusted to ratify women related issues including 40% affirmative action, girl-child education policy, opposition to child marriage, child labour, implementation of Child Rights Acts, violence against women, women trafficking, among others, the group will canvass for in a sovereign national conference.

•Obiano

“The recent obnoxious consideration of child marriage by the Senate is a classical expression of male chauvinism and machismo. It is unfair, unjust and unacceptable in our collective quest at building a decent egalitarian society. Women for National Rebirth warns politicians against heating up the polity ahead of 2015 presidential election. President Jonathan should not be distracted from his constitutional responsibilities by unpatriotic elements masquerading as democrats.

bly and Director in the Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation, and several others, including Ngige himself, have since denied the impression created by the cries of their opponents. While Ngige emphasised that he never intended and will never disrespect the Obi of Onitsha, Okonkwo-Okom said, “I communicated the Igwe in my capacity as Director of Operations and got a text approval... Those who are using the name of our revered traditional ruler, who extended all courtesies to me and my principal, are out to make mischief, and to take away the attention of an upbeat Anambra State from the gains pf a successful rally, attended by close to 120,000 dedicated supporters who willingly gave out their funds for Ngige to be the next governor.” Okonkwo also said, “I contacted the Igwe on October 5, 2013 to intimate him with our programme and to request a visit to his palace by Ngige and governors attending the rally and he gladly approved.” A text message response, Okonkwo reportedly displayed, which allegedly came from Igwe Alfred Achebe himself, read in part: ‘Sorry I was not in a position to talk last night .Indeed his Excellency Dr Ngige and the governors are very welcome. To ensure proper protocol, please advise the number coming and the names if possible.” Fear for the throne: As the election date draws nearer, observers are saying that the ancient traditional stool in Onitsha must be sheltered from partisan politics. The elder, who spoke to us in confidence, said, “every one of us is worried at the desperation of the politicians but we have confidence in the ability of the Agbogidi to weather the storm and preserve the neutrality of the ancient stool. We believe he will do so because of who he is.” •Continued on Page 24 National interest should override partisan politics. Accordingly, we support Jonathan’s re-election bid with the understanding that he will choose a woman as a running mate. We call on Nigerian women to wake up and be counted in the long march to national rebirth. “Women for National Rebirth frowns at the elongated ASUU strike and urge the Federal Government and the academic Union to shift grounds with a view to resolving the quagmire in the interest of the suffering students. As mothers we feel the pains of the students as well as the lecturers and understand the Federal Government’s financial constraint; and call for a truce. “We commend efforts by security agents in the war against Boko Haram and other insurgencies in the country. We urge the Federal Government to adequately equip all security agencies to enable them control crime to the barest minimum. Women for National Rebirth is alarmed by the high rate of unemployment in the country which has led our youths to various crimes including armed robbery, kidnapping, terrorism, and prostitution. Governments at all levels should take appropriate actions to employ these youths to avoid disgruntled politicians using them to rig elections and foment trouble in the country. A stitch in time saves nine. We enjoin Federal and States Ministry of Women Affairs and Local Government Councils to work out monthly welfare materials to motherless babies homes across the country. The need to maintain these babies cannot be overemphasized. It is a service to God and humanity. “There cannot be a national rebirth without a spiritual rebirth. We urge Nigerians to be prayerful, turn from evil and do the will of God always. We are optimistic that Nigeria shall be great. The election of Nigeria into United Nations Security Council seat is a pointer that the nation will overcome its challenges and honoured in the comity of nations. Together we shall build a strong, virile, and decent democratic society.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Politics

Babangida was inconsequential.

Niger: Zoning and the battle for Aliyu’s job

Contenders from the north One of the leading candidates for the state’s governorship elections in 2015 is its Deputy Governor, Honourable Ahmed Musa Ibeto, who is from the northern senatorial zone of the state. A former member of the House of Representatives and one time chief of protocol in the state, he, is seen as the senatorial districts leading public office holder. Apart from Ibeto, other notable aspirants from the Kontagora axis of the state include Muazu Mohammed Bawa, the state’s Commissioner of Finance and Abubakar Sani Bello (Habu), former Commissioner of Commerce and son of retired Colonel Sani Bello and son-in-law of former head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar. Others said to be keenly interested in taking over from Aliyu in 2015 are Aminu Yusuf, the secretary of the state’s PDP and Mustapha Bello, former Minister of Commerce, younger brother of Col Bello and current Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council. Also said to be warming up for the contest are Ibrahim Ahmed Matani, a former head of service and currently Commissioner of Agriculture, three time senator, former DIG Nuhu Aliyu and Abubakar Sa’idu, chairman of Wushishi Local Government and son-in-law of state’s governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu. All the above named aspirants, save for Abubakar Sani Bello, are jostling for the governorship ticket of the ruling PDP. The large number of PDP aspirants, pundits say, is based on the belief in some political circles that Niger State will remain in the hands of the ruling party beyond 2015.

Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan, reports on the quest for the chief executive seat in Niger State ahead 2015

N 1998, the three senatorial districts in Niger State agreed to put in place a zoning formula to be adhered to in determining who becomes governor of the state. Consequently, all three zones unanimously agreed that the Niger South Senatorial District should produce the governor in 1999. That decision to concede the governorship ticket to the Nupe speaking area of the state in 1998, according to reliable sources, was taken in realisation of the fact that at the time, the zone was yet to produce a chief executive since the creation of the state in 1976. The result of this agreement was the emergence of Alhaji Abdukadir Kure, an engineer and retired civil servant and former Director, Engineering Services, Federal Capital Development Authority, as the Executive Governor of Niger State in 1999. Kure ruled the state for eight years as he got re-elected in 2003. In 2007, with the three zones having had a shot each at the governorship and in line with the 1998 zoning agreement, the three zones conceded the governorship slot to Niger East Senatorial District. The decision, sources said, was based on the fact that the zone was the first to produce a civilian governor for the state. The favoured zone, made up of three Emirate Councils, namely Suleja, Minna and Kagara, now had no fewer than ten eligible aspirants who battled one another for the plum job. The only aspirant to show in-

terest from outside the Eastern zone, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) gubernatorial candidate in 2003, Engineer Mustapha Bello, who hails from Niger North Zone, was talked out of the race by founding fathers of the zoning agreement. At the end of proceeding in May 2007, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu from the Eastern Senatorial District emerged as the governor of the state. He too got mandates to rule the state for eight years following his re-election in 2011. 2015 and the zoning issue As the date for the 2015 governorship draws nearer with Governor Aliyu ineligible for another term, political circles in the state have been agog with news of several aspirants getting ready to do battle for the plum job. Expectedly, there are talks about the 1998 zoning agreement. But unlike in 2007 when all stakeholders allegedly agreed it should be adhered to, there are indications that some forces are working for the abolition of the agreement. Even as Aliyu and the leadership of the ruling party say zoning in the PDP for the 2015 governorship election “is sacrosanct and binding in the selection and fielding of candidates,’ some members of the party are kicking against the decision with a number of them ready to enter the governorship race in defiance to the agreement. Speaking during the week when the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk, paid him a visit to

mark the Eid- el-Kabir celebrations, the governor advised those faulting the zoning arrangement to put the peace and stability of the state ahead of their personal interests. He said that the PDP would adhere to the zoning policy during the selection process for the 2015 election in the state because it had ensured balancing and stability in political arrangement since 1999. He vowed to resist any attempt to change it. The governor said that those clamouring for non-adherence to the zoning policy for 2015, were doing so for their ethnic and selfish interests. The Nation learnt that some politicians from Niger South Senatorial District, relying on the numerical strength of the zone, are poised to disregard the political arrangement of rotating the governorship seats among the three senatorial districts of Niger South, Niger East and Niger North. To give bite to this suspicion, the former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP] in Niger State, Dr Mustapha Abdulsalam, from Lapai in the Southern Senatorial District, made known his intention to contest the PDP governorship primaries. He even inaugurated an Advisory Stakeholders’ Committee with the argument that the ‘gentleman’ arrangement of the PDP was neither in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor that of the party. He stated, “I’m in the race to serve the people of Niger State and

irrespective of the zoning, I’m coming out for the primary election’’. According to him, the leadership of the party in the state should throw open the primaries of the party for members to pick the flag bearer of the party in the coming elections in the state. He added “after all, the socalled zoning or gentleman arrangement was not followed by the national body of the party”. The speculated entry of Muhammed Babangida, son of former military ruler, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, into the race is another indication of attempts to dump the zoning arrangement. Earlier in 2011, Muhammed was one aspirant who made a show of wanting to contest against Aliyu’s re-election. Although the Babangida’s ancestral home is in Wushishi, many believe they are more at home in Minna than anywhere else. Thus, his aspiration is seen as an attempt by some politicians in the eastern senatorial district to make another dash for the governorship at the expense of the northern senatorial district favoured by the zoning formula. Already, Governor Aliyu has berated the activities of those trying to lure Mohammed Babangida to contest. He described them as political jobbers. Aliyu, who chided his critics from Wushishi, stated that Mohammed is from Niger East whereas the governorship position has been zoned to Niger North ahead of 2015 elections. He said the campaign for Mohammed

The APC challenge But there are strong indications that victory in the 2015 electoral battle may not be PDP’s for the asking. The rising profile of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state is one reason why observers of the politics of Niger State are cautious in determining how the election will go. Also, for years now, Kontagora, the zone expected to produce the next governor of the state going by the zoning arrangement, has been an opposition territory. Currently led by an opposition senator, the zone in 2011, voted massively for the Congress for Progressive Change in the general election. With the merger of progressive parties into the APC, pundits are of the opinion that the PDP will be given a run for its money by the opposition party in 2015. Already, an array of aspirants are jostling to fly the banner of the party in the struggle for who succeeds Aliyu. Among those said to be gunning for the ticket for now are Ibrahim Musa, the zone’s senator, Ibrahim Bako Shettima from Bida, the Congress for Progressive Change’s (CPC’s) governorship candidate in the 2011 elections, David Umaru from Minna, the All Nigeria Peoples Party’s governorship candidate in 2007 and 2011, and Bello Jr. from Kontagora. Bello Jr. defected to the CPC before the APC merger, following his falling out a long time ago with the state governor over issues of policy. Because Zones A and B have had their turn in governing the state, many strategists favour Bello Jr. as the man that may emerge as APC’s flag bearer in the state should the party decide to abide by the zoning arrangement of 1998. The permutations are still an ongoing game.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Politics

Political Politics

ripples

turf

with Bolade Omonijo boladeomonijo@yahoo.com

Time up, Oduah

A •Suntai

•Imoke

•Ndoma-Egba

Disquiet in Cross River PDP over 2015

RECENT meeting called by some stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State is currently causing disquiet in the state. The meeting, it was gathered, was attended by some PDP members in the South Senatorial District close to the state governor, Liyel Imoke. But one notable absentee at the meeting was the Senator representing the zone, Victor Ndoma-Egba. Unconfirmed reports have it that there is a crisis of confidence between Imoke and Ndoma-Egba over who will succeed Imoke in 2015. The two political gladiators are, however, are not yet making a big issue out of their differences.

Akinlade begins underground mobilisation

Why Bwacha is backing Suntai

HE staunch support given by Senator Emmanuel Bwacha to the ailing Taraba State Governor, Danbaba Suntai, may not be unconnected to the lawmaker’s alleged governorship ambition in 2015, sources have claimed. Bwacha, sources squealed, was the man Suntai was secretly rooting for to succeed him when his tenure lapses in 2015. But with the governor’s precarious health condition, Bwacha’s chances of becoming governor in 2015 appear to be fading away gradually.

F •Akinlade

EDERAL lawmaker, Abiodun Akinlade, has begun a secret mobilisation in respect of his alleged 2015 governorship ambition. On Wednesday last week, the member of the House of Representatives from Yewa was in Ota to hold series of meetings with opinion leaders in the area. Akinlade, who recently moved to the Labour Party (LP), sources revealed, is not leaving anything to chance towards winning the LP governorship ticket and succeeding incumbent governor, Ibikunle Amosun, at the general election.

•Bwacha

Between Orji and Okorocha

•Orji

LL have not been heard about the alleged personality clash between Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo. The governors of the sister states, sources

alleged, are yet to resolve their differences, especially when the issue of Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the old Imo State, now in Abia, is concerned. Sources said associates of the Abia State governor are not comfortable with Okorocha’s alleged “attempts to buy cheap popularity in the Enyimba city.” The associates claimed Okorocha “has been playing some smart games to gain undue popularity and smuggle in his new political party, All Progressives Congress, at the expense of the sitting governor.” But associates of Okorocha said the recent display of hostility by Abia could not be explained away so mildly. “We do not know what Okorocha did to Abia State Government but the truth will ultimately come to the fore,” the source said. It would be recalled that Okorocha, who was scheduled to be honoured in an event at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, was barred from attending the event, a development that has raised fresh verbal exchanges between the associates of the two governors, who embarked on similar journey during

•Okorocha

the ‘retirement’ of some workers who were non indigenes in Abia and during the Aba burial ceremonies of the late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu. The big question remains, what is between Orji and Okorocha?

TIME, the good book says, there is for everything. Indeed, there is a time to assume office and a time to quit. When things are going well for an official, he could decide to leave to keep the people asking for more. Such a person would be said to have departed in a blaze of glory. Another official who has a specified term waits until the end and, having played his part, wisely steps down. But, there is another category- persons who came to office regarding it as an invitation to “come and eat”. To such a group, the party must never end. At the end of a specified tenure, they try to rig an extension or repeat. They could kill or destroy anyone or anything perceived to be standing in their way. This explains poll rigging and the violence that attends electioneering in Nigeria. When an official in sane climes are alleged to have performed in any way considered unethical, they do not wait to be told to quit. They make way. Others do to protect the organisation or government from undue insinuations even as they protest their innocence. People who are decent would do anything to protect the family name by stepping aside as soon as a whiff of a scandal is in the air. But, this runs contrary to the rule in Nigeria. Scandals mean nothing to the high and the low. A friend of the chief executive is to be protected and kept in office at all cost. Whether it is Diezani or Stella, no storm or gale is to be allowed to sweep them away. Only recently, the Petroleum Resources Minister was accused of having frivolously spent about N2 billion on private jet shuttles. Despite the strident calls for official reactions from the minister and her boss, none was forthcoming. Stranger still was the reaction of the National Assembly that took no more interest than the average market woman. It was not shocking because it was our patrimony being so frittered. No one thought it wise to get to the root of the matter. In any case, previous allegations had been swept under the carpet. Could anyone today explain what happened to the management of the oil subsidy payments? How much was actually involved? Who were the culprits? How many have been taken to court and how far has the prosecution gone? What is the EFCC doing now on the Diezani allegation? In other countries, whoever was at the head of the Petroleum Ministry could not have survived the massive protests of January 2012. Here, Diezani survived. Now, here we are with yet another scandal. Stella Oduah who had been projected as the face of the Jonathan administration at work is tainted by the allegation that she got the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to purchase two bulletproof cars for her at the cost of 1.6 million dollars. Converted, it comes to a whole lot of N255 million. How? Why? We are told she needed the cars for security. One for her, the other for members of the family. In that case, we may expect many more of such purchases. Another one may soon be delivered for family members in Akili-Ozizor in Anambra State. Then, estranged or not, her husband, Mr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, a former minister himself, could deserve the same treatment to save the 51-year-old delectable Stella from turning a widow. Another parastatal in the ministry may be requested to make the fresh purchases. Then, other ministers could seek similar treatmentespecially the ladies. After all, both Stella and Diezani are deemed junior to our own Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who is the Finance Minister and unprecedentedly handed the title Coordinating Minister of the Economy. She could rightly claim that her life is in danger following the earlier kidnap of her mother. If Oduah already has two such cars, the Finance Minister could demand four at a time given her royal background. Other ministers are likely to make similar demands of the national treasury. Before you know it, Budget 2014 could have been expended on purchase of armoured cars for top federal officials. It is all sickening. It is not the first time that we would have scandals around top government officials. It is not the first involving the Aviation minister who was recently engaged in a verbal brawl with one of her predecessors, Chief Femi FaniKayode. Before she assumed office, she was once linked to a N3.2 billion contract to train militants to acquire skills in Oil and Gas operations. Her husband was then in government and said to have been heavily involved in the award. Did anyone tell us the whole truth about that allegation? Who aided constructions companies discredited in Liberia and Ghana in obtaining contracts in the Nigerian aviation industry? There are allegations before Houses of the National Assembly on under-the table deals in the remodeling contracts for 11 airports. What have the lawmakers done? What did the President do? Could the President have taken action against a woman who founded the Neighbour-to-Neighbour campaign outfit and was Director of Administration and Finance of the Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2011? Could the funds being mentioned now and the reckless spending be linked to preparations for the next elections? Could indictment of Oduah and Diezani be directly or remotely extended to higher government officials? In the Second Republic, UNILAG’s crusading Engineering Professor Ayodele Awojobi published a monograph on Where Our Oil Money Has Gone. Today, with the scandals all around us, need we ask where our oil money is going? God save Nigeria.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Politics

In a brief chat with Uja Emmanuel in Makurdi, Benue State, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Aame Diga, said there is no crisis in the state chapter of the party.

CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Aamme Aakpa Diga, said the party will send the Peoples Democratic Party(PD) packing out of Aso Rock and in Benue State come 2015. In an exclusive interview with The Nation in his Otukpo residence, in Benue South Senatorial District, Aame Diga, who is a registered member of the British Labour Party, stated that the APC will never repeat the mistake of 2011 general election where it relied on the judiciary, which allegedly connived with the rulling party to steal its mandate. “The APC is on ground in the entire country. In 2015, massive votes will come from the NorthEast and from South-West. Governor Rochas Okorocha holds swayl in the South-East. The North-Central states will complement the votes that will send President Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP away from Aso Rock,” he said. He described the proposed National Dialogue as “irritant” because the National Assembly is there representing the entire

‘No crisis in Benue APC’ nation. “ National Dialogue is not necessary, for example in my state like Benue, we have three senators and House of Representatives covering each local government, clan and ward, so what is that they would not discuss in the National Assembly, what are they doing?” asked Aame. Aame, a former lecturer and Head of Joseph Lancaster School in London, accused Jonathan of compromising the security of the nation by handing over oil and maritime security contract to an ex militant, Chief Government Tompolo. “ I was shocked to hear that President Goodluck Jonathan withdrew the bill which the late President Musa Yar’Adua sent to the National Assembly for the setting up of Coast Guard, to tackle the perennial problem of oil theft and pipe line vandalization. It is like asking an armed robber to be a night guard at the Central Bank of Nigeria,” he lamented. Aame, however, said, “APC government at the centre will empower Nigerian security agency to tackle oil theft and other security challenges instead of

encouraging militancy.” According to him, “come 2015, APC will take over Benue State, including Benue South Senatorial District as David Mark will never be allowed to spend 20 years in the senate.” On the reported crisis in Benue APC, the former FEDECO officer dismissed it as imaginary because Senator George Akume, Audu Ogbeh, Nelson Alapa, Benson Abounu and Chief J.K. Waku remain the leaders of the party and they will re-enact the 2011 election magic that saw ACN won a senate seat, three House Representatives and 10 House of Assembly in less than two months. “ A s k those who are in

contention of this fact to show us their electoral value from their polling unit, ward and state, “Aame challenged. He insisted that given the realities on the ground, APC will take over Benue State and boost agriculture so that Nigeria will stop over-dependence on oil.

Why I’m going to Tribunal — Dafinone T

HE DPP senatorial candidate for Delta Central, Chief Ede Dafinone has explained why he wants to approach the Election Tribunal to contest the victory of Mr. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the by-election for Delta Central Senatorial District. The DPP in Delta State last Thursday announced its decision to contest the outcome of the poll at the Election Petition Tribunal. Offering insight into his party’s resolve to challenge the outcome of the election, the DPP senatorial candidate described the April 12 bye- election as political denial perpetrated against the Urhobo people.

•Dafinone

“In spite of being the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria, there is little recognition of Urhobo at the federal and state levels in terms of appointments and positions. Similarly, the interference in the last election, where the candidate foisted on the PDP in Delta State is again foisted and this time forcefully on the people of Delta Central”. The DPP candidate who is not pleased with the result of the election where PDP was declared winner flayed the exercise which he alleged was not free and fair and was enmeshed in violence and intimidation of voters. He condemned the reckless desperation, the sheer treachery and lawlessness of leaders of the PDP in the state. He also accused the Independent National Electoral Comm i s s i o n (INEC) of overturning the rule of fairness and allocating victory to the PDP. “We reject this outright robbery of the people’s will. We condemn this grievous injustice, this unconscionable mockery of all that is decent, of all that

is fair and just. The army and INEC, both Federal Government institutions worked with the PDP’s candidate to ensure his victory. The PDP used the army to unleash terror on the people of Delta Central. For hours, gun shots rent the air and the people were clobbered.

Also, the announced result shows PDP in first place. As if that is not bad enough, the result shows All Progressives Congress (APC) in second place with DPP, the populist party in the third place. All that combine to make the whole result laughable,” Dafinone said. He added that the party’s legal

team is preparing to head to the poll tribunal. “As law abiding citizens, we intend to explore all legal means to ensure this sham of an election is cancelled. We shall be proceeding to the election petition tribunal to present our case,” he emphasised.

ANAMBRA 2013

Politics of endorsement: Obi of Onitsha factor •Continued from Page 21 Can Igwe Achebe cope? A direct descendant of Ezearoli, official records say lgwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe was born in Onitsha on May 14, 1941, being the first child of Akunne Anthony Chinwuba, and Chukwuebuka Winifred Ogbenyeanu Achebe. With a degree in Chemistry from Standford University in California, USA, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Columbia University in New York, the young Prince Achebe then, started corporate life in the United States at a very humble level. He returned to Nigeria in 1972 to begin a robust career with the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria. For over 30 years, he worked and held positions in several strategic departments in the multinational com-

pany, including Human Resources, Operations, External Relations, General Management and international Representation/ Reputation Management. It is said that while there, he set a record achievement that has remained unequalled in the company as he was appointed to the Board of Directors of Shell Nigeria barely nine years after joining the company. After his retirement, the company sought a way of retaining his services. He was therefore transferred to Shell International in London, where he served as “ambassador at large” for Shell Nigeria with the title of Senior Corporate Adviser. He maintained this globally strategic position until his coronation as the 21st Obi of Onitsha. Some reports confirmed that the position of Senior Advisor “brought him in close working

contact with international figures in politics, business, the academia and civil society.” Aside corporate clout, which he garnered in his days in Shell and after, it seems his political connections in Nigeria owes so much to his nomination in 1979 to the maiden set of the Senior Executive Course of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Jos. A source said in that privileged set were some of the most powerful political godfathers that have dominated Nigeria’s political chess game in the last two to three decades. Given this background and the awesome powers an Obi of Onitsha commands traditionally, there is the belief that Igwe Achebe can still shield the stool from the turbulent political waters ahead of the November election. How far he can go remains to be seen as the D- day draws nearer.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

My relationship with Iyanya –Page 44

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Social

ADETUTU AUDU (E-mail: crownkool@yahoo.com, Tel: 08023849036)

Biodun Shobanjo's punctuality

Toyin Lawani on nine-month course

Dakore Akande rocks baby bump

Terry Waya, the unrepentant socialite

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Why Keem Belo-Osagie ventures into entertainment

Funmibi Adebayo Oduwole's giant stride

Glamour

Between Ayotunde Philips and Funmilayo Atilade

Where is Jennifer Atiku Abubakar?

Delores Odogwu's hope rising

Owen Aisienâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new calling

Glamour

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

& Ikuforiji celebrates wife @ 50 OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL (08033572821) raphseg2003@yahoo.com

agos Speaker, L e of s State Hou on. H , Assembly i Adeyem last Ikuforiji, ay d week Mon and ily hosted fam to s friend is celebrate h wife’s 50th Birthday

Celebrant, Adeyemi and Mayowa

L-R: Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and Hon. Kolawole Taiwo

Shobanjo bags ‘Advertising Man of All Time’ award

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

—PAGE 56

Welcome to Robben Island

•A tour guide and former inmate regales journalists with tales from the Apartheid days

‘This way to jail!’ This year’s ‘CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Award’ was special not only because of the excellence of the work that had been done by the 27 finalists, but because it also offered attendees the opportunity to visit the infamous Robben Island – former South African President Nelson Mandela’s home for 18 years. Festus Eriye who was in Cape Town reports. ES! This way to jail!’ ‘Go on, have a nice time in jail,’ the burly tour guide at Cape Town’s scenic Victoria and Alfred Waterfront cried as he ushered amused guests onto the ferry that would carry them to what used to be one of the world’s most notorious prisons. Thankfully, our group were not about to commence serving time. We were just a bunch of journalists from across Africa eagerly waiting to set foot on Nelson Mandela’s old stomping grounds. Not even the bracing cold that Friday morning

could dampen our enthusiasm. In roughly 25 minutes we had crossed that segment of the Atlantic Ocean separating this lonely outpost from the mainland. Today, the menace the island’s history used to evoke is missing because it is now a museum, and a swarm of eager tourists lend a celebratory air to the scene as we step on to the harbor. We are greeted by large banners on walls proclaiming “Freedom Cannot Be Manacled” and bearing ‘ images of Mandela, former President Thabo Mbeki and incumbent Jacob Zuma, Other huge framed posters celebrate groups of political prisoners who had walked through the hall ways of what the liberation fighters used to refer to as ‘The University.’ A short bus trip takes us to the main facility – the maximum security prison. On the way I sight a small collection of tombstones with the legend ‘Leper Cemetery’ – a reminder that Robben Island has a rich

history that transcends its phase as the incarceration facility where the Apartheid regime preferred to warehouse the political prisoners it feared the most. Beginning from the 17th century when it started being used, it has served as leper colony, mental institution, military base and prison. At some point the likes of Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and others had to co-habit with hardened criminals who the authorities often used as stool pigeons to keep an eye on the political types. As we were reminded during this visit, it was not only home-grown political prisoners that were held here. Elements of what used to be the South West Africa (now Namibia) Peoples Organisation (SWAPO) – including its founder Herman Toivo Ja Toivo – were once held in this prison. As part of efforts to ensure that the Robben Island visit is truly evoca-

•Finalists at this year’s CNN Multichoice African Journalist of the Year Award

•Through the bars of Mandela’s Robben Island cell

tive for all those who come here, the volved. So on one visit he was conrules governing the facility provide fronted by some former colleagues that only former political prisoners who wanted to know how they who were inmates at this prison can managed to beat the tough Apartserve as tour guides. heid security apparatus. After hearty My group is fortunate to be as- laughter Maharaj disclosed that it signed a quite humorous former in- was all down to some skulldugmate who had us in stitches for the gery involving photo albums. Usduration of our ing them the tour. He hapscript was transpened to have ported out of the been in the prison jailhouse bit-byat the same time bit. as the likes of Incidentally, Mandela and some foreigner some of the most happened to be famous figures around when the from the liberastory was being tion struggles and told, and he sudhad quite a few denly had a light tales to regale us bulb moment. with. “Aha,” he exOne had to do claimed, “now I with how know why you Mandela manmade Maharaj aged to beat the South Africa’s extremely tight post-Apartheid security and Minister for smuggle the Transport!” manuscript of his We saw the famous autobilimestone quarry ography ‘Long where Mandela Walk to Freeand colleagues dom’ out of used to crush •The writer outside Nelson Robben Island. stones, the Mandela’s old cell at Robben This significance kitchen were the Island of the feat is betpolitical prisonter appreciated when one remembers ers planned many a scheme to outthat the prisoners were so closely wit their jailors, but nothing beats monitored, even their personal let- the impact of starring into the ters were screened and suspicious matchbox of a prison cell where the content blocked out before being world’s most famous political prishanded to its owner. oner spent almost two decades. For many years it had been specuThe jam at the cell door as we lated that former political prisoner tripped over each other trying to and African National Congress (ANC) stalwart, Mac Maharaj was in-

•Continued on page 65

Life

EUN OLUSEGUN is a fresh university graduate earnestly in search of a job. At the moment, he does part time circulation work for a small-time publishing company to make some money and keep himself from ‘begging for food.’ Because his earning from the circulation job is meager, Seun has also found the Lagos Bus Rapid Transit system quite handy. For one, it helps him get around comfortably - a relief from the cramped yellow mini-buses and notorious molue buses that Lagosians had been condemned to before now. Secondly, it is very affordable and he gets to save a few change from the transport allowance he gets from his employer, since the fair can sometimes be as much as 60% lower than what obtains in the less regulated yellow bus systems. Most importantly, he says he enjoys the fact that he no longer has to struggle to get on a bus, since commuters automatically queue up at BRT terminals. He easily recalls a few years back in the late 1990s, when as a high school student who regularly commuted between Orile and Ojo, two Lagos suburbs, he and fellow students had to practically struggle with regular adult commuters to get on the molue buses to and from school. In his words, “Those were really terrible days for me. Most times, my well-ironed school uniform would have been rumpled, even before I get to school. On one occasion, the torn panel of one of the buses practically tore my shirt to shreds, causing me to sneak into class and sit in my corner all through the day because I didn’t want my colleagues or teachers to see my torn uniform. Seun, however, feels there is need for a better regulation of the Bus Rapid System for it to reach that standard where foreigners and tourists would patronize it. On this occasion, he’d been waiting at the CMS Terminal for more than one hour for a bus back to Oshodi and he wondered why he had to wait for that long. “I’m sure this is not part of the original design for these buses. It’s getting to about two hours since I’ve been here waiting to board a bus to Oshodi, and it’s not even peak hours yet? This is just about 2pm! Personally, I think the Lagos State government needs to really get more stringent else the operators will mess things up for them. From what I see here, there is not enough control and it is really dangerous for the system.” Seun lamented. The guilty buses here belong to the Mutual Transport Company who apparently has the franchise to operate on the Oshodi-CMS corridor. Mrs. Folashade (wouldn’t disclose her surname) commutes regularly between Ikotun and Cele bus stop along ApapaOshodi Expressway and between Ikotun and Iyana-Ipaja; two corridors operated by separate franchise companies. She acknowledged that the system has really reduced her budget on transportation, but wondered why the government hasn’t taken time to widen the roads on these routes, seeing that one of them (the Ikotun-Cele) is notorious for endless traffic jam and hold-ups. “I thank Governor Fashola for the BRT because it has really helped people like me to save money. If I were to patronise the small yellow buses, I’ll be paying between N150 and N200, but with the BRT, it is N50 come rain, come shine. But I think the Ikotun-Cele route is too tight and the government could have

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Lagos BRT: Not yet a smooth ride While commending the Lagos State government for the well thought-out Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which has sought to revolutionise commuter experience in the ever expanding megacity, Lagosians take time to reflect on the high points of the system so far, the low points, and their expectations of a better service.

• BRT buses at Tafawa Balewa Square Terminal taken the time to add one more lane, so that the buses can have their own lane like we have on Ikorodu road. If we have dedicated lanes like we have in those routes, you will find that the trip can be done in less than fifteen minutes and about, but currently we spend between 45 minutes and three hours.” So in spite of the cheap fare, Mrs. Folashade thinks that the time wasted on the road needs to be urgently addressed. She also feels that the advantage of a dedicated lane and quick trips will force the shylock yellow buses to charge more realistic fares, since it’s really not a long trip. Speaking further, Folashade gave a lot of kudos to the ABC transport system, one of t latest operators to join the system because of their neat and efficient mode of operation but wondered what has become of them in the

last couple of weeks. She says a lot has to be done in terms of maintenance of the buses, before they get to the molue level, arguing that a lot of them are fast becoming decrepit. “It’s just about five years since the system took off, and a good number of them no longer have functional doors. In fact, I boarded one just last week and a full window panel was off, leaving us at the mercy of a heavy rain on the day.” At this point, Jude, another commuter, who had been listening to the discussion volunteered that the blue buses are the most guilty when it comes to maintenance, wondering what could be responsible for such attitude. According to him, Governor Fashola’s reason for giving out franchise to private operators is to ensure better management, since their money and resources would be at stake. He therefore

PHOTOS: MUYIWA HASSAN wondered why the same trend of negligence has continued, even much worse than what obtains in some of the LAG Buses owned by the state government. Jude however commends some of the buses for maintaining a commendable standard. “I think the red buses (Lagbuses), especially those along Oshodi to Obalende/ CMS, Western Avenue and the ones plying Lekki-Ajah routes are still in remarkable condition. Maybe that is due to the brands. You cannot compare a Mercedes Benz bus for instance, to Daewoo or any of those imported from China.” He concluded. Another respondent, Babatunde Fashina, who admits that he is not a regular user of the BRT system since it doesn’t operate along his daily route, says the blue buses are indeed a sore sight with their torn body panels and worn-out doors that at the same

time pose terrible danger to the commuters. “How come the bodies are tearing off as if they are made of paper? Don’t the driver’s get queried for damaging the buses and what happens to prompt repairs or are they saying we no longer have panelbeaters in this country?” He wondered whether this has to do with the management and if there is nothing the Lagos State government as a regulatory organ can do to make sure the standards are rescued. And so it was a plethora of verdicts. In apparent response to the ‘No Smoking, No Preaching and No Hawking’ sign, a good number of the respondents expressed their appreciation at the fact that they no longer have to cope with the noise from preachers and hawkers. One commuter specifically said he is glad that drug sellers can no longer have a field day, arguing that a lot of the kidney, liver and other diseases that have now become rife among our people may not be unconnected with their activities. Many also complained about the filthy state of the buses, which they say will never endear it to foreigners or tourists. One male passenger who insisted that his name was irrelevant in the matter at stake complained about the nasty habit of commuters who litter the buses without any recourse to hygiene and fellow commuters’ sensibilities. “The other day, I watched a woman dump shells of groundnut on the floor without any caution. I have even seen a used baby diaper in a BRT before, can you imagine that!” He exclaimed. The young man however did not depart without venting his anger on the bus operators. First he thinks they should provide a waste bin; and then he feels they should have cleaners on standby at the terminals to clean up the mess at the end of each trip. He commends the Lagos state government and some of the operators for purchasing new buses (the state recently had about 90 buses injected into the system), which he says will go a long way in eliminating the long queues and delays. He also believes the government’s purchase of bus washing equipments will go a long way in ensuring that the buses attain an acceptable level of cleanliness and says things will be a lot better if commuters and the franchise operators played their parts diligently in this regard. A few other respondents complained of the unruly nature of the bus ticket sellers, whom they say have formed a habit of talking to commuters rather rudely. They wondered whether they were ever put through any customer relations training. Closely related to the ticket sellers insolence is the issue of change. As if to corroborate the complaints, one of the ticket sellers who overheard this complain actually cut in rudely to tell the commuter to always come out with her exact fair, since that is the only thing that causes fracas between the ticket sellers and the commuters. An attempt to speak with Tunde Obadina, who is Head of Operations of LAMATA (Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority) at its Ikotun office was however rebuffed. Obadina insisted that as a civil servant, he is not able to speak with the media, literally denying the public an opportunity of a much desired explanation for issues raised. One of the officials along the Ikeja-Iyana-Ipaja-Ikotun route,

•Continued on page 65

BUSINESS THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

‘Monitoring procurement process will improve power sector’ ----Page Page 52 52

Nigeria requires N56trillion to address housing deficit T

HE nation requires at least N56trillion to address the current 17million housing deficit, Mr. Adeniyi Akinlusi, Managing Director/Chief Executive, Trustbond Mortgage Bank Plc, has said. He made this disclosure at a public forum organised by the Institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria (ICA) in Lagos recently.

XPERTS have impressed on the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the need to adhere to standards in order to ensure effective regulation in the power sub-sector. This was the resolution reached at the end of a one-day sensitisation workshop for journalists on ‘Reporting Contract Monitoring Processes’ in Lagos. The event, facilitated by Media Rights Agenda, a non-profit, nongovernmental organisation, drew

Stories by Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

According to him, housing finance in the country lacks long-term funding as most money deposit banks prefer a cash call of 30-90 days, a development, he said, is unfavourable to the housing sub-sector. Akinlusi said: “With over 17 mil-

lion housing units, Nigeria has a huge potential in housing but then, this is something unachievable given the poor attention to the sector.” Citing best practices, the Trustbond Mortgage Bank Plc boss said: “Unlike the USA which has 85 per cent housing ownership rate, Brazil 53 per cent, Benin Republic and South Africa with 61 and 56 per

Experts task NERC on standards participants from a cross-section of engineers, academia, civil society advocates, to mention just a few. According to the experts, the NERC should as a matter of urgency set a clear benchmark for qualification for private investors to take over and manage the unbundled companies. Firing the first salvo, the Manager, Consultancy Services, Nigerian

Society of Engineers, Dayo Olugboye said there is need to find out whether the new investors have the financial capacity or the desired ability to raise the required financial strength that would make them run the companies successfully and efficiently. Besides, he said, the investors should have the technical capacity to be able to manage different companies in their different areas of com-

•From left: Governor of Osun state, Ogeni Rauf Aregbesola; Nutrition and Health Manager, West Africa, Unilever, Dr. Victor Ajieroh; and Assistant Category Manager, Skin care, Unilever Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Aniyikaiye, during the Unilever Global Hand-washing Day Celebration in Osun State recently

Norwegian economist advices Nigerian leaders on frugal spending

OVE Fortun, a 50- year old Norwegian trained economist with over 20 years experience working in the financial industry has impressed on Nigerian leaders, the need to be thrifty, especially fiscal expenditure. She made this appeal recently in a mail she sent to The Nation Online. Fortun who retired 10 years ago due to her health, said her interest in Nigeria is purely altruistic. “I wish the leaders will use the money from oil and other resources for the best for all people. Education is the key to get out of poverty. But even well educated struggle with their economy. So something must be wrong. All citizens must like Norwegian citizen have access to information about the income to the State Nigeria and also

cent housing rate respectively, Nigeria has a paltry 25 per cent home ownership rate. So, there is need to fill the gap. For instance, if we can provide N3million for each of the 17 million units that is N56trillion, a lot of money by any standard which no single organisation can undertake except different crop of investors come into the sector.”

what the money is used for,” she said, adding: “That is very important to avoid corruption. If you show the accounts then everyone knows there are no skeletons in the closet. On long term the leaders should go for free education up to end of high school.” While noting that her native Norway is also an oil region like Nigeria, she however said it was heartening that life there is good. “I remember a happy childhood but in another economical time. We did not go to bed hungry but there was less money and not so many people went for high education as today. The oil has given us better possibilities to new hospitals with the most modern equipment for treatment for all diseases. “All youth are guaranteed 13 year at school free. Universities and

Colleges are also free, means no school fee but you have to pay for books after the first 13 years, high school. The school was also free in my childhood but not so modern like today. “I know only one bad thing about Norwegian oil fortune. We trust in it too much, so we are in lack of innovation and also good engineers. One day the oil will bring less money to Norway and then we need to have other possibilities for the welfare we have in this country.” On welfare, she said: “Norway’s welfare system is based on that everyone who work full time and pay taxes. Most of our oil fortune is saved for next generation. But a certain percent is used every year for investments like health, roads, schools and so on.”

petency or areas they are required to handle the broad spectrum of electricity supply, storage and distribution. “As a body that regulates the sector, NERC should set clear standards and make sure that the wining investors meet the standard and also monitor the fulfillment of the obligations by the investors once they take over the companies”, he said. According to him, the winning companies should prove that their personnel have the requisite capacity to perform the task as a company. Following the takeover, there are concerns that the new investors have been completely removed from public procurement monitoring exercises. Olugboye said as private organisations they are no longer being governed by the provisions of the law. He said it is only the electricity regulatory agency and the engineering regulation ( COREN) that have the sole responsibility to monitor their operations hence the need for these two agencies to ensure that the investors that are taking over those companies adhere to professional standard in implementing their projects. “The agencies responsible for oversight or regulation have to be up and doing, they have to in terms of knowledge and technical knowhow live up to the task, they should be able to set standard for the private investors if not it might take us a longer time to achieve the objective of giving over those companies to private hands,” he stressed. Echoing similar sentiments, the Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda, Edetaen Ojo, said with the choice of appropriate companies and with strict monitoring and regulation of the sector it is hoped that power generation would improve in the country rapidly. He said: “We have had a problem principally with generation of power and distribution but if we can improve on power generation through private investors and also the distribution system I think we should begin to see improvement very quickly and if that is not happening then it is an issue that we need to bring to public attention so that additional intervention can be made.” While noting that successive governments have failed in managing the power sector, he was optimistic with transfer of the sector to private investors, “One is hopeful that private investors have proven to be more adept at managing businesses than government.”

Briefs Lifebuoy signs Mou with Osun

O commemorate the Global Hand-washing Day, Unilever through its Lifebuoy soap has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Osun State Government with a view to improving hygiene among the teeming youths population in the state. The key objective of the MOU is to share a common vision and improve the health and wellbeing of Nigerian children through implementation of integrated school health education and behavioural change activities around hygiene, oral care, nutrition and sustainable energy consumption as part of their commitment and dedication of resources into measurable results for all children. Speaking at the Global Handwashing Day celebration in the State of Osun, Brand Building Director, David Okeme, represented by Nutrition and Health Manager, West Africa, Unilever, Dr. Victor Ajieroh said: “Unilever is happy to be part of the 2013 celebration of the Global Hand-washing Day in collaboration with the State Government of Osun, the Partnership for Child Development and other stakeholders.” While lauding the initiative, Governor Rauf Aregbesola, noted that the state is in collaboration with Unilever, as part of its commitment to leave no stone unturned to make it a model state for hygiene. “We use this opportunity to create awareness in the general populace to imbibe the culture of hand-washing, to sensitize policy makers, to give proper attention to schools to provide hand-washing materials,” he stressed.

Nigeria, Ghana, others get Rotary, UNESCO-IHE scholarships

UILDING on the success of the Rotary and UNESCOIHE partnership to train future water leaders, the second class of students – 16 in total – began graduate studies this month at UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the premier postgraduate water education institution in the world. The first class of Rotary sponsored scholars, who began their studies in October 2012, successfully completed their first year of an 18month Masters of Science degree program at UNESCO-IHE, a United Nations Institute in Delft, The Netherlands. They are now embarking on a six-month thesis period. After graduation in April 2014, the scholars’ expertise will be put to work improving water and sanitation conditions in their own communities with projects the scholars and sponsoring Rotary members will design and implement together in their respective countries of Argentina, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana. “Students finished a year of challenging class work and are beginning their 6-month research component on issues of water management,” said Michael McClain, professor at UNESCOIHE.

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

BUSINESS

Pre-paid meters: Unending tales of frustration L

IKE a new bride, most Nigerians literally welcomed the introduction of prepaid meters with open arms. But the irony, however, is that today, they have to gasp and groan when they can only see and cannot have it, no thanks to the uncooperative staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, which abdicated their responsibility after collecting money but failed to deliver. This is the dilemma of electricity consumers across the country. Unpalatable tales over prepaid meters Despite several claims by some officials of PHCN that the prepaid meters have been distributed to end users through the Distribution Company, DISCO networks, across the country, customers say they are tired of endless waiting. Mr. Nnamdi Bosa, a resident of FHA-Diamond Estate, Isheri-Olofin, LASU Road, was one of those who looked forward to getting the prepared meters when it was first introduced some years ago. Out of conviction that it was the easiest way to forestall the incidence of excessive billing common with the manual meter he didn’t exercise any qualms at all about paying for his own prepaid meter when he was approached by a staff of PHCN at Ikotun Undertaken office in Lagos, but he has had to wait for six long years without either the prepaid meter or a refund. He tells his story himself. “In 2007, I raised an Eco bank draft worth N55, 000 to pay for a three phase prepaid meter. At the time I was assured by the staff that I was going to get the meter in a matter of weeks. My bank a week later confirmed that the PHCN cleared the cheque but it is exactly six years now that I paid for the meter, yet I’m still waiting to take delivery of the meter. In fact, no money, no meter.” Bosa further lamented that less than 15 houses out of 600 blocks of flats at the estate where he lives have the prepaid meters, and even then they are not better off considering the fact that they have to go in long search for credit vouchers to power their meters. The story is much the same elsewhere. Like Bosa, customers, in separate interviews, condemned the delay by the PHCN in installing meters in several houses more than three years after payment. The Chairman, Diamond Estate, Agege, Ibrahim Opeloyeru, said that consumers who needed pre-paid meters had waited for so long, adding that PHCN needs to expedite action on this. He said PHCN’s excuse is that the meters are not available and costly to obtain. Mr. Opeloyeru alleged that some officials of PHCN were deliberately hoarding the meters in order to continue placing customers on estimated bills. He said that some resi-

Although most Nigerians welcomed the idea of the prepaid electricity meters when it was first mooted few years ago, today not a few are happy with the turn of events as they recount tales of woes and disappointments, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

•Prepaid meters

dents of the estate waited for two years after payment before their pre-paid meters were installed. Another customer, Flora Onyewuna, a journalist, living in Mosafejo, Amukoko, an uptown district of Lagos, said that she had paid for prepaid meter a year ago, but has yet to get it installed. Ms. Onyewuna said that her home had been receiving high bills. She said in the last six months, there has been inexplicable bills, yet no regular electricity supply to prove that we used such an amount. “We used to receive N2, 000 and N2, 500 bills before now, but for the past six months, it is now hovering between N7,000 to N8,000. We still pay the same amount when there is no

regular light. This is unfair,” she said. Sharing his experience, Mr. Waheed Amao, a pure water manufacturer said, in spite of the series of letters the company had written to the management of the Eko Electricity Distribution Zone, their request to have prepaid meters is yet to be granted. “It is bad enough that people hardly enjoy electricity, but it is most dehumanising when they have to pay for energy they did not consume. This issue of over-billing and sometimes crazy bills has been a battle between officials of PHCN and consumers over the years,’’ he said. Echoing similar sentiments, Chief Badmus Owolabi, who resides in one of low-cost housing estate

along the Isolo axis of Lagos, also complained that most industries in the area were yet to have prepaid meters installed in their premises. “Nigerians welcomed the introduction of pre-paid meters with open arms, but have to gasp and groan when they can only see and cannot have it.” On his part, Mr. Okuru Bennett, a resident in Port Harcourt said: “I got one, while at Elekahia, which Trans Amadi Business Unit fixed for me around 2005 but by the time I started making moves to Rumuola from 2007 in the same Port Harcourt, I paid N50, 000 for pre-paid meter. I tell you, I keep on going and calling but continue to get the same reply. Rumola Business Unit has not been given prepaid meters.”

Feeble defence Reacting to the nonavailability of prepaid meters, Godwin Idemudia, the Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, said the Zone had embarked on installation of the backlog of pre-paid meters for customers that paid before June 2012. Corroborating Idemudia, the Principal Manager, Public Affairs, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, Mr Ademola Adegoke, however, denied the allegations, saying that no industrial company is billed on estimation. According to him, “It is not true that we don’t have meters for our industrial customers. The truth of the matter is that except in rare cases when an industrial cus-

tomer’s meter may be temporarily bad, no industrial customer is supposed to be billed on estimation. “Even if the meter is faulty, estimated billing can only be for a few months pending when replacement is made for the faulty meter. It can thus be safely said that more than ninety five per cent of our industrial customers are metered. “Going by the huge quantum of energy this category of customers consumes, we cannot afford not to have fool-proof method of billing them. Adegoke also said that an objective random sampling of the Industrial and commercial customers would confirm his stance on the issue. Speaking with The Nation, Mr. Pekun Adeyanju, Public Relations Officer, Ikeja Disco who refused to comment on the status of prepaid meters for customers under Ikeja zone, however, hinted of plans by Ikeja authorities to formally rollout prepaid meters next week. Federal Government riot act Thankfully, the Federal Government has directed new owners of power distribution firms to provide all electricity consumers with meters as soon as they take over the successor companies of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. It advised that the new power firms should accord priority to the metering of their customers nationwide. The Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi, who stated this, last Tuesday, added that crazy billing by power firms would not be tolerated. He spoke on behalf of the government at a two-day workshop organised by the NERC for the successor companies and other stakeholders in Abuja. He said, “The new PHCN successor companies should see metering of all their customers immediately they take over ownership of the PHCN companies as their major priority to avoid bills estimation.” The NERC boss explained that in the new power reform agenda, both the accounts of the distribution companies and their customers should be balanced and maintained. He noted that one of the concerns of the commission was to ensure that the rights of the discos and their customers were not tampered with. According to Amadi, metering all electricity consumers would assist the customers to effectively monitor their energy usage as well as enable the Discos to determine their revenue. He stressed that the Discos would know the exact number of customers they had when all power consumers were metered. Amadi observed that the Multi Year Tariff Order 2 of the Nigeria Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 provided money for Discos for

Continued on page 51

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

Experts canvass probity in public spending

Pre-paid meters: Unending tales of frustration

Institute seeks favourable payment code for SMEs W U

Continued from page 50 losses incurred by them in the metering of customers. The NERC chairman said the commission would need to reach an agreement with the Discos on how long it would take the power firms to ensure that all their customers were metered. Amadi said previously, a period of 18 months was given to the PHCN to meter all its customers, but it was unable to meet the target. The new owners of the power firms are expected to take over their respective companies on November 1, 2013. Alternative funding of pre-paid meters In its quest to boost the deployment of pre-paid meters to electricity consumers across the country, the Federal Government has ordered NERC to commence full implementation of an alternative funding scheme. NERC received the order at the weekend when the commission presented its chairman, Sam Amadi, to the Presidential Action Committee on Power, PACP in Abuja. At the end of the presentation, PACP agreed with the recommendations made by NERC, and has asked for the immediate implementation of the scheme known as “Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation – CAPMI.” The CAPMI was designed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to fill the gap created by the old metering system as contained in the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) II in which inadequate funding of the programme led to shortage in the supply of the prepaid meters and the challenges of paying outrageous bills Recalled that NERC had earlier this year announced that electricity meter was no longer free, contrary to its June 1, 2012 directive that prepaid meters should be distributed free to electricity customers across the country by Distribution Companies, DISCO’s due to the new tariff, adding that punitive measures will be taken against any DISCO who fails to abide to the instruction. Curiously, nine months after, NERC admitted that an unacceptable number of Nigerians were still without meters. Amadi, who addressed a press briefing on the revision of the earlier free meter directive, stressed that any customer who wishes to pay for the meter now would be compensated over time. In return for paid meters, such customers would get energy credit and reduction in their fixed charges over time. Specifically, one of the top priorities of the commission’s CAPMI is to ensure that huge number of unmetered customers is reduced as rapidly as possible within the shortest possible time. By doing so, NERC believes that the menace of “crazy billing” and other commercial losses will be greatly curtailed. CAPMI

BUSINESS

•Amadi

according to NERC is an optional scheme that has been designed to allow willing customers advance money to their distribution company in exchange for the installation of meters. Why prepaid meters will not work A number of people are not sold on the idea of the prepaid meters because they consider it not to be a wellthought out scheme. Mr. Darlington Agumuo, a public affairs analyst, is one individual who is not sold on the idea of prepaid meter. As far as he is concerned, the whole idea is a fluke, if not dead on arrival. While acknowledging that the major problem of power supply in the country is the problem of correct billing and meter reading to consumers, a development, which necessitated the introduction of prepaid meters, Agumuo was however to quick to add that “The new system, Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation – CAPMI, suggested by the regulatory agency, for consumers to pay for either N50,000 or N20,000 for a three-phase or single phase respectively and then, the PHCN will reimburse them through non-collection of fixed charges which is put at N750 per month, will not work for a number of reasons.” Expatiating, he said: “Property owners who already have analogue meters in their premises will find it difficult to pay additional money to acquire the prepaid meter. It would have been better if the PHCN were to replace the analogue meters with pre-paid ones at no cost to the property ownerssince the meter belongs to the PHCN. “Again, how can property owners who have buildings in several places recover their money if they buy and install the meter for their tenants? At N750 per month fixed charge, it will take six years for one to recover N50, 000 (N750 X 12 = N9, 000 X 6 = N54, 000). Or, N20, 000 (N750 X 12 = N9, 000 X 27 months (as the case may be). You may recharge twice in a month due to unforeseen circumstances. Under MYTO, the fixed charge is subject to upward review. “If a tenant decides to procure the prepaid meter in the name of the landlord to avoid inconveniences, the landlord may not reimburse him and the tenant will not leave with the meter when he is leaving because the meter is not transferable. This is why the tenant may not be willing to pay for the prepaid meter because they are not sure they will stay for six years or 27 months to recover their money.”

NHAPPY over the parlous state of the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises operating across the country, the Institute of Credit Administration (ICA) has called on stakeholders in credit industry to desist from delaying payment of bills and invoices submitted by the SMEs in respect of businesses or supplies executed by them. Making this appeal recently was the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute, Dr. Chris Onalo. While lamenting what it described as calculated attempts to frustrate small businesses, the ICA boss said: “The practice where big companies,

By Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf

multinationals and even government agencies, departments and ministries subject SMEs’ invoice for business or contract executed to long delay in processing for payments further compound their already precarious financial conditions. Whereas big companies can easily obtain working capital from banks to fund their business operations, SMEs hardly have access to such fund due to collateral constraint.” Expatiating, he said: “It therefore amounts to frustrating their business if priority

is not given for prompt payment of invoices of this group of business people. The Institute of Credit Administration sees this development as “credit extension” by SMEs to such organisations which must not be abused. “ If an SME is given LPO to make supply or a contract to execute a business and the SME goes ahead to execute the deal using his/her own fund, and by the time invoice is submitted for payment, such invoice ought to be paid without delay, say, within five working days or less. This will enable him or her to move on in business with less financial stress.”

•From left: General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Steve Ryu, Managing Director/CEO, Nike Art Gallery, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundaye, Managing Director, Fouani Nigeria Limited, Mr. Mohammed Fouani and General Manager, Corporate and Brand Marketing, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Rajesh Agnihotri during the official launch of LG 55/65-inch ULTRA HIGH Definition TV in Lagos...recently

Mariner advises NIMASA on training MARINER, Capt. said. of seafarers jobs,’’Hethesaidmariner Dennis Osah, on he would always

Thursday urged the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to give more attention to training of seafarers at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom. Osah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the academy should be the first institution to be considered by NIMASA for the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP). He said that the academy deserved to be adequately equipped to train cadets to have sea-time experience and to acquire the needed international standards. Osah, who is the first President of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), said that “all things being equal, the MAN should be at the heart of the development programme for the Nigerian seafarers’’. The mariner commended

the initiative of NIMASA in sending cadets abroad under the NSDP, but insisted that the MAN, Oron, must be given the needed attention by the Federal Government. “It is a welcome idea from NIMASA and other partners who now send cadets abroad for training, but our own MAN must get the first and quality attention which it deserves. “MAN remains our home institute for training of seafarers and it has to measure up to international standards,’’ Osah told NAN. He said that a number of the vessels working in Nigeria had foreign nationals because the MAN training was limited in scope without the practical aspects. “If our maritime academy has capacity for practical sea training, those being sent abroad will be trained here and they will be qualified to take up the available

speak on the need to revive the national shipping line, considering the importance of such an organisation in the training of seafarers and growth of the industry. “I started my cadet training with the Guinea Gulf Lines before going to the Nigerian National Shipping Line and then becoming a master mariner. ‘Today, there are no ship flying the national flag and I believe this should be taken more seriously,” he said. “The Federal Government has the capacity to begin to buy ships in which the cadets can be trained and can eventually work,” Osah said. He said that this would generate more foreign exchange for the nation. Osah suggested that the Federal Government should resuscitate the national shipping line and concession it to private operators.

Osun concludes plan to turn waste to raw material

HE Osun Government says it has concluded plans to turn waste to raw materials. The General Manager of the Waste Management Authority in Osun, Alhaji Ganiyu Oyeladunm, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Osogbo that government was committed to transform the state. According to him, the state is presently compressing the e-waste content of the waste product for metal smelting

company to use as raw materials, while plans are on the way for recycling. “We realise the economic benefit inherent in the recycling of the waste product generated in the state to viable raw materials for industrial usage which will help the economy in no small way. “Also, this policy of waste-to-wealth as new global trend will reduce the hitherto hazards which heaps of refuse in our environment is

generating on daily basis. “Although, we have not been able to have a recycling factory here in Osun, efforts are being made to establish one to complement the efforts of the government to diversify,’’ he said. Meanwhile, an environment expert, Dr Adeleke Osipintan, has enjoined governments at all level to look inward and improve the economy of their domain through environmental innovation.

ORRIED about the low level of accountability in the public sector, especially at all tiers of government, experts have suggested a paradigm shift in the design and implementation of policies aimed at promoting effective governance. This was part of the resolutions reached at a two-day public forum held in Cross River State recently. The two-day capacity building workshop tagged: ‘Social and Governance Accountability Project’, facilitated by Dr Abiola Akiyode Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), drew over 30 non-state actor participants, including representatives of civil societies organisations, community based organisations, government functionaries among others. Justifying the need for the workshop, Afolabi in her opening remarks titled: ‘Holding Government to Account: Sharing Best Practices on Non-state Actors’ said government accountability to citizens is the cornerstone to ensure fairness, economic equality and civic participation. In his keynote address, the Deputy Speaker House of Assembly Cross River State who was representedUdie Akab Ubong emphasised the need for accountability at all levels of government, stressing that it is key to rebuilding trust within and between communities.

LG unveils new UHD TV

LD and prospective customers of LG Electronics have every reason to smile, as their darling brand has unveiled a new set of branded LG ultra high definition TV’s into the market. The official launch of the new sets of TVs, which held at the famous Nike Centre for Art and Culture in Lekki, Lagos, had a taste of style and glamour as high net worth individuals among other technology buffs graced the occasion. Justifying the need for the new products, General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics West Africa operations, Mr. Steve Ryu said: “By introducing 55- and 65-inch screen sizes, we are expanding the ULTRA HD market and further solidifying our position as the leader in next generation display technology.” “The first company to offer the jaw dropping ULTRA HD experience, LG now boasts three outstanding models, meaning consumers can select the screen size that best suits their lifestyle. Producing crisp, high contrast images with the most vivid colors imaginable, LG’s ULTRA HD TVs are the true champions of picture quality.” Speaking earlier, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, Managing Director Fouani Nigeria Limited said with the introduction of the 55- and 65 inch ULTRA HD TV, customers can now have a variety of choices.

BUSINESS

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

‘Monitoring procurement process will improve power sector’ Ms Seember Nyager, a multi-disciplinarian with a B.Sc in Management Technology from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, a Master’s in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool as well as a degree in Law from the University of Birmingham, currently sits atop as the Chief Executive Officer, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), an organisation committed to ensuring transparency in contract monitoring and procurement processes in the private and public sectors. In this interview with Ambrose Nnaji, she shares her experience on the job thus far

HAT is your interest in the evaluation and monitoring of the execution of power projects in the country? My organisation, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) and the entire Nigerian Contract Monitoring Coalition, which is made up of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Media Right Agenda (MRA), Initiative for Environmental and Health Society, the Centre for Organisational and Professional Ethics (COPE-AFRICA) and the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) decided to monitor the power projects because epileptic power supply is something that every Nigerian resident can identify with. With support from the Institutional Development Fund of the World Bank, we decided to focus our attention on power projects including some electricity distribution projects in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja. We are looking at the projects that can impact on the people’s lives. We know how bad the power sector is and we felt it would be better to monitor the power projects. There have been a lot of reports, particularly from the media, concerning a lot of money going into the projects, but for some reasons we cannot verify their true performance. So, we decided to follow the contracting process from the stage where it is being conceptualised to the stage where they are fully implemented and see where the gaps are and how the gaps can be filled, or whether there is any benefit coming from the procurement process. Furthermore, our desire to

INTERVIEW participate from the onset of the procurement process was with the aim of generating early warning signals that could prevent failures or challenges at the stage of project implementation. What were your challenges in the process? The biggest challenge we faced when we started the monitoring, was the fact that we could not access any information to be able to effectively engage the process. No one was willing to give us any information that we could use to verify what we were hearing from the media. We heard and read that the Federal Government, through the Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc (PHCN), would get a credit facility from the World Bank to execute power projects, but no one was ready to give us enough information to verify and follow up the process. We were directed to the World Bank’s website, but the information there was not sufficient for us to monitor anything. It is like you telling us some things, but you will not allow us to monitor anything, which implies that we should only take your words for it and that would be enough. In response to our FOI request for the procurement details, the PHCN at first responded that they were not obliged to provide us with the information and thereafter, we got no further responses. Anyway, the denial to grant us access to information led us to pursue litigation that could have been avoided and we finally won the case.

What was the court’s judgement on it? One of the arguments, which PHCN put up in the court, was that any disclosure of information would affect the contract negotiations. But by the time we applied for the information, the contract had been awarded. We were also conscious that these projects are for the benefits of the public and as a coalition, we felt that there was no reasonable ground to exclude Nigerians from accessing public finance records pertaining to these power projects. So, how will the disclosure of the information, which we requested for, affect any decision on the contract? The project in question is for our benefit; Nigerians are going to pay back the loan. So, why is it that we cannot get information concerning the contract? The judge, therefore, ruled in our favour because the PHCN only held on to the view that the disclosure of the information would affect contract negotiation. Their ground was not sufficient because the contract had been awarded and PHCN did not show, in any way, that the disclosure of any information would affect the contract negotiation, hence the judge held that there was no justification for PHCN not to grant us the information and, therefore, ordered them to grant us the information immediately. That was how we were able to finally get the information on the process. After you received the information on the PHCN’s project, what were the gaps you discovered in the procurement process? Well, at the time we were

Lagos to set up electricity metre manufacturing line ...As Secretariat gets 10.4MW power plant

NAVAILABILITY of electricity metres which has become a major headache of majority of electricity consumers may soon be a thing of the past in Lagos State following the plan by the state government to set up a metre manufacturing line. Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who made the disclosure on Thursday, during the inauguration of the newly built 10.4MW Alausa Power Plant located within the state secretariat in Ikeja, said the proposed meter assembly line was part of the ongoing efforts by the state government to address all the problems associated with efficient power supply to the residents of the state. He stated that the meter assembly has become necessary in order to alleviate the hardship residents faced in the process of

acquiring electricity meters while adding that continued production and conservation were very critical factors to ensure the people get basic utilities like water and electricity optimally. “We already have a transformer manufacturing plant (ElSewedy Electric in Badagry) and so we are going ahead to ensure that when the power is ultimately here the components to bring it to peoples’ homes will be available. What we hear before is that well, there is generation but there is no gas, so we don’t what to get to that when the talk would be there is electricity but there is no transformers. So, we are already ahead of the curve and that factory will also be manufacturing meters in the plant”, he said. The governor also said that with the new power plant, gov-

ernment institutions comprising 62 buildings, 156 departments and over 4000 offices hitherto connected to the public electric power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), would now move to the power being generated from the new facility and enjoy 24-hour uninterrupted power supply. According to him, apart from the secretariat complex which includes the Government House, Lagos State House of Assembly and public service offices, the plant will also feed the Lagos Television (LTV 8); Lagos State Printing Corporation; Lagos State Council of Arts & Culture; Office of the State Surveyor-General; proposed Multi-Agency Complex, and Staff Quarters I, II and III with power in addition to power street lights on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.

•Nyager

granted access to the procurement records, project implementation was already underway. We noticed that the procurement plans were outdated and so they were not useful for estimating timelines for completion of various activities within the project. We also noted that the feasibility study did not seem to take into account the actual locations where these poles for the electricity distribution systems would be placed and some locations were not feasible at all. Some of the areas were not suitable because the population density was low; which would mean that only a few benefits from the electricity installation and that could be considered as noneconomical considering the cost of implementation. We understand you have an issue with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). What is the contention? After the fuel subsidy saga, there was a lot of attention on the revenues generated from the oil and gas sector, but we felt that no one was really monitoring the expenditure within that sector and we decided to look in the area of public expenditure as well. So with support from the Civil Society Fund of the World Bank, we commenced monitoring the procurement process within the petroleum sector. Then, one day, a colleague of mine, Nkem Ilo, who coordinates the activities of procurement monitors across various sectors, made a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to NNPC for their procurement plan, but they did not respond. Anytime the letter was de-

livered, somebody would sign that it had been received, but we would not get any response. We used the courier to do the same type of request, and it was signed by someone, who received the letter, but we never got any response. For a long time, there was no response and we decided to go to court. NNPC’s argument was that at no time was a request for procurement plan delivered to the corporation and the person signing for the letters was not their employee. They also said that we were supposed to give them 30 days’ notice, according to the law establishing the corporation, but the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act stated that you have to bring to the notice of the court your denial of information within 30 days. So, these are things we are presenting before the judge. Further hearing is coming up later in October and so, we are waiting to see the outcome of that. The issue now is that, if they claimed that they did not receive the letters, why have they not made any move to make available the procurement plans. My colleagues and I think it is wrong when the law is being manipulated to deny citizens access to participate in governance processes; it goes against our constitution which makes it clear in Section 14 (2)(c ) that ‘the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured.’ If you are a public institution within the meaning of the FOI Act which covers corporations established by law such as NNPC, you are not exempted from public accountability. It is clear that there is

and there will continue to be a lot of discordance and mistrust in the governance process, when citizens cannot verify the information they are fed with by public institutions. And we are very optimistic that the court will rule in our favour because we are only asking for public records on planned procurement processes. What’s your advice for the public on accessing of information on public projects? My word to the public is a long quote I took from a piece written by Mohammed Qaddim Sidq Isa where he said: “Let people at ward levels for instance overwhelm their elected local government councillors and local government chairmen with requests to know exactly how much their respective local governments receive and collect in internal revenues monthly, how exactly the funds are spent and on what. Let them not stop submitting such requests no matter how many times they are ignored, and let them equally overwhelm the courts with complaints against the officials who fail to oblige. Also let them not succumb to any court foot-dragging, reluctance and indecisiveness. If they sustain this momentum with commitment and insistence at the grassroots levels, it will definitely grow into overwhelming phenomena at both state and federal levels, which the governments can’t dodge anymore. And eventually the governments will have to succumb to people’s wish and be as transparent as possible in all their transactions. And this will of course be a revolution in disguise.”

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

BUSINESS

N July 2014, it will be ten years since Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, a brilliant academic-cum-development expert, former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and now a politician, initiated the banking industry consolidation agenda. The following month will make it five years since Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, an accomplished banker and current CBN Governor, launched the most audacious intervention and reform of the Nigerian banking industry. Over this period, Nigerian banks have shown considerable abilities to raise capital, compete fairly and sometimes unprofessionally, become flagbearers of the resurging Nigerian economy locally and internationally, inflate incredible bubbles in the capital market, and provide a platform for talented Nigerian professionals (with a sizeable number of them returnee Nigerians in the diaspora) to express their skills. What’s more; Nigerian banks, since the introduction of the reforms, have increased credit to the private sector. They have demonstrated weak capacity for good corporate governance, disclosure and risk management. And their directors and senior management have continued to hobnob with the-powers-that-be, in continuation of the time-tested strategy for winning public sector deposit. The aggregate effect of the good, the bad and the ugly sides to the banking landscape since July 2004 is that the industry has been positively transformed. Nigerian banks are way ahead of where they used to be ten years ago. Regulatory reforms have not been solely responsible for the significant change in the banking industry. Technology, product innovation, new approaches to service delivery and international framework agreements around access to financial services, especially by the unbanked and under-banked, have all contributed to this transformation. But without the interventionist reforms, it is doubtful Nigerian Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) would have been able to seize the new opportunities that have emerged, or attracted the partnerships that have revolutionized delivery of financial services in our country today; a country where some people still insist, against evidence, that nothing works. Thus, the Nigerian banking industry provides important evidence that institutional and industrial transformation can occur in Nigeria. Indeed, they are occurring; even if the pace is rather slow and the magnitude still yearning for up-scaling Some of the manufacturing projects which Nigerian Export – Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) has funded are part of the larger industrial transformation that is happening in the country today. This is a subject of my future articles. It will take strong indifference or outright disinformation, for whatever reason, to insist that these things are not happening. Large-scale socio-economic transformation in Nigeria is a reasonable expectation as a result of the oases of change we are seeing already in the regulatory and market space. Soludo’s vision The banking industry transformation has not been fortuitous. The recapitalization-cum-consolidation programme was by design. It was powered by a bold vision and commitment to deliver on the economic potentials of the country. Significantly, the two epochal regulatory regimes that have brought about the transformation of the Nigerian banks have asserted the virility of the domestic economy, with the banks being important fronts for expressing this. Today, quite unlike what it was ten years ago, the Nigerian banking sector commands attention anywhere. Some South African banking franchises have been hovering over the Nigerian banking landscape for more than four years, looking for opportunities for acquisitions. In

•Orya

Banking industry reformation and national transformation By Roberts Orya

January 2007, (just over one year after the mandatory recapitalization programme was concluded), a Nigerian wholly-owned indigenous banking franchise – Guaranty Trust Bank – successfully issued $300 million Eurobond (which was oversubscribed by $221 million), and later became the first African bank to list its security on the London Stock Exchange. Against previous lack of access to the international capital market, several Nigeria banks have raised funds and are planning to do so in the global markets. Nigerian banks are now very strategic to the distribution of retail credit products by multinational financial institutions, especially card issuers. Even at current levels of integration into the global payment system, Nigerians are tapping into global e-Commerce; the payment subsector has been transformed and has provided the impetus for the CBN to launch the Cashless Policy. All these were beyond contemplation for the preJune 2004 Nigerian banks, which were marginal even within Africa. But today, a Nigerian bank – United Bank for Africa – has subsidiaries in 19 African countries. The 2004 consolidation agenda envisioned and targeted certain outcomes. The more generally known was the N25 billion minimum capital base for any bank that intended to operate beyond December 2005, the deadline for the recapitalization exercise. Embedded in the regulatory capital requirement was the consolidation of the industry from 89 banks to preferred 25 maximum. The two objectives were achieved, by and largely. On the minimum capital requirement, most of the surviving banks basically used it as a stepping stone. Several Nigerian banks now have ten-fold the baseline capital. Whereas the existing 89 banks in 2004 had struggled to meet N2 billion mandatory capitalization, the shareholders’ fund of Nigerian banks grew to N2.37 trillion in 2012. The debate is welcome and ongoing as to whether or not the policy target that the banks would use their bigger capital bases to leverage fund-

ing of real sector growth has been achieved. This debate ensues not because bank credit to manufacturing and agriculture has stagnated at the levels they were before introduction of the reforms. But expectation on the scale of the impact the reforms would have on real sector funding is what has been at issue. Similarly, in a progressive fashion, governance of the banks seems to have improved over these years, even though we had to navigate through a period of infractions on banking rules and ethics. Of all the gains of the 2004 reforms, it was the unforeseen benefit that became most significant in global context. Two years after the conclusion of the regulatory recapitalization programme, a debilitating financial crisis, which later morphed into an economic crisis, broke out on the global market. Those who prognosticated that the crisis would not affect Nigeria because the domestic economy was not correlated to the global financial market simply got it wrong. Their analyses focused on the distribution channels of the toxic credit assets that emanated mainly from U.S. banks which threatened to drag global market to the abyss with the institutions that conned the world through manipulative financial wizardry. But linkages through the commodity market transmitted the shock to Nigeria. The price of crude oil dramatically collapsed from $147 per barrel in July 2007, to under $40 per barrel in January 2009. The effect on the fiscal terrain in Nigeria was predictably negative. It could have been worse; but for the prudence which saw creation of a domestic savings buffer and increase in the country’s foreign reserves during the golden era of fiscal management in Nigeria before the crisis. And Nigerian banks seemed to have been primed to withstand the crisis. They had raised their capital base and made some progress with mobilization of low-cost deposit. Therefore, when through worsening domestic fiscal terrain and the international trade links, Nigerian banks became exposed to the crisis, yet they were able to hold their ground for some

time. While the global financial crisis lingered, and irrespective of the amelioration of its effects on the Nigerian banking industry through direct and indirect external linkages, the domestic capital market bubble which was inflated by speculative foreign portfolio investment and margin lending by the banks went burst. Following this, the bubble in the credit market, which was built by risk concentration in oil and gas lending and sheer delinquent credit behaviour by senior management of some of the banks, worsened the effect of poor risk management practices, and all this combined to bring the Nigerian mega banks into precarious conditions. It may as well be taken as part of the crisis management framework. No central bank governor around the world came clean on the level of impact the crisis was having on their economies and banks. For our own dear Soludo, full disclosure on the shape of the mega banks he midwifed would be self-negating, and therefore a dilemma. Many observers alleged cover-up of the rot in some of the banks, particularly because the then CBN Governor was seen to be quite close to the bank CEOs. The kind of very sensible policy option Soludo took with regard to management of the local currency – allowing gradual depreciation of the naira instead of devaluation of it as part of the crisis response – was seen to be lacking when it concerned the required intervention to clean the banking system and rein in the (criminal) excesses of some of the bank CEOs. It was in the middle of this dilemma that Prof. Soludo’s term of five years expired in June 2009. His successor, who definitely had insider knowledge of the undercurrent of the banking system (himself chief executive in one of Nigeria’s biggest banks), wasted no time in choosing to save the banks from systemic collapse, instead of preservation of the legacy of his predecessor, which allegedly had included micro-managing the liquidity problem in some of the banks in the wake of the crisis.

Sanusi’s bravery In one brave move, Sanusi intervened in nine banks. He sacked bank CEOs and a bunch of other directors, to the bewilderment of Nigerians who were used to lack of exercise of this regulatory power by previous CBN governors. As the audit he commissioned necessitated, N620 billion was propositionally injected into the intervened banks at the first instance. Sanusi worked with law enforcement agencies to ensure that bank directors who had been indicted with criminal infractions were prosecuted. He insisted shareholders’ value was eroded by the malfeasance in the banks. With this, he quite rightly refused to accept “privatization” of profit by bank directors and dumping losses on taxpayers. His approach to the bailout of the banks was quite unlike the circumstantial redefinition of capitalism in the West whereby their bailout programmes imposed serious moral hazard on the system. CEOs of imperiled institutions in the U.S. nevertheless flew into Washington DC in their private jets to receive bailout fund for their badly run, failed institutions. Sanusi’s stance was antithetical to this. Instead of a bogus interventional benevolence, his approach seems to be more credible and quite capable of deterring future bad behaviours by bank directors. Widening the scope of his intervention from merely addressing capital impairment, Sanusi went on to accentuate risk management. Introduction of macroprudential frameworks for risk management addressed the psychology of the market to the reality that individual banks, especially the ones big enough to be of systemic importance, were not islands unto themselves. They also posed systemic risks to the entire banking system. Had dissolution of such big banks including Intercontinental Bank, Oceanic Bank and Afribank been uncontrolled, they could have dragged down the entire banking system, and thus push much higher the cost of resolution of the crisis. Philosophically, the Sanusi-led CBN intervention simply chose to do what had to be done. It facilitated the “bad bank”; the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, to purchase bad loans from the banks and thus help to clean their balance sheets and protect their mega bank status. Although Sanusi abolished universal banking to dent the fanciful idea of a financial supermarket bank (because of agglomeration of risk in such entities), his regime, nevertheless, has preserved the stature of Nigerian banks and the banking system. A strong commitment was also made that no depositor’s fund would be lost in resolving the banking crisis. In the interim period when banks had to reorganize their lending practices, the CBN instituted a couple of intervention funds to boost flow of low cost credit to key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, aviation, textile and the SME. Conclusion There is absolutely no question that the size of a bank, as with the size of a country, defines its strength and influence. (For this reason, remaining one big country is advantageous for realization of the aspirations of the individual Nigerian and the ethnic nationalities, contrary to the misguided insinuations to the contrary in the media lately.) However, scale that is expressed in negativity is a threat to a financial system as it is to a country. While Soludo facilitated the emergence of Nigeria’s mega banks, Sanusi preserved their status by ensuring they operate by the norms of safety without which they could never leverage their mega status. Thus, we have a transformed banking system. The core principles of the banking reforms are scalable for national transformation. Orya is Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export – Import Bank. This article was first published in Financial Nigeria magazine, October 2013 edition.

Etcetera

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

SUNNY SIDE

Cartoons

By Olubanwo Fagbemi

POLITICKLE

deewalebf@yahoo.com 08060343214 (SMS only)

Significant nature •The cynic’s guide to Nigeria In pursuit of general knowledge, the writer launches a geographical excursion and invites the reader along. Hopefully, a collective query of national ideals may be sparked thus.

CHEEK BY JOWL

OH, LIFE!

THE GReggs

LOCATION: Nigeria is a ‘potentially giant’ country located in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea between Benin and Cameroon. It shares porous land borders with Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. It borders fast-disappearing Lake Chad to the northeast, and its eroded coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the south; between the devil and the deep blue sea, if you like. Topography: Nigeria has five major geographic regions: a low coastal zone swarming with armed robbers, kidnappers, militants and exmilitants along the Gulf of Guinea; hills and low plateaus north of the coastal zone marked by religious fundamentalists and fierce militia; the regularly flooded Niger-Benue river valley; a broad stepped plateau stretching to the northern border colonised by deadly mercenaries; and a mountainous zone along the eastern border increasingly famed as a terrorist sanctuary. Noted geographical features in Nigeria include the ‘Adamawa badlands’, ‘Maimbilla Plateau’, ‘Jos Killing Fields’, and ‘Obudu Mudslide Plateau’. Principal rivers: Nigeria has two principal river systems: the NigerBenue and the Chad. The largely untapped Rivers Niger and Benue course through the oil-contaminated Niger Delta to the Atlantic Ocean. The other river system involves various rivers that merge into the Yobe River flowing along the border with Niger and emptying into Lake Chad whose vicinities appear to harbour Nigeria-bound terrorists. Climate: Nigeria is found in the Tropics, where the climate is constantly corrupt and intellectually thin. Arid in the north, tropical in the centre, and equatorial in the south, this climate is influenced by the petro-dollar-fuelled corruption originating from the central government (oil subsidy scam for one) and sustained by the elites’ retention and deployment of political thugs. The climate’s overpowering nature gives it a strong tendency to spread and produce copious rain of cudgels, blows and bullets during elections, from local government to the presidential. Natural resources: Valuable natural resources of natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead and zinc fetch Nigeria crucial foreign exchange. Also ‘exported’: indigenous managerial and health expertise, looted funds, internet scam and drugs, which ensure that Nigeria’s reputation as custodian of the tenth largest reserves of oil and seventh largest natural gas reserves in the world never translates to greatness. An abundance of arable land is hardly relevant as speculators and miscreants dominate the business of property development while farmers groan in neglect. Nearly everything, from capital goods to consumables, is imported, meanwhile. Environmental issues: A sustained lack of leadership foresight feeds a waste management crisis of air, water and soil pollution. Oil spillage, natural gas flaring and automobile emissions court environmental catastrophe of prehistoric proportions. And as ominous: open burning and dumping of waste as well as deforestation from logging, bush burning and overgrazing by livestock. Time Zone: Officially, Nigeria subscribes to Nigeria Standard Time, which is Greenwich Mean Time plus one hour. ‘African Time’, the laggardly approach to appointments and service delivery that can mean anything from an hour’s delay to days, months and years of waiting, rules unofficially.

QUOTE People who know how to employ themselves, always find leisure moments, while those who do nothing are forever in a hurry. — Jeanne-Maire Roland

Jokes Humour Computer Rap A COMPUTER-SYSTEMS trouble-shooter, rode with his wife in her new car one afternoon. He had been working on a customer’s computer all morning and was still tense from the session. When his wife stopped for a traffic light, she made sure to leave a safe distance from the stop line to keep oncoming drivers from hitting the car. But she had to laugh when her husband impatiently waved at her to move the car forward while saying, “Scroll up, dear.” Quick Shot AT the busy dental office where Kate worked, one patient was always late. Once when he called to confirm an appointment, he said, “I’ll be about 15 minutes late. That won’t be a problem, will it?” “No,” I Kate said. “We just won’t have time to give you an anesthetic.” He arrived early. On the Run AS a promotional gimmick for his restaurant, Richard sends out coupons offering people a

free dinner on their birthdays. One day a rather anxious man called. “I got your card. How did you find me?” “From a mailing list I purchased from a supplier,” Richard said. “Why?” “It used my real name, and I’m in the Witness Protection Program of the Police. What’s the name of your company?” Richard didn’t want to say the name, but he had to tell the truth: ‘Moving Targets’. Angry Customers THE speaker at a bank’s drive-through window had been broken for weeks, and tellers resorted to miming or writing notes to communicate with frustrated customers. One day a sweet elderly lady who was a regular customer pulled up to the window, leaned out of her car and smacked the glass in front of one teller’s face. “Hope this is bulletproof,” she said in a loud voice. There had just been a robbery at another bank nearby, so the teller was touched by her concern. “It is,” she said in reply. “Good,” said the old lady. “Because someone could shoot you if you don’t get that speaker fixed.” •Adapted from the Internet

MPROVING Writer ’s Fountain story structure: Use a sense of unity. The mournful end. a cryptic note of finality. The lines add nothing to the plot but they Here, the local incidents of the story are given signify closure. a cosmic dimension at the close. A question. Somebody asks a question that ‘Everything had changed but nothing had. Above them shone the cold remorseless stars. summarises the essence of the story and throws it back at the main character. For And what passed for life below went on.’ What does that mean? Not a lot. But it has example, the tale of our hapless soldier might have ended with his instructor asking: Serious statistics: ‘“You knew what you were getting into, •Children spend more time learning about didn’t you?” life through media than any other manner. Did he really? As James stumbled away to •The average child spends approximately the ambulance, he no longer knew anything. 28 hours a week watching television, which Not anymore.’ is twice as much time as they spend in 2. Echo an emblem. school. Take a strong image or statement from an •China has close to 25% of the world’s early part of the story and repeat it later, population. perhaps at several points, each time with a •Forty-six percent of the world’s water is twist. in the Pacific Ocean; that’s around 6 Repeat an image or statement several sextillion gallons of water. The Atlantic has times and it becomes an emblem. The reader 23.9 percent; the Indian, 20.3; the Arctic, 3.7 notices the repetition, and perhaps not. But percent. the story resonates like a great bell (the •Female lions do 90% of the hunting. academic term is ‘emblematic resonance’). •During the mid-1800s, less than half of An example of an image. In a story, the the newborn babies lived more than ten heroine sees a statue in a beautiful garden. years. Today, over 90 percent do. Later she revisits the garden and finds it in •Roughly 85.7% of statistics are made up. ruin. It is an emblem of her moral decay.

WORSHIP THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

‘We're all to blame for Nigeria's woes’ The parish priest of St Peter's Anglican Church, Lekki Lagos, Rev. Asoliye Douglas-West, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on national issues. Excerpts:

• Ajayi •Douglas-West

O you buy the insinuation that Nigeria will change once the church is fixed? I will not subscribe to that shade of opinion or sentiment. Such insinuation is preposterous and incautious. There is nothing absolutely wrong with the church as an established institution. It is dynamic and it is connected to the world. If there is any problem, then it has to do with a fraction of the people who populate and operate the instrumentality of the church. The church is simply a microcosm of a larger system that is dysfunctional almost approaching a simmering atrophy. It is the individuals that operate the Nigerian system that need to fix their orientation and method of doing things to be able to change Nigeria. As a people, do we have ethos? Yes. Do we have values? Yes. Do we have creed?

Yes, I could enthusiastically say we do but acidic decadence has eroded our values and mores. Do we fear God? No, we do not fear God and we do not love ourselves. Some say the church is part of the problems in this country, do you share such sentiment? The church is an integral part of the whole and the sum of the whole has been denuded of its moral fabric and malnourished of its character content. Now it requires the entire composition of our society to reconstruct its orientation and methods of doing things. In commerce, people pursue profits without morality; In governance, politicians pursue victory and operate the system without principles; similarly in the church people appear to be fanatically religious without a content of spirituality. If there is a fundamental problem bedeviling the sus-

tainable progress of the country, we have all in diverse ways contributed to the failing and failure of the society. At some points, individually or collectively, we had acquiesced, connived, collaborated, compromised or benefitted from a dysfunction and degeneracy of the system. If Nigeria is to change, what are things the church should start doing? The challenges facing Nigeria cannot be written off by the goodwill of one institution. The desire to change Nigeria for good has to be a collective action. Nevertheless, the church has not ceased from performing its statutory role in contributing effectively to nation building. It is a moral barometer of society. Deviations occurring in isolated incidence of irreligious rascality and recklessness perpetrated by some wolves pretending as members of the church do not and cannot repudiate the important role played by the church both in spiritual and physical terms. The church has neither stopped praying nor working. We connect with the world and attempt to influence the environment by remodelling people's orientation to follow the standards of God and set good example. We must accept the fact that there is an attitudinal bankruptcy and performance deficit in the balance sheet of the nation. As a player in the oil and gas sector, why are ordinary Nigerians yet to benefit from the so-called petrodollars? What obtains in the socioeconomic framework is an aberration. We have a reverse order of the 80/20 rule working in our situation. Less than 20% of the population reaping more than 80% of the resource harvest. Conversely more than 80% of the people are economically stringed up because they are perpetually excluded from the mainstream of economic paradise. There is an institutional weakness that supports this

obnoxious structure. What is the meaning of FAAC? Federation Accounts and Allocation Committee. It is a system whereby treasury secretaries from the states converge under the chairmanship of the federal exchequer to receive revenue allocation on a monthly basis. Such revenues when collected are surrendered to the governors who solely determine how the funds should be misappropriated and expropriated according to their whims and caprices without recourse to the fiscal prescriptions of the appropriation budget. The governors are running the states as though public governance is a private sole proprietorship enterprise. No legacy to bequeath and no communal aspirations to fulfill. There is no sense responsibility and accountability. In the manner of existing structure and dispensation, petrodollar benefits cannot be extended to the vast majority of the ordinary people. They are hewers of woods and fetchers of water. We have a system where the operators of the institution of governance perceive themselves as feudal lords while the governed are treated as vassals. For instance, nobody or group has ever careered themselves to challenge the governors (incumbent or expired) how well or badly they have spent the funds accruing from the 13% derivation and/or ecological funds to benefit or detriment of the various communities where oil is mined. There are plans to revive debates on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), what are your thoughts on how the bill can work? Strong currents of conflicting interests, bad faith, and mutual suspicions have permeated the debate. The supposed good intents and purposes of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) are being threatened to be extinguished. Further enlightenment and assurances might be required. Don't you think you could

NEWS

'Poverty is man's smartest destroyer'

HE general overseer of Rhema Christian Church and Tower, Ota Ogun State, Bishop Taiwo Akinola, has dispelled popular notion that Christianity is synonymous with poverty. He said good Christians don't necessarily need to be poor, assuring that divine abundance is sufficient to meet the needs of God's chil-

By Daniel Adeleye dren. Akinola spoke last week while ministering during the Sunday service of the church. He described poverty as man's smartest destroyer that is hideous, devious yet powerful and swift in dehumanising men. The cleric said until Chris-

tians learn to operate supernatural laws of abundance, they will continue to dwell in the prison yards of lack. According to him: "If you work with the wise, you will become wiser. It is the same with God, the heritage of the earth will begin to locate you." He urged Christians not to consider miracles as something in far away beach acces-

sible only after 40-day fasting and prayer. Akinola tasked Christians to desist from cheating, laziness and vices capable of truncating their access to super abundance. "Only God empowers and increases. Without God, increase cannot come. Whatever increase we see must have been allowed by God," he stated.

have done more for God if you were pastoring on a full-time basis? I continue to maintain my position that a full time practice in the pastoral ministry would have rendered me underutilised and limited in my capability. I have acquired a professional training and exposure that had sufficiently equipped me to assume a versatile role. Doing more or less for God depending on the robe or collar I wear at any point in time borders on the perspective a bystander would evaluate my function. Secular or pastoral, I am doing the work of God and accruing benefits to humanity for as long as I demonstrate competence, diligence, commitment and passion. Realising the amount of energy and potentials I possess, it is expedient to engage myself in multitasking enterprises as effectively as possible promoting the work of God. Your church is one of the emerging forces in the Anglican Communion, what do you really do differently? There is really nothing to be done differently. We are not acting a script. The church is absolutely one foundation where Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. The prescriptions and standards governing our conduct and expectations have been clearly spelt out in the Bible. The service we render is

homogenous without distinction and the result being anticipated is universally the same which is the message of salvation. What you describe as doing things differently may be essentially contained in the manner of delivery and approach or packaging which may be orthodox or neo-orthodox or evangelical or a hybrid of different classifications. Regardless of the methods and perspectives, keeping the eye on the ball requires us to focus on the one irreducible truth - preaching the gospel to enable adherents of the faith earn salvation. What is on the mind of God for Nigeria at this time? Let those entrusted with the mantle of leadership tear down the stronghold of pervasive corruption and set the people free from the captivity of poverty and deprivation. We pretend to know God but we do not love and serve Him. We shall continue to grope in the dark and remain the woods not until we turn to God and seek His righteousness. In the heart of your heart, do you believe genuine Christians can survive in the murky waters of Nigeria's politics? I know only one type of Christian. I do not know which genre is genuine or counterfeit when it comes to practicing Christianity. Performance is of universal application because there are defined indices or criteria to measure it. The murkiness of the water was deliberately created to subvert and retard the effectiveness and efficiency of the system. A Christian who earnestly desires to serve God can survive in the murky waters of Nigerian politics. The path to honour and enduring success cannot be easily short circuited. There must be unfeigned willingness and preparedness backed by capability to do the right thing on the part of those seeking for political inclusiveness.

xxx

READ T S U M 50 AN NIGERI AN I CHRIST R S AUTHO Are you a Christian author? Are you bothered about poor exposure at bookshops and limited patronage? The Nation is offering you an unbeatable opportunity to showcase your books and talk about your passion. The 2-in-1 project involves an advert supplement backed with a profile story on each participant. Kindly contact Sunday Oguntola on 08034309265 or shinystarontop@gmail.com for advert details and participation. You will be glad you did!

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

Worship

MFM cries foul over demolition of regional headquarters

ENULTIMATE Thursday was agonising for members of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM) Enugu. The 5,000-seater auditorium, which serves as the regional headquarters of the church few metres away from the Zik Avenue Bridge Uwani, was demolished by officials of the Enugu State Ministry of Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA). The church's building, which existed for 15 years, was the first branch of MFM in the South South and South East regions. The Commissioner for ECTDA, Engr. Iyke Ugwegede, said the structure was illegal and not approved, saying the application for approval was considered and rejected in March 2012. Ugwegede added that the structure was built on waterways and showed many defects. But a statement by the chairman, Publicity Committee of MFM, Pastor Oladele Bank-Olemoh, described the demolition exercise as "nothing but the height of demo-

By Sunday Oguntola

cratic oppression and it is utterly condemnable by all well meaning and discerning minds." He maintained that structure was not in any way obstructing the flow of the river and it was not encroaching on government land as alleged by the commissioner. He demanded for unreserved apology from the Enugu Government over "the unwarranted act of wickedness meted to the church and its followers." Bank-Olemoh pointed out that several other buildings on the same stretch of road where the church was demolished are still standing, saying "this leaves much to be desired of the motive behind the exercise." He stated that with the relevant papers such as Certificate of Occupancy (CofO ) and approvals by the government in place, it was callous go ahead with the demolition exercise. Bank-Olemoh demanded for adequate compensations based on the alleged illegality of the action. Sources said the church put

in a compensation request of N250 million for the demolished structure. Bank-Olemoh assured that all legal documents on the land and approvals of the building structure by the state government are available for perusal. The regional pastor of MFM, Kennedy Ogaranya, who was on ground when the demolition squad arrived, alleged there was more to the exercise than meet the eyes. Speaking last Thursday at the Lagos International headquarters of the church, Ogaranya said: "I believe there was an ulterior motive for the action." According to him, the church obtained approvals for the building in 1998, 2002 and 2010 for expansion after securing Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) on the land. The 20 plots of land provided at Emeka Ebile road, Ogaranyi stated had been a subject of contention between the Ngwo and Amaechi communities. He said the church was working on taking possession of the new site and pleading for more time when the demolition was carried out.

•Pope Francis (L) leading a mass at the Santa Marta church at the Vatican recently. PHOTO: AFP

Accede to ASUU's demands, cleric tells FG

HE moderator of Gideon I Baptist Association under the Lagos East Baptist Conference, Rev. Israel Kristilere, has appealed to the federal government to meet the demands of striking lecturers. He said this is necessary to save the tertiary education sector and redeem the future of the nation. Kristilere spoke last week in his address at the 3rd quarterly session of the association in Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos. The theme of the session was building witnessing families: The necessity for spiritual growth. The cleric said what the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are asking for is nothing compared to the fat allowances of elected government functionaries. According to him: "One is certainly weary to reprimand ASUU when one genuinely compares what the lecturers are demanding with what our elected officers corner to themselves in the name of en-

By Sunday Oguntola

titlements. "It is no longer secret what our senators and legislators earn yearly is one of the highest in the world while the minimum wage for the ordinary Nigerian is one of the lowest in the world." He pleaded with the federal to quickly accede to the demands of ASUU.

•Kristilere

Kristilere also kicked against the proposed increase in the tariff on imported vehicles, describing it as a "step in the wrong direction". The move, he said, should be delayed for another five years until made-in-Nigerians have flooded the market. He called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to dissolve the two factions in the Lagos State chapter of the body, which has been in crisis for over 13 years. Both factions, the Senior Pastor of Shepherdill Baptist Church Obanikoro said, have overstayed their welcome and should be replaced with a new CAN approved by the national body. On the re-classification of schools in Osun State, Kristilere said the merger of mission schools with others is "insensitive to the nature, heritage and religious situation of the country." He urged Osun State to return mission schools to their original owners in the interest of equity and fairness.

COLUMNS

Living Faith By Dr. David Oyedepo

Engaging Divine vengeance for supernatural turnaround! ECOGNISE that we serve a God of vengeance. More often than none, vengeance is required in the camp of your adversaries (Psalm 94:1). God is always eager to avenge His own elect (Luke 18:7-8). Pharaoh had ample opportunity to release the Israelites, but he refused until God descended with a final blow of vengeance (1 Samuel 2:6). The day of vengeance is in God's heart, so as to fulfill His agenda in your life (Isaiah 63:4). Why Divine Vengeance? Every time a great and effectual door is opened to you, there are many adversaries (1 Corinthians 16:9). So, vengeance becomes an important weapon for the fulfillment of prophecies. • It is a vital aspect of God's end-time agenda (Isaiah 61:1-2): In the Acts of the Apostles, vengeance was one of the earliest manifestations of the arrival of the Holy Ghost. Ananias and Sapphira fell and died (Acts 5:1-10); Elymas the sorcerer, also became blind (Acts 13:8-11). So, the prince of this world and all his agents are ordained for judgment under the latter rain. • Your comfort is tied to His vengeance: Vengeance must be executed before you can be duly comforted in every aspect of your life (Isaiah 61:3). Your breakthroughs and allround comfort are not guaranteed without vengeance. • It is the platform for your total liberty: Vengeance is the gateway to your long

awaited liberty. It took the act of vengeance for the Israelites to experience liberty (Exodus 11:1). When God launched the plague in Egypt, there was calamity in the home of every Egyptian (Exodus 4:22-24). There are certain forces that will not let you go, until vengeance is executed. • To secure your supernatural breakthrough (Isaiah 51:4-7): Every time God breaks forth in your life, the enemies gnash their teeth (Psalm 112:10). So, your breakthrough must be accompanied with vengeance, or it can become a breakdown. • Also, it is your redemptive honour to execute vengeance upon the wicked (Psalm 149:6-9). Therefore, anything and anyone mocking your destiny is entitled to a curse (Mark 11:21-24). Weapons of vengeance in Scriptures: • The weapon of revelation (Psalm 149:9): You can only execute judgment with what is written. It is that revelation you engage, to invade the camp of the powers of darkness. You have to get the revelation of the Word to execute judgment because what God confirms is not your cry, but His Word (Exodus 4:17; Mark 16:20). • Bold Declaration (Psalm 81:10): You cannot execute vengeance by speaking softly; you have to speak boldly in the Lord. It takes revelational depth to be bold. Any boldness that is not from depth is a bold face. The devil you do not harass will keep you in captivity. Every closed mouth

stands to be oppressed, afflicted, and tormented. You cannot execute vengeance with a closed mouth (Luke 21:15). God cannot confirm what you will not declare. • Prophetic verdict (Hosea 12:13): Prophets are anointed agents of vengeance. Prophetic verdicts are vital instrument for executing vengeance. • Violent faith (Psalm 125:1-3): This is the 'I won't let you go' faith. When your faith graduates into trust, you become violent. You can only stop the harassment of the wicked on your life, by the weapon of violent faith. • Holy Ghost fire (John 16:9-11): The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of judgment. When He shows up, He executes judgment (Isaiah 59:19). • The weapon of praise (Psalm 149:6-9): High praise is a platform for divine vengeance. You engage high praises to execute vengeance upon the wicked and punishment upon your adversaries. Friend, the power to benefit from divine guidance is the preserve of those who are connected to God. You get connected by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If you are set for it, please say this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me of my sins. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You, Jesus. Now, I know I am born again! I will continue this teaching next week. From December 10-14, the story of many lives will be rewritten at SHILOH 2013 - a historic and prophetic gathering of the Winners' family, coming up at Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Idiroko Road, Ota. Come for a change of status! I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. respectively. I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Church celebrates anniversary

HE annual anniversary thanksgiving and ordination service of The Power of Faith Redeemed Church (aka) Power of Faith Chapel, Ikosi-Ketu, Lagos will hold with the theme "The merciful God".

The weeklong event begins from October 21 by 6pm daily with the grand finale on Sunday, October 27. The host, Pastor K Akinnawo, said some highlights of the anniversary in-

The venue of the convention is Upper Room Camp Ground (Aro Bus-Stop) Km 10, Lagos-Abeokuta Express Road, Iya Abiodun Bus-Stop, Ipakoto via Ifo, Ogun State.

clude film show, health talk and prophetic prayers. Ministers expected include Lady Evangelist Toyin Akinnawo, Prophet J.A. Adedeji (Revivalist), Pastor Alade Jesu and Pastor Williams.

10th convention kicks off

CTIVITIES marking the 10th convention of The Light Tabernacle Church of God tagged The Lord Supper 2013 take place from October 23-26.

The chief host, Pastor Timothy Salawu, assured God will settle all participants at the event, which features healing, deliverance and marital breakthrough, among others.

Groups prays for Nigeria

HE International Day of Prayer (IDOP) organised by an interdenominational group, The Voice of Christian Martyr, holds on November 3. The Executive Director of the organisation, Rev. Isaac Newton stated that Nigeria has been adopted in all

By Adeola Ogunlade

Christian assemblies across the world. Newton, in a statement, said: "We need to pray to God to comfort, strengthen and support those who are tortured both in body and mind and give them the grace to endure and to see their suf-

fering as part of following in Christ's footsteps". He appealed to church leaders to consider taking part in the prayer on Sunday, November 3 or whatever date is convenient and download prayer guides at h t t p : / / www.icommittopray.com.

THE ARTS THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013

OU have been appointed as the international consultant for this year’s Nigerian Prize for Literature. What does that responsibility entail? Well, my responsibility, kind of, for me, was fortunately limited, because the competition attracted a large number of entries. They were over 200 and the main task was performed by the panel of judges. It was a three member panel of judges who looked at the entire collection of submissions. And they initially came down to a long shortlist of eleven and eventually a final shortlist of three; which were then sent to me for a comprehensive assessment and recommendations. So, mine was to look closely at these three final lists. After that, I was to write a comprehensive report and then I had to use my assessment list to recommend one. The panel of judges also did their own and yesterday we all got down to look at the issues. Fortunately we all arrived at a consensus. From your observation, how do you place Nigerian literature at the moment? Well, I think, the panel will be in a better position to make a more comprehensive statement. My view will be indeed limited to the three I’ve seen. They had to examine over 200 entries and I did just three. But on the basis of the three I looked at, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that poetry in Nigeria is alive and well. How do you see traditional poetry in Africa, particularly in relation to what the late Kofi Awoonor did with the Ewe tradition? I think the examples people like Awoonor, Christopher Okigbo, Okot B’tek, Kunene, a whole generation of African writers did, including Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe, have improved tremendously. That is what we are also benefiting from. Then, I think, although I do not know about here, that something more exciting is beginning to happen where the younger generation of poets have taken poetry to higher level. They have taken it beyond the printed words. And increasingly, poetry is being taken to the screen, to the stage, to the television, all of which are new media for the propagation of poetry. Incidentally, all these add to the area of the growth of traditional poetry in our societies across board. Poetry has been performed on stages too often which makes it a better genre as it is today. What role then does a local language play in ensuring that this aspect of poetry is done well? Actually, if you are not grounded in local tradition, it will be difficult for you to go down by the road. It is an interesting way of getting the younger ones who are undergoing the danger of losing even the knowledge and skills of our own languages and those who among them are attracted to the new development. But it is necessarily to re-educate themselves on our local traditions, which means first of all being proficient in a language-based competence. We had to do more; we need to ensure on a more constant and consistent basis the appraisal of the situations to enable our younger ones to show more interest in our local languages. As a university teacher, is there any concerted effort in place to draw the attention of the younger

My fond memories of my cousin, Kofi Awoonor

Professor Kofi Anyidoho of the University of Ghana, Legon, is the first cousin of the late Ghanaian renowned poet and author, Professor Kofi Awoonor. Anyidoho is not only a poet and writer, he is the international consultant for this year’s Nigerian Prize for Literature. Edozie Udeze encountered him in Lagos where he spoke on his cousin Awoonor, the standard of poetry both in Nigeria and in Ghana and the place of traditions in making literature more home -grown and lots more ones to their local languages? I am teaching, every semester, every year, which I even started with my cousin Professor Kofi Awoonor, in the English Department of the University of Ghana, Legon, the whole basis of Ghanaian traditional poetry. And every year I get more excited about the level of competence by our students. It is quite amazing. They show a lot of competence especially in the area of short story and in the fiction area and in poetry. I am not quite sure if many of them are getting their handle on poetry as they are getting on prose, fiction and short story. Anyway, not the majority that show interest in their local languages, unfortunately. But those who came in with the talent very quickly grasp and try to go back to think and take their roots a bit deeper, into the linguistic traditions of our own people. This, to us, is still the basis for the artistic traditions. That, to us, too, is the best way to grow the art and grow those who are to take over from us, and keep the tradition of our people. Comparatively, what is the stage of theatre in Ghana now? I think theatre is alive and well. Many of the productions in the theatre departments are going very well. Theatre, on a more serious note, is coming back to life. But the more interesting side is the way in which the other forms of performance traditions; dance and music, are being integrated into dramatic productions. So, we don’t only have dance, we now talk more of dance-drama which, of course, necessarily is not supposed to be quasi-music. To us, these all go together to give theatre its present lively development for us and for the younger ones. What is the generic history of street-based theatre in Ghana? Ah, it is not so much in that mould you had it here in Nigeria in the famous traditions of Soyinka and others. What we have and have made progress on is the use of theatre for development and communication. But in Nigeria, a number of institutions like the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and others made this tradition prominent in their studies. They made theatre what has become almost a common-place in Ghana now. During the military era, there was this hide-and-seek approach to writing. Now that there is democracy in place, how are writers thriving at home? Well, the writer is still tough and is as engaged as he used to be. He is alive to the socio-economic situations and development in the country. I think some of the writings are very direct; some are still subversive. You know sometimes we only think of military regimes.

•Anyidoho

Sometimes too, some of the civilian regimes are even more oppressive and repressive; they tend to be brutal in their reaction to criticisms. But that has never silenced me or any other serious artiste for that matter. Did you at any time have a close brush with the military based on your works? Not really. The situation in Ghana was an interesting one. I don’t recall a direct attempt by any of our military regimes to silence me or arrest me for writing creative work that might constitute an act of subversion in the minds of some people. And may be many

of us really understood it. But then Kofi Awoonor was imprisoned, not because of his creative work. He was imprisoned because he was alleged to have helped somebody who was planning a coup to escape. It was a charge which was later and formally dismissed by a court of law. But that was an important development for us as writers. Although he was imprisoned, he was still writing on toilet papers and all sorts. Some of these were still published even while he was still in there in prison. So, we were luckier than some of our counterparts in many other African coun-

tries. In those other countries, formal clearance was needed for a creative writer to write his works otherwise he found himself in detention or behind bars. Can you share with us some of your fond memories of Kofi Awoonor? Well, I think for me, it is a situation that I am still battling with. I was just telling my colleague a few minutes ago of the day the news came. My daughter got married that day he died. And when my cousin Kofi Awoonor was leaving for Nairobi, Kenya, his regret was that he was not going to be there to preside over that wedding. That was what he did for my older daughter who got married earlier this year; he was the one that presided. So, if he had been in Ghana, he would have been presiding over that marriage. It was 21st of September and some of our guests had left. The ceremony was over formally and I and some few guests were still sitting down having a good time when I received a text message. So you can imagine what the situation has been for us. But so far I have been too busy serving as a spokesperson for the family and for the burial planning committee. My wife kept saying every now and then, everytime oh, I am going to see Professor Awoonor as if he is still alive. At least this would be a few times a week. Before he left for Nairobi, I was sitting with him until he had to go to prepare to go to the airport. As usual, we were making big plans for various things to do when he came back; it is so painful. Each time I got down with him in his house, or anywhere else, there was always something to talk about or eat or drink. We had always discussed the family issues together. But what we know also is that it was like he saw it coming. He saw his death coming. In many conversations…well, we were finalising work on a new book of poetry in which there were several reflections on them. And it was clear that he had always known, at least in the past 10 or 15 years, he had written about it, he had talked about it. In a very casual way just to assure you that there is nothing to be afraid of, you have come and you need to be prepared for it. As he put it in one of his poems and I have been quoting it since he died. Here it goes: Peace again and again When the final night falls on me, As it fell upon our parents, We shall retire to our modest home and be sure and care that we have Done our duty by our people We met the challenge of history and we were not afraid…..

Arts/Reviews

THE NATION ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013 Title: Political Apostates and the Heroes of Democracy Author: Bello Destiny Paul Publishers: Not stated No. of Pages: 839 Reviewer: Edozie Udeze

HE classification is clear. At least the author is quite certain in his assessment of who the political apostates and the heroes of democracy are – people or leaders who have derailed and those that have imparted on their societies. It is like a compendium, a huge treatise on the place of different categories of leaders in Africa. There were those who set out to be of use, to render selfless service by leading the way, yet half way through, they began to totter and blunder. There are those who truly set out from the outset to serve as examples by leading the people to their Eldorado. This is where the book is divided into the political apostates and the true heroes of democracy. But the truth of it all is: How did the writer arrive at his assessment? What parameters did he use to make his categorisation? That a certain leader set out to make a difference but later derailed on the way, does it then confer

Paraphrasing leadership on him the stigma apostate? Or that those who now throng and prowl the political landscapes of Africa or Nigeria propounding all sorts of political theories and propaganda are the ones to be so honoured and recognised as the heroes of democracy? In fairness to the author Bello Destiny Paul, a lawyer and political activist, the book contains a lot of useful information on many African leaders both dead and alive who have in one way or another touched the lives of the people. For instance, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana who is termed an apostate began his political journey very well as a leader. However, he later became an apostate due to his political encore and misdeeds. To the author, he gave hope and dashed hope, even when he also acknowledges that Nkrumah is the father of Pan-Africanism and the lion of West Africa (whatever that means). In any case, what then qualifies one to be a political apostate or outlaw? The author puts it this way: “One of the great(est) tragedies of life is that man seldom bridges the gulf between practice and profession, be-

tween doing and saying. . . Even though we have apostates in other spheres of life, the one that affects the people (society) most is political apostasy. . .” When some certain leaders had given hope and later dashed it, it becomes too painful and unforgettable. This is what this book vehemently abhors and tries to let the public know. Not only that the likes of Nkrumah, Obasanjo, Fidel Castro, Obote, Idi Amin and many others did it to their people, the sour taste their political misdeeds and misadventures have left in the mouths of their people can never be erased or subverted. The author describes such misdeeds by quoting Winston Churchill of England as: “The human tragedy reaches its climax in the fact that after all the exertions and sacrifices of hundreds of millions of people, we have still not found peace or security and that we lie in the grip of even worse perils than those we have surmounted. . .” Those who have garnered power unto themselves in the past were those that truly distorted the development of their societies. Thus, they are

the apostates; the true enemies of the people. Besides the issue of who qualifies to be in whatever category in this assessment, the book makes constant reference to some great thinkers who have been able to propound sound theories for agenda-setting. Some of them are not only heroes of democracy, they participated actively to enthrone and entrench true and genuine democratic dispensation and culture where they operated.

Remembering Segun Olusola

Some of those who through their ceaseless efforts gave democracy to their people include Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Nelson Mandela, Luther King Jr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Bisi Akande, Obafemi Awolowo, Chinua Achebe, Fela Anikulakp-Kuti. Others are Aminu Kano, Anthony Enahoro, Frank Kokori, Muhammadu Buhari, Wole Soyinka, Joe Okei-Odumakin and many more. Indeed the list is endless, yet what it goes to demonstrate is that the society needs more of such people to be able to move forward. The author is not saying per se that all of them are political leaders in the context of asking for votes or occupying political offices. Some of these people threw caution to the wind in the face of mounting and huge trials to identify with the masses. In most of their public utterances and responsibilities, they reckoned with the people. This, to the author qualifies them to be categorised

PUBLIC lecture in honour of Chief Segun Olusola who died exactly one year ago will be held at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, on the 31st of this month. The lecture put in place to commemorate Olusola for his immense contributions to the development of the art in the society is being organised by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). With the theme as Leveraging on Indigenous African Culture for Development: Legacy of Ambassador Segun Olusola, the idea is to bring to the fore the many cultural and artistic strides achieved by Olusola during his life time. In a statement, the Director-General of CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale, said the lecture which will be delivered by Dr. Kunle Filani, a former provost of the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta and a seasoned fine artist, “Is to honour a man

who was a pioneer in many respects.” “Yes, the lecture will include an exhibition of works and times of Olusola both as a writer, a broadcaster, actor, pacesetter and more. The choice of Filani is apt because he is one artist and culture technocrat who did not only follow the works and times of Olusola but also vast in the art terrain in Nigeria.” Equally, as part of its outreach programmes to extend the values of culture to other parts of the society, CBAAC will on the 15th of November celebrate Children’s Cultural Festival in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The event, which will take place at the Calabar Cultural Centre, is a collaboration between CBAAC and the Heritage and Culture Department of the governor’s office in Calabar. The theme of the festival is My Root: My Pride and is geared towards rekindling the interest of the

youths in the cultural values of the land. In it, children from different parts of the state and beyond will participate in the display of various cultural dances, plays, fashion parades and more. The occasion will be chaired by the first lady of the state, Mrs, Obioma LiyelImoke, while the trophy to be competed for was donated by Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw. Over the years, CBAAC has been en- •Olusola gaged in programmes to make This is why the outing in the youths understand why Calabar is not only imperathey must keep their culture. tive but will also help chilIndeed, it is part of their cor- dren to go back to their roots porate engagement to export and truly fall in love with culture, not only to other what is their own both in parts of the country but to terms of langauge, dressing, Africa in general. food and dancing.

as true heroes of democracy. Nevertheless, the author’s use of certain harsh words to denigrate some leaders needs to be readdressed. He should not be a judge in such matters. All there is for him to do is make his assessment and leave the verdict or judgement open for readers to do. It is inconceivable when a writer describes a leader as crude, extremely selfish, arrogant fool and intoxicated. For people who are quick to draw the line, this is really in bad taste and can put the reader off immediately. Besides, there are too many grammatical errors that somewhat render the book a bit unreadable. On the special thanks page, the author is not only inconsistent with the usage of American and British spellings (e.g. honor, honour) he also wrote: “He who have, instead of he who has”. Also he said: “The God of father, of the son, and of the Holy Ghost, . . .” Father is small f while son is also small s. Even then the statement itself is incorrect and confusing. There are so many of such wrong application of grammar and spellings in subsequent pages and chapters that the author needs to reappraise them in subsequent editions.

POETRY

The king of kingship THE virgin was engaged to be married Of the wedding day did her thoughts fill Until she discovered she was with child Then, confusion did every heartbeat spell As of the manner of child she was to bear she wondered Having to wait for time’s chiming bell

•Children on stage as part of what CBAAC does to promote indigenous culture

A hard puzzle it was to solve As the groom sat by himself Nursing the pain of supposedly betrayed love Contained within himself Until a messenger came from above Bearing a message of relief

The cry of the baby changed everything; Wise men satiated their need to worship Darkness lost its rest, raging Plotting to kill the King of kingship But it was a story just beginning The Director had a promise to keep… Suspense, more suspense The baby grows to die Going with a come back promise While the question on all lips remain When would the day and time be? None knows but the Supreme Director

The thing about it “REBRANDING” I hear “Rebreeding?” I ask “No, re-branding!” They say Knitted brow tries to comprehend it Yet to come to terms, I hear again “It starts with a new logo and slogan” Then, I pause to hear more… The poor, young head spins in confusion Trying to imagine the theory behind it And how it is expected to work Comparing it to a passage in the Good book “No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment,

For that which is put to fill it up takes from the garment And the tear is made worse.” The more I think about it The less I understand it; Swimming deeper in confusion Yet, I think it should have been “Re-breeding” But, again I hear “Re-branding” And all the abracadabra accompanying it I rest my case, Praying for the best That somehow it works Poems by Chinyere Darline Ezeigwe

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

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Edo council rerun: Oshiomhole’s aide carpets PDP

Expert blames NNPC for oil theft From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

STAKEHOLDER in the oil sector, Apostle Romel Eric Emenike, who also doubles as the chairman of the Nigerian Centenary Exhibition Committee, yesterday said the stealing of crude oil at the creek is insignificant compared to the rebranded oil stealing, called “topping,” going on at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). He argued that the illegal topping formula which only benefits those at the top in NNPC and security personnel is the major cause of the shortfall incurred in oil theft. Emenike made this statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital while addressing newsmen on the benefit of the upcoming Nigeria centenary celebration and how to tackle oil theft. He noted that the issue of oil theft will be a thing of the past if only NNPC is ready to end the illicit business in the oil sector. He said: “I don’t think NNPC is ready to fight oil theft because what is going on at the platform is the major oil theft, not the stealing at the creek. If NNPC is serious let them stop the illegal business called topping which is greatly affecting the economy.” Expatiating, he said: “Topping is an indirect way of stealing. If somebody has a contract with NNPC to lift one million barrel of oil, he or she will now enter into an illegal arrangement with the NPPC and the security men to lift more than it was agreed. If they can end this stealing, even the stealing at the creek will be insignificant,” adding: “The only solution is for NNPC to come up with formidable metering mechanism to monitor the oil theft especially when the business of oil-theft, is being perpetrated at the platform.”

Bayelsa realises N140m from transport scheme in one year From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

AYELSA State said that the Ministry of Transport in the state has so far realised N140million from its new transport scheme christened Restoration Taxis. The government had last year banned commercial motorcyclists in the Yenagoa, the state capital, and introduced new taxis. The Commissioner for Transport, Mrs. Marie Ebikake, who spoke yesterday at an event to mark the first anniversary of the transport scheme, said that the government spent over N500million to buy the vehicles. She said: “It is good that government could realise such an amount from the cab operators. We have to commend the governor for the transparency in programme he introduced. “Because of that transparency, we decided to follow up and all these vehicles you are seeing today, all have trackers and nobody can escape with any of these vehicles.” She further said the state had taken delivery of nine simulators valued at N50m ($336,000) from New York, the economic capital of America. She also hinted that the school would be commissioned immediately Governor Seriake Dickson returned from his official trip.

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

•From left: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; and Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, during a Mass, commemorating the Centenary anniversary of the Catholic Church in Ekiti Diocese, in Ado-Ekiti... on Saturday.

Amaechi tasks oil workers on C passage of PIB ONCERNED about the nation’s dwindling fortunes in the oil and gas sub-sector, Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi has challenged oil workers to fight for the speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as it holds the key to the sector. The governor threw the challenge in Port Harcourt over the weekend when he declared open the 3rd Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), where he urged the incoming executives of the union to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the processes leading to the passage of the PIB was concluded. Amaechi said: “If you have to go on strike, go on strike; if you have to go on riot, go on riot; if you have to demonstrate, please demonstrate because the time has come for this country to change strategy. And the only way to change that strategy is to ensure that we pass the PIB which will attract full investment and will enable those who have the resources to begin to add value to the things we produce.” The governor who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, said it was really disturbing to note that apart from several African countries that have discovered oil,

Work Agenda?)’ to enable them look carefully at the employment situations in the country as well as the working conditions of oil and gas workers in particular. The NUPENG boss also expressed concerns over the continued deterioration of working conditions in the country. In his own remarks, the chairman of occasion and the Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, described the PIB as “a bold step that was initiated to correct perceived flaws in the petroleum industry as it is intended to address structural, policy and managerial issues in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.” Dangote who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Engr. Joseph Makoju, said: “The dream to refine and produce petroleum products for exports will not come to fruition, unless the federal government musters the political will to drive it to its logical conclusion,” adding that “ongoing reforms in the oil and gas industry will help provide an enabling environment for investments in the sector to thrive.”

He further used the opportunity to give an insight into how his recent $9billion investment in a mega project in the downstream sector would work. According to him, the mega project which would be sited at Olokola Free Trade Zone would have the capacity to refine 400,000 barrels of crude oil per day while the petrochemical arm of it would produce 600,000 metric tonnes per year of Polypropylene as well as 625,000 metric tonnes per year of Slurry/raw material for carbon. Also speaking, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Andrew Yakubu, represented by the Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, NNPC, Alhaji Ahmadu Sambo, stated that the federal government aims at transforming the sector from an oil-based industry to integrated oil and gas industry by maximising oil and gas sector value to the economy. In his own address, President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, bemoaned the rise in crude oil theft in the country, stressing that government “must take the lead by acting rather than lamenting” to the curb the menace and rescue the industry from its adverse consequences.

that Governor Chibuike Amaechi wants to use the office of the Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice peter N.C, Agumagu, to thwart the administration of justice in the state.” Expatiating, he said: “The Rivers State Judiciary would not have reacted to such wild allegations from the PDP in Rivers State. We do not want to be dragged into political gimmicks but we have to react to preserve and safeguard the independence of the judiciary,” adding: “We wish therefore to appeal to politicians especially the Rivers State PDP to desist from tarnishing the image of our very respected judges. For the avoidance of doubt, we want to place it on record that assignment of cases is a routine

duty performed by the Chief Judge of the State. The Acting Chief Judge is not a stranger to such duties having once been a Chief Registrar and President, Customary Court of Appeal and in both capacities has been performing that noble task of assigning cases to Magistrates, and Judges of the State judiciary.” It would be recalled that the Obio/Akpor council suit came to the fore following the removal of its Executive Chairman Timothy Nsirim and key members of his executives, who challenged their suspension by the State House of Assembly which was fixed for ruling last week by Justice Sylverlyn Iragunuma, but was reportedly transferred to a new judge, Laminkanra Iyaye).

•Dangote applauds reforms in sector From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

the United States of America has also discovered a technology for the extraction of shale oil. With this technology, by 2022 precisely, America would stop importing 75 per cent of the total crude they import from here and this, he noted, portends danger. China, the governor also stressed, has followed the footsteps of America and if they apply this technology, “believe you me, in the next 10 or 15 years something is going to happen and once that happens, the price of oil is very likely to drop” adding that “even when you get your oil, you will have to beg somebody to buy it.” He also commended the President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, for his achievements in office since the past four years, saying that “he has shown good example of leadership.” Speaking earlier, Achese said that the union chose the theme: ‘Reforms in the Oil and Gas Industry: Catalyst for National Growth and Development, (What Prospect for the Attainment of Decent

Judiciary to Rivers PDP: ‘Don’t tarnish judges’ image’

HE Rivers State Judiciary has appealed to the Chief Felix Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of the state to desist from smearing the image of judges in the state. The Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Leonard Adoki issued the warning while reacting to a statement credited to the Special Adviser to Obuah, Jerry Needam, on the reassignment of Obio/Akpor council matter to a new judge. Needam had in the statement allegedly accused Governor Chibuike Amaechi of using the Acting State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Agumagu, to reassign all existing political matters in the State High Court to judges

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

he(Amaechi) could easily influence, and called on the National Judicial Council to investigate the State Judiciary. Adoki, however, in a counter statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, warned Needam and the PDP to stop destroying the reputations of the judiciary in the state, especially that of the Acting Chief Justice. In Adoki’s statements, which reads in part: “The attention of the Rivers State Judiciary has been drawn to a statement signed and issued by Jerry Neeedam, Special Adviser on Media to Chief Felix Obuah, chairman People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Rivers State chapter

HE Senior Special Assistance on Youth Mobilisation to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Mr. Emmanuel Yakubu, has advised the Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Edo chapter, Chief Dan Orbih, to stop his cheap blackmail and go to the field to campaign. Yakubu was reacting to the call by Orbih for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be stopped from participating in the rescheduled local government election in Esan North East. It would be recalled that the council election, which held across the state on April 20, 2013, was inconclusive in Esan North East area of the state. The State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) has since fixed October 22, 2013, for the re-run in the affected council area. Yakubu said calls by the PDP chairman urging the state electoral body to exclude the APC was undemocratic and in bad fate. In a counter statement, Oshiomhole’s aide asked Chief Orbih to recall the re-election in Offa local government in Kwara State, the one in Ebonyi and the last one in Delta Central which they rigged completely.

20 ghost teachers uncovered in Edo From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

VER 20 dead teachers that are still in the pay roll of the government were yesterday uncovered by the chairman of Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo, Barr. Lucy Omagbon. Omagbon also uncovered a school were four teachers have been fraudulently receiving salaries with no pupils to teach. The council boss made the discovery during her physical ongoing verification of primary schools in the council area. She had lamented that the teachers’ salaries took more than 70 percent of the federal allocation accruing to the council. The council boss said this development had made it impossible for the council to execute developmental projects that would be beneficial to the people of the area. The council boss said this discovery was not only shocking to her but embarrassing. “What we discovered in this school (Obasoyen Primary School) at Ekiadolor area of the council is shocking. As you can see, this school is completely empty. We don’t have pupils here but we have four teachers who are probably going about their daily private businesses while public fund is being expended on these teachers,” she lamented. Expatiating, she said: “They know they don’t have pupils and more so that the environment is not conducive learning but hide under the guise of teaching when they know they don’t have pupils to teach. The supposedly head master of the school has turned one of the classroom to a place of worship. You can see choir band, pulpit, bands and chairs they use for their worship. This is a teacher, and he knows what the finance of the local government and we have a level 13, 12, 7 and 4 receiving money they don’t deserve. This is all too shocking.”

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THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

‘Why Africa remains underdeveloped’

HE International Director-General of Institute for National Transformation (INT), Professor Vincent Anigbogu, has identified poor human capital development as the biggest obstacle to advancement in Africa. He said the continent will continue to remain backward and undeveloped as long as there is no adequate investment in the human development. Anigbogu spoke with reporters ahead of the 2nd Biennial International Conference on National Transformation billed for October 28-November 2 in Lagos. The conference with theme Come, let us rebuild the broken walls of Africa, holds at Sheba Event, Centre Ikeja Lagos. Renowned leadership expert, Dr Myles Munroe; an expert in social reformation, Dr Vishal Mangalwadi and Professor ‘Alexander Korman from Ukraine will be facilitators at the event. Anigbogu said: “Africa has the largest deposit of natural resources and endowments but we have remained down be-

By Sunday Oguntola

cause of the neglect of training and manpower. “As long as we continue to depend on resources and refuse to build human capacity, the continent will continue to go down the hill.” He lamented that human development trainings are not accorded priority attention in Africa, saying the situation must be reversed for the continent to witness stupendous transformation. INT, he said, has been at the vanguard of training “leaders of integrity, responsibility, compassion and excellence” across Africa who can “proffer performance instead of pronouncements, expertise and competence instead of title and position.” Anigbogu assured that participants at the conference will receive sound teachings on cultivating robust and contextualised solutions to African challenges. While the conference will be free to people of influence in all spheres of life, he stated that participants at the business

• L-R: Chairman Board of Institute of National Transformation(INT), Prince Tunde Akindele; International director general of INT, Prof Vincent Anigbogu and Chairman, Local Organising Committee(LOC) Pastor Remi Morgan at a parley in Lagos on its forthcoming biennial international conference… recently

breakfast seminar on October 29 at Eko Hotel from 9am will pay a fee of N50, 000. He assured that con-

sistent investment in leadership training and human development will take Africa to the Promised Land in no distant future.

Nasarawa council candidate lists priority areas

CHAIRMANSHIP candidate in the forthcoming Karu local government council poll, Engr. Kafia Kaura, has promised to unite people of all religious faith if elected into office.

Kaura, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), further stated his resolve to improve the revenue generation in the council and give everyone a sense of belonging. He added that

agriculture will also be given a boost, while youths in the council area will be gainfully engaged. The aspirant appealed to the warring factions in the state to sheath their sword and allow peace to

reign. Kaura also debunked rumours that he is the anointed candidate of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), adding that he is neither a religious or sectional leader.

BRT: Not yet a smooth ride

•Continued from page 48

who insisted on anonymity, however volunteered some answers. He explained that the dilapidated state of the buses is largely due to the terrible state of the roads. Specifically, he cited the Ipaja-Ayobo route currently under construction as responsible for the resulting wear and tear that is now evident on the buses. To buttress his point, he asked commuters to compare the buses plying the standard Ikorodu road corridor to the ones plying the Ayobo route. For this reason, he said the blue buses have recently stopped plying that route, pending when the situation will improve. On maintenance, he said the operators are not doing too badly, considering the level of damage incurred on a day-today basis, arguing that there is no way the organisation will spend all its earning on maintenance, since there are other expenses to be met. He disclosed that the issue of over-crowding or overloading is a delicate one, since the Nigerian system is such that everybody tends to move at the same time in the same direction. The station manager of Mutual Transport Company buses which operates along the CeleIkotun route, Mr. Mulero Olalekan corroborated his Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS) counterpart’s position on overcrowding. “That is something

• BRT buses at Tafawa Balewa Square Terminal we really can’t do much about at the moment because in most cases, it is the same passengers who normally insist on getting on the buses, even when it has reached its 30-passenger capacity for standing. They want to get to work early, and we also in most cases grant their request on compassionate ground because we are here to serve them. Be that as it may, we try to make sure it doesn’t get to the level where it will endanger their lives or affect the buses.” Mulero explained further that it would have been easier to adhere strictly to the standing capacity if the buses have dedicated lanes as is the case on

Ikorodu Road and can ply the route within predictable time schedule. He said the huge traffic on the two-lane road usually mean that buses that depart for Cele from the Ikotun axis usually spend an average of two to three hours before coming back, which does not augur well for commuters who are usually in a hurry to get to work during the morning rush hours. He revealed however that the organisation has taken concrete decisions to improve the situation, as it now has about 30 buses plying the route as against about a dozen not too long ago. Regarding maintenance, Mulero said the situation is improving greatly as the operators

now have easier access to spareparts. To discourage reckless and willful damage to the buses, he disclosed that pilots found culpable are now penalised and made to pay for the repairs through surcharges. He added that the management as a policy also insists that only two drivers are assigned to a bus, to ensure more efficient management of the buses. In all, Mulero thinks that the system took a deep at some point, but is now looking up, adding that improved facilities in terms of better roads, more dedicated lanes and understanding commuters is what they need to flourish and take the bus system to the desired level.

‘This way to jail!’ •Continued from page 47

take pictures of the Spartan cell underscored the fact that this was the high point of the visit. People peered through the bars not really sure of what they expected to see. Neither time nor experience can be bottled but the power of the Mandela story lies in fact that no one stares through the bars of that cell without feeling something tug in his insides. The visit to Robben Island was not only about sightseeing. At a media forum held in the island’s Craig Hall, former prisoner, ANC stalwart and South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr. Pallo Jordan, took a futuristic look at what Africa would look like in 2063. This is following up on the challenge thrown by the Africa Union (AU) to groups to craft a vision for the continent for the next 50 years. His presentation was followed by a panel discussion on journalism’s role in Africa’s Agenda 2063. Among the discussants were CNN Africa Bureau Chief, Kim Norgaard, Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Debo Adesina, Ferial Haffajee, chairperson of the awards judging panel and Editorf-in-Chief of South Africa’s City Press newspaper and Angela Quintal, newlyappointed editor of South Africa’s Mail & Guardian newspaper among others. In the interactions that followed participants canvassed a broad range of views: from those who felt that much prominence was being given to negative stories without adequately reflecting the good things happening on the continent. Others warned against lapsing into “sunshine journalism” arguing that adversarial reportage keeps leaders on their toes. But there was a consensus that a nuanced and multifaceted cover-

age of Africa should be encouraged. Away from the island, this year’s event came to a climax at a Gala Awards ceremony hosted by popular CNN anchor, Isha Sesay and South African radio personality, Macfarlane Moleli at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa on Saturday, October 12, 2013. Msindisi Fengu and Yandisa Monakali took the top prize for their work ‘School hostels of Shame’, published in the South African Daily Dispatch newspaper. The report probed conditions under which students in the Eastern Cape region studied. It exposed poor health and security issues in hostels and as well as corruption in the government department overseeing the school. Chairperson of the judges, Haffajee hailed the entry: “Hostels of Shame had resonance across the continent. We live in an era of fast everything, so fast journalism is a big part of it. To find a piece of work where people took their weekends, took months to do it and told the story over some length is a real joy.” Out of a total of 1387 entries from 42 nations across the continent, 27 finalists emerged from 11 countries. Three of them were Nigerians: Geoff Iyatse of The Guardian, Toyosi Ogunseye of The Punch and Tolu Ogunlesi, a freelance journalist. Ogunseye, won the Environment Award for her story ‘The Rich Also Cry’, while Ogunlesi was triumphant in the Business Reporting category for his piece on the new Eko Atlantic City. The awards now in their 18th year have become the continent’s most prestigious measure of excellence in media practice – Africa’s own Pulitzers for journalism, if you like.

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ALIYU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. JOHN EVELYN now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. LAWRENCE EVELYN. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Aliyu Muinat Oluwaranti, now wish to be known as Mrs. Ishola, Muinat Oluwaranti. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

FONYE

CONFIRMATION OF NAME I Igbo Emmanuel Nonso and Igbo Emmanuel N. is the same and one person as Igbo Chinonso Emmanuel All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. CHANTAL SEVIDZEM FONYE, now wish to be known as Mrs. CHANTAL SEVIDZEM ONIMOWO. All former documents remain valid general public please take note.

ROMEO

I formerly known and addressed as W/CPL NUNUAMA ROMEO, now wish to be known as W/CPL NUNUAMAEZEKIELOGWUBONG. All former documents remain valid. Nigeria Police Force and general public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME Adegun Oseyemi is same and one person as Adegun Sunday Isaac. All documents bearing the above names remain valid. General public please take.

TEMESEKO

AGAFU

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Temeseko Abiola Grace, now wish to be known as Mrs. Adesulure Abiola Grace. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

EKWEME

CORRECTION OF NAMES I wish to implore the Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB) that my names are Uzoigwe Chukwubike John of Aniri Local govt., Enugu and not Uzoigwu Chukwubike John of Ika South Local govt., Delta State as stated in my UTME result. All documents remain valid. General public please take.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. AGAFU CHINENYE LOVETH now wish to be known as Mrs. MOUJEKE CHINENYE LOVETH. all former documents remain valid. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note. I formerly known and addressed as Miss EKWEME CHISA, now wish to be known as Mrs. GIBSON GEORGE CHISA. all former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

ABUBAKAR

I formerly known and addressed as Abubakar Ya’u, now wish to be known and addressed as Isma’ila Aliyu. Former address and documents remain valid, Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board, and members of the general public to please take note.

JEMILUA

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Jemilua Oluwakemi Yemisi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Daramola Oluwakemi Yemisi. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

RAJI

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Raji, Rasheedat Funmi, now wish to be known as Mrs. Idrees Rasheedat Funmi. All former documents remain valid. The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and general public please take note.

YUBUIN

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Sarah Yubuin, now wish to be known as Mrs Sarah Gboris Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public 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@ yahoo.com or thenation.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.

Jonathan is enemy of Tiv people, says ex FRMAFC member

N ex- commissioner with the Federal Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (FRMAFC), Abu King Shuluwa, has declared President Goodluck Jonathan an enemy of the Tiv people. Shuluwa, a close confidant of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, also said Tiv people, which he claimed to be the 4th largest ethnic tribe in the country, will not support the President’s reelection bid in 2015. He spoke during the Tiv unity forum meeting in Makurdi, Benue state capital, at the weekend. Shuluwa, who is also a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party

From: Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi (PDP) and founder of Tiv Elders’ forum, noted that Jonathan has not found any Tiv man qualified for ministerial, ambassadorial or federal appointment since he came into power. He lamented that since Barrister Ayua Yeke (SAN) retired as Federal Solicitor General of the Federation, no other Tiv man has attained the post of a federal permanent secretary. The elder statesman said it was an insult to the Tiv race not to be considered for membership of the National Dialogue committee, saying such actions show Jonathan does not respect or value the Tiv ethnic nation.

Mark is my leader, says Onoja

INALLY, David Mark’s longest political foe from Benue South Senatorial Zone, General Lawrence Onoja (rtd) has acknowledged the senate president as his leader. Onoja spoke shortly after he was issued a membership card of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in his Ideakpa ward to readmit him to the party he left three years ago. The retired general contested more than three times against Mark but lost all, leading to bitter rivalries and litigations. Attempts by the former Katsina Military, Administrator to return to the PDP folds failed. It took a directive from the presidency and the national secretariat of the

From: Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi PDP before the retired infantry general was readmitted into the ruling party in his Ideakpa ward of Ohimini Local Government Area last weekend. Speaking with The Nation on phone, Onoja stated that he was returning to the PDP to rebuild the party in line with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s reforms and not to fight for positions. According to him: “David Mark is my leader and he has done well. I will continue to support him. “I’m not fighting for any position with anyone, not even David Mark but to support President Goodluck Jonathan because he has done well.”

Hajj: Wamakko donates N56 million

OKOTO State governor, Aliyu Wamakko, has donated N56 million to 6,170 contingents from the state on pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia. Sokoto State publicity committee sub-chairman on the Hajj exercise, Labaran Dundaye, disclosed at the weekend. He said the gesture was announced by the leader of the delegation (Amirul Hajj), Senator Jubril Gada, in Makkah at the weekend. Dundaye explained

From: Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

that each of the pilgrims got about N 9,000 from the largesse. He said: “The gesture is an annual exercise being extended to the state’s pilgrims by Wamakko to alleviate their sufferings. “This is with a view to assisting the beneficiaries to augment their usually exhausted basic travelling allowances.”

Forum warn leaders against faith-based politics

IGERIAN leaders have been warned against faith-based politics capable of plunging the nation into endless conflicts. This was the consensus by participants at the Plateau round table forum organised by Carefronting Nigeria, a non g o v e r n m e n t a l organisation(NGO). The one-day forum chaired by Dr Hakeem Ahmed had as its theme: Freedom of Worship in Nigeria, Myth or Reality? The communiqué signed by convener of the forum, Maji Peterx, said: “Politicisation of religion is a practice that exists across Nigeria, which

From: YUSUFU Aminu Idegu, JOS

does not help freedom of worship. “It is therefore recommended that policies and practices, which discriminate between citizens in terms of access to resources on the basis of their faith, should be discouraged.” To save religion from further politicisation, the forum insisted government must stop sponsoring Christians and Muslims for pilgrimage. It said the political class owes it to Nigeria to develop sound political ideologies and stop leaning on religious sentiments to win followership.

WORDSWORTH T

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

PHCN: New DISCO owners, staff at war over appraisal examination

EBERE WABARA

08055001948

ewabara@yahoo.com

Troubled waters

ATIONAL MIRROR Front Page of October 17 confirmed lack of grammatical memory: “President Goodluck Jonathan has run into trouble water over his comment that….” All the facts, all the sides: troubled waters. Perhaps, the reporter and oversight editorial functionaries were misled by ‘trouble spot’! “Endorsement (Endorsements) galore at Fayemi’s third anniversary” “ASUU is feeling comfortable because majority of them (a majority of its members) are either teaching in one private university or the other (or another)….” “Fed Poly Ado crowns new beauty pageant” Campus News: it is a beauty queen or pageant winner that is crowned— not the pageant, which is the show! “U-17 World cup kicksoff in Abu Dhabi” Delete the hyphen because phrasal verbs do not admit hyphenation. “IOC’s (IOCs’) divestment not threat to Nigeria—NNPC” Finally from NATIONAL MIRROR Back Page of the edition under review: “…politicians of fortunes (fortune) who are seeking public office by hook or crook.” The Prince of Nigeria Paradigm: by hook or by crook. The PUNCH of October 14 disseminated advertorial and editorial flaws: “Our self service (self-service) kiosks offer you round the clock (round-the-clock) service, 7 days a week.” (Full-page advertisement by Heritage Bank) “…plane crashes in the country have always been marred with (by) controversies….” Glo Unlimited chipped in the next two school-boy howlers: “As you move closer to Brazil 2914, we say a big congratulations (a big congratulations?)….” (Full-page advertisement) “Glo is the official sponsor of All Nigeria (AllNigeria) National Football Teams since 2003.” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of October 13 circulated a few inaccuracies beginning from its front page: “Sanusi reads riot act against dollarisation” Truth in defence of freedom: the riot act (fixed expression) “State of the nation: Our country at crossroads” (Full-page advertisement by The Code Group) Setting new standards in leadership and

governance: at a/the crossroads (stock entry) “He said the country is (was) not broke.” “Members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly impeached their speaker in an apparent c o n t r o v e r s i a l circumstances (why?)....” Still on THE NATION ON SUNDAY under review: “…occasioned by the endless lecturers’ strike action.” Insight: yank off ‘action’! “Lamentation galore, as strike ground campus businesses” A rewrite: Lamentations galore, as strike grounds campus business “Lagos assures on improvement of financial system” Who did the state government assure? “...on the ground (grounds) that this honourable court lacks jurisdiction to make the order.” I am not rising yet! “...respondents concealed materials (material) facts to this honourable court thereby deceived this court into making the interim orders.” (Source: as above) “After reading the 24 paragraphs (24paragraph) affidavit in support of the motion exparte deposed to....” A ‘learned’ high court judge, a gentleman with more than 25 years’ postgraduate experience, signed the document where the three preceding errors were extracted from! From GTBank (sic) comes the next wrongdoing: “Enjoy round the clock banking!” And this: “Set-up (set up) standing instructions” (Full-page advertisement, THISDAY, October 12) At your service: round-theclock banking THE SATURDAY NEWSPAPER also fumbled in its editorial setup (noun this time): “As agric bank hands-out (hands out) N20bn in 10yrs (10 years) “The Fulani then started stealing the cattles belonging to the Takad people.” ‘Cattle’ is uncountable! This should be for the kindergarten class! “I...was always involved in one activities (activity) or the other (another).” “Many Nigerian football fans breathe (breathed) a sigh of relief as....” “The footballer turned singer shares his story in this chat with....”Showbiz flair: footballer-turnedsinger “When kids celebrates (how?) the nation’s cultures” Still on THISDAY under review: “Only in her

20s, Mimano has treaded (trod) where angels feared (fear) to.” “During her recent trip to Nigeria, this e n t e r p r e n e u r (entrepreneur) opened up to....” “...their strengths and revealing their potentials.” Destiny catalyst: ‘potential’ is non-count. “Also in the archives are pictures of all the colonial Governor Generals....” This way: Governors-General “UNDP Sokoto coordinator killed by unknown assailants” How can a reporter or his medium know assailants or gunmen? So, leave out that bit and go straight to the point! “His wife, Esther, laid (lay) on a three seater (three-seater) settee in the living room still asking….” The Saturday Newspaper: lie—lay (past tense), lain (past participle), lying (present participle) and lies (third person singular). I do not know where the reporter and his editors got ‘laid’! “…we pray the Almighty Allah will grants (what?) you many more years ahead.” Would it have been years past? “Nigerians have discovered that these terror groups and kidnappers are birds of the same feather….” Commentary: birds of a feather “We pray to almighty God to continue to give you strength, health and wisdom to paddle the ship of the state to the promise land.” Get it right: Promised Land “When a foe compliments your progress, you better (you had better) check that your next step is not off the cliff.” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of September 15 offered readers two blunders: “OPM c o m m i s s i o n s (inaugurates/launches) free ICT-based school” “Women, kids flee troubled (trouble) spots” “…the technologies that are now available wasn’t (weren’t) available fifty years ago….” “After the initial grief subsides, the loss is still felt through every passing years (year).” Next on our stable is THE NATION of September 14: “Emotions run high as Archbishop Kattey spends the nineth (ninth) day with abductors” Finally from the Back Page of THE NATION under review: “Like (As) I said earlier, there are really no fundamental ideological differences between the Tukur and Baraje factions of….”

HE new owners of the distribution companies (DISCOs) of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) are at loggerheads with their employees who are resisting appraisal examinations to assess their suitability. The DISCOs want to determine who among the inherited employees are good enough for retention. The move has however not gone down well with most of the workers who see it as a ploy by the new owners to embark on massive lay-off. Workers’ unions are understood to have stepped in to resolve the issue. The unions said the DISCOS had promised to absorb workers who are willing to remain in the system without undergoing fresh examination while the companies insist that there is no way they can employ anyone without assessing competence. All efforts by the unions to reopen discussion on the matter proved abortive as the new owners continue to stress the importance of workers taking the appraisal examination. Matters, according to sources, came to a head penultimate Friday when angry PHCN workers in Ikeja and Eko DISCOS disrupted the planned appraisal examinations at various centres across Lagos state. PHCN was unbundled into 15 successor companies made up of five Generating Companies (GENCOs) and ten Distribution Companies (DISCOs). President Goodluck Jonathan recently officially handed over the successor companies to their new owners fol-

By Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor lowing the ratification of the sales of the GENCOs and the DISCOs by the National Council on Privatisation (NCP). Workers of the unbundled electricity company kicked against the handover complaining that government’s insistence on the exercise despite failure to resolve numerous outstanding labour issues with workers was unfair. The workers’ union on October 2 threatened to embark on an indefinite industrial action following the expiration it issued to government to resolve all labour issues ahead of the privatisation of PHCN. Speaking under the umbrella of National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), the union directed its members to withdraw their services from all PHCN installations immediately after celebration of the 53rd Independence anniversary. The union, in a statement issued by its secretary, Joe Ajaero, said the industrial action became necessary in view of government’s refusal to resolve the outstanding labour issues with the workers. The union said it was particularly disturbed by the statement credited to the Chairman of National Council on Privatisation (NCP), Vice-President Namadi Sambo, that government had settled all the labour issues, which impeded the smooth take off of the privatisation exercise. The union insisted that the vice-president was either being misled or deliberately keen on emasculating the PHCN workers with a view to further im-

poverishing them. It challenged the Office of the Vice-President “to mention any person from his constituency Kaduna State where he served as governor, who has been paid his entitlement, pension and gratuity.”

plan for the future”, the governor said, adding, “You have my very warm felicitations for the stability that you have brought back to the Club and you have my support for the development that is clearly following stability”. Thanking all those “who have worked in one way or the other to midwife that peace”, the governor declared, “I hope that hard lessons have been learnt. As I have said, the Club is bigger than any of us and our aspirations and desires to serve must never jeopardise the development of the Club”. On the proposed multi-level parking space, Governor Fashola commended the vision of the current management of the Club for the brilliant initia-

tive which, according to him, would go a long way in solving “what has been a long-drawn issue, a parking for members which has, in no small way, affected attendance and membership”. He said his administration has also conceived a similar project at a site opposite the Yoruba Tennis Club, a project which he said suffered commencement delay but has now taken off. He added that the two projects would complement each other “to create a pedestrian area in that place which essentially has become a place for festivals, parties, Fanti-carnivals and also a destination for young people in the city mall and so on and so forth”.

The many contentions over the appraisal examination and the fate of PHCN workers in the new arrangements, according to sources, are parts of the unresolved issues at hand. “While the most talked about issue we are clamouring for is the payment of workers’ entitlement before the handover, the matter of what become of our members still willing to work with the new DISCOs is another major issue. “That is what informed our opposition to the appraisal examination. It is a ploy to breach the earlier agreement and deny our members the opportunity to continue to work in the new companies if they wish to. “That is why we will not succumb to their plan to force our members to take the examination. They want to be the Judge in their own matter. “If there must be an examination, it would have to be a general recruitment test for all applicants at the same time and with the same modalities. “We are opposed to a separate examination for PHCN staff just because they once worked in the unbundled company. We don’t want to be targeted for any reason. “Our rights to apply for work and be considered on merit in the new companies must be respected,” a labour leader at the Eko DISCO said.

Fashola commends Island Club executive

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has commended the leadership of the Island Club for the restoration of peace and stability to the 70-year old institution. Addressing the members who had come to present the Club’s programme for its 70th anniversary, Fashola noted with joy that members could now sit down and discuss developmental issues as a result of the peace and the stability that now reign in the Club. “It is obvious to see that for almost six years or more, we never sat down together as a Club to discuss developmental issues because there was no peace. Now, it is only in the era of peace that you can begin to

L-R:- Prince Mufassir Masha Oshitokun; Lagos State Microfinance Institution Executive Chairman, Bashorun S. Alabi Macfoy; Chairman, Eleganza Nig. Ltd, Chief Razak Okoya; Yeye Bobaseye of Ajiranland, Chief Monisola Alabi –Macfoy and Chief Tajudeen Okoya, the Are Bobagunwa of Ijoraland at the conferment of chieftancy title on Alhaja Macfoy during the 20th anniversary of the coronation of Oba of Ojomuland, Oba Tijani Akinloye. ..yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

THE NATION ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 20, 2013

With Hannah Ojo 08062952262 Hello Children, Hello, It is another refreshing week and a time to share ideas. Former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt who lived between 1882-1945 once wrote: “ We all know that books burn—yet we have the greater knowledge that books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die. No man and no force can abolish memory...In this war, we know, books are weapons.” Books are weapons indeed, as you proceed this week, determine in your heart to read as many books as possible and see how enlightened you’d become at the end of it all. Good tiding! Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882 - 1945) U.S. president.

BOOK REVIEW

How big is your dream?

AVE you ever wondered how it feels like to imagine something and see it come to reality? I bet it is usually an exhilarating feeling of fulfillment and a good sense of accomplishment. The usual refrain we hear is that if you believe in yourself, there are no limits to what you can achieve. This is the core of the message in the book Big Dream written by ‘Deji Dania. It is a part of the Winnerman comic book series published by Redlam, a subsidiary of the Difference Associates Nigerian limited. Big Dream teaches values of good companionship and the influence of positive role modelling. Reading through, we see how positive friendship works as two friends Nduka and Edith inspired and encouraged Wale, the lead character in the book, to win a

competition which led to him becoming a one-day governor of Lagos State. The fact that goodwill comes with reward is one of the lessons one can get from the book. The reward for two friends who helped their friends climb the ladder of success came in the form of a

fulfillment of their long dreams within a twinkle of an eye. What reward did they get? What was the secret of their success? How can healthy friendship be possible in a world full of distrust and suspicions? These and many more questions are answered through the interaction of characters in the book. Written in a simple language which makes for easy understanding, the story which is passed through beautiful illustrations and a well-designed layout also include highlights on iconic personalities such as Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye. It is a must read for young minds with dreams and vision.

•Some students of Greater Tomorrow International College, Angidi-Akoko who won Cowbell’s competition prize

Who is Zuriel Oduwole?

•SHE is an 11-year-old Nigerian girl. •She was recently appointed as an ambassador by Tanzania’s first lady, Mrs Selma Kikwete, when

versary in Ethiopia. •She is committed to rebranding Africa by showing the positive things about the continent.

WORD WHEEL

CAREER FOCUS:

NURSE is a person trained to look after sick or injured people. Nurses work in hospitals or clinics and they help with administering the care and treatment that a doctor prescribes. There are both female and male nurses Training: To practice as a nurse, you can apply to attend a School of Nursing for a 3-year programme or apply to study at the university for a 5-year programme. There are categories of nurses: General Nurse, Psychiatric Nurse, Midwife.

she launched her project “Dream Up, Speak UP, Stand Up.” •She has met with presidents and top African leaders. •She is the youngest person ever to be interviewed by Forbes Magazine. •She was invited to join other African leaders to celebrate African Union 50th anni-

How do you like training to be a nurse?

•Oduwole

SUDOKU HOW many words of three or more letters, each including the letter at centre of the wheel, can you make from this diagram? We've found 160, including one nine-letter word

To play Sudoku: Fill the box with the numbers 1 to 9 in a way that •Each column must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 •Each row must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 •Each block must contain all of the numbers 1 through 9 •No two numbers in the same column, row, or block can be the same.

7 3

1 5

7 4

6 2

3 7 4 8 Send in your stories, poems, articles, games, puzzles, riddles and jokes to sundaynation@yahoo.com

3 9

8 4 1 1

QUOTABLE “Strikes are legitimate, but should be done to a legitimate limit. Once you make your point, go back to work. I want to appeal to ASUU to review its stand. We can’t afford to throw away the baby with the bath water. If we keep demanding, what will be gained? I believe strike is a normal issue, but I think we are overdoing it in this country.”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL. 8, NO. 2642

- Former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, appealing to striking university lecturers to call off their industrial action and resume work

HE clearest indication yet that Nigeria is today more susceptible to fascism than it has ever been are the statements emanating from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the authorities of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over the recent purchase of two bullet-proof cars, the unrepentant and indiscrete Aviation minister Stella Oduah herself, and of course the increasingly repressive government of President Goodluck Jonathan. Before Dr Jonathan threw us the biscuit bone of the national conference to chew and distract us, the National Assembly, the unwary public, and sleepy civil society groups had assumed that democracy and constitutional provisions were enough inviolable guarantees of the people’s freedoms. We are all gradually becoming disillusioned. Bamanga Tukur represents a most malignant form of the fascism Nigeria is grappling with today. Though he is chairman of the PDP, one of Africa’s biggest political parties, and though he was once governor of the old Gongola State (now Taraba and Adamawa States) for three months, he has neither cultivated anything faintly resembling democratic principles nor ever spoken even remotely like one who understood that his party had a historical duty to nurture, defend and promote constitutionality and freedoms of the people, and to bequeath a legacy that would be hard to match. Not only are his verbal and policy tactlessness promoting discord within his party, a discord he has no appetite to resolve, he has enthusiastically and relentlessly championed administrative rigidity with the mindset that compromise and consensus are unstatesmanlike indications of weakness. In a statement signed a few days ago by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, on behalf of the Tukur-led executive, the PDP exulted with a triumphalism that only the ruling party can muster, warning ominously that anyone parading himself as a leader of the party other than the ones confirmed by the courts would be treated as a criminal. The statement also urged the rest of us to treat those ‘impostors’ as criminals. We are of course indifferent to their impertinent self-glorification. It will be recalled that in theory the party has split into two factions, one led by Alhaji Tukur and servile to President Jonathan, and the other led by Kawu Baraje and comprising seven ‘rebel’ governors who have in recent days come under inordinate official pressure to recant. If any reconciliation is to be made between the two factions, it will be based on the abject surrender and total humiliation of the Alhaji Baraje faction. The Aviation minister has demonstrated more courage and resilience than she has displayed wisdom in her frequent battles with critics, many of whom think highly technical aviation issues are beyond her ken. She has called critics ignorant, and has obfuscated safety and security issues with undignified candour. Indeed, in accounting for the failures in her ministry, she moves effortlessly between terminological inexactness and bizarre religious philosophies. Even then, her unflattering description of critics as ignoramuses regaling themselves with beer parlour gossip is not half as

Tukur, Oduah, NCAA and creeping fascism

•Tukur

• Oduah

annoying as the waffled verbiage of the Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Fola Akinkuotu. Last week, hard on the heels of the controversy surrounding the crash of a plane belonging to Associated Aviation, another controversy broke out, predictably with Ms Oduah smack in the centre. Two bullet-proof cars had been bought, allegedly for the Aviation minister, and as usual, critics thought it confirmed the misplacement of priorities in the ministry. But aides of the minister rallied anxiously to defend the purchase, arguing that she had been under some threats of late. Critics were dissatisfied. So, NCAA’s Mr Akinkuotu took the bull by the horns, and angrily and insensitively tried to deflect the criticism from the minister. Not only was the purchase of bullet-proof cars provided for under this year’s budget, he argued, the cars were not for Ms Oduah’s exclusive use. He could, however, not defend the price of the vehicles put at some N225m by unnamed sources. Industry watchers say one armoured plated car should not cost more than N40m. Nor, it turned out, did Mr Akinkuotu offer explanation for why a minister with her own ministry’s official cars should abandon them for cars provided by an agency under her supervision. It is unlikely both the ministry and the NCAA will ever provide satisfactory explanation for the waste and disregard for Nigerians perpetrated by the Ministry of Aviation. What is even more worrisome is why Mr Akinkuotu took umbrage. Rather than seek for sensible and convincing explanations for the indefensible expenditure on bullet-proof cars, he launched into a tirade against the taxpayer and a lecture on what constitutes criminal venture into information gathering. Hear him: “I am not saying that this particular information should not be put in the public domain. But how it was

obtained is the concern. If somebody breaks into an office and makes copies of official documents, then the break-in has become criminal.” Not satisfied, he added, “So we are in the process of trying to find the source of this leakage and I am very concerned about it. Because this information may look trivial but there are other information that we have that are confidential and it is only fair for us to respect the confidentiality of information. I am not saying that they broke into our office, but they obtained the information illegally.” As if this piffle was not bad enough, Mr Akinkuotu went on: “I am shellshocked that government information and particularly information from the civil aviation authority has got into public purview in an illegal manner. It is criminal.” The NCAA’s contempt for Nigerians and the Director-General’s dismissive language and imperial attitude, not to say his irrelevant allusion to Mr Snowden’s quixotic leak of Western intelligence information, are a carryover of Ms Oduah’s haughty manners. Clearly the people do not count, and worse, we have no right to object to the insufferable attitude of aviation officials to public accountability. Though Mr Akinkuotu has tried to exonerate himself from blame by revealing that the decision to buy the cars predated his assumption of office, of course without disclosing why he lacked the courage to question the impending purchase, the real blame lies with Ms Oduah. But, as usual, she will survive the furore if her powerful backers who promoted her above what she is ill-suited to do weigh in on her side for sentimental reasons rather than public good. But by far worse in this period of creeping fascism are the presidency’s interpretation of executive powers, its abominable distaste for dissent or opposition, and its near absolute ig-

Gradually, the fog over national conference is clearing

FEW days ago, it all but became clear that the national conference advocated by President Goodluck Jonathan would, in spite of the best optimism of most Nigerians, miscarry badly. First was Dr Jonathan’s final decision to quit prevaricating over what to call the conference. When he needed the conference to be accepted, he had hesitated between calling it a national conference and describing it as a national dialogue. He never tried to call it sovereign conference, for he was not as starry-eyed as the incurable optimists who have embraced it. In his October 1 address, he vacillated between dialogue and conference. Since then, every speech he has given, whether prepared or extempore, he has called it dialogue. National conference apparently rankles him. Words or manner of speech of a person often gives an insight into the workings of the mind, and the obscurantist Dr Jonathan at bottom loathes the idea of a national conference. However, he would go with anything that buys him time and fascinates his detractors. Second was what to do with the reports of

a conference/dialogue when or if it is finally held. In his previous speeches, the president had been silent on the national dialogue report’s destination. In fact, he seemed to leave it open-ended, and it pleased the eager proponents of the exercise, especially the advisory committee who imbued it with a destination of their own imagination and choosing. However, late last week, the president finally showed his hand. While receiving members of the Muslim Ummah during the Eid-el-Kabir, he revealed that the report of the national dialogue would be sent to the National Assembly for their ratification. Though the advisory committee has sought to keep the matter of the report’s destination open by saying that that issue was yet to be determined, the fight is all but lost even before the battle is joined. Dr Jonathan has, however, tried to be clever by half. He suggests that the electorate could put pressure on the National Assembly to do what is proper with the dialogue report, but he has not indicated that the report would go to the legislature unedited. In my view, not only will the report be doctored, assuming it holds

and is not aborted, even the legislature will also do substantial editing of the report, for they themselves are engaged in some delicate form of constitution review, and have definite views on what the outcome should look and sound like. As a matter of fact, everyone who has spoken on the dialogue, whether the president or the National Assembly, not to say the advisory committee which is already feeling the weight of higher responsibility and has begun to talk and act with the infuriating tentativeness of officialdom, has vowed that the dialogue would reinforce Nigerian unity. How can they tell? It seems obvious that before the advisory committee is through with its assignment, the president will have shown his hand much more clearly. First, national conference became definitively national dialogue; then the destination of the report was revealed as the National Assembly; and finally, unity became the lodestar of the exercise. Soon, the amazing magician will deal us his most devastating hand, assured as he has always been that Nigerians are an incredible, impressionable lot.

norance of where real sovereignty lies. The internal wrangling within the PDP illustrates very poignantly how low governance has sunk, and how insidiously autocracy is creeping in upon us. A few weeks ago, newspaper reports warned of plans by the presidency to come down hard on dissent within the party, an exercise begun with the targeted reshuffle of the Jonathan cabinet. Until land titles of one or two ‘rebel’ G-7 governors were seized and building approvals questioned, few believed the Jonathan government, famous for both its vacuous opinion on democracy and lack of public and private morality, would descend so low. Well, it has descended abysmally low, and is even capable of much worse. The Jonathan government in fact has a dangerous and retrogressive view of criticism and dissent, one propelled only by an instinct for self-preservation. So, too, does the PDP. This predisposes them to offering unthinking support to erring but favoured ministers, officers and aides. This also probably explains why the presidency turned a blind eye to the misdeed of a minister accused of profligacy in junketing, why it seemed amused by the misdirection and arrogance displayed by its main economic managers, and why the Aviation minister may yet escape serious censure. In contrast to its indulgent view of its ministers’ misdemeanours, the Jonathan government concocts excessively harsh regime of measures to rein in, or if necessary, pulverise, dissenters. And while those antidemocratic efforts are ongoing, the president keeps a straight face, and even pontificates on the fundamentals of democracy, good governance and the rule of law. Anyone could be fooled. It is time Nigerians rose as one man to guide and guard their democracy. Clearly the provisions of the constitution will not on their own provide the rampart for the defence of our liberties; nor will the statutes in our law books, given the strange predilections of many of our judges, conduce to justice just by their mere existence. Going by the reaction to many of Dr Jonathan’s retrogressive policies and decisions, I do not have the confidence Nigerians will rise up to fight for their rights, or that they have the understanding and the detachment to appreciate the siege under which their freedoms are being denuded. The least Palladium can do is give warnings, and hope he would not in the process become a modern-day Cassandra.

Trivial women protesters of Abuja

AST Monday, hundreds of market women under the aegis of the Market Women Association of Nigeria staged a protest to the National Assembly and Ministry of Education to put pressure on striking university teachers. The reason given by the women for the protest is, however, difficult to rationalise. According to them: “We are here to tell you (the person who received the protesters) we have done our investigation and seen that we can no longer keep our children in the house. What ASUU is looking for is for us to cut our heads and give them. You cannot compare federal and state universities… We trade to send our children to school. It took America 350 years to get there; hence we need to do things gradually. Let us repair our country. Our children have not been in school for the past four months. If the lecturers don’t do what is expected of them, we will go and close their schools…We took to the streets because ASUU has refused to have the face of humans. We are stakeholders because we are mothers. They should resolve this thing between them and government so that our children can go back to school.” Had the women discussed with their husbands and children before taking to the streets, it is unlikely their protests would be directed at ASUU, for ASUU is as much a victim as the idle students and longsuffering parents. The problem, notwithstanding the hysteria of paid and misguided students’ union leaders, is plainly the refusal of the government to honour agreements. What kind of character and principles are market women teaching their children when they sanction the breaking of agreements and contracts? The problem of education is of course much more complex than ASUU strike can resolve; but first, pressure should be applied in the right place in order not to leave us beaming like fools, and our mothers preening like drunken peacocks.

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ISSN: 115-5302 E-mail: sunday@thenationonlineng.net Editor: FESTUS ERIYE