Chibok girls are alive - Sen Sani

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510 DAYS AFTER: Chibok girls are alive — Sen Shehu Sani •Urges Buhari to rescue them •Why past negotiation bids failed Continued from page 1 after all came from Senator Shehu Sani who disclosed to Sunday Vanguard that “they are alive”.

Sani, who has been deeply involved in negotiations with Boko Haram and the Nigerian government in bids to rescue the girls and end terrorism in Nigeria, told Sunday Vanguard in an exclusive interview that he was certain the over 200 girls were alive and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make efforts to rescue them before taking further steps to end insurgency.

The senator, who represents Kaduna Central in the National Assembly, said his optimism that the girls were alive stemmed from the fact that Boko Haram would have promptly celebrated their killing with an announcement as it does not waste time in telling the world who it has killed or not.

Sani said: “I have the belief they are alive because if they are not, certainly, the group, in their own criminality and violence, would have announced that they had killed them.

“Don’t forget they have been very honest in the past in telling the world who they have killed or not.

“If they are not alive, certainly, we would have known but they are actually alive

and I believe it is an issue which the government needs to thrash out before we go into the final phase of ending insurgency in the NorthEast”.

The lawmaker, an activist before coming to the Senate, has been involved in three failed bids to broker peace between Boko Haram and the Federal Government.

He said that the disagreement between the Federal Government and the group on the release of the latter’s commanders from prison, was often responsible for the collapse of such bids.

“A number of things went wrong with previous efforts to broker peace between Boko Haram and the Federal Government”, Sani said.

“First, some of the demands made by Boko Haram were such that the government was not ready to oblige.

“The group has always insisted that it is willing to agree to peace provided its members are released by government. But government had never been ready to do that. That has been the sticking point where all the negotiations had always crashed.

“So, if government says it is ready for negotiation, it should also be ready to concede certain things in the interest of peace”.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

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But reminded that government claims that it could not negotiate with phantom groups or individuals, the lawmaker said that the announcement of intent by the government to dialogue with the group was not the same as taking steps to actualise its desire.

To start with, the senator suggested the setting up of a special technical committee by government with a waiver to suspend anti-terrorism laws and make it possible for genuine discussion to be begin with the group.

He pointed out that since there were laws that made it a crime for anyone to communicate or be identified with Boko Haram, it would not be possible for persons who could assist to come forward for fear of being arrested and prosecuted for aiding and abetting terrorism.

Sani said that although government had in the past fallen victim to fake groups in the course of trying to broker a ceasefire with Boko Haram and lost millions of Naira in the process, he disclosed that he had made at least three genuine attempts to bring about peace with the sect and the government.

“There is no doubt that there have been times in which the Federal Government actually engaged in discussions with phantom groups and individuals but there are also times where the negotiations were very credible,” he said.

“In 2011, I was able to facilitate a dialogue between the group and the Federal Government when I brought in the former President, Obasanjo, to talk to the families of the insurgents and another one, which was with the President of the Supreme Council of Sharia, Dr. Ahmed Datti, where he represented the Boko Haram group, which came out openly to announce him as their representative”.

To bring the saga to an end, Sani suggested that government should involve a Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida, who now lives in Dubai, in any discussion with Boko Haram, describing him as being very credible and crucial in such talks.

He said the journalist, who had been involved in one of the talks with government and the sect, had risked his life to broker peace with the group out of sheer patriotism for Nigeria and nothing more.

Sani said he would also be ready to work with other stakeholders to see how to bring about genuine negotiations with the group and government with a view to ensuring the release of the girls, if given the authority by the government to do so.

“I cannot do it alone but it has to be a teamwork approach with others like clerics, elders and people who have something to offer in the peace process,” the senator said.

(FULL INTERVIEW NEXT SUNDAY)

•National Organizing Secretary All Progressives Congress (APC), Osita Izunaso (right), gubernatorial aspirant, in Bayelsa State, Timi Alaibe (second right), Director organization, Abubakar Kari (second left) and Senator John Brainbaifa during the submission of the Intent of Interest and Nomination Forms by Alaibe for the forthcoming Governorship Election in Bayelsa State at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday . .

How America, West frustrated Jonathan’s anti-Boko Haram war •25 letters for arms turned down

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

A

S President Mu hammadu Buhari inquires into the Boko Haram war expenditures under the last administration, it has emerged that Nigeria’s traditional allies in the West deliberately frustrated former President Goodluck Jonathan’s efforts towards ending terrorists’ activities in the country.

A security source disclosed in Abuja that Nigeria, under the leadership of Jonathan, wrote 25 letters to the United States of America and other Western nations, seeking to acquire state of the art weapons to deal decisively with the terrorists.

However, they all turned down the requests, the source said.

“What was most painful was the fact that Nigeria was not begging to be given those weapons as gifts.

We were ready to pay for them but they turned their backs on us when we needed them most.

“The same people who made all the promises about assisting us to bring an end to the Boko Haram attacks and bring back the abducted Chibok girls did everything they could to frustrate our efforts”, he added.

According to him, the scandal that broke out over the botched South African arms deals was the culmination of the worst that a frustrated sovereign nation could face.

Two attempts by foreign contractors engaged by the nation’s highest security authorities to buy arms from South Africa and Israel were stopped and over $24 million of Nigeria’s hard earned foreign exchange seized

by South African author-

ities in two separate instances in that country.

It was learnt that though the funds were eventually released to Nigeria, the harm had been done and the purpose stopped midstream.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that when it became very clear that the nation’s long-standing traditional allies were not prepared to assist, Nigeria had to turn to Eastern Europe and Asia for weapons.

“A conclusion was reached that the nation would suffer more devastation should she continue to beg those we regarded as our friends when things were going on well with us.

It was at that point that the nation had to look elsewhere, especially towards the East and Asia”, the source said.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the US who died in Washington, last week, Prof Adebowale Adefuye, captured the mood of the then government and most Nigerians when he addressed the American Council on Foreign Relations, in November last year.

“The US government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time,’’ “We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the US presence in Nigeria with their sophisticated militar y technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.

“There is no use giving us the type of support that enables us to deliver light jabs to the terrorists when what we need to give them is the killer punch. A friend in need is a friend indeed. The true test of

friendship is in times of adversity,” he said.

America’s only excuse for refusing to sell the much-needed weapons to Nigeria was that Nigerian troops were reportedly not adhering to the fundamental human rights of the terrorists, in the prosecution of the Boko Haram war.

The security source who spoke with Vanguard said the alternative arms sources in Eastern Europe and Asia did not only receive Nigeria with open hands, “ we also got other forms of ‘technical assistance’ as those who provided some of the equipment also entered into agreement with us to have some of their military personnel join our troops for the purposes of ensuring optimal performance of all the equipments.

“We didn’t want a situation where we would get to the war theatre and have any of the equipment breakdown without the expertise to promptly fix it”.

The source said that Some of the expatriates seen among the troops were with them to provide such requisite technical assistance.

According to him, the successes recorded from the last months of Dr. Jonathan in office and the current onslaught against the terrorist were due mainly to the arrival of various equipments from countries other than Western nations that call themselves Nigeria’s traditional allies.

He observed that President Buhari’s panel would discover at the end of its sitting that it was not possible for the Jonathan administration to have reduced Boko Haram to the level it left it without having to bend backwards on several fronts to secure the right weapons and technical expertise.

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

•Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (left), submitting his Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha (right), at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja.

Navy denies killing MASSOB members

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

T

HE Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Stanley Ogoigbe, yesterday, described as unfounded the alleged killing of members of the Movement of the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) by operatives of the command in Anambra State.

The command, with headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, is in charge of Anambra, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states.

Ogoigbe, who spoke to newsmen at the command’s headquarters, said it became necessary for him to personally clear the air on the rumoured killing of the MASSOB members which he described as baseless.

Reports had alleged a violent clash between members of the pro-Biafra group and navy personnel in Onitsha, Anambra State, where some members of the

group were allegedly killed.

But the FOC dismissed the claim insisting that the navy personnel only shot into the air to scare a large number of MASSOB members who were on a protest march towards the Onitsha head bridge as the protesting youths had already overrun the police on duty and did not injure, let alone, killing a soul.

His words, “No such act was ever committed. The MASOB group was on a protest march. They overran the policemen on duty and were coming towards the navy personnel. As they approached, the navy fired warning shots into the air to scare them away and they all dashed away. Nobody died in the process.

“To our surprise, MASSOB started claiming that the navy has killed two of their men. I don’t know what they wish to achieve with this propaganda, fabricating stories against the navy.

“We just want all well meaning Nigerians to know that no MASSOB member was killed in that area of Anambra State where the navy was keeping peace and carrying out their legitimate duties”.

Also speaking, the Commanding Officer, Naval Outpost, Onitsha, where the incident happened, Navy Capt. Dika Kwabe, said there was no iota of truth in the claim by MASSOB that her members were killed by the navy.

NBC, stakeholders collaborate on digitalisation

By Chris Onuoha

T

HE Electronic Media Content Owners Asso-

ciation of Nigeria (EMCOAN) says it will work with the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to actualise the digitization of the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

While EMCOAN stressed the need for the NBC to collaborate with stakeholders in the industry for effective and successful switch-over following the commission’s inability to meet the initial June 2015 deadline, the association said the 18 months extension by NBC can only be met if stakeholders are carried along.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, EMCOAN President, Mrs. Debby Odutayo, said, “Digitization worldwide demonstrates that industry and political considerations prevail in the discussions concerning the planning and the implementation of the digital switchover polices. Regulators in Nigeria hitherto failed to recognize the inherent opportunities of using readily available expertise at its disposal just as consultation across board were not wide enough.”

Represented by the association’s PRO, Toyin Ohi-Alegbe, Odutayo, who was re-elected as the President of the association, said EMCOAN,s responsible for over 85% of media content in Nigeria, should be integrated into the process because of its strategic position as a body of TV and radio program producers.

•L-R: Chairman, One Card Services Ltd, Mr. Tunde Odulaja; Snr. Manager, Lagos-South West Sales, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Innocent Entonu, Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Artee Group, Mr. Kunle Hamzat and Regional Sales Manager, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Shehu Abubakar at the unveiling of One Card in partnership with MTN and SPAR.

SKEWED APPTS BY BUHARI

The North fires back!

By Wale Akinola

A

group, Concerned El ders of the North, CEN, in answer to the accusation of lopsided appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari, made by some aggrieved people from the South, has released a list of some appointments made by the Goodluck Jonathan government.

It claimed that what Buhari has done is that he has merely chosen people he knows well as his personal staff “which is to be expected of any serious President”.

The appointments made

by Buhari include his ADC, the State Chief of Protocol, the National Security Adviser, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and the DG, SSS. The list of the appointments by the Jonathan administration, sent to Sunday Vanguard by the group, at the weekend, is made up of people from the South.

The first group of 13 appointees (a minister, the SGF and heads of parastatals) were from the SouthEast while most of those in the second group of 37 were mostly from the South-East and the South-South.

The Jonathan govt appointments A: THE SOUTH-EAST LIST 1.

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA – Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance 2.

BRIGHT OKOGWU – DG Budget 3.

EMEKA EZE – DG BPP 4.

ARUNMA OTEH – DG SEC 5.

OSCAR ONYEMA – DG NSE 6.

CHIKE OBI – MD AMCON 7.

CHINELU ONUOHA – DG PENCOM 8.

GODWIN EMEFIELE – CBN Governor 9.

UCHE ORJI – M D Sovereign Wealth Fund 10.

SUNNY IROHA – DG Housing F und 11.

EVELYN OPUTA – MD BANK OF INDUSTRY 12.

NNENNA ORJI –

Chairman, Investments, Securities Tribunal 13.

ANYIM PIUS ANYIM – SGF B: SOUTH-EAST AND SOUTH-SOUTH LIST 1.

DR. ANTHONY ANUFOROM - NIMET 2.

ENGR. ANDREW YAKUBU - NNPC 3.

PATRICK APOBOLOKEMI - NIMASA 4.

MRS. CHINEBO ANOHU AMAZU - PENCOM 5.

ENGR. CHUKWU AMUCHI - FERMA 6.

MR. GEORGE OSAHON - DPR 7.

MRS. EVELYN OPUTU - Bank of Industry 8.

ERNEST NWANPA - Nigerian Content Dev. Agency 9.

MRS. DUPE ATOKI - Consumer Protection Agency 10.

ENGR. EUGENE JUWAH - NCC 11.

ENGR. NNAMDI UDOH - NAMA 12.

ENGR. AKIKUOTU - NCAA 13.

GEORGE URIESI - FAAN 14.

CAPT. CHINERE KALU - NCATY 15.

DR. PAUL ORHII NAFDAC 16.

Dr. (MRS) G.N. ELEMO - FIIRO 17.

ORON JOSHUA OKPO - Maritime Academy of Nigeria 18.

ENGR. SEYI SIJUWADE - Railway Corporation 19.

MRS. SALLY MBANEFOH - Nigerian Tourism Dev. Corporation 20.

DR. BRIGHT OKOGWU - Budget Office of the Federation 21.

PROF. GODSWILL OBIOMA - NERDC 22.

MR. R.R. ORYA NEXIM 23.

DR. JOSEPH ODUMODU - Standards Organisation of Nigeria 24.

EMEKA NKEM MBA - Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation 25.

PROF. LONGMAS WAPMUK - Industrial Training Fund 26.

PROF. JULIUS OKOJIE - National Universities Commission

27.

MRS. N.S. BENEBO - NESREA 28.

DR. PRECIOUS GBENJO - MDG Office 29.

PETER CHIGOZIE - Surveyor General of the Federation 30.

DR. YEMI KALE Statistician General of the Federation 31.

MR. JONAH OTUNLA - Accountant General of the Federation 32.

S A M U E L YONONGO UKARA - Auditor General of the Federation 33.

MIKE OMIERI National Orientation Agency 34.

OLUREMI OYO News Agency of Nigeria (OLUREMI OYO was replaced by IMA NIBORO from the South South) 35.

DAVID I. ADELUGBA - NEPC E/S 36.

MR. OLUGBENGA KUYE - NEPZA 37.

PETER GODSDAY ORUBEBE - Niger Delta Ministry, etc.

Re-NIESV President

O

N July 19, 2015, we published a report at page 45 in which we referred to Mr. Bode Adediji as the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, NIESV, President. We have since discovered that Mr Bode Adediji was NIESV 19th President from 2010-2012. The current President of NIESV is Olorogun James Omeru, FNIEVS, who is also the 21st President of the body.

The error is regretted.

Olorogun James Omeru

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 7

From left standing: Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State; Alhaji Adamu Dibal, 2015 Borno State Amirul Hajj and other top officials of the State Government addressing pilgrims inside a Medview aircraft during the inaugural airlifting of the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia at the Maiduguri International Airport yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

From left: Chief Missioner, Nasrul-lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) Worldwide, Sheikh Abdulahi Gbade Akinbode; National President, NASFAT, Engr. Kamil Bolarinwa; Executive Director, Corporate Bank & Treasury, Keystone Bank, Mr. Hafiz Bakare; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule; and National Women Affairs Secretary, NASFAT, Alhaja Samiat Omolara Mumuni, at the 2015 NASFAT Women Week.

Sovereign Wealth Fund rekindles hope for economy

By Emeka Anaeto, Economy Editor

A

MIDST negative developments in the economy in the first 100 days of President Mohammadu Buhari’s regime, there are indications that the policy on national investment savings from oil revenue is yielding positive results, as the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is reporting sharp rises in returns on investment from oil revenue notwithstanding the sharp decline in crude oil price.

NSIA said, at the

weekend, that its comprehensive income for the financial year ended December 2014 rose to N15.8 billion from N525 million while operating income rose to N3.9 billion from N1.5 billion.

Similarly, the total assets rose to N177.8 billion from N157 billion.

Against the backdrop of perceived lack of prudence in management of Nigeria’s oil wealth, NSIA was set up in 2011 to prudently manage and invest revenue generated when the oil price exceeds the budgeted price. The Fund is jointly owned by all the three tiers of government.

A sharp decline in oil price below the budget benchmark, which has already happened, would mean no new contribution from the oil revenue. But the over 150 per cent rise in NSIA’s operating income indicates that the Fund is efficient and effective in oil resource management even without new inflows.

Moreover, the first quarter 2015 results have already indicated that the positive results would be sustained following over 80 per cent further rise in NSIA’s comprehensive income to N28.7 billion with total assets increasing further to N206.2 billion.

The year 2014 was NSIA’s

second consecutive financial year of providing positive returns on investment in the face of volatile global market conditions.

Looking ahead in 2015 and beyond, Alhaji Mahey Rasheed, Chairman of NSIA’s Board said: “The weakness in crude oil prices might persist for the foreseeable future, thereby potentially impacting on new contributions from the Federation. However, NSIA is initiating some other strategies to grow its assets, while at the same time focusing on the efficient management of the existing assets’’.

Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Mr. Uche

BAYELSA GUBER: Ex-Jonathan’s aide disagrees with Patience on Dickson’s endorsement

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

A

former Senior Special Assistant to erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic and Social Events, Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa, at the weekend, distanced himself from the alleged directive by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, that her loyalists should support the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson in the December

5 governorship election.

He said though the purported directive from the former First Lady had not been confirmed, it did not include him and had not changed his position that if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) fields Dickson as its flag bearer in the forthcoming election, it will fail woefully.

The former presidential aide, in a statement by a former Secretary to the defunct pro-Jonathan’s group, the

Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Hon. Gesiye Isowo, denied that Dame Jonathan directed him and many others to support Dickson on his second term bid.

Dudafa, a former Bayelsa lawmaker and Commissioner for Local Government and C o m m u n i t y Development, had been expelled from the PDP for alleged anti-party activities.

He was alleged to

have sponsored the election of the victorious Abiye Tarabina of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the last state House of Assembly election.

But Dudafa’s loyalists accused Dickson of instigating his expulsion from the PDP. The loyalists claimed that such support for the governor was not deserved until the right things were done with their principal’s recall to the party.

My purported suspension illegal-Edo LGA boss

By Simon Ebegbulem

T

HE chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, Comrade Morrison Ogunoroba-Ovia has described, as illegal, his purported suspension by five councillors in the council.

He said the attack on him and the Secretary of the council, Barr.

Oyomire Idahosa, was masterminded by some leaders in the area to stop his second term ambition.

Meanwhile, five

suspension, saying it did not follow due process.

Addressing newsmen yesterday, Ogunoroba – Ovia noted that the

suspension was not only illegal but also did not follow due process in line with the Edo State Local Government law 2000 as amended.

I am not a thief — FRCN DG

N50 billion damages following “the defamatory and malicious publication which gravely injured” his reputation.

Counsel to the FRCN boss, Rickey Tarfa, SAN, signed the letter.

According to Tarfa, contrary to the allegation that Salihu relied on the influence of powerful individuals to become FRCN DG, he had “a

lawmakers, led by Roberts Emeke-Fiyes, have disassociated themselves from the counsel boss

By Ben Agande, Abuja

T

HE Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr Ladan Salihu, has denied a report carried by an online medium, alleging that he was indicted by a panel over allegations of embezzlement

before his appointment as Director General by the Jonathan administration.

In a letter to the editor-inchief of the online medium, Salihu demanded that the organisation made a full retraction of the offensive publication, publish an apology in Vanguard and four other newspapers and pay him

Orji, explained that NSIA recorded improved profitability as it increased capital deployment along the lines of its asset allocation model previously outlined in 2013 and executed its

investment strategy which was underpinned by four major themes: Diversified Asset Allocation, Retention of the five key sub-sector focus for the Nigeria Infrastructure Fund (NIF), Growth in assets under management, and Strengthening of Infrastructure Financing Institutions.

From left: Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State; his wife, Rachael Umahi, and USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Mr Michael T Harvey, during official handover of long lasting Insecticidal Nets to the State Government in Abakaliki, last week.

FCT wants Nigerians to curtail education tourism •As Perm Sec lauds Emodi’s initiative

By Emmanuel Aziken

T

HE Federal Government has enjoined Nigerians with the resources to help stem the tide of education tourism out of the country by establishing educational institutions that will check the migration of students to foreign countries.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, MFCT, Engr. John Chukwu, disclosed this in Abuja at the commissioning of Brickhall School, Abuja.

The commissioning of the B r i c k h a l l blistering and brilliant career which stated in 1979 during which period he had at different times worked in Bauchi Radio Corporation, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Chief Press Secretary to the Military Governor of Bauchi State, National Broadcasting Commission where he rose to the position of a director and in fact became the pioneer Zonal Director, Kaduna”.

Schools,established by Senator Joy Emodi, was attended by several high profile individuals including serving and former government officials and, more prominently, former members of the National Assembly.

Emodi, herself a former educationist turned lawyer and politician on the occasion described the event as a significant event for her, saying that she was now living her dream.

The school with provisions for pre-nursery, nursery, primary and secondary was ably commended by several of the functionaries who graced the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Chukwu said: “You can estimate the amount of money we are losing through education tourism.

Those who have benefited from the sector should do something to give back to the system and that is why I am here. We in the fact will support you,” Chukwu said before he formally commissioned the school”.

PAGE 8, SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Nigeria’s woes started after FESTAC 77 — Avwomakpa, CAN leader

*Says church expelled him for casting out demons *’The Israeli miracle working seed in Delta farms’ ARCHBISHOP God-do-well Avwomakpa is the President/founder of Christ Missionaries (Crusaders) Church, Warri, Delta State and the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in charge of the South-South. The Pentecostal archbishop enlisted into the Nigerian Army during the civil war but left the army in 1967 and subsequently went into God’s ministry. In this interview, Avwomakpa reveals the secrets of his foray into agriculture, the alleged N6 billion largese to Christian leaders and many more. Excerpts...

BY SAM EYOBJOKA Your Christ Missionary (Crusaders) Church is 34 years this year. What is the success story?

We thank God for the grace He has given.

I cannot say we have arrived but we have, at least, tried a little bit and the grace of God is great upon our lives.

You were once in the army. Why did you leave?

I joined the Nigerian Army in 1966 and left one year after. I had a revelation; God spoke to me to come out of this military to join another military. I thought it was going to be an international military. I didn’t know that it was a call to preach. From Agbor, we were warming up to go into Onitsha but the bridge had been destroyed. We were running eight miles every day preparing to cross regardless of whether there was a bridge or not. And in one of the nights, I heard God say ‘come out of this place and I will use you in another form.’ I declined, arguing that if I moved out, they would say I was running away and I could be killed.

So I said, ‘If you’re the God of my father, go ahead and speak to my commander so that when I go to him, he would not argue’.

And I went to my staff sergeant, he sent me to the commander who immediately asked if I was a Christian and my answer was yes.

He released me. That was how I came out of the army in October 1967 without any idea of what to do. I gave up smoking weed and cigarettes.I used to be a serious trouble maker and a fighter. Don’t what happened but I just forgot who I was and started preaching.

Who was your role model?

Evangelist Adam Igbudu. In 1968, I joined The Adam Preaching Society. In those days, if we went for any crusade, and people were not repenting, Adam will ask me to come in.

And once I get in, it was grace.

That was the Anglican Church?

No! The Adam Preaching Society was interdenominational. I was born a Baptist. I was the one who started the soul winning of the Baptist Church many years ago.

So at what point did you decide to form a church of your own?

That was in 1981. I found that those we invited to baptize the new converts were just sprinkling water on them and I said no. The word baptism is baptizo which means to bury. It couldn’t be water that you put in a plate and spray. Number two, many churches that we went to in those days did not believe in casting out demons. In fact, I was expelled from a church on account of that. The letter stated: “Because of your antibaptist activities, you are hereby expelled from (church name withheld).” What did I do? I cast out demons, I prayed for the sick.

They said those things were not in line. The youths wanted to react and I said I would not be party to the break up of the church of God. So 21 of us decided that, since they had a different belief from our revelation, we would not break the church.. So we started our own church on the first Sunday

Number two, many churches that we went to in those days did not believe in casting out demons. In fact, I was expelled from a church on account of that.

The letter stated: “Because of your anti-baptist activities, you are hereby expelled from (church name withheld) of November 1981.

There is this agric project that your name is associated with. What is the vision behind it and how did it start?

When I was appointed the Chairman of the Delta State Pilgrim Board, we went on pilgrimage to Israel. I sat down and asked myself how Israelis were surviving? I asked them if they had oil, they said no. Then I asked what they were doing in a desert world. They said they were into agriculture.

They don’t have good soil as we have. They told me of how many tons of apple and other products they export, I told myself this can be done at home. So the following year, I sponsored one Doctor Ekpedi at the Delta State University, Abraka, a couple of professors and some of their workers to Israel so that we could learn something. I told Ekpedi that I had a vision that a day may come when the North would say they won’t bring tomatoes to the South. We shouldn’t wait. . I said if I succeeded, I would go to the three senatorial districts of Delta to set up agricultural farms. Number two, with the support of government we could have farms for youths in every community all over Delta and in five years, unemployed youths will be engaged. This was my vision. I approached the then Agriculture Commissioner who told me the project could only make headway if it was independent of government. So we used our own money.

I was the Chairman of the state’s Pilgrims Board, but even the Board members disagreed with the vision. I had to get my own money, raised offering here and bought seeds from Israel. I then called Ekpedi that we were going to nurse the seeds. The people of Israel said the seeds will not grow and I said they were telling lies. I said if they didn’t grow, then God is partial. Then I prayed, “Lord, men say this will not grow.

•ARCHBISHOP God-do-well Avwomakpa You are not a respecter of persons, but You will honor anybody who honors You. May these seeds have life.” I went to Abraka and met with Ekpedi and they nursed them.

When the tomatoes and pepper came out, I had to go and give the governor.

Every year, I raise money to sponsor people from universities and some other groups to travel to Israel and we learn something. When the governor saw what we had done, he asked us if we could revive the Songhai Delta Limited, Amukpe and I said yes; the project which had gone down has been revived. They were in debts and couldn’t pay workers. We’ve taken it for about a year now. We are now generating our own funds to pay workers. Not only that, we’ve paid those who had worked there and retired their gratuity. We don’t take one kobo from government.

For the purpose of readers, what is Songhai?

Songhai is an agricultural institution that Gov. James Ibori started many years ago in Amukpe near Sapele. It was moribund but God used us to revive it. I’ve not taken one kobo from that place. The other day, NDDC sponsored about 400 people to acquire skill from the place. It’s a center now and universities come in. So it’s a place where people are trained. And it’s not only training, we have opened door to planting. I am making arrangements to see how we can breed cows in that place. If cows can survive in the North that has no grass, they will survive here. I have something in my heart but nobody to run the vision. If you have a vision, get people to run it. For instance, Dr. Ekpedi is doing great in that area today and he’s ever grateful to God through me.

Before the advent of oil, Delta used to be an agrarian state? When can there be a revival of those good old days?

The government needs to take a bold step, use people like us. For instance, all these I’m doing, I do not take salary. What I wanted now is if government would support us, I have the people. For instance, there are farms we can put in place in different

locations, we will also locate schools in the farm settlements for children. It’s a plan of about 20 years. How are we going to start it? If we call a community together as we are planning now and we say we are going to give their youths employment, they will be happy.

Government should sponsor it. They shouldn’t give them money. We’ll bring the things. We don’t mind, those who are working, we pay them. In a short time, that farm can pay the people. For instance, if you give me six months from now, I can produce a farm that will help over 2,000 people to get tomatoes. One of my pastors has a farm in Okpe. Most of the Hausa men buy watermelon from him. We are trying all the things they are doing in the North.

Agriculture is supposed to come here as we are giving them oil.

If you give me N5 million today and ask me of it in another two years, I’ll give you N10 million by the grace of God. We need people who will stand well not to fill their stomachs. A good leader doesn’t look to see how he can beautify himself. He looks to the success of others. If we can get faithful men to handle this, it will shock you that Delta State can become a food basket of the nation.

I want you as the Chairman of SouthSouth Christian Association of Nigeria to take a look at the state of the nation.

What’s your assessment?

Nigeria is a country of God that is going to stand seriously in this end time. And I will say that Nigeria has tried, but Nigeria should be careful. The prophecy that Nigeria would break in 2015 came from somewhere. Where it came from, the people would want that word to come to pass at all costs because they are trying to make Nigerians slaves. There is nothing that God will not give to us. Germans asked Westerhoff,, what he was doing in Nigeria, a nation of fraudsters for that long and he replied them that Nigeria was more than the way they knew it.

To be contued next week

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015,

Page 9

All letters bearing writers' names and full addresses should be typed and forwarded to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, Kirikiri Canal, P. M. B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E-mail: sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com

Salvaging the Nigerian naira Dear Sir,

O

ur currency, the naira, has been losing its external value at a disturbing rate since the price of crude oil started heading southward. Besides, the country’s major customer, USA, is no longer interested in our oil as it has become a producer now. China, another big buyer, is currently experiencing economic slow-down. At home, crude oil theft has also exacerbated the problem. All the above factors have jointly contributed to the decline in the volume and value of our oil exports, thereby causing a huge fall in the country’s monthly inflows of foreign exchange.

Most people are worried about this negative development because Nigerians live chiefly on imported goods. As the supply of foreign exchange falls and its demand keeps rising, more naira will be needed to buy a British pound or American dollar. Consequently, imported goods will become more expensive for Nigerians. We need to appreciate how the economic forces of demand and supply play to raise or lower the exchange rate.

Recently, the Central Bank of Nigeria has been trying to control the demand for foreign exchange. The apex bank classified 41 items as not valid for foreign exchange.

Let us hope that some importers will not obviate this policy by buying foreign exchange to import the prohibited items using different custom HS Codes.

Most corrupt importers will always get their goods cleared with the connivance of equally corrupt

officials assigned to our ports.

Banks have also been stopped from accepting cash into customers’ domiciliary accounts. Transactions in foreign currencies are to be done through transfers only. This measure is meant to prevent speculative practices. It will also give a trail on movements of funds acquired unlawfully. However, every effort to manage the demand side of the market will not succeed in the long run unless stakeholders resolve to increase the supply of foreign exchange phenomenally.

Nigeria must make deliberate efforts to increase the

volume and value of nonoil exports within the next two years. Economic sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, mining and tourism must be positioned for export drive.

Entrepreneurs must be encouraged to invest in these critical sectors. Special institutions, not commercial banks, must be created by the CBN to give revolving equity funds to emerging entrepreneurs. Mentors should be arranged for nascent entrepreneurs for successful operations.

Funds extended can be recouped through the securities market when an enterprise has successfully operated for three years.

Standardization of Nigerian products must never be neglected. It is painful that our agricultural foods are overloaded with harmful pesticides which led the European Union to ban Nigeria from exporting beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips, and palm oil into its markets. Relevant institutions must be equipped to guide producers and exporters in the area of quality for our exports to meet acceptable standard in the global market. For instance, Nigeria is blessed with good shea nuts but it has no factory that can process high quality shea butter that is

acceptable in big markets like Europe and USA. Our cocoa must compete well with those exported by Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Lapidaries are needed in every state that is rich in solid minerals. Such facilities will be able to polish precious stones for exporters. Our mineral exports will be able to meet the specifications of foreign markets. Exporters can rest assured that they are not going to lose money when they buy and export solid minerals. The value addition through the services of a lapidary will help in raising the price that foreign customers are willing to pay for the products.

Let every state in Nigeria be organised into a Strategic Economic Area (SEA). Thus, Nigeria will have 36 SEAs . Each SEA must use the resources available in its domain to promote manufacturing, agriculture, mining and tourism with a view to earning sufficient foreign exchange. The 36 states should be categorized into 3 types namely 12 large SEAs, 12 medium SEAs and 12 small SEAs. The local currency can and must regain its lost value. Expectedly, this goal will only be attained through shared responsibility and singleness of purpose. We can salvage the naira!

Adebiyi Adesuyi Wealthgate Advisors Sovereign House 45, Isolo Road Mushin, Lagos

Lagos experiencing new era under Ambode Dear Sir,

N

ot many people would forget in a hurry the democratic structure which was put in place by the administration of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu upon assumption of office in 1999. For eight years Asiwaju Tinubu worked tirelessly to lay a solid foundation of monumental changes through his vibrant policy, pro grammes and style of administration.

We must acknowledge the truth that Tinubu’s political ingenuity made him discover Fashola to work with him as his Chief of Staff, and also stretched across the Niger and appointed Mr. Ben Akabueze a South Easterner as the State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Malam Moyo Jaji a Political analyst was appointed among the Transi-

tion Committee members for the Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area. Tinubu a die-hard democrat provided a solid foundation for democratic structures which Governor Fashola enjoyed. His giant strides in all facets of development are testimony of an able, sincere and credible leader in the mould of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Education was not only free; it was of a high standard. He rehabilitated many schools and ensured massive construction and rehabilitation of roads. He opened up more roads, thereby improving on our transportation networks.

In his days, LASTMA was established to help create sanity and complement the efforts of few traffic wardens in the city. In the areas of health, introduction of e-payment, oracle and improved revenue generation. Asiwaju’s administration made

achievements that will be remembered for decades.

Most importantly is the “light” that he discovered for us. In fact, it was as a result of his selfless and transparent leadership style that he was guided by principles to take the pains to discover Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for us. Fashola proved to be the light that continues to shine making us feel the impact Tinubu created.

Now it is the turn of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the Governor of the State to excel. Since he took the mantle of leadership of Lagos State, Ambode has demonstrated that he has unique leadership qualities. So far, he has not disappointed the people.

Recently, Governor Ambode rolled out the drums to observe the tree planting campaign all over Lagos State. Government officials, executive secretaries of the 57 Local Govern-

ment Areas and Local Council Development Areas, and LCDAs and political office holders, among others, where not left out in the tree planting campaign. The Governor flagged off the exercise by planting a tree at the Technical College, Ikotun Lagos.

Ambode told the people to embrace tree planting as a way of life in order to restore the dignity of the earth and its help enhance the beauty of the environment. He also commended the efforts of the Lagos State Parks and Gardens.

Agency, LASPARK, in its advocacy activities that had resulted in the planting of about 9.6 million trees and the creation of over 96,000 jobs for all categories of artisans and professionals in the state.

“By their fruits, Ye shall know them” is an unassailable saying since the ages.

This applies directly to the

person Mallam Ahmed Moyo Jaji who has been a towering figure in Nigerian politics for almost a decade. For people that often listen to political analysis on LTV, TVC, AIT, and read same in the Daily Times, This Day, The Punch Newspapers, the name and voice and style of Mallam Ahmad Moyo Jaji will be familiar. Jaji is a democrat, an administrator, a brilliant, resourceful, focused and dedicated leader.

So when the former governor, Fashola, appointed Jaji Executive Secretary for Ojodu Local Government Council Development area in Lagos State after the expiration of voted local Government chairmen, one cannot be surprised. Indeed one expects some measure of radical performance, what ever may be the restricted brief handed to this executive secretary.

Ola Ikhaghe lives in Lagos

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

IDEAS FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – 1 “Ideas are capital; the rest is money.”

Anonymous.

F

or too long Nigerians had lived on the proceeds of crude oil.

But, the Age of oil is over at least for a long time to come. Revenue from crude oil is falling everyday while our population continues to grow at about three per cent per annum.

According to the

National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Gross Domestic Productivity, GDP, growth tumbled to just over two and a half per cent (2.65%) in the second quarter of 2015.

That should not be surprising to all economists, as well as those with some knowledge of the subject matter.

This time last year, crude oil prices were still above US$80 per barrel.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,

Small changes, big differences You have enemies? Good.

That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.-Winston Churchill week, they say, is a long time in politics. What a week it has been. In last week's article, I mentioned last week in 100 days of Buhari in office that, Godwin Emefiele was selected by Buhari. That was incorrect. He was brought in by GEJ to replace Sanusi, nonethe less; I maintain he is "fiscal supremo as the Central Bank Governor and he did announce that the foreign reserves had risen by $2.89b in the first month of the Buhari administration".

Last week, I received a large amount of comments and colourful debates, every single one, an insight into the Nigerian psyche.

As a response to some of these comments, permit me to share my father's response in my column, Old wine, New bottles, in 2013: "Be a critic-Denrele, two issues have been very sensitive - religion and ethnicity. People are blind and cannot reason in this country. We cannot because of that not do our duties to God and our country.

Please, give as much as you get. They did not spare me

A

and I do not see them treating you with kid gloves. You own this country as well". So I will act on my father's advice, it has always served me well.

The news that Buhari and Osinbajo had publicly declared their assets must have irked many who are still looking for kinks in the new administration's leadership armour. It is what it is. The man said he would declare his assets and publicly show his material value and he has done it.

So we now know that Buhari has one bank account in a Nigerian bank, no foreign account, no off shore deposits, no foreign businesses or industries, five homes.

He has farms, an orchard and a ranch. The total number of his holdings in the farm includes 270 heads of cattle, 25 sheep, five horses, a variety of birds and a number of economic trees. Yes, he has a number of cars, two personal and others supplied to him by the federal government in his capacity as former Head of State. This is a very modest asset compared to many in his position; less than N30 million. A pittance in comparison to most of our politicians.

Similarly, Osinbajo has

was preparing to send the 2015 budget to the National Assembly with crude benchmark placed at US$77 per barrel.

Familiar readers of these pages should recollect that I told her the benchmark was unrealistic. Two more attempts were made by Nigeria’s former Managing Director of the World Bank with benchmarks of US$73 and later US$65 per barrel.

And each time, Yours truly declared them unrealistic.

Instead Nigerians were told that crude prices would hover around

The time has come for us to take a radical approach to the challenges of economic growth and social development anchored in the realization that The Age of Oil is Over

three homes in Nigeria and one modest property in England.

Osinbajo declared a bank balance of about N94 million and 900,000 United States Dollars in his bank accounts. Apart from his law firm, declared shareholding in six private companies based in Lagos, and he owns three vehicles.

There is no smoking gun here, in spite of what the critics may believe, it is the popular belief that, "successful people" in Nigeria are crooked and in to dodgy dealings. So it is heartening to know that not all Nigerians are tarred with the same fraudulent brush and it should be an incentive for those working hard to help shape Nigeria.

It is very refreshing and a renewed national thinking of what it is to be a Nigerian.

For those who could remember, there was a time when hard work was lauded above all. You were then often asked what you did for a living and where you were from, your family name in those days. People rarely asked how much you had. And now, that is all most people care about above all else. I hope the old virtues and work ethos will return; where hard and honest living is respected once again. These two men are an aspiration. They embody these principles that many Nigerians were brought up to believe but have had turned their backs on and nowadays it has been about coveting material wealth by all means possible.

Regardless of what has been declared, some will refuse to budge from their belief that anything good other than the dissolution and humiliation of Buhari will satisfy their absolute detestation.

Their obsession and hatred for

the man knows no bound.

The level of enmity is deep rooted and they will continue to build their conspiracy theory regardless.

Chinua Achebe said it so succinctly; "We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. The Igbo, always practical, put it concretely in their proverb Onye ji onye n'ani ji onwe ya: "He who will holds another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down". What I have

Admitting you are wrong does not mean a sign of weakness; on the contrary it shows strong character and strength. This is the only way to growth and development noticed is that, we run the risk of perpetually cutting our nose to spite our face when we fail to be objective, put aside tribal or political sentiments and think for ourselves. Admitting you are wrong does not mean a sign of weakness; on the contrary it shows strong character and strength. This is the only way to growth and development.

My apologies, if I am preaching to the converted.

The curious case of Fayose

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." —Abraham

US$50 per barrel. That projection has since been modified to US$40 per barrel. Today anybody predicting US$40 per barrel for crude oil next year would be regarded as, at best a dreamer; or, at worst a lunatic.

The 2016 Budget is already in trouble even before it is written and submitted. That is being polite. The time has come for us to take a radical approach to the challenges of economic growth and social development anchored in the realization that The Age of Oil is Over.

Permit me therefore to bring to you, as the first in this series an idea which had been around for a long time and developed by one of the elder statesmen of Nigeria, the Father of Modern Akwa Ibom State – Obong Victor Attah. Unknown to most people in the Niger Delta and Nigeria, Attah played the key role, not only in the creation of Akwa

Ibom State, but the creation of Bayelsa State as well. So he qualifies to be called the Father of Modern Bayelsa State as well.

Attah had given a great deal of thought towards development of the Niger Delta in particular, and Nigeria in general. One of them titled NIGER DELTA NEEDS NEW TOWNS URGENTLY is reproduced here in an abridged version as the first in a series of nonpartisan ideas for development of Nigeria as we enter a new phase of our lives in which the curse of crude oil will recede into the past and a knowledge-based economy will emerge.

IMPERATIVES FOR NIGER DELTA SUMMIT Call it “Consultation”, call it “Summit”, call it whatever other name, the fact remains that there is an undeniable need for dialogue to arrive at an Agenda or Programme of Development for the Niger Delta….

To be continued…

Lincoln Fayose is a law to himself. When you think he has finally done it, then he goes and tops with another stunt. He only gone and done it again.

He has chosen a 72-year old, Mr Olatunde Afolayan as the caretaker chairman of Moba Local Government. The deal is not that the man is a carpenter and an illiterate but, the fact that he made a big deal of it. I have no doubt that this man has years of community experience and possibly a staunch supporter of the man himself. It is not known on what basis the man was selected but the supercilious governor said; "In my government, whether you are educated or not, you will get something. The vote of a professor and an illiterate is the same. So, under my administration, those who are not educated can rise to any level they want."

Only Fayose can make sense of his logic and what a turn up for the books for a man that is so adverse to septuagenarians.

And speaking of Septuagenarians, Fayose, would like the President to remove Mrs Amina Zakari as the Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission and he urges him to be equitable in appointing the National Electoral Commissioners. Well, he likes to stick his oar in.

He confronted thirtyone civil servants who were late during his unscheduled visit to the state secretariat. Pictures and video of him admonishing the workers was unnerving, undignified and uncomfortable to watch.

He recommended

punishments for the late civil servants who were prostrating and kneeling to be spared his brand of punishment. With his hand in one pocket and holding a mic in another, he declined pleas, while telling them that their conduct was unacceptable.

He declared: "If a labourer is worth his wages, the employer also is worth his services. I have warned workers in the state repeatedly about coming late to work or taking their jobs with laxity. Despite the paucity of funds, we have been regularly paying workers “salaries,” and supported by one of his manager who said; "punctuality remained the soul of the business, workers must take their duties and coming to work on time seriously. "It is a consummation of what we have been doing concerning punctuality on the part of workers. For the past few weeks, we have been emphasising on this.

It is time to enforce discipline and we have to mete out sanctions on erring workers. When you issue circular, pleas and some people are recalcitrant you have to sanction them" this is the job of the secretariat's HR department and not the governor's domain. The work culture has to change; this cannot happen without proper strategy and education. Treating people with respect and following proper and consistent procedure will go a long way.

Some might think that enforcing their brand of discipline to curb lateness but I disagree. No one should be debased and treated as beneath others or as inferior in status. There is no excuse for this power play, no matter what they have done.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 11

Kogi: Will Abubakar Audu return?

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one-time governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu is at this point probably a few metres away from Lugard House Lokoja, the official abode of the state governor. Having won the party primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to become its flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in the state, it is more likely than not that he will eventually win the race. To start with, the Buhari factor may sway a number of people to vote for APC meaning that candidate Audu is only waiting in the wings to occupy government house.

From the pattern of results of the last general elections it appears that notwithstanding the incumbency of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic People (PDP) the candidate of the APC may carry the day. What is more, Abubakar Audu had previously served as governor of the state to the

admiration of some people who are obviously looking forward to his victory.

However, politics is not exactly like mathematics where the same variables always give the same results.

In politics,

As the next election draws close, Kogi people may have to listen to objective assessments of the candidates before making a choice that can improve their living conditions particularly the Nigerian variant, anything can happen. Abubakar Audu can woefully lose the election or trounce his opponents. The Buhari factor may not produce the expected efficacy because candidate Audu is not Buhari and yet the personal standing of the candidate is crucial. Indeed, Audu has 2

PhD,Depar tment of Philosophy, University of Lagos 08116759758 opuruiche2000@yahoo.com

Areas of concentration for President Buhari (4)

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s I was saying, Nigerians would not be perturbed about how much government spends on electricity, as long as the funds are used prudently and there is noticeable improvement in power supply all over the country.

It would be a fantastic legacy for Buhari if by 2019, there is an average of at least fifteen hours daily of uninterrupted power supply nationwide. The multiplier effects of this on the economy and wellbeing of Nigerians would be enormous.

Of course, given that NNPC is the agency in charge of petroleum resources, which are the mainstay of our economy, President Buhari must reinvigorate the corporation and transform it into an efficient outfit that can meet the challenges posed by stochastic international oil market and epileptic supply of petroleum products in the country. It is not just enough for the President and his team to make vague statements about “clearing the rot in NNPC”, and changing the people at the helm of affairs in the corporation. Bold, creative and innovative policies and implementation strategies must be the cardinal point of any reform agenda in the petroleum sector. From the 1970s when export of crude oil supplanted agricultural

sets of strong opponents namely his APC rivals and Governor Idris Wada with the power of incumbency.

Whether or not civil servants in the state go without salaries for several months, governor Wada can give Audu problems by throwing into the contest, state resources as most of his colleagues did at the last general elections.

Besides, commissioners, local council chairmen and councillors would be mobilized to return the governor.

Audu cannot also be too sure that his party members who contested the party primaries with him will not be spoilers as most losers do during elections in the country. For example,

products as the oxygen of our economy, entrenched interests, including multinational oil and gas companies headquartered abroad, have prevented ninety-nine percent of Nigerians from deriving maximum benefits from crude oil exports. Worse still, Nigeria is the only member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) that routinely relies heavily on imported refined petroleum products even at peacetime due to bad policies of government, insufficient and poorly maintained refineries, and the ubiquitous ogre of corruption. Hence, because of the critical nature of the task, President Buhari cannot afford to be biased, selective or sentimental in reforming the petroleum ministry. Specifically, the federal government should not restrict its probe of the NNPC from 2010 to 2015 only. There are compelling reasons why Buhari should thoroughly scrutinise operations in the petroleum sector from 1985 to date.

For instance, at the valedictory meeting of his federal Executive Council on May 27, 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan drew the attention of Nigerians to the improper manner in which allocations of oil wells, oil fields and marginal wells have been carried out even before he assumed office. Or the impunity from 1999 to

before the primaries, no fewer than 10 of the aspirants accused Prince Audu of cloning permanent voters’ cards to hand over to his loyalists for proxy vote. While it is possible that members of the group were overwhelmed by the former governor ’s charisma, it does not rule out enemy action from some of them 2007 when Obasanjo was de facto petroleum minister?

Can President Buhari move against “untouchables” to dismantle the cabals, comprising both Nigerians and foreigners, responsible for the egregious theft of oil and shambolic performance of the NNPC over the years? The claim by his media aides that only Jonathan’s tenure will be probed gives room for scepticism about President Buhari’s determination to get to the taproot of problems bedevilling the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

Inasmuch as there is genuine need to restructure and re-engineer the NNPC now in line with best global practices, the President must avoid the temptation of using his immediate predecessor as a scapegoat, leaving out the horrendous malpractices in the corporation between 1985 and 2010. If he does that, if President Buhari ignores what happened in NNPC during the administrations of Ibrahim Babangida, late Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo and focuses narrowly and exclusively on what transpired when Jonathan was in charge, he will open himself up to the accusation of witch-hunting the latter, which would eventually damage public confidence and trust in his capacity to deal with corruption irrespective of who was involved.

President Buhari and APC kingpins should realise that although it is important to checkmate corruption, punish those involved in it and recover stolen funds, good governance encompasses much more than fighting corruption.

Media reports about heartrending looting allegedly perpetrated by Jonathan and other high-ranking officials of his government

just as others may have since accepted the result of the primaries in good faith.

This argument is readily confirmed by two points.

The first is the credibility of the chief returning officer of the election, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, of Kaduna State, who stated that the outcome of the election was a true reflection of the wishes of the people. The second is the solemn pledge of the runner’s up, Alhaji Yahaya Bello who affirmed that he would work with Audu to deliver the state for the APC. In earnest, it is difficult to downplay the strength of Audu because not many can forget in a hurry, his legion of achievements when he governed the state earlier.

Some of his major achievements ably spelt out by his campaign team include the establishment of three different housing schemes for public officers consisting of over 1,500 housing units in Lokoja, the transformation of Lokoja township with asphalt roads, street lights, aesthetic roundabouts, over 75 electrification schemes and 50 water projects; the Kogi State Polytechnic, the establishment of a television station, radio station, both AM and FM, a state newspaper and the transformation of the colonial residence of Lord Lugard into an Ultra Modern Government House Complex. He also reportedly pioneered the

construction of the first ultra modern state liaison office in Abuja. He also started work on an ultra modern stadium and a five star confluence beach hotel in Lokoja, the Obajana Cement factory, 250 units Housing Estate, a Sport Complex, a Specialist Eye Hospital and 25 other medical Institutions.

Others are: a Special Government Girls Secondary School on Student exchange programme, 350 borehole schemes, the procurement of 100 transit buses; the completion of 40 rural electrification projects and most importantly the establishment of Kogi State University Anyigba.

Why then will former Governor Abubakar Audu not win again? One Kogi state born political analyst expressed two fears the other day. His first worry was that the former governor has a case at the EFCC. While we should all abhor corruption, we should be serene enough to distinguish allegation from guilt. The second fear of the analyst has to do with he called Audu’s pride. The latter is alleged to be responsible for why he did not win the last two elections. If the man’s egoism has hurt him that badly, it seems simplistic to assume that the vice is hard to overcome. Again, it would be unfair to ignore Audu’s statement about what the thinks he actually did wrong. According to the

former governor, the anger against him is championed by those who persuaded him in vain to share the federal allocation to them.

As the next election draws close, Kogi people may have to listen to objective assessments of the candidates before making a choice that can improve their living conditions.

What looks like a strong point was made last week by a former member of the State House of Assembly, Honourable Saidu Akawu Salihu who argued that all the projects and infrastructure executed and put in place by Prince Abubakar Audu during his tenure as Governor were not comparable both in quality and quantity to what operates now. In which case, unlike the neighbouring Edo state where Comrade Oshiomhole’s performance constantly reminds the people of the legendary Samuel Ogbemudia, Abubakar Audu seems to be the only one with an indelible legacy in Kogi. If so, is it not time for the people of the state to bring him back to power? If the Kogi people are influenced during the coming election by the proven ability of a man to perform, the return of Audu may take Kogi once again to the era of development. It will however be unfortunate if they allow the alleged pride of the man to push them to pick a humble but ineffectual performer,

might be interesting news to Nigerians with a bizarre appetite for sensationalism against the former President and his lieutenants. But looking ahead, Buhari should not be stymied on the anti-corruption agenda: he must begin to focus more attention on bold and imaginative ways of activating the creative potentials in Nigerians for increased productivity.

Relentless demonization of Jonathan’s government will not put food on peoples’ tables, reduce insecurity

other essential commodities is the best way to address our chronic dependence on, and addiction to, imported products. In that regard, government should borrow a leaf from societies that have in the last three decades or so emerged from the doldrums of economic stagnation into the elite group of industrialised countries. Since it is sheer waste of time to try reinventing the wheel once it had been invented already, I suggest that the APC-led federal government should set up a high-powered committee to quietly embark on detailed scientific study of how Japanese and Singaporean leaders, in less than two decades and inspite of paucity of natural resources, were able to transform their economically retarded countries into highly industrialised societies now competing on the same level with Western nations. I believe that creative and disciplined adaptation and implementation of the core economic re-engineering and social reconstruction strategies that worked for Japan and Singapore can trigger the much-needed r e v o l u t i o n a r y transformation of Nigeria such that, in about a decade and half, she could become a key player in the global economic system. As a corollary, Buhari should lay a strong foundation for good governance through exemplary leadership anchored on discipline, honesty, transparency, fairness, hard work, pursuit of excellence, selflessness and healthy disdain for material possessions.

This brings me to what I consider the most important area of concentration for the President, that is, political restructuring of Nigeria to allow geopolitical zones that are more or less

culturally and linguistically homogenous a larger degree of freedom to organise themselves politically, economically, and socially.

The political structure imposed on our people by the 1999 constitution is unsuitable for a multiply pluralistic country like ours.

It reflects the totalising tendencies of the military with a centralised command structure in control of different formations in the hierarchy.

Essentially, Nigeria is a deformed federation standing on a unitarist foundation. The clearest illustration of this is lack of fiscal federalism in which states are tied to the financial apron strings of a dominant federal government that monopolises revenues derived mainly from Southern Nigeria and distributes them to itself and to states and local governments according to an arbitrarily selected sharing formula. Now, the APC talks about change continuously without prioritising the key element of any meaningful change in Nigeria at this time, namely, political restructuring along the lines of what obtains in Canada and the Scandinavian countries.

In my opinion, any change by Buhari will be cosmetic if his government fails to address the issue of restructuring and true federalism. He should start the process by looking closely at recommendations of the last national conference organised by former President Jonathan and, in concert with the National Assembly, set in motion procedures for implementing those ones that would help restructure the country through devolution of powers.

To be concluded.

If Nigerians are empowered to create wealth, the twin problems of youth unemployment and proneness to violence due to poverty and frustration would be significantly reduced nationwide, create jobs, rehabilitate dilapidated infrastructure, improve education at all levels, and so on.

I have already discussed briefly the critical importance of reliable power supply nationwide.

With availability of stable electricity and wellstructured incentives by the federal government to encourage hard working entrepreneurs, small and medium-sized enterprises would flourish.

If Nigerians are empowered to create wealth, the twin problems of youth unemployment and proneness to violence due to poverty and frustration would be significantly reduced.

Moreover, increased local production of quality food items and

PAGE 12—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

DEC. 5 POLL Alaibe finally joins Bayelsa guber race

•Why we endorsed him —Senator Brambaifa

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

At the last count, 13 persons have obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the December 5 Bayelsa State governorship election. Prominent amongst them is a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe. His entry into the race may have altered the equation. It may also rattle incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson. Sunday Vanguard was present when Alaibe returned his expression of interest and nomination forms to the APC National Headquarters on Thursday.

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ERHAPS, the import of his legacies at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, had never dawned on him until Monday last week. On that day, his people from Bayelsa State stormed the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abuja to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms for the governorship election in the state for him.

As a former Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe spent time and deliberately articulated programmes and polices that rubbed off positively on the nine states of the Niger Delta.

And just when he had thought that he was done with public service especially after his stint at the NDDC, his people reached out to him to render more service.

That was exactly the message Senator John Brambaifa, who represented Bayelsa West in the Senate between 2003 and 2007, dropped on Monday when he led a group of Alaibe’s supporters to obtain the expression of interest and nomination forms for him.

That message was remarkable. Candidates seeking political offices, in most cases, wait for no one to call them.

They advertise themselves, their wealth, rented crowd, etcetera when picking expression of interest and nomination forms. But here you had people who came to pick the forms for their candidate.

Smacking a nostalgic thought of how representative democracy started in the ancient Greek, one thing became sure of the development: Alaibe has got a demonstrable endorsement of his people who

prefer him to Dickson and, indeed, any other aspirant for the Bayelsa governorship.

Again, the development signposts danger for both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and incumbent governor. How? Prior to now, Alaibe, Brambaifa and, of course, many of the teeming supporters that made it to the APC secretariat on Monday used to be in the family of the PDP as Bayelsa was almost 100 percent PDP. But that is not the case now. To them, change has come and Bayelsa must embrace it. With their exit, PDP and Dickson have been left in the cold.

Brambaifa said after obtaining the forms for Alaibe: “We have decided to buy the forms for him and present him to our people as the most favourable candidate because he will be the best to take the mantle of leadership in Bayelsa.

“APC guidelines do not stop anybody who is a member of the party from contesting an election. Even if you joined yesterday, you have the same right to contest the election as somebody who joined two years ago.

“Don’t forget that Alaibe has a track record of achievements when he was in NDDC. At that time, he managed nine states. I don’t think one state will be a problem for him. So, we are confident that he stands the best chance to pick the APC ticket and win the election scheduled for December 5".

The former senator, who is also a grassroots politician, having previously superintended over the affairs Sagbama Local Government Council as an elected Chairman, also fired back at Dickson who was quoted as call-

All Progressives Congress, National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunazo (r), and Timi Alaibe at the APC National Secretariat on Thursday.

Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

ing the defectors hungry politicians.

He said: “Dickson is not a candidate of the APC and he has a right to his opinion, but I want to assure you that there is nobody, including Dickson himself, who can stand the APC candidate Alaibe; there is nobody in APC or anywhere else in an election in Bayelsa. So, whatever he is saying, that is his own personal opinion and

asking me to contest the governorship of the state. In answer to that call and following my acceptance, I have come here to submit the expression of interest and nomination forms.

“We as Bayelsa people are tired of accidental leadership.

We are tired of visionlessness and you know that I come with a lot of experience, goodwill, integrity and reputation.

As one of the major oil producing states in this country,

Alaibe heeded the clarion call. Three days after, he led the group to return the forms at the secretariat that is a political statement.”

Alaibe heeded the clarion call. Three days after, he led the group to return the forms at the secretariat.

Unlike other aspirants who returned their forms in vexing razzmatazz, the NDDC boss, on Thursday, silently entered the APC National Secretariat to drop the forms.

But for the eagle eyed journalists who cover the party’s activities, he would have left unnoticed. But the journalists insisted he should say a word.

And just like Brambaifa posited on Monday, Alaibe echoed that Bayelsans were tired of visionless leadership.

He said: “You were here when the elders of Bayelsa came to purchase the forms,

Bayelsa has not been able to see structured development in terms of infrastructural development and even in terms of environmental development as “consequence of oil production.”

Reminded that he has always faced opposition by some elements in his former party which forced him to step down for Dickson in 2011, Alaibe said he was a loyal party man who was not desperate to become governor even though his people crave for him.

Basically, the former NDDC boss submitted that he stepped down for the governor to show his worth, not knowing that Bayelsa would have paid the steep price for cluelessness and under de-

velopment.

“I am a party man and that is what I have always been. I have had cause to step down for people by following party directives those days. So, I am a party man but, in spite of how we try to support them, the leopard and his skin refused to change; you can not give what you do not have”, he said.

Alaibe also dismissed the insinuation that Bayelsa had a difficult terrain which challenged physical development, stressing that he had built roads, schools and shops in the state before.

“It is like talking about Netherlands, city of water, and you can see infrastructural development. If you know what to do, let us not use the excuse of terrain, that is deceit, that is not the problem.

How does the excuse of terrain make you not to resolve the drainage problem in Yenagoa town?

“How does the excuse of terrain make you not to clear refuse? It is leadership we are talking about, leadership with vision, leadership that gives direction, leadership that knows critical issues of infrastructural development and empowerment, leadership that connects with the people, that is what is absent and that is what we want to fix”, he said.

Meanwhile, the APC governorship primary election has been slated for September 19 just as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has scheduled the election for December 5. It is left to be seen what the days would bring forth.

But then, Bayelsans appear to have chosen change against ineptitude and godfatherism.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 13

C M Y K

PAGE 14—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Closure of ChamsCity: Death of entrepreneurship, innovation

BY EMEKA AGINAM

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here appears to be growing concern among Nigerian entrepreneurs following lack of government effort to protect and support local capacities.

This development, according to recent findings has led to the closure of many of the local capacities as a result of lack of government encouragement of local efforts.

Circular on patronage of local efforts It would be recalled that a 2006 government circular signed by the former Secretary of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette had directed all federal agencies and ministries at the federal and state levels to patronize made in Nigeria software and locally assembled computers as a priority choice of applications for all their functions.

But the apparent truth, is that only few PCs assemblers in Nigeria survived the competitive market.

Meanwhile, government has always faulted the outsourcing of operations generated locally to foreign companies under the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) arrangement.

According to the former minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, local companies in Nigeria have the capacities and skill manpower to handle outsourcing within and outside Nigeria, even though Nigeria is not regarded as a destination country for BPO. Just recently, Chams Nigerian Plc announced the closure of all four ChamCities across the nation due to the company’s inability to consistently sustain the upkeep of the ultra-modern malls which housed the various equipment.

The closure of the digital cities , it was learnt, may not be unconnected with the imbroglio of the Nigerian Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in revoking the concession agreement struck with Chams Plc for the National ID card project and instead, startlingly changing it into a contractual agreement with another set of firms, a situation which has badly affected Chams Plc through her subsidiary ChamsConsortium.

Meanwhile, the Guinness Book of World Records, had certified ChamsCity as the only digital mall globally to have the largest number of PC’s in a single location with over 1000 fully networked PC’s, processing and enabling the activation of a wide range of activities simultaneously, a development which positively portrayed Nigeria’s image on the world stage.

The sad story According to the founding Group Managing Director, Chams Plc, Sir Demola Aladekomo who was obviously very distraught in an interview with Vanguard remarked that, “Today is a sad day for entrepreneurship and innovation

C M Y K

•Sir Demola Aladekomo

as we close down ChamsCity at Ikeja that got Nigeria into the Guinness World Record because my government could not protect Chams Plc from the onslaught of the NIMC management. A nation that kills its own.”

Speaking on how corruption and vested interests killed the digital mall, he said that, “Shareholders N9.2b wasted for pecuniary interests of converting a concession to contracts. May God help Nigeria. We tried, we begged, we did our best to protect a Concession we won after a major international tender process.”

Establishment of ChamsCity He disclosed that ChamsCity was established to handle multiple challenges associated with the substantial registration of Nigerians in the National ID card project.

Chams aspirations for the ICT hub The IT guru who is passionate about entrepreneurship further said Chams aspirations for the world-class ICT hub was for it to exist beyond the ID card project, offering government agencies, educational institutions, professional and corporate

Today is a sad day for entrepreneurship and innovation as we close down ChamsCity at Ikeja that got Nigeria into the Guinness World Record

organizations, IT service providers, and small businesses the opportunity to experience efficient qualitative services in information and communications technology.

“Data capture was not a new exercise in Nigeria. The usual procedure was to assemble people in schools, hospitals, local governments, under the tree or makeshift venues to collect their details. But when at Chams got the concession, we decided to do the data capture in a different way. “We calculated that to do 50 million cards, we needed at least 1,000 computers in about 29 locations, such that within the first five years, the 50 million Nigerians would have been fully captured. “We settled for this option because part of the concession agreement gave us the right to operate the agreement for 10 years. So, we designed the mall, and went to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) where we were able to raise about N8.4 billion from the market. We also added N800 million from our internally generated money, making total of N9.2 billion,” Aladekomo explained.

According to him, it was a huge project that caught the attention of Apple Inc, the US-based tech firm following the quantity of devices Chams ordered for installation at ChamsCity.

He said, “When we placed the order for the first 2,000 machines, the Apple people called from US to tell us that nobody had ever placed an order for 2,000 machines, not even the US State Department or the US Education Department. They demanded to know why we needed 2,000 computers. We explained to them what we were trying to do and it baffled them.”

Although the story of Chams is not limited to the Nigerian economy, it is regrettable that such innovative company that has provided jobs to millions of Nigerians can have one of its flagship project killed by government manipulation of converting a concession into a

GITEX 2015: Nigeria to showcase young tech startups

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he National Information Technology Devel opment Agency, NITDA, is concluding ar rangement to showcase pool of young Nigerian technology startups at Gitex 2015 at the country’s Pavilion.

Slated to hold October this year at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the theme for GITEX Technology Week 2015 is, ‘The Internet Future of Everything.'

At the capacity building forum, Nigeria will be promoting its technology startups through NITDA to leverage on this main theme by featuring an army of young innovators delivering revenue-delivering solutions across sectors including Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, Security, Oil and Gas, and the Retail Industry among others.

To ensure full participation of the public and private sectors as well as the education/research institutions, NITDA has embraced multi-sector stakeholders in the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) charged with ensuring the country’s successful participation.

The GITEX local organizing committee headed

by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, will provide the framework and implementation activities for participation of stakeholders inside the Nigerian Pavilion at Gitex 2015; promotion of local startups; projection of the country’s vast and untapped IT potential, among others.

“The NITDA is encouraging pool of young talents to showcase their content-rich initiatives that could determine both the direction of technology investment whether local or foreign; and the direction of the entire ICT industry beyond how we know it now as well as the shape of the economy beyond crude oil export,”, Dr. Peter Jack, the director general of NITDA said after the second GITEX LOC meeting which held recently in Abuja.

“We welcome initiatives to address needs in the healthcare, banking, education and agriculture sectors among others. We have to expose our young and talented startups to investors, global IT buyers and tech acquisition specialists keen to know more about the country and willing to explore partnerships and business opportunities. “ This applies to startups and the already well established companies seeking to expand their portfolio of business interests and margins” said Dr. Olatunji.

“Gitex offers a veritable platform to promote Nigeria’s IT goals and showcase local business concerns whether in incubation or already blossoming. Our participation is designed to increase the value of the local IT industry as the new industry verticals prove that successful companies must be both local and global,” said Oruame.

contract regime.

For now, the equipment has been converted for storage at the company’s warehouse in Lagos.

Are we likely to see such initiative again? Only time can tell.

But for now, an incisive entrepreneurial initiative, due to sleaze, brazen highhandedness, and vested interests of a few, has unfortunately kissed the dust.

Even with the closure of ChamsCity, the other operations of Chams Plc remain solid even though the NationalID was a substantial investment for Chams PLC. Chams PLC has other investments in ChamsMobile, ChamsAccess, and ChamsSwitch, a payment processing company. Chams PLC has been very profitable for the past three years having survived the worst effect of NIMC’S acts in 2012. Chams declared dividend to its shareholders and prays to keep giving shareholders dividends yearly from 2014 onwards.

Lenovo slashes prices of smar tphones, smartphones, brings YOGA laptops series to market

I

n a drive to deliver rich mo bile experiences and supe rior smartphone technology to more Nigerians, mobile communications maker, Lenovo has slashed the prices of its P70 and A5000 smartphones respectively in Nigeria.

With the new offer, customers can now purchase the Lenovo P70 or A5000 smartphones from accredited retail outlets nationwide at a recommended retail price of N41,500 and N23,000 respectively.

Speaking on the new development, the Executive Director, Mobile Business Group at Lenovo Middle East and Africa (MEA), Shashank Sharma, described the move as a demonstration of Lenovo’s commitment to strengthening its bond with its Nigerian consumers.

“Our P70 and A5000 smartphones are built to meet Nigerians’ demand for mobile phones with first-class design, smarter features and improved functionalities. We have reduced the retail prices in these categories so that a larger set of consumers can enjoy the optimal mobile experience that smartphones provide at even more affordable rates. We believe that every Nigerian should have access to the exciting world of smartphones and these new prices provide another platform through which we can achieve this goal,” he said.

Accordingly, the Lenovo P70 Smartphone features a huge 4000mAh battery with a ‘Quick Charge’ feature that allows you to charge the battery to 100% in just 3 hours, power-saving software that extends the battery even further and an OTG charging functionality to power other devices.

Similarly, in a drive to provide consumers with innovative and consumer-oriented technology products, Lenovo also announced the availability of three brand new members of its ground-breaking YOGA series of convertible laptops , the YOGA 300, the YOGA 500 and the YOGA 3 Pro in Nigeria.

The new YOGA range of laptops offers 360 degrees of flexibility and can be used both as tablets and laptop computers.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 15

‘SSS did not find arms, foreign currency in Akwa Ibom Government House’

A

kwa Ibom State Government has described as untrue reports that “during the illegal invasion by the agents of the State Security Service to the guest wing of the Governor ’s Lodge, two days ago, caches of ammunition and undisclosed amount of foreign currency were found”.

A statement by Ekerete Udoh, CPS to Governor Udom Emmanuel, yesterday,

said ‘the reports were nothing but a lie concocted by people who wish to form a narrative that bears no reality to what is on ground in the peaceful and serene state of Akwa Ibom”.

It added: “The illegal invasion of the Governor ’s Guest Wing has already been condemned by all wellmeaning Nigerians and it sad that people could throw rationality and decency to the winds by

publishing such a blatant lie.

Let me state here that Governor Udom Emmanuel will not be distracted by the machinations of the opposition or its agents. His 100 days have been packed by s u p e r l a t i v e performance and the good people of Akwa Ibom State who voted for him massively last April 11, are solidly behind him”.

TALKING FOREIGN INVESTMENT: Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, with the Country Mission Director of the French Government's Investment Agency AFD, Mr. Olivier Dellefosse, at a Business Opportunity Forum organised by Sokoto State Government in Abuja,yesterday

Committee urged to make appropriate recommendation on Delta APC crises

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HE Publicity Secre tary of the Chief Jo seph Adolor OkotieEboh led faction of the Delta State All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Alex Eyengho, yesterday, at Oleh, Isoko South local government area of Delta State advised the Mr. O. G. Ngofa led six-man factfinding committee to make appropriate recommendations to the National Working Committee, NEC, of the party. Eyengho who gave this advice during the Delta South fact finding meeting held in Oleh, Isoko North local government area, attributed the crises rocking the Delta APC

over the years to those who were not part of the legacy parties but few members of the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, who came with the sole aim of hijacking the party.

While urging the chairman of the fact-finding committee and also the National Deputy Secretary of the APC, Mr. O.G. Ngofa to hear from all stakeholders of the party in the state, Eyengho posited that the merger parties that came together to form the All Progressive Congress were ACN, ANPP and CPC, saying there was no time DPP was part of the legacy parties.

PAGE 16 — SUND AY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 SUNDA

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 17

I will never marry an actress again, Baba Suwe declares B

abatunde Omidina, known as Baba Suwe, is a successful comedian better known for his exploits in Yoruba home videos. He is still arguably the most popular Yoruba comedian of his time. But Baba Suwe hasn’t been having it easy. After the much publicised crisis with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency,NDLEA, he lost his wife, Omoladun, who was almost always his soul-mate, even in films. Baba Suwe talked with Potpourri, opening up his heart on his late wife and the prospect of finding another wife.

Obviously still in grief over the loss of his wife even as many years have gone by, Adimeru, as he calls himself, would not let go the memory of his dear Omoladun “It has not been easy but life must go on. I believe whatever happens has been preordained. The death of Omoladun was a great loss I cannot get over in this lifetime. She will remain my best companion. She understood me than any other person on planet earth. At times when we quarrelled in the house, she would abuse me on set and that would mark the end of the issue” he said with a heavy heart.

Though he admitted he would marry again but said it would never be another actress “Yes, I am getting married pretty soon. You can’t know her for now. She is not an actress because I can’t marry an actress again” Why? Was there something he regretted about Omoladun being an actress?

“No, I don’t mean anything of such. What I mean is that I cannot get someone like Omoladun among the actresses again. Her good acting skills is one of the reasons I loved her but I have decided to check elsewhere for love” he explained.

My worst romantic experience — Sexy Yisha

A

deleye Aisha Atinuke, a mass communications graduate of University of Ilorin from Ekiti is simply known by her nickname ‘Sexy Yisha’ in the Yoruba sector of Nollywood and one may not want to look too far to know the reason why. The reason `sexy precedes her name is obvious from her looks and shape.

Though still young in the industry, Sexy Yisha has already begun to build a track record for herself, not only as an actress but also as a producer. Funke Akindele gave her first glimpse at the make-believe world in Etaanu, and she has since cut her teeth in our flicks like Sheddy Menthol, Baba Soja, Si Gbogbo Okunrin, I Million Boys, Nurse Oyinda and many others. But she would tell you her immediate boss in the industry is Odunlade Adekola.

She is such a sweet girl to chat with and I almost got sucked in chatting with her on BBM. She told me a number of things that would make your ears stand on ends but I was shocked when she told me how a guy broke her heart.

“Guys are not real. They are very heartless. I broke up my last relationship because my boyfriend slept with a friend of mine. The most annoying part is that, I didn’t find out myself. My boyfriend himself told me about it. I walked out of the relationship but I am in another one now” she said gloomily.

I can’t step out without lipstick — Ini Edo

By TOFARATI IGE

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orgeous actress, Ini Edo has said that no matter what happens, she can’t step out of her house without applying her lipstick.

In a brief chat with Potpourri, she spoke a bit on fashion, “My most valuable fashion accessory is lip gloss and lipstick, and my favourite colour of that is red, while I can never be caught wearing black lipstick.”

On how long it takes her to get ready for events, she enthused, “It depends.

Sometimes, it takes about an hour or two.”

Speaking on her experience while producing her last movie, ‘While You Slept,’ she said, “It was fantastic as usual. We’ve been around for a while so we’ve gotten used to it. Right now, I’m working on some personal stuff, and when I’m done, you’ll hear about it.”

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

PAGE 18, SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Toolz digs Lydia Forson’s show of boobs at Notting Hill festival T

he annual Notting Hill festival which lights up streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, England, each August, over three days (the August Bank holiday Monday and the two preceding days) may have come and gone but the echoes, as usual, remain with us. And one person who wouldn’t let us off the hook so fast is top Ghanaian actress, Lydia Forson, who posted her picture at the festival on Instagram on Wednesday.

Buxom, voluptuous and truly African, Lydia showed off enough of her bust-line for us to get almost the whole anatomy of her mammary. Though some holier-than-thous have been after her for the brazen show off but her fans have been mostly smitten by the bubbly boobs.

“Wow, nice boobs” muses one. “ Pretty lady representing Africa...lovely” chimes another. Not even our on-air-personality Toolz Oniru could ignore the booby display. “Boobies” she exclaims with three exclamatory marks.

And what did Lydia Forson have to say? “My girls came out to play” she replies Toolz, referring to her boobs which are having a tug-of-war with her dress. She then expressed how she felt at the festival by saying “Thanks GS Vision for inviting and hosting me at this year’s #NottingHill Carnival.

Had an amazing time”. Definitely some peeping guys had amazing time too.

•Lydia Forson

Yemi Alade is my goon — Alex Ekubo

Halima Abubakar’s

By TOFARATI IGE

S

HORTLY after actor, Alex Ekubo appeared in pop diva, Yemi Alade’s wave-making music video, ‘Johnny’, tongues

gym pose mocked

N

ollywood actress Halima Abubakar has been described in many quarters as a very sexy lady. For those who love their goods in big packages with all the trimmings and extra flesh servings, she’s surely a hot item on the menu.

The actress struck a pose recently on Instagram, much to the delight of her fans, who have been hooked to her rear rather than any other thing.

“My Halima, my woman, my everything” chirped one. But another decided to make a mockery of her and this is how he did it, “Excess fat is not good for your health. Get rid of them today. Follow us and let’s coach you” obviously telling the actress she’s slipping with her figure which she thought is good as gold.

began to wag that the duo are definitely an item.

However, Alex says nothing can be farther from the truth. In a chat with our correspondent, he described Yemi as his ‘goon.’

When he was asked to define his relationship with the ‘Kissing’ singer, he laughed, ‘Don’t you guys get tired of asking this question? There’s nothing between Yemi and I. She is my goon; she’s like my guy.’

On his experience working with Funke Akindele, he quipped, ‘Working with Funke Akindele on ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ was great. You can imagine what happens when Johnny and Jenifa get together…it was absolutely hilarious. Right now, I have a lot of new movies that are really funny that will be coming out soon.’

Zack Orji, Funsho Adeolu, Ayo Adesanya, others star in Casino

By KEHINDE AJOSE

C

asino is an action drama series from the stables of Micromedia Limited, the producers of the tele-novella, Taste of love. The movie revolves around the control of a political dynasty, economic wealth of a state and family business which fosters infidelity, assault, seduction and betrayal. Casino is built around a pseudo State named Coastal State controlled by a godfather. The glamour and wealth of his business interest across Coastal State sets the players,haters, innocent and underworld gangsters inside the famous grand casino C M Y K

The movie was officially unveiled to the media on 3rd of September 2015, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Shileola Ibironke, the producer of the movie says Casino is about everything that happens in Nigeria.”We are more than delighted to present Casino to our folks in Nigeria because it tells the story of everything that happens in Nigeria. The role infidelity plays in the home and also showcases the activities that happen in the struggle for power and control for wealth.

That is what Casino is all about.

Its a movie series and we are proud to unveil it today. Aside being a movie series, we have

also decided to create a 90-minute movie version for it, which will be released into the cinemas” Veteran actor, Zack Orji, who plays the role of Emeka C Douglas in this flick, says the movie was shot outside Lagos in order to avoid distractions.

“Working on the movie Casino was a good experience. I worked with a good production team and wonderful co- actors. The fact that they moved us away from Lagos helped us not to be distracted. We shot everything in Ibadan. It was a wonderful experience working with the entire cast and crew.”

The movie parades an array of movie stars like Ayo Adesanya, Zack Orji, Funsho Adeolu, Ireti Osayemi Bakare, Tina Mba and others.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Winners emerge at Abuja audition of Glo’s Dance with Peter T

HE Abuja audition of the Glo-sponsored Reality TV Show tagged “Dance with Peter” recorded a huge success on Friday as six finalists emerged after a keen contest among the participants.

Divine Uche, a nine-year old dance prodigy stole the show as he demonstrated uncommon kinetic moves for a boy of his age.

All the six successful candidates, among whom was a 24 year-old professional dancer, Yemi Afolabi Osokoya; a 21-year-old

National Open University undergraduate, Miracle Chinonso Nelson, and a female architect, Mariam Ahmed, will be slugging it out with other finalists who will emerge from the auditions to be held in Benin City, Accra (Ghana), PortHarcourt and Lagos in subsequent weeks, for the star prize of brand new RAV4 SUV, N3million and the opportunity to feature in the next PSquare music video.

Other finalists from the Abuja auditions are, a male dancer, Ibrahim Afeez

Abiodun, a female dancer Amenze Blessing Omoregie, and an all male dance group called ElevatorzNg, made up of five Theatre and Cultural Studies undergraduates of Nasarawa State University.

The members include Atuonwu Samson, Kelvin Anyaruoh, Jekeygreen Emmanuel, Michael Atuonwu and Godrich Olokor Ogenebroze.

On the judging panel were Peter Okoye, a Globacom ambassador and one of Nigeria’s most famous performing twins, PSquare,

Dance Queen, Kaffy, and P-Squares’ choreographer, Nonso more popularly known as Don Flex.

The audition train is expected to move to Accra for the Ghanaian leg holding at the National Theatre, South Liberia Road, Accra, on September 1.This will be followed by Benin, Edo State, next week Friday, at the Oba Akenzua Cultural Center, Airport Road, Benin City.

NB adjudged this year’s Music Star Trek ‘best ever’ as event rounds off in Lagos N

IGERIAN Breweries Plc has adjudged this year’s Music Star Trek which ended in Lagos on Saturday at the Gbagada Open Field, IfakoGbagada, Lagos, as the best ever. The final phase which has made a tour of cities like Makurdi, Calabar, Sapele, Ibadan came to its climax in Lagos.

Speaking after the grand finale in Lagos, Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager, NB Plc, Edem

•Sean Tizzle thrilling audience

Vindah remarked, “This year’s Star Music Trek has been the most successful edition ever and it is symbolic of our position as leader in Nigeria that hundreds of thousands of people across the country showed up to be a part of this platform, in addition to the millions of people who watched the concert series live on television. We are extremely proud of the reputation we have created for being the number one promoter of the dream of

young Nigerians and we believe that the aim of this year ’s theme “#MySuperstarStory ” has been well and truly achieved.

It has been a wonderful tour and we hope to come back next year for an even bigger one.”

The night featured several exciting performances from the ‘Who is Who’ of Nigerian music including 2Face Idibia, Seyi Shay, Cynthia Morgan, MI, Burna Boy, Runtown, Sound Sultan, Young Grey C,

•Sean Tizzle weds on stage

Lagos is next in line on Tuesday, September 8, at Bamako Studios, 1 Bamako Street, Ojodu, Lagos. The final audition for “Dance with Peter” will be held in Port Harcourt on September 10 where prospective dancers in the show will be auditioned at the Atrium Event Centre, Stadium Road.

Immaculate, Pepenazi, Sean Tizzle, Joe El, DJ Xclusive, DJ Big N, Lafup, MC Gbenga Adeyinka and several others.

The evening had kicked off with a crowd-pleaser as DJ Xclusive and DJ Big N faced off in a tune clash that kept the crowd moving.

T h e n Pe p e n a z i a r r i v e d onstage to perform alongside his brother Do2dtun of Cool FM. Next on call was Young Grey C and. Joe El Vivace Records

a c t Immaculate, Seyi Shay and Sean Tizzle followed in quick succession. Sean Tizzle created a major talking point of the night with a mock wedding onstage while performing his hit wedding favourite “Perfect Gentleman”.

Next was Sound Sultan’s turn.

2Face Idibia and Olu Maintain came onstage for a surprise performance of their collaboration “Cinderella” to the delight of the increasingly boisterous crowd.

The fun continued with Runtown, Cynthia Morgan, MI and Burna Boy with Gbenga Adeyinka moderating proceedings hilariously at intervals.

•MI appears in a monkey costume

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I have a crush on Prof Jega

there. The queens come on air and talk about their projects, but you don’t see them physically carrying them out. Even if the government is supposed to provide for its citizens, we still have to do something on our own. I’m passionate about touching lives and helping others, that’s why I created the empowerment programme.

B

Since becoming queen, what has changed about you?

Nothing really, I’m still the same person. It’s just that I go for events and people want to take pictures with me.

— Olamide Aroguma

eautiful Olamide Aroguma is the current Miss Global Peace Nigeria 2015. She is so passionate about touching lives that she set up an empowerment program on skill acquisition immediately she assumed office. In this interview, she talks about the programme, her modelling career and other issues. Excerpts....

The office of the Miss Global Peace 2015 signifies unity and peaceful coexistence. My role as the queen is to ensure peace and unity among communities. People can come to me to render any assistance within my power.

How have you been carrying out your responsibilities?

I have an empowerment programme on skill acquisition. People come there and we teach them how to design outfits, soaps and other things.

•Olamide Aroguma

By JULIET EBIRIM and KEHINDE AJOSE

H

ow did you get to be part of the Miss Global Peace Nigeria pageant?

I saw it online and a friend of mine told me to go for it and I decided to purchase the form.

Have you participated in a beauty pageant before?

Yes, I represented Kaduna State at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant in 2011.

What makes the Miss Global Peace pageant different from other pageants?

I think other pageants emphasize more on beauty rather than passion.

They organise the pageant and it ends

When did you start modeling?

I started immediately after MBGN. Before then, I wasn’t into modeling.

So, what gave you the confidence to go for the MBGN contest even though you weren’t yet a model?

Before the MBGN pageant, people used to tell me to go into modeling since I’ve got the looks. So, I decided to give it a shot.

aving established herself as one of the very few females to have a block buster movie with ‘Being Mrs Eliot’, actress, producer and director, Omoni Oboli is set to return to the cinema with another potential block buster movie, ‘The First Lady’.

The First Lady is a comic drama with compelling storylines backed with impressive acting. It stars Alex Ekubo, Jospeh Benjamin, Yvonne Jegede, Chinedu Ikedieze, Anthony Monjaro and Omoni Oboli.The story which was written by Omoni was also directed by the Delta Born French graduate.

Steve Shodiya, Nigeria celebrated movie editor, revealed that

What’s being the Miss Global Peace all about?

sometimes, he uses Omoni’s scenes to clean up other actors’ shortcomings. “As far as I’m concerned, Omoni Oboli is the best for the roles she played in “Render to Caesar ”, “Anchor Baby” and “Figurine.” No other actress could have interpreted those roles the way she did. Most of them are stereotyped but she is versatile”, he stated. Also, in his own assessment, Desmond Ovbiagele said, Omoni Oboli is highly professional on set.

“Nigerians should expect another thrilling, entertaining yet informative movie in ‘The First Lady’ and a different version of Omoni’ she said.

What are the advantages of being a beauty queen?

People give you audience, they want to listen to what you have to say.

Besides, it has opened doors for me in so many ways.

What prices have you paid to get to where you are?

After MBGN, when I started modeling, people would call me for casting. You could go for about five castings in a day and still not get picked. You keep spending your money going from one place to the other to no avail. You get sad and frustrated, but at the end of the day, I think all that has made me who I am now.

Describe your dream man?

There’s no dream man. People just lust over things that are not reasonable.

Most times, we end up falling for someone who’s not our dream man. I don’t have a picture in my head, I just believe in wherever love takes me. I can fall in love with anybody as long as he’s Godfearing.

(Cut in) Do you believe in love at first sight?

I actually don’t. I believe we need to take time to know ourselves and then, grow in love instead of falling in love.

Omoni Oboli out with another blockbuster in The First Lady H

Are there times when you just feel like being you without the fame and glamour?

I’m always me. I’m more of an introvert. I spend more of my time with my family and watching movies. When I’m not carrying out my duties as a beauty queen, I stay indoors.

I’ve never had many friends and the few friends I have are happy for me.

Have you ever fallen for someone at first sight?

No, I haven’t. I can see someone for the first time and really admire the person.

But fall in love? That’s a big one.

Have you ever had a crush on someone?

When I was younger, I used to have a huge crush on Thierry Henry, the footballer. We are just two girls in my family, which explains why I was the tomboy. I used to watch football a lot with my dad. While watching Thierry Henry play football on TV, I’d tell my dad ‘That’s my future husband!’.

•Omoni Oboli

Now that you’re older, who’s your crush?

That would be Prof. Attahiru Jega (Laughs). I love his calmness and the fact that he’s so composed and cool.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 21

Are yyou ou dealing with a real man?

For more insight on what qualities and signal that a man is mature and ready for a real relationship, and the qualities that wave a huge red flag that he still has a lot of “growing up” to do no matter what is his chronological age.

A real man wants a woman who is playful, there’s something that drives men wild and invites them into a deeper level of “connection” and bonding with a woman faster than plain old talk about feelings and experiences.

And that something is play see, men love to be active and to play, men were raised to express themselves and connect with those around them through action, unfortunately, too many women seem to forget this and want to talk, talk and talk their way into a man’s heart.

The strange reality is that as you’re getting to know a man more talk will often get you less response from a man on an emotional level.

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here are real men and then there are men who do not have their act together.

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A man knows who he is and will listen, learn, and

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The things that will make a real man appreciate and admire a woman are often things that a “lesser” man would be annoyed, frustrated, or put off by.

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PAGE 22 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

I don’t regret doing gospel music – Rita Alakija W

HEN former Channels TV broadcaster Rita Alakija delved into music in the gospel genre during a protracted illness, some people thought she was "crazy". Five years on, she is still at it, and shares her inspirational story once again in this interview as she drops two of her latest videos: So Grateful and Soldiers of the Cross.

*Rita Alakija

BY MORENIKE TAIRE

You have been at this for some time now. What has kept you going?

In climbing the corporate ladder I also added some certifications. I started with Aviation, did some PR then moved on to broadcasting and the financial sector. Life was good; I thought anything you want to do, you can do it. I felt invincible.

It was in the financial sector I fell ill and realized that everything means nothing when you are ill. I started feeling ill in 2006 but I was still functioning.

In 2007 I went to the doctor. I found myself in the hospital and had to do surgery. I almost lost my life, urinating blood and the place where I was opened up was infected. I started smelling and had to be taken out of the country.

I had to do another surgery. I thought I would get better but got worse.

They were calling names I had never heard before.

They said the chances of my making it were very low. They put me on all kinds of medications. I bled for about six years non stop and that came with chronic fatigue.

The steroid they were giving me was making me put on weight. I started exhibiting signs of pregnancy and people were congratulating me. I had a stroke on one hand, memory loss, reflux, ulcers.

I had to be helped

generally and I lost my job.

I cannot say I lost it all because in the middle of it all the Lord found me; He said "if you worship me I promise in my awesome power, I will heal". I said, "how"? Because I had to be carried round.

Have you found that true?

Yes. He gave the ability, resources. My brother carried me to the studio and people would say "these guys are just crazy".

If I stayed too long I would bleed everywhere. In the middle of it I would need to take my medication and I would cry, and after

I cannot say I lost it all because in the middle of it all the Lord found me; He said "if you worship me I promise in my awesome power, I will heal".

crying, someone would have to take me home. For me it was the Word in music. If you complain, you attract bad to yourself.

I realized that it was His mercy that healed me because people were dying around me of just malaria and I had 15 things and doctors gave a poor prognosis. It would be a slow and painful death.

We did the first album. It comes to a time when all you need to do is give Him worship and He takes the glory. He now said I had to do video and I said how am I supposed to do video?

To cut the long story short we have about five videos from the first album.

People will never understand they keep asking, "why are you doing this?" I just wanted to obey God. He gave me the grace to have faith.

The second album came, concerts came. When we ask God for something and he answers immediately we are thankful but sometimes He asks us to wait.

A lot of people are worried that while there is a lot of religion in the country, it does not translate to higher moral standards It means that you and I need to check ourselves. I don't think the nation failed the church, I think the church failed the nation. For some people it's really been challenging. You want to start a business, you have

to be your own local government, your road and your water but now it's a new beginning. The Bible says we should pray for those in authority.

When you pray for them, God leads them. I see a new Nigeria where people come in because of milk and honey. Green stands for fertility, abundance, food, friendliness, everything beautiful.

Why did you choose the two particular songs for your videos?

Other videos are coming up, watch out. They don’t have the title tracks of any of the songs (in the album). It's You I Choose is a worship song to tell Him that in this world, it is Him I Choose.

I like all the songs.

What informs the video of Soldiers of the Cross?

Soldiers of the Cross is really dedicated to missionaries and mission organizations and people with a missionary heart.

We are here, comfortable but there are parts of this nation that are not comfortable. Missionaries are being killed. Where their children are orphaned, widowed, maimed, forgotten.

Churches burned and these are soldiers of the cross in the interior so this is dedicated to them to encourage them.

Nobody is immune, at one time or the other we all go through periods

when people dear to us experience sickness or pain. What would you like to say to such people?

I was dead, He gave me the grace. I'm just here to tell anybody going through such things to trust God and hold on to him. God does not lie. He did not care that my hands were not working, my legs were not working, that I was bleeding, that I was in chronic pain and I had to take ten injections everyday. The Bible says that Abraham did not consider his body or the deadness of Sarah's womb because we live in a world where we are sensible; we think that things are not working, but things are working. People don't understand what faith is sometimes. The three Hebrew boys; Shedrack,Meshack and Abednigo did not bow and the people who went to throw them in the fire were killed by the flames and yet they landed there and the king saw a fourth person. I believe Jesus Christ turned that fire into an Air conditioner. The king looked at it and said “did we not throw in three people? One looks like the son of God” how did he know it was the son of God? We did not know Jesus then, he was speaking out of the spirit. My experience might just be nothing compared to what some people are going through but God is able to deliver those who trust in him.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 23

When that ‘Dirty old Man’ is your dad!

H

ow would you feel if your dad slept with your best friend? It happens all of the time but it’s no fun when you’re at the receiving end.

“To say that my father, a great raconteur, often put on a show for my female friends would be an understatement. From the moment they stepped through the door, he would turn on the charm, directing all his wit and humour in their direction,” recalled Uchenna, now in his 40s and with her own family.

“Usually, it was me who basked in the glow of his unfailing good nature and I knew how special it made me feel.

But when friends came over, his spotlight automatically beamed on them.

“I’m not suggesting that his behaviour was inappropriate. He wasn’t flirting at this stage. It was more a desire for some sort of adulation from my peers.

He would flatter them and bowl them with his charisma.

It drove me absolutely mad. So mad that it took a recent article in a foreign glossy magazine to bring all those dormant emotions flooding back three decades on. In a feature entitled ‘Ten Charm Rules’ the magazine’s teen

supplement blatantly encourages girls as young as 15 to flirt with their friends’ fathers, telling them that ‘the big secret of getting on in life’ is to make other people’s parents like you. It advises young readers to ‘take half an hour to flirt (gently) with the opposite sex and then write a witty thank-you letter - bingo, you’re a winner.

Word will get out and you’ll be invited everywhere.’

“My family didn’t qualify for rich, but that didn’t stop my friends simpering at my father whenever he happened to stroll into a room - and the older we got, the worse it became. He didn’t need my encouragement and neither did they. How I wished he would just go away and leave us alone like other dads did. And to my horror, my friends were always more than keen to stop talking to me about fashion or boys and turn their attention to whatever my Dad wanted to bore them with - usually tales of his brief career in Nollywood or some other equally tedious anecdote from his past. I mean what girl wants to hear her father stealing the limelight? And why couldn’t my friends at

least look a bit bored?

“By the time I turned 17, my Dad had turned to open flirtation with one of my more attractive school friends. Why, I have no idea.

At the time, his marriage to my mother seemed happy; perhaps he thought it was funny. At any rate, I found it excruciating and so spent a lot of time at my friend’s house instead, where her father largely let us get on with things. Sadly, I couldn’t keep my friends and my father apart forever. And to my horror, when I was 19 a friend of mine took a shine to Dad. Mum had recently taken an out of station promotion and we were left

to carry on as best we could until her fortnight visits.

“My father was a bit lost for a while as Mum was always tidying after him. I was waiting to get admitted to the university but worked briefly in a private school where I befriended an outgoing girl called Ify. We had been at the same school. but she was in the year above me. Until then we hadn’t had much to do with each other. That changed as we bonded over lunch breaks and them, one night, she stayed over late and it was decided she could sleep in the guest room as it was a weekend. I remember the following morning,

standing on top of the stairs, hearing dad tell her a joke in the kitchen - the first time I’d heard him laugh in weeks. I glanced over my parents’ bedroom, its door was wide open. bedspread rough - the bed had clearly been slept in on both sides.

The door to the guest room where Ify should have spent the night, was firmly shut.

Was the room slept in at all?

“All that it would take was for me to turn the handle and look. I would have seen the bed still made up and not slept in. In that moment, I hated them both - her for betraying our friendship, and him for crossing a line that I never in a million years thought he would dare to cross. During the next few days, I confronted both of them and they vehemently denied anything happened.

“A few weeks after, I popped out one lunch time with Ify to buy my Dad a birthday present - a new radi0 clock for his bedside table - and Ify asked: ‘Has his other one broken?’ The truth finally came out! The look of horror on her face at this flip would almost have been funny if I hadn’t felt so shocked and betrayed. To her credit, she did beg for my forgiveness and tried to explain that it was a moment of madness - a onenight stand she deeply regretted. But I felt they had

both acted with complete disregard for my feelings, then treated me like an idiot by lying about what happened. Part of me felt vindicated - I’d had been suspicious all along. But I couldn’t get over this overwhelming sense I’d been let down in the worst possible way. It was supposed to be Ify and I sharing secrets, not Ify and my father!

“It was a relief to live on campus and get away from Dad’s lecherous ways. I still saw Ify but we no longer socialise. I just couldn’t get over the image of her having sex with my dad. Of course we were all adults by this stage and you might argue that I had no good reason to feel so wronged. Yet it’s still hard to explain how devastated I felt. Things with my Dad eventually improved - you can’t choose your family, after all. But I chose to avoid Ify and haven’t spoken to her for years.

“Now I have three teenage daughters and I suppose its natural that I’m more aware of how my husband behaves around their friends.

Thankfully. he pays very little attention. I’m sure they view him as middleaged and dull. Which is as it should be.”

The Head-to-Knee pose Technique: IT down with feet stretched in front of you and rather close together.

Now raise both hands over-head and gently ease the trunk and hand as far down as you can then return upright with hands still overhead and then go back down again. Do this for a couple more times to limber the back and hamstrings for the head to knee pose. In the final stage of the posture you form a ring with the fore-finger and thumb around the big toes with the forehead resting on the knees and the elbows touching the floor.

In the initial stages when it’s impossible to assume the full posture, it will do to hold as far down the legs as you can and lower the trunk as well. Stay in the position for as long as 10 seconds and eventually hit the target of two minutes in one stretch.

It ...... to allow the circulation to stabilise and also get in a little rest.

Benefits: The head to knee pose tones up the muscles of the back, the arms and the hamstrings. The effect of “doubling up” lends a gentle massage to the digestive organs improving the way

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the body handles nourishment.

In the womenfolk, this pose is said to help painful periods and eventually stop it completely. It’s also a great exercise for long distance runners as the hamstrings are where the long distance runner is most likely to develop muscle pulls.

Physical benefits: Powerfully massages all the abdominal organs, * Stimulates and tones the digestive organs, increases peristalsis, and relieves constipation and other problems. * Counteracts obesity and enlargement of the spleen and liver. * Regulates the pancreatic function, providing a valuable aid for those with diabetes or hypoglycaemia. * Mobilises the joints and increases elasticity in the lumbar spine. * Relieves compression of the spine and sciatica. * Strengthens and stretches the hamstrings.

Mental benefits: * Greatly enhances concentration and mental endurance. * Invigorates the mind and nervous system, controlling many nervous complaints.

The Head-to-Knee pose

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

P AGE 24 — SUND AY Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 6 , 2015 SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

How your nightly glass of wine can ruin your teeth!

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e’ve all been warned that sugary snacks and acidic fruit juice don’t do our teeth any favours. But now dentists are warning of another hidden source of damage to our molars: alcohol. Towards the end of last year, it was revealed very few people have considered the effect of alcohol on their oral health. Yet dentists say even just a nightly glass of wine can dry out your mouth, suck the calcium from your teeth, and leave you with bad breath. Alcohol is also increasingly associated with mouth cancer. Here, dental experts reveal how too much drink could take the smile off your face ...

The Acid Test: When we put acidic food or drink: such as citrus fruits, fruit juice, coffee and even chocolate - in our mouths, enamel, the white, protective, calcium coating on the surface of the teeth, starts to dissolve.

This is because the acid softens enamel, allowing some of its calcium content to leak out, weakening its structure. When enamel is eventually worn away, nerves underneath can be exposed, leading to sensitivity and pain.

Most alcoholic drinks are extremely acidic, with sparkling beverages at least as acidic as orange juice. As a rule, dry, sparkling wines are the worst of all alcoholic drinks, as the bubbles in them are caused by carbon dioxide, which is acidic.

You’d be better off picking a less acidic, flat wine over prosecco or champagne.

Artificial carbonated drinks of any kind also pose a threat because manufacturers pump them full of cabonic acid to produce bubbles, which helps soften teeth further.

Fruit ciders are often artificially carbonated, so steer clear. Even fizzy water, harmless though it

may seem, is very acidic.

For this reason, it is always better to choose any kind of flat drink over bubbles.

As a rule, white wine is more acidic than red, though neither is great for teeth. Dr. Henry clover, a dentist with dental insurance specialists Denplan, says there are ways you can spare teeth from any acid attack. “If you add plenty of ice to a drink, you’ll dilute the harmful effects,” he says.

“Surprisingly, beer isn’t too bad for teeth as it has quite a lot of calcium which encourages hardening of the teeth”.

Straight whisky or vodka with lots of ice is fairly low on the acid scale.

Best of all, mix your spiring with still water. Try to regularly rinse with water when enjoying several drinks.

Or, better still, put a travel - size bottle of mouthwash in your bag to rinse with as this will neutralise acid.

Staining Pain: Wearing away enamel with acidic and sugary drinks will discolour teeth by exposing the dentine underneath, which is a darker, yeIlower shade. So,

whatever, you do, don’t add to this by staining them as well. Clear drinks aren’t a problem, but those darker in colour are. Most obviously, red wine and port are drinks to avoid, but you should also stand clear of cranberry juice or blackcurrant cordial.

Coffee-based cocktails are also a problem. These drinks can also stain expensive white dentures and fillings. If teeth are stained, this may be removed by thorough brushing, but don’t overbrush as, counterintuitively, you’ll brush away more enamel and make them look even worse.

Sugar attack: Pina Coladas, sticky liqueurs and sweet sherry are tempting, but are also stuffed with sugar. This is harmful to teeth, as the bacteria in our mouths feed off this sugar and release acid as a byproduct, fuelling the process of tooth decay. If you combine alreadyacidic alcoholic drink with a mixer, such as cola, lemonade, tonic water, or juice (all of which are very

acidic and sugary), the result is even more harmful to your teeth than either of the separate parts. It may seem odd, but a creamy drink, such as Bailey ’s, is a better option. While the sugar content is high, it is not acidic, so you’re not facing a double-whammy.

The best drink, according to Dr. Clover, is a non-sparkling vodka cocktail - for example, one containing coconut water, which is very low in acid The worst are pre-mixed drinks, such as Bacardi Breezers, which have a high level of added sugar, or something like rum and full-sugar coca, which is highly acidic, carbonated and has a very high sugar content. Go for diet cola or Slim-lime tonic, which are sugar-free, but bear in mind they ’re still very highly acidic.

For cocktails, pick a ‘short’ drink, as this means you expose your teeth to smaller portion of harmful acids and sugars.

If you do have an acidic or sugary drink, wait at least half-an-hour before brushing your teeth. This will allow the surface of

plan for life and instantly gives you reasons to live.

Onyekaonwu Harrison 08064888266/09097691852

For Lovers!

Y

OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel.

Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"

Real love

In life love is never planned, neither does it happen with a reason but when love is real, it becomes your

Love is one word and everything, it gives us strength to be patient and confident. Being in love means you should be in a relationship for the right reason. Most people are guilty of being in relationship for the wrong reason such as pressure,loneliness,desperation, sexual desire,e.t.c....so as to fill up those emotional emptiness. If you are in a relationship for any of those reasons,then it is not likely to be called love,rather it is infatuation!

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015.

the enamel to harden up and stop you eroding it by brushing. Better yet, use a straw. This means you’ll direct harmful liquids into your throat, byepassing most of your teeth. Finally, as you recover from your hangover, you may crave sugary foods, but try your best not to add to the dental onslaught with a high-sugar fry-up for breakfast.

Bad Breath: Alcohol dehydrates the body, including the mouth as it is a diurectic (it makes the body pass out more water), resulting in reduced saliva flow. Saliva helps fight bacteria in the mouth so, when it is dry, the microorganisms flourish, leading to pIaque build-up and, inevitably, bad breath.

Plaque in turn, leads to higher risk of tooth decay, as well as gum disease, where bacteria irritate the gums, leaving them swollen, sore, or infected, resulting in bleeding during brushing. Get that furry-mouth feeling after drinking? When the amount of saliva is reduced, the mouth feels uncomfortable rather than healthy and welllubricated.

According to Dr. Clover, alcohol will dehydrate your mouth and leave it a bit like those of postmenopausal women and the elderly.” These two groups see saliva flow naturally reduced as part of the ageing process.

Medicine taken by older people can further contribute to dry mouth, for example, antiinflammatories, and drugs for high-blood pressure or pain relief. ‘’These people’s problems with dry mouth would only be made worse if they drink a significant amount of alcohol without being very careful to keep their water intake up,” says Clover. In other words, if you’re a postmenopausal woman, you’re doubly blighted.

“Always drink lots of water in between alcoholic

drinks and when you get home. Sugar-free chewing gum and mints can help keep your mouth moist, as they stimulate saliva production.”

Cancer Risk: Between 75 and 80 per cent of mouth cancer patients say they frequently drink alcohol, according to Cancer Research UK. “Drinking to excess, particularly in combination with smoking, is a risk factor for mouth cancer,” warns Clover. “Anyone drinking within the recommended daily limits shouldn’t worry, but binge drinking is a risk factor on its 0wn and, when it is combined with smoking, it increases the risk to 30 times”. This is because alcohol can have a direct effect on the cells lining the inside of the mouth, including gums and cheeks – and spirits are the worst culprits.

The Plot Thickens!

(Humour) A woman falls pregnant by another man and is so frightened of what her jealous husband might do, she pleads for help from her doctor. Now the doctor is quite sweet on the woman himself, so he agrees to help her.

When the baby is born, the doctor gives the newborn to a priest in the next ward who has just under gone an exploratory operation.

“We’ll tell the priest that a miracle has happened and he’s the one who has given birth”, the doctor tells the grateful woman.

So the astonished priest is told the news of the miracle and devotes the next 16 years to bringing up his son as best as he can.

But as each year passes, so the priest feels more and more guilt at what happened. On the boy ’s 16th birthday, he beaks down and confesses all.

“I’m sorry son, I’m not your father.” “What do you mean?” demands the son.

“I’m afraid I’m your mother, your father is the Bishop!”

OUR BOND Our love signifies transformation and rebirth, Just like the butterflies, Your pure heart makes your worth, Growing under the blue skies.

I admire you sincerely For you are a topnotch lover Which makes me love you dearly Wishing to be yours forever.

You're as pure as a dove Although we were once strangers But being with you is the magic of love Which brought us together.

And have always wondered If I could ever be with another.

Okeowo Boluwatife (Tife) Okeowof2@gmail.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 25

08116759757

AREPO

Our oil theft story, by 3 MDs, 18 other suspects

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

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t may no longer be business as usual for pipeline vandals operating at Ikorodu and Arepo areas of Lagos and Ogun States after men of the Inspector General of Police Special Task on Pipeline Vandalism launched an operation on their activities.

No fewer than 21 suspected vandals, including the Managing Directors of three fuel stations in Ikorodu, were apprehended, while over 229,000 litres of petrol and eight trucks were recovered by the operatives.

The vandals had laid siege to communities in Ikorodu and Arepo. A recent pipeline explosion in the area, which killed scores of persons, failed to deter the vandals.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that men of IGP Task Force, in their bid to end the activities of the hoodlums, adopted a strategy which identified the sponsors and receivers of petroleum products stolen from vandalised pipelines in Lagos and Ogun States. The strategy was said to have paid off following the arrest of seven suspected vandals, weeks ago, and the recovery of about 99,000 litres of petrol obtained from a vandalised pipeline belonging to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC , at Arepo. Three trucks were

seized during the incident. Sources disclosed that the product was loaded into 50- litre Jerry cans at the Arepo creeks and ferried through the waters to Majidun, Ajegunle-Owode and Ishawo-Agric areas of Ikorodu, where they were trans -laoded into waiting trucks.

Three other suspected vandals were arrested with 15,000 litres of petrol. The suspects, believed to be members of a syndicate that specialized in distributing vandalised petroleum products across Lagos in Jerrycans, were intercepted at Owode area of Ikorodu, with 300 units of 50-litre Jerry-cans in a Chevrolet truck.

11 other suspects, including the Managing Directors of the three petrol stations, were also arrested. Four trucks with 115,000 litres of petrol were recovered from them.

The Commander of the Task Force, CS P Olumese Valentine, told Sunday Vanguard that a 16,000 litre truck,

•Suspects

loaded with 50-litre Jerrycans, at Ishawo in Agric area of Ikorodu, Lagos, was intercepted by his men, led by the Lagos Sector Commander, ASP, Akinlere Adetayo, while discharging its content into a storage tank at one of the petrol stations. He added that two other trucks, loaded with 66,000 litres of petrol, obtained from a vandalized pipeline belonging to the NNPC at Ilara area of Ogun State, were also intercepted at the two other petrol stations in Ikorodu.

The fourth truck, which was also loaded with 33,000 litres from Ilara, Ogun State, was intercepted on its way to Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

It was gathered that the Managing Directors told the police, in their statements, that they weren’t aware that the product they purchased

was siphoned from vandalized NNPC pipeline, while a suspected vandal, who had sold over four trucks to one of the stations, allegedly confessed that the director and the manager were aware that the product was from a vandalized pipeline.

The suspect who allegedly confessed was identified as a resident of Ishawo in Agric area of Ikorodu. In an interview, he told Sunday Vanguard he was a marketer and his job was to look for filling stations interested in buying petrol from vandals.

He narrated: “ I came to Lagos five years ago and I was introduced into vandalism by one Baba Alia, who buys PMS in Jerry cans from the boys who vandalize pipelines at Arepo. It is Baba Alia

who buys and stores the product in his shop at Ishawo, while my job is to look for buyers. I sell for N79 per liter and I make one naira as profit on each liter.

I have sold over four trucks to this particular filling station where I was arrested and they usually buy between 11,000 and 16,000 liters of PMS. I don’t issue receipt or waybill to the petrol station, because I don’t have a company. The manager and owner of the filling station know that the product is siphoned from pipeline. The director normally calls and makes his request and when I deliver the product, he would instruct his manager to pay me in cash.” On how he was arrested, he said: “I was arrested at the petrol station, while we were offloading 16,000 liters of PMS I supplied. I wasn’t at Ishawo when the truck was loaded, but Baba Alia called and asked me to go to the petrol station to supervise the offloading and also collect money for the product. I am the one selling to the petrol station and I don’t usually give them receipt or waybill because I don’t have it”.

PAGE 26 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 08116759757

LAND DISPUTE

Trouble looms in Anambra community

•Villager Villagerss send SOS ttoo Go Govv Obiano

BY LEKAN BILESANMI

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nless Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano intervenes, there may be breakdown of law and order in Umunya. Three key players in

the crisis are Igwe Onyekwuluje, Mr Ekene Okonkwo Ejeh (Chairman of Odumodu community) and the youths of Odumodu. Umunya is made up of ten villages, namely: Okpu, Isioye, Ezi-Umunya, Ojobi, Ajakpani, Umu-Ebo, Amaezike, Odumodu-Enu, Odumodu-Ani and Ukunu.

Onyekwuluje is from Ajakpani, and Ejeh from Odumodu-Enu. The crisis arose from Onyekwuluje’s claims against Ejeh and some community youths.

Ejeh dismissed the claims as laughable and a figment of imagination. The matter has seen some of the youths on the run. It is so bad that those who ran leaving their families behind later attempted to sneak into the community, but were allegedly hounded like criminals. About five such boys were allegedly arrested and taken away by the police on August 16, 2015.

The President General of Umunya Development Union, Venerable Emmanuel Odunze, said a peace committee was set on the matter and a report sent to Obiano. Meanwhile, Ejeh claimed he was in hiding as his life was in danger. According to him, some of his supporters who fled the community were cajoled back home, beaten to submission and forced to take oath of allegiance and secrecy before deities. Their homes were also

allegedly broken into and money as well as valuables stolen.

While the Igwe fingered the communal land Ejeh and his executive allegedly sold as the bone of contention, the Odumodu Chairman listed other issues.

Ejeh, however, acknowledged that of the more than 900 hectares of community land under his supervision, only 95 plots were sold to raise money for administrative exigencies. He

said the account and documentation were satisfactorily presented to the community congress.

From Ejeh’s perspective, the crisis can be viewed from three angles.

About 210.8 hectares of land was acquired from Odumodu between 1987 (200 hectares) and 1997 (10.8hectares) by the Federal Govt for Sight and Services scheme, but was not put

to use. Soon thereafter, the Ijeh exco discovered that the land was being sold by some officials of the Federal Ministry of Lands (FML) contrary to the terms of agreement of the acquisition. This forced the exco to write the FML invoking a clause in the agreement which provided that 20% of the acquired land be returned to the community citing precedence and examples in other parts of the country. Some officials from the ministry consequently visited and during their courtesy call on the Igwe told

him their mission in Umunya.

The visitors were said to have handed to him the land allocation papers.

But Ejeh said the Odumodu community never got the papers.

Consequently, the community went to court, arguing that any land acquired for overriding public interest shall never be sold.

Along the line, a foreign firm was said to have been introduced to then Gov Peter Obi which was refused C of O for large expanse of the Odumodu land and later represented to incumbent Gov. Willy Obiano. The firm was said to have proposed to build on the land 30,000 housing units, eight sports stadia, shopping malls, schools, hospitals, parking lots, etc; when the proposal got to Obiano, he

allegedly demanded to know how the firm intended to finance the ambitious project, noting that even a state government could not mobilize funds to undertake such programme. This incensed the governor who expressed how disappointed he was. The community leaders behind the proposal left the meeting thoroughly embarrassed. They came back blaming their misfortune on Ejeh.

Meanwhile, the Diocese of the Niger, Anglican Communion, had in 1960 leased the land on which it built Umunya Girls Secondary School from Odumodu. The place also accommodated Anambra State NYSC camp.

The church wanted to renegotiate it into a freehold.

So they approached the Ejeh exco and agreed on N50million-which was to be paid by installment. They paid the first N10m.

The deal is now stalemated as the Igwe, the Ejeh exco and other community leaders cannot agree on further payments.

•Tochukwu Udemezue and Nnamdi Agbata...victims of attack

Trader sues wife over female children STORIES BY OLAMIDE OJO & MARY LAWRENCE

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trader and father of five, aged four to 13 years, Mr. Cyprian Osuala, has pleaded with an Ajeromi Local Government Customary Court, Lagos to dissolve his 12- year-old marriage to his wife, Nneoma The

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petitioner accused the wife of selling his properties without his consent, sleeping outside the matrimonial home and exposing their last daughter, Mary (4), to harm. Reacting, Nneoma said her husband’s accusations were false and baseless. She told the court that Cyprian had not even paid her dowry despite the fact they had lived for 12 years and had

four children together. She said her husband grouse was that she was giving him female children, adding that it was for the reason he sacked his former wife. “Since our marriage, I have never slept outside my matrimonial home. I did not sell any mattress or generator, as he alleged; they are

all inside the house. Infact, I would approve the dissolution of this marriage if he can pay me N500,000 for my properties he threw out of our home and the court should approve that he pays a monthly sum for my upkeep and those of the children”, Nneoma said.

She further pleaded with the court to warn the husband from interfering in her business.

‘My hubby drinks to stupor’

n Ajegunle Customary Court has been told to separate Mrs. Rukayat Jimoh and her husband, Mr. Jimoh. Mrs. Jimoh, a trader and mother of two, Amidat, 4 years, and Abdulahi, 7 months, pleaded with the court to

dissolve her marriage alleging that her husband never paid her bride price nor was he taking good care of her and the children.

“He drinks to stupor, often beats me without provocation and does not pay the children’s school fees”, she said.

The petitioner alleged that

there was no love lost in the marriage and pleaded with the court to grant her custody of the children.

… My wife is a thief - Husband

Meanwhile, Mrs. Morufat Rabiu, dragged to the court, was accused by her husband, Mr. Oladipupo Rabiu, of always stealing his money and engaging in fight with cotenants and himself. The respondent, on her part, alleged that her husband was a pathological liar. She said the husband wanted the

dissolution of the marriage because he got a new wife and so wanted to send her packing. “I still love my husband”, Morufat confessed to the court.

Meanwhile, the presiding judge, Mrs. V.O. Sanni, advised the couple to make peace, asking the petitioner to forgive his wife and settle things amicably.

At the same court, Mrs. Rashidat Salaudeen, a trader and mother of four, pleaded for the dissolution of her marriage of 20 years to Mr. Moshood Salaudeen. She

said she was seeking divorce because her husband had been unemployed for the past three years and therefore could not fulfill his obligations as father and head of the family including taking care of the children. Rashidat said she had been playing the role of bread winner in the marriage. The court president, Sanni, told the couple to think over the relationship, adding that the court was more interested in them resolving their differences than separating them.

Another trader and mother of

one, Mrs. Tawakalitu Waheed, said she was seeking divorce from her three-year-old marriage to Mr. Olarewaju Waheed on the grounds of irresponsible conduct. “He does not pay any bills. I am the one paying for everything, yet he accuses me of using my concubines money to prepare meals for the family ”, she said, adding, “Based on that false charge, he stopped eating the food I prepare.”

The matter was adjourned till September 8, to enable the respondent be present in court.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 27 08116759757

Man, 29, charged with attempted rape

BY KENNEDY MBELE

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29-YEAR-OLD MAN, Ganiyu Awawu, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos for allegedly attempting to rape a 25-year-old food vendor, Taiwo Ogundijo.

The incident allegedly occurred at about 4.00pm on August 28, 2015 in an uncompleted building on Safarat Kuburat Way, Igelu Olorunshola in Ayobo area of the state. The prosecution alleged that the accused tried to force the complainant to pull off her clothes and that when she resisted, he held her neck forcing her to lean against the wall in an attempt to rape her; an offence punishable under Section 260 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011. According to the prosecution, the victim, a food vendor, had gone to sell to the accused in an uncompleted building. It was alleged that she was about to serve the food when the accused grabbed and dragged

her further into the building. He was said to have held her on the neck and had her back pushed against the wall while forcing her to undress. The prosecution added that the victim was rescued by

passers-by who ran into the building on hearing her screaming for help.

The suspect pleaded guilty to the charge and the matter adjourned to September 16.

Lady 9, three other Lady,, 119, otherss convict ed ffor or pr os titution convicted pros ostitution

BY KENNEDY MBELE

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Lagos State Mobile Court sitting at Ogba in the Ikeja Magisterial District has convicted four young ladies for prostitution.

The convicts: Rashidat Ibrahim (19), Sarah Mohammed (24), Chinyere Aguogo (24) and Mary Eze (25), were arrested at about 1.00am on August 31, 2015 by men of the Lagos State

Special Task Force, Alausa in Abule Egba area of the state.

The prosecution revealed that the convicts had formed the habit of showcasing themselves very late in the night at a particular black spot. It however pleaded with the court to advise them to devise reasonable means of livelihood in addition to dispensing justice.

The ladies pleaded guilty.

They were fined N5,000,00.

Ominimini Foundation showers N1m on Widows, Physically Challenged

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI hief Ominimini Foundation has donated one million Naira to two widows and a vehicle to a physically challenged person. The foundation donated N500,000 each to the wives of the late

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Kingsley Ejirefe, the Chairman of a vigilante outfit at Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli-North, Delta State, who lost his life due to the injuries he sustained after he was attacked by hoodlums. A Volkswagen Golf GT car was presented

•Ominimini presenting the money to one of the wives of Ejirefe

100 days: Okowa initiated life changing projects —Onuesoke

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pecial Project Director in Delta State Governor ’s Office in charge of Ughelli/Asaba Road, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, has described the achievements of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in 100 days in office as excellent and credible.

Onuesoke, who made the commendation while addressing journalists in his office in Asaba, recalled that Okowa, on assumption of office, came hitting the ground running as he presented four bills to the state House of Assembly and declared a near emergency so as to give face lift to Asaba. Within the period of his 100 days in office, according to Onuesoke, Okowa has initiated “life changing projects” which will certainly

impact positively on the lives of the entire people of the state for a long time to come, adding that the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme, YAGEP, and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Program, STEP, are amongst the projects driven by the governor to ensure that prosperity takes the place of poverty in Delta.

Onuesoke pointed out that Okowa also recorded great achievements in the choice of those he appointed as executive members, aides and the reconstitution of the Board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, adding that the personalities he appointed had shown that he is a visionary leader that would take Delta to the land “flowing with milk and honey”.

to one Mr. Itedjere Emoefe, a physically challenged person who also hails from Agbarha-Otor.

Presenting the cash gift to the widows, the President of the Foundation, Rt.Hon Chief Obiuwevbi Ominimini, said when he promised to give the Ejirefe family one million Naira cash, he felt the best people to hand over the money to were the wives of the deceased.

He explained that the money could, on the long run, be big or small depending on how it is invested.

“Ejirefe was a hard working vigilante Chairman who died when I was DESOPADEC Commissioner and I promised to take care of his family. My family and I took our breakfast this morning . So if I can put food in my stomach, it is my belief also that the family of the deceased should be able to put food on their table. “ It is based on this that I am releasing this fund to them to take care of the family he left behind. Being a DESOPADEC Commissioner or not, one must continue to do good for his people. And if we continue to help one another, I believe the ills we see in the society will be drastically reduced,” Ominimini, who was Commissioner on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) representing Ughelli North and Ethiope-East LGA , disclosed.

Governor Dave Umahi (right), receiving some bills from the Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, for his assent at the Exco Chamber, Government House, Abakaliki, last week.

Pastor Remi Akintunde, Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in charge of Asia Region 1, second right; his wife, Pastor Mrs Bolaji Akintunde. second left; Zonal Pastor Ayorinde Awe, right; and his wife, Pastor Folashade Awe, during Akintunde’s visit to Jesus Castle, Ibadan, Ring Road Zonal Headquarters of the church.

Pastor Remi Akintunde, Special Assistant to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in charge of Asia Region 1, second right; his wife, Pastor Mrs Bolaji Akintunde. second left; Zonal Pastor Ayorinde Awe, right; and his wife, Pastor Folashade Awe, during Akintunde’s visit to Jesus Castle, Ibadan, Ring Road Zonal Headquarters of the church.

I have forgiven those who of offfended me — Opara

BY FEMI AJASA former Vicar of All Saints Anglican Church, Surulere, Lagos, Levi Opara, says he had forgiven those who offended him in the church.

Opara, who made the statement at the reconciliation service presided over by Archbishop Adebayo Akande, urged the church members to forgive anybody who may have offended them in any form.

He said: “To err is human and divine to forgive; we should all forgive those who

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have offended us in different forms. If we are able to do that, we would recover our lost glory from the Lord.

“There was crisis in the church before this service, but it has been resolved and I have let go of all that transpired while I was presiding over the church.”

The service was attended by members and those who had left the church for one reason or the other. Sir Christopher Obadike, the People’s Warden of the church, said the purpose of the service was to reunite members.

PAGE 28 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

•Oba Sikiru Adetona( Inset: The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Vincent Tenebe)

Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, 80, in varsity for degree course

•103-yr-old Delta monarch too •VC speaks on govs, senators, generals who are his students Last weekend, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) matriculated its 8th batch of students in Kaduna. In this interview, the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Vincent Tenebe, speaks on issues bordering on the university.

BY LUKA BINNIYAT No unionism here he Open University does not have staff union, student sunion, pressure groups. This is because NOUN is not a conventional university; it is open and distance learning and interestingly this is the only university that democratised, demystified and liberalized education.

Here the question will be, if you are in a university that democratises education, why would you say you would not welcome unionism and other pressure groups? The reason is simple. We cannot accommodate or operate freely with unionism because of the diversity nature of our students in terms of age, class, status and already belong to professional unions and bodies. For example, in our university, we do not have requirement of age.

103-year-old student And I can tell you that there is hardly the conventional university not only in Nigeria but across the globe where you will see a 90-yr-old student. In the Open University, for example, I just informed the new students that the youngest undergraduate today in our record is 15yrs old and the oldest is 103years in 200level. I can give you reference to find these students. I am not just giving you theoretical information but facts. The 103-yr-old student is the paramount ruler of Emervo Community, Isoko North, Edo State, His Royal Highness, Francis Onovughakpor Ekhama. Because of his age, he was given automatic scholarship to study in the university. And for him to study in the school, we bear all the costs. We also

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have 80-year-old Awujale of Ijebu land, Ogun State, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in our university.

10 VCs, governors and senators, generals studying at NOUN W hen you come to the class setting, we have governors, senators, House of Representatives members, former Ministers, Vice Chancellors, Commissioners and many categories of people of different ages. We have professional journalists like you. These are people working or retired, many of whom are professionals and executives in their various organizations. So forming a union with such people will be difficult for our university. I have nine Vice Chancellors of universities adding myself to make 10 who are students of this university. For the smooth running, it is easy when you have a conventional university where the age range of the students is 17-25yrs for undergraduates and 17-30yrs for post graduate. Even PhD students, you hardly find one who is above 45 years. But here, that is the first stage or the beginning. Most of the students in the 100 level, their ages are between 45 and 70yrs. These are people who already have responsibilities in the society. How do you run a students union in such situation?

The same thing with the staff. The reason is that the core staff that I call my academic staff are mere coordinators. They coordinate the activities of students and the facilitators who are staff of other institutions. They are the ones writing our materials and editing them. My staff follow them to ensure that the jobs given to them are done appropriately and get paid – even though my staff participate in writing some

I was with the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of UK and he asked me why Nigerians that graduated from the Open University in UK are prevented from going to law school in Nigeria

of the materials in their areas of professional calling. Some of the materials are developed by professional outside not necessarily lecturers. We have course units that are written by people in the industry like you who might not be lecturing anywhere. So there is no way we are going to form a union of staff in the university when majority of the staff are not core staff of the university. As strange as it might be to you, it is an advantage to students.

Because of this lack of unionism, the question of strike does not exist in NOUN either for students or staff which means our programs run smoothly.

Why it’s almost impossible to cheat in

our exams This is one of the universities in Nigeria with the least examination malpractice cases and I am aware that, in many other institutions, there are cases where students come to write examination for others. In Open University, it is not possible! This is because we capture you electronically during your registration because everything is ICT- based. So when you come to write exams and we work on your biometrics, you must log in and we must see your picture on the screen when you are writing the e-examination. Your thumb print must match. The invigilator will come and confirm that you are the one actually sitting there.

Same exam, different questions By so doing, we have been able to ensure that people don’t write exams for others. In our examination hall when writing the eexamination, you and I might be taking the same exam and doing the same course and we are answering our questions. Your answers are different from mine even though we are writing the same course. It was made possible by some certain programs to make sure that the answers are not the same. When you click submit, the system will show you your score there and then. Because we are involved in this mass production of students, we are also involved in mass standardization.

200,000 NOUN’s students population to rise to 1.5 million soon At the moment, we have active students of about 200,000 and, I can tell you, we have admitted beyond that. Even at this number, I am not happy because I thought with the present matriculation, we should have been about 500,000. This university has the capacity to accommodate 1.5million students and this is the only way we can solve the problem of non-admission of students who are after conventional universities that can not accommodate all.

Every year, about 1.5 million Nigerians write JAMB exam trying to go into the conventional universities.

136 conventional universities I think we have about 126-136 universities in Nigeria,private, state and federal government owned. All the over 100 universities can only accommodate about 500,000 students per session. Whether you force them or come with a signed and stamped note from any of the authorities, if there is no chance, there is no way the universities can accommodate more knowing that these students are going to take lectures in lecture rooms. So the conventional universities have a carrying capacity. If they exceed that, when the NUC goes there to accredit them, they will fail them. But in the Open University, we don’t have that limit called carrying capacity. We can carry as many that are willing to learn because we do not sit in class.

Our law graduates discriminated against Every university has blue print. In our case, the Ministry of Education, the NUC, etc approved it. In that blue print, one of the schools approved to graduate students is the School of Legal Studies. Out of the ten schools, we have established seven plus the post graduate school. Why I am explaining this to you to this level is to let you know that the school of law is not an illegal body. NUC has come and accredited our law school and we passed. When we called on the Council of Legal Education, CLE, because they said it is a requirement for anybody to go to law school and to practice, they must come and accredit the programme of the university and we humbly invited them, they refused to come.

The question you need to ask is why Open University law students will not be fit or qualified to go to law school if they are using the same curriculum as other universities offering law. This is the same curriculum approved by the NUC. I was with the Vice Chancellor of the Open University of UK and he asked me why Nigerians that graduated from the Open University in UK are prevented from going to law school in Nigeria. What you guys are not asking is that there are Nigerians who graduated from Open Universities outside Nigeria who attended law school in other countries and are here practising.

So why are we destroying our own?

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 29

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 33

BY JIDE AJANI

D

emocracy is good for Nigerians; but are Nigerians good for democracy?

Ponder that!

In the introduction to ‘THE POLITICS BOOK’, the following observations are made: “If everyone could have everything they wanted whenever they wanted, there would be no such thing as politics. Whatever the precise meaning of the complex activity known as politics might be, it is clear that human experience never provides us with everything we want. Instead, we have to compete, struggle, compromise, and, sometimes fight for things. In so doing, we develop a language to explain and justify our claims and to challenge, contradict, or answer the claims of others - this might be a language of interests, whether of individuals or groups, or it might be a language of values, such as rights and liberties or fair shares and justice.”

Now, in the pursuit of values such as rights and liberties or fair shares and justice, moralism and realism become two key components to align with.

Between the concepts of political moralism and political realism, there is a need to step back and explain which is better and which is achievable.

It is considered that at its most radical, political moralism “produces descriptions of ideal political societies known as Utopia, named after English statesman and philosopher, Thomas More’s book, Utopia, published in 1516.”

But some theorists are said to be of the view that Utopian political thinking is a dangerous - very dangerous undertaking, as it has led in the past to justifications of totalitarian violence.

“At best”, however, “Utopian thinking is part of a process of striving towards a better society” because of values to be pursued and protected.

Therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari, chanting the mantra of anticorruption in the last 100 days may, indeed, be striving towards the enthronement of a better society.

Even his body language alone speaks and determines volumes in Nigeria’s political sphere. But he has opened himself to needless attacks in the last one week over the lopsidedness of appointments. He has promised to do better.

It was Plato who said until philosophers are kings, cities will never have rest from their evils. In saying so, he attempted to explain the need for men of wisdom and deep thinking to ascend the leadership of a country. His explanation was as simple as demonstrated thus: The role of rulers is to ensure that the people follow the “good life”; knowing what “the good life” is requires intellectual ability and knowledge of ethics and morality; only philosophers have this ability and knowledge; and, therefore, political power should only be given to philosophers. This is, it is then contended, because until philosophers are kings, cities will never have rest from their evils.

Buhari may have started well with his body language which has suggested to all that he would not tolerate any form of thiefry. But with the appointments so far made, he may be attempting to supplant one form of societal evil with another form.

In John Stuart Mill’s PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY, we are made to understand that human improvement has no tendency to correct the intensely selfish feelings engendered by power.

In Mill’s estimation, this is the warped and bleached version of the modus operandi of the Wantoks of Papua New Guinea (the Wantoks are the ‘big men’ who accumulate state resources any which way and then redistribute via patronizing schemes that keep their people in perpetual servitude), a paradigm that has long crept into the Nigerian polity because our politicians are yet to come to terms with the lesson that the welfare of a nation must rest on the justice and judicious selfdetermination of its citizens, stemming from a fair allocation of resources and appointments.

No matter the good Buhari is seeking, his sense of fairness and judgment is today seeking cover - that is without prejudice to the issue of merit upon which some of the appointments have been made.

For the sake of Nigerians, Buhari’s six C M Y K

Prologue

Democracy as it suits us •Why Mr. President must not waste the opportunity of fate months in office should not replicate the downturn suffered by his predecessor who, within the same period, the massive goodwill he garnered headed for the bottom of the sea. To avoid this, the President would need to tone down the vuvuzela of anti-corruption - he should allow the agencies to do their work and slam the robbers in our midst in jail and stop the daily mantra of ‘we shall jail thieves’.

The more critical engagement for this administration, which his predecessor missed, was wise counsel. Not being a philosopher, Buhari would need to rely on unadulterated pieces of advice from people who are not only sensible but strategic in operations - the sudden

publication of the assets declared by the President and the Vice President couldn’t have come at any other strategic moment (eve of 100days in office with the noise from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that nothing has been achieved). Has the Code of Conduct Bureau finished its verification or what has changed between the time of the private declaration and last Thursday when Aso Rock made it public? But this is what strategy is all about. Jonathan refused to meet parents of the CHIBOK girls for weeks but BUHARI symbolically met with them in his first 20days in office. That is leadership. His meeting with them has not caused the girls to be released but he has given hope to the

parents and restored a sense of value and decency.

While we cannot hold down Buhari in 100days for a job of four years, Nigerians, especially those with the voice, should at least keep Mr. President on a leash. What has happened - and strangely so - in the last 100 days is the emerging conspiracy of silence. Those who should speak against the missteps of Buhari are keeping quiet in the hope (more than the belief) that they would get appointments. That was how Jonathan was led down the path of ignominy.

Finally, democracy is not about keeping quiet when what is going wrong suits our whims. It is about standing up for what is right always.

What you are about to read is largely the ruling party’s view of 100days in office. The opposition PDP says it will respond next week.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

THE EXPECTATIONS, THE FRUSTRATIONS

BY BEN AGANDE,

W

ABUJA

HEN he was sworn-in as the president after his victory at the March 28 election, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that the apparent slide the country had steadily witnessed, especially in the last few years, was at a point of being halted. Expectedly, the gospel of change preached by the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, had steadily built an image of an incorrigible leader in a country whose political leaders have been known for their opaqueness, was well received by the majority of the Nigerian people, to the point that some ardent supporters of the retired general, whose stint as a military head of state was remembered more for its no-nonsense stand on corruption and indiscipline, felt that he would wave the magic wand to correct the ills of several years of misrule.

So when the president was sworn in on May 29, many enthusiastic supporters expected that he would hit the ground running and put the country on a footing that would spell immediate Eldorado.

But three months into his administration, the assessment of his administration has been a mixture of cautious optimism from his supporters and, in some cases, loud disappointment. And the blame lies squarely on the shoulder of the president, who provided the arsenal with which his supporters and critics alike have held the mirror for his assessment.

BOKO HARAM For a man that came to power with the promise to tackle the Boko Haram insurgency within a short period of time, Buhari’s first assignment on assuming office, sent a positive message to Nigeria’s neighbours, who had borne the brunt of the sect attacks that it was no longer going to be business as usual. His diplomatic shuttle to Chad, Niger and later Cameroun gave a reassurance to these countries that there was indeed a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s handling of the Boko Haram insurgency.

And to translate his determination C M Y K

to concrete action, Buhari ordered a change in the security architecture of the country with the replacement of the service chiefs as well as the Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS).

Not a few Nigerians believed that in order to achieve any meaningful result in the fight against insecurity in the country, there is need to inject of new ideas and templates into how the security services should operate. The drastic reduction in the wave of attacks by the Boko Haram insurgency as well as the reversal in the occupation of territories by the terrorist group is, to a large extent, linked to the new leadership of the armed forces.

Though the terrorists have resorted to suicide bombings of soft targets in order to instil fear in the people, many observers believe that the change in tactics by the sect is as a result of the pressure on them in their traditional areas of comfort.

DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY Even at the international level, Buhari’s presidency has brought about a renewed confidence of the international community in the ability of the Nigerian leader to do things differently.

Shortly after his inauguration, he attended a meeting of the Group of 7 (G7) industrialized countries held in Berlin, Germany and was equally the guest of the United States government in July. The enthusiastic reception accorded the president, by the G7 countries as well as the President of the United States of America, underscores the resurgence of Nigeria in the comity of nations. The seemingly inelastic promises by these countries to assist Nigeria, both in her war against terrorism as well as corruption, further accentuates the positive perception of the international community of the Nigerian new leadership.

Even though Buhari inherited the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) from his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, the renewed vigour of the agency in going after corrupt officials of government is seen as

the direct consequence of the body language of the president, who has never hidden his abhorrence for corruption and corrupt officials.

Same would be said to be responsible for the surge in the generation of power with the country witnessing an unprecedented level of power generation even though the government has not invested any new funds in the sector.

But the modest achievements made by the Buhari administration are however threatened by the perceived sluggishness in the pace of governance and insensitivity to other regions in the appointment of key officials to positions in government. More than three months in office, Buhari has been unable to appoint ministers to form his government. Instead, he has continued to rely on civil servants to run government. Some of the negative consequences of this approach is the lack of clear economic direction of the administration, which has negatively affected both fiscal and economic policies.

For a man, who, in his inaugural speech, promised that he belonged to everybody and nobody, his appointment of about 75 percent of key personnel from his northern region has generated resentment especially from the southern part of the country.

Similarly, beaming the torchlight of anti-corruption on some Jonathan’s officials from one section of the country has unwittingly created the impression that he was on a revenge mission and not necessarily transparently bringing all corrupt officials of the previous government to book.

BALANCING EXPECTATIONS Though 100 days is too short a time to objectively assess a government, the actions of Buhari in the last three months have elicited mixed feelings of expectations and frustrations. How he balances these expectations in the remaining part of his administration would play a major role on whether or not his government would be recorded on the credit or debit side of history.

For a man, who, in his inaugural speech, promised that he belonged to everybody and nobody, his appointment of about 75 percent of key personnel from his northern region has generated resentment especially from the southern part of the country

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 35

So much has changed for Nigerians

Well, there is nothing being selective in the fight against corruption. When you are fighting corruption, you should also expect corruption to fight you back.

Corruption in Nigeria has large followership and strong foundation. So, if you are going to fight corruption, you must also be ready to absorb the challenges and attacks by corruption.

When people say the fight against corruption is selective, it is corrupt people fighting back. How can you say the fight against corruption is selective when corruption itself is not selective?

Corruption has no political party, no tribe, it has no religion and if you go by the records before us today, we have APC politicians being investigated, we have PDP members being investigated.

—Lai Mohammed

BY DAPO AKINREFON

A

LHAJI Lai Mohammed is the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC. In this interview, the APC spokesman takes stock of the 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and boasts that change has come to Nigeria. Excerpts: What has changed in Nigeria in the first 100 days of APC’s rule at the centre?

Well, I think a lot has changed. There is this new attitude that there is a leadership in Nigeria today that can inspire Nigerians to dream again. There is this change in Nigeria that, for the first time in a long time, we have a leadership that is capable of bringing about the necessary change.

I believe also that the last three months has witnessed a certain relationship between Nigeria and the external world in the sense that Nigeria, that was regarded as a pariah state, has now become a Mecca of sort to foreign dignitaries, like the United Nations Secretary General and our president is now being invited to everywhere in the world. All of a sudden, Nigerians are now proud to be Nigerians and I think this is very important.

Again, what has changed in Nigeria is that people are beginning to see that corruption is a vice and that it is not something to be celebrated. Before now, we were celebrating corrupt people but, today, Nigerians are gradually moving back to our old values of integrity, probity, transparency and merit.

These are things that I believe have changed at the level of what I call the tangible. At the level of the intangible, I think the last 100 days has seen a coordinated, focused and methodical attack on insecurity and terrorism.

The last 100 days has witnessed a successful rallying of all our neighbors, region and the entire world to assist in the fight against Boko Haram.

The president has succeeded in rallying the support of, first, our neighbors like Cameroon, Benin Republic, Chad and Niger; the G7 has given us support and the United States is suspending a law to enable us combat insurgency. On the domestic scene also, we now have a rejuvenated army, it is taking the battle to the insurgents.

We have a new army with a very high moral ‘because of certain steps taken by the president such as moving the command and control of the army to the North-East. We also now have our service chiefs leading the war. They are also interacting with the soldiers. The president is so confident that he has given the service chiefs three months deadline to finish the war against insurgency. In the area of security I think even the most ardent critic of the president must give him kudos.

He must have so much impressed the international community about his fight against insurgency that the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon invited him to come and join other world leaders in a global conference geared at combating extremism.

So, these are things that show that in the area of security, the president has done a lot. Of course, he has ordered the recruitment if 10,000 policemen to assist in the fight against insurgency.

In the area of the economy, I think what he has done, which is unappreciated by Nigerians, is the bail out package which he arranged for the states. You see, by the time we assumed office on May 29, about 20 states of the federation were owing between five and 10 months salary arrears. If not for the bail out package that the president approved, today, we would be facing industrial crisis of a magnitude never witnessed.

But some Nigerians posit that the reason for the unpaid salaries to civil servants was mismanagement on the part of state governors.

I see it as an infantile argument and childish. There is absolutely no evidence that every state that was unable to pay

•Lai Mohammed

workers’ salary was as a result of corruption on the part of the governors.

What we know is that between 2010 and 2014, the three tiers of government were sharing between N840 billion every month but, by the end of last year, the average they were sharing was under N380 billion. This means that states, because of the crash of the price of crude, were getting less than what they used to get before.

If the argument is that states that were unable to pay their staff salaries was because of corruption,then are you now saying that the federal parastatals and ministries that were owed money, was also because of corruption?

I think that argument is simplistic.

Again, that argument overlooks the fact that when a state is unable to oY staff salaries, it affects, not just the morale of the people but also the lives of the people because these people have to pay rent, send their children to school. Are you now saying that because a particular governor has been reckless, therefore, civil servants must not be paid? It does not make sense.

The bailout package given to the states, is optional.

States are free to apply, those that believe they are not owing arrears of staff salaries do not have to. It has also in a way strengthened the economy.

I think anybody that sees this from the narrow perspective that the bailout is going to encourage corruption, is been unfair. I think the government has started laying the foundation for accountability and transparency when it ordered that all money accruing to government should be paid into what we call the Treasury Single Account.

This is the beginning of accountability and transparency because when the money is paid in, the government will know what it has at a glance. I think the reform that has been brought into the oil and gas sector is quite spectacular.

Also, the government has made it clear and has laid the foundation for diversification of the economy. Here, we are looking at agriculture, mining, the telecommunication sector and it intends to pay less emphasis on oil so that we would not be affected by the volatility in the oil and gas sector as we are suffering now.

In the area of fighting corruption, the president has been unrelenting and he has vowed we would recover all stolen money and, in doing so, he has the support of not just Nigerians, but also the international community and they are ready to assist us to trace looted funds wherever they are kept and they also going to assist us in repatriating such. The fight against corruption, to me, is the most controversial.

Yes, because it is perceived to be selective. Why?

We have northerners, Christians, Muslims being investigated; so what are we talking about?

The truth of the matter is that in this fight against corruption, members of a political party would be more prone for investigation than others. In the last 16 years, they (PDP) have been in power, so if you are going to probe the administration of Dr Goodluck Jonathan, you must probe his appointees, his contractors, his employees because they are largely from the PDP..

So, is a clear case of probing those you think are responsible for the bad state of the economy. There is nothing selective about it, what we see is corruption also fighting back. I think this is one area the president has succeeded largely.

The biggest victory we have had in fighting corruption for the first time in Nigeria is that Nigerians are now appreciating the fact that corruption is bad, it is a vice and that corruption is the second most deadly obstacle to our progress. Before now, we were celebrating corruption.

Before now, it was said that stealing is not corruption but, today, people know that stealing is corruption. What you see now is that everybody is sitting up and for the first time in Nigeria, people are doing what we call self regulation and self censoring because they know that there is a new sheriff in town and that the sheriff is a no-nonsense sheriff.

Angry reactions greeted the denial by President Buhari of his promises to Nigerians in his first 100 days in office.

Why is he reneging on the promise?

When you say somebody is denying, he must have said it. I am so shocked about the hysteria greeting the administration’s 100 days. Nobody can produce a document in which the party or the president said he was going to do anything within 100 days. If anybody took the time to do a thorough search on the president’s response at Chatham House when the question was asked: “What do you want to achieve within the first 100 days?”, his answer was clear: “I don’t believe in the fraud called 100 days, we believe in milestones.” So, how can you now say this same president promised to deliver anything in 100 days? Do you build schools in 100 days?

The truth of the matter is that there is no document, no record, no proof that the president ever promised anybody, anything in 100 days. Whatever they are coming up with, is just forgery. The most conclusive evidence is what the president said in Chatham House and he said this in March, 2015. I was there, it is not correct, it is not true. Now we have all kinds of things on the blog and on the internet but the truth if the matter is that the president said “I do not believe in 100 days”. It is a fraud and I do not want to be part of that fraud.

When people say the fight against corruption is selective, it is corrupt people fighting back.

How can you say the fight against corruption is selective when corruption itself is not selective?

Recent appointments made by the president has generated uproar as they are seen to be lopsided. What is your position on this?

I think it is about time Nigerians start thinking as Nigerians, we do not even believe we are a nation. We do not care whether the country survives or not, we must change this attitude.

Having said this, it is not possible for the president to expect that every part of the country would be respected in the

Continued on page 36 C M Y K

PAGE 36 —SUND AY —SUNDA

Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Official corruption down by 50 percent – Garba Shehu

Prologue

•‘Why President should not be judged on ethnic sentiment’ started to work.

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

M

allam Garba Shehu, one-time President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), is Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity. In this interview, Shehu gives reasons Nigerians should eschew sentiments about the administrative style of his principal as, according to him, Buhari will not be judged after four years based on ethnic or religious benchmarks but on performance. He, however, says appointments will go round according to the Constitution as the President is a law and order person. He also speaks on Buhari’s 100 days in office, corruption, the economy, etc. Excerpts: Nigerians are divided in their reactions to President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments which many people described as pro-North. How are these decisions expected to take Nigeria to achieving the set goals?

President Buhari is President with responsibility for the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is not a sectional leader. Appointments will be made one step at a time. Others are still coming and it will even run like that throughout the four years of the mandate of the administration. What people should have on this matter is patience.

Those who feel they have not been reached will definitely be reached. A government that has a lifespan of four years should not be judged by its action on day one. No. It should be that by the time the President says, ‘Now, I have finished my appointments’, they should be able to look at it and pass judgment as to whether he was fair to all sections of the country or not.

The Constitution of the country protects every part in terms of representation, in terms of clear guidelines as to Federal Character, in terms of representation to give a sense of belonging to everybody.

President Muhammadu Buhari is a law and order person. He is a Constitutionoriented person. He will not fail Nigerians and he will do what is right.

We think that much of the anger that is coming is emotional and premature because there are thousands of appointments that can come. And then on the aggregate, people will look at it and judge.

Let me give you an example. When former President Goodluck Jonathan took over, in the first 50 appointments he made, the South -West was not represented. There was a document widely circulated; and even translated into Yoruba and was being aired on local radio stations in the South West and people were being told, “This is not your government. This is what they are doing.”

In the appointments President Buhari has made so far, people should, first and foremost, take consolation in the fact that those he found in the offices, he was not in a hurry to fire them quickly just because he felt he did not appoint them. This is the first time we are witnessing this kind of attitude to governance in Nigeria.

This country has a spoilt system by which a new government will fire everybody in office so that they could bring in their own people. President Buhari is doing his own on a case-by-case basis insisting that whoever is there for the good of the country and is adding value to the nation, it would be unfair to carelessly fire him.

And this is essential because four years down the line, when Nigerians come to assess what nature of governance President Buhari has given to this nation, the record of success will not be measured by the number of ethnically or religiously based appointments he made. He will C M Y K

•Mallam Garba Shehu be measured by how many jobs he has created, how much of the prevailing corruption in the country he has curtailed, how much of the infrastructure including power and roads he has fixed and how secured we are because he will be asked whether he has eliminated Boko Haram.

These are the things the judgment of his administration will be based upon and on these he is not wavering. He has given 100 percent attention to all of them and people who are kind to him should give him the environment that he needs in order to do more.

How is the President taking the public outcry against his anti-corruption campaign, considering the fact that one of the cardinal reasons he was voted into office was to fight corruption before it kills Nigeria?

Well, it must be disappointing not being appreciated but, beyond all of that, President Buhari is not the gallery kind of politician, who wants to get applause by being populist in his actions. He is looking at the bigger national interest and he believes that he is making a huge sacrifice.

Given all of the service he had rendered to this country, assuming things were going right for the nation, he would have been happier enjoying his rest somewhere. But he ran to be (civilian) President of this country three times and didn’t make it until the fourth time when Nigerians felt it was the right time for him to come and govern them. Things have changed since then. If he had come in 2003, I would say things were bad.

Now, things are rotten so much so that there is far more work to do than there were in 2003. So, he is making a huge sacrifice to bring back the nation to the point of sanity and clean all the mess.

Yes, corruption is a cancer that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation.

Without it being addressed, there will not be development in the country. Foreign investments will not come, better life will not come into Nigeria, education will not run well, economy will be shackled, undermined and infrastructure will not work well.

Look at what is happening with electric power. As I speak to you now, there are so many parts of the country that are enjoying 24-hour power supply.

Some,16 hours, some 20 hours daily.

Not many people thought this was possible until it came under President Buhari. And people will be shocked to learn that this government has not started to pump money into this thing, yet, it has

Then what did he do to make it so?

It is the body language of the President and doing the right thing so that all the laziness and sabotage in that sector took flight. We now have far more generated power than we had ever generated in this country. It is not to say that it is adequate for 170 million people but, given the narrowness of the distribution, the power that is being generated today is far more than what the system of generation can handle. So, that poses the next challenge, that is, to expand and renew generation per grid and then make more power to be distributed. So that with the national grid system, if they call Abuja and say, ‘We have more power for you’, they will be glad and say, ‘Oh, pump it’, so that they will give it to people for them to enjoy.

So, we are getting somewhere and the President promised during the campaign period that if he was voted into office, from the day he was sworn in, official corruption would go down by 50 percent.

Voluntarily, people relinquished 50 percent of the corruption that prevailed in the country and that is what has happened.

A member of the House of Representatives recently alerted over a particular distribution company covering his constituency in Oyo State, and its territory extends to Abeokuta, Ijoko, Ota areas of Ogun State, how they are making epileptic power the order of the day whereas other Nigerians are enjoying. Don’t you think things like this will sabotage President Buhari’s effort on power if nothing is done to really check these DISCOs? They have their own system. Under the system put in place by the National Council on Privatization, distribution companies are supposed to be fined for even taking light thereby not allowing the people to access the power that is allocated to them from the national grid.

I want to believe that such penalty will be meted out to them for failing in discharging their duties to the people once found to be so.

The Central Bank of Nigeria reportedly said the economy was at this state because there were no fiscal directions….?

(Cuts in) Nobody will tell you that there is no fiscal direction. President Buhari knows where he is going. Look at what is happening in the country with oil, in terms of failed price, which has come down from $120 to $43 per barrel and the prediction is that, it may even fall further. With sanctions on Iran being gradually removed, by the time Iran resume their place in the oil market, they will pump more oil and the price will still come down, coupled with the fact that this country has a record of unprecedented oil theft that President Buhari is trying to curtail and eliminate eventually. Therefore, the earnings of the country are down and a responsible government must do whatever it can in order to reduce the wastage of foreign exchange. Government is trying to manage that.

Look at the issue of importation of rice; billions of US dollars expended on this, on a commodity that is locally growable and is available. Seven states have already taken the challenge under this government and they are saying, ‘We can provide Nigeria with rice to export beyond our capacity to consume’. But there are other things that are so frivolous Continues on page 37

President Muhammadu Buhari is a law and order person.

He is a Constitutionoriented person.

He will not fail Nigerians and he will do what is right

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 37

‘Why President should not be judged on ethnic sentiment’ Continued from page 36 and annoying just like where Nigerians buy tooth pick from China. So, what they (CBN) are saying is, ‘Manufacturers or somebody setting up industry or a productive venture, going overseas on medical, school fees and all of that, don’t even go to the parallel market. Come to the CBN, we will give you forex. But if it is frivolous items that they have listed and advertised, no, go elsewhere and source your foreign exchange’. And that is why even when oil price has gone down, our foreign reserve has risen.

But in its own assessment, the main opposition party, PDP, said the economy had worsened under the Buhari’s 90, 100 days administration. How do you react to that?

It depends on their judgment about assessing an economy. May be they are talking about their personal economy that it is worse than it used to be. They ran an economy in which they put government money on the table and shared it. This is what President Buhari has stopped.

Nigerians should be patient with Mr. President. By the time he addresses the nation on the recoveries that are being made in the oil sector, in the national security sector that has come under probe now; of procurement of weapons and this Air Force jet that crashed killing pilots of the Nigerian Armed Forces! …because people bought equipment that were left unattended to, you see, by the time President Buhari will address the nation on all these, a day will come when people in the street will ask, ‘Are you PDP?’ and you will reply, ‘No, I am not PDP’. Yes. And it will be so because of the shame to answer the name of PDP. So, the economy of the PDP is under threat. The economy of the Nigerian nation is being revived.

*Garba Shehu...Buhari knows where he is going What could you really point to of this government’s achievements in the last 100 days?

It is too early to assess the government or any government in terms of its failure or success in 100 days. But 100 days are sufficient enough to know and understand a leader and his government on where they stand on issues of the day; where they are coming from and where they are going. So, there is enough on the table for Nigerians to see and understand President Buhari, where he is going to and he has given clear indications as to where he stands on issues of the day.

He would not steal money and would not allow others to steal. He would reinstate our international relations, which had been mismanaged. America, Europe, even our neighbors, now we are friends with everybody. President Buhari would be business friendly.

Foreign investments will come because he is bent on creating a secured environment. He is going to defeat terrorism. He has given three months’ timeline to the service commanders and they have accepted the challenge. They are saying, ‘Mr. President, we can even do it in shorter period of time’. They are doing it and it is ongoing. So, infrastructure is being revived. We just talked about power now which industry is happy about. And the thing then is to continue to expand the generation and distribution of power and this is there in the APC manifesto of more than 20,000 megawatts in four years. We hope that we will get there.

There is going to be massive transformation of agriculture and mining, because those are where the jobs are, so that all these young people will be cleared off the streets by the jobs in agriculture and mining unless they are not willing. Already we are enjoying dividends of peace. Neighborhoods are becoming safer. People are sleeping nicely and dreaming sweet dreams because security is getting better. More of these will come. So, President Muhammadu Buhari has given indication and I think, by-and-large, 90 percent or more of Nigerians are happy and are identifying with the direction he is going.

There would be a few people, as I said, especially PDP, who are not happy. How will they be happy? Governor Adams Oshiomhole said somebody stole $6 billion. That person will be a fool if he doesn’t bring out one billion, two billion (Naira) to go and compromise public opinion and try to corrupt the judiciary with that kind of money. So, we expect attacks would come. These are people who pay for Buhari to be attacked, but he would not be deterred because he is determined to remain on course.

Voluntarily, people relinquished 50 percent of the corruption that prevailed in the country and that is what has happened

When do we have our ministers?

The ministers will come.

‘So much has changed for Nigerians’ Continues from page 35 appointments in the first, second or third month of a government. It is not possible to expect that making 35 appointments would give you the balance you need when you are still going to make over 1,000 appointments. I think people are a bit impatient. In my view, people are not being fair to Mr President. You see, when you look at the nature of the last appointments that were made, at least four out of six, were personal staff. The Chief of Staff, is a personal staff and you do not choose as Chief of Staff somebody you are not comfortable with.

I have been privileged to be a Chief of Staff before, so I know what it takes. I was Chief of Staff to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I was the first person he saw in the morning and the last person he saw at night, I was his confidant and the relationship was intimate that I could enter his bedroom if there was an emergency.

You cannot appoint somebody you are not comfortable with as your Chief of Staff. The same goes for your Special Adviser on Legislative Matters. He must be a person familiar with the intrigues in the National Assembly, he must be a person who believes fervently in the president and can look after his interest in the National Assembly.

The same thing applies to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; he is the man who keeps the record of government; he must be a man who the president can call on any time and he must also know the president very well.

Having said this, I want to use this

•Lai Mohammed opportunity to assure Nigerians that, in the fullest of time, no part of Nigeria will be able to complain about northernisation when all the appointments are made. It is true that the president has spoken about integrity and competence as yardstick for appointments, but this should not pose a problem to federal character because we know that there is no part of Nigeria where we do not have competent people with integrity.

Nigerians expect more from the president but he has been dubbed ‘Baba Go Slow’. What should Nigerians expect from the APC-led government at the centre?

I must first say that those who say the president has been slow, are eating their words now because the kind of activities we have witnessed in the last 100 days

cannot, by any yardstick, be said to be slow. If a man has been elected into office for 48 months and he spends just four months to plan and get the team that he wants, he should not be seen as being slow.

In any event, there has been movement, not just motion, in governance. All the achievements I have listed were done under 100 days. You can see that there is more stability in power, the queues have disappeared at petrol stations. This is what I call the Buhari-effect and this is just because he is the leader, it is the leadership effect.

Those who say that he has been slow, apart from the fact that the ministers are yet to be appointed, the critical appointments have been made.

Like I have always said, you score a government at the end of its tenure. You must understand the under belly of government before appointing ministers. Take for instance the issue of cutting down on governance, it was recommended by the Transition Committee that we have had too many ministers and ministries and that some ministries should be merged. This has to be considered because until you do this, you will not know how many ministers you are going to have.

It is wrong for anybody to say that this government is slow. It is thorough and I believe that the outcome of the thoroughness is in the best interest of Nigerians.

As to what Nigerians should expect in the next couple of months, I think they should expect governance. Three areas we are going to see improvement is good governance, which includes fight against corruption, cutting down the size of the bureaucracy, security and the economy. Already, the foundation has been laid.

It is wrong for anybody to say that this government is slow. It is thorough and I believe that the outcome of the thoroughness is in the best interest of Nigerians

PAGE 38—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Ugwuanyi’s peaceful strides in Enugu

BY FRANCIS IGATA

P

REVAILING peace, which hitherto eluded Enugu State at the inception of every transition since the advent of the Fourth Republic,is one of the conspicuous features of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration’s 100 days.

Other features include rural roads construction, electrification, cordial relations with the legislative and judicial arms of government, boosting governance at the local councils and efforts to improve the education sector.

Ugwuanyi’s stance that “no meaningful development will take place in an atmosphere of war ” clearly stands him out among his predecessors.

The peaceful stance adopted by the governor, fondly called Gburugburu (worldwide), appears to have set the template for turning around the economic fortunes of the state.

Ugwuanyi, who inherited a debt portfolio of over N60 billion from former Governor Sullivan Chime’s administration, indicated, in his inaugural speech, that urban and rural renewal is one of his major priorities towards alleviating the suffering of the people.

Noting that 60 per cent of the electorate live in rural areas, he announced, during his first tour, that Nsukka,9th Mile Corner and Abakpa-Ugwuogo-Nike roads would be rehabilitated to ease traffic and inject life in communities along the corridor.

•Gov Ugwuanyi To deliver on his promises, Ugwuanyi got the 2015 Appropriation Bill amended and the Enugu State House of Assembly passed into law the amended and revised version to include N9.878 billion presented to it by the governor.

Rural roads Tagged: “Enugu State of Nigeria Amendment (revised) Appropriation Bill, 2015” as moved by the leader of the House, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, is to make way for internal re-allocation of resources in the existing budget of over N96.735 billion as passed by the previous administration.

Ugwuanyi, imbued with legislative trappings having served as a House of Representatives member representing Udenu/Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency for 12 straight years, navigated through the murky waters of re-allocation of funds in the approved state budget which was the thrust of the moves to

impeach Chime for alleged reallocation of 2012 budget without House approval at the twilight of his tenure. The new projects are the construction of two kilometre Nike Road; construction of 3.6 kilometre Nike Lake Road; five kilometre Airport Roundabout/Orie Emene/Eke Obinagu road; two kilometre Okutu/ Odoru road; 1.5 kilometre 9th Mile/ Nsukka road and 9th Mile/Onitsha road By-pass; 10.8 kilometre Opi/ Nsukka road; installation of street lights along Opi-Nsukka road and construction/rehabilitation of Nsukka Urban roads.

Rural electrification Determined to trigger economic activities especially in rural communities Ugwuanyi commissioned a power sub-station to supply electricity to communities in Udi, Uzo-Uwani and Igboetiti local councils of the State.

The convivial relationship struck by the executive and the legislature became unprecedented.

Harmonious govt The convivial relationship struck by the executive and the legislature became unprecedented. This follows the haste with which the 2015 appropriation bill was revised to free funds for the executive to execute its programmes.

Bent on ensuring that the three arms of government function optimally,Ugwuanyi had within his first 30 days in office applied a soothing balm to the industrial action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Enugu State chapter which led to the re-opening of the court after over six months of stand-off between them his predecessor, Chime.

Yobe waits for change

BY BALA AJIYA

Y

OBE citizenry are still waiting for change, 100 days into Governor Ibrahim Gaidam second term.

Governor Gaidam started by replacing the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mallam Babagoni Machina with Alhaji Baba Wali. Acting directors were also appointed for various ministries and parastatals across the state in order to inject new blood into the running of affairs of the state.

Apart from these changes, there is

little or nothing on ground in terms of achievements in the last 100 days.

Commissioners have not been appointed and so the state executive council is not in place. Members of the state House of Assembly appear idle due to non- appointment of commissioners for the various ministries.

The governor himself has not been steady in the state in the last three months. He has always been travelling out.

In terms of security, Yobe is still one of the hotbeds of the Boko Haram insurgency. Now suicide

bombing is on the increase with the attendant loss of human lives and property.

The Damaturu motor park is now a feared zone due to the fact that most of the suicide bombings in state are carried out at this park.

However, security operatives vigilance groups are seriously battling insecurity in the state and they appear to be gaining a mileage.

The state government needs to do more to boost the morale of the security operatives, whose allowances have not been paid for more than three months.

The Damaturu motor park is now a feared zone

Amosun foot-dragging in Ogun

BY DAUD OLATUNJI

C

ONTRARY to the expectations of many voters in Ogun State, a host of capital projects are still waiting for action. Most of those who voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Candidate, Senator Ibikunle Amosun for second term expected that his coming back would afford him ample opportunity to finish up some of the on-going capital projects he started.

Many of the residents told Vanguard that they resolved to vote for Amosun because of the fear that another governor might abandon the capital projects littering the three senatorial districts of the state.

But100 days after he was given the second chance, the governor seems to be looking elsewhere as the road projects have been abandoned, creating more hardship for roads users.

Amosun’s first term was full of

execution of capital projects across the three senatorial districts. A few of the projects had been completed while many were half done .

The governor had changed the face of Abeokuta, the state capital with standard roads laced with bridges and fly-overs. He had also embarked on construction of model schools across the state, which have not been completed. The projects that were completed include Totoro-Ibara road, Itoku-Sapon overhead bridge and Mobalufon overhead bridge.

The on-going projects include: Ayetoro -Rounder road, Iyana Mortuary road, Sagamu overhead bridge, Ijebu-Igbo overhead bridge, Ilo-Awela overhead bridge and others.

New projects Unexpectedly, the governor seems to have shifted his attention to another aspect of the projects -rail transportation. The model schools started by Amosun during his first

term have not been completed. The government is not paying serious attention to the model schools now..

100 days after, the governor has not appointed commissioners, special assistants and media aides. The governor was being aided by head of service, permanent secretaries and other senior civil servants in the state civil service.

The governor is now fond of travelling and spends a few days in the state. His supporters said his incessant trips are aimed at wooing investors to the state.

Meanwhile, the state House of assembly, though, had many new members both from the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP the system seems to be same.

The Speaker is serving his second term like a few other members of the legislature. The House is yet to be vibrant and like the 7th legislature, it concurs with anything the executive brings to the house.

The governor is now fond of travelling

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 39

Akwa Ibom: A time keeper in the saddle

BY CHIOMA ONUEGBU

T

HE change in policies and style of governance in the last three months of the administration of Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, especially in the aspect of time keeping and management has been a good departure from the past administration.

Unlike the last administration when the governor attended functions several hours behind schedule, the Governor Emmanuel attends and concludes public functions on time.

Another change introduced by Udom Emmanuel is the reduction of his personal assistants. Immediate past governor, Godswill Akpabio appointed 150 personal assistants as a strategy to empower Akwa Ibom youths.

Emmanuel’s failure to dole out money to people, like his predecessor, since his assumption of office clearly indicated to the people of Akwa Ibom State that it will not be business as usual as well as demonstrates his new approach to governance which has been given different interpretations by the people.

While some people attribute the action to lack of funds following the debt he inherited coupled with dwindling revenue, others link it to his banking background as bankers are known to be very strict with spending and managing money.

Nevertheless many people appear unperturbed with the changes in his style of leadership.Rather they hope that the new approach would help him to check reckless spending and use the state resources effectively in actualising his programmes for the state.

To ensure transparency, the

•Gov Udom governor has put in place a quarterly meeting of stakeholders and leaders of the party in the state aimed at briefing them of his activities.

The recent step taken by the governor in converting the debt the state owed commercial banks into Federal government bonds in order to reduce the financial burden on his administration in the light of the prevailing economic downturn and corresponding decrease in revenue to states has been adjudged by many as impressive.

To reduce the cost of governance, Governor Emmanuel decided to auction the Akwa Ibom aircraft used by his predecessor.

In keeping with his campaign promise to the people to industrialize the state and consolidate on expansion of infrastructure, Emmanuel has awarded many contracts for construction of roads and industries such as the Armored Car Personnel Carrier plant in Itu Local Council, the Ibaka Deep Sea port project, the Revival of the moribund Peak-cock paint in Etinan Local Council.

Also award are the 5-kilometer Ikot

Usop-Ikot Edeghe-Ikot Ekpuk road with a 30 meters span bridge in Mpat Enin and Ibiono Ibom local councils; 3.5-kilometer road in Ikot Udom with 15 meters span bridge; 5 -kilometer Mkpok-Okat road; dualisation of 1-kilometer Awa-Ikot Nkan road in Onna Local Council; and Etinan-Eket-Ibeno road dualisation.

Others roads awarded for construction and remodelling in Eket Urban include: Dualisation of Atabong roads extended up to Hospital road; expansion and remodelling of Atabong road Roundabout in Eket, Grace Bill road pavement rehabilitation and drainage, and water fountain at roundabouts.

It was learnt that pensioners in the state recently gave the governor a pat on the back for being able to clear the backlog of their gratuity that had spanned over a decade within a short period in office and in spite of the financial challenge of his administration.

In addition, through collaboration with the Port-Harcourt Distribution Company, PHCN, Udom Emmanuel’s administration has added 20 watts of electricity to the system to boost steady power supply and drive economic activities in the state.

Other laudable strides by Udom Emmanuel in the last three months include his approval to sponsor the training of 1000 youth in ICT at Oracle software firm in California, USA; flag off of Out Fall Drain to tackle erosion in Uyo metropolis and environs to be constructed by Julius Berger Plc; approval for the establishment of 10 Sports academies in the 10 federal constituencies of the state as well as an empowerment programme for 329 youth in the state.

To reduce the cost of governance, Governor Emmanuel decided to auction the Akwa Ibom aircraft used by his predecessor.

Change comes slowly on the Plateau

BY MARIE-THERESE NANLONG

J

OS - Since the advent of the new administration, the expected change in Plateau State is coming slowly.

Governor Simon Lalong is yet to appoint his commissioners though he is trying to correct some of the perceived mistakes of the past by working towards getting accreditation for courses in the State-owned University whose two sets of students are yet to graduate from the institution.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sheni who was sacked by the Jonah Jang administration was reinstated by Governor Lalong and efforts are being made to ensure the institution’s records are tidied so that the graduating students can go for the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC. A major reason for the slow pace of activities in the state is poor state of the economy. Governor Lalong keeps complaining that his predecessor handed over to him an empty treasury as well as a huge debt profile.

Shortly after resuming office, the Governor set a committee headed by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden to examine the hand over notes, the committee had submitted its report which indicted former Governor Jonah Jang.

Apart from the probe of the

•Gov Lalong activities of the last administration, the sack of elected local council chairmen and putting in place Transition Committee Chairmen in the 17 local councils, certain changes are gradually taking place.

The salary owed civil servants since November, 2014 has been paid up to March, 2015.

Major roads in Jos township are receiving face-lift as potholes are being patched and drainages dug to give motorists relief from the bad roads and unnecessary gridlocks.

However, the rising wave of insecurity which the Governor promised to tackle still persists especially in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local councils.

Despite the imposition of curfew twice in the last two months and committees set up to look into the problems of security, there has been no reprieve yet from isolated attacks, ambushes and killings in the hinterlands.

Meanwhile, the relationship between the Executive and Legislature arms of government has remained cordial. Unlike what happened in the last two months of the last administration when the 7th Assembly threatened to impeach Jang, the current Assembly seems to have a good relationship with the Governor despite the fact that 13 of the 24 members are from the opposing Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The 8th Assembly so far has supported the Governor as can be seen in the passage of the 2015 appropriation bill presented by the last administration and the approval of the dissolution of the elected council chairmen.

The cordiality may not be unconnected with the fact that the Executive has made available the required number of vehicles for the Speaker who has seven vehicles in his convoy, the Deputy Speaker has six vehicles and each member has a vehicle. However, there are some outstanding salaries owed the members. It is hoped that the friendship will not go sour as a result of funds.

Meanwhile, the relationship between the executive and legislature arms of government has remained cordial

PAGE 40 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Delta: Okowa begins with rule of law, dynamism

BY FESTUS AHON

G

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa does not want to be caught on the wrong foot in his efforts to address the needs of the people of Delta State Few weeks after he assumed office, he sent a bill to the State House of Assembly to restructure the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. The bill, which generated a lot controversies among stakeholders in the state, according to the governor, was to make the running of commission cost effective and enhance its effectiveness in addressing the needs of the oil bearing communities.

With the bill passed into law and assented to, the chairmanship of DESOPADEC is now on part time basis. There is Managing Director and four Executive Directors, who are now saddled with the day-to-day running of the commission. There are eight board members representing oil bearing communities also on part time basis unlike in the past where the board chairman, secretary and members of the commission were on full time thereby increasing the financial burden of the board.

As part of his effort to reduce the cost of governance, Governor Okowa

•Gov Okowa has reduced the State Executive Council members to 20. He has initiated job and wealth creation scheme for the youth to make them self sufficient and employers of labour.

In the first lap of the scheme, has drawn 1,345 youth from the 25 local councils for training under the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme, YAGEP and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme, STEP. The State Government in a statement signed by its Chief Job Creation Officer Prof. Eric Eboh, said: “The overall strategy of the job creation scheme is to equip unemployed youth with the technical know-how, vocational

skills, values and resources to become self-employed and employers of labour.”

Depending on the enterprise, the duration of the training is between three and six months. A monitoring and mentoring mechanism has been incorporated into the scheme to track performance of participants and provide them counselling when necessary.

In bringing dynamism into his government and making it more people oriented, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa within one week of inauguration, sent a bill he christened ‘Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency’ to the State Legislature.

The bill which has since been passed into law is to guarantee sustainable and quality development of the Asaba capital city. To make the dream of the agency come true, a technocrat and politician, Chief Clement Ofuani was appointed as its director-general.

In the last 100 days, Okowa has brought some cohesion among the political class, especially those of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stock. So far, he has been building and improving on the legacies left behind by the administration of Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and Chief James Ibori. Apart from the seeming political crisis in Uvwie Local Council, there has been relative political stability and security of lives and property in the state.

Apart from the seeming political crisis in Uvwie Local Council, there has been relative political stability and security of lives and property in the state

Crime: Amnesty programme bears first fruit in Benue

BY PETER DURU

B

EFORE his inauguration, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State made it clear that his first 100 days would be dedicated to reconciling the Benue family, which had been plagued by deep-rooted animosity among leaders of the state and political foes on account of the last general elections.

He also reiterated this on May 29 while taking over as governor, promising to pursue peace and reconciliation of all feuding parties.

He also promised to clear all outstanding salaries of workers, which his predecessor had accumulated for over five months and to hit the ground running with his developmental agenda.

Three months after, the people might need to wait a little longer because the administration has persistently lamented its financial predicament owing to the debt profile of the state.

This may have accounted for the lull in the execution of development projects by his administration in the last three months.

Backlog of unpaid salaries left behind by the immediate past administration are yet to receive attention as civil servants continue to groan under the hardship inflicted on them by the months of unpaid remuneration.

That not withstanding, the government has been able to pay some workers’ salaries since it took over after collecting a loan of N10 billion and over N6 billion from the federation account.

The general opinion among residents is that the Ortom government is too slow and too concerned with the supposed maladministration of past regime than concentrating on getting the job done.

The Governor only recently claimed that he inherited over N160 billion debt from the past administration, though former Governor Gabriel Suswam countered that he left about N9billion

•Gov Ortom debt. The inconsistency on the issue must have spurred the Ortom administration to institute a probe panel to investigate all the financial dealings of the last administration.

It must also be noted that the last three months has witnessed increased rate of criminality which culminated in the killing of Chief Atoza Ihindan in Katsina/Ala, a septuagenarian and acclaimed political godfather o f Gabriel Suswam.

He was killed by yet to be identified gunmen who have persistently raided parts of Benue North East senatorial district on motorbikes killing people.

Makurdi, the state capital has also had its share of the increasing crime wave with young men on motorbikes robbing unsuspecting residents of their mobile phones and valuables in the streets.

The immediate past administration was able to stem such in the last eight years but the sudden surge in criminal activities in the state posses a major challenge to the government.

Perhaps, a major achievement of the administration is the introduction of an amnesty programme which entailed that those in possession of illegal arms in the state surrendered them for financial benefits and possible rehabilitation.

So far, the programme which is expected to end in two weeks has recorded some level of success especially with the government’s ability to cajole the elusive militia leader, Terwase Agwaza, popularly known as Gana, to surrender his arms to the government.

Hitherto, Agwaza had been a dreaded personality who had been accused of running an organised outfit that was alleged to be responsible for heinous crimes in the Benue North East senatorial district.

That the Ortom led administration got Agwaza to appear in public for the very first time to surrender over 84 diverse calibre of weapons is an achievement that deserves commendation.

Special Adviser on Media and ICT to the governor, Tahav Agerzua said: “This is not the usual 100 days given the financial situation in the state and the country. Be that as it may, the surrender of arms by a known militia leader, Terwase Agwaza is a major achievement of this administration.

“We also have to our credit the reopening of the Benue State University, BSU, after months of strike by unions in the institution owing to unpaid entitlements, which this government inherited from the last administration but was able to address.

“Moreso, the resolution of the issues at the BSU teaching hospital, which paved the way for the visit of Dental Medical Council for the accreditation of courses at the institution is a major high point for the administration.

“Today Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government receive their over head which was stopped by the previous administration.

“It is also pertinent to note that the government has has released over N200million to ensure that the School of Nursing and Midwifery gets accredited. In the same vein the College of Agriculture Yandev and the Agric Centre at Mbatie are being given facelift.’’

Three months after, the people might need to wait a little longer because the administration has persistently lamented its financial predicament

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 41

Ghost workers exorcised in Abia

BY ANAYO OKOLI

U

MUAHIA—IN spite of paucity of funds, Abians have cause to celebrate 100 days of the Dr Okezie Ikpeazu Administration.

One of the good things that have changed in the last 100 days of the Ikpeazu Administration is the weeding of the ghost workers through a verification exercise. The government said that N160 million has so far been saved from weeding of ghost workers. How much to be saved from the on-going verification of pensioners is yet to be known. But to completely eliminate the ghost workers syndrome, Governor Ikpeazu must have the political will to name and shame the syndicates, who the government alleged to include highly placed political leaders and stakeholders in the state.

The government came in and got bugged down by paucity of funds, which hit many of the states, resulting in inability of the government to pay workers’ salaries.

Till date it is struggling to meet up

•Dr Ikpeazu with its primary obligation of paying workers, a problem that was complicated by huge number of ghost workers.

It is hoped that the N30 billion bail-out fund, which the state is expecting to draw from the Federal Government would go a long way to help the Ikpeazu administration offset the backlog of obligations and find its development direction which

from all indication is still absent.

However, in spite of the cog created by lack of money, the Government has embarked on the construction/ rehabilitation of about 30 roads scattered across the state’s three senatorial zones. Most of the roads are in Aba, the commercial city that has suffered age-long neglect.

Indeed, a few of the roads have been tarred, ready for commissioning to mark the 100 days in office. It was said that most of the contractors were those who elected to help assist Governor Ikpeazu in the development of the state and so are yet to be paid.

Generally, government activities have been very dull, a situation aides of the governor attributed to the paucity of funds.

Another thing that could be said to have changed in the last 100 days is sanity in the manner the governor moves around. Not only has Governor Ikpeazu reduced the number of aides that move around with the governor, he has also stopped the presence of hangers-on and praise singers which was in vogue in previous administrations.

Days ahead would determine if this change has come to stay.

Days ahead would determine if this change has come to stay

Umahi begins with unity govt in Ebonyi

BY PETER OKUTU

A

BAKALIKI-THE Administration of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, in the last 100 days has pursued policies that will ensure unity and harmony of the various zones and stakeholders of the state.

When the government came on board, the economic situation facing the state was laid bare before the people and stakeholders at town hall meetings, so that every one could be carried along in the provision of democracy dividends at all levels of governance.

Umahi began by carrying out a critical analysis of all the contracts awarded by the last administration with a view of ensuring completion of the projects.

Through appointments Governor Umahi made efforts to tackle the issue of marginalization and equity.

His appointment of Professor Ben Odo of the All Progressives Grand

Alliance, APGA as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, elicited a lot of commendations from different quarters in the state.

To give a face-lift to the state capital in terms of development, the Governor awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of 10 urban roads which are on-going. The roads include Nkaliki, Gunning and Meat Market among others.

Also, the state government also awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of existing street lights in the state as some sections have been completed.

The government also commenced the overhaul of the Ministries, Department and Agencies with the aim of making them vibrant, economically viable and productive, especially as it concerns raising the Internally Generated Revenue of the state above what it was during the last administration.

The environment in Abakaliki, the

state capital is now wearing a new look following ongoing massive tree planting, demarcation of roads and the markets. The state Ministry of Environment has embarked on intense monitoring and supervision of major roads and streets against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and disorderly packing of vehicles.

In a chat with newsmen, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Dr. Emmanuel Onwe, expressed the determination of the administration to give a facelift to the state and provide democracy dividends to the people.

On fight against corruption, the state government also stressed its commitment to continue to dialogue with those recently indicted by the State House of Assembly over alleged embezzlement of over N1.3 billion naira belonging to the local councils in the state.

So far, the relationship between the legislature and the executive arms of government has been cordial.

Its sacrifice amid debt burden in Kano

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD

T

HE euphoria that greeted Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje ascension to power on May 29, 2015 was perhaps informed by the fact he was part and parcel of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s success story in Kano, and the yearning by citizen to witness the re-enactment of that laudable era under his leadership.

Under the former Governor Kwankwaso, who is now a senator, Kano and its environs were a huge construction site that earned him the sobriquet ‘architect of modern Kano.’ From road constructions, fly overs, underpass, expansion of educational institution, and human capital development, the citizens could not settle for less under Ganduje.

Ostensibly, Ganduje who was buoyed by this popular expectation did not only promise to complete over 3000 abandoned projects by his predecessor, he also solemnly declared that his administration was an offshoot of Kwankwaso’s administration that also left behind a huge debt profile.

Interestingly, Ganduje outlined three major projects he intended to kick-start his

administration with in line with the yearning and aspiration of the citizens.

These include the Independent Power Project (IPP), which was anticipated to generate 5 mega watt for local consumption and sale to Electricity Distribution Agency; the Wuju Wuju road, constructed on across Jakara river to ease transportation between the old city and its environs; and the strategic 2.5 kilometer Sabon Gari flyover bridge to ease congestion at the city centre.

Like a bolt from the sky, Ganduje was jolted by the enormous debt profile left by his former boss that was further compounded by drop in the price of crude oil in the international market and the attendant drop in federal allocation that forced many states including Kano to the fringe of collapse. It was under these circumstances that Ganduje was compelled to re strategize to meet emerging challenges of governance. Expectedly, Dr Ganduje reduced the ministries from 19 to 14, reduced the running cost of ministries and parastatals, and by fiat cut down his salary, those of his deputy and all political appointees by 50 percent to set in a regime of fiscal discipline. Of course Ganduje’s

sacrifice attracted applauses from the citizenry who commended him for leading by example.

However, as days run into weeks and months, tongues have started wagging over the policy direction of Ganduje’s administration as regards the bench mark the governor set for himself within the first 100 days.

Periscoping Governor Ganduje’s 100 days in office, a Kano based human rights activist, Comrade Saidu Bello declared that Kano has been scammed by the ‘change agents who rode to the crest of power through a popular mantra but lost out when it mattered most’. The outspoken social critics said that 100 days of Ganduje in office “tantamount to a motion without movement, no clear cut agenda to sustain or consolidate what it is on ground and Ganduje appears to be struggling to remove the yoke of being a deputy and the man now in charge”. Comrade Saidu Bello therefore cautioned Ganduje to roll out his development plan and as well demonstrate ‘dexterity, unalloyed commitment in handling state matters and confidence that he can handle the job.’

Umahi began by carrying out a critical analysis of all the contracts awarded by the last administration with a view to ensuring completion of the projects

However, as days run into weeks and months, tongues have started wagging over the policy direction of Ganduje’s administration

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Jigawa: Austere measures, prudence take centre stage

BY ALIYU DANGIDA

A

lhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Badaru is the fourth civilian governor of Jigawa State christened the New World.

A successful international business tycoon, transporter-cum-oil magnet even before he ventured into active politics, Badaru won the 2015 polls on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), beating a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) team led by immediate past two-time governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.

Jigawa citizens received Badaru with high expectations. They expect him to take governance of the state to greater heights on account of the giant strides of Lamido, who transformed Dutse, the state capital, then derided as Local Council headquarters, to a befitting state capital.

The people expected much from Badaru, who they considered as simple, easy going and humble. To those who expected him to be a father Christmas, it is no longer business as usual due to paucity of funds.

Governor Badaru said he inherited a N117 billion debt as against the N13.7 billion announced by the former administration.

To navigate the financial bottleneck, Badaru embarked on ministerial briefing with permanent secretaries and other directors to know the financial situation of the state.

Thereafter, he slashed the monthly overhead cost of MDAs by 50 per

•Governor Badaru cent and equally reduced number of ministries from 17 to 13 and government agencies from 108 to 88.

The move has generated heated debates and side talks among the state workers, who described it as improper.

Indeed, Jigawa civil servants now refer the governor as ‘Baba Mai Calculator’, the opposition call him ‘Baba Mai Awaki and the masses called him ‘Baba Mai Gemu’ (bearded old man).

His 100 days was characterized by series of criticism from the opposition especially his policy of distributing goats to widows.

His recent appointment of special assistants and submission of list of commissioners to state House of Assembly for screening are also creating ripples. Some claimed that most of the special assistants are incompetent majority of the nominees for commissioners are from the former Governor Saminu Turaki’s camp.

This according to political pundits is an indication there is interference in Badaru’s government by some chieftains, describing the regime as ‘Saminu goes, Saminu comes’.

The governor’s supporters said Badaru is not being teleguided.

They said he is new in governance that after some time he will change and surprise his detractors.

In spite of the controversies, Badaru, in the last 100 days, has recorded some achievements. They include conversation of some cottage hospitals to general hospitals, some general hospitals to specialist hospitals, establishment of school nursing at Hadejia, rehabilitation of over 200 dilapidated boreholes in Kiyawa and Dutse, restoring electricity supply to Ringim town, which had been abandoned for eights years.

He has also commenced flood control in Hadejia and environs, recruitment of 450 teachers, payment of leave grant to state workers and screening of government employees to fish out ghost workers.

Bello M. Zaki, the special assistant on Media and Publicity to the Jigawa state governor, said the government is focussed on human development contrary to the former administration that embarked on massive construction of infrastructure while people were living in abject poverty.

He sad that the government, in the last 100 days, has touched the lives of Jigawa people positively in the areas of health care, education, water supply, electricity, youth empowerment and poverty reduction.

Indeed, Jigawa civil servants now refer to the governor as ‘Baba Mai Calculator’, the opposition call him ‘Baba Mai Awaki’, and the masses called him ‘Baba Mai Gemu’ (bearded old man)

Bauchi: No pain, no gain

BY SUZAN EDEH

T

HE emergence of Mohammed Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Bauchi State did not come as a surprise as the people aspired for change after 16 years of lack-lustre governance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

With 100 days down the line, the state has undergone a massive political restructuring that has driven home a message of no pain, no gain. Thus, political office holders are now adjusting under the new policies and style of leadership of Governor Abubakar.

One notable aspect that changed in the government of Bauchi State since Abubakar came on board is the war against corruption, which is in tandem with the mandate of the APC government at the centre.

During his swearing in ceremony at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium, on May 29, 2015, the governor declared that it was not going to be business as usual for corrupt office holders and is going ahead to ensure that.

Lamenting how he inherited an empty treasury from the previous administration and vowing to effect a change, which he noted would not be done overnight, he said: “For us to be able to correct this ugly situation, it will take a lot of time. Therefore, it is not going to be magical. I am urging the good people of Bauchi State to understand. I am not saying we are shying away from the challenge before us. I am assuring that we are equal to the task and we will do everything to bring the state out of the financial

•Gov Yuguda quagmire” He further took the war against graft to the doorsteps of political officers in the previous administration by establishing a recovery committee saddled with the responsibility of recovering all looted government properties and funds.

The committee under the chairmanship of Air Commodore Ahmed Tijani (retd), has recovered millions of naira, lands and other looted properties. So far, the committee has recovered over 70 vehicles, N600 million worth of generators and a number of air conditioners from the officials of the immediate past administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda.

Another issue is the recent appointments of the state government, which some political analysts have criticized, alleging that they are one sided in favour ofgodfathers who ensured the governor’s victory. It was even alleged in some quarters that some powerful PDP chieftains who contributed to his victory are seen in his

government. One vivid example of such appointment is the emergence of the 11th Emir of Misau in Bauchi State following the death of Alhaji Muhammadu Manga I. The appointment created a crisis in Misau local council as irate youths set ablaze four cars and vandalised some properties in the palace.

Governor Abubakar approved the appointment of Alhaji Ahmed Sulaiman, who was the Secretary to the State Government, as the 11th Emir of Misau. The appointment was alleged to be against the wishes of some people, who preferred the biological son of the late Emir, Aliyu Tella Manga.

Ten candidates, including the SSG, contested the seat but the king makers shortl isted three and submitted the list to the governor so that he could pick one as the new Emir. Those nominated by the king makers were Ahmadu Ahmadu, Aliyu Tella Manga and Suleiman Manga.

Apart from being one-sided, the government trimmed down the number of political appointments to cut the cost of governance.

The issue of the payment of workers salary which has continued to generate controversies in the country is gradually being laid to rest in Bauchi as the new government had set machineries in motion to ensure prompt payment of workers salary.

Governor Abubakar assured civil servants that payment of their salaries is among his top priorities despite poor financial base of the state. He said that the state government had to make sacrifices to settle the three months outstanding salaries of workers in order to improve effective service delivery.

The appointment created a crisis in Misau local council as irate youths set ablaze four cars and vandalised some properties in the palace

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 43

It’s been shock, surprises for Imo people

BY CHIDI NKWOPARA

I

T has been shock and surprises for Imo people since President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in the past 100 days.

Most respondents, who reacted to the developments within the past 100 days of the Buhari administration, were of the view that “the President has been implementing a carefully planned programme of exclusion of the South East geo-political zone”.

They were shocked that President Buhari did not appoint an Igbo man as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

“Before the current announcement of Buhari’s appointees, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Senator Chris Ngige were widely tipped for the post. The speculation went haywire when the post was said to have been zoned to the South East”, Sir Murphy Emeto said.

Continuing, Sir Emeto said that seeing things now on the ground so far, the Igbo have no place in this administration because he said that he would compensate the political zone that gave him 97 per cent instead of those that gave him a paltry five percent.

While agreeing that it is the prerogative of the President to appoint members of his kitchen cabinet, Emeto said he should realize that Nigeria is one country and should remain one.

For an Owerri based legal practitioner, Chief Uche Ohia, President Buhari has confounded and proved political bookmakers, including his apologists wrong, in his choice of individuals to work in

•Gov Okorocha various critical positions.

According to Chief Ohia, “the appointments seem deliberately skewed to exclude the South East zone and Ndigbo”.

One other sore issue that has pained Imo people is the planned downgrading of Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri, to its former status of a College of Education.

“We expected President Buhari to find ways of implementing the lofty policy of the upgrade of the institution to the status of a University. Downgrading the institution is another direct way of mortgaging educational development of the South East”, Lolo Nkechi Aladu fumed.

Some civil servants, who, however, spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, lamented that President Buhari has busied himself trying to

demonize his predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his former aides, while workers and pensioners continue to wallow in poverty, disease and avoidable death.

“Virtually all the projects started by Dr. Jonathan have been stalled since President Buhari came on board.

The roads are getting worse everyday. The earlier the President realizes that he is not a saint the better for Nigeria and its citizens,” a civil servant cautioned.

A loyalist of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who pleaded anonymity, expressed regret that sycophants were gradually taking over the Aso Rock, stressing that except the needful were done, and quickly too, the country may sadly find her way to another round of retrogression.

A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State, Dr. Kelechi Okpalaeke, who recently decamped from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to APC, had this to say in reply to Vanguard’s inquiry: “Are Igbo winning in this dispensation? My brother the answer to this your question lies in the yardstick that one employs in measuring winning. If the yardstick is personal appointment then the answer is no”.

While saying that personal appointments have only led to loss of internally generated revenue to the states of Igboland, Dr. Okpalaeke, however, pleaded that “ we have to wait until the President forms his government before we can really evaluate and make an intelligent conclusion as to the question you posed”.

They were shocked that President Buhari did not appoint an Igbo man as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Oyo: It’s governance at standstill

BY OLA AJAYI

I

n Oyo State, governance seems to be at a standstill since Governor Abiola Ajimobi was re-elected and sworn-in on May 29, 2015. Apart from some giant developmental strides that the administration had taken in its first tenure, nothing seems to be working now.

When one compares the first 100 days of Ajimobi on assumption of office on May 2011 and the second 100 days, it is hard to believe that it is the same governor, who is still in the saddle of the Pacesetter State. It appears the honey moon is over.

Immediately after the election, the governor was away for close to a month and this paralysed all activities in the state and since he came back, things are no longer the way they were probably due to the financial crisis the state is still struggling to wriggle out from, noncomposition of the state cabinet and the uncertainty surrounding the governor ’s election, which is being challenged at the tribunal.

The state seems to be in retrogression in certain areas. For instance, final year students in public secondary schools, who had been enjoying payment of their West African Examination Council fees by the government will now pay for the exams. This was announced by the State Head of Service, Mr. Soji Eniade.

Not only that, tuition fees of N3,000 per session has been introduced by Governor Ajimobi though he said it would be a temporary step, no one knows how long this will last.

Also, the state of major roads in Ibadan metropolis has almost erased those lofty promises by the governor on his urban renewal programmes. They are in terrible state now. Some of these roads are Akobo-Asi, Eleyele-

•Gov Ajimobi

Ologuneru-Eruwa, Eleyele-Sango road, Iyana Church on Monatan road and many others.

Despite the bailout by the Federal Government, thousands of workers in the state are yet to smile due to unpaid backlog of salaries and allowances. The free transportation scheme that the workers were enjoying has also been withdrawn.

The unpaid salaries also affected the 32-member Oyo State House of Assembly whose members complained bitterly that nothing was done about their allowances.

Though the leadership of the legislative arm is showing understanding, other lawmakers felt the issue was too cold for comfort as they issued a deadline to the Speaker of the House, Michael Adeyemo to reach out to Governor Ajimobi and resolve the issue.

They complained: “We understand there has been a drop in the revenue, which is why civil servants in the state are being owed salary arrears. We have not been paid our salaries since we were sworn in. We know the situation affects almost all the 36 states, but lawmakers from other states have got relief packages to cushion the effect. But nothing is forthcoming for us here in

Oyo state. We have been sources of succour to many of the civil servants who flood our houses to get food and money. Unfortunately, we too are exhausted now and the whole situation is so bad,” said one of the lawmakers.

As of penultimate Thursday, there was no positive response from the governor and Vanguard gathered this prevented the lawmakers from sitting.

Despite the financial crisis in the state, the lawmakers have been able to pass some bills into law after thorough examination and unanimous acceptance by members.

The two bills are the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Bill 2015 and Ministry of Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development Bill 2015.

The chairmen of the committees, Mr. Fatai Adesina, an Accord member, from Ibadan South-East Constituency I and Peter Oyetunji from Labour Party representing Ogo-Oluwa/ Surulere Constituency presented the reports of their various committees before it was passed.

They both said that the respective bills passed into law would enable the governor, Abiola Ajimobi of the state to carry out his planned reduction of the number of ministries from 23 to 13.

Earlier, the House had passed its first bill, Revenue Administration Bill 2015 into law, with five others on final reading. The Revenue Administration Bill 2015 was passed into law after a motion moved by Mr. Saheed Badmus, APC, representing Akinyele II and was seconded by Mr. Gbenga Oyekola, LP, from Atiba State constituency.

The state is becoming dirtier as a result of the withdrawal of services from contractors handling refuse disposal.

Most roads are littered with heaps of refuse.

The unpaid salaries also affected the 32-member Oyo State House of Assembly whose members complained bitterly that nothing was done about their allowances

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Tracking Buhari’s take-off continued although in the last three weeks it has reduced compared to the previous five, six weeks. I don’t think anyone can doubt that he sees this as a priority and that he is taking the measures he is taking are informed by a real understanding of the issues at stake..

I add that the three months time_line to defeat Boko Haram is purposeful leadership and commendable but it will take longer. I’m not a military strategist, he is the one, and as an outsider, a nonmilitary strategist, I know that it is purposeful. You are putting your service chiefs on the line and of course they cannot say no since you are the commander in chief.

By Adekunle Adekoya, General Editor

L

ADIPO Adamolekun is an academic of renown, being a Nigeria National Merit Award Winner. A professor of Public Administration who taught at the Obafemi Awolowo University and worked at the World Bank, Adamolekun now prefers to style himself an “independent scholar.” He is more famous recently for Iju Quarterly Public Affairs Forum, which he convened and hosted at his home in sleepy Iju, north of Akure, the Ondo State capital. In the conversation below, Adamolekun scores President Muhammadu Buhari on security, economy, and what is perhaps the nation’s most daunting challenge, corruption. His scorecard is presented separately while the conversation below is on the scorecard itself.

Excerpts: The Buhari effect Buhari has completed 100 days in the office and the highlight of his change agenda is a sharp focus on the three core problems of the Nigerian state and society — assuring life and property for all Nigerians as well as assuring the territorial integrity of the country; two, revamping the economy with particular attention to job creation and poverty reduction, and three, combating corruption that threatens to kill Nigeria. I said, just as morning assures the day, what does Buhari’s 100 days (morning) portend, and what are we to expect from his four years(day)? Leadership matters. Already some people are talking of the Buhari factor, Buhari effect, fear of Buhari. The same ICPC, EFCC, that did nothing or were practically doing nothing and were arguing over whether corruption was stealing, on their own, simply because there is a new government, have suddenly swung into action. You can call it body language if you like. There was this article in one of the papers, in which the writer said his generator has gone silent. The truth of the matter is that the time is too short for the change to be just like that, but there is something you can attribute to what I call the Buhari effect. Take the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission coming out to say that no law maker will earn more than one million Naira.

What tangibles can we point out as direct result of this change agenda?

That’s where we are going. On security, I scored him B. Why? He has demonstrated real understanding of the issues relating to securing the country, assuring the security of property, life and Nigerian territorial integrity and clarity of what needs to be done. Because when you look at somebody who took power and relocated the command centre to Maiduguri, that’s what I mean by real understanding. You can’t be fighting and your command centre is in Abuja when the challenge is in the north east. That’s one of the immediate steps he took.

It is a huge improvement and in fact the army chiefs are leading the fight including the Chief of Army Staff. In addition, you have now the mobilization of support which is called the multinational joint force.

Now to see the result on the ground is too early even though he has given them three months but in terms of understanding, in terms of steps being taken, the setting up of

LADIPO Adamolekun

•Prof. Ladipo Adamolekun the multinational joint force is a positive step, and international friends who say that they want to support though they promised the former president, nothing really came out of it. The killings has

But, often, the ability of well-meaning chief executives of states to succeed is seriously degraded by centrifugal forces, especially in a country like ours....

Not at all. There are elements in our federal system that we have gotten wrong which we are not doing anything about. For instance, I am a strong believer in state police. State police is essential because state police will employ people who are familiar with the area which is what we in essence call community policing.

The community policing which is happening in Continues on page 45

Buhari Change Agenda Scorecard

BY LADIPO ADAMOLEKUN

T

HE following incisive observation (or better still, warning) by Nicolo Machiavelli of the Renaissance era on leading change is an apposite preamble to this preliminary scorecard of Buhari’s change agenda after his first 100 days. … there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new.

President Muhammadu Buhari has completed his first 100 days in office. The highlight of his change

agenda is the sharp focus on three core problems of the Nigerian state and society that he and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) campaigned to tackle during the 2015 election cycle: (i) assuring security of life and property for all Nigerians as well as assuring the territorial integrity of the country; (ii) (ii) revamping the economy with particular attention to job creation and poverty reduction; and (iii) (iii) combating corruption that threatens to kill Nigeria.

Just as morning shows the day, what does Buhari’s 100-day milestone tell Nigerians to expect from his 4-year “day” mandate?

Remarks

Three Core Problem Areas

100-Day Milestone Score

Security

B+

Real understanding of the issues and clarity of what needs to be done; merit-based appointment of service chiefs is laudable; mobilisation of support of neighbours (the Multi-national Joint Force) and international friends makes sense; directive on local production of arms – Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Three-month timeline to defeat Boko Haram is purposeful leadership and is commendable but it’ll surely take longer.

BH is reported to have pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda and ISIS. Multi-billion naira rehabilitation plan for NE is a good idea: I would advocate a three-pronged strategy: rehabilitation of IDPs; rapid educational development; and economic empowerment.

And there must be serious attention to implementation. PMB has made a good beginning.

Economy

D

Main thrust of the economic policy in APC manifesto is revamping the economy with particular attention to job creation and poverty reduction. Two worrisome indicators: Foreign exchange rate has fallen to 1 = N220; and growth rate of 2.35% during the second quarter of 2015, compared to average of 5% between 2001 and 2014; first quarter of 2015 growth rate was 3.94% - a drop of 40%. Furthermore, media reports on the on-going briefings provided to PMB by MDAs suggest there could some significant modifications by the time ministers are appointed in September.

Mixed record: transparency and effectiveness in public financial management through Treasury Single Account (TSA), promising actions regarding oil sector reform, and directive to scale up domestic manufacturing are in the right direction but re-creating a national airline is not economically sound: like Nigeria Airways, Air Afrique (for all Francophone Africa), Ghana Airways, Air Gabon, and Cameroon Airlines have all failed and Kenya Airlines is in decline. Ethiopian Airlines is largely commercialised.

Corruption

B

PMB’s unquestioned and unquestionable personal integrity makes him a credible leader of the anti-corruption war. Recent awakening of EFCC and ICPC is suspect. Their ineffectiveness under former President Jonathan is strong evidence for overhauling both the leadership and structure cum functioning of the two anti-corruption agencies. A major step taken is:Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) against Corruption (chairman, Prof Itse Sagay). $5 million multi-donor Anti-Corruption and Criminal Justice Reform Fund (Ford, MacArhur and Open Society). Treasury Single Account is also an anti-corruption tool.

Continues on page 45

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 45

Tracking Buhari’s take-off Continued from page 44

Abuja is nonsensical because you can’t from Abuja do community policing, it can only be done in Ondo State from Akure, in Ekiti State from Ado-Ekiti, in Ogun State from Abeokuta. You get the whole point; the misuse of local government police or whatever they were talking about, regional police should not lead us to avoiding a reality like the example you have given – all the kidnapping and the armed robbery in the different states should be the business of the governors. But the governors don’t have any control over the police.

If we had state police, do you think that Buhari would have been able to win the election almost as easily as he did?

There were 26 states under the PDP then, and they might have used their police forces in the respective states against him and his party.

I think you are making a fundamental mistake. The INEC is a federal institution and it will address federal police, not state police. They can only use state police when they are doing their local election. I am saying for election, politicking, electioneering.

This is hypothetical because the issue we faced in the Buhari 2015 election cycle was that there was public support for him. Why do you think he won in Ondo? I was surprised he won in Ondo State. What I am saying is that the last phenomenon we witnessed, we don’t know whether we will see it again in 2015, or more years to come. I have given you Ondo state as a state of surprise.

I am sure that there are one or two others. I will tell you that the extent of the support he has in the north central was a surprise because there are one or two states that he didn’t win in 2011. So hypothetically, I still maintain that in a federal system, you must include state police. And for you to meaningfully talk about community policing, it cannot be done from Abuja.

Let’s get back on track. There is palpable apprehension that the delay in forming a cabinet is

buffeting the economy; the indicators are stirring anxiety....

As I told you, I am talking as an analyst from the outside, I am not an insider in the APC. One thing the public was informed about was that the transition was almost like a surprise leading to a situation in which his own transition committee did not receive anything until few days to the inauguration. Part of the explanation is the nature of the transition, it doesn’t explain it all, part of the explanation will also have to do with his own character which I won’t be analyzing which is that maybe he wants to have a real understanding of what is on the ground for instance with regard to what we have just seen. I have just summarized my scoring for you; B+ in an area of relative understanding and background as well as corruption where he had already said a lot and we knew he was already familiar with that but on economy, I score him D. The D will agree with your point on delay and all of that. My point is that the nature of the transition is part of the explanation, the other part of the explanation is Buhari’s own personality. A few weeks ago he went to America. I can tell you I did not like the idea that it was in Washington that he announced that certain things won’t be done before September. I would have liked a situation where since he took over he would have addressed the nation but I hope before the end of September he would have addressed the nation by that time he should have all these things in place including his ministers as he has promised because I think both the transitional committee chairman and himself have given that as the reason for the slowness. Yeah, nobody can deny slowness whether you call it delay that is a different thing.

Now, the economy.

The APC has a clear statement on what the party would do regarding the economy if it were to become the ruling party. It said it will revamp the economy with particular attention to job creation and poverty reduction.

Now if you look at it today, you can’t see much revamping or job creation taking place. So, D is a fair grade, you

Buhari Change Agenda Scorecard Continued from page 44 Economy State matters in economic management but besides its lead role in economic policy-making, the state’s role in commercial-oriented economic activities should be essentially as an enabler and a regulator. Weak regulatory capability is the most critical factor that has limited the gains from privatisations, including the fairly successful telecommunication sub-sector.

Corruption We shall strongly battle another form of evil that is even worse than terrorism – the evil of corruption. Corruption attacks and seeks to destroy our National institutions and character… corruption will not be tolerated by this administration; and it shall no longer be allowed to stand as if it is a respected monument in this nation Muhammadu Buhari’s Acceptance Speech, March 31st 2015 As the examples of countries that have succeeded in significantly reducing corruption in developing countries across the continents demonstrate (for example, Botswana in Africa and Singapore in Asia), having a president with unquestioned integrity as the anti-corruption champion is a necessary condition. Yes,

it is not a sufficient condition, but without it almost all anti-corruption efforts tend to have only limited impact on reducing corruption, at best; and at worst, anti-corruption efforts end up as mere sloganeering or tools for harassing and punishing political opponents, or a combination of these negative outcomes.

Section 15 (5) of the 1999 Constitution: “The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”.

A related anti-corruption provision in the Constitution that Buhari should enforce is the “Prohibition of foreign accounts” (Fifth Schedule, Code of Conduct for Public Officers): “The President, VicePresident, Governor, Deputy Governor, Ministers of the Government of the Federation and Commissioners of the Governments of States, members of the National Assembly and of the Houses of Assembly of the States, and such other public officers or persons as the National Assembly may by law prescribe shall not maintain or operate a bank account in any country outside Nigeria”. To ensure effective enforcement, any of the officers who has an existing account should be required to freeze it for the period of his/her service with public declaration of the amount in the account at the time of assumption of office.

might even want to put E or even F but I cite two poor indicators. Foreign exchange rate has fallen from $1_N220. You can say that the fall was already there before he came and the continuous fall of all revenues is a major explanatory factor, but it is still the fact that the foreign exchange has fallen. Secondly, latest report from Nigeria Bureau of Statistics says growth rate in Nigeria was 2.35 during the second quarter of 2015, compared to an average of 5% between 2001 and 2014 spanning Obasanjo, Jonathan and Yar’Adua.

But specifically the last quarter of the Jonathan administration, the growth rate was 3.94. I wanted to say further that the briefings he has been having, which is the personalty of the man we are talking about which make sense but whether it needs to be long that’s a different issue. Those briefings suggest that there could be some modification to the content of the policy. I don’t think it will change the revamping, attention to job creation, poverty reduction that’s broad enough, but the specifics might change and I said so far, that it’s a mixed record, even the few or little things that have been done. That is explaining my D score. Transparency and effectiveness in public financial management, and that treasury single account which some states, about four or five of them, regardless of party and that’s extremely important for those of us that believe in a federal system. It’s not that the federal imposes some things on the state. If state think that its something that they can usefully buy into, they buy into it.

You cant force it in the federal system, so Ambode has bought into it, Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna and Cross River have bought into it.

What of the economic implications?

We’ll come to that.

I’m sure if you factor them, it will affect your grades further. All the public sector funds are now back to the CBN, so the commercial banks will not be able to use them; only their own funds will be available for lending on short and and medium term basis. That has pushed up the market indicators as the interbank rate for short term funds has gone up.

I’ve read about what you’ve said, and I think that the banking industry should be cleaned up if it needs to be cleaned. The treasury single account is about public money and it doesn’t mean that it is single, it can also be a set of bank accounts, it’s just that the CBN would then be able to account, because after all part of the corruption and looting we talked about is coming from this accounting issues.

Internationally, this is good practice. Treasury single account is one of the international best practices in public financial management. I note the consequences that you have summarized, though I know you are not an economist. I know we have a problem even when something is good practice, how is it implemented, how is the central bank going to do it that he does it in a way that yields to the result. Because what he’s suppose to do is to lead the banks and not simply sending people to be getting some deposits.

So it increases the role of the central bank and I will tell you that I cannot sit here and tell you that they will handle it effectively, we can only hope that if it is handled effectively, it will contribute to helping the economy in the medium term, actually because this is the immediate term, even in the short.

The APC has a clear statement on what the party would do regarding the economy if it were to become the ruling party. It said it will revamp the economy with particular attention to job creation and poverty reduction.

Now if you look at it today, you can’t see much revamping or job creation taking place

PAGE 46—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Wole Soyinka: Delectable evening with the man of letters ...As Glo launches Literature prize for undergraduates

By PRISCA SAM -DURU LITERATURE

I

t wasn’t just an Evening with Wole Soyinka. It was a delectable evening, one that assembled heavy weights in the literary and entertainment industries, the academics and other eminent Nigerians as well as Brazilians who came to celebrate with the Noble Laureate.

The occasion was indeed, an evening painted with 3Gs; glo, glitz and glamour, an activitypacked evening, held by telecommunication giant, Globacom, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, to celebrate the man of letters, Wole Soyinka. The event also featured award-winning writers- Sefi Atta, 2013 Caine Prize winner, Tope Folarin and 2009 Caine Prize for African Writing, E C Osundu; and unveiling of yet a n o t h e r literature Prize in Nigeria, “Glo Literature Prize For Undergraduate Students”.

The evening came alive with a thrilling performance of Wole Soynka’s Play, Alapata, which was performed by Bolanle AustenPeters (BAP) Productions. The Wole Soyinka Documentary followed suite. It featured interactions with the Kongi’s Harvest himself during which he shared more about his personality and interests.

Apart from literature and his being a guitarist, unknown to many, Soyinka is a hunter and finds so much fulfillment in hunting.

Speakers in the likes of Jimi Solanke, Dr Promise Ogochukwu, Mrs Francesca Emanuel, Mr Odia Ofeimun, Prof. Femi Osofisan etc, all extolled the virtues of the literary icon. He was described as a monument, maverick, legend, icon, humanity, relentless, multifaceted and on and on, they showered accolades on the noble laureate for his attitude to life through writing.

Globacom Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr. (GCON), in his goodwill message, described Prof Soyinka as an uncommon patriota, a man of many parts and intrepid spirit, an intellectual deity, sedulous writer and a raconteur par excellence whose works have for decades, remained study materials the world over.

The evening also featured Guest writers’ perspective on the celebrator during which he fielded questions from the three award winning writers, on issues revolving around literature in Africa. Prof Soyinka used the opportunity to decry the level of deterioration of the education sector, saying that “The entire world of education in the country is in trouble. There is nothing worse than churning out illiteracy.

A state of emergency must be declared on education and there should be a national conference on education.”

Asked if he ever felt a burden of representation as a writer, Soyinka stated that “I don’t have ambassadorial temperament when I write. I accept my own responsibility; I carry my own burden myself. Writing directed at

• Prof Wole Soyinka(R) responding to questions by the three award winning writers at the event other things was just as good and compelling enough reason to write stressing that of great importance is the ability to connect reality and imagination so as to help enlarge the human horizon to its infinite

I don't have ambassadorial temperament when I write, I accept my own responsibility, I carry my own burden myself

capacities and possibilities."

Award-winning female writer, Atta also tasked him on feminism and wondered if he is a feminist.

Soyinka said “Feminism is described in so many ways. There are those who believe men should be castrated, others say a sign of true feminism is not to wear bra while others think of it as intellectual mentoring. Let’s not interfere on what adults are. I believe in humanity. I’m confused about machismo and feminism; you should be yourself!”

I’m talking about the mindless, extreme fundamentalists who think only they have the right to existence. The intolerance of the

extreme group is appalling”.

At the end of the interactive session, the trio read excerpts from their favourite books by Wole Soyinka. Tope Folarin read from “You Must Set Forth at Dawn, Sefi Atta read from AKE: Years of Childhood while E C Osondu, handled “The Man Died”.

While unveiling the Glo Literature Prize For Undergraduate Students, Mr Ebenezer Kolawole, Gloworld Coordinator said that, “Globacom has instituted the special Prize in Literature for students in Nigerian universities across the country as part of the

company’s holistic appreciation of the importance of literature in the society” adding that “The award was intended to promote the study of literature and engender keen competition in the subject in tertiary institutions in the country.

It provides added filip to the education establishment and Nigerian students, particularly in the field of literature and the creative industry.”

He hinted that Glo Literature Prize For Undergraduate Students is an annual competition open to all students of Nigerian universities, both public and private. The first edition of the award comes up in 2016. Entries will be accepted for unpublished manuscripts and must be original scripts. Winners will receive prizes in the following categories: Prose, Drama and poetry and each winner gets 1,500,000.

Professors Femi Osofisan, Akachi Ezeigbo, Umar-Buratai and Olu Obafemi make up the panel of judges while Dr Promise Ogochukwu serves as the secretary of the panel.

The Glo Boss also noted that Globacom was impressed with the accomplishments of the three writers which was the reason they were celebrated alongside the nobel laureate, describing them as good ambassadors of Nigeria who have shown great inclination for fecundity.”

Tunji Oyelana took the audience back to good old days with performances of ‘I caught you in my trap’ and Soyinka’s recorded music ‘I love my country I no go lie’. Young Footprints of David, D’Banj and Bez also entertained .

African Magic, masquerades end Badagry festival

By JAPHET ALAKAM

CULTURE

T

he 2015 Badagry festival which started on 25th August came to a dramatic end with a cultural extravaganza, spectacles, African magic and award of prizes on Saturday, the 29th of August. It was a real display of culture as the people of the ancient city of Badagry oncemore, demonstrated to the entire world their ability to preserve their rich cultural heritage despite their contact with the Europeans as all the quarters that made up the city trouped out with their different cultures to the grand finale of the week-long Badagry festival.

The event which was held at the Badagry Grammar School, Lagos, brought together many illustrious sons and daughters of the ancient town and other culture loving enthusiasts who came to be part of the day. It was fanfare as all kinds of masquerades, dancers, fire eaters demonstrated their dexterity during the colourful festival.

It was fun all through as the youths had a field day displaying raw talent, the children, women and men who were dressed in their different traditional attires were also on hand chanting and dancing. Telecommunications giant, MTN were present with their yellow colours which added

flavour to the event.

Culture which is the way of life has its way of uniting the people and that was observed during the preparation and the festival proper as it came with one message, peace as seen from the way people from both the ruling and opposition parties came together for a common course.

The day featured many activities, but the major events were the traditional parade by all the quarters that made up the city.

They filed out in alphabetical order • A cultural parade by one of the quarters and marched round the field with a fire eater who put an object into side of it and do away with those the traditional dancers who were his mouth, poured kerosine and ones that are no longer in line seen, carrying decorated calabash lit it inside his mouth and closed with present realities. For pots, local gongs, pots, example, the young man that cut his mouth. masquerades, notable among Another action that captured off the head of a fowl and drank them was the display by the famous the attention of the audience was the entire blood raw and the fire Sankweto masquerade which kept the beating of the Sato drum, eater, all these can endanger the the large crowd screaming with innitially it started with little health of the people involved, such excitement. But apart from the children who took many by can be discarded while they dancers and performers, some surprise as they were able to beat improve on the good ones. actions that touched many and Earlier in his address, the the drum which is taller than even caused women present to turn them, but the star attraction was representative of the Akran of away their eyes was when a young when one of the members of high Badagry, High Chief Onuosekan man cut off the head of a fowl and table, a chief left his seat and Gbewa 1, Jengen of Badagry put it into his mouth and leaked joined in the act, an action that praised the organisers of the event the entire blood, while another one and the people of Badagry for was applauded by many.

It was a good day, as despite keeping alive their rich culture, the financial crunch that stating that, the festival has put It was a rich display of affected the planning the Badagry on the world map as a culture as the ancient organisers AREFO were able to community that has rich cultural city of Badagry put the festival on. But one heritage.

On his part, Hon. Setonji, observation was that culture is demonstrated their good, it has a lot of benefits, but member Lagos State House of ability to preserve their there is need to inject the human Assembly, representing Badagry 2 face into it, improve on the good •Continues on Page 47 culture

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 47

Bruce Onobrakpe gbe wards Onobrakpeyya, A Agbe gbeyyegbe bag CVL a aw

By CHRIS ONUOHA AWARD

R

enowned printmaker and painter, Bruce Onobrakpeya and lawyer and playwright,Fred Agbeyegbe added more honours to their caps as they were recognised

by Center for Values in Leadership (CVL), an outfit known for leadership development, as Leaders Without Care for Title, in recognition of their landmark achievements in their various fields.

In its 25th edition of the Leaders Without Title (LWT) series that honors outstanding sector leaders of 70 years of age and above, a colloquium was held at CVL’s auditorium to celebrate these two remarkable art icons with a theme “Art as Bandage” with focus on the impact of art on the society.

Bruce Onobrakpeya (83), a renowned printmaker, painter and sculptor and Fred Agbeyegbe (80), lawyer and playwright stand out among the ranks of living legends, whose talents and efforts in this sector not only posted a great imitation of life, but have given meaning to life through their emulative contribution to Art, which has spoken the truth to power and often restrained by impunity and with Drama which also shed light on real life. The duo synonymously fit in, as a bandage for the wounds the society incurred in the quest for nation building.

This is portrayed in the need for so much healing for a nation enmeshed with corruption, impunity and injustice in the exercise of authority, terror attacks

and shedding of innocent bloods.

The panelists were Prof. Pat Utomi, founder and Chief Executive of CVL as the moderator, alongside Engr.

Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Jess Castellos, Kolade Oshinowo, Chief Nike Okundaye, Bolanle Austen-Peters and Melinda Akinlami while the audience includes some captains of industry, art lovers and young dynamic minds.

Prof. Pat Utomi in his introductory speech said, “Nothing ever captures the need of people than their works of art.

They remind you of the spirits.”

He went further to eulogize the achievements of the duo, threw the teaser on “How do we define ourselves drawing attention from these creative geniuses from years back” and how art has

Bruce Onobrakpeya and Fred Agbeyegbe stand out among the ranks of living legends, whose talents and efforts in this sector not only posted a great immitation to life, but gave meaning to life through their emulative works

• L-R: Prof B r u c e Onobrakpeya and Chief F r e d Agbeyegbe at the CVL award in Lagos

served as a healing industry.

Describing art as a major contributor to any nation’s economy, the famous art critic and author of many African art books, Jess Castellos, took the first shot saying that art stands for enjoyment and more importantly the central element for the societal development. However, he emphasized that education and capacity building is also important to harness the potentials in art sector.

Prince Yemisi Shyllon, the great art collector and founder of Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) in his terms described Art as a means of documenting the present for the future, which to him relates the present and the past. “It is a heritage, tradition, culture,

So yink a tto o Buhari, call Oyinlola tto o order Soyink yinka

By JAPHET ALAKAM ISSUES

I

n view of the raging battle between Nobel laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka and former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola for the headship of the board of the Centre for Black Culture and International Understanding (CBCIU), Osogbo, Osun State, a category II facility under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the nobel laureate Prof Soyinka has called on the President, Gen. Buhari to call Oyinlola to order.

Soyinka, who was appointed Chairman, CBCIU Board by Osun State Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in August 2012, called on the nation’s president, General Buhari, who has unusually elevated the anti-corruption struggle to the very top of his governance agenda... in the absence of a Foreign Minister to intervene – that, as a consequence of activities of this “CBCIU” double, the nation is being dragged into a sleazy situation through the attempted co-option of its foreign missions into logistical support for their global enterprises Prof Soyinka who addressed the press on the issue at Freedom Park, Lagos stated that he stands on the last amendment to the board by the Osun State House of Assembly, signed into law on the 31st day of July, 2012, which was clearly

•Prof Soyinka designed to inject an ethical corrective into the original law.

The nobel laureate said that he based his action on the harmonisation which manisfested when the lawmakers of Osun State enacted, in 2012, an amendment to the original CBCIU law that had been signed into law by Governor Oyinlola on 29th December 2008, which was clearly designed to inject an ethical corrective into the original law.. So based on that he stands as the chairman of the board as the July 2012 amendment supersedes the original, and that this Amendment constitutes the current law within under which the CBCIU obtains its validity, until overturned under a new Law enacted by a chamber of equal or superior jurisdiction..”

Citing the document of Assent signed by the House of Assembly which says that no court

language and the way ancestors lived. It provides means of investment for those who want to see it as an investment, while it also involves the business of collection of Nigeria art and history and intellectual relationship among art critics” On the economic significance of art, Shyllon said, “The enormous cultural festivals in Nigeria are dying and needs to be addressed. With photographic documentation of some cultural festivals in Nigeria which I am doing now, I observed that the extinction is imminent if not well revamped. People troop to Brazil every year to see Rio carnival. We have the same carnival here which can be developed into massive money

Masquerade, African Magic end Badagr Badagryy festival

judgment exists that voids a single provision of this law – including the •Continued from Page 46 setting up of a new board - or its entirety. Soyinka Constituency said the event was said, “It is important that not only the biggest cultural this nation, and the entire festival in Nigeria, but also world of culture and attracted numerous tourists to ethical pursuit Badagry Kingdom. He advised understand this. Contrary the youths to be of good to whatever has been behaviour. propagated so Speaking at the occasion, the assiduously by some Founder of Africa Renaissance parties of interest in Foundation (AREFO) and various quarters, NO organising chairman of Badagry court order exists that Diaspora Festival 2015, Mr. prevents the Board that Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku, was established under the 2012 urged President Buhari to, as a Amendment from exercising its matter of urgency, put an end to rights and responsibilities. their many years of political and Contunuing, Soyinka revealed economic marginalization in the how he had a private meeting on spirit of change and appoint one this issue with the Director-General of their own into his Federal of UNESCO, Madam Irina Executive Council to end the 53 Bokova, when she and I attended years the Ogu people have tasted an event nearly exactly two years power at the centre of Nigeria’s ago in Kazakhstan and how the politics. Olaide-Mesewaku said former governor of Osun State, since the late Oba Dosa Akran Prince Oyinlola, made forays into of Badagry was last appointed UNESCO headquarters, Paris, to in 1962, as federal minister, no protest his removal from a position other Badagry indigene has been he had created for himself while so appointed at the national governor – and in perpetuity. level, whereas other parts of Soyinka also revealed how he Lagos has had eight of their own accommodated Mr. Oyinlola so far appointed ministers ever since. as to propose to the governor a He thanked all for their support, Special Board Membership, tasked especially MTN, who stood with responsibility for traditional behind and urged corporate royal cultures, and how Mr. bodies to come to their aid, as Oyinlola pursued his legal he was not happy with the way challenges, but that the Court has many of them that were not even touched the substance of approached for this year’s event Prince Oyinlola’s appeal for turned them down. reinstatement!

Those that graced the occasion

spinner.

Talking about commercialization, the busiest country in the world is France that accommodates about 85 million people every year as visitors. And Nigeria, with great potentials can develop institutions around natural heritage sites to showcase art works with visitors coming in to spend money....”

Kolade Oshinowo who defined art as life when given its value, said “We have a problem which is over dependency on oil. Like Senegal’s Art Festival, “Dakar biennale”, Nigeria can do much more with such huge convergence of art enthusiast coming from the entire world to spend money for the love of art.

We are doing a great deal of injustice to our generation but for people like Bruce and Fred who will leave something behind, a purposeful gallery will retain such history for posterity.”

For, Bolanle Austen-Peters, who support all forms of art, she believes in the power of history.

She harped on documented works of art and literature that describes indigenous culture and way of the people which must not be allowed to go extinct.

“As a people, you must know where you are coming from and decide where you are going in the future. It is actually important that people are grounded in their root and know who they are. All over the world, it is creative people that drive development. If we can’t create, we can’t move forward as a people.”

She however, laments on the myopic perception of some organisations and prominent Nigerians who do not show interest investing in arts because they want a quick return for their investment.

Other speakers, Nike Okundaye of Nike Arts Gallery and Melisa Akinlami spoke with strong voice on the importance of art and its appreciation. For Melisa, she said she has seen art heal hearts in the course of her job as a journalist, drawing a point from the internally displaced people (IDPs) scenario. To her, creative works that touch the heart goes a long way to alleviate emotional and psychological effects of ugly experience.

PAGE 48 — SUNDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

BY SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor

I

brahim James Pam, a Nigerian, educated by the British government under its Chevening Scholarship Programme at the London School of Economics, and currently works as the Resident Investigator for the United Nations in South Sudan, is an expert in the criminal justice system. He had previously worked as Chief Legal Officer with the Nigerian Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Chief Investigator with the African Development Bank and the International Criminal Court at The Hague, helping to develop instruments for checking financial crimes in many parts of the world.

Just as he won the Chevening Scholarship in 2004, his daughter was among the 45 Nigerians who were admitted to the prestigious programme by the British High Commission in 2015 in Abuja and he was there to showcase himself as the head of the first Nigerian family where father and daughter have won the covetous award to study in London.

He spoke on how he won the award, what it has done to his life and career and what it means to be a British scholar.

Pam also reflected on the ICPC where he served as Legal Officer and how Nigeria can win the war against corruption. Excerpts: Not many Nigerians seem to know you. If I may ask, who is Ibrahim Pam? I am a Nigerian from a family in Jos, Plateau State. My father was Berom while my mother was the part of Kano that is now in Jigawa State. Her father was a Ghanaian whose father had settled in Kano and was trading for many years.

My father was a lieutenantcolonel in the Nigerian Army.

He was the first Nigerian officer who trained as an artillery officer and was commissioned in the Royal Military Academy in 1955.

My mother was a federal electoral commissioner from 1978 to 1983 and had done other public service before that. I am the last of six children; I am a lawyer who graduated from the University of Jos in 1988 and I was called to the Bar in 1989. I worked first as a lawyer in Lagos in my early practice before joining the Continental Merchant Bank. I worked for a few years in the bank before going back into private practice.

I joined the Oputa Panel in 2000 and worked on the public hearings and so on. In July 2001, I got an appointment as Chief Legal Officer in ICPC and I worked closely with Justice Akanbi.

In that position I represented Nigeria in the negotiation of the African Union Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention against Corruption which we negotiated in Vienna and was concluded in 2003.

I applied for the British Chevening Scholarship in 2004 and was fortunate to get it and proceeded for my Master's Programme at the London School of Economics where I bagged an MSc in Criminal Justice Policy.

On my return, I was fortunate to have the option of choosing

PAM, UN INVESTIGATOR:

How Nigeria can win anti - corruption war! between five different jobs that I got while I was away; so I chose to go to the International Criminal Court as an Associate Analyst and later on as an investigator and this was the time in 2005 they had opened investigation into the Darfur crisis. I was assigned to that case and, over the course of seven years, I worked with the ICC on the Darfur case and the Libyan case. In Darfur we brought charges against nine individuals in five different cases and it was a very challenging time. I left the International Criminal Court in April 2012 to take a position at the African Development Bank as the Chief Investigator looking at financial crimes, misconduct and corruption.

There we developed a sanctions regime and implemented a sanction process in collaboration with other multilateral development banks- the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Inter-American Bank, European Investment Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. So I worked for three years at the African Development Bank and I left recently in April 2015 and I joined the United Nations in

June as the Resident Investigator in the UN Mission in South Sudan.

In that position I represented Nigeria in the negotiation of the African Union Convention against Corruption and the UN Convention against Corruption

So can we say you have hit the ultimate job?

Not, my ultimate aim is to come home actually and contribute my quota to my country after 11 years outside. I love my country.

You mean it?

Actually, Nigeria is one of the most exciting countries in the world at the moment. I recently read two reports which gave me a lot of confidence about the prospects in Nigeria. One of the reports published in 2013 estimates that our economic potential will be so favourable that, by 2030, our consuming population alone will equal that of France and Germany put together. We are talking of tremendous market with tremendous potentials and the latest result by PwC estimates that, by 2050, Nigeria will be 9th largest economy in the world. So, we are looking at a tremendous progress between now and the next 35 years.

So, I really look forward to coming home.

You mentioned something that is of interest to me. You said you had to choose between five jobs. I am interested in knowing where those jobs were coming from?

I had the option to come to my old job at the ICPC. The second option was that I was offered a position at European Union Delegation in Nigeria to run.

They had an office or department that was anticorruption related; I can’t really remember the title. The third one was that I was invited also by the EU to help set up a fund to support the EFCC and that fund was about 23 million Euros. The fourth was an offer from the United Nations to join the UN in Sudan which was just, at the time, for me I was to be the deputy to Susan Page who later on became the U.S Ambassador to South Sudan early this year. The problem with that was that I could not move with my family to Juba at the time because of the situation then.

So I took up a position at the International Criminal Court

Continues on page 49

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 49

‘Nigeria has the most robust anti-graft law in Africa’ Continued from page 48

template for fighting financial crimes in Nigeria, will it advocate the sustenance of the existing anti-corruption organisations like ICPC and the EFCC? First, let me point out that the ICPC Law of 2000 is probably the most robust anti-corruption law in Africa. Having been involved in the drafting of the African Union Convention and the UN Convention, I have had the opportunity to look at one of the most successful models.

Botswana, for example, has a great model of financial crimes control agency called the Directorate of Economic Crimes.

The model they have in Botswana is not an autonomous agency; it is an agency of government but it is very effective because it is implemented effectively. ICPC has the distinction of being by its name an independent commission which gives it a tremendous amount of power.

instead and moved with my family. It was a lower position; the pay was about half of what I would have taken in Sudan but I think family was a big thing to consider.

From what you studied and your experience so far, what do you think is the problem with the Nigerian criminal justice system that has hampered its fight against corruption?

I think we all recognise that there are major issues with our criminal justice system and I happen to be on the National Coordination Committee on Justice Sector Reform set up by the Ministry of Justice in 2001, 2002. We did a tour of some prisons and we had engagement with other law enforcement officials- the police, the court, magistrates and I also worked with the UN Programme on the Judiciary Integrity in Nigeria.

What I think about the criminal justice system in Nigeria along the entire chain of the system is that we have major obstacles in dealing with the issues of rule of law and enforcement. It looks like the police, which are to intercept and investigate crimes, don’t have enough resources to do so although they are much better now and more functionally equipped in terms of the qualification of personnel.

That means there has been a huge leap in Nigeria and there are people doing great work supporting the police and doing some great works in providing statistics in supporting police work. I know there is a lot of effort being put in place to establish database in the country and that is essential for crime detection and prevention.

You also have issues with the court, tremendous issues with personnel, staffing and oversight. In effect, there is a lot of work to be done in making the court more effective and efficient and making it less prone to corrupt activities. There is also a big problem with the prison; some of the stories you hear are horrifying, from what goes on in the prisons including how prisoners are able to negotiate formally by paying bribes and this is well known.

So we have got issues with the prison, the court, the police, the judiciary and, like all the larger problems in the Nigerian society, the first step to resolving the issues is leadership.

Once we have a committed, disciplined and patriotic leadership at the very top that can set the right tone for everyone to follow, corruption will be on its way out. That is what is called setting the moral tone; what that means is that you then empower people along that chain going downwards the hierarchy of public service to live up to the highest ideal of politics.

It is not too far away from our history that we had people like that and I am sure we still do but, often times, when we talk about the system being corrupted, the system is not a structure; it is not a building, the system is people; so we are talking about people and the instinct of a human being is to lead or to be led. And if you are able to create the right leadership, people will follow you. In other words, the system will follow you.

C M Y K

•Pam...we need instruments to deter graft So what we need is a moral regeneration at the very top to set the right moral tone and people will follow.

Nigeria’s criminal justice policy has to be properly structured in order to identify the source or the motivation of crime and you describe interventions that address the motivation directly.

There must be clear instruments to serve as deterrent and for punishment against financial crimes. What statistics show in Nigeria is that since the first execution of armed robbers in the 1970s, armed robbery has increased exponentially showing that the deterrent didn’t work?

Why didn’t it work? If failed because it didn’t address the crime.

Nigeria’s criminal justice policy has to be properly structured in order to identify the source or the motivation of crime

What it did was that it punished the individuals, which seems to be the mentality, with all due respect, to what has driven the anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria, chasing after the criminals and punishing them.

That is effective but that is only part of the problem or part of the solution. If you remember, there was a due process that was set up under Oby Ezekwesili and, if you look at the records, that due process office did more to control or to limit the opportunities for stealing in the procurement system in the public service than the efforts of the ICPC and EFCC combined at that time.

It was much more effective but it wasn’t made known to the public; it wasn’t very dramatic.

You need to be effective in controlling your revenues from source. You need to be effective in blocking the leakages, some of these interventions are called low risk interventions but high impact and that is what due process is all about. It is called low risk because it does not involve anything that normal investigations and persecution will involve. High impact because it stopped the stealing of hundreds of billions of Naira but, when you do the high risk low impact intervention is when you arrest one big Customs official and you send him to jail and it is all over the papers. It makes for a lot of drama but the impact is low because the opportunity to steal is still there.

Corruption is a crime of opportunities; so you address the opportunities rather than intervening only with the individual because it is the opportunity that creates the crime not the individual. It is like what the conservatives say in the U.S ‘guns don’t kill people, people do’ and there is a lot of debate about that. They say that if there were no people, the guns won’t kill; if no one was operating the guns, then they won’t kill. So you have got to address the opportunity for the crime and I really wish that would be the focus of our anticorruption activities.

If you were to draw up a

But can it be said to be truly independent when it does not have financial autonomy?

No, it does not have.

So where does the independence come from?

Financial independence can be guaranteed by parliament and, in fact, what you say is very important because when ICPC began to investigate some very senior parliamentarians, there was an attempt to abrogate the law and I was part of the ICPC delegation that was invited to the Senate under the leadership of Anyim Anyim. I had followed my Chairman to the Senate that day and I remember that it was a big threat to our operation.

I actually believe in democracy, parliamentary democracy and I think that all government revenues must be derived strictly by appropriation through parliament but I did an analysis of ICPC finances at the time and, honestly, what I discovered was that its problem was poor funding. The present structure makes it difficult to free enough funds to do investigation and prosecution since it has to cater for many Board members provided for by the law.

As it is, if you have a commission made up of a Chairman and 12 Board members with each of them entitled to three exotic vehicles made up of one Prado jeep and two utility vehicles; a Peugeot saloon car and one utility and three or four staff members, accommodation in choice parts of Abuja, you have already spent half of your budget on servicing the Board. Meanwhile, the Investigation Division at the time I was there had only two functional Peugeot 504 station wagon vehicles with which staff members were running all over the country doing investigations.

Now, that’s part of the problem.

The structure favoured the Board more than the major operations of the ICPC. To get the best out of the commission, it has to be restructured in such a way that the operations will have more funds and facilities to work with and deliver results.

The best way out is to restructure the commission in such a way that it has a directorate headed by one director with staff members under him and create a leaner,

more functional, more efficient structure.

In other words, the ICPC, as it is currently, should be retained but mainly restructured to give it more impact, more powers?

I have been away for a while; so I am not quite sure about the current structure of the ICPC. It is the same thing you left behind. Nothing has been added or removed. The same thing applies to the EFCC. I think there is definitely a case for restructuring ICPC. That is my personal opinion in terms of the actual structure of it. They just need to remove the excessive expenditure on the part of the Board and give more powers to the operatives. I think the operational focus must be top priority. I think you can save a lot by restructuring and, I think, you can be more efficient by restructuring.

How did you get Chevening Scholarship to study in Britain?

When I worked at Continental Merchant Bank, the British Council was virtually at the back of the bank. So, I had been there, I had found out about it and I applied once in the early 1990s but I didn’t get it.

But that experience helped me to discover what I did not do well and what I needed to do the next time in order to succeed. I went through a lot of rigorous processes but, at the end, only 25 Nigerians drawn from various sectors of the economy, including myself, were successful. I went to the LSE and studied criminal justice policy. To be quite honest, that scholarship marked a turning point in my life because, without it, there was no where I could afford that huge amount to sponsor myself in Britain at the time.

People tell me that once you get the Chevening Scholarship, everything is paid for, like going for a jolly trip. Was that the experience?

No, for two reasons; one is because, in my office, I didn’t get a leave of absence with pay; it was without pay; so my N50,000 salary at the time was but God is faithful. At the time too, my wife got a job which was actually paying more than my salary at ICPC. My accommodation in London was over £800 a year and what I had at the end of paying my rent could hardly sustain me for the rest of the programme.

But I had to manage by avoiding luxurious goods.

Now your daughter has also won the same scholarship. How do you feel?

I am extremely proud.

Is it because you played a role that made it possible for her to be selected?

I did not even know that my daughter had applied for it since she was not in the same country with me when she applied.

Secondly, she did not even believe she would be selected after submitting her forms online, fearing that she had not done enough work to qualify.

So, I guess she wanted to relieve me of the burden of paying for her tuition; so she applied for the Chevening Scholarship on her own and, when she told me that she had applied, I told her that I really didn’t think they would take her and the reason is simple: usually Chevening scholars are just midlevel professionals.

PAGE 50—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

UMUAHIA RESTORATION

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oday, in Long Beach California, the alumni of the Government College Umuahia in the United States, the GCUOBA-USA, will be concluding their annual national convention of Umuahians in the United States. This year’s convention, from which I’ve been regrettably absent, happens at an important development in the move towards the restoration of the Government College Umuahia. Under the inspired leadership of Dr. Obinna Okereke-led local committee in California including – Dr. Ofo Iheanacho, Dr. Rico Mbamalu, Kofi Oparaocha, BobMark Akponye, Frank Ifediba, and Ukay Obasi – the Umuahians meeting in Long Beach will certainly enjoy salubrious company, the sort that the likes of Edebeatu Ibekwe, Attorney and Partner Emeritus in the Los Angeles Law offices of Irell and Manella , do promise, but more importantly, beyond the champagne and cognac, and the traditional treat of Joy Iheanacho, Ofo’s wife, who often spoils Umuahians rotten with her great hospitality on such occasions, there will be the matter at hand: the Umuahia “restoration project.”

Of the books that have come out this year, Terri Ochiagha’s Achebe and Friends at Umuahia: The Making of a Literary Elite published in the UK by James Currey, stands apart in two rather particular ways: first, it take us through the annals of Nigeria’s public education, to the great moments when some thought went towards the education of the citizen – in this case, in the period of her study – the imperial or colonial subject, at the cusp of modernity; secondly, she puts to light, the significant ways that one place – in this case, the Government College Umuahia – could be the staging ground of the greatest intellectual awakening in one generation, that has given Nigeria its place in both the literary and the scientific world.

At the end of Ochiagha’s book, one cannot but discern a hint of the mournful closure, the sense that the failure of Umuahia in continuing in the foundations built for it reflects an aspect of the Nigerian tragedy. Perhaps again, we might say that great, elite schools like the Government College Umuahia, and her sister schools at Lagos (Kings College), Government College, Ibadan, and Barewa College, Zaria, Nigeria’s four foundational, leading English-type boarding schools built in the tradition of the elite public schools in England like Harrow, Eton, and Winchester, with later additions at Ughelli, Owerri, Afikpo, Keffi, and Bida, reflect in their current states, the failure of real

public education in Nigeria, and thus also, the slippery state of the republic.

There were also the Queens Colleges built for the girls – the mother of them all in Lagos – then Enugu, Ede, and Ilorin. At the core of the idea of a republic is the creation of a free and enlightened citizenship, particularly its cadre of welltrained, selfless leadership, who should be prepared to build and defend the republic as a matter of course, and as their historical obligation. Today, the principles that inform public education policy in Nigeria dwell far more on the nature of market forces rather than on the enduring question of the status of the state, its continuity, and its transcendence. It is ironic that just a generation ago, these Government Colleges were Nigeria’s best schools; best funded; and best provisioned; the best competed for admission into these schools.

Selection was tough, but once you have earned your place, you were assured of the highest regard of your peers.

The Government Colleges had first class facilities; the best teachers, and a place like the Government College Umuahia had the feel of a typical English environment. In some ways, it was unsustainable, given that the students were socialized in enclosures that seemed generally to overlook the general condition of the rest of the country. But it was a great thing happening at Umuahia and such other places; it only needed, rather than its destruction, an upgrade of the standards found in these places in other places. In any case, the Government College Umuahia, like its sister schools soon came to suffer the Nigerian malaise.

Starting from the mid1980s, funding for such places as Umuahia dried up.

The austerity measures, and the IMF rules, had as one of its great victims, such public schools; proper funding of public education, and for schools like Umuahia that once had special government funding became the first victims. The creation of states also reduced its or-

The austerity measures, and the IMF rules, had as one of its great victims, such public schools; proper funding of public education, and for schools like Umuahia that once had special government funding became the first victims

bit, as each state that inherited Umuahia increasingly reduced it, from its international and national status, to mind-boggling provinciality. Thus a great school was brought to its knees by the narrow-minded, illogical, and blind policies of administrations, often the military administrations that deployed it to catchment, rather than to enduring quality. For years, old Umuahians – alumni of the school - had tried, out of great nostalgia to keep important aspects of the school going, and had often pressured the governments, to carry out certain functions with regards to Umuahia. With its array of distinguished “oldboys,” the Government College Umuahia alumni could do this, but only to a limited scope. It was as a result, that in the last five years, they entered discussions with the Abia State government with a unique proposal to cede the school to a Trust – a sort of public partnership Trust – by which the Government College would be run, through the Robert Fisher Trust Foundation. The Reverend Robert Fisher, founding Principal of the Government College, had, at the end of the civil war in Nigeria, sold his earthly possessions, including his home in England, moved into a nursing home with his wife, and willed the money to the Government College Umuahia.

This is the symbolic seed to the Fisher Trust, and Umuahians, especially in the United States, the UK, and in Nigeria, have demonstrated a commitment to the restoration of, arguably, Nigeria’s best secondary school for boys, nestling in that glade in Umudike Umuahia.

Last year, Mr. T.A. Orji, then governor of Abia State, signed off on the document ceding Umuahia as a public Trust to the Government College oldboys, to be run on by the Trust Fund. The momentum generated is an indication that good things can happen in Nigeria. Umuahia, its alumni insist, must be restored to its place as firstrate school. A great regret of some of the old Umuahians is that their own sons did not benefit from an Umuahian education. But they hope that a restored Umuahia will be a place they can bring their own grandsons – always a lovely sight – as I myself saw once with the late Dr. William Uduku, visiting his grandson at Umuahia in 1994 during a “Homecoming.”

It is also the dream of Umuahians that other Nigerian children will have the benefit of an Umuahian education; one of the great foundations of their lives of numerous achievers. So, this Labor Day weekend, in Long Beach, California, the dream of a restoration takes one step further, with Umuahians in the United States launching the Trust Fund.

They aim at raising an initial N1 billion as Take-off fund for the repairs and upgrade of facilities – from student accommodation to the recruitment of a new head of school and world class teachers. It is an ambitious project. But it is an Umuahian thing, and Umuahians always light the path.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 51

AYO ONIKOYI 08052201215

Ser vice of songs ffor or P a Idornigie in Lagos Service Pa

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L-R: Mrs Josephine Idornigie, daughter in-law; Mrs Anita Yesufu; first daughter; Mrs Roseline Idornigie, widow; Mrs Omosi Garrick, second daughter and Clara Idornigie, daughter in-law

he burial rites for the late head of the Idornigie family, Pa Igornor A.O. Idornigie kicked off in Lagos on Thursday with service of songs at the Fountain Multi-purpose Hall, Surulere, Lagos. The rites will continue with another service of songs at the Idornigie compound, Ayogwiri on , September 10 followed by the lying-in state the following day. The burial service comes up at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ayogwiri on September 13.

Late Pa Igornor Idornigie was the father of Anita Yesufu, wife to Bala Yesufu, the head of corporate and government affairs (West Africa) Cadbury International. Photos

by Akim Salau.

L-R: Mrs Ayisat Osobase; Mrs Idowu Iyamu and Mr Tafa Zibiri-Aliu.

Honours for Oba Tejuoso, tw oo ther two other therss THE Osile Oke-ona, Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso and two other personalities were installed as the grand patron of African Church Cathedral Salem, Freeman , Ebute Metta, Lagos recently. Photos by WUMI AKINOLA.

Chief Ebenezer Okunowo (m) presents plague to Oba Adedapo Tejuoso (r) as the grand patron of the church, while Chief Adewale Odufuwa looks on.

Bashorun Idowu Sholola (r) receives a plague as the patron from Chief Okunowo (m), lay president, while Chief Adewale Odufuwa watches.

L-R;Mr Bala Yesufu; Mrs Anita Yesufu; Mrs Laura Yesufu and Chidozie Onyemem.

L-R: Nasir Malik; Mr Bala Yesufu; Mohammed Shaka and Abdul Anad.

L-R: Dr Nana Yesufu and Mr Adams Esimukhuai

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Chief Sunbo Onitiri (r) receives a plague from Chief O. Okuowo (m), lay president as the grand patron.

Olufunlola Bello celebrates 50 in style

or the family of Dr Waheed Bello, Sunday, September 30, will go down as a memorable day as the family hosted friends and well-wishers to celebrate the mother of the house, Mrs Olufunlola Bello who turned golden year of 50.

The party held at their Mafoluku residence in Lagos was merriment galore as there were so much to eat and drink with melodious music playing all night long.

Celebrant, Mrs Olufunlola Bello, cuts her 50th birthday cake C M Y K

Celebrant, Mrs Olufunlola Bello, with daughter, Lola Bello

The Bello family with celebrant, Dr. Waheed Bello, Lola Bello, celebrant and Jamiu Bello

PAGE 52, SUNDAY, Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Sir Omo ty at 70 Omottosho stuns socie society

Sir Remi Omotosho and his wife Ebun, in a goup photograph with children and in-laws.

L-R: Mrs. Bisi Fayemi; Mr. Kayode Fayemi; Mrs Angela Adebayo and Mr. Niyi Adebayo

SIR Remi Omotosho, Chairman, DN Meyer Paints, proved his mettle as an outstanding administrator and industry leader not only in Nigeria’s financial sector, but also in the socio-political circuit, when he celebrated his 70th birthday last weekend in Lagos.

The event which held at KFA Event Centre, Lekki, after a thanksgiving service at Methodist Church of the Trinity,Tinubu, Lagos, had in attendance the country’s heavyweights from all walks of life.

Captains of industry, top politicians and others from topmost rung of the society ladder graced the occasion. Photos by AKIM SALAU

L-R: Chairman of the occassion, Prince Adelusi Adeluyi; host, Mr. Remi Omotosho; his wife, Ebun; Mr. Micheal Omolayole; and Mrs. Bisi Fayemi.

Nollywood actress, Collete Orji weds

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eautiful and talented Nollywood actress, Collete Orji has been swept away in matrimonial bliss. The actress signed off her maiden name to Mr Michael Ugochukwu, a businessman. The wedding took place at St Hyacinth’s Catholic Church, Emene, Enugu. The traditional marriage took place at the Orji’s compound in Ufuma, Anambra State.

From Left: Chief John Odeyemi, his wife, Mrs Kofo Odeyemi; Dr Oyeyemi Adegbite and Chief Deji Adegbite

Nollywood actress, Collete Orji with hubby, Michael Ugochukwu.

L-R: Retired Group Captain David Ikpeme; Admiral Akin Aduwo; and Chief Nike Akande.

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L-R: Mr. Remi Bello; Mr. Tunde Lemo; and Mrs. Yemi Lemo.

Lady Vict oria Ebruk e celebrat es 70 Victoria Ebruke celebrates

th he 70 birthday of Lady (Mrs.) Victoria Erieherhe Patricia Ebruke, who hails from Okwudede Eleme and Amukpe respectively, shut down all roads leading to Rockview Hotels, Apapa, as people trooped in to celebrate with her. Among those present were Engr. (Chief) & Mrs. S.I Okuesa, Chairman, Chief G.B.N Otite (JP) Fathers of the Day, Chief Onajomo Orere and a host of others

Sir John Ebruke and Lady Victoria Evuarherhe Ebruke

R-L: Mrs. Onome Tawo, Navy Commander Pio Ikre (retd), Godspower Nakpodia Efiawhare (Mc), Sir/Lady John Ebruke, Mrs Ologbo,children and Mr Ezikiel Ebruke

The bride, Collete Orji with some bridesmaids

The bride, Collete Orji with the entire bridal train

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 53

Oil price $10 below budget benchmark! *Ex-NISER boss, Prof. Ajakaiye, allays fear; says no cause for alarm

BY UDEME CLEMENT

Mr. Olu Ajakaiye is a professor of economics and former Director General, Nigeria Institute for Social and Economic Research (NISER). He speaks on the conversion of debt for 11 states into government’s bond, the current crude oil price at the international market, which is about $10 below the budget’s benchmark, the treasury single account initiative and ways through which government can tackle unemployment crisis in the country.

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he price of crude oil in the international markets stands at about $44.77 per barrel.

Oil is our major source of revenue and currently the oil price is about $10 below the budget’s benchmark. What should government do about this situation?

When the price of crude oil at the international market was about $140 per barrel and above, the actual money made available to government was not more than $40 due to leakages in the system.

Therefore, even at $40, our economy will still be doing well because the current government is trying to block those leakages. So, there should be no panic as the price of oil is low now. Aside from oil money, we can mobilise revenue from NIMASA, Shippers Council and other agencies of government. The good thing is the treasury single account that Buhari has introduced. All agencies should ensure total compliance with this initiative.

Many people are talking about revenue leakages in the economy. Why didn’t the previous governments introduce this type of account system to curtail it?

Well, it was still there but the level of compliance was very low, because it was not actively enforced to block revenue leakage from the system like Buhari is doing now. Once all agencies are made to comply strictly with this account system, there will be sufficient funds to run the economy. Meaning the more effective the enforcement on single account system, the more income flow for government to embark on developmental projects across the country.

Now, another thing we must take note of is, as part of the budget, government must make clear the Medium Term Development Plan. This is because we are in the last lap of the Vision 20:2020. This is quite imperative because it was failure in the past to make clear this Plan that contributed to the leakages in the system, followed by lack of transpar-

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ency and accountability we experienced for many years.

We must ensure discipline with this Plan, by allowing a strong linkage between the Plan and the budget, such that the Plan is closely related to the annual budget.

system,and everything will run smoothly.

Increasing rate of unemployment is one of the major problems facing Nigeria’s economy now. As an economic expert, what pragmatic steps will you advise the current government to take in tackling this challenge?

Does it mean the previous governments did not link the country’s development plan to the annual budgets?

In fact, in the last 10 years, all our budgets were not closely guided by the Medium Term Development Plan, which contributed to why our economy experienced a lot of challenges including high unemployment rate and poverty. Now, aside from linkage between the Plan and annual budget, there must be rigorous monitoring and adequate implementation to be done by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and the Ministry of Finance.

That way, everyone will see the direction our economy is going.

How will you assess the President in his 100 days in office?

Well, it is too early to assess his performance, but so far, he is putting measures in place to curtail corruption and revenue leakages in the system. He is doing very well on the issue of security, by empowering the military to tackle activities of insurgents in the country. This is a major step because we need security in the economic environment for investments to thrive. If there is no stability in the system, the economy will not record tangible growth, as well as Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) inflow, as no investor will be willing to put his money in an economy that is not stable. Also, the single account system I mentioned earlier is a good achievement, as that in itself will check mismanagement of public funds.

The debt of 11 states in the country has been converted to bond. How will this initiative benefit the states as well as the commercial banks now and in the long-run?

The new arrangement is like a win-win situation with tremendous benefits for states and the banks. For instance, the obligation of the states to service the debt has been shifted far forward because of the conversion to bond. It is like restructuring the debt for long term instead of short term. It further reduces the short term obligation for the states, as the debt is spread over a period of years. The economic benefits include the fact that money is now available for the states to do other things, instead of just servicing the debt within a short term period.

For the banks, they now

The new government must realise that unemployment is real and is a major crisis in the country. Therefore, selection of projects must be done to reduce imports and encourage exports, because oil prices may not go up now. All capital projects must be geared towards employment generation. Reducing imports and encouraging exports will help us to protect our foreign reserve, and to have a good balance of payment. This calls for efficiency in the public sector. For example, the Civil Service must be free from political interference.

Employment and reward for Civil Service should be done on merit and not political party affiliation. We need more capacity building programmes for the bureaucrats, which has declined over the years. When the ministers come in, they must be moderate in spending money and should work with Civil Servants, instead of importing more people from out side to escalate cost.

• Ajakaiye have in their portfolio government’s security, which they can discount even in the short term if the need arises, because it is asset in their portfolio. Also, the banks can liquidate it if they want.

On the whole, the debt burden on the states is off. Meaning that the states now have more money to spend and invest in other areas, because of the conversion. On the other side, the banks have a quality bond, which is very good for their balance sheet.

With this new deal, the States now have more funds to work with. What measures should they put in place to ensure adequate utilisation of the money available to them?

Number one, the States should cut the cost of governance to ensure that the funds available are well managed. This calls for serious fiscal restructuring and discipline on how they spend money. Let the States also focus on developing the resources within their areas to enhance internal revenue generation. They should invest more on developmental projects in their States. Most importantly, there must be accountability in the system.

The States should also create jobs to reduce the increasing unemployment rate in the country.

Information from the debt management office revealed that the debt is restructured for 20 years instead of 12months, which means the bond will end in about 2034.

So, what happens when the tenure of the current government ends in the next four years?

In reality, government is a continuum. As such, when the tenure of the current administration ends, those who will come in as the chief

There should be no panic as the price of oil is low now. Aside from oil money, we can mobilise revenue from NIMASA, Shippers Council and other agencies of government

executives of these States should continue with the debtbond conversion agreement.

In doing that, the States and the banks must keep accurate records of all the transactions done within each period to ensure that there are no discrepancies in the whole thing.

Once this is done, there will be continuity in the

I am glad that President Muhammadu Buhari, has engaged the Revenue Mobilisation Commission to review salaries of public office holders. Excessive wide spread of salaries between directors and permanent secretaries must be reviewed.

For example, a director earns about N400.000 on the maximum, while a permanent secretary earns up to N1.5million. There must be established norms by government for salaries of public officers not to double what directors earn.

The President and his Vice voluntarily cut their salaries by 50 percent. How will the public know what this money is being used for?

Buhari and his Vice have demonstrated good leadership in this aspect. The money should be put in an account to see how much will accrue, and they can use it to build hospitals and schools to improve the living conditions of the people. This must be part of our development plan.

When such projects are being commissioned, it should be publicly shown that they were built with funds voluntarily deducted from the salaries of our leaders, to make it attractive.

Let State governments and other political office holders follow the example of our President and his Vice.

PAGE 54—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

BUHARI’S 100 DAYS

Improved power supply not sustainable —Labour

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

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s the administration of P r e s i d e n t Muhammadu Buhari clocks 100 days today, organised labour in the electricity sector has warned that the current power supply in the country is not sustainable even as it gives reasons Nigerians are experiencing improved power supply.

Speaking through the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, labour said the raining season, the President Muhammadu Buhari factor and steady supply of gas to power plants were the major reasons for the improved power supply.

The General Secretary of NUEE, Mr. Joe Ajaero, said: “During this time of the year, there is always a slight improvement in power supply because of the rise in water level. That is, the lake goes up and hydro power stations generate more power. Second is the Buhari factor which has made operator to sit up and added to that, before now, the gas pipelines were usually vandalized. We suspect it may be in collaboration by some highly placed individuals who award contracts for the

pipelines to be repaired which runs into billions of Naira. If the pipelines are vandalized and the contracts are awarded for repairs, almost every two months, it is big money for them. I think that because of the fear that those who engaged in the business may be caught, for now there is relative peace and the gas pipelines are delivering gas to the power plants. But we fear the current power situation may not be sustainable. Once the rainy season ends and the water level drops, there will be problem. Again, today all power being generated is being pumped into the system, there is no reserve in case of any break down, and there is no reserve in case of maintenance and so on. We ought to have reserve for emergencies. Sadly, we do not have that at the moment.”

Speaking on the recent NUEE face-off with Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company, PHEDC, Ajaero said though the Department of State Service, DSS, and the police, attempted to wade in, they had nothing to do with industrial relations.

Ajaero warned that next time, the management of PHEDC would not find it easy, saying

“Though the 18 successor companies have disdain for union, at least, in others, there is union management relationship. Though we don’t agree on a lot of issues, we meet and discuss, but PHEDC does not want to discuss. The next time we are biting them, we are going to bite them hard. This one is just an example. We went to Industrial Arbitration Panel, IAP, and the management said they were not going to respect the ruling of IAP. They wrote to us a letter that they had appealed to the National Industrial Court, NIC, but, till now, we have not seen the appeal. Nevertheless, the issues now are not the matters presented at IAP. They wanted to use that excuse of being in court to continue to perpetuate anti-labour practices.

“The current arrangement in the power sector makes it easier for us to select a place and deal with the issues there.

Before now, it would have been a nationwide action. We have perfected our plan so that there could be power outage in Port Harcourt, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa without the action affecting other states.

We feel sorry for the residents of these states plan who

Once the rainy season ends and the water level drops, there will be problem. Again, today all power being generated is being pumped into the system, there is no reserve in case of any break down, and there is no reserve in case of maintenance and so on. We ought to have reserve for emergencies. Sadly, we do not have that at the moment

experienced power outage during the action, and we pray that we will not be forced to take a similar action again. If we take this action again, the management won’t see anyone to negotiate with.

Electricity sector is a unionised sector.

“At privatisation, the first six months was a transition period from Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, to the new investors. What were transferred to new investors were the files of the workers and grades, only Port Harcourt claimed that the membership of the union was not transferred.

Even for the six months that nobody was meant to talk, they did not pay their dues. None of the workers has withdrawn his membership of the union.

The IAP told them to pay the dues they owed.

Someone who was receiving N150, 000 before was paid N30, 000 and when they complained, the management sacked 30 of them. That is the level of impunity going on there. They sacked without discussion with the union.

That impunity has to stop.”

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 55

Urgent need for Africa to respond to falling oil price

BY DR. ALIM ABUBAKRE

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fter four years of price stability, oil prices experienced a significant downward shock over the second half of 2014 and through to August 2015, falling from around $105 to below $40.

Despite the partial recovery last week, oil prices remain at dramatically low levels.

The IMF recently highlighted that African countries are potentially at the greatest risk from the decline in oil prices, with oil revenues accounting for more than 75% of government revenue in some African nations. The effects of the plunging oil price has started filtering through, with Africa accounting for 10% of the world’s total oil supply in 2013 and at least 8% of the world’s untapped reserves, clearly action needs to be taken to cut the costs associated with exploration and production. At the same time, there is also a significant need to maximise revenues to ensure the industry and the people and countries it supports can continue to prosper.

The countries worst affected by the protracted period of low oil prices include Nigeria, Angola and Sudan. Although Ghana, Tanzania, Mozambique and Uganda have only recently joined the ranks of oil and gas

producing countries, along with the other Sub-Saharan nations, these countries currently have exploration and production ventures underway which have been hit hard by the fall in revenues. Given some African governments’ significant reliance o n t h e i n d u s t ry, i t i s understandable that the local economies are suffering. This cannot be allowed to continue and therefore there is an urgent need for governments and key stakeholders alike to take action. It is in response to this thatTEXEM presents the UK’s only oil and gas summit on Africa that convenes distinguished speakers and delegates from the entire oil and gas value chain. Hence, building on its track record of partnering with top universities such as Oxford University to train African ministers and senior executives, TEXEM presents the UK’s only oil and gas summit on Africa that convenes distinguished speakers and delegates from the entire oil and gas value chain. The Leaders in Africa’s Oil and Gas Summit will commence with a welcome dinner at the prestigious Institute of Directors banqueting hall, on 21st of October 2015 and is free for the next 50 registrants for the summit. The dinner will provide an opportunity to network with

Governments must create the economic and legislative conditions to enable African companies not only to survive, but also continue to invest in order to remain competitive in the global markets many distinguished oil and gas professionals from Africa, Europe and other parts of the world along with senior board members and executives.

Availability for the dinner is on a first come, first serve basis.

Reservations must be made by 20th September 2015.There is also an optional strategy and governance masterclass delivered and certificate issued by the University of Oxford on the 23rd of October. More information could be found at www.loilgassummit.com Some of the confirmed speakers include: • Rt Hon, Mark Simmonds, former UK Minister for Africa and Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council •Fortunato Costantino,

Director Cargill and Former Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Energy International • Scott Desmarais, Partner at McKinsey & Company (Head of African Oil and Gas Practice) • H.E. Crispin Atama Tabe Mogodi, Minister of Hydrocarbons (Democratic Republic of Congo) • H.E. Basile Atangana Kouna, Minister of Water and Energy (Republic of Cameroon) • Ibukun Adebayo, Co-head of Emerging Markets at the London Stock Exchange Group • Ramin Lakani, Regional General Manager, Europe & Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), Halliburton • Tassos Vlassopoulos, Global Strategy & Marketing Director, GE Oil & Gas Case-studies of where African oil and gas stakeholders and governments can look to for exemplary resilience to the recent decline in oil prices such as the MENA region, will be discussed at this summit. The Middle East in particular has been able to achieve this based on a number of factors including significant oil and gas reserves, low debt and sufficient liquidity, as well as strong private-public sector partnerships.

Despite the challenges, there is still huge potential in the African oil and gas industry. Earlier this year,180 trillion cubic feet of natural gas was discovered in

Roche unveils Nigeria’s Premier Health Journalists Academy

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owards deepening its involvement in the regeneration of Nigeria’s health sector, Swiss healthcare pioneer, Roche Products Limited has launched Nigeria’s foremost Health Journalists Academy, which is aimed at enriching health reportage and coverage in the country by sharpening the skills of health journalists through exposure to the latest trends and techniques for specialized reporting.

Organized in partnership with the School of Media and Communication (SMC) at the prestigious Pan-Atlantic University, the Academy will see the leading pharmaceutical company funding the training of 15 Nigeria Health Journalists drawn from the Print, Broadcast and New Media whose work will heighten awareness of healthrelated issues and promote healthy living among Nigerians.

Announcing the initiative at the unveiling ceremony of the first set of 15 beneficiaries at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, the Country Manager, Nigeria, at Roche, Herman Addae, disclosed that the Health Journalists Academy will contribute significantly to improving awareness of health issues among Nigerians.

Addae said, “We are convinced that our duty as a responsible corporate citizen goes beyond manufacturing and selling medication and medical devices. We have therefore decided to explore a new way to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.”

He added, “Recent studies indicate that Nigerians view

Mozambique’s Rovuma Basin – enough to supply the needs of Germany, Britain, France and Italy for more than 18 years. For the sub-Saharan region to be a successful player in the global oil and gas industry, companies, state authorities and stakeholders must act now. Governments must create the economic and legislative conditions to enable African companies not only to survive, but also continue to invest in order to remain competitive in the global markets.

The summit will provide an invaluable platform for many of Africa’s distinguished ministers of petroleum, leaders in the oil and gas industry and financial / investment professionals to address the issues that the industry currently faces in the wake of lower global oil prices.

The summit organizers have strategic partnerships with London Stock Exchange, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Law Society UK, Africa Energy, Financial Times, Petroleum Africa, Royal African Society, Business Council for Africa, All Africa.com, Institute of Directors, University of Oxford, Thisday, Vanguard, Businessday and Leadership Newspaper.

• Abubakre

is CEO, These Executive Minds, Texem, UK.

Exclusion from DESOPADEC board: Isoko HOSTCOM reacts

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L-R: Country Manager, Nigeria, Roche, Herman Addae; President, Cancer Education and Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CEAFON), Professor Durosinmi-Etti; Representative, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Ngozi Azodo, and Deputy Head of Mission, Swiss Embassy, Daniel Cavegn, at the Launch of the Health Journalists Academy powered by Roche, held at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, 3rd September, 2015.

good health as the absence of medical symptoms instead of a holistic reflection of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This is typically demonstrated by late presentation of diseases and eventual high mortality from preventable deaths. Generally, there is poor public awareness about diseases burden in Nigeria. Although, there are areas in the country where healthcare facilities could be seen as improving, there is poor public awareness about health and diseases. There is the need therefore to engage journalists; who are positioned by virtue of their professional calling to advance the cause of the nation’s health through their reportage and coverage

of health sector” Commending Roche on the initiative, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute (ably represented by the Director of Health Planning, Dr. Ngozi Azodoh), encouraged the Top 15 participants to be change agents for the Nigerian Health sector and make good use of the knowledge they will acquire at the Academy.

Mr. Awute stated, “I believe this Academy will infuse new energy into health reporting in Nigeria. I applaud the vision and sense of commitment of the Roche team and it is my expectation that the Top 15 journalists who are beneficiaries of this Academy

will diligently apply the knowledge they will obtain, to encourage and galvanize the change in Nigeria’s health sector.”

In August, the Health Journalists Academy was open to Nigerian journalists across the Traditional and New Media platforms. Entries were submitted on ‘The Future of Journalism in Nigeria”, collated and vetted by an independent panel of Judges. Over 30 candidates were shortlisted and invited for a one-one-one interview out of which 15 emerged as the first set of beneficiaries. All candidates will receive an accredited certification from Roche and SMC at the end of the Academy.

he chairman of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, HOSTCOM, Isoko chapter, Comrade Morrister Idibra, has expressed displeasure over the exclusion of members of HOSTCOM in the newly constituted board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC. Idibra, in a statement, said “ We the Isoko chapter of HOSTCOM are not against anybody so appointed by the Governor but very much against the exclusion of HOSTCOM in the appointment made. Our position is special and critical. We worked very hard like every other committed stakeholder to ensure victory”.

He said “ DESOPADEC is the baby of HOSTCOM, because if HOSTCOM had not fought for the creation of DESOPADEC, the board would not have been created and where would he have appointed these people as the entire 13% derivation fund would have been in the hand of the state government”.

He pointed out that other critical issue is allotment of positions to the various ethnic nationalities in relation to the provisions of the law, adding that “ We are studying careful the act to know if the appointments are in line with the law. If deliberate errors are made to undermine some ethnic nations, appropriate steps shall be taken to correct them and we shall never be slow in doing the needful”. “ I appeal to the Governor to do the needful because excluding HOSTCOM from his government means he has declared HOSTCOM as enemy but I know the governor is aware that we are not his enemy and am sure he never wants us to be one”

PAGE 56 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

Nightmare next door !

•The travails of Nigerian businessmen in Ghana

By Dayo Adesulu

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frica consists of people with similar cultures and complexion but with different languages.

That was the spirit behind the formation of the Organization of African Unity, OAU, now African Union, AU, and the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, in 1963 and 1975 respectively.

Thus, ECOWAS, created by the Treaty of Lagos, was formed to promote economic trade, national cooperation, and monetary union, for growth and development throughout West Africa. “The revised treaty, in 1993, was intended to accelerate economic and political cooperation.“It sets out the goals of a common economic market, a single currency, the creation of a West African parliament, economic and social councils, and a court of justice, which interprets and mediates disputes over ECOWAS policies and relations, but has power to investigate human rights

abuses in member countries.

The status quo remained until global economic recession hit hard on many countries of the world, with the third world worst hit. This development has resulted in the rich becoming poor and the poor becoming poorer. Inevitably, citizens of one country are forced to move to another in search for greener pastures.

For example, in the 80s when economic recession hit Ghana, many of its citizens relocated to neighbouring countries and Nigeria had the largest Ghanaian immigrants on its soil. Also, during the apartheid regime in South Africa which lasted till 1994, Nigeria was a big brother to the freedom fighters in the former.

However, over the years, as mismanagement and bad governance hit hard on the Nigerian economy, its citizens started migrating to America, Europe, and those who could not get visas saw some African countries as alternatives. The development informed the movement of many Nigerian business men and women to Ghana, South Africa, Benin

As mismanagement and bad governance hit hard on the Nigerian economy, its citizens started migrating to America, Europe, and those who could not get visas saw some African countries as alternatives Republic, Cameroon and Togo, among others.

Meanwhile, investigations revealed that many Nigerian citizens are not finding it easy doing businesses in those

African countries. They operate in the host countries under fear of intimidation.

Between 2000 and March 2008, at least 67 foreigners were said to have died in xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Also, in May 2008, there were riots which left 62 people dead in the country although 21 of those killed were South African citizens.

In April 2015, at Durban, also in South Africa, it was reported that mobs looted foreigners properties and attacked immigrants especially black while Nigerians, Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Somalis were the most affected The major reason behind xenophobia in South Africa is the apparent adverse economic situation that gave rise to youth unemployment. Since 1994, when South Africa finally opened its borders to the world after apartheid collapsed, unemployment figures in this country have grown considerably. The figures of unemployment have nearly doubled. Black Africans account for almost half of the unemployed people in the country. Among all those unemployed, young people represent more than half.

Poor education among the black population of South Africans is another crucial reason behind xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

Historically, during the apartheid era, blacks were

banished to distant homelands, and only allowed to come to the “white” areas if they had a job. As a result, a substantial part of the African population of South Africa grew up far from the centers of business and industry.

In the meantime, immigrants from Nigeria and other African countries were allowed to do business in those areas where the unemployment level is particularly high. Thus, the inequality triggers hate on immigrants and exposes them to xenophobic attacks.

Nigerians in South Africa are still counting their loss, just as many have returned home.

In neighbouring Ghana, Nigerians resident there do not fare better. On July 3, 2012, Nigerian traders complained that their shops were closed because it was claimed they did not comply with government policy which required them to have an initial capital of $300,000 and also employ ten Ghanaians before they can start business in Ghana, regardless of the size of the business. The development led to the closure of more than 40 shops belonging to Nigerians.

Investigations revealed that there were nationals of other West African countries like Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Niger, Cameroon who operate shops in Ghana like Nigerians whom the Ghanaian authorities

Continues on page 57

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 57

The travails of Nigerian businessmen in Ghana Continued fron page 56 would not intimidate.

Mr Okonkwo Okechukwu, one of the victims who resides in Kumasi, Ghana, said: “There are nationals of other West African countries like Mali, Cote D’Ivoire, Niger, Cameroon who do business in Ghana like us but the Ghanaian authorities would not touch them. They target only Nigerians and I don’t know why. In spite of all we do to boost their economy and contribute to raise their standard of living, they don’t care, they just hate Nigerians and discriminate against us”.

Another Nigerian, Bassey Okon, who once lived in Ghana, confirmed the allegation of discrimination. He said: "I was in Ghana for some time; it is no news that most African countries always envy Nigerians”. Okon said the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana should be blamed because he failed to act promptly when the situation started. “He urged the new government to empower Nigerian youths, adding: "Nigerians are running to Ghana like they run to America. There are Nigerians in Ghana selling compact disc videos on the streets of Ghana without documentation. Ghana is part of West Africa, but it is not our country. If our country is lawless and disorganised and allows every Tom, Dick and Harry to do business, Ghana has refused to be so. We should do something about foreigners not just Ghanaians who do business in Nigeria illegally."

A Zimbabwean residing in Ghana (name withheld) told me about how he was mistaken for a Nigerian because of the way he looks, making the Ghanian border to treat him like a criminal. He quoted the border security agents as shouting down on him, "Who brought these criminals here, who permitted these criminals to cross the border to Ghana? Nigerians are criminals and we do not

want them here." However, they had a second thought as the Zimbabwean narrate to them his ordeal in Ghana and Togo respectively.

He confirmed that Ghanaian authorities have been embarking on hostile business practices against Nigerians who are predominantly into real estate, textile and garments, electronics, banking, telecommunication and tourism. "The Ghanaian government has imposed high tariff on Nigerian movies and restricted Nigerian actors from shooting films in Ghana””, he added.

Kalejaye Thompson, resident in Sydney, Australia, said: "There is no doubt that even the Nigerian government is aware that West African countries and people do not like or respect us anymore; they do not wish Nigerians well. For instance, in Sydney, Australia, there are stories of how some Ghanian churches banned Nigerians from worshiping with them. It is even difficult to stay on the same side or sit with Nigerians in commercial vehicles because of the fear that every Nigerian is carrying drugs or some illicit stuff that could implicate them and which, in most cases, are true. We are not safe anywhere in the world today because of what our people are indulging themselves in, in foreign countries. Even Nigerians themselves are afraid of their fellow Nigerians here in Sydney. We are longer proud of our dear country anymore.

It's even very hard for a Nigerian now to gain a good employment here irrespective of his or her qualifications because of our bad attitudes."

Meanwhile, a Ghanian commercial lawyer, AB Lexmall, faulted the claims by Nigerian business men in Ghana, noting that the law in the country is being applied appropriately. His words: "A foreign investor or company may collaborate with a

There is no doubt that even the Nigerian government is aware that West African countries and people do not like or respect us anymore; they do not wish Nigerians well

Ghanaian businessman or company through a joint venture agreement. The joint venture agreement must be properly executed, stating among other things the shareholder structure as well as detailed rights and obligations of each party to the agreement.

"In a joint venture involving a foreign partner, the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre requires a minimum capital of US$ 10,000 from the foreign investor or foreign company.

However, if the objects of

business include financial trading, then the Ghana Investment Promotion Requirements for minimum capital is US$ 300,000.

"On Arrival in Ghana, foreign investors are required to register with GIPC stating the nature of their business and proof that the necessary formalities with respect to the appropriate registration procedures have been duly complied with. Once established, the enterprise is required to apply to the Ghana Investment Promotion Center for an immigration quota. With this application, GIPC will determine the number of foreigners the enterprise will be able to engage without giving any justification. Beyond the allowed quota, subject to a criminal background check, the enterprise will be able to engage the services of a foreigner if it is able to prove that no Ghanaian will be able to perform the job that the foreigner has been hired to perform. Foreigners intending to accept direct employment in Ghana must apply for a resident permit together with a work permit from the director of immigration. The resident and work permit must be renewed periodically for as long as the foreigner remains employed in Ghana."

But is this law applicable to the 15 ECOWAS countries or to only Nigeria? And if we consider the ECOWAS Lagos Treaty of May 28, 1975 with member-countries drawn from Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and Cape Verde, should Ghana make such law?

Mrs Margret Sessi, a Ghanaian, justifying the law, said: "We have realized that foreigners (Nigerians) are taking over our economy, and,

as a people who know what we want and have a responsible government, we have made a law for the good governance of our people and welfare. We have not asked anybody to leave our country, we just amended our business law in line with the realities on ground and it is up to whoever wants to do business here to abide or quit."

Another Ghanaian, Kofi, described the implementation of the law against Nigerians, saying it is pay back time. He said: "It is the same everywhere, law is law and no one is above it. Have you guys forgotten `Ghana must go episode?' You kicked us (Ghanaians) mercilessly out of Nigeria, and the Nigerians here are very rude. They are every where in our universities and look down on us. They talk thrash to our faces and the Ghanaian would never talk back.There are only three Nigerians I know who are not like that. I'm even shocked that Ghana can do this, because, often times, we are like cowards and just stand there and take shit from Nigerians."

Another Ghanaian national said: "Ghana is very right in its policy. The idea of the policy is if you do not have the money. you should go back to your country and exhibit your waywardness, while those who can meet up should stay.

The ECOWAS treaty is a dead document. If law is the requirement for setting up shop in Ghana, it is a matter of time before our economy will improve and overtake Nigeria. After all, what is the point in having foreigners dominate the unskilled sector of the economy for which you do not have shortage among your own citizens?

Page 58 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

100 days of the OkowaPlus and the SMART agenda VIEWPOINT

BY JACKSON EKWUGUM

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Delta State three-month-old administration under the searchlight

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eadership experts tell us that five elements must be in sync for an organisation or government to succeed. These are strategy, structure, systems, skills and culture. We have seen all these in manifestation in the first 100 days of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration in Delta State. It has been a period of critical thinking, strategic planning and focused action.

The governor “hit the ground running” when he presented two bills to the state House of Assembly within 48 hours of assuming office.

The bills, Delta State Capital Territory Agency Development Bill, 2015, and Technical and Vocational Education Board Bill, 2015, were passed by the House within the first week of Okowa’s administration. This was a superb demonstration of a leader who has done his homework and has a clear vision of what he plans to do in office.

The establishment of Delta State Capital Territory Agency is in furtherance of Okowa’s promise to embark on comprehensive urban renewal during his tenure.

The agency is expected to address the peculiar infrastructural and environmental challenges of Asaba and transform it into a befitting capital city.

Throughout the electioneering campaign, Okowa constantly made the point that technical education was the key to unlocking the potentials of our unemployed youths. The Bill on Technical and Vocational Education Board has been formulated to achieve just that.

The governor inherited a troubled economic situation that threatened to derail the administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda. With a debt overhang of over N600b amid dwindling receipts from the Federation Account, something drastic needed to be done to stop the economy of the state from imminent collapse.

The policy response to the crisis has been bold and decisive. Aside from renegotiating the bank loans, Okowa undertook a downward review of the 2015 budget to bring it in line with the current economic realities, suspended recruitment into the civil service and adopted a

phased-out approach to constituting his cabinet to cushion the financial burden on the state.

The regime of fiscal discipline and prudential rules are having the desired impact on governance.

Local government workers who went on strike months before he assumed office returned to work while civil servants have been getting paid regularly. It is a testament to the governor ’s stringent managerial template and political sagacity that the administration is forging ahead with developmental projects despite the lean purse of the state.

Currently, three technical colleges in Agbor, Ofagbe and Sapele are undergoing extensive infrastructural overhaul. Two General Hospitals in Patani and

Everybodymust be ready to make the necessary sacrifices for the state to move forward. The era of impunity and financial profligacy is over

Abavo are being renovated while the rebuilding of the Sapele Main Market is nearing completion.

Extensive repair works are also ongoing at Okpanam road in Asaba and other major roads in the state.

The biggest news of Okowa’s first 100 days in office is the launch of five entrepreneurship programmes under the state’s Job and Wealth Creation Scheme namely; Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP); Development of Agro-Industries; and Extension of Microcredit.

Dubbed OkowaPlus, the objectives of the scheme is to create jobs and wealth, diversify the economy, engage youths in productive enterprises, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders, and promote communal peace and security.

Unlike youth empowerment programmes that people are used to, OkowaPlus seeks to produce wealth and job creators through a rigorous and elaborate entrepreneurship training programme designed to equip participants with life skills, imbue them with leadership attributes and wire them for sustainable outcomes.

Okowa’s cabinet and other political appointees so far are a rare combination of new faces, experienced technocrats and grassroots politicians. This robust admixture is expected to ensure stability in governance and consolidate the system for greater efficiency and seamless transition from one generation of leaders to another.

In his first 100 days, it is crystal clear to political observers that, indeed, Okowa is a man of his words. His five-point agenda of wealth creation, peace building, agricultural reforms, educational and health advancement and urban renewal have received considerable attention.

What remains now is for our people to realise that it is no longer business as usual. There needs to be value reorientation across board for our people to have a mind-set change about politics and governance. The governor is determined to steer the ship of the state aright but he needs the support and cooperation of all.

Everybodymust be ready to make the necessary sacrifices for the state to move forward. The era of impunity and financial profligacy is over.

•Ekwugum is Communication Manager to Governor Okowa.

#MaternalMondays Demand Creation for Birth-Preparedness, WBFA Baby-Friendly Initiative Breastfeeding Manual, WBFA Antenatal Education Curriculum, and Inclusive Access to Health Financing Capacitation.

Having been partners to the United Nations Every Woman, Every Child initiative since 2011 at the invitation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, WBFA has consistently worked to bring global best practice innovations back home to Nigeria. These innovations include the Alaafia Universal Health Coverage Fund, which provides health insurance for 5000 Kwaran residents annually, and the recent partnership with the Johnson and Johnson Foundation and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine to provide ‘skills and drills’ emergency obstetric and newborn care training for health-workers in Kwara State.

The WBFA’s work as a nongovernmental civil society organisation has been recognised by the United Nations, as demonstrated by the awarding of special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Affairs Council, while the WBFA also led Nigeria Health CSO’s recent Position Paper On Health, presented to The Presidential Transition Committee.

Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Strategic Planning, Dr. Robert C. Orr, has previously commended the Wellbeing Foundation for its lifesaving interventions, writing “African philanthropy for women’s and children’s health is something that could catalyse much needed resources toward the issues that you have championed for nearly a decade in Nigeria, including the Personal Health Record (PHR) of Nigeria.”

Mrs Saraki has thanked her supporters, who had accompanied her to the meeting, for their peaceful presence. Additionally she categorically denies reports that supporters forced their way into the offices of the EFCC. A group of supporters and friends attended the

meeting venue as a gesture of goodwill, speaking to her character as a philanthropist and global reputation as an advocate. They made themselves available should the enquiry process have necessitated any standard sureties - which were not called upon. Their presence was in no way intended as a tactic nor should it be interpreted as such.

Mrs Toyin Saraki remains positive about working with the EFCC, which asserts itself to be “a body operating to international standards” towards the prompt resolution, and satisfaction, of this enquiry. She hopes that the spirit of this enquiry will thus follow the global standards and principles of open democracy, transparency, and impartiality that the EFCC – and other similar organisations around the world - are founded upon, and in adherence to the Rule Of Law. Mrs Saraki’s legal team requested some weeks ago that the EFCC fully disclose to her, the identity of a fraudulent female impostor who has been using a false likeness of Mrs Toyin Saraki’s name and identity.

Saraki’s wife affirms her integrity RIGHT OF REPL Y REPLY

BY AKEEM OLAGOKE fter reading your story titled: ‘EFCC’s Alleged Diversion of Trillions - Lamorde and the Schism in the Senate’, written by Henry Umoru, the Senate Correspondent of your newspaper, published on Sunday, August 30, 2015, particularly the section of the report sub-titled ‘Toyin Saraki’s Saga’, I feel compelled to give you the benefit of the account of what transpired during Mrs Saraki’s visit to the office of the anti-graft agency.

I believe this will stop all erroneous insinuations and imputations contained in your article and others published in Nigerian newspapers in which people try to link the wife of the Senate President with the activities of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions concerning the EFCC. As a citizen with the utmost respect for highest standards of transparency and democratic accountability, , Mrs Toyin Saraki visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on July 27 and 28, 2015, in response to an invitation. Mrs Saraki made herself immediately available to assist the commission wholeheartedly with any lawful enquiry they had.

During her visit, Mrs. Saraki was informed that this enquiry concerned “an investigation into public funds diversion and money-laundering.” It was based upon a 2012 petition submitted to the EFCC by one Sulaiman Abdul - of unknown and unverified provenance - regarding alleged “non-completed and nonperformed Kwara State 2012 MDG contracts”.

Mrs Saraki assured the EFCC of her cooperation towards the prompt and positive resolution in satisfaction of this enquiry. Mrs Saraki has always maintained absolute propriety as a spouse of an elected public officer, and in her own private capacity. She has never sought to influence awards of government contracts in any capacity.

Mrs Saraki has noted, as a matter of fact, that the 2012 petition upon which she was belatedly invited to

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attend this enquiry, three years later, in July 2015, made no reference to herself or her Wellbeing Foundation Africa.

The petition concerned the performance of a third party independent distributor of her foundation’s copyrighted and trademarked intellectual property.

She has been reliably advised that this independent distributor won its contract in an openly advertised competitive tender process in Kwara State - long after the May 2011 conclusion of her husband’s tenure as Executive Governor of Kwara State.

Mrs Saraki has since been informed that this company - a wellregarded health sector distributor in which it should be clear she has no proprietary interest, won this tender in all due process, satisfied its obligations to a high standard, and duly received its completion certificate from the Kwara State Government.

It is pertinent to note that there has been no complaint from the Kwara State Government.

Mrs Saraki has willingly provided comprehensive documentary evidence of the lawful contractual relationship with this independent company.

For the record, the company is an appointed distributor of her

Having always placed an emphasis on the importance of accountability, transparency and diligent reporting, Mrs Saraki has always operated within the law and to the highest standards of global compliance in all of her activities, and she is confident of her personal and institutional integrity

Wellbeing Foundation’s registered copyrighted and trademarked tools and resources, which have been deployed throughout Nigeria’s National Health Strategy’s Midwives Service Scheme.

Since its inception, the Wellbeing Foundation has adopted a globally recognised charity sector-funding model that is widely used by others such as UNICEF and OXFAM. Having always placed an emphasis on the importance of accountability, transparency and diligent reporting, Mrs Saraki has always operated within the law and to the highest standards of global compliance in all of her activities, and she is confident of her personal and institutional integrity.

It is thus, a sad reflection of the general mistrust of prominent figures in Nigeria, that any authentic and verified lawfully earned copyright, trademark and author royalties accruable, and declared transparently, to Mrs Saraki and The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, could ever be hastily and wrongly presumed, by any party, to be illicit in origin. Equally worrisome, is the unfortunate prevalence of maliciously concocted petitions, of fictitious origins.

Every single day, 2,300 newborns and under-five year olds and 145 women of childbearing age die in Nigeria. This makes Nigeria the second largest contributor to the under–five and maternal mortality rate in the world For over a decade, the Wellbeing Foundation Africa has led efforts to reduce Nigeria’s unacceptably high maternal, newborn, and child mortality indices.

Through collaboration and consultation with local, national, and international partners, WBFA has developed innovative solutions that have been adopted into the very frontline of the Nigerian health systems.

These solutions include the WBFA Integrated Maternal, Newborn, and Child Personal Health Record, WBFA Universal Health Maternity And Child Record Books and Notebooks, the WBFA Clean Birth MamaKit, the WBFA BabyKit, WBFA EMONC Skills & Drills Training,

This impostor has been known to the investigative body for a number of years, thus she is disappointed that she was not previously informed about this despite the risk to herself and her reputation from an individual of such apparently grievous criminality.

A response has not been received from the EFCC, regarding the above requests.

We thus caution the media to refrain, cease and desist from unfounded speculation, and politically influenced conjecture in order to preserve the principles of equity, dignity, fairness, and justice, in the interest all concerned parties to the presumed lawfulness and integrity, of this EFCC enquiry.

Her Excellency Toyin Saraki looks forward to drawing a line promptly under this matter and continues to focus on her consistent leadership of global advocacy on maternal, newborn and child health. * Olagoke is Private Secretary to Mrs. Toyin Saraki, Founder President, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, Page

59

Ambode’s steady and pragmatic leadership style VIEWPOINT

BY HABIB ARUNA

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

No issue of the moment Lagos gov hasn’t touched in 100 days

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fter more than three months of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode as the Governor of Lagos, the conspicuous point that has served as the identity of the government is compassion for the masses of the deprived citizens. He has peeped into history and discovered that a government is bereft of an abiding relationship with reality and posterity if it does not go the extra mile to empathise with the needy.

He made this clear on day one of his coming. Ambode made a solemn statement to announce his commitment to what has since entered the record book as his philosophy. He spoke of an unbreakable bond with the common man. It was the landfall of what has thereafter been known as compassionate governance.

I have seen this at work both in the most abstract aspects of administration and in the most ordinary areas of government under Ambode.

Consider what the governor did only within a day of his being swornin. Meeting the Body of Permanent Secretaries, he laid before these bureaucrats his vision to reposition the civil service and make it more efficient, service -driven and people-

TRIBUTE

BY HALLIBURTON ALMONA

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

An educationist’s silent revolution

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ome are born great; some have greatness thrust upon them, while others work hard to be great. Educationist, historian and scholar, Dr. Ignatius Nwanze Ezoem, has all three elements of greatness in him.

Ezoem hails from Idumu-Ogo, Aniocha North L.G.A, Delta State, a place known for a well-established network of extended family ties and a virile culture of agricultural practice.

A Christian and happily married with four children, Ezoem attended University of Benin, Benin City, from

oriented. He went on to do away with old brooms and brought in 19 new Permanent Secretaries to usher in the new face of bureaucracy. Discerning observers have since interpreted Ambode’s action as a component of his compassion for the people.

Lagosians must be freed from a rigid system that no longer catered for their emerging needs and dynamics of the time.

Observers have taken note of the display of a sympathetic tone in the governor’s move to bring investors to Lagos. He has done it with panache by first setting up an Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment (Lagos Global) domiciled in his office. He kick-started the mission on the second day in office by meeting the President of Namibia, Dr. Hage Geingoband. He unveiled the opportunities that abound in the State of Excellence. Since then, the governor has met several local and foreign investors, including the richest African, President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and businessmen from Dubai, United States of America, Europe and Middle-East countries.

In only 100 days, Ambode’s administration has revealed many times over that his is indeed flowing with a milk of human kindness.

Let me take you on a journey of a few but memorable and outstanding ones.

Ambode wasn’t in Lagos when there were fatal petrol tanker blasts in parts of the state. But if there is a crisis and you are a man of your word, and a sincere feeling for the masses

is your watchword, you’d abandon what you are doing wherever you are to share in the grief of your people.

And so Ambode, a man of steely integrity, took the next flight from Abuja to Lagos and rushed to the scene of inferno at Iyana Ipaja inside the rain. The other incident took place at Idimu, where he expressed deep sympathies with the victims and promised generous donations to comfort them and help them get back on their feet.

That wasn’t all. The Lagos State Chief Executive set up a meeting with petrol marketers and Tank farm owners and instituted a fact-finding committee to look into cases of fuel infernos with a view to putting a stop to them.

In some of these cases, we have seen Ambode intervening on occasions of fatalities. But he has also done it to stop death. Consider the case of Mrs. Ruth Uche, a mother of three sets of twins. The woman’s husband fled home as he couldn’t support his large family. The governor asked his deputy, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, to provide succor for the mother of six. The runaway husband has since returned.

Before Mrs. Uche’s plight, Ambode had, on his second working day in office, intervened to save the life of the 2015 Baby of the Year, Oluwajomiloju Goodness Ogundimu, who was diagnosed with a heart defect that required surgery.

Today, baby Ogundimu is hale and hearty after surgery in India.

Once, Ambode was coming from Ikoyi heading to his office when he

sighted an accident scene. Rescue work was going on to save the life of a woman whose car had overturned.

He stopped his convoy and promptly joined in the operation.

A most touching demarche of Ambode has been the N11 billion to settle what the state had been owing elderly retirees.

His government has also addressed a critical area of the population namely the youth. The governor last week issued a policy declaration that his administration will work out strategies to take away youngsters from the street.

I believe that when an administrator is this passionate about the foremost roles of the youth; he is only a few steps away from bringing down the crime level in the society. He is also on the verge of meeting the food security objective of the society because these virile young men and women are the foot soldiers for the agrarian and economic revolution of their fatherland.

Looking at the future has not taken the governor away from today’s security challenges these past months. His sincere mien as a trustworthy governor has made corporate bodies and individuals to raise more than N1 billion to support government’s war on crime. An on its own, the government has acquired 100 new power bikes, 10 armored tanks and, wait for this, helicopters to police Lagos from the air!

Ambode desires a compassionate watch on Lagos and so he has made

The giant strides at FCE, Asaba 1982 to 1988 for his bachelor and master degrees, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka, from 1991 to 1995, where he bagged the doctor of philosophy degree in education, majoring in guidance and counselling.

A member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Ezeom was appointed Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba in 2011. His tenure has witnessed several giant strides including the introduction of degree programme in education at institution now affiliated with the University of Benin; the establishment of a board with broader mandate to censor literature to be used or purchased by students;

•Dr. Ignatius Ezoem mounting of security cameras at strategic locations at temporary and permanent sites of the institution, renovation of all old buildings and refurbishing of office furniture and equipment; construction of a new access road in the college; establishment of a table water factory (Colitech); and provision of new

ambulances, cars, buses etc.

Other strides include the establishment of a management information system (MIS), an ultramodern administrative complex, lecture theatres, e-Library and organising the 13th – the 23rd combined convocation ceremonies.

The Provost has also helped with a massive employment exercise in the institution beyond narrow ethnic boundaries. He has effectively keyed into several aspects of modern corporate society with his fellowship of the Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria, membership of the Counselling Association of Nigeria, chairmanship of the Board of Studies, Nigeria Colleges of

provision for 100 new squad cars for the Special Operation Service (SOS) which will be unveiled soon.

Linked to this is Ambode’s push for congestion-free Oshodi-Apapa Expressway. After receiving hundreds of calls and text messages on the pains experienced by motorists and commuters as a result of the activities of the petrol tanker drivers on that route, Ambode moved to the scene by road. He painstakingly tasted the trauma of the citizens, staying long hours in the gridlock. It has paid off as the palliative measures he came up with have eased the congestion to some extent.

The governor has evolved a kind of ‘communitarian’ philosophy of government in the past three months in the health sector. Ambode has approved the purchase of generators for all general hospitals in Lagos, right into the remote rural and riverine areas. Meanwhile, less than a week ago, Ambode commissioned 20 mobile Care Unit Ambulances and 26 Transport Ambulances expected to be deployed across the state. Doctors in the state are now singing new songs of hosanna and that days of strikes are finally over.

Lagosians have seen a similar radical posture in education, where at the primary level the governor has directed that some 1,300 teachers be recruited immediately for service.

There is hardly any issue of the moment Ambode hasn’t touched.

*Aruna is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ambode

Education Games Association and membership of the Nigerian Primary and Teacher Education Association.

Before attaining the present office of Provost, Ezoem had served in the same institution as Dean, School of School of Education, 2003 to 2007.

Ezoem has more than 37 awards and commendations including, Best Post- graduate student, University of Nsukka, Award of Honour by AU Nigerian Colleges of Education Games Association, Golden Award for Excellence as Outstanding Provost for the year 2011/2012 by the Journal News, and KWAME Nkrumah Leadership Award on Educational Development, by West African Students Union.

He is a prolific author and public affairs commentator. * ALMONA IS AN ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER, DBS ASABA, DELTA STATE.

Perspective on Edo 2016 governorship race VIEWPOINT

BY PAUL OBAZEE

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The need for Oshiomhole’s successor to move Edo State to the next of infrastructural development

E

ven if you do not subscribe entirely to Adams Oshiomhole’s vitriolic salvos in the political sphere, you cannot deny the fact that the vibrant Comrade Governor, who holds the banner of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has certainly raised the bar of governance in Nigeria’s heart-beat state.

This will perhaps explain why the World Bank has acknowledged the fact that Oshiomhole has contributed immensely to the development of Edo State Indeed, those who are familiar with the development profile of the state since the dawn of democracy in 1999 can eloquently testify that Comrade Oshiomhole has impacted positively on the lives of Edo State citizens.

From road construction, including the provisions of walkways and drainage system, to the procurement of mass transit buses, to the rehabilitation and building of new schools, to healthcare delivery system, to refurbishing of Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium to FIFA

Governorship aspirants with clean records of not having held political offices in the past and soiled their fingers as it were but who have made tremendous success in their chosen fields may as well find favour among APC leadership

standard, etc, Comrade Oshiomhole has certainly improved the living standards of Edo State residents.

It is against this background that as the Comrade governor prepares to hand the baton of leadership in Edo State next year, his successor should be properly screened to ascertain if by his antecedent, he can further lift the state to the next level.

Incidentally, since the historic victory of the APC in the 2015 presidential election which saw Muhammadu Buhari ascend the throne in Aso Rock, Abuja, almost all the gladiators in Edo State politics have moved into the APC and are jostling for its 2016 governorship ticket.

Yet, given the anti-corruption war sweeping the political landscape of the country being spearheaded by President Buhari himself, it is doubtful if these career politicians will pass corruption text that will be a compelling imperative in the selection process at APC’s primaries not only in Edo State, but also in all subsequent elections in the country.

From this standpoint, it would

appear that governorship aspirants with clean records of not having held political offices in the past and soiled their fingers as it were but who have made tremendous success in their chosen fields may as well find favour among APC leadership both at the state and national levels.

It is against this background that the candidacy of Pharmacist Chris Iyare is receiving a great deal of popular appeal among the rank and file members of APC in Edo State.

As it is well known in Edo, Pharm.

Iyare has proved his mettle having rendered meritorious service to Nigerians in general and Edo State indigenes in particular, in his chosen field of endeavour.

For instance, he served as Secretary-General, Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students(1994-1995); Head of Department (Pharmacy), Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto; Manager, National Secretariat of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (1999 to 2000); Senior Pharmacist, Hospital Management Board, Edo State (2001 to 2004); Chairman, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria,

Edo State Branch (January 2015 to date), etc.

Beyond all that, Pharm Iyare has been very prominent in sociopolitical activities that uplifted and continue to improve the lives of Edo State residents which will stand him in good stead as the race for the Osadebe House, Benin intensifies.

All things considered, the resourceful pharmacist certainly stands a good chance of clinching the Edo governorship ticket on the platform of the APC not only because he is a gem and has excelled in his chosen profession but more-so because he has a social vision that will further elevate Edo State to greater heights.

Thus, as we move towards the 2016 governorship race in Edo State, all eyes are on the rising profile of Pharm Iyare who is expected to hold aloft the APC banner in the state after the primary and thereafter receive the baton to occupy Osadebe House, Benin City in 2016 after Comrade Oshiomhole’s departure.

• Obazee, is a public affairs analyst, based in Benin City

PAGE 60—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 sam.eyoboka@gmail.com

08023145567 (sms only)

Why churches can't retain good musicians---Olawuwo, music trainer COUNTRY Director of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in Nigeria, a versatile organist and music trainer, Mr. Sunday Olawuwo, in an interview, spoke on the international school which supports a network of over 8,000 churches, schools and individuals across the globe and its planned annual musical conference as well as sundry issues relating to church music.

Excerpts....

Why have you been keeping the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) under wraps five years after its entry into Nigeria?

We have been doing series of programmes. We have been organising annual international courses and conferences for church musicians and stakeholders across the country. So, we have not kept it under wraps. Many have attended the conferences from across the country. The awareness will continue to grow.

What genre of music do you focus on?

The RSCM is generally about church music; every music that promotes Christian worship--classical or contemporary. We seek to improve standards of musical performance in Christian worship.

Many are worried that hymns no longer play significant role in church services. As a music trainer, do you share that worry?

Yes, I do. This is because Hymns remain a major component of our Christian heritage. You will find that as old as some of the hymns are, they contain a lot of messages. In fact, they are richer in messages than many of our contemporary songs. An average contemporary song contains just a few lines that you continue to repeat; but the hymns are like poems written in many verses for singing, meditation and reading. So, for us, we are worried and we are working for many people to appreciate these hymns again.

That is why we gather music leaders, song writers and producers for a week for intensive training. They return to their churches to effect changes and reforms that they have learnt during the training. Our passion is to promote quality church music. You find that many of our contemporary songs lack professionalism. An average music leader only listens to an album and tries to reproduce everything by ear. That is how they learn but that is unprofessional.

Every composition has a music score that can be read by those who understand music, including the contemporary songs. So, if you love a particular music, all you have to do is to do your research, get the original

That is why I think our churches should remunerate our musicians better than they do now because that is the only way to keep them

*Mr. Sunday Olawuwo music score to be able to correctly interpret it. But oftentimes, because even the music trainers don’t understand music language and can’t interpret music scores; they resort to reproducing by just listening to the music. If you do that, there is no way you will be able to reproduce the music correctly and perfectly.

Did you read music?

I studied music at a professional level; but that is not my main job because I also run a chain of businesses.

So, you don’t do music full time?

I don’t do it full time for so many reasons. One, for me, it has become a calling and that is why

you won’t see me get out of it for once. My primary assignment is to use my musical gift to teach others and elevate the worship of God. I’m a graduate of Economics and I run family businesses alongside my music career. My passion came from the fact that I was born into a musical family.

My father was a renowned organist and choirmaster and I had the opportunity of sitting for ABRSM professional exams up to the final grade. I also had some training at the famous St. Giles Organ School, London. It is not about making money from music or making a living out of it. Definitely if I’m not making money out of it, then I must be doing something else to make a living. My first degree was in Agricultural Economics from OAU, Ile-Ife. I had a master’s degree in Management Economics and later an MBA. So, how did music discover you or vice versa?

Well, I was born into a family of musicians. My father, who

just died last December, happened to be one of the greatest organists of his time. We were all choristers under him and so I picked it from him. All my life, music has always been there. Being a disciplinarian, my father made me learn music under strenuous conditions, including being punished for not practising enough. I was in the choir all my life. As a child, I felt bad and wondered if I had to be a musician like him but I thank God I did. It got to a time he would always say to me that ‘look, if you don’t do this thing now, you’d regret it in the future.’

People were coming from outside to learn from him. We had a piano in the sitting room that everybody wanted to play but I would rather play football. But at a point, God touched my life and they had to start telling me at home to leave the piano after hours of practicing. I thank God for how far He has led me. I have had the opportunity to serve as organist and choirmaster in a few churches before my present position as the Director of Music at Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral; a position I have held for 15 years, first as organist and choirmaster and later the Master of the Music or the Director of Music.

What kind of feedbacks do you get?

People have said we shouldn’t restrict the training to Lagos alone but bring it to other parts of Nigeria and we are already working on that and I believe it will happen soon.

How many participants do you have every year?

We have always had an average of about 60. We are working towards achieving 100 participants this year. We have two

facilitators coming from Ireland and UK in addition to local facilitators.

The participants are few because the conference is elitist....

No, we are not elitist. I think the main challenge is that many people cannot leave their work and other activities to stay for a whole week of the training. That is because we have a bad culture of not resting in this part of the world: we don’t go on vacations.

We just like to work and work.

Otherwise, you can plan your annual leave for a programme like this to spend your vacation nicely. A lot of us don’t know how to relax and enjoy our lives.

Why can’t churches retain the good musicians they produce?

That is another beauty of the conference. It is not just about the choristers and musicians but also about the stakeholders like priests, pastors and administrators. We need to let them know how to manage church musicians because it is a team work. Behind any church that is thriving; you will find pastors or worship leaders who appreciate and promote music. They use good music to attract and retain members of their congregation.

But why do musicians leave their churches as soon as they acquire some skills?

If you check most of those musicians, it is about their person-al fulfillment. The fact that the economy is comatose also puts more people under financial pressure. They want to commer-cialise every little skill that they have. You can’t blame anyone for that. That is why I think our churches should remunerate our musicians better than they do now because that is the only way to keep them. If you remunerate them well, you can keep them for a long time and that creates stability.

Deeper Life city-wide crusade: Lagosians expectant T

HERE were very strong indications during the week that Lagosians are already anxiously expecting positive transformation of their moral, spiritual, economic and social lives, which they believe had considerably nosedived, at the forth-coming Lagos City-wide Crusade being organised by Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

Several are said to be grieving over high level of insecurity, which has taken a toll on lives and property in the state.

Last week, at a newsstand along College Road, near Ifako General Hospital, Ogba, Lagos, a free newspaper reader could not help but decry the high rate of social vices in Lagos, noting that it would require divine intervention to stem the ugly tide.

Expressing similar sentiments, a resident disclosed that there are currently about four million ‘okada’ riders in Lagos State, who are mostly unsaved and are available to be recruited into dangerous gangs, a situation that

should be a concern to everybody in the state, especially with the current rise in crime rate.

With a population estimated to hit 25 million by 2025, an analyst pointedly said Lagosians more than before needed a definite encounter with Christ, if the state would remain conducive for its inhabitants, stressing that acceptance of Christ would checkmate both the moral and social vices in the state.

Pastor Joseph Fasanmi, moderator, Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) Lagos State, who recently announced the planned city-wide crusade of the church, shared the analyst’s sentiment that only God could redeem the situation through Christ.

Fasanmi, while describing the planned crusade, which would cover 17 local government areas of the state, as unprecedented, noted that the high rate of robbery, cultism, drug abuse and corruption, among other ills, could have totally destroyed the state, if it were not for God’s grace.

The cleric, who gave the theme of the crusade as ‘Supernatural encounter with the God of

wonders,’ admitted that the 20day event, which would begin on September 8, was necessitated not only by the alarming rate of crime, but also the need to usher people into the kingdom of God. Acknowledging Lagos State Government’s significant efforts to tackle robbery, cultism, drug menace, prostitution and kidnapping, among other crimes, Fasanmi said: “A fearsome swarm of iniquities is yet rife in the state.

Ours is a state that has been held under siege for too long. If not for God’s abiding grace, our city, nay the state, could have gone under altogether.

“While we salute the positive actions so far taken by our respected Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode, we hasten to state that unless the required spiritual renaissance and moral rearmament are put in place, enduring change in Lagos, or any other place for that matter, will remain a pipe dream.”

According to him, unless the heart of man is changed and turned around by God to undertake salutary and positive designs, government’s measure

would ultimately be feeble and less impactful.

Fasanmi explained that since the advent of democracy in 1999, respective governments in Lagos had striven to improve the sociopolitical economic space, but their collective actions could not sufficiently lift the state because of the people’s attitudinal dispositions, moral and spiritual make-up, which had been far from what they should be.

He said: “The leaders, themselves, are outcrops of a depressed environment, and cannot be expected to provide enduring solutions to the multifaceted challenges facing mankind and summed up in one word – sin.

“We make bold to state that it is only a completely changed heart of man by God through the gospel that can bring about a fundamental and unadulterated transformation in our broad landscape. All those that have conquered the basic challenges of development have done so because at one time or the other in their

Continues on Page 61

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015, PAGE 61

O

N November 27, 2014, at the inauguration of Rauf Aregbesola as secondterm governor of Osun State, Senator Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the APC, asked Nigerians to prepare their charms and other juju powers for the 2015 elections. Present on that occasion were the big guns of the APC, including now President Muhammadu Buhari, former party chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and APC state governors.

Why would Tinubu, a practicing Muslim, ask people to seek occult powers in order to prevail in elections? Why would Yemi Osinbajo, a Christian pastor, later associate with a political party whose leadership dabbles in the occult?

Nigerians are a deeply religious people, whether Christian or Moslem. Both faiths believe in the Lord God Almighty. Neither permits resort to witchcraft.

However, Hosea warns: “My people are destroyed because they have no knowledge.” Could it be that APC members and Nigerians at large are unaware of the cultist foundations upon which the party is built?

Cultic broom The broom symbol of the ACN was later adopted as the logo of the APC with the coalition of the legacy parties. Millions of brooms were bought by APC supporters during the 2015 election campaigns, to the delight of broom-sellers.

These were then brandished lavishly during the election rallies.

Ordinarily, the broom is a powerful and effective symbol for a political party.

In practical everyday life,

APC AND THE SPIRIT OF WITCHCRAFT brooms are used to sweep away dirt. It is therefore appropriate for a political party, especially one in opposition, to use it as a symbol of its determination to sweep away the government in power and clean up the filth and corruption in Nigerian society.

However, the broom is also a witchcraft symbol believed by the cultist to provide the power to rise above the earthly plane and to soar in the spirit realm.

In the West, brooms are associated with witches visualized as hags who fly through the air on broomsticks. These witches use their cultist brooms to sweep away their traces to avoid detection.

Herbalists use the broom to invoke the spirit of the dead. The broom is used as a gate or door before a ritual space. A witch draws a magical circle, enters it, and then places the broom over the doorway as a means to keep out unwanted energies or people.

Bad luck There is sufficient evidence to indicate that the APC employed the broom as an instrument of witchcraft and superstition during the 2015 elections. What is cultist about the APC broom is the way and manner it is displayed. The APC broom is held up and not down. It is

Both Christians and Muslims must reject outright the strange spirit that the APC, in its lust for power, has imported into Nigeria held above the head and then waved in the air. This gives it a hidden meaning not generally recognised.

In the occult, when brooms are waved in the air, they have the opposite effect of cleaning up dirt; they spread dirt. When waved in the air, brooms pour dirt on our heads. This makes it sinister that the APC chose this very gesture as its definitive slogan.

In this part of the world, it is considered taboo for men especially to raise the broom above the head. To do so is to invoke evil spirits. With the broom raised everywhere during the campaigns, the APC used it to cast a spell on Nigerians. Many are just beginning to wake up from this spell after 100 days of a do-nothing Buhari administration.

In Yoruba folklore, it is a bad omen for the broom to stand erect; it must lie on the ground. The taboo is that if it stands erect, it will be used by evil spirits to bring bad luck. The occult design here was fitted for APC electoral purposes. The party used its cultist broom

to sweep away good luck from Nigeria in the person of Goodluck Jonathan. This means its success at the polls portends a bad omen for Nigeria.

Witchcraft mumbojumbo says if you sweep out the room occupied by an unwelcome guest immediately after his departure, you will prevent him from returning.

Therefore, after President Jonathan and the PDP finished their political rally at the polo ground in Kano in April 2015, the APC Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; his deputy, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and some members of governor’s cabinet came out with brooms to sweep the grounds. This shows they believed in the cultist powers of their logo and invoked it on the president.

Generational curses In India, from where APC borrowed this hocus pocus, the mother goddess who waves the broom is called Shitala. This Hindu siren has several hands and is

associated with quite a number of debilitating ailments, many not immediately apparent. At first, the broom would seem to meet all of our deepest longings. But, sooner than later, its devastating sideeffects would emerge.

The broom is united at the bottom and this would seem to signify unity. However, it is scattered at the top, which spells disunity. With the scattered end waved in the air, the APC broom portends disunity for Nigeria, both at the party and at the national level.

With Buhari now at the helm, Nigerians have witnessed a lot of squabbles within the APC. Attempts to paper over the cracks are illusory. More ominous is President Buhari’s emergence as a sectional ethnic leader.

His blatantly lopsided political appointments, designed to make the South a colony of the North, poses great threat to Nigerian unity.

This should not come as a surprise. When you employ the broom goddess to sweep away your opponents, she also sweeps away your national image, your honour, strength, peace and independence as a nation.

Bad omen By electing the APC into power, Nigerians

Zack Orji empathises with northern Christians

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

V ETERAN Nigerian actor, director, producer and filmmaker and a Nollywood legend, who is now actively involved in proclaiming the gospel of the Lord, Zack Orji has urged Christians to hold steadfast to the love of God despite diverse life challenges.

Orji, a graduate of the University of Nigeria made the call while delivering a sermon titled: “The Goodness of God” at the first thanksgiving service of The Stream of Grace Church, Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos.

Drawing inspiration from several Bible passages, Orji, whose first movie in 1991 was entitled Unforgiven Sin, said God sometimes allows challenges in the lives of Christians, not to punish them but to make them eternally dependent on Him. He therefore advised that rather than being bitter towards God during trying periods, Christians should hold on to His promises from the Bible.

Lamenting the state of insecurity in the North East region of the country, the former chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria urged Christians in the region not to loose hope but instead remain C M Y K

steadfast in God, adding that Boko Haram insurgency in the region and some other northern states would soon be over.

In his words: “Northern Christians should not lose faith in God, though trials and tribulations will come but the Bible says many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him from them all. Definitely the end of insurgency in Nigeria is fast approaching and whatever northern Christians are going

through is just a phase that will not last forever. God will surely bring it to an end. They should keep on depending on God who is the ruler over affairs of men, governor of all nations and keeper of Nigeria”.

Orji admonished Nigerian political leaders to shun unnecessary politicking bickering and focus on sustainable development aimed at improving the lives standards of Nigerians.

According to him, leaders

across the globe are elected into power to serve the people and not to enrich themselves, pointing out that Nigerians are praying for effective and efficient service delivery which will empower the populace to have better living standards.

Thanking God for His faithfulness over the ministry in the past one year, the senior pastor, Pastor Austin Elijah said his sole responsibility is to bring souls into God’s kingdom.

Deeper Life city-wide crusade: Lagosians expectant Continued from Page 60 chequered history, they had embraced the commanding imperatives of the gospel.

“These crusades will, therefore, serve to expose and deal with the acute unrighteousness with the objective of receiving God’s forgiveness and mercy. The crusades will also prayerfully bring down the power of God with a view to ameliorating the rather punishing challenges many daily contend with.”

According to him, “It is equally in the bid to boldly complement the efforts of the state government and the cravings and yearnings of Gov. Ambode that these crusades will be taking place. Our

firm conviction is that once the hearts of the general citizenry are made right, it will be easier for the government to prosecute its programmes fairly successfully.

“This explains why all Christians in Lagos are pulling their ranks together, at this time, to squarely defeat those primordial and anti-social factors which have held us down for so long. Our conviction is that as we pray and hold the crusades, real and enduring change will come. We have the firm assurance that Lagos will soon experience an atmosphere of calmness, true freedom and liberty as God confirms His word with signs and wonders.

“We trust God that the crusades will usher in an era of real spiritual, moral, physical, material, political and economic transformation for the state and by extension for the country, especially as Lagos represents the heart-beat of the nation.”

Fasanmi further added that, “We humbly and respectfully state that the crusades will be transparent and manifest for your scrutiny as we remain confident that nothing but the pursuit of God’s glory through the gospel is our cardinal objective.

Ultimately, our Lord Jesus Christ will be sufficiently exalted so that He in turn will draw all longing hearts in Lagos and beyond to Himself.”

inadvertently accepted the rule of the broom goddess.

Unless a conscious effort is made to reject this evil spirit, it will prevail over our national affairs in the next four years. This will bring fruitless hard labour. People will work like jackasses and eat like ants. Holes will be burnt in pockets. Lives will be wasted needlessly.

The broom goddess brings emptiness and restlessness.

She provides broken cisterns that cannot hold water. There will be no peace in the country and the people will reject the truth.

Indeed, the 100 days of APC government have been characterized by lies, more lies and broken promises. Nigeria has gone from go-slow to standstill.

The currency has declined; the oil price has nose-dived; Boko Haram killings have multiplied. It is increasingly obvious that Nigerians were hypnotized and hoodwinked by the APC in the 2015 elections.

National redemption It is not enough to claim disbelief in the power of the darkness. Witchcraft is real. If it were not, many would not subscribe to it and appeal to it.

However, cultist power is far inferior to the power of God. This means the occult should not just be ignored; it must be resisted; otherwise its attendant evils will prevail. Therefore, those of us who believe in God must be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

Both Christians and Muslims need to fast and pray and take a stand. We must reject outright the strange spirit that the APC, in its lust for power, has imported into Nigeria.

Buhari’s 100 days: NigerDelta group hails Buhari A POLITICAL pressure group under the auspices of Niger-Delta Youth Vanguard for All Progressives Congress, APC, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari over his doggedness in his fight against corruption.

The group also commended President Buhari on the appointment of a Deltan as the Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Kachikwu and the appointment of a Niger Deltan as head of Amnesty Programme.

In a statement by its President, Com. Fredrick Ujobolo, Secretary, Com. Gordons Oweiware and the Publicity Sec, Com. Bounty Omokoro said only upright people like Buhari can restore sanity to the Nigerian nation full of corrupt leaders.

The statement which called on Buhari to be careful and mindful of those who he will bring into his government, pointed out that politicians with unacceptable character, whether members of APC or PDP, should be avoided at times like this that the country is undergoing reforms.

The group said, “We have seen so far that Buhari’s appointment so far has been on merit whether from the south, west, east or the north".

PAGE 62, S UNDAY Vanguard SUNDAY Vanguard,, SEPTEMBER 6 , 2015

AAG: Okagbare’s no show angers NSC, AFN

By Ben Efe

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L E S S I N G Okagbare may have incurred the wrath of the National Sports Commission and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, following her decision to boycott the All Africa Games, which started in Brazzaville, Congo on Friday.

Okagbare, told the AFN officials in Beijing that she will not make it to the Games, on the grounds of the medical condition, which prevented her from running the women 200m at the World Champion-ships.

On Thursday, Okagbare showed up in Zurich to run in the IAAF Diamond league, where she clocked 10.98 seconds to place second to Jamaica’s Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce. She was in the last position with 11.02 in China, and this provoked more reactions from concerned athletics enthusiasts, who concluded that her claims to injury in China, was artifice.

“The NSC and the AFN

are looking into the circumstances surrounding her decision to opt out the Games in Congo. That is all I can say for now,” said a member of the AFN yesterday.

He revealed that in Beijing, Okagbare was ready to run the 200m, but while warming up, she suffered a minor muscle strain, which was confirmed by the IAAF medical team.

“She was warming up for the 200m and then she complained. You know, at the stage of the competition it is against the rules to pull out an athlete. So the IAAF medical team ran an MRI scan, which revealed a minor muscle strain and she decided to scratch not aggravate the strain.

“But that she was in Zurich running good times, is another matter entirely, which will investigated,”said the AFN official.

Former Nigerian international athlete, Mercy Nku urged Nigerians to show restrain in their criticism of the athlete.

•Sad in Beijing, Happy in Zurich... Blessing Okagbare celebrates with Shelly Ann Fraser Pryce and Veronica Campbell-Brown “Sometimes it happens that an athlete can suddenly develop pains and they may not be in a good frame of mind to

run. We have to show Okagbare some understanding and find ways to prop her up.

“But this should be a

Gyan wishes Ghana good-luck in Brazzaville

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SAMOAH Gyan has wished the entire Ghanadelegationatthe2015 All Africa Games the best of luck.

Ghana is competing in 16 sporting disciplines at this year’s games which is being staged in Congo.

TheBlackStarscaptainhad a chance to interact with some of the athletes during his short time in Brazzaville where the Black Stars had camped ahead of their 2017 AFCON qualifier against Rwanda.

The Shanghai SIPG ace is wishing the entire delegationtodowellandwin

laurels for the nation.

“I wish everybody luck becauseweareallsupporting team Ghana,” he said.

“I have also played in the AllAfricaGamesbackin2003 so I know how it is.

“So I wish everyone good, not only football but all the other disciplines.”

Gyan also donated U$10,000totheBlackQueens to motivate them excel at the games, and urged the Queens to punch above their weight at the Games.

The Black Queens are in a tough three-team Group comprisingCameroon,South Africa after Egypt withdrew their participation.

EVEN time African Nations Cup champions, Egypt are hoping to relaunch themselves back to the top of African football as

•Mohamed Salah

they prepare to take on Chad today in their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya in N’Djamena.

The Pharaohs got their campaign off to a convincing start with a 30 win over Tanzania and will be confident of repeating the feet against a side ranked 171st in the latest Fifa world rankings.

Head coach Hector Cuper has been tasked with qualifying the North African giants for their first Afcon since 2010.

the Jamaicans during the world championships, I just marvelled, we too can get to that level,” Nku said.

Ideye expects exciting champions league moments

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•Asamoah Gyan

AFCON: Egypt seek redemption in Chad

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lesson to Nigerian officials. We must develop our youths, we cannot rely on one athlete, when we have abundant talents in the country. Just looking at

Since lifting the trophy in Angola, their third in succession, Egypt surprisingly failed to qualify for the next three tournaments.

Drawn in Group G alongside 2013 Afcon champs Nigeria, it won’t be a walk in the park, but skipper Sherif Ekramy is confident Egypt can make their return to the continental showpiece.

“We want to return back again to Africa Cup of Nations and when we reach there I am sure we will write history. We haven’t qualified since 2010 and that gives us

motivation to do our best this time,” the Al Ahly man said heading into this weekend’s clash.

ROWN Ideye said he is thrilled to have the chance to play in the Champions League with his new club Olympiakos after he left West Brom due to limited playing time.

Ideye, had only 18 starts to his name from a possible 45, with 13 of those games coming in the English Premier League. ‘’My first thought is to come here and play football, I enjoy playing football, so I am happy being here,’’ Brown Ideye told the club’s official website. ‘’I just want to enjoy playing football and I hope things go well for me and the club. ‘’I have received many

•Brown Ideye messages from them (fans) on my official page and I want to tell them thank you very much and we have to work together and achieve what the club wants for everyone.’’

Amokachi, Obuh fight over Ifeanyi Ubah

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HE camp of Ifeanyi Ubah FC is in crisis as coach Daniel Amokachi and technical director John Obuh, are at daggers drawn.

Amokachi, has reportedly asked the club to do away with the former Flying Eagles as he was causing distractions and he is sabotaging his efforts to ensure the big-spending

club finish in the topthree bracket this season so as to play international football next year.

“It’s a major crisis and this has been worsened by the fact that the club owner Ifeanyi Ubah is away in the United States of America. The chairman of the club is now in the middle of this personality clash,” a top

source informed AfricanFootball.com “Daniel (Amokachi) has already succeeded in chasing out the assistant coach he met at the club and now he wants to see the back of Obuh.”

Ifeanyi Ubah crashed to a humiliating 4-0 loss at Enyimba on Wednesday and they are now 10th on the table with 38 points, 14 points adrift of leaders Enyimba.

S UNDAY Vanguard SUNDAY Vanguard,, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 PAGE – 63

Rooney equals record as England qualify

US Open:

Nadal vows to fight back D

EFIANT Rafael Nadal has vowed to fight on and restore his status after crashing to his earliest US Open exit in 10 years.

The 14-time grand slam winner was knocked out in the third round by Italy’s Fabio Fognini, 36 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.

The result confirmed the decline of the two-time champion who had previously won 151 grand slam matches after taking the first two sets.

Nadal will also finish the season without a grand slam title for the first time since 2004.

It was the 15th defeat of a miserable year, in which he had beaten just two top-10 players and his best majors performances were Australian and French open quarter-finals.

“The only thing this means is I played worse than the last 10 years,” said Nadal, who dropped serve nine times.

“I have to accept that it was not my year and keep

Continues from B/P Super Eagles were left chasing shadows with coach Sunday Oliseh not too happy with his boys’ performance.In the 28th minute, skipper Ahmed Musa delivered a well constructed shot after he was set-up by Emenike.

The homers had a strong penalty appeal turned down by the match referee on the half-hour mark.

Taifa Stars were in need of the opener and were urged on by their die hard fans.

Coach Oliseh clearly showed his displeasure with the performance of Haruna Lukman. The former Golden Eaglets skipper made way for Slyvester Igboun who was handed his international debut for Nigeria in the 36th minute.

The hosts were nearly punished for a defensive blunder but Moses couldn’t utilise the

fighting till the end of the season to finish in a positive way for me.”

Nadal refused to elaborate on areas he needed to improve.

“I improved something from the beginning of the season.

That’s something that I think I am doing. I think I have a good base now,” added Nadal, who missed last year ’s US Open with a wrist injury before an appendix operation.

“I am not playing terrible like I was at the start of the season.

When I am losing, I am losing because the opponents beat me, not because I lose the match, as I did a lot of times at the beginning of the season.”

Earlier, top seed Novak Djokovic defeated Italy’s Andreas Seppi 6-3 7-5 7-5, inching closer to a sixth final in New York.

Djokovic will face Spain’s No.23 Roberto Bautista Agut for a place in the last eight.

Ikeme opportunity that came his way.

Nigeria conjured up one final chance in firsthalf stoppage time, but Emenike’s speculative effort was easily held by goalkeeper Mustapha.

The Super Eagles were much more improved after the break with Emenike leading the charge.

Musa was put through on goal by Emenike but the CSKA Moscow forward couldn’t deliver a good cross to his teammates. His final ball was poor.

On the hour mark, Tanzania were almost in front. It took a timely tackle to stop them.

A criminal miss by Tanzania summed up a wasteful afternoon for them. Ngasa Mrisho headed wide in front of an empty goal.

Thomas Ulimwengu then forced another save

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APTAIN Wayne Rooney equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s alltime goals record as England qualified for Euro 2016 with a thumping victory over San Marino.

Rooney netted a penalty to move to 49 goals but failed to add to that before being replaced by Harry Kane.

Cristian Brolli’s own goal gave England a 2-0 half-time lead and Ross Barkley headed in 15 seconds after the break.

Substitute Theo Walcott struck from close range and slotted in another, in between Kane’s dinked finish.

•Nadal

VCN targets new Okocha, Agali

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HIEF Executive Officer and Chairman of VCN Sports International Ltd, Chief Victor Nwaribeaku has declared that their target in the 2nd VCN Under 15 football challenge is to discover quality players in the mould of Austin “Jay Jay” Okotcha, Victor Agali, Taribo West, Adokiye, Amiasimaka, Segun Odegbami, Kanu Nwankwo, Michael Dominic, Bienda Alada, Victor Ikpeba Amongst others. from impressive Ikeme who held the low shot at a second attempt. The England-based goalie enjoyed a brilliant game on his international debut for Nigeria.

Five minutes from time, substitute Eduok got a rare Nigeria chance as he tried to chip the ball over goalkeeper Mustapha.

Oliseh didn’t exactly get off to a flying start in charge of the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles were the happier of the two teams to get a point on the road as the Taifa Stars were clearly the better side.

With yesterday’s draw against Tanzania, the Super Eagles now top the group with four points.

Egypt will however, overtake Nigeria at the summit of the standings if they defeat Chad on Sunday at Stade Omnisports Idriss Mahamat Ouya, N’Djamena.

Speaking at a media parley at the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Lagos State Chapter Secretariat, at the National Stadium, Lagos Friday, Nwar, beaku sounded optimistic that the inurnment featuring 24 clubs is to be played at the Jalisco playground Oshodi, and Legacy Pitch. National Stadium Lagos provides a standard platform for young and talented footballers to display their talents and be

South Sudan Continues from B/P Group C, with Benin and Mail playing on Sunday.

South Sudan played their first official friendly against Uganda in July 2012.

It was only in 2011 that organised football was first played in South Sudan, after the country gained its independence from Sudan.

Uganda edged to victory away to Comoros in Group D thanks to a single goal which came in the 25th minute.

Tonny Mawejje struck the decisive blow to lift the Cranes top of the table on a maximum six points from two games.

Uganda almost missed the tie because of financial difficulties but Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni provided $210,000 to cover the team’s travel costs.

scouted by officials of clubs and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“The nation is blessed with abundant football talents but we have opted to create an ideal environment for such talents to be exhibited. At VCN sports Ltd, we firmly believe that beside dealing on quality sports wears and kits, footballers should get the right direction.’’

•Rooney

Super Falcons Continues from B/P this afternoon.

Despite the expected support from the home crowd, Super Falcons captain, Evelyn Nwabuoku stated that their mission is to run through the Games and win the gold as a consolation for their painful loss to Equatorial Guinea in the Olympics qualifiers.

“We are here in Congo to prove a point and that is we are still the best in Africa. It was painful missing the Olympics, but that is gone now, we have to continue with our game,” said Nwanbuoko.

Ghana and Senegal men will open soccer hostilities, before the Super Falcons take on their Congolese counterparts, while Tanzania and Cote’d Ivoire will play the last game of the day in the women category.

Congo Brazzaville,

Ghana and Nigeria are among seven countries competing for the men’s gold. .

Hosts Congo won the first of 10 previous Africa Games football competitions in a novel manner 50 years ago, defeating Mali 7-1 on corner kicks after a goalless final against Mali in Brazzaville.

Nigeria staged the second Africa Games eight years later and there was another home success in football to celebrate as the hosts were 2-0 victors over Guinea.

Ghana received gold medals much more recently, edging South Africa on penalties after the 2011 final finished 11 in Mozambique.

Group A in Brazzaville comprises Congo, Burkina Faso, Sudan and Zimbabwe while Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal make up Group B after Egypt pulled out.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015

AAG: Super Falcons breath down on Congo

BY BEN EFE

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IGERIA’S Super Falcons reeling from their shock exit from the Rio 2016

Olympics are set to prove that they are still the top team in Africa women football as they open their All Africa Games account against hosts Congo

Continues on page 63

5-star Ikeme keeps Eagles on top •Nwabuoku

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5-STAR GENERAL .... Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme organises his defence line in yesterday’s 2017 Afcon qualifier against Tanzania. Ikeme kept a clean slate as the match ended 0-0.

WINGLESS Super Eagles team managed by Sunday Oliseh could only manage a goalless draw against Tanzania in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match at the National Stadium, in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

It was the first official game for Oliseh as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme and Russian-based midfielder Izunna Uzochukwu were handed debuts with the duo of Haruna Lukman and Obiora Nwankwo returning to the senior national side after some months in the wilderness.

The first real chance of the game was missed by Nigeria.

Skillful Moses Simon was brought down and the resultant free-kick to Emmanuel Emenike was wasted.

Tanzania upped the tempo, putting pressure on the threetime African champions.

The lively Mbwana Samatta forced a save from Ikeme after he ghosted past Solomon Kwambe. It was perhaps the best chance of the action packed game in the opening thirteen minutes.

Samatta was at it again with his header too weak to trouble impressive Ikeme.

For about ten minutes, the

Continues on page P 63 .55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. Governor of Sokoto State (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

—

Oliseh: We were not organised S

•Oliseh

Afcon 2017 qualifiers Results Tanzania Namibia Burundi Seychelles Rwanda Botswana Comoros S/Sudan

0 0 2 1 0 1 0 1

Nigeria 0 Senegal 2 Niger 0 Ethiopia 1 Ghana 1 B/ Faso 0 Uganda 1 E/Guinea 0

Today’s matches

See solution on page 5

S/Leone v Madagascar v CAR v Mauritius v Swaziland v Lesotho v Zimbabwe v Chad v Kenya v Benin v The Gambia v Libya v

Ivory Coast Angola DR Congo Mozambique Malawi Algeria Guinea Egypt Zambia Mali Cameroon Cape Verde

UPER Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh disclosed that the Super Eagles’ goalless draw against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in the first leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers was down to the team’s uncoordinated approach.

Oliseh, was playing his first competitive game in charge and he was lucky to rescue a point even as the Super Eagles were gutless.

“We were disorganized in the first half but fared better in the second. In the second half we organized ourselves better but lacked that quality supply from midfield to attack. We will get better.

“We have to continue to build.

We barely had two good days of training before this match so I am happy with the one point.”

He admitted that stand-in keeper Carl Ikeme who was equally playing his first match for the Super Eagles saved the day for Nigeria.

“I don’t like to single out players from the team but I have to admit that Carl Ikeme had a great game for us today,” Oliseh added.

South Sudan make history •Celebrate first victory

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OUTH Sudan have achieved their first competitive victory since joining international football in 2012, beating Equatorial Guinea in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Atak Lual scored the only goal of the game in the 52nd minute in Juba the to give his side an historic win.

The result lifts South Sudan up to second in the table in

Continues on page 63

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