INEC mock poll exposes Card Readers' flaws

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015—Page 3

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 5

Mock poll exposes Card Readers’ flaws

Continued from Page 1

*Our worries – PDP

Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in some states.

In many other states, the machines’ batteries went down after barely three hours of operation.

The batteries running down within the space of time may be an issue in an election in which voting may span at least six hours.

The failure of the biometric confirmation of potential voters was higher in the North.

Lagos State was, however, an exception as the exercise passed off smoothly with little hitches in the swiping of the PVCs and the biometric confirmation of the potential voters.

The exercise was carried out in Lagos, Ekiti, Anambra, Ebonyi, Taraba, Bauchi and Kano. The other states where the mock accreditation exercise took place were Kebbi, Delta and Rivers States.

turnout at most of the polling units in Ikeja G.R.A was not impressive.

At the places Sunday Vanguard visited, the process of authentication of the PVCs which was done by swiping of the PVCs against the Smart Card Readers, SCRs, was smooth, just as the thumbprints of most prospective voters were generally recognized by the SCRs. The process of authentication lasted between 60 seconds and two minutes.

Some residents, who thought the exercise was for PVC collection, complained that they were yet to get their PVCs, despite seeing their names on the voters’ register.

Others, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, expressed satisfaction with the exercise, even as they lamented that INEC was not doing enough on public enlightenment.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Mr. Akin Orebiyi, who monitored the exercise, commended the exercise, noting that the result had cleared doubts about the efficiency of the SCRs. “The intention of today’s exercise is primarily to test the efficiency of the Smart Card Readers. That is why we are here. And we have achieved good results. This shows that the Card

L A G O S : Satisfactory exercise

T

he event which commenced at 8 am at the 50 voting points in Onigbongbo Ward in Ikeja, held simultaneously at the various polling units.

Prospective voters came out in trickles with their PVCs for the accreditation process which was done by four INEC officials in each of the voting points.

Unlike other voting points in Onigbongbo, the

THOUGHT FOR TODAY DISCUSSION AND DECISION (1)

By Richard Eromonsele

...yes,if you discuss everything with everybody,without more,it is nonsense.To discuss your plan,your idea and your goal with someone with a view to getting quality advice that could help you achieve your dream is not bad.But it is not a worthwhile venture when you discuss some issues with every tom,dick and harry.This is because there are people who specialize in stealing other peoples ideas.The question is:what is the purpose of your discussion?who are you discussing with ?Does the person has the requisite knowledge and skill?Can he keep secret?Can you trust him? After all the discussions,after all the consultations what is next?Think about it!

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Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, presenting an award of Best Use of ICT & Promotion of Software Nigeria by A State Government conferred on Cross River State by ISPON to the Governor, senator Liyel Imoke, while the SA ICT Devt and President of the Institute watched during the President's Dinner in Lagos yesterday Readers are efficient. So, politicians who have doubts about the device can now see that the device will contribute to making the elections credible”, Orebiyi added.

RIVERS: PVC

Fake

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he exercise was carried out in all the 23 units of Ward 1 (Oromineke and Ezimgbu) and the 19 voting points in Port Harcourt. The process was carried out by 188 staff of INEC. The state REC, Dame Gecila Khan, who monitored the testing, described the exercise as successful.

She said the essence of the Card Reader Machine was to spot out irregularities on the side of voters. She said the target of the machine was met after spotting some slight irregularities.

A fake PVC that was suspected to have been cloned was spotted. The card was discovered to have not been issued by INEC as the machine could not recognise the bearer.

But the bearer, who did not disclose his name to journalists’, insisted that he registered and obtained the card from INEC officials.

A N A M B R A : Malfunctioning machine

THE mock accreditation conducted at Igboukwu Ward 1 in Anambra State showed the Card Reader failing to recognise about half of those who presented the cards. It also took between 10 seconds and 10 minutes for the Card Reader to clear some of the prospective voters, just as the battery of some of the machines went down after barely three hours of operation.

Even when some people washed their hands and returned to try again, the Card Reader still rejected their fingers.

One significant feature

of the exercise was the rejection of PVCs by some polling centers, which some of the stakeholders described as a welcome development as it showed that nobody can vote outside the area where he registered.

The state REC, Mr. Edwin Nwatarali, who monitored the exercise with some of his staff, took note of the deficiencies. He however expressed happiness that there was no incidence of the Card Reader rejecting the PVCs brought to the polling stations by their owners.

The REC was also confronted with the issue of those who claimed that their PVCs were already signed by other people by the time they went to collect them, but he advised those who had such problems to report to him for proper verification.

Though the INEC staff were at their duty posts by 8.00 am, prospective voters did not arrive early, apparently due to lack of publicity. For instance, at Amaudo Akwukwa polling unit, the first voter arrived at about 9.00am. and it took three seconds for him to be accredited.

However, as the exercise was going on, public address systems were used to ask people in the ward to go for the mock election.

When it became a common feature that the Card Reader was rejecting fingers of most voters, the INEC workers asked such people to go and wash their hands without rubbing body cream. In some of the polling units, the INEC workers resorted to using handkerchiefs to clean the fingers of the affected people, and it still did not work for some people.

Some of the party candidates that had Igboukwu as part of their constituency also monitored the exercise.

The senatorial candidate for Anambra South, Dr. Andy Uba, who is also the Chairman of Senate

Committee on INEC, observed the exercise in some of the polling units and was briefed by the INEC workers about the challenges they were facing.

Though he observed that the Card Reader could help to ensure free, fair and credible election, he promised to intimate INEC with the problems encountered during the mock exercise.

Another senatorial candidate for Anambra South, Mr. Emeka Osunkwo, of the Peoples Democratic Congress, PDC, who hails from the ward, said it took two minutes for him to be verified, but expressed worry that the likely large turnout of voters on the day of the election might overwhelm INEC if it took long time for the Card Reader to verify voters.

DELTA: turnout

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Low

OW turnout of voters trailed the mock accreditation exercise for the demonstration of the Card Readers in Delta State.

The exercise, which commenced at exactly 8 a.m. with INEC officials mounting their various units, was conducted in Ward 04 comprising 14 units spread across Asagba Primary School and Niger Mixed Secondary School, Asaba in Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state with about 13,000 registered voters.

Voters trickled in to see how the card readers work.

Our correspondent, who monitored the exercise, reported that there were incidents of failed attempts in capturing biometrics of prospective voters.

The exercise, which recorded less than 25% of the over 10,000 voters who collected their PVCs, was however successful as it took a maximum of 30 seconds to accredit a voter.

Governor Emmanuel

Uduaghan, who spoke through the state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Charles Ajuyah, SAN, commended the exercise.

He, however, appealed to INEC to work on the machines in order to eliminate incidents of failure of biometric capture on election day.

The Delta State Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Tony Ezeagwu, who also spoke during the exercise, said: “I am impressed with what I have seen so far; it is working.

But they would have demonstrated how data collected is being transmitted to the head office in Abuja to remove the doubt that the data is being stored here at the polling unit.”

On his part, the Treasurer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta, Mr Akpedafe Edewor, who represented the State Chairman, Prophet Jones Erue, said: “INEC has done a perfect job and APC is ready to abide by the rules guiding the use of the Card Readers for the election.”

He insisted that the Card Reader must be used for the elections.

BAUCHI: turnout

T

Low

he exercise, held in Jama’re B Registration Area of Jamare’re Local Government Area of the state comprising 14 polling units, recorded low turnout of potential voters.

The exercise commenced at 8 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.

At Jeyogel polling station, the total number of registered voters was 405, but only 109 turned out for accreditation, out of which 83 voters fingerprints were successfully captured while 26 failed the verification exercise.

As at 11.30am, the average battery strength of the Card Reader at the various polling units was 78 percent reflective of the durability of the batteries supplied.

Yola polling unit had a total number of 650 registered voters, but only 104 turned out for the exercise. The number of captured fingerprints at the polling unit was 81 while 23 failed the verification.

Reacting to the development, the state REC, Professor Hamman Tukur Sa’ad, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Card Readers even as he noted that the low turnout was because of the awareness that it was only a test run.

He said that there were 14 polling units in the registration area, and the Commission deployed 30 Card Reader devices, adding that there was no reason to use the spare devices as none of the readers failed.

The INEC boss said that the only challenge of the exercise was convincing people to come Continues on page 9

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

PEACE COMMITTEE ON POLLS: No going back on March 28

By Caleb Ayansina

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he National Peace Committee for 2015 General Elections, yesterday, said the elections will hold as rescheduled on March 28 and April 11. It added that the polls will be peaceful.

The assurance came after the committee’s meeting with the Chairman of INEC, Prof Attahiru Jega, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and other relevant stakeholders in Abuja.

Other dignitaries at the meeting were a former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar; the National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), North, Suhaibu Lawal; the National Publicity Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh; the Chairman of InterParty Advisory Council, Dr Yunusa Tanko; the Senior Special Adviser to President on Interparty Affairs, Chief Ben Obi,

among others.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, a member of the committee and former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje, accompanied by the Chairman of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr Sam Amuka, insisted that the elections would hold and would be peaceful.

She said: ‘’IGP, INEC, the

Chief of Defence Staff have all gave us assurance that elections will hold and they will be free, fair and credible and violencefree.”

Consequently, the committee has set up a special committee to liaise with political parties and other stakeholders.

Ukeje said the committee, to be chaired by Gen.

Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, has the Primate Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar; Archbishop , John Cardinal Onaiyekan and Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah among others as members.

Jonathan will win in Edo South – Senator Owie

S

ENATOR Roland Owie has said the fate of President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections in Edo South Senatorial District is in the hands of God and the voters and not in the hands of some cultural leaders even as he insisted that nobody in Benin Kingdom has the authority to direct the Binis who to vote and who not to vote for.

He assured that Jonathan would be reelected. “During the campaigns for Governor Oshiomole, some of these cultural leaders

in Edo South openly told us that Senator Osunbor was their candidate and that Oshiomhole wont win because, according to them, their `witches’ had told them that Osunbor will be gover nor. At each point, my reply was ‘at the mention of the name of Jesus Christ, every knee must bow ’.

However at the reception for the success of Oshiomole in the Government House, some of these people who had rubbished the Benin cultural values were in

the front row that day.

What a shame!”, Owie said in a statement yesterday.

“By the grace of God and the support of the Benin masses who do the voting while the same cultural leaders children take the first appointments in government they never worked for,. Jonathan will win. I advise them to behave so that we don’t expose their perfidy against the Binis they pretend to talk for. The Binis, even though within a monarchy, are republican by nature!

Nobody can fool them any more”.

On the use of the Card Reader machine, the retired jurist maintained that the committee was satisfied with the explanation given to it by the INEC boss, Jega.

She added that the trial of the Card Reader Machine was on going in about 12 states of the federation, and, that according to Jega,”there was no failure anywhere.”

Ukeje told the two major political parties to prevail on their supporters as well as members to maintain an

issue based political campaign.

Also, a member of the committee, Prof Osita O. Osita, who spoke at the briefing, said people misconstrued the use of the Card Reader as electronic voting, explaining that the Card Reader was just for the accreditation before voting.

Osita noted that the meeting with security chiefs showed that the role of the military in the incoming election was unambiguous.

APC ONE-MILLION-MAN-MARCH

We’ll use common sense revolution to effect change – Tinubu

By Olasunkanmi Akoni & Monsur Olowoopejo

I

N the build up to the March 28 presidential election, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the party’s vice presidential candidate, Professor Yemi Osibajo; and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, governor of Osun State, led teeming supporters of the party for a solidarity march to mobilize the electorate, yesterday.

The 9.2 kilometre-manmarch, tagged, “One Million-Man March- Walk For Change,” in Lagos State, commenced at 8.20am, from Maryland via Ikorodu Road to Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos where they later converged for brief messages from APC leaders.

Speaking at the event, Tinubu said the gale of change blowing across the country would sweep away the vices presently rocking the country.

He urged the electorate, especially the youths, to resist attempts by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to rig the polls and subvert the wish of the people. Tinubu said the PDP- led government shifted the polls from February to March, thinking the month of March will not come, and urged the people to fight for their freedom with their votes.

“I thank you all for the way you turned out to walk for your freedom and marched for change. You all know

that they postponed the election earlier scheduled for February 14th to March.

Now we are marching for that change,”the APC leader said.

“We are marching for Buhari and Osinbajo and all other APC candidates. We are marching for revolution and this is a common sense revolution.”

Aregbesola, in his address, said Nigerians were tired of failed promises by the PDP and are ready to throw out anyone that troubling the ship of nation from sailing smoothly.

The APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, told the gathering: “We told Lagosians that we will do a one - million-man-match and we have achieved it.

They could shift the day of the election but they cannot shift our destinies.

“The only party that can give you a prosperous future is the APC. They have saying they will do everything to rig the election to retain power but you know that? All powers belong to God. 21 days from now we will embark on prayers and fasting. We will go to the mosque and churches nothing can stop our destinies.”

Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Hon. Olamilekan, APC candidates contesting for Lagos East, Central and West senatorial districts, urged the electorate to ensure the collection of their permanent voters’ Cards, PVCs, and not risk losing their brighter future by selling the PVCs.

EPZ: Ijaw group wants stakeholders harmonised

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ROUP, Ijaw Liberation Youth Movement in Sokibolou/Yokiri, Ogulaha in Burutu local government area of Delta State, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to harmonize all stakeholders involved in the $16b Export Processing Zone, EPZ project before performing the ground breaking ceremony.

The group in a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Prince Ebimode Dose and Mr. Bob Towei,

said the people of Ogulaha are patiently waiting for President Jonathan and Gov. Uduaghan to do the needful by harmonizing all stakeholders before performing the ceremony to avoid any trouble.

The group said that recently President Jonathan visited Asaba, where he instructed Governor Uduaghan to harmonize all factions of the EPZ projects but he only involved Gbaramatu community, leaving Ogulaha and other Ijaw communities who are stakeholders aside.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 7

Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina, addressing Journalists on 2015 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja while UN Women National Programme Officer, Mrs Adekemi Ndieli, looks on. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

L-R: Brand Manager, Ribena, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Mr. Essien Ekemini; Marketing Director, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Ms. Kerry Alexander; one of the ten thousand naira winners, Mr. Osiyemi Adeolu; Head, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mr. Tam Tamunokonbia and Communications and Engagement Manager, GSK Consumer Nigeria Plc, Ms. Bolaji Sanyaolu, during the first draw in the ongoing Lucozade Ribena Big Cash Giveaway Promo in Lagos…

Dozens killed as three bombs hit Maiduguri

*Military claims 2 Borno LGAs recaptured from B/Haram *Borno commissioner threatens Vanguard reporter

By Ndahi Marama, Tony Nwankwo, with agency reports

T

HREE explosions hit Maiduguri, yesterday, in what could be the worst attacks there since Islamist militants tried to seize it in January.

There was no immediate official word on casualties.

A hospital source said dozens had been killed in the separate explosions and witnesses saw bodies being taken away from different blast sites. The attacks came on a day the military claimed to have recaptured two local government areas of Borno State from Boko Haram.

A tricycle rider with a bomb tried to enter a fish market on the Baga Road in the west of Maiduguri.

The bomb exploded when the tricycle was prevented from going in, Mohammad Ajia, a trader in Baga market, said after fleeing the scene.

A second blast then hit an area known as the Monday Market before a car bomb exploded by a bus station near a Department of State Security (DSS) office, according to a civilian member of a joint task force.

“Men from the antibomb squad came a few minutes after the blast to comb the scene, then they started evacuating victims.

I saw five mangled bodies being put in vehicles,” Aliyu Musa, a resident in the area near the DSS office, said.

Near the Monday Market, casualties were loaded onto waiting ambulances.

“I have counted five ambulances that have evacuated victims from the scene.

Soldiers are shooting in the air and warding off people at the market,” Salisu Yaya , a member of a civilian task force, told reporters at the Monday market area.

Maiduguri is the capital of Borno State, the

heartland of Boko Haram.

Suspected Boko Haram militants tried to seize the city at the end of January but were repelled in fighting that killed more than 100 people.

In a related development, the military claimed, yesterday, that it had recaptured Mafa and Marte Local Governments Areas of Borno State from Boko Haram. “During these operations, the gallant and courageous troops recovered a large quantity of high caliber of arms and ammunitions including anti-aircraft guns from the insurgents”, a statement by the military said.

“It is significant to note that our troops did not suffer any casualty during these operations.

Presently, troops are conducting cordon and search and mopping up operations in the recovered territories, while effort is on going to recover more grounds from the fleeing terrorists.

“With the capture of Mafa, Marte LGAs, and the Chadian troops holding fort in Dikwa, the international route from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic is now fully secured. With this positive development, the security of the area has

significantly improved. It is hoped that international trade and socio-economic activities would be restored along this corridor ”.

Threat Meanwhile, Borno State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Mohammed Bulama, yesterday, threatened to deal with the Maiduguri correspondent of Vanguard Newspapers, Ndahi Marama, over what he termed as his negative reports on Governor Kashim Shettima- led government of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The threat come via a telephone call put through to the reporter by the commissioner at about 1:16pm, moments after yesterday ’s blasts in Maiduguri.

Bulama, in the telephone call, told the reporter: “I called to inform you that we are not satisfied with your reports these days, particularly the report you published in Saturday Vanguard which we consider negative to the government, and Wallahi Tallahi ( I swear to God), I will make sure that I terminate your appointment with Vanguard and make your stay uncomfortable in

Borno State if you did not desist from writing negative reports on the activities of the state government and APC in general”.

He claimed that throughout last week when his principal embarked on his campaign in the southern part of the state, Vanguard and other newspapers were giving bad publicity to the APC government.

When asked by the reporter why the commissioner threatened him while performing his constitutional duty, Bulama switched off his phone, but not before telling the reporter: “Be careful”.

Polls: Ooni leads Yoruba Obas to endorse Jonathan

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

T

he Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade, yesterday, led other Yoruba traditional rulers to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for second term in office.

Jonathan was at the palaces of the Ooni and Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, as part of his efforts to mobilise for the support of traditional rulers in Osun State for his re-election.

Sijuade charged the president to correct all the perceived imbalances against the Yoruba when re-elected.

The Ooni said Jonathan must not fail and directed monarchs present to encircle him and pray for his success at the polls.

Earlier in their separate remarks, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin, the Owamiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adeniran and Oluresi of Iresi, Oba Sikiru Adeseun, demanded the creation of

Oodua State with headquarters in Ile Ife and completion of several ongoing projects being funded by the Federal Government.

In his response, Jonathan assured South West of recognition, if re-elected.

The president said his administration, through different programmes, was

able to increase food production through his transformation agenda in the agriculture sector.

Before now, he said over N3 trillion naira was being

spent on food importation annually, adding that through various initiatives, the government had reduced the food import bill to N600 billion.

on those they met.

It could not be confirmed if it was a cult related killing. When contacted, Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Mu-

hammad, said he was not aware of the incident. Meantime, at press time, policemen from Olu Obasanjo Police Station were seen taking the corpses away.

Gunmen kill 5 in Port-Harcourt

By Jimitota Onoyume BOUT five persons were shot dead, last night, in D Line area, close to Oroworoko community, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

A

capital. Details at press time were hazy. But an eye witness said the assailants alighted from their vehicle and went straight to a house on the street, opening fire

Group canvasses support for Okowa

By Ephraim Oseji group, Okowa Renaissance Group in A Diaspora, has urged the

people of Delta State to vote en-masse for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, in the April 11 poll.

The group, which made the call through its coordinator, Mr. Esoswo Imagoro, stressed that what Deltans needed at this critical period of the nation’s

socio-political history is a man with clear understanding of the needs and aspirations of the people of the state, adding that, from all indications, Okowa stands most qualified and prepared to take over from Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan.

He maintained that “the onerous task of leading a state such as Delta, with its ethnic diversity and political sophistication, requires a man with the experience, humility, and grassroots reach of Senator Okowa,

who sincerely is ready to give the people of the state the much desired leadership,” adding, “Without any argument, Okowa is indeed, the right man and the choice

of Deltans.” Imagoro opined that the increasing support of the people for Okowa was a clear indication of their total acceptance of his candidature.

Boko Haram joins ISIS

By Abiodun Alade & Olufemi Ajasa ok o Haram has

B

pledged allegiance to Islamic State, according to a message on the group’s Twitter account. The message, which could not immediately be verified, appeared to be by the group’s leader, Mohammed

Shekau, who addressed himself as the Imam of Jamaátu Ahlus Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (Boko Haram) and was addressed to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi alHusseini al-Qurashi, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

Page 8—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 9

Blame Buhari, Shettima, Lai Mohammed if Chibok girls are not found — PDP

By Henry Umoru and Levinus Nwabughiogu

P

eoples Democratic Party Presidential C a m p a i g n Organisation (PDPCO) says the All Progressives Congress (APC), its presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State and the party’s National Publicity Director, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, should be held responsible if the abducted Chibok girls are not found.

It tongue lashed the leadership of the APC over what it described as a flopped one-million-manmarch organised in Lagos, saying only 10,000 persons attended the programme.

According to the PDPPCO, the development was an indication that the APC and its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, are no longer in control of Lagos State.

The campaign organisation was reacting to an APC statement, yesterday, which described as callous, morbid and insensitive the comments

by President Goodluck Jonathan that the abducted girls are still alive hinged on the belief that Boko Haram had not displayed their bodies to prove their death.

In a statement by the Director, Media and

Publicity of PDPPCO, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, it noted that the APC and its leaders were working against the recovery of the girls, saying that while many Nigerians were happy with the efforts of the military and Jonathan and the successes recorded so far, the opposition party was not happy.

Fani-Kayode said, “Whilst the majority of Nigerians are overjoyed by the fact that the President has given us hope by saying that the girls are still alive, Lai Mohammed and the APC are not happy.

“The truth is that they do not want those girls to be found and neither do they care about their welfare or their safety. We say this because this was a man, and a party that complained and protested at the fact that Boko Haram was proscribed by the Federal Government last year.

“Lai Mohammed proclaimed that the proscription was unjust and unconstitutional. We have always believed that Buhari, Lai Mohammed, Governor Shettima and the APC know far more about the whereabouts of the Chibok girls and the activities of Boko Haram than they have cared to admit.

“Let it be clearly understood that if anything happens to those girls and if they are not produced at

the soonest, we will hold Lai Mohammed, Buhari and the APC responsible”.

On the one-million-manmarch organised in Lagos, the spokesperson for the PDPPCO said, “The fact that what the APC boasted would be a one-millionman march could only attract about 10,000 persons is a reflection of the pitiful state of delusion that they are suffering from.

“They have lost touch with reality and with the people of the state over whom they have maintained a wicked and ungodly economic and political stranglehold for all of 16 years. But the people of Lagos have now seen through their deception and have decided to reject them at the polls this time round.

“The Lagos people have amply demonstrated their anger against the APC and its leader.

“It is interesting to read that Tinubu asked the people at the flopped march to march for their freedom. I agree with him and the people will obey him by freeing themselves on April 11 from the political and economic bondage into which Tinubu has put them since 1999”.

‘Deeply offensive’ In its statement, the APC, yesterday, had described as callous, morbid and insensitive the comments

by President Goodluck Jonathan, that the Chibok girls are still alive hinged on the belief that Boko Haram had not displayed their bodies to prove their death.

In the statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed, the party said it found the “comment deeply offensive to human sensibilities rather than providing hope and succour for the traumatised parents of the girls”.

It said a key role of

Presidents everywhere in times of tribulations and tragedies is to offer hope and be the consoler-inchief, not to make statements that will deepen the suffering and sorrow of victims.

APC said one would have expected a President to speak on the basis of actionable intelligence, not some twisted, melancholic and offensive logic.

The party said the statement “played on the fears of the parents of the girls and indeed of all

Nigerians concerning the fate of the girls, who have now been held in captivity for over 300 days, with an impotent government unable to rescue them”.

It said “all that the parents of the girls as well as all concerned people around the world want to know is what the Jonathan administration is doing to bring the girls home safely and as soon as possible, not a depressing statement about their bodies being displayed via a video by Shekau if they had been killed”.

L-R: Chief Felix Esisi; Barrister Edward Ekpoko,Secretary Itsekiri Leaders of Thought/Leader of Delegation; Chief Sunday Rone, chairman of the occassion; Mr Sunny Mene; and Rear Admiral Franklin Iwetan Otsenaye Nesiama, during the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought Interative Session, held at Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo: Akeem Salau

Mock poll exposes Card Readers’ flaws Continued from page 5 out of their houses and partake in the exercise.

NIGER: Eligible voters without PVCs There was an impressive turnout for the exercise in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

However, many eligible voters could not partake as they could not present their PVCs. The accreditation took more than a minute for each person.

The state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Honorable Umar Musa Ma’ali, who commended the exercise, said the PDP was satisfied with the Card Reader but called on INEC to work on the time taken to accredit each voter in order not to frustrate the exercise.

He said from what they had seen, the Card Reader had shown that it was a good development which cannot be abused.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), through its spokesman, Jonathan Vatsa, also commended INEC for the innovation, adding that it would knock out the issue of multiple voting.

He, however, called on INEC to ensure that PVCs are made available to voters in order to ensure that some are not

disenfranchised. The INEC staff, who participated in the exercise, said the process went smoothly as the Card Readers recognized the voters registered in the polling units while it rejected those from other polling units.

Eligible voters, who could not be captured, were assured that the nonrecognition of their thumbprint will not disenfranchise them from voting as they were told that once the machine recognizes the card, they will be accredited to vote.

KANO: 3 failures out of 10 The mock exercise, which took place in Dan’Maliki Ward, Kumbotso Local Government Area, witnessed high turnout of prospective voters but it was marred by the failure of the Card Readers to recognise the thumbprints of a large number of potential voters.

There were about three failures out of ten successful PVC entries, but INEC officials said the development was not a threat to the deployment of the Card Readers.

The state REC, Munkaila Abdullahi, said that the Commission issued ‘incident forms’ to reflect failed biometrics, pointing out that the anomaly would addressed.

“The Card Reader has proved to be reliable, and we are satisfied by the turn out of voters and security cover by the police,” the REC said.

He explained that the adjustment of accreditation time by one hour was done to accommodate likely hiccup, adding that the “Kano exercise was a huge success.”

EBONYI: Poor authentication The exercise in Ebonyi State took place in Izzi Unuhu in Abakaliki Local Government Area and was marred by slow authentication process of PVCs by the Card Readers across the area designated for the exercise.

The exercise, which took place in 24 polling units across Unuhu Ward 10, witnessed appreciable number of voters and large turnout of security personnel.

One challenge reported was that the Card Readers didn’t recognize the fingerprints of voters who registered for the 2011 general elections.

Addressing newsmen after the exercise, the Ebonyi State REC, Dr. Lawrence Azubuike, acknowledged that the authentication process by the Card Reader was very poor and promised that

such challenges would be corrected as reports emanating from the mock election would be sent to INEC headquarters.

TARABA: Flaws galore The exercise, conducted in all the polling units of Mutum Biu Ward in Gasol Local Government Area of Taraba State, ended with many voters complaining that the Card Readers could not identify their fingerprints.

Although the Card Reader takes less than ten seconds to authenticate a PVC, the machine rejected over 70% of the fingerprints of the card owners in the areas visited

by Sunday Vanguard.

There was large turn up for the exercise in all the polling units.

Repeated efforts to confirm the fingerprints led to long queues at the polling units.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba States, Dr. Nuru Yakubu, who was in the area to inspect the exercise, told journalists that the Commission was happy with the development despite the inability of the Card Reader to verify PVC owners.

Yakubu, on the inspection visit alongside the Resident Electoral Commissioners for Gombe, Adamawa and

Taraba States said the exercise was a huge success since two out of the three aims of the Card Reader was achieved.

He said the SCR aim was to accredit, verify and send polling units data to the INEC center.

He further stated that since the Card Reader was able to do proper accreditation of genuine PVCs that belongs to INEC, the Commission will monitor the number of voters accredited in each polling unit which shall reduce rigging.

EKITI: Poor tur nout Voters, international observers, and other stakeholders lauded the initiative to use Card Readers following the mock accreditation exercise that took place in Ward 009, Dallimore Street, Ado Ekiti.

The ward has about 21,631 voters out of which 14,461 had collected their PVCs. Turnout yesterday was poor though the usage of the Smart Card Reader was practically demonstrated to the admiration of all.

Commending INEC for the innovation, Mrs Rumi Ana Decheva and Mr Uros Urstga, both international observers, said it would help in adding credibility to the country’s electoral process.

The state REC, Mr Sam

Olumekun, who monitored the election , said the mock election practically demonstrated that the forthcoming polls could not be manipulated.

A voter, Mrs Ojo Taiwo, who was verified at Dallimore Unit 002, applauded the electoral body for the initiative , saying it will help in stemming the tide of electoral malpractice in the country.

Our worries – PDP Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said, yesterday, it was worried over the lapses in the testing of the Card Readers.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party noted that the fall-out from the test “ vindicates earlier widespread calls by stakeholders that the Card Readers should be thoroughly tested to ascertain their workability for free, fair and credible elections before being deployed for the actual polls.”

Metuh, who said that the party had noted series of complaints from Nigerians regarding reported lapses experienced in the testing of the machines, stressed that it was waiting for official response from INEC.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Mr. President, I’ll believe it when it happens (2)

Make it happen!

‘I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.’Michelle Obama

T

ODAY is interna tional women’s day and this year ’s theme is: Make it happen.

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. Today, thousands of events will mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Today is a day dedicated to the achievements and concerns of women around the world. So what does this mean to Nigerian women? Has enough been done to improve the lives of Nigerian women, would the marking of the day, shine a torch on the lives of Nigerian women in general.

International women’s day should at least, serve as

a reminder of how far the Nigerian society has come to elevating the lives and standards of living for women. Yes, there are notable Nigerian women but, not enough to say that all that has been done has been done. Nigeria has got to do better after all, women make up half of the population and they at least deserve to be given a chance to improve their lives and not be prevented because of their gender.

Truth be told, women’s lives in Nigeria have not fared better in recent years.

It is far worse. And contrary to what some people may say that Nigerian women are better off. No. This is not the case for the ordinary Nigerian woman: she is bearing a heavy load : more likely to die in child birth, most likely to be assaulted physically or sexually abused, abducted, killed, have no recourse to land, more likely to be taxed more, less likely to own property and more likely to be living in poverty and unlikely to be educated and likely to have children at a young age.

The sad fact is, in the Nigerian society, it places less value on females and the

promising to uphold the constitution.

The ultimate was the attempt for tenure elongation, otherwise known as Third Term ambition.

(See pp 35-39) Obasanjo had dissembled so much on this matter, it

After sixteen years of PDP rule, the Igbos have been placed in a sad situation. The earliest they can aspire to the Presidency is 2019 – and perhaps not even then

,

makes one to wonder if Baba Iyabo can any longer distinguish lie from truth. After spending six years rejecting the call

which were later self-repudiated.

So, Mr President, your promise is the fifth from a Head of State, and

males are highly prized by the family. So right from the word go, the female child is at a disadvantage.

The arrival of the birth of a baby boy is always that of jubilation and in contrast, the arrival of a baby girl is often with muted commiserations from friends and family.

If the truth be told the mother is often made to feel a failure if she does not provide the family a male and a heir. So in order for our society to progress, we need to value all children and do whatever we can to help them achieve their goals in life.

Women need chances to get into employment or training and education.

We need to change our attitude towards women and help empower them. With better start in life, good education, better employment rights, improved health care, better standards of living for working mothers and widows, I do believe that we can begin to see a difference in our society and the lives of women in Nigeria. For those who say it can’t be done, Osun State is already employing more women and this approach is recommended to make the change we need to see in Nigeria.

For instance, the World Bank stated,if young Nigerian women had the same employment rates as young Nigerian men, they would add 13.9 billion Naira in annual GDP. We need to encourage our young women to live up to their full potential.

It is important to develop education, training and employment possibilities for young girls and women. The more educated the

women, the less likely are they to marry young or give birth young or drop out of school. Having a good education gives the opportunity to improve their lives and that of their families.

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I

n the first part of this series, readers were reminded about three promises by military Heads of State – Gowon, Babangida and Abacha – to hand over to civilians at certain times; only for each of them to be forced out later – without delivering on their promises. Gown and IBB went out alive by palace coups. Abacha was bundled out, feet first, on account of mysterious, but divinely timed death.

When the military decided to hand over to “bloody civilians” in 1999, they also played a trick on us. Without saying it, they were not prepared to hand over to a

true civilian; they were also not willing to have an Igbo man become the President. Dr Alex Ekwueme, founding father of the PDP, and the leading candidate to become President, was not acceptable to them – on account of the bad faith lingering from the Civil War. (See my book PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED, pp 28-31, 97105). So, even the socalled return to civil rule in 1999 was continuation of military rule by deception. Incidentally, after sixteen years of PDP rule, the Igbos have been placed in a sad situation.

The earliest they can aspire to the Presidency is 2019 – and perhaps not even then. There will be more on that after the 2015 elections – if they hold.

Obasanjo entered office

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“I’ll hand over if I lose”, President Jonathan, during the Media Chat, February 11, 2015, at Aso Rock.

for a Sovereign National Conference or any constitutional review at all, Obasanjo suddenly turned around to sponsor, with funds of unknown origin and not approved by the National Assembly, his own version of the CONFAB. Incidentally, the CONFAB concluded late last year, convened by Jonathan, also came after years of rejection of the idea. Any similarity between the two cannot be coincidental. Tucked neatly into the recommendations of the Obasanjo CONFAB was a clause about Third Term. That makes the fourth time a sitting Head of State would make promises about leaving

In order for our society to progress, we need to value all children and do whatever we can to help them achieve their goals in life

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history would reveal that the more they promise the more likely they would disappoint. African leaders don’t leave willingly.

In your own case, there are two reasons for me to be skeptical, and you were involved in both incidents.

First, instead of your boss then Alameyeseigha, as Deputy Governor, in 2002, you attended an extended caucus meeting of the PDP at which zoning was ratified as a policy of the party. (Sir, I have a copy of those in attendance, so don’t bother to dispute it). You signed that document, perhaps, because you never expected to be Vice-President or President.

But, when Yar’Adua died and you went on to complete his term, you denied knowledge of a zoning formula. I can never again believe a person who does that sort of thing.

Furthermore, in 2011, you published a document about ROAD MAP TO POWER TRANSFORMATION in which you specifically promised to achieve 14,100MW of power supply (not just generate) by December 2013. Today, less than 6,000MW is generated everyday, and since De-

It is important for Nigerian government to invest and promote education. It is staggering that Nigeria has 10.5 million children out of-school, the largest in the world, and one of the highest girls drop out numbers. The government should invest in free education and improve public health, provide affordable family planning facilities and ensure good quality maternal care free at point of delivery. There should be leadership training and more women promoted in politics.

More women should be in the government and so they can represent the needs of women more clearly and reduce discrimination.

Nigerian civil society organisations should lead and promote gender training and orientation for political parties. Civil society organisations should help communities to hold politicians to account and make women’s votes count.

A national campaign should be mounted to tackle gender violence and raise awareness of its detrimental impact on society.

The campaign should focus initially on educational institutions, civil society and the media. Greater legal protection should be provided for victims’ of gender violence. Government should do more to reduce trafficking of girls around Nigeria and abroad. It is about time women raised their voices and demanded changes. They say power is not given, so about time the women take it.

My good friend, Ronke Ali Udofia

cember 2014, 4000MW had been distributed in less than ten days. Yet, you go about claiming to have fulfilled ALL your promises. How on earth can anyone believe that?

Tell me, Sir.

SPOT ANY DIFFERENCE?: LUNATIC AND MEDIA DIRECTOR

“There is a pleasure in being mad; which none but madmen know”, Saul Bellow. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 147).

A lunatic in Lagos is certain some people have met somewhere to work against the man who invited him to “come and eat”. He declines to give the exact date, place and time of the meeting.

Somebody proclaimed there was a meeting in Dubai by people working against his Ogapatapata. He also declines to substantiate the charges.

Spot anything?

LAST LINE: Forget 2015; wait till 2017 for uninterrupted power supply. That came from the same man who promised you 14100MW by 2013. “If a man fools you once, shame on him; if twice, shame on you.”

is up for election as CANUK Chair Vote for Ronke - “My vision is to promote excellence through improved Engagement, Enabling Initiatives and the increased Empowerment of all Nigerian in the UK-Ronke.

An accomplished civil servant leading programmes resulting in an enhanced UK justice delivery, she is a wife, a mother with experience in collaborative working and achieving excellent results with a wide range of stakeholders.

A multiple award winner, with over 30 years of selfless dedication and contribution to the unpaid voluntary sector in Nigeria and UK, Ronke Udofia, known for being fair, frank and fearless; sits on the board of numerous strategic organisations and community groups. They include secondary school associations, Akwa Ibom State cultural associations. Education and mentoring programmes, women and youth leadership initiatives, celebration of Nigeria at 50 in the UK, Nigerian Olympic Committee UK, Initiatives on Gang Crime, Domestic Violence and Modern day slavery in the UK” She is a tireless campaigner for good causes and championed excellence of Nigerians in UK through the Nigerian Centenary Awards UK 2014 Project and continues to work tirelessly as a delegate representative of CANUK. Ronke would be honoured to serve as CANUK Chair promising to provide a selfless, focused leadership, uplifting & promoting all Nigerians in UK.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 11

When will the Nigerian Broadcast Media grow? proved numerical strength and facilities leading to the emergence of specialized desks, many stations can perform optimally if allowed to do so. What this suggests is that it is erroneous to assume that because

The public broadcast media in Nigeria would have been one of the best in the world but government-its proprietor has never allowed that

broadcasting in Nigeria is better equipped today in terms of both human and material resources, it means the occupation is growing. I will return to this shortly Before then it is important to quickly make the point that because of our blatant preoccupation with primordial politics neither the broadcast media nor any other sector of the na-

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos, , 08116759758

Deconstructing Buharimania

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olitics, according to cynics, is a dirty game. Many Nigerians tend to accept thatnegative characterisation of politics and politicking without question. However, in my view, Aristotle’s depiction of politics as the endeavour for the noblest of human beings is nearer the truth than the cynical standpoint. Briefly defined, politics is the authoritative allocation of power to make decisions and implement them within a geopolitical space. In both democratic and aristocratic or authoritarian systems, a tiny minority or group exercises political power by determining the nature and structure of governance for the vast majority of the population.

Therefore, since political institutions evolved mainly to promote the well-being of members of the society over whom political authority is exercised, it is extremely important to create transparent processes for selecting the noblest of minds for political office.

Unfortunately, human beings have not invented foolproof reliable method whichwould guarantee that the best individuals would always emerge as leaders. Indeed, perfect implementation of the recommendations by Plato and other political philosophers cannot occlude the possibili-

tion is growing. Not that politics is itself growing; it is not, because the pattern of our elections has not substantially departed from that of even the colonial period. The clear difference between politics and other

ty that political power might be in the hands of men and women of inferior intellectual, emotional, and moralquality. The impossibility of creating perfect socio-political institutions that can guarantee that only the most suitable would occupy political offices entails that individuals should channel their creative energies towards constructingdemocratic institutions in their respective countries capable of minimising therepercussions of bad leadership. According to the Austrian-born British philosopher, Karl Popper, this is achievable only through periodic elections.Democracy is not an ideal political system, but it is preferable to other arrangements because it allows members of the society to play some role in selecting those that would lead them for a specified period. Like other non-authoritarian countries, Nigeria is still trying to create a viable democraticprocess appropriate for her historical experiences and developmental needs. Of course, the 2015 elections are crucial in this respect because, if conducted successfully, that would go a long way to consolidate the modest progress made since 1999.

On the other hand, if politicians derail the process because of inordinate desperation for power, it

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sectors of the nation however is that that unlike other ‘unimportant’ areas, politics claims 99% of our attention and resources. As one veteran journalist imagined the other day, the amount of money spent on electioneering in the nation in the last one year could have built a brand new Refinery. If that was done, perhaps our current ineffectual delivery of petroleum would be another disappointing case of “hope deferred.”

The presidential contest between the two frontrunners, Dr. Goodluck EbeleJonathan and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has brought to the fore once again the perennial problem of selecting political leaders in a fledgling democracy. The All Progressives Congress (APC) on whose platform Gen. Buhari is contesting has mounted vuvuzelasounding campaigns with the sole purpose of dislodging the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power. In fact, the heat and tension from

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ONFRONTED sever ally about a so called golden era of broadcasting in Nigeria, the first point of interest of a young journalist whenever he comes across a much older colleague is to plead for some comparison between the state of the media today and what obtained in the past in the country. On my part, I have never had any doubt whatsoever that broadcasting today parades better trained practitioners as well as that it has more modern facilities. If so, where does the impression come from that professional standards in the industry have drastically fallen? As a first generation graduate in a broadcast newsroom, I remember vividly that some of our elders in the business were half-educated typists/ clerks who only rose through the ranks. Such people can obviously not talk about any golden age.

Again, I am unable to believe that my time could have been more glorious than that of my computerliterate successors. There is no doubt that with im-

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C

products would have taken a different turn while the incessant hardship which our citizens go through in long queues at petrol stations would have been ameliorated if not avoided. Our political leaders do not appear to have listened to one of their own, Governor Rochas Okorocha that if politics and nothing else grows, the nation would suffer from what he calls ‘kwashiokorism’- a situation in which a person’s head grows so big that the rest of his body cannot carry it.

Indeed, Network News can be delayed by Kitchen operatives. This writer can testify that it has always been so. In fact, Vincent Maduka, NTA’s DG emeritus once stated that in his days, the NTA was not allowed to announce even a regular meeting of the opposition parties. It is however simplistic to federalize the dilemma which ownership control imposes on the media because what happens in stations controlled by state governors could be more horrendous.

Back to today’s subjectthe stunted growth of our broadcast media, it appears inexplicable that it is not growing despite my testimony that it is better equipped today than in the past. What then is the problem? They are many but the most worrisome in the context of this piece is ownership control. The public broadcast media in Nigeria would have been one of the best in the world but government-its proprietor has never allowed that.

Apart from undue political consideration which informs the choice of its leaders, once in office, they are never allowed to act professionally or to apply personal initiatives to resolve issues. Rather, all manner of political jobbers are empowered to whittle down the powers of the leaders.

Nigerians needn’t be told that certain unwholesome programming in the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) for instance, emanate from the Presidency.

For example, only 4 days ago, a group of citizens from Akwa Ibom State raised their voices against their state owned media outfit which allegedly gives ample airtime to the government of the day, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its agents, but always blanks out other political parties and individuals who are not sympathetic to the government or the PDP and its agents. As if the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) which is responsible for regulating broadcasting in the country will be allowed to do its work, it was requested to redress the situation.

Well, broadcasting in Akwa Ibom has always been so coerced to be naïve. During the last governorship elections in the state, the citizens had to take solace in the more reliable broadcasts of the then newly established Radio Nigeria Atlantic FM 104.5. Media partisanship happens everywhere and should thus

North, coupled with fanatic belief that APC can deliver positive change in the country if Buhariwins the election. It would take a lengthy treatise drawing on the resources of psychology, sociology and contemporary Nigerian political history to explain in details the provenance of Buharimania. It must be pointed out, however, that Buharimania is a phenomenon rooted in devotion to and uncritical preference for a retired military dictator with a reputation for rigidity, integrity and honestyover a welleducated, humble and methodical democrat with an easygoingdisposition

educated, ageing military dictator with outdated understanding of economic management might cause it in the general elections. Now, because the full positive impacts of the modest achievements

by President Jonathan are yet to be felt nationwide, it appears that the message of “change” from APC is resonating with the masses. But a closer look at the antecedents of APC leaders reveals that the gospel of change is fundamentally unrealisable and illusory, a desperate attempt to exploit the hopes, aspirations and anxieties of Nigerians to wrest the highest political office from the ruling party.

Unscrupulous conservative politicians who benefitted immeasurably from the corrupt system they helped to create and impose on Nigerians dominate the top echelons of the party. In order to substantiate my claim, I will embark on a systematic deconstruction of Buharimania a n d APC’s desperate quest for power. My main argument is that the party, as presently constituted and managed, cannot deliver sustainable meaningful change to Nigerians.

For starters, consider the major figures in APC. The arrowhead of the party is Gen. Buhari, who pledged in 2011 never to contest for any political office after the election held that year. Now the question is: why did the retired general renege on that promise, especially considering his hyperbolic reputation as a man who keeps his word?

Was the change of mind motivated by strong desire to get even with President Jonathan who defeated him

The 2015 elections are crucial in this respect because, if conducted successfully, that would go a long way to consolidate the modest progress made since 1999

APC was so palpable that many Nigerians became too pessimistic and apprehensive about what would happen next. Despite the unnecessary threats by Gen. Buhari and his cohorts, the presidential and gubernatorial elections have been postponed; tension has gone down somewhat, although there is still a sense of foreboding because of ferocious propaganda by the majortwo parties.

A disturbing product of the vociferous APC campaign machine is Buharimania, that is, worshipful support bothering on religious and cultic excitement forBuhari by a section of the Nigerian population especially in the

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towards governance. The danger here is that wily APC kingpins can exploit it to foment trouble if the party loses the elections.

Understandably, the propaganda machine of APC deliberately suppresses President Jonathan’s achievements by continuously denigrating his administration.

It projects Gen. Buhari as the only presidential candidate with the capacity to eliminate corruption, mount a decisive fight against insecurity, and promote economic development. In addition, the party has been working hard to minimise the collateral political damage that Gen. Buhari’s image as an inflexible, not so well

not surprise the Akwa Ibom people although everything in their state is described as ‘uncommon’. In edo-this writer’s home state, which has an exposed governor, the state broadcasting service with tested professionals was still manipulated to perform below average during the governorship election of 2012. The station did not only deprive candidates of other parties of being heard, it occasionally defamed them while constantly reminding its viewers/listeners of what the incumbent would do in the future.

From what we have said so far, it stands to reason that the broadcast media cannot grow simply because it has more men and materials than before.

Having taken away its credibility, it stands to reason that no one would believe what it transmits or any government information for that matter. It is therefore in government’s interest to have a rethink and allow our media to perform in line with global best practices. If it functions well for the next two weeks, people may be persuaded to look forward to any political debate before the elections. If on the other hand, operatives of the ruling parties continue to foist on our public media, hate campaigns and documentaries of calumny, it is only the undiscerning that would watch the debates in which maligned candidates would justifiably refuse to participate. in the 2011 presidential election or was it necessitated by messianic delusion about being the only one capable of addressing the hydra-headed problems facing the country presently? Why did he succumb to the opportunistic persuaders desperate for political survival and relevance at all cost? In my opinion, Gen. Buhari’s decision to contest again and failure to mentor a younger and better-educated politician to political prominence as his successor after losing the presidential election thrice are indicative of a man obsessively preoccupied with power. B o l a Tinubu’s argument that Gen. Buhari had to be d r a f t e d i n t o the presidential election because countries at crossroads in the past were rescued from perdition by their army generals is, to put it mildly, ludicrous and historically inaccurate.

Moreover, in Africa particularly, military intervention in politics has had a detrimental effect on the economic and socio-political development of several countries, to the extent that coup d’états are detested everywhere. Therefore, it is plainly unrealistic to believe that seventy-three years old Gen. Buhari who three decades ago presided over the most draconian military regime in Nigerian history has suddenly completely mutated into an apostle of democratic change. APC chieftains know that old habits die hard, and that it is harder still for a conservative Muslim and former soldier like Gen. Buhari to change so dramatically.

To be continued

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

Stealing is not corruption, it is a crime

Hare so fast

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HE hare is a mam mal, it is bigger than the rabbit and not known for its depth or intelligence.The past two weeks were all about the race ran between the hare and tortoise. The fable itself is African in origin but it has spread around the world and I doubt there are still people in the world not familiar with it. So for a quick recap; here goes. The hare and the tortoise had a race, along the line the hare decided to take a nap as the tortoise was far behind, he woke up just in time to see the tortoise win the race.The hare is physically built for speed and the moral of the story about the race ran between the hare and tortoise is lost on most of us. As a child I thought the hare lost the race because he was over confident and was a lesson in the price of arrogance and the error of under estimating others. Its very funny how we acquire a deeper insight to things we never really thought much of as we mature. The story is a meta-

phoric masterpiece, a study on life as lived through all it's phases and experiences.

Now I should clarify that my understanding and opinion are all mine but over the next few weeks I intend to propound sound logic to back my position.

A baby is one of the most beautiful things about humanity, they smell nice, are cute, innocent, have the most gorgeous laugh and in my opinion also most vulnerable because they lack the skills and wisdom to navigate and survive the reality of the world they have been born into. A baby is born very trusting and the experience of the world and its inhabitants will eventually teach him or her to distrust, to fear and to survive.

When I was exploring the options of birth plans for my children I considered the option of a water birth as some mothers said it helped with pain management. I sat through a few videos and it was gory at best; the pain didn't look managed and by God, it

foreign radio, calls for the external invasion of Nigeria. Such an intellectual is profoundly corrupt. Part of the means by which individuals subvert the state is by corrupting its systems. In other words corruption is a crime against the state. The Chinese for example take it seriously: they put corrupt

A system of laws that grants absolute immunity to the executive office of the president or the governors, basically provides legal grounds for corruption

people before the stakes and shoot them. Corrupt people are those who pervert the civic institutions of nations.

The Chinese understand that corruption is a virus that grows quickly and could only be contained radically.

Again, let me make clear distinctions: a corrupt state is that state where the institutions designed to protect the state itself are fundamentally, and perhaps deliberately subverted or limited; made so in other to create leakages and leeway for the few operators of the system to appropriate and enjoy undue advantages of power over the rest of the people. It invests power on the individual rather than the institution which the in-

was messy. I didn't choose that option but those videos proved a theory I had heard many times over; babies float! The babies immediately after birth floated face up and only started crying when they were scooped out of the water. Nothing special if you consider that babies live in the amniotic sac full of water (of sorts) but a lack of fear is the major thing here. I learnt how to swim as an adult and I used to sink like a stone till I learnt to conquer my fear of the water. I found I could just float if the fear didn't start the panic.

In my view the story of the race is not about two creatures but one. The hare in my view is the age of innocence, exuberance, adrenalin bursting eagerness and a little ignorance. The hare in reality is a metaphoric representation of youth, in all its innocence and naïveté. When I was younger I thought I was invincible, I took crazy risks and it never occurred to me to even consider there could be lasting consequences for some of my harebrained ideas. Just like the baby

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law, the very foundation of justice itself, and its execution, the basis of all responsible governance.

But responsible and responsive governance are impossible where the three function arbitrarily, or where, either is weakened, or dismantled by the other.

Official corruption is possible – meaning government officials can only get away with stealing from the state – because the Nigerian system is too weak and distorted to prevent this.

Indeed, the system Nigerians designed to govern themselves encourages the individual to be corrupt.

For example, the approbation to the office of the President and the offices of the

who automatically floats after being born in water, I just assumed that all is as it seems; the familiar is safe.

One of the most stupid things I did was to seat on the boot of a convertible while it sped crazily down a highway. I was holding on to nothing and I remember my eyelashes being forced into my eyes by the crazy

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to long term prison or to the gallows. But because these institutions are fundamentally weak, complicit, and in many regards are themselves designed to be subversive of their own intentions, it is impossible to investigate, sanction, and enforce laws that ought to prevent crimes against the state or against the individual citizen.

This is the meaning of corruption. The corruption of the institutions of the state is the question – a far more fundamental question – that we as citizens ought to engage with because it is the basis of the criminalization of the public mind. It is also the basis for the loss of what we call “national consciousness.”

National consciousness simply is that situation of profuse and perhaps even sometimes inarticulate sentimentality, when citizens collectively and individually agree with, or “buy-in” into the idea of their nation as the protector, provider, and defender of their rights and privileges; their common interests; and with that consciousness comes “duty and obligation.”

Most Nigerians today are cynical about the meaning of Nigeria because Nigeria is fundamentally a corrupt state, and are therefore willing to subvert it by any means necessary. This includes the Nigerian intellectual, who speaking in a

,

S

TEALING is not corruption. Steal ing is a crime punishable in law. Corruption is logically the inability of the institution, or the perversion of the institutions established by law to prevent stealing, or punish it when it happens.

Although they constitute the same sense of an aberration, they are nonetheless mutually exclusive in the sense that one is the act itself, and the other is contingent upon the act. In other words, corruption is a condition a posteori to the a priori act of stealing.

For the benefit of the less philosophically minded, I’d like to put it as simply as possible. Take the question of stealing: by definition, it is the illicit dispropriation of the individual of property, either by force or by stealth, or the appropriation by stealth or guile of the commonweal in the furtherance of an individual’s property stock, and usually at the expense of the other.

Privatization of Nigeria’s public property is stealing sanctioned and sanctified within an inner circle of government. Were the regulatory and institutional powers of the state forceful and active, those who supervised this massive dispropriation of Nigeria’s public wealth without regard to consequence, and in the furtherance of narrow interests, should have been brought to trial, sent either

dividual supervises. These leeway and leakages create gaps of meaning and a chain of actions that subvert the capacity of the state to regulate and punish diligently and to prevent autarchy. Nigeria is corrupt because its judicial system is weak and arbitrary. Its civil service is byzantine and obtuse. Its institutions of law enforcement are predatory and introverted; and its entire social fabric has been weakened by poverty and alienation. The democratic system is conditioned by the rule of law, and the government itself is designed around three epicenters of common action: Law making, the highest attribute of the republic; the interpretation of the

Age forces us to slow down and we realise the race is not to the swift but to God alone who shows mercy

,

wind. It seemed fun to dance and play the fool and I may well have done it again if a friend of mine had not been decapitated by standing up and dancing through a sunroof just a week later! That tragedy shook me to my core and till date I give thanks to God for extending mercy to me as my actions were not

Executive Governors of the states in Nigeria of what we now call, “security votes” – a slush fund that is sealed by legislation – is an exact example of state sanctioned corruption. It is the misuse of the rules of appropriation. A legislature that appropriates public fund without requiring an open account of such a fund, sanctions stealing.

In other words, if the Lord Jesus Christ were to return and be elected to an executive position in Nigeria, he too will be mandatorily corrupted by the Nigerian system. Buhari’s supporters, for instance retail his “anti- corruption” bona fides. But for as long as the system itself is corrupt, Buhari will be corrupt, if he is elected to run that same system – because it will be in spite of him. A system of laws that grants absolute immunity to the executive office of the president or the governors, basically provides legal grounds for corruption.

Meanwhile, though Nigeria has requirements for public officials to declare their assets publicly before a magistrate or notary prior to assuming public office, the same law prevents public access to such declarations, nor grants a magistrate the investigative powers and autonomy to open independent inquiry into issues of illegal acquisition. That is the meaning of corruption. Government officials may not want to steal, the system makes thieves of them. Nigerians, who out of sheer idealism, attempt to live above the corrupt state are often portrayed in the public imagination as “fools” or “idiots” because they refuse to participate in the systemic subversion of civilized values.

Let me also note this: corruption is not unique to Ni-

geria.

What is unique is the willingness of Nigerians to tolerate and even themselves generally participate in processes that undermine their own general interest.

If the enforcement of the rule of law is weakened, the state whether under a military or civilian leadership, becomes arbitrary. A judiciary that cannot deliver judgment on a simple election dispute four years after the fact, is corrupt. A court system that makes no provision for a jury of one’s peers is a tyrant’s court.

Nigerians like me put our lives to risk in the struggle for a return to the democratic system only on the single principle that there will be checks and balances of the institutions of power that might limit executive overreach and the corruption of the system through clearer legislative oversight. And this is the point of this article: if Nigerians wish to contain corruption, they have a chance to elect incorruptible law makers who must see the fuller picture of the impact of the subversion of the state as a result of systemic corruption.

Only an active and forward looking legislature can rebuild Nigeria, and contain executive excesses.

A president may not personally be corrupt, the institution which he runs may be and that will ineluctably corrupt the individual. Nigerians should therefore focus on the larger question of systemic corruption as a means of containing individual corruption of the system. The answer lies in law making and law enforcement. We must elect people into parliament in this election cycle, who deeply understand the implication of these issues in public governance.

only stupid but bordered on crazy. The hare is a swift creature but its an almost defenceless one as it can be caught and eaten by both man and animal. Any member of the cat family in the jungle could have joined in that race and made Mr hare lunch as easily as I could have fallen off and been killed by impact or even coming traffic. The hare's challenge to the tortoise exposed it to unnecessary danger and he could have lost a lot more than the race.

were stunned that I had once been in their shoes, felt what they feel and learnt that life always hides a lesson in every escapade or adventure. The difference between us was simple, my actions were now consequence based, theirs was gratification based, no matter how fleeting!

The hare lives for less than a decade, at best 6 or 7years, so if longevity was a consideration no one should want to live its life, its a delicate animal, not sturdy, given to sickness and premature death. Life cant be sustained in the fast lane; speed will eventually kill, either through a crash or just wear out. Every single one of us is born a hare, adventurous, flighty, attractive and youthful but life happens to us all and we end up tortoises. We acquire a hard shell that protects us against danger and deceit.

Age forces us to slow down and we realise the race is not to the swift but to God alone who shows mercy. It's ironic that the hare never listens to the tortoise and starts a competition that is unnecessary and fraught with danger. Matured adults would be economical with the truth if they denied hare tendencies when they were younger; we've all been there. becoming Tortoises in later life is a product of grace.

Over time we age, we develop a layer of wisdom and realise that while the hare can be fast, it cant out run time.

The age of innocence is the hare stage in all our lives. It happens when we are young and fearless and it is short lived. I had a mini debate with some young people and they as expected prided themselves on being the hares. God forbid they are seen as the unattractive or timid and sluggish tortoise. I asked them how long the hare lived and they assumed that it was forever; they just didn't see that there were other considerations apart from beauty and the glamour of the fast life. It was this mindset that informed all their life changing decisions, no in depth considerations of possible consequences of actions and life changing events, impulse marriages and divorces, fathering children without care, living on borrowed funds to look good and so many other foibles of the young. We began to share life experiences and they

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015—Page 13

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PAGE 14, SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

JOGGING FOR JONATHAN IN ABUJA

Vice President Namadi Sambo,President Goodluck Jonathan, FCT Minister Sen Bala Muhammed, Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, and other athletes during the solidarity rally by the Nigeria sportsmen and women in honour of Jonathan held at Eagle Square, Abuja , yesterday.

Cross section of physically challenged athletes during the rally.

Photo By Abayomi Adeshida

President Jonathan (2nd left), Senate President, Sen. David Mark, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, and other athletes during the solidarity rally.

President Jonathan [m] leading sportsmen and women during the exercise.

NATIONAL PEACE COMMITTEE MEETING ON ELECTIONS

Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, in a handshake with Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh, while the IGP Suleiman Abba looks on, during the National Peace Committee on General Elections meeting Cross section of the committee members

Gen. AbdulsalamiAbubakar discussing with Air Marshall Alex Badeh during the meeting. Photos by Gbemiga Olamikan.

From left: Justice Rose Ukeje, Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka; Director General, IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita; and Dr. Artur-Martins Aginam, addressing pressmen after the meeting.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015—Page 15

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PAGE 16— SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

ONE MILLION MAN WALK FOR BUHARI IN LAGOS

•From right: APC vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Party Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governorship Candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode; Woman Leader, Kemi Nelson; and APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed at the rally.

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•Supporters of All Progressives Congress during the rally.

•A cross section of APC supporters

•From right: Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; APC vice presidential candidate, Prof.

Yemi Osinbajo; party leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode.

•Fadeyi Oloro, a popular Yoruba comedian and another comedian.

•A cross section of supporters.

Photos: Joe Akintola, Photo Editor

•L-R: Lagos State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; APC vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; and Osun State governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

•Excited supporters .

•APC supporters.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 17

bb pin:332A45EB

Mercy Johnson defends her train trip from Iddo to Ikeja

BOMBSHELL FROM US

Ban porn sites in Nigeria, miss me shaking my bum bum – Afrocandy F OR sometime now, the news has been sneaking around that the Nigerian government is seriously considering banning of porn sites in the country. Since the news leaked, the various media, social and traditional, have been awash with all sorts of angles on the issue, with some entertainment celebrities making known their feelings.

But who would be the best person to talk on the issue if not the acclaimed Nigerian, US-based porn star, Judith Mazagwu, popularly known as Afrocandy? Mind you, she has said she is not a porn star by any means, but admitted in a past interview with Vanguard, that the tag excites her.

When Potpourri got to her in US to seek her opinion on the proposed banning of porn sites in the country, her reaction was a mixture of disbelief and irritation. “Oh really? I am just hearing about that

and I guess you are asking me because I got naked and had sex live in my movie ‘Destructive Instinct’ which is on sale now, right? And also because I just launched a new video website www.afronetube.com which is just like YouTube, where members can join and upload their own videos of all kinds without restrictions or censorship?” she queries.

“Well in my opinion, I think it will be a good thing for them if that would help them concentrate on their jobs than browsing porn sites and watching porn all day instead of doing the jobs they were elected to do” she said.

She continued: “But my question is, how are they going to do that? Are they going to shut down all the cyber cafes in Nigeria, shut down all the Internet Providers, close all access to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and the rest of them? For your information, all the sites I mentioned above are all porn sites in disguise and I know many government officials are on these sites.

As for me, I am not worried about nothing. My two n e t w o r k s , w w w .

Afrocanetwork.com and www.afronetube.com which are not porn sites even though we allow adult contents will always be running from the United States of America. I do not only focus on Nigerian fans but also my fans all over the world including Nigerians in Diaspora.

O

n Tuesday March 2, the social media was thrown into pandemonium when pictures of top Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson and her first child, Purity, surfaced online aboard a local train enroute Ikeja from Iddo. There was so much outrage from her fans, many of whom felt the actress descended too low to take a train ride with common people. Some were even of the opinion that she may be getting broke.

But the mother of two has cast aside all the aspersions, saying she took the train only because she had to make an appointment in Ikeja after her Range Rover SUV broke down.

“I was around Iddo at Ebute Metta when my Range Rover developed a mechanical fault and I had to make a very important appointment in Ikeja, regardless of the usual traffic congestion in Lagos. Luckily, a member of my management team was around, he suggested a train ride and we were in Ikeja in less than 30 minutes”.

On taking a train ride with the so-called common people, the sexy actress said she is as ordinary person as the next person in the street.

“I grew up as an ordinary person among ordinary people. Why would I avoid them now?

Would that be because I am now famous? Without these ordinary people, how would I have been famous in the first place? Without the so called ordinary people, where would Nigeria’s growing population of so-called well packaged celebrities be today?

•Afrocandy

So if they ban ‘porn sites’ in Nigeria it’s their loss, they won’t be able to see and watch me and my girls shaking our big big bum bums. Also, I won’t bother creating the employment I plan to create in Nigeria to help interested talents in achieving their goals of joining the entertainment industry”.

Shirley Igwe fights to stay in shape for new movie role N

•Shirley Igwe

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ollywood actress and the Principal Protocol Officer to Governor Rochas Okrocha of Imo State, has a bit of a personal problem she has been crying out about for days now. That problem has to do with her having to lose some weight in five days to fit into a movie role she has just clinched.

The actress, days ago, made the broadcast on her Blackberry, asking anyone with ideas on how to lose weight fast. Obviously, the actress has slipped with watching her weight. Surely, being part of a governor’s kitchen cabinet must come with some fat perks.

•Mercy Johnson and her first child

PAGE 18, SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I can’t leave acting for any man — Etiko Destiny

Fatima Adeoye premieres first movie in Ghana, to shoot second in Nigeria A

U

pcoming Nollywood star, Etiko Destiny doesn’t need to do much to get any man to look her way. If her sexy figure doesn’t get the attention then her dress sense is bound to do the job. She’s beautiful and she knows it.

Recently, she put up a cameo appearance (as seen in the picture) in a music video by an upcoming artiste and got tongues wagging with all sorts of comments.

She got into the industry in 2011 and by 2014 she already had an award nomination by City People magazine for the uncommon talent she displayed in the movie ‘Idemili’.

For her, acting wasn’t a distant vision, it was at home with her as a little girl because her mother was an actress. But for love and family, her mother quit acting on request from her father. However, this is something Etiko has vowed would never happen to her “Before I started acting, I’ve always said I will never work for anyone, but rather be independent doing my own thing. I read marketing. Acting is something I love and I’m passionate about. So whoever I’m falling in love with or having a relationship with should understand that I love acting and that I’ve been doing it before we met” she tells Potpourri in a chat.

“I’ll have to look for an understanding man. Probably, there has to be an understanding that there are some roles I shouldn’t do, like smooching, kissing, caressing and all. I would agree to that because I love him and want to keep him. He shouldn’t stop me from doing what makes me happy. Most people who are married and still into acting are not doing it for the money, but because of the love and passion they have for it. So, the man has to understand, I can’t ask him to quit his job too because I can’t quit mine” she declares.

•Fatimah Adeoye

ll is now set for Fatimah Adeoye’s first movie ‘Aliyah’ premiere which comes up March 21, at the National Theatre in Accra, Ghana. Fatimah ,who is born of a Nigerian father from Ogbomosho and a Ghanaian mother decided to shoot her own movie because she believes she has a great knack for organisation and the talent for story-telling.

“One day I was driving around town with my friends and got talking about what we would do after our National Service. Then I said I was not ready to work for anyone.

I told them I wanted to do my own business and one of them asked what kind of business and I told them movie production. After that, we all started talking about different stories and I got the story for Aliyah from some of them and added a true life dimension to the story. Three of us, Kennedy Ababio, myself and Femi Branch actually wrote the script” she says of how she got the inspiration to write ‘Aliyah’ The movie has as lead characters Prince David Osei, Chichi Neblet and Fatima Adeoye as ‘Aliyah’. According to Fatimah, the story captures how a fortune of a family could change dramatically with the death of the parents. The story is centred around two sisters and a brother and what they had to go through to make it in life.

‘Aliyah’ eventually turns an assassin working for a kingpin called Kartel, played

by David Osei.

Fatimah has made her mark as a producer after appearing in just four films as an actress. Ghana-based Fatimah says her next movie will be shot in Nigeria. “I spend most vacations in Nigeria and this is the first production I am doing in Ghana. I am planning to shoot my next movie in Nigeria and I will be premiering the movie ‘Aliyah’ in Nigeria too next month” she says.

Finally, entertainers get boost with Health Insurance

BY IYABO AINA

I

•Etiko Destiny C M Y K

n other to eradicate the phenomena and stigma of soliciting for public fund by entertainers/celebrities on health grounds, Nigerian Entertainment Industry Health Insurance Scheme (NEIHIS) has officially launched a health scheme in Lagos to help fight health issues among Nigerian entertainers.

The launching took place on Tuesday March 3, 2015, at the Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos at the Inner Crockpot of the hotel, as top Nigerian entertainers like Nigar Raw, Yemi Solade, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Ara, Godfrey Efe, Gbenga Adeyinka, and Mr. Patrick Dowel, amongst others headlined the event.

The scheme which is under the direct regulation of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) has two private plans, Standard and Ultra and both are at affordable premiums, as plans can be acquired by individuals, corporate groups or families. A family will consist; husband, wife and four biological children.

Aside the practitioners of the entertainment and media industry and their nuclear families, NEIHIS also covers all the employees of entertainment and media outfits including band members, set designers, journalists, sound engineers and other auxiliary service providers and affiliates.

According to the initiator of the scheme, Mr. Seun Apara, “the scheme which is now affiliated to over 350 NHIS accredited hospitals nationwide, is working diligently in a very rare partnership with three ‘health management organizations (HMOs) namely; Healthcare International, Premium Health and United Healthcare International, to achieve this great feat and upon registration, an enrolee’s identification cards will take just two weeks to process”.

Speaking further, he said “every enrolee is •Mr. Seun Apara, coordinator NEIHIS, required to pick a primary provider (Hospital) making his opening speech either close to his or her residence or office.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 19 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

Nelson Jumbo nails love and crime in new movie

Why I featured Zeez in my new single ‘Obim’ —- Harmonee

W

hen Susan Emike Ekwe known as Harmonee in the music industry, released her sophomore effort ‘Chocolate’, music fans welcomed her with cheers but with a bit of suspicious approval, that comes with a feeling you have for a good product you are not particularly sure of its value. But after the release of ‘Obim’ featuring Zeez, formerly DJ Zeez of the ‘Fokasibe’ fame, Harmonee now looms like a big phenomenon that will remain with us for a long time.

Though Harmonee and Zeez are now signed to the same label, HF Music but it is not often that label mates come together to produce a song that becomes an instant hit. Speaking with Potpourri on how and why she got Zeez to collaborate with her, Harmonee confessed it was something she had always wanted to do, going by the enviable track record of Zeez, who wowed music lovers sometime ago with his ‘Fokasibe’ club banger. “ I have always been a fan of DJ Zeez now known as Zeez from the days of ‘Fokasibe’, and when ‘Obim’ was written I said to myself I would love to have Zeez on this one and I recorded and he listened and liked it and jumped on it. That was how ‘Obim’ was done “Obim”, which means ‘My Heart’ in Ibo language is a love song, creatively spiced with traditional folklore rhythm and sing-along lyrics that stick to your ears and head for long.

The choice of collaboration on this opus is flawless, as Zeez takes the energy to another level.

N •Harmonee

Yoruba act or actor orss introduce new dimension tto o movie premieres N

The Life House n presents Woma Rising 2015 an set to bring Wom he Life House ism Saturday 21, and Rising 2015 froch 2015 at the T ar Sunday 22 of M d Federal Palace

i an y in Wheatbaker, Ikoy land respectivel Is ria to ic V , l el na ot io H at rn te In of ion special celebrat(IWD).

Women’s Dayesent at the event can expect Everyone pr ting time and an rough to have an excice lebrate the arts th to ally. It is ob gl opportunity g women in az am of ks ainted or qu the w twork and get ac also a time to nem all walks of life! eekender with women fro usic and arts w ks our 5th “This year’s mpo ar m it as rtant is especially imt also a pivotal time in our litical anniversary bu l, social and po ntion that te nation’s cultura in ry is our ve development. ItNG 2015 will uplift, inspire, WOMAN RISI ate and energize all who entertain, educ e them in much better ted attend and leav re this multi-face stead than befond experience” says founder cultural weekeing, Ugoma Adegoke. of Woman Ris ill be hosted by multid The event w Lala Akindoju an talented thespian’s delectable Aderonke Smooth 98.1 FMexciting & inspiring Adebanjo withdes (by our city ’s most reading interlud art-loving men) and a few charismatic anarances. surprise appe

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elson Jombo, the brother of the popular actress, Uche Jombo, has just produced a thrilling and educating movie titled ‘Luke of Lies’.

The movie, Luke of Lies, follows the lives of a crew of con artists led by Luke (Alexx Ekubo), Susan (Daniella Okeke), Obom (Eddie Watson) and Shola (Belinda Effah) focusing in particular, on Obom, and his long term online dating scam. Chelsea is one of many Obom online dates who live in Abuja. However when Obom learns that Chelsea (Nkechinyere Urum Jombo) is the daughter of a governor, he alerts his other members and they immediately devise a plan on how to rein in for the kill. The story takes a sudden twist when Obom begins to develop romantic feelings for his ‘prey’ Chelsea.

Luke of Lies, is directed by Emmanuel Mang Eme, and stars Alexx Ekubo, Eddie Watson, Belinda Effah, Daniella Okeke, Laurel JE and Nkechinyere Urom Jombo. The movie is an interesting one featuring collection of plots like deceit, betrayal, love and lots more Nelson jumbo has worked on several other movies like Stolen Lives, House Girl Lover, My Rich Boyfriend among others.

Tayo Odueke (Sikiratu Sindodo)

o doubt, movie premieres are big occasions. Big occasions that come with glamour and glitz.

From the red carpet to the movie viewing, with celebrities adorning the scene like flowers would adorn a garden, it is an occasion strictly for the glossy columns. For Nollywood and anywhere else for that matter, that has been the norm. But recently, it seems the Yoruba sector of the movie industry is getting other ideas on how movie premieres should turn out.

In addition to the usual blingbling mentioned above the Yoruba actors have added a soft music concert to their programmes. This concert may have as many as ten artistes performing before the actual premiere. Then, there is the punchline! You don’t have to be a star to attend the premiere. In most cases, all you need to gain entrance is buying the aso-ebi of the event, which is usually some Ankara material that may sell between N5,000 to N10,000.

“Your favourite actress, Temitayo Odueke (Sikiratu Sindodo) is back again with an intriguing movie KHADIJAH. It’s scheduled for premiere on Sunday, April 26 2015 at Time Square, Ikeja. An evening of great music, comedy, drama and networking. Entry strictly

by Ankara (5K) and invitation” so reads a conventional social media broadcast for such event.

•Daniella Okeke stars in the movie

PAGE 20, SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I am so busy I don’t have time for sex — Bukola Adeeyo

BY ADERONKE ADEYERI

B

ukola Adeeyo is unarguably one of the

fastest rising Yoruba actresses. She has starred and featured in quite a number of movies like ‘Sunday Dagboru’,’Monday Omo Adugbo’,’Abike Standing’,’Fere sise mi’,’Eminirekan’ etc. Though a native of Oyo state, she was raised in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State where she took to acting after joining Odunlade Adekola Films Production O.A.F.P. She talks about her family, sex life and other intriguing issues.

How did you join Nollywood?

Acting has been something I admired since childhood. In 2008, my brother, Abiodun Ajayi took me to Odunlade Adekola. I joined Odunlade Adekola Films Production (O.A.F.P.) that same year.

How many films have you featured in since 2008?

I have featured in so many movies that I have lost count.

Sunday Dagboru; Ijiya Ife; Pemisire; Kamadupe; Ayelujara; Oba Adesope; Ire nimoyan; Oruko ife; Asake oni Buredi; Tijo tire; Ilu Alujo; Soko Fun; Ajinigbe, to mention a few.

Have you produced any film?

Yes. I have produced one, titled Ajinigbe and I am cooking something at the moment with the name Olaide Oyinlomo.

Olaide Oyinlomo is about a young woman who inherited diabolical power from her grandma but decided to use it positively.

The cast?

The movie features great and talented artistes like Prince Jide Kosoko, Odunlade Adekola, Fausat Balogun,Tunde Owokoniran, Bolaji Amusan, Lekan Olatunji,Owolabi Ajasa,my humble self and a host of others.

Do you agree that Nigerian women are becoming sexually active than men?

I disagree. Men will always be men. They are born to be in charge even outside sex, that is the

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•Bukola Adeeyo

order of nature. has sustained me. There was a particular case that still saddens my heart. I was supposed to take 13 scenes in a film. I went to the location and after spending four days, the director said I would not be part of the film. I was not given a dime and 96 hours of my life was wasted.

Although, every disappointment is a blessing and I also learned my lesson. I now know better.

Are you a virgin?

No, I am not.

The Africans, especially the Yoruba culture frowns at pre-marital sex but many youths engage in it. What do you have to say as a young and unmarried lady?

Pre-marital sex has its positive side. There is acceptance from your peers, pleasure and the fulfillment of sexual desire. The negative side is that it is against our norms and values, and could bring about unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, STDs and guilt.

How often does Bukola Adeeyo have sex?

I am a very busy type that I seldom have time for things like that. Besides I am not married but I do have sex once in a while.

Do you think you have what will make a man come begging for sex with you?

I am not sexually active and not a sex tool, so I do not have what will make a man come back for sex.

It seems actresses are making more money than their male counterparts.

Your take?

Women are doing better in the industry. Our men do not venture into other things like the women. Many actresses have other things that fetch them money.

Are you saying acting is not lucrative enough?

Acting is a good and lucrative profession. But acting in Nigeria

I don’t expose my body but I don’t have anything against anyone who dresses nude

How do you mean?

I make sure the deal is sealed before I leave the house. consider before choosing my outfit.

can be frustrating because of challenges of piracy. And that is one of the reasons many actresses support themselves by engaging in other things.

What is your take on many Nigerian women going nude in the name of fashion?

I don’t expose my body but I don’t have anything against anyone who dresses nude. Every woman has the right to dress whichever way she chooses as long as she is comfortable with her outfit. But a Yoruba adage says “Iri ni si ni isoni lojo”, the way you dress or present yourself is the way people will act towards you. That is what I

As a young and unmarried lady, how do you manage male fans?

I appreciate my male fans a lot.

They are the ones who have made me relevant in the industry. Most of my male fans turn out to be my friends.

What is your worst location experience?

Talking about my numerous encounters in the hands of our senior colleagues can be tiring.

But God and the passion is what

You have been scandal free, what is the secret? (smiles) I don’t know.

Maybe because I have my beliefs and I follow them religiously.

When is Bukola Adeeyo planning to settle down?

Soon, by God’s grace. It could be tomorrow, next week or in two years.

What was growing up like?

I was raised by disciplinarians in Ibadan, Oyo State. My parents were into business. I am the first child of four. We moved with my mum to Abeokuta when the need arose. Since then, the Ogun State capital, Abeokuta has been my home.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 21

In love with someone you can’t have?

BY ONOZURE DANIA

G

etting over someone can sometimes appear to be impossible.

It feels really bad when you fall in love with someone you can’t have. It feels even worse when you are sure that the relationship can never work out.

That is the worst thing that could ever happen to someone.

To forget someone is one of the hardest “assignments” given in life, especially if you had this gut feeling that he/ she is the one.

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To get over someone you love, you have to realize that there are no easy answers.

No matter how ready you think you are, the fact that you are asking yourself how to get over someone you love, means that it is going to be a painful process. It can be a slow process.

You might think you are over someone and a year later, being reminded of that person, you feel sad again.

That does not mean that you have not overcome loving the person.

If you are emotionally invested in a “supposed” relationship and it ends, it

could make you feel sad for years. Maybe even for the rest of your life. But that does not mean the sadness has to make you feel depressed.

You can get over your loss and still know that it made you sad. It’s the period of time soon after the loss that will be the hardest to get passed.

This is the period where you ask yourself “how to get over someone you love and he/ she does not love you back”.

If the break up is a fresh one usually the only way to get over the pain is to face it

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Also note that neither Vanguard, nor Yetunde Arebi will be liable for any error in the publication of requests which may result in any form of embarrassment to any member of the public. We therefore request that text must be sent through at least one of the numbers for contact. This notice is necessary to enable us serve you better in our refreshingly different style. You can send your requests to 33055. For enquiries, text or call 08026651636

straight out and let time pass.

It is going to hurt, no matter what you do.

However, there are some things you can do to lessen the pain.

Start with removing noticeable visual reminders of the person if possible. Pictures of them can be put away, gifts they gave you can also be put away and avoiding the places you used to go together is a good idea as well.

This tip can be found in lists everywhere on how to get over a lost love so it is at least a popular idea that is worth trying.

Figuring out how to get over someone you love can be one of the most difficult things that any of us will ever have to do.

The pain of loss can be very intense and finding the answers can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

You need to know that it will take a lot of time and some days will be harder than others.

If you have been with someone for a long period of time, their absence can make you feel like a part of you is missing, like you just had your heart ripped right out of your chest.

But once you discover how to get over someone you love, the pain in your heart will lessen and you will start feeling more like your old self again.

If you are having difficulty living your life after the breakup, it might be a good idea to seek counseling.

Simply let the counselor know that you just went through a break up and ask the counselor how to get over someone you love.

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PAGE 22— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

I

We're taking Nigeria's security challenges to the UN — Bisi Olateru-Olagbegi,

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

n 1995 when the world converged in China for the Fourth World Conference on Women, one major landmark initiative was the creation of benchmarks for member states, with regard to women’s development. That was the Beijing Declaration.

That conference identified 12 areas of concern, including women and poverty, health, politics, media, girl-child and security, mandating member states to tackle them vigorously.

20 years down the line, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, UNCSW, will, at its 59th Session holding in New York from March 9-20, 2015, focus on progress made by each country.

Chief (Mrs) Bisi OlateruOlagbegi was at that conference in 1995. In this interview, the Executive Director, Women Consortium of Nigeria; South West Coordinator, Women’s Political Empowerment Project and National Coordinator of Civil Society Organizations for Beijing+20, speaks on how Nigeria has fared regarding the declaration, women in 2015 elections and more.

What’s your rating of women’s progress since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration?

In Nigeria, we have since the last 20 years vigorously pursued those 12 areas of concern. The declaration has actually been a major strategy for development, especially for having inspired the Millennium Development Goals fifteen years ago. About six of those goals also relate to women development.

That singular act of creating benchmarks has helped our nation to at least improve on the situation of women.

Another critical area that is very germane to us, especially in Africa, is the issue of the girlchild. African women actually agitated for its inclusion. At that time, the issue of violence, female genital mutilation, child trafficking, and more were rampant. But after that conference, Nigeria came up with a national law against child trafficking, the first in the entire continent.

There have been improvements in girl-child education and economy also; we now have lots of women entrepreneurs and industrialists.

You sound satisfied with the progress made...

I'm not because our level of progress is not commensurate to the enormous wealth God

CSOs National Coordinator, Beijing+20

has bestowed on our nation, which we are not enjoying because of corrupt leaders who are extremely selfish.

In what areas precisely are we lagging?

One major challenge right now is the language of the Nigerian constitution which is yet to reflect the sexuality of women with its use of 'he'.

Changing it was one of the decisions reached at the recent national conference and as a delegate, I expected those resolutions would have been implemented by now.

We also insisted on 35% affirmative action being entrenched in our constitution like in those countries where we have seen increase in the number of women in government.

Apart from that reserved percentage, women in these countries are also allowed to contest for the remaining 65%. This was also recommended by the Uwais Constitutional Review but nothing has been done.

We expected that as soon as we left the national conference, within the five months before electioneering, President Goodluck Jonathan would have ensured that the colossal amount of money spent on the conference did not go in vain, by implementing its recommendations.

As the National Coordinator of CSOs for Beijing+20, what are those issues you’re taking to the discussion table at the UN? As we go to the conference, as CSOs, we are tabling two critical issues bothering Nigerian women. The first is the issue of women in decision-making. We have too few women in elective positions. In appointive positions also, most of states do not have up to 10% women as commissioners.

The second is the emerging issue of insurgency and insecurity; how do we put our children in school and be sure of their safety? How do we ensure Boko Haram does not adopt over 200 girls and we hear nothing about them about a year after? The issue of insecurity is most exasperating because it has never been like this in our country. Since 2010, defence has had the highest of our entire budget- over 25%, but what has happened? Nothing visible!

Instead, we have more Internally Displaced Persons.

What’s your take on women’s participation in the 2015 general elections so far?

We have a higher number of women who are registered as voters. Unfortunately, we are lagging in terms of

candidates to take up elective positions. In fact, women have fared worse than they’ve ever done. In 2007, we had a higher percentage; about 13%. In 2011, it cascaded to about 6%. Now, we do not stand to have up to 4% because at the primary elections in the respective political parties, women were really short-changed despite these parties having 35% as part of their policies for women.

A lot of them in the National Assembly are not returning.

It appears to me that there is a deliberate attempt to drastically reduce the number of women in elective positions so that we’ll come begging for appointments.

And then, they (men) will choose women of their choice and not necessarily those who have leadership qualities.

The issue of insecurity is most exasperating because it has never been like this in our country.

Since 2010, defense has had the highest of our entire budgetover 25%, but what has happened?

Nothing visible!

And you do not think those parliamentarians lost out at the primaries because they are incompetent?

That’s not true. These women have played their significant roles. For instance, Hon.Abike Dabiri from my own South West, was the one who moved the bill on Freedom of Information which is a very good and useful tool today for demanding accountability from persons in public offices. Many of them have done quite a lot.

Hon.Mulikat Akande-Adeola, House Leader in the House of Representatives, has personally done a lot, including in the area of encouraging women’s participation in governance. In fact, she engineered the formulation of another Women Charter in revision of the old charter, so that the demands of women will be well articulated.

If you investigate properly, you’ll find that women parliamentarians have judiciously utilized their constituency allowances more than our male folks. You can see their presence in their constituencies. But their voices have been drowned because they are few.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 23

08112662589

When his ex-wife threatens his second marriage

Y

ou’ve finally met your idea of a ‘soul mate’?’ So what if he was married before? Thankfully, it was his ex who cheated and had to be sent packing out of the matrimonial home. She’s not likely to be resentful of you. Or is she? Believe it or not, there is a support group called the British Second Wives Club (BSWC) and, according to their findings, the soon-to-be exwife is a likely candidate for causing trouble. And it’s your arrival at the scene as potential wife number two that may trigger her unwanted and unwarranted attention.

BSWC’s founder, Linda Mellor says; “The flash point for the bad behaviour of some first wives seems to be when the man has finally picked himself up and has met another woman. It’s as if some ex-wives secretly feel they are entitled to punish their former spouse for daring to get on with his life without them”.

Which probably explains Erik’s bewilderment at his ex-wife’s attitude towards his second wife. “Throughout our marriage”, he said, “she carried on as if she mar-

ried beneath her. Nothing I did pleased her much and when she insisted on putting our first child in a posh primary school I couldn’t afford, I put my food down. She went ahead an enrolled him anyway, snorting she would get the fees somehow. How? I wanted to know. `That is none of your business.

If you can’t carry your load, others will gladly help out’, she spat, she became so flippant that I threatened to throw her out. She said she would spare me the effort. She was moving out. “she eventually left with the only child of the union. Grapevine had it that she was involved with a rich industrialist.

I was devastated but eventually moved on with my life. I met my current wife, sued for divorced which my first wife didn’t even bother to contest, then settled down to the married bliss I didn’t have in my first marriage. I was surprised when my ex called out of the blues a few months after I remarried that she was bringing out son to visit.

She’d always used him as a bargaining chip and I’d washed my hands off

both of them until this sudden turnaround. I could scarcely prevent my son from visiting, so when my ex turned up with him I was quite pleased to see him. But my ex was her snooty self. She regarded Lucy, my new wife, with disdain and didn’t return her greetings. When she started reeling off the things our son needed, I told her to leave, that I would get in touch with her. Then began a series of calls and insults.

Whenever Lucy picked up the phone, she would tell her to go and call her son’s father. In the end, I put a stop to her harassment, but we still hold

our breath. Knowing her, she’s bound to spring another surprise soon”.

According to Linda, not all first wives are a problem as 80 percent of BSWC’s 1000+ members are ex-wives themselves.

But she has identified a worrying breed, which needs to be treated with caution. “We find that the main perpetrators are women who were bullies within the marriage.

They have particularly controlling tendencies”, says Linda. “Trouble flares up when the exhusband meets another woman . Suddenly, there’s a part of his life that is not within the first wife’s control and she

doesn’t like it. In some cases, she even sees the new partner as some kind of prey to be stalked. Today, four out of every ten marriages are second ones and it’s hard to put a figure on how many second wives suffer such torment, but the number of women going through these problems is significant. One BSWC member was attacked by her partner ’s first wife and the woman’s new boyfriend at a night club. The Police were called, and to her astonishment, she discovered that the woman had been stalking her for some time.

Another second wife be-

came concerned when a woman fitting the description of her partner’s ex-wife began loitering at her work place. ‘I started to receive silent phone calls’, she said, `I was at home one day and saw her sitting in a parked car looking at our house. Thankfully, it stopped after my partner threatened to report her to the police, but it was extremely frightening’.

How then can second wives deal with such difficult situations.

“If a man has been bullied by his first wife, he often won’t want to tackle her”, says Linda.

“But it’s important that he stands side by side with his new partner.

They have to show the first wife a united front and make sure they’re giving out the same messages. Often, the abuse will pass with time but if things get nasty, then you need to go down the legal route.

“A solicitor’s letter may be all it takes, but sometimes, the police will need to be called in. I can imagine there must be a host of emotions driving these women to poke around into their ex-husband’s business.”

08052201867(Text Only)

A 5-minute workout when you’re laziest

S

OMETIMES the reason we cannot be engaged long enough in a workout routine is that we’re hard pressed for time.

Other times the reason is that we’re plain lazy.

I have always felt that the body does not feel the same everyday.

You don’t wake up everymorning bubbling with energy and enthusiasm for living.

But even on these days when you wake up to find your sleep hasn’t been sound enough to be refreshing a little workout may well be just what will start you up.

As little as a five-minute exercise routine will warm your muscles up and get your body to tap on its energy reserves by stimulating the pancrease to produce glucogon, an energy refreshing hormone.

So we see that even when we’re laziest we can get a little help from a few minutes of twisting and turning.

The following routine can be completed in five minC M Y K

utes or even a little less, with palpable benefits immediately.

THE CAT STRETCH Technique: Sitting on the heels lower the trunk with the hands fully extended and the palms and

forehead placed on the floor. The idea here is to push back the body and stretch forward the hands.

Benefits: The push and pull of this posture effectively deals with the stiffness from sleep. It limbers

the trunk and arm muscles.

It helps lubricate the ankle and knee joints.

VERTICAL LEG RAISE Technique: Sit down with both legs stretched in front of you.

Now, bend the right knee

and grasp the right ankle.

It also promotes better Straightening up the leg up- bowel action. wards draw the trunk toTHE REED wards the right knee.

Technique: Stand with Hold the pose for some 10 feet close together and with seconds and repeat with the hands stretched overhead other leg. as you take in a deep Benefits: breath.

The posture benefits the Now, breathing out, dip hamstrings, the muscles of the trunk to the left for a the back and the belly. slow count to ten. Then inTHE SPINAL TWIST haling deeply again return Sit with both legs the trunk to the upright postretched in front of you. sition and then dip to the Bend the right knee and left side for another count place the right front on the to ten. Then straighten up outside of the left thigh. and drop both hands by the With the inside of the el- sides and rest. bow placed just below the Benefits: right knee, clutch the right The Reed help to burn fat thigh with the left hand and about the hips and flanks. the right hand placed at the A rather invigorating exerback, at waist level. Now cise it immediately knocks turn the entire trunk right- sleepiness out of the system. ward with the bend looking over the right shoulder.

Stay in this position STARTED for about 15 seconds and repeat on the other Physical Therapy Centre side. @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Benefits: Victoria Island Lagos.

The Twist gives lat9.00am — 10.00am eral flexibility to the spine and massages the on Saturdays kidneys and abdominal organs.

Yoga Classes

The Reed Pose

The Leg Raise Pose

P AGE 24 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

How to make your lover putty in your hand!

W

HAT is your idea of a happy sex life? The answer to this simple question might be far from what you envisaged. Recently,some sex experts were asked for their top tips on how to keep the spark alive. Not one of them recommended expensive sex toys, breast implants or doing it five times a night. Instead, they talked about having fun working at your relationship and being comfortable with who you are.

“People who have truly satisfactory sex lives appreciate that everyone is different”, says a psychologist, Dr. Petra Boynton. Not all of us want to be swinging from the rafters. If you a re already heaving a sigh of relief, there are more revelations.

Carole Rice, a relationship coach, advises you: “Try to think of your partner as independent from you – you’re not joined at the hip. Imagine them at work, playing sport or doing something well without you. See them as the vital and interesting individuals they are when they ’re not with you. This is far sexier than the claustrophobic familiarity that can kill attraction when al you see is the socks left on the floor and your partner slumped on the sofa. To add more spice, try going to a restaurant or a bar separately and playacting chatting each other up. You’ll relearn to find each other attractive and desirable this way”.

“Get along inside and outside the bedroom”, says Sue Johnson, a sex educator. `If your relationship is full of hostility, you won’t have a good love life. Your anger is a barrier to enjoy-

ing sex. You have to resolve conflict – don’t bottle things up. Ask him: `Can we talk about it?’

Solve the problem, then you’ll be able to enjoy each other. In other words, why make an enemy of a partner that’s supposed to be your greatest ally? Learn to read secret signals. Everyone has their favourite things in the bedroom, whether it’s having their ears nibbled or their feet tickled. But they ’re almost always too embarrassed to all. ?So, how do you discover your partner’s fantasies? Look at what they ’re doing to you! For example, someone who loves their ears’ nibbed will nibble on their partner ’s ears. Pay attention to your man’s moves and you’ll get a great idea of what he wants you to do to him.

If both of you don’t feel energetic about health, cuddle up and just bask in the warmth of each other.

“Don’t worry, he happy.

These days, sex is just another lifestyle product and another way for people to make money by selling us things we don’t want or need. But you don’t have to live up to anyone’s expectations.

A good sex life is one that makes you feel happy and comfortable, whether you’re doing it ten times a week or ten times a year. It’s quality not quantity that counts. In the meantime, build on the rapport that already exists between you and learn to laugh at your mistakes inside and outside the bedroom.

Tracey Coz, another sex expert, believes asking questions helps. When you make love, focus on your partner ’s pleasure, not your own. The better you are as a lover, the

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"

Still thinking about you Dear Tyrese, I never knew what true love was until you left me and now the thought of you with some-

more enjoyment they’ll get from sex and the more likely they are to crave it. Encourage your partner to open up and tell you what they require. Do they want more foreplay? Are you picking the wrong time for sex?

Suggest that you bathe together or give them a massage first. Ask for feed back during sex and give them time to become aroused. Take things slowly. Strip naked together and take it in turns to run your hands slowly over your partner ’s body, loving it for every wrinkle, fold and flaw. As you do so, tell them what makes them sexy. Remember a time when you had great sex and talk about it.

Take five minutes a day to sit opposite your partner and silently hold hands while looking into each other ’s eyes and think only of what you love about them”.

“Hit the spot”is what Phillip Hodson, another counsellor advises.

“Here’s one for the men – learn to pleasure your partner properly! If you’re able to give a woman orgasm, she’ll be putty in your hands.

Make the effort to understand how her body works. Think about subtle approaches and lead up to sex, don’t just steam in. Increase the amount of foreplay. Find out where her pleasure spot is and what she likes done to it. A woman’s body is like an ice-berge; nineteenths of it is below the surface.

“Be open and honest.

You need to talk about what you like and don’t like, but sex can be a sensitive subject, so give lots of compliments. If you start by telling your partner what you like and what he does well, that’s a good time to admit that you weren’t keen when your ex was too rough, say, or asked you to do things you weren’t comfortable with. Get sex issues out in the open and tackle them before they become a problem. Use

one else hurts me deeply. I try to keep those thoughts out of my mind but I think about you all the time. Where is our love?. I must be out of my mind. What else can I do to prove my love to you because now I am going crazy all for your love.I never should have done you wrong, now am sitting here all alone.You should feel my pain and for you I will change, so can I have a second try because without you I am nothing.And I know you don't want to see a grown man cry.

Derek Nakpodia.08062811130 tedek4ever@yahoo.com

Life

Life is like a mirror, if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile, it returns the greeting.

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth

your imagination.

The brain is the biggest sexual organ, so excite the imagination. Talk about your fantasies and tell your partner what you’d like to do, even if you’re too tired to do it.

Imagine yourself as a strong woman you admire when you do this.

Try ‘simmering’ during the day- leave him sexy notes or send him saucy text or phone messages so he can’t wait to get home”.

These bits of expert advice are not only to help you have the best sex ever with your partner they ’re also to remind you never to take lovemaking or your partner for granted. Hang on to a good sex life if you’ve got one, and make sure it’s refreshed from time to time. If your love-life is, however, lack-lustre, the tips are pointers to what you should do to make it better.

The greatest lift you can have is a contented love life, so work at it!

Make it impossible for your partner to look for thrills outside the confines of your love-nest. If they like alfresco sex, why not indulge them!

You might even like the thrill of making love outdoors with the likelihood of some peeing Toms drooling over your activities with envy! Lastly, never criticize your partner ’s efforts, especially when you suspect that’s the best they could do.

And if your man likes talking dirty? Well, encourage him. Some women have confessed to having mind-blowing orgasms when their men talk dirty, so there!

Love you to death?

(Humour) One morning, the

farmer ’s wife woke up, looked out of the window and saw their only cow lying dead in the field. Òh no!”she wailed, “now we have no animals left, what can I do, how can I feed us?”and she was so distraught, she hanged herself. When the farmer woke up, he discovered his dead wife and was so overcome with grief, she shot himself. So three sons were left on their own. The first son went walking along the seashore and met a mermaid.

“Don’t look so sad”, she said. F you have sex with me five times, I will bring your family back to life and restore your farm to its former glory”So, the boy gladly took up the offer, but by the fourth time he was struggling and was unable to perform at all on the fifty attempt. Bitterly disappointed, he walked into the sea and drowned himself.

Some time later, the second son came by and bumped into the mermaid. “Do not despair ”, she said. Ïf you can make love to me ten times, I have the power to bring back your family and make the farm successful”. Eagerly, the boy agreed and began with determination. Alas, he failed after number seven and was so ashamed he walked into the sea as well. So there was only the youngest son left. He went looking for his brothers and was met by the mermaid. She told him what had happened but assured him that all could be put right if he made love to her 25 times. The boy thought for a moment and replied warily. “Yeah, but how can I be sure it won’t kill you just like it did the cow?”

find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.#AlwaysAppreciateWhatYouHave Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015.

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 25

Butcher Ibrahim crippled by police bullets

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

F

or about three years, 24year-old butcher, Ibrahim Jafarau, has been bedridden, no thanks to the bullets of a yet to be identified officer of the Benue State Police, who allegedly shot and injured his spinal cord in the Wadata area of Makurdi, the state capital.

Ibrahim, who, since the incident happened, has been moved from one hospital to another by his guardians, in search of medical help, has been surviving through the mercy and of relatives who are now crying out for justice after what appeared to be an indifference of the police to his predicament.

Narrating his ordeal to Sunday Vanguard, Ibrahim said his dilemma started in February 2012.

“On that fateful day, I and my father and other colleagues had gone to Wadata market that morning to sell and butcher cow. After the day’s work, I went to the bank of River Benue, which is just a stone throw from the market, to take my bath.

“After I had cleaned up and was making my way out of the river, I noticed that people were running in different directions, and i discovered they were actually running away from the police who stormed the market that morning.

“In the midst of the confusion, I hurriedly dressed up and tried to run out of the river, when I noticed that the police were firing gunshots sporadically.

“One of the bullets hit me at the back and i fell down. That was the last thing I could remember at the time, because I passed out immediately.

“My people immediately came to my rescue and hurriedly took me to the Divisional Police Station but the officer in charge said he would have no hands in the matter because he did not ask his men to shoot anyone.

“At that point, my people took me to the Makurdi Federal Medical Centre for treatment.

But on getting there, the doctors C M Y K

•Ibrahim Jafarau

•Ibrahim...bullet hit me at the back and I fell down on duty refused to treat me on the grounds that they would require a police report before attending to me.

“I was eventually treated but my legs remained paralyzed. I was referred to another hospital in town, from where I was later referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, BSUTH, Makurdi.

“Since then I’ve been here.

The police have refused to have a hand in my treatment thereby leaving me to my fate.

“The attitude of the police forced my family to seek justice for me at the Federal High Court. At the end of the day, the court delivered a N15.5million judgement against the police in my favour.

“Surprisingly, till dated, the police have not appealed the judgement and have also not shown any form of concern or care to my situation.

“Since the incident, I have been crippled as a result of the injury. My people have continued to carry the burden of my incapacitation. At the moment, we are owing the BSUTH over N500, 000 because my people have overstretched themselves in order to give me good medical attention.

“I am pained because I was

Look at me, I have become a vegetable because a trigger happy officer shot me where I was doing my legitimate business shot by the police and they have treated me like an animal and perhaps believe that they are above the law.

“Look at me, I have become a vegetable because a trigger happy officer shot me where I was doing my legitimate business and, even after the court gave judgement in my favour, they outrightly refused to obey the ruling of the court.

“All I’m asking for at this moment is justice. From the look of things, I might not walk again because the injury on my spinal cord affected my legs but medical personnel advised that I should be taken to India where I could receive better treatment

and probably walk again.

“Please tell the authorities to prevail on the police to lead by example by obeying the ruling of the court as expected of them.” Ibrahim narrated his story as he managed to hold back tears.

Corroborating the story of the young man, his guardian, Alhaji Dan Asoho, told Sunday Vanguard that Ibrahim’s condition had drained the family’s resources.

He said the family had spent over N1.3million on Ibrahim’s treatment without improvement.

“We have since this unfortunate incident spent all

we have and even resorted to borrowing to ensure that the young man received medical attention”, Asoho stated.

“At the moment, he is lying at the BSUTHwithout treatment because, after we exhausted all we have and though he was discharged over three months ago, the hospital decided on their own to assist with free medication but, as it is, they have reached their limits and we cannot blame them. “We could not move him out of the hospital because we do not know where to take him; fortunately the management of the hospital has been magnanimous to allow him remain in their facilities without payment.

“Our pain is that the police, till date, have not shown remorse nor came to our aid by way of ensuring that he received treatment. “We are only pleading with the police authorities to respect the court ruling and pay the judgement debt to enable us offset the accumulated medical bills and also seek medical attention for the promising young man in India as advised by doctors.”

Meantime, all attempts to reach the police on the matter proved abortive as the cellphone of the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Assistant Superintendent , ASP, Austin Ezeani, was switched off.

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

BY EMMANUEL AJIBULU

T

he Federal Government a d good intentions for g r a n t i n g Niger Delta militants amnesty. Thankfully, the move has effectively stopped the raging restiveness in the region. It also helped, considerably, in the socioeconomic development of the area and involved the ex-militants in gainful employment. h

Retrospectively, whenever the militants sneezed, the rest of the country caught cold. Their engagement in the kidnapping of expatriate oil workers, destruction of oil pipelines, illegal bunkering, establishment of illegal refineries and other forms of lawlessness seriously affected production of crude and the revenue the country realized from it.

Today, it is no news that the amnesty programme largely assisted in d i s a r m a m e n t , demobilisation, rehabilitation and integration of militants.

Under the programme, thousands of youths have enrolled for formal education while many others have undergone vocational training within and outside the country.

The emergence of Hon. Kingsley Kuku has brought milestones to the programme.

As the Chairman of Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kuku oversaw the disarmament and demobilization of 30,000 ex-agitators in the oil producing communities.

This harbinger of peace is currently superintending the skilling and

20,000 ex-militants go to school!

•Kuku and the integration mandate

•Militants in the creek...now reformed. Inset: Kuku reintegration of these youths into civil society. Kuku’s mandate in this regard is three in one: Disarmament; Demobilization and Reintegration.

The reintegration mandate is nearly completed.

The demobilization, carried out in Obubura, Cross River State, entailed biometric documentation, wellness check, non-violence

transformational training series of counselling and career classification for the ex-agitators. This phase was concluded in December 2011.

One of Kuku’s cherished principles is that what makes the difference between the rich and the poor nations of the world is the quality of the people not just the resources buried under the ground or water because it

is the people that will explore the resources. No wonder, he is vigorously pursuing the third mandate of reintegration through education – formal, informal and acquisition of skills. The Amnesty Office under him has placed over 20,000 demobilized ex-agitators in formal education or skill acquisition centres within and outside the country.

The Amnesty Programme

has opened a fresh page in reversing the resource curse.

In 2008 alone, it was estimated that Nigeria lost over 3 trillion Naira as a result of militancy in the Niger Delta. This ugly situation has been turned around. This resulted in increase in oil production and a corresponding increase in foreign exchange earnings. With peace restored in the region, oil and associated companies reopened shut oil wells. The result is that Nigeria’s oil production increased from 800,000 barrels per day to 2.8 mbpd.

Apart from that, it brought about sustainable peace in the Niger Delta, making the ex-militants to embrace peace. With cessation of hostilities, government assured the international community of Nigeria;s ability to fill its OPEC quota while it should be trusted by major consumer nations to meet its contractual obligations. With renewed confidence in the international oil market, Nigeria started to exercise enormous influence in OPEC and other sub-regional bodies. The increase in Nigeria’s quota of oil production is a result of reduced incidence of kidnapping, which provides the right environment for the repairs of oil and gas infrastructures damaged during the period of militancy. It has also provided ample opportunity for contractors handling developmental projects to fast-track sustainable development in the Niger Delta.

Kuku was involved in the Niger Delta struggle hence he knows the needs of youths in the region. An opinion poll conducted in three

Catholic youths shown the way of all they learnt said it will definitely make them happy adults.

W

orried by the rising l e v e l of immorality among youths in the society, The Ladies of the Order of Knights of St. Mulumba Nigeria, Lekki Sub-Council, Archdiocese of Lagos, gathered over 500 catholic youths in the neighborhood under one roof to discuss the many benefits of chastity.

According to the President, Ladies of Saint Mulumba, Lekki Sub-Council, Lady Nkiru Ezeh, the one day seminar was borne out of their maternal conviction that chastity is still a great virtue. The seminar titled “Chaste Youth, Happy Adult” was aimed at the addressing the secular culture as reflected in the media that not only accepts sex outside marriage but also encourages it.

Welcoming participants to the Catholic Church of Transfiguration, Victoria Garden City, Lagos, Lady C M Y K

Mrs Nkiru Ezeh, President, Ladies of Saint Mulumba (LSM) Lekki Sub-Council, addressing the youths Ezeh lamented that though chastity and purity are not valued as they use to be in the past, God still values purity. She attributed the decline in societal value for chastity and purity to frequent separations and

divorces while urging youths to embrace chastity in all its ramifications.

Also charging the youths on the need to embrace chastity, Parish Priest of Catholic Church of

Transfiguration, Rev. Father Mike Okonkwo said a child who embraces chastity will automatically become a happy adult. Okonkwo while calling on youths in attendance to make good use

Saying it as it is, one of the facilitators Dr. Onyeka Iwuchukwu, enjoined youths to always crave for God’s presence and his pleasure when tempted to sin.

According to Iwuchukwu who addressed the many ills of living unchaste life as a youth, “sex is celebrated everywhere but I will tell you emphatically that chastity is still cherished. As a youth you need to preserve yourself according to God’s injunction. Your relationship with God is very important in whatever you do and I think you should ask yourself constantly who is worth destroying your relationship with God through fornication?

Consider so many things before you sin and don’t allow yourself to be tossed around by Satan.”

Speaking on the spiritual benefits of chastity, one of the facilitators, Mrs. Chineze Ofodile, stated that chastity is not only about pre-

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 27

Fresh move for renewed Lagos

By Bose Adelaja

By Damilola Igbedion

T

HIS is a new Lagos as things are no longer what they used to be in the state. A good example is the queue culture taking place at bus stands as against what obtained in the past where commuters clash when boarding commercial buses.

Through a week long programme, a group, The Spirit of Lagos, SoL, has stepped up its campaign against anti-social activities that breed disorderliness across the state, urging the people to think Lagos, think of good things. The nonpolitical and non-religious organisation embarked on a state-wide road tour which saw its ambassadors traversing parks, markets, major bus stops and terminals, admonishing residents to imbibe the right attitudes.

Places visited include Mushin Market, Ojodu Berger, Ijesha Bus Stop, Pako-Aguda, Festac, Ajegunle, Oke Ira in Ogba, Anthony, Badagry, Epe and Okokomaiko where the group’s Project Director, Olaniyi Omotoso, who led other ambassadors, defied the scotching sun to distribute leaflets and sensitise the public.

At Anthony Village, a community leader, Chief Omotola Ariyo, said the

Christ Healing Evangelical Church 2015 convention

T

HE 2015 International Co nvention of the Christ

Healing Evangelical Church (CHEC) (Worldwide) starts on Wednesday, March 11 at its camp, located at Kilometre 45, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, opposite Redemption Camp, Loburo, Mowe, Ogun State.

Holding under the theme, ‘When He Comes’, the CHEC General Overseer, Pastor S.B. Ogunfowokan, said the

The Spirit of Lagos, SoL, during one of the campaigns programme will restore the past glory of Lagos.

In a chat with Sunday Vanguard, Omotoso said the programme was part of the four cardinal points of the association. “What we are doing is in line with civic responsibility, which is one of the four cardinal points of this association. We are out to urge Lagosians to change those attitudes that negate the spirit of Lagos. We remind them that it is wrong for them to dispose off their wastes arbitrarily; dash across the roads where there are pedestrian bridges; evade taxes and so on. And as the elections are around the corner, they must collect their Permanent Voters Cards PVCs

and vote according to their conscience and not spurred by parochial sentiments. The people of Lagos must be actively involved in the process of electing those who will be in positions of authority. It is part of their civic responsibility,” he explained.

Omotoso, who said the group had also preached attitudinal change through its ‘Change Your Thinking’ campaign, added that it has the sole objective of restoring the unique values that made Lagos a safe, just prosperous and place to inhabit.

The Project Director said that the value shared by Lagosians is love, adding that they love themselves, their surroundings and the state.

5,000 get Ondo govt loan to boost business

T

he Ondo State Government at the weekend disbursed a sum of N335.4m as loan to 5000 beneficiaries of the second batch of the Dr Olusegun Mimiko led government’s Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Fund initiative.

This is coming barely a month after the government disbursed N195m to 1,430 beneficiaries under the N2bn development fund scheme.

The state Governor, Dr Mimiko while speaking at the disbursement ceremony which witnessed a large turnout of people, described the event as another giant stride towards delivering dividends of democracy to the greatest number of the people.

He stressed that the scheme was part of his administration’s agenda at alleviating poverty and granting access to legitimate loans towards boosting micro, medium and small scale businesses.

Ik allies ffor or Doris Uboh Ikaa rrallies MR. Kainji Aluge Obia is the Deputy Director-General, Doris Uboh Campaign Organization and the Ika South Local Government Area Co-ordinator of Team Ochei. In this interview conducted at his Ime-Obi residence, he appealed to the people of Ika Federal Constituency to cast their votes for Hon. Doris Uboh during the March 28 House of Representatives election.

A

re you sure Hon Doris Uboh is going to win the March 28 House of Representatives election in Ika Federal Constituency, particularly now that Ika people are declaring that they are going to vote PDP all the way in the 2015 general elections?

We have done our job well. Our campaign is grassroots oriented.

You are aware I am a card carrying member of the PDP, despite the fact that I am working for Hon. Doris Uboh and Rt. Hon Victor Ochei, Accord Party House of Representatives and senatorial candidates respectively. We are working on the precedent set by our PDP leaders in Ika South who worked for the opposition in 2011. As we campaign for Uboh and Ochei, we are very much aware that the PDP governorship candidate for Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, is a sellable material.

•Kainji Aluge Obia He is an asset to us, we are also using the medium to campaign for Okowa. We have been told by some PDP exponents that Accord Party is part of PDP. Is Hon Doris Uboh not treading on a difficult terrain considering the fact that she is not a PDP House of Representatives candidate and, secondly, the Ika people, in their attempt to vote for Okowa as governor, might not have anything to do with the opposition?

No, Uboh is on the right track and we are praying God to give her victory come March 28. In terms of campaigns, Uboh has done marvellously well. Also, in terms of performance, Uboh is the best House of Representatives member Ika Federal Constituency has ever produced.

If you are a man and married to two wives, you should be able to know, which one between the two is better. Uboh, during the time she represented Ika Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, executed over fifty-two projects. She sponsored over three bills including the popular National Minimum Wage Bill.

Uboh was fully involved in the day to day business of the House.

She was a fighter, outspoken, intelligent, purposeful and result-oriented. She made sure dividends of democracy got to her people. In 2011, when Uboh was the PDP House of Representatives candidate for the federal constituency, those saying today that she is in the opposition worked for the Accord Party House of Representatives candidate. However, we should put sentiments aside and cast our votes for Uboh. Her scorecard as a former lawmaker speaks volume.

Hon Victor Nwokolo contested against the PDP House of Representatives candidate, Hon Doris Uboh in 2011, and won. Did you see history repeating itself in 2015?

Point of correction, Doris Uboh won, but victory was taken away from her because of the principle of turn by turn in favour of Ika North East. Yes! Uboh is going to win the 2015 House of Representatives election in Ika

convention will be power packed.

According to him, those in bondage will be freed while the sick will be healed.

Ogunfowokan disclosed that anointed men of God expected to minister at the convention, which closes on Sunday, March 15, include L/Evangelist B.A. Bamidele, CHEC Mother-inIsrael; Pastor A.D. Talabi, pastor in charge, CHEC Chapel of Praise, US; and Bishop E.D. Peecher, Chicago Embassy Church, U.S.

Federal Constituency. She is going to win because her performance and achievements are speaking for her.

There is no community and ward in Ika Federal Constituency that Uboh did not execute project.

In addition, Uboh is going to win because, for the sake of equity, it is the turn of Ika South to produce the next House of Representatives member in our constituency. Our dear brother Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is the governorship candidate of the PDP for Delta State. If equity is preached and upheld at the state and national levels, it will also be good to uphold it in our federal constituency. It is proper that Ika South has representation in the House of Representatives, other wise it will mean eight years of non-representation. In this current dispensation, both senator and reps. seats are occupied by Ika North East (Okowa and Nwokolo) leaving Ika South with nothing at the federal level. If in the next dispensation, governor and House of Representatives seats remain in Ika North East where does equity come in? If Anioma State is created and Ika nation became a senatorial district who will decide for us in Ika South?

Don’t forget that you get more prominence when you are part of decision making. Since Uboh is the most credible person for the 2015 House of Representatives election it is good we vote for her.

Mimiko explained that about N1.3bn had been disbursed to different trade groups in the State since the inception of his administration in 2009 through various loan schemes instituted by the State government.

According to him, a sum of N485.2m had been disbursed to about 10,000 beneficiaries under the Special Market-Women Improvement Loan and Empowerment Scheme (SMILES), under the Special Transformative Artisans Repositioning Scheme (STARS) a sum of N424.6m was disbursed to 7,850 beneficiaries while 335 widows of the fallen heroes had benefited from about N22.7m under Widows Resettlement and Empowerment Scheme (WIRES).

He stressed further that under the Yam Empowerment Scheme (YES), a sum of N77m was disbursed to 1,584 farmers, while 400 women, who had been disengaged from the outlawed illegal traditional birth business had also received N25m loan under the Agbebiye Repositioning Loan and Empowerment Scheme (ARLES) which is geared towards fighting child and maternal mortality and redirecting traditional birth attendants to other productive ventures.

First Lady’s visit to Okpe: Oborevwori seeks more support for Jonathan

T

HE Coordinator for Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organization, Okpe local government chapter, Delta State, Hon. Blessing Erhiawarie Oborevwori, has called on the people of Okpe to give President Goodluck Jonathan a bloc vote during the March 28, presidential election.

He also commended the President Jonathan for deeming it fit to come to Delta State to reconcile aggrieved persons of the party to ensure that the party makes an appreciable mark.

Oborevwori, said the visit of the first lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan to Okpe local government area will further enhance and attract more people to vote for the PDP. He said the choice of Okpe as a rallying point to appeal to Deltans to vote en mass for her husband and other PDP candidates across the state would strengthen the relationship between the Presidency and the Okpe Kingdom in the forthcoming election.

PAGE28—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Road to 2020 5G commercial launch; EU unveils vission … Ericsson calls for industry collaboration …launches 5G for Sweden research program, KT others

BY EMEKA AGINAM, IN BARCELONA, SPAIN

E

RICSSON has called for industry collaboration to achieve success in the launch of 5G network in 2020, as the journey to the new technology has begun with service providers bracing up for the challenges ahead.

While discussion on commercial launch of the new technology dominated discussion at the just concluded 2015 Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona, Spain, the European Commission and Europe's tech industry had presented their vision for 5G. It would be recalled that the 5G vision has been written by members of the 5G Infrastructure Association, the industry part of the 5G PPP. The 5G PPP was launched in December 2013 and is an agreement between the European Commission and industry.

The 2015 MWC event had more than 40 conferences and attracted Inspiring speakers from consumer brands, mobile organisations, mobile operators, among others.

Accordingly, participants in the global IT ecosystem discussed how best to deploy the technology after consolidating operator requirements intended to support the standardization and availability of 5G for 2020 and beyond.

A global vision and standards for 5G, it was learnt will be discussed and decided together with international partners in late 2015and 2016.

With this early input, the EU stands a good chance that key elements of its vision will form part of global standards.

"Europe has the industrial base, the know-how and excellent research teams to deliver the future 5G digital infrastructure.

I am determined to favour one single global standard for 5G. This will enhance economies of scale and scope, and deliver the digital society and economy of tomorrow" Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner, has said.

Already, the EU Commissioner together with companies including, Ericsson, Nokia, Orange, Thales Alenia Space and other partners in the 5G Public Private Partnership, PPP at the 2020 MWC presented Europe's vision of the 5G technologies and infrastructure which, by 2020, will cope with the massive growth in the use of communication and wireless technologies by humans and machines.

Europe's vision for 5G

5G, according to EU and its partnwers should not only be an evolution of mobile

• Hans Vestberg is CEO of Ericsson, the world's biggest telecoms equipment vendor broadband networks but should allow completely new network and service capabilities.

According to EU, 5G infrastructure should be flexible and rapidly adapt to a broad range of requirements.

It should be designed to be a sustainable and scalable technology.

for both consumer and m a c h i n e - t y p e communications (MTC).

He assured that the company had gained valuable insights on critical technology innovation that will lead to networked society. Kruse said that creating an intelligent system is a critical step towards connected society.

Key technological components: 5G networks, EU vision indicated should encompass optical, cellular and satellite solutions. It will heavily rely on emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) and Fog Computing (FC). Spectrum considerations: 5G access networks, according to the vision will require hundreds of MHz up to several GHz to be provided at a very high overall system capacity. Higher car rier frequencies above 6 GHz need to be considered. Maintaining a stable and predictable regulatory and spectrum management environment is critical for long term investments.

Timeline: Many European operators predict 5G commercial availability in 2020-2025.

Ericsson assures on 5G kick off "We are ready for 5G journey.

The journey will be successful.

The whole ecosystem is getting ready for 5G. Ericsson has the state of the technology equipment to deploy 5G by 2020 commercial launch. But industry collaboration is needed", he said.

He explained that 5G would impact the entire mobile network and associated ecosystem, from devices to radio access, IP core and into the cloud.

With optimism, he said that 5G technologies would impact the entire mobile network and associated eco-system, from devices to radio access, IP core and into the cloud.

The program will

Ericsson calls for initiate research that colaboration

Ahead of the 2020 5G comercial launch, Strategic Marketing Manager Networked Society Evangelist of Ericsson, Erik Kruse has called for global industry collaboration to achieve success.

Kruse who spoke to Technology Journalists in an interview at the just concluded MWC 2015 said that Ericsson is already demonstrating fundamental 5G functionality that would be critical to enabling widespread adoption

can be applied across industries and to create new projects at universities and research institutes, as well as several industry pilots of possible 5G solutions

Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner For Arun Bansal, Senior Vice President, Head of Business Unit Radio, Ericsson, the company’s 5G radio test bed is where innovation meets implementation.

It certainly is a reflection of our commitment to 5G technology leadership but it's also where we test and expand the limits of how mobility will transform society, he added.

Start Sweden' program

'5G for research

Meanwhile, leading the way in the 5G deployment, Ericsson at the MWC also announced the start of the '5G for Sweden' research program.

With the new development, Ericsson will work together with major industrial actors and key universities and research institutes to take the lead in the digital revolution.

Driven by Ericsson, the program aims to strengthen the competiveness among industries by effectively and efficiently developing and integrating ICT solutions in products and services based on 5G standards.

The program will initiate research that can be applied across industries and to create new projects at universities and research institutes, as well as several industry pilots of possible 5G solutions.

Meanwhile, following on impressive speed test results, where the Ericsson 5G radio test bed topped 5 Gbps throughput, two new technology milestones including 5G -LTE Dual Connectivity and 5G Multipoint Connectivity have been demonstrated, and were featured at MWC 2015.

Signs MoU with South Korean KT

Taking the lead in 5G launch, Ericsson during the event signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with KT, South Korea's leading

telecoms provider, for collaboration on technologies related to next-generation networks, during MWC 2015 in Barcelona, Spain.

In the MoU, Ericsson and KT agree to explore collaboration in the fields of research and development in 5G wireless communication and relevant business.

The two companies selected collaboration items to lead the 5G evolution, including: standardization, spectrum strategy, network architecture and deployment scenarios, and massive connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT).

Ericsson's latest 5G radio test bed innovations focus on the interactions between mobile devices and the radio access network, both indoors and outside, and include, 5G-LTE Dual Connectivity: The 5G mobile device moves between LTE and 5G radio access coverage areas, establishing simultaneous connections with both networks before seamlessly handing over.

Telstra teams up with Ericsson on 5G

Telstra is teaming up with Ericsson to lay down the foundations of its 5G strategy, although the telco’s immediate focus remains on boosting the capacity and functionality of its 4G network.

With Telstra aiming to launch its 5G services by 2020, the telco’s group managing director networks, Mike Wright, said that the work needed to start now.

The partnership with Ericsson is expected to see teams from both companies start work on lab and field based testing and start adapting the evolving 5G industry standards to make them fit for purpose.

At the just concluded MWC 2015, Ericsson showcased world-leading technology, service capabilities, and innovations.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 29

The decaying state of marriage in the Nigerian Diaspora community

How my husband secretly married a second wife and became her slave (2) T

HE shock that attended the discov ery that my husband had secretly married a second wife and the reason he treated our marriage so cavalierly was because his new wife demanded so, threw me off balance and led to the health crisis I had experienced. How do you remotely accept or bear the pain of knowing that the man, whom you had borne four wonderful kids for; a man you had pledged your fidelity to, and had conducted yourself in the most respectful of manner; a man you had added verifiable value to his life, and had always held him aloft as the emotional loadstar, a rock of foundation, was capable of such evil and unbridled hatred.

The realization that my husband knew I was rushed to hospital, and made no efforts to call or visit me, was like a dagger tugged in my heart and I bled emotionally. What did I do to warrant such hatred?

Why would a man I loved with all my heart and soul wish me dead? I longed for answers but what I got from my husband was more layers of abuse and emotional cruelties. “I am glad you have recovered and are back to good health” was all my husband could volunteer as a way of welcoming me back from hospital. He didn’t ask what it was that had taken me there, and his body language was that of a man who would rather you were dead than continue to pester his life with your presence.

My husband may not have known that I had already known he was with another woman, whom he had secretly married and had kept away from me. And I was determined to confront him and find out why he would treat a woman whom he married and exchanged marital vows with, to live together as husband and wife, till death do us apart, with such amount of wickedness. I remember going to meet him in the guest bedroom (he had since stopped sharing our bedroom ) and my heart beating hard but calm at the same time not knowing if he would launch into his usual tantrums and he did not disappoint. “ I don’t owe you any explanation and why are you disturbing my peace?’ my husband had snarled. “Henry, we need to talk this over. What have I done to you to warrant this despicable behavior from you? Did I fail in any of the marital departments? Did I not honor you, love you, bear you wonderful kids, cook for you and be there for you as you built your life in the Lord’s vineyard? If I had failed in any of these departments, wouldn’t it be proper and necessary to talk to me about such concerns? What is marriage without the ability to communicate issues and concerns? Why would you treat your family this way? Your kids are worried and terrified by your behavior, you have denied them love and fatherly support; you have reduced me to a mere piece of furniture in the house, and yet you go out there every day to preach to your congregation about the need to live a Christ-like life, while you do the exact opposition of those exhortations. Henry, please tell me: am I no longer good enough for you? Why would you sneak behind me and, marry a second wife and throw me a dangerous emotional curve?”

As I made this revelation known, the next reaction from my husband was a hard slap across my face and I remember falling down and hurting my leg on the sofa, and this alerted my kids who all rushed to the room to help me. “Please Chika, don’t do it, drop the phone, this minute”, I recall telling my daughter as she tried calling

C M Y K

911. I didn’t wish to involve the police in what was truly a case of domestic abuse. I didn’t want the community to know that their ‘revered’ pastor was a wife batterer; I didn’t want his life destroyed because once the law enforcement agents are involved in your marriage, it’s a never ending cycle of legal problems. “The next time you raised that issue with me, I will teach you a lesson you won’t forget. If you were that good, would I have married a second wife? Search yourself and provide the answer. You want to know this: I have truly married a second wife and that’s the way it is. You caused this, and you alone should bear the burden. When you make a home inhospitable and unloved, someone else would provide the platform of happiness, and I am happy and excited that I found love elsewhere”, my husband had told me as he stormed out of the room, his kids looking at him in shock and awe. “Mummy, what happened to daddy? Who did this to our daddy, Lord Jesus help us”, was what Chika could mutter, tears sliding down her cheeks.

As I collapsed under the heap of stress and disbelief, shock and anger, I began to ask myself where I may have remotely made our home inhospitable for my husband or any area of my responsibilities that I had not fulfilled, but could not find any. Was this a clever way to rationalize his action? I had been a model wife, proving love and succor, helping him in all ways, stabilizing him, providing for the family while he worked to grow his ministry. I worked two full-time jobs to pay our mortgage and provide for the kids and I never for once complained neither did I put him under any form of stress. Why would my husband lie and manufacture an issue that existed only in his fertile mind? And it all came together! The trip to Nigeria that I objected to, which was the genesis of the disruption of peace and matrimonial concord that had once defined our union , but sadly today had been had blown to smithereens. *To be continued.

My husband may not have known that I had already known he was with another woman, whom he had secretly married and had kept away from me. And I was determined to confront him and find out why he would treat a woman whom he married and exchanged marital vows with

Adieu Chief Onwuka Kalu, the Okpozu Abiriba

I remember it vividly as if it were yesterday. Those days, before today’s telecommunications or technology revolution where information is processed and consumed within minutes, if you wanted to pass on information, you would have to physically visit the individual- how times flies!

The bearer of the message came to see me at Hints magazine’s Opebi office and the message was simple: Chief Onwuka Kalu would love to meet with you at your earliest convenience at his 15 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi office.”

I was manifestly intrigued about Chief Kalu, the story of his rags to riches, mil-

lionaire at 19, having learned the ropes of trading from his master in Cotonou, Benin Republic and becoming a major figure in corporate Nigeria. His Onwuka Interbiz Group and the High-Tech industry in Aba that produced nails was quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. An invitation for a meeting thus was not an opportunity not to be lost or treated cavalierly.

He had told me when I eventually met him: “I have been your fan for a long time.

I love your writing style, the great interviews you have been notching up, especially your recent exclusive interview with Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odunegwu-Ojukwu, and I want you to be a part of an event I am putting together, which would be unveiled soon. I want you to be the Director of Media and Publicity for the event. It is going to be the biggest and most ambitious entertainment /political event that Africa has ever seen. The Federal Government is a partner and it would be an interesting time, and I want you to be a part of it.”

The 1991 Children of Africa Concert (COA) and seminar was indeed the biggest entertainment event in Africa and it brought the best musicians from the United States, Great Britain, the Caribbean and Africa together to raise awareness on the plight of African children who were dying of easily treatable or preventable diseases. Many top elected officials, Congressmen, senators and business moguls from the United States were in attendance.

I ran the media and publicity aspect for the event and almost everyone who is somebody in today’s entertainment and corporate Nigeria was involved in that event and the then Babangida administration was actively involved as well. Even when intrigues and politics almost derailed the show, Chief Kalu forgave all those who had attempted to kill the dream.

Chief Kalu, who died of cancer penultimate week, at the age of 60, was a man ahead of his time. Until last year, we were in close contact and when he was diagnosed with cancer, four years ago, he told me he will fight it, and fight he did, until the last day. May his soul rest in peace.

PAGE 30—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Polls postponement is all Jega’s fault – ABC Nwosu • ‘The four National Confab decisions Nigeria ignores at its peril’ • Explains how Igbo can get what is due to them in the polity

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

they dealt with the matter of MEND.

He may not have spoken with such anger in his voice before.

Obviously, the events in the polity lately, especially the 2015 general elections, have taken the toll on him. In this interview, Professor Alphonsus Bosah Chukwurah (ABC) Nwosu, Political Adviser and later Minister of Health in the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, from 1999 to 2003, and a delegate to the 2014 National Conference, representing Anambra State, warns that the elections must not fought on the basis of religious or South/North divide. Nwosu criticizes the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, charging him to end his term well. Excerpts from interview:

One wonders what you mean by sectional insecurity.

T

he rescheduled elections are weeks away. If not for the postponement, Nigerians would have, by now, known the winners. In general terms, how do youappraise the situation?

Thank God for the postponement. To me, those who were against the postponementare like the woman who was not bothered whether the child lived or died in thecase before King Solomon when she said ‘divide it, let each one take her half ’.But the real mother of the child said ‘no, let it go’. We, that Nigeria means something to, are happy for the postponement. We, that Nigeria means something to, are begging the opportunists in the South-east, the South-south, the North and in the West not to divide this country with their opportunism. We should do the right thing that will enable this country to develop, have stability and peace. Grabbing power at all costs and dishing out patronage, left, right and center, and accumulating obscene wealth by whoever is not the purpose God created this country. On the elections, it is for the people to choose who they want to lead them. That’s why, centuries ago, it was said that the basic tenet of democracy is that nobody is good enough to lead another person without that person’s consent. People should look for our consent and we should be allowed to give that consent to who we want. We cannot be bullied into giving the consent by threat of force, or threat of incumbency or insecurity. We should give that consent to whoever we want.

Many Nigerians believe that two major issues still bedevilling the country are insecurity and corruption.

Do you share that view?

C M Y K

Prof. ABC Nwosu....The insecurity problem worries me because I am a victim The insecurity problem worries me because I am a victim and it has left a mark on my psyche. If it hadn’t been for insecurity, I would have graduated from the University

Grabbing power at all costs and dishing out patronage, left, right and center, and accumulating obscene wealth by whoever is not the purpose God created this country

of Ibadan in 1968. I was a scholarship student. I had to run to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. I had to leave Nsukka with many of my colleagues to join the Biafran Army. Many were killed. And then, when we came back to Nsukka,we were not allowed to graduate in 1970.

We graduated in 1971. So, insecurity frightens me and I hate those promoting insecurity in Nigeria. If you realize how insecurity arose in 1966, it is not different from what is happening now. And all those promoting insecurity may they pay with their lives and the lives of their children. This is sectional insecurity. You cannot threaten anybody because he is not from your ethnic group. The killings then had been ethnic based. This is the first time I would be speaking out strongly on such a matter because people don’t know how I feel. You cannot come and attack me doing my legitimate business because I am Igbo. I am not Igbo only. I am also a Nigerian. I am an African.

I am a human being created by God. So, when insecurity comes

like that, it is offensive to me. And now, you see people threaten others that they will cut their throats if the elections do not go their way; and all Nigeria is worried about is Boko Haram.

What of the insecurity that comes with a person living outside his ethnic enclave, taking his children, some belongings and hitting the road? What kind of a country is that? And it is alright for some people? Well, it is not alright for me. The Boko Haram issue, Nigeria allowed it to fester.

Nigeria got ready to fight it and you can see recent successes.

What I felt about it when we were in the National Conference, we always urged the president and the armed forces to do something to control it. I am happy that the National Assembly is now congratulating them for doing something. I will like all Nigerians to unite when it concerns security and the armed forces. Certain things are beyond politics. The armed forces of a country are number one. I also expect that they should be able to deal with this matter of Boko Haram just like

Well, I am a Nigerian but I am also Igbo. We held a meeting in Abuja recently. You would have seen the communique. It is the Igbo coming from all the 19states of northern Nigeria worried about their security.

Why should the Igbo be worried about their security? Have you heard of all 19 states in the North worried about their insecurity in Enugu or talking about insecurity? Or are there non-northerners in other parts of Nigeria? So, it is a sectional thing. We have seen it. I am old enough to know the incidents. In 1966, I was already an undergraduate at Ibadan, in third year, getting to graduation.

I was in senior secondary school when Nigeria got independence in 1960. So, I know it is a sectional thing. Why should anybody, either because of ethnicity or religion, fear for his life in any part of this country? If we can’t address it, then we cannot progress as a nation. So, insecurity is a sectional thing in Nigeria and it should stop.

If you have read the reason for the coup in 1966, corruption was one. The second time there was a coup, corruption was there.

Another was a revenge coup.

There was a coup based on corruption - the Ifeajuna coup which many call Nzeogwu coup.

Ifeajuna’s manuscript is clear on it. Wole Adegboyega and Ifeajuna, two of them, were the masterminds of the coup. We have evidence. The coup of Murtala Muhammed was again to stop corruption. The coup against Shagari which brought Buhari was corruption.

Subsequent coups were triggered by corruption. So, corruption didn’t start today. But I read a publication on Transparency International Corruption Index; it is like when we were in government, the index was even worse than now. I think that corruption is corruption.

Anybody found abusing his office, stealing public money should go to jail. That’s the law.

You don’t need a coup. All we need is to strengthen the anticorruption agencies. If need be, set up special courts so that corruption cases will be tried speedily and those found guilty sent to jail. But I am not hearing anything like that. All I am hearing is ‘I will stop cor ruption’. You don’t stop corruption by suspecting somebody and getting him out and shooting or flogging him publicly. One of the things

Continues on page 31

SUNDAY

Continued from Page 29 Obasanjo did for which I will always give him that credit was that on May 29, 1999 when he appointed me, he was intent on setting up an anti-corruption agency. That was ICPC. Later on, EFCC was established. You already had the police. The three should be reinforced. In case of the police, they should have a special arm. It is not bad having three of them checking each other and making sure that there is no action by anyone in favour of anybody. To complement that, set up a special court. We don’t have one now. If what other contending parties struggling for the presidency are saying is that ‘ we will do this for the EFCC,that for ICPC or the police’, or send a bill to the National Assembly or set up special courts that when people are caught, the onus will be on them to prove that they are not corrupt, then we are discussing specifics. What we see is where a person comes up and says ‘I will stop corruption’ and my question is how?All he says is ‘trust me’. No, I won’t trust anybody.

But many people believe that the present administration has not been seen to be fighting corruption head on. Many even say the EFCC has gone docile even as allegations of corruption and financial embezzlement fly around NNPC and all that. Do you think President Jonathan has actually fought corruption the way it should?

People can as say anything they like about the judiciary. At a stage, people were saying that our military doesn’t act; that our military was running away from Boko Haram; that it was not equipped. These are people who have never seen soldiers, let alone fight war. So, these days when something is said, I look at the person talking and where he is coming from. Where I come from, they say when your enemy kills a lion, you say ‘how can?’

That it is a pussy cat that he killed; that he didn’t kill a lion.

So, I don’t respond to that type of thing. If there are specific cases of anti-corruption….this government, as far as I know, when the NNPC one came, they hired people to audit and they have audited. There must be due process. All the noise about EFCC; the governors in the opposition shouting corruption now have files in EFCC. You knew how wealthy some were in 1998, you can see how wealthy they are now. What moral right have they to stand up where I am standing and talk of corruption?

We have to major candidates in the forthcoming presidential election: incumbent President Jonathan and former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari. In the light of the foregoing, how do you assess these two men vi-avis their chances in the election?

I will give a short answer. I am supporting President Goodluck Jonathan completely. And if you remember, in 2011, I didn’t.

So, why now?

I want the stability of this C M Y K

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 31

‘The four National Confab decisions Nigeria ignores at its peril’

• Prof. Nwosu...Jega should make sure he ends well country. Even in the hospital, doctors know that when a patient comes in, you stabilize that patient before you begin treatment. I was not supporting President Jonathan in 2011 and I was noisy about that because of zoning. But in 2015, I am supporting President 100 percent because we need to maintain the stability of this country. You cannot just come and snatch the presidency for contrived reasons without thinking about the effect on the rest of the country. That was what led to the civil war and the instability. And it should not be allowed. Due process must go on. If he is not returned by due process, so be it. But you cannot simply make up your mind and snatch it and that’s why I have been pleading that the presidential election must not be fought on the North/South divide. If you fight this on the North/South divide, any northerner who supports a southerner will be seen as a traitor and a southerner who supports a northerner will also be seen as a traitor and his children will be seen as traitors. In Igbo land, we call them saboteurs. So, let’s remove the North/South divide. If that is the only thing we achieve, I will be at ease. We must run this as election. We must retain our friendship whether people are northerners or minorities or majorities. But where you think that you have the number and power and you can sit down and snatch it, it portends danger for this country.

As a national figure and eminent Igbo man, where do you find the Igbo in the whole of these political calculations?

It is a shame that the Igbo people are where they have placed themselves. The Igbo people have been seen as cannon fodder. Whenever there is

problem in the country, it is the people that are killed. When brothers quarrel with brothers and there is riot, it is Igbo shops that get looted. When soldiers kill themselves, it is the Igbo civilians that get killed and the Igbo have not sat down to decide, but they are deciding now. In 2011, my concern was to factor in the Igbo in the zoning. It didn’t go that way because a lot of Igbo didn’t see it our way. This particular one, I am not even thinking of Igbo because we say that if you want to sleep, you will first of all struggle and get the sleeping space before you start looking for the mat and mattress

I will give a short answer. I am supporting President Goodluck Jonathan completely.

And if you remember, in 2011, I didn’t

to lie on it. The Igbo are Nigerians. The Igbo are found in all the troubled states in Nigeria including Chibok. It is in the interest of the Igbo for us to continue to be Nigerians.

Nigeria took it for granted once in 1966 and Igbo went back. It should not be taken for granted. The Igbo, sooner or later, they will find out that life does not begin and end with Rolls Royce and private jets but that life begins and ends with getting your rightful due in a country that you call your own.

Against the background of the post-election crisis in 2011 which claimed many lives, what would be your recommendations to achieving violence-free elections?

I won’t answer that question directly. I would tell you that each time a list is published like the Madalla Christmas bombings; the Igbo took the list of those that died and noted that 80 something percent of them were Ndi Igbo; and it didn’t make any Igbo happy at all.

Whether it was Boko Haram or whatever, it didn’t make anybody happy. In the 2011 post-election violence, Igbo people also calculated their losses and it didn’t make them happy. This time, the advice we are giving the Igbo is ‘ you have suffered it before, don’t run’. We had a poem that helped us to survive the civil war called “if we must die”. I recommend that to Ndi Igbo. ‘If you have lived anywhere and made your living and the others have made your own place their living, don’t run’. But it is the duty of the President to guarantee lives and property and, no matter how anybody may shriek that he should not deploy soldiers and security agencies, he should not listen. It is his duty to deploy security agencies in order to protect lives and property and we expect him to do it this time. You cannot go anywhere and see Igbo gathered and then you start breaking their shops and killing them. Security agencies should shoot such people on sight wherever they are. That’s why when somebody says ‘don’t deploy soldiers’, I say better watch those people. What are they planning? We that want to be protected are not saying don’t deploy, it is those that want to attack us that are saying don’t deploy. And that is dangerous.

Professor Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman, has been in the news for some time now. Many people are calling for his removal before the elections. Where do you stand on that?

Whatever has a beginning always has an end. Jega had a beginning and all Nigerians hailed, Jega will also have an end whether it is now or in the future.

I am not interested in that. But Jega should make sure he ends well. The postponement is all Jega’s fault. It is not security agencies. For Jega, a professor, to be saying that he was ready when Lagos had 38 percent collection of the PVCs, where

you have the highest number of registered voters, falls short of my rating of an academic.

Second, the figures that Jega submitted to the Council of State, Yobe State had less than 1.1 million. It had collected over 800,000 PVCs while Enugu had 1.45 million and collected only 700,000, less than Yobe and there is no insurgency in Enugu.

Again, it defies logic and logic is what defines an academic.

Jega must be thanking God for the postponement and the time it gives him to make up for these self-evident lapses and then correct what needs to be corrected and build confidence in Nigerians that he can do the job. But whether he is there or not to do the job, it is not my concern. This country is bigger than a human being, whether the President or a presidential aspirant or whatever.

One of the reasons some people canvass for the reelection of Mr. President is to implement the report of the 2014 National Conference which had you as a delegate. Can that be true?

I was a delegate to the National Conference. Apart from Guineaworm eradication which I was preoccupied with, I also regard the National Conference as a privilege that I am proud of. There are four aspects of the decisions why every Nigerian should ignore those things at his peril. The decisions reached restored federalism. It reinforced fiscal federalism. The decisions reached got back equity and fairness. You don’t collect more than your share.

The decisions reached laid the foundation for development by saying this is the fund we require to develop other resources other than oil and to have a Sovereign National Fund. We can’t have a zero sum Federation Account.

Every month, we go and share everything and bring it back to zero. I want to believe that President Jonathan who set up that conference and received the report is in a better position to implement the report than any other person.

Your for mer principal, a man you cherish so much, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently, tore his PDP membership card and exited from the party. What do you make of that?

To most of us who know President Obasanjo, it was the most painful action to watch because he benefited immensely more than any other human being on earth from our effort to form the PDP starting from the All Politicians Summit and that upset many of us and I don’t think he should have done that.

To do it publicly is unheard of, unthinkable. It could not have been done by anybody while he was President because he was a very strong President and the basic law is: don’t do what you will not have others do. I will stop there. But it was a terrible thing to behold.

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD,

MARCH 8, 2015

INTRIGUING EXPERIENCES

Why I rejected invitation to pray for a presidential candidate — Archbishop Umane

•Says lesbianism, gay priesthood destroyed Anglican Church

By Simon Ebegbulem, Benin-City

A

rchbishop Christopher Umane is the Primate of the Orthodox Anglican Communion which broke away from the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion. In this interview, the cleric broke his silence on the crisis that rocked the Anglican Communion. While reacting to the allegation of N6billion bribe for some pastors to support the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, the Archbishop lamented that men of God now worship money while abandoning their calling. He insisted that majority of members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) are business men.

While pointing out that it is ungodly for pastors to back a particular presidential candidate, he posited that rather than express support for a candidate, their duty was to pray for the best candidate to emerge as president. Excerpts: Recently we witnessed your coronation as the Primate of the Orthodox Anglican Communion.

How do you feel achieving that feat?

One of the greatest things that happened in my ministry so far is that coronation. Bishops came from America, Africa, all over the world. Presentation as the Archbishop of Nigeria, Orthodox Anglican Communion, it was a great honour for me. I was seated on the throne in the name of God, the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Apart from presenting me as the Archbishop of Nigeria, I was made the Primate of Redemption Church of Africa which, at the moment, covers Nigeria, Gabon, Republic of Cameroun and Equatorial Guinea. So I am not only the Archbishop of Nigeria, I am also the Primate of the Redemption Church of Africa. It is a group within the Orthodox Anglican Communion because we want to make sure that Orthodox Anglican Communion go to the grassroots. We want to do evangelism, we want to transform the face of the church in Africa. We have suffered for too long and that is why we decided to zone this area under the Redemption Church of Africa. Having made me the Archbishop of Nigeria, we have started work all over Nigeria.

Why we left Anglican Communion C M Y K

I know people are asking the question, what is the difference between the old Anglican and this new one we are projecting?

In 1967, a group of Anglican priests in America, the Anglican Communion in America, called the Episcopal Church of America, emerged. Some of the senior priests decided to observe so many deviations. One, the human rights movement, they came up with the idea that a woman is superior to a man.

That is not in the Bible.

Secondly, the world started coming into the Church instead of the Church going into the world. Later, terrible things started happening, homosexuality came up, and it developed rapidly that we now have a man and his fellow man being in love. They go to Church for the blessing of the marriage.

The same thing with lesbianism.

What now broke the camel’s back was that there are now gay bishops. And we said no, this is a very bad omen for the Church. So we decided that we will do something about it, that is, wewill move out of the Church of England which is called the Episcopal in America and Anglican Communion in Nigeria.

They deviated from evangelism, they are now more interested in money. And in the Church, if you make money your primary motive, then you know you have a problem. Even here in Nigeria, if a bishop emerges today, the very thing he wants to do is to build a parish with all the paraphernalia of wealth at the expense of evangelism. They don’t do evangelism any more, they felt they are now rich, nobody can question them. The Orthodox Anglicans now said we could not continue like this. We wanted to go back to the basics, that is the original idea of Anglicanism. The original idea of Anglicanism started in 1534, when the Church of England broke away from the Church of Rome and they set up the Church of England. And immediately, they started formulating the Book of Common Prayer which actually started in 1549. It started developing until 1662 when the real format was adopted by the Church of England. We have 39 articles of religion and that summarize the doctrine of the Anglican Communion from the beginning.

But today, not only in Nigeria, these are being adulterated. They

•Archbishop Christopher Umane have watered down the elements of our worship and we Orthodox people are saying no, we will not allow this to happen. Are you aware that even within the Lambert Conference of the Church of England, some of the bishops there were questioning the deity of Jesus Christ. That Jesus Christ was not actually born, that all the Acts of the Apostles did not happen. In other words, the socalled Anglican Communion has been destroyed because they no longer follow the original doctrine of the Bible. They decided to become worldly people. Those who left Anglican Communion majority of them went to Redeemed Church. Today many of our members have gone to Pentecostal churches. In other words, the Orthodox Church wants to build Anglicanism the way it should be, stand by the

members of CAN. But there is no smoke without fire because before such allegation is made there must be some element of truth.

Many of these pastors and bishops can do anything for money because they now worship money.

Many of our people are not interested in evangelism. That is why I told you that there must be some element of truth in that allegation that some pastors collected money. Unfortunately such allegation, you will never get to the truth, the people you are going to investigate are in charge; so you will not find the truth. It is like when the state murdered some body, you will never get the killer because the apparatus of state is involved in the murder.

I am not a member of CAN and I know they don’t like me because of my stand on issues. But it is a very wrong thing to do by praying

Let the Church pray for the best candidate to emerge, it does not matter who that candidate is principles and that is what we are doing.

Talking about money in the house of God, some men of God were alleged to have collected N6billlion to campaign for President Jonathan. Are you part of them?

I can never be involved in such thing but I read the report and I was shocked. Many of our bishops and pastors have left their first call, they are so money conscious.

Yes, some people, called me to come and pray for a presidential candidate but I declined because that is not fair. Look, if you allow money to enter the Church like as it has done, the Church will be destroyed. Let us get that clear. I have read about this allegations and the denials from some

for a presidential candidate and leaving the others. That is why I rejected the invitation to come and pray for a particular presidential candidate. If you look at my church, I have PDP, I have APC and other political parties asmembers. So what moral right do I have to say I prayed for a particular presidential candidate and leave the others? What we do as men of God is to pray to God to give us the best presidential candidate that this country needs at this point in time. I cannot pray for any candidate, it is very wrong.

And let me tell you the truth, most of us men of God have left the Church, especially some of the socalled big Pentecostal churches, they have left their first love, they are now motivated by power and money. That is why we call them

penti-rascals. It is unfortunate that the presidential candidates are even thinking that if they pray in a particular church, the members of that church will vote for them; it does not work like that because Nigerians are wiser now. If anybody is telling you that they will vote for you because of your religion, it does not work like that.

Somebody came to me two years ago and said I should discuss Boko Haram and I said to him that Boko Haram cannot be defeated. Even though we are told that our army is doing a very good job, the real cause has not been addressed by any government including the current administration. The root of this matter is indoctrination: If you kill a non-believer, you are helping Allah; these people grew up with this belief. So when they kill anybody they don’t see it as anything. So the Church should not be partial in the choice of a candidate. Let the Church pray for the best candidate to emerge, it does not matter who that candidate is. Let us not mislead the people with our position as men of God. How do you see the preparedness of INEC for the elections?

The quarrel over card reader is funny because, when you use it, you cannot rig election and that is why you see a section of our politicians kicking against it.

And that is why they are asking the poor man, Jega, to even resign but the man said he will not resign we must use card reader. You can see people being sponsored to go to court to contest even the usage of PVCs and the card reader just because they want to rig election. But I doubt if they will succeed to rig the election I know that the only way they can rig is to remove Jega and bring a surrogate. But that will be a very dangerous thing to do. That will throw this country into chaos; so whoever is planning evil against this election, they must be very very careful.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 33

Book presentation in honour of Ok owa Oko .

L-R: Engr. Adeleke Olarewaju, chief launcher,Senator Ifeanyi Okowa,Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan, Prof. Sam Oyoviabre and Chief Edwin Uzor, PDP chairman, Delta State.

PEOPLES Democratic Party’s heavyweights in Delta State had an opportunity to get together once again to network and share ideas in a convivial atmosphere when a medical book was launched in honour of the gubernatorial candidate of the party in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

The book, Obstetric Ultra-sonography: Basic Principles and Techniques by Dr. Festus Ossai was launched at Orchid Hotel, Asaba, last week before other highprofile dignitaries.

Photos by Nath Onojake

Toc hi and Kingsle ochi Kingsleyy

F

ormer Miss Tochi Eucharia Ugorji recently said ‘I do’ to Mr Kingsley Ugwunebo at their wedding in Owerri, Imo State

Mr . & Mrs. Kingsley Ugwunebo.

L-R: Chief Edwin Uzor, PDP chairman, Delta State,Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Engr. Adeleke Olarewaju (chief launcher).

Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan (r) with Prof. Sam Oyoviabre, who chaired the Occasion.

The couple with parents / family members

Blessing Patrick’s big hear heartt NOLLYWOOD actress, Blessing Patrick takes care of Junior WAEC charges of some Kado Kuchi JSS, Abuja

Bro. Emma Ogidi (l) with Dr. Pius Senebe

R-L: Mr. Kenneth Okpara, Commissioner of Finance, Delta State, Prof.Patrick Moboghare and Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu.

Prince Emik o tak es campaign tto o grassr oo ts Emiko takes grassroo oots

P

rince Yemi Emiko, son of His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, Olu of Warri, and APC Delta South Senatorial candidate recently took his campaign train to the people of Ofagbe in Isoko North local government area as part of his tour of the grassroots.

Prince Yemi Emiko (with megaphone) addressing chiefs & people of Ofagbe in Isoko North local government.

C M Y K

Blessing Patrcik (m) with students and staff of the school

Blessing Patrick with the students whose WAEC fees she paid.

Page 34—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

By Victoria Ojeme What is the relationship between Nigeria and Australia?

It will be safe to say that the relationship between Nigeria and Australia has really grown over the last few years in economic and many other dimensions.

We have fared well in diplomatic context. For example, during the visit of President Jonathan to Australia, we had a bilateral meeting. That was in 2011.

We also initiated high level talks between our two foreign ministries which happen on annual basis. We have expanded our development cooperation; we have a number of development scholarships, we are into training Nigerians from the public sector, developers from the private sector; giving them post graduate studies and other short term training courses in Australia in the areas of agriculture, mining, government regulation and infrastructure.

Economically, the relationship has expanded a little in terms of trade and investments. Australia has imported Nigerian oil over the last few years to the tune of $2 billion while we have a number of mining companies that would like to help Nigeria with infrastructures.

We are supposed to have cooperation on sustained basis, combating terrorism, advising the UN and other forum on what we are doing here.

At the UN Security Council, what support is Australia giving to Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram?

The UN Security Council works through consultations and dialogue among all the 15 members as well as with non-members.

We did quite a lot during our presidency of the Security Council in November during which the presidency took quite a number of initiatives. One of the areas we focused on was combating terrorism.

Also we chaired a particular committee that proposed sanctions on terror groups like Al Qaeda and Boko Haram.

As Nigeria prepares for elections, what is the contribution of Australia?

The main thing we will be doing is supporting some civil society organisations in terms of electoral education and awareness in particular C M Y K

Australia’s role to combat Al Qaeda, Boko Haram – Ambassador Richardson Australian High Commissioner, Ambassador Jonathan Richardson, speaks on his country’s relationship with Nigeria states. We are also advocating dialogue to resolve issues.

Some countries will be sending observers to monitor the polls. Are we expecting any from Australia?

No. We do not have any form of participation, no specific observers from Australia but we in the high commission will be monitoring events as they unfold.

What is your contribution to the Commonwealth Observers’ Mission?

We have strong support for the Commonwealth Observers’ Mission, as one of the major funding contributors to the Commonwealth Secretariat but I don’t know exactly if they have chosen Australians on the mission to monitor the Nigerian

We presented possible help to rescue the girls to the Board of Federal Council on Terrorism but Nigeria programmes are being developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser polls.

There is this controversy over Nigeria’s rejection of Australia’s help to rescue the Chibok girls. What happened?

Nigeria did not reject our help. We presented possible help to rescue the girls to the Board of Federal Council on Terrorism but Nigeria programmes are being developed by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

What is the total volume of trade between Australia and Nigeria?

The total volume should be $2billion.. A lot of us trade in export but Nigeria has dropped a bit. Our exports are very high; we want to make it higher.

Talking about training, how many Nigerians does Australia train annually?

Since 2010, we have 220

Nigerians that have gone to Australia to study. Many of them are doing master ’s programs. We also have some short term courses of two to three months in different programmes such as agriculture, international trade and diplomacy, and infrastructure management.

What is your advice to Nigerians as they go to the polls?

We wish for successful credible and peaceful elections. The international community should support the elections in every way possible while there is need for commitment on the part of the parties to ensure that their members refrain from violence and the volatile speeches we have been hearing from them. All the stakeholders should work with INEC to ensure that the election process is carried out smoothly.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 35

I

n this interview, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, speaks on some national issues.

Abati says that rather than vote for the past which General Mohammadu Buhari, the APC presidential candidate in the March 28 elections, represents, Nigerians should vote his principal, vying on the platform of the PDP, in order to consolidate on what has been achieved. According to him, the President will deploy the military to guarantee security in the country and ensure that no voter is intimidated during elections.

Excerpts:

Adamawa and it was very unfortunate because we are not talking about small stones but big stones. They were not joking; they meant harm.

These misguided youths take their cue from their leaders who have been telling all Nigerians that it is either Buhari wins or the heavens will fall.

All of these notwithstanding, the President has been consistent in saying that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. He has been consistent in saying that the conduct of a free and fair election as he did in 2011 is one of the major highlights in terms of the achievements of his administration and it is an achievement that he takes very seriously. So in the coming 2015 elections, government will again do everything within its powers to ensure that the rights of individuals of voting age to vote freely, without let or hindrance, is protected and that the outcome of the electoral process is free, fair and credible.

espite repeated assurance by the President that he D has confidence in the INEC

Chairman, the main opposition party, APC, has continued to hammer on the so-called insinuation of the President removing the Chairman. Is there anything we do not know in the house that is going on?

I think you should ask the APC whether there is something that they know that other people do not know. I say this because the President has never said anywhere that he is considering removing Jega or sending him on leave.

In the interview that President Jonathan granted to Aljazeera recently, he made it very clear that he has never discussed such a subject with anybody and he is surprised that there is so much hue and cry, even among members of the National Assembly who ought to be better informed.

The President is the appointing authority but there has been no time that he gave any indication of a plan to remove the INEC Chairman.

The INEC Chairman is a political appointee. Political appointees do not go on terminal leave and you require the concurrence of the National Assembly to remove an INEC Chairman.

The APC members that are crying wolf should be the ones to explain why they think there are plans to remove Jega. But of course, rather than the APC campaigning on issues and telling Nigerians what they stand for, they have been very busy coming up with conspiracy theories just to create false impressions and mislead the Nigerian people.

If there is one good thing that has come out of the postponement of the elections till March 28, I think it is the fact that Nigerians have been given better opportunity to do a much closer assessment of the two major political parties and of the two major Presidential candidates.

As we speak, I think it is now very clear to Nigerians that the APC does not represent any alternative because it is a party based on lies. It is at best the personal property of one individual, it is a party that has been unable to sell itself to Nigerians successfully and so it has resorted to propaganda, blackmail, and deceit. On the contrary, the PDP which is the party of the people, has been campaigning on issues and it is very clear to Nigerians that President Jonathan is better prepared for the job. He is running on the basis of his achievements and is calling on all Nigerians to join him to move the country forward and not to take this country backwards.

General Buhari represents the past. President Jonathan represents the present and a brighter future. That is the difference. And let no one be in

C M Y K

TO GO OR NOT TO GO

Even lawmakers are misleading the people on Jega – Abati, presidential adviser

•Says Buhari represents the past •’No court ruling barring military deployment’ any doubt: it is shameful that a man like General Buhari who truncated Nigeria’s Second Republic in 1983, is now seeking to benefit from the democratic process. To go back to the question you raised about the INEC Chairman, what we find here is just another instance of the hallucinatory tactics being adopted by the APC. There is nowhere the President has said that he will remove him. I think Professor Attahiru Jega himself does not have any such anxiety because he has no reason to believe that there is any such plan.

Despite the peace agreement signed between the President on one hand and the APC candidate, there are cases of supporters of APC and PDP clashing. Is that an indication that the peace pact is not working?

There have always been issues of conflict in Nigerian elections, you can even go as far back as the 1959 federal elections, 1964, 1983, 1993 and so on. In one election or the other, we have had cases of violence, with differentials being a matter of degree. The current build up to the 2015 general elections has been particularly disturbing, because of the extreme desperation on the part of the major opposition party, the APC. There is so much anxiety about the outbreak of violence and I think

Rather than the APC campaigning on issues and telling Nigerians what they stand for, they have been very busy coming up with conspiracy theories just to create false impressions and mislead the Nigerian people that the people to blame are the members of the APC and their leaders.

For an election that has not taken place, they seem to be presenting their victory as if it is an inevitability that Nigerians cannot do anything about, and must therefore accept as a fait accompli. They have failed to realize that in an election, it is the people’s right to choose that is paramount and that it is the will of the people that must prevail. They have demonstrated their lack of faith in the democratic process in many ways. Long before now, Rotimi Amaechi, DG of the APC Presidential campaign threatened that if their candidate does not win, they will form a parallel government. He was more or less threatening fire and brimstone.

APC supporters across the

country have also shown great intolerance. Within the first week after the campaigns started; PDP campaign buses were burnt down in parts of the country. There are videotapes in circulation showing how billboards promoting President Jonathan were pulled down and destroyed by APC supporters.

I can also confirm to you that we were attacked by APC supporters when we toured parts of the North. In Bauchi we practically had to run out of the town because broom wielding, dangerous weaponswielding, stone-throwing APC supporters became riotous without being provoked in any way by our team.

In two other places in the North, our vehicles were stoned, I can confirm particularly to you that this was the case in Katsina and

Is it not contradictory that the President on the one hand is giving assurance of a free, fair and credible election and talking about inclusive campaign, yet we have situations whereby the PDP seems to be promoting religious bias in its campaigns by whipping up religious sentiments?

The PDP is not promoting religious bias. What is true is that if you look at the PDP, it is a party that is made up of both Christians and Muslims, it is not a party of only one religious faith and I am sure that there will even be persons within the party who belongs to other faiths outside Christianity and Islam.

If you look at the PDP Presidential ticket, it is a balanced ticket, the President is a Christian, the Vice President is a Muslim and the President has not discriminated against anybody on religious grounds.

He has gone run round the entire country to places dominated by Christians and places dominated by Muslims because for you to be able to win the election into the office of the President you must have national spread.

Maybe the reason you are saying that is because the President has gone to worship in a couple of churches. The truth of the matter is that he is a Christian but he has also by the same token met with Islamic clerics. In one of his recent visits to the South-West, he met with Muslim leaders across the South-West and he addressed this same issue.

He told them that if he is invited to any of their functions he will be glad to attend but that his VP is there, his VP is a Muslim, it is one ticket and he too has been attending a lot of Muslim programmes. If you look at the way government is structured, both major religions are given due recognition. It is wrong and unfair to say that we are playing the religious card, we are not playing the religious card. President Jonathan is the President of all Nigerians, whatever may be their ethnic or religious extraction and his message of transformation, continuity and consolidation is for all Nigerians not for any specific group.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Buhari’s era was the golden period of the oil sector — Olorunfemi, ex-NNPC GED •’Missing $2.8 billion controversy was mere politics’

C

HIEF Michael Olurunfemi retired from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as Group Executive Director of NAPIMS. At different times in NNPC, he was a Senior Petroleum Economist, Senior Financial Analyst, Deputy Group Managing Director (Corporate Service) and Chairman, NETCO, as well as Director, Research Division of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC. In this interview, Olorunfemi, gives account of his working experience with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, at NNPC.

BY CHARLES KUMOLU ow did you find yourself H in the oil industry?

I was lecturing at the

University of Lagos. After two years, I left because I did not feel like what I wanted to do was what I was doing. I was teaching mathematical engineering then . After two years, I saw an advertisement in the newspapers for a Senior Petroleum Economist. I was not in petroleum management, but I applied and, when I applied, I was given the job. That was how I came into the industry in 1972. I was then in the Petroleum Ministry. At that time some thought I had not taken the right step.

We learnt you had a working relationship with Gen Muhammadu Buhari at the time he was the Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources. Can you describe how you first met him?

It was at OPEC that I had the knowledge of oil and gas because I had not spent five months in the ministry before I went there. I was the first Nigerian to be in OPEC. Nigeria joined OPEC in 1971 and I was the first representative in 1973. That period, 1973-1977, was critical in OPEC. I had only four years contract and, after the four years, I came back to Nigeria.

I came back to Nigeria the first day NNPC was born. That was in 1977. I met Buhari when I came back when he was the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources . He started in 1976 but I came back C M Y K

from OPEC in 1977. Because of my experience , when they wanted to have a national representative in OPEC, I was chosen as the Nigerian representative in the OPEC Commission Board. There is an OPEC Economic Board which is another board where all decisions as regards price and all that is taken. So I was the Nigerian representative. I was still in Nigeria, but I was attending every OPEC meeting. So I was almost the first person people knew when they came around and that is how I came to know Buhari. I was always with him each time he came for OPEC meeting in Vienna.

How can you describe his capacity as a manager of persons and resources?

He was my boss, so it was normal that I knew him. What I admired in him was his ability to carry every one along. He is a good listener, which is a critical leadership quality. We used to have a professional boss, who was the Managing Director. At that time, the person was the head of NNPC. He liaised with the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, who was Buhari.

And the method made things faster because Buhari could go to the Head of State straight away and that is why if you read our books, we said that the period of Buhari was the golden age of NNPC. It was the period when we got things done fast. All the refineries and pipelines were put in place during that period because there was just no intermediary, he could walk in and get approval from the Head of State, so everything was done fast and anybody who knew that period would know that it was the golden age of the NNPC. What particularly attracted him to you?

As I said, one thing about him that struck me was that anytime it came to things like economics which I knew more about, Buhari would always listen to me. He has a listening ear. That is among his most important attributes. And there was another man then, though late now, Chief Sunday Awoniyi, he was the Permanent Secretary during that period, he also would say, let us hear them’, even though we were junior to them. He is one man

•Chief Michael Olurunfemi

Chief Awolowo was not able to win the election and Obasanjo handed over to Shagari, and when this $2.8 billion issue came up, Awolowo and others saw it as a way to discredit Obasanjo thinking that the money was lost that would listen to you and allow you to make your contributions and if it made some sense, it will hold. Then one other thing about him was that he came to know that I went to the London School of Economics, so each time we came to London, he would call me and tell me to follow him to a bookshop. I would take him, from 1977 to 1979. I never saw him one day buy a wristwatch, only books. While others were buying other things, he was always buying books. If you look at the period, 1976-1979, when he was Petroleum Commissioner; that was the period people started to acquire blocks. He must have looked at such things with disdain. He was the one to process it for them, yet he never got one for himself. He did not get a block or a petrol station, he was just a man that we could see, and I just could not understand him. He is a good manager.

and others saw it as a way to discredit Obasanjo thinking that the money was lost, when indeed the money was not lost.

And it was during the time Buhari was serving as commissioner; there was no lost money anywhere. An audit was made then by an external auditor and they came with an interim report. The interim report was supposed to be given to the NNPC management. It was not a complete report, unfortunately that day, there was no single photocopying machine that was working at our office then in Falomo, so they had to make photocopies. They went to another place to do it; unfortunately, one of the pages was left there, and that is where people saw it and reacted. People just wanted to hit at something, which is what happened. What happened again is that we just woke up one day and he was Head of State.

But there was this problem of of $2.8 billion. Can you give us an insider’s account of what happened then?

We had this problem of $2.8 billion, and you know, it was mainly political. Chief Awolowo was not able to win the election and Obasanjo handed over to Shagari, and when this $2.8 billion issue came up, Awolowo

What about his time as Head of State?

I was then Deputy Chief Economist, and I had about five ranks above me. But I was in charge of what they called the Economic and Intelligence Department, I recommended prices to the government and all that. Being Well being a soldier, he was always very

firm, and he would listen and, when you convince him, it is a go ahead. And then I had first access to the Head of State, so it made things very fast. And also, because of the link between him and the Managing Director, he was supposed to be a buffer between the Head of State and the NNPC and he was doing that quite well, that is why I can say that his managerial skill was thorough and fast.

Then we were doing things both on time and within budget because we had no excuse to fail. It was during his time that we had the Warri Refinery opened in 1978 and the Kaduna in 1980 but the work had been done already by him.

Also the pipelines and the depots had also been done.

When he was the Petroleum Commissioner, he had direct access to the Head of State, then he was in good partnership with the professionals at NNPC and he was always ready to listen. The problem in NNPC since he left is that now, you cannot make a single recommendation to the minister without the minister taking it to the Federal Executive Council where they will begin to ask questions.

That is where delay comes in especially on the issue of refinery maintenance. It is just like your car, you are supposed to service it as and when due.

If the approval does not come quickly, the problems increase.

During his time, there was nothing like that, there was quick approval. Some people say that NNPC is not efficient, but when you come to NNPC, at that time, it was just like Shell. You cannot get in if you are not good. You are competent, that is why you get in, it was later on that things became bad. As Head of State, when we met him, he was already familiar with the industry, so he was familiar with how the oil industry worked. It was during the time of Babangida that this question of a minister being the accounting officer came up.

That system ruined the whole set up. During the time of Buhari, it was still the Permanent Secretary, and these were people that were in the know. During that time, they would normally listen to someone who had been in that position for a long time.

But some have said that his subordinates were the ones calling the shots during his time as Oil Minister and Head of State. How true is that?

It was not that he was not doing anything, but the point is that there are establishments and people that had been there and you had to listen to them.

It is wrong for people to say that Idiagbon was in charge.

During our meetings, Idiagbon would sit and may not utter a word as long as we discussed, because he did not know anything about what we were discussing. And in fact, it is not wrong for you to listen to your subordinates because you can learn from their suggestions too. In fact, I never heard Idiagbon speak on petroleum matters.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 37

Why Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorsed Jonathan —Nworgu T

he presidential election, with the two main political parties,Peoples Democratic Party,PDP, and All Progressives Congress,APC, has proved to be one which will be keenly contested by both parties. As things are, no political pundit can beat his chest as to which party will emerge victorious at the polls. Against this backdrop, the candidates have been falling over themselves to get the endorsement of various socio-cultural groups to boost their chances come March 28. In this interview, the General Secretary of the apex Igbo group,Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Joe Nworgu, speaks on why there is seeming crisis rocking the body even as reveals the reasons behind President Jonathan’s endorsement. Excerpts...

BY FRANCIS IGATA

W

hat is the problem with the splinter group, led

by Chief Mbazuruike Amaechi, over Ohanaeze leadership?

Their grouse has nothing to do with Ohanaeze leadership. Chief Amaechi is an insider in Ohanaeze.

He has been consistent with the workings of Ohanaeze.

So he knows the correct position on the tenure issue because he partook in the three meetings that led to the amendment of the Ohanaeze constitution where the tenure was amended from two to four years. I am talking of the meetings of the Imeobi (the Elders Council) of 14 August,30 October and the General Assembly all in 2010 under the former President General,Chief Ralph Uwechwe. He was an active participant for tenure change from two to four years. So his stance now has nothing to do with Ohanaeze or the interest of Igbo. The other two characters in their acclaimed Caretaker Committee of Ohanaeze,Ralph Obioha

•Mr. Joe Nworgu

and Zed Chukwujama, are totally outside Ohanaeze. It is true that every Igboman is a member of Ohanaeze. But they have not been active participants in the activities of Ohanaeze. In the last 15 years, I cannot remember of any committee they served Ohanaeze in, apart from the Reparation Committee,which is ad-hoc.

That Reparation Committee is where these three people belong to. We gave Amaechi the free hand to choose some of the people he wanted to be the committee’s members, with him as Chairman. It was at the meeting leading to the just concluded Confab, that their interest became known.

He pressurised us to go to the governors and query why they should be the people to appoint Ohanaeze slots. We said no,we will not confront the governors. It would mean that we are setting out as a divided group. Whoever went there should not be the concern.

We already have the document of what the Igbo people want. We had successfully presented that document to the Advisory Committee Chairman led by Senator Okunrounmu. Every person hailed the content of the document because it contained all the necessary ingredients for the convocation of a National Conference. Amaechi has been very angry because he did not participate in the

The reason for the endorsement then was the presidential election and zoning Confab. We did not want to show division in the Igbo flanks. All the things you hear them say about Ohanaeze is hearsay. What they are saying is from a position of total ignorance.

Now that it is clear that Ohanaeze has endorsed the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, can you tell us the reason behind his adoption?

We endorsed President Jonathan’s re-election. You have to go back to 2010 when we first endorsed him to understand our stance.

The reason for the endorsement then was the presidential election and zoning. Therein, we argued that there are two zones in the federation of six geopolitical zones. The South-South and SouthEast, which had never occupied the plum seat of the presidency. There are zones in this country which have produced presidents three to four times. We said that it was the turn of those who had not produced, to

produce based on equity, justice and fair play. Since the South-South and SouthEast were the two zones yet to produce the President, in 2010 we backed the SouthSouth because the oil resources that sustains the country come from them. So they should be allowed to occupy the seat in an unbroken succession. It will equally give room for minority tribes to have a chance of occupying the seat. Based on that,since Jonathan was already a sitting President from the South-South,we said we are going to support him for reelection. But after the SouthSouth,it will be the turn of the South-East that has never produced a President in an unbroken succession based on equity and fair play. We believe in justice and equality of all zones in the country. That is the reason for his endorsement.

This time around, we endorsed him further because he was able to convoke a proper National Conference which no past President has done in the

history of the country.

Jonathan had the willpower, forthrightness to convoke a proper Confab.

That is one of the legacies his administration has left behind. We want that Confab report implemented.

Ohanaeze stands on the implementation of that report. Jonathan in the firmament is the only person that can implement the report because his integrity is tied to it. That is the legacy he must leave as a man of history. He must implement that report. To us, between the APC candidate and that of PDP,we think Jonathan is more likely to implement it. At the Confab,all political parties had two slots, it was only APC that did not send a representative. Certain zones during the build up did not want the Confab to hold. Their position is nefarious and anti-other zones. They wanted the status quo to remain which is the cause of all the frictions in the country. The present structure breeds corruption and tension. The Confab addressed all these challenges and there was consensus which is the first step towards building a formidable Nigeria. Based on that, Ndigbo believes in one Nigeria, fair play, justice. Ndigbo think that Jonathan, having convoked the Confab,is in conscience,bound to implement the report.

PAGE 38—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

T

HE past two weeks in Benin Kingdom has been tensed following the disagreement between top Benin palace chiefs over the re-election ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The tension was expected following the resolve by Governor Adams Oshiomhole that the people of Edo will State not support the re-election of Jonathan after he accused the President of abandoning the people of the state notwithstanding that they voted massively for him in 2011.

Oshiomhole has matched his words with action by campaigning vigorously in all the nooks and crannies of the state for the presidential candidate of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen.Muhammadu Buhari.

However, what is causing the unease in the kingdom is the declaration by the Esogban of Benin and Chairman of the Benin Forum, Chief David Edebiri, that the Binis will not vote for Jonathan. His declaration was a big blow against pro-Jonathan campaigners in the state, led by the state Coordinator, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Edebiri is the Odionwere (traditional head) of Benin Kingdom and second most powerful chief in the kingdom after the Iyase, Chief Sam Igbe.

The Benin Forum, which he chairs, is the most powerful umbrella body of all Binis. Like Ohanaeze Ndigbo covers the Igbo, the forum is the mouth piece of the Binis and directly under the supervision of the Oba of Benin. Therefore, when the Esogban speaks, his words are respected. Therefore, it was not surprising that his comment that the Binis will not vote for Jonathan elicited the reactions it generated. The Binis control seven Local Governments in Edo State. As the group with the largest in population in the state, any one that takes them for granted may have his or her fingers burnt. Knowing the implication of the Esogban’s statement, Jonathan’s men, led

by Ize-Iyamu, rose to challenge him.

They paid a visit to the Isekhure of Benin Kingdom, Chief Nosakhare Isekhure, where the chief, who is the chief Priest of the Kingdom, flayed the Esogban’s comment and backed the re-election of Jonathan. The Eson of Benin Kingdom, Chief Amos Osunbor, who himself is a chieftain of the PDP, also criticised the Esogban’s comments declaring that the Binis will vote for Jonathan.

They accused the Esogban of using the BF to support the APC and urged him to resign. But, the Forum, through its Public Relations Officer, Michael Ogbeide-Ihama, explained that Esogban’s comments were his personal opinion and not that of the Forum, recalling that the Forum had earlier stated that it would not endorse any presidential candidate and wondered why the attack on the Esogban. While insisting that the Esogban’s comment was in exercise of his fundamental human rights as an elder statesman, the Forum emphasized that “those peddling this false rumour that there is crisis in the Forum should desist from it in their own interest”. He added: “For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasize that Chief D.U.Edebiri enjoys the

•Oba Erediauwaof-BeninKingdom

•Chief Nosakhare Isekhure of Benin Kingdom

•David Edebiri

•Edun Akenzua

•Iyase, Chief Sam Igbe

How Jonathan’s re-election bid turned Bini palace chiefs against each other •Jonathan’s campaigners are desecrating our

traditional institution — Royal family implicit confidence of members of the Benin Forum”.

As PDP sympathizers continued to attack the Esogban, palace chiefs and Enigies, under the aegis of Otu Odolevbo-Osioba, led by Osagiobariase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Jackson Igbinovia, came up with a statement threatening to invoke the powers of the gods against those launching personal attack on the person of the Esogban.

Their statement said, “The Binis would not want to be fooled for many times after we massively voted for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 as advised by Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Hence, Chief Edebiri’s statement is geared towards creating awareness for his people not to be fooled again.

President Jonathan has been in office for six years now and has not been able to affect our lives positively, particularly the Binis.

For six years of his administration, the only Bini man that worked under him as a Minister of State for Works, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi was removed. Since he was dropped, no Bini man has come on board to serve in his government. So the Enigies and we palace chiefs are backing the comment, made by the Esogban, the Odionwere of Benin Kingdom because he is agitating well for the Binis, therefore he owes no body any apology. The statement credited to him is supported by our group.

The people castigating Esogban are doing so for their own selfish reasons as they go to Abuja to get money for themselves and nothing else, undermining the interest of the Binis”.

CRACK But what appears to be a crack in the Forum came on Monday, when the Secretary of the Benin Forum, Mr Henry Ogbodu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, came up with a statement which members of the Forum,

The Royal family specifically described as disrespectful the alleged open castigation of the Esogban by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Osunbor, saying that the Eson’s action was against the rules of the palace including the Chairman, Edebiri, described as an unauthorized statement.

Ogbodu, who stressed that the comment made by the Esogban was his personal opinion and not that of the Forum, went on to declare that even if the Forum will endorse any presidential candidate, it will be Jonathan, since the Oba, through the Crown Prince of Benin Kingdom, had, last year, endorsed the President in Abuja during a visit.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that Ogbodu’s statement came as a shock to members of the Forum.

Worried by the situation in the Forum, the royal family reacted to the statements of some of the chiefs describing them as abominable. Younger brother of the Oba and the Enogie of Obazuwa, Prince Edun Akenzua, who addressed journalists, on Tuesday, disclosed that the royal family was worried over what he described as a deliberate attempt to desecrate the traditional institution in the name of politics. The Royal family specifically described as disrespectful the alleged open castigation of the Esogban by the Eson of Benin Kingdom, Osunbor, saying that the Eson’s action was against the rules of the palace since Esogban is senior to him in the hierarchy of the palace chiefs. While noting that Esogban’s declaration that the Binis will not vote for Jonathan was in order, he said, “ I have even said it myself that after the Binis voted the

President in 2011,when Oshiomhole said we should support him, the man has not done anything for our people.

And when the Esogban spoke, he did not say he was speaking on behalf of the Benin Forum which I am a member, he said he was speaking his mind. And let us not forget that as chairman of the forum, he protects the interest of the Binis and not that of a few. So if he says Binis will not vote for Jonathan because he has not done anything for the Binis, what is wrong with that comment?

Personally, I have not seen anything that Jonathan has done for us as a people and if there is anything let them come and show me”.

Hinting that Osunbor may be sanctioned according to palace rules over his comment, he explained that “the disturbing aspect of the whole episode is the indiscipline and disloyalty to the Benin cause and our revered institution”. Akenzua went on: “In order to comprehend the gravity and implication of Eson’s act, it is important to explain briefly the organogram of Benin chieftaincy.

Palace or royal chiefs belong mainly to three groups, namely: Eghaevbo n’ore, Eghaevbo n’Ogbe and Ibiwe. Iyase is the head of Eghaevbo n’orhe. Esogban, Eson and Osuma belong to the same group and are in that order of seniority. That means Eson is next to Esogban in the hierarchy of that group. Esogban, Eson and Isekhure can exercise their freedom of speech, but that

freedom of speech does not extend to a chief or member of the royal court to publicly and derisively criticize his colleague, more so a senior one. In the military or the uniformed forces, the erring person would be court marshalled”.

On the comment by Isekhure that the Binis will back Jonathan since the Oba, through the Crown Prince, had, last year, endorsed the President in Abuja. Akenzua asserted that “Chief Isekhure gave the impression that he was the Oba’s spokesman”, adding: “It must be said that the Oba does not, I repeat, does not endorse any politician. They all visit him to seek his support and blessings.

The Oba mandates the senior chief at court during the visit to say prayer. That prayer is stereotyped that God may give to Benin and to Nigeria the person who will develop our land and make it possible for citizens to put three square meals on their tables.

And this issue that the Oba endorsed Jonathan through the Crown Prince, how are you sure that the Crown Prince was not misquoted in that report? At that time the report was published, Jonathan had not told anybody that he was running for President; so how could the Oba endorse someone who has not indicated interest then?” Adding that there was a grand design to rubbish the Benin royal family which he however declared that will be resisted, Akenzua narrated: “After what the Jonathan’s campaigners did at the palace last time, trying to create confusion, only last Friday, the Coordinators of the presidential campaign team carried their rally into the Holy Aruosa Cathedral. That was desecration of a holy place of worship. They can seek the Ohensa’s prayer, support and blessing but to take over his place of worship is outrageous. It is even more so when the leader or the coordinator is a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church. I wonder if he will do that in his church? The Aruosa Cathedral reestablished by my father in 1949 or so is a heritage of Benin, just as the monarchy and Rolls Royce are to the British. Benin will not allow it to be desecrated. Invading the Holy Aruosa Cathedral as Pastor IzeIyamu and his team did on Friday and the palace earlier shows how desperate they are to capture the royal institution. Whatever they do, the Benin at home and in the Diaspora will resist any agent, the enemies of the Benin may employ to demystify Great Benin”.

Sunday Vanguard was informed however that the Benin Forum will meet soon to deliberate on the burning issues.

SUNDAY

BY CHUKS ILOEGBUNAM

Y

ES, indeed. That is the question. Where is the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC)? The man left Nigeria in mysterious circumstances sometime between February 15 and 19. His manner of disappearing raised eyebrows across the country, for he suddenly melted into ether. To divert the attention of the curious, his handlers posted numerous false pictures on the Internet and planted same in national newspapers. There, suddenly, was Muhammadu Buhari, confidently emerging from airport formalities at either Heathrow or Gatwick! There, suddenly, was a relaxed Buhari in some wellappointed London studio, granting a press interview.

It didn’t take a century for the pack of lies to crumble.

It turned out the pictures released of Buhari by his handlers were of the man on a UK visit in 2013. It turned out that the Buhari interview was years old, and had been conducted not anywhere in Europe but inside an Abuja Transcorp Hilton suite. Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose personally visited the suite and demonstrated beyond every iota of doubt that it was the venue of the socalled interview the APC claimed its presidential candidate had granted in London. Eagle-eyed journalists supported Fayose’s findings by detailing features of the interview picture that pinned its origin to the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

Why did the APC have to dish out these lies? Why is it that, upon the unraveling of the APC’s web of falsehoods, the party decided against tendering an unreserved apology for misleading the Nigerian electorate? The answer lies in the fact that the APC has something to hide, despite its claims to transparency.

But it went about the hiding project in an amateur way.

The party said Buhari was in London on a “brief working visit”! But his itinerary was unpublished and unknown. Reacting to the consternation caused by this development, the APC said Buhari was in London to deliver a lecture at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, otherwise known as Chatham House, the name of the building in which it is situated.

This raised two questions.

Buhari dreams of becoming the President of Nigeria. In that respect, he should be addressing Nigerians, and he could be doing so at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA)

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 39

Where is Muhammadu Buhari? in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Instead, he flew 6,275kilometres to talk to white folks and a handful of Nigerians none of whom has the vote. The lies continued to rear their ugly heads. A check at the list of impending Chatham House engagements showed that Buhari’s name was not there. The Chatham House talk was, after all, an afterthought. The APC wangled an emergency slot for Buhari at Chatham House, an institute seemingly overcome with the obsession of packaging Buhari for the international community.

Rest After his speech at Chatham House, Buhari granted an interview to Channels TV in which he said that, following his campaign tour of 35 Nigerian state capitals, he needed to leave all the hoopla and cavalcade behind and flee to London, to grab a rest! Isn’t there a place in Buhari’s entire hometown of Daura for him to retire and recover from his punishing campaign schedule? Another question: what kind of president will this man make who requires a mandatory escape to England after every month, to clutch at rest? Compare him to President Goodluck Jonathan who has, through the past five years, been directing the affairs of Nigeria, without as much as taking a full annual leave.

Yet another question: Would it have been inappropriate for Buhari to admit that the “peeling was from the Iroko’s trunk”? if he got exhausted because he went political brain storming, would it have been out of place if the 72-year-old politician acknowledged that he was in Britain primarily to have his pulse taken, his organs examined and his vital signs medically assessed and documented for likely emergencies?

That is the crux of the matter. Buhari needs to come clean on his health status. Not because he is a retired major general. Not because he has left more questions than answers on too many aspects of his controversial past. But because he desires to be President. A politician with intent to lead Nigeria should let Nigerians into the entire picture of his circumstances, in order that they can make informed decisions on his suitability or otherwise for the highest office in the country. Some opposition politicians have listed all sorts of medical conditions they say are

•From left: Gov Amosun of Ogun State, Gen Buhari, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Sen. Saraki in London.

The party said Buhari was in London on a “brief working visit”! But his itinerary was unpublished and unknown indicative of the man’s ineligibility for the presidency. The taste of the pudding, as they say, is in the eating. But, rather than disprove the allegations of poor health against Buhari, his handlers are charging that his opponents wish him dead. This charge holds no water because wishes are no assassins. Were wishes murderers, Nigeria would since have been severely depopulated. Nigerians hold overwhelmingly to the attitude that life belongs only and strictly to God who gives it or takes it as He pleases.

‘Brief working visit’ The presidency is a most tasking job. As Chief of Staff in a state government not very long ago, I recall that we reported for work daily at 7am, and hardly closed for the day before 10pm. Still, the governor was liable to phone you at midnight or at 3am, to ask for information, a speech or an explanation, if not your physical

presence. And there was the daily manifest, and all the travel and other functions it entailed. If Buhari required to go abroad for medical attention because he toured 35 states over one month while flying in the comfort of a private jet, how does the man expect to shoulder the exigencies and extreme pressures of presiding over Nigeria, an entity far in excess of any of its component parts in terms of size, complexity, peculiarities, population and international imperatives?

Muhammadu Buhari’s “brief working visit” is stretching into one month, during which period he has missed all but one (Chatham House) of the appointments keyed against his name.

Like a hermit, he remains strangely incommunicado.

Not even Mutesa II, the Kabaka of Buganda, was in this severe form of isolation and seclusion during his London exile in the 1960s.

Death throes During the presidential campaigns of 2007, Nigeria,at a stage, suffered the fait accompli of PDP candidate Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua being hospitalized in Germany, while his supporters, led by a certain Matthew Olusegun Obasanjo, insisted that he was in robust health. For seemingly endless months in 2010, Nigeria endured the dangerous precedent of presidential power vacuum as Yar ’Adua went through death throes in a Saudi Arabian hospital, while his handlers claimed that he was as medically and physically fit as an Olympic sprinter. Nigeria is again at the epicentre of another explosive political scandal.

For nearly a month now, Buhari, the presidential candidate of the APC, has been away from the shores of Nigeria, with his fellow countrymen and women at a loss as to the true circumstances of his selfinflicted exile. The leadership of the APC owes the country a moral and political obligation to answer this straightforward question: Where is Muhammadu Buhari? *Iloegbunam (iloegbunam@hotmail.com) emailed this article from Lagos. *This article was written before General Buhari returned to Nigeria at the weekend.

PAGE 40—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

BY YOMI OBADITAN, Osogbo

I

N the next few weeks, we shall be going to the polls to decide who will be in-charge of our national affairs for the next four years. Each time election is approaching, the political elite play ethnic card in order to secure power. Time has changed and our political leaders have also added other weapons to whip opponents into submission. The new weapons are more dangerous than the ethnic card. The current mantras are “transformation” and “change”.

However, the contending parties should let the people’s vote count. It is constitutional to let the people decide their leader.

The usage of religion as a political weapon in Nigeria is as old as our democracy. By 1979, the issue of religion was used against southerners contesting against the National Party of Nigeria’s candidate (NPN). Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) presidential candidate, made some impact in the Middle-Belt.

Meanwhile, the core- North was not disposed to the party. Why? Decision on the presidential candidate to vote for, at that time, was often taken few weeks to the election date at jumat service.

Today, the South has imbibed this bile.

The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), like the defunct NPN, flew the kite of religion against the All Progressive Congress ( APC ) that it is “a Janjaweed party”, an Islamic political party that wanted to Islamize Nigeria. When APC played into the hands of the PDP over the choice of its presidential and running flagbearer when it was insinuated it could be Muslim/Muslim ticket before they eventually settled for Muhammadu Buhari/Osinbajo, the whole political atmosphere was polluted with religion.

The PDP has continued to dissuade Nigerians, particularly Christians, from supporting Buhari on the grounds that he is a religious bigot. Reference was made to his past statements on Sharia. The wind was taken out of the sail of the PDP, however, when APC picked Professor Yemi Osinbajo as the vice presidential candidate. Osinbajo is a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the leading Pentecostal movements in Nigeria. The candidature of Osinbajo, a former Attorney General of Lagos State, no doubt, rubbished the PDP campaign of religious bigotry against Buhari.

Before the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial election in Osun State, Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, was alleged by the PDP of attempting to Islamize the state. It took a lot of effort to debunk the allegation. At the end of the day, Aregbesola defeated the PDP candidate.

Boomerang The ruling party has since come up with age of Buhari, who they say is too old to govern. Buhari is 72. Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe was 73 in 1979 when he contested with Awolowo. Awo himself was 75 the last time he vied for the presidency. We must appreciate age, it is God’s blessing. It comes with wisdom, we must not denigrate age as we all aspire to grow old before we die.

The worst came to the camp of Buhari via Ayodele Fayose, the governor of Ekiti State, who took the front page of some newspapers, warning Nigerians about the dangers of voting for an ailing Buhari.

Reference was made to four past Nigerian heads of state of northern origin . From Tafawa Balewa, Murtala Muhammed, General Sani Abacha and Umaru Yar ’Adua, Fayose said Buhari would follow the fate of the quartet

•Jonathan

•Buhari

Buhari: The change to come! from the North-west, all of whom, as Nigerian leaders, died in office.

Fayose’s death wish did not only provoke the nation, but also embarrassed PDP members. That ignoble act of Fayose has boomeranged on the PDP in the North.

The President’s convoy was attacked by a mob in Katsina. Gombe PDP campaign witnessed bombing shortly after Jonathan’s departure. The cultlike followers of Buhari are waiting for the election to decide the fate of Jonathan and his infamous governor.

The certificate issue raised against Buhari appears as a stain on the integrity of our military. The notion that Buhari has no certificate is dirty politics taken too far. Despite documents from Buhari’s alma mater, Femi Fani-Kayode and PDP continued to accuse Buhari of perjury. One thing PDP allowed to mess its image is the continual involvement of Fani-Kayode and Fayose in the campaign for Jonathan presidency. Fani-Kayode is currently before the EFCC facing charges over money laundering.

Whatever the man may say, the nation looks at him with contempt.

Fayose is still being questioned over the video tape on how the military allegedly compromised the Ekiti June 21 , 2014 gubernatorial election in which he emerged as governor.

New bride Yoruba is now a new bride that President Jonathan is now desperately courting. The move on the eve of election did not come as a surprise, but it might be too late. The South West voted for Jonathan in 2011. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was instrumental to that arrangement. But as soon as the election was over, neither Tinubu nor the Yoruba have been rewarded. The South-South and the South East benefit most from this administration. Jonathan’s godfather, Olusegun Obasanjo, was ridiculed and called a bus-tout openly. PDP leaders misadvised Jonathan. If the February 14 election had taken place, Jonathan would have been floored. But even now, most of the Yoruba leaders that Jonathan has approached are old horses. These are men of yester-years that have lost contact with the grassroots. The same men worked against Tinubu in 2003, their support for other Alliance for Democracy ’

governors in the South West made them lose to the PDP leaving only Tinubu.

Can these same people that have been pushed away from the political arena for over ten years effect a change that will favour Jonathan ? Time will tell.

The allegation against Buhari as a dictator has also been answered in favour of the general. Military regimes, he claimed, are characterised by dictatorship. That democracy is different from military system. That Buhari cannot do what he did under the military regime because of democratic institutions. Under a democratic system, the government is run by three arms of government: executive, legislative, and judiciary.

The three act as check and balances.

So to create in the mind of Nigerians that a Buhari administration will be another dictator is to misinform the people.

APC has not been innocent when it comes into the dirty game of name calling either. Indeed, the party is as guilty as the PDP when it comes to throwing pebbles at political opponents . The President has been described as clueless many times.

Despite the improvement in the agricultural sector under Jonathan as well as some infrastructural development under this administration, the opposition has kept on accusing the government of absolute failure. The APC has also hammered on the failure of the Jonathan administration to secure lives and property, as the reason the electorate must reject the PDP at the polls.

The Ekiti saga Corruption has been attached to the Jonathan-led government. The government too has been accused of tolerating corruption. Their ministers accused of corrupt practices were not punished.

The tapes insinuating election rigging in Ekiti showed the PDP rigged the election. So far, the senior military officer mentioned in the saga has not spoken and neither has the Army Headquarters reacted. Those against the use of the military for electoral duties are justified. The military duties are to secure the nation against external aggression. Section 217 sub-Section (c) of 1999 Constitution excluded the military

from internal security with the exception of where there is internal insurrection. The proponent of militarisation of election are citing Section 218, Sub-Section (1) that empowers the President to determine the operational use of the military. All said and done, election must be conducted under a peaceful condition, free and fair.

The APC has promised free education, free health, social welfare for the aged and jobless youths, curb corruption and solve power generation problems. However, the PDP has come against the utopian promise without offering an alternative. The ruling party’s grouse against the APC promise was the economic downturn.

The party wondered how feasible it would be for the opposition party to realise the goals. Nigeria’s economy is in the woods. The transformation agenda of Mr. President in the last six years has not made the nation bette.

Only the privileged fews are milking the nation dry. Apart from the American projection that Nigeria may not survive 2015, there is even the alarm raised by a former head of state, Obasanjo, that the nation’s neglect of unemployed youths could be an invitation to revolution that may consume the political class.

The foreign media assessment of our polity is worth of mentioning. The Observer of London criticised Jonathan for remaining silent for long over Baga killings but hypocritically sent condolences to France over the Charlie Hebdo affair. Buhari was the man the paper respected referring to him as “ a man of strong leadership and intolerance of corruption.” The Washington Post of America stated that “Nigeria’s election will be a test of peace and power. “ Nigeria it said has “ a recipe for an explosive general election season”. It warned the President to avoid misusing the military and police before, during and after election. The Economist magazine of London endorsed Buhari as being more competent than Jonathan and that a “former dictator is a better choice than a failed President’.

The APC that stands for change is embattled not only with the PDP, but will also need to confront security agents, whose neutrality cannot be guaranteed at the polls.

*Obaditan lives in Osogbo.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 41

AMID EASING PETROL SCARCITY

‘The gains of crude price drop eaten up by Naira devaluation’

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

Determined to end the fuel scarcity across the country, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has assured Nigerians that queues will soon disappear from petrol stations around the country.

After last week’s Federal Executive Council meeting, the Minister said over N320 billion had been paid to marketers from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in two instalments last December, underscoring the fact that government was taking the payment of marketers very seriously.

According to her, all outstanding issues had been resolved.

She also noted that the scarcity was caused by a number of factors which included the depreciation in the value of the Naira.

Experts speak on the fuel situation in the country amid the easing of the scarcity of petrol, especially in Lagos.

T

HIS is the conse quence of peren nial indebtedness to marketers—Emeka Akabogu, Chairman, OTL Africa Downstream Whichever way the dice is thrown, the result will be the same – knocks for government – even if not totally deserving.

The scarcity experienced was always going to occur, as the circumstances did not allow for any other option. When government announced the removal of subsidy in 2012, the population took up arms against it. The bitter truth however is that the government’s move at that time was not wrong.

Why fuel queues?

Simple: significantly reduced importation and shortage of fuel stock. Hone to the bone, and the reality is inescapable – uncertainly rules the roost, and many a marketer will rather be safe than sorry.

Price volatility internationally, a populist and politically expedient reduction in pump prices locally, naira on a freefall, heavy reduction in government income and arguably the most divisive elections in a generation round the corner all conspire to ensure that the safest option for importers may be to watch and pray.

Some marketers may have decided to take it literally and do just that, without more.

Marketers are businessmen and have to deal with the reality of figures, particularly deficits. Continually owing them for inordinately long C M Y K

• Akabogu periods is not only a disincentive, but has empirical implications in naira and kobo. It raises blazing red flags with the banks, many of whom will be happy to strictly follow the risk assessment rulebook and keep the letters of credit safely zipped up. While PPPRA has been on top of its game with respect to issuance of allocations, even they have been caught in the vortex of the exchange rate tailspin, resulting in temporary uncertainty as to the acceptable pricing template for PSF transactions.

Since we insist on a subsidy regime for importation of petroleum products, the costs, we must pay. The Coordinating Minister for the Economy has to understand that there must be consequences following perennial indebtedness to marketers. Until she does that, the fuel queues will remain just a shout away.

What to do?

The pragmatic thing for government to do in the immediate term should be to go back to N97. The gains of the oil price drop have simply been eaten up by the devaluation of the naira. Many retailers are not getting supplies at government benchmark rate, and have no choice but to either sell above N87 or not sell at all. N97 saves N10 for government and reduces its subsidy bill, a very useful fact in the light of government’s income reality. In the long term, gasoline importation should be fully deregulated, but with clear competition guidelines in place to be implemented by PPPRA. Obviously PPPRA should be given independence and full powers to sanction breaches. Corruption will be solved primarily by transparent processes and not by shouting to the rooftops. A watertight supply chain incorporating the mother vessel, shuttle vessel, tank storage, inspection agents, truck-out logistics and retail stations is readily available with the deployment of necessary technology. Finally, these processes should be peopled by skilled persons and not be a watering hole for political patronage.

• Okonjo-Iweala

•Onovo

Corruption is the bane of governance in Nigeria and only an incompetent and corrupt government can promote this paradox of importation of petroleum products We must restore and increase refining capacity – Chief Martin Onovo, a petroleum engineer and presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) The fuel scarcity is the natural consequence of bad governance. Nigeria a major global exporter of crude oil and a leading member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has worked itself into a globally stupefying dysfunctionality. With our daily production of about 2.4 million barrels per day and total installed refining capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (70.7million litres per day), Nigeria should have complete control over its petroleum products supply but corruption by its more recent rulers has led to this incredible descent into national dysfunctionality in the downstream petroleum sector and in almost all sectors of our socio-economic life. The 2013 Corruption Barometer of Transparency International rated Nigeria the 8th most corrupt country in the world. The 70.7 million litres per day of existing installed domestic refining capacity will ordinarily yield about 40 million litres per day of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) – Petrol. Considering that total national demand for Premium Motor Spirit is less than 35 million litres per day (less than existing installed domestic capacity), then it becomes obvi-

ous that corruption is the bane of governance in Nigeria and only an incompetent and corrupt government can promote this paradox of importation of petroleum products.The fuel scarcity is simply the result of inadequate importation and distribution of products since we have paradoxically accepted the importation of petroleum products in a major crude oil exporting country with super-sufficient installed refining capacity that is not available due to corruption, mediocrity, lack of maintenance and policy inconsistency. The inadequate importation of petroleum products is the result of several contradictory, inconsistent and paradoxical policies of the government.

Some of the immediate factors include, corruption; unpaid ‘subsidy’ claims by importers; the politically motivated recent reduction in the wastefully high pump price which is high due to the unjustifiably high ‘landing’ cost associated with importation; the devaluation of the Naira which implies an increase in petroleum products price considering the lower purchasing power of the devalued Naira especially for imported products and banking credit challenges for high value international transactions with high price volatility.

If petroleum products were domestically supplied in Ni-

geria, the impact of the devaluation will be much less. In addition, the importation of petroleum products using very large amounts of foreign exchange increases the demand for foreign exchange and thereby increases the value of foreign currency against the local Naira (which is the devaluation of the Naira). If we had like all other OPEC members developed and maintained sufficient domestic refining capacity, we would be enjoying lower costs of petroleum products; less pressure on the Naira as the current demand for foreign exchange will be less the amount for the importation of petroleum products; there will also be no subsidy payments as citizens will buy products domestically refined at much lower costs without a need for government subsidy; the waste associated with importation will be avoided; the pressure on the Naira will be less and the value of the Naira will be better protected; we will have more employment in the refining and associated sectors of the economy. Cheaper fuel will also stimulate other sectors of the economy.

We must understand the current petroleum products importation process to understand the inherent risks and weaknesses that we can avoid but are forced to live with by the illegitimate and corrupt rulers of Nigeria. In the process, the NNPC and private petroleum products importation companies approved by the government, import products as approved by the government and distribute same.

They make claims of ‘subsidy’ for the products they have imported in accordance with a petroleum products pricing template approved by the ‘Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPRA).

Government then pays the ‘Subsidy’ claims approved for the petroleum products importer. This is wrong and wasteful on all counts. The root cause of the crisis (high cost, subsidy, debt, fuel scarcity, etc.) is the importation of petroleum products which we can supply domestically with very little effort. As long as we keep importing petroleum products instead of restoring existing installed domestic refining capabilities, we will have to face all the avoidable associated challenges of high cost, subsidy, corruption, debt, banking credit issues, fuel scarcity, etc. Imported Petrol has unnecessary additional costs like; International Crude Oil Sales Price and Profit Margins. Foreign Refining Profit Margins. Transportation Costs of Products from source Country to Nigeria, Port Charges, Taxes and Export duties at source Country, Insurance costs for transportation, Brokerage costs for agents, Management costs.

We must restore and increase refining capacity to the point where we will be exporting refined products like the more productive countries from where we import. An NCP government will reduce the prices of petroleum products by increasing domestic refining which is much cheaper.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

Drugs hit by falling Naira, prices go up

BY UDEME CLEMENT

A

mid the worsening value of the Naira, imported pharmaceutical products have been hit by about 20 to 25percent price hike.

When Sunday Vanguard visited some pharmaceutical companies in Lagos, it was revealed that the prices of drugs for treating cancer as well as antibiotics for infectious diseases have increased.

Aside from the hike in the prices of drugs, the cost of healthcare services, especially in private hospitals, has increased.

While some pharmacists, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, attributed the increase in the prices of drugs to the falling naira in the international market, others emphasised that most of the raw materials needed to produce drugs are imported since they cannot be sourced locally.

A pharmacist in the Paediatric Unit of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, explained that devaluation of the naira has raised the prices of drugs not only in Lagos but in the country generally. He said, “The reason for the sudden increase is because these important drugs are imported and not manufactured locally, as such, we have to

Drugs pay more money to bring in these drugs. So, the extra cost incurred during importation due to increase in foreign exchange is transferred to the patients”.

On why patients who patronise government hospitals where healthcare services are subsidised are also affected by increase in the prices of drugs, he said, “This is because doctors get the drugs from pharmaceutical companies. In government hospitals, the doctors would examine patients and make appropriate prescription, but the patients would still buy expensive antibi-

otics from private pharmaceutical firms, because in such hospitals, the patients can only be given multi-vitamins that are not really exorbitant like strong antibiotics.”

He added, “Also, drugs like Hydroxyurea, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporin and Methotrexate among others are usually imported into the country and in the process, foreign exchange is needed. Right now only prices of drugs and other surgical pharmaceutical products made in Nigeria are still relatively stable, whereas, the prices for all im-

ported items needed for health services have increased. Another problem is low sales due to the high prices. Our concern is that when the naira eventually stabilises, the prices may not come down again.”

However, during a visit to some pharmaceutical companies within Lagos metropolis, it was also observed that 500mg sachet of Ampiclox, previously sold for N500, now goes for N750, and a sachet of Metformin (500mg), which is used primarily for the treatment and control of excess blood sugar, has increased from about N400 to over N700, depending on the location of the pharmacy.

Also speaking, the Chairman, Toiletries and Cosmetics (T&C) Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Ikpong Umoh, said that manufacturers of toiletries and cosmetics are facing difficulties due to the continuous depreciation of the naira, calling on government to grant them waivers on the dollar content importation of raw materials that cannot be sourced in the country.

He said, “For the industrial sector to survive, government should give manufacturers rebate and allow us to pay 5percent import duty on raw materials not available in the country. Also, banks

Customs seizes 369 parcels of hard drugs

BY UDEME CLEMENT

T

he Oyo/Osun Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 369 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian hemp, loaded in a fairly used Golf III Wagon with chassis number WVWZZZIHZSW522910 during operations. The Cannabis Sativa intercepted by the Odo/Orita outstations of the Command is just one in the series of several arrests of hard drugs recorded by the same Command recently.

Speaking, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Mr. Oteri Richard, revealed that the Indian hemp parcels were concealed with bales of second hand Clothing popularly called “Okrika” which on its own is also outrightly prohibited, adding that the arrest of the offensive items was made along the Gbagbe, Kwara axis, in a joint

operation through effective intelligence network management by the Command.

He said, “This arrest came on the heels of the recent charge by the management team led by ACG Adeyemo Grace who visited the Command on inspection and a renewed commitment of officers and men of Oyo/Osun to ensure that the entire Command remains impregnable for unwholesome goods. The 369 parcels of Cannabis Sativa has been handed over to the Oyo State Commander of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mrs Faboyede Omolade, for further investigation into the matter. The handing over became necessary for Customs to further build on the robust inter-agency collaboration and synergy existing among other sister agencies in the State”.

He added, “We in Oyo/Osun Command would continue to po-

Seized hard drugs by Oyo/Osun Customs Command

should be encouraged to give manufacturers loan with single digit interest rate, instead of 25 per cent, for them to be able to expand their businesses and create jobs”.

He went on, “The scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, has added to the challenges we are facing in the sector. Due to the scarcity of fuel, movement of goods now is difficult, rendering services is also challenging. Mobility is generally hampered. Aside from scarcity of the product, few service stations that are opening, are selling for N120 per litre instead of the official pump price of N97 per litre, while others are not selling at all. The situation is affecting us negatively because we waste management time queuing at the petrol stations to buy fuel. Sometimes we spend four to five hours just to get the product.

That alone is not helping our work in any way”.

On whether the economy may experience high inflation rate in 2015, as some people are saying, he said, “Inflation has always been there, but the tendency is that it may increase higher than what we are experiencing now, because the cost of doing business in the country now is generally very high, and companies must improve their margin to stay afloat in business”.

lice our area of operation in line with the Comptroller General’s zero tolerance for smuggling. We are warning smugglers and all those indulging in the nefarious act of bringing in prohibited items into the country to desist and allow sanity in our economic environment, or face the wrath of the law, as we would not hesitate to arrest and prosecute anyone working against the growth of our local industries and government’s effort to grow the economy.”

In her response, the NDLEA boss commended the Oyo/Osun Command for their unwavering support in keeping the State free from the activities of recalcitrant unpatriotic elements and assured the service of building on the partnership between both organisations in order to make the state and indeed the country at large a safe place for the citizens.

OMLs 52, 53, 55

The Seplat Consortium, Brittania U legal tussle over Shell bids • As

H

90% of Seplat contracts go to local contractors

ow did a simple divest ment of assets by Chev ron end up at the Supreme Court and what effect will this case have on other planned divestments by IOCs as well as on the Nigerian economy?

This is the question at the heart of an on-going litigation between Brittania U and Chevron with the Seplat consortium

of Seplat, Amni and Belemaoil.

Shell led the way, in 2009, when it became the first IOC to divest after it handed over OMLs 4, 38 and 41 to SEPLAT, a special purpose vehicle set up

by Shebah and Platform Petroleum to bid for the assets.

The divestment was hailed as a success with Seplat being named operator of the assets.

In 2013, Chevron tried to fol-

low suit but the process did not go as smoothly as Shell’s.

It all began when Chevron put up three acreages for sale in 2013 – OMLs 52, 53 and 55 and announced its intention to sell the three OMLs to one preferred bidder After considering 30 bids, Brittania U, Seplat, Amni and Belema Oil emerged shortlisted bidders.

When the sealed bids were opened, it turned out that Britannia U had bidded $1.015bn while Seplat, AMNI and Belema Oil, which had put in a single bid as a consortium, bidded $800m (Seplat bidded for OML 53, Amni bidded for OML 52 while Belema Oil bid for OML 55) Britannia U wanted to be declared highest bidder. When Chevron did not accept, BU

went to court, asking it to prevail on Chevron to declare it the highest bidder. It also sought an injunction restraining Chevron and other defendants from repudiating the concluded sale of the three OMLs to Brittania-U and it was reaffirmed on January 27, 2014 pending further orders of the Court.

Seplat and its consortium went

Continues on page 43

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 43

Vandalism: The cancer in Nigeria’s power sector

BY SUNNY IGBOANUGO

T

WO years ago or thereabout, Presi dent Goodluck Jonathan told Nigerians to be prepared to crown him the most popular President of the country.

This was on the strength of a comment by one of the participants at a media chat that any President who solved the problem of electricity in Nigeria would go down as the most popular President in its history.

Obviously, the President’s confidence in that riposte could not have been misplaced. It must have flowed from these critical elements - the desire in his heart, the ideas in his head, the plan on the drawing board and the steps he was already taking to create that reality. However, what the President appeared not to have envisaged or contemplated, was the milieu where he is operating – the fact that this is Nigeria, where the unimaginable happens.

So, he sets out with uncommon gusto to achieve the goal. Of course, two years earlier,

he had set the ball rolling with the inauguration of the Roadmap to Power, a template detailing each step to be taken in the direction of providing uninterrupted power to the country. It was a work-plan that seemed well cut out for him and those he relied upon to do the job.

Pronto, he went about doing the needful – getting the right personnel, providing the right funding, making the right contacts, domestic and international and generally creating the fertile ground for all stakeholders to be at their best, doing their utmost in bringing the vision to fruition.

The cumulative result four years on, appears quite amazing. For the first time in the history of the country, the generation output is at alltime high. From a 50year production benchmark of 2,800megawatts, the capacity has hit well above 7,000megawatts and still counting, in just four years. This came about as a result of a number of far-reaching activities in the sector – the actual completion and commissioning of

The recent blasting of 24'’ELPs, a gas pipeline at Inikoroga, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State, after fixing the Lagos vandalised Escravos knocked off weeks ago.

The strengthening and upgrading of critical infrastructure as a result of the huge investment induced by the President has also led to a drastic reduction of the technical losses witnessed in the transmission and distribution of power most of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) and the Independent Power Plants (IPPs), a well-articulated

and robust gas production and distribution initiative to power the thermal stations and the a vigorous private sector

participation engendered by a deliberate and consistent government policy.

Aside boosting the generation capacity, the President’s support for the transmission and distribution value chain of the industry, has also been quite remarkable.

The result is that today, the transmission lines to evacuate generated power has been strengthened from just

270kilometres to well over 650kilometres, while tripling the number of injection substations across the country. The strengthening and upgrading of critical infrastructure as a result of the huge investment induced by the President has also led to a drastic reduction of the technical losses witnessed in the transmission and distribution of power.

In the distribution chain, the President has also provided the needed support for the distribution companies to rev up their capacity in distributing transmitted power. Tens of thousands of transformers were acquired and distributed to them. Most recently, he approved the purchase of one million metres for distribution to consumers to reduce the hues and cries associated with inadequate metering in the distribution value chain.

Of course, the seamless completion of the privatisation of government stakes in the generation (Gencos) and distribution (Discos) remains. * Igboanugo is an Abuja-based journalist.

The Seplat Consortium, Brittania U legal tussle over Shell bids ‘90% of Seplat contracts go to local contractors’ Continued from page 42 to the Appeal court challenging the High court’s extension of the injunction. The Appeal Court ruled in Seplat’s favour and vacated the injunction.

BU went to the Supreme court where the case was heard on Tuesday February 24, 2015 and after listening to Rickey Tarfa, SAN, appearing for Brittania U, the court asked the counsel representing Seplat and Brittania U to, as senior members of the bar, advise their clients on the need to respect the authority of the court as the case was ripe for hearing and not take any action that would over reach the case.

The statement has been given many interpretations but what has remained incontrovertible is that the Supreme Court has not given an interim injunction nor asked that the sale be stopped.

But before the case was heard at the Supreme Court, Seplat’s lawyer, D.D. Dodo, SAN, wrote to the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC

on July 30, 2014, requesting them to grant consent to the bid process and divestment of the disputed oil blocks in favour of his client.

Dodo argued that since the Court of Appeal, in suit No: CA/L/100/2014, had set aside the interim order of injunction made by the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, it would be needless for parties to maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the appeal and the suit, which is presently before the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, respectively.

Meanwhile, with the SPA in effect and the injunction vacated, Chevron and the Seplat Consortium went ahead with the next phase of the transaction which was to obtain Ministerial Consent. The Honourable Minister acted within the ambit of law since the injunction had been vacated.

As soon as the Ministerial Consent was granted, Seplat announced, on February 5, 2015, that it had completed the process of acquiring 40% interest in OML 53 with

NNPC holding 60%.

Seplat was also named Operator. Seplat also acquired 56.25% equity interest in Belema Oil to provide financial and technical support to this entity.

The next day, the MD/ CEO of Brittania U, speaking to Africa Oil and Gas magazine from Paris, said it was wrong “for the minister to grant consent to the transaction as it is still a subject of litigation in court”. He added: “The matter is subjudice and Chevron, a multinational oil company, should know better than to go through with this.”

drags on leading to a slowing down of the potential oil and gas production increases that could be felt from new buyers exploiting assets left undeveloped by oil majors.

“A delay like that may likely dissuade other IOCs from divesting and it will also lead to loss of much needed revenue for the country and economy ”, one of the analysts, Sola Oguntade, told Sunday Vangaurd.

But Austin Avuru, CEO of Seplat, insisted in a newspaper interview, that there was nothing wrong with the transaction. “It is unthinkable that a corporate entity like SEPLAT, that prides itself with corporate governance and due process, will do anything that offends the laws of this country. It is unthinkable; we will not do that.”

While the lawyers await a date from the registrars of the Supreme Court analysts worry what would happen if the litigation

eanwhile, Avuru has described Nigerian independents as major players and significant revenue contributors to the economy as well as local content champions.

He made the disclosure at a roundtable convened at the instance of the Executive Secretary, National Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB), Dr Ernest Nwapa, who hosted the CEOs of indigenous oil and gas companies to de-

‘90% of Seplat contracts go to local contractors’

M

liberate on the impact of the Local Content Act on the oil and gas sector, indigenous operators and the Nigerian economy.

Nwapa said the session was to enable participants take a critical look at the impact of the implementation of the Local Content Act and discuss the issues/challenges faced by indigenous operators.

In his presentation, Avuru, a Fellow of the National Association of P e t r o l e u m Explorationists (NAPE), said Seplat, like many other Nigerian independents, is in full compliance with the Act. Reeling out figures to support his claim, the Seplat boss said 90% of contract spend by Seplat went to local contracts, with contractors in their host communities netting $4om.

“Our top 50 contractors for 2014 accounted for $460million of spend and only six of them were foreign companies.”

He said this was set to increase across board as Nigerian independents come into their own and he presented fresh figures to buttress his claim.

According to him, IOC

divestments have given birth to seven indigenous independents which now have a combined production capacity of about 275kbd0 and 650mmscfd of gas into the domestic market which is nearly half of the gas delivery. He explained that these indigenous independents are deepening the Nigerian financial sectors with debts of about $5bn owed Nigerian Banks.

He projected that by the end of 2018 indigenous companies would be responsible for at least 1bcf of gas per day. He also projected that by 2020, domestic refining capacity would be about 1MMBOPD. “We are looking forward to a period, say by 2020 when domestic, integrated oil and gas business will account for 25% oil production, 40% domestic gas supply and 1mmbopd refining capacity,” Avuru predicted.

The Seplat CEO predicated his optimism on “Dangote’s refinery project as well as the possible sale of the countries refineries to private companies. “ He advocated for the setting up of a “national export pipeline as the current export pipelines are owned

by IOCs.”

PAGE 44— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Sule Lamido and the Jigawa Narrative

BY SULEIMAN UBA GAYA

C

ome May 29, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido will bow out of office after eight years of stewardship. Navigating with an old school discipline and the panache of a 21st century diplomat, this Bamaina-born visionary from Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state has simply proven that when human resolve is wedded to genuine vision, critical transformation of the human condition occurs. For Jigawa, this is what Lamido has done.

What is the inaugural vision behind this transformation? The state’s chief helmsman captures it succinctly: “To create a secure and just society full of opportunities where the people are sufficiently empowered to participate in decisions and processes that affect their lives with an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development.” Against this backdrop it was perhaps not surprising what he achieved.

Tracking back, on May 29, 2011, Lamido spoke to Jigawa citizens during his second-term swearing-in ceremony at the Mallam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, a structure he built in honour of the “Talakawa Struggle”. His words: “Exactly four years ago on May 29, 2007, I stood at this very ground though not in this shape and form and took the oath of office as the Governor of Jigawa State.

That was after being formally sworn-in to run the affairs of what I then described as `uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State’.

“I then went on to narrate the ‘utter difficulty of deciding which of the many nightmares of the common people could be consigned into the dustbin of history’ arising from this case of underdevelopment. I also stated the ideological framework by which I was going to confront this underdevelopment in a way that could satisfy the yearnings of the vast majority of our people whom poverty and misery have reduced to

conditions unworthy of human beings.

“That is the ideological framework which defined the Talakawa struggle founded and led by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. This ideology simply means democratising LOVE, CARE and COMPASSION so as to benchmark humanity in terms of DIGINITY and RESPECT.” Unhesitating with his gift of speaking with alarming frankness when the situation demanded, Lamido described the Jigawa he inherited from his predecessor as a “uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State”. Eight years in the saddle, Lamido has fundamentally rewritten the development script of his state.

From the outset, Lamido targeted seven priority areas: education, health, agriculture, economic empowerment, water, infrastructure and public accountability. The conceptual clarity of his governance approach and ideological framework were gamechangers.

With these he was able to confront Jigawa’s alarming underdevelopment in a way that was satisfactory to the yearnings of the vast majority of his constituents.

Perhaps his erstwhile portfolio as foreign affairs minister exposed Lamido to the deeper meaning of education in the 21st century and he made a particularly intensive effort in this critical theatre to change his home state. The disheartening cow sheds that passed for class rooms were immediately destroyed and mint new spaces for imparting education were erected. In his first term he constructed 1,061 classrooms across the state and purchased 62,981 classroom furniture.

Out of the 779 dilapidated schools he inherited in 2007, Lamido’s administration renovated and restored 648 to full standard and equipped

•Governor Sule Lamido

This ideology simply means democratising LOVE, CARE and COMPASSION so as to benchmark humanity in terms of DIGINITY and RESPECT most of their laboratories to WAEC standard. He also established 21 new Junior Secondary Schools primary schools. Turning to nomadic education he constructed 216 nomadic schools across the state approved 64 schools and the renovation of 27 others, projects tackled with gusto during his final term. A total of 600 teachers have received various training for this purpose and he also initiated a scholarship scheme for 100 best students in the sciences every year to overseas universities.

Perhaps the high point of his education sector accomplishments was the building of the Jigawa State University which has already impressively set sail. In Jigawa’s Health sector, statistics in 2007 showed that Jigawa State had the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the country and hospitals and other health institutions were simply imaginary structures.

Lamido has developed an effective andimpressive health care system under the Gunduma Health Care system with a bottom-up approach from primary health care to the secondary and the tertiary. The Rasheed Shekoni specialist Hospital, the most modern equipped hospital in Nigeria stands in testimony of this.

Jigawa today offers free maternal services covering delivery and the child’s life up to the age of five.

An agrarian society, Jigawa agric accounts for over 90% of its peoples’ preoccupation but in the old fashioned way. The introduction of improved and high yielding seeds, subsidized tractor prices/hiring, loans facilities for work bull and appliances, farm extension services, crop fumigation and aerial spray against pest, opening of Fadama irrigation in suitable local governments for the youths and government’s purchase of excess harvest as

incentive to grow more led to dramatic improvements in the sector.

His innovative economic empowerment policy led to the construction/reactivation and equipment of six skills acquisition centres in Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Ringim and Kazaure to train Jigawa’s youth in various trades and services, ranging from shoe making, cell phone repairs, chalk making, paint making, photography, tailoring, horse decoration, plumbing, mechanics and other such skills.

On the infrastructure front, Lamido’s regime spent in its first term over N43 billion on roads, ranging from asphalting major arteries which intersect across the state to building new inter-town/inter-local government network that has made Jigawa to assume spider web in road facility today. It actually can be argued that Jigawa State has the best road network in Nigeria.

He also embarked on the transformation of all the local government Headquarters into modern cities with asphalted township roads and drainages complete with street lights.

The governor’s construction of an international airport to mainstream the state perhaps represents the high point of his infrastructure game-changer.

In the public accountability and water development spheres, Lamido probably lacks a match currently. His administration achieved 90% potable water services to Jigawa people. In a recent water conference held in Nigeria, Jigawa was cited as a model worthy of emulation by other states in the federation.

As the philosopher, democratic king of Jigawa bows out, it is the hope of many that his successor will keep faith and build on these solid developmental foundation. And it is in this light that Jigawa people are urged to vote wisely.

It must not be partisan. It should be about who would deliver the goods. If a wrong approach is made, Jigawa will be back to square one. Aminu Ringim, as someone with unimpeachable qualities, and as someone that works closely under Lamido shall be voted into power by all the people of Jigawa in the next gubernatorial election. It is not about PDP or APC. He is the one person that will assuredly sustain and even build on the noble legacies of Lamido and even the Jigawa golden dream is realised.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 45

2 feared dead as dare-devil robbers hit Kubwa police!

BY FAVOUR NNABUGWU

R

esidents of Kubwa, an Abuja suburb, are living in fear as armed robbers have continued to unleash terror on them; even the police are not spared by these criminals.

Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that worst hit by the robbery attacks are residents in Arab Road. The robbers operate along Arab Road and Pipeline Byazhin axis attacking residents and police officers.

Some of the residents are considering relocating from the once peaceful area but now prone to robbery attacks.

Mr Moses Uankhueche, a resident of Arab Road, had his Toyota Corolla, marked, ABC 532 MU, 2003 model, stolen at gun point at Julius Berger Camp Gate in Kubwa on January 27.

Uankhueche said he was driving home from work at about 6p.m. when he was flagged down by a young man who was pretending to be someone in need of help. And as he pulled over, he was shocked when the young man pulled out a gun and pointed it at him and then commanded him to move to the

C M Y K

passenger side of the car, so that he could take over the steering wheel.

Realizing what he was in for, the victim opted to flee knowing that if he was taken away along with the car, he might not make it out alive.

And before he could make a move, other members of the gang were all around the car but he was still able to escape while the armed men went away with his car which had important documents including the original documents of the car and his two mobile phones.

For law enforcement agents, it was a gruesome Friday, February 13, when suspected robbers shot rapidly at three policemen, two sergeants and one inspector, killing two and leaving one critically wounded.

The victims were among two inspectors, Monday Tonga and Tonochi Chibuwa, and two sergeants, Abu Godwin and Aliyu Yakubu, assigned to the Observation Post on Arab Road Junction by Kubwa Expressway a day before for night duty. The officers were said to have finished their duty and were due to leave around 6am on Friday so that the next duty officers could take over from them. Godwin and Tonga had already boarded a motorcycle a.k.a Okada while

Tonga and Godwin died on the spot while Yakubu sustained gunshot wounds on his right arm Yakubu was waiting for Chibuwa to also board an Okada so they could all move at the same time to their arms at the Phase 4 Station, Kubwa when the armed men came over to where they were and began shooting at them.

The three officers outside waiting for Chibuwa, who was in a nearby bush to ease himself, noticed a car parked on the other side of the road and, all of a sudden, the car swerved to the side of the road where the officers were waiting for their colleague. Curious about the

car and what its occupants were up to, the two sergeants got off the motorbike, followed by Yakubu, and walked towards the car, unknown to them that they were armed robbers.

As they walked towards the car, two fully armed men, suspected to be men of the underworld, jumped out of the car and opened fire on the officers.

Tonga and Godwin died on the spot while Yakubu sustained gunshot wounds on his right arm. Aliyu managed to run into a nearby container to load his gun but the robbers followed him there and shot at him twice on his chest and, thinking he was dead, they left him.

But Yakubu amazingly survived the attack. For Chibuwa, he remained glued to where he was easing himself knowing that it was not safe for him to come out. The remains of the two dead officers were deposited at Kubwa General Hospital while Yakubu is responding to treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

An eye witness, Mr Udoh Umeh, told Sunday Vanguard that he was on his way to work that morning when he saw the way the car swerved to where the officers were standing. At that point, he said he became apprehensive so he parked his car and hid in the nearby bush where he watched to scenario as it unfolded.

“I was behind the vehicle when it suddenly parked opposite of the police office and, within two minutes, the next thing l heard were gun shots”, he said.

“Panicked and confused as l was, l parked and ran into the bush close by while l watched in fear.

“If you go to the container that is located at the site where the shooting took place, you will see the bullet penetration. About 21 empty shells were picked right before my eyes that morning from the floor.

The guys used AK47 rifles”.

Sunday Vanguard investigations revealed that officers detailed from Byazhin and Phase 4 Police Stations picked 21 pellets from the scene of the incident.

When contacted on phone, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Anjuguri Manzah, confirmed the incident, though said the officers were seriously injured and not died.

“What happened that morning was an unfortunate incident. It was a confrontation between our men who were on duty and some gunmen. It was an exchange of fire between our men and those criminals. Our men sustained some level of injury and they are currently receiving treatment”, Manzah said.

“The Commissioner of Police is concerned about the incident and has given a directive for the commencement of investigation into the matter; so, as l am speaking with you now, investigation is ongoing to track down the assailants. Our men are working hard to arrest the suspects”.

PAGE 46—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

•Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu

•Dave Umahi

•Chief Martin Elechi

BY PETER OKUTU THE impeachment notice served on Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi, less than three months to the end of his tenure, has long been anticipated since he lost control of the state House of Assembly.

Even those House members who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Labour Party, LP, are aware of this fact, they decided to stay close to the governor to secure their political future.

One of the mistakes of Elechi was his frequent intrusion into the activities of the House without recourse to the constitutional provision of separation of powers between the three arms of government.

Over the years, the governor was noted for phrases like, “This decision is irreversible and irrevocable”, and “The Vatican has spoken, so everybody should obey”. Such statements made many stakeholders in Ebonyi to see him as a dictator rather than a democrat.

At a meeting held at the PDP secretariat in Abakaliki, he ruled on who could occupy elective positions without consultations with the party’s EXCO and Council of Elders of the PDP in the state.

The foundation of imposition, laid by Elechi, made party faithful to start nursing bitterness against him.

He was said to have an ally in the former PDP Youth Leader in the state.

It was against this background that when Elechi announced his candidate for governorship for the forthcoming polls, it did not get the endorsement of the PDP stakeholders in the state as he (Elechi) failed to consult.

C M Y K

•Rt. Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku

•Dr. Sam Egwu

A TWILIGHT IMPEACHMENT IN EBONYI:

Governor Martin Elechi’s sins Speaking on the issue, the PDP Council of Elders in the state emphasized that the reason it decided to reject the governor’s candidate for governorship was because of his autocratic disposition on issues affecting the state.

According to the group, he nominated Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, a former Minister of Health, as his candidate for the PDP gubernatorial ticket, without consulting with the elders as was done in 2007 when he himself emerged governor on the platform of the PDP. Briefing newsmen at the end of its meeting in Abakaliki, the Chairman of the group, Ambassador Franklin

His decision to disallow Ebonyi South from producing his successor is another mistake even as he was said to have promised his deputy, Engr. Dave Umahi, that he would take over from him Ogbuewu, stated that efforts made by the Council to make the governor democratize the transition process were rebuffed, saying the body had no choice but to back a

candidate different from his.

Ogbuewu stressed that between August and November last year, members of the Council participated in various fora in which Elechi canvassed

support for power shift from Ebonyi Central to the South and that it was not right for the governor to back a candidate (Sir Edward Nkwegu) from the old Abakaliki bloc which had already produced governor for 16 years.

“If the governor was properly and wisely advised, he ought to have a clean break and join the Labour Party. His manipulative claim to remain in the PDP while the entire structures of his government are already in the Labour Party ie totally unacceptable to this Council and to the generality of Ebonyi people”.

Meanwhile, his ambition to get Chukwu to succeed him crashed.

Elechi also made frantic efforts to deny his predecessor, Dr. Sam Egwu, the opportunity of representing Ebonyi North as senator not minding that the former governor, through wide consultations, made him governor in 2007.

His decision to disallow Ebonyi South from producing his successor is another mistake even as he was said to have promised his deputy, Engr. Dave Umahi, that he would take over from him.

Meanwhile, the deputy governor was reportedly the brain behind Elechi’s victory at the polls in 2011 as Umahi allegedly mobilized to ensure that his boss returned to office, so that it will be easy for the governor to hand over to him.

However, their relationship went sour when Umahi insisted that the promise Elechi made must be fulfilled at all costs.

The feud inevitably divided notable politicians in Ebonyi into two camps: one for Elechi, the other for Umahi.

But the key stakeholders in the state are said to be against the governor.

The stakeholders include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; a former deputy governor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbut; Senator Omezue Emma Agboti; Ambassador Gabriel Odi; Prof. Ozo Nweke Ozo; Chief Boniface Ofoke; Chief Geoffrey Mgbada; Senator Emmanuel Onwe; Dr. Dennis Ekumankama; Chief Hycinth Ikpor; Dr. Igwe Aja Nwachukwu; Chief Joseph Continues on page 47

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 47

Continues on page 46

Onwe; Okeagu Ogada; Chief Fidelis Nwankwo; Chief Elias Mbam and Senator Ngiji Ngele.

Elechi and Umahi equally split the state House of Assembly.

However, the notice for the governor’s impeachment came after some of his sympathisers allegedly set a part of the House of Assembly complex on fire in order to stop the probe of Elechi.

The Speaker of the parliament, Rt. Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku, blamed the fire on the executive arm of government.

When Sunday Vanguard visited the Assembly complex, smoke was still billowing from the structure.

Unveiling the impeachment notice, penultimate Friday, the lawmakers raised allegations of gross misconduct against Elechi.

Reading the notice at the plenary, the acting leader of the House, Hon. Francis Nwifuru, stated that the eight allegations levelled against the governor ranged from financial misappropriation to lack of due process in the appointment of government officials, establishment of state-owned companies without recourse to the state House of Assembly and acquisition of loans from banks without due process.

The notice had 14 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and one All Progressives Congress, APC, members as signatories.

“For the commission of several acts of gross misconduct, which we are

Martin Elechi’s many sins! convinced are in clear violation of the Constitution, we the undersigned members of this Honourable House have endorsed to serve the governor, Chief Martin Elechi, a notice of allegations of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office as governor of Ebonyi State”, the lawmakers said in the notice.

“That contrary to and in violation of the express provisions of the Constitution, Governor Martin Elechi took a loan of N6 billion in 2013 from United Bank for Africa Plc on behalf of the Ebonyi State government without obtaining the necessary consent of the state House of Assembly.

“That Ebonyi State government spent six million, six hundred and seventeen thousand naira incorporating the Ebonyi Oil and Gas Development Co. Ltd with two hundred million ordinary shares in the year 2013 surprisingly giving 100,000,000 controlling shares to Edon (Nig) Ltd, represented by Edward Nkwegu, 25,000,000 shares to the governor’s son, Elechi Elechi, 25,000,000 shares to Best Southern Global, surprisingly giving the financier, the Ebonyi State government a minority share holding of 50,000,000".

The motion for the governor to be served the impeachment notice was moved by Hon. Obasi Odefa Obasi representing Onicha East Constituency and seconded by Hon. Frank Onwe for

Unveiling the impeachment notice, penultimate Friday, the lawmakers raised allegations of gross misconduct against Elechi Ohaukwu North State Constituency.

A source close to the PDP disclosed that within two weeks of the notice, the governor may be impeached by the state House of Assembly.

In the meantime, nine lawmakers, namely, the Deputy Speaker, Chief Blaise Orji (Afikpo South East), the Majority Leader, Sam Nwali (Ikwo North), Oliver Nwachukwu(Abakaliki North), Eloy Ogbonna(Afikpo North East), Mrs Helen Nwaobshi(Abakaliki South), Mrs Mabel Aleke (Ohaukwu South) Eni Uduma Chima (Afikpo South West), Princess Lilian Igwe(Ivo) and Michael Ikechukwu Nwankwo (Ebonyi North West), who defected to LP, have condemned the impeachment notice.

In a statement signed by the lawmakers and read on their behalf by Chima in Abakaliki, they stressed that “the resolution of the 15 members of

the Assembly, led by the Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku, contravened Section 188(4) of the 1999 constitution as amended”.

“We have resolved that none of us shall attempt to go to the House of Assembly complex to forestall breakdown of law and order and to ensure the security of the lives of our people. We cannot sign or attempt to sign any document seeking to remove from the office of the Governor, His Excellency Chief Martin Elechi”, the statement said.

In a related development, the Director, Media and Publicity, Divine Mandate Campaign Organization of the state PDP candidate, Umahi, Chief Abia Onyike, has called on the governor to tackle the allegations levelled against him instead of whipping up sentiments.

He said: “In the light of the above allegations and others too numerous to mention here, it becomes necessary to state that

the governor has a moral obligation to tackle the substantive issues raised by the House of Assembly and stop resorting to name-calling and diversionary tactics, as such worn-out antics can only exacerbate his woes instead of attenuating them”.

Meanwhile, over 2,000 youths staged a peaceful protest against the impeachment plot against Elechi.

The protesters, who converged at the state township stadium as early as 8 a.m, disrupted human and vehicular movement with security personnel positioned at strategic places to forestall any break down of law and order.Reacting to the protest, the Divine Mandate Campaign Organization alleged that the youths were mobilized by the state government against the visit of the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan, who was expected in Ebonyi last week.

The Chairman, Media, Research and Strategic Team of the Organization, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, stressed that the people of the state were not intimidated by the action of “the governor who hides under the Labour Party to create crisis in order to disrupt the visit of the First Lady to Ebonyi”.

He added: “Today, we witnessed yet another example of the degeneration of opposition politics in Ebonyi State into the sewage.

“The youth of Ebonyi were brought into the capital city, Abakaliki, given placards, empty coffins to protest against the PDP”.

Ebon yi Assembly and the impeac hment debat e Ebonyi impeachment debate

BY JERRY UHUO

T

he power of impeachment or removal from office of the governor or deputy governor by the state House of Assembly is provided for in Section 188 of the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, “The governor or deputy governor of a state may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this Section. Section 188 (2) (a, b, c) and subsections (2 to 10) provided for the various steps that will be taken for legal impeachment of the governor or his deputy”. There is no need embarking on the repetition of the Sections here.

What is paramount is to establish that the Ebonyi State House of Assembly has powers under the Constitution to impeach the governor if found guilty on the allegations raised against him.

The motion passed by 15 members of the House, which is more than the two- third required by law, stipulates that Governor Martin Elechi,

Looking at the details of the alleged violations, there is no doubt that the House is waking up to its constitutional responsibility even if belatedly committed several “acts of gross misconduct, which, we are convinced are in clear violations of the Constitution…” The motion went further to list eight allegations against the governor constituting the misconduct and breaches of the Constitution to include appointment of Coordinators and causing them to take oaths of office without reference to the House Rules No. 007 of 2007; appointment and taking of oaths of office of Caretaker Committee Chairmen for Local

Government Councils without regard to the 1999 Constitution as amended; appointment and taking of oaths by Commissioners into listed state Commissions as against the constitutional stipulations in Sections 197 and 198 of the 1999 Constitution as amended; registration of two companies: Ebonyi State Company Ltd and Ebonyi Oil and Gas Ltd in the name of Ebonyi State but with names of Arch. Edward Nkwegu being highest share holder and Elechi Elechi, Governor’s son and funding

same with government resources; and; the award of contracts for international market an opposition leader which was allegedly abandoned half way even when over N3.9billion was allegedly released to the company among others.

Looking at the details of the alleged violations, there is no doubt that the House is waking up to its constitutional responsibility even if belatedly.

When investigations are carried out and proved and appropriate sanctions meted out, whether by way of impeachment or suspension from office, the holders of public offices in Ebonyi in particular will begin to understand that a breach of oath of office is an abuse of privilege of governance. The essence of the law is to check the excesses of public office holders and every other person in the society. The argument advanced by those opposed to the motion relying on Section188 (4) may not be tenable because with seats declared vacant by the state

House of Assembly in line with Section 109 (1) (g), the House has a total number of 18 and two-third majority of 18 members is 12. Section 188 (4) of the Constitution states: “A motion of the House of Assembly that allegation be investigated shall not be declared having been passed unless it is supported by the votes of not less than twothirds majority of all members of the House of Assembly”.

Until INEC conducts new election to fill the vacant seats in the House, “all members of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly” is 18 in the present circumstance. The Supreme Court ruling in the case of Mike Diaplung, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, versus Joshua Dariye, in a similar matter in Plateau State on April 27, 2007, is a good example.

Ebonyi State House of Assembly is on the right track.

•Uhuo is a public affairs analyst

PAGE 48—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

20 D AYS TTO O POLLS DA

INEC’s new rule sparks rigging fears!

environment of a free, fair and credible process. The acknowledged, single most important security feature of the Card Reader is the biometrics, the thumb-print, which is very unique to every individual. This ensures that even in the event that PVC is presented to an INEC official on voting day and the biometrics of the individual does not match the one on the PVC, it suggests that something is amiss.

•Incident Form to bypass Card Reader

THE DEVIL IN THE SCHEME

BY JIDE AJ ANI AJANI

I

n what has become needlessly controversial, the introduction of the Card Reader technology by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has been insinuated into the usual Nigerian malaise of doubt and distrust. Making the wrong arguments – and worse still, suggesting that they do not want the device to be used for the forthcoming general elections - members and leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, are expressing fears about the use to which the devices would be put. Conversely, the opposition All Progressive Congress, APC, appears confident in the belief that only the Card Reader can deliver free, fair and credible elections. Yet, Professor Attahiru Jega, the INEC Chairman, must accept responsibility and blame for the shambling and shambolic air that is presently generating the C M Y K

hoopla. This report will show that Jega’s position that INEC was ready to go ahead and conduct elections on February 14, 2015, when virtually all indices pointed in the negative direction, as well as the wrong-headed insistence by leaders of the APC that the elections should go ahead, makes an attenuating case for the accommodation of the fears of the PDP. Carrying out a test-run only yesterday, some three clear weeks after the fraud that would have been passed off as elections in February, this report will conclude that Jega and his Commission would need to come clean and not waste time, resources and goodwill that Nigerians have dissipated in the belief that free, fair and credible elections are about to be conducted.

JUST IMAGINE

N5million! And the promise of a fabulous job once the votes are delivered and the election has been won. Those are the promises made to the

Presiding Officer and the Electoral Officer for Janduku/Barawo/Onyeshi LGA. All they are required to do is to allow the use of stolen Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, in the possession of an influential politician. Attahiru Jega, INEC Chairman, has made the proposition possible.

How? He has created a window for crooked politicians and dishonest INEC officials that would be on duty on the day of election. In a polity of clashing socio-political, economic and religious interests that Nigeria has become, every contest for power is seen from the prism of either a North/ South divide or a Christian/ Muslim interest.

Now, by Jega’s choice, cold water has been poured on his pursuit to deliver free, fair and credible elections to Nigerians. His introduction of the Smart Card Reader represented a watershed in the nation’s quest to transit from the sphere of crooked elections to the refreshing

But Jega’s window, which circumvents this security feature, is that an INCIDENT FORM would be provided by the INEC official to be filled by the individual concerned after which he can then be certified to vote

But Jega’s window, which circumvents this security feature, is that an INCIDENT FORM would be provided by the INEC official to be filled by the individual concerned after which he can then be certified to vote. Having promised Nigerians that the biometrics is a security feature that cannot be broken since it is unique to every individual, analysts, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard at the weekend, feared that, allowing a situation whereby the selfsame INEC has put in place a window to sabotage the process amounts to a gratuitous waste of tax payers’ money and time.

The scenario painted above – of the INEC officials who have been given money and promised better jobs if they deliver – is what may predominate on the day of election as this report would demonstrate.

This could be so because most of those who have either stolen or have been given PVCs in their thousands only need a few crooked INEC staff with Card Readers and INCIDENT FORMS aplenty.

And since the onus of proof is on the loser to determine that the victor that emerged at an election did not emerge freely and fairly, it would become a Herculean task to prove that an election is not free, fair and credible – Nigeria’s electoral laws are skewed against the loser who carries the burden of discharging the extent of fraud that was allegedly committed at an election.

Continues on page 49

SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 49

Continued from page 48 must be used, this was disregarded in some parts of the North as some states’ INEC offices claimed that the DRs were not available and thus distributed without Register – in some instances.

And so, there was no auditing DRs of collection of PVC as most of the PVCs in the North were allegedly delivered to prominent politicians, district heads and clerics.

In fact, one of the National Commissioners disclosed that “we were shocked when we learnt that, in a particular instance, the governor of a state under Boko Haram insurgency was in custody of the PVCs”.

Insiders disclosed that the high prevalence of distribution and collection in the North is not unconnected to these developments.

That is not all.

INEC distribution strategy was three days at polling units, and, subsequently, at wards or LGAs. One of the questions being asked is: How could it be explained that, in states ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram and under emergency where many people, in their thousands, have moved away, people who queued and collected PVCs were over 70%,80% and in some states 97% since last year - above states where there is peace ?

Isn’t it curious that Lagos, Ogun and several states in the South trailed behind in the rate of collection of PVCs despite abundant manpower compared to the North?

Meanwhile, Jega made light of this when he briefed members of the Senate, saying of what concern should it be to him if some people decided to collect their PVCs while others refused to or did not collect theirs?

The fact that the huge number of PVCs has not actually been distributed to the rightful owners in most parts of the North, and even if they are given the next five months, they will not be able to do so, is the reason the effective use of the Card Readers in the North remains suspect. Part of the problems these developments would create is that even if the PVCs are given to the owners, many would not be in their right polling units because the cards are coded to polling units just as Card Readers are expected to be configured to same.

Contrary to INEC’s claim that the Card Readers are fail safe, experts informed Sunday Vanguard that the facilities can be pre-programmed to reject PVCs. In addition, the Card Readers can also be pre-loaded even without using the right PVCs. These are not reasons the Card Readers, analysts suggested, should not be used.

The analysts stressed that public service information should be provided so that INEC and security agencies can brace themselves for the eventuality which politicians and some crooked INEC staff could cause to happen.

HOW JEGA SET THE TONE FOR DOUBT

The INEC boss comes across as a man who means well. But as has been established, there is a world of difference between meaning - well and doing well.

When he was appointed, Nigerians hailed his appointment. He set out to change the narrative about C M Y K

•Attahiru Jega, INEC boss, flanked by his commissioners

Incident Form to bypass Card Reader Nigeria’s election management body. One of the very first things he did was to attempt to clean the Voter Register. That was a bold move and Sunday Vanguard was in the forefront of reporting the positive and progressive happenings at INEC. But the story changed when, while investigating INEC, it was discovered that the clean-up of the Voter Register had deprived the North of millions of ghost voters. There were lots of ghost voters in the South, too, but the North lost much more.

Jega was alleged to have been brought under considerable pressure. Whether he buckled or refused to buckle remains in the realm of conjecture as Sunday Vanguard has not been able to concretely prove that.

But what was to follow was a bogus creation of 30,000 polling units. Only one zone in the North, the North-West, got 7,906 PUs; and when you add the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja’s 1,167, you get a total of 9,073; whereas the entire Southern Nigeria got just about 8,414.

Of the 12 states that got over 1,000 PUs, only Lagos is from the South.

At the rate of 500 voters to each PU, an allocation of extra over 1,000 to those 11 states in the North is a guarantee for no fewer than over 5,500,000 voters more than the entire Southern Nigeria – mind you, the North West and the FCT surpass the whole of Southern Nigeria in the Jega-inspired magic. By the time you add the allocation to North-East and North-Central zones, daylight would enter the crookedness of the whole engagement because, when you allocate PUs to areas with supposedly less population and

you allocate materials, you are merely conferring undue advantage.

Worse still, when the INEC boss told Nigerians that the Commission was ready to conduct elections on February 14, 2015, those already blinded by hate, frustration and a lack of understanding of the real issues bought the half-truth that security consideration alone forced INEC to postpone the polls.

Sunday Vanguard immediately published that INEC was not ready the day after Jega announced the postponement, for the following reasons: •That only over 45million PVCs had been collected as at that time •That training manuals were not completely ready •Presiding Officers were yet to be trained •700,000 ad hoc staff had not been fully recruited •PVCs still being printed abroad •RECs yet to print Voter Register •Printers for Register, in some cases, were still in Abuja *No full complement of ballot boxes •Fake printing inks sent to states from headquarters rejected •Many states yet to get balance of Card Readers.

Neither Jega nor INEC refuted that story which was published on Sunday, February 8, 2015.

Between Saturday, February 7, when INEC announced its postponement, and today, Sunday, March 8, 2015, when you interface the type of progress INEC has recorded, with the boastful Jega on INEC’s readiness to go ahead with the elections, would you not agree

Isn’t it curious that Lagos, Ogun and several states in the South trailed behind in the rate of collection of PVCs despite abundant manpower compared to the North?

that all those insisting that elections should go ahead then wanted nothing other than disorder in the polity?

Which manner of election would have been held under such circumstances?

WHAT MUST BE DONE

Analysts believe INEC should publicly recommit to nationwide use of Card Readers in all 120, 000 polling units, PUs - and the additional voting points that it has created - without exception.

“This is because the creation of the fresh voting points, which is a backhanded way of re-introducing the failed lopsided 30,000 additional PUs, is yet to be publicly declared so that members of the voting public would know the exactitude of the number of extra voting points that have been allocated to each state of the federation”, one of the analysts said.

Could it be the same lopsided allocation as was the case with the 30,000 PUs? This question becomes pertinent because the additional voting points were surreptitiously introduced by INEC – the same way the 30,000 PUs were introduced before Sunday Vanguard reported the issue.

In addition, the Nigeria Police and all other security agencies should be mandated to ensure the arrest of anybody in possession of PVCs that do not belong to them before and on the day of election.

The security personnel and even party agents must be at alert so that the newly introduced voting points would be duly accounted for, just as crooked fellows would not hide in a politician’s house, with the collusion of INEC staff, fill INCIDENT FORMS and use Card Readers to accredit unscrupulous politicians already in possession of thousands of PVCs.

PAGE 50—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

The constitutionality of the use of the Card Reader Machine

BY SAM KARGBO

I

n its effort to conduct free, fair and credible elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has introduced Permanent Voter Card (PVC). The card is made in such a way that it can be read by the Card Reader Machine to verify the identity of its holder. As explained and demonstrated by INEC, during the accreditation of voters, the card reader will be used to authenticate the PVC as that of the intending voter and that the polling unit details in the PVC correspond with those of that polling unit. INEC’s resolve to use the PVC and the Card Reader Machine in the coming general elections has come under intense attack. There are those whose objections are borne out of the view that the Constitution does not empower INEC to use the card reader or that the Electoral Act forbids the use of electronic machines of any kind in the conduct of elections. Some even believe that the use of the Card Reader Machine that authenticates the PVC during accreditation has the probability of disenfranchising already registered voters, in which case INEC would be acting outside its constitutional and statutory powers. Underlying the objections and agitations against the use of the PVC and the Card Reader Machine is the belief that it amounts to electronic voting.

Our thesis is that INEC is quite within its constitutional and statutory powers to enforce the use of PVC and Card Reader Machine in the accreditation of voters in the elections.

In adumbrating on this thesis, we shall start by acknowledging that the principle of the rule of law entails that the exercise of governmental power directly affecting individual interests must rest on legitimate foundations.

What this means is that any power exercised by INEC must be derived, directly or indirectly, from the Constitution or an Act of the National Assembly. INEC does not enjoy a general or inherent rule-making or regulatory power, which is to say that INEC cannot generate legally binding rules without first having been given authority to do so by the Constitution or an Act of the National Assembly. See paragraph 2, page 5 of Vol. 1(1) Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition, 2001 Reissue.

We also concede that those challenging the planned use of PVC and the new accreditation procedure are encouraged by the fact that if INEC exceeds its authority – or it is established that the PVC and new accreditation procedure are without authority, the courts can strike them down. Moreso, the lawful exercise of a statutory power presupposes compliance not only with the substantive, formal and procedural

conditions laid down for its performance but also with implied requirements governing the exercise of discretion. All statutory powers must be exercised in good faith, and for the purpose for which they were granted. INEC must have regard to relevant considerations and not allow itself to be influenced by irrelevant considerations. It must act fairly and reasonably. See paragraph 19, page 27 of Vol 1(1) Halsbury’s Laws of England, 4th Edition, 2001 Reissue.

Powers The question of whether or not the introduction of the PVC and the use of Card Reader Machine to read the data or authenticate the identity of the PVC holder during accreditation are lawful can be answered by a careful study of the constitutional and statutory powers of INEC. INEC is one of the 14 Federal Executive bodies established by Section 153 of the Constitution, 1999 (as amended). INEC is empowered by the Constitution,in paragraph 15 (a) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule, to organise, undertake and supervise all elections to the offices of the President and Vice-President, the Governor and Deputy Governor of a State, allelectionsto the membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives and the House of Assembly of each State of the Federation. Besides the registration and supervision of political parties, INEC is also obligated to arrange and conduct the registration of persons qualified to vote and prepare, maintain and revise the register of voters for the purpose of any election under the Constitution. INEC is also under duty to carry out such other functions as may be conferred upon it by an Act of the National Assembly. In this later sense, INEC is duty bound to perform the functions assigned to it by the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

By the provisions of Sections 77(2) and 117(2), every citizen of Nigeria, who has attained the age of 18 years residing in Nigeria at the time of registration of voters for the purposes of election into the elective offices established by the Constitution, shall be entitled to be registered for the election. Sections 78 and 118 make it clear that the registration of voters and conduct of elections shall be subject to the direction and supervision of INEC. INEC can only persuade eligible persons to register and/or vote but cannot force anyone to register and/ or vote.

The constitutional and statutory provisions granting the powers to INEC are not self-executing. INEC is

•Card Reader Machine

therefore impliedly granted the power to design means, procedures and processes to enable it exercise its said powers. But as noted above, such means, procedures and processes must themselves comply with the substantive law and not to be used in bad faith or be used to aggrandize power. Electoral manuals convey to the public INEC’s instructions concerning elections and they fall within the powers of INEC to conduct and direct elections. Such directions can only be struck down if they are ultra vires.

There are those who hold the view that the introduction of the PVC and new accreditation offends Section 52 (1)(a) of the Electoral Act. We however submit that the use of the PVCs and the Card Reader Machine for accreditation does not offend that subsection. That subsection can be better understood in its context.

The whole section is hereby reproduced for emphasis: 52(1) (a) Voting at an election under this Act shall be by open secret ballot. (b) The use of electronic voting machine for the time being is prohibited.

(2) A voter on receiving a ballot paper shall mark it in the manner prescribed by the Commission.

(3) All ballots at an election under this Act at any polling station shall be deposited in the ballot box in the open view of the public.

Secret ballot It is worthy of note that this Section speaks directly to voting and not accreditation. What the Section clearly prohibits is secret ballot, which electronic voting accommodates.

See also Section 57 of the Electoral Act that requires the personal attendance of voters at polling units

in order to cast their votes.

The process of accreditation is prescribed in Section 49 of the Electoral Act, which provides that “(1) Any person intending to vote with his voter’s card shall present himself to a Presiding Officer at the polling unit in the constituency in which his name is registered with his voter’s card. (2) The Presiding Officer shall, on being satisfied that the name of the person is on the Register of Voters, issue him a ballot paper and indicate on the Register that the person has voted.”

A cursory reading of those provisions gives the false impression that all the Presiding Officer is required to do is to ascertain that the name on the voter’s card is on the register of voters; in which case, even if the Presiding Officer has personal knowledge of the fact that the holder of the card is not the one named on the card, he ought to be satisfied that the name of the person is on the register and, therefore,should allow the card holder to vote. I do not think that is the intendment of the legislation. Were that the case, then accreditation would be unnecessary. The new procedure that involves the use of PVC – that must pass through Card Reader Machine to authenticate the PVC as that of the voter and that the details of the polling units contained in the PVC correspond with those of the respective polling units – can never in any sense be said to violate the right of voters or subject them to steps or processes not contemplated by the Constitution or the Electoral Act. We submit that the introduction of the PVC and Card Reader Machine in the accreditation process is in good faith, and for the purpose of conducting free, fair and credible elections. INEC, in this instance, is fair and reasonable.

Identity stealing There are many judicial pronouncements emphasizing the importance of accreditation. The process is key to the conduct of credible elections. Over the years, evidence abound that people buy

voter cards to enable them perform multiple voting during elections.

Such identity stealing subverts the will of the people and undermines the very essence of conducting elections. By introducing the PVC and the Card Reader Machine, INEC is only stepping up the game and employing best practices and acclaimed international standards in ensuring that only registered voter vote and that no person is afforded the opportunity to vote more than once in one particular election. See Section 53 (1) of the Electoral Act.This system also helps in preventing over-voting, which makes an election in a polling unit liable to nullification and voidance. See Section 53(2) of the Electoral Act. This, to my mind, comes well within the constitutional provisions of Sections 78 and 118 granting INEC the discretion to direct and supervise elections. The registration of voters and conduct of elections are meant to actualize the Constitutional prescription that Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. See Section 1(2) of the Constitution.

By preventing persons from using other people’s voter’s cards to vote, the process protects the right of the individual to vote, and deepens the process of ensuring thatthe choice of the majority prevails at elections.

Stealing of voter’s cards denies the victims the invaluable right to vote, and subverts the democratic process.

The use of the PVC is a non-issue.

The provisions of Section 16 of the Electoral Act, reproduced below, answer questions concerning its legality: (1) The Commission shall design, cause to be printed and control the issuance of voter’s cards to voters whose names appear in the register.

(2) No voter shall hold more than one valid voter’scard.

(3) Any person who contravenes subsection (2) of this section commits an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding N100,000or imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.

(4) The Commission may, whenever it considers it necessary, replace all or any Voter’s cards for the time being held by voters.Emphasis ours.

Equating the use of the Card Reader Machine during the accreditation process with electronic voting betrays a misunderstanding of what constitutes electronic voting. The complex electronic voting system, as used in countries like India, Brazil, Australia and Belgium, goes beyond card readers and accreditation. It is an alternative to thumb-printing and casting of ballots in ballot boxes. It can be done in the comfort of the voter’s chosen environment, though, in some cases, it can be supervised by electoral officers. A variant of electronic voting is the internet voting for contestants in competitive programmes or shows.

•Sam Kargbo is a legal practitioner

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015—Page 51

C M Y K

PAGE 52—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

DIASPORA MATTERS

Nigeria and Britain are two of a kind A

S we count down to Nigeria’s 2015 General Elections on March 28, so also is the world watching events unfold in the United Kingdom towards the May 7 elections. These two countries are linked in history. Nigeria, a former colony, governed and ruled

by Her Majesty the Queen and a member of the Commonwealth.

After the amalgamation of the protectorates in 1914, Britain played a significant role in the shaping of every facet of the country.

The colonialists built and modelled all structures in Nigeria on what was obtained in the home country. It was therefore no surprise that Nigeria operated the British style parliamentary government while education, health, economy were run as close to what was obtained in the UK. It is to UK’s credit and the discipline of the First Republic politicians that Nigeria had a lot of significant developments.

This has also been attributed to the fact that the political model bequeathed to the country was a simple and easy to run system, designed to achieve success. This is in contrast to the expensive presidential system of government that we have in place now.

Nowadays one is safe to say that Britain and Nigeria’s connection seem to have only existed in the colonial era.

The Commonwealth and the English Language may be the things we can actually point to as our tie with the former colonial masters.

The two countries have drifted apart in terms of economy, education etc By coincidence or providence, the two countries are having very crucial elections in the first half of this year. While the world is keenly watching events in Nigeria in the run up to the elections, especially against the backdrop of Boko Haram’s threat, the British election is also on top of the agenda of the world order. To observers, the outcome of the elections or the process will determine the continuity or otherwise of the great country, Nigeria.

While on the other hand, the world is taking so much interest in the British election because, according to historians, no election has been as unpredictable as this is turning out to be.

The opinion polls have been swinging right and left, up and down with no clear majority for any of the major UK parties. To further illustrate this unpredictability, observers and politicians are beginning to advise the formation of coalition government after the election between unlikely “friends”, the Tories and Labour. The electorates are

Nowadays one is safe to say that Britain and Nigeria’s connection seem to have only existed in the colonial era

undecided on who is the best to form a government in the next parliament. The same can also be said in Nigeria that few weeks to the elections, the outcome is still as hazy as an harmattan morning.

Undoubtedly, in campaigns before elections in the United Kingdom and lately other European countries, immigration is usually the key issue.

However, it is surprising that this time around in the UK, the immigration “song” is only on the lips of the NIgel Farage-led United Kingdom Independent Party (UKIP).

The other parties, especially the Conservatives and Labour seem to concentrate more on the economy than immigration. This seems a deviation from the past elections when politicians try to “out speak” each other on immigration. However, pundits are confident the issue might resurface after March 30 when the official election campaigns takes off.

The British political campaign formats are different from what is obtained in Nigeria. Unlike here, there are no open street rallies, drumming or all the political “somersaults and acrobatics that we engage in. The British politicians rely more on door-to-door campaigns, party conventions, meeting with business groups, constituency meetings and the media to drum up support for their parties and policies.

The UK media has always played a significant role in the determination of elections. They most times set the “agenda” for the politicians and also serve as the unbiased umpire. In the run up to the 2010 elections, the major TV broadcasts companies came up with the successful idea of multidates political debates. The three major candidates at the time David Cameron (Conservative Party), Gordon Brown (Labour Party) and Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats) participated in these debates that greatly influenced the outcome of the election.

“Rolling” on the success of the 2010 style, the media

houses announced their plan for similar broadcasts for this year. However, because of the growing influence of other parties such as UKIP, Green Party and the Scottish National Party (SNP) there was the dilemma on how to format the debate this time around.

The idea of television debates among politicians is not new in Nigeria too.

There were a few successful debates organised in the past. The problem with the debates in Nigeria is credibility. It is not uncommon for one of the candidates to throw spanner in the works by accusing the debate organisers of partisanship. When the idea of a televised debate was mooted earlier this year, the APC Presidential Candidate M a j o r - G e n e r a l Muhammad Buhari was quick to voice his lack of interest in such venture. He stated that some of the organisers have been compromised and will not be in his party’s interest to participate.

General Buhari’s decision not attend was roundly condemned by some Nigerians, accusing him of “ running away” from an opportunity to lay down his policies to the Nigerian electorates. No matter how hard or absurd the accusation were, they did not change Buhari’s stand.

Instead, the APC candidate jetted out to London to address the world at Chatham House.

While in London, Buhari seemed to have gotten the ears of David Cameron on how to “dodge” participation in TV debates.

The UK Prime Minister last week Thursday finally followed Buhari’s footstep, he declared his nonparticipation in multidates, one-on-one TV debates as planned. Instead Cameron “ordered” the broadcasters to streamline their plans for him to participate in one 90minutes debate that involves seven political parties. A kind of market-place debate.

While Cameron has stated that the TV debates “draws life” out of the elections, his non-participation may be a disservice to the British people. This is a shame because this is a man who rode on the back of the 2010 televised debates to Downing Street. It is also saddening that the UK Prime Minister is giving the “air” that he can “muzzle” the press and make them to do his bidding. To call his bluff, the broadcasters announced on Friday that they will go ahead with the planned debates, even if the Prime Minister will not be in attendance.

Now the Labour leader Ed Milliband has found his voice and he is using it.

This TV debate “debacle” may be what he needs to win the next general election. May be or may be not.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 53

‘Okowa, Ochei working together on different platforms’

BY FESTUS AHON OGBUEFI ALEX Nnamdi Onwuadiamu is the Director General of the Victor Ochei Campaign Organization.

In this interview, he speaks on the Delta North senatorial election and the chances of Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei. Excerpts:

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onsidering the fact that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa is from the same senatorial district as your principal, do you think you will be able to deliver him on March 28?

Very well. We are confident that come March 28, Rt Hon. Victor Ochei will emerge the senator-elect representing Delta North.

He is of the Accord Party.

Only last week, the people of Akwkwu-Igbo endorsed Chief Peter Nwaoboshi as their senatorial candidate and also endorsed all the PDP candidates. Don’t you think this will affect his election, considering the fact that he is also from this federal constituency?

Let me first and foremost tell you that the issue of the people of Akwukwu-Igbo endorsing Nwaoboshi is a non-event. It is just the way they chose to run their campaign. At what point did the people of Akwukwu-Igbo come together to consider aspirants and what is the basis for their adoption?

It is just the way that particular fellow chooses to play his politics.

It is a non-existent adoption, I can tell you. It is my local government area.

After the gubernatorial primary, there was a level of good relationship between your principal and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. At what point did they part ways?

There is nothing like parting ways. From my own knowledge, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and Rt. Hon Victor Ochei still have a robust and intimate relationship With your principal in this area, are you sure Okowa will be able to get votes from the Aniocha local government area?

Fortunately enough, I am the Chairman of Anioma Agenda, the political pressure group of the Anioma people at the forefront of canvassing for Anioma governorship and I can assure you that, at that time, towards the governorship race, we had Ochei and Okowa as two prime aspirants.

Okowa, having emerged the governorship candidate of PDP, and Victor Ochei, at the primary, did handsomely well, scoring 185 votes, I think the general mood of the Anioma people is that our first eleven should represent us at the Senate, not second eleven. We don’t see any clash. The Anioma electorate is enlightened enough to distinguish between good and bad; to also understand the fact that in Nigeria, political party affiliation is

•Onwuadiamu

a question of convenience and the fact that Okowa is going to be governor by God’s grace does not by any means stop Ochei from becoming senator by God’s grace.

We know the difference and I think Anioma people are very happy with those choices.

Why do you think Ochei stands a better chance than Peter Nwaboshi in the March 28 election?

Elections, particularly that of Senate, some things come to play.

They include experience and political pedigree. In terms of experience, Ochei has been a legislator for the past 12 years; two years and nine months out of that, he has been Speaker, indeed the longest serving Speaker in the history of Delta. Going by that, if he gets into the Senate, he will be a ranking senator. His opponent does not have that experience. And when it comes to political pedigree, I think we have a sellable pedigree; a much richer political pedigree than that of the opponent and the people of Delta North recognize the difference and they see this difference as a determining factor in an election and that is where our confidence emanates from.

Don’t also forget that Peter Nwaoboshi was Chairman of the PDP for about eight years and he was a Commissioner in this state, he was the founding Secretary of the PDP in the state. Do you really think that Ochei will be able to defeat him?

What are the factors you think will work against him?

First and foremost, Nwaoboshi is a product of an inconclusive party primary. We recognize the fact that he has been Chairman of the PDP, he has been Commissioner and all that but he has never had an elective position before. He has never contested an election before and that is a very big minus. This is perhaps his first election and I don’t know, if after this he would want to contest again. We look at it generally as an easy contest in the sense that both aspirants stand apart. There is no basis as such for comparison of a legislator par excellence whose works at the Delta State House of Assembly speak for him. It is a clear distinction to someone who is a two-time party Chairman, two-time commissioner and all that.

Your principal today is campaigning for Mr. President and Okowa, don’t you think it is a ploy to get sympathy of the Delta North people?

It is not a ploy, it only exemplifies his belief in his unflinching faith in the Anioma governorship; not just for the person of Okowa. All of us from Anioma take it personally that an Anioma person has to be the governor of this state because we are a part of this state and that is what he is keeping faith with; it has nothing to do with his own election. He has enough good standing to win an election on his own. If it were possible that in Nigeria we have independent candidature, he will run as an independent candidate and he will win.

Should he emerge as senator today, what are your expectations of him?

First and foremost is to take time to look at Delta North, take time to do another series of consultation so that you get the expression of the people as to what direction you want them to go in terms of representation. You try to take a summary of the needs of the people and then you try to work with the governor of the state, because the sitting governor is going to come from Delta North by God’s grace and then you define the kind of legislation you would want to push; the kind of infrastructural development that you will want to influence, using the instrumentality of the National Assembly.

No doubt he is going to be a minority member in the parliament considering his party affiliation. Do you think he will be able to perform well as a senator in the opposition?

Whether you are in the majority or minority party has nothing to do with the content that you have to offer.

We all know that Ochei has been a very good legislator and we see him fairing very well at the National Assembly. He has the experience, he has the political sagacity to be able to cope.

25,000 pastors hold prayers for Buhari in Lagos

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5,000 pastors and evangelists in the South-West are to hold a special prayer session for the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, on Tuesday, at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

According to the coordinator of the programme, Bishop Kayode Williams, the ministers of God will come together to seek divine support for Buhari and Osinbajo.

Williams, who revealed that the spiritual exercise, tagged “Divine Restoration of Nigeria Glory”, is being organized to disabuse the minds of Nigerians about the wrong impression being created about Buhari. “We are four spearheading this prayer session: My humble self, Rev. Moses Iloh, Archbishop Magnus Atilade and Deacon Ayo Opadokun. We are against wrong information being fed members of the public about Buhari. For those of us that followed the track record of Buhari while he was in public service, we know that this man is not a religious bigot. Buhari is an upright man and not anti-Christ as some people want to portray him,” he declared.

While describing the prayer session as a unique event, Williams implored Nigerians not to use religion to confuse people or to divide Nigerians.

“First and foremost, we should see ourselves as one. We are all Nigerians. We should not allow politics to divide us or cause bitterness among us. We should love one another. It is wrong for anybody or group to say Christians are against Buhari – to us, Buhari is a righteous Nigerian, and Christianity preaches righteousness, and we want righteous people in leadership, and this is why we are organizing this prayer for Buhari to be the next leader of this country”, he stated.

While reminding Nigerians that the country is a secular state, Williams implored Nigerians to be tolerant of one another’s faith, views and opinions.

The cleric revealed that the programme will have in attendance as special guests Buhari, and Osinbajo and other eminent personalities.

I will embark on massive rural devt — Otti

By Akoma Chinweoke he governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has deplored the living condition in rural communities in the state, saying he will embark on massive rural development, if voted into office. Otti made the promise when he undertook a campaign tour of Itumbauzo communities in Bende Local Government Area of the state. The APGA governorship candidate was at Ndiwo, Okopedi and Ntalakwu for town hall meeting with the people, where he unveiled his rural transformation agenda. He expressed worry over the dilapidated state of the Bende-Itumbauzo Road, which was built in 1979 by the late Dr. Sam Mbakwe’s administration and regretted that successive administrations ‘’neglected the community,” by allowing the road to collapse completely.

He assured the people that he would rebuild the road, adding that he would provide water and electricity to the area, if elected. Otti also promised to develop the agricultural sector, saying that farming would become serious business to produce food and create employment for the people. He said that his administration would offer free and compulsory education, saying that ‘’the duty of parents is to make sure that your children are allowed to come to school.” At Okobedi, the traditional ruler of Ubibia Autonomous Community, Eze Boniface Ise, told Otti that children in the area ‘do not go to school because there are no teachers.” Ise said that Itumbauzo is noted for large scale production of cocoa and timber but regretted that ‘’our problem is bad road.”

The chairman of Ntalakwu Town Union, Mr Ironkwe Okoroafor, said that the community was greatly excited by the visit of the APGA governorship candidate and assured him of block vote from the community.

Otti also said at the Nkpa town hall meeting that he would fix the only road leading to the community, which is in a terrible state of disrepair.

The town hall meetings were attended by mammoth crowd of Otti’s admirers and APGA supporters, who displayed his posters, chanting songs in total support of his candidacy.

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‘APC’s propaganda won’t win poll for Buhari’

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group mobilising support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, the Goodluck Lagos Grassroots Project, has said that propaganda will not save the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, from losing the March 28 election.

The group said the APC could not point out its contribution to Nigeria’s democratic experience except its well-packaged propaganda to mislead the citizens.

The GLGP said in a statement in Lagos by its Chairman, Alhaji Mufutau Babalola, that APC had lost focus as an opposition party.

Babalola said, “The purpose of

an opposition party in any democracy is to put the ruling party on its toes through constructive criticism, but the APC fails to understand this aspect of democratic government.

“APC failed when graded in all indices of democracy. It has failed to offer useful advice on governance. It also failed to recognise success recorded by President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda in all the sectors of the economy. The only area the opposition has succeeded is using deceit and propaganda to win people’s sympathy.”

Babalola said the cabals surrounding the APC Presidential candidate would

not allow him win next month’s general elections in the country.

According him, the GLGP has aligned with President Goodluck Jonathan’s position that despite the intimidation being mounted against members of the ruling party by opposition parties, the PDP will the forthcoming election.

The group, however, asked Buhari to accept the challenge to engage Jonathan in public debate if he understands the dynamics of Nigeria’s economy.

GLGP said, “It is certain that the APC is afraid of losing the next presidential election, hence the use of undemocratic means to achieve victory””.

PAGE 54—SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Ambode flags everywhere

BY SAYO ALUKO

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e may be busy with campaigns, espousing the message of continuity, but the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, is also creatively creating time for humanitarian projects that reveal his patriotic disposition and showcases his passion for excellence.

One of such programmes is the Flag Project, which he is executing through his nongovernmental organization the La Roche Leadership Foundation. It is a unique initiative that started two years ago but which has reverberated throughout Lagos in the past one month as a state-wide project that seeks to commission the Lagos State Flag and the Nigerian Flag in all public primary and secondary schools. This is aimed at imbibing the culture of patriotism, unity and responsibility in the students towards their state and country as a whole according to Ambode, who, since his retirement as the Accountant General/Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance in 2012, has run a successful public finance company, Brandsmith Consulting, before venturing into politics.

Since the inception of the project, the focus has been to “catch them young” by instilling patriotic zeal in students, particularly in public schools “so that they can develop a good appreciation for the values of unity and peaceful coexistence in their fatherland.” For someone who is a son of a school teacher and disciplinarian and, who has developed himself educationally with a master ’s degree in accounting as well

•Ambode as qualifying as a chartered accountant at 24, the values that education brings are nonnegotiable. And this is the reason Ambode says he is passionate about anything that will put education and patriotic values on the front burner.

And he finds time to be directly involved in this laudable project. As at last week, the Foundation has commissioned flags in 18 schools spread across five local government areas in the state.

According to the coordinator of the project, Mrs. Marina Osoba, the Flag Project has previously been through two stages where a total of 11 schools were covered. Now in its third stage, it has reached additional seven schools, namely, Surulere Secondary School, Surulere and Wahab Folawiyo Senior High School, Ikoyi; Kiniun-Ifa Nursery and Primary School, Gbagada, Agidingbi Nursery and Primary School, Expressway Nursery and Primary School, and Rauf Aregbesola Nursery and Primary School.

In each school visited, the La Roche team was received by enthusiastic teachers and students who expressed gratitude and commendation for this initiative, that is hoisting the Nigerian and Lagos flags in strategic locations at places of learning.

In each of the school visits, the children are put through the process of hoisting the flags by an expert volunteer, after which an interactive session is held to intimate students with the details. The foundation has also taken the project to the Special Correctional Centre for Boys (SCCB), Oregun, going a step further to donate household items and accouterments to the boys.

Some members of the organized private sector have keyed into the project, and have shown tremendous support by taking practical steps to partner with La Roche in commissioning the flags in some of the schools. Toyota Nigeria Limited, CuroTen organization and Laser Pointe Limited, are some of the notable partners.

Asides hoisting the flags in these schools, Osoba explained that the project includes the distribution of instructional fliers that contain descriptive and pictorial information about the flags and other national emblems, which are intended to further teach patriotism, give identity and preach nationhood to the young ones.

Osoba pointed out that the project would add value to the lives of the school pupils and make them grow into better adults with requisite understanding of their roles in nation building. She stated this while also underlining the importance of targeting these individuals in their formative years.

Isoko back Jonathan, Okowa, other Delta PDP candidates IT was a day that will be remembered for many decades and generations. day that the campaign A team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate

in Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, was reassured from the mammoth crowds that the ruling will win the 2015 general elections in Isokoland despite initial misgivings and anger that the oil-producing ethnic nationality was not given the deputy governorship slot.

The tribe’s umbrella body, Isoko Development Union (IDU), had warned that it would not support any party that did not give it the slot.

Consequently, it became apparent that it would be an uphill task to assuage the Isoko people’s hurt feelings especially since the Ogboruled Labour Party had picked his running mate from the tribe who is a

•Jonathan former IDU president-general.

However, those who knew that the situation could still be turned around did not lose hope because of the presence of grassroots politicians in the PDP who had done much over the years to empower the people through projects, policies and programmes that created jobs and many other opportunities. Such

•Okowa politicians include State SSG Comrade Ovuozorie Macaulay, Senator Stella Omu, State PDP Secretary Chief Solomon Ogba and State Revenue Board Chief Joel Thomas-Onowakpo, who are playing various roles (such as heavy mobilization at the grassroots) in the

Continues on page 55

Women in Clergy endorses Jonathan

BY AYO ONIKOYI he re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan received a T boost as a group, Women in Clergy,

threw its weight behind his aspiration for second term.

The decision of the group, comprising female pastors and other Christian women, was disclosed by its President, Prophetess Nonie Roberson, in a statement.

Roberson said the women decided to endorse the president because, after seeking the face of God, ‘’we heard Him tell us that President Jonathan is the man for the season,” adding that God has not removed the mandate from the president.

Women in Clergy is a faith-based •Roberson women group parading women who believe that they have strong and united voice to always stand and defend the truth. The women believe that the nation can only move forward through the prayers of women.

The women have remained very critical of happenings in the country since its inception. They had been at the fore-front of the campaign against bombing of soft targets by Boko Haram and had at different points picked up the sponsorship of victims of blasts.

Speaking on the reasons behind their endorsement, Roberson said the number one reason is the fact that God instructed them to do so.

“The most important reason is the fact that God said so. And aside that, if we are to take off our spiritual cap and put on that of intellect, he is still the best man for the job”, the group leader said.

“Forget about the propaganda that is going on; there is no leader in this country that has affected and pushed the cause of womanhood as President Jonathan has done.

“As women, we have been able to move away from the noise about change or transformation and researched into things President Jonathan has accomplished in office and discovered that he has outperformed all those that came before him”.

Parties coalition warns against further polls shift

BY DAYO JOHNSON, AKURE

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HE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) in Ondo State has cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) against further postponement of the general elections.

The group said that the elections were postponed not only on security ground but also that most of the voters would have been disenfranchised if they were not postponed by INEC. This was contained in a communique issued after the grou’ps meeting held in Akure. According to the communiqué, signed by the state Chairman and Secretary, Chief Ayo Isijola and Odedeyi Olumuyiwa respectively, a greater percentage of the electorate had not collected their PVCs some days to the elections. “ There is nothing wrong in the postponement of the elections of February 14, 2015 due to insecurity as pronounced by INEC but we caution against further postponement.

The CNPP therefore called on the electoral body to speed up action on the distribution of the the PVCs before the election.

It equally called on the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the security challenge facing the nation, noting that there are other challenges aside Boko Haram.

The group however noted that unemployment is one of the reasons for the insecurity in the country and urged government to create more employment opportunities for the youths.

The CNPP called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to improve the economy by exploring other sectors rather than depending on oil. “Over dependent on oil has caused the economic downturn of the country. We advice the Federal Government and state government to move from a monk economy to other facets of the economy especially agriculture.

“Unemployment is the basis of the insecurity within the nation. We advise the state and federal government to wake up to their responsibility responsibility in providing employment for our teeming youths”. They commended the Mimiko administration in the state for touching the lives of the people of Ondo and delivering the dividends of democracy to the door steps of the common man.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 55

BY TONY NWANKWO Dr. Goodnews Goodman Agbi teaches civil engineering structures at the Delta State University, Oleh Campus. The Isoko-born civil engineer was a former Delta State governorship aspirant on the platform of the Grassroots Democratic Party, GDM, and also an aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He speaks on the state of the nation. Excerpts: here are people who say plots exist to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from re-election.

How true is this?

There are culpable conspiracies against President Goodluck Jonathan. And they are no longer hidden from the public glare. These plots started several months ago, even before INEC fixed the election time table. Foremost amongst the plotters are: General Olusegun Obasanjo (rtd); former Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; The Northern Elders Forum; Boko Haram and now Chukwuma Soludo. There are even others, but these people or group of persons have never hidden their hatred for Mr. President. Individually or collectively, they have their parochial reasons for participating in the plot.

Obasanjo began the execution of the plan by his infamous ‘Letter to the President’ where he accused GEJ government amongst other things, of training snipers to assassinate over 1,000 prominent Nigerians, and an unsubstantiated missing money.

He followed those letters with several attacks on GEJ. On these occasions, including his recent infantile public display of tearing his PDP membership card, the primary purpose had been to embarrass President Jonathan. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi continued from where OBJ letter writing left off, accusing NNPC of having not remitted over $49.8billion. The amount he later scaled down to

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‘Why Jonathan must prevail’ $10.8billion and then upgraded to $20billion. Forensic Audits by world class audit firm, Price Water House Coopers, has shown that no such money was missing or un-remitted. Boko Haram has always struck when GEJ has something to celebrate. Even when Jonathan was to declare for the presidency, Boko Haram bombed a school in North-east Nigeria, killing over 50 students.

This was to prevent GEJ from declaring. APC latched on to that, to condemn Jonathan for going ahead to declare for President when students had just been killed. Recently when Jonathan displayed rare courage to visit Mubi, Baga, etc., to cheer ours gallant soldiers, Boko Haram struck again in Jos and Biu, all to take the shine off Jonathan’s visit. Nigerians and indeed the world should note that in all Buhari’s endeavours and political manouverings including all APC activities and campaigns, Boko Haram has never disrupted their franchises.

Now Soludo has come up with another voodoo N30trillions missing. D-G of Buhari campaign organization, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, recently, falsely accused pastors of collecting N6billion from the government as bribe. The clandestine activities of the Northern Elders Forum are well known to Nigerians. These plots are all about stopping President Jonathan from re-election. The vitriolic pursuits of ‘stop Jonathan at all costs’ using the instrumentality of corruption and Boko Haram is to cast aspersions on the integrity and dent the image of Jonathan and Nigeria. Nigeria is being demonized before the world as a corrupt country, with corrupt and incapable military, using false allegations.

But there are indications

How can anybody who loves Nigeria agree with Jega that the North-east states which are almost empty of people because of Boko Haram activities has collected over 80% PVCs? Who did he give the PVCs to? Goats or cows?

Dr. Goodnews Agbi that the President has done exceedingly well inspite the odds: insurrection, northern quest to return to power at all costs and other intrigues. How do you react?

These plotters are bent on tarnishing the image of the President that they are completely jaundiced to the gains of his administration.

Their goal is to delude Nigerians and the international community into believing that the government of Jonathan is not only corrupt, but weak, clueless and don’t have the nerve to tackle Boko Haram. This is inspite of the numerous achievements in the rehabilitation of the railways, power supply, roads, etc.

Unfortunately, many Nigerian and foreign countries including their media are buying into these diabolic plots. The North, especially, Northern Elders Forum through Junaid Mohammed, Ango Abdulahi and their fading co-travellers believe power should perpetually reside in the North and are therefore committed to this grand conspiracy against Jonathan. I think either Jonathan and his men are

deliberately ignoring these shenanigans or they are oblivious of the fact that these people are after his re election bid, and their plot has reached an advanced stage. Whichever way you look at it, they almost succeeded had the election not been postponed.

Can we say the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega was prepared for the election of Febuary 14, since people still troop to Polling Centres to collect their PVCs which in many cases are still not available.

Do you really think the INEC has an agenda as people allege?

INEC Chairman, Attahiru Jega knew he was not prepared for the election. I think this was deliberate so as to rig the election in favour of Buhari and the APC. INEC Chairman was not among the original plotters but has been recruited into the plot to stop Jonathan or how can you explain Prof Jega declaring publicly that he was ready to conduct an election when over 25 million eligible voters are without PVCs? How can anybody who loves Nigeria agree with Jega that the Northeast states which are almost empty of people because of Boko

Haram activities has collected over 80% PVCs? Who did he give the PVCs to? Goats or cows?

Even Boko Haram insurgents have made away with the goats and cows! Again Jega should tell us who collected the cards.

Jega is their joker. They are using Jega for their plot. That is why the APC and their presidential candidate were insisting that the election should hold inspite of Southern Nigeria being shortchanged with PVC distribution, What do you think should be done by the President, the PDP and his numerous supporters as election draws near?

Part of the grand design of the opposition is to weaken the credibility of the administration.

PDP, however, has been slow to react coherently to all the falsehood that APC and their sympathizers have been churning out. They and the Presidency have been too gentlemanly. Olisa Metu, the Publicity Secretary of PDP has not matched the loquaciousness of Lai Mohamed, his APC counterpart. Lai Mohammed is a tough malevolent alarmist.

The same for the APC National Chairman, John Oyegun. These people raise alarm on any thing from the ridiculous to the profane. Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Muazu rarely grants press interviews. PDP Publicity Secretary is more like a pastor admonishing the elders and deacons of his church when addressing the Press. They hardly spit fire like their APC counterparts. Even the APC governors are not different.

Adams Oshiomhole is full of showmanship. Another noisy governor is Amaechi. His theory of APC forming a parallel government if they lose is on the same template with Buhari’s ‘dog and baboon will be soaked in blood’ statements. If the PDP and Jonathan want to survive these well aimed plots to frustrate their victory at the polls, they should reduce the smiles on their faces and add some frowns.

Jonathan, worst experience ever for S-west — Osun APC

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oruba people of the South-West will assess President Goodluck Jonathan. not by what he is promising to do for them, but what they have already experienced of him in the last six years.

“That experience is the most painfully degrading that the Yoruba nation has ever had in the last half century. President Jonathan cannot, therefore, expect to be rewarded for this crime against the Yoruba people”.

This was the sentiment expressed by the All Progressives Congress in Osun State in a statement by the party ’s Directorate of Publicity, Research and Strategy in Osogbo at the weekend.

“The sheer neglect of the Yoruba people by Jonathan in the scheme of things was a display of sordid ingratitude and contempt for a people who did the most to help him become President “, the party said.

“If in the last six years alone, Goodluck Jonathan has downgraded the Yoruba from the first three positions to below the 15th in Nigeria, either in political or civil service structure, and, in particular, in Nigeria’s ratings of expertise and valued contributions to the country’s

development, then he does not deserve, and will not get the Yoruba vote this time around.

“All his promises to the Yoruba people are empty and deceitful.

Our people not only know it, they feel it and they will act appropriately on March 28, 2015”.

The party ’s spokesman in Osun, Barr. Kunle Oyatomi, who signed the statement, described, as “sadistic” , the treatment meted to the Yoruba people by Jonathan’s administration, who, having downgraded them to

below the 15th position in Nigeria, “also went ahead to starve virtually all Yoruba states controlled by the APC of their legitimate and constitutional funding in order to humiliate the people and stifle development in their area”.

Oyatomi continued: “For such a President to now crawl about in Yorubaland, seeking their votes to continue in office is nothing short of insulting the intelligence of the Yoruba people. That is aggravated insolence.

“Jonathan will pay a price equal in magnitude to his deliberate crime against the Yoruba nation; for nobody pokes a dirty finger in the eyes of the Yoruba people and gets away with it. Jonathan will get the red card in Yorubaland, and he will fall.

“The party said that since Jonathan became comfortable in his position as President largely through the efforts of Yoruba intellectuals and political leadership - the President has been so negatively

disposed to Yoruba that his Federal Government did practically nothing of significance to encourage the sympathy of the Yoruba nation.

“It is therefore a wasted effort for the President to be frantically seeking the support of Yoruba traditional leaders who already know how bitter their people are against Jonathan,’ the APC said, adding that ‘Yoruba people can see, feel and taste the deceit in President Jonathan’s promises.

They cannot trust him after the humiliating treatment of the last six years of Jonathan’s Presidency”.

Isoko back Jonathan, Okowa, other Delta PDP candidates Continued from page 54 campaigns.

Before Okowa’s team arrived in the Isoko towns of Ozoro and Oleh as part of efforts by the party to ensure that he wins the governorship race, these respected politicians with mass followership had worked day and night to ensure that a massive crowd of PDP loyalists and leaders in Isokoland were on ground to welcome him and his entourage.

Many groups (such as Itihikpebe) that had also worked tirelessly were also

represented. The Oleh stadium was a beehive of activities as different groups of supporters carrying the placards of their respective candidates thronged the VIP area singing and dancing. The noise of party activities was so intensive that when Okowa and his running mate, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, arrived at the stadium in the company of their wives, they were barely noticed until the master of ceremonies, Ogba, announced the arrival of the “governor in waiting”. Isoko PDP leaders who spoke including Stella Omu and a host of others assured

Okowa that people of the oilproducing ethnic nationality would vote for him. Omu particularly urged Okowa to have the unflinching belief that Isoko would give him and President Goodluck Jonathan 100 per cent vote next month. She, therefore, urged all Isoko PDP loyalists to work hard to ensure that the party wins the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.

Okowa promised to end the political marginalisation of Isoko people by carrying them along in his

government. He promised strategic wealth creation through projects and jobs for all Deltans. On his part, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on the people of Mbiri, Ika North East Council to vote massively for President Jonathan, Dr.Okowa and other PDP candidates. Speaking at the commissioning of the rehabilitated 7.8 kilometres Umunede-Mbiri Road, he enjoined them to collect their Permanent Voters’ Card (PVC) on which basis they can vote at the polls.

Page 56 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

VIEWPOINT

By Sehinde Omoniyi VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF Claims ahead of the polls

S

UDDENLY, it appears that everyone and everything that does not share the views of the APC depicts evil and therefore must be pulled down. Where on earth did Nigeria’s foremost opposition political party come to this pass that the country and its over 150 million people should queue behind it and share its despicable position that Nigeria is a ‘failed state’ that only it, the APC and its presidential candidate enjoy the monopoly of how best to resuscitate it?

Indeed, this is a vivid and outright demonstration of delusion of grandeur – living in a fool’s paradise. Where a party in an election, with over a dozen other qualified and eligible contestants, wants to define and dictate the rules of engagement for the same election. Indeed, the APC has become a player who also wants to double as the umpire in the

Opposition’s steady march to Golgotha same game.

In the last couple of days, the party has inundated Nigerians with allegations of plots to scuttle either the elections or enthrone an illegitimate government by whatever name it has chosen. These vitriolic include allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to move humongous amount of money into the bank account of the Chairman of INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, so as to frame up its national leader, Senator Bola Tinubu; that two Israelis and a Belgian are currently working at the Presidency to hack into INEC computer system to influence results of the elections; that there is a plot to remove Jega and replace him with a crony of the Jonathan government; that there are plans to arrest leaders of the APC close to the election date; and that PDP plans to use satellite political parties to truncate the constitutionally established hand over date and secure an extension to Septem-

ber 2015. Taking this harangue to an insane level is that the current military exploits against the Boko Haram insurgency is delayed till now to give the PDP an electoral advantage.

These allegations are nothing but a clear demonstration of how wildly the minds of the APC campaign machinery is running and this is quite ruinous for what the party claims to be – progressive.

How can a party whip up so much negative imaginations and foist it down the throats of the electorate and still expect the same people to remain sane enough to cast their votes for its candidates? There is no doubt that the APC is doing great disservice to its candidates and the party itself.

They have allowed no respite for the people instead, the party campaign machinery is misguided into thinking that adopting some of the old antimilitary tactics of the NADECO days would give it the same result under a democratic dis-

pensation. How wrong this is turning out to be.

Nigerians are obviously quite grateful for the freedom the last 16 years of democracy has brought them and would be happier if no politician reminds them of the days when the country operated the Hobbesian state and life was solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.

Citizens of this country have since passed that state and those clichéd slogans that held no hope for the average Nigerian and depicted the country as a rat hole with no escape route, have seized to exist. The politician who fails to realise that his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, must be consigned to history.

Instead of the APC to focus its energy at finding answers to the critical questions that Nigerians have raised and which emanate from its bogus manifesto, like how it intends to fund its social security programme even when the global

economy is on recess and how it plans to combine the elevation of the fortunes of Nigerians with the implementation of a policy of economic diversification which requires some critical lifestyle adjustment, among others.

Parading a presidential candidate whose prestige and status has been severally questioned on account of his past demeanours, colluding with foreign media outfits to desecrate the gains the country has made since 1999, are additional wounds the APC has inflicted on itself.

Whether the APC accepts it or not, time is running out fast on the contraption it created and one which is swelled by decamping PDP party members; and the earlier string of hope the party held unto seem to have finally slipped from its grip and it is now on a steady march to Golgotha, the place of no return.

*Omoniyi is an Abuja based media practitioner.

Adieu great friends: Kola Toluhi, Segun Joseph VIEWPOINT

By Terry Adewale- Fajembola TRIBUTE IN BRIEF Remembering two great journalists

T

HE CANAL, sobriquet for the Vanguard Newspapers’ headquarters, always has been a damn good place to work. The vibrancy of the tabloid as an authentic reference point for news, politics, labour issues, sports, stock market reports, business, current affairs etc., in the twilight of the ‘80s and the beginning of the 90s, was the result of the combined creative efforts of the young men and women that ‘inhabited’ the Canal Newsroom under the editorial leadership of Frank Aigbogun. Kola James Toluhi- a prince from Okun Kingdom of Kabba - was one of them. Segun Joseph was another.

Great journalists. The sad news just filtered in that these two great accomplished journalists are no more-both have (just) succumbed to fatalism.

The cruel cold hands of death recently snatched them in their prime. Kola Toluhiwho had gone on to become a titled chief in his Okun community of Kabba, Kogi State and a publisher of a respected newspaper (Kogi Affair) gave up the ghost in an auto accident (on the dreaded Lokoja Kabba Road) penultimate Wednesday. He died in pursuit of what he loved doing best- pursuing fresh angles to news stories.

A very practical person, in every sense of the word, Kola and I were the best of mates at the Canal; therefore, his death is a personal loss to me.

We had always been mates long before he crossed over to

join me at the Business Desk.

Kola began his career-in jour nalism-at the VANGUARD Newspapers as a features writer. As I write this, memories are flashing in my head. We hit it off the very first day he landed at the Canal – just some few days after the expiration of his Youth Service in 1985. Not one to pretend, Kola had humbly asked for tips “because Uncle Sam is just giving me a trial for some weeks to see how well I can fit in as a reporter. I didn’t study journalism or mass communica- *Kola Toluhi tion in school. I did philosophy in UNILAG and I need es-for one finding himself this job”, he confided in me. acting as an intermediary beI wouldn’t know now if it’s tween him and some of our the encouragement I gave colleagues that needed his him that formed the basis of assistance.

No doubt many misconthat serious bonding between us, but, soon after, we strued his finesse for arrobecame almost siamese gance. I recall now how we twins. A restless spirit and a plotted to change our dressdedicated worke r, Kola ing code and storm the newswould throw his script at me room with nice suits - comto relieve himself of writer ’s plete with silk ties -at a time block; always with a finish- when donning a tie was a far er: “Ko we repete’ (or Ko luxury for many reporters – Easy F’Ole at other times), not just in the Canal, but in please help me find an atten- the profession. We had drivtion grabbing caption for this en down to his tailor at the story. I’m off to the Canal suburb of Ilasamaja where we (the restaurant) to cool off ”. ‘greedily ’ ordered for five At some other times when I suits each – all bespoke. was cheeky, I’d thunder “Yes, Terry, we need themback: “Wo, man yi, mo le ma one per day”, he remarked as think fun e now” (Look, mate, we had our measurements I can’t be troubling my brain taken.

Though, I paid through the for you).

His constant reply was al- nose for that particular ‘exways, “Terrific, iga-ra-eni ni- pedition’, it was nonetheless yen ooo” (Terry, you are in- one of the nicest things we dulging in self-adulation) did together. Needless to say and with a roaring laughter that many of our colleagues everything laid to rest. A fine –in and out of the Canal gentle soul with an urbane got ‘infected’ by the suit culapproach that many – at first ture thereafter. Of course, it meeting – misconstrued as was a turning point of some arrogance. Therefore, it’s not sort when Kola’s car arrived unusual- at the initial stag- from Belgium – he had

branched off to the west European country en-route Vienna where he had gone for an OPEC confab to purchase the ‘prized possession’ – a Datsun saloon-the hot favourite of those times in 1988. .

He had confided in me on arrival that in three weeks to that time we would be relieved of the ‘marathon trek’ we were doing then from Mile 2 to the Canal, informing me that he already shipped a car from Belgium.

Of course the day Kola’s car arrived was the last we both trekked the Mile 2 - Canal route. Each night-thereafterafter putting our pages to bed - my friend would drive me safely to my Cole Street, Ikate, Surulere abode –firstbefore negotiating his way to his Onike, Yaba residence.

Of course I remember with nostalgia how we spent those occasional lazy days driving leisurely around town-for God knows what.

And of course the nocturnal visits to Ariyo Quarters –the then female undergraduates’ dormitory of the Lagos State University (LASU) at Volkswagen, Ojo. A very traditional person, I got invited to many Kabba related functions on his account; and, of course, through him, I met loads of beautiful ‘Kabba’ guys like Gabriel, Steppin, etc. Kola was a man constantly in touch with his roots. It’s not surprising that Kola later went on to take a prestigious chieftaincy title in his Kabba community. We lost touch some few years back –as I disappeared into diaspora, but I didn’t delete the beautiful memories of our time together. Not surprising,

therefore, that, in the twilight of 2014, a strong urge to ‘look’ for my old friend welled up in me. I trawled the internet and succeeded in tracing him to his Facebook page – there he was, in his usual posture, a little smile playing around his lips complete with his signature eye glasses.

A sigh of relief, I promptly requested for his friendship and was waiting for confirmation. If there was anything I was particularly looking forward to on my Facebook page in that short while, it was his acceptance-and so, I kept waiting.

As it turned out to be, I was seriously ‘ waiting for Goddot’ unknown to me that my friend had translated to eternity. The confirmation would never come. Who needs a Facebook friendship confirmation anyway, after those fruitful long years together! I’ve definitely lost a good man but the consolation is that he’s in a good place. I thank God for his life.

The late Segun Joseph was one of the ‘ wizards’ behind the production of the VANGUARD weekly titles at this same period. He was a dependable ally of Niran Malaolu-Mr Glitterati - in those days of yore on Sunday VANGUARD. A trojan- an editorial war horse and a dedicated journalist.

A great team player, Segun worked alongside other professionals like Sir Sunny Areh to produce vintage editions including the Saturday edition. A silent but highly efficient worker, he will be well remembered for his wry sense of humour.

Eternal rest grant them O’Lord.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, Page 57

VIEWPOINT

By Emma Ogbuehi VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The change the people want

A

T the onset of the current dispensation, Abia State government sold the impression of righting the wrongs of the past by ensuring that the Ukwa-Ngwa axis of the state is no longer excluded in key decision making. Then dummy was carefully packaged and sold to the electorate. Consequently, key officials of the government were lionized.

Even when perceptive minds warned that what was being presented to the people was nothing short of Greek gift, government attack dogs were unleashed on them.

But over time, it became ap-

VIEWPOINT

By Matthew Akporero VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The candidate who fits the bill

I

T is imperative that the peo ple of Delta State choose the right person as governor come April 11.

It needs a thoroughbred politician and public administrator who will successfully build on Governor Uduaghan’s legacy of Delta Beyond Oil. Out of the three major candidates for the election, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of the PDP seems to best fit the bill. To be sure, both APC’s Ortega Emerhor and Labour Party’s Great Ogboru come with impressive credentials garnered in the private sector. However, managing a private business is quite different from running the public sector with its peculiari-

VIEWPOINT

By Okhai Ohifeme VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A pastor-politician’s message of peace

R

EV. Chris Okotie broke his long silence with his latest post on his Facebook page, titled, “The light in this present darkness”. Though, surprisingly, he said nothing about his non-participation in the current presidential race as widely expected, his message of peace in the said write-up was timely and most desirable.

Coming at a time when pastors are being accused by a chieftain of the APC, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, of being bribed to the tune of N7 billion to mobilze their flock to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election, Okotie’s voice is a refreshing assurance that not all knees have bowed to Baal afterall.

Not a word was said about his exclusion from the race, but the pastor-politician minced no words in rebuking those who are shooting tribal arrows over the perceived outcome of the presidential election.

His reminder of the sad events of the civil war should

The politics of imposition in Abia parent that the government had a different agenda from what it had proclaimed. What particularly exposed the duplicity from the Government House, Umuahia, and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the imposition of Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu on the party as its governorship candidate. Coming from a background of non-performance at Abia State Environment Protection Agency (ABSEPA), it easily became obvious that the party had an agenda of foisting someone who is not ready for a high office as that of the governor on Abia.

Indeed, the candidate is a crony of outgoing Governor Theodore Orji. So, there is the fear

that imposition of Ikpeazu would amount to sustaining the current regime of stagnancy in the state. Meanwhile, the people of the state are yet to get over the nightmare of the recent nomination of Col Austin Akobundu, South East Zonal Vice Chairman of PDP, as replacement for Emeka Wogu, former Minister of Labour.

Wogu is from Ukwa-Ngwa axis of the state, while Akobundu is from Umuahia, Abia Central. For a government that deluded the people with a pledge of equity and fairness, many had expected that Wogu’s replacement should have come from the same zone as his. This would have assuaged the feeling of the zone, which, by the

former minister’s resignation, would, no doubt, have lost its voice at the state and federal levels. But that was not to be.

With this development, the government has, once again, exhibited disdain for the Ukwa-Ngwa people. More so, this was the same ministerial slot that was promised Emma Nwaka and Marc Wabara from Ukwa as a ploy to earn their support for the government to have its way in some of the manipulations in the party.

The immediate lesson from the macabre dance is that the Ikpeazu candidacy is a façade intended to hoodwink the Ukwa-Ngwa, Abia South and the entire Abia electorate. He is, at best, an errand boy to his

The governor Delta needs ties, nuances, and dynamics.

And when it comes to governing a complex state like Delta, you need the requisite political knowledge and experience to be an effective governor. Already, Emerhor and Ogboru have made a fatal error through their ill-advised effort to be identified as Urhobo candidates. You cannot run as Urhobo candidates in a culturally diverse state as Delta and not expect the other ethnic groups to feel alienated or marginalised.

I have always believed that aspirants to the exalted offices of the governor of a state or the presidency need to, as a matter of course, have some form of tutelage in lower rungs of government. It is called preparation time. People need to be pre-

pared for such weighty assignments. I think Emerhor and Ogboru could have benefitted greatly from serving in the Senate, House of Representatives or other appointive capacity.

That experience would have put them in good stead for the position they are currently vying for. The case of former Governor James Ibori readily comes to mind here. Even die-hard critics of Ibori would concede to the man’s great leadership ability. However, talking with those who served under his government, Ibori’s major undoing was his lack of requisite experience, which led him to take some rash decisions that later came to haunt him. It is against this background that I will favour Okowa to succeed Udua-

ghan as governor of Delta. It is not often that you find a governorship candidate with the broad political experience that Okowa has been privileged to have. He began his political career as a local government councillor, and later served as secretary and chairman of a local government. He has been a three-time commissioner in the state and, subsequently, became the number one public servant as Secretary to the State government. As a serving senator he is currently the Chairman of the Senate Committee. Clearly, Okowa’s unique experiences in the executive and legislative arms of government at the local and state levels as well as a top civil servant, puts him heads and

masters in Abia Government House, whose bidding he will do if he ever gets to office.

This is why Dr. Alex Otti of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) remains the best bet for Abia, if the state will reclaim the dream its founding fathers had envisioned some 23 years ago.

Coming from a rich background of successful human and material resource husbandry, he is in a position to rebuild the state that has been virtually lying comatose in the last eight years. He is also nobody’s Man-Friday.

•Ogbuehi, a public affairs analyst, is resident in Umuahia, Abia State. shoulders above his opponents.

It is instructive that so far Okowa has remained unblemished with any corruption scandal. That is noteworthy given the penchant of our political office holders for unbridled greed and graft.

Finally, I am encouraged by feelers I am getting that Okowa is a detribalised person. I was told by people who should know that before the PDP primaries in Asaba Okowa repeatedly old delegates that they should not vote for him as an Anioma candidate. That is a rare quality of courage and statesmanship to possess in our clime. And after I read his own traditional ruler, Obi Efezeimor, admonish him not to see himself as an Ika governor, I became convinced that truly Okowa is the governor that Delta needs now.

•Akporero is a Lagos-based management consultant.

Okotie’s timely intervention be a warning to our political warlords, that their campaign of calumny, as vividly portrayed by unprecedented hate advertorials, is unacceptable.

According to the three-time presidential candidate, “those who threaten to set the nation on fire, if their preferred presidential candidate loses, should be reminded that the critical issue of Nigeria’s existence as one indivisible nation was finally settled during the 30-month civil war, even though the votes have not been cast”.

He went on: “The civil war also showed unequivocally that sibling rivalries or quarrels, like internal differences in nations, are family affairs that need not degenerate into violent separation. Despite sabre-rattling by some ethnic jingoists prior to the just concluded National Conference, nobody or group tabled any request for secession. Clearly, it showed that the bloodshed by our compatriots in Biafra wasn’t in vain. Our unity was purchased at a high price. But up till now, the wound has not fully healed.

That’s why we should not stir ethnic and religious passions

for cheap political advantage in these elections”.

The perennial distrust, which is a fallout of the civil war, is still very palpable in the general affairs of the nation, and particularly amongst our elder citizens who harbour these ill-feelings and threaten the evolution of cordiality and harmony of the younger generation who were not party to the events which precipitated the unfortunate crisis. It is these youths that are being conscripted into the army of vociferous hooligans who will gladly pick up the gauntlet of savagery for a pittance.

As Rev. Okotie wrote, “Sponsors of the Abuja Peace Accord addressed these concerns when they got the presidential hopefuls to commit to a written pledge to keep the peace before, during and after the polls. But nobody knows how the contestants could rein in their supporters who have been primed to take up arms if the results don’t go their way”. That question has been answered: With the round-making series of bitter political adverts, defacement of campaign materials and

even mayhem and deaths attributed to political thugs, it is obvious that the accord may as well be an effort in futility. We can only wonder what the post-election atmosphere will be like.

But most relevant today is the pastor-politician’s thought on the political process that, “the acrimonies that mark the on-going campaigns are already creating an effluvium that is polluting the political environment, robbing it of the excitement expected of a maturing political class... We are in the process of another transition, which is creating jitters because of the incendiary, hatefilled campaigns we are experiencing. There’s now a dark pall over the elections, due to fears that the shifting of the polls may precipitate some crises....”

Thank God, the crisis has not boiled over, but that does not mean we are safe yet.

Reason is that the postponement may have only shifted the foreseeable culmination of the dark agenda behind the pitiful abyss to which our politicking has fallen into.

The shakers of the pillars of

democracy who are behind the ‘ repulsive, hate-driven campaign adverts that denigrate opponents, assassinate character and generally dehumanize opposing political contestants’ may have only been given more time to horn their arsenals in preparation for the new March 28 date when we hope the elections will eventually hold. Many are still skeptical of safety during and after the elections, especially as security was the main issue offered for the shift in the polls date.

It has been said that problems don’t pursue solutions, solutions pursue problems.

This appears to be the philosophy guiding the visions of Okotie’s head in the twilight of meditation, as he put it, before the “present darkness envelopes the configuration of our faith and hope”. He has shown a good example by putting the right step forward in this choice of action he has shown, in his party’s faceoff with INEC. We only hope that this gesture will resonate in the hearts of other politicians across the nation.

•Ohifeme lives in Kogi State.

PAGE 58—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015 sam.eyoboka@gmail.com

08023145567 (sms only)

We rejected politicians'money — Uche, Methodist Prelate • 'How to kick out bad leaders' Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche, in this interview,warns politicians not to give the military any chance to form an interim government. Excerpts...

The Church has become a place where politicians go to curry favours. Do you see this as a healthy development?

It is not! I saw some hungry pastors on television who want to make money.

Somebody wanted to address us in our convention held weeks ago, and there was a promise that they were going to pay about 80 per cent of the bill, which ran into N50 million. And if I had agreed, they would have come to my house and dropped the money. I said ‘No. The climate is not favourable. Don’t come. I don’t want any party here. Stop that, if we don’t have money we will drink garri. After all we are going for prayer.’ I rejected it and they were not happy. For me, integrity matters more than money. I cannot sacrifice my name for money. My name is of more value in the presence of God, before God and before humanity. Now they are saying that pastors were given N6 billion. I sleep well because it doesn’t concern me. You can’t trace a kobo to my pocket. It depends on who is a pastor. You know now, there is no job in Nigeria. And people who are failures, when they move around, it is easy to go to a bookshop or a collaring factory, buy collars, buy a coat and a shirt and wear a chain like me. And most of them are regional, general and all these things.

Some of them answer Rt. Rev. Prof. Dr. (laughter).

At a recent meeting, we spoke with one voice and decided that no Christian youth should involve in thuggery. Go and vote, exercise your franchise and go home; we are not going to kill. You know, we have suffered a lot. When we were deliberating, there were some film clips we watched, and we were weeping. You see where a

Dr. Samuel Kanu Uche Christian man is brought before his family and slaughtered as a goat, and dismembered just because he is a Christian. They are saying insurgency is not religious. How is it not religious when you are selective? If you go to Borno State, the nine local governments affected are all Christian local governments. Why? I don’t want to read their minds; maybe they don’t want Christians to cast their votes.

That is how I look at it. Truth is bitter. May be they don’t want Christians to cast their votes so that when they come no Christian should be voted for. You don’t advocate that anybody should be treated badly on the basis of religion. You hear of somebody who has stolen money and he now goes to the public and makes sure he gives salt and rice and you vote for him. You

,

What are the things that bother you when you see political happenings in Nigeria?

What bothers me most is the radicalism and immaturity on the part of Nigerian politicians. They don’t seem to be matured; they behave like infants. In fact, if you look at their campaigns---there is what we call in psychology infantile aggression---that is what they are manifesting. These people don’t see themselves as servants of the people. They see themselves as masters; and they see themselves as the owners of Nigeria. It will be foolishness on my part to think that Methodist Church Nigeria belongs to me because God has given me the privilege of being the number one person and the leader of the entire people. I am leading people that are professionals in various professions counting in millions. I cannot deceive myself that I am their boss. I see myself as their servant and I behave myself as their servant. That is why we consult before we do anything. Some people believe if they don’t rule Nigeria everything will disintegrate. Some people are sponsoring Boko Haram because they want to cause confusion so that the elections do not hold. Why are they doing so? God will expose everything at the end of the day. I am not impressed. They know the situation was dicey. In fact, the postponement of the elections was a prayer answered because most of us were fasting and praying. If elections had held at that time, there would have been bloodshed. I believe that tempers are cooling down now; and some people are coming to their senses.

If I issue a paper and say all Methodists come to the street; don’t eat for one month; and another religious leader does it and another Islamic leader does it, there will be commotion? Even the leaders will run away

,

mortgage your future and the future of your children. It is not fair; people are hungry and I am sorry, it has gone to every profession.

Do you also agree that clergymen should not take side with any political party?

In Methodist Church, we came up with a decision during our Bishops Conference in 2011 when we said that any Methodist minister that wants to go into partisan politics should first resign; give us a letter of resignation. I have reverend ministers who are either in the Education Board or Pilgrims Board or sometimes State Radio, somebody who will be a Chaplain. I do recommend them and they go to serve; but it is not their main profession; they are giving a church; the only benefit is that when they go to serve and we know they are there, we only give them allowance.

That saves the church some money. But you cannot go and carry card and be partisan. If you do it, that day I will invite you to my office and force you to resign, that is our policy.

There are talks about interim government. Should there be another postponement will that be justification for formation of an interim government?

Elections cannot be scuttled. Every other thing may be sacrosanct, but that of governorship or governance is not. If you look at the constitution, there is a provision that where there is a stalemate, that the incumbent can continue for six months.

That is what is provided in the constitution.

So, I don’t think that there will be an interim administration. People are gearing for that. I have privileged information, many months before it was made public. And at the circle where we discuss is a mixture of intellectuals not only

Christians. It was mentioned and we said it is a very retrogressive step. We don’t want interim government because it means that soldiers will come or police. We don’t want it. We should pray that election holds on March 28. The politicians are to blame if there is interim government. If we unite as leaders in Nigeria, Christians, Muslims we can take away any government. I don’t know if you are conversant with what happened in Egypt. The Egyptians demonstrated it. So we can say no. Nobody has a monopoly of problems. As I am sitting now in this place, do you think that if I issue a paper and say all Methodists, men, women, young men come to the street; don’t eat for one month; and another religious leader does it and another Islamic leader does it, there will be commotion? Even the leaders will run away. But the point is that they say that Nigerians are the happiest people in the world. They smile and they laugh and they dance under suffering. That’s what people have said, that Nigerians are the happiest people even when they are dying they are dancing and singing. So, that is the problem we have; but we can say no. We can say enough is enough. We can say it.

But I am not calling for insurrection; people should allow polls go on and let votes count and let there be no manipulation. If it goes this way just allow it, if it goes the other way just allow it; whoever emerges let him rule. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Nigeria is ours but you know another problem we have in this country is illiteracy.

What is your assessment of the performance of INEC so far?

For me, when Jega won my heart as a lover of the Lord in 2011, was during the election which was adjudged as credible.

He conducted an election in Anambra that is controlled by APGA. In Ekiti that was controlled by APC and in Edo under Oshiomhole, he conducted the elections on a free and fair basis. What people don’t know is that Israel has grown to 8.5 million and some of these West African countries are less than two million; but that somebody is organising elections for this country that is up to 60-70 million is not easy. They are doing their best. They have produced so many cards but the problem is distribution. I heard that some PVCs were stolen. I don’t know by whom.

I heard that there was double or triple registration. If they are truthful to themselves they should know who the people are.

Some within the Christian circle believe that the way to check threats of islamising the country is to have a Christian occupy the presidency. What is your take on that?

A Nigerian is a Nigerian. What determines vote in this country is the counting of ballot paper and scores. I lived in Kano for two years and all my security men were Muslims. I am not going to campaign on the bases of religion. Let the best candidate win. I don’t need to determine the best candidate, Nigeria will determine the best candidate. It is basic for us to live together. That is why when I preached on the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, I said nobody can islamise Nigeria and nobody can christianize Nigeria.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 59

B

ELOVED Chris tian: stop evaluat ing yourself after the flesh. For the man or woman of God, it no longer matters whether he or she is good looking or tall or smart or rich or poor. Those distinctions of the flesh are vain and of no importance whatsoever to God. In the new life of the spirit, such superficial distinctions are done away with: “In this new life one's nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing.

Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and he is equally available to all.” (Colossians 3:11).

Spiritual supremacy In the final analysis, all the knowledge of man is useless. The knowledge of man is irrelevant vis-à-vis the knowledge of God. God is the one: “who turns wise men backward, and makes their knowledge foolishness.” (Isaiah 44:25). Paul correctly contends that the knowledge of God surpasses knowledge. (Ephesians 3:19). Therefore, he warns Timothy to disdain the knowledge of men: “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge.” (I Timothy 6: 20).

God is contemptuous of every achievement of the flesh. The knowledge of man is so inconsequential that it will soon become irrelevant and will vanish away: “Where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part

ALL FLESH IS GRASS (2) and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.” (1 Corinthians 13:8-9). Indeed, all the highfalutin knowledge that we spend all our life studying and acquiring will become completely useless and of no consequence whatsoever in the after-life.

How can the natural man understand the word of God? How can ignorant man acquire the knowledge of God? Which university would he have to enrol in? Which curriculum would he have to follow?

Nicodemus, for you to be able to understand the things of God, you are going to have to be born again.

You are going to have to be born of the Spirit and then start learning all over again from the spiritual kindergarten.

Everything about the New Testament believer is going to be of the spirit. Then the Lord is going to have to teach us by himself. Jesus says: “It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.” (John 6:45).

Flesh counts for nothing

Adam could not retain his inheritance. Samson could not retain his strength. Solomon became foolish in his wisdom The Lord asked me a question. He said: “Femi if I were to give you a trillion dollars, where would you keep it; how would you spend it?” In order for the Lord to give us stupendous wealth, certain fundamental issues would have to be addressed first. When God gave an incredible real estate (the entire planet earth) to Adam, the thief easily took it away from him. He did not even have to fight Adam, or put a gun to his head. He just conned him out of it. He deceived Eve and Eve persuaded Adam.

Thus, the devil boasted to Jesus that Adam’s inheritance was now his: “The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, ‘I will give you all their authority and splendour, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.’” (Luke 4:5-6).

When God put super-human strength in Samson, it only took Delilah to get it from him. Thanks to Deli-

lah, the Philistines found out the source of his strength.

They cut off his hair and plucked out his eyes. Samson ended up as a slave; treading corn. Do you know how Samson triumphed over his enemies? He had to die. Samson was the first suicide bomber. He killed many more Philistines in his death than he did in his life.

He triumphed over his enemies by laying down his life.

When God gave Solomon wisdom, such as he had never given to any man, Solomon soon became one of the most foolish men that ever lived. Solomon had: “700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.” (I Kings 11:34).

Spiritual banking

$50,000 DONATION: CANAN denies Musa Dikwa's claim

By CALEB AYANSINA BUJA NIGERIAN Christians in the US under the aegis of Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, challenged selfacclaimed pastor and controversial executive director of Voice of Northern Christian Movement, one Musa Alli Kallamu Dikwa, to substatiate his allegation that the $50,000 it donated to victims of Boko Haram Islamic sect in the North East were “diverted and hijacked by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

While describing the allegation as untrue, the organization said it had documents showing that the money which was delivered to the national secretariat of CAN “in a couple of batches between late 2013 and early 2014”, got to the victims.

Dikwa had alleged that out of the N7 billion which, he said, was offered by President Goodluck Jonathan to Christians to campaign for his re-election, each state chapter of CAN got N3 million, while the $50,000 released by CANAN for victims of

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into First Bank and ask for $1,000 even if the money is in your account. You have to follow standard banking procedures concerning cheque withdrawals. Similarly, unless you understand kingdom dynamics, you will not be able to convert your spiritual blessings into physical blessings.

insurgency in the North East were not disbursed to them by CAN. A statement issued from New York on Wednesday by the executive director of CANAN, Pastor Laolu Akande, entitled: “Our $50,000 donation to terror victims in Nigeria and other adjoining issues”, therefore challenged Dikwa to “be prepared to provide solid proof of such claims, without which he should not be taken seriously both by the media and the society at large.”

The statement reads: “We have read with shock and surprise media reports raising questions regarding the contribution of $50,000 donated by us, the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN to victims of Boko Haram violence in Nigeria through CAN. There have been a number of media inquiries both here in the US and from Nigeria on the matter.

“CANAN therefore states as follows that: We certainly contributed the said sum to the victims and entrusted CAN with the distribution of the funds to the victims.

There was no better means to distribute the money to the victims.

“We delivered the money to CAN in a couple of batches between late 2013 and early 2014.

“From time to time, the Secretary-General of CAN, Rev. Musa Asake, (with whom our national secretariat co-ordinated, himself a US-trained Ph.D holder from the prestigious Dallas Theological Seminary, here in the US), gave us reports of how the money was distributed to the victims.

“So far, for instance, no less than 1,000 victimswidows and their children in Borno State alone received N10,000 eachper widow; from the donation, according to detailed reports we got from CAN. These reports include names, signatures and telephone numbers of all the beneficiaries.

“Equally, a total of N1.5 million was released to the Gwoza Christian Community to help refugees from over 60 villages driven out of their homes by terrorist activities. We have written testimonials from the Gwoza Christian refugee community.

“There are also victims from Yobe, Kaduna, Kano and Nyanya blast victims who have been blessed through the donation from CANAN. We have details.

“CANAN is in possession of signed documents by the victims, local Christian leaders and pastors who played one role or the other in the deployment of these funds. All these people are still alive and can be asked by whoever still has any doubts about how this fund is being spent.

“CANAN warmly commends the honesty and professional approach of Dr. Musa Asake, the Secretary-General of CAN, especially in the way he has managed the deployment of the funds.

“CANAN leadership has also physically met some of the victims who benefitted from the donation. Besides, we have actually in the last two years produced video testimonials from some of the victims by sending our own videographers to conduct on the spot interviews including at some of the refugee camps. Some of these videos are a big hit on YouTube currently.”

In short, Adam could not retain his inheritance. Samson could not retain his strength. Solomon became foolish in his wisdom. If God gives riches to Adamic man, the thief will steal it from him. He will retain the riches with his flesh and in his flesh. He will keep the riches in earthly places: “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19).

But from the foundations of the earth, God always had a better plan. Let me put this in graphic detail as I have come to understand it at the feet of Jesus. God says: “I’m going to get you a bank, and it is a spiritual bank. The thief cannot steal anything I give you in that bank. He cannot kill anything that is deposited in that bank. He cannot destroy anything that is in the vault of that bank. Since it is a spiritual bank, it is completely outside his area of operation.

As long as your inheritance is placed in the spiritual bank of Jesus Christ, it is secure and impregnable.”

As there are certain physical laws governing physical banking transactions, so are there spiritual laws governing spiritual banking transactions. You don’t just walk

Eternal life Then God says: “I have to ensure that you have the absorptive capacity to enjoy the wealth I have for you. I don’t want you to be subject to the limitations of the flesh, which would mean you would only enjoy it for 80 or maybe 120 years. I want you to be able to enjoy it forever. So I’ve got to give you eternal life. That way, you would not be limited by time.”

“But I cannot give you eternal life in the flesh, because all flesh is grass. All flesh must grow old and die.

In order for me to give you eternal life, you have to be born of the Spirit. While the flesh grows old and dies from day to day, the youth of the spirit is continually renewed like the eagle’s.

(Psalm 103:5).

Although Sarah was an 80 year-old woman, kings fought over her. She did not need a face-lift for this to happen. She did not need cosmetic breast-enlargement. She did not need false nails and false eyelashes.

One thing is needful and that one thing is Christ.

(Luke 10:42). Jesus says: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.”(John 3:5).

Dame Fashola, Dosunmu bag Catholic Award

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AGOS State First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola, the Erelu of Lagos, Abimbola Dosunmu, the Dean of Maryland Deanery, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Fadairo, former Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Gold Oruh, Mr. K.B. Anthony and over 100 members of the Lagos Archdiocese have been nominated for the 2015 Lagos Archdiocese Laity Week Award.

A press release by the group stated that the awardees have been selected from their respective parishes, one from each parish from the over 138 parishes in the archdiocese after careful scrutiny by the committee set up by the Archbishop of Lagos.

The event scheduled for Sunday, March 15, by 10.30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland will start with the Holy Mass to be celebrated by the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins.

The chairperson, Maryland Deanery (host deanery) Lady Oge Egwu said the awardees were selected from their different parishes to receive the award reserved for lay faithful, the religious and the clergies who distinguished themselves

2015 polls will be peaceful, says Fufeyin

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ARRI - PROPHET Jeremiah Fufeyin, founder, Christ Mercy Land Deliverance Ministries, Effurun, Delta State, has predicted a peaceful presidential election, advising panic-stricken Nigerians to be prayerful, reports EGUFE YAFUGBORHI. Speaking at a special service on Sunday, Fufeyin insisted that the exercise will be devoid of security challenges.

The cleric who lauded the Nigerian military for the ongoing offensive against Boko Haram insurgents, said: “I am seeing the end of the insurgents. They will be brought to their knees before the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

“I have been praying fervently for a hitch-free exercise and God revealed to me during my 43rd birthday that the election will be peaceful and his anointed son would be elected president. What we are experiencing now is just manifestation of God’s wish,” he said.

PAGE 60—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

I see myself as Nigeria’s cultural ambassador — The Venus Bushfires

By PRISCA SAM-DURU INTERVIEW

The Venus Bushfires with real name Helen Parker-Jayne Isibor was born in Ibadan and grew up in Benin City. At 7, her father, a senior medical consultant and mother, a storybook author, moved to London where she spent much of her childhood, adolescent and adult years.

With a degree in Communications and Media Studies from the Brunel University in the UK, Helen began a musical career that has taken her around the world. In this interview, the elegant and gifted artiste shares so much about herself, career and African Music. Excerpts: Introduction? have performed with Sir Paul McCartney, Miley Cyrus and have composed music for some of the world’s biggest brands such as Sony, Christian Dior, Disney, BBC to name a few. I have also created

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music for the World Health Organisation’s international anti ebola-campaign, HRH Prince of Wales as well as films and television programmes.

I have written and composed the first ever pidgin opera called ‘Song Queen: A Pidgin Opera’ which will debut in London this summer and will be performed in Lagos this December. I’m so happy and excited that the wonderful people of Lagos will get to enjoy this opera. It’s ground breaking and celebrates all that is good about this great nation.

How did you become a musician?

I had a lot of encouragement from my parents. As a child, they always bought me books and cassettes or CDs simultaneously and when they could see I had a real gift and talent, they were full of joy and encouraged me to share it with the world. My mum used to come with me to all my shows in Europe during the beginning of my career and my dad would be buying drinks for my fans too.

Growing up in Benin City, we listened to lots of King Sunny Ade, Fela, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Sade,

Jimmy Hendrix, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. My siblings and I would always have dancing and singing competitions and that’s when I started really getting inspired to become a performer. We’re all quite musically gifted and my sister Martina Isibor has starred in The Lion King which is one of the longest running and most successful theatrical productions.

When did you begin music professionally?

I began music professionally when I was 11 years old. That was my first paid performance and it was at my mother’s friend’s wedding. Since then everyday has been an opportunity to learn more about my craft and to develop interesting ways of presenting it to audiences.

Relationship?

I’ve just got engaged to my fiancé and manager Baba Epega.

He set up his events company EMC3 here is Ikoyi a year ago.

God has used music to bless my life in so many ways. We met at my concert at Fulham Palace and have travelled the world together from Brazil to Benin City with my music and his events.

Your kind of music seems unique, what inspired this music genre?

I wrote my current self titled album ‘The Venus Bushfires’ while traveling and performing

nantly of steel and looks a little like an unidentified flying saucer. When I first heard it I thought it was the sound of a hundred angels speaking in unison. My favourite thing about performing is seeing the joy and amazement of the faces of the audience. It really warms my heart and gives me inspiration and encouragement.

So how did you get it?

The hang was invented by a Swiss-German couple and was inspired by African, Caribbean and Asian instruments too. I heard it while I was on holiday in Spain.

The person I heard playing it was very secretive about the instrument so I started doing research into it • Helen Parker-Jayne Isibor (r) with Tunde Jegede as soon as I got home. I learnt that during the last New Horizon concert it was a very rare instrument and that very few people owned one. I in 3 different continents - Africa, them. sent countless faxes one after the Europe and the USA. My music For instance, In song 1 other to the inventors and after a genre which I call Afro Folklore ‘Hassina’s Ghost’ it’s about over- few days they wrote back and asked is a reflection of me and my ex- coming past fears and turning me to come to their home and workperiences. I consider my taste in setbacks into successes. In song shop in Bern, Switzerland. I had music, fashion and art to be dy- 2 ‘Last Winter ’s Sparrow’, I’m an office job and I asked my boss namic so the music I create and singing about a sparrow that for a few days off so that I could how I dress reflect this. My mu- wished it was an eagle. It’s make the journey to acquire the insic has been inspired by musi- about seizing every opportunity strument. My boss said no. It was cians such as Fela Kuti, Miriam in life, having faith and confi- at that moment that I had to take a Makeba, Nina Simine, Kate dence in ourselves and realis- leap of faith for my dream to beBush, Jimmy Hendrix and many ing that it’s never too late to come a full time musician. I deothers. These artistes were not make a positive change...In cided to quit my job so that I could afraid to be different and they song 6 ‘Carry The Tribe’ I’m cel- go and get the instrument. It was a were all pioneering in their own ebrating the collective, the tribe tough but bold decision to make. I way. This really inspires me to and saying that everyone plays don’t believe that God would put be more fearless in my approach an integral part in each tribe’s this instrument in front of my eyes to writing songs and performing survival and ability to flourish. without giving me a way to obtain And the hang? that’s it. Lo and behold, soon after I got strange, how did you come my very own hang the inventors about it? decided to stop making the instruMy music genre I play a number of percussive ment and there was a waiting list instruments and the ‘hang’ is of 50,000 people. That’s how I know which I call Afro probably the most unusual. It’s that God wanted me to create muFolklore is a made in Bern, Switzerland by a sic with this instrument. In fact, couple called Felix and Sebine. when I was given the instrument reflection of me No doubt the instrument was the inventors told me that they were inspired by African drums and so excited that the hang would be and my taste in notably, the Trinidadian steel played in Africa. music, fashion and pan. I play the only hang in Af- Is it really necessary for It’s been very exciting to your kind of music? art to be dynamic rica. introduce my brand of meditaYes! When I create music with the tive and melodic Afro Folk hang my voice and the instrument so the music I sound. The hang is a percussive are the most important thing and create and how I instrument but it sounds more every other element fits around like a harp. It is made predomi- them. dress reflect this For a young lady one expects you to be a hip pop or R & B artiste, why did you choose this music genre?

I think there is space for all sorts of different artists. I enjoy being to the seat of Governor at NADECO. original and knowing that there is Alausa Ikeja, all the intrigues Ogundipe said, “it is a lu- no one doing music quite like how that saw him winning the cid and engaging ideogra- I’m doing it in the world. It gives election and as well as some phy that talked about, not me an opportunity to show another of his ground breaking only his good qualities and side of our culture so I relish that. records, programmes and poli- achievements alone but his What does music mean to cies he instituted during his weakness inclusive. It talked you?

Music is everything to me. I am a stay as a governor. It also pro- about his significant role in vides a useful insight into the the struggle of building a musician when I perform, I am a background that shaped a solid democracy in the coun- musician when I eat and I am a political figure that has come try and detailing some dra- musician when I sleep so I don’t to represent progressive poli- matic aspects of his life; like see a separation between myself tics in Nigeria and a particu- the move to escape Gen. and my music. I understand music lar relevance at this juncture Abacha’s assassination at- is the vessel for which God has in the country’s political de- tempt, the controversies that given me to share his message. velopment, such like his sup- surround his academic cer- Sometimes I am inspired to write a song, I don’t know where the portive role in financing tificate and the sour relation- words or melody is coming from. I ship between him and his just feel that it is coming from God former deputy governor and and my job is to document it and also, the truce about encour- share it.

Pathfinder chronicles the life and politics of Tinubu

By JAPHET ALAKAM BOOK NEWS

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siwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been given all sorts of names, but one thing that remains sacrosanct is that he is a man of many colours with fascinating feats credited to his transitory journey from childhood to the current time.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu is an institution full of intrigues and complexities and that was what inspired this concise x-ray into his life, achievements and political journey by Taiwo Ogundipe, a veteran journalist and author of yet another incisive book, The Hurricane, a biography of Gen. Murtala Muhammed.

Pathfinder is a detailed well researched biography of the early years and education of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his professional career as an accountant, his political activities and two term tenure as Governor of Lagos State. The book which is published by Top

Seal communication will be launched this month March to coincide with Asiwaju’s birthday.

According to the author, “He is somebody I found fascinating right from his very early and active period in politics.

Interestingly, he is one man noted to have struggled with the Abacha regime during the June 12 saga, coupled with intimate and very insightful information about his efforts and struggles and the affliction he faced during that period.”

Ogundipe said, he wrote the book to highlight the essential Tinubu, document his struggles and accomplishments and show the value of his political wizardry especially in the context of nation building, believing the work will enhance the study of Nigeria democracy by researches who will be interested in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

In the book, the author narrates about Tinubu’s journey

aging the street touts known as Area Boys.” He also mentioned that most of the information that is not in the public see is detailed in the book. he author mentioned that considering that he is still alive, there’s carefulness in details without excessive poetic license in the work.

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I have an initiative called Just A Day where I use music through expressive arts workshops I design to educate and train company executives, individuals and children in schools.

Through these creative workshops I am able to engage people and help then learn in a way

Continues on page 61

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 61 japhdave@yahoo.com 08066625505

Bisi Silva heads 10th Bamako Encounters tion for the Arts, Missouri; and CCA, Lagos (2012–13), J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere: Moments of Beauty, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki (2011); and others. She was one of the curators for the Dak’Art Biennale, Senegal (2006). A frequent participant in international conferences and symposia, Silva has published in journals and art magazines including Artforum, Third Text, The Exhibitionist, and

By JAPHET ALAKAM PHOTOGRAPHY

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igerian born Bisi Silva, an independent curator and the founder/director of Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos (CCA),Lagos has been appointed the Artistic Director of the 10th Bamako Encounters, African Biennale of Photography.

The appointment was made by the Ministry of Culture, Mali and Institut français. The 10th Bamako Encounters, African Biennale of Photography, is scheduled to hold from 31 October to 31 December 2015.

For the 10th Edition of the Bamako Encounters titled TELLING TIME, Silva plans to explore the complex and multifaceted relationship between images and time, taking both the country’s rich tradition of storytelling and its recent political upheavals as points of departure. “Mali is an extraordinary country,” Silva observes.

“Since my first visit to Bamako in 2001, the city has animated my understanding of photography’s vital role in exploring notions of time•\be it from an aesthetic, political, or theoretical perspective. The Bamako Encounters is the most important platform for African photography and I am honoured by the opportunity to draw on the working relationships with artists and organisations in the city as well as from across the continent, that I have built over the years. I plan to develop a robust programme that highlights local practices, and situates them within continental and global contexts.”

Regarding Bisi Silva’s appointment, the biennale’s Executive Director Samuel Sidibé

I m ambassador of Nigeria’s music, art— The Venus Bushfires Continued from page 60 that is exciting, relaxing and enjoyable. I use music to teach about good citizenship, develop communication skills and emotional intelligence, team building and leadership skills. I have designed and facilitated workshops for HRH The Prince of Wales and the workshops I have designed have been used in Nigeria, the UK, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

What’s your take on African music?

African music is so vast and varied. Many things make me excited at the moment. I love how fashion and art are playing a stronger role. I have a fashion line called The Venus Bushfires that is also available from my website. I’m known almost as well for my fashion as my music. I am more interested in listening to live music than synthesised instruments.

•Bisi Silva, set for the job

Bisi plans to explore the complex and multifaceted relationship between images and time, taking both the country’s rich tradition of story telling and its recent political upheavals as points of departure remarks, “The forthcoming edition of the biennale marks the tenth anniversary of this important event. We look forward to both working with Bisi Silva on the realisation of her exciting vision for the next biennale, and to the possibilities the event offers for future generations of African photographers.”

Bisi Silva co-curated The Progress of Love, a transcontinental collaboration between the Menil Collection, Houston; Pulitzer Founda-

ArtsouthAfrica. Most recently, she edited the comprehensive monograph, J.D. ‘Okhai Ojeikere published by CCA, Lagos (2014). iennale of African Photog raphy was founded in 1994, it is collaboratively produced and organised by Mali’s Ministry of Culture and Institut Français. The biennale is the first and principal international platform dedicated to African photography and lensbased media on the continent. In its aim to promote and assess photography-based practices from local and international perspectives, the Bamako Encounters operates as a platform for presenting artwork and cultivating professional relationships among artists, curators, art historians, collectors, and the public more broadly. In addition to its emphasis on engaging local cultural centres, galleries, foundations, and schools, the biennale routinely collaborates with international foundations and cultural organisations to position Bamako as an important site for analysing and sharing recent developments in lens-based media.

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Akachi Ezeigbo, Oni, Ododo, others for Pa Adelugba memorial seminar

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he Dapo Adelugba Group and UI Theatre Arts Alumni under the leadership of Prof. Duro Oni invite all theatre lovers to a seminar in honour of the memory of the erudite theatre director and scholar, great teacher and mentor, Professor Dapo Adelugba (aka”Uncle D/ Baba D”) who passed on at the age of 75 on November 23, 2014.

The seminar with the theme: Dapo Adelugba: Remniscences on a Distinguished life will take place on Monday 9th March, 2015, at Afe Babalola Auditorium, University of Lagos. Time: 11 am to 2 pm.

The seminar which is on the occasion of his 76th birthday on March 9, 2015, of the man, who aside being a distinguished theatre teacher and practitioner was also a ‘father’ and mentor to many practitioners and scholars across disciplines in the humanities in the country today will be graced by many distinguished scholars. Among them include:

Prof. Akachi Ezeigbo, Writer, English Lecturer, UNILAG; Odia Ofeimun, Poet, Literature Activist ;Alhaji Wasee Kareem - CEO ZMIRAGE Multimedia Company; Prof. Sunday Ododo - President Society of Nigeria Theatre Artists, SONTA; Lecturer Univ. of Maiduguri; Ben Tomoloju, Playwright, Director; Culture Communicator;Longley Evru - Theatre Artiste, CEO, Angels Communications;Tade Adekunle — ExPresident, Nat. Assoc. of Nigeria Theatre Practitioners, NANTAP and Prof.

Duro Oni — Deputy Vice Chancellor (Establishment services), University of Lagos. orn on March 9, 1939, Adelugba studied English at the University College, Ibadan. While at the university, apart from taking part in a lot of productions such as Wole Soyinka’s Swamp Dwellers, where he acted as the Blindman , he was president of University College, Ibadan Dramatic Society, where he adapted Moliere’s ‘Les Fourberies de Scapin’ (The Trickeries of Scapin) to ‘That Scoundrel Suberu’.

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Twis es wistted celebrat celebrates Nigeria’s exploits in print

By JAPHET ALAKAM REVIEW

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ne of the greatest dis coveries about the country Nigeria is that despite the challenges facing Nigeria, it is reported that they are the happiest people in the world. This was arrived at, following the results of a scientific survey carried out in 65 nations in 1999-2001.

Nigeria has a rich literary history, and Nigerians have authored many influential works of post-colonial literature in the English language. Nigeria’s best-known writers are Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature and Chinua Achebe, the legendary writer best known for the novel, Things Fall Apart and his controversial critique of Joseph Conrad and others.

Nigeria has the second largest newspaper market in Africa (after Egypt) with an estimated circulation of several million copies daily in 2003. In the area of fashion and beauty, Nigerian beauties have taken the world by storm, excelling in such beauty contests as M-Net Face of Africa and Miss World Beauty Pageant.

The Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) is not left out as it is bubbling with a variety of talents on daily basis, and is currently the 3rd largest movie industry in the world after Hollywood (USA) and Bollywood (India). espite, the exploits of Nigerians in many fields, it is only the negative side that has received much attention. It is in response to these, that Dr. Kennedy Obohwemu came out with the novel Twisted. The 400 pages book published by First Edition Design Publishing (USA) is a novel that appreciates the exploits recorded in recent

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years. With an exceptionally memorable cover image designed by multiple award-winning cover art expert, Tatiana Fernandez (USA), the medical doctor turned author in the 15 chapters thriller delves into the ever fascinating world of modelling and beauty pageants, and with a touch of class draws attention to Nollywood and the tourism potentials of the country. It is a thriller, provocative, compelling and sensual, one whose characters are designed to operate in an atmosphere of gruelling suspense, intrigue, love, sex, betrayal, violence, murder, such that readers are strapped into an unforgettable experience from opening page to shattering climax!

‘Twisted’ is a blockbuster novel that spans three genres: mystery, suspense and romance. It is devoid of offensive language, crassness, obscenity and extreme vulgarity such that the younger au-

dience could explore its contents without their guardians expressing fear of untoward effects.

The novel is unique for its incredibly complex plot, a suspenseful story, with re-

markable twists and turns.

The plot and subplots are designed to tickle your senses, place you on a high, knock you out and ultimately leave you breathless!

It is important to understand that the premise for this novel is centered on a character that lived all his life abroad. Everything about Mofe was foreign: his ideas, his ideals, his fantasies! He believed in the American dream and he lived out that dream.

America made him who he was and he would always be grateful to America. The young man made exploits overseas, and he hardly visited his own country. o many outsiders Af rica remains a complex conundrum, and a good number of our citizens out there are unwilling to return home. This is largely due to reports often received from the media — civil wars, dictatorships, poverty, and all the other favourite stereotypes of Africa in the press.

Mofe’s homecoming was necessitated by the death of his father. And by a gradual process of self-discovery, he got to realise that his motherland was a gold mine in itself.

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This novel is a compelling story that captures the intensity of living, loving and creating a family in today ’s

Twisted; Dr. Kennedy Obohwemu ; First Edition Design Publishing (USA); 2014; PP. 400 world. A richly textured material that astounds the imagination, ‘Every Time We Meet’ leaves you spell-bound and ultimately makes your heart pound faster with each page.

The story captures the very essence of human relationship, the ability to sow a seed in the life of the person next to you.

It brings that bond to the center stage in a real life situation, and admits how incredibly complex and how conflicting the images could be.

Though it was not specifically written for the younger ones, but the novel is suitable for adolescents and adults alike. It is a novel for everyone to read and enjoy, irrespective of age, social class or religious inclination.

Whether young or old, single or married, you’ll find this novel a most worthy companion.

PAGE 62, SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 8, 2015

FA Cup clash crucial for Man. United, Arsenal, says coach

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FEELING FREE... Brown Ideye bring smiles and tears of joy to friends and family

Ideye: My mum cried over my success B

ROWN Ideye is living large at West Brom after an initial spell of bad form, which threatened his place at the club. But the storm is over so it seems and Ideye takes a look back to how it all began and revealed that his mother who had opposed his football calling cried tears of joy.

It is quite some turnaround given she banned him from playing the game as a 14-yearold through fears he would get caught up with criminal gangs on the streets of Lagos. After his father Joel died, she even sent him to her sister’s remote village in Bayelsa State to keep him from football and, as she saw it, trouble.

“My mum stopped me going out with my friends. She was upset.

Each time I told her I wanted to play football she would say, “No you’re going to be with your friends.

Had she got her way all those years ago, however, Ideye would not be a Premier League player. ‘It’s hard growing up in Lagos,’ he says.

‘There is always a story to tell in a city like that.

My friends were involved in crazy stuff.

They were bad boys of the area. I was picked up once by the police,” Ideye told daily mail Unable to handle his son’s desire to play football, she had to send her away and that move

paved way for Ideye to team up with Ocean Boys.

“I went to Bayelsa State then Ocean Boys. Then bam, bam, bam.’

The bams are Neuchatel Xamax in Switzerland, Sochaux in France, and Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, where he scored 33 goals in 74 games and earned most of his 24 Nigeria caps.

Once he had signed professional forms, Ideye patched up his relationship with his mum. Tears flowed.

“When I got the contract in Switzerland I went back home, sat with my family and had breakfast, dinner, lunch, everyone happy.

“Afterwards she called me into her room and said, “I’m sorry about

everything, your dad is late and I am the only person who can guide you. I looked at what your friends were doing and believed if I left you that is how you’d become.” I said, “I get that.” She started crying.

She could not believe she tried to stop me becoming what she is enjoying today.”

Rio 2016 Paralympics IPC competition,UAE: Babalola returns with medals, sets records

By Eddie Akalonu

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IGERIA’s paraathletics sprint star Hannah Babalola is making good of her dream to compete in the Rio 2016 Paralympics Games as she grabbed 9medals in two International Paralympic Committee Athletics competitions in the United Arab Emirates. In addition, Babalola also set two new African sprint records, one in the 100m T54 event and the 200m T54.

A breakdown shows that she triumphed in the 100m with gold and a new African record, gold in 200m, silver in 400m, and 800m T54 class and silver in the 800m T54 class respectively at the 7th Fazaa International Athletics Competition February 20 to 27 2015 in

Dubai. By the same token she was first in the 100m and 200m and new African record, silver in 400m and 1,500m and bronze in the 800m. At the 5th Sharjah IPC Athletics championships held February 27th and 28.th..

“I have gained a lot competing against top athletes from all over the world,” she told Sports Vanguard shortly after her return from both competitions.

ORMER Arsenal coach, Terry Neill feels the FA Cup clash between Arsenal and Manchester United could define the season for both clubs.

Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Monday as they continue their quest to defend their FA Cup title, while United are looking to reach the last four for the first time since 2011.

Both sides have had plenty of ups and downs this season, Neill feels this match is a massive opportunity for both clubs.

“Make no mistake, this has become a huge game for both sides. In fact this could very well be 90 minutes that defines both teams’ seasons,” Neill told London24.

“Both United and

Real ready to offload Ronaldo

C

RISTIANO Ronaldo has been “sentenced” and won’t see out his contract with Real Madrid, claims a Spanish newspaper today.

Sport reports that Madrid president Florentino Perez has already started planning ahead for next season and remains unsure on Ronaldo’s future at the Bernabeu - with the 30-

Babalola in action

Ibadan hosts South west schools basketball championships Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and

By Eddie Akalonu

T

HE finals of 9th edition of the Southwest Private Secondary Schools Basketball Championship will hold at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan

from 10th – 14th March, 2015.

Zonal coordinator Dr. Steve Olarinoye said the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium is the venue of the the annual competition involving schools from

Arsenal have been inconsistent this season and it really is a game there for the taking – but it all depends on which team turns up on the night.

“United, of course, have the home advantage but we are now talking about a semi-final place being the prize and that should be a massive incentive for both sides.”

Arsene Wenger’s side are looking to become the first team to win the FA Cup in consecutive seasons since Chelsea in 2009 and 2010 but the Gunners have failed to win in their last ten visits to Old Trafford.

Their last win came in the league in 2006 but Neil feels things might just go Arsenal’s way this time.

Ondo States.

According to schedule of events, Marella International group of schools, Nickdel College and the University of Ife International school, qualified in the Male and Female categories respectively for Oyo State.

year-old to be sold this summer or the next.

His age, and the belief that the Portugal skipper is “past his best” are reportedly at the front of Perez’s mind. But he is also being advised by those close to the dressing room that an increasing amount of injuries - many forcing Ronaldo to play games in pain - will catch up with the Madrid number 7.

Economically, this summer is also likely to be the last time that the ten-time European Cup winners can sell the Ballon d’Or winner for anything approaching full value, with the player the wrong side of 30 and his contract running out in 2018.

Interestingly, Sport goes on to claim that Perez has earmarked Gareth Bale as Ronaldo’s successor - despite the Welshman asking to leave the Madrid club.

Bale reportedly asked “a few months ago” if he could leave the Bernabeu due to “a bad relationship with the Portuguese star and a lack of adaptation to Madrid.”

But Perez has refused to cash in on the indemand former Spurs man, seeing Bale as “the heir to Cristiano Ronaldo.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015, PAGE 63

African Juniors: Nigerian athletes on course for medal haul

By Ben Efe

T

HE African Junior Championships draw to a close today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with Nigeria in pole position to retain the overall winners title it won in the 2013 edition.

As at yesterday, the Nigerian juniors had amassed a total of 13 gold medals and topping the table. The men and women 4x100m relay teams yesterday added to the gold haul. The women quartet featuring Anikeme Alphonsus, Omotayo Bolaji, Blessing Adiakerehwa and Ese Brume won with 44.83 seconds, while the men featuring Thankgod Igube, Victor Peka, Chukwudi Olisakwe and Devine Oduduru won their race with 39.99 seconds.

And in today’s closing events they are hoping to round up with more medals from the 200m men and women.The 4x400 relays and women long jump which Nigeria is most likely to win.

In the 200m Divine Oduduru will be chasing a sprint double after clinching the gold in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.44seconds. Going into the 200m he had the fastest time of 20.86 seconds compared to his closest rival Ethiopia’s Gezahegn Ababu Feleke who has a personal best of 21.47.

In the women c a t e g o r y, P r a i s e Idamadudu is the girl to

with a point. Big defender Stephen Eze was also a pillar for Sunshine Stars.

The visitors went in search of an early goal, and they came close to finding one when Dayo Ojo unleashed a shot from the 35 metres, forcing a save from James Aiyeyeni.

Tunde Adeniji was unable to convert from close range in a bright opening 15 minutes for the Akure Gunners.

S

UPER Eagles attacker, Gbolahan Salami has revealed that the Serbian side, Red Star Belgrade have issues paying their players.

Salami, who left the Super Eagles camp in Dubai in January to seek fresh challenge at the Serbian league returned to his former club, Warri Wolves because the club could not meet his wage demands.

According to the former Shooting Stars striker, the Serbian side is broke.

“The reason I return is because of the issue of Money. I think the club Winning team... Oluwatobi Amusan (left) who won Nigeria’s first gold medal have the issue of paying and teammate Temidayo Osinbanjo celebrating the moment. players’ wages.

“Why would anyone beat in the race. She has 24.68 seconds who won that race with 11. 86 will expect me to be happy the best time of silver in the women be targeting her third 24.35secons and she will 100m with a time of gold medal, when she be challenged by Ethio- 1 1 . 8 3 s e c o n d s . takes to the long jump pia’s Tegest Tamangnu Alphonsus played sec- pit today alongside comYuma who has 24.45 ond fiddle to South Af- patriot, Mercy Abire. seconds. There is also rica’s Tamzyn Thomas Brume took the triple IGERIA striker Nigeria’s Aniekeme who ran 11.69. Ese jump gold with 13.16.

Odion Ighalo has Alphonsus with a time of Brume who was third in been nominated for the English Championship Player of the Month Award for February.

This is the second Continued from back cially now with the country’s team who won the 2013 FIFA U17 World page adrenalin pumping and Cup in the United Arab the home team charging Kick-off time at the to win their first game,” Emirates thus making 45,000-capacity Stade predicted Flying Eagles them one of the youngLeopold Sedar Senghor assistant coach Nduka est at this tournament.

“We know what is exis 5.30pm Nigerian time. Ugbade. pected of us and we The second Group A The Nigeria U20s have promised to do Nimatch between Cote rounded up their buildd’Ivoire and Congo will up for today ’s show- geria proud,” said skipfollow at the same venue. down with an early per Musa Muhammed, “Senegal have bigger morning workout at the a swash-bucking right players than us and they Stade Iba Mar Diop Sat- fullback who led the are a bit physical from urday with all 21 play- Golden Eaglets to a what I saw in one of ers fit and available for record fourth World Cup two years ago. their recent warm-up selection.

The Flying Eagles matches, so I expect a The squad boasts of bruising encounter espe- eight players from the preparations have in- •Ighalo cluded taking part in an invitational tournament in Abuja involving four of Nigeria’s top clubs his effort wide despite good The Blue Angels team play from Chima and the country’s U23 managed to create their Akas, Joseph Nathaniel team.

They won the six-team NIGERIA forward Kalu own chances as the half and Inyam. competition in style af- Uche was match winner progressed, coming close to The desperate Sharks ter drawing only their for his Spanish club Lefinding a way through were let down by the heavy vante when he scored the when debutant Bode downpour which started last game against the winning goal in a 2-1 country’s U23 team.

Daniel flicked his header to twenty minutes from time.

They also played two win over Eibar in La Liga Ifeanyi Inyam, who The chances dried up as test games against their Friday. couldn’t test Isah. The two the game entered the last The former Espanyol Ghanaian counterparts, teams failed to convert ten minutes. player scored the winner drawing the first 2-2 in chances that came their Despite the late Accra before they won in the 67th minute, when ways in a goalless first half incursions of the Blue the second 2-0 in Tema. the game was 1-1. at the Liberation Stadium.

He has now scored Angels, it was a happy Senegal, on the hand, Sharks continued to press ending for the Akure three goals in seven La the visiting team for the Gunners, who got a rounded up their build- liga games for struggling much needed goal in front positive result away from up with two confidence- Levante, who he joined boosting wins over of their fans. home.

Group B teams Zambia recently.

Ibrahim Salawu blazed The 32-year-old player and South Africa.

•Salami playing for a European club without earning something. I’m a National team player and that also matters.

“I returned to my club because I couldn’t endeavor the situation.

Am starting over again with my club [ Warri Wolves] to see if something good will come of it.”

Ighalo picked for award in England straight nomination of the

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Flying Eagles confront Senegal in AYC opener

Sunshine hold Sharks Continued from back page

Why I left Red Star Belgrade — Salami

Watford striker for the award.

Former Nigeria U20 skipper has continued his free-scoring form in February, notching six goals in five games which included winners against Blackburn Rovers and Brentford.

The ex-Udinese player will battle Derby County’s Tom Ince, Nottingham Forest midfielder Henri Lansbury and Leeds United goalkeeper Marco Silvestri for the award.

His coach, Jokanovic is nominated for manager of the month for guiding Watford to five victories in six matches last month.

Kalu Uche is match winner for Levante

•Uche has played for Neuchatel Xamax (Switzerland), WisBa Krakow (Poland), Espanyol, Almeria (Both in Spain), Al Rayyan, El Jaish (Qatar) and Kas1mpa_a (Turkey).

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 8, 2015

Flying Eagles confront Senegal in AYC opener The junior national team, the Flying Eagles will begin the quest for a seventh African Youth Championship title on

today when they take on host country Senegal in what is expected to be a bruising physical contest.

Continues on page 63

Bafana Bafana/Eagles have scores to settle — SAFA boss AAG qualifiers: •Garba

Nigeria blow away Gabon

By Ben Efe

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OUTH African Football Association president, Danny Jordan has revealed that the March 29 international friendly between the Bafana Bafana and the Super Eagles, will be a carry over from the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

South Africa are still searching for a big win after their hopes of addressing the lopsided results in favour of Nigeria failed in both legs of the Afcon qualifiers last year.

At the senior level Nigeria and South Africa have played 11 times.

The Super Eagles have won seven times, while Bafana Bafana have won just once, the other games ended in draws. The SAFA boss urged his country men not to miss the encounter as it will be another opportunity for them to set the records straight.

“The upcoming game will definitely be another grudge encounter and both countries’ coaches would like to put the record straight. Whenever the two nations clash, the entire country comes to a standstill, more so with a huge Nigerian community in South Africa, this will be another explosive clash.

“This is a match soccer fans must not miss,” Jordan stated in a press conference.

The last match involving the two nations was the last leg AFCON qualifier in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The South Africans were almost having their way with a two goal lead, but the Eagles rallied round to draw the game at 2-2. This was the match that caused the Eagles a place in the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea.

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IGERIA’s Under-23 team inched closer to qualification for the All African Games with a 2-0 win at the National Stadium in Abuja yesterday.

The team coached by Samson Siasia waited until the second half to kill off the game after the Gabonese soaked up the pressure. Defender Seun Oduduwa scored the first goal in the 68th minute, while Junior Ajayi sealed up the game in the dying minutes with well taken goal. The Under-23 Eagles won on 5-1 aggregate having beaten the Gabones 31 away.

Nigeria will now battle Zambia, who enjoyed a walkover against Mozambique in this round of the qualifiers.

Sunshine hold Sharks

A

disappointing Sharks FC were held to a 0-0 draw

by Sunshine Stars in a Nigeria Professional Football League clash at the Liberation Stadium yesterday.

Some wonderful goalkeeping from Isah Danladi also ensured that the Akure based team returned home

Continues on page 63 STALMATE: Oupa Manyisa of South Africa and Efe Ambrose of Nigeria compete for the ball during the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers in Uyo. The match ended 22

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Nobel-winning Archbishop (7-4) 5.Sailor (3) 7.Consumed (5) 8.Domesticates (5) 9.Ovum (3) 10.Electricity counting gadgets (6) 13.Highlander (4) 15.Poem (3) 17.One that contests (9) 20.Nigerian tribe (5) 22.Cereal (5) 24.Demoted (9) 27.Pig’s pen (3) 29.No one (4) 30.Sulks (6) 33.Away (3) 35.Presses (5) 36.Till (5) 37. Swine (3) 38. “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow” (11)

DOWN 1.Sleeping vision (5) 2.Possessor (5) 3.Tax (4) 4.Depressing (9) 5.Argentinian dance (5) 6.Wash lightly (5) 11.Greek letter (3) 12.Distress call (1-1-1) 14.English boy’s name (5) 16.Obstacle (3) 17.Bovine animal (3) 18.Mindfulness (9) 19.Alarm (5) 21.Help (3) 23.Village house (3) 25.Gnome (3) 26.Vast age (3) 27.Condescend (5) 28.Youthful (5) 31.Circular (5) 32.Trades (5) 34.Old Russian King (4)

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All Africa Games Qualifier Nigeria 2 Gabon FA CUP Bradford 0 Reading

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QPR Fixtures CAF U-20 Senegal Congo

EPL

Bayelsa El Kanemi Enyimba Giwa FC Ifeanyi Uba FC Taraba Wikki FA Cup Liverpool

NPFL

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Tottenham

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Lobi Stars Nasarawa Akwa Utd Abia Warriors Warri Wolves Rangers 3SC

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Blackburn

5:30pm

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