In death, Madiba pulls a joke on world leaders

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PDP CRISIS

Anxiety over Tukur as Jonathan meets Govs Lamido, Aliyu *National Chairman: I am not moved by sack plot

BY HENRY UMORU

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NXIETY enveloped the camp of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamangar Tukar, yesterday, as President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo prepared to meet with two rebel governors – Sule Lamido of Jigawa State and Babangida Aliyu of Niger Statetoday over their disagreement with the leadership of the ruling p a r t y .

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the meeting, scheduled to take place at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, will also have in attendance the Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih, as well as some leaders and stakeholders of the p a r t y .

Lamido and Aliyu had stayed back in the PDP after their five colleagues in the G7, the platform on which they fought the PDP leadership, defected to the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).

The five governors who defected are Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abdufatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano).

The meeting is a follow up to the one Jonathan and Sambo held last

From left: Former FCT Minister, Lt. Gen. Jerry Useni; former PDP Chairman, Engr. Bernabas Gemade; Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomen; SGF, Senator Pius Anyim; widow of Lar, Prof.

Mary Lar; Senate President, Senator David Mark, and others, during the commendation service for the founding Chairman of the PDP, Chief Solomon Lar, at the National Christian Centre, Abuja. yesterday.

Photo by Abayomi Adeshida.

Sunday with the governors elected on the platform of PDP where problems affecting the party were raised, but there was no consensus, especially as it came after the defection of the five of the governors in the G7 to the APC. The Tukur camp is said to be jittery ahead of today’s meeting because of the condition given by the rebel governors that the PDP National Chairman must go as the only solution to the political logjam in the ruling party against the backdrop that since he became Chairman of the PDP in 2012, the party has not seen peace because of what they described as his poor administrative style.

Sunday Vanguard was told, last night, that

SOLUTION

Lamido and Aliyu would represent their former colleagues in the G7 at the meeting by proxy.

In essence, the President seems to still want the five governors who defected back in the P D P .

At last Sunday ’s meeting, the position was said to have been canvassed that Tukur could be dropped in March next year during the mid term c o n v e n t i o n .

The rebel governors, since the election of Tukur along side other members of the National Working Committee, NWC, have been calling for his sack against the backdrop that his manner of administration did not agree with them.

At the Sunday night meeting, the PDP governors loyal to Jonathan were said to have frowned at the attitude of the PDP National Chairman which they noted inflamed negative passion rather than calm frayed nerves as well as overheated the polity.

It was also gathered that a former Deputy National Chairman of the party and now the governor of Katsina State from North-west, Ibrahim Shema; Isa Yuguda of Bauchi; Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa; Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta; Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom; Liyel Imoke of Cross River and Jonah

Jang of Plateau State, who were at the meeting, told the President and Vice President that the demand to ask Tukur to go at the special convention next year was the only panacea to the lingering crisis in the PDP. Gabriel Suswan of Benue state was absent as he was said to be out of the country.

It was also gathered that the governors, led by chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Akwa-Ibom State governor, Akpabio, told Jonathan that Tukur ’s comments after the defection did not portray the party chairman as a statesman ready to serve as a rallying point for the party.

The governors, the source said, were not happy that since the August 31 convention, there had been no PDP National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting, even as they expressed regret that the National Chairman took decisions without consultations with the body which statutorily should have imput before major decisions were taken by the NWC. It was also gathered that the 16 PDP governors under Akpabio leadership will meet today at Akwa Ibom Governor ’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

A source told Sunday Vanguard that the crisis rocking the party as well

as the ‘Tukur must go’ issue will top the agenda just as they will also discuss how the PDP can be strengthened at the national, state, local government and ward levels as well as ways of financing the PDP ahead of the 2015 general e l e c t i o n s .

According to the source, the PDP at the national level was not being financed especially by those who get Federal Government contracts, an anomaly that will also be discussed at the meeting and thereafter, the PDP governors will move to the Presidential villa for the meeting with Jonathan, Sambo, Lamido and Aliyu.

Meanwhile, Tukur has described the alleged move to remove him by the governors as mere speculation, just as he said he was not moved by the report.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard through his Special Assistant, Media, Prince Oliver Okpala, the PDP National Chairman said, “Bamanga Tukur is not moved by the political speculation on the pages of newspapers that he will be sacrificed in the reconciliation movement because he has paid his dues as the National Chairman of the party and as one of the founding fathers of the PDP. ”He is ever ready to take the PDP to greater heights and ensure more electoral victory for the party in 2014 and 2015.

It is a political speculation.”

189 Nigerians in Saudi jails

BY EMEKA MAMAH

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VER 1.7 million Nigerians are currently living in Saudi Arabia.

Out of this figure, about 189 are languishing in jails in the country. Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Nigeria, Foaud Abdulaziz Rajeh, spoke on the issue when he paid a courtesy visit to Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo at State House, Abuja, yesterday.

The ambassador however, noted that about 95 percent of Nigerians living in Saudi have naturalised and are now citizens who ‘’Saudi Arabians are proud of as their brothers and

sisters.’’

On terrorism, Rajeh stressed the need for information sharing, training and exchange of prisoners.

Rajeh added that businessmen from Kogi and Sokoto states, among others, had attracted Saudi Arabian investors to engage in a business relationship amounting to about $3billion in agricultural related areas, pointing out that there was the need for the establishment of a binational commission between the two which he said had had longstanding diplomatic ties He said that, on assumption of office, he noticed that the Saudi Arabian government

offered 220 scholarships to Nigerians on Islamic studies and Arabic knowledge, adding that he, however, ensured that the number was increased to 750 for both men and women.

Rajeh said that the courses being undertaken by Nigerians on scholarship now included medicine, engineering and agriculture among others just as the NOURA University, in the kingdom had recently admitted 18 Nigerian females.

In his reply, Sambo reminded Rajeh of President Goodluck Jonathan’s desire to visit Saudi Arabia early next year.

PAGE 6 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Ekiti honours Osundare, Olajide, Egunjobi, 13 others

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Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN (middle), being welcomed by the President, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited (CRCC), Mr. Zhang Zongyan, and the Deputy Director General of International Department of the corporation, Mr Karl Leo (left), during a visit to the corporate headquarters and meeting with the management of the CRCC by the governor and other senior officials of the state government on infrastructure development and financing through public private partnership in Beijing, China.

OREMOST educationist and first African professor of physics, the late Prof. Daniel Ojo, popularly called Ojo Ugbole; literary giant, Prof. Niyi Osundare; first female plant nematologist in Africa, Prof. Funke Egunjobi; pioneer researcher in the genetics of sickle cell, Prof. Adeyinka Falusi, and 12 other outstanding Nigerians were, on Thursday, presented the 2013 Ekiti State Merit Award by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

The 12 others include 17-year old Olayemi Ajayi who is to represent Nigeria in Denmark at next year ’s Robotic Space Competition;

Joshua Olamiju who had the best result in the last WASSCE in the state with nine distinctions, radio presenter, Chief Akinlade Ojo also known as Erugale; late Chief Ojo Ajibola; an indigenous interior decorator, late Chief James Kolawole; former Scribe of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr Kunle Olajide; former President of the All – Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary S c h o o l s (ANCOPPS)Elder Enoch Dare and a renowned medical practitioner, Dr Sanya Olurotimi.

Others are retired Anglican Bishop of Lagos West, Revd. Peter Adebiyi; elder statesman

and banker, Chief Bandele Falegan; business mogul, Chief Daniel Okoli, and presenter and custodian of Ekiti dialect, Mrs Christian Ademulegun.

The Government Science College Emure- Ekiti was the best school in the last WASSCE and Christ’s School Ado Ekiti bagged the most improved school with an improvement in the SSCE result from 9% in 2012 to 99.9% in 2013.

Speaking at the event, Fayemi said Ekiti people are honourable men and women, adding that it was time conscious efforts were made to project this positive image everywhere.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013— PAGE 7

Iyayi buried as Edo renames school after him

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

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HE former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Prof. Festus Iyayi, was, yesterday, buried in his country home at Ugbegun in Esan Central local government area of Edo State.

In a homily preached by a Catholic priest, Revd Father Peter Omijie, he urged the late lecturer ’s

family members and associates not to cry over his death as they have the hope of seeing him again. ”We will on resurrection morning rejoice with him.

Leaving our physical body is not the end of our lives,” Omijie said.

He admonished the people to ponder over their spiritual destiny and where they will spend their e t e r n i t y .

The interment of the late professor of business administration at exactly 10.42 am was preceded by solidarity songs offered by

ASUU and civil society members who came from all parts of the country.

The burial ceremony was solemn and devoid of f a n f a r e .

The Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and former ASUU President, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who was among the personalities who attended the burial, described Iyayi, as one of the few Nigerians who have tremendous integrity and passion for progress and development of Nigeria as one united

From right: Engr. Ehidiamen Iyayi, Mrs. Grace Iyayi, Barr. Oriabure Iyayi, Mr. Omole Iyayi and Barr. Zindzi Omoye Iyayi, during the late Prof. Festus Iyayi burial at his home town, Ugbegun, Esan Central Council Area of Edo State yesterday. Photo: AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE.

c o u n t r y ” .

Jega added, “I worked very closely with Festus Iyayi.

He was like a brother to me. ”He made tremendous sacrifices for the development of this country and reforms that can help ordinary Nigerians. It is a very sad losses to us especially people who have known him for a long time”.

Other dignitaries at the occasion were Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Senator Abubakar Bagudu who represented the Senate; Professor Abhulimen Anao, former Vice Chancellor, UNIBEN; Chief Medical Director, UBTH, Prof. Michael Ibadin; ASUU President, Dr. Nasir Fagge; Dr. Dipo Fashina, former ASUU President, Odia Ofeimu; Dr. Ogaga Ifowodo; Dr. Osagie Obayuwana and members of the UNIBEN community.

Meanwhile, Edo State government is to immortalize Iyayi.

Speaking at a reception held at the Ugbegun Grammar School, Oshiomhole said the school will be rebuilt and renamed Festus Iyayi Memorial Grammar School. He also said a water scheme will be constructed at Ugbegun and named after Iyayi to remind the people of who he was and what he fought for.

LAST WEEK IN BRIEF

By Mariam Eko

Man caught with INEC laptop in Ogbomosho

A man was arrested, recently, by the Oyo State Police Command, Ibadan, for being in possession of a customised laptop belonging to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. The suspect, Olatide Akinkunmi, who claimed to be the managing director of a local information technology outlet in the area, said he came about the item through a student of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology who requested him to sell it at a price of N20,000.

Akinkunmi added that when he discovered it belonged to INEC, he tried to contact INEC but failed.

He was arrested by a team of police detectives who stormed his residence at Isake area of Ogbomosho, following a tip-off.

Ogun State monarch’s palace set ablaze

The Oloja of Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Oba Lateef Adeniran’s palace has been set ablaze for the second time.

The suspected arsonists are said to be the same hoodlums who razed the palace in April. This time, they set the ground floor of the palace ablaze and allegedly stripped the monarch and also injured his wife, Fausat.

Since the Supreme Court pronouncement that Adeniran was the rightful occupant of the throne, the town has been in crisis.

Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Abejobi, said investigation was on-going to ascertain the cause of the fire at the monarch’s palace. He also advised residents to remain calm as the command would not tolerate violence in the state.

Survivors of Maiduguri attack tell tales of horror

Residents of Maiduguri, Borno State capital have narrated their experience and narrow escape from death following the attack by 300 Boko Haram insurgents armed with sophisticated weapons who targeted military formations and police stations.

According to eye witnesses, the attack was strategically localised at the Nigerian Airforce Base.

People residing close to the NAF Base were not spared. The attack came as a surprise to residents living in the area as the Boko Haram members came chanting Subni prayers.

Narrating his ordeal, one of the survivors said he hid in an abandoned septic tank for over two hours with his wife and two children.

Army major shoots son to death

A retired army major, Desilva Adedipe, allegedly shot his son to death in Akure over an argument on payment of electricity bills. The ex-military officer had an argument with his son for not paying the bills for which money had been given to him.

In the heat of the argument, Desilva brought out a gun and shot his son at close range.

He, however, removed the body from his house to the bush called Onigari before fleeing.

Police spokesman, Wale Ogodo, confirmed the arrest, saying the wife of the diseased, Mrs. Olaide Adedipe, reported the incident to the police.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department for further investigation.

Delta students get commendation

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HE Chairman of Chemistry Society of Nigeria, CSN, Delta State chapter, Pastor Gideon Irerhiewie, has said Delta State is producing the best chemistry students and crop of young future scientists.

Irerhiewie made the remark on the occasion of the 2013 Awokoya Memorial Chemistry Competition award ceremony, held at the Petroleum Training Institute, PTI, Conference centre, Warri.

He commended Chevron Nigeria Limited for its continued and

substantial funding of the project, adding that the collaboration between the Chemistry Society of Nigeria and Chevron has enhanced the promotion of teaching and learning of chemistry as a school subject in Delta State.

Irerhiewie further pointed that the National Chemistry Competition, an offshoot of the Awokoya Memorial competition in Chemistry for secondary school students across the country, is CSN drive to encourage and sustain students’ interest in the subject at the grassroots.

PAGE 8 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (2nd right), his wife, Obioma, Nike Akande and Dr Ausbeth Ajagu after Imoke bagged the Governor of the Year Award @ an AES event, yesterday.

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (left), in a handshake with the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, when the Ambassador visited him in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

BRIEFS

‘Nigeria may lose $460bn to climate change’

BY PETER DURU

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IGERIA may lose about $460 billion to climate change by 2020 and also faces gross domestic product loss of between 2% and 11% if urgent steps are not taken to check e n v i r o n m e n t a l degradation in the c o u n t r y .

The Executive Director, Women Environmental Programme, WEP, Mrs. Priscilla Achakpa, stated this during a two-day capacity building workshop organized by WEP in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment, for Extension Service Officers held in Makurdi, Benue State c a p i t a l .

She noted that findings by relevant agencies indicated that the development posed a threat to the efforts of

government to boost food production in the country and the actualization of the Vision 20:20 20 of the Federal Government.

Represented by Mr. George Akor, a Director in the Programme, Achakpa maintained that “the best way to reach farmers with climate

change information is by developing capacity of Agricultural Extension Service Officers in interpreting and communicating climate change information to rural farmers including w o m e n . ” According to her, the negative impact of climate change on

countries in Africa remains huge despite the fact that the continent contributes little to global greenhouse emissions. ”This situation calls for concerted effort by all relevant agencies and governments to ensure that the impact of climate change on Nigeria is mitigated,” she stressed.

ICPC prosecutes 11 visa scam suspects

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HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged 11 alleged visa scam suspects before a High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Division for offences related to forgery of documents for the procurement of visas at various embassies.

The arrests and prosecution are in continuation of the crackdown by the ICPC

to stop persons bent on bringing the country into disrepute, according to a statement from the antigraft body. Others who were similarly arrested in Abuja were arraigned in Abuja last week.

The accused include Chukwu Daniel Okoro, Sylvester Sunday Aghaonu, Emmanuel Uchenna Okeke, Adline Ifeyinwa Ekekalu, Philomena Nwanorue, Okwara Chidera Oscar, and Kennedy Nwosu.

Others are: Ntiedo Uyoata Sampson, Ataine Helen Bando, Samuel Okechukwu Obiakor and Alimi Segun.

The suspects are facing charges for allegedly submitting the following forged documents: Letter of introduction, WAEC statement of result, bank statement of account, sponsorship letter, company registration certificate and medical reports to enable them obtain visas.

Kanu Nwankwo, others to address youths at NOA Summit

BY MARIAM EKO

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AT I O N A L Orientation A g e n c y (NOA) is organizing a National Youth Summit in Abuja as part of the end-of-the-year festivities.

The Director General of the Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri, noted the daily socio-economic and cultural problems that confront the Nigerian youth and said the NOA was poised to reposition them to overcome those challenges as well as prepare them for potential leadership.

The summit, under the theme: Rebuilding National Image: The Role of Nigerian Youth, is expected to be addressed by g o v e r n m e n t

functionaries including the Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, Special Adviser on Youth Affairs to the President, Jude

Imagwe, and Director General, National Sports Commission. Sports stars like Kanu Nwankwo and Folorunsho Okenla will

Idanre agog for Mare Festival

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

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HE hilly Idanre community in Ondo State and environs are agog amid preparations for the 5th edition of Mare Festival which holds on Friday and Saturday.

Artisans, motorcycle riders and students have mobilized to make the festival a remarkable one as evident in the ancient town during the visit of the members of the local organizing committee.

According to the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Chairman of the local organizing committee, who led other

members on a courtesy visit to Owa of Idanre and other stakeholders, the development is sequel to the decision of the state government to domesticate the annual festival in order to develop local talents.

The Commissioner explained that local musicians, cultural troupes, and local security outfits would be involved in the festival, adding that about 350 colorful T-shirts would be distributed to groups in the community.

He noted that the 2013 edition of the annual fiesta would be low-keyed in remembrance of the late Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Deji Falae.

also make presentations at the event.

The Director General of NOA said the objectives of the youth parley are to sustain attitudinal change among the youth, improve national image, raise integrity among the youth and harness the creative energies of the youth among others.

Imoke wins Best Governor Award

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OVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has emerged the winner of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Studies’ Best Goveror Award for 2013.

The award for transformational leadership was bestowed on Imoke for facilitating rapid infrastructural and human development in Cross River State.

At the 4th Annual CEOs Dinner/Awards Nite, held at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, President

Dafinone names new managing partner

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RAVEEN Bhasin, Managing Partner, Horwath Dafinone, has retired from the practice of accounting after 34 years of meritorious service.

At a cocktail party to honour Praveen, Senator David Dafinone; Deputy Partner and Democratic Peoples Party’s candidate in the last senatorial election in Delta Central, Chief Ede Dafinone; among others, thanked him for his dedication and hard work.

The accounting firm also named a new Managing Partner and Chief Operat-

HE annual 21 days spiritual retreat by the Primate and founder of Mt. Jieawowrrah All Saints Church of Christ (Aladura) Odogbolu, Ogun State has commenced.

The retreat will be rounded off on December, 21 at the church’s headquarters in Odogbolu.

Speaking on the retreat,

ing Officer. Mr. Igho Dafinone, who was the Head, Tax Department, is the new Managing Partner while Dr. Daphne Terri Dafinone, the Partner in Charge of Corporate Governance, has been moved up to Chief Operating Officer.

Horwath Dafinone is one of the largest indigenous accounting and consulting firms in Nigeria. The organization assists public and private company clients in reaching their goals through audit, tax, advisory, risk and performance services.

Akinnola Foundation honours late journalists

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HE Richard Akinnola Foundation will tomorrow honour two journalists killed in an auto crash along Ilesa- Ife express way on August 2, 2013 during a Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) assignment, by presenting #200,000 to their widows.

The NUJ officials from Oyo and Lagos State

2013 Mount Jieawowrrah retreat

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of AES, Dr. Ausbeth Ajagu, said Imoke emerged winner after a verification exercise involving visitation to the 36 states to assess developmental strides of the governors.

The governor, who delivered a lecture on the theme: “Peace as a Panacea for national development”, thanked the organizers for the award.

He said he was particularly surprised to have been singled out for the recognition.

the church’s founder, Primate (Dr.) Samuel Bisi Ademosu, said that while in spiritual seclusion, prayers would be offered for individuals, the families and the nation.

The cleric added that the 2014 edition of the Book of Prophecy annually released by the church would be ready on December 21.

councils involved in the crash are Adolphus Okonkwo of the Voice of Nigeria, Kafayat Odunsi of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Tejuosho, Lagos and the chairman of the Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Network Centre of the NUJ, Tunde Oluwanike.

President of the Foundation, Mr. Richard Akinnola, in a statement, said each of the widows (Mrs Anthonia Okonkwo- widow of the former National Financial Secretary of NUJ and Mrs Toyin Ogundeji- widow of the late Photo Editor of Daily Newswatch) would receive #200,000.

Akinnola pointed out that the Foundation’s Journalists Widows scheme was established in April 2010, to give succour to the widows of journalists.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 9

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

Delta Estate road or Ojukwu bunker?

Dear Sir,

I

N his classical masterpiece entitled ‘The Prince’ Niccolo Machiavelli posited that, “all well governed-states and wise princes have taken care not to reduce the nobility to despair, nor the people to discontent”.

But, that is exactly what the Delta State Government through its’ Ministry of Works and other Road Maintenance Agencies are dramatizing through the wanton neglect of the hideously deplorable and sordidly bad Delta Estate Road.

The Delta Estate Road formerly called the Bendel Estate Road is one of the major thoroughfares leading into the Delta Development and Planning Authority Area (DDPA). The entrance is sandwiched on both side by Awenayeri Filling Station and a Ware House Company along the Airport Road, Effurun-Warri.

We appeal to Governor Uduaghan and the Delta State Commissioner for Works, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme to do something pragmatically tangible to repair the Delta Estate Road and some of the off-roads in the

Estate Area, like Eware, 16th, 18th and opposite Ugborikoko Police Station Roads and construct a Central Drainage System (CDS) in Delta Development and Planning Authority Area turning the area from Ojukwu Bunker to a Comfort Zone.

We commend our amiable

Governor for his ‘Legacy Projects’, the ongoing Effurun fly- over bridge, the Enerhen Junction state- of-the-art road etc. Our Governor is a friend of the people.

But, he must note the admonition of essayist and statesman, Thomas Jefferson that “an injured friend is the bitterest of foes”.

Governor Uduaghan and the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Solomon Funkekeme must therefore “ACT” to remain our friends in Delta Development and Planning Area (DDPA) Estate.

Chief Bobson Gbinije, is resident in Warri, Delta State.

An appeal from ex-militants Dear Sir,

WE, the ex-militants from Niger Delta want to use this medium to bring to the notice of the president and all those concerned of the way that we being treated, and denied of our benefits from the Federal Government.

This is contrary to agreement which was signed with late President Umaro Musa Yar'Adua and the Chief Justice of the Federation. When Yar' Adua was alive, we the amnesty delegates were receiving our allowances as at when due into our various

individual accounts but the whole problem started after the death of the president.

We appealing to National Assembly to please call for questioning the so -called exmilitant generals and also know why the head of the amnesty office has done nothing about it.

We have not been receiving the N65,000 monthly allowance, and we don’t know the people collecting the money.

We have endured enough but if our appeal is not considered our action might affect the economy negatively because the so-called

generals are not greater than us.

We put them there to spearhead the fight for our common good and not to fight against us.

Now we want to advice once again that the Amnesty office should stop paying the sxmilitants money into the generals account. Amnesty office should pay the allowances into our individual accounts to confusion They should do things properly to ensure peace and tranquility in our dear Nation, Nigeria.

Ebitimi Yar’adua 08064306956

PAGE 10 —SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Thoughts on the National Conference – 1

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IKE people on sickbeds, Nigerians are once again getting ready to toss from side to side, without asking if the problem is with the beds or themselves. Pity.

Do we need a National Conference, sovereign or not? The answer is neither “ yes” nor “no” for the simple reason that we have failed woefully as a nation to raise a set of politicians who would make any form of government work. We had tried three forms of government since independence – parliamentary, military and presidential.

None of them had been able to develop this nation to its full potentials – not at the national, regional or state levels. None. Obviously, the first question is not even whether we should have any sort of conference but whether we seriously believe that the same set of leaders who have so far made a mess of things will somehow become great leaders after the conference.

However, since for now the National Conference Committee is the only game in town, let me offer a few thoughts on the matter.

Incidentally, I was reluc-

tant to jump into the fray until Sunday November 3, 2013 when Tunde Fagbenle, on the back page of the SUNDAY PUCH, reproduced Femi Fani-Kayode’s ideas on the subject which Tunde seemed to endorse.

Fani Kayode, lately, had become an expert on every subject – including fornication. But, his views are too often superficial on important matters – including fornication. Summarised, their idea comes to this: we should go ahead with a National Conference even if it means Nigeria will break up. After all, the Soviet Union broke into thirteen, India cracked up into three and Czekoslovakia and Yugoslavia ended up two a piece. It is a possibility which is at the back of the mind of some of the people clamouring for Sovereign National Conference – especially in the South. Unspoken, but thought, is the belief that, their own unit, after the break up, naturally, will be better off. Very neat, very simple and very misleading in its entirety.

The comparisons they make don’t resemble the reality in Nigeria – as will be soon demonstrated.

Let me start with Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the largest nation which dissolved into fourteen countries. There, all the countries were independent nation states in Europe which were forcefully weld-

Sleeping with the eyes open Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.-Theodore Roosevelt

T

HERE is no better time to applaud the spirit and stoic determination of Harrison Okene, the 29 year-old man who survived twoand-a-half days trapped 30m (98ft) deep in freezing seawater. Although the incident occurred in May 2013 , it has only been widely reported in the last couple of days and his survival has captured the imagination of experienced deep Sea divers and lay people alike.

The video of his rescue has become a worldwide sensation, how he was able to cling on to hope against all odds. The Jascon-4 tug boat he was on, capsized on the 26 May, about 32km (20 miles) off the coast of Nigeria, while it was stabilizing an oil tanker at a Chevron platform. What Harrison went through

was no mean feat; Fortwo-and half –days, he survived without food or water and I guess, hardly any sleep.

He said of his experience: "I was there in the water in total darkness just thinking it's the end. I kept thinking the water was going to fill up the room but it did not." He was hungry and the salt water took the skin off his tongue. While he was hanging on to life he could hear the bodies of his crew being eaten .

By sheer luck and providence at the 60th hour, a diving company came to investigate and to recover bodies only to be grabbed

by Harrison! Mr. Harrison was rescued, fitted with oxygen mask and brought to the surface more than 60 hours after the ship had submerged. He was spent another 60 hours in a decompression chamber so that his body pressure can return to normal. There is nothing normal in what

ed to Russia, after the World War II. They had, at least sixteen distinct languages, histories and cultures. So what happened under Gorbachev, the last Soviet President, was a mass declaration of independence by

,

“In politics, as on a sick bed, men toss from side to side, in the hope of lying more comfortably”, Johann Goethe, 1749-1832.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 191).

manded trust and it is difficult to accept him at face value. However, let me put the first of my cards, face up. It is better to take the first tentative steps Jonathan had suggested than to continue belly-aching about the fate of Nigeria.

Despite the inherent risks, Jonathan, for once has my support. Dismissing the gesture off-hand will be a worse mistake than anything that might follow. At any rate, there is no politician in Nigeria without an agenda. Why should Jonathan not have one? In fact, he would be foolish not to. Second, he is also a Nigerian. He must have in mind a desired outcome from all the efforts we are

Many of those calling for ethnic representation almost invariably don’t have an idea of how complex the task is.

So far, we have not even agreed on the number of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria

,

Georgia, Ukraine etc, all part of the Russian Empire.

In reality, there was no difference between what happened there and the “Wind of Change” which blew over Africa in the 1960s; when former British colonies, including Nigeria, asked for independence. By contrast, no single “nation” in Nigeria forced the rest of us into the union called Nigeria.

The country was created by an outsider. So, who will walk away and from whom – if Nigeria breaks up?

The point has also been made that Jonathan has a hidden agenda, based on his political survival. I will be the first to admit that the President has not com-

starting to make. I have mine; which I will soon disclose. Others too have theirs; let them openly tell us; instead of hiding behind the rejection of these tentative steps to achieve their own hidden agenda.

Already there is a raging controversy regarding representation at the Conference; some canvass for zonal representation, while others call for ethnic groups.

Many of those calling for ethnic representation almost invariably don’t have an idea of how complex the task is. So far, we have not even agreed on the number of ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. Since my return to Nigeria in 1974, I had

Harrison had experienced and although he has been rescued physically , he will still experience flash backs and other signs of post traumatic disorders for a long time to come.

Harrison described his rescue as miraculous. I couldn't agree more but his way to wellness is long as he admits that the memories of his time in the watery darkness still haunt him and he is not sure he will return to the sea. I do

the way we live our lives.

These and many malaise that plagues Nigerians are often shrugged off as "one of those things" and finished off with the usual resignation. Then nothing happens and then people sleep walk into another disaster and the pattern goes on.

There has to be a limit to how much people are exposed to. The prolonged onslaught of this daily diet has got a serious psychological and physical impact on people.

This week once more, Boko Haram struck in Maiduguri. They flooded the city in the early hour of the morning in pickup trucks and on motorcycles that they caught the airbase and its occupants unaware. Their frenzied raid left many people dead and seriously injured. The five-hour battle that ensued destroyed helicopters, fighter jets, vehicles, officers' housing, workshops and regimental buildings not to talk of the greatest costs of all human lives.

How do you comfort those that have lost loved ones, what do you say that makes sense that some irrational group feel it has the right to dictate to everyone how they should live their lives, how to worship? On their warped premise they have held the whole country to ran-

,

Nigeria can only work if we stand side by side and shoulder to shoulder and tell these people that they are not fighting their cause in our name

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hope he writes a book about his experience. I, for one will buy it and for Harrison it will be very cathartic.

Do we worship fears?

Life, is often said, is what we make it. How then do we take charge of our lives when we are not fully in control of all the variables; social, power, resources, religion, tribal, health and education? The incessant abuse of power permeates

worked in all the four corners – Lagos, Calabar, Sokoto and Maiduguri, as well as several places in between. Ten years ago, out of curiousity, I started listing all the ethnic groups that could be identified.

Below is the list, so far, arranged in alphabetical order, to avoid being accused of bias. The list is not exhaustive; but it provides a handle for examining the call for ethnic group representation.

Anang, Agae, Afemai, Atyap, Agatu, Attakar, Berom, Bassa Nge, Bassa Nkomo, Bajju, Borgu, Badama, Bini, Efik, Edo, Egbe, Eggon, Fulani, Farrough, Gwari, Gbagyi, Goemal, Hausa, Higgis, Igbo, Ibibio, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko, Ika, Idoma, Igala, Igbira, Ishan, Ilaje, Ikulu, Ikwere, Ibani, Jugun, Kataf, Kalabi, Koma, Kutep, Komaton, Lapai, Mushere, Nupe, Ngas, Oron, Ogoni, Okun, Obolo, Okrika, Tappa, Tarouhk, Tiv, Urhobo, Wuse, Yoruba…..

The reader, most likely, is becoming aware of some of these Fellow Nigerians for the first time. Incidentally, if your ethnic group, or any other known to you, is not on the list, don’t get angry.

Just send me the name and state. My mission is to help discover how many ethnic groups there are before we proceed. In my travels throughout our country, averaging twenty four states per annum, one thing is clear: no two ethnic groups have the same numerical strength. That fact raises a question: Should all ethnic groups have equal representation or not? And why?

Second fact of life is: some ethnic groups are spread over six, seven or even twenty states; others occupy a tiny corner of a state. Clearly representation based on states and zones will favour the large ethnic groups spread over

several states. Specifically, the Hausa, Fulani, Igbo, Ijaw and Yoruba stand to gain from this. Third fact: some ethnic groups are claimed as part of other ethnic groups even when they regard themselves as distinct entities. Yoruba claim the Ilaje, Bini as part of Oduduwa nation; they also claim Itsekiri in Delta and Okun in Kogi. Igbo claim Anioma people in Delta etc.

How will these people be represented?

However, the fundamental disagreement is between those who strongly believe that Nigeria can be reformed, and continue as a nation, and those who have lost hope in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Let me place my second card on the table face up. I strongly believe that breaking up Nigeria will result in greater disasters than whatever we are experiencing now. Let me start with my own people – the Yoruba.

WANT TO BE PRESIDENT OR GOVERNOR IN 2015?

“Who takes advice shall never fare the worse”, Geoffrey Chaucer, 1342-1400.

“One gives nothing so freely as advice”, Rochefoucauld.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p5).

This is repetition. But, I have learnt from experience that one changes behaviour by repeating the same message often. Anyone intending to run for elective office in 2015 should do three things right away. First, write your biography as soon as possible. Tell your history before your opponents start branding you.

Two, sign on a media adviser. Three, conduct research and develop a plan for making things better.

Good luck.

V i s i t : www.delesobowale.com

som? Whatever they think in their warped reasoning, good will always triumph over evil. They are not representative of majority of Nigerians and we cannot allow ourselves to pushed back centuries and into the dark ages.

For those who sponsor fear, terror, and espouse hatred and division, this will not work. Nigeria can only work if we stand side by side and shoulder to shoulder and tell these people that they are not fighting their cause in our name.

Much credit to Kashim Shettima, the Governor of Borno State is right as he vows that the assault would not weaken the offensive against insurgents. That "No amount of intimidation and harassment by insurgents will make us derail from our focus," he said.

"We will never run and leave our land. In the fullness of time, we are going to triumph over evil and the satanic ideologies of the Boko Haram." Some amongst us are hell bent destroying every visages that makes us human by hiding behind a malign cause to justify the unjustifiable.

Those amongst us There are four ways you can handle fear. You can go over it, under it, or around it.

But if you are ever to put fear behind you, you must walk straight through it. Once

you put fear behind you.

Leave it there. ~Donna Favors The trial of Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22 is underway for the brutal murder of soldier Lee Rigby in London.

The two British-born Nigerians on 23 May brutally murdered an off-duty soldier. The gruesome murder was a wakeup call for many people in the UK that there are people amongst us who are being radicalized and are willfully brainwashed to carry out their heinous activities.

These young men have to face the family of the slain soldier, the people and the law. In the months that followed, majority of the people have made a concerted effort that the religious hatred will not be tolerated in our communities. Despite that unity, there are some factions on either side that want to capitalize on this heinous crime but , wellmeaning the people and the government are working to ensure that wherever such extremist activities are encouraged , they will act decisively to quell it. I know how it shook the UK so I cannot begin to imagine how such insurgency continues to affect thousands of people in Nigeria and the nightmare continues.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 11

Kudos to Governors Oshiomhole, Fashola and Orji; but… ibly angered by the act, chastised the lady and directed his ‘gbomo-gbomo’ sanitation officials to confiscate her wares. He did not only turn a deaf ear to her supplications for mercy, the diction of his chastisement was undoubtedly loathsome. This attracted instant public condemnation especially as Oshiomhole, a fellow comrade to the lady until a few years

,

T

HE ideal role of a critic is to serve the best interest of society through constructive criticism by drawing the attention of leaders of society to issues which are begging for redress. It is however not enough to enumerate and propagate what is wrong. A good critic ought to, in addition, proffer solutions to the problems or articulate alternative options for handling identified concerns.

More importantly, a critic should be charitable enough to commend leaders in those areas where they have made efforts to right their wrongs. The latter is the premise of today’s article which identifies 3 state governors whose recent activities deserve some measure of commendation.

The governors are Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos and Theodore Orji of Abia.

We begin with the recent story of Governor Oshiomhole who came across a widow that displayed her wares right on a road in Benin City thereby creating blockade and obstruction.

The Governor, who was vis-

and financially empowered the lady to become a more fulfilled citizen. The drama of a tea-drinking session of the governor and the widow, the hyper publicity given to the humane dimension of the governor ’s remorse as well as the political colouring the opposition party in the state weaved into the subject are not our current concerns.

Rather, we like to appreci-

A good critic ought to, in addition, proffer solutions to the problems or articulate alternative options for handling identified concerns

back, was expected to be more compassionate because of his knowledge of the ABC of the desperation of the impoverished Nigerian worker.

A few days later, the comrade governor publicly apologised for his conduct

,

ate the uncommon practice of a Nigerian governor accepting a fault and making amends. However, Oshiomhole has 2 more assignments. First, he should endeavour to create an enabling environment in the state for all those striving

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

08116759758

How lecturers underdeveloped the universities (4) sometimes when they learn that a certain lecturer A is now Professor, they retort cynically, "who made that one a Professor?" "He has nothing to profess at all?"

Let us tell ourselves the truth.

An increasing number of lecturers these days are in the wrong profession because they lack the cognitive, emotional and moral attributes to teach in universities. Having a PhD or the rank of Professor does not necessarily make one a good lecturer, which, in my opinion, can only be attained through appropriate inborn aptitudes, knowledge, hard work, discipline, enhanced communication skills and a deep sense of fulfilment in lecturing irrespective of what the financial rewards might be.

At this point, consider the dangers posed to learning by extremely narcissistic and inarticulate lecturers who waste most lecture periods regurgitating irrelevancies, telling stories of their activities while studying abroad or boasting about their encounters with prominent individuals within and outside the country. For the hapless students, listening to such teachers is a very boring, academically unrewarding, experience they have to go through regularly with the kind of attitude with which one goes to a dentist to have

some teeth extracted.

I am convinced that a preponderance of lecturers in our universities right now are academics by default.

Such people, having failed in business or in some other professions, or spent several years searching for jobs without success out of frustration pick up forms for post-graduate studies and

,

I know some brilliant and dedicated lecturers in several universities who have been in the same academic position for over a decade, whereas their less knowledgeable colleagues are promoted rapidly because the latter have godfathers and are able to play dirty sleight of hand academic politics that elevates mediocrity above meritocracy.

Meanwhile, some heads of departments and deans or provosts deliberately slow down the upward mobility of certain lecturers so that their favourites and acolytes are promoted first.

When upstart lecturers are given accelerated promotions above their superiors and betters, they tend to be arrogant and suffer from the illusion of grandeur. Unfortunately, such lecturers, when they eventually assume positions of authority in the universities, would recycle mediocrity within the system because they do not want genuinely brilliant colleagues to expose their intellectual hollowness or outshine them.

The abuses we have highlighted lead to gradual loss of confidence in the system and compromise the prestige that attaches to senior academic positions. It is a matter for serious concern that students do not respect some of our senior academics, including Professors:

daily for subsistence and not just one ‘lucky’ widow.

Second, he should jettison the fire brigade approach of seeking to change a people’s negative attitude through bullying and sanctions. An aggressive re-orientation and public enlightenment scheme which inculcates in the public, the advantages of orderliness portends greater efficacy.

In the case of Governor Fashola, it will be recalled that some 4 months ago, he deported from Lagos, some Nigerians of Anambra origin. This pushed the otherwise amiable governor into the camp of the myopic group of leaders who discriminate against fellow Nigerians because of their state of origin. Of course, he was roundly condemned for it by many Nigerians including this writer. In due course, Fashola publicly apologised for the action and won back the admiration of many. While thanking the governor for the posture, it is hoped that he would continue to serve as a listening leader who takes criticisms in good faith.

Against this backdrop, it is pertinent to recall the recent sanctions imposed on the Principal of Ikeja Junior Grammar School because her school was publicly exposed by the media for what it is-an institution where pupils learn on the bare floor. A government statement that the Principal was not punished but merely queried is no doubt a negative reaction to the criticism of a shameful

learning arrangement by the government. Why should any Lagos School operate without furniture?

Was it an oversight or the result of misappropriation of funds? If so has anyone been held accountable? Did the inspectorate branch of the Ministry of Education not know of such an appalling situation? Finally, has the situation been rectified and furniture supplied to the School? A dynamic approach to these posers is a better way to respond to the criticism at hand There is also the case of Abia State which in August 2011 sacked non-indigenes from its workforce. The obnoxious policy was condemned by all but Governor Theodore Orji was for long unperturbed by the overwhelming negative public opinion on the issue.

All of a sudden however, Orji made a dramatic Uturn, 2 years later and reversed the policy. While the governor says his ‘bornagain’ posture was influenced by the need to foster national unity, some critics believe it was done with a political agenda in mind.

Even if what influenced Orji is the latest trend where vision seeing clerics manipulate our leaders we don’t care. What matters is that Abia State has cancelled her detestable policy of treating some Nigerians as aliens in their country. We commend it and pray that it is for real and also urge all our leaders to emulate the development because our heterogeneous nation is in dire need

of integration.

Is this writer who occasionally seeks to enhance only his kith and kin not contradicting himself now?

Of course not; because competitive ethnicity is the reality in today’s Nigeria.

No one can convince me to pretend to be a nationalist if for instance; my child who scored higher than his mates in an entrance examination is denied admission simply because of his state of origin. I will similarly ignore my critics if my brother is superseded by a junior officer in his place of work only because of his state of origin. Our premise is that we cannot achieve national integration if we do not discard prescriptive matters like state of origin as a basis for enjoying national privileges.

Our Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu got it right the other day, when he reminded us that the golden eaglets that recently conquered the soccer world did not get into the team on the basis of state of origin. Thus, nationalism is good in a true nation, not one whose component parts have hidden and incompatible agenda. Let every Nigerian be committed in words and in deed to the concept of one Nigeria by following the injunction of Section 15(2) of our constitution, that no one should be discriminated against “on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties”.

students' evaluation of each lecturer as an important factor in his or her career prospects.

University management across the country, led by Vice Chancellors, should create a better system that rewards consistent outstanding classroom performance by lecturers without neglecting the requirement for quality publications. In addition, it is necessary, through rigorous quality assessment regime, to minimise the influx of academic misfits for whom university teaching is merely an opportunity to earn a living and nothing more. We now wish to address the issue of how lecturers are partly responsible for halfbaked graduates from our universities. Shambolic family background and

es of various kinds.

Many lecturers hardly read students' answer scripts let alone assignments, due to indolence, over bloated number of students, and unrealistic deadlines by university authorities for submission of results. Hence, oftentimes marks are awarded arbitrarily with scant regard for actual knowledge displayed by students. This partly explains why, for instance, a reasonable number of graduates of English with First Class or Second Class Upper degrees cannot write an ordinary formal letter of employment without committing serious grammatical blunders.

The quality of supervision and assessment of undergraduate long essays and dissertations for the award of master's and doctorate degrees has gone down considerably, to the extent that on several occasions, even at the doctoral level, the standard of literary presentation is appalling. Some supervisors keep fifty-page proposals of their doctoral students for up to one year without reading them, and do not study the actual theses before assessment by external experts. Sometimes the so-called experts fail to apply intellectual rigour necessary for doctoral evaluation: they merely skim through the essays and write equivocal reports.

Given the sloppy supervision and assessment of work at the doctoral level by lecturers, it should not be surprising that an increasing percentage of PhD holders cannot speak authoritatively about the subject matter of their work, let alone contribute original ideas in the disciplines they are supposed to be specialists. You can then imagine the quality of doctorates such mediocre lecturers would pro-

duce when they become supervisors. Cash-and-carry lecturers for whom lecturing is business "sell" marks for cash or other items to students and the lecherous ones demand sex from female students for academic favours, failing which the girls in question are harassed during tests and examinations or are failed outright by the lecturers.

Now, in established universities like the University of Lagos and University of Ibadan sale of handouts is prohibited. But in the pseudo universities nationwide departments and lecturers employ different tricks to force badly written substandard handouts and books on students at inflated prices, while creating the impression that those who fail to buy would likely have carryovers in the courses concerned. Of course, indolent or layabout students would do almost anything to pass; that does not justify lecturers surreptitiously compelling students to buy glorified junks masquerading as "course materials."

Aside from the banality of unreasonable philistine financial and sexual demands of unscrupulous lecturers, university teachers usually are their own worst enemies. Some lecturers use female students to set booby traps for colleagues; on several occasions they write, or instigate students to write, wicked frivolous petitions against their "enemies," and advise students not to choose courses taught by a particular colleague on the baseless allegation that "he is too strict, stingy with marks, and too full of himself." The level of treachery, hatred, insincerity, lack of concern and capacity to do evil by some university teachers is heart wrenching.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Aside from the banality of unreasonable philistine financial and sexual demands of unscrupulous lecturers, university teachers usually are their own worst enemies

eventually manage to get doctorate degrees. However, they lack the inner conviction and longing for knowledge production and impartation, which is a necessary psychological foundation for effective and productive academic work.

Lecturers who are not devoted to the pursuit of knowledge cannot make the necessary personal sacrifices that lead to contentment and personal fulfilment for workers in the revered temple of knowledge.

From the foregoing, the current process for promoting lecturers needs urgent reform to take account of

,

weak preparations at the lower levels of education entail that many students in our universities are not really university materials they are not intellectually and psychologically fit to be undergraduates. Yet, lecturers with pathetic communication and knowledge impartation skills aggravate the problem. In all government owned universities, there are lecturers who commence teaching about a month after the commencement of each semester, probably because they are secretly teaching in private universities or are engaged in private business-

PAGE 12—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

•Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Madiba - A Burden Like No Other

By Ikeddy ISIGUZO, Chairman, Editorial Board

,,

A man who the world praises with uncommon unanimity has left lessons that we are ignoring all to be in the league of those pouring the encomium.

What are our leaders imitating in Mandela’s life

M

ADIBA Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela defies classifica tion, compartmentalisation or the type of encasement that leaders embrace as ideology.

Mandela was different things to different people; the adulations following his passage on Thursday are the proofs of his stand as a humanist.“Friends loved him, followers adored him, enemies respected him and hardly anyone was indifferent to the man, who was not a preacher, but had a life that was a richer living message than found in literature, theatre and the theatrics of life. Rarely do people speak about him except in elegantly adoring terms of his life-the long walk to restoring the equality of human beings, the supposed essence of the United Nations.“While others preach it, His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Ras Tafari Makonnen Woldemikael Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, majorly mirrored it at his famous 1945 United Nations speech. Titled, “War”, reggae legend, Bob Nesta Marley, turned it into a hit song.““Until the philosophy, which holds one race superior and another inferior is, finally and permanently, discredited, and abandoned, everywhere is war. Until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eye, it is war,” Selassie proffered, 18 years before Mandela was hurled into jail. It took 49 years before “the colour of a man’s skin” became insignificant, years during which the UN speechified and apartheid spawned dubious arguments for its

existence, until Mandela was elected president in 1994.“The prophesied war raged, increasing fears that, as Mandela stepped out of prison on 11 February, 1990, he would unleash his anger on his jailer, who put him away for 27 years, during which they relegated black South Africans to subhuman status.

Mandela bore no grudges. He neither went after his enemies as many expected nor encouraged others to pursue vengeance.“Madiba was God’s gift to humanity to tackle the mounting proclivities to wickedness, greed, racism, opportunism.

What would South Africa have been without him?

His selflessness translated to a deeper understanding that South Africa needed to snap out of the Mandela era.

He knew that he could have held on to power, with a sense of entitlement that African leaders appropriate with ease.“His names were prophetic, and they were many, applied as those addressing him deemed fit.

However, each was rooted in the depth of his Xhosa tradition, and they turned out prophetic.

Just some:“Rolihlahla - His birth name in isiXhosa means, “Pulling the branch of a tree”, or “troublemaker”. His father gave him this name. Did he not give preachers of equal rights and justice, who enthroned apartheid trouble?“Nelson - Miss Mdingane, his English teacher, gave him the name on his first day at school, as teachers were wont in those days.“Madiba - This is

Mandela’s clan name. Madiba was the name of a Thembu chief who ruled in the Transkei in the 18th century. It was used as a mark of politeness for Mandela.“Tata - It is isiXhosa for “father”, a term of endearment many South Africans use for Mandela.“Khulu - means great, paramount, grand, the great one, it is also a shortened form of the isiXhosa word “uBawomkhulu”, grandfather.“Dalibhunga - His name at the age of 16 after he’d undergone initiation into the traditional Xhosa rite of manhood - means “creator or founder of the council” or “convener of the dialogue”.“A man who the world praises with uncommon unanimity has left lessons that we are ignoring all to be in the league of those pouring the encomium.

What are our leaders imitating in Mandela’s life?

Is it the selflessness, the humility, the sacrifice or the belief that power should advance society rather than the individual?“Is anyone wondering why in all his ailments he was never flown abroad for treatment? Are our leaders concerned about power and how it works for their societies? Almost all the wars all over Africa are about successions. Mandela willingly gave up power, just as he rejected offers that would have freed him from jail, but subject black South Africans to perpetual slavery.“His transition is a burden to those who claim to admire him. He left many milestones that are beckoning for imitation. Will anyone remember Mandela’s life beyond the adulations?

Who would be the next Mandela in an unrepentantly dehumanised world?

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 13

A child signing the condolence register in Mandela’s home yesterday

We were warned Mandela was about to die — Family friend zS/Africa plans daily cortege amid 10-day funeral zThe lesson for African leaders – CAN zMore tributes pour in

BY OUR CORRESPONDENTS

A

funeral cortege bearing Nelson Mandela’s body will travel through the streets of Pretoria daily on three days before his burial next Sunday, the South African government says.

It said the cortege will leave a morgue on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning to go to the Union Buildings where his body will lie in state.

Mourners are being encouraged to line the route.

His family has expressed gratitude for the support it had received.

Family spokesman Lt Gen Themba Templeton Matanzima said the past two days had not been easy, after losing a “great man, a pillar of the family”.

“But with the support we are receiving from here and beyond, and in due time, all will be well for the family,” said spokesman Lt Gen Themba Templeton Matanzima.

Vigils for the former leader have been continuing across South Africa.

Hundreds of mourners have gathered outside Mr Mandela’s home in Johannesburg’s northern suburb of Houghton where he died, and thousands of flowers and candles have been laid outside.

Yesterday, the government published further details of the 10-day state funeral, saying as many people as possible would be given the opportunity to pay their last respects.

On Tuesday, an official memorial service will be held at the FNB Stadium on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

When the three days of lying in state

C M Y K

are over, Mr Mandela’s body will then be flown from an air force base in Pretoria to Qunu in the Eastern Cape for burial.

Qunu is where Mr Mandela grew up and later retired to.

Flags at all official buildings will fly at half mast throughout the period and books of condolence are being circulated across the country and online for people to post tributes, record memories and express their emotions.

Sunday has been designated an official day of prayer and reflection and President Jacob Zuma urged South Africans to to go to stadiums, halls, churches, temples or synagogues.

“We should, while mourning, also sing at the top of our voices, dance and do whatever we want to do, to celebrate the life of this outstanding revolutionary who kept the spirit of freedom alive and led us to a new society. Let us sing for Madiba,” he said, using Mr Mandela’s clan name.

A government statement recalled the former president’s own thoughts when asked how he wished to be remembered.

“It would be very egotistical of me to say how I would like to be remembered,” Mr Mandela said.

“I’d leave that entirely to South Africans. I would just like a simple stone on which is written, ‘Mandela’.”

Ahmed Kathrada, Mr Mandela’s friend of 67 years and his companion in prison on Robben Island, told the BBC of his “overwhelming emotion” at seeing his old friend in hospital earlier this year.

Nelson Mandela’s long-time friend, Ahmed Kathrada on visiting him in hospital: “I was shocked at this strong man

- a shadow of himself” “For 67 years I knew him as a strong man. I was shocked [to see] this strong man, a shadow of himself. That was overwhelming... so much so that I told [his wife] Mrs Machel that I don’t want to see him again. I thanked her very much but I said, please, I can’t bear it.”

Mr Kathrada said Graca Machel had sent him a message earlier on Thursday that the former leader would die that evening.

“They were told by the doctor that he was on his very last,” he said.

Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in for Mandela yesterday.

‘Leader par excellence’

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State described him as a leader par excellence and an icon of African democracy.

According to Orji, Mandela’s death was a big loss to the African continent and the international community.

Orji, in a press statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Ajunwa, expressed sadness over Mandela’s demise, saying Africa and the whole world would miss his wise counsel.

According to him, Mandela’s struggle against apartheid in South Africa which landed him in prison for 27 years portrayed him as a fearless leader who fought injustice to a standstill.

The likes of Mandela don’t die — Oshiomhole

In his tribute to the late anti-apartheid crusader, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said people like Mandela don’t die, but only transit from this world to higher glory.

He said: “Mandela cannot be referred to as dead. The right word is transition.

He had this real gift of leadership and that he comes from this black continent

of Africa makes it even more significant”.

Lesson Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), in a condolence message, called on African leaders to emulate selfless and leadership qualities of Mandela to promote good governance and put African continent in its rightful place among the comity of nations.

It also called on all Christians in Nigeria to use the advantage of the threeday mourning and prayer sessions declared by the Federal Government to pray fervently for a better South Africa after Mandela.

Oritsejafor, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Kenny Ashaka, said, “We will always remember him as a man with rare generosity of spirit and sympathy for whom renouncing bitterness and embracing opponents was not just a politically devised plan of action but a way of life. While we pray, we must also not forget his dogged fight against discrimination, inequality and marginalization, those attributes that put him behind bars for 27 years so that his message would inspire fighters for freedom and give confidence to people in the defense of just causes and universal rights.

“South Africans and, indeed, Africans should be encouraged by the dignified manner in which world leaders have respected and responded to the monumental loss of this international icon who taught extra-ordinarily practical lessons about forgiveness, compassion and reconciliation.”

‘Ally of trade union movt’

Comrade Issa Aremu, a deputy president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), in his own tribute, said Mandela’s death was a shock coming months “after the good people of the world with remarkable gratitude marked his 95th birthday despite his old age/ health related challenge”.

He pointed out: “The departure of a freedom fighter, global icon for forgive-

Continues on page 14

PAGE 14—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Mandela: Soweto’s sorrow

BY TONY NWANKWO, with agency reports

N

elson Mandela, South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, was not afraid to die.

For years his people have been fearful of losing him, but he had shown South Africans a number of times that he did not fear death; perhaps the many times he fought back from his hospital bed showed that he was not

ready to leave them - such was his love for his people.

Now South Africans have a chance to return some of that love.

Hundreds upon hundreds have gathered at his homes in Johannesburg his current one in the northern suburb of Houghton and the house where he lived in Soweto before his imprisonment - to pay their respects to the nation’s first black and democratically elected president, the man, seen as a terrorist by some, turned the world’s most-loved s t a t e s m a n .

“I am also overcome by a sense of relief. He was frail and sick and least now I know that he is resting” says Tshepo Lebep, businessman Crowds of black and white people, interracial couples and children are standing side by side outside his old home in Orlando West, Soweto - singing struggle songs in his memory, a fitting tribute to the man who spent 27 years in prison so black and white South Africans could live as equals.

Vilakazi Street is filled with the sound of stomping feet, chanting and ululating. Children are carrying posters of Mr Mandela and some local taxis have pasted his face on their windows.

A hundred or so people from neighbouring townships had gathered from as early at 07:00 local time but by midday the crowd had swelled and had become more diverse from all parts of the province of Gauteng. Some of the first to pay their respects were three elderly women, two of whom walked using canes, slowly making their way to the entrance of the Mandela house, now a museum.

Asked where they were going, their answer was short, direct and painful: “Siyogxwala emswaneni”. It is a Xhosa phrase which means “we are going to comfort the family of the deceased”.

In African culture people gather at the home of the deceased, and although their visit is symbolic as the Mandela family no longer lives here, it is felt it is a place where his spirit dwelt at some point. It is a sign of respect to the person who has died but also to a message of comfort to the family he leaves behind. The statement also has a deeper hidden meaning - a realisation that what is done is done and we cannot change

South Africans celebrating Mandela’s glorious exit yesterday it, a painful call to acceptance.

“It is always sad to lose someone you love,” says Tshepo Lebepe, 48, a businessman from the town of Alberton, outside Johannesburg.

“But I am also overcome by a sense of relief. He was frail and sick and at least now I know that he is resting.

“We need to honour him by continu-

ing where he left off.”

However, to many, his death has still not sunk in. As a black South African born as apartheid was coming to an end, it feels to me like an out of body experience, like deja-vu from a vivid dream.

My mind can scarcely comprehend that he is indeed gone - that a man as great as him, merely shut his eyes, never to

open them again.

Palesa Motaung, who was seven years old when Mr Mandela was released from prison in 1990, agrees.

“We’ve always known him as a fighter.

“As young children growing up in the township we knew that there was this Mandela fighting for our freedom but we are shocked that he is gone.

Shocked. ”His strength made many here forget, even if only for a short while, that he was mortal, that with each health scare he would soon have to let go. When black South Africans mourn they do it through song, through dance.

Today people are singing struggle songs in the heart of Soweto, which was once the scene of brutal killings and assaults at the height of white oppression. Some are reminded of a time when even the mere mention of Mr Mandela’s name was illegal. “When Mandela came out prison he insisted on visiting all his neighbours, I was fortunate to accompany him on these visits,” said Shadrack Motau, 69, who lives a few houses away from the Mandela house. .

“Some people tried to turn him away because they were not sure about him but in the end he won all of them over.

I will miss his humility.”

And why did people love him so much? He was not just a world icon, but a father, a grandfather, a husband and to many South Africans he represented the best of what black people could be, the best of what white people could be.

Black and white alike called him “Tata” - meaning father and that is what most people will remember him as, the father of the nation “He wasn’t perfect but his love for justice, for the truth, for peace was honest,” said Chantal Smith, from the affluent suburb of Sandton in J o h a n n e s b u r g .

It is remarkable that a man who had spent almost three decades oppressed because of the colour of his skin and commanded the support of millions of angry black people - capable of bringing this country to its knees at his say so - could come out of prison and instead preach peace and forgiveness.

“This country does not know the deep gratitude it owes to Tata Mandela,” said Richard Nhlapho, 44, from the Johannesburg suburb of Mondeor not far from Soweto.

“Just look at the people here, the different races. Who would have thought this would every happen here?” As the dust settles and many begin to accept that this is the end of an era, South Africans and indeed all Africans will be hoping that the spirit of unity he engendered will on.

And that his “Madiba magic” will carry the country into its next chapter a chapter to hopefully make Mr Mandela proud.

We w ere w arned Mandela w as about tto o die — Family friend were warned was Continued from page 13 ness and unprecedented transition from tyranny to non-racial democracy is capable of ushering a global despair, disillusionment and agony”.

Aremu described Madiba as a close ally of the global trade union movement both in the struggle against apartheid and decent work agenda as demanded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). According to Mandela, “Job, jobs and jobs are the dividing line in many families between a decent life and a wretched existence” – Nelson Mandela (1979). By this statement Nelson Mandela rightly pointed out that life is

miserable without work. Madiba was fully at home with trade unions as a trade unionist.”

In his tribute, the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamangar Tukur, said Mandela will be remembered as a no nonsense nationalist, who fought for the freedom of his people, saying he aligned with his people to fight apartheid. “He deprived himself of the comfort of his elitist person to unite with the rest of his countrymen to seek the elimination of apartheid”, Tukur said.

African Workers, in its tribute, said Mandela’s life was one of service, sacrifice, freedom, organizing the op-

pressed, preaching love, building peace, and teaching humanity that the world, to survive, must be built on social justice. “From his trials to 27 years in prison and his post prison leadership of the world as a moral authority, he inspired generations to be committed to making the world a better place than they met it. He taught humanity to build all-inclusive societies and evolve humancentred policies”, it added.

The Trade Union Congress, TUC said Mandela is the world’s most stimulating example of resilience, magnanimity and dignity in the face of oppression. “Great Mandela was jailed for 27 years for his steadfast belief that all men

and women are created equal, a belief that he was ready to die for ”, TUC added. Senator Gbenga Bareehu Ashafa, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, in a statement, described Mandela as “a great nationalist and true freedom fighter for the entire black race and against oppression.”

Ashafa said the deceased would be greatly missed. “Words cannot fully express the real value of Madiba to the entire black race. He came, he saw and he conquered. He fought apartheid to a standstill with all sincerity of purpose, a determined liberator of blacks from all forms of oppression by colonial masters”, he added.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 15

UNCOMMON HYPOCRISY

In death, Mandela pulls a joke on world leaders

BY CHARLES KUMOLU

I

t was a death not foretold but largely expected, leaving in its trail an outpouring of uncommon tributes from hitherto known friends, foes, dissidents, antagonists, protagonists and perhaps loners speaking with one voice. But that is one of the many surprising ironies of life, international diplomacy and gesture.

While these could be Vladmir Putin of Russia Assad of Syria regarded as the ironic reality of Nelson Mandela’s demise, it vividly captures the sheer hypocrisy which global leaders use in achieving political objectives.

However, looked at from whichever prism, the uncommon tributes pouring in from global leaders following the exit of the former South African President are uncommon and can only Venezuelan President Queen Elizabetth of come once in life time.

Nicolas Maduro England The development appears to have cast a Li said Mandela spent all his life pall on the acclaimed ideology of these leaders, who, before now, were known to advocating and implementing racial equality and reconciliation. He not only have largely acted and are acting in was a hero in the heart of South Afribreach of the ideals that Mandela lived for cans, but also won global recognition, Li and represented. added.

In fact, the striking aspects of Mandela’s Stressing that Mandela had made political legacy, which are non-violent great contributions to the establishment revolution and peaceful resistance, reconciliation, selfless leadership, do not seem to and development of friendly cooperamatter to some of these leaders. tion between China and South Africa, Li That is why the tributes are being dismissed said his unfortunate death had led in some quarters as coming from those, who Chinese people to lose a close friend. are hardly on the same page with Madiba, He expressed deep condolences on particularly on issues that relate to global behalf of the Chinese government and peace.

Chinese people.

And these unusual tributes and dirges speak Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong volumes about the matter: Lei said, on Friday, that a Chinese leader will attend the ceremonies President Assad of Syria, who is currently arranged by South Africa to mourn the fighting a revolt against his rule, said passing of Mandela.

Nelson Mandela’s life was an inspiration to Chinese President Xi Jinping and freedom fighters and a lesson to tyrants.

Premier Li Keqiang have sent messages If there was any joke regarding the of condolence to South African Presibarrage of condolence messages, it is the dent Jacob Zuma to express their one sent by Assad of Syria. For a ruler who heartfelt sympathies. has virtually destroyed his own country But the question on many lips rebecause he is waging a war against those he main: Does China or its leaders have termed terrorists, the joke is on him. anything in common with the ideals of Inspiration and lesson! May be Assad sent Mandela? out the wrong condolence message.

England US. President Barack Obama “Mandela no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages.

“Madiba transformed South Africa and moved all of us,” Obama said. “His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better.

“The day that he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes and Queen Elizabeth II said she was not their fears,” Obama further said. “I “deeply saddened” to learn of Mr cannot fully imagine my own life without Mandela’s death, describing him as the example that Nelson Mandela set, and one of the towering figures of the 20th so long as I live I will do what I can to learn century who inspired young and old from him.” Obama’s tribute is understandwith his fight for equality. Meanable. At least he claims that the man while, she was on the throne while the shaped his political career and the apartheid regime got endorsements American President does not appear to from the Crown for decades. be doing a bad job.

ted to the end of his days to the ideals of humanism and justice.”

Pray, was Putin addressing the Russian people or was he performing a ritual and a hollow, very hollow one at that. Would it not have been more honourable if Putin had added something like: “And from this day, I, as the Russian leader, would imbibe and act the ideals of the late sage?”

French President Francois Hollande said Mr Mandela’s message would “continue to inspire fighters for freedom and to give confidence to peoples in the defence of just causes and universal rights”.

Ban Ki-moon: “Let us continue each day to be inspired by Nelson Mandela’s lifelong example”?

Germany’s Angela Merkel said Mr Mandela’s “political legacy of non-violence and the condemnation of all forms of racism” would continue to inspire.

Ghana’s President John Mahama told the BBC Mr Mandela was the greatest African who ever lived.

Senegalese President Macky Sall said “Nelson Mandela was undoubtedly the most influential man of the century”, a “role model for Africans and also for humanity”. He said Mr Mandela gave Africans “pride in being black - a dignity in being a black man”.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta praised him for living “an extraordinary life in a very ordinary way. His legacy encrypts the story of humanity now and tomorrow.” For a man whose case at the International Criminal Court is yet to be resolved it is indeed an irony of “extraordinary” proportions that such a statement came from his office.

President Goodluck Jonathan said Mandela was an “inspiration to the oppressed peoples all over the world” and had made “unparalleled personal sacrifices”.

One of Mandela’s sacrifices was leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest before the setting-in of the law of diminishing returns.

Africa needs leaders who would make more of the sacrifices.

Liberia’s President and Nobel peace prize laureate Ellen Johnston Sirleaf told the BBC that Mr Mandela was a constant inspiration and would never be forgotten: “Nelson Mandela lives on as his life will continue to be the guiding light for those who excel, for those who have suffered for freedom and for peace.” Even for a female politician, the last election that brought her back to power and the way the politics of it went cannot be said to be a “guiding light for those” who want to excel in the once war-ravaged country.

Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff said Mr Mandela would “guide all those who fight for social

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For a ruler who has virtually destroyed his own country because he is waging a war against those he termed terrorists, the joke is on him. Inspiration and lesson! May be Assad sent out the wrong condolence message

China A cross-section of the Chinese society, from the ruling Communist Party’s leadership cadre to scholars and activists pushing for political change, also mourned the passing of Mandela, triggering debates and difficult questions. The country’s Vice President, Li Yuanchao, on Friday, went to the South African Embassy in Beijing to mourn the death of the country’s former president.

Li stood in silent tribute in front of a bust of Mandela and signed a book of condolences.

C M Y K

UK Prime Minister David Cameron: “One of the brightest lights of our world has gone out” Pope Francis Pope Francis said Mr Mandela had forged “a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of non-violence, reconciliation and truth”. A good man speaketh!

Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Mandela, having gone through the most difficult ordeals, was commit-

justice and for peace in the world”.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro compared the death of Mr Mandela to the passing of the late Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez: “Nine months after the departure of our commander, today another giant of the people leaves this world. Madiba you will live forever!” Perish the thought. On what basis is Maduro comparing Chavez with Mandela? His election to power was a product of debauchery.

Cuban leader Raul Castro said he was grateful for Mr Mandela’s friendship and steadfast support of the Cuban people.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “This is as much India’s loss as South Africa’s. He was a true Gandhian. His life and work will remain a source of eternal inspiration for The United Nations Secreatry Genera, Mr. Ban Ki Moon described him as “ a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration”.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Madiba’s legacies: Reflections by Gambari, Oyebode, others

BY HUGO ODIOGOR, Foreign Affairs Editor

T

,,

The Western world has moved from vilifying Mandela as a terrorist to referring to him as a great man.

Indeed on a single day at a ceremony in London, around 50 universities gave him honorary doctorate degrees

ributes and encomiums have been flowing in the way of Africa’s legend and illustrious son, Nelson Rohilala Mandela, who died last Thursday at the age of 95. It is expected and richly deserved for a man who became the icon of the global protest against the politics of institutionalised racism and racial discrimination.

Most interesting tributes have been coming from the governments of those countries whose leadership once supported and promoted the policy of separate development and the brutal suppression of the rights of black people and placed every obstacle on the way of freedom for the late Mandela.

The policy of constructive engagement of US under Ronald Reagan regime and the anti-sanctions campaign of Britain under Mrs. Margaret Thatcher, were used to support the evils of apartheid and to sustain the incarceration of Madiba.

These countries insisted that Madiba should renounce violence as a precondition to regain his freedom.

He turned downed their demands and preferred to die in jail if that was what would end the policy of apartheid. It is important therefore to state that beyond tributes and encomiums to the late South Africa’s leader, there is the need for world leaders to reflect on the legacies of Madiba.

Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, who was the last Chairman of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid said: “Although we have suspected that the end may be near, the death of Mandela still left me with great sadness”.

He added, “In my capacity as a member of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, I hosted him, at the United Nations when, upon his release from imprisonment, he visited the headquarters of the world body in New York.

The word icon has been over used in recent times but if anyone has earned that description it was Mandela. His impact on South Africa, the African continent and humanity as a whole cannot be quanti-

Nelson Mandela in Robben Island

Prof Kayode Soremekun of Covenant University, Faculty of Devt Studies fied”.

Mandela’s kind comes only once in a while. But his legacy would last for centuries.

As the English Romantic poet Percy Shelly put it:”The one remains; the many change and pass.

Mandela was that ‘one’: a great and good man; humble, compassionate and a man for all peoples irrespective of colour, creed, nationality, religion or class”.

Prof. Kayode Soremekun of Covenant University said: “Evidently there is something extra-ordinary about the life of this great man. In the course of his life, he achieved such a turnaround in his existence that he moved from being dubbed a terrorist to being regarded as a saint. It is worthy to note that this Halo which he achieved was unconsciously made possible by his enemies. And such is his largeness of heart that after a 27-year incarceration, revenge was not his watchword, rather, in deed and in words, he preached reconciliation and forgiveness.”

According to Soremekun, South Africa, today, continues to be a fractious social formation but, in spite of this divisive factor, Madiba continues to be a rallying point for South Africans of all races.

He pointed out: “As the tributes continue to pour in from all parts of the world and within South Africa, we may want to pause here and say that it is easy to pour encomiums on Mandela, but how many of us can really live up to the minimal ideals of the great man? Starting from South Africa where he is revered

by all including members of the political class and in view of the serious allegations of corruption which continue to stare us in the face by the day, it is easy to see that pouring encomiums on Mandela is the easy part living up to his ideals is quite another thing.

“Beyond South Africa to the wider African continent, the same observation can be made. In a continent crawling with despots of various descriptions, the Mandela example is very rare”.

Even the Western world is not free from this charge of double standards and hypocritical post-humous encomiums.

The Western world has moved from vilifying Mandela as a terrorist to referring to him as a great man. Indeed on a single day at a ceremony in London, around 50 universities gave him honorary doctorate degrees.

Meanwhile, Madiba had cause to be at odds with the Western world in view of his support for countries like Cuba and Libya.

Dr Newton C. Jibunoh, the Chairman of Fight Against Desert Encroachment, said “his passing away, though expected, remains difficult to accept as there can be no other Madiba in the whole world and with the way things are in the global arena, there doesn’t seem to be any around the corner and that makes it very painful”.Jibunah added, “Everyone, young and old, had somebody they could look up to and aspire to be. I am personally aggrieved as he has been an inspiration to me for almost 50 years and served as the mentor I aspired to become, leading to me risking my life three times to cross the Sahara desert”.

Prof. Akin Oyebode of Faculty of Law, University of Lagos said Mandela was an avatar, a legend. “He would be remembered more than anything else for his dogged commitment to the cause of his people, tenacity of purpose, strong will and uncommon sense of self sacrifice. We should all learn that life is not measured by material possession but one’s ability to make the world a better place,” Oyebode added.

Adieu Madiba.

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 17

ROBBEN ISLAND PRISON

A reporter’s peep into Mandela’s cell

BY JIDE AJANI

I

T was a visit that evoked emotions of many kinds.

It was also a visit to one of the most popular prison facilities in the world – Robben Island Prison.

And one of the inmates who made the prison to attract global attention was prisoner 466/64, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Mandela, referred to as Madiba or Tata (Father of the nation), who was later to become President of South Africa, spent 18 of his 27 year jail term in Robben Island prison.

He never gave up.

As we made to board the ferry from Table Bay, Cape Town, the tour guides and handlers were screaming, ‘let’s go to jail, you wanna go to jail, come on, come on, let’s go to jail.’

From the boarding lounge was a bold inscription ‘GUNS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON ROBBEN ISLAND’.

A 35-minute ferry ride that Friday morning of October 11, 2013, took us from Table Bay to Robben Island.

The bold inscription on the walls of the

one of his sorties, in and out of South Africa for insurgency training, sold him out during interrogation.

Narrating the story of what the inmates of the facility experienced - a story of immeasurable punishment both physically and mentally Mahlahla was very graphic in explaining their suffering.

A few of the tourists, made up largely of journalists from different parts of Africa, could not but try to cover their water-filled eyes, a display of emotive response to the tales of woe as retold by Mahlahla.

Before the ferry ride from Table Bay, Cape Town, to the island, we had been warned to wear winter jackets because of the type of weather we would experience. Indeed, a few of the journalists whose clothing appeared inappropriate because of exposure to the wind were left at the mercy of the elements.

So, when Mahlahla told his audience that the inmates slept on the cold bare floor for years before beds were introduced, many curled in horror at the experience.

Yet, being determined inmates, there were moments of triumphs.

Take, for instance, the agitation of the political prisoners that they needed both to be allowed to watch television and the need not to

So, when Mahlahla told his audience that the inmates slept on the cold bare floor for years before beds were introduced, many curled in horror at the experience

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docking area on the island, THE HUMAN SPIRIT CANNOT BE MENACLED, and the other, THE TRIUMPH OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT, are testaments to the struggle and the never-say-die mentality of Mandela and his other freedom fighters during the antiapartheid struggle.

Even the very voluble and rambunctious President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, as well as the father of the immediate past president of the same country, Mbeki, served various jail terms on the island.

For an island that was purely a colony for lepers, the conversion of same into a prison facility came in 1961. It was a maximum security prison for political prisoners until 1991. The medium security prison for criminal prisoners was closed in 1996.

A prison tour guide, Kolekile Mahlahla, who himself spent eight years as an inmate there, knows his trade very well. He knows the history of the prison from inception, though he was hauled in there sometime in the late 1970s. His own story was one of betrayal – a supposed friend he had met on

allow criminal inmates to prepare and serve them food. Both causes were worth fighting for.

The reason why the political prisoners wanted to serve as cooks was simply because it was only the cooks who had access to every part of the prison including, of course, Mandela’s cell, located in the ‘B’ Block, which was out of bounds to everybody except a special class of warders.

The only way the political prisoners could have any form of communication with Mandela was if one of them served as a cook.

It was Mahlahla (the tour guide) who schemed his way into the kitchen, disguised himself as a common criminal prisoner (it was easy for him because all the criminal inmates were also scattered about the prison but did shifts and, therefore, did not know one another very well) got the apron and a food table and proceeded straight to Mandela’s prison block where he had a chat with Madiba.

It was a proud Mahlahla who, afterwards, went back to his prison cell to meet other political prisoners whose daily lamentation was their inability to commune with Madiba.

As his fellow inmates were talking about their feelings and how they hoped one day they

Jide Ajani (r) with another visitor to Robben Island

Outside Mandela cell would speak with Mandela, proudly, Mahlahla told them, “I have just spoken with him; I was with him some moments ago and Madiba is doing fine”.

That was how, he said, “ we were able to communicate with Madiba while taking turns to disguise as cooks”.

The second agitation was perfected when they discovered that some officials of the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent had scheduled a visit.

Deliberately, Mahlahla continued, “ we staged a hunger strike just days before the visit and we knew that such an action would further embarrass the apartheid regime. Sensing what the backlash would be, the prison authorities quickly acceded to our demands which included being allowed to watch a feature film once a week and also to ease the punishment of our brothers from the South West Africa Peoples Organisation, SWAPO, who were kept separately in D Block and were put through pain.” or Mahlahla, Robben Island cannot be described as his home but the island was home to him for eight years. Because of his political background, even his modus operandi of guiding tourists round the prison benefitted from the knowledge gained during training in those heady days of Umkhonto we Siswe, the militant resistance wing of F

Continues on page 18

PAGE 18 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

MANDELA: Don't mourn, celebrate

T

he passing of Nelson Mandela after his prolonged hospitalisation should not be a cause for sadness on any account. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and offer our prayers for them and for the people of South Africa. But we also recognize that his passing at the ripe old age of 95 is a fitting crown to the rich full life that Madiba lived, playing a starring role in what is surely the 20th century’s most compelling odyssey of human freedom from tyranny.

Rather than mourning, Mandela’s transition into glory should be an occasion for celebration and reflection. Firstly, we celebrate the final consummation of a life well spent. The phrase “a life well spent” which is commonly used in obituaries has become an overworked cliché but in the case of Madiba it is not a cliché at all. It is more than worthily applied to describe a man who expended his energies in the service of humanity, risking everything including his life to actualize the ideal of freedom. It is this exemplary life that we have much cause to celebrate.

Even, as we revel in the honour and blessing of having lived to witness the life and times of one of history’s most iconic

political figures, we must also ponder his luminous legacy. His death closes an epic story of the triumph of the human spirit over injustice and tyranny.

Born into a country characterised by apartheid and racial hate, where the black majority was ruled by a white supremacist minority, Mandela discovered his cause and his life’s mission early enough. As the liberation movement’s most prominent militant leader, Mandela had been effective as a shadowy and elusive figure orchestrating sabotage attacks on government facilities and showcasing the ability of a longoppressed people to fight for their freedom.

But as a prisoner, he became the symbol of apartheid’s oppressive inhumanity. It was Mandela’s face that readily came to mind when people the world over thought and talked about South Africa. His imprisonment helped to mobilise global public opinion and a campaign for international sanctions against South Africa, as well as near universal censure and isolation of the apartheid regime. It was this suffocating and strangulating isolation of South Africa as a pariah state and mounting unrest on the streets that finally compelled reformist elements within the establishment to renegoti-

Governor Fayemi of Ekiti State ANC. In so doing, he had to navigate a turbulent period of transition during which chronic violence between Xhosas and Zulus, and between white right wing extremists and black zealots threatened to degenerate into civil war. Remarkably, Mandela emerged from prison preaching forgiveness and reconciliation as the only path to a new and sustainable South Africa. He understood that even as white domination had proven repressive and unjust, so too would black domination prove to be unsustainable. He

Nelson Mandela as a young man

ate South Africa’s destiny.

When Mandela was finally released from prison in 1990, after nearly three decades in the custody of the apartheid state, he emerged as a figure of unparalleled moral authority.

Mandela successfully negotiated constitutional black majority rule – achieving one of the core aims of the

was immense because white extremists and black extremists were threatening to unleash death and destruction.

Many watchers felt that a racial civil war between whites and blacks and even war between ANC cadres and the Zulu Inkatha Freedom Party were inevitable.

Mandela’s conciliatory posture helped to defuse those tensions and shepherd the nation through a transition process that culminated in his election as the first democratically elected president of the country.

This is how South Africa

Our challenge is not to produce one messianic leader but to create a tradition of patriotic leadership and raise a corps of leaders bound by a common ethos as was the case with South Africa

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BY KAYODE FAYEMI

insisted on the democratic and multi-racial vision enshrined in the freedom charter, the guiding document of the liberation movement.

He wisely charted a course between the two extremes of black anger and lust for vengeance on one hand as well as white fear and resistance to change on the other. The challenge of doing so

was transformed from an apartheid state to a multiracial democracy – the rainbow country.

It must be said that the work of liberating South Africa was not Mandela’s alone and he has never claimed any such messianic mantle for himself. His iconic status as a pivotal figure in the odyssey of South African liberation is un-impeach-

able. But he belonged to a very distinguished cast of leaders that included freedom fighters like Oliver Tambo, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki.

And these heroic freedom fighters were themselves the second generation of the struggle ordained by the founders of the African National Congress. They were heirs to Albert Luthuli, John Dube, Sol Plaatje and other heroic patriots.

Together these patriots forged a political tradition of such resilience that it altered the course of South Africa’s history.

This is an important point because the idea of Mandela can be easily reduced to championing the emergence of rare superhuman political saints. This is not the leadership lesson that we should be taking away from Mandela’s odyssey.

Mandela was the product of an already established revolutionary tradition.

Side by side with his cohorts, great liberation fighters like Tambo and Sisulu, he was comfortable. There was a remarkable absence of personality clashes; egos

tradition of patriotic leadership and raise a corps of leaders bound by a common ethos as was the case with South Africa. As James Freeman Clark said, “A politician thinks of the next election, a statesman, of the next generation.”

Leadership is a continuum and for our leadership to truly stand the test of time it must be driven by a trans-generational perspective. We must build up those who will take our exertions for a better society to higher levels. I am convinced that through carefully and consciously developed formal and informal programmes of leadership development, we can build a cadre of young Nigerians who are committed to social transformation and genuinely want to work for change.

This entails a shift away from the idea of the “leader as messiah” – the notion that all it takes to transform our society is the miraculous emergence of one extraordinarily endowed leader. We simply cannot afford to reduce leadership to political Messianism.

Mandela, despite his own leadership gifts and his track record, did not think of himself as being

Nelson Mandela with Micheal Jackson were submerged in the cause of the greater good of securing a free South Africa. There was little or none of the jostling for leadership that often characterizes liberation movements on the cusp of attaining power.

This is something we must ponder as we reflect upon the state of leadership in our country. Our challenge is not to produce one messianic leader but to create a

indispensable. He relinquished presidential power willingly and gracefully and ceded the limelight to the younger Thabo Mbeki. And when he left office, he wisely refrained from being an overbearing post-presidential presence and let his younger successor fully take up the reins of leadership.

Adieu, Madiba. *Fayemi is the governor of Ekiti State

that cell as a tourist and take photographs from inside. This happened during his visit to South Africa last year. Immediately after his tour, the door was locked again and the key returned for safe keeping – only God knows where.

The prison is described as a heritage site.

Kept neat all year round, there is a general convenience area for each of the prison blocks. In all, it was an experience that was at once educative and emotive.

(This report by Ajani has been re-modified from its original version to commemorate Mandela’s death)

A reporter’s peep into Mandela’s cell Continued from page 17 the African National Congress, ANC. He told his own group of tourists (there were many groups on the tour; and that happens all day and all year round) that once any member of our group sighted another group exiting through the

gangway of the ‘B’ Block, we should all head in. He said because of the importance tourists attached to viewing the inside of Mandela’s cell, tour guides and tourists almost always clashed, sometimes leading to unwholesome developments. To

avoid this, he admonished that once any of us sighted another group filing out, we should head in. His strategy worked.

It was during the struggle to take photographs of the cell of Prisoner 466/64 that it dawned on most of us why tourists and tour guides clashed. It was a scramble to get the

best shot. Through the metal doors, a cluster of Blackberry Android phones, iPhones, iPads and digital cameras squeezed through the iron doors to take shots of Mandela’s cell. It was an awesome experience.

Only President Barrak Obama of the United States has ever been allowed to step into

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 19

BY Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North

G

overnor Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State is a lucky politician. After winning the first term in 1999, he lost out in 2003 but returned to his seat in 2011 to continue from where he stopped. His imprints are all over Kano and he does not seem to be in a hurry to give up his fight to reposition the state, even after crossing from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress, APC. After one hour interaction with Sunday Vanguard at the expansive Government House, Kano, Kwankwaso gives an insight into his kind of politics, his developmental strides and defended his defection to the APC. Excerpts: How would you describe your foray into politics so far?

I would say that I am one of the very luck politicians in this country because I left the civil service in 1991 and joined politics in 1992 during which I was elected into the House of Representatives. I was also elected the Deputy Speaker of the House, a post that gave me the opportunity to make contacts with people not only from my state and zone but across Nigeria. The members of the House of Representatives were 593 and we had very wonderful experience working with people-young men and women from across the length and breadth of Nigeria- to move the country forward. That laid a good foundation for my political future. It was an aborted 3rd Republic but, luckily, I was selected to come back as an elected delegate to the Constitutional Conference of 1994-1995. There, again, I was able to meet so many people from across Nigeria and we learned a lot about the country.

We met with experienced politicians like the late Shehu Musa YarÁdua, Chief Tony Anenih, Abubakar Olusola Saraki, Gemade and many others, who were at the conference.

That galvanised our resolve to work for this nation. I am also lucky that I had the opportunity in 1999 to come to the Government House, Kano as governor and I left the office in 2003. Subsequent appointment as Minister of Defence and Adviser to the President on Darfur and Somalia also helped a lot and I have learnt a lot. So also was my appointment into the NDDC as the member representing the North-west. It also gave me opportunity to have a direct contact with the

2015: We have the capacity to stop Jonathan — Gov. Kwankwaso •Narrates how President aborted meeting with G7 at the last minute •’Fighting insecurity goes beyond deploying police, soldiers, SSS’ people of the South. All these gave me a lot of experience especially from 2003 to 2011. I believe those eight years was to give me the opportunity to reflect on what we did correctly during our administration and what we did wrongly. And we came up with projects and programmes which I believe that, if given another opportunity, I would be able to translate into reality for the benefit of mankind. God was so kind to me that I was able to win the election in 2011 at a time

nobody believed we could. We won even when Abuja did not believe we could. From day one, we had our agenda and I feel very contented to work with the people of Kano State. People have seen our impact in the last two and a half years. We lost a lot of people and property when there was a serious attack here in Kano in January 2012. But even under that circumstance, the state government refused to stop work. We kept on working and working throughout the year and we are happy that the

We lost a lot of people and property when there was a serious attack here in Kano in January 2012. But even under that circumstance, the state government refused to stop work job has been successfully progressing and the people are happy. We have good people, most Nigerians are good people,

and they want peace and development. They want quality

Continues on page 20

PAGE 20—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Continued from page 19 life and once they see a good leader, who can deliver, they want to support him. You don’t need to bribe them; they will certainly come out to support you. I am happy that I am in my second term and I am writing my history through the projects we are implementing for the welfare of our people and Nigerians in Kano. We are happy that we have not given room to our enemies to write our history or distort it. We are happy and contented and delighted that people are happy with what we are doing and that gives us the assurance to do more.

So, after two years in the saddle, would you say you have achieved your set target?

No, so far so good, our target is 2015. It is only then that we would be able to complete all the goals we set out to accomplish.

We have the issue of the management of resources and have put in place a robust mechanism to ensure that public funds are not mismanaged at any time. This government has decided that we must not go into the issue of security vote.

Many leaders in Nigeria hide under security vote to take as much money as possible without accounting for it.. This administration therefore decided not to go into that.

This administration also decided to be as transparent as possible to the extent that whatsoever resolution we take in the State Executive Council every week is published in all the newspapers in Nigeria for our friends and enemies to see and to raise queries, if they have any. If there is any project we have awarded that is not in place, you draw our attention to it and we take note and adjust. If you say that the road we awarded is not there, we go there to find out why and take action promptly to save public funds.

Does it therefore mean that the Kano State governor does not use security vote?

No, what we are kicking against is taking government money without accounting for it.

That is what Kano State government is guarding against.

What we are saying is that if the security agencies have any operation that requires funding, they should put it on paper and state clearly how the money they are asking for would be used and accounted for. So, if I give the Brigade Commander N1 million, I should be able to account for it. There should be enough justification for spending such amount and the evidence should clearly show

‘How President aborted parley with G7 at the last minute’ Education is not all about getting government paid job. It is about making the people to discover themselves and being about to make choices that will lead to self-reliance. I am happy to say that the people of Kano State now realise that there is hope and this hope is across the state. Either your son or daughter is one of the beneficiaries or you are directly involved. All these things put together make the people happy.

That, in turn, reduces crime rate across the state.

*Kwankwaso that somebody spent the amount and he is able to give account at the end of the operation. Part of the money we give to the security agencies must always come back to the SEC for me to see that it has been spent so that nobody goes away with our money. But what people mean by security vote is for the governor to request for hundreds of millions of Naira per day and nobody will come and ask what he does with the money. That is what people mean by security vote.

What strategy have you put in place to checkmate insecurity in Kano?

The strategy is simple. Many people, especially leaders, seem to think that soldiers, SSS, police and the rest are the answer to insecurity. Here is just one aspect. The others are food security, health security, education security and the totality of these is what we call social security. That is why we are putting our hands into all these areas. Today, Kano State government is able to graduate a total of 832 young men and women from three institutes we built. All of them have been empowered-some of them received over N130, 000 package free of charge, some N100, 000 to go and start business. These people were trained free of charge in boarding schools and given kits free to go and work for themselves and their families.

We do all these in addition to

The strategy is simple. Many people, especially leaders, seem to think that soldiers, SSS, police and the rest are the answer to insecurity. Here is just one aspect

the 24 institutes we have built, among them the Kano State University. All these things give people hope. We have 100 pilots and 54 post- graduate students, who are part of the 501 people we are sponsoring in 11 countries around the world. By the grace of God, we are going to sponsor another set of 502 in post- graduate studies. In fact, we now have no fewer than 1,500 Kano State indigenes studying abroad. By next (this) week, we are sending out 400 students to some private universities in Nigeria to study.

Our problem in the state is the issue of lack of understanding on the side of leadership.

Which of these projects is dearest to your heart?

We have a lot of projects on the ground and we are happy about them. We have what it takes to do more. As a starting point, I am going to sign into law, a bill banning begging in Kano and we are working with relevant groups to ensure that people do the right thing at the right time.

What is giving me most happiness is the 24 institutes we established and the Kano University of Science and Technology and the North-west University. By the beginning of this session, we can have close to 3,000 students in university.

Many have said the universities are perhaps the best in the country. We want to set the pace for others to learn from in all that we do in this state and make Kano State a better place for the people. We are improving our roads, flyovers and bridges.

The target is to make people feel the impact of government wherever they may be in Kano State. By so doing, we will remove miscreants and other undesirable elements from the city and make life more comfortable for residents. It was in a bid to solve some of the ills of society that we banned commercial cyclists and introduced other measures to bring about sanity in the state.

Also we have Kano Roads Maintenance Agency, KARMA, to ensure that our roads are put in good shape all year round.

We created Kano Roads Transport Agency, KAROTA, which is made up of young men and women well respected by the people because they don’t take bribe but stick strictly to the rules of their work. People are respecting road laws now as a result of the managers. We have made the point clear to all that there is only one law in Kano.

That is why we are fighting

drug barons in Kano. Every week, we are confiscating tonnes of illicit drugs. At the last count, we destroyed over N600 million and before then we destroyed over N3 billion worth of illicit drugs. We keep on working and we have teams that are going round with a clear instruction from us that no corner in Kano should serve as a black spot. And in doing that assignment, there is no-go area in the state. The beneficiaries are unhappy but the vast majority is happy. Everyone is a victim of fake drugs, expired drugs and so on. We are now in the middle of fighting illicit drugs. Some people would think I am a politician who will need money from them. I don’t need money from drug barons because they are the enemies of the people.

Almost all your school buildings have the inscription “Kwankwasiya”. What does that mean?

We did a lot during my first tenure. We had all sorts of projects and programmes. We didn’t inscribe anything on them when we were in office between 1999 and 2003. But for the eight years that we were out of government, we realised that there was a better way of doing it. When I left government my opponents tried to rubbish everything that I did. They tried to rewrite history based on enmity. So, when I came back, I tried to change certain things and when I started building the schools, I quickly put the inscriptions to show that the projects are mine. It is politics and you have to blow your own trumpet.

We want everyone to know that I did the projects. Initially, many were angry why the inscriptions were put there but now they have seen reasons with us. We are very humble people not to name things after my name but we have to do things that will bring benefits to the people. We are putting these marks to protect the projects from being unduly ascribed to other people. Kwankwasiya comes from my name and my village name but it is now an ideology in Kano. It is not Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. It is the ideology itself. And what is wrong if you do something and put your name on it? In any case, we are just putting our stamp for people coming to Kano to see. And I will encourage my successor to put his stamp on whatever he does.

What is important is to provide facilities for people to use. It is all politics.

You were one of the governors

Continues on page 21

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 21

Continued from page 20 who defected to the APC. One is tempted to ask, what was the problem between you, the PDP leadership and the Presidency that could not be resolved after many attempts at reconciliation?

The issue is that we are people with huge integrity and committed followership. I am one of those who are lucky to have built a large and powerful followership in the last 30 years.

We have what one can even call a movement in this state and beyond. We have always been consistent and often identified with a particular ideology. I am one of those who participated in the formation of PDP even in Abuja. Here in Kano, I was one of the very few called Receivers.

We have worked very hard for the PDP from 1998 up till last (penultimate) Tuesday. We have also benefitted from the party.

There is no question about it because I have been governor twice, I have been a minister, I have been an adviser to the President and a member of the NDDC Board. So, I have benefitted from the system. But, on the other hand, there is a huge misunderstanding on the part of the government and the party in Abuja. And over the years, we tried to make them to understand but, unfortunately, they were not getting the point.

As a politician, I am in this game believing that I can one day win election and one day lose election.

That is why when I won election as governor in 1999, I was very happy. When I lost election in 2003, I was also very happy because of the experience they teach me. I have contested election 12 times in my life and only lost once in 2003. And without losing election, I can assure you that a politician should not answer the name because he is not complete. To be a complete politician, you have to test what it means to lose election and what it means by winning because sometimes it is easier to manage success than failure. When we lost election in Kano, it was easy for us to manage because of our experience.

Politics is really about interest, politics is about respect. We are field commanders on the ground in this party and I want to say that if you are the commander among the group you are working for, you should be respected and you should be listened to. And you see, the general feeling in Abuja is that ‘even without states, even without zones and even without regions, we are still fine’. They have forgotten that it is individuals that form the party.

Kwankwaso: PDP leaders got it wrong And we tried to make them to understand but they failed to understand. If somebody does not like you in Abuja, it is like you are finished, you are gone.

And that is not the issue and these people have taken us for granted for too long. I have my family; I have my supporters and should be respected. Even my opponents and enemies here in Kano respect me because they know the meaning of Kwankwaso. My opponents in the other parties respect me because they know what I stand for in the state. But, unfortunately, we are not respected in our own party. Can you believe that I have never been asked to nominate anybody for any position in Nigeria?

And because of this huge misunderstanding, they see me in Abuja as one person from Kano but what they don’t know is that we have disciplined supporters. Nobody in our group here will go to the Villa or the party secretariat asking for appointment or anything because they respect the leaderKwankwaso. But our enemies, I will call them rebels, will go to Abuja and talk against one man, Kwankwaso, who is their target.

So, our main concern is, here is a party which does not respect individuals and groups or zones and, even if you win election, they don’t respect you and your

And you see, the general feeling in Abuja is that ‘even without states, even without zones and even without regions, we are still fine supporters.

We tried to make them understand that politics is not a matter of ‘I like you or I don’t like you’. That is why I see the ongoing National Conference as a waste of time and resources. It will not produce any result.

Nigerians have already given us their mandate to deliver so we should not be turning round to ask them what we should do tomorrow. How can I now ask Kano people what I should do for them after getting their mandate to deliver good governance and projects? Does it make any sense? We have passed that level and if I don’t have the capacity to deliver on behalf of the people, I should

quietly resign and go away. I am not here to play pranks. Of course, I consult with the people and discuss with them but, at the end of the day, I take decisions on their behalf. I know their problem- they need jobs, they need food, they need good roads, schools, hospitals and other social services- and not talks that produce no result at the end of the day.

If it was during the military when they called a constitutional conference to transit from military dictatorship to constitutional government, one can understand and fully endorse and even participate in it. That is the one that Abacha organised and we took part in it.

It was unwieldy but, with our experience, we were able to fashion a lot of changes for the country that brought about the present Constitution we are using.

And the people are happy. I learnt that one of the governors said we will be stoned if we crossed over to APC. Let me tell you, in my political history, I have never seen a decision that is popular with my people than the one I have taken. We are in APC to strengthen democracy. I want to be respected while I win election or when I am appointed into an office. At the same time, I want to be respected when I am out of office. That is why I resigned from NDDC when I realised they were doing the wrong thing.

But are you sure you can get the kind of respect you are talking about from the APC? They will and have to respect us because they have realised that they cannot do it all alone.

They want to win election and they need us to be able to do so.

Right from the time they started talking with us, they have shown respect. They realised they need us. We also realised that these are the people we want. They can form a formidable party to win election and challenge anti-people forces.

But are you not afraid the Presidency can use its might and move against you and the other four governors?

The agencies of government are made up of human beings who are Nigerians.

They know what this country is passing through. If we move the way we are going now, and, unless things change, everybody would know that the country is broke. I don’t care what is done. I am not afraid to speak the truth. Politicians must be on their toes and nobody should sit down and claim that all is well. The issue we are in now is that of those going into

APC and those not going. But let me tell you that in a short while you will see a mass of Nigerians flocking into the APC. I am not afraid. I don’t see any decision I have taken in recent years that I so strongly believed in like this APC. And I believe that it is a step in the right direction that will help this country. The only disadvantage I see in the whole thing is that a few people are benefitting from the system and they are so few.

The Nigerian government should be a government for everybody and not a handful of selected individuals.

Well, if the President calls me for a meeting, I would go as a member of APC and not as a PDP member. Even last (penultimate) Sunday, the President invited us and we were all in Abuja to honour his invitation but he refused to see us. We have never seen anything like that. He was in Abuja but refused to see the seven governors. Even if he was on a hospital bed, he could have called us to see him there and sympathise with him. But we were just a few metres away from the President in the Villa but he refused to see us. That is why we believe that certain persons are underestimating and not understanding the real situation on the ground but I think they will begin to learn their lessons from now on.

The rumour in town is that you in particular crossed over to the APC in order to actualise your presidential ambition, which the PDP cannot give you.

Could this be the reason for your defection?

They are saying the same thing about all the seven governors. But let it be put on record that all the governors have the capacity and cognate experience to rule this country. I have never gone into any party with any mindset on any particular position. So I am not going to APC to be president or anything but to build the party and to ensure that it wins election in Kano and Nigeria.

We are connected to many other states and we want to win elections.

I am connected to every local government in this country. My impact will be felt anywhere because many of the people have worked closely with me in different capacities. You see, people underrated our capacity and our support base and that happened because if you surround yourself with my enemies, they will never allow you to see my good sides. And when we come out to play the politics of Kano, they will disappear; you will not see them.

PAGE 22—SUNDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

2015: Why Jonathan must run — Hon Azubuike H

on. Charles Uzo Azubuike is the Chairman, Committee on Public Petitions of the House of Representatives. He represents Aba South and North Federal Constituencies. He was also former Deputy Speaker in the Abia State House of Assembly.Before he joined politics, he practised law for 22 years. In this interview, he says his support for President Goodluck Jonathan hinges on the array of accomplishments recorded in the last two and a half years of the administration.

Excerpts: It appears that your support for President Jonathan is no more a secret. Are you just supporting him as an Igbo man or...?

I am not supporting President Jonathan as an Igbo man. I am supporting him as a Nigerian because I have seen his programmes. I have seen the improvement we are enjoying today in the power sector. I have seen the stability in the supply of our petroleum products on any price we agreed.

Up to Aba? Let me tell you, the Osisioma depot was shut down for over seven years. Of course that depot is working now. I see the transformation in the aviation sector.

Except the recent crisis and the purchase of the two vehicles…

That has nothing to do with President Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda that seeks to give Nigeria a new image before the world and I see his disposition to democracy.

Before he came in, in the times of Obasanjo, this House will not be doing the work we are doing for Nigerians. Obasanjo will use every measure to clamp down, to arm-twist. But President Goodluck Jonathan believes in democracy as a system of government. He does not quarrel with what views each man expresses and that is what we need.

What we need is to develop democracy as an institution and not to build democrats.

He believes in democracy as a system and that is enough reason for me to support him. You have seen the changes he brought into the electoral system which is cardinal to rebuilding Nigeria.

Can you name one?

Before now, you would not have done an election in Edo for instance and you say Oshiomole won. You would

not have done an election in Imo State and you say Rochas Okorocha won being an isolated election.

When you do a general election, anything can happen because, on that day, each person will concentrate on his own. Like himself, he will concentrate on Bayelsa or Abuja whichever one he chooses. But when you do a bye-election, that is when you know a government that has disposition for democracy because it was easy to take Edo and announce results. But he believes that we should allow votes to count and the opposition to run to balance the majority.

Of course, if he was on the neck of INEC, INEC will do his bidding. We saw before now how governors were impeached in Plateau, Oyo, Ekiti, Bayelsa. But he has brought stability to the system giving democracy an enabling environment to grow. That is my reason for supporting him. My other reason if we want to have peace in Nigeria, we need to have organized and systematic means of transferring power from one place to another. Nature and circumstances moved him from deputy governor to governor to vice president, acting president and president. And if the laws of the land say if you have done well, you should have a second term, then there is no way anybody should say he should not run. He will run.

When he submits himself to the Nigerian electorate, those who believe that his role is necessary for our democracy to stabilize will vote for him and those who have a different programme will sell it to Nigerians and then if the majority of Nigerians are convinced, they will have their way. And that is my reason for supporting him. I believe that no government can succeed except it has the support of the people. But a situation where people deliberately create unnecessary distractions, it is not called for.

What is your take on National Dialogue? Some people believe that the President is not sincere about it judging from the fact that he was initially skeptical about the exercise.

Well, I don’t know how to imput sincerity and insincerity in this circumstance.

Nigeria was a child of circumstance right from its formation: the amalgamation

of 1914. Nothing was discussed. We just came together and we tried to manage it and we have passed through several constitutions under the colonial era. You remember the Anthony Enahoro motion? He moved a motion for self-independence and a representative from Kano made a counter motion and said we want independence as soon as practicable. We were not prepared. That will tell you that Nigeria did not develop evenly. Yet we stuck together as a nation and in our constitution we proclaimed that Nigeria is an indivisible entity; that the sovereignty of Nigeria cannot be split.

And yet in the face of that supposed unity in diversity which has always remained; if you say unity in diversity, it means we are conscious of that diversity. The first national anthem “though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand”, so we are managing and we have been managing. And up till today, we believe in the unity of Nigeria but this unity has been having challenges that make it necessary for us to discuss the basis. When we discuss it, we will able to define it.

When we define it, each section will know what we have agreed, how we have agreed to be together.

But the truth is that nobody

Azubuike...

Igbo to produce a president?

I told you earlier that the basis for my support for the president is that there should be orderly transfer of power. I am not speaking for the Igbo. I am speaking for myself as a Nigerian and a believer in the Nigerian project. I believe in the unity of Nigeria but I believe that we should be explaining things to ourselves so that we should understand what we are doing. Now, it is not difficult.

Presidency was in the North. It came to South-west. When they finished, peacefully, it was returned to the North, and when nature intercepted it, it came back to the South and

After Jonathan must have done his second term, power should go to the North. When the North finishes their tenure, it comes. back to the South. When it comes to the South, there is no way any other person outside the Southeast should expect to be president wants to leave Nigeria. We can only discuss the terms of the co-existence.

So, there is nothing wrong in having that discussion. After the discussion, they will send it as proposal just like any single Nigerian can wake up on his own and propose if he thinks that something good can be done on the constitution. It will be sponsored here. It will go through the whole processes.

If it works, so be it and if it does not work, so be it. So, I wholeheartedly support the idea of national conference.

But we need to discuss details.

With all the support for the President, when do you think is appropriate for

went to the South-south. The vote we cast for President Jonathan in 2011 was for his person because he was already President and if you asked him to go, it means that we have ended his political career. He can’t be vice president again. He can’t be any other thing. So, Nigerians said Ok, coupled with his humility, the love and passion he has shown for the country and his respect for humanity, Nigerians said let him go back. So, he is there, when he finishes, I believe that the proper thing to do is after Jonathan must have done his second term, power should go to the North. When the

North finishes their tenure, it comes back to the South. When it comes to the South, there is no way any other person outside the South-east should expect to be president. It will come to the South and Igbo man will become the President. He is not going to be Igbo President. He is going to be President of Nigeria. And we don’t want anybody to push us into asking for the presidency at a time there is chaos and crisis in Nigeria.

It will not be in our interest. If we do it in this orderly manner, I can assure you that by the time President Jonathan finishes his second term in 2019, if the Constitution remains as it is, the presidency goes go the North, once they finish, it comes back to us. And an Igbo man will emerge as a Nigerian President.

There are speculations that you are warning up to succeed Governor T. A. Orji in Abia State. Are you interested in the office?

Well, I will tell you that I believe that power belongs to God; that the future belongs to God and He alone controls the future. I believe in the Lord’s Prayer. I am a Christian. Give us this day our daily bread. I believe in a song “one day at a time”. I believe in living from day to day. By the way, the way I support President Jonathan is the way I support my governor, T. A. Orji. I am his radical and fanatic supporter. I believe that anybody in office can only succeed if he has the support of the people. If God has put anybody in any position, assist him. That thing you would have done if you were in his position, come and pass it through him.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 23

We can’t run away from discussing Nigeria’s dissolution —Brig. Gen. Ikponmwen

B

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

rigadier General Idada Don Ikponmwen is a former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army. He is also the leader a non- partisan group called the Edo Think Group, which membership is drawn from the three senatorial districts of Edo State. In this interview, he says the proposed National Conference will be a waste of time if the delegates fail to come up with a new Constitution for the nation.

While admonishing the Advisory Committee on the confab to adhere to its assurance that there would be no, no- go areas, Ikponmwen stresses the need to find lasting solution to the problems bedeviling the country even if it means disintegration.

Excerpts: Why do you think some Nigerians are sceptical about the proposed National Dialogue?

The truth is that Nigeria has had a long history of conferences either at the national or sectional level in the form of dialogue, trying to address problems.

Regrettably, many of these conferences have hardly yielded results. The fact that we are where we are today, faced with problems of insecurity, improper alignment with the tenets of democracy, division occasioned by politics or religion, point to the need for serious discussions. I am not unaware of the reason some people, a good number of them, are doubtful about the new attempt at National Dialogue, it is not without justification because the people believe government cannot be taken seriously.

Even now, despite the reform programmes of the present administration, not a few Nigerians feel that the administration of President Jonathan is lily livered and lacking the courage to take the bull by the horn. I don’t believe in undue cynicism though, having said that past governments’ lack of seriousness may justify some people being sceptical and not wanting to believe that any good can come from Jerusalem. I think that we must eschew scepticism at this point in time, we must feel that this country really needs to sit down and put the past behind us and embrace this opportunity for meaningful discussion of the nation’s problems with a view to

charting a new direction. I believe that even though the decision to embark on this dialogue may be coming late, I think it is still feasible and I believe strongly that this dialogue which i consider inevitable must be given a chance. This dialogue that we are about to embark upon may well be the greatest legacy this administration can leave for Nigeria.

One part of Governor Oshiomhole’s criticism was lack of agenda for the

opinion, it is not good to be unduly sceptical and to allow people around to think that your objection is based on political differences. We want this country to continue as one strong and indivisible nation, but, be it as it may, nations survive, nations progress when the whole mechanics of governance is credible and the central government, the federating states and the people of the country are happy. But not withstanding that this decision of President Jonathan’s

This dialogue that we are about to embark upon may well be the greatest legacy this administration can leave for Nigeria conference. What is your take on that?

There are many and different ways of doing things and many people think differently and they formulate agenda and solutions differently. I think the important thing is to mean well, be sincere and forthright.

It is not only Governor Oshiomhole who has expressed very serious reservations or who has condemned the idea of a conference. Perhaps we can say that his and that of the chairman of the APC have been the most unequivocal. But they are not alone in this belief that this conference will not work.

Much as I believe that everybody has a right to his

administration should have come earlier and many people have canvassed the idea of a National Dialogue much earlier in this administration and the obvious signals were that both President Jonathan and his government did not believe that there was need for a National Conference particularly a Sovereign National Conference in the effect that there were already some structures on the ground which represent the people, some of us have said in the past, and we mean it, that national sovereignty is the property of the people not of any structure within the system. To that extent, the existence of the National

*Ikponmwen ...Constitution must proceed from the people Assembly, State Assembly, government at the states, the Federal Government, cannot be substituted with the sovereignty of the people. It must be emphasized that when we come to issue of the Constitution and the details and technicalities of that sovereignty, it is not an allcomers affair. People must know that the business of Constitution making is not the same thing like the business of electing people to go and make laws for the country or do oversight functions.

The idea in constitutionalism is that the Constitution must proceed from the people themselves. And in so far as, all along, we have really never had a Constitution that flows from the people without any embellishment, our Constitutions have always come from Britain or produced by the military. It is on this note that I must say that this conference is important; it is a must and i believe it must end with the production of a new Constitution for Nigeria. If we do not at the end of this dialogue come out with a new constitution that is acceptable to all segments of this country, then the conference would have been a waste of both material and human resources.

I think the minimum that anybody should do is to believe, to give encouragement to this project not withstanding whatever has been the position in the past. I think the best test to assess the work of our President today will be the outcome of this dialogue. Nigerians should be patient and cooperate with this

administration and put in their best to ensure that this conference works.

Talking about having an agenda for the conference, the President has agreed on the idea of convoking a National Conference, he has proceeded to appoint people to a Presidential Advisory Committee who will advise him on the modalities for the conference. I think that by time they committee goes round, they will be much more informed with the position of our people. Even after the committee has concluded its work and advised the government to formulate an agenda, that is not the end of it; when the conference is eventually convoked and the various delegates arrive, i think it behoves on the conference proper to come up with its agenda. At that stage, we will be able to look at the agenda government has given them and see where to make modifications and if necessary consult with the government that set it up. I think the final agenda should be made by the delegates, they should choose their leaders.

Where the final thing will go arises from this wrong notion that sovereignty resides in the National Assembly. Once we come to terms with the fact that that is not true, that sovereignty belongs to the people, then the whole basis of that argument collapses.

Yes, the President said the report of the conference will be sent to the National Assembly for ratification, but I don’t think that all the

Continues on page 24

PAGE 24 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Continued from page 23 President said was sacrosanct, that statement may have been made without giving full thought to the measures he has put on ground. We are also aware that the chairman of the committee said that the report should go to a referendum. I believe that peoples discussion undertaken by their delegates chosen for the particular purpose of this discussion and by extension a new Constitution must of necessity go for a referendum and when a referendum approves a decision it becomes imperative for the issues to be passed into law. So as far as i am concerned the decisions of conference after going for a referendum will go to the National Assembly for no more than promulgation into law.

As a security expert, do you think the confab will help solve our security challenges?

A lot of Nigerians are very disenchanted about the state of affairs in this country. That is not to say that the President does not mean his reform agenda. By and large, there are still a lot of areas that we need very tangible differences: The security area, our attitude to democracy, the level of corruption, the undue emphasis that we place on religion. I don’t mean to undermine the position of religion in our lives, but we have always opted for a secular state and that has been the situation in this country.

This is not a Muslim or Christian state, it is secular state and the major thing about secularism is that religion should be personal. But there is obviously too much emphasis on religion and unfortunately politicians have tended to use religion and tribe as a means of pursuing their personal agenda. Today we are witnessing the fact that the military has come out to be the major law enforcement organ in this country, it is an aberration but i have seen that the average Nigerian is looking not at the form but at the substance. And the substance seems to be who can provide the relief and the security that is so desired in a country where we can no longer sleep and have our eyes closed. So people are saying these military people are the only ones that have the wherewithal to fight these criminals. Even governors are asking for the military but it is not like that in America or Britain where the primary business of

*Ikponmwen...Conference must talk about everything

‘We can’t run away from discussing Nigeria’s dissolution’ providing security is the police.

We should know what role for the military and other law enforcement agencies. For now that is why we have the predominance of military presence in our law enforcement and as we do that definitely the primary role of the military will tend to suffer.

And what is even more dangerous, the things we accuse the police of, that they take bribe, they compromise, supposing the army the last hope in security begins to imbibe those things, what do we do? Then we will resort to Boys Scouts which i don’t think is the option. Much as i do not want to slam the present tactics, this dialogue is another avenue for us to revisit the structure of our security, defence and our law enforcement system; to draw a line as to what job belongs to who, so that, by and large, there will be better efficiency which will be encouraged by the fact that every knows where his own duty begins and where it ends.

I am particularly glad that government has said there is no, no- go areas, which means that everything will be discussed in this dialogue.

Even those who believe that Nigeria is too large, too amorphous full of inconsistencies and differences that we cannot live together, that it should be divided, so be it, so that we

can go peacefully. And those who think they can work together can work together.

Other countries who have similar problems, some of them have resolved their problems by breaking into parts. I am an advocate of a strong Nigeria but that is not enough; in fact, that is one of the things that worry me.

what we are concerned with now, we are concerned with what is desirable. If somebody says the whole marriage is not working from amalgamation till now, then we must look at this issue from a different angle. It is not senseless to say so. Instead, I think those who have been paying lip service to indivisibility and indissolubility

I think those who have been paying lip service to indivisibility and indissolubility and doing so more in a hypocritical manner should have a change of mind Those who come out to say Nigeria is indivisible, one nation under God are people who had the opportunity before to advance this cause and failed to do so, either by corruption or insincerity, they are still the same people who shout Nigeria is indivisible, I think that is all grandstanding.

The truth is that everything must be discussed. If we are going to work together as a country and get stronger, harness our major differences; if we are going to go on as one corporate entity; that is the feeling of a good number of people who mean well. But meaning well, rhetorics are not

and doing so more in a hypocritical should have a change of mind. If all the powerful people who have been in government have really embraced the need to have a nation that is strong, united and peaceful, we won’t be where we are today. There can be no peace in the absence of justice and there can be no peace in the absence of equity.

Let the society be good to everybody.

A society where the rich flaunt their wealth, to the anger of the great majority incapable of eating one good meal, it is hypocritical to talk about unity or peace. It is

hypocritical to talk about unity and progress in a society where majority of youths have no employment. It is hypocritical and unjustifiable for us to think we can have a strong nation when the difference between the poor and the rich is so pronounced, and where the resources of this country are perceived to be plundered by a few to the disadvantage of many. It is unrealistic to think that there can be strength in a country where some people work and they do not get result, some people are highly experienced and qualified, they do not get good pay in the same system where some people who are obviously not as qualified, not as experienced are earning far more than those who deserve to earn that amount.

My only problem with the conference is the time. Do we have all the time for this programme to be fully implemented? To go to a referendum will definitely take some time, then to the National Assembly. All these will not take few days or few months; if we say six months, that in fact will be minimal. So this exercise must take time and this is why some people believe that it is coming too late. But it is better late than never. And we must ensure that we don’t play into the hands of those who predicted that 2015 may be the end of Nigeria, God forbid that that should come true. But for those who said so, they did not just say so for no reason. They must have considered a couple of things, they are not nitwits.

America came to that position through one of their agencies and, for such position to have been reached, it is a clear warning. We must sit up, we must discuss, we must redirect the focus of this country.

Structure of confab Representation should mainly be on ethnic nationalities. Ethnic nationalities, which have been the major factor in all the discussions about Nigerian nationhood, have always been the basis and the idea has always been that we recognize their differences. And I believe that if the delegates are well chosen, all other interest groups will naturally subsume. I believe that delegates should also come from interest groups. We must be careful to ensure that the number of delegates should not to be unduly large. In my view, anything from 300-500, maximum 600.

Equal representation at the zonal levels is very important for the conference.

SUNDAY

BY SAM EYOBOKA

looking down on the white garment churches. Is he claiming that he’s more spiritual, or holier than the white garment churches? For the purpose of clarity, never in the history of Nigeria has any CAN leader related with every strata of the Christendom like Pastor Ayo. He visits Methodists, Anglicans, Catholics, white garment churches, ECWA, the Pentecostal, all groups. Not only that, Pastor Ayo ensures that there is equity in terms of representation and leadership of CAN. When Pastor Ayo was reelected, the treasurer was from the CCN,

I

n this interview with the Director of Planning, Strategy and Research and Media Assistant to the National President of Tarayyar Ekklisiyar Kristi a Nigeria, which means Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria, Elder Sunday Oibe, responds to an interview with Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele where he criticized the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in an interview accused CAN of being more political and has neglected its statutory duties. Do you agree with him? onestly, I would have said we should dismiss the socalled Primate Ayodele, but, with the kind of society we live in; if you allow challatants and their falsehood to continue, people will believe their utterances.

That’s the reason I want to respond to his confusion. First of all, he claimed that he is spiritual and that Boko Haram is more spiritual, and that if we don’t weaken them spiritually, the war against Boko Haram will not be won. Now, the question one would want to ask him is; as a spiritual man that he claims he is, does he need anybody’s permission before he can combat Boko Haram? Or is Boko Haram more spiritual than a primate and prophet that he claims to be? Or is he looking for government to give him money before he can carry out the spiritual exercise if truly he’s a man of God? Coming to the issue of him opening his mouth wide to say that CAN is political, he has not been able to differentiate between an office and a person.

Pastor Ayo is not CAN. He is only CAN President for a time and a season. For him to say CAN is political, he is just taking a swipe at Papa Ayo Oritsejafor. CAN is ther envious of the success of not a political party. Pastor Ayo Pastor Ayo or he’s bitter with Pasis not a politician. The fact that tor Ayo, and it’s obvious from Pastor Oritsejafor and those in his statement. He said PenteCAN leadership are Christians costal consult white garment doesn’t mean they are not Ni- churches. So because he feels gerians. They are Nigerians and that some Pentecostal consult should be concerned about hap- white garment churches which penings within their environ- I believe is false, he wants Pasment. tor Ayo to consult him. It is sheer But this self-acclaimed man of blackmail, bitterness and anger.

God went as far as saying that The Bible says we should not Pastor Ayo or CAN is always allow the spirit of bitterness to going to the government; and I spring within us. If truly he’s a begin to wonder, because CAN Christian or a man of God, I is telling the government the think he needs to go to God for truth. A man who said he does repentance. not belong to CAN, how can he ‘Other people’s trouble’ now know what is going on beSecondly, the Bible says we tween CAN and government if should not meddle into other truly CAN goes to government. people’s affairs; if you are not a It is the same Nigerians who member of an organization, said that Pastor Ayo was too hard how then do you know what on Jonathan. Even President goes on in that organization?

Jonathan shouted loud that he He is nothing but a busy body. does not know of any spiritual He has nothing to do; he’s lazy, leader in Nigeria as at today, goes around looking for other who will look at government and people’s trouble. tell it the truth.

Thirdly, the man said that It’s the same Pastor Ayo, less CAN is supposed to create than three months ago, who 20,000 jobs. Who doesn’t know challenged Nigerian politicians what CAN stands for? Outside to put half of their salaries in a of government, I think CAN has consolidated account and use absorbed and created jobs for same to address the challenges Nigerians more than any corof poverty. porate organization in this What have people like Primate world. Outside of government, Ayodele done to alleviate the there’s no corporate organizasuffering of Nigerians? Has he tion that has put infrastructure spoken to government? This a to develop the society like man who always prophesies CAN. If you don’t understand doom and all of his prophecies what CAN is all about, it is the never come to pass. What I have Christian Association of Nigediscovered about this self-ac- ria, which includes the Cathoclaimed prophet is that he’s ei-

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 25

H

CONTROVERSY OVER CHRISTIAN APEX BODY

‘Neither CAN nor Oritsejafor plays politics’

,,

Coming to the issue of him opening his mouth wide to say that CAN is political, he has not been able to differentiate between an office and a person lics, the Pentecostal, the Anglicans, the Methodists, the Presbyterians, TEKAN/ECWA, the Cherubim and Seraphim, all the white garment churches…

If you put all of these together—the schools that they have built, the banks and health facilities they have established to absorb workers... then you are talking of employing about 20,000 youths?

This man went as far as to say that if white garment churches invite Pastor Ayo, he will not go.

It proves to me that the man is

but Pastor Ayo decided that since CCN now has the vice president, it is now the turn of a white garment church to produce the treasurer.

The late Baba Aladura was a father to Pastor Ayo. He visits Prof. Otubu and vice versa. He even preached in many Cherubim and Seraphim churches.

Even at the funeral service of Baba Aladura, Papa Ayo was there, he preached. So what does he know about Papa Ayo that he says he does not visit people? When someone is bitter against you, even if you are doing good, they’ll not see it.

Not up to two weeks ago, Papa Ayo gave out a bus to help the blind in Delta State. He gave out scholarship to 40 indigent students during his just concluded church convention.

But this same self-acclaimed man of God who calls himself a primate; we have never heard about him. These are the charlatans who always want to make the rest irrelevant.

And the type of attention he’s trying to draw to himself, he’s not getting it; that’s why he thinks Pastor Ayo is at the corridor of power trying to get food.

When asked if Jonathan should run, he said if he says the president should run, he will not listen to him. He went on to say Jonathan should consult God… Is that what a prophet should say? Must you seek the downfall of other people? Some of you

may not know people like that; we know them. It’s because 2015 is around the corner and Nigerian politicians are desperate, so he’s trying to frighten them so that they’ll come to consult him.

What’s your advice to Nigerians because Nigerians are gullible?

My advice to Nigerians is that because of the difficulties in the country, everybody has to draw closer to God. Jobless people that parade themselves as men of God would want to take advantage of that and put unnecessary fear in them. I’ll say they should have faith, believe in God. Now, to people like this primate, my advice is to first of all accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal saviour by stomaching their pride and confess that they are sinners.

You know there was a group which said it wants to reconcile PDP. I’m only waiting for the time that I’m going to expose the group. One governor from the South-South gave the members N10 million, and they are running from pillar to post that they want to reconcile PDP. The question I ask them is, there has been crisis in APGA in the last 10 years, why didn’t they take time to go and reconcile APGA? The chairman of APGA is a Christian, people who are fighting in APGA, most of them are Christians. Why didn’t they take time to reconcile APGA? Why didn’t they reconcile other parties? Why must it be PDP? The issue is that they have been hired to do a job. As I talk to you right now (Monday), some of these men are in Kano; in Government House. I want to beg politicians, let them continue with their politics, leave religious people alone. All of these things will not take them anywhere, because after the politicians must have finished using them, they will throw them into the dustbin of irrelevance. So I want to beg them to stop turning God’s house to a market place.

He also alleged that Pentecostal ministers consult him and other white garment churches….

I’d have been happy if he was bold enough to mention names.

Now, is he saying white garment churches are native doctors where people go for consultations? I have so many firm Christians who are from white garment churches who don’t ask anybody to come and consult them. The way this man is trying to paint the white garment churches, I think if they know, they’ll not be happy with him. From the interview you can see how the man contradicts himself. How can you go to a man who needs help and ask him for help? This man needs help spiritually, psychologically, and nobody will go to him. I challenge him, if truly he is a man of God; let him prophesy something good for once. All he does is prophesy doom, against Jonathan, against this country.

But if Jonathan invites him for dinner today, to tell you the truth, the man will begin to sing and dance a different song.

PAGE 26— SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

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HELP CALL FROM BOKO HARAM VICTIMS

Widows, orphans dying at Cameroun border P

ATHETIC scenes from refugee camps on the fringes of the CameroonNigeria border reveal that women give birth to babies in harsh conditions. Feelers from the camps indicate that lack of medical supplies have resulted in deaths of several persons from preventable diseases because of the horrific living conditions.

No food! No water! No money! The refugees have left the comfort of their homes and are making do with newly cleared church compound, sleeping on bare floor; come rain, come shine. Pity those who are weaning children with little or nothing to eat. Not too far away from the camps are pit latrines. The only source of water, two wells, is contaminated. Men, women, children, old and young cannot go far for fear of being attacked by insurgents suspected to be members of Boko Haram, who are said to be parading the neighbourhood looking for who to conscript into their Islamic army or Cameroonian gendarmes.

In October, some insurgents invaded sleepy Gwoza community, shooting sporadically, killing people amid shouts of Allahu Akbar (God is Great) and disappeared afterwards toward Kurana Bassa village that leads to Gwoza hills. Intelligence reports indicate that some insurgents are still

hiding on the Gwoza hills since the declaration of a state of emergency in the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa by President Goodluck Jonathan a little over six months ago.

Many of the victims who fled the attack are currently refugees in the premises of a village church—Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN – in Galma village, Cameroon. The church which was founded in 1904 with headquarters in Jos, Plateau State was originally known as Church of Christ in Nigeria.

Despite appeals by Borno State government for them to return, their spokesperson declared: “We cannot return to our residence in Gwoza council area until the security of lives and property is guaranteed with deployment of soldiers, because even the policemen in our area are not spared by the insurgents whenever they attack our communities in Gwoza.”

Recent reports put the number of Nigerians held in Niger Republic and Cameroon as a result of the attacks by Boko Haram members at 70,000. A United Nations report said the Nigerian crisis had pushed nearly 40,000 refugees over the northern border into Niger and Cameroon in a drive that was straining food supplies in the drought-prone country.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), in its latest re-

REFUGEES...made homeless by insurgents C M Y K

SOS...Save us from death port, indicated that a total of 37,332 refugees had fled to Niger, nearly 29,000 of who are officially nationals of that country. The report said that this figure was three times more than expected, an indication of a difficulty in developing a humanitarian response.

Thousands of refugees have also spilled into Cameroon, prompting Nigeria to reach out for help in policing their shared border. The deputy governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, who visited the border towns in Gwoza Local Government Area, called on Nigerians who fled to that neighbouring country to come back home as government was making necessary arrangements for their safety.

But over 14,000 displaced Christians, in an open letter addressed to Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State by the Gwoza Christian Community

,,

BY SAM EYOBOKA

(GCCA), made a passionate plea to the governor, stating the plight of Christians in the local government. The letter claim that a “total of 618 families (not individuals) have been displaced from their houses to various places in Nigeria as well as places in Cameroon.” “There were a total of 46 churches that have been burnt and destroyed while a total of 541 houses were also burnt and destroyed.

“As at October 23, 2013, a total of 46 villages were completely displaced; while a total of 108 houses have been vandalized, some of these houses are being occupied by the insurgents atop the mountain hills.

More of concern is the plight of 68 widows whose husbands were either shot or slaughtered in front of their family members. We have full documentation of these atrocities against Christians and yet

More of concern is the plight of 68 widows whose husbands were either shot or slaughtered in front of their family members your deputy governor, during his two visits to the area, didn’t find time to even commiserate with the Christians, but were deliberately avoided,” the community chairman, Elder Ayuba J. Bassa, explained.

A feeble-looking woman gave birth to a baby at the refugees’ camp where displaced persons from Gwoza are exposed to harsh weather conditions especially as harmattan winds have started blowing with ferocious intensity. She was helped by equally hungry-looking refugees.

She sleeps in the open field with her baby under the cold weather.

Moved by the development, the National President of the

Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, on a recent ecclesiastical visit to the region, donated N1 million for the purchase of relief materials for the refugees and other victims of the insurgent attacks through the leadership of GCC. Our correspondent narrated sights of joy in the refugees camps that drove even the GCCA to shed tears. Most notable sight of appreciation came from a widow who was pregnant when her husband was killed. She gave birth at the refugee camp. She had two measures of grain left and was sleeping in the open field with her baby under the cold harmattan when she was given a bag of maize, some small cash, as well as salt, Maggi and slippers. She could only murmur, saying “there are still kind-hearted people.”

Another man who nearly lost both hands to the bullets of Boko Haram insurgents could hardly pick even the hospital card for his treatment. He too was given a bag of grain, salt, Maggi, and slippers as well as cash. He was so joyful that tears started rolling down his cheeks while muttering words of thanks to the CAN National President.

A young girl, who survived the bullet that pierced the right side of her face, also got a bag of grain, salt, Maggi as well as cash and slippers. She was filled with joy.

Another recipient was an indigene of Michika Local Government in Adamawa State who was assisted with a bag of maize. According to his testimony, he can be described as the proverbial cat with nine lives. He did not just survive the insurgents bullet which pierced through his stomach and came out through the back, he had very little food left to feed his family of over 15.

GCCA distributed the relief materials to the needy in six recently affected villages. Efforts by the church to spread the gospel to the widows in the refugee camps were hampered by violent attacks by insurgents for three consecutive days without security intervention. Pleas for local leaders, emirs and district heads’ intervention fell on deaf ears as GCCA representatives were directed to, instead, seek security assistance from neighbouring Cameroon.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 27

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ECHOES FROM ABACHA ‘PHANTOM’ COUP Ex-head of ssttat e, Af enif ere, ate, Afenif enifere, other ask Jonathan on otherss ttask par don implement ation pardon implementation

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA A former head of state has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to see to the completion of the pardon process he initiated early this year in favour of officers convicted in the Abacha ‘phantom’ coup of 1997.

Reacting to the cries of families of the officers, especially the widows of the late MajorGeneral Abdulkarim Adisa and the late Lt. Col. Olu Akiyode, the former military ruler said Mr. President needed to respond.

A former military governor in one of the core-northern states, who like the former head of state insisted on anonymity; leader of the Yoruba group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fashoranti; a chieftain of the group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and a human rights lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, spoke in the same vein.

The former Nigerian leader, in an interview with Sunday Vanguard, said he would not be dragged into the issue for reason best known to him. He however advised that since the pardon, as announced March 12 of this year, is a policy, government had no option than to implement it either through gazette or an official communication with the army for the affected officers to get their entitlements and status restoration and lay the issue to rest.

His words: “I do not know what the policy is because, since I left office years ago, I do not know how they operate. But government has pardoned the officers. If that is the policy, they have no option than to implement it.

“And since the concerns of the families of the officers have been published, the Federal Government will have to react and

respond to that. Strictly speaking, I don’t want to get involved in this controversy but let that matter go to the Ministry of Defence and Army Headquarters and so on as those are where it should be resolved,” he said.

The widows of Adisa and Akiyode, Rahmat and Adenike, as well as the families of the surviving officers had cried out in a report where they told stories of their lives without the benefits of their bread winners. None of the beneficiaries of the presidential pardon has benefited eight months after.

President Goodluck Jonathan, on March 12, 2013, following approval of a list he presented to the National Council of State, pronounced a state pardon for Generals Oladipo Diya, Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Adisa, Akiyode and other officers involved in the 1997 coup. The families said the President and other people responsible for implementation of the pardon should help.

Adebanjo, in his own reaction, urged Jonathan to do the needful on the issue of the pardon. He added that failure of the President to do so would hamper the chances of the proposed National Conference in the eyes of the people.

His words: “First and foremost, let me say that President Goodluck Jonathan has done the right thing to have pronounced the state pardon for the officers. But he should go further to implement the pardon. The only backing statement I have to the worries of the officers’ families is to ask the President to put the Oputa Panel report into action.

He should not give people an impression that government just take delight in taking decision or setting up panel which report is never implemented. And that is

Jonathan's ef ts will efffor orts have multiplier ef efffect —DESOPADEC chief

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI

Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya

Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju

*The late Major General Abdulkarim Adisa why people are casting aspersions on this proposed National Conference that he would just do it and will not take action on whatever comes out of it.

“He should prove his critics wrong by implementing this pardon that he has granted particularly based on decisions of a serious tribunal like the Oputa Panel. He should prove the critics wrong, also, by ensuring that all their entitlements are paid and rights restored because, by doing that, he would assure Nigerians that the decisions of this National Conference will not be some-

Ondo increases sc holar ship ffor or sstudents tudents scholar holarship

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure Ondo State government is to partner international agencies for foreign scholarship to assist students of the state origin.“About N400m is to be paid as scholarship and bursary to students of the state origin for the 2012/2013 session.“Speaking with newsmen after its inaugural meeting, the new Chairman of the state Scholarship Board, Dayo Awude, said the new team would inject new life into the Board.“Awude said part of the frontiers to be introduced include the

C M Y K

partnership with the international agencies and exploring scholarship possibilities with the private/ corporate sectors .“He said that the scholarship scheme will also be expanded to include foreign and post graduate students of the state origin.“Giving the breakdown of the scholarship award, the Board chairman said the scholarship and bursary awards have been increased to N100,000 and N10,000 respectively“Also, financial assistance to physically challenged students is now N50,000, financial assistant to medical

and law students is N50,000 while automatic scholarship stands at N100,000.

Awuda assured that the new Board will ensure that lack of funds is not a barrier to qualitative education and attainment of educational goals by indegenes of the state.“He pointed out: "We will ensure that qualitative education is affordable to indigenes of the state regardless of Socio-economic status.“"We will use available resources and leveraging on existing external support to promote excellence in scholarship”.

Commissioner representing Ethiope-East and Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA) in Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Rt. Hon Ominimini Obiuwevbi, has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for privatising the power sector, saying it is a sure way to tackle epileptic electricity in the country.

Ominimini made the commendation in Ughelli, Delta State on Sunday while receiving an award of a Honorary Doctorate Degree bestowed on him by Christian University Extension College and Seminary, Chattanooga, Tenese, USA for his role in human capital development.

Ominimini said he was ready to use resources at his disposal to ensure that Jonathan comes back in 2015 because of his effort to rejuvenate the energy sector and disclosed that if the electricity sector is finally rejuvenated it would attract investors to establish industries.

Such industries, according him, will not only provide employment, it would result in mass production of commodities for domestic and exports.

Appealing to those who have to assist the less privileged , Ominimini pointed out that Nigeria would be a better place if the privileged commit their resources to creating a better life for the down trodden.

“We have the down trodden. People have to lift them. If you do not lift them, they may remain there forever. That is why I commit over fifty percent of my earning to human capital development of the people. Now that I have been recognized and given this honorary doctorate degree award, it will encourage me to do more”, he said.

CRBC succour for Lagos widows

BY ABEL KOLAWOLE, Until Nigerians begin to genuinely walk in the way of the Lord, the country would continue to experience diverse upheavals on the political, economic and social spheres.

General Superintendent of Christ Redemption Bible Church, a Lagos-based church, Pastor John Abiodun Ogundare, who made the assertion, regretted that most Nigerians merely pretend to love God, noting that the actions of many in the country are patently ungodly.

He lamented that corruption had totally enveloped the nation, even as he called on politicians and those in positions of authority to work towards the progress of the country.

Meanwhile, Ketu, a sprawling community in Lagos will be agog between Monday, December 9, and Sunday, December 15, as the church holds its annual Victory At Last Congress at its international headquarters in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos.

The seven-day event, with the theme, Emmanuel, will feature a number of special ministrations, seminars and prayer sessions for Nigeria. General Superintendent of the church, Pastor Ogundare said some ministers of God from outside the ministry would join other pastors of the church to impart the word of God on the congregants at the event billed for the international headquarters of the church in Ikosi, Ketu.

The man of God, who said the country needs special prayers at these times, called on pastors to shun unbridled acquisition of material things and genuinely consider how they could help in alleviating the spiritual and physical pains of the people.

The conference would be rounded off with a special empowerment programme for widows at the church headquarters. Speaking on why the church would be empowering widows, Pastor Ogundare said many women experience untold agony after the demise of their spouses. He noted that some cultures are particularly hostile to widows, asserting that Nigerians should do whatever they could to assist such women and their children at all times.

“We all say Jesus Christ is the husband of widows. But Jesus will not come down physically to help these women. We are the ones that Jesus will use. Many of them have children to take care of, and there is no assistance coming from anywhere. That is why we are going to make them smile at this festive season, so that they and their children will have a reason to smile,” he said.

PAGE 28—SUNDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Victoria Thompson, Gabriel Ojo-Daniels wed

V

ictoria Ololade Thompson, daughter of Dr. Emmanuel Afolabi Thompson, Secretary of National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, Abuja and Gabriel Oluwashola Ojo-Daniels, son of Sir Aremu Ojo-Daniels consummated their union before family and friends at the Christ Crusaders Deliverance Ministries (Freedom Centre) November 2, 2013.

Reception for guests followed immediately at the Event Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos. Many notable personalities graced the occasion.

Photos by Bunmi Azeez

L-R: Dr.Thompson, bride's father, Pastor Thompson, bride's mum, Mrs. Comfort Ojo-Daniels, groom's mum and Mr. Samson Babatude, representing groom's father

L-R:Pastor Moromoke Fatima Thompson, MD ,Romoke Farms Nigeria Ltd, bride's mother, Dr. Emmanuel Afolabi Thompson, bride's father, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Agricultur and Mrs. Comfort Ojo-Daniels, groom's mother.

Oba Oladokun Thompson, Oloni of Etioni, Osun state and his wife, Olori Susan.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Gabriel Oluwashola Ojo-Daniels flanked by the bridal train

Wedding

Ohino yi Anebira, Ohinoyi Ibadan, gives daughter in wedlock I

t was pomp and gaiety all the way penultimate Saturday in Ibadan when the Ohinoyi Anebira of Ibadan land, Chief Lamidi Balogun, joined by family and kinsmen handed the hand of his daughter, Oluwafisayo Saidat in a holy wedlock to Abiodun Michael Ayodele. Many important personalties graced the occasion. Photos by Dare Fasube

Former Miss Florence Chinelo Egebe and. Hon Okey AJB Dike during their wedding @ St. Mulumba Catholic Parish, Owerri.

Parents of the groom, Mr and Mrs Christopher Ayodele.

Chief & Lolo Benedict Atunalu with the couple.

-dayy Fidau pra prayyer 8th-da

C M Y K

The couple; Mr and Mrs Abiodun Ayodele, cuting their wedding cake while Mrs Oyibo of Premier Hotel Ibadan ,supervises it

Parents of the bride , Chief Lamidi Balogun, Ohinoyi Anebira in Ibadan land and his wife.

8 th day Fidau prayer was held for Alhaji Abdulhakeem Alao Are recently in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Family, friends and well-wishers were in attendance to honour the memory of the deceased

L-R: Mr Tirimisiyu Yekeen, Mr Olatunde Balogun, Chief Lamidi Balogun and Mr Hassan Balogun Deputy Admin. Manager, Vanguard.

L-R:Mr Hassan Balogun Deputy Admin. Manager Vanguard.Alhaji Ismaila Balogun Mr Abubakar Balogun and Prince Maleek.

Sitting from left: Miss Nimota Are (daughter), Alhaja Iyabo Nike Are (wife) and Master Faruq Are

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 29

.... CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY KINGSLEY OMONOBI, ABUJA

L

ike a thief in the night, Boko Haram insurgents numbering about 300 and allegedly consisting of foreign mercenaries from Mali, Niger, Chad and even Libya, believed to have been hired by wealthy persons purportedly with axe to grind with the political architecture as presently constituted at the federal level, struck in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Time was 3 am on Monday and about 25 Hilux pick up vans were said to have been loaded with the insurgents armed with rocket propelled grenade launchers, GPMGs, AK 47 assault rifles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Their mission: To set the country ablaze by carrying out the ‘mother of all attacks’ and get the polity attacking the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as one incapable of addressing the insecurity of lives and property currently bedevilling the nation.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that after taking off from the border areas, the insurgents knowing that the roads leading to town were heavily manned by security agencies, took to clandestine routes, passing through communities and villages that were outside the patrol purview of security forces, yet nobody or any of the community deemed it necessary to run to security agencies with the information.

Consequently, they succeeded in entering the city centre, from where they shot their way through the unsuspecting but limited checkpoints on their way to the Maiduguri Air force base, taking on and ransacking military units and police stations they met on the way. The absence of GSM services off course helped their goal.

The question may be asked, why did they go for the Air Force Base? The answer is not far-fetched. Since the declaration of a state of emergency by President Goodluck Jonathan in May 2013, sources close to the security agencies on ground in the epicentre told Sunday Vanguard that the military onslaught to dislodge the insurgents have greatly been helped by the air assault launched from time to time by the Mi34 helicopter gunships.

The helicopters are a nightmare to the insurgents and they dread the Nigerian Air Force for that. When they are to be used, it is either the fighter helicopters take off from the Maiduguri Air Force Base or fighter jets take off to launch sureties from the Yola Air Force Special Squadron.

Sunday Vanguard was told there have been instances when soldiers have stalled in their land assault with a view to avoiding mines, booby traps and ambush until the air force helicopter pilots carried out air assaults to soften the ground raids. It was in one of such raids that the Boko Haram leader, Imam Abubakar Shekau, was said to have been killed.

It was therefore the thinking of the Islamist group, according to intelligence sources, that unless the AirForce Base was attacked and the aircraft incapacitated, the destruction

BOKO HARAM DEADLY ATTACKS IN BORNO

The revenge, sabotage theory of such camps at Sambisa forest, Gwoza hills, Benisheik, Gujba will spill over to some yet unknown but existing camps in the North-east.

Hence destroying the air force base will be a major victory in their determination to causing tension and unease within government and security circles. It will also give them some time to regroup and continue their avowed threat to attacking national assets and Islamizing the North.

However, questions must be asked as to the measures put in place by the

illegally into our airspace, their equipment can also monitor large scale movement of machines ferrying people in such combat areas if those charged with the responsibility didn’t take things for granted.

It is against this background that allegation of sabotage in the area of sponsorship of the insurgents to sneak into the country and find their way to Maiduguri; their ability to find their way to the airforce base, locate the aircraft and destroy them as well as set buildings housing ground and technical support facilities in the base

Before now, there have been talks of fifth columnists in the security agencies authorities to forestall the embarrassing and successful attack by the insurgents to the extent the three aircraft, the MIG 17s, which are no longer in use in the air force inventory, and two active helicopters were torched.

The NAF is said to be one military organization with the technical equipment and ability to monitor movement of not only aircraft flying

on fire, gain credence.

Before now, there have been talks of fifth columnists in the security agencies and unconfirmed stories have it that during one raid, soldiers, believing that a suspected insurgents enclave had been bombed and the terrain softened for ground attack, went in and, to their surprise, the insurgents were everywhere, ambushing and injuring many of the

soldiers in the ensuing gun battle.

In some cases, soldiers have faced military court martial for allegedly giving information to insurgents about movement of troops and equipment that resulted in casualties on the side of troops. Yet the situation persists. President Jonathan himself captured the magnitude of the problem when he said Boko Haram sympathizers are everywhere including among top government functionaries.

The coming of the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army with headquarters in Maiduguri, no doubt, is a step in the right direction as the long term belief of the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, is that the excesses of criminals and criminality in whatever guise in the North-east axis must be contained.

However, the large and porous borders that cut across countries like Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Mali, where mercenaries are recruited to come in, perpetrate havoc, maim innocent citizens and go back, have to be addressed.

There are instances where borders have been closed for a period of time to send a clear message to countries concerned that enough is enough. Yes there are religious and commercial affiliations but when a state sits idly by and watches as its territory is being used by insurgents to launch destructive and murderous attacks against a supposedly brother nation, the country needs to reassess its situation.

PAGE 30— SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

BY WALE OKEDIRAN

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rovidence Station, Rhode Island. I am sitting in the arrival hall of this very busy train station on this warm October afternoon amidst the clutter of my baggage of clothes, books and a roll up banner of ARIK AIR, the sponsor of the second leg of my ‘US COAST TO COAST READING TOUR’.

On the tracks outside, the AMTRACK Train that had brought me from Platform 5, South Station in Boston, Massachusetts gave a long piercing horn as it continued on its journey to its next destination in the New England region of the US. Tired and hungry but eminently satisfied with my last reading at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, I ambled over to the station’s restaurant for a cup of coffee to pep up my energy for my next reading in just about an hour ’s time.

Moments later, my friend and the winner of the 2009 Caine Prize for African Writing, E C Osondu, an Associate Professor of English at the Providence College, arrived to pick me up. And as EC later drove me into town, I quickly fell in love with the sedate and lovely university town, the capital of Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US.With a population of about 178,000, Providence is the biggest City in Rhode Island but about the third biggest in the whole of the New England area. It also has the reputation of being one of the first cities to be established in the US. The city is followed by Warwick and Cranston in that order as the three biggest cities in Rhode Island.

EC and I had not seen for years and we quickly made up for lost time as we later discussed over breakfast in a nearby restaurant before my 2pm appointment in Providence College.

Providence College is a private, coeducational, Roman Catholicuniversitylocated about two miles west of downtown Providence, state’s capital city. With a current enrollment of 3,852 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the college specializes in academic programs in the liberal arts. It is the only college or university in North America administered by the Dominican Orderof friars.

The college is located on a gated 105 acres (0.42 km2) campus in the city’s Elmhurstneighbourhood atop Smith Hill, the highest point in the city of Providence.

Low student-teacher ratio ‘’The fees are high, as such, the low student to teacher ratio which allows for a high level quality of the products of the university, ‘’ EC later told me in his office at the ground floor of the university’s English Department. ‘’You will be speaking with my English students in another 30 minutes time. They have already read excerpts from your novel, TENANTS OF THE HOUSE, as well as your short story, HOLY MICHAEL. They really enjoyed your works and are eagerly looking forward to seeing you”, EC added.

And so it was that I had a very enjoyable one hour interactive session with the 20 students in Osondu’s English class. From their questions which centred on the issues of fake religion, corruption and politics as depicted in my works, it was obvious that the

The Achebes without their patriarch in US

students were well groomed and had an excellent understanding of their studies. The only problem was my difficulty in understanding their ‘New England’ accent and I had to rely on EC’s assistance to smoothen the very lively session. ‘’ The university has booked you into the Biltmore Hotel for the night but, first, let me introduce you to my colleagues in the department before handing you over to Dr Chidi Achebe for the rest of the day”, E C told me as he later introduced me to the poet , Chard Deniord, as well as his Head of Department. Osondu was also happy that I will be spending the rest of the day with the Achebes, a family he had come to greatly respect. ‘’I never had the opportunity of working with Prof Chinua Achebe but those who did, spoke highly of him”, EC remarked. ‘’Apart from his brilliant academic record, Achebe was also said to be a very hard working and likeable person to work with. He was said to be very frugal with his words, money and even food”. EC told me of an incident when Mrs Achebe would have cooked a lot of food only for Prof Achebe to take just a little and passed the rest to some of his young associates who were working with him.

Rights I spent the next half and hour on a quick tour of the university campus with its very beautiful landscape of green lawns, beautiful flowers and trees. Students could be seen

Osondu was also happy that I will be spending the rest of the day with the Achebes, a family he had come to greatly respect. ‘’I never had the opportunity of working with Prof Chinua Achebe but those who did, spoke highly of him”, EC remarked hurrying for lecture while a class or two were being held under the shade of some trees. ‘’Over here, students have a lot of rights”, EC informed me. ‘’For example, they have the right to abandon a lecture if the Lecturer is more than 20 minutes late”, he added.

At exactly 4pm, Chidi, the charismatic medical doctor second son of the literary icon Chinua Achebe bounded up the stairs of Providence College’s English Department in a happy mood.

Ebullient, witty and astonishingly humble, Chidi and I have had a long standing warm relationship beginning from the 2009 visit of Chinua Achebe to Nigeria when, as the then President of the Association Of Nigerian Authors, I had led a group of writers to receive the association’s first President. Again, during the icon’s 2012 funeral ceremony, I had played a very active role as a member of the Burial Committee. After a warm embrace, Chidi apologised profusely for coming late to pick me and later went ahead to carry my luggage to his car which already had three car sitters in the back seat for ‘my three active boys’ as Chidi put it. ‘’We shall first of all go and see mummy in West Warwick before I take you home to sample Mimi’s cooking for dinner ”, Chidi said as he headed the car towards West Warwick, for the approximately 45 minute- journey. And as he drove, Chidi kept thanking the Association of Nigerian Authors and me for the good support we gave the family during the burial of their father. I used the opportunity of the trip to savour the beautiful and picturesque environment all around me. Mile after mile was well laid countryside with a scattering of cute and adorable buildings.

West Warwick, with a population of about 30,000, is about the 10th most

Continues on page 31

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 31

Continued from page 30 populous city in Rhode Island.

‘Dad’s room’ Before long, we drove off the main road and up a long drive way into the front of a beautiful and modest chocolate brown villa. ‘’Welcome to our house”, Chidi said as he pointed to me a room in the upper floor. ‘’That was my dad’s room. That was where he usually passed time usually listening to the radio. From there he could see us as we drive up the drive way”, Chidi added.

Moments later, we were in a well furnished sitting room where Chidi asked me to wait while he fetched his mother. ‘’Hello Mummy, Dr Wale Okediran is here”, Chidi called.

Soon, I heard a cheery voice descending the stair case followed by quick smart footsteps. I soon came face to face with Prof. (Mrs) Christie Chinwe Achebe, looking homely and relaxed in her brownish blouse and trousers attire as a bright smile played on her face.

“Good evening, ma”, I greeted, glad to see her in such a happy and healthy condition. ‘’Am happy to see you again”, I added as I gave a low respectful bow.

The afternoon’s receding sun revealed a face that, despite the demise of her soul mate just the year before, she still had a youthful and happy shine. Again, just like Chidi , Mrs Achebe was grateful for the role played by the Association of Nigerian Authors during her husband’s funeral ceremony. She equally thanked me for my own contributions as well as for the visit.

Python skin handbag Back in Nigeria while preparing for my trip, I had reserved the most expensive and by my own judgement, the most elegant of the gifts I brought to the US for Mrs Achebe. However, as I presented the cute python skin handbag to her, Mrs Achebe suddenly dropped a bombshell; ‘’where I come from in Anambra State, the python is revered and killing it is an abomination’”.

For some seconds, I felt devastated and guilty as if I was an accomplice to murder. However, my hostess, ever so graceful took the whole incident very light heartedly and went on to narrate certain incidents that showed how the python is held in high esteem in certain parts of Anambra State.

It is on record that despite the incursion of Christianity and Islam, old traditions hold sway in some communities in Africa as locals still revere some creatures and dare not harm them. As Mrs Achebe put it, “I grew up to know that our people revere the python. I also know that it is free to come into our homes and leave at will. But if you do not want it to stay at that moment, it is your duty to gently take it away, but not to kill it. “ ‘Burial rites’ It is said that if an indigene of any part of Anambra or Imo State where the python is revered accidentally kills a python, such a person will have to perform the burial rites as if the dead python was a human being. Other communities that revere pythons are Abagana, Agulu, Ihiala, Nri, Ogidi, and other towns in Idemili, and neighbouring

The Achebes without their patriarch in US

*Aerial view of Providence College. Inset: Chidi Achebe and mum, Prof (Mrs) Achebe

communities in Imo State like Oguta, Mgbidi, Njaba among others.

‘Mummy driving’ The Professor of Humanities, who had stopped working for about a year before her husband’s demise in order to look after him, was already back on her feet judging from her relaxed and suave mien. ‘’Mummy is already driving herself and goes for shopping and visits in the neighbourhood”, Chidi observed.

I wanted a photograph with her but she declined in deference to tradition which does not allow her to be photographed until a year after her husband’s death. She spoke glowingly of her late husband, especially his generosity, devotion to scholarship and family values.

The lively discussion went on and on until we discovered that the day had gone. Twilight was setting at 6 pm when Chidi and I departed West Warwick for his house in Framingham. Located in Eastern Massachusetts, Framingham with a population of 68,318 and is about 32 km (20 miles) West of Boston midway between Boston and Worcester.

As he drove, Chidi regaled me with his father ’s legacy of hard work, simplicity and humility. ‘’He rarely spent on himself, preferring to help others when they needed help”, he said.

“Daddy was ready to spend any amount on education since he was not too much impressed by material things”, Chidi added.

According to the medical doctor who is now into Health Care Management, even though not a Democrat, he is in support of President Obama’s healthcare package, Obamacare, despite its shortcomings. ‘’Even though the package may increase doctors’

The Professor of Humanities, who had stopped working for about a year before her husband’s demise in order to look after him, was already back on her feet judging from her relaxed and suave mien workload and decrease their income, it is still a laudable program which has my support”, he added.

Chidi also refreshed my knowledge about the New England region which is located in the northeast corner of the US and made up of the six states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Ivy League “Half of the Ivy League Universities are in New-England: Harvard University (Massachusetts), Yale University (Connecticut), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) and Brown University (Rhode Island). The other four are in the neighbouring states of New York - Columbia University in New York City, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Princeton University in New Jersey and the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN) in Pennsylvania.”The term ‘Ivy League’, which was originally a collegiate athletic conference, is now a connotation for academic excellence, selectivity in admissions and social elitism.

It was getting late when we finally

arrived in Chidi’s house in Framingham, a town which, according to Chidi, is divided into the black and white districts by the railway line. As Chidi put it, ‘’When my wife and I moved into the predominantly white neighbourhood about six years ago, the reception was not very good. However, with time, our neighbours, having observed us closely and liked what they saw, quickly warmed to us.”

On hand to receive me to Chidi’s home were his wife Mimi who is also a medical doctor as well as their three sons. Even though they appeared shy, I could notice the curiosity on the faces of the boys as they inspected me from afar. Chidi and I continued our discussions on every conceivable subject under the earth in his tastefully furnished sitting room as Mimi got dinner ready.

As we tackled dinner minutes later, Chidi was effusive with compliments for his wife whom he thanked for efficiently combining her professional work very efficiently with the home front. ‘’You know how difficult it is to bring up three boisterous boys and still work in a very challenging profession such as medicine”, Chidi added. By then it was very late and the Achebe’s suggested I pass the night with them instead of going back all the way to Providence. I was touched by the couple’s kind offer but was at the same time worried about the implications of abandoning the hotel accommodation already made by the Providence College authorities, especially knowing how much efforts my friend E C Osondu had made towards this. At the same time, the thought of Chidi having to drive the approximately one hour- distance to Providence and another one hour back to Framingham so late at that hour of the day was not too pleasant to me.

“That’s not a problem”, was Chidi’s response when I expressed my discomfort at putting him back on the road so late at night.

And so it was that Chidi and I were soon back on the road to Providence, arriving in the heart of downtown Providence where my hotel, The Providence Biltmore, was located at about 9pm. We exchanged another quick hug before Chidi nosed the car back towards Framingham.

Back in the hotel’s room 106, I decided to delay going to bed until Chidi had got back home, so I spent the time to recap my manager’s instructions for the next leg of my trip. ‘’Take the 4.30pm bus to Kennedy Plaza to catch the 6.10pm Greyhound Bus from Providence to New York’s Manhattan Garage then, get a cab to your hotel in Brooklyn.

Your next reading in New York will be at The Buka Restaurant, 946 Fulton Street, Brooklyn at 7pm”.

After another half an hour watching the TV, I called Chidi and was glad to hear that he was home safe and dry. But as I prepared to sleep, the story of the revered python came back to me. For a moment, I was worried in case the snake from which the handbag was made came back to haunt me in my sleep. ‘’At least, I wasn’t the one that killed it”, I consoled myself as I turned off the light for a well deserved rest. *Okediran, a writer, was a member of the House of Representatives.

PAGE 32— SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

I

N an interview with a newspaper on November 30, 2013, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a great nationalist, a two-time former Commisioner of Education of the old Western Region, a former Governor of Oyo State, one of our few remaining elderstatesman and a man that played a prominent role in the politics of both the First and Second republics, said the following: “Chief S.L. Akintola was the supreme leader. Chief Obafemi Awolowo left (the Premiership of the Western Region) of his own volition without advice to contest the federal election. In the federal election he contested but he had no alliances.

Stubborn, aggressive, very hardworking, visionary leader that Awolowo was, he never understood real politics at any time. In real politics you have to look at the figures, you have to have alliesthere are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. You must have some allies. Nigeria is too fragmented for you not to have allies. If you are counting in the prescence of someone with nine fingers, you don’t count in the person’s prescence and say ‘so you have nine fingers’. We had a brilliant man called S.L. Akintola who understood real politics. Awolowo believed that book knowledge was so important but he (Akintola) knew better. A situation aroseAwolowo wanted to ally with the East and Akintola wanted to align with the North.

So there was a crisis”.

These are interesting historical perspectives and insights from a man that was appointed as a Commissioner (or Regional Minister) for a region that comprised of no less than what are seven states of the Federation today (Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Edo and Delta) at the tender age of 27. I am not sure that I entirely agree with Olunloyo’s a s s e r t i o n t h a t Awolowo did not appreciate the importance of building bridges with other ethnic groups and forming alliances given the fact that he and his Action Group did build bridges and form an alliance with the ethnic minorities of both the old Northern and Eastern regions and did in fact champion their cause and fight for their rights. Yet that is neither here nor there. The important thing is that we are witnesses to an important contribution from a major player and participant to the debate about a period in our history that affected the fortunes of our country in a very real and profound manner. I say this because it could be argued that the bitter fight that took place betweeen Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief S.L. Akintola and their respective supporters throughout the early ’60s, the division within the Action Group and its eventual splitting into two separate and distinct parties, the ugly events in the South-west at the time and the unrestrained and brutal violence that was unleashed by both sides against one another led directly to the first coup d’etat of January 15, 1966. This in turn led to the second coup d’etat of July 29, 1966, to the shocking pogroms and mass killings of the Igbo in the North and ultimately to the Nigerian civil war. It is therefore good news when those that participated at the highest level of governance at the time and that are living witnesses to those events, like Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, speak out and share their insights and wealth of knowledge with us. I sincerely hope that he will continue to do this and that other participants and witnesses from both sides of the political divide, like Chief Olaniyun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Richard Akinjide, Chief Ayo Fasoranti will also share their views and insights with us as well.

Agreement When one considers and reflects on Olunloyo’s words and the entire background of the Awolowo/Akintola feud ultimately one has to make a choice and come to a decision as to who was right and wrong and determine which side was really at fault. Yet many questions still need to be answered before one can take a legitimate and definitive

Olunloyo and the `Wild, position on this. For example as Mr. Adeniji Mudahir Akinniyi, a young and insightful commentator on facebook, asked ‘’ What was theagreement between Akintola and Aw o lo w o before Awolowo left for the Federal Government poll? Who was the traitor amongst the two? Who is the father of civilization in the South-west? Who is responsible for the socio-political and economic development of the old Western Region? I need answers to these questions before I post my final comment’’.

For the answers to these questions one has to look at the history books even though, as Napolean Bonaparte once said, ‘’history is more often than not written by the victor and not the vanquished’’. Akinniyi has indeed asked the relevant questions. I know the answers to them but I will not share them here or anywhere else because I will not say or do anything that will resurrect the great division of the past. Suffice it to s a y t h a t b o t h Aw o l o w o a n d A k i n t o l a w e r e g r e a t Yo r u b a leaders andgreat men and they were both human beings and were therefore prone to making errors of judgement from time to time.

We t h e Yoru b a o w e EVERYTHING to them both and i t i s v e r y unhelpful for our collective cause to attempt to demonise one and idolise t h e o t h e r.

Neither of them was a demon or an angel- they both had theirfaults, strengths and weaknesses.

Yet they were both great men.

One of the things that fascinated me about Dr. Olunloyo’s interview and which is hisorically factual, is what he said about Akintola entering into a political alliance with the North (which was known as the NNA) and Awolowo entering into a political alliance with the East (which was known as UPGA). This was the essential difference in strategy between the two and it represented their respective worldviews. Akintola, who had deep suspicions for the Igbo, felt that the interests of the Yoruba were better protected and served by an alliance with the northern ruling class whilst Awolowo, who had equally deep suspicions for the northern ruling class and the Hausa-Fulani oligharcy, felt that the Yoruba interest was better served and protected by an alliance with the Igbo. The Western Region became the intellectual, spiritual and physical battle ground for the two opposing and conflicting strategies and world views and the rest is history.

My only mild criticism of both of these two great Yoruba leaders is that they and their respective supporters and followers in the old Western Region, including Dr. Omololu Olunloyo himself, did not sufficiently understand or appreciate the importance and benefits of building bridges between themselves and avoiding a major conflict. Instead of making peace, making the necessary concessions and attempting to foster unity in the collective interest of the Yoruba nation BO T H camps went for the jugular and an all out war ensued which did not end until May 1 1967 at the Yoruba “Leaders of Thought” meeting in Ibadan. Even after that tensions and suspicion still existed between the two sides for many decades and, to a certain extent, still remain till today.

June 12 The annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s election of June 12, 1993 by the northern ruling class and ‘’their ’’ military dealt a death blow to the

*The late Chief S.L. Akintola

,

By FEMI FANI-KAYODE

One of the things that fascinated me about Dr. Olunloyo’s interview, and which is hisorically factual, is what he said about Akintola entering into a political alliance with the North (which was known as the NNA) and Awolowo entering into a political alliance with the East

Akintola philosophy and strategy of a strong northern and western alliance.

However that alliance and trust is being slowly and carefully rebuilt and ressurected today with the recent merger between the ACN, ANPP and CPC and the formation of the APC as a political party.

Whether anyone likes to admit it or not the APC essentially represents an alliance between the North, the South- west and the Mid-west. The annulment of Abiola’s June 12 mandate was sad and unfortunate but it had one positive resultit brought the two sides in Yorubaland much closer together in a very meaningful way and from that point on till today they have operated more or less with one

,

accord. This is so even though there is still an uneasy peace between the two camps and their descendants and even though from time to time flashpoints of disagreements are voiced out. My view is that if we are really interested in fostering Yoruba unity and perhaps one day forging and establishing our own nation we must keep that peace at all costs and move forward as one.

Yet given the disposition of Awolowo towards the Igbo as Mr. Jide Olajolu, another young facebook commentator, asked, ‘’is it not ironical that the average Easternerdetests the same Aw o l o w o a n d e q u a t e s Yoru b a nationalism with him?’’

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 33

Wild West’

designed to rubbish the man’s memory and legacy. They demonised Chief Awolowo, their friend and political ally, and on the night of Jan 15 1966, during the course of the Ifejuna-led Igbo coup, they murdered Chief S.L. Akintola and Sir Ahmadu Bello (the Premiers of the Western and Northern Regions respectively) who were both their political adversaries, who saw through them at an early stage and who had open contempt for them.

Yet only the Igbo can explain why they hated and still hate Awolowo so much. I say this because he was their friend and ally when the crisis in the Western Region took place. I guess that their hatred stems from the role that he and the Yoruba played during the civil war. Yet I believe that Col. Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the igbo rebel leader, made the greatest mistake by attempting to seceed at the time that he did (against Awolowo’s advice and better judgement) and, worse still, he attacked the Western Region with his Biafran forces even when many of our people had sympathy for their cause and plight. As a matter of fact the man that led the Biafran forces in the attack against the Midwest and the West was a gallant and courageous Yoruba officer by the name of Col. Victor Banjo who believed strongly in the Igbo cause and who (along with Major Emmanuel Ifejuna, the leader and arrowhead of the Jan 15, 1966 coup) was later executed by Ojukwu.

*The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo

The annulment of Chief MKO Abiola’s election of June 12, 1993 by the northern ruling class and ‘’their’’ military, dealt a death blow to the Akintola philosophy and strategy of a strong northern and western alliance

,

APGA Jide is absolutely right.

The greatest irony of all is that, generally speaking, the Igbo detest Awolowo and have done everything that is physically possible to malign and discredit him since 1967. Yet this was the man whose party went into an alliance with them at the most critical point in our history (between 1964 and 1966) and who urged his faction of the Yoruba to work closely with them even though by that time he was in prison. That is what the UPGA alliance representedan Igbo/Yoruba alliance which was pitted against the Hausa-Fulani North and Akintola’s pro-northern faction in

,

the West. Awolowo suffered immensly in the hands of the North and the other group in the South-west because his party refused to compromise with them and because they took that position. Yet very few Igbo are prepared to admit this even when they know it to be true and most of them don’t even know it because they were never taught it in their schools. The Igbo do not teach their children all these things and instead they tell them that Awolowo was the devil incarnate, a murderer of children, a genocidal maniac and an Igbo-hater who ended up committing suicide out of frustration.

These of course were all lies and well orchestrated fabrications that were

Ojukwu betrayal The truth is that it was Ojukwu that betrayed Awolowo and the Yoruba and not the other way around. I say this because they fired the first shot and tried to overwhelm, capture and enslave us by attacking our territory with their forces.

They overwhelmed the people of the Niger Delta and the Midwest very easily but when they got to the gates of the Western Region at a place called Ore they were stopped in their tracks by the Yoruba forces and the famous 3rd Marine Commando which was 98 per cent Yoruba fighting force. That is how they were prevented from entering Yoruba land and they were pushed back, inch by inch, from the Midwest and the Niger Delta area (by the same 3rd Marine Commando) back into the very heart of Igboland from whence they came until they were broken, defeated and forced to surrender. After being attacked the Yoruba had no choice but to fight back and we did so very successfully. Chief Awolowo, General Benjamin Adekunle, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Brigadier Sotomi, Col. Alabi Isama, General Adeyinka Adebayo, General Olutoye, General Ogundipe, General Alani Akinrinade, General Ogunleye and a number of other key Yoruba officers and public servants played a key role in that war and that struggle to protect our people and our territory and I am very proud of their efforts. If not for them we would have been conquered and enslaved and we would all have been speaking Igbo as our first language by now. Finally I believe that Akintola’s position about the Igbo has been vindicated. Both he and Ahmadu Bello were right about them all along and Awolowo obviously did not fully understand them. Today, though he was once their best friend, they hate Awolowo with as much passion as they once hated Akintola and Ahmadu Bello.

‘Achebe’s racist categorisations’ Permit me to make reference to what the late Professor Chinua Achebe had to say about Awolowo and the Yoruba in his last, and most controversial book, entitled, ‘’There Was A Country’’. I will not repeat his words and racist categorisations here but I would urge all those that are interested in it and that can stomach it to go and read those words in the book. I believe that those words reflect the real thinking of most Igbo about the Yoruba even though they tend to make attempts to hide it until they are pushed to the wall and lose their cool. This is proved by the fact that, to

date, not one single Igbo leader or commentator of note has condemned the book or disagreed with Achebe’s comments and assesment. As a matter of fact rather than condemn it they have wholeheartedly endorsed and applauded it.

The real reasons for the deep hatred that most Igbo have for Awolowo, Akintola and the Yoruba generally can be found in that book.

Sadly most of the Igbo youth since the end of the civil war were weaned on such fairytales of genocide and betrayal at the hands of and by the Yoruba. This explains the attitude of many of them and the tendency for them to view even the mildest form of criticism as evidence of ‘’Igbophobia’’ and proof of a deep-seated hatred for the Igbo people. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. The Yoruba have always been very kind, very generous and very accomodating to the Igbo and history attests to this. As a matter of fact, if the truth is to be told, the unbridled political ambition of the Igbo to dominate and control the whole country and their strongdislike for the Yoruba can be traced back to 1945 when key Igbo leaders like Charles Daddy Onyeama (who was a member of the Legislative Council at the time and who, many years later, went on to become one of the most reverred and respected judges in the World Court at the Hague) made some openly racist, provocative and incendiary remarks about what he described as the ‘’inevitability’’ of the Igbo to eventually ‘’dominate Nigeria’’.

‘God of the Igbo’ Two years later, in 1947, this was followed by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s famous speech about the ‘’god of the Igbo’’ who he believed would eventually give them leadership over Nigeria and Africa. These were the deeply offensive sentiments of those that belonged to the Igbo State Union which was the umbrella organisation of all the Igbo at the time and which spoke for every single Igbo in the country. It was this rabid and violent expression of Igbo nationalism and intention to take control of the levers of power in our country at all costs, even at that early stage, that created all our problems in the south. That is where and when tribalism started in the southern Nigeria and the truth is that the Igbo started it. It cost Azikiwe the Western Regional elections in 1951 after the founding of the Action Group that same year. If not for that we would have had an Igbo man as the first Premier of the Western Region in 1951 and Nigeria’s history would have been very different. For more details on this permit me to refer readers to my essay entitled, ‘’The Bitter Truth About The Igbo’’, which was widely published in various newspapers and which can be found in the essay column of my websitewww.femifanikayode.org.

Permit me to conclude this essay by making a final point. I believe that it is important for us to know our history and to have a clear understanding about what went on in our past. This is the only way forward if we do not want to repeat the mistakes of that past. Whether we are proAkintola or pro-Awolowo does not really matter and whether we are from the North, South, East or West is neither here nor there. The most important thing is for us to be well aqauinted with ALL the relevant facts of history after which we can then make an informed judgement about past events and past leaders. Contributions from informed and experienced leaders like Dr. Olunloyo are therefore most welcome even though some may not share all his views or his interpretation and understanding of past events. My prayer for him and indeed for all those that served our country during that turbulent and troubled era that are still with us is that they continue to live long and prosper and that they continue to share their deep wisdom and vast resevoir of knowledge with us. Given the unfolding events in our country today, God knows that we need it now more than ever. *Fani-Kayode was a minister of aviation

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

How could she fall for this love rat’s lies - All the time?

T

HERE are some experiences you would have laughed at as being ludicrous if they hadn’t happened to you.

Michelle, a 30-year-old IT analyst was blissfully in love with her man of two years. She was more financially well off than he was, but after a year together, Anthony, her beau convinced her he wasn’t a gold-digger. According to her, “Watching him help out at my house, decorating and helping with my cars convinced me that perhaps we did have a future together. So when he started urging me to start making wedding plans, I was very excited. He was a very handsome man with whom I was sure we would make lovely babies. Then we decided he would stay with me a few days during this last Sallah holiday, so he wouldn’t have to travel forwards and backwards all of the time. He went to work of course, and in the evenings we would either stay in or eat out.

This went on for a few days until the night he didn’t come home when

it was 11.00 p.m. I was a bit worried - it was unlike him: I called his mobile - it was switched off. I called the special one I gave him and that one kept on ringing. Was he involved in an accident?

I waited another 30 minutes, then called him again on the mobile I gave him. It rang once, then I heard muffled sounds. “Hello,” I called, relieved, “it’s me!” No answer. Just the sound of what seemed like heavy breathing,

and a woman was shrieking in the background.: “Next I heard his laughter and what sounded like a radio.

Was he in the:car with a girl? I guessed his phone must have been in his pocket. As he moved around, he’d accidentally pressed the answer button without realizing it. I could hear the pair kissing, then Anthony said, ‘let me put on the condom’. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

I was furious as I phoned his other mobile. I could

hear it vibrating somewhere but he just ignored it. I was in shock as I listened to him making love to another woman. The filthy things they said to each other made my blood boil.

Then I heard him say goodnight and shut the car door. I phoned his other mobile and this time he answered. ‘Hello darling,’ he said smoothly, ‘I’II soon be home - had to work late in the office because of the holidays’. ‘You bastard!’ I yelled down the

phone, ‘I heard everything, you sex maniac!’

By the time he came back, I’d already packed his bags. How could I be so wrong about him? How could he cheat on me after almost breaking his back to prove I was the one for him? He left looking really pathetic but over the next few days, he bombarded me with calls that I ignored. Out of desperation, he went to my best friend who insisted that I owed it to him to give him another chance, or at least listen to what he had to say. So I agreed to see him, determined to tell him to go to hell.

“Only, he looked so contrite that I felt sorry for him. He opened his personal mobile tossed the SIM card into the bin. I felt terribly confused. I still wanted him of course, but in my head, his apologies merged with the sound’ of him bonking another woman in my car. He wore me down in the end and we picked up the pieces of our romance. He seldom stayed in his flat - he was all the time in my house since we’d agreed he would move in after we

got married. Then shortly after the holiday, we were at his place and he was in the bathroom when I decided to do some detective work. I quickly ransacked his bedroom and couldn’t believe it ‘when I came across a stack of love letters under his bed - all from different women saying how much they loved and missed him!

Was there no end to this man’s faithlessness?

“I said nothing of course, but the next day, I told my PA to return the letters to him at his office. He knew he’d burnt his fingers this time, yet he had the nerve to tell me I shouldn’t have been snooping around his personal belongings, that the love letters were from past girlfriends.

Who did he think I was, a nitwit? Needless to say, that was the death knell to our so called romance.

We’ve had no contacts since then - my wedding dreams now in ruins.

Did this man ever love me as I loved him? Or was he just a randy opportunist who sniffed out how well off I was?”

08052201867(Text Only)

Forward, backward bends & the spinal twist

T

HE ability to bend forward and backward and twist the spine laterally ensure flexibility to the spinal column and rest of the torso. This suppleness, according to the advanced practitioners of yoga, spells great health and youthfulness.

A very fit upper body guarantees you at boundless energy and well-being and since most of our vital organs are encased there. It makes sense to devote sufficient time exercising it. There are many forward and backward bending postures in yoga. But we shall for now restrict ourselves to a variation of the triangle and the camel.

The triangle: Technique: Stand with the feet about a yard apart. Clasp your hands at your back and turn the fingers upward while pushing the hands as high as they’ll

C M Y K

go. Turn the trunk to the left and lower it till the forehead is resting on the left knee or your level best. Retain the posture for, say 10 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The triangle improves the forward bending of the spinal column. It massages the abdominal increasing the digestive fire and banishing indigestion and constipation.

It helps with stretching taut, the hamstrings and strengthening of the shoulders.

The Camel.

Technique: Sit on the heels and arrange the hands next to the feet with the fingers pointing away from the body. Inhale deeply and raise the body off the heels humping up the chest and throwing back the head. The elbows must be fully extended.

Breathe normally once you are in the posture

and retain the position for 10 seconds. Rest a bit and repeat.

Benefits: The Camel instills backward flexibility to the spine. It stretches the muscles of the front of the trunk from the pelvic region to the chin. It strengthens the arms and expands the chest allowing for more intake of oxygen.

The Spinal Twist.

Technique: After the practise of the

bending postures of the Triangle and the Camel, it’s very refreshing to perform the Spinal Twist.

Sit with both legs stretching in front of you. Bend the right knee and place the right foot across the left knee. Bring the left hand to clutch the left leg passing it on the outside of the right knee. Place the right hand at the waistline and turn the trunk neck and head to the right. Breathe deeply into the lower abdomen.

Retain the position for 10 or 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The squeezing movements improves the circu-

lation and stops stagnation in the vital organs ridding body of poisonous wastes and breaking down fatty tissue. It allows the spinal area to come more alive with life-force giving you added strength and mental focus.

* Spinal Twist * The Camel Pose

Yoga classes STARTED at 32 Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos, 9.10am on Saturdays

SUNDAY Vanguard , DECEMBER 8 , 2013, P AGE 35

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

Should you keep quiet when your friend’s husband is having an affair?

W

OULD you tell your best friend that her husband was having an affair? Would you keep a promise even if it meant lying to someone you loved? At some point, everyone has to face impossible situations moral dilemmas where there is no clear right or wrong. And, even worse, you have to live with your decision for ever.

Like Feyi did, she’d lived a sheltered life and got married to her childhood sweetheart.

Then she found out that her best friend’s husband was having an affair.

She agonised on whether or not to tell her. “I keep thinking that if only I hadn’t seen them together, I would never have been forced to make the decision I made and things wouldn’t have ended up in such a terrible mess,” she said sadly. “Not that I think Adaeze’s marriage would have lasted - she would have found out eventually. But at least I wouldn’t have ended up in such a terrible mess and made to feel that the whole thing - the affair that almost shook their marriage’s foundation and the hurt - was all my fault. Ada and I have been friends since we were five years old. We went to the same primary and secondary schools, we practically lived in one another ’s houses in our teens. I would never have believed that anything could destroy our friendship. Just thinking about it still really upsets me.

What worries me most is that it has made me feel bad about myself. There have been moments when I have even doubted my own motives in telling her what eve-

ryone else had known for ages - that her husband Jide, was a chronic womaniser.

“As things are now, no one else seems to understand why I did it either.

My husband, Gbade is also a friend of Jide and Ada and he thinks I was crazy. Jide and Ada had been married for over nine years and always seemed to get on well together. I could tell that my friend was happy she never would have looked at anyone else.

They’d both spent some time with us the night before I found out. There was no hint of any tension between them. Ada even told me she’d successfully had an operation to enable her get pregnant again. Their only child was seven years old.

“The next day, I’d gone out early in the evening to get a few of the things I needed for the house before I joined Gbade at the club. As I left the car park I saw Jide and this other woman. I just looked up and there they

were. They didn’t see me but I couldn’t keep my eyes off them. I didn’t want it to be true; I kept thinking I’d made a mistake. But it was Jide all right, with his arm around the waist of a woman with well-groomed extensions. She looked quite attractive and about the same age as Ada and I. The way they looked at one another left me in no doubt that they were more than just good friends.

“I was really shocked.

You know that it happens all the time but it’s still a shock when it’s someone you think you know well.

As soon as I got to the club, I told my husband. It was then I had my second shock. He already knew; and so did most of our other friends. I was furious. My first instinct had been to discuss it with Gbade, not knowing he had been hiding it. I really felt for my friend. Imagine everyone knowing that your husband was having an affair except you. And laughing at you! They probably weren’t, but I’m sure that’s how you would feel.

“When I asked my hus-

band what we were going to do, he looked at me as if I were nuts.

‘What do you mean?’ he asked. ‘There’s nothing we can do.’ It’s none of our business.”

I couldn’t believe he could be so callous. His view was that either the affair would burn itself out, so she need never know, or that Jide would tell her himself when the time was right. I didn’t sleep well for a few nights. How could I let this go on without telling my best friend?

There she was happily hoping for a second baby, living in a dream-world where husbands were loyal and didn’t lie to you.

Was it really so cruel to shatter her fantasies by telling her? She might hate me for a while, but I know she’d do the same thing in my place - after all, we were best friends.

“But each time I mentioned it to my husband, he said I was mad to even consider telling her. He said I was

you. You always occupied the greater percentage of my thoughts. You are the center-piece and the nucleus of my heart. In fact,you are indeed my only definition of happiness.

Akachukwu Ferdinand.08063819314 Akachukwu Ferdinand.

08063819314

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"

My special One

Once upon a time I met someone who is so wonderful and makes me happy,that special person is

Season of life

Every event of life is time tagged.

The beauty of life is in doing whatever you want to do at the right time. Eccl 3:1,2,11 To miss one’s time is to miss everything.

There is adventure time and there is consolidation time.

If you don’t adventure early in life there will be nothing for you to consolidate later in life.

Sow seeds early in life to reap much later in life.

poking my nose in where it didn’t belong, and that neither Jide nor Ada would thank me for it. He “also hinted that he thought there was a bit of female rivalry involved, since once, many years ago, I’d had a fling with Jide. I felt that was totally unfair. I tried to be honest with myself and examine my motives for feeling that I ought to tell Ada what was happening. Then I became convinced I had to do it. The bottom line was that I knew I would want to be told • if it were Gbade.

So, I rang her and arranged to meet for a meal. How do you put something like that tactfully. I just took a deep breath and told her what I’d seen and that< I had reason to believe that her husband was having an affair.

“For a moment, she looked at me disbelievingly, and then tried desperately to reassure herself, saying she was sure that there was an innocent explanation, that her husband wasn’t the type - all the usual things people say to kid themselves their partners are faithful. When I told her there could be no doubt, and that my husband knew too, her attitude changed completely. She became very angry and shouted. ‘So what are you then?’

Some kind of a detective? Just f *** off and mind your own business from now on.’

“She phoned and apologised a few days later. Said she’d gone home that day and confronted Jide. He had admitted to the affair, and they were trying to decide where to go from there. She sounded utterly depressed, but refused we should meet to talk about it. There was

a kind of guardedness in her voice, as though I was an enemy she’d only just discovered.

“Later, I began to hear from mutual friend, that she was talking about what happened - but she was not telling me. Her husband was apparently furious that I’d interfered and my husband took his side. I knew how Judas must have felt all those centuries ago. Three years on, Jide and Ada are still struggling to make the most of their marriage. As luck would have it, last year, they had their longed-for child another girl. I rarely see my friend; when I do, it’s always me that makes the first move to meet. We have polite, stilted conversations. It’s really pointless. I may:as well give up because it certainly doesn’t make me feel any less guilty about her. In fact, it makes it worse. I get very upset as I still don’t know if I did the wrong thing. If it happened again, I know I’d react differently.”

Drinking and Pregnancy: The Risks ALCOHOL damages developing brain of the unborn child. This causes hyperactivity and difficulties with learning, memory, concentration, sleeping, impulsiveness, problem solving and judgment. Affected children may talk well but fail to understand instructions. Alcohol also affects the way children look.

Visuals signs include small overall size, small head, eyes set wide apart, squint, low “set ears, flattened bridge of nose and thin upper lip.

No one knows how many Nigerian babies are damaged by foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

FASD, and children do not have to show all the symptoms listed above to have it.

Define your goal Focus on your goal.

Season Greetings to all......!

Chris Onunaku dekris4real@gmail.com 08032988826/08184844015.

My Dearest Blessing Trust me, for you are the one whom my eyes seek, whom my heart finds, whom my destiny wants, whom my mind reminds me of, whom my life wants, whom I really depend on, whom I wake up for each and every morning, whom I love more than anything, more than anyone, and I will do whatever it takes to have you in my arms forever....I love you dear.

Emma Mine 07051037749 Delta State.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

BY IKENNA ASOMBA

T

he Federal Government has extended the ultimatum of its sack threat to members of your union to resume work latest to Monday, December 9. From reports, it seems the threat holds as the Committee of Pro-Chancellors has mandated universities to open register for lecturers and some universities are already complying. What is your take on this?

First and foremost, let me state that I’m unaware of any known law establishing any Committee of Pro-Chancellors and, therefore, we are not bound by any directive from the so-called committee. The Pro-Chancellor is the head of the Governing Council of universities. So, the issue of the directive given by such a committee does not arise. We are on a national strike and we are still negotiating with the Federal Government and we know that such directive is not in the best interest of education stakeholders in the country. They initially gave Wednesday, December 5 as deadline and we were waiting. Now, they have extended the date for whatsoever reason being given by them, we have just few days to the new date, Monday, December 9, it will soon be here, we will see what happens.

But government argues that it gave this ultimatum because ASUU is making fresh and outrageous demands, which were not in the resolutions of the meeting you had with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 4?

There is no new thing in the demands that we have made.

Concerning our meeting with the President on November 4, 2013, we are saying that the offer made by Mr. President is acceptable to us, with respect to the payment and that four conditions are met.

One, that the N200 billion agreed upon as 2013 revitalization fund for public universities shall be deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and disbursed to the benefiting universities within two weeks.

Two, that the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement in 2014 be included in the final document as agreed at the discussion with Mr President.

When the negotiation was ongoing, government took the minutes of the meeting and, somehow, they omitted this in the resolution sent to us. Our President phoned President Jonathan to remind him that

ASUU strike ‘FG may have to look for 37,504 lecturers’ Dr. Idris Adekunle is the Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter. In this interview, the don bares his mind on the ultimatum to the union members by the Federal Government to return to work or face sack. According to him, the threat is laughable as he argues that the nation’s public universities are already grappling with inadequate teaching staff compared to the student population. Excerpts: this renegotiation that was to be done in 2014 was not captured and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria promised our President that it will be done.

However, ASUU is saying that over the years, ‘once bitten, twice shy ’, that there’s need to document every discussion held at any level, because anybody would leave government at any point in time.

For that reason, we wrote a letter on November 8, 2013 to the President through the Supervising Minister of Education. The last part of that letter said, ‘in a telephone conversation with President, ASUU on We d n e s d a y, November 6th 2013, the President of We are not Nigeria further bothered by any reaffirmed his school that may pull commitment to out of the strike and renegotiating the government’s threat to 2009 agreement sack us. Nigerians are too next year (2014) to knowledgeable to be enable government cowed by that storyline of address a number of the past other problems bedeviling the university system. So, the will not be victimized in the President of Nigeria future. We are saying put this discussed over phone with in the agreement. Lastly, that our own President that this a new Memoranda of thing will be done in 2014. We Understanding (MOU) shall are saying this telephone be validly endorsed, signed discussion, please write it by a representative of down. Is that too much to ask government, preferably the for?

Attorney-General of the Three, it was also agreed Federation and a that a non-victimization representative of ASUU, with clause, which is normally the President of the Nigerian captured in all interactions of Labour Congress (NLC) as this nature be included in the witness. Why do we say final document. Anytime there preferably the AGF? The last is a crisis like this, it’s the agreement that we reached, at normal labour law and a point in time, government practice to include that those said we had no agreement. that took part in the struggle After sometime, Senate

*Dr. Idris Adekunle President David Mark said those who signed the agreement on government’s behalf didn’t know their left from right. We are saying to avoid that in the future, let somebody preferably the AGF sign this new agreement. So, what is fresh and outrageous about this?

Don’t you think government has finally succeeded in breaking through the ranks of ASUU as universities like Adekunke Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State and Enugu State University of Science and Technology have resumed?

We are not aware that Akugba has resumed. Akugba has not resumed. We know that there is a problem at Akugba. The Vice Chancellor of the university happens to be the brother of the state governor, so he thinks he can take the law into his hands.

That’s a different ball game,

but I can assure you that ASUU is up to the task in that branch. We are not bothered by any school that may pull out of the strike and government’s threat to sack us. Nigerians are too knowledgeable to be cowed by that storyline of the past. The military administration of General Ibrahim Babaginda tried it but didn’t succeed. We are now in a democratic dispensation where freedom of speech and expression is recognized. So, we are not bothered because the law protects us as a union to demonstrate, to strike when all other options have failed.

To be honest with you, we had thought that this strike almost ended after the meeting with President Jonathan. If you look at the demands I have stated, it’s nothing that government should foot-drag about if there was sincerity of purpose ab initio. If there is sincerity, then government should just sign, then we will immediately convene a NEC meeting and universities will be re-opened without further delay.

However, with the sack threat, how possible is it?

According to the Needs Assessment Report, there is a total of 37, 504 teaching staff across all Nigerian universities. With this number, our universities are grossly understaffed. So, the question is where will government get the over 37, 504 lecturers to feel the spaces, if we are sacked? One will begin to ask, can government just go into Alaba Market and recruit 10 PhD holders from the market? Or to enter the market and recruit 10 professors immediately.

We are professionals, we are in the knowledge industry, we can’t be readily replaced like that, because we know it takes time, it takes a process. If you want to know our worth, let them go abroad and recruit to see whether it will be cheaper for them. The most honorable thing to do is to simply sign the agreement, government should write and document this agreement and ASUU will be ready to call-off the strike, so that our children can resume studies. This country can stop the loss in manpower if only our leaders can stop playing with the future of this country. The future of this country lies in the hands of the workforce and this workforce comes from the tertiary institutions. But if we continue this way, the future is bleak for this country.

Continues on page 38

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 37

INTRIGUING EXPERIENCES

THE STORY OF OSHIOMHOLE AND THE IFIJEH WOMAN

A widower's mite for the widow!

*`My husband's death in police station to blame for street trading'

I understand that looking at you, you are struggling. But I was really angry and I realized that, even while angry, I could achieve the same result without talking to you the way I did. I apologize to you from the bottom of my heart because even my own daughters have been harassing me on your behalf.

I was really angry that day because I was going round and I found out that so many things were wrong and it was a pity that that anger, that aggression was transferred to you and I hope you forgive me”. He urged the widow to “assist me to talk to traders first to keep our roads clean, not to block the roads so that people walking can have the roads free”. Oshiomhole added: “The state government will employ you to do this job for us and we will give you all the assistance you need”.

Snub

*R-L: Gov Oshiomhole, Mrs. Ifijeh and her son, Bright, at the breakfast meeting

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hat started like the end of the world for a 40-year-old widow turned out to be the beginning of a comfortable life for Mrs Joy Ifijeh and her family.

Governor Adams Oshiomhole had, in his usual manner, set out, on Monday, November 25, 2013, to inspect on-going projects. As the inspection progressed along Mission Road, the governor was angry with some officials of government who he believed were not performing their duties. So it was a charged Oshiomhole who met the widow blocking the walkway with her goods. In order to ensure that market women comply with the rule of selling inside the markets rather than outside, Oshiomhole had set up the War Against Indiscipline to make sure Benin City is kept clean and also ensure free flow of traffic.

However, the angry governor’s action would have been over looked if not for the language he used against the widow. He had said, ‘If you are a widow, go and die’, following the woman’s plea.

Oshiomhole’s statement sparked off criticisms in many quarters mainly because he is regarded widely as not just a governor but the peoples man.

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pounced on the opportunity, announcing a donation of N250,000 to the woman. The situation of the governor was not helped by the fact that he is also a widower. He lost his wife and has since not remarried. But Oshiomhole, who quickly recognized that

he did not handle the matter well, on Monday, December 2, 2013, invited the widow to the Government House, BeninCity where he held a breakfast meeting with her. Before the meeting, Oshiomhole met a delegation from the Federation of Muslim Women’s Association of Nigeria, telling them, “I regret my action”.

“Last week, I had an encounter with a young lady at Oba Ovonramwen Square by Mission Road. She was trading on the road and too many people have been doing this. They block the road with their wares. Part of the problem of Benin before now

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way. But you find some of our women; they just convert the road to trading post. For years, we have been sermonizing. I came across this young lady who chose to put her wares right on the road thereby creating blockade and obstruction. We are all human and, in my anger, I said to her, `how would you be doing this?’ I asked them to confiscate her wares. She told me ‘I am a widow’ and I said `if you are a widow, must you do things that would make other women widows? By this obstruction you have caused, you could cause accident. You could

Oshiomhole pointed out that he had been under fire from his daughters over his uncomplimentary comment to the widow, and sincerely apologized to Mrs Ifijeh

is that it is so difficult to drive round the city”, he said.

The governor continued: “That also affects the economic, social and commercial life of the city. The people cannot move from one place to the other. Where you could have spent thirty minutes, you are spending hours. We have various officers we have assigned to keep the roads clean, to keep the walkways clean so that people can walk.

As you may have noticed in the past, there is no street in Benin-City that had a walk

actually get knocked down. In the process, I probably said something that I should not have said. I want to say that I do appreciate that I come from a very poor background. I understand the pains of the poor. We also need to be careful so that the poor do not create more problems. Just to say to our women that I regret having said what I said to her.

But I am troubled by what I see sometimes. We spend tax payers’ money to build roads so that people can walk and yet some of these things

happen. I regret that particular action but help us to preach to our women to try and respect the right of way”.

Under fire

Mrs Ifijeh; her son, Bright; her younger sister, Patience Ajayi; and landlord, Osakpanwa Omobuded, met with Oshiomhole at Government House where they had tea together. The widow, who was interviewed by the governor over what transpired that fateful day, apologized for the episode, pointing out, however, that it was not her intention to sell by the walkway. Oshiomhole pointed out that he had been under fire from his daughters over his uncomplimentary comment to the widow, and sincerely apologized to Mrs Ifijeh. “My anger was that when I saw you blocking the road, I said `do you want people to be killed?’ And you said you are a widow. I am sure you know that we don’t want accidents on our roads and that is why we built the walk ways so that pedestrians will have their way and vehicles will have their way”, he said.

“The second issue is that when you put your goods on the roads, buses can run into you or like those that sell tomatoes or pepper, those things can be contaminated because of the exposure which is not good. That is why I said to you if you are a widow, `do you want more people to be widows?’ But when I said `go and die’, I was really touched that I said that to you because

On Wednesday, December 4, 2013, Mrs Ifijeh responded to the PDP claim that they gave her N250,000. She said she snubbed the offer because she was satisfied with the apology and offer of a job and N2m by the governor. The widow also said she was not ready to be used as a pawn on the chessboard of politics, advising the party to give the said money to another widow instead. She disclosed this during the presentation of her letter of appointment into the Edo State War Against Indiscipline to her by Special Adviser to Governor Oshiomhole on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, at the Government House.

Afegbua said “the appointment is in fulfillment of Comrade Oshiomhole’s promise to offer the widow employment into the service of government”.

According to him, the appointment takes effect from December 3, 2013.

The Coalition of the Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Edo State and the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) commended the governor for exhibiting humility by apologizing to the widow. While the CRPP, in a statement by its chairman, Dr Samson Isibor, carpeted the PDP “for making the matter a political issue when they forgot that the woman violated the laws against trading on walkways”, ANEEJ, through its Executive Director, Rev.David Ugolor, noted that the governor demonstrated an uncommon wisdom by apologizing to the widow.

PAGE 38 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

INTRIGUING EXPERIENCES

My husband’s death in police station to blame for street trading — Widow

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rs Ifijeh spoke with Sunday Vanguard after receiving her appointment letter. Excerpts of interview: How do you feel being employed by the state government after your encounter with Oshiomhole?

I thank God for the appointment. I thank Oshobaba, even if he does not do any other thing for me, I am okay with this gesture. I have already forgiven and forgotten what happened. I believe that this is another way God wanted to bless me.

If not for this incident, who am I to meet Oshiomhole face to face? I only knew him from afar during the election when we all voted for him because we respect him, we don’t see him like other people who will come and they will not lead us well. I thank God that used Oshiomhole to help me, I am not angry with him. I heard that the PDP said they want to give me money, I don’t need any money again and they should stop using me to campaign. I am okay with what Oshiomhole gave me. I think that if the PDP is genuinely serious about helping widows, they should give that money to another widow in Edo State.

selling and that is how I have been able to take care of the children. We went to Lagos to write about my husband’s entitlements but we are yet to get response from the police authorities.

We married in 1991 and I am 40 years old now. I am also appealing to the police authorities and individuals to help me so that they will pay us what is due to my husband because he died in active service. His name is Godwin, an inspector. He was just promoted to the rank of inspector when he died.

*Mrs. Ifijeh Background and husband I am from Emein Ora in Owan East Local Government Council. I don’t really have details of how my husband died because it happened in Lagos. They said he died in his office, he was a mobile police officer. We have four children, two girls and two boys. He also had a Yoruba woman but I am his first wife.

We were married for twenty two years. But it has been difficult for us to get his gratuity. I have been managing through buying and

The PDP said they sent you N250,000. Have you received the money?

They did not give me any money. Like I said earlier, let them give the money to another person. I am okay with what I have. I don’t want them to be using my name up and down. I don’t need their money.

So how do you intend to start your life now after your appointment?

I will start the campaign immediately. I will be moving to the markets to inform people to sell inside the markets and not outside

because the state government spent money building these things. Personally, I don’t even like selling by the walkway because it is not hygienic. I understand that the Comrade Governor was very angry because he felt that what he is spending money on, people are destroying them and anybody who genuinely wants to work for the people will feel that way.

So I will start the campaign in all the markets now that they should keep their environment clean and respect the law. The Comrade Governor means well for the people, I have seen it.

Which church do you attend I attend all the good churches including Catholic, I don’t really have a particular one. I always go for prayers so that God will help me, even Bright my son is a son of the Catholic.

Did any pastor give you a vision that you could be rich?

No, but it was my son that had a dream that I had an encounter with Oshiomhole. In that dream my son saw that I went to the market and had an encounter with Oshiomhole.

My son was staying with a Rev. Father that day and he told the Rev.Father about his dream. He said the Father told him that

maybe God wants to bless his mother. I was already at the market when the incident happened and I called my son that the governor had packed all my things. It was later that day that he now told me about his dream. I was really touched.

But it was later that they called me to come to Government House for my goods. I called my son to come along with me and we were very happy.

The day the governor called you, you came with your landlord and sister. Were you scared that you might be detained?

Up till now I am still scared. I just said, ‘whatever wants to happen, let it happen’ but I believe that God wants to help me train my children because I have really suffered since the death of their father. As a matter of fact, the fear started when I saw the governor behind me. I noticed that somebody was behind me at the market and I was trying to push him so that I will have space to carry my goods, not knowing that it was the governor. I was shocked when I looked at his face and that was when I started shouting ‘God, this is Oshobaba’ and I knelt down immediately and started begging him to forgive me.

‘FG may have to look for 37,504 lecturers’ Continued from page 36 Back home to LASU, do you suspect any clandestine move by the management to re-open the university for academic activities?

Well, we are not aware of any clandestine move for now. But ASUU-LASU has been at the fore-front of this struggle. We are as resolute as ever. Our members know that the cause we are fighting is a just cause. It’s a cause to rescue the decadence pervading Nigeria’s education sector and we are bent on seeing it to the end. Therefore, we have no cause for alarm.

Whatever clandestine move that may come from anywhere, our members are not bothered. Our members are resolute, they believe in the cause and they are ready to fight this to the end. We have enough plans on ground to take care of

anything that may come up, as far as the educational sector of Nigeria is rescued from this planned decadence.

How true is the fact that ASUU-LASU is planning a local strike after the national strike. What are the issues in contention?

Let me make it known to the world that we in LASU have a number of local issues. Our union and various stakeholders have been discussing with a view to finding solution to the issues. ASUU-LASU is determined to make LASU an enviable institution within the comity of universities. I must say that these local issues might see us embark on local action after the national strike, and strike is an option that may not be ruled out. We want to state that LASU is the most expensive public university in Nigeria. Government may

have reasons to have increased the tuition fees to such a steep rate, but we believe that the founding fathers of LASU like Pa Lateef Jakande planned that education should be made available and affordable for every citizen of Lagos State and generality of Nigerians at large, irrespective of the income base of such person. The current regime of LASU’s school fees will not make that to be possible. The tuition fees range between N193, 750 and N348, 750.

We believe that considering the minimum wage paid in this country, anyone whose child is brilliant to have university education can never become a medical doctor if he decides to study in LASU. For that reason, we are using all

available media to appeal to the state government, under the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola, to have a rethink on this matter. You will have to get admitted and pay school fees first, enter the university before you are paid bursary which the government’s uses as an excuse for the outrageous tuition fees. We also believe that our members deserve to be promoted when they are due for promotion. The no vacancy, no promotion is also another issue in contention.

There are also issues of temporary staff not being regularized on time and those whose salaries have been stopped. We call it casualization of academic staff. Academic staff that have served the university for three, four, five years without being regularized and whose salary is stopped

is not proper. We also believe that an academic community that has no internet facility in year 2013 is unacceptable.

We also believe that every course, field of study is important and, therefore, no field of study should be discontinued. We also believe that the environment of LASU should look like a university, whether there’s construction going on or not.

Construction activities do not call for the university environment to have poor road network and to be overgrown by weeds. Also, the Universities Miscellaneous Provision Act 2012 as amended, which provides that academic staff in the professorial cadre retires at 70 as against the initial 65 is yet to be implemented in LASU. These are the cogent issues we pray will be resolved urgently, so that LASU will be better for it.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 39

CORRUPTION

The shocking, painful story of Festus Iyayi *The ICPC, UN connection This report reveals the genuine drive of Professor Festus Iyayi to shape the lives of young Nigerians in the path of honour and integrity. It is also the story of how that commitment would have seen him share his ideas and ideals with other intellectuals from across the globe. But it was not to be. Fate, cruel fate, put paid to all the dreams depriving Nigeria and the world of a good man. It is a shocking story of how the bed of the hotel room reserved for him in far away Washington DC, United States of America, was never to enjoy the bubbling life of Iyayi.

BY JIDE AJANI

J

ust some three hours before his death, Festus Iyayi demonstrated how vain life remains.

At about 7:38 on that fateful day, the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices (and other related offences) Commission, ICPC, Ekpo Nta, had engaged Iyayi in a telephone conversation about a pending trip outside the country.

The trip was a product of a relationship that practically started in early 2012 – Iyayi had been nominated as one of two academics to represent Nigeria at a global forum in Panama. It was the 4th Annual Meeting of the AntiCorruption Academic Initiative, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC. C M Y K

A SIMPLE MAN BY NATURE In fact, Nta placed a call to Iyayi that fateful morning to inform him that all was set for the trip, having himself gotten communication from Jonathan Agar, the Associate Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Officer, Corruption and EconomiCrime Branch Implementation Support Section, Division for Treaty Affairs, UNODC, that the United Nationa, UN, was “pleased to inform you (Nta) that UNODC will be in a position to financially support the attendance of the two Nigerian academics you have identified to participate in the 4th Annual Meeting of the AntiCorruption Academic Initiative. My colleagues Sasa and Alexey will now contact them to arrange relevant logistics”. This mail was sent to Nta on Friday, November 1, 2013.

According to the ICPC chairman,

“The day he died, I spoke to him at 7:38 – it is still very fresh in my memory.

“He said he was going to Kano.

“I asked ‘ where are you’? He said Benin and I asked if there was any

yet to fully recover from the 13hour meeting he had with Mr. President just a few days earlier.

“He said ‘don’t worry, it is part of the struggle’”.

That singular act of humility and sacrifice is vintage Iyayi.

But his act of humility and simple approach to life would be demonstrated some 15minutes later.

Continuing, Nta told Sunday Vanguard that “It was then I told him about my communication with Washington and also about the hotel reservations we had made which was $100 for that night and also asked if I should get a separate room for him and the other lecturer because they were to pay or if he would rather share the room since there were separate beds.

“He said he would rather stay on his own and rest well.”

The other lecturer for the trip was Ekeopara, Chike Augustine Dr. That was how the brief conversation ended.

“But surprisingly”, Nta continued,

As part of our interest in developing young minds, Professor Iyayi was the first lecturer to invite ICPC to his university to come and sensitize the students to the ills of corruption direct flight from Benin to Kano and he said he was going with his colleagues by road.

“But I told him that he had paid his dues and should allow his younger colleagues to go by road if they wanted to while he should fly.

“I also reminded him that he was

“later on, just some 15/20 minutes after, Dr. Ekeopara called me to say Professor Iyayi had called him to change his mind; that if he was going to sit with Dr. Ekeopara for the duration of the flight from Nigeria to Washington, then why Continues on page 40

PAGE 40—SUND AY 40—SUNDA

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Continued from page 39 can’t he sleep in the same room with the colleague for just about seven to eight hours since there were separate beds.

“Ekeopara called me at about 8 that morning and we left it at that.”

THE SAD NEWS t about 1:30, Nta was in a board meeting when Ekeopara called and said he had bad news “He said Prof is dead, he had an accident, that’s what we’ve heard.

“Immediately that brought to bear on my consciousness the ephemeral nature of life – somebody “I spoke to at 7:38 and by 11 he was dead.

“As we speak, we still have his international passport with us here; we just collected it from the US embassy.

“It’s really very sad because he really had a lot to offer this country as a model to the youth.

“He was not doing what he was not saying and that was why we wanted to use him.

“He wasn’t a hustler.

“And he had a lot to offer because having stayed for so long in the academia, he could tame the younger lecturers who think life is about being flashy.

“When I went to Benin I saw how highly respected he was by his colleagues.

“But we are very proud in ICPC to have been associated with him.”

A

A JOURNEY IN MOTIVATION ta told Sunday Vanguard how he got to build a relationship with the late Iyayi.

“As part of our interest in developing young minds, Professor Iyayi was the first lecturer to invite ICPC to his university to come and sensitize the students to the ills of corruption.

“He invited us to Benin in 2012.

“He was inviting me based on interactions we’ve had.

“I’ve read his book but we never met person to person until he stepped into the ICPC premises and came up to my office.

“It was not as if there was a prior invitation; Iyayi just came here and requested to meet with the ICPC chairman.

“He was granted audience.

“He said, ‘please could you come and have a session with my students in the business administration department on the issue of ethics and integrity because they are in business and there’re lots of malpractices in the business world.

But when you speak to them and when they leave the University of Benin as graduates of business, they would be sought after on the basis of their integrity’.

“I felt that made a lot of sense.

“We fixed an appointment and I told them I was coming.

“I think he broached the issue with the Vice Chancellor, Professor Oshodin, and the VC said ‘no, it would not just be for your department; the whole university would be involved’.

“A few days before then, I had

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From left: Professor Iyayi, Mr. Ekpo Nta and UNIBEN VC, Professor Oshodin, when ICPC visited UNIBEN at the behest of Prof. Iyayi

When I finished with the students after about four hours, the response was great.

I gave them my e-mail address and my telephone numbers. You can’t imagine what happened thereafter. I had over 300 e-mails from students based on the interaction some other engagement and I called him to try to reschedule the session with the students.

“He said ‘chairman please don’t even think of it. The session is now far bigger than what you thought.

The VC is insisting that the university should be involved and we have flyers everywhere so please chairman you must come. As a matter of fact the faculty and the university community are expecting you’.

“I flew into Benin the day before the event in the evening.

“It was scheduled for 11am.

10:30am, we met with the VC. Iyayi was so time conscious that at exactly 11am, we were in the hall.

“When I finished with the students after about four hours, the response was great. I gave them my e-mail address and my telephone numbers. You can’t imagine what happened thereafter. I had over 300 e-mails from students based on the interaction.

“And that was what made me believe that there is hope for this country if we harness the right publics. The bulk of our population is the youth and we must address

A cross section of students of UNIBEN during the ICPC session them.

“From then on Iyayi and I started working out the package and I then asked him that I would like to sponsor any student who is interested in corruption studies and he said there was already one doing his PhD in that field. We provided a grant from ICPC as well as materials from our office for his research and we are in a close relationship on that basis”.

IYAYI’S NOMINATION FOR THE UN PROGRAMME xplaining how Iyayi was nominated for the global event, Nta disclosed that “ when I presented some of our activities at the UNODC in Vienna, the whole world marveled at what could be done and so eventually participants agreed with me that they should start corruption studies as a full time course in Nigerian universities.

“But I told them that I don’t have that kind of money and they said ‘ we would help you’.

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“For curriculum training, they insisted they needed to see the lecturers who would be involved.

“It was on that basis that I nominated the late Professor Festus Iyayi and one other lecturer from the University of Calabar, Dr. Ekeopara because I also had an interaction with the students of the University of Calabar; I interacted with students of the University of Ibadan.

“I sent words to him that I had nominated him and he was shocked and said ‘ you’ve nominated me for such an important assignment’!

“I told him yes and that it is because he can do it and would, therefore, be able to replicate it for other universities in Nigeria.

“He agreed.

“And because we were to go to Panama, the United Nations agreed to pay for his ticket, pay for his flight and give materials.

“It was the final lap of the arrangements that I discussed with him that fateful day before his death, about three hours later”.

SUND AY SUNDA

Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 41

as a blessing and not a curse.

Looking down the road to three years from now, if not sooner, Nigeria will earn less from oil and gas than ever before. Next year should be the year we should get ready for that future which is breathing down our necks. Bad politics, in fact, hostile politics will prevent us from undertaking the sober examination of our future prospects which, in the near term, would not have been very bright but which would be made worse by the failure to pass the 2014 budget on time.

With the political re-alignment going on, and with hostility building up on both sides, timely passage of the 2014 budget is becoming a remote possibility.

Options available

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•President Jonathan

•Sanate President

David Mark

•House Speaker

Aminu Tanbuwal

A hostage of an overheated polity

•And a plea for sanity

BY DELE SOBOWALE

“

A budget presentation is among the cardinal services the President…performs for Congressmen (NASS) and bureaucrats and lobbyists alike. Without it they would be hard put to do their jobs.”

Richard Neustadt in POWER AND PRESIDENTS.

E

ven if the political tsunami, the defection of five PDP governors to APC, had not occurred, getting 2014 Budget passed, without protracted rancour, and before March next year, would have been close to a mission impossible. But, with the latest political developments, next year’s budget had suddenly become one of the possible hostages or victims of the overheated polity.

In the preview to the 2014 Budget, published last week, the point had been made that the 2014 Budget is being presented to the most hostile National Assembly ever faced by a President since 1999. Permit me to recall part of that article. “On the 2014 Budget, Jonathan is not assured of many followers in the NASS. The coalition of forces which brought President Jonathan into office in 2011 has been melting, slowly but surely, like butter left out in the scourging sun. The President no longer enjoys the support of all the PDP lawmakers in both houses of the National Assembly; meanwhile, the opposition, hitherto, working independently, has fused into a solid block.” Even the most incurable pessimist about the fate of Nigeria and the 2014 Budget could not have predicted how quickly the President’s support in the NASS would crumble. The article reached the Sunday Editor just a day before five PDP governors jumped ship to the APC – and most are poised to take their states’ legislators with them. Or, at least a substantial number of them. All the political calculations point to the possibility that the opposition will constitute a clear majority in the House of Representatives; and, perhaps, in the Senate as well. If they succeed in

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With a potential shift of power in the NASS, which could imperil the President’s political future, Nigeria runs the risk of having the Budget set aside for a long time while the power struggle in the NASS continues

when the first coup occurred.

Among the first casualties of the political turmoil of the 1960s were the annual budgets and the First National Development Plan. Bad and violent politics always drives out good economics anytime and anywhere.

Unfortunately, violence has always been the chief weapon of desperate politicians. That is the verdict of history. At the moment Nigeria parades some of the most desperate politicians on this planet. Nationwide mayhem might soon follow.

“capturing” the NASS, the current leaders – Senate President and Speaker as well as other leaders of parliament – will have only two options available to them – go down out of loyalty to Jonathan, or, decamp and join the rebels. It is the devil’s choice for them. The closest thing in our history to this political mess shaping up occurred in the old Western Region, in 1963, precisely 50 years ago,when Premier Akintola defied his party leader and refused to step down as ordered. After briefly closing down the Western House of Assembly, Akintola reached an accord with the leader of opposition, Chief Fani-Kayode — father of the current political gadfly bearing the same name. With renegade Action Group members, most of them induced by promise of appointment to high office, Akintola seized power from Awolowo in the West and inadvertently set in motion the series of political upheavals which culminated in the first military coup of 1966.

Why am I writing this? The reasons should be obvious to most readers. But, there is still a need to spell it all out. Uncle Sam, the Publisher of VANGUARD, had admonished me many times by saying that, “What you think we should know, but which we don’t know will fill a book.” So, I will not assume the reader knows. Furthermore, whereas the violent political upheaval was limited to the West in the 1960s, this one, if it occurs, will reach every corner of Nigeria. The potential for damage is far greater than in 1963-66 –

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Shift of power ith a potential shift of power in the NASS, which could imperil the President’s political future, Nigeria runs the risk of having the budget set aside for a long time while the power struggle in the NASS continues. It needs to be stated that it matters a great deal who is Senate President and Speaker when the 2014 Budget is presented for consideration. Incidentally, I have read articles and statements by individuals splitting ears about whether or not it is mandatory for the President to go to the NASS chambers to lay the budget before them. With relationships degenerating from minor disagreement to absolute hatred between those for and against the President, it will matter very little if Jonathan goes to the NASS chambers to present the budget or throws it over the fence. The battle ground will be the NASS itself, especially, if chairmanship of key committees change hands from “loyalists” to “rebels” – for lack of better terms. Here again, it is pertinent to remember that the final battle in the old West occurred in the Western House of Assembly, when a member threw a chair in anger and the WILD WILD WEST got underway. My fear is that the opposing political forces are driving us closer to that brink again and the budget might be the first sacrifice made to the god of hostile politics.

Yet, this is perhaps the most important budget we have ever had to consider in several decades because it might be the last budget in which crude oil would be regarded

hat brings us to the options available to the President – who one must admit – had been the most beleaguered Head of government since 1960 when Nigeria became independent. Basically, he can fight or he can surrender or try compromise. The third and, perhaps, best option would mean sacrificing the hawks among his present supporters – Tukur, Anenih, Clarke etc.

Unfortunately, that would strip Jonathan of the most loyal supporters he can rely on and leave him without a strong political base.

Surrender, especially at this point, would throw what ever is left of the PDP, loyal to the President, into disarray. And, he is not guaranteed a soft landing by his opponents.

His political adversaries would demand that he gives up his constitutional rights to seek re-election. He might as well go home now if he succumbs. Certainly, the 2014 budget will no longer be under his control.

That leaves only one option left – fight. In this regard, Jonathan is not as helpless as he would appear. He is still the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces.

He still wields enormous powers – which he has not deployed. More to the point, he can rally other segments of society to support his demand for the 2014 budget to be passed on time. In that respect he has one advantage over his political opponents. He is a leader in his own right. At the moment the opposition has many leaders, but no single leader. And the influx of so many political incompatibles might have weakened, rather than strengthened APC. One segment the President needs to court is the media. For reasons difficult to imagine, the President and his advisers, including former media practitioners, had shielded him from the Fourth Estate of the Realm.

One can even argue that he had grown to detest the media. That was a safe position to take as long as the majority of the Second Estate – the legislature – is in support. But, now with the NASS becoming hostile territory, President Jonathan and his Ministers and advisers will be well advised to mend their fences with the media.

Rapprochement with the media will allow him to appeal more strongly to the people when the NASS petulantly decides to bottle up the budget instead of passing it on time.

Then, the President needs to get closer to the people who elected him. The gang-up against him is now casting him in a more sympathetic light. And the closer APC gets to becoming the mainstream party the greater scrutiny it receives and not everybody id comfortable that this is the change they desire. When the Second Estate becomes hostile, other Presidents have appealed to the people to put pressure on parliament.

However, courting the people and the media will entail some sacrifices. There is nothing like a “free lunch” in even in the struggle for power. The most common sacrifices include – people (key officials generally in disfavour with the people), and “stooping to conquer”.

Having distanced himself, deliberately or inadvertently, from the people and media, he would need a special effort to turn around the relationship. Fortunately, he is still the President. If he reaches out, he will be pleasantly surprised by the results. At any rate, he needs them more than they need him. That is a fact which if understood might assist Jonathan in carrying out one of the cardinal functions of a President – getting the budget passed. Without the 2014 Budget, he might as well forget 2015.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

The oil revenue mystery has been a mystery. Indeed Nigeria’s oil revenue account is one of the most secret of mysteries, made even more so by a most secretive administration whose executive authority is so wide-ranging that it can afford to play God on this matter.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation is run like a secret cult. It does not account to the public although the Act of parliament establishing it requires that it makes public Nigeria’s oil account regularly. But for as long as Nigerians can remember, the NNPC has not published a verifiable true account of revenue earnings accruing to the government of Nigeria from oil and sundry sales.

The Ministry has been run like a personal fiefdom, and has generally made the issue of the records of oil sales a need-toknow, available perhaps only to the President. But oil is Nigeria’s public resource.

Its management is at the heart of Nigeria’s economic life. It is from the sale of oil mostly that Nigeria’s public expenditure depends. It is a strategic aspect of Nigeria’s national political and economic life, and its management has to be accountable and transparent. But this is not so. In the eight years of Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, after the transition from military tyranny, the federal government did not account to Nigerians about the quantity of oil sold nor about the true accruing

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revenue from oil. In those eight years, Nigeria’s oil sales and production was placed under a hermetic seal.

There was an aura of deep and effulgent corruption emanating from that area of Nigerian life. In 1979, the Shagari government was forced by the public interest activism of the late Professor Ayodele Awojobi and Afrobeat musician Fela Anikulapo-Kuti to open up investigations into the alleged missing N2.8 billion by empanelling the Ayo Irikefe Commission of

,

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OVERNOR Chibuike Rotimi Amechi has opened an impor tant debate about Nigeria’s oil industry, and it is an important question. How much oil does Nigeria sell daily? How much of this actually reflects in Nigeria’s revenue accounts? This

The minister for Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has of course refuted any loss of money from the excess crude account, but she quite frankly sounds unconvincing, and so again we need to ask: is money missing from the excess crude account, minister

,

Inquiry. There was also the senate committee that investigated the loss of the money from Midland’s Bank, and in the end, it came to nought. The alleged missing N2.8 billion happened under the watch of Muhammadu Buhari as Minister for oil and Olusegun Obasanjo as Head of the Military government. Nothing came of those inquiries. The Irikefe Tribunal reports ab-

solved the parties, but it left a lingering level of distrust in the minds of Nigerians about the management of Nigeria’s oil resources. The lingering suspicion was given further oomph with the alleged misuse or misapplication of the oil “ windfall” from the Gulf war in 1990 by the Babangida military administration for which Abacha set up the Okigbo panel.

The Okigbo reports clearly indicted the administration for the mismanagement of the revenue which in the words of the report was applied to mostly “non-regenerative investments.” Various commentators on the Okigbo report of 1993 have continually missed the point of the report: its core grouse, or the basis of its indictment of the Babangida administration was in the misapplication or misadministration of the windfall, rather than in any express accusation of its loss. It was from that “ windfall” for instance that the Babangida government bought the famous Mercedes Benz cars for the Supreme Court judges that became quite the subject of media scandal. In any case, I dwell on these past questions because the management of Nigeria’s revenue particularly from oil on the federation account has been a serious point of contention in Nigeria. It is the monkey on the shoulders of Nigeria’s federalism.

How much control the President has over the Federation account; how accountable the presidency is to the federating governments on the question of the national revenue account has often been the subject of serious contention within the context of Nigerian federalism. The problem is in the pool account – the so-called federation account and the various accounts that service it. Every financial year, the federal government sets the budget benchmark for oil sales.

Typically, they calculate the price for oil at a lower rate than is obtained in the market. While the federal government plans based on a specific revenue benchmark, the excess that comes from the sales is paid into an agreed account called the “Excess Crude Account.” This account is serviced as part of the federation account belonging to the government of Nigeria – that is the federal, state and local governments, and to be disbursed according to the reve-

nue sharing formula. There are two problems here: the separate oil account from excess crude sold is under the signatures of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Petroleum. Nigerians live by faith, and whatever we are told by the Ministers of Finance and the Petroleum is gospel, no questions asked. Nigerians do not know exactly how much oil Nigeria sells.

The president has told Nigerians that various problems including crude theft and the current slide in the global oil market has resulted in a significant production shortfall. But skeptics are asking: how much in real barrels does Nigeria produce daily? Nobody knows this. It is shrouded in mystery and it leads to major disenchantments. Nigerians suspect that much more Nigerian oil is in the market than is currently accounted for. The second point raised by Chibuike Amechi in Sokoto at the NGF retreat is the possibility that the Jonathan government may have authorized, without regard for the governors and Nigerian people, the unaccounted use or withdrawal of $5billion from Nigeria’s excess crude account. Amechi claims that as at January, the excess crude account stood at $9billion, but currently stands at $4billion.

“We don’t know who took the $5billion.”

Amechi should know because as governor of Rivers state and chairman of the NGF, even if now its factional group, he has access to the financial intelligence that ought to matter to the state. His allegation cannot be easily dismissed as baseless. The minister for Finance, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has of course refuted any loss of money from the excess crude account, but she quite frankly sounds unconvincing, and so again we need to ask: is money missing from the excess crude account, minister? Nigerians should ask this question about this money until we get a full picture.

The National Assembly as the chief purser of the nation must initiate an inquiry into this affair and into the general question of the management of Nigeria’s major nest egg and the health of the goose that lays those golden eggs. It is time we had greater oversight over the petroleum ministry and over the running of Nigeria’s financial affairs.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 43

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HO does not like the story of David killing Goliath with a sling and a stone? Who is not impressed with Elijah calling down fire from heaven to incinerate the prophets of Baal? But all that is old wine that should not be put in the new wine-bottles of Jesus Christ. David ostensibly offered to kill Goliath in order to become the king’s son-in-law. But Jesus says: “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it.” (Matthew 16:25).

When the Zebedee brothers wanted Jesus to emulate Elijah, he rebuked them, maintaining the spirit in them is not the spirit of Elijah.

Antihero Jesus’ gospel is not about us killing Goliath.

It is about turning the other cheek to Goliath. He says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ “But I tell you not to resist an evil person.

But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:38-44).

It is inconceivable for Jesus to jump down from the cross and say to his opponents what David said to Goliath: “Come here, and I will give your

(Matthew 10:16). This is hardly a call for us to go and kill Goliaths.

The Overcomer

DAVID DID NOT KILL GOLIATH (4) flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.” (I Samuel 17:44).

Instead, Jesus prayed for them: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

(Luke 23:34).

Jesus allowed himself to be slapped, kicked, and abused, without putting up any resistance. He refused to defend himself when he could easily have done so. He did not prevent his death, even though it was entirely in his power to do so: “He was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; he was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7).

Jesus’ life provides a completely different message from the cock-and-bull story of David killing Goliath.

Victory in defeat Have you ever watched a movie in which the protagonist was randomly killed in the end? It is not the stuff by which Hollywood blockbusters are made. In Hollywood, good triumphs vaingloriously over evil. The loneranger classically prevails over his cowboy enemies.

One solitary Rambo is

Jesus’ life provides a completely different message from the cock-and-bull story of David killing Goliath enough to vanquish a battalion of soldiers. But like the fanciful David and Goliath story, what these depict are the ways of men as opposed to the ways of God. The story of Jesus does not make an Arnold Schwarzenegger kind of movie. At the end of this film, the great protagonist is not standing victorious.

He is hanging dead on a cross. Okay, so he resurrected after three days.

Big deal! How many people knew about it? How many people did he reveal himself to? Did I hear you say 120? Just 120? How satisfactory is that?

Would it not have been more appropriate for Jesus to have paid a visit to Pilate on his resurrection and said: “Remember me?” The man might just have died of a heart attack. How about having him knock on the doors of those skeptical Pharisees and say: “Check it out: did you really think you could kill the Son of God?” It would have been great to see them begging for mercy.

So why did Jesus allow

Ilemobayo out with Ready to Find

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N a bold bid to pre pare young men and women for enduring conjugal relationships, Pastor Mercy Ilemobayo recently came out with a book titled Ready to Find, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. The 15-chapter book, according to the author, is intended to inspire and educate young people to be spiritually, financially, emotionally and psychologically prepared before

saying 'I Do'.

According to Pastor Ilemobayo, there are certain challenges that young people face in relationships that will shock them and unless they are adequately prepared they may attempt divorce.

Dedicating the book at World Changers International Church, Olodi, Apapa, Lagos, the author, a lawyer and preacher of the gospel, said: “Greater responsibility lies on the

man, as the head of the union.

"Therefore every young man has to ensure that he is adequately ready to find a suitable wife meant for him before commencing the ultimate search for Miss Right. Focus of the book is on bachelors as well as spinsters as it contains some recipes and vitamins for blissful marital relationship,” she stated.

Cleric tells Christians to be heaven cautious

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S S I S TA N T Pastor, Lagos Province 26 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Solomon Adekunle, has called on Christians across the country to focus their massages on salvation of souls rather than miracles, prosperity C M Y K

and accumulation of material things, saying that making heaven is more rewarding than all these, reports WILLIAM JIMOH. Adekunle stated this at the launch of a book titled; Strategic Approach to Heaven: Making Heaven is a serious bu-

siness, written by Mr. Leke Olufade. He noted that Christians often beat around the bush in search of wonders and prosperity due to ignorance, which makes them slumber in working out their salvation with fear and trembling as required by the word of God.

himself to be arrested when they could not even arrest Elijah? Why did the flogging, jeering and taunting not provoke a glorious and majestic display of overwhelming divine power? Why did the Saviour of the world fail so woefully to save his own life?

The answer is that Jesus came to give us a radical re-definition of victory. This victory is godly and is therefore not achieved by the sword. It does not come vaingloriously by killing Goliaths.

It is not achieved by power or by might. It comes by total submission to the will of God. It comes by turning the other cheek; even in the face of intense provocation and certain death. This divine prescription is anathema to the tall-tale of David killing Goliath.

A Pyrrhic Victory Mohammed Ali was a wonderful boxer. In my youth, he was my hero.

Ali told his opponents the precise round he was going to knock them out beforehand, and then did it

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ARDOSO Street in Kirikiri Town, Lagos was a beehive of activities last Sunday as colourfully attired members of St. Joseph's Chosen Church of God, SJCCG, gathered at their church headquarters to mark this year's thanksgiving service/harvest of in-gathering, reports SAM EYOBOKA. The worshippers who were joined by friends, relations and other well wishers from different parts of the metropolis joyfully sang, danced and gave of their substance in appreciation of God's goodness in their individual lives and the lives of their families from the beginning of the passing year.

In a welcome address to the congregation, the regional apostle in charge of Lagos/South West, Apostle Godwin Ikponmwosa thanked God for His

in style in that very round. But many of the people Ali knocked out are now far healthier than him. Today, Ali cannot stand still; his hands shake continually from Parkinson’s disease. So I ask myself now: “Did Ali really win those fights in the past for which he was celebrated?”

The man won the fight, but please what did he lose? He won the fight but lost the battle. He won the fight but lost his eye.

He won the fight but lost his faith. He won the battle but lost the war. When a man is determined not to sin, he is definitely going to lose in the flesh.

Whenever you win in the flesh, count your losses spiritually; name them one by one.

John the Baptist says: “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29).

According to Jesus’ kingdom dynamics, only the lamb can take away the sin of the world. That lamb cannot be a Goliath-killing David: it must be a sheepish believer who is resolute in following the footsteps of the Good Shepherd.” Jesus says: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Jesus teaches that a true believer does not boast of carnal victories. Instead, he is someone who overcomes the world. (John 16:33). He is that man whose children die, and he remains steadfast in the faith. He is the one who gets paralysed in an accident, and yet still testifies to the love of God. He is that unfortunate man whose house is burnt down; whose family perishes; whose business fails and still he sings: “It is well, with my soul.”

How do we gain victory over poverty? We don’t do so by coming into riches. We do so by making poverty inconsequential.

If a man “makes it” by winning the lottery, he does not overcome poverty. Although he becomes rich, nevertheless, he can just as easily become poor again. But when a man overcomes poverty, he can never be poor again. He might not be rich; however, poverty would no longer have an effect on him. He can be as poor as a church rat, and yet be as happy as a king.

Jesus, not David, is “the way, the truth, and the life.”(John 14:6). Jesus is the David who would not kill any Goliaths. Therefore, the way of the believer in Christ must be the peaceful way of Jesus and not the malevolent way of Goliath-killing David.

To Be continued

SJCCG marks harvest of in-gathering abundant blessings in the passing year and the grace that has sustained "us with all the increases within our families, businesses, career promotions, and life in Christ even in the midst of turbulence of life, trials and temptations and harsh environment."

The regional apostle maintained that when "we appreciate God with a grateful heart, we will be able to key into the theme og harvest of ingathering 2013; "A time to honour God". (Prov. 3:9) "How much can we offer to reciprocate all of God's benefits towards us?" he asked, noting "all we are to do is to use this occasion to honour our God, with all our increase and to give all the honour due to Him as good

and appreciative children."

Continuing, Ikponmwosa emphasised the need for Christians to reverence and glorify God at all times, "remember nothing leaves Heaven, until something leaves the earth. Remember, the secret of our future is determined by the seed we sow today." Members thereafter took turn to present their farm produce and other items including electronic equipment as they danc-ed to hearty praise songs supplied by the church choir.

The church was founded by Apostle Joseph Ikechiuku. He was born on July 13, 1913, in Abata quarters, Ogbuebulle Village, Oboro District, Ikwuano Local Government area, Umuahia.

PAGE 44— SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

BY UDEME CLEMENT

F

ollowing the recurring scarcity of kerosene in the country, the House of Representatives recently ordered an investigation into what the House described as misuse of an estimated N634billion allocated for kerosene subsidy in three years. In the process, House Committee Chairman on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Dakuku Peterside, revealed that the nation spent about N110billion on kerosene subsidy in 2010, N320billon in 2011 and N200billon in 2012 without corresponding palliatives for Nigerians. The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Obafemi Olawore, speaks on the issues of kerosene subsidy claims, the role of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), controlling prices, the kerosene deregulation policy directive issued by the late President Musa Yar’Adua, the confusion in the kerosene policy and the drop in marketers’ importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) commonly known as petrol by 75 per cent due to unpaid subsidy claims of N220billion in 2013.

N634BN KEROSENE SUBSIDY FRAUD

The facts, the confusion, by ex-PPPRA Board member *Says petrol scarcity looms as importation drops by 75 percent

T

HE House of Representatives probe has alleged misappropriation of about N634billion kerosene subsidy set aside for three years, saying the product was not made available to buyers at the regulated price of N50 per litre?

To start with, I do not know if there was subsidy paid to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) or not.

But there was a letter from the late President Musa Yar ’Adua deregulating kerosene. Some attempts were made to change the policy but were not successful until Yar ’Adua died. This means that as at today that policy has not been reversed. I can say that as a former Board member of Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), the Executive Secretary then refused to pay subsidy on kerosene even when he was reported as going through undue pressure from higher quarters. He relied on the fact that there was no letter, directive or any instruction that changed the existing policy on deregulation of kerosene by government.

Does that mean the report by the House Committee on Petroleum resources downstream that Nigeria spent N110billion on subsidy in 2010, N320billion in 2011 and N200billon in 2012 without corresponding palliatives for consumers is faulty?

I believe that the present PPPRA may have been receiving claims for payments of subsidy on kerosene but, to the best of my knowledge, the claims are just piled up and no payment has been made. I therefore request that the media must attempt to

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•Kerosene ... where is the subsidy? investigate if any payment has been made so far.

Can you give us more insight into what you mean by a policy deregulating kerosene?

A policy deregulating kerosene implies that the letter from the late Yar ’Adua effectively meant that oil marketers could import and sell the product at the prevailing market price guided by the controls of PPPRA. In other words, that presidential directive or the letter stated that any marketer could import and sell kerosene to make a reasonable margin. But the confusion came up when government fixed kerosene price at N50 per litre. So, on one hand, there was a letter saying that kerosene is deregulated and, on the other hand, there is price cap on the same product and that exactly is the confusion.

In that case, what is the implication of this conflicting situation?

This scenario tells oil marketers to import kerosene they can only sell at N50 per litre, which will lead to losses, because the landing cost of kerosene alone is higher than the fixed price of N50 per litre.

It therefore makes no business sense for marketers to be involved in kerosene

importation. This leaves only NNPC as a major importer of this product. That is why we are experiencing recurring scarcity of kerosene in the country.

As a stakeholder in oil and gas sector, do you think the current move by the Federal

hands will be much more effective and efficient. This can be seen in Eleme Petrochemicals Company Limited (EPCL) formerly owned by government and now privatised which has been raised from comatose plant to a very profitable and optimum production

A policy deregulating kerosene implies that the letter from the late Yar’Adua effectively meant that oil marketers could import and sell the product at the prevailing market price guided by the controls of PPPRA Government to sell the four refineries is a wise thing to do?

I support the sale of the refineries because it will involve change in ownership, which will also lead to less corruption. Sale of the refineries will also ensure faster implementation of Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) and therefore efficiency and higher production capacity of the refineries. The reality is that plants run by private

level. The interesting thing is that the same staff who were there when government was in control and the plant was incurring losses are the same workers doing the TAM and running the plant efficiently now.

Can you give us statistics on the current production capacity of these four refineries?

Well, this question should be directed to NNPC that is in charge of these plants.

Kerosene is already scarce.

Are we going to experience fuel scarcity this December as well?

I am not too sure that there won’t be scarcity of petrol this festive period because only first quarter 2013 payment of fuel subsidy has been made and we are already in the last quarter of the year. The interest and foreign exchange components have not been paid. This, therefore, means marketers are unable to finance importation of petrol.

At present, marketers’ importation has dropped by 75 per cent.

How do you assess the sector in 2013?

There are many challenges in the sector this year. First, there is no money because government has not paid marketers fuel subsidy claims, which have gone above N220billion already. Secondly, we are facing the challenge of multiple taxation in the industry now. Marketers are compelled to pay all sorts of legal and illegal charges including taxation by the federal and state governments. For instance, environmental protection agencies at federal and state levels are charging marketers for the same services.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 45

2015: Chime, Ekweremadu renew battle for Enugu

Governor Sullivan Chime

A

FRESH supremacy battle over who controls the lever of power in Enugu State in 2015 is brewing between Governor Sullivan Chime and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

The battle, which had subsided for some time, was said to have been reignited with the pronouncement by Chime that Enugu North Senatorial Zone should produce the governor in 2015 since the other two senatorial districts had occupied the seat in the last 15 years. Chime said there was an agreement within the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, that governorship should rotate among Enugu West, Enugu East and Enugu North senatorial zones, pointing out that since his predecessor, Chimaroke Nnamani, from the East, spent eight years, and he, from Enugu West, will complete his eight years in 2015, it was the turn of Enugu North to occupy the top seat after him. Ekweremadu, like Chime, hails from Enugu West.

Enugu North is made up of the old Nsukka cultural zone.

The governor’s position on the issue was later ratified by the state caucus of the PDP. However, the move was said to have rattled Ekweremadu, who is considered to be eying the position, and he, consequently, openly disagreed with the governor.

Chime said that the governorship ticket of the state, as far as PDP was concerned, had been zoned to Enugu North but Deputy

Senate President countered insisting that the position was open to all interested contestants from any of the three senatorial districts in the • state.

Since the incident, there had been no love lost between Chime and Ekweremadu.

Sources however told Sunday Vanguard that what led to the current stand -off started when the governor suspected that the Deputy Senate President, who had been very close to him before his recent misunderstanding with his wife, Clara, funded the media attacks against him for allegedly ‘’restricting his wife’s movement to the Government House.’’

,

BY EMEKA MAMAH

Ike Ekweremadu refused to talk to each other, despite the presence of President Goodluck Jonathan at the ceremony.

Eze represents Enugu North Senatorial District in the Senate.

Apart from shunning each other, Ekweremadu was also reportedly heckled by some people when he was introduced, revealing the level of anger against him by the people of the area, for allegedly working against their governorship ambition.

On the other hand, the Deputy Senate President’s supporters also claim that Chime had concluded plans to contest the senator ’s position after serving as governor,

Governor Chime has no time to wage any war against anyone. He is the father of Enugu State and certainly cannot abandon his spirited and universally acclaimed drive to bring about the total transformation of the state, to prosecute such a phantom and unnecessary cause as being claimed

,

The Chime camp also allegedly fingered Ekweremadu for fuelling the death rumour about the governor when he took ill earlier in the year.

According sources, clear indications about the sour relations between the duo emerged during the burial of Senator Ayogu Eze’s mother at Umuida in Enugu Ezike, Igboeze North Local Government Area, last weekend, when both of them

thereby effectively and prematurely ‘’retiring’’ Ekweremadu from active politics.

Last Sunday, in Abuja, the Deputy Senate President, accused Chime of not only planning to sabotage the effective execution of the ‘’numerous’’ federal projects he had attracted to his Enugu West Senatorial District, but also initiating campaigns to discredit his personality in the eyes of the electorate.

In separate statements by the Greater Awgu Forum and his Special Adviser on Projects, Mr. Bethel Onyenyiri, Ekweremadu alleged that the governor held a meeting with some government functionaries and reportedly asked them to carry out the plans and also destroy some of the projects he attracted to the state including those already executed. The statement by Onyenyiri, dated December 1, 2013 was entitled, ‘Plans by the Enugu State Government and its agents to sabotage federal projects attracted by the Deputy Senate President.’

He said, “My attention has been drawn to the plans by the Governor of Enugu State, Mr Chime, to disrupt/destroy Federal Government’s projects attracted to the state, particularly the Enugu West Senatorial District by Ekweremadu.

“I have it on good authority that the governor held a clandestine meeting with some government functionaries in the state to not only initiate a campaign to discredit the Deputy President of the Senate, but also to sabotage and possibly destroy the numerous projects attracted by the Deputy President of the Senate”.

But in a swift reaction, the Chief Press Secretary to Chime, Mr Chukwudi Achife, lampooned the Deputy Senate President’s men for making wild and unsubstantiated allegations against his principal, describing their claims as not only bizarre but bemusing and bewildering.

He noted that contrary to the claims by the group, Chime had, ironically, for the past few months, been the one at the receiving end of a sponsored

smear campaign in the press via articles written by shadowy figures adding that the identity and intentions of those behind the articles were now becoming clear.

Achife also said the claims that the state government was waging an unrelenting war of attrition and unhidden threats against Ekweremadu were not only baseless and fallacious but smacked of “paranoia and hysteria” on the part of those behind them.

His words, “the claims of Greater Awgu Forum against Governor Chime can only be described as bewildering and bemusing. The allegations are not only baseless and completely fallacious but the tone in which they were made smacks of desperation, paranoia and hysteria on the part of those behind them.

“Governor Chime has no time to wage any war against anyone. He is the father of Enugu State and certainly cannot abandon his spirited and universally acclaimed drive to bring about the total transformation of the state, to prosecute such a phantom and unnecessary cause as being claimed. ’’If anything, he is the one who, for the past few months, has weathered a spate of obviously sponsored attacks in the media to continue his splendid and unprecedented works in Enugu State. It is obvious that those behind those attacks failed in their bid to create the war they now allege.’’

Achife further described as “astonishing and beyond belief ” the claims by the group that the governor was trying to sabotage projects attracted by Ekweremadu and challenged the group to mention the said projects and show how the governor intended to sabotage them.

PAGE 46— SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Abia 2015: We know who will succeed Orji – Eze Ofoegbu

BY LEKAN BILESANMI

EZE Nnamdi Ofoegbu, the Diawa of Umudiawa Ancient Kingdom in Umuahia North Council of Abia State, who is also the National Chairman of Christian Traditional Rulers Association of Niger Delta, speaks on Abia politics and development, saying Governor Theodore Orji is doing well, contrary to the allegation of non-performance in some quarters.

W

E know that modernday traditional rulers must not be permanently domiciled in their domains, but some people might still see you as one of those monarchs in the diaspora. How do you rule your kingdom from Lagos or elsewhere?

I am based at home; my palace is at home, in my domain, I only visit Lagos, Abuja and London and other liaising offices from time to time to meet and interact with my people and know how there are faring.

So, I am not in the diaspora; I am in my domain and rule from my domain, not from outside.

How often do you visit or are at home?

I just came to Lagos a few days ago. I live in my palace and visit Lagos and others places to see my subjects and know how there are doing.

Without bias, how would you rate the performance of your kinsman, Governor Theodore Orji?

I believe he is doing very well

•Ofoegbu and utilising his divine mandate, in terms of infrastructural development, youth empowerment, among others, considering the way he was elected into office in the first place and got reelected despite the obstacles in his way.

In 2005, God told me, and I told him, that he was going to be governor of the state at a time that seemed impossible, but also told him the hurdles ahead.

Also in 2009, God told me to gather traditional rulers in the state and tell him that he was going to be re-elected and under a different party platform, and it came to pass.

Now, God has told me who his successor is going to be and I have told him so.

He is giving the youths a sense of belonging by provide them the resources to start off in life and consolidate on what they are doing, while also creating jobs and providing conductive environment for youth entrepreneurs to spring forth.

The governor is equally giving financial assistance to the adults to take advantage of their comparative advantages in palm oil, cocoa, cassava production by establishing mills and processing plants in those areas to boost their individual and the state’s economy.

He is also empowering the traditional rulers and giving them a sense of belonging in the governance of the state.

How come then some people in the state are saying he is not performing?

Everybody cannot be happy with what he is doing. Not everybody was happy with Jesus Christ while he was performing miracles on earth.

So, it is normal for some people to say he is not performing, because no man on earth can satisfy human beings. The opposition might even make you to know the areas you have not covered and do more.

I know for sure that majority of Abians are happy with the governor and what he is doing in the state. Because of this, our people have given him our mandate to represent us, Abia Central, in 2015 in the Senate.

Must it be him? Can’t it be somebody else, given that he must have been governor for eight years by then and being in government for over 12 years? Is that decision the best for Abia Central?

We know our sons and daughters. We traditional rulers know them and what they can do. We know those who have

failed us and those who can fail us. We know those who are after their pockets and those who are for the interest of the public.

That is why we are asking him to represent us in 2015, based on his performances.

But some indigenes and residents of Aba, for instance, say it as if there is no government in the state as basic infrastructures are dilapidated?

I was born in Aba and I was there two weeks ago. Outsiders may not understand the practical issues regarding the situation in Aba. Aba is over-crowded; it is a small land choked up with people, and whatever you sink into Aba may not be felt or noticed, because Aba was not properly planned or designed.

Aba people themselves have not and are not giving the governor the chance to develop the place, because each time government wants to do something, some people would plan to thwart government’s efforts.

Each time contractors mobilise to site, some people would hatch plans to frustrate them or kidnap one of the workers. The same thing when some investors want to establish something there.

It is his detractors that are at work there, but the governor is not discouraged; he is still striving to do more, including in the area of roads construction. He has even done the market for them and given them a sense of belonging.

Many Nigerians see traditional rulers as supportive of any government in power, hardly telling those in government the truth, but just what they want to hear. Can you face the governor and tell him the truth?

We are not praise-singers; we only commend those that do well and urge them to do more, while thumping down those that are not doing well.

For example, we had been clamouring for the relocation of the major market in Umuahia from the city centre to allow development to come to the town, because of the problems, including traffic bottlenecks, its location there had created. No government in the state listened to us until Orji came to power and did it.

In Abia State, we don’t have a hotel of international standard where foreigners and even our local businessmen can stay if they visit the state for any important event.

We don’t even have an airport in the state.

The same site remained in rubbles as at three weeks ago, with nothing tangible done about the debris, and some of the traders have relocated to the border community in Imo State, just across the river. So, how has the demolition of the market benefitted Abia State?

It is only a few of the traders that are there; it is just a distraction by the opposition. The Abia State government has built a modern market at Ubani and the traders were expected to relo

Dangote’s N540million micro-credit grants for Borno

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AST weekend, just a day before the attacks on the airport and the air force base among other targets in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, the Dangote Foundation moved into the state to kick-start a grassroots empowerment scheme designed to put smiles back on the faces of the hitherto despondent people by returning them back to work to start life anew. At the end of the ceremony, the Foundation had disbursed grants to beneficiaries categorized as women, widows and youths and persons with disabilities to the tune of N540 million.

Since the commencement of insurgency and the subsequent May 21declaration of state of emergency in parts of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states, and the extension of the emergency last November 5, the people in the states have been going through hard times. With the collapse of socio-economic life in the area, the vast majority of the otherwise productive people have been subjected to untold hardship.

The emergency rule was declared by the Federal Government, as a measure to curb the incessant violence.

However, the state of emergency has concomitant effect on the every facet of life of the people.

Aliko Dangote Undoubtedly, almost all sectors have been affected by the activities of the dreaded insurgents, as well as the deployment of troops by the government.

Telephone communication, which is an essential part of life, was suspended.

It was against this background that the President of Dangote Foundation, Aliko Dangote offered a helping hand to the traumatized people by complimenting the efforts of the government at bringing life back to the affected states.

Through his foundation, Dangote Foundation, the business mogul set aside a sum of N1.195 billion as grant to help fast-track developments in the states under emergency rule. The Foundation is targeting the vulnerable women and youths in

these states.

Borno is the last of the emergency states where the Foundation has risen to the occasion with grants. Earlier, the Foundation was in Adamawa state where it disbursed N315 million to 31, 500 people across the state’s 21 local governments and 34, 000 women and youths from the 17 local governments in Yobe state.

The grants disbursement was flagged of by the Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, and his wife Hajiya Nana Shettima, at Government House, Maiduguri, saw the beneficiaries, which included about 700 widows, youths and blind persons queued up.

The governor, while stating the purpose for which the microgrants were being given by Dangote, said the gesture was “meant to reduce the hardship faced by the most vulnerable in communities most affected by the insurgency across the state.”

Dangote said there was the need to come to the aid of the people who have been subjected to untold hardship by the security challenges thrown up by the militant insurgency.

Dangote, who was represented on the occasion by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Dr. Adhiambo Odaga, said the

President of Dangote Group was concerned about the plight of the people especially in the insurgence ravaged areas hence the special focus on the three states.

According to her, Dangote Foundation earmarked N540, 000,000 to fund 54,000 microgrants across Borno State’s 27 local government areas as part of the special disbursement of N1.195 billion to empathize with the three emergency affected states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.

Also speaking, wife of the governor and founder of SWOT Foundation, Hajiya Nana Shettima, thanked Dangote Foundation for the timely intervention stating that it had “come to the aid of insurgency victims with the highest support.”

Hajiya Zainab Umar Kolo, the Special Advisor to the Governor on Special Projects and Chair of the Borno State Dangote Foundation Micro-Grants Committee, stated that despite the challenges presented by lingering insecurity in parts of the state the committee was able to, “disseminate the Dangote goodwill message to the target beneficiaries across the State.”

After the flag-off ceremony at Government House, a similar event took place at the palace of Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar

Umar Ibn Garbai El-Kanemi, where Dr. Odaga conveyed the assurances of Dangote’s regards to the first class traditional ruler.

In his response, the Shehu of Borno, spoke about the difficult times occasioned by the insurgency and thanked Alhaji Dangote and his Foundation for the timely intervention even as peace is being secured across the state.

The Dangote Foundation Micro-grants Programme is providing a one-off N10, 000 cash transfers to at least 1,000 poor and vulnerable Nigerians in each of Nigeria’s 774 Local Governments. It is being implemented in partnership with state governments to ensure proper selection of beneficiaries and also to complement and align with on-going poverty reduction programmes.

Dangote Foundation’s microgrants enable recipients to grow or start an enterprise, invest in productive assets, improve the health of their families, and/or take on new activities that reduce their vulnerability and enhance the economic standing of their households and communities. Todate, 177,500 women and 19,000 youth in Kano, Jigawa, Kogi, Adamawa and Yobe states have benefitted.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE

47

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com (08054650907- SMS only)

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

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N a society where cupidity has endeared many to politics, appreciating this daughter of Benue State who is enthusiastically delivering to her people the dividends of democracy is inevitable. Hon.(Mrs.)Dorothy Mato genuinely went into politics ten years ago and true to her selfless ambition, her presence in the Benue State House of Assembly where she represents Kyan Constituency of Vandeikya Local Government, is delivering to Kyan unprecedented dimensions of development. A member of the board of trustees of Fidei Polytechnic, Gboko, Dorothy who is an educationist is also the Founder of Fidei Nursery and Primary School in Benue State. In this interview, the graduate of Public Administration who was one-time Deputy Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs and Supervisory Councillor on Agriculture speaks on how she’s working hard to build a name for women in Benue State's political landscape. Enjoy!

Most women consider politics a dirty game; how has it been with you? do not see it that way.

For me, politics is all about calling; just like serving in church. So, when you’re politicking with the fear of God in you and representing rightly the people that sent you by bringing back to them the dividends of democracy, you’ll enjoy politics. As a Christian mother, I know I’m not in the house to acquire wealth for myself but for the people that have sent me. So, whatever I get from the assembly, whether it’s my salary, overhead or any other money, I take back to my people by embarking on developmental projects. If you come to Benue State as a whole and ask of Mrs.Mato, you’ll hear what people will tell you; I’m not even talking about my constituency now. I’ve spent only two years in the house but I’ve been able to make life easier for my people in my own little ways. There are six wards in my council and I’ve constructed about three bridges in three of those wards. I’ve built two blocks of classrooms in some of the wards and by His grace, I’m working on

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the sixth ward because they told me they have very bad link roads. All what I want to say is: Politics is not a dirty game if you know what you’re there to do. By the time I’m done with my fouryear tenure in the house, I would have left a legacy. As a woman, it could be very difficult because people are always there to pick on any slight mistake, but the precaution is to thread carefully.

You’ve done pretty much in two years. In terms of legislative duties, what bills have you influenced in the house?

To be honest, I’ve been trying to push womenrelated bills, but the truth is that it’s not easy. There are always a lot of attacks when these bills are presented. We have only three women as against the 27 men in the Benue State House of Assembly and I must tell you it’s not easy. My female colleagues and I always have to do a lot of lobbying to be able to pass some bills.

One of such is against the discrimination of people living with HIV which women seem to suffer the most in the state. We’re definitely not giving up on these bills. Sincerely, in the

last two years, I’ve not succeeded in passing any bill. I’m however not ignorant of the fact that being an All Progressives Congress-APC female member, I’m coming from an opposition party. That alone poses a lot of challenges.

It’s rare to see women win elective positions on the platform of an opposition

*Dorothy

previous political appointments with them, the then state governor preferred the sitting majority leader because he wished to continue working with him in the house. My people however urged me to go pick ACN’s ticket, assuring me that their votes would take me to the house. That was barely three months after Senator George Akume

My people voted en mass and I won by over 3,000 votes against the sitting majority leader. With this history, I cannot afford to fail my people ... party…

I was in Peoples Democratic Party-PDP when the house of assembly was zoned to my constituency and ward. Though the people in my constituency wanted me to go represent them because they felt I had always shared all I got from

brought ACN to Benue State.

I went, picked the ticket and the whole people in my constituency also moved to ACN with me. On the day of the election, the difference was clear because my people voted en mass and I won by over 3,000 votes against the sitting majority leader. With

this history, I cannot afford to fail my people; I may not be able to satisfy them, but I will always do my best. I got married early and all my three children are gainfully employed graduates while the oldest, a male, is already married.

So, I am not in need of money to cater for my family. My people have never sent a woman to the house before, so, I do not want to kill their confidence in women. I want them to be able to support more women. You see, the South African parliament is dominated by women because the people are confident about women’s ability to deliver. So, I want to leave same legacy.

But what are you doing about women’s underrepresentation in the house?

I’m creating awareness for more women to join active politics. From every indication, we have to upgrade our standards and be better represented in the state house of assembly so as to form a strong voice for women-related matters.

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Ogun introduces homeowners as catalyst for urban renewal

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF *A step to help those who built illegally to regularise their documents

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GUN State government is currently on a mission to rebuild its economy and also protect those who have invested in property in the state by helping them regularize their title documents through a strategic initiative called Homeowners’ Charter Programme.

Ogun enjoys proximity advantage more than any other state to LagosNigeria’s economic capital and commercial nerve centre.

Lagos is a mega-city whose large population and bustling industrial and commercial activities can’t stay within its small land mass hence the spill over to Ogun which to many is just a walking distance.

Many industries that had been producing in Lagos have relocated to Ogun, while many erstwhile residents of Lagos have bought or built homes in Ogun and commute to their offices and businesses from there. To say, therefore, that Ogun is today a land of opportunities, is to emphasize the obvious which explains analysts’ view that the state’s economy is growing even as its internally generated revenue (IGR) has improved considerably in the past couple of years. However, beneath

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The Ibikunle Amosuled administration has now set out on a mission to rebuild the state, beginning with the harnessing of its land resources

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this good news are some challenges and drawbacks notably in the area of property acquisition and development in the state much of which do not follow regulation.

The Ibikunle Amosu-led administration has now set out on a mission to rebuild the state, beginning with the harnessing of its land resources.

This has given birth to what the state government calls ‘Homeowners Charter Programme’- an initiative that aims to allow homeowners to regularize the legal status and documentation of their properties, while at the same time

provides government with enumeration data for medium term planning for critical infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals.

Under the programme, owners of properties built without approvals or illegally built on state government land will be given opportunity to obtain building plan approval, Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) or other title documents and, to facilitate the process and enable as many residents as possible to benefit from it, all penalties and fines have been waived, documentation required relaxed and fees discounted.

Officials of the state Ministry of Physical and Urban Development explain that this initiative became necessary following a Geographic Information System (GIS) Satellite mapping of the state showing a significant number of unrecorded properties such that thousands of houses in the state have no title documents. Many properties were built on government lands and the result is that landowners have difficulties using their properties as collateral; they cannot sell the properties due to lack of documentation and even when they find buyers, most of the properties are undervalued because of lack of C-of-O. Apart from this resolve to help property owners, the state is also on the mission to attract investors.

Government encourages every property owner in the state to key into this programme The state government, however, warned that properties built under PHCN high tension lines, within the right of way of NNPC pipeline, on flood

NAFDAC and Nigeria’s image

BY MARTINS IKHILAE VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The anti-drug war rubs off positively on the global reputation of the nation

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HE choice of Dr. Paul Bortwev Orhii as substantive DirectorGeneral of the National Agency For Food, Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) is not a misplaced decision going by the overwhelming health boosting achievements made by the agency.

Apart from the total overhaul of the agency ’s multi-million naira ultramodern laboratory in Agulu, Anambra State, to enable it render international standard services, NAFDAC is working to ensure that indigenous pharmaceutical firms attain the World Health Organization’s (WHO) prequalification for drug production in line with international practices.

Already, the agency has commenced collaboration with the Bank of Industry in an attempt to initiate a multi-million naira pharmaceutical development fund which will in turn avail our indigenous pharmaceutical industries with production boosting minute interest loans while making efforts to ensure success is made of the recently launched Federal Government’s Save One Million Lives programme of the United Nations.

On the legal terrain, the agency has

recorded laudable achievements via the conviction of regulated products counterfeiters, the first of its kind in the history of NAFDAC’s existence.

Furthermore,the agency’s enabling Act tagged: Decree No 15 of 1993 as amended to ACT Cap N1 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, which empowers it to control and regulate manufacturing, importation, exportation, distribution, advertisement, sale and use of food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and packaged water including all drinks generally regarded as regulated products of the agency, is currently being compelled to undergo an overhaul in an attempt to further empower it for more services.

On food safety, sanitization and regulation, the agency has equally achieved tremendously include the introduction of hazard analysis and critical control point plan for food safety in Nigeria, the convening of intellectual discuss/interactions between NAFDAC and Millennium Development Agencies [MDAs], professional organisations,tertiary institutions as well as the National Universities Commission which in turn culminated in the inauguration of a National Food Safety Committee which has become a focal point for food safety in Nigeria.

While numerous food products have been certified and registered by the agency under the leadership of its chief executive, fast food providing industries nationwide are being intensely monitored and highly supervised thereby compelling them

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VIEWPOINT

Bakeries are being strictly supervised nationwide by seasoned NAFDAC operatives to prevent bakers from using deadly flour/dough enhancer, Potassium Bromate which is known for its cancer causing ability

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to comply with hygienic practices to forestall outbreak of food borne diseases or ailments. Also, bakeries are being strictly supervised nationwide by seasoned NAFDAC operatives to prevent bakers from using deadly flour/dough enhancer, Potassium Bromate which is known for its cancer causing ability.

While the Black Eye has the ability to screen multiple drug samples simultaneously,the Radio Frequency Identification System possesses the capacity to trace and track regulated medicines and foods as well as avert forgery of sensitive documents. The Truscan is, however,a hand held device which utilizes Roman

plains, substandard or defective properties, property subject to legal dispute, among others, are not eligible for participation in the programme.

Under the scheme, government requires participants to present all documents relevant to the ownership of the property including purchase agreements, deed of gift or sublease, receipts, survey, etc, while also making initial deposit of N5,000 only payable with the submission of the completed application form.

The final bill depend on property size and location. A typical family bungalow (four-bedroom bungalow on a single plot of land) attracts N95,000 instead of the normal price N430,000, representing 78 percent discount.

Those who have built on government lands are to purchase the land at a discounted rate and, depending on where the property is located, the price of the land will be computed by Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), Ogun State Housing Corporation or Ogun State Bureau of Lands Survey.

The state government notes that this charter is an extremely generous offer to enable homeowners to regularize their status, adding that it is a once-in-alifetime offer, hence it strongly advises homeowners take full advantage of it.

“Using our GIS satellite image system, we will track those properties that have not been regularized. Such properties will be liable to appropriate sanctions which are not limited to fines and legal actions, but also, in extreme cases, demolition”, the government stressed.

Spectroscopy to detect counterfeit pharmaceutical products while the Mobile Authentication Service uses the Global System Of Mobile Telecommunication short message service [GSM SMS] platform which is outrightly outstanding being an internationally acclaimed and applauded premier innovation.

The US, a strict enforcer and advocate of high standards, has remained at the fore front of appreciating and showering of encomiums on Orhii for his outstanding anti-counterfeiting moves thereby providing a technical pool from which countries like the US, Canada, etc currently sources knowledge on how to combat the seeming hydra-headed menace.

Consequently, the NAFDAC Chief Executive was bombarded with indigenous and international excellence awards during the outgoing year among which are: the Nigeria National honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (O.O.N),an award for special congressional recognition endorsed by a notable American Congress woman Janice Hahn and presented at the James Madison Hall,Capitol Hill,Washington D C,USA,an excellence award of the United States World Conference of Mayors which conferred on Orhii,the status of a honourary Citizen of the City of District Heights Maryland,a presentation which was made during a four day conference of US mayors held in Milwaukee ,a certificate of recognition from the Senate of the State of Georgia also in the United States of America etc to mention but a few. This has no doubt boosted the image of Nigeria globally.

* Ikhilae is a Lagos based public affairs analyst.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 49

BY MAIKANO UBA VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF •Improving the infrastructure in tertiary educational institutions

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HE cumulative advantage that agencies bring to service delivery in any given country cannot be overlooked.

This is because agencies and parastatals are designed to bring government closer to the people by breaking the barriers of bureaucracy and red-tapism usually associated with “big government”.

So when TETFund was born in 1992 to become the change agent in education it came with cause to cheer. The milliondollar question was where would it get money from? But that was quickly addressed as it would have a definitive and regular source of funding from a tax levy of 2% imposed by law on all registered companies operating in Nigeria. And the FIRS is responsible for imposing and collecting the money.

This collection started in 1993, while the actual disbursement of the collected funds commenced in 1999 when its first Board of Trustees (BOT) was constituted to manage and disburse the fund. But the highest disbursement was made last year when over N300bn was shared among tertiary institutions in the

TETFund: A change agent country.

This disclosure was made by the chairman of the fund, Dr Babayo Musa, at a prize-giving ceremony in Abuja organised by the Independent Service Delivery Monitoring Group, ISDMG, a civil society organisation. It is also the only annual ritual that celebrates excellence in service delivery in the country.

Babayo Musa, who disclosed that the Board disburses the funds with the fear of God, also pleaded with ASUU to return to the classrooms in the interest of national progress and development. That call from the chairman of TETFund and the forum came at an inauspicious time because of the value that TETFund adds to education in the country and because of the enormous resources committed to teachers’ well-being and towards creating an enabling environment for learning which neither the fund nor the general public would wish to waste. A catalogue of TETFund’s accomplishments may buttress things beyond contemplation. In 2009 the president approved the take-off of High Impact Projects in six federal and state universities across the six geopolitical zones. The distribution was balanced and N3billion was allocated to each one of them for programme upgrades, in the

improvement of learning and the teaching environment, for the advancement of knowledge and scholarship.

“Between the years 2009 to 2012, both years inclusive, billions was allocated and disbursed not just to universities, but of course to public institutions that have met the minimum requirements,” the Fund’s Acting Executive Secretary Mallam, Aliyu Naiya,

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VIEWPOINT

As its operational principle, TETFund receives requests for projects, vets them to verify their strategic significance to the institutions before advancing the money to the institutions

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csaid. The effort is complemented by the Book Development Intervention which according to Naiya “is Mr. President’s initiative aimed at helping our institutions and our academics to revitalize manuscripts development and professional academic journals development and other areas that

would add value to academics”.

A Technical Action (Advisory) Group (TAG) was set up by the Fund, made up of about 42 scholars across the board under the leadership, or chairmanship of the Vice Chancellors of Bayero University (BUK), Kano to drive this project.

Prior to 2010, very few academic journals were regarded as a major source of reference materials in our tertiary institutions in this country. In fact there were less than three, which the President said was not good enough, that Nigerian professional journals must compete favourably in content and professionalism in Africa and internationally. So, 50 academic journals were selected for support under TETfund’s programme. The journals were presented to the public in 2011 and a new set of 51 academic journals were chosen for the second phase and Mr. President approved them.

There is also a TETFund Conference Attendance Program which halted the draught in conference attendance among the nation’s academicians before which our academicians never attended any international conference.

This has also impacted positively on content development in our universities.

When Babayo Musa made his

plea to ASUU, he was in company of three members of the fund’s Board of Trustees and a host of staff to collect trophies for its excellence in service delivery especially in IT. As its operational principle, TETFund receives requests for projects, vets them to verify their strategic significance to the institutions before advancing the money to the institutions.

Thereafter, TETFund monitors the projects to ensure they are delivered as proposed, and that value for money disbursed is tangible and captured.

The concomitant importance of TETFund activities in the education sector nationwide cannot therefore be overemphasised. With practiced efficiency and staff dedication, TETFund has proved itself to be a key agency in ensuring that the transformation agenda of the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration is executed to the letter and therefore actualized. But then again, what amazes people the most about TETFund is not just its remarkable record of intervention, which ensures that there is quality in all projects being funded by TETFund, it is that from its inception to date, TETFund has not a single abandoned project to its name.

*Uba lives in Abuja

“DAVI”—Lady Paulina Masavi Tay (1924 - 2013) TRIBUTE

BY TONY NWANKWO TRIBUTE IN BRIEF *As seamstress, she made dresses for Nigeria’s former First Lady, Mrs. Victoria Gowon

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HEN on November 18, 1924, a young baby-girl was born into the family of the late Mr. Banson Ayivor of the Agbenyega-Ayivor family of Denu, Volta Region of Ghana, and wife, Paula Kilanko (nee Gabriel), from Badagry, Nigeria, little did parents and wellwishers know the greatness of the little bundle of joy they had brought into the world. The baby, later Mrs. Paulina Masavi Tay, affectionately known and called DAVI by her family, relatives and friends, married her heartthrob, the late Vincent Kofi Charles-Tay, in Kano, Nigeria, in 1947.

From infancy, she attended Mission Schools in Denu, Ghana, and later St. Mary’s Convent School, Lagos, Lady Lak School, Yaba and Government Schools, Jos, but despite her innermost desire for higher education, financial constraints put paid to her further education. She however decided for dress making, a

•Mrs. Masavi Tay

vocation that later paid dividends as she became an accomplished dressmaker.

A passionate mother and an advocate for peaceful resolution of issues, through her professional career as a “Seamstress”, “Davi” met hundreds of women - young and old, and became their friend, confidant and dressmaker. She had a reputation of the ability for creating exquisite designs and creative concepts from all kinds of fabrics for ladies of every shape and size. Her patronage was drawn from wives of top government officials, justices, expatriates, teachers, broadcasters, magistrates, principals of schools, doctors, housewives and nurses. For many years, “Davi” made

dresses for Nigeria’s former First Lady, Mrs. Victoria Gowon. All customers, had to come to the house, for the touch of excellence she alone could give. She knew their names and had their vital statistics in memory.

Combining her successful sewing business with the upbringing of her children, she had the backing of her husband as they raised their four children, paying fees that saw them through highbrow schools in Nigeria - Igbobi College, St. Gregory’s College and Queen’s College - all in Lagos; University of Ibadan and University of Ife. In the years when women adorned beautiful and elegant attires, Davi had exceptional influence. She excelled in her chosen profession. In 1993, husband and wife retired from active work and bade farewell to Nigeria and settled in Ghana.

In tune with her upbringing, Davi, learned a lot from her grandparents. The oral history of the experiences, especially, a 3-month journey of her great grandfather and grandfather and their families as they journeyed from Brazil to Lagos was always a joy she shared with generations that followed.

She would describe these experiences as “bitter and sweet” as they depicted her ancestors as brave and resolute on journeys that spanned continents. Her maternal

descendants settled in the “Brazilian Quarters” on Lagos Island on their return to Nigeria from where they joined a community of Roman Catholics, applying all the skills they had acquired in Brazil to help plan and develop physical facilities as well as set up many business activities in Lagos in the 1800s.

In her lifetime, Davi was truly a dual citizen of Nigeria and Ghana. She was educated in both countries, spoke Hausa, Yoruba and Ewe fluently and was an ardent supporter of both Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Ghana’s Black Stars.

In her nearly 89 years, “Davi” fought back every form of illness.

She was hypertensive by genetic disposition and also arthritic.

She would suffer great pains in her old age and still kept a cheerful disposition. She believed she could surmount any attack on her health by following doctors’ advice and living a life of moderation. She refused to use various mobility equipment provided by medical people, until a few months before her last days, when she reluctantly used a wheel chair.

She suffered two successive strokes and finally succumbed to the thorns in her flesh when her soul was released by death on October 14, 2013.

Just 35 days away from her 89 th birthday, Davi, was pronounced dead by a team of

doctors who had attended to her at Lister Hospital, Accra, Ghana, after a futile battle to keep her alive. She succumbed to the path of all mortals, in the presence of family members, with a peaceful sigh and a last glance at her loved ones.

Davi, like her late husband, was a devout Christian. She was raised in the predominantly Roman Catholic of Lagos Island and received all her ordinances in Holy Cross Cathedral Church, Lagos.

Her faith in God was unflinching … to the end. On Sunday, October 13, 2013, a day before her death, she received a Priesthood Blessing of Comfort and Peace, while in hospital.

Despite her semi- conscious condition, she made efforts to join in the “Amen” and felt contented after the period of prayer. She was a great believer in the blessings of tithes and offering and contributed generously to every cause as well as fulfilled all Church obligations. Her constant companion was the Holy Rosary.

She is survived by four prominent children: Michael, Cornelius (Managing Director, Forever Living Products Nigeria/Benin Republic), Victor and Agnes, with grand and great grand children.

Adieu “Davi”. May your soul rest in peace!

PAGE 50,SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

2015: JP CLARK TO JONATHAN’S OPPONENTS

Produce one-term agreement with Mr. President

*’Being 80 is not a mystery’ erudite and iconic poet, P r o f e s sor JP Clark, came downstairs into his expansive sitting room that could pass for an arts-gallery, on Thursday evening, for an interview with Sunday Vanguard, he could have been mistaken for a 60-year old man. But he is not 60. He is 80 and yet full of energy, stands erect and gesticulates with vigour.

Asked the secret of his young and energetic look, Professor Clark, who turned 80 last Friday, said living a simple life, doing what he loves and eating well were responsible. “There is no secret, I have just been myself all my life, doing what I am good at and not going out of my field, eating well, thanks to my wife, taking my drink when I want it, being in good company preferably. I try to keep things simple and straight for myself,” he said.

Beyond his healthy and young looks, Professor Clark, a literary giant, whose works have been studied globally, confessed that he is battling the challenges of old age, saying, “I am not energetic and strong. The bones are creaking and I have this creaking disease of old age.”

At 80, Clark wants a restructured Nigeria where the federating units will contribute to the well-being of the centre instead of the prevailing scenario where the federal government subsidises unviable member states.

Baying for controversy, he said, put together, the minorities in Nigeria were more than the majorities and could change the face of the country’s politics if they unite and stopping playing the role of the ‘beautiful bride.’

The octogenarian threw his weight behind on-going efforts to hold a national dialogue. He also opposed W

HEN

moves to stop President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking re-election and challenged those saying that Jonathan signed an agreement to do one term to produce or publish the agreement.

He pleaded with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to end the debilitating industrial action in public universities by disclosing whether or not the Federal Government has deposited N200 billion with it as requested by university teachers and claimed by the government.

Born in Kiagbodo, Delta State to Ijaw parents on December 6, 1935, Clark had his elementary, higher and tertiary education in Nigeria before going abroad later. An alumnus of Government College Ughelli; he attended University of Ibadan (UI) and earned a first degree in English. Upon graduation, he worked at UI and later the University of Lagos. While in the two institutions, Clark was actively engaged in literary activities. He founded the student poetry magazine, The Horn at UI, and also co-edited

Bekederemo), and Mandela and Other Poems (1988). He wrote and published plays as well.

As one of Africa’s leading authors, JP Clark continues to play active roles in literary affairs even after retirement, resulting in his receipt of the Nigerian National Merit Award for literary excellence in 1991.

Howard University published his two definitive volumes, The Ozidi Saga and Collected Plays and Poems 1958-1988.

He held visiting professorial appointments at several institutions of higher learning, including Yale and Wesleyan University in the United States.

How he feels at 80 Asked how he feels at 80, Clark, who said he has no regrets because “I like the way I have lived my life,” said he felt humbled and is very appreciative for being celebrated.

“I thank the stars. We are not in charge of ourselves, just few things we can do to make life worth living. I don’t go out of my way to do other people’s business. So I eat

Professor JP Clark...Varsities closure is a serious matter face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, and called for urgent resolution.

In spite of the claims and counter-claims over nonimplementation of past agreements, Clark insisted that closing public universities for six months was a serious matter.

His words: “The ASUU/Fed-

If they said President Jonathan signed an agreement to do one term, let them produce the so-called agreement they are talking about, they should publish it

,,

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE & JAPHET ALAKAM

the literary journal, Black Orpheus when he was lecturer at UNILAG. Clark studied for a year at Princeton, after which he published America, Their America (1964), which was a criticism of middle-class American values and blackAmerican lifestyles. His works also included Poems (1962) and A Reed in the Tide (1965), His Casualties: Poems 1966–68 (1970) which talks about the Nigerian civil war, Decade of Tongues (1981), State of the Union (1985, as J.P. Clark

well at home, thanks to my wife, I choose the company I keep and I am not into these other things you talk about which occupy their minds. I am not into politics, I am not into business, and I am not buying and selling at whatever level you want to take it. I am not into things that occupy other people’s mind. I am just myself - my art. I try not to stray into other people’s areas,” he said.

His stand on ASUU strike The former university teacher is disturbed by the six-month

eral Government matter is almost like something in court.

I don’t know the government side and I don’t really know the ASUU side. Apart from negotiations over agreements reached some years ago which ASUU said the Federal Government has not implemented and the government says it has implemented, I really don’t know the issues, although I am of the University system.

If the people (ASUU) say so strongly for six months that the conditions are not right for them to work and

agreements are not carried out, it is a serious matter.

Their sons are there, they are parents who have children in the system and yet they have kept this matter going for such a length of time. It is a serious matter.

“The government on their own side said they have done this and that.

Somebody said something on television yesterday (Wednesday) that can help to resolve the matter. He said on the issue of money (N200 billion) which government said it has paid already that it only takes the CBN governor to tell the nation that it has been paid and as ASUU leaders said, they will call off the strike. So I thought that is very much to the point and they will save the country, students and parents the trauma everybody has gone through since.

“Even the staff is not happy about the problem. Their business is to teach, research, interact with the community and turn up the right services and solutions.

So ASUU members themselves are not happy to be

Continues on page 51

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013—PAGE 51

Being 80 is not a mystery Asked if he was still writing at 80, Professor Clark said: “Don’t make a mystery of being 80; 80 is just relative. I have brothers who are 83, 86, when I am with them I am young. I am still writing. (Picking one of his most recent books) Look at this book: Still Full Tide – is just coming out. It is a collection of my poems over the past 50 years. I have not dried up.

I am writing poetry, I am writing plays. I’ve written four new plays which are coming out this month. Two of them that Osofisan is going to do on the 12th of December, is my day of celebration. I am still writing.

He continued: “Lawyers go to work all their lives, doctors go to work all their lives. Mind you, theirs is based on profession, training, re-training and practice. As an artist, poet and playwright nobody trained me, I think they are products of a gift, some people know how to run, jump, play football, some people know how to make money. I am very happy that I am able to do that, people usually dry up in old age, some even dry up before they reach old age but I am very grateful and happy that with myself I am still able to do this. I grew up knowing that I can do well, I tried to hold it and nurture it all my life and I am still doing well up till this point. It is God, otherwise I can go to bed tonight and will not be able to make next week and this becomes a funeral. All I am saying is that life is not ours. If I go to bed I do not know whether I will see the next day but when I wake up, I take it.”

Advice to upcoming writers “I don’t know whether people are following me. Anyway it is just about self recognition, know what you are good at and do as much as you can in your area where you are

‘Nobody can dictate to Jonathan on second term’

,,

Continued from page 50 away from classes. Government is not happy too that it is not being believed. That is the crux of the matter, there has been a breakdown in trust. But if it takes one functionary to say, ‘yes, I have received this money deposited into account towards the growth of universities and improvement of university system, which are conditions that will make the work of teachers easy and to impact their knowledge to the students, it would be of great relief. I am waiting for that kind of statement because at the moment Government says this and ASUU says that and as I said there has been a breakdown in trust, each party does not believe the other. I hope they reach an agreement on this kind of light being thrown on the issue.”

So, if the minorities will organise themselves like the ants do, they will change the face of Nigerian politics. But now they are in a mad rush to belong to national parties where they are swallowed up

meant to work. “Talking about followers and leadership, you must know where you are, know your family, your village and community, you must be part of them. You must know all of them. You must know your environment, know what is good practice and bad practice, this is the advice I give to any writer who cares to listen.

“Unlike painting, sculpting, music, you have got to serve your apprenticeship before you become a master, you don’t wake up one day and say you are a master, it is very rare to find that anywhere in the world. You must know yourself, who you are and where you come from and you don’t stay within yourself. You must know cultures, languages…

“Everybody has a gift. My advice is you should discover yourself, know the subject and the trade; pay the price, make your mark and leave something behind.

How he sees state of affairs in Nigeria I am very pleased that President Jonathan has called for national conference or dialogue. I don’t want to talk about whether it should be sovereign or not or whether its decision should be sent to the National Assembly or subjected to a referendum. If all the ethnic groups in the country are represented at the conference which will not take place in London under the colonial secretary or held in government quarters, guarded by soldiers and the structure imposed on us, the decision should become law.

The president who called the conference should make sure that the decisions become law.

If, this time, we are given the right to sit as equals as we have in a club where everybody has a vote, every small group has a say in this union we want to carve for ourselves, the executive arm with lead-

ers of the parliament should be able, sitting with those moderating the conference come up with a constitution. In that sense, the document should not be referred to any other body. We know the composition of the National Assembly; it is the most imperfect assembly you can think of.

When you have a club, for instance, all members have equal rights; they subsidise and contribute equally to build the club. It is not the club that subsidises you as a member.

In the Nigerian system now, the member states depend on monthly subvention from the

Professor JP Clark

centre or union. Without money from Abuja, most of the states will die economically.

There are only five viable states in the country- the major oil producing states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta and then Lagos.

So, let’s sit and talk as equals. The military gave the template for the 1999 constitution without the consent of the people and this federation is not based on equal arrangement of the people.

Minorities, no longer Zik’s beautiful brides Let the people know them-

selves. I have just written a foreword to a forthcoming book.

If the minorities will know themselves that they can confront the so-called majorities one-to-one they should take themselves not like Zik’s beautiful bride but like ants of the story, full of strength and unity.

If they can organise themselves as a unit, a bloc and don’t go as individuals into these national parties where they are swallowed up, the majority tribes will listen to them because put together, the minorities are more than the socalled majority tribes.

Look at what is happening in United Kingdom now. The Welsh and Scots have their assemblies and they want to go full hog and have their independent countries but now they are operating as a bloc although they are still in Westminster.

So, if the minorities will organise themselves like the ants do, they will change the face of Nigerian politics. But now they are in a mad rush to belong to national parties where they are swallowed up.

Those asking Jonathan not to seek re-election Nobody is in a position to tell anybody not to seek an office.

It is the fundamental right of every Nigerian to seek political office. If one wants to seek position or re-election if the person is already in office, it is for the people to say come or don’t come through their votes.

Nobody should arrogate to himself the power to stop anybody.

Let the people decide.

If they said President Jonathan signed an agreement to do one term, let them produce the so-called agreement they are talking about, they should publish it.

Stopping Jonathan on poor performance What did Jonathan promise that he has not done? Have they given him a chance to perform? It has been all distractions. Look at the distractions going on in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and in the polity - inter-party and intraparty. But that is not to say that he is not doing anything. He took pages of adverts to list what he has done. You can cross-check to tick or cross-out.

Those who are criticizing him from his party and outside his party, what have they done with their own mandate? In terms of roads, health, education, etc, what have they done?

Take it state by state, various governors publish pictures of houses, schools, roads, etc, that they have built; for how many people?

Seriously, there is so much to be done to cater for the greater number of Nigerians,” he concluded.

PAGE 52 – SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

How Mandela’s ‘Madiba Magic’ inspired victories for South Africa I

T was on his inauguration day in 1994 that the concept of ‘Madiba Magic’ was born the winning influence that Nelson Mandela engendered whenever he went to watch a South African sports team.

A soccer international against Zambia had been organised at Ellis Park in Johannesburg to celebrate the transition of power on May 10, 1994 but the South Africans were outplayed by their guests through a goalless first half in front of a 50,000 strong crowd on a day of celebration.

The ceremonies marking the handover of power had overrun at the Union Buildings in nearby Pretoria, meaning he missed the kick off but a massive roar was heard when his helicopter was seen overhead and Mandela emerged on the pitch at halftime.

Both teams were asked to line up again, as they had done in the pre-match formalities, and the break ran well over the standard 15 minutes as the new president was introduced to players and officials.

The effect was immediately both inspiring and intimidatory.

“The half-time was probably closer to 30 minutes than 15 but his presence electrified the stadium and energised the players,” recalled goalkeeper Steve Crowley in an interview with Reuters on Friday, just hours after Mandela’s death aged 95.

South Africa scored two goals within two minutes of the restart and went on to record their first ever win over an opponent who had previously held the upper hand over them.

The power of the magic was no better exemplified than one year later at the same venue when South Africa beat New Zealand with a iconic extratime drop goal to win the Rugby World Cup. Mandela’s arrival on the field in a Springbok jersey, the captain, Francois Pienaar ’s No. 6 jersey before the match stunned the crowd, mostly made up of whites, some of whom still antagonistically waving the flag of the old Apartheid regime from the stands.

Within minutes his name was being chanted by a crowd seduced by the symbolism of

•Late Nelson Mandela of South Africa a black president in the controversial colours of a team previously reserved for whites

only. Mandela took to wearing sporting uniforms frequently after that and for South

Africa’s only major football success he was clad in the country’s colours as they won

the 1996 African Nations Cup finals. Once again he put on the Bafana Bafana captain, Neil Tovey’s No. 9 jersey to inspire that victory.

‘Madiba Magic’ was also used to seduce the members of Fifa’s executive committee to help South Africa secure the rights to host the 2010 World Cup. A beaming Mandela, by then no longer president, clasped his hands above his head like a prize fighter and then cradled the trophy like baby after South Africa was awarded the contest in Zurich 11 years ago.

It was hoped his last ever public appearance ahead of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup at Johannesburg’s Soccer City would create the same effect. He looked frail as he waved to the crowd from the back of a golf cart.

South Africa’s Siphiwe Tshabalala then scored with a stunning left-footed drive to give Bafana Bafana the lead but after Mandela left the stadium early to return home on a bitterly cold night, Mexico grabbed a late equaliser.

... regrets not being a world boxing champion A

CCORDING to the Madiba, Nelson Mandela: “There is one regret that I have had all my life - that I never become the heavy weight boxing champion of the world.”

Nelson Mandela grew up with a love for sport. He was an ardent boxer in his younger days and used it to keep fit.

Look, it is the nature of sport generally - and boxing in particular - that you will have trials and reversals.”

After Madiba’s release from Robben Island, he set out, in his own unique way, to unite a nation through sport.

Ali Bacher (Former Cricket Administrator): “He was the first person to realise the importance of sport, particularly in our divided country, of bringing black and white people togethe r . ” 1995 found the new South Africa struggling to find a way to cross the racial divide.

In Sport, Rugby was predominantly supported by whites, with black South Africans rallying behind soccer.

When the Springboks played in the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Madiba saw a golden oppor-

tunity to reach out to the Afrikaner, and took it, says Ali Bacher, a former cricketer and sports administrator, “You remember 1995, the Rugby World Cup? Three weeks before the final he went public to support our rugby team wearing the Springbok jersey, to support the Springbok emblem.”

But this was not an easy road to walk for Madiba. Even in the ANC, not everyone supported the idea. Undeterred, Madiba went for a try and scored, says football administrator Danny Jordaan, CEO WC 2010 FIFA Local Organising Committee: “We sat in his house in Houghton at that time and he said, ‘Listen, first of all, tell me why you don’t want the Springbok emblem, but I think you will all agree with me that when it comes to apartheid, there is not a single one here in the room who could tell me about apartheid and the horrors of apartheid.’ And then he paused a moment, and, of course, we said nothing. And then he said, ‘Okay, fine, you agree with me, now tell me why you don’t want the Springbok, without referring to apartheid.’ Of course we had no argument.”

•Mandela flanked by boxing greats, Mike Tyson (l) Sugar Ray Leonard (r) with renowned boxing promoter Don King (2nd left) at a ceremony.

Durbach emerges Squash Classics champion

S

OUTH Africa born Rodney Durbach has emerged champion of the first Lagos International Squash Classics which ended at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium yesterday.

Durbach defeated Tunde Ajagbe of Nigeria 3-1 in an electrifying final witnessed by a capacity crowd.

The champion was awarded a cashmprize of $4,500 US Dollars while the runner up got $3,150.

In the ladies final, Heba Alaa Ahmed Mohammed of Egypt whitewashed Nigeria’s Ebifemi Taiwo 3-0 to clinch the Ladies title. The Egyptian champion got $3 ,125 US Dollars while Ebifemi got $2,250 for her efforts.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013—53

Good form: Enyeama gets contract extension at Lille N

I G E R I A g o a l k e e p e r, Vincent Enyeama, will stay at French Ligue 1 side, Lille OSC, for the next two seasons.

The announcement of the contract extension of the 31-year-old goalkeeper was made by the French club on their official website on Friday.

The announcement read: “LOSC is pleased to announce the extension of the contract of Vincent Enyeama. The Nigerian international goalkeeper has extended the term of its lease for two additional seasons.

He therefore wears the Jersey of the Great Danes until 2017.”

The contract extension for the Nigerian goalkeeper will not come as a surprise as he has conceded just four goals in 16 top-flight matches in Lille’s colours this term.

The ex-Enyimba custodian has kept clean sheets of 1,035 minutes and is now edging close to equalling or even surpassing the former of former Bordeaux goalkeeper, Gaetan Huard which stands at 1,176 minutes set in the 1992/93 season.

Enyeama expressed happiness following his contract extension and pledged to “continue to assist the team in goal this season” and subsequent ones.

“I’m really happy to be part of this team and very happy to have signed this contract extension. I just want to continue to assist the team in goal this season, but for those that will

BY SOLOMON NWOKE

I

•Unstoppable Enyeama (in flight) during a league match for Lille. follow,” Enyeama told www.losc.fr on Friday.

During the week, Lille manager, Rene Girard, had heaped praise on the Nigerian saying “he is grounded and has made critical decisions” this

T

HE suspense and anxiety that enveloped Enugu and Port Harcourt before match Day five matches of the UEFA Champions League were finally subdued following the emergence of Ejike Emmanuel and Nonso Oguama as winners of the Heineken ‘Match

championship goes on HE Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS Handa at Durban’s Mount Edgecombe Country Club will go ahead next week as planned, but will start a day earlier on Wednesday, December 11.

In recognition of the national period of mourning for the passing of former president Mr Nelson Mandela, provision will be made for observing the day of the state funeral for Mr Mandela which will take place on Sunday, December 15.

This is during the originally scheduled

C M Y K

term for the team.

Already this season, Enyeama has been named the Player of the month in October in Ligue 1 following his catchy performance in goal for the Great Danes.

The statement on Lille’s official website rounded off by saying: “It is relaxation associated with leadership, professionalism and his sense of the collective that make Vincent

Enyeama one of the strong men of the new Lille cycle implemented

by Rene Girard. There is no doubt that at 31, he will be a key element in the success of the LOSC’s tomorrow.”

UEFA Champions League: Heineken winners emerge in Enugu, Port Harcourt

Golf: Mandela T

Nigerian wrestlers shine at C’wealth tourney

playing days (from Thursday, December 12 to Sunday, December 15), so the tournament will start a day early and in that way the four rounds can be completed by the scheduled close of the event.

The tournament with its unique trophy will again be co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour and the European Tour and it closes out the 2013 Sunshine Tour season and chase for the Order of Merit.

As with the inaugural event, the tournament will honour Mr Mandela’s ongoing work through the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Your Half Ticket’ promotion.

These latest winners join Adewale Ajadi as additional lucky consumers in the cities that will enjoy Heineken’s full sponsorship to watch the UEFA Champions League match in Europe when the knock out stage gets underway next February.

Since the announcement of the first winner early last month in Lagos, most consumers in Enugu and Port Harcourt have been on the edge in anticipation of who will be next winners. The expectation was even very high at the Bush House Arena in Enugu last week Tuesday where over 450 consumers participated in the transparent draw held at the interval of the matches.

While many Arsenal FC fans are celebrating the impressive season of the club in both domestic and in Europe, Mr. Ejike Emmanuel was the hero of the night, after his name came out of the pool. The winner, also an ardent Arsenal fan, in a short remark after the ceremony said he enjoys chilled Heineken

as a form of relaxation and was very eager to participate in the Heineken promotions. ”I have never been committed to any of these promotions before now. But on this fateful night, while I was enjoying my Heineken, a brand ambassador walked up to me and asked if I wanted to be part of the promotion that will qualify me to watch a UEFA Champions League match live in Europe. I saw this as a tall dream, after much persuasion from the elegant lady; I felt I had nothing to lose in participation.

But tonight, everybody is congratulating me for this uncommon favour,” he remarked.

The next day in Port Harcourt, Oguma, also an Arsenal fan emerged from the pool of 600 participants at a draw ceremony held at Lesukaa Bar. The ecstatic winner, knowing fully well that the last two winners will come up in Abuja and Lagos urged his friends and fellow Arsenal fans to be committed and participate in the ‘Heineken Match Your

Half Ticket’ promotion and win. ”I am happy that I won tonight and would be delighted if any of my friends and fellow Arsenal faithful in Abuja and Lagos win the remaining two tickets so that it can be a memorable evening for as many Gunners’ fans to watch live game of our darling team together courtesy Heineken,” he said.

The senior brand manager Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen, anticipating a nerve breaking moment in the final phase of the promotion explained that “ to be part of the last lap, consumers are advised go to any of the Heineken selected bars on UEFA Champions League match nights.

The list of participating bars can be found via a bar finder app on the Heineken facebook page and on www.heineken.com,” she explained.Heineken recently extended its sponsorship with UEFA for another three years until 2018 and will bring the priceless Trophy to Lagos March next year to millions of Nigerians.

NSPITE of their short preparation and late arrival due to visa delay, the Nigerian team of wrestlers at the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship which ended weekend in South Africa gave a good account of themselves as a force to reckon with in the continent.

Nigeria presented 13 wrestlers made up of seven female and six male wrestlers and won four gold, two silver and one bronze in the freestyle wrestling event while it placed third in the Greco Roman style of wrestling with a silver and three bronze.

Blessing Oborududu lifted the country’s name by emerging The Best Female Wrestler of the tournament, she also won a gold medal in the 63kg weight class. Other who won gold medals include three times world wrestling medalist, Chipma Iheanacho in the 67kg weight class, Aminat Adeniji and Adekuroye Odunayo in the 51kg weight category.

Esther Pam and Sammy Oziti won a silver medal each while Bisola Makanjuola in the 55 kg weight category.

Sinivie Boltic won a silver medal in the 120kg class in the Greco Roman while Soso Tamara in the 96 kg, Welson Ebikewenimo in the 60kg and Bibo Kelvin in the 84kg weight class won bronze.

Reacting to their feat yesterday, President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation, Dr Daniel Igali gave kudos to the wrestlers saying it was an impressive outing considering the circumstances surrounding their outing. ” All things considered, this is an impressive performance”, Igali said.

•Dr. Igali

PAGE 54 – SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 8, 2013

World Cup: Only proper preparation will make Eagles excel — Keshi •Confesses ignorance of Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina

M

OMENTS after Nigeria’s Super Eagles were Friday in Salvador, Brazil, drawn in Group F of the 2014 World Cup scheduled for Brazil next summer, Chief Coach Stephen Keshi played down suggestions from football analysts, both Nigerians and foreigners alike, that they have an ‘easy draw’, insisting that only adequate preparation will see the team go far in the competition.

“I am not in the group that feels the Draw was an easy one. That would be a mistake to make because all the 32 teams in the pot were worth their places and would be formidable to tackle in the finals.

“There is no way we are going to look at any team and under-rate that team.

They qualified just like we did, and no team would be coming determined to simply make up the number.”

The former Nigeria captain says it is always a thing of pride to be counted among the elite.

“We are happy to be here.

To be among the 32 best teams in the world is a thing of joy, and our people back home, passionate football fans all, are excited.

“For me, winning always depends on how well you prepare. Even the weather that some people are already saying will favour the African

teams against the European teams may not matter much when the competition starts.

“It is preparation that matters. I remember how, in 1994, we thrashed Bulgaria 3-0 in our very first match at the World Cup finals, and they went ahead to reach the semi finals while we lost out in the Round of 16.”

The Delta-born coach also wondered why Nigeria and Argentina keep being drawn in the same group at the World Cup but was quick to add that they will see how the their match, the third group match holding on June 25, 2014 will play out.

“Argentina versus Nigeria is something that is becoming a recurring decimal. We keep playing

BY JACOB AJOM

A

•Flamingoes against them at every World Cup. It’s good. We will see how it goes this time,” he said.

Keshi however confessed knowing little

The Chairman of Kano Pillars Football Club Mallam Abba Yola has poured encomium on the Kano State governor, Engineer Rabiu Kwankwanso for his magnanimity in rewarding players of the team and officials adequately for winning the 2012/2013 Nigerian Premier League.

The former National Sports Commission (NSC) Director

described the governor as “a rare breed politician who knows how to reward excellence. He has done noble.

He has challenged the team to do more. To whom much is given much is expected. We are going to work harder to win the Africa Champions League for his honour, “ he stressed.

The Kano state governor had on Tuesday showered players and officials with Naira rain

Flamingoes resume camp in January

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says the U-17 female national team, Flamingoes, will resume camp in January to prepare for the 2014 FIFA Women U-17 World Cup. NFA’s Director of Technical, Emmanuel Ikpeme said yesterday in Abuja that it was to ensure the team prepared adequately for the World Cup. The fourth edition of the U-17 World Cup will hold from March 15 to April 5 in Costa Rica.

The team qualified automatically for the competition after South Sudan withdrew from the African qualifiers.

“We expect that by the first week in January, they will resume camp which will involve both local and foreign tours for them to prepare well for that tournament.

“This is because the team is entirely new and they have never played C M Y K

about the group’s two other sides, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran.

“Not knowing Bosnia is a difficult thing but they are a good side. I think

I’ve seen them once or twice on television. Iran?

I’ve never seen them. For them to be here means they are a good team,” he added.

Kano Pillars boss hails Gov Kwankwaso

BY OSARETIN EMUZE

any match together because they got automatic qualification.

“Besides, they were already in camp before their opponent’s withdrawal, so we decided to make it an open camp to accommodate new play-

ers apart from the invited ones.

“This is to allow the coaches get new players to compliment the ones invited initially and be able to have a formidable team,” Ikpeme said.

and cars worth N5.5 billion. The amiable governor also rewarded medallists at the last National Sports Festival

ORLD weightlifting governing body, Inter national Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has assured Nigeria of technical support in the effort of Nigeria Weightlifting Federation (NWF) to take the game to the next level.

NWF President, Hon Chibudom Nwuche just back from Malaysia where he met the president of the world weightlifting governing body, Dr Tomas Ajan disclosed that the board of the Nigeria weightlifting federation would be working closely with

IWF, even as he added that the world body had assured Nigeria of its support.

“The meeting I had with Dr. Ajan in Malaysia during the Commonwealth championship was very fruitful. We will be working closely with the IWF, as well as the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation.

We will be getting technical support from them,” Nwuche disclosed.

The NWF boss said the world body would be sending renowned coaches to be part of the coaching seminar which NWF is

held in Lagos. Gold medallists got a N100,000, silver N50,000 and bronze medallists got N25,000 each.

Okorodudu returns as national coach 23 yrs after

O

LYMPIAN boxer J e r r y Okorodudu, who was suspended 23 years ago by his employers, the National Sports Commission (NSC) has been reinstated by the commission after a court ruling in his favour.

The middleweight 75kg pugilist between 1981 and 1984 was a national champion and African champion.

He was suspended in 1995 from service for abandoning his duty for a professional career in the U.S., a situation that left him liv-

IWF assures Nigeria of technical support

W

Good preparation can see Nigeria through – Dr Izamoje

planning for the first quarter of 2014.

“Part of our plans for next year is to develop our coaches and this we plan to do by organising a coaching seminar that will attract resource persons from outside the country.

We will be working with the world body to make it a huge success,” Nwuche said.

It would be noted that Nigeria last weekend in Penang, Malaysia emerged the female champion of the Commonwealth weightlifting championship after winning a total of eight gold, three silver and three bronze.

ing in penury.

Okorodudu instituted a case against the Ministry of Sports in 2005 for suspending him in a Lagos High Court and the case was eventually decided in his favour in October this year by the Appeal Court in Lagos. Okorodudu said in Lagos that he had been reinstated by the commission and that part of his unpaid salaries and allowances had been paid.

According to him the remaining of his outstanding benefits would be paid instalmentally.

The boxer, who was in his newly allocated office at the National Stadium, Lagos said: “For 23 years I have been in anguish and penury, isolated from my first family, boxing”.

He expressed hope in the judiciary and thanked the Sports Minister and Chairman of the NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi, and the NSC Director, Gbenga Elegbeleye, for obeying the court ruling.

He also thanked the Boxing Coaches Association for the reception they accorded him on his return to office on Nov. 3.

“Now that I am back as a national coach, I will bring my wealth of experience to bear on the national team,” Okorodudu said.

S Nigerians contin ue to celebrate what has been generally described as “a fair draw” after being pitted against perennial foes Argentina, Bosnia and Iran, the Chairman and CEO of Sport radio, Brila fm, Dr Larry Izamoje has warned against “Nigeria taking things for granted.”

Speaking in Lagos soon after the draw was concluded Friday evening, Izamoje said, “I think it is a fair draw. Of all the countries in our group, Argentina on paper is the toughest opponent. Remember, in 2010 Argentina beat us with their usual trickery after one of their players held down one of our players. Aside that we competed fairly against them. ”This time I expect us to do better if we work hard and take care of Bosnia and Iran. If we do that then Argentina will be taken care of . We must have good preparations and enough friendly matches. If we can take care of Bosnia, I believe we can spring surprises.”

On his part, former youth international, Waidi Akanni said he welcomed the idea of playing Iran in Eagles’ first group match. “If we beat them, we will have the confidence to face the rest of our opponents in the group.”

Waidi advised the technical crew and the NFF hierachy to set to work immediately in gathering all relevant data about Nigeria’s opponents. “They need tapes of matches involving those countries, arrange friendly matches against countries they faced during the qualifiers and other such information as may be required for the task ahead.”

He believes the Super Eagles will do well at the Mundial but must be given adequate preparation and every support needed to succeed.

•Dr. Izamoje

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013, PAGE 55

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SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 8, 2013

Abuja agog for National Youth Games T

Brazil 2014: Eagles can face any country – Onigbinde •Says adequate preparation is key F

ORMER Super Eagles chief coach and CAF/ FIFA Instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde has stated that a prepared Super Eagles have all it takes to slug it out with their 2014 FIFA World Cup Group F rivals Argentina, Iran and Bosnia Herzegovina and qualify for the next round.

FIFA held the draws for next year ’s World Cup on Friday night in Brazil and one of the highlights of the draws was pitching Nigeria’s senior national team against that of the South American giants and twice winners of the World Cup, Argentina, Asian powerhouse Iran and European debutants Bosnia.

Onigbinde who led the Eagles at the Japan/Korea 2002 World Cup finals where they played against Argentina, England and Sweden told Goal that Nigeria should look beyond qualifying for the sec-

ond round.

The astute soccer instructor added that the Eagles should be targeting lifting the coveted trophy and should not consider themselves as inferior to other countries that would be on parade in Brazil next year.

Onigbinde noted that it would be wrong to make comparisons between the Argentine side that narrowly beat his side about 11 years ago with that of 2013 but warned that only adequate preparation and proper self belief would be among the ingredients that the Eagles need to conquer the world next year.

“There is no short cut to success. I don’t believe in saying that a particular country is stronger or another is weaker.

With adequate preparation the Eagles can face any country,” Onigbinde said.

“We should not be talking about qualifying for the sec-

HE city of Abuja will be agog with activities from today through December 15 as youths from all over the federation converge on the city for the 1st ever edition of the National Youths Games organized by the National Sports Commission.

The desire to organize the youth games became imperative after the Presidential Retreat on Sports hosted by President Goodluck Jonathan, where the NSC was charged to come up with strategic initiative aimed at the identification and development of young athletes for podium success.

Speaking on the significance of the games, Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi reiterated that the event will present a very good opportunity for the discovery of grassroots talents amongst the youths who will eventually be nurtured to podium success.

He maintained that the victory of the Golden Eaglets at the just concluded FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates underscores the indisputable fact that the youths of Nigeria have come a long way in sports and if given the enabling environment will excel in the field of sports.

Over 4,357 young athletes under the ages of 17 years with accompanying officials from the 36 States and the FCT of Nigeria will be competing in 14 sports/events.

The opening ceremony is expected to hold at the package A of the Abuja National Stadium.

Results

ond round at this stage, but we should work towards winning the World Cup. We must learn to respect our opponents but the key note is adequate preparation,” he enthused.

Man United Crstal Palace Liverpool S’hampton Stoke City West Brom Sunderland

0 2 4 1 3 0 1

Newcastle Cardiff West Ham Man City Chelsea Norwich Tottenham

1 0 1 1 2 2 2

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1. House of Reps Speaker (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

SOLUTION on page 5

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