Armed men invade Enugu Govt House

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 PAGE 3

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Soyinka, four other Nigerian poets make World Poetry Anthology T

HE works of four Ni gerian poets have been chosen for inclusion in a forthcoming publication titled The Second Genesis: An Anthology of Contemporary World Poetry. The poets

are Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu, Obari Gomba and Ikeogu Oke. Wole Soyinka and Obari Gomba will contribute a poem each, titled “A Vision of Peace”

Telecom operators pay N647m penalty

BY PRINCE OSUAGWU

T

HERE are indica tions that the three operators, MTN, Globacom and Airtel, on which the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, imposed a fine of N647m over poor quality of service, have paid the fine.

Information from NCC indicated that the three operators paid the fine before the close of work on Friday. The commission had imposed on Airtel Nigeria and MTN Nigeria a fine of N185 million each while Globacom was liable to the tune of N277 million.

The Head, Media and Public Relations of NCC, Mr Reuben Muoka, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard on telephone, yesterday, confirmed that the operators paid their respective fines before the close of work on Friday, adding that they

(the operators) have done the honorable thing, knowing that the NCC was not out to hound anybody.

He, however, said that other conditions, including the ban on sales promotions and sales of SIM cards, stand till the end of March. He gave the indication that there may be an extension of the ban if it was discovered that their services did not improve.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the operators’s umbrella body, the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, ALTON, Engr Gbenga Adebayo, told Sunday Vanguard that even though he was not in a position to confirm whether the three operators have paid, he was aware that when the issue came for discussion in their meeting last week, the affected operators did not object to paying the fine.

House Committee hails ICPC

BY FLORENCE NWOSE

T

HE House Of Rep resentatives Committee on Anti-Corruption And National Ethics has commended the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related O f f e n c e s Commission(ICPC) for its efforts at reducing corruption in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Abiodun Faleke, gave the commendation at the end of budget defence by the Chairman of the ICPC, Mr. Ekpo Nta, at the National Assembly.

Faleke explained that ICPC was doing its best in its task of ridding the country of corrupt vices adding “ yet little is be-

ing done in terms of funding this commission”.

He said if ICPC was allowed to use part of the money recovered from suspects, the challenge of funding facing the Commission would have been reduced.

He assured the ICPC Chairman that the committee would write a letter to the Budget Office on the need to increase the budgetary allocation of the commission.

Earlier in his presentation, Nta disclosed how operatives of the commission arrested some junior civil servants and an exbank staff for operating fake pension accounts with the latter who had opened over 50 bank accounts with a First Generation Bank.

DESOPADEC opens tender bid

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI

T

HE Chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Mr Orishua Kpogho, has opened tender bid for 2013 projects as approved by the House of Assembly.

Speaking at the event,Kpogho reiterated the commission’s quest to deliver divi-

dends of democracy to oil producing communities in the state.

The Chairman disclosed that the tender boxes which contained award of contracts to the various oil producing communities was to ensure compliance with due process, noting that the objective of the board was to make the process of the award of contracts this year better than that of last year.

and “The Ghost of a Country” respectively, to the anthology. Uzor Maxim Uzoatu will contribute three poems titled “Bonding,” “Tropical Lore” and “Regenerating Lines”. Ikeogu Oke has four poems slated for inclusion in the anthology, titled “Being Black,” “A ‘Savage’ Writes Back,” “The Tree” and “A Gandhian Prayer ”.

The anthology is a project of the Academy of raite(s)* And World Literati (A.R.A.W.LII) based in Ajmer, India, and will feature works of poets from fifty eight countries and all the seven continents.

From left: Lt Col. Paul Onyekwere, Secretary for Field Programs, The Salvation Army; Dr. Christopher Kolade, Special Guest; Commissioner Mfon Jactor, Territorial Commander,The Salvation Army and Rev George Bako, Retired Bishop of Lokoja; during the Interdenominational World Day of Prayer held by The Salvation Army, Onipanu, Lagos. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

Al-Qaeda takes over Boko Haram

•Govt forces identify sect’s camps in Cameroun

BY JIDE AJANI

T

HERE are very strong indications to suggest that al-Qaeda, the global terror organization founded by the late Osama Bin Laden, may have taken control of the notorious and deadly Jama’atu AhlissSunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, Sunday Vanguard can report authoritatively.

In addition, it was learnt that some of the camps used by Boko Haram members as safe haven in Cameroun have been detected by Nigeria’s security forces.

The problem, however, according to sources, is that “except Cameroun enters into concrete collaboration with Nigeria, nothing can be done”.

AQIM and Boko Haram The alleged arrowhead of the take-over, which is the al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, AQIM, has its headquarters in Algeria.

Intelligence sources disclosed to Sunday Vanguard that members of Boko Haram had had collaboration with AQIM since 2010.

As far back as 2010, intelligence sources said “the Algerian government had said available intelligence reports confirmed that extremist Nigerian Islamic group, Boko Haram, has linked up with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) which has its North African headquarters in Algeria.”

One of the sources added, “The revelation confirms Nigeria’s intelligence services assessment and worries that the previously unknown group has received training and support from al Qaeda.

“Even at that time, Algerian Deputy Foreign Minister, Abdelkader Messahel, told journalists that intelligence report showed both groups had been coordinating. ”We have no doubts that coordination exists between Boko Haram and al Qaeda.”

Reuters news agency quoted Messahel as saying “the way both groups operate and intelligence reports show that there is cooperation”.

AQIM was said to have grown out “of a conflict in Algeria between the government and Islamist militants”. An intelligence report said, “In the past few years, it has expanded its activities to include Mali, Niger and Mauritania but was not thought to have reached as far south as Nigeria”.

The report said Algeria’s assessment of ties between AQIM and Boko Haram carries authority because Algeria has the biggest intelligencegathering operation on al Qaeda of any country in the region.

Sunday Vanguard was reliably informed that “the group sent out some six members to Algeria to learn how to make Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.” A security source said, “Indeed, the students, in the light of Boko Haram’s bombing raids, appeared to have learnt well.

“It was discovered that after the ‘Arab Spring’- a peoples revolution across some North African countries – some of the militia and criminals hitherto nurtured by the fleeing leaders migrated southwards and were the ones largely responsible for and who inspired the civil strife in Mali.”

“The source went further: “It was these same people who moved easterly through Niger Republic and were causing

problems in northern Nigeria.

“It was the emergency rule declared by President Goodluck Jonathan, the efficacy of which hemmed the terrorists to the north eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa and even across the Nigerian borders that has restricted their activities to attacking soft targets”.

The source disclosed that the funding the sect members enjoy is not only derived from their robbery activities but from their links with AQIM; the sophistication of their attacks is also as a result of the strong involvement of AQIM.

Camps uncovered

Military sources confirmed that some of the camps used as hideouts by members of Boko Haram have been identified in North-western Cameroun.

Information provided last week by highly dependable sources suggest that the vastness of the border between Nigeria and Cameroun makes it very difficult if not impossible to fully police the area.

“The reality on ground is that it is not possible for Nigeria’s security forces to carry out aerial bombardment of the hideouts of the terrorists,” one of the sources told Sunday Vanguard.

“These camps have been identified but we cannot just go into another country and carry out bombing sorties.

“If the type of collaboration between Niger and Nigeria existed between Cameroun and Nigeria, we would have achieved more successes.

“Even at that, you will agree that our military forces have been intercepting and aborting

some of the plans of the insurgents.

“But when people speed in and speed out into another country, you cannot pursue them into another country without the permission of that country”.

Led by the late Mohammed Yusuf, the first major uprising by Boko Haram actually began in Bauchi State on 26 July 2009 when hundreds of the sect adherents launched an attack on the Dutsen Tanshi Police Station. This attack failed, with reports of at least 50 people killed. In the next four days, the group carried out further attacks, with gun battles between the sect and the police reported throughout Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, and Borno States. The worst of the violence occurred in Maiduguri, where the group had relocated from its Kanamma base, Yobe State, a base aptly named Afghanistan.

Prior to July 2009 when the sect’s notoriety waxed strong, its members had been involved in dastardly incidents in Yobe in 2003 and in Kano in 2004. In April 2007, 10 policemen and a divisional commander ’s wife were killed in an attack on the police headquarters in Kano.

On 13 November 2008, Yusuf was arrested following an attack on a police station in Maiduguri, in which 17 of his followers were killed.

On 20 January 2009, an Abuja High Court granted him bail. This was to be an error, a fatal one.

He was apprehended again in December 2009 after the sect engaged the military in a gun battle lasting almost one week. He was handed over to the police where he died under circumstances that are still alleged to be extra-judicial.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014 — PAGE 5

Armed men invade Enugu Govt House Continued from page 1 Governor Sullivan Chime. One of the invaders was shot dead, three arrested while others escaped.

Several machetes were recovered from them.

Although the mission of the young men, who were said to be armed with machetes and carrying flags with different inscriptions and insignia belonging to some secret cults, was unknown, an eyewitness said they arrived the Government House at about 4.30 am in buses.

They reportedly parked their vehicles and marched to the Government House gate where they met security operatives.

The attackers were said to have told the security men to open the gate claiming they were at the Government House on protest, but when one the NSCDC officials opened the gate to ask why they decided to come in the night, one of the invaders attacked him with machete and tried to force the gate open for his colleagues to go in.

This attracted other security operatives in the Government House who rushed out only to see many of attackers carrying machetes and were giving orders to their colleagues to move into the Government House.

The Chief Security Officer to Chime, Mr. Fidelis Ogarabe, DSP, who rushed to the scene after he was alerted by his men, immediately took control of the situation as the security operatives repelled the invaders after hours of shooting.

The security operatives pursued the assailants from the Government House premises into the Independence Layout. It was in the process that three of the attackers were arrested while

another was shot dead.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chime, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, confirmed the attack, yesterday, saying vigilant security personnel attached to the Government House Enugu early this morning foiled an armed attack on the Government House.”

Achife narrated further: “The attack occurred when at about 4.30 am a group of young men numbering about 50 and carrying machetes and cutlasses invaded the Government House and tried to force their way in. ”The attackers were immediately engaged by the security personnel who shot dead one person and arrested three. One

security personnel was injured in the attack.

The governor ’s spokesman added that the arrested persons along with some of the weapons recovered (matchetes) have since been handed over to the Enugu State Police Command for further investigations.

Meanwhile, the three suspects who were taken to the New Haven Police station were later transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad office along the Enugu– Onitsha expressway. The three suspects, sources said, identified themselves as natives of Aguleri, Anambra East.

Local Government Area of Anambra State.

L-R: Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Managing Director, Society for Health, Mr. Bright Ekweremadu and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, flagging off the distribution of 2.5 million treated mosquito nets during the UPLIFTing Women Living with HIV/AIDS where 300 people living with HIV were empowered as part of activities marking the 2014 International Women's Day at the MKO Stadium, Kuto in Abeokuta...today (March 8)

Itsekiri angr ver ex clusion fr om National Conf erence angryy oover exclusion from Conference

BY DANIEL GUMM & EMMA AMAIZE ngry reactions are trailing the A nomination of delegates to

the National Conference due to be inaugurated on March 17.

Yesterday, the Itsekiri in Delta State protested their exclusion from the conference, threatening secession if the situation was not redressed.

Meanwhile, Delta State government called for calm, describing the exclusion as an anomaly and being addressed.

“Our exclusion from the confab is the last straw and we are prepared to go out of Nigeria”, an Itsekiri leader, Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori-Ogbebor, said.

Another Itsekiri leader, Mr Alex Eyengbo, decried the exclusion of his people from the conference as further marginalisation of his ethnic group by the federal, state and local governments.

Iwere Development Association (IDA), umbrella body for the Itsekiri, gave the federal, Delta and Edo State governments as well as South-south leaders 48 hours, from yesterday, to reverse “the monumental injustice” done to the

zWe will secede if … — Rita-Lori Ogbebor zAnomaly being addressed — Delta govt

Itsekiri. President, Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC), Mr David Tonwe, echoed his people’s sentiment.

“We woke up yesterday, the 7th of March, 2014 to find that no Itsekiri name was among the delegates attending the confab. This means the interest of the Itsekiri man or woman is not important in the scheme of this country, “ Lori-Ogbebor told Sunday Vanguard, yesterday.

She went on: “We are not surprised because this shameless subjugation and marginalisation of the Itsekiri people have been with us for many years due to extreme jealousy.

“The Itsekiri nation has been in existence for over 700 years. Our Chief Dore Numa representing the Olu of Warri was one of those who signed the amalgamation treaty in 1914.

“If the Itsekiri nation was recognized as a nation in 1914, how come that the Itsekiri canot have a say today in the structural review of this country that will bring us peace. Let nobody be deceived.

Whether you like it or not, Itsekiri, as a nation, contributes more than any nation to our revenue-in oil and gas.

“The Itsekiri are pained.

We have endured this marginalisation and subjugation for too long.

We also want to note that it is only the Itsekiris that can choose their representatives. It is our right and no one can take it from us. The people around us have sworn to make our life miserable.

They have taken our lands.

Our exclusion from the confab is the last straw and we are prepared to go out of Nigeria”.

Eyengho, spokesman of the Itsekiri Consultative Forum, ICF, said the non inclusion of Itsekiri in the list of delegates for the National Conference was

a further marginalization of the ethnic group by the federal, state and local g o v e r n m e n t s .

Eyengho told Sunday Vanguard, “I have looked at all the categories for the appointing of delegates, whether traditional rulers, professionals, ex military officers, etc, and I do not see the yardstick why no Itsekiri person was picked. ”The question many are asking is if no competent Itsekiri man and woman was found in all the categories to be at the conference. We are shocked that the Olu of Warri, who is a first class monarch in this country was not found to be qualified”.

A communiqué released after an emergency meeting of IDU, yesterday, and signed by its President, Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi and Comrade Agbateyiniro Wehinmi, Secretary respectively, said they rejected the list of delegates released for the proposed conference.

It condemned the situation where other ethnic nationalities were qualified to have 20 slots in the conference but the Itsekiri with its avalanche of natural, human and capital endowments was not qualified to have a single delegate from the Federal Government, Delta State or Edo. Speaking to Sunday Vanguard in a phone chat, yesterday, David Tonwe said the exclusion of the Itsekiri from the National Conference was the manifestation of index of hatred and oppression against the Itsekiri as now exhibited by the Federal and Delta State Governments even as the National President, Itsekiri Development Congress (IDC), Mr. Emma OkotieEboh, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to revisit the list of the delegates for the National Conference with a view to including the Itsekiri, saying it was regrettable

that none of their kinsmen made the list.

Tonwe wondered why the Itsekiri, from whose lands about 35 per cent of Nigeria’s oil production is extracted from, “could be excluded from such an all important conference billed to discuss such contentious issues like ‘ resources control’, ‘revenue allocation’, fiscal federalism, etc.” He added, “This totally unacceptable and the Itsekiri will not relent until this deliberate evil is corrected.”

Okotie-Eboh, the IDC National President, said the Itsekiri have credible men and women that can represent Nigeria at any level globally, saying it was so painful that the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse 11, a first class traditional

ruler recognised by government, was not even included in the list of the traditional rulers to attend the National Conference.

Mr. Tunde Okorodudu, an Itsekiri leader, also said, yesterday, that the Itsekiri was very sad that no delegate was selected from the ethnic group to the National Conference.

Delta State Government, in a reaction, yesterday, said the non-inclusion of Itsekiri among delegates to the National Conference was an anomaly being addressed and therefore called for calm. The state government, in a statement, said the name of a prominent Itsekiri, Chief Isaac Jemide, was submitted to the office of the Secretary to the Federal Government and was receipted and also acknowledged just as a follow up contact confirmed the inclusion of the name.

Nigeria under siege — Christopher Kolade

BY LAMIDI BAMIDELE

former High Commissioner to the A United Kingdom, Dr

Christopher Kolade, says Nigeria is under siege following Boko Haram killings. Speaking at an interdenominational World Day of prayer held under the theme, “Streams in the Desert”, organised by The Salvation Ar my, Shomolu, Lagos, Kolade said, “I can say without any doubt that Nigeria in which I was born and in which I grew up as a child is far better than what it is today, but the Lord has revealed to me that Nigeria’s problems are not beyond His power.”

He stated that enormous resources abound in the country for which we should have no problems.

“Other countries are struggling with earthquakes, tornadoes and many other natural disasters, but God has exempted us. But with all the resources, what are the results? You and I are under

siege from various directions. If it is Boko Haram today, it is Niger Delta militants tomorrow.”

Gloria Iwuamadi, Chairperson of the occasion, in her speech, encouraged women to pray for the nation as they are closer to God.

Plane with 227 on board missing

BY TONY NWANKWO, with agency reports

A

Malaysia Airlines flight carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew went missing off the Vietnamese coast, yesterday, and was presumed to have crashed.

There were no reports of bad weather and no sign why the Boeing 777-200ER would have vanished from radar screens about an hour after it took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing.

There were no signs of sabotage nor claims of a terrorist attack.

However, in Europe, news reports and officials said at least two people on board may have been carrying stolen passports.

PAGE 6 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

BY WOLE MOSADOMI

P

RESIDENT Good luck Jonathan says the defection of some governors, legislators and their supporters to the All Progressive Congress (APC) is a good omen for the Peoples D e m o c r a t i c

Jonathan celebrates govs defection from PDP Party (PDP), pointing out that since their defection, the PDP has been waxing stronger.

Addressing PDP supporters at the North-central solidarity rally held at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna, Niger

State, yesterday, the President described the defectors as retrogressive.

“If some people have been with the PDP for 14 years and now they said they are leaving for progressive, the question is

where are they progressing to? It means in past 14 years, they have been involved in retrogressive activities in the PDP and were problems to us and you will agree with me that now that these retrogressive elements

have left, PDP will progress more,” he said.

Jonathan called on Nigerians, especially PDP supporters, not to be frightened by anybody who uses the media to preach violence but to be focus on what PDP has

done for the country in the past years.

Vice President Namadi Sambo, in his brief remark, thanked the people of North-central for their support for the PDP in past years and called on them to remain loyal and dedicated to the party.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014 — PAGE 7

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SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 PAGE 9

PAGE 10 —SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

Resurgence of child trafficking in Akwa Ibom State

A

T least two people, one alive and one departed, must be shaking their heads, with sadness and disbelief, when reading that story about

Akwa Ibom. This was one tragedy they struggled for eight years to bring to an end in the state. And they largely succeeded such that by 2007, Akwa Ibom state was rid of child traffickers and baby factories. Now, it appears as if the progress made by 2007 had been dissipated in another eight years. The most important question which should bother all of us is: if the progress which we see daily advertised about the state is real, why are people still engaged in this trade/ why are kids still being treated worse than slaves? It was not always like this;

not in 2007.

“Akwa Ibom State is the nation’s largest supplier of houseboys and cooks”, lamented newly elected Governor Victor B Attah of Akwa Ibom State in 1999. And he was determined to bring an end to that atrocity. For that reason, his first executive measure was to pronounce free primary education throughout the state, with immediate effect, and he followed that by paying for WAEC examination fees for School Certificate candidates and later extended the free education to JSS3.

The goal was to snatch back, from wicked men and women, the kids who were being voluntarily or forcefully trafficked out of the state to serve as servants and cooks (the lucky ones) and prostitutes or hatcheries for babies (the real tragedies).

But, the enormity of the task of governing the state; the challenges posed by the fact that the state was almost totally cut off from the nation’s communications network, poor access roads; dilapidated schools and

Song and Dance "While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which charity will have become unnecessary."

-- Chinua Achebe

M

ODERN Nigeria came into being one hundred years ago, so it was with the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of the former British colony. Stay with me now. One hundred years ago there was a merger, that long ago but fast forward today the south/north divide remain divided and has not changed for the better. It is in fact a gulf and in the midst of paranoia and distrust on all sides.

Nigerians are not celebrating because they cannot see any positive changes. Nothing has changed.

It is still the old guards that remain lurking in the corridor of power and tightening the grip on the national purse.

Where are the changes to prove that we have moved on and that the lives of the majority Nigerians have changed for the better?

Where is the proof that Nigerians feel safer and

that the younger generations have a stake in the future, that every child born in Nigeria have the right to be safe, healthy and educated.

For 100 years, we have not moved that far nor improve our lot. So let’s call a spade a spade; the changes aren’t for the better. What does it mean to the average Nigerians when most of the people honoured are part of the power mad and rottenly corrupt?

I believe that you should not reward bad behaviour but, I guess that GEJ did not get the brief.

There is not much to mark the years as the giant of Africa. We remains static and whimpering in a corner reliving its version of the glory days. So what glory days? You may ask: what is the big deal?

If we have indeed turn the corner, the whole country would have erupted in celebration and fondly look back on how far we have come. Have we really come that far and what have we done to beat the drums and bang our chests? There is very little public support or appetite for this ostentatious and

hospitals, etc made it impossible for the former Governor to pay attention to the sources of supply, within the state, of these unfortunate kids. Fortunately for Akwa Ibom State, the kids and Nigeria, there was Nneyin Alison Attah, the wife of the Governor, a First Lady with a heart full of love for kids who undertook

,

“A’Ibom police nab prophetess for operating baby factory.” PUNCH February 26, 2014, p 4.

“What does corrupting time not diminish..” Horace 65-8 BC. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 247).

out of the state. Incredibly, she did most of the work with her own money because her father was one the largest exporters of sugar in Barbados. Most of the girls and children rescued during those eight years were either re-united with their parents, or, were placed in State supervised Children’s homes when no parents came forward to claim them. Thus for eight years the young girls and children of Akwa Ibom State had a champion fighting on their side.

The question now is: did it all end in 2007? Are criminals now allowed to operate undeterred in the state? Are the kids of AKS, once again, unsafe from kidnappers and those wanting to make blood money?

They had expected that after the Anangs were allowed to rule, the baton of governor’s office will be passed to them based on the zoning agreement in 2007. With any luck, they will be considered in 2023

,

the challenge of locating all the Motherless Babies Homes and Charities – most of which proved to be fronts for child and women traffickers. She got them registered, monitored and supervised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and by 2007 had driven the criminals operating Baby factories

ADVICE TO PDP CHAIRMAN MUAZU ON AKWA IBOM Irrespective of any agreement you might have had with the PDP governors who imposed you on the party after exracting from you a promise not to interfere in the activities of the

crass event.

If you believe the spin doctors they tell us that “The centenary celebrations have ushered in a new era. They have rekindled the Nigerian spirit in all of us. They have revived our sense of patriotism; our inner love for one another as one people under God” Can someone tell these gullible people that we are not stupid. Let the truth be told; we are not united and the politicians are fanning the great divide and we all can see that. The spin doctors are deluded and perhaps they believe that we are so gullible that we will take what they say as gospel. That boat has sailed, a long time ago!

Do not believe what the Vice President Namadi Sambo has said either that “every Nigerian who had contributed or is still con-

showed we are indeed one people determined to succeed and that our divisions are as ephemeral as they are artificial”.

The fanfare, pomp and pageantry appears to be for the benefit of the administration to aggrandise their position. It is surprising that the National Assembly was not keen to support a year long celebration and definitely not willing to approve funding for the festivities. Now that is a turn up for the books, the assembly can feel the pulse of the nation. Someone, somewhere in the greed and gluttony realms that our politicians operate, they still want to siphon our money for the festivities and they wonder why people are cross.

The celebrations is another pink elephant and it will cost so much more in

,

The celebrations is another pink elephant and it will cost so much more in terms of billions. Money that could be well spent on rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure

tributing to nation-building is a winner in the centenary celebrations”. And that "the Centenary Concert not only reminded us of our common root but also pointed us to our rich heritage which comes alive only when we combine our energies as a people. It

,

terms of billions.

Money that could be well spent on rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, establishments, health and employment. They have said that the costs will be borne by the private sectors, but we know that means another opportunities for

party at state level, please be very careful with respect to Akwa Ibom State. The same might apply to other states where an ethnic group has an absolute majority of the population; while the governor is from a minority ethnic group.

The large ethnic groups, in each state, who had embraced the principle of zoning in 2007, and had conceded power to governors from smaller ethnic groups, have largely regretted their “generosity”. Most have now taken the same position as Igalas in Kogi State where anybody else can be the Deputy Governor (or Spare tyre); but, the Governor will always be an Igala person. It is as simple as that and nothing will alter the situation in 2015.

The Ibibios had been out of the State House for eight years. They are not prepared to remain out for another eight years.

Those who will first suffer the lash of Ibibio anger are the people of the Oron nation. They had expected that after the Anangs were allowed to rule, the baton of governor ’s office will be passed to them based on the zoning agreement in 2007. With any luck, they will be considered in 2023. I don’t need to tell you that with the Ibibios constituting over sixty per cent of the population and wanting to decide for themselves, no governor from a minority ethnic group will sway them.

Most of them and the

leading candidates are solidly loyal to PDP. And, they will readily vote for PDP in all elections in 2015 – provided the candidates are those freely chosen by them. Without that, you might as well chalk up Akwa Ibom as an APC State in 2015. So firmly has the battle line been drawn.

The choice is yours and that of President Jonathan.

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the cronies to stuff their pocket of money and deliver substandard events.

It does not seem inappropriate when many are living in abject poverty; there is high rate of youth unemployment, kidnapping, killings, ill-health, lack of opportunities for the young, crime and disorder.

What is there to celebrate and why 100 honourees?

Are they really all we have to show for a 100 years of existence? Who chose them?

What is the criteria and what have they done for Nigeria and Nigerians to warrant their place in Nigerian history?

The recipients well, some of them had rejected the awards for the simple reason that, now is not the time to celebrate and that the country is not in a good shape, contrary to what they make us believe.

For those who rejected the award, Bravo! There is hope for Nigeria yet. It is nice to know that some people will not be bought and that they value their integrity and commitment to the Nigerian people. It is very important and that is what those that rejected the honour have done. The Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka has rejected the award, so has the families of the late human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Afrobeat King, Fela Anikulapo Kuti have rejected the posthumous awards for both late Fawehinmi and Fela.

The good Professor Soyinka stated that it would be "inexpedient" for them to receive the award

in the face of the latest killing spree by the militant group Boko Haram as well as the "putrid odour of corruption" in the alleged missing US20 billion in the NNPC. I agree with him.

Mohammed Fawehinmi, the late lawyer's eldest son, also said that it would be morally incongruous and psychologically debilitating for the family to stand on the same podium with General Ibrahim Babangida to receive awards.

I will leave you to make up your mind if some of the recipients are worthy of recognition Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. Professor Soyinka is on the list alongside prominent Nigerians like Professor Chinua Achebe, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Fela AnikulapoKuti, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nwankwo Kanu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Mike Adenuga and Pastor Enoch Adeboye, among others.

The Eupean Union President, José Manuel Barroso said that "Nigeria has grasped this historic moment to think about its future role as a key player in West Africa's development, in Africa as a whole, and that there is "plenty of potential (which) still remains untapped" in Nigeria.

This is where we have been for a long time, we have plenty of potential but, unrealised. I wish the spin doctors can read between the lines that Nigeria is not living up to its potential.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 11

Who actually is holding-on to Nigeria’s money? lar. It was really obvious from the general disposition of everyone in the party that I was nothing more than the harbinger of bad news! The reaction was however not unexpected considering that many were looking forward to

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AST week, the Inspec tor General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar announced the promotion of 24,118 police personnel in the country.

According to Police spokesman, Frank Mba, the exercise ranks as the highest number of Police Officers promoted in one fell swoop in the history of the Force.

The announcement was a happy one for many families including that of this writer-our own cousin Joe, being one of the beneficiaries. Two days ago, we held a lavish party in his honour in the family country home.

On the occasion, many members extolled Joe’s qualities. Some even imagined that he would one day be the nation’s IGP. Why not? Although this writer neither doubted Joe’s qualities nor the possibilities of his rising to the top of his organization, I was only worried about whether or not, Joe was sure of his salary this month. My contribution was clearly unpopu-

presentation of the current IGP at the National Assembly- an issue which I believe our newly promoted cousin Joe needs to ponder over whether he likes my views or not. According to IGP, Mohammed Abubakar, who spoke at the budget

A much more robust approach is needed especially as it concerns the NNPC. We dare not fall into the same error of the Central Bank of Nigeria by speculating and giving the nation several conflicting figures

some gifts from the new Oga Olopa of our family I was not perturbed at all by the stigma because as a long-time news reporter, I am used to people getting angry with journalists who report ‘unpalatable’ stories.

What I said at the party was not my wish. I merely deduced it from last week’s

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defence of the Police before the House Committee on Police Affairs, a possible major crisis might be looming in the Force if the Federal Government does not reverse its decision to cut the personnel budget of officers and men in the 2014 budget. Last year, the personnel cost of the police was

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

08116759758

Nigeria’s Centenary celebration and its discontents (1) queathed us by Lord Lugard or should we construct a new geopolitical architectonic that is more synchronous with a multiply pluralistic society such as ours? Is it rational to claim, as President Jonathan and his predecessors proclaim, that Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable?

Now, the history of how our colonial amalgam came into being in 1914 can be easily ascertained from any well-written book on Nigeria. There is consensus among historians that the amalgamation process was put in motion

by British imperialists to serve the economic and administrative interests of the colonial power, Britain.

Hence, in terms of fundamental motivation, an external force, British imperialism, dictated the emergence of Nigeria. The consent or approval from indigenous ethnic nationalities and communities that later constituted the country were completely unimportant and irrelevant to Lugard and his cohorts, in keeping with the logic of colonisation. The question now arises: what is the core principle or logic of colonisation as a historical phenomenon? Answer: colonisation entails that the colonising power feels it has a natural right to manipulate, cajole, intimidate and

exploit the colonised community as it pleases. Therefore, In consonant with the broader framework of European colonial policy of divide and rule, British colonial administration in Nigeria, in the early years of the 20th century, had de-

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E N U LT I M AT E week, the coun try ’s ruling elite led by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan held the centenary celebration of Nigeria as a single geopolitical and economic unit.

From media reports, about twenty-eight heads of state or their representatives attended the event held in Abuja. As a bona fide Nigerian citizen who knows that billions of naira must have been spent for the occasion, it is pertinent to ask pertinent questions, answers to which would help clarity the propriety or otherwise of the celebration. To begin with, how did Nigeria come into being? Given the colonial calculus of British imperialists that motivated the creation of the country in the first place, can we say that the end justifies the means after a century of experimentation in nation building? As a corollary, can any Nigerian sincerely claim that the country ’s chequered history justifies the huge sum that the federal government expended on the centenary project?

What criteria did government officials use in compiling the list of honourees at the occasion? What precisely is the significance of the celebration to the suffering masses? Must we continue with the NorthSouth dichotomy be-

N293.5bn, but this year, it went down to N279bn, that is, a shortfall of N13bn. In the words of Abubakar, “this is a serious shortfall” adding that “very soon; it means that we will not be able to pay salaries”. Can anyone imagine what would happen to Nigerians if police salaries are not paid?

If we cannot pay the Police, to where are we sending the money meant for that purpose? It is obviously not being saved to recruit more hands into the force.

This view is informed by the revelation of the then supervising Minister of Police Affairs, Olajumoke Akinjide that plans to recruit additional police men and women to raise the current staff strength of 370,000 were hindered by meager allocation to the ministry.

Who then is getting what the Police is losing? Could it be the Judiciary? That is an unlikely beneficiary because the alarm raised by the IGP was not able to sound louder than that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Aloma Muhktar, who lamented the fate of the Nigerian Judiciary at the recent swearing-in of 17 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, at the Supreme Court.

The CJN argued that “a situation where budgetary allocation to the judiciary continues to drop while the general government budget is on steady increase every year is clearly an impediment to the quick and effective dispensation of jus-

tice in Nigeria and on the whole a set back to the current effort at transforming the judiciary.” In 2010, the judiciary got N95 billion. It got N85 billion in 2011 and N75 billion in 2012. In 2013, the budget fell even lower to N67 billion. The trend was roundly condemned by many analysts last year but what all the noise could achieve was a meagre addition of N1bn in 2014.Where then did all the drops from the allocation to the Judiciary flow into?

The argument that the problem may be due to a shortfall in the nation’s main economic source of strength-oil revenue is compounded by allegations by state governors that illegal deductions of oil revenues are being made from the federation account.

What this seems to suggest is that there is no shortfall in oil revenues, rather what we have is a diversion of revenue. Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor said the other day that over N4.62 trillion had been frittered away from the Federation Account in the last three years being the amount not remitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

The governor’s allegation became clearer to members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly when they realized that over N480 million was being deducted monthly from the revenue accruable to the state. What did the Ekiti legislators do with the information? Did they

realize that it was an allegation? If so did they seek to investigate it? Did they discover that the deductions were being organized by President Jonathan? If not why did they call for his impeachment on the matter?

In reality however the issue is far too serious to be put into the politics of opposition. A much more robust approach is needed especially as it concerns the NNPC. We dare not fall into the same error of the Central Bank of Nigeria by speculating and giving the nation several conflicting figures concerning NNPC’s alleged non-remittance of funds. We need to be more accurate about our statements because those holding-on to our commonwealth may just be invincible. For this reason, we have to look here and there up to the so called advanced nations that have since become known as the custodians of stolen money. Only last, week we read a story that the United Sates department of Justice has frozen more than $458million in corruption proceeds hidden in bank accounts around the world by former Nigerian leader Sani Abacha and others.

What exactly do they mean by frozen? Is it another way of saying they have confiscated the loot? If so, it is necessary to appeal to them not to join our heartless brothers and sisters who are holding-on to Nigeria’s money

ministrative and sundry expenditures in Northern Nigeria.

Of course, geographical, historical, economic, sociocultural and political connections between the diverse pre-colonial communities favoured amalgamation. Thus, the answer to our first question is; Nigeria, like several countries of Africa, was an artificial creation of British colonial adventurism in the continent. By creating a single geopolitical entity out of the conglomeration of putative nation-states, Britain killed two birds with one stone: she was able to get cheap raw materials (including cash crops) for her bourgeoning industries and ready markets for the fin-

that question, it is necessary to point out that, naturally, the amalgamation policy, despite bringing together in one country diverse peoples connected by some of the factors identified earlier, did not and could not have bridged the religious, linguistic, and socio-cultural faultlines or differences potentially toxic to the idea of One Nigeria. Even before independence in 1960, centrifugal forces in the form of inter-ethnic rivalry and suspicion, religious dichotomy and political dissension had reared their ugly heads in Jos and Kano riots of 1945 and 1953 respectively. Similarly, the regional elections held between 1953 and 1959, together with the federal elections of between the same period, were marred by rigging, intimidation, and winner-takes-all mentality.

Accordingly, with the approach of independence, prominent politicians deployed virtually everything they had to extend political control beyond their usual political ecologies. Given that scenario, the hope that at independence the acrimony and deep divisions among the most influential politicians, which also reared up during the constitutional conferences held in London before October 1, 1960, would abate and be replaced by unity among the political elite did not materialise. In fact, departure of the “common enemy,” the British colonial administrators, seemed to have worsened matters.

Obsessive quest for control of political power, and by implication the country’s economic resources, spiralled out of control. Indeed, it was in a political atmosphere thick with corruption, mediocrity, pernicious ethnic and religious parochialism, nepotism

and impunity that the first military coup was staged on January 15, 1966. The second coup was even more devastating; it was quickly followed by pogroms against Ndigbo living in Northern Nigeria and the Biafran war, the most devastating threat to the very existence of Nigeria.

Overall, military interventions in politics had had a detrimental effect on the evolution of effective and efficient participatory democracy. The political experiments of 1979-1983 and 1999 until date clearly demonstrate that Nigerian politicians have not really learnt appropriate lessons from our crisis-ridden political past. Democratic culture is yet to take root in the country: all the negative elements in pre-independence and pre-civil war politics are still very visible in the political firmament.

Unfortunately, the repercussions now are more troubling because of the complex dialectical interplay of political, economic, ethnic and religious factors whose roots are traceable to both the intended and unintended consequences of the amalgamation.

In a nutshell, then, despite the modest political achievements made in the last one hundred years, Nigeria is still far away from the concept of “giant of Africa” in the real sense, as envisioned by the founding fathers of Nigerian nationalism.

But some historians and members of the Nigerian establishment who benefited, and are still benefiting, from the system believe that Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, late Sadauna of Sokoto, was wrong in describing the amalgamation as a mistake.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Democratic culture is yet to take root in the country: all the negative elements in preindependence and pre-civil war politics are still very visible in the political firmament

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termined to unite the administrative units they created for centralised control.

In addition, the use of British taxpayers’ money to run the economically and educationally backward Protectorate of Northern Nigeria was repugnant to Britain, which meant that coupling the North with the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria was a pragmatic solution to the funding problem. Remember, Southern Nigeria had prospered largely from its agricultural resources and from revenue brought in from customs, part of which could be used to offset ad-

ished products.

Our second and third questions revolve around justification for the centenary celebration with respect to the origin and historical development of Nigeria. In otherwords, given that Nigeria was founded

by British colonialists to serve the interests of Britain, and the fact that the promise, at independence, of a united, strong, prosperous and egalitarian nation that would be the pride of black people worldwide is still unfulfilled a century after amalgamation, is the centenary celebration worth it? Before we tackle

PAGE 12—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 stage for home rule was basically when the departing British offered the various Nigerian people the choice of seeking independence freely and separately or collectively as Nigerians. The various delegations agreed to seek independence as Nigerians.

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NCE upon a time, in the land of the animals, a great famine had descended on the land. The earth could no longer yield her bounties, and so death, disease, and all manner of disasters became rife. It got to such a point when the animals agreed to convene a great gathering of all the animals to seek the cause of the earth’s anger and find a solution.

One Eke, they met at the public square.

Animals of all kinds gathered, each from its roost, to the great meeting. But as the other animals were gathering, the cockerel was seen going the other way. His neighbors saw him and reminded him of the great gathering of the animals that day, to which the elegant cock responded: “it is good, my kinsmen that you’re meeting. It is good for kinsmen to meet. But I have to go out and find food for my family first.

Meet, all the same; whatever be your decisions I shall abide by it.” He strutted away to his personal business. Well, the animals met, and decided to send an emissary to the oracles, who demanded a regular blood offering - the annual sacrifice of an animal to assuage all the ills done to the earth.

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he emissaries returned, and the elders of the land once again summoned a meeting of the animals to listen to the message of the oracle and take a decision. Once again, on the day, the cock again was on his way to his own business in disdain of the gathering of the land. Again, when his neighbors reminded him, he said, “meet and take the decisions, whatever you decide my hand is in it; but I have to go and fend first for my family.”

So, the animals met, and the messengers relayed the message of the oracles. So the

animals discussed the matter of which animal would be the sacrificial animal for the regular offering. Every other animal gave reasons why it should neither be them nor their family. So it fell on the Chicken family because the cock was not there to speak for himself and his family. That is how the chicken became the main votary offering in Igbo rituals. Whenever a blood offering is needed, the cock would be sacrificed. This Igbo story does speak to two things, at least in Igbo culture: one, it is important to participate in the civic life of the land, and be part of any collective decision that would affect the individual, and two, sovereignty confers choice of action.

While the individual might choose to cede and delegate their rights with all its consequences, that cessation must be freely given so that the individual may be bound by the covenants made in their behalf. I think this principle is at the core of the various agitations over the years to convene a national conference. igerians have argued that this coun try does not represent them, nor does N it speak to their sovereign interests. They

were not, they argued, privy to the articles of amalgamation that fused many disparate communities, cultures, and peoples to a single modern nation state called Nigeria. To that effect, the defections in the architecture of nation, they contend, is primarily the result of the fundamental differences that in their mind continue to characterize the cultures that make up modern Nigeria. I have of course argued that this part of the argument is specious – Nigerians met in 1950 and ’51 in Ibadan – and agreed essentially to establish a nation. The Ibadan conference which set the

basically concretised the charter of the Ni-

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National Conference, whose national conference?

he discussions of 1950/51 were fur T ther ratified in 1957/8 during the constitutional conferences in London which

This government stuffs up a list, and forces it down our throats. A number of the people purportedly representing the Igbo, for example, cannot walk freely on Igbo streets.

Some may be stoned by the public

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gerian nation resulting in the independence constitution of 1960. In 1963, a freely elected parliament of Nigeria convened and passed the charter of the Republic. The Republican constitution of 1963 basically established Nigeria as a republic free of the British Commonwealth with all the sovereign privileges conferred on the citizens of Nigeria. That Republic was suspended in 1966 by military tyranny, and its distortions of constitutional rule. A vicious civil war was fought that broke the very foundations of Nigeria, and since then, Nigeria has been governed by a war-drunk oligarchy that forced a section of the Nigerian state – the Igbo of Nigeria - to sign what amounts to a Carthaginian treaty in 1970. he Igbo since then have felt like out T siders in Nigeria. The elated section of the conquering Army and their civilian

apparatchiks saw Nigeria – particularly because of the oil that was found mostly in the East and the Delta –as war booty, and

where domestic violence was a regular occurrence, it shaped my mind to resent violence as an expression in any manner or form, especially towards women. Volunteering in the prison ministry also regularly exposes me to people who have committed crimes that defy the expectation of right and wrong. I had gone for a ministration last year and as usual I had noticed some

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RUST is a very big thing for most of us; trust is the key that opens the door of our hearts. Once we give someone our trust; we hand over the key to the strong room of our soul. Sadly placing trust in our fellow man can be hazardous; the Bible agrees and if you split the good book right in the middle you will find that Psalm 118 verse 8 says and I quote " It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man". This bitter truth we all learn again and again and we just never can stop ourselves from trusting. It is my personal belief that the only way to stop trusting people is to become bitter, reclusive and alone, that is not attractive to me, so I take my chances. I have reduced my expectations to zilch where most people are concerned, so even where my trust is betrayed, my heart is not broken; it may get dented but its not broken. The reality is that all men buckle under the weight of a responsibility as heavy as trust; at one time we have all failed God and our fellow men.

I blame it on our intrinsic nature; our flesh remains our weakness and it can not only manifest in weakness it is capable of wickedness; pure evil.

I have always thought life would have been simpler if our thoughts could be viewed on our foreheads like a mobile television. Such transparency would drive evil

out of the shadows into the brightness of truth. The real issue is that we are created to crave communion in a pursuit of fulfilment. No man Is self existing, we need and desire the joy that is to be found in communion with the opposite sex and even amongst friends and family. That need is our undoing; what it means for us is that we invest in a venture that carries a more than a seventy percent risk of failure and that risk is multi layered. Loved ones can break our hearts by deception, by differences, and they can leave us by choice or by fate; the end result is always pain. Every association with a human element carries a high risk factor because we are creatures of emotion who change with the times, the whims, the desires and at times naked ambition. When I look into my heart, I am humbled by God's love. The one who sees me in all areas, who I cant hide any of my darker emotions from with my smile, who truly knows what I am capable of and still chooses to love me is certainly worthy of all my praise.

What can at best be described as a tragedy occurred a few years ago, I didn't know the lead actors at the time of occurrence but a chance encounter put me face to face with one of them this time last year. To explain my reaction to the event I should mention that I grew up in a household

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This arm of flesh

Every association with a human element carries a high risk factor because we are creatures of emotion who change with the times, the whims, the desires and at times naked ambition

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inmates that didn't look like they belonged behind bars. Three in particular stood out because of their dressing, composure and diction. My assumption had been that perhaps they were there for white collar crimes and I didn't think much of it till I had seen one of the faces above a horrible headline in the papers sometime later. It is not my place to judge so while I was very horrified at the allegations, I had just left it at the foot of the cross. It may be infuriating for my readers that I choose not to disclose names or delve into situations but I tread lightly as a disciple so I cannot judge or gossip. What I can say is that an act of violence was committed in a relationship that should have been sacred and it ended

basically garrisoned the rest of the people since 1970. They partied on the graves of their victims. The party however began to go sour in 1983, first with the global oil glut, and to date, Nigerians, conned by these oligarchs using Machiavellian tactics to keep control of their resources, have seen mostly difference and alienation instead of common values or shared national interests.

The old war alliance that took charge of Nigeria in 1970 broke apart in 1993 when MKO Abiola, the Yoruba billionaire, was denied what was seen as his mandate by the Babangida-Abacha regime. In 1999, Obasanjo returned from jail to political power prodded by a faction of this oligarchy and its kleptocrats, and so what returned after military rule was clearly not democracy but a kleptocracy. It was the oligarchs funding, manipulating, and controlling all the levers of power, and the levers of power circulate among the elite factions. Even the current president is a convenient recruit of the local and international interests that perpetuate Nigeria’s schizophrenia. n the end, President Jonathan returned I to the National question to reduce the pressure on his administration by a dis-

content citizenry. He promised agitators for the National Conference, a conference.

Now they have it. But here’s the downer: on Thursday, the Secretary to the Federal Government released the names of the delegates to the conference, and it reads like a Nigerian nightmare.

The names are a recycling of the same old faces and interests that have plundered Nigeria. You would think that Nigerians would have a say in the matter, and have discussions from the grounds up about who to represent them at a national conference.

But no, this government stuffs up a list, and forces it down our throats. A number of the people purportedly representing the Igbo, for example, cannot walk freely on Igbo streets. Some may be stoned by the public.

The list of delegates from the SouthSouth zone, makes Igbo citizens of the South-South absolutely invisible. Well, indeed, let them go to this jamboree, it is good for kinsmen to meet. But in the end, Nigerians must fully exercise their sovereignty and take charge of restoring the republic and righting the historical travesty that derailed it. This conference – from the picture emerging – may not.

a life painfully and horribly.

The tragedy took a dramatic turn lately and it enters a new phase that offers no healing or even closure for anyone. The reality on ground is that a young life has been cut short and the law demands vengeance; we call it justice. It is not my place to advocate innocence I cant prove or scorn the voices crying for justice. What appals me is the very nature of man that makes it possible for such evil to be perpetrated by man to his fellow man. Inside everyone of us is a saint and a sinner and while I hope to God we will not in a fit of rage kill a loved one; we have inside of us the ingredients to make cake or a bomb. I spent a lot of time this weekend pondering the constitution of our psyches, I was trying to piece together the sequence of triggers that can cause a man to degenerate from anger to rage and finally descend into an abyss of evil. The Bible repeatedly warns us that the arm of flesh will fail us and the truth of that is plain to see; what is unsettling is that the arm of flesh is at times eager to destroy itself and others. Is it destiny to fall into the arms of evil or are some people programmed for destruction?

Take away the spiritual musings and lets look realistically at the close correlation between evil and madness. Can some criminal acts actually be the consequence of madness or do we just assume that some people are beyond redemption and evil personified? Most Psychologists will tell you that most minds can degenerate into madness given the right triggers while some are genetically predisposed. My conclusion is that all flesh is weak and without God predisposed to evil. I also believe that we are all predisposed to doing dastardly acts in fits of rage, sadly for some those acts define destinies and will be interpreted as evil. I pray God to comfort all those touched by crime and tragedy. Sadly, that the arm of flesh is weak, deceitful and destructive is no defence in the eyes of the law, may we all continue to receive grace to subdue our flesh

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014 — PAGE 13

Obi leaves N75bn; Iweala, Dangote, Achebe, others eulogise him

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OVERNOR Peter Obi says administration has N75Billion Naira in savings for Anambra State.

The governor, who announced this during a public presentation of his end of tenure report, said the money included N25 billion investment for the state.

Obi said that expected bank balances as at March 14, 2014 would be N11.5bilion Federal Government approved refund, N10 billion and foreign currency investment of (US$155m) N26 billion.

Obi also gave account of the investment Anambra made in some projects being executed, some of which are N3.5 billion in INTAFACT, N9b in Nige-

ria Independent Power Project; N4billion in Orient Petroleum Resources PLC, N1b in Onitsha Hotel; N1b in Agulu Lake Hotel; N0.9billion in Awka Shopping Mall, and N350m in quoted investment portfo-

lio, among others.

The governor explained that his administration received about N620 billion and N20 billion naira from Federal Allocation and interventions from donor agencies and development

partners. He noted that in spite the state’s low revenue profile, his government completed over 801 kms of roads that gave access to all parts of Anambra and opened up rural areas. He noted that collaboration with the church transformed and repositioned the education and health sector to meet the needs of the people.

Intel advocates women empowerment via ICT

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N recognition of the role of women in nation building and their contribution to world development, Intel Corporation, has joined in the global celebration of International Women’s Day with a call for improved commitment

Awards for excellence in SMEs coming

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HE maiden awards to reward excellence in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) hold later this year.

The awards, christened Nigeria SMEs Awards for Excellence (Nsafe Awards), according to the organizers, Lakewhyte Communications, are scheduled for September.

The programme, the Re-

lationship Manager of Lakewhyte, Mrs Taiwo Talabi, said, in a statement in Lagos, is being organized in conjunction with stakeholders in the SMEs subsector and relevant government agencies. Talabi stated that a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, and the

Chairman of Katsina State Investment Company, Alhaji Kankia, among others, are on the Advisory Board of Nsafe Awards.

Stressing the imperative of the awards, Talabi said, “The awards are a novelty in a country where poverty levels keep rising in spite of our huge economic potentials. The overarching goal is that small business

owners will be encouraged to remain in businesses against all odds and contribute their own bit to Nigeria’s economy. We will also use the avenue that the awards will provide to imbue SME owners with the new knowledge they will need to remain competitive in a fast-changing global market with all its intricate dynamics”.

towards the empowerment of women and the girl child in all fields of human endeavor including technology and entrepreneurial skills.

The International Women’s Day is celebrated globally on March 8th of every year. The Day celebrates the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action and improvements. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Inspiring Change’.

In a press statement, Country Manager, Intel Nigeria, Bunmi Ekundare, stressed that Intel Corporation was committed to supporting creative initiatives that seek to empower aspiring female entrepreneurs with the needed technological and entrepreneurial training that can help them compete favourably in the marketplace.

“Empowering women through information and communications technology has been considered critical to the attainment of the Millennium Development

Marine Varsity: IYC lauds Jonathan

BY EGUFE YAFUGBORHI

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JAW Youth Council, IYC, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan for siting the Marine University in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West of Delta State, urging the host communities to ensure success of the project.

In a statement by its National Spokesman, Dr. Agagha Clarkson, in Warri, yesterday, the IYC charged Okerenkoko natives fermenting unrest over the university construction project to embrace peace, noting that war does not support development.

IYC also commended the Director General, NIMASA, Ministry of Transport, Senate Committee on Marine Transport and High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo), for influencing location of the institution in the community.

Clarkson called on Okerenkoko people not to allow personal greed to stall the take-off of the institution, just as he called on aggrieved youths in the area to remain calm and law abiding.

The IYC spokesman said, “The Marine University is the best thing that has happened to the Gbaramatu Ijaws. We all also acknowledge it is a dividend of the struggle led by Tompolo.

IYC commends him and call on all to ensure the university establishment is fulfilled.”

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

The Borno bloodletting Maiduguri orno State has witnessed serial Boko Haram attacks since the beginning of this year. The attacks were mostly executed in the villages of Borno, the Sambisa forest and the mountainous villages of Gwoza and Gamboru Ngala council areas which share borders with Cameroon and Chad Republic.

The attacks, which claimed hundreds of lives, left thousands others injured and property worth billions of Naira destroyed. The attacks seem to be endless.

The terrorists have been described by Governor Kashim Shettima as better motivated to hold everybody in Borno State to ransom, as, according to him, Nigerian security operatives, including the military forces, are incapable of fighting or challenging the insurgents in the Northeast sub region”.

Shettima’s statement could be interpreted to mean that the terrorists have better weapons than our security agencies, and that is why, anytime they strike, they overawe our security forces and civilians.

Following the attacks, about 50 communities and towns in Borno State have been sacked/displaced in the last two months.

The Boko Haram killings since January 2014 in Borno total 852.

The breakdown, according to Sunday Vanguard findings, are as follows:3rd January: Nine people killed

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C M Y K

in Kayamula village of Konduga LGA. 8th January: In Wala, the country home of member representing Chibok, Gwoza and Damboa federal constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Peter Biye, attackers destroyed the lawmaker’s house, a church before carting away foodstuffs, etc.

9th January: 38 insurgents and one soldier lost their lives when troops of 195 Battalion, Damboa battled insurgents.

11th January: Eight people were killed in Sabon Gari of Hambagda Jaji Ward of Gwoza LGA. 12th January: Five people killed in Kayamula village in Konduga.

14th January: 43 people killed in a bomb blast at the general area of Post Office in Maiduguri metropolis.

15th January: Insurgents attacked a police station in Banki, a town at the border with Cameroon Republic, and killed one policeman.

16th January: 12 people were killed in Gashigar village in Mobbar Council Area. Gashigar shares border with Niger Republic.

19th January: 19 people were killed in Ngawo Fate, Alau in Konduga LGA. 20th January: One member of staff of Government Girls Secondary School, Wulgo in Gamboru Ngala L.G.A was shot dead.

20th January: Three persons were killed in Wala village in Gwoza LGA. 21st January: Eight persons were killed in Kaya village in Damboa LGA. 21st January: 10 persons were killed in Njaba village in Damboa LGA. 24th January: Military troops had an encounter with fleeing terrorists along Firgi- Gwoza Road during which four of the terrorists were killed.

24th January: Insurgents invaded Wala village in Gwoza council area and killed two civilians.

26th January: Insurgents invaded Kawuri village in Konduga council area and killed 85 residents.

30th January: Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on Gwoza -Madagali Road killed seven bus passengers.

From 1st to 4th February: 75 Strike Group of NAF Yola “raided some identified Boko Haram hideouts at Bulabullin, Yujiwa, Alagarno villages of Damboa axis of the state and inflicted heavy casualty on insurgents”.

5th February: Three persons killed at a relaxation spot/ beer parlour in Askira Uba council area.

10th February: Seven persons

,,

By Ndahi Marama,

the country home of Major General Tukur Buratai in Buratai District, Biu LGA. The assailants attacked the the family house of the army general and killed two guards. The general is currently the Commander of JTF in the oil rich Niger Delta.

19th February: Over 100 persons were killed in Bama LGA 19th February: About 75 insurgents were killed in Bama council area by military airstrikes while attempting to flee after an attack.

22nd February: Two persons were killed in Mairari village in Konduga LGA. 28th February: One female student of Waka College in Biu LGA was slaughtered in a rented room (off campus) in Bubalwada ward.

1st March: Over 70 people were

Following the attacks, about 50 communities and towns in Borno State have been sacked/displaced in the last two months. The Boko Haram killings since January 2014 in Borno total 852

killed by insurgents in separate attacks in Chinene and Jebra villages in Gwoza L.G.A. 11th February: 62 people killed in Konduga council area.

14th February: 10 killed in Baga in Kukawa council area. Baga is a fishing community bordering Chad Republic.

16th February: 106 people killed in Izge village in Gwoza L.G.A. This is prior to an ambush on Izge where about nine soldiers were killed.

18th February: Insurgents invaded

killed in twin explosions in Ajilari Railway Cross, Gomari general area of Maiduguri metropolis.

1st March: 40 people were killed in Mainok village, Kaga, the council headquarters of Beneshiekh.

2nd March: 36 people were killed in Mafa council headquarters.

3rd March: About 15 were killed in Jakana village in Konduga council area.

5th March: A clash between terrorists and security operatives in Mafa General Area left many terrorists killed.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 15

ADAMAWA

Two months of horror

Exodus

BY UMAR YUSUF, Yola

T

hey move in droves: men, women and children; even the sick and those with bullet wounds. The able bodied ones among them carry what is left of their belongings, especially mats, food stuff and household items. Nursing mothers strap their infants to their back and carry loads on their heads.

They trek for days to no destination in particular. All they think of is how to escape insurgency attacks.

As they continue the journey, some settle in mosques and churches or any other place considered safe from Boko Haram Islamist group’s assaults. They have become refugees in their own country.

This is the situation many residents of Adamawa and Borno states have found themselves following serial attacks by Boko Haram.

By Bala Ajiya

I

In Shuwa, Kubla and Kiringa, in Madagali LGAs, 25 persons were killed in the morning of Wednesday, 26th February,2014 by insurgents.

Worried by the insurgency in Adamawa, suggestions have been proffered on how to contain it.

Convening a security summit that would rally men and women of integrity to address the challenge is one of the suggestions. Another suggestion is that the efforts of the Joint Task Force deployed to the state can be meaningful only if citizens avail the military deployed to the state in the wake of the emergency rule de-

clared there with useful information.

Some stakeholders want reinforcement of the military to the border towns and villages, from the stretch of Madagali in Adamawa to Gwoza in Borno and environs.

Another suggestion is that mobile police should take charge of security in the hinterlands, as well as the state capital while community leaders work in conjunction with security operatives to keep records of strangers.

Some people want government to deploy the military in Adamawa based on their professional training on how best to curb insurgency.

nsurgency ceased in Yobe State for 11 months after two years of attacks. Consequently, indigenes praised the gallantry efforts of security forces enforcing emergency rule in the state and the pragmatic manner with which government handled the matter.

That was early last year. But after the 11 months of peace, the insurgents resurfaced.

The first attack this year left 59 students of Federal Government College ( FGC) Buni-Yadi, in Gujba local government area of the state dead. The massacre took place in February, a day after a military check point close to the school was removed.

Analysts believe the only way to stop similar attacks is to provide adequate security measures to schools in the state as most schools in the state are without fence, a situation that makes it easy for terrorists to invade the schools and wreak havoc. One of the analysts said, “If perimeter fence is constructed in the schools, it will curtail insurgents access”.s.

When Sunday Vanguard called the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Ibrahim Gaidam, Capt. Bilal, to ascertain the efforts of Yobe government to contain insurgency bedevilling the state and the number of death recorded this year, in addition to the effort of government to prevent serial attacks on schools in the state, he ignored the calls and later called back to give flimsy excuses.

Almost all the border settlements of Madagali and Michika in Adamawa and Gwoza, Bama, Konduga among others in Borno have been deserted as no single building stands in the communities. The buildings have all been destroyed by insurgents. The number of dead is unknown even as property destroyed cannot be estimated.

Villages and communities that are yet to receive the baptism of fire from the insurgents and people that survived attacks in their areas have been on the move. And they are on a journey without destination. Like Madagali and Michika LGAs in Adamawa, it was reliably gathered that thousands of residents have relocated to neighboring Taraba, Gombe, Bauchi, Benue and other states considered safe.

Some of the displaced people told Sunday Vanguard that they preferred to remain where the are than to be wiped out by insurgents in their own states. Solomon Tizhe, who hails from Michika, said he lost his wife and four children when insurgents attacked the town last month.

Besides, according to him, his supermarket with a stock worth millions of Naira was razed. “So what do you expect me to remain in the area to do?

I know this is where I was born and brought up, but how do I start to return there?” He, like many others, spoke in tears.

Asked why they could not wait for relief materials from government, Tizhe

retorted: “Wait for relief materials when the Boko Haram people are advancing?.

We better find a new abode elsewhere.”

Meanwhile, all the boarding schools and tertiary institutions in the two local governments of Adamawa have been closed.

Their closure followed the latest attack by insurgents on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe.

BY UMAR YUSUF, YOLA Boko Haram in Adamawa State has become a phenomenon, following wanton killings between January and Febr uary.

The phenomenon created an atmosphere of fear in the state.

The killings were carried out mostly in Adamawa North villages.

In the two months, no fewer than 49 persons were killed. In January, there was an insurgency attack in Maiha which claimed 13 lives. In the same month,16 persons were said to have been killed in some villages in Madagali local government area.

In February, there were attacks in two local government areas of the state, including Madagali, where some villages were razed and three commercial banks burnt while 11 persons lost their lives in the process.

Also attacked were a Catholic Minor Seminary in Shuwa, schools, a bishop’s house and the residence of a prominent businessman.

In Michika local government area, two persons were reportedly killed while the Divisional Police Station, an old generation bank and shops were said to have been attacked after insurgents ransacked them.

Yobe killing f ields

PAGE 16— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 ,

The President versus the Governor of governors (3)

BY DELE SOBOWALE

“The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had severally made cases in support of the need to allow the apex bank retain its current autonomy. This is because it feared that if CBN’s power to manage the monetary policy and price stability is taken away, the Nigerian economy could suffer — ” Azimah Momoh Jimoh, THE GUARDIAN, March 2, 2014, p 20.

I

RRESPECTIVE of the university you attend to read economics, you eventually end up reading about the role of the Central Bank or, as in the USA, the Federal Reserve Bank. While the IMF is generally held to be correct, the degree of autonomy differs from one country to the next - depending on the statutes regulating the activities of the Central Bank; henceforth called the Bank.

Meanwhile, there is a need to distinguish between the autonomy which nations are advised to concede to the Bank; as opposed to licence given to any individual, within the Bank to operate with impunity - including the Governor. To the best of my knowledge, there is no nation in the world which had granted absolute power to the Chief Executive of its Central Bank.

None. So, if the Nigerian Acts, which conceded autonomy to the CBN Governor, had inadvertently omitted to include adequate safeguards against abuse of power, then, it is the time to amend those laws to redress the balance.

In the same Guardian newspaper, Chief Philip Asiodu had made the observation that “it’s not the role of the CBN to do or announce that the CBN is giving N200 billion to support agriculture or N300 billion to support education.”

To make matters worse for the CBN, another contributor to the same Guardian newspaper, Lemmy Ughegbe, pointed to the sort of trap the CBN set for itself when it got involved in implementation of projects which fell squarely under the purview of fiscal policy when he reminded us that, “For example, while Bayero University, Kano (BUK) was said to have collected N4 billion, the school authorities claimed it got only N1 billion.” In reality, neither BUK nor any other university in Nigeria should have received a kobo directly from the CBN because, again, it does not fall within its mandates. How did that intervention stabilize exchange and interest rates or contribute to full employment?

Having made that point, the

President Goodluck Jonathan blame shifts to the President and his advisers – whoever they may be. Virtually all the reckless spending, and, may be, embezzlement charged against the CBN Governor, were committed years ago; and the facts were known to the President last year. The first question, which raises doubts about the President’s sincerity, is one which no other commentator had addressed. That is: was 2012 the first year that the President of Nigeria read the Financial Reporting Council’s, FRC, report? If so, the next question is: why? This is supposed to be an annual report and Sanusi had been there almost five years. If yes, was the CBN in total compliance all along and has recklessness crept in between last year and now? If there were lapses in the past, why were they not publicized and why now that the CBN Governor is making the administration uncomfortable?

The reason I am asking these questions is simple. We need to know if the CBN Act is grievously defective and needs to be amended to provide additional safeguards to prevent another CBN Governor in the future from spending billions to tar the road to his/her own village – and citing the example of the latitude given to his/her predecessor to fund a university in his own state; when all public universities are in dire need.

Distribution of national wealth, not private funds, is a fiscal matter and not the job of the monetary policy makers and funding a school is purely income distribution and Sanusi knows it.

At the same time, we must not be stampeded into tam-

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Why can’t the National Assembly also suspend the President and launch a comprehensive inquiry into the accounts of the Federal Government since May 2010? At least, it would answer for us, once for all time, whether the man is worthy of being allowed to go for second term. Or even continue to the end of this tenure pering with the CBN Act on account of what might have amounted to a conspiracy of silence between the Presidency and the CBN to shield from public view all the irregularities which had been perpetrated under Sanusi’s watch.

If Sanusi wants to be honest with us, he will admit that the Central Bank of any country does not fund agriculture directly, it creates the enabling environment for agriculture or any other sector, identified by government to be promoted with vigour. And, if Jonathan also wants to be sincere with us, he will admit that he had abdicated some of his responsibilities and had allowed Sanusi to do his work for him.

The next thing we know the CBN will be equipping the Nigerian Army. Having surrendered part of his duties to Sanusi, without asking where the money came from, the President is an accessory to the charges he has drawn up against the suspended CBN

Governor. So, if Sanusi should go home for a few weeks or months, perhaps the President should also go home for the same length of time and hand over to the Vice President.

Sounds crazy? Let me quickly explain why it is a novel idea to try.

The CBN Act was silent on the matter of suspension; it only addressed removal. Some of the legal luminaries, who endorsed Sanusi’s suspension, had argued that the power to hire and remove includes the power to suspend. I am not a lawyer. But, when reading for my MBA in Boston, USA, the professor taking the course on personnel administration had defined suspension as “temporary removal from the performance of duties assigned” and termination as “permanent removal from performance of duties assigned.”

Obviously, suspension, especially an open-dated one, such as was imposed on Sanusi, can be a subtle form of termination.

We saw Jonathan adopt this ap-

proach in the case of former Justice Salami, when he imposed suspension, illegally, until the man reached retirement age and the issue of reinstatement became academic. The same method had been adopted now in a bid to cover up unconstitutional conduct by a sleight of hands approach, or, what we call wuruwuru to the answer. It is the sort of approach to governance which Nicolo Machiavelli, 1469-1527, would applaud; it is a travesty of justice which should be appalling to decent people everywhere. The end only justifies the means if the means are as noble as the end itself.

Just as there is nothing in the CBN Act about suspension, but the President had assumed it, there is also nothing in the Constitution about suspension of the President either. Why can’t the National Assembly also suspend the President and launch a comprehensive inquiry into the accounts of the Federal Government since May 2010? At least, it would answer for us, once for all time, whether the man is worthy of being allowed to go for second term.

Or even continue to the end of this tenure.

I strongly believe that the President of Nigeria is leading the country into a moral quick-sand by his continuous use of this unfair method of removing people who annoy him and his friends.

Has the man forgotten that he will not be 70 by the time he leaves office – even if he wins in 2015. He might live long enough to taste a bit of his own medicine. It was the decree passed into law by former President Obasanjo, slightly amended, which General Abacha later used to nail him. Anybody, still alive, should be careful about the precedents he establishes. History is replete with examples of leaders who purchased the ropes used to hang them.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 PAGE 17

PAGE 18, SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014 The affair didn’t crash because I went into acting. The basic truth is, he doesn’t have money, so I decided to end the relationship. I dumped him in 2013 because he didn’t have much in terms of money and he didn’t have any push as my kind of man..

Are you saying you can’t date a man who doesn’t have money?

Of course, if you don’t have money, don’t even bother to call my line, don’t even bother to admire my pictures (Laughs). I love money so much. I can’t marry a poor man.

Never!

I love money so much bank alerts turn me on

What about a man that is doing a bit okay?

I need a rich man; I don’t want a man that is a bit okay.

What does money mean to you?

Money means a lot to me, in fact, money turns me on. I just need to imagine so much money in my account and I’m turned on. When I get a credit alert on my account, Oh my God, I get turned on immediately.

How do you cope with male harassment?

It’s not like I’m a very rude person, but I’m blunt and friendly at the same time. But I like rich guys, if you are not rich; I can never be attracted to you. I like rich, clean, fresh guys.

When I say rich, I don’t mean ‘Yahoo’ kind of guys, because they are not hardworking. I want a guy who is consistent with his work and rich.

Right now, I’m okay where I am, so I don’t think I’ll leave him for any other.

— Lizzy Gold Onuwaje

BY FLORENCE AMAGIYA

L

izzy Gold Onuwaje isn’t new to the world of show business. Her foray into the makebelieve world started in 2006 when she won the Delta State Pageant as Miss Delta State. Then she tried her hands at the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria Pageant (MDGN) where she emerged as the second runner-up.

It was a crushing experience for her: “I cried. I felt so bad. It’s a very terrible experience that’s not good for anyone. I f you go for a competition, you have the hope of winning and when you don’t, it’s very terrible. I became shy at a point because Delta State sent some commissioners who came to support me, so they were very disappointed”, she says.

But that did not stop her from venturing further afield and it would be Nollywood where she tried out her luck next. “ I joined Nollywood two years ago because I was passionate about acting; l have always loved to act. So when the opportunity came; l enrolled in a film school, got trained to be an actress and here l am today”, she said.

Between 2012 and now, the ex beauty queen claims to have done over 30 films, after making her debut in “Shotgun” and the rest of the story: What propelled you into joining Nollywood?

Actually, I’m just passionate about Nollywood, it’s not like anything pushed me. I love acting a lot, when I was very young, I used to act with pillows, chairs, with virtually everything in the house. I would get a cane and start flogging the chairs and mime like the chairs were crying.

How have the challenges been like?

It’s been very challenging, especially, when it comes to getting into characters. You have to assume you are the character in the script; you have to put yourself into it. If it’s a romantic role, you put yourself in the character with no strings attached.

What was the reaction of your boyfriend when you decided to go into Nollywood?

Initially, he was very sceptical about it. He said girls in Nollywood don’t stay in marriages. To me, it depends on individuals; I don’t think it’s true, because so far, some people like Omotola have kept their marriages. But he saw that I was very passionate about it when I went as far as attending an acting school in Lagos. I told him, it’s either he allowed me do my acting or he let me be. So he allowed me do my acting.

So what happened; are you still in that relationship?

No, we are no longer together.

What led to the break-up?

C M Y K

What if he gets broke, are you going to dump him?

He’s not going to get broke.(Laughs) What qualities attract you to a man?

I like men that are caring. You have to be rich, caring, romantic and nice.

Some men are rich but stingy. Be rich and be willing to spend the money. If I tell you I need anything, let me get the alert. I like alerts (Laughs). Alerts turn me on.

What if he has all the money and he’s not able to meet your sexual needs and makes you feel like a woman?

That’s very important also, it’s not just money; he has to be a man down there!

What do you mean by ‘ a man down there’?

He should be physically endowed and good in bed. He should know how to use it properly, not all men do.

Be rich and be willing to spend the money. If I tell you I need anything, let me get the alert

Are you in love presently?

Yes, I’m in love with the person I’m with now.

Is it because he’s rich?

Not just because he’s rich, he’s caring, generous and romantic. He’s nice, down-to-earth and humble.

Are you ready for marriage now?

Yes I am ready.

So if he proposes to you, will you accept?

Of course I will.

What if he doesn’t, will you be heartbroken?

No, I won’t. I’ll feel I’m not destined to get married to him.

Who is that actor or actress that you’ve dreamt of working with, but you’ve not had the chance to work with?

I love Genevieve and I’ll love to work with her. I will also love to work with Omotola and Stephanie Okereke.

I’ve always loved to work with Mercy Johnson and by the grace of God; I’ve done some movies with her. She’s very nice, humble and accommodating. She’s motherly and gives one lots of advice.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 19

Comedy is not business, it’s an art — I Go Dye T

he comedy industry has created a multimillion dollars empire that has swept this country with its prevailing success. Today in Nigeria, comedians are brand ambassadors, captains of industries and there can’t be a complete event without the presence of a comedian.

Today, there is no way you can talk about the comedy industry in Africa without making reverence to Francis Agoda, popularly know as I Go Dye, a Nideo Spain awardee as the Best African comedian; TV People New York African Best Comedian; A threetime award-winning Nigerian Best comedian, and United Nations Millennium Goal Ambassador. Here, he speaks on his mission to help in the national project.

How is the comedy business?

Well, it’s fine. Although, it is not really a business, it is an art that is enjoying intellectual equity, providing a platform for social restructuring and promoting core moral values through hilarious means. There is remuneration from the art but I can’t call it business.

Would you say you are a fulfilled person?

Life is not quantified by one’s success alone. The situation in your immediate environment also shows how you are faring . In terms of personal aspiration, I would say no, because most of my desires to live in a society devoid of certain factors hampering proper standard way of living are not present in the lives of those living around us. Majority of people in our midst still live below poverty level. So, how can I be fulfilled?

Recently you held a crowd spellbound at Edo carnival with a stirring speech on empowering the youths; what was that all about?

I have always been an advocate of positive and inspirational motivation to many youths through my creative work on stage. That event was one of the many occasions, that I have used to express the shortcomings of our political class; urging them to empower the Nigerian youths. I am championing a cause presently, which is structured to reposition the youths towards achieving a mental revolution. I have always identified with this struggle through, IGODYE, an acronym, which means; Initiative Guide on Developing Youths Endowments. So the performance in the youth summit in Benin City, was just a continuation of what has been existing all along.

C M Y K

In your opinion, do you think the government is doing enough for the youths?

Well, there have been reports of purported empowerment schemes put in place by our political representatives, but the success is not commensurable to the standard that we see in the lives of youths in the country. Nigerian youths are not adequately empowered Any plans of going into politics?

Life is politics. We all, are playing it indirectly or directly. There is always a political side in every aspect of our daily endeavours.

As a successful Nigerian, what do you hope to do to help, as your personal contribution to national development?

Well, first of all, the youths need to believe in themselves and set their priorities right. The mental attitude defines the altitude in one’s life.

There has to be a massive

Majority of people in our midst still live below poverty level.

So, how can I be fulfilled? reorientation of the Nigerian youths. Building and empowering the youths requires a national template; it is the foundation base of every country.

Over the years, I have been organising seminars on selfdiscovery and most times on stage, I have portrayed myself as a source of motivation and inspiration to the youths. Base on this inherent desire to encourage the youths I am now projecting ‘Leaders of Today’ programme, to bring about mental revolution. The project is meant to explore the opportunities that abound to the youths, so that they can harness their potentials and redirect their focus from mere issues to achieving extraordinary heights.

What does it take to be a successful comedian?

Every work of art requires preparation and development.

Comedy is not exceptional in this regards. Although some comedians have inherent natural attributes but the ability to combine this gift with constituency requires research, work of art and determination.

There is a rumour that you are building a palatial edifice somewhere in Lagos?

I run Revamp Construction Company and we are always involved in property developments.

How do you relax?

I am always in a relaxed mood, when not caught up in any competitive venture. So, I relax every passing second, when I am not busy. I listen to evergreen classics from Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and Ella Fitzgerald.

Is there a comedian that you consider better than you?

All performing artistes are like identical twins from the same mother. They all have their similarities and uniqueness. I know that all comedians are extraordinary in their own rights and I see my self in them and they all reflect as the mirror of positive change and hope.

What is your mission in life.

God is the perfect author and finisher. I am just a messenger sent to present a message

PAGE 20— SUNDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

Yuguda’s day of honour in Ghana

BY SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH

F

riday, February 28, 2014, is not a day that Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State can forget in a hurry. On that day, he added another feather to his cap. As he sauntered into the prestigious Banquet Hall, State House, Ghana, something big was awaiting him: the organisers of the African Achievers Awards, AAA, had listed him as one of the recipients of its awards for outstanding achievements in education in 2014. Resplendent in his white Babariga attire with a cap to match, the ex-banker stood before the master of ceremony before turning to face the audience who clapped enthusiastically as his name was announced as one of the award recipients from Nigeria. Approximately 40 percent of the audience was made up of Nigerians, who had come from different parts of Ghana to witness the event.

“Realising your enormous contribution to the development of the education sector in your state, which has given hope to many and raised the potentials of development there, we give you this award today in recognition of your efforts,” the organisers said.

As the governor collected the medal, he turned to the audience and smiled broadly before acknowledging cheers.

The honour bestowed on him was spectacular because unlike the others that he had garnered in the past; this particular one came from unexpected quarters-Africa. It was in recognition of Yuguda’s enormous contributions to education, which has lifted Bauchi from one of the educationally disadvantaged states in the North to one, where the natives hold their heads high and Yuguda himself is happy with the strides in that sector of the economy.

With the award in his hands, the governor declared: I want to thank you for this honour, which you have given to me today and I warmly dedicate it to the good people of Bauchi State and Nigeria, who have been standing by me to do my best for the upliftment of the standards of education in the state. This award, which I consider as a challenge, will spur me and my team to do more in order to raise the bar in education in Bauchi State. Thank you very much.”

C M Y K

T

ransforming the educational sector had been uppermost in Yuguda’s development agenda from the outset. The governor knew how precarious the system was and seemed to have come with an answer.

Aware that the number of teachers available in the state was inadequate, he made himself available as one of those to be imparting

to his lectures, mostly on economics, finance and banking and English Language. Yuguda graduated with a B.Sc in economics and later secured an MBA. His resolve to redress the decay in the very vital sector of the state’s development propelled him to establish the Bauchi State University, which opened to pioneer students during the 2011/

Transforming the educational sector had been uppermost in Yuguda’s development agenda from the outset. The governor knew how precarious the system was and seemed to have come with an answer knowledge regularly to students.

He leaves his official residence to teach. As a rule, he hardly announces to any of his aides which school he is going to visit next. He does not also inform any of the school heads of his visits. Once he is free from official engagements, he dashes into his car and asks the driver to move into any school of his choice with chalk on hand to do one thing: impart knowledge. He has been doing it for some years now and the students and teachers often look forward to sit and listen

2012 academic year.

That singular investment in the education sector has created a unique opportunity for students of the state origin to acquire education in their chosen fields of endeavour. In the past, students from the state could hardly get placement in the nearby tertiary schools, thereby stifling their educational advancement. It was so bad that Bauchi was placed among the educationally disadvantaged states in Nigeria, stung with a high illiteracy rate that was also among the highest in the country. But all that is now history as the Yuguda

*Top: Yugada (left) receives his award. Down: The governor (right) being congratulated new colleges at Gadau, administration has taken the Gumau,Bununu, Hardawa, bull by the horn by creating Nabardo and Yana. new frontiers for the state to One of the most outstandmove forward educationally. ing structures of the adminApart from the establishment of the Bauchi State Universi- istration is the Sa’adu Zungur Primary School in ty with campuses in Azare the heart of Bauchi, which and Gadau, the state govthe Yuguda administration ernment has established has built into a massive colleges for technical and conducive teaching and agricultural training.The learning complex that gives massive intervention has led it the ambience of a foreign to the emergence of brand university in Nigeria.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 21

RUSSIA VS US, EUROPE OVER CRIMEA

Ukraine may be games for the West; for us, it is fraternal country — Russia Ambassador to Nigeria

BY VICTORIA OJEME

R

ussia Ambassador to Nigeria speaks on the crisis in Ukraine We would like to know why Russia occupies key sites on the Crimea Peninsula, Ukraine, including airports and communications hubs?

There are speculations and fictions circulating nowadays on the situation in Ukraine. The only thing that can be stated for sure is the fact that the change of power in Kiev has all signs of illegitimate actions. Concerning allegations on an occupation, we would like to underline that they are not in accord with the reality. A limited number of Russian military people are based in the Crimea in full compliance with the basic agreements signed earlier between Russia and Ukraine and these people ensure security of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation.

In order to get a complete and unbiased understanding of the whole situation, it is necessary to note that a lot of Russian citizens and ethnic Russians live in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. For instance, the share of the Russian people living in the Crimea is 60 per cent, in addition to the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation and its personnel based in the Crimean city of Sevastopol. It is well known that during the crisis, many Ukrainian cities have been seized by armed radicals under extremist and anti-Russian slogans. We heard requests to restrict or punish the use of the Russian language, prohibit unwanted political parties, threats of acts of violence have been voiced by the extremists. Making comments on the current situation during the meeting with Russian and international journalists on March, 4, 2014, the President of the Russian

Federation, V.V.Putin declared that the defense of our military facilities was enhanced because of these constant threats. The President continued that armed radicals were moving to Crimea. Therefore, Mr. Putin stressed that if we see such uncontrolled actions spreading to the eastern region of the country, and if the people ask us for help, while we already have official request from the legitimate President of Ukraine, Mr. V.F.Yanukovych, we retain the right to use all available means to protect those people. We believe this would be absolutely legitimate. But this is our last resort. That‘s why I believe we won‘t have to do such things in eastern Ukraine. President Putin also said that at this particular moment, tension in Crimea linked to the possibility of using our armed forces simply died down and there was no need to use them.

Would Russia pull back it’s forces since NATO has said that it is a violation of international law?

We are not talking about any violations of the international law. It is just the efforts of the Russian Federation to protect Russian citizens living in Ukraine in full compliance with Russian legislation. All those who attempt to interpret this situation as aggression, and threaten all kinds of sanctions and boycotts, are the very same partners of ours, who consistently and insistently encouraged the political forces they favour in Ukraine, to enforce ultimatums and refusals of any dialogue, ignoring the concerns of south and east Ukraine and ultimately – the polarization of the Ukrainian community.

Would Russia release the ousted Ukrainian President who is currently taking refuge in Russia to Ukraine to face the charges against him?

It is just the efforts of the Russian Federation to protect Russian citizens living in Ukraine in full compliance with Russian legislation Viktor Yanukovych is a free man.

He came to Russia because he was receiving death threats in Ukraine after the illegitimate change of power occurred there.

Don’t you think this is a wake up call for war as Ukraine has ordered full military mobilization in response to Russia’s build-up of its forces in Crimea?

We appeal not to use the word “war”. All parties have to put aside rhetoric and geopolitical considerations. We need to ensure the implementation of the obligations laid down in the Agreement of 21 February between President V.F.Yanukovych and the opposition, including the start of the constitutional reform process with the participation and full consideration of the opinions of all the Ukrainian regions to be further approved at a nationwide referendum.

Why should Russia troops surround Ukraine army base in Perevalnoe, south of the Crimea regional capital, Simferpol, with another base in Sevastopol blockaded by a pro-Russia “ self defence unit”.

In this case, it is not correct to talk about “Russian troops”. In response

Nikolay Udovichenko Russian Ambassador to Nigeria to the threats of violent action by extremists who endanger the life and legal interests of Russians and the entire Russian-speaking population, self-defence units were created by the people, who had to prevent the attempts at forced occupation of administrative buildings in Crimea and the entry of weapons and ammunition into the peninsula.

I would like to emphasize once again that Russia’s position has always been consistent and open. If Ukraine is just a territory for geopolitical games of individual western politicians, then for us it is a fraternal country, with which we have many ages of shared history.

Russia is interested in a stable and powerful Ukraine, where the legal rights and interests of the Ukrainians, our compatriots and all nationals are enforced. Our measures are adequate and absolutely legitimate in the extraordinary conditions, which were not created by us, when the life and security of the residents of Crimea and the southeastern regions are in real danger because of the irresponsible and provocative actions of extremists. We are for a faster return of the situation in Ukraine to normalty, on the basis of the above mentioned agreement of 21 February, including the formation of a legitimate national unity government considering the interests of all political forces and regions of the country.

P AGE 22—SUND AY Vanguard, MARCH 9 , 2014 SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

Hubby thought I was having an affair S

PEAK to any mother of young children and she’ll undoubtedly tell you that intimacy with her husband is not on her list of priorities. As far as most new mothers go, intimacy is usually tagged ‘the last job of the day’.

But could having children make your sex life with your husband even better - eventually? That with a bit of work, it can trigger a second honeymoon? Well, that’s what Sally said she discovered after three children and a sex life that left her husband getting a bit indifferent in the bedroom.

“After having children, a woman’s needs become mundane, things such as her husband’s laundry or getting the meals ready.

But a man’s libido remains. With our three children all under ten came the exhaustion of motherhood. I went from being a bubbly, flirty thing to an anxious, snappy creature who lived in old wrappers tied across my chest.

Dan, my husband’s demands became more of a bother. When met by my cold shoulder in the bedroom, he’d ask: ‘Have you gone off me? When I finally acquiescent after a few months with great reluctance, it’s usually in the missionary position and mainly because I didn’t want his need being met elsewhere.

“I must have tackled more than I could chew what with erratic house helps and a randy husband - that my doctor diagnosed depression and gave me anti-depressants. It was then Dan realised I really had a problem and he became more sympathetic. At least he could see that my lack of desire for sex wasn’t down to him. On one occasion, he even confessed he’d feared I was having an affair with three young chil-

“Right!” Screamed the man, enraged, “that’s three.” And he took his hunting rifle from the back bag and shot the pony dead. “Good heavens!” exclaimed the new bride. “How on earth could you be so cruel? I feel as if I’m married to a monster ”! “Right.

That’s one,” replied the husband.

The Orgasm-boosting Diet

dren to look, after!?

“When I was with my friends, our main topic of conversation was how a house full of children left us doing all we could to avoid sex. But I know Dan deserved more. He was a good husband and I wanted to satisfy him.

Could anything bring the buzz back?

Oddly enough, the trigger was a silly domestic row. I was still mad at him as I left for work in a huff.

Then I remembered I still had some money meant for him in my bag. A colleague had advertised some lingerie that I thought were ridiculously expensive. With sadistic delight, I splashed out his money on quite a few. At least with them, I might just be able to reignite a longdormant spark.

“And so, that night, while Dan was locking up, 1 changed into my new undies and slipped into bed. Instigating sex for the first time in years was such a turn-on.

When Dan saw me in bed, his mouth dropped open. It was the best sex we’d had in years. It felt like those early days when all that mattered

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"

Tips on healing your relationship

When we are unhappy in a relationship, we need to look inward before we look at our partners--even if we think they are the ones "making us unhappy."

was us. My libido had been kick-started. Seeing how happy it had made us, I came up with a plan inspired by an article I once read. I decided we should try to have sex every day for a week.

Dan was delighted. And while we managed only three nights - exhaustion, TV and one of the kids being ill - we had fun trying.

“I realised what I’d been missing: how making love unites a couple.

The next morning we were more demonstrative in our affections. Sex is like going to the gym you might not fancy it to start with, but once you make the effort, you get addicted. It became a naughty secret between us - we’d send each other sexy texts during the day and gaze at each other over dinner. I suddenly remembered what I’d found attractive about my husband. It felt so daring - adults frolicking in the same house as the children! Before we had children, the fact that sex was on tap made us complacent. .. “ So all you readers reading this and thinking ‘if only’, Sally stressed - if

she could do it - after three children and ten years of almost non-existing libido - anyone could.

“Believe me,” she concluded, “ you’ll want to shout about it too!”

You’re put on notice!

(Humour) The newly married couple returned home from honeymoon and travelled down to the husband’s country mansion. “We’ll take the pony, darling,” he said, “and then you can get a better view of our land.” However, they ’d only travelled a mile when the pony began to get awkward and refused to cross over a small stream. “Come on you bugler!”, stormed the man and hit the pony a severe blow. The animal moved slowly.

“Right, that’s one,” said the man. Ten minutes later, the pony stopped again. The man got down and hit the animal with a piece of wood. ‘’Now get moving,” he yelled.

‘That’s two.” But just as they came in sight of the house, the pony was startled by a flock of pigeons and refused to move. No matter how hard he was hit, he remained still.

We are responsible for our own happiness, first of all. Secondly, before you can approach him or her for on the issues you'd like fixed, you must examine your roles, some of which may contribute to the relationship problems.

Here are seven tips to help you look in the mirror so you can communicate with your partner... and heal your relationship: 1. Resist complaining: Complaining is really a child's behaviour and unattractive when it is coming from an adult. If there are things you are not happy about in the relationship, have a serious discussion about them and make it clear that you are willing to love yourself enough to leave the relationship if these issues cannot be worked upon.

2. Listen: Try not to interrupt or correct when your partner speaks. Each person has the right to his or her own perception. We cannot truly know another person's perception if we are too busy defending our own or need to have the last word. The definition of defensive is being closed to new information. Connection and understanding can only come from lis-

In spite of all the enlightenment going on about meaningful sex, judging by your text messages, it isn’t enough for some of you readers to achieve the pleasure you crave and sometimes it feels as if you’re destined to go through your whole life without really having an orgasms. Quite a number would want to try some aphrodisiacs, but according to Marrena, a sexologist from Boston, USA, you don’t need them. She believes you can work your way to a climax and has written a book revealing .the secrets of orgasm diet. “I happen to have stumbled on a diet that makes women come alive often giving women the ability to have vaginal orgasms with men even spontaneous ones. The orgasms diet, involves taking fish supplements.

Cutting down on carbohydrates and eating more protein. One of the recommendations is to consume half an ounce of dark chocolate daily.

She advises that women do pelvic floor exercise.

Marrena claimed she discovered the effect of diet on a woman’s sex life by accident, as rarely able to reach orgasm when she had sex with her husband has put a huge strain on their relationship. “He would roll his phrame over,” she said, “and I can’t say I blame him. After I gave birth to

our second child, I started doing pelvic floor exercise and using vaginal cones to tighten up my muscles. One night when I was driving home, I decided to practice a few of my exercise. I flexed my pelvic floor muscles and suddenly began to orgasm.

“Over the next few days, I tried to reason out what was behind my new found ability. When I first became pregnant, I took fish oil as a natural remedy for depression. I noticed that my desire had increased since I had started taking the tablets. But when I took a break from them I wasn’t able to reach orgasm spontaneously. I also found the more I exercise my vaginal muscles, the better my orgasm, and stepping up the workouts, I was able to repeat the exercise in the car whenever I wanted.”

So can diet really make a difference in a better enjoyment of sex? Research suggests that eating good-quality dark chocolate might spice up your sex life because certain chemicals found in chocolate can stimulate the transmission of nerves impulses and increase sensation.

Honey may also help because it’s a rich source of the mineral boron.

Studies have shown that this mineral may boost the body ’s testosterone levels. And having enough testosterone is one of the factors crucial to female sex functioning.

But fish oil is probably the most important element of Marrena’s orgasm diet. According to nutritionist Patric Holford, fish oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to balance hormone levels. He claims that a strict no-fat regime can cause hormonal imbalance leading to a drop in libido.

tening. When we truly listen we will better know where we can be more flexible and where we need to hold our limits.

3. State your wants: Instead of expressing dissatisfaction and starting the conversation from a negative place, start by expressing how you want things to be. When we are clear about what we want, this keeps things moving forward in a new direction and hopefully, a positive direction. There is nothing that puts man off than constantly hearing how unhappy someone is. It is much better to hear what someone wants.

4. Give space when necessary: If your partner has become quiet, take notice of it and respect his or her space. It is unproductive to try and pull the concern(s) out into the open. Allow space for your spouse to take response.

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 23

08112662589

Teacher don’t teach me nonsense!

B

ARELY a year af ter she changed jobs, Abi was excited when she was picked as one of the four executives for a one-week course at a posh hotel.

“The course was an intensive one,” explained Abi, 45, “privately organised and very exhaustive.

Sitting in a classroom again was a bizarre feeling - I hadn’t been in school for over 20 years.

And even more bizarre, I’d developed a massive crush on the course coordinator, Patrick. He was about 45, but was he handsome!

“He was as friendly as he was professional and whenever he singled me out in the class, I became flustered. He teased me endlessly too. The day I turned up early and dropped an apple core into the bin, he smiled and asked: “Shouldn’t you bring apples for the teacher as well?’ I giggled back as it dawned on me that Patrick must have realised I fancied him rotten. But he was far too professional to ever say anything. It was a relief, even if I was a little disappointed that nothing would ever hap-

pen between us. Besides, I was a married mother of two, living in the real adult world - not a teenage fantasy.

“At the end of the course, all 16 participants went with Patrick for a celebratory meal at the hotel’s night club. After dinner, the place became a bit raucous as more glasses of red wine were downed. When the club’s band started playing, we were all trying drunken moves on the dance floor when Patrick grabbed my hand and drew me up to him. As our bodies pressed together, I became very excited. He looked at me lustily and complimented me on my moves. I almost fell over, the jolt of lust inside me was so powerful. He liked me too! As he held me closer, I didn’t discourage him. He was so toned and muscular, his aftershave very heady. “‘Meet me outside,’ he whispered in my ear. He then left after a few minutes, making his exit through the back door where he wouldn’t be noticed. I quickly grabbed my mobile and headed outside to ‘make

a call’. He told me the number of his room and told me to take the lift whilst he took the stairs.

A

s soon as I knocked on the door, he dragged me in and we were in each other ’s arms, snagging like hormonal adolescents. ‘I could get fired for this,’ he teased. Assuring him no one would ever find out, we continued with our passionate kiss. He

then disentangled himself and started peeling off my top and skirt, his expert hands making my skin tingle. ‘You have a lovely body,’ he whispered. Thank goodness he didn’t say anything about me being married.

That would have killed the passion.

He then led me to the bed and started unbottoning his jeans as I watched excitedly.

What I saw drove out any

doubts I could have had and the love making was slow and intense. We were both on fire with lust - it was the best sex I’d had in ages. Afterwards, I couldn’t stop smiling as I lay breathless in his arms. I’d finally had this wonderful specimen of a men. I felt so triumphant.

“I dressed quickly and made my way home. My husband knew we would be wrapping up the

course and was already in bed when I arrived. I gave him a run down of how things went - the version I wanted him to hear.

“The following morning, as I made my way to the hotel for the course’s participating certificate, my mobile blipped: ‘That was an amazing night! See you in class ... ‘ I grinned as I made my way to the class. I didn’t give anything away as we all exchanged addresses and promised to get in touch.

Patrick managed to slip a note into my hand - I should meet him in his room. The excitement was back!

“That was a few months ago and we still manage to keep our affair a strict secret or Patrick could be in trouble and my marriage on shaky grounds. In the meantime, any time Patrick is involved in any of these sand-witch courses, we will meet at his convenient hotel room and fulfill all my wildest fantasies. The affair is a dream come true. But I know it has to end soon - for the sanity of the two of us.

08052201867(Text Only)

F

AT is a neces sary compo nent of the human organism. It serves as a

source of energy; you need it to maintain proper body heat when the surrounding atmosphere takes a dip in temperature; it serves as a carrier of Vitamin A, D, E and K and it is also a source of energy.

It is the excess of fat that is dangerous. With too much of fat there obtains the situation where there is not enough skin area for the body to regain its optimum temperature when there has been some vigorous activity.

The fatter the person the quicker it takes for the body’s temperature to rise and the longer it takes it to cool off.

While the lean individual can race up a flight of stairs with very little effort, the same activity at the same pace will almost kill a fat person.

A fat person pants too quickly in the body ’s attempt to maintain the correct body heat.

The action of the lungs is tied to that of the heart.

When you have to breathe

faster, the heart naturally beats faster. Too fast a heart rate, and the heart itself is denied of enough oxygenated blood for its own upkeep.

The picture is clearer now as to why the fatter the person, the worse a state his heart will be in.

Now, you think you need to cut down on the amount of fat you’re carrying around. Good.

But the problem must be approached with caution.

You must have a weight

The triangle posture

loss programme that your body can tolerate. Too great a pace and the attendant exhaustion might discourage you from trying anymore.

The sensible thing to do is to modify the diet and introduce the kind of regimen that the body can take and not leave you feeling totally wiped out, as it were.

As far as diet goes, I favour a breakfast of fruit and a lunch and dinner that has a lot of vegetables.

Fruit being predigested,

,

Reduce the fat and live healthy

leaves very little residue in the system. When you eat

When the appetite is unbridled, you can almost eat or feast to death.

Come to think of it the human being is about the only animal on earth that does not wait to be hungry before eating

,

fruit, you save enough energy, that way your body has enough power of its own to start dealing with all the toxins that have come about on account of an improper eating pattern.

The practice of deep breathing will enable you cut down on a runaway appetite.

When the appetite is unbridled, you can almost eat or feast to death. Come to think of it the human being is about the only animal on earth that does not wait to be hungry before eating.

Little wonder, we seem to be the only creatures with a weight problem. Animals fare much better as regards food. They only seem to have problems when we domesticate them, turn them into pets. That way we spoil them and soon they become affected with all kinds of conditions.

We should heed Hippocrates advice that our food should be our medicine.

So, you have resolved to deal with your excess fat. In that case, here are some exercises that will really help you achieve your goals of a sleek and efficient machinery of a body.

The Triangle: Technique: Standing with feet about 3 feet apart, bend the left knee to the same level with your hip. Keep the right leg straight with the foot placed horizontally to the left foot which is facing leftward. Leave the left hand open and placed next to the left foot. Straighten the right hand and bring it down so that your bicep touches lightly your right ear.

Stay in the posture for some 15 seconds and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The triangle posture firms the thighs. It reduces fat on the sides and upper arms The Single Leg Raise: Technique: Lying flat on your belly, place the hands by your side. With your

chin on the floor, raise up the left leg to an angle of about 90 degrees from the floor. Hold the posture for about 10 - 15 seconds. Change legs and repeat.

Benefits: This posture tones up the muscle of the legs. It firms the buttocks by reducing excess fat.

Yoga classes STARTED at 32 Adetokunbo Ademola, Victoria Island, Lagos, 9.10am on Saturdays

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

Brands and Loyalty Programme

gos. Going by their program design, the lot fell on me to be rewarded as a frequent flyer, in form of class upgrade. The experience of flying on Business Class from my Economy Class went a long way to establish the loyalty I developed for the brand (unfortunately that friendship was compromised when I lost one of my bags in a subsequent trip).

Such is brands’ gains from a well-executed loyalty program, and the developed market is driving further in the use of such programs to drive customer loyalty, competitive advantage and total consumer satisfaction.

Unfortunately, brands in our local market are yet to connect with this unique global trend.

Instead, the population of unhappy customers keeps growing. Across segments in our local market, the overriding marketing objective is rather brutal, unfriendly and selfish.

Most of the brands in almost all of the market segments are primarily concerned with meeting market target in volume and value terms, not minding the consumer experience not even with franchises of global brands in this market. They all gain from the huge size of this market, being the largest market in Africa, and compromise the consumers because of the largely unregulated nature of the market.

How else would one look at the consumer experience of a brand like MultiChoice/DSTV in Nigeria? In the first place, subscribers have to go through a lot of deprivation in terms of time and resources to be connected, and then continue with the exorbitant subscrip-

tion paid through an equally tedious process. To add to it all, they broadcast stale contents / programs repeatedly, totally disregarding decency and respect for viewers’ money. Now, all that happens and continue to happen because the system does not have effective and efficient checks to regulate trade and practice of brands such as MultiChoice/ DSTV. The situation is even made worse by the character of consumers in this market. To a great extent, lack of options really leaves the average consumer without choice. As in the case of the cable television

,

G

LOBALLY, brand building and suc cessful marketing is coming down to relationship building and management, real hard, for brands. Consumer brand experience now come down with direct impact on sales graphs and figures in quantifiable terms, more than ever before. It is gradually catching on with discerning brand managers, especially with banks, airlines telecom companies, hotels and leisure.

In developed economies, loyalty program as sale tool has even moved from accumulating gain-points on consumer engagement or experience to becoming very important element of an overall customer strategy based on total experience including dialogue, insight and personalized offers. For example, hotels are now using information gleaned from loyalty program to customize the consumer experience by adding personal touches to rooms. Banks now practice customer reward system based on intimacy and value of engagement in form of customized personal service delivery, by tying together several products into points-based loyalty programs.

What markets stated above do, is reward different customers differently. Given that loyalty program as a marketing tool, its effectiveness depends on a given brand’s program so as will attract or entice the right customers to remain loyal. At the end of the day, it all comes down to cost computation, therefore, as in other strategic tools, customer loyalty program must be designed to attract plus return on investment.

The most basic kind of loyalty program is based purely on transactions. Customers accumulate points redeemable for free goods or discounts on related products. It’s a tactical or promotional marketing initiative, also capable of stimulating revenue in the short term. So the trend is tasking on creativity and strategic planning on the basis of experiential marketing support.

It basically engages customers in form of appreciation for experiencing or engaging the brand, such that connects brand and customer at a point of friendship way beyond the brand’s core value essence. It is about personalizing the relationship between brand and customer; it’s about consumer experience.

I once had a very exciting loyalty program experience with Emirate airline in one of my travels from Dubai to La-

up to foreign influences. They may not be obviously purposeful with exposing the Nigerian customer to the luxurious customer treatment in their home markets (cost consideration), but the vestiges will manifest in the long run. Kentucky Fried Chicken, Woolworth and Shoprite are all going to change the face of brands management in this market in the long run. The telecom market is peculiar in influence as a tool for socioeconomic development, no doubt, but it remains the one market requiring of improved customer experience management. As in the retail and fast

Most of the brands in almost all of the market segments are primarily concerned with meeting market target in volume and value terms, not minding the consumer experience not even with franchises of global brands in this market

market, what choice is there to enable the average consumer make rational decision, even in the face of compromises? In fact, it is so bad, corporate customers and some very high net-worth subscribers pay two years on ahead on account, for uninterrupted experience because there are no options.

The good thing, however, is that the economy is opening

,

food markets, change is coming the way brands in these markets are managed, considering that with time, consumer appreciation will grow, resulting in a more purposeful brands management.

The most manifest of brands support today is product campaigns. Because advertising is most often not based on challenging consumer expec-

tation, such initiatives are not deep in concept, creativity and strategy. In fact if it were possible to be absolutely quiet, the few brands that still invest in advertising would have ceased to bother. So, the main objective for most brands communication is consumer mind presence not even top of mind awareness. It is enough for the brand’s showing on advert media, just so that it is seen to be advertising. For reasons of pseudo-competition, brands in telecom and drinks market (especially the alcoholic drinks segment finds it very easy to hold promotions, promising all sorts of prizes to be won. The interesting about some of the promotions is that they are not primarily consumer rewarding. At best, they heighten consumer awareness and brand consideration because of the exciting prices promised. But we have also gathered that consumers are beginning to doubt the authenticity of some of paraded winners and their prices. So much is done with computer graphics and structured photography to gain in authenticity. But the consumer is getting wiser.

In developed markets, loyalty program as a tactical sales promotion tool has even been taken far beyond basic points gathering, to a more effective engagement that now see brands deliberately investing to learn more about their customers by tracking not just their purchases but also their attitudes and needs. A loyalty program can serve as a platform to facilitate richer, more frequent dialogues with customers, to learn things about them that might not be revealed by their transactions.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014—PAGE 25

08116759757

HORROR AT MIDNIGHT!

`Virgin’ undergraduate, 22, raped to death I

t was a sad end for 22 year-old Deborah (surname withheld), a 300-level student of Benson Idahosa University, Benin-City, after the girl, said to be a virgin, was raped to death by yet to be identified persons in Benin-City, Edo State capital. The rapists cut her throat after the dastardly act. The family of the deceased has appealed to the Police Command in Edo State to fish out the culprits and bring them to book.

Deborah was said to have been raped between 12 midnight and 1 a.m after she left hospital and decided to see one of her friends at Upper Adesuwa. It was then the rapists allegedly caught up with her.

Meanwhile, Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr Funso Adebanjo, said the command was investigating the matter. An elder sister of the deceased, Jean, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, lamented that her sister was killed after she was raped.

She narrated the story: “On Thursday, she came to my house saying she needed some money but I could not give her. She told me she was leaving but I did not know that she had a plan to sell her Blackberry phone. I think while she was saying that, someone had compassion and asked why she would want to sell her Blackberry for that cheap price.

So the person removed his SIM card in one of his phones and gave her the phone. But, somehow, she lost the phone and she had no means of communicating with anybody.

“On Friday morning, she was not feeling fine, so she went to hospital.

I got a call from a doctor who said my sister came there without a family

member and that she needed blood.

“So I got in touch with my mother; we looked for money and rushed to the hospital. But when we got to the hospital, my sister was shouting and disturbing; so they said we should take her to a church.

“My mother took her to a church.

Later that night, she told my mother she wanted to go back to the hospital

,,

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

It was when she left the gate that the assailants struck, raped her and slashed her throat

and she left. I did not know she went to hospital that night and, when she got there, she kept shouting and disturbing people”.

According to the elder sister, the hospital people were angry with Deborah and, at about 11pm that Friday, she left the Sickle Cell Hospital at Golf Course Road for Upper Adesuwa. “How she walked to Upper Adesuwa that night I just don’t know. There is this friend of hers that also visits us, she went to their house,” Jean said. She continued: “They said she got there and was knocking at the gate but nobody

zThe victim on her matriculation day opened the gate. It was when she left the gate that the assailants struck, raped her and slashed her throat. In the morning, her friend started saying some body was knocking at the gate last night and people said they saw a corpse somewhere outside the street. So they ran to the place and found out it was my sister.

For the love of widows, orphans

BY PEACE ONYEUKWU

A

charity and conflict resolution organisation is of fering the less privileged and widows free skill training and scholarship.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation, Mr. Ejirighene Efekoha, disclosed this at the commissioning of their new office. Efekohan explained that the Foundation decided to carry widows, the orphans and the less privileged along in celebrating the new office because they are the people the occasion called for. “As the equipment are ready now, we intend to kick-start the skill training such as soap making, tailoring, weaving and every other skill that will empower them to become successful

in life and make them not to feel dejected to the society,” he said.

Efekoha said that the Foundation started the initiative in 2005. ”We go to mosques, churches and market places to look for widows. The Foundation has made donations to organisations in Lagos including the widows of the United African Methodist Church, Oto-Awori, St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Ijanikin, Our Saviour Anglican Church. We also reach out to Little Saints Orphanage, Akowonjo, Egbeda, Lagos, Badagry General Hospital, Oto-Awori Development Primary Care, Ojo, even prisons,” Efokoha stated.

He revealed that the Foundation has awarded scholarships to over ten schools.

“But at about after 9pm that Friday, the cab driver that carried my sister called me and said he wanted to know how she was doing, but I did not know that my sister even went to hospital that night. I was in church when my husband called me to say my sister had accident. It was later he told me that she was dead. We went there and the police came to carry her corpse. On Sunday evening, I went to Ugbor Police Station and made a statement. But why I am worried is that I don’t know why the hospital people will allow her to leave at about 11pm that day.

“The hospital people should produce the man who was incharge that night. The police said they want to conduct post mortem and that is where we are now. My sister was a 300-level accounting and education student at the Benson Idahosa University and a virgin for that matter. I am appealing to the police to find the killers. I don’t know why they should allow her leave the hospital at that hour when they knew she was not sound”.

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

08116759757

From Fashola, it's home without tears in Lagos

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

G

overnor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, on Tuesday, flagged off the first draw of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos H.O.M.S.) aimed at providing affordable accommodation to citizenry where 30 beneficiaries emerged as new home owners under the scheme.

Fashola had, on February 3, 2014, at the Banquet hall of State House, Alausa, Ikeja, launched the scheme saying it would remain open to review and suggestions from stakeholders until all the challenges that could arise as it goes public are resolved, adding that it is the only way to get the best out of the scheme for the good of the people.

The governor, at the draw, last week, appealed to the new home owners to meet all obligations that come with the ownership.

The colourful ceremony attracted a large audience of prominent indigenes as well as Lagos residents including two former governors of the state, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd) and Alhaji Lateef Jakande, The venue was the LTV Blue Roof Hall where the excited winners received certificates of ownership prior to the handing over of the home keys to them.

The draw produced 31 winners in the three categories of one, two and three-bedroom homes spread across the five estates that were up for sale

Governor Fashola (left) congratulating the winner of a threebedroom apartment at Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Estate, Ijaiye during the first draw of the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme (Lagos HOMS). namely Sir Michael Otedola Estate, Odogunyan in Ikorodu, CHOIS Estate, Abijo, Lekki, Shitta Scheme 1 and 2, Surulere, Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha and Hon. Olaitan Mustapha Estates, Ojokoro and Oba Lateef Adams Estate Iloro, Agege.

At total of 200 houses were available for the draw, but, out of the 322 applicants in the different categories, only 98 met the requirements and cut-off date for submission of forms for the first draw.

It was gathered that the remaining 169 houses from the first draw would be rolled over to the next draw for next month where both those who could not win this month and those who did not meet the requirement for the first draw will have an-

other opportunity without having to apply again.

Highlight of the well-attended event was the picking of winners from the transparent drums which was done by the state First Lady, Dame Emmanuella Abimbola Fashola, BrigadierGeneral Johnson, Alhaji Jakande, former Deputy Governor, Abiodun Ogunleye, who represented Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and House of Representatives member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The draw, was supervised by the officials of the Lagos Mortgage Board, led by the Executive Secretary, Mr. Akinola Kodjo Sagoe.

In his remarks just before the draws proper, Fashola empha-

L-R: Opthamological Surgeon, Dr. L. Isaiah; Chairman, Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Delta State chapter, Dr. Omo Ogoja; General Manager, Health, Safety, Security and Environment of Seplat, Mr. Bryte Oghor; General Manager Corporate Affairs & New Business Development of Seplat, Dr. Chioma Nwachuku, and Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Mrs. Esther Icha at the opening ceremony of SEPLAT's Eye Can See Programme in Sapele.

sized the need for prospective home owners under the scheme to pay their monthly mortgage regularly pointing out that it would ensure that money would always be available to build more houses and give other taxpaying Lagosians the opportunity to also benefit from the scheme.

He told the prospective home owners, “I want to make, perhaps, the most important appeal that the right to own a home also brings with it responsibilities.

One of the important responsibilities that successful home owners will have is the responsibility to pay the monthly mortgages; that is their commitment and their responsibility”.

On the second phase of the Lagos HOMS, Fashola said the committee was already working out the modalities that would allow private sector builders to participate in the scheme, explaining that government would be the guarantee purchaser of the homes built by them for sale to the public under the scheme.

On whether or not the Lagos HOMS initiative will continue after he has left governance of the state, Fashola explained, “The institution is emerging, people have taken control. I have walked here this morning to come and see what is happening and I am pleased with what I see and I am proud of what our team is doing”.

Winners react Winners who emerged as home owners during the draw described the process as very transparent.

One of them Mr Abayomi Sylvester Akitoye, who won a three-bedroom flat at Alhaja Adetoun Mustapha Estate, Ijaiye, said, “When I first came across the adverts for the housing scheme, I did not think it was real but I still went ahead to fill the forms on line and now I am happy that my name is

among the winner after the draw..”

Another winner, Mrs Bibian Kanayo Aloba, who won a threebedroom flat at the Oba Lateef Adams Estate, Iloro, Agege, said was convinced to participate in the programme because of her belief in Fashola as a very transparent leader of a government who could be trusted. Another winner of a three- bedroom flat at the Oba Lateef Adams Estate, Iloro, Agege, Mrs Aderele AyoolaJohnson, described the whole process leading to the prequalification and the draw as very transparent.

She said when she visited the offices of the Mortgage Board, the officials acted very professionally and answered all her questions satisfactorily She described the mortgage payment process as very convenient and one that would give more people the desired opportunity to become home owners in Lagos.

Olukoya presents books

T

wo books written by Evangelist Segun Oluwafemi entitled, ‘Errors of Today’s Church … and the Way Out’, and ‘Bewitchment: The Day a Child is Born’, are due to be presented to the public on Saturday, March 15 at CMD Auditorium, Shangisha, Lagos. The chief presenter is Dr. D.K. Olukoya, the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire Ministries while the co-chief presenter is Pastor Sunday Bankole. The chairman of the occasion is Mr. Femi Adesina of the Sun Newspapers.

L-R: Dr. O.J. Adeyemo of te Centre of Nuclear Research, ABU, Zaria; Recyling Manager, Lagos Waste Management Authority, Mrs Tolulope Adeyo; Director, Admin and Finance,Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Akim Bakreen; Deputy Director, NNRA, Nosiru Bello; and Assistant Director, Administration, NNRA, Mrs Eyoanwan Bassey, at the stakeholders'’ workshop on 'Dealing, Processing and Recycling of Scrap Metals and Other Commodities That Could Inadvertently Contain Radioactive Material' in Lagos.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 27

08116759757

Legal tussle over Catholic Church land

BY INNOCENT ANABA

D

espite the pendency of suits in courts, hoodlums have continued to lay siege to the Our Lady’s Devotional Centre and Chaplaincy in Nkpor area of Anambra State, as the Roman Catholic Mission of the Onitsha Archdiocese is locked in a tussle with Mrs Patricia Ikemefuna, daughter of the donor of the land upon which the church is built.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that mass no longer holds in the church as the premises had been taken over by miscreants.

The latest invasion of the place of worship, it was gathered, happened on February 19 after a visit by the cabinet members of Igwe of Nkpor, HRH C.N. Ibegbusi to see things for themselves and perhaps help to resolve the dispute.

On December 18, last year, the vicarage was torched while the priests in charge of the church lost books and other valuables.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that one of the priests narrowly escaped being killed in the fire as he had to jump from the window of the one storey building with injuries, as the fire had engulfed the door.

The donor of the vast land, Mrs Juliana Onuorah, who is also the owner of the popular Our Lady Bread in Onitsha, from court papers, particularly the ones filed by the Registered Trustee of the Roman Catholic Mission of the Onitsha Archdiocese against Mrs Ikemefuna in suits No.HID/170/2013 and HID/1226/ 2013, had, sometime in 1979, while in hospital bed in Germany, asked God to save her life and promised God that if she recovered and returned to Nigeria, she would do the following:- (a) Build a church “called Basilica” in honour of Our Lady at Nkpor; (b) Develop St. Theresa’s life by way of love; (c) Employ people who would be praying for workers and sinners and (d) Build Mount Calvary at Nkpor.

The church, in its statement of claim, said: “On 14/1/1980, in order to actualise the solemn vow made by Onuorah, the then Archbishop Cardinal Arinze in a letter of 14/1/80, set up a committee of three, after she had given the church the land.

“Onuorah, in a hurry to get her solemn vow actualised, wrote to the then archbishop a letter 4/4/ 1980 requesting the archbishop that the committee set up should hasten action to bring her proposals and plans for the shrine and pious institution into fruition in the shortest possible time. The 1st defendant (Mrs Ikemefuna) is not the owner nor is she in lawful possession of all the parcels of land delineated in Survey Plan No. LS/ AN/L.143/90. On 4/3/ 1980. Onuorah said she would have all the lands in the project fenced and a composite Survey Plan for the lands prepared to enable her execute just one instrument to incorporate all for the Church of the Archdiocese of Onitsha and she equally mentioned that all the pieces of land involved in the project were acquired by her at various times and thanked the archbishop for accepting the gifts of hers and more especially for taking measures that her vow to God and her dreams about the shrine and the church and pious institute are realized”.

According to the church, the land currently houses a church building, Stations of the Cross, Mount Calvary, Catechist’s house, Father ’s house and a cemetery which is now known as Our Lady of Assumption Parish Nkpor.

It is praying the court to declare that the plaintiff (church) is the owner in possession of the parcels of land shown in Survey Plan No. LS/ONIL.143/90 and further shown in dispute Plan No and verged RED and, therefore, entitled to the

Burnt bungalow at the vicarage. Inset: The priests quarters also razed grant of statutory Certificate of Occupancy. But Mrs Ikemefuna, the daughter the donor, in suits No HID/165/ 2013 and HID/738m/2013 against the church and some priests, including the Archbishop of Onitsha, denied that her mother gave the church the land, contending that her illiterate mother was deceived into giving away the land, as the deeds, letters and documents purported to have been written by her were written by the church, which failed to interpret to her the meaning, as she could neither read nor write.

She had asked the court to declare that her mother did not give any part of their property to the church in any way, because the property of Our Lord’s Complex is owned jointly. She also prayed the court to restrain the church and priests, whether acting jointly, severally or through proxies of agents from further trespassing into or further interference with their property called Our Lady Industries and Education Complex or any part shown in plaintiffs survey plan No. CU/SC/A/2012.

One of the suits before the Onitsha Division of Anambra State High Court by

Mrs Ikemefuna was struck out for lack of jurisdiction.

While accusations and counter accusations are going on, Justice Chukwudi Okaa of an Anambra State High Court sitting in Ogidi ordered parties in the suit by Registered Trustee of the Roman Catholic Mission of the Onitsh Archdiocese against Ikemefuna to maintain the status quo in respect of Our Lady’s Devotional Centre and Chaplaincy in Nkpor.

Meanwhile, the church, having joined issues with the Ikemefuna and other plaintiffs in suit No HID/165/2013 Justice Chukwudi Okaa, on September 4, 2013, granted to the defendants leave to enter the land in dispute and carry out a survey .

While the order was yet to be complied with, counsel to the plaintiffs, P Ewah, on 6/9/2013, petitioned the Chief Judge of the state, demanding the transfer of the suit to another judge on account of likelihood of bias on the part of the judge.

Counsel to the respondents, Chief Chukwuemeka Asigbu, denied the claim

by Ewah in a counter petition, but urged

the CJ to transfer the matter to another judge. The case is yet to be re-assigned.

While it appears that the court cases have been stalled, petitions have continued to fly around with accusations and counter accusations of invasion of the church by hoodlums.

Counsel to the church, Asigbu, in a petition dated 19/12/2013 addressed to the Inspector General of Police, alleged that Mrs. Ikemefuna had continued to order the blockage of the church gates, thereby denying parishioners and priests access.

Ikemefuna, in her counter petition, accused the church of oppressing her and her family and using some church members to attack her and her workers.

Meanwhile, on the latest attack on the church, the police in Ogidi have been accused of not doing enough to stop the onslaught on the place of worship.

Asigbu told Sunday Vanguard, “When hoodlums attacked the church two weeks ago, one of my colleagues, Mr Ononye, went to the state Police Commissioner to complain that young men from Abia State, about 90 of them, had invaded the place of worship. The lawyer said right in his presence, the CP called the Ogidi Divisional Police Officer, who said that at the time the complaint was being made, the church was quiet, as there was no disturbance of any sort at the church.”

But a top police officer at the Division said “The church did not contact us. It is not true that we were informed of the alleged latest attack on the church. If the church called the DPO as they claimed, we would have acted. The previous times they called us, we responded”.

On the police claim of a court order stopping priests from entering the complex, priest, also a lawyer in the matter, said, “The said order only relates to the Our Lady’s Complex and we have taken steps to have it vacated. In addition, the church is on a different land and not in any way effected by the order. Again, if not for the frivolous petitions against the court that had stalled the case, the application for the vacation of the order would have been heard and determined long ago.”

Timely re-assignment of the case so that parties can use the courts to resolve the matter instead of resort to self help is the one way to ensure that law and order is not breached, while the police must ensure that the place of worship was not disrupted, pending the determination of the various cases in court, whichever way they may go.

Delta musicians bur he buryy the hatc hatche hett

By Festus Ahon Mr Quincy Tebite is one of the gospel leading musicians in the Niger Delta. He has many musical albums to his credit.

In this interview, he speaks on the dissolved Comrade Emma Grey-led Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria,PMAN, executive in Delta State and his ambition to take over as the next PMAN leader in the state.

Excerpts: There has been delay in the transition of Delta State chapter PMAN? What would you say is responsible for this?

There is no delay in the transition process. It was just a technical hitch and it has been corrected.

We learnt the executive council went for a meeting in Warri on Wednesday, February 19. What are the fallouts?

Yes, it was a meeting indeed and we succeeded in dissolving the state exco and fixed a date for the state election.

Are you interested in any position?

Of course yes. In 2011, I contested for the state PMAN governorship.

Are you sure your fellow comrades are for you?

Yes. You know that the truth always remain apparent no matter how long it takes.

PMAN Delta State is made up of enlightened people; they need someone who can penetrate the government and present their plight; hence this much yearning for a change.

There is so much insinuation in the state that you faulted the effort of this past PMAN government.

How? Comr. Emma Grey is my brother and to debunk that insinuation, when the state exco was to be sworn-in in Asaba when Deltans celebrated Delta at 20 an August 27, 2011, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan noticed that there was rancor in the state PMAN and he intended to investigate what the problems were. On that note, I and Zubi Enebeli clarified some issues with his excellency which would have jeopardized or truncated the

inauguration exercise.

In other words, our rapport with his excellency via the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and To u r i s m , B a r r. M o f e Damijo[RMD], brought the success of the 2 0 1 1 inauguration. Even when the PMAN Delta State exco was taken to court by one Comr.

Clement Ogbeta, a comrade from my zone [Ughelli] who is now the Chairman elect in Ughelli Zone, I made sure the case was settled out of court. Comrade Emma Grey can attest to all these. And, severally, I have suggested so many good ideas to Emma Grey and we have lived harmoniously. So, where are the insinuations coming from?

PAGE 28—SUNDAY, Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

OBJ celebrat es 7 7 celebrates 77

L-R: Prof. Adeyemi Aderibigbe, Mrs A. Obasanjo-Eweje, Mrs Bola Obasanjo, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, celebrant, Gov. Ibikunle Amosun, Olori and Oba Gboyega Dosunmu, Olowu of Owu.

Otunba and Erelu Kunle Ojora.

Oba Dapo Tejuoso, Osile Oke-Ona, Egba and Hon. Justice A. Adewolu (rtd).

T

I

t was another day of honour for the former president as dignitaries from all walks of life joined him in celebrating his 77th birthday held at the O l u s e g u n Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Top highlights of the event include presentation of prizes to the Center for Human Security Intercollegiate and presentation of a book titled ‘Women, Youth, Culture and Development in Africa’ . Photos by Wumi Akinola

Yeye Oge, Opral Benson launching the book.

L-R; Alhaji Yusuf Baba, Director, Inter Continental Sch. Kano receives plaque from Olowu of Owu for the 1st position in National Sch. farm competition

Benjamin Oyebola laid to rest Burial service for Late Pa Benjamin A. Oyebola “Baba Alago” was held at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witness, Igbore-Ogbe, Abeokuta recently. Photos

by Wumi Akinola

From left; Mrs. C. A. Ibigbanu, Suada Adenike Taiwo, daughter and Olori Dr. Tokunbo Gbadebo.

L-R: Mr. Olalekan Oyebola, Adesina Oyebola and Babatunde Oyebola; children.

L-R: Suada Adenike Taiwo and Chief Mrs. Tejumade Adenekan Bakare

Gari Akpobire buried in blaze of glor gloryy

he sleepy Enwhe Community in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State, came alive as the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Hon. Timi Alaibe and a host of others attended the burial of late Pastor Jacob William Akpobire who was laid to rest in a blaze of glory.

L-R:New Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Tobiah Minimah, with the son of the deceased, Mr. Gari Akpobire .

C M Y K

L-R: Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, with Mr. Gari Akpobire.

L-R:Former NDDC Boss, Hon. Timi Alaibe with Mr. Gary Akpobire

SUNDAY, Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 29

Senat or Isaiah Balat buried Senator

V

L-R: Senate President David Mark; Gov. Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State; Vice President Namadi Sambo and Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media, Umar Sani and Gov. Lamran Yero of Kaduna State.

ice President Namadi Sambo, the Senate President David Mark, Governor Mukhtar Ramalam Yero of Kaduna State and other dignitaries put their busy schedules on hold for the funeral of late Senator Isaiah Balat, who was laid to rest in his country home of Gora Bafai on Wednesday.

Stephen Jerome takes wife

S

tephen Jerome has fulfilled all rites on Esther Oregbeyiwa to make the young lady his wife.

Stephen and his people visited Sapele in Delta State to ask Esther’s hand in marriage. Family and friends were part of the ceremony

L-R:Mrs Rose Oregbeyiwa, bride’s mum with the couple, Mr and Mrs Stephen Jerome and Pastor Felix Oregbeyiwa.

L-R: Former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje with the Chief of Kagoro, Malam Ufai Bonet.

The two wives of Late Sen. Isaiah Balat.

Cadbur y’s business Maduegbuna @ 60 Cadbury’s visit tto o NSE

Mr Emil Moskofian, MD/CEO of Cadbury flanked, from left; by Mrs Fola Akande CNP Coy Sec, Mrs Yimika Adeboye, CNP, F and S Director,Mrs Taba Peterside GM/Head, Listings Sales and Retention, NSE,Mrs Cynthia Akpomudiare, Head, Mainboard NSE,Mr Bala Yesufu, Head Corp. and Govt Affairs, CNP and Mrs Hauwa Dongonyaro Zoaka, Head, Compliance NSE.

The celebrant, MD, C&F Porter Novelli, Mr. Nn'emeka Maduegbuna, and his wife, Mrs. Augusta Maduegbuna

L-R:Mrs Jerome, groom's mother and the coulpe, Mr and Mrs Stephen Jerome and U. Jerome, groom's father.

The couple, Mr and Mrs Stephen Jerome in a group photograph with the bride's family

Vict or Oc hei mar ks bir thda hair Bask etball Championship Victor Ochei marks birthda thdayy with Wheelc Wheelchair Baske

Victor Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly cutting his birthday cake with friends and colleagues, during the International Wheelchair Basketball Championship.

Victor Ochei, acknowledging cheers from spectators at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Hon. Ochei, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly and wife, Hanatu .

PAGE 30 —SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014,

PAGE 31

Email: vanguardwoman@gmail.com

Nigerian women are dwarfed by their lack of confidence — Patricia Agbakwu

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

I

n the euphoria of International Women’s Day 2014, Ms.Patricia Agbakwu-Ajegu, an amazon in the frontline of women development and former president of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, FADAN, avers in this interview that a major encumbrance to the growth of Nigerian women in general is ‘themselves’. A professional Accountant who has cut her teeth in management consultancy and fashion designing since 1983, Patricia is presently the Managing Director of Xklusive Patsie, a brand notable for sophisticated jewelries and fabrics, and Topag Services Limited, which is her management consultancy outfit. An entrepreneur par excellence who actually requires no introduction amongst the crème de la crème of the Nigerian society, Patricia also discloses her plan to attend the Global Women Summit 2014 in France with 20 Nigerian female entrepreneurs who she says she simply craves to expose internationally to ease their business growth. Excerpts:

I

’M sorry to say that the average Nigerian woman is so much afraid of losing the grounds she has gained. This is unlike the men, who, when they climb up, leave the ladder for other men to climb same ladder to come and meet them there. The average Nigerian woman climbs the ladder and uses her left foot to push the ladder down. It’s unfortunate. You know why? She lacks confidence in herself. Only a few women leaders ever think that once they are up there, no matter how they open doors for others, no other woman will come bring them down. That is the reason why a Nigerian woman today will have so much and will still have friends dying of lack.

Women have continually relied on government for their general advancement without remarkable results. How do you think they can take the bull by the horn?

The only way women can stand up for themselves is by understanding that holding political positions is not solely for their flourishing or that of their immediate family members.

Women see their political standing as avenues for lifting their husbands, children and in-laws! They forget that another neutral woman has to be brought up to also in turn bring up other women. That’s the reason why men never lose their stand! When they get into a place, they bring in other men and that way, establish

,,

What’s your assessment of Nigerian women, particularly as we’ve just celebrated the International Women’s Day?

My greatest happiness is seeing these women grow in their businesses.

One of the women I took to Miami for instance has become a big entrepreneur today...

their stand! Look at all the Nigerian women who have been in political appointments. How many have returned to government? They can’t come back because they were selfish while there. Brother-in-law will be Special Adviser, sister will be Personal Assistant, etcetera, and when they leave, they will leave with their entire family, go back to square one and never get a chance back to government! To date, the only woman that has emancipated other women is Stella Obasanjo. It is on record that a lot of classmates of Stella's in Saint Theresa’s got into government through her. She emancipated the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria to the extent that it became known globally. She emancipated women who were not necessarily members of her family.

So, are you saying one way women can advance is by

standing up for themselves?

going there to learn how to become real entrepreneurs and to network with world-class, responsible women. I can tell you what was in such trips for me.

When I went to Chicago for a women conference, I met a lady who, till date, I supply African fabrics. In South Africa too, I am able to supply my products to society men and women through another lady I met during a business conference there. Now, we are very close friends and I was the one who designed her daughter’s wedding dress and the outfit she also wore to the wedding. I was able to sell my products to wives of ministers and more each time I went there and that’s part of what you get from networking. In Kenya, I enjoy same privilege. Most of the women who go with me are graduates and entrepreneurs of good standing, who probably need opportunities for expansion.

Mind you, there is no room for women who want to use this platform to disappear in Europe.

Yes. Not by waiting on government or society. In my own little way, I am working hard to develop women entrepreneurs like myself, by exposing them to business and partnership opportunities. I’ve been doing this for years. I understand what it means to be deprived because I became a widow at the age of 23 and actually went through a lot. I’ve taken women to Washington, Addis-Ababa, Senegal, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Miami, Chicago, England, Bangkok, and more. Now, I am getting ready to take 20 women to France for the Global Women Summit 2014 in June. My greatest happiness is seeing these women grow in their businesses.

One of the women I took to Miami for instance has become a big entrepreneur with her tentacles reaching out positively to other women. She went to Miami with jewelries! It is from the profits she made from that trip that she expanded her business and trained her children. That is my happiness. Now, women come to my office to learn the art of coral beads and other beads free of charge. I am a fulfilled woman and need not crave desperately for money.

WISH TO ATTEND THE GLOBAL Personally, I see WOMEN SUMMIT IN PARIS? money as a means to an end; not an end, Join business women to Paris for the Global that’s why I must use Women Summit holding June 4-7, 2014!!! my money and Come sell your goods and services to over a influence to better the lives of people around thousand eminent women.

Visas, tickets and hotel accommodations will be me.

Of what essence is this trip to France precisely?

These 20 women are

arranged. Slots available for 20 women only on a first come first serve basis.

Call: 08034003881 or Email: agbakwupn@yahoo.co.uk

PAGE 32— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

FROM THE PRESIDENCY TO THE PALACE

My testy and good times as Obasanjo’s image maker

• Nwokedi

—Igwe Alex Nwokedi of Achalla •‘ Our ties with Yoruba, Igala’

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

The making of the trip to Achalla

Air travel, like the former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah claimed, is gradually improving in Nigeria. However, the about three- hour delay of the flight taking this reporter to Enugu enroute Achalla speaks volumes of the challenges in the sector. A 3.30pm flight from Ikeja took off at 6pm hence i did not arrive the 200-year-old palace of the Uthoko Na Eze and paramount ruler of Achalla, Anambra State until the following morning.

Fondly called Ogbuefi while in office as the head of state’s spokesman, in the late 70s, during the first coming of General Olusegun Obasanjo, the man, who today occupies the throne of Uthoko Na Eze, Igwe Ezeoba Alex Nwokedi, was on ground to receive me and played host hospitably till the end of the assignment.

To prove his Nigerianness, Nwokedi got married to a Yoruba lady who is today the

queen of Achalla Kingdom.

She helped her husband in the successes he achieved. Even at a time when for the civil war reason she was tempted to stay behind in Lagos, she had to move with the then Prince Nwokedi to Biafra where he later became the head of counter intelligence under the late Odumegwu Ojukwu.

Nwokedi is first and foremost a St. Gregory’s old boy. He later played his role on the sports desk of Daily Times before he became the Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists. He was the press secretary to the head of state during the Olusegun Obasanjo/ Shehu Yar ’Adua military regime. After handing over to the civilian administration of President Shehu Usman Shagari, Obasanjo returned, not to the barracks but home in Ota and did not take Nwokedi along. That saw ‘the Ogbueffi’ being the first press secretary to Shagari in 1979 before he left the State House for Charles Igor and moved to the Nigerian National Petro-

To prove his Nigerianness, Nwokedi got married to a Yoruba lady who is today the queen of Achalla Kingdom

,,

.

Achalla, a serene Anambra State community, has beautiful cultural values which distinguish it from others in the east of Nigeria, an attribute they traced to Igala, in the present day Kogi State of the North that flaunts its cultural assets. Its yam festival is a very big ceremony held annually as a forum to rekindle peace, unity and chart the way forward for the community.

leum Corporation, NNPC, as General Manager, Public Affairs. Far before then, he was the pioneer Public Relations Manager, PRM, of the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria, ECN. The ECN has metamorphosed since the Nwokedi’s era: ECN, NEPA, PHCN and now unbundled into private companies.

Nwokedi, a recipient of the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, has a hobby in pioneers.

He was pioneer PRM in the Nigerian power sector; pioneer Chairman, Nigerian Cricket Association; pioneer press secretary of the Shagari’s administration; pioneer Chairman, Eastern Nigeria Council of Traditional Rulers and is surrounded by many other pioneers, one of whom is his eldest brother, Justice Paul Nwokedi, a retired Supreme Court Judge, who was pioneer chief judge of Anam-

bra State as presently constituted and pioneer Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, NHRC. It was gathered during Sunday Vanguard visit to Achalla that the pioneering of Awka North Local Government was not farfetched from the Nwokedis, hence the stationing of its headquarters in their country home of Achalla.

The first morning

The king of Achalla has sustained freshness at close to 80.

He was born December 18, 1934. The day of this visit, he woke up in the morning and, as a Catholic, had his morning worship and prayers. He then came out for his morning walk. It was after the morning walk, which took him, across streets with subjects in town shouting ‘Igweeee’, that he took his bath and now sat down for palace business. Ob-

viously the monarch’s daily routine was altered by Sunday Vanguard’s visit but things soon took shape as the visit was not about full engagement and not without prior notice.

It was also about observing life in and outside the palace.

Igwe Nwokedi is a great man not only in his kingdom but also anywhere in the country and he is so amiable and fluent in Yoruba as if he is a native speaker of the ngbati language.

Asked how he spends his day, he said, “The mode of operation in one palace or place varies. Even in this palace, spending my day is not always the same way. For example, after this meal, I will go into my chamber and start to receive visitors and people who have cases to be settled or attended to”.

Feast

The meal, which the monarch had together with me, was full of vegetables, less of meat but more of fish and naturally squeezed fruit juice. “That is how I derive my good health and I am grateful to God Almighty for this. I do away with sugar but take plenty of water.

And my meal you have seen how it is prepared,” he said.

The Constitution and traditional rulers

Continues on page 33

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 33

Igwe Nwokedi, responding to the lingering question of the role for traditional rulers in the new Constitution, said, “Our best and sincere contribution toward achieving successful and better Nigeria at all times, especially as another election season is fast approaching, is to be empowered by the law to handle community awareness on the need to ensure peace, security and progress.

I have read in newspapers people talking about roles for traditional rulers in the new Constitution. I’m telling you frankly that traditional rulers should be confined to their respective communities for peace and security and to take care of their communities. If it is enshrined in the Constitution that traditional rulers should be responsible for peace, security and progress in their communities, it will be a very good development.

“Even without constitutional empowerment, I play my natural traditional roles. During the last voters’ registration exercise, I made sure that my people participated entirely in the exercise because, in the sensitisation that I did, I told them the first step to achieve free and fair election was to have successful voters’ registration. And they all took to my word and got registered. And when the INEC people arrived for the registration and they had no light to work, I immediately mobilised the people and they got generators to power their machines and that itself was a big support for the exercise. You see what I mean by saying traditional rulers should take care of their communities?

“Before the last governorship election that produced Chief Willie Obiano as elected governor of Anambra State, I had warned my people against electoral offenses and that they should behave themselves so that we could all be happy that we did our best, whatever be the outcome of the election. I did not have a candidate. They were all my sons and I gave my blessing. You saw that during the last yam festival, Obiano came to honour me with his presence and at the same time to seek my blessing and I gave it to him. Now that he is elected governor, I have congratulated him, advised him to actualise his electoral promises to the people of Anambra State.

And I will work hard in ensuring, as a former Chairman of the Traditional Rulers’ Council of this state, that no part of the state will make life difficult for him and his government.

“That is what I know of a role that a traditional ruler can honestly play in this country. But if you start thinking of having the House of Lords, it is not desirable. All these things have been abolished all over the world. So how can you, in the context of Nigeria, start talking about national this, national that, which eventually

‘ Our ties with Yoruba, Igala’ will be abolished? We, as traditional rulers, have a lot to do in our various communities and we should be confined there to take care of our communities.

“To me, constitutional role means that it should be put in the Constitution what our duty should be. Is that not constitutional role?”

Obasanjo and Nwokedi

Igwe Nwokedi said he emerged the Chairman, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers through the normal process and on merit.

“President Obasanjo at that time used to give me my due respect as traditional ruler and he still does as former President. As President at that time, whenever he came to Anambra State, he used to visit me.

He even came once in a helicopter to visit me at Achalla.

He gave me my due respect when he was President of Nigeria and he still respects me as such”, the monarch.

“And when he was being given the chieftaincy title by the entire traditional rulers in Anambra State under my leadership, I had the honour of installing him with the title just the way he had the honour of conferring on me the national honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON. He was given various titles of Prince of Uthokpo, Orji which is known as Iroko in Yoruba language, and he was installed as one who instilled unity in the country”.

The making of the Uthoko “By ancestral background, we are from Igala. Uthoko was

• Nwokedi ... not interested in Igbo presidency

their own quotas to the development of Akwa North Local Government and particularly the headquarters of Achalla, the seat of my kingdom. The roads are now tarred and still getting tarred. You’ve been to the local government and you saw the development going on there. When the whole thing is fully organised, as I am aware, they are going to build a big market that will be an improvement on the agricultural market in Achalla.

,,

Continued from page 32

I am talking from experience as General Olusegun Obasanjo’s press secretary during his regime as head of state and commander-in-chief. He was my boss and he is still my boss the first son of the King of Igala. He was an elephant hunter and that was what he did that took him to Achalla. When he got to Achalla, he moved about six kilometres toward Awka and then established another town called Isu. Where he was buried, an Iroko tree was planted there. But I showed you where he was buried when we moved round the community. The tree you saw was planted there and so it’s still there up till today”.

Agriculture

“The administration there now is doing very well. We have got to have good and performing chairmen who have successively contributed

“That market is going to be the only agricultural market in the whole of Anambra State.

The Onitsha market is more or less a spare parts market; similarly Nnewi and Awka markets. It’s only in Achalla that you will have the kind of agricultural market because my people are farmers: we have rice, we have yam, we have cassava, we have beans and so on and so forth.

“So that market you saw when we moved round is the market in the whole of Anambra State where agricultural products are sold in abundance. And during market day, the whole community is crowded because people come from all parts of Igboland

to buy agricultural products.

And I must tell you that any market that sells agricultural products will always flourish.

That is what I tell my people that as long as they keep on producing these agricultural products, their market will always flourish. And that is why Nigeria, as a system, must look at the agricultural sector as an area that needs to be taken more seriously.

“Agriculture has a lot of opportunities for national economic growth and if government invests seriously in it, it will help in creating employment for the jobless and actualise lasting solution to the problems of hunger and poverty that we have faced over the years as a nation”.

The presidency and security

“I have always said it to you that I am not interested in Igbo presidency, Yoruba or Hausa presidency. I am concerned only with a Nigerian presidency. For how long do we want to continue to draw the hand of our clock backward with this our clamour for tribal presidency. What we should work for is how to have a leader who will take us to where we should be”.

Presidential spokesmen

Igwe Nwokedi said press secretaries, now known as special advisers on media and public to either president or governors, are managers of their bosses’ images. He added, “Whenever a president fails, go and look into the ability of his press secretary. Reuben Abati is not helping President Goodluck Jonathan.

In time of past heads of state like Obasanjo, Shagari, etc, their press secretaries were the

ones who gathered direct, meaningful and useful information for them.

“Now the President has battled with Boko Haram almost unsuccessfully for close to four years; he has announced a state pardon that is not yet conclusive because I read in the newspapers how families of the affected officers who were said to have been pardoned since March 12, 2013 have cried out that they were yet to see any benefits of that pardon. This is blamed on delayed gazette to perfect the implementation of that pardon and this is going to one year after pronouncement.

President Jonathan currently says he is convoking National Conference.

“All these half-done experiences are products of the failure of his press secretary to suggest names of good and able hands who can help the President do the job because of their experience.

Sometimes those the President put in charge of responsibilities may not be fair to him by living up to those responsibilities. It is the place of the man who must package his boss for the mirroring of the media to ensure what he is packaging is well prepared for that mirroring. Even when you tell the boss sometimes and he does not take your word, it is not an excuse to draw back.

Many heads of state in this country who had performed well, go and look at their press secretaries.

“I am talking from experience as General Olusegun Obasanjo’s press secretary during his regime as head of state and commander-in-chief. He was my boss and he is still my boss. And let me tell you that the Obasanjo I used to know was a very listening boss. He was one that would always like you to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. He might, however, not like it at first but he liked no less than being told the truth. Not that it took much effort for him to accept the truth because, as a leader, you don’t just jump at issues, you don’t speak or act before you think. ”Sometimes, while talking to him, he would ask me to leave his office. Later he would call me.

He used to call me Ogbueffi. He would say, “Ogbuefi, you know, you might be right on that thing you said. Let us meet tomorrow morning and discuss it.” Sometimes he would call me at midnight to discuss what I earlier told him. Being the boss, it was left for me to know how to marshal that issue and re-present it to him in a way that it would be very well acceptable to him. But, frankly speaking, General Obasanjo was a very listening boss. And one fact about him is that he used to read all memoranda sent to him.

If you like, write a 22-page or 25-page memorandum, he would read all, underline them and make remarks.

“So Obasanjo is not a man to be taken lightly. If you are dealing with him, you have to be very well guarded because he’s very thorough! He’s exceptionally thorough.

Say anything you like, he would not mind. The only thing

you say or do, which could aggravate his anger is for you to say or do anything which threatens the unity of Nigeria.”

PAGE 34 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

In search of a new Nigeria through ethnic agenda

BY HUGO ODIOGOR

W

ITH the nomination of a powerful Yoruba delegation to the National Conference, the North has suddenly realised that the initial de ja vu feeling that the exercise was doomed has come to a futile end. The All Progressive Congress (APC) controlled states face-saving turn around to embrace the conference must have jolted the northern political establishment and now they have to come to Abuja well prepared as other parts of the country are coming to the National Conference. All is set for robust clash of ideas, vigorous negotiations, lobbying and relentless canvassing of views and positions.

There will be display of tempers, outpouring of invectives, recriminations and lamentations.

There have been consultations across the country as the South-west is making spirited efforts to reach out to the South-east, South-south and the Middle Belt to build a consensus.

For the Jonathan administration, the turn around by the opposition may have saved the conference from credibility problem since the Yoruba have been the champion of national dialogue.

There is no doubt that there is a big difference between what Nigerians want and what the political class in favour of the status quo is prepared to give to in their desire for change. The mutual distrust within the political class can be seen from the opposition of some elements to the modalities and composition of delegates to the conference.

Politicians, who have become beneficiaries of the imperfect union that the British created in 1914 when the Northern and Southern Protectorates were amalgamated, are reluctant to accept the ideas of those who see themselves as real owners of the land and resources of Nigeria, whose interest and destinies must form the cardinal agenda of the National Conference.

Consequently, the issue of providing the legal framework for the conference, the issue of funding as well as what happens to the out come of the deliberations at the conference have been contentious. To the political class, the National Conference is a waste of time and resources or perhaps an opportunity for grand standing and diverting the attention

•President Jonathan

of Nigerians since elections are close by. Put differently, only the beneficiaries of the unjust social, political and economic order are against discussing Nigeria.

The great betrayal There is no doubt that after 100 years of existence and 54 years of nationhood, Nigeria still appears rudderless.

Elder Fred Agbeyegbe, President of the Lower Niger Congress and Itsekiri National Congress, told Sunday Vanguard that the problem of post-independent Nigeria started immediately after the Sardauna of Sokoto declared that “the new nation called Nigeria shall be the estate of the North which shall use the minorities in the North as its willing tool and the South as its conquered territory, whose resources would be used to develop the North”.

According to the legal luminary, northern political, military and religious elites have used this template either in appropriating the resources from the South, waging war against the other ethnic nationalities, initiating acts of terror against their fellow Nigerians or introducing their religious worldviews on secular issues.

Tony Nnadi, Secretary General of Movement for New Nigeria, is of the view that the North has lost the right to insist on the unity and indivisibility of Nigeria when it breached the secular status of the country and introduced

•Lt General Alani Ipoola Akirinade

The mass defection of northern politicians from the ruling PDP because a southern Minority is at the helm of affairs of the ruling party is also cited as part of the rebellion Sharia law and Islamic ways of life in its 12 states, thereby limiting the right of Nigerians who are not from that region or do not profess Islamic faith.

Boko Haram insurgency is seen by many people as a fallout of the rebellion of the northern political elites.

The mass defection of northern politicians from the ruling PDP because a southern Minority is at the helm of affairs of the ruling party is also cited as part of the rebellion.

A member of Osun State delegate the the National Conference, Gen. Alani Akinrinade, told Sunday Vanguard, last week that:”by agreeing to convoke a National Conference, it wold seem that President has been eventually persuaded that something is structur-

ally wrong with the current political and the structural configuration of the nation”.

Notable among the contentious issues are fiscal federalism, restoration of regional autonomy, resource control, internal security, structural imbalances in the political and economic relations between the constituent units in the country and introduction of ethic and religious bigotry into the polity.

Akinrinade, a former Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and a leader of the defunct National Democratic Coalition NADECO) that fought the Abacha military administration, said, “President Jonathan must have come to the realisation that we have structural imbalances created by the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern

and Southern Protectorates and the unitary federal system created by the military”.

Chief Dappa Brieye Diete Spiff, the first military governor of Rivers State, said “the time has come for Nigeria to correct the past mistakes in its nation-building rather than shying away from facing the challenges frontally”.

Bridge-building Acting President of Ijaw National Congress, Mr Charles Ambaiowei, told Sunday Vanguard that when President Goodluck Jonathan assumed office, he told the nation’s minorities that the days of lamentations were over, noting, however, that, today, the lot of the Ijaw man has not improved. “We have nothing to show for the fact that our son is the President. The East West Road remains a mirage even when another Ijaw man was the minister in charge of Niger Delta Affairs. All these show that, fundamentally, there is something wrong with the structure and the system we operate”, he said.

The 2014 Ijaw National Day celebration in Yenagoa, last week, was, therefore an opportunity for the Ijaw to rally other ethnic nationalities to support their quest for fiscal federalism through bridgebuilding.

Apart from the Igbo who declared Biafra to challenge the unjust federal system, the Ijaw, the fourth largest ethnic

Continues on page 35

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 35

Continued from page 34 group in Nigeria, have remained in the front line of the struggle for recognition of the right of the minorities in Nigeria and they have produced the likes of Isaac Adaka Boro and Kenule Saro Wiwa as icons of their struggle for equity and good conscience in Nigeria’s political history. Ambaiowei said the Ijaw have been in consultations with the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo (Igbo), the Afenifere, (Yoruba), the United Middle Belt Congress, the Urhobo, the Itsekiri, the Ibibio and other ethnic minorities in their quest for true fiscal federalism, resource control, restructuring of the country along regional lines, devolution of power of the constituents of the country, and respect for the citizenship.

“We propose a ten-federating regional structure retaining every legislative power excerpt the following legislative powers ceded exclusively to the Federal Government: Defence, foreign affairs, immigration, citizenship, naturalisation and alien issues, aviation policy and regulations, nuclear energy policy and management, central banking and currency management, coinage and legal tender,bills of exchange and promissory notes.

Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, the apex political and cultural organisation that speaks for the South-east, through its President General, Chief Gary Igariwey, told Sunday Vanguard that the demands of the region are not different from that of the South-west which include the parliamentary form of government, a review of the revenue allocation formula in accordance with derivation formula listed as resource control, citizens right, and security of lives and property.

The North has also aligned itself to resource control and fiscal federalism.

On the surface, it might seem that the National Conference will be rancour free. But Akinrinade was not deceived by the fact that the North has included some of the demands proposed by the rest of the country.

He said those who enjoy the privileges of any system would hardly give up those advantages, no matter how unjust the advantages may be. This is why the North often seems to be unfazed by the complaints and agitations from the other parts of the country.

But the Middle Belt, which has become the beautiful bride of Nigeria’s politics, holds the ace in the National Conference.

Balance of power When 12 northern states introduced Sharia law in the administrative units under their jurisdiction, they saw it as a political master stroke to checkmate the leadership of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria returned to democratic governance.

Most of the states embarked on the process of introducing the Islamic law to assert the religious and political autonomy of the North. Incidentally, the states that pioneered the move were controlled by the opposition political party, All Peoples Party, (APP), but it soon spread to other states won by the PDP, which was also controlled the Federal Government. Sharia was also seen as some form of resistance to the leadership of Obasanjo, a Christian from the South-west.

Obasanjo described the introduction of Sharia “as a political storm that would fade with time” but the emergence of acts of terrorism as a tactic of

•Elder Fred Agbeyegbe

•George Akume

•Chief Gary Igariway

In search of a new Nigeria through ethnic agenda political negotiation stunned Nigerians. The President of United Middle Belt Congress Mr. Abuka Onalo Omobaba, said with the introduction of Sharia and Boko Haram were meant to redesign Nigeria’s political map and reorder its destiny, and at the same time advance the Caliphate agenda to Islamise Nigeria.” We must know that the emergence of Boko Haram was a move by the North to show its resistance to the political authority of a non-Muslim over northern Muslims..

But it has equally created a wedge between the far North and the Middle Belt states occupied mainly by minority national groups who are mainly Christian,” he added.

According to him, the political ramifications of these actions were the geographical redefinition of northern Nigeria between the minorities namely the Igedes, the Idomas, the Eggons, the Biroms, the Jukuns, the Tivs who are geographically located in the North central region.

“The minorities spread across Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Taraba. The Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello strongly opposed the creation of Middle Belt Region which was championed by the late Joseph Tarka. This was based on the fact that the Sardauna had declared on October 1, 1960, that the minorities in the North will be the willing tool of the North in the new nations called Nigeria,” he said.

“We are going to the National Conference to demand for a political identity that defines who they are, their culture and heritage in the Northern region. We are Middle Belt region and not North Central as the North prefers to call us,” Abutu added.

With that pronouncement, the ethnic minorities in the North take their stand at the National Conference in Abuja.

The northern political establishment has always been opposed to the effort of the Middle Belt to establish a political identity that reflects the history, culture landscape of the region.

The leader of the United Middle Belt

We are going to the National Conference to demand for a political identity that defines who they are, their culture and heritage in the Northern region. We are Middle Belt region and not North Central as the North prefers to call us Congress, the late Joseph Tarka, was persecuted and tried for his efforts to establish the North-central Region as distinct from Northern Region. During the fourth republic, Mr. George Akume, as the governor of Benue State, faced a backlash from the north when he tried to start from where Tarka stopped in the first republic. There is a new wave to push for a Middle Belt identity at the National Conference.

Mr. Masha, president of Birom Movement, told Sunday Vanguard, “We are going to Abuja to assert our identity and reclaim our independence from those who want to forcefully take our lands and annex us.”

Said Masha: “What you see as the

endless violence in the Jos region and in other parts of Plateau State is a deliberate attempt by the Fulani to renew their Jihad using modern political instrument and government support. You read accounts of women and children who are slaughtered in their farms, villages are attacked at night and villages are wiped out. They are determined to take our lands as they are pushed out of the desert regions. “ The creation of a separate identity for the minorities in the North would make them hold the balance of power in Nigerian’s political process and give the region an independent voice and negotiating power as they could become the swing states of Nigeria’s politics.

The economic viability of the Middle-Belt region is seen in the deposits of such solid minerals as bauxite, uranium, gold, tin, lead, iron ore etc. in the region. Even in the forth coming presidential election, the ruling PDP and the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) would depend on the outcome of the votes in Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Plateau, Taraba to determine who goes to Aso Rock. From all indications, what happens to this renewed agitation for a Middle Belt identity will mean much to the president and the opposition as we now have the new bride of Nigeria’s politics.

Who is afraid of the North?

There concerns that the minorities in the North and South can never unite to pursue a common agenda, because of the traditional mistrust between them and the fear of the more powerful groups like the Hausa-Fulani, the Igbo and the Yoruba. There is eternal bickering between the minorities who the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Emmanuel Anyandele, described as “atomistic societies that are perpetually at war with themselves.” The North has been adept in manipulating the minorities in that region The President of Birom Movement, Mr. Abass Mafsang Choji, told Sunday Vanguard that the North has to negotiate itself back to Nigeria.

PAGE 36 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 37

Fuel scarcity: When will this long queues end?

‘Our frustrations over petrol’ P

ETROL scarcity, which crept in, last week, is taking its toll on the nation. There who rely on petrol to power generators to run their operations said their businesses were dying.

Transporters in Lagos hiked their fares by about 50 percent. Those who could not afford the hiked fares went for the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) buses which fares remained the same. Consequently, long queues of passengers were seen at Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) stations, waiting for the BRT buses.

Some passengers, who spoke with our correspondent at Ikorodu Road, expressed displeasure about the scarcity, saying they decided to patronise BRT because of the hike in transport fares by commercial buses. Mrs. Bimbo Lawal, who was seen at Ojota BRT station with three children, said, “I started patronising BRT since the scarcity started. This is because BRT buses are still taking normal fare while other commercial buses have doubled the amount we used to pay from Ojota to Victoria Island. For instance, I bought a BRT tick-

et from Ojota to Island for N120, while smaller buses are charging from N250 and above. You can see the huge difference in the fares, but the challenge with BRT is that you have to stay for a long time on the queue before getting a bus”.

Food prices also went up as a medium basket of tomato normally sold for N8,000 now goes for N11,000 and above following the petrol scarcity.

A bag of rice now sells for N13,000 and above as against the normal price of N10,000.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operators are another group severely affected by the petrol scarcity, as they are calling on the Federal Government to put measures in place to ensure sufficient supply of petroleum products in Lagos and other places in Nigeria. “We need fuel and diesel to power our generators to run our businesses, because there is no constant electricity supply in the country. Some of us depend on daily income to sustain our businesses, and, with this scarcity, our businesses are going under. I just bought 10 litres of fuel for N3,000 from the black market, instead of N1,000”, said Mr. Silas Igwe, an SME operator in La-

,

BY UDEME CLEMENT

Before now, government granted licenses to about 18 private investors to build refineries at strategic locations across the country. If these private investors were given stringent conditions to establish the new plants, I think this is the time for government to review those conditions and encourage them to start

gos.

Reacting to the scarcity, an oil and gas analyst, Bala Zakka, explained that something is fundamentally wrong with the oil and gas sector, which is why we experience scarcity of petroleum products. He said, “Before now, government granted licenses to about 18 private investors to build refineries at strategic locations across the country. If these private investors were given stringent conditions to establish the new plants, I think this is the time for government to review those conditions and encourage them to start.”

“Pipeline vandalism is an-

,

other major problem, which must be addressed for us to have tangible growth in the oil sector. Strict sanctions must be given to pipeline vandals destroying public goods in the country. The existing refineries should be made to function optimally to increase productivity. Ultimately, constant power supply is needed for the economy to thrive. For instance, generators consume more fuel than cars. A small generator can consume over 25 litres of fuel within two days.

This means that people spend more money to buy petrol for generators than vehicles on

the road. Another thing is that people buying fuel with Jerry-cans are depriving small cars from getting the product.”

Also speaking, the National Public Relations Officer, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN), Mr. Seyi Gambo, explained that even the existing refineries in the country do not have sufficient products to refine. He said, “Government should find lasing solution to this problem. We cannot continue to rely on import-driven petrol economy and create jobs for foreigners, when our refining plants have no products to refine. We need high level technology and adequate security to prevent criminals from rupturing the pipelines to divert petroleum products.

Pipeline vandalism constitutes serious economic sabotage and is the bane of economic development”.

Meanwhile, the Group Managing Director, Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Andrew Yakubu, emphasized that the current scarcity of petrol was mainly due to the disruptions in the pipeline network leading to the depots, that NNPC was bringing in more product to address the situation.

PAGE 38— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

The way NNPC conducts business is a problem — Senator Abe

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

Senator Magnus Abe is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream). In this interview, he speaks on how best to reverse the trends in the petroleum industr y.

Abe also declares that the CBN Act did not require any further amendment, adding that the only thing that should be done is to adhere strictly to all its provisions.

Excerpts: HAT legislative steps would you advise that Senate or the National Assembly should take to boost transparency in the management of funds by the NNPC? First of all, one needs to say quite clearly that there is nothing new in these allegations; stories about NNPC have been on in this country for several decades.

I think what is shocking now to people is the volume that we are discussing. For example, people have talked about subsidy; subsidy is not new, it has been there for quite some time. But the issue of subsidy became central when the volumes and the money involved moved from N500 billion to over two trillion and still counting.

I think that, substantially, Nigerians should realize that the very structure of the NNPC itself and the way NNPC conducts business is a problem that needs to be solved. And I think part of that realization is what prompted the efforts that are now being made to restructure the petroleum industry and take away political interference in the running of the industry.

If you look at national oil companies across the globe, a lot of them have become success stories

W

F

or example, you talk of the Saudi Arabian Oil Company; you talk of the Brazilian Oil Company or Malaysian Oil Company. These are state-owned oil companies that have become very successful international businesses. But our own NNPC continues to wallow in one controversy after the order. It is ineffective, it is not cost effective, it is inefficient, it is bloated and it just constitutes a drain on the econom y .

I think the continued interference of politicians in the running of the corporation itself is a problem because when we put politics into everything, then efficiency, value and even the kind of persons that we hire to do these things also become a problem.

So, you find out that, over the years, the quality and independence of the personnel of the company is falling. All these things are now resulting in a situation that is totally unmanageable. The solution is for us to stop the things that we are doing that we know are not right and I think that is where we are now.

What should be done to solve the

problem of the NNPC structure and how should the matter of subsidy be addressed as it is not getting to the common man?

From the facts and figures that are flying around now, I gathered that we are spending close to N700 million a day, subsidizing kerosene. I have not seen any poor man whose biggest problem is kerosene; so if you carry this money, N700 million everyday, and you say you want to help Nigerians, I doubt if their first request would be kerosene. They have problems of healthcare, quality of transportation, quality of education, even food. Kerosene, to my mind, is one of the most insignificant problems that they have because, if you buy a little kerosene, it is supposed to last for weeks. So, if an average family is to set their priorities where they need help or where they should be helped, I don’t think anybody should go for kerosene. They all know that this kerosene subsidy is not getting to anybody, nobody buys kerosene for N50.00. So, who is fooling who? As far as I am concerned, there is no subsidy on kerosene and subsidy of kerosene is not a priority to the Nigerian people, it is a waste of money.

F

ollowing the controversy in the alleged missing fund and the alleged mismanagement by the CBN Governor according to the Financial Reporting Council report, as a legislator, do you support the idea that the CBN Act should be amended?

I don’t think there is any need to amend the CBN Act; there is nothing that is happening the Act did not envisage. The Act did envisage that we might have a CBN Governor who could err and there is a provision in the Act that when that happens, evidence should be submitted to the Senate and the Senate will consider that fact and, if in the collective wisdom of two-third majority of the senators, they agree with the President that the CBN Governor has done something wrong, he should be removed. What is happening now that was not envisaged by the Act is a situation where a politician, regardless of his status, can unilaterally remove the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from office whether you call it suspension or removal or interdiction. What is happening in this country is that we tend to read the law to suit what we want to do. When we have made up our mind to do something, we interpret the law in whatever convoluted way we want it to achieve what we have decided. In order words, we write the answer and start looking for the question. ou said that there is noth ing new in the allegations.

Y Does it mean those in authority know what to do but they don’t want to do it or that they are helpless? Are you aware there is fuel scarcity in town?

Yes, there is fuel scarcity because PPPRA was not allowed to

Senator Magnus Abe

Instead of concentrating so much on sharing of this national cake, it is time for all of us to head back to the oven and see how we could increase the size of the bakery issue import allocations in advance as is usually the case and the Executive Secretary has been removed. I don’t know whether he was removed because of the testimony he gave before the House of Representatives on the issue of kerosene subsidy allocation. ut I want to state it clearly B that Reginald Stanley, I was no fan of his as the Executive Secretary of PPPRA, but he did a fantastic job cleaning up the agency; he did a fantastic job getting the whole issue of petroleum subsidy under control and I am worried he was removed when it was clear to everybody that the agency had done so well. I want to appeal to whoever is taking over not to take the PPPRA back to where it was before Reginald Stanley came on board. I have the knowledge, my Committee, the Senate Committee, Downstream, has oversight powers over PPPRA and I can attest that this gentleman has cleaned up PPPRA. The reason there is scarcity (of petrol) is importers were seeking permission in advance to bring in petrol while the whole issue of who should bring in and

who should not bring in was being sorted out but they couldn’t get the permission and so everything was at a standstill. My appeal to whoever takes over at the PPPRA is that the Nigerian people would not like to see the agency go back to do things the way they were it before and I don’t think we would like the agency becoming another place for corrupt practices.

S

ome have called for the re moval of subsidy on kerosene, what is your take?

If it is affordable, why not?, if it is what will help the poor, why not? But if it is not affordable in the circumstances and it is not helping the poor, I think every reasonable person should oppose it for not serving the purpose.

You are heading a Committee that has to do with this oil and gas. What is the problem with the refineries?

We have held sittings on refineries, this is a matter that we have discussed severally. Let me say that the refineries have not been working for about ten months now. Port Harcourt refinery has not been operational, and there have been issues consistently

with our refineries.

Everybody knows what the challenges are; there is nothing new for us to say about refineries. The big challenge is for us to build more refineries. I said clearly that nobody should tie the issue of refinery to the issue of subsidy because the refineries outside this country that are refining Nigerian crude are being paid. It doesn’t mean if they are in Nigeria, you don’t pay them.

The same way they are being paid in Ivory Coast or Brazil or wherever these things are being refined is the same way they should be paid if the refineries are in Nigeria.

We have exchanged legal and political correspondences with the NNPC that the issue of how the NNPC budget is handled needs to be reviewed. And we are dealing with that. So, it is not something that is new. At a stage, we threatened to go to court with the NNPC. And we are still in the process of working out some of these challenges. What everybody must remember is that the NNPC has been carrying out these practices in this manner for years. It is when some of us got here in 2011 that we started raising issues on how some of these issues are being done.

NNPC’s funds are not subject to the same appropriation process that funds for the Ministry of Petroleum or the Ministry of the Niger Delta for instance are subjected to. nd as a country, as people of conscience, we need to A come together and actually solve

these problems as quickly as possible. For people to continue to take advantage of these lapses, enrich themselves and their cronies and then try to block any form of reform, that is what is a moral if not a legal crime. We know that these lapses are there, if we work together, we can control them and they can change.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is one of such efforts to try to bring change to the sector. But even in the PIB, we are still noticing some tendencies to still try to keep some measure of political control of our revenues. And for this country to make any kind of progress out of oil, whether we like it or not, if we are dealing with oil the way oil should be dealt with, by now, we would been dealing with other commodities and opportunities in this country, but because oil has become a cake that we share, our concentration on it doesn’t allow us to increase other means of national cake. o, instead of concentrating S so much on sharing of this national cake, it is time for all

of us to head back to the oven and see how we could increase the size of the bakery.

The main problem is that as long as we are getting free money from oil, people are not going to work and nothing is working because there is always money to subsidize what is not working. You notice that if this one is not working, you set up another agency, you notice that agency is not working, you set up another agency; before you know it, there are 16 agencies funded by government all struggling to do the same thing and nothing is get done.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE —39

BIOMETRIC BANKING!

The dawn of an era of fingerprint, voice or vein

BY UDEME CLEMENT

T

HE on-going reform in the banking sector has taken another dimension with the new policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on biometric data capturing for commercial banks doing business in Nigeria.

The suspended CBN governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, said that commercial banks operating in Nigeria have been given 18 months to conclude the biometric registration of customers across the country.

Sanusi explained that customers could register anywhere, whether with their banks or agents, stressing that once registered, a person should not register again as the verification would show it.

He warned that registration for the biometrics data is without charge.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that before the launching of the scheme recently, banks in collaboration with the monetary authority had been working on this new policy initiative for a long time, even as necessary infrastructure had been put in place to enhance successful and smooth rollout of the data identification project nation-wide.

The CBN, penultimate week, launched the Bank Verification Number (BVN) for biometrics identification of customers in the banking industry designed to reduce fraud, money laundering and revolutionise the payment system in the country. Under the new regime, banks are to start the registration of fingerprints as well as facial features of customers. The project has a timeline of 18 months.

Some financial analysts, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, explained that biometrics use depositor’s physical characteristics such as to finger print, voice or vein to determine self identification, adding that biometrics are electronic verification tools for online and mobile banking, which offer unique customer identification to give unchangeable identity that helps in Know Your Customer (KYC) operations.

Group Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, at the end of the bimonthly meeting of the Bankers’ Committee, revealed that the CBN’s decision to roll out the biometric data scheme for commercial banks would help to fight fraud. Giving insight into the new monetary policy and the economic benefits, he said, “The biometric data scheme would check fraud, money laundering in the economy and would further ensure protection of customers.”

In the same vein, The Head of Shares Services, CBN, Mr.

Chidi Uweano, emphasised that the initiative would help to modernise the nation’s payment system, adding that statistics revealed that there have been a shift from the traditional cash-carrying system of business transactions to electronic payment pattern in the country.

He said, “For instance, we have Nigerian Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT), Nigerian Instant Payment, Point of Sales (PoS) terminal and Mobile Money. As at Monday, 10 February, 2014, the value of transactions carried out using NEFT was N153billion, Nigerian Instant Pay was estimated at N37 billion, PoS terminals N50million and Mobile Money N12million, making a total of N190.62billion for a single day.”

Biometric authentication would tackle ATM fraud: Mr.

L-R: German Ambassador to Nigeria, Janetzuke Wenzel; Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc, Godwin Emefiele; suspended Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; his deputy, Operations, Tunde Lemo; Managing Director/CEO, Dermalog Identification System, Gunther Mull; Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability (FSS), CBN, Kingsley Moghalu and his Corporate Services counterpart, Sulieman Barau, during the signing of contract agreement for the implementation of the banking industry biometric solution project in Abuja.

Fingerprint biometric ATM Sulayman Bello, Research Unit, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, Central Bank of Nigeria, Learning Centre, Lagos.

The introduction of biometric authentication into the financial sector would tackle ATM fraud and incessant cases of cyber crime in the system. Aside from this, biometric data identification would, in a way, safeguard customers’ funds, prevent losses associated with compromise of Personal Identification Numbers (PIN). Beyond addressing financial crimes, it would bring economic benefit to the entire country in terms of expanding financial services to rural areas across Nigeria. The most important thing is for the regulatory authority to ensure that necessary infrastructures are in place for the scheme to run effectively.

Biometric data scheme would enhance accessibility to credit facility: National Coordinator, Centre for Societal Values and Development and a legal practitioner, Mr. Silas Udoh, said, “The policy is a

Biometric banking machine

With all the banking reforms embarked upon by the CBN as well as the current biometric data project, banks should be able to finance capital projects in the housing sub-sector to create more jobs for the citizens welcome development because it would work along with the cashless economy already on course to boost the nation’s macro economy. Though there are bound to be teething problems at the initial stage as some people are saying, in the long-run, it would help to reduce fraud and money laundering in the system, especially as the election period approaches.

Aside from reducing theft, the CBN’s biometric project would benefit entrepreneurs and operators of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the area of accessibility to credit facility from commercial banks. For instance, at present, most banks are not willing to lend money to

SMEs operators, partly due to identification problem. So, once this biometric data capturing scheme become fully operational, entrepreneurs would be able to get loan from banks without stringent conditions, as proper identification exercise would pave the way for banks to grant loans for businesses to expand. On the whole, the biometric scheme would further move Nigeria’s economy from the cash system to the credit system with proper identity like what obtains in advanced economies.

Thus, with all the banking reforms embarked upon by the CBN as well as the current biometric data project, banks should be able to fi-

nance capital projects in the housing sub-sector to create more jobs for the citizens. For example, now we have a population of over 160million and the demand for housing annually is estimated at about 700,000 units, which is far more than the current production level of below 100,000 units. So, banks should also focus on this area to meet the housing needs of the people.

To me, the CBN’s policy is coming at the nick of time, especially with the launching of the mortgage re-refinance scheme by the Federal Government, aimed at making easy access to loans for housing for citizens.

The apex bank also announced that the cash-lite monetary policy, which is already operational in some states in Nigeria, would go nation-wide by July 1, 2014.

Two years ago, the CBN introduced the cashless policy in Lagos as well as Abuja, and in 2013, six other commercial cities in the country were added. Today, the policy that commenced in Lagos as a pilot study has gained wide acceptance in operational states.

PAGE 40 —SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 41

To survive, many teenagers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have taken to car-washing business

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

D

o not expect to see a tapauline or struc ture of any kind that houses the business. Do not also expect to see any washmatic or pressure machines, vacuum cleaners, lather mixer or other sophisticated machines there. But you can be rest assured of seeing buckets, brushes, detergents and their concommitants which are the tools for the work.

For many jobless young men, the tools are all they need to start off a car wash centre in many areas of Abuja.

These are boys between the ages of 18 and 27 who are determined to survive the harsh economy of the country. And so, from East to West, South to North, they came to Abuja in search of greener pastures.

Their business locations run across the town. From Lokogoma District to Apo Quarters, Jabi, Kado Estate to Gwarimpa, Wuse 2 down to Mataima, the business booms.

Though there are many of such outfits with sophisticated machines sighted at plazas, gardens and other metro places in Abuja, the road-side ones appear mostly patronized.

Out of the lot, Abuja Bulletin (AB) settled for Jabi District which have more boys doing the business.

The boys spread themselves

Abuja car wash boys

along POW Mafemi Crescent and Anthony Enahoro Street in Jabi.

It was on the street that AB came in contact with Kelly Frank, Chuwukwudi and Olumide.

Kelly Frank hails from Ogoja, Cross River State, while Chukwudi and Olumide come from Ebonyi and Osun states respectively.

They all reside at the suburbs of Abuja. Kelly and Chukwudi live at Karimo while Olumide lives at Mpape.

From their looks, they are all boys of school age but they said that they could not continue because of lack of money and sponsors and so, to survive, they resorted to the business.

According to them, there are over 30 boys on one street doing car washing. About that number or more applies also to the other streets. Some of them had been in the business for years. For inC M Y K

The The intriguing intriguing lif lifee of of the the

equipped car wash center. An interior and exterior wash with a machine goes for between N700 and N1000. The inclusion of the engine and underneath of the vehicles go for between N2800 to N3,500. And so, many motorists prefer the road side boys.

Again, the boys site their businesses around relaxation centers and gardens. It gives many people the opportunity of killing two birds with one stone. While they sit, relaxing, their cars are being washed.

stance, Kelly had already clocked two years.

Operating Mode To them, the driver of every passing vehicle is a potential customer.

Their lot is to flag it down. They get lucky if the traffic is slow. This enables them to talk comprehensively to the driver. But this is for a first timer or user of the road. For old time customers, all they need to do is to park by the road side and have their cars washed almost immediately.

Cost of Washing

Speaking to AB, the trio said that it costs N500 to wash the interior and exterior of a vehicle. That is the fixed price. But often times, they get more than N500. Almost, always, tips are handed to them from customer.

Washing of the car engine shoots the price to N1,500 to N2,000 depending on the bargaining power of the customer.

On daily basis, each of the boys may wash between one to seven vehicles.

Kelly admitted that the maximum he had washed per day was seven.

Many reasons account for why they are the toast of motorists. It is most convenient and apparently cheaper compared to driving to a well

Brush with the Law One challenge the boys face is occasional confrontation with the FCT authorities who arrest them for allegedly causing obstruction on the roads.

On every arrest made, about N5,000, according to them, is used to secure their release. Consequently, the boys have come to be vigilant and alert.

Once any of them sights the task force team coming, a sign is given and before you say Jack, everyone takes to his heels.

Plea Though, they are said to be occupying illegal space and also constituting obstructions, they pleaded to be tolerated by government to allow them eke out a living from the work.

PAGE 42 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

‘Shema building on Yar’Adua’s legacies’ T

he Chief of Staff to Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State, Hon. Majigiri Salisu, in this interview, speaks on the transformational strides of his principal.

Let us begin with your political background.

I was a councillor, and then local government chairman for three times before I went to the

House of Representatives representing my constituency of MashiDutsima between 2007 and 2011.

After that, I became the chief of staff to the governor.

How were you able to switch from a lawmaker to your present position effectively?

It was easy for me to cope because initially when I ventured into politics, I started off as a councillor when I represented my ward. I was then elected chairman of my local government from 1999 to 2007. However in between this, I was appointed the caretaker committee chairman of the defunct local government area, it was carved out of Mashi Local Government.

That responsibility was an executive one, so, I know how the executive works. These two experiences as a lawmaker and chairman of local government assist me in my new assignment.

How are you using your office to assist the governor to improve governance in the state?

I have been trying, since my appointment, to see that I put in my own contribution in this administration. The governor is a simple man, a straight forward personality to work with. He is an honest, transparent and committed leader. He decentralised the job such

that it is so easy for me to operate and coordinate all the activities around him, and this is successful because the governor runs an open government. His telephone line is open to the general public. He has not changed his line since he acquired it. Not many governors can hold on to one line. He has maintained the same line for the past 12 years. It is this same line I reach him as well. The moment you call him, he picks it irrespective of who you are, and, in case he could not pick, send him an SMS and you will promptly get an answer. There is no government that is as transparent as the what we have in Katsina at the moment. So with such a transparent leader, it makes my job really easy to do, because all the loads are not on me, all he does is direct me to do or that, via telephone and SMS. My working with him has really enriched me, not only as a person but also as a politician. I don’t reside in the city, that is Katsina. I come to office on daily basis from my village where my house is. Since I ventured into politics in the last 22 years, I have never resided outside my village and I think that is one of the things that make one to be a grassroots politician. Just like the governor, he does not stay in at the state capital on weekends, he spends his weekends in his village; this makes you closer to your people.

In terms of projects, how do you compare this administration to the former ones?

There is basis for comparism. No doubt, the former President Umaru Yar’Adua did so much in Katsina for the eight years he was here as governor before the country asked him to serve at the highest level of government. Some people are saying the governor has sur-

House tit-bits Agency spends N48m to commission three projects A government agency with the mandate to create jobs may face House of Reps panel for spending N16m each to commission three house projects.

The agency, name withheld, at three different occasions, presented, in its 2013 expenditure, that it expended N48m on commissioning alone.

The House Committee, which looked into the agency’s accounts, on Tuesday, concluded plans to summon the agency, a source confided in Sunday Vanguard.

A police without tools The police IG, Abubakar Mohammed, has told Nigerians how his men had to operate without tools. Mohammed appeared before the House Committee on Police Affairs, on Tuesday, to defend the budget of the police, but turned the defence into lamentation over the challenging work conditions

•Hon. Majigiri Salisu passed the administration of the late president. But I disagree. My governor is building on the legacies of the Yar’Adua era. Be that as it may, what this administration has done in terms of developments is more than what you can begin to compare. If you look at the projects since the creation of the state about 25 years ago, up till 2007 when the Shema administration took over, the total projects executed are not up to what the Shema administration has done in the last seven years. These are projects that are verifiable. I am not talking from the abstract, it is visible and physical for everyone to see. In terms of infrastructural development, you cannot compare any of the previous administrations with this government. Check out the free education policy of the government, from primary to tertiary, education is totally free, 100% free. It is a legacy that this

By Emman Ovuakporie of policemen in Nigeria. Speaking on funding for police operations, the IG told the lawmakers that the overhead cost had been dropping since 2009.

The IG, giving a year by year report, said the overhead cost was N10.8bn in 2009; N15.6bn in 2010; N5.5bn in 2011; N8.1bn in 2012; N7.6bn in 2013 and N6bn in 2014.

He complained that at a time the police were over-stretched by insecurity, government was consistently underfunding their operations.

He said, for instance, the N6bn voted for personnel cost could not cover the cost of fuelling the 10,232 police vehicles across the country.

Between lawmakers and anti-graft agencies Members of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Ethics and Values have vowed to provide more funds to combat corruption in the country.

Chairman of the committee, Hon Abio-

administration is going to bequeath to this state. This policy started in 2007 and still running till we speak. When you talk of roads; for example, my place is Mashi local government, since independence, our people have always struggled to have motorable roads until this administration came in. If you didn’t have Land Rover, you will never access my local government area, but, now, everywhere is tarred, it is not different from what you have at the state capital.

In 2013, the governor awarded the contract for another road construction in my locality which has started from Dankama to Kansenki up to Maidua. This road transverses three local government areas, it is about seven kilometres from the Niger border. So it is an important road. The lenght is about 42 kilometres. And if you look at the roads in terms of the number of kilometres the governor has constructed , it is about 20,000 which means it can take you to Lagos. There was a time the opposition was complaining bitterly about this administration that the government has made it so easy to apprehend thieves because every where is tarred and lit up. The opposition attested to the fact that this government has really brought improvement to the state, and even beyond their expectations. Even then, the government welcomes criticisms, constructive criticisms that can and would move the state forward. Check the new Government House which is 100% completed from the proceeds of the state investment, the orthopedic hospital, a 250-bed bed facility, with the kind of equipment there, is the best in this country.

Kankia Stadium is another testimony that once you have a decent and focused leadership, the state will naturally progress. There is the ICT and business institute which is mainly for development of ICT in the state, the arts and skill village is there. May be I should add that any paint on the wall of any government establishment in the state is produced by the apprentic-

dun Faleke, told Sunday Vanguard that “if we must fight corruption in this country, we must be seen to be fighting it. “ He added: “Can you imagine that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau does not have a decent official car and he is expected to vet assets of politicians. ”If the president wants to combat corruption, he should make the anti corruption agencies to be totally independent and put them on the first line charge. Success can’t be achieved if the anti-corruption agencies have to beg the finance ministry to release their overheads. ”Can you imagine that these agencies do not even have vehicles to move around and the most baffling part of it is that the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau does not even have an official car? “ He however stated that the committee was working towards amending the anti-corruption agencies Acts to make them financial autonomous.

es in the village. All the street light poles in the state is constructed by the village and sold out and the government bought from them on pure commercial basis. There is the housing project, we have more than 2,000 housing units and still counting.

Many people think the Shema administration may be the last to be produced by the PDP in Katsina State because of the threat posed by the emergence of the APC? What is your perspective?

That can’t be true: you can as well ask yourself, what happened in 2011? They said similar thing.

They said so in 2003. This is not the first time we are hearing this kind of announcement, and, funny enough, it is the same people that has been saying this. In 2003 when there was ANPP, they used a lot of things to campaign and said by the end of the election, PDP government would be over, we won. In 2007, they made the same statement but we won the election. In 2011, they said all sorts of things, but by God’s grace, we won again.

Thus the governor is doing his second term. I am assuring you, by God’s grace, by the efforts the governor has made in the state, in terms of projects, youth empowerment, PDP has come to stay and will win the coming election.

Crisis in the PDP, what difference will the change of the National Chairman make?

From the look of things, we are seeing the end of the crisis. Its normal to have crisis in any society because, on the long run, it makes the society even better; the only reason ours appears apparent is because we are in power. I must commend my party leadership over the way the new administration of Adamu Muazu emerged.

Already his efforts are yielding results. There is reconciliation going on which, of course, leading to our members returning and even stalwarts of the opposition defecting to our party. Shekarau in

Kano, Bafarawa in Sokoto are now in the PDP and many more are coming.

Constitution Review: ‘Let Nigerians judge us’ Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, who doubles as the Adhoc Committee Chairman on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, told Nigerians, “We have done our best let them judge us”.

He said “the Committee on Constitution Amendment and indeed the entire House of Representatives has carried out its assignment objectively with the interest of the Nigerian people at heart.

The House carried out alterations on 71 Sections of the Constitution. “It has done its best as Representatives of the people. Because we operate a bicameral legislature, the House will have to meet with the Senate to harmonize the two versions of the reports of the two chambers. To this end, the House will name a Harmonization Committee as soon as we resume plenary. ” The harmonized reports will be subjected to further legislative action before being forwarded to the 36 states Houses of Assembly for their concurrence”, he added.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 , PAGE 43

subjects voted on. On July 24, 2013, the House kept faith with the decisions and wishes of the people as expressed during the public sessions in a historic voting on the various Sections proposed for amendments. On January 30, 2014, the House also voted to alter more Sections.

HON. EMEKA IHEDIOHA

HOUSE CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT

Why we are stripping president, govs of immunity — Dep Speaker Ihedioha

zState creation process altered zIndependent candidacy, electoral offences commission/ tribunal okayed zConstitutional role for royal fathers The eputy Speaker, House of Represen and consultative process ever underHouse D tatives/Chairman, Ad-Hoc Com- taken by the House of Representatives. mittee on Constitution Review, Hon. The highlight of the process was the voted to amend Emeka Ihedioha, in this interview, says highly acclaimed people’s public sesSection 7 of the 71 Sections of the Constitution have sions held all over the country on Nobeen amended by the House. vember 10, 2012. This was a landmark Constitution achievement as Nigerians in their varSince the House voted on the amend- ious constituencies had an opportuni- which states in ments to the Constitution, expectation ty to express their views on how they part that the syshas been high that the result of the ex- should be governed. The results of the ercise will be formally released to the sessions were openly collated with all tem of local govpublic. What is the official position of the major stakeholders participating ernment by demthe House on the amendment? actively. The results were published in Let me start with the process adopt- the media and on the website of the ocratically elected by the House to alter the Constitu- Committee and, to-date, no person has ed local governtion which has been very painstaking disputed the authenticity of the will of and methodical. It has been done in a the people expressed during those ment councils is most transparent and professional man- hearings. We therefore take them as guaranteed ner. It is perhaps the most inclusive the authentic view of the people on the

So what are the key amendments that have now been made to the Constitution by the House?

The House has amended Section Four to insulate members of the legislature from civil or criminal proceedings in respect of words spoken or written before the House or a Committee. This is aimed at ensuring that members of the legislature are not made liable for contributions made on the floor. This will enhance robust legislative debates and is consistent with international best practices. The House voted to amend Section 7 of the Constitution which states in part that the system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is guaranteed. This is however observed more in breach as so many states at various times do not have democratically elected local government councils. To guard against this abuse, the House voted overwhelmingly to grant full financial, administrative, executive and legislative autonomy to local government councils. By this effort, councils would be made a tier of government having uniform four-year tenure. Also, any council that does not have democratically elected officials would be denied allocation from the Federation Account and other benefits from the state government. The amendment articulates clearly the structure, organs, personnel, procedures for exercise of powers by the organs and functionaries of the councils. It replicates to a large extent the presidential system of government at the local government level. It equally consequentially amended Section 285 of the Constitution to establish for each state a local government election tribunal to determine election petitions at the council level.

State creation was a big issue in the process of the amendment of the Constitution. What is the House position?

This has to do with Section 8 which was amended in order to remove ambiguities in the process of creation of new states and boundary adjustment. The referendum required for a new state shall now be approved by at least two-thirds majority of the ‘registered voters’ of the local government areas where the demand originated from, instead of the current provision of approval by “two-third majority of the people of the area” which is ambiguous and subject to different interpretations.

The referendum will now also be approved by two-third of the states’ Houses of Assembly.

The current provision requires a simple majority of the entire Nigerian voters and a simple majority of the 36 states’ Houses of Assembly sitting together or separately to vote Section 9 was amended which met the 4/5 majority required to amend the Section. The amendment sought to replace an “Act” with a “Bill” thereby enabling the process to proceed without presidential assent. Section 12(1) was amended to increase the role of the National Assembly in the ratification of treaties. Section 25 was amended to confer on married women the opportunity to elect to acquire indigeneship rights either of their husband’s community or to retain that of their paternal community. It also confers indigeneship rights of a state to a Nigerian citizen who has resided in a particular community of a state for a continuous period of not less than 10 years. However, no person shall claim indigeneship of more than Continues on page 44

PAGE 44— SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014 ,

which the Federation or a State may operate without an Appropriation Act in any new financial year to three months rather than six months as is currently the case.

Continued from page 43

one state at a time. The amendment is aimed at accommodating the reality of movement of persons, change of domicile, intermarriages and national integration in modern Nigeria.

Restrained Method of Policing The House voted to amend Section 33 to redefine the use of reasonable force by law enforcement agents. It now means that only a commensurate, proportionate or equal force can be used in self-defense by law enforcement officials thus providing for a more restrained method of policing the nation in order to protect the fundamental rights of Nigerians.

Free Basic Education Perhaps one of the most revolutionary amendments is the introduction of new section 45A – 45D. By this, four items currently under Chapter 2 of the Constitution on the fundamental objectives and Directive Principles of State policy were moved to Chapter 4 on the Fundamental Human Rights in order to make them justiciable. The House voted to provide for a new Section 45A which grants every citizen of Nigeria a right to free basic education to provide for a new Section 45B which grants a right to a favourable environment; and for a new Section 45C which grants a right to free primary and maternal Health Care Services; while it voted to provide for a new section 45D which grants a right to basic housing.

The House voted to amend Sections 50 and 92 to introduce new Sections 50A and 92A to incorporate the National Assembly Service Commission and the State Houses of Assembly Service Commissions in the Constitution.

This is a deliberate effort to strengthen the capacity of the legislative institutions and bring them at par with their counterparts like the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the Federal Civil Service Commission which are already constitutional bodies. Amendment of Section 58 replaces an “Act” of the National Assembly with its legal connotation of a presidential assent, with a “Bill”. It also specifically dispenses with the requirement of the assent of the President, as it was felt that 2/3 majority votes of the National Assembly and 2/ 3 of the entire Houses of Assembly were sufficient for the purpose of determining the will of the Nigerian people.

*Ihedioha ... we kept faith with the people

‘Electoral offences commission to be created’ or Department of Government of the Federation or of a State by the National Assembly or a State House of Assembly. This is aimed at bringing some order to the budgetary process and plugging leakages from the Consolidated Revenue Fund and Public Funds of Nigeria by ensuring that no expenditure is made by any organ of government without appropriation.

The House voted overwhelmingly to endorse independent candidacy in elections in order to further open up the political space

Money Bill The House voted to amend Section 59 to introduce a new Sub-section 4 to require the President of the Senate to convene a joint session of the National Assembly within seven days to reconsider any money Bill vetoed by the President, thereby removing the lacuna in the current provision.

was amended to introduce a new Section 228(e) which states, “The National Assembly may by law provide for procedures, guidelines and qualifications for access to the ballot by political parties and independent candidates”. The House voted on Section 67 to make it mandatory for the President to attend a joint meeting of the National Assembly once every year to deliver an address on any issue(s) in respect of the State of the Nation in a manner prescribed by the National Assembly. This is aimed at achieving more transparency and accountability in government.

The House voted to amend the Sections 68 and 109 to ensure that a member of a legislature who becomes a member of a parliamentary body or similar bodies by virtue of his office in the legislature does not have to vacate his seat.

Independent Candidacy The House voted overwhelmingly to endorse independent candidacy in elections in order to further open up the political space. To ensure that the provision is not abused, Section 228

Public Funds The House voted to replace Sections 80(4) and 120(4) with new ones that completely captures appropriation of any form of revenue accruing to or derived by any Fund, Agency, Entity

Budget The House voted to amend Section 81(1) that allows the President to lay a budget before the National Assembly at “anytime” in each financial year to now read “not later than 90 days before the end of each financial year”.

Section 81(2) was amended to introduce “Other Public Funds of the Federation set up for specific purposes” as part of the estimates which the President must lay before the National Assembly for Appropriation. In order words, the amendment will ensure that the budgeting of such entities as NNPC, NIMASA, Customs and Excise, CBN, et cetera must now belaid before the National Assembly.

The new Section 81(3A) defines the estimate of revenue and expenditure to be introduced by the President to include any form of revenue received or a return on government investment by any Agency of Government.

The House also amended sections 82 and 122 to limit the period during

Financial Autonomy for Security Agencies The House voted to amend Sections 81 and 121 in order to include the National Security Agencies; and the Nigerian Police, alongside the states Houses of Assembly, Attorneys- General, the Auditors-General as bodies to be included in the first line charge of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation and states. This shall grant them financial autonomy to enable them carry out their assignments without the hindrance of non-release of their allocations.

The House voted to amend S. 84(5) and S. 124(5) to include the presiding officers of the National Assembly and the states Houses of Assembly to join the President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors and Leadership of the Judicial Arm as persons entitled to pension after leaving office, provided they were not impeached or removed.

Accountant General The House voted on Sections 84A84F to split the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and introduce a new Office of the Accountant-General of the Federal Government. Under the proposed new structure, the Accountant-General of the Federation shall have five- year tenure and be charged with handling the disbursement of allocations from the Federation Account to the three tiers of government while the AccountantGeneral of the Federal Government shall have four-year tenure and charged with administering the accounts of the Federal Government.

Summon The House voted to amend S. 89 to amend S.129 to prescribe civil and/or criminal sanctions for any failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons issued by a legislative House or any of its Committees.This is aimed at strengthening the oversight functions of the legislature and ensuring that any person summoned to provide any information attends at the pain of a criminal or civil penalty.

Conviction of Sitting President The House voted to amend S.135 and S.180 which decided that conviction of a sitting President, Vice President, Governor or Deputy Governor is a ground for the person to leave office.

Separating AG from Justice Minister The House voted to amend S.150, S. 174, S.195 and S. 211 which separate the Offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Attorney-General of a State from the Minister of Justice and Commissioner for Justice of a state. They introduce a new Section 174A – 174L and equivalent Sections for the states. The proposal is that the Attorney-General shall be a distinContinues on page 45

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guished legal practitioner who has knowledge of the workings of the criminal justice system and shall be independent of any authority or person.

He shall not belong to any political party and will have complete control and authority over public prosecutions. He shall have five- year fixed term which may be renewed for another five years and no more. His appointment shall be on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council at the federal level and the state Judicial Service Commission at the state level. He can only be removed by a 2/3 vote of the Senate or the House of Assembly. The office as already stated shall be on first line charge in order to further guarantee financial and operational independence.

Electoral Offences Commission/Tribunal The House voted via Section 153 to establish an Electoral Offences Commission as one of the federal bodies in the Constitution. This is a bold attempt by the House to tackle the hydra-headed problem of electoral integrity and ensure effective sanctions for electoral malpractices. Furthermore, the word “Executive”, in the Section was expunged as it was felt that some of the bodies listed therein, like the National Judicial Council cannot really be called “an executive body”. The House also voted to establish an Electoral Offences Tribunal.

The House voted to amend Section 162 so that the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation shall be funded from the Federation Account pursuant to an Act of the National Assembly. The Section was also amended to empower the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to table proposals for revenue allocation from the Federation Account directly to the National Assembly and not for the President to do so upon receipt of an advice from RMAFC. This is to avoid the delay and possible interference in the work of the RMAFC so that it could serve the entire nation in a neutral capacity.

State/LG Joint Account It was further amended to abolish the “State, Joint Local Government Account” and establish instead a “Local Government Council Allocation Account” into which shall be paid directly allocation to each local government council from the Federation Account and from the states governments. This is to ensure financial autonomy for the local government councils.

SIECs to Go The House voted on Sections 201 and 202 to abolish the State Independent Electoral Commissions in order that all elections shall be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This is to cure the current scandalous situation where the credibility of elections conducted by SIECs has left much to be desired. In any case, and in spite of concerns on issues of federalism, Nigerians voted overwhelmingly during the people’s public sessions in support of this measure.

This proposed alteration in Section 228

‘SIECs to go’ is to reflect a paradigm shift through the constitutional adoption of independent candidacy in our politics thereby providing for access to ballot by independent candidates and political parties in order to engender efficiency in electoral management and healthy competition for political offices.

The House, relying on the returns of the people’s public sessions which endorsed measures to undertake judicial reforms to ensure quicker dispensation of justice, voted overwhelmingly to amend Section 241 for the reforms. In one of the most significant amendments of the current process, the House voted for a new Sub-section (3), to wit, “ a court or tribunal shall not stay any proceeding on account of an interlocutory appeal”. This amendment could impact in a very effective and positive manner on the time spent in court by litigants.

Election Petitions The House voted on Section 285 to cure any injustice that may be occasioned by the requirement on the tribunal or Court of Appeal to deliver judgment within 180 days and 60 days respectively of the filing of election petitions and delivery of judgment by the tribunal.It voted to allow that where a force majeure occurs that makes it impracticable for the court or tribunal to sit, the period of the said force majeure shall not be counted in the computation of the 180 days and 60

Members simply opted to keep faith with the decisions of their constituents at the peoples public sessions days respectively.

Judges Benefits/Discipline The House voted to amend Section 291 in furtherance of judicial reform and welfare of retired judicial officers by reducing the age of entitlement to retirement benefit from 15 years’ service to 10 years. This would enable a judge who was appointed before age 55 to enjoy pension benefit before retirement at age 65. The House also voted to enhance the pension entitlements of retired judges by providing for a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent holder of the office as opposed to the current provision of pension entitlement of his last annual salary. This will take care of inflation and other cost of living adjustments. The House voted on Section 292 to introduce a provision that before the President or a Governor can

act on an address supported by the 2/3 of the Senate or a House of Assembly to remove a judicial officer, the National Judicial Council must have certified that a prima facie case had been made against the judicial officer.

The House voted to vest sole responsibility on the National Judicial Council to suspend, reinstate or exercise any form of disciplinary power over judicial officers.

However, in cases of suspension or disciplinary control, the suspension shall be once and not exceed a cumulative period of more than 90 days. This is aimed at *Ihedioha ... corps members to be insured removing interference from any person or authority on issues of dis- corps member who suffers loss of life in ciplinary actions of judicial officers and the course of the service. vesting it exclusively on the Council.

Role for Traditional Rulers Section 308 The House voted to provide for a role Perhaps one of the most courageous for traditional rulers in the Constitution decisions of the House in this exercise at the national, state and local governis the removal of criminal immunity from ment levels. At the national level, six the President, Vice President, Governors traditional rulers reflecting the federal and Deputy Governors, leaving only character of Nigeria are to be members immunity against civil proceedings. of the National Council of State for fourThis was effected by a vote on Section year duration. At the state level, a State 308. Members simply opted to keep Council of Chiefs is to be established. faith with the decisions of their constit- A similar provision shall be made at the uents at the peoples public sessions. council level. Their role shall be mainly advisory.

Section 315 Second Schedule, Parts 1 and II, SecThe House voted to delete Section tion 4 315(2), 315(4)(a)(i) and (ii), and The House voted to amend the Sec315(4)(c) in order to bring to an end the ond Schedule, Part 1 and 11, Section 4 anachronistic position that allows the by transferring some items, such as railPresident or a Governor to function, both ways, from the Exclusive List to the Conin an executive and legislative capacity current List; and then moving some othby way of having the power to repeal or er items like health and housing from alter, by modifications of any existing the Residual List to the Concurrent List. law. The provision was meant to be The rationale for moving health and transitional but there was no time limit housing, apart from the extensive pracplaced on its use, unlike in the 1963 tical involvement of the Federal GovernConstitution where a similar provision ment on both matters, is that the deciwas stipulated to last for only six (6) sion to transfer the Right to Primary and months before it lapsed. Maternal health Care and Basic Housing from Chapter II to Chapter IV as National Youth Service Corps Act fundamental rights would bring undue pressure on the governments of the The House voted to mandate the Na- states, hence the decision to cast the tional Youth Service Corps to insure ev- burden on both the states and the Federy corps member against loss of life or eral Governments. serious injury incurred or occasioned 71 Alterations while performing official duty or while traveling, seven days preceding the date The House carried out alterations on of commencement of the service period 71 Sections of the Constitution. It has or seven days after the end of the ser- done its best as Representatives of the vice period, from the place of residence people. Because we operate a bicamor mobilization to the place of deploy- eral legislature, the House will have ment and vice versa. to meet with the Senate to harmonize It also extended the coverage of the the two versions of the reports of the Public Officers Protection Act to every two chambers. corps member and any other person To this end, the House will name a employed under any undertaking or Harmonization Committee as soon as project for the duration of this service. we resume plenary. The harmonized report will be subjected to further legThis provision is aimed at strengthen- islative action before being forwarded ing the Service and ensuring that com- to the 36 states Houses of Assembly pensation is paid to the family of any for their concurrence.

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The strong leader Nigeria needs, by Gov. Ajimobi * ‘FG committing double-barrel illegality on the Federation Account’ * On 2015: I am ready for Ladoja What kind of leader does Nigeria need? Governor Abiola Ajimobi attempts an answer in this interview to mark his 1,000 days in office. re you satisfied with the system of government being practised in Nigeria?

The presidential system, of course, is like the oldest democracy where you have the Emperor, the President or the Prime Minister. The only difference which I see between the presidential system and the parliamentary system is that there is no consensus built in the latter, whereas, in the presidential system, the president or the governor is the Chief Executive. You will see that during the electioneering campaign, the party is always supreme but the moment you have chosen your candidate and that candidate wins, the party goes to the background.

In the parliamentary system, the party is always there to decide for you. But in a presidential system, you must all agree; it is not like, once you are the president, the governor or local government chairman, you run government as your private business. I don’t believe that they are mutually exclusive. In fact, they are very much inclusive. And I am in a favour of the continuation of the presidential system.

In a country like our own, I think we need a presidential system; a strong leader; a visionary leader but if you look at the parliamentary system, it is more of the party. My own little experience in politics, particularly in the area of consensus building, is that you discover in the end that people are fighting for themselves and not for the masses. So when you are saying parliamentary system, everybody comes with his own demand which may not necessarily be in congruence with that of the masses. So, understandably, presidential sys-

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tem is preferable because I am currently participating in the presidential system but I never participated in the parliamentary. Some people are saying ‘don’t you need a very strong leader in order to make a difference?’

From my own little experience, you need a strong leader; a leader that has vision and intellect to visualize, as well as the courage to implement. Unless you have such a leader, it will be very difficult to make a difference. I honestly believe that a leader will take people to where they want to go whereas a great leader will take people to where they ought to be.

Questions Leadership is not about Father Christmas; it is not about missionary work; it is about having a vision of how you want a place to be; how you want your people to develop and to find ways and means of galvanizing them and making them to buy into your vision and then guide them towards the Promised Land. I very much favour strong leadership.

I believe that a country like Nigeria needs a strong leader in order to change the country for better because, by our nature, we are used to this element of impunity where you do what you like. Even when you preach, you practice something different from what you preach to your followers. And in Nigeria, we don’t challenge our leaders enough; we don’t ask them questions. For any country to make progress, we need to do things right. Same Nigerians who will not break the law abroad find it difficult to obey the law here.

And what does that mean? It takes a strong mind to enforce the law.

Above all, you must be Godfearing and be fair to others. It is really a balancing act like the story of the tortoise beating his wife, telling people that she misbehaved and continued to beat her until people were accusing him of wanting to kill the wife.

The point is that you must balance it. For instance, when we started educating the people that they must leave the road and not trade on the streets, some people were condemning our action. Ironically, the same people have been calling us to say, ‘Governor, why are you allowing them (the traders) to go back to the street?’. I ask them if they weren’t the same people complaining before and they say that, now, they can see what we were doing and appreciate us. Unfortunately, that was the time the YES-O Cadets were misbehaving and we had to release them; we dissolved the whole structure and we have now completed our restructuring programme. Very soon, you will see the cadets back on the streets; we shall remove all those trading on the

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By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

I believe that a country like Nigeria needs a strong leader in order to change the country for better because, by our nature, we are used to this element of impunity where you do what you like. Even when you preach, you practice something different from what you preach to your followers

street. What I am promising you is that if we don’t achieve anything else, we will make sure that Oyo State becomes very clean and environmental-friendly; a state that we shall be proud of.

A strong leader? That is something like a despot.

Do not equate strong leadership with impunity. A strong leader is different from a dictator or an autocratic leader. A strong leader is one who has vision and who pursues it compassionately but ensures that he achieves success. A dictator is one that does things with absoluteness; a strong leader is not necessarily an absolute ruler.

When you have impunity anywhere, people are breaking the laws; impunity means doing something without regard to the law. In Nigeria today, I can tell you there is hardly any law that they have in Britain that we don’t have here. It is just that we don’t obey the law. So what I am saying therefore is that there is a whole world of difference between the two, that is, a strong leader and a corrupt, absolute or dictatorial leader.

What can you say about the suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi?

If I were the President, there was no need removing the man.

He is supposed to be like the head of the Federal Reserve of America. He is supposed to be independent and to be nominated by the President for confirmation by the Senate. If he has been nominated and the Senate has confirmed the nomination, the governor has a term and if we have not established that he has broken any law, you don’t have the right to suspend him and, if you are suspending him, you do not appoint another person to be a substantive governor. There is a woman whom you have directed to be acting and then, the President also nominated somebody else as the substantive governor.

Honestly, since Sanusi had few weeks to go, let him shout; let him talk; that is what democracy is all about. Everybody has the right to air his own opinion, and some of the issues being raised by the man are those that need to be attended to. They are questions begging for answers. As far as the legal aspect is concerned, the lawyers have gone to court.

I do not believe they should have suspended him. I think that is not a good measure of strong leadership.

But, they claim Sanusi breached the laws.

What does the law say? The law says any money accruing to Nigeria must be deposited in a particular account. What we have been told is that accruable incomes are now being spent and there are other accounts that have been opened where money is being deposited which is illegal and against the law. Two, you are not supposed to spend any money that is not budgeted for, but what we are now being told is that as money is coming in, not only that we are not putting it in the right account, we are also spending from it on what has not been budgeted for. I think this is a double-barrel illegality.

If I were the President, I would have preferred to ensure that all accruable income goes to the Federation Account where it is then dispensed in accordance with the budgetary provisions contained in the appropriation law.

The restoration, transformation and repositioning agenda of your administration, what are they about?

This same Oyo State, particularly Ibadan, served as the capital of the then Western Region where the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, administered the whole region. Then, we were noted for firsts in many

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Governor Abiola Ajimobi

Ajimobi: FG committing double illegality on the Federation Account to sell Oyo State. They usually tell us that we speak good English and that we understand governance; there is integrity in governance; the civil servants are very proud now. When we first came in, many of the civil servants could not make power point presentations. Today, many of them are experts in power point presentations. We are also establishing new things in Oyo State. For instance, we will be introducing e-learning in our schools. In Ibadan now and in Oyo State in general, we have seen big malls springing up everywhere. Odu’a Investment has just finished one while another one will be opened in April in Ibadan which will be the largest shopping mall in Nigeria. We are doing what I call a Leisure Center right at the Agodi Gardens where we are going to have recreation facilities like lake, botanical garden, health farm where we are going to be doing acupuncture; where we are going to be doing massaging; we are also going to have chalets, among several other things. The project, when completed, is going to be what I call one-stop shop where, once you get there in the morning, you will spend the whole day without knowing.

Let me also say that the South Africans who are planning the centre are telling us that they have gone round the whole of Africa and that that place will be number one in the continent.

How rich is Oyo State now?

Some of us are lucky to have exposure in managing organizations, and when you have financial problem in your organization, you try to look for ways and means of doing what we call forward financing. The first thing we did was to get reputable contractors who are financially viable and who can go the extra mile to finish the job; contractors that you don’t need to pay money immediately, and so we ensure that all the major jobs that we are doing, we give them to those contractors. We look for people who are reputable; people with track records, with in-

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things. We then found out when we came in, all these firsts that we were known for had been destroyed. We found out that even Ibadan, that would boast of being the intellectual capital of Nigeria, where free education started, had become a place where our students who sat for the West African School Certificate Examinations came 34th out of the 36 states in Nigeria. It was disheartening. We then said, ‘look, maybe education was so bad, let’s go to other areas’. We went to agriculture, to health and other sectors and we found out that it was the same story. So we came up with a tripod of development which would be based on restoration, transformation and repositioning. When something had been destroyed, the next thing is to repair and restore it. Having restored it, we believe the next step is to transform it to the level where it is supposed to be. Then we believe that the next level after reforming is to reposition it to be a preferred state in the comity of states. So we came up with our own tripod and the tripod is based on safety and security of lives and property. There is nowhere in the world where you can develop without safety, without security and peace. They are foundations for development. It’s like the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. So we now have this pyramid of safety of lives and property; next to that are social infrastructure, health, education, electricity and water which are all basic requirements of a modern society.

So far, we can say we have done commendably well. In the area of peace and security, we can give ourselves first class. Since we came in, we have been having peace in Oyo State. We are happy with the safety of lives and property and Oyo State is now becoming a preferred destination for investors.

When it comes to social infrastructure, we have also done very well. For instance, for the past 17 years, taps stopped running in Ibadan metropolis and environs. Two months ago, we ensured that we have water running in our taps. So what we are doing now is changing the rusty pipes. Although electricity is essentially federal, we are trying to make a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement with some of these power generating companies to actualize our objective of improving on electricity.

In the area of social infrastructure, we have made an appreciable progress. In health, we have introduced free medical services; we are also refurbishing hospitals, establishing mobile clinics all over the state and providing health services in some of our remote areas across the state. If you also look at the area of physical infrastructure, we are modernizing our roads. We are making sure that our own roads can stand the test of time; we are making sure that any road that we do, we can use it for next 25 years minimum, without worrying about all these disappointments that we have witnessed in the past. Of course, we have also built a flyover at Mokola in Ibadan, the first to be built by any civilian administration in the history of Oyo State. Besides, virtually all entries into major cities in Oyo State are being currently dualized, while new roads are being constructed and the existing ones being reconstructed and/or rehabilitated. We have gone to many foreign countries

We are making sure that our own roads can stand the test of time; we are making sure that any road that we do, we can use it for the next 25 years minimum, without worrying about all these disappointments that we have witnessed in the past

ternational exposure. If you look at the major roads that we are doing, we gave them to those big contractors. Some people will say ‘you are not patronizing Nigerian contractors’. We have given more jobs to Nigerian contractors than foreign contractors. We have done more than 250 roads with Nigerian contractors. So when you add them all, they are more than what you are seeing here. And the major contractors, these are people that you give jobs and you tell to go and start financing them, and they will finance them and later on, they can be negotiating their money later. These contractors, they trust you and see your sincerity; they will work for you and that is exactly what we are doing.

Secondly, when we first came in, we went to some foreign countries, talking to development partners and many of them bought into our vision and they were able to give us support.

Some of them are doing a lot of things for us and we are not paying them anything. There are many foreign establishments

that are willing to give us intervention fund. Even the World Bank. However, we are getting to a stage where we just must take a bond and we are one of the few states that have not taken advantage of bond.

If you go round, you will see some other states with hundreds of billion Naira bond but we are just trying to get about N23.5b and it is already over-subscribed. That is to show the level of trust and confidence that the investors have in us.

What you have done in education, for instance?

In education, there are three levels that you look at; the students; the teachers and the infrastructure.

As far as the students are concerned, we believe that many of their teachers needed to be trained and re-trained. We have trained over 17,000 of them. Not only this, we have signed an agreement with the University of Ibadan and we are using them to complement our inspectorate arm in the Ministry of Education. This has contributed, among other things, to moving our position from 34th position in public examinations when we came in to 13th position now and in core subjects, Oyo State came first in some and third in others.

How do you ensure the sustainability of some of the projects your administration is executing?

What I see in Oyo State is that our people are very good; they are very kind-hearted; they are very hard-working and God-fearing, but they need good leadership. Even now, when you go round, people who used to complain about our resolve to stop traders from selling on the road are now commending us. Go to Oje Market now, the traders are already selling off the street.

These were places you could not drive through before. But now, how do we sustain it? I believe that people are now inculcating it in their heart and in their mind,

and they are beginning to change. We will not relent. The YES-O Cadets will soon come out to maintain sanity on the streets and, by God’s grace, we will try to sustain the environmental sanitation and urban renewal policy for our first four years and by the time we do something like this for eight years, it would have been part of our people’s system.

It seems the construction work on Apete Bridge has stopped. What is the problem?

At a point, there was this flood that destroyed the bridge and it became unmanageable for the contractors handling the reconstruction. So we now brought in an Israeli construction firm, Nairda, and they started with it but, along the line, they ran out of fund and they now insisted that we must pay the money we are owing them before they could continue the work. But if you go back there now, they have resumed because we have paid them.

And let me say this, virtually all the road projects we are currently doing will be 70 per cent completed by April. The Apete Bridge project will be completed by August, and I can assure you that any contract awarded by our government should be completed on schedule because it is part of the contractual agreement, otherwise they (the contractors) will pay penalty.

Why the establishment of Oyo State Technical University?

The Oyo State Technical University is the first of its kind in Nigeria because it is a university where you do two years in Nigeria and two years in the University of Texas and you can earn the certificate of either of the two institutions because 40 per cent of our faculty members will be from Texas University and the curriculum will include specialized courses. We have gone very far; we are siting the main campus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The second part of it, which is Campus Two, will be at the Ajoda New Town. The university will take off in September from Ajoda, while we continue to construct what we have on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway which is a very unique design. In fact, one of the best architects in the world came there to do the design for us and we believe that with that design, we must take our time because it will cost money. But we are already getting partners and we are going to have a PPP arrangement where people will build certain parts of it for us. For instance, the Central Bank of Nigeria is building some structures; other Nigerians will build some too.

While that one is being built, we already have good structures that will accommodate the new intakes in September. It is a university that will give scholarship and bursary awards to deserving students. The institution is specifically targeted at those people who go Europe and other African countries in search of quality education and pay huge sums of money. We believe that they can spend the money here once we have a very good university.

What is your relationship with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja?

The funniest thing about politics is that even your twin brother will disagree with you, especially when you are looking for the same position. The fact is that former Governor Ladoja is my egbon; he is older than me; he is my cousin and I respect him a lot. We have a good relationship.

PAGE 48 —SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014 sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

For free and fair polls, we all must repent, says Uma Ukpai IN every generation, God raises generals whose ministries stand apart and are in high demand. In this generation, one of such men is Rev. Uma Ukpai, one of the most anointed and highly outstanding ministers of our generation. He speaks across the world extensively on issues of salvation, faith, healing, breaking of curses and covenants, and spiritual leadership. Rev. Ukpai was born in January 1945 at Asaga, Ohafia, in today’s Abia State. Unfortunately, he lost his father at a very tender age, a development that almost brought to an end his educational pursuit. He is a graduate of the School of Journalism and Television, Frisham, Hermitage, UK. He is married to Philomena and they are blessed with six children. Recently, he held an interactive session with journalists after a crusade in Enugu where he spoke on national issues and more. Our SAM EYOBOKA was there. Excerpts….

Is Nigeria working? igeria is not only work ing, it is very healthy. Part of our problem is what one can call ignorance. I am surprised that people expect Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Party (APC) to say the same thing always. No they shouldn’t. APC should give us an alternative to what the Government is doing and what they should have done. Opposition is not all about criticism.

Secondly, a nation that has no problem has no future. Life has no trouble-free zone. I am yet to see a nation that has no problems. In fact when we speak of corruption, people amuse me, and this is because corruption is in every nation; the degree of corruption may not be the same but certainly corruption is in every nation.

I think we have a leader that is teachable and humble. These are the advantages for him. He is a very patient person and people mistake that attribute to mean that he is weak. A leader is great because he corrects us when we go wrong. We have had bullies as rulers and we know the difference.

Some political parties are bragging of giving us better candidates and some of those candidates we know to be bullies. Nigeria is in a beautiful shape. Life is made in a way that we all grow by the lessons we learn, by the problems we solve.

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It appears you see the emergence of APC as a good omen for our political system?

It is good; for life without problems is useless. Any man that has no enemy is an idiot. We need people who will push us to do better.

Therefore the emergence of APC is beautiful and a wonderful omen.

It appears you’re giving President Jonathan a pass mark…

It is more than a pass mark.

Three years is too short for anybody to make a great im-pact.

Three years is too short a period, let’s give him time and stop all these noise making.

If you are to x-ray the pre-sident’s performance which of the sectors will you score him high?

In the area of power reform he has tried to change things positively. Do not forget that it is not easy to change that sector within three years; so I score him very high because some-thing is certainly happening. In the area of corruption, a country where you have so many illiterates and the poor there is bound to be corruption. I don’t know how others define corruption; corruption to me is an attempt to find the shortest road out of every given trouble.

So corruption is almost part of our second nature and only God can change us. Therefore, for anybody to boast of giving us a corruption-free Govern-ment, that

person is a liar. Some of us have lived long enough to know that things are not done that way.

Ability to change those who are working with him is a plus for him.

It’s not easy to shut your own mouth, but that is what he is doing lately and that means he is responsible and accountable to give a good account to God, to us and to his own conscience. So, to me he is doing well in that area. I think the economy is doing fine too. The value of naira in our hands has not yet gone down. The ability to confront govern-ment that abused Nigerians is something he has done very well also.

In the area of educa-tion, I may not know why ASUU keeps going on strike but the little I know is that they don’t really have too many reasons. The establishment of new universities is another plus.

Security has improved a great deal. I don’t stay in Abuja, so I don’t know what they are going through but where I live, security has imp-roved greatly. You hardly hear of kidnapping in Akwa Ibom State and that is a big plus for him.

I think he is doing very well but, I want to say that three years cannot be enough for any man to change things in this country even if you are a Nigerian.

It’s obvious from your assessment that you are in support of his second term bid…

That was never in question. All those who are saying he is not qualified to seek second term should tell us their measure of honesty and sincer-ity. If they were in his shoes will they have asked him not to run; will they have been happy if they were asked not to run? That he made a pro-mise to do only first term is arrant nonsense. Only an idiot and a dead man who will not change his mind on issues when he gets fresh informat-ion; so assuming he has gotten new information, he is quali-fied to change his mind to run for second term. He has the right to change his mind. Let his performance speak for him and let Nigerians echo that message.

As we approach another election year, what is your word for the nation?

Don’t forget the fact that this election we are talking about involves Nigerians and not Ghanaians. It will be done the same way we have always done things. Have we always been honest in the areas of elections? Can the first person that knows about election in Nigeria raise his hand and tell how elections were conducted in Nigeria. Those of them that know the secrets, the hidden things of election; can they please tell us how elections are conducted in Nigeria. Maybe they don’t know we know that there is no element of honesty in the whole game.

Why? This is because we are not that honest. How do they expect a community of dishonest people to do things in an honest way? It is

and maybe suggest how best to rule this country. It will help us.

Whatever will bring confusion should be avoided. Only what will help us and build us up should be focused on for discussion. Nigeria is a beautiful river that filters itself. So these things people are doing, in our view, shall certainly be filtered out at the appropriate time.

Despite an emergency rule imposed on three North Eastern states, terrorism in that region has not abated. What must we do to tackle the menace?

We need to tell ourselves some home truths that Boko Haram is a well prepared organization; prepared to harm and destroy Nigeria. An enemy of that class cannot be wished away. An enemy of such magnitude cannot be destroyed within days. As long as God is on the throne, Nigeria is on the safe side; we shall overcome.

*Rev. Uma Ukpai

not possible. So, can we please continue with the game of fooling the non-politicians; if that will bring peace, but if you are asking that elections be done the proper way then all of us must repent between now and 2015 and practice honesty, sincerity and legality. If we cannot repent, can we all shut our mouths and stop these noise making and continue with the way we have always been fooled by the

organizers of elections. We cannot have credible elections without repentance.

What is your take on the proposed National Confer-ence?

It was the former American President Bill Clinton that said contact dissolves conflict. If contact dissolves conflicts then let them meet and iron out our differences

What should the government do to reposition the country towards a better nation?

All that they need to know is to find out what are the questions.

You cannot give or provide answers to questions you don’t know.

What really frightens me is that the Bible says when God wants to punish a nation He gives them young men who don’t know the questions; to lead the nation. So, when you don’t know what the questions are you cannot give the answers. So all those who are stakeholders and all those who have interest in Nigeria should again find out what the questions are and find solutions to those questions.

Idahosa, Omobude, others storm Warri for DOS 2014

By SAM EYOBOKA

A

RCHBISHOP Margaret BensonIdahosa, first female African Pentecostal Bishop who was consecrated archbishop in November, 2009 and the wife of the national president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, Rev. (Mrs.) Abiola Omobude are among the guest speakers at this year's Daughters of Sarah International Conference.

Founder/presiding bishop of Kingdom Generation Fellowship Ministries in Carlifornia, US and world renown wo-man of God who reaches the masses through her message of deliverance and sanctification thro-ugh Jesus, Bishop Deitra Michelle Walker, is also billed to speak at the week long event scheduled to begin on Wed-nesday at the International Gospel Centre, Word of Life Bible Church, Warri in Delta State.

A statement from the chief host of the spiritual fiesta, Pastor (Mrs.) Helen Oritsejafor stated that the theme of this year's programme is; "Discover to recover", pointing out that special gospel artistes including multiple Grammy Award winner, Cece Winans, Sammie Okposo and Linda Etukudo will minister in songs alongside the church's Milk and Honey Choir.

Pastor (Mrs.) Oritseja-for, wife of the dynamic founder of Word of Life Bible Church and national president, Christian Association of Nig-eria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, is the president of Daughters of Sarah Fellowship and chief host of TV programmes, Family tips, and Mama Helen and You, a regular talk show on Africa Broadcasting Network, ABN. Together they have been taking the gospel of salvation, deliverance and healing to the nations of the world. They host the yearly international convention, “Daughters of Sarah Conven-

tion” and a two week trade fair where business men and wo-men and companies gather to tell the world about their business.

Pastor (Mrs.) Oritseja-for who just concluded a a series of crusade in markets in Warri and its environs to sensitise traders in the state for the programme, stressed the need for all women in the state to take advantage of the conference to upgrade their living standards.

She explained that the Convention begins Wed-nesday and runs till Sunday, adding that the trade fair that parades a lot of attraction for numerous visitors, continues till March 30.

Together with her husband, Mama Helen has assured participants expected from different parts of the country and beyond to take advantage of the event to renew their relationship with God who will meet their needs.

There were rallies round major Warri str-eets yesterday as female church members to drum support for the event.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 49

I

N the scriptures, God often spoke to people through dreams and visions. Jacob’s life was radically impacted by a series of dreams. God revealed little Joseph’s destiny to him through dreams. Another Joseph dreamed dreams concerning instructions about the birth of Jesus Christ. Pilate’s wife was warned in a dream about her husband’s dealings with Jesus’ persecutors. The Holy Spirit gave the apostles Peter and John visions.

Solomon says: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

(Proverbs 29:18). This was the case for hundreds of years before Jesus. From Malachi to Matthew, there were no visions and no prophets. This is reminiscent of the time of the Judges when: “messages from the LORD were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon.” (I Samuel 3:1). As a result, it was an ungodly era when: “every man did whatever he thought was right.” (Judges 21:25).

Dream age The advent of Jesus ushered in the renewal of dreams and visions. Indeed, there are more instances of dreams in the nativity passages of Matthew than in any other book in the bible: “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles: the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:14-16).

As it was in biblical days, so it is today. God continues to speak through dreams. He said to Israel in the Old Testament: “If there is a pro-phet among you, I, the LORD, make myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in

DREAMING DREAMS OF THE ALMIGHTY (1) a dream.” (Numbers 12:6). But now in the New Testament, dreams are not only prevalent among the prophets. The light of God that shines through them has become even brighter in the lives of men.

On his resurrection, Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Accordingly, at the Pentecost, the Spirit of God was poured forth; fulfilling the Lord’s prophecy that: “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2: 17).

From then onwards, we went into overflow with dreams and visions.

This did not make dreams the exclusive experience of spiritfilled Christians. God speaks to anybody and everybody through dreams and visions. In the scriptures, the vision of the fourth man in the fire was given to pagan Nebuchad-nezzar. Abimelech was a wife-snatcher and collector: he was certainly not a righteous man. Nevertheless, God counselled him in a dream. (Genesis 20:4). Pharaoh was a pagan king, yet God spoke to him through dreams.

Therefore, no one should discount himself or herself as a potential dreamer of God-given dreams. True humility is in accepting whatever position God

puts us in and not in insisting we are unworthy. God is not a respecter of persons; but he has a high regard for man. (Psalm 8:4).

Dreaming dreams Dreams and visions are basically the same except that a dream occurs during periods of sleep, while a vision generally

Dreams are God’s parables of the night. Therefore, they have to be deciphered refers to images or revelations received in picture-form while we are awake. Just as television and radio-waves transmitted through the air must be tuned into in order to be received, so dreams are constantly being broadcast to our subconscious minds, both by God’s Spirit and by our own souls. Thus, it becomes imperative for us to turn on our receivers and tune in to the messages being sent.

When he physically walked the earth, Jesus spoke in parables that were rich in symbolism.

This enabled him to expound on a topic more graphically because there is a depth to symbolism that ordinary speech does

not have. Symbols give a broader, more vivid meaning, to what is being conveyed. Although they tend to be more difficult to decipher than mere words, they ultimately give us a much better understanding of what is being communicated because they provide mental pictures and images.

Similarly, dreams are God’s parables of the night. Therefore, they have to be deciphered. They are very much like poetry. To understand them, we have to get the metaphor.

Sources of dreams How do we determine that a dream is actually from God? How do we recognize false messages in dreams? How do we interpret dreams? What do we do when a dream contains a warning? These are some of the issues we need to address if we are to realise the full benefits of dreams and are not to be deceived.

For starters, we need to ask ourselves questions like the following: Is the message of the dream consistent with the doctrine, teachings and principles of Jesus? Isaiah says: “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” (Isaiah 8:20).

That was that standard in the Old Testament, when the Law of Moses was supreme.

Today, this principle should be applied to what we learn at the feet of Jesus. Is the message of the dream consistent with the teachings, character and pattern of life of Jesus? Remember what Jesus himself says: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6). As long as the dream is in conformity with Jesus’ word, we cannot go wrong in obeying it.

Does the message of the dream

or vision promote the righteousness of God? Remember again: Jesus is our righteousness. Righteousness is no longer merely a concept. Righteousness is now Jesus; a person. Does the dream cause us to engage in a soulsearch or to address vital issues concerning our love of God and love for our neighbours? If so, it must be of God. Jesus says: “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34).

Understanding the language Many people dream but don’t understand their dreams. Without the correct interpretation, a dream is useless. Without interpretation, Nebucha-dnezzar ’s dreams would have been worthless. Without interpretation, Pharaoh’s dream would not have preserved life.

Find out the meaning of your dream. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2). First and foremost, the meaning of a dream must be drawn from the dream-er himself: “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.” (Proverbs 20:5). Never accept an interpretation for which you do not have an inner witness. When a dream is interpr-eted for you, you should immediately be able to confirm that the interpretation is correct. It should strike a chord.

Should we remain in the dark concerning the meaning, we must pray to interpret our dreams: “There is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” (Job 32:8). Remember what Joseph says: “Interpreting dreams is God's business.” (Genesis 40:8).

(To Be Continued).

ICPC GOOD GOVERNANCE FORUM PUBLIC LECTURE BY His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Governor, Osun State of Nigeria,

Alhaji (Barr.) Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina State (2009) and Chief (Dr.) Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State (2013). The ICPC Guest Forum in 2006 and 2007 hosted distinguished public officials, professionals and personages like Dr. Joseph Makoju, mni, OON, former MD/CEO PHCN and Special Adviser to President on Electric Power (2006), Prof. Dora Nkem Akinyuli, fmr. DG of NAFDAC (2006), Chief Afe Babalola, SAN - (2007), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, former Head of Civil Service of the Federation (2007) and His Eminence, The Archbishop of Catholic ArchDiocese, Abuja: The Most Reverend (Dr.) John Onaiyekan (2007) by providing an interactive platform to share with stakeholders. ICPC has combined both fora and named it ICPC Good Governance Forum for better impact.

NOTICE is hereby given that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) under its public enlightenment/education mandate to prevent/reduce corrupt practices is hosting a 1st Quarter 2014 Public Lecture under the ICPC Good Governance Forum.

Studies have shown that public sector corruption fuels poverty with attendant consequences. The ICPC Good Governance Forum (hitherto known as ICPC Governor’s Forum) is a NONPOLITICAL initiative started in 2008 and was aimed at identifying good practices, processes and systems by State Governors TOPIC: GOOD GOVERNANCE, ACCOUNTABILITY AND that can be shared for positive impact on the lives of Nigerian TRANSFORMATION citizens. The ICPC Guest Forum, on the other hand, was targeted DISTINGUISHED GUEST LECTURER: at sharing the experiences of eminent Technocrats, professionals, His Excellency, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola etc. who displayed excellent ethical values and determination to Governor, Osun State of Nigeria, challenge ineffective processes. We are interested in sharing their DATE: Tuesday, 11th March, 2014 hands-on fight against corruption through verifiable, sustainable VENUE: ICPC Auditorium,Central Area, Garki, Abuja and widely-accepted poverty-reduction and good governance TIME: 11:00 a.m prompt processes mainly in the areas of health, education and business for quick and sustainable gains.

Attendance is strictly on invitation, please.

THE ICPC Governor’s Forum (now ICPC Good Governance For pre-accreditation of the press contact the Commission Forum) had in the past nominated and hosted State Governors through GSM numbers: 08033003677, 08023158034 like Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State (2008),

PAGE 50 — SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

INTRIGUING EXPERIENCES

CENTENARY AWARD

Jonathan broke the jinx on MKO Abiola – Jamiu, son

Jamiu Abiola....If we want Nigeria to be better in 2015, the effort must start now.

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA Jamiu Abiola, son of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola, was at the centenary award night where President Goodluck Jonathan honoured his father among former Nigerian rulers and others that made the 100 deserving eminent people’s list. Jamiu, the Shettima of Borno and an apparent enigma brandishing intellectual property of exceptional quality, did not only explain why he went to take the award, unlike the Fawehinmis, the Kutis and the Soyinkas, who rejected theirs, he also startled this reporter when it was found that he speaks ten local and foreign languages. Only recently, he wrote a 302-page novel entitled, “Realistic Hopes”, which he said he wrote in Arabic and translated to English. Excerpts of interview:

Y

OU attended the cente nary award night where you received the award by President Goodluck Jonathan honouring your late father, Alhaji MKO Abiola. Was it the position of your family, considering the fact that some of the people who claimed to be your father’s backers during the June 12 struggle, and who were equally recipients, shunned the honour, either by selves or by their families?

The family never sat down to decide whether to attend the event or not. They were expressing different opinions and all that. But it only made sense for me to attend.

Now let me read out what the Federal Government wrote about Alhaji MKO Abiola on the programme of the event. “People of modern democratic struggle in Nigeria, they struggled for the restoration …… and eventual death which led to the current democratic dispensation.” That is what the Federal Government wrote about MKO Abiola and that is what we have been asking them to acknowledge all the times. For me not to have gone therefore, it would have been blasphemous.

It is not in my upbringing to be ungrateful to somebody that has done the right thing and I thank President Goodluck Jonathan today because what he did was like break the jinx that had been a sort of stigma. It took a lot of courage to do what President Jonathan did because we have had rulers who have ruled since MKO Abiola died: General Abdulsalaam Abubakar ruled; Chief Olusegun Obasanjo ruled; the late Yar ’Adua, may his soul rest in peace, ruled. But this is the first man that has deemed it fit to recognize the sacrifice of my father as one whose struggle and death actually restored democracy in Nigeria. And I thank him so much for that and pray that God bless him and his entire family and the people of Nigeria.

It appears that you take the centenary award for MKO Abiola as having met the expectation of agitators for his recognition and immortalization.

Everyday in life, you learn something new. Now, the Federal Government has done what a

is; there are some people that are benefitting from the country when there is division. They are like spoilers; whenever things are good, they can never be happy. These are the same people spreading the rumour that Nigerians are not happy staying together.

If you go anywhere in the country, you see people; Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, living together and are doing well. They are getting along and they are doing everything well. As a matter of fact, it is very sad when people are tribalistic. When you travel abroad, all they know is Nigeria and its flag. Nobody asks whether you are Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo.

So, it is high time Nigerians rise up above all these negative tendencies and move along with time and speak more about how they want to solve the problems of their country, regardless of where they come from. Where you come from is not as important as the colour of your skin.

Your father contested for the presidency on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, the Abiola/Kingibe ticket and he scaled through the electioneering hurdles without anybody physically rising up against that. Today that Nigerian politics is being divided along religious lines, what runs your mind?

The politics of Nigeria right now cannot be described as dividing Nigerians along religious line because we have the Vice President who is a Muslim.

I think that whatever grievances anybody has, the National Conference to be held, will afford everybody to iron out all those issues lot of people have been saying they should do regarding MKO Abiola. But now that the government has done it, they tend not to say it openly or thank the Federal Government. The question is, when they were asking the Federal Government to recognize Alhaji MKO Abiola, were they sincere? I don’t know the answer to that question but, one day, they will provide answer to the question.

All the fanfares that came with the centenary celebration and awards have come and are over. What remains with us is the controversy that continues to dog our togetherness as some Nigerians claim that peoples of this country cannot live together, after 100 years of amalgamation. What is your take on that?

Nigerians actually live together and they are actually living well together. But the problem

And we have people that are clamouring for the President to return; people like Asari Dokubo, who is a Muslim.

So, I don’t see the system dividing Nigerians along religious line. What I see is that Boko Haram has become so bitter that people don’t know what is going on. Apart from that, I don’t see other problem because of which one can say this President is pessimistic.

What about when leaders from the President’s party make statements along that line, tagging the opposition as Islamic party, which makes the situation fearful?

Can you quote somebody that did that?

Ahmed Gulak, who is the President’s Special Adviser on Political Matters and others…

What I am trying to find out is that, since the Federal Govern-

ment now has acknowledged that your father was the architect of the modern Nigerian democracy, was this the kind of democracy envisaged by MKO Abiola?

Nigerian problem is not only problem that is made in Nigeria.

Nigeria is part of the global village and what the world has become. It has its share of the global…. What is happening now, even in China, their growth rate has reduced sharply; countries like India and others which never had problems before are actually experiencing problems. Nigeria is not an island on its own.

Some of these things that you see going on, I think, are part of the global economic crisis. People see it differently in Nigeria, which is reason they are saying the President is tribalistic and religiously biased. I have never seen with the President the utterance or attitude that shows that he is trying to divide Nigerians along the religious line.

But I think that whatever grievances anybody has, the National Conference that the President has allowed to be held, will afford everybody to iron out all those issues.

When you juxtapose the current political behaviours ahead of 2015 with the June 12, 1993 election that sprouted your father to the status of an icon of modern Nigerian democracy, what do you expect at the end of transition?

The thing is, if we want Nigeria to be better in 2015, the effort must start now. During the centenary award the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngosi Okonjo-Iweala, rolled out a lot of programmes that the Federal Government is planning to achieve. And she cited an example that that a lot of problems like the unemployment will be drastically reduced at the end of the day.

Now, if all she said was true, and I believe it is true, then we should begin to set on a path which takes us to better Nigeria come 2015. Nigeria’s problem is not just the lack of resources that people talk about. The problem with Nigeria is psychological. Nigeria needs to be optimistic towards greatness and join hands with the government in achieving all the programmes they set out to achieve in the transformation agenda.

What is your new book, “Realistic Hopes”, all about?

“Realistic Hopes” is a book about hope, hard work and survival in the challenging world of third world countries. This book is about the first novel to be written in Arabic and I am very proud of that. I used my phone to write the book and I sent it into my mail in chapters. And I do this whenever I was traveling to Abuja and I was like staying four or five hours; instead of roaming around the airport, I would sit down and start writing. And it took me 45 days to write the book, which is over 300 pages.

Finally, your words for Nigerians?

Nigerians are very, very upset and very angry. But people have to understand the fact that the whole world is going through financial crisis and the world is a village. So, whatever happens to China will spill over here. In about two or three years, the world will be out of the woods.

What needs to be done is to try to work with the government, try to appreciate the government so that the government can be encouraged to do well.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 51 japhdave@yahoo.com 08056402376

Echoes from Etisalat Prize for Literature

By PRISCA SAM-DURU LITERATURE “I am thankful to the organizers of this event, Etisalat Nigeria for this most excellent and necessary prize. We are all aware of the shortage of literary prizes in Africa and it is heart-warming to know that Etisalat Nigeria sees and values the significance of such literary works in Africa.”

•NoViolet Bulawayo, with the winning book

,

These were the words of Zimbabwe’s Noviolet Bulawayo who made history penultimate Sunday, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, when she became the first writer to clinch the inaugural edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

The journey towards the discovery of Africa’s most prolific debut book and flash fiction writer which started in June 2013 was reduced to three finalists in January after the hundreds of entries were screened to nine last December.

Interestingly, the Award ceremony turned out to be an all women affairs as apart from the fact that the panel of judges which included Prof Pumla Dineo Gqola of the University of Witwaterstrand, South Africa, (who chairs the panel), Sarah Ladipo Manyika (writer and academic) and Billy Kahora (Managing Editor of Kwani Trust), picked three women as finalistsYewande Omotoso (Bom Boy), Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo (We Need New Names), and South African Karen Jennings (Finding Soutbek) in the fiction category, another female writer, Uche Okonkwo, emerged winner of the Flash Fiction.

At the end, NoViolet Bulawayo’s “We Need New Names”, floored two other books; Bom Boy by Yewande Omotosho and Karen Jenning’s Finding Soutbek, to clinch the Prize.

NoViolet Bulawayo (pen name of Elizabeth Zandile Tshele), was born in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe author, and Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. She was born and raised in Zimbabwe and attended Njube High School and later Mzilikazi High School for her A levels. She completed her college education in the US, studying at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and earning bachelor’s and master ’s degrees in English from Texas A&M University. In 2010, she completed a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Cornell University, where her work was recognized with a Truman Capote Fellowship.

Her Award winning novel, We Need New Names was released in 2013, and was included in the 2013 Man Booker Prize shortlist.

The feat made her the first black African woman as well as the first Zimbabwean to be shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

When asked if she were to emerge winner, Jennings, who was proud and pleased to have made the shortlist, said: “I would probably faint…then I would cry.

This is because I put a lot of heart into this book. I wanted to write a book on the poor people and corruption, which is much in South Africa. Too many people are forgotten in South Africa.”

Although Jennings lost to Bulawayo, she appeared less disappointed during the show.

With the feat, Bulawayo whose short story, entitled: Hitty Budapest also won the 2011 £10,000 Caine Prize for African Writing, has again added another award to her collection as first winner of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

Interestingly, the award ceremony turned out to be an all women affairs as the panel of judges picked three women as finalists

“We Need New Names”, tells the story of ten years old Darling’s journey out of Zimbabwe to America; and how she navigates a fragile and violent world.

B ulawayo, in addition to re ceiving the cash prize of £15,000, was presented with an engraved Montblanc Meisterstück

,

pen, a Samsung Galaxy Note and will attend the Etisalat Fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia as well as being mentored by Proffessor Giles Foden – Author of the “Last King of Scotland”. She will also enjoy book tours in three African cities to

enable her commence work on her second book.

An elated Bulawayo specially thanked the judges, patrons, and Etisalat Nigeria for the award and for the opportunity the Etisalat Prize for Literature afforded her.

Runners-up, Yewande Omotosho and Karen Jenning were each, presented with Samsung Galaxy notes and also, won book tours to two African cities.

In his opening speech at the well attended event that was put together to celebrate exceptional literary talent, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher said, “the Etisalat Prize for Literature was designed to recognize and reward debut writers of fiction in Africa, with the objective of discovering new creative talents from Africa and promoting the growing publishing industry on the continent, stressing that, Etisalat Nigeria is indeed pleased to celebrate all authors in the African literary spectrum. As such, Etisalat Nigeria is proud to use its maiden pan-African Prize for Literature to recognize and celebrate the amazing work done by these unique individuals.”

The judges who commended the finalists for their show of ingenuity, narrative style as well as content pointed out that they worked within the criteria required: character, originality, narrative strength and language and finally, adjudged Bulawayo’s style and language as more exquisite.

Speaking further about the book, Gqola said, “So much have been written about Zimbabwe and its crisis in the last decade, most of which are political: I love that Noviolet’s book is a clear story about the last decade in Zimbabwe. But it is also a story about a little girl. I love how she was able to fuse really big political, social issues and a very intimate, famil-

iar little girl world.”

Prof Kole Omotoso, a patron of the Award and father of Yewande, one of the finalists said he was proud of his daughter’s achievement so far. He praised Estisalat’s efforts at promoting literature in the continent. “It is not just writers and publishers that the prize has affected, but has, in fact, affected other prize, which has come up to imitate what Etisalat is doing The Flash Fiction category which had 20 finalists saw Neverland by Uche Okonkwo emerging winner.

She was presented a cash prize of £1000, a Smart Tablet Device and a Published E-book promoted online and via SMS. Presenting the Award to Uche, patron of the prize, a foremost Award-winning female playwright, Ama Ata Aidoo, commended the winner as well as other finalists for making it that far adding that the ingenuity of the craft in Flash Fiction, is that it truly takes immense talent and courage to tell compelling stories in a small space.

Each of the 20 finalists in this category has succeeded in telling stories in 300 words.

The event also celebrated African writers of all generations such as D.O Fagunwa, Naguid Mafoud, Chinua Achebe Flora Nwapa, Ben Okri, Chimamanda Adichie etc with Re Olunga Orchestra’s inspiring performance which the organisers tagged: The Write of Passage.

A special performance by celebrated African music legend, Youssou N’Dour and his band, turned the Award ceremony into an evening of super entertainment with hot African vibes. He performed six songs, including “Redemption Song” and “New Africa” which was spiced with a blend of electrifying drumming as well as the sonorous voice of Nigerian female act, Ruby earned him a well deserved standing ovation.

A critical appraisal of Nigeria’s legal system

By OSCAR NLIAM REVIEW

T

he book “Law & Society” is an excellent piece of scholarship that emphasizes the importance and contribution of law to the Nigerian society. The book explored the complexity and interrelationship of legal, economic, social, and ethical issues in their historical context in Nigeria. The essence of this book is to enhance readers’ critical analysis of legal, economic, social and ethical issues related to law and of the legal implications and ramifications of policy and decision-making in the society.

Law & Society has seventeen chapters, four appendices and a comprehensive bibliography. The foreword to this masterpiece was written by Chief ‘Folake Solanke, SAN, CON who noted as follows: “The book is outstanding for many reasons including: the author ’s lucidity of thought, clarity of language, profundity of research and compelling intellectual discourse. . . My learned friend has written a provocative book which is germane to the current state of our country as we struggle to find ways through which the law can be true agent towards solving the myriads of problems confronting us as a nation and in fulfilling our roles as lawyers.”

As the book seeks to discuss the impact of law on the Nigerian society, the first chapter of the book is titled “The Nigerian Society” and examined in a very detailed form the culture, demography and geography of the Nigerian society. Other issues considered in this chapter by the author are early days-economy and politics of Nigeria, the people

Law & Society’; Dr Fabian Ajogwu; Centre for Commercial Law Development (CCLD); Nigeria; 2013. of Nigeria, nationalism and patriotism.

Moving on to the evolution and sources of the Nigerian legal system, the author did a commendable work in chapter two to address the importance and significance of canon law in the development of law in the society. It also examines others sources of of Nigerian law as: Nigerian legislation (Ordinances, Constitution, Act of National Assembly, State Laws, and Subsidiary Legislation); Customary law,etc.

Chapter three examines the meaning of society as any number or group of people associated together geographically, racially or otherwise

with collective interests. The chapter also identified what amounts to a social contract as an agreement, express or implied between citizens of a state and the government, by which the citizens agree to surrender certain freedoms in exchange for mutual protection.

T he link between law and other social science disciplines in the society such as religion, politics and economics are discussed in the chapter four, while the next chapter talks about the importance of legal profession in any given society and Part B of the Book is dedicated to the Nigerian Legal Profession. Chapter six adopted a historical approach or methodology in tracing the development of the legal profession in Nigeria.

Here, the author employed a wealth of experience garnered over this period of practice in tackling this area of the legal profession that is very often neglected. Chapter eleven of the book dealt with contempt of court by lawyers as an occupational hazard which legal practitioners face. This chapter examined the meaning of contempt in the context of legal practice, types of contempt, conduct or acts that amount to contempt, proof of contempt, and procedure for dealing with an alleged contempt.

The issue of professional discipline of legal professionals is addressed in chapter twelve of the book. The author identified the following major categories of professional offences: infamous conduct in a professional respect; conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria having power to award imprisonment for an offence which is incompatible with the status of a legal practitioner; obtaining enrol-

ment by fraud; and conduct incompatible with the status of a legal practitioner. Chapter fourteen of Law & Society is an innovation in the discussion of ethics in the legal profession as it skillfully dealt with this area that has been hitherto ignored.

The Learned Author identified some of the challenges faced by in-house counsel as follows: having a single client; focus on business impact; potential conflict of interest; internal codes of conduct which may not accord with objective rules of ethics and professionalism; and likely liability to the government, shareholders and employers.

He also examines the skills needed by legal practitioners to be able to discharge their duties effectively and creditable without having to be cited for contempt or professional misconduct. The author in chapter fifteen ingeniously discussed the requisite skills needed by a legal practitioner in the practice of his profession. The author finally laid out a blueprint for further institutional reforms of public service in Nigeria. The last chapter “Of Leadership and the Trust We Hold” is a practical espousal of the subject of leadership as a pre-requisite for honouring the trust everyone holds as citizens, professionals, business owners and leaders in different disciplines for others including the future generation.

The content, structure and quality of the book cannot be faulted. There is a fine narrative thread that links the entire book.

PAGE 52—SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014

Between Glo and Lisabi festival VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF A telecoms giant’s love for culture

D

AYS after the 2014 Lisabi Festival ended, Egbaland is still bearing the imprimatur of the efforts of the sponsor and telecommunication giant, Globacom, to give Abeokuta a facelift. Some major roundabouts in the town are looking beautiful in the green colours with which they were painted days before the festival. For the past three years, Glo has been sponsoring Lisabi Festival, the annual celebration of freedom from oppression and slavery made possible by Lisabi Agbongboakala, the progenitor of the Egba.

Defending its support for

Indeed, unity is a key word in Lisabi Festival as it mirrors how Lisabi Agbongboakala gathered fellow farmers into groups and trained them for warfare and military expeditions

,

Governor Ibikunle Amosun, in a speech, commended Globacom for identifying with the festival adding:”It is also important to note that Glo’s participation and sponsorship of traditional and cultural development has been monumental.

This has distinguished Glo as a service provider among its peers especially in the area of cultural development”.

Governor

When Accra Stood Still For FMBN VIEWPOINT

BY CHIJIOKE JAMES

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Recognition for excellence

L

AST week was a very eventful week for Nigerians.

It marked the end of the centenary celebrations of the amalgamation of the Southern and the Northern Protectorates.

The amalgamation in 1914 gave birth to Nigeria – an entity that has become our home and pride.

While the centenary activities were rounding off in Abuja, the Jonathan administration was being honoured in Accra, Ghana.

It was in recognition of the administration’s excellence in a sector that has remained very critical to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals,

MDGs. The event held at the Presidential Banquet Hall, State House, Accra, Ghana. It was a night to honour deserving governments and institutions – the African Achievers’ Awards.

The organizers of the event singled out the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) as the most Creative and Innovative Agency of government. The African Achievers’ Awards is geared towards recognizing excellent individuals and organizations that have contributed immensely to the advancement of the developmental sectors of the African continent. It was in this category that the FMBN was honoured and the managing director/chief executive of the bank, Mallam Gimba Yau Kumo, was on hand to receive the award.

The recognition of the FMBN is instructive in many ways. The

FMBN, which operates as an effective vehicle for increasing the mobilization of long-term funds, lending volume and expansion of mortgage lending services to all segments of the Nigerian population, has not only lived up to its mission statement under the present leadership but has moved a step further in internalizing most of the transformational programmes of the Jonathan administration.

The bank has succeeded in developing more technological innovations in the advancement of the government’s housing-forall policy, while engendering more creative approaches in the art of enterprise that has now demystified the once obsolete federal government development bank to one that every Nigerian can approach.

As a Federal Government agency with the responsibility to supply the mortgage and housing

PDP lies can't win in Osun VIEWPOINT

By WAHEED ALAO

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The people of Osun State won’t be brainwashed ET those who care to listen hear this from the All L Progressives Congress (APC):

Ogbeni Aregbesola’s governance in the State of Osun is first in the history of the state to set a pace in development index and model of our society that has met world acclaim for international best practice.

Any individual or group with a contrary verdict should come forward with evidence, not lies or statements designed only to pull the man down, without adding value to life and development in the State of Osun.

As we approach the next gubernatorial election, people consumed by envy and jealousy; and those who are obsessed with demonic urge to upturn and

reverse the progress Aregbesola is effecting in Osun are spreading false information to confuse people and dissuade them from voting for progress to continue in the state.

We have observed that the constant propagation of lies by opponents of Aregbesola is taking a dimension similar only to the maddening propaganda of lies by Himmler during the second world war that resulted in the death of over six million Jews killed by Hilter’s Gestapo.

This same approach is what the PDP is using in an attempt to unleash terror and death on the people of Osun in order to exterminate the Aregbesola’s government. And the end game of this satanic enterprise of the PDP is to “reverse” ALL the good work of Aregbesola in the state which has been internationally, as well as locally, acclaimed as spectacular; at least one of the PDP’s governorship aspirants said so in the open when he orchestrated a stage-managed declaration of intention to seek the PDP governorship ticket at

Freedom Square in Osogbo recently.

The question to ask is, “why would the PDP want to reverse all the good works of Ogbeni?

Simple; because as far as the party is concerned, “Aregbesola is doing nothing in the state!!”

Nothing? So what is it they (PDP) want to reverse really if the man is doing nothing.

PDP says the Omeals project is a fraud costing 400 million largely in debts; yet as a result of it, Osun, as at last enrolment into primary school, secured the highest enrolment in the federation. PDP condemns the project and plans to reverse it, yet the British Parliament was so impressed it invited Ogbeni to address it on how it was made possible in poor state like Osun.

Most important, where is the evidence that the project has left Osun in N400 million debt?

The PDP in a satanic propagation of lies has been deceiving Nigerians that the state is in #400 billion debt, and its chairman has just upped that

,

BY ISKILU KILASO

cultural preservation in Africa, Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr, in his goodwill message to the 28th edition of the festival explained that the company “is irrevocably committed to preserving and showcasing our rich cultural heritage as we believe a good knowledge of our past will chart a roadmap for our bright future.

Apart from Lisabi Festival, Globacom is the sponsor of Ofalla Festival in Onitsha, Ojude Oba in Ijebuland and Ekimogun Day in Ondo to mention a few.

This robust support for culture has endeared the home grown telecommunication company to Nigerians who have reciprocated with massive patronage of Globacom products and well deserved commendations and awards for the company. At the Lisabi Festival, Ogun State government was full of commendations for Globacom.

,

VIEWPOINT

Amosun appealed to all sons and daughters of Egbaland, both at home and in diaspora, to come home and establish industries so as to enhance socio-economic activities in Egbaland.

The address of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, at the grand finale averred that a set of people without a defined culture must be animals. He noted that if Egba people do not publicise their cultures nobody would help them to blow their trumpets. Gbadebo described Globacom as a trustworthy and reliable company.

The theme of the 2014 edition of Lisabi Festival “Amalgamation in Nigeria and Egba National Independence” is timely as it coincided with Nigeria’s centenary celebrations. It invoked an ambivalent feeling in Egba who had nostalgic feelings about the Egba Unity Government which the 1914 amalgamation by Lord Lugard scrapped. This school of thought believes the amalgamation

The African Achievers’ Awards is geared towards recognizing excellent individuals and organizations that have contributed immensely to the advancement of the developmental sectors of the African continent.

aborted the independence enjoyed

by Egbaland before 1914. This much came to the fore at the seminar held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta where academics and eminent scholars highlighted the developments witnessed in Egbaland before 1914.

Indeed, unity is a key word in Lisabi Festival as it mirrors how Lisabi Agbongboakala gathered fellow farmers into groups and trained them for warfare and military expeditions. To further foster the unity, the Lisabi Football Competition this year was played amongst youths representing the four major section of Egbaland.

At the end of hostilities, Owu region emerged victorious while Oke-ona came second and Ake emerged third. The traditional ayo game also posted interesting results with Mrs Lawal Aderonke from Abeokuta South Local Government clinching the first position in the female category while Mr Rasheed Akanbi from Abeokuta North won the gold in the male category.

markets with sustainable liquidity for the advancement of homeownership among Nigerians anchored on mortgage financing, the bank, under the leadership of Mallam Gimba Yao Kumo, has been repositioned for the challenges facing the nation’s real sector.

One area that is worth mentioning is the information

technology innovations introduced by the bank management. Having introduced electronic remittances of the NHF contributions, the FMBN has been able to comfortably block fraud and leakages, thereby enhancing manpower and capacity development and accountability. The electronic platform comes with an NHF identity card that is secure, transparent and gives individuals 24 hours to access their contributions through verifiable electronic channels.

The FMBN has also been directly involved in the construction of mass houses for the Nigerian people and has through this means made affordable houses available.

It is on this premise that we not only see this recognition by the AAA to the FMBN as deserving but one that will spur the bank to do more. *James is of the Presidency, Abuja

figure to #600 billion. But the truth, which is verifiable, is that Osun’s total debt profile is #30 billion.

It is time the media and Nigerians should challenge the PDP to “produce verifiable evidence” that the APC government in Osun is in debt to the tone of #400 or #600 billion.

Wicked people don’t talk about truth, they just swim in lies, plant evil in society and fan its embers.

If gullible individuals who are too lazy to come to Osun to find out the truth believe in the PDP story, then that is their problem.

What is true is that the foundation for the future is being irreversibly laid by Ogbeni Aregbesola’s massive revolutionary work in education, agriculture and economic empowerment that is unlike anything known to Osun since Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Human capital development through education and business training is impacting the state beyond the imagination of everybody.

Come to Osun State and see what Aregbesola is doing with agriculture. Wherever he is, the great sage, Awo, will view with delight and approval what this tirelessly working governor has

done to restore and reinvigorate what he (Awo) started some half century ago but which the PDP essentially destroyed in the period that the Yoruba nation had the misfortune of PDP being in charge almost throughout the state.

From the schools to the streets, Aregbesola’s footprints are outstanding. He has fixed and is constructing more roads than all the governors that Osun has had put together. Nowhere in Nigeria is the like of his new school infrastructure to be found.

It is important also to note that in spite of the inability of the PDP Osun to substantiate any of the lies it is telling against Aregbesola, those fabrications receive oblique, sometimes even direct and robust reproduction in the media which is certainly not helping matters.

The people of Osun refuse to be brainwashed or confused and, at the end of the story, come August, the propagators of lies within and outside the PDP will learn bitterly, like Hilter’s Himmler, that lies don’t win a fight even with an awful arsenal of violence.

Alao is of the Directorate of Publicity, Research & Strategy, All Progressives Congress (APC) State of Osun.

,

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 53

By ADEMOLA OLAJIRE

A

S someone who has been in the mainstream of journalism/ media management practice for more than two decades, I was aghast at the write-up by Joe Ehizode on this page exactly one week ago, in which he nonchalantly dismissed the persons making up the present Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.

According to Ehizode, who is presently based in Canada, and who confessed to many years of not being an active journalist, those who run Nigeria football are a ‘noisy bunch’ who got to their present position, not through their antecedents or qualifications, but as a result of ‘a system that deals in patronage,’ whatever that means.

Ehizode went ahead to castigate the present NFF administrators as ‘people who got there courtesy of a system that tosses up people not based on competence but rewarded for their loyalty.’

Amazingly, Ehizode could have conducted his campaign decently, without hurling insults and try to rubbish a people who, in the past two years, have brought real honour and glory to our nation. In the first instance, it was this same ‘noisy bunch’ who gave Coach Stephen Keshi the job, gave him all the support to succeed and have backed him all the way.

Is it morally just to assume that Coach Keshi and his hard-working crew won the Africa Cup of Nations, qualified for the FIFA

RIGHT OF REPLY: Maigari’s NFF deserves respect

*Maigari World Cup finals and clinched third place at the 3rd African Nations Championship without the active support of the NFF? How appropriate is it to abuse, insult and castigate an administration for poor run of results by the National Teams, and then turn round to say that the same group does not deserve praise when those teams are winning?

Pitiably, Ehizode’s campaign was launched almost TWO WEEKS after the NFF President himself, and before him the Technical Committee, came out to deny any move to hire a foreign assistant for Coach Keshi. An innocuous statement promising that the NFF was ready to give Keshi all the ‘assistance’ he needs to do well at the World Cup has been misinterpreted wildly to mean offer of ‘assistant’. And the

disco critics have been dancing themselves lame. Any reason, whether real or imagined, to abuse and insult others, is always welcome as far as this band is concerned!

The NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has made it clear at several fora that the NFF would support Keshi all the way. Apart from being the most successful administration in the history of Nigeria football (10 trophies in three years, plus uncountable offthe-field accomplishments), Maigari’s administration is the only one in the history of the nation’s football-governing body to stick SOLELY with indigenous Coaches.

Since he came into office, all the National Teams have been coached by Nigerians. His confidence in them has been justified. Every other month, President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR has reason to host and reward one Nigerian National Team or the other. Government officials now underscore the successes of our football teams at every opportunity.

As for the idle assumption that the Maigari team got into office as reward for loyalty and not as a result of competence, it is important to have Mr. Ehizode define competence. Maigari himself was a member of the previous Board, after serving as Chairman of Bauchi State FA for more than a decade and acquitting

himself brilliantly in other public offices. He was a brilliant footballer in his days, even though he did not play for the National Team.

Chief Mike Umeh, Vice President, needs no introduction having been a Team Manager of the National Team more than two decades ago, and being actively involved in football development ever since. Is it Chief Emeka Inyama, a former newspaper publisher, who held key positions in COJA 2003 and Nigeria 2009 and has served as Commissioner in his State, that is unknown?

Hon. Shehu Adamu was also in the previous Board, and is a fourtime Commissioner in Kaduna State. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande is a Member of Parliament (Nigeria’s Lower House); Chris Green has been involved in football administration long before Ehizode departed Nigeria; Muazu Suleyman is a permanent secretary in Sokoto State; Effiong Johnson was a local council chairman and leading figure in Akwa Ibom State; Deji Tinubu was Chairman of Lagos State Sports Council; Felix Anyansi-Agwu won back-to-back CAF Champions League titles with Enyimba FC a decade ago and has remained a pillar in African club football administration.

Yusuf Ahmed Fresh has been a leading figure in football administration in Niger State for more than a decade, and Mrs

Dilichukwu Onyedinma was a key component of the crew that engineered the transformation of sports in FCT. Ahmad Muazu Kawu became renown after a yeoman’s job in Kano State during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009.

In the NFF Management, the General Secretary, Musa Amadu qualified as a lawyer 27 years ago and is the first Nigerian to bag the FIFA Master in Law, Management and Humanities of Sport; Emmanuel Ikpeme is a doctorate degree holder in sports administration, was involved in COJA 2003 and is a senior university lecturer; Mohammed Sanusi also has a doctorate in sports administration and is a senior lecturer and regular resource person and author, and was also involved in COJA 2003 ; Adama Idris won his laurels in marketing before coming to the NFF and has continued to perform brilliantly and; Jarafu Mamza is a respected civil servant managing financial resources.

Nonchallant dismissal of people that we do not know, or wish to pretend we do not simply because we want to mount a campaign, and the employment of abusive and derogatory words to score cheap points, may seem fashionable. But it is the trade of the intellectually indolent.

•Mr. Olajire is Assistant Director (Communications), Nigeria Football Federation.

PAGE 54, SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

SUNDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 9, 2014, PAGE 55

Danagogo ready to ‘take lessons’ in Nigerian sports

F

BY BEN EFE

N

EWLY appointed sports minister, Tamuno Danagogo has stated that he will unveil his agenda for Nigerian sports only after he meets with stakeholders and learn what is on ground before making his move.

D a n a g o g o ’ s appointment followed a pattern of government preference for politicians, rather than sports technocrats or accomplished sports men and women, in appointing individuals that will over see the country’s sports concerns.

Danagogo was a former River State commissioner for Culture and Tourism.

He indicated while on familiarisation tour of the National Stadium Abuja on Thursday that he was ready to listen and learn.

“In Nigeria, sports is something everybody is keenly interested in. So, we intend, from time to time, to engage critical stakeholders, so that we at least meet minds on what we are to do.

“It is said ‘two heads are better than one’. So, I need other brains.”

D a n a g o g o acknowledged that his predecessor, Bolaji Abdullahi had done a good job and he was eager to follow in his footsteps.

“I will do everything to consolidate on what they are doing and ensure that the gains are strengthened.

Tugging.... Mexico’s Hector Herrera and Javier Aquino tackle Super Eagles John Obi Mikel during the Mexico vs Nigeria international friendly at Georgia Dome on March 5, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. AFP

Edo to revive state sports festival E

DO State commissioner for sports, Christopher Okaeben has stated that the government will strive to revive its moribund sports festival to develop grass-roots sports in the state.

Okaeben, made the pledge at the presentation of kits to the Edo State Football Academy by its consultant, Shaibu Amodu . Okaeben said the ministry had therefore

concluded arrangement to host the festival between July and August this year.

He said that the festival would provide a platform for youths to showcase their talents in sporting activities.

The commissioner disclosed that talents discovered at the festival would be groomed for national and international competitions. He added that engaging in constant

Customs deny Osaze’s jersey story, insist N.1m was paid as duty

•’We did our job diligently’

L

AST Sunday we carried a story titled ‘Customs, FAAN frustrate Osaze’s jersey donation to Insurance FC with a rider, Associate forced to pay N.1m based on a story told by the Super Eagles associate, Austin Uabor.

The Nigerian Customs Service have however, reacted to the story denying ever frustrating the jersey donation nor forcing Uabor to pay N120,000 for excess luggage and have stated their own side of the story.

According to the Customs’ Public Relation Officer, Mrs Thelma Williams, the Customs were

Touring FCC returns

“carrying out her statutory responsibility in good faith” when “on 25th February, 2014, a returning passenger by name Mr. Ebigbo Pascal, C. with Passport No. AOO232183 had four (4) luggages (sic) which were found upon examination to contain Unbranded T-shirt which were dutiable.”

The Customs said that contrary to Uabor’s claim that it demanded N120,000 from him for the set of jerseys and other items, after inspection of the goods, the passenger (Ebigbo) was “issued with a Valuation Assessment Form to enable him pay his import duty and

other statutory charges thereof for which a total of N100,060.00 was paid into First Bank, Murtala Mohammed International Airport (branch) by himself (Ebigbo) and the consignment released out of Customs Control.”

The Customs however, frowned at the publication of the story told by Mr. Uabor “ without recourse to finding out the Area Command’s side of the story”, a story which it said was capable of portraying the Service “negatively in the eyes of the general public even when carrying out her statutory responsibilities.” The misinformation is regretted.

sporting activities would provide an opportunity for youths to be taken out of the streets.

The commissioner expressed regret that the state, known for its prowess in sporting activities, had not had it good recently as he also expressed the determination of the state to return to stardom.

“This state must be repositioned to its era of sports prowess in the country,” Okaeben said.

According to him, the state government is very concerned and is doing everything humanly possible to reposition sports in the state.

He noted that government was

interested in the academy and the future of youths, hence the massive investment in any activity concerning them.

“We are doing this not only to catch them young but also to prevent them from becoming liability to their parents and the state,” he said.

Okaeben commended Amodu for adding value to the lives of the young stars through the donation.

“You have shown them the part to prosperity because without the youths, there will not be any nation. Their future begins from today, so, effort must be made to develop them,” he added.

DStv basketball •Continued from BP been the same case ever since, and we are not happy about how the state government is treating us.

We have done well in the league and everyone knows that Hoopers are a force to reckon with in basketball in Nigeria. We are twice champions of the DStv league in the last five seasons and are always ready to compete with any club in the Savannah or the Atlantic Conference.

But without proper financial assistance by the state government, how do we function properly as a club as regards trav-

elling outside Port-Harcourt to fulfill our necessary obligations,” Odaudu said.

NAN reports that Hoopers’ opponents, Dodan Warriors, were awarded two points and a 20-0 scoreline as winners of the match.

However, in his reaction, coach Chris Nomigo of Dodan Warriors said he was not happy about the situation because his boys had trained hard to face their opponents.

“We were prepared for this match but to hear that our opponents had refused to come was a shocking revelation.”

O U N DAT I O N Cricket Club of Lagos which toured Accra, Ghana returned to the country during the week after recording one win and one defeat during the visit to the former Gold Coast.

On Day 1, the club took on Titans Cricket Club of Accra in a 50 over match, played at the Achimota Cricket Grounds. They defeated Accra Titans by 79 runs.

FCC posted 190 runs all out in 42 0vers while Titans were all out for 111 in 25.2 overs.

FCC batted first.

Adesanya Rotimi and Obisesan Afeez of FCC opened the batting with Bagabina Stephen opening the bowling for the Accra Titans from the pavilion end. After 6 wides consecutively, the 5th ball of the innings broke the partnership of the opening bats with 11 runs on board and Adesanya Rotimi the victim. Gafar Dolapo, the FCC Captain was immediately called to action and he banged 46 runs off 72 balls in 117 minutes and also recorded the highest partnership of the innings of 64 runs with Oduyebo Femi.

Olayinka Tope also scored 36runs off 30 balls in 65 minutes with Oduyebo Femi also contributing to the total with 26 runs off 53 balls in 73 minutes.

Bakiweyem Godfrey, a Ghanaian international playing for FCC showed some class with the bat in front of his home crowd thumping 2 big 6’s totaling 19 runs(not out) off 14 balls in 17 minutes.

In the second innings, Ghanaian all rounder, Ateak Vincent went in to open the batting for the Accra Titans with his brother Ateak Simon. Ateak Vincent top scored for the Accra Titans with 39 runs off 42 balls in 88 minutes. Ateak Clement also added to his team’s total by scoring 13 runs off 26 balls in 47 minutes. Unfortunately the batting attack of Anaya Peter and Ateak Simon failed as they both went out without putting some tangible runs on the board.

SUNDAY Vanguard, MARCH 9, 2014

Danagogo ready to ‘take lessons’ —P.55

Customs deny Osaze’s jersey story — P.55

Edo to revive state sports festival — P.55

CAF Confed Cup: It’s not yet over, Warri Wolves coach tells players T

BY BEN EFE

HOUGH they enjoy a 32 goal advantage over visiting Union Douala FC of Cameroon, Warri Wolves coach, Paul Aigbogun has advised his players to brace up for a tough challenge as the two sides return to the battle turf for the second leg round of 16 CAF Confederations Cup tie at the Warri Township Stadium today.

Against all odds Warri Wolves snatched a dramatic victory in Douala, but the coach was far from being convinced that his team were up to the task of delivering a seamless execution of match plans. This was against the background of lapses Aigbogun observed in the first leg.

“There is still 90 minutes of football, it is not over until it is over. We are going to approach the second leg with all seriousness. Union Douala have good players and are very mobile. We have worked on some lapses in the first leg and we have to give it all our best,” said Aigbogun.

The Cameroonians arrived Warri on Friday and are hope-

ful of turning the table against Wolves searching for their first major silverware on the local and continental fronts.

However, Wolves officials believe that massive support will spur the team to victory and have called on their supporters to lift the spirits of the players on match day.

Union Douala chairman Franc Happy disclosed that their aim is to win the match and his boys are ready to do everything possible to stop Warri Wolves from moving to the next round. Union Douala players were seen practicing penalty kicks yesterday, an indication that they are prepared for all eventuality.

“In the first leg we underrated Warri Wolves. We did not know anything about them just like we know about Rangers and Enyimba. We have done our home work and if they can beat us in Douala what stops us from doing the same here?.

In the other Confederations Cup match played yesterday at the Sapele Township Stadium, Bayelsa United beat Konzo of Congo 2-0 to move to the next round. The first leg in Brazzaville was goalless.

TWIST...Valladolid’s Italian midfielder Fausto Rossi (l) vies with Barcelona’s Brazilian defender Adriano during the La Liga match at Jose Zorilla Stadium in Valladolid yesterday.

Valladolid won 1-0. Photo: AFP.

World Cup 2014: I am surprised at Keshi’s remarks — Uche E

NSTRANGED Super Eagles striker, Ikechukwu Uche has said that he was surprised by coach Stephen Keshi’s declaration that he was an undisciplined player hence he was dropped from his list of players for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Uche has not played for the Eagles since the 2013 Nations Cup where he was used sparringly by coach Keshi.

And despite being the highest scoring Nigeria striker in the European League, Keshi has turned his back on the Villarreal of Spain player. He

said his reason for not including Uche in his plans was because the player was badly behaved and he rarely played to instructions.

“I do not know the reasons for these statements. Actually I am very surprised. It’s very sad for me, but I will not get into this issue,” Uche said.

Also his club president Fernando Roig said that Keshi was not very correct with the statement on Uche.

Roig defended the player ’s character and questioned the rationale of Keshi’s statements about the player whose

RESULTS West Brom Cardiff Crystal Norwich Chelsea Valladolid Arsenal Islanders Oluyole Warriors Kano Pillars

0 3 0 1 4 1 4

Man Utd Fulham S’hampton Stoke Tottenham Barcelona Everton

DSTV BASKETBALL 79 Customs 102 Police Baton 74 Gombe Bulls

3 1 1 1 0 0 1 41 68 62

form has been instrumental to the Yellow Submarines’ positive run this season.

“I think the coach of Nigeria is not talking about the same Uche playing on our team,” the Villarreal President said.

DStv Basketball League: Rivers owe Royal Hoopers 2-yrs salary

R

OYAL Hoopers of Rivers were walked over in the first game of the 2014 DStv Basketball League on Saturday. Royal Hoopers coach Ogor Odaudu disclosed that they missed the match against Dodan Warriors because the Rivers State government has

not paid them their two years salary.

The Port Harcourt-based Royal Hoopers risk expulsion from the league if they miss their next game.

“We have been pushing hard for this for long now. It has

•Continues on page 55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE DOWN ACROSS 1. Passageway (5) 1.Nigerian state (7) 2. Rude boy (4) 4.Care (5) 3. Pain (4) 6.Asian giant (5) 4. Vehicle (3) 7.Brazilian dance (5) 5. Decay (3) 8.Automaton (5) 9. Nigerian river (5) 10.Heating vessel (4) 11. Precise (8) 12.Comfort (4) 13. Exclamation of 16. Facial part (4) recall (3) 19.Horse’s gait (6) 14. Impetuosity (5) 20. Distresses (6) 15. Part (8) 22. Ire (5) 17. Matter (5) 23. Messaiah (6) 18. Heavenly being (5) 25. Reach (6) 19. Superb (5) 27. Blemish (4) 21. Temptress (5) 28. Title (4) 24. Advantage (5) 30. Resound (4) 26. Vigour (3) 33. Net (5) 29. Pitchers (5) 35. Firearm (5) 31. Nigerian state (4) 36. Performed (5) 32. Stumble (4) 37. Crying fluids (5) 33. Bed (3) 38. Parentless persons (7)34. Possesses (4)

SOLUTION on page 5

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