Why cynthia's body was not released -autopsy concluded yesterday

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Why I got UN award, by Mimiko

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Governor Peter Obi after meeting with Hausa and Yoruba traders (Head bridge), Onitsha at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia on peaceful co-existence, yesterday.

One of the amnesty programme graduate delegates newly employed by the Proclad Group in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Odema Amama Nwabrije, receiving his letter of employment from the Special adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, at the Amnesty Office in Maitama, Abuja.

NDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, said the UNHabitat Award conferred on him by the world body is an indication of the global acceptability of his administration’s urban renewal initiative in addition to the Abiye Safe Motherhood programme which is a now a benchmark for the African continent.

Mimiko spoke with newsmen at the Murtala M u h a m m a d International Airport Lagos shortly on his arrival from Naples Italy where he received the 2012 UN –Habitat Scroll of Honour Award during the 6th World Urban Forum.

The governor, who dedicated the award to God and the people of Ondo State “for allowing the translation of my initiative to reality in urban renewal and s u s t a i n a b l e development,” assured the people of more people-oriented programmes that will further bring the state to the limelight both within and outside the country.

His words: “ This is an appreciation of what we have been doing in the last three and a half years, we thank God that

we have been honoured at home and we are honoured abroad. What we have been doing in urban renewa,l in human settlement generally has been recognised and that is gratifying, we are trying to build sustainable city with particular emphasis on empowerment.

“By the paradigm of our urban renewal programme for example,

we’ve been able to prove that you can actually do some upgrading without displacing people as matter of fact using the instrumentality of upgrading to empower people economically, especially the poor and this is an upgrading that is sustainable. Like I said I dedicate the award to God Almighty and the people of the state for allowing us to translate our vision into reality”.

Akpabio: How Nigeria can overcome challenges

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

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HE governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godwill Obot Akpabio, wants Nigerian leaders to go back to the basics, adding that if the country would flourish, leaders must develop love for Nigeria.

He also said the foundation to greatness is love and with love, the nation will move forward.

Akpabio, who was speaking at the annual Nigerian Institute of Management Fellows awards and spouse day luncheon, organized by

NIM, at Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, said, Nigerians have turned away from God, hence the numerous challenges facing the nation.

The governor was inducted alongside other personalities as Fellows of Nigeria Institute of Management.

Speaking at the event, President of the Nigerian Institute of Management, (NIM) Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, charged the newly inducted members to see their induction as a call to duty to work for the upliftment of the profession, Nigeria and Africa.

Bianca’s lawyer warns Ojukwus over properties

BY TONY EDIKE

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HE silent war over the management of some properties belonging to Ojukwu Transport Limited, OTL, has taken another dimension as the wife of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, through her lawyer, has insisted that the estate management agent, allegedly appointed by her late husband, Mr. Emmanuel Omuojine of Omuojine & Associates, would remain in charge of the five properties in Lagos.

Directors of OTL, Professor Joseph Ojukwu (Chairman), Engr.

Emmanuel Ojukwu, Mr. Lotanna P. Ojukwu, Dr. P. Ike Ojukwu, Arc Edward Ojukwu and Mr. Lotanna A. Ojukwu, had, in a recent public notice, disowned the agent, saying that at no time was he appointed by the company’s board of directors to manage any of their properties.

The properties in question are, 13 Hawksworth Road, Ikoyi

(now 13 Ojora Road, Ikoyi) Lagos; 32A Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos; 29 Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos; 30 Gerrard Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and 4 Macpherson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Counsel for Mrs. Ojukwu, Emeka Onyemelukwe of Emeka Onyemelukwe & Associates, in a letter, dated May 28, in response to a letter by the OTL counsel, Ifeanyi Okumah of Sterling Attorneys, Enugu asking Omuojine to hands off the properties, informed the directors that the management firm was appointed by the late Ojukwu to manage the said properties under his care and was not relieved of that responsibility until the late Ikemba Nnewi’s demise.

Okumah, writing on behalf of the OTL Directors, in a letter dated May 17, 2012, informed Omuojine and Associates that Massey Udegbe and Co had been duly appointed management agent of OTL properties in Lagos and that he (Omuojine) should not in any manner interfere with

the firm (Massey Udegbe) in carrying out its duties.

“You are reminded of the serious consequences of not adhering to the above and that to continue to parade yourself and/or your company as an agent of OTL constitutes economic breaches which are criminal in nature and highly unprofessional,” Okumah stated.

He further asked Omuojine to provide OTL with itemized list of all monies he collected while managing the said properties for several years and remit same to the company, adding that he should among other thing “cease and desist from holding yourself out to be their managing agent”.

Besides, the OTL counsel requested Omuojine to furnish the company with concrete documentary evidence of his appointment as the company ’s managing agent including the management agreement and power of attorney purportedly issued to him as well as the statement of account of the funds so far collected.

But replying the OTL Directors on behalf of Mrs. Ojukwu, Emeka Onyemelukwe, her counsel, said “Messrs Omuojine & Associates were appointed by late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to manage those properties under his care”, adding that “they have not been relieved of that responsibility by late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu until his demise.”

“As our client, the next of kin, to the deceased Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has not also relieved them of that responsibility.

We therefore see your demands from them as spurious and fishy,” Onyemelukwe stated, explaining that the properties of OTL had for many years been managed by three separate branches of the family.”

He disclosed that Omuojine manages some of the properties under the care of the late Ikemba Nnewi, insisting that “Massey Udegbe & Co has no business disturbing the properties under the care and management of

Omuojine & Associates.”

“May we then use this opportunity to warn that you (Okumah) call your client, Messrs Massey Udegbe & Co, and the unknown director who briefed you to order.

They should not in any way disturb the tenants, who reside, and or carry on their legitimate businesses on those properties under the care and management of Messrs Omuojine &

Associates, in any form or manner inimical to those tenants’ interests. If they do so, we may have to resort to appropriate measure/s to stop them,” Mrs. Ojukwu’s lawyers further wrote.

When contacted on the seeming face-off, one of the OTL Directors, Dr. P. Ike Ojukwu, said that there was no complication whatsoever, explaining that the properties in question belonged to OTL.

‘Anambra oil status will create jobs’

BY DOTUN IBIWOYE

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HE Federal Government has b e e n commended on the designation of Anambra State as an oil producing state by the Greater Umueri Liberation Forum, GULF. The president’s action was described as timely and capable of elevating the state as the “job basket” of the East as it would provide jobs to the people of Anambra Valley and the entire state.

GULF ’s coordinator, Comrade Onyebuchi Diboh (aka Biafra Diboh), urged Governor Peter Obi and OPR to ensure that “Local Content Law”, as promulgated by the Federal Government, is implemented in all its job distribution, contracts, scholarship and bursary awards.

“We particularly commend the effort of Mr. Peter Obi-led government of Anambra State in realizing this pacesetting project that would be beneficial to the people in particular and Nigeria in general”.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 5

Why Cynthia’s body was not released Continued from page 1 the fact that autopsy was yet to be concluded, Sunday Vanguard can reveal.

However, a very dependable police source disclosed that the forensic investigation into the cause of death of the lady was only completed yesterday.

It was learnt that the reason the police could not release the body for burial “ was because there may have been further need to carry out some lastminute checks to re-confirm some findings”.

The source added: “If the body had been hastily released for burial as scheduled by the family and the need for other checks arose, it would have created complications for the case. Do you now go and exhume the body?

“If you do that, you would be working on a body that would have been contaminated such that whatever findings you then make would never be tenable.”

Asked whether the family of Cynthia contacted the police before going ahead with burial plans, the source responded that “events have since overtaken that question.

“The truth of the matter is that the police authorities felt that the pathologist should finish his job first before the body is released.

“As Nigerians know, the case is a very volatile case and there is need for the police authorities and the pathologist to be very thorough.

“Expert opinion in such a volatile case is needed and vital because the pathologist would be called in as a witness to come and testify regarding his findings.

“The pathologist is a very renowned pathologist in forensic science and is head pathologist of LASUTH”.

RESULT AND FINDINGS Asked how soon the report of the pathologist would be ready, the source revealed: “As at now, the whole process has been completed!

“The whole process finished today (yesterday).

“As soon as the result and findings are ready, the parents

of Cynthia would be called upon to come and pick the body of their daughter.

“That is the situation”.

It would be recalled that family members, friends, mourners and sympathizers had converged on the OwaIke Street, Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North Local Government Area of Delta State on Friday for the burial of Cynthia but were disappointed when it was discovered that the corpse was not ready for burial as it had not been released by the police authorities.

Cynthia, the daughter of a retired army general, was allegedly murdered in cold blood by two young men she met on social media, Facebook – she was allegedly raped and drugged to death.

Her body was found in a hotel room in Festac Town, Lagos, tied to a bed after an anonymous caller informed the hotel authorities that there was a dead girl in the room.

Some suspects have already been arrested in connection with the murder.

Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, in a tete-a-tete, at Asaba Airport, yesterday.

Impeachment: Call your adviser to order, Gov. Okorocha tells Jonathan

BY SONI DANIEL

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MO State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha,

yesterday, asked President Gooluck Jonathan to call his Political Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, to order so as

not to stoke a political war in Imo State and stall the flow of its development strides.

The gover nor, who spoke through his Information Commissioner, Mr. Chinedu Offor, and the Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ebere Uzoukwa, was reacting to the

2015: S-South not misleading Jonathan – Region leaders *‘Why those in opposition are wrong’

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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EADERS of the SouthSouth, under the aegis of the South-South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), yesterday, replied those in opposition to their position that President Goodluck Jonathan is free to seek second term in 2015, insisting that re-election for the president is a constitutional issue.

They dismissed the notion that their position was an attempt to mislead the president.

The national chairman of the SSPA, Chief John OdigieOyegun and head of the group’s reconciliation and

SOLUTION

harmonisation committee, Prof. B.I.C. Ijomah, slammed the critics of their position.

Odigie-Oyegun, a one-time civilian governor of Edo State and Ijomah, a philosopher, told Sunday Vanguard exclusively that those who described South-South leaders as deceivers and sycophants for saying the truth fired a wrong salvo.

The Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, Save Nigeria Group, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and other groups had criticised the South-South leaders, who, last Thursday, in Warri, Delta State, threw their weight behind Jonathan for a second tenure.

Odigie-Oyegun said: “Constitutionally, he is qualified to contest for the office in 2015. That is what we have said, that he is free to contest and we are behind him. Nobody can fault the position and it remains our stand. We have not changed”.

The SSPA leader went on: “However, the truth is that he (Jonathan) has not told us (South South leaders) that he is going to run in 2015, but we are seeing the moves to intimidate and harass our son.

When he tells us, we will tell him what we think he should do, but nobody should deprive him of his constitutional right.

“I think the outburst against South-South leaders is myopic, how can they say we are deceiving him when it is his right to do so. Like I said, he has not taken the decision, when he takes the decision that he wants to, we will back him, and he is our son.

“And if I may ask, why all the red herring about our position,

are we supposed to deny our son his constitutional right as others want to. In fact, it is too early in the day for us to put pressure on him to contest, but what we are saying is that when the time comes, nobody should stop him, he has the privileges”.

Ijomah, who spoke in the same vein, said, “Constitutionally, Dr. Jonathan is qualified to run for the election, which is what we are saying. If you say he is not doing well, that is another thing all together. What we have said and we stand by it is that it is his right to contest.

Legally and constitutionally, he can contest for a second term.

“We are not deceiving him , he not even told us yet that he is going to contest for a second term, but we are saying that the law allows him, but if he does not want to contest, that is another thing”, he stated.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the leaders of the zone want Jonathan to increase the tempo of his performance, not only in the zone, but also in all the geo-political zones of the country so that his acceptance for 2015 would be automatic by the people.

Intimidation One of the leaders said, yesterday, “The truth is that some northern leaders and groups, want to intimidate intimidate him to admit that he will not seek a second tenure even when the time has not come. On our part, we want him to perform so that when the time comes, we will have positive performance indices in terms of tangible projects to say that this is why we are supporting him.

claim by Gulak that Okorocha had committed an impeachable offence by not reinstating the deposed 27 local government chairmen in the state, as ordered by the Appeal Court last month.

Gulak had while receiving the 27 local government chairmen sacked by Okorocha, who were in his office to submit a letter of protest to the President in Abuja on Monday, said the governor ’s action was an impeachable offence.

The commissioner, who spoke in Abuja, described Gulak’s statement as outrageous and unbecoming of a man who has no stake in Imo State and warned him to stop heating up the polity unnecessarily.

“Imo people were really shocked and disappointed to hear such a reckless statement from a man who has no business in the politics of Imo State and we want him to tell the world whether he was s p e a k i n g for himself or was sent by Mr. President.

“The matter for which he wants the governor impeached is already before a court of competent jurisdiction and we want the President to sanction Gulak before he commits further blunders that could jeopardise the government and the people of Nigeria,” Offor said. The Special Adviser on Media to Okorocha asked Gulak to advise Mr. President to recall Justice Ayo Salami, as directed by the Judicial National Council, JNC, before extending his counsel to other leaders in Nigeria.

“He who goes to equity must do so with clean hands and I think it is always good for one to remove the speck in his eyes before seeing the log in another ’s eye.

“We see the call by Gulak for Okorocha’s impeachment as an attack by another attack dog of the Presidency and an assault on the people of Imo State House of Assembly and its people.While calling on Gulak to retract the inciting statement within 24 hours or face the wrath of the government, the SA however said that Okorocha would not be distracted by the antics of the PDP-led government to abandon the good work he has started.

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 7

Varsity student crushed to death by truck sparks protest BY ABDULSALAM and killed her instantly MUHAMMAD while several others escaped unhurt.

An eyewitness said the TUDENTS of B a y e r o deceased was on he way University Kano to the old campus when students took to the the “ reckless driver streets yesterday in behind the wheel of the Kano to protest the truck lost control”.

According to him, the death of a female final year accounting student truck driver and his crushed to death by a assistant fled the scene truck at the gate of the when the angry students old campus of the descended on them leading to minor damage institution.

The student, identified on the automobile.

The protesting students as Maryam Bala, was barricaded the strategic said to be on the pedestrian lane of the highway that links the strategic highway when city with Gwarzo road, the truck overran her and the neighboring communities, triggering pandemonium among nervous city dwellers while the route witnessed disruption of vehicular movement.

The students, chanting solidarity songs, slammed the authorities confirmed dead bringing of the institution and government over what the death toll to four.

Amaraizu said the they described as being command had insensitive to ceaseless c o m m e n c e d killings of students by hit investigations into the incident even as the road had been cleared of the wreckage which disrupted traffic for several hours.

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE Describing the incident as unfortunate, the ORRIED by PPRO, however, advised CBN criticism motorists plying the road that greeted to always drive with proposed caution and obey traffic the introduction of N5,000 rules and regulations. note by the Central Bank

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From left: Area Commander, Area' B' Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP, Alhaji Ari Ali Mohamed, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP, Umar Manko and DPO, Apapa Division, Mr Usman Ndanbabo, CSP, during the CP's visit to the Apapa Division in Lagos.

Pastor’s wife, daughter, 2 others die in Enugu auto crash

BY TONY EDIKE

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O fewer than four persons lost their lives on Friday night in a road accident involving three vehicles along the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway, which has remained a deathtrap for travelers for the past two years.

Wife of the founder of Old Path Revival Commission, Enugu, Rev. Mrs. Maria Itiowe, and her daughter, Glory, were among the victims of the crash. Other victims were identified as Ebere Iroham also of the same church and one Dennis Ogwu, a driver of a Toyota sports utility vehicle, SUV, with registration number LV 544 AAA, one of the vehicles involved in the accident.

Other vehicles were a 911 Mercedes Benz lorry with registration number XL 977 GDD and a Lexus SUV with registration number TF 176 AAA. Enugu State police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the incident, said the accident, which occurred

at about 6.30 p.m. claimed four lives.

He said that the crash occurred before Nkwo Ezeagu market on the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway within Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State.

The police spokesman said that the two SUV collided with the 911 Mercedes Benz, both of which lost control and somersaulted several times leading to the death of the passengers.

According to him, Mrs. Otiowe and Ebere Iroham died on the spot while another passengers later identified as Glory Itiowe of the same church, was found to be critically injured and was rushed to Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu where she was confirmed dead.

Dennis Ogwu, the driver of the Toyota SUV who was also rushed to Our Saviour Hospital 9th Mile Corner Ngwo for treatment, was later

Mint to strengthen confidence in N5000 note

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ASUU group protests exclusion from Jonathan’s panel

BY ELIZABETH ALAINE

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group of lecturers in the University of Abuja have petitioned President Goodluck Jonathan over the manner his visitation panel sidelined the group even though it submitted memoranda to the panel.

The letter of the group, dated, 5 September, 2012, and titled, DENIAL OF RIGHT TO INTERACT WITH THE

PANEL ON OUR SUBMISSION AS STAKEHOLDERS, said: “All efforts to appear for interaction with either the main panel or its subteams proved abortive.

“Therefore, sir, by this protest, we wish to draw your attention to the fact that this deliberate exclusion of our union impliedly suggests that a balanced position of ASUU, University of Abuja on all the issues at stake has not been captured by the

and run drivers within the campus area.

Chanting,” We no go gree, we no go gree”, the protesting students lamented incessant killings of BUK students, due to reckless driving, especially on the part of motorists, stressing that “something must be done to check the ugly trend”.

The president of the Students Union Government of the institution, Comrade Usman Shuiabu Rano, said the killing of the student, Maryam Bala of the Department of Public Administration “is one death too many on the same spot”.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard on telephone, BUK spokesman, Mustapha Zaharadeen, said the university authorities had intervened and appealed to the students to calm down, assuring that it would take up the matter with the appropriate authorities.

investigation exercise.

This is because the splinter group led by Dr. Clement Chup is also a faction which means the views expressed in their submission cannot be said to represent the views of all the Academic staff of the University of Abuja.

“We hope our protest will be looked into dispassionately in the spirit of fairness as your Panel executes this important national assignment.”

Nigeria, CBN, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Plc ,NSPM, is set to create more awareness on how the proposed currency restructuring would help shore up value in the e c o n o m y The Managing Director of NSPM, Mr. Ehi Okoyomon, said the forthcoming 17th edition of the Association of African Banknotes and Security Documents Printers AABSDP Conference will be used

to create more awareness on the proposed currency restructuring by the C B N .

The conference, to be declared open tomorrow in Lagos by the CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi, according to the AABSDP, would showcase the largest exhibition in high level security print in Africa where stakeholders and industry players meet to interact and discuss issues in the industry.

“Following the Federal G o v e r n m e n t ’ s endorsement of N5,000 which has created a lot of controversy , the conference is an opportunity for exchange of knowledge and awareness creation.

‘How the Church can face modern-day challenges’

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HE National Director of Vision International Christian, Rev. Francis Olubambi, has emphasised the need for the Church to be sufficiently equipped to face modern-day challenges.

Speaking while outlining upcoming events of the Purpose Network Nigeria, Olubambi said: “Over the years, the Church in Nigeria and, indeed, all over the world has discovered a potent instrument through which the body of Christ

can develop both the spirit and the body towards perfection.

“This is one nucleus on which the PurposeDriven Network Nigeria is predicated. With experiences that span over years in Church growth and Church leadership development, the Vision International Christian Ministries (VICM), is, therefore, organizing various programmes with primary intent of equipping the Church to face the challenges of this dispensation”.

PAGE 8 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Ex-militants back Jonathan on 3rd phase amnesty from various ex-militants groups across Niger Delta until this final approval and pardon.

BY SAMUEL O YA D O N G H A , Yenogoa

equally commend the Chairman of the federal amnesty programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku for

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Why we donated to Delta hospital, by Black Movt of Africa

HE leadership of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force (NDLF) has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the approval of the third phase amnesty for Niger Delta ex-militants, especially the inclusion of its confederates for state pardon in spite of their taking up arms against the Nigerian state and damages inflicted on oil facilities in the course of its agitation for fair deal for the blighted Niger Delta.

Spokesman of the group, Capt. Mark Anthony, in an online statement, said the NDLF excombatants as well as other Niger Delta exmilitants included into the third phase federal government amnesty programme are grateful to God and thank Mr. President for the gesture extended to them.

According to him, “We

BY FESTUS AHON Ughelli

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group, Neo-Black Movement of Africa (World Wide), has donated chairs, bed sheets and other items to the Ughelli and Agbarho Central Hospitals, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State as part of the activities to mark its 2012 welfare day.

Presenting the items, which included toiletries water dispensers, disinfectants and cash donation of N10,000, to the first baby of the day, National Chairman of the group, Mr. Oritsebemigho Eyeoyibo, said the donation stemmed from the de-

his patience and understanding in dealing with all the ex-militants in the 3rd phase pro-

sire of the group to contribute its quota to effective health care service delivery to the people.

According to him, the gesture was an avenue for member of the movement to give back to the society what the society had invested on them over the years.

Saying that government alone could not provide all that was required for improved health care service delivery, he urged corporate bodies, non governmental organizations and public spirited individuals to assist in the provision of medical equipment to the various hospitals across the state.

Receiving the items,

g r a m m e . ”We are commending him; especially for the troubles he personally

Acting Medical Director of the Agbarho Central Hospital, Dr. Em-

encountered with various ex-militant groups, such as phone threats, physical harassment

manuel Nwose, expressed appreciation to the group and assured

that the items would be put into judicious use.

Nigerian students in Gambia BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

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N a bid to prepare younger generation for leadership position in future, Dansol High School,

Ikeja sent some of its students to an 11-day educational tour of the Gambia.

The tour, according to the coordinator and chief operations officer of Doytef

Education and Consult Limited , Mr Donald Ova Akwara, who spoke after the students returned from the tour, was to educate the students on African history

BRIEFS

Charity fair

The fair holds on Sat- the church compound.

T Vincent De Paul urday, 22 September at Society of St Brigids New Christian Club Catholic Church, Ijesatedo, Lagos organises a new Christian Club, each community and mincharity fair, a platform The Club Abraham istry, has emerged. where free medical ser- International , with the According to the coordivices are provided to the motive of networking with nator, Mr. Femi Adebayo, less privileged. It is an- Christians within and out- the intent of the club is to nual event to draw at- side Nigeria by breaking build a good nation and tention of the elite to the the wall of partition built support missionaries in all plight of the poor. on doctrine and practice of Christian-based outfits.

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 , PAGE 9

THE POWER SHOW JEGA CAN AVOID (1)

2015 general elections in jeopardy!

This is the exclusive story of a growing power tussle between Professor Attahiru Jega, National Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and his national commissioners who feel sidelined by a strange messianic mentality that once, almost, destroyed the general elections of last year; but which, today, appears to be laying a foundation for what might turn out to be shambling general elections in 2015. In this report, you will read the seemingly innocent but deliberate steps of Jega which insinuate him into an agenda that is at once manifestly dangerous and subtly inappropriate. Whereas he may have convinced himself that he is on the right path, this report would attempt to prove otherwise.

Professor Attahiru Jega

By Jide Ajani SETTING THE TONE

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NEC, under Professor Attahiru Jega, is becom ing jagged, true or false?

To arrive at a safe conclusion, yet, consider!

November, 1987. Dateline: Lagos (old Senate Building, Tafawa Balewa Complex, Race Course)! That was the national headquarters of the then National Electoral Commission, NEC. Its chairman was a septuagenarian professor of political science, one of the very first produced by Nigeria, Eme Onuoha Awa. With him as national commissioners at that time included but were not limited to Madam Eno Irukwu, Ambassador Ijewere, Chief Oyeyemi, Professor Adele Jinadu and Alhaji Ahmadu as the commission’s secretary.

The enabling law for the commission at that time stated that decisions to be arrived at by the electoral body must enjoy the benefit of consensus.

An example of that presented itself in the very early days of NEC in its preparations for the December 12, 1987 local government election – the election was to be on no-party basis. At one of the commission’s meetings with Awa as chairman, the commissioners debated the option of going for paper-made boxes (like cartons of beer), to augment the remnant of the ballot boxes used before by the Federal Electoral Commission,

FEDECO, of the Second Republic fame. At the end of the day, the commissioners and the chairman agreed after debates and meetings that the option would not only save money, but that it was also the only one open within the context of conducting the election on time.

The elections was conducted. That was in 1987.

FALTERING FAST

Fast forward to Jega’s INEC. April 2, 2011. Dateline: Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Nigeria’s demure demeanour President and Commanderin-Chief, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, had just cast his vote in the federal legislative election. He had returned to his country home, after the fanfare of media attention heaped on him. Mind you, this was the very first time in his life that he would be savouring the moment as the country’s Number One citizen who had just cast his vote – he never had the opportunity to vote as the Number One Citizen in Bayelsa State, even though he served as the state’s governor. It was while receiving visitors that he heard the news like a common citizen to wit: That the election in which he had just voted as President and Commander-in-Chief had been canceled, rendered null and void and of no effect by the pronouncement of Nigeria’s Chief Electoral Officer, Jega.

The chaos and confusion that greeted that announcement

even in the presidential household knew no bounds – you can then imagine what happened in other climes.

What led to the sudden postponement of an election that the whole world had primed itself for?

Whereas the surface level reason was “the need to get it right”, beneath that veneer was a cesspit of intrigues and bitter undertone regarding the activities of the commission, occasioned by the actions and inaction of its chairman on the one hand, and the deliberate actions of some fifth columnists within the commission – because of the process of contract awards which

,

lated by the terms of contract was the consequence Nigeria had to suffer because of the choice of contractors.

It was learnt, last week, that from the frenzy to carry out a new voter registration exercise to the requests for materials for last year ’s elections, these needs were fed by the desire to award contracts.

But even in awarding contracts, there were fault lines.

Between the INEC chairman, some of his national commissioners, the civil servants in INEC, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, some top operators inside Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the acclaimed owner of

Whereas the surface level reason was “the need to get it right”, beneath that veneer was a cesspit of intrigues and bitter undertone regarding the activities of the commission, occasioned by the actions and inactions of its chairman

did not fly with some.

THE LURE OF CONTRACTS

Fresh pieces of information available to Sunday Vanguard point to the suggestion that whereas Jega cruised on the back of accumulated goodwill to become INEC chairman, that cruise control has been experiencing hiccups. The non-delivery of election materials from the contractors on time as stipu-

,

one of the opposition political parties (there are many individuals who own political parties in Nigeria) and a section of the leadership of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, angling for contracts became a major pastime.

While Jega kept insisting he wanted a transparent process and integrity to protect, some other key players did not see it as such. Some civil servants in the INEC, Sunday

Vanguard was made to understand, had their different categories of contractors positioned through insider disclosures. For the PDP and some top operators inside Aso Rock Presidential Villa, their concern was how to make money and more money. For the acclaimed owner of an opposition political party, Sunday Vanguard was told that arrangements had been concluded with a Canadian company for the eventual possibility of becoming a major contractor with the commission; but that move suffered a terminal injury and the process never clicked. For the CPC, its support base in the North and the fact that a northerner, for the first time headed INEC, sent signals that it could exploit such sentiments to get things done. In fact, shortly after the fiasco of the postponement, Sunday Vanguard stumbled on a document which revealed that some proceeds from some of the contracts awarded by Jega’s INEC, found their way into the coffers of a political party.

For some of the national commissioners, the high expectations of making money from contracts upon being appointed was quickly dashed “as Jega ensured that he took charge”, an INEC insider disclosed last week.

In fact, hours before the botched April 2, 2011 election, Jega kept assuring his commissioners that the materials would arrive and the

Continues on page 11

N PAGE 10 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Jega’s Memo on ‘Executive Powers’ I

NEC Chairman’s Com ments on the Senior Staff Establishments Committee (SSEC) Report on the PWC Report Honorable National Commissioners, Secretary to the Commission, I have studied and reviewed the Report of the SSEC on the PWC Report titled Comprehensive Structural Review of the Commission and wish to comment as follows: 1 Background PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was appointed as a consultant by the Commission in October 2011 and tasked with the development of recommendations on restructuring INEC. It completed this task and submitted 4 volumes of its Report between February and May, 2012, after conducting staff interviews, reviewing pertinent documents and drawing from comparative international experiences. The objectives of the commission in requesting this consultancy from PWC were to create an administrative structure that would ensure a trim, effective and efficient electoral management body that would deliver better elections in 20I5 and beyond. The outcomes of this engagement were understood to be a recommendation on restructuring INEC’s operational functions, clarification of job descriptions and a proposal on a new remuneration scheme in line with market rates.

The SSEC Report is a response and commentary on the PwC report, offering an alternative “Structure”.

2 Background of Issues for discussion The SSEC highlighted certain legal, terminological, organizational and procedural concerns with the recommendations made by PwC, which concerns are here addressed, where considered appropriate.

At a very high level, the issues that emerged were: 1,Confusion about who is the Accounting officer of the Commission 2.Confusion about what the role and functions of the Committees and National Commissioners are in the context of executive management and day-to-day running of the affairs of the Commission 3.A proposed structure alternate to the PwC recommendations, which reflected 2 above On the salient points (strength and weaknesses) within the Commission’s struc-

zPresident Goodluck Jonathan ture as identified by the PWC and Noted by the SSEC: Question: Have these been properly identified?

On whether the basic assumptions of the PWC in designing a new structure are flawed: Question: Are the basic assumptions of the PWC in the design of a new structure flawed?

Yes. If so, in what respect(s)?

1.1 While there are complaints that some Committees are “taking over the day-to-day activities” of some Departments/ Units, affecting the normal operations of these depts/units, this has not substantively made them totally “ineffective and redundant”; but the abnormality needs to be corrected as we move on towards 2015 2.The Chairman is both the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer. Unless fhe the Constitution is amended, there is nothing that we can do about that, no matter how we dislike it. However, some in the Commission still question the Chairman being the Accounting Officer, due to the fact that in years past, a Permanent Secretary posted to the Commission used to be the Accounting Officer. But this is no longer the case. The Secretary to the Commission is not a permanent sec-

retary; and roles and responsibilities of the Secretary to the Commission are clearly defined in the Electoral Act and these do not include being the Accounting Officer. On the other hand, the Procurement Act; and the Financial Regulations and the Civil Service rules ‘clearly identify the .’” Head or Chief Executive Officer of an extra ministerial entity as the Accounting Officer. If we think these are too much power concentrated in one hand, we

,

Structure by PWC Question: Did it recommend an “Executive Chairman” in any sense different from that of the Chairman being the Chief Executive Officer of INEC, as ref1ected in the current structure? Did it recommend a Board for the Commission in any sense different from what currently exists?

This is because, both the current and previous Organograms of INEC identified the Commission, as the highest organ (consisting of the Chairman and Members), and its administrative and executive Organ (consisting of DepartmentslDirectorates/Units) at the head of which is the Chairman, followed by the Secretary and the Departments, Directorates and Units, some of which report through the Chairman and many of which report through the Secretary (see attachements).

To my mind, what PWC is expected to do, and it did, was to 1 look at that administrative component of the Organogram and make its proposal aimed at addressing the “over departmentalization and sectionalization of the Commission’s structure ... “ What we should do in this Retreat is focus on to what extent their proposal would help solve the identified weaknesses and/or what we can do to improve upon their recommendation. Where we think that their recommendations will help solve the weaknesses, we should be courageous to accept

them and to reject them if we think otherwise.

In this regard, I believe that we can do better than what PWC has recommended in having a trim structure with fewer departments, some merged with others, etc., and I have a recommendation for the consideration of the Commission

PWC sees them as such, it is incorrect to do so.

The Commission’s regular meetings, which are deliberative at the highest level, which take policy and strategic decisions and grants approvals or otherwise to memos presented to it are certainly akin to the normal functioning of a Board.

But in addition to attending the Commission’s meetings and working in its Standing Committees, National Commissioners also supervise and oversight departments and units, and supervise and oversight at least three states/FCT each. These responsibilities are very important to the discharge of the Commission’s mandate, time consuming and justify the fulltime nature of appointment of the National Cormnlssloners. If these additional responsibilities are well conceptualized and done properly, at both the startegic and policy levels, the National Commisioners would be very busy indeed, with tremendous value-added to the overall attainment of the mandate of INEC..

However, all these responsibilities, though very important, are not “executive” in nature; and challenges have arisen when the distinction is blurred and some National Commissioners see themselves as “executives” over and above the head of depts/units (and the Secretary) in the day-to-day running of the affairs of the Commission.[There are examples where National Commissioners felt that directors and heads of unit cannot deal directly with the Chairman without going through them, or where Chairmen of Committees tried to take procurement decisions and impose them on the departments.] I received reports of such complaints and perhaps in its interactions with the staff of the Commission, the PWC also received such complaints.

For the avoidance of doubt, nowhere in the Constitution or the Electoral Act is it stated or implied that National Commissioners are “executives” or have “executive” duties/responsibilities. Certainly, Sections 14( I) and 15 of the Third Schedule 1999 Constitution neither explicitly state nor implied so. In other words, there is nowhere that full time Commisionership is equated to executive role…..

On the National Commissioners being “mere Board Members” Question: Are national Commissioners mere Board members?

They certainly are not. If the

Professor Attahiru M. Jega, OFR Chairman, INEC 13/06/2012.

THE CONCLUDING PART OF THIS MEMO WOULD BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK

I believe that we can do better than what PWC has recommended in having a trim structure with fewer departments, some merged with others, etc., and I have a recommendation for the consideration of the Commission

should explore amendments to the Constitution and Electoral Act to have these reviewed with explicit provisions on who is what and who does what or accounts for what. Meanwhile, I will act in accordance with my interpretation of what roles and responsibilities are assigned to the Chairman of INEC and Chief Electoral Commissioner an interpretation that. is well informed, well -grounded in law and consistentwith that of all previous Chairmen and Commissions.

On the Proposed

,

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 , PAGE 11

By Kayode Robert Idowu

It is also alleged that there is regional disproportion in the chairmanship of INEC committees by the National Commissioners.

That, simply, betrays grievous ignorance of legal provisions setting up the Commission and governing its operations.

Section 14 (1) (a) of Part 1 (F) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Federal Constitution (as amended) pro-

S

ome sections of the Ni gerian public in recent times have shown intense interest in the structure and personnel composition of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and on-going effort by the Commission to shape up for optimum discharge of its mandate. This interest is not exactly isolated.

It drapes against the backdrop of a notion that the Commission’s manpower have a way of influencing its core task of conducting elections and, thereby, distort the popular will of the electorate. The notion was not helped by the huge credibility deficit of the 2007 general elections; even though the outcomes of the 2011 general elections and other elections conducted by the present leadership of the Commission since then have effectively proved that notion wrong.

The media were awash with sometimes weird tales of goings-on within the Commission. There were reports of imminent shake-ups and redeployments in INEC that were at variance with what the Commission was really up to. Some of the reports were downright farcical.

Perhaps the most bizarre was a newspaper advertorial by a faceless group called ‘Election Integrity Network’ alleging regional domination of INEC. The advertorial, which has been issued by the group twice in selected newspapers, drew strength from a report in the July 02, 2012 edition of a magazine which had alleged sundry tendencies in INEC – the most acute, according to the magazine, of which is a purported design by the present leadership to foist northern domination on the Commission.

z Mohammed Adoke

zMaurice Iwu

Why INEC restructures

,

The media were awash with sometimes weird tales of goings-on within the Commission

,

True, INEC is restructuring; but not because of any regional domination or fundamental defect in the morality of the Commission’s personnel as

presently composed. Its Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, made this clear in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) The Chairman particularly dispelled fears of wild-cat job displacements.

Those alleging ethnic domination in INEC miss the point.

Professor Jega was appointed in 2010 by Mr. President, with the endorsement of the National Council of State and the clearance of the Senate, at a time when a Secretary tenured from the previous dispensation in the Commission had been in office. That tenure needs to run its course, otherwise there will be needless complications in service rules and dislocation of internal cohesion within the Commission.

vides that The Commission shall comprise the following members: (a) a Chairman, who shall be the Chief Electoral Commissioner; and (b) twelve other members to be known as National Electoral Commissioners. In practice, the 12 National Commissioners are appointed by Mr. President on geopolitical basis: two from each of the six geo-political zones making up the country. Also, Section 7 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as gazetted) provides that “the Commission may appoint one or more committees to carry out any of its functions under this Act.” The Commission, for operational convenience, therefore, created committees; and the Chairman as well as all the National Commissioners head one committee or the

other based on personal expertise, previous experience and ultimate responsibility.

Strictly speaking, policy-making in INEC is the constitutional responsibility of the Commission as comprised by the Chairman and 12 National Commissioners. But the ethnic campaigners seem to presume this function applies at the directorate level, hence they have made capital of alleged domination of the headship of INEC’s departments and directorates by the North. There are indeed 67 directors in the Commission, and the distribution on the basis of state of origin is as follows: Benue (9), Anambra (9), Imo (4), Delta (3), Cross River (3), Plateau (3), Akwa Ibom (3), Abia (3), Kebbi (3), Edo (3), Niger (2), Kaduna (2), Zamfara (2), Bayelsa (2), Lagos (2), Bauchi (2), Borno (2), Sokoto (1), Enugu (1), Kano (1), Kogi (1), Katsina (1), Osun (1), Gombe (1), Ogun (1), Jigawa (1) and Yobe (1). Talking about ‘strategic’ departments if there was one, none could be more so in INEC’s work than the ICT and Operations departments, and both presently are headed by South-Easterners. So, what’s the argument, please?

It is no doubt important that a nationally strategic organisation like INEC must be sensitive to the Federal Character factor. But if it must attain unto the vision of the present leadership and satisfy the yearnings of most Nigerians, merit, experience and expertise, not petty ethnic considerations, must be the primary criteria for attaining and holding key offices in the Commission. That is where the on-going restructuring is headed. And that is why the ethnic campaign is needlessly distracting.

Idowu is Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman

2015 general elections in jeopardy?

Continued from page 9 election would hold.

One of the commissioners, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, disclosed that “the chairman did not allow the free flow of information even among us. If information had flowed freely, may be some of us would have advised on how best to go about it”.

Unfortunately for him, this did not happen and the election had to be postponed.

THE TENS OF BILLIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF VOTERS

Long before the 2011 elections, the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, had been consulted by INEC on how to handle the electoral process with a view to making the process freer and devoid of the perennial poisoning. In deed, contrary to the massive outcry for an outright cancellation of the old register for a new one, some of those whose cries were the loudest had more than a passing interest in ensuring a fresh registration exercise.

Some of INEC’s commissioners, both at the federal and state levels, told Sunday Vanguard that one of the suggestions by UNDP was that the old register should be updated and cleaned up. And whereas UNDP attempted to undertake the exercise itself, an agreement was reached whereby the agency’s support “would not be physical but

conceptual while Nigerians would conduct the exercise”, a source said.

“But because some of those who were complaining the loudest had prepared some foreign companies for the contract of data capturing machines, the money must be spent – as it was during the Vietnam war when arms dealers ensured the extension of the war, some Nigerians were more interested in winning contracts than the actual register”, a commissioner said.

In fact, a former commissioner disclosed to Sunday Vanguard: “UNDP’s position was that we do a thorough cleaning of the old register and continually update it. But what happened was that some individuals within the system caused the old register to be corrupted to justify the need for the fresh expenditure. And because no one wanted to stick his neck out against the grain of public opinion at that time, the almost N100billion poured into the registration exercise had to be appropriated and spent”.

Just before Jega resumed, the commission had sent one of its staff who headed the Information and Communications Technology, ICT, department to undertake a PhD programme in the field. The staff, Tunji Adesina, returned to INEC after the completion of the programme but to “his greatest shock, he was sent packing via retirement”. Before he was retired, according to a source, he had warned that going for a brand new register would not solve Nigeria’s problems but all entreaties fell on deaf ears.

CONTINUES NEXT WEEK

NEXT WEEK *Who is Dr. Mahmud MAGAJI, Jega’s Chief of Staff, allegedly usurping the powers of the Commission’s Secretary? *Whose bidding was Mohammed Adoke, SAN, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, doing when he hurriedly took Jega to the cleaners about the position of CHIEF EXECUTIVE? *What is the role of PDP in all these? *Why the opposition parties are still mum over this matter *The difference between Nigeria’s Voters’ Register and the one in America *Why Nigeria’s INEC is different from others in the world Idowu is Chief Press Sec*The dangers ahead in 2015 retary to INEC Chairman

PAGE 14— SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

STATE POLICE?

God forbid —Tanko Yakassai I was arrested by local police 14 times z2015 campaigners, out to distract Jonathan z

Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, former Presidential Adviser in the Second Republic, has remained an ardent commentator on socio-political issues in Nigeria and does not shy away when the occasion demands his voice. With the recent resurgence of agitation by Northern governors for a review of the resource control law, the elder statesman bared his mind on what is responsible for the development and takes on those who are already on the prowl for the 2015 election, describing them as diversionary elements out to distract the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan from focusing o the delivery of democracy dividends to Nigerians. Excerpts:

Abuja

W

hy do you think the agitation for reopening of onshore/offshore law is coming back many years after the Supreme Court had put an end to the matter?

Well, the matter was never been laid to rest because what is being done about the issue is not what the Supreme Court ruled.

Sure? What did the Supreme Court decide then?

The decision of the court was that no state should own revenue from the continental shelf. The court stated clearly that no state has any claim to offshore oil. As far as the ruling of the Supreme Court is concerned, the onshore/offshore dichotomy still subsists.

But running away from implementing the verdict of the apex court, the then President, Obasanjo, opted for what he called ‘political solution’ by setting up a committee headed by Chief Tony Anenih to find a solution to the complaints by the oil-producing

states that they had been shortchanged by the judgment.

Now, against the clear verdict of the court, they are now paying huge sums of money to oil-bearing states not mind-

make a pronouncement on whether its judgment has been carried out by the government or not.

Do you think it is possible for former President

,

By Soni Daniel,

Alhaji Tanko Yakassa

I will never support state police. I suffered untold hardship in the hands of local police in Kano. I was arrested 14 times by the local police. The introduction of state police will be the harbinger of the destruction of democracy in Nigeria

,

ing whether they are onshore or offshore-producing. That is just the reason why some people are arguing that the Supreme Court verdict should be adhered to.

Don’t forget that somebody can go back to the Supreme Court tomorrow and ask it to

Obasanjo to anoint a candidate for the North again – as he did in 2007?

Look, let me tell you there is nothing like that.

Obasanjo or any other person cannot decide for the north.

If I may ask, who gave him

that power? Under which section of the Constitution is he mandated to choose for the north or Nigeria who should be what and who should not?

Although as a Nigerian he is entitled to his opinion, but he cannot act as if he has a supreme power from the Almighty God. It does not work that way. Obasanjo is not Almighty God and cannot even decide for PDP or any other party. He cannot even speak for the PDP. He can only speak for himself.

As a northerner, are you worried about the continued violence that is threatening the economy of the North?

I have made an analysis of the local government areas affected by the violence and I have found out that only 18 LGAs out of the total of 774 LGAs in Nigeria. That does not even constitute one percent of 774 LGAs in Nigeria. Therefore, you cannot draw any conclusion that the crisis has affected the economy of any region in Nigeria.

What is happening is that because of the violence,

people who would have brought in their money to invest in Nigeria are afraid to do so. It does not affect a particular region but the whole of Nigeria. Therefore, it is the economy of Nigeria that is suffering from the crisis and not that of any particular region of the country. In any case, the economy of the north is based on agriculture and livestock, and people are farming and cattle rearers are rearing their cattle. There is no large scale devastation of the farming activities of the areas. People are still benefiting from the livestock from the area and the farm produce from the areas.

Any objective assessor would agree that violence in the area is subsiding because there has been no reduction in the quantity of farm produce and livestock from the farming belts in the north to the areas of consumption in other parts of the country. Whatever was being produced in the rural areas is still being produced and one cannot say that there is disruption of economic activities as a result of violence.

Continues on page 15

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012— PAGE 15

2015 campaigners, out to distract Jonathan — Yakassai

Alhaji Tanko Yakassa

What is happening in this country is that general investment has dropped as a result of insufficient power. Once that problem is solved, investments will begin to grow.

So, it is not peculiar to any part of this country.

What in your own opinion do you think the government should do to stem the tide of attacks in the north?

When there was crisis in the Niger Delta, Yar ’Adua approached the issue through dialogue. As I read in the papers today, the government said it was engaging the Boko Haram people in dialogue via indirect way. It means that after that they can engage in direct talks. An insurgent of this nature does not end at once. Do not forget the one in Britain lasted for close to several decades and it was finally resolved through dialogue. I have a strong belief that if it is true that the government is discussing with the sect, it means that the end is in sight.

Would you say there is something that excites you

about the Jonathan Presidency?

Well, what I am really fascinated about the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan is its commitment to the power rehabilitation programme, which is the bedrock of industrial development.

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Continued from page 14

a time I used to spend so much on diesel in my own house but that has changed significantly.

So, even though it has not brought about 24-hour power supply, one can say that there is a significant improvement in power supply in the country.

And I can tell you that if this sector alone can be improved,

It is rather too early for any sane Nigerian to begin to talk about 2015 now. As far as I am concerned any talk about 2015 now is a clear diversion of attention of the government

I am also happy that the President has appointed a high-powered committed headed by the Vice President to handle the programme. I can tell you from my personal experience that there has been an improvement in the generation and supply of electricity in recent times. There was

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it would lead to mass production of goods and services and the generation of employment for Nigerians. When that happens, it will lead to a reduction in violent crimes - armed robberies, kidnapping, piracy and so on.

Do you support the agitation for state police?

Look, those who are calling for state police do not wish this country well. They have refused to learn from history. I will never support state police. I suffered untold hardship in the hands of local police in Kano. I was arrested 14 times by the local police. The introduction of state police will be the harbinger of the destruction of democracy in Nigeria. The day you introduce state police will be the end of democracy in this country. If you go by what the governors are doing in their respective states in the name of State Independent Electoral Commission, then you can be sure that state police is a recipe for killing the country’s democracy.

You can see how in every state, the respective independent electoral commissions return the governor ’s party almost 100 percent no matter how strong the other party candidates may be. You can imagine what would have happened in Plateau State for instance, if the state had a police of its own.

What do you make of the planned introduction of N5,000 currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria?

Well, I think it is a step in the right direction. It will go a long way to check insecurity and other forms of threats to Nigerians carrying large sums of money. The worrisome thing is that most of those who are criticizing the move do not know anything about finance and economics but they are making noise about it all the same. It was the same noise that was made during the introduction of N1000 bank notes.

Now common logic should

tell you that the printing of N5000 bank notes will lead to a reduction in the quantity of money to be carried about by any individual. By so doing, the number of people who are being robbed would reduce because one can carry a million Naira about without being detected by robbers.

So, as far as I am concerned it is a step in the right direction, which Nigerians should support. It will not induce inflation and other forms of economic woes as being speculated by some uninformed persons. It would keep armed robbers at bay and make it more convenient for Nigerians to carry large sums of money to wherever they want.

Is it too early to talk about 2015?

To me, it is rather too early for any sane Nigerian to begin to talk about 2015 now. As far as I am concerned any talk about 2015 now is a clear diversion of attention of the government. I want Nigerians to rather focus attention on this government - both at the federal and state levels, to deliver on the promises they had made to the electorate last year. When the time comes the Nigerian people will decide who should rule them and where the person should come from.

But now it is time for development, to provide employment for the citizens and to improve infrastructure. Why are we in a terrible hurry? Why don’t we concentrate on power generation, improvement of agriculture and so on? These are the areas that will change the fortunes of the average Nigerian for the better and not where somebody comes from and all that.

Therefore, any discussion on 2015 Presidency for now is nothing but a great disservice to the nation and its people.

We should desist from it.

PAGE 16—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

ers include late Godwin Dabo and Femi Fani-Kayode and (those MKO Abiola politicians who served under Abacha).

Also keep in mind that the Abati Effect is a universal phenomenon which transcends profession, gender, religious affiliation, and place of origin. I know some highly placed academics and

members of the clergy who, upon being appointed to a public post, changed overnight from critics to vociferous oti mkpus of military dictators and corrupt politicians. Hence the Abati Effect is a recurrent feature of our national life.

Susceptibility to the phenomenon is a useful barometer for measuring the integrity and moral stamina of social commentators in Nigeria, for it helps people to differentiate between genuine critics and pretenders.

The case of Abati is particularly telling, given his popular media interventions in Patito’s Gang and regular columns in The Guardian newspapers.

For many years, Abati had, through incisive but sometimes impudent criticism of public officials (including Jonathan), generated a consensus of expectations among his readers who look up to him as a fearless interpreter of national affairs.

But it is quite possible that those criticising Abati for his volt face with respect to the President do not know him well; they probably do not really understand how fickle human beings are in matters that affect their material circumstances.

Perhaps Abati is a victim of his own success: having projected the image of a fearless critic of top public officials in the media, his admirers do not expect him to be a

sycophant for anybody.

That said, to objectively assess the degree of transformation which Abati’s views about President Jonathan have undergone since he became Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, it is very appropriate to compare the contents of two essays he wrote about Jonathan, his style of governance, performance and achievements; the first one before his appointment, the second just over two weeks ago (that is, fourteen months since he started working for Jonathan).

In the first essay (let’s call it A) entitled “Hurry up, Jonathan,” Abati stated that “It is very easy in a Presidential position in Nigeria, nay Africa, to get carried away with the ceremonies of office, to be largely overwhelmed by the fawning attention of sycophants and opportunists, and as the intensity of this increases the man of power begins to imagine himself a superman, and he soon forgets his primary assignment and begins to enjoy the office for its own sake and what it can bring….It looks like President Goodluck Jonathan is beginning to fall into that pit.” In the second one (B) captioned “The Jonathan they don’t know,” Abati addresses critics of his boss as “…the cynics, the unrelenting, self-appointed activists, the idle and idling, twittering collec-

tive children of anger, the distracted crowd of Facebook addicts, the BBMpinging soap opera gossips of Nigeria who seem to be in competition among themselves to pull down President Goodluck Jonathan…..”

He further alleges that there are “….a lot of unintelligent people repeating stupid clichés and too many intelligent persons wasting their talents lending relevance to thoughtless conclusions.”

The problem now is how to reconcile the “old” Abati who wrote A with the “ new ” Abati that wrote B. Was the “old” Reuben among the “…cynics, the pestlewielding critics, the unrelenting, self-appointed activists, the idle and idling, twittering collective children of anger`”?

May be, or probably at that time he belonged to the class of “unintelligent people repeating stupid clichés” or of “intelligent persons wasting their talents lending relevance to thoughtless conclusions.” Concerning Jonathan’s style of governance, Abati asserted in essay A that ”…since February [2010, when Jonathan was Acting President] … there is no indication that President Jonathan intends ‘to hit the ground running.’ He seems to have ‘hit the ground dancing.’ He should watch his footwork.

lieve that most adults live in a prison of some sort; our minds have trapped us in little prisons and whether we acknowledge it or not, we only have limited periods of freedom. Our mind uses the past or even the idea of the unknown to trap us and even the strongest of us can't quite live out in the open.

A recent conversation

our slates clean; to forgive and forget. Our fellow man on the other hand offers no such blanket; the prison of our minds is reinforced by the sure damnation that comes from our fellow man. As flawed as we all are; we are very judgemental; our first instinct is always judgement followed by swift condemnation. The conscience, that in-built moral barometer convicts us time and time again of all our foibles and keeps us on the straight and narrow but it has a memory that just won't quit. Even if God forgives us most of us

waste on floor gazing when we should be star gazing. I am not always proud of my choices but I try not to pass the blame for who I was to outside influences. The choices I have made are mine alone, regardless of any external or extenuating influence. I don't fake by penitence as I am not sorry for most of those choices. The stuff I regret are the ones I didn't have the courage to do; being stupid when you are ignorant is excusable but being stupid when you know better is just plain stupid. I believe in peace; Its important to make peace with the past, with the consequences of our actions and accept the reality we have. True freedom begins when we have enough self love to let go of the past; we can live out in the open when we are loved enough to receive acceptance by those who love and matter to us.

anyone feels as stifled by this environment as I sometimes do? I have noticed that I have felt a more complete sense of liberty when I am out of the country lately and my emotional pressure gauge is either faulty or my spirit is getting broken. I think prison, the emotional variety is the cage built by the shame implied or bestowed by those we are emotionally invested in. I have never understood the need to explain the past or compensate for them to those who weren't even a factor back then!

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

Rhythms of the Abati effect cial when that very critic is given an appointment by the same official he had been criticising.

“Abati Effect” signifies eye service or, more precisely, an extreme change of opinion from negative to positive by an individual when he becomes a beneficiary and defender of the person he scathingly criticised previously. My proposal

,

It is quite possible that those

criticising Abati for his volt face with respect to the President do not know him well; they probably do not really understand how fickle human beings are

has analytic simplicity, and helps to fix firmly in the mind the phenomenon of volte face whenever it occurs.

Of course, the logical flip side of Abati Effect is a praise-singer who later becomes an adversary of his former beneficiary either because he has been dumped or no longer receives patronages

Out in the open

A

prison can come in many shapes and forms. There are the physical prisons that people get sent to as a punishment for breaking the law. They are made of bricks and mortars; meant to trap people in confinement.

Those prisons are institutions and infrastructures of dread; no normal person wants to end up there. There are also prisons that cover far larger spaces than the penitentiaries; prisons that are mobile and never ending; dishing out torture per minute to anyone and everyone. The human mind is one of the most complex and fascinating parts of us but it is also powerful, wielding enormous power, capable of imprisoning the richest as well as the poorest. The mind can be a tool of reformation and power negatively or positively; it gathers information and absorbs them; using our pains, fears and insecurity to sen-

tence us to a prison of our own making.

Prison is the exact opposite of liberty. A prisoner is captive, confined and restricted; most rights and privileges are forfeited. It is quite possible to be a free person walking the streets at will and be just as confined as the men in shackles behind bars.

Lately I have been pondering the concept of liberty in its true ramifications; wondering which one of us is ever truly free? I should state that I define prison as anything, place, situation or even person that bridles or stifles us. There is a popular phrase in Christendom and it refers to God as the "lifter up of our heads". The phrase suggests that situations and circumstances have kept our heads bowed; that we have become shackled by failure, guilt and lethargy but that the love of God liberates us and then causes a lifting up. It is almost a safe bet to be-

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S

OMETIMES in science, when a researcher discovers a hitherto unknown phenomenon or invents a theory that sheds better light on a phenomenon known already, the phenomenon in question is named after him or her, essentially in recognition of such an accomplishment.

Thus we have the Hall Effect, the Zeeman Effect, the Compton Effect and so on. Extrapolating from the practice in science, we can name a behavioural pattern or trait after an individual whose conduct epitomises it.

Now, ever since Reuben Abati’s essay “The Jonathan they don’t know ” was published about two weeks ago, reactions to it have been sustained and overwhelmingly negative to an extent unprecedented in recent public discourse. Therefore I propose that the expression “Abati effect,” should be used to denote or describe a complete turnaround in the opinion of a critic of a top public offi-

from his paymaster. From whatever angle one looks at it, the main issue generated by the Abati Effect bothers on public morality.

Specifically, it involves the obligation of columnists and social commentators to be consistent and accountable in the views they project to the public. Before we discuss the complete transfiguration in Abati’s portraiture of President Goodluck Jonathan, it is pertinent to remark that Reuben is neither the first (nor the last) to manifest the Abati Effect: oth-

The world lives in a closet, truth is freedom but since we are never fully truthful, we are not truly free

got me thinking about true freedom. Who is free and at what price? Lately I have come to the conclusion that we all have places in our minds where no one can reach.

We have dark rooms, where we chain our fears, our guilt and our shame.

Christianity offers a blanket amnesty with a promise of God to wipe

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can't completely forgive ourselves. The first stone throw in our condemnation is thrown by the hand under our hearts; we won't forgive ourselves so how do we expect others to?

The true reality is that life really is short; there is not enough time to

If I had to describe the past few months I would say there have been periods where my head was anything but lifted. Situations and circumstances have had me questioning my choices and that in itself is a prison.

By all accounts times are hard; we all are feeling the pinch but I wonder if

The world lives in a closet, truth is freedom but since we are never fully truthful, we are not truly free. Our heads are bowed not by our past but by the condemnation to be found in the present. The present condemns us because we care; we want to rate high in the esteem of our loved ones and in the society. Not caring apparently is unnatural. I would someday love to taste freedom in all its ramifications. To voice my opinions without fear of reprimand, condemnation or even attack; to be free from judgement and gaze not at the floor but at the stars. That would be freedom; right out in the open.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 17

Adventures in prophecy (contd) When Asthma calls – Prof Nnaji

The real tragedy is that he would not be the last, in this administration, to fall on the sword of conflict of interest or peddling bold faced lies in order to stay in power…

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ing, not history. History started yesterday, continues today, tomorrow and it is not favourable to him at the moment. We will deliver our verdict before posterity, if it is interested in another scandal, gets a chance to judge him. The real tragedy is that he would not be the last, in this administration, to fall on the sword of conflict of interest or peddling bold faced lies in order to stay in power….

THE REUBEN ABATI WE DIDN’T KNOW “In our vile times/..man was whatever his element/Either a tyrant or traitor or prisoner”. Alexander Pushkin, I790-I834. Russian Writer and poet(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 26I).

Incidentally, that piece by the Russian writer and poet, was the first one to appear on this page in 1994, when the first column was published under the title FRANKLY SPEAKING. Last month marked the eighteenth anniversary of the page. Soon, I will join, my Egbon, Alhaji Animasaun, in retirement. Coincidentally too, the I994 article addressed itself to people in public life, who we thought we knew, very well, who joined Abacha’s phony transmission to civil rule. My position then was captured in the article SHIP OF FOOLS which predicted accurately that the Constitutional Conference (called the CONFAB by the media) was a con game by Abacha to buy time. By the time Abacha died Dr Alex Ekwueme and other leading politicians had come to realize that they had indeed been deceived by Abacha.

If Unijankara people have to be paid NI0 million for every prediction we got right, even Sanusi cannot print enough N5,000 notes to pay us.

Then, as now, there were leading journalists and columnists, people we thought we knew, who succumbed to the lure of office and lucre – clean or filthy. Reuben Abati’s article titled, The Jonathan they do not know, which was sent to every national newspaper, about two weeks ago, was so uncharacteristic of the author, it prompted a mini-research by the staff of Unijankara, who, according to Reuben, can be classified among “cynics”, “unintelligent…….” or “intelligent ………..”. If it will make Reuben happy, we claim all the titles.

“Life gives us brief moments with another...but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a life time...

L

AST week was a hard time for my colleagues in the Vanguard office. Although I was not physically present, I felt their loss nonetheless. Our entertainment editor, Ogbonna Amadi succumbed to asthma related complications. His death was so sudden that colleagues can barely take in his absence.

In my line of work as a public health specialist, we experience loss both professionally and personally as part of life cycle, still it does not make it any easier.

We were told that Ogbona Amadi succumbed to complications related asthma. The symptoms he complained of - feeling cold, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest and coughing. He was rushed to the clinic but they were unable to save him.

Asthma may seem relatively manageable but can prove fatal. His death really hit home as

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H

has said can convince even a fool that those two acid tests were met. At least one could not be met, even if they tried. The operators of his blind trust knew they were handling investments in the power sector -- in which the Minister was deeply involved. That amounts to being clever by half. It is inconceivable that they would not have wanted to return the assets to the Minister at a higher value.

Government officials never listen; high office and the sudden grasp of power promote hubris – that feeling that they are somehow infallible – until they fall from power. Most, like Prof, then revert to that shelter of those who have mismanaged the past and the present; they ask history to judge them; as if they will dictate what posterity will write. Well, I have bad news for Prof, who read engineer-

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“The climax of every tragedy lies in the deafness of its heroes”. Albert Camus, I903-I960. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 90).

E could have been our greatest Minister of Power, ever, before the final privatization of the corruption-ridden Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN. His was intellectually the best mind to grapple with the monster which the PHCN had become. But like Samson, in the Bible, and Achilles, in Greek mythology, he disregarded warnings which he did not like and he came with a sore heel. Let me explain immediately what I mean by that. Samson was advised not to reveal the source of his strength to anyone. In the heat of passion (only God knows how many men have fallen into the trap of women), he told Delilah. When Professor Nnaji was appointed Minister of Power, last year, he proceeded to promise Nigerians, as well as foreign investors, that the nation would be generating and distributing 5,000 MW of power by December of last year. I warned him on these pages not to repeat it because he stood to be discredited like Chief Bola Ige and Liyel Imoke, before him, who made similar promises and failed us. He would not listen. Instead, he repeated the promise until November of last year. Today, September 20I2, the 5,000MW remains a mirage.

Worse still, the former Minister of Power, instead of apologizing to Nigerians offered the same lame excuses we have heard for more than twenty years. Yet a simple “I am sorry, I failed” would have lifted him above all the rest of Jonathan’s lack luster cabinet.

His “Achilles heel” was the possibility of conflict of interest. Before becoming Minister of Power, and, that was as a Presidential Adviser, Professor Nnaji, a major investor in a private power generating company, had been, in my own view, involved in conflict of interests. As the major shareholder in the private company, Nnaji had called for an increase in electricity tariff. First, as Adviser, then as Minister, he had promoted and finally got implemented a steep increase which will cost Nigerians billions of naira annually and increase the revenue of his own company. The fig-leaf defence that he had placed his investment under a “blind trust” is just that – a worthless cover-up. As a victim of the tariff increase from which his company will benefit, there can be no justification for his conduct.

When THE PUNCH newspaper and I, in March of this year, asked Nnaji to resign, as a matter of honour, he encouraged a “pen for hire” “journalist”, writing under a false identity, to send rejoinders to VANGUARD and PUNCH. The “journalist” is forgiven because what he and Professor Nnaji failed to know was that his days were numbered. After reading the attacks on PUNCH and myself, I wrote a private letter to the former Minister. I cannot vouch for the delivery of the letter because his staff might have thrown it away as the handiwork of a “lunatic”. But let me share one line with our readers from that letter – whether delivered or not.

“Let me warn you, Prof, despite the fact that Nigerians are powerless to stop the proposed tariff increase, from which you personally stand to benefit, at our expense, we will soon see you out of office –discredited. You will probably not be in office in 20I5 when Jonathan completes his term – as I hope he will”. Little did I know that the former Minister would have been out of office before the end of this year. His explanations, which amount to holding a fig leaf to cover nakedness, are, to me, totally unconvincing. A blind trust, even under the best of circumstances, operates when the operators of the blind trust don’t know what is in the package and when the operators are people of unimpeachable integrity. Nothing Nnaji

clear, research has shown that children exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke are at increased risk for acute lower respiratory tract infections. Black people are three times more likely to die from asthma related causes than the White population.

The exact cause of asthma isn’t known. Though studies shown that there are some inherited component and environmental factors that interact to cause asthma, most often early in life.

If asthma runs in the family, exposure to irritants for instance, smoke inhalation may cause one to react adversely to airborne substances.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include: Coughing, wheezing like a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when breathing ,chest tightness that may feel like squeezing or a heavy weight on ones chest with shortness of breath.

Some people who have asthma say they can’t catch their breath or they feel out of breath. Not all people who have asthma have these symptoms.

You may need more than one kind of medicine or higher doses of medicine to control your asthma, or if you have overall problems getting your asthma well controlled

in the last three years, people close to me had lost their loved ones. One friend lost her young son another friend lost her partner, he was 42 years old. I also have a vested interest as my children have asthma.

I understand that the subject matter is not one that some people like to engage in especially not long after a loss. But I come from the camp that knows that knowledge is power.

So what do we know about asthma? Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood.

Black people have the highest asthma prevalence of any racial group.

It is a long term condition, that affects the lungs and inflames and narrows the airways.

One may experience wheezing or whistling breathing sounds, chest tightness, shortness of breath and coughing.

The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

While all of the causes of asthma remain un-

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Likewise, having these symptoms doesn’t always mean that you have asthma. The best way to diagnose asthma for certain is to use a lung function test, a medical history (including type and frequency of symptoms) and a physical examination.

Severe symptoms can be fatal. It’s important to treat symptoms when you first notice them so they don’t become severe.

With proper treatment, most people who have asthma can expect to have few, if any, symptoms either during the day or at night.

The key is to be aware of trigger or worsen asthma symptoms that may cause your asthma to flare up. Triggers may include: allergens from dust, animal fur, cockroaches, mould, and pollens from trees, grasses, and flowers.

Irritants such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, chemicals or dust in the workplace, compounds in home décor products and sprays such as hairsprays, air fresheners or perfumes or

physical activity, including exercise. Medicines such as aspirin or other no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and nonselective beta-blockers can also trigger an attack.

Sulphites in foods and drinks or viral upper respiratory infections, such as colds.

Other health conditions can make asthma harder to manage; such as a runny nose; sinus infections, reflux disease, psychological stress, and sleep apnoea.

You may need more than one kind of medicine or higher doses of medicine to control your asthma, or if you have overall problems getting your asthma well controlled Asthma is a long-term disease that can’t be cured. The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease.

Good asthma control will: prevent chronic and troublesome symptoms, such as coughing and shortness of breath, reduce your need for quickrelief medicines, and help you maintain good lung function. It should let you maintain your normal activity level and sleep through the night and day time.

It should prevent or reduce asthma attacks that could result in an emergency room visit or hospital stay.

Asthma is treated with two types of medicines: long-term control and quick-relief medicines.

Long-term control medicines help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms.

Proper treatment makes a big difference in preventing both short-term and long-term complications caused by asthma.

The following guidelines are suitable for both children and adults and are the recommended steps to follow in an asthma attack Crucially, it is important that your doctor confirms that you have asthma. A definite diagnosis goes hand in hand with a proper individualised asthma treatment plan Then, with the help of your doctor, have an asthma plan in place ,in case you get an attack or it worsens.

Before you start any asthma treatment, be aware of what your triggers are and what to do in terms of treatment.

Elicit support from family, friends and colleagues about your asthma and tell them what to do in case of a asthma attack.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

What is the meaning of distinguished senator?

of the big guests happened to be a former legislator. He came with his personal assistant and some local police who appeared to have been briefed on how to make sure their principal was well recognized (who says there are no state police?) Unfortunately, the Master of Ceremony (MC) at the occasion was probably not too conversant with the “order of precedence” as he was listing all the VIPs including this writer who is only a retired Journalist without reference to the real big man of the occasion. The way the personal assistant moved about in anger over the delay in announcing the presence of his principal made the host to quickly direct the MC to make

amends. The latter then profusely apologized for the slip before introducing the “distinguished Senator ”. Knowing that the big man was only in the Senate for a brief period before he was sacked by an election tribunal which found him not to be the rightful winner of his election, I became curious to know if the Oga was back to the Senate.

The answer was simple: ‘once a Senator always a

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XACTLY a week ago, I had the privilege of attending a unique ceremony back home in my community of 3 villages.

It was an interesting home coming event as many of us in diaspora were in attendance. One

David Mark for instance, can be so described having distinguished himself in the Public Service of Nigeria.

F

irst, he had an ex cellent career in the army from 1962 when he enrolled in the Nigerian Military School Zaria till he retired as Brigadier General in 1993. While in the army, he held two high ranking political positions. These were Military Governor of Niger State and then Minister of Communication.

There was in fact the interesting story which made the rounds then that when Mark was in

It is in earnest worse to describe those who left office with a chunk of corruption charges hanging on them as distinguished anything

Senator ’. Why would a person who failed in a venture be labeled as distinguished alongside others who made a success of the event?

For me, a person distinguished in any venture would be some eminent renowned achiever in the subject. Senator

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charge of communications, he disconnected all debtor telephone lines including the one on the desk of the Head of State. David Mark is now a Senator of the Federal Republic and has been so since 1999 when he first won election to represent the Benue

World Igbo (re)construction power struggles as a result. The power struggle led to its decline, and almost put to death a potentially powerful tool for organizing an Igbo Diaspora. In reaction to the crisis within the WIC, many Igbo in the United States began to actively subvert it, or ignore it, or in great frustration abandon it. Factions rose.

New fissiparous organizations like the Igbo World Assembly (IWA) were formed, quickly cobbled together to fill a vacuum, or what was seen to be the impeding vacuum soon to be left by the WIC. Well, frankly, its death knell was clear and reverberating. It would have been a terrible thing for an organization founded to bring together an Igbo Diaspora in Europe, the United States and Canada, and increasingly in Asia, where the ever migrant Igbo have established new homes across the world away from the homeland.

The WIC was an exciting addition to the Igbo question when it was formed in the middle of the 1990s at the height of

the Abacha dictatorship.

It came with so much hope. The Igbo in Nigeria seemed to have been worsted and exhausted from the alienation of life in Nigeria. The Igbo organization, the “Ohaneze Ndigbo” felt like a tepid and reactionary instrument, always malleable, and not forceful enough to rally the Igbo to a precise political purpose and direction. It was too right-of-the cent-

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OME years ago, in the din of the conflict that had marred its promise, I had written a piece titled “the world Igbo confusion” in great frustration about the direction of the American-based World Igbo Congress (WIC). It had structural problems. Its raison d’etre had also become profoundly watered down to the point where the Igbo in the United States began to see no point in the thing.

The leadership was involved, and mostly without insight, consultation or consensus, in negotiating its own interests rather than what was considered the strategic Igbo interest with the powers of the moment, precisely, the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo who had a clear adversarial relationship with the Igbo.

The WIC had slipped into decadence and the ineluctable miasma of corruption as it increasingly became the tool of prebendal politics and twisted politicians. It had moved far apart from the interests it was established to represent, and it was mired in internal

South Senatorial District.

He is currently the President of the Senate - a position he has held from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2011 till date. In other words, Senator Mark is in his second tenure as Senate President. Thus when a person like Senator Mark is described as a distinguished Senator, it sticks. No one needs to be persuaded on it. So are persons like former Senate President Nnamani and Senator Markafi.

But when a neophyte in the Senate is similarly described, it provokes ample curiosity. How can someone be addressed as a distinguished Senator from the day he was sworn into the Senate?

I

t is true though that many Senators are not new to politics and that some had earlier served as State Governors. While some of them who served without blemish can pass for distinguished politicians, there is little sense in calling them distinguished in a new area where they are yet to be tested. It is in earnest worse to describe those who left office with a chunk of corruption charges hanging on them as distinguished anything. There are also others who like the big man in our village event got to the Senate through rigging. Our evidence is adduced from a public debate organized by the Senate on the INEC Bill on April 20 2005. On the

other elders of the Igbo living in the United States, in concert with a younger generation of Igbo professionals who rallied together, a great stirring happened in the homeland. Some of us felt that stirring from the distance. Many felt a new spine for the Igbo that was growing from its Diaspora.

There was always this expectation wrongly or rightly, that the Igbo Diaspora held the key to Igbo transformation.

When the first International Congresses were held, many leading Igbo traveled to the conventions hoping to be part of that renewal that the Congolese modernist poet, Felix Tchicaya

The Igbo in Nigeria seemed to have been worsted and exhausted from the alienation of life in Nigeria

er. So when the World Igbo Congress was announced, and its first conventions held in Houston and then in London, featuring great Igbo names like the now late Dr. Ikejiani who lived in Canada, and the world famous scientist, Professor Alex Acholonu and others like CC Momah, former Librarian of the United Nations among

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U’Tamsi had claimed as the “pagan renewal of the world” – that is a pulsion of such energy that creates a powerful renaissance. Perhaps there was where the damage began to happen. The WIC conventions soon became a jamboree; the gathering point of many Igbo politicians representing sometimes clearly antithetical agenda and in-

occasion, a Senator according to a report by the Punch newspapers cautioned his ‘distinguished’ colleagues as follows: “Most of us came here (Senate) through electoral malpractices. So, we should be mindful of how we handle this bill”. Do such experts in election rigging also pass for distinguished Senators? Well, since the debate was 7years ago, maybe we can rely on the new thinking that elections are now free and fair.

However, the pattern of election results these days tends to suggest that more and more election losers are beginning to have the same experience as that of the Congress of Progressive Change (CPC) known as the theory of scientific rigging.

In any case, there is little anyone can do about the title ‘distinguished Senator’ because the misnomer is not just about the Senate. Rather it is about the vanity of politics in which every politician thinks he is the only important person in society - a feature which seems to be partly responsible for our inability to develop our nation.

It is a concept whereby everything is seen as inferior to politics. The case of the introduction of a N5000 note currency by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is a good example. While the rest of us are worried over the subject for sundry

terests that were frankly dangerous to the Igbo.

They came with large purses and waved so much carrots that it became clear where the pork lay. These interests soon found connections with partner groups within WIC whose main purpose seemed to be to

use the WIC as a means to furthering their personal ambitions riding on the back of the Igbo.

It became such a thing that visiting governors and ministers and other political appointees who came to the conventions were inundated with applications, requests for money, and other such curious diversions.

There was also that pesky fact that the leadership felt too immature, too disorganized to provide clear directions for growth for the WIC. It was, given all these, that I penned my frustration.

Recently however, it does seem that a new page might turn with the WIC under the new leadership of Mr. Joe Nze Eto, a Geologist and Environmental Engineer, and President of SETS an Environmental Engineering Corp in Atlanta. Eto was involved in the litigations and the leadership tussles that have marred the WIC. But as he said this past week in Orlando, Florida where the annual World Igbo Congress convention held, “all my fight is to reposition the WIC for its great task of

rational reasons, the perception of one distinguished Senator is that the CBN cannot go ahead with it without the permission of the Senate.

In other words, the real issue is not whether the subject will turn out to be in the interest of the nation or not. Instead, what matters is the consent of the Senate which no one is sure would not be purchased. That is the reality we face today. Once a politician is satisfied with a subject, all is well. Unfortunately, no one bothers about his antecedents or that of other politicians. This was shown last week at the event referred to earlier in this article which took us all - the diaspora of my community - to a homecoming event.

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fter the merry mak ing segment, it was time to bid farewell to guests and to formally assign duties to every member of the committee for the main assignment - the community project.

As a retired Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) I was to head the publicity subcommittee.

One of the points which the overall community head believed would help me to serve was that he had secured the willingness of other journalists to assist me. Among them were two politicians who were known to be strong publicity officials of the leading political party in the area. organizing the Igbo in the Diaspora. It was not personal.” I am prepared to give Mr. Eto a benefit of doubt.

Given the tenor of this convention that held at the Doubletree Hotel by the Universal Studios in Orlando, just with the background noise of the National Republican Convention not too far away in Tampa, it seems that WIC has come on to a new direction. The atmosphere here was crisp and businesslike.

There were guests from Nigeria including the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, former governor of Abia State, Mr Rex Onyeador, former Permanent Secretary in the government of Enugu State, Dr. Pat. Utomi of the Lagos Business School, Chuks Iloegbunam, Journalist and former Chief of Staff to the Anambra State government, Professor Ebere Onwudiwe of the Center for Democracy and Development, and so many others who joined the Igbo from across the United States including the distinguished Professor MJC Echeruo, Emeritus professor of English at Syracuse and current Chair of the board of Trustees of the WIC Foundation, CC Momah, Dr. Gaius Akuchie (Ofokaja), so many indeed, for a concourse.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 19

Sex with itching!

Dear Rebecca

I

am a 21 year old girl in a higher institu tion . I am in love with a guy who is five years my senior. I lost my virginity to him because I felt I had come of age. I have no regrets about this, and this is not the problem.

My problem is that I noticed that after intercourse , my vagina begins to itch me although without any secretion.

When I urinate, the feeling is pepperish.

I know I don’t have any STDS because I have really been careful, insisting that he uses the condom. Also, I have noticed that my menstrual flow has been heavy . I do not really know the problem but I hope you would be able to help.

Chinwe, Lagos REPL Y REPLY

A

N expert says that intercourse could affect the flow of some women’s menstruation and he does not consider your increase a problem. However, if they are very heavy with blood clots, you should consult a medical doctor. If you have been taking blood tonic, this could cause the increase . You can not be one hundred per

cent sure that you do not have an STD. Yes, the condom helps to reduce the risk of pregnancy and venereal diseases , but in the heat of intercourse the condom could burst or slip to one side and there would be flesh to flesh.

No matter how brief this is , venereal disease could be passed on. I’m sure you would doubt this, but for the sake of your health, you should go for tests to determine whether you have been infected or not. An untreated STD can lead to infertility in both male and female; so get up and do something.

It may be embarrassing going for lab tests for venereal diseases but your health is very important and medical personnel are human beings too who have their own ailments. Another point is that you could be sensitive to the lubrication in the condom , and that is what causes the itching.

Also, if you have only recently been de-flowered there is bound to be soreness and pain for sometime until the passage gets used to penetration, particularly if you have been using only the pad and not the tampon for your periods. Whatever the case, go for those tests even if it means registering with a married name, if you don’t want the medical staff to know that you’ve been having sex as a single person.

Will sex cause our separation?

Dear Rebecca

I

am a 14 year old SS2 student in love with a boy who loves me too. But I can’t bring myself to let him have sex with me.

He has undressed me once though I wonder whether if I allow him, I would be able to forgive him or myself afterwards.

I don’t want to lose him.

Please advise me on what to do.

Worried girl.

REPL Y REPLY

A

T your age there should be no special boys at

all. Just be friends with boys as you would with girls. I know this is the jet age, but you shouldn’t have a boyfriend yet because you’re underaged. It is against the law to have a sex with a girl who is under sixteen years of age, who is not married.

So, if you allow your boyfriend sex and he is reported to the police, he would be arrested, charged to court and jailed. If you are in SS2 at the age of 14 , then you are very fast in your academic career.

Combine this good gift from God with a sense of responsibility and good morals, and resist the urge to give your body to any man until your wed-

ding day .

Apart from our relationship with God , our body is the most important thing we possess, particularly if we are female.

Sex means giving your body to another person in a worthy relationship like marriage.

You may love this boy, but you are far from being ready for marriage, and you may not marry him in the end. If you allow every boyfriend you have before your marriage to have sex with you, you will become like an old football that many people have kicked around.

Some boys like to boast about their conquests with girls and they may

These problems bother me Dear Rebecca I am a 25 year old business man. My problem is that I am too slim. I am always shy to take off my shirt in the presence of friends.

I also use to have some pains in my stomach.

I don’t know if it is responsible for my weight loss. I have done several laboratory tests to no avail.

I eat a lot of protein e.g meat, eggs, beans, and other nourishing foods but no weight gain. Is

REPL Y REPLY If you eat a lot of all the foods that people with weight problem are not supposed to eat, e.g rice, yams fried foods (akara,dodo,meat pies, chin chin) sugary, foods and drinks, you should put on weight. However, the way our bodies burn up fat from our foods, can be responsible for our weight loss or gain. A body which is slow at burning up fat will accumulate weight even if the owner is always on a diet of low calories.

On the other hand, a body with fast metabolism burns up the fat so fast, that weight cannot settle on the body. Your body could be the latter.

Also, worms in the stomach gives pain and a feeling of constant hunger, as the worms prevent the food eaten to give the normal nourishment.

You might need to be de-wormed.

Infact, a doctor recommends that we should deworm regularly twice a year, because of the poor sanitation around us in the third world

countries, where we are exposed to so much dirt on our food and in our water.

A pharmacist can help you choose a brand of worm impeller which deals with the majority of the common worms. If you have been plump and are now losing weight, check your blood sugar level at a laboratory, if you have not already done so, to eliminate the possibility of Diabetes.

Look around in your family; being slim could be hereditary, and you just have to accept yourself as you are.

Frankly, if you are slim, but strong and healthy, there is nothing to worry about. Count yourself lucky. Many overweight people are trying badly to lose weight. Don’t be ashamed of your Godgiven body; rather, do your best to keep it healthy by eating and drinking the right foods moderately.

If your stomach pains are always there, please see a doctor and explain everything to him or her

go around telling people how easy you are . Soon, other boys will take their turn in a queue to have sex with you. You may think then that you have become popular, but all they want from you would be sex, and they would dump you afterwards.

No matter how pretty , rich or achieving you are, many men would hesitate to marry a girl who many men have bedded.

Sex has a lot of risks.

There are venereal diseases like syphilis and gonorrhea, which if not properly treated can lead to inability to have children.

There is unwanted pregnancy which would make you a teenage mother, disrupting your educational career . Your boyfriend may not marry you, and he may even deny that the baby is his .

At your age your body may not be ready to carry pregnancy and deliver a baby yet; forcing you to do so may bring about the dreaded VVF disease in which urine leaks from women without any control. Abortion, if not done properly, can lead to sterility and even death.

With all the above , you can see that it is best to avoid sex until marriage . Also, your guess may be right too. Sometimes after having sex, a boy and a girl may start to dislike each other.

•All letters for publication on this page should be sent to: Dear Rebecca, Vanguard Media Ltd, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B 1007, MY SKIN O3/07/2012 Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria. E-mail: dearrebecca2@yahoo.com

PAGE 20 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

0808 066 0660 (Texts only!)

When the spendthrift wife has to go!

T

HE amount the average woman spends to look glamorous these days could make the average husband bankrupt for the rest of his life! Hakeem, a spare parts dealer and in his 40s is a self-made man. Hed first slaged as an apprentice under the uncle who brought him up before he was trusted enough to handle some of the transactions. When his uncle died suddenly and his only son flexed his muscles and took over running the business, Hakeem realised it was time to go.

“He launched his own spareparts business from his one-room in the family house”, said Feyi, his younger sister. “Fortunately, he had clients he’d worked with in the past who didn’t trust his uncle’s son and they gladly switched over to him. He was even lucky to get a loan so he could get a proper shop and for a while, it was tough making all the repayments but he eventually did. I had my own beauty salon but happy to double as an assistant in his shop until he could afford a fulltime assistant.

“Then came the day Hakeem didn’t show up as early as he often did -

on a Monday too! I was worried sick. Was he involved in an accident? I was about to call his house when he hurried in, looking exhausted and in a foul mood.

‘Sorry, I overslept,’ he said as he rushed around. I looked at him disapprovingly. How could he come to work looking this unkempt?

‘Didn’t you wash your overalls at the weekend?’

I asked him. ‘No: he replied tersely. ‘I worked over the weekend and Bukky’s been too busy …’’ Busy doing what?

Spending money that should be pumped into her husband’s business, no doubt. They’d been married for nine years with two kids and Hakeem loves them all.

“But I bit my tongue.

Hakeem wouldn’t hear a word against his spoilt wife. She didn’t work.

Sold some funny-looking clothes to her equally useless friends from time to time and was always busy fussing over her hair extensions. But even an adoring Hakeem had finally realised her spending might be getting out of control.

I’d been at their place the previous Sunday for lunch and as usual, Bukky was dressed

as if on her way to a glam party. “As she dished out lunch, she suddenly remembered they needed a new dinning table and chairs.

‘What’s wrong with these?’ my brother wanted to know. ‘Well, what’s right with them?’ she’d grumbled.

‘They’re old-fashioned and losing colour.’ ‘Nothing a good polish wouldn’t restore,’ Hakeem told her. ‘We can’t spend anymore on the house - the business is draining every kobo we have.’

“She gave him a nasty look, but he just ignored her. ‘I thought having your own business meant you reaped the profits,’ she protested. ‘We were better off before you became self-employed!’

Get well, stay well on exercise

T

IME and again, sto ries crop up every where as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health.

I have myself, been fixed of all kinds o f things in my very body by the practice of yoga. I haven’t had an attack of angina in the past twenty-eight years. And that is heaven if you ask me.

It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one\s condition - sick or well - the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safe-guarding it. I like to tell my colleagues at Vanguard that, this is my third year with the house and that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into the clinic on the premises for even Panadol.

And I put it down to my practice of yoga.

Below is a letter written to Indra Devi by someone

who’d been introduced to yoga with her book, Forever Young, Forever Health.

St. Petersburg, Florida Dear Miss Devi, I became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of seventeen and in a matter of months was helpless In bed with every joint of my body ankylosed. After 6 years the doctors gave me up and my parents brought me to Florida.

Recently, our neighbours introduced me to Yoga and

* The Bridge

in particular to your wonderful book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy. “ ... I started on the sixtyone lemon juice plan and also the lemon and orange leaves tea (it is delicious) as outlined in your book. I am unable to do the yoga postures but another son of the same neighbourhood works with me everyday practising the movements I can make. The results have been remarkable. I am developing muscles and strength, have increased

How could she be so insensitive and selfish?

Surely, even she could see how hard her poor husband was working for the future - her future and their two kids’. When Hakeem left the table, she’d tried to win my sympathy. ‘Since your brother started this stupid business, I’ve barely seen him,’ she grumbled.

‘So when he’s home, I naturally want to look my best for him.’ How pathetic can you get? But my brother loved her, so I had to get along with her.

“Only, the morning in question, my anger was boiling. Bukky could at least have made sure her husband had some clean gear for work. ‘Oh dear,’ muttered Hakeem, ‘I’ve left my phone at home.’

I offered to pop over and pick it up for him since the flat isn’t far. I was determined to give her a piece of my mind whilst I was there. She was in her nightie and wearing last night’s make-up when she answered the door. She was surprised to see me. Said she was about to have some boiled yam, did I want some?

Well, why not? When she went to the kitchen, I noticed some bils on the dinning table – from a beauty shop whose proprietress I know. I couldn’t believe some of the frivolous purchases she’d made.

“I called the shopowner as soon as I left Hakeem’s shop and was shocked when she told me Bukky was owing al-

mobility; particularly in the hips and spine which have been so light. The shoulders, arms and ankles are also looser. I am now able to take full steps forward (with assistance), and since last week also backward.

With the help of my friends or my parents I go swimming every other day in the Gulf, where I also exercise.

I can walk although stiffkneed, swim and float alone.

I am doing the deep breathing and following your diet - suggestion and have faith in recovering fully.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and I thank you from my heart and soul.

Sincerely, Thelma L.

rise in heart rate by working the muscles improves the body, the immune system gets a boost and the body’s healing system can be easily shifted to overdrive.

Yes, if you exercise regularly, you undoubtedly develop quick recovery powers. Even wounds heal faster when we stay in good shape.

It may sound too simple by suggest to someone that their redemption could depend on learning to breathe deeper. But that could be the gospel truth.

Below are some yoga postures and how they benefit the body.

This letter lends credence to the notice that dietary changes coupled with exercise works wonders.

The body is totally at a handicap if it does not get exercise.

The extra oxygen you get into the system, the small

The Bridge next Technique: Lie flat on your back with the arms by your sides then bend the knees with the feet flat down near to the buttocks. Raising the hips bring the hands to support the back. And then if

most N450,OOO in unpaid bills. She said she’d threatened and cajoled without any results. Yet she wanted more credit.

I asked her to send the break-down of her debts to Hakeem’s address at the shop. I was in the shop when the bills came but discreetly left before he opened the envelope.

That night, he turned up at my place. ‘Bukky and I have had a row,’ he said angry. ‘Can I stay for a few days with you to bring her to her senses?’

‘Of course you can,’ I said, getting the bed ready for him whilst I settled for the settee.

‘Anything I can help with?’ I offered. ‘No, it’s between me and her,’ he told me shortly.

“A few days later, they called a truce but there’ve been more rows.

I refuse to feel guilty.

Maybe they were heading for trouble anyway.

But I’m pretty sure my intervention helped Hakeem to see just how selfish his wife is. My only regret is that I hurt my brother as I see him suffer. I feel bad for threatening his marriage. But whenever I think of Bukky and how inconsiderate she is - a few words spring to mind - get rid of her!”

you can, straighten the knees.

Stay at the pose between 15 to 30 seconds.

The mountain pose

Sit on your heels or crosslegged. Raise the hand over head and interlacing the fingers turn the palms up hold the trunk very erect with elbows straight and do deep breathing.

First, distend the lower abdomen then expanding the ribs without missing the shoulders - all that with the inhalation. Then breathe out slowly but thoroughly.

First squashing the abdominal region then contract the ribs expelling as much stale breath as you can.

A more difficult vitiation is to assume the lotus posture and get up on the knee with the hands stretched above the head without interlocking the fingers otherwise with palms joined.

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

SUND AY Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 21 SUNDA bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

What you should say when he asks of your ‘past’!

A

friend of mine recently met the man of her dreams. In the whirlwind courtship that followed, they quickly got round to the conversational games that lovers play. And “so it was that Mr. Right asked Miss Right: “How many men have you slept with? The sensible girl immediatefy reversed the question, to which .’he answered ‘13’. She then replied with a circumspect ‘10’.

“How many is it reaUy?” I.asked excitedly. ‘Somewhere between a hundred and a hundred and ten’, she said, not batting.aneyeJid. ‘So why did she say 10?’ I just thought that whatever he said, mine should be less”. How brutally honest can you get? 100 to 110 guys in how many years?!

“This littl.e story got me thinking what most latter day emotional.Shylock Holmes, think they are letting themselves in for when they seem bent on digging into past histories of their new lovers!

It is a really funny question when you are faced with that kind of a quandary.

“As a regular rule,” continued our woman-of-the worfd, “a woman woufd do well to gauge her answer from a man’s. But what happens if he says 400? Would a response of 308 show a charmingly coy sexual reticence or elicit an indignant ‘you’re not the mother of my future children” from her shocked partner?

‘One thing you shoufd avoid saylng is that you

can’t remember because that could reflect badly on you. I can’t remember? That many, is it? She continues: “As a rule men, automatkaUy double the real figure and women automatkatly halve it. Factual information backs up th• theory.

Th• re are lies, damn lies and statistics and then there are sexual statistics which must be special kind of double lie. Whatever lies you tell, you need to get your head above the proverbial troubled waters!

“How many people you sleep with is a private matter. How many people you admit to having stept with is a social matter and, therefore, a question of manners.

What you tell your friend is different from what ·you tell your lovers. People want to feel special, not as though they are part of a sprawling number game. A white

lie 1sn’t necessarily a wicked deceit, but could be simple courtesy. Why tread on someone’s dreams when you can just as easily not?”

Good common sense, that is, if you ask me. On1y it is amazing, how many good relationships are put in reopardy in the male partners’ quest to find out how promiscuous their female partners are. Are they as promiscuous as ‘friends’ say they are? At one of our ‘old-students’ renewals recently, we reverted to nostalgia, asking about old boyfriends. One of us looked particularly sad and it expired that after her studies, she became pregnant and planned excitedly for a wedding wtth the love of her life. She was more than bewildered when the boy practically disappeared from the face of the earth.

He surfaced again years

later to discover that she’s not only had the child but got married to one of his friends. You guessed it! The friend who warned him that she was no wife material as she’d practically slept with most of their friends. “Sex”, continues our ‘expert’ “is the final frontier when it comes to lies and hypocrisy and that’s why the word ‘promiscuous’ was invented. It is a pointed finger of a word and it only ever refers to other people but us.

Come to think of it, when in your sober moments, you try to count the number of ‘lovers’ you’ve slept with, who really counts? The ones you had to struggle with and give in just to get them off your back? Or the ones you really like and you pray fervently for him to have more staying-power in the bedroom that never

new babies will always be born, as long as life will always continue to exist on earth, my love for you will live for ever, don't doubt me, doubt your doubt, because I have given you my life and nothing can me from loving you. I love very much.

Omorville Umoru omorville@yahoo.com, 08062486549

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"

Unfailing love

My love, as long as the sun and moon continues to shine, as long as the rain and snow will always fall, as long as there is seed time and harvest, as long as

I want perfect love

I want a love that's patient, caring, and kind, a love that judges with the heart and never with the mind. This love must transform all of the commonplace things; turn the mountains into rubies, gild the butterflies' wings. I want endless beauty, sweetness and grace with all the magic that glows from some fairytale place.I want a love that's faithful, too precious to ever forsake; it must be unselfish, giving more than it takes. This love I dream of must be nothing short of divine,

comes? Or the ones that go on and on that you pray for the punishment to be over soon! Believe it or not, when you get to a certain age, you even lose count!

Years ago, when diplomacy was a strong word in my dictionary, a guy I was crazy about recounted his escapades with the various women he’d slept with and told me arrogantly he thought he should be honest with me in case some of his miffed exlovers want to embarrass me, seeing he was now mad about me. I scoffed inwardly at his conceit.

Calmly, I told him a few of the lovers I’d had ‘meaningful’ relationships with and mentioned a few names for good measure. Names with muscles that would make his look puny!

“You mean they all meant that much to you?” he wanted to know. I

nodded. “Like you feel the same way about me now?” Again, I nodded.

“You’ve said all these erotic things you say to me from time to time during love-making to them?” I squirmed. I didn’t ask for the blowby-blow account of his escapades, so why the third degree? A few weeks later, one of the “lovers I mentioned with whom I’d remained very good friends paid me a visit. We were on the front porch, nattering over refreshments when lover boy showed up unexpectedly – he’d been doing that a lot since we had our ‘true confession’ . His face was like thunder.

As I made to introduce my guest, he flared up.

“I know who he is,” he yelled. Turning to the poor man he asked: “What are you doing here, you good-for-nothing moneybag. Agbaya.

Why don’t you run along to your wife!” He was a no-nonsense man and before I knew it, they were both having a shouting match. Enraged, I asked my boyfriend to leave if he was going to be violent. He went for my throat!

So ladies, don’t be fooled by all these men telling you they need to wipe the slate clean by knowing all about your past. Tell your man what he wants to know - remembering this would be one of the occasions when white lies are allowed, otherwise, what you say honestly might be used against you in future!

on a deeper level than mortal man can define. I want a love above all loves, a love that's honest, believing, and true.Such a love could only come from God...and you.

Chris Onunaku dekris4real@gmail.com 08032988826/08184844015

My love

Your face is like the most beautiful part of the world, a beauty to look upon every morning. most times, thinking about you (your love) gives me wings, I feel like flying with you to a serene place where we can watch the world. beleieve me, you are my best acheivement in earth. The only one that put a smile on my face through out the day. I love you.

Kelechi Ndubisi kconeofafrica@gmail.com, 08032900530

PAGE 22—Vanguard, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

In 40 days, Bakassi may be lost forever!

Ahead of deadline, agitation for review of ICJ verdict heightens

z

Continued from last week

Esu Toyo

H

Violation of GTA Some time ago, the Federal Government said it had budgeted N4 billion to resettle Bakassi people. The Cross State government said only N1 billion was released.

A total of 208 buildings made up of two and three-bedroom flats were provided by the Cross River State government.

This was a far cry from the over 3,000 houses required to settle the people. Even then, the natives that their lands were taken in Ekperi/Ikang and Akwa Obutong to resettle the people refused to give up their lands without compensation from government. This created social strains for the Bakassi people and their new hosts.

Economically, the people whose lives are built round fishing were thrown into the hinterland where only those who were farmers could adjust. The education of their children was truncated, lack of medical facilities led to the death of some of the elderly ones. An attempt to resolve the issue of the failed resettlement prompted some of the returnees to go back to Bakassi where they were required to pay N7,500 as settlement tax.

This excluded other charges that they were made to pay to Cameroon.

Prominent Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said the people of Bakassi have a right

L, Nigeria’s former External Affairs Minister ,Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and former Minister of Interior , Amb. Olu Adeniji, Mr. Alex Ekeanyanwu, NIIA’s Deputy Director Public Affairs and Special Adviser to Minister of Justice, Prof. Deji Adekunle, at the 12th brainstorming session in Lagos. to self determination under Article 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights. According to him, Bakassi is a distant peninsula, not relevant to the corporate survival of Nigeria, and therefore, the territory can be concessioned to multinational oil companies from Europe and America while its people can be displaced and allowed to diffuse into Nigeria and Cameroon.

Falana explained that this is evident in the tripartite arrangement between Nigeria, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, to jointly explore the oil in Bakassi and share the revenue.

This arrangement favours the Federal Government since the revenue from the source will go directly to the Federation Account.

The National Boundary Commission, which designed a new boundary that excludes Cross River State from the list of littoral states, based on the ICJ judgement, has ensured that this arrangement favours the Federal Government. Informed sources told Sunday Vanguard that this is part of the game that is playing out

at the Federal Government and a primary reason Adoke and Ashiru have refused to listen to the advice of the National Assembly and some members of the Federal Executive Council, notably the Minister of Internal Affairs, Comrade Abba Moro, who favour the revisiting of the

,

e averred that the non-ratification of the GTA by Nigeria provides an ample opportunity to call for a review because all the parties have not fulfilled the terms of the agreement.

But Ambassador Margret Vogts, who is a member of the United Nations Mission in Central Africa, observed that what is required in Bakassi is political solution rather than confrontation. She said since Nigeria agreed to go to the ICJ in the first place, it should abide by the decision of the court. Both Malam Mayaki and Ambassador A. Clark shared her view but the majority of the discussants called on the Federal Government to reject the decision of the ICJ.

ple of Bakassi would no longer trust both countries to protect their interest. He said the GTA provides that Nigeria must ensure that those citizens who opted to resettle in Nigeria should be provided with the necessary means and measures to do so, while Article 3 of the same agreement provides that Cameroon shall not force Nigerians living in Bakassi to leave or to change their nationality, culture, language and beliefs.

The GTA also enjoined Cameroon to respect their right to continue their agricultural and fishing activities, protect their property, customary and land rights.

Ambassador Nkoyo Esu Toyo, representing Calabar/Odupkani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; the paramount ruler of Bakassi, Etiyin Etim Okon Edet; and Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, who represented Cross River South Senatorial District, 2007-2011, spoke separately on the Bakassi issue.

This has nothing to do with the ICJ judgement. We are from Efik Kingdom which spread from old Calabar to south eastern states and up to Cameroon. Before Nigeria and Cameroon became sovereign nations

,

Bakassi issue from the point of view that the aboriginal rights of Bakassi people have been grossly abused.

Falana also called for a probe into the billions of naira allegedly withdrawn from the Federation Account to pay compensation and resettle the displaced the Bakassi people, under the controversial GTA. The lawyer said the flagrant violation of the GTA by Nigeria and Cameroon has created a situation where the peo-

Only UN referendum can resolve Bakassi crisis —Hon Nkoyo Nkoyo

Toyo said the sovereignty of Bakassi people is not negotiable as they are fully protected by the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement Act Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004, the United Nations Charter on Fundamental Human Rights and the UN Charter on Indigenous Peoples Right, “under which the people of Bakassi will pursue their case at the United Nations, and demand for a referendum to be conducted in that area on which country that they want to belong.”

She continued:“Fortunately, the people of Southern Cameroon are also raising the same issue, no power on earth can decide our fate behind us, which is what the ICJ judges did at the Hague, but, in the 21st century, they cannot get away just as they did in 1884.

“In two years time, the people of Scotland will go for a referendum to decide whether they want to remain as part of the United Kingdom or not, the people of Quebec in Canada have consistently conducted referendum in the French speaking part of Canada in pursuit of their quest for selfdetermination, the people of South Sudan were allowed to decide whether they wanted to remain with Sudan and the opted out.

Alaska was initially a Russian territory, before it voted to join the United States, Latvia, Lithuania, Kosovo among others were given the opportunity to decide where they want to belong. Bakassi people deserve such right and we are going to approach the United Nations to demand so as a matter of right.

This has nothing to do with the ICJ judgement. We are from Efik Kingdom which spread from old Calabar to south eastern states and up to Cameroon. Before Nigeria and Cameroon became sovereign nations, we have Bakassi people who were part of the Efik Kingdom. We do not share anything in common with Cameroon and no force on earth will make us to become Cameroonians by force. We have an inalienable right to determine our fate. We have our distinct people, language

Continues on page 23

Vanguard, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 23

Continued from page 22 and culture and we want to preserve same within our own territory and destiny”.

Our land is our identity – Edet According to the paramount ruler, the people of Bakassi are praying to God, and know that God will answer them.

“The world should ask its conscience some questions. Why was the people of Abyei in Sudan not relocated to South Sudan or merged with Sudan?

Why is UN contemplating of a referendum there,” Edet asked.

He continued: “We disagree with anybody who thinks that the solution to Bakassi problem is to relocate the people.

Bakassi is our land and our identity. We are not in West Bank or Gaza, we are not Western Sahara we are not Kurdish people who are without a homeland. God gave us Bakassi to occupy, inhabit, multiply and be fruitful; God gave us Bakassi land as our foothold on the face of the earth.

God gave us Bakassi land as a place to find our means of livelihood. As fishermen and farmers, we will not throw away our heritage and go into extinction; we have declared our independence from Cameroon, and since Nigeria does not want us, we shall exist as one nation under the sun and under God. “We the people of Bakassi have come here (Lagos talks) today with a heavy heart, but, most importantly, we have come to you and all Nigerians to pour out our sorrow because for several centuries we have shared one history, one destiny and a common heritage.

We have sworn to uphold the unity of Nigeria. We had believed that the labour of our heroes past shall not be in vain. But now, it seems certain that it will be in vain.

“We came to you in this fi-

Late Gen. Mutala Muhammed Late Gen. Sani Abacha

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Ahead of deadline, agitation for review of ICJ verdict heightens nal hour, still hoping that our fellow Nigerians, no matter how deprived, you should not allow Bakassi and its people to come under perpetual slavery. We have heard people say that the people of Bakassi should exercise restraint to let peace reign; we have heard people say that the people of Bakassi should not be hasty in their decisions, we have also heard people tell us that our declaration of independence will amount to nothing. But let me tell you that we gave this nation ten years within which to resolve the Bakassi issue.

We had pinned our hope on the full implementation of the Green Tree Agreement.

DESECRATION OF CULTURE “As a I speak to you today, I am on exile, my palace has been destroyed and the custom and tradition of Bakassi people are being destroyed, our language is being wiped out, our cultural trees, shrines and totems are being destroyed.

The names of our villages are being altered and our identity being destroyed. We are a people with our own history, culture, language, tradition. Our women and children understand this language and culture which ensure our preservation as a people. We will

not allow Cameroon or Nigeria to wipe us out of existence, a people without a home and are lost. Before the colonial people came, we have Bakassi people who own the Bakassi peninsula.

ON OBJ “We are praying that General Olusegun Obasanjo should live long so that he will see the events as they unfold.

Somebody is saying that the solution to Bakassi problem is to relocate the people. Bakassi peninsula is our land and our identity. We are not in West Bank or Gaza, we are not Western Sahara, we are not Kurdish people who are without a homeland. God gave us Bakassi to occupy, inhabit,

,

Gen. Yakubu Gowon

Nigeria does not want us, we shall exist as one nation under the sun and under God.”

Bakassi people are victims of colonialism and local conspiracies —Henshaw What is your reaction to the maltreatment of Bakassi people by both the Federal Government and by the Cameroonian authorities?

The story of Bakassi is a very sad one, because I have always said that this is the first time in the history of any country that I know, where government will take actions that will result in its citizens becoming refugees in their own country.

In 2008, the Senate held a public hearing, I believe, it is two years now, the report of that public hearing has not been tabled, let alone discussed. I have written severally to the committees involved: the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Judiciary and State and Local Government Affairs. The whole exercise was led by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I have written to the committee on a number of occasions but my letters were ignored. But, as we speak, and as you have found out yourself, the people that returned from Bakassi peninsula are not only from Cross River State. They are Nigerians,

We are praying that General Olusegun Obasanjo should live long so that he will see the events as they unfold. Somebody is saying that the solution to Bakassi problem is to relocate the people

,

multiply and be fruitful, God gave us Bakassi land as a our foothold on the face of the earth. God gave us Bakassi land as a place to find our means of livelihood. As fishermen and farmers, we will not throw away our heritage and go into extinction. We have declared our independence from Cameroon, and since

President Goodluck Jonathan

some of them are Ilaje, Ijaw, Ibibis, Efik and Efut and so on. These are all riverine communities who have settled in Bakassi. These are the people who are now disposed, deprived and displaced from their ancestral homes. They have nowhere to go. They have been allowed by their own government to live as refugees in their country. I think it is a very bad situation. No provision has been made to resettle them. No provision has been made to pay compensation for land that they want to use to resettle them.

The Green Tree Agreement had stipulated that those who wanted to stay could stay without hindrance, but from the very beginning, Nigerians living in Bakassi had always been maltreated, abused by the Cameroonian gendarmes.

From the beginning, Bakassi people have always said that they do not want to stay under Cameroonian authority; so our government knew from day one that there is the need to protect these people who do not want to stay there under the Cameroonian authority, but none of these has happened.

They have just been abandoned to their fate. Only the Cross River State Government has been struggling to feed them. You need to put all these within the context of the fact that the 76 oil wells that belonged to Cross River State had to be taken away from the state given to Akwa-Ibom State. So, Cross River State does not have the resources to look after these refugees who are Nigerians from all over, it is a very sad situation.

What would you say is the reason for this neglect of Bakassi people?

We seem not to bother about anything that does not degenerate into a crisis. We seem to pretend that it doesn’t exist until it becomes a major crisis on our hand, then we begin to run around to look for fire brigade approach to deal with the problem.

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Step-parents: The need to choose cautiously

V

IOLENCE in its varied forms has assumed such gigantic di mension all over the world that it has become the monster which has the world in its grip. Anywhere you turn there’s one form of violence or the other – both outdoor and indoor. You can no longer run to the safety of your own home, because you don’t know what awaits you there; and this may not be visible physical danger, rather, it could be the ingredients festering in the heart of a member of your family, waiting to erupt.

Women and children are usually the most vulnerable, as they are the ones who are attacked frequently.

The genre of violence which is becoming very worrisome in the world today, however, is the one inflicted by step-parents, particularly step-fathers, on their step-children. From time immemorial it was step-mothers who treated their wards wickedly. There are of course step-mothers who are wonderful mothers to their husbands children, and even going on to play the role of a good step-grandmothers. I don’t know how this bad label of wickedness came to be attached to step-mothers, but throughout the world a child, with a step-mother is automatically regarded with pity, because it is assumed that she’s treating him/her badly. People in the middle-age bracket and upwards are familiar with the

View-Point

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor Cinderella story, where her step-mother was a wicked woman who treated her like a slave in the house; and who refused the beautiful girl going alongside her own ugly daughters, to the mandatory ball for young ladies, to meet Prince Charming.

A fairy godmother came to the rescue, and with a wave of the wand, transformed the servant girl into a beautiful princess, put her in a magical chariot and sent her

to the ball. She was of course the cynosure of all eyes at the dance, and the prince was attracted to her at once. They go on to marry and live happily ever after.

These days, it seems step-fathers have taken over the role of wickedness to their wards from stepmothers, whose usual attitude was limited to mal-treating their husband’s children; depriving them of adequate food and clothing, and their father’s love and attention, and using them as servants in the home. Hardly would you hear that they’ve physically killed their stepchildren. What we hear are alleged claims of their using ‘juju’ to eliminate them, when any of them dies.

In recent weeks, there have been distressing news of step-fathers who tortured/killed their step-children. In the case of a South African woman, it was her boyfriend’s son, who had a crush on her own son, and killed the latter when he shunned his alleged advances.

‘A 14 year- old boy from Vanderbijipark has been stabbed to death, allegedly by the son of his mother’s boyfriend, according to a report on Thursday. Dante Chan (14) was found dead by his mother, Yolanda Coetzeel (37), on Tuesday

Life is lonely out there for the single mother, but she should consider very carefully, and investigate thoroughly, who she brings into her children’s lives

Trends-2012-Japanese-Fashion-Mini-DressFlower-of-Woman fashionsdesigns2012.com

afternoon, with a steak knife protruding from his chest in the driveway of the alleged attacker’s home, the paper Beeld, reported. His mother had gone to pick him up after cricket practice. A third year student from North West University who was arrested in connection with the incident, had been obsessed with the victim for a long time, according to Coetzee, who is in a relationship with the alleged attacker’s father. She said, ‘They had tried sending him (the attacker) away to get help.

We moved into a high security complex five months ago, precisely to get away from him.’

Sadly, that precaution had not prevented the attack. One may well ask if the mother of the deceased 14 year old could have done more to protect her son. It wasn’t her boyfriend who attacked the boy who would have become his stepson, if the couple marry, but it was alleged that it was his son who ‘was obsessed’ with the boy, who caused his death. Should the lady have ended her relationship with her boyfriend, when she realized that his son had that problem, so that the two boys would no longer be in each other’s life? Would this have dissuaded the son’s attacker? It wasn’t said that he was against the lady’s relationship with his father. He simply wanted the boy, it was alleged. Instead of moving to get away from the attacker, could she have sent her son away from her and his attacker, perhaps to another town or state? These are some of the

questions that the poor lady would ask herself throughout her life. The loss of a human being is forever. He/ she can never be replaced.

In Britain, the other year, among other cases of little children being maltreated until they die, by the man in their mother’s lives, there was the very tragic case of ‘Baby P’, who suffered gravely at the hands of his mother’s live-in boyfriend, until he died.

In the poor baby’s short life, the man stubbed his cigarettes out regularly on the baby’s body, beat him mercilessly when he cried, and dashed his head against the wall, with the baby’s mother looking on; doing nothing to protect her son. Neighbours reported to the welfare department, but when officers came, the couple explained the injuries the baby suffered away somehow, and even doctors and nurses who treated him, believed them. It was when he died that the gory details of maltreatment came out, and the couple were arrested and charged to court for murder. The man claimed that the baby cried and misbehaved. They got jail terms, with the man’s greater than the woman’s.

Nearer home, just the other week, we read of the ‘Murderous Step-Father’ who was alleged to have hacked his step-daughter ’s 8 days old baby to death in Delta State. It was alleged that the man lives in Ghana, but visited home regularly, and it was in Ghana that he was allegedly told to bring human parts for money rituals.

The man is said to be married to the grandmother of the baby girl, and she has four children for him. The report in the Vanguard of 12.8.2012 quoted the Delta State Police spokesman as saying that a woman from Okunu village Jesse, came to report on Saturday August 4, that her stepfather walked into the apartment and killed her 8 day old baby girl.”

I don’t know if divine providence would work for every one parent/parentless child in the world, like in the case of Cinderella, but the important thing is that a single mother who is desirous of getting married again and giving her children a step-father, should give the matter a lot of thought. Life is lonely out there for the single mother, but she should consider very carefully, and investigate thoroughly, who she brings into her children’s lives.

Theresa May, the British minister for Home Affairs, Women and Children’s issues, is sponsoring a bill over there which would make it mandatory for the Police to produce on demand, the records of a violent man, when the woman in his life asks for them.

If we have that sort of thing passed into law here, it might help the numerous women who want to know whether their man has a record of violence or not, so that they can know whether it’s safe to continue in such a relationship.

“That’s assuming, Helen, that our law enforcement agency does have and keep such records, and will comply and make it available, on demand. Such a thing wouldn’t agree with our character, particularly if it has to do with ‘important people.’ ”, observed a friend.

Now, that comment is worth thinking about, isn’t it?

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 25

zScenes of the tragedy

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he losses that traders of the Labaowo Inter national Market, Ibadan suffered in an inferno that gutted the market on Wednesday cannot be forgotten in a hurry.

Within minutes that the fire started, their means of livelihood were consumed.

Over 300 hundred shops with property worth one billion were destroyed. Painfully, some of the traders just got some loans from banks and co-operatives to boost their businesses.

Though no life was lost, some of the traders would have chosen death as an option if they knew that the inferno would consume all they had.

The fire started some minutes past 10 a.m. when the gum that a girl was trying to sell to her customers attracted fire from a nearby shop where another woman was cooking. Before they knew what was happening, the shops were on fire which later engulfed five buildings that house over 300 shops in the densely populated market.

Alarm was raised immediately, but owing to the distance and inaccessibility to the spot, help could not come on time from the Oyo State Fire Service and other companies in the area.

As at 3.05 p.m. when Sunday Vanguard visited the market, billows of suffocating smoke still enveloped the market. Traders were running

How hawker set Ibadan market ablaze Traders: Our bank, coop loans gone with inferno helter-skelter. Some of the traders who were lucky to retrieve some of their wares from the fire stood on guard to prevent hoodlums loitering the area from causing further damage. A woman who could still

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By Ola Ajayi, Ibadan

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word came out. When next he tried, it was tears that streamed down his face. The president of the market, Alhaji Lukman Alaka, told our correspondent that items such as electronics, motor spare parts,

Over 300 hundred shops with property worth one billion naira were destroyed. Painfully, some of the traders just got some loans from banks and cooperatives to boost their businesses

not comprehend how fate could be so cruel to her declined to make comments even when one of the leaders of the market introduced our correspondent. She merely shook her head and turned back.

Another affected trader, Mr. Taiwo Olabode, was stunned to speechlessness when Sunday Vanguard visited him. He was trying to mutter some words, his lips were moving but no

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generator spare parts, building materials and many others were lost to the fire incident.

He said, “the fire started some minutes past 10 this morning(Wednesday). Five buildings with over 300 shops were burnt. You too can see the damage caused by the fire.

When asked what caused the fire, Alaka said a girl was

selling gum to her customer and it caught fire because a woman was cooking very close to her.

“Suddenly, we saw balls of smoke accompanied by fire.

We called all the Fire Stations close to us, but, the response was not immediate. I called Challenge fire station and another one at Mapo.

When I noticed that they were not forthcoming, I had to go to Mapo on Okada before help could come. But, before we got back to the market, the fire had gone out of hand”, he said.

“On the property lost, it can’t be less than one billion. Many traders were affected. Some could not even retrieve any item from their shops. The Fire Service came but it was too late. We would be happy if the government can provide a Fire Station for us here.”, he lamented.

The market traders leader complained that when fire gutted the market about three years ago, the government sent its officials who came promising heaven and earth, but nothing came.

According to him, the only help that the Governor Abiola Ajimobi-led administration can do for them is to give them a fire station in the market.

Mr. Sikiru Olayiwola, the leader of the legislative arm of the market, said it was a pity that successive governments in the Oyo neglected them because they were not civil servants.

“Governor Ajimobi should help those of us who are not civil servants too. They should let us have a sense of belonging and give us opportunity to enjoy in this administration too. If they don’t want these people to die, they should do something very urgently”, he said.

He ruled out any suspicion that somebody somewhere could be responsible for the incident, pointing out that the fire that gutted the market three years ago ignited when a spark of fire landed on mattresses.

“As for this one, it happened during the day time. We all saw how it started. So, I don’t suspect any foul play from anybody.

Another affected trader, Mr. Tijani Amoo, who sells fan belt and bearing in the market, explained that he just collected a bank loan worth N800,000 to buy wares.

“Most of us in this market collect bank and co-operative loans. I just collected N800,000 and used it to stock my shop.

Tell me, how can I pay back the loan now? Oh God!, he stated.

Amoo said he lost all the items. Though, he was not far away from the scene of the fire, by the time he knew, smoke had covered my shop and then fire.

Muniru Lasisi, who sells generator spare parts, he said he lost goods worth two million, while Babatunde Olusegun, who lives at Ogbere Oriyangi, Ibadan, said his motor spare parts estimated at N500,000 were destroyed.

Also, Femi Akinlabi, motor spare parts seller, said the girl that was selling gum was injured in the fire incident and had been rushed to hospital.

He claimed he took a bank loan of N400,000 and estimated his losses at over N600,000 because he had some goods before he took the loan.

The Director of State Fire Service, Engineer Kareem Oyekunle, said his men were still battling the fire as at 3. 56 p.m. but was hopeful that the fire would be put out. His response contradicted that of the market leader, noting as soon as the distress call came, he and his officials rushed to the scene.

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Country News

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t was a nightmare trav eling on the ever-busy 10- km road leading to Alayi Ugwueke community in Bende LGA, Abia State. The road was practically impassable, slippery and moudy as motorists and other road users meandered through large portions of a crumbled highway, amidst shouting and arguments over passage.

The deplorable state of Alayi Ugwueke road has been a major source of concern to the populace who kept wondering why government has decided to abandon a land regarded as the food basket of Abia State.

And there is no succor in sight .The state government has warned pregnant women against the use of commercial motorcycles as it affects women and their unborn babies but, in Ugweke, complying with such warning appears impossible as “Okada” ironically has become their only saving grace due to the horrific state of the road.

A recent visit by Sunday Vanguard to Bende showed lack of government presence in the area. As this reporter rode along with an Okada rider on the road that has been reduced to a death trap, it was like a journey to hell. Narrating his experience on the road, Ikem Victor, the commercial motor cycle operator, could not hide his frustration. He said the crumbling road now provides an opportunity for robbers to have their way as road users who attempt to slow down at the bad spots often end up as victims. It is also a financial burden for drivers who are forced to replace tyres and pay for other repairs.”This road is an eyesore, very moudy and the potholes are big. It damages my motorbike. If I makeN2,000 a day, It costs me N1,500 to carry out repairs,”Victor lamented. ”When the road was good, it took me one hour 15 minutes to reach my destination,” said Mr. Johnson Chukwu, a philantropist who recently donated an ultra-modern maternity ward to the Royal Cross Methodist Hospital in Ugwueke, his community. “But now it takes me at least two hours because of the road is in a very bad shape .”

Worried by the poor condition of the road, which impedes free flow of traffic and contributing to accidents and deaths, members of community have resolved that they would stop at nothing to get government to fix the road.

And the Abia government has promised to rehabilitate

‘Here, women in labour are conveyed on Okada!’

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vehicle stuck on Ugwueke road. Inset: Johnson Chukwu

the road as soon as the rainy season is over. ‘’We hope that God would touch the state governor ’s heart to see the necessity of building that road because that is the most critical factor. Women in labour come to hospital on motorbikes (Okada) and, before they get there, their situation would have been worse and the likelihood of

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By Akoma Chinweoke

I am happy that today we are trying to equip the maternity ward with some of the best equipment you can find anywhere in the world

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survival minimal. But the road from the main road is just ten kilometers. If government brings out less than N500million, they would do the remaining seven kilometers and save a lot of human lives. So, we are appealing to Gov Orji to come to the aid of the hospital and the community. Poor road is the greatest challenge that they have”, Chukwu said.

Chukwu speaks further in this interview: What inspired you to build

and equip a befitting hospital for your community ?

The foundation was laid in August 2010 by the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. However, in 2004, my immediate younger sister died during labour due to a medical malpractice by a doctor and lack of equipment to handle her case. So, I resolved that if there was anything I could do to reduce the risk of Nigerian women dying during labour, I would do it. The second factor was when I came home and saw a crowd that came from different places to seek medical-care from a European doctor at the only hospital in my community.

So, I went in to see things myself and, on getting there, I saw one of the medical doctors Dr. Paul Okorie who happened to know me and I asked him if he could lead me to the medical director which he did.

On getting there, I asked the medical director, ‘Are you the European who labours almost 24hours daily trying to save Nigerians lives?’ I marveled at the fact that somebody could come all the way from Ireland to save lives in Nigeria and Nigerians were not contributing in any way. The hospital was basically built by the Irish high Commission, the Methodist Church and the British High Commission. There is no Nigerian investment in that hospital. So, I asked him what I could do to assist and he said if I could buy bed spread and pillow cases, it would go a long way. I laughed and said,

‘Can I build you a maternity ward?’ Then he looked at me and asked Dr. Okorie if I was a politician and he said I was not. He told me why he asked was because he did not like politicians as they often made empty promises. I told them to just show me land. Later, when I came back home, they did show me a piece of land and I asked the minister of health who happens to be my friend if he could grace the foundation laying ceremony of

the hospital and then we started to build. But the motivation to me was that we should do whatever that is humanly possible assist in reducing the incidence of maternal and infant mortality.

I am happy that today we are trying to equip the maternity ward with some of the best equipment you can find anywhere in the world. I don’t need to stack up money but the fact that we could affect lives in a positive way gives me joy and that is what we are celebrating today. The hospital structure alone costs about 15-20 million Naira but the major challenge was the equipment which is about 1.6 million each but my joy is that we were able to impact on human lives.

Are you getting the right support from Abia State government?

After the foundation laying ceremony, we told the Abia State government that the Methodist Church was laboring to pay the European doctor and a couple of Nigerian doctors working at the hospital and they promised to send in doctors to assist and also promised to build the road but fortunately they have fulfilled that promise while the road which is the gateway to the community is still in a state of disrepair but I am happy that the state Commissioner for Health has said the governor was aware of the plight of the people; so he should come to their rescue as it was neglected by successive governments.

iloba Adeyemi

By Adeola Adenuga & Oluwatob

Friend’s two children missing from pastor’s custody

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sunkanmi, have astor Isaac Komolafe and wife, Ola ty to produce bili been remanded in prison for ina tody since cus ir the in their friend’s two children September 2010. n Ogunyemi dragged Trouble started when Mr. Salimo tomary Court for unthem before an Agege Grade A Cus an unknown perto n authorised transfer of the childre kanmi Komolafe, sun Ola s) son According to Pastor (Mr t the children to her Biola Ogunyemi, a friend, brough . The children: Boluwhen she wanted to travel abroad ir custody for about the watife and Abayomi, had been in to be Biola med clai two years until someone, who m away. the took and e cam Ogunyemi’s cousin, in get touch with the When asked how the court could olafe could explains so-called cousin, Pastor (Mrs) Kom informed the decit tha and , the whereabouts of the man husband in Kirher and her and sion of the judge to rem ikiri Prison. nel Shokunle, ordered The court president, Mr. Emmau of Christ Cornerstone wife that Pastor Komolafe and his ed in custody pending Bible Church, lpaja, be remand ld appear in court. the time the so called cousin wou

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 27

Country News

63-yr-old widow down with malignant cancer

By Emma Amaize

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63-year-old widow, Mrs. Janet Ogbonna, who was diagnosed of malignant cancer of the anus, four years ago, has sent an urgent SOS to the Federal Government and public spirited Nigerians to raise N5 million to enable her undergo surgical treatment in India.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that since 2008 when she was diagnosed of the disease at the Federal Medical Centre, Abia State, the Imo-State born woman, currently residing in Warri, Delta State, has not been able to source the required fund for the operation.

Mrs. Ogbonna is from a disadvantaged background and her family could not afford the money.

Her son, Chidi Ogbonna, a

Mrs. Janet Ogbonna...needs help student of Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, told said: “My mother has been

suffering since 2008 and we have gone to several hospitals all to no avail. This is a wom-

an with only four children.

One of the children died in 2004 and life has been diffi-

cult. “I don’t want to be an orphan hence we are making this passionate appeal for the public to help us.

Please, we beg the public to help us to survive. Right now, the ailment has degenerated to bad stage and we were referred to India for proper treatment”.

Chidi disclosed that, on daily basis, “I spend an average of N2, 000 to buy supplementary drugs to keep my mother alive”, adding, “My mother cannot even sleep, sit or stand properly because of the pains”.

Chidi could be reached on GSM number +23408101254091. If you want to help the family, you can pay into First Bank Account Number: 2006458236 with name Ogbonna Uchechukwu Chidi.

Nollywood actress in illicit affairs on location —Husband

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

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* Stopping the Flood: Drainage alignment efforts on Agege Motor Road, Lagos ,by the ministry of the environment ... last week

‘Four years of hell in the hands of a witch’

By Adeola Adenuga & Oluwatobiloba Adeyemi

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39-year-old teacher, Adams Ariyo, who was dragged before an Agege Customary Court for divorce over lack of care, accused his wife, Ajoke, of being a witch, because, according to him, the woman was responsible for his dwindling business. Adams however informed the court that since Ajoke moved into their matrimonial home in 2002 before they separated in 2006, his business was not booming.

Besides, a soothsayer once told him that Ajoke belonged to a demonic group of women who hinder the progress of their husbands.

”I did not believe what the soothsayer said until l had a dream that revealed her demonic power to me”.

The respondent claimed that the wife moved out of their matrimonial home when he did not allow her to hawk palm wine in the neighbourhood and then resorted to blackmail.

Adams alleged that his son was over pampered by Ajoke who always bought things for him hence he took to stealing.

The husband urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of the only child for proper care.

In her submission, the 34year-old woman informed the court that Adams denied her access to the child for six years until last year when she saw

him (child) in Agege.

The food vendor also told the court that she was not happy because her child was so dirty and was living in the area where hemp smokers dominated, adding that she didn’t want the nine-year-old boy to be influenced negatively. ”What really baffled me was that my nine-year-old boy is in primary two despite the fact that his father is a teacher at a nursery and primary school in Ikeja”.

The applicant urged the court to grant her custody of the child because Adams was already married to another woman who bore a child for him.

The court adjourned the case till September 10, 2012 for further hearing.

de r. Micheal Suaib wants Agege Gra his olve diss to A Customary Court acmarriage to Nancy, a Nollywood er oth and ing flirt , sive mis sub tress, for not being irreconcilable differences.

Eleya Street Micheal, who lives at 4, Moses that he got rt cou the d new Oko Oba, informe ordance acc in ago rs yea 19 married to his wife d. with native and custom of the lan t despite the tha said also man d r-ol yea 52The e children, thre with fact their union is blessed ent in the ond resp the for son there’s no more rea has demonstratcase to be his wife because she in the marriage. ed that she’s no longer interested been going in has cy The petitioner said Nan ing that he add e, hom al oni and out of her matrim ing when he started suspecting his wife of flirt be found on to e got to know that she was nowher location. wife moved He claimed that the first time the orce, but, acout, he threatened to sue for div ed to having fess cording to him, Nancy has con illicit affairs on location. wardrobe was ” When l discovered that her ng to move out empty, l knew that she was planni of my home”. her to let them Michael also said he pleaded to ffle and think scu a had y the r drop bitterness afte but she refused. of the welfare of their children olve the mardiss He therefore urged the court to children. the of y tod riage and grant him cus allegations the end def to rt cou Suaib was not in manuel Shokunagainst her. Court president Em ber 12, 2012. le adjourned the case till septem

28 —SUNDAY, Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

The Onigbanjos of Lagos bury mum in style

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he families of the late KMY Onigbanjo and a n n i , and the granddaughter of Etu-Anpa of Lafiaji, Lagos rolled out the drums for the final burial outing ceremony of the late Alhaja Raliat Alake Onigbanjo who passed on at the ripe age of 90 years.

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With Ayo Onikoyi

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Olubadan upgrades Iyalodes

The burial ceremony too a place at Aladelola Street, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos. Many notable personalities from within and beyond the state graced the occasion.

Photos by Sola Oyelese

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t was fanfare all the way at the palace of Olubadan of Ibadan, His Royal Highness Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1, when the monarch installed and promoted new chiefs from the Iyalode line. The chiefs include a former Head of Service in Oyo State and wife of a former governor. Photos by Dare Fasube

Olori Bolatito Odulana (L) and Chief (Mrs) Mojisola Oyebola

From left: Miss Halimat Habeeb, Mrs Val Spiff, Mrs Sekinat Habeeb, Mr. A Habeeb, Mr M. Habeeb, Master Rafat Habeeb and Mrs Abdudu Habeeb

Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade 1 and Chief (Mrs) Alhaja Kudirat Iyabo Adeleke, a former Head of Service in Oyo State

Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Yinka Ladoja, Ayingun Iyalode, and her husband, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, Ekerin Olubadan

L-R: Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Yinka Ladoja, Chief (Mrs) Alhaja Kudirat Iyabo Adeleke, Aare Alasa Iyalode and Alhaji Yekini Adisa

From left: Mrs Val Spiff, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Editor-in-Chief/ GM, Vanguard, Pastor Emmanuel Obuh, Mrs Sekinat Habeeb and Miss Nancy Nwabueze

Colourful wedding of Anthony Edemayibo’s son

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n t h o n y Edemayibo, Vanguard’s cashier, and his family dazzled friends and in-

laws when his son, Richard, took his bride, Cynthia Okoro, home as wife at the Redeemed Christian Church of God,

Eliasua street, Mafoluku-Oshodi,

Lagos. Photos by Sylva Eleanya.

From left; Mr and Mrs Emeka Nkwocha, Advert Manager, Vanguard with Mr Fred Odueme, AGM, Brands, Vanguard Mr & Mrs Anthony Edemayibo, groom’s parents

The couple; Cynthia Okoro and Richard Edemayibo

Mr & Mrs Charles Okoro, parents of the bride

From left: Mrs R. A. Olodude, Mrs I. B. Okonedo, Mrs Oyenuga and Mrs Sekinat Habeeb

SUNDAY, Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 —29

With Ayo Onikoyi

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Pomp as former Kogi Gov’s daughter weds

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Alhaji Idris with Mahmoud , his wife, Jemila, Kogi State Governor Wada (right) and Alh. Mohammed Alfa

The couple with the bride's parents.

lhaji Ibrahim Idris, former Governor of Kogi State, was the man at the forefront of society news when he handed his beautiful daughter, Jemila,to Mohammed Alfa in Abuja, penultimate Saturday.

The wedding, held at Thisday Dome, attracted dignitaries from both the public and private establishments. Notable amongst those that graced the event are Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, Peoples Democratic Party ’s Chairman, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State, Chief Dan Etiebet and a host of others. Photos by Abayomi Adesida.

From left: Governor Wada, Alhaji Idris and Chief Etiebiet

The couple on the dance floor.

From left: Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, General Mohammed Wushishi (rtd) and former Gombe State Governor, Senator Danjuma Goje

Fanfare as Ilabo es daught er in w edloc k Ilaboyya giv gives daughter wedloc edlock

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t was a gathering of top names in sports when veteran sports journalist, Frank Ilaboya,gave his daughter, Maureen, in marriage to Femi Bankole Allibay, at the Redeemed Christain Church of God, Jakande Estate, Isolo-Lagos. Photos by Sylva Eleanya.

The couple: Maureen and Femi Allibay

Mr. & Mrs Frank Ilaboya, the bride's parents

L-R: Mr. & Mrs Allibay, the groom's parents

L-R: Mrs Iwuala; Dr. Osy Ubani; husband, Tony and Mr. Harry Iwuala

L-R:Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo, Chairman, Vanguard Editorial Board, Mr. Paul Bassey and Dr. Amos Adamu

PAGE 30—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 31

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

CBN to issue N5,000 notes

"Introducing a new season of demand for fresh human heads by RITUALISTS!"

M A I L B A G

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

Introduction of N5,000 note: A white elephant project Dear Sir,

THE idea of introducing N5,000 note in the economy as proposed by the Central Bank governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, should be discarded if we want this country to come out from its present economic quagmire. Redesigning the N5, N10 and N20 notes to coins would spiral inflation. This is because people are no longer willing to carry coins along, and as such normal transaction would shift from coins to notes. That means those items that cost N5 or N10 would jump up to N50 or more.

I therefore advise the central bank helmsman to rethink and focus attention on ways to revamp the economy instead of embarking on a grandiose venture that is likely to plunge the country into degradation.

It will be recalled that his predecessor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, during his tenure proposed to improve the country’s currency by making N20 the highest denomination in circulation. He cited example of other nations that took that measure and succeeded, maintaining that ours would not be an exception. The proposal was vehemently opposed by the National Assembly with the flimsy reason that it was aired to the public before bringing it to them for consideration. That was how the financial guru’s plan was foiled and was not allowed to see light of the day.

If that laudable idea was given the right of way then, by now we would have been chanting a different tone, and possibly we would be at par with other developed elimes. But because

the intended venture would adversely affect our business moguls, politicians and other people at the upper class who has stored up their wealth in foreign currencies. They felt that if the naira appreciates, their foreign monies would lose value.

So if president Jonathan has a genuine intention to project the country to 20:2020 target he should not take the central bank governor’s move hook, line and sinker. I know members

of the national Assembly would welcome the development but the poor masses should be taken into consideration before a crucial matter like this is given a go ahead. More dangerously, the idea would negate the cashless policy that is in the offing.

One wrap of N5,000 is N500,000. that means a bundle, which is 5wraps is N2.5milion.

Therefore if Malam Sanusi is allowed to go ahead with the project, the

purpose of the cashless policy will be defeated ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACKWARD. Against this backdrop, economic experts and other stakeholders should not fold their hands and allow the country to be plunged into jeopardy.

Nigeria has other fish to fry.

Nkemakolam Gabriel (Retired Banker) Port Harcourt 08072257360 gabchiz@yahoo.co.uk

Marginalisation of Urhobo nation unacceptable Dear Sir,

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HE last fourteen months have thrown up series of political absurdities, which have tended to open up the debate about the survival of the fifth largest group(Urhobo nation) in the contemporary Federal Republic of Nigeria as an indissoluble and indivisible entity. A debate which some of us assumed had already been settled.

Men know themselves enough to understand that you cannot lock a man out of the power sharing scheme of things in a territory and still have peace in the territory. If you lock a man out of power sharing, out of participation in making decisions as to how the territory he lives in is governed, you have sown the seed for the destruction of that territory for no male animal, if healthy, ever accepts permanent subordinate status in society. All men struggle for power and control of their land. This is human nature and there is nothing that we

can do to wish it away; all that we can do is accept it and address it with political realism.

From time immemorial, the Urhobo have developed a solid heritage of democracy and justice, a feature which made the British colonial regime to recognize them as stubborn. Because of their egalitarian and pro-equity worldview, the Urhobo are republican, accommodating and articulate and above all can resist any form of intimidation. Rather, the Urhobo have always been in the vanguard of struggle for freedom, fairness, and justice for all in local and national politics.

Urhobo people have endured so much hardship for a long time due to neglect by the past federal governments and the lack of commitment to the enlistment of our lives by the few parading themselves as leaders among us.

Our people were challenged by forces detrimental to our survival, our ideals snatched by selfishness and

greed, victory was very much in doubt.

These were the times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of urhobo people. And despite all of our disunity and disagreements, our hesitations and our fears, the Urhobo people prevailed because we chose to move ahead as one people, and as one nation.

Although, the Urhobo nation has the highest deposit of Gas in Nigeria , they are still a minority and it is fair to say that they have not had their fair share in the allocation of federal resources in the present dispensation of President Goodluck Johnatan.

Since the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria, we have never being marginalized so badly by any administration as currently experienced today when our own brother is at the helm of affairs of this country.

Comrade Patrick Akamovba President, Niger Delta Revolution Movement 07038707529, 08120724360

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 33

Awareness on labourtrafficking very low —Barr. Oluyede

BY JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA

Barr.(Mrs.)Olufunmi Oluyede is the Chairperson for the Lagos State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers-FIDA, an organisation committed to the well-being of women and children. As FIDA Lagos prepares for a proposed 3-day summit geared towards combating sex and labour trafficking, Barr.Oluyede speaks passionately about the scourge of human trafficking and also gives an insight on the summit which would be coming up in September.

Motivational factor HE International Federation of Women L awyers-FIDA is organising the 3-day summit with a view to proffering long-lasting resolutions to the prevalent human trafficking crisis within our shores. The theme is: Human Trafficking: Prevention, Intervention & Prosecution with special focus on Labour Trafficking(from the village to the city) & Sex Trafficking (from home to the brothel). This theme was actually inspired by the increase in human trafficking, despite international and domestic interaction at various levels.

Illicit trade in human beings, involving mostly vulnerable women and children, continues to worsen and has become more endemic, alarming and devastating than ever, within and beyond our borders. It is trite knowledge that Nigeria is a centre for this nefarious activity, being a provider, receiver and transit point, with Lagos being the foremost exit point for trafficked victims, by air and by land.

By its multi-dimensional nature, human trafficking encompasses gnawing issues of human rights and the rule of law, of law enforcement and crime control, of inequality and discrimination, of corruption, economic deprivation and migration et al.

Perpetrators of human trafficking Our labour trafficking perpetrators are usually me and you. The truth is that there is a huge level of unawareness regarding labour-trafficking; we therefore often perpetrate the act without knowing! You bring a child to the city with the promise of a better life, and instead of sending the child to school, you let the child labour endlessly for you at home. Some of us eventually send these children to school however. Also, we employ the

T

services of house-helps w i t h o u t k n o w i n g whether they are under-aged.

You find out also that most of these children are willingly handed-over by their parents to their “aunties”, with all good intentions.

But when they get to the city, they are disillusioned and helpless.

A similar thing happens with sextrafficking. These children are brought to the city and taken to brothels where they are made to sleep with men for money. Whether or not they like it abinitio, they eventually succumb to that sort of life. Many of them become the young girls we find on our streets at night.

When we compare human trafficking within our society with what obtains abroad, we find that there is a slight difference. We willingly handover our children to be trafficked, but abroad, these children are kidnapped and taken right across the border, and then transported to other jurisdictions where they are used as sex slaves.

Their parents search and search until they are unable to find their children!

Like I said earlier, we give out our children because we feel we want better lives for them; indirectly giving them out to be trafficked. And as long as we continue receiving money from whoever we gave out the child to, we never bother to investigate the child’s welfare. That’s how our children become a part of the whole number of statistics of trafficked children.

The summit Virtually all the stakeholders that have to do with human trafficking laws, enforcement, prevention, etc., will be on ground on the day-one of

We willingly handover our children to be trafficked....Barr Olufunmi the summit. The list includes the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons-NAPTIP, Customs, Police, Immigration, Nigerian Bar Association, to mention but a few.

We’ll have with us a team of very erudite speakers in human trafficking and labour trafficking.

We’ll also have victims and potential victims of human trafficking, and the victims will

On day two, we’ll have a working session with victims and potential victims, and on day three, we will have a legal counseling outreach at Makoko in Lagos. We’ll also include a medical outreach because of the subject matter. We’ve actually been working in Makoko in partnership with a young man who has put together a slum to school project. He has impacted a lot of lives, and has built up a relationship with a lot of

By its multi-dimensional nature, human trafficking encompasses gnawing issues of human rights and the rule of law, of law enforcement and crime control, of inequality and discrimination, of corruption, economic deprivation and migration et al

share with us their experiences.

NGOs and CSOs involved in prevention, intervention and prosecution will also be involved.

We hope to have the Lagos State Attorney General, Hon. (Mrs) Abike Dabiri-Erewa, as well as other dignitaries with us.

children there. On the evening of that same day three, we will be having a banquet at the Eko Le Meridian to say thank you to individuals and organisation that have partnered with us. We’re hoping to have the First Lady of Lagos chair the event.’

PAGE 34— SUNDAY

VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

STORIES BY EMMA AMAIZE, REGIONAL EDITOR, SOUTH-SOUTH

Robbing Peter to pay Paul – Chief Wellington Okirika, Founding father, HOSCOM

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HE Federal Government recently tabled the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, before the National Assembly. As a notable leader of the oil producing communities in Niger-Delta, you would have dissected the bill, what is your take on it?

I have read the salient aspect of the bill. First, I want to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for fast-tracking the long awaited PIB to the National Assembly, it a very good thing and we want to congratulate him for his courage. I also want to thank the committee that worked day and night to make sure that the bill was ready for transmission to the National Assembly. We appreciate what the president has done, that is providing a position for us in the oil industry, and this is what we have been yearning for.

Really, there is no way you can manage the farm of a person without getting input or without involving him in the project. The oil is from the oil producing communities, but until this bill, we were excluded, so we are grateful that it made provision for us, specifically the 10 percent equity share arrangement, which has brought about the provision for host communities fund in the bill. The host communities’ fund in the bill is that there is an equity share arrangement for the host communities; this equity share arrangement is fundamentally to create a greater sense of belonging so that we can be part of the oil industry. Nobody will want to throw sand into his own garri, if we are not part of the system; we cannot be in a position to protect the system and move forward the ideas of the system.

C M Y K

‘Our worries over PIB’

Dr. Bob Nabena

Dieziani-Allison Madueke Now that we have been made part of the oil industry, I think we, the oil communities, with a greater sense of patriotism, will protect the facilities that make us to be members of the equity sharing arrangement.

We will be able to protect the facilities, the flow stations and prevent criminal activities going on around us. But, before now, you are aware that we were helpless, we were not part of the oil industry, we were not in the system, so it was difficult to go and prevent activities like this. However, now that we are part of it, we want to assure the Federal Government that we will do our best to ensure that the facilities in the various communities in the different kingdoms are protected because we have equity share.

Disagreeable sharing formula Equity share by implication is equity share proper. What it is supposed to mean is that we will have 10 percent of the profit, 10 percent of job opportunities, 10 percent of the contracting, but these are matters of detail.

The specific thing brought to the fore is the provision of 10 percent equity share payment from the oil companies into the account of the host communities’ fund. We think that it is a very good thing, but the aspect that we are going to appeal to the president and the National Assembly to look at is the idea of saying that they would pay only the fund or money due to shallow water to the host communities and pay the money due to deep water elsewhere. This is wrong because the benefits of the equity sharing arrangement should be to members of the equity sharing.

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THE common impression is that the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, recently submitted to the National Assembly by the Presidency for consideration and passage into law, is an irreproachable arrangement for the oil and gas producing communities of the NigerDelta. Nevertheless, the leaders of the Host Communities of Nigeria, Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCOM), say otherwise.

Although they welcome the bill, they have their reservations.

Sunday Vanguard spoke to the founding father of HOSCOM and pioneer chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Chief Wellington Okirika, popularly known as Mr. 13 per cent Derivation; chairman of the HOSCOM, Rivers State chapter, Chief (Hon) Appolos E Amadi; and Chief (Dr) Bob Nabena; chairman, HOSCOM, Bayelsa State.

They bared it all. Excerpts:

Pipeline security Now, the issue of security,

you protect what you have. We have not been in the oil industry, we have always been outside it, and so now that we have been made part of it, a greater sense of belonging and patriotism will make us ensure that these facilities are safe because they are the source of bread on our table.

Nevertheless, to leave it for us to protect alone is not right, there should be a synergy between the host communities, the oil companies and the government because security in these areas is very expensive. You need to monitor the pipelines, you need to monitor the installations, I mean we cannot just monitor, do surveillance

benefiting 10 percent so that we can carry out surveillance and monitoring of all the flow stations and all the facilities in our communities. You know security is a very expensive thing; so why would you leave it to only the host communities that are getting only 10 percent? If the situation is that we are in control of resources in our communities, we exploit them and pay tax to the Federal Government, then we know that when we talk about security or vandalization, we will take care of it because we are selling and exploiting.

However, the situation on ground is that the government and the nation have taken over these facilities and resources from us; they are only giving us 10 percent of profit. Even then, they are tying it to incidences of insecurity, it is unfair; they shouldn’t be robbing Peter to pay Paul, but, if you know we have a stake in the oil industry, give us our share, everybody will work to protect his own interest and rights.

We want to assure the Federal Government that we will do our best to ensure that the facilities in the various communities in the different kingdoms are protected because we have equity share

,

over the pipelines with the funds we are getting, while the biggest share is taken by the Federal Government and the oil companies, what will they be doing with theirs.

Our grouse The implication is that they said if there is vandalization and any criminal activity in these areas, we would forfeit the 10 percent profit, which is unfair. After all, we are only benefiting 10 percent, other people are benefiting 90 percent, and so what will those benefiting 90 percent do?

There should be a synergy between those benefiting 90 percent and those of us

... Why we are irritated - Chief Appolos Amadi, chairman, Rivers State HOSCOM

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HE Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, is no doubt one of the best things to happen to the Niger Delta nay the host communities. In spite of the huge of the huge resources from the region, which sustain the nation’s economy, the area had been under neglect.

Therefore, the PIB is a welcome development to the Host Communities Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCOM). At last, oil-bearing communities, which have suffered untold hardship occasioned by years of oil exploration and

exploitation, will heave a sigh of relief with the passage of the bill into law.

The provision of the bill that appeals to the HOSCOM is the fact that the bill will empower the oil- bearing communities through the establishment of the Petroleum Host Communities Fund (PHCF) to take direct responsibility of mobilizing funds to mitigate environmental degradation and fast-track development in the area through established structure.

HOSCOM has picked holes in the draft bill, especially on security of the oil company’s facilities and equity sharing.

The provision of 10 per cent of the company’s net profit for HOSCOM is a welcome development. However, the worry of the body is about the vandalism and sabotage clause in Section 127 (4) of the said bill. It reads: “When an act of vandalism, sabotage or other civil unrest occurs that causes damages to the upstream facilities allocated to the community, that such community shall forfeit its entitlements to the portion of the Petroleum Host Communities Fund to be determined by the Inspectorate to be sufficient for repair or remediation of the damage”.

The host communities are not comfortable with this aspect because there could be error in installation or outright sabotage by the oil companies themselves in order to make them forfeit the fund when it is due. The body, therefore, wishes that the authorities will tie the loose end properly to protect both parties.

Fear of bloodshed We hereby allay the fear in some quarters that the direct payment of the 10 per cent to HOSCOM will cause confusion or lead to bloodshed in their respective areas, given past experiences. HOSCOM states categorically that with the elaborate structure put in place that has clear organogram, there would be no need for that, as all the stakeholders will be represented even at the ward level.

Host communities want special employment quotaChief (Dr) Bob Nabena, chair, HOSCOM, Bayelsa.

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HAT is your assessment of the Petroleum Industry Bill as it affects host oil communities?

Generally, the PIB, as presented, captures most of our earlier submissions. We welcome the idea of the establishment of the Petroleum Host Communities Fund, PHCF, where 10 per cent profit of the respective operating companies will be paid for social and economic development of the host communities. It is important to note that beyond this section of the bill that gives the 10 per cent concession to the host communities, people from the host communities need to be properly integrated in the mainstream of the society. So Continues on page 35

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 35

With 30m people out of job, Nigeria’s economy is at the cross-roads—Prof Ekpo Akpan Hogan Ekpo is a professor of economics. He was Chairman, Macroeconomic working group of National Planning Commission (NPC), former Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Uyo, member of the Board, NonExecutive Director, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), member of the Steering Committee of Vision 20:2020 and also Chairman, Ministerial Advisory Committee, Federal Ministry of Finance. He was President, Nigerian Economic Society (NES) and was recently honoured with award of Fellowship by NES, at the 53rd annual conference of the Society in Abuja. He is incumbent Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, owned by English-speaking Central Banks of West Africa. In this interview, he speaks on the Vision 20:2020 target, solution to increasing rate of unemployment in Nigeria , the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan and the current N5000 note controversy.

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OOKING at the perennial security crisis and increasing level of unemployment, is there any prospect for the economy?

The economy is still at the cross-roads despite some marginal improvements. I said so because though the economy is growing at about almost eight per cent, we still have rising level of poverty of about 70 per cent, unemployment rate of about 24 per cent and is even higher among youths, which is about 35 percent. About 30million youths are unemployed in Nigeria. Though increasing unemployment rate is a global phenomenon, we must tackle it in Nigeria . The inflation rate is 12.8 per cent. So, notwithstanding some marginal improvements, on the overall, we are still at the cross-roads. What I mean by being at the cross-roads is that a lot must be done to enhance holistic growth in all the sectors to record tangible development. We are still heavily dependent on oil, which we have no control over the price and output. So, the economy needs to be diversified into other sectors for optimum growth. When you put these factors together, you realise that what we call discomfort index in economics is still very high in the country.

You said about 30million youths are jobless. What will

you advise government to do in p r o v i d i n g sustainable solution to increasing unemployment rate in the country?

Government should put in place aggressive policies to address this problem.

For instance, the three tiers of governments should embark on housing projects across the country, because the housing sub-sector is job Prof. Akpan Hogan Ekpo generating. Also, youths, who had gone through have not started and that is various entrepreneurship why I said our economy is at programmes, should be the cross-roads. The industrial empowered and guided to sector of the economy is also become employers of labour job generating and must be rather than job seekers. given attention to thrive.

Government should also create public sector jobs like what used to be in the past.

Most entrepreneurs are talking about manufacturing.

Can you give us statistics about the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the gross domestic product (GDP)?

At present, the manufacturing sector in Nigeria contributes only five per cent to the GDP, but in developed countries where the real sectors are thriving, manufacturing contributes as much as between 35 and 40 per cent to GDP. For instance, in Malaysia , the manufacturing sector contributes about 45 per cent to the GDP. When you look at these figures, you see that we

,

BY UDEME CLEMENT

Besides, government should restore public confidence because the people have lost confidence in government.

This is why they do not trust and believe in anything government says.

If government begins to implement few projects like revamping the power sector to ensure constant electricity supply, public education system and public health, people can support the programmes of government, because these things would have restored confidence for them to believe in the programmes of government.

What is your position on the move by the CBN to introduce N5000 bank note while the cashless monetary policy is still being implemented?

It has generated controversy

If government begins to implement few projects like revamping the power sector to ensure constant electricity supply, public education system and public health, people can support the programmes of government

,

Do you think the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is on course?

I think Jonathan as an individual has good intentions but must be supported.

in the country but I believe the CBN must have done its homework adequately before coming up with the policy on currency restructuring. I do not bother about the aspect of corruption that most people

are talking about, because individuals who are corrupt can still mismanage funds with any denomination. I think the CBN should look at the assumptions on the issue of cashless economy as some people are arguing that a higher currency like 5000 naira may undermine the cashless monetary policy, others say it may not.

However, I am advising CBN to look at the assumptions in the areas of cashless policy already in place. The next thing CBN should consider is timing as well as priority. If the cost of restructuring the currency is N40billion and we have other pressing needs in the economy, then we must consider the priority and timing. In economics timing is very important. In most countries, the Central Banks would just do their work and people would accept it but, in Nigeria, the economy is still developing. So everything becomes an issue and even controversial.

You were a member of the steering committee of Vision 20:2020 and the Chairman, Macroeconomic working group of the National Planning Commission (NPC).

Do you still think the Vision is realisable, considering perennial security crisis and alarming rate of poverty in the country?

By 2020, Nigeria can be counted among the top 20 economies in the world if we do the following. I, the economy has to grow by double digits. 2, power supply must be constant for businesses to thrive. 3, government must provide other needed infrastructure for holistic growth of all the sectors of the economy.

4, manufacturing must contribute at least 35 per cent to the GDP. Government should monitor these guidelines to ensure that the economy is on track. Also, government should put together 4 to 5 years development plan to prevent division, and should be able to publish the data for analysis, because 2020 is very close.

Host communities want special employment quota Continued from page 34

there is the need to employ, appoint and give them quota across the board in the other sectors of the Petroleum Industry Bill. The foundation of the increased production and peaceful operating environment depend on the empowerment of the people of the host communities by the federal, state, local governments and the oil

communities. This will bring about speedy development and empowerment of the people.

What modification would you want in the bill before the National Assembly passes it into law?

We want a clause that will

specify special concession or quota for employment and appointments in government agencies in the oil industry as a way of making the people of the host communities have a say in the management of resources that are generated from their area.

Chief Wellington Okirika

companies, all playing their respective role.

We hear the oil communities have issues with certain aspects of the bill, particularly on security and equity sharing. What really is the worry?

We know that the host communities’ areas include their fishing, farming and the residential land. They include

farmland, creeks, swamp, and coastal, offshore and deep waters offshore areas.

The fishing areas extend to the deep waters hence they are captured in the 10 per cent profit that is expected to develop the area and people of the host communities.The portion given to the states in respect of the deep waters should also be spent for the development of the host

From left: Human Resource and Training Manager, Eat ‘n’ Go, Mr. Olusola Adeeko;Managing Director, Eric Andre and the Marketing Coordinator, Abdul Richard at the press briefing to announce the entrance of Domino's Pizza and Cold Stone Creamery into Nigerian market.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

GULAK TO BUBA GALADIMA ON JONATHAN

'You are not fit to be called Nigerian'

By Joseph Erunke

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enior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political M a t t e r s , Barrister Ahmed Gulak, has called on Nigerians to be wary of Alhaji Buba Galadima, saying the latter was working for the destruction of the country.

He said the consistent ugly utterances being made by the Congress for Progressive Change chieftain was suggestive of this allusion. ”Alhaji Buba Galadima and some of his CPC members are people bent on destroying the country through their actions and utterances”, the presidential aide said.

Gulak, who spoke to Abuja Bulletin in Abuja, was reacting to a statement credited to the CPC chieftain in which he accused Jonathan of fueling Nigeria’s disintegration, said Galadima was looking for cheap publicity just as he said the CPC faithful lacked qualification to be addressed “Nigerian citizen”.

Galadima was quoted in an interview with one of the na-

zPresident Goodluck Jonathan

tional dailies as saying “President Jonathan is sitting and superintending the disintegration of Nigeria”. Gulak, who described the statement as “one without substance”, asked the CPC chieftain to bury his head in shame, positing that he was not fit to remain in the country as a citizen.

“President Goodluck Jonathan was voted for as president by Nigerians to lead them; so it is unbecom-

zAlhaji Buba Galadima

ing of any person to say that the president is sitting on and administering the disintegration of Nigeria”, he said. ”What the types of Buba Galadinma are doing, is to really bring down the country. People like Buba Galadima are always used to saying and engaging in things that will bring crises to this country. Extract the likes of Buba Galadima out of this country today and the country will know peace and develop in

2013 BUDGET:

How we intend to cut costs zFaults FCT’s bloated figures

By Favour Nnabugwu

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he Coordinating Min ister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, has admonished the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to apply wisdom by prioritizing its projects in order to streamline the administration expenditure especially in the 2013

budget.

Okonjo-Iweala, at the FCTA 2013 budget defence by the Minister of the FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed, accompanied by the FCTA top management in Abuja, said, “Priority should be given to critical areas since we have meagre resources. As part of the recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Committee, President Goodluck Jonathan has

line with expectations of good thinking Nigerians”, the presidential aide added.

Commenting on the call by some people that the president resigns over failure to address the country’s challenges, especially security, Gulak maintained that people behind such talks should have their heads examined since according to him, the president has changed the face of Nigeria.

“The 2011 election was ad-

judged to be the most credible in Nigeria’s political history. Even as one of the presidential candidates in that election, he did not interfere with the operations of the relevant agencies, the president was willingly voted for by Nigerians”, he stated.

The president, Gulak said, is “doing his best for this country. I am yet to see a president who is so committed in this country like President Goodluck Jonathan”.

projects downward in the nest interest of the country.

Okonjo Iweala however identified three key projects which she advised the FCT administration to pay attention to. The projects are solid waste management, transport and water; security; and the development of the satellite towns.

Nigerians have forgotten that we depend on oil and there are sometimes delays and this leads to shortfalls. Our resources are never expansive.

It’s the same thing we get.”

In his defence, Senator Mohammed, in appreciation of the Minister ’s advice, listed series of ongoing projects within the territory that ought to be captured in the 2013 budget.

Mohammed said: “Since 2009, we’ve had it so well in the FCT where we got almost half a trillion naira in the 2010 budget.

“We have exhausted all the money we got from the DMO and the time-line of some projects are being affected. In this 2012, we’ve done a number of projects and some are 100 per cent completed.”

Suggesting the way forward, Bala stated the need for the administration to be assisted, stressing that the ongoing projects can’t be strangulated as it will have adverse effects on the entire territory.

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— Okonjo-Iweala Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala,Minister of Finance, ordered that all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies must find ways of streamlining their 2013 expenditure in order to cut cost.”

The minister, however, came hard on Mohammed, fingering cases of bloated figures in the proposed 2013 budget.

She said the Federal Government agencies must review the cost of awarding

zBarrister Ahmed Gulak

konjo-Iweala said: “If we can understand the priority projects in the FCT, it will help us appropriate funds in these areas accordingly. We have to do a bit of talking for Nigerians to realise the financial situation in this country. Nigeria relies solely on three sources to generate income, which are taxes collected by FIRS, Customs and the NNPC. These are the three sources.

“Nigerians must remember the quantity of what we earn is dependent on what we sell.

Eighty per cent of the taxes we collect come from one revenue source and that’s oil.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 37

Chief Daniel Ukeredi...One of the strangest things I’ve seen in my life was when I saw two snakes making love. I saw them with my naked eyes in the mangrove swamp. I was going for fishing then and to tell you the truth, I was shocked

Life Is A Tragedy For Those Who Feel, And A Comedy For Those Who Think —JEAN DE LA BRUYERE

Why I want 20 more years from God, by 114-year-old Chief Ukeredi Fathers a son at 84 Reveals the strangest things he’d seen About Sex Now: 'Give me the most beautiful woman; I’ll throw her back at you' matters of embezzlement.

His son, Monday, served as an interpreter in this engaging encounter.

Excerpts:

By Emma Amaize,

Regional Editor, South-South

B

ORN in 1898, Chief Daniel Ukeredi, aka Ogbolomo, a retired staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, who clocks 114 years on September 16, is the oldest living person in Okpe Kingdom, Urhobo ethnic nationality of Delta State.

However, by Guiness World Records, he is only two years away from the oldest living person in the world, Mrs. Besse Cooper, who celebrated her 116th years on the earth, on August 26. Cooper was born in 1896 in Tennessee, United States of America. Nevertheless, there is currently a controversy over whether Cooper is world’s oldest person with the claim by Cuban Juana Bautista de la Candelaria Rodriguez, that she is 127 years old. Her February 12, 1885 purported birthday is, nonetheless, under serious doubt by Los Angelesbased Gerontology Research Group, which verifies longevity information for Guinness World Records. Ukeredi, who became a chief of Okpe kingdom in 1973, is a member of the Esezi Ruling House, one of the four royal families in the kingdom. It was, nonetheless, palpable that he is sightless, perhaps due to age, as his 30year-old son, Monday Ukeredi, led him to the sitting room for an interview with Sunday Vanguard in his modest residence at Orerokpe, the headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area.

As was later discovered, he

has also become partly deaf and one had to shout into his ears for him to hear what you are saying. A peep at his bowlshaped face and gangling frame will remind a kid of a scarecrow, but the Ogbolomo is an interesting personage.

He is far from being the scary creature his image portrays.

Indeed, he is helping to resolve crises in the kingdom, including the protest by Ugbokodo women and the feud between members of Ugbokodo executive and community on

What is your name?

Chief Daniel Ukeredi How old are you?

I was born on September 16, 1898. I am 114 years old.

Is there any birth record to show that your date of birth is true?

You came here with the sec-

lah Ukeredi is our Methuse kingdom pe – Col. Edemenaha (rtd), Scribe, Ok

OL ON EL (Ch ief) Cha rles Ede men aha (rtd ) is the Sec reta ry to the Oro dje of Okp e, Oru e I, and ncil . He the scri be of Okp e Tra diti ona l Cou red i Uke ef Chi that w affi rms in this inte rvie Ex. dom king e Okp in man is the old est cer pts: I want As the secretary of Okpe kingdom, i is red Uke ef Chi t tha to find if it is tru e, old how and m gdo kin the in the oldest man is he? wha t he The re is no fals ific atio n abo ut l hist oOra . age his ing has told you reg ard elde rs, our by ed firm con l osa ry at our disp oth ers and som e of who had pas sed on yea rs 114 ally aliv e, sho w that he is actu old.

C

Hon esty is his virt ue in his I also had the hon our of livi ng st to atte can I and man hou se as a you ng y, he uall Act aw. in-l my is He his inte grit y. est hon an is mar ried to my aun tie. He is s hate He l. hfu trut man , har dwo rkin g and Cor y lwa Rai eria Nig the lies . He wor ked in d rne retu and red reti he re por atio n, whe atio n of hom e. He con trib uted to the form Lag os. in was he le Okp e Uni on in 193 1 whi Pea cem ake r bui lde r.

Ogb olo mo is a kno wn brid gee chie f Okp an Ma ny yea rs ago , ther e was wit h blem pro had He resi din g in Gha na.

He ed. aciz ostr be to was and Okp e Uni on

Chief Charles Ede menaha on to inte rve ned by lead ing a dele gati was ter Gha na and , to his cred it, the mat of d kin his is ami cab ly reso lved . Thi s as k bac far as f chie a life . He was mad e of set d thir the in is he , 197 3. Ind eed son per our old chie fs. He is the old est Okp e in Ore rok pe, as eac h com mun ity in we but , son per est kin gdo m has its old in tly sen pre man est old the kno w he is tmee lly, the enti re king dom . Tra diti ona the as , and se ing s are held in his hou loc al old est man , he usu ally sett les n, ldre chi nd gra y man has issu es. He in d olle gre at gra nd chi ldre n. He enr and 7 192 in CM S, Ade sa, Ugb oko do een wor ked in the Nig eria Rai lwa y betw 1933-1961.

retary to the Okpe Traditional Council, Chief Charles Edemenaha. He can bear me out that I am 114 years old now How can he bear you out, he was not there when you were born?

He would not have accompanied you to my house if he knows that I am not the eldest man in Okpe kingdom and you are coming to interview me for that purpose. This is a kingdom; we know who is senior to who and the eldest amongst us.

So how do you determine the eldest man?

My elder brother died recently, that was in 2010, two years ago, at the age of 121 years. He was senior to me by seven years. Before he died, he was the oldest person in Ugbokodo. I started my working career in 1933 in the then Nigeria Railway Corporation and retired in 1961, a year after our country’s independence. That should tell you that I was not born today. I am sure that you talking to me was not born when I retired from the Railway.

Who is your father?

My father is late Mr. Ofore Ukeredi of Ugbokodo in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State.

Is that where you were born?

Ye s , I w a s b o r n i n U g bokodo, near Jeddo How did you grow up as a child, what things did you engage in?

I was a fisherman, I used to cut palm fruits and went to farm for my parents. I lived with them in Ugbokodo before I left for Lagos.

What were those odd things you did as a child for which your parents flogged you?

I used to fight. I fought a lot when I was a child. At that time, I fought with those I perceived were oppressing

Continues on page 38

PAGE 38—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Life Is A Tragedy For Those Who Feel, And A Comedy For Those Who Think —JEAN DE LA BRUYERE

'Give me the most beautiful woman; I’ll throw her back at you' other people. I was a very strong person and I took delight in fighting the cause of other people that were not as strong as I was.

Which school did you attend?

I attended CMS, Ugbokodo What is your level of education?

I read up to Standard 3 and went to Lagos in 1929. Things were difficult for us then.

In Lagos, I stayed with one of my elder brothers, who was a cook to a white man at that time and I studied at home under the tutelage of a home teacher. The white man, who was a chief mechanical engineer in the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, then gave me a job.

Which department did you work in?

I worked in the mechanical department What did you do to make the white man give you a job?

I told you that my brother whom I was staying with was his cook. Therefore, when they cooked for him, I usually took the food to him in the office and that made the man to develop interest in me.

From available information, you are two years younger than the oldest living person in the world, who is 116 years old. What is the secret of your long life?

(Surprised at the information that he is only two years away from the oldest living person in the world and laughs) The secret of my long life is that I do not tell lies and I do not take what does not belong to me.

How do you know it is because you do not tell lies and take what belongs to others that made you to live this long?

If you have any doubt about my answer, then, God will answer you. However, I can tell you that God created me and He knows that reason. Today, I am alive and I still have more years to live by His power.

At your age, I believe you will be communing with spirits and not human beings. What kind of spirits do you see in your

dreams?

As I am sitting here now talking to you, I see many things, which people around me do not see. Therefore, I take them most times as dream.

Sometimes, I close my eyes, I, indeed, see spirits; I drink with them and chat with them.

Monday: We were with him of recent and he said he was seeing some chiefs and people in the room where we all were sitting. We told him we were not seeing anybody and that only two of us (my sister and I) were with him at that time, he got angry, asking us if we think he did not know what he was seeing.

(Interview with Pa Ukeredi continues) Are you a Christian?

In the beginning, I was a Christian but I also served juju. I am both a Christian and a traditional worshipper.

How can you serve God and juju at the same time?

I have told you that God created me and I serve Him How are you sure it is the Spirit of God that talks to you in your dream?

I know, the Spirit of God came to meet me.

,

Continued from page 37

children do you have?

I have four wives; three were late before I married my fourth wife.

My eldest child is more than 70 years old and second child was born in 1944. My last child is 28 years old. My first wife gave me six children, second wife-2, third wife- 2 and fourth wife- 4.

I am sorry, I see you are blind and partially deaf, how do you recognize when they come to visit you?

Monday : If somebody that comes to this house before comes, he will know it is the person, but if it is somebody that is new, it will take him after several visits to know that person. Once he has developed a little acquaintance with you, he knows you by instinct.

How did this problem of blindness and partial hearing come about because it was not there from childhood?

Oh, there is nothing wrong about that. That is how it runs in my family. When you cross 100 years, blindness and partial hearing come. They have to do with age. It affected all members of my family that

About sex! Hmmm…!

Even if you throw the most beautiful woman to me as a gift now, I will throw her back at you

Can you describe yourself as a Christian?

There is God and Jesus Christ is the first son of God Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?

I have accepted God Has Jesus Christ appeared in your dream asking you to follow Him? He has not appeared Have you had any revelation of heaven and hell?

No How many wives and

,

lived above 100 years. Doctors also confirmed that it has to do with old age.

At 114, what are the peculiar health problems you are facing besides blindness and partial hearing, which are normal?

God has given me good health; I am living in good health What is your best food?

(Laughs) I like pepper soup with fish and unripe plantain/yam Daughter: He likes Banga soup and pounded yam for breakfast

Chief Daniel Ukeredi What is your best drink?

(Laughs) I take all drinks, but I love a particular brand of beer.

Why is that so? What do you like about it?

The beer enables me to urinate and makes me stronger Are you saying that you still drink beer at 114 years?

Try me with it, as I told you, it makes me to urinate and it is good for somebody of my age. Secondly, it makes me strong.

What is your advice to younger people who want to live long?

They should not tell lies, they should respect their elders, be honest and do not steal.

Do the present leaders of Okpe kingdom seek counsel from you?

I hold meetings with them, they take some of my advice, and they reject some.

What of the Orodje of Okpe kingdom, does he listen to what you tell him?

King is king. He is my son. He relates with me constantly and is always bringing me gifts.

To have married up to four wives means that you love women, do you still like them?

(Laughs) I still like themo.

Can you still perform; I mean can you still carry out your marital role of sex?

Aboutsex!Hmmm…!Evenifyou throw the most beautiful woman to me as a gift now, I will throw her back at you.

Generally, what will you say about your life?

I am enjoying life, I do not have problem and I am enjoy-

ing my beer.

Appeal to God However, I am begging God to extend my days so that I will drink and drink my beer.

Turning point in my life Life is full of difficulties. My turning point in my life was at my old age. It is at this stage of my life I have come to realize the essence of life. Before now, I did not know or understand certain things, but I now know what life is all about.

What is the hardest decision you have taken in your life?

The hardest decision I had taken in my life was my resolution not to fight anymore.

What is the strangest thing that has ever happened to you?

I will like to say that I have seen so many strange things in life and I will tell you about some of them.

One was when I saw two snakes making love. I saw them with my naked eyes in the mangrove swamp. I was going for fishing then and, to tell you the truth, I was shocked.

Another strange thing that I have witnessed in life was the day I saw two spirit beings - each with one hand and one leg, male and female in the bush. The female spirit was removing lice from the head of the male; when I saw them, I took to my heels. They burst out laughing at me as I ran the race of my life.

How many more years would you want God to give you to enjoy life and drink more beer?

(Moves and sits back more relaxed on his chair in a reflective mood) I will want God to give me 20 more years. That means I want to live up to 134 years and enjoy more beer.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 39

MADE-IN-NIGERIA SUCCESS STORY

My life of hardship and triumph, by Toyosi, RISE CEO z 'At 10, I started work in a colour-photo lab' zSharing platforms with Cherie Blair, Michelle Obama To y o s i Akerele

A

t 28, her cap is incred ibly blessed with feathers! A few months ago, she was honoured at the Crans Montana Forum in Europe as a 2012 New Leader of Tomorrow. In November last year, she got two awards: the Success Digest Entrepreneur Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year and an Excellence Award as a Young Leader and Alumni of the Pan African University School of Media and Communications. CEO of RISE Networks, Toyosi Akerele, who was one of the three youngest winners of the THISDAY Award for 45 Women of Distinction, was also recognised a couple of months ago by GTBank as a 2012 Young CEO. Lately, she has been nominated as a young leader for the Archbishop Desmond Tutu Africa Leadership Institute.

‘Oh, she must be from one of the prestigious universities in Europe or America’, you may presume. But the truth is, Toyosi is proudly made in Nigeria! A 2006 graduate of Civil Law from the University of Jos, Toyosi, who is famous for her annual national youth forum, which attracts thousands of young people in all of its sessions staged across the country, is a beam of hope for Nigeria. We had an engaging chat with this lady who has also been recognised by the wife of the US President, Michelle Obama.

,

By Gift Gabriel

You must have developed focus very early in life…?

I believe the basis for my focus was primarily because of my zeal to do good, due to the very eventful upbringing I had. My parents separated very early, and I had to take responsibility for my siblings and my mum. I didn’t want to be one of those children that anybody would point fingers at for lacking any proper home training, engaging in prostitution or making excuses for not succeeding. So, it was pretty crucial that I worked very hard. So, I learnt to be very industrious, respectful,

schools were on strike. I already had a savings of N4,000 by the time I entered into secondary school at age 11 in January 1994.

Every other holiday, I also went to work. After my junior secondary education, I was withdrawn from the Model College, Kankon, Badagry, because my parents got separated and I was taken to Egbado College, Ilaro, where I eventually graduated as the best student in the year 2000. After my secondary education, I still worked! I worked in a business centre and in a restaurant. Along the line, I sponsored myself through a computer training school while my mum, being a single parent, paid for me to undergo a

I got my first job at 10 in 1993 in a colour photo laboratory in Ikeja where I was paid N500 for writing receipts because Lagos State schools were on strike

integrity conscious and, above all, be accountable for everything that I must have in life.

You know, sometimes in life, you are faced with no other option than to be strong for yourself. I’ve also particularly enjoyed a good amount of grace from God. So, how did you create this brand called RISE? Actually, I’ve been a very independent-minded young person. I got my first job at 10 in 1993 in a colour photo laboratory in Ikeja where I was being paid N500 for writing receipts because Lagos State

,

French class. I worked until 2002 when I resumed at the University of Jos where I did Civil Law. Are you insinuating you’ve been working all your life?

I’ve always worked! Even in my first year in school, I got some senior students for whom I was writing speeches and doing research work. That earned me some stipends. By my second year, my mum had stopped paying my school fees because I became capable of sending myself to school! I even did research work for some people in the

House of Representatives. I actually got the link because I was the Deputy Speaker of the Students Union Government House of Parliament, University of Jos. I actually became the Deputy Speaker at age 19 while in my second year. Civil Law actually gave me a background into legal research.By my third year, I had saved enough money and had started publishing RISE Magazine which attracted some adverts.

That sustained me and also enabled me pay about two people some salaries for working with me. I didn’t go to Law School afterwards; I just went on straight with my businessRISE. That was actually when I founded RISE Networks which focuses on youth and education development, and then I began the RISE Youth Forum in 2007 with thousands of young people in attendance!

The company got fully registered as a limited liability company in 2009 and I was providing content for multinationals who wanted to reach out to the youth market and needed to have a strategic platform. The young people also needed an opportunity to meet with quality mentors and leaders.

And the annual forum has sustained you ever since?

As we progressed, I realised that it was crucial I had a business unit and a sustainable means of income that will not make me compromise my integrity and start dipping hands into funds donated by individuals and corporate bodies for RISE activities. So, I saved from my salaries and, with support from some of my mentors, I started the RISE Print Company, a printing press officially opened by Mrs.Ibikun Awosika in December 2009.

I started the printing press

with about three staff, and, within three years, we’ve employed over 25 people and also now have branches! I believe that my diligence in the eyes of God has paid off so far, and He has decided to show that it is possible to be virtuous, diligent, maintain integrity and character, and still make progress. I mean, at 28, I’ve shared platforms with powerful people in Nigeria and across the world like Cherie Blair, Michelle Obama, Ibukun Awosika, Bola Adesola of Standard Chartered Bank, Aruma Oteh, Alison Madueke, Sola David Borha, and many more. I do not qualify these or any of the awards, have received, as achievements; I’m just grateful that there is recognition for hardwork. I’m grateful to God to have a very successful online bookstore, a successful printing press, an online printing company, and a library!

In the early days, weren’t there challenges enormous enough to make you give up on RISE; like getting sponsors and partnerships?

Sure! But you see, challenges are made for human beings, and, at every stage, I’ve always surmounted them to the glory of God. At first, people thought I was quite young for them to risk investing their social capital on, but this soon changed. Frankly, the first currency with which I started trading was my self-confidence and my ability to engage knowledge. I’m from an average home and my parents have no stake in my business, but still, money was never a problem. A demonstrable level of responsibility and a visible modicum of commitment will always guarantee some level of investments from people who are the greatest nay sayers of this world. Above all, God’s grace has been at work.

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation. -Arthur Ashe

PAGE 40—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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Teju Babyface & Tobi Banjoko’s wedding Q&A

Stories by Esther Onyegbula

Do Our Wedding Rings Have to Match?

I

t is official, top Nigerian comedian and TV Host, Teju Babyface Oyelakin and his fiancée, model and beauty queen Tobi Banjoko are now husband and wife.

The lovebirds’ journey to marriage began after Teju adoringly proposed to Tobi on the world’s most romantic day, Valetine’s Day (2012) at the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

My husband is 6’4" and has huge hands; I’m 5’2" and have tiny hands. How can we choose matching wedding bands that will look equally good on both of us?

Traditional Wedding The traditional wedding of the couple was held on Thursday 30th August 2012 at 10 Degrees, Billings Way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. The man of the day, Teju arrived at the venue in a silver EL 550 sport car with Afro Juju music master, Sir Shina Peters.

The bride, Tobi looked gorgeously resplendent in her aso-oke outfit as she danced her way into the venue to meet and be joined together with her husband the traditional way.

White Wedding The holy solemnization between the couple took place on Saturday 1st September 2012 at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Alausa, Ikeja. Teju Oyelakin looked stylishly handsome in his Navy Blue Taryor Gabriels of Lagos paired with a Russell and Bromley black shoe, as he awaited his wife on the altar as she arrived in a mermaid silhouette lace and

tulle dress with a lace cape by Nigerian designer Mai Atafo, accessorized with pearl earrings and bracelets and completed her look with a birdcage veil.

The couple were joined in holy matrimony by Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Church.

After the church wedding, Teju added a unique touch by whisking his wife away in style. The newlyweds drove to the reception at MUSON Centre with Teju at the reins of the steering wheel.

Roll call

The big names in the entertainment industry made the guest list thick. The likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo and his wife, Jumobi, Tee A, Ali Baba – the master of the ceremony, Yinka Ayefele, Kayode Peters, Jedi, Koffi, DJ Jimmy Jatt and Kunle Afolayan.

Mr & Mrs Teju Oyelakin

Our Response First of all, there is no rule that says you have to wear matching wedding bands.

Consider choosing two wedding bands with a family resemblance: similar shapes, details, or mix of metals. Keep in mind that a medium-width band with a herringbone pattern or openwork design will visually “lighten up” a broad hand while a diagonal design pulls the eye across the slender hand and gives the illusion of greater width. If you must wear the same wedding band, simply buy them in different widths. If he has big fingers, opt for a wedding ring with rounded edges, called a “comfort fit.”

It is becoming more popular these days for couples to choose very different rings.

You should choose a wedding ring that you like. You may have different tastes, and you are obviously different sizes.

There is nothing wrong with buying rings with different styles.

Events Billboards

The Fusion Lifestyle Wedding Fair A

buja’s number one Wedding fair, the Fusion Lifestyle Wedding Fair, is back, bigger, better with more style and sass. On Sunday 16th September 2012, some of the top wedding vendors from Abuja, Lagos and beyond will gather at the BMO Events Arena to display the latest wedding trends for your BIG Day! Activities on the D-Day include a walk through wedding dress exhibition by top Abuja bridal house Brides and Babies, live music, comedy and loads of fun games.

The Fusion Lifestyle Wedding Fair, which was nominated as “Best Trade Exhibition” for the Nigeria Event Awards 2011, is one to attend as it promises to be a classy combination of networking and fun, all rolled into one, which will see attendees take home amazing prizes.

Last year’s edition saw many couples walk away with lots of prizes including the grand prize winners Martha Basset and Emeka Chukwu, who won a return ticket to Dubai and a 3 Night stay at The Sheraton courtesy of Studio 24 as well as a lucky bride-to-be, won a bespoke dress from Ade Bakare and this year,

it could be YOU! This year, prizes to be won include the following; zReturn Tickets to London/South Africa/Dubai + 3 Nights stay at The Hilton zBespoke Wedding Dresses from Brides and Babies zProfessional Wedding Planning Services worth N350,000 from Dream Weavers zThe Ultimate Bridal Pampering Package worth N180,000 from The Nail Bar zWedding feature in WED Magazine zWedding cake from Santis Creations Cakes z50% off Decor from Zalitude Events zFresh Juice for 100 guests from Succo Naturale zCocktails for 100 guests (Abuja/Lagos) from Cocktails In and Out zDesserts for 200 guests (Lagos) from I Luv Desserts z30% off at BMO Events Arena z50% off Venue & Decor at Blue Velvet Marquee z50% off Bridal Make-Up from Beyond Faces

z50% off Bridal Make-Up from Francesther’s Place Prospective Soon-To-Be-Married Couples, should kindly send in their names and contact numbers to the organizers for a chance at winning.

The organizers also have a Make-Up Competition to allow up-and-coming make-up artist win a free stand at the fair and a make-up goody bag from Gifty’s Daughter/Fashion Fair Cosmetics.

All you have to do is send a photo of your best bridal make-up (no photoshop, head piece and watermark) to the organizers. Short listed candidates would be judged by top beauty entrepreneur, Banke Meshida-Lawal.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 41

of Northern Nigeria, democracy has not taken root at all. I am disappointed. This was not what we bargained for, which made me to leave my business for politics. Nigerians, whether living or dead, will regret what is happening someday. Leadership is not about possessions, it is about the people. Once a leader cannot reconcile with the people, it becomes a problem.”

2015: Igbo don’t have to wait for Jonathan — Orji Kalu

2015 and Igbo

z‘My feud with Obasanjo, T.A. Orji’ zExplains why he stayed away from

Ojukwu’s burial

Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State does not share the view that the Igbo people of the South-East should wait for President Goodluck Jonathan before taking a stand on the 2015 presidency. He also speaks on his relationship with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his successor in Abia State, Governor T.A. Orji.

O

“I’m not going to discuss the governor. I’ll leave that aspect for the people of Abia to decide. I have tried since I left not to discuss him, whether privately or publicly. It has been a strong cause of my life not to discuss him. I leave that discussion to the people of Abia.

The day I handed over to him, I told him to govern with his conscience and this is the same thing I’ve continued to say.”

T.A.Orji’s false allegation

Asked to respond to the allegation by his successor that the main source of disagreement between them is the present government’s refusal to sell some property of the state in Lagos and in Kalu’s native Bende to him, Kalu had absolutely no difficulty denying the claim.

“It is not true. This I can answer you straightaway. There is nothing like that,” he says.

“We were building a university at Igbere and the university people asked the government to lease the Umunnato General Hospital, which I re-

furbished when I was governor and nobody is using till today.

It’s overgrown with weeds. You can send your correspondent in Umuahia to go and look at it.

So they asked him to give them 50 years lease; lease with payment. I am not going to make any profit from Igbere – to the best of my knowledge.

“Why should I ask him to sell property to me? I was governor for eight years when they were doing privatisation. This is a man I told that there was no need to sell government property. If I wanted to buy government property, I could have bought it. But it wasn’t my desire. “I have been living in this house at Victoria Island since 1986. I have my office at Apapa since 1986.” He de-

,

No Hard Feelings rji says there is no love lost between him and Orji, though he refused to be drawn into comments on the Abia incumbent governor and some of the allegations levelled against his administration by the present regime in the state, saying he does n’t want to join issues with the governor.

“I was just a mere messenger of the people and I left happily. This is why I’m saying I never lost anything. As governor for eight years, I was just a messenger of the people and nothing has changed. This is the house I had been living in even before I was governor, and I have not changed the house or the chairs,” he says.

Orji Uzor Kalu seeing today, they are not seeing tomorrow. I want Nigerians to start seeing tomorrow.

“Go back to your archives.

Obasanjo made me the Action Governor for that regime on account of the Aba roads that I constructed. He came to Aba and campaigned on those roads. Anywhere in the world, roads are maintained every two to three years, if not, they will collapse. I cleaned up Aba. “Nobody has given me credit for all these things because I fought the federal government.

I’m the only politician that his businesses were taken.

Obasanjo killed my business-

“Why should I ask him to sell property to me?

I was governor for eight years when they were doing privatisation. This is a man I told that there was no need to sell government property. If I wanted to buy government property, I could have bought it. But it wasn’t my desire.”

bunks Orji’s allegation that his eight years administration left virtually nothing in terms of infrastructure. “I know that the allegation that nothing was done during my tenure is wrong,” he says. “Almost all the roads in the state were constructed in my tenure. The Umuahia-Aba road (old road), the Obehie-Azumiri road, the Lokpanta-Udeato road, the Ebem-Ohafia road, all were constructed in my tenure.

When I was governor, the Aba roads were motorable. I don’t want to talk about these things.

I want the governor to lead the people with his conscience.

Conscience is a wound, only the truth can heal it. People are

,

es here. He was out to ruin me because I challenged him over Third Term. What have I done to these people? I had helped them in the past.”

Exit from PDP

Kalu blames his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party on former President Obasanjo’s alleged intolerance. The former governor who was elected in 1999 on the PDP platform left the party to form the Progressive Peoples Alliance in the latter part of his second term. He bemoans the poor attitude of Nigerians to politics.

“I didn’t leave PDP; Obasanjo virtually drove me and Atiku away. I was de-registered by Obasanjo. I give God the glo-

ry; I don’t feel any harm because everything we do is vanity.

“As far as I am concerned, Nigerian people have not shown commitment to democracy. Look at my governor, he worked for me. He knows that I am not a money man. If he will say the truth, which I know will come out one day. If money were to be my problem, I would have followed Obasanjo because I had full access to him.

“My challenge in life is the people, not money. When anybody says I asked him not to work, the person is not being sincere. For instance, I own The Sun newspapers; I don’t interfere in their day-to-day job. I like process, I like system, and this is what most Nigerians lack because they were not prepared for leadership.

“Most people in positions of leadership in Nigeria today found themselves suddenly in the line of leadership. That is the problem Nigeria has today, people are not prepared for leadership.”

Break from Active Politics

Kalu’s exit from PPA marked the beginning of his life on the sidelines of politics. But was he also driven out of PPA? “No. I left because democracy was no longer the process of choice, but force,” he says.

“People who do these things should be ready to face the consequences in future. If we want to come back to politics, it is either they do it right or everybody would be prepared to pay for it. “It is disheartening that a lot of people who won elections are not where they have won elections. Apart from the South-west and some parts

As the country inches towards the 2015 elections, many Igbo believe it should be the turn of the South-east to produce the president. But many of those who ought to lead the Southeast presidency campaign appear to have a half-hearted belief in the cause. They are believed to be reading President Jonathan’s body language to see if he would be going for a second term.

But Kalu sees no sense in such wait for Jonathan. He says, “Anybody who wants to run for the presidency should prepare to run. Why should they wait for anybody to tell them whether he will run or not? That is part of the things that are not right in our democracy.”

“South-east has not been fairly treated. That is why when I see some Igbo people say they are waiting for Jonathan to decide whether he would run or not, I look at them as very stupid. Nobody should decide for anybody. As far as I am concerned, it is either you give Igbo the presidency or nothing.

“Almost 48 years after the civil war, you are telling people they are not entitled to rule Nigeria. Unless an Igbo man rules this country, the country would not be well. That is the truth because we are the salt of the nation. Whether you want to believe it or not, that is the truth.

Anywhere you go in Nigeria and you don’t see an Igbo man living there, nobody lives there.

So why don’t you give them the opportunity to rule their country? They have given Obasanjo, Yar ’Adua, and Jonathan room to rule. Now is the Southeast’s turn, it’s either the Southeast or nothing.”

Jonathan’s Performance

On the performance of President Jonathan, Kalu says he would give the president the benefit of the doubt and give him time before engaging in any serious assessment of his performance since the President had said 2013 would usher in a lot of things. Kalu says, “I will give the President the benefit of the doubt as he had said he would do most things and deliver by 2013. Let’s wait and see, though I have not seen anything in terms of concrete

Continues on page 47

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

‘Airhiavbere should respect party discipline & people’s mandate’ Abubakar Yesufu, a former president, Students Union, University of Benin; chairman, League of Patriotic Lawyers and one of the 22 lawyers the late Gani Fawehinmi led to defend MKO Abiola's Concorde Newspapers in the celebrated case between Supreme Court judges and the media house, opens up on Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s reelection, the case filed

by General Airhiavbere of the PDP against the result of the poll, BokoHaram and the CBN’s bid to introduce N5, 000 note.

Oshiomhole was ree l e c t e d overwhelmingly by the people of Edo State, but the PDP candidate, General Airhiavbere, has gone to the tribunal contesting the eligibility of the Comradegovernor. What is your take on this?

IRST, the league tries as much as possible to distance itself from partisan politics.

Second, the case is subjudice and there is a

F

limit to which we can comment on this. We have since advised and written to G e n e r a l Airhiavbere as an officer and a gentleman to withdraw this p e t i t i o n .

Oshiomhole’s overwhelming victory was Abubakar Yesufu altogether not unexpected.

The comrade’s service just confined to Benin City, the state capital, delivery was unparalleled. A visit to but also replicated across Edo State before the the three senatorial election would reveal districts. Third, the the developments, from comrade-governor had a road construction to lot of fiery foot-soldiers like Charles Idahosa rehabilitation of dilapidated schools, that took the campaign from youth beyond the state to even in Diaspora, empowerment to robust Edo conscientizing and and economic growth, were all just too visible sensitizing them. The General really had no to ignore by Edo discerning voters. I last chance.

Advice to Airhiavbere saw caterpillar/ Since the party bulldozers during the days of Gwarto, Mother chairman, Chief Dan deputy Cat, Niger Cat when Orbih, governorship candidate these construction giants held sway in the then Abulagba and other party Bendel State. The respected chieftains advised comrade-governor reignited these and other against this case; he projects reminiscent of should do the needful by to party Ogbemudia’s days. adhering discipline. He ran a Suffice to say that these developments were not good campaign. He must also respect the

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BY LUCKY OJI

I think the General is mistaken.

Oshiomhole’s humble beginning cannot be a plank for disqualification

,

wish of his party and the will of the people.

Afterall, he did not run as an independent candidate.

On Oshiomhole’s qualification canvassed

by Airhiavbere?

I think the General is mistaken. Oshiomhole’s humble beginning cannot be a plank for disqualification. The General should be a good student of history.

The comrade-governor has never denied his humble background.

History is replete with men of humble beginnings.

Har ry Truman, a former president of the United States, had a very humble beginning.

He indeed took over from Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Truman was born into a farming

family in Missouri; after high school, Truman was employed in a few odd jobs, before returning to labour on the family farm. College was not on the cards for Henr y, he could not afford to attend any school except West point, they even turned him down because of his poor eyesight.

Truman then became the only president to serve after 1897, who did not have a college degree. He was elected as a county judge in 1934 and rose to be a senator, then V.P to F.D.R . When F.D.R. died, he became the president.

History is replete with examples of men of humble beginnings.

Henn Ford 1863-1947, Ronald Reagan 19112004, Andrew Carnage 1835-1919, Booker T. Washington 1856-1915, Milton S. Hensley 18571945 all had very humble and sometimes obscure beginnings.

Their beginnings did not obscure their greatness or contributions to society.

The Nigerian constitution says all you require is school certificate or its e q u i v a l e n t .

O s h i o m h o l e ’ s qualification transcends this.

On N5, 000 bank note Governor Lamido Sanusi has not convinced Nigerians what this bill is out to cure. The 40 billion cost of production is senseless. Is this policy out to cure our hyper

inflation exhibited by the high interest rate, improper banking d i s c i p l i n e , unemployment, corruption or what?

Issues like this should be discussed before a decision is taken. This policy reversal or a somersault would have been avoided. The introduction of the N5, 000 would strengthen corruption; right from 1973, when the naira was re-denominated to reflect higher value, it has often led to regime of increased and sustained poor fiscal financing.

Sanusi should concentrate on how to bring down this double digit interest rate, retrenchment of bank workers without terminal benefits, etc.

On Edo after Oshiomhole It is too early to comment on this. We are only advising the comrade-governor to sustain the developments he has commenced. One thing, however, is certain: We shall no longer tolerate mediocrity at Osadebey Avenue (Gover nment House).

On Boko-Haram The Federal Government must initiate sustained process of dialogue with the group. The present crop of elites the government is engaging to dialogue on behalf of Boko-Haram brought all the misgovernance to the North.

Dialogue should be with the leaders not those that brought this anomaly.

Northern leaders should speak out against Boko Haram —Okolugbo capacity of 2,700 megawatts and the Olorunsogo which is producing 150 megawatts are on stream. The other private power projects, like the Alaoji, Abia State power plant with a capacity

Sir Kenny Kenechukwu Okolugbo was a member of the Presidential Campaign Council for President Goodluck Jonathan at last year’s presidential election.

In this interview, the chief executive, Kenkol Nigeria Limited, bares his mind on some national issues.

Excerpts:

O

VER a year on, have you any regrets that you campaigned for President Goodluck Jonathan?

I have no regrets at all.

We ran an ideal campaign.

I was privileged to see him from a close distance being a member of the Presidential Campaign Council. Even now, I still see his burning desire to make a difference. We cannot deny that Mr. President has taken some landmark decisions to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

He has allowed an u n i m p e d e d investigation into the controversial petroleum products subsidy not only in the NNPC but also in the Ministry of

Kenny Okolugbo Petroleum.

The President has shown determination to expose those who had shortchanged the system.

There is evidence of cartels who sell these products outside this country after they had collected subsidy. The issue of power supply has been a major problem in the development of this country. We noticed there also seems a cartel that had been benefiting from the importation of generators and diesel into the country. These people are behind the sabotage and thus frustrating the genuine efforts of Mr. President on the sector. But the Mambilla Plateau with a

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BY TONY NWANKWO

issue that has tasked the nation’s security agencies. Agreed that the level of violence by Boko Haram is new, however the agencies: the SSS, police and the military may have to do more. We are not doing enough intelligence material gathering, for instance, as is the case in the United States. We

We cannot deny that Mr. President has taken some landmark decisions to show that there is light at the end of the tunnel

of 1,060 megawatts are also there. If all these come on stream, the 50,000 megawatts we hope to achieve, to make a difference, and relieve Nigerians who are spending their salaries in buying diesel and fuel to power their generators. It is now clear that the president is serious in stamping out corruption in this society. He has said nobody caught on corruption will be spared.

The biggest security problem the country faces today is the issue of Boko Haram. It is one

,

need to create awareness on terrorism that has been unleashed on us. Boko Haram has become such a sensitive issue that even the National Assembly is saying we should dialogue with the terrorist organisation and find out what their problem is. Initially, they came with the theory that they were against Western education, but then, they have gone beyond that, because killing and maiming people cannot be to curb Western education in any countr y. Government

may have to find out the true reason for the terrorist attacks and only then can this problem be solved. It is a political problem. We need to reassure our foreign investors that we are capable of taking care of our security challenges in this country.

There is this worrying aspect of northern politicians talking about power in 2015. And then the talk of dogs and baboons, what do you say?

I have so much respect for Muhammadu Buhari, one that I had always mentored as a growing up student of political science.

I thought he was a man to look up to as one of those who had been in power and not been publicly indicted. But his utterances were most irresponsible,unacceptable, undemocratic. Because in the first place, he contested elections three times and came second.

So, in the eyes of everybody, he should have been the only opposition leader in Nigeria as it were. And whatever he says transmutes a lot and sends a lot of messages to millions of his supporters, because he did not get thousands of votes. So, he should be very cautious in

making statements which can inflame the passion especially in the North.

He should remember that the killing of those youth corps members are still very fresh in the memories of their relations . Saying that dogs and baboons will be soaked in blood, is merely saying that he wants a revolution. He is not a democrat and should be condemned by all wellmeaning people, without bringing politics into it.

Chief E.K. Clark would want retired Generals Babangida, Buhari to speak out in condemnation of Boko Haram insurgents. What is wrong with that call?

Absolutely, nothing wrong. Papa Clark is acting in line with what northerners did when our brothers in the Niger Delta where seeking for attention from foreign communities on the degradation of our ecosystem, the neglect of our region and the outright denial of benefits in infrastructural transformation from exploitation.The kidnapping, bombing of oil installations and general armed struggle were means of agitation to right the wrongs.

SUNDAY

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 43

Health Report FOOD POISONING:

The bad, the worse and the terrible

By Sola Ogundipe

Symptoms of food poisoning depend on the type of contaminant and the amount eaten. The symptoms can develop rapidly, within 30 minutes, or slowly, worsening over days to weeks. Most of the common contaminants cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramping and fever.

According to experts, usually food poisoning is not serious, and the illness runs its course in 24-48 hours.

Sunday Vanguard investigations reveal that viruses account for most food poisoning cases where a specific contaminant is found eating of sea food. For instance, Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause a mild illness (often termed “stomach flu”) is the most common viral cause of adult food poisoning and is transmitted from water, shellfish, and vegetables contaminated by faeces, as well as from person to person.

F

Dame Patience Jonathan: Resting ? Poisoned? Or .... hours) after consuming a contaminated food or drink.

Depending on the contaminant, fever and chills, bloody stools, dehydration, and nervous system damage may follow.

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here are no documented studies of how many people in Nigeria become sick from eating contaminated food, but it is expected to be significant. Each year, globally, the Centres for Diseases Control, CDC

,

OOD poisoning is an illness caused by viruses, bacteria or other toxins in food. Cases are on the increase and the most common cause is poor food hygiene.

Food poisoning often leads to ill health. It is a type of sickness caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or drink.

If a person eats food that is not properly cooked, such as barbecued food, microorganisms present in the food may not be completely killed off and they infect the digestive system. Another way food poisoning may occur is when persons preparing food do not wash their hands properly before handling the food. Some of the most severe cases of food poisoning can result in long-term illness and death.

However, findings reveal that most food poisoning cases are not serious.

Usually, most people begin feeling better within 24 to 48 hours.

Queasiness or nausea and slight diarrhoea may last one to two days longer. Between the official statement from Aso Rock Presidential Villa that Dame Patience Jonathan is in Germany resting; or the other version regarding appendicitis; while not leaving out the more rumoured version of food poisoning, there is something wrong with the First Lady.

Picking on the latter, a Lagosbased dietician, Funke Oshifuye, notes that food p o i s o n i n g often occurs as a result of an infection of the digestive tract.

“It causes diarrhoea, and may also cause vomiting, abdominal pain and other symptoms. In most cases the infection clears over several days, but sometimes takes longer.The main risk is dehydration. The main treatment is to have lots to drink which aims to avoid dehydration. You should also eat as normally as possible.”

There are several worrying symptoms that could indicate food poisoning.

A public health physician at the Lagos University Teaching H o s p i t a l , LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, describes food poisoning as “an infection of the intestines the severity of which can range from a mild tummy discomfort for a day or two with some mild diarrhoea, to severe diarrhoea and vomiting for several days or longer. “Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes a deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting,abdominal cramping, and diarrhoea that occur suddenly (within 48

investigations reveal that, indeed, more than 250 known diseases can be transmitted through food. The CDC estimates unknown or undiscovered agents cause 68 percent of all food-borne illnesses and related hospitalizations. “Many cases of food poisoning are not reported because people suffer mild symptoms and recover quickly. Also, doctors do not test for a cause in every suspected case because it does not change the treatment or the outcome,”

Many cases of food poisoning are not reported because people suffer mild symptoms and recover quickly. Also, doctors do not test for a cause in every suspected case because it does not change the treatment or the outcome

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estimate that food poisoning causes about 50 million illnesses, 150,000 hospitalizations, and up to 4,000 deaths each year.

Worldwide, diarrhea illnesses are among the leading causes of death.Travelers often encounter food poisoning in the form of travelers’ diarrhoea or “Montezuma’s revenge.”

Additionally, there are possible new global threats to the world’s food supply through terrorist actions using food toxins as weapons. Increased virulence of known pathogens has caused deadly outbreaks such as the E.Coli STEC outbreak in Germany in 2011.

Sunday Vanguard

a physician pointed out.

Generally, known causes of food poisoning are grouped into infectious agents and toxic agents. The infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, and parasites, while the toxic agents include poisonous mushrooms, improperly prepared exotic foods or pesticides on fruits and vegetables.

Food usually becomes contaminated from poor sanitation or preparation.

Food handlers who do not wash their hands after using the toilet or are infected themselves often cause contamination.

Improperly packaged food stored at the wrong temperature also promotes c o n t a m i n a t i o n .

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nother group of contaminants are the Rotaviruses which cause moderate to severe illnesses with vomiting followed by watery diarrhoea and fever. It is the most common cause of food poisoning in infants and children and is transmitted from person to person by faecal contamination of food and shared play areas.

Hepatitis A also causes moderate illness with sudden onset of fever, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and feeling of tiredness followed by jaundice.

Sunday Vanguard also found that bacteria can cause food poisoning in two different ways.

Some bacteria infect the intestines, causing inflammation and difficulty absorbing nutrients and water, leading to diarrhoea. Other bacteria produce toxins in foods that are poisonous to the human digestive system.

When eaten, these chemicals can cause illness.

Salmonellae bacteria cause food poisoning affecting at least one million people each year.

The illness is transmitted by undercooked foods such as eggs, poultry, dairy products, and seafood.

Then there is Campylobacter which causes mild illness with fever, watery diarrhoea, headache, and muscle aches. It is the most commonly identified food-borne bacterial infection encountered in the world, transmitted by raw poultry, raw milk, and water contaminated by animal faeces.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria produce a toxin in foods such as cream-filled cakes and pies, salads (most at risk are potato, macaroni, egg, and tuna salads)

and dairy products.Contaminated salads at picnics are common if the food is not chilled properly.

Another is Bacillus cereus that causes mild illness with rapid onset of vomiting, with or without diarrhoea and abdominal cramping. It is associated with rice (mainly fried rice) and other starchy foods such as pasta or potatoes.

It has been speculated that this bacteria may also be used as a potential terrorist weapon. Infective bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E coli) that can cause kidney failure and death are transmitted by eating raw or u n d e r c o o k e d hamburger, unpasteurized milk or juices, or contaminated well water. There is also Shigella (traveler ’s diarrhea) transmitted in water polluted with human wastes; Listeriosis is a moderate to severe illness transmitted on many tips of uncooked foods such as meats, fruits, vegetables, soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk, and cold cut meats; clostridium botulinum (botulism) transmitted in foods such as home-packed canned goods, honey, sausages, and seafood; and Vibrio cholera that strikes mostly in the warmer months of the year and is transmitted by infected, undercooked, or raw seafood.

Parasites such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Toxoplasma are also known to cause food poisoning usually from contaminated or untreated water and cause long-lasting but mild symptoms. Some types of mushrooms produce a nerve toxin, which causes sweating, shaking, hallucinations, and coma. The main treatment for food poisoning is replacing fluids into the body (rehydration) orally and through an IV. Hospital admission may be necessary, depending on severity of the dehydration, response to therapy, and ability to drink fluids without vomiting.

Children, in particular, may need close observation. Antivomiting and diarrhoea medications may be given. The doctor may also treat any fever to make the patient more comfortable.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that antibiotics are rarely needed for food poisoning. In some cases, antibiotics worsen the condition. Only a few specific causes of food poisoning are improved by using these medications. The length of illness with traveler’s diarrhoea (shigellae) can be decreased with antibiotics, but this specific illness usually runs its course and improves without treatment.

Safe steps in food handling, cooking, and storage are essential to avoiding foodborne illness. Bacteria cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, and they may be on any food.

As the First Lady continues to convalesce, Nigerians are, through this piece admonished to be careful with what they eat. Or how does one explain the First Lady ’s condition?

PAGE 44, SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

I

THE MONEY -CHANGERS (2) MONEY-CHANGERS

T is priceless when God calls a nonentity to ministry. It is especially marvellous when he validates this with infallible signs. I readily identify with Mary who, on learning she would be the mother of the promised Messiah, declared: “My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant.” (Luke 1:46-48).

Confusion However, everything seemed to unravel during the Redeemed Church fellowship the following Wednesday after my calling to ministry. Inexplicably, the junior Mrs. Adewumi did not attend; only the senior one was there. I told Waikini to sing a praise-song and gave her the Lord’s verdict.

But there was no way of knowing whether her blood was changed until after the blood-test.

When I spoke of “someone” with chronic backache; three people came out and Foluke prayed for them. But in my dream, there was only one person.

Another imponderable involved the person trusting God to meet his bills. I brought the requisite 3,000 naira in a plastic video-case; but nobody handed any piece of paper to Bimbo in confirmation. Her brother, Kunle Bolodeoku, claimed he was the person. But I was convinced it could not be him.

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CWO gives lifeline to 30 widows

n the very afternoon of my S a t u r d a y morning dream, I came home to find Kunle waiting in his Mercedes-Benz car. On seeing me, he jumped out and prevailed on me to listen to a testimony. He had won a contract but then rejected it when he discovered it entailed paying bribes. But now, miraculously, God had more than honoured his faith. He showed me letters from two magazine publications asking him to supply a certain amount of newsprint.

“All that is left now,” he said, “is for me to mobilise the money with which to supply it.”

When I asked how much he needed, he said 150,000 naira. As God would have it, that was

“To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” (Malachi 4:2). roughly the amount I was carrying in an empty carton of Nulec videotapes; having just collected the takings from my video-shops.

Immediately, the Lord said to me: “Give him the money. He will give it back to you.” Therefore, when he said he was the one referred to in my dream, I knew it could not be him.

Confirmation

D

isappointed, I went back home after the fellowship for a tête-àtête with God. “What does this mean?” I complained. Calmly, the Lord said to me: “When Kunle Bolodeoku told you it was him, why did you argue with him?”

Later, I discovered one vital puzzle-piece. Pasted on the back-windscreen of Kunle’s Mercedes-Benz was the inscription: “My God shall supply all my need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

There were certain nuances between my dream and my actual transactions with Kunle.

In the dream, the amount was 3,000 naira.

In real life, it was 150,000 naira. In the dream, the money was in a Nulec video-case that normally houses only one video. In real life, the money was in a Nulec carton that formerly contained 50 videotapes.

However, 3,000 naira multiplied by 50 is 150,000 naira. What about my assumption that the money was for NITEL or NEPA bills when they were in fact for the procurement of newsprint? Ergo, my insistence the word of God is only what comes directly from the mouth of God. Once passed through man, there are likely to be distortions.

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ince then, I tell God with importunity: “Please don’t talk to me in parables. Talk plainly to me.” Jesus spoke plainly to his disciples, but he spoke to the multitude in parables.

When his disciples asked

him the reason for this discrepancy, he said to them: “It has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.” (Matthew 13:1112).

Much later, I also discovered the seeming imprecision in the number of people with backache is standard practice with God-given revelations. If the Lord says he is going to heal someone; that “someone” might turn out to be many people. Whosoever identifies with the prophecy is automatically included in the healing. Therefore, it did not matter that while the Lord only showed me one person with backache in the dream, three people actually came out to receive.

A beautiful woman

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ith regard to Mrs. Philippa Adewumi, the Lord said to me: “When I brought her to the Dada’s on Saturday morning, why didn’t you pray for her then?” In retrospect, I concluded my decision to wait until the Wednesday fellowship before praying for Mrs Adewumi was dubious. Clearly, God brought her precisely that Saturday morning to confirm my dream. He also knew she would be absent at the next fellowship. However, I assumed the Lord would prefer her healing to take place during the fellowship because there would be more people to witness it and this would give him greater glory.

But I now realise I was also mindful of getting some of the glory myself. God is not into showmanship, and he knows best how to get glory for himself.

The Lord’s confirmation was all I needed. I was in Mrs. Adewumi’s house the very next day, having obtained her

address from Muyiwa.

The senior Mrs. Adewumi had already given her the news. When I told her my dream, she was completely overwhelmed. She acknowledged she had had the problem for some time.

After praying with her, she insisted on walking me to my car. Then she asked: “You mean God really loves me? And I am the second wife who has come to scatter this family.” She was practically in tears. I told her I did not know anything about that. It was not part of my brief. But I assured her the Lord would sort out everything. Then I left.

Gideon was fearful and cowardly; he threshed wheat in the winepress in order to avoid detection by the Midianites.

But when the angel of the Lord saluted him, he called him “a mighty man of valour.” (Judges 6:12). The angel’s opinion of Gideon was not based on what Gideon was but on what he could become. Similarly, God did not describe Mrs. Adewumi according to what she was in her own disparaging eyes but according to what she could become. Mrs. Adewumi was overwhelmed by her inadequacies. But the Lord who knows her heart declared her beautiful internally and externally.

Postscript

M

rs.

Peace Garba, wife of Redeemed Pastor Simon Garba, testified that her back problem was healed immediately Foluke prayed for her. Bloodtests confirmed that Waikini’s blood-type was miraculously changed.

She no longer has sicklecell anaemia. Kunle Bolodeoku paid me back the money I gave him.

Senator Julius Adewumi held a lavish thanksgiving breakfast party for his wife’s healing at his Agoro Odinyan residence in Victoria Island, Lagos. He insisted that I seat with him on the high-table.

Thus says the Lord: “To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.”

(Malachi 4:2).

INSTEAD of giving fish to 30 widows among them, Mainland Deanery of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO) recently opted to empower them for life by teaching them how to fish. For two weeks the widows given tutorials on baking, soap making, interior decoration amongst others, reports OLAYINKA LATONA. According to the Deanery Director, Mrs. Theresa Ohamaegbulem, the empowerment project is the first of its kind in the deanery, adding that it has always been the dream of CWO to put a smile on the faces of the less privileged among them.

Mrs. Ohamaegbulem charged multinational companies in the country to direct their corporate social responsibility towards the hapless women in the society.

Speaking during the programme, Monsignor Peter Okoduwa urged the widows to be strong and not be waiver by various challenges confronting them, reminding them that Christ is the husband of all widows.

He also called on government to invest more in the area of women empowerment.

Speaking on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Joy Ikpatem, in her early 30s, described the gesture as laudable, adding: “We learnt a lot during the training and we can now boast of a worthy handiwork.

The materials they brought are those that can help us greatly in our various businesses."

The foundation laying ceremony of extension of the Cathedral Parsonage by the cathedral Friendly Society (MALE) of African Church cathedral Bethel, Broad Street. Pix r-l Chief Chris Okunowo, chairman foundation laying ceremony; Prince Bode Ogunleye, President, Cathedral Friendly Society; Otunba Solomon Mobolaji, People’s Warden of the church and Venerable Thomas Fagbayi, Provost of the cathedral at the ceremony. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

CPM tasks youths on indiscriminate use of IT NIGERIAN youths have been cautioned on the indiscriminate use of Information Technology, IT, reports CHARITY UGWUANYI. Speaking at the just-concluded bi-annual national youth conference of the church, the youth coordinator, Christian Pentecostal Mission, CPM, Ogechi Mercy Ezekiel, warned youths not to allow Internet Technology and its accompanying vices to rule them.

She urged Nigerian youths to desist from using earphones in church, pointing out that it could be taken as a mark of disrespect for God. “Youths should not allow the social media to control them, but be in charge always.”

Citing the recent death of Cynthia Osokogu in the hands of friends she met on Facebook, Ezekiel said: “Parents should not delegate their responsibility to the church. They should always pry into their children’s life to know what they do on a daily basis.

This is a way of making Nigeria a better place,” she said.

BSN hosts Anglosec, Supply Chain meetings

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HE Bible Society of Nigeria will host meet ings of General Secretaries of English speak ing Bible Societies and Supply Chain involving Francophone countries in Africa.

Derek Hill, who is chairman of English speaking Bible Societies and head, Bible Society Resources Limited, UK will chair the meetings which begin in Abuja from September 10-13, 2012.

Among other issues, the meetings will focus on Scripture needs in Africa as it concerns English Bible Versions, provision of English/local Language [bilingual] Bibles and ways to enhance effective and efficient Bible publishing in Africa.

Vanguard, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 45

The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy T

he gains of President Jonathan’s diplomacy are often overshadowed by misrepresentations of the size of his delegation, ignorance about the value of his foreign travels, and the positives of his constant engagement with the international community. I have had cause on more than one occasion to expose the lie about published figures about the size of his delegations. I intend to deal here with what is overlooked.

Given the damage that the Nigerian interest suffered a few years ago, the same interest needed to be clarified and strengthened. We are living witnesses to that short, critical, phase in Nigeria’s foreign relations when the country failed to show up at important international meetings, lost many positions in multilateral associations, forsook obligations, and found itself in a situation where many of our allies started wondering what had gone wrong with Nigeria.

President Jonathan has brought the much-needed change in this arena, and has launched an operational framework for Nigerian diplomacy, which continues to strengthen the place of Nigeria in the world.

In 2010, as Acting President, he embarked on a number of diplomatic shuttles, as part of a deliberate attempt to reassure the world that Nigeria was well and secure despite the trauma of succession that it had just experienced and the divisive politics of zoning that threatened to scuttle the country’s political transition. Many may have forgotten, selective amnesia being a dangerous national malaise, that President Jonathan’s statesmanship, his humility, and the maturity that he displayed during that momentous season proved to be a strong stabilizing influence on a nervous Nigerian community.

He had promised that Nigeria’s next general elections to be conducted under his watch, in 2011, even with him as a contestant, will be free and

fair, and that nobody’s blood was worth being shed for him to win an election.

That promise was kept. The elections were not only free and fair, they were adjudged the best ever in Nigeria’s modern history. The achievement was not merely one of legitimacy; the applause from the international community was redemptive. Nigeria, at that point, almost a typical case study of the challenges of democratic consolidation, became yet another success story. President Jonathan has since taken many steps further to build on this.

One of the very early steps was a four-day, August 2011, seminar on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Process, with inputs from the Presidential Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku. The seminar and the foreign policy experts, recommended, inter alia, a robust diplomacy, driven

Goodluck Jonathan policy process that has been fruitful and meaningful, and properly linked to domestic policy.

His foreign travels fall into three categories: state visits (formal state to state activity), courtesy visits (attendance at ceremonies, burials, inaugurations) and working visits (trips to attend multilateral, bilateral and regional meetings). Each

,

By Reuben Abati

President Jonathan has brought the much-needed change in this arena, and has launched an operational framework for Nigerian diplomacy, which continues to strengthen the place of Nigeria in the world

,

by Nigeria’s economic interests. This accent on self-interest had shown up during the Obasanjo years. It reflected an increasing awareness that Nigeria’s foreign policy should not be driven by the vainglory of being a certain brother ’s keeper, or the Father Christmas pretensions that dominated it for years, rather, hard-headed pragmatism.

The world had changed a lot since Nigeria distributed its oil wealth to other countries and asked for nothing in return.

The new strategy called for partnership, mutual respect, enhanced and innovative diplomacy, and constructive exchange. In this context, President Jonathan leads a foreign

of these visits is official, the ultimate gainer is Nigeria, and it is well worth noting that since his assumption of office, President Jonathan has not gone on any unofficial or private trip abroad. It is a trite point that a strong foreign policy process, one which involves constant interaction and openness brings a country much goodwill, promotes understanding and strengthens the country’s friendship with other countries.

Closed countries are often treated with suspicion; their leaders are subjects of mystery.

President Jonathan has worked very actively in the last two years to promote Brand Nigeria.

His foreign travels are usu-

ally, carefully chosen. He has equally played host to Heads of State and Governments and delegations from around the world including high profile visits by Britain’s David Cameron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, and US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

On all of these occasions, Nigeria’s interest is strategically promoted. The President is accompanied on each of his trips by members of the National Assembly and Ministers who attend the relevant meetings and make necessary inputs for follow up action. Trade and investment always tops the agenda.

The President personally leads the campaign of inviting investors to set up industries in Nigeria, and produce locally if they wish to take advantage of Nigeria’s huge market potential. Interestingly, Nigeria’s domestic security challenges have not proved to be a disincentive.

Foreign Direct Investment generated in the last year alone according to UNCTAD’s 2012 Investment Report was $8.9 billion making Nigeria No 1 in Africa and a top quartile investment destination in the world.

During a recent trip to Rio, Brazil, Nigeria signed an MOU with Electrobras to invest in the generation of 10, 000 MW; since then, there have been subsequent visits to Nigeria by Brazilian investors interested in infrastructure, food and beverages and consumer items. In October 2011, when President Jonathan met with the Australian investment community in Perth, on the side-

lines of CHOGM, the Australia-Nigeria Trade and Investment Council (ANTIC) was established to facilitate the flow of investments into agriculture, mining and the petrochemicals sector.

Australian Council members have since visited Nigeria, and there is an agreement in place to provide technical support for the local mining sector. In April 2012, the President, in the course of an official visit to Germany, got Siemens to commit to investment in power generation, and turbine maintenance and repair in Nigeria. Generally, there has been massive support from governments and investors for the President’s policies and strong interest to invest in the country.

The corollary to this is the search for opportunities for Nigerian investors in foreign markets. The President often times travels with Nigerian businessmen who are looking for inroads into foreign markets: the Nigerian private sector is involved in banking and insurance in Rwanda and other parts of Africa (Access Bank, IGI, GTBank), in manufacturing in Ethiopia, and Southern Africa (the Dangote Group, LUBCON) and so on. Such investors often require the support of the Nigerian government, which has been readily and consistently provided by the Jonathan administration.

The class of Nigerians who have probably benefitted most or who stand to do so, would be the Nigerians in Diaspora. Wherever President Jonathan goes in the world, he insists on the local embassy organizing a meeting with the Nigerians in the country. He likes to exchange views with them, find out how they are faring and even ask them to raise issues they may want him to take up with the host country.

Such issues usually range from immigration to Nigerian issues, particularly absentee voting, and in one instance, request for the airlifting at Government expense of Nigerians who are willing to return to home, but cannot afford to do so.

President Jonathan never fails to acknowledge the importance of Nigerians abroad and the invaluable resource that they represent.

To prove the point, many members of his government were sourced from the Diaspora. The Jonathan administration has always had cause to defend the interest of distressed Nigerians in diaspora in pursuit of citizen diplomacy, famously the evacuation of distressed Nigerians from Libya (more than 2,000 between March and November

Continues on page

46 — Vanguard, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

The gains of Jonathan’s diplomacy 2011) and Egypt (more than 1, 000 in January 2012). It continues to engage with several development partners to ensure managed migration in the overall interests of all sides, including Nigerians.

The fifth Nigeria/EU dialogue on Migration and Development was held in Abuja in January 2012. Thus, the welfare of Nigerians in their relations with other countries has also been given the top most priority. Government has stood up to all countries in upholding the principle of reciprocity and by insisting that Nigerians be treated fairly.

Multilateral institutions usually have vacancies to be filled by nationals from all over the world. Even when the positions are rotated on a regional basis, the relevant countries still have to compete for such positions.

It is not always an easy struggle as each country jostles for the positions with the highest possible visibility or influence.

It requires sharp diplomacy to secure the support of other countries and to get the required number of votes for your candidate. When your country is not eligible for the post, you become one of the brides to be wooed to deliver the vote in favour of a particular country’s candidate. It sounds like routine diplomacy, but it is highwire politics. In the past one year, President Jonathan has devoted considerable energy to lobbying and campaigning for Nigerian candidates to get into positions in international organizations.

The achievement in this regard has been remarkable: Dr. Bernard O. Aliu, President of the Executive Council of the In-

ternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) based in Montreal, Canada; Mrs. Theodora Oby Nwankwo, member, UN Committee on the Elimination of All forms Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Dr. Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs.

After three unsuccessful attempts, Nigeria finally broke the electoral jinx at the AU for the first time in ten years. Mrs. Salamatu Sulaiman, Commissioner Political, Peace and Security at the ECOWAS Com-

November 17, 2011. The election of Dr. Chile Eboe-Osuji as one of the six judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in a tightly contested election in New York in November, 2011 and the election last year, of Nigeria as the first President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Entry for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (UN Women).

Our embassies abroad are also better organized. Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru, Jonathan’s appointee as Min-

Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru

,

Continues from page

Many who have no foreign postings have achieved their career dreams as ambassadors-in-situ; our diplomats are reciprocating by showing higher levels of enthusiasm for the job

,

mission; Nigeria’s election to the Executive Board of UNESCO for a term of four years in November 2011; Nigeria’s election to the Governing Board of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP); Nigeria was also elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on October 24, 2011; Election of Mr. Adamu Mohammed, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, as the Vice President of INTERPOL representing Africa at a meeting held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October, 2011; Re-election of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN to the International Law Commission on

ister of Foreign Affairs is a career diplomat who has been doing a good job of actualizing the new framework for Nigerian diplomacy. He is collegial in approach, and supportive of Mr. President’s vision.

Career diplomats used to complain about their jobs being taken over and messed up by politicians. This year, President Jonathan handed over letters of commission to the country’s new set of ambassadors, mostly career diplomats, and because he has thus encouraged the professionalization of the diplomatic service, career diplomats are no longer complaining. Many who have no foreign postings have achieved their career dreams as ambas-

sadors-in-situ; our diplomats are reciprocating by showing higher levels of enthusiasm for the job. Nothing can be more damaging to a country’s foreign policy process than a distracted professional foreign affairs cadre.

W

e have a leader who is respected by the international community. When TIME international magazine named President Jonathan one of the 100 Most Influential leaders of the world in 2012, a fitting acknowledgement of his achievements, and the only African leader to be so recognized, the warm citation was written by the Liberian President. Our President also holds one of the highest national honours in Liberia. In the last year, he has also been honoured by people, governments and institutions in Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

At the regional level,

Matriarch of Ukpo, Mgbafor Atunalu passes on

A

woman leader in Ukpo, Dunukofia L.G.A of Anambra State, Mrs. Monica Mgbafor Atunalu, has died as the age of 88.

Burial ceremony commences on Thursday, 13 September, with a vigil mass at her residence in Akpu village, Ukpo while burial mass takes place at St. Simon’s Catholic Church, Ukpo on Friday, 14 th .

Thanksgiving mass holds at Christ the King (CKC), Obinagu Akpu in Ukpo on Sunday, 16 September.

She is survived by children and many relations including the owner of B&B EatLate Mrs ery in Lagos,Chief BeneMonica Mgbafor Atunalu dict Atunalu (Nze White).

From left: Mrs Susan Amuta, Hayday School Festac Town, Lagos, Mr Emmanuel Akapo, MD/CEO Tenstrings Institute/Foundation, Mr Caleb Osasosa, Strategy & Media, Etisalat Nigeria, Chairman of the occassion, Mrs Dorcas Akapo and Mrs Kubura Mobolatiti Govi, God's Time School during the official opening of Tenstrings Music Institute/Foundation head office at Ikeja, Lagos.

Nigeria’s voice now rings loud and clear; its interventions are taken more seriously. President Jonathan served as ECOWAS Chairman for two years, and received great applause at the end of his tenure in February 2012. Under his watch, he led both Nigeria and ECOWAS to put an end to the threatened mayhem in Cote D’Ivoire when Laurent Gbagbo refused to hand over power, after the 2010 Presidential elections in that country. He helped to check a similar crisis of self-perpetuation in office in Niger, and has provided support for democratic efforts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mali, Ghana and Guinea Bissau. He was one of the first African leaders to recognize the National Transitional Council of Libya and ask Muammar Gaddaffi to quit.

Since handing over as ECOWAS chair, President Jonathan has remained a respected voice among his brother Heads of State. At the moment, he is a co-mediator in the crisis in Mali. The relationship between Nigeria and other countries in the region, particularly Ghana, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Republic of Benin, Niger, Senegal and Liberia has never been stronger.

Commentators often insist that greater emphasis should be placed on domestic policy, not foreign policy. Our new framework links both strategically. The investments that are flowing into Nigeria create jobs, deepen competition within the market, push the drive for necessary infrastructure further, and on all fronts, Brand Nigeria is strengthened.

Dr. Abati is Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to President Jonathan.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 47

VIEWPOINT

BY WILSON ENEFURE VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The visitation panel on the University of Abuja appears to be enmashed in crisis of confidence.

M

ANY have tried, often con fusedly, to understand the genesis of the University of Abuja debacle that has kept a Special Presidential Visitation Panel headed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and some university administrators and teachers at work in the last few weeks.

But even in the heat of the work, warring parties are not giving up. They are throwing quiet brickbats, even questioning the integrity of the panel in the way it has conducted itself as if it was sent there to investigate and witch hunt the sitting Vice Chancellor, Professor James Adelabu, rather than to go back in time and help the president see the structural problems and how they can be resolved.

One man who should know and chief regulator of the university system, Professor Julius Okojie, the Executive Sec-

Abuja has been a system against itself.

Don’t forget, it was founded just in 1988, have you ever seen a university that has stayed in one primary school for that number of years?

,

,

retary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) in trying to make journalists understand the situation told them last July: “You know what I’ve always said; the politics of the system is too much. Abuja has been a system against itself. Don’t forget, it was founded just in 1988, have you ever seen a university that has stayed in one primary school for that number of years? The first vice-chancellor was there for 10 years, ask. ”The next one followed, five years; there was somebody who acted for a period of time- another five years.

These programmes you are talking of were established in 2005 (during the tenure of Prof. Nuhu Yaqub) against all advice from NUC. ”Professor Upaa wrote, don’t start these programmes. The man went ahead and started this programmes: medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, and engineering. As we speak now, Engineering is not even on the radar at all because COREN said they don’t even know it exists. ”For Medicine, we have made significant progress. We got Prof. Okwaraji he came in for about two years; these programmes have started. For programmes that have professional bodies; it is very difficult for us to convince them when they have problems. ”So, before those four programmes came on board, NUC didn’t go there at all- that was in 2005”.

Okojie’s position notwithstanding,

the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Abuja chapter wrote a petition to government for a visitation panel to investigate alleged misdemeanours, even in the face of speculations that the basis for all the crisis is a proxy war between the sitting head of the school and his immediate predecessor, who do not like each other.

In one case, Adelabu’s predecessor, Professor Nuhu Yaqub, took him to the cleaners in the press, though some his positions were considered bogus and lacking in decorous language. The disagreement is also said to have divided the ASUU in the school into factions, with the mainstream group that called for a visitation panel, and allegedly subtly backed by senior elements within the Ministry of Education, at loggerheads with another that describes itself as the Integrity Group.

Just last week, the Integrity Group questioned the integrity of the president’s visitation panel wondering why it was shunned by the panel after due invitation to defend its memoranda.

There were also allegations, though quietly, by some heads and members of some other unions that some members of the panel have been suggesting that these unions join the mainstream ASUU in its plan to send Adelabu packing.

The head of the ASUU Integrity Group, Dr YN Damagun, said that it was viewing the activities of the visitation panel with suspicion and wondering what its agenda is after refusing to recognize his faction and “suggesting that we should come under the aegis of Concerned Lecturers.”

Damagun however said he along with his delegation were embarrassed when the presidential panel did not give them the opportunity to defend the memorandum they submitted.

The memorandum listed 11 ASUU officials who had used their position in the mainstream union to get what was described as “lucrative positions.”

It was gathered the ASUU Integrity group may be considering sending a petition to the presidency to point out how some members of the special visitation panel, especially a new entrant, a professor, had been hobnobbing with ASUU officials and receiving documents of “questionable integrity to badger those who appear before the panel.”

“Moreover, we have just received information that a very, very important member of the president’s panel was indicted by the Senate three years ago for alleged financial misdeeds that led to the collapse of a bank. How can such a person come to equity when his hands stink? There are yet other revelations within the University management, past and present, which we will go public with that will lead to true sanitization, not this charade at play from a Minister who wants to protect some primordial interests,” a source said.

One of the documents making the rounds last week was the 2006 Report of the Council Ad-Hoc Committee on the University ’s Accounts and its trapped funds in Allstates Trust Bank.

The committee alleged among other things that the leadership before May 2006 made uninformed investment choices which led to a loss of scarce university resources.

It also alleged that the then V.C spent funds far above his spending limits set by Federal Government’s financial regulations.

'My feud with Obasanjo, T.A. Orji’ Continued from page 42 performance, especially in the areas of security and infrastructure.

“The fundamental issue is the rule of law. Any president who wants to rule this country should respect the rules and give people justice. If there is no rule of law, there will be no society. The most fundamental issue in any good society for the people is the rule of law. A minister’s son who violates traffic law, for instance, should be penalised like any other Nigerian.

Political armed robbers who took the country ’s money should not be allowed to walk free”.

Strategy to Actualise President of Igbo Extraction On whether the South-east has a coherent strategy for the achievement of their presidential dream, the former Abia State governor says formulating such plan is his preoccupation at the moment. “I know the national appeal is there,” he says. “I am going to play a leading role within my community to organise people for what Igbo are going to do. I wanted to be totally out of politics, but I’m going to sit back in my house and be part of their planning.

“I will plan for them and give them to go and execute. Awolowo wasn’t a president but he was a very important man in Nigeria. I’m sitting back to help give the Igbo what they don’t have: planning. I’m going to reconcile those who are quarrelling and get one of them to lead. We will get it right this time.”

He says the leaders; the candidates from the zone would emerge on their own. “But give me some months to be able to consult. The most important thing is the process that gets who would run for president. The president is just a by-product of unity. What I’m talking about is to kick-start the process. I have to go back to the drawing board, go back to the academics, traders, politicians, etc, and re-energise them to move forward.”

Is He Stepping into Ojukwu’s Shoes?

“I purposely kept away when Ojukwu died because his burial became an avenue for sycophancy.

People who abused Ojukwu in my presence, people who never believed in him were praising him in death. I was surprised. That was why I sent a delegation to extend my condolences and I didn’t go”, he says..

“When Ojukwu was alive, they abandoned him. Most of these people who were talking abandoned him.

Ojukwu’s brothers are there, they can speak because they know how close I was to him. They know I always tried to be with him at any point of his need.”

PDP Reconciliation Moves Asked whether he could return to PDP if approached in the course of the party’s present reconciliation efforts, Kalu says nothing about PDP excites him at present. “I don’t think so. I don’t think I am talking about party politics now. If I want to play party politics, I would play it in PPA”.

Prosecution by EFCC

Orji Uzor Kalu

,

UNIABUJA: The war over Jonathan’s panel

I’m sitting back to help give the Igbo what they don’t have: planning. I’m going to reconcile those who are quarrelling and get one of them to lead

,

Kalu thinks the charges preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are trumped up. “My conscience tells me that I have not done anything. I have never discussed with anybody on how to make underhand deals. What I have spent is security vote, which is not much for the size of our state. I applied it to the police and they were happy with what I did with the money. I am the only governor that is being prosecuted for spending security vote.

“Even the present governor knows that we were not making deals. Check the calibre of commissioners that I had – Awa Kalu (SAN), Lambert Mmecha, Professor Nkpa (present Secretary to the State Government), Professor Ogbuagu (currently a vice-chancellor), Onyekwere Ogba, etc. I will set up a foundation that will deal with the issue of anticorruption.”

He adds, “I have asked the international agencies to set up a real anti-corruption outfit, let us know who the real thieves are. I’m ready to subject myself to the probe, and others, too, should come out.”

Real legacies in Abia “All the low-cost housing schemes in Abia State were built by my government.

The Ehimiri housing estate, the two stadiums in the state, were built by my administration. The housing estate at Obingwa had been roofed before we left, even the one at Obakala, apart from the housing estate at Ubeku”, Kalu boasts about his legacies.

“Mind you, our resources then were lean – Obasanjo took away our 46 oil wells, which Yar’Adua returned. $650 million was deducted from the state’s allocations to repay money from the wells. I gave Abia people purposeful leadership.

PAGE 48 — SUNDAY VANGUARD,SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

chimeena@yahoo.com

appearing grazing fields, the depleting underground water resources and the general woes of desertification. And the question that quickly comes to the mind is what is the way out? And that is what Jibunoh brings to the fore for all to ponder on.

BY JAPHET ALAKAM AUCTION

I

T was another excursion into the story of desert encroachment and its drastic effects of climate change as arts collectors, enthusiasts, Heads of corporate organizations and others gathered at the new DIDI Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos for a special event tagged Whispers from the Sahara, an auction of 15 selected shots of over 5,000 photographs captured by Kelechi Amadi-Obi during the Third Expedition across the Sahara by Dr. Newton Jibunoh, who led a team of dessert warriors.

The photographs which had been on a month long exhibition at Didi Museum according to Jibunoh are historical and will help to tell the story of the lost land, the disappearing grazing fields, the farmlands, the depleting underground water resources and the effect on food production, the air we breathe and the migration problems resulting from desertification.

The event which was anchored by Mr Soni Irabor had in attendance dignitaries such as renowned arts patron, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and award winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as the special guests of honour.

Reflecting on the exploits of Dr Newton Jibunoh, Nigeria’s most respected environmentalist for his over 40 years experience and fight against desert encroachment, the various speakers paid glowing tribute to him for all that he has done especially for raising the awareness all over the world.

Sensitising the public

I

n his opening remarks, Jibunoh who presented a vivid account of Sahara desert stated that the auction was aimed at sensitizing the public to the clear and present danger that the forest that occupied about 50 percent of the land space in Africa south of the Sahara in the 1960s has been reduced to less than five percent today. “It is not just an exhibition of artworks but it is a work of art that is being used to highlight things that will happen to us if we don’t check the encroachment.” He added. He also pointed out that the proceeds of the auction will go into the numerous projects they have in Delta state to check environmental degradation in the state.

After that, the auctioneer, Kola Oshibute took over and the business of the day kicked of with the sale of the 15 photographs on display, and the works were sold between the price range of N300, 000. 00 up, and the highest sold work went for N750, 000. 00.

One special feature of the auction was that the works were the original copy as captured by Kelechi Amadi- Obi

I

The Tents are Folded, one of the works auctioned

Jibunoh takes desert war to the gallery

,

... auctions 15 works It is not just an exhibition of artworks, but it is a work of art that is being used to highlight things that will happen to us if we don’t check the encroachment

and in the course of the auction,Dr Jibunoh took out time and presented a brief explanation about each of the work and the reasons for the captions. For example, the work The Tents are Folded, which shows only two threes according to him was cap-

,

tured on their first night in the desert, when they woke up in the night and found out that it was only two trees that were left in what used to be a forest and the rest taken over by the desert, another work The Majestic Nothingness taken on the second night, when they

saw only one tree and when he went close to the tree, he noticed that the tree was almost dead and no one was sure how long it will last.

Other works include: The last man standing, The Custodians of the Sand Dunes, The Spirit Dance, Dunes of Damnation etc.

The beautiful works bring to limelight the professional competency and creative ingenuity of the the vintage photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi. A close look at the pictures shows the ravaging sweep of the Sahara as historical evidence of the lost land, the dis-

n her comments, Chima manda Adichie who thanked Jibunoh for supporting her since her teenage years said "I am delighted to be here to see the beautiful works of art that are so hunting."

On her part, Udo Maryanna Okonjo, the Chief Executive Officer of Fyne Country, major sponsor of the event who felt honoured to be part of what the project stands for pointed out that her company was involved because what the projects stands for is what Jibunoh is fighting for. She then urged every one to rise up and support the fight against desert encroachment by planting trees.

Other notable Nigerian’s present include Engr.Tony Onyeama, a versatile arts enthusiast, Mr J.K Randle, Mrs Udo Maryanne Okonjo, Tamuno Kiri, Mrs Oyelude, and Adaure Achumba.

NAAT FUNAAB elects officers

T

HE National Associa tion of Academic Tech nologists (NAAT), Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) chapter, has elected new officers to run the affairs of the Union for the next four years.

The new officers include Akinbola Sunday Ayodele – chairman; Olanloye Adekunle Moses – vice chairman; Olurinde Joseph - secretary; Alake Tope Andrew - assistant secretary; Adejimi Olusesi treasurer; Olugbogi Emmanuel- financial secretary and Oloye Ibiwunmi - PRO.

Fury against child and women abuse T

he play, Dance of Fury, written by Feyi AbiodunOyeniyi and published by Feyisam (Publishing) Ventures Limited, Ikeja, Lagos is a story that demonstrates the author ’s firm belief in the rights of women, particularly the girl-child and widow who are often victims of obnoxious cultural and traditional practices in our society.

It is crafted as a weapon exposing the ills of polygamy forced and early marriage, abuse of widows and bitterness caused by disregard for African cohesive bonds.

Dance of Fury exhibits the beauty of African culture, and at the same time, laments its internal contradictions.

Dance of Fury,which is an adaptation of one of the stories in the writer’s first published work, Frogs for Dinner and Other Stories, is a drama

adapted from a prose, Iyawo Sara, for the films and theatres.

The 182 page book which is presently on the list of books

,

The story demonstrates the author’s firm belief in the rights of women, particularly the girlchild and widow who are often victims of obnoxious cultural and traditional practices

,

recommended for students in the Senior Secondary School Three (SSS III) of the Lagos state government, is laced

with Yoruba words and phrases. Readers need not to worry as the publisher provides for glossary pages at the end of the pages. Film makers will find this particular book, not only interesting but, easily adaptable for screen production.

T

he play is set in OmuAran, as the original story, the prose, an Igbomina area of Kwara State. It tells the story of two lovebirds, Abike and Adewale who both hail from different warring communities in the town. In the ensuing love tango between them, Abike became pregnant.

While the two decided to formalize their union through marriage, their people insisted that history and tradition forbade such relationship.

Under duress, and while the

mother of the girl, Abike faces criticism and ostracism, being blamed for her daughter ’s waywardness, she was forced to terminate the pregnancy.

Abike and Adewale were forced to separate, and each betrothed to different persons thereby resulting to pains, sorrow and regrets for them, until the two felt compelled to eat the forbidden fruit and break the jinx of tradition and faced the consequences which readers can only garner by reading it.

F

eyi-Abiodun Oyeniyi is a Nigerian journalist and a former reporter, a radio and television broadcaster. He is a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and human rights activist.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 49

PAGE 50— SUNDAY VANGUARD,SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

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•Chuks, 53, needs a professional lady, aged 35-40, for marriage.08174254327 •Adebayo, 34, a businessman, employed and resides in Lagos, needs a God fearing lady, aged 29-35, who is employed, humble and with good sense of understanding for marriage. 0704016356 •David, 26, needs a matured lady, who can take care of his financial needs.08066980703 •Kennedy, fair in complexion, needs a caring and loving, aged 40-65.07031664843 •Henry, 50, cute, loving, needs a woman, for a lasting relationship, aged 45-50.

08139536460

Sugar Cares Searching Female

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08137140059

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08030841577

SUNDAY VANGUARD,SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 PAGE 51

mummy, aged 25-40, to take care of him.08063754350 •Morrison, 24, chocolate in complexion, cute, handsome, average height and romantic, needs a sugar mummy.

07062579548 •Emmanuel, 33, tall, fair in complexion, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-50, for affairs in Lagos. 08058579159 •Cosmos, 28, handsome, cute, caring, generous and a gradate, needs a sugar mummy, that can help him secure a job.07067566322 •Uche, a student, needs a sugar mummy.08183740196 •Den, 20, fair in complexion, handsome and from Delta state, needs a sexy and beautiful sugar mummy, that is financially ok, for a relationship.08133403322 •John, 25, a businessman, needs a busty sugar mummy, for love and not for money, aged 30-50.08033364113 •Dave, 24, needs a sugar mummy, aged30 4 0 . 0 8 0 6 3 3 3 9 5 5 5 •Gospel, cute, sexy and resides in Delta state, needs a caring and sexy sugar mumm y. 0 8 1 6 4 3 7 0 1 5 7 •Blessed, 26, 5.6ft tall, resides in Warri Delta state, a duet soul singer, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-50, who can help him.07035583230 •Philip,25,handsome, a student, resides in Enugu, needs a sugar mummy, who is comfortable.08139589398 • Morgan, good looking, needs a sugar mummy.

0 7 0 3 9 2 7 6 1 3 6 •Emeka, 25, average height, attractive and intelligent, needs a financially capable sugar mummy to help in sponsoring and linking him up in business.080106153228 •Michael, 28, needs a sugar mummy, that will love and care for him. 08183308022 •Godswill, sexy, nice and from Delta state, needs a nice sugar mummy, for fun.

0 8 0 2 7 7 9 9 5 6 9 •Lanre, 30, 6ft tall, dark in complexion, and independent, needs a fat and busty sugar mummy.

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08102727770,07055764450 • Henry, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.08065665934 •A guy, 27, slim, handsome, a student and a Christian, needs a caring sugar mummy, aged 30-40. 07039587559 •Pady,20, 6ft tall, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, that will take care of h i m . 0 8 1 3 8 7 2 4 5 7 •Carlos, 21, needs a loving, caring and rich sugar mummy in Ph. 08109862128, 08178155555 •GM, 25yrs 6ft, dark in complexion, bold and intelligent want woman between 3555yrssugar mummy for a mature relationship, please call 08031349281 •Monday, 25, resides in Lagos, needs a wealthy sugar mummy, aged 35 and above, for a relationship.

07067960072 •A businessman resides in

Lagos, needs a lovely and a caring sugar mummy, aged 30. 08100375769 •Mike, 28, resides in Benin, needs a nice and caring sugar mummy, in Benin, who is financially ok, for a relationship.08072134726 •Lucky, an up coming artiste, in Benin, needs a sugar mumm y. 0 8 1 0 0 5 2 7 1 6 4 •A guy, from Deltya state, needs a sugar mummy, who, is humble and fair in complex-

fun.08064154181 •Progress, 23, tall, handsome, self employed, needs a cute and sexy sugar mummy, for a serious relationship.

08032973310 •Kelvin, needs a sugar mummy.08135115860, 08175567560 •Obinna, a driver, from Anambra state, needs a sugar mummy, who is wealthy and capable of taking care of him, for a discrete affair. 07030931312 •Godspower, 35, needs a sexy

ion.

08168998184, 08055136092 •Philip, 28, dark in complexion, 5.67ft tall intelligent and romantic, needs a buoyant sugar mummy, for relationship. 08061126873 •Nonso, tall and good looking, from Enugu, needs a sugar mummy.08104176286 •Melvin, 24, a student, needs a sugar mummy 35-50 for a discrete relationship.

07055102046 •Austin, 28, needs a sugar mummy, in Lagos, for a serious relationship. 0807333899, 0803051636 •Kelvin, 28, handsome, fair in complexion and hardworking, needs a nice and caring sugar mummy, in Delta state, for a healthy relationship.08036374486 •Dan, 25, fair in complexion, handsome, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30 and above, in Abuja.08078754414 •John,32, a businessman in Lagos, needs a comfortable sugar mummy, who is caring and loving, aged 25-45, for a relationship.08037038098 •Nelson,25, average height, gentle, fair in complexion and resides in Warri Delta state, needs a rich sugar mummy, who can take care of him.

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and well to do sugar mummy.08160607470 •Chus, 36, a graduate, needs a rich sugar mummy, for a relationship.08157724221, 08153270773 •Dave, 30, tall, fair in complexion, from Abuja, needs a rich and sophisticated sugar mummy, aged 40-45 for romance.

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07036846620, 08129716554 •Fred, 35, average height, from Delta state, needs a nice sugar mummy, aged 30-60.

08155068194 •Steve, resides in Abuja, needs a sexy sugar mummy, who is financially buoyant to take care of him. 07067648234, 08163286462 •Eni, resides in Asaba Delta state, needs an employed sugar mummy.07062820856, 08133519592 •Promise, 27, employed, loves music and resides in Lagos, needs a nice and caring sugar mummy, in either Lagos or Abuja.08039633054 •Frank, 35, from Delta State, needs a sugar mummy for a romantic relationship and financialassistance. 08038380892 •Stephen, 25, resides in Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30 and above, who can take care of him financially.08071806254, 08134644688 •Ken, 25, tall, handsome, pre-

sentable, a student and resides in Warri, needs a matured sugar mummy. 08169701667 •Linus, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.

08154710100 •Sama, 24, from Onitsha, Anambra state, needs a sexy, pretty and rich sugar mummy.08185043806, 08067068949 •Austyn, 25, tall, slim and chocolate in complexion, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30 and above, for a relationship. 08067543136 •Candy, 29, a graduate, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.07045150251 •Goddy, needs a caring rich sugar mummy, who will support him financially, either in Kaduna or Abuja. 08032605786 •Frank, 25, needs a sugar mummy.08156468857 •Tunde, 24, a student, needs a sugar mummy that is ready, for a serious relationship.

08037720924 •Emmanuel, needs a trust worthy, loving and caring sugar mummy, to take care of him, in Port Hacourt. 08166576612 •Destiny, 27, handsome, tall, cute, sexy, from Delta state, needs a sugar mummy, that is lovely and caring, aged 35-45.

08094241092 •Tunji, 26, dark in complexion, average height and resides in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy, who will love and take care of him.08072270530 •Amos, resides in Ibadan, needs a decent and comfortable sugar mummy, with good connections who can assist him economically, for a romantic affair.08027541395 •Banji, tail and fair in complextion, from Osun state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-50, that can take good care of his needs.08179165264 •Teka, 39, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.

08162081766 •Jones, 30, resides in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy, in Lagos, aged 40-50.

08024206571 •Philip, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.

08078702946, 08174311996 •Emeka, 28, a graduate, from Anambra state, God fearing and nice, needs a mature and financially ok sugar mummy, aged 35-45, either in Abuja or Lagos.08037944865 •Dennis needs a sugar mummy. 07058205220 •Tega, a student, from Delta state, needs a pretty and financially ok sugar mummy that can help facilitate a trip abroad.08100769701 •Godwin, 29, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy.

08096516885 •Fred, 19, needs a sugar mummy, from Warri, that can help him financially. 08165165858 •A guy, 27, from Delta state, needs a pretty sugar mummy, who can take care of him.

07067638892 •Pete, 24, tall, slim, handsome, from Benin, needs a pretty, rich and generous sugar mummy, aged 40-50, for a fun filled a f f a i r. 0 7 0 6 7 4 4 6 9 7 7 , 07056319010 •Olatunde, needs a sugar mummy, in Asaba.

08109541388 •Chinonso, tall, dark in complexion, an undergraduate, sexy and fun to be with, needs a sugar mummy, for a serious date.08063788057 •Julius, from Delta state, sexy and active, needs a sugar mummy that is caring.

07068130648

•A guy, 24, handsome and very vibrant, in Warri, needs a sugar mummy, who can take care of his needs.07034623919 or emailigbekeleabdulahim @yahoo. com •Samuel, 29, needs a rich, hot, understanding, loving and sexy sugar mummy that will help him, for a relationship.08074234596, 08134140386 •Kaycee, resides in Warri, needs a well endowed and caring sugar mummy, for a serious relationship, in Warri or Benin.07069500801 •Sunny, 30, resides in Port Harcourt, needs a sugar mummy, aged 45-55. 07032847903 •Joshua, 25, tall, dark in complexion, intelligent and hardworking, needs a sugar mummy, for a nice relationship.08065586189 •Martin, tall, employed and busy, needs a good looking, rich and sexy sugar mummy, for a serious and romantic relationship,aged 40.

08156751716 •Icon, cute, needs a good sugar mummy.08076719164 •Austine, 30, a student, needs a sugar mummy that can take care of him, aged 35-55.

08033905246 •Alade, 30, needs a Muslim sugar mummy, for a serious relationship.08055293482 •A guy, from Asaba, needs a sugar mummy, to take care of him financially.08065709330, 08105988580 •A guy, needs a sugar mummy, for a good relationship.

08071347165 •Francis, 26, resides in Onitsha, Anambra state, needs a sugar mummy, aged 35-45, for a romantic relationship.

08030935248 •Ben, needs a sugar mummy, that can help him financially, in Benin.07033788576 •Darlington, needs a beautiful and sexy sugar mummy, aged 40-55.08178823925 •Uhunonma, 30, handsome, from Benin, needs a sugar mummy that is sexy and rich, in Abuja.08161747775 •Chuks, 37, from Rivers state, needs a beautiful sugar mummy, aged 50-55.07036898402 •A guy, 20, dark in complexion, handsome and an undergraduate, in Warri, needs a beautiful and sexy sugar mummy.08078373988 •James, from Owerri, Imo state, needs a sugar mummy.

08180903889 •Dre, 27, tall, handsome, funny, educated and resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, aged 30-55.08038502179 •Tony 30, residing in Delta State, needs a nice, caring, romantic and financially stable sugar mummy, aged 3855.08063818844,08073086530 •Kodilichi , 29,slim,8.4ft tall and resides in Abuja, needs a hot, busty and romantic sugar mummy, for serious relationship, that will lead to marriage, aged 35-45.

08066238290 •Olamide, 21, chocolate in complexion, needs a wealthy sugar mummy of any age to help him in furthering, his education, either from Benin, Ondo, Lagos or Abuja.

08163672734 •Tega, 37, resides in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy, for a relationship.08087658790 •A guy, needs a rich sugar mummy, who resides in Lagos, aged 35-46.08139430532 •Ogadinma, 28, resides in Aba, Abia state, needs a sugar mummy, that can take care of him.08079246055

52 — SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

Ideye thumbs up homebased Eagles D

ynamo Kyiv forward, Brown Ideye has voiced his sentiments regarding domesticallybased talent in the Nigerian squad that faced Liberia in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifier in Monrovia yesterday.

Eleven players based in Nigeria were included in the side that battled Liberia in a first leg, final round Afcon qualifier and Ideye says he is impressed by the lads.

“I have been impressed by the home players. I have been

training with them and I can tell you they are very good. For them to have been here (in the Eagles’ camp in Abuja) means they have a role to play,” Ideye told supersport.com.

Ideye also said it would be wrong for anyone to discriminate between the home lads and the Eagles’ stars based abroad as both sets of players deserve to play for the national team.

“The home boys are professionals like us based in Europe so it will

be wrong to discriminate.

I was once a player in the Nigeria league and I know how challenging it is.

“The home boys must play with belief because they can also win shirts to start even ahead of some of us based abroad,” he said.

Ideye has been in brilliant form for Dynamo Kyiv this season. He has netted 19 times in 35 appearances for the Ukrainian side he joined in 2011.

Home-based players celebrating during a match.

Pistorius beaten again, loses 1100m 00m gold J

ning race which capped a brilliant night for British sport.

There were also track golds for Hannah Cockroft and David Weir — his third of the Games — with Peacock calling the British performance “crazy”.

Having taken Pistorius’ crown, Peacock’s superstardom is confirmed, but he admits he is still coming to terms with the magnitude of what he has achieved.

He said:“I saw Han-

nah go out and get the first gold and that was great to see and I knew it was going to be a crazy night.

“We had 10 finalists last night alone so I think it was our biggest night in athletics. It was absolutely crazy.

“The British crowd has made the Games come alive, they are absolutely amazing. They were chanting my name before the race started and that was unreal.

“When it (the result) came up on the board I just gave Oscar a big hug and he said to me ‘I told you you would do it’.

I’ve got so much respect for him he is such a legend in Paralympic sport.

“I got three hours sleep afterwards and hopefully later I will have a bit of time to sit down and reflect on the race. I will go through how it went with my coach and have a sit down and a few beers.”

Gerr ar d tips England ttoo win 20 14 W orld Cup errar ard 201 World

more players than we need for the starting XI.” Carrick, 31, is back after an 18-month absence after asking not to be considered for international duty.

Gerrard is delighted Carrick has returned after his absence under previous manager Fabio Capello.

“He is a quality player who plays well week in, week out for Manchester United,” Gerrard said.

“I am delighted to have him back in the squad because he makes us a better team.”

Al Ahly fans on rampage

Ahly fans threaten to stop Super Cup as they seek change

T

he group of Al Ahly fans behind Wednesday ’s attack on the Egypt Football Association are planning to disrupt the staging of this weekend’s Super Cup. Earlier this week, hundreds of fans were involved in the incident at the EFA headquarters , which left the building badly damaged.

Fans are demanding changes to the way the sport is run. They were due to meet in Cairo, before travelling to Alexandria - the venue for Sunday ’s Super Cup, involving Ahly and ENPPI. They are also angered by plans to re-start the league on 17 September, before the conclusion of a trial concerning the riots at Port Said earlier this year.

More than 70 fans died after Al Masry supporters invaded the pitch at the end of their match with Al Ahly on 1 February.

Ahly followers claim they have remained calm for the past seven months, marching peacefully.

Now, though, they

ONNIE PEACOCK is looking forward to kicking back and reliving the moment he beat Paralympic Games icon Oscar Pistorius to 100m gold.

The Cambridge star, 19, ran a Paralympic record of 10.90secs to take the title of the fastest amputee in the world last night, sending 80,000 inside the Olympic Stadium into raptures.

Peacock led from the start and never looked like relinquishing his grip on gold in a stun-

have stepped up their campaign and laid down a list of demands, among them the resignation of the EFA and Ahly boards, plus a complete overhaul of the football system in Egypt.

When football does resume, they insist that fans be allowed in as spectators. Sunday’s Super Cup will be played behind closed doors.

There are also calls for the Ministry of Interior to stay out of football.

One fan spoke to BBC Sport on condition of anonymity.

He said: “We don’t want police again in

C

aptain Steven Ger rard believes England’s World Cup campaign can end with victory in Brazil in 2014, insisting: “Miracles do happen.”

Gerrard leads England into their first qualifier against Moldova in Chisinau on Friday admitting it will be his last attempt to make an impact on the tournament.

He said: “When I

stadiums. Private security companies is the alternative and no football without fans.”

Ahly Ultras believe they have the backing of supporters throughout Egypt.

The fan added: “Ismaily Ultras fans (Ultras Yellow Dragons) announced yesterday their full support to our demands in an official statement.

“Others have agreed, though not officially. I believe that everyone wants to start a new era in football - and sports in general - and that won’t happen unless we get rid of the old sport regime.”

speak, I’m realistic and honest. At the moment we’re not one of the favourites to win the World Cup but that doesn’t mean you stop believing, working hard to improve and try to learn from mistakes you have made in previous tournaments.

“We have to have that faith and keep believing.

You never stop believing in football. Miracles do happen.”

Oscar Pistorius

The 32-year-old Liverpool midfielder added: “I think we can safely say it’s definitely my last World Cup. I’m at that age where I need to make all the time count and give it my best. It’s probably my last campaign so let’s try to make the most of it.”

Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson says his preparations for the game have been disrupted by injuries to key

players.

Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Adam Johnson and Ashley Cole have been ruled out through injury.

However, Hodgson has been boosted by the return of midfielder Michael Carrick to the squad.

“It is a great blow to lose players you have selected but we chose a large squad to cope with that,” he said.

“We certainly have

SUNDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 53

54 — SUNDAY Vanguard, September 9, 2012 preparing for Nations Cup in 1982 in Liberia.

And when we came back from the Nations cup then I was very young, I was made the captain of the team in 1983 which lasted to 1994 World Cup after which I quitted.

T

Keshi:

S

tephen Okechukwu Keshi’s place in Nigeria football history has a large space, having captained the Flying Eagles, the Super Eagles and now coaching the senior national team. In this interview with Vanguard he told his story; how he rose from grass to grace. He also spoke about his sojourn into the senior national team in the late 70s and how he was ‘disappointingly’ left out of the 1980 Nations Cup. Keshi reveals the joy of becoming the longest serving captain of the team in 1983 and concluded with his exit from active football after the US ’94 World Cup. Excerpts:

S

tarting off football All my life I have been into football, in my family, every one of us played football. I started playing in the neighbourhood and later played from different communities and areas of Lagos like in Agege

Mushin, Isale Eko etc on till I got into the junior national team( Flying Eagles) Tough beginning I started as a junior player in the Flying Eagles that was between 1978 to 1989, then, we

•Keshi were the pioneers of the team. We had coaches like Otto Gloria from Brazil and father Tico from former Yugoslavia.

There was also coach Garuba, these coaches were only concerned about players with talents and not where they came from or their ages. Then, as junior players, sometimes we could be

,

My worst, best football moments

Myself, Sysvanus Okpala, Idris Musa and two other players. Then, we were touring around Africa playing then as Eagles players with Adokie Amasiemeka, Owolabi and other big players in the team. But unfortunately for me three weeks before the Nations Cup started, I got injured, so I was

My toughest moment as a player was in 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco when we were robbed by Cameroon 1-0 that I won’t forget in a hurry

taken to the senior team just to gain more experience. Before, the Nations Cup in 1980, I was among the five school boys that were drafted into the national team..

,

asked to live the camp that was when Henry Nwosu came into the senior national. After the Nations Cup, I was recalled to the camp, after which we started

oughest moments My toughest moment as a player was in 1988 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco when we were robbed by Cameroon 1-0 that I won’t forget in a hurry. Already, we had lost to them in 1984 in Côte d’Ivoire and losing to them again, was so painful especially after so much efforts to succeed.

In 1986, we did not go to the AFCON but in 1988 we were in the Nations Cup and got to the finals but we were defeated again .This for me was painful.

As a coach, my toughest moment was with Mali. During the 2010 Nations Cup qualifiers in Congo we needed to win. Knowing that Senegal had beaten Mali in the other group games. Then we were down 2-1 against Congo in the first half I said to myself,’ God no, we have worked so hard and deserve a win’. After the first half, in the dressing room the players told to

me never to bother that they would do their best to ensure they succeeded. And as God would have it, in the second we scored two goals and won the game 3-2.

Overcoming my trials I just let it go, I believe that it is how God wanted it, sometimes we don’t understand when things happened to us at that moment. But whatever comes I tried not to feel bad about it and as long as there is life, there is hope.

Lesson learnt I believed so much on myself and God, I also seek for advises from genuine people and take my stance at the end.

Best moments All my life as a player, the most interesting part was when I qualified my country as the youngest captain of the team then for the 1994 World Cup as it was the first time Nigeria would qualified for World Cup. As a coach, my best moment was when I qualified Mail for 2010 World Cup having being down by 4-0 just about 15 minutes to the end.

Advice In everything you do you need to be determined no matter the circumstances.

SUNDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 9, 2012 — 55

Man Utd.’s Jones goes under the knife

M

ANCHESTER United defender Phil Jones is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after having surgery on a knee injury, the club has announced.

Jones, 20, has yet to make an appearance this season after hurting his back during pre-season and suffered this latest injury in training.

“Phil Jones has had sur-

Falconets coach, Okon praises wards in defeat

By KATE OBODO, JAPAN

A

S the saying goes, all is well that ends well. For the national U20 team, Falconets, having fought so hard from the beginning of the FIFA U-20 World Cup but ended fourth-best in the world by losing to the host nation, Japan 1-2 in the third place match in Toyko, they could be said to have done well.

Yoko Tanaka and Asuka Nishikawa provided the goals that gave Japan victory while Desire Oparanozie got Falconets’consolation goal.

Coach Edwin Okon, who was dumbfounded at his side’s loss blamed hard luck as he praised his girls for their doggedness especially having come this far as fourthbest.

“It is a great match but

I think luck was not on my side but all the same the host did well as well.

But after this tournament we would go back home and start all over again especially for the next edition,” he said in a post match conference.

He added that, “I don’t think the Japanese are more motivated than us, for me my girls were more motivated only that luck was not on our side.

In our defence focus was not 100 per cent but it is ok, it can also happen to the greatest team in the world. When you lose focus, it becomes a problem. But then, the experience has been so good, I am very happy especially for coming out fourth.

Like I said earlier, our experience in the tournament was a good one. We thank the organizers of the competition, FIFA for

•Oparanozie scored Nigeria’s only goal against Japan their encouragement of women’s football in the world.”

However, coach of the Japanese side, Hiroshi Yoshida commended the Falconets for their hard

fight and determination in the competition.

“Without mincing words, the Nigerian team were the best all through the competition, they were very physical,

fast and determined. But I guess we were lucky against them alongside playing at home. But any day the Nigerian team is the best.” he said.

We’re better than Japan but – Oparanozie

By KATE OBODO, JAPAN

D

esire Oparanozie disclosed to Sunday Vanguard sports in Japan, that her dream at the just concluded FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup was to ensure that her team made it to the third place stage against Japan, following their impressive performance, but unfortunately it didn’t work out as she planned. She blamed hard luck for their fourth-best position in the world.

Excerpts!

Sad Feelings I felt bad, having lost in the third place match. We wanted to go home with the trophy but our dream of even getting to the final didn’t come true .

Also missing the freekick also destabilized me too but then, in football, you win some and lose some.

My Assessment I can’t really assess myself but all I know is that I did my best and did well for my country. I also tried to carry the team along but so bad it didn’t work as I p l a n n e d .

Impression about the match We w e r e n o t s u p -

posed to lose because we were the better side.

Really, I don’t think anything went wrong because we played better;we were all out and ready to disarm the Japanese team but unfortunately it didn’t work. I think it was a bit of luck on their own side along side playing at home.

Do you think your loss to USA affected

the team’s perform a n c e ?

Not at all.

Would you say the team was perfect all through their games?

I won’t say we were perfect because as human being we are bound to make mistakes but I believe we played our hearts out and also

gave our best as well.

What next for Oparanoze after this compet i t i o n ?

The future is very bright for me. I hope to continue with my club back home and focus on the senior women’s team, Super Falcons when I’m invited.

Adebayor breaks Gabonese hearts in Libreville

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MMANUEL Ade bayor ’s stoppage time goal cancelled out

•Adebayor

Daniel Cousin’s late breakthrough in Libreville to end the g1-1 for the first leg of the Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers.

On the half hour the teams got the match underway with Emmanuel Adebayor marking his third appearance back in the national shirt after the famous riots in 2010.

Adebayor was sporting the captain’s armband for Togo as they looked to get their first win over Gabon since 2009.

There was little action in the first half hour of

the match as the fans tried to spur on their teams with their song and dance in the stands, while the Hawks couldn’t break through a stubborn and structured Gabon defence.

The second half kicked off with the same score line as the first half did and in desperate need of a turnaround in order to get some life into the game.

They had to wait a further 35 minutes for the break through to finally come when Daniel

Cousin headed the ball into the back of the net in the 85th minute. His experience and link-up play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proving to be decisive in the goal.

That goal was definitely the spark needed in the game, as the final minutes became frantic when the man with the armband put the Sparrow Hawks level. It was the perfect time to net their away goal on the stroke of the final whistle.

gery on a knee meniscus tear sustained in training,” said a United spokesman.

“It will require six to eight weeks of rehabilitation.”

Jones, whose last competitive appearance for United was against Sunderland on the final day of last season, is understood to have suffered his latest injury in training earlier this week.

The England international was sent for a scan on his right knee which has confirmed he requires an extensive period of rehabilitation.

Jones was believed to be close to returning following back spasms when he damaged his knee.

The injury is likely to rule Jones out of three Champions League group games against Galatasaray [home] on 19 September, CFR ClujNapoca [away] on 2 October and the 23 October game away to Sporting Braga.

Falconets lose bronze to Japan, USA pip Germany for gold Continued from back page “Today and during the whole tournament, we played our own football, insisting on the uniqueness of Japanese football against teams stronger and taller. These tough games against other football styles are great experience for my players and will help them in the world arena in the future,” he enthused.

Despite trailing 0-2 to Japan, the Falconets were not deterred and piled pressure especially deep into the second half and were thus rewarded in 73rd when Desire Oparanozie’s free-kick slipped through the hands of the Japanese goalkeeper, Sakiko Ikeda for Falconets’lone goal.

Meanwhile USA overcame the odds to secure a hardfought 1-0 win against champions Germany in Tokyo to claim their third FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup crown.

Germany went into the contest having defeated USA 3-0 in a group encounter just a fortnight ago, and without having conceded a goal in six matches at the tournament.

The match commenced in cagey fashion, perhaps to the relief of USA, given Germany ’s blistering three-goal burst against Japan in the semi-final.

SUNDAY Vanguard, September 9, 2012

By KATE OBODO, Japan

F

ALCONETS coach, Edwin Okon whose wards failed to nick the bronze medal at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup has said that mother luck smiled on their opponents and host of the competition, Japan who

Falconets lose bronze to Japan, USA pip Germany for gold won 2-1 to emerge third best yesterday.

After falling to the superior skills of the USA in the semi fi-

Nations Cup: Lone Star hold Eagles in Monrovia

Igiebor left and Uche scored for Eagles in Monrovia yesterday

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE, MONROVIA

T

HE Super Eagles took a big step towards qualifying for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa with a 22 away victory over boastful Lone Star of Liberia who had presidential backing to stop Nigeria from the continental party.

The match lived up to it’s billing.President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf had launched a campaign for the national team. She asked the wealthy and corporate Liberia to support the Lone Star financially

and the commoners to play their own role by motivating the team through tremendous cheering. She fired the first shot by promising the team S150,000 to beat Nigeria.

That’s huge money here. The players were fired up. 14 pros had been invited. The fans charged. And at 2 pm the 35,000 capacity Samuel Doe Stadium had over 40,000 cheering for a match that was still four hours away. The atmosphere was electric. They believed they could clip the wings of the Eagles.

And when they drew the first blood scoring Salmon Grimmes in the 6th minute the

NATIONS CUP QUALIFIERS RESULTS Zambia CAR Gabon Mali Ghana S/Leaone Sudan Cape Verde Cote d’Ivore Gabon

1 1 1 3 2 2 5 2 4 1

Uganda B/Faso Togo Bostwana Malawi Tunisia Ethiopia Cameroon Senegal Togo

0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2 1

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS RESULTS Russia Kazakhstan Moldova Wales Azerbaijan Georgia Liechtenstein Estonia Malta Croatia Lithuania Albania Scotland

2 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 3 0

N/Ireland R. of Ireland England Belgium Israel Belarus Bosnia-H Romania Armenia Macedonia Slovakia Cyprus Serbia

0 2 5 2 1 0 8 2 1 0 1 1 0

stadium went wild in celebration. Juwon Oshanuwa at the left back position has miscalculated a sailing ball and Vincent Enyeama did not also time his chasing of the ball.

Grimmes ran in and jabbed in.

But Real Betis import, Nosa Igiebor eqaulised nine minutes later and Ike Uche put Nigeria ahead in the 20th minute through a spot kick after Victor Moses was brought down. Emenike and Moses were selfish on two occasions each. They were close chances that would have increased the lead. But the closest chance was blown by Ike Uche. He kicked the ball high after a defender and the Liberian keeper Nathaniel Shirman had been displaced.

The Eagles could not hold unto the 2-1 lead as Roberts scored a second goal in the 66th minute to level up for the homers and the stadium again

reverberated in ecstacy as fans danced on end. The result moves decision day to October when the Eagles will host the Liberians in Calabar to decide who picks the ticket.

The result in Cape Verde was not palatable for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon who are missing the magical wand of their inspirational skipper, Samuel Eto’o Fils as they buckled 0-2 to their host just as Cote d’Ivoire handed Senegal a 4-2 pounding in Abidjan.

In orther matches, the Black Stars beat Malawi 2-0 in Accra in honour of their late president, John Atta-Mills while Sierra Leone were held 2-2 in Free Town by Tunisia. Mali trounced Botswana 3-0 in Bamako while Sudan were ruthless against Ethiopia who succumbed 5-3 in Khartoum.

nal, Coach Okon had looked up to a consolation with the bronze medal, stressing that “being the third best team in the world would be pretty good for us.”

This was not to be as goals in either half from Yoko Tanaka and Asuka Nishikawa saw Japan claim a deserved win in front of a buoyant and colourful crowd at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Speaking after the gruelling encounter, a disappointed Okon told journalists that “It was an exciting game, but unfortunately, luck was on the Japanese side. I think that Nigeria and generally speaking Africa have a bright future in women’s football. African women’s football is still improving, and we’ll see that at the next World Cup.” His Japanese counterpart who was full of praises for his girls said that after failing to reach the final as host and possibly win the trophy, they were consoled by the third place prize as they stuck to the Japanese style of football to edge out Nigeria.

“Playing in front of such a big crowd and being able to win will be a great experience for my players,” said Japan coach Hiroshi Yoshida. “We couldn’t reach our objective to be champions, but we really tried our best after the Nadeshiko did it [at Germany 2011] and showed us the way.

Continues on page 55

•Orji DOWN ACROSS 1. Nigerian state (7) 1.Nigerian state (4) 2. Middle Belt tribe (5) 3. Niger-Delta tribe (8) 3. Nigerian tribe (6) 6. W. African country (5) 4. Distending (7) 8. Wind instrument (4) 5. Examine (7) 9. Vast (8) 7. Stockpile (5) 11. Meadow (3) 10. Seize with teeth (4) 12. Smallest part (4) 14. Engine part (4) 13. Unemployed (4) 15. Cereal (3) 14. Have ambition (6) 17. No (Scottish) (3) 16. Attachment (5) 18. Enquires (4) 18. Spy (5) 19. Pen tip (3) 20. Hangs around (7) 21. Maiden name (3) 22. Irritate jokingly (5) 22. Businessmen (7) 24. Nigerian state (5) 23. Hang (7) 26. U.S. currency unit (4) 25. Isles (7) 29. Insects (4) 26. U.S. currency unit 30. Orb (4) (4) 31. Sailor (3) 27. Sportswear firm (6) 32. Hoped for (8) 28. Go in (5) 33. Smooth (4) 30. Makes beer (5) 34. Tox (5) 35.

Sun-measuring equipments (8) 36. Consolidates (4) SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE

5

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