No talks with OBJ to fight Jonathan - Atiku

C M Y K

PAGE 2 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 3

C M Y K

PAGE 4 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY V anguard Vanguard anguard,, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 5

No talks with OBJ to fight Jonathan —Atiku Continued from page 1 Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that he is not involved in their voyage of acrimony.

Atiku, who is the Turakin’Adamawa, disclosed that contrary to reports that he is teaming up with Obasanjo to fight Jonathan, nothing of such existed.

Whereas an interview request with the former number two citizen is pending, Sunday Vanguard was informed by the Atiku camp that the former VeePee is not in any type of talks, formal or otherwise, with Obasanjo for the purpose of moving against the incumbent president.

Long time spokesman for the former Vice President, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed that “there are no formal talks going on between former President Obasanjo and the Turaki (Atiku Abubakar).”

Shehu told Sunday Vanguard: “We are aware that alignments and realignments are going-on on almost every front. This is to be expected. It is in the nature of politics. For some time now the Turaki has fully immersed himself in reconciliation with party members across the length and breadth of the country”.

Responding to the specific issue of the 2015 presidential election and plots to root out Jonathan, he said: “On the recurrent issue of the alleged face-off between former President Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan, the Turaki strongly insists that he knows nothing about it. He, too, he says, has read about it in the newspapers and left it at that.

“To the best of my knowledge, I am not aware of any political meeting between President Obasanjo and his former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

Speculations to the effect that he has teamed up with his former boss to fight President Jonathan are therefore totally unfounded”.

When he was reminded that the peace initiative Atiku engaged with Obasanjo may have suggested that both men

have patched up their differences and may be once again working together for the 2015 project, especially given the very frosty relationship between Obasanjo and President Jonathan now, Mallam Shehu explained thus: “Turaki’s peace overture to his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo, although much misunderstood, should be taken in this context. Today, the Turaki feels much as ease with himself having taken the olive branch to about everyone with whom he had one form of falling out or the other.

“The former Vice President believes that vengeance is a negative emotion that ruins the quality of one’s happiness. Many people are amazed why he has no difficulty talking to perceived

enemies. His conviction, however, is that forgiveness costs him nothing. In fact, many former public office holders that had once insulted him came back seeking his forgiveness and he did so without looking back. There was n o t h i n g u n u s u a l , therefore, if he had extended reverential hands of fellowship to politicians perceived as his adversaries”.

From left: Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Kaduna State, Ibrahim Yakowa, during Vice President Sambo daugthers’ wedding Fathia at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna State, yesterday.

My brother died of cardiac arrest—President

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said his junior brother, Chief Meni Innocent Jonathan, died of cardiac arrest.

The late Jonathan who, until his death, was the chairman of Otuoke chiefs council, was laid to rest, yesterday, at his Otuoke home town in Ogbia council area of Bayelsa State after a solemn funeral service at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.

In an emotional laden voice, President Jonathan, clad in a black shirt, who described the death of Meni as very painful, said he died of cardiac arrest.

The president spoke at the church service. According to him, his brother lived a good life, though he was still a

SOLUTION

young person at his death, his death is particularly too painful to bear.

His words, “I always know that people will surely die. I always believe that people will live to an age where they make their names. Some persons die before they are born, there are a lot of still births. Some others die before they grow up to an age where people recognized them. He (brother) had his two sons fairly grown up; that, at least, will be with us. The circumstances of the death sometimes worries me. What worries me is the he died so suddenly. ”This was a young man I came home on a Friday, he came to my house, nobody carried him, he moved down just from his house across the road. We discussed he was a bit frail.I said follow us so that he could do medical check up. ”He drove himself down to Yenagoa to board the chopper to Abuja. He got to Abuja that Saturday and was admitted in hospital. The following Monday, his breathing changed. I said, ‘let us make arrangement to get him out to let him get treatment outside’.

So an arrangement was being made. Unfortunately the following he had cardiac arrest and inflamed heart at the State House Clinic. ”We were making arrangement to move him to National Hospital. It is a very sad thing. He had been covering the home front for us.

He has a very humble person.

He was a reliable and trustworthy person you could ask to handle things for you.

He is dead, there is nothing we can do. I must thank all of you who have come to join the

Jonathan family to give us this respect. In some traditions, I’m supposed not to be in church.

It is tradition that you don’t bury your younger ones.

Luckily for this community, we don’t have too many of these cultural and traditional things. It is quite sad, it pulled the whole Nigerians to the community to bury my younger brother.”

Present at the church service were Mrs. Eunice Jonathan,

mother of the president; Dame Patience Jonathan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; his Deputy, Emeka Ihediora; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and his wife. Also in attendance were Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan; (Delta); Matin Elechi (Ebonyi), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Theodore Orji (Abia); among others.

I will send rich tax defaulters to jail—Oshiomhole

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

G

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, signed into law Edo Property Tax Law, with a warning to the rich that they will be sent to jail if they failed to comply with the law.

Oshiomhole, who used the opportunity to react to the insinuation in some quarters that the law will further impoverish the poor, said it was misleading, explaining that the law is targeted at the rich with a view to providing basic amenities for the poor.

His words: “The rich will prefer that taxation be abolished because they have enough money even to build private homes, private roads, and buy private jets and so on.

But I am not apologetic that this government is determined to tax the rich and the very rich so that we can provide for the poorest of the poor. Every enlightened rich man will appreciate that it is in his own interest that government provides for the poor.

“So when people say that this law is targeted at some persons, I say yes. The law is targeted at those who are taxable, those who have property and that includes myself. I need to pay tax so that when I am not in government, government will have the resources to provide those things that they need to provide for Edo to make progress.

I am very appreciative for the support which I have continued to enjoy from the people of Edo and I promise I will never abuse that trust.

“The outcome of the last election has humbled me and I am committed to give my all.

No body is above the law. I have the duty to remind those who feel they are above the law, they are not. If the governor is not above the law no one is. Government must protect the weak, we must be just. This government will not victimize any body even under provocation, but no one will be too big to be dealt with if he violates the law.”

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY V anguard Vanguard anguard,, DECEMBER 9, 2012

By LUKA BINNIYAT, Kaduna

Without strong regulation, PIB will fail — Avuru, oil chief F

BY LEKAN BILESANMI

A

USTIN Avuru, MD/CEO of SEPL AT Petroleum Development Company, says the oil industry needs “a strong, independent regulator ” for the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to work.

He made the case at the 18 th Nigerian Economic Summit, held in Abuja where he presented a paper

entitled, “The PIB and the Future of Nigeria’s Oil Industry.”

He noted, however, that controversy has dogged the reform process in the oil and gas sector because of a misalignment of priorities and reduction of the whole PIB process to “a debate about fiscal provisions.”

Avuru, a Fellow of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), told the gathering that the PIB is

“the result of an elaborate institutional reform process for the oil & gas sector, initiated in 2000.”

Avuru cited examples from successful reform efforts in the telecoms, power, aviation and maritime industries where he pointed out that reforms have worked largely due to strong regulators like “the NCC for telecoms and NERC for power as well as a focus on private sector as source of new investments.”

OLLOWING the wedding fathiya of two daughters of Vice President Namadi Sambo, Kaduna remained largely shut down yesterday.

Stern looking security men cordoned off all the roads to Sultan Bello Mosque, venue of the wedding, while VIPs were thoroughly searched before being allowed in to witness the

Kaduna shut down for Namadi’s daughters wedding wedding fatiha.

Also, all roads to the Ahmadu Bello Square, where the wedding reception was held, was closed to the public, thus causing heavy traffic in many parts of the town.

Armed troops in vans with wailing sirens drove menacingly through the major streets of Kaduna.

Panicky residents stayed indoors for the better part

of the day.

Governors, ministers, senators and other very important guests from within and outside the country were in attendance Former President Ibrahim Babangida and a powerful traditional title holder from Kano Emirate in company of some emirs were spotted at the occasion.

Africa urged to tackle illiteracy

BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

A

FRICA needs to achieve a minimum of fifteen percent graduate

workforce for it to compete effectively in the global economy.

Rector of African Virtual University, AVU, Dr Bakary Diallo, who made the observation during the launching of the AVU multinational project at the University of Port Harcourt, said there was so much optimism surrounding Africa’s growth potential.

He however lamented that the continent was lagging behind in training the necessary human resources to match its rosy economic growth prospects.

According to him, the number of students enrolling in tertiary education was growing but the proportion was

still dismally low since only about six percent of school leavers in Sub Sahara Africa gain admission for tertiary education yearly.

Bakary expressed the hope that the introduction of e-learning in Sub Sahara Africa would address the growing need for quality and affordable education and training.

He further explained that the AVU, being funded by the African Development Bank, would invest 200,000 dollars in the University of Port Harcourt in the second phase of the multinational project which is to be implemented in twenty one universities round Africa countries.

50 allegedly wounded as soldiers raid community •In search of kidnappers of 2 expatriates

By EMMA AMAIZE

O

VER 50 persons were purportedly wounded, yesterday, when soldiers invaded Ebeberegbene community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State in search of gunmen, who seized two expatriates working for Setraco Construction Company at Gbaregolor community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state, since November 25.

Reports from the area said the soldiers, acting on intelligence, stormed the riverine community at about 6.20 am with gunboats, shooting sporadically into the air, as they laid siege and broke into houses.

A community source said about six persons,

namely, Mrs. Sabina Otomene, Freetown French, Nigeria Joseph, Tamarapahgha Tony, Andie Ambrose and John, were arrested and taken away,while an undisclosed number of persons were missing.

While the operation lasted, a leader of the community, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard from hiding, Mr. Pius Fielei, said the entire community was in disarray, saying the people were not harboring kidnappers and wondered why soldiers came to harass innocent persons.

His words, “They came with axes with which they broke down doors and were destroying houses.

They carted away two 40 horsepower engines, one 75 horsepower engine and looted belongings of people”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 7 PROLOGUE

By Jide Ajani

Flies in their ointment

BY JIDE AJANI

T

HE North may be having a bad run; for now, that is. What goes around comes around.

Whether its fortunes would migrate sooner than later to a better platform can only remain in the realm of conjecture. The prognosis to this may be stark for some and shrouded for others. One thing that is clear is that the North is having a bad run and its leaders, interestingly, know this; but there are still a few who are unwilling to admit.

Mind you, the problem of the North did not start with the way President Goodluck Jonathan ‘duped’ it through the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its zoning arrangement. All Jonathan did was to wave the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the face of the North, claiming that the document remains bigger and more important than any political arrangement of zoning in the PDP. In contemporary times – not minding the seeds sowed during the First Republic – the North played its over-lordship role in Nigerian politics when it imposed Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo on the Yoruba South West. Rather than pay the North back in good coin, Obasanjo paid everybody around him back in bad coin, creating, in the process, multifarious levels of acrimony and animus. He, in turn, imposed Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of blessed memory on the North; as well as imposing a sidekick, Jonathan. Today, Obasanjo feels so comfortable to compare his achievements with what is becoming a growing lack lustre presidential performance.

Back to the North! For its political leaders, 2015 is just tomorrow and getting back to winning ways par C M Y K

Some pertinent questions arise here: Would General Muhammadu Buhari be told to forget his ambition to become president and join this search for Northern unity? presidential power is one thing that they crave more than taming the wild fire of the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram.

Last December, its political leaders made a move for unity but the results were less than expected. Just last week another attempt at rallying every leader was made. To some extent, it could be termed successful in so far as the absence of leaders from the Middle Belt is not factored in. But that is where the problem of the North begins.

Its job of rally for unity is going to be ever more difficult now. And the reasons are legion. Between 2002 and 2007 while the feud between Obasanjo and his deputy, then Vice President Atiku Abubakar, lasted, over succession, Boko Haram was not a factor in the North. Today it is; and for the wrong reasons. Rather than rally leaders together because on the surface it is making life hellish for the Jonathan administration,

the reality on ground is that it is creating more crisis in the North – what with the attacks on Christians and churches in the North; and the wanton destruction of lives across the board. Therefore, the political leadership that is largely Muslim is now contending with the angst of Christians. There are also the Fulani herdsmen who continue to make life unbearable for some communities in the Middle Belt region. Not because the herdsmen love violence but because some politicians exploit the ethno-cultural differences to create trouble.

At another level that will make a united North difficult are the greedy fat cats among the politicians who only seek self-serving ideologies. A few of the serving governors in the North are ready to throw that unity out of the window if the prospects of becoming Jonathan’s running mate in 2015 as much as winks at them.

Some pertinent questions arise here: Would General Muhammadu Buhari be told to forget his ambition to become president and join this search for Northern unity? Or would these liberal politicians seeking unity agree to fuse into the highly conservative Congress for Progressive Change, CPC? The latter question poses another challenge: How would the proposed merger between the CPC and the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, accommodate the new entrants? Last but not the least, the 1999 Constitution is clear about qualification for seeking presidential power and which is to go to the polls not more than two times for that position, a provision that makes, sadly, President Jonathan, qualify to run for president again. Good as the move for a united North is, these concerns represent flies in their ointment.

PAGE 8 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

zAtiku Abubakar

zSpeaker Aminu Tambuwal

zFormer Gov. Ibrahim Shekarau

POWER POLITICS, UNITY AND 2015

Again the North moves

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

A

NOTHER move by strong interests to unite the North, last week, though deemed successful by some, may still have exposed the existing feeble bond between the far North and the minority tribal grouping of Northern Nigeria easily referred to as the Middle Belt.

This happened at a conference tagged: “North and Strategies for Sustainable Development”, organised by the Centre for Historical Documentation and Research, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, in Kaduna.

At the opening ceremony on Wednesday, chaired by former Vice President Abubakar Atiku, the hall of Arewa House Kaduna was filled to capacity with politicians, retired military top brass, technocrats, academics, youth and women groups, but only from the far North. The Middle Belt was practically absent, with the governors sending no representatives.

Only Senator John Shagaya and Senator George Akume gave the conference a semblance of non-Hausa/Fulani gathering in the long list of Middle Belt leaders, academics and several groups invited.

This was not the first time the Middle Belt will distance itself from the far North, which once formed a formidable alliance under, “one monolithic, indivisible North”.

This time, last year, in Kaduna, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, organised what turned out to be a large gathering of northerners to seek solution to the crisis of confidence among the various tribes in the zone.

Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), whose moral , political and social authority stands him above being

referred to as a 'Middle Belter', was the only retired general from the minority areas.

Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, were in attendance, at last week's parley but Senate President David Mark was absent.

Governors of Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Yobe were in attendance.

The Governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu, who is also the Chairman, Northern Governors’ Forum; and the chief host of the event, Governor Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State, also attended.

The only governor from the Middle Belt that identified with the gathering was the Governor of Plateau State, David Jang, who came solely to deliver a rather bellicose message against the far North, through his former Chief of Staff, Mr Gyang Pwajock, now a senator representing Plateau North.

Though the Sultan of Sokoto, Saa’ad Abubakar, led other Emirs of Hausa/ Fulani extraction to the occasion, there was virtually no traditional ruler from the Middle Belt, even from Kaduna, the host state. The Sa, Gbagyi, Danjuma Barde, of Kaduna was even ab-

,

sent.

Others who did not attend the well publicised event (from the Middle Belt) include the Attah of Igala, Dr Aliyu Obaje; the Tor Tiv, Dr. Alfred Tokula; the Ochi of Idoma land, Chief Ageba Idu Elias; the Ponzi Tarok of Lantang, Gen. Domkat Bali (rtd); and the Gwatyap of Kataf land, Engr. Harrison Bungwon.

The conference, though based on strict invitation, showed that the response from the Middle Belt bore semblance to that of last December.

And whereas the meeting was expected to be based on finding creative ways of motivating the economy of the North, most of the discussions bordered on northern unity in the face of the ever widening gap between Muslims of the far North and the Christians of the Middle Belt.

Pundits are already looking at this as a move to bring together a very strong united North to fight for Nigeria’s number one job, come 2015.

They may be right.

The presence of Atiku and his northern political machine at the event lends credence to this assertion.

Although it was a closed door meeting, Sunday Vanguard gathered that those in attendance lamented the sudden dip in the fortunes of the North

Pundits are already looking at this as a move to bring together a very strong united North to fight for Nigeria’s number one job, come 2015

,

both on the political and economic fronts.

On the political front, the seeming discombobulate political sphere, which is now dominant in the North, was a serious cause for concern.

Then the violence unleashed by Boko Haram, and which is crippling economic activities in some parts of the North, also came into sharp focus.

However, beneath this veneer of concern was the supposedly unintended issue of the 2015 presidential contest.

Sunday Vanguard discovered that Atiku has been on a quiet re-building project for northern political hegemony.

“Before that, the former vice president has been re-invigorating political alliances across the length and breadth of this country. All he is doing is normal as a politician that has succeeded in building bridges”, a close confidant of Atiku said.

There are expected to be follow-ups to the Kaduna meeting.

Why the Middle Belt is crucial

With the sustained campaign of terror targetted at churches in Kaduna, Bauchi, Kano, Yobe, Taraba, Adamwa and Plateau, by Boko Haram; and killings of native farmers in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau by suspected Fulani herdsmen, the gap between Hausa Fulani Muslims and non-Hausa/Fulani tribal groupings of these states have never been so widened.

“Though we are told by Muslim clerics here that Islam does not condone killing of Christians, we have our doubts now ”, said Rev. Markus Shinkut Aboi, of the Good News Foundation Church, Sabo, Kaduna to Sunday Vanguard.

“When someone in far Europe or America makes comments or acts in a manner interpreted by Muslims as insulting to the Holy Prophet, they have the capacity to organise large demonstrations in condemning it here in Kaduna - sometimes with violence.

But, we are yet to see them organise even a tiny street procession against Boko Haram, after all the hundreds

Continues on page 9

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 9

zDr. Usman Bugaje.

Continued from page 8

zSen. George Akume

zSen. ADAMU Aliero

Again the North moves

they have killed in Churches. And they live and dine with them. They are shielding them. How can we trust them, like we used to do long before “Northern minorities”.

“They are not a majority in Kaduna now?"

“If you aggregate the entire non- State as such. They are not so overIndeed, the mistrust between Muslims and non-Muslims in the Hausa/Fulani tribes within the geo- whelming in Kebbi, or even in Bauchi.

North is best demonstrated in Kadu- political definition of the North, you Go and study the population figure of na where people live, and even how will discover that they make the 2006 National Census. But the press majority of the population”, said has created the impression, that the they vote.

Though with pockets of Christians Barrister Thomas Biniyat of Nigerian Hausa/Fulani are 90% of the populainhabiting the north of Kaduna Law School, Bwari, a member of the tion of the North. That is very, very wrong”.

River, and in the barracks and the MDB. “No doubt that Hausa and Fulani Some pundits are quick to support GRA, the area is almost a Muslim enclave. Christians have sold their make up the two largest languages the notion of the MBD on this by homes and moved South of the river groups in the North, but pound-to- pointing at the voting pattern of the after gangatuan losses to many ethno- pound, the so-called minorities are 2011 presidential election. larger when they come as one In the North, it would appear that religious riots.

Christian areas went for Goodluck In the same vein, a few areas south group,"he stated.

“The Hausa/Fulani is a minority in Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic of the river still have Muslims living side by side with Christians; in most Niger, Plateau, Borno, Taraba, Party (PDP), while Muslims went for places south of the river, Muslims do Adamawa, FCT, Kwara, Benue, Kogi, Gen Mohammadu Buhari of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) not live there, after very tragic expe- Kwara and Gombe”. who were the two major conriences in riots. tenders in the election (See TaThe same is being demTABLE SHOWING 2011 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ble). onstrated in many towns RESULTS, OF 19 NORTHERN STATE Thus, Buhari won in Kano, of the North, where MusJigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto, Bauchi, lims and Christians lived Niger, Borno, Zamafara, peacefully before waves of Bauchi and Katsina. violence cast a dark cloud The votes in Kaduna was split over them. almost into half with Buhari The socio-political impliscoring, 1,334, 242 and cation of these gaps is that Jonathan, polling 1,190, 179 the minority tribal groupvotes, to put the facts that ings of Northern Nigeria Muslims and Christians enjoy have started radical rea balanced presence in a place definitions of some of the where people from the rules of engagements with southern part of the state see the far North. themselves as fiercely Middle There are several Belt, while the northern part groups now springing up, sees itself as the bastion of insisting on more rights Sardauana’s North. for the minority people of But, the lessons are clear the North, and for greater here. The Middle Belt voted stake in political clearly for the PDP, while the participation. far North opted for Buhari very For example, the loudly.

Middle Belt Dialogue Those clamouring for a new (MBD), made up of identity for the Middle Belt will mainly intellectuals, have to contend with a lot of business men, rising snags. politicians, including For example, the Middle members of the National Belt, as envisioned by its Assembly, state Houses of proponents, does not have a Assembly and many states unifying contiguous boundary. cabinet members, all of There is also a very large the Middle Belt, is kicknumber of Muslim population ing against the term SOURCE: INEC,

in the Middle Belt, in spite of its Christian lineage. Again, there are Hausa and Fulani communities in the far North who are completely enstranged from the social and religious practices of the far North, simply because they are Christians, or choose to worship traditional African religion.

And they make a good number in Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi and even in Zamfara States.

ATTENDEES zGen Yakubu Gowon(Represented by Alh. Aliko Mohammed, zChairman of ACF) zGen. Abdulsalami Abubakar. zAtiku Abubakar zSpeaker Aminu Tambuwal zGov. Ibrahim Yakowa zFormer Gov. Ibrahim Shekarau zABU V.C. Prof.

Abdullahi Mustapha. zSen. George Akume zSen. John Shagaya. zSen. Abdulhamid Hassan Zareku zSen. Umaru Dahiru Tambawal zSen. ADAMU Aliero zSen. Alex Kadiri. zDr. Ibrahim Yakubu Lame, zDr ALIYU Modibbo zDr. Junaid Mohammed zDr.Abubakar Saddiq Mohammed zProf. Munzali Jibril, zProf. J Yayok, zProf. Gidado Tahir, zDr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo. zProf. W, B. Qurix zProf. Ibrahim Garba. zDr. UMAR Bashir Bindir, zProf. Nuhu Yaqub. zProf. Ango Abdullahi. zHajiya Rabi Eshaq. zDr. Mario Mandara. zGen. Martin Luther Agwai(rtd). zDr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed. zProf. KYARI Mohammed. zAlh. Ibrahim Coomassie. zBishop Idowu Fearon. zDr. Usman Bugaje. zSule Yahaya Hamma. zProf. Mike Kwarnashie. zHon. Adams Jagaba. zAlh. Ahmed Dalhatu. zAVM. Mouktar Mohammed(rtd) zDr. Kabir Chafe zAlhaji Wada Maida zKabir Yusuf

PAGE 10—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Jokers in Government– 1

T

he Minister and I totally agree on one point – the NLNG, which is also under the Ministry of Petroleum, is a success story. I have never been deluded that it is a pace-setter in terms of revenue generation for the government”. In-

You sir, are a thief in Govt House “Those whom God wishes to destroy he first makes mad."-Seneca AST week one of James Ibori’s

L

accomplices,Bhadresh Gohil, sought to appeal against his conviction because a prominent newspaper revealed allegation against the Met police investigating the case of corruption in which Ibori, his wife and his solicitor are doing time in her majesty’s prisons.

The convicted money launderer,London-based solicitor Bhadresh Gohil was jailed for 10 years in 2010 for helping client James Ibori,the former Delta State governor,to keep over £50 million in

bank accounts around the world. Gohil has now lodged grounds for appeal after the newspaper investigation revealed claims of corruption during the probe by Scotland Yard’s SCD6 unit into him and Ibori. Gohil is using the allegations to appeal against his sentence on money laundering charges, while Scotland Yard is investigating the possibility that the corruption claims are manufactured. The paper disclosed that the police were investigating the claims that some serving officers were bribed up to £20,000 to leak crucial information about the Ibori case.

Ibori, who admitted money laundering and

stead, it is a pace-setter for corrupt self-enrichment by a few people at the top. Aganga might not be one of the beneficiaries (and he is obviously innocent if he talks like this), but, he should be aware that after investment of $13 billion, Nigerians are receiving no dividends from the colossal investment.

Most of the revenue is

AUDITOR’S REPORT

The report of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation, OAGF, makes interesting reading. But, since not many people will have access to it or have the time to read and understand it, let me quickly point to the

Lamido Sanusi’s purge of the public service should start by relieving the worst twenty officials of their posts and probing what happened to the revenue they withheld for so long

,

going into private pockets. In fact, the scandal in NLNG ranks with the scam in the power sector where $13-16 billion went down the drain with little to show.

Incidentally, the NLNG was in jeopardy right from its inception as its gas production for several years were already pledged by the a certain administration in return for the private investment in the venture as

corruption and was jailed for 13 years at Southwark crown court in April, intends to use this claim to reduce the length of his sentence. Both he and Gohil are also fighting asset confiscation hearings, relating to millions of pounds worth of property. His regime is thought to have defrauded the Nigerian people of £157 million, including his personal share of £50 million, laundered in London via offshore companies.

The plot thickens, it seems there is no honour amongst thieves, because someone is

,

ment.

Unfortunately for the Minister, the statement credited to him about NLNG appeared the same day that an editorial was published by the same newspaper – THE NATION. Titled “MDAs jamboree”, the paper informed its readers, of whom I am one, that, “The House Committee, briefing journalists, noted that it was investigating the activities of a sample of 60 out of 601 MDAs. Citing some examples, the committee stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) alone had $7 billion recorded against it as unremitted revenue within this period. Another example is the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) where it was discovered that not a dime had been remitted to the Federation Account for over seven years. (Underlining mine).

,

N

LNG is one of the big success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion since inception, and has become a pace-setter in terms of revenue generation for the government”. Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr Olusegun Aganga; in THE NATION, November 28, 2012, p. 29.

“There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics”. Mark Twain, 1835-1910. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, p I30).

The Minister of Trade and Investment is an incurable optimist. Unfortunately, his search for “good news” to frequently, deliberately or inadvertently, make pro nouncements which may not be correct in all material particular. We cannot easily forget the phantom 1.3 million jobs which he claimed were created during the year; when indeed the Bank of Industry acknowledged only 300,000 unsubstantiated jobs. The Minister was carpeted on this page for that demonstrated penchant to grab any rumour pointing to improvements and achievements by the govern-

well as to pay the external debts incurred by that government. Aganga should check this out.

Pace-setting revenue is indeed being generated by the company, but it might not even be our own. Statements such as this one credited to him detract from the good work he is in doing trying to promote trade and investment.

aspect which should be of interest to all of us. According to that report, between 2006 and 2009, Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (including law-enforcement units) failed to remit about N4 trillion to the Federation account. That translates to NI trillion per annum or 25% of the annual budget for those years.

Obasanjo, ever so selfrighteous, was the Pres-

to have their cake and also eat it too. They want to be released from prison and have their ill gotten loot turned over to them! The cheek of it all, they now think the money is rightfully theirs despite the judgement ruling that the money was to be released to the people of Delta who it rightly belonged to.

So far the Met and judicial department have refused to comment on this. We will watch with bated breath.

A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its

While the quality of life is depleting, our leaders are gorging themselves on the choicest meals, in salubrious surroundings

singing loudly of innocence . Gohill, a lawyer has found a loophole or so it seems, to help his appeal and subsequent release.

It seems that the Ibori saga will run and run and they determined

,

lowest ones” --- Nelson Mandela Let them eat Cake!

This Marie Antoinette alluded to have said to the people of France, when she was told that they were starving and with little or food. Well,

ident for two of those years; Yar Adua was responsible for the rest; ably supported by Jonathan.

Till today, no Minister, head of department or Director General had suffered the consequences which would have followed had the same offence been committed in Singapore. At least now we know why that tiny nation is in the first world and Nigeria is still condemned to third world status.

M

ore to the point, there is still no change. Till today, Ministries, Departments and Agencies continue to withhold revenue from the Federation Account thereby criminally impeding progress.

The obvious question is: who should act? The answer is all of us; starting with members of the National Assembly, who should cast aside ethnic or party or state sentiments and ask for sanctions against Ministers and others who are found guilty of the infractions.

Lamido Sanusi’s purge of the public service should start by relieving the worst twenty officials of their posts and probing what happened to the revenue they withheld for so long.

CHIP SHOTS

• From him that had not it shall be taken and given to him that hath. N2.3 billion is not enough for food and drinks in Aso Rock according to an official who went to the National Assembly to

it did not end well for Marie-Antoinette. Sometime later she was dragged and paraded on the streets of Paris where at some point she was blindfolded and guillotined! While Rome burns, our country ’s Neros (politicians) are milking the cash cow for all its worth. It has been reported that by 2013, Nigeria will be the worst place for a baby to be born and that life expectancy for a child born in Nigeria will be 51.9 years whereas, for a small country like Gabon, it will be 62.7 years.

Make of it what you will, but the reading is on the wall yet our leaders are busy squirreling our money and feeding their bellies rather than redistributing the wealth to make Nigeria a better place to live. So while the quality of life is depleting, our leaders are gorging themselves on the choicest meals, in salubrious surroundings.

They do not have a clue what goes on up and down the country in the homes of ordinary Nigerian homes.

One needs to be aware what goes on in an aver-

defend the profligacy.

We deserve the insult.

• Building Hall for talkfeasts. Another N2.2 billion is proposed to build a hall to accommodate 150 people in a Federal Capital Territory crawling with halls and International Centres capable of accommodating 150 or more. We deserve the insult.

• External Loans grew

by N2.57 trillion since Jonathan became Ogapatapata. Nobody can point to what has been done with it. Now government is asking for NASS approval to borrow more. At this rate, we will soon reach the debt level which in 1999 was described as unsustainable.

We deserve the insult.

RESPONSES

0803-915-6613 I read your right of reply published two Sundays ago.

And was dismayed by the writers blindness in the face of glaring truths....

Posterity will be the judge…

0803-355-2187Mr Alapatira is a fool. Eghosa Uwaifo.

0803-509-0255. The truth is usually difficult to fault and this is what Alapatira has struggled to do without making a point.

0805-300-7531. Thanks for organizing free education at Unijankara for Jonathan. He needs it most desperately. I would like to add that IFURA a subject in premonition be added..Honestly, I doubt if Nigeria had ever had so “hellish’ a government.

age Nigerian home.

Most Nigerians now decide whether they either have a meal in the morning , none in the afternoon and one at night. They call it 1o-1 and some are now in the 0-1-0. If we are in this together, then we should all be tightening our belts, without exception or so you would have thought. No , it does not seem to be the case with the president and all his command. So pardoned me if I have no sympathy for the banqueting hall, even the name is so odious to the ears, it seem like a fattening room by all accounts it is . I cannot understand why they seem to be oblivious to the poverty around them or they, seem to have switched off their conscientious button and are set on a course of gluttony and delusion of grandeur.

So in 2007, Presidency including the State House was allocated N26.9 billion in the 2008 with a spending plan of N1.301 billion going for feeding and refreshment in the State House.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 11

Citizen Aruma Oteh Versus National Assembly: Matters Arising senators demanded millions of naira from him so as to make his clearance easy. The senate then went ahead to investigate the matter and cleared its affected members while declaring El Rufai’s allegation as false. Well, neither the nation nor the senators themselves believed the version of the senate which explains why the ‘liar’ ministerial

,

O

NE of the rea sons why so much goes wrong in our public offices is because a public officer can hardly disagree with a person in authority let alone to challenge the ‘high-ups’ on any wrong doing. As a result, Nigerian authorities are often told not what is on ground but what they want to hear or what would please them.

To act differently is a great risk. Indeed, the anger that is visited on anyone who attempts to draw attention to what is wrong is so vehement that to challenge a higher authority in Nigeria is now seen as suicidal. In earnest, it is difficult to name more than one or two daring public officers who have ever followed such a path of suicide.

The fearless Malam Nasir el Rufai tried it with minimal success when as Director General of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) he was nominated in 2003 to be a Minister in the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo. During the senate clearance exercise, El Rufai raised an alarm that some specific

demanded N44 million from her. She said the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Herman Hembe, made the demand in two tranches of N39 million and N5 million respectively. She also alleged that Hembe had previously collected from SEC an amount of money and a business class ticket to travel to the Dominican Republic

Perhaps because of the now popular saying that ‘what a man can do, a woman can do much better’, one lady recently decided to put on El Rufai’s type of shoes

nominee was cleared.

Perhaps because of the now popular saying that ‘ what a man can do, a woman can do much better ’, one lady recently decided to put on El Rufai’s type of shoes.

The lady, Aruma Oteh, Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),told the nation that the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market

,

for a conference, but that he neither made the trip nor returned the money.

The House brushed aside all these weighty allegations and began to examine certain perceived deficiencies in the competence and conditions of service etc of the lady and thereafter, passed a resolution that the President should sack her. The House also resolved that should the

Sanusi’s call spotlights nation’s dilenma that he gets into trouble for candour, and some also think much of his candour comes from bloated self-regard. He’s gained something of a reputation for abrasive loquacity in the Nigerian public imagination. But Lamido Sanusi is not about to be silenced. He said so himself just this past week, when he teedoff yet another storm with his comments on the structure of Nigeria’s bureaucracy.

The Central bank governor basically advocated that the Nigerian government should reduce its public personnel expenditure by sacking 50% of its civil servants. It is the call once more for rationalization by which the public sector always bears the brunt of discrepancies and instabilities in Nigeria’s public finance. However,

I think it is also important to listen carefully to what Lamido Sanusi has to say, because indeed we pay him to say this stuff.

He brings his expert

,

B

ASKET mouth – that’s how a buddy of mine describes Lamido Sanusi, Governor of the Nigerian Central Bank – “e done start to leak again o.” It is a moniker appropriated from Fela’s forceful description of uncompromising truthtelling. Mr. Sanusi speaks his mind, form be damned!

He is certainly the most public of any other former occupant of his current office, most of whom were withdrawing and self-effacing men. But Sanusi has taken a different style, and intervenes publicly on fiscal as well as social issues affecting Nigeria’s economic and political development.

He is no withdrawing man, nor does he think he should keep his light under the bushel. Well, good for him. It is just

One of the most unfortunate developments in Nigerian public administration was the creation of a uniform local government system

,

opinion as Nigeria’s chief banker and economic policy analystin chief. Sanusi’s comment at the second annual Capital Market retreat in Warri has

President fail to comply with its resolution, it would cease to accord any recognition to Aruma Oteh.

Following its discovery on resumption from recess in September that the lady was still in office, the House re-affirmed its earlier resolution and gave a 14-day ultimatum for compliance by the executive. Till today, the President is yet to act in line with the resolution. The senior brother of the House-the Senate- waded into the matter in October like an appeal court and also an umbrella trade union of law makers to resolve that if President Jonathan does not sack Aruma Oteh, it would no longer relate with the commission. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ayoade Adeseun who made the position of the Senate known also threatened that the Senate would not screen members of the commission’s board if the lady remained in office.

Now, several issues are begging for answers.

First, is a resolution of the legislature binding on the executive branch of government? If so, can the executive similarly direct the legislature? If not, what is separation of powers all about? When Labaran Maku, the Minister of Information opined the other day that the President was not bound to follow a resolution of the National Assembly, the latter accused him of creating

tension between the two arms of government.

Does the Aruma Oteh saga not now show the true intention of the legislature? Since our constitution does not empower the legislature to over-rule the President with respect to its resolutions as it clearly suggests in the case of a Presidential veto on a budget passed by the National Assembly, why is our legislature acting like a bully in the Aruma case? Second, why is the Nigerian legislature always so self-seeking? In 2003, it amended the Act setting up the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) because the Commission under Justice Mustapha Akanbi was investigating charges of corruption against its leadership.

The law was not only amended in haste, the legislature did not have a quorum to so act. It even sought to extend the constitutional provision on immunity to itself but called for public hearing after it had concluded action on the subject.

In October 2010, the Senate summoned Prof Attahiru Jega, Chairman of INEC to defend his comments about the likelihood of a delayed election process which in the opinion of some Senators could rubbish their image. This self preservation posture is also maintained even when the issue at stake is the handiwork of its own members. When for instance Representative Dino Maleye led some legis-

lators to draw attention to some impropriety in the House under Dimeji Bankole, they were promptly suspended.

Events have since shown that when an allegation is made against the legislature, Nigerians should discountenance any diversionary tactics.

Against this backdrop, it is crucial for the nation to critically examine the allegations raised by Aruma Oteh bearing in mind her weighty statement that “ when I took this job, I was warned that when you fight corruption, it will fight back but I did not know that the fight would come from the House Committee on Capital Market.” Meanwhile industry watchers say the appointment of the lady has attracted credibility and international recognition to the Nigerian capital market.

She has reportedly introduced a new code of corporate governance which has effectively put an end to "wash sales, market rigging, pumping and dumping shares."

Who is this Aruma Oteh?

She is a Nigerian citizen of repute who began her carrier at Centre Point Merchant Bank, from where she moved to the African Development Bank (AfDB) and rose to the position of Vice President. She holds a first class degree of the University of Nigeria Nsukka and an MBA from the prestigious Harvard University, USA. What should the nation do to her?

thrown a necessary spotlight on the key and abiding question of the structure of the Nigerian state. Does the Federal government of Nigeria need to fund the current 774 local governments nation-wide?

Does Nigeria need its current number of 36 mostly nonperforming and nonviable states? Do we need the current number of civil servants? There can be no doubt that Nigeria struggles with the question of resource management as a result of the inchoate and extremely bloated government it has created since July 1966.

Sanusi asks very pertinent questions, and we may certainly have to step off our high horses and pay attention to at least two proposals: Nigeria does not need the current number of states.

Thirty-six states is a burden on the resources of Nigeria in many ways.

It is expands the epicenters of public governance in ways that are unnecessary. The current number of states, some of them in conditions of abjection and stupor cannot be called states because they lack the organizing capacity to produce and manage resources for the

highest number. Many thoughtful Nigerians have advocated seriously for a collapse of the current states into a sixregional structure with more critical devolution of power.

It is in fact incumbent on the National Assembly in their current moves to amend the Nigerian constitution, to pay attention to this necessity and return the laws of the federation to its pristine purpose as contained in the charter of the Republic of 1963. The federation of Nigeria cannot function effectively with its many “magi cube” administrative units now called states, created under military edicts as a means of creating a more organic command and control system for military rule.

It no longer works for us. It never did. All that the creation of the 36 states did was to bloat government without creating organic and efficient systems of the delivery of public service.

Let us abolish the states and start afresh. Let us return to the constitution of the Republic and reconstitute this federal republic on the principles contained therein, with the single advance of creating a six regional federation to be agreed

upon by referendum. I also agree with Sanusi that we need to embark on local government reform.

Let any municipality capable of its own independent and organic interest charter a local government, raise its own tax, and determine its own independent source of funding within its own unique municipal laws.

One of the most u n f o r t u n a t e developments in Nigerian public administration was the creation of a uniform local government system by the Obasanjo transitional government in 1979. I think it damaged the local government system. For example, the East had a system of local administration developed since 1954 along the county council model that suited the democratic culture of the people. The six regions must be allowed to create and sustain municipal laws and local government administrations as they find suitable for as long as they are self-funding.

This proposition does not in any way support Mr. Chibuike Amaechi’s lobby, on behalf of the governors for the abolition of the local government as the third-tier of the state.

PAGE 12 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 13

C M Y K

PAGE 14 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 15

C M Y K

Vanguard , DECEMBER 9, 2012

ONDO ELECTION FALLOUT

Agunloye...

Eventually, I found myself in the same camp with Mimiko…. The second clarification I need to make is that I’m happy because Mimiko himself is a great achiever and so many things trail him

What they did to me in ACN, by Olu Agunloye z`Governor Mimiko understands human feelings’ zSays 67% of people of state rejected ACN Dr. Olu Agunloye, one-time Minister of Power and Steel, Minister of State for Defence (Navy), Special Assistant to the late Chief Bola Ige, member of Constitution Review Committee, and former chief executive of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, was a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. In this interview, he talks about his painful exit from the ACN and the verbal attacks on him by the National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, and Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.Excerpts:

BY OLA AJAYI Implications of ACN defeat in Ondo election he Ondo election brings a signal in two ways.

We saw it as a struggle for survival, libera tion from neo-colonisation and any form of remote control, liberation from any forcefully or deceitfully, cajoling to take the resources of the state to anywhere outside Ondo or into one person’s pocket. And it was clear that Ondo people saw that very clearly. I was part of the campaign which was very strenuous and comprehensive.

The second signal of the election is that Ondo people stayed along the line of progressive development. Ondo State people elected Mimiko because of his programmes, his ideas.

After the election, a newspaper quoted the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, as saying the election used.

The possibility of people stuffing was fraught with massive irregulariballot boxes with votes was reduced ties. What is your comment on this?

It was his duty to make sure that there and violence was also reduced bewere no irregularities. So, if he said cause security men were on ground.

But, to say the election was hundred that, he must know what he was saying. But, then, I don’t think anybody percent okay may not be correct. Howsaid the election had a hundred per- ever, it was very clear that it was percent mark. Most people had admitted haps the best election we have had in that it was far above average and I was Nigeria.

Is your governorship ambition for part of that election and I also know it was far above average. There was a the future still intact?

I don’t know what you mean. But, signal that the election was more or less one man one vote. In areas where let me answer it the way people would people used to have a margin of 12,000 like. I am leaving everything politivotes, the margin became smaller than cally to God because I have done evtwo thousand and a total number of erything any human being can possivotes cast under 5,000. In Ilaje, where bly do and things have gone the way people used to have a margin of 80,000 they’ve gone. I worked for sixteen or 50,000, the total number of votes months relentlessly to build up the cast there was much less than that Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, which means that, to a great extent, and, at the end of the day, all I got for the principle of one man one vote was my efforts was,’ if you are not satis-

T

,

C M Y

PAGE 16—SUND AY 16—SUNDA

I had four different meetings with Tinubu, three with Aregbesola and one with Fayemi and about five trips to Ila Orangun to locate the chairman.

It then occurred to me to ask myself: ‘why are you doing this for a jewel that is in Ondo State?

,

fied, you can leave’ - while the ticket was handed over to Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, who, to my knowledge, did not do any work. And, eventually, I found myself in the same camp with Gov. Mimiko. This only tells me that if God wants something done, he would do it. For me, and, at my age, I would leave everything to God. Did your influence make any impact on that election?

The issue of followers, I would just try to quantify it. When we started the Omoluwabi project, there were a lot of people who indicated interest. I owed all that I have achieved over the years to the Omoluwabi platform and I feel very passionate about that because none of the followers made any demand on me nor got any promise from me. People followed me with passion because they believed in me. They knew if I got there, I would be useful

to the state and to them. We sent forms out to them to fill. We could not get all the forms back. But, we were able to get about 157,000 forms. These people registered on the Omoluwabi platform. When I shifted to Labour Party on July 26, 2012, not all people on the Omoluwabi platform followed me. Some of them mounted rostrum or used the radio to abuse the hell out of me for leaving the ACN; some of them had already left the ACN six weeks before, when I was waiting for what ACN would do for us. Some of them had shifted to the PDP but a couple of them came along with me. In the process between July and October 20, I went round to all the local governments to talk to people waiting for me to persuade them to leave and join.

As for what the impact was in the time of the election, here, we need to be modest and moderate.

All I can say is that we had, as part of the deal with Mimiko, insisted that Omoluwabi across the 203 wards and the 18 local governments must be integrated into all the committees. So, what we found was that a typical Omoluwabi in a local government would either be a member of a

Continues on page 17

SUNDAY

committee or a member of the ward or unit committee. And in a local government where Omoluwabi people were being sidelined, they made a call to me and I called the officer in charge and they were brought in. At the time of the election, the Omoluwabi had integrated and dissolved into Labour Party and worked for the party. I could say very clearly that there are some local governments where we had very significant impact. The local governments are Oke-Igbo, Ilaje, Ile-Oluji, four Akokos, Ire Ikari, Owo and Oso Local Governments minus the works that our people did in Emure. We had seen ourselves as part and parcel of the Labour Party and I’m happy today. So, we played a significant role just like the old members of the Labour Party did before we got in.

Okay, let me play the devil’s advocate here: If you had not defected to the Labour Party, do you think Mimiko would have won that election?

As a born-again member of the Labour Party, I won’t respond to that……laughter!

If you could part ways with Tinubu, what assurances are there that you and Mimiko would not also part again?

I think you still have to clear some air on that.

First, if there is any opportunity for us to fight again, we will fight. So, that is clear.

If I fight with my wife here, I won’t spare a fight with Mimiko or any other person because, as Yoruba people say, only a bastard would have the opportunity to be angry and would not and it is also a bastard that refuses entreaties to stop fighting.

So, the cultural thing is that if there is room to fight, we will fight.

But, the second clarification I need to make is that I’m happy because Mimiko himself is a great achiever and so many things trail him. Some people said,’ now that you have gone to Labour Party, do you think he would not do to you what he did before?’ I said,’ so what?’ They knew there was a misunderstanding between Mimiko and I. Now, I thank God that I took that path. If I didn’t take that path, I would not have set up the Omoluwabi platform.

For purposes of clarification, what happened between you and Mimiko before?

Mimiko said, ‘You would not take this Senate slot, let us give you this House of Representatives slot’.

He went on to explain why and the difference between the two and I also made my own point clear. He believed I was convinced. I told him midnight that if they had told me that outside, I would have refused flatly and that I would have gone to the Supreme Court and say ‘see what they did to me’. Mimiko and seven top people in the party, excluding Olaiya Oni, were trying to convince me. They put pressure on me.

So, I was prevailed upon to step down from Senate and take the House of Representatives, but, the following day, things looked alright. We chatted in the Government House and, here, made the public announcement of it and, the third day, they expected C M Y K

DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 17 2012,PAGE

‘Governor Mimiko understands human feelings’’

Olu Agunloye....Let me tell you why I left the ACN. We had been told if we did not spend up to a certain amount, we would not be considered.

,

Continued from page 16

Vanguard ,

In ACN, something more brutal, more irritating, more reckless happened. But, that is part of the recklessness of the party and that is why we believe that God has started taking power off them

me to pick the form for House of Representatives, but I didn’t show up.

They called me asking why I was not picking the form and they were panicky. From that Saturday, January 8 or 9, Mimiko had practically made all possible efforts to beg me, to cajole me, to apologise and did all sorts of things including coming down to my house on Sunday, 9 January, while I was away.He regretted, saying, ‘look, come and let us do it again’.

But I had my mind on running for the Senate. On Monday morning, I had already made up my mind to join the ACN. At that point, he knew I had made up my mind.

You lost a ticket in Labour Party, you went to ACN; in ACN, too, you lost a ticket and you ran back to Labour Party.What’s the difference?

Do you now want to compare that to what happened to me in the ACN? My question is what’s the difference?

That of ACN is directly opposite. I worked for 15 months. In normal mathematical way, that was 30 months. I

,

worked, building the party and, at the end of the day, I was told in a meeting where other people were present that,’ look, we have given the ticket to somebody because we have decided not to give it to the most popular aspirant. We have decided not to give it to an aspirant who has a structure that is stronger than the party so that he doesn’t hold the party to ransom’. Those were nearly the words of Chief Adebisi Akande, the National Chairman of ACN. I was shocked because one of the two criteria that people use for campaign is popularity, acceptability and structure and I had demonstrated in the last fifteen months.

But that ….?

(Cuts in) Let me tell you why I left the ACN. We had been told if we did not spend up to a certain amount, we would not be considered. But, I had gone beyond that benchmark and I did not need an accountant to tell me how much I had spent. I told them all along that my accounts were run through the banks. Ninety per cent of the money I spent was through transfer and the cheques are there. Even people who gave me cash of N2m, I went to the nearest bank and paid

it into my account. After doing all that, I had a meeting with Mr. Tinubu and all I heard was that,’ we have done that severally to people. If you are not satisfied, you can leave.’ It was like, ‘did I hear him right’.

I had four different meetings with Tinubu, three with Aregbesola and one with Fayemi and about five trips to Ila Orangun to locate the chairman.

It then occurred to me to ask myself: ‘ why are you doing this for a jewel that is in Ondo State’.

I was not running to be governor of Lagos or Osun State.

I then asked myself, ‘ why are you running about’?

I just concluded that this is a situation where the proprietors and dynasty of ACN are hell bent on the political business model which we believe is not traceable to Ondo State.

In Labour Party, I had misunderstanding with some people and they begged me not to go until I returned to the party and the other one, ACN, I did all that could be done singlehandedly for that party, yet they said I could go if I wanted to. The records are there.

All I heard was, ‘get lost’.

After I left, it was surprising that all I got from the National Chairman of the party was insult; he opened his mouth and said Agunloye was a mole, he was sent by Mimiko. We took him like a father.

And then suddenly the father said, ‘ I think this my son was an armed robber. ‘He paid my house rent two years ago, I was surprised, he bought me a new car, I was wondering, he paid the school fees of his younger brother, I was wondering, he repainted the house. Now, I know he is an armed robber ’. They now brought guard dogs from Lagos who now called me a political prostitute. Why this language? Who has not done it?

Akande himself has done it.

He was in Alliance for Democracy, AD. When they called me a political prostitute, I said ‘ these guys don’t know what they are talking about’.

If the ACN makes overture to you again, say, in two or three years, to come, would you go back to the party?

It is not an issue of overture.

Overture can be made today or tomorrow. In the party, I understand that people are reckless and they say it is allowed. People deliberately say what they want. If not, I don’t imagine any human being on earth to say I betrayed the late Bola Ige not to talk about Bisi Akande saying that kind of rubbish. So, people can say what they like. But, the truth is that there was a critical thing that happened to me in Labour Party before I left and the party itself realized it was

Continues on page 20

PAGE 18—SUNDAY

Vanguard , DECEMBER 9, 2012

ONDO GUBER ELECTION:

I

t has been alleged that the reason you refused to commission some of the road projects you have completed is to delay them for your second term campaign.

How do you react?

The answer is simple. The people have the right to use the services that the government is rendering for them and we are so much committed to do more for them. For that reason, we do not think that commissioning is a priority now. We are not bothered by whatever anybody wants to say, because we still have a lot to do.

It was gathered that the Labour Party is mobilising in collaboration with the PDP to unseat your government at the next governorship poll?

In discussing that I will simply remind you of what happened sometime ago. In April 2011, an interesting thing happened here. A political contest took place and that contest is very relevant to your question. At that time, my administration was just about 90 days and, in terms of length of stay, the PDP, by that time, had spent about 2,700 days, and I defeated all of them. The man that is interloping for Labour Party ran for a seat in that election, he did not win his polling booth. So I don’t know the magic they want to perform. Going by our rating scientifically, there is no cause for alarm.

The opposition has been insinuating that your administration has just been grandstanding for the past two years, that you have nothing tangible to show for being in office.

Within two years, we did something unique that people outside there could hardly notice - a huge revolution.

Today, the citizens of the state proudly call themselves “Omoluabi”, which was not so before. Yoruba has an adage that ‘an untrained child will sell or destroy the edifice that is built instead of investing the money’. To be sure that our people imbibe the culture of positive changes, we began with that revolution to imbibe the culture and value of our people.

When we were sure that that was properly done, we moved on; today, millionaires are developing out of our ideas. About two weeks ago, C M Y K

We have learnt our lessons —Aregbesola *Says opposition’s mainstreaming agenda means ‘main fraud’

Gov Aregbesola

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who recently marked two years in office, had an interactive seven-hour session with journalists, tagged, “Ogbeni Till Day Break” where he defended all his actions since assumption of office. Gbenga Olarinoye, our Osun State correspondent, was in attendance.

Excerpts: I was in Okuku, a man told us that, on his farm, he had 120,000 fish and, if you multiply that alone, that man

is simply a millionaire. Hitherto, he was a fugitive. On OREAP alone, it is not just a question of engaging many people; it is about turning

their fortunes around for the better.

Because we do not make noise on our achievements, most people do not even know what we are doing. I doubt if there is any house that is not benefiting from the school feeding programme that we put in place for pupils in primaries one to four statewide. It is not just any food we give carbohydrate, we give protein, and we give fruits to make them mentally sound. Besides, hardly will you see a household without a member in OYES. Through the OYES scheme alone, N200 million enters Osun economy every month and this is a sum of money that was not in the economy before and, even if it did, it entered through vices. For you to know what we are doing, just take your mind back, the difference is clear. Except for the blind, those who have not lost their sight appreciate that the general revival of the state is taking place.

That is not all. There is no local government that major road construction is not taking place. We have reduced school fees, we are building new schools, we are supporting the elders and we have increased grants to schools. I want to ask our traducers, what else would a performing governor do that we have not done? If they tell us what is required from us apart from what I have mentioned, I am ready to learn, but I know that within the limits of our resources, Ogbeni is performing in all sectors of governance and we will never be distracted by the insinuation of those mediocre.

How far is your pledge to absorb the OYES cadets into the civil service?

The truth is that there are no vacancies for all the 20,000 OYES cadets in the civil

service and we must bear that fact in mind, but, besides that, those that would be absorbed, we must be sure that they are competent and adequate for what we need them for. As much as we want to get them engaged, the services to which they would be absorbed have minimum standards and that is why examinations are being conducted to be sure.

What we have done to favour the cadets is that if the minimum cut-off marks for non-OYES participants for the civil service job is 55 per cent, we reduced the cut-off of OYES to 40 per cent and in some cases 35 per cent, just to be sure they are absorbed.

Whoever cannot meet up with that concessionary cut-off mark, there is nothing we can do other than to find some other thing for such participants to do.

Painful, but that is the best we can do. What we have also done is to set a percentage of absorption for those in all the schemes for employment of 60 per cent OYES and 40 per cent non-OYES participant and, to my mind, that is fair enough.

We have engaged many other volunteers of the scheme in several vocations like fish farming, animal husbandry, and agriculture generally, as well as red block making among others and, as part of their exit strategy, we are ready to support them for them to be independent.

Since the last governorship election in Ondo State, you have not made any comment regarding the election.

Any particular reason for this?

Every vocation has strategy and most of us forget the strategies of politics. When you win, you brag; when you lose, you are barred. What happened in Ondo gave some people their bragging season and we allowed them to brag.

When a man has cause to brag, allow him to brag because it is normal.

Their bragging season is almost over. Coming with bragging is bashing and we had our own bashing.

Continues on page 19

SUNDAY

Vanguard ,

DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 19 2012,PAGE

‘Opposition’s mainstreaming agenda means ‘main fraud’ that mainstreaming? Is that governance?

Continued from page 18

C M Y K

B

Gov Aregbesola

,

In democracy, the beauty of it is maturity; you must go into every democratic contest with the zeal to win. If you win, brag; if you lose, take your loss; identify your weaknesses; see how you can build on it and move on. It is not unlikely that there might be a rematch. Just wait and watch.

Also, the beauty of democracy is that, you have the right to compete and struggle for power. We deployed everything we had to unseat the party that was there because we feel we could do better, but, unfortunately, our calculation could not do it. In any democratic contest, somebody must win and somebody must lose, but, mind you, that cannot be our end, not in Ondo or any other place because we are still going to challenge every bit of the ground of Ondo and, if it happens again tomorrow, expect us there. That is the way of politics.

There is the allegation that you used the resources of Osun to fight the Ondo governorship battle.

The answer is no and we all know it. Perception is usually false, but as false as perception is, it is almost 99 per cent reality. If I have used Osun resources to fight Ondo battle, where would I have the money to pay salaries? We have not defaulted in salary payments and our programmes and projects are on-going. Where then is the speculation from? I think some people are just doing that for mischief, there is no iota of truth in it. Of course, as it is required of all democrats, I put in the best to ensure that my party wins and that is what democrats do.

When it is over, it is over and we march on.

We also learnt that Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is warming up to join the process to unseat you because of the efforts you were said to have put into the process of the Ondo election.

We welcome him. I think that he has said that he is not keen on that now, but if he is keen, we welcome him with open hands.

Since you have given your administration a pass mark, why do you want to ‘repeat’ – that is talking about second term?

In reality, in actual life, when you do well, you are allowed to maximise the allowed period, but nobody rejects a good work. All responsible people all over

So, the meaning of their mainstream is ‘main fraud’.

What they are saying is that with their identification with those at the centre, they seek protection from law enforcement agencies on their alleged crimes

the world would appeal to see the elongation of what is good and I am confident that the people of Osun will give us a second term.

Recently, your predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, faulted the regional integration agenda, saying the idea cannot help the Yoruba and that what can pay us most is mainstreaming. What is your reaction to this?

What is mainstream? It is absurd that those that are shouting mainstream have refused to change their devilish attitude and they have been there for long.

They are using mainstream in this region to defraud the people. A friend of mine put a post on the social media recently, though gory and morbid, but it clearly described the nature and character of the mainstreamers. The man said that the so-called

,

mainstreamers did wonder here, and he put the picture of Osogbo during their time where a school child was swept away by flood and killed and a policeman was standing watching over the corpse. By the side of that picture was the picture of Aregbesola’s Water Buggy, clearing the streams in preparation for rains.

Nothing more clearly described the clear distinction between us and these charlatans. What do they have to show for their seven and a half years here? And they keep on grandstanding. They used their time in power to harass, terrorise, intimidate, kill, detain and maim the people everywhere. It was in this state that Chief Ade Komolafe was killed in Ilesa and nothing happened; it was here they killed 12 of us during the election and nothing happened. Some people raped a young girl in Ilesa and they put in place a permanent reign of terror. Is

esides, let us be generous with them, the totality of their expenditure in seven and a half years as grant for primary schools was about N64 million. In one year, Ogbeni is spending N424 million to maintain primary schools.

Where then is the comparison? Thirdly, go and look at the roads we are constructing, in terms of standard and quality, are they the same with their own? They were here for seven and a half years, let them identify one intervention they made in all aspects of agriculture, none.

We have been giving fertilizers to farmers in the last two years, with their mainstreaming; let them point to one single beneficiary of their fertilisers.

When they assumed office, they retired everybody that was appointed into the top echelon of the service by the preceding administration, but we allowed their own to stay till the very end. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, our administration came and did not replace the Head of Service; no administration has ever done it in Nigeria.

So, the meaning of their mainstream is ‘main fraud’.

What they are saying is that with their identification with those at the centre, they seek protection from law enforcement agencies on their alleged crimes. Therefore the real meaning of their mainstream is ‘main fraud’.

Having talked about their socalled ‘mainstream’, let us now talk about regional integration.

Regional integration is nothing new, it is just the formalisation of the age-long relationship among our people at informal level. We are simply building the natural relationship of our people to enrich them, guarantee wealth and make them comfortable. To tell you that the interest of our people is the primary reason and basis for pursuing, tenaciously, the regional integration, at the beginning of our administration, the first office I visited was the office of the Governor of Ondo State. I went with my deputy and the only issue I discussed with the Governor of Ekiti State was regional integration. I told him that you have natural gas here, let us work quickly to have our own gas generating plant to supply the region with electricity from your state. If that had worked as we proposed,

how will it be selfish that we shall have our own independent power supply that will guarantee electricity to everybody? Will that not enhance our economy and improve the standard of living of our people?

Don’t let us bring up the issue of those charlatans again; they do not have any respect for us, they hold us in contempt and they think we will be foolish enough to continue to embrace them. I am happy we have rejected them here and never would they come again.

What are you doing to compensate those whose properties were affected by the road expansion projects you are carrying out in the state?

Anybody with genuine documents of ownership of properties affected by the expansion of our roads would be appropriately compensated.

Let me just say this, a journalist asked me in one of our interactions that, hitherto, the opinion was that nothing was happening, but now, what people are talking about is, how are we going to complete the myriad of projects that are ongoing all over the state? We are working massively and I want to assure you that we will not leave any project uncompleted.

How do you intend to ensure the sustainability of the rebranding efforts of the state by your administration?

Any programme of government that is not people-centred is a waste of time and energy.

Once you get the people to buy into any idea that you have, that idea becomes a pattern and the tradition. There is nothing new there; what we have done is to revive a culture, a value and attitude that were dead and I believe that, by the fact of the acceptability of the values, sustainability becomes easy. It is going to further germinate in the minds, spirits and souls of the people and it will continue. We will not relent in our efforts to promote those values and attitudes and, with that, it will promote development and I can assure you that the values would be sustained.

It is believed that it might be difficult to maintain standard in schools when students are paying less. Now that you have reduced school fees in tertiary institutions and cancelled the payment of fee in primary and secondary schools, how do you intend to maintain the standard?

Continues on page 20

Vanguard , DECEMBER 9, 2012

Continued from page 19

You have heard of what we are doing on basic education. Rather than keeping the old system, we have geometrically increased the funding of the schools from N64 million in seven and a half years of the last administration to N424 million in a year and that is what goes on in secondary schools.

For tertiary institutions, with the efforts we are making in terms of grants to those schools, there cannot therefore be a fall in the standard.

There have been calls for autonomy for local governments, while some people, including the Governor of the Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido, have kicked against it.

What is your take?

The distinct definition of federation is that there cannot be any other government outside the central and state governments and once you have another tier, you are defeating federalism. In federalism, you have federating entities agreeing to be together and having independence within the defined scope of responsibilities. Aside that, the only reference made to local government in our constitution is about the democratic nature of local government. Local governments are development centres of the states and it cannot be otherwise. In that context, Sanusi is right.

In the first year of your administration, not so much happened in terms of development, but, suddenly, within the second year, you started working and the hands of your administration is now every-

where. Why did you wait till your second year before you started working?

At the time people were thinking that nothing was happening, we were building reserve of money and we announced it to the world that rather than frivolously spend money on things that will not help us take off appropriately, we took our time to build reserve of funds, with which we could leverage for the projects that we

that was not less than N1 billion to pay salaries and that is the time we started recruiting the OYES members. It is that same period that we paid bonus to our workers. The question we must ask is, how did we do it? By March of the following year, we had restructured the state finances that the state was no longer in any debilitating condition. We do not have to borrow money to

‘We’ve served the people well’ tion is the result of Ife, where somebody, who was already assuming that he was the lord of the state, could only win his polling booth with three votes. Another one who was in office as governor for seven and a half

action. What informed the action?

I have no pretence to the fact that I am a Muslim. I struggled to be a devout Muslim, but that does not in anyway affect my activities or action. It was in our efforts to

,

PAGE 20—SUNDAY

If people want to assess us, just assess us on firm ground and qualitatively, don’t just assume. We should ask ourselves, is the perception people carry about real?

The answer is no, it is not real. There is no gimmick there, we are working as to our programmes

,

Gov Aregbesola have planned to do. Even at that, if you look at our approach, at the most excruciating period of the state, we did two things that nobody expected. By November when we assumed office, this state had to borrow money

pay salaries on the 25th of every month, yet, we never failed to pay allowance of N200 million to OYES volunteers every month. By April, we had an election and we defeated all of them. The most interesting of that elec-

years lost everywhere except his own town where he marginally won two wards. What that means classically in politics is that he was only qualified to be a councillor.

So, if people want to assess us, just assess us on firm ground and qualitatively, don’t just assume. We should ask ourselves, is the perception people carry about real?

The answer is no, it is not real. There is no gimmick there, we are working as to our programmes.

Recently, you declared a public holiday for the beginning of Islamic year (Hijra) which has never been done in the state and there have been criticisms trailing the

balance the religious sentiments and interests that we recognise the short holiday by the Muslim to mark the beginning of Islamic year. We only desire to promote harmony and tolerance among all religions and we are equally consulting with adherents of traditional religions so as to have a date for them too, just as we have done for Christians and Muslims.

What will you want to be remembered for?

That I have come to do my best to serve the people of Osun and give them an improved condition of living.

That is the legacy I pray that God will give me to give to the people.

‘67% of people of Ondo State rejected ACN’ Continued from page 36 wrong. That was why they did all they could to get me back.

In ACN, something more brutal, more irritating, more reckless happened. But, that is part of the recklessness of the party and that is why we believe that God has started taking power off them. That was the reason they lost woefully in Ondo State, coming third.

The point is that I was not the only one who left the party and those who did not leave were complaining bitterly. The political terrain in Nigeria is in a state of flux and it would take sometime for

things to gel.

With your efforts in Ondo election, what do you think that Governor Mimiko can give you to appreciate your support during the election?

He has given me that already. He has integrated all my people into the party.

Three of my top supporters have been given appointments. The remainder really is in God’s hands. We know they,the opposition, have gone to the tribunal and if the judiciary says come and hold a fresh election, we are ready for that and we will beat them more and more. Leaders of the ACN have been going about saying Mimiko got 41 per

cent, it means 59 percent of people did not want him.

What they refused to say is that 67 per cent of Ondo people didn’t want the ACN and 63 per cent of the people did not want the PDP. Tributes to the late Lamidi Adesina Exactly, my close interaction with him started when Chief Moshood Abiola died. I remember that day when the body was brought to Lagos for burial, there was a lot of pandemonium in MKO’s residence in Ikeja. A lot of people were barred from entering because people who were there were mostly activists and people who were ag-

grieved were mad against the people who they believed were not part of their programme and I remember that it was Great Lam Adesina and I who stood at the gate for over one hour trying to identify people and piloting them in to spare them from the agony of being barred from entering.

And my second close encounter with him was when Bola Ige died and I tried to set up Bola Ige Movement and he gave a lot of support to allow the Movement to take-off from his office. I had two rooms in his office that I was using.

Each time we held a bimonthly meeting, he may not attend. Usually, he may come

up and greet us and leave.

But, he added a lot of boost to it. Eventually, he got his SSG, Babalaje, to be the chairman of Bola Ige Movement while I remained the convener of the movement. As an administrator and a politician, Great Lam was respected.

The old ones must go before the younger ones. These people lived a very good life. Dr. Olusola Saraki was very strong and had a very good grip on Kwara State. To me, it was that grip that people wanted and when they protested, he found a means to soften that grip. So, at that level, we can say Saraki was a very good leader.

SUND AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 21 SUNDA

Being a peeping-Tom certainly has its advantages!

I

F your sex life has settled into a rut, what could give it a real boost could be right under your nose! Some weeks past, lni told me she wasn’t looking forward to a visit from her uncle with his new bride!

“The man is a goat,” grumbled lni. “He’s always flaunting women who are obviously in awe of his wealth and would do nothing to be in his books. The fact he looks ugly and uncouth is no consideration – his money makes up for all that!

In the past, we’ve played host to a couple of his ‘finds’ and now he wants to bring the latest to Lagos for a bit of shopping and wealthflexing!” She could grumble all she wanted? I reminded her, but if it weren’t for the generosity of this uncle, she wouldn’t have glimpsed the inside of a university.

The least she could do was put up with the man womanizing from time to time. Afterall it was his money and he had a right to spend it any way he wished. lni’s uncle stayed for a week and the next time I saw her, she couldn’t stop laughing at his escapades. “My uncle has simply confirmed he’s a

dog when it comes to love making, or is it plain sex?” She asked, amused. “The guest room had all its facilities ensuit, and a day after he arrived, I went to the kitchen to make sure everything was turned off, including the gas as my uncle’s nimpet had insisted on cooking for him. This was way past midnight and, as I tiptoed back to our room, I heard some noise coming from the guest room.

The lock had recently been forced open, leaving a gaping hole where the lock once was. Curiously, I peeped through the hole and there was my uncle wrinkly body and allbashing away at this girl who looked amazing naked! How disgusting!

“I retired quickly to our room but the image of those two-naked and thrusting - kept flashing into my mind.

“After all these years of marriage, my husband and I had a semblance of a healthy sex life - fun but nothing like what I’d just witnessed.

What I saw that night reminded me of how good sex could be. The next day, I peeped again hoping to see a repeat performance, but nothing happened. Sud-

denly, I had this desperate urge to see them have sex again. I couldn’t tell my husband what I saw - he’d think I was a pervert!

“I finally struck gold on the eve of their departure. It was a hot night :so humid and sticky the generator was our saving grace since PNCN was up to its tricks. Everyone had their windows oened. It was gone midnight and the whole household had gone to bed. My uncle’s girlfriend had a bath towel around her, obviously fresh from the shower.

My uncle joined her a few seconds later. He was kin a towel too, water

glistening on his graying chest hair. He was smiling lecherously, saying something to the girl as he tugged at her towel.

Suddenly, she was naked – those boobs were fantastic and my uncle made a crude grab at them.

Effortlessly, he lifted the girl onto the window still and started making love to her. The house was so quiet I culd hear everything – his grunts and her groans. As the romp unfolded, I became aroused myself especially when he bent her over the dressing table ...” Dear readers, I wont bore you with more details! According to Ini, there were things she

saw that night and were too rude to describe! But let’s just put it this way – Inis uncle went to bed with a smirk on his face.

So did Ini! When next I saw her, Ini said what she witnessed with her uncle had set her thinking about her sex life. “The memory of such spontaneous sex, had set my frustration on the boil. I wanted to feel that kind of excitement again, that naughty debauched lust!

With trepidation, I called David one of my younger ex with whom I always had amazing sex. We weren’t on speaking terms because I threw him over for a man who

was prepared to give me more than he could afford. I haven’t forgotten the nasty names he called me. Was he still miffed?

“He was actually happy to hear from me and never mentioned our spat. He agreed to lunch and there I was regaling him about my uncle’s escapade, thinking he was interested as he had a haunting look on his face. “Must you finish everything on your plate?” he asked suddenly. I looked up at him in surprise and he continued, ‘Eat up and let’s go.

I

want something more exciting than this silly tood!’ I trotted happily after him as soon as he finished settling the bill. As we romped later, images of my uncle and his escapades with his woman flashed before my mind and that really helped. My goodness!

Having a moneybag is one thing, but nothing beats a virile man trying to show you what you missed by throwing him over!

“Thanks to my uncle, I’m back with this hot lover who beats any sex toys any day and I intend to ride this horse to death!”

08052201867(Text Only)

The case against smoking vehicles

H

OW many of us have b e c o m e acutely aware that smoking vehicles of variegated sizes and makes and belching gigantic power generators have been going on for a pretty long while, here in Lagos.

If exhaust fumes are reputed to be that bad for health why do the discerning few not nudge the authorities, namely, Lagos State Ministry of Transport and the Ministry for the Environment into being robust with enforcement.

Doctors are saying that there is an upsurge of cancer cases. With the

amount of pollution, here in Lagos one does not have to stretch the imagination to draw the connection with cancer.

And it is well established that carbon monoxide from exhaust fumes is highly carcinogenic.

Motorists should make the point of ensuring that their vehicles are not smoking before thinking that, among other safety requirements, their motor bikes, cars, lorries and tucks are road – worthy.

The ‘Eko Oni baje!’ slogan should be applicable to a smoke-free road transportation.

How can only over of-

ficious LASTMA officials be the only ones injecting sanity in the state.

How seriously Lagos State tackles this problem of fumes will be better

proof of the good working machinery of the State Government, more so than all the beautification going on.

We should not wait long to see

Vehicles emitting smoke. The silent killer that our government is silent about.

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

P AGE 22 —SUND AY Vanguard , DECEMBER 9 , 2012 —SUNDA

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

Prostrate cancer is too real for men to ignore!

A

couple of years ago, Mike, now 59, said he read an article about prostate cancer. “It was a description of me”, he said. “I’d been having difficulty getting an erection and was getting out of bed several times in the night to go to the loo. When I did urinate, I couldn’t empty my bladder properly. So, the next time I saw my doctor when I traveled, he recommended a PSA test (it measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood) and a biopsy.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was so far gone that I was advised to have my prostate removed, which left me facing problems of incontinence and impotence.

But I’m alive, and I’ve never felt better. .. “ There are increasing numbers of prostate cancer victims in the country. Unlike breast and cervical cancers, there was very little awareness of prostate cancer until recently. But are the men paying enough attention?

A

ccording to a medi cal doctor, “Cancer of the prostate - a small gland that can cause big trouble - is now the most common form of cancer in men. If it’s caught early enough, it can be cured - in the same way as breast and cervical cancer. Unfortunately, men often don’t know they have a problem until their cancer is advanced.

The Americans routinely screen men over 50 - the age group most at risk and it is about time we

started here in Nigeria.

“This is because, unlike for breast and cervical cancer, there is no reliable test for prostate cancer except may be the PSA. It is a substance normally contained in the prostate. If it shows up in your bloodstream, your prostate may be malfunctioning. The problem is that a high level of PSA doesn’t always indicate cancer. It could point to other problems - such as enlarged prostate for instance - that aren’t lifethreatening. Because PSA screening can give false positives, a doctor could potentially overtreat many men with surgery and radiotherapy.

The treatments are pretty stressful and horrendous in terms of side effects.

But is the stress factor a good reason not to go for screening?

“The PSA is a tool not fully honed to perfection, but it is the best there is for now. The stress argument is very similar to the ones we had in the early 70s, when there was a huge battle to introduce mammograms and, later, cervical screening against a united front of derision and conservatism of foreign doctors who refused to listen to evidence.

A

s recent as last year, a friend decided to have a PSA test after his brother was found to have very advanced cancer of the prostate. A follow-up biopsy confinued that he too had prostate cancer. Luckily, this proved to be a comparatively early form treatable by surgery.

Use old-fashioned cleaning tricks. For instance, torn-up newspapers and water in a spray bottle are first-rate for cleaning windows. Bread wrappers make inexpensive replacements for foil and plastic wraps. Never go to the shops for grocery when you are hungry. That is when you are most tempted to buy those expensive snacks and treats that you don’t need.

Learn to be flexible.

Just because you have to economize now, you won’t necessarily have to go through life scrimping and saving. Don’t resist moving to a cheaper flat or driving an older car if cutting corners this way will make meeting your financial obligations easier.

The doctor then called on the Health Ministry to make money available to our various hospitals for necessary screening instruments for prostate cancer. According to him: “We really need to concentrate on finding out the best ways of preventing, testing for and treating prostate cancer.

“How many of us have the means to travel abroad for health reasons?

W

omen’s cancer are very well recognized and fairly funded both by government and charitable organizations, and that’s great. We need more funding for regular screening of our men to fish out the dreaded prostate cancer. It used to be virtually unheard of in the

past. Lately, the number of victims is growing like a bad rash. So tell your readers: if they’re 50 and above, and haven’t had a routine prostate cancer screening yet, they should have one now to put their minds at rest.”

W

hen the high cost of living gets you down!

Who hasn’t been tripped, one way or the other, by the high cost of living? Generations have run into its trauma and to help relieve your sufferings, here are a few hot tips from those who have walked the route a couple of times: Save your pennies (kobo really!) Safely collect loose change instead of discarding

down quietly,it we surely alight upon you,and light up your beautiful world in a special way.

Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015.

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"

Love

Love is like a butterfly,which when pursued goes beyond your grasp,but only if you will patiently sit

.

My Lady

You are my best African, not only my best african but also my best in the world. no matter where they hide me from you, they can never stop me from loving you. Even though I should be underneath the sea, on top of the highest mountain, in the air, or inside the deepest cave, my heart will always sing your name. I love you so much.

Omorville Umoru.

Omorville@gmai.com, 08062486549

them and put them in a jar. Before you know it, your stash of cash will add up to a handy amount for emergences or special treats.

D

on’t set your sights too high. You don’t need to furnish your house all at once, and you don’t have to have two cars if you can’t really put effort to them. If you learn to make do with less, you’ll spend less. Economize with food, save left-overs, don’t throw them away.

Reheat them and use them to prepare other meals. Stop humouring finicky eaters in your family and concentrate on nourishing food that everyone should be expected to eat.

L

astly, you’re to re member that temporary step-downs will not hurt your ego if you remember that better times may just be round the comer.

Nosey Kids? (Humour) A man carrying out market research knocks on a door and is greeted by a young woman with three small children at her feet.

‘I’m doing research for Vaseline’, he explains.

“Have you ever used the product?” “Yes,” she answers. “My husband and I do all the time when we’re making love.”

The researcher is taken aback by her honesty and says: “Since you ‘ve been so frank, would you mind telling me exactly how you use it for sex?” “No, I don’t mind at all,” the woman replies. “We put it on the door knob to keep the kids out.”

Undying love

A candle may melt and it's fire may die, but the love you have given me will always stay as a flame in my heart Emmanuel Chukudima echukudima@yahoo.com 08160740769

True friend

A 'real' friend does not pressure or criticize you, neither does he pretend to ignore your problems.A true friend is the kind that is always there for you,helps and encourages you, and wishes you well in all things.You have really been more than a real friend ,a loving,caring,faithful,understanding,patient companion &lover, both in smooth and in tough times. nobianyor2005@gmail.com

SUNDAY VANGUARD , DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 23

How do I get more money for my needs?

Dear Rebecca

I

am 25 years old. I am in training as a panel beater but abandoned it due to financial problems. I travelled down to the east, in order to to set up a business . After take off, I was faced with the same problems so I dropped it.

In Lagos, I started with being a steward. still Financial problem.

So I went back to being a panel beater and my problem persisted. I’m just confused and don’t know what to do.

The most annoying part of it all is that relatives and friends keep demanding for money from me. I just wonder why? Where do I get the money to give out when I desperately need money myself?

What will I do to have enough money for my n e e d s ?

Zack, Lagos.

REPL Y REPLY

V

ERY few people in the world have enough money for their needs, so you are not alone in the problem. As for people asking you for money, it must be that you have the appearance of someone who is financially comfortable.

God has probably given you a body which looks healthy so that whatever you put on, comes out well on you and makes you look comfortable. Be thankful to God for this. It is nothing to get get angry about.

There are some rich people whose wealth cannot reflect on them due to poor health or poor physical structure. You are lucky too that you do have a profession, even though you’re still in training. My advice is that you concentrate well so that you can become one of

the best panel-beaters in the country. If you’re good at your profession, people will seek you out to give you job to do. Also if you have a secondary school education or some technical school background, you could be employed as a panel beater by a motor company in its workshop, to work on customers’ vehicles. You can increase your earning power by joining a mechanic’s village and renting a corner part time, for weekend private panel-beating. Another option is, if you feel that motor companies don’t pay their workshop workers well, you could take driving lessons, become a very good driver, and look for employment as a driver. I know several mechanics, panel-beaters, motor electricians, etc. who had no money to buy tools and rent a workshop, who are now full-time drivers and earning decent wages, much higher than the government recommended monthly salary of N18,000. They join companies or work for individuals.

I think you have been too restless and unsettled, to make a success of any profession so far.

You have to decide what you enjoy doing most, and then embrace that profession.

For money to stay with you, you have to be prudent in your spending. You didn’t say how much you get in a month, and what your expenses are. However, sit down to map out a plan of action. Don’t engage in borrowing and don’t spend more than you earn. Cut your coat according to your cloth.

I don’t know what your expenses are or what money problems you say persist no matter what you are engaged in, but I would advise you sit down and plan your life properly. What do you really want to do? Set up a workshop of your own?

If so, get any honest job you can get and try to save up for tools. This is not easy but you are young, and with hard work and careful planning, you can do it. Try to avoid money-draining habits like smoking, heavy drinking, women and other wasteful ways of spending.

Don’t take on duties in the extended family which you cannot easily afford. Above all, pray to God to direct your footsteps and give you peace.

He just vanished Into thin air!

Dear Rebecca

I

AM an under graduate, and 18 years old. There is this guy I started dating last year. When we resumed for the semester after the Christmas break we were unable to continue our relationship due to the ASUU strike.

He promised to call and write me frequently. Up till now, I haven’t heard from him. We live in different states, far from each other. He has not called nor texted me. I have sent him three mails but no reply. I don’t have his friends’ addresses and mobile phone numbers, and I

can’t reach him on phone. Aunty, I ‘m really fed up. It is quite obvious that he is no longer interested in the relationship.

I must confess I really like him and wouldn’t want to call it off without hearing from him, but I also don’t want to show myself as a silly girl who couldn’t read between the lines. I’ve heard that when a guy promises to call you and he doesn’t, it may not be that he forgot to do so or has lost your number; it’s that he just doesn’t want to call.

Aunty, I need your advice desperately.

Simi, Ibadan

REPL Y REPLY

C

alm down. Don’t always take as gospel truth what friends tell you about boys and romantic relationships, and judge rashly or compare

one boy with another.

Also, don’t believe all you read in romance novels or magazines or what you see in films, videos and plays, about how deceitful and heartless

men can be to a woman.

Human beings differ and the fact that some men and women cheat in relationships doesn’t not mean that you will cheat on your boyfriend or marry a man who will cheat on you.

Besides, at a mere 18 years of age, you’re taking a relationship with a boy too seriously. At this age, you should have several boys as ordinary friends you chat with, study with, exchange novels, magazines, cds, etc. with . There should be no special boy to agonize over for not calling or writing to you.

Your study should be your priority now so that you don’t have carryovers. Any relationship with boys, until you leave the university, should be casual and aimed at making you be in a position to study and understand boys so that you can you know the type that you would want

to marry later on. This is not the time to discuss marriage or pledge undying love, or to pursue any boy. I know that strikes by university workers, and interrupted studies do make young people idle, and some of them might turn to romantic relationships, but never allow your happiness to depend on a human being or on anything. Let God be the only source of your happiness. He cannot fail you, whereas human beings will. Now, you said that you both come from different states which are far from each other .

Could it be that he did not get your mail? Network can be a nightmare sometimes in some areas in the country, and you get frustrate as you try to connect with another number. Whatever explanation the boy offers for not getting in touch with you during the strike, if you eventually meet, accept it and continue being friends with him. On the other hand, you may find that when you happen to meet again, you may have lost interest in him, and wonder what you ever saw in him in the first place.

Don’t because of peer pressure rush head long into a romantic relationship.

Apart from being time consuming , it is romantic relationships are emotion-sapping, as you struggle to please the boyfriend and not ‘lose’ him. You re too young for all that wahala now.

Enjoy your youth in a casual relationships with boys, leaving your heart free from tension, and your body free from demands for sex that romantic relationships usually brings.

Should I switch to her sister?!

Dear Rebecca

I

am a guy in my late 20s, an ND holder in Mar keting. When I saw this girl who attends the same church with me, I liked her and then decided to write a letter to her, since I couldn’t just ask her for her mobile phone number. All of a sudden, her attitude towards me changed, probably as a result of my letter. She no longer greets me or even talks to me.

Lately, I have discovered that her elder sister who is in her first year in the university and also in my church, shows interest in me. I can’t say if it is because her sister showed her my letter. I observed later that the younger sister has

been watching me furtively and trying to catch my eyes.

Aunty, kindly tell me what to do. Should I ask her for the reply to my letter or approach her elder sister for a relationship?

Kunle, Abuja.

REPL Y REPLY

M

UST you date one or the other of these two sisters? Aren’t there other girls around you can make friends with?

If you would not mind dating the older sister, it means your feelings for the younger one are not really strong. I know it

happens, but it is not advisable to shift romantic attention from one sister to the other, or one friend to the other, as this may cause friction between them and ruin any pleasure you expected from the relationship. You were rather hasty in writing that letter to the younger sister.

You should have allowed good friendship to build up between you first, especially since you are church brother and sister. From greetings you proceed to little chat about church activities, exchanging novels, magazines and cassettes etc. when both of you are very comfortable in the

ordinary friendship, you can then approach her for a romantic relationship, either telling her face-to face, or sending her a card with the appropriate words that describe your feelings .

Writing a letter is a bit risky, especially if you are not sure of your grammar and spelling.

Make casual friendship with several responsible girls so that you can have the opportunity of studying and understanding girls more.

Later, this experience will enable you relate better with the girls you date. When a girl responds to your smiles, or smiles at you, it does not

mean that she wants to be your girlfriend. She may want a brother/ sister relationship with you, and when you now write a letter using the word ‘love’ she would feel offended thinking you are after sex. Most boys are after sex, anyway. Some girls would abuse you for writing such a letter, while others could stop talking to you. If you’ve studied girls properly, you would know this, and know how to talk to them about a romantic relationship. Some girls would not take offence,

though but just tell you that they don’t want to be your girlfriend. In that case, you remain casual friends as usual and look for romance elsewhere. I suggest you go back to greeting that church sister as a friend.

Don’t ask for a reply to your letter.

Greet the older sister too, but don’t attempt to get close to her. If she’s trying to be friendly, be casual friends with her too. Not every relationship with girls must be a romantic one.

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

PAGE 24—SUNDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 9, 2012

On bulimia, profligacy and torpidity (1) gate entails being rashly extravagant or wasteful; a prodigal.

‘Torpidity,’ the last expression in the triad, is the state of being lethargic, sluggish, dormant, loss of the power of motion and feeling. Now, since the attainment of independence on Octo-

,

I

F any set of three words captures the basic tenor or characteristic of Nigeria’s ruling elite and the generality of Nigerians, the ones that constitute the title of our discourse today are “spot on,” as the Americans would say.

To avoid misunderstanding, it is necessary to give an indication of what those words mean.

According to Oxford Dictionary of Psychology, bulimia (or, more technically, bulimia nervosa) is a pathological voracious appetite for food. It is a form of eating disorder characterised by episodes of binge eating, usually carried out secretively and accompanied by a sense of loss of control.

A bulimic person tends to be ashamed of his or her abnormal behaviour and, as a result, takes compensatory action to prevent weight gain, including but not restricted to self-induced vomiting, fasting and obsession with exercise. Concerning ‘profligacy,’ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary gives its meaning as “state or quality of being profligate, a vicious course of life.” Thus, to be profli-

reason why over seventy-five percent of Nigerian people should be struggling with poverty. Unfortunately, the frontiers of poverty in Nigeria are expanding rapidly.

The situation is anomalous and paradoxical, considering the quantum

The pecuniary bulimia afflicting political office holders and prominent members of the ruling and business elite has reached a disturbing level capable of plunging the country into the kind of financial mess

ber 1, 1960, leading members of the ruling elite in Nigeria have manifested a degree of selfishness and voracious appetite for corruption which would have completely crippled a less-endowed country.

That Nigeria has an incredible potentiality for greatness hardly matched by any other country in the world, is beyond question. With immense natural and human resources, coupled with climatic condition that is generally clement all year round, there is no good

,

of resources wasting away in the country.

World-renowned writer, Chinua Achebe, in his little but provocative book, The Trouble With Nigeria, identifies some fundamental causes of Nigeria’s chronic underdevelopment. And he was quite forthright in concluding that the blame for it must be placed squarely on the doorsteps of our leaders.

Corruption, that is, abuse of entrusted power for selfish purposes which eventually has negative repercussions on every one who relies on the

Life style choices

W

HAT if there is no heaven, what if this is all there is?". A friend of mine asked me this question a while back and once in a while I find myself mulling it over. I genuinely believe in heaven, the bible, good and evil and eternity.

The life style choices I have made over the course of my life are greatly influenced by my beliefs and I am sure the person asking expected some level of outraged response. I was anything but! My choices are informed by my inner moral compass, we all innately know what is right and wrong, what works for us and what doesn't and the promise of heaven doesn't really change that. I think dismissing any opinion other than

mine is bigotry, so I didn't dismiss the question, I chewed it over for a while and questioned my self, my experiences, my choices. Evolution thrives on research and where better to start the search than inwardly.

Heaven for me has never had a physical outline, its not a sort of prize I get for goodness or a reward for religious living; whatever that is! When I think heaven, I think rest, I think peace, I think no anxiety, no expectation and no more frustrations and disappointments. I have always envisioned heaven as a place to just be in harmony and love.

Since we loose the shackles of the body and exist in our spirit forms, we would be unlimited, existing without conscious form. My heaven would

be a place to drift in light and beauty, a place to worship and be in the presence of the most beautiful, most awesome God. I have never hankered for the huge mansions or other kinds of booty most people fantasise about. I just always thought of the peace like a river, the Bible describes and that is all the heaven I need.

So now you know my expectation; the question still remains very valid.

What if this is all there is? If this was all there was and ever will be, I still wouldn't change a thing. You see, I live life in the moment, my decisions are deliberate and purpose driven. The question had arisen because a friend of mine had described my lifestyle as spartan, dry and

not have that kind of opportunity, because an African equivalent of the EU does not yet exist.

Therefore, although our country is barely keeping its corruptionbattered head out of dangerous financial waters, there is no doubt in my mind that if the Presidency and the motley crowd of political office holders nationwide continue in their profligate ways, very soon Nigeria will be stranded in a financial no-man’s land which will have devastating consequences for the Nigerian people.

One does not need to be an expert in economics or political economy to sense that Nigeria is d a n g e r o u s l y approaching an economic cliffhanger, judging by the rate of inflation and deindustrialisation in the country at this time. It is not that our President does not have financial experts in his cabinet who can give him sound advice on how to run the economy for wealth creation and sustainable development. The problem is that President Jonathan has not communicated effectively to his ministers and Nigerians in general, through exemplary leadership, that he is ready to do whatever it takes to eliminate waste and reckless spending in governance.

In short, President Jonathan seems incapable of taking the sort of unprecedented tough decisions necessary to reverse the current trend in which over seventy-five percent of federal revenue is

full of denial. I live life on my own terms and choose what is pleasure or pain regardless of social expectation and acceptance. I have always made healthy choices and I fail to see how this makes life spartan, I don't like the taste of alcohol, so I don't drink it, its not a heaven thing, its a taste thing. I spend quality time in prayer and meditation because it keeps me strong and focussed; I attribute my success in a great measure to God's grace; still not a heaven thing. I

answer. If this was all there was, I would have no regrets. What most consider denial, I consider normal; I have never seen the sense in doing things that don't give me satisfaction; just to please others. I believe its actually madness to acquire tastes for things that are unhealthy and in some cases out right wrong for whatever reason; alcohol and tobacco fall within that range for me. There are some pleasures I will admit that I denied out of religious conviction but I

,

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

integrity of people in positions of power, authority and influence, has been taken to the level of an art form by members of the ruling elite.

Of course, no country in the world is completely free from corruption among the leadership.

The difference is that, whereas in well organised countries law enforcement agencies are empowered to enforce strict anti-corruption laws irrespective of the status of who was involved, in Nigeria the laws against corruption are deliberately formulated to favour the rich and powerful, and their enforcement leaves much to be desired. Again, morally frozen senior lawyers and judges shamelessly connive to despoil the people by letting billionaire-thieves go scot free. The legal saga of James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State, both in Nigeria and United Kingdom, is a sad metaphor for the moral black hole into which the Nigerian judiciary has plunged itself. The pecuniary bulimia afflicting political office holders and prominent members of the ruling and business elite has reached a disturbing level capable of plunging the country into the kind of financial mess which Greece is facing right now, or even worse.

At least, Greece is a member of the European Union (EU), and the latter is taking unprecedented measures to pull her out of impending bankruptcy. Nigeria does

I believe there are moments in our lives when we experience heaven on earth; those are the periods when we enjoy peace, rest, harmony and love

choose not to socialise with large crowds and find second hand smoke and drunken people not so much fun and saying no to such gatherings is a choice; still very much not a heaven thing.

Back to the question and this time with an

,

found that to be a blessing as sacred pleasures lose value when made common; waiting has its gains. I have lived life so far with the best of intentions for my self and others to the best of my ability. I have always put comfort above beauty

spent on recurrent expenditure, leaving a paltry twenty-five percent for capital projects.

If we ignore the unnecessarily large size of Jonathan’s cabinet (which itself is a form of corruption) and focus on certain frivolous provisions in the 2012 Appropriation Bill Jonathan sent to the National Assembly sometime ago, it will become clear that Mr. President has learnt nothing from his own mistakes or from the mistakes of those before him. In 2013, for instance, the State House will spend N1.320 billion for “refreshments, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses.”

In his defence of what my friend, Obi Nwakanma, called “glutton’s budget” or budget for “ihe- ose,” Mr. Emmanuel Ogbile, Permanent Secretary State House, had the audacity to say that the money is not even enough for the sub-head! Keep in mind that last year, the President had to reduce the amount for meals and refreshments to N920 million, in response to criticisms of the initial estimate. I have always argued that one simple method of gauging the extent to which political leaders are working for their people is by noting the changes (if any) in their physical appearance immediately they assumed office and a year or two afterwards.

Consider President Barack Obama of the United States. and integrity above conformity; I may not always be true to everyone but I am true to me.

The question I throw to everyone today is this..

How are you living your life; If this was all there was, would you have regrets? That really is a question worth pondering. It goes to the question of the integrity of our beliefs. It questions why we do the things we do; how our moral compasses align; for the greater good or for selfish and fleeting satisfactions? As another year comes to an end; we may want to ask ourselves these questions as our answers may determine whether we even qualify to make heaven.

I believe there are moments in our lives when we experience heaven on earth; those are the periods when we enjoy peace, rest, harmony and love, when the dots connect and the constellation aligns. For a christian heaven is the kingdom of God and I am sold on its existence. In the meantime; I make the life choices that best suit me; come what may, I wouldn't change a thing.

SUNDAY Vanguard,

DECEMBER 9, 2012,

PAGE 25

‘I don’t want to die!’

63-yr-old widow with anus cancer sleeps on her knees zSeeks Gov Okorocha’s, public spirited individuals’ help

E

XCEPT you are Luci fer or the evil spirit has darkened your heart, you will quiver seeing 63-year-old widow, Mrs. Janet Ogbonna, an indigene of Imo State, who is suffering from malignant cancer of the anus.

Sunday Vanguard reported the plight of the woman, some months ago, but the situation has got quite dicey for her and her family, particularly her son, Uchechukwu, who had practically abandoned his university studies to help his dying mother.

At the time of this report, the owner of their one-room apartment had served the family quit notice. If leaving the apartment could solve the problem, the Ogbonnas would have gladly done that, as you will find out in the story. The one -room apartment is located on the popular Refinery Road, Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State.

The widow, Sunday Vanguard learnt, has been rejected by the family of her husband because of the illness.

Her son, Uchechukwu, who exemplifies the Lord’s charge to children to take care of their

,

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South South

For the past six years, she has not laughed; sorrow has been her companion, as she moved across the country in search of cure for the strange illness

,

parents, is not the one directly wearing the shoe, but he is feeling the pains her mother is going through. You can see it as he speaks to you weeping.

He wants the Imo State governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, to come to the aid of the family.

His words, “I am no longer thinking of my school; even to feed is a problem. I cannot feed in that condition that I see my mother day-in, day-out.

My mother is in pains. She cannot sit down; she cannot even stand up right. Do you know how my mother sleeps, she sleep on her knees daily as if she is praying.

‘I want government at all lev-

els to hear her case. I want my mother to live again because that is all I have. My father died at a very tender stage of my life. I do not even know him and my mother has been taking care of us. I don’t want to lose her.”

Mrs. Ogbonna, who has allegedly been denied all forms of support since her husband died, more than two decades ago, was diagnosed of the cancer of the anus in 2008 at the Federal Medical Center, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Umuahia, Abia State.

For the past six years, she has not laughed; sorrow has been her companion, as she moved across the country in search of cure for the strange illness.

What is standing between life and death for her is N10.8 million, which is what is required to take her to India for treatment.

Besides the excruciating pain, Mrs. Ogbonna is passing through an offensive odour that oozes out of her room; she can neither walk nor stand straight because of the ailment.

On the ejection notice to the family, Uchechukwu said, “The worst is that we have been given a quit notice to vacate the one-room apartment we are staying in, That has compounded our problem

Uchechukwu with his ailing mother and, you know the people of this area, nobody will allow my mother to pack into his or her compound in that condition. Where do we go from here, Imo State or where?

“Even if we decide to go back to our state, Imo, where do we start from? That is the reason I am calling for help to raise N10.8 million for her treatment in India. We have gone to churches, hospitals but nothing seems to be happening.

“If my mother bounces back to life, I wouldn’t mind packing to anywhere but in her present condition, it is not possible to get a house. I want her to be treated. My mother is still a young woman. I do not want to lose my only surviv-

ing parent now; hence I am making this passionate appeal for the public to come to our aid.

“Please we beg the public to come our aid. Please, we beg the public to help us to survive this. Now, the ailment has degenerated from the stage we were referred to India for proper treatment.”

Surely, the Mrs. Ogbonna requires the intervention of government, public-spirited organizations and Good Samaritans to restore her back to life. You can assist by paying into this First Bank Account Number: 2006458236 with name Ogbonna Chidi Uchechukwu or call Sunday Vanguard directly.

Teenagers in search of lifeline for dying mother *‘We look up to Gov Uduaghan’

T

Mrs. Roli Adamatie on her sick bed

BY EMMA AMAIZE & GODWIN OGHRE

WO secondary school students, Miss Ann Adamatie and Master Victor Adamatie, aged 16 and 13 respectively, have cried out to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and other kind-hearted Nigerians to save their 51year-old mother, Mrs. Roli Adamatie, a teacher, who is suffering hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and peptic structure from the paroxysms of death.

“Our prayer is that God will bless the governor and give him more wisdom to rule the state. The Almighty will preserve and enlarge his coast, as he puts smile on our faces by providing succor for our dear mother,” little Adamatie said amid tears.

Since 2011 when the once vivacious mathematics and physics teacher at the Malachy Secondary School , Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of

Delta State was diagnosed of the life-threatening ailment at the Irowa Medical Centre, Benin-City, Edo State and referred to the Apollo Hospital, Bangalore, India, for medical surgery, the Adamatie family has been crying.

For the sufferer, Mrs. Adamatie, who, since the ailment started, has taken to mind the adage, “Knowing the name of an illness is solving the problem half way”, one equation she has tried to to work out for more than a year now is the veracity or otherwise of this saying.

Reason: Doctors have identified the illness as hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and peptic structure, which means the name of the ailment is known, but the equation is not balanced, as she does not have the equivalence of N4 million that the Apollo Hospital, Bangalore, India, charges to perform a medical surgery on her.

Continues on page 27

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard,

DECEMBER 9 2012

‘Danfo driver removed my pregnancy’ STORIES BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

A

From left: High Chief Government Ekpemupolo; Barr. Ezenwo Wike, Minister of Education for State; and HRM, Pere Godwin K. Bebenimibo, Ogeh Gbaran III, Aketekpe of Gbaramatu Kingdom.

Tompolo: From a militant leader to ‘a hope giver’ T

HE crisis of underde velopment of the Ni ger-Delta amidst a huge resource contribution came into razor-sharp focus, last week, in Warri, Delta State, where Professor of Comparative Politics and Public Policy, University of Benin, Professor Augustine Ikelegbe, declared that poverty, which is at the bottom of the grievances/ marginality of the youth/citizens of the region, has not been alleviated.

His words, “Past and existing development interventions, such as Niger-Delta Development Board (1961), OMPADEC (1962) and NDDC (2000) failed or are failing on the altar of topdown approach, hijack by elites, corruption, huge operational costs, elephant, unsustainable and abandoned projects and performance deficits”.

According to the adjutant Professor of Conflict and Peace Studies, Centre for Population and Development, Benin City, “The big agency development has been a jamboree of political contractors and has been a museum for elephant, whitewashed, uncompleted, abandoned and high cost projects that have had little bearing on the peoples’ livelihoods”.

Even with the Federal Government under the leadership of a Niger-Deltan, he observed, “The situation of scant developmental attention has not considerably changed. Federal Gov-

,

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South South

The situation of scant developmental attention has not considerably changed. Federal Government efforts remain trickle, poorly funded

,

ernment efforts remain trickle, poorly funded, centralized and poorly performing interventions”.

Ikelegbe said there was need for massive educational and health care interventions to strengthen human capital in the region, particularly in the terribly under-developed riverine and coastal communities, adding that this would not be government alone, but from eminent Niger-Deltans.

“The results from the transnational oil companies and international organizations thus far, have not made much difference to the overall picture of inadequacy, lack of access and poor quality of social services and infrastructure to the generality of the region’s population.,” he added.

Ikelegbe, who spoke at the launching of the Tompolo Foundation, a non-governmental organization, NGO, set up by ex-

militant leader and founder of the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, to provide access to education and healthcare to the less privileged, said the freedom fighter has blazed the trail.

Pointing out that Tompolo, a hero of the struggle for the emancipation and development of the Niger-Delta, had sought massive development intervention from government for over a decade and personally intervened in the development of his native Gbaramatu Kingdom, he noted, “Now, the chief wants to contribute directly to the development fortunes and welfare of the people of the Niger-Delta.

“He (Tompolo) is moving beyond physical development of Gbaramatu to the entire NigerDelta region. He wants to deploy his funds to facilitate access to the critical services of education and healthcare”.

“In doing this,” he remarked, “he has turned full circle as a development activist. He is thus not just a freedom fighter for development, but a facilitator, catalyst and agent of development and welfare”.

Minister of State for Education, Barrister Ezenwo Nyeson Wike, who represented the Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo, Commissioner for Special Duties (DESOPADEC) and Mr. Timi Tonye, who represented Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, attended the launch.

petty trader, Mrs, Oluwakemi Akinwunmi told Agege Grade A Customary Court to dissolve her 16 year-old marriage with her husband, Mr. Babatunde. Oluwakemi, who dragged her husband before the court over constant beating, stealing, and lack of care for her and the children, claimed her husband removed her pregnancy with punches. The 38 year-old woman, said her husband was fond of beating her at slightest provocation. She cited a day the husband beat her and she lost her four months old pregnancy. The mother of two, also informed the court that her parents warned her against marrying Babatunde, a danfo driver, but she did not listen. Now, she regrets her action.

Oluwakemi, accused her husband of being an unrepentant smoker and drinker, saying beer drinking always spurred him to beat her.

The applicant also said that the respondent stole some money from her purse, and when she confronted him about it, he wanted to strangle her. She urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of the children, because she wouldn’t want the children to go the way of their father. Oluwakemi pleaded that the court should compel her husband to pay her N15,000 monthly allowance while he should also be responsible for the payment of the children’s school fees. Babatunde did not appear in court. The court president, Mr Emmanuel shokunle adjourned the case to 5 December.

Save me from killer-wife, man begs court

*Alleges she took the lives of her rival, baby

M

r, Wahab Adekola has pleaded with a Lagos Grade ‘A’ Customary Court, sitting in Agege to dissolve his 21-year-old marriage over fetish acts on the part of his estranged wife.Meanwhile, Mrs Abibatu Adekola denied the allegation.

The 52-year-old man, who lives at Aparadija new site, Ota, Ogun State narrated how his second wife died with her child.

He blamed Abibatu for the death.

The applicant claimed to have married the second wife after frustrations he suffered in the hands of the respondent. He lamented the secvond wife’s death, with her baby. ” I found love outside my home when I met my new wife.

But the woman died with our five months old baby, and I am so sure my senior wife was responsible for it, because she always threatened to kill any woman that associated with me”, Wahab said. ”My wife nags a lot, she is troublesome and always in the mood to fight anybody with me. I did not enjoy myself throughout our staying together. This led me to have girl friends because she did not give me peace of mind at home.

I am a true Muslim, I am entitled to more than one wife. ”Any time she hears that I am going out with any lady, she would locate the lady and threaten to kill her.” He urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant him custody of their four children. Abibatu , a civil servant, denied the allegations and said that she did not know anything about the death of her rival and her child. The mother of four of 9, Biodun Sobadan Street, Agidingbi, lkeja, told the court that she loved Wahab, saying she shared any money she made with him. She explained that she contributed to the building of the house built by the husband but said he chased her out. ”We never had any fight, yet I packed out of his house,it was after I left that my senses came up to the reality. ”I know I was charmed by him or one of his girlfriends that wanted him at all costs. ”My husband was a good and loving man when he had nothing, but when he became comfortable, he didn’t not want me again. ”If I had known, I would not have contributed to the building of the house he is staying now with his wife new. ”My husband goes around with anything in skirt, and will sometimes tell me, ‘ that is another woman that will be the mother of mother my children”. She urged the court to dissolve the marriage and grant her custody of the children. “I am ready to leave him, but I want the court to beg him so that he would not kill me”.The court president, Mr Emmanuel Shokunle, adjourned the case till Jan. 21, 2013.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 27

Teenagers in search of lifeline for dying mother

BY HENRY UMORU

A

s early as 7am last Sun day, the rough and dusty road of Kabba became very busy with vehicles from all walks of life particularly from Lokoja, the Kogi State capital plying the route through Okoro Gbede, Aiyetoro Gbede, among others.

The destination was Mopa in Mopamuro local government area, the home of the late Chief Sunday Bolorunduro Awoniyi, the Aro of Mopa. The serene town came to life again as friends, family members, admirers, brothers, political associates gathered five years after the demise of the former Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF. It was an opportunity for Awoniyi’s family, friends, political associates and the people of Okun to say, ‘Yes, we agree he died five years ago, but his legacies are still in our memories’. It was a case of marking Awoniyi’s birthday because, if the great politician were to be alive, he would have clocked eighty years on 30 April.The late Awoniyi was born in 1932 at Mopa to Pa Solomon Iwalaiye and Mama Dorcas Omoboja. He was the only child of his mother. For his primary education, he attended the Baptist Day School, Mopa from 1938 to 1944 and then the Holy Trinity School, Lokoja from 1945 to 1946.

For his secondary education, he attended the Kabba Provincial Middle School, Okene, from 1947 to 1949 from where he proceeded to the famous Barewa College, Zaria, from 1950 to 1953. After his secondary education, Awoniyi studied at the Nigeria College of Arts, Science and Technology, now Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1954 to 1956 and later at the University College, Ibadan from 1956 to 1959. He later attended the prestigious Imperial Defence College, London, now Royal College of Defence Studies from 1970 to 1971.Awoniyi passed on, on Monday 28, November, 2007 in a London hospital as a result of the injuries he sustained in a motor accident on along AbujaKaduna Road. He was married to Mrs Florence Ebun Awoniyi and Mrs Benedicta Omowunmi Awoniyi. Before last Sunday thanksgiving programme which took place at the First Baptist Church, Ileteju, Mopa, there were other activities like prayer at the grave side, the launching of the renovated Deaf and Dumb School, Mopa and the donation of bags of rice and groundnut oil to widows and widowers.

The church was full just as the late political leader’s qualities: integrity, fairness, courage, transparency, were extolled as speaker after speaker spoke on their en-

Continued from page 25

*Awoniyi...fond memories of an elder statesman

The day Mopa came alive for Awoniyi counters with him while he lived.

When it was time for the Kogi State governor, Captain Idris Wada, who was there to support his deputy, Architect Yomi Awoniyi, son of the political icon, noted that the event was a celebration of a life well spent. Idris described Awoniyi as one of the pillars of the nation’s present democracy.

Wada, a Muslim, who shouted ‘praise the Lord’ with great response from the congregation, however, noted that the large number of personalities at the occasion spoke volumes of the life Awoniyi lived and how he touched the lives of many, adding that the seed he planted and nurtured will continue to grow.

The governor led members of his executive; the Speaker, and members of the state House of Assembly; to the event. In his message, President, Kogi Baptist Conference, Reverend Dr. David Ola Daniyan, who condemned the high level of insecurity in the country following the activities of Boko Haram and cases of kidnapping in the land, called for prayers by Nigerians.

Daniyan, who spoke on seven reasons the family of Awoniyi must thank God, disclosed that the fear of Boko Haram in the North and kidnapping in the East forced the Baptist family to push their 2013 convention to Oshogbo, Osun State.

The reasons, according to him, were that Awoniyi lived a fulfilled

life, he gave the right instructions and guidance to his family; he gave the children education; God gave him long life; God gave them a father they can be proud; God helped the family in terms of needs in the past, just as he urged parents to emulate Awoniyi by giving their children education, good instructions as well as live lives that could be emulated by the children.

Responding, the Kogi State deputy governor and one of the children, Architect Yomi Awoniyi, hailed his late father for the role he played in their lives. To show appreciation to God and in remembrance of his father, he donated a bus to the church for evangelism on behalf of the family. Visitors, associates and the governor supported the deputy governor in raising money for the church. Also present at the occasion were the state Chief Judge, Secretary to the State Government, commissioners, special advisers, and traditional rulers represented by the Chairman, Okun Traditional Council, the Obaro of Kabba.

In her remarks, one of the wives of the late Awoniyi and mother of the deputy governor, Mrs.Florence Awoniyi, who sued for peace in Kogi, urged those who may be aggrieved with the governor before the elections to put behind them what happened and join hands to move the state forward.

In fact, when Mrs Adamatie’s referral was done by Irowa Medical Centre, Benin City, Edo State in 2011, the bill at that time was N2, 621,000.00, but at the obtainable exchange rate, it is has skyrocketed to over N4 million.

Mrs. Adamatie , who planned to be an author by writing two books, one in physics and the other in Mathematics for secondary school students, has been cracking her brain and running from pillar to post, in the past one year, to crack the equation, but to no avail.

Her husband, Mr Tony Adams Adamatie, a retiree and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leader in Oghara, was practically weeping as he spoke to Sunday Vanguard on the plight of her beloved wife.

His words, “So far the illness has cost the family over N2.6m, we have been moving from one hospital to the other within and outside the state, yet there is no solution”.

He said he had made passionate appeal to the government, but the family was yet to get succor as the time he was advised to speak to Sunday Vanguard.

A

ccording to Mrs. Adamatie’s referral let ter, reference number, IMC/VOL.2/2037, dated, 10/9/2011, from Irowa Medical Centre, Benin City, where she was earlier treated, she was diagnosed of the ailment in August 2011.

According to the letter, she is known as Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) patient and was operated for perforated duodenal ulcer and unbiblical hernia, six years ago.

In 2007, she was operated again for strangulated intestine obstruction from incisional hernia, but she later developed features of esophageal stenosis for which she was treated at Irowa Medical Centre in Benin- City, Edo state without positive result.

“Recent Barium swallow revealed associated peptic structure and hiatus hernia”, the letter stated, adding that she has to be referred for further medical treatment at Apollo Hospital India.

The couple and members of her family have appealed to Uduaghan, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, governmental and non-governmental agencies, as well as public-spirited individuals, to come to the aid of the housewife and teacher.

She frequently takes minor treatments at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, Benin City, which Mr. Adamatie said the family was finding difficult to cope with. On Tuesday, when Sunday Vanguard called Mr. Adamatie to find out the situation of the wife, he said it was still very dicey, adding, “As I speak to you now, am in Asaba, where I have gone to meet some friends to beg for assistance”.

In a letter of acceptance to treat the patient satisfactorily, dated 25th August, 2011, the India hospital said, “ Mrs Adamatie will come with one attendant, both of whom will remain in the hospital for 20 days. “ The Adamatie family can be reached on phone number, O8037714944 or the through the Editor, Sunday Vanguard .

PAGE 28 — SUNDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 9, 2012

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

(07036819426)

Re:Xmas hampers & the Nigerian factor

J

UDGING from the massive responses to our write-up on Christmas Hampers and the shenanigans of the suppliers, it appears it’s an issue of concern to many. Some feel there’s no way of taming suppliers who are fraudulent, because, receivers of hampers wouldn’t want to embarrass themselves and the givers by reporting that all wasn’t well with the items. Since hampers are gifts, the recipient is gagged, so to say, unless you’re very close to the donor, and you’re sure that your observation wouldn’t be misconstrued to be discontent about what had been sent you. Best to express gratitude for the gift and keep quiet about the defects, some readers say. Gift vouchers are recommended by some, as an adequate replacement for the usual hampers, because you can choose yourself, products that you actually want.

This is a good suggestion, but my fear is that abandoning hampers may seriously affect the means of livelihood of many people, particularly the unemployed young people who are hired at this time of the year to help put hampers together and deliver them. Even some employed people make good business out of it. Added to that is that special thrill you get from opening a hamper to reveal the goodies. Whether you can afford better goods than the one you’re sent or not, receiving hampers does bring some joy.

What we probably need is to sanitize the hamper industry, by getting the suppliers to form an association, and thus establish a code of conduct which can bring them credibility and respect.

“Madam, that your article on hampers was timely, particularly at this time of the year. For many years now, I’ve been receiving hampers, by virtue of the services I render people. Every year, my wife and children discover some malpractice in one form or the other; namely expired tins of sardines, corned beef, ham, tinned fish, tomato puree, salad cream, etc., and even biscuits! We’ve been too embarrassed to complain to senders. Why should we? That would be ingratitude. We merely throw expired products into the bush, hoping that noone would discover them, eat them and get food-poisoning. Maybe your writeup would stir up the conscience of hamper suppliers who are involved in the malpractice, and they would stop it.

Thanks - P.A., Ibadan.”

“Mrs. Ovbiagele, giving gift vouchers is the best way to combat the shamelessness in packing hampers full of defective and expired products. Let’s face it, many of the items in hampers are what you already have at home. Many suppliers have this habit of packing products which have just one or two months to go. If you pack them away without looking at the expiry dates, you find when you bring them out much later that the sell-by-date is far gone. You have no option but to throw them away. With gift vouchers, you can get yourself what you really need. - Angela, Abuja.”

“Ma, like you said, Nigeria is not the C M Y K

View-Point

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor

What we probably need is to sanitize the hamper industry, by getting the suppliers to form an association, and thus establish a code of conduct which can bring them credibility and respect

poorest country in the world, and if you go by the fact that people are not really dying of starvation on the streets, one would expect more honesty and integrity in the way we operate business. Nigeria has not always been like this. Even though I’m only in my forties, I can still remember a time when people were careful not to do anything that would tarnish their names or bring disgrace to their family. This cut across social levels then. These days, the get-rich-by-any-means attitude has wiped out the conscience of many, and even parents are not concerned about the source of income of their children, let alone be anxious that the family name respected in business and at work. Why should hamper suppliers engage in malpractice in order to increase their profitability? It’s disgraceful. Don’t they care about the image of their business operations? Can’t a Nigerian be trusted? We need prayers.

Serious ones. - Funke, Lagos.”

“Madam, I’ve been supplying hampers to individuals and companies for quite a while now. I’m aware that some malpractice goes on, but it isn’t that wide-spread.

Most hamper-suppliers are quite honest

because they want to retain you as a client. So, they ensure that items supplied are in very good form. I agree that some items in the pack could be close to their expiry dates; a reason for this could be that since this is the festive season, they would be used at once. Personally, I ensure that my hampers are packed with products that have at least nine months of shelf life left.

Again, madam, if one is not vigilant, helpers could tamper with the items, and take some biscuits, sweets, crisps, nuts from their tins, and put back half-empty tins. No supplier worth his/her salt, would tamper knowingly with what they are supplying. That would be putting a nail on the coffin of her hamper business when found out.

- Nikky, Lagos.”

“Madam, let’s not deceive ourselves. The way that hampers are packed in the country, with half the basket filled with old newspapers as base, shows that hamper suppliers should not be trusted. When you unpack a hamper, you find that the items that looked very many under the covering, are actually very few. They claim that the papers are a base for the items to stand on, but why fill half the basket with such trash? I think it’s a lot more honest to use very thin base, and then fill the basket with the items. Let the buyers see exactly what the hamper contains.

Cheating has become part of our national character. It’s a shame. John, Lokoja.”

“Helen, I liked that your article

XMAS HAMPER

on hampers. What I did some years ago was to subtly find out from the friend who sent me a hamper who his supplier was; saying I wanted to patronize the person. He told me it was his secretary who usually choose suppliers. I put the hamper in the boot of my vehicle and then invited his secretary to the car park to come see something I had brought with me.

She was very shocked about the state of the contents of the hamper. She then thanked me for not involving her boss in the matter and promised to send a replacement. The next day, two hampers were personally brought to my office by the supplier, who apologized profusely for the first one I received. It doesn’t help to keep quiet when you receive hampers with defective items. If you can’t tell the sender, tell someone close to him/her.

I think it’s wrong to allow suppliers to get away with their blatant malpractice. - Patrick” “Madam, hamper-suppliers are merely exhibiting the character traits of the majority of Nigerians, with regards to making money. Show me what group is honest. Is it the politicians, the workers, the religious organizations, the business people, the students, the teachers, security people, etc.? We need a complete reworking of the way Nigerians think and behave, so that we can become honest people who are respected everywhere. Thanks. - Madam Florence, Lagos.”

We thank all those who sent in mail on the topic, but regret that we can only publish these few here.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 29

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

(07036819426)

Creativity and hardwork are essential to success —Chinyere Egerue Mrs Chinyere Emily Egerue is a very talented and creative woman in art design of different categories.

She believes everyone should discover his/her talent and pursue it. SHe advises young people not to be influenced by other people’s choice of a field of study for them, but to pursue a course which they believe in, and can succeed in. Vista Woman had a chat with her recently on her work and other matters. Hear her:

as much as I can to balance both 50/ 50. Internet makes office work easier, and I have a helping hand in my family as well. I started this job with two workers, but now there are four.

Raising children?

Raising children is not as easy as people think. It is a labour of joy.

BY CHIOMA ANIEGBOKA Your background? hail from Enugu State, and had both my primary and secondary school education in Warri, and then went to study at the University of Nsukka. I’m married to Mr Egerue from Ehime Mgbano in Imo state, and we have two children - a boy and a girl.

Your Growing up?

Well my growing up was very fulfilling as my parents gave us a very good start in life; a sound education, a good moral background, and then teaching and guiding me and my younger ones in the right path of life. All these have been the defining principles in our lives today.

Do you have passion for your job?

I love and have a passion for photographic design because when I was still young, I noticed that I have an in-born creativity in art design. Then I used to buy materials to make cards for Xmas and birthday for family members and friends, instead of going to buy cards in the shops for them. However, my cards then, were not as beautiful as what we have today. The idea behind making those cards then was what prompted me to read geophysics proper. But due to inborn creativity, I love photographic and video graphics job so much that I cannot do any other business. I opened my studio in 2008 in Aguda Surulere, just to make my dreams come true.

How is the work doing ?

Well, Zivamedia is doing very well in photographic and video production. We use the latest technology in digital photographic and video production to deliver high quality services to our customers and we cover events like wedding, birthday parties, debuts, chieftaincy installation, burial and anniversaries.

I

Isn’t this work too competitive ? es it is, but I love challenges and competitions because they enable me to grow, learn, go higher in life and as well as sharpen my business skills to improve and adopt new changes. I do attend seminars and go on training programmes to add to my value. I attended a Faith Foundations seminar. I learnt a lot there. So, it is very good for a business to be competitive because it will make business performance to improve. Without challenges and competitions, someone wont know if he/she

wonderful, understanding caring, and loving husband he gave me. He inspires me, and encourages and directs me on how to manage my business successfully.

Are you satisfied with your job? es I am because I have a passion for this profession and whenever I see my work around, e.g., banner adverts, handbills, and video coverages, I feel fulfilled.

What advice do you have for young people?

Well my advice to them is that they should be persistent, hardworking and patient, so that they can attain their goals.

Also, women should try and be contented and hardworking so that they can help financially in the home, and earn the respect of their husbands and other people.

A lack of contentment is the

Y

Women should try and be contented and hardworking so that they can help financially in the home, and earn the respect of t h e i r husbands

Y

Mrs Chinyere Emily Egerue .....Young people are in a hurry to make it

in life with quick money.

is excelling or not.

How do you combine your job and running your home?

Well it has never been easy, and it could be a little bit stressful but with the help of God, I try

You must be there for them, check on their school home work and monitor the kind of friends they mingle with.

Make sure you raise them in the ways of God to enable them imbibe good morals. I must thank the Lord for the

reason there’s so much corruption around. Young people are in a hurry to make it in life with quick money; not minding what the repercussion will be tomorrow. Some are so impatient to get there that they don’t complete their higher education, or acquire sound training. They are in such haste to ride flashy cars and be noticed in social circles. Sometimes, I don’t blame these young people because their attitude to life could be lack of good parental upbringing and guidance.

C M Y K

30—SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Posh wedding of Dele Cole’s daughter

F

ront-line politician, captain of industry and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole and wife, Mina, treated family, friends and associates last Saturday, December 1, 2012 to a kid-glove reception at the Landmark Village Event Centre, when their daughter, Seun Ethel married her heart-throb, Olumayokun Adediran, son of Engr. Olukayode Adepoju and Princess Wuraola Oyinkanade Adepoju.

Photos by Remi Adebisi

Group photo of both the groom’s and bride’s families The couple, Mr and Mrs Olumayokun Adepoju.

L-R: Mr Godfrey Etikerentse, Chief Miller Uloho and Mr Eddie Yekovie

L-R: Mr Tom Fabyan, Chief Eddie Yokovie and the bride's father, Dr. patrick Dele Cole

L-R: Princess Morenike Adepoju, Barr.

Abimbola Bada-Jack and Mrs Kemi Bolaji (JP)

L-R: the couple; Mr and Mrs Oluwamayokun Adepoju with Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye of RCCG

Father of the bride, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, walking the bride, to the altar.

L-R: Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru,Mrs Amina Ahmadu and Miss Sophia Talib

More photos from Sunday Awevia’s child’s dedication

S

unday Awevia, the Operations Manager, Vanguard Media Limited, recently dedicated his new-born son, Isaac, to the Lord at The Pentecostal Congregation Church, Ilupeju, Lagos . Here are more pictures from the event.

L-R: Mr Mike Ozah, Legal Department, Vanguard; Dr Moses Adagbabiri; Mr Austin Utiome; Barr. Raymus Guanah, former commissioner of Land, Delta State; Mr Sam Amuka, Publisher, Vanguard; Mr Fred Odueme, AGM, Brands, Vanguard and Mr Sunday Awevia, Operations Manager, Vanguard C M Y K

Miss Josephine Ijie of Exclusive Wardrobe and Miss Edna Ijie

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012 —31

Glitzy w edding of P eter Arigbe’s daught er wedding Pe daughter

I

t was two days of beauty, colour, glamour, glitz and high society when Peter and Pamela Arigbe gave out their daughter, Faith Kesiena Sylvia to Kenny FrancisUmenyi of the Umenyi family of Uga of Anambra State. The traditional marriage took place at Civic Centre, on November 22, 2012 while the Church wedding held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on November 24, 2012, followed by the reception at Harbour Point, all in Victoria Island, Lagos. Below are the pictures that tell some of the story of the colourful, traditional and church wedding. Photos by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

The couple; Mr and Mrs Kenny Umenyi

The couple with bride’s parents, Mr and Mrs Peter Arigbe

Engr. Joe Umenyi receiving the bride from Mr. Peter Arigbe, her father

Sponsors of the wedding: Dr. and Mrs AB.C. Orjiako

L-R: Lady Ify Umenyi and Mrs Pamela Arigbe, couple’s mother, dancing into the reception

At the traditional wedding: Mr Kenneth Ikwemesi, Mrs Pamela Arigbe, the couple and Lady Ify Umenyi

The couple and the groom’s family (R-L): Engr. Joe Umenyi, Senator Ugochukwu Uba, Lady Ify Umenyi and Sernator Andy Uba

C M Y K

At the Traditional wedding (L-R): Jacklyn Arigbe, Mrs Chinwe “Big-Ihi” Ngonadi, bride’s mum, Mrs Pamela Arigbe and Lt-Col. Edirin Arigbe

Mrs Andy Uba, the bride, Mrs Uche Uba, Senator (Dr) Ugochukwu Uba and Chief Chris Uba (Eselu)

32 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — 33

PAGE 34—SUNDAY Vanguard,

C M Y K

DECEMBER 9,

2012

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 35

36 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY

A FORMER Minister of State in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Hon Sam Ode, who hails from Benue State, spoke to reporters in Warri on what, he thinks, the national chairman of his party, t h e P D P, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is doing with the party,the amnesty programme for ex-militants in the Niger-Delta, constitution review by the National Assembly, the desirability of state police and the need to increase derivation to oil states from 13 per cent to 25 percent. Excerpts:

B

amanga Tukur is a global villager I can tell you with confidence that the PDP, as currently led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is in for serious transformation. He is a man we often refer to as global villager - a man who understands international principles of best practices in business and in politics. He has a global image that is unassailable. He has brought this image that stamps reputably on the super structure of the PDP. He has been governor, minister, a successful businessperson. He has brought his experience in all these aresa to bear on the administration of the party. You know one of the biggest problems we have is internal democracy.

People belong to a political party because of the philosophy of the party. People want a platform where their views can be articulated; where their aspiration and sentiments are protected. This is the vision of every party man. If you do not have internal democracy, many people will not have that protection.

That is the aspiration of every party man. Therefore, if you do not have internal democracy in a party, many people will not have that protection and, in a democracy, that is the platform for capturing government.

I believe that the PDP, as is currently constituted, will provide the needed leadership. There is no doubt that the present leadership understands clearly the transformation agenda of President Jonathan. And the two of them are working together to bring about the needed change that we desire in Nigeria today.

You were once a minister in the Niger Delta Ministry. What is your opinion about the criticism of the amnesty programe in respect to jobs for exmilitants?

As one who had served in the Federal Ministry of the Niger Delta, I spent a lot of time crisscrossing the Niger Delta region and was able to appreciate, in a profound manner, the challenges and the issues that confront the people of this region. I can tell you that I saw my posting to this ministry as a big challenge. It was at the high of the agitation. As you all know, oil production was seriously affected to the extent that oil producing was about 600,000 barrels per day. O u r economy was going down due to the agitation. This agitation, for all intent and purpose, was genuine.

From what I saw in the Niger Delta, the agitation by the young people was not misplaced, something needed to be done to improve the well-being and livelihood of the people of the region and that was what the amnesty is all about. It has been a huge success, people may criticize the programme, but they are doing so due to their own limited perception. However, as an insider, the investment in the lives of the people was in the right direction as Nigeria and the world generally C M Y K

Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 37

The whole country is enjoying the fruits of the Niger Delta amnesty —Ode, ex-minister Says 25 percent derivation attainable ‘Make employment, education, health fundamental human rights’

By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South was faced with unemployment crisis.

Nevertheless, it is better to equip an individual with a skill and then wait when he would eventually be engaged to earn a living.

Are we saying that because they are no jobs, we should not train the people. In other parts of the country, there are no jobs, but people are going to the university, technical schools and acquiring skills in various fields. So we should allow the people of the Niger Delta to get proper education to place them at par with other parts of the country. As the people whose area about 90 per cent of the country’s export earnings come from, they deserved a fair deal, which would sustain peace as crude oil production was now at its peak. It is important, necessary and non-negotiable that the Niger Delta region got a fair deal and I think the amnesty programme, as it was designed, should be seen by the whole country as a palliative.

There is no big deal that the people of the region now enjoy the amnesty programme.

I can say that the whole nation is also enjoying the fruits because as peace has returned to the region and oil production has gone up. These resources from high oil production are distributed all over the country and I can tell you that, today, we have young men and women from the region who are already trained as pilots, who are working.

Some trained in underground welding. Some in marine engineering and I think the training will make them better citizens of Nigeria. Some may even find jobs in the country they were trained. One of them was said to have gained admission to study at higher level in Romania. This is what we want for the people of the Niger Delta.

Kuku deserves national award The amnesty programme, under the leadership of Hon. Kingsley Kuku, is doing very well and I think this young man deserves a national award because he has consistently, with great

The issue of constitution amendment is an area that touches on the soul and spirit of every Nigerian citizen. Many areas require attention; one of the most important, in my own opinion, is giving serious legal backing to the principle in the constitution level of focus, run the programme to a very appreciable level. We have had some who said they had not been put on the programme. It was a process.

When government said they should lay down their arms, they did not believe. We must give support to this programme and I will call on government to increase funding so that we can take the programme to its logical conclusion.

T

he National Assembly is in the process of amending the constitution.Which areas do you suggest amendment?

The issue of constitution amendment is an area that touches on the soul and spirit of every Nigerian citizen. Many areas require attention; one of the most important, in my own opinion, is giving serious legal backing to the principle in the constitution. The issue of social factors like education, health care, employment should become justifiable in our constitution. They s h o u l d have legal backing like the fundamental human rights. We should be able to say it is the right of the Nigerian child to be educated. It is right of Nigerians to be given

childcare, to enjoy social security when they are aged. We need to give the traditional institution a role in the constitution. We put them in the background, but when there is problem at anytime, we run to them.

We need to give them some specific role at least at the community level.

They should be involved in how government is run, how government relates to people, how people should relate with government and among themselves because they form a critical factor of our history. Every citizen of Nigeria comes from a community and, in the community, the traditional institution cannot be wished away. So, we must find a role for the traditional institution in the constitution.

We also have the issue of state creation. Many communities in the country aspire for a state of their own.

This, in my opinion, is a legitimate aspiration and, where it is viable, I believe states should be created.

President Jonathan should make history as the first civilian president to create states in a civilian dispensation for Nigerians. The opportunity is beckoning at him and, I think, he should seize this opportunity. We also have other areas like local government autonomy. I think it is imperative that we grant the local governments autonomy because, when we do that, those people elected and granted mandate in such an election will be held directly accountable.

Nevertheless, the situation today is that when you call them to account for revenue coming to the local government, even when there is sufficient revenue accruing to them, they often blame the state government for interfering. But, when we give them autonomy, at least financial autonomy, they get their funds straight from the Federation Account, then they can be held accountable. I can tell you that local government administration has been on the decline for some time now. It will give them a stronger sense of fiscal responsibility.

PAGE 38—SUNDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

insecurity. It is not why the infrastructure is decayed. Constitution amendment is not also responsible for the high rate of unemployment, and it is not why our health and education systems have collapsed. We have fundamental issues. However, the constitution has to be amended to strengthen democracy because there are some imbalances in the constitution. The constitution was hurriedly put together by the military. For instance, the situation where some regions have six and seven states leaving only the SouthEast with five is injustice. So, certain things must be addressed, but we don’t have to blame constitution amendment for our inefficiency.

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor hy C21 was established C21 is a socio-political action W group formed by the South-East people,

purely to articulate the situation of the Igbo-speaking people in Nigeria. When this group reviewed the situation of the Igbo, they found out that the situation is not right. Since1966, the highest position the Igbo has occupied was in the Second Republic when an Igbo man was the Vice President. Starting from 1999 when Senator Ken Nnamani was the Senate President and, today, we are at the number five and six positions and, if nothing is done, it would become worse. The C21 is also trying to change our orientation, bring our people together.

On the belief that lack of unity is the main problem facing the Igbo Presently, the South-East is more united than before. We have realised the issues and every Igbo man today believes in the unity of the Igbo. Of course, in every 12 disciples, there must be a Judas. We are also aware that some people are trying to sabotage the efforts, but they will be disappointed because, this time around, we have taken a decision on where the Igbo are heading to and anybody trying to sabotage it will definitely suffer.

On the stand of Igbo on the 2015 presidential election It is obvious that we will contest the 2015 presidential election. Presently, we are consulting with other groups and we have chosen the All-Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, as the platform to use because we cannot contest in a platform where manipulation will allow us to have our way. Our request is a genuine one and that is why we have adopted APGA as our political platform because it is the only platform that will give the opportunity for an Igbo man to emerge as the President of this country.

n need for local councils autonomy O It is sad that, today, most of the local

governments are not functioning. The idea of creating the three tiers of government was to ensure that development is brought to the common man. In this situation, the governors collect all the money thus making it difficult for the managers of the local governments to attract development to their people and the people that are supposed to fight it, the House of

•Senator Annie Okonkwo

Why Igbo can’t become president on PDP platform,

by Senator Annie Okonkwo

hy APGA? If you want to achieve your •Says faulty constitution not responsible for nation’s woes W vision, you must create your own platform because, if you don’t have a political platform, it will be difficult to actualise the vision. We cannot actualise our vision in the PDP because of the way it is structured. For example, an Igbo man was the National Chairman of the party and, within a short period, he was removed and, presently, in the PDP, we are not occupying any good position. The truth of the matter is that the party did not recognise the Igbo and we cannot fold our arms and continue to support a platform that does not give hope for the Igbo speaking people.

C M Y K

• Makes case for state police

President of an Igbo socio-political action group, also known as C21, Senator Annie Okonkwo, in this interview, speaks on why the group was established, the need for state police, Igbo presidency in 2015, Anambra governorship election, and how to combat insecurity in the country.

Excerpts:

On his Anambra governorship ambition For now, I have not made up my mind on the Anambra governorship election.

I am qualified and eligible to contest any election in Anambra. The state is my state and I have contested several elections there. I represented Anambra Central at the upper chamber of the National Assembly and 2014 is fast approaching, but the most important thing I am doing right now is to unite the Igbo and realise the vision of C21.

For Anambra governorship election, we will sit down and decide what will happen. If the people support that I should fly the flag of the party, I will do so. I am not the one to decide.

down to zone the governorship position to any district. And there was never a governorship election that the people from the three districts have not come out to contest and they cannot change it now. Anybody saying that it is the turn of Anambra North is selfish and has another agenda. It is left for the parties to field the candidates they believe would win election for them. So the issue of Anambra North, Central and South does not meaning anything.

As far as I am concerned, I believe that any serious party will field a candidate that would win election for it. It is not about presenting a candidate from the North; the issue is, will he win the election? The people of Anambra State will not vote sentiment, they will vote for a credible candidate no matter where the person comes from.

On the quest of Anambra North to produce the next governor We from Anambra State have not sat

On constitution amendment It is true that our present constitution was put together by the military, but I

If you want to achieve your vision, you must create your own platform because, if you don’t have a political platform, it will be difficult to actualise the vision don’t think that amendment or a new constitution is our major problem. You cannot tell me that constitution amendment is the cause of our

Assembly, have been pocketed by the governors. How can the assembly that was put in place to checkmate the excessive of the governors be working with the governors? So, something must be done. It does not happen in the National Assembly because they are independent. The constitution must amend that area in the interest of this country and to strengthen its democracy.

On how tackle insecurity in the country Insecurity is the greatest challenge that we are facing in this country today and people in charge of that sector are not handling it with sincerity. I am fully in support of decentralisation. I am also in support of state police so that people that are familiar with a particular environment can handle security in that area. For instance, if you bring a Commissioner of Police from Maiduguri to Anambra, he does not know the nooks and crannies of the area and he cannot do well. It is a problem.

To solve the problem, there must be state police where the indigenes of a state are allowed to take charge of their security. People are saying that if we create state police, you will empower the governors and they will use it against others. It is not true, if we put the necessary things in order, it cannot occur.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012PAGE — 39

Civil War: Both Awo and Achebe were right – Muoboghare *’We are destroying our home – grown petroleum refining technology’ *Says agitation for oil dichotomy provocative

BY BEN ETAGHENE

P

rofessor Patrick Muoboghare, a former leader of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Delta State University Abraka chapter turned Commissioner for Basic Education in Delta State, is never scared of controversies. In this interview, he bares his mind on the war of words in the aftermath of Chinua Achebe’s newest book; state police; indigenous crude oil refineries destruction; kidnapping; armed robbery; and sports.

Excerpts:

our government could be commended for the manner it handled recent teachers strike in the state.

We met one another midway. They raised a few issues which bordered on welfare, promotion to directorate cadre, that is Level 17, payment of special teachers’ allowance that was approved by the Federal Government for professional teachers, about 22½ percent of their basic salary. Others related to the personal evaluation of their personal relationships with the Commissioner for Basic Education, his decision making processes were subsumed by the major issues of the strike action. Government accepted to pay the allowance as from January 2013 for those who are qualified for it as stipulated by Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). We agreed to promote deserving teachers to Level 17 based on vacancy and equally made them to understand that Delta State has the highest number of teachers (1400 of them) on Level 16 in the federation. There are about 1,900 on level 15 and 2,000 on level 14. We had a mutual understanding on these and those who are parading themselves as teachers when they are not. The commissioner took the responsibility to resolve that issue.

Commentaries on Chinua Achebe’s new book – There was a Country – are becoming ethnic war of words between the Igbo and the Yoruba. What’s the reality as you see it?

We are back to January 15, 1966. We really do not have a nation called Nigeria. That is why even without reading the book, every Igbo man is in support of Achebe and, even without reading the book, every Yoruba man is in

support of Awolowo.

Awolowo was a demigod of the Yoruba nation. Some even don’t believe he is dead. So one does not speak ill of Awolowo to them. In fact, nobody dared conjecture that Awolowo was hungry at any point in his life time. Fatwa could be declared on any one who dared to say so. To many of them, the man was a god.

However, the truth of the matter is this: Nigerians are grossly misled about the events that led to the January 1966 coup. There is a misconception embedded in it which Nigerians have always gone away with that it was an Igbo coup. It was not.

They might have been made to fire gun, but, naturally, the man firing the gun is not

,

Y

Muoboghare

Achebe was right on his allusion of hunger as being originated by Awo. And the late Awolowo was equally right on his suggestion of same to the federal military government. There was war, what weapon do I use to win it?

the coup plotter. They planned to go to Calabar to release Chief Awolowo from prison and make him the Head of State. The Igbo would not take that risk.

There is need to do a research about the origin of that coup. And if it was an Igbo coup, why kill OkotieEboh, what did he do? Go back, Okotie-Eboh was the champion of the creation of Mid-Western Region. We thank God for his life in this part of the country. He deployed his stupendous wealth into the growth and development of the NCNC. He was a close friend of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. The West

,

wanted the COR Region to be carved out of the then Eastern Region. These acrimonies were there. I believe the Igbo were given a bad name to hang them. This is the background from where Chinua Achebe was coming….

Was Ojukwu not a party to the coup plot?

Certainly not, he had no regard for them.

What of Akintola He was an ally of Zik, Okotie-Eboh was a close friend of Zik. Would the Igbo plotters kill these close associates of Zik? The nuances became clearer later. On the issue of the usage of hunger

or not as instrument of war, both of them were right.

Achebe was right on his allusion of hunger as being originated by Awo. And the late Awolowo was equally right on his suggestion of same to the federal military government. There was war, what weapon do I use to win it? This follows the Machiavellian principle, “All is fair in war.” In fact, we should congratulate Awo for the use of hunger which contributed to the early end of the war.

Gowon said there was no apology. He is equally right.

War itself is a crime; so these should be no war crimes.

Why has it taken Achebe this long?

History is not an immediate work, people are still writing abou World War II Mousillini’s invasion of Greece in 1940, Hitler ’s background, et al. History is never written when its unfolding.

On state police I align myself with wellmeaning governors who are asking for state police. How do you substantiate the fact

that the state governor is the chief security officer of his state and he has no control over the state police commissioner of police? Such a situation makes the governor a lame duck governor security wise. This is not good enough. There is this loose talk making the round that when state police is introduced, governors would use it against their opponents.

Has the Federal Government used the Nigeria Police against its opponents? The last election in Edo State, was the federal police used against Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members?

What about in Ondo State?

What makes people think a state governor would do otherwise?

Recall the manner they (state governors) manipulate the local government chairmen Why don’t we compare the way the federal government controls the states. The federal government carries Delta State money to Abuja and gives only 13 percent of Continues on page 40

PAGE 40 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Civil War: Both Awo and Achebe were right – Muoboghare Continues from page 39 it. Is that not looting? Is that no t worse than what any

O

n the agitation for the on-shore, off-shore

dichotomy

Take a good look at the Nigeria map, the land belongs to the states and Nigeria and the sea belongs to the state and Nigeria. If Borno State extends to Lake Chad, it is Borno State, why will our water mass not be our territory? The issue of littoral boundary and ownership has long been concluded. Let us move forward. They have landmass while we have water mass. They use theirs without interference but it is ours we cannot lay claim to.

These guys are provocative.

On the destruction of some 500 local refineries as state policy The Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo for our three or four refineries gulped N90billion. They were not turned around for 90 degrees not to talk of 360 degrees.

That is why they remain comatose. We have to import fuel, diesel, kerosene and all of that. These people buy crude oil from Nigeria for their refineries abroad. They sell back to us as refined petroleum products. Let me tell you why the price is high and why this “stupid” sub-

Muoboghare

sidy must be removed. Export duty is there, transport is there, insurance is there, labour is there, loading, offloading. Then it goes to the refinery, the cost of refining is there. When this is done, it comes back to us with import duty, insurance, freight, labour as it lands in Lagos or Burutu, Calabar or wherever (port) in Nigeria. Then the cost of landing and or demurrage before it comes to Warri area from where the crude oil was taken. Add all up. Has it not doubled the price already? Let me illustrate this analogy with a local example. Cassava is produced in large quantity in Abraka where the best garri in Nigeria is produced. At the moment, a basket of garri is N400.00. Assuming that garri was not produced there and the cassava was transported to Sokoto where the processing machine is. Payment would be made for the tubers, transportation to Sokoto, the driver ’s pay and allowances, all the over 300 police checkpoints on the route must be inbuilt. In Sokoto, the cost of processing and the cost of a return journey and labour et.al. Will the cost not triple? This is precisely what happens to petroleum products.

Nigerian leaders who are interested in making money even double the production cost. They do not want our refineries to work. And the painful thing is that because you are exporting the crude oil there and not refining it here, they are creating jobs in those countries while retarding job creation in Nigeria. Yet we complain about unemployment. Why not, it creates jobs in Ghana, South Africa and elsewhere they have refineries. And all talk about subsidy is fraud. Then we have these boys who have decided to apply their simple knowledge of chemistry into the refinery deba-

cle with their simple application of fractional distillation. It is the same technology with the distillation of “Ogogoro”. Take a trip to these local refineries. It is cost effective. We do not need N50,000 to set up a mini refinery in Nigeria. A few items like drums, pressure pipes, tubes, et.al, that’s all.

If we do not harness and encourage these boys, other up-coming oil producing nations will buy this technology from us. If this technology is available to Ghana, I bet you, they won’t go for these big refineries. If these young men are put in a place, fund them and make crude oil available to them, dependence on the epileptic services from Ekpan, Port

,

state government is doing with the LGA funds? ....

Is that not constitutional stipulation?

In Delta, the state government had to pay N528million monthly to augment the councils in the payment of teachers’ salaries otherwise teachers in the state would not be paid. Without this, the LGAs cannot even pay their other workers and function properly. The inference that state governors would misuse the state police is insulting. All over the country, states provide much; for example, vehicles, gadgets, et al to the federal police.

That is not their constitutional role This is to show how responsible these governors are. This generosity is also extended to Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) with the provision of wire, transformers, et al, bought by Delta State government. But any money collected goes to the agency.

On the return to true federalism According to Itse Sagay (SAN), there is nothing like a true version of federalism or a false version of it. Right now, Nigeria s practising a unitary form of government.

A member of the National Assembly once demanded that “the South South governors should account for the 13 per cent we give to them.”

They are the “ we” while the owners become the “they ” (laughs). We will continue to agitate for true federalism.

innovation during the war.

Instead of thwarting their initiative, they should be recommended for scholarship fellowship from the US Academy of Sciences. Let this science be further looked into for the benefit of Nigeria.

On the revival of moribund industries and why this long?

We have to be very careful.

In Delta State, when a road is dualised, there are those who are going to demand the reason for it. Whatever is done in this state, there are always criticisms. Every governor in Delta State is extra careful.

Any governor who can rule Delta State can rule Nigeria three times over. As I speak to you, I know arrangements are in top gear. The Bendel Glass factory will soon go. We are fast forwarding action on it.

On kidnapping and armed robbery and whether enough is being done?

We are doing everything possible. But, give us state police, they say no. So who do we control? The federal police is unable to check it.

Give us state police that we can control so that we can check it, they say no. So the ball bounces back to the Federal Government. Security is a responsibility of the Federal Government. Nigerians should learn to channel their criticisms towards the proper target. Whatever the state governors are doing is just to assist the federal agencies.

The Nigeria Police is a federal agency. The commissioners of police are responsible to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The state governors have come to the realization that the federal police cannot do this thing effectively. Let us have state police that we can take care of and call our own. Imagine what the vigilante boys are doing.

On the agitation of constitutional role for traditional rulers The traditional ruler is the king of his town or clan. He is appointed by his people.

They do not want our refineries to work.

And the painful thing is that because you are exporting the crude oil there and not refining it here, they are creating jobs in those countries while retarding job creation in Nigeria

Harcourt and Kaduna will be a thing of the past. The impact of this on the economy will be sound.

W

hat to do for the gov ernment to end it?

We will continue talking.

Government will do nothing if we are all silent. They are destroying our home grown technology. During the civil war, in spite of the economic blockage against the East, their facilities were running.

They built their local refineries which they depended on for three good years. After the war, nobody remembered the refineries. So what these young people are now doing in the South – South should not go the way of the Igbo

,

He talks to the ancestors on our behalf and the ancestors talk to him. Let him sit down in his palace and enjoy that role….

But a republic has no place for them Yes. That’s one feature I like in Igboland. Every Eze you meet, Eze Gburiguan I of so so autonomous community.

The average Urhoboman is republican. I concede to the monarchy in Bini. We were republicans. Now we have traditional rulers. There is a traditional ruler in Uwheru.

He wields his authority within Uwheru.

Does that not clash with the government?

No. This is to tell, you that the traditional rulership is

more of a cultural disposition.

For him to travel out of his domain, he must obtain permission from the LGA chairman. In order words, a traditional ruler is as important as his people want him to be, but not as the Federal Government wants him to be.

On the question of payment of WAEC examinations fees for students in public schools to the exclusion of those from private schools, wouldn’t the letter feel alienated?

No, they have a choice. No feeling of isolation because the option is open. Delta State government provides free education for those who want to attend public schools and the WAEC fees. But a word of caution here: what this entails is that one group or agency is picking up the bills.

We decided to pick up the bills of those who attend our public schools.

On school development I am happy to say that Delta State should rank highest when it comes to infrastructural development in schools. In the upgrading of our schools, no state beats us in the country.

In the area of academic work is where there is an altercation between the commissioner and the teachers.

We are spending so much in infrastructural development, on teachers salaries, we promote teachers very often.

What have we got in return?

We want results. The governor is not happy that we are paying so much and our children are not doing so well in WAEC and NECO examinations. It is discouraging. The reasons are not far fetched.

They are not being taught. No responsible government will tolerate this kind of situation paying people who neglect their jobs.

O

n the development of sports I just returned from a sport summit put together by the governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, to enable us brainstorm with specialists form far away Jamacia, South Africa and others on why some countries are doing well and we are not.

Why is it that countries we started with on the same level have gone ahead of us and we are stagnated where we were some 20, 30 years ago?

This is not good enough. The outcome of this summit is not for Delta State only but for the whole country. Chairman of sport committees of both houses of NASS were at the meeting. And, of course, the minister of sport was represented. The whole thing boils down to the abandonment of school sports because at a point we had star athletes competing at the national level. Nigeria thought they came from the sky. They didn’t know they came from schools.

When those were encouraged to do well, no thought was given to the generation that would succeed them. They can only be replaced from the schools. In Delta State, the emphasis right now is on school sports at the primary and secondary levels.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 41

How I made it to the American Congress, by Capt Okunbor

`*’Our aaviation viation industr cy of greedy Nigerians’ industryy at the mer mercy Captain Hosa Okunbor is a business mogul and a lover of the less privileged. Last weekend, he bagged the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science Award from the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

Eminent people across the country were in Benin-City to celebrate with him on the honour. The soft spoken Captain, who also is a close friend of President Goodluck Jonathan, spoke with Sunday Vanguard shortly after the award

H

ow do you feel bagging this award?

I am happy that people feel that I have done a lot, but I personally feel that I have not done enough. I don’t talk about myself because what you truly do from the bottom of your heart without any thing attached to your action is not something you publicize.

I believe in doing good and I always preach that we do good. I also preach that if you cannot do good, don’t do evil. I try to do good at all times. If you do good, don’t go about talking about it because God will always reward you. I am happy that people recognize what I have been doing. I enjoy putting smiles on the faces of people. Thank God I have been so honoured.

P

Capt Okunbor C M Y K

eople see you as a shy person.

Are you also politically shy?

I will say I am publicity shy.

The American Congress recently honoured you. How do you feel about that?

When I was honoured by the Congress, I was very elated because I was able to stand before the Congress of America. The Congress of America is a very highly rated Congress, devoid of corruption. I was happy I was recognized by such an institution, I knew that character was better than money.

So many people who I know that are very rich are not able to bag such an honour from the American Congress. When you get honoured in such a place, people want to emulate you. Like we know when we were growing up, we have role models but that is something that has completely eluded our youths these days. All we think about is money without values. So I think we must begin to bring our value system back.

People believe you cannot make impact in this country unless you are into politics. Why has it been difficult for you to join partisan politics?

One thing I have always believed is that you cannot play politics and, at the same time, do business.

Neither can you do business and play politics together. We should learn to be specialists in our fields in this country. What we have today in Nigeria is that politicians want to do business; when they get to office, they take business from the core businessmen.

And businessmen, in an attempt to be relevant, when they excel in their businesses, they now attempt to vie for political positions. We should know how to respect our core areas of competence. If you are a business man, remain in business

and support politicians a’nd, when politicians get there, they should be able to support your business. And if you are a politician, you are there to serve the people. Service is something we don’t understand in this part of the world, you are there to serve, not to steal. It is not for you to enrich your self. And that is why when people ask me who is my hero, I always refer to Ahmadu Bello. He was so blessed, he was a leader who knew what service was all about. It is unfortunate that they killed those great men and that was when they actually stabbed Nigeria. I have always believed in supporting politicians in my own constituencies and not what I will benefit from it.

It was rumoured that you may run for the governorship of Edo State before July 14, 2012 governorship election, but you did not indicate interest despite your solid support base. Is it that you are too shy to indicate interest?

It has never really crossed my mind to run for the governorship of Edo State. I am fortunate to have been doing my business and I have a lot of challenges in my business, I have always looked for what to do to improve my business. So I have never thought of contesting for the governorship of

I was very elated because I was able to stand before the Congress of America. The Congress of America is a very highly rated Congress, devoid of corruption

,

Edo State, it never crossed my mind.

H

was on AIT, I was very angry.

The greatest disservice we made in this country is for the Federal Government to have disbanded Nigeria Airways. Nigeria Airways was an airline that was established as a national carrier: To serve the entire nation. I saw Nigeria Airways as a social service to the people, just like the Nigerian Railways and also the Mass Transit. It is not every thing you make profit from, there are social services.

Even the people that came out to try to run airlines, it is not easy and that is why government must support the airlines in terms of tax, help them with their foreign exchange requirements.

The aviation industry is very expensive. When we were flying, Nigeria Airways was the one flying the President, the President had no private jet. So, if the President has up to six jets in his fleet, the whole of Nigeria deserves more. So, I think the Federal Government should support one or two airlines so that Nigerians can have a choice on who they fly with.

J

,

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

ow would you assess our aviation industry today looking back at those days when you were a pilot?

That place has been left at the mercy of greedy businessmen. When I was a pilot, I flew according to the books, I never compromised safety because I knew I was carrying lives. There are different categories of pilots. There are people who take their jobs seriously and who will always fly according to the laws. And you have airlines also who will ensure they do their maintenance according to the books. And for you to do that and make profit in this part of the world, it is always difficult and that is why we find ourselves in this mess.

Like the last crash that happened, I

onathan should focus on security/agriculture I want the President to focus more on security and poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation will eradicate insecurity in the country. It is easier for you to commit suicide when you have no hope; if you have no hope and they talk to you about suicide bombing, you will prefer to do it than staying alive. So I think the President must tackle the issue of poverty; I will say let us concentrate on agriculture. Let us go to the farms so that our people can feed themselves and, as you know, agriculture creates jobs on a massive scale. We should go back to the land and farm for both our local consumption and export. That will help take people off the streets.

C

onstitution amendment I wish they will remove the immunity clause from the constitution from the governors and President. If we do that, our elected officers will now begin to be responsible to the people who elected them because they will know that they can be arrested when they steal. Then security vote that every body plays around with will be treated as security vote. Security vote must not be pocket- money for any body.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

STORIES CLEMENT

I

BY

UDEME

F the Federal Government does not take proactive steps to improve importation of petroleum products and boost the supply chain for products to be sufficient ahead of the yuletide, the lingering scarcity of petrol across the country may worsen.

Sunday Business gathered that the scarcity of petrol, which hit Lagos and some neighbouring States few months ago has taken a new dimension, as cost of transportation and food items are skyrocketing following the persistent scarcity.

Notwithstanding the assurance given by the Minister of Petroleum, Mrs Diezani Alliso-Madueke, about the effort of Government to increase the supply of petroleum products to prevent scarcity during the festive period, a litre of fuel in some service outlets was, last week, sold for about N150, as against the official pump price of N97.

Transport fares on many routes have shot up by over 20 per cent in Lagos , while the prices of consumable items in the market are increasing by the day. Many economic experts attributed the increase in the prices of goods and services to the multiplier effect of fuel shortage across the country.

When Sunday Business visited Ketu and Mile 12 markets in Lagos, it was observed that a bag of rice was sold for between N10, 000 and N10,500 instead of the initial price of N8,000; a tin of vegetable oil for N1,900 instead of N1,500, a unit of six tubers of yam for N1,800 and above depending on the sizes, instead of N1,200; a medium sized basket of tomato for N11,000 and above instead of N7,000.

It was also observed that some filling stations were not selling petrol because they had no supply of product.

Some of the stations visited include MRS, Oando, NIPCO, Conoil, Total, Mobil and AP. When contacted, the Western Zonal Chairman, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Alhaji Tokunbo Korodo, said, “There is no solution to the lingering petrol scarcity unless the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) urgently repairs Arepo distribution pipelines vandalised recently by hoodlums, in order to boost fuel supply to Western axis of

No end in sight to fuel scarcity—NUPENG

Vehicles waiting on queue to buy fuel. For how long will Nigerians continue to suffer in the hands of oil marketers?

System 2B. The reality is that the people within the region where fuel is supplied through the Western axis of system 2B of NNPC will continue to experience scarcity until the Arepo pipelines are repaired.”

He went on, “At present, NNPC is supplying fuel with

trucks, but, without these pipelines, there is no way the trucking of product can be effectively done to meet the increasing demand in the country. The damaged pipelines are the sources of product to Mosimi, the headquarters of system 2B in Shagamu while from Mosi-

mi, the product is pumped to Ibadan , from there to Ilorin , and from Mosimi again to Ore and Lagos . Therefore, the continuous denial of the distribution network makes all the areas getting supply of petrol from the axis of system 2B to have shortage of fuel.

Again, what NNPC is doing now is not helping the situation. What we are saying is that the scarcity will persist until the pipelines are fixed to ensure effective distribution of product.”

Company of the year award

L

EE Engineering and Construction Co. Limited, an Indigenous company into engineering and construction in Nigeria has been dominated for the prestigious ward of company of the year 2012, in the 5th Annual African Leader Par Excellence Award 2012, scheduled to take place on Thursday, 13th of December, 2012 at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

In the same vein, the chairman and chief executive of the company, Chief Leemon Ikpea, will receive award as Man of the year 2012, at the same award, organised by Accolades International in collaboration with International Centre for Comparative

Leadership for Africans and Blacks in the Diaspora, a Pan African Development Organisation, to honour outstanding entrepreneurs and Nigerians who have contributed meaningfully to national development.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos , the Chairman of the award committee Dr Luke Okojie, said, “There will be presentation by inspirational speakers and resource fellows on the subject ‘Leadership, strength and quality for national growth and development’. Recipients have been adjudged worthy and have been selected from across the nation for their leadership qualities.

From left: Mr. Friday Enaholo, Product Manager Fidson Healthcare PLc receiving Best of Multi Vitamins of the Year award on behalf of his company from Mr Emman Udowoima, CEO ,Brandhealth, during the 2012 Most Trusted Brand Award organised by Brandhealth, held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Photo by Diran Oshe.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 43

How Customs reform will rejuvenate the economy—Compt Dosumu

,

BY UDEME CLEMENT

T

HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) under the current management by Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde has performed creditably and must be commended for tremendous improvement, which has added a big boost to revenue generation, from N30 billion monthly revenue to about N100 billion. The effort by NCS to enhance trade facilitation is in line with government’s policy on economic transformation, aims at fast tracking rapid growth and development”, said Customs Area Controller (CAC) Ogun Command, Comptroller Prince Ade Dosumu.

Dosumu who spoke in an exclusive interview with Sunday Business, at the side line of the ComptrollerGeneral’s Annual Conference, at the main auditorium of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina

Comptroller Prince Ade Dosumu State, stressed that the theme of the 2012 conference: ‘Borders Divide: Customs Connect,’ was carefully selected to meet the current reform in NCS. He explained, “The on-going reform in the service is outstanding and laudable. The NCS is working tirelessly to prevent proliferation of small arms and light weapons into the country, while also seeking collaboration with Customs administrations across the world as well as other relevant agencies to curb criminal activities at the nation’s

The current management has the best records in the history of NCS. Customs reform in the last three years has not only repositioned Nigeria ’s economy for greater growth but has impacted positively on the entire West African Sub-region

,

borders. The current management has the best records in the history of NCS. Customs reform in the last three years has not only repositioned Nigeria ’s economy for greater growth but has impacted positively on the entire West African Sub-region. For example, the Customs College in Abuja is adequately equipped to deliver world-class capacity

building programmes for officers in Nigeria and within the sub-region. Dikko made history as the first Customs CG to address over 1,000 stakeholders made up of importers, manufacturers and agents in Lagos trade fair. He is the first Customs boss to embark on border community projects like provision of boreholes, clinics and schools, with a view to ensuring development of border communities.”

He went on, “The current CG initiated Migration to the Single Window platform, which allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. Before 2009, capacity building for officers did not receive the deserved attention, as the training was limited to ASYCUDA and refresher courses in its Kano and Lagos training colleges.

A department of Human Resources Development was formed by the current CG. So far, the department has completed the training of over 18,036 officers, both locally and internationally. Many officers benefited from trainings in the US, Japan, Switzerland, Brussels , South Africa, Hong kong and other countries, which contributed greatly in transforming the Service to what we have now.”

In the same vein, the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), also Editor-inChief/General Manager,

Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, who spoke on the topic, ‘Customs/Media Partnership: Building Synergy towards National Development’, lauded the initiative by NCS in its continuous enlightenment of the masses on the activities of Customs and the need to engage in legitimate trades capable of supporting government’s policies on national development.

In his goodwill message, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, said the National Assembly will support the ongoing review of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), in order to enable Customs carry out its statutory functions efficiently to ensure positive impact on economic growth and development.

The event, which was a week long programme, attracted Customs Controllers from different Commands across the country, top government officials, stakeholders in the maritime sector and entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Some of the dignitaries in attendance include, Vice President Sambo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, second republic President, Shehu Shagari, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammah IIiyasu, the Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmimini Usman and top media executives.

Efforts in top gear to resettle Bayelsa flood victims —Abila, Commissioner for Environment

B

environment”, he stressed.

In the course of interacting with the honourable

,

AYELSA State Commissioner for the E n v i r o n m e n t , D r.

Sylvanus Elijah Abila,says efforts are in top gear to resettle residents of the state affected by recent floods.

Abila admitted that the resettlement efforts had not been easy but said the state government is on top of the situation.

“When the floods came, what we did was to first evacuate those who were seriously affected and settle them in the various camps across the state.

We received support from the Federal Government, NGOs, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and both Federal and State Ministry of Health because we are aware of the health hazards that could come out of the situation. Efforts are in top gear to get the people resettled after the waters are gone. It has not been easy but we are on top of the situation”,he told Sunday Vanguard in an interview.

The commissioner spoke on what the state government ahead of the floods following a forecast:”We have never had this kind of disaster in my lifetime. Around1969 when I was in primary one, we had a similar incident, but it was not as terrible as this. Though it was predicted this time,nobody thought it would get to this

When the floods came, what we did was to first evacuate those who were seriously affected and settle them in the various camps across the state

,

Dr. Sylvanus Elijah Abila....We have never had this kind of disaster in my lifetime level. When we received the warning from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, we went about dredging canals and opening up drainages. We also went about patronizing people not build on drainages and to desist from dumping refuse in drainages. In the course of doing that, infrastructures that were found on drainages were demolished by government”.

An outstanding lawyer of over 25 years experience, Abila informed that a number of environmental laws have been put in place to avert

environmental disasters in the state.

“Presently, we have a Bill before the State House of Assembly. We also have the environmental planning law that has been in place.

However, the problem is not the law, it is about the inability of the people to obey the laws, but we have done a lot in the new law by introducing stiffer penalties in form of jail terms to defaulters. We really need to sit up and ensure the laws are obeyed.When that happens, we will be able to take care of over

commissioner, it was easy to come to the conclusion that he

is an exemplary leader, abundantly gifted with a blend of courage and charisma.

A graduate of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, he bagged a Master ’s of Law Degree at Obafemi Awolowo University in1992. He was at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Lagos between 2001 and 2002 where he obtained an Advanced Certificate in Law. His quest for more knowledge in law took him to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma between 2004 and 2010 for a Doctorate Degree in Public Law. Abila belongs to a number of professionals bodies which include the International Bar Association, Commonwealth Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association and the International Disputes Resolution Institute to mention a few.

Group lauds Uduaghan, Osanebi

N

DOKWA East Youth Peace Movement (NEYPM) has commended Delta State Gover nor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Mr. Friday Osanebi, member, representing the council in the state House of Assembly, for the choice of Alex Anieche Ozueme” as the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

Comrades Emmanuel Obah, Basil C. Agbanashi and Emmanuel Uti, President, Secretary and PRO respectively, of NEYPM, in a statement also

expressed happiness at the appointment of others, especially Nmandi Ezeachi (Ward 5) and Paul Nwabueze (Ward 7), as members of the Caretaker Committee.

“We are proud of Mr. Ozueme, who, not only enjoys grassroots support, but is loyal to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

With membership of the caretaker committee known to share in the ideals of Ozueme, the choices indicate that Governor Uduaghan and Osanebi meant well for the people of Ndokwa East”, the statement noted.

PAGE 44—SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Media Effectiveness Check Radio in Focus

M

of apartheid in South-Africa, people sacrificed all to generate and broadcast the critically important information needed to build the army against apartheid. In India, fighting poverty became a

,

ASS Communication 101 threw up so many “must-know ” at the new undergraduate students in Mass Communication department to the extent of amazement. On the one hand, the new learning was compulsory for purpose of passing examination and on the other hand, it registered as though one was reliving Mongo Park’s experience when he “discovered” River Niger. One of such exciting new learning was the peculiar nature of those characteristics that distinguished radio from other media of mass communication: ubiquitous, most penetrating, rural, largest listenership engagement, cheapest for advertisers (both in terms of cost per reach and opportunity to hear/reach…the peculiarities continue.

A good number of my course and class mates opted for radio under broadcasting, as against television, not to mention print journalism. I was tempted to try out radio broadcasting, but there was John Momoh always on TV screen at 9pm with the national network news, and coming to class the next day with all the trappings of a super star, and then the confinement (or entrapment?) of the audio studio...I was not thrilled.

For me and some others in my class then, print journalism enables the most freedom of the three major options available to us then. Print threw up the opportunity of individualism in the demonstration of talents and abilities, the opportunity of photography, the creativity of prose writing, the by-lines expressive of individuality, etc.

With print journalism, I do not have to be trapped in a cubicle inside a studio, confined for the definite measure of heat from the lightings, and I did not have to further labor to learn how to manipulate the audio console.

It became clearer to us all as we grew in training, that whatever the choice we made of the options available in of specialization, journalism or mass communication is same in purpose, functions, roles and duties. Whether taken from the angle of electronic or print, journalism is about (1) information (2) enlightenment (3) orientation (4) awareness (5) entertainment. A particular course was designed to sum the role of journalism, no matter from what angle we practice, to be MASS COMMUNICATION FOR AWARENESS. AWARENESS is the platform for change. During the period

With all its strength, Radio stands at the vanguard in the measure of efficiency in the discharge of its duties, versus other media vehicles

,

national challenge and mass communication became one of the tools used to whip up the needed emotional engagement for attitude change. So, people say information is power; journalism is about information – gathering, processing and dissemination, for positive change.

So much has happened in sphere of information gathering and dissemination over the years, to constrain or reference to the journalism environment of even the last 5years. Apart from the most obvious technological advancement, media habits have changed dramatically,

new and hitherto unimaginable media vehicles spring up every day. The equation has far changed in terms of sources, method of processing and avenues for dissemination of news and information. As a matter of fact, information has been more finely subjected to detailed definition and description; financial news, for instance, is now more differently gathered, processed and disseminated from political news. So many other categories and compartmentalization have followed in the definition of news recent times.

In spite of all of these changes, however, the basic fundamentals have not changed.

Obviously consequent upon technological advancement, there seem to be a resultant consequence of change in the effectiveness of journalism as change agent and a driver of societal growth and development. That poses a challenge we intend to put in focus for all, starting with the RADIO medium.

With all its strength, Radio stands at the vanguard in the measure of efficiency in the discharge of its duties, versus other media vehicles. As noted above, radio is most penetrative, most userfriendly, frontal in audience engagement, most adaptive to rural usage, not discriminatory of literacy level, appealing and most persuasive. More on effectiveness check the following extraction from a study says so much about radio

medium: – a tool for democratization – a platform for the expression of ideas and opinions – an alternative media to the imperfections of public and commercial media – a conflict management tool – an agent of social change – a channel for the diffusion of information on rural issues – a tool that can be used for training and the transfer and exchange of knowledge and technologies – a channel for interactive communication, dialogue and debate on the major issues of rural development – a medium to collect local information on social issues, which is essential for defining, planning and implementing local development efforts – a tool for cultural expression and entertainment, and a means of collecting, preserving and promoting the oral and musical heritage of rural communities – a tool for social investigation FAO’s Extension, Education and Communication Service summarize the most important functions of rural radio as above.

In Nigeria media environment, however, the prevalent practice among radio stations (brands) amount to compromise on the efficiency of the radio medium, abuse of a system and a disservice to the people/ listeners. Radio medium in our environment has essentially been reduced to commercial or business venture.

Programming has been divided into two – 75% entertainment (for business gains), 20% news and 5% religious programs. In a purpose-driven environment, the primary role of radio is public information and enlightenment for positive change. Broadly put, 97% of the active radio stations among the 120-154 recorded stations in Nigeria sell revenueattracting entertainment programs. News time belt is quickly taken as compulsory distractions.

But for international agencies such a Society for Family Health, the HIV/AIDS campaign would have been ignored.

Programming requires the right sense of responsibility, commitment and the right investment approach.

Worse of all is the present system which even puts the cost of the radio stations’ discharging their duty on the listener in form of audienceparticipatory PHONE-IN PROGRAM. The broadcast commission and consumer protection council must check this trend. I pity callers who are made to load their GSM phones to call presenters to keep their programs on air.

Because most of these presenters are not adequately equipped, they are quiet without callers. It is bad enough that radio stations cannot design programs beneficial to the society, it is even worse that the same compromised listeners are made to pay for these stations to be in business.

Our suggestion is for the broadcast commission to review broadcast licenses of all the radio stations with a view to entrenching professionalism, responsibility and efficiency in line with global professional ethical standard. Our radio stations must add value.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — 45

C M Y K

46 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 47

C M Y K

48 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 49

C M Y K

PAGE 50 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 51

C M Y K

PAGE 52 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY V anguard Vanguard anguard,, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 53

WOMEN ORDINATION:

GKS commends Church of England THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE

O

NE of the ques tions I get asked a lot is how I know Jesus’ words in the Bible are actually his words. My answer is to ask my interrogators if they have actually read the words of Jesus. If they say they have, I ask them to go and read them again. Then I ask in return: “What kind of person do you know who talks like that?”

Lovers of life The very first time I read the parable of the Prodigal Son, I reached the conclusion that the person who came up with it must be from another planet! In that parable, Jesus describes this world as a country far from God. He categorises life on earth as wallowing in a pigsty. The Prodigal Son died immediately he left the Father for this world. He was only “born again” on his return.

This is clearly the perspective of someone whose kingdom is not of this world. Jesus’ point of view is significantly different from the Mosaic one of “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28). When Moses says: “choose life;” the life is the Law and the Covenant designed to improve living conditions here on earth. But when Jesus says: “choose life;” his emphasis is on life after death.

F

or this reason, Jesus’ words are despised by lovers of this life, which include the overwhelming majority of Christians who nevertheless claim to be followers of Jesus.

Christians deal with Jesus’ words essentially by ignoring them. Jesus is that favourite uncle we go out of our way to avoid. When Jesus’ doctrine proved too difficult to stomach for many of his disciples, they left him; never to return. He turned to the 12 apostles and asked them: “Do you also want to go away?” However, Peter answered him and said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:67-68).

Eternal words

There is only one man who has ever lived that can speak words of eternal life and that man is Jesus When we listen to Jesus, we reach the inevitable conclusion that his words are not the words of this life. Indeed, his words pointedly disregard this life. No man, preoccupied with this life, would say such things as: “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” (John 12:25). Such words belong to another life that is not of this world.

On earth, Jesus had a romance with death. His one obsession was to return back to the Father in heaven. Therefore, his words discount this life in preference for the real life awaiting us after death. Jesus insists we should lose in virtually everything pertaining to this world, in order to gain the totality of the world to come. He says we must lose our life; “hate” our parents and relatives; call no one on earth our father; deny our self, take up our cross and follow him.

Some soldiers sent to arrest Jesus were so spellbound by his words that they could not fulfil their assignment. When queried, they exclaimed: “No man ever spoke like this man.” (John 7:46).

Words of temporal life

M

an’s words are inevita bly temporal but God’s words are implacably eternal. Jesus said to the Jews: “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.”

(Matthew 19:8). T h i s shows the words of Moses are not the words of God. They are not from the beginning. Jesus says: “Till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18). Nevertheless, this means the word

of Moses will ultimately pass away with heaven and earth. But the word of God is eternal. Jesus says: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matthew 24:35).

C

hristians have great difficulty understanding these simple distinctions because of all the confusion about Paul. But Paul’s words are not eternal. Paul is preoccupied with exercising control over men. He is mindful of church politics; how women and men should dress; whether men should be circumcised; and how and when offerings should be collected. Such minutiae are the self-serving words of this life.

There is only one man who has ever lived that can speak words of eternal life and that man is Jesus. Jesus is the only man who lived before his birth. (John 8:58). N o such claim can be made of Paul. Jesus says to Jews: “I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which comes down from heaven; that one may eat of it and not die.” (John 6:48-50). Paul may be many things to many Christians, but it cannot be said that he is the bread of life. If Moses does not qualify with his manna, neither can Paul with his epistles.

O

nly Jesus came down from heaven to deliver to us the undiluted and unabridged word of God. Jesus says: “I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and how to say it. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

(John 12:49-50).

Today’s Christian pas-

tor is no different from a politician looking for votes; courting public opinion by making promises of better electricity, better social-services, better everything. The motivational preacher gives the keys of the kingdoms of men. Seven keys to being a millionaire. Five keys to running a successful business. What they all offer is panacea, with varying degrees of success, to gaining this world. But Jesus discounts all this. He asks rhetorically: “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).

Life-giving words

J

esus draws sharp distinctions be tween the temporal words of men and the words of eternal l i f e . Temporal words have no spiritual value. They only address the carnal issues of life. Eternal words, on the other hand, are spirit and life; they nourish the spiritual aspects of a man’s being. In a discourse with a Samaritan woman by the well of Jacob, Jesus highlights the distinctions: “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:1314).

The evidence indicates most Christians have yet to receive this living water. We are still thirsty. Moreover, our thirst is not for the righteousness of God. Our thirst is for the vainglories of this world. Pastors continue to deceive Christians that Jesus will provide us with the vanities of this life. However, Jesus’ insistence is quite the contrary. He is determined that we should relinquish everything that justifies us before men; everything that is highly esteemed by men.

(Luke 16:15). Indeed, Jesus says to us, one and all: “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33).

G

OD’S Kingdom Society (GKS), has commended the recent decision of the General Synod of the Church of England to reject draft legislation to allow ordination of women bishops, reports SAM EYOBOKA. Reacting to the victory by opponents of the proposal, the GKS said in a statement that it was consoling that there are those who have the courage to insist on Bible principles without following the prevailing wind.

“Those God has appointed to rule, to hold offices; to instruct and govern His Church, to officiate at assemblies for public worship, ‘in the ordinary and regular acts of devotion’ are the men”, the Church said, adding that “God had always appointed only men to lead His people and to preach His word, from time of old to the Christian era”.

Citing St. Paul’s ruling on the ordination of women as priests, the statement referred to Barnes' Notes which stated: “The rule is positive and explicit and universal…on every consideration it was improper, and to be expressly prohibited, for women to conduct the devotions of the church. No rule in the New Testament is more positive than this, and however plausible may be the reasons for disregarding it, and for suffering women to take part in conducting public worship, yet the authority of the Apostle Paul is positive, and his meaning cannot be mistaken.”

The GKS rejected the belief by some that the vote against the ordination of women bishops meant that “the Church is dead”, was “behind the times” and that it was evidence of blatant discrimination, stating that “Christianity is not about the popularity of a decision but the propriety of the position in the sense of its being in harmony with the Bible.”

According to the GKS, even though the Church of England, had started ordaining female priests since 1994 such that they now make up a third of the church's 11,000 clergy including senior positions as archdeacons and deans of cathedrals, prevalence of a practice does not give validity to it, hence God Almighty warned His people thus: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment” (Exodus 23:2) and that “that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God”.

The GKS said it was highly unfortunate, that the Bishop of Durham, Justin Welby, who is the next Archbishop of Canterbury, reportedly stated that the vote marked a “grim day, most of all for women priests and supporters” while the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Most Rev. Rowan Williams spoke of his "deep personal sadness" believing that the Church of England had "lost a measure of credibility" and could be seen as "wilfully blind" to modern trends and priorities. “With such a position being canvassed by leaders of the Church it was not surprising that it was the outcome of the votes from the laity of the Church that made the proposal to be stood down,” the statement said.

Stating that there are many things women can do in support of the work of God, including preaching to fellow women, the GKS agreed with the Rev. Prebendary Rod Thomas, chairman of the conservative evangelical grouping reform, who said that by the decision the Church had "avoided what could have been a disastrous mistake …”

The stone the builder rejected Continued from page 45 is the doing of the Lord and it is marvelous in our own eyes. Our only explanation is, God’s grace has lifted the poor out of the dust and the beggars out of the dunghill.

I wish every Nigerian a violence-free, restful and beautiful Christmas and a glorious 2013. More Pentecostal jets are on the way, and we owe no apology about that. Come along with us, and you too will soon become a solution, a job provider, a pioneer, and no more a part of our national rot, corruption and inefficiency.

You are blessed and highly favoured. *Bishop Francis Wale Oke is the National Vice President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, South West.

PAGE 54 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

.... CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Professor Biakolo: “There are security implications”

Igwe: “New thinking on the way”

Alumona: Ït’s a race against time now”

BY JIDE AJANI

A

signal is about being sent from the Department of State Service, DSS. The signal is from its Borno State Command. The new leader of the dreaded Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Penninsular, AQIM, is in transit to Niamey, Niger Republic, and may sneak into Nigeria. Details of some reconnaissance that had been conducted would be contained in the signal.

Whereas Sunday Vanguard could not confirm whether the communications system of the DSS has been fully digitalized as it ought to and should have Engr. Amana: “We can meet the deadline if ...” been, the fact of routing the signal Anastasiou: “The possibilities are endless” through some other facilities that are yet to be compliant gets the message lost in cyber space. That constitutes a clear and present danger for national security.

The date is June 15, 2015.

And the whole world has made the switch from analogue to digital.

That was the message Professor Emewo Anselm Biakolo brought to the Digital DiaWhereas attention has always been focused on the possible consequenclogue Nigeria.

“The purpose of Digital Dies of Nigeria not meeting the deadline set for digital migration in the alogue Nigeria”, according to broadcast sphere by 2015, the real danger exists in the intelligence arethe facilitator of the prona that may experience a blackout should that deadline not be met. gramme, Jenkins Alumona of Experts insist that time is running out for Nigeria. This report presents Strategic Outcomes, “is to provide a platform for growing the stark clear and present dangers of Nigeria not meeting that deadknowledge and information of line, especially as it affects national security. digital transition. I believe strongly that a great deal of work around digital migration is the dissemination of inforenvironment in which all play- and within those countries mation on the requirements would have it described, some 2015. ers on the globe would oper- too. Therefore, why should jaws dropped.

After getting some vibes from and processes of digital tranate. Nigeria is a signatory to Nigeria be the wet-bed fellow?

Biakolo, a professor of comthe audience made up of joursition. People need an underthe agreement. All countries On communication and namunications and the Dean, nalists and media practitiostanding of its impact on them of the world are expected to tional security, Biakolo said: School of Media and Communers, Biakolo went on to make as individuals and their busi“High powered transmisnications, Pan-African Univer- his presentation. His was not make that migration and nesses”. should Cameroon, Benin Re- sions may lead to interference sity, Lagos, wanted a particithe first.

But he raised some Therefore, when Biakolo dipublic or Niger meet the dead- from (or by) neighbouring rected the attention of the au- patory session on his presen- very important points. line and Nigeria doesn’t, there countries, which could in turn tation on THE ROLE OF THE The idea of the dialogue is dience at the workshop to the would be interference in comMASS MEDIA IN ATTAINto sensitise Nigerians to the security imperatives of the mimunication signal in Nigeria Continues on page 50 ING DIGITAL MIGRATION coming standard technological gration of transition as some

NATIONAL SECURITY

The danger Nigeria faces on digital migration zIntelligence community may experience blackout if ... zExperts say time is running out

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 55

Continued from page 49 create a compromise of national security: due to critically affected national sectors like Broadcasting, Telecommunications, Maritime (maritime communication), Aviation (aeronautic communication)”.

He then went on to list the arms of Nigeria’s security community that may be affected as follows: “The Nigeria Police Force “State Security Services (SSS) “The Nigerian Army “The Nigerian Navy “The Nigerian Air Force “Defense Intelligence Agency (Military Intelligence) “National Intelligence Agency “Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency” These institutions may be affected because, in 2015, the International Telecommunications Union, ITU, will convert the entire broadcast network by switching the terrestrial platform from analogue to digital.

This will help to maximize the benefits of digital broadcast rather than managing the limits of current analogue formats.

There is already a White Paper for implementation of the Digital Migration policy.

In conclusion, Biakolo warned of “the danger of a communication blackout! The situation is more than a national concern. It calls for multilevel stakeholder involvement.

It also calls for the involvement of surrounding countries (including Cameroon). The media must play coordinating, advocacy and informatory roles”.

But the details are still out there and the typically Nigerian attitude of befuddling issues is setting in again.

During the conference, there were arguments for and against Nigeria’s preparedness.

And coming to the rescue of the Federal Government was Bolaji Adebiyi, Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan and Media.

Adebiyi made the audience understand that contrary to what Nigerians are saying about lack of continuity, “President Jonathan has kept faith.

He has continued the programmes of his predecessor and he is also doing some new projects for the benefit of Nigerians. The same thing applies to this migration because there is already a White Paper and some committees are already working to ensure that that deadline is met”.

He then put the blame at the doorstep of journalists: “I think our colleagues should go

‘Intelligence community may experience blackout if ...’

Engr. Bolarinwa:”We need to adress some concerns”

Dr. Wells: “DVBT2 is the ultimate digital platform”

Biakolo warned of the danger of a communication blackout! The situation is more than a national concern. It calls for multilevel stakeholder involvement. It also calls for the involvement of surrounding countries (including Cameroon) all out to get the White Paper and interpret the document to key stakeholders and members of the public. This should involve advocating the benefits of digital broadcasting to endusers.”

Interestingly, it is not as if things are not working out.

Already, there is MultiChoice’s GoTv. And you also have the Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, that is test-running the programme with its alliance with Startimes. The NTA/ Startimes alliance is 30 percent NTA and 70 percent Startimes.

That is part of the problem.

Just as Nigeria’s joint venture operations in the petroleum sector runs into some challenges from time to time, this may create its own bitter flavour.

Is this not dangerous for our national security considering that Startimes will be technically in charge of carrying our signal, as is likely to be?

Alumona said, “Yes there are security imperatives. We need to understand that there can be panic if there is a switch over with less than adequate information. People could wake up and find that their old TVs are not showing. Fraudulent people can take advantage and invent scams that could defraud the poor and ill in-

formed. So it’s essential that people should be kept informed.

“I will want to believe that by 15th June 2015 we will be ready. I will also prefer the comfort that there are things happening behind our backs that will ensure that we transit to digital broadcasting by the set day. But the truth is that the Nigerian people need to know if there are developments”

T

he future of digital broadcast may even exclude some current broadcast players due to inability to secure the required equipment.

Prior to Biakolo and Adebiyi’s presentations, the Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Coporation, NBC, Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, gave the keynote address which set the tone for the event.

The first paper was presented by Dr. Nick Wells of Digital Video Broadcast, DVB-T2 Around The World. He explained the technology of DVBT2, which is the latest in the globe for digital transmission. That is the one Nigeria has bought into. Engr. Edward

Adebiyi: “President Jonathan’s continuity principle would ensure that the deadline is met” Idris Amana’ paper, on PREPARING FOR THE TRANSITION OF TV BROADCAST SERVICES TO DIGITAL, gave an insight into the engineering requirements of the migration.

Being true to her calling, Amaka Igwe’s presentation on the Dynamics of Content Development in a Digital Broadcast Environment created its own gyrations which got the audience feeling her.

By the time she finished, the technological jargons that had confused many became simplified.

“In digital transmission, broadcasting companies will only have the role of content providers while government through contracted parties will undertake the job to distribute the content. The Nigerian Federal Government intends to licence a minimum of two and maximum of three broadcasting signal distributors, to facilitate transition and service delivery processes. January 2015 deadline had been set for a complete migration to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

“It means that 58 NTA Channels, 34 State Channels, 22 Private Channels, 34 Cable can all be on one Carrier. And this can be seen by all who have the set up boxes where ever they are – the set up boxes do the conversion from analogue to digital”.

In terms of technology, she explained that there would be need for more content because more channels would have become more available.

“24 hours of transmission a

day multiplied by over 500 channels multiplied by 365 days.

For a distribution on more platforms; the hours of programming needed are enormous”, Amaka Igwe stated.

There is no doubt that the digital era means there is need for change in the way Nigeria style of Content Development and Distribution is done. The era of man-know-man would not work.

“The New Deal requires new skills and new tricks – Market Segmentation & Specialization. Definitely few will survive. There would be ‘DYNAMIC’ changes and new styles of advertising”.

She advocated an intervention in content financing as well as a strong policy on content aggregation. That ‘Dynamics’ should start now!!!”

On the second day, two more presentations were made.

First by Efere Ozako, a lawyer, on Creating a Framework for Digital Migration in Nigeria, while the second paper was by Gehrard Petrick, on Preparing for Transition of TV Broadcast Service to Digital.

On the whole, the audience was sensitized to the need for understanding the migration issues. More importantly, however, is the need for the conveyance of the message to the larger public.

The audience was taken through the two-day event by Aki Anastasiou, a seasoned South African journalist, who says the possibilities are endless; and Okechukwu Onyegbule, aka Okey Bakassi, a Nigerian standup comedian.

PAGE 56—SUNDAY V anguard Vanguard anguard,, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Front row from right to left: Pastor Power Z. Aginighan (Council Member), Prof Adetokunbo O. Adeola (Ag Vice Chancellor), Overseer(Dr) Ebenezer Olusola Okebukola, (SAU Board of Trustees Chairman), HRH, Zaiki V.A. Ehizogie II, the Onogie of Ogwa, Prof Julius Okojie, (NUC Executive Secretary, Chief Promoter/Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Centre), Momodu Abu, Esq (Representative of Governor Adams Oshiomole), Elder Bisi Ogunjobi, (Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman), Prof Charles. O. Eregie (Council Member), Mr Adeleke Adeboye (Registrar), Dr(Mrs) Bridget .O. Inegbeboh (Ag. Director of the Centre) at the inauguration of the Apostolic Church-owned Samuel Adegboyega University (SAU), Ogwa Centre for Research and Development of Esanland (CERDEL).The foundation stone for the Centre was laid by Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State.

6 killed in Ibadan road crash

By OLA AJAYI, Ibadan

N

o fewer than six persons including a young lady were feared dead in an auto crash in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in the early hours of yesterday.

According to an eye witness account, the victims just left a relaxation point at Ajeigbe area of Ibadan metropolis and were heading towards Mobil Filling Station when they met their death.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the driver of the Toyota Camry i n which they were, was driving recklessly and, in the process, lost control and skidded off the road.The source narrated that the car ran into an electricity pole at Oni and Sons Bus Stop and then somersaulted until it crossed to the other side of the dual carriageway and collided with a BMW car driving towards Challenge area. It was learnt that the owner of the BMW car died on the spot. He was said to be coming from a vigil around 5a.m. when the accident occurred. A vulcanizer, who works in the area, said, “ It was

when I got here this morning that I saw the two cars. They said the accident occurred around 2:00a.m.”

Asked if there were casualties, he explained that he saw about six bodies. ”I don’t know whether those who towed the wreckage of the two cars were police or Road

Safety Commission officers. Also, I learned that all the people involved in the accident, about six of them, died and their bodies were taken to the Adeoyo State Hospital”, he narrated.

Efforts to get the Oyo State Police Command to comment on the crash were futile.

SUVs and other freebies for DStv subscribers everal brand-new years. Every active S Sports Utility subscriber paying to Vehicles (SUVs), all-ex- renew his subscription for pense-paid trips to South Africa to watch the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations taking place in January, LCD television sets and many more are among the thousands of freebies that have been lined up for subscribers of DStv, by MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading pay television company.

According to Mayo Okunola, GM of the DStv Brand, the prizes, being given to DStv subscribers in its on-going DStv Mega promo seek to thank and reward customers for their loyalty to the DStv brand over the

upwards of three months will receive an instant prize.

Hussey College Old Students

T

he Hussey College Warri Old Students Association (HCWOSA), Lagos Branch holds its family end of year party on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Planet One Entertainment Centre, Maryland, Lagos. The annual event which usually attract old Hussians from within Lagos and environs starts at 12 noon.

Ghana polls: Mahama jumps to early lead

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

A

S the keenly contested Ghana 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections entered second day and results of trickled in yesterday, President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) jumped to an early lead.

With provisional results from

96 of the country’s 275 constituencies so far declared, Mahama had garnered 1,858.194 votes or 50.42 per cent while his closest marker, Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party, NPP got 1,781.482 votes or 48.34 per cent. However, the NPP has won more parliamentary seats so far with 51 seats to NDC’s 42. The Convention

People’s Party, CPP, and an Independent candidate have won one seat each.

This came as voting continued yesterday at polling booths where malfunctioning of the biometric data verification machines and other hitches hampered the exercise on Friday. Yesterday’s election was hitch-free.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 57 chimeena@yahoo.com 08026350360

C

heering news! Nigerian owned entertainment company, BIG A ENTERTAINMENT has won its slot in America as the biggest African entertainment company fully endorsed by the American Guild of Artists. The Brain behind this Noble achievement, is a Nigerian, a graduate with Majors in Respiratory Therapy , Mr Anderson Obiagwu.

The Young and articulate entertainment icon, popularly called Big A through this achievement has in no small measure, bridged that gap between love for African Music, its recognition, and placing it proudly at the corridors of the international entertainment stage.

Coming at a time when most people shy away from bringing African Artist to America because of the huge cost implications, he has exuded that passion, and defiled all odds in order to give African music the right popularity that it truly deserves.

This he has done by single handedly taking music talents from the streets of Lagos, Port Haricot, Benin, Owerri and Enugu to the most prestigious capital of entertainment, A m e r i c a .

BIG A ENTERTAINMENT has opened up with strong emphasis, the Nigeria entertainment industry to the rest of the world, with great fluid presence in the whole of America , Canada and Europe, where by artist like Bongo exponent Sunny Bobo can count himself a proud beneficiary of this platform by having toured with his music,with the help of BIG A Entertainment.

In the same light, he has also collaborated with Tuface Idibia and Psquare and almost all the artists in Africa including popular names like; Awilo, Movado,Wizkid, Flavour, Wizboy, Timaya, Obewe, Nigga Raw, Ruff coin, Bracket, Mr Ibu and others.

Big A Entertainment has also collaborated with Baron Group to host the first ever Nigerian King of Comedy in America. The show featured

Nigeria’s Pita Okute wins 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction

By UZOR MAXIM UZOATU LITERA TURE LITERATURE

N

•Anderson Obiagwu.

Nigeria’s Big A Entertainment endorsed biggest African entertainment company in US the likes of humour merchants, Basket Mouth , I Go Die, I Go Save, Buchi and Bovi. The show gained ground breaking success and people demanded for more.

African Muzik Magazine

I

n his strive to sustaining this sterling achievement, the man behind this entertain-

MFM Youths hold Soul winning concert

T

he Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries Region 29, Ijegun, Lagos will begin its 2012 Youth Week on Monday 17 th of December 2012.

The program tagged, “Going Back To Zion” which promises to be activity packed runs till the 23rd December and will feature musical concert, drama as well as the Dr D. K Olukoya Table Tennis

competition which takes place during the weekend.

The duo of Youth President Akinlade Akintayo and Regional overseer Pastor Shola Ajose who would be on ground to pilot affairs during the event stated that the essence of the program is to assist the youths retrace their steps back to Christ so as to realize their full potentials.

ment glory, Obiagwu has equally concluded to launch in April, 2013 an entertainment magazine called African Muzik Magazine. Also at the moment he is currently working with two promising Artistes, Ruff coin and Sean Cza in his new Record Label.

With his success so far in entertainment all over America, BIG A ENTERTAINMENT is planning the First Ever Music Award in America, and the stage is set to let the world know that African Music is truly a force to reckon with.

Counting on the stellar accomplishments of this young entertainment icon, who is not only a pace-setter with a difference but also an ardent crusader of the full emergence of African Music both locally and internationally, one can confidently say that a lot is yet to unfold from the BIG A E n t e r t a i n m e n t .

igerian literature has scored another major high with Pita Okute winning the internationally coveted Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction in 2012. Pita Okute’s masterful novel Wild Spirits beat out competition from many authors out of the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Latin America. By this great accomplishment Pita Okute is poised to join the esteemed realm of such revered Catholic writers as Flannery O’Connor, Graham Greene, J.R.R. Tolkien, G.K. Chesterton and many others whose writings reflect the thoughts of the great poet Gerard Manley Hopkins: “The world is charged with the grandeur of God.” Tuscany Press sees Catholic fiction as stories infused with the presence of God and faith — subtly, symbolically or deliberately. According to the publicists of Tuscany Press, “We are pleased to announce the novel winner for the 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction: Wild Spirits by Pita Okute. This powerful story takes place in civilwar-torn and religion-torn Africa. According to Mr. Okute, the book tells ‘the living story of everyday people confronting the terror and tragedy of civil war with hope and courage.’

Two priests, a group of nuns, rebels, army soldiers, civilians, and aid workers struggle to maintain their humanity amid the lack of humanity that war inspires in so many. Self-discovery comes even to an elderly priest who has seen so much despair; a younger priest must deal with the intense guilt of action in his violent world; nuns must cope with retaining their steadfast faith after being attacked and raped; and army soldiers, rebels, and civilians must variously come to terms with death, injury, and moving on in their world. Mr. Okute, a journalist, poet, and accomplished writer in his home country of Nigeria, was born in and continues to live in a part of the world few of us know, but an important country that even now experiences dramatic civil and religious war. All those readers who experience Wild Spirits will come away with greater awareness, stronger faith, a greater appreciation for peace, and a determination to practice their faith no matter what may come.”

Pita Okute has had a distinguished career in Nigerian journalism, particularly in Vanguard where he criticised Ken Saro-Wiwa’s novel in rotten English Sozaboy for having a “silly plot”. The criticism so rocked Ken SaroWiwa that he wrote Pita Okute into his then novel-inprogress Prisoners of Jebs as Pita Dumbrok, a character that forever kept muttering “silly plot”. Ken Saro-Wiwa went a step further by writing another novel, the eponymous Pita Dumbrok’s Prison based on the selfsame Pita Okute inspiration. Ken SaroWiwa and Pita Okute ended up becoming great friends until the Ogoni leader’s judicial murder by General Abacha.

The atrocities of war can be a drawback to writers because of the emotional overload usually at play in the circumstances. In Wild Spirits Pita Okute achieves a commendable measure of artistic distance and integrity through his softness of touch. There is no doubt that at issue in the novel is the NigeriaBiafra war of 1967-70, but the writer leaves the country unnamed and the characters are a welcome mix of rounded types. The immersion into Catholicism is not done in a proselytizing manner. The raping of the Reverend Sister is rendered without squeamishness, especially as her suicidal binge is welljudged in my opinion. The novel reads like an extended version of the domain of the Russian short story master Anton Chekhov in which ordinary people live humdrum lives that paradoxically underscore the essence of society. Wild Spirits is sumptuously well-written, and it deservedly won the 2012 Tuscany Prize for Catholic Fiction in a strong field of worldclass writers across the globe.

PAGE 58 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

A toast to Governor Akpabio at 50 !

TRIBUTE

,

BY ANIETIE JOHN UKPE TRIBUTE IN BRIEF A state chief executive stands tall on his birthday

A

KWA Ibom knows about Paradise lost. It was the first place where a demand was made for the creation of states in Nigeria (in 1954). As a matter of fact the Ibibio State Union was formed earlier in 1928 and the concept of states in Nigeria was born in the minds of those patriarchs. Yet Akwa Ibom lost its Paradise of hope when it missed out in the State creation exercise in 1967. Lumped with Cross River State in that state creation exercise, the people of Akwa Ibom State continued a sustained struggle for a state. This came twenty years after.

The sequel to “ Paradise Lost”, an epic by John Milton, is “Paradise Regained”, by the same author. Having chronicled man’s fall, he decides to cast his searchlight on Jesus Christ and show how Paradise was regained for all mankind.

Now that ties in with the Akwa Ibom story. Paradise was

Things have fully ripened in the last five years under the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio. Under his administration, Paradise has been regained and “Jehovah’s wonders have been known and

,

Governor Godswill Akpabio regained when the state was created in 1987. The tortuous work to translate the dreams of the “prophets” who saw the state and nourished it in their bosoms into reality began on a slow note. But things have fully ripened in the last five years under the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Under his administration, Paradise has been regained and “Jehovah’s wonders have been known and seen in Akwa Ibom State.”

Milton, who was described

by William Hayley (1745– 1820), another celebrated English writer, as the “greatest English author ”, shares the same birthday with Akpabio, who has been described by many as the “greatest Nigerian governor.”

Milton was born on December 9, 1608 in London. Akpabio was born on Sunday, December 9, 1962 at Ukana Ikot Ntuen, Essien Udim local government area. Today is the seventh time that his birthday

is falling on a Sunday and it is instructive that this is his fiftieth birthday. Seven, according to Christian tradition, is the number of completion; so a seventh Sunday means a complete life of worship.

If John Milton were an Akwa Ibom man born at this time, he would have been working with Akpabio. Writing about Cromwell, Milton described him as the “chief of men” in his sonnet of May, 1662. Well as the 50th birthday of Akpabio is being celebrated today, one wonders what Milton would have written of

him and what kind of sonnet it would have been.

What sonnet would he have written about a man who has transformed the landscape of Akwa Ibom State and tarred over 300 roads, built five flyovers? What sonnet for a man who has turned Uyo (once a rural town) into one of the most beautiful cities in Nigeria? What poem about the renaissance in infrastructure which has witnessed the completion of an airport met at site-clearing level, the completion of Ibom Power Plant, the building of the Tropicana Entertainment Centre (on-going), Twentieth Anniversary Specialist Hospital (on-going), two underground pipejacking systems (the first of their kind in Africa), the E-Library (the first of its kind in West Africa), construction of over 4,000 Inter-ministerial Projects, etc?

As the world bids a happy golden birthday, one feels compelled to borrow these words and tell the governor: “In our wonder and astonishment, he has built for himself and Akwa Ibom State live-long monuments.”

Happy birthday.

•Ukpe is the Senior Special Assistant, Media, to Governor Akpabio.

AKINYEMI TO SANUSI: Continue your public advocacy and take the punches Being an open letter

by Professor Bolaji Akinyemi to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

My Dear Governor,

I

notice that you are in the news again. Some will say that it is for the wrong reasons. But I beg to differ. I think that it is for the right reasons, even if I do not often agree with you.

Anyone who has followed your trajectory in life, and definitely those responsible for your appointment to the Central Bank and those in the Senate who confirmed your appointment should not be surprised at your controversial views because in actual fact, you were before your appointment, better known as a politico-social commentator and analyst than as a banker.

Even at your confirmation hearing, you served notice of

your courage by challenging the Yar’adua policy priorities.

If I were to list your public policy interjections of recent, they range from your views on the causes behind the Boko Haram, the size of the bureaucracy, the pernicious 1999 Constitution, the need or nonneed for more states, the redundancy of Local Governments, to mention a few.

As I indicated earlier, I don’t necessarily agree with the views you expressed. I believe that the point being made by your critics is that your role as a public policy advocate is incompatible with your role and status as Governor of the Central Bank.

I beg to disagree. First of all, there is no evidence that your public policy advocacy has impacted negatively on the economy. Given the fact that this is not my field, I have taken the trouble to consult economists and I have discovered that in fact their area of divergence with you has to do with your management of the foreign exchange rate vis a vis conversion of the dollar to naira disbursement than your public policy profile. This in

itself is quite unusual as economists are noted for on one hand and the other hand syndrome. Of course, for the completeness of the picture, I must admit that most of them prefer the mould of the silent

,

BY PROF BOLAJI AKINYEMI

I believe that the point being made by your critics is that your role as a public policy advocate is incompatible with your role and status as Governor of the Central Bank

,

and reclusive Central Bank Governor, only seen occasionally and heard even less occasionally. And even then

when heard, it would be more like the Delphic oracle that would need interpretation by experts, with everyone happy with his or her own interpretation.

Under normal circumstances, I would agree with them.

But these are not normal circumstances in Nigeria. The state of the nation cries out for a prophet crying in the wilderness. Since the exit from the scene of Chike Obi, Tai Solarin, Ayo Awojobi, Aminu Kano, Gani Fawehinmi, Bala Usman, Obafemi Awolowo to mention just a few, there has been a vacuum of individuals with the gravitas to make weighty pronouncements on the state of the nation and make the nation quake with attention even if one did not agree with the views. The nation stood still and paid attention to those views and governments often had to roll out their big guns to answer them, and who knows what policies were changed as a result of these Olympian interventions.

As far as I am concerned, and others may hold different views on this matter, you are the only one right now hold-

ing a position that empowers his views with such gravitas that they command attention.

That they often lead to controversy is beside the point.

That is not to say that there are no others speaking out.

Don’t get me wrong. There are multiple thousands who speak out daily and quite courageously too. But there are only a handful of leaders who can fill this oracular role. But because of their involvement in partisan politics or the public perception that they are motivated by mischief or malice or other motives that are less than altruistic, their interventions are often visited with mirth and carry less weight than they should.

Blessed is the nation with a Desmond Tutu or Nelson Mandela.

And so until Nigeria is blessed with a Desmond Tutu or Martin Luther King or Bobby Kennedy or Nelson Mandela, I urge you to continue your public advocacy role and take the punches that go with that role. *Akinyemi, a professor of international relations, was minister of external affairs.

Contribution of not more than 800 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012 — PAGE 59

VIEWPOINT

BY TAHIR ABDULLAHI

Recent public hearing on the review of the constitution was on opportunity for Kano people to assess their lawmaker

I

T was ordinarily an occasion to get the people’s input into the ongoing constitution review exercise, but it turned out to be more than that. It became a carnival of sorts. The people came out in their thousands to celebrate their son. Nothing would stop them any way. Not even “those who designed evil against an innocent person”. A teacher in the crowd, Haruna Adamu Gogori, was full of anger as he declared that those who designed evil against the “innocent person” being celebrated on the occasion would fail. The mood of the crowd was in tune with the thinking in many quarters that a four-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Farouk Lawan, was set up by some dark forces for political ruination.

The dark forces in this case are those bent on stalemating the report of the House of Representatives adhoc committee on petrol subsidy by raking allegation of bribery against Lawan who chaired the committee. The committee was apparently hard on the fraudsters in the subsidy regime by exposing the rot. This has now been confirmed by the reports of the Aig-Imouhuede and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu committees whose findings and recommendations substantially tally with the Farouk Lawan committee report. The bribery allegation is seen as part of the move to rubbish the House committee report.

Farouk defended his action.

The lawmaker ’s constituents in Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency, Kano State used the opportunity provided by the public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution to give

Farouk Lawan in the eyes of his people their son a clean bill of health on the bribery saga. Perhaps there is no better evidence to prove that Farouk acted transparently on the petrol subsidy investigation than those that came from his people who know him intimately.

Prof. M D Mukhtar, a professor with Bayero University, described the allegations against the lawmaker as a concoction of lies to destroy Farouk’s reputation and career.

He lamented the manner in which the system pulls down its best, noting that the lawmaker has become a first among equals even amongst his colleagues in the National Assembly.

Another constituent, Alhaji Muham-

,

VIEPOINT IN BRIEF

The bribery allegation is seen as part of the move to rubbish the House committee report

,

mad Tukur Gadanya, a prominent wealthy businessman in Kano, who confided that he had known the lawmaker from childhood, said Farouk had always been above board and a dogged fighter who “simply is incapable of the wicked lies they concocted against him”. Aisha, also a constit-

uent and petty trader, said it was inconceivable that Farouk “ will do the sort of things they want us to believe he did”. She added: “Allah is great.

The truth is beginning to come out”.

The crowd went wild when the serial lawmaker arrived the venue of the public hearing, chanting a victory song: “Shanono/Bagwai Sai Farouk”.

For several minutes, Farouk could not disembark from the black SUV that brought him as the crowd surrounded the vehicle. On alighting from the vehicle, the lawmaker, overwhelmed by the show of solidarity, could only utter a few words. “I thank … I am really grateful to you all. May Allah continue to be with you all. I bear no malice against anyone. Long live Nigeria,” he told the constituents.

Although the occasion was in connection with the constitution review, Farouk’s constituents made the point clear: Our son is our hero and we are proud of him. This became very clear when a thunderous applause greeted the remark by Dr Ayuba Ibrahim, a former director of the National Orientation Agency, that the people identified with him and are very proud of his dogged fight against enemies of progress and good governance. Addressing the constituents on the business of the day, the lawmaker told the gathering that the House decided to adopt a rigorous approach to the constitution review exercise in order to ensure the credibility of the process in a bid to give Nigerians the opportunity of contributing to a process that would give the country a better constitution.

“The programme is a consultative initiative of the House of Representatives aimed at ensuring a more participatory, inclusive and transparent review of the constitution.” He, therefore, implored the people “to look critically at the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and suggest new areas they would want included or existing provisions they want amended or expunged from the constitution.”

However, many people from the constituency said they wanted real autonomy for local governments. They also favoured the creation of more states provided that population and land mass will play critical role as part of the defining criteria, but are opposed to the idea of state police.

In his remarks, the representative of the Chairman of the Committee for the creation of Ghari State from Kano State, Alhaji Haruna Mohammed Shanono, renewed his justification for the proposed state. He said there was no reason that additional states should not be created from Kano State in view of its population and land mass.

The agitation for the creation of Ghari State started during the regime of the late Gen Sani Abacha.

The session was well attended with virtually all prominent indigenes of the constituency in attendance. They include traditional rulers, business community leaders, members of various unions, women, youths, physically challenged and people of all walks of life.

Among the dignitaries that graced the public hearing were, former Military Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Col. Yakubu Bako, who chaired the session; Alhaji Mohammed Sani Gadanya; Alhaji Abdullahi Beza; a former National Vice-President North West, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Hon Lawan Safiyanu Gogori;Alhaji Haruna Mohammed Shanono; Alh Zakari Ibrahim; Hon Ado Isyaku Daddauda; Dr Muhd Ibn Abdullah; and Alh Adamu Said Ahmed.

*Abdullahi is resident in Kano

Working in partnership to combat corruption

BY AMBASSADOR TERENCE MCCULLEY

VIEPOINT IN BRIEF The need for collaboration by nations to tackle corruption.

W

HEN 140 countries con vened on December 9, 2003, to sign the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), this event underscored international abhorrence of the detrimental effects of corruption and global recognition that governments can only combat and prevent corruption through cooperative efforts. Since then, more nations joined the convention so that today 164 signatory countries make it one of the United Nations' most highly subscribed treaties, creating a global mandate to combat corruption and the harm it brings to society.

One of the great strengths of the convention is recognition that corruption involves a two-way street; while it is important to address the bribe payers who attempt to do business through dishonest means, it is equally important to hold accountable the bribe takers, who use their official po-

sitions for personal enrichment instead of the public good. The convention also includes stipulations on "kleptocrats," who line their pockets and steal from their nations' treasuries and their own people, preventing the

,

VIEWPOINT

No country remains immune from corruption. To lessen the effects of corruption on a country's economy and security, authorities must enforce anticorruption laws

,

provision of necessary public services, including medicines and health care for the sick and elderly, education for children, and nourishment and housing for families. Such activities weaken affected countries and their potential for economic growth.

No country remains immune from corruption. To lessen the effects of

corruption on a country's economy and security, authorities must enforce anti-corruption laws, so those engaging in corrupt acts understand they cannot do so with impunity. The United States takes criminal enforcement of anti-corruption laws very seriously. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice prosecuted and won convictions against 1,107 public officials from all levels of government for engaging in acts of corruption, such as soliciting and/or accepting bribes, embezzling public funds, or trading in influence. Similarly, the U.S. became the first country to prohibit its nationals from paying bribes to foreign public officials, when it enacted the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) in 1977.

Under the FCPA, each year the U.S. completes dozens of enforcement actions, penalizing companies who engage in corruption abroad, sending the message that engaging in corruption abroad is just as offensive as engaging in corruption at home.

For any country, this two-pronged approach remains necessary to protect society from the ill effects of corruption. While it is important to penalize bribe payers to dissuade them from corrupting the system, it is equally important to prosecute public officials who be-

tray the public trust by taking bribes or embezzling public funds. Corrupt officials who have stolen government funds or who demand bribes to award government contracts cannot be allowed to enjoy the proceeds of their corruption.

Through criminal prosecution, Nigeria can end the culture of impunity and return stolen assets to productive use. This will not only help build Nigeria's economy, it will also send the message to criminals who might believe Nigeria's national resources or security are for sale, by closing down avenues for promoting crime and violent extremism.

To foster the stability, security, and prosperity of its citizens, Nigeria must effectively address both sides of the corruption equation.

The United States stands ready to work with Nigeria's anti-corruption institutions to bring corrupt individuals to justice, whether through technical assistance and training, or working cooperatively to find evidence or stolen assets held abroad.

Working together and with other international partners, we can combat corruption effectively and make impunity a thing of the past. *Mcculley is the ambassador of the United States to Nigeria.

PAGE 60 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012

News: No Deregulation, No Nigeria

"According to this Forensic Report, you have the right to remain poor or be totally DEREGULATED!" 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

The alarming rate of unemployment in Nigeria Dear Sir,

T

HE recent shocking and disgusting revelation by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, multibillionaire businessman in one of the mentorship meetings of the World Bank youth forum that about 13,000 applicants applied for the job of truck drivers in his flagship company which he felt pity on the Nigerian economy.

Out of the 13,000 applications received, six were PhD holders, 704 were Masters degree holders while 8,460 were Bachelor degree holders which indicated the high rate of unemployment and bad leadership in Nigeria. The job application was meant for first degree holders as executive graduate truck drivers, position initially meant for school certificate holders but disgracefully hijacked by unemployed PhD holders.

In Nigeria, unemployment is no longer news but the fall of dignity in job employment has prompted many determined young people to lose focus on their professions and fast becoming caricature of mediocre employers of labour while brain- drain of Nigerians seeking for foreign trips are growing at geometrical progression and ready to do all manner of odd jobs to survive in all ramifications. In the developed countries, PhD holders are free to apply for any job of their choice depending on the company's requirements but in Nigeria, we place value on certificate and titles which invariably makes the system of education destabilized in recent times.

The fact remains that those that are qualified are not employed except for a few with high level of connection and

others divinely favoured.

The drive for university degree has prompted many Nigerians to prefer buying certificates than to settle for academic excellence.

It is disheartening because even first degree and masters’ degree holders in Nigeria are Okada riders and bus conductors, yet the government keeps on promising employment opportunities. The fall of dignity in job application could be traced to bad economy which the past and present political and economic leaders indoctrinated the country into with their selfish interests and nothing else.

The average minimum qualification for some Nigerian job placement is first degree with 5 to 10 years experience while school certificate is no longer relevant in the present scheme of

things. Even job agencies are not helping matters but rather creating more frustrations for the job seekers.

Sometimes employers of labour place age limit on job application which prevents many from getting those jobs.

In Nigeria we glorify certificates above hardwork which have prompted many to purchase honorary doctorate degrees without due process. Even to the extent that some now set up Bible colleges to award doctorate degrees on those with high purchasing power than brain work.

It is sad that our university education is relegated to the background despite UNESCO 26 percent recommendation in funding the education sector which the Federal Government has failed to comply with it. The system of education in Nigeria has prompted many

students and lecturers to prefer foreign and African universities to Nigerian ones. Most of our research institutions are nothing to write home about. It is glaring that self- employed Nigerians are faced with financial challenges which private and government institutions fail to lend soft- loans to equip them. Being a PhD holder or master ’s degree holder as a truck driver indicates the demeaning system of our education which gives privilege to only those that are connected to the blue chip companies. The challenge of a University graduate being unemployed is one of the major issues that makes many youths to take to crime.

Godday Odidi, Public Affairs Analyst, 20 Oro Street Ajegunle Apapa Lagos.

No to Lamido Sanusi's sack policy Dear Sir,

D

ESPAIR, despondency and utter bewilderment is the lot of many Nigerians over Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CBN Governor ’s statement recently on the lay-off of 50-70% of civil/public servants. It is very embarrassing that such a statement should come from the current governor CBN. He went further to castigate Mr. President calli ng for the reduction of the members of the Senate and House of Representatives and for the abolition of local government councils in Nigeria.

Without mincing words, I think it is crystal clear that Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has failed this country as CBN governor. He sometime established Islam Banking without approval of the relevant authorities. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi should be quickly called to order and if necessary should be relieved of his post because he is not for the interest of the nation.

The federal government should put in oblivion with alacrity the unpopular statement of Sanusi and see the civil/ public service as the engine room of any democratic structure. What the presidency should do for the civil/

public servants to enable them continue to play their roles administratively as advisers with experienced hands is to increase service years for all staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from 35 to 40-years.

Mr. Sanusi, enough is more than enough according to Professor Tam David-West. As a matter of urgency return to your traditional stool in Kano and exhibit your so-called intelligence and professionalism at that level.

Joshua Abu is a freelance journalist based in Benin, Edo State.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012, PAGE 61

C M Y K

PAGE 62 — SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

C M Y K

SUNDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 9, 2012 -- PAGE 63

Oluchi Elechi: Ebewele made me cry in training — Recalls the good days of Nigeria’s track and field

By ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

O

LUCHI Elechi was at the Teslim Balogun Stadi-um last Wednesday, the second day of Track And Field events of the National Sports Festival that ends today.

She is home for Christmas from her Alabama base in the United States.

Elechi has added Raymond to her name as she is now married to Nick Raymond.

Two of them watched when Rivers’ Nicholas Imoaperamhu and Peace Uko won the 100m races for men and women respectively.

Before the 100m final Oluchi was almost cursing over what fans saw in the 800m event of Heptathlon.

They jogged till the last 100m.

They were awful and Oluchi yelled “these athletes are disgracing me here.”

Yes, she probably felt the shame more than anybody around. More than 20 years ago she was pacing on for the same event and expected the athletes performing on the day to run faster than they did then.

But what she saw was unbelievable.

In their time, at the time she competed against the likes of Pat Itanyi, athletes were attaining almost 5,000 points to win Heptathlon. Now 3,000 points can win athletes the Heptathlon medal. That’s why they could afford to jog in the 800m final.

Shame. Standards have fallen badly.

Oluchi shook the head in disappointment and that was enough to engage her in a chat that made her recall the past.

She started track and field with one event. Seigha Porbeni, her coach then at the University of Ibadan increased her events to three and that was an uphill task

for her. Tougher days were to come when she met Brown Ebewele, the former decathlete champion who insisted that she was an Heptathlon material and went ahead to introduce her to the seven events that make up the Heptathlon. Oluchi recalled her story aptly. It was an interesting evening that saw us move from Teslim Balogun Stadium to the National Stadium few meters away.

Interestingly, Brown was at the Teslim Balogun Stadium too.

“There were times I cried while training,”

she recalled.

“Under Brown, you couldn’t be lazy. You just had to give your all. He would pet you when necessary, yell at you when necessary and psyche you up when you were down.

Brown was a damn good coach and I’m thankful that I worked with such people.”

Nick Raymond enjoyed the story the wife was telling. He met Oluchi in the United States and wasn’t there when she was Africa’s queen, winning the gold medal at the Harare All Africa Games in 1995. Before then was the All Africa Games in Cairo in 1991 where she picked up silver. What surprised her was that Brown Ebewele had taken a bet on her, telling people that she would win the gold.

“I didn’t know that Brown had taken a bet on me. He even asked that his allowance should not be paid and that if I won gold the allowance should be doubled.

All these happened without m y knowledge. It was my first time in All Africa Games. I was a local athlete and it was amazing that my coach had such con-

fidence in me. But that was how competitive we were in those days. It was when I ended up with a silv e r med-

al that I found out about the betting. Brown was not only a coach to athletes. He was also a mentor, a friend and a brother. He made me earn money for the first time as an athlete. I was at the University of Ibadan and he enrolled me as Kano State athlete when he was the head coach in Kano. Brown would send your salary to you and when it was time for training he would make sure you earned the money that he paid. I was not the only athlete. He did the same thing to many of us. He could train you anywhere, on tartan tracks or hard grounds etc.

We didn’t start on tartan tracks then and the dust from the ground chocked. But Brown had a way of making you hang in there. There were days I would go to a corner and cry after training. Training was hard but the results delighted. The money also helped. You know what it is to earn money as a student? It felt great. I could count myself lucky to have worked with the likes of Porbeni and Brown. The technique and endurance I achieved helped me when I moved to the United States.

At the Harare Games I was already in the US and came from there to win the gold. What I saw today was not competitive. We should be progressing and not retrogressing. The standard should be improving, not going down. We were concerned about the state of sports in Nigeria and formed an association in US with the aim of making inputs from there and influencing changes where

necessary. But it got politicized and the dream died. I know that we can get back on track but the right things must be done. The right peo-

ple must be engaged. That is the first step otherwise whatever ideas or policies you have the wrong people will always lack the capacity to implement them.”

Athletics development: Igboka takes the bulls by the horns

By BEN EFE

E

very time Nigerians faced the embarrassment of returning empty handed from international sports meets, the cry has always been about going back to the “drawing board” and “we need to develop our grassroots talents.

However, there has never been any drawing board or grassroots development. But coach Johnny Igboka is one man that has taken it upon himself to revive athletics in his home state.

Igboka, a former national high champion has established a sports academy, where football

and athletes are been taught to kids. And some of those athletes excelled at 18th National Sports Festival, winning medals, they include Ugeh Kasie who won javelin women gold for Delta, Eze Onyeaocha won gold in the discus and Ojeme Clement Smart who won bronze in the short put.

The sports academy based in Nimo, Anambra State seem to be a breading ground for States’ director of sports who poach athletes for the National Sports Festival. But according to Igboka, he is badly in need of funds to expand his horizons to produce more champions.

“This is something I have been doing on my own. This is because I believe that future of our sports depends on what we do today.

“It has not been easy, I only wish that I get support most especially from Anambra State.

The State has so much talents, yet we are struggling to get medals at the Nationals Sports Festival.

“We need to get other coaches on board. I’m specialised in the high jump, but I’m just using the basic knowledge I got from books to coach the throwers, we also need sprints coaches,” said the coach.

SUNDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 9, 2012

Results

Today’s matches

Arsenal Aston Villa Southampton Sunderland Swansea Wigan

2 0 1 1 3 2

West Brom Stoke Reading Chelsea Norwich QPR

0 0 0 3 4 2

Lagos

2

Cross River 0

Man City V Man Utd 2.30pm Everton V Tottenham 4.00pm West Ham V Liverpool 5.00pm Atletico Madrid V Deportivo 7.00pm Real Betis V Barcelona 9.00pm

STAR OF THE SHOW... Otobodo Owanren of Delta State .

It’s party time, Fashola invites Nigeria to Lagos

By ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

G

OVERNOR Raji Babatunde Fashola of Lagos is inviting Nigerians to the closing ceremony of the 18th National Sports Festival this evening at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere. Lagos is promising a magnificent show and the governor wants many to feel the stadium atmosphere tonight.

Lagos has done well in the hosting of the games. They provided a level-playing field and aside few challenges that mark games of this magnitude in Nigeria true winners emerged in most of the events.

Cheating was not as pronounced as it was in some past festivals.

On the opening day on November 27, Governor Fashola announced that the ultimate dream was to develop sports and not a medal chase at all cost. His lieutenants lived up to this. Lagos did not intimidate opponents. They did not cheat.

They promoted the spirit of fair play and they deserved their

third place position on the medals table. It is their best outing in the past five games.

And they want to cap their efforts with a classic closing ceremony that will be full of entertainment. Eko for show is a common phrase in Nigeria.

Lagos is determined to justify that. During the games, fans had fun at different centres.

Musicians and comedians entertained in different relaxation centres. There were many shows even at the venues.

The events were well attended and fan clubs made the atmosphere at venues exciting.

The excitement continues this night at the closing ceremony where athletes will bid bye to their friends.

E

ko 2012 will remain green in the memories of many participants. It may be the last for many of them, their ages notwithstanding. It is the last festival that will be restricted to those who have competed in international events and those who have attended two festivals. The 2014 games in Cross River will be open to all.

It will be Nigeria’s quasi

Olympic Games. States will field their best athletes at home and abroad. This will make the National Sports Festival very competitive and some those who competed here may no longer meet the standard to compete for their states. The stakes will be higher. And for the purposes of discovering talents, there will be a national junior competition. Many have commended this direction and

hoped that the competitions would be well organized to achieve the objectives of the country. And so Lagos is making history as the last host of the closed games. It is equally so for Delta State which leaves Lagos as title holders of the last closed games. Emerging tops here makes them the best state in sports in the recent times.

They have won five out of the last seven games, losing to Edo and Rivers when those states hosted the games. Delta won in Bauch 2000, Edo won in Edo in

2002, Delta returned to their winning streak in Abuja in 2004 and Abeokuta in 2006.

T

hey also won in the Kaduna games that had to be postponed two times before losing to Rivers in Rivers.

Now, they are back as winners in Lagos, the City of Excellence and a state that won the games consecutively at Markurdi ’96 and Imo ’98. The plunge in Lagos set in after then. But Fashola has launched a programme to revive sports and the march is on.

“The good thing about our victory is that it cuts across many sports. We won gold medals in almost all sports. It makes our victory complete and proves how serious we are about sports development ,”Amaju Melvin Pinnick, head of sports in Delta said. His governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had said that they had the capacity to “win the festival any time we want so far there’s fair play.” He has also said that the focus now should be transforming sports in Nigeria so that Nigeria can begin to do well at the Olympic Games and also make sports the industry that it is in some countries. It is the same song that Fashola and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State are singing.

As the curtains will be drawn on Eko 2012 today, two athletes will be in the minds of many who saw them compete. They are the stars of the games. They should be the faces of Eko 2012.

Kingsley Forcados and Otobodo Owanren as at Friday had won 12 gold medals. Each of them had won four individual and two team gold medals. They are Delta athletes. Kingsley is the younger brother of Blessing Forcados who won seven gold medals in the Abuja games and when asked what she wanted government to do for her she asked for nothing but wanted the state to build a swimming pool in her senatorial district.

Kingsley and Otobodo will get special attention as the games come to an end today. The winners of Eko 2012 are, however, not only the medalists. The hosts, the organizers and all the entertainers who performed at the opening ceremony and those who will make tonight a wonderful one will, in a way, remain the stars of Eko 2012.

ACROSS 1. House of Reps Speaker (8) 5. Assistant (4) 7. Praise (5) 8. Upright (4) 9. Lantern (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 15. Exclamation (2) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 18. Agent (3) 20. Glitters (6) 24. Forward (5) 25. Nigerian state (6) 27. Boring tool (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 31. Perform (2) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 36. Vow (4) 38. Musical quality (4) 39. Inclination (5) 40. Eager (4) 41. Damages (8)

DOWN 1. Sample (5) 2. Niger state town (4) 3. Observe (5) 4. Lecture (6) 5. Everyone (3) 6. Use (6) 10. Inquires (4) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Resistance unit (3) 17. Coax (4) 19. Rollicked (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 22. Satisfied (4) 23. Nigerian state (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 27 . African country (6) 28. Endure (4) 29. Child (3) 30. Spoke (6) 31. Adorn (5) 33. Baking chambers (5) 35. Asterisk (4) 37. Possessed (3)

SEE SOLUTION ON PAGE

5

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa.

Advert Dept: :01- 7924470; Hotline: 01- 4707189; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail website: sundayvanguard@yahoo.com, editor@vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com. Advert:advert@vanguardngr.com.

Internet: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) Editor: JIDE AJANI. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.