Buhari hands EFCC fresh orders on recoverd stolen funds

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PA GE 2, SUND AY V anguard ARY 10, 2016 SUNDA Vanguard anguard,, JANU JANUARY

SUND AY V anguard ARY 10, 2016 — PAGE 3 SUNDA Vanguard anguard,, JANU JANUARY

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Northern Christian elders propose 7-point action to end insurgency

BY SAM EYOBOKA

From left: Member, Ibadan Progressive Union (IPU), Baale Muritala Alayande; President of the union, Pastor Johnson Adeniji; Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; immediate past President of IPU, Very Rev'd, Ademola Moradeyo; and other members, Chief Kayode Arowolo and Pa Ayo Akintunde, during a thankyou visit to the governor following the resolution of the Ibadan chieftaincy promotion dispute, at the Governor's Office, Ibadan. Photo: Oyo State Government

THE National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, has suggested a seven-point approach to end insurgency in the country.

In a statement by the General Secretary, Rev. Bosun Emmanuel, the Forum said Boko Haram had stepped up its attacks outside its homeland since an 8,700strong Multi-National Joint Task Force to fight the militant group was created in March, arguing that rather than diminish, the cycle of violence and destruction had escalated.

The Forum commiserated with the government, the people of northern Nige-

ria, and in particular the victims and families.

•While recommending the seven point approach, the group said: “The traditional, political, religious, academic, and commercial leadership of northern Nigeria are under obligation to ensure that religious intolerance, which has become the bane of the North, is eradicated. Lasting peace can only exist in an environment where justice, equality, and fairness reign. Northern Nigeria has to imbibe the spirit and the letter of Section 38 (1) of the 1999 Constitution that guarantees freedom of religious belief. The current crisis between the Nigerian Army and the Shi-

ites occurred as a result of religious tension. Before now, Muslims in the North have consistently waged destructive attacks on Christians and we pray that this current violence will not deteriorate into another Islamic insurgency. *The National Christian Elders Forum appeals for calm so that the present security challenges do not degenerate into a Sunni versus Shiite conflict in Nigeria. We are fully aware that contention between these two groups contributed in no small measure to the terrible escalation of the Syrian crisis. Every effort should be made to ensure that (Shiite) Iran does not enter into this conflict under its global contention with (Sunni) Saudi Arabia.

These nations have a habit of exporting their conflicts into foreign lands which then becomes the battleground. *The National Christian Elders Forum is calling on President Muhammadu Buhari not to drag Nigeria into the Saudi Arabia led Muslim/Arab coalition against ISIS. Nigeria is neither an Islamic nor an Arab nation. The President promised Nigerians before his election that he is now a democrat and has no intention of imposing Sharia or any form of religious domination on the nation.

If Nigeria should participate in the Saudi Arabia led coalition, it would be a negation of all that the President promised before his election. Such a denial would be a terrible betrayal of the trust that Nigerians from all over the country reposed in President Buhari.”

Methodist Bishop tasks Nigerians on challenges

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igerians have been admonished to appreciate God’s glory especially when facing challenges.

The new Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Revd Luke Odubanjo, gave the advice in his sermon at the 2015 Choir Festival of the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos.

Odubanjo cited hardship of the Israelites in the wilderness, the hardship of David before the giant Goliath, the experience of Daniel in the Lion’s den, as well as those of the three Hebrews in the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar as well as Joseph, who was sold, sold to slavery, but eventually became Prime Minister over his siblings and Egyptians.

He charged Nigerians to endure and obey God in whatsoever they pass through.

The Methodist Archbishop, while appreciating the edication of the entire Wesley Cathedral Olowogbowo choir, assured them that God’s glory in their callings and families will not be in vain.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 5

PDP, APC TRADE WORDS ON DETAINED SUSPECTS

Buhari issues fresh orders to EFCC

By Jide Ajani, Umoru Henry, Olasunkanmi Akoni and Ben Agande

T

here appears to be no backing down

by President Muhammadu Buhari on his resolve to make anti-corruption and accountability the fulcrum of his administration as he issued fresh orders to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to account for funds that were stolen but recovered by the Commission.

In fact, the President also instructed the EFCC not to be distracted by negative comments from some quarters on its operations, especially as they affect some of those who have been named in the now infamous $2.1b arms scandal.

This is coming at a time when the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which has had a few of its leaders arrested and detained in Buhari’s anti-corruption crusade and the All Progressives Congress, APC, which is the ruling party, are trading words on the propriety or otherwise of the approach of the EFCC executing the anti-graft war.

Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has declared that the war against corruption in Nigeria would be a very hard one to wage.

Buhari’s fresh orders to EFCC

Sunday Vanguard was reliably informed by Aso Rock Presidential Villa sources that the recent visits of the Chairman, EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, to the seat of power, where he had was said to have had audience with Buhari, may be a pointer to the seeming micro-management of the anti-corruption drive.

Although the source did not make full disclo-

sures about what transpired at the private meeting between the President and Magu, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that far from the allegation of tele- guiding the EFCC, “Mr. President wanted a very clear picture regarding accountability and the exact amount of funds already recovered from some of those who were said to be making refunds to the coffers of the Federal Government of Nigeria”.

It was learnt that Buhari’s express orders to the EFCC boss was to the effect that the funds already recovered must be accounted for.

Whereas this was not an indictment on the current leadership of the EFCC, Sunday Vanguard gathered that some of the issues that were already subjects of controversy even before Magu took over as the Commission’s boss needed to be sorted out.

Specifically, the activities of the EFCC regarding recovery of looted funds under Ibrahim Lamorde, the immediate past EFCC boss, were brought into sharp focus.

Buhari has vowed that all stolen funds would be recovered.

The present wave of arrests and interrogation is not unconnected with this drive.

Indeed, Sunday Vanguard sources made it clear that since the EFCC, under Lamorde, made some recoveries and seizures from some looters (which included properties), there was need to account for “everything that went down”.

In fact, whereas Lamorde is out of the country, there are suggestions that he may “be made to come back to the country to properly account for recoveries and sale of properties that may have happened under his tenure”.

Corruption fight will be tough – Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soynka, yesterday, expressed confidence in the ongoing war against corruption by the Buhari administration, even as he said “the fight is going to be a hard one.”

Soyinka made the remarks when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

According to the literary icon, the practice of abandoning the fight against corruption half way, “ will not happen this time.”

Soyinka went on: “We have never had a situation where we were faced not just by emergency but critical emergency with our children being kidnapped under our noses and we were helpless, soldiers were being sent to the war front to defend our essence and we were not backing them up.

“The fight against corruption in Nigeria is going to be a hard one.

There is no question whatsoever that we are not where we were before this administration entered. But we all have to be very careful and I have used this expression again and again that corruption fights back and the ardent fighters are those who are already within the cesspool of corruption and you can see that in the recent episode which I am not going to talk about, I am going to await a certain letter which I am told to expect and I hope that the letter writer brings it to my Egba hideout and I will educate him.

“Let’s watch the fight against corruption. It is on two levels: one directly against corruption and counter attacks which we are. There is no retreat no matter the libel or libelous garbage from any part of this country.”

He described the alleged dinner expenses spent by the past Rivers State Government, led

by Hon. Rotimi Amaechi to honour him on his birthday, as “insulting, disrespectful and highest desperation” for anyone to try to rubbish his image on the pages of newspapers.

On the repositioning of the National Theatre, Soyinka said, from the economic point of view, the solution might be found in a public private partnership (PPP) initiative.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Culture said he was in Soyinka’s

Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (right); his wife, Olufunso (3rd left); bride's father, Engr. David Odesanya (left); groom's aunt, Dr. (Mrs) Tinu Adegoke (2nd left); groom, Emmanuel Olude (3rd right), and his bride, Folake (2nd right), during their wedding at the Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday. office to tap from his fountain of knowledge about the nation’s arts and culture.

Mohammed said, “We have seen the huge potentials of our artists and there is need to give them enabling environment to practice their profession, to express themselves”.

PDP condemns detention without trial

Criticizing the continued incarceration of its spokesperson, Chief Olisa Metuh, by the EFCC without charging him to court, the PDP, yesterday, said the action clearly showed the dictatorial character of the Buhari government.

According to the opposition party, the detention was a clear breach of Metuh’s constitutionally guaranteed liberty and fundamental rights.

It added that the action was an indication that the administration has not hidden its disdain for rule of law and an appetite to gag the opposition.

In a statement by the PDP National Legal Adviser, Barr. Victor Kwon, the party noted that Nigeria was fast becoming a police state with government’s inherent constitutional violations and infringement on rights of citizens, warning that if not checked, it would pose grave danger to national stability and survival of democracy.

“Relying on a purported ‘holding charge’, said to have been derived from a magistrate, to detain Chief Metuh beyond the statutory period allowed by the law is in total violation of the Constitution and extant corresponding rulings by several trial and appellate courts in the country,” Kwon stated.

“We draw the attention of all Nigerians and the international community to this illegal clampdown on the opposition spokesman by the

EFCC, using a purported holding charge said to have been derived from a magistrate court.

“Holding charge, which implies ‘arrest before investigation’ instead of ‘investigation before arrest’, is clearly an aberration and abuse of judicial process which has since been declared by several courts as illegal, null and void, and of no effect as it is totally in contradiction with section 35 (1), (4), (5a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The PDP is particularly worried that Chief Metuh, since his arrest on Tuesday, is being inhumanly kept in an underground cell where he is daily threatened by officials, who, we gathered, have been mounting pressure on him to accept guilt of fictitious figures and implicate PDP leaders.

“We invite the world to note that President Buhari’s election promise of fighting corruption has now been turned into a man-hunt of PDP leaders, while known corrupt APC leaders are being shielded by the system and rewarded with ministerial positions and other government appointments.”

PDP’s claims false – APC

In apparent response to the PDP’s claims, the ruling APC, yesterday, accused the opposition party of plotting blackmail against the EFCC and other agencies in the fight against corruption.

A statement by the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, predicated the blackmail on the separate press statements issued on Friday by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, among others, alleging plans by the APC and the Buhari administration to silence the opposition through a selective anti-corruption fight.

The statement also

urged the anti-graft agencies not to relent on their determination to investigate and bring all looters of the national treasury to justice.

It dismissed the PDP’s opinion that Buhari was selective in the anti-corruption war just as it described as untrue the insinuation that APC had resolved to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

“In three orchestrated press statements issued on Friday, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose, among others, alleged plans by the APC and President Buhari’s administration to silence the opposition through a selective anti-corruption fight.

Also, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus, on Friday, accused the APC of attempting to turn the country into a one-party state”, the ruling party stated.

“The APC urges the anticorruption agencies not to be distracted by these syndicated and coordinated attacks and continue to employ all legal and legitimate avenues to bring to book all looters of our common wealth.

“It is clear that the PDP is out of sync and out of step with the generality of Nigerians on the clamour to bring to book all looters of public funds. The days of impunity are over. The PDP and treasury thieves must pay for the recklessness and shocking mismanagement of public funds perpetuated under the defunct 16-year PDP rule. It is however reassuring that in spite of desperate and shameless attempts by the PDP and it’s agents to discredit President Buhari’s anti-corruption efforts, the war against corruption is being won.

“The PDP camp in baseless allegations accuses the president of a selective anti-corruption fight while members of the APC ‘with serious corruption allegations

Continues on page 6

PAGE 6 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016

L-R Nobel Lurrate Professor Wole Soyinka and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a courtesy visit by the Minister at the Freedom Park Lagos,yesterday. Photo by kehinde gbadamosi

L-R: The CEO, Unity Hospitals Group Ltd, Lagos, Sir Dr Chief Oladeinde Williams, KJW; a former CEO, Conoil Plc, Engr Sina Tychu; wife, Dame Adetope Tychus; the new Archbishop of Lagos, Methodist Church Nigeria, Most Revd Luke Odubanjo; the Presbyter Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos Circuit, Very Revd Sola Ala; and wife of the CEO, Unity Hospitals Group Ltd, Lady Gloria Williams, during the 2015 Annual Choir Festival of the Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos Circuit.

Rotavirus breaks out in Benue, 350 hospitalised

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

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O fewer than 350 chil dren have been reportedly hospitalised in parts of Makurdi Benue State capital, following the outbreak of rotavirus infection (severe diarrhea and vomiting) in the state.

When Sunday Vanguard visited the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Makurdi, it was discovered that most of the bed spaces in the children’s ward were occupied by victims.

The situation was the same in most private hospitals visited in the town and the Benue State University Teaching Hospital which recorded high figure of children and infants who were hospitalised on account of the virus.

One of the parents, who spoke on the condition of anonymity at the FMC, told Sunday Vanguard that she rushed her two-year-old son to the hospital after the

baby suddenly developed diarrhea.

“Some day ago, I noticed that my baby suddenly stated stooling uncontrollably and hours later, he also started vomiting. I had no choice but to rush him here only to discover that it was as if all the children in Makurdi were also brought to the hospital for the same purpose,” she said.

“I also saw children of my neigbours and it’s more like an epidemic in the town because it’s a major health condition that most homes with children and infants are facing presently.

“When we came, it was difficult to get bed space at the children’s ward Even at the private hospitals town, most of the bed spaces have been taken over by children who are facing the same health condition. We are lucky to have gotten space here at the FMC. You can see things for yourself.”

The parent, who claimed that she noticed that some kids lost their lives to the

disease, pointed out that health personnel were battling to contain the disease.

Speaking on the issue, a medical practitioner in a private hospital at the Wadata area of Markurdi who also spoke anonymously, said the hospital recorded an average of three new cases of the disease daily

go about their businesses’. The PDP camp in continuation of its laughable conspiracy theories also speaks of ‘a calculated attempt to decimate and silence the opposition’ through the anti-corruption fight and an attempt to turn the country to a oneparty state.

“The position of the APC has not changed.

For the umpteenth time, if the PDP has any proof of corruption against any APC member as alleged, we advise that they approach any of the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases.

‘Disobeying court order is highest form

of corruption’ In a related development, an Abuja based legal practitioner, Godwin Ogboji, yesterday, berated the Buhari administration over alleged persistent disregard for court orders, noting that “disobeying court orders is the highest form of corruption”.

Ogboji said the principles of the separation of power envisages that the “legislature is to make law, the executive to implement while the judiciary interprets.”

“It is not in the place of any other branch of government, apart from the judiciar y, to interpret and apply the law as any such attempt will be an aberration and an affront to the principle of the rule of law ”, he told Sunday

Ojabo said, “From the information i gathered from our personnel, it got to epidemic level two weeks ago, but we are fighting it, though the situation this year is better than what we had within this period last year, and the most affected was the Wadata area of the

town.

“As of today, the rate of infection is going down. We all know that this harmathan period is a season of viral infections. So, for everyone to remain safe, we must all keep our environment clean to stem such outbreaks.

Synagogue: Primate Ayodele pleads for T.B. Joshua

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RIMATE Babatunde Ayodele is seeking reprieve for Synagogue Church of All Nations’ Pastor TB Joshua and General Overseer of the Christian Praying Assembly, Rev. Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, a.k.a Reverend King. In a message sent to Sunday Vanguard, yesterday, the Founder and Head of Inri Evangelical and Spiritual Church pleaded that government should temper justice with mercy on the embattled Synagogue Church pastor.

Buhari issues fresh orders to EFCC Continued from page 5

and urged health officials to move fast to stem the spread of the outbreaki.

When contacted, Commissioner for Health, Dr Cecelia Ojabo, who confirmed the outbreak, stated that the situation got to epidemic level two weeks ago but added that the virus was being contained.

Vanguard in an interview.

“Considering this elementary principle of law, it is thus unfortunate that the President, the face of the executive, acting through the Department of State Services, DSS, is consciously disobeying court orders, as typified in the case of Kanu and Dasuki, who were all granted bail by competent and superior courts. This is an affront on the Constitution.

“Where the executive, which prosecutes, is dissatisfied with any court ruling, instead of disobeying the court order, it has the right of appeal to complain and, if the complaint is justifiable, surely it will get relief. Disobedience of court order is the highest form of corruption”. .

TB Joshua’s Synagogue is standing trial alongside its contractors before a Lagos State High Court in respect of the Friday 12 September, 2014 collapse of a guest house located within the church premises around Ikotun-Egbe area of Lagos State, which was said to have killed about 116 people. Joshua’s case is however different from that of Ezeugo, who is currently challenging, at Supreme Court, his sentence

to death by hanging by a Lagos State High Court since 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted murder and murder.

Ayodele lamented that other churches had continued to be silent over Joshua plights linking it to reason that the embattled SCOAN pastor was not member of Christian Association of Nigeria and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria. He described TB Joshua as a

lonely voice in the wilderness.

“I am appealing to the government of Lagos State to temper justice with mercy over Pastor TB Joshua considering the fact that he has helped quite a great number of people spiritually and has empowered them largely. They should please forgive him and leave the rest to God if they think he was really guilty as charged,” Ayodele said.

Ondo 2016: Kuku raises campaign committee Dayo Johnson, Akure

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former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, and an aspirant in the November governorship election in Ondo State, Hon Kingsley Kuku, has constituted a committee to coordinate his campaign ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary.

Kuku, in a statement in Akure, said that the group known as Kuku Support Group, will be coordinated by a former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Hon. Ebenezer, Alabi.

He noted that the formation of the group became imperative in order to make it easy for him to interface with his supporters who have been concerned about his state of health. “l have been overwhelmed by messages from persons at home and in diaspora genuinely concerned about my medical trip in the United States of America and tending

events in the polity, especially our Sunshine State,”he said.

Alabi has however condemned what he described as a campaign of calumny against his candidate in the upcoming poll.

“We also want to use this medium to assure our teaming supporters who have stood tall in spite of veiled molestations and blackmail,

that from all indications the road will be rough but victory is sure. We believe, in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated.”

Meanwhile, Kuku said: “By the schedule of my treatment ,l am now at the concluding and very critical physical therapy stage, after which I shall return home in due course of time.”

Kogi: DSS arrests Faleke, Audu

By Kingsley Fanwo Uneasy calm pervaded, Kogi, yesterday, as Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and Mr. Mohammed Audu were invited by operatives of the Directorate of State Security (DSS) in Abuja. Supporters of the two politicians were apprehensive of the fate of their principals.Faleke, a second-term House of Representatives member, was the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the governorship election in Kogi after the poll was declared

inconclusive.A source told Sunday Vanguard that the member of the House of Representatives arrived at the headquarters of the DSS, yesterday, at about 10.00am and had not been released as at the time of filing this report.When contacted, the Director of Media and Publicity of Audu/Faleke Campaign Organization, Hon. Duro Meseko, confirmed the invitation, saying the the campaign organization was yet to come to terms with the invitation at what he called, “a critical period in the struggle for the Lugard House through constitutional means”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 7

Wanted: A new national political party (1) “All political parties die at last of swallowing their own lies.”

Dr John Arbuthnot, 16671735. (VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS, VBQ, p 191). ou may be young and infantile” was the ti tle of an article in the PUNCH, on Monday, January 4, 2016,

by Solaade Ayo-Aderele on page 16. Thanks to AyoAderele, it suddenly occurred to me that you might also be old and infantile. Many politicians in Nigeria today, almost all over forty, are behaving, talking and acting like kids. Incredible as it might appear to thinking people, some adults are actually talking seriously about reviving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP – which is already at the graveyard waiting to be

Y

“

buried. Wait for the explanation.

At the same time, some other set of adults are still operating under the illusion that there is a party called the All Progressives Congress, APC. That contraption, stitched together just to get rid of Jonathan and the PDP collapsed the day the Presidential Election results were announced.

Today, even the village idiot knows that there are as many APCs as there are politicians interested in any constituency. There is Presidency APC, Senate APC, House APC, Kogi APC, Imo APC ad nauseum.

Whereas the PDP, or what remains of it, is essentially in one dreadful piece, and rapidly falling apart, the APC was a marriage of the strangest bed-fellows ever assembled together as a

rexmarinus@hotmail.com

What do the Igbo want?

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n an angry retort to a question thrown at him in his recent Media chat, President Muhammadu Buhari asked, “What do they (Igbo) want?” “Who is marginalizing them?” In his own defence, he said the Minister of state for oil in his government is Igbo, the Minister for Science and Technology is Igbo, and of course, the Governor of the Central Bank too. He might also have added the Foreign Minister Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Labour & Productivity (it used to be Establishment), Dr. Chris Ngige, the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amechi, the Minister for Trade, Industries and investment, Dr. Okey Enelemah, and the junior Minister for education, Anthony Anwuka. On the face of it, the president would be right to say that he has Igbo as members of his Executive Council.

His critics would of course be quick to respond that Buhari was hampered by a constitutional requirement that compelled him to effect plural representation in his cabinet, willy-nilly. They would say were it not for the constitution, the president would, left to him, not have had any Igbo in his cabinet, given his known historical predilection. The evidence, they would say, is in the constitution of the cabinet itself: Ibe Kachikwu is not the Oil Minister, he is the junior

Minister for oil. The president is the oil minister. Nonetheless, oil is Nigeria chief commodity; that which gives it its sex appeal, and Kachikwu is no doormat and his position not insignifcant. The Foreign Ministry portfolio is a sinecure position, at best.

There was a time when it would have carried some weight. In those years Nigeria carried its weight in the international scene. Today, the Nigerian Foreign Ministry is no more than a clearing house for the great powers to which Nigeria is now just a proxy nation. A foreign minister is as powerful as his nation in the international arena, and Nigeria seems increasingly insignificant, even as a notable voice in African affairs.

So, at best, the Foreign Minister is a prestige position, full of glitter, and nothing else.

Yet, President Buhari might also argue that it is Nigeria’s voice, its eyes and its ears in the outside world, for whatever it is worth. That by itself is significant – Nigeria speaks to the world through the voice of an Igbo, whose own illustrious father was no less the World Court judge, Charles Daddy Onyeama of Eke. The Ministry of Labour could equally be powerful, and might be in the hands of a visionary minister, the arrowhead for the reform of the Civil Service and the public sector.

The Ministry of Trade,

terrain of corruption, and getting inured in it, those in charge of the PDP can now evolve a clean organization must have rocks where brains are supposed to be. For now, one reason will be sufficient. The APC government will probe so many disbursements made by the Jonathan administration and jail as many as possible and discredit the rest, such that by 2019 hardly anyone will want to be identified with the party.

Political death had never been surer.

political party. What is so amusing, if it is not tragic for Nigeria, is the fact that at various points in our recent history, Nigerians had been warned about the political parties which were about to start ruling them. First, it was the PDP which started like a great enterprise. As Charles Peguy, 1873-1914, had told us, “Every great enterprise starts off with enthusiasm for an exalted aim and ends up bogged down in petty politics.” The PDP which started with Dr Alex Ekwueme, former Vice President of Nigeria, and thirty-three respected politicians aimed to create an all-embracing political party. The symbol – an umbrella – which was designed by Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State said all there was to say about the ambitions of the founding fathers of the PDP. To back up their vision of a just political party they drafted a constitution which was a model for fairness to all concerned.

Had they stuck to it, there might be no APC government today.

The first test of their sincerity came on a day of donations. In one day, a man who had just been released from prison, who was almost destitute, attended the PDP’s fund raising function. Until he spoke, the highest donation was for twenty million

naira (N20m) by Dr Ekwueme, who was also a presidential candidate.

Then, the “destitute” got up and declared that he was donating “N100,000 to each local government [774 of them] and N50 million to party national, zonal, and state headquarters” (see my book PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED pages 93112). Grown up men, some already grand fathers, accepted N130 million from Olusegun Obasanjo, a man on the verge of bankruptcy, in 1998, without asking where the money came from.

They eventually sold the

presidency to the man who was going to destroy it later.

With that one step they embarked on the journey taking them from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Bribery and corruption became the norm within that party and bribery and corruption had wrecked it beyond remedy today.

Anyone who thinks that after starting on the murky

Finally, the fools who were boasting that PDP would last for 60-70 years can now be seen for what they were. Like the amateur farmer who thought a fruit was getting ripe when it was already rotting, PDP reached its climax under Yar’Adua and the jesters didn’t know it. From then on, it was downhill. GEJ

just hastened the process of demolition. Now, it is complete.

“A political party deserves the approbation of [the people] only as it represents the ideals, the aspirations, and the hopes of [the people]. If it is anything less, it is merely a conspiracy to seize power.” US President Dwight Eisenhower, 18901969, November 7, 1956 (modified).

While PDP had taken all of sixteen years before Dr Ekwueme’s “baby” (as he called the PDP in 1998) died of swallowing its own lies, the APC developed cracks right from the day the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were elected by members of the National Assembly.

Everything which had followed and other events, just developing will tear the “party ” apart more and more. The palaver in Kogi, more than anything else, had exposed the illusions of a united and honest political party called APC. APC presented late Audu who still had a pending case with the EFCC. Then, they chose as his Deputy someone representing Lagos State in the National Assembly. Is Faleke from Lagos State or from Kogi?

The duplicity regarding Faleke’s state of origin is obvious to all but the APC leader who imposed him on Lagosians…

Industry and Investment could, working in tandem with the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Education, where Anwuka is a junior minister, transform the landscape of national production, and shift the entire job situation radically.

It might be President Buhari’s challenge to his Igbo ministers, to solve the greatest problems that the Igbo themselves have always argued about: lack of jobs for the teeming army of skilled youth, expansion of the local industrial and investment base, and so on and so forth.

Nigerians often see the big ministries – Education, Home Affairs, Works, Health and Defence – as the important ministries because they have huge budgetary allocations – they are the pork ministries.

Labour, Trade, Science and Tech, are often ignorantly dismissed because they are not as well-funded. Even Lai Muhammed’s Ministry of Information was given more in allocations than the Ministries of Science and Technology, and Trade and Industries, and even Transport, in the president’s recent budget sent to the National Assembly, which makes you wonder where the priorities of this administration lie – in manufacturing propaganda, or in manufacturing Nigeria’s national defence equipment, as Ogbonnaya Onu has promised, through an expanded technological base? In any case, these are catalytic ministries of government at that can transform the very thrust of this nation, and the legacy of this administration – if only the administration could halve the allocations to Defence, Health, and Education, and move the money to the Research and Production component of the Ministries of Science & Technology, and Trade &

Industries. But Buhari’s policies are not in that direction. The budget just recently announced makes that clear. Current policy thrust, evident in the base allocations made to these ministries of government under the Buhari budget for 2016, indicate that TII, Labour, Sci &Tech, are at best, shop-front ministries in this administration. But of course, the question is, what do the Igbo want, and who is marginalizing them? First, and above else, the

in the East makes the East, since1970, feel like a perpetual area of conquest, where citizens are constantly harassed and brutalized. No business can thrive under those conditions. No investor or tourist would come to an area that feels like it is under siege and quarantine.

President Buhari began his presidency by declaring publicly that he’d favor those who voted more for him against those who voted less for him in the elections.

Basically President Buhari began his government on a policy of discrimination. It showed in his key appointments into the inner sanctum of his presidency.

The Igbo feel themselves gated from the presidency where all executive decisions take place. This kind of discrimination is equally evident at the larger space of nation. An Igbo child who is denied a place in a federal institution on the basis of a quota-system gone berserk will grow up naturally to resent Nigeria.

And the Igbo, more than any other group in Nigeria, have had to suffer seriously from federal discriminatory policies that ought by now to have been revised.

The Igbo have the highest number of educated and skilled unemployed, because discriminatory policies have kept them in silos. The Igbo are not necessarily against the use of the quota principle for inclusion and spread of opportunities to all parts of Nigeria. The Igbo in fact want the expansion of the Nigerian middle class from North to South because it is good for their business. But this must not be, as it is often the case at the expense of the Igbo. All development must be based on the human person. To understand Igbo anger, one must first comprehend that since 1970, the South-East of Nigeria has received the

least infusion of federal capital, in fact in general, less than 11% of all capital expenditure. The old Kano state comprising Kano and Jigawa receive more in federal allocation than all the states of the South East put together. This is strategic diminution.

There is not a single federal industrial investment in Igbo land. In 1981, Governor Sam Mbakwe secured President Shagari’s guarantee to site the National Petrochemical plant in Ohaji, or he would build it himself. In 1984, Buhari revised the plan and the Petrochemical plant slated for Ohaji was later sited in Eleme

by Babangida. It was much the same about the National Steel plant which was designated to be built in Onitsha, but which was moved to Ajaokuta. By 1967, the city of Aba was at par with Lagos: whatever industrial plant was built in Lagos was also built in Aba – Lever brothers, SCOA industries, Nigerian Breweries, Guinness, Proctor & Gamble, PZ, etc. In fact the West African headquarters of Pfizer Pharmaceutical Laboratories was in Aba, before it was forcibly relocated to Lagos in 1970.

The East has the worst federal roads, and much of the infrastructure destroyed by the federal forces during the war was never been rebuilt.

Rather there is a policy of strategic divestment and capital flight out of the East.

Basically the federal government has deliberately created a steel bucket out of Igbo land, with crabs in it. So, what do the Igbo want? First, a president who would be president of all Nigerians, irrespective of who voted for him. Secondly, a fulfilment of one of the basic conditions for ending the last war: the rehabilitation and reconstruction of all of Eastern Nigeria, including the Igbo heartland of that region. It is a matter beyond the President’s appointments.

The APC government will probe so many disbursements made by the Jonathan administration and jail as many as possible and discredit the rest, such that by 2019 hardly anyone will want to be identified with the party. Political death had never been surer

Igbo life feels expendable in this republic, and the Igbo thus feel themselves unprotected in Nigeria Igbo want the same thing every thoughtful Nigerian wants: a great nation of which they can be proud. They want equal protection, and the equal rights of citizenship; they want nondiscriminatory standards applied, which does not undermine their individual aspirations towards economic justice and the pursuit of happiness.

Very often the Igbo feel that they do not get this, and that they have often been serially targeted in Nigeria for selective injustice.

Frequently, the Igbo are targets of selective taxation, deportations, violence and brutality.

The federal government has never, through its Ministry of Justice, investigated or prosecuted anyone for targeting the Igbo outside Igbo land. Igbo life feels expendable in this republic, and the Igbo thus feel themselves unprotected in Nigeria.

The use of the police and military to mount road blocks

PAGE 8—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016

The burden of a Nigerian columnist

S

ome people who were and are perhaps still unhappy on behalf Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and his predecessor, Godswill Akpabio have made several rejoinders in the last few days in response to last week’s article in this column titled “Uncommon Governance: The bane of Akwa Ibom State.” The rejoinders which attacked only the messenger and none of his messages have as usual been quite helpful.

Through them, many people who didn’t read my article must have searched for and read it so as to comprehend the attacks. Thus, rather than feel bad about the personal attacks, I should appreciate the exposure they have given to this column and the issues at stake by inadvertently creating more awareness about the subject to the benefit of society.

What some writers of rejoinders do not know is that there is a tendency in our part

of the world for people to believe the first account and to consider the second as a cover-up which it really is for most of the time. For this reason, instead of engaging in circumlocution and saying nothing, a rejoinder where absolutely necessary should provide superior information that effectively counters the original article. It should also be made by the appropriate person. For example, my article alleged that the Akwa Ibom State Government was wasting resources on irrelevances instead of handling basic issues such as payment of salaries of doctors in the state. It is not government that can counter the allegation; rather, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Augustine Umoh and the Secretary, Dr. Aniekan Peter have to retract the communiqué earlier issued by them where they publicly warned that their members

were set to down tools on account of unpaid arrears of as much as 15months salaries.

If as the rejoinders alleged, I once praised Akpabio for whatever he did well, am I supposed to also praise him in other matters which to me require to be redressed? Again, does drawing attention to what calls for change amount to condemnation? I don’t think so, just as I don’t see why Governor Udom should be

I once praised Akpabio for whatever he did well, am I supposed to also praise him in other matters which to me require to be redressed? Again, does drawing attention to what calls for change amount to condemnation? I don’t think so unhappy that such issues of governance are highlighted to guide his new administration.

Akpabio’s tenure is over and changes that can help Ibom

people now rest squarely on his successor. Such governors Udom should follow columns such as this which are dedicated to social change in our country. Less than a month ago, the focus was on Enugu State where the government was at the verge of procuring 48 Prado Jeep cars for Legislators and Commissioners at a whopping sum of N500million at N11.5million per car. The alarm was appropriately raised by workers in the state, under the aegis of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council.

Surprisingly, a few days later, the workers reportedly claimed after a meeting with the government that all was now well.

Knowing the undisguised disposition of the typical Nigerian legislator, we needed to unravel the silent factors which influenced the resolution. Was the original alarm false? Did government reduce the number of vehicles or was it resolved that cars worth N5.3 million as dictated by the appropriate body- the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) were now to be bought thereby reducing the expenditure by over 50%? If so, was the expenditure budgeted for and why was it the Governor and not the House of Assembly service that was buying the cars? The workers, had earlier alleged that “whereas a civil

servant that served the state for over 30 years and retired over five years is yet to be paid his/her gratuity, political officeholders, who worked for four years, get jumbo salaries and other allowances, free Prado jeeps (N11.5m) and severance allowance.” We wanted to know if gratuities of retirees were now being paid or what persuaded the union leaders to drop their protest! Based on these unanswered posers, we did an article titled “Enugu State, its workers and Prado Jeeps.”

As usual, none of the issues raised was answered; instead interested parties merely got some mercenaries to write rejoinders to abuse us. Being the burden of the columnist, that didn’t matter and it did not remove our suspicion that the cars were meant to make the legislators malleable to the executive for dirty assignments. The High Court judgment last month, that the state house of assembly violated its constitutional duties by impeaching the former Deputy Governor, Mr. Onyebuchi on August 26, 2014 as there was no basis for it instructively confirms that once the legislature is materially compromised, it is ready to do a hatchet job. This happened in the cases of Deputy Governors Jude Agbaso of Imo in 2013 and Sani Abubakar Danladi of Taraba State in 2012. We are thus free to make insinuations whenever a governor and his

legislators are about to shortchange the people.

Writing this column has been inspiring because we are always vindicated. When my friend Adamu Muazu was made Chairman of PDP, I told him to beware because PDP always operated like a party without a head. Now he understands. When we relied on the principle of ministerial responsibility to call for the removal of the then Minister of Education during the last ASUU strike, her aides organized a rejoinder which abused us amidst arguments that when ASUU went on strike in the past, no minister was removed. It was then we realized that the transformation agenda of the government was merely a slogan. When parts of Nigeria were being annexed by insurgents and our soldiers were virtually deserting their posts, we warned that military funds were being hoarded and that the commanders were engaged in self denial, we were called names but we have been vindicated. When we pointed at many poorly handled issues by the government of President Jonathan, they ignored us as yesterday’s men and lost the election We shall therefore continue to use the column to mirror society, by isolating the topical issues of the moment for analysis and drawing attention to lapses so that they can be redressed.

along with other passengers when finally the flight attendants were ready to board us. As soon as the announcement was made I noticed many people rushing forward, what was creating the big rush I wondered as the flight was well on schedule. For convenience I was in the fast track lane along with many others, our queue was moving quite smoothly; suddenly I decided to bend down for a second to adjust my buckle. In that second the women behind me decided to walk right past me and barge right in front of the queue. I calmly finished what I was doing and walked to claim my place. My first response was “excuse me,” I

expected a smile and for her to allow me back in line after all it was just a matter of seconds.

Her response was so abrupt and unexpected as she blurted out - “do you want me to wait?” I looked at her demeanour, appearance and aggressiveness the little energy she exerted for no just reason. It goes without saying that she left me with such a bad impression that easily could have been avoided if she had protected her image. What was wrong with her waiting for a second or for her time? Why again the rush?

Manners and politeness are a choice you make, it can save you time, keep you morally and intellectually in check and boost your reputation. The lack of it will instantly sabotage your image; you never know who knows you in public places especially when flying, do not be caught off guard. If you want to receive courtesy and respect, you will first need to show it to others.

Keep reading your more tips……

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE With Janet Adetu

info@etiquetteconsortium.com JSK Etiquette & Image Janet@JSKEtiquette

Training

Grooming & Protocol in the Air (1) Flying can be a pleasant experience or an uncomfortable ordeal altogether. Many times when you touch down and finally reach your destination the first thing someone says to you is: “How was your flight?”

I usually may say great, good, or just OK, this depends very much on how comfortable I was on the flight in terms of my ability to sleep, the food I was served, the smoothness of the flight and finally my experience with fellow travellers and the air hostesses. Grooming and Protocol in the air is just as important as it is on

ground, your etiquette skills and manners are put to test when you have to deal with long haul flights, various stopovers, limited space, unexpected delays, grumpy passengers and people's flying temper tantrums. Even when you are embarking on a short journey that is just an hour flight, you will experience the same emotions as someone else going on a twelve-hour long haul flight. It starts from the check-in counter right through to boarding gate there are no real short cuts to travelling procedures. It takes a lot of patience, discipline and

Manners and politeness are a choice you make, it can save you time, keep you morally and intellectually in check and boost your reputation.

The lack of it will instantly sabotage your image courteousness to embark on a flight without getting upset by one thing or the other, the smallest incident can trip you off if you are not careful.

I remember one early morning on a long distance flight I had completed all check-in requirements and moved to settle in the lounge for a bite before departure. As I entered the lounge I was told immediately that they

Turkish Airlines, again, arrives Abuja without passengers' luggage

By LAWANI MIKAIRU

A

Turkish Airlines plane, yesterday, arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja without passengers luggage. This happened two weeks after the airline arrived same airport without passengers luggage which led to the passengers invading the tarmac to prevent the aircraft from taking off.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Engr Saleh Dunoma, expressed displeasure at the development and Turkish Airlines advised to resolve recurrent cases of planes arriving without passengers luggage.

According to Mr Yakubu Dati, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Dunoma gave the advice at the Abuja airport where he expressed the Aviation

Minister ‘s displeasure to the management of Turkish Airlines.

Dati said: “Engr Dunoma described as unacceptable this reoccurrence barely two weeks after a similar incident led to a breach of airport security. He called for quick and lasting resolution of this unwholesome act capable of disrupting the peace and harmony of the airport".

would not be announcing flight departures so I would need to keep watching the notice board. At first I felt this was no problem after all I was responsible for my own departure I could handle that. Unfortunately at the time the boarding gate was still yet to be released now making this a big ordeal. I still smiled and settled down knowing fully well that I would hardly be relaxing. My surprise was the lack of customer service offered; there was nothing like “have a pleasant flight or enjoy your stay.”

As if that wasn’t enough, I decided to leave for the gate early not to miss my flight.

I sat at the boarding gate for another 10 minutes

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

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esidents of IsaleAro area of Osogbo, capital of Osun State, watched helplessly as a 75-year-old man, Lamina Ishola, was burnt to death.

An eyewitness told our correspondent that the neighbourhood had noticed thick flame coming out of one of the rooms in the mud house where Ishola lived at about 9pm on the fateful day.

He explained that some residents of the

75-year-old man burnt to death in Osun area had made frantic effort to put out the inferno before fire fighters arrived the scene.

But Ishola, a father of two- a ten-year-old and a girl, aged 7-was unlucky as the fire had burned him to death before help came his way.

71-year-old brother of the deceased, who identified himself as Ademola Oseni, said the

fire was caused by a kerosene lantern.

Oseni said Ishola, who was not in good mental condition owing to an injury he sustained in an accident, could had mistakenly hit the lantern while asleep, igniting the fire that consumed him.

The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, Mrs Folasade Odoro, said the police were not aware of the fire incident.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 9

•INEC officials set to board a boat at the Naval Marine Dock, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital ahead of the supplementary poll held in the state, yesterday.

•Electoral staff attending to voters at Anyama – Ijaw Primary School during the Bayelsa poll.

BAYELSA POLL: Gov Dickson leads

By Sam Oyadongha, Yenagoa

bernatorial poll, yesterday.

Though the exact number of deaths in could not arring any last be confirmed, Governor minute surprises Seriake Dickson, in strong in the voting fig- terms, condemned alleged ures and pattern of vot- electoral malpractice and ing, the lead by Bayelsa violence which marred the State Governor, Seriake election in Brass, Nembe, Dickson, in the governor- Ekeremor town and parts ship election may be dif- of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. ficult to upturn.

The Independent NaInformation available as at the time of going to tional Electoral Commispress suggests that the sion (INEC) had schedgovernor is set to retain uled the supplementary his seat with the returns poll to hold yesterday after the December 5, 2015 gualready made. ................................... bernatorial election in the state failed to produce a OME security winner. Chief Timpre Syloperatives and civil- va is the candidate of the ians were feared killed fol- All Progressives Congress lowing alleged violence in (APC) in the poll. APC is Ekeremor local govern- the ruling party at the fedment area during Bayelsa eral level.

In a statement signed by State supplementary gu-

B

S

his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the governor accused APC chieftains of masterminding the killing of innocent Bayelsans in Brass, Ekeremor, Nembe and Southern Ijaw and wondered why the APC would kill to capture power.

While saying the APC was not ready for one-man one- vote, Dickson said the violence in the poll had vindicated his position that security agencies, particularly the military, were partisan and not willing to provide the enabling environment for a free and fair election to take place.

He accused the security agencies of providing cover for the APC to perpetrate violence and rig the election.

“To achieve their sinister

Lagos reaffirms commitment to end violence against children

By Funmi Ajumobi

L

AGOS State government has reaffirmed its commitment to end violence against children in order to ensure a safe and secured future for them.

The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs. Lola Akande, gave the pledge while inaugurating the subcommittee set up to work towards the launch of year of action on ending Violence Against Children (VAC) in Lagos State scheduled for February 2016.

Akande stated that the launch of VAC is crucial in view of the rampant cases of violence against children in the state, noting that since children are the future, there is the need to safeguard their future by put an end to any form of violence against them.

She averred that many measures had been adopted by the government to end

violence against children and urged members of the various sub committees to work in unison and mobilise stakeholders for successful launch of VAC in the state.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olanike Oduwole tasked members of the subcommittee to take the assignment seriously in view of its importance to the state government.

Responding on behalf of the subcommittees, the Chairperson for Media and Publicity, Mrs. Toro Oladapo, Director of Public Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, expressed appreciation for the confidence reposed in the members.

Other subcommittees inaugurated are: Child Participation, Advocacy, Protocol, Event and Logistics.

•Hon Lola Akande flanked by the members during the inauguration of sub-committees to end violence against children in Lagos State.

plot, APC militants hijacked election materials and wrote results in many wards of Southern Ijaw, Brass, Ekeremor town, Brass while election was disrupted in parts of Yenagoa and in a polling unit in Otuokpoti, Ogbia Local Government.”

The governor called on INEC to cancel the election in polling units where the poll was hijacked and results written.

While calling for the arrest of the perpetrators of the killings, Dickson condoled the families of those who lost their dear ones.

Lokpobiri debunk report on alleged shooting, kill-

ings in Ekeremor But the Minister of State for Agriculture,Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, dismissed the claims that there were heavy shootings in Ekeremor that led to loss of lives.

According to Lokpobiri, an APC chieftain, though the claim had been traced to some PDP apologists, the conduct of the election in Ekeremor was peaceful,orderly and without violence.

Lokpobiri,who voted at about 12.10pm in Ekeremor, stated, through one of his aides, Preye Amba, that the reported killing of security personnel in Ekeremor was callous and wicked.

“Election in Ekeremor went on peacefully and the

resort to this by the PDP is just a way of laying the foundation to cancel the supplementary poll so that whatever advantage it had before now will be sustained. No shooting whatsoever in Ekeremor,”the minister said.

“Rather, it was the PDP, in concert with one Major Umar from 5 Battalion, Warri, which came to carry away electoral materials from Ekeremor to Egbema Angalabiri. We have it on record that the said major is on the pay roll of a known ex-militant leader bent on bringing down the APC in Bayelsa State.

“We call on the military authorities to investigate the role of the said major because he took away the materials without any other escort provided either by the police or the DSS.”

Osun sacks 141 poly, colleges of education staff

•Varsity workers meet on its two-month – old strike

By Gbenga Olarinoye, Osogbo

N

O fewer than 141 members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, and Non-Academic Staff Union, NASU, in Osun State owned tertiary institutions have been sacked by the government.

It was gathered that the sacked workers were victims of the on-going controversial restructuring of tertiary institutions in the state.

The two institutions affected by the gale of sack are Osun State College of Education, Ila and Osun State College of Education, Ilesa.

Credible sources told Sunday Vanguard that the sack letters were brought from the state Ministry of Education on Friday for distribution to the affected staffers, but the leaders of the two unions directed their members not to collect the letters.

The state chairman and secretary of Council of Academic Staff Unions Osun State Owned Tertiary Institutions (CASUOSTI),

Comrade Lasisi A. Jimoh and Comrade Olusegun Lana, respectively, in a press statement, said “letters of termination of appointment were issued to several members of staff in Osun State owned tertiary institutions today (Friday)”.

No government official was willing to comment on the development as several calls and text messages put across to them were not replied.

In a related development, the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities, SSANU, has fixed an emergency meeting for Tuesday to discuss the appeal made by the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, to the union to suspend its two months old strike. The strike started on December 24, 2015.

SSANU embarked on strike over the alleged disengagement of about 2,000 universities staff School workers, following a government circular to Vice Chancellors of universities to remove the

names of the workers from their pay roll.

Sunday Vanguard reliably gathered that the Minister held a meeting with the SSANU leadership at an undisclosed hotel in Abuja last Sunday on how to resolve the problem.

A source privy to the meeting told Sunday Vanguard that Adamu indicated, at the meeting, his willingness to ensure that the strike was called off, but SSANU insisted that the termination letters to her members should be withdrawn before it could suspend the strike.

The source further said that after listening to the minister, the leadership of SSANU decided to hold an emergency NEC meeting on Tuesday to consider the appeal made by the minister and then take a stand on it.

Confirming this, the Public Relations Officer, PRO, of SSANU, Comrade Salaam Abdulssobur, said the meeting was an informal one and that the the union had scheduled an emergency NEC meeting.

PAGE 10—SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

CHRISTMAS CON MAN

Fak -gener al dupes tr ader of bags of rice, drinks, money akee major major-gener -general trader

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA

A

65-year-old man is being investigated by operatives of X-Squad of Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja for allegedly impersonating an army general and defrauding victims.

Imoh Bassey, allegedly impersonating one MajorGeneral Morgan, was said to have met his waterloo after a victim, who had been on his trail after he defrauded him, raised the alarm at Fola Agoro area of Shomolu, Lagos.

It was learned that Bassey, from Akwa Ibom State, used a fake identity card that showed he worked in the Presidency as national security co-coordinator for southern zone.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the suspect, once paraded as a criminal receiver by the Akwa Ibom Police Command, had been reportedly involved in fraudulent transactions using fake alert to defraud unsuspecting victims, and staying in hotels without paying. According to a police report, Bassey, who had been detained severally at different divisional police stations, including Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, was fond of using fake bank alert to con his victims.

The case, initially reported at Sabo Divisional Police Station, was transferred to Area C and then to X-Squad for further investigation.

Victim’s account One of the victims, Nwkpo kanayochukwu Ogbonna, narrated his story: “I met this man for the first time when he came to my shop to buy something on the 12th of December, 2015. Later, he came back on the 16th. When he came, he said he had an accident and that he needed help. From five thousand, he said he needed N35, 000. Later, he said he needed N45, 000. That was after he had presented himself as a major general. He showed me an identity card. I believed him because I didn’t expect an elder of his age to be lying. Meanwhile, I didn’t have that money. I collected N40, 000 from my neighbour and gave to him. He said I will supply 130 bags of Christmas rice to Myhoung Barracks, Yaba. So he collected four bags to show them the type of rice I would be supplying, saying if they were okay with it, I will do the supplying on the 23rd of December. He took the four bags of rice that day, and promised to pay money into my account the next day to enable me supply the rice, after I explained

to him that I didn’t have enough money to do the supply because my shop was bugled about four days earlier.

“The next day, he said he went to the bank but couldn’t pay the money into my account because my account was savings account, and that the money could only be paid into a current account.

When he came back in the night, he said I had to buy drinks for some top officers in the barracks who he collected the contract from and gave me. He said he needed three bottles of America Honey to give them. He said each bottle of the drinks cost N7,800 but he collected N30, 000 from me to purchase the drinks. I took him to my neighbour’s shop who sells drinks; he said the brands in the shop were fake and that he knew where to get the original. That same day, he said the money he will transfer into my account for the supply would be N2.8million; that I must have eight percent of that amount (which is N224, 000) in my account. I told him I didn’t

he death has occurred of Adesola Olusoga, aged 33, and son, Isaiah, 3, in Bedfordshire, United Kingdom. Their death occurred in a motor accident on Christmas day. Both father and son will be buried in Bandon Hill Cemetery on January 18. Adesola is survived by a wife, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunties and uncles.

C M Y K

area of Sabo when a Mercedes Benz was carrying him and I saw him. I raised the alarm. People around asked them to park. They refused but because of traffic they couldn’t escape; with the help of some soldiers coming from the bank, we took him to the barracks nearby and discovered that he is not a major-general. He was hiding the ID card from the soldiers when he saw them.”

said. “Don’t forget they were traumatised and forced to leave their homes. Our aim is to help them get back their livelihood when they go back.

“If we provide them food, we would have fed them for a day.

But, if we train them and give them skills to work and earn a living, we would have provided them a source to feed for life.”

Nwigwe explained that the Foundation would not “dash anybody money”, rather the educated ones among the IDPs would be trained on skills that would help them set up small businesses for their upkeep and sustenance. She said the foundation has set aside some money to provide soft loans and business outlines to successful participants in the training to help the IDPs start their

businesses.

“The foundation is willing to help as many of the IDPs as would be willing to take that advantage of the training,” she said. According to her, despite Nigeria’s huge endowment in human and material resources, only few people are privileged to enjoy these blessings, with majority of others living below the poverty line. “This is not acceptable. That is why the Foundation is focusing on poverty alleviation as well as helping the IDPs get back on their feet and be able to earn their living.

“Government cannot do it alone.

That is why we call on other groups and private individuals to help these Nigerians in distress regain their lives. We are sending a message of hope that Nigeria can get better if we work together”.

Suspect’s statement Bassey, the suspect, said he didn’t have anything to say. “Are we judging the case here? If we are not, then there is nothing to say”, he said. “There is no point giving my own side of the story, because there is no judge here, there is no magistrate. I have been here for three weeks; all I know is that I owe this boy, referring to the victim. I loaned money from him, I wanted to use the money to put my car in order, because I had an accident. He is not my friend, he is my customer. That is all”.

How Odili Foundation fast-forwarded Xmas for Abuja IDPs

BY SONI DANIEL, NORTHERN REGION EDITOR

or the over 903 internally F displaced persons (IDPs) in the camp located in New

Kuchingoro, behind Games Village in the Kaura District, Abuja, Christmas came to them a week before the celebration on Saturday, December 19, 2015. It was the day Atimoh Odili Foundation, an Abuja based nongovernmental organization, visited the camp to show love to these Nigerians whose lives have been devastated by the insecurity in the country’s North East region.

The Foundation established by foremost businessman and investor, Austin Odili, is committed to the eradication of poverty by providing tools for sustainable development to vulnerable people living in rural communities across Africa. Apart from giving the IDPs and their family members a sense of belonging as other Nigerians in the spirit of Christmas, the Foundation presented food stuffs, clothing and sundry items worth over N20 million.

During the visit, items presented to the IDPs included 1,000 bags of 25 kilogramme bags of rice; 1,000 mattresses; 1,000 cartons of tomato paste; 1,000 cartons of Dano powder milk; 1,500 blankets; 1,500 pair of slippers and 600 small packets of salt. The Foundation left the IDPs with a message of hope for a better

Father, son die in auto crash on Xmas day

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• 65-yr-old suspect, Bassey

have the money. He said he will provide the money the following day. And that he will help me open the account. And that once the money entered my account, I will withdraw it and give him back.

The following day, he called me in the morning and said he was able to raise N170, 000 and that I should run around and get the balance of N54, 000. According to him, he had a transaction at Ikeja Cantonment, and that, after the transaction, he will be available for his own bank transaction. He asked me to come and meet him at First Bank branch , Alausa, Ikeja. Luckily, I was able to borrow the N54, 000 balance which I took to him. He brought out an account opening form, filled it; brought out deposit slip, filled it. He wrote the above stated amount, collected the N54,000 from me and added to the one he had and put it inside a black lylon. He said I needed to do ID. “As fate would have it, on the 21st of December, I was sitting in my shop at Fola Agoro

future, promising to sponsor the training of those of them willing to participate in its skills acquisition programme.

Successful beneficiaries would be given soft loan to enable them to start small businesses. Even members of the communities bordering the camp were not left out in the sharing of the items.

Managing Director of the Foundation, Chioma Nwigwe, said the donation was part of its one-year project to eradicate hunger and malnutrition among the people. Ms. Nwigwe said the proposed skills acquisition programme was expected to commence in March to help empower the IDPs and help reintegrate them. “We do not think just distributing food items will help them when they eventually go back home,” Ms. Nwigwe

Oritsejafor’s Christmas boxes for 486

BY SAM EYOBOKA

agle Flight Micro E Finance Bank Limited, Warri, Delta State, in

collaboration with the Word of Life Bible Church, marked its 10th year anniversary with the donation of six brand new cars, 20 tricycles, 100 grinding machines and 360 bags of rice to poor Nigerians.

The lucky 486 Nigerians were among the 1,600 candidates who applied for the six cars, 4,500 for the 20 tricycles and 3,850 for the 100 grinding machines. The beneficiaries were picked from the lot by young boys and girls below the age of 12.

The event took place on the busy Ajamimogha Road, in front of the corporate headquarters of the church and the bank. It attracted several dignitaries, including Hon. Alex Nanna, who represented the Warri South Local Council Chairman, Hon. Mofe Matthew Edema; Chief Patrick Okitiakpe; and a motley of clergymen, including Bishop Eddy Bebor, a Camerounian preacher, and Pastor Ayuk Raymond Ayuk of Fountain of Hope Church,

Douala, Cameroun.

An anniversary cake was cut by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor of the Word of Life Bible Church, who is also the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), assisted by the dignitaries present while cheques were presented to two ladies who worked with the bank since

inception. Mrs. Bridget Barrett and Mrs. Esther Ewetan were both rewarded with 10 months of their basic salary for hard work and commitment to the growth and development of the bank.

The CAN President described the Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank as a vision from God to make others live better.

According to the bank Chairman, Pastor (Mrs) Helen Oritsejafor, Eagle Flight Micro Finance Bank had empowered micro-credit groups with N2.5 billion while small and medium scale enterprises had been supported to the tune of N10.5 billion, adding that corporate bodies had also been assisted with a cash value of N15.5 billion. The financial base of the micro-finance bank, she explained, had risen to over N27 billion.

In the balloting, a new mother, 39-year old Mrs. Blessing Ibomo Michael, 52-year old Brisbe Christmas John, Okotie Jolomi Maris and Somaho Eseakpoberuo Joseph became owners of brand new cars to be operated as taxis in Warri.

SUND AY V anguard ARY 10, 2016 SUNDA Vanguard anguard,, JANU JANUARY

PAGE 11

AFTERMATH OF SARAKI, LAGARDE PRESSURE

CBN may relax forex policy this week

•IMF economists to review FG policies

•Emefiele

•Buhari

BY JIDE AJANI, EMEKA ANAETO, UMORU HENRY, LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU AND JOSEPH ERUNKE

C

onsequent upon pressures and the open admonition by Senate President Bukola Saraki, and made more intense by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, IMF, Ms Christine Lagarde, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, may relax its policy on forex this week.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that apart from the call made in the open by the Senate President during last week’s audience with the IMF boss on the CBN, it has also been revealed that Lagarde pointed out, in unequivocal terms, the dangers of the continued forex policy instituted by the apex bank in the last eight months.

During the closed door sessions between the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, and Senate President Saraki on the one hand, and another with Ms Lagarde, there appeared to be a drift towards a consensual position on the restrictive forex policy.

Although Emefiele, according to a source at the private sessions, did not give away much regarding the apex bank’s possibility of a policy review, Sunday Vanguard was made to believe at the weekend that in the light of the expected visit from IMF economists this week, the policy may be relaxed.

The foreign exchange market witnessed introduction of several foreign exchange restrictions in 2015. The first notable restriction was the closure of official foreign exchange market (Retail Dutch Auction) on February 18, 2015 which translated to further devaluation of the naira to N197 per dollar from N165 per dollar.

The second notable restriction was the Exclusion of 41items from the official foreign exchange market.

Then, in August, the CBN

banned acceptance of foreign currency deposit into domiciliary accounts.

In addition to the above, there was the reduction in the limit on usage of naira debit cards abroad. From $150,000 per annum the limit was pegged at $50,000 per annum per naira debit card. The daily cash withdrawal limit was pegged at $300 abroad.

During the year, the CBN banned banks from selling foreign exchange to the Bureau De Change (BDCs) while it revised the operating guidelines of BDCs, and in the process, banned any form of relationship of street hawkers of foreign currency (black market), and branch operations.

These restrictions coupled with dwindling foreign currency inflow due to continued decline in crude oil prices, as well as continued expectation of further devaluation of the naira, led to a consequential depreciation of the naira in the parallel market.

The parallel market exchange rate of the naira rose from N179/ N185 at the beginning of 2015, to close the year at N280 to a dollar.

And indeed, as a team of economists from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, are set to arrive Nigeria this week, there are indications that the executive and the legislative arms of government may have begun a process of horse trading with a view to making the 2016 Appropriation Bill, more implementable.

A finance ministry source told Sunday Vanguard that the discussions with the managing director of IMF, Mrs Christine Lagarde, who visited both arms of government last week has necessitated major amendments to the Bill, a development which has posed a challenge of how the Bill could be legally withdrawn from the two chambers of the legislature.

But the finance ministry source said the government is not planning to withdraw the Bill yet pending further discussions and

•Lagarde

The team would canvas measures to address foreign capital inflows, wealth creation in the power and transport sectors, best options for managing near-term vulnerabilities to international economic financial shocks, as well as strategies for improved policies and building stronger institutions understanding with the National Assembly.

Lagarde, while responding to questions on the 2016 budget had told reporters last week that ‘‘a team of economists is going to come here (Nigeria) next week to review and audit (the Bill) and have a good discussion with the government authorities to really assess whether the financing is in place, whether the debt is sustainable, whether the borrowing costs are sensible and what strategy must be put in place in order to address challenges going forward”.

The IMF boss held meetings with the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, National Planning Minister, Udo Udoma, other members of the Executive Council of the Federation, EXCOF, the leadership of the National Assembly and chief executives of banks. She also had closed door sessions with both the President, Mohammadu Buhari, and the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

This week the team of IMF economists are expected to meet with all these government officials and many more including the leaders of the private sector.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that areas of discussion for necessary

•Saraki

policy actions and changes in the 2016 budget include revenue generation, tax system, fuel pricing, exchange rate policy, reduction in recurrent expenditure especially as it relates to cost of governance, allocations to infrastructure, health, housing and education sectors.

Other areas of possible change in the content of the Appropriation Bill, Sunday Vanguard learnt, will also include but will not be limited to borrowing to fund the budget where the federal government had already stated it would borrow about N2.1 trillion to fund the budget deficit.

Also the team would discuss ways of improving efficiency of the country ’s public service, creation of tools to manage the impact of declining oil revenues and measures to reduce leakages.

In addition, the team would canvas measures to address foreign capital inflows, wealth creation in the power and transport sectors, best options for managing near-term vulnerabilities to international economic financial shocks, as well as strategies for improved policies and building stronger institutions.

They will also discuss

framework for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth, poverty reduction and good governance at the lower tiers of government, the states and local governments.

Speaking to Sunday Vanguard over the weekend against the backdrop of concerns expressed by some observers on the effect of IMF intervention in Nigeria’s economic and fiscal policies, Nigeria’s leading economists, Professor Pat Utomi, said it was wrong to make a big deal out of IMF visits. According to him ‘’these are routine visits’’.

He stated, ‘’as members of the IMF it should be routine to have consultations. We must not lose sight of the fact that we live in a globalised world and that bad economic management in one country can result in export of troubles to other economies.

Such troubles that are exportable - like inflation, the contagion of selling poisoned baskets of securities like the subprime crises that triggered the 2008 crises or current account deficits in Malaysia and elsewhere in Asia that started the tsunami of the Asian financial crises - and require some supranational financial institutions. As World War11 wound down the allied powers agreed in Bretton Woods that the IMF should be such.

Continues on page 12

PAGE 12, SUND AY V anguard ARY 10, 2016 SUNDA Vanguard anguard,, JANU JANUARY

CBN may relax forex policy this week Continued from page 11 ‘’But countries have the obligation to model their economies and manage them well. Where the unexpected happens the IMF was put there to help out. We all contribute to and can have recourse to Special Drawing Rights, SDR, of the IMF in temporary trouble times but no one is compelled to go there. Economists from all ends of ideological spectrum, the truth remains that the IMF get bashed when they come in after the leaders have failed to do the right things from evidence available to them, including reports from IMF consultations.

Also reacting to IMF visits, the cheif economists at FSDH Merchant Bank Limited, Mr Ayodele Akinwunmi, told SundayVanguard that the visit of IMF boss was fruitful so far.

According to him ‘’the IMF has endorsed the current effort of the Federal Government of Nigeria to build a new Nigeria. I think her endorsement is positive for international business community. ‘’She (Lagarde) also told the government what needs to be done such as flexible exchange rate, removal of subsidy and building a buffer and VAT increase. ‘’I don’t think VAT increase will happen now. But exchange rate flexibility is around the corner with fuel subsidy removal’’.

In her various meetings last week, Lagarde, had called for increase in Value Added Tax, VAT, stressing that it has become imperative for the federal government to broaden the country’s tax base explaining that Nigeria has the lowest VAT rate on the African continent.

According to her, “the current VAT rate is among the lowest in the world and well below the rates in other ECOWAS members, so some increase should be considered.”

Although the IMF Managing Director was careful not to endorse the devaluation of naira against major international currencies, she, however, urged the federal government to adopt a flexible monetary policy that will better serve the interest of Nigerians.

She, however, cautioned Nigeria against obtaining loans, noting that it was at the moment affecting the country and subsequent borrowing could hurt the nation’s economy in the long run.

She said: “On recurrent expenditure, efforts should be made to streamline the cost of governance and improve efficiency of public service delivery across the federal and sub-national governments.

Transfers and tax expenditures should also be addressed. For example, continuing the move already begun by the government in the 2016 budget to eliminate resources allocated to fuel subsidies would allow more targeted spending, including on innovative social programmes for the most needy.”

Lagarde inside Aso Rock Her briefing that Tuesday afternoon arguably flowed in staccato tunes. On the one hand, she spotted a passion for Nigerian financial wellbeing as she showed less than a fleeting

costs, saying that it had directed all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies to cut down on their overhead costs.

•Utomi concern to the cause of the poor.

Yet, on another plank, she spoke in some directory stance warning against stiff economic polices that may have adverse effect on Nigeria's poor populations and the neighboring countries.

Yet, while she spoke, she anticipated an unsavory question about loans and swiftly disabused the minds of her listeners that her mission was not to negotiate a loan. She visited President Mohammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja on Tuesday to start off her fourday state visit to Nigeria.

"First let me make it clear that I'm not here nor is my team in this country to negotiate a loan with conditionalities. We are not into programme negotiations and frankly at this point in time, given the determination, resilience displayed by the President and his team, I don't see why an IMF programme will be needed. So, of course, discipline is going to be needed, of course, implementation is going to be key for the objectives and the ambitions to serve the country well, in order for it to be actually sustainable.For better part of the briefing, Lagarde harped on the need for flexible economic policies and financial discipline in the implementation of the 2016 budget of Nigeria”, the IMF MD said.

She acknowledged that President Buhari's resilience and programmes would surely get Nigeria out of borrowing list of countries of the world.

"But what I certainly mentioned to Mr. President was that his fight and his determination to fight corruption and his determination to bring about transparency and accountability at all levels of the economy are very important agenda item and very ambitious goal that needed to be deliberated upon which he, himself is definitely committed to as he indicated this morning and as he inspires his team members”, she added.

Therefore, emerging from a closed door meeting with president Buhari with the participation of the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other senior functionaries of the government which included Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udo Udoma; Minister of

Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and Minister of Works, Housing and Power, Babatunde Fashola, among others, on Tuesday, Lagarde told State House Correspondents that extra financial discipline must be ensured to get Nigeria working.

President Buhari had, in part, told his guest that "We have just come out of budget discussions after many weeks of taking into

We are working very hard and with the budget as our way forward, we will do our best to ensure that our country survives the current economic downturn

consideration the many needs of the country, and the down turn of the economy with falling oil prices and the negative economic forecasts.

"We are working very hard and with the budget as our way forward, we will do our best to ensure that our country survives the current economic downturn.

"We have also told all heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government that on our watch, they will fully account for all funds that get into their coffers."

The President also revealed that the Federal Government was reviewing its operational

The Senate meeting For a place that had been deserted due to recess, Lagarde’s visit to the premises of the National Assembly last Wednesday brought life back to the legislature.

The event was scheduled to kick off at 9:30 that morning but it was not until 12;33 when Senators Shehu Sani, APC, Kaduna Central;Kurfi Umar, APC, Katsina Central; Musa Kwankwaso, APC, Kano Central and Sunny Ogbuefi, PDP, Ebonyi South, entered the venue that signs of possible commencement gave way to anger and despair on the part of some who had taken positions as early as 9am.

Senators Francis Aliemekhena, APC, Edo North;Abdullahi Adamu, APC, Nasarawa West; Sabi Aliyu, APC, Niger North; Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central; Binta Garba, APC, Adamawa North and many others came in at 12:40pm to join those already seated thus giving more hope of imminent commencement of the occasion.

The august visitor, Ms Christine Lagarde, led her team in at 12:50pm, after which her host and Senate President, Bukola Saraki, entered to take his seat shortly after along with some principal officers of the Senate, including the Deputy Majority Leader, Ibn Bala Na'allah and the Deputy Majority Whip, Senator Adeyeye.

Exactly two minutes after Saraki entered the venue, and shortly after the less than twominute introduction of guests, he began to address the audience, without first allowing the IMF chief to brief the house on her mission. He was very businesslike.

It took him exactly eight minutes to make his presentation, after which Lagarde immediately made hers.

At 2.12pm, the meeting formerly ended after which reporters and other guests at the event were asked to leave for a closed door session between the two parties to commence.

During the meeting, Saraki called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to relax its strict foreign exchange policy, noting that it was doing more harm to the economy than good. He insisted that the development had made small scale businesses to suffer unnecessarily. He called on the apex bank to introduce a more flexible foreign exchange regime and reduce the present restrictions on the autonomous market which does not allow business men to bring in foreign exchange or utilise what they have in their accounts as they dimmed fit.

Saraki then told Lagarde that "The IMF should support our CBN to bring in low interest loans to SMEs. We need to encourage entrepreneurs and make most of our new graduates job creators rather than job seekers. This is an area where we need the financial support and technical assistance of the IMF." He explained that his office has received numerous complaints from small business owners, complaining that their businesses are being threatened

by the huge bottlenecks now involved in doing business.

On her part, the Managing Director of the IMF expressed concern over Nigeria's debt profile, saying it was weighing heavily on the nation’s treasury with 35 kobo of every naira collected used for debt service.

While advising the Nigerian government to exercise caution in borrowing, Lagarde however observed that Nigeria's debt profile was very low at 12 per cent of its gross domestic product, GDP. She also urged the federal government to shore up its revenue drive by broadening the nation’s tax base and simultaneously reduce leakages by promoting compliance and enhance the efficiency of revenue collection.

Ms Lagarde also urged Lagarde also canvassed the need for Nigeria to eliminate the fuel subsidy, explaining that the subsidy regime was not only harmful to the planet but also not in the interest of the poor.

She said: “Indeed, fuel subsidies are hard to defend. Not only do they harm the planet, but they rarely help the poor. IMF research shows that more than 40 per cent of fuel price subsidies in developing countries accrue to the richest 20 per cent of households, while only seven per cent of the benefits go to the poorest 20 per cent.

“Moreover, the experience here in Nigeria of administering fuel subsidies suggests that it is time for a change—think of the regular accusations of corruption, and think of the many Nigerians who spend hours in queues trying to get gas so that they can go about their everyday business.

While analysing the current state of the Nigerian economy, Lagarde said the nation’s economic growth of 3.2 per cent in 2015 was the lowest since 1999, observing that it has the potential to record only a modest recovery in 2016.

She also observed that in the face of the drastic fall in global oil prices, Nigeria still has the responsibility of addressing its apparent infrastructural deficit.

“The outlook, however, has weakened. Growth in 2015 is estimated at about 3.2 percent— its slowest pace since 1999—and only a modest recovery is expected in 2016.

“For a country with a rapidly increasing population, this means almost no real economic growth in per capita terms.

Observing that Nigeria’s banks are well capitalised and more resilient than they were during the downturn of 2008 and 2009, Lagarde said the banks were “now beginning to feel the impact of the growing vulnerabilities in the corporate sector. This means rising nonperforming loans, which will need to be carefully monitored and managed”.

She advised the Nigerian government to act with the resolve to significantly improve transportation networks as well as power generation, transmission and distribution, adding that Nigeria can be exporting tomato paste on a large scale, even as she lamented that instead of fostering export of commodities, Nigeria imports about half of its needs.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 13

CONTINUES FROM LAST WEEK

Some hot, daring revelations of 2015 ( 2) At 62 Kollington still very hot in bed, says young wife

—Adokiye Kyrian

F

or years nothing has been heard of Fuji Maestro,Alhaji Kollington Ayinla, popularly referred to as Kebe n’ Kwara but the ‘Baba Alatika’ granted Potpourri an interview last year. As much as the interview was revealing and thrilling, but something else happened while the interview was going now that caught Potpourri’s eyes. It was while the lively interview was going on when his wife, simply called Hajia showed up clad in the conventional veil the Moslems called Hijab. On sighting her,the reporter invited her to join in the conversation but her reply nearly knocked her off the chair she was sitting.“ Please leave me alone for now, Alhaji has just reduced to near nothing in bed”, she said, obviously revealing they have just had sex.

Like a shark, it was a smell of blood to our reporter, who went for the kill by asking her if the Fuji Maestro is still very active in bed at his age. “ Please leave me alone, this man can kill in bed. I don’t •Kollington want to talk about” she replied and retired into the inner rooms, looking truly worn out.

•Hannah

I may lose my vir ginity virginity soon V

•Adokiye

ulnerably beautiful Adokiye Kyrian, peace ambassador, architect, singer and actress made a big fuss sometime in 2014 when she revealed to Potpourri that she was still a virgin. Fast forward 2015, it seemed the pressure coming the way of the singer was more than she could bear that she had to confessed to Potpourri she may let it go soon.

“I will let that go soon (meaning her virginity)”Yes, I guess I’m human but don’t get it twisted.

Sometimes, I feel like I’m missing something but each time I want to make that move, I get scared because I know once It’s gone, it’s gone”.

I don’t really enjoy sex — Hannah Ogundare

W

hen Nollywood upcoming actress, Hannah Ogundare is in her element, she plays hardly with any rules. Tall, beautiful and sexy the actress has got the goods not only to play with sensibility of her fans but also to knock them out. In a chat with Potpourri last year the actress told us her preferences when it comes to sex “I don’t really enjoy sex, I prefer romance.

Meanwhile, I don’t have sex often because I don’t have a man presently. But that does not mean I won’t sort myself whenever the need arises. I can always arrange that” she told Potpourri.

Interestingly, fellow actors are not hot on her shopping list. “I don’t think I can date an actor but if such happens, there’s nothing I can do about it but the possibility is very slim” she says.

•Adediwura

How I lost my virginity — Adediwura Blarkgold

S

exy Yoruba actress, Adediwura ‘Blarkgold’ Adesegha has long been separated from her husband whom she bore a cute son.

Recalling her most unforgettable romantic experience, Adediwura revealed that the most indelible in her mind was the one spent with father of her only son, couple of years back that led to her losing her virginity as a woman. Laughing, she stated matter-offactly, “My most unforgettable romantic experience was on a St Valentine’s Day when my pride as a lady went down the lagoon – I was deflowered!” she quipped “I can never forget that experience because it was a great turning point in my life and I smile each time I remember because it was earned by the father of my child” she added.

C M Y K

•Mide

I give my husband doggey style to keep him — Mide Martins N

ollywood actress, Mide Martins, wife and mother, certainly has good ideas about keeping her husband all to herself. In an interview in 2015, the wife of actor and producer, Afeez Owo (insert), says she does whatever it takes to keep her husband all to herself, including having to do doggey sex style to satisfy his sexual appetite.

PAGE 14— SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016 Onikoyi68@gmail.com

I’m marrying my number one fan this year, Cossy Orjiakor says

•Cossy Orjiakor

2

016 has definitely started on a good footing for Nollywood’s queen of boobs, Cossy Orjiakor as she is set to marry this year. Commotion Cossy, as I like to call her, on account of her blazing boobs, let the cat out of the bag on her Instagram page mid week. “Hello 2016…I started this year with work… Helping out… Almost like charity…. That’s when I know It’s gonna be a good year….

This year I will finally become Mrs Cossy Ojiakor……… Fill in the blank space hahhahhaha,” she wrote It almost sounded like one of her many pranks but the jovial actress is dead serious. While she didn’t reveal the identity of the lucky man she told Potpourri little she could let off about him. “ He is a very good friend. My number one one. And he is very learned” she chipped in.

Sugar Asoegbu ssttar ts of arts offf the year as married woman B

eautiful and classy Nollywood actress, star of Blackberry Babes, Sugar Asoegbu, in most people’s book should be abroad pursuing her Masters degree. At least that was what she told us the last time we spoke with her. But news reaching Potpourri has it that the fair actress was in the country during the yuletide, not for any other reason but to have her hand handed out in a marriage to her heartthrob. The traditional marriage held on January 3, 2016 at Prof. Sabbas Asoegbu’s compound, Umuno, Utuh, Nnewi South, Anambra State.

By OLADAPO ADEKUNLE

I

f you are an happening person, perhaps, very current with Nigerians in diaspora making waves on the social scene, therefore you should be familiar with Oluwo-elect Abdul Rasheed Adewale, who ply his trade in Canada. The classy monarch has been selected to paddle the kingship boat of the Iwo Kingdom as the Oluwo of Iwo kingdom in Osun state. The Oba in his 40’s, has been an astute business man, top socialite and a son of the soil. His eloquence, royal gait and to compliment it with his vast knowledge of the Yoruba culture and tradition earned him a place in the heart of many as he gained massive support when he was picked to be the next king.

Ilufemiloye, as he is fondly called, knew from birth that he would be king. Kingship for him is a dream come true and avenue for service to humanity.

His coronation held amidst pomp and pageantry on January 9th •Abdul Rasheed 2016, with top socialites, captains Adewale of industry, sons and daughters of Iwo and top government officials.

Top Abuja preacher predicts death of top Nollywoood actress, others in 2016

•Sugar Asoegbu and hubby

Rotimi Ajanaku celeber at es 110 0 yyear ear celeberat ates earss of marriage

By OLADAPO ADEKUNLE

A

t the mention of the name Otunba Rotimi Ajanaku, an astute business mogul, politician and philanthropist, whose soaring popularity made his name rang so resonantly on the Lagos social radar, is no longer a ‘JJC’ ;‘Johnny Just Come’ in marriage. He (Rotimi Ajanaku) has jetted out of the country to privately celebrate his 10th year wedding anniversary with his beautiful spouse Mrs Oyinlola and kids in the US.

Canada Big Boy Prince Rasheed Adewale cr owned Oluwo of Iwo crowned

•Prophet Emmanuel Omale

D

ashing General Overseer of the Abuja based Divine Hand of God Prophetic Ministries, Prophet Emmanuel Omale, who had Jim Iyke as his best man when he wedded years back has called for prayers to prevent the violent death of a top Nollywood female star. He said if fervent prayers aren’t offered the star would either die in a deadly road accident, an armed robbery attack or of high blood pressure.

He also said a former Governor’s wife in the South-South should pray against bereavement and detection of terminal illness. The Prophet also declared that he sees many billionaires crying as many of them would fall in the year. According to him, many of those who made their money through dubious means would end up in jail while new and younger billionaires would rise up to replace them. On Boko Haram, he said the power of the group has been greatly reduced, but a top military boss may die in combat.

In fact he has advised Nigerians to take President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption seriously. This is as he warned that two newly appointed

ministers be careful about getting involved in a financial scandal that will see them being sacked and jailed. The young seer who correctly predicted the emergence of Bala Ngilari as Adamawa State governor, among other accurate predictions also said two serving Senators should pray against scandalous revelations which could lead to heart attack. Omale equally said that he saw billions of naira embezzled from the past government being returned openly and that there will be 17 months of prosperity for Nigeria as oil price improves.

He therefore admonished Nigerians to support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as “the current hardship would soon be over”. According to him, by the middle of 2016, there would be money in circulation and “all the present hardship would gradually ease off”.

The Prophet gave his 2016 prophesies to a jampacked service at his Area 1 Garki church penultimate week. “President Buhari will be the best President the country ever had and he would lay super structure foundation that would lead to economic growth and development for Nigeria” He further said that by 2020, Nigeria will become the envy of nations, adding that Nigeria would not divide despite the pro-Biafra agitation, as the whole issue will be resolved amicably and the country will wax strong even as Buhari implements some parts of the National Confab reports.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 15

SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

T

he Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Uhogua community, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State, has attracted attention since Sunday Vanguard featured the hardship faced by the over 1,000 inmates made up of children and officials.

Philanthropists, Edo State government, churches, among others, have come to give one assistance or the other towards the upkeep of the children. However, a visit to the camp ahead of Christmas indicated that all was not well with the children due to the paucity of food items and toilet facilities. Apart from the First Lady of Edo, IIara Oshiomhole, who brought some food items for the children during the Yuletide, not much was received from the public.

To worsen the situation for the poor children, a container loaded with things that will help to enhance their upkeep, such as blankets, food items, bicycles, among several other items, sent from Germany by some kind hearted Europeans, has been with the Customs Service due to the inability of Pastor Solomon Folorunsho, the Coordinator of the International Christian Center for Missions, the organization overseeing the IDP camp, to clear the goods due to lack of money.

Sunday Vanguard was informed that even after applying for assistance from the Federal Ministry of Finance to help clear the items,the container was not released. Ministry officials were said to have claimed that the ongoing reforms by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration led to their decision. Similarly, the authorities of the Customs expressed their handicap in assisting the IDPs due to the position of the Finance Ministry.

Sunday Vanguard spoke with Folorunsho on the inability of his organisation to clear the container.

We are aware you are having issues clearing your container loaded with goods for your children. What is the situation now?

Following Vanguard’s report on the children’s plight they read abroad, one of the white girls from Germany came here to see for herself; she wept when she saw the children. When she got back to Germany, she and her colleagues decided to put things together such as blankets, bed spread, mattresses, noodles, rice, bicycles, towels; these things have been at the port for more than three months. These are donations for the IDPs. We thought it will be easy to clear them, we presented the bill of laden, we applied to the Customs with our details and details of what they sent. The Customs advised that they needed approval from the Ministry of Finance. We were advised to go to the Ministry of Finance to apply.

We went there to apply, it took about a month for the Ministry of Finance to reply our letter and, unfortunately, our request was not approved. The Customs was actually sympathetic to our cause, but they regretted that they will not be able to help since the Finance Ministry did not give clearance.

But just yesterday penultimate (Wednesday), the Custom’s PRO in Abuja called to say they were following the procedure and that it was not their fault. He advised C M Y K

DIS TRESSED CRY OF DISPLA CED CHILDREN DISTRESSED DISPLACED

‘Our Christmas food was seized by port officials’ we should write again to let them see how to assist. That is where we are now. But I can tell you that the items there would have helped the children a lot at Christmas. My appeal is that while we understand that due process must be adhered to, government should look at the plight of the children and also help in that direction by allowing us to take possession of that container. You know how we live here, we don’t have money, we live on people’s kindness.

President Buhari is a father and an upright man, he should assist us because these children are his children too.

How has it been managing the children with the negative economic outlook?

To be frank, everything has been going very well until four weeks ago, when we started running short of food. We started talking to people to come to our aids that we needed food stuff.

That is the major area we have challenge now. Again, because school started last term, they need new note books and text books and we don’t have enough for our students. Our toilets are filled up, we need new toilets.

To be frank, after you journalists enlightened the public, people have been coming in droves bringing different items, food and toiletries. But four weeks down now we started running out of food. I want to thank Nigerians for their support because, before, some children were sleeping outside, but now nobody sleeps outside. Though we still need accommodation, right now, no body is under the sun or under the rain. I want to thank them and to also tell them that their assistance has help us a lot.

We also thank the Edo

Sunday Vanguard was informed that even after applying for assistance from the Federal Ministry of Finance to help clear the items,the container was not released

government for providing security for us.

Since the state government came in, it has made a lot of impact in our lives.

Today we have security operatives here 24 hours. The government has been sending money, food items and other educational materials. Infact, the First Lady has been wonderful to us. She sends us food; even recently, he sent cows, bags of rice, yams etc to us. We pray that God Almighty should improve the economy of the state so that we can get more from the state government. But I can tell you that the Comrade Governor has shown a lot of concern, love to this children and that has helped immensely. God will bless the Comrade Governor. Nigeria has good people and I believe that is why we are still standing as a nation.

more than 50 pastors and church leaders with over 300 churches both within and outside Nigeria.

So the work we are doing here is every body’s effort. We all are working to ensure we sustain this place and make the children happy. We have been coping very well. Before IDPs started coming, I was travelling once every two weeks to preach. But I love this work; this is an emergency time in Nigeria. Government is sacrificing; so I have to play my role too. For more than eight months I have not travelled out.

But this is my own little contribution to Nigeria and I am very happy to do it.

Have some of the IDPs not gone back to their parents?

Even those ones that left before, some did not spend up to one week they came back here. It was only about four of them that their parents came to pick and they went to settle I think in Abuja and some northern states.

Help from churches Churches in Nigeria have tried for us a lot. Church of God Mission, New Covenant Church, Winners Chapel, Pastor Oyedepo’s wife brought clothes and food items for the children. The Catholic Church, several Rev.Fathers have come here to assist us one way or the other. The Redeemed Church has equally not failed us, even Muslims too have been wonderful. Several persons have really assisted us. I won’t be able to mention all of them.

Nigerians are just good people.

For the Federal Government, through NEMA, they brought tents, blankets, mosquito nets, they came to capture the names of the people living here. But we want to appeal to the Federal Government to assist in providing for the children. We need a lot to assist them to grow particularly their schooling.

I want to also appeal to the Federal Government to come and help us complete the projects we have started. We need electricity because we buy diesel every day to pump water from borehole and that has been quite expensive for us.

So how are you coping with the health challenges of the kids?

We employed a nurse that is in charge of the health department and she directly works under doctors from private hospitals. For the medications, we always get them from some Christian doctors or individuals who get drugs for us. When we are out of stock we buy from the markets. For the toddlers we have people who cares for them, you know we have an organized camp here so we ensure that all the children are well taken care of.

Infact from the time you people came up with the first report things improved. We received doctors, nurses who volunteered to serve and that has been helpful. That is the same way people bring drugs for us, I thank God for his miracles.

But how have you been coping with this hectic job with your family and private life?

This is the work I have been doing for years. I am a full time pastor. I oversee

PAGE 16 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016 Edited by: Morenike Taire

Only insecure men oppress their wives

“Full-time Suffering Plc.”(Laughs)

What is the vision behind your forthcoming Women on the Winning Edge Conference?

Out of a constant thirst for God and his mandate on the earth, the vision of Women on the Winning Edge Conference was born.

This is a godly calling to all women to pump selfconfidence into them; to raise godly women who will build good homes, raise godly children, be wealthy and stand toe to toe with other women of various cadres without

—Funke Felix-Adejumo

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

W

ife of Pastor Felix Adejumo, President, Agape Christian Ministries, Rev(Mrs)Funke FelixAdejumo is one of Nigeria's most influential ministers’ wives.

The international motivational speaker and philanthropist gives tips to a successful marriage and speaks of her forthcoming Women on the Winning Edge conference in this interview with Feminista.

A lot of marriages crash even before they start; what has sustained yours?

My husband and I would have been married for 32 years by September 8 this year. In these 32 years, we’ve both prayed together every day! When we are not together we pray on the phone.

Also, we agreed on transparency and honesty.

We tell ourselves absolute truth; what nobody on earth can tell us. We confront our selves. And our bedroom has remained our ‘court room’ for years. Also, we are committed to making the marriage work. Divorce is not an option for us. That has been our cliché from the beginning.

So, the major and greatest force in our marriage is God. And that’s not to sound religious. It is what God keeps that is kept.

Then, my husband is my only and best friend while I am his. I always encourage singles to marry their friends.

Many working women complain family commitments slow them down in their career pursuits. What was your experience like and how did you cope?

God has blessed me with one of the most responsible family men on earth. When our marriage was young and we were raising our kids, my husband was committedly involved. We raised the kids together and he also helped with school runs and works.

He put the children and me before church work and ministry. This disposition C M Y K

simplified my life extensively.

There were times when my husband will tell me to rest while he rocked the baby to sleep.

For women who have issues with their husbands, what is the best way to get results?

The greatest need of a man is not sex; he can get that from a prostitute if he’s not born again, and of course, contract veneral diseases!

It’s not food; he can get that from any good restaurant. A man’s greatest need is respect, particularly public respect from his wife.

Some women disrespect their husbands.

It’s a man you treat like a king that will treat you like a queen.

There’s no honour I will give to any human if I have not given it to my husband.

After the Lord Jesus Christ, Felix Remi Adejumo is the only King in my Kingdom and the only Emperor in my Empire!

What is your concept of total submission as it relates to the modern woman?

Biblically speaking, submission is neither subjugation nor slavery.

Only insecure men oppress their wives! When you see a man that does not allow his wife to shine or give expression to God’s grace on her life, he is a coward!

He may look bold and loud

A man’s greatest need is respect, particularly public respect from his wife.

Funke Felix-Adejumo but he’s definitely struggling with serious complex issues!

Ephesians 5:21 says: “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. People quote from verse 22 but the instruction actually starts from verse 21!

In my opinion, submission is “strength put under control.”

God expects the woman to equally prosper and be blessed. Genesis 1:26-28 says God blessed them not him only! But once you are in marriage, you don’t flaunt your blessings in such a way that you disrespect your

Children with autism display talents at PSLC show

BY JOSEPHINE AGBONKHESE

D

espite being dubbed a disorder of the nervous system that can impair a person's ability to develop and interact socially, autism has again and again mysteriously granted individuals outstanding gifts. The achievements of great men like Albert Einstein, Sir Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin, Thomas Jefferson, to mention but few, said to be on the autism spectrum, affirm this.

If the performances of children at the recent Talent in Autism Show 7 which held in Lagos is anything to go by, then history can be rightly said to again be on the verge of producing another set of outstanding personalities on the autism spectrum.

The star-studded spectacular event put together by Nigeria’s

premiere school for children with autism and related disabilities, Patrick Speech & Languages Centre-PSLC, showcased talented performances by pupils of the centre.

The performances which included music, piano, bible reading, alphabet display, art work creation and display, and lots more, were excellent examples of the exceptional gifts autism can grant, and also of the possible benefits of regular teaching and therapy for any child with developmental challenges.

“I couldn’t believe it was my son playing the piano today.

It’s really a source of encouragement. I thank God I didn’t give up on him. I believe a brighter future can be achieved if I continue to have faith in him,” a parent, Pastor(Mrs) Olaide Adenuga, said of her 15-year-old son, Tomiwa, who performed at the

spouse.

Anything that has more than one head is a monster. As a woman, you allow your husband to be the leader and you prayerfully and graciously assist him.

Do you believe in the concept of full-housewife?

Yes and no. Yes because there may be a season when a woman needs to be a fulltime house wife for the sake of her children. But this should not be the norm.

Full-time house wife is

denying the faith.

It’s an international conference, aimed at ministering to women of all ages and strata with the hope of prayerfully and biblically discussing key issues as they affect the woman, her purpose, her future and her dignity.

It’s also our chance to lead the unsaved to the Lord and tackle issues like relationship with God, career, singlehood, marriage, leadership, abuse, divorce, widowhood, infidelity, violence, parenting and more.

event which also featured a breathtaking filler by Nikki Laoye.

Speaking at the show supported by Pure Souls Learning Foundation, Julius Berger, Pedabo, Vlisco, *Some of the children performing at the event Skye, Fidelity, “It's people in urban areas Sterling and Access Banks, amongst others, Proprietress, who now know what autism is.

PSLC, Mrs Dotun Akande, That’s why you see these expressed great joy at the children being given a chance progress made by the children to life. Go to the villages and see that their in various areas of life since the you’ll last talent show, even as she counterparts are left to rot away.

“Some parents believe they disclosed that a good number of them had also progressed are mad, so, about half of them are in psychiatric hospitals. into regular school since then.

In the light of growing Meanwhile, autism is not a awareness concerning autism, mental disorder. These parents Nollywood star actress, need to know about autism but Monalisa Chinda, who also it is quite sad that government graced the event, however is not doing much about this, advocated for other such except individuals like Mrs children living in rural areas, Dotun Akande,” Monalisa who whom, according to her, have is a staunch advocate for been labeled “bewitched” and children with autism due to the “mad” due to poor awareness experience of a relative of hers, amongst their illiterate parents. said.

SUND AY Vanguard , JANU ARY 10 , 2016, P AGE 17 SUNDA JANUARY

It’s more fun having flings with people who are spoken for There comes a stage in a person’s life when all they want are ‘friends with benefits’. As you all must have realised by now, this is when you don’t want a serious relationship but don’t want to deny yourself the luxury of regular sex.

You then look for a willing partner who’s very eager to reap from your fantastic offer. Gbemi, an old acquaintance went a step further.

As well as I thought I knew this friend, I was mildy shaken when she gave me the low-down on what makes her tick. “Right from the time I started dating men, I’ve been with those who were already attached,” she confessed.

She continued: “Fooling around with men who are supposed to be ‘spoken for’ is much more intense than hooking up with available men. I discovered early that just because a man has a girlfriend in no way means that he isn’t up for having a good time with me as well.

I was just 14 years old when I first fooled around with a neighbour who just got married. I was gobsmacked when he gave me the largest cash I’d ever clamped eyes on in my lifel The fooling around went on for months until my mum found out and beat the living day-

lights out of me. During my senior years in secondary school, I was a member of my school’s netball team. A friend of mine, also a member of the team, was dating the goalkeeper of a popular school. When a classmate saw me flirting with Chuks, the goalkeeper, she told me slyly that it was too bad I fancied him because he was already dating a team-mate. That seemed ridiculous to me as I didn’t meet Chuks through her. So, I made a point to hang out with him more and the experience was worth it and my conscience was clear - I wasn’t forcing him to cheat, all I was doing was encouraging him!

‘After I left secondary school, I knew attached men were always ripe for the picking and I pursued them intentionally.

The thing Is, I don’t seduce these men by giving off a distinct come-hither vibe or wear skimpy clothes.

Men can spot those kind of moves from a mile away and actually prefer the friendly type. Because I’m quite tall (5 feet 8 inches) with a good body and a great smile, I’m more of a female

buddy than a vixen! I’d been described as spontaneous, easy going and totally into having fun - the opposite of a clingy, possessive girlfriend. When I’m with a guy, 1 give to him 150 per cent of my attention. but not in a choking way. 1 hold his gaze, I laugh at his joke, no matter how ridiculous it is and 1 ask him questions about himself Sometimes, that self-confidence and interest is all it takes to tempt him.

“A lot of men I’ve been intimate with say they prefer it when a girl is not so clingy. There’re also

reasons for a man’s wandering eyes. For example, if he’s scared of losing his independence, having a fling lets him reestablish himself as someone who can do or get whatever he wants.

One man I ended up having an affair with when I started work was already living with his ‘fiance’. He had a good sense of humour and it was inevitable that we started accidentally touching each other and everything we said seemed to have an underlying sexual innuendo.

We finally got together the day we went to a mutual friend’s party without our partners. He took me home and that was it.

“Unfortunately, he was the one who became clingy, following me all over the place at work and, because we had sex a couple of times in the office. he wanted more. When I threw him over for another married colleague, he -was livid and actually had a shouting match with him!

Very embarrassing, if you ask me, I had to let the two of them go by changmg jobs, Needless to say, I’ve sometimes wound up hurting people in a way I regret. My university friend, Bola, and I were on summer holiday together when she fell in love with Yode, a man

that sat next to her on the plane coming back home.

I was genuinely happy for her - I had been seeing someone myself - Only, whenl locked eyes with Yode, the attraction was electric. We had so much in common - same outgoing personally, same dirty sense of humour - that 1 couldn’t help thinking we’d be a better fit!

“A few months later, I ran into him at a party and he confessed I was the one he really fancied. But, I had my nose in the air the first time he saw me that he thought I would rebuff him. The ribbing started in earnest and, before we knew it, we were snoggling like we were on fire. It was inevitable that one of our well-meaning friends told Bola when she saw us together. Of course, I denied everything when she asked me. In the end, Yode broke off with her to continue our relationship.

My boyfriend was so bitter he spread nasty stories about me to Bola.

“That unfortunately, was the end of our friendship.

The affair with Yode lasted for months, after which I went back to my oId ways ... I count myself lucky that I get away witb murder from time to time. But, I do love flirting, it’s like a drug to me!”

08052201867(Text Only)

Good posture for healthy living

M

Y yoga teacher was of the opinion that old age sets in when one throws away good posture to the winds. He would say “do your exercise regularly to avoid that sort of stiftness which starts from the nape to the neck down to the heels of the feet.’‘ I, myself, have found out through the years of teaching Yoga to others that even a little boy of less than six years could be incapable of doing the head-to-knee posture, whereas, someone of 30 who exercises regularly has no problem with the same posture.

That fact drives home the point that the deteriorating of the tone of the muscles can occur even while a child is growing up. Loss of muscle tone will not wait till you have attained the same age as Methuselah.

This means that we owe it to ourselves to start to keep the body healthy very early in life. Parents should, C M Y K

therefore, realise the importance of fitness not only for themselves but also for those that they bring into the world to delight their days on earth!

Parents do not have to breathe down the necks

This exercise will strengthen the spine and expel fatigue in the small of the back of their children to get them to exercise. Children almost always learn by example. Seeing their parents exercise will in most cases inspire them to follow lead. Typical of this situation was what existed between my own Yoga teacher and his children.

He would tell me that because his children

thought most of the exercises were funny, they would want to join in the fun by doing them too. The end result being that his children of both genders became very good at doing the exercises, enjoying all the therapeutic benefits of the practices.

He would tell me, for instance, that none of his daughters suffered from period pains or had problems at child delivery. And, he would put all that down to their practice of Yoga.

After a few weeks of Yoga classes, I once told a group of ladies that one of the benefits of the headto-knee posture was that of painless periods and one of them said, ‘’no wonder, I have not had to take pain relievers for some time now during my periods. I see,’ I want the reader to know that this was an honest-toGod incidence.

For a good posture,

which means an absence of a round back, the following exercise is to be practised.

Lie flat on the back

raising the legs vertically and making sure the small of the back remains on the ground.

Now, while you breathe in, bring down the right leg to the right side of the body to touch the floor. Exhale and raise again upwards. Thrice in all.

Leg Raise

Yoga Classes STARTED Physical Therapy Centre @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

Repeat with the left leg to the left side of the body.

For the stronger individuals doing the exercise with both legs at the same time is encouraged. This exercise will strengthen the spine and expel fatigue in the small of the back.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk 08056180152, SMS only

Her children already knew of their half-sisters before she did!

B

UKKY was busy giving the big bedroom a long overdue clean. She was running the vacuum cleaner over her husband’s side of the bed when the flex caught the corner of a partially opened drawer. It had been loose for months and Mati, her husband, hadn’t come round to fixing it yet. As she crouched to free the flex, something shoved amongst the odds- andends in the drawer caught her eye. A long brown envelope of the type school reports came in. Whose report could this be? She opened the envelope and saw the surname was her husband’s, but the first name was none of their five children. She went on: “I slumped on the bed and stared at the piece of paper. Suddenly, realization dawned Mati had another child!

In spite of the fact that I’d ignored one or two of his indiscretions, the result of my husband’s affairs now stared me in the face. The report was from a private secondary school. The child, a girl, now in her teens, had been born just after we had our second child!

Way back when I thought we couldn’t be happier.

Bastard! Did he still see the mother? Is this the only child from her?

Heaven knew how many other women were

holding on to his children! Suddenly, everything about my marriage I’d held dear looked like a sham.

“I wanted to get to him, to demand for answers.

But he was away at a family do. As soon as he came in, I threw the school report in his face.

Apart from the report, there were other incriminating documents in the drawer and he had no choice but to confess.

The mother of the child was a professional with her own financial means, he told me. They had had a relationship and she wanted the child She’d promised she wouldn’t be any trouble to my family and had kept her words. Most of the financial expenses of raising the child had been borne by her. As he made his excuse, it seemed as if he was bragging, that he was proud to have fathered the child of a rich woman desperate to have her own child!

“I don’t know what hurt more - discovering my husband’s bastard child or his keeping in touch with mother and child, been supportive father to their daughter - and keeping the sordid secret from me. Part of me wanted to confront this woman - but Mati refused to tell me where she lived because he said he was scared of what I'd do if I saw her.

“Not knowing more

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"

I can't forget you

I am not a poet but I know unsaid words have no value. I greet your absence these days and just to let the whole world know how that feels I am writing this. I am trying not to sound like a cry for help but

shock was in store for me, I called the three eldest children and solemnly told them what I’d just discovered. They didn’t look surprised.

On the contrary, they looked quite relieved, as if a huge burden had been lifted from their shoulders.

My first daughter said they’d known about this girl all along. Their dad had told them and had sworn them to secrecy.

How dared he involved my children in this stupid charade? I was furious that my children could even agree to such a deception. Were they actually happy they had a half sister?

“Days later, my daughter, an undergraduate, came to have a word with me.

I was sure it was at the insistence of Mati. Their father wasn’t a coward, she pleaded, rather he wanted to spare my feeling. You can always regret an affair, but could you really wish away a child? All I know is that I’m still hurting. There is nothing as depressing as knowing that whilst your husband is lovingly trying to make a baby with you, he is doing the same thing with another woman behind your back!”

As bitter as Bukky was, I made her realise that once a secret was out in the open, you do your utmost to live with it.

Cases like hers abound and, short of snuffing the life out of her stepdaughter, she had to

here it goes. You made my 2015 and for that I can't forget you. As we enter this new year, I wish you as much happiness as you brought me in 2015. Just so you know, I will always love you.

Prince Johnson. shunkul@yahoo.com 09052570138

It's new year

A fresh start.

A new chapter in life waiting to be written.

New questions to be asked, embraced, and loved. Answers to be discovered and then lived in this transformative, year of delight and self-discovery. Today carve out a quiet interlude for yourself in which to dream, pen

acknowledge her existence just like her children had “Stepdaughter?”, she shrieked, “ you do take your liberal attitude a bit too far at times. As for my children, I just prayed nothing like this happens to them in future. It is then they’ll feel my pain”. What pain was there to feel? This poor girl’s mother is loaded. All she wanted was for the father of her daughter to acknowledge her existence. What if the mother had been one of these scheming gold diggers who deliberately go after well-heeled men so their children would have a slice of the pie when such men croak? I asked Bukky to put

herself in the position of a step-daughter who will for ever be on the outside looking in.

“And it is that outside she’ll be”, she spat. “Let both mother and child stay in their corner, I’ll stay in mine ... “ Beware of What You Wish For (Humour) The door opened and a huge 6’5" man walked into the restaurant and up to the bar. He was almost as wide as he was tall with a neck the size of a tree trunk - but he had a tiny head. The barman was unable to hide his curiosity and addressed the stranger.

“Look, I’m sorry about this but 1 have to ask.

You’re such a big man, yet you have such a tiny head. How come? The man shook his head in dismay.

“You’ll never believe this,” he replied “I was walking along the beach last Sunday and I found a magic lamp.” “Why, what happened”? asked the barman. “Well, I rubbed the lamp and this beautiful genie appeared.

She asked me what I wanted and I said I’d like us to have a shag. Well, you would, wouldn’t you?” said the big man confidently.

“Yeah, yeah,” gasped the barman, “so what happened then?” “She said genies didn’t shag so was there anything else, and I said, okay then, how about a little head?”

in hand.

Only dreams give birth to change Chris Onunaku 08032988826/08184844015 #KriSpiratiOn2016.com

I love you

I have seen through your eyes the beauty of being loved, I have accepted to love you till death, I know you worth my love and care, Sweetie,I will always love and cherish you forever...

James N Okonkwo ngesina363k@yahoo.com (Freesoul) 08066043380

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 19

Ho w tto o guarant ee yyour our best yyear ear of How guarantee lo lovve for decades is to focus on in your world until you

BY ONOZURE DANIA

T

he most powerful thing you can do to create the relationship of your dreams whether you are searching for a partner or you have been with one

the only person you have the power to change you!

If you keep doing what you are doing, and thinking what you are thinking, you are going to keep getting what you’ve got! Nothing will change

change.

So, rather than focusing on what you want “out there” to change, let’s see how you can create the right inner shifts.

When you transform what’s inside, you

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PAGE 20 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Ojukwu led us to clear Nnewi

evil forest — Igwe Orizu •The many colours of the Ofalla festival

N

newi is unarguably the industrial capital of Anambra State. Apart from having many industries and companies, which marked out the town as the Japan of Africa, it also has a very big market which has several sub sections. The market is the second largest in the state after Onitsha main market. Nnewi people are noted for natural intelligence, industry and enterprise, a situation which has led to indigenes of the town blazing the trail in many fields.

The foremost educationist and a former president of Nigeria, Chief Nwafor Orizu, of blessed memory, was an Nnewi man. At a time many of the communities across the country can not boast of a single motor car, the town already had a multi millionaire in the person of Chief Ohukwu whose luxury car was used to convey the visiting Queen of England round the country when she visited Nigeria many decades ago.

Nnewi is made up of four quarters, Otolo, Uruagu, Umudim and Nnewichi, with each of the independent but interrelated communities in the town having its own Obi. OtoloNnewi, however, produces the paramount traditional ruler of the town in the Orizu royal family. The succession system is hereditary which automatically removes the tension and acrimony associated with installation of a new king in Igboland in particular and Nigeria in general. It has insulated the kingship from opening it up for the highest bidder.

When destiny beckoned on Igwe Dr Kenneth Orizu 111 to mount the throne of his fathers 52 years ago, it was obvious that the man with the Midas touch would turn things around in the then

sleepy community. Igwe Nnewi was instrumental to the establishment of the Nnewi main market after the idea was mooted by Dim Chukwemeka Ojukwu(Ikemba Nnewi) of blessed memory. The paramount traditional ruler also played a pivotal role in the industrialization of the town as he single-handedly carried the gospel of transiting from buying and selling to the setting up of industries to the affluent ones in his town. He assisted many industrialists to get land for the smooth take off their outfits.

The royal father, while talking about his staying power, said: “ It was God that helped me but then I worked very hard because I knew that if I must break the poverty circle, I must work very hard. I was ready to do just anything with my hands even if it was laboring to make money for myself. My salary was less than nine pounds when I joined Outlook Newspapers but it rose to 52 pounds before I left in 1962.” Orizu was instrumental to the bringing of electricity, post office and an educational institution to Nnewi which today has assumed the status of a city.

Orizu, while commenting on his experience as a royal father, stated. “ I can not say it has been rosy. Moments after I became Igwe, I got so bored. I would sit down here from morning till night. I could not move round freely which was quite different with my kind of person who could not stay in a particular place for long.

My movement became too restricted for my liking. As early as 7 am, people would start bringing cases to be resolved. I had great responsibilities as Igwe Nnewi because I was in charge of 25 towns; that was before the mass recognition of traditional rulers in the

•Chief Nwafor Orizu second republic. I would have rather preferred to be a laborer or anything that would fetch me money and allow me to move round freely. It was not fun sitting down here all day. The other challenge, apart from sitting here, is that of the people that wanted four kings for Nnewi but our progenitors knew why they said it would be one and hereditary.”

The Igwe, while speaking on his achievements since he became the traditional ruler of Nnewi, said: “Nnewi was formerly governed by town unions. We had the Nnewi Patriotic Association (NPA). They were developing the town at their own pace. Later, the youths came in. We then had the Nnewi Youth League. I was working with everybody for the development of the town.

People did not want to hear about levies but I made them change their mind after persuasion. The first work I did was the clearing of Agboedo forest. There were five deities controlling the

In fact, when the call to clear the forest was made, everybody ran away in fear of what would happen but we got it done most especially because people started returning home because of the crises in the North

town when we were pagans. I was controlling them and the three Obis were my foot soldiers. It was like that until the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu wrote me that we should clear the evil forest and make it the center of Nnewi. The belief then was that if you entered the Agboedo forest, Edo would kill you. In fact, when the call to clear the forest was made, everybody ran away in fear of what would happen but we got it done most especially because people started returning home because of the crises in the North. After clearing the forest, Ojukwu said Agbo would only have meaning if a market was developed around the place.

We negotiated with the land owners and the market became a reality. When the market was growing, I found out that the water works at Amuoko was no longer enough to provide water especially because of the population explosion that happened after the civil war. I was always at the Water Board at Enugu where they demanded N30,000 to sink a borehole at Umuenem. I also addressed the issue of mortuary because our people were depositing the remains of their loved ones in Onitsha, Igboukwu and Ozubulu. The youths actually gave me the money for the borehole and they said they would personally handle the mortuary. I played major roles to ensure that industries were established in Nnewi. Prior to that time, our people specialized in buying and selling but I told them that what would move the town forward was companies and industries. One of them is Chikason. I was instrumental to the setting up of a Teacher Training College, which was later upgraded to a teaching hospital, NITEL, and even electricity with the

cooperation of my people.”

A former governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba, described the monarch as one who has positively impacted on Nnewi.

The 2015 Ofala started as early as 6.00am on the first day with canon shots heralding the festival. There was also a memorial service for those who died in the gas factory accident in the town.

The preparation for the Ofala, held in December, was as robust as any of the previous celebrations.

Committees and sub committees were set up and manned by competent personalities.

Not even the death of one of the royal father’s daughters days to the Ofala could stop the cultural event, which was to be used to celebrate the Igwe’s 90th birthday and his 52 years on the throne, thus making him the longest reigning traditional ruler in Africa.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonaya Onu, was represented at the occasion

by Ichie Mike Ejezie and his wife. Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, took out time to grace the occasion in company of Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, the publisher of The Authority Newspapers.

The Nnewi royal father used the occasion to stress the need to do something about the decayed infrastructures in the industrial town. The Igwe also called attention to some roads in Nnewi which equally need urgent attention.

Meanwhile, the traditional prime minister of Nnewi, Chief Ofili Nwosu, has described the 2015 Ofala as a huge success, pointing out that it was one of best he has ever witnessed.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016 PAGE 21

BOLAJIAKINYEMI AKINYEMI@@74: 74: BOLAJI

Intellectualism

meets statesmanship

BY CHARLES KUMOLU N his 2001 best seller, entitled: I Spiritual Leadership, where he encouraged leaders to follow

God’s design for success, Henry Blackaby pointed out: “Society longs for statesmen but it gets politicians.”

The British evangelist further elucidated his position thus: “Statesmen are leaders who uphold what is right regardless of the popularity of the position.

Statesmen speak out to achieve good for their people, not to win votes. Statesmen promote the general good rather than regional or personal self-interest.”

Indeed, the import of the statement resonates in Nigeria-a nation that suffers acute shortage of statesmen and as well long for statesmen with same measure.

With the sheer elevation of partisanship over statesmanship in the past and present, the country hardly qualifies for a nation of statesmen.

In spite of this, men of somewhat unparalleled credibility and vision could still be identified albeit not in plenitude in the country.

Prof Bolaji Akinyemi is one of such, who have remained as objective as possible in their involvement in the various historical interplay inherent in Nigeria’s march to nationhood.

National conversation His unambiguous understanding of the dynamics that drive national conversation, rightly positioned him as one of the nation’s leading lights even as he inches toward the octogenarian club.

At 74, Akinyemi, whose appointment as the DirectorGeneral of the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, came at the young age of 33, radiates reason and logic in his judgments regarding the country’s sociopolitical evolution.

And that is not accidental. After all, American novelist, Pearl Buck, succinctly, observed: ‘’When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.”

Perhaps, it is the fulfillment of such immortal injunction that had seen the sustenance of Akinyemi’s interventions in national narratives.

An attestation to his untiring plausible submissions to nationbuilding was evidenced in the recent authorship of a piece entitled: The New Country We Need.

In the serialised article, Akinyemi, among other things, played up the recurring ethnic dynamics that threaten Nigeria’s corporate image and regretted that such differentials pose existential threats to Nigeria. “That Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state is a fact that cannot be denied. The following are the most populous and politically influential – Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5% (Nigeria

His unambiguous understanding of the dynamics that drive national conversation, rightly positioned him as one of the nation’s leading lights even as he inches toward the octogenarian club Fact Sheet, United States Embassy). It is counterproductive for anyone to deny his or her ethnic identity. But admitting one’s ethnic identity is one thing, while asserting that identity to the detriment of other ethnic identities is the problem. In other words, assertion of an ethnic identity is ethnicity and is acceptable. But a behaviour based on an assertion of one’s identity as if that is the only identity in a multi-ethnic state is ethnicism and unacceptable,” he had submitted.

He added: “The net effect of my submission is this: while admitting that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic state and that its boundaries are artificial, that should not pose existential threats to Nigeria. I am not saying that they could not because obviously, they can and have posed existential threats in Nigeria and in other places in the past. But it is like fire. It can cook, and it can burn.”

Vintage Akinyemi That was vintage Akinyemi, who desires a new and more functional Nigeria, where the key ingredients of good governance are not in deficit.

As the head of the NIIA, the prof. of political science, who was born in 1942, championed dialogue as an alternative vehicle for foreign policy consultation.

He organised and presided over the following: Nigerian-United States Dialogue (1978), NigerianSoviet Dialogue (1978), NigerianChinese Dialogue (1979), Nigerian- Scandinavian Dialogue (1980), Nigerian-Brazilian Dialogue (1980), Dialogue on North-South, Dialogue with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau (1981) and the Nigerian-Chinese Dialogue (1982).

From the various national assignments he undertook, Akinyemi, who was appointed

Minister of Foreign Affairs by former Head of State, Gen Ibrahim Babangida,retd, in 1985, boasts of an unwavering passion for service.

This yet to be rivalled drive that saw him being a handy resource person each time stringent solutions are needed for contentious national questions, conspicuously domiciles in his speeches, seminal works and even media interviews.

Strengths, weaknesses of governance An encounter with him would surely make any student of history long for further engagements, as a result of his expansive knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of governance.

As Minister of External Affairs, Akinyemi brought his provoking scholarly prowess to bear through policy actions at a time when the dynamics and complexities of global politics required men of his calibre to promote Nigeria’s stance on international affairs.

Till date, some of the structures and frameworks he put in place testify to the indelibility of his footprints in the nation’s foreign service.

Of note is the Technical Aid Corps, TAC, a programme which sends professionals overseas to engage in volunteer work among the interdependent nations of the world.

TAC is designed to promote Nigeria’s image and status as a major player in global affairs, particularly the African continent which had been the centre piece of the country’s foreign policy.

He was also credited to have initiated the Concept of Medium Powers, aimed at maximizing the potentialities of Third World countries. A direct offshoot of that was his support for Nigeria to consider developing nuclear weapons.

Such proposal, which he described as the black bomb, connoted that Nigeria had a sacred responsibility to challenge the racial monopoly of nuclear weapons.

Sacred responsibility He was the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations Annual General Assembly Session, New York (1985); deputy leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Commonwealth Summit, Bahamas (1985); leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Organisation of African Unity, Council of Ministers Session (1986); deputy leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Organisation of African Unity Heads of State and Government Summit (1986); leader of the Nigerian delegation to the NonAligned Foreign Ministers Conference, Harare (1986); deputy leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Non-Aligned Summit,

Harare (1986); leader of the Nigerian Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Annual Session (1986); leader of the Nigerian delegation to the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the Critical Economic Situation in Africa (1986); leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Budget Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity, Addis Ababa (1987); leader of the Nigerian delegation to the Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Organisation of African Unity, Addis Ababa (1987); deputy leader of the Nigerian Delegation to the Annual Summit of the Organisation of African Unity (1987), among others.

Display of uncommon bravery During the regime of the late Gen Sani Abacha, when the state of the nation nudged agents of change like him to proceed to the trenches, Akinyemi, alongside late Pa Anthony Enahoro, Bola Tinubu and Dan Suleiman, among others, formed the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. Through the display of uncommon bravery in the face of the worst dictatorship in Nigeria’s history, Akinyemi braved the odds to ensure that civil rule was enthroned.

His role in that era also came as a mixed bag to those who thought that he was unlikely to stand up against the military-an institution he had served in some capacities before then. But that was the typical Akinyemi, manifesting his eternal conviction that there isn’t any known alternative to democratic governance.

Of significance was the stabilizing role he played as the Deputy Chairman of the 2014 National Conference. Whenever matters were headed for the rocks, Akinyemi brought his understanding of diplomacy to bear.

The same astuteness saw him alerting Nigerians to the grave dangers ahead of the 2015 general elections, insisting that some people were bent on dragging the

country down the path of implosion.

Akinyemi, who did that through a letter, dated December 16, 2014, to former President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, went down memory lane, pointing out that the conditions that preceded the postelection violence of 2011 were still prevalent.

Consequently, he lamented that his intervention was totally ignored, resulting in the death of many in the ensuing post-election violence. The man, who headed the NIIA for eight years, attended Igbobi College in Yaba from 1955 to 1959 and Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti from 1960 to 1961. Coming out on top in an essay competition organised by the United States, (US) Embassy and Nigerian government earned him a threemonth stay in the US. A lifetime meeting with President John Fitzgerald Kenethy at the age of 21 was the high-point of that voyage to the US. He was also at Temple University, Philadelphia Pennsylvania, from 1962 to 1964.

Between 1964 and 1966, he attended Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tuffs University, Massachusetts and Trinity College, Oxford, England from 1966 to1969.

Akinyemi is a known prolific writer with 13 books to his credit in addition to many articles published in both national and international academic journals In recognition of his erudite contributions, Akinyemi was honoured by his colleagues with three books: Perspectives on Nigeria’s National and External Relations: Essays in Honor of Prof.

A. Bolaji Akinyemi; Nigeria and the World: A. Bolaji Akinyemi Revisited and Perspectives on Contemporary Nigeria, Essays in Honour of Professor A. Bolaji Akinyemi, CFR. Turning 74 at this time when the desire for a more functional nation is so momentous, places a huge burden of responsibility on him.

PAGE 22 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Legal icon, A dedo yin, giv es out daught er in Adedo dedoyin, gives daughter marriage

L

egal icon, Prince Adediji Adedoyin, hosted friends and associates when his daughter, Adebambi, wedded her heart-throb, Abraham Enahoro, in Lagos on December 12, 2015.

The couple, exchanged nuptial vows at Folawiyo Bankole Memorial Methodist Church, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos, followed by a reception at Sheeba Centre, Ikeja. It was a top class affair laced with panache. Photos by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Father of the bride, Prince Adediji Adedoyin, walking her daughter, Adebambi, down the aisle.

The bride, with her parents, Prince Adediji and Olori Bolajoko Adedoyin.

The couple, marriage

Dr. Abraham

and

Princess Adebambi, during their traditional

Prince Adediji Adedoyin and Olori Bolajoko Adedoyin, the bride's parents.

Alhaji Hassan and Mrs Beatrice Enahoro, the groom's parents.

The bride's mum, Olori Adedoyin (3rd right), with her father and siblings

The English Masonry led by Olorogun Moses Taiwo, the District Grandmaster

Tunji Olugbodi, the Chairman of the Occasion at the reception, and wife

The couple in church.

Bride's mum and son, dancing.

From left: Titi Jolaoso, Mrs Omasan Dudu and Mrs Chuko Aminaghan

SUNDAY, Vanguard, JANUARY 10 , 2016, PAGE 23

The Alile family’s Thanksgiving The family of Dr. Clement Imuetinyan Alile offered thanks to God recently in Benin City at the St. Joseph Chosen Church of God for himself and his wife for surviving terrible health challenges. It happened that both of them fell sick almost at the same time, but miraculously survived through the grace of the Almighty God. The service was attended by dignitaries within and outside Nigeria.

From right: Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Pius E. Odubu, Deputy Governor of Edo State, Mrs. Victoria Oyegun, Chief John Oyegun, Rtd. Justice Isaac Aluyi, Rtd. DIG Parry Osayande, Dr. Roland Ehigiamusoe and a guest.

From right: Apostle Dr. Hayford Alile, OFR NPOM, Spiritual Leader, St Joseph Chosen Church of God, Apostle Dr. W. U. Omoregie JP, Edo Regional Head, Apostle Levi Ogbonna JP, Secretary General of the Church, Apostle Ezekiel Ahamefule, Akwa-Ibom Regional Head.

From left: Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, first Executive Governor of Edo State and National Chairman of APC, his wife, Mrs. Victoria Oye- Dr. Clement I. Alile and wife, Pastor Mrs. Carol Alile (cengun and Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. tre), with their children, during the thanksgiving service.

(Dr.) Pius Egberanmwen Odubu

From left: Dr. Clement Alile, Apostle (Dr.) Hayford Alile, OFR, NPOM, Spiritual Leader, St Joseph Chosen Church of God and a guest.

Ak ogat e 20 15 end of yyear ear dinner Akogat ogate 2015 Akogate held its 2015 end of year dinner at the State Housing Estate Calabar

Mr and Mrs Eze Nnachi (left) with Ukeulim Ogah

From left: Mr. Emmanuel Aganbi, Mrs Pogoson, Mr Pogoson, Double Chief Edem, Mr Felix Aganbi, Mr Emmanuel AuduOhwavborua, Mr. Andy Ororo, Mr Seth and others cutting the cake

Hon Mathew Olory (m), Mr Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua (right) and a guest

Mr. Tuoyo Godwin, GM Akogate.

Double Chief Edem (m), Mr Felix Aganbi (r) and a guest

*A cross section of guests.

MC Daniel (m) with Mr and Mrs Pogoson

Mr and Mrs Eric Atou together with MC Daniel

PAGE 24—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

C M Y K

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 25

C M Y K

PAGE 26—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Some exgovs guilty of abuse of public funds

— Senator Aliero

•’Revenue allocation formula mysteriously disappeared from the National Assembly’

•Speaks on the Kebbi post-election agenda

•On Biafra: Secessionist bid belated

BY BILESANMI OLALEKAN

S

enator Adamu Aliero was governor of Kebbi State between 1999 and 2007. He was later appointed as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He is presently the Senate Committee Chairman on Customs.

He explains, in this interview, why he supports the pro-Biafra protesters but disapproves of their break-away plan. Aliero says importation of rice must remain banned and describes the present revenue sharing formula as unconstitutional.

You once said you don’t support the pro-Biafra protesters action but they have the right to protest. How did you mean?

I believe in unity of Nigeria and in its indivisibility. For that, I am against the agitation for the sovereign state of Biafra. However, they have every right to protest. If there are genuine complaints or grievances, there is nothing wrong in people coming out to express their feelings. If there are genuine grievances, either in representation in the appointments at the federal level or any organs of the government for that matter, you can come out and forward such to government. And government is duty-bound to address it. But without exhausting that avenue, you start agitating for succession, or

C M Y K

break up of the country, I don’t think Nigerians will support that. I saw a situation during the last National Conference, where people came out with a determined position, an agenda which they were bent to push through which , of course, could have led to the break up of the country. But, when we started talking, we came to an agreement that Nigeria must remain an indivisible entity, irrespective of our grievances. We have more to gain by living together than breaking up. Nigeria is better as a united country. It will be more prosperous, more attractive for foreign investors, than breaking up and each of the units tries to survive on its own. I don’t believe in that. I believe in being my brother’s keeper.

God in His own wisdom brought us together through the instrumentality of colonialism. And we have come to love each other. Of course, there would be disagreement here and there. Even between man and wife, there are disagreements, but you sit down and dialogue. This is what I believe should happen. And for that reason, the agitation for Biafra is belated. It happened in the 60s. You cannot take us back to that era. We need to move ahead.

But part of the grievances is that the Igbo are not well represented at the national level?

I don’t want to believe that

statement. Who is the Deputy Senate President? He is from the East. The oil minister is from that region.

Twice, they came with the formula which was presented to the President and, the first time the formula was sent to the National Assembly, it mysteriously disappeared

Some people have rebutted it that the oil minister is not from a core Igbo state?

If you are talking of Biafra, and to my understanding, it consists of the South- East and South- South. May be you were too young to know what Biafra was in the 60s. Ibe Kachikwu is from Delta State. If you look at the composition of government, you will find out that there is the preponderance of the Igbo extraction in it. It is wrong to say the Igbo are not represented at the national level. There is Ogbonaya Onu, a fine gentle man and of very high integrity, there in the cabinet.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce, are they not Igbo? The Constitution has made it mandatory for the President to have a minister from each of the states of the federation and President Buhari has complied with that provision of the law.

Development should ordinarily take place more at the state and local levels, yet, the Federal Government gets the biggest in terms of revenue allocation. How can this be addressed?

To be honest with you, revenue allocation issue has always been a

contentious issue. Since the restoration of democracy in 1999, we have never had an acceptable revenue allocation. The organ responsible for the sharing of revenue allocation is the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission which determines the revenue formula, that is after consideration of all the variables from stakeholders. Twice, they came with the formula which was presented to the President and, the first time the formula was sent to the National Assembly, it mysteriously disappeared. The second attempt, they came up with another allocation formula and presented to the National Assembly for ratification.

I was governor for eight years and I know how much suffering we went through under President Olusegun Obasanjo. We tried at that time to come out with a revenue allocation formula that is truly representative but our efforts were thwarted. So, there is really no revenue sharing formula that is constitutionally acceptable because, if the formula did not pass through the National Assembly, then it is not constitutionally right. If the President makes adjustment and passes it on to the Minister of Finance today, it may not be acceptable to everybody because even the formula in use today has no constitutional backing. The

Continues on page 27

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 27

Continued from page 26 National Assembly did not approve the present revenue sharing formula.

Some people argue that the little allocation to the states is not judiciously used?

It all depends on the state. I can talk about myself. When I was governor, the little my state was getting was prudently used. I was able to execute a number of projects that have impacted on the lives of the people. And I guess that is why I am still relevant in the politics of the state more than nine years after leaving office. I impacted both economically band infrastructure wise on the state. We reformed the education sector, we ensured that potable water was in all nooks and crannies of the state. We built a number of roads including some federal roads that were rehabilitated, though we were reimbursed later. We built the only airport and university in the state. Hospitals were built. Over 700 towns and villages were connected to the national grid. We made an indelible mark while in office. So, it depends on each state. To generalise that governors were misapplying their allocation is not correct. It is not fair. There is an exception to the rule. There are obviously some governors who misused their allocation but not everybody.

The only source of the nation revenue, crude, which price has crashed in the international market.

Apart from oil, in what other ways can we diversify our economy such that we would reduce the over dependence on crude?

I am one of those who believe strongly that we must diversify our economy. Perhaps we are the only OPEC member- nation that failed to do that. It is true that we misused our oil revenue. We should have used oil money to develop our agricultural potentials. A number of things could have been done with the oil revenue to mobilise people to embrace agriculture as a way of life and also as a revenue generating venture. I think by now if we had done this, large scale farmers capable of cultivating from between 2,000 and 5,000 hectares of rice, sugar ,cocoa, cotton, livestock would have emerged. But instead, we started using oil money to import all sorts of rubbish. Things we were exporting ,we started importing .

Malaysia in the 60s came here to get seedlings for palm kennel. 20 years after, we started importing from them, and up till now we are still importing and even smuggled it atimes. We were exporting cotton to Europe in the 60s and 70s, but now we are importing textiles from China and India. For example, in the 60s, we didn’t know anything like imported rice. We were relying on locally produced rice.

Suddenly, we started bringing rice from Thailand, Vietnam, even from America. We have to come to the basics. We were living in fool’s paradise. And that made all of us lazy. Those that were not lazy became complacent. In my view, the only way out is to go back to agriculture, rely on what we have locally. We have to do backward integration. This country is well endowed. We have a very good climate. We have fertile soil. We have able men and women that can work and feed ourselves and even export. I think once we do this, we can get our economy diversified. Solid minerals, to me, will be a good area of diversification. Nigeria is richer than South Africa in the area of solid minerals. We are three times richer than South Africa. This is what the United Nations investigation revealed.

We have all sorts of minerals. There is no state in the country that does not have one mineral or the other. The only thing we should start dong now is the exploration and exploitation. I

C M Y K

’Revenue allocation formula mysteriously disappeared from the National Assembly’

There is an exception to the rule. There are obviously some governors who misused their allocation but not everybody

•Aliero...Rice can fetch Nigeria 90 million dollars per annum think we can be better off if we can do this. South Africa earns 30 billion dollars from solid minerals, and we are richer than South Africa. If we can start exploration to the fullest, I think we can get up to 90 billion dollars per annum.

That kind of money can do a lot of things for this country. ICT is another area of diversification. Look at India, it is now a net exporter of ICT technology. We were at par with India at a time especially in the 50s up to the 70s. What went wrong with us? Is it the political will that our leaders do not have? Is it that we are indisciplined? There has to be a change.

Happily, the current president has been talking about change and I sincerely hope that, within the next four years, he would get this country back on its tracks. He got it back on the right tracks in the 80s when he was a military President and, with the kind of National Assembly he has now, he would be able to get Nigeria on track to the promised land.

You raised a motion on the floor of the Senate on the ban lifted on the importation of rice. What exactly is your grouse?

The motion was raised in our national interest. At one time, rice was being brought through the border, via Cotonou port. First, the importer would pay duty at Cotonou. After that payment, he would pay port charges before loading in the truck. On reaching border, what

normally happens is that, with the connivance of the Customs Service, this truck comes into Nigeria without payment of duty. No genuine business man will import rice through Cotonou port, pay duty at Cotonou, and come to pay import duty in Nigeria, and still pay 300k per truck to bring the goods into Nigeria. If he does that, he would lose a lot of money. So, once they get to the border, the goods slip into the country without paying duty. That is why we are against the idea of bringing rice through the border. Nigerian Customs has no infrastructure to monitor the movement of these trucks, small vehicles coming into our border area. But if they bring it through the port, the whole ship load will berth within the Nigerian ports. The Customs officers will know how much tonnage, know price per tonne; so, it will be easier to collate the import duty the ship load will pay. The NPA and the shipping company will collect their charges. The dockworkers will have work to do. The freight forwarders will have something to do. But if you bring it through the border, it is the other country that will take advantage. Once these goods come into our border without paying duty, Nigeria automatically becomes a dumping ground. Substandard goods will follow suit.

Again, as I said earlier, it is not all the routes taken by smugglers the Customs will know; so, by the time they bring these goods into our border, a lot of other things like substandard goods will follow, crime will follow.

Meanwhile, if we should allow it to continue, our farmers will not get market for what they

produce. If that happens, their equipment becomes useless as it becomes redundant. Automatically, there will be loss of the jobs that we are saying are not available. Again, the danger of that is that we may even be taking toxic rice into the country. So, ultimately, we are the ones harming our economy, while we are empowering the other economies where these goods are coming from. I am sure the Comptroller General got it wrong. And we the Senate insist that if we are all talking about national interest, the policy should be reversed. And if it is not reversed, it certainly works against our national interest, because that would make us heavily dependent on foreign rice, millet and others. If things are done properly by bringing everything through our ports, there will be some level of certainty on the revenue coming into the purse of government. The former Minister of Agriculture did a lot. Perhaps he was the best performing Minister in the cabinet of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. He worked so hard that the farmers, millers and business men in agric business in all the geo- political zones attested to his performance. Fertilizer issue, which hitherto was shrouded in secrecy, became very open such that it was reaching the farmers directly. As a result, a lot of farmers got empowered such that people started getting employment and the restiveness started going down. I think the present Minister of Agriculture will have to continue and improve from where the former Minister stopped. The idea is that this country should not be importing any kind of goods into this country There are still frayed nerves in Kebbi as a result of the last elections which some have attributed as the reason why a cabinet is yet to be constituted in the state.

I wanted to bring everybody together as far back as 2011. Unfortunately, the election (that brought Dakingari to power) was flawed. If the election was held at the time it was initially planned, he would not have been governor in 2011.

The postponement of the election really demoralized the then CPC supporters. I have been in politics for more than 20 years, but the best time of my life in politics was when I was in CPC. We actively mobilised the people of Kebbi to go in one direction. And they did.

Unfortunately, the election was marred by a lot of irregularities, making CPC to lose, election. However, as God would have it, we were asked to return to PDP; we did, conditionally. And those conditions, unfortunately, were not met.

And when we saw the opportunity of bringing our people into APC, we brought all of them to the party. The few ones adamant in PDP, we told them that they would not win the election. As, through the assistance of Allah, we were able to form the government in Kebbi State.

Since then, we have been trying to carry every one along, regardless of political affiliation. Once elections are over, governance takes over. You are now a statesman. You are governor for everybody. I think the governor is doing just that. We as his advisers back him very strongly to continue on that. The issue of commissioners will soon be a thing of the past as we have discussed the issue, consultations have been made with all the stakeholders, very soon the list will be with the state assembly. I agree that it has been delayed, quite honestly, but everything is now on course. Once the cabinet is done, we shall then continue with the process of reconciliation, harmonising the various interests and finding the various forces in order to move the state forward. However, I am not promising you that we would get everybody into APC. We still need opposition, because without opposition, there will be no democracy. What is important is to get comfortable majority so that you will be able to execute your programmes and projects that will touch the lives of the people and the people will be endeared to you.

PAGE 28 —

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

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ROW OVER INDIAN HOSPITAL’S ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE

They let my daughter die... as I watched in horror — Mother of UNIABUJA graduate *We did our best to revive her – Doctors

By Gabriel Olawale

W

HEN 26-year-old Chineye Nwafor travelled to India for a limb-correction surgery, she had no idea it was going to be a journey of no return. She was

watched my little Chineye, who had graduated only a month ago, die in my arms owing to the negligence of doctors at Fortis Hospital, New Delhi, India.

“After the surgery, Chineye was upset. She raised fears over the surgery, claiming that one Dr Gupta, the senior consultant, had removed only one of the two pieces of the previously broken iron in her limb as opposed to earlier agreement that the two pieces would be removed before conducting the limb lengthening surgery. However, despite her complaints, the doctor assured her that everything would be fine.”

Joy revealed that after her discharge, it was noticed that the lengthening screw was stiff. They complained immediately, but were informed that the doctors were looking for the right size of iron for her height.

“After three days she was forced to go to the hospital. She walked in to the dressing room, but while they were changing the screw she gasped for breath and suddenly lost consciousness on the dressing table and was wheeled into the emergency room,” she narrated.

“Less than an

brought back dead.

An encounter with Mrs Joy Nwafor, mother of the deceased, at the entrance of the India High Commission in Lagos, threw light on the untimely death of the young graduate. Joy, 54, who told Sunday Vanguard that she accompanied her daughter on the trip, cried foul over the circumstances leading to the death.

Accompanied by sympathisers demanding justice through a peaceful protest at the High Commission, the bereaved mother put the blame at the doorsteps of the Fortis Hospital, India, where the surgery was carried out.

Displaying placards, the protesters were undeterred by heavily armed policemen manning the gates of the Commission. They alleged that Chineye’s death was a case of negligence and repeatedly demanded justice and release of the autopsy result from the hospital.

Narrating her story, Joy, from Dunukofia Local Government, Anambra State, said it all began last year just after her daughter obtained her first degree.

“Chineye had just graduated from University of Abuja and was preparing for her NYSC but the family decided that rather than just sit at home before her call-up, she should utilise the period to correct her deformed right limb which had been shortened as a result of a fall experienced in 2001,” She told Sunday Vanguard.

“Following the fall in which she broke her femur (thigh bone), she had a surgery which involved the insertion of knail (iron) to support the bone. The iron eventually broke and another surgery was necessitated to remove the pieces and also correct the shortened limb that was causing her a lot of pain.”

The bereaved mother went on: “The prayer of every mother is to train her child and, in turn, the child takes care of her • Bereaved mother, when she’s old. That was Mrs. Joy Nwafor not to be in my case as I C M Y K

When I walked into the room where she laid, I discovered they had already stuffed her nostrils with cotton wool while her body was still very warm. I immediately begged and cried helplessly that they should try to revive her but they heartlessly told me that there was nothing they could do

•Chineye Nwafor ... Dead in her prime

hour after she was wheeled into emergency, I was informed that my daughter was dead. I was shocked; I could not believe my ears. I felt the world had come to an end, even in my state of shock, all that the hospital could do was demand additional payment as cost of trying to revive Chineye.

“When I walked into the room where she laid, I discovered they had already stuffed her nostrils with cotton wool while her body was still very warm. I immediately begged and cried helplessly that they should try to revive her but they heartlessly told me that there was nothing they could do, that she had died and had planned to convey her to the mortuary at the time.

“As a result of my insistence, the movement to the mortuary was delayed for two hours during which they blatantly refused to administer any procedure to revive her. Dr Raul later told me my daughter died of severe heart attack.”

Pointing out the first instance that convinced her that her daughter died of medical negligence, the mother recalled that on the first day she was wheeled into the theatre, the surgery was rescheduled because the iron was not the right size for her height even though she had done several physical consultations with the surgeon, Dr Raul.

“Second, a review of her medical records showed that no blood thinning medication was prescribed which is necessary for this kind of surgery. Third, even after the surgery, the doctors were still looking for the right size of iron. Fourth, only one piece of the previously broken iron was removed.

“Since her death, Fortis Hospital New Delhi has issued several conflicting statements on the cause of her death which only confirms my fears that Chineye was murdered and they have refused to release the autopsy result. They still claim to be investigating the cause of death. Meanwhile, they told us that it will only take two weeks for the autopsy result to be out.

“I have been crying since October 29, 2015. My heart bleeds and I know Chineye’s soul seeks justice. I speak as a mother who deserves to know the cause of her daughter’s death. I need the

support of every Nigerian in this fight against this murderous act, injustice, oppression and wickedness. I am helpless but I believe that, with God on my side and with the support of Nigerians and the international community, the killers of my daughter will not escape justice.”

Fortis Hospital reacts Reacting to the development through e-mail, the Second Secretary (Cons.), Office of the High Commission of India in Lagos, Mr. Jagdeep Kapoor, sympathized with the deceased’s family and assured proper investigation by the Indian authorities.

“First of all, we would like to extend, through your newspaper, our deepest condolences to the family on the passing away of Ms. Chineye Nwafor. We are in touch with the Indian authorities on the issue and hope to get a response soon. In the meantime, we have approached the hospital and their reply is as follows: “Miss. Nwafor came to us for Limb Lengthening procedure, on September 28, 2015, which was done successfully. On October 7, 2015, Ms. Nwafor called Dr. Rahul Kaul to assess the progress. Despite our strict policy of doctors not visiting a patient’s place, Dr. Rahul Kaul made a special exception for Ms. Nwafor and visited her residence on the same day to alleviate her anxiety. Dr. Rahul Kaul examined the post procedure dressing and explained medications as advised already by the hospital.

“Thereafter, on October 8, 2015 Ms. Nwafor informed Dr. Rahul Kaul that one of the rods placed during the procedure appeared to be jammed. The hospital therefore asked Ms. Nwafor to visit for examination. During the examination, it was noticed that one of the distraction rods installed at the time of the above procedure had got jammed.

“This is commonly seen in such patients and it was decided that the distraction rods shall be replaced.

In the procedure room of our hospital, the existing rods were maintained attached to the rings and four new rods were attached to both the rings and firmly fixed.

“After attaching four new rods, the pre-existing rods were removed so that the stability of the frame is not jeopardized at any point. After a while, Ms. Nwafor developed breathlessness and collapsed. We tried to resuscitate her but in spite of the best efforts she could not be revived.

“At the relevant time since the cause of death was unknown, the hospital contacted the police authorities. The police authorities took away the body of Miss Nwafor to carry out autopsy. The cause of death can only be ascertained after perusal of autopsy report which is to be collected by the police. The death summary, dated October 9, 2015, issued by the hospital, states cause of death as ‘Pending Investigation’.

The police authorities will share findings of the autopsy directly with the family.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 29

The battle for cement in Okpella

BY EMAMEH GABRIEL

T

hings are no longer at ease in Okpella, Edo State. The battle for “who controls what and who takes or owns what” has almost shattered its relative peace; splitting the community into several blocs.

After the privatization of the defunct Bendel Cement by the then Edo State government to Helderberge Group, a Norwegian company, in 2003, the company remained moribund because of the refusal of the Ministry of Solid Minerals to renew the expired mining leases held by the former owners -Bendel Cement Factory. The ministry cited the non-conclusion of the litigation dogging the project.

As a result, Helderberge was left with no choice but to sell its stake to another investor who, eventually also, sold the stake to BUA Group. BUA thus came not only to revive the moribund company but also to rebuild a modern cement factory in Okpella as part of the Federal Government’s policy to promote privatization, create jobs and, most importantly, break the jinx of a cement importing country to a cement producing and exporting one while making the product affordable for ordinary Nigerians.

It could be recalled that when Helderberge failed to commence operation many years after acquisition, Edo State government and Okpella community made frantic efforts to woo other major global players in the cement industry to resuscitate the ailing company. These efforts however yielded little or no result. When subsequently, in 2009. BUA Group acquired Okpella Cement Company and Sokoto Cement Company, many believed it to be a major milestone and final affirmation of BUA as an emerging major player in the league of cement manufacturers in Nigeria. With the coming of BUA, Okpella Cement Company unfolded a 300 million dollar investment that has seen the upgrade and modernization process of cement production in Nigeria.

The company is said to be at a production level of 3 million tons of cement per annum, reducing unemployment in Okpella and currently gearing up to take up on its corporate social responsibility.

It is believed among analysts that the presence of BUA in Edo has sent a signal that it could break the monopoly in the Nigerian cement market.

Meanwhile, another major player in the cement industry was alleged to have planned to take ownership of Obhu, a mining deposit belonging to Okpella and an expansion of a limestone deposit already acquired by BUA Cement. The result of this take over bid is still pending in a Federal High Court. Truth is that no businessman will take up legal battle with a community he has business prospect in with one hand and with the other hand trying to acquire solid mineral deposits in the same community.

Barr John Okodo, President of Okpella Forum and a prominent figure from the Ogute axis of Okpella, opines that the body language of the major player in the cement industry contradicts what any good businessman would have described as genuine intention.

Okodo accused the player of double standard while adding, from a personal conviction, that it had not shown any serious commitment to come to Okpella.

“We can draw an inference that he is only here to frustrate the man who is on the ground already”. The seemingly dragging of the major player into a web of disputes with Okpella over the ownership of a limestone deposit clearly within Okpella, in Etsako East Area of Edo is provoking hostility between Okpella and her Ebira neighbour in Kogi State on one hand and a section of Okpella with the major player on the other.

But for the blatant disregard of valid

Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State

court orders on issue that had long legal pronouncement by competent courts up to the Supreme Court, what other reasons would have made some stakeholders not to hands off and desist from creating bad blood and confusions between BUA Cement and the major industry player on one side; Okpella and Ibira on another; Etsako East Local Government and Okene Local Government and Edo and Kogi States in a country where peace and unity are priceless? The news making the rounds is that Okpella community is putting all necessary documents in place to institute a suit over what it alleged as “forgery” and alteration of the demarcation map between Edo and Kogi States over a Federal Government legal declaration and legal notice against some stakeholders. They are also going to challenge the alleged selling of limestone deposits belonging to Okpella to the major industry player with the aid of the said forged map. “Although it is speculated that some stakeholders sold a portion of limestone deposit in Okpella to the major industry player for about $350 million, I doubt if that is real because the said stakeholders have no limestone deposit in Okpella. I have the original map”, said Okodo who passionately warned the said stakeholders to steer clear of the Obu limestone deposits. In the face of all these, many have continued to question if the major industry player is not aware of the original owner of the limestone deposit at Obu or unaware of the series of legal pronouncements over the ownership of the said land. If the answer is no, then the industry player should hold those he saddled with the responsibility of his operations for failing to do a thorough background check on such a huge investment prospect for negligence of duty on their part.

No consent yet – Monarch In what many called a consent issued to the industry player by His Royal Majesty, the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Kingdom, in a recent publication, the traditional head of the community debunked such insinuation, insisting, in clear terms, that there was never a time he gave any form of consent to the industry player, but only permitted it for solid mineral prospect in the community.

“It is true that I gave them (major industry player) permission to enter Okpella forest to do exploration. Exploration permit from my palace is not consent.

What it means is that I only permitted them to go to the bush to search for anything valuable and of commercial quantity and come back with the report of the outcome of their expedition detailing the location of the site of the deposit of his interest within the Ogute/ Okhu axis.

“It is only at that time I will have to know the area. We have land tenure system in Okpella. Kindred by kindred

own lands to Okpella people. No kindred owns land exclusively for the Okpella people. Today I am the head of the entire Okpella community holding the land in trust for the people and as such I can deal with anybody on question of land but with consultation with the land owners and the people of Okpella. It was farmers from Ogute and Okhu who came to tell us that they discovered limestone deposit in these areas and the industry player signified interest to explore which they are doing as we speak. “When I say go to Okpella bushes and do exploration, it doesn’t mean that I say you should go to areas that have already been given out to other investors. We welcome the major player to Okpella but that does not mean that we are against BUA even if it has acquired some areas, that does not stop it from doing further exploration and asking for consent which would be happily granted”.

Why Okpella Must Encourage BUA Cement The people of Okpella have said they will welcome any investor who genuinely wants to do business with the community. They said other investors need to do what BUA has done or show sign of doing so or surpassing BUA’s investment in Okpella. “My take on this matter is that, there is somebody already on ground and he has invested so much in Okpella. I know we have not benefited yet but I believe we will later in the future if we put our house in order. That man should be encouraged and, as such, the new limestone deposits discovered in Ogute and Okhu, BUA should be given the first right of offer because they are already established in Okpella”, Okodo stated.

“However, the only condition to any investor coming to explore limestone deposits in the Ogute axis is that he must be ready to build a new factory in that axis of Okpella and contribute to the generation of more employments to the Okpella community. “What we would not want is a situation of acquiring limestone deposits and leaving it fallow just like it is common among cement producers or come to extract limestone and take it elsewhere for processing. They must be ready to establish there and that is what I believe those in that axis equally want.”

There is this adage in Okpella which says that one hand cannot cover the mouth of the pot. This implies that no single investor will be able to generate enough employment to solve this unemployment challenge in Okpella today.

Why Okpella Must put its House in Order Those who are familiar with the events in Okpella will have no reason to doubt that the challenges in Okpella are deeply rooted in the control over resources among different groups and the purported marginalization of key stakeholders. This has further made the community vulnerable to external bodies who continue to take advantage of it. The people must be ready to shed their differences, unite and learn useful lesson from the crises in other South-South communities whose poor handling of investors’ interest in mineral deposits turned out to be a plague rather than blessings. The pit falls that bedevil other minerals rich part of the Niger Delta should be avoided and all hands must be on deck to ensure that Okpella becomes a model as a house divided against self cannot stand.

We should also learn from the case of Nigeria where successive leaders failed to take advantage of the oil boom to develop the country until the fall of crude oil price in the international market took them unawares. The world is watching, we must come out from these hiccups more united, peaceful and prosperous.

This is a wake-up call.

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Danmola, APC chief, loses wife lhaja Karamot Olajumoke Cecilia A Nadu Danmola, the wife of an All Progressives Alliance (APC) chieftain, Alhaji Hakeem Danmola, of Hogan Bassey Street, Surulere, Lagos, is dead.

Aged 64, she was a member of BATCO under the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The deceased is survived by her husband, Danmola, the first Chairman of The Eko Foundation, The Liberty Foundation, among others; children and grand children, including Hon Habib Danmola, Mrs. Sammy Danmola-Bakare and Gafar Danmola.

The 8th day Fidau prayers for the deceased will take place on Tuesday at her residence, 2B, Hogan Bassey Crescent, off Iyun Road, Surulere, Lagos.

Ebonyi community’s liberation program

T

he people of Aguinyima Amudo Community, Ebonyi State will tomorrow begin a 5- day - Community and Land Liberation Program at the Community’s Playground and Primary School Field. The program, titled, Enough is Enough, will start with a holy mass and end with a vigil on Friday, January 16.

A team of referred pastors, including two Lagos based workers in the Lord’s Vineyard, Pastor Emmanuel O Nweke and Apostle Austin Chukwuemeka, will minister at the event.

Igu Aro carnival in Enugwu Ukwu

I

gwe Ralph O. Ekpe, Eze Enugwu Ukwu na IgwethUmunri, in Anambra, celebrated his 5 Igu Aro festival last weekend with pomp. The festival, held at the magnificent stadium shaped Obu Umunri in Nkwo Enugwu Ukwu, attracted thousands of visitors from the town and environs.

The ceremony involved all the 18 villages in the town with their various masquerade performances including the popular Ijele Ugo and Izaga. Igwe Ekpe commended Anambra State government for ensuring a secure environment for Christmas and the various road development projects in the state. He pleaded with the government to commence action on the Enugwu Ukwu bypass which will ease traffic on the popular Nkwo Enugwu Ukwu market.

The Regional Manager of MTN Nigeria, which co-sponsored the event, Mr Michael Obi, announced that the company will increase its sponsorship budget for E n u g w u Ukwu Igu Aro which “has assumed national and international status”.

Sam Ekpe Media and Spokesperson for Igwe Ralph Ekpeh & Cabinet

PAGE 30—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Jeremy Corbyn's punch not as hard as ISIS' youngest actor

A

fter Jeremy Corbyn, the United Kingdom Labour Party leader, was dealt a below the belt punch by his party faithfuls during the debate on whether UK should get involved in the air bombardment of terrorists' targets in Syria or not, it seemed he was not ruffled. His appearance looked cool but to political observers it was obvious the punch had landed in an awkward place on his leadership. As a result everybody expected after effect of this "wrong turn" by loyalists.

Corbyn, as the leader, definitely has the option of throwing a good and final punch to defeat the seeming rebellion against his leadership.

Redeeming his leadership, according to observers, was to do away with the few turn coats in his shadow cabinet.

Therefore, speculations were rife all through the Christmas and New Year that Corby was planning a reshuffle to achieve this.

Immediately after the victory of Prime Minister David Cameron, and the support given for the air strikes, by some Labour front benchers there was no disputing the fact that there would be some repercussions. Corbyn, besides being the opposition leader had never hid his dislike for any UK involvement in bombing IS targets in Syria.

This is understandable, realising the fact that Corbyn was a prominent figure in the Stop The War coalition.

Prior to the debate, he was said to have toyed with the idea of imposing his wish on the party, but had to restrain himself to avoid a further "washing of dirty linen" in public. This did not however deter some of his shadow ministers to openly criticise the leader and support the Tor y sponsored bill. The rest of the story is history.

However, against the run of expectations, Corbyn's much touted reshuffle punch only managed to "stagger a few". The most celebrated of the "sack" was of Pat MacFadden, the former shadow Europe Minister, one of the front benchers who openly supported Britain's air strike in Syria. It will be recalled that MacFadden had condemned the Stop the War Coalition, which Corbyn used to chair, as being insensitive with its comments that the Paris attack was as a result of the military action against terrorism by the French government.

MacFadden was quoted as saying the labour leader informed him that he took the criticism as attack on his person. It was obvious that if he had no intention of a direct personal attack, Corbyn did take it personal. This

sack has effectively ended the "good run" of this promising politician, for now.

The list of ministers, as drawn up by the public was far longer than what the leader eventually came up with. Hilary Benn, the shadow foreign secretary was among the names bandied around for sack. The speculation of his sack was not far fetched after his "infamous" speech in the Parliament that literarily rubbished his leader's stand. In the speech, Benn had specifically rallied his party members to vote for UK's intervention in Syria in order "to confront the evil."

Benn was spared. This "miraculous" escape from the punch of Corbyn had triggered some comments of his being muzzled and made to give his word not to criticise the leader's position in future. As expected, Benn had denied this report, saying he did not do anything out of the ordinary to keep his job. It is obvious that he will need more than a mere statement to clear the air on his new found support for the leadership. The Guardian UK quoted him as saying: “I’m going to be carrying on doing my job exactly as before, which is speaking for Labour on foreign policy, supporting Jeremy Corbyn and campaigning really hard to get Labour elected at the next general election.”

His mission to get Labour elected at the next

It is not every day ISIS releases videos of their activities.

But when it does, the maximum impact and reaction are what these terrorists expect. There is no doubt that the propaganda machine of this evil organisation works round the clock

general elections will indeed prove a very difficult task for him and other loyal members. It is no doubt that the party is a hard sell right now.

Something really radical has to be done to win the public's sympathy back.

There is little sense of fence mending in the L abour Party after the reshuffle. Rather, the Labour leader has been variously criticised as being vindictive with his "singling out" MacFadden and the

others for the "chops." The sack in the cabinet has also brought out the lingering crisis in the party. The "live on TV" resignation of Stephen Doughty, the foreign affairs minister and of two other ministers in protest against the sack of their principals cannot and should not be underplayed.

The puzzle among observers is how Jeremy Corbyn hopes to bring the party members together before the next election to rally support for a shot at 10 Downing Street. It seems he has a bigger headache than Ed Miliband, and his head is not as big as Ed's..

THE LATEST ISIS' PLOT It is not every day ISIS releases videos of their activities. But when it does, the maximum impact and reaction are what these terrorists expect. There is no doubt that the propaganda machine of this evil organisation works round the clock sourcing materials that would make viewers "flinch" and also where possible gain more sympathy for their dying cause.

After a lull in their publicity activities following the recent pounding of their bases and the loss of some key officers of the group, ISIS came up with another shocking propaganda video last week. The unique thing about this latest propaganda video is that it is directed towards the UK authorities. There was no disguising the fact that ISIS do have issues to sort out with the UK. In the video, a man with clear British accent named Cameron and called him unprinted names as he accused him of dancing to the dictates of the United States in the fight against terror.

The most striking aspect of the video is the child making threat against those he called "kaffir".

He, definitely is a remarkable child with lots of balls. However, his action definitely had not gone down well with his grandfather who was shocked to see him on television.

The Nigerian grandfather's blood pressure must have risen above normal when he saw his five year old grandson on the TV making threats to the world. I can not imagine what went through the mind of this man when the image of this kid came on.

However, his pain could not be disguised as he narrated to the media his betrayal by a daughter who decided to bring shame to the family.

Identified as Sunday Dare, I watched with pity as he struggled to exonerate his beloved jihadist grandson from any blame. His line that the grandson does not like it in Syria was a feeble attempt to redeem the child in the court of public opinion.

This boy portrays the new generation of future terrorists.

And the unfortunate thing is he has Nigerian blood in him. But one is consoled that his game is far above Boko Haram. So no direct threat to Shekau's leadership.

The light of God overshadows darkness

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ear readers, I believe you have resolved to be lifted up spiritually this year.

If anyone tells you that having a breakthrough is easy, then he or she isn’t telling the truth.

I imagine that we have prayed and we continue to pray. The good news is that this year promises to be a season of harvest.

How do I know?

Respectable men of God have made prophetic pronouncements in this regard .

More importantly, amazing testimonies have manifested , some of which I intend to share with you.

May I state loud and clear that this column is not to promote any particular place of worship but to lift up our faith and assure us that God is able to meet all our needs.

However, I can only share with you the information at my disposal.

This week, I had planned to write about women with troubled homes, but, somehow, God changed the topic with these great testimonies and I believe it is for a purpose.

Triplets I received a piece of good news from a professional colleague who told me that her sister had given birth to a set of triplets after seven years of waiting. Though I got no further information as to where and how the babies were born, I was still thankful to the Almighty God for this big miracle.

As if that wasn’t enough, Pastor Gbenga Oso of Laughter Foundation Cathedral broke the news of a set of triplets born to a couple, Lanre and Funmi, after about eight years of waiting, at the watch night service of December 31,2015.

Funmi, resident in London, read online a book, titled, “ None shall be barren”, written

by Abiodun Ojudun, who became a mother of a set of triplets and a set of twins after 18 years of waiting.

I have shared Biodun’s tesitimony in this column However, her name wasn’t mentioned.

Through her, Fu n m i came to Laughter Foundation Cathedral.

I was one of those Biodun invited to counsel her and we did. We urged her to trust in the Lord, assuring that God that gave us breakthroughs will surprise her.

Before I go into the full story as told by Pastor Gbenga Oso, I will tell you one of the unusual things she did.

Biodun told me she took Funmi to orphanages to make donations.

This is the point I made in previous columns. Giving to orphanages is a short cut to a long awaited miracle especially if it is about childbearing. It could be done also to meet other challenges. Don’t forget the holy Bible is clear that the merciful shall receive mercy.

Giving or seed sowing is a quick way to a miracle but, of course, we must strive to

live holy.

A spectacular breakthrough Funmi ( I decided to mention her name so that other people can use her as a point of contact while praying), according to Pastor Oso, had seven IVFs in Britain and Czech Republic.

Again, you will recall that I once mentioned in this column that IVF is possible in Eastern Europe regardless of your age.

This is unlike the West where you may not be allowed IVF once you are 40 years.

Let’s also imagine how much would have been spent by the couple (on IVF) without the desired result. Even in Nigeria, IVF costs about a million Naira.

However, all the IVF she had failed. In a particular one, she lost a set of twins.

Why? Again, it has been mentioned in this column that IVF will fail where forces of darkness are at work. Medical science has no solution to negative spiritual forces.

In the case of Funmi, each time an IVF

You don’t need to lose hope. Just be more determined. Cry not unto human beings but unto God seemed successful, she would always have a particular bad dream after which the pregnancy would be aborted. So, you can imagine the agony of a woman who had never carried a pregnancy to term.

The light of God Her challenge led her and her husband to Laughter Foundation Cathedral where she became a regular worshipper.

Then our God rose, and suddenly she became pregnant.

After a scan in a reputable diagnostic center in Lagos, it was confirmed she was carrying a set of triplets.

Naturally, the joy of the couple knew no bounds.

Yet, secretly she was afraid of the evil dream that usually terminate her pregnancy.

She was so overwhelmed by fear that, several days, she opted not to sleep but to sit up all

night. That is to say the least traumatic for a pregnant woman.

As God would have it, Pastor Oso called her and she told him she had decided not to sleep to avoid the influence of the forces of darkness. Of course he knew that was dangerous for her and the fetus.

According to the pastor, he asked the Holy Spirit what to do and he was told.

Though unusual, but because she was carrying an unusual pregnancy, he went to her house to pray for her.

This prayer was also an unusual prayer.

According to him, God told him to read a particular Psalm to her . The lady sat facing him, while the husband sat by the side.

This Psalm was read her 70 times and a declaration was made about the safety of the babies .

The light of God overpowered the forces of darkness instantly.

His words, “ She never had the dream again”.

Hence she carried the babies to term.

Delivery Challenges On the day of delivery, the hospital abroad could not get to work the number of doctors required to deliver the babies.

So, delivery was to be postponed but again God intervened.

The couple called the pastor in Nigeria and intercessory prayers was said for them. Suddenly, the doctors, who had been on vacation, all showed up and the babies, two boys and a girl, were delivered on December 28,2015.

I had the opportunity of speaking to the new mother last week and the voice was that of a joyful mother.

Have you lost hope?

You don’t need to lose hope. Just be more determined. Cry not unto human beings but unto God. Again, I suggest that you do something unusual.

Apart from giving to orphanages, you can also make a significant contribution to your children’s’ church even though you don’t have one baby yet.

You can also buy baby clothes and begin to speak into it. Read into it Genesis 1 verse 28: “ And God blessed them and God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply”. Then you may place your hand on your belly and speak to it to produce your children.

This is not a one off thing.

This must be done repeatedly. You may even fast or ask your pastor to pray along with you.

More importantly, couples need to pray together.

Women, if your husbands are not cooperating, please don’t pick up a quarrel; just go on with your prayers.

For those who want multiple babies, you can add Genesis 25 vs 24: “ And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold there were twins in her womb”. Declare that you are a mother of twins.

We have had several testimonies from women who did this and, by the grace of the Almighty God, his light will overshadow every influence of the forces of darkness in your life, in your marriage, in your business, etc.

Get ready for your season of harvest in Jesus name.

SUNDAY VANGUARD,JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 31

Why I left the church for younger ministers to run ---- Pastor Emmanuel CALVARY Bible Church, Lagos, the church arm of the Truth of Calvary Ministries, founded on December 31, 1995, is 20 and in this interview with Sam Eyoboka, the General Overseer, Pastor Olumide Emmanuel, spoke on issues relating to ministry and a lot more. Excerpts:--id you envisage the church was going to come this far when you took off?

We expected we’d grow and expand but we couldn’t have known where we’d be at every point or turn. In some aspects, what we are seeing are really m ind-blowing but in

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some, we know we could have done better. But through it all, God has been gracious to us. For instance, when we started in a rented apartment, it took us three months to raise the fee. From the caliber of people we had, it was like; will anything good come from us. The first set of lands we bought was for N70,000 per plot.

We got four plots at N280,000.

It took us over one year to raise the money. To look at where we are now is a miracle. However on the number of people we have, we believe we have what it takes to attract more people.

We are a kingdom church. On an annual basis, we reach out to 10,000 people based on verifiable statistics. We go to bus stations, prisons, hotels and football pitches. The 10,000 are not here because we are a kingdom church. It is not about our seating capacity but impact-capacity. The kingdom is not about that but we also want those seating to be more.

Many people have difficulties defining you. They wonder if you are a general overseer, businessman, common sense coach or itinerant preacher...

When you start, you are an individual. Then you get married and become a husband. When you have children, you are a father. You are the same person but your title changes by virtue of your responsibilities and roles.

So, that is the challenge with defining me. I always tell people I am an apostle in the marketplace. God has raised me to raise kingdom believers and ministries. For those in the church, there is no confusion at all about that. The difference about church and kingdom is that church says ‘just come and be part of us’ while kingdom is about going forth. So, we are not interested in drawing people that will just seat and not make a difference in their world. I will just say I am an apostle in the marketplace. I am more than a church man.

When you started the real estate business, many wondered if you were leaving ministry for business. Can you explain the rationale behind it?

Well, they will understand more with time. When you pioneer something, you face that challenge. The challenge with the church in Nigeria is that we have more understanding of the church than the kingdom. When somebody receives a call now, the first thing they do is to start a church. But God could be calling them to start ministries.

There are many evangelists pastoring. Many who should be in

different ministries are sitting down in churches. The Kenneth Copeland, Kenneth Hagin and Benny Hinn of the world did not have a church. They imparted the world running ministries. It is not about how many people you could seat.

So, when we went into the estate business, it was because many Christians say the earth is of the Lord but do not have a plot of land. If the earth is of the Lord, why can’t He give Christians lands? We came to a place where we realised that faith is about lands. I came into an investment understanding at a time, took the church on that journey and we began to grow.

Whoever owns the land determines the faith of the land. If you were born in Pakistan today, you are going to be a Muslim. Why? It is because whoever owns the lands owns the faith.

That was how God told me to connect people to own territories. That was what inspired the real estate issue. It was to inspire believers to own territories so that they can have influence for God. We have made home owners and estates for believers. But in the last two years, I have left the business and church for younger ministers to run.

If you were to start all over today, what would you do differently?

When we started out, there were a lot of things that we believed that affected the way we did ministry. So, I would change my methodologies. It took me years to realise that the message is the same but the methodologies different. We were too rigid when we started. There was a time I didn’t believe that women should preach. Sometimes when I came to the pulpit, I was busy emphasizing on wearing weavons and trousers. Even though we were trying to make people holy, we were scaring people away. I remember we refused to borrow money in the name of church that will change now.

Some people were willing to give us musical equipment on installment but we refused because we said we didn’t want to owe. If we had accepted, it would have boosted our music and drawn more people. So, I will just change my methodologies and mindsets.

In those days, I would have joined those criticising inviting comedians to church. I will be at the forefront, but I understand better now. We have never compromised on integrity and standing for God but we are evolving in our methods. We have had to learn from making mistakes.

Have you outgrown Wisdom for Singles conferences?

No I have not. In fact, I am doing Wisdom for Teenagers. It is not that one is not doing these things again but one is busy that the scale is changing. We are using different strategies now. At this stage, I have raised people that should do what we used to do so that we can do what they cannot do. In those days, I was everywhere with publicity. My face was always in the media.

But now, one is busy. So, the time is not there. I have handed over the church and business to people. I don’t have to be here for the church to run.

What made you hand over a

Pastor Olumide Emmanuel church while you are still alive?

It is because I don’t run a church but a kingdom. People have asked me what I will now be doing after handing over the church. They have told me to make the Senior Pastor Deputy something but I am not bothered. It is not my church. It belongs to God. It is not a family business. If I need money, I just ask if we can afford it or not. I don’t even know how much we have in the account.

And that does not bother you?

Why should it? If I want to know all that, it becomes micromanaging. You just die before your time doing that. The reason people do that is because they don’t run church like kingdom. It is only the pastor and his wife that are signatories.

They carry the offering and go with it. So, they cannot leave it for others. It is like what is happening now in Nigeria. If the

PDP had won, we won’t hear what we are hearing now. They would have just covered up. But another party took over and we are seeing all the mess created.

So, it is like in many churches too. They don’t want to hand over to someone that will expose them.

That means a succession crisis will not be a challenge here?

Of course, there won’t be. For over a decade now, everyday knew who will take over from me. We have another resident pastor also in the waiting. God forbids, if anything happens now, there is no wife that will fight church or a mother that will say we started the church together.

In 20 years, we have not had a breakaway because we allow people to display their talents.

There can be visions within visions. When people leave, we celebrate them. We also support them if we can.

You must have a large heart, don’t you?

No, I don’t. It is just the way it should be. I am not a superhuman or special. It is the other people that are in error. Jesus raised 12 people and said they will be greater than him. We all want our children to be greater than us. We understand biology but not spiritology.

It’s double honour as Ojo marks 40th wedding anniversary BY

I

BOSE

ADELAJA

T was a moment of jubi lation and thanksgiving among leaders and members of Calvary Kingdom Church, Okokomaiko, LagosBadagry Expressway who gathered recently at the church to render quality praises to God during a programme tagged ‘’Double grace, double honour.’’

The event which drew clergymen from various churches doubled as a forum for their annual thanksgiving as well as the 40th wedding anniversary celebration of Archbishop Joseph Ojo and his wife, Rev. (Mrs.) Esther Ojo. Present at the occasion were the resident pastor, Rev. White Amaechi and zonal pastor, Church of God Mission, Lagos West, Rev. Martins Gbelemo who delivered the sermon.

In his message, Pastor Gbelemo urged the congregation to love the celebrants with the best of their hearts as the duo have been working tirelessly to make the place become what it is today.

Quoting from the Bible, he advised people not to forsake their parents especially now that the Yuletide is around the corner.

The cleric said it is a moral responsibility of people to love their spiritual and physical parents so that their thanksgiving can be ac-

ceptable unto God. ‘’It is painful to see some Lagosians living large while their parents suffer in the village. It is important that we remember our parents at all times so that we can provoke God’s blessings. Love is a product of what you give if you love your parents, and honour them so that your prayers will be answered,’’ Speaking on: "A double honour thanksgiving’’ the cleric said the celebration was the best that could happen to anybody in his life time, describing the cel-

Archbishop Joseph Ojo and wife cutting their wedding anniversary cake .

ebrants as priceless jewels which cannot be bought in the market, ‘’what a great joy at 40. Don’t look for fault but honour and support them so that their heart can bless you. Learn to cover their nakedness rather than exposing it to the public,’’ The cleric said thanksgiving is expected of every individual so that they can get more blessings from God, stressing "until your thanksgiving becomes a sacrifice, it remains a normal offering. It is when your thanksgiving is acceptable that the doors of blessings will be opened to you,’’ Some of the worshippers described Archbishop Ojo as a father to all. His personal assistant, Rev. Freeborn Uremu said: ‘’Having spent over a decade in the church, I have understood him as a man after God’s heart because he understands God’s purpose for this generation. He has grown and increased in wisdom and deeper revelation in Christ Jesus,’’ Responding, Archbishop Ojo said the thanksgiving was a celebration of God’s faithfulness upon his life, adding "God has been faithful to us in the past 40 years and we are full of appreciation to Him.’’

2016 a tough year but God’s elect will enjoy mercy — Cleric BY

S

CALEB

AYANSINA

ENIOR Pastor, Trinity Liv ing Church, Abuja, Pastor Emmanuel Adefowora has predicted that 2016 would be tough, but God would have mercy on His elected ones.

Adefowora, in his prophecies

for 2016 made available to Vanguard in Abuja warned Nigerians against procrastination this year, saying “ whatever you want to do; do it fast.”

The prophet called on Nigerians to pray for the country, as there would be an attempt on the life of President Muham-

madu Buhari, stressing "if anything happens to the president there will be problem.”

The Cleric noted that there would be a greater reward for hardwork this year, therefore, Nigerians should move closer to God and be prayerful.

PAGE 32—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016

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OST of us never bother to determine precisely why we believe what we believe or do what we do. Why, for instance, do we celebrate Christmas? As far as Christians are concerned, we do so because we delight in Christ and rejoice in him.

Christmas is a Christian tradition celebrated for centuries the world over. Surely, billions of people cannot be wrong.

However, this type of thinking is spiritually faulty. According to the scriptures, there is no safety in numbers. On the contrary, Paul counsels: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).

Holy days and holidays In the scriptures, God institutes his own holy days, including the Passover, the Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. (Leviticus 23).

Christmas is not one of them. In God’s holy days is laid out the entirety of God’s plan of salvation. What this means is that every major move of God must coincide with one of his holy days.

For example, Solomon’s temple was dedicated during the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus was crucified during the Passover. The Holy Spirit came down at the Pentecost. Therefore, the Jesus’ birthday cannot be on December 25 because it is not one of God’s holy days. On the contrary, it is actually the “birthday” of an idol god. Jesus must have been born on one of God’s holy days.

Christians have replaced God’s holy days with pagan holidays. This is nothing short of demonic. Most

ets are slaughtered: “those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them and make merry and exchange presents.” (Revelation 11:10).

Banning of Christmas

CHRIS TIANS SHOULD NO TE CHRISTIANS NOTT CELEBRA CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS (2) Christians are completely unaware that these ungodly changes were made.

However, Daniel warned that “a little horn” from Rome will “think to change the times and laws.” (Daniel 7:25). In effect, when Christians think they are celebrating Christ, they are actually celebrating pagan gods morphed into Christendom.

Jesus chastised the Jews for “teaching as doctrines the commandment of men.” He said: “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” (Mark 7:6-8).

This is what is happening today. Christians celebrate heathen holidays such as Christmas and Easter in Christ’s name but according to pagan traditions; while ignoring God’s stipulated holy days such as the Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles that Jesus and his disciples observed.

Pagan traditions Jesus says God is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24).

However, everything about Christmas is idol worship.

God specifically warns the Israelites not to copy the evil ways of the pagan nations whose lands they inherit. He says: “You must be especially careful not to

Christians have replaced God’s holy days with pagan holidays ask, ‘How did those nations worship their gods?

Shouldn't we worship the LORD in the same way?’ No, you should not! The LORD hates the disgusting way those nations worship their gods.”

(Deuteronomy 12:29-31).

However, this is precisely what has happened with Christmas celebrations. We celebrate Christmas on the same day and in exactly the same way that pagans celebrate their gods. As a result, we fall into the same transgressions as the Israelites of old of whom it is said in the scriptures: “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from there.”

(2 Kings 17:33).

A lot of the paraphernalia we associate with Christmas is of pagan origin. December 25th could not have been Jesus’ birthday because shepherds would not feed their flock outside at night in the dead of winter. That date was preferred as Jesus’ birthday by the Church of Rome because it coincided with the pagan festival of Saturna-

lia.

The evergreen Christmas tree is a phallic symbol in fertility worship. The burning of yule logs, said to be sacred in Teutonic nature and sun worship, became part of the so-called “ yuletide season” of Christmas.

The holly and mistletoe traditionally hung on doorways at Christmas are part of the same fertility ritual.

The red holly symbolises the menstrual blood of Diana; the “Queen of heaven.”

The white berries of the mistletoe represent the semen of the sun god. Those who kiss under them invoke the powers of fertility by causing the spirits of these idol gods to come into them.

Exchange of gifts The word of God is truth; but Father Christmas or Santa Claus, who lives in the North Pole and fills his sled with toys for children on Christmas Eve, is one big lie. According to Langer ’s Encyclopedia of World History, “Santa” was a common name for Nimrod throughout Asia Minor.

Like the fabled Father

Christmas, he was the fire god believed to come down the chimneys of ancient pagans, and to whom their children were sacrificed.

“Old Nick” is actually the nickname of the devil. This has been camouflaged into “Saint Nicholas.” “Nikos” means conqueror or destroyer. In Revelation 2:6/15, Jesus says he hates the works of the “Nicolaitans;” which refers to the followers of Nicholas.

Christians believe Christmas gift-giving comes down from three kings of the Orient who brought gifts for the baby Jesus. However, the biblical “ wise men” were not kings. The bible never specified their number.

They did not come at Jesus’ birth but two years later. Moreover, they never exchanged gifts. They only had gifts for the young Jesus.

Exchanging gifts is not Christian. Jesus teaches that we should: “do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return.” (Luke 6:35). Moreover, we are only to give to the poor.

Solomon warns that: “he who gives to the rich, only to come to poverty.” (Proverbs 22:16). It is under the antichrist that the greatest “Christmas” gift-giving rigmarole will take place. When God’s proph-

In England, as the bible became commonly available under King James in 1611, people became aware that the rites of Christmas are anathema to scripture. In 1644, the British Parliament declared Christmas to be unlawful and abolished it.

The Puritans of New England, USA also banned the observance of Christmas by law in 1659, classifying it the works of Satan: “heathen, papist idolatry.”

A statute of the Court of Massachusetts read: “Whosoever shall be found observing any such day as Christmas, or in any other way ... shall be subject to a fine of 5 shillings.” The law's preamble explained its purpose was “for preventing disorders ... (by) observing such festivals as were superstitiously kept in other countries to the great dishonor of God and the offense of others.”

But the commercial impetus ensured Christmas could ultimately not be stopped.

Merchants report regularly that over 60% of their annual retail sales occur during the Christmas season. Thus, in “The Plain Truth about Christmas,” Herbert Armstrong says: “A gullible people has become so inoculated, many take offense when told the truth. But the ‘Christmas spirit’ is created each year, not to honor Christ, but to sell merchandise!”

There is only one righteous thing for believers to do with pagan Christian holidays, and that is to repudiate them: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11).

(CONCLUDED).

Nigerian spiritual leaders have derailed from their calling'

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI AND RICHARD UDOFIA

THE spiritual head of Chosen Vessels Evangelical Min-

istry, Rev. Tolu Rufus Okoilu said that the current darkness clouding the nation is a sign that our spiritual leaders have failed God and derailed from their calling.

Rufus made the statement at an exclusive interview with Sunday Vanguard in Ogun State as he advised clergy men across the country to come together and reach a consensus on how to redirect our political leaders back to God. The cleric said that if these spiritual heads can really fear God they would iron out their doctrinal differences and follow what the bible truly says, then the country would be heaven on earth, stressing that the leaders are all bought over by the politicians and as a result they cannot call them to order when they derail from doing the right thing.

“A nation that forsakes the Lord will always go astray. When an individual, land and organization depend solely on God, the vision and mind of God concerning their land becomes clearer.

We need to give God a place in our lives and de-emphasis on religion, by so doing good tidings will be guaranteed’’.

He said that 2015 is a significant year in the life of this coun-

try as it has witnessed several political gladiators die even while in Government, assuring that many more will happen in the new year because the nation

has failed God and He is not happy with us. Imagine now the world is talking about advancement in technology, DNA among others.

Put your trust in God, Mouka admonishes Christians BY

OLAYINKA

G

LATONA

ENERAL Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charis matic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka has charged Christians to put their trust in God, adding that those who put their trust in God cannot be cut short by the manipulation of evil men.

He insisted that those who give their lives to Christ shall not perish but live to fulfil their destiny on earth, adding that there was nothing difficult for God to do for those who believe in Him, noting that joy is the portion of those who have faith in Christ.

“Our God can do all things. He is the one that created things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible things and no matter the troubles or challenges that man is going through, God has the power and ability to put an end to such problems.

“As human beings, we are limited in power, wisdom, knowledge and that is why it is paramount that you believe and put

your trust in God. If you trust man, you will be disappointed, therefore, live a holy life, obey God’s commandment then He will intervene in your situation and put an end to all life’s challenges,” he maintained.

Prophesying a victorious 2016, Pastor Muoka advised the worshippers not to look up to government or man in the new year but rely solely on God who has the power to do all things.

“God revealed to me recently that the world is going somewhere in the name of technology and the people are not mindful, yet nobody is asking, where are the data collated assembled or leading us to? Do you know

Why Nigeria is still together, by Deacon Otuaro

D

eputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro says the reason Nigeria remained one entity till date is due to prayers of worshippers of the Almighty God and advised culture of prayers to continue.

Otuaro made the assertion in Asaba while declaring open the 36th National Prayer Conference of the Intercessors Fellowship of NIGERIA (IFN), holding from 7

FOTA feeds 3,000 Lagosians at Christmas BY

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OLAYINKA

LATONA

HERE was an unprecedent ed queue in and out of Banjo Nursery and Primary School situated at Ilaje-Ilogbo, a community in Ebute-Meta West, Lagos when a humanitarian organisation, 5 Loaves 2 Fishes, gave out bags of rice and noodles to over 3,000 residents. It was jubilation all the way for the beneficiaries including the physically challenged.

Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA), Lagos went out on Christ-

that all over the world now, they are busy building underground buildings for the fear of the unknown that is coming? Corruption is on the increase with heavy degree of looting taking place to mention a few’’.

mas eve to improve the quality of life of vulnerable young men and women, under-privileged children, physically challenged and widows in the community. They went home with many gift items including rice, clothing materials, shoes, free medical check-ups including drugs.

This humanitarian outreach, according to the co-ordinator of the group and Senior Pastor of the FOTA, Rev. Yomi Kasali, was in the spirit of the yuletide season and a bid to meet the needs of the less privileged in the community.

to 10 of January, 2016 @ the St. Peter's Anglican Church (Bishop's Court), Asaba.

"The reason our country Nigeria is still one indivisible, indissoluble entity is as a result of intercessors. I make bold to say this. It is not because of the economic astutness of anyone nor the political sagacity of any politician in our democracy. I therefore urge you to continue to pray for the nation, especially in these trying times", Otuaro said.

While thanking the body for its perseverance in prayers, the Deputy Governor said it was comforting to know, as revealed in an earlier speech by the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the IFN, Barr. Emeka Nwankpa that the prayer body had been around for about forty years.

Nwankpa, while explaining the mission of the IFN said it was to mobilise prayers for the church, the nation and its leaders. The IFN, he added, seeks to establish prayer cells in every town, city and state as well as train responsible servant leaders for public life.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 33

By PRISCA SAM-DURU PAGEANT

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n search of an end to the teeming challenges undermining the Niger Delta Region of the country especially with regard to youth restiveness and environmental degradation, Lashmove Entertainment and Productions is packaging a beauty pageant show which comes up in February 2016.

Tagged Queen of the Creeks Beauty Pageant and Fashion show, the pageantry to be held at the King David Plaza, Ebony road, Rumuola Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is a cultural and educational event that seeks to celebrate the talents as well as intellectual abilities of the young women of the Niger Delta Region.

The beauty show aims to engage the youths positively for development of the region.

Speaking ahead of the show, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Lashmove Entertainment and Productions, Kuejubola Ovie disclosed that the beauty pageant is designed to provide a positive space to celebrate the region’s dynamic and rich cultural heritage in addition to focusing on raising awareness on social issues affecting the people particularly, issues of environmental degradation and youth restiveness.

According to Ovie, “The beauty event seeks to bring out the best of the young pageant hopefuls such as their goals, self confidence, talents, commitment

‘Queen of the Creeks Pageant to impact positively on Niger Delta women’ to public service as well as drive for success. We discovered that there is a gap in pageantry. So many of them are focused on prizes and if the winner has no pet project, it dies like that. So we came up with Queen of the Creeks pageantry to let people

The beauty pageant is designed to provide a positive space to celebrate the region’s dynamic and rich cultural heritage

know that there are women passionate about helping to solve the challenges of Niger Delta.

This is meant to help the creeks.

As you may know, there’s no access to education in most areas, no pipe-borne water and the areas are polluted.”

To actualize the aims, he disclosed that for starters, funds raised from ticket sales will be channeled into pet projects of the winners. And also that all governors of the Niger Delta as well as Ministry of Niger Delta

• Kuejuloba Ovie, CEO of Lashmove Entertainment and Productions have been drafted to be part of the show.

Asked what makes Queen of the Creeks unique, Ovie explained that the pageant is not about physical attributes or exposures of the female contours but a platform for people to excel and prove to Nigerians as well as outsiders that something good exists in the region. “We are here to tell the world that Niger Delta is not about militancy or

other forms of youth restiveness, but endowed with a labour force that is yearning to impart positively to the region and country in general,” he said.

Those eligible to participate are young girls between 18 and 27 years of age who are indigenes of Niger Delta or non indigenes who may have been born or bred in the region or better still, spent years in the region. We are taking

the awareness to all tertiary institutions in Niger Delta. It is important that we involve every youth in the region because whenever there’s a fracas, the youths are usually employed besides, we want to make a change. We are creating platforms for people to excel,” Ovie stated.

He further called on corporate bodies, the government at both federal and state levels as well as good spirited individuals, to support the pageant to enable it achieve its set objectives.

The winner of the pageant will be crowned Queen of the Creeks International and will be rewarded with a Mercedez Benz A190 Saloon car, cash prize of 200,000 naira and an all expense paid trip to the UK to participate in a top UK fashion show, courtesy of Noble People International Magazine, UK. While 1st Runner up is crowned Queen of the Creeks, Nigeria, she gets a cash reward of N150,000, the 2nd runner up is crowned Queen of the Creeks Super Model and receives N100,000 cash reward.

The Queen of the Creeks Pageant is organised by Lashmove Entertainment and Promotions in partnership with Renege TV, bluescreen Productions Ebikoro Makeovaz, Jays Signignatures Apparels, 411 Entertainment, Latouche Studios, Studio 55 Pro and Smash TV.

Iwuchukwu underscores the importance of women empowerment

By JAPHET ALAKAM REVIEW

T

he issue of gender equality has been the focus of scholarship in contemporary times and the general contention is that women are oppressed and marginalized in many areas of life because of the patriarchal construction of the society which disadvantages them. There is no doubt that responsibilities and limitations of being a woman in a male dominated society are glaring realities in Nigerian society because the society has preserved attitudes towards women.

In a bid to correct the anomally, several efforts have been made, they include seminars, symposia and the greatest being the 4th World Conference of Women Beijing, 1995. And as part of her own contribution to the crusade, renowned playwright, author and lecturer at National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos Onyeka Iwuchukwu came up with a new book that brings to the fore, different instances of marginalisation against women entitled Enough is Enough.

The 82 page drama book set in the eastern part of Nigeria, where the absence of a male child is tantamount to not having a child comes with a lot of questions that requires urgent answers for the harmonious relationship of the man and woman. Some of the questions include, what becomes the fate of a wife who gives birth to only female children in a culture that abhors such? What happens when the husband of such wife is a pastor and only son? What happens when hapless women are subjected to ceaseless harassment and extortion from touts in the market, despite the fact that they pay the stipulated levies regularly to the

appropriate agencies.

In the play, which is divided into three sections called movement with seven parts in all, the seasoned author who has written many other plays about women liberation brings to the fore the challenges faced by women in the male dominated world. In the first

In the book , the seasoned author brings to the fore, the challenges faced by women in the male dominated world

another area of women margiinalisation as the author draws attention to the issue of women empowerment and some forms of legalized brutality, culture of fear and oppression that exists in some markets in Nigeria. The play also highlights the second chance education opportunity offered to all through the flexibility and accessibility of open and distance education.

Here, the women were molested and their wares carted away by touts even when they pay the legalized fees with receipts. But through the window of education offered by NOUN which Buchi harnessed she was able to organise the market women to resist the unwarranted assault on them by the touts. After an extensive battle , that even took them to the police station, the women won .

Enough is Enough; Onyeka Iwuchukwu; Midas Studio, Nigeria, 2015; PP. 82

Enough is Enough underscores the importance of women empowerment, which is one of the ways that will make women stand on their own. The author is of the view that women, despite their husband’s standing are supposed to embark on some money yielding ventures to help themselves to stand in their homes.

Apart from the storyline which is good, the simple English language used for easy comprehension, Dr. Iwuchukwu has demonstrated the qualities of a good writer. The book is a work of art that has all that it takes to bring the desired change in the society, it is recommended for all especially movie producers, as it is a well written script begging for adaptation into a film.

Okonkwo’s books harp on successful marriage

By ESTHER ONYEGBULA movement, the author highlights the attitude of some men towards their wives especially when the wife produces only female children. In it the major characters, Obiechine Gideon (the husband), despite being an aclaimed man of God (Pastor) and his earlier promises to his wife’s (Buchi) parents of taking care of her university education still did not bring his religious point into focus but rather followed the ordinary folks in abandoning the promise and even throwing the wife away and bringing in a new wife.

In the second movement , the author narrates how Buchi was rehabilitated and introduced to the second hand clothes business by her friends after being thrown out by the husband.

Finally, in the movement brings

I

BOOK NEWS

n response to the rise in the number of failed marriages recorded in the society, Leonard Okwudili Okonkwo launched two insightful books aimed at assisting married couples as well as the unmarried to understand the basics of marriage.

The book titled, ‘Solid Foundation for a happy marriage and key points in a happy marriage’, which was presented to the public at the Union Bank sports complex, Surulere Lagos, penultimate weekend, brought together the high and mighty of the freight forwarding industry.

Above all, Okonkwo’s book was written to proffer solutions to challenges in marriage to ensure sanctity in the marriage institution.

Reviewing the book, Mr. Sola Williams Tokede, noted that “Solid foundation for a happy marriage”

which has 112 pages, ten chapters shared into three major parts, while key points in a happy marriage has 113 pages, seven chapter divided into four parts, is made up of seven chapters.

She further noted that the book highlights the importance of not getting into marriage just because ones mates are doing so, and end up making a mess of the union, adding that “Nowadays the institution of marriage is facing serious challenges, many young people enter into marriage unprepared and this often gives rise to series of groundless, unwanted, offensive and ugly situations between husbands and wives”.

Recommending the books to Christian homes and marriage instructors, Prince A Okenwa, said that the book offers valuable information for unmarried and married couples. He said Key

points in a happy marriage is a sequel to fulfilment in marriage and that both contains enough information painstakingly gathered to assist the married and those preparing for marriage.

“I encourage young adults to get a copy of the books, and apply the whole information wisely, as it contains a lot of nuggets for a successful marriage.”

Present at the event are Barrister and Mrs. Donatus Okeke, CEO Dunalion investments ltd, Chief Ozo Martins Ezenwaka, Ozochina Nawata 1 of Ndikpa, CEO 3 in one agencies Nigeria Limited, Co-launcher Chief Emmanuel Ilochi, CEO Ozee west Africa, Mr. Emeka Ahanonu Nigeria Custom services, Sir Chamberlain Egwuatu, KSC CEO Ingrate group ltd, Chairman of the occasion, Hon Chiedu Ngwube CEO Clear well Agencies Nigeria ltd.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016

BY SOLA OGUNDIPE, HEALTH EDITOR AND THERESA NANLONG

S

OMETIME in 1969 in a town called Lassa in the part of Nigeria now known as Borno State, a nurse in a mission hospital died of a mysterious disorder. There were two similar reported cases in Chicago, and New Jersey, United States (US). Both individuals had recent travel history to Africa, one to Nigeria, the other to Liberia, and succumbed to the illness after returning to the US. They had complaints of weakness, headaches, fever and general malaise. These soon progressed into more serious symptoms that include facial swelling and shock.

Later, blood was oozing from their eyes, gums, nose and other orifices.

They had bouts of repeated vomiting, respiratory distress, pain in the back, chest and abdomen, and eventually died after suffering multiple organ failure.

The deaths caused worry and concern in medical circles and, before long, it was understood that the disease was caused by a virus. The virus was later named “Lassa virus” while the illness was named “Lassa fever” or “Lassa haemorrhagic fever” (the bleeding fever) after the town where it first occurred.

This marked the beginning of the Lassa fever epidemic.

The bleeding is often a predictor of a significantly higher risk of death preceded by shock and vascular collapse.

Certain death occurs rapidly if proper and urgent medical attention is not administered.

The clinical picture of Lassa fever is nightmarish.

The Lassa virus is a member of the virus family, and it is zoonotic or animal-borne in nature. Lassa fever, Ebola fever and Marburg fever are similar in characteristics and members of the Arenaviridae virus family.

They are classified as haemorrhagic fevers, because they cause severe haemorrhaging in victims.

Though 80 per cent of infections elicit no symptoms, if they do occur, they can be quite nasty. Starting with a fever, this can develop into chest pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.

In at least a third of cases, victims develop various degrees of deafness, sometimes leading to permanent hearing. An infected person may die within two weeks of initial symptoms because of multi-organ failure.

Since that first episode 47 years ago, Lassa fever has been recognised as an acute viral illness common in West Africa.

It is endemic in Sierra Leone, Liberia and parts of Nigeria.

Neighboring countries are also at risk due to the animal vector for Lassa virus which is the soft-furred rat (multimammate rat) also known as Mastomys natalensis, that is widespread throughout the West African region. Transmission of the virus from rats to humans is suspected through contamination of foodstuff and water with rodent urine and

Nigeria on edge over growing Lassa fever deaths •Beware of killer-rats!

•Minister issues steps to avoid infection faeces. Mali, Ghana Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic and Togo have reported cases.

5,000 deaths There are about 300,000– 500,000 cases each year, causing about 5,000 deaths.

However, it is believed that the estimates are inaccurate because of improper surveillance. Series of Lassa fever outbreaks have been witnessed in Nigeria over the years. An outbreak within the first quarter of 2012 put the country on edge. At least 15 states were affected with roughly 400 cases and 45 deaths recorded.

While most humans are infected either from contact with an infected rat or inhalation of air contaminated with rat excretions, like other hemorrhagic fevers, Lassa fever is contagious, i.e., it can be transmitted directly from one human to another. It can be contracted through direct contact with infected human blood excretions and secretions, including through sexual contact. There is no

There are about 300,000–500,000 cases each year, causing about 5,000 deaths.

However, it is believed that the estimates are inaccurate because of improper surveillance

evidence of airborne transmission from person-toperson although transmission through breast milk has been observed.

Lassa virus is typically spread through aerosolized virus particles, via either infected rodents (Mastomys natalensis) or close contact with infected individuals. The incubation period is between five and 21 days, with symptoms typically appearing 10 days after infection.

For most of those with a Lassa fever virus infection, symptoms are mild and underdiagnosed. Mild symptoms include weakness, headaches, slight fever and general malaise.

One out of five of infected persons may develop more serious symptoms that include hemorrhaging of the eyes, gums, or nose - repeated vomiting, respiratory distress, pain in the back, chest and abdomen, facial swelling and shock. Neurological issues have also been described in relation to Lassa fever, to include tremors, hearing loss and encephalitis.

It is not generally known, but the most common complication of Lassa fever is deafness.

Different degrees of deafness happen in around one-third of those who become infected. In many cases, the hearing loss is permanent. The severity of the disease does not affect this particular complication; deafness might develop in mild as well as severe cases.

Between 15-20 percent of people hospitalised for Lassa fever die from the illness. But studies show that less than 1 percent of all Lassa virus infections result in death.

Death rates for women in the third trimester of pregnancy are very high. However, during the epidemics, fatality rate may reach as high as 50 percent in people who become hospitalized.

No effective treatment With mortality rates typically estimated at 15-20 per cent, research of infection vs. mortality rates indicates that less than 1per cent of all Lassavirus infections in West Africa

Continues on page 35

SUNDAY VANGUARD, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 35

LASSA FEVER

Minister issues steps to avoid infection T

HE Federal Government has put the death toll from Lassa fever outbreak in 10 states at 40. There were 86 reported cases.

Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, disclosed this while speaking on the outbreak of the haemorrhagic fever at the weekend.

Adewole advised communities to improve on hygiene, including food protection practices.

He also urged the public to avoid contact with rodents and rats as well as food contaminated with rat’s secretions and excretions.

“Avoid drying food in the open and along roadsides, it is also important to cover all foods to prevent rodents contamination,” he said.

The minister said affected states have been advised to intensify awareness creation on the signs and symptoms of the disease.

According to him, the affected states are Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo. “The public is hereby assured that government and its partners and other stakeholders are working tirelessly to address the outbreak and bring it to timely end,” said the minister.

He said the ministry had ordered for the immediate release of adequate quantities of “ribavirin”, the specific antiviral drug for Lassa fever, to the affected states for prompt treatment of cases.

Adewole added that the ministry deployed rapid response teams to all affected states to assist in investigating and verifying the cases as well as tracing of contacts.

He said also clinicians and relevant health care workers had been sensitised and mobilised in areas of patient management and care in the affected states.

Besides, he advised family members and health care workers to always be careful and avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons infected by the disease.

He also directed health facilities in the country to emphasise routine infection prevention and control measures and ensure that all Lassa fever patients are treated free.

Adewole said Nigeria has the capability to diagnose Lassa fever, adding that “all the cases reported so far were confirmed by our laboratories”.

“The ministry would not impose travel restrictions as a form of control measure `from and to’ the areas currently affected by the outbreak,” Adewole said.

The first case of the current outbreak was reported in Bauchi in November 2015. *Source: News agency of Nigeria (NAN)

How deadly virus crept int ar aba on Xmas da intoo TTar araba dayy

By John Mkom, Jalingo

L

ASSA fever crept into Taraba State on December 25, 2015 while Christians were celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. A victim was taken to the Federal Medical Center, FMC, Jalingo, the state capital with symptoms suspected to be of the fever.

The second case was reported same day at the hospital. Consequently, health workers at the FMC on break for Christmas were recalled to contain the suspected outbreak.

Five cases of the disease were recorded in three days.

Doctors were promptly mobilized by the state government to conduct tests on the victims while some other personnel were deployed to take blood samples from the patients outside the state for

proper examination since the laboratory at the FMC was not equipped with facilities to handle the symptoms.

Three of the five suspected victims of Lassa were reported to be from Jalingo local government area while the others were from ArdoKola local government area.

The state ministry of health also engaged the services of medical personnel to go round Taraba for sensitization to prevent the outbreak of the disease among locals.

Jingles were sponsored on Taraba Radio Broadcasting Service (TSBS) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jalingo.

Professionals were engaged at those media stations for sensitization.

Bew are of killer rrats ats !

Beware Continued from page 34 will eventually result in fatal disease, but could be much higher in people of non-African race.

Antibiotics may also be administered to patients to ward off or treat secondary and/or opportunistic bacterial infections.

Currently, there is no effective prophylactic treatment, except for a drug called Ribavirin used for people at high risk. Sadly, no human protective vaccine is currently available.

It is estimated that 51 million Nigerians may be at risk of contracting the disease with the annual number of illness estimated at three million and annual number of deaths put at 58,330. Lassa fever kills in a trail.

It is not uncommon for it to completely wipe out whole families.

Diagnosis is sensitive and must be carried out by qualified personnel in a suitable health facility. Ribavirin is an antiviral drug that has been used with success in people affected by

The Medical Director of FMC, Jalingo, Dr. Wiza Inusa, while speaking with Sunday Vanguard in his office, said the symptoms observed on some of the victims showed they may have contracted the dreaded virus.

Wiza confirmed that three of the victims had died while the others remained on admission in stable condition.

He said the hospital was ready to deal with the situation.

The MD explained that the FMC was expecting the results from the blood samples taken to the laboratory outside the hospital.

A relation of one of the suspected victims of Lassa fever, who spoke to Sunday

Speaking in his office in Jos on the measures in place to Lassa fever. It has been shown curb the spread of the fever, the Commissioner said the state to be most effective when it is government had established administered early in the Disease Surveillance and course of the illness. People should also receive supportive Notification Officers (DSNO) in each of the 17 LGAs of the state care . to manage the health Primary transmission of the challenge.

Lassa virus from its host to Kamshak stated: “We are also people may be prevented by working with medical experts avoiding contact with rats.

Putting food away in rat-proof from the World Health Organisation (WHO) who are containers and keeping the assisting the state to curb the home clean help with spread. The Federal Ministry of discouraging rats from Health has confirmed that the entering your home. Using country has been experiencing these rats as a source of food Lassa fever outbreak in the past is definitely not few weeks in some states recommended. Trapping including Bauchi, Nassarawa, around and in homes may help to reduce rat populations. Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo and Oyo states Meanwhile, Plateau is the respectively.” latest state where Lassa fever He explained that human has, of late, been detected. beings can become infected The fever was detected in with the virus when they get some LGAs in the state exposed to urine and faeces of namely, Jos the carrier animal like rodents North, Mangu, Langtang (rat) and person-to-person South, Pankshin and transmission occurs especially Shendam and the fever has in community where people live claimed one life, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. in clusters and spread faster in Kuden Kamshak, disclosed at such crowded environment especially under poor sanitary the weekend.

Vanguard at Agwan Fulani in Jalingo local government, lamented that the family was already being stigmatised because of his brother who was admitted at the FMC. The relation, Jafaru Usman, said family friends sympathising with his family over the fate of his brother prefered to call him on phone instead of coming to the family house.

Meanwhile, Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Innocent Vakai, says the state government had procured drugs to help the FMC, Jalingo contain the disease.

Vakai said international donors also aided the state government with drugs.

He called on the people of the state to keep their surrounding clean to prevent to spread of the disease.

conditions.

The Commissioner warned that health officers could be at risk if they do not employ proper barrier nursing and infection control practices as expected of them urging health practitioners especially in rural communities to give prompt report if any case is suspected.

“Lassa fever is always difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fevers like Ebola virus and other diseases that cause fever. The symptom is usually gradual, starting from fever, general body weakness and malaise,”Kamshak added.

“After a few days headache, sore throat, chest pain, muscle pain, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cough may follow. When it becomes severe, facial swelling, bleeding through mouth, nose, ear, anus, genital will occur.”

He urged citizens not to panic but remain calm and vigilant, and to report promptly to the nearest health care facility and warned residents to clear their homes and surroundings of rats, maintain good sanitary habit and also keeps cats at home to keep off rats.

PAGE 36—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

2016 BUDGET:

We need realistic

forecast of revenue — Prof. Ekpo •

‘Buhari should listen more to Nigerians than the IMF’

BY UDEME CLEMENT

A

kpan Ekpo, a professor of economics, is the Director General, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM).

He speaks on issues in 2016 budget, the need for the Federal Government to prevent currency crisis in Nigeria, the decline in Nigeria’s foreign trade by N2.5trillion and depreciation of the naira.

What is your comment on issues in the N6trillion 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Assembly?

In the 2016 budget, the deficit GDP ratio is within acceptable range. Normally, it should be around 4 or 5 percent, but in the current budget, it is over 2 percent.

The problem is not the ratio.

The point is, what component is for capital expenditure? You can increase your deficit GDP ratio, but if the money is used for capital projects like infrastructure, there is no problem. We have evidence of China and other countries that exceeded the bench mark for deficit GDP ratio, but have viable economies, because they used it for capital projects. So, people should not worry about the deficit, if it is utilised for viable projects. To me, if they increase it slightly to 4 or 5 percent and use it for infrastructure, it will help our economy.

In the budget 2016, government wants to borrow more money. How long are we going to accumulate debts?

If government has to borrow, it should be to finance capital projects and not recurrent expenditure.

The budget itself is about N6trillion and they will borrow about N900billion from external and domestic sources to fill that deficit.

The issue is not about borrowing, but borrowing wisely, and whether we can pay the debts. Over the years, we have been borrowing. For instance, the last government used a lot

of borrowed funds to finance recurrent expenditure in the budget, which was totally wrong. We hope this government will not follow the same path. We must not say because debt – GDP ratio is about 14 percent, within acceptable benchmark, that we have space, so we continue to borrow. The fact is that GDP does not pay debts. What pays debts is revenue. So, the interest should be, what is the debt – revenue ratio and not debt – GDP ratio.

This is where the problem comes. Revenue pays debts and your revenue is estimated; if for some reasons your revenue declines sharply, you can’t pay the debts. In 2016 budget, N1.47trillion is allocated for debt servicing, which is quite high. You can’t blame this government for that, because governance is continuous; whatever the previous government committed itself into, the current government must fulfil that obligation. Going forward, allocation for debt servicing should reduce, and we must look at revenue before we borrow, and not GDP. You said if the revenue is estimated, and once it declines sharply, government cannot pay debt.

Do you see that happening to Nigeria, especially with the declining

I hope that $38 they arrived at was based on good forecasting, on consistent macro-economic framework and macro-econometric model. I am only impressed because for the first time as I said earlier, oil revenue projection has taken a second position in our budget, which is a good development

oil price?

Well, nobody knows, but it can happen because our economy depends on oil and oil revenue

has declined sharply. That is why we are facing this problem. What if by tomorrow the oil price is close to zero, what do we do? Therefore, we must have a more realistic forecast of revenue to drive the economy. We must not keep on borrowing because we have space.

Let me give this government credit, because since 1972, this is the first time the projected oil revenue in the budget is less than non-oil revenue, meaning, revenue from other sources aside from oil.

We have been depending on oil revenue for years, but for the first time, oil revenue is taking a second position.

They are expecting about N800billion from oil and over N1trillion from non-oil, which is the best way to go.

These non-oil sources include company tax, surpluses from government agencies like Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Customs, and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) among others.

Previously, it was oil revenue that dominated the budget, but the negative shock in the decline of oil revenue makes government to start thinking differently, and they should continue in this path, even if in future oil price goes up. It is common sense that oil is non-renewable resource because it will finish one day. It is called a wasting asset. How can you plan entire economy with a revenue source you have no control over the price or the out put? This is a good step that government is taking, and I believe in future, they will demystify the oil sector.

Considering the fluctuating oil price, is the oil bench mark of $38 per barrel realistic in 2016 budget?

It is not a matter of being realistic, but government has taken a position and they are being pessimistic,

which to me is good, because they cannot go zero. I hope that $38 they arrived at was based on good forecasting, on consistent macro-economic framework and macroeconometric model. I am only impressed because for the first time as I said earlier, oil revenue projection has taken a second position in our budget, which is a good development.

The exchange rate now is over N270 per dollar, even as depreciation of naira is having a telling effect on the economy. What can government do to address the situation?

Let us get it clear, because what we have now is depreciation and not deliberate intervention by the CBN, which is devaluation, but the impact is the same. The naira is depreciating because we are not producing anything for export. What we export is crude oil and not manufactured goods and services. Nigeria is still import dependent. So, the scarce forex is being used to import goods and services.

The way we can turn it around, is to change the structure of our economy and produce goods for export. Government must put infrastructure in place and give people incentives to produce, if not, our currency will continue to depreciate. Our source of forex is crude oil, and the oil is not doing well. So, the demand for forex now outstrips supply, which is the problem we are facing.

CBN is trying to manage it, but as they are managing it, the only source they can get to increase the forex is oil, and the price is declining.

Let us pray that we don’t get into currency crisis.

What CBN is doing now is called a ‘Managed Float’ with more weight on the float aspect. Whenever the naira gyrates, it is the float that is playing the trick.

That is why you see the naira today N240 and tomorrow N250, it is reacting to the float component of the market.

Continues on page 37

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 37

‘Govt should listen more to Nigerians than the IMF’ Continued from page 36 The dollar belongs to US and they way they react is

not the same way Nigeria reacts. So, it is not as easy as people are saying. Also, another managed component, which is outside pure economics means your currency must reflect your sovereignty as a nation, and you have to defend it.

Can you give us more insight into what currency crisis means?

Currency crisis is a situation where the CBN can no longer honour its commitments, such as letters of credit, debt instruments, when Treasury bill is due and they can’t pay.

What is the economic implication of currency crisis?

It means the economy is bankrupt. The CBN’s part is the monetary aspect while the budget is the fiscal policy. At a point, there should be coordination between monetary and fiscal policies. The way the economy is now, the Minister of Finance and the Governor of CBN must meet regularly to coordinate and work on the same page, because the economy is not on a normal growth path.

Unemployment is part of the problems and the way government is tackling it has challenges also. When unemployment is a crisis like what we have now, at 28 percent when combined with under-employment, the private sector cannot solve the problem. Only public sector can provide short-run solution. The President in presenting the budget practically alluded to that phenomenon without extension. For example, he said, the federal would collaborate with states and local governments to employ 500.000 teachers, which is a large number they want to take out of unemployment.

Imagine the same government employing large number of people in Police, Customs, Immigration, Federal Road Safety, Army and Navy.

Imagine government stimulating the residential housing market for federal and sub-national governments to build estates for low and high income earners, because residential housing construction is the most potent component of investment.

No matter the incentives given to private sector, they cannot employ people on a massive scale in the shortrun, because their fundamental motive is profit. Not just profit, but targeted rate of profit. When the economy has recovered and is on its normal trajectory, then private sector comes in. After all, private sector is the cause of most economic recessions.

How can they come to rescue it? It is always

government that can rescue it.

How can private sector be the cause of economic recession?

This is because when there is decline in economic activities they retrench. For instance, banks are sacking workers but they are declaring profits. They are making profits and at the same time sacking, because they are watching their rate of profits. Many workers in the banking sector are on contracts because they do not want to pay allowances.

Also, foreign companies owned by Nigerians, Indians and Lebanese treat Nigerian workers like slaves and they are making huge profits. So, the private sector in any economic system has its objective of profit making. The public sector may not be efficient but it has objective of social welfare.

Recent researches from International Monetary Fund (IMF) have shown that public sector investments can enhance growth and be efficient.

The CBN said they want to allocate forex only to end users, what is your position on this?

CBN wants to give forex to those who will really use it for manufacturing and not to people who will use it to import sardine from China.

They will give forex to those who will import capital goods for production, so that in the long-run, those capital goods can be manufactured in Nigeria, because our economy is not producing anything. We are a consuming economy, even the caps our chiefs wear in Nigeria are imported from China. The CBN wants to give the scarce forex to those who can produce goods for export, not necessarily finished goods, but some items within the value chain. The forex is scarce because it is not our currency. So, it must be allocated to those who will utilise it properly for production.

Nigeria’s foreign trade dropped by N2.5trillion, what are the economic implications?

It means we have a trade deficit because we import more than we export. What we should worry about is to look at the current account in GDP ratio. This also brings deficit.

Meaning, the current account in GDP ratio is in deficit and our primary balance is also in deficit. It implies that, we have what is called twin deficits, and it is not healthy for the economy.

This means the external sector is in crisis and the domestic economy is also in crisis. The fact that trade enhances growth is imperial, because if for instance, Nigeria is trading with US, the trade is not on equal terms, as the two

countries are not the same. America used to buy our oil and they stopped.

Is our tax system the same with US? Will US accept Nigerian goods, or will they say such goods are substandard?

The Managing Director of IMF, Christine Lagarde, advised •Ekpo...We require government economic nationalism to ensure fiscal discipline and the need to restructure the tax system implementation of the for more revenue budget. generation. What is your In talking about non-oil, take on this? how about manufacturing I think it is time we tell and the industrial sectors IMF and World Bank what that are in comatose? we want as a country. Before These sectors are not doing now IMF said Nigeria’s well for several reasons. They economy was doing badly, do not have access to loans, but Nigerian experts said the and interest rate is very high, same thing and we have the no infrastructure to enhance their growth and the inputs they need are imported.

Even, when there was forex, they did not import machines, instead they imported finished goods from America, Europe and China. So, as government said the budget will finance infrastructure, I hope they will do that. But to be honest, they cannot do everything in just one year. If they start, it will be good, and there will be a roll over. May be within three years they would have built infrastructure and put in place certain things to enable us produce manufactured goods for export. When we say export, not that they will export the finished goods, but they can export some items in data. Let government use that chain. Agriculture is a Nigerian experts who have renewable resource that been trained to drive the government can also target. economy because they live We also have solid minerals, here and they understand the though not renewable, but we country well. Not only in have not harnessed them, so economic matters, but in it looks like this government security issues, even in is ready for that. When the building roads. For instance, budget is approved, in six let local engineers be used in months we should begin to road construction, but let government tell them the quality of roads we need. Let us practice what is called Economic Nationalism where government allows certain parts of the economy to be controlled by Nigerians and

BY YINKA AJAYI Africans. For example, why should a Lebanese own a letronics Icon, LG barber’s shop? Our Small and Electronics has emerged as Medium Enterprises (SMEs) the winner of the Red Dot 2015 sub-sector can create jobs, but Brand of the Year Awards in the inputs they need to Berlin,Germany. The Vice produce are imported, but in President and Head of Corporate US, SME operator can get his Design at LG Electronics Mr. inputs from another SME. Noh Chan-Ho, have stated that, The early Nigerian leaders “Being honored by Red Dot were very strategic in Award has reaffirmed our thinking. They built commitment to both innovative refineries, machine tool design and intuitive consumer industry in Osogbo, Ajaokuta experience.” steel company, Paper mill He stated this recently in a chat industry and others. Now we with newsmen, adding that : “LG import everything. is committed to developing

Let government use Nigerian experts who have been trained to drive the economy because they live here and they understand the country well

see result, and there should be quarterly or half year report to monitor progress on how the budget is being implemented.

This implies that the National Planning must have a very strong monitoring and evaluation department.

How will you assess Buhari now?

He came in, in May 2015 and it is still early to assess him on some economic issues, because there is no data for assessment now. I need data to analyse the economy in concrete terms before assessment. On the economy, he is putting things in place, and I need a year to assess him, because this is his first budget. He promised to fight corruption and he is doing that. He is tackling insecurity, and the rate of bombings and attacks have reduced, even as government has reclaimed territories taken over by Boko Haram. So, government has made progress in tackling insecurity and we must be honest about that. Now, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)are working, arrests have been made, but we want to see convictions.

LG Electronics wins 2015 Brand of the Year Award

E

What is your expectation for 2016?

I want to see adequate

creative solutions that elicit positive emotional response and deepens the relationship between our brand and consumers to live

up to our motto, Innovations for a Better Life” he said.

In the same vein, Founder of the Red Dot Awards, Dr. Peter Zec, stated that,”The Award further demonstrates LG Electronics dominance in the world of Innovative technological designs which has distinct it from other competing brands, as it continues to set the pace, breaking new grounds with its inventions which is aimed at satisfying its consumers,” Zec opined .

With this recognition, LG joins the ranks of renowned previous winners such as PepsiCo, Audi AG, and Mercedes -Benz. LG also becomes the third company to win both Brand of the Year and Design Team of the year, which it won in 2006.

PAGE 38—SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

g n i k a m e r a We a e r u t l agricu r e n n i p s – y e mon n u s o m A . v o —G ss

ro c h t i lw a e d e ’ w s e i w r o e •’H er robb for Ogun bord ds plans l o f n U • at 40

•Gov Ibikunle Amosun

Ogun State is warming up to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its creation, according to Governor Ibikunle Amosun. In this televised Media Chat last Sunday, Amosun unfolds the plan for the celebrations, just as he explains how his government is turning agriculture into a money-spinner. He also speaks on the security situation in Ogun. Excerpts:

By Daud Olatunji

H

OW can agriculture be used as a means of employment especially for young people out there?

If you look at our five cardinal programmes, we do not say we just want to implement an agricultural programme. What we are implementing is agriculture that will lead us to industrialization because gone are those days when you engaged in subsistence farming. Now we are not just talking mechanized farming, but also farming that will take full advantage of the value chain that agriculture offers.

And what do we mean by that?

It means that whatever we grow, we must process; whatever we process, we must market once the products are ready.

So it involves a lot of things like the presentation, the packaging, marketing, etc.

Once that is done, we attract investors, entrepreneurs, etc to come and assist us in developing Ogun State. But what is the primary motive? If you look at it, the first item in our five cardinal programmes is education, the second is health, the third agriculture that will lead to industrialization, and

more of social service.

Education won’t give you money, but it is the bedrock because if you are informed and educated, you will use knowledge to apply it in other areas like health, agriculture, infrastructural development or urban-rural development, etc.

In fact, in all facets of life, if you are not educated, you cannot succeed. To fund education, to fund health and other social amenities, we need a fulcrum. And agriculture presents that opportunity. In Ogun, maybe half a million of our people are not working. They are educated, young graduates, but they don’t have anything doing. What we are trying to do is to make agriculture attractive to them and that’s why we are on the offensive with farm settlement.

Agriculture takes time to materialize. It is not something you invest in today and tomorrow you are reaping, There is no state in Nigeria that does it the way we do.

It is not just cassava for maybe garri, flour, etc. No! We have so many things you can use cassava for and that is why many people want to partner with us because they need all the cassava that we can plant.

So we are growing cassava into what I call massive commercial quantity. Rice is

Now we are not just talking mechanised farming, but also farming that will take full advantage of the value chain that agriculture offers.

very key. So also is oil palm plantation. Before now, cocoa will live up to nine or 10 years before you harvest, but with technology, within three years now, you can begin to harvest.

So we have taken cassava, rice, oil palm plantation, cocoa and the last one which we know is a money spinner and that is to now go into vegetable cultivation. And this will include tomato, pepper, etc.

Again, we have delved into the production of fruit: Orange, pineapple, banana, etc. Don’t forget that so many companies are now in Ogun and we are preaching to our people backward integration so that not everybody will wake up in the morning to say he wants to go to government office and look for job. What we want to do is to let them know that there is dignity in labour; they can be employers of labour themselves, rather than wasting time looking for jobs.

Now, what have we done? We have partnered with the Bank of Industry (BOI), we put down N500 million for our young graduates so that they can go into small businesses. We are encouraging them to come and be employers of labour themselves. We have built farm houses and have about three of them in each of our senatorial districts.

How have the people been responding?

As we speak, we have about two or three success stories.

Ogun will be 40 years shortly and that is one of the projects Mr. President will come and commission on that occasion. We have one in Owo, that is the pilot scheme, we are doing cocoa in Alagbeka; we have one in Odeda here; we have in Olumore. The totality of what we

are doing is that, once that is done, it will work positively on our economy, because it will create wealth for our young ones.

I’m happy now that whatever egg or tomato we produce is sold out. Those young ones are happy because they are making money and have people working for them. And we are going back to what I call cottage industries and that is one area where vocational training is key. Our young ones will be taught in all ramifications, even in your farm settlement. You don’t need to run around to start calling people from Ghana, Benin Republic, Togo, etc. This is not the way we were brought up and that is why we are going back to our roots. So, agriculture will be the fulcrum on which all of these things will rest, together with our initiative in infrastructural development.

Is there any anything in the pipeline for the government of Ogun to take advantage of the proximity of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and partner with it to make food more available?

There is no way we are going to get it right if we do not partner with an institution like that. I mean, they are the repository of knowledge in that area. They are the people researching into new ways of doing things and coming up with different ideas. We are collaborating with so many, not just the university alone. There is a university in California, we went there and we saw what they did. Five and a half

Continues on page 39

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016 — PAGE 39

’How we deal with cross border robberies’ Continued from page 38 hours-drive down the road, you will not see any other thing other than plantation. And I asked myself, what is happening here? Before now, all we know about California is showbiz, but we realized that over 60% of their earnings come from agriculture. I was shocked.

Their economy is more than the totality of what we have in Nigeria as a nation and it was through agriculture. That is why we were encouraged to partner with them and they are helping out. When they came, we made them interface with our university here in Abeokuta.

It will be a win-win situation.

You made so much emphasis on attracting foreign investors in the agriculture sector. I am just concerned about Ogun at 40 come February and with particular reflection on the agriculture sector which got a budget of N10. 6 billion, representing 5% of the total budget for 2016.

How do you drive this plan? And apart from attracting foreign investors, how do you encourage local farmers? It is also reported that Ogun has the best arable land.

How do you maximize this potential?

As we speak, we have seven industrial halls. I was in Ota and somehow I was not happy with the environment. We were talking and somebody said that if care is not taken, Ota will gradually lose the status of being the industrial capital. We have other areas springing up.

Agbara is there and you have the Sagamu-Ogijo axis close to Ikorodu. Just look at LagosIbadan Expressway and you will see different companies springing up. Look at the old Abeokuta Road. Even now we are trying to see the possibility of developing the area between Ijebu-Ode and Epe to turn it into an industrial hub. The belt from Itoshin to Ewekoro, we are trying to turn it also into an industrial hub. And we are looking in the area of agriculture in the Odeda belt because that is where the University of Agriculture is located.

So we have seven industrial belts now. Consequently, everywhere in Ogun, we are developing it, we cannot do this without putting the infrastructures in place. If we talk about what we have budgeted, we gave agriculture about 5%. This is seed money because agriculture will not just happen, agriculture will happen with a lot of things because the capitalist will drive it which means that a lot of money will be given to it. We have people from all over the

•Amosun world calling us to say this is what they want to do. And I said no problem, ‘we are going to support you, we are going to create the enabling environment.’ N10 billion will create the enabling environment for investors to come and assist us in developing the state. When you look at it, all these multinationals, what do they do now?

They do backward integration.

They want to have everything, of course they will partner with some people. And we will have our farms instead of running around, looking for somebody that will disappoint them. So

Security needs big money, but once we spend that big money, everybody will be relaxed and willing to come and stay in Ogun.

they will invest it, they might have a subsidiary, but they will not come when you do not have a conducive environment.

Security must be in place for anybody to come and invest.

And it is not the olden days that you will cultivate something and it will take up to 11 years before you harvest. You need to regenerate the system. Our rubber plantation is there, we have one in Waterside and I think another in Ikenne. But what has happened?

Everything is moribund. You know why? In the days of Awolowo and others who conceptualized the idea, there was water, road, etc; everything was in place. But now, everything has collapsed. We are recreating all of those things and creating an enabling environment for investors. First, they will ask you whether security is in place. Second, there is no access to the place.

All things that were done 40 to 50 years ago, how do you expect them to be what they will still be using? We need to rebuild. The population around 60 years ago is not the population we have now.

Maybe we are about one million or even 800,000. Now that we are more, we have more responsibility and we need to think it through.

You talk about the security, but, recently, Ogun is reported to have security challenge especially in the area of cross border, around Idiroko. What are you doing to fight this menace?

Yes, we have challenges but I think for three years now, security people come together annually and say this is the safest in terms of security. I hate to say this again because I want to project Ogun in positive light. Things that are bad i want to dispense with them. When we came, no industry could work more than one shift. In

fact, by 4pm, everyone was gone; but, today, people do shift. People do know in the entire nation that there is no state that has the kind of border that Ogun has, especially those illegal borders, we have over 100. But security is not just for Federal Government alone.

That is why, to me, if we are not secure, nobody will come.

Investments will not come without security and that is why we invested heavily, and we thank God that in the last two and a half years, we didn’t experience any bank robbery except the one that recently happened in Agbara. Ofcourse we are benefiting from the investment we made in security.

I want to thank all our traditional ruler, community development associations and security agencies; they are working round the clock to give us security. But everybody must be involved. We have done our bit; people need to support us. The last time, we bought 14 APCs. When we came, the vans we had were only 20 and only 17 were functioning. Today, we have over 300 vans, not just for the police but also for the army and other agencies that will make sure we are secure. Security needs big money, but once we spend that big money, everybody will be relaxed and willing to come and stay in Ogun.

It’s obvious that there is scarcity of fund. But while campaigning for second term, you made promises that the housing deficit will be looked into. How far have you gone on that promise? In the area of roads, there are issues with compensation. How have you been able to settle some of these challenges ? On a lighter note when I was driving around this afternoon, I saw some police men on the road flagging down vehicles. Initially I was scared and I saw you emerging from the bush with some Chinese. You had tape rule and you were measuring and I was amazed: How does this man get the energy to do all this jumping from one of the one end to another?

Let me ask, when do you normally start your day?

What are we trying to do, people will say its cash free, it’s not. It must be well thought out, well planned. I ask myself, if about 62 percent of people that work in Lagos live in Ogun, particularly the middle and lower cadres, why can’t we attract properties here as well?

Even those people that work here, we want to make them comfortable. Now, the one area I think God has answered us is the area of provision of houses and i think the enabler we need

to do now is the rail, it will be a boom. The housing scheme in Agbara is sold out. If you travel on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the one you can physically see is the Orange Valley. Then we have the plane field opened in the memory of mama Awolowo. We want to change the standard of the environment of our people.

When Mr President comes in about a month’s time, he is going to commission the Laderin housing scheme that we built for civil servants. So in the area of housing I think we are getting it right. I want to challenge people why they want to live in Lagos with what we are doing. They only need to pay their tax in Ogun.

We have a report concerning the Home Charter Ownership Scheme. We understand that people who started the process had to restart and someone also complained he was asked to pay N50,000. Can you explain what is happening?

The scheme is a stop-gap arrangement; it is not something that will be there everyday. It is a special programme. It came out of the failure of governance, but I am not trying to blame anybody.

This is everybody’s problem including me. We discovered that people were building houses anyhow. So we wanted to rectify the problem. We wanted to take inventory of those people. Go to Sango Ijoko, Agbado, Abule Eko, Akute and Ojodu Berger.

When they were building those houses, nobody informed government, and they complained they had no light, no water. How can government care for you? Then we came up with this idea that let us even know what is on ground, and we were shocked. We had thought that maybe 30,000 people will come but over 200,000 people came. And the scheme became an opportunity to regularize this irregularity.

But look at the CUMBERSOME PROCESS of even removing those ones that are not qualified to benefit under the scheme. So it is not our creation but, as we speak, we have done more than 100,000 out of the over 200,000.

If anybody is asking you for money, he is a fraudster and this is a programme that we should sustain; once it is made a law, if you break the law, you will be dealt with and your house will be demolished.

On compensation, what we’ve paid since we started our road projects is more than N10 billion, but we are still demolishing, because if you are calling Mr President to come, there is work that you must finish. Meanwhile, I cannot say we have paid everybody. This is what we do: We pay in batches. And we give attention to old people whose houses were demolished to pave the way for those road projects. In some cases, we built new houses for them. Affected churches, schools and hospitals are also well compensated.

PAGE 40 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Card reader saved our democracy from election-riggers – Mike Igini, exINEC chief

BY DAPO AKINREFON Barrister Mike Igini was, until recently, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Cross River and Edo States respectively. In this interview, he bares his mind on the use of the card reader for the 2015 general elections. Excerpts: It has been a while and Nigerians would like to hear from someone like you on so many defining issues in the country like the outcome of the 2015 elections and expectations in 2016. egarding our involment in election management from 2011 up till the generals election of 2015, l would say that, despite the apolcalytic projections either about the elections or about the country going under on account of some devisive issues, the successful transition of Nigeria from same-party democratic consolidation to opposition party democratic consolidation, which is not very common, especially in our continent, is indicative of progress and we should congratulate ourselves as a people and

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a country.

You see, no matter how deeply wounded or triumphant we may be at any point, politically, this shows that we can take steps to make progress despite our challenges. Unfortunately, as we speak, countries like Burundi and Rwanda are currently undergoing very dangerous political endeavors of third term projects tinkering with their Constitutions, these negative exemplars in our continent graphically underscores the significance of the price of the peace we are enjoying here consequent upon the successful 2015 elections even though not perfect.

We must, therefore, cherish it and avoid actions that may reverse the gains of that successful threshold that we have crossed.

So you believe the 2015 elections remain the most defining issue To be clearer and more specific, the 2015 general elections etched into global democratization discourse with huge commendation, and so are the dramatis personae because Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy and the world’s largest black democracy, crossed a crucial landmark contrary to the assertions or views of global scholars like Michael Bratton, Linz & Stepan to Staffan Lindberg and others who are hesitant to give Africa credit for institutionalizing the democratic process. Indeed and, at best, credit for democratization to Africans have been grudging. But the 2015 elections have shown that we can do it if all critical stakeholders agree to work together to consolidate a number of electoral tools that we have developed such as the use of the card reader in the designed election management system with the key seven principal business areas.

For those who understand the whole enssence of the embrace of democracy, election or the selection of leadership only represents the minimum idea of democracy. The maximum or higher objective of democracy is development. But you cannot build a house if you have not made good plans and laid a solid foundation.

The solid foundation for democratic development is in developing enduring institutions and a credible electoral process is at the heart of that foundation. For democracy to be fully consolidated, we require a free and active civil society; freedom of speech and a free but responsible investigative press committed to its credo of the peoples right to know ; the rule of law to ensure legal guar-

•Mike Igini

antees for citizens’ freedoms; a very sound bureaucracy; and an institutionalized free market economy with certain degree of regulation by the state to safeguard the weak. We have made some progress, but development is a continuous process, we cannot do everything at once, we must therefore prioritize institution-building, because it should be top on the priorities of democratic nation-building.

The outcome of the 2015 elections that you people conducted and the issues that arose therefrom are still the issues defining public discourse. Is it possible to have petition-free electoral outcome like in the United States of America and other developed countries ?

We can have petition-free electoral outcome if the understanding by those who seek public offices is truly to service the common public good and not for selfaggrandisement borne out of the mentality of what is now called “do or die” with its attendant disregard for human life by arming thugs to kill people in order to “win” election. Petition-free election should be the direction we should be heading as a people and a nation. As I always say, a petition-free post-election period will be the ideal that election management should aspire to, just as it has been in the U.S except for the year 2000 Florida saga and in the United Kingdom where, for about 99 years, all election results were accepted from the polling units as annouced up to the final point of declaration of a winner.

That for us should be the “gold standard” but for our different contextual background, one that was characterized by many years of mismanaged elections and a lengthy period of minimalism and “structural capture” of the electoral laws. That background naturally breeds suspicion and lack of trust by the electorate and key stakeholders , hence election results are subjected to much circumspection by tribunals adjudication, often spanning into years until the amendment of Section 285 of the Constitution that has now abridged the time to 180 days at tribunal level, Appeal Court 60 days and Supreme Court 60 days. It is instructive to note that since the 2011 and the 2015 elections, the number of post-election petitions have dropped significantly.

This should continue as free, fair and credible elections remain the conditionprecedent for a sustainable democracy.

If we keep on this path of progress, that indicator of good performance by INEC since 2011 will lead up to low or absence of post-election petitions in the forceable future.

You were a major promoter and advocate of the use of the card reader in our elections. How has it impacted on

the electoral process and what is the future of card reader in Nigeria’s elections?

While I was one of the principal advocates, it must also be noted that everyone agreed that it had the capacity to improve the integrity of elections in Nigeria. The Commission had the support of government and made huge investment in the card reader project and it should be consolidated. As expected, whenever there is an innovation of any form,

Some who resisted the card reader only expressed concerns that it should not be used deliberately against their political interest, which, of course, is not meant to do. Its purpose is to add value to the electoral process by limiting the outcome to the choice of voters who present themselves to vote

there will be legitimate fears over the impact, but it is a tool and an electoral solution to one of the key challenges of our electoral process, the challenge of a credible voter register.

Incidentally, some who resisted the card reader only expressed concerns that it should not be used deliberately against their political interest, which, of course, is not meant to do. Its purpose is to add value to the electoral process by limiting the outcome to the choice of voters who present themselves to vote.

Beyond a few places where obviously the card reader was by-passed as evidenced in the kind of figures shown as indicated in our reports of the 2015 elections, if we examine critically the credible margin of election results, figures from recent elections and the more recent ones in Kogi and Bayelsa, from those declared, showing a reasonable and realistic reflection of voter turn-out, which are credible, dignified figures, we can say hopefully today that the era of invidious moon-slide and landslide bogus election results are fast becoming a thing of the past in this country. This is what the introduction of the card reader has brought to our electoral system and we should acknowledge that the card reader has brought a tremedous resurgence of hope and fidelity unequaled in our quest to give meaning and purpose to the voter register.

There must be a relationship,traceable link between the card reader recorded number of accreditation and the ticked numbers on the register of voters. The voter register is the most important tool for making election outcomes credible, it is like a credible and reliable scientific research which relies on the “sample frame”; it is the touchstone that gives assurance to the fact that the ballot, as expressed in an election, arose from the physical presence of eligible voters at the polling unit who delegated part of their sovereignty temporarily to elected officials.

Election is about voters electing those they want to lead them, and a credible voter register helps to ensure that those who vote are the true eligible voters, the card reader, which authenticates the voter identity, helps to make the voter register more robust and resistant to moon-light and landslide bogus figures. Therefore, anyone who wants the progress of this country and who supports credible election results should not go against credible voter authentication which is the work of the card reader.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, recently made remarks over disturbing conflicting tribunals and Appeal Court judgments on the use of the card reader.

Are you worried about the conflicting positions of the tribunals on the use of the card reader and what it portends for the future?

Indeed, I am not only worried but I’m also very concerned over the setback to our electoral system, and speaking generally in the best tradition of our legal profession, not being specific on matters before any court, the implication of some of the tribunals outcome intended to shoot down the use of the card reader as some of my fellow lawyers involved in petition matters are determined to achieve is worrisome. By urging tribunals to strike down the use of the card reader, the implication is a return to our prior election system, going back to the 2003 and 2007 era where Mike Tyson, dead people and ghost names on the voter register produced huge votes recorded on election day to declare people winners of election.

This ugly and terrible state of our electoral past is what the card reader was meant to cure and ensure that only those eligible voters with PVC physically present at voting stations duly accredited only would be given ballot papers to vote. The card reader

is to complement and confirm the integrity of the voter register and that is why the unusual moonlight figures of the past years are disappearing and, if those against the use of the card reader succeed through the court, that would be a major setback and total reversal of the reformative mileage we have covered as a country on election matters, a significant progress that has resulted in other African countries calling on Nigeria’s INEC for assistance.

More disturbing, are the conflicting judgments of the various Divisions of the Appeal Court on the use and status of the card reader. The Supreme Court is now the only hope for the future use and sustenance of the card reader to sanitize, promote free, fair and credible elections in this country.

There were some Nigerians who opposed the use of the card reader for the 2015 elections and the discordant tunes from tribunal rulings and senior lawyers involved in these matters some of whom described the card readers as illegal.

All these would seem to suggest that the court would now be used to strike down the use of the card reader. What is your view on this possibility?

As I said previously, I will speak from a generic viewpoint, we must keep in mind that the “legislative framework” for election is a composite of four key authorities, namely and in order of hierarchical authority: The Constitution, the Electoral Act, judgments of courts of records particularly the Supreme Court; and the derivative guidelines for election approved by the election management body and l’m talking of INEC. As for the card reader, after the Chairman then, Professor Jega, went to the National Assembly to put to rest doubts about its use, there was no legislation against the use. On record, there is videographic evidence of its use and the statutory alternatives to the use are well defined in any election involving the use of the card readers. Where it is not used, there should be evidentiary proof of a form filled indicating why it was not used, because the whole point is to authenticate the voter. The matter of discordant tunes on its use from election tribunals is disturbing as expressed by the CJN. If a process is meant to improve the integrity of the electoral process, judgments that shoot it down cannot advance the cause of our development; it means we have chosen a path of regression to the era where elections are decided by unsavory self-help in bloating the voter register with strange names on the part of politicians. We must bear in mind that one of the greatest promises for the embrace of democracy is empowerment of citizens in order to participate actively .The card reader is meant to empower voters, and any decision against the use of the card reader is an act that dis-empowers voters.

Given the potentials the card reader has for disinfecting the process with the scrutiny of authentication of the voter register, all those who stand for genuine electoral reform have no choice but to improve the enabling policy ambiance for supporting the card reader by ensuring judicial clarity which supports its use. The current incongruent decisions by the tribunals must therefore be put to rest with an unequivocal declaration by the Supreme Court, and it is the prayer of all who want to see credible elections endure in Nigeria, that the decision of the apex court gives undisputed support for the card reader, an election tool which was budgeted for, resources allocated and the allocation approved by the National Assembly, this being the universal process of policy implementation. An implemented policy is de jure law.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 41

ONDO 2016: My pact with Mimiko, by Dep. Gov. Oluboyo •Says state will not fall to APC

By Dayo Johnson, Akure

The story of Ondo State deputy governor, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, can be likened to that of someone brought from the back seat of a moving vehicle to the front seat . Just like a dream, he was catapulted to the number two position from his portfolio as Commissioner for Agriculture. In this interview, Oluboyo speaks on issues in Ondo and the governorship election holding in the state next year.

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HAT is your relationship with Governor Olusegun Mimiko in the past few months that you have spent as deputy governor and would you like to succeed your boss?

I want to thank God for the privilege of serving the state in the capacity of deputy governor. Some months after my inauguration, I can only say it has been very challenging and interesting. One feels great working with Governor Mimiko. He is a leader that develops leaders and for this I owe him a lot of appreciation. On the succession question, I have no such ambition.

I became the deputy governor to discharge my responsibility which entails supporting him, being loyal at all times and being committed to the greater goal of bringing development and growth to our state.

A deep study of the governor will reveal that he is a visionary leader. Long before he made me a Commissioner, I have maintained a dutiful, loyal and committed relationship with him. He has also respected and related with me in that direction. My prayer is that we leave behind a member of our party, the PDP, to succeed Mr. Governor.

Secondly, competent people from our party are showing interest and many more are yet to show interest. I am not among the lot jostling for the post.

Whoever emerges as the candidate of our party as supported by Mr. Governor will automatically be my candidate. ls it possible for the PDP to retain Ondo State considering the federal might?

There is no federal might as far as this issue is concerned. It is the people of Ondo that will choose who will serve them and I want to assure you that, with the achievements of

•Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo the PDP in the state, I don’t see any party coming up to give us a serious fight. PDP has done a lot on the development of the state. We enjoy overwhelming support among the populace and we have lots of projects, most of them completed and many others that are ongoing with our eyes fixed on completing them before the end of this administration by God’s grace.

What is your take on this perception that deputy governors are spare tyres? l cannot talk about others, but in my own case, I see the deputy governor as a partner in progress. I see the deputy governor as somebody to assist his boss, as someone to stand in for the governor when he is not around. Mr. Governor has been fair to me in this regard. Within this short period, I have presided over Executive Council meeting more than nine times where key decisions were taken. I have represented the governor and our state at the National Economic Committee meetings. I have represented him at the Governors’ Forum meetings and many other places like that.

The perception of spare tyre depends on whether you have a capable, reliable and agile personality who can deliver as your deputy governor. The deputy governor ought not be seen as a spare tyre but an able lieutenant or a helping hand.

Also, Governor Mimiko is a man that has assumed national prominence in terms of achievements and political acumen. He is the Chairman of the Governors Forum of our party and this has added some responsibilities to him.

He is looked at by many outside our state as a distinct voice worth listening to on issues of development and growth of our country. On account of his foresight, vision and leadership style, he is appreciated within and outside the state. All of these attract added responsibilities. This means also that he needs somebody who can stand in for him and I think I have been able to do that with the help of the people of the state.

The fear is that with all these things that you have mentioned that the governor had done, how do you think they can be sustained?

Let me appreciate God and the governor for the transformation in the state. Let us call a spade a spade, he had done a lot in Ondo. I can assure you that it is not over until it is over. He still has a year plus. He has promised to work for the people and he is still working. That explains the apprehension about a worthy successor because everybody wants the legacy sustained. We want these good works to continue and that is why we need prayers.

We need prayers because we do not want a situation that someone will just come and say the mega schools are turned to something else or cancel the free shuttle buses. And if you look at all these programmes, you will know that they are people-oriented. They touch the lives of the poor and the rich, and our people appreciate these developments.

The next governorship election is less than a year from now. If you look at the camp of the PDP, there seems to be an unusual silence and the APC appears to be and bragging that it will win the state.

Do you think the PDP is not too silent over the issue now?

I like you for being sincere, because you said they are making noise. I am a political scientist, it is not making of noise that matters.

Some of us are silent politicians. I don’t make noise because I don’t know how to make noise but I win elections. I have been in the game since 1979. Let me go down memory lane. Ahead of the 2007 polls,

Mimiko did not come out until November 2006 and he defeated a sitting governor who had federal backing; we uprooted them and the people voted for us. I want you to know that Ondo is very unique and we cannot throw that one aside. The people are educated; they compare and contrast, so if somebody is running from pillar to post now making noise, fine. At the federal level, let them show us what they have done, what is in their manifesto?

In the 2011/2012 gubernatorial election, they made more than this noise but where are they? You can see the margin that we used to defeat them. I want to assure you that in the 2016 election, you will see what will happen and PDP will also win by the grace of Almighty Allah.

When you go down memory lane, all the three senatorial districts in the state had produce governors. Now, it is an open secret that the PDP is popular all the South; APC in the North, and in the Central 50/ 50. So, where do you think the PDP should pick it’s candidate?

I am not sure of the correctness of your calculations. I can assure you that in the next election, we are going to deliver Owo and Ose. We will win in Akoko North East and North West. Akoko South-East is also for us. It is only in the South-West that we had some problems but let’s just ask to just wait and see. What we want is free and fair election. If it is violence free, and INEC is able to maintain its integrity and neutrality, I can assure you that the 2016 election is going to be won by PDP. Our achievements will speak for us. Look at the Dome; they criticized Mimiko when we started the project and Akure Shopping Mall where Shoprite is located. And don’t forget that very soon a five-star hotel is coming the state. The people of the state will continue to appreciate Mimiko because he is a visionary leader.

On debt and unpaid salaries, loan and what have you, do you share the view that Mimiko is leaving the state in huge debt?

Those people saying so do not know anything about this administration. We have the least debt profile in the South-West if not in the country. If some other states are owing over N100billion and are neck deep in salary arrears, then we must appreciate the creativity that Mimiko has entrenched in the management of the finances of Ondo.

It makes sense to subsidise agric than petrol – Hon. Adebutu

By Kolade Larewaju Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu represents Ikenne, Sagamu and Remo North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He is the Chairman of the House Committee for Rural Development. In this interview, he speaks on rural development and other issues in Nigeria. Excerpts:

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URING the Committee’s interactive session with the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Devemos, Chief Audu Ogbeh, it emerged that the issue of outstanding payments on fertiliser subsidy may be an impediment to the country’s growth. What is your view on this?

I have said clearly that as a nation, we have to choose clearly which subsidies to prioritise and those we can do without. The Honourable Minister informed us that there is a N42bn deficit the nation is currently carrying on subsidies on fertilisers. We should ask ourselves, should we go through tough times to pay trillions on petroleum subsidy or billions for fertiliser subsidy. I think we must address the issue of petroleum subsidies vis-à-vis the release of funds to implement capital projects for Nigerians. There are key frontline sectors such as education and health which can benefit from more funding to improve the lives of Nigerians. I believe that in comparison to the petroleum subsidy, the fertiliser subsidy is money better spent because of the nature of agriculture.

Gradually, we are practising intensive farming and we need fertilisers and other supplements to boost our annual yield. If we must pay to get better yielding seeds and inputs then it is imperative we do so to achieve the boom in yield. We must bear in mind that

Governments all over the world intervene in agriculture to promote and sustain their farmers; therefore denying farmers necessary support is unfair, unkind and outright immoral.

Do you see this issue as one of protecting the nation’s farmers?

Let us look inwards. I am a livestock farmer and some years ago, I recall we were confronted with issues of a price ceiling and how much our livestock could sell for. Given that in Europe, it is cheaper to fill an aircraft with surplus subsidised meat for export to Nigeria, our industry came under immense pressure. However, the Obasanjo Administration said rather than export our jobs, we should produce here and protect our jobs, so a ban on meat products was put in place; livestock farmers had a reprieve and we succeeded in keeping the jobs on our farms. Hence we were able to prosper and lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s livestock industry. In Europe and America, agricultural programmes are subsidised by the European Union (EU)/ the United States government respectively, hence they ship their surplus subsidised agricultural products to Nigeria and in the process kill our own industry. Protection is neither here nor there in the circumstance; if some must go without jobs, I’d rather it not be Nigerians. Billions are spent on importing agricultural products yet we can produce them here, generate jobs, secure our self-sufficiency and enhance National pride.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development, how does the Committee intend to fulfil its mandate and make an impact on the vast areas in rural Nigeria?

•Hon Adebutu First and foremost, rural development does not refer to the villages in Remo or Kaduna alone. Rural areas include places that show similar levels of development indices such as parts of Ajegunle in Lagos State and the likes, which lack basic amenities and living standards. Virtually nowhere in Nigeria escapes being called rural. If you go to OrileOko communities in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, some of the villages have never had potable water; I am sure you will find areas in Lagos experiencing the same neglect. All these indices make our

work on the Committee more compelling.

After 55 years of independence, some very basic things are still not guaranteed. It is an abuse of fundamental human rights to be denied potable water. This must be seen as such in recognition of the fact that we can fast and go a distance without food but not without water. Our citizens must have access to safe drinking water; we must set a basic minimum target everywhere there are 500 Nigerians gathered, there should be a water project.

How do you factor your constituency into this task before the Committee?

Prior to my becoming a federal legislator, I provided bore-holes from my personal resources for communities in my constituency. The same applies to rural electrification. I have personally donated numerous transformers to various communities. I have also constructed flood control structures, culverts, etc to make life easier for rural dwellers especially relating to movement of goods and services.

I have lived in rural Remo since 1991 and have a deep understanding of requirements for rural development.

The truth is that most of our rural communities lack basic amenities to improve their standard of living. God in his infinite wisdom deemed it fit to place me at the helm of a committee that focuses on rural development. As Chairman of the House Committee on Rural Development I will seize the opportunity to effect with public funds, the things which for many years, I have struggled with using my personal resources. God willing I shall make sure rural projects go around my constituency and Nigeria as a whole for the betterment of our people.

PAGE 42 — SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

The jostle for the soul of Abia •Appeal Court’s disenfranchisement of 300,000 Abians can’t stand – Ikpeazu •Court has done justice to Abians – Onuoha-Bourdex

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

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HE Abia polity is turbocharged and awash with protests and counter-protests. No thanks to last week’s verdict of the Appeal Court, which set aside the the election tribunal’s judgement, quashed the election of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as governor and ordered the swearing-in of Dr Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in his place.

The decision caused of protests by some leading politicians and people, especially from the Ukwa/Ngwa axis of the state, who kicked against the ruling and threw their support behind Okezie.

The first protest was staged by Ukwa Ngwa men, led by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and Chief Gershion Amuta, which grounded activities in Aba. Ukwa Ugwa women followed up, protesting in black attires as they marched on the streets of Aba in a re-enactment of the Aba Women Riot of 1929.

On Wednesday, there was a counter protest in Umuahia by people, who supported the APGA candidate, insisting that the appellate court was right and the decision must stand in the interest of the state.

Appeal Court has done justice to Abians, says Onuoha-Bourdex

BY DAPO AKINREFON Following the verdict of the Appeal Court that sacked Mr Okezie Ikpeazu as governor of Abia State in favour of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Dr. Alex Otti, Senior Partner, at The Access Media Limited/Communication and Dirtector, Alex Otti Support Group (AOSG), Mrs. Mary Ikoku, says the verdict has liberated Abians from 16 years of misrule.

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an you share the feeling of Abians over the Appeal Court judgment on the outcome of the April 11, 2015 gubernatorial election?

The Appeal Court judgement came as the perfect New Year gift for the people. As soon as the pronouncement was made, there was jubilation all over the state.

It was as if a new birth was announced in every home. The manner in which the people were jubilating, it was hard to identify who was for PDP, APC, APGA or PPA. You could hardly tell because the jubilation was all over and across party lines.

If you have lived or visited Abia in recent past, you will be able to appreciate the joy in the land.

These are people whose standard of living and means of sustenance have been steadily eroded in the past 16 years by the successive PDP-led governments.

Their businesses have been ruined by government’s inability to provide the enabling environment for commerce. There has been unprecedented unemployment because businesses have moved from Aba and other cities to other states.

Civil servants are owed over one year salaries, hospitals are no longer functional. It appears that, for several years, government was in connivance with all manner of political forces in the state to deny the good people of Abia the right to good governance, prosperity

A member of the APGA Board of Trustees and Abia North Senatorial Candidate for Abia North, Chief David Onuoha-Bourdex, reportedly said that the court spoke peace and justice to the hearts of Abia people.

Claiming that the people of Abia State rejected the PDP and many of its candidates because of acts of imposition, intimidation and impunity, adding that even when the masses expressed their preference for APGA, the PDP mercenaries employed, mutilation, inflation of votes and arson to twist the outcome.

“Even at the election petition tribunals the overbearing and negative influence of PDP was brought to bear on the proceedings and decisions. The party used its peerless pedigree in election rigging and political corruption to purchase judgement,” he alleged, insisting that at last the Court of Appeal had spoken the minds of Abia people.

Claiming that his Abia North mandate was stolen, Onuoha-Bourdex expressed regrets that the tribunal closed its eyes to the monumental evidence of inflation of votes and mutilation of results by PDP and its candidate, Mao Ohuabunwa, to deny him and APGA their wellearned victory.

While commending Dr Otti for waging what he described as a prin-

The court of appeal relied on the card reader accreditation only to arrive at its decision that total number of votes cast was more than the total number of accredited voters whereas Section 49 of the Electoral Act allows voters to be accredited without recourse to card reader cipled judicial battle against impunity and political brigandage, Onuoha-Bourdex saluted the five-man panel of Appeal Court judges, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, for ruling that Otti scored 164, 444 valid votes to beat Ikpeazu of PDP, who it awarded 114, 444 votes.

Backing the cancellation of the elections held in Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa local

councils because of alleged widespread manipulation perpetrated by the PDP, he said: “The Court of Appeal by its declaration of Dr. Otti as winner has wiped the tears on the faces of Abians, especially the young men that were killed for standing strong in the face of intimidation.

The arson that took place and all under hand methods applied to justify the blood money given to PDP rigging mercenaries have come to nought. Abia has regained its political freedom.’’

Disenfranchisement of 300,000 Abians can’t stand – Ikpeazu, others However, Governor Ikpeazu, the PDP and its faithful have pooh poohed the verdict, arguing that the worst the court could have done was to re-order a re-run in the three local councils as not doing so means disenchantment of over 300,000 eligible voters in the area including Ikpeazu, who won the councils.

One of the protesters said: ‘’The first question begging for an answer is; was there evidence on the basis of which the result in the three local governments were cancelled? The only reason the court gave is that there was over voting in the Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa North areas. ‘’Over voting is a situation where the number of accredited voters is less than number of votes cast in the election. It is worthy at this juncture to stress that votes are cast at polling units and not at ward or LGA level. ‘’The court of appeal relied on the card reader accreditation only to arrive at its decision that total number of votes cast was more than the total number of accredited voters whereas Section 49 of the Electoral Act allows voters to be accredited

Abia has been liberated — Ikoku and security of life and property, but thank God, we have taken what belongs to the people back from the hand of the usurper.

We knew all along that Abians voted massively for APGA, but the will of the people was subverted.

Our victory today is not just for Alex Otti or APGA but for the people of Abia and it signposts victory and a new era in Abia.

Abians rejoiced because they knew that things will remain the same or even worse if the PDP government remained in power in the state. It was a judgement they fasted and prayed for; so when it came they rejoiced to high heavens.

Why were you so confident in your principal’s election after the tribunal judgement did not favour him?

Anyone who followed the election up to the tribunal process will know that the ruling of the lower court had no basis in law. If you read the judgement versus our submissions and the arguments in court, you will have no doubt that the judges did not understand the case before them. They based their judgement on the wrong assumption that a rerun was held in the three local government areas we wanted to be cancelled and that we participated in the rerun. That of course was a wrong premise because no reruns were held in these LGAs. There are so many other wrong assumptions.

You need to read the judgement

and the evidences we tendered to see things for yourself. Though they gave judgement, they did not give justice so i had no doubt that justice will prevail in the higher courts.

It is reported that some local government councils and elders in the state have kicked against the judgement. What is your take on this development?

The elders you talk about are PDP chieftains who are worried that a change in government, especially the one led by Dr Alex Otti, will mean an end to the stipend they receive from the PDP government in the state. They are not elders but PDP chieftains mobilized with state funds. Most of them are government contractors. Definitely, you will expect them to be concerned when they know that a change will threaten their means of livelihood. Any well-meaning citizen or resident of the state knows the rot that is going on in the state and will tell you that the judgment of the appeal court is the answer to their prayers.

They have every right to be unhappy with the verdict of the case because you cannot stop a man from crying if he is bereaved, and has lost his bread winner.

Where will he get bread to eat again?

But I know Otti is a lover of every son and daughter of Abia irrespective of their political leaning. I am using this medium

• Mary Ikoku to invite them to accept defeat and see the victory of Dr. Alex Otti as the defeat of a common enemy that has held us captive for 16 years. To all I say come let us build a better Abia for our generation unborn.

Aba protest was also a watershed post-Appeal Court judgement. What is your view on this?

The protest in Aba was done by a crowd rented by government to put up an appearance. The people you saw on the streets were just there to earn a living for that day.

If you talk to most of them, they don’t even know why they were there beyond the fact that they will be paid for being there. Maybe you have also heard about the fight that broke out after many of them were not fully paid. Now compare this to the spontaneous reaction when the judgment was given, that will give you a true impression of the pulse of Abians.

Prior to the Appeal Court judgment, what was your worst expectation?

without recourse to card reader.

That was the reason for the introduction of incident forms by INEC where the card reader failed. ‘’There were evidence on record that so many people were accredited outside the card reader, owing to the failure of the card readers. This large population of voters were not taken into account in the computation by the court of appeal of the number of accredited voters. If they had been taken into account, the court would have found that there was no over voting.’’

In a statement on the issue, Mr Godwin Adindu, the chief press secretary to the Governor Ikpeazu, said there are fundamental flaws in the judgement, which if allowed to stand, would mean the denial of the rights of a large number of the electorates to choose their representatives. It wondered how the appellate court could allow the disenfranchising of three local governments, which constitute about 300,000 voters or one-third of Abia State electorates, including the state governor himself.

“How could they (the justices) have ordered INEC to swear-in Mr. Alex Otti immediately after their pronouncement when they know that there is still a window of 14 days within which the Governor has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court?,” Adindu asked.

He said that APGA was not ready for the 2015 governorship election as demonstrated by its inability to have candidates for the House of Assembly in the two state constituencies of Obingwa Local Government Area, where the PDP governorship candidates hails from. “So who could have mobilised or monitored votes for APGA in Obingwa?,” he asked.

The expectation was that we saw a sign of victory, because we knew that the truth could not be subverted and, besides, Otti is one man that his faith in the nation’s justice system never wavered and I am glad that today’s judgment has justified that.

In fact, he has firm belief in the efficacy of the system, and, of course, you are aware that despite the clear injustice and provocation, he kept faith with the justice system, believing that he will not be denied justice. The court did not let the common man down in this instance.

What is the APGA expectation at the Supreme Court, should PDP decide to appeal the lower court verdict?

I know that Abians expect the apex court to uphold the judgment as pronounced by the Appeal Court ruling as a fair judgement anchored on the Constitution and appropriate precedence. This I believe is APGA’s expectation. I have been hearing PDP clamouring for a re-run, the truth remains that there is no basis for a re-run. The laws are very clear on this.

What are the things Otti are expected to change in Abia His policies and programs are people-driven. I believe he will focus on building institutions that will drive his programs.

Institutions that will be robust enough to outlive his stay in government. This, I believe will be his legacy. The laundry list is huge but bit by bit Otti will turn the state around, from infrastructure to commerce, to restoring Aba to her earlier glory. When you listen to Otti, you will know that he understands our strength as a people and he has often said, his government will build on the enterprise strength of our people.

Before he embarked on this journey Otti and his team already develop a road map to enable him deliver his campaign promises to our people.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016 — Page 43

Requiem for godfathers in Nigerian politics VIEWPOINT

By Charles Afe Ikhaghe

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Need to do away with godfatherism factor in our political spectrum

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rdinarily, the role of godfathers in the political process ought not to generate so much fury and consternation. After all, in more civilized climes, mentoring of the younger generation in different fields of human endeavour, including politics is an inseparable component of social engineering designed to attain a better society.

Which is to infer that if political mentors popularly referred to in Nigeria as godfathers have enhanced and not endangered the cause of democratic ideals through their ignoble acts, the populace would not be so disdained by their presence.

It is precisely the culture of impunity which has characterised the activities of godfathers in the political sphere since 1999 that has continued to generate a great deal of

disaffection towards them.

Thus, we remember it as if it was yesterday when the godfathers in Anambra State during the reign of Dr. Chris Ngige as Governor had to hold him in captivity forcing him to disburse the budget of the state at the whims of the godfathers.

The godfathers then, Chris and Andy Uba also referred to ase Uba brothers who were themselves equally being nudged on in their impudence by the powers that be then held the state to ransom.

Ngige, who is now the Honourable Minister of Labour and Productivity, had earlier been dragged to the infamous Okija shrine by the godfathers to swear to an oath to do their bidding or face the wrath of the gods Reflecting on the entire sordid affair, the venerable eminent playwright, late Professor Chinua Achebe, lamented that his home state had become a “bankrupt and lawless fief Somewhere in the South-West, specifically in Oyo State, Nigerians were also regaled with another spectacle as the ebullient late Lamidi Adedibu, the fabled strong man of Ibadan politics,

was so piqued when it became public knowledge that his political godson, the then Governor of the State, Christopher Alao-Akala, like his fellow State Chief Executives, was carting away humongous sums of money monthly as Security Vo t e .

Incensed that he was being short-changed by his godson, Adedibu mounted strident campaigns for his own Security Vote because he could not comprehend a situation where in his view the man he “singlehandedly installed” as Governor (people’s votes didn’t count, remember?) would be smiling to the bank every other month while he, the godfather, would not be so remunerated but remained a helpless spectator.

The fourth Republic particularly has witnessed these ugly trends from inception.

Prominent among these cases were senator Modu Ali Sheriff vs.

Governor Mala Kachalla of Borno, Dr. Olusola Saraki vs Governor Mohammed Lawal (Kwara state); senator Jim Nwobodo vs Governor Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu State); Chief Emeka Offor vs

Governor Chinwoke Mbadinugu (Anambra; and Alhaji Abubakar Rimi vs Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State among others.

In Kwara State Dr. Olusola Saraki (now late) was the political godfather in that state for several years, installing Governor and other political officer holder into office including his own son, senator Bukola Saraki, whose fight with his predecessor, Alhaji Lawal stalled development in that state for years.

In Edo State, you could not have forgotten so soon that few years ago, our irrepressible Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, went short of hosting a public party for taming the godfathers in Edo State as he announced with glee that no longer shall the heart beat State be held hostage by any godfather.

It is against this background that the burgeoning issue of godfathers in Edo State as we move towards this year ’s gubernatorial election should be evaluated. Edo State indigenes and residents should resist any attempt by any godfather in whatever hue to foist a candidate

Alex Otti: Divine victory and great expectations

By Nnanna Ijomah ‘No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent’- - Abraham Lincoln he above comment made by Abraham Lincoln a long time T ago holds true today as it did at the

time it was made. So it is with the out -going governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, who never had the consent of the people by the plurality of their votes to govern them and, like all things acquired by dubious means , they never last. As we celebrate the appellate court victory restoring Dr Alex Otti’s stolen mandate, we must not fail to give credit to this Lion of Abia politics. Like his namesake, “Alexander The Great”, he came, he saw and he conquered the PDP juggernaut that had dominated Abia politics for more than a decade. With this victory, Otti deserves most of the credit for his efforts and fight for justice.

His victory has shown that he is a man of exceptional determination with great reserves of personal courage and wisdom.

For many of us here in diaspora, Thursday December 31, 2015 was a day of hope and anxiety. There was a solemn stillness, a burdensome weight hanging upon the minds of all, of fearful foreboding of defeat, a dread

VIEWPOINT

By Odera Achenyo

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

Admonishing the President on anti-corruption drive

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ev. Chris Okotie’s recent commentary on the ongoing war against corruption, and the role ‘statesmen’ should play in ensuring its success stirred the hornets’ nest: “It will be recalled that in his Independence Day speech, President Muhammadu Buhari came out clearly to reaffirm his honour and integrity in prosecuting the battle against Nigeria’s enemy No. 1, and his avowed commitment not to be selective or vindictive as being widely speculated.

“I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions”. This

for the future. But, today, as we have had time to absorb the enormity of this victory, we are all in good spirits.

Today, there is an ebullience that has prevailed over the Abia diaspora community and our joy is irrepressible.

To me, personally, it was a welcome Christmas -New Year present. It is very gratifying to know that all our efforts, including those of my fellow comrades like Samuel Igwe Obinna , Ifeanyi Ndulaka , Solomon Nwoko , Justina Okoro and a host of others, have not been in vain.

In recent weeks, I have been amused by the Ikpeazu supporters who were beginning to refer to him as God-sent, not minding the fact that the man did not win an election. It would appear our people have become adept at invoking God tirelessly without reason, without provocation, without necessity and without justification, perhaps pre-emptively.

Now regarding the out-going governor, what can I say?. I say good riddance. As much as it is within his right to appeal to the Supreme Court, I have no doubt that the apex court will sustain the judgment of the appellate court because it was a ruling grounded in solid legal precedence and jurisprudence. Is it not ironic that the same guys who rigged the election, boasting and taunting Otti to go to court if he was aggrieved, that are now the grieving party desperately

• Alex Otti seeking relief from the Supreme Court?. To Ikpeazu , I say the Abia people can do without his administrative incompetence, reckless expenditure of state financial resources, bone-headed policies such as asking parents to show their tax receipts before their children would be enrolled in schools, failure to pay over -due workers salaries and pensions, and preference for everything Obingwa to the detriment of the rest of the state. His is an administration whose policies were customized to his already established preferences, tailor-fitted to his predetermined interests and contoured to the particular and peculiar niches he wants to inhabit. Sponsoring people to demonstrate in the streets or some traditional rulers to publicly support you would not prevent his exit, rather it is indicative of desperation. Like one

writer posted on social media, the Abia people have crossed Red Sea with their Moses and there is no going back to Egypt.

To the many Ngwa folks from the Obingwa, Ukwa Ngwa axis, worshipping their own wisdom, who have responded to my articles with vitriol and have chastised me endlessly for being critical of their brother, I forgive you. As you can see, I have been vindicated in the end. At least just for once, my faith in Nigeria’s judiciary has been temporary restored, even though I still believe that branch of government needs to be reorganized and better still sanitized. Your resort to violence in the streets of Aba, Umuahia-Aba road and a few road junctions is not only the height of foolishness and stupidity but counterproductive because it portrays you and your principal as desperate for power and capable of doing anything to secure it, including rigging an election.

Just don’t forget that the Supreme Court judges are also Nigerians who watch the network news and read events in newspaper like everyone else, hence capable of forming their own opinions and impressions about litigants and the cases that come before them. What you are doing is akin to cutting your nose to spite your face. To my fellow Abians, you and I

Okotie: Now a red card for bounty hunters reiterated the reverend’s position on the anti-corruption war on the necessity for an all-out battle against the endemic monster and Mr. President’s ability to follow it through dispassionately.

Buhari’s long awaited appointment of cabinet members heralds the beginning of the public’s scrutiny of his government and its financial dealings for any sign of corrupt or questionable practices, so, he must be aware that the very steps he takes in prosecuting his anticorruption war will be scrutinized when his governments’ tenure is over.

It is only appropriate to bring this to Mr. President’s notice.

Me-thinks that a submission to an all-encompassing probe of the immediate past administration is the best option to set the records straight and put to rest the hydra-

headed monster of allegations being rumoured about the regime and indeed where possible, all past administrations.

Recent events involving the high profile trial of top-guns of the exPresident’s party, the PDP – justifies Okotie’s view that any plea for mercy by some influential Nigerians for persons under investigation is premature and uncalled for. There’s a red card for corruption worldwide.

Buhari cannot afford to allow these scandalous legacies to continue under his watch. Now that he has begun the anti-corruption war, the outcome must meet with the expectations of Nigerians.

Following through with his manifesto is the second and logical step to take. Okotie always says “people don’t do what you expect, they do what you inspect”.

He also wrote in an article titled, “In search of game changers”, in which he said: “Many of the familiar problems of our country like power outage, hunger, collapsed national infrastructure; conflicts in all facets of our national life, would remain as painful reminders that the gathering firestorm over the 2015 general elections could only be averted if the democratic process is able to produce game changers”.

Now, Buhari and his new aides are facing horrendous challenges to reconstruct our dilapidated nation, so, he must inspire both his team as well as the entire nation and turn it into a mass army of loyalists who will join him in this arduous task.

His ability to rally the nation will prove if he is the game changer he is envisaged to be. He must also be able to take responsibility and act

on them.

Incidentally, since we have all seen the negative impacts of indigenous godfathers in Edo State, it would be the height of buffoonery for anyone to be inclined towards importing a an alien godfather from the North West whose sole purpose is primitive accumulation and impoverishment of the citizens.

Beyond all that, it is common knowledge that Edo state people have a credible history of resisting all forms of foreign domination and this generation shall not be an exception.

Thus, if by any act of omission or commission, a godfather from the a conservative hegemony is allowed to have a stronghold on Edo land, Edo State citizens would become second-class as all major contracts and other developmental projects would become exclusive preserve of the imperial godfather and a handful of his cronies. This shall not be the portion of the good people of Edo State. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

•Mr Charles Afe Ikhaghe, a political analyst, writes in from Benin City, Edo State. finally got the change you wanted and which you voted for. Change is universal and inescapable, but it must be change that we desire and willing to accept or adjust to, not one foisted on you against your will. This has been a long struggle for change, but it is a change we wholeheartedly welcome.

Otti is change personified and one that the entire state has embraced as evident by the jubilation and dancing in the streets of Aba , Umuahia , Ohafia and my hometown of Arochukwu.

With this victory comes a great deal of work and expectations. The task before Otti, after he is sworn-in, and after the Supreme Court formalities are dispensed with as the Ikpeazu people have stated they will be filing an appeal, is not going to be easy. Yes , with the sacking of the temporary governor, otti is now the one in trouble and after all the avalanche of congratulatory messages and best wishes , the question we should all be asking is , what can we all do to help him, considering the enormity of the task ahead of him. That notwithstanding, I venture to say most categorically that no man in the history of Abia electoral politics was more keenly aware of the task before him before he ever sought the office of governor than Otti. * Ijomah (Bsc, MA ), a former assistant to the late Ikemba Nnewi , Chief Emeka Ojukwu, is a resident of New York City.Email: Nna2ijomah@aol.com decisively, rather than wait to be blamed before defending himself if his ministers do wrong.

In the same vein, caution should be taken by the opposition in making utterances that could easily be misconstrued to be the constitution of a parallel government, which mimic’s a surreptitious continuance of Buhari’s predecessor tenure, and seeking to influence the incumbent when a path which is at odds with their own is being followed. This hint of blind-partiality is to pressurize the incumbent into mitigating the force of the corruption war and soft-pedal his resolve.

If the hands of any official being probed are clean and there are no skeletons in their cupboards, why then should they fear? The new ministers and appointees have a tall task of proving pessimists who believe it is impossible to live above the corruption board, wrong.

• Achenyo is resident in OnichaOlona, Delta State

Page 44, SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Buhari must adjust economic policies to give Nigerians succour VIEWPOINT

By Jimoh Aremu

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

The need to relax harsh policies

I

am aware that President Bu hari’s gov- ernment is making tough choices in exchange control re- strictions, altering the absurd recurrent to capital expenditure ratio, reducing the deficit and reducing the overall size of governance.

The government is also cleaning the mess and rebuilding the institutions that corruption has ravaged over the years. Nigerians cannot forget so easily the dark days where economic growth figures do not translate to the improvement in the lives of the vast

VIEWPOINT

By Kennedy Mbele

TRIBUTE IN BRIEF

Celebrating a man of many parts on his birthday

P

OWER Ziakede Aginighan,fondly called PZ or Odudu of Niger Delta, means different things to different people. To some, he was their dedicated mathematics teacher who demystified a dreaded subject. He taught mathematics at Government Secondary School, Toru-Ebeni, Bayelsa State shortly after obtaining the West African School Certificate from the Western Ijaw premier secondary school, Government College, Bomadi in 1975. In 1976/7, he moved back to his alma mater, Government College, Bomadi where he taught mathematics and chemistry. While he was a student at the college (now Rivers State University of Science and Technology) from1977 to 1981, Aginighan taught mathematics on parttime basis at Government Secondary School, Amassoma; Akugbene Grammar School , Akugbene and Ogo-Eze Secondary Commercial School, Ogo-Eze. Although he trained as an accountant, his flair for teaching of mathematics provided him an opportunity to teach the subject in the extra-mural studies unit of the College of Education, Warri from 1985 to 1992

majority of citizens. I think Buhari should be commended for these laudable initiatives since the inception of his government on May 29, 2015.

However, I expect the administration to waste no time in focusing on building an economic model which would involve substantial social investment and redress the paradox of high growth figures and widening inequality, rising unemploy- ment and poverty. It is evident that any economic model that leaves nearly half of the citizenry behind requires re- thinking.

Programmes such as the Conditional Cash Transfer and renewed support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) should be springing up. They

will greatly gener- ate employment, address poverty, reduce social tension and criminality across the country.

Many Nigerians are equally worried about the proposed budget recently presented to the National Assembly. The budget provisions, when passed, should be strictly followed and properly monitored so that we get the required results. The masses are suffering and are almost losing hope in this government.

Our economy is on its knees; the Naira has depreciated drastically, while fuel scarcity pervades the whole country. Worse still, local and foreign investors no longer see Nigeria as investment friendly because of the existing harsh policies.

The directive by the Central Bank of Nigeria to make commercial banks stop customers from using their debit and credit cards overseas is also condemnable. The cutting of $10,000 to $5,000 cash or negotiable instruments across the nation’s borders for travellers with genuine business going abroad is also unacceptable. These policies have put lots of people out of job and crippled the economy more.

The Buhari government needs to rise up to the challenge of rebuilding the nation. We are anxious to see a positive change that will begin to impact on the dayto-day life of Nigerians. We are seeing the beginning of the trial of those alleged to have misapplied the nation’s money; we hope

Celebrating Aginighan, ex-NDDC boss For those who see him as an activist, Aginighan was one of the foremost student union activists of his time. He was elected unopposed twice as General Secretary of the Student Union Government of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology(RSUST) from 1979 to 1980. While an undergraduate, Aginighan, Mr Asu Beks, Mr. Felix Datuowei , Dr. H B Buku , Rev. Eric Opukeme and others formed the Ijaw Youth Action League at Bomadi in July 1980 . Aginighan was elected the Director General of the League.

Under his leadership, the organisation was at the forefront of the agitation for the merger of the Western Ijaws with their kith and kin in Rivers State . The struggle landed him, Asu Beks, Felix Datuowei and HB Buku in detention at Bomadi and Burutu, at the instance of the agents of the then Bendel State who were opposed to the idea of merger.

From 1984 to 1991, Aginighan served as Secretary of the Izon Community in Warri under Mr Edward Erete Asu and Apostle Paul Esewe (both of blessed memory). He also served as Secretary to the Delta Izon Consultative Committee headed by Chief FHE Brisibe AIG rtd, OFR(of blessed memory).

In the Nigerian political space, Aginighan as far back as 1983

•Aginighan sought nomination on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) for the party’s ticket to contest the then Bendel State House of Assembly election to represent the Bomadi South Constituency. He lost the nomination but he was given automatic nomination by the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) to contest the general elections for the same seat which he also lost.

Ahead of the 2007 general elections, Aginighan joined the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in 2004 and again sought nomination for the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election. Although he ran an issue-centred grass-roots based campaign, he was screened out on contestable grounds. He remained in thePDP until 13th of November, 2015,

when he led over 2,000 card carrying members of the PDP to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He played a key role in resolving the bloody inter communal conflict between Ogodobri in Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State and Ekeremor in Ekeremor Local Government Area ofBayelsa State by single handedly effecting the return of captives of war from Ogodobiri to Ekeremor in August 2003. He was also the moderator of the cease fire peace conference by the Warri Ijaw Itsekiri Peace Front in June 2004 held at Warri Club under theauspices of the Joint Military Task Force. He also served as Secretary of various peace panels that resolved conflicts within the Ijaw Youth Council and the Ijaw National Congress.

He brought to bear his concerns about the infrastructure deficit in his native Ijaw land while he served in various top leadership positions in Niger Delta Development Commission. The Bomadi-Tuomo Road awarded by the NDDC was completed and commissioned during his tenure as Ag Executive Director, Finance and Administration.

During his tenure as substantive Executive Director, Finance and Administration, contracts for the construction of the 2nd phase of the Bomadi-Tuomo-Tamigbe-Ojobo Road

the process will be quickly concluded.

We should be able to get such looted funds back into the economy so that we can begin to focus on more positive things that are also happening in our nation that can foster socio-economic stability and growth.

Let the anti-graft agencies and the courts work hard to bring the looters to book and recover the stolen wealth. Meanwhile, this government, which has enjoyed so much goodwill from Nigeria and the international community, should not be seen moving at slow pace, in our interest and that of the unborn generations.

•Aremu, a businessman, is resident in New Jersey, United States. linking Tuomo and Tamigbe passing through Ogboboagbene and Tubegbe communities, the 1st phase of the Gbaregolo-Gbekebor-Ogulagha Road with a major bridge across the Enekorogha Creek to link Esanma, Ogbeinama, Akugbene, Okuama, Okoloba, Ogodobri, Ezebri, Frukama, Okrika and Ayakoromo communities and the Agadagba ObonArogbo Bridge/Road in Ondo State were awarded. During his very brief tenure as Ag Managing Director/ CEO, he fast-tracked the completion of the major bridge along the Sagbama-Ekeremor Road in Bayelsa State at Bulou Orua. He made Emakalakala in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State accessible by road for Chief Melford Okilo to be buried.

He was instrumental to the inclusion of the Udo-Ofunama-Ogbudugbudu-Ogbinbiri Road/Bridge linking some Ijaw communities in Edo and Delta State in priority projects of the NDDC. A Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria(ANAN), he is currently a member of the Governing Council of the Apostolic Church owned Samuel Adegboyega University, Ogwa, Edo State. The former NDDC boss is happily married to Deaconess Amerikaere Aginighan, and blessed with children. He clocked 57 on January 9, 2016.

•Mbele lives in Lagos.

Uncommon governance, uncommon critics: The story of Akwa Ibom RIGHT OF REPL Y REPLY

By Jackson Udom RIGHT OF REPLY IN BRIEF Pitfalls in claims against an ex-gov

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NYONE who read last,column of a former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr Tonnie Iredia, in Sunday Vanguard, entitled: “Uncommon governance: The bane of Akwa Ibom State”, would be left with more questions than answers.

Iredia had, in the piece, cast aspersion on the Akwa Ibom State government; Senate Minority Leader and a former governor of the state, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and his successor, Udom Emmanuel.

According to Iredia, the uncommon governance in Akwa Ibom, which he summed up to mean mere celebrations, is the bane of the state.

While one would have loved to ignore Iredia’s contemptuous reduction of the good governance provid-

ed by Akpabio in his eight years in office, which the people of the state still remember and respect him for and the continuity in human and physical development, which Udom stands for, to mere celebrations of landmark events such as Christmas Carol and the state’s founder’s day, not responding would have conceded too much to sophistry.

For instance, one is bound to ask, are all the statements made by the erstwhile media chief sacred truths based on empirical evidence or hearsay? Was Iredia objective enough given his confession that most of the things he wrote were “based on what he read in the media and based on media reports?”

For a media practitioner in the class of Iredia, making statements of facts based on “what we hear” and “media reports” should have been an anathema to the ears and eye of those who had the unfortunate opportunity of reading the trite, given the fact that he spent his productive years as a media manager.

Anyone who is conversant with the

Nigerian polity knows that media reportage of political events should not be the final basis for making informed judgments, and one expects Iredia, of all people, to know this.

But Iredia, the columnist, unlike Iredia that anchored Point Blank on NTA, threw caution to the winds, misrepresenting facts.

The former NTA DG had clearly shown his disdain for the Akwa Ibom state government and Akpabio from the beginning of the writeup. Thus, when he said there were “media reports” that people were unhappy with Akpabio’s teleguiding of the governor, which he said “results in huge expenses on cosmetic matters which do not impact in the strict sense on the living conditions of the people,” it should not have come as a surprise. And when he went ahead to mention the Christmas Carol and the celebration of the 28th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State as examples of such cosmetic matters, his “mission to destroy” became clear. Did Iredia ask Akwa Ibom sons and daughters their view

about the celebration of the state’s 28th anniversary, which signifies the end to hard labour and bondage of decades and gave them a state of their own, where they could truly develop and aspire for greatness like real people?

Did he ask the view of the people on what he described as Christian extravaganza? One doubts if he did or would ever do that..

For the purpose of clarification, the 9999 Christmas Carol was established by Akpabio in 2008 while he was governor and, at the time of its establishment, there was only one goal in mind; praising God and celebrating Christmas.

Now, it is one thing if Iredia’s posturing is about the propriety of Akwa Ibom organising an event for its people to, in one accord, praise God and celebrate at Christmas; it would also have been appropriate if his argument had been about the need to praise God at all in a state largely dominated by Christians but where the rights and privileges of minority Muslims and others have never

been ignored. Iredia would have saved himself and his “them say” column the embarrassment he has brought to his fans in his days in the NTA, if he had taken time to visit Akwa Ibom State in order to have a first hand information on human traffic through the well tarred roads into the state and the airport, just to attend this landmark event which he mischievously tagged a monumental waste. I am quite sure in the thinking of columnist Iredia, the airport he flew into during his visit, which was constructed by Senator Akpabio is also a waste.

To criticise such landmark event that annually brings Akwa Ibom indigenes together to praise God and pray for their state, distinguishes Akwa Ibom from others in Nigeria and made it an attraction for the world, having entered the Guinness Book of Records for the largest carol on earth as a waste of public money is to, say the least, in bad taste.

•Udom is Special Assistant Media to the Senate Minority Leader

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016, PAGE 45

Kaleidoscope

BY HABIB ARUNA

E

ver since Lagos State Government took a bold step towards the realization of the Oshodi transformation agenda on January 5, 2016 with the demolition of the Owonifari Market within the notorious loop of Oshodi, there have been hues and cries in some quarters over the development.

While many see the development as long-overdue owing to the need to go in the way of sanity as it was unreasonable to allow a few people to continue to hold the generality of the people into ransom, some others especially the traders in the market and those agitating for them, are of a contrary opinion.

As a matter of fact some of the traders, who were not prepared to move to the alternative market provided for them by the government, which is an ultramodern market in nearby Bolade in Oshodi, had alluded to some reasons to justify their action, which included ‘spiritual activities’ associated with the newly built Isopakodowo Market.

The traders had equally claimed that the available space in the new market could not accommodate them, while some of the traders actually said they prefer to be relocated to Arena Mall belonging to the Nigerian Army.

But while that was on-going, the State Government on Thursday came out to defend the relocation of the traders and demolition of the Owonifari Market, saying the actions were taken in the overall interest of public good, safety and security.

The government recalled that in preparing the minds of the public towards the relocation and demolition, it issued a statement where the actions were brought to the public space before they were embarked upon.

The government had, in the said statement, said it had commenced the fencing-off of the set-back on Agege Motor Road that stretches from Ilupeju end of Oshodi all the way to the PWD/Ikeja GRA end of the area.

The government had further explained that the Owonifari loop would be transformed into an ultramodern bus terminus with new bus shelters that are befitting of a structured park in a mega city.

However, not satisfied with the misrepresentation of facts and background of the relocation and demolition, the government again organized a press briefing which was jointly addressed by the State’s Ministries of Information and Strategy, The Environment, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Office of Civic Engagement, where it set the record straight.

According to Lagos State Government, the alternative market stall could conveniently accommodate over 600 shops and hundreds of kee clamps, and that government agreed to subsidize payment by giving shops at the new market at a monthly give away price of N5, 000 to the traders.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde said the traders were adequately notified before the exercise took place as required by law, and that government engaged with the leadership of the market severally before carrying out the demolition exercise on Owonifari Market.

Ayorinde said it was important for people to note that the issue of the market had been on for nothing less than ten years, adding that government had been engaging the leadership of the market to make them realize that it could no longer continue in the manner in which the market was being used.

He said unfortunately, the leadership of the market, in the last three years, refused to move despite

LAGOS MARKET DEMOLITION:

Between traders and Oshodi transformation

the fact that the new market has over 600 shops apart from the kee clamps which takes the number of people that the market could conveniently accommodate to over a thousand all together.

Ayorinde said having been satisfied that government had provided a befitting alternative, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, through the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, invited the leadership of the market to the Executive Chambers and met with them on December 16, 2015, where he reiterated his plans for Oshodi and the need to move the traders to Isopakodowo which as at that time had been ready for a couple of years.

Giving a further background, the Commissioner said: “A few of them expressed certain misgivings but largely they felt that if their interest would be accommodated within the Isopakodowo Market, that they were willing and ready to move and on our part, we said that the discussion should be ongoing particularly regarding how much they would pay for each store within that market.

“After that, on Monday December 21, 2015, Governor Ambode went on a tour of that market area particularly at Isopakodowo in company with a few members of the State Exco. Again, we met with the leadership of the market where it was eventually agreed based on the proposition by the leadership that what they were willing to pay for each shop at Isopakodowo was N5, 000.

“There is nowhere in Lagos where you will agree to be paying N5, 000 per shop not to talk of the central Oshodi, but the Governor agreed with them and we said we were ready to concede after which we now formally served them with a quit notice through the office of the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,” he said. Speaking further, Ayorinde denied allegation that many goods of the traders were destroyed in the demolition exercise, adding that such was far from the truth.

He said: “The intention of government certainly was not to destroy any goods and we did not destroy any goods because we believe that a good number of the traders, if not all, had moved because they were

The intention was not to destroy the market or destroy properties or to make life inconvenient for them. We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo market is quite ideal; its a lot bigger storeper-store than where they had been removed now and the aim of government, as we stated earlier, is to ensure that that area of the market conforms with the type of image that we want Lagos to be

aware that they needed to move.

“Government, I should say, will not be blackmailed because we had done everything humanly possible and you know that the hallmark of this government has been compassion. It is a compassionate government.

“The intention was not to destroy the market or destroy properties or to make life inconvenient for them. We believe very strongly that Isopakodowo market is quite ideal; its a lot bigger store-per-store than where they had been removed now and the aim of government, as we stated earlier, is to ensure that that area of the market conforms with the type of image that we want Lagos to be, which is to return sanity to the place, to beautify the market, to construct a world class bus terminus around that place and to ensure that people who use that place on a daily basis – the commuters, traders, everybody enjoy what it means to go to a market in a mega city.

“We also believe that the exercise will largely reduce the gridlock that is associated with that area and then the criminalities that were rampant in that Oshodi. What we have done is in the interest of the generality of Lagosians,” Ayorinde said.

He added: “You will see from the reports that quite a good chunk of the traders acknowledged that they had been properly served and that they were ready to move which was why a good number of them, if not all, parked their things just before the end of last year.

“Along the line, we got intelligence report that during the holidays there were a number of criminal activities going on in the market and that the place was harbouring criminals and a number of untoward activities which of course necessitated the need to move in immediately to safeguard lives, to safeguard properties and to ensure that there was no breach of peace which was what led to the demolition.”

Ayorinde added that the demolition actually confirmed the intelligence report as a concrete bunker with arms was discovered underneath the shops.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare said contrary to claims in some quarters, none of the occupants’ properties was destroyed in the demolition exercise.

He said: “On Tuesday night, we found that all the occupants have complied and moved to the new market. The only one that remained

actually called us to say that he was in the East burying his late mother. For that one, we had to evacuate his properties and they are safe with us.

So, nothing was destroyed in the exercise. The other shops destroyed were full of garbage so there is no iota of truth in the allegation that goods weredestroyed.”

Adejarefurtherdisclosedthatthe relocation and demolition exercises were the first phase of the Oshodi transformation drive, adding that more adjustments would still be done to other parts of the area to make it conform to moderncity-statejustlikeanywherein theworld.

On his part, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development,WasiuAnifowoshe,said the demolished site was not originally designed for market, adding that things went wrong along the line.

He said the fact that the previous administration could not fully actualize the transformation plan for Oshodi doesnotprecludethepresent administration from moving to do the right thing.

He assured Lagosians that the intentionofthegovernmentwasinthe overall interest of the people, and that doing otherwise by succumbing to blackmail would not be in the interest of the generality of the people.

With the above facts and cogent reasonsenumerated by the government why the demolition had to take place to secure Oshodi, which many Lagosians see as a central point to various locations, the traders would have to find other reasons why they should be allowed to remain in a place designated for other meaningful development.

For now, the government has demonstrated with this demolition its willingness to put the larger interests of the generality of the people above pecuniary interests .

•Aruna is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

46 — S UNDAY Vanguard SUNDAY Vanguard,, JANUAYR 10, 2016

Scary: Eagles coach undergoes surgery in S. Africa Iheanacho: Man City S UPER Eagles assistant coach Jean Francois Losciuto was Saturday operated on in Pretoria,South Africa, where the team have been preparing for the CHAN in Rwanda.

It was further gathered that “a small metal” was found in the stomach of the coach after the surgery.

The Belgian was in severe discomfort before he was rushed to hospital after which he was operated on.

It is now left to be seen if he would fly out with the rest of the squad to Rwanda on January 15.

He was in charge of the team during the Eagles training camp in Abuja when coach Sund a y Oliseh was recove r i n g from a viral infection at his base in Belgium.

Losciuto

turn back Bournemouth

•Pellegrini

Teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho (centre) doubled Manchester City’s lead after getting away from Russell Martin (right)

Ibenegbu, Matthew shine for Eagles E

STABLISHED Nigeria league campaigner Ikechukwu ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu and emerging star Ifeanyi Matthew have thus far impressed in the Super Eagles training camp ahead of next weekend’s CHAN in Rwanda.

Officials disclosed that the other players who have shone in the Eagles training camp in Pretoria, South Africa, are Nigeria U23 midfielder Usman Mohammed and little known Shooting Stars midfielder Ibrahim Salawu.

‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu scored the Eagles goal against Angola in a warm-up match in Pretoria and his leadership qualities in the midfield has won for him the admiration of coach Sunday Oliseh.

Versatile Nigeria U20 midfield star Ifeanyi Matthew has already been tipped to go all the way and be capped by the full international team after

what he has produced thus far in South Africa.

The El Kanemi Warriors star has a strong mentality, hard working and has established himself in the starting XI for the CHAN as other more established players have struggled for form.

Obaroakpo’s Eagles vice captain

A

•Obaroakpo

Ighalo Continued from backpage and Ighalo’s sensational start to his debut Premier League season has seen him emerge as a target. Ighalo is also more of a budget option, too, but that doesn’t mean he’s not as effective, as he’s scored 14 goals already this term and has been the catalyst behind the Hornets’ surge up the Premier League.

Ighalo, sat on the bench in yesterday ’s FA Cup fixture against Newcastle. He was quoted as saying that he wouldn’t turn down a move to Manchester United, if the Red

In the meantime, Nigeria will play their final warm-up game against Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.

The Ivorians were forced to a 1-1 draw by Nigeria’s Group C rivals Guinea in another test game on Friday also in South Africa.

Devils come calling.

The former Nigerian youth international has also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid “I understand (these stories). We are in the January transfer window so we have to accept these stories.

“It is every good news for Watford (that our players are attracting interest). It is good news for (Troy) Deeney, (Odion) Ighalo, (Nathan) Ake or (Etienne) Capoue.

“It means that the players are playing really well,” Watford coach Quique Sanchez Flores told assembled media at his press conference.

USTIN Obaroakpo has been named the vice- captain of the home-based Super Eagles.

The position became vacant after left back, Chima Akas was handed the captain’s band following Gbolahan Salami’s withdrawal from the squad.

The centre-back captained the side in Wednesday ’s friendly against Angola in the absence of Akas who started the game from the bench.

The Abia Warriors defender is one of the most influential member of the side and played a key role in their qualification for the competition. He has already been capped at full international level by Nigeria.

•Ibenegbu

Golfers warm up for DOAMF charity golf tourney

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OLFERS at Ikoyi Golf Club in Lagos have commenced preparation for the biggest charity event on the club’s calendar the DOAM Foundation Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2016.

The tournament, which has provided a platform for members and corporate bodies to support social causes in the last six years, fea-

CHAN: Eagles will not fail in Rwanda, Yaro assures

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S the Super Eagles B team file out to play Cote d’Ivoire in their last preparatory match for the CAF African Nations Championship in Rwanda, midfielder Bature Yaro is optimistic that the team will not disappoint.

The Eagles who are currently in South Africa training had some injuries concerns, but the

Manchester City have turned down an approach from Premier League rivals S u n d e r l a n d a n d A . F. C .

Bournemouth to sign Nigeria national - teamer Kelechi Iheanacho on loan until the end of the season.

West Ham have also contacted the Citizens suits about the possibility of snapping up the highly rated starlet in the winter transfer market but the Etihad outfit refused to do business due to the injury sustained by France star Sami Nasri.

A source close to the Taye Academy product said, “Sunderland and Bournemouth wanted Kelechi but Manuel Pellegrini did not give his approval.

“We are aware of the interest from West Ham but Pellegrini said it won’t fly (not possible). Nasri is injured and Kelechi may be include d i n t h e i r C h a m p i o ns League squad, so he won’t leave this window.”

affected players have been responding to treatment and have participated in training.

Yaro said the team will be ready to play against Niger Republic when they clash January 17 in the group C opener. The other nations in the group are Tunisia and Guinea.

tures a qualifier event scheduled for Saturday January 23, at the Golf Section of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Chairman of the Organising Committee, Pat Bassey, said that the event connects well with the golfing community because it fills a vacuum that a number of golfers have yearned for over time.

“We have a huge number of golfers who need the platform that this event provides, so that they can connect with the indigent and the less privileged in the society. The increasing interest, year after year, only goes to show that their expectations are being met.”

Over 200 players are expected to vie for slots at the final of the event, the committee members have informed. Players who scale through the one-day qualifier would be drawn alongside invited players and guests at the final of the tournament in February.

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016 —47

Messi sends Ballon d’Or greetings with hatrick F

Screaming delight... Messi in frame for Ballon d’Or award

OURTEEN minutes into the game Lionel Messi and Neymar were mentally packing their bags for Zurich, with Granada beaten and Barcelona top of La Liga once more.

On Monday, the South American stars will head to the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Switzerland and along with huge over-ear headphones, under-arm wash bags and a garish Dolce & Gabanna suit, in Messi’s case, they will have a few brief recollections from this match against Granada.

It was just another day at the office, which for Messi meant a hat-trick, memorable for him perhaps as he netted a treble

FA Cup: Rooney spares Man. United blushes W AYNE Rooney scored from the spot in injury-time to save Manchester United the agony of having a replay against lowly Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup match yesterday at Old Trafford.

The captain’s spot kick, earned after Memphis Depay was brought down by Dean Hammond in the 93rd minute, came at the end of a game severely lacking in clear-cut opportunities.

Louis van Gaal’s side had to wait until the 69th minute for their first shot on target, through Matteo Darmian, which was met by ironic cheers from the home crowd.

League One Sheffield United, 46 places below their opponents in the English football pyramid, had just one shot on target of their own.

Had the England skipper not slammed home the injury-time penalty, the pressure would have intensified on Van Gaal.

After the two steps for-

Under Pressure... Van Gaal C M Y K

ward of the win over Swansea and the goalless draw against Chelsea, United were in danger of taking two steps back against a team in the third tier of English football. The trav-

elling fans serenaded the Dutchman with chants of ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’ during the second half as United spluttered, wheezed and closed in on their eighth goal-less

draw of the season. Van Gaal looked powerless in the stands before Memphis Depay won a lastgasp spot-kick and Rooney emphatically converted it. It felt like a hollow victory but Van Gaal will take what he can get.

for the first time in 10 months. Messi stroked in his hat-trick with three goals from close range, his skill here being to find the space in the defenders’ blind spots, with Barcelona swashbuckling attack leaving Granada all at sea.

Messi is favoured to win the FIFA Ballon d’Or, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-year hold on soccer’s top individual prize. Messi already has a 4-3 lead in their career duel for the annual FIFA prize but has recently been eclipsed by his great rival.

That changed in 2015 when Messi inspired Barcelona to regain the Champions League title among five major trophies to none for Real Madrid, despite Ronaldo’s relentless goal-scoring pace.

Barcelona’s dominance also helped Brazil star Neymar earn a place on the three-man shortlist for the first time.

The Catalan club can sweep the men’s honours with Luis Enrique heading the coaches’ shortlist

after becoming European champion and winning the Spanish league and cup, European Super Cup and Club World Cup. Messi can also win the Puskas Award — a fans’ online vote for best goal — for his solo slalom through the Athletic Bilbao defence to score in the Spanish cup final.

In the women category, America’s Carli Lloyd’s 13-minute hat trick in the final of the FIFA Women World Cup — including a shot from the halfway line in a 5-2 rout of Japan — makes her a top contender for the player’s prize.

Lloyd is a finalist for the first time at 33 after a decade of national team duty, more than 200 appearances and two Olympic titles.

She is against Aya Miyama of Japan and Germany’s Celia Sasic, whose six World Cup goals in Canada matched Lloyd though it earned her the Golden Boot because they were scored in less playing time.

I’m good to go for Rio 2016 gold — Adekuoroye

By Solomon Nwoke

G

LASGOW 2014 Com monwealth gold medallist in the 51kg female wrestling, Odunayo Adekuoroye returned yesterday to a heroic welcome after her exploits at the maiden edition of the Pro Wrestling league which ended last December in New Delhi, India.

The two time African champion Adekuoroye, who was the only African in Team Mumbai Garuda could not hide her happiness. She said the championship has put her in a better shape to challenge all those who would have otherwise overwhelmed her at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games proper. She expressed confidence of winning the gold medal.

Speaking to a handful of reporters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos yesterday, she said, “ The experience was splendid because most of the world wrestlers I felt I was afraid of are the ones afraid of me now and thank God. I had bouts with them and defeated them all. Now I have full confidence any

time any day I meet them that I will conquer them.

“I won gold and emerged the best wrestler of the pro- wrestling League championship. “ It was a nice programme, the first in the history of wrestling and it’s a privilege being there and I use this medium to thank my president, honourable Daniel Igali , my coach Purity, my father in The Lord Dr Daniel Olukoya. They have been so very very great. Now as for the Olympic Games Proper, I am very ready if Nigeria can send me to go and represent her, I am very ready and I believe God is on my side. “ I signed a two year contract with an Indian Pro-wrestling club with the clause that I must come and represent my fatherland at anytime I am called upon to do so, especially this Olympic Games is more important to me than the club. That if they cannot allow me to come I will quit the club instantly and they agreed that after the Olympics that I should come back” Adekuoroye, so far the

only Nigerian wrestler to secure a slot for the 2016 Rio Olympics after winning bronze at the 2015 World Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas, USA. She also won bronze at the World Grand Prix held in Baku, Azerbaijan said her preparation now for the Games depends on the programme the President of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF) Dr Igali has for them “My Olympics preparation as par the venue of preparation depends on the programme of the Nigeria wrestling Federation and NSC. At the moment I don’t know my federation president, honourable Daniel Igali knows better because he is the one to determine that”, she said.

Asked now that her name rings bell to the world wrestling family how she is going to manage her success and maintain the level she has attained at the Games proper, she says, “ I just have to keep improving on the things I have known now.

I wouldn’ t want to promise Nigerians any-

Gold Wish... Odunayo Adekuoroye thing now. I am going to the Rio 2016 Games to do my best. Any medal God gives me I will take. I am not sacred at all. All that I have in mind to do at the Games is to make Nigerians proud.

She however lamented over Nigerian wrestlers who didn’t have the opportunity she had as that would have given them equal leverage she now has saying, “There are other good Nigerian

wrestlers back home here. But the problem is dearth of competitions to keep the wrestlers in shape. If I did’t go for that World Championship I wouldn’t know what I have .

I believe if other wrestlers had the opportunity as I had they too would have done well and qualify for the Olympics too, but then there is another opportunity for them to qualify.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, JANUARY 10, 2016

Arsenal gun for Ighalo A

RSENAL are prepar ing a summer move for Watford’s leading goal scorer Odion Ighalo.

Manager, Arsene Wenger sees the Super Eagles striker as a better alternative to recently crowned African footballer of the year PierreEmerick Aubameyang, as the Gunners look to bolster their front line The club’s scouts have been tasked with picking out prolific front men ahead of the summer transfer window,

Continues on page 46

PEERLESS: Kelechi Iheanacho scores again. His strike gave City a comfortable win over Nowrich City in the FA Cup match yesterday. City won 3-0

FA Cup: Iheanacho lifts City S

WANTED: Super Eagles and Watford frontman, Odion Ighalo is wanted by Arsene Wenger to bolster Arsenal’s attack.

UPER Eagles and Manchester City starlet, Kelechi Iheanacho was among the goal scorers in his club' s 3-0 win over Nowrich City in a 3rd round FA Cup match yesterday.

This was about as comfortable as City could have hoped for. They controlled proceedings – dominating possession and creating better chances than Norwich

throughout.

Sergio Aguero’s opener was superb and provided further evidence

HE Super Eagles training camp in Pretoria, South Africa, is bubbling again after all 22 players trained fully on Saturday.

Skipper Chima Akas has returned to full training after a knee injury relapsed in Abuja and he

also suffered Malaria.

Strikers Tunde Adeniji and Chisom Chikatara also trained with the rest of the squad after Friday was observed as a rest day.

“Every player trained fully and very well,” said one of the team officials.

The Eagles will play their final warm-up match against another CHAN-bound team, Cote d’Ivoire tomorrow.

Nigeria were forced to a 1-1 draw by Angola on Wednesday, while Cote d’Ivoire drew 1-1 with Guinea on Friday.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE DOWN ACROSS 1. Sample (5) 1. Governor of Sokoto 2. Niger state town (4) State (8) 3. Observe (5) 5. Assistant (4) 4. Lecture (6) 7. Praise (5) 5. Everyone (3) 8. Upright (4) 6. Use (6) 9. Lantern (4) 10. Inquires (4) 11. Tradition (6) 13. Lagos masquerade (3) 12. Carpet (3) 14. Colour (6) 15. Exclamation (2) 15. Resistance unit (3) 16. Pig’s nose (5) 17. Coax (4) 18. Agent (3) 19. Rollicked (6) 20. Glitters (6) 21. Hatchet (3) 24. Forward (5) 22. Satisfied (4) 25. Nigerian state (6) 23. Nigerian state (3) 27. Boring tool (3) 26. Cry of derision (3) 29. Ghanaian fabric (5) 27 . African country (6) 31. Perform (2) Endure (4) 32. Oshiomhole’s state (3) 28.

29. Child (3) 34. U.S. currency (6) 30. Spoke (6) 36. Vow (4) 31. Adorn (5) 38. Musical quality (4) 33. Baking chambers 39. Inclination (5) (5) 40. Eager (4) 35. Asterisk (4) 41. Damages (8) 37. Possessed (3)

Super Eagles Asst.

Coach, Losciuto

See solution on page 5

And substitute Kevin De Bruyne added another to put some gloss on what was an excellent display.

An excellent 3-0 win and a safe passage into round four.

Iheanacho was a constant source of energy and movement and scored a superbly taken goal.

FA CUP RESULTS

CHAN: Eagles camp bubbles T

he is returning to his best. He collected the ball from Raheem Sterling’s neat flick, took on three defenders and prodded home. Pure class.

The Argentine then turned provider, playing in Kelechi Iheanacho who finished superbly, despite having little room to engineer a shot.

Eagles coach undergoes surgery in S. Africa — Pg. 46

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