Nigerians to Eagles - Give us this day

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STATE CREATION ROW

Constitution review may be dumped *Ekweremadu, Ihedioha accused of Igbo agenda *’Allegation untenable’

defended his work, saying he had not committed any infraction to warrant any accusation by any individual or group.

The Deputy Senate President said there was no way the issue of state creation or any other matter relating to the Nigerian constitution could be treated in isolation, as the committee’s report had not even been presented to the Senate for adoption and discussion.

SONI DANIEL, REGIONAL EDITOR, NORTH, OKEY NEDRIBE, HENRY UMORU AND EMMA OVUAKPORIE

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NDICATIONS emerged, yesterday, that the National Assembly (NASS) might jettison the review of the 1999 Constitution as a result of the row that has rocked two issues on agenda: state creation and local government autonomy.

Sunday Vanguard learnt from authoritative sources that the leadership of the NASS was split over state creation although they were united on local government autonomy.

Most of the 36 governors on the other hand, who control the lawmakers directly and remotely, are said to be vehemently opposed to any amendment that would give independence to the third tier of government, whose resources they are believed to be feasting on under a dubious ‘joint account’ policy.

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t was learnt that of the Senate President, Senaor David Mark, his deputy,Senator Ike Ekweremadu and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, were in support of state creation while the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, was not in a hurry for the exercise.

The decision to dump the review, which had progressed up to the collation of reports garnered from the 360 federal constituencies of the country, became obvious following threats from most northern lawmakers that the North would be short changed if the exercise sailed through.

They said they were not in support of state creation and that the result of the public sessions and the online voting

by Nigerians on the various

From left: President John Mahama of Ghana; President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf ofLiberia; President Boni Yayi of Benin Republic; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; his wife, Bola; President Goodluck Jonathan and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan at the launch of Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in London.State house photo

aspects of the constitution should not be presented to the NASS. Consequently, it was gathered that the leadership of the parliament might throw away the review of the constitution along with the state creation just as the 5th National Assembly threw away the review because of the Third Term agenda allegedly spearheaded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his loyalists.

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ome lawmakers had accused the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his House of Representatives colleague, Emeka Ihedioha, of manipulating the outcome of the public sessions to favour state creation so that the South-East, to which they belong, would be favoured with one.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that it was based on the suspicion of manipulation

SOLUTION

raised by northern lawmakers against the two top-ranking lawmakers from the SouthEast that Tambuwal foiled the public presentation of the report, which the duo had hoped to use and convince the leadership to go for state creation.

Trouble reportedly started when the House Speaker ordered Ihedioha to stand down the presentation even after the dignitaries invited to grace the occasion had already assembled for the event.

Tambuwal, it was gathered, had come under immense pressure from northern lawmakers to cancel the session which, they claimed, had been programmed to promote an ‘’Igbo Agenda ‘’ to their detriment.

“It was due to this reason that the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who was supposed to chair the occasion, refused to show up,” a lawmaker said.

An uncomfortable House Speaker was said to have threatened to call off the entire exercise if Ihedioha insisted on going ahead with the presentation. Ihedioha complied and apologised to the guests to disperse until further notice.

The source, who is close to the leadership of the NASS, claimed that, contrary to allegation that the two men doctored the report to favour state creation, Nigerians actually voted for more states and that the results clearly established that.

The lawmaker, who hails from one of the Niger Delta states, challenged Tambuwal and his group to allow Ekweremadu and Ihedioha to present the report in its present form for Nigerians to see who was speaking the truth on the matter.

‘NO DOCTORING’

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UT, last night, E k w e r e m a d u

He spoke to Sunday Vanguard through his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu. According to him, the Joint Committee of National Assembly on Constitution Review no longer exists but that the two chambers would harmonise their positions.

Anichukwu noted, “Contrary to insinuations, the committee has been working smoothly, thoroughly, transparently, and patriotically as a team and with the whole nation, the nation’s democracy, and posterity at heart. close aide to Ihedioha, on the other hand, defended the Imo State-born politician, saying he had given his all to ensure the success of the exercise in the interest of the nation and its people as a patriotic Nigerian leader.

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Super Eagles on the threshold of history Continued from page 1 leather game. In 1994, he won the trophy as captain of the Nigerian team, the last time Nigeria lifted the cup. If he leads the Super Eagles to win the trophy today, he then becomes only the second man to have won the tournament as player and coach after Egyptian legend, late Mahmoud El Gohary.

The stage for this epochal occasion is the magnificent National Stadium, formerly Soccer City, famed for staging the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The high and mighty, including host President, Jacob Zuma, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, CAF boss, Issa Hayatou and the over 10 million television viewers around the globe will witness the final of Africa’s soccer showpiece.

From a sluggish start in the group stage, the Stephen Keshi tutored Super Eagles have, within three weeks, transformed into an allconquering side which Malian keeper, Mommodu Samassa has described as “Brazil” after suffering a 4-1 humiliating defeat in the semi final.

Ironically, it was the same Burkina Faso the Super Eagles met in the opening group game which ended 1-1. The Nigerians ended the match with ten men after Efe Ambrose received the referee’s marching order. Today’s battle could therefore be a battle for superiority, particularly, as the Stallions finished tops ahead of Eagles in the group.

All that has changed as the Nigerians look destined for greatness if they can maintain their quarter final and semi final form. With the duo of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses declared fit for this all-important clash, the attack which will also parade power-playing Brown Ideye may not slag. Midfield maestro Mikel Obi’s partnership with Lazio kid star, Ogenyi Onazi seems to have rolled back the glory years of the Eagles mobile midfield, noted for its fluidity and seamless linkage between the defence and the attack. With

the roving role of home boy, Sunday Mba they have provided good transition between the rear and the attack. Should they keep their nerves, the Burkinabes will find the Super Eagles even tougher than they expect.

Coach Stephen Keshi should leave his match-winning, time tested defensive fortress intact.

Vincent Enyeama, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Elderson Echejile and Kenneth Omeruo have proved too reliable to be tampered with. The technical crew should not fall into the temptation of bringing in Yobo early in the match. This a very crucial moment that should not be gambled with. Yobo can continue playing the ceremonial figure head he has been saddled with and be prepared to receive the trophy at the end of the match.

But the Eagles have an up-hill task in the resilient Burkinabes.

Looking at the final match, former Nigerian international, Peter Rufai said, “it is not going to be an easy match because Burkina Faso do not play takeit-easy kind of game. They are tactically sound and they take the fight to their opponents without ceasing- they fight to the end. That’s why our defenders must not relax till the final whistle.”

Rufai advised the Nigerian players to approach the game with discipline and sound mental strength. “I foresee an explosive game,” the former Nigeria captain said.

With the loss of Alain Traore to injury, Burkina Faso ’s potency could be slightly reduced. However, with the return of earlier suspended Jonathan Pitriopa and dreaded Seidu Bancey still raring to go and the depth in coach Paul Put’s armoury, we may not have seen the last yet to what Burkina Faso have off their sleeves.

It is against this background that Keshi has pleaded with his players to give Nigeria this day.

“We have done enough to win this cup. We have worked hard and we expect to win. I pray that the boys live up to expectation and give us this day. Yes, they can”.

PAGE 6—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Police repel terror attack in Kano, arrest 2 BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, KANO.

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HE police, on Friday night, repelled an attack by suspected terrorists on Minjibir divisional office, 32 kilometers east of K ano city.

Police sources said the assailants, numbering over 30, stormed the station at about 8.30 p.m.on motocycles and tricycles.

The officers, who were said to have been on alert, responded and a firefight that lasted 45 minutes ensued.

It was learnt that although there was no casualty on the part of the police, there were blood marks after the attack that led to the arrest of two fleeing suspects.

Confirming the incident to journalists in Kano, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, said “the gallant officers on duty successfully repelled the

attack” Idris revealed that “two fleeing suspects were arrested by my men after the attack”, adding that “ we have

commenced an inquiry into the motives of the a t t a c k e r s ” The CP disclosed that “there is no fatality or injury on our side aside

the windscreens of our vehicle and windows that were shattered during the gun duel”, stressing that the police divison was intact.

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State (middle), flanked by his wife, Margaret (right) and the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Lawrence Ikeakor (right), flagging off the first round of 2013 National Immunization Days Plus for children under the age of 5 at the Primary Health Centre, Uboma, Ukpor.

Don’t grant local govts autonomy, Itse Sagay warns BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME

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HAIRMAN, South South Think Tank, PROFESSOR Itse Sagay, has cautioned against autonomy for local governments in the on-going constitutional amendment.

The professor of law, in a goodwill message read at the inaugural forum of the body in Port Harcourt. opined that local government autonomy was incompatible with federalism. He said the amended constitution should rather empower states to create and fund their own local governments all over the country.

“Gover nments autonomy and federalism are incompatible.

Local governments must not feature in any new constitution.

States should create and fund a hundred percent their local governments at

will.“ Meantime, the body in its communiqué released yesterday after a two day deliberation, called for speedy passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, stressing that the law was critical to the development of the oil and gas sector in the country.

The group also noted that the PIB, when passed into law, would promote transparency and accountability in the sector.

The group further urged government to come up with measures to productive engage youths, adding that the unemployment situation was posing serious challenges of kidnapping and other related crimes in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country.

The communiqué also called for a credible selection process among people of the Niger Delta region that would throw up capable leaders for public offices.

Commissioner cries foul over acid bath on Ondo official

BY DAYO JOHNSON

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NDO State commissioner for natural resources, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo, wants the police to expose those behind the acid bath on a former member of the state Task Force on Forest Reserves,, Mr Adetutu Ajisafe.

Oluboyo said the assailants should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard in Akure, he described the attack as barbaric.

The commissioner said he was embarrassed by the claim that linked him with the attack and promised to assist security agents in fishing out the perpetrators.

Oluboyo denied any involvement in the attack.

According to him, the victim was a member of the task force dissolved by him when he assumed duty as commissioner in the state in 2011.

The commissioner noted that it took the ministry two months to retrieve government properties in Ajisafe’s possession after the task force has been dissolved.

He recalled writing a petition to the state commissioner of police over alleged impersonation by Ajisafe after he had been disengaged from the task force.

“I have never set my eyes on him for a long time. I don’t have cause to call him and wonder

why he was claiming that I called him on phone to threaten him, let the security investigate”.

Ondo State police image maker, Wole Ogodo, confirmed that the victim was still unconscious and had not been able to finger those behind the dastardly act.

Ogodo described as false a report that the victim accused some Labour Party chieftains in the state and the commissioner for natural resources of masterminding the attack.

Projects: Uduaghan gets commendation

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HE immediate past chairman, Ode-Itsekiri D e v e l o p m e n t Committee, CDC, Mr. Ebobo Araye, has commended Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State over ongoing projects and rapid development across the state.

Araye, who had earlier assured Deltans of the best from Uduaghan, pointed out that unfolding events in the state, such as the ongiong massive rehabilitation of roads, renovation of schools, hospitals and other developmental projects across the state, has vindicated him.

He advised that Deltans should continue supporting Uduaghan’s administration.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 7

Amaechi is a transformational leader – Bamanga Tukur

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HE National Chairman of the P e o p l e s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has described Rivers State governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum(NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the best for him, considering his achievements and the numerous peopleoriented projects embarked upon by his administration.

Tukur spoke, yesterday, after inspecting p rojects,

including the new worldclass Kesley Harrison Hospital and the ultramodern state-of-the-art Maxillo-Facial Dental Hospital, built by the Amaechi administration in Port Harcourt. Earlier on Friday, he had seen the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road, a 42-kilometre federal road done by the Amaechi administration, the new model primary and secondary schools, one of the over 120 new health centres, Songhai Farm in Tai, Afam power project,

Obiri-Ikwerre interchange on the East –West Road, and the over 38,000-seater new stadium being constructed in the Greater Port Harcourt City.

He said, with the level of social and economic transformation in the state, Port Harcourt is now in the list of developed cities of the world.

The PDP leader explained that basic developmental projects in the area of road, infrastructure and transportation, education, health and economic transformation “has become a glaring programme people can see in the heart of the nation, as efforts have been directed and focused on fantastic development and achievements by the Amaechi administration”.

Tukur went on: “What I mean by a developed state in the comity of nations is when you can see education being transformed, health, infrastructure are given priority and whatever things(infrastructures) developed countries can be proud of, we also have them in Rivers State.

From right: The former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; the leader, Yoruba Unity Forum, Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi; coordinating chairman, Southern Nigerian Peoples Assembly Conference of Elders and Leaders; and former vice president, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at a meeting in Enugu.

“God has given us land, water and people, and if you take our people and give them education, a secured environment and sustainability, so that things can keep revolving and evolving, making it a

continuous process that state or nation becomes a developed nation, but without mincing words, since Friday, when I arrived Port Harcourt at noon, I have been inspecting one project or

the other till this morning (yesterday)… It is very difficult to praise your son because he’s (Amaechi) the best for me”, he added.

Speaking at a dinner party held in his honour at

APC is good for Nigeria – Utomi

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

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professor of p o l i t i c a l economy and management, Pat Utomi, is happy with the coming together of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Congress for Progressive Change {CPC} to form a new alliance, All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking as guest speaker during the 5 th Founder ’s Day, annual lecture and awards of Bible Society of Nigeria, Utomi said the idea is a good one, explaining that it will create a credible alternative platform for the electorate.

According to him, APC is for the betterment of the Nigerian democratic system and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the alliance will serve as a clear alternative that will challenge the ruling party.

His words: “It will be better for our country if we have a clear alternative even for the good of PDP because any organization that does not have alternative suffers

greatly and does not know that it is digging its own grave. At least, if there is an alternative challenging an organisation, it will enable such organisation to think straight and do things differently for the common good of all and the whole country will benefit from that. It is a welcome idea and it is my prayer that this will be the beginning of real democracy”.

While delivering his lecture under the theme, “Selfless service: Key to achieve sustainable national economic growth and development,” the professor advised Nigerian individuals to be agents of change in their respective environment, to generate to the larger society.

He also urged Christians to desist from living chameleon life, but live according to biblical injunction and be desirous of living purpose driven life.

“There should not be difference between the Christian on Sunday and that of Monday, there should be unity of life because if a Christian is unable to live the same way he or she lives on Sunday, there is something wrong with such Christian. We need to be prayerful and careful about the things

Government House on Friday night, Tukur said PDP will never lose to any party if transformational leaders like Amaechi are behind the party.

“Believe me, PDP will never lose to any party if people like Governor Amaechi stand boldly behind us. We will win and continue to win in any election… Support your gover nor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, support our party, then be sure to win your elections”, he said.

“What I have seen today gave me hope. I saw first of all the development of the education sector and I want to say education is key, the laboratory facilities in the new model schools and the ICT facilities will indeed spur the students to major in science subjects. But the whole of these projects need sustainability, continue to aim at your targets to achieve your goals and vision.”

The National Chairman of the PDP also urged party faithful to always embrace peace and reconcile differences to achieve set targets for the party.

On his part, Amaechi assured Tukur that PDP governors will support and remain loyal to the party at all times, urging him to always lead the party to victory.

“We assure you that governors will support and remain loyal to the party; we need each other at such a challenging moment.

Lead us to victory and it is important that we don’t take ourselves for granted, so that we will continue to lead ourselves and the party to victory ”, the governor said.

“The PDP governors will do everything necessary to ensure that they deliver to the people. You are one man from the private sector that has come to the public sector and you came with the experience of the private sector and I commend you for your sacrifice and wish to recall one of the things you told me, ‘ young man, I am here to help you people.’ I will ask you to extend that help so that the party will move forward”.

A n n u a l Convention

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annual

convention of Christ Healing Evangelical Church, CHEC, holds Wednesday, February 13 to Sunday, February 17 at the Camp Ground, Km 45, Lagos – Ibadan Expressway, L aburo, Mowe, Ogun State.

The event, to be presided over by the General Overseer, Pastor Samuel B a b a t u n d e O g u n f o w o k a n , alongside the Motherin-Israel, Lady Evangelist Beatrice Bamidele, will witness the ordination of ministers and special thanksgiving service.

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Oritsejafor to Pentecostal pastors: Question the source of your members’ wealth

BY SAM EYOBOKA, Uyo

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E N T E C O S TA L Fellowship of Nigeria, PFN, rose from its 12th biennial conference on Friday night in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo, with a resolution to tackle corruption in the nation through deliberate isolation of corrupt members.

The position of the charismatic preachers, most of whom loudly voiced their anger against the high rate of corruption and fake pastors in the land, was articulated by the outgoing National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who charged Pentecostal ministers to scrutinise the source of their members wealth. He spoke at the grand finale of the 12th biennial conference of the Fellowship.

Turning to the mammoth crowd of Pentecostal ministers and the congregation that overtook the Uyo Township Stadium, Oritsejafor said: “We must be ready to give an account for ourselves and therefore we will no longer tolerate criminals in the Church of God. Men of God, you must be ready to question the source of members wealth.”

He expressed disgust on the level of corruption in the country, saying it was totally disheartening when he read the report of a man who stole about N23 billion Police Pension Fund saying ‘he only stole N23 billion.’

Oritsejafor, who drew attention to the story of Daniel who refused to defile himself with the king’s delicacies, charged doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians and all professionals to carry their mandate without any form of compromise, arguing “there is nothing on the king’s table that is worth your Godgiven mandate.”

According to him, right from the Presidency to the least person in the local government level “ we must be ready to declare that we will not compromise our salvation or the mandate God had given to us.”

Oritsejafor declared that the current persecution of the Church in Nigeria did not begin with Boko Haram.

According to him, there

has been a deliberate act to silence the Church in the North long before the emergence of Boko Haram, stating that it is common knowledge that despite the pretence to one brotherhood in the country, no church in that region has been given a certificate of occupancy in the last 30 years.

“I stand to be corrected, there is no university campus in the North where Christian students are allowed to worship their God without harassment,” he stated, calling on all delegates from that part of the country not to run away.

“They are doing everything to squeeze you out your God-given land in the North, but I urge you to stay. Don’t run away, the Church in the South will stand by you. Don’t compromise because of persecution. God will stand by you,” he said, adding that

as God rose on behalf of Daniel, Joseph and many others in the Bible, so God will stand by the Christians in the North.

Oritsejafor further encouraged them to be steadfast, saying “no gates of Hell, neither conspiracy from the pit of hell can stop the Church in this country. if they cannot stop the Church, they cannot stop you.”

Earlier, the new PFN president, Rev. Felix Omobude, who described Oritsejafor as the voice of the Lord in this hour, also charged Christians not to be weary of current happenings in the country, saying that God will fight for His people.

Speaking on; “In the volume of book”, Omobude said evil people will rage against the Church and God people but in spite of all these labour and persecution, God will open a new page for the Church.

Ekiti State Governor and celebrant Dr Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, cutting the birthday cake with students of Government Special School for the Blind, Ikere- Ekiti during a special session with the students as part of activities marking the Governor’s 48th birthday on Saturday.

Nsukka murder: 16 on police wanted list

BY CHINENYEH OZOR land committee of Ogbagu Nkpunano.

He explained that the IXTEEN people are Agbani Nguru community on the wanted list of the had concluded plans to set Enugu State Police up a committee to assist Command following the the police in their killing of a rights activist investigations to track down Representative of the Minister of Education, Dr O. Oyewo, presenting the and politician at Agbani- the killers. Distinguished Alumni Award to Chief Bala Yesufu, during the 40th Founder's Nguru, in Nsukka Local Enugu State Police Public Day anniversary of the Federal Govt College, Enugu.

Government Area of the Relations Officer, Ebere state, Ozioko Christopher Amarizu had, while Ejike Onah, aka Papa reacting to the killing, said Nsukka, last week. a case of malicious damage Onah was killed at his to property had earlier been residence, thus causing reported against the tension in the area. deceased, pointing out that Sources said those being his killing could ‘’be a BY SIMON EBEGchairmanship and coun- insist on equity, justice sought by the police reprisal.’’ cillorship candidates of the and fairplay while making BULEM, Benin City participated in the murder “Our major concern now Action Congress of Nige- their decision. of Onah. is to conduct an autopsy but In the primaries held HEAD of the April ria (ACN) emerged, yesThe Agbani Nguru no arrest has been made,’’ 20 local government terday, through affirma- yesterday, the former community paid a solidarity Amarizu hinted. elections in Edo State, the tion in the primaries held woman leader of the Peovisit to Nsukka Divional in the 18 Local Govern- ples Democratic Party Police Officer, DPO, James ment Councils of the state. (PDP) in Edo State, Mrs Nwokolo, to assure him that The primaries was gen- Lucy Omagbon, emerged they were solidity behind erally peaceful owing to as the ACN chairmanship the police in their efforts to A Israel Babafemi John’s Anglican Church, the fact that the leaders of candidate in Ovia North unveil the circumstance Akilo is dead. Ido-Ekiti, on Friday, Feb- the party in the 18 Local East Local Government surrounding the murder.

Government Councils Council along with her Briefing newsmen later on Aged 81, Papa passed ruary 22. Interment fol- held marathon meetings Vice, Dumez Ugiagbe. the issue, a community on, on Wednesday, Jan- lows immediately.

Other chairmanship canPa Akilo is survived with the aspirants where leader in the area, Chief uary 23. During his lifedidates that emerged inconsensus was reached Ikechukwu Obayi, time, he was, at differ- by his wife, Mrs. Mary on the choice of candi- clude Roland Alari explained that they were ent times, a teacher, a Onaola Akilo (nee dates.

(Uhumwonde), Osaro law abiding citizens who do principal and a politi- Ogunrinde), many chilThe bickering earlier wit- Obaze (Oredo), Itohan not harbour criminals of any cian of progressive hue. dren and grand chil- nessed among the party Osahon (Ikpoba Okhai) kind, ruling out the According to funeral ar- dren, including Mr. members as regards the and Morrison Ogurobo. allegation that Onah’s rangements, wake-keep Tunde Akilo, Permanent choice of some candidates Alari, who spoke to death had something to do holds on Thursday, Feb- Secretary, Ekiti State was resolved with the in- newsmen shortly after his with land dispute. ruary 21, at his residence, Ministry of Works and tervention of Governor emergence, said, “I thank According to Obayi, the G6, Ise Oluwa Lane, Ido- Transportation; Toyin; Adams Oshiomhole who God the people of Uhumdeceased, until his death, Ekiti, Ekiti State, while fu- Shade; Akin; Biodun; encouraged the leaders to wonde have spoken. was the chairman of the neral service holds at St. Ayo and Tope.

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EDO LG Polls: Former PDP woman leader, others emerge ACN candidates

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Akilo, Ekiti Perm Sec, loses dad

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SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 9

"Christy! Don't believe all what you hear, believe half of what you see".

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

E-mail: sunvanguardmail@yahoo.com

Corruption and its effects on Nigeria Dear Sir,

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IGERIA, the most populous Black Country, is in the prison of corruption.

Corruption is Nigerian’s Achilles heels. It has eaten off our moral fabric.

Can a country that is bedeviled by corruption grow? The answer is a categorical no.

Corruption rears its ugly head in all facets of our national life. A Nigerian who is not corrupt is considered to be an abnormal human being. He is called a “mugu”, which means a sucker in English. We have a culture of corruption into which teenage youths are socialized. When parents hire surrogate candidates to write such examinations as UTME, SSCE and NECO for their children, they have unwittingly initiated and socialized their children into the culture of corruption.

And, their rich parents will buy admissions for them to study law, accountancy or medicine in our universities. Being mentally indolent and ill-prepared for academic rigours in schools, they offer either sex or money to lecturers so as to score high grades in their courses. Consequently, now, we’ve millions of university graduates who are found wanting both in character and learning. Can a university graduate with moral bankruptcy and intellectual vacuity contribute to our national development? When these half- baked university graduates with twisted

minds find themselves in positions of power and influence, they will pervert the system to achieve their base and selfish goals.

It is sad that our educational system has become dysfunctional owing to corruption. So, rich parents send their children to Ghana and Europe for schooling as our cult-infested schools have become grounds for staging beauty pageant competitions and propagation of religious bigotry. Their sending of their children to Europe to acquire Western education causes capital flight, which does not boost our economy.

Our economy is ailing and hemorrhaging from deleterious

corrupt practices that are deftly perpetrated by those minding our financial chests and collective wealth.

As Nigerians perceive occupying positions of power as a licence and opportunity to amass wealth by fair or foul means, our political leaders are helping themselves to our collective wealth. They steal our money to indulge their fancies, whims and caprices at our expense.

Monies that should be channeled into fixing our infrastructure are stolen by people holding positions of influence and power. So, our hospitals have morphed from consulting clinics to mortuaries. Poor people go to our hospital to die, and not to recover from

their ailments. Our roads that are filled with craters are death-traps that cause the deaths of Nigerians daily. The dilapidated east-west road has remained an open sore in the psyche of our leaders.

In spite of the humongous money injected into the power sector in the country, electricity supply has remained erratic.

Until corruption dealth with, Nigeria can’t achieve its potential in spite of its natural and human resources. A stitch in time saves nine.

Chiedu Uche Okoye, lives in Uruowulu – Obosi Anambra State

We deserve good leadership Dear Sir,

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HERE is no gainsaying that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and states Governors are in difficult times but the truth must be told, Nigerians are expecting purposeful, resourceful Godly leadership. One is deeply surprised that since May 29, 2011 when we began another democratic dispensation, Nigeria’s development continues to be hampered by bad leadership, moral decadence, hunger, poverty, insecurity and deep-rooted

corruption. Our leaders tell lies under oath, trust in deceitful words. They make promises and break them.

What Nigerians need now are God-fearing leaders who will work hard in raising the standard of living of the people, transform the society, make policies that would give all Nigerians a sense of oneness.

Nigeria has very big potentials to become one of the most powerful countries of the world, and for it to occupy such position, it must transform its system, integrate the people, grow the economy and fight poverty and

hunger. Nigerian and the leaders should also allow God to direct the affairs of their governance.

President Goodluck Jonathan-led team need to urgently tackle energy problem, revive industries, encourage entrepreneurs, create mass emoployment for the youths and look into the security situations in its entirety.

Unless we address the challenge of leadership, the country can never move forward.

Prophet Oladipupo Funmiladewrites in from Lagos

PAGE 10—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

FG Vs Ezekwesili: Two sides of the same phoney currency-- 1

ing, off-key, the tune in support of President Jonathan, would like unwary Nigerians to believe that their verbal media slugfest is a contest between “good” and “evil”. It is nothing of the sort. This is not a case of “saints” and “devils”; it is a contest between those who took us to the cleaners between 1999 and 2007, and those who are screwing us now. The latter started in 2007 and have not stopped. Nobody who was, or, is, a member of any of the governments should attempt to fool us by issuing half-truths and plain falsehood to the media. Dr Ezekwesili will not enhance her personal reputation by admitting she was a member of the gang that ruled for eight years between 1999 and 2007.

Dr Ezekwesili started the altercations, and, she had asked for a debate between herself and the incumbent Minister of Information – in my view, a professional dissembler, graduate of University of Jos. Any media house accepting to host such a de-

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge." --- Stephen Hawking

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read with bewilder ment Dr. Reuben Aba ti's article titled 'The Hypocrisy of Yesterday's Men'' (3rd Feb.2013) which was published in almost every newspapers in the land.

I must say his piece was such a beautiful, nonsensical prose, crafted to express lies, empty boasts, rudeness, vulgarity and all wrapped up in fantasy and delivered with such aplomb worthy of his pay packet.

Of course, know if you have the means and selfimportance you can do such thing! His writing belays his loyalty and why should we be surprised when we know who pays the piper definitely dictates this poetic tirade.

It was quite cringe wor-

thy as he extols his master's achievements: the airports being upgraded, rebuilt, remodernised and so on.

Someone has been so deluded to believe their own version of the truth.

So with one quick swoop of his well poised quiver, the court scribe managed to make enemies and alienate friends. And with his strategically aimed prose he then pour scorn on the rest of ordinary citizens as impressionable, gullible and easily led. The question and one that remains unanswered, is thus: where is the $35bn Nigeria’s foreign reserve left by the Obasanjo's administrations? I am not sure how much Jonathan knew about the content of his scribe proclamations, if he did know and if he approved it then, it gives a glimpse of type of man that he is and worse still, if he did not know and Abati was given carte blanche to

sili to prove that the government of Obasanjo, which she served, actually left $67 billion in foreign reserves, which Presidents Yar ’Adua and Jonathan preceded to “squander ”. Allegation has never been considered sufficient reason to condemn anybody until there is proof to substantiate it. Until the former Minister substantiates her claim; it remains a rumour; and a wicked one at that. Let me hereby warn her supporters, nobody should send me a text message or call unless

The truth is Obasanjo’s government, instead of $67 billion, that administration should probably have left nothing less than $100 billion in the kitty. Where is the rest?

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they have proof to offer in support of the claim of $67 billion thrown away.

Only fools do that sort of thing. I don’t suffer fools gladly on important matters.

Let me start by drawing the attention of the former Minister to the book, PDP: CORRUPTION INCORPORATED, part one of which is now in print. If she dares to

ernment which returned about $5 billion from the Abacha loot illegally held in that country. Till today, there has been no account rendered to the nation by Obasanjo about the recovered loot.

Even if Dr Ezekwesili wants to argue that she was not in government until 2004, she cannot make the same claim about the next two exam-

write, print and damn the nation then, we know the type of leader that we always knew he was.

All Jonathan was asked to account for the 67 billion USD and this must have touched a raw nerve so they (I mean Jonathan and his scribe) came out fighting.

"One cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."-- Franklin D. Roosevelt

The polio Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) recently met last month, to conclude that although the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) missed its end-2012 milestone of stopping all wild poliovirus transmission globally, the programme had brought the world to the brink of eradicating polio.

"Now more than ever, the world must be absolute in its resolve to eradicate polio," the Board said in a statement. "If the right things are done and commitment remains high, it will happen."

I was one of the sceptic that thought it could not be done but they have man-

Lets erradicate Polio

When I was growing up, it was a common sight to see young children with severe mobility problems trying but failing to join in with other children playing,

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bate should engage me as the moderator because this one calls for an unbiased umpire. So far, all those who have contributed to this controversy had taken sides. The opposition political parties, civil society groups etc had swallowed Dr Ezekwesili’s words hook, line and sinker. That is expected from My Fellow Citizens; whereas at Unijankara, we always “ wonder how many fools it takes to make the term My Fellow Citizens” (Horace Balzac, 1799-1850). Meanwhile government supporters and the PDP had left the substance and are, characteristically, chasing shadows. The sum total of their defence comes to “ we met only $40-something billion in the kitty not $67 billion”. That sounds like the kid accused, in a “face-me-Iface-you” house, of stealing six chunks of meat from the neighbour ’s pot of stew who replied, “I am not a thief, there were only four chunks of meat when I opened the pot and emptied it”. The Minister of Information has not told us what they did with what they met in the reserves.

Collectively and individually, most commentators have failed to take the first step required of any objective public analyst and commentator— they didn’t ask Dr Ezekwe-

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“A truth that’s told with bad intent; beats all the lies you can invent”. William Blake, 1757-1827.

(VANGUARD BOOK OF QUOTATIONS p 254).

HE two chorus teams, those singing the hymn called by ex-Minister, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, and those render-

read that book, published by me, she would be ashamed to have been associated with the government of Olusegun Obasanjo which developed the template for (mis)management of public funds since independence. Three examples will be sufficient, out of the thousands available on record, and, which unlike Dr Ezekwesili’s allegations against Yar ’Adua and Jonathan, are based on rock solid facts.

Perhaps the best place to start is with the Abacha Loot, locally and abroad.

The last decree signed by General Abubakar Abdusalami, was Decree 53 on May 26, 1999. In it the Federal government announced the forfeiture of money, houses and businesses corruptly acquired

by Abacha, his National Security Adviser, his Chief Security Adviser as well as his son. After that the Federal government mounted pressure on the Swiss gov-

Now more than ever, the world must be absolute in its resolve to eradicate polio

or young people who made to beg on the street side with this debilitating and life limiting conditions. We often consign people to the rubbish heap once they have a disability. They are often disadvantaged and unable to lead a normal life.

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aged to reduce the epidemic of polio cases by over 99% since 1988. Polio (poliomyelitis) mainly affects children under five years of age. Polio can spread from these 'endemic' countries to infect children in other countries with less-thanadequate vaccination and

ples. The first was the Petroleum Development Trust Fund, PDTF, scandal which broke out when Obasanjo and Atiku were at loggerheads. OBJ as everybody, but his servants in gover nment knew, wanted a Third Term.

Atiku also wanted to exercise his rights under the 1999 constitution to contest for the Presidency after Baba Iyabo might have completed his two terms. One of the most dramatic arenas of conflict was the PDTF. After trying everything else to get rid of Atiku, the former Vice President was accused of looting the PDTF – based on spurious and biased report submitted by Malam Nuhu Ribadu, ex-Chairman of the EFCC. Thereafter an Administrative Inquiry was ordered by the former President, headed by the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, but, including Dr Ezekwesili among other cabinet members to look into the PDTF account. Predictably, the kangaroo court of Obasanjo’s Ministers heaped all the blame for mismanagement and looting of the PDTF account on Atiku and a motion was moved at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting to expel Atiku from the weekly FEC meeting. First, the former VP contested the legality of the Administrative Inquiry in court and won; then the Senate proceeded to probe the PDTF account after Malam Shehu Garba, a small Napoleon, took on the Federal government with his factual exposures.

In the end, the Senate established at least N269 billion of PDTF money mismanaged by OBJ plus billions more for which there was no proper account. All these are partly documented in the book, PDP: COR-

RUPTION INCORPORATED. From the Senate probe, which was only partly reported in the book, it was clear that for every finger Atiku was alleged to have dipped into the national soup pot, Obasanjo scooped with two hands.

So, on PDTF, Dr Ezekwesili, as a Federal Minister and one of those who voted to oust Atiku from the weekly FEC meeting, while ignoring Obasanjo’s greater involvement in the scandal, was at the time an accessory to the atrocities committed by her boss.

Finally, the most annoying part of Dr Ezekwesili’s assumption of righteousness, on behalf of the government she served, had to do with her expectation that Nigerians will be awed by her declaration of $67 billion left by Obasanjo and wasted or embezzled

by Yar’Adua and Jonathan.

Virtually all who have blindly supported her, without asking questions, are guilty of not putting on their thinking caps before rushing to the media. The truth is Obasanjo’s government, instead of $67 billion, that administration should probably have left nothing less than $100 billion in the kitty. Where is the rest?

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It is a classic case of disinformation coming from a man suffering from a very low self esteem…Abati is a liar ”.

Femi Fani-Kayode responding to Dr Reuben Abati, Senior Special Adviser to President Jonathan.

What a heavy price to pay in exchange for money, power and position.

Abati a liar? An icon of journalism a liar? God help us.

Visit Website: www.delesobowale.com

one in 200 infected leads to irreversible paralysis. So, amongst those paralysed, 5% to 10% die when their breathing muscles become immobilized.

So when I read that although the success has been resounding in most placed worldwide. With the exception of three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. I was not expecting to see Nigeria amongst this group. The challenges faced in these countries were attributed to insecurity, weak health systems and poor sanitation.

So as long as a single child remains infected, then others are at risk in the region to spread new cases every year. So can we expect our ministry of health to make the extra effort to expedite the process and help eradicate Polio. What is needed most of all is that we need to change our society mindset that begging is a career option, it is not and it should not be. With free, quality education and access to health care, we can prepare a future for our young and with proper planning, we can lift many out of poverty.

Response to fight or flight Naheem Adio Kujenya wrote: Quite an elaborate exposition of the shocking states of affairs with Nigeria, a land where righteousness is distasteful; a cursed

nation bedevilled by its own nationals- adamant people so overwhelmed by innate craze to be rich by shamelessly stealing from the public treasury. Insanely lawless people so enshrined by frivolous titles and accolades. These are damned and confused people clinging on religiosity with their forsaken moral values and spurious standards. They are tenacious people at breaking all rules, who find loopholes and maintain above-the-law cultism, pretenders with twisted realities for justice.

Flight or fight? None is a better option! Perplexed and desensitized to perpetual bad governance, it is no surprise these people very much used to abuses opted to flight than fight. The flight of the minds, not that beyond the geographical boundaries, rather the solacement flight to divinity for deliverance.

A departure from doing the right thing! Fighting for one's rights is an antipathy and tasking, challenging the societal models commonly accepted by the people; weirdly as it may seem, fight like right is wrong! You will be amazed that these people are not stuck in the middle; the attitudinal indifference to righteousness is just a norm. In this country, commonsense is at odds...

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 11

Good Governance Tour: Questions begging for answers ance tour. Maku’s arrangement is probably more in-depth than others. Taking due cognizance of the criticisms of the Gana initiative, Maku solicited and obtained the blessings of the Federal Executive Council and the almighty Governor ’s Forum before he began his tour. The team has since been to several states in an engaging programme which begins at 8am and ends at 11pm daily. One credit no one can take

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HE inability of government to persuade the people to embrace its policies is not new in Nigeria. During the Babangida days, the then Minister of Information, Prince Tony Momoh thought he could redress the situation through what became known as ‘letter to my countrymen’- a write-up by the Minister to his fellow citizens to change their perception of government.

Some years later, the ubiquitous Professor Jerry Gana took up the same challenge. This time he chose to facilitate a tour of the nation to create room for journalists to be better informed in their coverage of government. When Frank Nweke Jnr took over that same driver ’s role he nicknamed his own tour “Lest we forget” to get Nigerians to appreciate the Obasanjo administration against the backdrop of the rot of the past.

Labaran Maku, the current Minister of Information has followed his predecessors by instituting what he calls the National Good Govern-

tive which ought to ordinarily bridge the gap between government and the people has a rather general enlightenment posture. That should not be so.

It is obviously not enough to show that government is busier than critics would admit. The tour should seek to address the specific and sometimes recurring issues which have left the citizenry in a state of helplessness. A week ago for instance, this writer

The Good Governance Tour should show us which one hospital in Nigeria is good enough for our leaders and why they always ignore it to attend hospitals abroad

away from the Maku style is the fact that it has shown beyond doubt that the charge of “nothing is happening” in government is not true. This is because the tour has thrown ample light on several federal and state government projects.

Unfortunately, the initia-

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had cause to visit two friends in Onitsha and Enugu. What I experienced in the journey left me in doubt as to whether the ‘patch-patch’route I took is the same one for the Governance Tour.

Thus, the tour would be more appreciated if it focuses on areas of discon-

PhD, Department of Philosophy, University of Lagos,

Turning point in Nigeria’s historical evolution: A critical interpretation (1) group, blind and pachydermatous to the lessons of history – one can almost say that our ruling elite is insular to the harsh verdict of history concerning primitive accumulators.

If our leaders are wellinformed about the futility of bulimic accumulation, and really take to heart the incontrovertible

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AST week we ar gued, among oth er things, that the present ruling elite who constitute less than one percent of the Nigerian population are unwilling and incapable of moving the country from the precarious position it is at the moment to a better place in the future. Keep in mind that this group, which includes top key players in politics, the military and business, controls over ninety percent of the country ’s wealth.

The reasons for our pessimism about the ruling class are not far to seek.

To begin with, ninetynine percent of that class are solely motivated by primitive accumulation in whatever they do, especially if they are elected or appointed to serve in one official capacity or another. Values which are necessary for effective leadership such as selflessness, patriotism and enlightened social conscience do not enter into their calculus for public office. In addition, Nigerian leaders are, as a

ital development and wealth creation. It is not gainsaid that our leaders are hypocritical, deceitful and wicked. Nothing exemplifies this better than the penchant of members of the ruling cabals at both the executive and legislative arms of government, their relatives and acolytes to travel abroad for medical treat-

Values which are necessary for effective leadership such as selflessness, patriotism and enlightened social conscience do not enter into their calculus for public office

truth that the greatest good a leader can do to himself and his people is to serve selflessly without exploiting his position for material benefit, then the stench of corruption that pervades the country would have dissipated.

More tellingly, Nigeria could have witnessed tremendous progress in the quest for human cap-

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ment even for what the media assistant to the Senate President described as “minor ailments.” The logic behind this palpable absurdity is simple: the lives of a prominent Nigerian, his family members and friends are more precious than the lives of ordinary citizens; therefore, it does not matter if average Nigerians die as

tent. Here, lets us recall the televised protest not long ago of Aba lawyers over bad roads in their city. Maku needs to lead his men on tour of the roads which agitated the lawyers. It would be useful for Nigerians to know if the roads have been repaired or if indeed the lawyers were mere alarmists.

The East- West Road is one that many people are aggrieved about. The tour should enlighten us all on whether the cost and pace of work of the unending project can compare favourably with what happens in other countries. Indeed, international construction companies in other parts of the world first provide an alternative route before blocking a road for rehabilitation. Even at that, they create minimum discomfort by working at night and on weekends. Why do the same companies operate differently in Nigeria?

Maku, a professional colleague for whom I have a lot of regard should not give any governor effusive commendation for presenting a new road that is nearing completion without telling us the cost, how many times it was re-awarded and whether it will, like the Lokoja-Abuja Road be under construction without end.

The Good Governance Tour should show us which one hospital in Nigeria is good enough for our leaders and why they always ignore it to attend hospitals abroad.

It will also be nice to know why our public hospitals always require patients to go to commercial centres for items like xrays and laboratory tests.

Are the facilities for such items too expensive for government to procure?

Is commercialized health care delivery a feature of good governance? If not, which public hospital is meant for the poor and low income citizens in Garki, in the over-developed federal capital territory, now that the Garki hospital is privatized?

Patriotic politicians of old used development to discourage the drift from rural to urban centres. In my part of the nation, a rather small villageUghelli became a famous city because of a project like the government college that was established there. In later years, the city of Ede dwindled because the famous Queens School in the town was forcibly moved to the regional capital at the time –Ibadan. It was to return to the good old days of developing rural areas that local government areas were created but today ’s governors keep diverting their financial allocations into private pockets leaving the areas undeveloped.

Maku and his team should ask every governor they meet to, in furtherance of good governance, show them local government projects.

Legislators should also show them their constituency offices and their legislative aides. It would also be nice for the

team to dialogue with the contractors of “constituency” projects.

To remove the devastating effects of politics on good governance, Maku and his team should enlighten politicians appropriately. For instance, opposition politicians in Kwara say no new roads or health facilities have been built in their state since 2011 meaning that the projects inspected by Maku’s team were completed before Jonathan became President. Is it true? Why for example, did Borno State opt out of the project which all Governors reportedly accepted? In Kogi state, the scenario is even more intriguing as some distinguished elders not of the opposition parties but of the ruling party publicly accused their own governor of non-performance.

In the words of the elders, Kogi “has acquired notoriety for unwholesome political practices, arrested development, deepening poverty and primitive state of infrastructure” Does the National Good Governance Tour team disagree?

Finally, Section 22 of our constitution mandates the media to ensure good governance by compelling the government to be accountable to the people. Now that the National Good Governance Tour which is arranged for the purpose is not the creation of the media but that of the government, will it not be a case of he who pays the piper dictating the tune, the song and the choir?

a result of poor health system as long as the leaders can easily fly overseas to receive excellent medical care. Now, it is interesting to read in newspapers what Nigerian leaders say concerning the myriads of challenges we face and how to overcome them. What can we say about the lectures, seminars and workshops organised periodically by the ruling elite purportedly intended to generate ideas for national development? At first sight one might be tempted to commend such effort because it creates the impression that those involved are motivated by genuine patriotism to proffer solutions to the leadership-generated problems facing the country.

But upon closer inspection and reflection, it becomes pretty clear that the whole thing is mere window dressing intended to deflect attention from the massive fraud perpetrated against the people by the leaders.

Again and again members of the ruling elite who craft such developmental blueprints either manipulated the system to get to the top or used their privileged positions to enrich themselves and their families. For example, consider media reports concerning the just concluded 10th yearly lecture of the Centre for Values and Leadership held at the Nigerian In-

stitute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, where some prominent Nigerians, including two serving state governors, condemned endemic bulimic corruption within the political and socioeconomic leadership circles in Nigeria.

The views expressed by the speakers at the event, especially on the negative consequences of the loss of core values for nation-building and insistence on mentoring, are “spot-on.” However, the fundamental problem is that Nigerian leaders rarely practice what they preach. From the regime of Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) to the current administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, our leaders have manifested a troubling disdain for their highfalutin promises to the people. Even Gen. I. B. Babangida (rtd) and late Gen. Sani Abacha, two military leaders, in their public speeches perceptively diagnosed Nigeria’s problems and proposed ways of resolving them. But they failed to match their prescriptions with noble actions. Therefore, when prominent Nigerians, particularly those that have occupied high public office or are still occupying such positions pontificate about the problem of corruption, about the loss of enduring values and about the need to reconstruct the country on a sound moral and patri-

otic footing, majority of the people (correctly in my opinion), either ignore them or respond cynically to such empty sermonisations.

The reason is that for decades Nigerians have been inundated with fine rhetoric from official quarters, with very little to show for it in terms of genuine transformation of the fundamentals of our existence as a modern nation-state.

For the two governors who spoke at the lecture my questions are: to what extent have you made genuine personal sacrifices for improving the states under your care? Are you prepared to be poorer financially when you leave office at the end of your tenures?

As believers in an omniscient God, would you be completely exonerated from corruption assuming judgment day comes at the end of your terms?

And for all the prominent people that featured at the event, aside from questions about the core values that determine their actions, one would want to know what they would consider as appropriate response of the masses to the current political and socio-economic system that only takes care of the one percent that controls the bulk of the country’s wealth and leaves ninety-nine percent of the population in the slough of despond.

To be concluded.

PAGE 12—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

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HERE are so many issues one has to grapple with daily, some more important than others. By issues I refer to the difficulties, problems and even challenges we all have to contend with. They affect our health, finances and general outlook and this past week my mind has been on just one issue that I consider the biggest of all. The issue of Joy has been very much on the front burner for me. We all describe happiness in moments; some more fleeting than others but always within a time frame. I enjoy being happy but I have found the highs experienced to be as fleeting as vapour; it dissipates. I sometimes find that I dread the post-happy phases we all get after the novelty and adrenalin of the happy vapour vanishes. Almost like a coming down to earth from a height of bliss. In my view joy on the other hand is a state more permanent, more sedate, more contented; without the adrenalin, anxiety and vapour like combustion of happiness. As I get older I get that Joy really is the issue; living life in balance with all the elements in creation, no matter the span of life. Joy is quality, depth, peace, love and respect for all that is life and all that is living; Joy is the big issue; the only issue that mat-

ters.

The real measure of any activity, situation, encounter or relationship is how much they affect our joy. Mastering our emotions is a life long education and even in middle age I would rate myself as elementary. Emotional equilibrium has a lot to do with joy and whether most of us admit it or not we are all emotional adolescents! I could be accused of narrow mindedness and a generalisation but answer me this truthfully. Are your responses to aggravating stimuli (hurtful and annoying people) giving away your joy or are they sedate; rooted in peace? I would put my head on the chopping block first and confess that my responses are unbalanced, angry and even irrational most times. In the course of writing this article I have almost ruptured a vessel in response to a most annoying and aggravating phone call but it only proves the validity of my point. Emotional equilibrium is a direct reflection of our joy status. Our emotions determine our responses and if we can master them; we can control our reactions. If every aggravation or upset is rendered impotent by a lack of turmoil we can have our joy for longer;

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The big issue

where possible, for ever.

If I had a dollar for every time I have been told that I can't control life and other people, but that I can control or determine my responses, I would have a good amount saved up. A long time ago I wrote about words and their power and I have found that they would be the first robbers of joy (if such a term could be coined). The Bible supports my position and says in Proverbs 12:25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad". Words have a great influence over our emotions and they can be used

Emotional equilibrium has a lot to do with joy and whether most of us admit it or not we are all emotional adolescents!

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to take away our joy or give us so much joy. I need to stop giving words power over me. Its used to control and I am determined not to be controlled by other people's words. In like manner I will make the effort to use my words moderately and impeccably; they wont be missiles and curses. I won't put my joy on line for anyone anymore; its necessary to improve the quality, substance and depth of the life I purpose to live.

2013 being my year of purpose has had me on the straight and narrow; my

eating habits are improved and exercises are back. To keep myself on the treadmill, I listen to podcasts and this week I had a life changing one from Joel Osteen. It was titled "Don't give away your joy" and it gave me a perspective that I am determined to implement in my everyday life. I had never thought that Joy was a substance that was a prerequisite for my life till now.

Its all about perspectives and how I choose to let myself be affected by forces outside of my control. Joel says when people ride roughshod over us what they are doing is asking if they can have our joy! Reacting in anger or getting upset tells them "Yes, you can have my joy". The sum total of all our ambitions, relationships and endeavours is joy. To enjoy the communion of family and friends; to be at peace with the past and look forward to the future without fear is Joy. Anxiety is a disease; it feeds on our fears and plagues our emotions mercilessly. The Bible expressly warns us to be anxious for nothing and though that is a tall order, I will start working on it.

Worrying never achieved anything apart from high blood pressure and I am going to chill out a lot more. I can't control what people say to me or about me, I can't control traffic or the weather but I can begin to school my emotions. I can pray more, meditate and begin to work on developing resilience in my emotions. By my own admission and confession I give out my joy way too easily. My body, soul and spirit need to be aligned physically, emotionally and spiritually. All achievements and endeavours in whatever shape or form mean nothing when there is no joy. Its a fact that only joy is the big issue.

Two mobile policemen shot dead by robbers in Enugu

BY TONY EDIKE, Enugu

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WO mobile policemen serving in Enugu including a sergeant met their untimely death, on Friday night, as armed bandits operating in Emene area of the Coal City gunned them down during a night robbery operation.

The incident, according to sources, occurred near the Catholic Churchowned Annunciation Specialist Hospital, Emene at about 9p.m.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the bandits, numbering about ten, were operating at a compound a few metres

Father of Katsina gov’s aide dies

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LHAJI Salihu Danwaire Rumah is dead. He was aged 95. He has since been buried according to Islamic rites. The burial was attended by the deputy governor, Barrister Abdullahi Garba Faskari, who represented Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema; Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Dr. Ya’u Umar Gwajogwajo; Secretary to the State Government , Barrister Mukhtar Ibrahim Katsina; Head of Service; Chief Judge of the state, Justice Sadiq Mahuta; members of the state executive council; and business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal. Emirs of Katsina and Daura sent representatives.

He is survived by children, grand and great grand children among whom is Alhaji Sada Salisu Rumah, Senior Special Assistant on Diplomatic and Society Relations to the Governor .

away from the hospital when the two policemen, driving towards their direction, were attacked by the gang.

It could not be confirmed if the policemen had their guns at the time of the attack.

“The policemen, one of whom was identified as Sgt. Boniface Aji, were driving out of Annunciation Hospital after visiting their colleague on admission in a Hilux patrol van with revolving lights and ran into the armed robbers that were operating at a compound within the area,”a police source said.

“Immediately the robbers sighted the patrol van, they thought policemen were on a rescue mission and shot at the vehicle killing the two occupants instantly. The robbers fired several shots and riddled the vehicle with bullets not knowing that the two cops were not even aware of their presence there. It was very unfortunate.”

From Right: Director of Drainage Services and Construction, Engr. Dayo Erinle, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Drainage Services, Engr. Muyideen Akinsanya, Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, and Director of Communications, Pastor Fola Adeyemi, during an inspection tour of on-going drainage constructions across the state, at Shomolu Lagos...Thursday. PHOTO: Kehinde Gbadamosi

APGA didn’t sack me — Anambra council boss

BY ANAYO OKOLI

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HE Chairman of Nnewi South Transition Committee, Anambra State, Chief Egwuoyibo Okoye, has denied that he has been sacked from his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), saying the claim was the handiwork of people who want to de-stabilize the local government.

There was a report in a national daily on Thursday that the council boss and the member representing Nnewi South state constituency in the Anambra State

House of Assembly were sacked from APGA for anti-party activities.

Speaker after Governor Peter Obi flagged off immunization exercise in his council, on Friday, Okoye described his purported sack from the party as baseless.

According to him, a former leader of the party in the council, who allegedly made the statement, no longer belongs to APGA. The leader, he alleged, was relieved of his position in Nnewi South local government and was allegedly subse-

quently expelled from the party for antiparty activities.

Okoye described the former APGA leader as “a politically confused person who junkets from one party to the other”, pointing out that he was forced to resign for anti-party activities.

The transition boss recalled that the former party leader was summoned to a meeting at the home of a former Commissioner for Information, Maja Umeh, where he was ordered to resign for joining a PDP foundation but he refused.

SUNDAY Vanguard,

BY UDUMA KAL U KALU

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recent train ride shows that the the Nigerian railway may crash again even after N3. 7trillion has been spent on it since the Abacha regime.

Even this may be a conservative figure. How much has been spent on the railway since the 1960s may never be known. What can be said, however, is that from the time of General Sani Abacha, about N3. 7 trillion has been spent on the railway. And more will still be spent.

While $1. 5b (N235b) was budgeted for the Lagos-Ibadan rail last year, N24.451bn contract was recently awarded for the rehabilitation of the 1,016km Makurdi – Kuru rail line. The late President Umaru Yar ’Adua had revoked a $8. 3bn ( N1.

294tr) contract on the railway and went on to award another $76. 25m contract. Earlier, Abacha spent $500m (N78bn) on 50 locomotives without much to show for it. Another N7 billion allocated in 2003 for the completion of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC )workshops and repair of grounded engines has not been satisfactorily accounted for. It will also cost the Federal Government N1. 22 bn to construct a kilometre of railway line. The N3.

7trillion is touted to be enough to do light rails across the country.

FEBRUARY 10, 2013,

Inside the jinxed train zN3.7tr may go down the drain

The way to ensure that the railway does not die again is to ask, ‘Why did the Nigerian Railway Corporation first die?’ Some analysts point at corruption, lack of transparency, accountability and incentives for efficient service The corporation, in 2011, according to official figures, recorded a passenger volume of 3,140,722 compared with 1,514,215 attained in the

2010, while 283,592 tonnes of goods were carried, an increase of 103 per cent over the 139,377 tonnes carried in 2010. But, in 1984, the corporation ferried 15.11million passengers. No one has told how much the NRC contributed to the government purse. Most of the 923,768 sq. km rail network are still in shambles. The trains are few and archaic.

The way to ensure that the railway does not die again is to ask, ‘Why did the Nigerian Railway Corporation first die?’

Some analysts point at corruption, lack of transparency, accountability and incentives for efficient service. The next question now is, ‘Have those factors that killed the railway disappeared since March 2011 when the trains returned to the tracks?’ The answer is no. In fact, a ride in the train, on Tuesday, from Ijoko, Ogun State to Oshodi, Lagos, indicated that the threats are more

potent now and are ready to kill it before it gets up.

The railway network, built and managed from 1898 to 1960 by British colonial authorities, was already old, dilapidated, inefficient and inadequate at independence. This was worsened by the government which allegedly neglected it in favour of road transport development. Added with corruption and general mismanagement of the industry, the military government in the 1970s was constrained to invite Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) to manage it from 1978-1982 at huge cost. The railway industry would not have collapsed in the 1990s if RITES did its job well.

However, managing the railway in Nigeria is a problem. There is high level of indiscipline. Passengers are chaotic in the way they board the trains. They do not queue.

They gather at the station, like

PAGE 13

traders in Ariaria or Idumota markets in Abia and Lagos states respectively. Nobody directs anyone. They seek and get information from themselves on how the train and station work. They are like columns of ants on fire. When the train arrives, the passengers run riot, jumping and falling on one another, scrambling for seats. It’s reminiscent of those days in Lagos when the few Molue buses were easily the means of travel for millions of Lagosians.

There is nobody to guide them at the entrance to the train doors. So, the mammoth passengers just scamper and run wild for seats.

One of the effects of the disorder in the train is that when one passenger enters, he will begin to ‘colonise the seats’, meaning they claim other seats by placing bags, tickets or handkerchiefs to indicate that some people have already taken the seats.

Imagine the anger passengers go through after running through the whole stretch of the Ijoko rail to the station but lose seats because the remaining ones have been ‘colonised’. Meanwhile, the people whom the seats are claimed for may still be on their way to the station, but you that came earlier will have to stand throughout the journey.

Some of the passengers are of the opinion that if the

Continues on page 14

PAGE 14—SUNDAY Vanguard,

FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Continued from page 13 trains are run like the Lagos BRT buses where tickets are issued at the point of entry into the buses, it will create a lot of order. Or if some of the staff stand at the train doors and ensure that passengers enter orderly, it will also end the idea of seizing seats.

But the real reason the railway may die again is corruption. This endemic cancer is alive in the trains. The reporter was shocked when he noticed it and challenged the ticket officer who became hostile and almost violent.

The problem with the reporter perhaps started in Germany in 2006. The reporter had ridden the trains that looked like luxury buses in the German cities of Frankfurt and Mainz. The tracks there were also on the main roads where buses, cars, bicycles and bikes rode. Inside the trains, everyone paid his fare. They were not overcrowded. They were on time. There was order. When the reporter asked a Nigerian there what would happen if one did not pay one’s ticket, the friend replied that the offender would be arrested, tried and jailed.

That was what triggered the reporter’s anger. He had run up to the Ijoko train. In fact , he would have got a seat had he not decided to be a good Nigerian and got his ticket at the station. By the time he returned, all the seats had been taken, some seized. He went through most of the coaches.

Some of the seats were not occupied by they were already seized. So many people were standing on the aisle, making it difficult to pass through.

The scene was reminiscent of the old Molue and old Lagos before Governor Babatunde Fashola brought his BRT buses.

Inside the trains, it is still as in the Fela song: 44 standing, 99 sitting. Some of those standing had paid. But many of them had not.

Now comes the question?

How will those that do not pay still pay since the train has left the station where they obtained their tickets? This is one of the biggest rackets in the corporation.

This reporter observed the ticket officer going round and punching the passengers tickets with his machine. Earlier, the reporter had asked those without tickets what would happen to them if the ticket man saw them. They said the ticket man would ask them to pay N300, instead of the official ticket of N150 (the actual ticket fare from Ijoko to Iddo terminus) as punishment. But when the ticket man came, checking and punching tickets, he was busy pocketing N150 from the unpaid passengers, without issuing any tickets to

Inside the jinxed train zN3.7tr may go down the drain

them. The reporter calculated that with the number of those standing standing in that coach, as well as those that would still board the train when many people disembarked at the various stations before Iddo, the ticket man would reap a huge amount of money for himself, while the corporation runs dry. It is thus easy to see why the railway cannot work, why it will collapse again and why Nigerians will continue to suffer.

This prompted the reporter to ask the ticket man why he was not issuing tickets to the passengers that paid him N150 cash. The ticket man smiled without knowing that the questioner was a journalist. He replied that if he gave them tickets-displaying a white sheet booklet with light green covers- the passengers would pay N300 each. The reporter asked him why he did not issue the tickets. Sensing that his fraud was being found out, the ticket man became agitated, shouting at the re-

porter.

T

he reporter did not de clare who he was, even when the man was shouting at him, asking what concerned him. That he had no right to question him. He said he would throw him out of the train and other unprintable things.

The reporter reminded him that the NRC was run with public fund and that he is a Nigerian citizen. While the shouting lasted, the passengers began to beg both the reporter and the ticket man to cool down and let the matter go.

That was shocking. The passengers were asking for the matter to die even if it would lead to the death of the railway again. That is the ambivalence about fighting corruption in Nigeria. No wonder the people lack many things, including the basic necessities of life, the reporter told them.

Apart from overcrowding, the next thing the reporter noted was the dilapidated coaches. It is trite to say that

the coaches look like 19th century monsters, the facilities there are gone. There are no toilets. The staircases are too high for the passengers to climb. Some of them do not even have rails. Some do not have staircases either. The passengers have to jump from the train to the ground. The stairs are not built for cripples, the physically challenged and old people who cannot climb them. No wonder some passengers die in the course of using the trains. Recently, a passenger, jumping out from the stairs of the train, landed on the ground and died at the Ikeja station.

The train the reporter rode that morning had killed an Okada man and his passenger at the Agbodo crossing station, Lagos. New and modern coaches should be bought.

Again, only one track is working from Iddo to Ijoko.

So, much time is wasted by the train as it waits for the Ilorin train at Ijoko station where it would use the two lanes there for its journey to the North.

The Ijoko-Iddo train will spend at least two hours for the IddoIlorin train to come from Iddo to Ijoko before it will move.

For now, there is no comfort using the trains. There are agitations for the privatization of the rails.

Some of the passengers asked government to allow private entrepreneurs to buy trains and run on the existing tracks, the same way private transporters like Chisco, ABC,

Ekene Dili Chukwu run buses on public roads and private airlines like Arik, Dana, Air Nigeria use public airports. NRC’s monopoly was questioned.

They said if Nigeria Airways and NITEL could not manage the planes and telecommunications because of corruption, how can NRC run the trains?

These are valid issues. The same way the airports were concessioned, the same way NRC can be concessioned. If not , as the reporter’s train ride showed, the rails will return to its perilous state.

Huge public funds have been injected into the corporation but the NRC locomotives are still inefficient. The 115-year-old enterprise still runs an archaic track system of 1,067mm gauge.

A media editorial said “while it is unclear how much Nigeria lost in the failed $8.3 billion contract signed on October 30, 2006 between the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration and China Civil Engineering Construction Company for the modernisation of the railway system, the Yar’Adua-led administration approved $76.25 million in 2009 for the purchase of 25 diesel-powered locomotives. As with the 50 locomotives/coaches acquired for the NRC by the regime of the late Sani Abacha, little is known of any improvements achieved through the 2009 expenditures. Another N7 billion allocated in 2003 for the completion of NRC workshops and repair of ground engines has not been satisfactorily accounted for.”

Privatising the NRC may be the only way out. Both Canada and the United States run private freight services.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 15

Why National Conference must hold before 2015, by Nwabueze, Adebanjo, Maitama Sule, others

BY GBENGA OKE

E

From left; Permanent Serctaary, Osun State Ministry of Education, Mr. Lawrence Oyeniran, Chairman,Osun State National Union of Teachers(NUT), Alhaji Saka Adesiyan,Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye Tomori, President, Osun All Nigerian Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools(ANCOPPS) Mrs. Moji Olagunju and Secretary, Osun National Union of Teachers Abdulahi Mohammed after an interactive session with the Deputy Governor in Osogbo.

MINENT Nigerians, led by Professor Ben Nwabueze, un der the auspices of Project Nigeria, yesterday, in Lagos, called for a National Conference before 2015 elections, saying failure to do so may cause disaster, anarchy and spell doom for Nigeria.

The group also said Nigeria may become a failed state if good governance and accountability did not take root soonest.

According to Nwabueze, for Nigeria to move forward, there is absolute need for good governance, justice, equal treatment of citizens of various

ethnic groups, observation of rule of law, transparency and accountability, free and fair elections His words, “Our meeting here today is to affirm our commitment to one Nigeria and indivisibility among ethnic groups. We believe from now to generations to come, this country should remain one nation but government must convene a national conference with immediate effect to discuss national issues that affects each ethnic groups in Nigeria ”There is need to prepare the peoples constitution which will enable people of Nigeria of every ethnic groups, civil societies to deliberate and agree on the conditions they intend to live together He went further, “The peoples constitution will comprise of Justice, peace, development, progress for all Nigerians that will also promote nation building” The elder statesman called on civil societies to press the National Assembly and the Presidency to immediately convene the National Conference. ”There is need for various movements, groups and organisations to press the National Assembly and the Presidency to quickly convene a conference where the groups will meet with the President and National Assembly to submit a memorandum which will be accompanied by a draft bill that will cover all aspects of the constitution”.

Also present at the meeting were Maitama Sule, Sen Alex Ibru, Prince Bola Ajibola, Mike Ozhekome, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Philip Asiodu, Bola Kuforiji Olubi, Gen Alani Akinrinade, Prof Pat Utomi, Solomon Asemota, Ganiat Fawehinmi, and Shettima Yerima.

Group lauds PPMC director

T

HE Niger Delta Youths Peace Initiative, NDYPI, has passed lauded Prince Aruna Momoh, Managing Director of Petroleum Products Marketing Company, PPMC, for ensuring equitable distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The commendation was contained in a press statement by the President of the group,Comrade Ebikabowei Edon and Comrade Donald Etiete, Secretary.

According to them: “We, the Niger Delta youths hereby pass a vote of confidence on Prince Momoh, for his outstanding performance in ensuring that petroleum products get to Nigerians. ”Despite the challenges he has faced, he has done his job well, he has taken the war against vandalism up, he is putting up reforms that will be helpful. We know that he is working for products to be available, he deserves commendation, we appeal to him to continue.

We thank the President for appointing him.”

PAGE 16—SUNDAY

Vanguard , FEBRUARY 10, 2013

CENTENARY

The way Nigerians are, by Lugard

H

e insulted your greatgrandfather, greatgrandmother, greatgrandaunt and a few grand parents – he did mine too.

Or did he merely say what he saw of and thought about them? Ponder that!

He was a soldier of fortune. That makes him what you would call a bad guy.

Now, when a bad guy puts you down with insults, you wonder what moral license he has to do that. So, what do you do to a soldier of fortune who thinks so lowly of your grannies in their own country?

Banish him? Wage war against him? Talking about war, he mounted a campaign and conquered the territory of your grannies – which you now inhabit.

Unfortunately, he is dead – as dead as Julius Caesar.

His name, Lord Fredrick Daltry Lugard!

This bad guy got married to one Victoria, described as beautiful; and went on to amalgamate the Southern and Northern protectorates in 1914, giving birth to the nation called Nigeria. But all these do not matter.

It is how he described Nigerians that concerns us here.

Writing in the book, DUAL MANDATE, on Page 70, some 12years after the amalgamation (1926), Lugard took your grannies, my grannies, to the cleaners. The following is how he described them: “In character and temperament, the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self control, discipline, and foresight. Naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity, fond of music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry. His thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment, and he suffers little from the apprehension for the future or grief for the past.

His mind is far nearer to the animal world than that of the European or Asiatic, and exhibits something of the animals’ placidity and want of desire to rise beyond the state he has reached. Through the ages the

African appears to have evolved no organised religious creed, and though some tribes appear to believe in a deity, the religious sense seldom rises above pantheistic animalism and seems more often to take the form of a vague dread of the supernatural. He lacks the power of organisation, and is conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or business. He loves the display of power, but fails to realise its responsibility…. He will work hard with a less incentive than most races. He has the courage of the fighting animal - an instinct rather than a moral virtue.... In brief, the virtues and defects of this race-type are those of attractive children, whose confidence when it is won is given ungrudgingly as to an older and wiser superior and without envy....

Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and his ability to visualize the future”.

This was what Lugard said of your fore-fathers, my fore-fathers.

In the book, THE FATE OF AFRICA: From the Hopes of Freedom to the heart of Despair (A

,

BY JIDE AJANI

Lord Fredrick Daltry Lugard! above revelation tells us is that for Northern Nigeria, Lugard took charge at the rate of one administrator for some 1, 100,000 (one million, one hundred thousand people). So when he says “Nigerians will work

In character and temperament, the typical African of this race-type is a happy, thriftless, excitable person, lacking in self control, discipline, and foresight.

Naturally courageous, and naturally courteous and polite, full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity, fond of music and loving weapons as an oriental loves jewelry

,

history of Fifty Years of Independence), Martin Meredith, writes that “In northern Nigeria, Frederick Lugard set out to rule 10 million people with a staff of nine European administrators and a regiment of the West African Frontier Force consisting of 3,000 African troops under the command of European officers. By the late 1930s, following the amalgamation of northern and southern Nigeria into one territory in 1914, the number of colonial administrators for a population of 20 million people was still less than 400”.

In proportional terms, what the

hard with a less incentive than most races”, he knew what he was talking about. Examining Lugard’s description of the Nigerian within the context of what has gone down in 100 years since amalgamation, he may have actually been describing some leaders who would take charge of the country some five decades later.

Consider Lugard’s analogy, honestly.

Are Nigerian leaders not excitable? On a general scale, did Nigerian leaders, since 1964/’65, not lack self control, discipline, and

, foresight, which led to the 30month war and the consequences of its outcome? Yes, the five majors who executed the January 1966 coup may have been “naturally courageous”, but if they thought the leaders of the First Republic were “full of personal vanity, with little sense of veracity”, how best can leaders of today be described? Be the judge of that!

Their “thoughts are concentrated on the events and feelings of the moment”, and they suffer “little from the apprehension for the future or grief for the past”, Nigerian leaders have continued to do the same thing the same way while expecting a different outcome. Heads of government, five decades after Lugard’s caustic assessment, started developing minds “far nearer to the animal world than that of the European or Asiatic” and the best example of this can be found in the insane acquisition of wealth on an incremental basis – because whereas Nigerians had always thought the incumbent would be the worst ever, they are always shocked beyond belief when the successor commences his unique expedition in looting.

Lugard continues: “He lacks the power of organisation, and is

Continues on Page 19

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 17

Abuja.

I

t was a fitting start. A celebration of together ness! Political differenc es between some former heads of state and President Goodluck Jonathan were temporarily set aside last Monday when they joined the president to kick off the centenary celebration at the banquet hall of the presidential Villa.

General Mohammadu Buhari and Olusegun Obasanjo were some of the surprise appearances at the kick off of the celebration because of their recent relationship with President Jonathan and his government.

Since he made his foray into the murky waters of presidential contest and has consistently lost, General Buhari has demonstrated his exasperation with the governments that supervised such elections by boycotting all activities relating to such governments.

Since 2003 when he contested and lost to Obasanjo, Buhari has refused to attend even the National Council of State, NCS, meetings and has carried his protest to Late Umaru Yar ’Adua and Jonathan administrations.

For Obasanjo, open criticism of the Jonathan administration has remained one of his past times since for a while since resigning as the chairman of the board of trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. So, when the government of the day announced that the activities to mark Nigeria’s centenary celebration would begin last Monday, not many Nigerians expected to see the two former heads of state in attendance, not necessarily because of their lack of faith in the Nigerian nation but as a way of protesting their displeasure with its current leadership.

But when the activities for the celebration began, all but one of the living former Nigerian leaders attended the dinner which was meant to unveil the centenary Logo and its theme song. Though it is about one hundred years ago that the disparate ethnic and cultural groups in what is now known as Nigeria were brought together by Fredrick Luggard, the relation between and amongst the various ethnic groups have remained at best tenuous, and it is the ability of the Nigerian people to remain together despite the various challenges that have continued to buffet the country that the present administration wants to celebrate.

And though last Monday’s ceremony was meant to be just a kick off, the gaiety that characterized the ceremony

CENTENARY

Why we must celebrate,

by President Jonathan Anyim and former heads of state reiterate same

z

President Goodluck Jonathan...Looking forward to a prosperous nation

,

BY BEN AGANDE,

The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are. I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud

gave an indication of what Nigerians should expect during the year long celebration that will culminate in a grand finale in January, 2014.

According to the plans outlined by the government, a completely new city would be built to commemorate the centenary celebration while other activities have also been lined up for the ceremony.

,

Government has consistently given the assurance that no public funds would be committed to the project as it would be private sector driven, not a few Nigerians have remained skeptical that so much resources would be expended on a project that ought to have been channeled to other core productive sectors of the economy.

It is the skepticism of a people who are used to

being taken for granted by their government.

But in a remark last monday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, whose office is coordinating the ceremony said the celebration is not only desirable but imperative because of the landmark achievements the country has recorded in the last 100years since its amalgamation. According to the SGF, the celebration should offer Nigerians and Nigeria an opportunity to rejuvenate and have faith in their country and its potentials.

He said the ceremony would be used to replace pessimism with optimism to make the country rise above its challenges.

Senator Anyim’s message was re-echoed by other dignitaries present at the ceremony. According to former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who had the unique opportunity of presiding over the country during its most trying moments, “Nigeria is a unique nation, a nation of diverse, strong and hard working people” that has remained united despite the challenges that it had faced in the past and was still facing.

Mindful of the events of the recent past where the country was plunged into a three year civil war, Gowon, who unveiled the anniversary emblem, prayed that “may the emblem symbolize a rallying point for the unity of the nation. May it be a reminder of our entity, unity and oneness of the nation which not negotiable and serve as a symbol of [peace, unity and prosperity”.

For Obasanjo, the centenary celebration should be a wake-up call to all Nigerians to re-examine themselves and their commitment to the Nigerian dream. “If you cannot love Nigeria and be positive about it and make contributions to its progress, then I should ask you what sort of Nigeria are You?” he asked rhetorically.

The former president noted that what should occupy the minds of Nigerians should

be the desire to make Nigeria a ‘humane, just and progressive Nation’.

General Abdulsalam Abubakar who presented the events theme song noted that despite the many challenges the country has experienced in the last 100years, “there is every reason to celebrate in song and dance as one nation, indivisible Nigeria has come to stay”.

And this was the message that President Jonathan relayed to the capacity crowd at the banquet hall of the presidential Villa when he spoke during the flag off of the centenary celebration.

According to the president, the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorate in 1914 to form Nigeria was not a mistake but an act of God which should not be challenged by any mortal.

According to President Jonathan, apart from the natural resources, the country is blessed with a unique collection of people specially created by God and it behooves on every Nigerian to strive to protect this union.

“The unity of Nigeria is indivisible and non-negotiable, we must remain the forward looking people that we are. I see a united, powerful and prosperous nation that will make the generation yet unborn very proud. Arise we shall and prosper we will” the president prophesied.

The next one year is going to witness a lot of activities as part of the celebration.

Apart from usual political talks, there would be arts exhibitions, literary festivals, essay competition for students of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions and other uniquely Nigerian stories to be told in different modes and forms. The centenary celebration if handled well may well again be the beginning of rejuvenation of the country and restoration of hope in our leaders.

For President Goodluck Jonathan, this is one opportunity that he cannot allow to let it slip.

PAGE 18—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Stories by Dapo Akinrefon and Gbenga Oke

We’re celebrating the failure of a nation

We have nothing to celebrate

—Odumakin

er in chief at 100. The Mr. Yinka Odumakin is the spokesper- ruling elite have lost son of the Save Nigeria Group, SNG. the sense of shame; they are totally bereft n 100 hundred years, we have be of any sense of recome an example of the ruination of a sponsibility that they nation with a bright prospect. At amalgam- will think the next ation and even at independence, Nigeria line is to celebrate. had bright prospects for the black race and What are we celebratfor Africa but 100 years down the line be- ing? We are celebratcause of the mismanagement and misrule ing the failure of a nation, it is a big shame that of our past leaders, the country today is a even at 100, we are bogged down by leadersham. We are lagging behind in every ship that cannot appreciate the situation of sphere and all global indices now. The things on ground. They cannot realise that what country is being robbed by insecurity - to- we need is a sober reflection of how we have day 70 per cent of our people live below lived and lost our chances. We are now rolling poverty line; all our infrastructures have out the drums and it shows that there is no recollapsed at 100. We are a divided people; demption for the country. The way forward is and the government is using divide and for Nigerians to take their destiny into their rule to govern the country. We are besieged hands, they must reclaim their country and to by all manner of crises and the life expect- know that our salvation is not in the hands of ancy is 51 years. In every sphere of hu- the ruling elite. They must take their destiny in man live, we have lagged behind and cor- their hands because the ruling class does not ruption has become our grand command- have any vision for the country.

I

Jonathan means well but… - Eya

A slave can not celebrate slavery

Chief Nduka Eya – Immediate Past Secretary General of Ohaneze

hief Ayo Adebanjo is a chieftain of the PanYoruba socio-political and cultural organisation, Afenifere.

We have nothing to celebrate. We just want to waste our money again. The whole essence of amalgamation administratively, by the British, should unite us. But have we been united since then? So what are we celebrating? We just want to gloss over all our problems. We have to hold a national conference and settle it. If that national conference had been convened we would have devised a wonderful way of living together - there is no doubt that we

Dr Junaid Mohammed, Second Republic Legislator or me, there is nothing to celebrate as far as centenary is concerned. My attitude towards this celebration is that it is not worth celebrating and government just wants to waste billions of Naira for nothing.

I am sure if you ask Nigerians on the street, they would have nothing to celebrate as well because in 1914, Nigeria was better off. We were living together in peace as protectorates, we have what we can call one Nigeria but today that peace is being threatened and Nigeria has been turned to a capitalist country.

Many are poor while the few are getting richer by the day; many billion of Naira being stolen by the day by public office holders. A nation cannot be built in this manner. You cannot talk of a nation when you don’t create opportunity for your citizens to excel; you cannot talk of a nation when many Nigerians are living poorly and in a bad condition.

I feel the Nigeria government should just forget about this celebration because a slave cannot be celebrating in its slavery.

e need to understand there is difference between marking an event and celebrating an event.

According to President Jonathan, he said 100years of marriage is significant and issue of divorce does not arise. The marking of 100years of age means nothing to me, we have to mark our centenary when we remember how we got amalgamation in 1914. I think we should mark the age.

When it comes to celebration, I feel there is nothing to celebrate because you have to be happy to be able to celebrate. There are many cabals penetrating this government and that is why things are going the way they are going. President Jonathan means well but there are lot of people out there trying to sabotage his efforts.

For this country to move forward, three things must come into play and that is Justice, Fair play and Equity. If these three things play out, this country will move forward. I believe God really loves this country and that is why this country is still together up till this moment.

Hon Austin Opara – Former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives

F

rankly, there is some thing to celebrate about this centenary. For the fact that we are still together as a nation, it is worth celebrating.

There is strength in unity and

rofessor Itse Sagay is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and a constitutional lawyer.

We have not been happy in this country; we have not had a happy relationship with one another in this country, particularly between the north and the south. So, I don’t think it is a moment ordained for celebration. But it should not go unmarked because a major event, political, of great significance, occurred. I believe that what we should do at this stage, since the very future of this country is now in contention, is that

instead of celebrating it, we should use it to reflect, to retrace and then, chart a way forward. That is what we should do.

The celebration is another illustration of foolishness of this country which does not know how to react in a particular situation. Instead of sitting down in a sober manner, appointing various groups and having various seminars to have various discussions on the way forward as a united country, we are celebrating. Celebrating what?

There is nothing to celebrate because Nigeria is almost a

failed state right now. There is crises, there is Boko Haram, there is kidnapping, there is insecurity, infrastructural breakdown, everything is bad.

So, there is nothing to celebrate.

Secondly, involving the private sector to celebrate it is absolute nonsense. It is not a private sector thing, it is as if they are organising a party and asking the banks to fund it. It is a major thing that the Federal government should provide money for in order to discuss the past, discuss the present and find a way forward for the future.

coming together to celebrate an event like this further brings us closer and together as a nation.

What we are celebrating is not just the symbolism of celebration but the fact that since amalgamation in 1914, God still made us one Nigeria today, is what the celebration is all about.

We talk of European Union today. It is strong because the countries stayed together as a comity of nations. So Nigeria needs to borrow clue from that and celebrate this centenary for the singular reason of togetherness.

This government has nothing to of offfer —Bugaje Hon Usman Bugaje There is nothing to celebrate in this country presently as

It should not go unmarked but… —Sagay

P

want to live together. But the unity that we are having now is an awkward and lopsided unity and that is why there are complaints in and out. As long as you gloss over the convocation of a national conference, to settle how we should live together in peace, we will continue wasting our time.

We should celebrate our togetherness —Opara

W

— Mohammed

F

—Ayo Adebanjo C

there are challenges all over the country, the main one being security. Also, the level of corruption is on a high side and we have not seen this kind of looting before in this country. This government has been on a looting spree of the treasury and nothing is done to prosecute those looters.

Nothing is happening in this government more than looting the treasury. What I can say is that all the act of this government is criminal and they have no shame at all. This government condones corruption and profligacy and when people raise issues just like Oby Ezekwesili has done, the government goes after them.

The centenary celebration is unnecessary and it is actually criminal to celebrate it; this government has nothing to offer.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 19

Lessons from a Nigerian Entrepreneurial Queen

From left: Otunba (Dr.) Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, OON, Hon. Justice Clarence Thomas and Mr. Toks Kuforiji (her eldest son) as guests of Justice Thomas at the United States (US) Supreme Court, Washington DC.

Interview with Otunba (Dr.) Bola Kuforiji-Olubi at the 2nd inauguration of President Barack Obama, published in News USA, Washington.

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RESIDENT Barack Obama’s second inauguration, so serendipitously held on the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr., wasn’t just a transcendental moment for Americans.

The day resonated for thousands, but for Nigerian noblewoman, economist, and banker, The Otunba Ayora, Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, it was magic, instructive - a beautiful experience.

“Coming for the second inauguration ceremony of President Obama opened my eyes to see some things that (Nigeria) can be imbibed from

I’m proud of the fact that in most of the things I’ve done, I’ve been well-educated to equip myself

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your electoral system. There was no acrimony, no fight, no rancor ”, Dr. Olubi explained.

It sparked a surreal visit to the U.S. Dr. Olubi, who was born in 1936 and held office as Nigeria’s minister for commerce and tourism in 1993, has achieved more “firsts” than most people can imagine. She is an entrepreneurial spirit and a resilient woman of fervent ambition.

Dr. Olubi’s trip held a series of heartwarming highlights. Her and her eldest son, Tokunbo Kuforiji, felt blessed to speak at length with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and delight-

ed in a private tour of Johns Hopkins University Hospital by their own director of pediatric neurosurgery, Dr. Benjamin S. Carson.

But the 77-year-old – a queen in her own right – had her own chance to inspire. She moved an audience to tears as the featured speaker at a reception for the freshly minted senator from South Carolina, Tim Scott. “She is a woman of firsts; meeting her is a wonderful thrill and honor for me, and for everyone else she has encountered on this visit to our country”, said Scott, praising Dr. Olubi’s exemplary career.

The Otunba Ayora was the first female chairperson of United Bank for Africa. She also sat on sustainable development advisory boards for the UN, became the first Nigerian female CEO of a multinational company, and the first female president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

“I wanted to have an edge over the nest person sitting next to me”, says Dr. Bola. “I’m proud of the fact that in most of the things I’ve done, I’ve been well-educated to equip myself.

Having a combination of economics and finance has equipped me to be able to work and function properly in the private sector in business and also in the public sector”.

In an effort to strengthen the presence of Nigerian women in business, Dr. Olubi helped found the Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria. “I pride myself on being a person that is able to juggle several balls in the air at the same time. It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of diligence”, says Olubi.

“And you have to make sure your home front doesn’t suffer much, and your work is such that your peers, your superiors, your colleagues are seeing you in a positive light”.

CENTENARY

The way Nigerians are, by Lugard Continues on Page 16 conspicuously deficient in the management and control alike of men or business” but he “loves the display of power, but fails to realise its responsibility”. Perhaps, no set of challenges best captures this assessment of Lugard than the fact that apart from the well-monitored, well-guided and well-guarded June 12 presidential election of 1993 (some 20years ago), no election in Nigeria’s history has been adjudged free and therefore, not fair; the management of the economy, inspite of the huge mineral resources, particularly petro-dollars from crude oil sales, the economy and the

infrastructure needed to drive same, are disgracefully in shambles.

“In brief, the virtues and defects of this race-type are those of attractive children, whose confidence when it is won is given ungrudgingly as to an older and wiser superior and without envy.... Perhaps the two traits which have impressed me as those most characteristic of the African native are his lack of apprehension and his ability to visualize the future”.

The visualization of the future which Nigerian leaders had engaged in the last two decades had only gone further to prove the point: Lack of foresight. First was the phrase, “Everything For All By

2000” (Education, Housing, Health et al). Year 2000 came and has gone just like that, but there was nothing for all. Then came the 202020 idea, a dream that envisions Nigeria becoming one of the 20 most advanced economies in the world by 2020, just some seven years away.

The illogicality of this 202020 logic is that with the present construct of leadership and governance, even if other countries of the world arrest their development, Nigeria would not inch near the best 20 advanced economies of the world. With corruption fueled by greed of the leadership cadre in the country, the compass for the 202020 voyage is

already broken.

Away from Lugard’s insults, one thing which he said and which ought to have been capitalized on

by Nigerian leaders is the fact that the Nigerian “ will work hard with a less incentive than most races”.

For a people whose needs are very modest, can’t Nigerians leaders just rise above greed, pettiness and myopia and meet the very modest and basic needs of the people?

Perhaps, that is what the centenary celebrations should seek to address; and that is what Nigerians expect, looking forward.

But is anybody still angry that Lugard insulted our grand-parents? Maybe, the soldier of fortune should have embargoed his assessment for Nigerian leaders post 1965.

PAGE 20—SUNDAY VANGUARD,FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

A better life for the aged View-Point M ANY months ago, some of our senators proposed a leisure centre for elderly citizens. The move was applauded by some people, but in the piece I wrote on it, I said it was a good thing that the senators thought of something to put more zest in the lives of the elderly, but that in a country with dismal healthcare like ours, and where the majority of the elderly are poor, it wasn't a leisure centre that the majority of them need, but rather, qualitative care in all areas of their lives. I added that such leisure centres would normally be sited in the cities and they would cater mostly for the middle and upper classes; in short, the elite. Some readers wrote in to say that I'm a spoilsport and that the idea of a leisure centre for elderly people was good and should be encouraged. Maybe.

However, I haven't heard anything more about the proposed project since then. I probably missed further news on it.

Now, since it's the desire of most human beings to live as long as possible, and this would certainly involve becoming old enough to be regarded an elderly person at a point, it makes sense for our rulers, who I assume would like to live long and become elderly people themselves, to take a good look at the lives of all categories of the elderly people in Nigeria, and do things about their welfare to give them qualitative lives.

The elderly we're talking about here are not those in the upper class of the society who have stashed away enough money and property to have a comfortable evening. Rather, we're talking about the old people who are poor, and whose children are too poor themselves to take adequate care of their old parents. With the population explosion and hard economic times come high unemployment. So, parents who had staked their all, and even borrowed money to give their wards university education, not only for a better future for them, but as insurance for their own old age as they expect those children to land good jobs when they graduate, and come look after their parents, find to their utter dismay that they have to continue looking after their graduate children because these ones can't find jobs.

This is a very distressing situation for both parties, as the young people who had thought that a higher education would remove them from the rank of the poor, find themselves still wallowing in the poverty they were trying to escape from. As for their parents, the situation is a nightmare as they continue toiling for the welfare of their graduate adult children. Their distressing state could bring on some serious health problems; further compounding an already bad state of affairs.

With prolonged unemployment, a few of them may even die before realizing their dream of seeing their wards land good jobs

Helen Ovbiagele Woman Editor

Which is the way forward?

Government at the three levels of governance should pay more attention to the care of the elderly. Wherever there's a State General Hospital or a Federal Specialist Hospital, there should be a department for elderly people, where trained personnel would attend to them. and come help improve their lives.

In a chat with Vista Woman the other week, Dr. Iyabode Cole, a medical doctor who specialized in Geriatric Medicine, and who runs Khadijat Home Care For the Elderly, urged people to give their elderly parents adequate attention and take good care of them; stressing that catering to their needs while they're alive is of more benefit to them than giving them expensive burials.

This is very true, and there could indeed be people who have the means to give their elderly parents a good life, but don't do so.

However, for many Nigerians, their conscience would not permit them to neglect their parents whatever their circumstances, as they have grown up with the notion that one takes care of one's parents. Migration to the urban areas by young people and high costs of living may be obstacles in the proper care of parents.

Unlike before when there were family houses for many people to occupy all the days of their lives, these days, many people can be permanent tenants, especially those working and living away from their home towns, and it's difficult for many low-income earners in one room to invite their elderly parents to come share it with them and their own family. Besides, they may not be able to provide adequate health care that the elderly may need. Many elderly people may be dying before their time because of

inadequate healthcare, and a lack of nutrition.

Which is the way forward?

Government at the three levels of governance should pay more attention to the care of the elderly.

Wherever there's a State General Hospital or a Federal Specialist Hospital, there should be a department for elderly people, where trained personnel would attend to them. Apart from adequate medical attention which should be free, of course, there should be a nutritionist who would advise them and their relatives on adequate diet for them, which would suit their health conditions.

Physiotherapists should advise/ help with their exercise routine.

Staff there should be professionals who are trained in Geriatric Medicine, and who would treat their patients with respect. Some medical personnel in government hospitals are very rude to their patients, particularly to the poor, the elderly, and also to pregnant women. To the latter, some nurses are particularly vitriolic in their utterances. The elderly need respect, no matter their social status, and the hospital authorities should see that they get this.

Also, the local government areas

(07036819426)

should know the elderly in their wards, through the councillors. Local government is supposed to be close to the grassroots, so, ward by ward, the councillors should know the residents in their area, or, at least the houseowners/chairpersons of the various street associations, and once in a while, they should attend the monthly meetings of these associations in order to know what's going on in the area. The residents should know where their councillors' offices are, and his office hours. If things are organized this way, it would be easy to locate the elderly residents and render help when needed. In developped countries, the member of Parliament is very close to the residents in his/her area, and is usually the first to be contacted when there's a general or even personal problem which needs government's attention.

Regular talks on health and ageing, should be given at the local government headquarters for the elderly and their relations, so that they can be adequately looked after by their families at home, and there should be visits from government health personnel to see how they're doing. With good cooperation between the government and families, the elderly in our society would feel loved, wanted and wellcared for, irrespective of their social status, and their dusk would be peaceful in spite of the state of their bodies and health.

JAPAN FASHION WEEK 2013

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 21

Email: woman.vista@yahoo.co.uk

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Designing outfits has always been my passion —Josenta Ogbhemhe

Josenta Ogbhemhe is the CEO of Jojo Bernard's Couture, a budding fashion outfit in Benin-City, Edo State, that specialises in creating customised clothing. A graduate of Computer Science who says designing has always been her first love, young Josenta is fervently working towards becoming one of Nigeria's biggest designers. In this interview with Vista Woman, she recalls her childhood love for designing and lets us into her life as a young designer.

Making It-

A column for focused young ladies

By JOSEPHINE IGBINOVIA Why delve into fashion when you've got a B.Sc in Computer Science?

ASHION has always been my first love. As a child, I loved to sew and mend clothes, and Home Economics was one of my best subjects.

Once I told my dad in the presence of his friends that I wanted to be a fashion designer. He didn't look pleased about that. For me, I will say I was born to design outfits. I've always been very good at handwork, and could make baby clothes, draw and even fix up things in the house at a very young age.

So, after my youth service year, I went for a year's training in designing, and then started my own fashion line. To God's glory, Josenta Bernard's Couture is actually improving and growing more than anticipated.

What inspires your designs?

I'm inspired by beautiful fabrics. When I see a fabric, from the texture and look, I could draw up ideas in my head, sketch them out on paper, make amendments if necessary, and a new design arrives! I have passion for fashion, and I make customized clothing for both men and women. I work with all kinds of fabrics.

You look very much like a model; have you ever been into modeling?

Yes, I am a facial model. I have graced the front pages of two magazines and also contested for several facial pageants; only making it to the semifinals, but I didn't win, anyway. I'm however still hoping that one day I'll be one of those faces on Delta soap's billboard (laughs).

What's your opinion on the Nigerian fashion industry?

The industry has really improved.

Some ten years back, nobody had anticipated it would grow this big. I'm sure many others would have gone into the industry if they could see into its future. You know, there was always this fear of not disappointing one's parents by going to a fashion school, or even

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dropping a first degree and venturing into fashion. Today everything has changed, and parents now encourage their children to go into the industry.

Is the industry providing a level playground for budding designers like you?

It is helping, but still needs to do more by conducting fashion seminars, inviting young designers for fashion shows and events, and enlightening young designers more about the industry. This could be an inspiration for some of us who might be on the verge of giving up on the industry when faced with some challenges. It could help us stay focused and aim higher!

What are your aspirations?

My designs are known for their beauty, perfection and elegance, so, I hope to see Josenta Bernard's Couture become a household name in Nigeria and across the world someday.

The fashion industry is helping, but still needs to do more by conducting fashion seminars, inviting young designers for fashion shows and events, and enlightening young designers more about the industry. This could be an inspiration for some of us who might be on the verge of giving up...

*Josenta

So, what's your definition of style?

For me, style is looking good but not over-doing everything.

Simplicity is the best; it stands you out always, and that's what my designs stand for- simplicity and comfort.

Who are your role models?

All Nigerian designers are wonderful and gifted, but those whose work I admire the most are Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi and Lisa Folawiyo. I like them because their designs are exquisite and beautiful.

They are my role models in the field.

PAGE 22—SUNDAY VANGUARD , FEBRUARY 10, 2013

I want tips on how to approach girls Dear Rebecca

I

am a shy boy of sev enteen and in S.S.S3. Amongst my friends I seem to be only one without a girlfriend.

Please tell me how best to approach a girl. When she finally agrees, what do I do?

REPL Y REPLY

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AVING a girl friend is not an academic qualification or a property that you just have to acquire, in order to prove that you are a human being, or that you are successful in life.

The decision to have a relationship with the opposite sex is a personal one, and which should come when you want it and are ready for it.

If right now, your studies matter most to you (they should), then concentrate fully on it. Even for mature people, a lot of self-discipline is needed to cope with studies and romance until that have completed their studies. Still, as a human being, it is important for you to have both boys and girls as friends, so, I suggest that you make friends with girls just as you would with boys. If you are in a

mixed school, start off there with having them as ordinary friends, chatting about your studies, exchanging clean novels, etc.

Have several girls as friends this way, at school, in your religious organisation, or in the neighborhood.

This would help you overcome your shyness and be more relaxed in the company of girls.

When you find you have become very fond of one of them and you would like her as a girlfriend, then you can tell her; just lightly. After an ordinary chat while you are both alone, just say ‘I like you, you know. I think you are nice’’.

You could say this in a card if you like, or text it to her.

Her response or attitude afterwards would tell you if she is willing to be your girlfriend or not. She may not say ‘yes’ if she is shy, but she would continue with being friends with you. You can then send her cards with words of affection. If a girl refuses to be your girlfriend, don’t get nasty and spread ugly rumours about her. Accept and continue as friends as before. Make sure you are clean, responsible, polite, tolerant, and with a good sense of humor.

Dear Rebecca I AM twenty five years of age and very much loved by the members of the opposite sex. My problem is that most girls I approach always get annoyed with with me for even mentioning a relationship. Most of them do so after receiving gifts and money from me. Even the ones who consent to have a relationship always demand for large sums of money from me. Inspite of this, none would agree to have sex with me. Instead they get angry to the extent that I have to apologize before they can speak to me again. I have been left wondering why God created me a man, and if I am to die with my manhood. My friends now tease me

Am I destined not to have sex? about my becoming a priest. Some even say say I should keep on disturbing the girls until I get what I want. Do you think anyone will marry me in this condition?

How can I get a steady girl and have sex with her?

Sammie, Abia State REPL Y REPLY

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ORRY, but I don’t think God cre ated us mainly for sex, and that it is disastrous if we have no sex partner. Sexual intercourse is the only Godapproved way of making

babies, and it is a tender way of deepening your affection in a serious relationship like marriage. You do not fall sick or die from not having sex, and you can live a very fulfilled and enjoyable life without sex. It all depends on the way you want to live your life.

Sex is a private and personal thing, so, it would be ridiculous to go about discussing your sex life with anybody.

I am still puzzle about why many men feel it is sex which makes them real men. May be it gives them a sense of power or victory over women.

They feel they must ‘’conquer’ women in

other to prove they are human being. Hence they boast about how good they are in bed and how many girls they have ‘’conquered’. This idea is silly and immature and totally unnecessary.

Girls are not sex machines, and having a girlfriend does not entitle you to have sex with her; not even if you give her all the money you have.

You know where to go if you want to buy sex.

A gentleman does not demand for sex and then get abusive and violent when refused.

As a man who would want to get married and raise kids, you do need some sexual experience.

This should happen with the consent and cooperation of a partner, preferably in marriage, and you should both know about contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancy, and also know about venereal diseases. If you are clean, nice , polite and responsible, you are bound to find a girl who would be fond of you. You may not even have to give her anything for her to show you fondness.

I suggest you make ordinary friendship with girls for the time being, so that you can study and understand the opposite sex well, before you embark on a romantic relationship.

She’s the love of my life!

Dear Rebecca

I

am a regular reader of your column . I really appreciate your good work. I am a young guy of 20 and a student . There is this girl of about 17 who I met in December last year. I was attracted to her the very day I saw her but could not express my feelings to her. We only introduced ourselves and exchanged addresses and gsm numbers.. Mid January this year, I paid her a visit, and poured my heart out to her.

She said she would think about it . I kept paying her visits. She said she was confused. It was only in April that she realised that she loves me too. Later on, I asked her

about my proposal and to my greatest surprise, she turned me down and said she is scared of guys .

Aunty, I love her because I admire her moral behaviour and physique. I can’t stay without seeing her.

In fact, I’m in distress and I need your advise.

How can I win her heart?

Isaac, Lagos REPL Y REPLY

I

know you feel very much in love with this girl and you would like to make her yours at once, but you have to pipe down and consider the situation calmly and with a mature mind. You are lucky that the girl seems to like you

and she allows you to visit her . This means you have become her friend. Some girls would not exchange addresses with a stranger and they certainly would not like them to come calling at their houses .

Why are you pressing for this to go into romantic relationship with you when you met and started being friends only a few months ago?

You barely know each other, so the question of a strategy to win her heart should not arise .

You are behaving the typical way our young people behave . As soon as a girl responds to their greetings and allows visits from them,

they claim she is their lover or fiancee. If they find her talking to another man , they get angry and say she is unfaithful, and has betrayed them. The girl is merely a friend, not a girlfriend, yet they want to claim ownership and start asking for sex. This is all wrong and it causes unnecessary confusion and trouble.

Allow good friendship to develop with a girl first. You chat about general things, exchange novels , magazines, etc. don’t give presents or money with the aim of forcing her into a romantic relationship with you so that you can demand for sex as if you have bought her body .

You are just pals, give cards at birthdays and Christmas, and a gift of a book, if you can afford it. Have several girls as a friends so that you will have the opportunity to study and understand girls and their ways .

With some girls, you may find that you only want ordinary friendship, and there may be one that you want a romantic relationship with.

As she is already your friend, you can then tell her how you feel. She may say she feels that way too or she may say she prefers ordinary

friendship. If the latter, continue as before; if the former, don’t start claiming ownership and quarreling with her for chatting with other boys.

Just as you have other girls as friends, she too has other boys as friends.

Many girls are scared of a relationship with boys because they always demand for sex, and some turn nasty when they are turned down.

Continue as friends with this girl at present while you concentrate on your studies.

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

SUNDAY Vanguard , FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 23

Affairs good for marriage? I don’t think so!

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OULD infidelity revive stale rela tionships? A current bestseller: The New Rules: Internet Dating, Playfairs and Erotic Power by Dr. Catherine Hakim has claimed just that. According to the author, “recreational sex outside marriage can be.good and healthy ’ She argues that a fling between two married people cheating on their spouses, with no strings attached, may actually reinvigorate their marriages and make them less likely to divorce. She believes we need ` a fresh approach to marriage and adultery’ and accept the culture of ‘playfair. ‘ The big question then is: what is the difference between an old-style ‘affair’ and a thrilling ‘playfair’?

It seems the ‘new’ (as defined by Dr. Hakim) aspect of this very old sin is simply that ‘the internet is opening up a whole new culture of affairs between married people’ with the result that physical betrayal simply doesn’t matter so much any more. That ‘sex is no more a moral issue than eating a good meal.’

Ignoring the belief that there is no single aspect of human life which is not subject to moral rules, she went on to stress that

no harm is done by these ‘playfairs’. Married people who meet and have sex through web sites ‘enjoy the excitement of an illicit relationship without any of the domestic fallout. She argues that: ‘Why should we not be able to recapture the heady thrills of youth, while protecting a secure home front?’ The theory, simply put is that if you’re having it off with a lover in secret, you’ll stay married.

Critics of Dr. Hakim’s latest offering on liberal sex were outraged. This isn’t the first time she’s courted controversy.

“She’s good at flashy titles for fleshy thoughts,” says one of them. “Her last book was called Honey Money: ‘The Power Of Erotic Capital’ - which argued that women need to make the best of their assets to please their men, like so many geisha girls. She defined erotic capital as a combination of ‘beauty, social skills, good dresssense, physical fitness, liveliness, sex appeal and sexual competence’ and argued that, although this is exploitable by both sexes, women have more scope because men want sex more than women. In other words, women can

strut their stuff like hookers.

She continues: “Make no mistake, The New Rules is a one-woman campaign for guilt-free, extra-marital sex dressed up as a groundbreaking theory. Having interviewed many people to back up her liberated idea of ‘this 21 st century world of modem adultery’, Dr. Hakim portrays illicit nookie as not just thrilling, but positively beneficial. A bit like a daily vitamin pill.

But what of the deceived spouses? Are they ‘happier’ when they discover secret e-mails or texts from their partner’s

lovers? And are the deceivers truly made happy by living, a lie. `As far as I’m concernecd. continues the critic, ‘Dr. Hakim - who contributed to learned journals gives academia a bad name. So much studying and so little sense! How can anybody so obviously clever be unashamed to display such rank stupidity? How can a socalled ‘internationally recognised expert on women’s employment, childlessness, social and family policy ’ put her name to a book which - if people acted on its cheap theories - would do indescribable damage to fam-

ily life?’

According to Dr. Hakim’s views on infidelity: ‘Affairs are about excitement, being alive, seduction, flirtation, love, affection, sexual bliss, lust, caution, eroticism, fantasy, danger, adventure, exploration and the determined refusal to grow old gracefully.’ Irked by this remark, the critic fumes: “A woman who has lectured to the young is now telling people not to accept responsibility and commitment, or to realise a flourishing life is about far more than selfish pleasure. She appears to revel in the thought of millions of Peter Pans fly-

ing about with their pockets full of condoms, looking for any easy-going Tinkerbell or Wendy who’ll join them for fun and games in Never Never Land. And never mind the consequences.

Dr. Hakim claims that ‘sex has become a major leisure activity of our time ... ‘ Has it really?

Who says so? Even if she’s right, many of us would argue that the modem obsession which tawdry sex (not love, or even passion) is deeply disturbing and reduces human beings to the lowest common denominator. A couple might fancy the notion of an ‘open marriage’ but hate what it does to them in reality.

The very word adultery comes from the word ‘adulterate’ - which means to make something poorer by adding an inferior substance.

Even though infidelity need not be fatal, it is never harmless ... “ So which side of the divide are you readers on this lovely Sunday?

Would calling an affair a playfair make it more morally acceptable? Affairs will never go away We’re all aware of that.

But if it is couched in a more glamorous and sophisticated terms, would it be such a bitter pill to swallow?!

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Yoga and cleansing of the internal organs

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ODERN medi cal science now sees the tremendous sense it makes in keeping the body internally clean.

Indra Devi in her book, Yoga for you. and Philip Rice in his book :”Oxygen master of cancer ”. Dr. Rice entertains the opinion that cancer is caused by oxygen deficiency in diseased cells that start multiplying in order to get sufficient oxygen.

But this is not what attracts Indra Devi. What catches her fancy is that the ideas expressed by Dr. Rice in cancer prevention clearly resemble the Yoga principles of diet, breathing, exercising and hygiene.

Just like the yogis, he believes it is of paramount importance to keep the body internally clean by drinking enough water one glass to every 14 lbs of body weight on a daily basis and eating plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and salads. And cleansing the colon by taking enema about twice monthly to rid the system of accumulated

poisons that are the cause of most of our ailments. I shall return to the subject of enema pretty soon.

See, we know the world is of two thirds water and a third land. The human body is built on almost the same ratio of liquid to solid. With this in mind, it sure makes sense to assume that the greater bulk of the food we eat should rather be from the vegetable kingdom to ensure that the food items, therefore give us enough fluid for the proper maintenance of our bodies.

I am not preaching absolute vegetarianism here, I am only pointing out the necessity of eating sufficient vegetables and fruits.

It simply will not do to fill the belly with so much meat and white bread both of which contain no fibre.

This lack of fibre presents a herculean task to the peristaltic waves moving the digested food along the alimentary canal. Bowel movement is hampered and in the end constipation ensues. With constipation

poison accumulates and we become heirs to otherwise avoidable ailments.

So what do we do? Simply eat well.

Hippocrates admonished long ago: “let your food be your medicine”.

Human nutrition has become an immense problem of life. The rich died is acid forming as it is deprived of its alkaline requirements.

It cannot harmonise the acids of the stomach.

Meat (it pops up again) for instance, rots in the intestine forming gases which get into the alimentary walls. The blood is here surcharged with waste materials which block the capillaries chronic diseases, weakness and low vitality can be traced to the accumulation of water matter.

Before we have gone far in the yoga exercises, I have thought it imperative to discuss the internal environment. Once we keep our insides clean and watch what we eat, performing the exercises will then bring about great improve-

ment quickly in our well being.

Now back to the business of taking enema.

Let it be known that there are various types, but we shall for our purpose here concern ourselves with one of the simplest, namely honey enema.

Dissolve three table spoonfuls of honey in quart of water, preferably boiled first and then allowed to cool down to rom temperature. Assume a knee-chest position projecting the buttocks in the air and keeping the head down then administer.

In this position gravity helps the flow of enema through the descending colon across the transverse into the ascending colon.

For very effective cleansing, the complete filling of the colon is absolutely essential.

The enema must be held within for 10 to 15 minutes before dislodging the contents of the bowels.

For exercise we shall consider the twist posture.

This posture belong to the

group of basic yoga postures as does the head to knee the bow and others.

To assume the twist posture sit up straight. Place the right heel under the left thigh with the right leg lying horizontally on the floor. Turning the chest to the left, place the right arm in front of the left knee which is vertically erect and hold the left ankle with the left turning the head to the same direction. The left hand should be placed midway across the back at an angle of 90 degrees.

Change legs for the other way round.

On each side of the posture breathe with an even rhythm for as long as comfortable.

The benefits of the twist posture are that spiral deformities are over come and the nerves are strengthened. The qualities of self-con-

fidence and determination are also imparted by the twist.

For those who may not be able to execute the posture as described, they may try to do the modified version which is as follows: arrange legs as already described. Place right hand over the left knee but instead of holding the left ankle simply clasp the side of the left thigh with the left hand down behind the back on the floor for support and then twist leftward.

Change legs and perform the other way round.

*The Twist

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

PAGE 24 —SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

08056180152,

SMS only

It’s St. Valentine’s Day week - So let’s get mushy!

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NSTEAD of stamp ing your feet in frus trated anger and wondering where you went wrong in your previous and current relationships, why don’t you make bolder moves towards making your feelings known to your loved ones? No use in burying them, you know? So to all you young and not-soyoung readers? this is a tribute to love.! Remember, it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved!

Despite the permissive society (or because of it) a lot of us, especially women, suppress our loving feelings, giving our loved ones the impression that they could drop dead and we wouldn’?t bat an eyelid.

Next Thursday is St. Valentine’s Day and this column is urging you to use the excuse to bring back love into your life.

We all need love and let’s face it, love does not do you that much good after you’ve lost it like the poet Ellen Regan found out. She wrote: It’s been so long since you’ve been gone.

I thought time could erase, But, oh, so clear like yesterday I still see your face.

The eyes that once had Danced with love, Grew dark and cold as stone, The love that once was shared by two.

I’d have to bear alone, But if I’ d told you one last time..

That I’d love you for ever, Maybe the tears I cry alone, We could have cried to-

gether.

I watch the waves roll silently.

My heart quivers with pain.

Though it was so long ago, it still hurts the same.

And how I’d like to just this once.

Turn back the hands of time.

I’d do things so very differently.

And you would still be mine.

As we shake off the cobwebs of lost loves, dare we take a look at the naughty thoughts of Simon Said? Why not? It is lover’s week remember? He wrote: “May I feel said he I’ll squeal said she Just once said he It’s fun said she May I touch said he How much said she A lot said he Why not said she .. cccome? said he Ummm, said she And from that passionate height, let us gently come down to earth with Christian Rosetti’s thought on the first day lovers meet. “I wish I could remember the first day”. She wrote: First hour, first moment of your meeting me.

If only I could recollect it!

A day of days I let it come and go.

As traceless as a thaw of bygone snows.

It seemed to mean so little, meant so muchl If only now I could recall the touch.

First touch in hand did one but know!”

Yet love is not the innocent and simple emotions it is cracked up to be.

June Paschal warned that: “When you’re met with hugs and kisses.

And in loving arms you’re caught.

Just take it in your stride.

And ask her what she bougbtr” Whatever memories you must have of love though, remember that it always gives you the deepest of feelings. Sad or happy, the intense feelings of love can never be compared with the hurt or ecstasy of any other failure or achievement.

“Warm was the passion of my youth”, wrote Byron.

“One trace of dark deceit it leaves not.

For oh! I loved you most sincerely.

And though our dream at last is ended.

My bossom still esteemed you deadly”.

And if you are one of the cynics who’ve lost all hopes of love because you’ d been hurt before in the past, eat your heart out with this taunt from an-

other poet: “Plunge your hands inside the basin, Plunge them up to the wrist.

Stare, stare in at the water, And wonder what you’ve missed ... “ So have a wonderful St. Valentine’s week and make the most of your love-weekend. Try and recapture the passions and madness love brings in its wake. Like this piece of passion expressed by Listz: “Marie! Oh let me repeat that name a hundred times, a thousand times over, for three days now it has loved within me, oppressed me, set me afire, I am now writing to you, no, I am close beside you, I see you, I hear you ...

Eternity in your arms.

Heaven, Hell, everything all is within you redoubled...

Oh! leave me free to rave in my delirium.

Drab, tame, constricting reality is no longer

have the fruit that I am searching for, please come to me and let’s eat it together. My aching legs, but I won't give up searching for you.

Percy Onos, Warri.08186384582. percyonos@yahoo.com

Beneath her beauty

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OUR column to express your loving thoughts in words to your sweetheart. Don’t be shy. Let it flow and let him or her know how dearly you feel.

Write now in not more than 75 words to: The Editor, Sunday Vanguard, P.M.B. 1007, Apapa, Lagos. E.mail: sunlovenotes@yahoo.com Please mark your envelope: “LOVE NOTES"

My fruitful garden

The garden of love where variety of fruits abounds.

But I am yet to find the fruit that will satisfy this thirst for true love. What a lonely gardener I am. You

Who will walk pass her with out turning around?

She is beauty personified. Her smile like the rising sun,radiates brightly.The ray of her pulchritude, like magnet ever draw men to her. But beneath her beauty lie a raging furnace that chartters every unsuspecting victim she comes accross. Just like the Trojan Horse she disguises herself as an Angel. She is perfect lethal weapon,designed to exterminate men. Her voice like the nightangale's, can melt a stone heart.

I was once her prey, encapsulated in her treachery, but miraclously i was unleashed from the sharkles of this being. I really feel for her next victim.

Ezenwanne Emmanuel,

enough for me. We must live our lives to the full, loving and suffering to extremes!”

And finally, just remember that you don’t hold a man only through his stomach or your house-keeping. The best way to hold a man is in your arms! Have a happy St. Valentine’s day!

Aspirin Every 2 Days Cuts Cancer Risk Taking aspirin cuts the risk: of certain cancers by more than 40 per cent, even when only taken every other day, according to a recent study.

Harvard researchers have found that even a very low dose of the painkiller drastically reduces the odds of bowel and stomach cancers.

Women who took one 1OOmg tablet every other day were 43 per cent less likely to get bowel cancer and 36 per cent less at risk of stomach cancer, after a period of 20 years.

A number of studies

have shown that a daily dose of aspirin drastically cuts the risk of developing cancer, and of tumours spreading once diagnosed. But until now it was not known if the pills had similar, preventive effects when taken less frequently. Although aspirin has been dubbed the wonder drug as it protects against heart attacks, strokes and cancer, it causes stomach bleeds and ulcers in some patients.

Taking a low dose every other day however would mean such patients would be less likely to have these side effects.

Researchers from Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, the US, looked at the records of 39,876 women over 45.

Half were told to take one lOOmg aspirin tablet every other day for ten years while the remainder were given a placebo - a dummy drug. The researchers compared how many women from each group had developed cancer and found no difference.

But when they looked at them again eight years later - 18 years after the study started - they found the odds of developing bowel or stomach cancer amongst those on aspirin were significantly lower.

Lead researcher Professor Nancy Cook said people should not start taking aspirin every other day without consulting their GP. ‘There are side effects. They are rarely fatal but they do cause the need for hospitalisation. ‘

ezenwanneemmanuel@yahoo.com 08033457768

What a wonder!

Sometimes I wonder, what and how life would have been without love. But atimes I wonder if we really understand the concept of love. But most time I still wonder, why people abuse love and misconstrue it.

But I've come to a conclusion, love means many things to different people, based on the level of undstanding. Sometime we look love straight in the eye...but we don't know what it means. We opt for whatever we see,even though they might not be the best for us. I only wish I can see true love and recognise... I wish true love can find me, and hold me tight, despite all shortcomings. We all ought to love and be loved...

Stan Stan stanfeelings@gmail.com 07035709315

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 25

Life of pregnant woman cut short zControversy

over Delta hospitals role

*One of the hospitals dogged by death controversy

BY EMMA AMAIZE

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t was an avoidable death.

32-year-old pregnant woman and mother of two, Mrs Elo Onome did not live to tell her story. ‘When on Sunday, November 25, 2012, she was rushed to the Central Hospital, Ughelli, Delta State from another government hospital in Otu-Jeremi following complications in her pregnancy, she thought she would live.

But there was no consultant on duty at the Central Hospital to handle her case consequent upon which she was referred to a private clinic, also at Ughelli. Mrs Onome was delivered of a dead baby at the private clinic which now referred her to the Central Hospital, War ri, following more complications in her case. But the woman did not make it to Warri. She died on the way. The husband says his wife would have lived if she had received prompt medical attention at Ughelli Central Hospital. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, a medical doctor, is said to be livid about incidents of nonavailability of personnel in hospitals in cases as Onome’s, said to be rampant in Delta State.

Sources said the governor might wield the big stick against members of his profession if things did not change fast, as he would not condone anyone or anything that will put a question mark on his health programme for the people in the state.

At the last national summit of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, which he hosted, in January, in Asaba, the governor made it clear that he decided to host his colleagues to provide an avenue for internal cleansing and rededication to duty.

If anything, he told Sunday Vanguard after the conference, “I am happy that

doctors have seen the need not to embark on strike action and leave patients to suffer on hospital beds because of their grievances over wages and allowances. That was one of the messages the doctors that attended drove home strongly and they agreed with us in the communiqué that was later issued.

“As far as Delta is concerned, we are doing everything possible to extend healthcare to our people, the Free Maternal and Child Healthcare programme as well as the quality health facilities at the State Teaching Hospital, Oghara, has greatly reduced maternal and child mortality in the state.”

‘My wife would not have died if …’

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he bereaved husband, Mr. Joseph Onome, a businessman, narrated the circumstances that led to the death of his wife: “I know that my wife would not have died if there were medical experts at the Ughelli Central Hospital to attend to her when we came.

We were referred from OtuJeremi General Hospital, where the lackadaisical attitude started and complications cropped up to the Central Hospital, Ughelli, where we met no consultant to handle her case.

“Specifically, I was told by a student doctor that the consultants had traveled for the weekend and there was no qualified medical personnel to attend to us. That was why we were referred to a private clinic. I never planned taking my wife to a private clinic, but, because of the situation, I did that and, from there again, I was referred to the Central Hospital, Warri. My wife could not make it, she died on the way because people, who were supposed to on duty, were not on duty in a government hos-

pital”.

Ikimi blames doctors, nurses

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a t i o n a l Coordinator of the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Oghenejabor Ikimi, who is Onome’s counsel, blamed medical personnel in the government hospitals where the woman was rushed to for her death, in a letter, dated December 24, addressed to Uduaghan, The letter is entitled, “Petition against negligence of duty and lackadaisical attitude to work by the doctors and nurses in the General Hospital, OtuJeremi and Central Hospital, Ughelli, resulting in the untimely death of Mrs. Elo Joseph Onome”.

Ikimi asserted that the deceased, who was duly registered for ante-natal care at the General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi and who was approaching delivery, was rushed on Sunday, 25 November, 2012 to the said hospital on the complaint of waist pain at about 1:20 a.m.

He went on:“It is also our brief, that when our client got to the said hospital (Otu Jeremi), it was only one nurse, named Mafemi, that was on duty in the whole hospital and, aside our client’s wife, there was another labour case the said nurse was attending to. After she examined our client’s wife, she disclosed that the complaint was as a result of the fact that the wife was about to commence labour, but, because of the staff strength at the facility at that material time, she, being the only person on duty, she refused to

our client’s wife, further referred our client’s wife to a private clinic known as Celina Clinic, but later changed his mind and ask our client to take his wife to Life Care Clinic, on the same excuse that there were no consultants on ground, as all of them have gone for weekend even though he admitted that the hospital had the facilities to handle the case.

“It is also our brief that because the bleeding of our client’s wife, whose case was getting more severe by the passage of time, our client took her to the nearby clinic named Life Care Clinic, where she was eventually delivered of a still-birth and because at the time of arrival, the case had already worsened, she was further referred to the Central Hospital, Warri, where she eventually gave up the ghost on her way to the said hospital.

“Take notice that if no step is taken to redress this huge loss to our client, we shall be compelled to institute a legal action against the Ministry of Health and the Hospital Management Board for snuffing life out of our client’s wife and child, whose shinning destiny was abruptly truncated.”

We were not negligent – Medical officer unday Vanguard visited the General Hospital, Otu-Jeremi, December 20, 2012, where the medical officer, Dr. Tuoyo Eda, confirmed that Mrs. Onome was actually brought to the hospital by her husband on the date in question, but said she was having hemorrhage and was referred to Central Hospital, Ughelli for specialist attention.

He said, “From the records of the nurses, she was being seen, monitored and we have our documentation. Labour is a complex matter, anything can happen in labour, it was well-handled here.”

At the Central Hospital, Ughelli, the medical director was said to be on leave, but consultant pediatrician/child health expert, Dr. Okposio Mathias, promised the authorities would get back to our reporter. They never did.

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*Mrs Onome... dead with her baby

admit our client’s wife into the labour room, but rather told our client (Joseph Onome) to bring her back, as soon as the wife discharged water from her vagina.

“It is also our brief that when our client got home, the wife started vomiting and thus was taken back to the same hospital and was eventually admitted at about 2:00 am, after which our client left in order to attend to his other children at home.

“At about 7:30 am, the nurse on duty called our client and informed him that his wife has started bleeding but had not yet been delivered and, as such, our client went back to the hospital and met one Dr. Ikpegbu Tochukwu, who wrote a referral letter transferring the case to the Central Hospital at Ughelli on the ground of the unavailability of staff to handle the case at the material time.

“It is also our brief, that at the Central Hospital, Ughelli, our client met one Dr Mike, a houseman at the maternity ward and without examining

I did my best to save her life – Dr. Imure

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edical director of Life Care Clinic, Ughelli, Dr. M.G. Imure, told Sunday Vanguard that he attended to Mr. Onome and his late wife “because I saw that they needed help; if not, I was to travel to Benin City after coming back from the church on that day”. He added: “Mr. Onome, who rushed to my house, told me his wife was bleeding and in labour pain.

I did scanning and saw that the placenta had detached from the womb. I took blood samples, told the man to go and do laboratory test, while I took the woman to the theatre.

PAGE 26 — SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

The road to a country without child abuse

BY BY SUZAN EDEH

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hild abuse is a social phe nomenon that has attract ed so much attention all over the world. It is referred to the physical, sexual or emotional mistreatment of a child.

With the condition of children in the country, particularly those that are exposed to all forms of degradation and molestation, more drastic measures ought to be put in place to address issues connected to the violation of the rights of children. What is even more sympathetic is a case whereby a child is beaten, cut with a knife or razor, burnt and poured with acid because there is a belief that the child is possessed with a spirit of witchcraft. Sadly enough, most of the victims accused of witchcraft are innocent and have nobody to fight for their cause. Investigations revealed that many African countries in the world are guilty of this nefarious act as tradition, culture and religion are the strongest reasons people still cling to it, a combination of high levels of poverty, environmental degradation and corruption mean that many children do not enjoy their basic rights In 1988, the Nigerian chapter of the African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect,ANPP-CAN, organized three conferences with the ministry of Justice, Health and Social Welfare in conjunction with UNICEF to produce a new draft law on protecting children in Nigeria. This draft stimulated the government to develop the current Child Rights Act 2003. Since the creation of the law, it appears to have different levels of acceptance and implementation among Nigerian states.

Even though the Act is legally binding, there is no provision of national force that truly protects children against abuse. Child protection activities are still the efforts of NGOs and implementation has been made very challenging.

A report by ANPP-CAN revealed that out of the 36 states in the country, only 26 have implemented the Child Rights Act. It states that in many states, members of child rights implementation committee lack the mobilization and capacity to effectively advocate and facilitate the contents of this law. While the advocacy for the passage of the Child Rights Act in the various states that are yet to pass the law is ongoing, government should lay emphasis on the need to accelerate implementation of this law not just at the national and state levels but also at the local government level which forms the grassroots of the government system in Nigeria.

The United Nations Children’s Fund

*Demand for protection for the beleagured child

(UNICEF) has declared that if all states in the country would implement the Child Rights Act, violence often inflicted on children which include rape, kidnapping, battery and exploitation twill be reduced to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated.

At a media parley workshop on Child Justice Administration, organised by the UNICEF D-Field Office Bauchi in collaboration with journalists from the electronic and print media in the 10 states that make up the D-Field Office of UNICEF as well as representatives of the Child Protection Network,

(CPN) which took place in Kano State, participants emphasized on the need for states that are yet to pass the Child Rights Act to take a cue from states that have domesticated the law. Participants were also of the view that the media should embark on aggressive advocacy to persuade states lagging behind to pass the law while those who have passed it should put in place relevant structures such as family courts for smooth implementation.

Communications Officer of the UNICEF Bauchi Office, Samuel Kaalu who spoke on the UNICEF’s role in promoting child protection, urged media practitioners to champion the crusade for the implementation of the Child Rights Law in Nigeria.

According to him, “the media should see themselves as stakeholders as far as child protection issues are concerned and that is why UNICEF is partnering with the media because people believe strongly in them as their major source of information. Through advocating through frequent reportage on child protection issues such as the implementation of the Child Rights Law by states that have not done so, stakeholders, lawmakers and state governments in the country would become enlightened and see the need why such a law should be implemented in all states of the federation”.

While stressing on the need for state government to hasten implementation on the Child Rights Law, an officer of the Child Protection Network (CPN)

in Gombe State, Mrs.Lucy Usen, revealed that the fight against child abuse and molestation is on the increase in states of northern Nigeria.

She noted that CPN is a non-governmental organization that has the mandate of protection of the rights of Children.

According to Usen, 200 registered cases of child abuse had been registered by concerned stakeholders and they include, illegal engagement of underaged children in carnal acts by older men, child abandonment, hawking, stigmatization for witchcraft, illegal detention and other forms of depravation. She said that a recent study report onf Bauchi, Gombe, Yola, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Kano States revealed a disturbing child rights violation, but lamented that more cases of rape were not reported due to fears of stigmatization or ignorance.

She said, “CPN has recorded over 50 cases of child rape across the states, but more cases have not been reported. Bauchi State recorded 11 cases with a particular case of one police officer raping nine under-aged girls and a lecturer of one the tertiary institutions raping a teenager. In Plateau State where an adult and minor male rapist gang raped a 14-year old girl, about 8 more cases are at various levels of litigation. In Kano State, CPN recorded 22 cases of children rape while Nasarawa established 4 cases of child rape”.

While commending states that have passed the Child Rights Law, she urged participants, particularly the media, to enlighten their various states on the existence of CPN.

Ahead of IYC elections: Ijaw leader, Aginighan, seeks new credible leadership, counsels Bayelsa govt

BY ADEOLA ADENUGA

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head of the elections into the leadership of Ijaw National Council (IYC), the pioneer gen eral secretary of the group, Pastor P.Z. Aginighan, is rooting for the emergence of a credible executive council. Aginighan, a former acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also commended Governor Seriake Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State for creating a ministry of culture and Ijaw national affairs and providing a secretariat for the IYC, but counselled the state government to resist pressures to influence the outcome of the elections.

A statement by Aginighan read: “As the stage is now set for a new Executive Council to be elected to run the affairs of the Ijaw National Congress, I take the liberty to ventilate my thoughts on the process of conducting free, fair and credible elections.

“I commend the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers and Elders on the appointment of an Electoral Committee under the chairmanship of Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, a founding member and one-time Western Zonal Chairman of the INC. I express confidence in the capacity of the Broderick Bozimo-led Electoral Committee to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

“In the light of the above, I strongly appeal to all patriotic Ijaw sons and daughters who satisfy the requirements set by the Constitution of the INC to take advantage of this golden opportunity to contest for the various positions in the INC Executive Council.

“While I reiterate my earlier commendation of the nationalist stride of Governor Seriake Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State in creating a Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs and providing a Secretariat for the Ijaw National Congress, it is my strong counsel that the Government of Bayelsa State should resist pressures from any quarter to influence the outcome of the forthcoming INC Elections”.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 27

Yenagoa: It’s no longer free flow of traffic

BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

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*A walk for liberation

*

Shan George, women activists rally against gender discrimination EBUN SESSOU

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ore than 200 wom en across the nation walked against gender discrimination.

The walk, which lasted two hours, had in attendance female activists, women politicians and Nollywood stars, including Ejike Asuigbe and Shan George. With one voice, they demanded that the review of the 1999 Constitution should address gender discrimination.

The road show was organised by a network of women groups under the aegis of Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN), and supported by the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP. From the secretariat of the Women Advocate Research and Documentation Center (WARDC), Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos, the women and youth groups took to the streets singing, dancing and sharing information leaflets about issues of gender concerns in the constitution.

National Coordinator, GECORN, Ms. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, in a paper entitled: “Gender Gaps in the 1999 Constitution,” observed that participatory constitution making provides a veritable opportunity for women to gain representation in process and outcome. “Women in some notable African countries like South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda and Eritrea were instrumental in demanding such constitutional inclusion, where governance or social conditions have previously

made free entry difficult or silenced their voices, Nigeria should not be an exception,” she stated.

“The history of successive constitutions in Nigeria has been a history of exclusion, discrimination and imposition on gender bias provisions, a trend which should not be continued, especially in the face of current democratic realities and so the whole essence of the road show and dialogue is to advocate for the inclusion of women concerns as well as the concerns of people with disabilities in the current ongoing constitution review process in Nigeria.

“A truly democratic constitution as being sought by Nigerians should be genders sensitive and non discriminating and what we are telling the constitution review committees as we have earlier stated in the memorandum submitted to the committees and at the zonal hearings, is that Nigerian women want discriminatory provisions against women in the current 1999 constitution to be reviewed and appropriately amended.

“Look at the issue of the language of the constitution for example. The language in which the current constitution is written is not gender sensitive as the pronoun “he” appears in the 1999 Constitution about 235 as if it was only men that were considered as citizens, and the two places that the word ‘woman’ was used {Sections 26 (2) (a) and 29 (4) (b)} was used to cause some disadvantage to and discrimination against women.

“The use of the masculine pro-

noun ‘he” to include women in the entire provision reflects an unequal status between men and women and so it is necessary to divest the constitution of this anomaly to reflect the entirety of the country and affirm that not only men are citizens in Nigeria. We are therefore recommending that the 1999 Constitution should be re-drafted so that the language becomes user and gender friendly”.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and a member of the House Representatives (Calabar/Odukpani Federal Constituency), Nkoyo Toyo, said women in the National Assembly have a strong voice on the committee working on the constitution, and “it is our responsibility to lobby our colleagues on the issues and ensure their inclusion in the constitution. We also need to follow up with our governors and the leadership of political parties including the President and his executive”.

Other women who also lent their voices on the issue include House Committee Chairman on Women in Parliament, National Assembly, Alhaja Binta Bello, who disclosed that, consideration of the constitution review for female folks will provide for a gender sensitivity throughout the country as there will be no room for discrimination against people either men or women.

A United Nations Development Programmes, UNDP, National Gender Expert, Hajiya Mufuliat Fijabi, noted: “The five-point agenda are the irreducible minimals on gender issues, which the constitution review must not fail to include.

With this five-point agenda, the indication is that all the groups that submitted memoranda to the National Assembly Constitution Review Committee have now come together to say that these five points must be part of the constitution that will come out of the review”.

hough a predominantly civil servants state with no industries where everything revolves around the ‘Creek Haven’, the seat of power in Bayelsa State, Yenagoa, the serene capital city is fast losing its rural outlook. In spite of infamous past as the hotbed of crisis at the height of youth militancy in the Niger Delta, Bayelsa is now regarded as the “Jerusalem” of the Ijaw nation and its capital, Yenagoa, ranked as one of the most peaceful cities in the country.

Interestingly, driving in the state capital until late last year was without stress.

Most first time visitors to the state capital, especially from big cities like Lagos and Port Harcourt, were fascinated by the free flow of traffic on the roads. But with the commencement of the expansion of the existing major roads and construction of new internal roads across Yenagoa, among others, life has not been the same again for residents many of whom are now forced to adjust their movement.

For a people who are used to the free flow of traffic on the roads, driving is now a source of pain to many due to the serious gridlock they are subjected to daily in the state capital and the lose of precious man-hours.

Expansion work is ongoing on Isaac Boro Expressway connecting Edepie roundabout linking Imiringi in Ogbia council area and Tombia-Amassoma university community in Southern Ijaw council area to mainland Yenagoa; Azikoro Road, Diete Spiff Road and Road Safety Road, dualisation of Opolo-Elebele road, Edepie-Imiringi road, IgbogeneOnopa Bye Pass linking the Gateway road to East-West Road among others.

Also the ailing Swali Market Road is being expanded while rehabilitation work is also ongoing at the Ikoli Bridge which was on the verge of collapse before the intervention of the present administration.

The bridge, which was not completed by Julius Berger when the latter pulled out of the Niger Delta due to the problem of insecurity at the height of youth militancy was hurriedly commissioned and named Goodluck Jonathan Bridge by the immediate past administration of Chief Timipre Sylva ostensibly to warm its way to the heart of former when he was the country ’s vice president.

Earth moving machines excavating muddy soil, heavy duty trucks sand filling and bulldozers clearing the swampy forests are working simultaneously making the state capital a huge construction yard.

The ongoing works have also resulted in broken water pipes in several areas with electricity poles been relocated thereby causing power outage in some areas.

In recent weeks, commuters and motorists, Sunday Vanguard check revealed, have been subjected to hours of harrowing experiences caused by traffic hold ups along the major highways within the city.

*A road under construction

PAGE 28—SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

.... CRIME AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Confessions of kidnappers of ex-gov’s wife z’N1.1m debt incurred in politics led me to the act’ zHow victim’s former aide hatched plan

BY OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

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hen they got a ransom of N13million from the kidnapping of Mrs. Titilayo OluwoleRotimi, wife of a former governor of the defunct Western State, they had forgotten that whereas the long arms of the law may be slow in catching up with suspected criminals, no matter how long,according to the Bible, “sinners shall not go unpunished”.

It was all regret for Godwin Mfon, 38, and his fellow suspects, Ghandi Daniel Effiong, Johnson Kingsley and Sunday Akanime, as Oyo State Police Command, after what was explained as a rigorous investigation, paraded them in Ibadan.

While three of the suspects in the kidnapping are lucky to be alive, Daniel Ef*A cross section fiong, an ex-staff of Oak Enterprises, the company where they abducted Mrs. Titilola, on the former govdied a rather suspicious ernor’s wife, he said death. Immediately after the it was Effiong, a kidnapping and the ransom former employee of shared, one of the suspects, the woman, that Akanime, told Sunday Vanconceived the idea. guard that he was mobbed “Effiong said he when he started behaving knew how we could like a mad person. make big money It still remains cloudy what because we made led to the death of the fourth very little money suspect. One of the suspects from the previous stated that he died after coloperations. The lecting his N7m share. But first one, we made Akanime claimed he died beN100,000; the secfore collecting his share. He ond one, we made said, having got the hint of his N1.5m. He said he Oyo police boss (2nd right) while parading the suspects death, his colleagues brought was sure if we suchis own part of the ransom to ceeded in kidnaphis one-room apartment ping the woman, we which he later shared with would make big money”. four relatives.

‘Frustration led me into kidKnowing that the game was We told them to drop the ransom in the napping’ up, there was a heated arguAccording to the prime susment among the three susbush at J4 in Ogun State and we took pect, after losing a councillorpects about the involvement an Okada there to carry the money. Out ship election in Akwa-Ibom, of Akanime in the kidnaphe was frustrated and, beof the N2.5million that I got, I settled ping. Akanime narrated how cause he had borrowed monhe met the other suspects. my debt of N1.1million and used N1.5m ey running into N1.1million, he “I saw them by the roadside to buy that navy blue Honda Accord car was heavily in debt. at Abeokuta trying to fix their “It was then my friends called car that was broken down. with number plate LAGOS LSR 446 BB me from Lagos that I should They asked me where they come over. They introduced me could get a good mechanic and, since I lived in the area, take good care of the bag be- said, they carried out three into kidnapping. We carried out I called a mechanic for them. cause there was money in it. successful kidnapping and, three successful ones. We first Subsequently, they used my Later, I knew that Daniel had on the three occasions, it was kidnapped a man in AbeokuOkada for which I got paid. died. I then took the bag to his Akanime that allowed them to ta, but we did not realize much At times, they would buy fuel family at Akwa-Ibom. I called use his room to hatch the money. We kidnapped another woman at Aja in Lagos. The kidfor me. I didn’t know that they his relatives and handed the plans.

The prime suspect, Mfon, napping of Mrs Oluwole-Rotiwere kidnappers. I have nev- bag and the money to them. It er been involved in crime in was then his sister asked me said Akanime got only N5,000 mi was our third operation”, he to give them the description of out of the N13m ransom paid stated. my life”, he said tearfully.

On how they kidnapped the “Without knowing that Ef- the police station where he on Mrs Oluwole-Rotimi.

He gave nobody any doubts wife of the former governor, fiong had died, they brought was rescued when people athis bag to me to give to him. tacked him. I told them”. that he was neck-deep in the Mfon explained: “We just drove claimed crime. When asked how they into the company and whisked They told me that the bag con- Though, Mfon, Akanime was not in the know hatched the idea of kidnap- her into the car and drove her tained N250,000. When I was ping and why they zeroed in straight to Ogun State. We rentof their operations, Kingsley going out, I told my wife to

of suspects. ed a house from a caretaker for a week. That was where we kept the woman. We gave her food that she requested. We always bought fast food from eateries. We didn’t beat her”.

The ransom He narrated that they told Effiong to call one of the family members of the woman and demand for a ransom. “After negotiations, they paid us N13million. We told them to drop the ransom in the bush at J4 in Ogun State and we took an Okada there to carry the money. Out of the N2.5million that I got, I settled my debt of N1.1million and used N1.5m to buy that navy blue Honda Accord car with number plate LAGOS LSR 446 BB. N7million, went to Effiong and Kingsley got N1.5million. I want government to forgive me, I will never do it again”.

Arrest Speaking on how he was arrested, the suspected gang leader stated: “I have a lady in Abeokuta. She called me that she wanted to see me and I went to her. While with her, the police arrested me”.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu, said four suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.

They are from the South South part of the country and they have confessed to the kidnapping. During investigation, we discovered that an ex-staff of the company masterminded the kidnapping. They would be soon be charged to court”.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 29

Smoked out of hotel hideouts!

zEx-senatorial contender poses as EFCC boss, tries to defraud Abia first lady zSuspect lures victims with Jonathan, Obasanjo, Dangote’s fake pictures

BY EVELYN USMAN

E

veryday, hotels re ceive guests of differ ent sorts, some with genuine business and personal purposes and others with criminal intentions. It is, however, difficult to differentiate between guests who visit in exotic cars, with lots of money to dole out in the course of their stay, from the genuine ones .

Remember Cynthia Osokogu? The only daughter of a retired general who was lured on facebook from Nasarawa to Lagos, only to be murdered by her supposed friends? That incident happened in a hotel around Amuwo Odofin local government area of Lagos.

Remember also the case of a bureau de-change operator in Apapa, Lagos who was murdered by his customer ? The dastardly act also occurred in an hotel.

The list of violent crimes in hotels is endless. But the commonest is its use by fraudsters, otherwise known as 419, to swindle gullible Nigerians as well as foreigners, a development that seems to have defied security strategies.

The police said they were putting everything in place to checkmate, in particular fraudsters who defraud foreigners.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of Special Fraud Unit, Mr Tunde Ogunsaki, disclosed during the foundation laying ceremony of a two-storey building named after former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Commassie, at

the SFU, that the Unit was working with INTERPOL, the world’s international police organisation with 190-member countries, in order to meet the growing challenges of fighting such crimes.

But while the Unit is beaming its search light outside the shores of the country, Nigerians at home are battling 419 kingpins using hotels as hideouts.

Recently, a former senatorial aspirant (names withheld) was arrested at the popular Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja by the State Security Service( SSS) in connection with advance fee fraud..

The hotel, according to SSS, was the meeting point between him and his gullible vitims.

As if that was not enough, the suspect, as revealed by the SSS, impersonated the Director of Operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,(EFCC), one Olaolu Adegbite, to deceive his victims.

He reportedly attempted to swindle the wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Mercy Orji, by posing as the EFCC Director investigating Mrs Orji on false financial allegations.

Parading him before newsmen, SSS Director, Lagos State Command, Mr Ben AchuOlayi, said the suspect had a fake EFCC identity card with which he deceived his victims.

“Acting on intelligence report received from Abia State that one suspected fraudster was impersonating Adegbite to defraud the first lady, we trailed and successfully tracked and arrested him at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja on Jan-

zOnwuka (4th left), superimposed in this picture with President Jonathan (middle) and other eminent Nigerians.

uary 27, 2013. At the hotel, he was negotiating with his would be victims and was in possession of an identity card showing his picture with the name E. Adegbite, Director of Operations, EFCC and the commission’s logo on the card.

“The suspect confessed that he collaborated with one Nelson Ndukwe and one Chief Okafor, who are presently at large, to defraud Mrs. Orji through blackmail on the pretext that she was being investigated for financial impropriety”, Achu-Olayi stated, adding that the suspect would be handed over to the EFCC for further investigations while the hunt for the other suspects continued.

Another arrested in a hotel lso arrested by the A SSS was a 35-year-old man identified as Dannison Onwuka. He was arrested at Camelot Hotel, Victoria Island, with 1. 5 million fake dollars..

He was said to have lured one Livinus Yakubu , a Nigerian based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to Lagos, Nigeria, to invest in a $7 million real estate business, belonging to one Mike Adenuga.

The Lagos SSS boss said: “ We received a report by Yakubu, on January 5, 2013, that Onwuka, a purported agent of Adenuga, planned to invest $7m in real estate. Onwuka, having met Yakubu in Dubai recently, invited him to Nigeria to participate in the business transaction. Instead of proceeding with the business,

zSuspects in security operatives net Onwuka introduced the issue of $3.5m which was stamped all over. He told Yakubu that he needed $30,000 to purchase chemicals to wash the money which would erase all the stamps and the money would be spendable.”

The command, he said , encouraged Yakubu to play along, while its men put the suspect under surveillance. “ He was placed under close surveillance at Camelot Hotel, Victoria Island, where he was scheduled to collect the $30,000. Right there, he was arrested with fake money to the tune of $1.5m”, the SSS boss said.

Achu-Olayi further disclosed that during investigation a search was conducted at Onwuka’s chalet at Travel House Hotel, Ajah, where fake different government documents and 12 fake internet superimposed pictures of the sus-

pect in the midst of eminent Nigerians and documents purportedly signed by President Goodluck Jonathan were discovered.

“Investigation has revealed that Onwuka is an international fraudster who specialized in the act of forging signatures of top government officials.

Also, he engaged in superimposing his photograph among dignitaries to portray himself as a member of the inner-caucus of President Jonathan as well as a close ally of prominent business moguls in the country.

He has used such gimmicks to lure in his victims. The worst is that the suspect super-imposed several pictures where he was with President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential office”.

zOnwuka (r) in superimposed picture with business mogul, Alhaji Dangote

zThe suspect, in another super-imposed picture with former President Obasanjo

z Fake dollars allegedly recovered from Onwuka

PAGE 30 — SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 31

PAGE 32 — SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Dr. Simon Imuekheme....You have to learn what it takes to be successful in that job SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

D

r Simon Imuekheme is one leader in Edo State who assisted in the stabilization of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led administration from its inception in 2008. He was Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government until November 9, 2012, when the State Executive Council was dissolved. Following his accomplishments in the civil service, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) honoured him. Imuekheme played a key role in recovering some oil wells belonging to the state but ceded to some neighouring states.

There were insinuations that he was removed as SSG and was replaced by Prof.Julius Ihonvbere due to some unresolved issues with his boss, Governor Adams Oshiomhole. In this interview, he dismisses the insinuation and relives his experiences in government.

Excerpts: NLC/TUC Award As an individual, I am very happy because I feel honoured by the award given to me by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TIC) in Edo State. As you know, Labour is really a very criti-

I disguised to recover Edo oil wells — Imuekheme

cal aspect of governance because they see everybody in government as an enemy or the oppressor. So for the TUC, the central organised labour in Edo, to single me out for the award is an experience I will cherish for life because they represent the views of the workers and, to a large extent, the views of the general public and it gives me a sense of satisfaction that during my service year, I served the people of Edo and the principals who gave me the opportunity to serve creditably.

How will you compare your positions as Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government?

As a career civil servant, you find that as Head of Service, as Permanent Secretary, as Chairman of Board of Internal Revenue, as Director of Hospital Services, you deal with rules and regulations as they relate to service basically; it has to do with manpower management, ensuring that the service is well looked after, that the workers are proactive, that the workers

actually earn their promotions, they are promoted as and when due, that there is enough discipline in the system, that they are able to carry out the projects of government, that there is enough discipline in the system and that they are able to carry out the projects of the government in power. All through

Imuekheme

my days in the service, in the various positions I held, I maintained some principles. The first is that workers welfare is crucial for them to be very productive, two; the policy of your principal, that is the governor and the executive council, is crucial because you must be able to get the entire service to key

into the programmes of government and ensure that the programmes are well executed because it is the civil servants that actually implement programmes; if the civil servants are not forthcoming, they can ruin any administration. And I always put myself in such a position that I will command the respect of civil servants as well as command the respect of the governor so that I could be a bridge between the two; that is what has helped me. Labour is that bridge between government and workers so if you are able to get labour to appreciate what government is doing to embrace dialogue in finding solutions to problems, giving them the true picture of the situation of things are concerned, you will find that things will work well.

The difference with the office of the SSG is that, at that level, you are now the chief administrative officer of the government. You are now involved in active politics because you have to coordinate the political appointees, you have to coordinate the party, you have to coordinate the relationship of government and the legislature, you have to coordinate the relationship of government and the judiciary; so the entire instrument of government at that office of SSG is very, very demanding and you have to be prepared to accommodate all shades of opinions and, most importantly, you must earn the trust of the governor. If you earn the trust of the governor, then you are able to do so many things and it is not your own interest that you are there to propagate but the interest of the governor. Like when I came initially, having not been involved in politics, I was a little bit uneasy, but my own attitude is that when you are given any job, you have to learn what it takes to be successful in that job, and having been in the state, I have interacted with the politicians with everybody in the state, it was easy for me to get a full grip of the situation and I made sure that what Adams Oshiomhole stood for was made available to the public both in the state and in the country at large.

And I want to say with all sense of humility that I do not think I disappointed the comrade governor who gave

Continues on page 33

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 33

‘I disguised to recover Edo oil wells’ — Imuekheme Continued from page 32 me that opportunity.

But it was said that you fell out with the governor and that it cost you your job?

No, I don’t have any problem with the governor. The governor is my leader, my brother and he is my friend.

You can have a brother who is not your friend, you can have a leader who is not your friend and, for me, the day you enter an office, you should also know that, someday, you will leave the office. I am very critical at analysing people’s comments.

W

hen I was sworn-in as SSG, the gover nor made a statement, people will not know the context of that statement; I interpreted it on my own; what he stated was that, “This was not the time to experiment with the office of the SSG. I want to bring in somebody who knows what to do because I am going to be involved in active politicking and therefore the instrument of governance will not suffer and that is what informed my appointment of Dr Imuekheme because I know he knows what to do at all times. I came home that night, I saw myself as a stop-gap possibly to fill a vacuum and, right from that day, I prepared myself that maybe my appointment may terminate with the administration.

So when the EXCO was dissolved on the 9th of November, by 10th and 11th, I had removed my personal effects from the office.

I had written my handover note; so my not being re-appointed didn’t cause any problem to me because, in the first instance, I never knew I could get to the level of SSG and, since my non-reappointment, my relationship with the governor has remained intact and extremely friendly. It is true that a lot of people were disappointed but, like I told the governor, it is that they love me so much their reaction was based on the fact that having actively worked with them for the re-election of the comrade governor, many of them feel that if I am there, when it comes to patronage, I will be able to assist them, that was just the issue but, like I told them, the prerogative to appoint is with the governor.

How were you able to recover some oil wells for the state, because we understand it was a serious battle?

I said once that there were

Imuekheme....We need people with integrity to try and modulate things so many sensitive assignments I have done for the state people will not know but the governor and those who were in government then knew what it took us to be able recover our oil wells from other states. At that time, I was the Permanent Secretary in the office of the deputy governor and our monthly returns from the 13 per cent derivation was just N30 million a month and we were worried that it ought not to be so. The governor called us and expressed his

when I came back to Edo, I handed it over to the governor and that formed the basis of our petition to the Presidency that Edo was being shortchanged. Subsequently, the Presidency set a presidential committee on disputed oil wells and I was the representative of Edo state in the committee which was headed by General Mamman. They came to Edo with the representatives of the navy, the DPR, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, Boundary Commission including the

is actually black; so you find that to blend into the political terrain was one of the initial problems that I had. You have to keep your doors open.

When I used to go to the village, people won’t know when I come in or leave, but when I became SSG and entered into politics, you come to my house in the village, you will find over 200 people waiting outside and inside and you have to attend to them. You have to attend to the youths because the youths actually are the instruments of election propaganda and all the things that

My challenging moments had to do with coping with the antics of politicians. You have to be careful when you are in a political world because you can easily be blackmailed disappointment and then they now gave me the responsibility to find out what happened. I had to go to the Department of Petroleum resources in Lagos and, when I got there, I disguised as a research officer and that I was interested in knowing the distribution of oil production in nine states of the federation, state by state, and they obliged me the information. To my disappointment, I discovered that Ologbo, which is at the centre of Edo State where there is no controversy at all, all the oil wells there being run

by Pan Ocean were credited to Delta State and also other wells like Kasaburu, Ona, they were all being credited to Delta. So I got a copy of the distribution from the DPR and,

Surveyor of Edo State and that of Delta. A fter evaluation, it was established that those wells belong to Edo State and they had to reverse the position. The officials at DPR actually thought I was a research officer but I had to take that step because that was the only way to recover what belongs to us.

Challenging moments My challenging moments had to do with coping with the antics of politicians. You have to be careful when you are in a political world because you can easily be blackmailed.

It is conventionally stated that lying is part of politics; some people will tell you that white is black even when you are seeing; they will argue that what you are saying is white

it takes to convince people and, if you offend them, you will find that they can be extremely be counter-productive; so the fact that you no longer have your privacy was a very big challenge. But I am happy that I had that opportunity because it exposed me to that other side of life.

Are we going to see you soon seeking elective office?

In terms of contesting for elective office, it has not really occurred to me. My primary aim of joining politics was to make sure that Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole succeeds in office. I used to tell him that my politics starts with him and, having embraced ACN, I am now a leader of the party in my local government, I am a leader in the state as

far as the party is concerned and, looking at my pedigree, there is no doubt that I understand Edo State, that I understand the terrain, but as for elective office, it hasn’t crossed my mind because I look at all the issues that are involved; the intrigues, the blackmails and all that some of those things don’t agree with my person. But like Fashola said, if we leave politics to the 10th eleven, the country cannot move forward; so we need people with integrity to try and modulate things so that the country can get its bearing. So I will continue to serve, offer my views and participate.

Edo guber tribunal judgment We are very happy with the judgment starting from the Supreme Court ruling. When that judgment came, I sent a text to the governor that his election was ordained by God and that whatever God ordains cannot be altered by man. It has never happened in Edo that a governor wins 18 local governments of the state without violence, without any thugerry, without firing of guns and things like that but he won the 18 local governments convincingly and the people of the various local governments are happy. So it was something like goose chasing for them to have gone to court in the first instance. I believe that the leadership of the party that initially felt that they will not go to court read the atmosphere and the situation very clearly. I know Oshiomhole’s classmates in primary school, I equally know his classmate in Blessed Martins Secondary Modern School. Dr Osuma, who retired as a Permanent Secretary in the Civil Service of Edo State, was Oshiomhole’s classmate, the current MD of Rapid Response Agency (RRA), Engr Stanley Ndako, was Oshiomhole’s classmate. I can mention many of them that I know because we came from the same environment, but when a matter is before the court, you find that you can comment on it so that you will not be arraigned for contempt of court. But I am happy that the Supreme Court has spoken, then the state Election Tribunal also delivered judgment declaring that Airhiavbere’s petition was frivolous and bereft of evidence. So the governor will now focus in delivering dividends of democracy to the people of the state which he has since started.

PAGE 34—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Choosing Your Advertising Agency I

they can only be derived by working through every step of the creative process.

Because of their importance, deriving these creative elements is the essence of the advertising agency engaged for the job or assignment of working through the creative process. Suffice, therefore, the agency ’s quality, strength, capability has a direct relationship and consequence on the quality of the final

their brand.

There-in lays the justification for a systematic (and creative) agency selection process.

As in every process, selecting or appointing an agency is indeed, only a process. It is open to individual determination along the gamut of adherence.

The extent to which the process which we see as equally a creative process is adhered to is a function of the extent to

,

T took some time to cast the topic for this piece, for the same reason we thought of working on it. The options were various as they were finely different in meaning and implication. Our choice was finally determined by the need to eliminate ambiguity, controversy and argument, just so that the import is not lost in us. We are also clear in our minds, the need to cut out any such distractions occasioned by semantics, flamboyance for reasons of modernity.

To begin, therefore, advertising agencies will remain Advertising Agencies as we know it. We do not have any qualms with those who like to be seen and referred to as creative hot-shops, brand activators…and all such other identities which, at best, come across as desperate attempt at differentiation, it all comes down to ideas and creative work that sell. According to Drew Cannon in her article “How To Choose an Advertising Agency ” posted on inc.com in August 11, 2011, unlike in the past when advert agencies were traditionally defined along certain structures, agencies now come in varying forms today, starting from 10-men experimental to enormous traditional firms with global reach, and everything inbetween.

We have come to accommodate these products of change, not minding how they present themselves, provided they keep the underlying essence of creative ideas and work that sell brands.

The focus of this piece is draw attention to the importance of advertising agency engagement and the need for brands or brand owners to see the process as very crucial to the success of their brand(s) and entire marketing success, and as such, to strictly adhere to the process, for their own good. Brand management is systematic, procedural, creative and objective-driven.

These characteristics explains why on value measurement, what you get is a direct consequence of what was invested (the computer ’s GIGO – garbage in, garbageout).

Last week, we considered a set of variables in the process of developing brand communication or brand advertising messages, grouped as the imperatives of the creative process. In it we laid out those key elements that must be derived in the creative process. Every one of those listed elements is weighty and consequential upon the quality of creative product in form of advert or campaign. Characteristically,

In our market place, mediocrity has taken over professionalism as a consequence of corruption, greed and selfishness. Apart from the profession and professionals who suffer from this corrupt system, brands are failing, the consumer/market is suffering and investments are failing

,

creative output or product. In other words, an agency-driven brand support is only as good, effective, creative, impactful and successful, to the extent the engaged advertising agency is competent.

Interestingly, the competence or strength of any creative team or advertising agency can be determined, just as the creative imperatives for good and effective creative process and products are derived.

Therefore, just as it is the job of the creative team to derive the imperatives for top-end creative product(s), so it is the duty of the client and/or its representative to determine the right advertising agency or team to be engaged to manage

which the selecting team considers it as important, understands its import and consequence, and its intellectual and creative capacity to judge the weighty issues. There must be the will and ability to work the process.

There have been instances where Agency selection process stretches for very long through several stages. For some clients, consultants are engaged to guide them through the process. There have also been cases where the selection process results in a tie between two or more agencies, and the final choice becomes dependent on news and more critical factors. In a situation where it becomes too

difficult to clearly agree on the winner-agency, a particular business or account is shared between two agencies because they are considered equally tied based on the agreed parameters set for the selection process.

Selecting and engaging the advertising agency for a brand is serious and as important as developing the brand itself.

That is why, in ideal situation, the process is devoid of emotion. In her article “HOW TO CHOOSE AN ADVERTISING AGENCY” (posted on in.com on August 11, 2011), Drew Cannon, among other submissions, break the process into four major steps: ASKING – about for the agencies that fall within the pre-determined consideration bracket, WRITING – a request for proposal (in other words, writing the brief), SEARCH thoroughly (carefully run through a guided selection procedure), and ENTER into selection meetings prepared (agency engagement).

Cannon’s submission can be taken as a very brief summary of the ideal agency selection and engagement process, open to expansion and a more detailed and functional model.

But the important thing here is that it captures the reason and operative guideline for a proper agency selection process: THE (MARKETING) OBJECTIVE! Marketing and its attendant consideration and actions are derived and determined at every point. The process starts with and ends with the client, but focused on the brand and the target market, which is the reason for being. It is the consequence of every such action on the bottom-line (which is the marketing objective for the brand and brand-owners, that makes it imperative for the right

decision to be taken at every step of the way. In turn, that right step is as spelt out on the (client’s) brief.

It all starts with THE BRIEF. The process starts with the client’s brief to the initially chosen agencies, inviting them to a pitch. It is upon the strength of the client’s brief, the agencies prepare for presentation at a pitch setting.

In turn, invited agencies make a presentation of their proposal, which should essentially be their understanding and interpretation of the client’s brief. After the presentation, the client goes back to score the agencies based on the strength of their presentation, with the initiating brief as the reference point. Nothing is given to chance, whims and caprices; the brief takes preeminence over every other consideration. The very important consideration in the entire process is the brief.

Therefore, the brief has to be professionally written, focused, strategically focused and robust in its consideration of immediate and future success of the brand at the market place.

The flip side of this analysis is the compromise of the ideal agency selection and engagement process. Unlike in the ideal scenario, the compromised system does not respect the brief. It is all based on personal gains, unstructured method, unsystematic process based on the whims and judgment of individuals who operate outside any pattern. The compromised system does not take the brand into consideration. The decision mak er ’s choice is based determined by personal relationship, immediate financial gains and other selfish considerations. That is why, as at today, over 75% of big brand management businesses are in the hands of service providers who either outright non-professionals or those who engaged in distant related endeavors such as journalism and public relations, but now positions as brand management consultants BECAUSE THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THE MAN/WOMAN WHO DECIDES WHO MANAGES THE BRAND. In our market place, mediocrity has taken over professionalism as a consequence of corruption, greed and selfishness. Apart from the profession and professionals who suffer from this corrupt system, brands are failing, the consumer/ market is suffering and investments are failing – except we go back to the ideal situation.

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 35

THE EMERGENCE OF ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS, APC

Muhammadu Buhari

Bola Tinubu

Rochas Okorocha

Tom Ikimi

Buhari, Tinubu, threaten President Jonathan with Armoured Personnel Carrier, APC What initially looked like a mission impossible two years ago was, last week, consumated and announced to Nigerians: The formation of a mega political party. Named All Progressives Congress, APC (but which is being derisively labelled Armoured Personnel Carrier), the new party’s leaders have threatened to sack President Jonathan at the polls in 2015. But the joke in town now is that since the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, and the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, have all ganged up to merge, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Jonathan’s party, will permanently merge with the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, the Directorate of State Service, DSS, as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to scuttle their dream. This story is about the emergence of APC and, as the ACN once alerted the nation, it is hoped that the PDP-led government at the centre would not employ the instrumentality of its agencies to harass the leaders of APC.

“

WE resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to our people, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end, determined to grow our economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth etc, and stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among our people.” These were the words of the opposition political parties at the unveiling of the new party, All Progressives Congress (APC), at the residence of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain, Chief Tom Ikimi At Ikimi’s No 6 Tent Street, off Theme Street, Maitama, Abuja residence on Wednesday, there was atmosphere of conviviality and comradeship among members of the four political parties, the ACN; the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the All Progressive Grand Alliance and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) that decided to enter into a marriage which gave birth to the mega party, APC. Before the unveiling of the new party, now waiting to be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, cynics were of the view that the political voyage embarked upon by the parties involved would not get to its destination; hence they described it as an exercise in futility.

But the meeting of ten governors elected outside the platform of the

ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos, which constitutes what is known as opposition governors, gave an aura of hope that the merger talks was no fluke and this happened two days before the announcement of the

,

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

have resolved to merge forthwith and become the All Progressives Congress and offer to our beleaguered people a recipe for peace and prosperity.

“We resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues

We resolve to form a political party committed to the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to our people, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end

new party.

Unveiling the APC during a media briefing, Ikimi, the Chairman of the ACN Committee on Merger Talks, flanked by the bigwigs of the four parties that constitute the merger, said they resolved to uphold the principles of internal democracy, focused on serious issues of concern to the people and also determined to rid the country of corruption.

Reading the resolutions of the party for the fusion, he said, “At no time in our life has radical change become more urgent. And to meet the challenge of that change, we the following progressive political parties namely, ACN, ANPP, APGA and CPC

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of concern to our people, determined to bring corruption and insecurity to an end, determined to grow our economy and create jobs in their millions through education, housing, agriculture, industrial growth etc, and stop the increasing mood of despair and hopelessness among our people.

“The resolution of these issues, the restoration of hope, the enthronement of true democratic values for peace, democracy and justice are those concerns which propel us. We believe that by these measures only shall we restore our dignity and position of preeminence in the committee of nations.

This is our pledge.”

The resolution was signed on behalf

of the four political parties by Ikimi himself, who represented the can; Senator Annie Okonkwo for APGA; former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, who was the Chairman, Merger Committee of ANPP and Garba Sadi, Chairman, Merger Committee for CPC. Ikimi explained that each party involved in the merger selected a committee at its highest level which was published at the points of their inauguration, noting that it was the agreement of the leaders of the parties that qualified them to be part of the exercise.

He said the decision taken will be immediately communicated to the appropriate authorities, which include the party, INEC so that the mega party will commence political activities as one entity.

Disagreement in APGA

On the allegation that the national leadership of APGA had said it was not part of the exercise and was never invited to the merger talks, the representative of the party, Okonkwo, said, “When all the governors of the opposition party met, APGA governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the party had participated fully and endorsed the merger.

“I came here on behalf of the leadership of the party to represent APGA, so anybody saying something contrary is on his own.”

On the allegation that some other opposition parties like the Labour Party

Continues on page 36

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Continued from page 35

The story of APC

were not part of the merger, Ikimi said there were many other parties that indicated their willingness to participate in the merger like the Movement for Democracy and Justice that wrote to join, adding that those that had not, if they so desired, could still join.

He said that all the parties involved in the merger talks agreed on the name, All Progressives Congress through consensus and that the party had involved women in all the committees it set up to ensure gender balance.

However, the position of Governor Peter Obi, who is a serving APGA governor, was not clear due to his relationship with the presidency. It has been rumoured in some quarters that he may likely decamp to the PDP after his tenure.

This is the most gender friendly party—Abike DabiriErewa

Bamanga Tukur,PDP Chairman....It is beautiful. The more the merrier.

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The member of the House of Representatives from Lagos State elected on the platform of ACN, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said the APC is the most gender friendly party in the country, adding that women were represented in all committees.

“We have gender represented by all parties here, we can still ask for more but I want to assure you that women here will ensure that Nigerian women get better representation. We are going to ensure that it is not about the number here today, this party will fight the cause of women, this party will ensure that Nigerian women get the best they have never had before,” she said.

Ikimi said Edo State Governor Adams Oshionwhole was fully in support of the process and that he could not attend the opposition governors meeting in Lagos because of flight problem.

On the fate of the National Assembly members following the change of the name of their parties, he said that the federal lawmakers were meeting on the issue even as he noted that some of them were present at the meeting.

Ikimi stressed that according to the constitution, once there was a merger, the members retain their seats as they have not defected to any party.

This the only party that will guarantee Igbo presidency—Okonkwo Okonkwo told Sunday Vanguard that new mega party is the only party that will lead to the realization of Igbo presidency.

According to him, the ruling PDP would most likely pick President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential flag bearer in the 2015 general elections, pointing out that with a candidate of Igbo extraction contesting for presidency in the 2915 presidential election, there was the likelihood that the party will win convincingly.

The former member representing Anambra North Senatorial District also said that with the conclusion of the merger talks and the birth of APC, APGA has ceased to exist.

He said APGA members that were not comfortable with the development have the option of joining the PDP or any other party of their choice as the decision to join the mega party had become a concluded one.

This position seemed to be in reaction to a statement by the party’s National Secretar y, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, that APGA was never invited to the merger meeting and that at no time did any of the relevant party organs take any decision to participate in the fusion bid.

The APGA National Secretary

When a governor of the party has come up to say openly that he is part of the merger, who has the party? Do you know that the truth of the matter is that a lot of PDP people are going to be involved here?

reportedly said that before the party could take part in any merger discussion, its National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee should have deliberated and approved of it, adding that he was unaware whether there was any invitation to the party to that effect.

But Okonkwo said that with the open endorsement of Okorocha, the decision was final.

He said, ‘’When the governor of the party has come up to say openly that he is part of the merger, who has the party? Do you know that the truth of the matter is that a lot of PDP people are going to be involved here? ‘’It is a mega party being formed, it is a merger, don’t be surprised that you will see some ACN people saying they don’t want to be involved and they want to join another party or the PDP. This is the way the leadership of the party moves. ‘’If some people are saying that they will join the PDP, what will you do?

Will you force them? With this merger, all the parties involved have ceased to be. Is APGA bigger than ACN, or is it bigger than CPC or ANPP?” He said that APC will give the country purposeful leadership.

Reactions from the PDP

Shortly after the announcement of the new mega party, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said APC was not a threat to his party.

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Tukur described the coming together of the opposition parties as a good development as the move would inspire the ruling party to action, likening the PDP to Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in the forthcoming elections.

He told journalists: ‘’It is beautiful.

The more the merrier. Let me tell you, there is no polling booth in the whole country where you do not have one member of the PDP. PDP is the only party in the country that fields candidates in every polling booth.”

I prayed that merger should come into reality——Gov Aliyu

The governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, a PDP leader, said he had prayed that a merger of the opposition parties should come to reality, adding that with a strong party on stream, the politics of the country would be more vibrant.

Aliyu advised leaders and those in positions of authority to always be loyal to Nigeria and not individuals while bearing in mind that one day they would leave position and give account of their stewardship.

The marriage will soon head for divorce without a child—Enamhe One of the founding members of the PDP from Cross River State, Dr. Dorncklaimz Enamhe, however, said the parties merger was a marriage that will head for divorce soon without any issue.

He said the merger is an official umbrella of the parties but will not

last as a result of selfish interests of the individual parties, noting that it was a gun powder that will soon explode. ‘’PDP is battle ready for the merger which is a good thing for our democracy. It is now the influence of PDP in all the units and wards will manifest like in my Atubulum unit and Gakem ward in Bekwarra. All the parties always come together against the PDP and we always come out victorious. They are a bunch of strange bed fellows that will soon disintegrate,” he said.

Fears of some opposition party members There are fears within the ranks of the four parties that formed the APC that the former Head of State and the CPC presidential candidate in the 2007 and 2011 elections General Mohammed Buhari, and the leader of the ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinunbu, will use the party as their personal property.

This belief had fueled the speculation that the merger was not going to work out, but secretary of the CPC merger committee, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla Obono-Obla, while dismissing the ambitions of Buhari and Tinunbu as a hurdle on the path of the new party, said the APC was set up to rescue the country from the pit allegedly dug by the PDP. “I can assure you that the two leaders, General Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Ahmed Tinunbu as well as all leaders of the opposition parties agreed that the parties should merge to rescue Nigeria from the pit and no Jupiter will change it,”he stated.

“Bola Tinunbu is a democrat to the core. He was in NADECO, he was a senator, he was two times a governor, he is a democrat, so he cannot impose his will on anybody, likewise General Buhari, he has contested presidential elections, he went to the Supreme Court three times, he has been the most vocal voice for change in Nigeria, so they are not going to impose their wish on anybody. “ You know that Nigeria is on the brink, we are going to change it, railway, petroleum sector, infrastructure, etc. These are the details the merger committees worked out. The comprehensive work plan to ensure that real democracy is entrenched in Nigeria.

“We are also concerned about the independence of the judiciary, this is very important. You can see that the judiciary is not independent, it is dependent and you cannot have a just society without the independence of the judiciary, you cannot have a democratic society without the judiciary so we worked out ways on what the party will do to strengthen the judiciary and make it truly independent,” Obono-Obla said.

While in some quarters, the merger is seen as a platform to strengthen democracy and stop the one party system which the country is gradually drifting to, it is alleged in some other quarters that personal interest will likely affect the new party in its efforts towards wresting power from the ruling party.

Even the position of Oshiomhole in the new mega party is not certain. He did not attend the meeting organized by the opposition party governors and because of the role of Jonathan in ensuring he got his position in his second term bid, there has been the speculation that he would not be part of any discussion that will affect the president should he decide to run for second tenure.

SUNDAY

Vanguard , FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 37

z Momoh... What are we going to tell Nigerians next year that we have done with integration since that time?

BY BASHIR ADEFAKA

P

rince Tony Momoh, 72, is a journalist, lawyer and politi cian. He was the Minister of Information and Culture (1986–1990) during the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, when he concurrently operated as Chairman, African Conference of Information Ministers (19881990). He became the Chairman, Board of Directors of Nigerian Airways (19911993) and was elected National Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in January 2011. Momoh, an Auchi, Edo State-born author, for two hours, spoke to Sunday Vanguard in his office in Abuja on his new book, “Echoes From The Past”, the ride by the opposition parties toward the formation of a mega party and rounded it off by saying, “2015 elections will be fought at the polling units not in courts.”

Excerpts: You have just put a book together and titled it, Echoes From The Past. What would you say informed the writing of the book?

It is written to climax what I can say my friend and former boss in Daily Times, Sam Amuka-Pemu, Sad Sam, started in 1999. You know, Sam puts his fingers on something that is in need for a particular environment. He looks for the person who can provide that need and asks him to provide the need. That was what happened in November 1999 when he said I should write for Vanguard and I said, “There is something I can write for the Vanguard. That was how ‘Monitoring Democracy’ began.

Section 22 of the Constitution is very

MEGA PARTY FORMATION

How the opposition will decide 2015 presidential election, by Tony Momoh •Centenary: Nigeria won’t collapse •’Echoes from Gowon’s pardon, June 12, $12 billion debt repaid to Paris Club’ specific that the media has an obligation to monitor governance. Those who make law, those who interpret law, those who execute law; all of them must embrace and conform to the provisions of chapter two of the Constitution, which are really documented: political, social, economic, educational, cultural, environmental, foreign policy, they are all there. So, before you assume any office, under the seventh schedule, the oath of office says you would conform to and abide by the provisions of chapter two. And chapter two is not justiceable but the courts do not really address the amount of the fact to why chapter two is not justiceable. Chapter two is

not justiceable because the Constitution says so. If you look at the sharing of powers, section six of the Constitution gives judicial powers to the courts and the courts are responsible for adjudication. The Constitution says there are two areas where the courts cannot adjudicate. But chapter four spells out the fundamental rights. So, all the rights: freedom of expression, fair hearing, association, all these are supervised by high courts in a state. If your rights are infringed upon, you go to the high court. Under section 22, the media can look into the infringement of those rights. So the media has the obligation to monitor what is happening because

the Constitution says that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria and, through the Constitution, government derives all its powers and authorities.

Although under chapter four of the Constitution, that is, section 39, the ownership of the media is guaranteed; so you can own, establish and operate a medium to pass ideas and information to anybody you want to receive such ideas and information.

So, when you look at these areas and they say you must monitor governance on behalf of the people and hold governments accountable, you, yourself,

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Continued from page 37 the media have an obligation to abide by the provisions that are there in the Constitution. The media, therefore, because of the power to monitor, constitutionally, becomes the Fourth Estate of the Realm. These areas I’m aware of, as a lawyer and I have been doing a lot of researches in media law and I thought I should provide a service and to fill that vacuum that was missing and Sam said, “Go ahead.”

So, in 1999 November, I started writing, Point of Order, in Sunday Vanguard. And I did it with a view to packaging it for the future. As at 2011, over 12 years, I wrote Democracy Watch: The Monitor’s Diary, that’s the title. So, the first volume 1999 to 2003; the second volume updated to 2008 and the third volume 2008 to 2011. And I stopped writing when I was elected National Chairman of CPC, Congress for Progressive Change, in January 2011.

So, there are three volumes now of Democracy Watch: The Monitor’s Diary. The climax of that effort, Monitoring Democracy, is Echoes From The Past.

T

here appears to be more to this name, Echoes From The Past, than what we can claim to know.

Can you give us some insight?

There are issues I raised in the past as a reporter, which maybe the controversies of that present, which is now the past, had diluted. I bring them now to the front burner as they were at that time. So, you see, in 1983, I interviewed General Yakubu Gowon in London for five hours because he had been pardoned and was to return to Nigeria.

I packaged the interview for Sunday Times.

I was an executive with Sunday Times, but the government of the day pulled out the interview: five hours interview.

It is a chapter in this book.

On September 13, 1993, I wrote a letter to General Sani Abacha, who was the most senior military officer in Shonekan’s government and most powerful man, saying, “Revisit this annulment (of June 12,1993 election) because the future will not be kind to us if we think that we can just annul the election.” I said call (Chief MKO) Abiola and revisit the annulment. And I now sent copies of that letter to all the governors; they were 30 at that time. I sent same to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and some other people. And I wrote a letter in November 1993 to those who were born in 1993 and I postdated it 2024, that, in 2024, they should read that letter when they would be 30 years old, and look at what we have done to the Nigeria they meet and judge us. And I say,’ look at my attempt; I wrote a book, Experiment with disintegration. I say I’m not guilty and what is in this book, Echoes From The Past, is my proof of evidence.’ That letter of 1993,

FEBRUARY 10,, 2013

Centenary:Nigeria won’t collapse

zMomoh....

There is a postdated letter for 2024!

is in this book. So, when you read that letter on the annulment of the election and what I told Abacha to do, then you can know who was talking sense.

You know, in 2005, we paid $12 billion to Paris Club to forgive us our debt of $30 billion. And that debt was of doubtful origin. We borrowed $17 billion at N1:$1.50. Over the years, we paid $22 billion at $1:N84 and then you say we owed over $30 billion. How come you are asking us to now pay $12 billion where you ought to be forgiving us that debt? So, I wrote a series, The Debt We Owe, and, in it, I said we shouldn’t pay that money.

Obasanjo, who was President then, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and everybody were saying if we pay that $30 billion, we would not owe again. And I said we were going to borrow again because by paying that $12 billion, which you should have used to empower the people, you are denying that empowerment.

As at the time I wrote this book, we had borrowed $5 billion external debt and $44 billion internal debt. And to owe people internally is worse than owing them externally.

Because when you owe them internally, you destroy their collaterals, destroy their families and you destroy those hangers-on who are not in employment and so on and so forth. But with external debt, they will just look at the debt and say they penalize you for owing and they reschedule.

But with internal debt you destroy families. We now owe $44 billion to local contractors. And we gave out $12 billion for $30 billion debt of doubtful origin to be written off. That one is here and I wrote the series in 2005.

So, that’s what you have, packaging all the materials over the years. That’s why I call it Echoes From The Past.

By next year, 2014, Nigeria will mark its 100 years of amalgamation. What is your attitude to the journey so far as an amalgamated country?

Yes, in 1914, we had an amal-

gamation. Now, in another year, we will be 100 years as an integrated space. Do you know we are not even preparing? What are we going to tell Nigerians next year that we have done with integration since that time? What we have done is to split up the space that was integrated. First of all, one solid whole that was packaged by Lord Lugard in 1914, then later, three regions, then later, in 1963, four regions, then later, 12 regions, then 19 regions, then 30 regions, now 36 regions and we are even asking for more regions called states to be created, just splitting up the space.

What we have is disintegrated space. Nigeria has 97,000 communities. You know we

period. How would you reconcile that with your claim knowing Americans for their ability to forecast based on facts and figures?

Americans are correct, but they are looking at the material aspect of the equation, not the spiritual. God Almighty has a mission for Nigeria and that mission must be achieved. The darkness is at work to subvert this nation, but darkness cannot win against the light.

And one thing you must know is that evil has a life span. All that is happening, which is causing problems presently for our country is evil with a life span. Nigeria is going to shine.

The whole world will stand for Nigeria in the next 20, 25 years.

So, you, young ones, have a

I wrote a letter in November 1993 to those who were born in 1993 and I postdated it 2024, that, in 2024, they should read that letter when they would be 30 years old, and look at what we have done to the Nigeria they meet and judge us have split it into what we call 36 states now and 774 local government areas. But that does not mean that the people who were there as 97,000 communities, that were there when the British came, are not still there. So, there is no way Nigeria can break up. Those communities; the Hausa, the Yoruba, the Igbo were trading before the British came. They are still there and so there is no way you can say Nigeria will break up. Nigeria will not break up. And in this book, there is a chapter, “Will Nigeria collapse?” Nigeria will not collapse.

But a paper from the United States of America predicted that Nigeria’s unity would collapse meaning that the country may break up at a certain

responsibility to grow Nigeria.

You better get ready for how you are going to grow Nigeria and not be talking of a Nigeria that will collapse because it won’t collapse! It’s all here in Echoes From The Past.

Why have you decided not to launch the book?

Now, for instance, when you launch a book, people would say,’ I pay ten thousand naira’, ‘I pay one million naira’ and so on, for one copy. I want this book to be read. So, I packaged the book and said everybody should come and buy it five thousand naira per copy and, when you buy, read and let your children read. Our children, read and let everybody read.

This is something inspired; they are just facts, facts, facts. This

is the fact I document in 1983 and when I look at it now, it reminds me of a lot of things: 1983, 1993, 2003 and more.

There are here, 75 powers of the National Assembly. The National Assembly people have more powers than we think. All of them are here. So, even governance without tears is here. There was something I discussed with (former President) Obasanjo in August 2000 and he was very excited and ,with due credit to Obasanjo, he started the constituency projects that people are messing up now and all those constituency projects are on the basis of lots of things I said here, there is a chapter on ‘governance without tears.’ In section 172, federal public officers will abide by the provisions of the Fifth Schedule. Under section 209, state governments’ public officers shall abide by the provisions of the Fifth Schedule and swear to your oath of officer, “I promise to abide by the provisions of the Fifth Schedule” and the Fifth Schedule is Code of Conduct.

And the Code of Conduct Bureau, which is in charge of this, you must fill form, declare you assets and update it as your assets increase and then update it every four years and you also update it when you want to leave office. It’s all there. It’s obligatory. It’s constitutional.

You can’t take office without filling this form.

If for one reason or the other someone alleges that you misinformed the bureau or that you did not fill your form adequately or that you breach any provision of the code, they can call you and then discipline you at the Code of Conduct Tribunal. Those who can be disciplined by the Code of Conduct Tribunal are listed in part two of the Fifth Schedule: The first is the president, second is vice president and then the governors, down to National Assembly people and so on and so forth and to councilors. The list is about sixty something public officers who are subject to the provisions of the Fifth Schedule.

Now the governor will now say’ because I have immunity you cannot take me to court.’

He’s correct. But the Code of Conduct of Tribunal is not a court. It is a disciplinary body.

Like Gani Fawehinmi once said, “You can investigate the governor when in office, but you cannot prosecute him.” It doesn’t mean you cannot discipline him because section 308 of the Constitution says those who can enjoy immunity are the president, the vice president, the governors and the deputy governors during the period of the office when they are expected to perform the funct i o n s o f t h e o ff i c e . I t ’s a function of office corruption? It’s a function of office money laundry? You are even barred from operating foreign. account. If you operate a foreign account, the discipline Continues on page 39

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PAGE 39 FEBRUARY 10 , 2013, 2013,PAGE

Continued from page 38 is that they seize the money and give it to government.

W

hen the courts vested with the power of adjudication now fail to tell either the president or the governor that he can be taken to the Code of Conduct Tribunal to answer questions on those areas of wrong doings not having criminal content, who can do that since failure to put such thing straight is capable of rubbishing the Constitution?

The one to terrorize the governors and ensure that they go to the Code of Conduct Tribunal is the press. So, the press must stand up, monitor these people and get them penalized and disciplined while in office. These things are so clear and they are all here.

In America, it doesn’t matter who occupies the White House as president. The system is always there which influences the person in power to perform in the interest of the state. But here in Nigeria, it appears such thing does not exist… (cuts in) We have.

Then why is it not working?

That is the thing. You just asked me, why is it not working? And I now tell you, it is because of indiscipline. For instance, section 14 is clear where it is said that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria and, through the Constitution, government derives its powers and authority. It means that the Constitution is a documentation of delegated powers. What you do, if it is not in the Constitution, you have no power to do it. It is as simple as that! And then different bodies: the courts, disciplinary bodies like Fifth Schedule and so forth; they are all there, police, security agencies are all there to moderate the performance of the duties. Even the National A s s e m b l y, w h i c h i s t h e reason sometime when the President commits any impeachable offence, he can be impeached; same with State House of Assembly in the case of the governor. So, section 14 is clear, sovereign belongs to the people of Nigeria. And that section 14 says, we have chosen democracy as social justice; as our legs on which to walk.

Democracy is a system of government that people choose to regulate the management of their affairs. A system of government could be military rule, it could be other forms of dictatorship, but democracy is what Nigerians have chosen. And democracy is democracy because you have the participation of people in governance through those who are 18 and they have no age limit. And then when election time is there, they are accredited to vote; the votes are counted and the votes count. Get that clear; the votes must count and

zMomoh...I said what you have at the polling stations is not what you have at the announcement stage

’Echoes from Gowon’s pardon, June 12, $12 bn debt repaid to Paris Club’ that is why democracy is democracy.

If you register and you are accredited as voters, after counting, they announce the votes at the polling units; in the presidential election, there are more than 120,000 polling units; you now go to eight thousand ward collation units and collate the results for 120,000 polling units and then move

ten and you call that democracy? So, the first leg democracy you are talking is not practised in Nigeria.

There is too much manipulation.

Then the other one is social justice. Social justice is reflected in welfare and security of the citizens. Once there is no welfare, there is no security.

You became the National

Not because we just want to merge. No, no, no. Nigerians are entitled to better way of governing. What is happening now is not even about PDP alone because those destroying Nigeria today sharing all the money are less than a dozen from those collation units to 774 local governments’ collation units; then from there to 37 states (including Abuja) collation units and then you now start seeing Jega or Iwu announcing the results as a result of the collation at the states’ level.

Ta k e , f o r i n s t a n c e , w h a t happened at the 120,000 polling units is the aggregate you are announcing at the states’ level, someone will say,’ congratulations’. But what happened is, first of all, in almost 60 percent of the voting areas, there was no voting at all. People just mismanaged what happened there, then at the eight thousand collation units, you have people just come in to manipulate. Then, at the local governments’ collation units, they manipulate and then, at the state collation unit, they now announce the result of the manipulation, maybe what they have writ-

Chairman of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which has General Muhammadu Buhari as its presidential candidate for sometime now. He is considered as about the only man standing after those materials in the PDP. In a country where people want alternative leader in government, why do you think your candidate did you make it at the last election?

I have said it. I said what you have at the polling stations is not what you have at the announcement stage.

That was why I illustrated with the presidential election.

Al-Jazeera (Television) came here and took photographs of some INEC forms that were manipulated. The doctoring by the PDP was there and we have them here. When they took things from the polling stations to go to ward collation stations, they doctored

them. From one collation centre, they go to the next.

In fact, the perfecting of the rigging process is that as at the time you get to the ward collation centre, they just tear what you have brought and bring out what they have already written on. So, all they do is that they just produce what they have written up by the time you come and what you are bringing is of no use.

So, in other words, go and ask: General Muhammadu Buhari has never lost any election since 2003. Even one of the Court of Appeal judges said he won.

What you are saying is that, Nigerians have actually been voting for General Buhari?

Nigerians have always been voting for Buhari. The managers of chaos have been the people in charge. But, like I have said, evil has a life span.

The proposed merger between CPC and the ACN is thought to be a way out of the electoral manipulations that you have enumerated. Now hearing from the horse’s mouth, what is the exact position of the CPC on this merger?

On the 16 th of January this year we inaugurated our team presided by the former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Garba Gadi, and the inauguration was done by General Buhari. They have terms of reference and we are not into merger for the sake of merging. We are re-enacting the profile of the progressives: those who believe in democracy, in promoting, presenting and, you know, funding democracy; those who believe in the brief in the Constitution that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria. In other words, elections under the progressives will be free, fair and transparent. It’s

not saying something and doing another. Rigging will be a thing of the past.

That is the message we, the progressives, want to sell.

We believe in devolution of power and the progressives will work for the devolution o f p o w e r. T h e c e n t r a l i s too…..

We believe, for instance, that elections should be held i n o n e d a y. W h y a r e y o u s t a g g e r i n g e l e c t i o n s ? We believe that security and welfare of the citizens is what Nigerian people want b e c a u s e t h a t ’s w h y t h e y chose social justice. We believe in provision of jobs, facilities and so on and so forth. And all these are packaged things that we want Nigerians to accept and buy. We believe in discipline and don’t believe in corruption. Corruption is destroying Nigeria. And those we want to present to Nigerians are those who would fight corruption. So, when you have this type of package and package it as a political party and all the parties will dissolve into that p a r t y. T h a t ’s t h e m e r g e r plan.

Not because we just want to merge. No, no, no. Nigerians are entitled to better way of governing. What is happening now is not even Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PDP is the party in government but those destroying Nigeria today sharing all the money are less than a dozen.

You know, there are even PDP people that are deprived as any other Nigerian today.

Go and ask people in PDP. Many of them don’t know what is happening. A few people just sit down and share.

For instance, we have to address the issues frontally and let people of Nigeria look at those in government as servants, rather than masters. It can be done.

Finally, as a party that all of you plan to dissolve into, you still remain in the opposition and don’t hold the machinery of government, which, as you alleged, was used to rig past elections against your candidate. How do you ensure that votes at the next voting season count?

Actually, you will see that in some areas, in spite of the rigging they do, you still win because you monitor and secure your votes. Where you have, for instance, ACN – anybody can say whatever he likes – can be seen as a South West party; CPC can be seen as a party in the North; APGA can be seen as a party in the South East,but as you have these regional parties coming together, you now see that if CPC and ACN come together; CPC can secure its own votes in the North, ACN secure its own votes in the West. You see now that there is more solid opportunity to secure votes so that the votes can count.

We are saying that the 2015 elections will be fought at the polling units not in the courts.

40—SUNDAY, Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Ovie of A gbar ha-Ot or receiv es S taf Agbar gbarha-Ot ha-Otor receives Staf tafff of Of Offfice

T

HRM Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe,Okorefe1,Ovie Of AgbarhaOtor Kingdom, Receving his Staff of Office from His Excellency, Dep. Gov. of Delta State Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN)

he Ovie of the great Agbarha-Otor kingdom, His Majesty Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe, Okorefe1 was recently given his Staff of Office by His Excellency,the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan who was represented by His Excellency, Deputy Governor of Delta State Prof.

Amos Utuama (SAN) . The ceremony was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life, including almost all traditional rulers across Delta State.

The Ovie, his Queen Elohor Okorefe and Mr Francis O.Ukpedesivwe

Engr. Christabel Oke Obiuwevbi,Executive Asst. to the Dep. Gov. of Delta State Congratulating Mr Francis O.Ukpedesivwe, Uncle to the Ovie

L-R: Olorogun Senator Felix Ibru, Chief Dr.Alfred A.Akpobome and Chief Emmanuel Okumagba

D

(Middle)Chief Khalin Ofomukoro,(left) Chief Alfred Onavwa and Chief Miller Ofomukoro(Right)

Cross sections of other royal fathers

Oil and Gas parle furun parleyy in Ef Effurun

elta State Government organized a stakeholders’ conference on oil and gas industry during the week at the prestigious Wellington Hotel in Effurun, Delta State. Dignitaries from all over the state came to the parley to jaw-jaw and unwind.It was thrills and frills galore as guests, including the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Amos Utuama who represented his Chief Executive Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan,Commissioner of the Oil and Gas Ministry,

Mr Omamofe Pirah and others

Cross section of Traditional Rulers

I

Participants during the conference

Participants forum

during

the

stakeholders

Interswitch holds dinner @ 10

nterswitch , an integrated payment and transaction processing company organised a dinner get-together last weekend for business executives at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos to celebrate its 10th year of operation. The celebration was dubbed ‘celebrating 10 year of innovation’ and it was a fun-filled night as business community egg-heads networked and merry freely. Photos by Shola Oyelese

L-R:Mr Ikem Emelieze,Director, Bukky Adeyinka, Chief Human Capital Officer and Mr Segun Falana of FCMB

L-R:Mr Jonah Adams,MD, Smartgov, Mrs Tolulope Adams and Mr Asuquo Ekpeyoung, OON, Chairman, Smartgov

L-R:Mr Omebere Iyari of CBN, Mrs Kika Omebere-Iyari and Mr Emmanuel Okoro of Airtel Nigeria

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 41

How Nigeria’s economy can grow– CBN Dep Gov *Says banking now conducted in ethical manner *’Early passage of budget good but...’

MR Tunde Lemo, Deputy Governor, Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), bares his mind on the efforts of the CBN to enthrone price and exchange rate stability while pursuing Nigeria’s economic and developmental objectives.

He also projects an increase in banks’ credit to the agriculture sector to 10 per cent of total bank credit by 2017.

Excerpts:

T

MR Tunde Lemo....We are going to have a very good budget performance which means that we give the banks additional headroom.

All that we did to increase money supply and ensure that the economy continues to grow inspite of the challenges; which was why Nigeria didn’t experience recession. In order

,

HERE are fears that the global credit crunch may affect our banks. How safe are depositors funds and how effective is Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, in terms of achieving its objectives?

There are new rules on what banks can do with depositors money, that came when we began to unbundle the banks .

We had to jettison universal banking and we said that banks should be structured such that they can protect depositors money. So if you are a bank sitting on depositors money, you shouldn’t have the means by which money travels into your subsidiaries- that is not deposit taking.

We restructured the financial institutions through AMCON and through new regulations to ensure the rascality of the past does not repeat itself. This also ensures good corporate governance. We also came up with new eligibility criteria which, of course, includes that you don’t become evergreen as the MD/CEO; once you do ten years, you should leave. So we dusted up our corporate governance coat and the result, of course, is that the banking business is conducted in a more rational and ethical manner today than before.

It is not only that the banks were challenged, they were restructured through AMCON activities.

Some of them now have been acquired by other institutions; today we can beat our chest and say that all twenty deposit banks that we have today are strong. We didn’t just do that because of the significant fall in money supply, the CBN also took on what we call reflection activity which,by injecting money into the system, we will be making money available; we had to reduce interest rates. We brought down bank lending rates. Also, we reduced liquidity ratio from 40% to 25%

You know the nature of AMCON. AMCON actually has its portfolio-bad loans. I don’t expect anybody to sing AMCON’s praises if they are doing well. This information is confirming that they are doing what they are supposed to do.

Going by the CBN monetary policy, if we continue in that trajectory, before long, we are gong to see our single digit inflation in Nigeria

climes, there was recession, even the growth rate fell, but here we still have 5.6, to 7% growth rate.

And we used the opportunity to begin to address why banks were not lending to the real sector. All the initiatives you see around agriculture,all the initiatives around Bank of Industry and then all the money we made available to SMES, aviation, agriculture are also to ensure that the economy is reflected by redirecting attention and credit to the real sector. Of course we are not alone in it.

Government also is conducting its activities in such a manner that would ensure that the private sector grows.

Some critics have alleged that AMCON is also targeting performing loans instead of only bad debts?

,

Because AMCON activities are actually drawing water out of the rocks. These loans in the books of the banks were bad before now and they have been transferred to AMCON. AMCON has additional legal powers to ensure recovery which is what they are doing.

And, of course, the more you are doing that, the more painful it gets for some people. It gladdens my heart that AMCON is doing well, which was why there are complaints here and there but, beyond that, I think AMCON has performed well, in the sense that the house is poised to restructuring the financial institutions. They will begin to take steps to divest into financial institution, so all deserve our cooperation and support.

What is your take on the proposed rebasing, which was last done in 1990 and what impact will it have on the economy?

The way the GDP is computed now, the base year is 1990. In Ghana, the base year was 1996. They have rebased to 2009 or 2010. You can see the impact on their GDP numbers. For me, if we rebase from 1990, we are going to experience significant increase in our GDP. I believe our GDP is understated now because the base year is quite far. That is why I believe that we can still become very great even though some people say it will be difficult not only for the camel to pass through the eye of the needle but also for Nigeria to be one of the biggest economies in 2020. If the economy is rebased and we focus on high growth drivers in Nigeria, in agriculture, the real sector and manufacturing and we remove those structure constraints around energy, around transportation and I believe through hard work, we can still get there by 2020.

In terms of growth rate, how much growth has the economy recorded since last year?

You will recall that in January 2012, about a year ago, government partially removed subsidy on petrol. The implication of that when we run the numbers, our inflation numbers should have taken us to 14-15 percent but, because of the very tight monetary policy action of the CBN, we were able to chain the monster and we achieved 11-12 percent inflation in spite of that challenge. I think that is quite commendable. And then on the foreign exchange side, we have been able to achieve stability. This is inspite of the fact that ours is a mono economy. The foreign exchange market is volatile but, given our propensity also to import, and the rate at which Nigerians actually go for imported goods, the CBN still managed to keep the exchange rate fairly stable. We closed the year with about 157 naira per barrel, then look at the reserve level, by October, it grew to about 47 to 49 billion US Dollars. And then you look at the progress we have made in the real sector. Agriculture, which accounts for 42% of our GDP, has continued to receive greater attention of commercial banks; before the new policy, the credit to the

agricultural sector was 1.4% of total bank credit.

We have been able to increase that to about 3.5% now. And the target is that, by 2017, bank level should rise to 10%, which is why when you decompose our GDP growth number last year, most of our growth has been coming from the non-oil sector that the CBN has redirected attention to.

And I think this call for celebration.

CBN has delivered on its mandate of price stability and in terms of taming inflation. We are not yet there. Our overall objective is to check inflation, to single digit territory but due to structural constraints that we have and maybe, of course, the need to manage ourselves as a result of the partial subsidy removal, that could not be achieved.

Going by the CBN monetary policy, if we continue in that trajectory, before long, we are gong to see our single digit inflation in Nigeria. So, the totality of that is that we have been able to achieve fairly stable micro economy because of the CBN’s action.

What does the early passage of the budget portends for the economy?

Well, early passage of the budget is indicative of every other thing working well, that we are going to have a successful year. We are going to have a very good budget performance, particularity capital expenditure. I look at budget performance from the point of view of capital expenditure not recurrent expenditure. However, budget is just a statement of intention.

We have to keep our eyes on the ball to ensure that the revenue projection is achieved. Of course if you don’t achieve revenue projection, you cannot perform on the expenditure side. It’s either you increase your deficit or increase your borrowing or of course you reduce your spending. So I believe that it’s too early to start celebrating.

It is a good thing though but we all need to sit down and ensure that the revenue projection is achieved. And then, of course, if we diligently implement the budget, particularly the capital expenditure, then we should have a successful year. Among other bodies, we are going to complement all of that, ensuring that we keep an eye on inflation, we continue to ensure genuine stability because it is when you have stable exchange rate that you have low inflation given the fact that importation accounts for significant portion of general commercial activities in Nigeria. And, of course, you can have imported inflation if you allow exchange rate devaluation. So altogether, I believe the output is bright and we should be able to have a successful 2013.

PAGE 42—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

BY UDEME CLEMENT

O

Onne oil and gas zone attracts $5billion investment, 150 firms—Kontagora

,

NNE Oil and Gas Free Zone(OGFZ) has attracted the attention of foreign investors and top g o v e r n m e n t functionaries in recent times. Located at Nigeria ‘s oil rich region in Rivers State , the zone, which is dedicated to oil and gas activities, has over 150 companies operating within its territory with investments flow of over $5billion. Recently, the Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, also visited the zone. Mr. Adamu Mamman Kontagora, the Head of Events and Promotion, speaks on the economic benefits the zone will bring to Nigeria , now and in the long-run.

Can you give us the statistical analysis of the monetary investments in OGFZ? OGFZ has placed Nigeria as a leading player in oil and gas activities in the whole sub-Saharan Africa .

From inception, the zone has attracted more than 150 companies into Nigeria with investments portfolio of more than $5billion. Investments flow into free zones represent about 60 per cent of total investments into Nigeria within the last nine years.

The Financial Times of London Magazine, on Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) regards OGFZ Onne as one of the most successful zones in Africa . The zone has also attracted all major oil firms in the area and is now using the free zone as a hub for their activities covering the whole Gulf of Guinea up to Angola and Southern Africa .

Can you give us an estimate of the number of free zones in Nigeria and the economic benefits they will bring in the long-run?

The first free zone known as Nigeria Export Processing Zone (NEPZ) was established in Calabar, in 1992. The second Free zone, which is Onne came in 1996 and is dedicated solely to the oil/gas and logistics activities in Nigeria and the sub-Saharan African region. In pursuit of a more active free zone developmental policy, over 20 free zones had been licensed in various parts of the country, about six public, six private and other public/ private zones. Many more free zones are still being proposed to support economic growth and activities in subSaharan oil and gas industry as well as market access for optimum location in serving the region.

The benefits include attracting FDIs, capital

great increase in government revenue earnings particularly for Customs, Port Authority and Federal Inland Revenue Services.

OGFZ has placed Nigeria as a leading player in oil and gas activities in the whole subSaharan Africa

,

growth, creation of jobs, skills acquisition, revenue generation, increase in export trades, industry diversification and transfer of technology. The free zone management role include promoting marketing investment drive, identifying relevant industries in line with free zone objectives and opening

Mr. Adamu Mamman Kontagora negotiation in a bid to have them located at specified free zones.

There has been transfer of technology to Nigerians through manpower training, particularly due to the specialised nature of their operations. For example, Tenaris, which is the largest pipe producing company in

the world, has trained over 70 Nigerians overseas on pipe technology and other companies do similar.

The presence of the free zone has increased economic activities in the area, as Onne is second highest port in Nigeria after Apapa. As a result of the Free zone at Onne, there has been

Firm unveils ATM with solar energy in banking industry

BY UDEME CLEMENT

P

ROACTIVE Technologies an indigenous company with focus on epayment solutions and renewable energy in Nigeria has unveiled a new Automated Teller Machine (ATM) with solar energy into the banking sector. T h e Vortex ATM is up to 50 per cent lower on capital and operating expenditure when compared to other ATMs in use in Nigeria today, and is more rugged.

Speaking with Sunday Vanguard in Lagos , the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Roland Obe, explained that the Vortex ATM does not require ATM fit notes to be loaded into it, as it can even dispense soiled notes with its gravity leveraging note dispenser. These are some of the features that make it the ATM of choice in power challenge.

He added, “For instance, it power consumption is significantly lower and can be used wholly on solar energy without electricity. In that

The Vortex ATM capacity, the Vortex ATM can be used in rural areas where there is no constant supply of electricity for banking operations. The machine requires less maintenance and it comes with in-built standard inverter battery to ensure that the ATM works for at least four to six hours in case of power failure. Vortex is a revolutionary device different from what we have in the market now, because it is the only ATM that accepts soiled notes because of the technology used in manufacturing it.

Already, two local banks in Nigeria are using it”.

He continued, “Aside

from it usefulness for rural banking, Vortex ATM has camera, pin and biometric features for efficient e-payments system that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently implementing in the financial sector. It does not need air condition to operate and it is certified with all major switches. The machine is manufactured in India

by Vortex and Proactive Technologies, which is in charge of marketing the product in Nigeria is the local partner to Vortex. Aside from ATM, Vortex manufactures other e-payments devices that are known all over the world.”

Who are the stakeholders in OGFZ? The major stakeholders include the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance, Ministry of petroleum resources. While the potential users are about 150 registered firms, covering the oil producing, oil servicing, oil and gas project companies and commercial banks. OGFZ has a one-stop-shop location comprising industries, factories, offices and conference centres. The zone provides linkages from oil and gas to other sectors of the economy. It sup-

ports the thriving of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

It is important to note that the nations that have employed free zone concepts for economic growth are realising the benefits greatly. For example, the growth of customs-supervised zones in China is the significant part of China’s economic development. In 2006, the total import and export values accomplished by free zones, export processing zones and bonded logistics zones in China amounted to $205.26billion, with per area import and export volumes of $2.57billion.

Aside from that, about 724.800 personnel are being employed. They have grown to be the most active area in terms of foreign trade. One of the most successful, which is Shenzhen of China (SEZ), developed from a small village into a city with a population of over 10million within 20 years. In 2006, China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranked the fourth in the world with the import and export values of $1760billion, ranking the third globally.

Falcon Petroleum receives ISO 9001:2008 Certification

BY AKOMA CHINWEOKE

F

ALCON Petroleum Limited has been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 Certificate of Quality and is now accredited by both the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), and the ANSIASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB).

This certification is a global mark of quality confirming that the company ’s Quality Management System is designed and being operated in line with stringent international standards.

Speaking on the development, managing director of Falcon Petroleum Limited, Prof.

Joseph Ezigbo said; ‘’The ISO 9001:2008 Quality Certification is for us a significant milestone achievement and serves as a testament of our on-going commitment to quality and continual improvement in all facets of our operations (Gas Distribution & EPC) over the years. In our 19 years of business operations, we have remained dogged in our contribution to the delivery of quality and safe engineering service. In line with this, our internal systems of policies and procedures have been streamlined over the years to ensure we continue to drive up the value we deliver to our customers and stakeholders.

From left: Mrs. Busola Tejumola, Consumer Insight Manager; Mr. Ayo Osunbunmi, winner of a Renault Duster SUV won in the DStv Mega Promo and Mr.Mayo Okunola, General Manager, DStv Nigeria; during the prize presentation held at the MultiChoice head office, Lagos Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 43

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

The Board of Directors of United Cement Company of Nigeria Limited recently confirmed Mr. Olivier Lenoir as Managing Director.

Lenoir, a graduate of Paris Business School “Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris”, until his appointment, was the Deputy MD of the company.

In this interview, he speaks on the new brand launched by the company and other issues.Excerpts:

Y

OUR company has just launched a new product, the 42.5N brand. Do you have a market for this product in view of the claim by some cement manufacturers that there is a glut in the market?

UniCem 42.5 is the

There is still supply gap in cement market – UNICEM MD ideal cement for infrastructural development- roads, bridges, dams, etc.

Demand for this product remains high because there is a lot of infrastructural development going on in Nigeria and in particular within our core market.

UniCem 42.5 is launched to serve this need and we have to take advantage of that need and also satisfy our customers that need this product.

UniCem attaches a very

Mr. Olivier Lenoir high importance to providing consistent high quality product and services to its customers.

It fully conforms to SON standards.

Last year, your company announced plans to double its production capacity. Is this still tenable given the glut claim?

The total consumption in the South-South and South-East of the country for 2012 stood at 5.3million metric tons and it is expected to reach over 6 million this year. UniCem is the only manufacturer within this region with an installed capacity of 2.5mtns.

1.5mtn is imported into the market by Ibeto and other coming in from other manufacturers; there is still a supply gap in this market that needs to be filled. We did not experience a glut as our sales volume grew up by 10% over and above 2011 sales.

In 2012, our market grew by 7%. UniCem made impressive sales within the last months of 2012, achieving its second best monthly sale of 163 kilotons of cement.

2012 closed with about 2weeks sales of customers deposit as backlog (unserviced orders). The market is very robust and we have experienced the same momentum at the start of the year.

With the current expansion in production by manufacturers with an acclaimed local production capacity of 22 million MT and

consumption rate of 18 million MT, and your expansion, are you looking at markets outside Nigeria?

Our focus at the moment is to satisfy the existing supply gap in our core market as I said earlier. The cement demand in this market is still high and we need to meet the cement requirement for the region first. 2013 sales are targeted at 2.3 million metric tons and 2.5 million metric tons by 2014 and more in that order since the market is growing and remains positive.

By 2016, the demand in South-South and South East region is expected to be around 8.2 million metric tons, which will accommodate new capacities of 5 million metric tons (Unicem 2nd line of 2.5 million metric tons and other capacities.

What is your general assessment of the cement market and the prospect of the cement industry in Nigeria?

Cement consumption in Nigeria grew by 10.4% annually over the last eight years to reach 18.5 million metric tons in 2012 from 8.4 million metric tons in 2004.

Demand is expected to continue to grow at annual rate of 9-10%, and cross 40 million tons by 2020, requiring more capacity investments.

The yearly per capita cement consumption in Nigeria of 111 kg is still low compared to other developing countries like Ghana which is 200 kg.

It is expected that cement demand will go up as the country meets its housing and infrastructure needs. The cement industry in Nigeria has a positive future and requires more capacity expansion to meet consumption requirement of cement in the country.

Do you have plans of introducing another product after the 42.5N launched?

Options are still being explored for the future.

Demand plays a key role in determining production of any product.

Do you subscribe to complete ban on cement importation by the Federal Government and full implementation of the backward integration policy?

Current expansion plans will lead to local capacity meeting local demand, thereby eliminating importation naturally.

Ibeto Cement currently importing through Port Harcourt, has a court order permitting it to import 1.5 million metric tons annually till 2017.

Importation into the country has reduced drastically from 6.8 million metric tons in 2009 to 2 million metric tons in 2012 and currently constitutes less that 10% of total consumption. This rate is expected to reduce to 5% by 2015.

PAGE 44 --- SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

sameyoboka@yahoo.com

08023145567 (sms only)

TBS agog for ODM's anointing service

By BOSE ADELAJA & OLAYINKA LATONA

T

HE yearly prayer and fast ing programme of Manna Prayer Mountain ended penultimate weekend with ecstatic thanksgiving, prophetic declarations, testimonies and great expectations as thousands of worshippers within and outside the country thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos for the prayer pro-gramme.

The programme with the theme; “I shall recover all” was broadcast live in 27 countries as worshippers were instructed to write their yearning expectations for the year.

Soul-thrilling gospel music were supplied by Chioma Jesus, Pastor Kunle Ajayi, Royal Levite from Abuja, Liberty Voices and Urhobo Gospel Group as enthusiastic participants danced and rejoiced profusely.

The event had in attendance the world renowned televangelist and founder of Gospel World Outreach, John Fair and the senior special assistant on religious affairs to Lagos State governor, Rev. (Mrs.) Akintoye Buraimo who represented Gov. Babatunde Fashola, among other delegates from Switzerland, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Liberia, Cote D’Ivoire and Botswana.

Evang. Fair, in his speech, urged particpants to tune their

minds completely to heaven, focus on Jesus and expect unprecedented miracles.

Pastor Wole Oladunyi, the Senior Pastor of Christ Living Spring Apostolic Ministry, CLAM along with other ministers took the congregation through firebrand prayer points.

In his sermon, publisher of Our Daily Manna, ODM, and General Overseer, MMM, Rev. Chris Kwakpovwe said the ministry's vision is divine and had nothing to do with any individual denomination, adding; “ what God is doing is great and is above any church you can name.”

Speaking on “Keys on how to recover all”, Rev. Kwakpovwe said recovering all means re-gaining possession what was taken from one.

Quoting passages from I Samuel 30, the man of God said there are four steps that a good Christian must take congnisance of which can aid him/her to recover all, adding, "the first thing to deal with is bitterness followed by courage, inquiry and pursuit.

"Learn to forgive people no matter what, don't be bitter against people, be courageous, don't quit, don't take a step without inquiring from God and take a radical step.''

According to him, ''the name of Jesus is not enough, faith is the key. God works in the super-natural and He wants you to do something which

Boko Haram: Methodist cleric opposes dialogue, unless...

M

ETHODIST bishop in charge of the Diocese of Ikorodu in Lagos, Rt. Rev. Olumuyiwa Odejayi, has warned that any form of dialogue with the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram may be counter-productive unless the group had completely renounced its campaign of terror and mayhem against the Nigerian people.

In addition, he said, the group must also show sufficient evidence that it had broken its links with the al-Qaeda Terrorist Group, through which it gets its training and encouragement.

Speaking with newsmen at the annual family get together for ministers of the church and their families, Odejayi said the Boko Haram Sect should not be allowed to continue to show disregard for human lives.

Continuing, the Methodist bishop advised government

not to consider the option of open confrontation or use of military force to bring the activities of the group to a halt because of its implication to innocent civilians, noting that the government should reach out to the group by all means possible.

He maintained that force should be considered as a last possible option as it was not in the practice of any civilian government to use force to settle scores with any group of its citizens.

He said: “They must also be ready to preach and live by the true tenets of their religion which preaches peace with all humans.

“I do not know the conditions the government might have in mind before dialoging with Boko Haram, but I still maintain that there must be convincing evidence that the group has stopped its campaign of terror before any form of dialogue should take place.

*Rev. Chris Kwakpovwe (l) ministering during the service at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. others have not done before.

People are looking for the move of God while God is waiting for them. When God says you are healed, He wants you to take a step of faith.

"I don't care what you have lost because God can start with what you have but if you are afraid, you cannot recover all. You need to start from some-where because what you have is enough,'' he stated.

Speaking at the occasion, the

representative of the Lagos State governor, Rev. Buraimo urged Nigerians to be closer to God at this point in time.

Similarly, the technical adviser to the Taraba State government, Engineer Kizito Aniagolu, urged Nigerians to be prayerful and discharge their duties as expected. ''The programme is an eye opener. Nigerians should contribute their quota to move the nation forward. Those who

govern should govern well and the citizenry should discharge their duties as at when due,'' he noted.

Also in attendance was the wife of the General Overseer, Dr. (Mrs) Ejiro Kwakpovwe as well as the General Overseer of Heroes of Faith Ministries, Ughelli in Delta State, Bishop Kingsley Enakirerhi and many other dignitaries.

GKS holds annual thanksgiving

By LAJA THOMAS

T

HE importance of giving thanks and singing praises to Jehovah God have been emphasized in the lives of Christians. This was manifested at the God's Kingdom Society, GKS, Okota branch, on Sunday, during its annual thanksgiving service. The event which attracted members of the church from other Lagos branches and friends has in attendance Brother Patrick Ekwerigho, Minister in-charge of Lagos branches of the GKS, who

New Estate Baptist Churches organise summit

T

HE Annual Kingdom Life Summit of the New Estate Baptist Churches, Lagos will begin on Thursday through Saturday 16 with the theme: “Unforgettable Touch” at the premises of New Estate Baptist Church, Surulere.

The annual summit, according to the convener and chairman of the programme, Rev. Julius Omomola, the programme will serve as a platform where all churches that came out of New Estate Baptist Church will come together as one family.

Speakers ministering during the programme are Evangelist Gboyega Shitta, Evangelist Job Alabi, Pastor Philip Adika and Pastor Bunmi Akinola.

Issues such as building a loving family, developing relationship between parents and children, re enacting the power of God as in the days of the Apostles amongst others will be discussed at the summit.

charged members to continue in the attitude of giving thanks to Jehovah God because of His abundant mercies on His children.

Bro. Ekwerigho said: “The Okota branch is a trail blazer because they have made this thanksgiving service an annual event and I want other branches of the church to borrow a leaf from branch.

When I get to Warri, I will report the good works Okota branch is doing to the headquarters.

"I am very impressed and happy with this attitude of thanksgiving because there is nothing to give Jehovah God, except praises and thanksgiving,” he stated.

While speaking to Sunday Vanguard, an elder of the church who doubles as chairman of the occasion, Bro. Felix Osifo said; “we are thanking God through His son, Jesus Christ for what He has done in the out-gone year because thanksgiving is even part of our worship service to Jehovah God. "It is when you acknowledge this that God will further show us His mercies. The Holy book emphasized that it is a good thing to give thanks to God always.

"This was made manifest by Apostle Paul in I Thessalonians. So, we are here to give thanks and praises to God for His mercies and guidance over our members. We want to thank the entire members of GKS, Okota branch for their untiring efforts in organising this event, which has become an annual celebration,” he said.

The thanksgiving service which was spiced with musical interludes in different Nigerian languages by the GKS Choir, Okota branch, has the congregation dancing and singing praises to Jehovah God for what He has done in the out-gone year.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 45

Olutola urges parents to devote time for their children

BY OLAYINKA LATONA

GOD DOES NOT KNOW WHO WILL BE SAVED

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ESUS’ teaching reveals that God has made a sovereign decision not to know the heirs of salvation beforehand. He knows few will be saved but refuses to know who will be saved.

This means the salvation of God is not predetermined. Neither is it discretional nor based on God’s unmerited grace. Rather, it is based strictly on our works, which is another word for fruitfulness. Jesus says: “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matthew 7:19).

The fig-tree Jesus says a man planted a fig-tree with care in his vineyard.

However, it refused to be fruitful: “Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well.

But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13:6-9).

Of course, God is the owner of the vineyard; Jesus is the vineyardkeeper; and Israel is the proverbial figtree. Isaiah says: “The vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are his pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; for righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.” (Isaiah 5:7).

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herefore, observe that God, the vineyard-owner, did not know if Israel, his fig-tree, would be fruitful.

Jesus, the vineyard-keeper, even pleaded for one more year of grace before it was cut down. This extra time came through the ministry of Jesus.

But when Israel nevertheless persisted in unfruitfulness, Jesus then declared: “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” (Matthew 21:43).

This indicates neither the Father nor Jesus knew beforehand if the fig-tree would bear fruit. Judgment was only passed after it refused to be fruitful. If they knew the result beforehand, there would have been no point in giving Israel a year of reprieve.

Jesus even gives a live parable of this deliberately circumscribed omniscience of God. He sees a figtree but does not know if it has any figs: “He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

(Mark 11:12-14). Thereby Jesus, who knows all things, nevertheless demonstrated he did not know if Israel, God’s fig-tree, had figs.

Laissez-faire God

Jesus says: “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not

know how. For the earth yields crops by itself.” (Mark 4:26-28). But how can it be said that God, who is surely the sower, “does not know how” the seed grows into a crop? Apparently, God made a sovereign decision not to know because he wants to allow it to grow “by itself.”

Moreover, God is, by deliberate design, a “bad” farmer. He sows his seed everywhere and anywhere. As a result, Jesus says: “Some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, and because they had no root they withered away. Some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

(Matthew 13:4-8). This shows God does not predetermine the soil on which the seed of his word is sown.

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n Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares, God the farmer “goes to sleep” and is unaware that an enemy had sown tares among his wheat.

The salvation of God is not predetermined. Neither is it discretional nor based on God’s unmerited grace

When this is brought to his attention, he refuses to intervene, saying: “Let both grow together until the harvest.”

(Matthew 13:24-30). When we turn to the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus presents God as a Father so “handsoff ” with regard to the moral choices of men; he allowed one of his sons to collect his inheritance prematurely and depart from him. The Prodigal Son went to reside in a “far country” (representing this world) which, to God the Father, is the realm of the dead. (Luke 15:24). The Father did not know if his son would rise from the dead. That depended entirely on his son.

The books

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t is ludicrous that Paul, a mere man, claims to know those whose names are retained in the Book of Life.

(Philippians 4:3). He even awards presumptuously to himself the reward of heaven, saying: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day.” (II Timothy 4:7-8). Paul needs to listen to Jesus: “ whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12).

David must have been referring only to the duration of his earthly life when he said: “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16).

If indeed names are written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 17:8); then all names must be so-written until some are confirmed and others blotted out. Jesus says: “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life.”

(Revelation 3:5). The fact that some names are blotted out shows salvation is not predetermined. Thus, when Moses told God to blot his name out of his book if he would not forgive the sins of the Israelites; God replied: “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book.”

(Exodus 32:32-33).

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esus reveals that God does not preview the final outcome of men’s lives until Judgment Day. We do this as well. Even though we have the option of fast-forwarding a DVD to preview the ending, most of us choose to watch it in its proper order; from beginning to end. God picks and chooses the parts he wants to preview in order to give divine revelations to his prophets. But, by and large, he has chosen to wait and allow things to unfold by themselves.

This makes God's omniscience inherent rather than total. God chooses to limit his omniscience in order to preserve the freewill and dignity of his creatures, and to ensure he is completely unbiased in salvation. He determines the heirs of salvation strictly through the particular details of men’s lives.

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hus, John says: “I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS, by the things which were written in the books.”

(Revelation 20:12).

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HE National President of The Apostolic Church Ni geria, TAC, Pastor Gabriel Olutola, has called on parents to make positive impact in the lives of their children who will in turn make meaningful contribution to national development.

Speaking in an interview during the 79th annual convention of the Lagos Area church in Ebute-Meta, Pastor Olutola said the challenges posed by modernity should not be an excuse for parents and guardians to discard their responsibility of inculcating sound moral teachings and values in their children.

In his words: “Parents are to inspire their children by devoting quality time, money and other resources to give them quality education and sound moral upbringing. These children are the future leaders of this country.”

One of the ways of curbing corruption and insecurity in the country, the man of God said, is when governments at all level provide social amenities that will make life easier for the masses and also employ all available resources to end the various challenges plaguing the nation.

Highlighting the theme of the convention, “Jesus is the light of the world,” the convener and Lagos Area Superintendent, Pastor Emmanuel Awojide said the theme wöuld serve as a reminder for Christians to know that they have to shine the light of their Maker wherever they find themselves.

Group blasts Bakare over comment on El-Rufai’s tweet

BY CALEB AYANSINA

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BUJA — A GROUP of 13 churches within the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has faulted comments by the controversial Pastor and Founder of Latter Rain Bible Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare on the tweet by the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, challenging him to define whether he is a Christian or Muslim.

Bakare had in Lagos said that from its criticism of El-Rufai's tweet on Jesus Christ, CAN was only diverting attention from grave issues affecting the country, alleging further that CAN was an extension of government.

Meanwhile, the Christian group which operates under the aegis of "Tarayar Ekklisiyar Kristi A Nijeriya" in Hausa language said it was not surprised, because Bakare was more of a politician than a pastor.

The President of TEKAN, Reverend Emmanuel Dzieggau, in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, noted that it was a shame that a man like Tunde Bakare will always like to jump into controversy, reminding him that God would fight whoever makes derogatory remarks about Him. Dzieggau said Nigerians should disregard comments from people like Bakare, because if not in Nigeria, nobody will entertain a man like Bakare who double speaks.

Preaching without hospitality is religion

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ESIDENT pastor, Glory Christian Ministries, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos, Pastor Ben Chiadika, recently said Nigerians are tired of empty words, noting that they will gain a lot from practical Christianity such as helping the less privileged in the society.

According to him, when Christianity is not practical, it is religion and will not profit the people.

Chiadika made this disclosure at a musical concert in the church, while urging other Christians to assist the less privileged.

Said he: “People are tired of empty words. When Christainity is not practical, it is religion. Religion will not make impact on people's lives.

“There is need to reach out to the people. Our recent medical outreach has saved the life of a woman who was diagnosed of tuberculosis. By bringing medical doctors from India, the people around were able to benefit and several lives were saved.

“We've had several editions but we want our friends to know that the Glory Summit is around the corner and we will be having a great attendance," he stated.

PAGE 46—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

The validity of the case for Igbo president

BY BADY CHIJIOKE NWOSU

VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The South-East has the claim to the presidency in 2015 than many people think

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CTIVITIES to cele brate our centenary anniversary kicked off a couple of weeks ago in Abuja and would climax on January 1, 2014, which is one hundred years after Lord Lugard amalgamated the North and the South to give birth to Nigeria.

In the one hundred years, various components of the country have at one time or the other produced the presidency except the Igbo; yet we are happy chorusing, One nation bound in freedom , peace and unity. Even the last paragraph of the second stanza of the anthem, to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign, elevates our hypocrisy.

Where is the peace and justice reigning when one hundred years after Nigeria was born and fifty three years after independence, one of the major components ( a tripod) of the nation has not accessed the presidency?

2015 is around the corner, this is crucial in the anal of the nation’s political development and I think it is a time to right the wrongs that have been done to the Igbo nation; it is

time for the race to produce the presidency by whatever arrangement. On equity, it is her turn; going by history, it is her turn; by conventional wisdom, it is her turn; by natural law and justice, it is her turn; and by contribution to the nation’s development, it is her turn.

I advise our northern brothers oiling their political machinery for the presidency in 2015 to wait as history, equity and justice are not on their side. In the same vein, President Goodluck Jonathan should drop his second term ambition as neither history and equity is on his side. Igbo are not going to be deceived the second time. In 2011, the Igbo adopted Jonathan because Azikiwe is one of his names. This name appeared only in his bill boards in the South East but in the north, he never used Azikiwe as one of his names. So who is deceiving who, enough of the deceit?

This is the time to stop this name dropping to hoodwink the zone.

It is against this background that Njiko Igbo, a fledgling socio-political organization, is mobilizing to bring every Igbo at home and in the diaspora under one canopy and reaching out to other groups and regions towards the realisation of the race to produce the president in 2015.

The mission of the group is to prove to other Nigerians who believe that Igbo always sing discordant tunes when it comes to serious issues that

affect them and that is the reason their hairs in the past were shaved in their absence, that is, decisions that affected them were discussed without their inputs or not carried along on major national issues.

Through Njiko Igbo and other interest groups in the re-

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VIEWPOINT

the past, we wholeheartedly supported the North to produce the presidency that is, in the first and second republics.

Remember the NPN/NPP accord that helped Alhaji Shehu Shagari to form the second republic government. It was the same in the first republic

We know power is not given on a platter and violence is not on our table, that is why we are reaching to other zones and stakeholders putting these arguments before them and many conscientious are buying into it

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gion, we have learnt to come together and take our destiny in our hands. When any prominent Igbo is having any ceremony or event – wedding, funeral etc you see all the prominent Igbo congregating there.

It was not so in the past era when others decided for us. So we have realized that a broom stick can easily be broken but a bundle of broom is very hard to break. We want to be together, our differences had robbed us our relevance in the past.

As we are united we can easily win the hearts of people of other zones on the project. In

of Tafawa Balewa’s government.

We also supported the emergence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to become the president even when his people of South West turned their backs against him in 1999. In 2011, the South East zone gave President Goodluck Jonathan the highest percentage votes, higher that his South South region. The Igbo man worked for the amalgamation of this country and his blood has been used to build the foundation of the unity of the country that we celebrate.

Apart from his blood shed during the civil war, whenever there is crisis that does not concern him in other parts of the country outside his home, he is the major victim and casualty and yet he eschewed it and remains to contribute to the economic development of that area.

We know power is not given on a platter and violence is not on our table, that is why we are reaching to other zones and stakeholders putting these arguments before them and many conscientious are buying into it. This shows that Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the manifestation of an Igbo as president.

Njiko Igbo is making every Igbo to drink, eat and even go to bed with the project. Every Igbo man, woman, boy or girl has friends, associates and business partners from other ethnic groups; through this, we are getting across to every body in the country.

We are not just going to draft Igbo man for the presidency, but will present to Nigerians a man that dreams of Nigeria, has vision; not the one that would promise transformation, a political science jargon used to deceive the electorate because he doesn’t have anything to offer. *Nwosu is National/Diaspora Publicity Secretary of Njiko Igbo and former Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant for the2007and 2011 elections.

Oyo, Ajimobi, and the quality education question

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HE state of education in Oyo State before Senator Abiola Ajimobi administration was lamentable. In terms of quantitative and qualitative indices of development, the state education was effectively in a coma.

The challenges facing the sector threatened the vision of the administration to provide free and qualitative education to the citizenry. A review of the situation revealed that the problems of education in the state were signposted by poor performance of students at all levels.

Consequently, state government unfolded a comprehensive education renewal agenda with the general objective of stemming the tide of the rot and decline in the sector, as well as re-positioning education in the state. The appointment of Mrs. Adetokunbo Fayokun as the Commissioner for Education was therefore de-

signed to incorporate private sector best practices into the design and implementation of educational policies and programmes in the state. There are so many good reasons why the administration of Ajimobi should be resolutely committed to the transformation of the educational sector. According to Fayokun, “this is a state noted for academic excellence.

This is where free education began and where the premier tertiary institution in Nigeria took off ”.

Motivated by the desire to return Oyo’s position as the “Pacesetter State” in education, the Ministry of Education, under Fayokun’s guidance, organized the Education Stakeholders Summit with the objectives of generating awareness about all the challenging issues the sector is faced withdeveloping a viable roadmap for the educational development of the state at all levels; and creating a pool of viable

education support partners that can lead to very effective public/private participation ( PPP) with the sector. The ministry followed up by unfolding

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BY BILESANMI OLALEKAN

This is a state noted for academic excellence. This is where free education began and where the premier tertiary institution in Nigeria took off

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strategic action points to address all the critical issues affecting education development in the state.

According to Mrs. Fayokun, the Ajimobi administration has been able to achieve the following out of its broad objectives and action points: In 2011/2012, the state government paid N396m for SSCE while, in 2013, N443.48m was paid for the same purpose; regular procurement of science and technical materials for distribution in all public schools; prompt release of salary and allowances of teachers of tertiary institutions; distribution of a lap-top each to all zonal and local inspectors of education by Mrs. Florence Ajimobi during end of the year activities in collaboration with the Ministry of Education; award of excellence to best two teachers, best two principals and best two schools during the World Teachers Day; release of running grants for schools which was last enjoyed in 2008; release of fund for rehabilitation of 29 blocks of classrooms, four compart-

ment toilets and 5710 pupils furniture as well as renovation of 134 blocks of classrooms in primary schools, and the training and retraining of teachers in collaboration with UBEC, NTI and FME. The administration also made it possible for about 12,165 teaching and non-teaching staff to receive their letters of promotion which have been pending since 2009.

To cap it all, the state government concluded plans to float a Technical University while establishing independent inspectorate services, otherwise known as Quality Assurance in Education, in collaboration with the Faculty of Education Consultancy Services of the University of Ibadan to enhance rigorous supervision and monitoring of academic activities for improved performances. With Ajimobi in the saddle, education is obviously on the upswing in Oyo State.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 47

VIEWPOINT

BY AYANSOLA ATOLAGBE Viewpoint in brief VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF

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N Saturday, January 19, 2013, when National Association of Igbomina Students launched an almanac to commemorate its fourth anniversary, there were reasons to show that an important event was on.

The premises of Igbomina House, along Ilorin-Lokoja Highway were occupied with many vehicles; the expansive hall was filled to capacity.

One name re-echoes throughout the period the occasion lasted. It was Lai Mohammed, the national publicity secretary of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Today, anywhere the name is mentioned, it always goes with thunderous applause. Perhaps many wonder why his image looms large everywhere. He is the potent voice of the opposition.

Though the irrepressible spokesman of the opposition was represented by this writer, being one of his political associates; that did not lower the recognition accorded him.

The applause was even more deafening when a donation of N100,000.00 was presented on behalf of Lai Mohammed. That is Lai Mohammed, friend of students and defender of the common man. And, above all, he is seen as the compass of Nigeria’s democracy; because if not for the virility of the ACN-led opposition, the story of democracy would have been far from normalcy.

In the Presidency, he is perceived as

Lai Mohammed as the voice of opposition a vociferous critic of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. This is simply because he sees Mr. President as being highlypartisan and easily excitable on issues he ought to have deep reflection on.

The name, Lai Mohammed, has been registered in the subconscious of Nigerians as the thorn in the flesh of the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled

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The image of the ACN spokesman looms large

The disparaging of other political parties by President Jonathan may have been tolerable if made by the chairman of his party or any other PDP official, rather than the president, who is the father of the nation

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government. He is fearless and forthright in his analysis of national issues, to the extent that today Aso Rock shivers when he talks.

He once advised the president, in a statement issued on behalf of ACN, to

always show deep introspection in his public comments, because he is not just presiding over any country, but one with the largest concentration of black people on earth, which bestows a lot of responsibility on him.

This was when Mr. President said “PDP is the only truly democratic party” and that other parties are one-man shows. He faulted the claim, saying “this same president brushed aside the constitution of his party and singlehandedly installed the governor of his state.”

According to him, the disparaging of other political parties by President Jonathan may have been tolerable if made by the chairman of his party or any other PDP official, rather than the president, who is the father of the nation.

He also threw brickbat at the national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamaga Tukur, over insecurity in the country when Tukur said his party wasn’t a security agency and should not be blame for the challenges.

He once advised the Federal Government to stop feeding Nigerians with lies and fake promises over job creation, electric power supply and security.

He advised that Nigerians should put their generators in order, noting that the government’s promise of a stable power supply in 2013 was as not

viable.

Lai Mohammed came to limelight politically when he was appointed the Chief of Staff to the former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; an office in which he served diligently between 1999and 2003.

Thereafter, he tried a shot at the governorship seat in his home state, Kwara, under the banner of Alliance for Democracy, AD, during the 2003 general elections.

The 1975 University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) graduate of French and Literature was with the University of Dakar, Senegal and Centre Audio Visuelle des Languages Modernes in France to horn his skill in French.

He later went to University of Lagos to study law where he obtained LL. B. Honours degree. He bagged Barristerat-Law from Nigeria Law School and registered as a solicitor in Nigeria in 1986.

The fellow of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is a political strategist and administrator.

What he is doing as the spokesman of the major opposition party in Nigeria shows that he is no doubt fully prepared to serve the nation at greater level and capacity with high sense of patriotism.

Atolagbe is an Ilorin-based legal practitioner and politician.

PDP BoT: Who does the cap fit?

BY EBENEZER OKORODUDU VIEWPOINT IN BRIEF The need for the best hand as head of an organ of the ruling party

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INCE 1999, the Peoples Demo cratic Party (PDP) has distin guished itself as the most organized, well structured and the most popular political party in the country.

The PDP is regarded as the biggest political party in Africa . This claim can be substantiated on the grounds that the party controls the Federal Government, more states, the National Assembly, and many state Assemblies in the country.

One of the most important organs of the PDP is the Board of Trustee (BOT).

The importance of the organ is underscored in the membership and critical roles entrusted to it in the constitution of the party. The functions as contained in the 2012 constitution (as amended) entrust the responsibilities of acting as the conscience of the party and the power to call to order any officer of the party whose conduct falls below standard. The BOT is to ensure highest standards of morality in all of the activities of the party; high morale of members of the party; review and advice on policies, programmes and activities of the party at the national level; coordinate the sourcing of party funds; mediate in disputes between

the executive and the legislative arms of government; offer advice on party matters to national executive committee of the party, amongst others.

The importance attached to this organ demands that the chairmanship of this body must be somebody who has the capacity to carry everybody along. No doubt, the PDP has personalities of note and people who have indicated interest in this revered position are accomplished and well respected leaders. The candidates include Dr Alex Ekweme, Chief Shuaibu Oyedekun, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, Rt. Hon. Ken Nnamani,

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VIEWPOINT

The importance attached to this organ demands that the chairmanship of this body must be somebody who has the capacity to carry everybody along

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Chief Anthony Anenih, and Chief Don Etiebet.

While I commend the enterprise, interest and profile of these personalities as people of no mean stature, I strongly believe that at this critical time of the party when serious issues of

zoning, succession, reconciliation and resolution of conflicts need to be addressed, we need the very best candidate with records of absolute patriotism, party discipline, commitment, national reach, a detribalized and experienced party administrator, and a personality that commands respect of the executive and legislature at all levels with records of previous performance. Such a candidate must be somebody without a political ambition, an elderly and experience person, a seasoned and tested leader with vision, a bridge builder who is prepared to play a fatherly role in the party. Chief Anthony Anenih in these stands shoulders higher among the contestants and deserves the support of every patriotic party member for the over all growth and interest of the PDP. Even though Ekwueme also has good credentials for the position and has served the country and the party meritoriously, age and strength is not really on his side. It is important that we spare him of any of such kind of officialdom. As a patriotic and well respected leader, he can always make his advice and opinion on any subject matter known to the party and government.

Over the years, Anenih has garnered outstanding experience in leadership of party administration and government. In the second republic, he was the Edo State chairman of the then National party of Nigeria, NPN; in the third republic, he was the national chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP; in the fourth republic, he once served gloriously as the chairman of

BOT; he was the minister for works and housing, and he is currently serving a second time as the chairman of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA). He is a strategic thinker who has been steadfast and committed to the ideologies and principles of the party. His sense of patriotism and commitment to the unity of the country cannot be faulted.

He has a good record of service and he has been seen as a great asset of recent governments from 1993 till date.

He is popularly referred to as Mr. Fix it and the Leader, acronyms that also generated hatred and jealousy for no fault of his. His values to all the Presidents are that of trust, hard work and commitment to the unity and well being of Nigeria . He has always performed his duties to the best of his knowledge and abilities. In the words of Dr. Doyin Okupe, “He is a politician who knows how to do what he does”.

He has served presidents from the north, west, and south – south that have ruled this country with equal zeal and commitment. We need a personality of Anenih, an experienced achiever to reposition the party ahead of the 2015 elections.

The choice of the chairmanship of the BOT requires putting the best of our best and not sectionalism and bitterness of the past. In the face of the current challenges to the growth of PDP, we all need to put away our differences, pride and embrace reconciliation, love and unity for the overall interest and growth of our party.

* Okorodudu is a chieftain of the PDP in Delta State.

Contribution of not more than 800 words should be sent to sundayvanguard@yahoo.com

PAGE 48—SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

chimeena@yahoo.com 08026350360

I had to be on the street as if ready to sell myself —Chika Unigwe

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU INTERVIEW Chika Unigwe was the winner of 2012 Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas $100,000 sponsored literature prize for the prose category. She won the prize with her entry On Black Sister Street. Last week at two well attended ceremony, the recipient was hosted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she graduated from the Department of English and Lagos , where she had her works read to the audience.In this interview, she spoke to the media about the award, her family, writing abroad and much more. Enjoy it.

OW did you feel when you got news of the award?

Great. I was excited and apart from what I do online, where I have some writers I mentor, I plan setting up a writer’s centre in Awka. Already, I’ve spoken with to the governor of Anambra state and

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very difficult to get published, how true is this?

Yeah, it’s a very competitive market especially if you are going through the commercial publishing route. It’s really difficult, first you have to find an agent and the agent has to sell your work. so yes, it’s difficult.

Your advice to aspiring writers I think success in writing also depends on luck. You can’t predict luck.

Could that be why most people here try their luck by self-publishing?

Self-publishing is a lot of work. This is so because you have to make sure that you invest in editing as well as self-distribute your work. And

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he has promised to partner with me. So, we’ll see how that goes.

If you had to rewrite the award winning novel, what would change?

I guess at the point when my agent sold it we were both satisfied that it was ready.

There is a church element in your book, the phoenix.

Are you a church person?

I don’t put myself in my books. The only thing I have in common with the protagonist of the phoenix is that she doesn’t like mushrooms. I don’t like mushrooms at all.

But that’s the only thing, I don’t put myself in my books and I don’t spend 24 hours in a church either.

How did you feel, being on the street while researching on the book?

Initially, it was a bit uncomfortable being on the street as a woman, knowing that you were being looked at as someone who was willing to sell herself for money. So it was a bit uncomfortable. But it was something I had to do, I wanted to feel how uncomfortable Sissy or Ama or any of my other characters felt being there for the first time. I had to forget about my own feelings of discomfort to get through it.

On Black Sister’s Street is fiction yet it looks real?

Thank you. That is what a good book is supposed to do, it’s supposed to make you believe it even if it’s about a talking dog.

Do those four women exist?

No, they don’t, they are just composites of different people.

Nigerians have the impression that as a black writer, it’s

Chika Unigwe....I love languages movies that are being churned out you can see that there isn’t much effort being put into them, just somebody with a camera.

So, would you sell the rights of On black Sister’s Street, to a Nollywood filmmaker for adaptation into movie?

Why not? They’d have to go through my agent of course and if he is satisfied that they will do a good job, why not?

You’ve got a family as well as a lot of published works, How do you cope?

I have four boys and you know, kids have bedtime and once they go to bed it’s my time.

I write sometimes at night, sometimes early in the morning but I always try to make

I think that because most writers in Nigeria are self published, so their works do not go through the rigorous checks that people who publish abroad especially with commercial publishers go through

as one person, there is only so much you can do with distribution.

Nollywood doesn’t seem to be doing well like Nigerian writing in terms of award. Do you think adapting books like On Black Sister’s Street into a movie, could do the magic?.

I don’t know. I really can’t talk on Nollywood because I’m not a Nollywood person and I’m not particularly an expert in Nollywood. But I think that what is happening at the moment is that we have too many movies being churned out. And some of the

dergraduate. But it was selfpublished.

What happened to that collection?

It was something I did as a kid. It is something like having a very ugly boyfriend with a very famous last name and you just drop the name and hope people don’t ever get to meet him.

How about going into poetry again?

The muse has left me. I did try to do poetry shortly after I moved to Belgium but I just couldn’t.

What’s this about Igbo dictionary on facebook.

We are updating the Igbo dictionary. It’s a labour of love.

And there are five of us in the core group and over a total of a thousand of us. What we do is extract words from the dictionary. For every word we try to find an Igbo, where Igbo was not existing already, we try to find an appropriate word for it. Im into it because I love languages which is why I did an extensive course on Dutch language when I moved to Belgium.

Are there opportunities abroad that Nigerian writers could tap into?

There are online writing groups, there are agents who receive submissions online, there are magazines they can send their works to. Online literary magazines are scouting ground for literary agents.

They go there, if they see what they like, they go for it. They could also send their works to magazines abroad if they are looking for audience abroad.

Most award winners such as Helon Habila, Chimamanda Adichie, come back and teach workshops in writing, is that

also in your future plans?

If a Fidelity Bank and Nigerian Breweries sponsor me, why not. Nigerian Breweries sponsors Chimamanda’s workshop, while Fidelity sponsor’s Habila, they are not investing their own money in it. If anybody is willing to sponsor me, sure.

May be you should do a proposal in that regard?

I also think that we should support those already there, I’ve taught at Chimamanda’s workshop and at a workshop in Abuja. I don’t think it’s important to duplicate what is already there. I think it’s important to help those who have already started something. It’s not a bad thing that they have started, it’s not a bad thing that we encourage what they have started in any way that we can.

Could there be something Nigerian writers are doing right considering the fact that those in Diaspora have won available prizes in recent time?

I think that because most writers in Nigeria are self published, so their works do not go through the rigorous checks that people who publish abroad especially with commercial publishers go through. This is an advantage that we in diaspora have. Nigerians who live in Nigeria but publish abroad also have this advantage like Adaobi Nwabauni and Lola Shoneyin. Your book goes through so many rigorous checks because the reputation of the publisher, editor is at stake. But with a self-published book, nobody’s reputation is at stake since all they owe you is to deliver the service. So, unless you have publishers who are committed to quality, which is what I think Cassava Republic, Farafina and Parussia are doing.

Parrussia, they publish only two books a year because they want to be able to maintain the standards that they have set.

US flags off Black History Month with Django

BY PRISCA SAM-DURU

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out time to write, it’s a job and not my hobby. It’s my career so I treat it like a nine-to-five.

What else would you do other than writing?

Teaching.

How did you become a writer?

I wrote during my school days in Nigeria but that was as my hobby.

I was an undergrad and was just trying to get through with school and get a first class if I could. But I couldn’t. What I had was a collection of poems published while I was an un-

T

HE United States embassy has launched the 2013 Black History Month with the screening on Monday, of the film “Django”, a 2012 American epic western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film which parades star actors and actresses such as Jamie Fox, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson, was screened at the Ozone Cinemas, Lagos. Black History Month is regarded as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the growth of the United States of America.

Django was selected to kick off this years program due to its content and quality. After the sneak preview of the new

film, there was also screening of a collection of movie scenes depicting the role of President Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, showing the struggle for equality 100 years later’, with the March on Washington.

The second inauguration of President Barack Obama, as the 44th President of the US in no less way, added radiance to the celebration and the American history which becomes even more poignant.

The Sneak preview on Django was followed by screening of a film on Rosa Parks, yesterday, Wednesday February 2013 at ADRAO International school, Victoria Island Lagos. Rosa Parks would be remembered for her defiant decision not to give up her seat while she boarded a public bus and this sparked the civil rights movement.

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013, PAGE 49

J.P.Clark’s Meta-dialectics in Wives Revolt and All for Oil Continued from last week

BY EKANPO ENEWARIDIDEKE CRITICAL INTERVENTION

C

Prof. J.P. Clark Bekederemo’s generosity to his children and other people may wreck him, Nemugha who gives independent and objective advice and opinion to Chief Bekederemo on any issue without giving him the room for necessary adjustment; Piniki Ederume who strengthens and inspires Bekederemo for anything either through his songs or provision of necessary piece of information for him to work on as he does in the time of the illness and the abortive arrest masterminded by Chief Dore Numa; Fuludu and Fiobode who always kowtow to the wishes of Bekederemo without differing views; Mitovwodo who gives Chief Bekederemo the ideal love of his life; Fetaroro who gives Bekederemo hopes of survival from the illness as handed down to him by Ngbile; Egerton Shyngle who always gives Bekederemo necessary legal opinion and guidance on issues; Johnson Nana who brings greetings to Chief Bekederemo from Nana (Johnson’s father earlier dealt with by Chief Dore) that he is worried about the fate of the Itsekiris following the proclamation of the HOME RULE REPEAL ORDINANCE – a signal that even the Itsekiris acknowledge their confidence in Chief Bekederemo’s leadership qualities and justifiable agitations against Chief Dore Numa’s numerous illegal arrests, capture of livestock for sacrifices to gods, seizure of young girls, palm produce extortion, surreptitious leasing of people’s lands in Okere, Sapele, and Alder ’s town in the name of Olu long dead; Bar Rolle, who tells Chief Dore Numa of how

Chief Bekederemo (warrant Chief appointed by Copeland Crawdor who displaces and drives Ogbe people from the headland to build a trading post now called Warri) breaks a court session in Okpare which quickly reawakens him to the knowledge of how the same Chief Bekederemo scatters the court in Frukama and on different occasion perpetually refuses to pay fine imposed on him by a legally constituted court leading to incarceration of Chief Egbe

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LARK’S portrait of Col. M.C. Moorhouse is that of exploitative manipulator who uses Chief Dore Numa to perpetrate land-ownership atrocities against the natives of Warri. He is the one who rewards Chief Dore Numa with medals and portion of land and political power to intimidate and deprive people of their lands. Col. M.C. Moorhouse is a satanic agent who is responsible for the land-related problems in Warri. Through manipulation, Ogbe people are driven away from the headland for the purpose of building offices, barracks etc. He is a disgusting character.

From the portrait of the three characters, Clark’s message is a very clear one: the present ethnic configuration of Warri is flawed and needs to be reversed; the issue of land ownership should be redressed because the acquisition process masterminded by Chief Dore Numa is self-serving and manipulative; Chief Bekederemo’s activist prescriptions and complaints which culminate in his opposition to Chief Dore Numa should be the basis for the reconfiguration of the nationalities in Warri since all – Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo are exploited by Chief Dore Numa.

The ending of Clark’s ALL FOR OIL is symbolic and has implications for the future.

Actors like Chief Dore Numa, Chief Bekederemo and Col. M.C. Moorhouse are still alive; this means that the problems of Warri are not over as Chief Bekederemo will continue to agitate until his genuine complaints are properly addressed – which is the task his ancestor Ngbile has thrust upon him. Clark is calling on the relevant authorities to rectify the injustices in Warri in line with Chief Bekederemo’s agitations – Chief Bekederemo who clearly awakens Chief Dore Numa to the reality that he (Dore Numa) knows who the true owners of Warri are.

Clark’s artistic vision is that Chief Bekederemo will not die until the injustices in Warri particularly and the injustices generally in Nigeria are corrected because to Clark, the making of Nigeria by the colonial masters is flawed.

This is a heavy statement from Clark who has turned a human rights activist in ALL FOR OIL having set ablaze his characteristic cultural edifice in pursuit of new realities in his literary career.

Clark’s development of his three characters, which is full, adequate, convincing and realistic, is reinforced by the roles of characters like Branuvwere who is afraid and worried that Chief

in Sapele, Koko and other areas reported as the representatives of the firms complain bitterly about the steady decline in profitaccrual, gives vindictive excuses and tries to dissuade Col. M.C. Moorhouse from giving audience to Chief Bekederemo’s petitions against Chief Dore Numa; Chief Egbe who always protects Chief Bekederemo’s interest but plays mediatory role between Chief Dore Numa and Chief Bekederemo anytime they clash in words, thus making himself a constant cooler of the ever rising temperatures between the two though Chief Dore holds the strong view that Chief Egbe is always on the side of Chief Bekederemo because he is married to his sister Fiobode; Chief Babigha who sees Chief Dore Numa as his only instrument to confront Bekederemo for justice over the burning of his shrine, and S.L. Bucknor who always gives candid opinion to Chief Dore Numa on legal matters concerning Chief Bekederemo. It is the conglomeration of the various voices of these characters that give chief Bekederemo, Chief Dore Numa and Col. M.C. Moorhouse their individual qualities and identities.

Clark draws on these individual qualities and identities to build his artistic vision about the problems plaguing the different nationalities manipulatively fused into unholy union by the colonial masters. Clark’s character portrait shows that both the minor and major characters are germane to the development of the plot – the plot itself being chronological in arrangement because the

ALL FOR OIL shows Clark’s healthy exploitation of historical materials in the construction of his vision for Nigeria using a language that is skillfully an admixture of prose, poetry and quotable philosophical expressions

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(and later released on payment of the fine by people other than Chief Bekederemo), gives an inventory of the steady flow of goodies and gratifications sent to Chief Dore Numa by the Ijaws, Urhobos, Isokos, Abohs and Kwales in fear, respect, recognition and anticipation of favour from him (Chief Dore Numa; A.C. BURNS, who sees Bekederemo as an objectionable troublesome character whose maritime trade hacks away the profitability of the white men’s palm oil and kernel business

characters are drawn from history. ALL FOR OIL shows Clark’s healthy exploitation of historical materials in the construction of his vision for Nigeria using a language that is skillfully an admixture of prose, poetry and quotable philosophical expressions.

Lines like these from Bekederemo who says: “Fetaroro, you know life is only a bubble made in the river. We see ourselves large in it, but it bursts in our face before we know it” and from Fetaroro who maintains thus: “And we also know the deepest track we make here on earth, and call our careers, is

no more than the wake a boat makes. It tears up the river with pride but the river soon swallows it up. Arrival is all, yes, it is the arrival…” are moving, evocative and mesmerising in construction that one is compelled to commit them to memory and permanently appropriate both the penetrating poetic rhythm and the philosophical echoes and truism the lines embody – which I am very sure are EFFORTLESS CASCADES from the Kiagbodo-born Clark.

Premised on the contours in ALL FOR OIL and THE the WIVES’ REV OLT, consummation of Clark’s incineration of his artistic cultural costume is his gallant flight to the world of marxist writers like Ngugi Wa Thiog’O. It appears that pulverisation of all institutions and structures of exploitation and oppression plaguing man on any planet using any necessary instruments as a potent counter-force is Clark’s new revolutionary persuasion.

Structures of oppression should no longer be given a breathing space or spell of hibernation anywhere on earth. In the two plays, Clark’s C O M M U N I CAT I V E characters – Koko (for the women) in THE WIVES’ REVOLT and Chief Bekederemo in ALL FOR OIL – the preoccupation is towards the extirpation and pulverisation of invading oppressive structures (typified by the men in THE WIVES’ REVOLT and by Chief Dore Numa in ALL FOR OIL) until justice descends on the plagued humanity.

Conclusively, the man Clark, the Nigerian poet of the 20th century, has willingly claimed the seat of an I N T E L L L E C T UA L MILITANT in THE WIVES’ REVOLT and ALL FOR OIL out of pragmatic deep solicitude for the plagued humanity in Nigeria. And again as a cautionary digression I must add that though Clark’s portrayal of the roles of Chief Bekederemo, Chief Dore Numa, Col. M.C. Moorhouse and others, remarkably vivid and realistic, which may provoke irrational aggrieved vituperative responses from persons/ groups pathologically mindful of their public/private persona thrown up for critical interrogation, they should be content to claim as a guide the reality that ALL FOR OIL is a representation of probable action patterned upon the ARISTOTELIAN MIMESIS just in the same way I would like readers to realise that Clark’s break from culture can only be located in terms of the thematic thrust as the two plays still demonstrate healthy exploitation of the cultural resources of his own people out of which a RADIANT TAPESTRY has been woven with a reverberating dexterity.

Concluded

PAGE 50—SUNDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Aftermath of absence following plane crash:

Gov Suntai’s seat not in trouble – Bello *’Story of Taraba cabal is unfortunate fabrication’

BY LEKAN BILESANMI Taraba State Commissioner for Information, Emmanuel Bello, says contrary to the insinuation in some quarters, the state is not in the hands of a cabal. He also speaks on the situation in the state following the hospitalisation of Governor Danbaba Suntai abroad after the plane crash involving him.

T

HERE is this speculation that a cabal is now in charge of governance in Taraba, and that the acting governor has no real powers.

That is an unfortunate fabrication by some people.

There is no such things as a cabal in Taraba. If you know how Governor Danbaba Suntai runs the state, you would agree that he didn’t give any one person undue powers like we used to have in Taraba. In the history of our state, there was a time one commissioner became very powerful. With Danbaba, no one has that kind of power.

His commissioners and special advisers are exactly thatappointees. He treats everyone of us equally and

Bello: All is well

keeps reminding us that none of us is more important than the other. In various meetings, he would clearly tell us, “Look, no one should try and give the impression that he or she is a favourite. You are all equal”.

So in that kind of atmosphere, how do you even develop a cabal mentality? No one has

that type of access. But many people admire Governor Danbaba. They like his detribalised nature and the fact that he is not a religious bigot.

So, if you see him getting any support now, it is because of the genuine love some people have for him. Of course there are people who don’t like his

direct, straight talk manners.

They hate his guts because he says it like it is. Yet, he is loved by many. And the thing is that in everyone’s mind, Danbaba is the sort person people respect, a true leader.

But some names have been mentioned as members of a kitchen cabinet in charge of the state now.

That is a mistake. The impression that a few group of people meet constantly to strategise on the governor is a silly one really. There are no such meetings. Everyone is performing his constitutional role. I’m the commissioner for information for instance. All I am doing is within my oath of office; not because I’m some favourite of the governor. No. In fact, knowing my boss, he may not have approved of my current media outreaches. He prefers that we don’t say anything in terms of response to certain accusations. I always just do my thing not minding how he would take it because I know it is right. In fact, at a point, he told me that he had since given up on me (laughter). He dislikes the l i m e l i g h t .

So I’m just doing my job.

Others are also doing theirs.

And that is how we have been r o l l i n g .

But you guys don’t take orders from the acting governor, making him weak.

That is another error. Whoever is alleging that should please specify who and in what event anyone hasn’t shown that he is not subordinate to the acting governor. We need hard evidence and not just mere talks. Our acting governor, His Excellency, the amiable Alhaji Garba Umar, is one ofthe most powerful acting governors in the history of the country. He is practically in charge of the state because, by law, he performs all the functions of the governor. He has just signed the 2013 budget of the state into law.

He recently fired some erring aides. He has installed a first class traditional ruler. He has been authorising memos. He has been in charge. He presides over the weekly cabinet meetings. He disburses funds. He recently swore in the Chief Judge of the state. Which other functions under the office of the governor that this acting governor hasn’t carried

Continues on page 51

Insecurity: Interior Minister, Moro, seeks Customs, Immigration, security agents synergy

BY GBENGA OKE

M

INISTER of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, yesterday, called for better collaboration among the Customs, the Immigration and other security agencies towards arresting insecurity in the country.

He also decried the deplorable situation of the offices and the environment of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the Idi Iroko border.

Moro, who paid an unscheduled visit to the Idi Iroko border, said he was disappointed about what he saw on ground to checkmate insecurity in the country.

According to him, “there is need to be a synergy between the security outfits at the border to checkmate the influx of insurgents into Nigeria”.

He added: “Let me state categorically that the environment in which the Immigration at this border line is operating is worrisome and does not guarantee our security; so my visit is to see things myself and move as fast as possible to put the infrastructures in place and improve on security ”.

While commending the Customs for their steadfastness and

neatness in terms of infrastructure, Moro said he was happy with what he saw on ground and further asked them to forestall the influx of insurgents into the country.

The minister disclosed that the Federal Government would build a plaza at the border line to further checkmate any security threat.

Delta commissioner tasks Okotie-Eboh College Old Students

BY GAB EJUWA

O

LD boys of OkotieEboh Grammar School, Sapele have been called up to attend the diamond jubilee celebration of the school being put together by the national body of OkotieEboh Grammar School Sapele Old Boys Association (OGSOBA).

This call was made by Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Delta State Commissioner for Housing, at a meeting on the pre-diamond celebration. He rated the school as equal to King’s College, Government College and Bayero College that have produced nation builders in

terms of medical doctors, engineers, architects and politicians.

Akpeki challenged the members to hold their heads high for their achievements in various spheres of life as he stated that School.

The commissioner also promised to sponsor the school to the forthcoming sports festival by providing them all sporting outfits and other incentives.

Projects earmarked for execution in the college by the Old Boys Association include the construction of new blocks to replace old dilapidated structures and provision of computers in all classes.

L-R: Augustine Ngongban, Regional Manager-West Africa, Serah Ashley-Dejo, Territory Account Manager-West Africa and Steve Murphy, Vice President Hitach Data System, at the press conference to announce their entry to the Nigerian market.

Ex-aide congratulates Oshiomhole over tribunal judgement

BY SIMON ADEWALE

F

ORMER Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Public Affairs, Hon. Henry Okpamen, has congratulated his former principal on the verdict of Edo State tribunal which affirmed his re-election, saying it is victory for democracy.

While briefing newsmen,

Okpamen said with the Supreme Court judgement and the Edo State tribunal judgement showed that the judiciary stood by the truth.

He asked the oppositionparties in the state to join hands with Oshiomhole to move Edo forward, adding that it will harmonically create a peaceful political atmosphere for the governor to perform.

SUNDAY

Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013,PAGE 51 health issues post –flood.

BY EMMA AMAIZE

I

For the council itself, most of the buildings were overtaken by flood, I was particularly worried that nothing was salvaged, but we are revamping and renovating now

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and the resources put on the table are usually never enough. I begin to think that I have to tread carefully and articulate some specific things.

As I am looking at it now, it is quite challenging, you meet people who are seasoned technocrat in the system, who think differently from what you think coming from an activist background. Probably you want to get things done on the spot and they have to define due process, and you have to fall in line with due process, otherwise, you make yourself a victim of all these anti-graft bodies.

The uncommon passion you displayed for flood victims in your area, last year, was believed to have been what endeared you to Governor Uduaghan in making this appointment; did he tell you why you were appointed?

I was one of those chairmen that were appointed without my consent, nobody spoke to me about it. However, a friend told me before the devastating flood of last year that I was going to be made chair of the council and I told him I was not interested, as my passion has always been to legislate at the national level. In fact, it was a passing conversation, which I soon forgot, but during the devastating flood of last year, I came down from the United States to provide succor for my people and the governor called me to say that he heard what I was doing and asked me the need areas. He never mentioned anything to me that he had made up his mind to appoint me the chair of the council. I was on my way again to the US after the flood when I opened Patani on facebook and I saw that Dr. Chris Ekiyor had just been appointed chairman and swearing-in was the next day.

I was travelling from Benin to Lagos, I had to cancel the flight and dashed to Asaba the next day with my wife for the swearing-in. But by the time I got there, the whole Patani people were already there.. I want to thank the governor for deeming it fit to appoint me

Dr. Chris Ekiyor What is the lot of the flood victims in your local government?

That is the biggest challenge we are facing. First is the postflood health issues and, therefore, we have decided that we will commit the council to some measure of free medical care. Incidentally, at the time, through our nongovernmental organization, RAHI, while we were catering for the victims of the flood, we had written to the government that we would like to take possession of one of the health centres for our pilot free medical scheme. In addition, we entered into partnership

with the then Head of Personnel Management before I was now appointed chairman. I had to leave the NGO for other directors to manage; they are still around doing their bit in the various health centres in partnership with the council; whereas the council provides medical consumables, they provide the expertise to complement the council’s efforts.

It has been of great help to our people. People were paying as much as N10,000 to manage malaria before, but you can imagine that we do all that for free now in the local government. So the local government is championing free health care to complement the efforts of the state government on the

Food shortage We also had issues of food shortage and, in that regard, during Christmas, we tried to provide as much as possible food for our people because the situation was bad. You know there was no farmland to harvest from or even cultivate because of the disaster. But we are beginning to come of it, people have started returning to the farms, we are working very hard to procure cassava stems and fingerlings to give to farmers.

On our own, we have set up a farm and an agricultural committee is on ground, working hard to make sure that, in the next couple of months, we can harvest to push back the prices to moderate rates. We are also faced with the challenge of rebuilding the homes destroyed by flood. The council does not have that kind of money, so our appeal is that the post-flood committee of the state government should look inward and provide grants for the affected persons to be able to rebuild their homes; otherwise, many people will be homeless in a long while.

However, we donated bags of cement and bundles of zinc to the very old internally displaced persons, who have no persons to rebuild for them so that they can at least have where to rest their heads.

Many roads were also destroyed by flood and so, the council is now grading roads massively; we have to excavate, grade and level because some roads were turned into ponds. As a government, we are going to tackle most of the failed portions of road in the town.

For the council itself, most of the buildings were overtaken by flood, I was particularly worried that nothing was salvaged, but we are revamping and renovating now. In the last one month, massive infrastructural works have been going on in the council premises

Gov Suntai’s seat not in trouble Continued from page 50 out? So anyone deceiving himself is just been mischievous. Everyone knows that Governor Danbaba has no problem empowering his deputy to be in charge. In the past when the governor was travelling, he practically handed in his office to his deputy. He has no issues with that.

And our acting governor is a very astute leader. Although he might be new, he has done this job as if he has been here since 2007. In fact, he understands the mind of the governor in a way that many of us don’t and everything he does is the sort of policy the governor would have done himself. A very loyal person, Alhaji Umar has brought to bear his years of experience in managing men and resources in the state. A very humble man, he shares the same traits with Governor Danbabahumility, self effacing, honest, loyal, and God-fearing and a keeper of people’s trust.

Let’s come back to you. Some people are suggesting that

you are rather too aggressive in defending your boss.

There was even a point that you were said to be seeking relevance because you had actually lost out.

I’m not seeking relevance. I already have that. I’m just doing what i should be doing at this point in time. If a

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From activism to Government House, Patani, what are the difficulties? have been an ardent critic of those who have been in government and, certainly, I have met challenges. I now have to get identity of myself. At the level of activism, we see problem and we expect they should be fixed and we blame government for not fixing the problem. In governance, you are incapacitated with your available resources to fixing the problems. For instance, when the figures are written, say N1 billion, the activists do not see why the challenges should not be fixed, but, the government person sees the challenges and the impossibility of fixing the challenges. What the person outside does not see is that in those billions, there are recurrent expenditures and cost of administration and all others things that must be done to keep government running before capital projects are looked into. For instance, if we get a net of N90 million as allocation, salary of primary school teachers, takes not less than N50 million which would have been deducted before the money gets to the council. By the time you make remove the two percent for agricultural fund, the council is probably left with just N3 million. With this scenario, you probably have no money to fuel the chair ’s car to move to the next place that month. Possibly, your chair has to go to a meeting in Asaba, you have roads to fix, primary schools to fund and renovation work to do. Therefore, you see the challenges from all sources and you see the impossibilities of fixing the challenges when you are in government, whereas, as an activist, you see the challenges and the need that they must be fixed, so that thin line of divide is why activist and people in government are always in conflict. I think, however, that those in government must go the extra mile to defend the public. They should announce their allocations publicly and let people know what they are doing with the money. So that even those who are critics of government will know that this is what came and this is what it was used for. We have nothing to hide in Patani, our books are open to the people.

Talking about the microcosm of the macro, I can imagine that what we are facing in Patani local government is what the governor is experiencing at the state, so many problems to deal with, and not enough resources.

And probably the same thing that the President Goodluck Jonathan may be facing with all the demands and challenges from Nigerians,

Activists see challenges but govt is handicapped —Ekiyor

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DR. Chris Ekiyor, a NigerDelta activist, is a former national president of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC. He played a prominent role in the 2009 acceptance of amnesty by freedom fighters in the NigerDelta. He was appointed as chair of the Transition Committee, Patani Local Government Council, Delta State, November, last year, by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan. In this interview, he speaks on his plans, the thin line of divide between activism and governance and lots more.

I’m not seeking relevance. I already have that. I’m just doing what i should be doing at this point in time

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reporter calls me and says, “Mr. Commissioner, we learnt your governor is brain damaged. What is your reaction”? Am I supposed to just keep silent? No. I’m a loyal member of the Danbaba

cabinet and thus have no apologies for my roles which I swear an oath to doing.

Very soon it will be 90 days since your boss has been away. What do you make of the call to swear in the acting governor as the substantive g o v e r n o r ?

Those who are making that call do not know the constitution.

My advice is they go and read the relevant sections of the constitution that relate to us (section 189,190,191). There are no 90 -day provisions anywhere where you have an acting governor. The acting governor can remain in that position till anytime that the governor transmits a written declaration to the Speaker of the House of Assembly to the effect that he is now available to resume the functions of governor. The constitution did not say the acting governor can only be there for 90 days (section 190, subsection (2) of the 1999 constitution). The constitution envisaged this present situation where the governor is not available to discharge his function.

PAGE 52

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY, 10, 2013

I Love You It could be quite tragic to lose your love.

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In a cynical world where love is hard to find, it is extremely important to convey your true feelings to the object of your desire.

The simple yet timeless “I love you” will never fail when you try to express your feelings. Cheers!

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SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 53

Mark fires up Eagles against Stallions •We Are Confident —Yobo

S

ENATE President, David Mark, was the surprise guest at the Super Eagles last training session at the Soccer City in Soweto, South Africa, ostensibly to assure the team that the people and government of Nigeria were solidly behind the team in their quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.

In the delegation of the Senate President, which stood in for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan because of current diplomatic forays in Europe were Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and the Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ambassador S.S Yusuf, Senator Abdul Ningi and several top government functionaries.

The team was led to the Eagles training session by Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi and NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Speaking at the occasion, Sen-

ator Mark, said the Nigerian government and people were thrilled by the outing of the team so far but like ‘Oliver Twist are asking for more. “Yes, the job has been well done, but like we say in local parlance, the snake is dead and it’s time to cut it’s head”, he admonished the team, adding that he was sure that the team will win the trophy today but cautioned against complacency.

Responding on behalf of Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, team skipper, Joseph Yobo, assured the government delegation that the team will not let the nation down having come this far. He thanked President Jonathan and the Senate President for always standing behind the team and assured that there is no negotiation in the team’s determination to winning its third Nations Cup trophy.

Ojido prays, Obienu advises NFF

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

O

NE old but very alert man monitoring all matches of the Nations Cup and praying that Stephen Keshi and Eagles lift the trophy today is Pa John Ojidoh, a veteran of many fields of sports.

Ojidoh, 86, spoke from his home in Illah, Delta.

“I wished that Keshi is listed among the great coaches who have worked in Nigeria. My rating has Westerhof, Troussier and Amodu as those whose records have distinguished them in the past 25 years or so.

And if Keshi wins the Nations Cup, he will be added on this list.

So far, he has done well. He has been noble, humble and confident in the post match conferences. May God not allow our match with Burkina Faso to be like the battle between David and Goliath. Burkina Faso looks the most balanced team of the tournament and Nigeria has a big job in their hand. I pray that Keshi completes his mission with a victory. Then his market

value will skyrocket and cause NFF and NSC to respect him.”

Nwabufo Obienu, former vice chairman of the Nigeria Football Association spoke in the same vein.

“Win or lose on Sunday, they should not only keep Keshi, they should also get him a house, a good car and provide him with all he needs to continue leading our football out of the doldrums.

He has done well. He has brought back the spirit of patriotism to our football. He has given life to our football and Nigerians are excited once more. They were planning to sack him after the Nations Cup but with this result I know that they will keep their cool.

But I still think that Keshi could hire somebody from Europe to assist him in training and building our football. He remains in charge but he needs someone with different experience, mentality and style to blend with his own and we can move our football to the height where our potential is capable of reaching”.

GETTING READY...Super Eagles players at a training session getting ready for today’s crucial final match against Burkina Faso.

Bring Goodluck to Nigeria, PDP charges Eagles

BY HENRY UMORU

T

HE national leadership of the Peoples Democrat-

ic Party, PDP has urged Senate President David Mark and the Super Eagles to restore the nation’s pride and dignity with

NFF mourns Joe Ighile

T

HE Nigeria camp at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa was badly jolted on Saturday morning when news filtered in that ace broadcast journalist Joseph Ighile had died in Lagos.

Ighile, a member of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, was in South Africa for the group stage campaign of the Super Eagles.

He was presenting his sports programme on CHANNELS television on Friday evening when he reportedly slumped and died before anxious colleagues could get him to hospital.

NFF President Aminu Maigari was taken aback when the sad news was broken to him.

“Oh, my God! What happened to him? How did it happen?

“Joe (Ighile) interviewed me and I saw him doing his work quietly but diligently during the group stage in Nelspruit. A good man has gone. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

Pepsi drums support for Eagles

T

HE official beverage sponsors of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Pepsi have galvanized Nigerians to support the Super Eagles who will be facing the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the final of the 2013 Afcon.

In demonstration of its support, the soft drink manufacturers also sent goodwill messages to the Nigerian team. At Ijora, Lagos head office of SevenUp Bottling Company Plc- it was a festival of sought as the Chairman of the company Mr. Faysal El-Khalil and Managing Director Sunil Sawhney led all staff to sign different goodwill messages on a giant Pepsi greeting card for the Stephen Keshi tutored boys.

•Late Ighile Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama was distraught.

“What happened to Joseph? I have never heard of this kind of thing.

“Joe was your idea of a hardworking, enterprising and yet, unobtrusive journalist. He did his job conscientiously and with grace and honour.

“Everyone is shocked. This is sad, very sad. As a member of the Media and Publicity Committee, he was very supportive and very positive.”

today’s match with Burkina Faso by firing up the Nigerian spirit to win the African Nation’s Cup. In a statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh yesterday, the party noted that it strongly believes that the Nigerian players have all its takes to overwhelm their Burkina Faso counterparts in the finals.

It however charged the team not to leave anything to chance, just as it stressed that as a party, it was optimistic that Senate President David Mark who is leading Nigeria’s official delegation to the match will bring the nation Goodluck.

Metuh said, “ we charge the Super Eagles to go out there and make the nation proud.

We believe that they have all it takes to beat their opponents and come back with the cup.

At the same time they must not leave anything to chance.

They must understand that millions of Nigerians are counting on them to bring back the trophy.”

Heineken Champions Planet returns with UEFA Champions League

A

HEAD of the knock out stage of the UEFA Champions League which resumes across prominent stadiums in Europe, Heineken has lined up a series of activities to thrill its consumers and visitors of the Heineken Champions Planet.

The Heineken Champions Planet located in Victoria Island, Lagos has been converted to the ultimate football fantasy with the top of the range football gaming technology in a premium viewing atmosphere. As the house opens on the February 12, visitors can expect to take away memories of Epic football viewing experience.

“Our consumers and visitors

deserve the best and we intend to continue with raise the bar by immersing our consumers in an environment where they can enjoy both their passion for football and Ice cold Heineken Lager Beer ” the Senior Brand Manager Heineken, Jacqueline van Faassen disclosed.

On February 13, 2013 the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc , Mr Walter Drenth will reveal the plans for this year’s brand activities at a press conference.

The Heineken brand in Nigeria has for the past six years given Nigerian football fans an opportunity to watch and experience the UEFA Champions league in a premium viewing environment.

54 — SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 PAGE

Brown IDEYE

(Date of Birth: 10-10-1988) Ambitious defender who also started off as a youth international. Scored a couple of goals at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada in 2007. Was in the Nigeria squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Has had a remarkable tournament; scored against Mali on Wednesday.

Current Club: Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine)

Eagles:

90 minutes from

Glory

Joseph YOBO

Elderson ECHIEJILE

(Date of Birth: 20-01-1988) One of only six players in the Nigeria squad who have tasted action at the Cup of Nations. He was in Angola in 2010 and impressed. Also played at the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. Gifted and courageous left back with solid engine who started off at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada. Scored in the semi final thumping of Mali.

Current Club: SC Braga (Portugal)

Efe AMBROSE

(Date of Birth: 18-10-1988) Yet another former youth international who simply burst onto the Nations Cup with plenty of energy. Played at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada and has remained a regular with the senior team in the past two years.

Has had a great tournament despite red card in Nigeria’s first match against Burkina Faso.

Current Club: Celtic FC (Scotland)

Sunday MBA

John Mikel OBI

Vincent ENYEAMA

(Date of Birth: 29-08-1982) Lion-hearted goal-tender who has been number one for most of the past 11 years and made crucial saves leading to Nigeria’s place in the Final.

Recently voted the best goalkeeper in Africa, and could win the Afcon Best Goalie award on Sunday. Won two MVP awards in Nigeria’s three matches at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Current Club: Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel)

(Date of Birth: 25-12-1992) Started as a schoolboy international but has earned respect in a couple of friendlies leading to this tournament.

Highly mobile and energetic midfielder who won silver medal at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria.

One of the revelations of this tournament, for sure.

Current Club: SS Lazio (Italy)

Emmanuel EMENIKE

(Date of Birth: 10-051987) Well-built striker who previously played in Turkey. Top scorer of the tournament with four goals and one assist.

Current Club: Spartak Moscow (Russia)

(Date of Birth: 06-09-1980) Nigeria’s record international player with 93 caps. The experienced defender has declared this would be his last Africa Cup of Nations, after being at five previously. He wants to go out on a high on Sunday. Played at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

Current Club: Fenerbahce (Turkey)

Ogenyi ONAZI

(Date of Birth: 22-04-1987) Solid defensive midfielder who can hold the ball well and give defence-splitting passes.

Another former youth international, who was voted Second Most Valuable Player of the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in The Netherlands in 2005.

Could be named MVP of South Africa 2013.

Current Club: Chelsea FC (England)

(Date of Birth: 28-11-1988) Relatively new forward in the squad, but scored both goals in the 2-0 defeat of Liberia in an international friendly in Monrovia in February 2012. Bold and ambitious, and one of six professionals from the Nigeria League. Scored an audacious winner against Cote d’Ivoire in the last eight and has been excellent.

Current Club: Enugu Rangers (Nigeria)

Victor MOSES

(Date of Birth: 12-121990) Impressive attacking midfielder who played for England at junior level before opting to represent fatherland at senior level. Scored twice in the 6-1 mauling of Liberia in the second leg of the final qualifying match in Calabar. Has two goals and one assist in the tournament.

Current Club: Chelsea FC (England)

Kenneth OMERUO

Godfrey OBOABONA

(Date of Birth: 16-09-1990) Calm and courageous central defender who has been part of Stephen Keshi’s team all along. Has also showcased his wares with some of the top teams and done himself credit. One of six home-based professionals in the squad. One of the revelations of the tournament.

Current Club: Sunshine Stars (Nigeria)

(Date of Birth: 17-01-1993) Talented young defender who has been magnificent in his first Africa Cup of Nations.

Started as a schoolboy international and won silver medal at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup that Nigeria hosted. On loan in The Netherlands from English club, Chelsea FC. Current Club: ADO Den Haag (Netherlands)

SUNDAY VANGUARD, FEBRUARY 10, 2013 — PAGE 55

Final cracker:

How Eagles should play —Finidi George

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

F

INIDI George is one of the heroes of the revolution Clemens Westerhof launched in Nigerian football, a tremendous effort that saw Nigeria rank the 5th best football country in the world. It was a feat many doubt if it can ever be achieved again in this millennium. We called Finidi’s house in Spain and asked him what he thought of the two teams, advice to the Eagles and what it feels like playing in a cup final of this nature.

He said the following: “I’m excited about the performance of Stephen Keshi and his team.

Sometimes, it is good to enter a tournament as underdogs. It reduces the pressure on you. We have a good team and we should be able to win.

I’m particularly hoping that we win so that our authorities can begin to respect indigenous coaches. Our people easily fall for European coaches. And most times they hire the ones who are not better than our coaches. The only difference is the skin and that’s what they respect. I’m not condemning foreign coaches but we appear to generally have complex and we go for any white man in the name of foreign coach. What Keshi is doing now is good. Even if he is no longer there in Nigeria, his success can open the door for other indigenous coaches who should be inspired by the success he has achieved so far and begin to work hard. When you give somebody a national team coaching job, give him about four to five years to per-

form. If at the end of this period it is clear that he is not performing, you can then disengage him. But it is not so for our people. They sack under one year. We’ll not develop that way. I want Keshi to win so that some people can shut up and respect indigenous coaches and encourage them to succeed. We should learn from our mistakes and move on.

“On the match against Burkina Faso, we will be playing against a team that can run for 90 minutes and they are not tired. They are physically strong, very strong players. I think that what we can do is to pass the ball around. Let the ball run and let Burkina players chase the ball. We must not go into duels with them because of their physical nature.

Let the ball do the running. We pass, look for space and attack it. We should try to score and lead well just like we did against Mali. We need to play the way we played our last two matches. If we do, we will win the cup.

“The atmosphere is always electric on cup final days. We didn’t enter the competition as favourites and we marched on to the final where some people now feel we are favourites.

We should handle the pressure well and remember that we went in as underdogs. We should not, therefore, be carried away. You play in a cup final to win. No second chance.

You must do more than playing. You fight as a team too.

The fighting spirit must be there. You must fight on till the referee’s last whistle. I think that we can win the cup and that will make not only our day but also our year.”

HIGH VELOCITY....Nigeria’s forward Emmanuel Emenike (R) vies with Mali’s defender Mahamadou Ndiaye during the 2013 African Cup of Nations semi-final. He will be missed in today’s match..

Don’t underestimate Burkina Faso, Chukwu charges Eagles C

HRISTIAN Chukwu, a former Head Coach of the Super Eagles, has told the team that they would have themselves to blame if they underestimated the Stallions of Burkina Faso in today’s AFCON final.

Chukwu told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on telephone that he foresaw a great encounter between the two West African teams.

“I pray that the Eagles will take the match more seriously and not underrate the Stallions otherwise they will be in trouble.

“The two teams will want to settle scores this time around, after battling to a 1-1 draw at the group stage of the tournament.

“They have known us and we have known them. It is an indication that our group was the toughest in the tournament,” the former Super Ea-

Erico, Emeteole urge Eagles to go for the kill

BY EDDIE AKALONU x-internationals, Kelechi Emeteole and Joe Erico are backing the Super Eagles to beat Burkina Faso in today’s final of the African Cup of Nations, saying the team should never look back in meeting this target.

Speaking in separate interviews, both former assistant national team coaches agreed that more work needed to be done by Stephen Keshi and the players in other to be tops again, stressing that they can win the cup if they should recreate the same form, sustain same resilience and tempo of performance that brought them this far.

Erico bared his mind this way. “I feel very excited the way we have progressed in the competition, beginning with a slow start and then things picked up.I will be a happier man if our boys are able to win the cup. Of course, they can

E

win it because we have all the credentials to do so and that can be done with greater vigour.

“I feel that if they win the cup, it will specifically redefine our perceptions of football in so many ways.” To

Emeteole a.k.a.“Caterpillar”, “ this is a chance never to be missed. And to beat a team as fast paced, aggressive and mobile like Burkina Faso, the Eagles must take the fight to them and not wait for them to swoop on us first.”

Fortune in Nigeria, tips Eagles to win

BY JACOB AJOM

S

OUTH Africa cult hero and former Manchester United legend, Quinton Fortune has tipped the Super Eagles of Nigeria to beat their Burkina Faso counterparts in today ’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final.

After reviewing the performances of both teams in the tournament and their pedigree, Fortune who is on tour of Nigeria under the aegis of the Manchester United/DHL logistics partnership agreement says the Nigerian team

is head and shoulder above the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

Speaking at a cocktail organised by DHL Express at the Wheat Baker Hotel, Ikoyi, Fortune said, “Nigeria will win the final because they have done exceedingly well. The Super Eagles defeated Ivory Coast, when nobody gave them a chance. That was the strongest team in the tournament.”

When reminded that Burkina Faso too defeated Ghana, one of the pre-tournament favourites, Quinton insisted, “ when Nigeria played Ivory

gles head coach stressed.

Chukwu, who lifted the AFCON trophy as the Skipper of the then Green Eagles, in the 1980 edition of the tournament in Lagos, expressed confidence that the Eagles would excel. “Considering the current form and the high morale

of our boys, I am optimistic that we will come out victorious against the Stallions.

“Our attackers have started pumping in goals and the team in general has been improving with each game. If they maintain this form, they will be unstoppable,” Chukwu said.

How Eagles can win — Eguavoen Continues from Back Page

Cable Television.

Eguavoen had to lead the Eagles in Tunisia because Keshi was not 100 per cent fit following an injury. As coach he also led the Eagles to a bronze medal at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt. The same scene is playing out in South Africa where Vincent Enyeama has been wearing the captain band as team captain, Joseph Yobo, is not also 100 percent fit and now comes from the bench. He may come in today in the last minutes if the Eagles are in the lead. Enyeama and the rest of the players would honour Yobo with the chance to lift the cup.

Like it was for Keshi in 1994, it may be so for Yobo this year. He plays his last Nations Cup match today. What a magnificent way to end a journey if Eagles win. It is the last Nations Cup for the most capped Nigerian player. He will be capped 94 times.

“You’ll feel on top of the world when the referee’s whistle goes and you are champions,” Eguavoen continued.

“It’s such a special feeling.

Coast, I said whoever won that match would win Afcon 2013 and Nigeria won the match. I still maintain that position. If they can approach the match the same way, without underrating the Burkinabes, they will win the trophy.”

The cocktail was well attended by VIP guests that included former national team handler and FIFA instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde and hordes of Man U fans.

You dance, you sing and you remember all the loved ones who have supported you and you feel great that you did not let them down.”

And how does it feel to play in the final?

“Players can’t wait for the game to start. They are full of expectations. Sometimes, for some people there’s some kind of tension, some kind of apprehension but the moment the game starts you get on it and if your first touch on the ball is good you just continue from there. For some, they are very confident all day and they can’t wait for the game to start. You are thinking about the game, the people of your country, all the fans, your coach and his support staff etc. Cup final is different. It is special.”

Eguavoen started by congratulating the team for getting this far.

“I must first say congratulations. We have a team that grew during the competition. They picked up as the competition went on, apparently undermining their potential and only realizing that they can win the trophy after beating Ivory Coast. They played well in that match and that was the tonic.

You could see that they further lifted their game against Mali.

I expect them to lift their game further in the final. That’s the only way to win the Cup. And for them to do that, they must have 100 per cent concentration and play to win because you never know when to get to the final again. I wish them good luck.”

SUNDAY Vanguard, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

C

LEMENS Westerhof, the Dutch coach who won the Nations Cup for Nigeria in 1994, Qualified Nigeria for their first ever World Cup finals in USA ’94 and the man who made Nigeria the best football country in Africa before the plunge started when he left, has spoken on the final with Burkina Faso today.

“I’ll send my regards to Keshi and tell him how happy and excited I am that he is in the final of Africa Cup of Nations.

When they appointed him I told Nigerians to support him. As a player, Keshi had leadership abilities. And when I was leaving Nigeria, I told him to get ready to take over.

He said, coach I have seen all the problems you have been facing and I’m not sure I can do it. I told him that he had to because he was the boss, the leader of the players.

He said, coach you are the super boss and you know how to get things done. I told him that he had equally learnt well and should be able to lead Nigeria well. He was in Togo and Mali and now a man. I’m happy about what is happening today.

And now the cup is coming to Nigeria, I tell you. It is coming, 100 per cent.

Keshi, Amokachi and the man who played in Portugal (Sylvanus Okpala) all played for big clubs and should know how to handle big occasions. They have a good team.

Victor Moses is good, excellent player. They will play against a team that has hard workers. Burkina Faso players work very hard. They have

Tottenham Chelsea Norwich Stoke Sunderland Swansea Southampton

2 4 0 2 0 4 3

Newcastle Wigan Fulham Reading Arsenal QPR Man City

1 1 0 1 1 1 1

Mali

3

Ghana

1

The Cup is ours, Westerhof boasts from Holland •Sends words to Keshi

•Kick-off time 7pm

How Eagles can win — Eguavoen

BY ONOCHIE ANIBEZE

A

HOPEFUL... Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses is hopeful of playing against Burkinan Faso today. He missed the group match against the Burkinabes owing to slight injuries he got during training. players who work and work and are not tired of working.

But if you compare the technical abilities of the two

Keshi keeps mum on Moses, Emenike H EAD coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi will not make a decision on the injured duo of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike “until the last minute” ahead of today’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Burkina Faso.

Both player picked up injuries during Nigeria’s 4-1 semifinal win against Mali on Wednesday and are now major doubts for the showpiece game against their West African rivals.

Keshi has now moved to clarify the situation about both players who have impressed with big performances in Nigeria’s first five games of the competition.

Moses however missed Nigeria’s opening game of the

Results

competition against Burkina Faso with an injury.

“I will wait till the last minute and by Sunday we will know whether the boys will play or not, any other opinion is unacceptable,” Keshi said yesterday.

Reports in the media have been awash with varying stories about the situation of the two players and Keshi has now promised to let Nigerians know about the actual state of the duo at the appropriate time.

“I can understand the apprehension of the (Nigerian) public over the two players but we must be a little patient, because I know that the two of them want to play in the final and the medical team is working round the clock,” he concluded.

•Chukwu, Finidi advise Eagles — Page 55

sides, Nigeria is better. Nigeria has better players but Burkina Faso has harder workers.

Therefore, Nigeria must score first. They must score, say 2-0 and the game is over. That is what they must do. I am sure Keshi knows what to do. Nigeria is the most important football country in Africa and the country must prove it. I’m

happy this is happening. Send my regards to Nigerians and tell them the cup is ours.”

At Tunisia ’94, he repeatedly told the media “the cup is us”.

He meant ‘ours’.

He said the same thing Friday evening but this time the word was right. Westerhof spoke from his base in Arhnem, Holland.

USTIN Eguavoen was the stand-in captain during most of the matches of Tunisia ’94.

That was the last time Nigeria won the Nations Cup, the only other time being in 1980 when Nigeria hosted and won.

Christian Chukwu was captain and also an assistant to Westerhof when they won in Tunisia.

“It’s always a special feeling to be in a big cup final,” Eguavoen said yesterday when we sought his views on the team Stephen Keshi will parade today in the Nations Cup final against Burkina Faso in South Africa.

He has tasted sweet victory and knows how it feels. Eguavoen was magnanimous enough to hand over the captain band to Keshi to lift the cup after Nigeria beat Zambia 2-1 in that final with two goals coming from Emmanuel Amuneke who is currently analyzing the Nations Cup for Al Jazeera *Continues on Page 55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Nigerian state (4) 3. Niger-Delta tribe (8) 6. W. African country (5) 8. Wind instrument (4) 9. Vast (8) 11. Meadow (3) 12. Smallest part (4) 13. Unemployed (4) 14. Have ambition (6) 16. Attachment (5) 18. Spy (5) 20. Hangs around (7) 22. Irritate jokingly (5) 24. Nigerian state (5) 26. U.S. currency unit (4) 29. Insects (4) 30. Orb (4) 31. Sailor (3) 32. Hoped for (8) 33. Smooth (4) 34. Tox (5) 35. Sun-measuring equipments (8) 36. Consolidates (4)

DOWN 1. Nigerian state (7) 2. Middle Belt tribe (5) 3. Nigerian tribe (6) 4. Distending (7) 5. Examine (7) 7. Stockpile (5) 10. Seize with teeth (4) 14. Engine part (4) 15. Cereal (3) 17. No (Scottish) (3) 18. Enquires (4) 19. Pen tip (3) 21. Maiden name (3) 22. Businessmen (7) 23. Hang (7) 25. Isles (7) 26. U.S. currency unit (4) 27. Sportswear firm (6) 28. Go in (5) 30. Makes beer (5)

SOLUTION on page 15

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